Fic Type: Stupidity
Disclaimers: They belong to Joss, the song, 'Invisible Man', belongs to 98 Degrees. Can you tell this is the *only* CD I own?

You can hardly wait to tell all your friends
How his kisses taste sweet like wine
And how he always makes your heart skip a beat
Every time he walks by
And if you're feeling down
He'll pick you up
Hold you close when you're making love
He's everything you've been dreaming of
Oh baby-

Angel watched through the trees, unsure of what to make of the scene in front of him. It was Buffy. And she was kissing another man. From his vantage point, the vampire could only see the mans' back. He was tall, maybe an inch shorter than Angel himself. Both Buffy and the mystery guy looked content just standing and kissing.

I wish you'd look at me that way
Your beautiful eyes looking deep into mine
Telling me more than any words could say
But you don't even know I'm alive
Baby, to you all I am
Is the invisible man

He sighed, he'd wanted Buffy to move on, to go out with a normal guy. To have a real life. Standing there, watching, it hurt. But if she had moved on, she deserved it. Deserved something more than he could give her.

Climbing down from the tree he was in, Angel decided to follow them as they moved off. At least he could still watch her, even if he could no longer be with her.

Angel followed them to a fountain located somewhere in the park. He saw the way Buffy lit up when the man took a long box out of his pocket. Inside was a beautiful necklace, a diamond hanging from its end.

He couldn't stand it, *he* was the only one that made Buffy smile like that. Why was she doing this?

You probably spend hours on the phone
Talking 'bout nothin' at all
Doesn't matter what the conversation
Just as long as he calls
Lost in a love so real
And so-
(Loud record screetch)

Angel ran at the man in full vamp-face. He was tired of this, of Buffy just accepting it. She had been there during their day, he *knew* she remembered. Seeing them kissing, it broke whatever control he had. The man turned and yelled, his shaggy hair falling in his face. Angel grabbed him by his collar, then threw him against the fountain. Bright yellow blood spilled out, staining the statues around it.

Angel turned to Buffy with a worried look. She looked dazed, like she was finally coming out of a trance. He held her against him, offering support.

Then, she was grabbed away from him. Pulled back by yellow, scaly claws. It was the man, only his mask had been dissolved by the water. Now Angel could see what this guy was. He was bright yellow, scales covered almost all of his body. No nose, no hair, but a finny-flap of skin that still got in his face.

He had Buffy in a headlock, holding her there. "She's mine..." He hissed out.

Angel growled, and, faster then the walking fish could react, he snatched Buffy away. Then, pulling out a long blade, the vampire slit the other demons' throat.

"Really now, it's not polite to say you own a lady."

Turning back to his beloved, Angel tried his best to show sympathy. Though really, he had none. When he saw the tears that threatened down Buffys' face, he was at her side immediately. "Buffy?"

She looked up, then hugged him tightly. "Oh God, Angel. I missed you do much! Please don't ever leave me again!"

Returning the hug, he brought her chin up, "I won't, not ever again." She pulled away, holding her head. "Buffy? Are you okay?"

"Oh God, oh God, oh God, oh God..."

"Buffy?" When she looked back up, he knew right then. She remembered. The tears flowed freely, because now, she knew how close they'd come.

"Angel, just hold me." He complied. She buried her head in his chest, taking comfort in his nearness.

**

She *did* find out. Love does prevail. So, do you now see why he derives happiness? All that he has sacrificed?

We cannot make him human, you saw his weakness when we did.

Ah, but we cannot leave him vampire, either.

What do you suggest?

***

*Thump thump, thump thump* Her eyes shot open. What the-? Laying her head back down, she heard it again. A heartbeat. "Angel?"

"Yes, love?"

Taking his hand, she brought it against his heart. "That."

He looked even more surprised than she had. But then he noticed something. He wasn't breathing. A heartbeat, but no breath. Now he was confused. Then it hit him. The Oracles. As a human he was weak, as a vampire he was their warrior. But something inbetween... that was a different story.

"*That* is my gift from the Oracles."

They walked off together, leaving the broken necklace and the decapitated fish-body behind.

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