Xander's voice was the only thing Buffy could hear. "C'mon! Breathe! Breathe!"
Buffy wanted to breathe. It just hurt too much. But Xander sounded so desperate. She had to try, if only for him.
"Buffy!" Her name on his lips, a cry of agony. She had to try.
Buffy's eyes shot open and she fought the wave of confusion that swept over her. She couldn't figure out where she was. All she knew was that Xander was there. She turned her head and coughed up mouthfuls of water. 'Where did that come from?' she wondered. Her lungs hurt, a deep, searing pain that wouldn't quit.
Xander looked down at Buffy with love in his eyes. He gently brushed his hand across her forehead. "Buffy," he said, the word tinged with his love for her.
"Xander?" Buffy still felt confused.
"Welcome back," he whispered.
Buffy felt the strangest sense of deja vu. She looked at her surroundings and finally recognized them as the Master's lair. But how did she get there? And where did Angel come from?
Angel and Xander helped Buffy stand up. She looked down and noticed that she was wearing the dress her mom had bought her for the Spring Fling. That fateful night so many years ago.
"Easy, easy," Xander said.
"Wait..." Buffy stopped them. Needing to be sure, she asked, "What year is this?"
Xander gave her a strange look but decided to forgive her for her strange question. She had died and everything. "It's 1997."
1997? That means...Buffy released a sigh of relief as she realized she had been given a second chance. She had the chance to make things right. To make her life better. She could be happy. "The Master?" she asked.
Angel replied, "He's gone up."
Buffy starts to head up, but is stopped by Xander. "No. You're still weak."
"No. No, I feel strong. I feel different," Buffy smiled. She was different. She had seen the light. It may have been one of the strangest ways possible, but she had seen the light. And she refused to retreat back into the dark. "Let's go!"
"Are you sure?" Xander asked.
Buffy smiled and reached for his hand. She pulled him closer. "Yes, I'm sure," the Slayer said. "We'll win. I know this because you would never let anything happen to me." Buffy leaned in and kissed Xander and walked off, leaving a dumbfounded human and stunned vampire behind.
Things would be different. She would make sure to do it right this time.
Additional disclaimer: Joss Whedon also holds the rights to "Prophecy Girl." Couldn't have given the ending away, now could I?