DISCLAIMER: I don't own them, I don't want them they make me cry too much. Joss and his people do the owning thing
TIMELINE: A few years down the line.
DISTRIBUTION: Great, just let me know where.
AUTHOR'S NOTES: This is going to be silly, that's all I have to say.
FEEDBACK: That would be neat.
RATING: PG .
DEDICATION: The Frosting Brigade who are like my second family and Ducks BB.

Part 1…

SUNNYDALE…20 miles…

Angel smiled as the road sign flashed past.

Twenty miles to go, he was so near now he could almost feel her.

He then reflected on more recent events; it really had been the strangest few days.

Yesterday had begun as any other day in the life of a vampire, or at least a souled vampire.

There had been the usual breakfast discussions with Wesley and Cordelia, and then they had both headed out of town for different reasons.

Cordelia had gone off to visit with her parents and Wesley had muttered something about meeting up with an old contact from the watchers' council.

Angel had pretended to believe both their stories and smiled as they left town. His suspicions had been raised for quite awhile now.

**Hey! If they wanted a dirty weekend who was he to stand in the way of young love?** Angel was all for young love, and lost love, he thought sadly as he carried out his daily routine

He rescued a family of peaceful demons and received a deep slash to his ribs for his trouble. Angel soon forgot the pain; his reward was seeing the family all smuggled safely out of town.

It was times like these that Angel remembered Doyle and he missed his friend a little more.

On returning to his office he was surprised to be confronted by the Oracles. This was the first surprise of the day there were many more to follow.

Transported to their world TPTB informed the vampire that he had passed his final test, Angel had made amends. He was then granted his humanity

At first Angel had been confused, he had tried to ask questions about the so called *end of days* but was quickly dismissed. Finding himself back in his office he collapsed to the floor gasping for air. Then he heard that sound again, the sound that made it all very real.

Thump thump, thump thump.

Angel gave up asking questions.

**Who was he to argue with TPTB** he sat back with the bewilderment of it all, everything had happened so quickly.

It had taken him two whole seconds to decide on his next move and now just a few hours later he was almost there.

Looking ahead he saw the next road sign flash past.

SUNNYDALE 10 miles…

Angels' heartbeat rapidly increased and he enjoyed the feeling more than he ever thought possible. The sun shone down on his pale skin, changing its colour slightly. The ex vampire felt truly alive, he pressed his foot down and the car accelerated faster.

Angel inhaled a long deep breath, licked his lips and smiled.

Now he could almost taste her..

Part 2.

Parking his car across the street Angel walked towards the door of Joyce Summers' house. He hadn't know why he'd stopped there first, or maybe he did. Angel could feel Buffy's presence. Even as a human being the feeling was so strong, he knew that in a few seconds he would see the love of his life, after all these years she was only a few feet away.

Angels' heart started racing inside his chest, his hands felt clammy and small beads of perspiration tickled his forehead. All long forgotten feelings for the ex vampire.

** Just a few more seconds** his mind repeated with every step.

" Wow! That must be some sunscreen you're wearing "

Angel turned around.

" Xander " Angel smiled, he noticed that the boy had grown older but had hardly changed.

" And then my second guess would be human" Xander returned the smile

" About four hours ago" Angel nodded.

Xander paused a moment as if processing this new information.

Then he laughed.

" Good for you, couldn't have happened to a nicer dead boy" his voice was light-hearted and he held out his hand.

Angel hesitated but only for a second he then shook the offered hand.

" Hey! Warm hands" Xander joked.

Angel laughed this time his whole body relaxed; Xanders' acceptance had been unexpected but welcomed none the less.

The boy had changed after all.

Angel took a closer look at him.

" What's with the fancy dress, going to a wedding?" he was still smiling but the confusion that crossed Xanders eyes quickly killed it.

" Actually yes. Angel didn't you know? I mean what with Wesley and Cordelia being here" Xander looked slightly embarrassed.

" You're getting married?" Angels' voice was hopeful but he already knew this wasn't the case. His new beating heart started to fill with dread.

The next word shattered it.

" Buffy!" Xander didn't need to continue he had already said too much.

All the newfound colour had drained from Angels' face leaving him once more resembling a vampire.

" I'm so sorry man, I thought you already knew..... I'm sorry Angel" Xander fidgeted nervously

" No, no problem look I'd better be going" Angel started to turn but looked back.

" It's Riley.....It is Riley right?" he asked the question against his better judgement, pain was very evident in his voice.

Xander just nodded

" I should have known" Angel muttered more to himself, he had been such a fool to believe that Buffy would still want him after all this time. Buffy had moved on and it was entirely his fault. He had told her to find somebody to take her into the light and she had.

" She would love to see you man, why don't you come along" Xander stopped when he saw an incredible sadness cross Angels eyes. He realised that it wasn't such a clever idea after all.

" Well maybe not" he finished quietly.

Angel took a step back

" No, I think I better leave" once more he turned to leave but couldn't quite go

" Is she happy?........He does make her happy right?"

Xander looked straight at him he saw no point in lying.

" He loves her with all his heart and they seem very happy.

Angel devoured every word.

" That's all I needed to know" with a sad smile he walked away.

Xander continued up the path to the Summers house

** Maybe it would be better to keep this little secret to myself **

He then had the strangest feeling of deja vu. Keeping *Angel* secrets from Buffy was usually a mistake. Xander still lived with the guilt of the last secret and its' consequences.

That time Buffy had ended up sending Angel to hell and from the expression on the mans face Xander suspected Angel was on his way back there right about now.

But this time it was different; what good would it do to bring up all the old heartache when Buffy had clearly moved on.

Xander walked into Joyce's house with a heavy heart.

Part 3

Buffy ran her hand over the delicate fabric of her dress It was so very beautiful. Like a cloud of the softest silk.

Smiling softly she thought about her approaching nuptials, Buffy had expected butterflies to be dancing inside her long ago but they failed to appear. She just felt amazingly calm.

As she slipped the dress smoothly over her head a pearl button got caught in her head-dress Buffy struggled to release the button without ruining her hair.

There was a soft knock on the door.

Buffy struggled even harder with her dress.

" Come in " her voice was flustered

Slowly the door opened and she heard footsteps enter.

" Hey! Can you help me with this I'm a bit stuck?" Buffy continued to fumble beneath the layers of silk.

She felt the soft fabric pulled away from her hair and then the buttons closed.

" Thank you " Buffy turned around and smiled.

" Oh God" she whispered as her eyes met familiar chocolate pools

" I always knew you would make the most beautiful bride" Angels voice caught deep in his throat

She really was the most heavenly vision he had ever seen, far lovelier than any dream he had dreamt. Angel wanted nothing more than to wrap his arms around her and never let go. But that was impossible, she had moved so far out of his reach he knew there was no going back. In an hours time Buffy would be Riley Finns' wife.

Even as the thought entered his head his heart shut it down.

Angel had already left town once only to turn the car around and come all the way back. He had to see her one last time; he had to say goodbye for his sake if nothing else.

Buffy seemed to be in shock, it was as if all her dreams had come true. Angel was finally here, standing in the sunshine…**STANDING IN THE SUNSHINE**.

" You're alive" she gasped.

She felt dizzy; Angel reached out and caught her before she fell.

" Hey! Buffy are you alright" her face was so close if she just moved her head he could catch her lips……

Buffy pulled away slightly, she reached up and pressed her hand to his chest.

" Thump thump, thump thump" she felt his heart beat.

" When?" she whispered.

" A few hours ago" Angel smiled never taking his eyes off of her.

" I can't believe it you really got your humanity" Buffy was so excited for him. Angel was human

Suddenly pulling herself together she remembered what day it was, her wedding day.

" I'm getting married" Buffy didn't know if she was telling Angel or reminding herself.

" I know. I was nearby, I just wanted to wish you luck" Angels voice remained steady, he sounded very calm.

Buffy looked at him; this wasn't how she had dreamed the day would be. Suddenly all the happiness she had been feeling slipped away. Angel hadn't come for her he was just passing through; Angel no longer wanted her.

** Oh God! he thinks I moved on** she thought, but then reminded herself that's just what she had done. She was marrying Riley, how much more moved on could you get?

" So what will you do now?" Buffy still felt light-headed she couldn't get over how distant he had become. How easily he had let her go.

" Well, the first thing I need to do is speak to Wesley and Cordelia, they still have no idea " Angel smiled when he thought of his friends' surprise. "Then I think I'll head off for Ireland and say goodbye to my family." That was something else he really needed to do, another step in putting the past behind him.

**Once he had buried the past he could plan for the future, a future without Buffy.** he reminded himself sadly.

Buffy remained silent. Angel had so much to look forward to - a wonderful new life. No! correction, a wonderful new life without her.

He had changed so much these last few years she hardly recognised this new man standing in front of her. Strong, confident, independent all the things she dreamed he would become.

Angel took a step back, stopped, then leaned forward and kissed her cheek softly.

" I wish you both every happiness"

Her eyes looked deeply into his one last time.

" Goodbye Angel" Buffy whispered.

Angels' heart almost died again when he heard her say goodbye. It was so final, he never imagined it could hurt so much. There was nothing more to say so he forced a smile, turned and walked out of the door.

Once outside he lent against the wall breathing heavily. The pain of hearing her final goodbye had crushed him.

Angel squeezed his eyes tight but that couldn't stop two tears slipping down his face.

" Goodbye beloved" he whispered softly.

" Well, well, well. Look who we have here" a familiar British voice broke through Angels' pain.

He looked up to see Spike walking towards him dressed in full wedding attire.

Spike waited for his Sires' smart-ass comment but Angel failed to make one.

" So you finally switched sides. That is a heartbeat I'm hearing?" Spike asked.

He had sensed Angels' humanity the moment he had seen him. Angel tried to walk away.

" You didn't bloody tell her did you?" Spike sneered.

Angel looked back towards Buffy's room.

" She knows " was the only reply he gave.

His shoulders slumped and his whole body language gave away his sadness.

" You self-sacrificing stupid bastard. You're gonna actually let her marry that asshole?" Spike couldn't believe how spineless his old Sire had become.

Angel glared at him but Spike continued to wind him up.

" Funny, I'd heard you'd grown a pair these last few years, guess I heard wrong. What did they do to you Angel, give you humanity and remove your backbone at the same time?. You are pathetic!"

" She loves him" Angel spoke quietly the last thing he wanted was for Buffy to hear this.

"Yeah, but she always loved you more. Even I know that" Spike didn't know why he was even bothering. If Angel wouldn't fight for himself why should he bloody care. Besides the slayer had been getting on just fine these last few years, hadn't she?.

" Just walk away Angel you've always been so bleedin' good at it " Spike turned away in disgust

Angel looked back towards Buffys' door and thought about everything Spike had said, then he shook his head. When Spike looked back Angel was gone.

" Bloody fool" he muttered and walked into Buffy's room without knocking.

" Slayer you ready yet?"

Spike stayed in the shadows keeping well out of the sunlight that almost flooded the room.

" Just a moment" As Buffy answered she quickly turned her head away but not in time for Spike to catch that she had been crying.

He rolled his eyes.

First Angel and now her, he decided he was keeping well out of this little drama, one wrong word and she might just stake him.

" Come on Buff, you do still want to get married don't ya? He waited for her reaction.

Buffy turned towards him with a large smile all over her face.

" Of course I do what a silly question" her smile was a little too wide for Spike to believe

** Keep your gob shut Spike or she'll stake you ** his head told him over and over.

" Right! Oh well, if it's still on, Giles said five more minutes" he turned and closed the door behind him.

** They're both mad ** Spike told himself as he walked away.

Part 4

As soon as Spike had closed the door Buffy dropped the pretence, she had tried to smile so hard it had made her face hurt. She turned and caught sight of her dress in the mirror the reflection made her frown.

It should have been the happiest day in her life.

** Yeah, then he shows up ** she reminded herself bitterly.

" Bloody Angel" she cursed as she slipped her tiny feet into her wedding shoes.

Buffy then shook her head as if to remove all thoughts of the ex vampire once and for all.

Angel might not want her but Riley did, Riley loved her, Riley wanted to marry her and by god Riley was going to have her.

With her mind made up Buffy put the fake smile back on her face and walked out to find Giles.

*****

The wedding car pulled up outside the church. Giles got out first and held the door open for Buffy, then helped her out.

Willow and Anya fussed all around her straightening her dress and fixing her hair.

Buffy found she was looking for Angel with out even realising it.

Was he there somewhere, maybe watching from the shadows? No of course he wasn't, she couldn't feel him and besides he'd made his feelings very clear.

Willow straightened her dress one more time.

" Are you ready?" Giles offered his arm.

Buffy hesitated as a final doubt entered her mind; she closed her eyes and reached out for Angel one last time. She felt nothing.

Buffy reached out her gloved hand and placed it on Giles arm. They walked slowly towards the entrance of the church.

On reaching the foyer Buffy stopped.

" Giles I need a moment, ladies room" she whispered an apology.

" Oh, oh I see. Can't it wait?" he asked looking towards the packed church.

" Sorry, I'll only be a moment" Buffy moved quickly towards the rest room.

Xander walked over, he had been waiting to give the signal that the bride had arrived so the music could start.

" What's up, where's the blushing one gone? " he tried to hide the tension in his voice.

Giles explained the small delay and Xander breathed a sigh of relief.

" She will only be a moment nothing to worry about"

Xander nodded and walked back to reassure the confused bridegroom.

*****

Buffy stood inside the small rest room taking deep breaths. She was fighting to keep her emotions under control but failed miserably when two tears slipped down her cheeks.

She had been fine until she entered the church then seeing all those people waiting for her had brought on pure panic.

" You're gonna look like a bleedin' panda if you keep that up" Spikes' voice came out of nowhere.

Buffy was startled, she had expected to be alone.

" I just needed a smoke to steady my nerves, me and churches, well you know" Spike offered an explanation as to why he was skulking in the rest room.

" Maybe that's what I need, something to settle my nerves. Trouble is, I don't smoke" Buffy tried to smile but it never quite reached her eyes.

" What's the matter Slayer, having second thoughts?" Spike asked, finally emerging from the shadows.

" No of course not!" she replied a little too quickly.

" I saw me old Sire, he's looking......well, alive is a pretty good description" Spike pulled more smoke into his dead lungs.

" He just dropped by to wish me luck" Buffys' face fell and a sob escaped her lips, the pretence barrier had shattered.

Spike approached keeping well away from the deadly beams of sunlight.

" He's not staying for the wedding I take it?" Spike asked, his voice was unusually quiet.

" No .......No, he....... he let me go " Buffys' heart broke and renewed tears slipped down her cheeks.

Spike waited for a moment.

" How could you possibly believe that crap? The pathetic sod will love you until the day he dies. You just have to look at his face to see that you marrying farmboy is killing him. Hey, wouldn't that be funny? The great poof comes alive and dies of a broken heart" Spike tried to joke but it fell flat.

" I wish he'd never come back, I'm so torn. it's not that I don't care for Riley I do it's just…….."

" He's not Angel" Spike interrupted.

Buffy nodded.

" Riley's in my head but Angel's here in my heart and he always will be no matter how hard I try and deny it" Buffy tried to explain her confusion but only managed to increase it.

She looked towards the exit and remembered that the whole church was full of people she loved and they were all waiting for her. Buffy knew she could never face them if she called the wedding off over these small doubts. She had committed her self too deeply there really was no way out.

" Do you want some advice pet? You're a long time dead" Spike told her simply.

Buffy waited for the certain insult to follow, there wasn't one?

The smile she gave the platinum vampire this time reached her eyes.

" You know for an obnoxious pain in the ass you really do have a good side" She then surprisingly hugged him.

" Bloody hell get off!" Spike gently pushed her away.

" If you breath a word of this to an unliving soul I'll rip your heart out" he tried to look menacing but changed his mind and smiled.

Buffy looked at him with a doubtful expression and then smudged her make up even further.

Spike pulled a clean hankie from the top pocket of his new jacket and thrust it towards the slayer.

" Buffy accepted it and dried her tears.

" By the way Spike the unliving don't have souls " she teased him back.

" That's very funny Slayer, but I seem to remember one demon having a soul" Spike managed to bring the conversation right back to Angel again and the pain returned.

Buffy frowned.

" So the question is what are you going to do? " he watched her carefully.

Buffy took a deep breath and accepted her fate.

" I made a promise, I guess I'm going to keep it " came her reply.

Part 5

The door opened and Giles walked over.

Buffy, are you alright now, are you ready?"

Buffy nodded, Giles offered her his arm again and she accepted. She took a step forward and stumbled slightly. Giles steadied her.

" New shoes or nerves " he teased.

Buffy nodded to both.

The wedding march struck it's first chord causing them to both looked forward.

" Are you really sure you want to do this?" Giles asked one last time.

He turned and adjusted the heavy veil.

Buffy patted his hand reassuringly,

" Right then nice and slowly" Giles took the first step.

The guests all watched with smiling faces as Giles proudly walked the girl he considered a daughter down the aisle. Joyce dabbed at her eyes and smiled, as her daughter passed by. This truly was the happiest day of her life.

Riley looked up and caught his breath; pride was also shining from his face with the knowledge that this beautiful girl would soon be his wife.

Standing next to Riley Xander watched this happy scene with just the slightest regret for his friend, he would now have to take another *Angel* secret to his grave.

The music faded as Giles delivered the bride to the front of the altar.

He patted her hand softly and after leaving Buffy with Riley Giles stepped back.

" Dearly beloved we are gathered here today…………."

Angel slipped into the back of the church, he didn't know why he was torturing himself, watching Buffy marring Finn was more painful then returning to hell but he had to see her once more.

Angel knew deep in his now beating heart it would be for the very last time, after today he was out of her life forever.

" Are there any objections to this marriage?"

Angel waited, the silence seemed to last for an eternity. Not a soul spoke.

" Do you Riley Finn take Buffy Anne Summers to be your...…"

Every word cut deeply into Angel's soul, inside his head the names would have been so different she should have been saying yes to him and if he hadn't been such a stupid jerk she would have. He wanted to leave but his legs wouldn't move, he just had to hear those dreaded words. The words that would set him free he knew sadly.

Riley gladly accepted.

** Of course he would ** Angel sighed to himself.

He pressed further into the shadows and waited for Buffy's declaration.

" Buffy Anne Summers do you take Riley Finn to be ….."

Angel squeezed his eyes shut; he had to hear the words but he didn't have to see the smug look on Riley's face.

" Husband?"

Everybody waited.

" Not bloody likely" the reply came in a very male, British voice.

A loud gasp rounded the church.

"What the hell?" Riley shouted and ripped the heavy lace veil from his intended bride.

Spike quirked an eyebrow

" Does this mean the wedding's off lover?" he laughed and blew Riley a kiss.

At this point Joyce promptly fainted, Xander exploded into uncontrollable laughter and all colour drained from Riley's face.

Spike straightened to his full height, pretending to be Buffy's height had almost broken his bloody back.

Riley lost all feeling from the waist down as the realisation of being jilted hit him

"Where's Buffy?" he demanded. His head couldn't accept that Buffy would be part of this conspiracy, **Buffy adored him, didn't she?** Riley failed to believe any other argument.

Willow looked at Oz and they both started giggling, the sight of the blond vampire in a wedding dress was really too much.

Nobody could believe they had been fooled so easily, they also couldn't understand why.

Giles lifted Joyce's unconscious head and slapped her face.

" Oh dear, I should have known she/he was far too tall I thought it was the bloody shoes" he fought down the smile that was quickly growing behind his eyes.

Cordelia looked at Wesley and smiled, they had both seen Angel slip into the church now they waited for his reaction.

Angel stood rooted to the spot his mouth dropped open and he just watched in wonder. The whole scene was so unbelievable that any moment now he expected to wake up.

A sharp whistle broke through his thoughts he turned and saw a sight even harder to believe.

Seated at the wheel of an extremely decorated wedding car was Buffy, dressed in parts of Spikes wedding suit and grinning all over her face.

Angel took a step closer

"Well, what the hell are you waiting for?" she laughed brightly

Angel looked back towards the church the whole place was erupting into chaos. Spike glanced up and on catching his old Sires eyes raised two thumbs and grinned.

Angel nodded his acknowledgement and then turning back to Buffy he made a dash for the car.

" I don't understand?" he jumped over the door of the convertible and landed in the passenger seat.

" Blame Spike, he told me to follow my heart so here I am. I made you a promise a long time ago, I told you then that * all I see is you, all I want is you * I love you Angel" She lent over and kissed him softly.

As she pulled away there was a look of complete contentment on her face and she knew without question that she had made the right choice. There really was no other possible choice.

Angel looked so confused it was almost comical.

" Spike's being decoy boy, it was his idea for us to swap clothes and then he pushed me out of the rest room window. He said he would give us just enough time to escape the hostilities"

" Buffy couldn't resist and kissed him again.

Angel glanced over his shoulder, the wedding guests had already began to notice them and he guessed that at any moment now the news would filter back to Riley.

Buffy revved the engine.

" I love you Buffy, are you really still my girl?" he asked still hardly daring to believe.

Buffy cupped his face in her hands. The look of love that shone in her eyes answered the question long before she did.

" Always, as I promised Angel, I'd never break a promise to you " she giggled and floored the accelerator

As the car screamed off Riley reached the front of the church. He was just in time to see Angel put his arm around Buffy and hug her.

Riley ripped the rose buttonhole from his jacket lapel, he threw it to the ground and stamped on it with frustration.

Willow, Giles and Xander arrived at the same moment and watched with joy as Buffy and Angel drove towards their new future, the *Just Married* sign on the back of the car flapping happily in the wind.

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