RATING: PG i think
DISCLAIMER: all the characters don't belong to me
FEEDBACK: i would be SOOOOOO grateful, stdragon88@aol.com
SUMMARY: alternate ending to "Into the Woods" SPOILERS: umm....everything up to the end of "Into the Woods"
A/N: thank u for your wonderful, encouraging feedback: Linda, Doc, Ruth, Christine, and Angelbabs

Xander stepped in front of her and sharply said, "I lied. See what I think, you got burned with Angel, then Riley shows up."

Buffy retorted, "I know the story Xander."

Heedless to her, Xander continued," But you miss the point. You shut down, Buffy. And you've been treating Riley like the rebound guy. When he's the one that comes along once in a lifetime. He's never held back with you. He's risked everything. And you about to let him fly because you don't like ultimatums?"

"Don't you get it Xander?" Buffy angrily asked. "I can't love Riley. I wish...I wish I did love him but I don't."

Xander stared at her speechless for a moment before launching into another tirade. "You can't keep holding on to a dream Buffy! Angel is never coming back. You both live in separate worlds where-"

"Stop it Xander! Stop...just stop." Angry tears coursed down her face. "You couldn't possibly understand."

"Don't tell me what I know and don't know!"

"Xander," Buffy tearfully said, "Please. I-I can't let go. He was my world and then he was gone."

Xander softened. "Buffy, I just," But Buffy had fled into the night.

She didn't know where she was heading until she turned onto Crawford Street. She stared up at the mansion. The door creaked slightly as she opened it.

Walking in, she half expected to see Angel by the fireplace, the light casting a soft glow on his sculpted features. But the mansion was cold and silent. A thin layer of dust had settled over time. Buffy's footsteps echoed eerily as she traveled through the mansion. She could see the remnants of the day he had drank her blood. There was the table, split in half and the twisted pitcher. Unconsciously, Buffy raised her hand to touch the scar. To feel him drink her had been a mixture of fear and ecstasy. Something caught her eye. It was a notebook tossed onto a nearby table.

It was hers, she had always wondered where she had misplaced her science notebook. Brushing the dust off, Buffy felt bitter tears of regret well in her eyes as she saw what her young naive self had written: Buffy and Angel 4ever. Rage then filled her, she threw the book against the wall. The rustle of paper was accompanied by Buffy yelling, "It was supposed to be forever! I loved you." The last sentence was whispered brokenly.

Falling, onto her knees, Buffy covered her face in her hands as she sobbed. Staring at her hands for a moment, she remembered the Claddagh ring Angel had so lovingly given her. Frantically, Buffy began searching for it. Hours later Buffy collapsed onto the rumpled bed. It was gone. Crying softly to herself she hugged a pillow and wrapped herself in his scent.

Two hours away in LA, a vampire with a soul stared at a picture while holding something. It was a silver ring dwarfed by his large hand. He caressed the face that graced the picture. Angel and the slayer both sighed. Maybe someday they could be together, for real. No pain, no worries, just love and comfort.

Someday…

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