His reward
---
CONTINUED FROM "SURRENDER"
SPOILERS: If you haven't watched THE GIFT then there's a big spoiler here.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the characters. They belong to Joss & Co.
---
Spike was getting anxious for Angel's return and he was getting extremely uncomfortable waiting with the Oracles.
Salos sensed that there was something wrong with the once dark vampire,
"He won't take long" he assured Spike with a grin.
"Then why the bloody hell is he?" yelled Spike and he started to bang his head against the wall.
"What's the point?" Lillian questioned Spike and he turned around gazing at her curiously.
"The point of what?" He asked her.
"The point of all this? You'd rather risk Angel's life to just save this girl than just carry on normally?" Lillian asked and then she continued, "I don't think there is a point. You can find love elsewhere. So, tell me, what's the point?"
Spike lost contact with Lillian's eyes, but then he began to remember what Angel previously said when he had to answer that question...
---
(V/O: WHAT ANGEL PREVIOUSLY SAID....)
"No, there's no point and it sounds stupid, but have you ever been in love before? Because I believe that you haven't and until you do, you'd understand why two weaklings want to risk one of their lives to save this.... Girl. In fact, she's not even a girl, she's the point of love"
---
"Yes. She's the point of love," Spike whispered to himself.
"Repeat" Salos ordered, as he didn't hear what Spike had just said.
"She's the point of love. That's the answer. That's what the point is!" Spike cried and he saw Lillian looking surprised, "That's the point".
---
With all of what was going on outside, it was a thousand times worst inside, because Angel was still burning away and Buffy was the one who had to watch it all.
"I'm sorry" Buffy finally whispered, "I'm sorry I'm causing your death... again. You know you didn't have to do this. You didn't have to sacrifice your life and all"
Angel turned his head slightly. He saw beauty shine right out of her face and he started to feel warmth again. Buffy was back. Ironically, Angel was more happy than sad. He didn't care what happened to him. He just cared about Buffy. It was all Buffy, because Buffy was a part of Angel. Without the other, one would be weaker, but with Buffy in Angel's view, he was stronger. He felt stronger. He would rather die with Buffy watching than to not see Buffy ever again.
"You're forgiven" Angel gave a weak smile.
Buffy had missed that smile so much. It was so tender and loving. Angel had never smiled that much before that one small smile just completed all the depressing times that they had together.
"I- I love you" Buffy told Angel the obvious. She was unsure whether he had heard her or not, but then she got a reply.
"I love you too" Angel smiled again and he closed his eyes. Surely, it was time for him to go now? But no...
Something happened. Remember, there was always something?
The whole rooftop opened and the sun shone directly at Angel, but nothing... not even a burn. He had burnt so easily with the little holes that Angel was surprised that nothing was happening. Why wasn't he dying?
"Angel?" Buffy whispered. She was sure that he was suppose to die too.
"Congratulations!" A voice cried. It was Salos, "You've done it, Angel. We weren't sure at first, but you've done it!"
"What?" Angel asked in confusion.
"You've done it!" Lillian cried gleefully, "You've become human!"
Angel was shocked. Of course he was going to be. He was the h word. He was HUMAN.
"Why? What- I thought I had to complete all the tasks and defeat a huge power first?" Angel questioned. He was surprised. He was... human.
"You have. Don't you get it?" Lillian asked and then she sustained, "You've completed A LOT of tasks in the past and in the present. You HAVE defeated a huge power. Love. You've become stronger than love itself, because you were willing to die for it. Angel, do you get it now?" Lillian explained while she saw the happiness wave in front of Angel's face.
Angel beamed. He looked at the Oracles. They knew that this was going to happen. And then he looked at Buffy. She was astounded.
"Angel?" She whispered again, "Your... We... Me and You" Buffy was hinted the relationship word.
"Forever. That's the point" Angel smiled and he leaned forward to hug her.
As they embraced, Angel saw Spike in the background. He knew that he had heard everything.
"Human" Spike sighed deeply, "Bloody fantastic".
Angel knew what this meant. Spike was going to fight. He was going to fight for Buffy. It didn't matter what he had said before, because Angel knew that Spike wanted Buffy. Spike loved Buffy, but now Angel was human there was more competition.
Buffy pulled out from the clasp to see who Angel was staring at.
"Spike?" Buffy questioned amazed and their eyes were locked for a second.
"Bye" Spike mumbled and left.
One word hit Angel.
WAR....
TO BE CONTUNUED....