Title: Special
Author: Trinity Day
Email: trinityday@hotmail.com
Author's Note: This was written long before Grad Day (aka Season 3 finale) and it contains my version of how I thought things should turn out. Of course, it was nothing like what actually did happen, so this is now is an alternate universe. Character death and tear jerker ahead.

It was beautiful night, the sky perfectly clear and the moon full. There were a million stars twinkling in the sky. The weather was the complete opposite of what Angel might have expected, considering his mood and his mission. But then, the weather had never listened to him before, why would it do it now?

He was visiting a grave. He had done that a thousand times before, usually waiting for a newly risen vampire to come out. That wasn't his purpose tonight. Tonight he was saying goodbye to a friend, to a lover.


Buffy Summers
1981-1999


There's no need to argue anymore.
I gave all I could, but it left me so sore.
And the thing that makes me mad
Is the one thing that I had.
I knew, I knew I'd lose you.
You'll always be special to me, special to me, to me.


"Well, Buffy, you managed to save the world after all. You always did. You would be scared, and try and quit, but whenever it came down to yourself or the world, you'd always choose the world. You were the only one who could. You could never just be a normal girl like you wanted to. You were the Slayer.

"I'm sorry about what happened that night. I wish I could have told you this in person. Faith came through, just like you said she would. I'm sorry I ever doubted you. I can't help but think that things may have gone differently if had I listened. Maybe you would still be alive.

"She died too. But I suppose you know that. She sacrificed herself to save the world, just like you did. After you died, it looked like the mayor was going to win. But Faith stopped him, just in time. He killed her, but not before she managed to mortally wound him. But she would have never been able to do this if you hadn't weakened him first. You stopped the ascension. You saved the world. Again.

"The new slayer has come to Sunnydale. I've been helping her. I've become cryptic guy once again. She's very young and inexperienced. She has none of your strength. Mental strength, I mean. She's very strong physically, of course, all slayers are. But she lacks your fire. She won't survive as long as you have. But then few slayers do.


And I remember all the things we once shared.
Watching TV movies on the living room armchair.
But they say it will work out fine.
Was it all a waste of time?
'Cause I knew, I knew I'd lose you.
You'll always be special to me, special to me, to me.


"You were amazing. You were funny, intelligent, smart, beautiful, I could go on and on. I miss you. A lot. I always knew I'd lose you. You were a slayer and I was a vampire. It was more than the star-cross lover thing that came between us. I can live forever, but you . . . Well, let's just say very few slayers even live to see their 18th birthday. It was very likely I would outlive you. I just never thought it would be so soon. I wish I had more time with you.

"I said once that you'll always be my girl. It's true. Even now that you're dead, I'll always love you. I'll love you till the end of time. There will never be someone how could possibly take your place in my heart. You'll always be special to me."


Will I forget in time, ah.
You said I was on your mind.
There's no need to argue,
No need to argue anymore.
There's no need to argue anymore.
Ooooh....


Angel dropped a single red rose onto of the grave. There were many others, some fairly fresh, others old and dry. This had been a nightly ritual for him for months. He had visited her grave everyday since the night she died. He turned and walked away.

Nearby he heard the familiar sounds of a fight and rushed over. The new slayer was being attacked by several vampires, and losing. Angel gave her a hand, and they were able to kill them all.

Afterwards she turned to him and smiled. "Thanks," she said. "Why were you here?"

"I was visiting someone," he said.

"Your family?" she asked. She didn't yet know he was a vampire. He had told her the same story he'd once told Buffy, about a vampire killing his family.

Angel started to shake his head to tell her that no, it was just a friend when he suddenly stopped. "Yes," he said slowly. "Yes."

Special