Rating - like the show
Disclaimer - you know it by heart. Oh, and the song is "Still" and belongs to '98 Degrees'. I just love it very much and I think it's totally B/A, so I put it here:)
Spoilers - ummm.......'Becoming 1&2', 'Graduation Day 1&2' (just to be sure), and the previous story - "I Was Wrong...I Need You", which you kinda have to read (I think....)
Synopsis - Angel and Buffy never broke up after her graduation. Takes place right after the previous fic ended.
Distribution - if you want, you have, but you tell me where it's going:)

Feedback - is a must!

Love,
I see forever in your eyes
I can see heaven in your smile
And when I hold you close
I don't wanna let go
Because deep in my soul I know, girl
That you are the only light I see
Your love means everything to me
I know that we will never part
Cuz you'll always be near
Here in my heart

Angel had a slight dizzy feeling when he opened his eyes. He wasn't sure whether it was the next morning, or the night. Track of time had never bothered him before, even though he could always sense the approach of sunset or dawn. He sighed. It was strange. Everything was different. He felt his soul was at peace for the first time in so long. Peace…it was still a peculiar concept for him, and together with that…it felt so good. It was the supreme feeling, the best feeling he had ever experienced, and it all was due to only one person – the petite blonde girl who was now slumbering in his arms, warming his cold heart with her presence alone. What would he be feeling like right now, if he went through with leaving her? What would he do if he truly walked away after that fight with the Mayor? He wasn't able to even conceive that thought.

Angel had never been so grateful in his life to a mind numbing pain in his body. If that's what was obviously needed to put his senses back on track, he welcomed this pain with arms wide open, because it had brought him back to her. It made him stay one more day in Sunnydale, and it was so much more than worth it.

Angel peered down at the tiny Slayer sleeping in his arms, nestled in his embrace like a delighted kitten. She slumbered with a smile on her face, such a priceless, beautiful smile, and he almost took that smile away from her. Forever. He almost took all of the smiles away from her forever. He shuddered at the thought of the anguish he could have inflicted upon her if he had left. He gently brushed his fingertips along the slim arms sprawled around him. Her skin was so warm and soft to his touch, like a satiny silk. He beheld her with awe and adoration, realizing more and more the full value of this one-of-a-kind treasure he was so close to leaving behind. She was his, and he would never make again that horrible mistake of even reflecting upon letting her go. She was a goddess in his eyes. HIS goddess.

Girl,
You're like an angel from above
Sent here to shower me with your love
Hold me beneath your wings
Tell me all of those things
All the hopes and the dreams we can share
Cuz I'll be your shelter from the storm
I'll be the fire that keeps you warm
I'll be your light in the dark
Cuz you'll always be here in my heart

Buffy stirred indolently and nuzzled his armpit. It gave him an enchanting sensation. So good and pure and innocent, the fairest of all touches, and it wasn't even done purposely. All just because it was her.

And then her eyes opened, and she beamed at the sight of him. It was a beam so full of love and devotion, that for a moment it made Angel wonder whether he was truly worthy of this gift. But it was Buffy, his Buffy. Was he ever expecting anything else from her?

He bent his head and planted a soft kiss on her brow.

Her hand roamed to his nape, keeping his head down, until their lips met in a sweet good-morning kiss. When they broke apart, she rested her head on his shoulder, her eyes never leaving his.

"Hi," she murmured contently.

Angel smiled. "Had a nice sleep?"

"The best." She planted a tender kiss on his jaw. "God knows I needed it. I don't think I've ever been so worn out in my life. How long do you think we slept?"

"I don't know, but I gotta admit I was tired too, it usually doesn't happen to me after battles. Strange," he speculated.

"Not in your case, it isn't. You have a tendency to forget you too have limits," she pointed out, looking up at him, her voice half bantering half grave. "If I didn't force you to lie down, it would be the last thing on your mind, and don't you dare telling me it isn't true." Buffy rested her head on his chest. "But really, what time is it?" she asked, yawning.

A doleful glint flashed in Angel's eyes all of a sudden. "You…you have to go somewhere? You have somewhere to be?"

Buffy smiled a reassuring smile that banished from his heart all the worries he might have. "I wouldn't trade this for the world," she snuggled against him. "You?"

"Me neither," he grinned, but then his face saddened. "I'm sorry," he took a deep, unnecessary, breath. "I'm sorry for what I put you through the last few weeks. I'm sorry for hurting you the way I did…"

"Don't," she pressed a finger to his lips. "I don't care. I don't want to care, because it's the past. It's over and done with, Angel. We all made mistakes in the past, but the present and the future are the times when we're supposed to make it right. I don't want either of us to be sorry anymore. I just want us to be happy." She angled her head up to level their eyes. "Are you happy, Angel?"

His eyes dejected, then briefly lost all expression, then sobered again.

"Now, I'M sorry," Buffy murmured, looking away.

"I'm scared, Buffy," he imparted her candidly. "I'm scared. What if…what if I answer that? What if I tell you how I truly feel, what if I allow MYSELF to feel that way again and then…"

"I love you," she interrupted him, "and you don't have to say anything, because I know," she beamed.

"I love you too," Angel kissed her brow. "I love you more than anything in the world."

Buffy only smiled, nestling on his chest, as he wrapped her tighter in his arms.

If the sun should refuse to rise
And the moon doesn't hang in the night
The tides won't change
Seasons rearrange
When the world is through
I will still love you

"Well, isn't it a pretty sight?" a third voice interrupted the silence.

Both Buffy and Angel started, and he tightened his embrace around her in an instinctive protection.

"Don't worry, I'm not here to steal your little princess," Whistler chuckled, "and besides, you don't look like you're in a position to fight anyway. Taking care of the hole in your stomach should come first," he pointed in the discussed direction.

Angel loosed his grip, just as reflexively as he secured it. "Why are you here?" he inquired cautiously.

"Interrupting a very private moment, if I might add," the Slayer next to him commented, "but then again…it's you," she shrugged, sitting up.

Whistler grinned. "But not private enough, right? Because, you know, you guys can't have that…right?"

Angel looked away and Buffy squeezed his hand lovingly.

"Wrong," the demon spoke again.

The two instantly looked up at him.

"Wrong," he repeated. "Look, kids, this little secret has been clandestine for far too long. The big guys decided it was time for you to know."

"The big guys?" Buffy asked skeptically, "Wait, to know what? Quit your riddles, Whistler, I've had enough of them," a shudder ran through her as the memories from their former encounter came rushing forward, "and I don't have time for this now."

"Don't be so uptight, beautiful," Whistler smiled. "After I tell you what the secret is, you won't be so running late all of a sudden."

"Get on with it," she said in an even voice, unequivocally folding her arms on her chest, but despite her apparent fighting stance, her heart would have bounced out of her chest long ago if it hadn't been for the cool and calming hand laying against her back.

"Don't kill the messenger," Whistler held up his hands in defense, then smiled. "At least not before you heard the news."

Two pairs of eyes peered at him with blunt expectation and hope.

"Okay," he finally gave in. "The big guys are The Powers That Be."

"The Powers That…what?" Buffy questioned.

"Love, let him finish," Angel touched her arm gently.

"That's right, love, let me finish," Whistler smirked.

Both Buffy and Angel glared at him at once.

The demon took a deep breath, facing mainly Angel as he started to speak again. "Your curse, man, it's changed."

"Ch…changed?" Angel stuttered. Now, it was Buffy's turn to hold HIS hand.

"Yeah, that. What are you getting dense with age?" Whistler smirked again, receiving another deadly look from both Slayer and vampire. "Don't ask me for the details, I don't know them, anyway. All I know is that I'm supposed to tell you that the curse that was used on you the second time lacked the happiness clause. The gypsy teacher, she left it out when she translated the original text. You're free, mate."

If he could breath, Angel would probably choke now. "Wh…what?"

"Y-ou'-r-e f-r-e-e," Whistler spelled out slowly. "Don't worry, be happy, be very happy. In fact, you can start being happy right now…no, actually, wait. Let me get out first," he turned to leave.

"Wait!" Buffy called after him. When he rotated, she spoke. "Are you sure?"

Whistler rolled his eyes in playful irritation. "Yes, Slayer, totally sure. The Powers That Be don't lie."

"Then," her voice was small, like a little girl's, a thing that made Angel instantly take her into his arms. "Then, Willow…"

The demon waved his hand. "No, the little which didn't know. She didn't even understand a word she was saying during the ritual. If you ask her about it once, she'll tell you. A weak body like hers could have never channeled the magic through it and worked it. She was possessed by a higher spirit in order for it to succeed."

Buffy swallowed and a hopeful smile lightened her face. "It's true, then? He's really free?"

Whistler grinned. "Cross my heart, Slayer. I swear, now, it the two of you excuse me, I need a drink. Have fun." With that, he was gone.

Buffy slowly turned to Angel, tears of utter happiness sparkling in her eyes, as she lay a shaky hand on his cheek. "Angel…" she whispered, never tearing her gaze from his, "you almost left me for nothing…it was all for nothing…if you left, we could never know…" the words choked in her throat, and she was unable to speak any further. The tears overcame her and she welcomed the strong gentle arms that wrapped around her shaking body that very second, holding her close to a loving unbeating heart.

If anything could last forever
It's what I feel for you
It's what I feel for you
You touch my heart in ways
That words could never say
That's why I'll always love you

They both were finally at peace, as they cried together in each other's arms. The future was an open road before them, and no one would ever tell them which path they must choose, because NOW, finally, the choices were their. No one else needed to be considered; no one but them. And they already knew the choices they would make, and they already knew they would be the right ones, as long as it would be in each other's arms.

If the sun should refuse to rise
And the moon doesn't hang in the night
The tides won't change
Seasons rearrange
When the world is through
I will still love you

I will still love you

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