*****

*********

Angel's vision went from utter darkness to blinding light. He flinched instinctively, blinking until his eyes adjusted. He felt cold stone beneath him beforehis surroundings revealed themselves to his vision.

He was lying on the floor just like he had fallen amoment before. As he looked up the place finallyappeared to him. It was both familiar and strange atthe same time. It was like the place where he had metthe Oracles over half a year ago. The same coldmarble, the same shifting light. Yet this place wasmore vast, leaving Angel feeling much smaller than hewas.

A hand touched Angel's shoulder, and he rolled, tryingto stand. The hand did not move, but kept Angel fromgetting away. "It's alright," said the owner of thevoice, "nothing will harm you here."

The hand let up and Angel managed to rise to a sittingposition. He was facing an old woman, her faceheavily lined but smiling with maternal love. Angelimmediately felt at ease.

"There, you see?" she said, pleased. "All is wellnow."

It wasn't until that moment that Angel realized thathis wounds were gone. Somehow that didn't surprisehim. The old woman stood and Angel rose as well. "Who? How?" he tried to ask, flustered.

"The time for questions is past," he said. Then herimage wavered and Angel found himself gazing at ayoung woman bearing a sword and shield. "You havefought valiantly, Warrior," she proclaimed. "The goodin this world will not come to an end in yourlifetime."

Angel opened his mouth to speak and the woman smiledindulgently. "Even in your unnatural lifetime," sheproclaimed.

"So.what happens now?" Angel asked softly.

The woman's image changed again until she wasblindfolded and carrying a set of scales. Justicepersonified. "You are a creature of balance," shedeclared. "Capable of good or evil. As it should be.Now the world is restored to that same balance. Itlies out of your hands whether the world will fall togood or evil now. The actions of lower beings willdecide that."

"Then.I have no further duties?" Angel asked,confused.

She returned to the appearance of an old woman. "Peace, Angel, is yours if you want it."

Was she speaking of death? Final peace? He wasn'tsure he wanted to take that step. "I.."

The woman was now a young child with a wide, innocentgaze. "This is not an ending. It is a beginning,"she said in a childish lilt. "What do you want,Angel?"

Angel was startled by the question. "I'm sorry?"

"What do you want? Tell me, anything at all thatyou'd want.your earthly reward for your actions onthis night and your sacrifices of the past," the childsaid.

Angel did not hesitate again. "I want Buffy to havethe chance to live. Really live. To get the sort oflife that others have and she could neverrealistically hope for."

The child blinked at him curiously. "You wish nothingfor yourself?"

"That is for myself. All my wishes are for her."

The child became the young woman again, this timewithout the weapons. "I never imagined when I broughtyou to her that you would grow to love her so."

"I do," Angel replied. "I love her with my entirebeing."

"Would you give up your promised reward - your *life*- so that she could live again?" Justice asked.

"Without hesitation," Angel replied.

"Would you give of your immortal life that she mighthave those years she was denied in this life?"

"Yes."

"Then know this," the old woman said. "Yoursacrifices have been noted. Your soul cannot be takenfrom you again. Your demon shall no longer plague youor your friends." She laid her hand on Angel'sshoulder once again. "Thank you. And good luck. Happiness is waiting."

*********

Cordelia was breathing heavily, leaning with one handagainst the remains of a library wall. She wascompletely exhausted, but she was alive. There wasn'ta demon left in the building in one piece. "I madeit," she whispered. It was quiet; the world wasn'tcoming to an end. "We made it.

Limping slightly, Cordelia began to try and take stockof everyone else. She saw Riley helping some of hisfriends from the Initiative. He met her eyes as hetoo looked around and nodded at her that he was allright. Just entering the old library, she saw Gilescarrying rolls of bandages. They were sure to needthem.

"Cordelia!"

Cordelia turned and couldn't help but smile. "Wesley! You're okay," she said, pleased.

"A bit bruised, but I'll be all right," Wesleyreplied.

"What about everyone else?" Cordelia asked urgently.

Wesley smiled. "We made it, Cordelia. We wereincredibly lucky. A couple of people might need to goto the hospital - cuts, broken bones, that sort ofthing, but.everyone I've seen is pretty much allright." His smile slipped slightly.

"Pretty much all right?" Cordelia asked warily. Shefrowned at him. There was something. "Where isAngel?"

Wesley bit his lip. "We got separated at the beginningof the battle," he said reluctantly. "I haven't seenhim since."

Cordelia forced down the beginnings of panic. "Wehave to find him," she said urgently.

"Of course," Wesley agreed. He went to help Cordeliaas she went to limp around a fallen demon.

"I can get there myself," Cordelia said angrily,shaking him off. He looked hurt. "I'm sorry. I'mjust."

"Worried," Wesley said in understanding. "Cordelia."he hesitated. "You know, if he didn't make it, therewouldn't be."

"Stop it!" Cordelia snapped. "We'll find him. We'llfind him right where there are the most dead demons. He would have been right where the battle wasthickest." She looked at Wesley pointedly. "Where wasthe ritual taking place?"

Wesley said nothing, but joined Cordelia in weaving around the bodies. Every time he kicked up somevampire dust he flinched. As they walked, the numberof dead demons increased. Cordelia was right - ifthey were going to find Angel, that's where he wouldbe.

"There," Cordelia said suddenly. She moved relativelyagilely over to a pile of rubble that had been analtar place. She sighed in relief, seeing someonehalf hidden behind the table. "Angel." she saidgently.

Wesley hurried next to her. He whistled insympathetic pain. "He's hurt pretty bad," he said. Wesley just touched Angel's arm for a moment andcouldn't miss the feel of blood. "He needs to bebandaged up before we can get him out of here. I'llcall Giles."

"Wesley."

"Giles!" Wesley waved to get the bandage carrying Watcher's attention.

"Wesley!" Cordelia cried in pain. Wesley turned justin time to see her begin to fall to her knees. Hereyes were closed and her face contorted with the painof vision. He caught her before she hit the floor andlanded on Angel.

After a moment she lost her pained look, opened hereyes, and took a deep breath. She was smiling. "Wesley."

Giles made his way to them at that precise moment. "Are you all right, Cordelia?" he asked urgently,having seen her fall.

"It was a vision," she explained, but she wasn'tlooking at Giles. She was looking at Angel.

"I called you over for Angel," Wesley explainedbriefly.

"Oh, good lord," Giles said, looking at the extent ofAngel's wounds. No doubt about it - the vampire was atotal mess.

"We need to get him bandaged up and back to themansion," Cordelia said urgently.

Wesley met her eyes at that. "What did you see?"

Cordelia looked at him intently. "He made a deal withthe Powers That Be," she said steadily. She raisedher gaze to meet Giles' confused look. "He got them tobring Buffy back."

Giles gasped and looked at the unconscious vampire."What."

"That's what I saw," Cordelia tried to explain. "Andhere's what I know - they're using his own strength,his 'possible years,' to bring her back. So we needto get him bandaged up, get him to his room, and lethim alone so that the PTBs can do as they promised."

Giles just stood there for a moment, shocked. "Yes,"he said finally, shaking himself out of his daze."Yes, of course." Together, the three of them beganto clean Angel up in silence.

********

The only sounds in the room were her breathing and herheartbeat. Which, considering the fact that shewasn't alone in the bed would usually be a little odd.Buffy awoke slowly, disoriented. She was in a bedshe remembered from a year ago, remembered restinghere after a night's patrol. And just like then, sheknew the person who lay next to her was the same oneas before, one whose heart had not beaten in nearly250 years.

Stretching, Buffy took stock of herself with someconfusion. She didn't remember how she had gottenhere. And she certainly didn't usually go to bedwearing her nicest dress, or patrol in it for thatmatter.

Halfway through the motion, Buffy froze. This wasn'tright. She remembered.a battle. And pain. Horriblepain, like she was dying. Voices and fear.she wasdead!

Buffy jumped from the bed, too panicked to even cryout. Her heartbeat was loud in her ears. She ran herhands over her dress in an attempt to calm herself. She touched the fabric and came to yet anotherdisturbing revelation - the only reason she waswearing her dress was that she had been buried in it. She barely managed to avoid tearing the fabric as sheviolently took the dress off.

Standing there, holding her dress in front of her, looking at Angel not moving in his bed, Buffy *knew.* Not the circumstances of her death; that she hadalready remembered. No, instead she knew that Angelhad made a deal for her life. She knew theopportunity he had given up. She remembered, in adream-like sort of way, seeing Angel.speaking withAngel after she had died.

She had died. Her mind was still struggling to graspthat concept.

Leaning against the wall, Buffy sighed. The dressfell forgotten on the floor. Taking a deep breath,she simply stood there for a moment and watched Angelsleep. He had a small smile on his face that was abit at odds with the heavy bandages on his back andsides. Buffy found herself wishing that she'd beenable to fight along side him. But she'd get plenty ofchances for that in the future.

This whole time Angel had not moved. Buffy knew, likeshe knew the deal that Angel had made, that he wouldstill be asleep for several days. He needed to buildback the strength that he had given in battle and forBuffy's return. Buffy didn't mind, though - she hadsome things that she needed to take care of on her ownbefore figuring out what to do with Angel. Liketelling her mom that she was alive, for one.

Grabbing a shirt and pants from Angel's closet, shesmiled at him one more time. This was all aboutsecond chances.

The mansion was very quiet outside of the bedroom. Buffy took her time in walking towards the main room. She stood for a moment just looking at the scene thatgreeted her before she was noticed. Cordelia sat inone of the chairs, painting her nails, an ace bandagewrapped securely around on foot. Giles sat on thecouch, a book on his lap. Willow sat next to him,looking like she was trying to look at the book withGiles, but she seemed to be falling asleep instead.

"What's this?" Buffy said loudly, in a teasing tone. "Don't you people have homes?"

All three of them turned quickly. "Buffy!" Willowcried loudly, jumping from her seat. Buffy could seenow that she had one arm in a sling. Willow wasacross the room quickly and enveloped Buffy in a onearmed hug. "You're back. He.they did it," shestuttered. Then softer, "I missed you."

"I missed you, too," Buffy said, mostly because it wasthe best thing to say in this situation. She lookedup to see both Giles and Cordelia standing there aswell. "All of you."

Giles stepped forward to give her a hug, too. "It'sgood to have you back, Buffy."

"It's good to *be* back," Buffy agreed. "I'll try notto die for you again. Twice is enough for anylifetime."

Giles chuckled at that. "Yes, well.Thank you."

Buffy turned and looked at Cordelia then. Cordeliadid not approach, but she smiled. "Don't hug me. Mynail polish is wet."

Buffy chuckled. "It's good to see you, too,Cordelia."

There was a long, uncomfortable silence. With a twistin her gut, Buffy feared it was the first of many. After all, how did one talk to someone whose funeralyou'd attended nearly two weeks ago?

"So," Buffy said at last, striding the rest of the wayinto the large room. "I understand I missed one hellof a battle. You are going to tell me all about it,right?" She smiled and waited for them to join her.

********

It was two days after Buffy's return before Rileyshowed up at the mansion. Everyone else had been inand out of the place several times, but Riley hadother obligations he couldn't get away from. When thebattle was over and Sunnydale returned to normal - oras normal as it ever was - the Initiative scientistsreturned and Riley was the only one in the position totell them what had happened.

Standing outside the mansion, Riley took a deep breath. He couldn't understand why he was so nervous.He'd spoken to Willow over the phone since thebattle; she'd called him to inform him of Buffy's'return.' He hadn't yet gotten to speak to Buffy,though. Maybe that's what was making him so nervous. Or maybe he was feeling like this because he didn'tquite believe what Willow had told him.

Riley's problem lay in several places. One was simplythat Buffy had died over two weeks ago. He'd beenvery shaken up about it. And he was still mourningher, but the worst of the pain had passed by thenecessity of action. Strange things happened inSunnydale, but going to talk to Buffy *now*, aftereverything, just felt beyond bizarre. It was.wrong.

And there was another problem, one that Riley wastrying to ignore. Facing the mansion door, though, hehad to face this fact as well. There was nothing atall that Riley could have done to bring Buffy back tolife. It had taken her vampire ex-boyfriend and somemystical connection to do that. Riley didn't evenpretend to understand.

With a sigh, Riley knocked on the mansion's door.

It took a second before someone answered. The man whostood on the other side of the door wasn't one thatRiley had gotten to know - Angel's British friend. Hestood aside when he recognized Riley and allowed himinto the mansion. "She's in the garden," he said,closing the door behind him. He pointed in theappropriate direction.

Riley nodded his thanks and followed the older man'sdirections. Walking through the sunlit main room,Riley braced himself for what he would see. He had noidea how he'd react.

Stepping outside and into the garden, he spotted herquickly. She sat on the edge of the old, stonefountain, the sunlight making her blond hair glow. Her head was tilted up slightly so that the sunlightfell full on her face. She looked positively angelic,and Riley couldn't help but gasp.

Buffy turned to see who was there. "Riley," sheacknowledged, smiling slightly.

"Buffy," Riley whispered back. He was frozen inshock, never mind that he'd been told Buffy was back. It was one of those things you had to see to believe.

She smiled at him tolerantly. "Come, sit down," sherequested, holding out her hand to him.

Riley came and sat next to her in silence. Hehesitated for a second, then placed his hand on top ofhers. Buffy looked at it for a second, then tiltedher head back up towards the sunlight.

"Have you ever really taken the time to enjoy amoment?" she asked softly.

Riley didn't know how she wanted him to reply to that,so he said nothing.

"I never did either, before." She sighed. Glancingat Riley, she looked a bit embarrassed. "I'm sorry. I'm being weird, aren't I?"

"This whole situation is weird," Riley replied softly.

"I'm sorry," Buffy said again, but they both knew itwould take a whole lot more than 'sorry' to make thesituation comfortable. More than likely it neverwould be.

"So," Riley said after an uncomfortable silence, "whathappens now?"

"I don't know," Buffy replied.

The silence continued to stretch between them. "I'velost you, haven't I?" Riley said, looking at the skyinstead of at her.

"What?" Buffy asked in surprise.

"I never had you," Riley clarified. "I think Irealized that the moment I saw Angel. You never evenmentioned him, but I saw him after you.died. And Ithink.I think there was something between the two ofyou that you and I could never duplicate."

"I." Buffy faltered. "Well."

"Yeah," Riley said back.

"You know, it's not like it's ever been easy betweenAngel and I," Buffy said after a long moment.

"If it's worth having, it's worth working for," Rileyreplied.

Buffy tore her gaze away from the sky and looked athim in surprise. "You're beingremarkably.understanding about this."

"I don't mean to sound corny, but I saw you in hiseyes," Riley explained. "Somehow, I know you lovehim, not me. I love you, and I know you *like* me,but you have to decide what it is you want. On onehand you've got a normal guy who loves you, and on theother a vampire whose feelings you return with yourwhole heart." It pained Riley to say it, but he knewit was the truth.

The silence stretched between them again. Buffylooked up at the sky and sighed. "Do you know thatAngel gave up the chance to see sunlight again - to behuman - twice, so that I could live? He could havebeen human." She smiled to herself. "If he cansacrifice his life for mine.well, then the daylightisn't so big a thing for me to give up in comparison."

Her final decision hurt less than Riley expected itto. Maybe that's because he has already said goodbyeto her in his heart. "I think you made the rightchoice," he said.

"Thank you, Riley," she said sincerely, standing. Shemet his eyes for a moment, then gave him a gentlekiss. "Thank you for everything." She smiled at himopenly, then walked back into the mansion.

Riley sat there, watching her leave and feeling theempty space she left behind. He could still feel herlips on his and smiled. "No, Buffy," he whispered. "Thank you."

******

When Angel awoke, he knew without a doubt that he'dbeen sleeping for several days. For one thing, hedesperately needed to feed. More important, though,was that the horrible wounds he had received in thelast battle seemed to nearly have healed. He mightheal abnormally fast, but not that fast when theinjuries were that serious. Also, he was incrediblyrested, like he had just woken from a long, dreamlesssleep. Which he had, after all.

Well, except unconsciousness couldn't exactly beconsidered sleep. And it hadn't been exactlydreamless, either. *What a strange dream.*

His eyes still closed, Angel sighed. "If only." hewhispered.

"If only what, sleepy head?"

Angel's eyes snapped open and he couldn't move. Hestared up at the ceiling, afraid that he'd lost it. Afraid that when he looked *she* wouldn't be there.

Ghost or not, her words.her presence begged to beanswered. "If only you were here," he whispered.

"I'm here," came the soft reply.

Angel turned his head oh so slowly. There she sat,like a vision, sitting in a chair next to the bed andsmiling. She was so incredibly beautiful.so alive. "How?" he managed to ask.

Buffy stood and came to sit on the edge of the bed. Ever so gently she took his hand in her own. Her handwas warm - not dead at all. Could that have been thedream? Were the past weeks just a nightmare?

She smiled at him warmly. "You made a deal, didn't you?" she pointed out. "Did you think the Powerswouldn't follow through?"

"Not at all," he protested. "I thought it was adream."

"It wasn't a dream."

Angel almost didn't dare to hope. With a tremblinghand, he brought his fingers up to brush her cheek. She leaned her head into the gesture and Angel couldfeel her breath on his hand. "You're really here," hewhispered.

"Yeah," Buffy whispered back.

Sitting up in bed, Angel looked at her for a longmoment in silence. It wasn't awkward at all. On thecontrary, it was only strange in its familiarity, likethey'd never been apart. It shouldn't have been socomfortable. It shouldn't have been at all.

"So," Angel said, only to break the silence, "how areyou?" As soon as the words were out he grimaced. That sounded so *stupid.*

Buffy chuckled slightly. "Alive," she said easily. He smile slipped a bit.

There was something in her expression that made himuneasy. "I." he faltered, unable to think of a goodthing to say. *I'm sorry for asking the Powers ThatBe to bring you back to life without asking you first*wasn't quite right. And in truth Angel wasn't at allsorry that he'd done it. But anything that causedBuffy pain. "That is, umm.I'm sorry-"

"Don't," Buffy said quickly. "Stop it!"

"What?" Angel asked, shocked.

"Don't you *dare* start acting all guilty!" Buffydemanded. She softened almost immediately. "Youdidn't ask for anything I didn't want. I told you Iwanted to return with you if I could. I wasn'texpecting you to go to such extremes, but.it's good tobe back."

"You remember," Angel said in surprise. Everythingthey'd shared in the places between life and death.

"In a dream-like way, but yeah," Buffy said, smilingslightly. "Even things I didn't remember before." She looked at him seriously. "I still can't believeyou've actually given up the chance to be human*twice* now for me."

"Human life isn't worth living unless you're in it,"Angel replied without thinking. He was instantlyembarrassed. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have saidthat."

Buffy just smiled at him. "It's alright," she said. Her expression seemed pleased, but it was probablyjust his imagination.

Silence fell between them again, more awkward than thelast. "I've been a bit out of it," Angel said,smiling slightly. "How.how is everyone?"

Buffy saw right through his innocent question. "Everyone you know survived. Willow has a broken arm,Xander had a concussion, and Cordelia has a badlysprained ankle. A couple of the guys from theInitiative didn't make it, but no one you know."

"And Riley?" Angel asked hesitantly.

"He's good. Not a scratch."

"Oh." Angel forced a smile. "Well.that's good."

Buffy smiled at him tolerantly. "You don't have topretend you care that much about him. It's alright,"she said, obviously very amused. "You weren'tlistening very well, were you?"

"What?" Angel hadn't had a moment free of confusionsince he woke up, it seemed.

"I said I wanted to come back and be *with you.* ThatI wanted my life to be with you. I meant it. I meantevery word."

"But." Angel tried to protest.

"No excuses," Buffy said quickly. "I've heard themall before. We both know the curse is now anon-issue. Everything else could have been, too, butyou gave up that possibility so that I could haveanother chance at life." She looked at him strongly. "I think I'm going to finally get what I want out oflife. And I want you in it."

Angel just stared at her in surprise. "But what aboutRiley?"

Buffy squeezed the hand she held in reassurance. "Heknew what I wanted before I did."

"He did?"

Buffy nodded. "So," she said, scooting closer to him,"are you going to keep being an idiot or are you goingto do what the girl you brought back to life wants?"

To both of their surprise, Angel laughed. Then,instead of saying a word, he kissed her heartily.

When they separated again, Buffy laughed as well. "Ithink I like that answer."

*******

It had been exactly a week since the battle, and mostof Sunnydale had returned to normal. Even those whohad lost loved ones in the days prior were settlingback into their normal routine.

It had been four days since Buffy had returned fromthe dead, and her family and friends were stillscrambling to adjust.

It had been two days since Riley had parted waysromantically with Buffy so that she was free to bewith her first love once again. No one had seen Rileysince, and it was assumed he was hard at work with theInitiative.

It had been one day since Angel had awoken to a worldchanged for the better, his love returned to life andreturned to *his* life such as it was, and a hellmouthpermanently sealed.

Everyone was doing their best to adapt to the changesof the past three weeks, but things had just happenedtoo fast. The group of them had now gathered in themansion, supposedly to celebrate their victory, butthe conversation was awkward at best. They'd beenfine while everyone was eating. But now the food hadrun out and uncomfortable silence prevailed.

The group sat around the mansion's great room in odd,fractured clumps. In the center of it all, yetsomehow the farthest removed from the rest, were Buffyand Angel. Angel had not yet fully recovered, and satback in the couch tired and still bandaged. Buffyleaned into his uninjured side and he lay his armacross her shoulders. A couple of attempts had beenmade at leading conversation, but they consistentlyfell flat.

Buffy sighed and leaned farther into Angel's side. "Ican't stay," she muttered, but not quiet enough thather statement was missed. The entire room's attentionwas suddenly on her.

Angel pulled away from her slightly in alarm. "What?"he asked, looking her in the eye with a hint ofdesperation.

"Oh!" Buffy gasped, grasping Angel's arm strongly. "No, Angel. I didn't mean it like that," she said,realizing that her words could be misinterpreted. "You made a deal, and I'm going to have a long life asa result. With any luck I will die an old, oldwoman."

"Then what *are* you saying?" Giles asked in concern.

"I can't stay *here*," Buffy tried to explain. "And Idon't mean today, this party. I mean Sunnydale."

Confusion prevailed among the gathering. "But.why?"Willow asked, obviously upset. "Is there something wecan do to make you stay?"

Buffy shook her head. "It's nothing anyone did oranything," she said finally. "But.haven't any of therest of you noticed how awkward this is? I'm legallydead. By god, I have a *gravestone.* What exactly amI supposed to do now if I stay here?"

Angel shifted uncomfortably and Buffy turned to facehim. "No guilt!" she said sternly. "I told you - I'mhappy to be here. Look at it this way: you gave methe chance to travel."

Angel frowned, an expression mirrored on many otherfaces. "Buffy." Mrs. Summers began to protestunhappily.

"What?" Buffy asked before her mother could even beginthe guilt trip. "I never had a chance before. Inever had a chance for a lot of things. Now thehellmouth is closed. That doesn't mean there isn'tstill evil out there, though. Dispersed, wandering. It may not be as strong as before, but I can't juststop fighting. It's not in my nature any more."

Silence still filled the room, so Buffy continued. "Ican't just go on with my life like nothing happened. I can't waltz into classes again like I hadn't beendeclared dead. This is my second chance - a newbeginning. And I can't have a new beginning if I stayhere."

"But," Willow said at last, clearly quite upset, "tonever see you again."

"You guys!" Buffy exclaimed, seeming slightly amused. "It's not like I would never visit! Goodness, you'remy family. I plan on dropping in unannounced quiteoften! You make it sound like I'm abandoning you."

Nervous laughter met her protest. Buffy laughed aswell, and soon the entire group was laughing. It wasawkward and somewhat forced, but it was needed torelease the tension in the room. They all needed thelaugh and felt better for it.

With one notable exception. Angel did not join in thelaughter, nor did he so much as smile. He sat verystiffly, looking straight ahead with a slightly painedexpression that he couldn't hide. Buffy noticed hisimmobility and turned to look at him in confusion.

"What's wrong?" she asked softly.

Angel shrugged and sank back even further into thecouch. "It's.I thought." he faltered, searching forthe right words.

Confusion stayed on Buffy's face a moment longer, thenshe began to chuckle again. She gave Angel a playfulshove in the side, startling him. Looking at herfriends, she said amused, "Forgive me while I knocksome sense into this.*silly* vampire next to me."

"Silly?" Angel asked, quite confused now.

Buffy leaned close and said into his ear, "I want youto come with me."

Now Angel was well and truly flabbergasted. "What? I."

Buffy couldn't help but chuckle. "I can counter allof your arguments," she said with certainty, "so youmight as well start packing your bags."

Angel looked a bit helplessly around the room. Thiswas too much too fast. Did he want to run off withBuffy? Travel the world, show her all the places he'sbeen? Of course. Could he? He just didn't know.

His wandering eyes met Cordelia's, and she grinned athim. "Don't look at me," she said easily. "You'vebeen 'released from your duty as a Warrior,' remember?Whatever you do now is your choice."

Angel looked at Buffy again and found her smiling athim expectantly. "It doesn't necessarily meanforever," she explained. "Sunnydale is home to menow. Maybe someday we'll live in some little housewith heavy drapes and pretend to be normal people. But for now." she paused and sighed. "Let's have afairy tale ending, Angel. You be Prince Charming andI'll be the beautiful damsel and we'll ride offtogether on your great white horse." She chuckledthen and grinned at him. "Well, big black car as thecase may be," she amended. "And we can't exactly rideoff into the sunset, but I was always partial tomoonlight myself."

Angel silenced Buffy's babbling with a kiss. When hepulled away and she sat there open mouthed, hegrinned. He could not help but feel the rosy,unfamiliar glow of hope. "Happily ever after?" heasked with a smile.

Buffy smiled back at him. She seemed to havecompletely forgotten that they had an audience. "Ithink we deserve a happily ever after, don't you?"

For once, Angel allowed himself to believe her.

*********

******

Buffy stared apprehensively at the closed door infront of her. So long traveling the world.it felt likelonger than it had actually been. Only seven years,but Buffy had seen so much. She'd things that she'dnever imagined she'd have the chance to. All that timetraveling from town to town, from country to country,following tales of mysterious murders and monstrouscreatures.. Sometimes they were false alarms; moreoften than not they were the real thing. Still, eversince the end of the last real demon war and Buffy'sfollowing resurrection, the number of demons had beensteadily declining. She had decided it was finallytime to return home.

A hand squeezed Buffy's shoulder reassuringly, and shesmiled to herself. *They* had decided it was time toreturn home. They had traveled so far together, evenseen where Angel had lived as a human. Still, evenwith everywhere they had seen and the amount of timethey'd spent away, Sunnydale was somehow still home tothe both of them.

For the moment neither of them spoke. Then Angelsmiled understandingly at Buffy and reached around herto ring the doorbell. The near silence of thenighttime street was quickly replaced by the sounds ofactivity inside the home.

"Coming!" a familiar voice called, and Buffy felt herstomach flip.

/Why am I so nervous?/

Then the door opened and Willow looked at her insurprise. "Buffy!" she cried enthusiastically. Shewrapped Buffy in an exuberant hug. Her cry alertedthe others in the apartment, and soon the space behindWillow was crowded with familiar faces. "Come in, bothof you!"

Buffy smiled and she and Angel happily entered. Thetwo of them were quickly engulfed in warm hugs andfriendly handshakes. As soon as the babbled greetingswere over, Willow spoke up once again. "I didn't thinkyou were going to come! You didn't call."

"Yeah, well." Buffy shrugged and say on the now emptycouch. "We weren't sure we were going to be able tomake it. We almost didn't - planes and sunlight andall. So, um.surprise!"

A couple of chuckles met her statement, and the groupfiltered into the living area and sat on whateverspace available. The whole gang was there as Buffyremembered them; from Giles to Anya. Buffy and Angelfit back into the group like they had never left. Orlike they had just left for vacation and hadn't beentraveling for seven years. It was so nice to be backin time for the annual holiday party. Buffy and Angelhad been invited every year, but the invitation hadusually reached them after the event had passed.They'd only made it this year because they were ontheir way back to Sunnydale anyway. As it was, no oneknew that she was planning to stay this time.

"So," Willow said at last, leaning forward, "how haveyou been? Where have you been? Come on, tell meeverything."

Buffy smiled at her friend's eagerness. "Well," shesaid, leaning onto Angel's shoulder as she spoke,"most recently we were in Washington D.C., cleaningout a good sized vampire nest. Though, compared to thesort of things I fought eight years ago they werenothing much. I really think there are barely anyorganized demons left." She smiled at the thought.Ever since the last major battle it had actuallyseemed like there was an end in sight.

"So, you're doing good then," Giles said after amoment. "I mean, you look good. You both look." hepaused, flustered. "Angel.you look older."

Angel jumped slightly and Buffy chuckled. "Don't besilly," she said.

All attention was on them now. "No, I think he'sright," Xander piped up. "You look older. Buffy tiringyou out?"

Angel glared at him for a second, then fidgeted underthe continued attention. "You know this is ridiculousguys," he said.

"We don't mean it in a bad way," Cordelia saidquickly.

"He doesn't look any older to me," Buffy protested.

"You see him every day," Willow pointed out. Shestood suddenly. "Hold on. I have an idea." With thatshe left the room, leaving Buffy and Angel staringafter her in confusion.

Moments later she returned, holding a large photoalbum under one arm and a Polaroid camera in heropposite hand. "Okay," she said certainly to the twoof them as she put the album on the table, "smile. Iwant a nice picture of you two, alright?"

Buffy and Angel glanced at each other, shrugged, andcomplied. Willow snapped the picture quickly, thenplaced the still developing picture on the table. Thatdone, she began to flip through the photo album. "Whatare you doing?" Buffy asked finally.

"Before and after pictures," Willow explained with agrin. She held up the photo album triumphantly. "See?Here's 'before.'"

Buffy took the album from Willow's hand and looked atthe picture it was open to. Right before the two ofthem had departed for parts unknown they had thrownBuffy a part 'Welcome Back,' part 'Bon Voyage' party.There were a bunch of pictures, but Buffy's attentionwas focused on one of her and Angel laughing atsomething she couldn't recall now. Well, she waslaughing. Angel just had a funny grin on his face.Buffy leaned back from Angel slightly, looking at him,then the picture, then him again. /Wait a second./

Before Buffy could make the same comment everyone elsehad already made, Willow presented the developed photoshe'd taken a minute before with a flourish. "Andhere's 'after,'" she declared, handing the photo toAngel.

Angel looked like he'd swallowed something strange. Placing both photos side by side, it was clear to seewhat everyone was talking about. "I.look older," hewhispered, clearly shocked. "I've aged."

"A bit slow on the uptake," Xander commented, amused.

Angel didn't even bother to glare this time. "But.howis this possible?"

Many eyes turned to Giles, but no one spoke for a longmoment.

"Seven years."

That whisper was from Cordelia, and all eyes turned tofocus on her. "Years." she was muttering to herself."I should know this." She noticed all of them staringat her. "Hey! I'm trying to think! Is it *that* weirdthat I might know something?" She stared at each ofthem in turn, daring them to contradict her. When noone spoke, she smiled contentedly. "Thank you. As Iwas saying, there's something about that phrase that'sfamiliar. Years. Possible years.?"

"The deal!" Wesley said suddenly. He'd been quiet allnight, but now the attention was turned on him. Hewasn't fazed though, looking earnestly at Cordelia andAngel. "Remember right after the last battle, when youtried to tell us what Angel did for Buffy's life? Youused that phrase then. Something about using hispossible years."

"That's what she meant?" Angel asked himself softly.

"What is it?" Buffy asked.

He leaned back in the couch cushions, obviously lostin thought. "When the battle was over and I.met arepresentative of the Powers.. I remember her saying,when I asked for your life back, 'Would you give ofyour immortal life that she might have those years shewas denied in this life?'" He seemed to snap back tothe present and looked at all of them before focusingon the two ex-watchers. "Is this what she meant? ThatI'm going to age now?"

"Maybe she.they.wanted to give you a little somethingcloser to a normal life, even if you're not living persay," Wesley suggested.

Before Angel could ponder that statement further,Buffy chuckled. "If that's the case, you don't knowthe half of it."

"What do you mean?" Willow asked, voicing the questioneveryone else was thinking.

"I've decided that I'm staying in Sunnydale," Buffydeclared. "We're moving back home."

There was a bit of joyous ruckus at that which took alittle while to calm down. When it did, it was Gilesthat spoke calmly. "As happy as I am to have youreturn - we've all missed you, you know - why did youdecide now?"

Buffy smiled so large it nearly hurt, but she couldn'thelp it. She winked at Angel and proceeded to tell thelot of them something not even Angel knew yet. "Well,traveling around the world and killing demons doesn'texactly leave a lot of time to raise a child."

The entire gathering fell into stunned silence at thestatement. For a moment Angel looked at her completelywithout comprehension, then he wrapped Buffy into anexuberant embrace all his own.

And that was how the annual Scooby holiday celebrationbecame a celebration of a completely different kind.

******

It was a new moon, and Sunnydale was incredibly darkwithout its light. It was a perfect night for demonsto prey on the unwary. And there were always plenty of'unwary' in this town.

Katherine wasn't one of them, though. She was theSlayer.

One hand in the pocket of her jacket, the young Slayerran her fingers over the rough wood of a stake. Shewas wandering the edge of one of Sunnydale'scemeteries, weaving in and out of the cover of thetrees. There was a vampire nearby; she'd sensed it onand off for the last several minutes. There weren'tmany vampires in Sunnydale anymore, so Katherine waseven more determined to do her job with this one.After tonight, there'd be one less vampire walking theearth.

Walking a bit deeper into the cemetery, she thoughtshe caught a glimpse of another figure. It was hard tomake him or her out, as they stayed hidden in theshadows. Definitely a vampire.

As quiet as possible, Katherine quickly closed in onthe creature. It was male, wearing a long dark coat.Beyond that was impossible to tell in the darkness.

Removing the stake from her pocket, she prepared toslay the vampire before it was even aware of herpresence. She hurried the last couple of steps, raisedthe stake and-

The vampire turned quickly, avoiding the stake andcatching her wrist in mid strike. "Katherine!"

Katherine dropped her stake in surprise. "Dad!" sheblurted. "What are you doing here?"

Angel showed her his own stake calmly before puttingit back in his pocket. "The same thing as you,apparently," he said easily. He leaned down andpicked up the stake she had dropped. "If I give thisback to you, do you promise not to try and stake meagain?"

Katherine turned bright red in embarrassment. With atouch of chagrin, she knew her father could see herblush, even without any helpful moonlight. "I am *so*sorry," she choked out.

Her father looked more amused than angry, though."It's okay," he said, handing her back her stake. "Youwere only doing your job."

"So.you're not mad at me?" Katherine asked, chewingher lip. Funny how nearly staking her father turnedher from confident Slayer to embarrassed little girl.

"No, I'm not mad at you," Angel said calmly. He put anarm around her shoulder and began to walk with heralong the edge of the cemetery. "Katherine?" he askedgently.

"Yes?"

He sighed. "When were you called?"

Katherine looked at her father in surprise. "Two weeksago. How did you.?" She stopped herself quickly. Ofcourse he'd know about Slayers. She'd known from avery young age that her family wasn't like otherfamilies. Her father's vampirism had never been keptsecret from her or her younger brother. She'd knownsince she was very young that her father wasn't anormal vampire, either. "I wasn't supposed to letanyone know," Katherine said at last, apologetically.

"That's how it always is," Angel said inunderstanding.

Katherine swallowed. "You're not going to tell Mom,are you?"

"Of course I'm going to tell your mother!" Angel saidquickly.

"Dad!"

Angel stopped and turned to face his daughterseriously. "Do you think she wouldn't understand? Thatshe'd freak out or something?"

"To put it bluntly?" Katherine asked. "I thinkfreaking out would be the *least* of what she'd do."

Angel couldn't help but chuckle. "Your mother justmight surprise you," he said.

"Huh?" Okay, so Katherine wasn't especially eloquenttonight..

"I'm guessing you didn't mention your parents' namesto your Watcher," Angel said in amusement.

Katherine smiled back. "Yeah, well, I didn't think itwould be the best idea considering my father's 'onlygood, aging vampire' status."

"Your mother was a Slayer, Katherine."

Katherine's shock must have shown on her face, forAngel wrapped his arm around her shoulders once again."Come on, pumpkin. Let's go home. Your mother and Ihave quite a story to tell you."

Katherine happily walked on with her father. What aweird night.

"Oh, and Katherine?"

"Yeah, Dad?"

The good vampire smiled at his daughter; a Slayer, andthe daughter of a Slayer. "Invite your Watcher overfor dinner. Your mom and I are going to have a longtalk with him.to see if he's good enough to train ourdaughter."

Katherine just laughed and leaned into her father'sshoulder. "Yes, Dad."

Yeah, I finally did it! Nope, no sequels tothis one. Please, give me feedback on how you likedthe ending - was it worth the wait?

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