~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Angel entered the
cemetary and followed the familiar path, walking to the place where he
had spent nearly every night of the past month. Had it only been a month
since he'd lost her? Time seemed to move in slow motion ever since her
death. Angel knelt down next to the fresh grave. She was the only person
he'd ever truly considered a friend, and her death had nearly destroyed
him. Angel had never felt such lonliness and despair in his life. After
his silent greeting, he reached for the tombstone and gently traced the
inscription----Willow Rosenberg....an Angel's guardian.
Oh, we never know
where life will take us
I know its just
a ride on the wheel.
And we never
know when death will shake us
And we wonder
how it will feel.
Willow had always
been there for him. She had risked her own life to perform the ritual to
give him back his soul. She was the one who stayed with him after he came
back, and convinced him not to let guilt destroy his life. Willow made
him want to live again....to try to make amends, once again, for the actions
of Angelus. She had been the one constant in his life----never judging,
always defending. Her loyalty had never wavered.
So goodbye, my
friend I know I'll never see you again.
But the time
together through all the years
Will take away
these tears.
It's okay now.....Goodbye,
my friend.
Angel laid the single
yellow rose on the grave. The symbol of friendship. <How will I go on
alone? For what reason? Without you, I have nothing.> Willow had been the
one bright spot in his life. She had even taught him to laugh again. After
all the horror he had witnessed, and inflicted, he never thought he'd experience
happiness again. But Willow became his link to a happier existence, teaching
him to enjoy the world around him <God, how I miss her!>
I see a lot of
things that make me crazy
And I guess I
held onto you.
You could have
run away and left, well maybe
But it wasn't
time, we both knew.
They shared a love
that few people ever understood. It wasn't a love like he had felt for
Buffy, it was so much more. Theirs wasn't a physical love, it was a spiritual
love. He and Willow had been soulmates. She had been by his side no matter
what happened. And together they were able to conquer whatever the Hellmouth
threw at them. Willow was his friend, his confidant, his companion, his
other half. <How do I say goodbye to a part of myself?>
So goodbye, my
friend
I know I'll never
see you again
But the love
you gave me through all the years
Will take away
these tears.
I'm okay now....Goodbye,
my friend.
Memories of Willow
flashed through his mind. Willow searching the internet; Willow laughing;
Willow listening to his problems; and Willow offering him his most treasured
possession....her friendship. Other things came to mind, little things
that had never seemed very important before, but now held new meaning.
The color had left his world the day Willow died and she took a huge part
of himself with her.......not just his heart, but his soul as well.
Life so fragile
and love so pure
We can't hold
on but we try
We watch how
quickly it disappears
And we never
know why;
But I'm okay
now.....Goodbye, my friend.
"I'm so tired, Willow. You were my strength, but now you're gone." Angel leaned his head against the headstone.
"I just want this unholy existence to end! How many more decades....centuries must I suffer for my sins?" Angel screamed to the Heavens.
Angel stood, noticing for the first time the tears that were falling down his cheeks. As he began walking away, a voice called to him.
"Angel."
<It can't be.> Slowly Angel turned, and then backed up in shock.
"Willow?"
Standing there surrounded by a brilliant light, was Willow, reaching her arms out toward him.
Walking on unsteady legs, Angel approached the apparition.
"Is it really you?" Angel questioned, tentatively touching her cheek.
"It's really me. You didn't think I'd leave you, did you?" Willow asked, tears forming in her eyes.
"But how? Why?"
"It's over, Angel."
"Over?" Angel asked in confusion.
"It's finally time to rest. Come with me."
Angel didn't hesitate, he trusted Willow implicitly. She held his hands tightly in her own.
"We're both free
now, Angel. Nothing can hurt us anymore." Willow smiled at Angel. It was
the most beautiful sight he'd ever seen. A sight he thought he'd never
see again. Together they walked into the light and disappeared. Friends
reunited forever.
You can go now.
Goodbye, my friend.
Willow's belief in his goodness and her unwavering friendship had not only restored Angel's soul....it had released him from his vampiric prison on Earth. Their souls could now rest in peace.
The End