Disclaimer: Not mine, all belong to Joss.
Summary: It's Buffy's 21st birthday.
Setting: Season 6, I guess, but Buffy didn't die, therefore no coming back from the dead.
Feedback: *gets down on her knees* This is very undignified begging. :P

Buffy sighed. Stupid vampires. Couldn't they have some respect for the Slayer's overused, tired muscles? She stepped into her dorm room. It was pitch dark. Maybe Willow was out with Tara. She flipped the switch, but the lights weren't working. Instead 21 candles lighted themselves simultaneously, revealing 6 smiling faces. "Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, dear Buffy. Happy birthday to you." The singing wasn't loud and festive like most surprise parties. The entire room was lighted only by the candles, and the singing was soft and soothing, almost like a romantic dinner or something. Buffy felt tears well up in her eyes. "Happy birthday, Buffy." Willow said softly, so soft, it was almost whispered. "Thank you." Buffy whispered back. She approached the cake, and blew out the candles. Instantly, the lights came in. Everybody clapped, and the spell of quiet was broken for the time being, even though it was still quieter in comparison to most birthday parties.

Buffy shared hugs with Giles, Xander, Dawn, Willow, and Tara, while Any a very formally presented her with a gift, and a peck on the cheek. After several hours, they all left, except for Willow. "I'm going to Tara's place to work on some spells, but I thought I should give this to you so you can look at it in private." She pressed a brown envelope into Buffy's hand and left, hurrying after Tara.

Buffy looked at the parcel in her hands. It was from LA, and it was addressed in Angel's characteristic scrawl. Her heart picked up pace a little as tears threatened to spill. *Get a grip, Buffy, he left 2 years ago* She took a deep breath, and opened it slowly. It contained a cassette tape, and two small gift-wrapped boxes. She took the tape and popped it into her player. His beautiful, soothing voice filled the room.

"Hi, Buffy. I'm sorry I can't be there today. Well, actually, it's not today, it's tomorrow, but whatever, you know what I mean." He chuckled softly. Buffy couldn't believe he'd made an attempt at a joke. It wasn't that good, but he... still sounded sad. His laugh sounded sad, and that was all that really mattered to her. His voice brought her back to earth. "Happy birthday. I just wanted to send you these. I've been holding on to them for a long time, but I thought you might want them back. It's ok if you don't, but they should be with their rightful owner. Open them." Buffy opened the first one. It was her Claddagh ring. Tears blurred her vision as she took it out. She'd lost it, after she'd left it at Angel's mansion. So he had kept it all along. She chuckled sadly. Stupid, stupid Angel. He probably thought she wouldn't want it back. She slipped it on, with the heart facing towards her. She wiped away her tears and opened the second box. It revealed a framed picture. There was one of her, laughing with Xander in the sunlight, and on the other side there was a picture of Angel, trying to smile, but not really succeeding much. "Willow took the picture of you, and Cordelia took mine, well, forced me to." He chuckled. "I just thought, maybe you'd want it, since we... never took photos." He sounded uncertain. Buffy just had to laugh. He was an idiot, definitely. She still loved him, but he was an idiot. "I still have a lot of stuff that should be with you, but... I think I'll need them a little longer." There was a long pause. "I..." He sighed, unable to find the words he wanted to say. "Happy birthday, Buffy." The tape ended. Buffy stared at the picture for a long time, absently stroking her ring.

She picked up the phone. "Angel Investigations." He answered the phone. She paused, taking a deep breath. "I just wanted to... say thank you. For the birthday presents." There was a long pause, and Buffy could tell he was trying to control himself. She knew because she was doing the same thing. "You're welcome. Happy birthday, Buffy." She nodded, even though she knew he couldn't see her. "Thank you." She never noticed the tears streaming down her cheeks.

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