DISCLAIMER: BTVS and Angel don't belong to me, neither does Time after Time
RATING: PG-13
SPOILERS: "Sanctuary"
SUMMARY: happier ending to sanctuary
FEEDBACK: i'd love u forever...and a day (haha my lame attempt at a joke) but seriously im pleading
A/N: thank u for the stupendous feedback!!!!!! =) : Court, Christine, Christina, Jo, and Flounda...love u all

Buffy looked at Angel and all she could think about was what she had felt when she saw Angel and Faith, together. Before she knew what was happening, venomous words left her mouth. "I have someone in my life now. That I love."

Angel swallowed hard. "It's not what you and I had. It's very new."

Stepping closer, Buffy continued, all the anger she held flowing freely. "You know what makes it new? I trust him. I know him."

Angel let out a sharp breath. "That's great. It's nice, you moved on. I can't. You found someone new. I'm not allowed to, remember? I see you again it cuts me up inside and the person I share that with is me! You don't know me anymore. So don't come down here with your great new life and expect me to do things your way. Go home!"

Buffy looked at him for a moment before going to pick up her jacket. Angel walked over to the wall and braced his hands against it.

"See? Faith wins again." Buffy said in a hard voice.

Not looking at her, Angel uttered one word, "Go."

Walking down the stairs, Buffy's heart constricted painfully as she realized just what had happened. The slayer winced as halfway down she heard the unmistakable sound of hands slamming against the wall. Tears prickled at her eyes. Steeling herself, she turned and went back up. She couldn't leave things like that. Especially since everything she said had been a lie...

As she reached the top, the blonde heard Wesley quietly asking, "Did you want to go after her?"

"Yes." Angel breathed deeply, trying to regain control of his emotions. The watcher patted his shoulder in an attempt at comfort and left to give the vampire privacy. It was an attempt because nothing could erase the hurt that filled him, choked him. Tentatively, Buffy walked over and placed her hand on his arm. He shrugged it off. Bitterly he said, "Did you forget to rub something else in my face?"

"No!" Buffy said in a horrified voice. "Angel, I-"

"You know what? I don't want to hear it. I'm just gonna say this one more time. Get. Out. Of. My. Town."

"Please Angel, let me explain. The things I said..."

"Go! Just go!" Angel's voice had a desperate edge to it.

"Okay." Buffy softly replied. It was clear he wasn't going to listen. And why should he? The pain of her words had cut to deeply to be rectified with a simple apology. Reaching the bottom of the stairs Buffy stared at the wall. Two seconds later there was a fist-sized hole. Walking out onto the street, her vision clouded with the blur of tears. Collapsing onto the sidewalk, she cried. Her hand was over her mouth to stifle the sound.

Yet Angel's sensitive hearing heard it anyway and immediately knew who it was.

Knowing he was going to regret it he walked to the window. Buffy sat curled into a ball on a sidewalk. Passerby's glanced at the heartbroken girl with sympathy. Sighing, Angel headed for the door.

Sensing him before she saw him, Buffy stood up. Still not facing him she said in a dull voice, "It was all a lie you know, the things I said."

Brushing angrily at the tears still falling from her eyes she continued. "I haven't moved on. I can't because I still love you."

"Buffy, I-"

"Don't, just listen." Wearily, she faced him. "After you left, it was like I had fallen into an abyss of grief. I wanted...I wanted you to feel the pain that I was- am, in." He reached for her, without really knowing that he was.

Crushed into his embrace, she murmured over and over again, "I'm sorry."

Pulling apart, they stared at one another. Angel's hands still grasped her shoulders. Then, they were kissing. Her lips were like fire. Buffy melted against his cool body. He drew her closer, closer. Her hands crept up around his neck. Angel inwardly rejoiced at the feeling of holding his love again. She still loves you! His mind screamed. She was his forever, forever and a day. The kiss ended and what was left was loose ends waiting to be taken care of.

"Someone has to go here." Angel brushed the hair away from her face, trying to ignore that pain that flashed in her eyes.

"I know." She cupped his cheek for a moment before turning and walking into the blackness of the night.

~ In the near future

Buffy sat alone in the Bronze. The others had paired up and were dancing to Eva Cassidy's, Time after Time. A hand suddenly appeared in front of her. Warm chocolate eyes connected with her hazel ones.

"Dance with me?" Angel's smooth voice asked. Placing her hand in his, she gasped at the warmth she felt.

"How…”

Angel placed his fingers over her mouth. "Shh, just dance." Buffy leaned her head on his chest while he held her. She smiled as he kissed her hair. "I love you."

Buffy lifted her head so she could look at him; "I love you to." Angel tightened his hold on her. He sighed in contentment and rested his head one hers.

//If you’re lost, you can look and you will find me,
Time after Time.
If you fall I will catch you,
I will be waiting
Time after Time.//

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