DISCLAIMER: Not mine, don't sue
SPOILERS: Everything up to Revelations.
DISTRIBUTION: Ask and ye shall recieve
RATING: Uh...15 in England for mention of suicide. I don't know the U.S equivalent.
FEEDBACK: I crave it. It's like cigarettes, you know? Just when I think I've quit...
NOTES: Sequel to my story 'Revelations' This was supposed to be a short sequel but in the way of these things it's now about four times as long as the original and I haven't finished it yet.
NOTES2: Buffy and Angel are in this I swear, just not yet.

Faith hesitated outside the door of Giles' hospital room, unsure how to tell him that his Slayer had left because of something she had done. Forcing herself to remember that she had given Buffy her word she screwed up her courage and pushed open the door. Giles looked up hopefully as she came in, his eyes darkening again when he realised that she wasn't Buffy.

"What's happening?" he asked urgently, "Is the glove…"

"It's been destroyed," she said quickly, grateful for that small piece of good news at least, even though she knew it would be no consolation at all. To her horror she felt tears burn her eyes and she blinked rapidly in an effort to force them back. A single tear escaped her control and rolled slowly down her cheek.

Giles stared at her in with astonished concern; somehow he had never imagined Faith crying, certainly not when people could see her. "Faith?" he asked anxiously, "What is it? What's happened?"

"Buffy…Buffy's leaving," she said in a husky voice that was little more than a whisper, "she asked me to give you a message."

"Leaving! Why? Where's she going? Tell me what's happened, Faith." He instructed sharply.

"I…Xander told me about Angel, he told me he had the glove and made me believe that he was dangerous. So…I went after him, Buffy…she got there just in time to see him turn to dust."

"Oh, dear God!" Giles groaned, he pushed himself upright and swung his legs round until he was sitting on the edge of the bed. He felt a sharp pain as his head protested to the movement but he ignored it, looking round for his clothes. Spying them lying folded on a chair he asked Faith to hand them to him and then said as she turned her back to let him dress, "Tell me exactly what Buffy said about leaving. Anything you can remember."

"Uh…she said that she couldn't stay because everything reminded her of him and that she'd lost him twice before and she couldn't do it again."

Giles moaned and the sound startled Faith into turning round. His face was chalk white, his eyes filled with fear as he shoved his sockless feet into his shoes and hurried to the door. He looked nothing like his usual calm dignified self; his shirt was half buttoned and he didn't waste time with his jacket, waistcoat or tie as he hurried her out of the room.

"Giles, what's wrong?" she asked, trotting beside him as he almost ran out of the hospital and in the direction of Crawford Street.

"Buffy wouldn't leave," he panted, "she's tried that before and she told me that the pain inside her followed where ever she went. If she said she can't take any more then I'm afraid she meant that…" he couldn't finish but Faith understood all too well. She felt her heart stop for a moment, then begin again in double fast time and she put on a burst of speed, rapidly leaving Giles behind as she repeated to herself over and over in her mind, "She wouldn't, she wouldn't, she wouldn't, she can't!"

Her steps slowed as she reached the mansion and it was with deep reluctance that she entered the room, which had been the location of such dramatic events less than an hour before. Buffy was leaning against the table upon which were scattered the only earthly remains of her lover, her face so peaceful that she could have been sleeping were it not for the dagger protruding from bloody wound in her chest. A small smile curved her lips and she looked happier than Faith had ever seen her.

Slowly she moved to her side and crouched down to feel for a pulse in her neck, more though wishful thinking then any real expectation of finding one. Buffy knew too well where the heart was located to have failed to find her own and, as she had known it would be, the vein was still beneath her fingers, her skin already cool to the touch despite the warmth of the day.

~~~

She didn't know how long it was before Giles appeared in the doorway, time had no meaning any more. It was though everything had stopped to acknowledge the passing of the greatest Slayer on record. Breathing raggedly, his gaze never leaving her face, Giles moved forwards and dropped to his knees on Buffy's other side, and asked quietly, "Is she…?" For a moment he looked up at Faith, pleading with her to refute the evidence of his own eyes. She nodded sadly, desperately wishing that there were some other answer she could give.

Right before her eyes, Giles seemed to crumple his tall frame shrinking in upon itself, as he suddenly seemed to become and old, old man. His body shook as harsh sobs tore through him and he gently eased Buffy into his arms. Holding her against him he whispered over and over again how sorry he was; for having failed her, for never telling her how much she meant to him and how proud he was of her, for the fact that the last words he had spoken to her had been in anger.

Remembering Buffy's request that she take care of Giles, Faith got to her feet and moved to gently rest her hand on his shoulder. Blindly, he turned his ravaged face towards her, tears streaming down his grief-stricken features. "She knew, Giles," she told him softly, "she asked me to tell you that she couldn't have loved you more if you'd been her father."

"She did?" he asked hoarsely, his voice little more than a rasping whisper which was as painful to hear, in its own way as his weeping had been.

Faith nodded, "You gave her life stability, whenever she talked about you there was always this utter certainty that you would come through for her when she needed it. It kept her anchored when things got rough."

"Except this time."

"I don't think anything could have helped her this time" she said honestly, "It was like she died when he did, all the light went out of her."

Giles looked down at where the ashes on the coffee table had mingled with Buffy's blood and felt a sudden pang of regret that he had never made peace with Angel. The vampire had been a good friend but in the pain of what had followed he had forgotten that and seen only the demon. "They're together now," he said sadly, "I hope…I hope they've finally found the peace and happiness that they deserve."

A sob rose in Faith's throat and she choked out, "This is all my fault, I killed him and she said…she said…"

"What? What did she say, Faith?"

"She said it she didn't blame me, that she was sorry she hadn't explained things to me before. Sorry! She was hurting so much and she still tried to comfort me!" her tears overflowed and she turned away so that Giles wouldn't see them. The touch of his hand on her arm startled her but before she had time to think her body reacted, and her arms went round him, holding him tightly as she wept for the best friend she had ever known.

They stood like that for a long time, giving and receiving comfort, trying to ease the pain of a loss that they would never truly recover from.

Eventually, Faith stirred and said sadly, "We should go, we still have to tell the others." She felt Giles flinch at the thought but he nodded and his arms fell away from her. He swayed unsteadily on his feet for a moment, reminding Faith that he should still be in the hospital but when she suggested that they return there he dismissed the idea out of hand and instead they slowly made their way to the library.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The library was silent, its occupants stunned and disbelieving. It didn't seem real, Buffy couldn't be dead, she was…Buffy. Nothing could defeat her; time after time she had beaten the odds yet now she was gone.

When Giles and Faith had called the Slayerettes and asked them to assemble at the library none of them had even begun to imagine what lay behind the seemingly routine call. Even Willow, who had been crying on Oz's shoulder about Xander's betrayal, had not suspected. As they filed though the library doors only Xander's absence had marked this visit as any different from the hundreds before it.

It wasn't until they got a good look at Giles that they realised that something was terribly wrong. He was still dressed as he had been when he left the hospital and looked even more crumpled and disreputable then he had before but it was his face that froze them in their tracks. His skin was chalk white, pulled so tightly over the bones of his face that he looked like a death's head. His eyes were deeply shadowed, bloodshot and glistening with tears. The aura of devastation around him was so strong that they shivered and looked away, instinctively searching for Buffy yet already knowing that they wouldn't find her.

It was Cordelia who finally asked the question on all of their minds, "Giles, what's going on? Where's Buffy?"

Giles shuddered but didn't reply. He looked like he was on the verge of collapse and Faith gently guided him to a chair. He sank into it without a word and buried his face in his hands, his whole body trembling. Unsure what else to do, Faith went into the office and made him a cup of tea.

The soothing liquid seemed to calm him a little and the trembling faded; though the devastated look did not.

Willow, Cordelia and Oz stared at Giles in horror; they had never seen him like this before. He was their rock, the one who always kept a clear head; even when Jenny Calendar had been murdered only Buffy had seen the full extent of his pain. By the time the rest of them saw him he had at least recovered his control.

Recognising that Giles was in no shape to make explanations, Faith said quietly, her own voice revealing the aftermath of tears, "Buffy's dead. She…she took her own life."

Of all of them, Cordelia was the most confused, having no knowledge of what had occurred just a few short hours ago, "Why would she…?" she began, then stopped and, in a voice of dawning realisation said with great certainty, "Something happened to Angel."

"I killed him," Faith admitted, hanging her head in shame, and before they could ask any questions she explained everything that had happened since she had met up with Xander in the Bronze.

When she reached the part about Buffy's question to Willow about what Xander had told her when she went to face Acathla Giles muttered something indistinct which sounded like 'prophecy' but otherwise no one spoke and the silence which echoed through the library when she had finished was deafening.

"She didn't live a note or anything?" asked Willow at last in a small, bewildered voice.

"She, uh…she asked me to give each of you a message, I thought you might want to hear them in private."

"Just tell us." Willow instructed, her hand gripping Oz's so tightly it hurt - though he made no effort to ease her grip or withdraw his hand.

Faith looked round, saw the agreement on the others faces, and nodded, "Willow, she wanted you to know that you were the best friend that she'd ever had, she told me that you were the most loyal person in the world and I should give you a chance." The redhead's eyes filled with tears as it finally sank in that Buffy was gone and sobs wracked her body as she turned her face into Oz's shoulder.

Faith's gaze shifted to Oz and she said simply, "She just wanted you to take care of Willow, she knew you would anyway but she wanted me to tell you." His arm tightened around Willow and he nodded gravely, seeing no need for words.

"Cordelia," Faith continued, "Buffy wanted me to tell you that your friendship was important to her and that you're a good person, inside where it counts." Tears streamed down Cordelia's face but she ignored them, heedless of the damage they were doing to her make-up as she remembered telling Buffy how she was never sure if people liked her, or just liked the fact that she was 'popular'. She knew that was why Buffy had left the message she had: so that she would know that at least one person had valued her for herself alone.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

A sound from the doorway made everyone look up. Xander was peeking through the library door, checking to see if Buffy was present before he entered. When he didn't see her he shoved the doors open and strolled through as if he had done nothing wrong.

"Hi, guys, what's up and why wasn't I told?" he asked cheerfully.

Every muscle in Faith's body tensed at the sight of him and, had Oz not put a restraining hand on her arm she would have beaten him to a bloody pulp where he stood. She could have thrown the hand off with ease but its presence helped her to rein in her temper and she remained where she was.

No one had thought to restrain Giles, however. In an instant he was on his feet and before Xander had a chance to say another word he found himself lying sprawled on the floor, clutching his rapidly swelling nose with a furious Ripper standing over him.

He took one look at Giles' still-clenched fists and wisely remained where he was, asking in utter bewilderment, "Giles? What did I do?" He was silent for a moment, reviewing his possible transgressions but there was only one thing that came to mind and he asked disbelievingly, "You can't be upset about Angel? You hated that monster as much as I did!"

Giles looked down at him in disgust and said harshly, "You're a fool, Xander, you've let hatred blind you to everything else."

"Dammit, Angel was a killer! Why am I the only one who remembers that?" Xander demanded angrily, looking round at the others for support and finding none.

"No." Giles stated flatly, "He wasn't." His threatening posture relaxed and his voice was infinitely weary as he went on, "Buffy was right all along, I just wish…I wish that I'd realised it sooner. He and the demon were not the same and Angel was never anything but our friend and ally. His only crime was to love Buffy and to be loved by her in return and he paid a terrible price for it - it cost him his soul."

"I see that Buffy's got you all brainwashed into thinking he was a nice guy again," he sneered nastily, "but I for one, feel much safer knowing that he's gone!" He glanced round, expecting her to appear at any moment and, preparing to beat a hasty retreat, asked, "Where is she anyway? Still weeping over the ashes of her lover?"

The pain that washed over the faces of everyone present stunned him and an icy feeling of dread suddenly trickled down his spine. They hadn't known the vampire well enough for his death to elicit this reaction…only Buffy had been able to breach the walls of pain which surrounded him and see the true face of the man within.

His voice suddenly husky with a nameless fear, Xander asked again, "Where's Buffy?"

"Buffy's dead, Xander." Willow told him brokenly, "You took away her reason for living so she took her own life."

All the colour drained from Xander's face and he clutched the edge of the table for support, "What?" he asked in a horrified whisper, "No…no, she wouldn't…not because of that worthless freak!"

"Oh but she did," Giles said accusingly, "You knew that she loved him and you did it anyway. You claimed to be her friend, yet you betrayed her - twice, and in doing so you set these terrible events in motion."

"T-twice?"

"Something you 'forgot' to mention when she went to stop Acathla?" Willow reminded him bitterly. "I trusted you! She trusted you! I never thought you could do a thing like that Xander, you're not the person I thought you were."

"I…I…"

"Shut up." Giles told him coldly, "This was all your doing, you've fulfilled prophecy and single-handedly destroyed the greatest Slayer who has ever lived. I hope you're proud of yourself."

"I-I didn't mean…"

"Do you think it matters what you meant?" Giles interrupted scornfully, "You should have learned a long time ago that actions have consequences and I hope that the guilt of what you've done haunts you every moment, waking and sleeping, for the rest of your miserable life. This was all you - there was no demon for you to blame and your behaviour was every bit as bad as anything Angelus ever did. How many lives have you destroyed with your spite? How much grief have you caused? Think about that as you try to justify your hate.Now get out, I never want to see you in here again, do you understand?"

Xander understood perfectly and as he searched the cold eyes of the people who had once been his friends he knew that he had lost everything. They would never forgive, the warmth and welcome that had once filled their eyes at the sight of him was gone forever and with a defeated sigh he turned to leave.

Just before he reached the door Faith called him name and he turned back hopefully but when he saw the barely restrained rage in her eyes he knew that hope was misplaced and he vainly tried to brace himself against what was coming.

"Buffy wanted me to tell you…"

"Yes?"

"She hopes you burn in hell for what you did and so do I!"

He flinched as though she'd struck him and without a word, slipped from the room, his world shattered beyond repair. For the fist time he was being forced to examine his own soul and was horrified by what he found there.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

They watched him go in silence, then Cordelia asked quietly, "Giles, what did you mean when you said Xander had fulfilled prophecy? What prophecy?"

"I…it was in the Codex," he admitted sadly, "I didn't pay enough attention to it because I was so sure that you could all be trusted. I thought it had to refer to another Slayer, one who came after Buffy."

"What did it say?" Oz asked.

Giles went into his office to retrieve the book and after leafing through it to find the right page he read aloud:

"The Slayer's death shall come when trusted friend, two-faced and twice deceiving, her heart destroys and in so doing reveals a small and selfish spirit rejoicing in betrayal as hate consumes the soul even as the lips swear love and loyalty."

"Destroys her heart." Oz repeated, "Angel?"

"That was my interpretation, yes. In a very real sense he was exactly that, when he wasn't around Buffy was little more than a shell of the person she should have been.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

One week later…

The small funeral was held at sunset with no more than ten people in attendance. It seemed unjust that the world she had saved so often should care so little at her passing, going about its daily business unaware that a great hero was being put to rest. But it was only the human element of the world that was unaware and as night fell and most of the human mourners left a silent truce was called as the many and varied denizens of Sunnydale came to pay their respects to their greatest foe. It was oddly fitting that no creature of darkness would ever be able to claim victory against her, no demon would ever be able to gloat over the fact that their hand had felled the greatest of the Slayers.

On that night, for the first time since the town had been built, no one died in Sunnydale. A great wave of demons and vampires and other things less easily named, poured into the town and did nothing more than stand by the Slayer's grave before leaving once more.

The five humans who remained standing sadly by the graveside watched wide-eyed as the pile of flowers resting against the headstone grew ever larger. Delicate blooms left behind by creatures that would haunt the darkest nightmares of the bravest soul.

When the first vampires had arrived the humans had gone for their weapons but for all the mind the demons paid them, they might as well not have been there. Even Faith, Slayer though she was, had been ignored.

Hours passed and still the demons came and went, some leaving flowers, some not but all pausing respectfully beside the grave before moving on.

As the humans' fear faded, their curiosity grew and none of them were able to tear themselves away from the astonishing spectacle unfolding before them. The explanation, when it finally came, was from an unlikely source. As they watched the procession file slowly past Buffy's grave a voice from behind them broke the silence.

"'Ello, Mates,"

Startled they swung round brandishing stakes and crosses before them.

Leaning casually against a headstone, Spike struck a match and lit a cigarette, taking a deep draw from it before saying carelessly, "No need for all that, there's a truce on tonight or hadn't you noticed?"

"I-I don't understand," Giles admitted, lowering his stake. "Why do all these demons seem to be…mourning Buffy's death? It was her duty to kill them, I would have thought that they'd be celebrating."

"And so they are - sort of." Spike agreed, "But it's not every day that a legend bites the dust."

"A…a legend?"

"Sure, there's never been a Slayer like her before - probably never will be again." He took another drag from his cigarette and blew out a cloud of smoke before continuing, "She couldn't be killed, couldn't be corrupted, couldn't be broken. She defeated the Master and loved one of us. There isn't a demon out there that wasn't afraid of her - myself included. They didn't like her and they're relieved she's gone but they sure as hell respected her and that's what this is: a gesture of respect. Even at the end it wasn't one of us that took her down." Spike's voice was oddly affectionate and they looked at him in surprise. "What? I liked the little bitch...she had guts. Best enemy I ever had."

Reaching into his duster he withdrew two perfect blood-red roses and balanced them gently on top of the wide marble headstone, away from all the other flowers.

The significance of the two flowers was unmistakable and, uncomfortable aware of the curious looks they were giving him, Spike said a trifle defensively, "Well the big poof was me Sire!"

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

About an hour and a half before dawn the flood of demons past Buffy's grave slowed to a trickle and then dried up completely as the visiting demons all started searching for a safe place to spend the day. Not all of them were afraid of the sun as the vampires were but none of them wanted to be caught in the open when the humans began moving. Their current 'fictional' status suited them because as long as people continued to believe that then they would remain easy prey.

Only Spike remained, standing close to a mausoleum that he knew contained an access way to the sewer tunnels.

"Wow, that was amazing," said Willow in an awed voice.

"Yes, such a tribute is quite…unprecedented." Giles agreed quietly.

"Oh, that was nothing," Spike informed them, sounding as if he really meant it, "Every major demon and vampire around the world has put a complete ban on hunting for the night!"

"Good God! You mean…"

"I mean that, with a few exceptions caused by badly behaved and stupid fledglings, there will be no deaths by 'unnatural causes' anywhere in the world tonight. For the first - and probably only - time since your species first evolved, humans can walk the night in safety." He chuckled suddenly and added, "I'd make the most of it if I were you…there'll probably be feasting tomorrow."

Giles was utterly lost for words; a new occurrence when he was discussing Slaying and the supernatural, even discovering that the Chosen One had become the Chosen Two hadn't quite managed it. Before he could find his voice a sudden glow lit the night sky 'til it was almost as bright as day. The sudden brightness was dazzling and, instinctively, Spike cringed, throwing up his arms to shield his face before realising that it was too soon and too sudden to be dawn. When their vision had cleared everyone looked up to see what was causing it and gasped in astonished awe.

Buffy and Angel stood together in the sky, radiating power. The light surrounded them like a halo and on their faces was an expression of joy and serenity that they had never known in life.

Before anyone had a chance to gather their scattered wits they spoke, their voices quiet and formal, yet somehow louder than thunder at the same time. "We are assigned Guardians of humanity and the Hellmouth, seek not to open it or to harm our friends lest you engender our wrath."

The light faded and, as casually as anyone else would descend a flight of stairs; hand in hand Buffy and Angel descended from the sky until they stood before their friends. They were dressed much the same as they had when they were alive and it seemed impossible for Angel, in his dark clothes, to glow and yet that was exactly what he did. What they both did.

"B-Buffy?" asked Giles tentatively. Instinctively he reached out towards her then stopped, fearful that his hand would pass right through her. Before he could draw back she let go of Angel's hand and reached out to enfold him in a gentle hug.

At the feel of her warm and alive in his arms a great sob burst from his throat and he held her so tightly against him that a normal person would have been unable to breathe. At this proof that Buffy was indeed real and solid the tension holding the others together snapped and within seconds she found herself buried in an enthusiastic group hug as Giles, Willow, Cordelia and Faith all laughed and cried against her. Oz didn't join the huddle but there was a smile on his usually impassive face and his eyes were damp.

When at last the hug ended Giles straightened his glasses and said, "I-I don't understand how this is possible. The two of you were…were dead!"

"We still are in a way, Giles." Angel explained, "We aren't…mortal, any more. Not that I ever was but it's different now, the demon is gone forever, I'm not a vampire anymore we're…something else. The Powers That Be needed a Guardian, the balance has shifted too far in Evil's favour and they had to restore it. They wanted one of us to do it…"

"…But neither of us were willing to be separated from the other," Buffy picked up, "and unlike being the Slayer, we had to agree to take the job. So they gave us joint Guardianship."

"Bloody 'ell, you mean I'll never get rid of you!" Spike exclaimed, reminding them of his presence as he did so. "Are you going to be underfoot every time I turn around for the rest of my bleedin' unlife?"

Everyone turned to look at him and then at Buffy and Angel, curious as to how they would react. The two exchanged smiles and then, to everyone's - most of all Spike's - utter amazement she stepped forward and gave the blonde vampire a hug. "Thank you for the flowers," she said to his embarrassment, "they're beautiful."

"Get off!" He jerked her arms from around him and shoved her away; aware as he did so that she was stronger than ever and if she had not permitted it, he couldn't have moved her.

Smiling mischievously she returned to Angel's side and his arm went round her shoulders as she answered his question, "No, Spike, you're safe enough. The next Slayer has been called and killing vampires is her job and Faith's, not ours."

"What, precisely is your 'job'?" Giles asked curiously.

"The Slayers protect individuals - small groups at most," Angel explained, "…we protect humanity against that which might destroy it. We aren't permitted to interfere with the normal cycle of life and death unless one of our friends is threatened and then we can act only to save them, we can't destroy the threat."

"So…you're still Slayer's, just on a larger scale?" asked Oz.

"Basically…yes."

"You said you 'can act to save your friends' does that mean that we can't die?" asked Cordelia hopefully.

"Not quite. It means that you can't die due to supernatural causes, we can't protect you from anything else."

"So vampires can't hurt us? Cool!"

"I didn't say that, we can protect you from death and serious injury but you can still be hurt. We can't interfere too much, we're bending the rules by protecting you at all."

"So what happens now? I mean, you're not going to be back in school and living at home like nothing happened…my God, your mom. She thinks you're dead, we have to tell her…"

"No!" Buffy interrupted Willow sharply; "You tell her nothing. I'm dead, there's no place for me in her life any more - not that there ever really was after she found out about the whole Slayer thing."

"But Buffy…"

"She can't know, no one human can know about us." She looked sternly at Giles, "Not even the Watchers Council."

"We're human," Giles stated, "yet you told us."

Buffy blushed, "Yes, well…we can appear to the Slayer in dreams to offer her information and advice so Faith is more or less okay, the rest of you…" she paused and glanced at Angel. He smiled lovingly at her and, bolstered by his support she said quickly, "…You all looked so sad and lost so we made an exception to the rules. I wanted you to know that I was - that we - were happy and together."

"Now that you do know, we'll always be here if you need us." Angel told them with a smile. His dark eyes shone with happiness and peace - proof, if proof were needed, that Buffy spoke the truth - the grief and pain that had filled them before had been banished, never to return. "We can't fight lesser demons but we know them all - their strengths, weaknesses, fears and desires. If you need help with research, advice or just a friend to talk to, call our names and we'll hear you."

"Things will never be the same, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing." Buffy said, smiling at Angel in a way that left the others in no doubt that as far as she was concerned it was a very, very good thing. Unable to resist the love in her eyes, Angel leaned closer and their lips met in a passionate kiss that made Willow blush. The glow around the two of them flared brighter, then faded as the sound of Giles clearing his throat uncomfortably reminded them that they had an audience and they ended the kiss.

Smiling sheepishly they turned to face their friends, keeping their arms around each other. Despite the embarrassment of witnessing such a private moment they were smiling at them, their delight at seeing them so happy clear on their faces.

"Sorry," said Buffy, not looking the least apologetic, "it's still…new, you know? Us, together."

"So that's why you waited a week before showing up?" asked Cordelia, tactless as ever, "The two of you have been making up for lost time?"

They didn't reply but the accuracy of her assumption was clear on Buffy and Angel's faces and Spike was unable to suppress a chuckle at their embarrassed expressions.

"Uh…we should…go now." Buffy said looking lustfully into Angel's eyes, then with an obvious effort she wrenched her gaze from his and addressed her friends, "before we leave we have some…gifts…for you."

"Come here Oz," Angel instructed quietly.

With a quizzical expression he did as instructed and came to stand directly in front of the glowing couple who stood hand in hand. "We can't change the nature of reality," Buffy told him, "but we can alter the balance."

Buffy and Angel reached out and each laid a hand on Oz's shoulder, their other hands still clasped together, forming a circle. As soon as the circle was complete the glow about them brightened, extending to include Oz and the air hummed with power. For a moment a hint of green entered the golden glow, then it faded and Buffy and Angel removed their hands. Oz swayed and Willow darted forward to support him but the dizziness passed quickly and shook his head to clear it.

"Woah! What was that?" he asked in amazement.

"We shifted the balance within you," Angel told him, "if you concentrate you should be able to feel the difference."

Obediently Oz closed his eyes and turned his attention inward, searching himself for changes. Suddenly his eyes flashed open and he gazed at Buffy and Angel in awed gratitude, "I can control it!" he exclaimed, "Oh, God! Thank you. Is this…permanent?" At their nod, calm, controlled Oz let out a whoop of joy and pulled Willow into his arms, swinging her round before kissing her soundly.

Her face was flushed and she was laughing despite her confusion when he finally let her go. "Oz! What is it? What did they do?"

"They gave me control!" Realising that she didn't understand he stepped back from her and said, "Look," as he spoke his features shifted into the familiar, yet frightening lines of the werewolf. Willow gave a frightened squeak and stepped back but he made no move to attack, instead he spoke, the words harsh and mangled by vocal chords that were never intended to form them, but recognisable nonetheless. "The wolf can only appear when I want it to," He saw the others recognise the significance of his words and changed back. The second he was human again Willow threw himself into his arms and burst into happy tears.

"Balance," said Giles thoughtfully, "it can emerge at any time but Oz retains control instead of it emerging only over the full moon and Oz having no control. Yes, I think I understand what you mean but I had no idea that what you have just done was possible."

"Everything is about balance, Giles," Angel told him, "out job is to maintain it and to do that we must be able to alter it where necessary." Before Giles could reply, Willow was there, pulling Buffy and Angel into a tight hug and babbling incoherently about how grateful she was. Laughing they hugged her back and then released her so she could return to Oz's arms.

Buffy looked at Angel then the two of them turned to look at Spike. Something in their expressions warned him that he wouldn't like what was coming and he started backing away, shaking his head, "Oh, no! Whatever you two wankers are thinking, just forget it, alright?" He turned to run, heading for the sewer access, but they appeared in front of him, blocking the way. They reached out and grasped his shoulders, just as they had done with Oz and once again the glow brightened, extending to include Spike, only this time the light was tinged red. Spike screamed once in fury as he realised what was happening and then went limp, supported only by their hands on his shoulders. Gently they lowered him to the ground and stepped back wearing the satisfied expressions of a job well done.

"Uh…what was that all about?" Faith asked curiously from behind, making them turn to face her. "I mean, obviously didn't kill him, he'd be dust if you had."

"Yes," Giles agreed, "you said that you couldn't kill lesser demons so what have you done to Spike?"

"We…er…we restored his soul."

"What? Why, Buffy, why would you want to do that?"

A shadow crossed Angel's face and he said quietly, "Spike was my responsibility…I made him, I taught him…the lives he takes are on my head. We can't kill him, we aren't allowed and besides, I want his soul to have a chance. I can't give back the life I stole from him but I can do this. I want him to be happy, not the demon."

"But surely he'll suffer because of everything that the demon did? When your soul was restored the guilt of what you'd done consumed you, why would you do that to Spike if you want to help him?" Giles asked, confused by the apparent contradiction.

"The spell is different, Giles." Buffy explained, "We…built in, if you like, a very strong awareness that the actions of the demon were in no way the fault or responsibility of the soul and we've dimmed the demon's memories so that he won't have to relive everything that he's done over and over again. Spike will feel guilty but not like Angel did and…" she paused and a tentative and slightly pleading note entered her voice, "…if you're willing to help him, he should be fine."

"And there are no break clauses," Angel told them firmly, "His soul is here to stay."

The relieved looks that crossed everyone's faces made him smile and Buffy giggled before saying seriously, "This isn't a curse, it's a gift although I'm sure that his demon won't see it that way, especially since we kind of put a gag on it. We want him to be happy and at peace."

~~~

Spike groaned and sat up clutching his head. "Bloody 'ell, what a hangover!" he muttered. Hanging on to a headstone for support he dragged himself to his feet and looked around in confusion, trying to remember where he was and how he had come to be there. The sensation of being watched made him look to his left and he discovered that a group of seven strangely dressed people were staring at him. A sense of familiarity tugged at him and he felt as though he should know them, yet he could have sworn that he had never seen any of them before. He glared at them, wondering why they were staring at him, and was starting to turn away when his eyes widened and he spun to face them again.

It hadn't been his imagination. Two of the people facing him, a tall, dark man and a small blonde woman were glowing. He took a step backwards and rubbed his eyes but the glow remained. "I gotta stop drinking," he stated, making the blonde woman smile.

"It's all right, Will," the dark man said and at the sound of his voice Spike squinted at him and asked incredulously, "A-Angelus? Where are we? What are you?"

"Just give it time, you'll remember in a minute," the blonde told him gently.

"We don't have a minute, Buffy, the sun will be up soon," Angel reminded her "Giles, is it okay if we take him to the library?"

"Yes, yes, of course, Angel. I have my car here if you…"

"There's no time," Buffy interrupted looking up at the sky, "We'll meet you there." And with that, she, Angel and Spike vanished, just as the first rays of the sun crept over the horizon, leaving a group of astonished, yet very happy people standing staring at the place where they had been.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Epilogue

Spike stood in front of the altar and fidgeted uncomfortably with his tie. Despite the fact that he now wore the ring of Amarra he still didn't feel quite comfortable in a church. His mind drifted back over the last four years, from the night Buffy and Angel had restored his soul, to the two Guardians battle with the Mayor, to the first day he had spent in the sun after they had discovered the ring. He had thought about destroying it at first, afraid that it would be taken and used by someone else. When he had spoken to Angel about his concerns the Guardians had simply bound it to him so that only he could take it off and that was the end of the problem.

Most of all though, his mind focused upon her. The woman he had grown to love more than he would have believed possible. From the day his soul had been restored she had been there for him, showing a kindness and understanding he had never dreamed she possessed.

The wedding march started and his gaze turned to the church doors as the bridal procession began. Willow walked slowly towards him, her face was radiant but Spike hardly saw her, his attention fixed upon the vision in white that was approaching on a smiling Giles' arm.

Giles smiled more often now, he had finally found peace when Buffy and Angel had given him a dream connection to his Jenny. Every night the two of them were together and every day he lived with the knowledge that she was happy, at peace and waiting for him. He spoke to the guardians often, they all did, whether they needed help or simply wanted someone to talk to, they were always there and with their help, Giles was engaged in writing the most comprehensive guide to demons and their weaknesses ever produced

~~~

Through the impossibly thin gauze of her veil, Cordelia Chase's gaze locked with that of the man she loved and the rest of the world faded away. It had at first seemed an unlikely pairing but after a while everyone who knew them had realised just how perfectly the two of them complimented each other. Cordelia's need to be nurtured and indulged appealed to the immensely protective side of Spike's nature and he delighted in finding new ways to spoil her while, at the same time, her strength of will ensured that the marriage would be one of equals.

When Cordelia's father had lost everything to the IRS and fled the country, it had been Spike who had insisted that she continue her education. He had paid her fees and found an apartment where she could be close to the campus and her friends but not be compelled to share with anyone else and he had never asked for anything in return. And when Drucilla had returned and he had been forced to kill her, it had been Cordelia who had helped him though the guilt and the pain of the memories of his past.

As they reached Spikes side, Giles gave her a gentle kiss on the cheek and stepped back with a smile as the priest began to speak the words that would join their lives together forever.

Willow and Oz smiled at each other as they fulfilled their duties as best man and matron of honour, each thinking of their own wedding almost a year before. It had been a wiccan ceremony held out on the hillside overlooking the town on a beautiful sunny summers day and as they had exchanged their vows, a rainbow had formed above them.

Spike slid the simple gold wedding band onto Cordelia's finger and his eyes burned with tears and joy filled his heart as he realised that this beautiful woman was finally his.

As Cordelia slid the ring onto Spike finger she felt as though she could fly and she knew without a doubt that she and this remarkable man – vampire – would be together for the rest of her life. Even though she would age and he would not, she knew that his feelings for her did not hinge upon anything as superficial as looks. He would love her as much when she was eighty as he did at that moment and that was all that mattered.

As the Priest pronounced them man and wife a gentle breeze blew through the church, lifting her veil before Spike could touch it and every candle flared into life. As the newlyweds kissed, a rainbow formed above them and everyone gasped in awe. As the kiss ended, they looked up and saw what everyone was staring at and smiled at each other before turning to smile at Giles, Faith, Willow and Oz.

Their two dearest friends had come to their wedding.

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