With Xander gone Buffy’s last reason to care was lost. She hunted Angelus with a single-minded fury that terrified Giles (and Angelus) She no longer listened to Giles’ warnings he reflected, and he debated requesting that he be replaced by a different Watcher, one who might have a chance at getting through to her before it was too late. But he knew he couldn’t leave her, no matter what happened.
Angelus had witnessed Buffy’s rage first-hand, in a conflict he’d barely managed to escape from in one piece, and had no desire to give the crazed Slayer a chance to finish the job. Instead he went into hiding and awaited his chance. It came late one Friday evening.
Buffy hadn’t been seen by anyone for several days, least of all Giles. She’d been skipping school, and he’d managed to cover for her thus far, but he feared what would happen if she did not attend on Monday. Snyder would probably expel her.
Willow was with him in the library, ostensibly shelving books. Suddenly the doors flew open, and a dark figure staggered in. Willow experienced a flashback to Buffy's entrance several nights ago; she hadn’t spoken to Buffy since.
“Don’t worry,” the figure called cheerfully in response to Willows frightened cry.
Angelus moved further in, and Willow noticed what was hindering him. He looked down, following her gaze, and seemed surprised.
“Oh, these?” he said, indicating the bodies of Cordelia and Oz. “I fancied a take-away. Think I got a good deal? Two for the price of one; wolf-boy was helping the girl to fix a flat, and since our neighbourhood Slayer is somewhat indisposed attacking Spike’s warehouse single-handedly... How could I resist?”
“She’s attacking the warehouse? Spike *and* Drusilla with all their minions and she hasn’t even *told* me?”
“Guess you’re a little down on Buffy’s ‘People I Have To Tell When I Go Out To Defend The World In A Foolish, Suicidal Manner’ list.” Angelus smiled wolfishly.
He dragged the bodies further in, allowing the door to swing shut behind him, and dumped them on the floor. Cordelia’s head rolled back, revealing the tell-tale marks.
“Three in one week; Buffy sure isn’t fulfilling her duties very successfully. Although, I had nothing to do with the boy; that was some out-of-town vampire. You’ll be pleased to know I dealt with him very severely. I don’t like anyone else ruining my gifts before I have a chance to wrap them.” He smiled widely, and waved a hand at them.
“She’ll be even happier to know I managed to give her four gifts in one. One great big dinner. I might even invite someone to share. Although, I am inclined to prepare you all by myself. What an unexpected pleasure.”
“The same goes for me, how kind of you to say,” a voice said from behind him, sweetly.
Angelus spun round quickly to face Buffy, with his hands raised defensively. “Hey, sweetheart, I wasn’t gonna hurt ‘em. Yet. What say you put down the stake and I’ll leave.”
“I’ve let you get away too many times, Angelus. This ends here.”
He snarled, and assumed his demonic visage, baring his fangs at her predatorily.
She grinned, and sat down on the table, swinging her legs. “Are you finished yet, sweetie? ‘Cause you should know by now that I don’t go in for these displays of aggression you vamps seem to love. It’s never just fight, you always have to show off.” She sighed, and apparently relented. “Okay, okay. Nice ridges, *love* the fangs, can we skip to the part where we fight, already?”
Sightly surprised at her calm demeanour and seemingly friendly banter, Angelus swiftly changed tactics. “I don’t think you’ll kill me. You couldn’t do it before. You won’t give up on your precious Angel.”
“Maybe Buffy Summers couldn’t kill you. She had reasons not to, emotions. Feelings for you. But me, I’m just a Slayer. And you’re just a vampire.”
He smiled. It was obvious he thought she wouldn’t do it. “So slay me,” he said, still grinning.
Buffy stood up, stake in hand, and prepared to throw. Angelus waited patiently, secure in the knowledge that his adversary’s love for his soul would prevent her from killing him.
“Goodbye, Angel. I hope you can forgive me,” she whispered.
Angelus realised his mistake, and backed away quickly, but it was too late. Buffy drew her arm back and let fly; her aim was true. The stake slammed into his chest with tremendous force, and his body shuddered at the impact. Buffy watched, tears in her eyes, as the shaft of deadly wood buried itself in her lovers heart. He looked at her in surprise.
“Buffy?”
“I’m sorry, Angel, I’m so, so sorry,” she cried, running to his side.
“S’okay,” he mumbled. “Bu-hu-huffy? Tha-ank you. I forgi-” With that he died.
Buffy wiped her tears away, and smiled weakly. “I forgive you too, Angel,” she whispered, through her tears.
Then she stood up and walked over to the people waiting for her. Her Watcher and her best friend.
“I’m sorry,” she said, softly. Both remained silent for a moment, and then all three wrapped each other in a giant hug.
“It’s funny to think that we’re all that's left” Willow said. Everyone else is d- ...gone.”
Buffy extracted herself from the hug, and turned to face the bodies of Cordelia and Oz. “Not everybody,” she said.
“They aren’t dead?” Willow asked, hope eclipsing pain for a fraction of a second in her eyes.
“I can hear their heartbeats. And their breathing,” Buffy confessed. “We better call an ambulance.”
She looked into Willow’s eyes. “I’m sorry. I should have done this a long time ago. Then Xander would-”
“No!” Willow said, emphatically. “Xander knew the risks. We all did. It’s not your fault. Besides, Xander died from a different vampire. Not Angelus. I don’t blame you and neither would he.”
“I’ll understand if you don’t want to be the lone Slayerette anymore.” Buffy said, quietly.
“No, I’m not giving up. I have to help to make sure more people don’t end up like Xander. Besides, I have a feeling the Slayerettes are gonna receive some new recruits,” she said, gesturing at Oz and Cordelia.
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