Summary: What if Angel changed his mind about leaving after the high school exploded. And it was Buffy who stopped him.

(Please Don't Sue. These Aren't My Characters.)

Chapter 1: No Goodbyes

Buffy held her tears in as she saw Angel for the last time. Smoke floated under his feet. He looked at Buffy with his eyes connected to hers. Buffy nodded understanding how he wanted her to have a normal life. Angel turned around and started walking away as the smoke began to get thick and he couldn't be seen anymore. She looked down at her diploma. Was it she really wanted, going to college and becoming a mature, intelligent woman or be with her lover she's loved forever even when he was in hell? Giles walked up to her and laid his hand on her shoulder.

"Buffy, you alright?"

She turned to look at him. "I don't know, I mean yeah I finally graduated from high school and got my diploma, but I lost Angel."

He walked in front of her looking at her. "It's hard when you lose someone you love, but Buffy, this is your chose, you can go to college or be with the love of your life."

She looked at Giles then looked down. She started thinking about Angel. Everything they have been through, he was there with her when she was struggling, upset, even getting a bad grade on a test, he would do anything he could to comfort her. A tear streamed down Buffy's face.

Xander, Willow, Oz and Cordelia came over to Buffy and Giles. "Can you believe high school is finally over? I'm a free man!" Xander yelled.

"Yeah, now when you get home you are gonna be back in your parents' house in the basement watching 'Planet of the Apes' over and over again." Cordelia said sarcastically.

Xander looked over at Cordelia. "No body was talking to you." Cordelia rolled her eyes.

Willow walked over to Buffy who kept her eyes on the pavement. "Buffy, aren't you happy? No more teachers, homework-" "Don't forget Snyder." Oz exclaimed.

Buffy looked up at them. "Yeah of course, no Snyder." She looked at her hand which still had the ring Angel gave to her. She looked up at Giles. "I love him. I love Angel."

"Dead boy?" Xander questioned. Willow slapped him in the back of the head. "Oww."

Buffy nodded and started running in the direction Angel left. Her diploma flew from her hands and landed at Giles' feet. He picked it up and held it in his hands. "Go get him Buffy." He whispered to himself.