Part 19

"Like I said earlier last night. You sure know how to liven things up around here deadboy, or should I say, deadboys." Xander is slowly getting over his shock and now like the rest can't wait to hear an explanation.

Everyone makes themselves comfortable around the room. Buffy and the two Angels sit on the sofa, with Buffy in the middle. Angel 2 is absently playing with her fingers as if he can't bear to lose complete contact with her. Angel 1notices but says nothing. They are all waiting for the explanation.

"Well if this is the year 2000, then I am from 5 years or so into the future. I can't tell you why or how though. I don't know." Says Angel 2.

"You obviously were in some kind of fight wherever you were, tell us about that." Says Giles. He just can't get over having the 2 Angels together. Unlike when they had another Willow last year, these are the same man. Just from a different time. Fascinating!

Angel 2 looks at Angel 1 and Buffy. His eyes linger on her face. He catches his breath at being so close to her again.

"At least we can be sure he is our Angel, only from the future. Just look at the way he keeps looking at Buffy. Still with the googly eyes." Cordelia says to the group smiling.

Angel 2 darts a quick look at Angel 1 who gives him a slight grimace.

"Five years and you never changed." says Angel 2 looking at the brunette with a smile.

"Well back to your question, Giles. I was in the middle of a battle. Losing by the way. I was the last one on the side of good still standing. One minute I was facing down a Caldash demon and the next I am here."

"You said we were all dead and that you just lost Spike yesterday. Tell us what happened." Asks Buffy of Angel 2.

"Yeah, what was I doing fighting beside you Peaches. Did I go down fighting? Did I go out in a blaze of glory?" Spike gets into the conversation.

"We had been fighting side by side for weeks. And yes you went out with honour Spike. There was just too many of them. And too few of us. Just you and me left at the end." Angel 2 says sadly.

"I am not going to go into details. We had been fighting this end of day's battle for about 2 months. Everyday I lost someone I cared about. Some of you had already been lost to us before the battle began. Lost in other battles through the years." His hand instinctively tightens on Buffy's. A lone tear trails down his cheek. Turning to Buffy he continues.

 "We …I… lost you 2 years before that my love. In another battle. Before I could get to Sunnydale to help, you were gone. I failed to get there in time. We went on, but things were never the same after that. We lost our heart." He takes her hands in his. "We hadn't seen each other for about 2 years but at least I knew you were here in Sunnydale, alive. And then you were taken from us. From me.  To see you again, to be able to touch you again. It is nearly too much." He leans closer and presses his lips to her forehead, mindful of Angel 1 watching.

Angel 1 looks on. His thoughts are in turmoil. Buffy, dead in a year or so! Not if he had anything to say about it.

"But why were you sent here and why now" Angel 1 asks his former question again as he slips his arm around Buffy's shoulders, pulling her into his embrace. The thought of losing her to death is still fresh in his mind. She turns into his arms giving him a loving squeeze, understanding on her face.

"I told you before. I don't know. But I know I have to go back. I don't belong here. Not now." Angel 2 replies.

"You want to go back to the battle. You will die then." Buffy is horrified at the prospect.

Looking at Buffy in Angel1 arms is a comfort to Angel 2. He gives a slight smile.

"I have to go back Buffy. I know I will die. But I will die on the side of good. I will receive my reward. And then. She is waiting for me. And I have been waiting to join her for so long now. And where else do I belong but by her side. In this life or the next. That is the only reason I didn't walk into the sun the morning after we buried her. I had to keep fighting to protect the people she loved, the people you love. It is the only way I have been able to endure the last 2 years. Knowing that when finally I died in battle we would be reunited. It is the only thing that has made life without her…you…bearable." His eyes reflect the pain of those lonely years.

Buffy throws her arms around Angel 2. She is crying. As he feels her tears on his cold skin he tells her. "Seeing you like this is something I never expected. I never dreamed I would see you again, alive. Never hold you close again.  It is a blessing that I will take with me, back to the battle. To see you all once more before I die. I thank whoever sent me here for this moment." And he holds her close one last time before gently giving her back to the Angel that is really hers. He stands up. He looks at Angel 1.

"Maybe I was sent to tell you what happens. So you can prevent it. Maybe you can change history. I don't know. I don't know why I am here or why now but more importantly. How do I get back to my time? And he looks to Giles and Wesley for answers.

"Well now boyo, they can't give you any of the answers but I can." Says a voice from the stairs. A very familiar voice known to the Angels 1 and 2 and Cordelia

part 20

Everyone turns toward the voice on the stairs. Only Buffy, the Angels and Cordelia recognise him. Before anyone can ask whom the man at the bottom of the stair is, Cordelia with a sob, rushes forward and throws herself into the waiting arms of the Irish man.

"Oh, Princess. Don't cry, don't cry. But if I knew this was me reception I was gonna be getting I would have died sooner." Doyle says to the lovely young woman in his arms. He holds her close as she starts to quieten.

He holds her away from him and with his handkerchief wipes her face.

"Still beautiful even with all the tears." He smiles as he wipes at the last trace of tears.

"I've got a bone to pick with you Mister." And throwing her arms around him again she says, "It is so good to see you."

The 2 Angels walk toward the couple. Cordelia steps back and makes room for Angel 1 and Doyle to hug. "Doyle" says Angel 1. "Angel, me man." Doyle responds and the two men look at each other with bright eyes. Angel 2 says, "It has been too long Doyle, I missed you." And he too embraces the Irish man.

"Cor, there is way to much hugging going round here for my liking. Where the hell did he come from? Stop with the touchy feely stuff and tell us already." says the bleached vampire.

Angel 2 nods to Angel 1 to make the introductions.

"This is Doyle, a friend." Says Angel to the group.

"The guy that died a hero saving you all." Asks Willow.

"Cordy told us about him." Adds Xander.

Doyle looks at Cordelia when they say this and smiles. He reaches out his hand and she puts hers in it. "Thanks Princess."

Doyle looks at them all standing looking at him. His eyes rest on Buffy. He can see the traces of tears on her cheeks and her confusion giving way to anger. " Me thinks I better be talking or I am going to have a very mad slayer pounding on me, hero or not." And he laughs. "Maybe we should all be sitting down."  And he guides Cordy over to a chair and perches on the armrest. Everyone takes their previous seat. Doyle smiles to see Buffy sitting between the two Angels.

"As much as it has been great to see everyone again." And Angel 2 turns and takes Buffy's hand before continuing. "Why am I here Doyle and how can I get back to my time?

"The powers brought you here. It was what Angel said before he was going to walk out the door and turn his back on his lovely slayer, again. They thought they better step in this time." Doyle responds.

"You said you could leave because you knew it was the only way to insure I had a future. So we could all have some kind of future without Angelus coming and taking it away." Buffy reminds Angel.

"So they sent future me to what…tell me when Buffy was going to be killed so I could make sure to get there in time. Is that it Doyle."

"Not exactly man. Tell me, if you save Buffy that time, then what about a week later or a month later or a year later. Are you going to make it in time for those times as well? Or will she die, beaten by some vamp or hell beastie. Sadness can make a girl give up wanting to live, to fight." Says Doyle looking at the slayer and her Angel.

Angel jumps to his feet and storms over to Doyle who is standing as well.

Angel grabs the front of his shirt and hauls him close.

"What Doyle, are you saying it is pointless. That no matter what I do Buffy is going to die. Well that…is…not…going…to…happen. You go and tell the PTB that I gave up my humanity so she could live and I am leaving her for the same reason. What more do they want from me? What have I got left to give? Angel spits out in anger.

part 21

Angel feels a soft hand on his shoulder. "Let him go my love. He is only the messenger. You don't want to hurt him." Buffy gently takes his hands from Doyle's shirt.

"I'm sorry Doyle. I didn't mean…." Says Angel, turning to enfold Buffy into his arms, gaining a little comfort.

"It's okay boyo, sit down there with the little slayer. It is going to be okay. You'll see.

You're missing the whole point about why they sent you back from the future." Doyle sits back down next to Cordelia.

Angel and Buffy sit back down on the sofa. Everyone is silent while the warriors 3 take in his words. While they digest his words and their meaning.

Angel 2 looks over at his old friend. "I made a mess of things, didn't I?" He shares a look with Angel 1. "We made a mess of things. When, when did it all go wrong? Tell us." He asks of Doyle.

Doyle looks sadly at his friends. "Thanksgiving. You made the wrong choice." He says.

Both Angels jump to their feet (I know I know, up down up down.) and glare at Doyle.

"I had no…" they both speak at once. They look at each other and Angel 2 subsides… for now.

Angel 1 continues. "I had no other choice. They said if I remained human she would die. What did they want me to do? Was I just supposed to let Buffy die?

Doyle walks over to Angel. He puts his hand on Angel's shoulder to calm him.

"I know Angel. I was there. I remember that day too now. I know you think you made the only choice available to you.  I keep telling them if they want their warriors to succeed they have to stop with the cryptic and say what needs to be said. They been too long dead. They have forgotten how humans think and feel. That's my job.  To help them understand what makes humans tick. To help them understand you.

The love stuff confuses them. They have forgotten what it is like to feel an all consuming love for another. Like you and the little slayer have. When they put you together they thought they had it all figured out. It was to give you a purpose and put you on the road to redemption and to give the slayer a guardian, a protector. Didn't quite work out as planned. I told them, nothing goes to plan once you add love to the equation."

And saying that he looks down at Cordelia. He touches her face gently. "It could have been something special. Our time ran out, hey Princess." She nods and then he looks at Angel and Buffy and says, "Your time doesn't have to run out. Together you are strong. Apart you are….."

"Dead" both Angels finish his sentence. "That is what the Morhe Demon said." Angel 2 says.

"Yeah, dead. They brought you back from the future to make you see the mistake you are making again." Doyle says to them.

"I have to leave. I can't risk Angelus getting loose again." And Angel 1 turns to Buffy. " Do you think that if there was any other way I would leave her now. The time apart has taught me one thing. If I had the choice I would never leave her side. Never spend one night apart from her." And he reaches out and holds her face gently between his large hands. "You do know that don't you, Buffy. If there was some way to work things out so Angelus is never a threat again. I promise you I will be by your side till I leave this earth. To share your life, it is all I have ever wanted. I love you Buffy. I adore you." And he gently leans forward and kisses her. A sweet loving kiss.

They break apart and Buffy cuddles into him. "It is what I want too and now I really feel you mean it too. I wasn't sure before but now, I can't lose you again Angel. Look what happened when you left before." And she turns to look at Angel 2.

part  22

He has been just sitting there and watching his present self absorb all the Irishman has been telling them. He misses his Buffy and can hardly wait to be with her again, even if he has to die to realise that dream. He is so tired. Tired of going on without her. And looking on while his present self and present Buffy eat each other up with their eyes is making him wish for death to take him right now. He feels a tear slip down his cheek. God, he misses her. Soon my love, he promises the ever  present spirit of his dead love. As soon as I help give us another chance then I will be with you. He wants to change things so that they, us, can have a better future. Please God let there be some way to have a life together. A life he only thought was possible in his dreams.

He reaches out and touches her cheek. "We'll find a way to change the future I have lived through." He drops his hand and turns to Doyle. "Just tell us what needs to be done. How can we fix things? And how do I get back to my time?"

Doyle stands up and looks at the warriors and all their friends. He smiles.

"Well firstly you, Angel." And he looks at Angel 1. "You have to change the way you do things. The Morhe demon said together you were strong. If you had told Buffy about going to the oracles at thanksgiving maybe you would have both worked out what to ask for."

"Yeah Peaches, you should have just asked for your strength back. That way you and the slayer could still be at it like bunnies. What! Don't tell me they didn't spend that day in bed doing what they couldn't do because of me buddy Angelus. I knew it. Look at the slayer's red face." And he laughs breaking the tension in the room. The others smile along, knowing that Spike is probably right.

"I could have just asked for that. To keep my strength and healing abilities and they would have granted it." Angel 1 can't keep the shock from his voice.

"I told you. They don't know about the love stuff and they think it is beneath them to volunteer information. Trying to break them of that bad trait. You have to remember that to them you need to be together because you are their warriors. They don't care that you can't be together because of a curse. Well they didn't, but now they see that if they want you together they have to step in. With you apart, the world's future is grim. Tell them" and he turns to Angel 2.

Angel 2 looks at Buffy and Angel. "He's right. Because of the chain of events that started from when Buffy died, we were being overrun by demons. There was no hope left. There were no warriors left. It was very bad. But how are they going to remove the curse when Willow and Tara found out that to tamper with it will bring Angelus back."

Doyle gives Angel 1 a long look.              

Looking from Doyle to Buffy and back to Doyle, Angel 1 says, "I get it, no more secrets. If they fix this, no more solo decision  making. She remembers our lost day, did they do that."

"Yeah they tampered with the magic of the witches just a little." Doyle responds.

"Oh, what did they do." Asks Willow.

"The spell you used allowed Buffy to see what Angel was thinking in his mind. So while she was seeing the lost day unfold they made it possible for her to feel, to truly remember that day. It was there first step in fixing things." Doyle says.

"Did you ask them to give Buffy her memories back." Asks Angel 1 of him.

"Well I knew how much it meant to you, so I might have dropped a hint or two." Doyle says with a smile.
He is rewarded by a full smile from the slayer. "Thank-you Doyle." She says softly holding a hand of each of her Angels.

part 23

"So what's next? Are you going to wave a wand and send one of them back to the future and hey presto the curse is no more." Asks Xander.

"And then Angel and Buffy can have lots of orgasms, Xander gives me lots of…." Her voice is muffled by Xander's hand.

"Sweetie, I thought we had an understanding about the O word. Only in private, remember." Says an embarrassed Xander to his girlfriend.

Everyone just shakes their heads. They are all used to Anya by now.

"Oh please, no visuals needed about any of that." Says a disgusted Cordelia. Though it does cause her to look at Xander a little differently.

"Children, if you don't mind I want to hear what Mr Doyle has to say. Lets keep focused." Reprimands Giles. He shares a look and a slight smile with Wesley. They have to pretend to be the adults here at least.

"Before I talk about Angel and Buffy there are other things to go through. Things that concern the rest of you." And Doyle looks around the room at all the young people here. So much to place on their young shoulders but he knows that they will rise to the occasion as they have done numerous times before.

"Well that lets me out. You all have a nice visit while I go get some weeties." Says Spike going to stand up. Doyle's next words stop him in his tracks.

"How is that chip, Spike?  Having any trouble with it lately? Doyle asks him with a secretive smile on his lips.

"What are you talking a…..bleedin  hell…they done something to it didn't they. That is why I've been…." And Spike stops in mid sentence glaring at Doyle and cursing under his breath.

Doyle just laughs. "Has the big bad been having some fuzzy feelings lately? Anything you want to talk about." He says to the increasingly angrier vampire.

The others look on confused. All accept Angel 2. He is also smiling at the blonde vampire.

"What do you know ya big Pansy? Don't even think about hugging me." Spike is at the end of his tether. "Tell me." He asks of Doyle.

"While the chip stops you hurting humans, it doesn't change the way you feel about them. You would still like to eat them wouldn't you Spike, if you could do it without getting a headache.

"Yeah, just get on with it." Says an impatient Spike.

"Well when the time comes we are going to need all the warriors we can assemble for the last fight. We are going to need you Spike." Doyle continues.

"Damn, they didn't give me a soul did they, like Peaches?" Spike really wishes he could pummel something.

"Not exactly. I really don't know how to explain it other than to say. They opened up the possibility for you to care about humans. They want you to help because you want to. They don't want you brooding like Angel, so not a soul exactly. You are not a human but you are no longer just a demon either. So get used to it Spike. You are on our side now. The side of good." Finishes Doyle.

"Well I don't have to bloody well like it do I?" grumbles Spike as he stomps off to the kitchen. Human feelings, they gave him human feelings. I need some blood. I need my weeties. At least now he understood why he had been having them fuzzie feelings lately.

Eat first, worry later. And he gets himself something to eat.

Everyone by now is smiling at this latest development.

"Oh boy, the possibilities for fun are endless now." Says Xander, envisioning all the ways he can torment Spike.

"What about all of us?" Asks Tara. "Where do we fit into this?"

Doyle looks at them all. Buffy is sitting between Angel and Angel. Each of them is holding one of the slayer's hands. They seem content just to be touching. Doyle reaches for Cordelia's hand. Now this is something he has missed. Having this time with his Princess. He brings her hand to his lips and feathers it with a soft kiss. He keeps a hold of her hand while addressing the occupants of the room.

Part 24

"You are all going to play your parts in the final battle as well. If you all stick together and rely on each other you will grow into fine young warriors. Not the same as Buffy and me boy Angel but strong enough at the end. But the road ahead is hard and there will be many difficulties. Buffy and Angel don't have a choice but you all do. And today is the day to decide where you want to be." He asks the question of them all.

"I told Buffy last year that I want to fight evil too. I can't just sit back now that I know what is out there. So count me in. Tara…"  and Willow looks at the other witch, making her name a question.

"I am in for the duration no matter what happens." Says Tara with a sad smile at Willow.

"Well, everyone has to eat pizza and donuts while we fight so I am in. Have to stay with my  bestest  buds, now don't I?" Says Xander, sharing a smile with Buffy and Willow. He squeezes Anya's hand hoping she will decide to stay. He feels mighty attached to this girl.

"If Xander is staying, well I am staying. He is teaching me how to eat Pizza and drink coke and belch. Part of me wants to run away but I want him to teach me lots of things, so count me in." says Anya with a smile at her boyfriend.

"There is no question but that Wesley" and he receives a nod from said man. "and I will be fighting along side Buffy and Angel. We took a vow and we will fight evil till our last breath." Adds Giles.

"Well I can still do acting jobs in between fighting evil so yeah I am staying. Can't let you all have fun without me." Finally this from Cordelia.

The two Angels and Buffy look at all their friends with pride and happiness. Together is sounding better and better all the time. With friends like this by their side then they know they will be victorious.

"I…thank-you, all of you. I can't tell you what that means to me. To us." Says Buffy sharing a look with them all and then finally turning to Angel1. "Now maybe we will find out how our little problem is going to be solved." And they share a smile full of hope.

Everyone is feeling happy for the first time in awhile. Everyone but Angel 2. Buffy feels him slowly withdraw from them all. She looks at him and sees the unhappiness in his eyes. Letting go of her Angel she turns to face Angel 2.

She goes to reach out to him but he flinches from her touch. He stands up and walks to the other side of the room, away from them all. He looks so alone just standing there. Alone and bereft. Buffy goes to stand up but the touch of a hand on her arm stops her. She turns to Angel 1. "I have to…." She starts to say but Angel interrupts her with,  "No, let me Buffy. I think he…I…we need to talk to each other." And placing a quick kiss on her lips walks over to Angel 2.

Buffy stays seated, her eyes never leaving the man she loves. They really are one and the same. She feels a soft caress, like a summer breeze running over her arm. As if someone had just touched her, comforting her and questioning at the same time. And suddenly she knows just where the touch came from.

"Soon," she whispers. "He is coming home to you very soon. I promise." And Buffy smiles, knowing true peace for the first time in a long time. She also knows that his Buffy is close by waiting, waiting for their reunion. Maybe, just maybe we will both have our dreams fulfilled. She sits back and waits.

The others watched as Angel 2 walked off by himself to be joined a moment later by Angel 1. It sure was strange seeing them like this. But then this had turned out to be a very strange day indeed. All were lost in their own thoughts.

Willow reached over to take Tara's hand. She had not been as unaware as Tara thought. She had noticed that something was wrong. Tara was a little sad. Have to ask about that later. Willow was happy.

Buffy was going to finally be with Angel if Doyle was to be believed and looking at the trusting way Cordelia was resting against him, she will go with believing in a happy ever after for her friends.

And looking at Xander and Anya, well, even though Anya was a little strange to this human thing, she was okay. I think she really cares for Xander and he seems to be very happy with that.

She was happy. Well okay if she was honest with herself she did still miss Oz. Sometimes it was like the pain was still fresh. She prayed that wherever he was he was okay. Being with Tara, though it was great, never made her totally forget her other love. Some things just aren't meant to be. She had a good life. No sense in dwelling in the past. She looks at Tara and leans over and kisses her on the cheek. They share a tender smile.

"Your not staying are you" Cordelia asks Doyle as they enjoy this unexpected closeness.

"No, Princess, I can't stay. I've got another job now. I have to go back. They could have sent someone else but I wanted to come. I should have thought. I don't want to hurt you." He answers.

"No, no, I am glad you came, even for a little while. At least we get to say a proper good-bye. I miss you Doyle. I didn't realise how much till you were gone.  I am sorry I gave you such a hard time before… forgive me?" She rests her face on his chest. A tear escapes to run down her cheek.

"Always Princess. Cordelia, I want you to remember something." And he lifts her face so she is looking at him. "Always know that you are in my heart to stay. And I will always be watching over you. And when you feel a light breeze caress your cheek like fingertips, think of me. It is my way of saying, Hello Sweetheart. But think of me and smile because that is how I will always think of you." And he closes the distance between them and regardless of the audience, kisses her the way he always wanted to. And she kisses him back. His heart rejoices and weeps at the same time. There never is enough time. Never.

Xander holds Anya close and gives her a quick kiss. He smiles at her and things feel good, at long last. He has grown up a lot in the last couple of years. And he likes where he is and the person he is with. "When can we go home and have…." and she mouths the O word. Xander gives her a smile and pulls her close. She is never going to change. Thank God.

Go to Part 25