DISCLAIMER: none of these characters belong to me
SPOILERS: everything i guess
SUMMARY: short and sweet...angel goes to rome after everything, lets say buffy is 23
RATING: pg?
FEEDBACK: please???
A/N1: HUGE thank you to: Angela, Edel, Akay, Leanne, Miss Jones, and Lynn...:-D
A/N2: I've never been to Italy so please forgive me for any mistakes

Angel looked at the scrap of paper in his hands and then at the building before him. The address was, thankfully, the same. It had taken a lot to convince Giles to give it to him. Angel was human, standing on a cobblestone road in Rome, Italy. Her house was small, built of bricks cool to the touch. Quaint would be the better term. Flowers spilled out of their clay pots on the front steps, bright streaks against the muted walls of stone. He nervously approached the weathered green door and knocked. There was no answer. Angel tried again. Still no answer. After another attempt, Angel had to admit defeat. She obviously wasn't home yet. There was nothing left to do but wait.

Angel took a walk, soaking in Italy. Without thinking, his steps took him to a park where old and young alike were relaxing. The faintest tingle drifted through his mind. He scanned the park with hopeful eyes. The sight in the far corner made him smile. She was sitting on a swing, rocking gently. The sunlight caught her hair as it tumbled through the air. His pace quickened, as did his heartbeat.

Buffy felt as though she were flying. Her last encounter with a swing had been seventeen years ago. She had forgotten the exhilaration of being able to touch the clear blue sky. As she slowed a figure appeared to her right. She would have laughed if she was not so shocked. For Angel was sitting on the swing beside her, long legs stretched in front of him.

"How are you here?" Her voice held the faintest tremble.

"I earned my redemption." Buffy wanted to jump for joy, scream in delight. "You must be very happy."

"I am...mostly." Angel glanced at the beautiful but troubled face next to him. "And you?"

"Oh...you know, living the normal life."

"How's that going for you?" There was a hesitant silence.

"Fine I guess..." Another pause. Angel waited. "I just...I don't know what to do with my life. I've only always been the Slayer. I sucked in school and burgers really aren't my thing." There was a despondent sigh. "I'm directionless Buffy."

Angel got off his swing and kneeled down in front of her. Buffy stared for a moment. He was still dreamily handsome, like Prince Charming under the Italian sun. He reached for her hands, his long fingers curling over her own.

"I've missed you." He whispered. She felt a blistering tear slide down her cheek.

"I've missed you too." Every so slowly, Angel leaned forward and placed his lips on hers. The kiss was long, hard...intense. His hands reached to cradle her face and a flutter of long buried passion spread through her. They still had that spark.

"Can this...be a direction?"

"Yes." She breathed. He pulled her in for another taste of her soft lips.

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