Disclaimer: They're not mine. I'm just borrowing em.
Spoilers: Don't read if you don't wanna be spoiled for the upcoming "Forever"
Feedback: Come on, it's been like 6 months since I last sent a b/a fic! I need some feedback. E-mail is, as always, angelsslayer99@buffymail.com

She looks at me, and I can barely contain my surge of joy at the love I see in her eyes.

"Angel," she whispers, and I want to sob at the pain I hear in her voice. She twists in my arms, looking for a more comfortable position than a brittle, old oak tree.

When she speaks again, the tears are just underneath the surface.

"Make it stop hurting, Angel." she murmurs in that little-girl voice that always makes me want to fall down and scream at the heavens, "I love this woman! How dare you keep her from me?!" "Please?" Buffy asks, bringing me back to reality.

"No, love, no," I say regretfully. "I can't take the pain away, but I can make it easier." Hesitant, I lean down and brush my lips against hers. She replies by attacking me with her mouth, as we finally unite in what has so long been denied us.

"I love you," Buffy gasps as we break apart. "I love you so much; it's like a physical pain when you're not near me. Why did you leave? How could you leave me to face it alone?"

"Baby, don't you understand I had no choice?" I reply, sobbing now. "I had to find my own way; I had to stop being part of you. I needed freedom. I love you too; I always will: you have to believe that. But I couldn't stay here, knowing that we could never truly be together. I wanted to spare you that pain of never having someone who could take into the day, away from the darkness that's a constant part of me."

"But I-I f-found her!" She's yelling now. "I f-found her lying on the couch, and you weren't there! You weren't there to hold me, and tell me everything was gonna be okay! I needed you!"

"I'm here now, aren't I?" I shout, startling us both. "I'm here with you, and I'll stay as long as you need me."

"You'll never stay for as long as I need you, Angel." Buffy answers. "You'll never stay forever."

I kiss her again, whispering words of comfort and love into her waiting ears. "You know I can't, Buffy. You know that. But I can always come as soon as you need help. You gotta trust me."

"I do," Buffy says, looking into my eyes. "I trust you with my life."

I smile at her foolishly, until out of the corner of my eye, I notice a reddish glow filling the eastern sky.

"The sun's coming up," I murmur. "We've talked all night. I have to go." I ease myself out of her reluctant arms, and stroke her hair lovingly. "Ya still my girl?"

"Always," Buffy answers instantly. "Always."

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