Though Buffy didn't want to believe Angel, he was right.

Dawn shouldn't grow up alone. She needed a sister. Willow and Xander had been her friends before they really knew about her being the Slayer, and Giles had been more of a father to her than Hank Summers had.

They needed Buffy. The Slayer was just something nice to have on the side.

She wished Angel could stay, but he had made it clear that he couldn't. It was for the best anyway, because though she was getting to be mentally stable, she was an emotional wreck and couldn't trust herself around Angel at the moment.

She didn't feel completely alive and wanted to desperately. Buffy knew also that Angel didn't feel alive – though mostly because he wasn't alive – and he wanted to feel as well. Not only that, but if they gave in to what they wanted, Buffy would be even more of a wreck because Angel would lose his soul and go off on another killing rampage.

By the time the sun set again, Angel was sure that his Slayer was going to be fine as long as she took it easy. He took that as his cue to leave.

Buffy stood with Angel out on the porch of her house, arms crossed tightly across her chest. "So, I guess this is goodbye?"

"I wouldn't say goodbye." Angel shook his head as he looked down to the petite blonde. "It sounds too final."

The Slayer gave a small nod in understanding. "When will I see you again?"

Angel let out a soft sigh. "I don't know. I'm needed in LA and you're needed here. Hopefully soon though."

"Yeah." Buffy held herself tighter, less because of the cold and more because of the fact that she was going to be alone again. "Soon."

Angel would have reached out and pulled her in for a kiss, but he knew that would make their parting much harder. It already hurt to know he was leaving her again, especially when she was in such a time of need, but there was no way he could trust himself around her, especially when she was already so vulnerable. Not that he felt any better leaving her in the same town as Spike, but he really didn't have too much of a choice on the matter.

'If I hear he even touches you, I'll kill him.'

"Don't hesitate to call if you need me." Angel told her. "Even if it's just to talk and have someone listen. Call me."

Buffy nodded. "I will." She assured him, then glanced to his car parked along the curb in front of her house before returning her gaze to Angel's old, dark eyes. "I promise."

Angel took a step backwards off of the first stair. "Good."

The Slayer moved to Angel, uncrossing her arms as she walked, then wrapped them around Angel's neck in an embrace.

The vampire set his hand on her back, then waited a moment before moving his arms around her in return.

"Thank you." Buffy said rather quietly. "For everything."

"You're welcome." Angel replied, though he didn't feel like he did anything to help. Even just holding her made him want to stay, but he knew he couldn't, so he loosened his grip on her until his hands were gently resting on her sides.

Buffy took the hint and let go of Angel. "Be careful in LA."

Angel removed his hands from the Slayer entirely and nodded. "Be careful here in Sunnydale."

"I will." She took a step back towards her house, then turned to go inside, not telling him goodbye on purpose.

Angel looked down, then turned and moved off the last couple stairs to head to his car.

Buffy touched the doorknob of the front door, then turned back to Angel again. "Angel."

He heard her and turned, halfway to his car at that moment.

Buffy gripped the doorknob and swallowed a lump in her throat as Angel turned to look at her. "I still love you." She told him.

A faint smile touched Angel's lips for once. "And I'll always love you." He replied before turning and moving to his car to head back home.

She let out a sigh, then turned to the house again and moved inside, not wanting to watch Angel leave again.

'Maybe someday soon we'll learn to live without the temptations. Until then though, I am okay just knowing that he loves me. I can live with that.'

- END -