Part 43

"Angel!"

Dawn's shout sounded through the night and then she ran full speed into the vampire's arms, holding him with all her might. "Angel," she repeated in a muffled whisper against his chest. Over her head Angel could see the others approach them. Spike who was standing by his side had crossed his arms.

"Angel," Giles's face wore a smile when he finally reached the vampire. "We thought you dead. Are you sure Buffy is alive? Where is she?"

"I'm positive," Angel smiled back, stroking Dawn's back.

She looked at him through tear-streaked eyes, "Y - you are absolutely sure?," she asked again, afraid to believe.

"Yes," he nodded, squeezing her form. He looked around meeting the faces of his friends, all showing relief at seeing him. As soon as Dawn let go of him Cordelia grabbed him up in her arms.

"I'm so glad," she whispered and Angel felt a lump in his throat. He wasn't used to such a Public display of affection, but Cordelia saved him from it, by pulling back and hitting his chest with her fist. "What did you think you were doing," she shouted. "We thought you were dead, you stupid... vampire. Don't do it again, do you understand!"

There were tears in her eyes and he smiled at her affectionately, "I'll try," he replied with a lopsided grin.

"Really good to see that everyone's so glad I'm back," Spike muttered beside him.

"Oh Spike, but we are," Dawn moved towards the blond vampire and took his arm. "You're my friend. I wouldn't like to you were dust. Life would only be half as funny."

"Me, dust?" Spike raised a brow. "Not bloody likely. I saved the bugger's ass. You know," he looked around, glad he had everyone's attention, "he has a little problem with authorities. Not cocky enough for my taste. You can't just give in to them. You have to stand up for yourself."

"Yeah," Angel agreed dryly, "or fly backwards against a wall."

His grand-childe narrowed his eyes, "Hey, it was a god or something like that. They're stronger than we are."

The dark-haired vampire chuckled, "Of course."

"A god?" Wesley stepped closer.

"I'm not quite sure," Angel replied, "but the person I spoke to could've been one of the Powers."

Several gasps were to be heard, and then Giles spoke, "The Powers? They summoned you."

"They didn't summon us," Spike said on a snort. "They ordered us. Or rather him. They only took me by accident." Now he smirked.

The watcher raised a brow at him, and then looked back at Angel, "What did they say?"

"A lot of things," Angel said, not eager to share the whole conversation, "One them being that Buffy is alive and well. All we need is to find her."

****

"How long can you hold up?"

"I'm okay," Faith replied, glad that she could hold onto Buffy's hand in the dark. "I'm just a little cold."

Blood loss and probably first signs of shock, Buffy guessed, while she tried to stay calm and positive. She and her sister slayer were still sitting where they'd been before. There was no way Faith could move around, and although Buffy was strong when it came to fighting, she simply couldn't manage to carry the other girl around. Not that she would've known where to carry her to in the first place.

The blond had left the other woman's side just a few minutes ago to move around and check their whereabouts. The result wasn't good. Thick, massive stones surrounded them. Walls, probably caves, closed up by the detonation that had taken place only seconds after Angel had managed to close the gate.

Angel.

Buffy had pushed all thoughts about him aside. She knew if she allowed herself to think about all the possibilities she'd go insane. She was clinging to the hope that he was alive and well and that he would come and find her and Faith, although rationally she had no idea how he would manage to do that. The darkness, the missing noises made it impossible for the two slayers to establish their exact whereabouts. Sure, they were probably in a cave, but where was it? East, west, or south - they had no idea. And south of what?

Buffy frowned and was happy that Faith wasn't able to see the worry in the blond's eyes. The brunette slayer didn't need anymore bad news. The fact that Faith's voice had become weaker, that she was coughing more and that she only sometimes managed to suppress a moan of pain showed Buffy that her sister slayer was in urgent need of medical treatment.

'Angel. Please be all right. Please help us', she prayed silently, willing him to hear her silent plea.

In the darkness she leaned her head wearily against the wall. She was tired. No not only tired, exhausted. As she'd told Faith a while ago, the events at the Gate had brought back all her lost memory. She remembered everything, or at least she thought it was everything. Without asking, she couldn't be certain, but it pretty much looked like everything, she thought, while she was mentally traveling down the memory lane.

She remembered her mother, and felt a tear slip from her eye. **Oh mommy.** She saw Willow with braids, shy and desperately in love with Xander. And Xander having a thing for her, then dating Cordelia. **Some memories should've stayed lost.** Her training and discussions with Giles. All the wonderful times with Angel. The moment he drank from her. The most incredible moment in her life, when she'd felt closer to him than ever before. **Mental note. Maybe he can do that again. Just for fun.** She felt herself blush at that and was glad Faith couldn't see her. **Who would've thought that a vampire bite could be so erotic? No, not a vampire bite. Angel's bite.**

But she also remembered all the things she'd preferred to forget, like Parker, the tension and the spell between her and Spike. **God almighty. Spike!!! He actually kissed me. Ewwww.** And she also remembered Riley. The good times and the bad ones, and the many times they'd... **No, don't go there. Just forget it ever happened. And besides. It was just sex. Period. With Angel...** She sighed at the thought. With Angel it was so much more, so intensive, so loving. Making love with Angel was extraordinary and she could hardly believe she'd once believed Riley could be able to feel the void.

Angel's leaving really had left her devastated, there was no other explanation for her behavior. And it hadn't been fair. Not to herself and certainly not to Riley. He was a good guy she knew that now. He deserved someone who could appreciate what he was able to give. A girl who believed he really did hang the moon for her. A girl that would feel for him what Buffy felt for Angel, who thought the sun, was shining brighter only because he was near. The blond slayer hoped that Riley was all right. She wanted to talk to him. Sure they'd been separated for a while now, but there was unfinished business between them and she knew she had to close chapter Riley for good before her future with Angel could begin.

That was, if they had a future together.

"Buffy?"

"Hmmm?"

"I think I'm going to faint." Faith's voice was barely above a whisper.

"No you won't," Buffy replied sharply.

"Oh," the brunette slayer chuckled, then instantly pressed a hand over her hurting ribs. "And how are you going to prevent that?"

"You are a slayer," the blond said firmly. "Behave like one."

"Sorry," Faith smiled in the darkness. "But this time..." and then it was gone. Frantically Buffy searched for a pulse and exhaled a breath of relief when she found it. It was a bit weak, but it was beating regularly. "Oh Faith," she found her sister slayer's head in the dark and stroked it. "You're not going to die," she promised. "I won't let you die."

****

Angel's head jerked around, his eyes widening. "She's there," he said."Somewhere. Not far away."

Dawn looked up, "Buffy?"

He nodded, gazing at the others. He couldn't tell them that he had had the impression that she'd spoken to him. But that was what had happened. He had heard her, clearly in his head. 'Angel. Please be all right. Please help us.' And she'd sounded so tired and helpless. God, he had to find her, had to find a way to get her back, wherever she was. "We need to go to the hellmouth."

"Angel, I already told you, the hellmouth is closed," Wesley reminded him.

"I know," the vampire replied, "but if there's a way to find her, we'll find it there. I just know it." And without waiting for an answer he turned and walked away.

The others looked at each other only for a second, and then followed him

Part 44

It was as if a curtain had been pulled from his eyes. The moment Angel approached the hellmouth he knew. He was absolutely sure he would find Buffy. It was like the hellmouth was talking to him. Not the way it had pulled at him before. The pulsing evil was gone. It was hard to believe that it had been a hole threatening to swallow the whole world only a short time ago. Now there were only ruins, it was quiet and peaceful.

Angel felt himself chuckle and shake his head in disbelief. Who would've thought there'd come a day when he could call the hellmouth peaceful? But it was. And it was the strangest feeling. With the evil energy gone something new had settled over the place. The vampire wasn't sure what it was, but it seemed to be talking to him. Quietly, whispering words, hard to understand at first, but clearer with every passing second.

Like exchanging one pull with another.

This time love was pulling him, the feeling that his other half was reaching out for him, needing him, searching for completeness that was only found in his arms. Something had happened to them down in the demon's dimension, in front of the Gate and maybe the Powers had done their part in it as well. Something had changed in their relationship, something profound and deep. They weren't mere people - or non-people - in love anymore. There was something different. Angel couldn't put his finger on it, he just felt it, felt as if he was already near her, as if her soul was whispering to his, and peace settled over him.

A sort of peace he hadn't known before. Belonging. Yes, he thought, they were meant for each other. They belonged to each other, and he felt suddenly free for the first time in over 250 years. Even more. He couldn't remember ever having felt so free while he had been human. He belonged to his friends, his colleague, to this world and first and foremost to Buffy. How had he ever been able to leave her – the mere thought seemed so foreign now, he almost laughed at the absurdity of it.

He closed his eyes, ignored the fact that the others were watching him intently, in Spike's case speculatively, and let his soul reach out. 'Buffy, love, where are you? Tell me where you are!'

First there was nothing and Angel was about to try again, when there was suddenly a faint response. Hesitant and unsure, at first. 'Angel?'

'Yes, love it's me. Can you hear me?'

'Is - is this a dream? Oh God, I'm going to go insane.' There was a hint of panic in her.

'NO,' he assured her quickly. 'Something happened. At the Gate. I don't know what, but I can feel you. All of a sudden it seems as if my soul just needs to concentrate on yours and I can make a connection.'

'Oh,' she replied, stunned for a moment, but recovering quickly. 'You mean we can communicate without words. Kind of telepathy?'

'Yes. I'm pretty sure. After all it's what we're doing right now.'

'Oh. Well, yeah,' she agreed.

'Tell me where you are', he asked gently.

'I don't know', the panic was back. 'It's dark, and cold, and... oh God, Angel. Faith is hurt. I... I'm afraid it's pretty bad. She's unconscious.'

'She'll be all right. Buffy, I swear she'll be alright', he promised and hoped he wasn't lying to her. 'You need to concentrate, love. Please, what does it look like? The place where you are.'

There was something like a sob, then 'It's dark. God, it's so dark. Like we're dead already. Only I can hear you in my head.' She closed her eyes for a moment and suppressed the fear that threatened to consume her. Buffy had no idea how long she and Faith were where ever they were and now she heard Angel talking to her. It seemed so real, so true, his beloved voice, and yet she wasn't completely convinced it wasn't all some sort of weird delusion, the first stages of insanity. Still, it seemed like it was her only chance to escape this cold and dark prison and so she pulled herself together. 'I tried to find an exit. But there isn't any,' she told him. 'Only walls. Thick, unmoving walls.'

'Wait a moment,' he told her, then turned and looked at his friends. "We need to make some noise," he urged them.

Xander quirked a brow, "Noise? You're sure, you aren't about to snap?"

Angel narrowed his eyes, "This isn't a joke," he hissed. "Just do what I told you."

"Okay, okay," Cordelia, sighed, not quite sure what to think of her immortal friend. He was behaving more than just weird, staring into the night, closing his eyes, and swaying. Even for a vampire it didn't look normal. And now he wanted them to make noise? Oh well, why not. I kissed Xander, was about to date a Brachen demon, she thought, if that's not weird. "What sort of noise?"

"How about stomping?" Wesley proposed.

"Yes," Angel agreed, then sighed, when he saw the expressions on the others faces. "I'm *not* going insane. Buffy has to be near by. I want to see if she might be able to hear us."

"Uh... not wanting to spoil the plan, but..." Willow bit her lower lip, then said, "How will we know if she hears us?"

"She'll tell me," the vampire replied.

"Okay, that's it," Spike rolled his eyes. "He is nuts. Now he's talking to invisible slayers."

"Oh, that's so vampire," Anya snorted, giving him a haughty look. "Just because you can't suck it dry, it doesn't exist. I'll have you know that I once talked to an invisible guy and-"

"I really don't want to hear it right now," Angel interrupted her, his voice commanding. "I can't explain it right now, but while we were at the Gate, something happened. I can communicate with Buffy. Telepathically. You don't need to believe it, but I need your help to find her."

Before anyone could start to argue, Giles replied, "Alright. I for once believe you. We all have experienced stranger things. Try to make noise." And without another word they did. After a minute, Angel demanded them to be quiet again.

'Did you hear that?' he asked Buffy, his eyes closed again.

'Yes,' there was excitement in her voice.

'Can you tell me on which side the noise was?'

'You are on my right side,' she frowned in the dark, 'at least if I'm looking into this direction. If I turn round...' she trailed off.

Angel had to smile, 'Just stay where you are and tell me the moment the noise gets louder or not. Okay?'

'Okay.'

"Angel?"

The vampire looked to his side and saw Dawn gazing up at him. "What?" he asked gently.

"You're really talking to her?"

"Yeah," he smiled.

"Tell her, I love her, will you?" she pleaded.

Angel took the slayer's sister's hand firmly in his. "I will," he promised.

'Dawn sends her love,' he told Buffy.

'I love her too,' the slayer replied.

"She loves you too," he repeated to Dawn and it had her smiling as well. 'All right, Buffy, we're going to move now. And when the noise comes closer, tell me.'

'I will.'

The vampire turned to the others again, "Now we have to move and make noises again, then she'll tell us if we're any closer or not."

"Okay," Gunn gave him a quick nod. He and his friends moved to the right, banging their weapons to the ground, the others stomping and shouting.

'Yes,' Angel could hear Buffy's voice in his head. 'You're closer now. Even more closer now,' she said only a moment later.

"She has to be over there, somewhere," the vampire informed his friends. 'And now?' he asked his girlfriend again.

'Yes, closer. Stop!'

"Stop," he commanded. 'What?'

'You're above me. Right above me,' her voice shook with excitement.

"Where are we?" Angel looked around, because having been so concentrated on finding Buffy he hadn't paid attention to his surroundings.

"Right above the old cellar of the high school," Willow informed him. "Or at least I think it is," she frowned, suddenly uncertain.

"She's right," Xander dropped to the ground, searching for a door. "Somewhere there's a door. We spent a lot time down here," he said, his hands moving over the surface. "Remember when you were infected by those eggs?" he quickly looked up and grinned at Cordelia and Willow. The brunette rolled her eyes. Then her they suddenly lit up, "Oh yeah, I remember. I hit you."

"You did," Xander replied chuckling. "And then when the hellmouth opened a few years ago and those weirdoes tried to blow up the high school - oh, right, you don't remember that."

"What are you doing?" Giles wanted to know, not understanding what the young man was searching for.

"The door," Xander said, not looking up, "There has to be a door. I would bet my new apartment that they're down in the cellar. There aren't any windows. It's like a tomb."

In a flash everyone was on the ground as well, trying to find the entrance. "Just so you know," Anya muttered beside her fiancée. "I'm not moving out of our new apartment, if you're losing this bet or not."

"It was just a joke," he replied, flashing her a grin.

"Really?" she narrowed her eyes doubtfully, "Well, that's good then," she said finally.

Xander shook his head. She was a strange girl, but by God, he loved her. He wanted to tell her, felt it had to be this very moment when his hand suddenly came in contact with something familiar, "There it is," he exclaimed triumphantly, Anya forgotten for the moment.

Angel was kneeling beside him in a flash, pulling with all his vampire strength, but still the old iron door wouldn't move. "It would be nice if someone with supernatural strength would help," he gritted through clenched teeth.

Only when everyone turned to stare at him, Spike got the hint, "Me? Oh well, why not?" He was a bit miffed that everyone was talking about Buffy, but none of them had even once said Faith's name. Not that she meant something to him, he assured himself quickly, but it would be nice to know if she was all right.

Together the two vampires managed to pull the door open. Slowly, bit by bit.

'Angel!' he could hear Buffy's excited voice. 'There's light. Oh God, there's light.' And then she appeared in the doorway, her eyes blinking against the light. It was still night, but compared to the complete darkness in the cellar, this was like daylight. "Angel," with this she was in his arms, holding him, as he was holding her, stroking her back, her hair, making sure she was really there, and not just his imagination.

Their friends surrounded them, everyone talking at once, happy to have her back, that she was alive and seemingly unhurt.

"Buffy," Angel's voice was muffled against her hair. But then they both remembered Faith and pulled back.

"We need light," the slayer told her friends. "Faith's down there and she's hurt. I have no idea how bad, but she's unconscious. I'm afraid she has broken ribs, maybe a punctured lung."

Not waiting for the others, Spike pushed everyone aside, "I'm getting her," he announced, already disappearing in the hole, "I'm a vampire, I can see just fine, I don't need a light." With this he was gone, leaving the others standing.

"Be careful with her," Buffy shouted after him. "Don't hurt her."

"Bloody hell, slayer," he yelled back. "I'm on my way to rescue her, not hurt her," he sounded definitely insulted. "I'll be back soon. I can see her. Oh hell, she doesn't look good, we need to get her to the hospital." He shouted and was already back, cradling the unconscious slayer in his arms.

"We can take Angel's car," Cordelia said, already moving towards the black convertible, "It's big and comfortable for her."

"Then move," Spike said urgently. "Hell, she loses a lot of blood. I can smell it."

"Yeah," Angel agreed, holding Buffy's hand firmly in his. "Let's go. Come on." He slipped behind the wheel, with Buffy beside him, and Spike placed Faith's head in Cordelia's lap while he himself climbed inside as well. "See you in the hospital," Cordelia told the others when Angel started the engine.

"Yeah," Willow replied. "We'll be there soon." And they looked after Angel's car, hoping that they had found the slayers in time.

Part 46

Faith wasn't so sure anymore if being injured was a bad thing. True, there was the pain and the embarrassing fact that she'd fainted, in front of Buffy of all people, even if the other slayer hadn't been able to see it. But she'd woken up this morning finding flowers at her bed with a little card wishing her to 'get well soon.' There hadn't been any signature but she had a very good feeling who'd sent them and the fact made her smile.

And then the moment the doctor had given permission for visitors to see her. The flow hadn't stopped. At noon Faith had the feeling she had suddenly transformed into some sort of queen. She couldn't remember ever having been the center of so much attention, and although she knew it was due to her injury she thoroughly enjoyed it. Even Giles had been there, brought a book, and it was even a nice one, a Stephen King-novel, not one of those stiff old British books she expected. Okay, so Faith had seen the movie already, but it was the thought that counted, she decided.

After that she'd fallen asleep, exhausted, but happy and woke slowly when she heard a cautious knock on the door and then a blond head appeared, "Hi, Faith," Buffy greeted her sister slayer and send the brunette a smile. "How do you feel?"

"Better," Faith replied, not quite so sure how to take this visitor. Sure, Buffy had been with her down in the cellar, as Xander had told her, and she'd been nice and forgiving, but the brunette had been injured then, so there was no way knowing if Buffy had just been nice due to circumstances. "How's Angel?"

"He's fine. Sleeping," Buffy's smile widened into grin at that. "Sunshine makes him sleepy."

"Yeah," the brunette agreed thinking about Spike who hadn't been very sleepy the last day they'd spent together. Her eyes flickered to the flowers at her nightstand for a second, then back to the blond, "Thanks... uh... for coming. And for... uh ... keeping up with me last night."

"Hey," the other slayer tried to sound light, "that's what slayers are there for. They stick together through life and death."

"Yeah," Faith replied trying a laugh of her own. It was more like a strangled sound and she frowned, "To say sorry doesn't really cover it, I suppose," she said finally, looking at her hands that were playing with the sheet.

"Sorry for what?" Buffy was honestly puzzled.

"For everything," the brunette burst out, "You know, trying to kill Angel... twice," she frowned again, "actually it was three times."

The blond's head jerked up, "Three?"

"Uh... yeah," Faith admitted on a short laugh, "When I came to L.A. I... well, some lawyers hired me to kill him. And I... agreed... kind of."

"Oh."

"Uh-huh. And then for stealing your body, sleeping with your boyfriend... God," the brunette ran a hand through her hair and blinked sudden tears away, "Thinking back, I can't understand why you're talking to me at all. In your place I would've forgotten you down there."

Buffy tilted her head, looked at the other woman for a long moment. Then she said, "No you wouldn't have."

"No probably not," Faith agreed. "But I was horrible. How could he still believe in me?" she asked out of the blue.

"Because he understands," the blond smiled, "Plus he has this idea that everyone deserves second, third, fourth or whatever chances, that it's never to late to change and search for redemption. It's just the way he is."

"I guess," the brunette replied. Then she swallowed and took a deep breath, "I want to apologize. For what I did. Of course I know it's not enough, but it's all I can do and maybe one day you'll believe I really want to change." The words had been spoken in a rush and now that they were out, Faith stared at her hands again, that were clenching and unclenching rhythmically.

"I already know," Buffy said quietly and when the other woman stared at her, she smiled, "Angel told me all about you. About his visits at the jail, about your talks, about the day I came to L.A. and did things without really understanding what was happening."

"You had every right to," Faith tried her lips for the hint of a smile. "After all that happened. I had just stolen your body and... Riley..." she trailed off, again ashamed.

"Riley," Buffy said the name on a heavy sigh. "Another problem I have to deal with," she murmured more to herself, thinking about the commando whose visit she and Angel were expecting for the evening. "You know," she looked at Faith again, "I was angry then. With you, but also with him and all my friends for not knowing it wasn't me. I mean, that you were not..." she grimaced at her own choice of words, "well, you get the point.

"Yeah," the brunette nodded. "You thought they had to know it wasn't really you in your body. But Buffy, they're just human."

"I guess," the blond slayer frowned, "But you see, Tara knew. She knew without even really knowing me. Willow's a witch too," she raised her shoulders in a helpless gesture. "And Riley. He didn't have a clue. I mean, we both," he felt herself blush, "Riley and I, we did it quite often. But then he slept with you in my body and couldn't feel the change. It hurt, but not the way you think. It hurt because I couldn't deny that he wasn't Angel or at least as good as him. I had to stop lying to myself. And it's quite an awakening, I can tell you, after you've lived in denial for so long."

Faith said nothing, just looked at her, so Buffy went on, "Then I went to L.A., and there you were, in Angel's arms and his shirt was only half-buttoned, and something inside of me just snapped," she smiled sheepishly, "They all had let me down, and now Angel was doing the same, then even refused to know me at the precinct. Only after I had left L.A., yelled at him and thrown Riley in his face, I realized he'd done it to protect me." She ran a hand through her hair and laughed harshly, "I screwed up badly Faith. It wasn't just you."

"But I was the motor of all this."

"You think?" Buffy looked doubtful. "No, I don't believe it. You just opened something that had been locked up deep inside of me. Anyways. After this, although I defended Riley against Angel when he came to Sunnydale, our relationship was strained. Riley's and mine I mean. Still I deluded myself in denial for a while, but I should've known, should've seen that it was wrong in the first place. I feel so bad about it," she admitted finally, looking at Faith.

It was strange to sit in her hospital room and talk to her like to a friend. But there was a closeness between them, that had always been there, developed through sharing the same fate, the same calling, through sharing similar experiences, through sharing facing death each night. Closeness they'd let slip away once, but that both wanted back.

"Angel wouldn't hold it against you," Faith replied after a moment.

"I know," Buffy said softly. "He won't. But that doesn't change the fact that I feel bad about it. Not because of him but because of me and for Riley's sake. I lied to myself, I lied to myself for so long, Faith. And Riley got caught in it. He loved me. He truly loved me, at least the way he knows to love, and he got nothing back. Just a shell to have sex with," she finished brutally and frowned.

"I didn't get the impression he minded sleeping with you," the brunette said dryly.

Buffy gasped in surprise at the other woman's words, then slowly nodded, "No, he didn't. And he wasn't a bad lover," she admitted.

"Oh well, depends on the experience I assume," Faith shot back and grinned.

In response the blond gasped again, "Faith," she said truly shocked. Then suddenly giggled, "Well I said he wasn't bad, I never said he was good," she amended. "Angel on the other hand..." she trailed off, her eyes glazing over dreamily.

"If Spike's skill is any indication I can't blame you for preferring Angel to any other," the brunette remarked, still grinning.

"Oh God," Buffy shook her head, and then burst out laughing. "I can't believe we're talking about our boyfriend's sex-skills.

Faith sobered instantly, "Spike isn't my boyfriend. He was just..."

"Yeah, yeah," the blond gestured dismissively, "I know. Just casual sex. That's what he said too. Come again."

"He is a vampire, B.!"

"And? Angel's a vampire."

"With a soul."

Buffy shrugged, "Details, details," then grinned again, "I got to know him quite well, you know," she said, sobering as well, "He isn't like other vampires. Sure, he's evil and it's only the chip, but I think he's able to love - in a twisted sort of way of course."

In response Faith quirked a brow, "You think?" she asked, her eyes again darting to the flowers.

"Uh-huh," the blond reached out and put a hand over the other woman's. "Maybe we could start again," she said suddenly, "Leave the past behind us."

"Oh no," Faith blinked sudden tears away, "now you managed to overwhelm me. God, I hate being emotional," she laughed shakily, but turned her hand and entwined her fingers with Buffy's. "I would like that very much," she said and the two slayer's eyes met. "Very much."

Part 47

Riley turned off the ignition and blew out a breath he hadn't even known he was holding and leaned back in the driver's seat, his hands braced on the wheel. The whole drive from his quarters to Angel's mansion he'd been asking himself why he was doing this.

He had reported to General Markham, who after General Brookridge's demise, was again in charge of the troupes and who had taken the news with a barely hidden grin. It was no secret that the two Generals had never liked each other and that in General Markham's eyes his colleague was a case for a mental hospital.

After that, Riley had gone back to his quarters, still too much in shock about Buffy's death to do anything but stare at the wall. Then Giles had called and told him about the good news. The two slayers and vampires were alive and well. That had been in the morning and on an impulse he had called Angel and Buffy and talked to one grumpy vampire. Riley almost had to laugh remembering the vampire's sleepy voice. Then Buffy had taken the phone and with a stab of pain, Riley had realized that she was obviously in the same bed. Well, whom was he kidding? Of course, they were sleeping in the same bed. They were lovers, had always loved each other, with Riley being just a part-time distraction while they hadn't been allowed to be together.

No, he scolded himself firmly he wouldn't drift into self-pity. Taking a deep breath, he opened the door and slipped out of the car, closing the door again. He could do it. He could go there, talk to them, in a nice and friendly way.

Oh God, why was he doing this?

Kicking him into gear he walked to the door and was about to knock when it opened and Buffy stood there, smiling, her eyes shining with happiness and Riley felt himself drowning. God, but she was beautiful. The woman of his dreams - and there she would have to stay. She was radiant and happy, no doubt due to Angel's presence in her life, and he was immortal after all.

"Hi Riley," she greeted him, and stepped back so he could enter.

"Hi," he replied, again calling himself an idiot for doing this at all. He could have called them again, told them how good it was they were alive, but no, he had to come. Well, now he had to get through it.

Entering the hall, he noticed for the first time how big the building was. It hadn't seemed that way before, with all the people preparing for the upcoming battle, but now that they were gone, it was different. Buffy had obviously seen his expression, because she said, "Gunn and his friends left this morning. There's a lot of work waiting in L.A." She gestured towards the sofas standing in the middle. "Do you want some coffee?"

"No, thanks," he shook his head in the negative, "but go ahead if you want some."

"Okay," she smiled and walked towards the kitchen. Over her shoulder, she flashed him a grin. "It's more for Angel's sake you know. He needs caffeine to get through the day. Sunshine and vampires don't really mix."

Don't I know it, Riley thought, but quickly suppressed the negative emotions towards the vampire. Buffy was a grown woman, and she had chosen to be with Angel. It wasn't the commando's place to interfere - not that it would do any good anyway. Riley knew first hand how stubborn the slayer was. If she had made up her mind, nobody would change it.

"Cordelia left to see her parents," Buffy explained the brunette's absence when she returned to the hall. "They still live in Sunnydale. And Wesley is already researching with Giles," she grinned again. "Total watcher mode. It's because Angel and Spike said that there wasn't any energy coming from the hellmouth anymore. It might be closed for good."

"So Spike made it too, huh?" Riley said with a lopsided grin, then it hit him, "What do you mean, closed for good?"

"What I said. Closed, or if you rather want a more figurative word, it's dead," she grimaced, "Not really a good word, but you get the point."

"You mean it can't be opened again?" he asked.

"It seems so," she confirmed, "Which means I'm out of my job. No slayer needed anymore around here. And I really hope it's true."

He studied her face for a moment, and then asked, "What happens next?"

"Oh, I'm going to leave Sunnydale, move to L.A. - I've still got my slayer strength and Angel can use a hand. Hellmouth or not, L.A. seems to be attractive for vampires on its own."

Angel was living there already; so of course it would be her destinaion as well, Riley thought with an inward sigh. "What about Dawn?"

"She'll come with me of course. I think Daddy won't mind. Hemery wasn't a bad school and she thinks going to L.A. is exciting. So that won't be a problem." She smiled over her shoulder when she heard a noise from behind the curtain. "Coffee's ready," she yelled.

The curtain was pulled away and Angel appeared, dressed in black sweatpants and a burgundy red silken shirt. "You don't have to shout," he said with a grin, nodding at Riley for a greeting, crossed the hall and disappeared in the kitchen.

Buffy grinned as well, and was prompted to explain because of Riley's puzzled look, "Vampire hearing. He can even hear a mouse whispering, I suppose. It can be quite annoying sometimes."

Carrying a steaming cup of coffee, Angel returned and took a seat beside Buffy. Wrapping an arm around her shoulder, he leaned over and planted a kiss on her cheek, "Good morning," he whispered, then cleared his throat and looked at Riley. "Hello, Riley."

"Angel," the commando replied. "I'm glad to see you're well."

A wry smile played around the vampire's lips at the words, but he didn't comment on it. Maybe the blond really meant it."It's almost three o'clock," Buffy mentioned dryly, giving Angel a look. "So it's hardly morning."

"It feels for me," he replied, sipping from his cup. "So you wanted to see us," he directed his eyes back at Riley.

"Yeah, I wanted..." the commando ran a hand through his short hair, and released a breath, "actually I forgot what I wanted. Maybe I just wanted to see you. Last time you were, both supposed to be dead. I'm going to leave Sunnydale tomorrow."

"I see," Angel nodded thoughtfully, "Where will you go?"

"Europe."

"Europe!" Buffy exclaimed. "Oh my..."

"Yeah," Riley gave her a smile, "It seems there is a sudden increase of hostiles in the Carpathian Mountains."

"The Carpathians, huh?" Angel echoed, frowning into his cup. Looking up again he found Buffy eyeing him quizzically. "The Carpathians are in Romania," he explained his girlfriend.

"Romania?" she stared at him for a moment, before she understood, "Oh, Romania. Like in Romani-gypsies? No, definitely not a place I want to go to." Then a sudden thought entered her mind, and she gazed at Riley, "Uh... maybe you should try to find out if any of the vampires there might have a soul."

"There are more like Angel?" Riley looked back and forth between vampire and slayer.

"No, I don't think so," Angel chuckled slightly, "I don't think they're still familiar with the old curses." Gazing back at Riley he explained, "When I was cursed the first time it was by Romani gypsies, you see. They had spells to summon back a demon's soul and they did it with mine."

"So Romania, huh?" Buffy settled her hands in her lap, "So I guess you're staying with the Initiative for a while then."

"Yeah, General Markham is in charge now and he's really okay. Not like Pro Walsh or Brookridge, and I like what I'm doing."

"Figures," Angel muttered under his breath, but said, "Helping people you mean?"

"Yeah," Riley nodded, "Fighting the good fight, Buffy called it once," he said looking at his ex-girlfriend, "It suits me. And maybe I can even make some sort of career, who knows." He suddenly frowned at stared at his hands for a moment, then looked up again, "Buffy I wanted to say sorry. For giving you an ultimatum when I left all those months ago. It was wrong."

"Oh no," the slayer replied quickly. "I mean, it probably was, but also wasn't." She grinned wryly, "And that didn't make much sense. But what I wanted to say is that I can understand why you did it. You were much wiser than I," she admitted, taking a deep breath, "You realized much earlier that our relationship was nothing but a fake."

He winced slightly at her brutal choice of words, but because they were true, he nodded, "I loved you," he said after a moment. "I loved you so much, but I felt you slipping away or rather you were never close, not the way I wanted." His eyes flickered to Angel, "You were always there. I didn't understand it first, not even when Xander told me about you. But I should have known the moment the three of us were in Buffy's room. There was a tension between the two of you," he shook his head and chuckled slightly, "I was so blinded by love that I didn't realize it or preferred to lie to myself. An idiot could see you were still in love with each other. She never looked at me that way, she never tried to hide her feelings, simply because there was nothing to hide."

"That's not true," Buffy protested, but then sighed, "I liked you, Riley. I really did. I still do, it just wasn't..." she lifted her shoulders in a helpless gesture.

"No it wasn't," he agreed. "I wasn't him. But you never lied to me, you never pretended you loved me, you never said it, I just didn't want to see the truth," he ran his hand through his hair again, "Even after I left, I made myself believe that there might still be a chance, but boy was I wrong. Seeing you two together..." he trailed off and shook his head. "I think I do need some coffee now."

With a smile, Buffy stood and went to the kitchen. The moment she was gone, Riley leaned forward, "If you ever hurt her," he said in a low, dangerous voice, "if you ever behave stupid again and leave her for her own good, I'm going to forget about your soul. Is that clear?"

Angel looked at the commando for a moment, then his lips quirked into a half-grin, "I will hand you the stake," he replied, leaving the human stunned, "I know how it feels to see her with another man," he said in a way of explanation, "I never stopped loving her."

"Yeah, I know," Riley found himself smiling despite the circumstances, "She looks radiant. Happier than I have ever seen her. Keep it that way."

"I'll do my best."

"There you go," Buffy returned with a cup and placed it in front of Riley, but the commando ignored it and stood instead.

"I just remembered I need to leave," he said, looking at her. "An important meeting at my barracks," he explained, then leaned over and planted a kiss on her cheek. "Take care," he whispered, turned and left the mansion.

"You too," she told his back and a bit stunned, she shook her head, then with a frown turned at her boyfriend, "What was that all about?" she asked.

"A little male bonding," he replied with a grin.

"Bonding, huh? With you and Riley. Should I worry now?"

He reached out, took her hand and pulled her in his lap, then kissed her long and deeply, "No need. He just told me that he would stake me if I'd ever leave you for you own good again."

Her face brightened instantly, "Did he? Good for him. I'd stand at his side and cheer," she said with a mischievous glimpse in her eyes.

"Would you now?" he tightened his hold on her, "You would really watch while he is reducing me to ashes?"

She tilted her head and grinned, "Well, maybe for a while, you know while the stake pierces the skin and blood is dripping and then I would interfere before it meets the heart."

Angel quirked a brow, "You are bloodthirsty, Miss Summers."

"Yeah," she replied with a bright smile, "I'm a slayer, don't forget. Blood is my business."

"Oh, and I thought, ashes are."

"Well those too. But blood comes from time to time as well. And even in pretty colors."

"And don't forget all about the demon glue," he joked kissing the tip of her nose, then his lips traveled over her cheek to her throat, making her moan.

"Yes, let's not forget... uh, Angel," she said a bit breathlessly. "Maybe I wouldn't watch you being tortured," she amended finally, "maybe I would just torture you myself."

His head came up, "Oh, and how would you do that."

She grinned devilishly and pushed him back so that he came to lie on the sofa, wiggled her brows, "Just stay there and watch. I'm giving you a taste right now." Then she began to unbutton her blouse.

Epilogue

Three months later.

"Quiet, quiet everyone," Xander shouted over the chorus of voices as he stood up. Buffy made a face at him, but then grinned and gave him her attention. He grinned back, his eyes sweeping over his assembled friends. "Well," he said finally, smiling at his new wife, who was sitting right by his side, playing with the gold band on her ring finger. They had a church wedding in the morning in Sunnydale, with Xander's mother weeping, and now the couple was celebrating with all their friends in a club in L.A. It belonged to a rich businessman whose cellar had been infested with nasty, little, green demons a few weeks ago. Buffy and Angel had helped him and in return, he let them use his club for the celebration.

"First of all I wanted to thank you for coming," Xander began, taking his wife's hand he amended, "*We* want to thank you of course. And Buffy and Angel especially for getting this for us," he gestured at the club. "And I wanted to say sorry for the church wedding, so Angel couldn't be there, but my mother insisted on it," he explained and rolled his eyes, which made the others laugh. "I still think it's a little late for her to discover she's got a son, but then better late than never."

"Does this have a point?" Spike asked from his spot beside Faith, for whom Kate had managed to get a short time release to celebrate with her friends. Two days after her surgery, the slayer had been transferred to the L.A. jail hospital and it was the first time she had been able to see all her friends together again. "Because the Guiness is getting warm, you know." He yelped when Faith elbowed him in the ribs.

Spike had visited her regularly in prison during the last weeks. Of course, it was just for fun. He didn't care for her, he told himself firmly. With Buffy and Dawn moving to L.A. nothing was holding him in Sunnydale anymore and two months ago he had moved into the Hyperion Hotel. Angel wasn't too happy about it, but Dawn and Buffy had begged him to let the blond vampire stay and who was he to deny them something - anything. Cordelia had protested of course, but Spike had managed his best behavior so far and so she wasn't complaining - much - anymore.

"We also have to say goodbye to our mentor," Xander continued, ignoring Spike's interruption, "Giles, although we all know that the council will be improving with you there, we will all miss you."

A chorus of voices agreed and everyone turned towards the watcher, who was almost moved to tears, "I'm not out of the world," he said gruffly, "England isn't that far away and you're always welcome there."

"And we know someone who will certainly come over regularely," Xander wiggled his brows at Kate who was sitting at Giles' side and blushed.

"No thanks," Anya replied, "I spent almost three hundred years there. Enough is enough."

Xander rolled his eyes at that, while the others chuckled. "We'll all come visit you sooner or later," he said firmly, giving his wife the eye, "But near or not, we'll miss you. You were a father for all of us when our own weren't."

"Stop that, Xander, you're embarrassing him," Willow whispered, seeing the watcher fight with tears and averting his gaze.

"Alright, then, let's get to the others," Xander said on a sigh, "There we have Willow and Tara who just started their first business. Hopefully it will be a success."

The two witches gave him a smile. They had taken over the Magic Shop from Giles, and were turning it into a Wiccan center at the moment. With the hellmouth energy gone and the demons and vampires disappearing from Sunnydale, there wasn't much need anymore for spells, so it was slowly developing into some sort of spiritual haven. But of course the two witches still kept certain ingredients in the back room. More than once Angel and Buffy would call and need help with something. Then they would rush to L.A. - and love it. After all, they hadn't improved their skills for nothing.

"Then we have Spike and Faith," Xander continued, grinning at the brunette slayer and the blond vampire.

"Why are you mentioning us together? We're not a couple," Spike retorted. "We're just... acquaintances."

"Sure," Dawn said dryly and grinned.

The vampire narrowed his eyes at her, giving her his best bad vampire expression. But she just laughed. Maybe he should plan his visits to the jail more carefully, he mused. Otherwise, they would think he was getting all fluffy over the slayer chick. Sure, she was nice to talk to and not bad to look at and their one time sexual encounter was something to be remembered, but that didn't mean he was already infatuated with her. Not at all.

"And finally we come to our star-crossed lovers," Xander said on a chuckle, grinning at Buffy and Angel, who were sitting at the other end of the table. In Angel's eyes it was enough to live under the same roof with Spike, he didn't need to sit close to him too. "I know nobody's going to believe I said this later, but I'm glad to see you together. Our little slayer never looked better and if I may say so, the not so broody look suits you Angel."

Everyone chuckled at that, and Xander continued, "And then Wesley, Cordelia and Gunn, our singles. Still haven't managed to get one of the rich guys, huh, Cordy?" he joked and ducked when she threw her napkin at him, but she laughed good naturedly and then frowned when she saw Gunn watching her intently. Oh no, she thought with upcoming panic, she wouldn't fall for another loser. She'd sworn herself not to, but he sure had nice eyes. Funny that she'd never noticed it before.

"Wes will continue working with us," the brunette said, eager to change the very dangerous train of thoughts, "even as the council took him back and he's now Buffy's watcher."

"I agreed only under the terms," Wesley raised his chin, "that I would never leave my friends," he added, exchanging a look with Angel, who smiled at him. There was nothing of the stiff wimp left in the new improved Wesley and it was a good feeling that he might be partly responsible for that.

"So what I wanted to say," Xander lifted his glass of champagne and looked around for one last time, "is thanks to the PTB or whatever they call themselves for all we've got and let's hope it'll be even better in the future. I can do with less demons and evil vampires." "Hey," Spike protested from his spot.

"Not meaning the present ones of course," Xander amended with a grin. "So let's drink. Geez, guys, do you realize I'm married? I'm not even 22 and married. God, I need a drink." And with one gulp he emptied the glass he was holding.

Anya looked at him oddly, and then sipped at her champagne.

"You know," Buffy leaned over to Angel, "I always thought there wasn't a couple more uncommon than we are, but I think I'm wrong."

The vampire gave her a quick kiss on her inviting lips and let his gaze wander to Xander and Anya, to Willow and Tara and finally with a little inward shudder to Faith and Spike. "No," he said looking back at his lover, "I think we're nothing out of the ordinary," he decided, "but then I'd like to believe we still are."

"You do?" she raised a brow at him.

"Mmmm, yes, I do. I'd like to believe that there's nobody as much in love as we are."

God, how did he do it, she wondered. Every time she thought it wasn't possible, she loved him a little bit more. "Oh, Angel," she whispered, tears threatening in her eyes. "I love you."

"Love you too," he replied and their lips met. Ordinary couple or not - in each other they had found everything that was important. The other things - Buffy would say - were just details.

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