Author's note: I don't own Buffy the Vampire Slayer or its characters. Please don't sue me.
Graduation Day
And then she saw him standing in the mist. He turned and began to walk away. And Buffy's heart made a decision. She was no longer frozen in place.
Her arms wrapped around Angel, "Don't go Angel, please."
"Buffy, we both know this is for the best," his voice was full of pain, but he held her tightly.
She just held him tighter burying her head in his chest. A moment passed. Then another.
"I can hear your heart beat," Buffy's voice was soft and puzzled.
"What?"
"Your heart is beating."
He took a breath, and air filled his lungs for the first time in centuries.
"Okay, now I'm really confused."
He just stared at her in shock.
"I suppose you'd like an explanation."
They turned to see a young woman in a paramedic's uniform. She had short blond hair and bright blue eyes that twinkled as she smiled at them.
"I'm sorry this took so long, but it took us forever to get permission."
"Dana, they have no clue what you're talking about."
A young man with brown hair in a fireman's uniform joined them.
"I'm Carter by the way. You see a group of us have been lobbying the Powers That Be to restore Angel's life but allow him to retain his vampiric strength, senses, and healing abilities."
"But what exactly are you?" Angel asked.
The two shared glances then Dana said, "We're what you'd call angels I guess. That's the closest description of what we are anyway."
"And Angel's alive?" Buffy asked.
"Yes," Carter replied. "But as I said before, he still has his vampiric abilities, so he can help you battle evil."
"And the curse is gone?"
"Yes, his soul is staying right where it is."
Buffy"s smile was blinding. There was a flash of lightning.
"It looks like we'd better get back," Carter told Dana.
"Do we have to?" He gave her the look. "Oh all right."
"Thank you," Buffy said.
"Yes, this is an amazing gift," Angel managed to say.
"It was no problem," Dana told them. "I'm glad we got to be the ones to tell you."
Carter took her hand, and in another flash of lightning, the were gone.
Buffy turned back to Angel, "Now what were you saying about leaving?"
"I can't imagine why I ever would."
Owari (the end)
