Disclaimer: Joss Whedon owns everything except the title and lyrics coz they belong to Madonna and Babyface
Rating: PG
Spoilers: 4 BtVS/A-TS
Thanx: DB/SMG; all my fellow B/A shippers
Author's Notes: I hope you'll go with this – the idea just came to me. I am NOT a Finnatic (just to clear that up) I just thought that this kinda suited the moment… Read it with an open mind and see what I mean!
Author's Notes 2: Trauma much! – my Beta Reader has just told me that she saw Riley with Buffy, thinks that they make a cute couple and that he is better looking than Angel!!! I knew she was a Finnatic but really! To make it worse (could it get any worse???)… she thinks Angel and Kate have 'chemistry' – I am so glad Kate is not a love interest ~ now I just have to worry about Jheira and her state of near undress .I NEED FLUFF I NEED FLUFF I NEED FLUFF I NEED FLUFF – quick, get me to Land of Denial, this is SO not happening to me!!! Lyrics in Italics

'Take a bow, the night is over
This masquerade is getting older
Lights are low, the curtain's down
There's no one here
(There's no one here, there's no one in the crowd)
Say your lines but do you feel them
Do you mean what you say when there's no one around (no one around)
Watching you, watching me, one lonely star
(One lonely star you don't know who you are)'

I don't know for definite when I finally realised. Maybe it was last night. The clues had been there; the cross and ring you always wear, the book of poetry I've caught you reading with tears streaming down your face, the photo you use as a bookmark. I guess I chose to ignore what is now painfully obvious – you are still in love with him.

'Make them laugh, it comes so easy
When you get to the part where you're breaking my heart (breaking my heart)
Hide behind your smile, all the world loves a clown
(Just make 'em smile the whole world loves a clown)
Wish you well, I cannot stay
You deserve an award for the role that you played (role that you played)
No more masquerade, you're one lonely star
(One lonely star you don't know who you are)

I can't do this anymore. It's not fair on either of us. I know you want to be with him. You try so hard and your performance is faultless, but I know your heart isn't in it. There is no passion in your kiss, your touch is restrained and when we make love your eyes tell me that you are somewhere else with someone else. With him.

Last night, when Giles told you that Angel had called him well, I saw more passion in those few seconds before you remembered yourself than I have in our whole time together. he is the one who fires you. I know now that I cannot do that.

'All the world is a stage (world is a stage)
And everyone has their part (has their part)
But how was I to know which way the story'd go
How was I to know you'd break
(You'd break, you'd break, you'd break)
You'd break my heart'

I'm letting you go. What Giles told you last night has changed things; it seems that you and Angel can be together. I know it's what you want. And I want you to be happy.

Now it's my turn to wear the mask. I would never trade our time together even though I know you were never really mine. No regrets and no recriminations. Go to him my love and be happy.

'The show is over, say goodbye'

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