Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Summary: A different ending to season 3.
Spoilers: Graduation Day pt. 2
Rating: PG-13

She looked at him, tears threatening to spill. How could he leave? How could he just pick up his things and leave without saying good-bye? They stared at each other for what seemed like hours. Her throat constricted and she fought down the tears. She wouldn't let him see her cry; she had already spent too much time crying over him.

His lips started moving as he mouthed 'I love you' to her. A second later, he flipped his coat and turned around, leaving Sunnydale forever. Her tears began to make a trail down her cheeks as soon as she saw his back. Instead of walking over to the comfort of her friends, she began to make her way home.

She knew that her mother wasn't coming back from visiting her brother for a few more days. Buffy could be alone and grieve the loss of her lover alone. Slowly, she made her way through the graveyard. Not a single vampire in sight. Everything was quite tonight.

After walking through most of town, Buffy decided it was time to go home. She was surprised when she saw her mother's Jeep in the driveway.

Angrily, the Slayer opened the door. "Mom," she attempted to yell through her tears. "I thought I told you I didn't want you in Sunnydale tonight."

Her mother came out of the kitchen, her brother behind her. "I couldn't stay away when I knew that you were going to be in danger," she explained. "I did go to LA, though. Uncle Ross came back with me."

"Oh." Buffy wasn't in the mood to argue, all she wanted to do was go upstairs and cry for the rest of the summer. She began to feel tears threatening to come up again. Her face contorted, but she tried to control herself; she didn't want her mother knowing what was wrong, why she was grieving.

But, much to her dismay, her mother noticed. "Buffy, honey. What's wrong? Did something happen?" Ms. Summers stepped towards her daughter, reaching out a hand.

Buffy flinched when he mother's hand came in contact with her shoulder. "I-I'm fine," she murmured, running upstairs.

"Something must have happened," Joyce said partially to herself, partially to her brother. "I'll be right back, Ross. Make yourself at home."

**

As soon as Buffy entered her room, the tears began to flow. She sniffled and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, making her way towards her bed. She fell into and buried her head into her pillow. Tears cursed down her cheeks, wetting her pillows and blankets.

"Oh God," she murmured as she began shaking.

Someone knocked on her door, but it couldn't be heard through her tears. Joyce let herself in when Buffy didn't answer.

The sight that greeted her broke her heart. Buffy lay, face down, crying her eyes out. Her sobs were loud and disturbing.

"Buffy," she called out. "Honey, what's wrong?"

The blonde didn't answer, she only began to cry louder. Ms. Summers sat down next to her, rubbing her back, trying to get her to calm down.

"He-he left..." she wailed.

Joyce bit her lip, knowing who Buffy was talking about. Angel had taken her advice and left Sunnydale.

"...and God, it hurts so badly, Mom. I want to die I miss him so much already."

"You will be fine, Buffy, just give it some time."

"NO!" she yelled through her pillows, still laying face down on her bed. "I WON'T. I FEEL LIKE A PIECE OF ME IS MISSING A-AND IF I DON'T GET IT BACK, I WON'T BE ABLE TO FUNCTION. I-I FEEL LIKE MY HEART HAS BEEN RIPPED OUT OF MY BODY."

She continued, this time softer. "I love him so much."

"I know you do, sweetie." Ms. Summers tried her best to comfort her daughter. The situation was awkward for her. She was the reason he had left, she was the reason her daughter was crying...

...but it was for the best, she told herself. He will only cause her more heartbreak and pain. She won't have a future if she has a vampire boyfriend.

The doorbell rang, bringing her out of her thoughts.

"Buffy," she whispered. "I'm going to get that, sweetie. I'll be right back."

**

Joyce slowly walked down the stairs, wondering who could be at the door this late at night. She wasn't expecting anyone and she doubted that Buffy was in her state. Ross had fallen asleep on the couch while watching TV. She must have spent more time upstairs than she imagined.

"Coming," she announced to the person behind the door.

She flung the door open, curious to see who was there. To say that she was surprised was an understatement. "Angel?" she asked, making sure that she wasn't dreaming. Hadn't she told him to leave in a polite way?

He tried his best to smile through his teary eyes. "Hi, Joyce."

**

Buffy sat up a few seconds after her mother had left her room. She had that feeling in her stomach that she got when Angel was around. I'm imagining it, she told herself. He left.

Her tears had started again, but before they were out of control she heard something downstairs. Had someone just said Angel? Was he really here?

She flung the door open, almost breaking it off its hinges with her strength. Upon reaching the top of the stairs, she skidded to a halt.

He was there, standing at her front door.

"Angel?" she whispered only loud enough for him to hear it. Her eyes began to water again. She flew down the stairs and into his arms. "Are you really here?"

"Yeah," he answered, brushing a stand of blond hair out of her face. "I couldn't leave you."

"I-" her voice cracked. "I thought I was going to die."

When Joyce heard what her daughter said, her heart broke. She knew what she had done was wrong. Buffy could make her own decisions. And from the scene before her, she could tell that both Angel and Buffy were very much in love with each other. Quietly, she made her way into the living room and sat beside her now awake brother. Together, they watched the scene unfold before themselves.

Angel kissed Buffy's forehead. "I know the feeling."

"You're gonna stay forever now, right?" she paused, then continued louder and more angrily. "Because you can't just come back and then leave again. You can't do that to me."

He smiled. "I'm here forever, now."

Their lips touched and sealed their bond, forever.

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