Title: When all is said and done

By: coffeeadictinlove

For: Buffy the vampire slayer

Disclaimer: I don't own anything and any infringement on the copyright is unintentional.

Summary: Four years after leaving Sunnydale, Buffy is 26 years old and living in Europe. Her life is finally going great and pain free when in walks Angel. He has fought all his battles and now he and Buffy can finally be together. The question is, How much changes from when you're 17, and in love for the first time? Can Buffy allow herself to love Angel again, or has she outgrown him?

Chapter One – Can it really be over? (Angel's POV)

I never thought it would end like this, somehow, I never thought it would end at all. The battles never seemed to cease and the rewards grew fewer. I knew I had signed away my final redemption in pursuit of a better world. It all seemed so hopeless and yet I kept right on fighting, side by side with those who didn't die. Now that I am free, it does not seem real. I have emerged on the other side and all that exists is the sun and hopefully, a happier future. Stepping out into the sun makes me remember the few times over the past seven years I was human. Now I don't have to rememeber because I basically am now. I am the sole survivor of this nightmare, it makes this bitter sweet. I know they would all be happy for me, but they aren't here and I carry the weight of their deaths on my shoulders every second. I didn't escape from the horror of Wolfram and Hart unscathed. I am the only one that can appreciate this sunrise. In so many ways, it is my first. A voice from behind me startled me out of my reverie. It was Cordy. She looked better than ever, who knew that being dead could agree with people?

" Hi, " She paused as if deliberating, but then she dawned on her signature "Cordy" smile and ran towards me, her arms outstretched, " Come here you big softy, you! " She giggled as she ran headlong into me, " I am so proud of you. " She looked into my eyes as she said this and I knew that she, more than anyone I would ever meet, knew what this all had taken. She knew every struggle I had ever overcome, being a higher entity and all. She was here to tell me something, that much was for sure, but I didn't think about that. I would always be happy to see Cordy, her death had pained me more than all the other's, maybe even Buffy's. I thanked the powers that be for sending her to me, even though she can only stay for so long.

" Angel, I'm here for the PTB's, I think you already figured out you're HUMAN! " she said with an ultra grin, " but there's something else, you're free, at least until you decide otherwise. Angel, I've been sent here to tell you that you have fought long enough and you can now do whatever you want with the rest of your life. You will maintain some of you're vampire abilities, mostly just a few things left over, faster healing, heightened strength and you'll probably be an atheist because trust me you're gonna want to stay away from church's. But, this is it Angel, your big day! "

I smiled and looked appropriately shocked when she told me about the left over powers, I didn't want them, but I guess it couldn't be helped. I could do WHATEVER I wanted, this was an entirely foreign concept to me and I planned on enjoying it. The only thing that would have made this all complete was if Cordy could really be here with me… and all the otehrs…even spike…Connor. Even as I was thinking, my elated thoughts, I could see her disappearing, she caught my eye before she completely vanished and I heard the last trails of a whispered: I love you. Then she was gone. I sighed, and, as if she was still standing there, I said:

"I love you too. "

I turned back to my sunrise, and didn't move all day. It was a perfect day and already, ideas for the future were whirring inside my head, simply waiting to unfold.

Buffy POV

I had been at Giles' castle for a few weeks now. He had said he needed me to help with one of the slayer's in training. Giles calls me from time to time about girls like Annette. He thinks they need a firm hand and someone to fight out their problems with. I find that these particular girls often show the most promise. I have several of Giles' " favorites" working with me on my current cases. Annette had come from a particularly difficult situation at home. She discovered her power when she accidentally killed her alcoholic father, she had hit him too hard with a cast iron pan. This leaves a fair amount of scarring so she had some problems when she arrived at the castle to stay with Giles and his group of slayers. The psychologists and witches that Giles employed told him she was too independent and traumatized to be trained. Of course Giles had been determined to prove everyone wrong so he had done all the things he had done for me and she was all the better for it. When I first met Annette she had been in doubt that this was really her calling. She told me that being a chosen one was pure bull. So, I took her to a magical creature that lived as a monk high in the Himalayan mountains. He showed her parts of my life that demonstrated just how destined my life had been. After that, she started to believe me, so I began to train her her myself. It felt finished now, so here I am, sitting on the large stone patio that overlooks the extensive grounds, watching the slayers go through their evening training in the chilly dusk air. It's peaceful and magical here but I have to get back to Italy. Dawn was waiting for me, I have cases that need me, and young problematic slayers of my own, among others..things. I got up and walked back to the castle. I found my way easily through the numerous hallways and staircases of this ridiculously huge house/castle to Giles' office. I walked in without knocking, some things like that never change with me.

" Giles, I have to leave tonight."

I announced, finding him with my eyes, he looked up from his papers and took off his glasses.

" Are you sure that that is particularly wise Buffy? I believe that Annette is still quite fragile and could benefit from your instruction for a while longer."

" Giles, Annette doesn't need me, and neither do you. I have a life to get back to and she'll be fine, she'll find something that will make her crazy and she'll get over it or something. You know better than anyone that I have people counting on me, and bad things that need to be killed!"

Giles sighed in defeat. I think it's sweet that he wants me here. I've missed him, but I'm telling him the truth, I have other to do things and he knows it, as well as I do that Annette will be okay.

"Alright then Buffy, but you should know that it has been wonderful to have you here."

I smiled and turned to leave, but I remembered my manners, looking back over my shoulder, I told him:

" Say goodbye to the girls for me and tell Annette she can contact me whenever she wants."

" Okay."

Giles replied in a voice barely above a whisper. Once upon a time I would have taken more care to plan my exit from this place, but I've changed, I no longer care for sentimentality the way I used to. I walked out of the office, thinking about all the things that had made me crazy, like Angel. I wonder if Annette will have someone like that. Of course she will! How dumb am I? Real love is apparently common, or so I am told. I wondered where he is right now, where is my Angel? Is he safe? Is he alright?

A/N: I know I didn't explain much, like how Angel got his reward if he signed away his redemption, but I will explain. This chapter was just meant to show where Angel and Buffy are in their respective lives. Could be a one shot but I feel an epic coming on… YAY!