Disclaimer: it's obvious, so why bother. Don't sue.
Distribution: you want it, take it. But tell me where it goes.
Spoilers: the whole BtVS and AtS
Summary: This is the answer to Leonie's challenge she sent to BA-Fluff. I will post it after the last part, because otherwise it'll spoil the whole plot. I know I'm already writing two stories, but this was just too good to let it go. Basically the Buffy from S3 is coming to S5. Riley's still with Buffy there. Both Buffys are in this story. I call them Buffy3 and Buffy5, so you know which one is talking and acting. That's it. For the rest just read the story. Oh, one more thing, just to make the story work I'm inventing a demon which can make people travel through time. Buffy3 timeline: between "Consequences" and "Doppelgangland"
Feedback: but of course!

Prologue

Buffy landed a kick on the demon's stomach and he stumbled backwards, damnit it was strong. She looked to her side, Angel seemed to have his hands full with his opponent.

She took a deep breath while she prepared for the demon's next attack, when the ugly slimy thing suddenly began to chant. "What are you, a spell-demon?" she asked with a smirk.

It didn't seem impressed and didn't stop his murmuring. Buffy looked at Angel again, who was decapitating his demon right that moment. Suddenly she saw a blinding light and a feeling of being weightless entered her body. The last thing she heard was Angel crying out her name and then everything went black.

Part 1

When Buffy3 woke up she found herself still at the same spot in the cemetery. She looked around and noticed that Angel was gone. That was certainly strange. He'd never leave her like this. Never. Panic rose inside of her, what if something happened to him? She jumped on her feet and ran in slayer speed to the mansion, pushing the door open and calling his name.

No answer.

When she caught her breath her eyes widened in surprise. The mansion looked as if nobody had been here for a long time. But that wasn't possible, Angel and her had been here only two hours ago. What the hell was going on? Think, Buffy, think she told herself. Giles, it shot through her head. The only person who'd know what was going on would be her watcher or ex-watcher for that matter, but it wasn't important right now. She looked at her watch. Certainly he'd be in the library, bookish as he was.

She turned round and began her long walk to the highschool.

*******

"So you say there was a light and then she just disappeared?" Giles3 asked thevampire who was standing before him.

"Exactly," Angel3 replied, his voice sounding panicked.

"What sort of demon was it?," the watcher wanted to know, rubbing his glasses with his shirt in distress, while Willow3 and Xander3 and Cordelia3 only stared at him.

"I'm not quite sure, but I think it was a Lorcha. I know they can do magic, but this." The vampire began to pace the library.

Willow watched him with growing concern, she'd already seen his eyes flash yellow two times.

"Dammit," Giles came back from the stairs holding an open book in his hands and showing the picture to Angel: "Was it this one?"

The vampire only nodded and continued to pace.

"Dammit, dammit, dammit," the watcher shouted and threw the book on the table.

Angel stopped and looked at him: "What?" he asked with an angry voice.

"It's my fault. I didn't research him properly. Otherwise I'd never missed this."

"Damn, Giles, would you just tell us what happened," the vampire shouted while he was morphing into his game-face.

"It seems that this special demon can send people through time," the watcher said, putting his glasses back on his nose. "So I think it's safe to assume that Buffy's somewhere in another timeline."

*******

Buffy3 walked around the last corner to get to the highschool and froze dead in her tracks. What the hell? No, this was definitely not right. The school had looked perfectly normal only some hours ago and now there was nothing left. Only a ruin. Breathe, Buffy, breathe, she told herself. This was just too weird. And this coming from her did mean something. Weird was her second name, but this. It seemed as if this wasn't her Sunnydale anymore. Giles never said anything about that demon being so powerful. Then another thought entered her mind, maybe this wasn't real, maybe it was just another whacky dream of hers.

She poked one of her fingers in her arm, no she felt it, this wasn't a dream.

And Giles, Willow, Xander, Oz, Cordelia. What happened to them? They'd been here only a short time ago. Were they alright? What if. No, she couldn't even think about it.

What now? What to do now?

Giles apartment. Of course, she could look at his apartment. Maybe he'd be at home. Most probably he'd be at home. The library wasn't there anymore.

She had to get answers, otherwise she'd go insane. And no Angel to lean on. She'd never felt so confused and alone before.

She turned again, heading for her watcher's apartment. She entered the yard that belonged to his apartment-complex and sighed in relief when she saw light streaming through the little window beside his door, when suddenly two strong arms encircled her waist from behind and a head came down to nuzzle at her neck.

She felt relief wash over her and was about to say Angel's name when an unfamiliar voice whispered: "I didn't expect you so soon, honey. I thought you were busy patroling tonight."

She shrieked in surprise and anger and elbowed the man in his ribs. With an "ow" he let go of her and stumbled backwards. She whirled around and glared at him. He was tall, even taller than Angel, with blondish hair and blue eyes. He looked as if he'd trained a lot, but he wasn't her type at all.

"Buffy," his voice sounded pained.

She'd hit him hard. Good.

He knew her name? "Who the hell are you? And what do you think you're doing?," she shouted.

He took some deep breaths and reached out for her. She immediately backed away: "Don't come near me," she yelled. "If you touch me again I'll kill you."

A confused expression appeared on his face: "Buffy, did anything happen to you? Did you have an accident?"

She looked at him for a moment: "Something weird is going on, that's certain."

"Did something happen on patrol?," he asked with apparent concern.

Patrol? He knew about her being the slayer? Could this get weirder?

"Who the hell are you?," she repeated her question from before.

"Don't you know me?" there was even more concern in his voice now. "I'm Riley, your boyfriend."

Boyfriend? No way! "My boyfriend?," her voice dripped of disbelief and disgust. "You are not my boyfriend. Oh god," a horrible thought entered her head. "What did you do to Angel?"

"Angel?," now he sounded definitely angry. "What about that freak?"

Before he realized what happened he flew through the air and with a crack he landed at the wall sourrounding the little yard. He looked at her and blinked. She stood there with her hands at her hips, her eyes full of rage:

"Don't you ever, do you hear me, ever call my boyfriend a freak."

Riley had the feeling as if he'd woken up in the middle of a nightmare. His back hurt like hell, tomorrow he'd have bruises everywhere and his chin, he just hoped it wasn't broken. "Buffy, please listen to me," he pleaded.

"Listen to you? I believe not," she shouted. "You better listen, I had a very, very bad night and my mood is getting worse with every second. So you better tell me what's going on here or you'll learn what a slayer really can do."

The ex-commando stumbled on his feet and approached her carefully. He had to help her, she was certainly under some spell. If he'd only reach the bell of Giles' apartment. "Buffy, you have to listen to me. Maybe you're under some spell or something. I am Riley, your boyfriend."

WHAM

He was at the wall again and this time she'd hit the other side of his chin.

"I told you before," her voice sounded very dangerous, "I have a boyfriend and his name is Angel. And even if I didn't have a boyfriend I would hardly be with someone like you, who seems in urgent need of mental care."

"Oh god," he groaned. "I think I broke a rib."

"Good," she replied merclessly. "Maybe you'll see now that this isn't some funny game. Maybe next time you'll think twice before you're stalking someone."

"I wasn't stalking..." you, he wanted to say but shut up immediately when he saw her rising her fist again.

"Don't lie to me again," she threatened. "I'm tired, I'm hungry and I miss my boyfriend." Her eyes narrowed: "You know him, don't you? You said his name before."

"Angel?," he asked. "Yes."

He was still at the wall but now he was standing again, her hand firmly at his collar, her fingers pressing his windpipe and her arm pressing him against the wall. He almost forgot to breathe, the alrady broken rib hurted horribly. "What did you do to him?" she hissed.

"Nothing," he choked. "I swear."

She studied his face for a moment. "Can I believe you?" she asked, her voice sounding dangerous again.

"Y-Yes," he stammered.

She tighened her grip at his collar and asked again: "Really?"

He'd lost his voice, there was too much pressure on his windpipe, so all he could do was nod and hope she'd let go of him soon or he was sure his eyes would pop out and his head would explode. He'd never thought she was that strong. Obviously she had never used her full strenght when they were working out.

"This better be true," she snorted and let go of him, but not without pressing her ellbow deep into his ribcage which made him cry out in pain.

He almost collapsed from relief when he heard a familiar voice from the entry of the yard.

"Buffy! What the hell are you doing with Riley?!"

Part 2

Buffy3 whirled round and relief washed over her: "Xander," she cried and launched herself into his arms. When he was safe, then the others would be too. Wait! Abruptly she pulled back and frowned: "You actually know him?" she asked her friend and pointed at the pathetic human still groaning in pain.

"Of course, that's Riley, your boyfriend," Xander replied in confusion.

Buffy backed away from him and stared first at Xander, then at Riley and then again at Xander, who walked over to the ex-commando and kneeled by his side: "Are you okay?" he asked.

"Oh god," Riley groaned. "I think she broke one of my ribs, but I hope nothing's permanently damaged."

Xander got up again and looked at the slayer: "What the hell is the matter with you? Why did you do this?"

And she'd thought this night was already weird. Now Xander also thought this creature was her boyfriend. Sure, Xander hated Angel, but even Xander wouldn't make up such a story, would he. Something was definitely very wrong. She had to get Giles. Without looking at the two boys again she turned and knocked on the door of her watcher's apartment.

After only some seconds it was opened and an extremely bored looking girl stood there. Buffy knew she'd seen her before. She scrunched her brows, the weird was definitely going on. "Who are you?," she asked.

The girl's eyes widened, but soon the impassionate expression was settling back on her features. "Did someone hit you on your head?," she asked. "I'm Anya. Anya." Then suddenly her face lit up and she gazed at someone behind the slayer: "Xander," she beamed. "I've been waiting for you. Are you ready? I want to copulate."

Buffy's eyes nearly bulged out of her head and her mouth hand open. This was Xander's ... *girlfriend*? He'd certainly a weird taste in girls, that was for certain.

Taking a deep breath, she pushed her aside and entered the apartment only to immediately stop dead in tracks. His eyes fixated on the television, a glass of port holding in his hand and comfortably leaning on the sofa was ... SPIKE! When he noticed she'd entered the room, he raised his free hand: "You're early, slayer."

Said slayer was constantly remembering herself to breathe. Where in god's name was Giles? And why didn't Spike try to attack her, why did he look as if he'd actually live here?

"Spike, did you again take my port?" Giles came down the stairs and when he saw the slayer he smiled: "Buffy, you're early. Any luck with the Karesh-demon?"

Karesh-demon? Was that the name? She frowned, she could swear Angel had called it something like Lunas or the sort. "Giles," she looked at her watcher. "I'm so happy to see you. Something very weird is going on in Sunnydale."

His face showed immediate concern: "Why? Was there anything special with this demon?"

"I don't know, but Giles." She stopped when she heard a noise from the door. Xander entered the apartment half carrying, half dragging Riley with him.

"Good god," Giles stepped forward and helped the boy to dispose the ex-commando carefully on the sofa. "What happened? Did you run into vampires?"

Giles knew him too! Oh god! She looked at Spike. How desperate was she that she'd actually look at Spike to feel better. He was still looking at the telly, but she could see him shortly glancing to Riley and ... smirking. Well at least he didn't like that guy. Wait! She had the same feelings as a vampire towards a human. No, this was not good, definitely not good.

"She hit him," Xander told the watcher and nodded in Buffy's direction.

Giles whirled around and looked at his slayer: "Why did you do that? Did he do anything to you?," he gave Riley a suspicious glance.

Good. At least he wouldn't blame her without question. Buffy looked at the ex-commando and then at her watcher: "He had the guts to declare himself as my boyfriend," she snorted. "As if!"

"B-But," Giles stuttered. "Buffy, he is your boyfriend."

She shook her head emphatically: "No way. Just look at him. I mean would I have someone like this as a boyfriend! Not likely. He isn't even my type. And besides," she glared at the three men in front of her. "I already have a boyfriend. I know you don't approve of him, but that's too bad. You'll have to live with him. Period."

"Buffy, what are you talking about?" her watcher seemed utterly confused.

"That's what I tried to tell you Xander," Riley groaned, still not feeling much besides pain. "She's under some sort of spell."

"You shut up," Buffy hissed at him. "You should be glad I didn't snap your neck the moment you tried to," she shook her whole body as if to get rid of something horrible, what was exactly what she was trying to do. "Ewww. I still feel your wet breath on my neck. This will need an extra shower tonight. I should make you pay for the extra amount of soap."

Spike roared in laughter and flipped the telly off. This was much better. Whatever had happened to the slayer, it had to be something to make her see some things clearer.

She whirled around to face the vampire: "And what is he doing here?", she demanded. "Did you get a taste for pet-vampires all of sudden, Giles?"

"Hey," the blonde vampire protested. "Don't insult me, slayer. I'm minding my own damned business here."

"Shut up," she yelled and held a hand on her forehead. She had the worst headache ever. "Could anybody please explain to me what happened here? I go on a normal patrol with my not so normal boyfriend. I see a light, then nothing. When I wake up again, Angel's gone, the mansion looks as if nobody's been there for years, the highschool is only burnt stone and wood and on top of it everyone insists that ... this," she made a disgusted movement with her hand at Riley, "is my boyfriend." She put her hands on her hips and glared at them.

The room was dead-quiet, the three men, the ex-demon and the vampire stared at her with wide eyes.

"Buffy," Giles was the first to speak. "I believe there's really something ... er ... occurred on patrol. Obviously you don't remember a lot of things." He reached out to touch her arm, but she flinched back.

"Don't do that," she shouted. "I'm perfectly sane and I remember you all, well except him," she again pointed at Riley and shrugged, "but that's not a real loss. I know that only two," she looked at her watch, "no three hours ago I was kissing Angel and now nothing is as it was anymore." That last word was merely a whisper and a single tear run down her cheek. She felt so lost, so lonely and she missed Angel. She missed him terribly. "Can you at least tell me what happened to Angel? Is he alive? Is he hurt?"

"He is perfectly healthy, Buffy," Giles assured her and exchanged a quick glance with Xander when he saw the relief on her face. "But he isn't living in Sunnydale anymore. You've split up and he moved to LA, over a year ago."

Buffy felt as if someone had hit her in her guts. Hard. Very hard. "No, he would never leave me," she whispered, her hand flying to her mouth. Would they really do that to her? They hated Angel, but would they do this?

Giles interpreted her behaviour wrong: "I know this might come as a shock, Buffy, but it's true. Obviously you're suffering from some kind of amnesia..."

"No," her angry shout interrupted him. "I'm not having amnesia. You don't think I see what you're doing. God, Giles. I trusted you. When you tricked me at my eighteenth birthday and you were so sorry afterwards I believed you. I believed you that this would never happen again." She knew, she hadn't amnesia, one look at her watch told her, she was not imagining things.

"Buffy, what are you talking about?" He was almost believable in his concern. But no, she wouldn't fall for his act.

"What am I talking about? I'm talking about Angel and how much you all hate him."

"Hey, I never said such a thing," Spike defended himself.

"God, why didn't anyone stake him?" Buffy groaned, but turned her attention back to the humans. "But I thought, I really thought," tears were now running down her cheeks. "I thought, you would see that he's good now and that we're careful together and that you'd understand how important he is for me. But no, oh no," she shook her head to emphasise her feelings. "You did something to get him away from me, didn't you?" She looked at them and then something hit her. "That's the reason Willow and Cordy aren't here, am I right? Because they would never help with something like that, because they know how much I love Angel. What did you do, send him to hell again?"

She stared at them for a moment: "And I thought you were my friends, god was I stupid." With this she was out of the door, before anyone could hold her.

Giles stormed after her and shouted: "Buffy, wait," but she was already gone.

********

Giles3 slammed his book on the table: "This doesn't help us. There's nothing in it. Not a single word, how to bring her back."

"But there must be something, somewhere," Willow's voice sounded helpless and she looked at Angel who was staring into space. He hadn't spoken a single word for hours. Never in her life she'd seen him so desperate. What would happen to him, if Buffy didn't come back? The witch didn't even want to begin to think about it.

"Don't give up, Will," Oz patted her hand and gave her a reassuring smile. "We'll find a way."

She smiled back and looked at Giles.

Realising that everyone except Angel was staring at him he let out a sigh: "This is so frustrating." Then he straightened his shoulders: "But we cannot give up. Let's look through other books. We'll find a way." He nodded as if to assure himself and passed more books to the teenagers and the vampire.

*********

Buffy5 had just dusted her last vampire and was on her way to Giles' apartment. Still no sign of the Karesh-demon. They were hunting it for over ten days and no luck so far. He was particulary dangerous and she wanted to get over with it. She needed her head free again for her mother. The mere thought brought tears into her eyes. Sure she wasn't that close with her mom, but she loved her nevertheless. She sighed, passed through the yard and pushed the door to Giles' apartment open.

*********

Buffy3 ran, she couldn't remember ever running so fast in her life. She run until her lungs burnt and she couldn't barely move anymore. They'd betrayed her. And worse, they'd done something to Angel. And it was her fault. The moment Angel had come back from hell she should've taken him and gone far away where nobody could hurt him.

She felt empty, the last time she'd felt this way she'd run off to LA.

But there was still a place she could go to and she'd do it now. She didn't know if her mom would understand but at least she could take her in her arms.

*********

Gasps from all humans and a smirk from Spike greeted her, when Buffy5 entered the apartment. Immediately her gaze fell on Riley's bruised body: "Oh god, Riley. What happened?" she asked and wanted to touch him.

But he flinched back: "Go away from me," he shouted. "I don't want to have you near me anymore."

Spike almost doubled over from laughter.

Hurt, she stepped back and looked at her watcher: "Giles can you explain to me what happened?"

Giles studied her face for a while: "Don't you remember?" he asked cautiously.

"Remember what?", she asked impatiently glancing over to her boyfriend again and again, who was looking at her as if his bruises were her fault. She'd only dusted vamps tonight, she was sure of it.

"You hit him," Xander told her with a sigh.

Her eyes widened in shock: "What? No," she shook her head. "I never hit him. Why should I hit my own boyfriend?"

"You remember that now," Riley asked with hope in his voice. Then he looked at her for a moment: "Wait, you had different hair and different clothes before."

Buffy5 let out a sigh: "Of course I remember the fact, that you're my boyfriend. Why should I forget that? Riley, did someting happen to your head? I wore this," she looked down at herself, "the whole day." Then she looked at her watcher again: "Giles, would you please tell me now what's going on here?"

He groaned: "If I only knew," he said. "Buffy, if I only knew that."Part 3

Seeing the lights coming from her house Buffy3 slowed down her pace. Her mother didn't need to see how shaken she felt. Pulling her key from her pocket, she opened the door and stepped in. There was light in the living room and assuming her mother would be there she entered only to get her next shock. A young girl was sitting on the sofa watching television. Her whole attitude gave the impression she lived here.

Oh no! This wasn't happening, not in her own house. Staring at the girl she demanded: "Where is my mother?"

The girl who didn't notice her before looked up and smiled: "Hey Buffy. Didn't expect you tonight. Why aren't you at the dorms?"

She knew her! Buffy had never seen her before, but the girl knew her. And why on earth was she supposed to be at the *dorms*? "What are you doing here?," she asked, her eyes watching the girl carefully. Maybe she was a demon or something? She didn't get any demon vibes, but you never knew.

"What am I doing here?," the girl's voice sounded amused. "I live here, do you remember? I am Dawn, your sister."

Her sis ... WHAT! Buffy felt as if her head would explode any minute. She definitely knew she had no sister. She stepped closer and eyed at Dawn, whoseconcentration was back at the telly. She didn't seem nervous or uncomfortable. Think that things can't get any weirder! Well this was certainly the top of it. "Where's mom?" she asked again.

"Upstairs. She's a headache, so she went to bed early," Dawn explained without looking up.

The slayer shook her head. Stepping between the girl and the television she glared down at her: "I think you better tell me what you're doing in my home, before I kick your ass. I definitely know I haven't a sister. So who are you?"

Dawn looked up and sunk deeper into the sofa. Her sister's eyes looked dangerous, she'd never seen her like this before, at least not when she was looking at her. "I ...," she began, but then decided that acting defensive rarely helped. "Look, if you've got trouble with Riley, okay. But don't work out your frustration on me, especially not if it's about him. Why do you stick to him anyhow, is he that good in bed?"

It felt as if something exploded in her head. That everyone thought that jerk was her boyfriend was one thing, but this: "RILEY IS NOT MY BOYFRIEND. DO YOU HEAR ME! AND I CERTAINLY DIDN'T HAVE SEX WITH HIM," she barked.

The girl's head snapped up, a hopeful grin on her face: "Do you mean you dumped him?"

Buffy was about to answer when a voice came from the door: "What is going on here? Dawn? Buffy?"

"Mom," she said relieved, ran over to her and hugged her tightly. Then it hit her, her mother knew the girl! She pulled back and looked into Joyce's face. She looked paler than usual and somehow older. She studied her face for a while. With everything going on here, she had to know if her mother was also under that spell, because that had to be the reason for all the strange behaviour in Sunnydale, Buffy was sure of it: "Mom, do you know someone called Riley?"

Joyce's face lit up: "Yes," she replied happily. "He's your boyfriend. And he's very nice."

Buffy stepped back and stared at her mother. She liked Riley? She liked Riley! So she also *knew* Riley. This was far more serious than she'd thought. She had to get out of here, fast. She had to find the source of all this and get things back to normal. Didn't her 'sister' say something about 'dorms'? "I'm sorry mom, that I came. I just thought I'd forgotten something," she lied. "I'll better get to the dorms."

Joyce nodded: "Alright, honey." Then she suddenly frowned: "Did you cut your hair?" she asked.

Cut her hair? Buffy was about to cry. Loud. But then she decided it was much better to pretend she knew what was going on here. Her mother had never been very open to the strange things in Sunnydale and she didn't even want to begin to think about her so called sister. "Yeah," she smiled sweetly: "I was always in the way, you know. With the slaying."

"I see," her mother said. "I'm going back to bed honey. See you soon."

"Sure," Buffy replied and slipped out of the door.

********

"I might have found something, but I'm not sure if it works," Giles exclaimed looking up from his book. His gaze went to Angel. "Maybe you could read it too, to confirm my thoughts."

"Of course," the vampire replied, taking the book from him. The watcher frowned when he saw that Angel's hands were shaking.

"Giles," Willow said, biting her lower lip. "What if, I mean..."

"Don't even think about it," came Xader's sharp response. "We'll get her back."

"Yes, we have to believe it," Cordelia said.

But the mood in the library was clearly not the best.

********

"So you're telling me, that you greeted me or whoever that was, with a kiss and I - she hit you in response?" Buffy5 asked incredulously.

She was sitting in Giles' apartment opposite to Riley who was still eyeing her very cautiously. She had the feeling he didn't believe one word. How could he think she'd ever hurt him?

"You did," Xander assured her. "I saw it."

"You actually saw me hitting him?," the slayer asked again.

"Well not hitting, but when I came into the yard you had him to the wall and it looked as if you're threatening him."

Buffy shook her head and looked at her watcher: "I don't understand it. I came here directly from patrol. By the way I dusted six vamps tonight. It's more than usual. But no demon."

"Six vampires," Giles frowned. "That's a lot. But Buffy, we have to find out what's going on with you or not you or ...," he stopped, sighing loudly.

"Spike did you notice anything special about, well ... not me," the slayer wanted to know.

"Not really," the vampire replied and then smirked: "She had the slayer vibes and all, but definitely much better taste in choosing her lovers."

Buffy raised an eyebrow.

"You shut up," Riley yelled, glaring at the vampire. "I still think you're under some spell," he said turning towards his girlfriend. Was she still his girlfriend? He would never forget her declaration of love for Angel. It was all he dreamed of and she'd said it about a vampire. "And we better hurry up in finding out what it is, because I cannot take anymore hitting. I'm going to be black and blue by tomorrow the way it is."

"Sissy," Spike muttered. "I'm never going to understand why she keeps you."

"Riley," the slayer sighed, ignoring the blonde vampire's words. "I'm not under some sort of spell. I can recall every hour of this day." She looked at Giles: "If it had been me, shouldn't I have something like blackouts?"

"Most probably," her watcher replied.

"See," Buffy turned back to Riley. "But there are no blackouts. Nothing. So I think it's fair to say, it wasn't me."

"But she looked exactly like you," the ex-commando insisted. "She even smelled and tasted like you."

Buffy raised both eyebrows.

"Not the first time you didn't recognize her soldier-boy," Spike said, grinning broadly.

"And you didn't either," Riley defended himself. Would he ever live the whole Faith-story down?

"Yeah, but I wasn't her boyfriend then, was I?," the vampire asked enjoying every detail of that evening. The only thing he'd regretted was that he hadn't actually seen the slayer beating the crap out of fishboy.

"Stop it, both of you," Buffy warned. "This isn't the time for this. Obviously there is some sort of Doppelganger running around here. Wait, could that have something to do with this demon we're tracking down?"

"I don't think so," Giles said with a frown. "But we better research it quickly."

"I want to go home," Anya complained. In her book the evening was a complete waste. She and Xander were still sitting here instead of having sex.

"Where's Willow by the way?," the slayer looked at Xander.

He shrugged: "Don't know, but I'd bet some important meeting with Tara and the other Wiccas." He looked at Giles: "Well, then why don't you throw the books at us. The sooner we know what's going on here, the better."

Riley only stared at them, why did nobody listen to him?

********

Buffy3 reached the mansion. She'd never liked the place, but she'd felt safe here, well most of the time. It bore good and bad memories, but at present it was the only place she somehow connected with the word home. Although it was chilly without Angel. Oh god, how she missed him. Giles had said he was safe, but then he'd told this strange story about him being in LA. No, Angel would never leave her. He loved her and she loved him.

If she only knew what was going on here. She looked at her watch. Almost 2 a.m., she yawned, she felt tired. Tired and lost. She had to find out what caused all this trouble. And she had to get Angel back. But now she was too tired to think. She went around the corner into the bedroom only to see the bed was gone. She didn't even flinch anymore, she was far beyond shocks by now.

A slimy boyfriend whom everyone seemed to know, Spike sitting in Giles' living-room as if he was a friend and a sister, she'd never seen before. Even for a slayer this was a bit much.

Looking around in the room she saw a dusty red blanket and recognized it as Angel's bed-cover. She reached for it and held it to her body like a life-line, as if she was holding him.

She sat down on the floor and then curled herself into a little ball still clutching the blanket with both hands. Before she closed her eyes she sent a desperate cry. 'Angel, please help me.'

Part 4

She came to him in his dreams. She was so beautiful. Angel was relieved to dream about her again for a change. He sighed in his sleep, here in his dreams nobody could break them apart, here it was safe to look at her and to enjoy the view.

But then he saw her face, she'd never looked like this in his dreams, usually she was smiling, but this time he saw tears in her eyes, her face was desperate and he could almost physically feel her hands reaching out for him.

Angel tossed on his bed.

And then he heard her, her voice a whispered cry 'Angel please help me.'

He bolted up in his sleep. Upright sitting in his bed he glanced to the clock, it was shortly before noon.

Daylight.

With a groan he fell back on his bed. He had to go to Sunnydale. Something was wrong there, very wrong.

For a short time he considered just giving Giles or Willow a call, but somehow he felt it would be no use. She had cried out for him in his sleep. She'd never done that before.

There was still the unfinished business with Darla.

But there were also things more important than that.

His eyes went to the clock again. This was going to be a long day.

*********

Buffy3 woke with a start. Taking in her surroundings she remembered falling asleep at the mansion - without Angel. She looked down at her hands and found the bed-cover still firmly in her hands. She'd been too tired before but now she lifted it to her face and inhaled the scent. It was weak, but it was Angel's. She would recognise it everywhere.

She stretched her stiff arms and legs and stood up. A loud rumble reminded her that she'd skipped dinner last night and it was not likely she'd find anything to eat here.

But where should she go? She had to be very careful. Sure it was daylight by now but whatever was happening in Sunnydale at the moment, she had a definite feeling it wouldn't be washed away by sun-rays. If there only was a way to bring Angel back, together they'd find a way to deal with this mess. She felt her guts knotting. The mere thought something could've happened to him was making her sick.

She had to think. And she had to think fast.

*******

Buffy5 blinked and yawned. Shifting slightly she realised that she'd fallen asleep on Giles' sofa in his apartment. Not far away from her was Giles, already awake and looking through a book. On the other sofa Xander and Anya were still sleeping, her head on his shoulder, his resting on top of hers. Riley was nowhere to be seen. Then she remembered that Giles had offered him his bed for the night, beat up and bruised as he was.

His whining while he was walking up the stairs was still clearly in her head. And he still wouldn't look at her. Not really.

"Giles," she whispered not to awake Anya and Xander.

He turned his head and she had to smile seeing his red eyes and the heavy bags under them. Obviously he hadn't slept at all.

"Morning Buffy," he whispered back. "How do you feel?"

"Strange," she replied. "It's weird thinking that there's a copy of me running around."

"I've been thinking," he said, coming over to the sofa and sitting down beside her. "We have to find her and then decide how to deal with her. And if she's something like a copy of you, maybe also remembering a part of your life and I think by the things she said, we can be sure of that, where would she go? You should be the one to know."

She shrugged: "Maybe home."

"I've already called Dawn," he informed her. "You ... er ... I mean, she's been there."

Her eyes widened and he quickly assured her: "She didn't harm them, if that's what you want to know. She just left after yelling at Dawn that Riley wasn't her boyfriend. She seems to be insisting on that."

Buffy flinched slightly by his words. "I really cannot think ... wait, did you say that," she entwined her hands and pressed them together until her knuckles turned white, "she was talking about Angel being her boyfriend."

He nodded and she went on: "Well then I'd put my money on the mansion," she said lightly, but felt as if a hand was clutching her heart in her chest. So many memories...

"The mansion," Giles exclaimed, shutting his book with a loud noise, making Xander and Anya wake up with a start. "Of course. Buffy, we have to go there, now. If she's there we have to catch her."

"Uuuh ... what's going on?" Xander wanted to know, wiping the sleep from his eyes.

"We're going to make an end to this whole mess," Buffy told him and went for the door.

*******

They were still all sitting in the library. None of them had slept for hours, they were all too concerned. The passage Giles3 had found the night before had been a dead end.

The watcher sighed inwardly. All "his children" were still researching, well not all, one was missing and it felt as if a part of his heart had been cut out with her.

Angel was still there, he sat in Giles' office which was darkened. His face was unreadable, his eyes showed no emotion, but the watcher knew he went through agony. Having lost Jenny he knew how he felt. And surprisingly he didn't enjoy the vampire's pain, not at all. On the contrary, he suffered with him.

He clenched his teeth and his eyes went back to the book. There had to be a way.

********

Buffy3 was still standing in Angel's bedroom when she heard a noise coming from the hall of the mansion. Cautiously she stepped around the corner to find Xander standing there. She tilted her head: "Xand, what do you want?" He was her friend and she couldn't trust him. It sucked.

"Buff," he replied. "I was worried. You just ran away yesterday and we never had time to talk."

She didn't want to give in to the relief she felt by his words. But she was feeling so lonely and he had said he wanted to appologise. Pushing away the warning voice in her head she smiled slightly and approached him: "I'm glad you came. I missed you, you're my friend."

A strange expression, Buffy couldn't read, flickered through his eyes: "I will always be your friend," he said extending his arms to hug her.

She closed the gap between them and hugged him back.

And then her world went black.

Part 5

When Buffy3 woke up again the first thing she felt was a headache. She remembered having had one the night before, but this was different. It felt definitely as if there was a lump and then she remembered being hit before.

Instinctively she tried to reach for the spot on her head that hurt most and realised she couldn't move her hands.

Handcuffs.

Immediately she opened her eyes and blinked.

And blinked.

And blinked again.

She looked in her own face. Oh god!

"She's awake," Buffy5 said.

Oh hell, Buffy3 thought, she's got my voice ... she's ME!!

"Buffy," Giles said cautiously. "How do you feel?"

Buffy3 studied his face for a while. "Whom are you adressing? I know I have a headache, but I definitely see someone who looks like me." Her gaze wandered again to her ... twin?

"Who are you?," Buffy5 asked.

"I think you know that," Buffy3 replied, giving her a nasty look. "I think the question here is, who are you?" She didn't feel brave, but there was no way these people, who had once been her friends - at least some of them - should see how scared she was.

"I'm Buffy, the vampire slayer," Buffy5 said and Buffy3 could see a certain arrogance shining in her eyes. But there was more, and now she realised it, that copy or whatever it was had a sadness in her eyes that made Buffy3 almost feel sorry for her.

Almost.

"Too bad, honey," Buffy3 smirked. "But that position is already taken. I'm the slayer."

"Giles," Buffy5 sighed. "That leads us nowhere." She turned and Buffy3 could see a blonde girl standing beside a very familiar figure.

"Willow," the slayer3 exclaimed. "I'm so glad you're here." But then she looked a little bit closer and realised that this Willow looked different from the one she remembered. Older and also ... less happy.

"Tara," the watcher adressed the blonde girl. "Could you look at her please?"

The blonde stepped forward and looked at the bound slayer sitting on Giles' sofa. She closed her eyes and Buffy3 felt the strange sensation that something was invading her mind. Reading her thoughts. She knew the feeling, Angel had done this before. Oh Angel!

Tara opened her eyes again and looked at the watcher and Buffy5: "She's Buffy."

"What the hell do you mean?," the slayer5 said, her eyes showing her anger.

"I don't know how to explain it," the blonde witch said, looking to the ground. "But she is you. Or you are she. She isn't a copy. She. Is. You."

"Oh god," Buffy5 whispered, desperately looking at Giles.

That was she? No way! "What do you mean?," Buffy3 said angrily. "This," she pointed at the other slayer, "is not me."

"But you are the same," Tara insisted. "I can feel it. When Faith was in Buffy's body, I could feel it too."

"WHAT?," Buffy3 shouted. "No way! Faith was never in my body. Because that would mean I would be in hers, right? And that, oh god, is more than I can bear." She rolled her eyes.

"So you know Faith?," Giles wanted to know.

"Of course I know Faith," Buffy3 replied. "She's a slayer. But she's ... well, strange. Angel says she's worth saving, and regarding the fact that she's saved my life I'm willing to give her another chance."

Buffy5 stared at her with wide eyes. That had been exactly her thoughts, she remembered it very clearly. But it had been long ago, long ago when everything seemed right in her world. Well not everything, but Angel was still there. Where the heck did that come from?

Giles looked at the bound slayer on his sofa and suddenly a thought entered his mind: "Buffy," he said urgently. Can you tell me what year it is?"

She3 looked at him as if he was insane, but then she sighed and said: "It's 1999, why?"

"Oh god," the watcher said almost to himself and gazed at the other people in the room. Then he looked back at Buffy5: "I think, she is you. But only from another time line."

"WHAT?" Two slayers shouted unison.

"Buffy," Giles addressed the bound girl again: "Where do you live and who are your friends?"

She3 didn't answer, she just stared at him. The thoughts were racing in her head. Another Time Line. That would explain everything. The demon had chanted something and then everything had been different. Could it be? But that would mean, Angel didn't leave her. Of course, it had to be. "Maybe you're right," she said, ignoring his question. She looked at the other Buffy and then back to the watcher: "I didn't really pay attention, but you all seem older ... somehow. And Angel would never leave me."

"You have no idea," Buffy5 whispered and tears welled in her eyes, but she didn't allow them to fall.

"Angel and I," Buffy3 went on ignoring the comment. "We were fighting a demon. He said it was called Lucas or something. Then this ugly thing began to chant and then poof. I wake up in the graveyard, Angel's gone and everything is different." She shuddered: "And some slimy guy tries to lick me." She looked at Giles: "Could you maybe uncuff me now? I promise to be nice. But my wrists hurt terribly."

The watcher looked at his slayer5 and when she nodded he took the keys and opened the handcuffs.

Buffy3 gave him a nod and rubbed her wrists. Then she asked: "What time is it here?"

"It's the year 2000," Xander grinned. "The new millennium."

Her3 eyes widened. "So you are me only a year older?" She looked at the other - or not other - slayer, who only nodded. "And I assume," she paused and shuddered again," Riley *is* your boyfriend?"

"He is," Buffy5 replied with a nod.

"But that," Buffy3 paled, "would technically mean he's my gonna-be-boyfriend. No, let's not gonna go there, it's too horrible just to imagine."

Spike who had been sitting in a shady corner of the room without saying a word so far burst out laughing.

"You're serious, right?" Buffy3 went on, she couldn't get over this. "This GI Joe is your ... mine. No, not mine, god help me, so he is your ... boyfriend. But you know Angel, I mean, Angel exists in this universe?"

Again tears welled in Buffy5's eyes and this time they fell. Seeing his slayers distress Giles answered: "Yes. And he is in LA."

"But how on earth could you let him go?," Buffy3 exclaimed waving her hands. "And then replace him with this ... Riley?" she snorted the last word.

"How dare you?" Buffy5 shouted, her eyes angry. "You don't know anything. Just for the record. I didn't let him go, he left me," she snapped her fingers. "Just like that. Sorry honey, it was a fault, I leave you to have a better life. And off he went through the mist, never looking back. Never asking me if I was okay with his decision," she took a deep breath. "So don't you dare question my decisions."

"What the hell is going on here?" a voice came from the stairs.

Everyone turned and looked at Riley who had just come down the stairs and stared at the two Buffys sitting in the living-room. Then his eyes focused on the slayer3: "And why is she here? And free, if I may add. Did you already forget that she attacked me?"

"Attacked you?," Buffy3 shouted. "You tried to kiss me!"

His gaze on Buffy5 and approaching her he replied: "I thought she was you."

"Ha," Buffy3 said, looking at the other slayer: "He didn't even see or feel the difference. And that is your poor excuse of a boyfriend." She crossed her arms in front of her chest and began to smile: "Well, I might be from another time-line, but I know one thing for certain, my boyfriend would've known the difference. Instantly!"

Buffy5 felt a pang in her heart. She moved away from the ex-commando and sat down on the sofa beside Xander. And one question repeated in her mind again and again, would Angel really know the difference, would he see they weren't the same, although they were somehow. It was a dangerous thought and it could cost her everything she'd so desperately tried to built up during the last year. All the walls and lies, that helped her to survive. She tried to suppress these thoughts, that would mercilessly lead to the truth. But was she ready to face it?

Riley raised an eyebrow and came to sit beside his girlfriend laying an arm around her shoulder: "And how, little girl, would he do that?" he asked.

"He wouldn't have to *do* something. He would've known! He is my soulmate, if you need to know that, but I think that's above your comprehension." She gave him a nasty look and then turned her gaze back to the other slayer: "You know, whatever happened in your time-line, I can promise you, I'll never let Angel go, because the alternative is just too scary."

"You shut up," Riley yelled, but then remembered his bruises and inwardly stepped back. Better not make her angry again.

She3 saw the sudden fear in his eyes and smirked. Then she looked at Giles: "There's another thing. As nice at is is with you all." By the sound of her voice everyone knew she didn't mean it. "But how can I go back? Because I like my life, it's weird sometimes and all, but I don't want to stay here."

She looked around, but nobody answered.

Part 6

While he was driving the well known route to Sunnydale Angel glanced to his side. Cordelia had fallen asleep shortly after leaving LA. He had to smile. The moment he'd told her and Wesley he'd go to Sunnydale she'd insisted to accompany him. 'You're not going near her without me' had been her words. He chuckled, she was a real friend.

What would happen when he reached Sunnydale? Would she be angry again, because he didn't call her? But the cry had been so desperate. That didn't seem like something that could be handled with a simple phone-call. Would she shout at him, to mind his own business?

He took a deep breath. And would he be able to handle seeing her with her boyfriend. It was easier in LA, it hurt like hell, but it was easier. She wasn't near him, he didn't have to see her, inhale her scent and he didn't have to see her with him. The mere thought of another man touching her ripped his heart into shreds. So what would happen when he actually saw them. Together.

He wanted to cry and turn his car. Run away from pain and heartache. But she needed him and that was all that counted. And in the end who would care if his heart had been shattered, he thought sadly. His feelings were not interesting - for nobody. Who cared if he suffered, if he wanted to die because he missed her so much? But then, didn't he earn all this?

Surprised he realised that he didn't think so anymore. Sure he had to help people, save souls to make amends but for the first time since he'd gotten his soul back he thought that he had also earned a little bit of happiness. But he had lost his chance, by giving her up, by leaving her, by telling her she should be happy with someone else. And that was what she'd done, he couldn't even blame her, he'd told her to find a guy who could take her into the light, who could make love to her.

His grip on the wheel tightened.

No, there was really nobody who cared how he felt.

Then his eyes fell again on Cordelia. No, it wasn't true. She and Wesley cared as had Doyle. He'd died too early and Angel missed him. He had a feeling that they would've become friends. But there hadn't been enough time. There was never enough time. A strange sentence coming from an immortal vampire.

Yes, he had his friends in LA, but - oh god - it wasn't enough, it wasn't enough anymore. He wanted more, he wanted his part of the cake, he wanted to find peace, he wanted to rest in her arms.

Her arms that held someone else now.

*******

Said arms encircled Buffy5's knees. She was sitting on one of the sofas in Giles' apartment. Buffy3 sat still opposite to her and the two girls were staring at each other, while the rest of the group and Riley sat at the table with books to find anything to bring the younger slayer back into her time-line.

So far no luck.

Have I really been like this? Buffy5 thought, while she was staring at the other slayer. This girl was deeply in love, believed in love, her eyes although they'd seen her lover go to hell and coming back held a fire that had gone out long ago in her own. Extinguished by her lover leaving her by his own free will.

Why did she let him go? Buffy3 had asked her that question and ever since she couldn't get it out of her mind. Why hadn't she fought for their love, shouted at him, bound him, hit him until he would've seen his fault and admitted they needed each other. But she'd said nothing, just watched him disappear. Was it because she believed his words had been true? That she earned something beside darkness and death?

With horror she realised this was the truth. She had believed him, because she wanted it. And then when he came back to help her, tried to shield her from painful emotions by not showing himself to he she'd gone to LA and shouted at him, to keep his distance, not one thought about his feelings, the hell he might have gone through seeing her, but not being allowed to talk to her or touch her. She also remembered her most miserable scene when she was rubbing Riley into his face. And it had been Angel who came to apologize, she had hurt him and never made a move to make things right. She'd always blamed Angel and only him for this and now she suddenly had to accept it was her fault as well.

She glanced at Riley. What had her younger self said. 'Is this really your boyfriend?', had she really been so desperate to fall for Riley? He wasn't even her type. Oh god, where did that come from? But she knew, seeing her younger self, the old Buffy in her rose her head, the strong girl, who never lied to herself or even if she did would admit her faults sooner or later. But was it really the 'old' Buffy or was it just the 'true' Buffy, who was buried under all this pain and heartache. Whatever it was, meeting her other self would change her life forever.

Buffy3 bit her lower lip and looked at her older self. She seemed deep in thoughts. That would be her in a year! Not too bad, well the looks. But the rest ... no, too scary, don't think about it. She cleared her throat and when the other slayer looked at her she asked: "What happened?" That question had been in her head for hours now.

Buffy5 quirked an eyebrow: "What do you mean?"

"Why did he leave you? Angel, I mean?"

The slayer5 sighed: "He said he wasn't good enough for me. That I needed something beside death and slaying. That he couldn't give me all these things a normal girl would want and that he couldn't make love to me."

Buffy3 bit her lip again: "Yeah, that sounds like him. And when did he say it?"

"Shortly before the prom. In a sewer tunnel," she laughed but it didn't sound happy. "Very romantic, don't you think?"

They spoke in low voices not to disturb the others, but Riley tried to listen with one ear.

"And then he just left?" She3 couldn't believe it. That didn't sound like Angel at all. She could believe the guilt trip, but he would never leave like that.

"No, not immediately. The mayor was evil and he was to become a demon at the ascension."

"Yeah, the mayor," Buffy3 snorted. "What a bastard, we're just researching him."

Buffy5 grinned: "I know, remember, I've been there already."

Buffy3 grinned back. All of a sudden it felt as if they'd been friends for a long time. "And then?"

"Well," she5 continued. "Faith changed sides, she worked for the mayor."

Buffy3's eyes went wide and Buffy5 gave her a pointed look. "Yeah, it was a shock for us too. However, she shot Angel with a poisoned arrow. The only cure was to drink a slayer's blood. So I went to fight Faith. I won, but she escaped, half-dead. She was in a coma for eight months."

Buffy3 gasped. This was some information. "And what happened? I mean with Angel?"

Was this all this girl was interested in, Buffy5 thought. Did I ever love him that much? Sure you did, you idiot. You only suppressed the thought, because it hurts so much, another voice spoke in her head. "I forced him to drink me," she said simply. "He was weak and dying and still I had to hit him again and again to make him drink my blood."

Willow and Riley gasped at the table, while Xander and Giles exchanged guilty glances. They remembered very clearly how they'd treated the vampire in the hospital.

"And even when his head was on my neck, I had to push him down to make him drink. He wanted to die before he would drink from me," she continued, her voice sounded strange. "He would've done everything for me." She gasped, the thought hit her like a fist in the stomach. Angel would die for her, would Riley die for her? Oh god, not again. Don't go there, Buffy. It does you no good.

Buffy3 was about to answer when the door bell rang. Giles went to answer it and gasped: "Cordelia, ... er ... Angel."

The heads of both slayers snapped around.

"Can we come in?," the brunette asked. "Angel had a strange dream. He said, Buffy cried out for him to help her."

Both slayers swallowed hard.

"Sure, come in," Giles invited them.

Both stepped in the room and froze.

"I didn't drink anything," Cordelia muttered. "I swear."

"No you didn't," Angel assured her, his voice sounding soft, betraying the feelings that rushed through him seeing the two girls in front of him. He tore his gaze away from them and looked at Giles: "What is going on here?" Then he looked back at the girls.

He stepped closer.

His mouth went dry and he had to take a deep breath. "How is this possible?" he whispered, looking at Giles.

"What do you mean?" the watcher asked.

"I mean, this," the vampire pointed at the girls. "They are both ... Buffy."

The eyes of everyone in the room went wide and even wider when he added: "They are both Buffy, but they're different." He looked at Buffy3: "You're Buffy too, but not the real one, not the one that belongs," the last second he stopped himself from saying 'to me', instead he said simply: "Here."

Buffy3 grinned and shot Riley an 'I-told-you-so' look. He swore inwardly.

Then Angel turned to face Buffy5: "Buffy what's going on here?" His voice was soft and full of concern.

She looked at him for a moment: "Why did you come?," she asked, ignoring his question.

He averted his eyes: "I... uhm ... you were in my dream. I thought you were crying out for me."

"I did," Buffy3 jumped into the conversation. "When I fell asleep last night I tried to reach you with my thoughts."

"Extraordinary," Giles said looking at the vampire and the two slayers. "She isn't even from this time-line and yet he has a connection with her."

Buffy5 felt a sharp pang of jealousy in her heart. Angel shouldn't have a connection with her, he was her soulmate. The thought was so quick, so natural, there was not time to stop it. Suddenly it was clear as day, she still loved Angel. She loved him, she had never stopped loving him. But she had slept with Parker and worse, with Riley, again and again. She'd betrayed her soulmate. The truth really hurt.

Riley on the other hand felt as if the nightmare started again. Angel had just entered the room and was the center of everyone's attention. Even his girlfriends's.

"This is too much for me," Cordelia shook her head. "Two Buffys. Giles you have to get the other back. No time-line can live with two of them."

"HEY," both slayers yelled unison.

"Alright, alright," the brunette raised her hands in defense. Nodding at the slayers, she went over to join the others at the table.

Angel sat down beside Buffy 5. "Do you have any idea how to get her back into her time," he asked looking at Buffy3.

"None, so far," Giles informed him, "but we just started research."

"I see," the vampire said.

"I'm glad to see you," Buffy3 smiled at him. Studying his face she said: "You've changed. You look less ... guilty."

He couldn't help but grin: "Yeah, well," then he stopped. "From which time do you come?"

"1999," she replied with a grin. "So you ... I mean he's still with me. And I will keep him," she threatened playfully. Then she leaned forward and whispered: "Because I've seen the alternative and I can only say no thankyou, sir." She nodded pointedly into Riley's direction.

Buffy5 felt a pang of guilt. She wanted to run away and cry. Pretending Riley had never existed. How could Angel bear it? The answer was simple. He would always bear it, she'd told him she was happy with Riley and he would always accept that, because he loved her. But did he still? Could he still love what had become of her.

Angel chuckled: "I wish you good luck." He shortly glanced at Buffy5 and then turned back at the other slayer: "I sometimes think," he sighed. "But this will not lead anywhere. It's over and done."

His voice sounded so sad, Buffy5 wanted nothing more than take him in her arms and make the pain go away. Oh god, she missed him so. Only some hours, a meeting with herself, and nothing was as it had been anymore.

"I won't let him go without a fight," she3 informed the vampire. "If it's necessary I'll tie him to the bed until he sees I need him." She grinned and Angel chuckled again.

"He'll see it," he assured her. "He loves you very much."

Buffy5 felt tears streaming down her face and quickly wiped them away. But Angel had already seen them.

He turned to her and asked softly: "Are you okay? I'm really sorry I came. I didn't want to intrude your space again."

"No," she replied. "It's okay. It's only ... there are so many..."

"... memories," he finished her sentence and for a moment their eyes locked.

"Oh I hate that," Xander groaned.

"What?," Riley asked.

"This," he pointed at the vampire and the two slayers. "They used to do it all the time. The one would start a sentence and the other would finish it. They always knew what the other was thinking."

"Soulmates," Willow sighed with a smile on her face.

"True love," Tara said.

"Crap!" Everyone looked at Anya and she shrugged. "Can't you see, they just want to have sex with each other."

"Anya," Xander said feeling embarrassed.

She shrugged again: "Look at them. They eat each other up with their eyes."

"Oh god," Xander groaned again, while Riley desperately tried not to explode here and now.

"They look so right with each other," Willow sighed again.

"Would you stop that?" Riley jumped up from his chair and yelled. He went over to the slayers and the vampire. His hands in his hips he shouted: "Why is he here anyhow," he pointed at the vampire and gave Buffy a hurt look. "He isn't your boyfriend," he looked at his girlfriend. "And neither yours," he gazed at Buffy3. "So why on earth can't he just leave?"

"SHUT UP," both slayers yelled unison, then looked at each other and began to laugh.

Riley only stared at them. What the hell was happening here? When did this nightmare begin? "Buffy," he looked at the slayer5. "What is the matter with you? Are you sure you aren't under some spell, you've behaved strange the whole day."

"You know that line's becoming old," she shot back. She was angry with him and it felt ... good.

"Buffy," he said again, his voice sounding frustrated.

Angel only looked at him. He still didn't like him.

Buffy5 jumped up. The anger now exploding inside of her. She knew she was mostly angry with herself, but she didn't care anymore and Riley had behaved like an idiot. "Don't Buffy me," she shouted. "You want to know what's wrong with me. I come back from a busy patrol only to hear that my boyfriend tries to kiss another girl. Then he accuses me, I hit him." She paused: "Then my ex-boyfriend shows up and with one look he sees the difference. I bet he would've know that Faith was in my body. I should've really gone to LA all these months ago," the last sentence she mostly spoken to herself. "You want to know what's wrong with me," her voice was even louder now. "I just realised that I betrayed myself for over a year and the worst of all is, I fell for you. Oh god, you aren't even my type, I must have been blind." Shaking her head in disbelief she fell back on the sofa not daring to look at Angel, but she didn't regret one word. She took a deep breath, she felt good, she felt like herself. She was back!

Part 7

Angel3 was pacing the library again. He wanted to scream or dismember something. He'd done the brooding thing, as Buffy would call it, the whole day. Now he was on the edge of letting out his demon - at least for a while. He glanced at Xander and an irrational, the demonic, part of him thought about making him pay for all the hurtful comments he'd made throughout the years. His consciousness immediately clicked in. Xander wasn't less concerned about Buffy than he. Of course he wouldn't harm him. Besides everything else Buffy would never forgive him that, when she came back. If. Not wanting to go there, he couldn't help but think what would happen if she never came back. Could he bear it, could he bear living in a world without her?

Giles was guessing she'd been transported into another time-line, but what if she wasn't just somewhere else, what if. No, don't go there.

Angel could feel his eyes flash yellow. The demon was just under the surface, roaring in pain, reaching out for his soulmate. Yes, both of them were longing for her.

He punched his fist into the wall and didn't care that everyone startled and looked at him.

This research led nowhere. He had to think. There had to be another way. Suddenly it hit him. Without looking back he run out of the library, leaving Giles and Scooby gang stunned.

********

Buffy5 flinched a little bit when she heard the door slam. There he went and the worst part was she didn't feel anything, no regret, no loss. The only regret she felt was that she'd lost more than a year by ignoring her real self.

After a while she looked up and around. Giles' eyes were questioning, Willow and Tara eyed her with compassion, Anya looked bored as ever while Xander seemed slightly stunned. Cordelia wore a grin on her face while Spike whistled silently as if he was celebrating a victory. She smiled inwardly, somehow he might feel this way. He was an evil vampire and she didn't feel sorry for his chip but a twisted part of her could understand how he must feel, being all evil but not being able to live it and by that being forced to deny your own self. Oh yeah, she could understand him well.

Buffy3's face wore a wide grin and she winked at her. They seemed to share emotions now, it was like looking into a mirror and it felt so good.

Finally she turned to the person sitting beside her. She could see Angel's concerned gaze resting on her, but there was confusion also and ... hope? Oh god, maybe he still felt something for her! She prayed to every god in the universe that this was true. She wished nothing more than to just throw her arms around his neck and ask for forgiveness. But could she do it? What if he didn't want her anymore, could she handle him rejecting her?

"Are you alright?," he asked again. What about him, was he alright? Would he ever think about himself in the first place? No of course not, Buffy5 thought with an inward sigh.

"I'm okay," she assured him, looking around she repeated: "I am okay, really." She stood up looking at Buffy3: "Actually I didn't feel that good for a long time." She took a deep breath: "Would you like to go for a walk?"

"Sure, why?," Buffy3 asked.

"I think I should tell you one or two things before they find a way to get you back." Then she turned to Angel again: "And you. You go nowhere until I'm back. There's a lot we have to talk about."

He looked at her wide-eyed, stunned. But also smiling inwardly when he saw a fire had entered her eyes again, a fire that had been lost the last year, been replaced by pain and denial.

With a last look at the group the two slayers left the apartment.

Xander cleared his throat: "I'd say that was some drama."

"You could say that," Giles said, shaking his head.

Suddenly Willow, who was flipping through a book looked with wide eyes and pushed it into Tara's direction urging her to read the passage. After some seconds the blonde witch looked up and nodded, her eyes wide as well and now both stared at the dark haired vampire who was still sitting on the sofa a slightly confused expression on his face.

"Uhm, Angel," the red-head began. "Do you miss Buffy sometimes?"

His head snapped up and after seconds Willow had everyone's attention.

********

"So you think we should talk to Faith?" Buffy3 asked.

Buffy5 shrugged: "I don't know. Maybe she'll think about everything when she realises you know about her connection with the mayor."

The slayers had been walking into the direction of one of the cemeteries and were talking about the upcoming events, well, Buffy5 was filling the other slayer in about the important things that would come soon. Maybe it was wrong because it would change the events but it could never harm to be prepared.

They talked a little more and then they walked in silence for a while, when Buffy3 spoke again: "There's one thing. Dawn."

"What about her?," the other slayer asked.

"Well, I do not have a sister," Buffy3 said. "Actually, I don't mind her, at least she didn't like Riley at a point where everyone including mom, your mom, talked about him as if he was the incarnated goodness. So I've to give her some credit for that."

Buffy5 sighed: "Well she isn't really my sister. It's very complicated and sometimes I wish she wasn't there. She can be an annoying little brat, but most of the time I'm glad she's there, especially now when," she stopped. No she wouldn't tell Buffy3 about her fears regarding her mother. That wouldn't do any good, so she only added: "It's nice to have a sister."

Buffy3 shrugged: "I don't know," then she grinned, "but I guess I will find out."

The other slayer nodded. Then she suddenly said: "Don't let him go." When she saw the astonished look on the other girl's face she smiled slightly: "Angel. You're right you know. I shouldn't have given up, but I was so confused. I believed his words about deserving something beside night, darkness and slaying." She sighed. "And lost myself in the process."

"But you found yourself again," Buffy3 replied with a smile. "You shouldn't dwell on the past. It's no use. You still love him." It wasn't a question, more a statement. Both knew it. They would always love Angel.

"I do," Buffy5 answered. "But does he still love me? Can he still love me? You've no idea what I've said and done to him the last year. I was such a bitch!"

"Of course he still loves you," the other slayer said without hesitation.

"But can he forgive me?," Buffy5 didn't dare to hope.

"Hey," Buffy3 grabbed her arm and turned her so that they were looking at each other. "We're talking about the guy we sent to hell and who forgave us without a question after he came back. He'll forgive you anything."

Buffy5 nodded and hope rose in her, when suddenly a familiar voice came from behind them: "Isn't that a touching moment?" Riley. "Does he still love me," he mocked. "Oh sure, he will always love you."

Both slayers turned round and faced the ex-commando. "It's sick, if you ask me," he went on. "He's a vampire. All he should get is a stake through his heart and all you both can think is jumping his bones." He looked at his girlfriend, he was angry, he didn't care for the words. All he wanted was hurting her as much as he had been hurt by her behaviour: "But be careful, if you choose him, little Buffy. He will not warm you in bed," he smirked. "Even if it wasn't for his curse, he is a vampire, he's always cold." He stopped for a moment, then he looked her in the eye: "I actually never asked you that, maybe I tried to suppress the thought, but how is it to fuck with a corpse?"

The slayers looked at each other, both shivering with anger now. Buffy5 looked at her younger version: "You or me?"

"Oh it's your turn. I already had my fun with him. Oh and maybe you should know that he called Angel a freak."

Buffy5 raised an eyebrow: "Oh really. Good you told me that." Her voice sounded very dangerous.

Riley looked confused from one slayer to the other. What the hell were they talking about? Déjà vu hit him full speed. Without a warning a fist connected with his jaw and he flew back into a gravestone. The connection with the hard stone was so powerful, that all the air left his lungs and he tried to breathe.

"I have to say, you seem even stronger than me," Buffy3 complimented.

Buffy5 grinned: "Thanks. You'll find out many more things about you with time. I won't tell you, because you'll find out in..." She blinked.

And blinked again.

Buffy3 was gone.

Part 8 (Last Part) and Epilogue

Buffy3 saw a blinding light and when she opened her eyes again, she was still standing at the same spot in the graveyard but now looking into the very concerned eyes of a very well known vampire.

"Angel?," she asked confused. "What happened?"

Instead of giving her an answer he crushed her to him in a breathtaking embrace. "Buffy," he muffled into her hair. "Oh god, I thought, I'd never see you again."

I'm back, oh god, I'm back, she thought.

"Angel," she said again, but this time it sounded relieved.

After a while he pulled back and gazed into her eyes: "Are you okay?"

"I am fine. Oh god, there is a lot I have to tell you." She looked at him sharply: "But first, did you ever think about leaving me for my own good?"

He was stunned: "How, I mean ... ," he managed to stutter.

"I see," she said. "Well, forget about it. You're staying."

"I am?"

"Yes," she nodded pacing back and forth in front of him. "I've been to the future and believe me if I tell you, if you leave me you're condemning me to a horrible fate. I've been there, I've seen it first hand. So, no 'you need light' crap, no 'I leave you for your own good'. Do you understand?" She stopped and looked him in the eye.

"I do," he replied but a grin spread across his face. "Actually, I really thought about it, but not anymore."

Now it was her turn to be stunned: "Not?"

"No. Buffy," he pulled her back to him. "These hours without you were hell. I couldn't be without you. And I would gladly show you, but we have to go to the library. The others are so worried about you, especially Giles."

"Alright, but first, kiss me." She grinned.

"Your very humble servant, Miss Summers," he joked and bowed his head.

********

Buffy5 shook her head. She was gone, her younger version was gone. Obviously they'd found something to transport her back. She was glad for Buffy3, but she missed her. It had been a good experience. Then she remembered something behind her.

She turned and looked at Riley: "You're still here."

"You're strong," he groaned. "My back hurts like hell. I've even more bruises now."

"Yeah, well, what can I say," she smirked. "Slayer strength and all. Sometimes I forget about it. Ooops."

"God, you're crazy," he said to her. "How could I ever think about a future for us two?"

"You did?," she looked honestly surprised. "I never did. Riley, I might have been blind and fallen for you, but I'm not demented. You were nice for a while, but a future, think about that again."

"I loved you."

"I'm sorry," she replied. "I'm sorry, you fell in love with me. But my heart was long given away."

"To a vampire," his voice was full of disgust.

"Yes," she said without hesitation. "To a vampire, a vampire with the most beautiful soul. The most caring, gentle and loving person I've ever met. I pity you Riley, you're so blinded by prejudice that you can't see it. You'll never know what you're missing. And now, if you excuse me. There is someone I have to ask for forgiveness and I truly hope he'll take me back."

With this she turned and began to run, faster and faster, driven by a strong power to be near him, to tell him what she should've told him more than a year ago.

And then she saw him. He stood at his car and was looking at the sky. She slowed down and when she was only some feet away she stopped. A tear was slipping down her face: "I thought you wanted to wait," she said, not able to stop the hurt in her voice.

"I..," he started.

"Angel," she interrupted him, she had to tell him, now: "Please don't go. I know I've been a bitch. I know I've hurt you and I can understand, if you'd never look at me again. But," she paused and swallowed: "I love you. I always loved you. I never stopped. And I want," more tears were coming now. "I want to be with you. I don't care about light, about children, about sex. I need you Angel, can't you see that. This year without you was hell," her eyes were pleading.

He only stared at her. Was this really happening? "There is nothing to forgive," he said after a while. "And I once told you. I love you, nothing can change that, not even death."

Her face lit up, hope shone in her eyes: "So you'd take me back?" She stepped closer.

"If it's what you really want."

"Oh Angel," she whispered and threw her arms around his neck. "I love you, I love you, I love you. And we'll find a way, I mean to live with the curse."

He chuckled slightly and pulled back: "Actually," he grinned. "That's why I was at the car when you came. Too bad you don't care about sex anymore," he joked.

"What?," she looked confused.

"I was waiting for you. You see, while you and Buffy, well you and the other, oh hell, when you both were gone, Willow found something in a book."

"She did?," now she looked curious.

"Hmmm. Then she went to the magic shop and performed a ritual," he lowered his head and kissed her, softly, gently as if he wanted to discover her again after such a long time. Sighing he looked up again: "As a result my soul is bound or actually the demon. I can have as much happiness as I want now and nothing will happen."

"Really?" her eyes were filled with joy.

"Really," he assured her. "We can go and Willow will explain it to you."

He started for the apartment, but she held him back.

"No, I believe you," she grinned mischievously: "So your soul is safe, right?"

He nodded.

"Do you still own the mansion?"

He nodded again. "But there is not furniture, nothing."

She grinned wickedly: "Who needs a bed? I remember a very nice fireplace there and," she eyed in his car, "I can see several blankets on the backseat of your car. So, the question is, are you up to it?"

"Oh god," he groaned. "Buffy Summers you're killing me," but his voice was full of happiness.

"So you're not up to," she pouted.

"Get your wonderful body in the car, otherwise I can guarantee for nothing." He told her, his eyes darkening with passion.

She giggled: "Won't they miss us?"

"I don't care," he said impatiently. "Now get in the car."

"I love you," she grinned. Then raised her hands: "I'm getting in."

*

"Where do you think they are?" Xander asked looking at Willow.

"Well, his curse is unbreakable now," the red-head said with a pointed look.

Xander rolled his eyes: "You don't really think she'll just jump him, do you?"

"Of course she will," Anya said matter-of-factly.

"Yes, she will," Cordelia informed them. She stood at the window and saw the lovers leaving in Angel's car. "They both left just right now."

"Oh god," Xander groaned.

"See," Anya looked at him. "You should really trust me. I am familiar with these things."

"Where is the other Buffy?" Tara asked.

"I don't know," Giles joined them at the table. "But I think she'll tell us tomorrow. We should give them some time. They've earned it."

*********

"I'm so happy you're back," Willow3 said for the fifth time.

Angel3 and Buffy3 had returned to the library about half an hour ago and everyone was relieved and happy to have her back. The vampire had explained them, that he'd found another Lorcha demon and forced him to get Buffy back into the right time. When the slayer had returned to the graveyard the demon had disappeared.

Buffy leaned back into Angel's embrace and smiled: "It was an interesting experience you know. Meeting my future self. Gives you perspective."

"Actually," the red-head looked at the lovers: "We've something for you both. While looking through spell-books I found a spell. We could perform it right now, if you want."

"A spell," Buffy's brows knitted in confusion. "What spell?"

"A soul binding spell," Willow said with a grin.

The slayer felt the vampire tense behind her and turned: "Oh god, Angel," her eyes were watery.

A tear rolled down his cheek: "Thank you Willow," he said simply.

"No big," she replied with a happy grin. "So should we cast it now?"

Epilogue

It won't be a big surprise for the reader to hear that both couples were reunited and lived happily ever after. Angel5 continued saving souls and Buffy5 slayed in Sunnydale, but saw each other as often as possible. When he gained his shansu they married immediately.

Angel3 left for LA after Buffy3's graduation, but they had a long distance relationship, for that Riley Finn was only her TA in Psyche. When she met him for the first time in the library she made sure that the books hit him pretty hard.

Some readers might ask what happened to Riley5. Well, as Angel3 said, the Lorcha demon disappeared, the time-spell did back-fire a bit and hurled it to Sunndale 2000 in Buffy3's place where it met a certain ex-commando. After that nobody saw Riley Finn again.

And with this the story ends.

Hope you all enjoyed it. I did!! Don't forget to send feedback!!!

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