Title: Wishing the Moon

Author: Beloved Slayer

TV Show: Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Rating: T

Summary: Buffy discovers that marriage is not what it appears to be and soon, she and Angel must face the challenges that come with divorce. Will they be able to repair a broken bond?

Author's Note: This is a direct sequel to my previous story, Under the Moon. This will be a three chapter story, but each won't be long. This chapter might leave a few questions that needs to be answered, but within the next two chapters, it will. Enjoy guys.

Five years later…

She seals the lid of the cardboard box shut with a strip of duct tape, her legs splayed across the floor without notice. The uneven box was filled to the brim with the last of her belongings; photos, jewelry, and other various mementos; reminders of a journey that was on the verge of dissolving.

For the first time in years, she didn't feel happiness nor relief that was typically expected from filing for separation. Instead, she felt as if someone had torn her heart and heaved it aside with disdain. The single thought that currently whirled in her mind was to reach for the covers and sleep until nightfall. But she knew that doing so would not make the ache in her chest lessen.

The reason for their separation was entirely different than what was normally used in those unfortunate circumstances.

It was gnawing at her, but she knew that there was no going back for either of them. Just the necessary courage to take the first step forward was what was needed.

But nothing came without a risk.

"Did you put the rest of the things in the car?" came Angel's emotionless voice. He leaned against the egg white door frame, arms folding across his chest in a closed off manner.

His facial expression was sullen.

"Don't you have anything else to say besides that? How about mustering up an 'I'm sorry' at least?" Buffy snapped, bare feet sweeping against the hardwood floors. No longer did her eyes held the carefree, youthful expression that had once dominated her features.

Throughout the years, those hazel eyes had hardened, marred with traces of crow's feet and wrinkles as a result of the stresses and burdens they had endured.

Angel bristled. "I know this isn't easy…"

Buffy scoffed. "How could you even say that? If you hadn't done…what you did, this wouldn't be happening at all. We would still be together, but you decided to take the alternate route and reverse it. Why the hell did you do this?" At these words, Buffy toppled the treasured claddagh ring across the room, narrowly missing Angel by a mere inch.

His expression transformed into infinite sadness, but she wasn't going to give in.

"Because I can't continue to live like this. Not when it comes at a price that I'm still not willing to pay for. I can't do it."

And that was the sole answer he provided for her. But it wasn't enough.

For Buffy, the ability to fathom that his decision would be enough to tear them apart for the second time in their lives was incomprehensible.

How wrong she turned out to be.

Hearing his words, her heart lurched at the realization that they were nearing the end of their journey.

Silently, for her, she was more than willing to fight to protect what was hers.

For what she was about to lose would be more than unbearable.