Timeline: Season Four and 1753
Summary: Buffy ventures into Angel's past...
Spoilers: I Will Remember You
Disclaimer: Do I look like Joss Whedon to you????
Note: Liam wasn't Angel's name ever and his father was never the asshole that we saw in 'The Prodigal'.
Note 2: This is in response to Steph's challenge...
Requirements:
~Buffy gets sent back in time to the time when Angel was human in Ireland
~A lady finds her lying on the street and takes her in and it turns out to be
Angel's mother
~They like each other! You know like an attraction
~Buffy must decide if she wants Angel to be turned or if she stops Darla
~MUST BE A HAPPY ENDING FOR BUFFY AND ANGEL
~Buffy must keep her name

Buffy walked dejectedly out of Angel Investigations. She couldn't tell Angel that she remembered. Just the look on his face before she left was enough to convince her that it would shatter him.

She couldn't do that to him...

She thought of her life before this day and couldn't help but be thankful that she now had a valid reason to avoid relationships. She still held Angel's heart in the palm of her hand. Riley, the TA that appeared to be interested in her was now of the past...

There was no way that she would date anyone now.

Buffy crossed the busy street and headed to the mall. She had hours to kill before her father expected her back, so she thought that she'd try her old 'shopping away misery' habit. It wouldn't make her forget, but might take her mind off it all for a few hours...

*~*~*~*

The couple stood there, watching the events as they took place.

"She remembers, brother."

"It does her no good, she will still die," the male Oracle replied.

"We should have told him..."

"It was not up to us, sister."

*~*~*~*

This can't be happening! Why did there have to be a hold up, now? Buffy stood in the bank, waiting for her turn, her mind racing at ninety mile an hour thinking of Angel, when screams jerked her back to reality. She turned to the man holding the gun.

Within seconds, everyone stood stock still, all quiet, save for a small child, who couldn't stop crying. The gun was suddenly pointed at the child. Buffy's quick reflexes launched her in front of the toddler just as the gun went off.

The last thing Buffy saw was the gratitude on the mother's face as the bullet tore into the flesh of Buffy's back...

*~*~*~*

"It is done, brother. It is all up to her now," the female Oracle murmured.

"The door has now closed and another has opened..."

*~*~*~*

Where am I? Buffy thought. She looked around her. She was laying on a cobblestone street. Buffy could hear the laughter from a nearby tavern, but she was still too shocked for anything else to register.

I was shot!

"Pardon me, dear, but are you hurt?"

Buffy turned her head to the voice. She looked up and saw a woman in her late forties, maybe early fifties, dressed in eighteenth century attire and a kind smile.

"I'm not sure," Buffy replied. She didn't feel hurt, but Buffy knew for a fact that she had been shot.

The woman helped her to her feet and smiled. "My name is Moileen, dear, Moileen O'Roarke."

"I'm Buffy, Buffy Summers," she smiled back.

Moileen tsked. "You really shouldn't be out at night, dear. It's dangerous."

Buffy grinned knowingly. "You can say that again."

The older woman repressed a smile. "Where are you staying? I'll walk you home."

Buffy frowned. "Umm..."

Moileen patted her hand. "It's all right, dear, just come with me. My family will take care of you."

Buffy sighed in relief.

*~*~*~*

Buffy sat in the living room, feeling very uncomfortable. Sitting around her was Moileen's husband Brian, and her daughter Kathy. Moileen was in the kitchen getting some tea.

They were all very nice to her, despite her taste in clothing. Buffy looked at their very modest attire, then down at her black, skin-tight outfit. She very nearly cringed at the comparison.

It wasn't hard for her to figure out that she had somehow been transported back in time. It was obvious by her surroundings, but what she was more caught up with, was the fact that she was injured in any way from the bullet that had entered her body, unless it was because it hadn't actually happened yet...

Buffy heard the front door slam and a male chuckle, as Kathy bolted out of the room with an excited giggle. Brian chuckled. "Her brother is home," he told Buffy.

She smiled, then turned to the doorway as Moileen came back in and put the tray of tea on the coffee table in front of her. Buffy's eyes widened with shock when she saw him enter the room. At first, she thought it was her Angel, but then she saw the predatory gleam in his eyes, aimed at Moileen.

Buffy whipped a stake out of the small bag by her side and jumped to her feet. "Angelus!"

The male in question looked her up and down, leering at her. He didn't know her. That was perfectly understandable, considering that they hadn't even met yet. Buffy leapt over the chair she had been seated at and kicked him to the ground.

Moileen's family watched in growing horror as Buffy approached him. "I won't let you harm them!" Then she straddled his chest and went to plunge the stake into his heart.

Buffy froze, her body registering the differences. "You're alive..." she whispered in realization.

Suddenly, a small hand grabs her own and pulls her off Angel. Buffy jumps up as a fist is thrust toward her face. She punched back. Both girls continued this way until they were both tired and several items of furniture were broken.

"Who are you?" Buffy asked the other girl.

"Who am I? I think I should be the one asking the questions. You come into my home and you attack my family!" the brunette accused.

"You're the Slayer..." Buffy murmured as it suddenly occurred to her.

Everyone in the room froze, including the two newcomers. The brunette and the middle-aged man accompanying her. Buffy recognized him instantly. "Merrick?"

He frowned at her. "And who might you be, to know these things?" he questioned.

"Buffy Summers..." She watched as he whispered the name, the wheels in his head turning. It was obvious to all in the room, that he recognized the name.

"Summers...Summers." His head jerked up in confusion. "You're not supposed to be here! You're not supposed to be called until 1996. You're not even supposed to exist until 1981!"

The girl's eyes widened as the words sunk in. "You're a Slayer, too? Am I going to die?"

Buffy looked around her. Moileen had tears in her eyes at the though of her eldest daughter's death. Brian was trying to stay level, but was failing miserably, he was wearing what Willow would term 'resolve face'. If her end was near, he would take it like a man. It was clear that Kathy didn't really understand, but Angelus...well, he didn't appear to have heard. He was still lying on the floor, staring up at Buffy in awe.

Then Buffy remembered a conversation she and Angel had had about noble women and the kind of woman he had wanted back when he was human...

Buffy decided to leave that one alone for now. She turned back to the girl. "I have no idea if you're going to die. Umm...what's you're name, anyway?"

"My name is Colleen and you are correct, I am the Slayer."

Merrick spoke to Buffy. "Do you know why you are here?"

Buffy shook her head. "You were right when you said that I'm not supposed to exist. I was born in 1981 and I was called in 1996, but just after I started college, I went to the bank to withdraw some money and there was a robbery. I saved a small child from being shot and I, myself took the bullet in the back. Then I found myself laying to the street where Moileen found me."

Merrick frowned. "I believe that I can shed some light on the subject, but first, I must check on a few things. Was there some major event that occurred, apart from your death that may have had a profound effect on the battle against evil?"

Buffy bit her lip. She didn't know how to say it, or even if she should.

"Buffy, if you know anything..." Colleen started.

Buffy's gaze darted to Angel. Moileen saw this and asked, "Buffy, how did you know my son?"

Angel, who had gotten up from the floor and now sat on the lounge, grinned. "Can I hope that I have a reputation with the ladies?"

Buffy gave a watery chuckle. Looking at him now, reminded her of their recent joy...and despair.

She paused. "You do have a reputation among the ladies...'the one with the angelic face'. But that's not the only reputation you have..." she whispered. "But getting back on track..." Buffy decided to get back to Merrick. "Yes, there was something that occurred, more than one, actually.

"In my time, there are two Slayers. I died about a year after I was called, but I was revived. Apparently, my death activated the next Slayer, Kendra. But she's dead, now, too, so Faith was called." Buffy frowned at the thought of Faith.

Angelus was stunned at the sharp pain that settled in his heart at the thought of her death...she was beautiful, granted, but was she the one for him?

"I have a reputation too...Merrick, in your life as my Watcher, you once told me that I was different than other Slayers. You were soooo right. In four years of slaying, I've been told that I'm the greatest Slayer in history, but I've never even seen the Slayer Handbook, nor do I pay that much attention to the Watcher's Council, actually, I quit that Council, they refused to help someone very dear to me..."

Everyone was listening avidly. They had all taken a seat when she had began her tale. Colleen saw the other Slayer's hesitation. "What else, Buffy?"

"He was my lover..." she murmured.

The group gasped. Such a thing was shameful in their time.

"It's different in my time!" she defended herself. "Everything is open and laid back." She set about to explain all about her time as best she could...

When she was finished, they all seemed to accept it, so she continued with her story. "They refused to help him, even though he was dying, so I quit. They didn't really like me, anyway. I was proof that Slayers didn't need their orders, that I could do things on my own. In four years, I've defeated more evil than I can count, but death has occurred as well..."

Colleen was very interested in Buffy's life. She was considered the most argumentative Slayer yet, just because her family knew. If Buffy was even more so, what had she done? She asked Buffy that very question.

"You can't know that just yet..." Buffy told her.

It was then that Merrick decided to take his leave to do some research. Colleen saw him out. Moileen and Kathy went of to prepare the evening meal, leaving her with Brian and his son...Angelus.

*~*~*~*

Angel couldn't help but stare at Buffy. She's so perfect...so full of life, so courageous and emotional. She's the one...

Buffy knew what he was thinking, but didn't know what to do about it. She didn't know if she would be here for very long...but she still loved and wanted him. Forever...

Brian looked at his son and their house guest. He could feel the undercurrent, but there was something he wanted to find out first...

"Buffy?" Buffy looked at him. "I didn't want to say anything in front of the women, but...well, you came at my son with a stake. Does that mean that he's a vampire?"

Buffy looked from Brian to Angel, then back to Brian. She sucked in a breath at Angel's shocked and dismayed look. Her gaze fell to her lap. "Yes..."

When she looked up again, she saw a silver claddaugh on Brian's finger. The man in question saw where her gaze was fixated, then followed it as it moved to her own hand, with a similar ring. He didn't say anything.

Angel saw the by-play, not to mention the ring. His hopes were dashed. He resisted the urge to roar his profound disappointment and disapproval to the heavens. Buffy's married...

*~*~*~*

One Week Later

Merrick had come through. He had found out that she was supposed to choose...

Choose what?

That was what they didn't know...

The books all stated that the world would be changed by her decision, but they didn't say how. All they said was that when the time came, she would have to choose...for better or for worse.

She soon found out what...

*~*~*~*

Buffy looked around the room. She sat herself at the table with everyone else, ready for the evening meal. She was suitably attired for their time. Angelus wasn't there...

"Where's Angel?" she asked hurriedly, then bit her lip at the obviousness of the question. Buffy blushed as everyone turned her way and smiled knowingly. They couldn't help but notice the undercurrents between the two.

Angelus had been following Buffy around for the better part of the week, just being there to help her get used to the basics of living in the 1750's, finding every opportunity to help her from her chair and holding her hand while doing so.

For the first couple of days he had avoided her, but had finally come out and asked her if she would be returning to her husband. "What husband?" she had replied.

He had explained all about the ring she wore. He had apologized for bringing it up when tears had formed in her eyes. Buffy just told him, "He told me that it was sort of like a promise and friendship ring..."

"He probably didn't know, the fool," Angel scorned.

Buffy smile tenderly. "He knew, but no. If I return, I'll probably be dead. So when I go back, I won't be going back to him."

Angelus had grinned at that. "You can stay here, then!" He hadn't waited for her answer, just took it for granted that she would stay.

Buffy hadn't had the heart to tell him otherwise...

Now, his family just smiled at her. His mother, Moileen, answered her question. My Angelus is down at the local tavern, celebratin' his friend, Daniel's wedding tomorrow. They won't be back 'til mornin'."

Colleen laughed. "You should be proud of yourself, Buffy. You have done something that none of us has been able to accomplish. This is the first time Angelus has gone to the tavern since you arrived. Before, he was out every night, boozin' an' whorin'!"

"Colleen!" Both Brian and Moileen gasped.

"Well, it's true!"

Buffy's smile froze. She recalled what Angel had told her about his life before becoming a vampire. She turned to Colleen. "What is the date?"

The other Slayer told her.

"Oh, shit!" Buffy got up from the table and ran to get her weapons. The rest of the family followed her.

"What's the matter?" Moileen asked her, choosing to forgive her language.

"It's today! I have to decide, now!" Buffy was panicking. She hoped that she wasn't too late.

Colleen told the rest of her family to stay put while she went with Buffy.

"We need to find Angel!" Buffy told her as they ran out the door...

*~*~*~*

Buffy followed Colleen into the town. God, why didn't I figure it out sooner?!?! Buffy couldn't believe how stupid she was at times. She should have known what she was supposed to decide, when she discovered where and when she was...

They were in the center of the town of Galway within minutes. Colleen was the first to notice the fallen figure on the ground and the young man standing by his side...

*~*~*~*

Angelus looked at his best friend, who had just passed out in the middle of the street. "Why don't you rest right here..." he chuckled. The not-quite-sober Irishman turned around and noticed the beautiful blonde in the alley. He shook his head. She is nowhere near as beautiful as my Buffy...he thought. In less than two weeks, he had come to think of her as his.

He dismissed the woman, making the mistake of turning his back on her and bending down to pick up his sleeping friend...

"Noooooooo!!!!!!!!!" came the terrified scream.

Angelus turned his head to where he saw his sister and the young lady that had stolen his heart staring at something behind him while running in his direction. He turned and noticed the woman from the alley, her face deformed...

A vampire.

*~*~*~*

"Noooooooo!!!!!!!!!" Buffy yelled as she saw Darla move in for the kill. Both Slayers whipped out their stakes and rushed at the well-dressed vampire.

Buffy had made her choice. She wasn't going to let Angel go through all that he had gone through. She knew that she was sentencing her own life to a loveless existence, but this wasn't about her. It was about the one that she loved and his life. She just couldn't let it happen to him.

She kicked Darla in the head and then grabbed the vampire's hair and threw her to the ground while Colleen helped her brother. "I won't let you do it to him, again, Darla! I won't let you destroy his life this time. I don't care if I'll never know his love, at least he'll have his life this time around!"

With that, Buffy plunged the stake into Darla's heart and watched Angel's would-have-been-Sire turn to ashes.

Buffy turned to where Colleen and Angelus stood, their mouths agape. She dropped her stake and looked directly into Angelus' eyes. He watched as tears began to form in those beautiful grey depths. Taking one last sorrowful look at him, Buffy ran, crying...

*~*~*~*

Questions continued to flow through Buffy's mind. Had she done the right thing? Was she being selfish? What did she do now?

It was a couple of hours later when she found herself back at the O'Roarke household. She quietly went inside, but found everyone in the living room waiting for her. They all looked up when they heard her entrance.

Moileen hugged Buffy fiercely. "Thank you," she whispered gratefully. Brian smiled his thanks, uncomfortable with too much emotion.

Angelus continued to stare at her, almost wistfully.

Colleen cleared her throat. "Buffy, what will you do now?"

Buffy sighed. "I really don't know. I can't stay here, because I might change something else. I have to go back. Somehow..."

Angelus rushed to her and grabbed her shoulders. "You can't! You'll die!" he cried hoarsely.

"This window will forever remain open to you, Warrior," came the voice. The group turned around and saw a blue man and woman in the room.

Buffy looked at them curiously. "Who are you?"

The man looked back at her. "We are the Oracles."

She gasped. The woman smiled. "I see you have heard of us."

"Angel told me," she confessed to the immortals. Everyone else looked at her in surprise.

The man sighed. "Yes, the other Warrior. He no longer exists. Your actions here have changed everything. Never was there a vampire by the name of Angelus, never did he become the Scourge of Europe, nor did he exist to kill the young gypsy girl and be punished with his soul. Never did he meet the young American Slayer and fall in love..."

A sob escaped Buffy's quivering lips. Angelus pulled her close to him. She willingly stayed in his arms.

The woman smiled. "But never was there one whose blood could open the Hellmouth. Nor was there the Master's Slayer-killer. You have done well, Slayer."

Buffy stared at them. "Do I go back, now? Will I just not wake up? I am dead there, aren't I?"

The woman regarded her thoughtfully. "You no longer exist, either. From this moment, you never have. You are dead, but you never truly existed. Your purpose was to rectify a mistake that occurred in this very town, not ten years ago. Your lover's betrothed was killed in a tragic fire, never able to curb his wild ways. She was reincarnated in the time when she would be able to help him through his life, his past..."

"Me?"

She nodded. "You are both where you belong. Without Angelus to protect him, the Master will perish long before he discovers the Hellmouth and so many demons that you destroyed will cease to ever be a problem. Without Angelus' blood, the Hellmouth will not open and the End Of Days will never occur. The purpose of the two Warriors no longer exists."

The male Oracle had something to add. "The Powers That Be wish us to gift you with something on their behalf, for the loyal and dedicated slaying of the both of you." He touched Angelus' temple and then both he and his sister disappeared.

Angelus collapsed in Buffy's arms and groaned as the group witnessed some kind of aura flow into his body. When he stood properly once more, he looked at Buffy. Really looked. "Buffy? Where are we?" he asked. Then he looked around.

"Mother? Father? Colleen? What...?" Angel groaned, mentally in pain. "No! We defeated the First..."

Buffy laughed in sheer joy. "Angel! Look around you!" He did. He saw everything just the way it had been before he had been turned, well, except for Buffy. Then he searched his memory...

"Oh God! I'm human again, aren't I?" he laughed joyously.

Buffy nodded, too choked up to do anything else.

Angel turned to each member of his family. "I remember everything. From now and from before. God, I'm so glad that I didn't have to go through that ." He turned to Buffy. "Thank you..."

"You're welcome!" Buffy answered as Angel picked her up and spun her around. He then did the same to his mother and sister. "Where's Kathy?" he asked.

"She's asleep," Moileen told her son as she wiped the tears of joy from her eyes. It was apparent to all that these two had a history that only they could remember...

Angel smiled and then turned back to Buffy, cupping her cheek and gently kissing her on the lips. "I love you, baby. I'm sorry about everything else that happened in the other time, but we can start over here."

Buffy's eyes took on a wicked glint. "Well, I will kinda miss Angelus."

"Why?!?!" he almost yelled.

She grinned. "He had some wickedly tight leather..."

Angel laughed and tossed her over his shoulder. "I'm going to teach you a lesson, lady. You are going to have me and only me for the rest of your life," he explained as he strode toward the bedroom.

But Buffy's days in that century had rubbed off on her. "Angel! We can't! What will your family think?" she argued as she saw their stunned looks.

Angel turned around and grinned at them. "Don't worry, Mother, Father. I married her first!" he stated proudly, flashing Buffy's claddaugh in their direction and then continued on to the bedroom.

Buffy saw them all grin broadly. Brian chuckled and told his wife and daughter, "Come on, let's all go to bed. I am sure that they will explain everything else in the morning..."

That was the last Buffy heard as Angel carried her into the bedroom and shut the door...

It was going to be a very long and pleasurable night...

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