Disclaimer: Yeah, yeah. . I own the characters. . Yeah, right. . I might be evil, but not as evil as Joss. So Joss"The power that be"Whedon & his gang owns all, except"me"who is the storyteller of this story *lol*
Feedback: Hit me.
Distribution: Wanna have it? Really? Yeah, well, take it, just let me know where it goes.
Timeline: This is written by"me"-perspective. The time. . In future.
Author's note[s]: Little angsty, not so happy ending. . . And little something I wanted to say: I just have to write this. I just couldn't go sleep before it x) I was tired, but still, somehow I get an idea and then I just have to wrote it down. Sure, I know, it isn't much character-like, but. . . You have to do what you have to do.
Still one question: Does any of you guys swap decos, slams etc. ? Just wondering =)
Oh, and I'm still Finnish and I'm sorry of all the mistakes. I have lost my beata's e-mail address, so. . . Bear with me, would you?

There are still roses on her grave. Look how beautiful they still are. Even the time had passed, still, so beautiful and pure.

When I step closer, the wolf howls, calling his pack. I don't know, somehow I just can't be scared of it.

I kneel. I know who is laying in this old grave. Sure I know the tale, who wouldn't know it?

I touch the roses. There is still water on their leaves, from morning rain. The grass scent is full of new beginnings. The gravestone itself is original looking. The woman who it belongs to wanted it be like this.

I have seen a picture of her. She was a beautiful girl, long blond hair and a shining smile. She was the shining star. But I have been told, the beautiful ones dies young, sweet people always fall. I don't know, but I remember the picture. Oh well, not one picture, I have seen others. She was so young. She was so brave.

How many of us could sacrifice so much?

I admire her.

She was the Slayer, just like me. But somehow, we are different. I wish I could have known her.

Oh, how could I? She had been gone for hundreds of years.

"Who are you?"someone says and my heart start running like wolves on other side of forest.

I turn my head, and nod to the stranger. Although, he isn't the stranger. I am the lurking one.

"I just. . . Walk. But I can go. ."

"No, that isn't necessary.", the man says and again I nod. I know him. I have seen him in pictures, I have seen him here. Every year in this time, he is here. For hundreds of years, as the tale is told.

"You are the Slayer."It isn't a question; he knows.

"Yeah. Or I try to be," I say, watching the ground. "I want to be like her. Brave," I say. I know I shouldn't speak like this, I should go. . But somehow, I know I don't want to. I don't need to.

"Yes, she was brave." A little smile is rising in his lips as he remembers. "But don't try to be *her*."

"I won't." I know I can't be like Buffy Anne Summers. I can be brave, but I can't be her.

"How long have you known you are a Slayer?"

"Since I was born. My mother told me stories about Slayers. Of course I was a kid; I thought they are just. . stories. But soon I noticed they are definitely other than imaginary creatures," I say as I turn my face. I can't look him. I can't cry. . .

I feel a hand on my shoulder.

"It's okay.", he says and I dare to face him.

"I. . It's difficult."

"Do you have anyone to trust?"

I think of it. "Yes. I trust in my brother. He knows. Like my friends. They help me, they are there. . . Still, I am alone."

I see something in his eyes and I know why Buffy loved him. And I know, he loves her strongly after those years.

"Angel, I have to go.", I say and I lie. He knows it, but I know he won't say anything about. He nods again.

"I know.", he says, friendly.

I turn and start walking when his voice stop me.

"Alice Ann Summers."

"Yes?"

"Thank you."

I look over my shoulder. "For what?"

"Remembering her."

I smile weakly. "Always." I see the expression on his face. I start to worry. Did I say something wrong? I ask it, heart pounding loudly in my chest. If I hurt this man. . .

"No, no. Just. . Thank you."

"I admire her."

"Me too."

I smile and turn. But I won't go any farther than some steps away, when the woods cover me from him. I have to. . . I know I'm rude, sneaking here, listening his private conversation. . But I'm young and I need to know.

"Beloved.", he says. I hear the pain in his voice. I know the tale of them, I know it, but I can't even imagine how much can it hurt. Still, after those years, he still misses her.

"Yes, again I am here. The world. . It keeps going. I know you hear me. I miss you, Buffy."

He kneels to the grave and lays roses on it. I don't even realize to wonder where he got those from.

"I can live with the pain. Do I have other choice?"

This bitterness makes me feel ashamed for being here.

"The place where you are. . It is better than this. In could nights, that doesn't bring any comfort."

"I remember when we met, I remember. . The pain. The joy. Then. . When I left you. When I find you, and lost you. I remember promise from the Powers that be. I waited. I couldn't tell you. . . If it wouldn't happen, I couldn't let you, you know, cry for it. . . Then it happened."

He must smile, I heard it in his voice.

"Half of it. I was -like I am still- a vampire and you were the Slayer. The change was that there weren't curses anymore."

"Because I couldn't be a human, the Powers that be still blessed us with a child. She was just like you. Yeah, I know you remember. We were happy, almost normal family."

I didn't notice I was smiling, but then my smile starting fading away as his voice start changing. . . braking. . .

"I. . . I don't know. Someone maybe thought we were little *too* happy. . . I know you did your duty as the Slayer. I tried. . I did all I could. . . And I failed. I was too late. If I would be there just one minute earlier. . I don't know if it would it make a difference. But. . Weeks I couldn't do anything than just sitting in my room. I died, inside."

"It took a long time until I let it go. Part of me is still in that room. . Still there, with you."

"I promised you always, my love."

I know he is almost crying now.

"All I ever wanted, was you. All I never could have, was you. But even our time was short, it was best scene ever in my long play."

"I tried to. . Kill myself. I know, I know, I wasn't thinking. Strong is fighting, you said. But what for I would fight? Who with?"

"Dana saved me. Our daughter was so beautiful. She was like you. She was only 14 when she got know that she was the Slayer. Like you, she hated it. Then she learned that she couldn't hide from it."

"She lived long, as I know you know. She had a family of her own. She had great children and she was as good mother as you."

Now his voice was heavy of sorrow.

"But still, after all, she was the Slayer. And she had duties. She did all she had to do. I couldn't be more proud of her."

He stop talking and just looking down the grave. "The next Slayer was Dana's oldest daughter. It somehow had stayed in family till these days."

A long silence.

"I love you, Buffy."

I sniff. I have never seen that kind of love, that strong. . Stronger than death. It was infinite dream.

He turned and soon he was gone. I couldn't move for a moment. Finally, I started moving. Back to home. But before it, I look up the grave. Roses on it were lifeful red. I started walking away as cold wind still shakes the trees. I know she now rests in peace.

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