Disclaimer: Nope don't own anything
Summary: Buffy's getting married but not to our favorite vampire
Feedback: Please this is my first fic ever and I would like opinions. mistakes.

Part 1

Buffy walked though the halls of the student dorm on her way to her room, which she shared with Willow. Although in a couple of weeks she would be moving out to one of the shared quarters, just after she returned from her honeymoon.

It was now only three days till her wedding. Three days. she could not believe it. She had been dating Kris for the last year; they had been engaged for six months. She had never felt like this for anyone. well, maybe one other person, but that was in the past now and she had moved well past that. Although the thought of him did make her stop and smile.

"Angel," she whispered aloud. She had not seen or heard from him in two years, not since he had that fight with Riley.

Poor Riley, she had hurt him terribly. She hadn't meant to, she thought she was falling in love with him, but as it turned out he was the rebound guy, as Xander would put it. Oh she did miss Xander, he and Anya had been off exploring the country. She had helped him get a little further than he had the last time, but they would both be back in two days just in time for the wedding. He had promised, and if he didn't deliver he was a dead man! And he knew not to upset the slayer.

Riley had left soon after they had split up. They had ended up just drifting apart, although from Riley's point of view it had been Buffy that had been doing more of the drifting. It had been soon after that that she had met Kris and now she was getting married.

She had sent invitations to everyone even Angel, although she didn't really think he would come. Part of her wished he would. She tried to tell her self that it was just so she could show him that she had moved on and got the 'normal' life he had said he always wanted for her. Of course it had nothing to do with having the chance to see him again, she had moved past all that. He would always be her first love, always special in that way, but she belonged with Kris now.

As she approached her room she heard Willow's voice and one other she recognised. She couldn't believe it, Cordelia what was she doing here?

It was strange, although in high school they had never been close; ever since Cordelia had left after graduation Buffy had found herself missing her; in fact she missed the whole gang being together. It had never been the same since the day they had defeated the mayor. They had all left her one by one. Angel of course being the first, then Cordy went to LA to follow her career, how she ended up working for Angel Buffy would never know.

Xander and Oz had followed next and although Giles and Willow were still around, both had new lives to live and Buffy felt that Willow's new found closeness to Tara had put a barrier up between her and her best friend; that in some way Willow didn't need her anymore. She knew it was stupid, that Willow would always need her and always be there for her, but there were times she felt like a third wheel. But she was glad that Willow had Tara, after the wedding, at least for a little while, she would be busy with her new husband. New husband, she liked the thought of that.

She was about to enter her room when she heard the tale end of a conversation that she was not supposed to hear:

"So here is the problem Angel wants me to lie and say that he can't come because he doesn't want to see her get married but that's not the real reason," said Cordelia.

"So what is the real reason?" Willow asked.

"Angel is err." Cordelia hesitated, trying to decide whether it was safe to tell Willow.

"Come on Cordy, you know you have to tell someone."

"Okay, but you have to promise not to tell Buffy."

"Fine."

"Cross your heart and hope to die," Willow gave her the determined look.

"Okay maybe that's not the brightest thing to do when you live on a hellmouth. Alright I will tell you. Angel can't come because he is getting released from hospital today."

"But, I don't understand," Willow looked confused, "the wedding is still three days away, I mean he can't be badly hurt on account that he is Angel and Angel doesn't do that."

"That's not the exact problem." Cordy answered.

"I still don't, "Willow's eyes widened in shock as the truth dawned on her, and Cordy started to nod her head.

*God for a nerd Willow couldn't be half slow at times* Cordy thought.

"OH MY GOD if Angel is in hospital it must mean, must mean..."

"That Angel is now human." Her sentence was finished by the very angry and upset slayer who was standing in the doorway, "Start talking Cordelia and you had better make it fast."

"Okay, Okay calm down."

"Why the hell didn't he want me to know?"

"Well, Buffy I thought that was obvious. You are getting married and he didn't want to get in the way"

Buffy laughed. "Of all the self-centred, egoistic jerks," she was pacing around the room in a way that was increasingly worrying Cordy and Willow. "What did he think I would find out and come a runnin'? That I would leave my husband at the alter in order to run after him?"

"Are you telling me you wouldn't?" Cordy asked. She was greeted with a look from Buffy that said: 'go there again and I will kill you'. Cordy quickly decided to shut up.

"Buffy please calm down." Willow said trying to use her best soothing voice, which, by the look on Buffy's face, was not working, "You are happy. You are getting married in three days, I know Angel meant a lot to you but that's all in the past right?" There was no reply from Buffy, "Right?"

"Right." Buffy tried to sound convincing but it didn't really work.

"Right, so let's get back to preparing for your wedding."

"Cordy, which hospital?"

"Buffy." Willow said warningly.

"What? It's not what you think. I just want to check a couple things; one that he is okay; he is the past but that doesn't mean I don't care that he's hurt. And two, to tell him that I hope he meets someone new and that he is as happy as I am. Don't worry Will, the past is the past and the future is the future and I know Kris is my future. So Cordy which hospital?

"LA County."

"Right, I should be back tomorrow. Tell Kris I had to go see an old girlfriend."

"Buffy, you marrying this guy in three days and you are already lying to him. I know that stuff like that is not good, 'cause it complicates things and that's bad, very bad, and I don't like it when things are bad."

"Willow you are babbling and I have to go. Well, wish me luck."

"But why? You don't need luck, you are not doing anything in which luck would be needed." Willow said in an increasingly worried tone.

"Willow." Buffy said exasperated.

"Well sorry for caring, but remember I was there last time. I saw how much it hurt. I don't want you to go though it again. Kris is such a lovely guy he is perfect for you and you know your brain goes sort of mushy when you are around Angel."

"No it does not," Cordy and Willow exchanged a look, "okay maybe it used to, but not anymore. Willow, remember the past, Angel is the past ok; if I can see that then why can't you?"

"Well, you are doing a mad dash to go and see him. If I didn't know he was the past."

"Shut up Cordy. Look Willow, quit worrying. I will be back tomorrow and in three days I will become Mrs Buffy Anne Summers-Cane. ooh I like the sound of that!" And with that she was out the door.

*I knew she'd go runnin' after him* thought Cordy with glee.

Although she would never admit it to either of them, after spending time with Buffy and then the time she spent with Angel in LA, she knew that both were only at their happiest when they were together. No matter how much they would try and disagree, she knew they should be together, that they belonged together, but now it was up to them, her job was done.

Silly Angel did he really think she wouldn't tell? Although she had to admit, she didn't think that 'accidentally' letting it slip was going to be that easy. It had been pure luck that Buffy had been at the door when she was telling Willow, that was fate. But when it came to Buffy and Angel, when was fate not involved.

Part Two

Angel lay in his hospital bed, he was thinking about her again, when did he not think about her? Every minute of every day from the moment he saw her, he had thought about her. The distance was supposed to help, help him forget about her because it could never be. But then he didn't want to forget, he couldn't forget, she was part of him and always would be.

He had told her to move on and he had meant it, but part of him inside had always hoped that he would one day be able to atone for his sins and become human so he could return to her. Not that he would ever forget what he had done, he would always remember, but part of him knew that he would not be who he was today without all that had happened to him. If he had not become a vampire he would have stayed a petty, sorry sort of man, and of course he would never have met Buffy.

It's funny that soul mates could be born so far apart but still end up together, surely that fact should have proved that they were meant for each other. Oh God what was he thinking, soul mates!

*Yeah right Angel that is why she is marrying someone else. *

But at least he knew he would always have the day, the day that no one else remembered, that not even Buffy remembered. That day had been perfect. He knew what they had and he knew what they could have had and although he knew it was not enough, that it would never be enough, it was what he had and would have to accept, that it was enough or how would he go on living? He remembered finding out that he was human for the second time, it had been really odd.

He had just woken up one night to find his heart beating and that he needed to breathe. He had gone straight to the Powers That Be demanding to know what was going on.

"Because of your selfless act of giving up your love and happiness for the sake of her life and the sake of others, and for your other deeds which you have done to try and atone for your sins, we have granted you life."

"But how is this different from before? If I am mortal and helpless Buffy dies, I don't get it."

"Apart from the normal human traits do you feel any different? Do you still feel strong and fast?"

"Well yes."

"Exactly. You are no longer a vampire, but you have kept your strength, agility and quick healing powers, so you can still fight. With your selfless act you have proved that you don't fight because you think you will get something out of it, but because you need to, and feel you should. We see that we no longer have to force you to fight, that you do it of your own free will and we hope you will continue to, for if you don't you will upset the Powers That Be and you really don't want to do that."

"So technically you do still have a hold over me?"

"Technically, but what is technically between friends?"

"Yeah, sure" Angel said with a certain amount of distaste, sometimes he could really hate these people. Who were they to run his life! But right now it was all he could do to stop himself from running up there and kissing that man right on the lips! Luckily he had enough self-restraint.

He was human. Human, the one thing he had fantasized about ever since he had met Buffy. He and Buffy could now be together, although there was one problem, what if she didn't want him back? Oh well he would just have to tell her and find out.

That which had started out as such a great day, the best of his life, deteriorated in to one of the worst. He would have to say one of the worst, as every day he was a soul less vampire was a bad in his life, and he had many of those in his two hundred plus years on this earth.

He had been on his way to see Buffy and tell her. Whatever the consequences she had a right to know. On his way he had passed by the office to check his mail. He liked to keep up with the news, and that's when he got it. The invitation to her wedding.

There was no way he could tell her now. He couldn't do that to her. He loved her too much to try and mess up her life. If she had been on her own or maybe only dating someone then he could have told her, but now there was no chance.

With his mind preoccupied on Buffy, he had gone out on the hunt that night and got his butt well and truly kicked. Although he still healed quicker than most humans, he did notice that it was a little slower than it had been before, and that is how he had ended up in hospital, in a coma, very black and very blue all over.

His mind ticking over with the events that had led up to him being in this sorry state, he failed to notice the beautiful, petite, blond girl, walk into his room, until she spoke:

"WHY, the HELL didn't you tell me?" Angel looked up in shock at the fuming slayer in front of him. "Well?"

"Look, Buffy I was going to, but then I found out about the wedding and I knew I couldn't wreck it for you."

"How would it wreck it, it wouldn't have changed anything. I would still have married Kris. I love Kris with all my heart and nothing would have changed that."

" Then why, are you so angry I didn't tell you?"

"Because you idiot, I loved you once and my fantasy for you was to be happy and forgive your self for all that happened. I knew the only way for you to do that would be if you did finally became human, so that you could live a normal life, maybe even meet someone, be as happy as I am. And I am happy Angel, just like you said I would be. This is what I needed, and although at the time it hurt like hell, I am glad you let me go."

Angel kept his face expressionless, but inside his newly beating heart was breaking. He couldn't let her know that her speaking of her love for Kris tore him up inside. That her telling him that knowing he was human changed nothing was something he didn't want to know. That part of the reason for him backing out of telling her was because he didn't want to know she had moved on.

Yeah sure he had told her to move on, that she needed something he could not give her, but in his heart he had always prayed that she would be in love with him forever. Sure he knew she would always love him but loving someone and being in love with them were two different things and as was always the case with them, fate had been too late for them.

"So." he said.

"So, I guess that's it, you know I have to go do that whole marriage thingy."

"Yeah I guess so. You know what Buffy, I am glad you came, I think we needed to see each other just one final time."

"Yeah," she said, quietly staring off in to the distance as if something he had said had rattled her. She seemed to mentally shake it off and smiled a sad smile, "Well I'll see you around."

"Maybe one day. Buffy promise me one thing."

"Sure, as long as it's not to call off the wedding," neither of them laughed.

"Promise me you will be happy, and I don't just mean happy happy, I mean promise me you will be the happiest person there has ever been."

"I can't Angel. I don't know what the future holds, but I promise to try, as long as you promise to be happy too Angel. I want you to be happy okay?" a tear fell from her eye.

"Don't cry I always hate it when you cry."

She stopped and pulled her self together. "Well bye Angel, I will always love you, you know that don't you."

"Yeah I know." and with that she walked out of the room.

"Bye my love, I will try to keep the promise but without you it is going to be near hard impossible" and with that he went back to staring up at the ceiling and remembering her.

It was all Buffy could do to keep from falling down; she barely made it out of the room when she slumped in to a chair in the corridor. Oh god seeing him again had brought back all the memories that she had tried to keep hidden. All the old feelings had come back the moment she had stepped into the room and seen that angelic face. She had just spent the last half an hour lying to a man that no matter what she would always love. She knew that she also loved Kris; the only problem was, who was she IN LOVE WITH? And to that question she didn't know the answer.

Willow was right as usual she should not have come, things would have been a lot simpler, but then she would not have known. Not have known that what ever she did she would always love Angel.

But in a way there was no problem. Angel had almost made the choice for her. He had not begged her to stay, he had not declared undying love for her; they had both decided that it was long since over, that they had both moved on, at least that what she thought they had decided, oh she was so confused.

No, no she wasn't she loved Kris and she was going to marry Kris. She walked towards the doors of the hospital and out, back to Sunnydale and on to her new life.

Part Three

What the hell was he doing? They had said their goodbyes and she had gone back to get married; so what the hell was he doing back in Sunnydale? He was not even sure how he had ended up here; all he knew was that he had left the hospital in a daze, much Buffy thinkage on his mind. All the memories had come flooding back since she had visited him, and he had realised that he could not let her go again. He had done it twice already and each time a part of him had died; only when she was near did these dead parts again feel alive. He may now be human, he may breathe and his heart may now beat, but the only time he was truly alive was when he was in her presence and that was the only place he wanted to be.

He *knew* that she had moved on, she had been quite happy to remind him of that fact several times when she had visited, but he knew he could not go on living knowing that he had not tried to win her back. Why he had wasted his chance at the hospital he would never know. okay maybe part of him knew it was because he was a coward to affirm, to know for sure that she had moved on, that she was no longer in love with him. That the one thing he had clung to all these years had died, and that now someone else was to possess what should have been his. He had to fight for her, if she and him were not meant to be together he knew nothing. Deep down he knew that he needed to know her answer; he knew if he never found out, those brooding skills that he practised over the years would be coming in useful. Even if her answer was no, it would mean that he in some way could move on, it would be hard, it would hurt but nothing like the torturous pain of not knowing and not even trying. He knew he would never be able to live with that.

So it was the day before the wedding he had to find her and fast, before he chickened out and also before the dreaded day came. He had to know where would she be, and at that moment he sensed her; he had not lost any of that sixth sense that he had for Buffy, he knew exactly where she was and headed straight towards it, ready to embrace his future and fate whatever Buffy would let it be.

Buffy walked around the graveyard, she had had a funky feeling inside all day, all right, she had had a funky feeling since she had walked away from Angel. She was hoping some pre wedding slayage would help lift it, but the vamps seemed to be staying away tonight much to Buffy's annoyance. She wanted to get her mind off Angel, wanted to stop thinking about it. What could have been, another time, if Angel had turned human before she had met Kris. It would probably be Angel she was marrying.

No, no, she had to stop thinking. It was over. Angel had had his chance and he hadn't wanted to take it, and if she had to really think about it, the closer the wedding got, the more it felt right, or at least she thought it did. Ohhh all this thinking was giving her a headache. Well one thing she did know, with the wedding tomorrow there was no going back. There was no way she could do that to Kris, she cared for him too much.

"Well, she yawned, "time to go home and get my beauty sleep, can't have ugly bags for my wedding day."

As she walked toward the gates of the graveyard, she felt a familiar feeling. no. it couldn't be.

"Angel," no reply. " Angel if you are there show yourself."

*Okay Buffy you are finally starting to lose it, there's no one there* she was just about to move on when:

"I'm here Buffy".

"Thought we had said goodbye. Oh I forgot, you always come back, even from hell," at that Angel flinched. Buffy hadn't meant to hurt him but in her confused state she had just wanted to lash out. "So what mortal danger am I in now?"

"None that I know of. Why the hostility Buffy? I thought we parted on good terms?"

"Exactly Angel. Parted that is, which means separated, never to meet again."

At those words each stopped and shared a look between them, each one desperate to know what the other was thinking, each one too scared to ask.

"I didn't come here to fight."

"What then?"

"I um er."

"What Angel? I have to get home, go to sleep. You know big day in a young girls life, i.e. my wedding day."

"Okay that's it."

"What's it?"

"The wedding, I don't want you to marry Kris, I want you to marry me."

"Oh you want me to stop the wedding and run off with you."

"I love you Buffy."

"You love me. You LOVE ME. Angel you left me remember? Best for both of us. I should find myself a normal life. move on."

"But Buffy things have changed. I'm human; we can be together for real. I can take you in to the light now."

"Things have changed Angel. I've moved on. I did what you said and as I told you at the hospital I'm happy, just be happy for me Angel, please."

"But us, Buffy, us."

"Weren't meant to be."

"Don't say that. Don't ever say that."

"Fate just wasn't kind to us. Just remember the good times we had and walk away."

"I can't Buffy. I've let you go twice and I don't think I can do it again."

"Twice, what do you mean by twice?"

Angel realised his mistake. "Once. I meant once. Mind must be going in my old age."

"No mistake Angel, explain."

"I can't, you wouldn't believe me, you wouldn't understand."

"Try me," she was beginning to lose her patience.

Angel knew he would have to try to explain about the lost day. Some would say he was giving in too easily, but he knew Buffy, and she was stubborn; almost as stubborn as he was, and that was definitely almost unbuggable, he could try and fight, but he knew he would always lose.

"Okay, I'll tell."

Buffy smiled knowing that she had won a slight victory over her ex-vampire ex-lover.

"You should probably sit down."

"I'm fine standing."

"This is not the first time I have been human and that first time we made love was not the last I remember."

"Okay, must sit, sitting is good" Buffy collapsed on to the ground and Angel knelt down beside her.

"You remember when you came to shout at me in LA, for not telling you I was in Sunnydale?"

"Yeah, so?"

"Well the demon that I killed, the one that came crashing though the wall, I knew how to kill it because I had already met it. The day had already happened, we had met the demon, I had fought it and its blood had mixed with mine. That was when the strange thing started to happen, I turned human. I saw the Powers That Be and they told me it was permanent. We tried to be mature and keep our hands off each other, but that lasted all of five minutes," Angel smiled to himself as the ice-cream incident entered his mind. "We had the best day, and I mean the best, we made love until we had to stop. We talked, we ate cookie-dough-fudge-mint-chip ice-cream and made love again."

"So Angel," Buffy interrupted, "if it was so good then what are we doing here, with my wedding to someone else less than twelve hours away, while you go on about a day that never happened. I think you have been dreaming Angel, maybe the old age is getting to you."

"No Buffy, I asked the Powers to change me back to a vampire."

"YOU DID WHAT!!!!!!! WHY?" Buffy shouted, tears in her eyes. She believed the story, she had seen many things in her short life and nothing surprised her anymore. "We were perfect. We had what we had always wanted and you got them to change you back! What happened did you get bored? Did you get bored of me? WELL DID YOU? Slept with me a couple of times and realised it actually wasn't that great and a life of torment and self-hatred was better. Did you decide that you hadn't got the brooding thing quite right, so you wanted to go back for more pain, because Angel, I don't know how you did it. How you could do it. What possible reason could you have to destroy our one chance at happiness?"

"Because, you would have died if I hadn't."

"Oh."

"Doyle got a premonition that you were going to die because I was not strong enough to protect you. I knew we couldn't be together if it cost you your life or the lives of others. So I gave you up again and this time you got to walk away from me."

"So why is it different this time Angel? How do I know you are not going to change your mind again tomorrow and become a vampire again?"

"Because Buffy I have not lost any of my strength. I can still protect you and fight beside you and---"

"It's too late Angel." Buffy said sadly. "You had your chance."

"But don't you see Buffy, it was the Powers that did this. They changed me back with strength, because I had proved I wasn't just doing it for myself. That I really did want to help fight and that they did not have to hold the vampire thing over me, they gave it back so that we can be together."

"But I have Kris now and you were right. I want someone to take me away from the prophecies and the vampires, someone who is not part of it. Kris know who I am, of course I couldn't marry him if he didn't, but he doesn't get involved; he is not part of it Angel and I like it like that, I need it like that."

"I understand, but I had to try didn't I? I owed that to us."

"You did Angel, and I will always love you."

"But you are not in love with me, right?"

"Right" Buffy said, trying to keep the uncertainty out of her voice.

"Can I ask for one more thing Buffy, before I leave not to return, unless you really need me to watch your back. I don't want you ever getting hurt Buffy, so I will never leave you completely."

"Was that the thing, to not have to completely leave? Well sure, of course, as long as you don't come back to often. Don't want my soon-to-be husband getting jealous, do we."

"No we don't, but that wasn't the thing."

"Oh it wasn't?" Buffy said quickly. During her last speech, she hadn't noticed that Angel had moved towards her, his face was now only inches from hers. She hated the fact that him being this close still affected her. It shouldn't, she was marrying someone else.

"I was wondering if I could kiss the bride."

"Err. em I don't think that is a good idea Angel."

"For old times sake."

"Okay, I guess it would be alright." In truth Buffy wanted him to kiss her badly. She had not felt his lips on hers in years and she longed for one last kiss that she could remember for the rest of her life.

Their lips met in a pure and sweet kiss, there was nothing hungry about this kiss; from the outside it would not look passionate, although it was fuelled by passion on both sides. It was a kiss of longing, of what they could have had and it was a moment that neither would ever forget. After several moments, Angel reluctantly broke off the kiss, much to Buffy annoyance although she didn't show it.

"Well you should go and get your beauty sleep big day tomorrow."

"Yeah, better do that" Buffy said absentmindedly, still wondering where her brain had wondered off to.

"Always knew kisses were better when you had a heartbeat."

"Huh?"

"It quickens, makes me feel alive. I still forget sometimes. Well I should go, you know demons to fight, a heart to mend." They stared at each other for what seemed like a lifetime but was only a few moments.

"I shouldn't have said that." Angel began to turn, then stopped as if he had just remembered to say something he had forgotten. "Buffy"

The sound of her name said like that made her tingle all over. It was said with such love that it almost made her want to cry out, run into his arms and just hold on to him forever, but she didn't. She stayed where she was, feet glued to the ground.

"Yes, Angel?"

"I want you to know that. that day was the best I ever had and will be the best I ever have and although, it was not enough, it will never be enough, it helps, it helps to know that you and me in another time another place could have worked and it would have been magical. Buffy, I just wanted you to know that, wanted to make sure you understood."

"I do Angel. I do."

"You know we always seem to be walking away from each other."

" It's our fate Angel. It's the way it's meant to be."

"I wish we could change it." and with that he walked away.

"Me too Angel, me too" Buffy said quietly and was unheard by the departing figure. And with that she to walked slowly away, to get some rest and prepare for the wedding.

Part Four

Buffy sat in her wedding dress, staring off in to space. It should be the happiest day of her life but she could not shake off the feeling that she was making the biggest mistake of her life.

"Buffy. Buffy." Willow's voice broke in to her thoughts. "Buffy what's wrong? You have been off in your own little world all morning and I don't think I have seen you smile at all."

"Nothing's wrong Will, just nerves."

"Buffy I am your best friend I know when something is wrong."

"It's nothing Will," said Buffy, annoyed.

"Look Buffy determined face and you know what that means."

Buffy sighed. "I just don't know Will. I don't think you would understand."

"Wouldn't understand what? That today is your wedding day, but you're not sure whether to go though with it because the love of your life just walked back into your life and the thing that split you up in the first place is now a non issue?"

"Okay maybe you do. God what am I going to do Will?"

"I can't tell you that Buffy. Your life your decision, I can't make it for you. What do you want? Who do you want Kris or Angel? It's now or never Buffy, you have to choose."

"I love them both in different ways."

"Buffy, we both know that loving someone and being in love with someone are two different things, so which one is it?"

"Is what?"

"Which one are you in love with?"

"I'm in love with. I'm in love with. Angel. Oh Will I have been kidding myself. How can I love anyone but him? Oh god Will," She started to cry.

"So what are you going to do?"

"The only one thing I can."

"Right I'll go and sort it, go tell everyone."

"Tell everyone what?"

"That the weddings off of course."

"Who said the weddings off?"

"You did just a minute ago."

"No, I said that there was only one thing for me to do. I may be in love with Angel, but I can't call off the wedding, I can't do that to Kris. My fate is sealed Willow, I can't get out of this one, my only way out is down that aisle, as Mrs Summers-Cain." She got up, fixed her make-up and walked out towards the doors of the church.

"Are you sure about this?"

"As I ever will be."

And with that she met Giles at the door, and the wedding music began to play, Buffy walked forward towards her fate. How she made it down the aisle she did not know, but all of a sudden she was facing Kris and the priest was starting the wedding. She looked back down the church at the guests.

Everyone was there; old relatives, her mom, dad, Willow, Tara, Oz, Xander, Anya, Cordy and even Wesley had all made it. All had made it except one. She had not expected him to come, but part of her wished he was here.

Willow looked on worriedly, and at the back of the church a lone figure, stepped out of the door. He had seen enough, Buffy was almost married, his love married to another man, it was an event he did not want to witness.

As Buffy, stood at the altar, she began to get flashes of memory. At first she thought they where dreams, but then she released it was the lost day. She had images of Angel standing in sunlight, and of them in bed making love and eating ice cream. She now understood what he meant when he said it was perfect and she knew how much it hurt both of them when they were again torn apart, and how much each had lost. But was she not doing them exactly the same thing? Denying them happiness? However their happiness would hurt other people, hurt Kris, but in the long run would she not end up hurting him more? She cared for him but it was not enough, they would probably end up divorced and that would do neither of them any good. Buffy refocused on her Wedding.

"So if any persons here present know of any lawful impediment, why these two should not be married speak now or forever hold your peace." Buffy looked round she could see Willow was about to speak.

"No Will, its okay. I'll tell them" Willow sat back down in her seat and Buffy felt everybody's eyes upon her. Buffy closed her eyes and prepared herself. "I can't marry you Kris. I'm so sorry." She ran into the back of the church unable to face anyone. Kris followed.

"Buffy I think I deserve an explanation."

"Kris I didn't want to hurt you it's just. just."

"You love Angel."

"How did you know about him? I never told you."

"Willow did when we first started going out and she could tell you liked me. She told me that she thought you would never love anyone else except Angel. I thought she was wrong but I guess she was right all along."

"Oh Kris, I am so sorry I didn't mean anything like this to happen. I was just so confused and."

"Sh, sh it doesn't matter now. What's important is that both you and I are happy. I can't be happy unless you are and if you can't be happy unless you're with Angel, then that's how it should be. Go find him Buffy and be happy," he gave her a quick goodbye kiss and walked out though the church. Heads turned as he walked only turning back again when Buffy walked out. She headed over to Will.

"What are you going to do?"

"Go find him and see if he will still have me."

"I don't think there is any question of that."

"I'm not so sure Will. I gave up on him and I don't know if he can forgive me for that." Buffy headed out of the church to find her love.

"Well if she went looking for Kris she is heading in the right direction," said Xander as he walked up.

"Not Kris, you idiot." said Willow.

"If not Kris than who? Please tell me it's not Riley."

"Angel, if I am not very much mistaken," interrupted Cordelia.

"What dead boy? No way."

"Yes way my friend. And by the way, that nickname, bit old now, seen as Angel's not as dead as he was."

"Phew, I go away for a little while, and everything changes. Buffy's back in love with de... sorry alive boy and Cordelia actually seems to know what's going on outside her own little world."

"No she didn't."

"What do you mean she didn't? If she's not back in love with him, why did she just stop her wedding?"

"Xander, she stopped her wedding because she never stopped loving Angel, and because their fates will always be entwined."

"Ah, success. I love matchmaking, maybe I will take it up as a hobby," said Cordy triumphantly.

"I thought your slip up might have been planned Cordy," said Willow, faking annoyance.

"Well, I am not an actress for nothing."

"It's not over yet. She still has to convince a certain ex-vampire and that man certainly can be stubborn."

"He wouldn't, would he? Would he?"

"I don't know. I just don't know, but if he does we are going to have one upset slayer on our hands."

"I'll kill him."

"Xander, no need for violence just yet. Let's wait and see what happens."

"So if he turns her down, then can I kill him? Or at least hurt him?"

"If he breaks her heart, I'll be joining you."

"And me," added Cordy, "if he does turn her down, he will only brood about it and I really couldn't take any more of that."

Part 5

Angel stood on the hill above Sunnydale; it had been the setting for his suicide attempt at a Christmas long ago when the First Evil had been playing with his mind. He didn't know why he was there; it didn't really hold great memories for him.

*I am having a great day, so what do I do? I decide to return to the spot where I tried to commit suicide. God man you know how to torture yourself don't you.*

But right now he wanted torture. His love had just married another and he felt that nothing would ever feel right again. So they hadn't been together for years that didn't matter, Angel knew it hadn't really been over until she had said I do, but she had and it was.

He realised that he had come here to say goodbye; that standing on this hill he could see the whole of Sunnydale below him. He had come to say goodbye to her but not just her, to everyone. He was not about to do something stupid, it was just he was going and he wasn't coming back. Yeah he knew he had said that before, but this time it was for real. He wanted Buffy happy he just didn't want to watch it. So he was leaving Sunnydale and he was not returning to LA.

He had left a note for Cordelia and Wesley, explaining everything he knew that they would understand, especially Cordelia. She knew what Buffy meant to him and how much it hurt him to see her with someone new. That was why he couldn't go back to LA. Being in LA meant that they all knew where he was; it had partly been the point, so that if Buffy needed him she could find him. But he knew he had to move on; move past her as she had him and he couldn't do that if he saw her again. He had told her he would protect her and that he would never completely leave her side. At the time he had meant it, but he had now had time to think and he knew he had to get out of the never-ending circle that was he and Buffy. She had made her choice, he was human and she had still married someone else.

"Goodbye. I never knew it would turn out like this. It wasn't supposed to happen. I was not supposed to fall in love, but then, I was always good at destroying things not that I would ever change it. I'll never regret what we had, but I will always morn for what we could have had."

With a final sigh, he turned and had the shock of his life. Before him stood the one person he thought he would never meet again. "Buffy?"

She wasn't sure he would be there, but something had told her to try. Okay so she had tried everywhere else she could think of with no luck and this was the only place left. If he hadn't been there it would have been likely that he had left Sunnydale and then she was not sure she would have been able to find him. She no longer wore her wedding dress. She had had to change first for two reasons: one, wearing your wedding dress that was for a wedding to one man, while trying to win back another man; call her crazy, but that just didn't feel right; and two she had had to do a lot of running around and you try running fast in a wedding dress. Things had gotten a little quicker after she had changed.

"So I suppose I am speaking to Mrs Summers-Cane? Well congratulations, but I really should be leaving Buffy."

"Angel I really need to talk to you."

"Buffy, we did all our talking last night. We sorted it out. It's over, finished, you've moved on; I have to try to move on and I am going to. I'm leaving Sunnydale and LA and I am not telling anyone where I am going, so if you came here to tell me to stay away or something you don't have to worry. You won't see me again."

"Is that why you think I came?"

"What other reason could there be? You just got married; you wanted to make sure all the loose ends were tied up. Although I don't blame you, I am a little hurt that you thought it would be that bad having me around. That you needed to come and sort it out tonight; it is your wedding night, you really should be with your hus---"

"Will you SHUT UP and let me speak. God Angel when did you become so talkative? I think I preferred you when you were the strong silent type. and what do you mean by telling me you are leaving?"

"I can't stay Buffy. I have to move on now, move past you like you did me, but I can't do that when I still see you."

"I haven't moved past you."

"Buffy you are married now. I was in the church. I saw you walk up the aisle. I didn't stay for the 'I do's', I couldn't, but I would say you are way, way past me."

You should have stayed Angel, then you would have seen."

"Seen what?"

"I didn't get married."

"What!?!"

"I couldn't, Angel. I can't marry anyone but you. No matter how hard I try, it will always be you. Remember the last time we were here and I told you no matter what I did I couldn't stop loving you? Well that hasn't changed Angel, it just took me a while to realise."

"But what makes it different? What makes you think this is going to work?"

"Angel you know it will work. You've seen it; I've seen it. I remember it Angel, I remember the day and you were right. It was so perfect, how was I supposed to give that up, when there was nothing but me standing in the way."

Angel smiled although his mind was reeling. Was this really happening? Were they finally going to get the chance to be together?

"Okay Angel I am going to ask this once and only once. Will you marry me?"

Angel took a few moments to answer, as he was still deep in thought. He looked up at Buffy and saw the worried look on her face.

He had said nothing. Why had he said nothing? Did he not want her anymore? Was she too late? Had she told him she had moved on one too many times? Buffy's silent thoughts were answered, with the perfect silent reply. Angel walked toward her and caught her lips in the perfect kiss of passion and gentleness that left both of them breathless when they were done.

"So was that a yes?"

"What do you think?"

"When should we do it?"

"How about tonight?"

"What?"

"Well Buffy you can hardly say you are not ready for marriage; you were just about to say 'I do'."

"Let's do it."

"You sure?"

"Yep. It feels right, and also I don't want to give you a chance to leave me again."

"Never Buffy. Never again." he said looking deep into her eyes just to make sure she knew it was true.

"Oh God, what are we going to do for rings?"

"Not a problem." Angel took the small sliver Claddagh ring that he had given to her on the night of her seventeenth birthday.

"Hey how the hell did you get that? It was in the drawer in my bedroom."

"Now don't get mad. After last night I decided to go and get it. I thought you wouldn't miss it and I just wanted something to remember you by."

"Angel, how could you think I wouldn't miss it? Of course I would have."

"I know. I wasn't really thinking straight last night. I had just lost the love of my life. Anyway it works out perfectly, 'cause now we have a ring."

"You are just about forgiven."

"Just about?"

"Oh I'm sure you can think of ways to make the rest up to me tonight." she said suggestively.

"Oh I am sure I can." Angel said smiling. Then his face became serious, "I love you Buffy Summers I always have and I always will."

"And I love you Angel Summers. You will have to take my name as you don't have one."

"I like the sound of that."

The wedding was perfect. They had found a small chapel just off the highway. It was just them and a couple of witness they had found. They would have a ceremony in front of their friends and family; but right now this was their moment and it was something they wanted to share between themselves.

As they exchanged Claddagh rings and the Chaplin pronounced them husband and wife, both had tears in their eyes. The wedding march played as they walked back down the aisle and out the door to their new life.

"I never thought it would happen. I never thought fate would let us work it out."

"I know; but you are Angel Summers now, my husband. It took us a long time to get here and we had many obstacles, but all that just made us stronger and made us love each other more."

Angel bend down and kissed his new wife. "So what do we do now?" he asked hopefully.

"Find a motel?" Angel smiled at the thought.

"Well I have to make some phone calls."

"Oh. That was not quite what I had in mind."

"Angel, I just got married. I have to at least tell Willow and my Mother, or they will kill me, and right now with my now perfect life I would like to stay breathing. After that you can ravish me all you like."

"Sounds like a plan."

Buffy dialed Will's number, as Angel took a shower.

"Will."

"Buffy are you okay? We were so worried. Everyone is here waiting for you to call."

"Great, so I can tell you and you can tell everyone else."

"Tell everyone what?"

"I'm married Will. Me and Angel just got married."

"Married!!" everyone's heads in the room shot up at the news.

"They're what!?!" Buffy heard Xander say.

"Fantastic, no more broody guy!" said Cordelia

"Look Will sorry to drop a bombshell and run, but it is my wedding night and..."

"Enough said. Have a good time, if you know what I mean."

"Willow!" Said Buffy mocked shocked "I will" she added.

"And Buffy,"

"Yeah."

"I am so happy for you and Angel, you deserve it."

"Thanks. I'll see you all in a couple of days, we just want to be on our own for a while."

"Okay. See you soon, bye."

"Bye" Buffy said as she hung up the phone.

She turned around to find Angel naked before her.

"I think you are overdressed for this."

"Yeah, but we can soon rectify that."

And so the fated couple spent their first night in years together, sending each other to heaven. When they finally slept, it was in that perfect feeling of comfort and peace. They didn't know what was ahead of them, what they had to face, but they knew that whatever it was they could do it, as they could face anything as long as they were together. And now, finally, fate had given them a chance to prove that.

Send feedback to Joanna Barrow

Back to the Fanfiction Archive