The Consequences of Magic

by Cinderella's Slipper

Buffy Summers sacrificed herself to save her sister, but also the world. Her heavenly peace is destroyed by the friends she died to protect. Forced to leave Sunnydale, Buffy finds friendship and acceptance from Ginny who understands her and doesn't judge her past. Despite her new friends, she can't run from her past forever, and magic does have consequences after all. M for safety.

13. Chapter 12

Chapter 12

---

Wednesday January 24th, 2007
Sunnydale, California
Crawford Street
Outside the Mansion
10:29 a.m.

"I'm going to freakin' kill you for agreeing to this," Sébastian grumbled as the group walked up towards the door.

"Well, we kinda need to work together for the whole war thing," Buffy pointed out. "And hey, we're going to do a group number, think of it as being back at one of the musicals… It could be worse, Lorne could have insisted on solos."

"And you got us to sing along," Rayen grinned.

"I'd rather have you in England," he snapped.

"Yeah yeah yeah," Chiara rolled her eyes before opening the door. "Come on everyone in so we can make Elvira happy."

"Now remember, I'm picking the music and you all get to just sing along," Elvira announced as she strolled into the lobby, the group following, most not surprised to see the lobby already home to all the Potentials, the Scoobies, L.A. gang, Faith and Connor who promptly threw himself at Buffy.

Elvira grinned as she flicked her wand and the music began to play to Does Your Mother Know from Mamma Mia. Winking at Chiara and Rayen she began to sing.

"You're so hot
Teasing me
So you're blue but I can't
Take a chance on a kid like you
It's something I couldn't do"

Rayen and Chiara joined in on the next line before the other women in the group shared a look and shrugged, joining in as well.

"There's that look
In your eyes
I can read in your face
That your feelings are driving you wild
But boy you're only a child

"Well, I could dance with you honey
If you think it's funny
But does your mother know that you're out?

And I could chat with you baby
Flirt a little maybe
But does your mother know that you're out?"

"Take it easy:" the guys began in response to their signif other as the case applied, Sébastian focusing his attention on Buffy while Draco spoke to Fiona and Spencer got the Mouseketeers. The women exchanged a grin before shaking their heads and for the most part blocking out anyone else as they danced away from their significant others, or Sébastian, Draco and Spencer as the case applied.

"Take it easy
Try to cool it boy
Take it nice and slow
Does your mother know?

"I can see
What you want
But you seem pretty young
To be searching for that kind of fun
So maybe I'm not the one

"Now, you're so cute
I like your style
And I know what you mean
When you give me a flash of that smile
But boy you're only a child"

Each of the guys, save Spencer who had one too many girls to work with, walked over and grabbed their partner's hands, pulling them away from where they were dancing together, and waving their fingers at the guys in a 'you can't have' motion, as they joined in singing.

"Well, I could dance with you honey
If you think it's funny
Does your mother know that you're out?
And I could chat with you baby
Flirt a little maybe
Does your mother know that you're out?"

"Take it easy
Better slow down girl
That's no way to go" the guys sang on their own before the girls joined in with grins, "Does your mother know?" The guys all rolled their eyes before continuing on their own, "Take it easy - Try to cool it girl - Play it nice and slow"

"Does your mother know?" the girls shot back before dancing away as they sang, the guys sharing a look and stalking after them.

"Well, I could dance with you honey
If you think it's funny
But does your mother know that you're out?
And I could chat with you baby
Flirt a little maybe
But does your mother know that you're out?

"Well, I could dance with you honey
If you think it's funny
But does your mother know that you're out?
And I could chat with you baby
Flirt a little maybe
But does your mother know that you're out?"

Each of the guys finally managed to catch 'their girl' and Lucius at least caught Ginny around her waist and picked her up to keep her from getting away as the song ended, before all of the girls cracked up.

"Ya know, tha was actually very fun," Fiona grinned.

"It was actually," Katie laughed. "So did we pass the test?"

"Good question," Buffy glanced over at the green skinned demon, "We deemed good guys?"

"You bet, Sweet Cheeks," Lorne smiled.

"Thank God, if we 'ad ta put Lucius through tha again 'e might kill us," Fiona grinned.

"You think it would just be him wanting to kill you?" asked Ginny with a glare at Fiona.

"'Ey, I did na tell us all this morn tha we 'ad ta do a sing a long!"

"She's got a point, that was all Buffy," Angelina spoke up.

"Okay, yes, everyone hate me but if you really want someone to blame, it's his fault," Buffy pointed at Lorne.

"Now, Sweet Cheeks, there's no need to get hostile like," Lorne held up his hands.

"Call me Sweet Cheeks again and you can bet your arse someone'll be getting hostile all over you," Ginny snapped.

"I think he was talking to me," Buffy giggled. "But by all means Lorne, call her Sweet Cheeks too, I think she could use a chance to really beat someone up... Course on the other hand..." she grinned evilly. "Luc, Draco, I didn't introduce you to Spike, did I?"

"Spike's here?" asked Ginny with a smile, trying to hold her giggles in.

"Buffy talks about me," Spike asked from where he was sitting with Faith on his lap.

"Oh Lucius just loves to hear stories about you," Buffy grinned.

"Well, at least he looks the part," Lucius mused aloud, one eyebrow raised as he took in his very distant relative.

"Luc stop," Ginny giggled as she smacked him on the arm.

"Looks, the part?" Spike frowned. "What am I missing, Pet?" he glanced at Buffy who was snickering behind her hand.

"Nothing," she answered quickly. "Is he laughing in his head?" she whispered to Ginny.

"That doesn't look like nothing," Spike argued.

"My father gets a kick, well actually all of us do, that you're dying your hair blonde. Must have skipped you for some reason since the majority of the family is blonde," Draco smirked.

"Okay..." Cordelia drew out, "What are we all missing?"

"Oh Jesus bloody Christ," Spike groaned. "I knew your last name was damn familiar. Fuck me, 120 years and I still can't escape my bleedin' relatives."

"Yes, Buffy, he is," Ginny giggled. "Luc stop," she ordered, smacking his arm again. "Oh! You are just horrible. Lucius Malfoy I can't believe you just said that. I can't believe I married a man as horrible as you," Ginny said turning and stalking away.

"Oh no you don't, Mrs. Malfoy," Lucius said as he grabbed her around the waist and quickly pulled her off her feet. "You knew exactly the type of man I was when you married me."

"Are you going to put me down?" asked Ginny, glaring at her husband. "Oh you did not just say that," Ginny groaned as she dropped her head into her hands, hiding her rapidly reddening face.

"Ya know, I think it be more fun tryin' ta figure out wha 'e says then actually askin'," Fiona grinned. "Makes the best guessin' game after all."

"Yup," Buffy agreed with a smile.

"Wait, you're related!" Angel looked between Spike and the others, "Okay that's just a bit freaky even for us."

"Especially when you think about it, granddad," Spike grinned suddenly. "I'm cousins with the woman who is like a sister to your mate. Keeping it in the family in a way..."

"Spike, shut up," Buffy and Angel both turned on him at the same time.

"Too much bloody fun picking on, Peaches," Spike grinned before Faith hit him.

"Thanks, F."

"Welcome, B."

"Okay," Buffy glanced around, "We've all proven that we're the good guys, so I think it's time we get this show on the road and get the girls to where they'll be safer..."

"We have to pack," Chloe answered, Willow and Xander weren't happy by the looks on their faces but they weren't saying anything this time.

"Go for it," Buffy nodded. "And you three, no more trying to convince us to let you stay," she focused on the mouseketeers who were trying to sneak out the front door. "And don't even think you can try hiding somewhere in this town."

"Evil witch," Elvira muttered.

"Slayer and a good one," Buffy countered with a grin.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Elvira sighed before the three sunk to sit against the wall near the door.

"I'm going to go see how Jonathon is doing with lunch," Cordelia announced, while the Sunnydale Potentials made their way up to their rooms, other than Caridad and Kennedy, the latter sitting in the couch glaring at Buffy while the former went over to chat with the mousketeers.

"We're gonna head back to the castle, Buffy," Fred spoke up.

"Okay, you guys can go too if you want," she glanced at Ginny and Lucius who were still communicating through their bond and Draco with them. She knew that Fiona and Sebastian weren't going anywhere until their girls were back at the Academy.

"Uh might be better if we stick around for a bit, Buffy. Will keep Lucius from following through on his threat for a while," Ginny called back

"Suit yourself," Buffy chuckled, leaving them to their...whatever, before Connor grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the stairs, Angel following to save her from his son when it was time for her to leave.

---

"We all set?" Buffy asked twenty minutes later, as she looked at the girls gathered on the landing.

"Buffy!" Vi yelled, gathering the attention of everyone downstairs as Angel came running out of the bedroom where he had been with Connor.

"Oh shit," Sébastian whispered as they watched Buffy sink to her knees and her hair turn the familiar lavender, her chin against her chest as she clutched her head.

"Move," Ginny ordered as she apparated to the top of the stairs, ending up behind the girls as Fiona apparated after her. The Potentials parted and Ginny skidded to a halt seconds later as she fell to her knees next to Buffy, just as Buffy's arms dropped and her head snapped up, her eyes the familiar milky white and ever so pale blue pupils.

"I got paper," Fiona sunk down near Ginny as everyone crowded around, Angel pushing his way through to fall to the ground next to them.

"What's going on," he demanded as he started to reach out to Buffy.

"Don't," Ginny grabbed his arm before he touched her. "On the first anniversary of her resurrection she got a vision. They've continued through the years, as best we can figure, the Powers That Be as she calls them are punishing her for being alive when she was suppose to be dead."

"She gets them, too?" Cordelia groaned, "God, what is it with the vision thing…"

"Although you don't go all physical change thing," Gunn pointed out.

"Never thought I'd be thankful for the aspects of my own visions," she sighed.

"Buffy, 'oney wha do ya see," Fiona asked gently, ignoring the conversations around them.

"Pain," Buffy answered, her voice carrying a haunted quality, "So much pain…hurt, death. Anger, hate, no hope, destruction, it's sinking…it's all sinking, disappearing…destroyed."

"What's destroyed?" Ginny pressed, glancing at Fiona as the quill wrote away.

"Everything…so many deaths…the blood debt, blood debt must be repaid. Traitor, deception, betrayal…blood, blood it's always gotta be blood, blood is life, blood is death…blood debt, never free…"

"What blood debt? Who's blood debt?" Angel frowned as he glanced between her and Ginny.

"Blood debt…" she repeated before falling silent.

"Is she usually this vague?" Spike asked softly.

"She's using your words too," Anya pointed out.

"She's not always but once in a while she is," Draco explained.

"Only when the blood is repaid can the evil be stopped, a chance to make everything right. Evil freed by the blood that flows. Without payment, darkness will creep, covering all. The Phoenix will fly, fire will burn, purify the darkness."

"Well there's the prophecy," Sébastian sighed, "she should come out soon, right?"

"I don't know…" Ginny admitted, concerned as Buffy's hair continued to lighten in color, the blue in her eyes disappearing as the milky color spread. /-/They're continuing to get worse, Luc./-/

/-/I know, my Love, but she'll be alright, she's survived them all these years, I've never met someone as strong as Buffy, except you./-/

/-/I don't know Luc, I just don't know…/-/

"Something's wrong," Angel began suddenly.

"What do you mean?" Sébastian focused on him.

"The bond is fading, it shouldn't do that, it's eternal as long as she or I am alive," he explained, focused solely on Buffy.

"Blood debt must be repaid," Buffy spoke, her voice fading even as she spoke before see seemed to collapse in on herself, her hair going back to the dark purple as her eyes closed, Angel reached out to grab her as she slid towards the ground

"Is she okay?" Molly asked worriedly.

"Is the bond back to normal?" Ginny looked up at Angel as he cradled Buffy.

"It's back," he agreed, brushing the hair from her cheek. "Five years…have they always been like this?"

"Always, she had what was like a seizure the first time, not since. Scared the life out of me the first time…" Ginny sighed. "The hair and eyes is normal…" she trailed off, glancing at Lucius.

Angel noticed the look, but ignored it for now, focusing on Buffy as she started to come back, "Buffy?"

"Angel?" she whispered as her eyes fluttered open, "How long was I out?" she looked over at Ginny once she had focused on him.

"About ten minutes," she answered as Angel stood with Buffy in his arms before setting her on her feet carefully.

"You okay?" he whispered.

"I'm okay," she nodded.

"Sure you are," Sébastian snorted.

"Séb," she looked over at him, shaking her head slightly.

"No, God damn it, I'm sick and tired of you not being angry with them, Buffy. It's their fault you suffer through these things. It's their fault you can't handle being in small dark places and every day we see you staring off with a far away look as you remember what they tore away from you."

"Sébastian, stop," Ginny hissed as she stood, but he had already stalked over to Xander and Willow, and punched Xander once more.

"What the hell is your problem!" Willow yelled.

"My problem is you and your little group who decided to play God and bring Buffy back to life," he yelled. "You fucking messed with dark magic and left her in her grave to dig herself out. Would it have been so hard to unbury her before you pulled your little spell."

"You had to dig your way out?" Dawn whispered as she looked over at Buffy who was staring at her feet before Angel pulled her against his chest, whispering in her ear.

"What the bloody hell were you thinking?" Giles turned on them as well. "No wonder she ran after that trauma…"

Sébastian snorted, "Oh, that wasn't the reason she ran, not all of it."

"Sébastian, shut up," Fiona yelled as she grabbed his arm and spun him around to look at her.

"They pulled her out of heaven for God's sake!"

"Oh my God," Willow's pain-filled whisper echoed in the silence that followed Sébastian's proclamation. "It's not true…" she continued as she stepped towards where Angel still held Buffy, her face buried in his chest. "Tell me it's not true."

Buffy slowly turned her head to look at her, shaking her head before taking a deep breath and stepping away from Angel as she turned to face Willow, and Xander and Anya behind her. "There was no pain, no fear, no doubt, till you pulled me out of heaven, I woke up in hell because I was expelled from heaven," she spoke quietly.

"Oh God, Buffy, I'm so sorry," Willow whispered.

"Apologies are too late," her face hardened as she looked at them. "You want to know why I've been gone all these years. What drove me away more than anything else? I was at peace, I knew that everyone I loved was okay, that I was free, and I was torn from that peace. I woke up in my own coffin, not nearly enough oxygen as I fought to get out. Only to, once I finally got free, to discover that the world had become hell. I saw the Buffy bot be torn apart by four motorcycles and the demons say they were going to do the same to me. I had a man threaten me at gunpoint… There's no hell dimension that can be worse than what I woke to… But the worst cut of all…none of you cared about my feelings. You were so hell bent on getting me back for your own selfish reasons, you justified it with the belief that I was in a hell dimension. All that work to do a resurrection spell, and you never took the time to do a simple séance to find out if I was in heaven or hell. Why? Because if you found out I was in heaven you wouldn't have been able to justify the spell, the blood you spilled?"

She slowly looked between each of them before shaking her head, "You knew what you were doing was wrong, why else would you not tell anyone what you were planning? I spent years wondering who it was besides you and Tara," she turned her gaze back to Willow, "Who else helped you to destroy me. Did Dawn know? Spike? Giles? Angel? Who else was involved in taking away my gift…I was terrified of learning just who it was, until the Powers decided to torture me by showing me everything that was done, make me relive everything from that night. You want to know why I stayed away all these years. Even after I learned who it was that was there that night? I stayed away because as much as I still love each of you, I can never forgive you for what you did. Once I might have been able to…but I'm not that girl anymore. When you pulled me back here, you destroyed what little was left of my peace and happiness. It took me years to escape the memories of heaven, and even then, every night when I sleep, I dream of what I lost," she trailed off shaking her head. "You may hate me now for being gone all these years, that's your right, after all no one is perfect…we're only human. But until you've been in my shoes, you will never understand why I've been gone. Or how I can love you all so very much, and never be able to have the relationships we once had."

"Is that why you hang out with a red headed witch?" asked Xander. "So you can justify not telling us you were alive?

"She and the others offered me a chance at a new life, a chance to be able to trust someone without having to wonder if they were responsible for my pain," Buffy countered quietly. "She understands me in a way no one else can," she continued, a hard edge to her voice.

"Oh and why's that?" demanded Willow. "I was your best friend, Buffy. I thought I knew you better than anyone."

"Because I know what Buffy's been through," Ginny said quietly, her voice carrying through the room.

"Gin..." Buffy focused on her, "You don't have to..."

"No, Buffy, she has to," countered Willow. "She can't just say something like that and not explain what she means."

"You don't get a say in what she says," Buffy snapped back angrily.

"I know what Buffy's been through because I've been there myself," Ginny said.

"What do you mean?" Dawn asked quietly.

"I've seen heaven and been pulled back from it," Ginny said quietly.

"Oh my, God," Dawn raised a hand to her mouth. "Both of you? Oh God, that's horrible..."

"You were resurrected?" Willow asked surprised.

"In a way," Ginny said, keeping her eyes focused on Willow as she felt Lucius walk up behind her and put his hands on her shoulders. "Before the war in our world really got going, I fell under the influence of Tom Riddle, also known as Lord Voldemort. He was the one waging war on our world. At the time a part of his soul was trapped in a diary, a diary he used to communicate with me, to make me do as he wanted. By the end of the school year he had so much control over me that he managed to get me to a secret room in the school, away from the protection of my family and professors. He was going to drain my magic away from me and take it for himself. By the time Harry reached me, I was already making my way through the gates. When he killed the part of Tom that was tied to the diary, I was pulled back. I was forced out of heaven and back into my body."

"Bleedin' hell," Spike murmured.

Willow just stared at Ginny a moment before looking back at Buffy, "That's why she understands you like none of us can..." she whispered, "I'm sorry," she continued before looking back at Ginny, "I'm so very sorry." Turning she rushed past the group, disappearing into a room down the hall.

Without a word, Lucius simply turned Ginny around and pulled her into his arms, allowing her to bury her face in his chest as the tears came.

"We should get the girls ta the school," Fiona spoke quietly, glancing at Sébastian who was staring at Buffy sadly.

"We should," Buffy agreed before glancing at Sébastian, "And its okay Séb...don't feel guilty, kay?"

"You sure, Sweetheart?"

"Positive," she smiled before looking around at the others as the remaining Scoobies started to head off; Oz already had left after Willow. And the L.A. gang was making their way from the landing as well for now so it wouldn't be quite as crowded, only Dawn remained amongst the group.

"Okay, so we 'ave a portkey..." Fiona began, wanting to get the girls out of there and give Lucius and Ginny a bit of space from so many.

"Buffy!" Angel barely caught her as she collapsed.

"Bloody hell," Draco groaned. "Why she insists on telling us she's fine when she's not..." he glanced at the others as Angel lifted Buffy into his arms.

"Okay, you can write off any chance of us leaving until Buffy wakes up," Chiara announced.

"Chiara," Fiona focused on her, before noticing Lucius beyond her watching Buffy before glancing at her. She nodded slightly and he nodded back before apparating from the building with Ginny. "Ya do na get a say in this," she continued.

"Scopa!" Chiara yelled. "You wouldn't leave if someone you cared about just collapsed after having a vision. Don't make us; because God help me we'll be back here no matter what it takes to make sure she's okay." (Fuck)

Fiona glanced at the other two, to find them just as determined looking, before looking between Draco, Spencer, and Sébastian and sighing, "Fine."

"What!" Sébastian turned to stare at her. "You're kidding, right?"

"No, because she be right, we would do the same thing. We would be 'ypocrites, and we all know they would cume back the first chance they get. At least this way, they won't 'ave a reason ta be comin' back once we get 'em back."

"And the rest of the girls?" Spencer spoke up.

"Do ya wish ta go now or wait until tamorrow?" Fiona looked at them.

"We'd kinda like to make sure Buffy's okay too," Rona answered after looking at the others.

"Then we stay tanight and go tamorrow when Buffy be awake. An do na worry I be takin' the blame when she wakes," she glanced at her fellow Watchers and Draco with a smile before turning to Angel. "Ya should keep 'er 'ere tanight. She be fine once she 'as gotten some rest, the visions take a lot out o' 'er."

"Are you sure?" he asked softly as he held Buffy close.

"Aye, I be sure," Fiona agreed. He nodded before turning and making his way towards his room, carefully laying her down.

"We need to talk about you not mentioning those later, Buffy, but first wake up... please," he whispered before dropping a kiss to her forehead.

---

Wednesday January 24th, 2007
Sunnydale, California
Crawford Street – The Mansion
10:27 p.m.

"Good morning," Angel smiled when he saw Buffy's eyes open.

"Its bedtime," she countered when she saw the stars out the window.

"Isn't it good that I like seeing you at bedtime then," he countered as he stretched out next to her.

"Very good," she smiled as she entwined their fingers. "I'm sorry," she continued more seriously after a moment.

"It's okay," he nodded, "Just, let's not keep anything else that's important from each other in the future…no more surprise children and surprise visions and all that okay?"

"No more surprise children and visions," Buffy chuckled as she rolled over to face him. "So the girls are still around…"

"Fiona agreed to let them stay because Chiara, Elvira and Rayen said it would be hypocritical of them to force them to leave and they'd just find a way back as soon as possible to find out how you were. The others chose to wait until tomorrow when they planned to take the mouseketeers, is it?"

"Mouseketeers," Buffy agreed.

"Well, when they plan to take them back. And she told Draco, Spencer and Sébastian that she'd take the blame…"

"That's Roses," Buffy chuckled once more, "Well then we'll take them tomorrow, after more sleep."

"You can't possibly still be tired," Angel teased.

"Well…" she stopped to consider it, "There are a few things I could do before I sleep again I suppose."

"Oh?"

"Mmm hmm," she grinned before rolling over to get up, "Come on, we're making a store run real quick."

"We are?"

"Yup, we need cookie dough fudge mint chip ice cream, and Hershey's, and crunchy peanut butter."

"We do?"

"Yes, we do," she smiled down at him, "Now up, there are some things I refuse to conjure and cookie dough mint fudge chip, Hershey's and crunchy P-B are at the top of that list. Oh and Coke…" she shrugged before offering her hand to help him up.

"You are a very strange woman, and I love each and every one of your quirks," Angel chuckled as he stood. Holding her hand, they snuck out of the Mansion and headed for the nearest grocery store.

---

Thursday January 25th, 2007
Sunnydale, California
Crawford Street – Mansion
Angel's Rooms
11:28 a.m.

Buffy carefully extracted herself from Angel's arms before rising from the bed. Leaning over him she reached out to brush the lock of hair from his forehead before stepping away from the bed, content that he was still asleep. Grabbing his shirt from the floor, she slipped it on as she walked towards the window, pausing to grab a piece of chocolate that had survived their attempt at recreating that night of the day time forgot. She wasn't sure if Angel actually enjoyed the chocolate and peanut butter, or just the memory of what it had tasted like…he had enjoyed the repeat performance of the ice cream on his chest though… Grinning quite pleased with herself, she reached her destination, she had placed the spells on the windows throughout the mansion and castle.

Sighing as her happy mood drifted away, she leant against the windowsill with her left shoulder, reaching up to trace patterns on the glass with her right hand. She couldn't shake the images from her vision, the ones she hadn't spoken about as she saw them… She knew that what she saw had to happen, the blood debt had to be paid…there would be so many deaths if it wasn't… At the same time, there was so much she wanted to do before it was all lost.

Glancing back at Angel's sleeping form she sighed softly. She would give anything to have what she always dreamed of with Angel, a wedding, growing old together, well older while only she changed physically…to be able to wake up in his arms every morning, watch Connor, Dottie and Coli grow up together, see their children find love and marry, and God willing never be called as Slayers in Dottie and Coli's case.

Looking back out the window she spotted Kennedy leading the Potentials in training, she needed to get them back to the school. Kennedy worried her though, so much anger in the girl…it could destroy her very easily, especially here on the Hellmouth… Looking over each girl she saw the future that each would lose if they were called, they had lost so much of their innocence already that even their sister Potentials hadn't lost in their training. No matter what they tried, the girls would never be the women they might have been before they came to Sunnydale.

Sighing once more, she looked around the grounds, spotting Kennedy staring up at her, glaring really, and farther beyond her Faith was training with Dawn, but waved when she saw Buffy looking at them. Smiling she waved once before looking further off, at the Castle on the bluff and beyond at the horizon.

Turning slightly she watched him as he slept, before a thought began to form in her mind. Could they...should they was more the question. But damn it all, she wanted at least some time with Angel, and the chance to fulfill at least a few dreams. After all that had been taken them, the Powers owed them at least this short time if they were meant to not survive this war.

Decision made, she crossed back over to the bed, sitting on the edge as she watched him a moment before reaching out to gently brush her fingers through his hair. "Marry me," Buffy whispered as she traced the familiar planes of his face lightly. She watched as he woke up slowly, smiling once he came back to the world of the living.

"Good morning."

"Good morning," she smiled. "Marry me," she repeated.

"What?" he sat up, staring at her in shock. "Did you just..."

"Yes," she nodded, "Marry me. I know it's not the most romantic situation and all that, but please," she continued softly.

"Buffy...I'd give anything to spend the rest of yours, my, our lives together. But should we even think about getting married now, with the First?" he countered gently as he grasped her hands.

"That's exactly the point," she argued. "Next week, next month, we could be dead. Or I could go out this afternoon and get hit by a car, or you could fall down a set of stairs and land on a stake...okay, yes I know it's a rather ridiculous and unlikely scenario," she rolled her eyes at his smirk.

"But that's the whole point Angel," she pressed on, reaching up to brush her thumb against his cheek, "We don't know how long we have in this life, I could die tomorrow, you could die tomorrow, one or both of us could die fighting the First, or we could survive and have years to come. I'm tiredof waiting. I want to spend whatever time I have on this earth with you, I want to at least have some form of the little girl dreams I once had, of growing up and marrying Prince Charming with my family there in a castle and all that stuff that all little girls dream of."

"We do have a castle," he pointed out with a smile. "But I'm not Prince Charming, Buffy," he continued seriously.

"Do you know who 'Prince Charming' is?" she asked softly. "In Snow White he's the guy who brings her back to life with a kiss. In Sleeping Beauty he's the guy who fights the evil fairy; even as she turns herself into a dragon and everything so he can get to the woman he loves and wake her from the spell she was placed under, again with a kiss. In Cinderella, he doesn't care what anyone says, he knows the only person he'll ever love is Cinderella, and searches throughout the kingdom for her with only a shoe as his means of finding her, and he still finds her. The Little Mermaid, he loves her as a Mermaid and a human, he cares for her even when she can't speak and when he faces the knowledge he might loose her, he jumps into the ocean to rescue her from the sea witch. In Beauty and the Beast, he lets her go because he loves her, even knowing she might not come back and he'll never be free from his curse without her love…And yes, I know that those are no doubt all the Disney versions, but they're what I grew up on," she shrugged. "Don't you see though? Prince Charming isn't an actual prince, he's the man who would give everything for the woman he loves, would let her go because he wants her happiness more than his own, the man who would die for her. But even then, I don't need Prince Charming, not when I have my own souled vampire who has forgiven me for all I've done to him, and loves me for me, through everything. Who fights beside me, not thinking he has to protect me from everything and not afraid to admit I could kick his butt, in fact it only makes him prouder. You've been there since I was called, Angel, watching me from afar at first, and then beside me. You would have died for me, and you did…but you came back, you escaped Hell, Angel… You gave up your humanity for me…it's more than enough."

"You make me sound like one of those Prince Charmings," Angel whispered as he reached up to brush her hair from her cheek.

"Well, considering I'm not a Princess, I don't necessarily need a Prince Charming, but I will take an Angel," she smiled. "I don't want Prince Phillip or Prince Charming or Eric or the Beast waiting for me at the end of the aisle, I just want you. And I don't need promises of forever; I just want the time while we can have it. We've been through so much, why can't we have everything while we've got the time now?"

Angel smiled softly as he caught her hand and brought it to his lips, "I dreamed once, that we got married. It was amazing, the ending wasn't so great...but you know, the chance to have it again, even for a few days or weeks or the Powers willing months and years...I think it would be heaven."

"So, is that a yes?" she asked with a smile.

"I thought the guy was the one who did the asking," he countered with a frown.

"It's the twenty-first century, Angel; women do all sorts of things now."

"Hmm give me an hour, and then I'll have your answer. And no you can't go taking the girls back just yet... Don't need to give the three a reason to beat me up if we make it through the First."

Buffy laughed before nodding and watching him as he got up and got dressed. "What am I suppose to do for an hour?"

"Well, I know Cordy loves to look at bridal magazines, maybe she's got a few," he winked before disappearing out the door as she laughed.

---

Thursday January 25th, 2007
Sunnydale, California
The Castle
12:01 p.m.

"Fiona," Angel greeted when she opened the door, "Is Ginny around? I need to talk with both of you..."

"Aye, cume on, we be 'avin' lunch," she nodded before leading him towards the morning room that had been deemed as belonging to the Musketeers, Lucius and Draco.

"Angel? Is everything all right?" Ginny asked in concern when she saw Angel enter with Fiona. "Did something happen to Buffy?"

"Everything's fine," he quickly assured her. "Actually I need yours and Fiona..."

"Rose or Roses as Gin and Buffy call me," Fiona interrupted.

"Okay, yours and Rose's help with something," he continued with a smile.

"Of course," Ginny said.

"Okay," he nodded as he took a seat. "Buffy sort of proposed this morning..."

"Wha!" Fiona shrieked.

"Could you possibly shriek a little louder, Roses?" asked Ginny a hint of sarcasm in her voice as she rubbed her temples.

"Sorry, Gin girl," Fiona ducked her head. "But this be big news after all."

"Yeah and I'm fighting the world's biggest migraine at the moment," Ginny countered.

"So, is there a reason Buffy isn't here telling us about your upcoming nuptials?" Sébastian asked as he set down his coffee.

"Because technically I didn't say yes, yet," Angel explained. "I know that it's the twenty-first century as Buffy reminded me, but she's lost so many of those things that are considered normal, I'd like to give her at least something that is semi-normal. A normal proposal, hopefully a semi-normal no interruptions ceremony...you know?"

"Very reasonable," Sébastian agreed.

"Wha exactly can we do fer ya?" Fiona pressed as she summoned a bottle, passing it to Ginny, "'Eadache an Pepper up mix o' Buffy's, sorry bout the shriekin'."

"It's okay," Ginny said taking the bottle. "I don't even know if this will work, nothing else ever has. Let's just say it was the powers little gift to me."

"Headaches are a curse? In a small way, Ginger, I think I'm thankful they're the only thing they curse you with instead of giving you the visions too," Sébastian shook his head.

"'Ear 'ear," Fiona agreed.

"These ones are. The only reason I'm even vertical at the moment is because Luc here is helping ease this one off," Ginny said.

"How long do they usually last?" Angel questioned in concern.

Ginny looked at Lucius for a few moments before turning back to Angel. "Longest one was three or four days I think but they usually only last a day or so. This one was aggravated by lack of sleep, which usually happens after I talk about what happened in my first year."

"How is it none of us ever knew about these?" Sébastian looked at the group. "Did Buffy know?"

"Only Luc knew," Ginny said, dropping her gaze to her hands not wanting to look the others in the eye. "He's been helping me hide it ever since we were married. I found other ways of hiding it during school."

"Well love, ya do na 'ave ta 'ide it anymore, Gin girl," Fiona nodded, reaching over to touch her shoulder. "An do na worry, none o' us are upset tha ya did na tell us. We be family, family neva abandons each other."

"Thanks guys. I never wanted to hide it but when no one wants to hear about what happened to you, you learn to keep things like the effects of it to yourself. Luc knew I had the headaches but not the reason why, not until he heard me talking to Buffy about what happened," Ginny said.

"I think we need to get back to the topic at hand," Lucius said squeezing Ginny's hand in comfort.

"Of course," Angel nodded. "Well, I have a few ideas of things I want to do, but going to need some help getting them accomplished."

"Well with two witches and a wizard in the room, your wish is our command, or at least the best we can manage on short notice," Ginny said.

Angel chuckled, "That was my hope," he smiled. "So this is what I was thinking..."

---

Thursday January 25th, 2007
Sunnydale, California
Crawford Street – The Mansion
Angel's rooms
1:27 p.m.

Buffy slowly came back to consciousness after having dozed off again not long after Angel left. Rolling over she blinked at the feel of something small and soft against her cheek. Opening her eyes she picked up the orange rose petal before looking up to find a few more scattered on the pillow, well some were orange some were more not exactly orange looking.

Looking up from the pillow she spotted a single lavender rose on the table next to the bed, and reached over to pick it up, smiling at the familiar sweet fragrance of roses. "Angel?" she looked up and around before frowning when she didn't see him. Brushing her hair back as she sat up, she looked around once more, not spotting anything else out of the ordinary in the room

Sighing she got up and made her way to the bathroom, summoning her brush as she walked. A few minutes later she made her way back into the room while trying to get the clasp on her eggs bracelet to catch, before shrieking when she felt an arm wrap around her waist and pull her up off the ground.

"I can't believe I can still sneak up on you."

"Angel!" she yelled, looking over her shoulder at him, "That was just wrong."

"Sorry," he smiled and she rolled her eyes.

"Sure you are. Now put me down!"

"As you wish," he gently set her down on her feet.

"Thank you for the rose," she smiled as she turned around and looked up at him.

"You're welcome."

"Why the specific colors though? Most people would just give red…" she trailed off with a frown.

"Come on," he smiled softly, pulling her back to the bed. "I didn't do red because of our history with red roses…"

"Angelus," she nodded.

"Don't think about it, Beloved," he traced her cheek softly. "Now then, these are orange and coral petals; do you know what they mean?"

"That they're a really cool shade?" she shook her head before rolling her eyes as he chuckled.

"Every flower has a meaning, Buffy; some have different meanings for each of their colors, roses for example. A red rose signifies romantic love, coral and orange roses signify desire."

"Really," she smiled as she picked one of the petals back up.

"Really," he agreed softly, "I laid them on the pillow because you are my heart's desire, and we both know my body's got no objections," he chuckled at the blush that crept up her neck. "I love how you still do that," he whispered, dropping a kiss to her shoulder.

"Okay, can we please continue before I turn the same shade as a tomato or something, trust me, tomato Buffy, not cute."

Angel chuckled softly once more, "Of course, Sweetheart," turning he picked up a rose she hadn't seen, "White roses are reverence; some also consider them as a sign of purity. In my life I had never met anything so pure until I met you, you had a light that drove the shadows out of the night, and I revered you for that, for bringing sunlight into my life."

"Oh Angel," she whispered as she took the rose.

"Yellow is for joy and friendship, because of you I found friends in Giles, Willow, Oz and the others, and I was able to accept the friends I made in L.A., you gave me your friendship when I had done nothing to deserve it, and taught me how to be a friend," he handed the yellow rose to her, "Pink and Peach can both symbolize gratitude, every day I'm grateful for the time we had together, for you loving me. Light pink conveys admiration, there are so many things I admire about you, Buffy, your strength, your compassion, above all your unending belief that people are still good, no matter how often they prove otherwise. Even through everything that happens, I know that you still have that faith."

"It is a pain sometimes," she shrugged slightly before taking the three roses.

"It's a gift," he countered before producing a rose that looked black, but as she looked closer she realized it was actually a red so dark it appeared black, "It's called black magic," he explained with a smile, "People disagree on what black roses mean, obviously some see it as a symbol of death, others though, and I'm one, believe it to be a symbol of the death of old habits, a rebirth. When Whistler found me, and brought me to California, letting me see you called, everything I had been for the previous ninety years died away. I had a purpose, a reason; my love for you gave me a reason to be born again, into the man you would be proud of."

"Are you trying to make me cry?" she sniffed as she took the rose, it was gorgeous really…

"No," he shook his head as he smiled before producing a coral and a orange rose, "Just to remind you how much I do desire you," he winked, she giggled as she took them and held them with the other seven perfect rosebuds. "Purple, though I prefer Sterling Silver roses, they're more delicate in my opinion, and they appear one thing at first, but when you look closer, they show a side you never saw before."

Raising an eyebrow she looked closer at the rose in her cluster, before looking up at him surprised, "It looks silver."

"Exactly," Angel agreed, "When people first look at you, they see all sorts of things, but until they get closer and really look, they miss many of the things that make you uniquely you. A purple rose though means the giver fell in love at first sight. As cliché as it sounds, we both know it's true for us," he trailed off with a slight shrug.

"Thank you," she whispered before burying her nose in her small bouquet.

"Did you count the rose petals?"

"No…" she looked up at him before over at the pillow before glancing back at him, raising an eyebrow, she laid her roses down on her lap then reached over and started to count… "Eleven?" she looked back at him before stopping to think. "It's been eleven years since I was called, well give a few months…"

"Yes, it has," Angel agreed, "Isn't there some sort of ritual girls have with flowers and pulling off petals?"

She chuckled slightly when she realized what he was saying, before dropping one of the petals that she had gathered in her hand. "He loves me, he loves me not. He loves me, he loves me not," she spoke as she dropped each petal before holding the last one up, "He loves me," she smiled as she looked up at him.

"Very much," he answered seriously, before moving her roses from her lap, and taking her hand in his to pull her from the bed. "Buffy, before I saw you, I was living in the shadows and thought I was never meant to find any sort of peace for what I had done. And then I saw you, and I had a purpose again, to help you. You showed me everything that we believe about Slayers was wrong, that behind that destiny is a girl who is just like us in a way, wanting to be free to live their life as they want. And I saw you try so very hard to be able to have something normal amidst all of the insanity. That day I first saw you, I fell in love with you, but when I really got to know you, those early days here in Sunnydale, I fell deeper in love everyday. You gave me a chance to see what happiness was. You brought sunlight into my world that had been without it for so many years. You saw me as a man, not a demon, and you loved me even for the demon within me. That night, on your birthday…for the first time I had an idea of what heaven must be like. And even with all that happened after, a part of me can never want to change things if we were given the chance, because I can't imagine not having that moment with you in my arms," he gently traced the side of her cheek, "After everything that happened, how many reasons you had to hate me, when you knew that you had no choice to stop Acathla, you loved me enough to try and make it easier on me. And when I came back, you stayed with me when you had every right to stake me or at the very least leave me to find your own life, nursing me back to this world and loving me even after everything. Even when your family and friends couldn't believe you would, or trust me…" He trailed his fingers down her neck to rest on his mark, "You loved me so much you were willing to give your life so I could live…I didn't deserve that kind of love, Buffy, I still don't…but I can accept it, because I love you just as much. You're my soulmate, Buffy; I know that, I always have. And if you'll let me, I want to spend whatever time we have on this earth, giving you the love you've given me…" Still holding her hand in his, he sunk down to one knee before her, "Buffy Anne Summers, will you take this demon with a soul, and make me the happiest man on earth?"

Buffy sniffled before slipping down to kneel with him, "Just remember who asked first, kay?" she smiled as she cupped his cheek, "Though I gotta admit, yours was a hell of a lot better than mine," she grinned.

"I don't know, I kinda liked yours," he chuckled. "So, is that a yes?"

"Of course it's a yes, you dofus!" she laughed, wrapping her hand around the back of his neck, capturing his lips with her own.

"Stay my girl?" he whispered, their foreheads touching after they broke apart.

"Always," she promised.

---

Thursday January 25thy, 2007
Sunnydale, California
Crawford Street – The Mansion
2:57 p.m.

"Okay ladies, everyone needs to be touching the portkey when it activates or you're going to be left behind," Buffy reminded as she looked around, the Potentials, including their three runaways, were gathered around, everyone else spread in the lobby after coming to say goodbye, other than Kennedy who was off sulking as Caridad put it. She caught Angel's eye and smiled, he said he had a present for her when she got back, and they were waiting to tell everyone the news until after they got the girls to England. If the Mouseketeers knew about an upcoming wedding they would refuse to budge.

"Last goodbyes girls, we got less than three minutes," she continued looking around as final hugs were exchanged. Pulling out the old reliable favorite form of portkeys - a rolled up newspaper, she held it out for the girls to each grab a part of, "Remember now, hold on tight, whatever you do, do not let go until I say to," she instructed as the second hand ticked down from ten.

Eleven seconds later they appeared in the lobby of the Academy and Buffy smiled at the green tint to a few faces, she remembered that feeling all too well. "Buffy, I see you found our runaways."

She turned and smiled at Blaise, "Yup and I brought back a bunch of others too," she nodded towards the girls, frowning as she counted quickly, they were missing someone...

"Didn't Draco mention there would be eight girls?"

"Eve isn't here," Vi spoke up.

"Don't worry girls, I'll find her," Buffy assured. "Everyone this is Blaise Zabini, he's on the Watcher's Council. I'm going to leave you in Blaise's hands and he'll make sure that you all get settled. I have to get out of here before the wards lock me in. You'll be safe here, I promise." Glancing around at them once more, she only paused to be captured in a four way hug with Rayen, Chiara and Elvira, before apparating back to Sunnydale. She would check the mansion before starting the hunt for her between California and England... Hopefully the girl hadn't let go when they were over the Atlantic...

"You lost something," Spike announced when she appeared in the room, Eve was standing there looking very much like a lost puppy. Buffy wasn't so sure she believed that though... She could have sworn Eve's hand was next to her own on the portkey so she should have at least started the journey...the only way she'd be left behind while holding the portkey was if it rejected her...

"Can I still get there tonight?" Eve asked.

"Sorry Eve, the portkey had to be specially done to get past the extra wards up right now, it's going to take a day or two to have another one done..." Buffy explained, she'd take that day or two to do some research while she was at it.

"Okay," Eve sighed.

"Come on, let's go raid the freezer for ice cream," Caridad suggested before leading her off.

"Something's bothering you," Angel whispered as he joined her.

"I'll tell you later, I gotta talk to Gin and Luc about it," she answered, the two had stayed at the castle instead of coming to see the mouseketeers off, Gin still fighting her headache.

"Well, before you go, can I give you your surprise?" he whispered in her ear as he wrapped her arms around her waist.

"If you want to," she countered as she leaned against his chest. She felt the chuckle that barely escaped his lips before looking down when she felt the ring being pulled from her hand, "Angel..." she began looking up at him in confusion, why was he taking her Claddagh ring.

"Shh, trust me," he countered as he moved the ring he had given her so many years before to her right hand. "Close your eyes."

"You know those words never have had the same meaning..."

"Buffy, shut up and close your eyes," he ordered with a smile to his voice. Rolling her eyes she did as he said, "Don't open them," he continued when she felt something slide onto her empty ring finger.

"Can I open them yet?" she asked when his hands moved to rest against her stomach.

"I found my happiness Buffy, and my peace," he answered in her ear, "As long as you're my girl...go ahead and open them now."

She turned her head slightly to look at him and he shrugged, "You found my letters, huh?"

"Yeah, they were addressed to me so..." he trailed off with a sheepish smile, "But you're stalling."

"So I am," she smiled before looking down at her hand, "Oh Angel," she whispered as she looked at the ring on her hand. Lifting it up to eye level she examined it better, it was beautiful, silver, platinum, she wasn't sure, who knew it could be white gold, all she knew was that it wasn't yellow...there were vines and flowers engraved on the outside of the band, the shoulders if her memory of ring shopping with Fiona for her women's independence ring was right. And as she looked closer she found that the floral design continued along both sides of the ring, down and around the band. It was the diamond though that was truly amazing, "It's red..." she looked up at him, she knew it wasn't a ruby, it had the cut and the light played along it like a diamond, she'd never seen a ruby do that before...

"Yes it is," he agreed with a smile. "The ring itself was made in the twenties; I saw it and thought of you. Red diamonds are very rare, rather a lot like Slayers in a way, though there are none as rare as you," he smiled. "And it seemed appropriate somehow, a blood red stone..."

"Considering some of my blood flows through your veins," she finished softly. "Thank you, Angel, I love it," she smiled as she turned in his arms to kiss him.

"Okay enough with the making out like teenagers we no longer are!" Cordelia called a few moments later. "Seeing you two like that all the time is making me think I'm back in junior year when I was making out with Xander all the time and that's just unbelievably freaky."

Buffy laughed as she turned back to look at them, "We're allowed."

"Well, yes, I know that you were denied a whole bunch of years..." Cordelia agreed.

"I think she meant we're allowed, because I asked Buffy to marry me," Angel interrupted with a smile.

"And that totally sucks... What!" Cordelia stopped as his statement registered. "Oh my GOD! You're getting married!"

"Well, I think the entire town knows now," Buffy looked up at Angel as he rubbed at his ear after Cordelia's shriek; she was actually louder than Fiona had been. He was also suddenly grateful that Ginny and Lucius had stayed at the castle, he really wanted Ginny's headache to be gone the next day the Powers willing.

"At least you're not the only one who likes to propose during an apocalypse," Anya told Xander.

"Well that's true," Faith laughed as she walked over and gave Buffy a hug, "Congratulations B, and Angel you hurt her, I'll find Mr. Pointy and stake ya, five by five?"

"Deal, Faith," he chuckled as he gave her a hug before the group moved as one on the two.

"Congratulations," Xander told Buffy and Angel when he and Anya reached them after a good deal of the gang from England got there first.

"Thank you," Buffy smiled gently.

"Is the wedding going to be before or after we go to war? Though after would be rather ridiculous actually considering one or both of you might be killed, well very likely will be killed, it is war after all…"

"It's before, Anya," Buffy interrupted. "As soon as possible I think," she looked up at Angel.

"As soon as possible," he agreed.

"Then we have a wedding to plan, but that actually takes a great deal of time, I know I've been there," Anya started up again before Xander shot them a smile and pulled her away even as she rambled on.

"Were you around when she was planning their wedding?"

"Are you kidding? I was hiding in LA with dressers up against the doors and windows," Angel whispered back before she laughed.

"Congratulations, Buffy," Giles spoke as he stepped forward, and she moved to wrap her arms around him.

"Thank you," she whispered before stepping back and Giles held his hand out to Angel.

"Angel," he nodded.

"Rupert," Angel smiled.

"You realize you hurt her again and I will use every bit of magical knowledge I have to make you regret it."

"I'm pretty sure you, Ginny and Fiona will come up with a great deal of ways to punish me together," Angel smiled. "But trust me; I've got no intention of hurting her."

"Still standing here you know," Buffy pointed out.

"Sorry Buffy," Giles smiled at her.

"Good, I have the attention now," she laughed, "Giles, will you do something for me?" she continued seriously.

"If it's in my power, and legal, then certainly," he smiled and for a moment she felt like she was back in high school, with a deep breath and a smile she quietly asked her request.

"Will you give me to Angel?"

"Buffy…" he began before pausing, "I would be honored," he continued with a soft smile.

"Thank you," she threw her arms around him once more. "You've always been more of a father to me than my dad…" she whispered in his ears.

"And you've always been like a daughter," he answered quietly before she slipped back to the floor. "I better go and check on the girls…or something," he continued as he stepped back.

"You just made him cry," Angel teased lightly.

"Happy tears, they're good," she smiled. "So we have a wedding and a war to plan, lover… Anything else we should add to this complicated week?"

"Unless someone turns up pregnant, I think we've covered most the bases… Family reunions, weddings, war, long distance traveling…"

"Let's not jinx someone else in the group then," she nodded seriously. "And if you get me pregnant before we're married, Mister, I'll smack you."

"You know, I think three kids is more than enough, I don't know if we want to try challenging fate anymore than we already have."

"Good point, so wedding and war planning it is. Hmm that could make an interesting book, how to plan a wedding and a war in ten easy steps…" Angel just laughed as he followed her.