A/N: Thanks a bunch for all of the feedback guys. I sincerely hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Look for more Buffy fics from me as older ones are revamped (heh) and finished.

Chapter Forty-One

Weeks had passed since The First had been destroyed and things were finally settling back to normal.

Gunn and Rondell stood at the front door. "Man, keep in touch." Gunn said, giving Rondell a hug.

"You too, bro." Rondell said. "You need anything, you give us a shout."

The boys walked through the house saying their good-byes.

"So, heading to L.A.?" Buffy said.

"Yea." Wood smirked. "The way Rondell tells it, they're going to need trained people. And need people to train newcomers. I think I can do a lot of good there."

"Your mother would be proud." Buffy said.

"I think she would be." Wood nodded. The two shared a quick hug before Wood headed for the door.

"Good luck." Gunn said as Wood and Rondell left with the boys.

"You want to go with them?" Faith asked as she came down the stairs.

"Nope." Gunn smiled. "I hear I'm going somewhere else."

"I know." Faith smiled. "I just hope you can handle it."

"Oh, I can." Gunn smiled, giving Faith a tender kiss.

"So, I hear you're heading east." Buffy said, breaking the moment.

"Giles's contacts say something big's setting up shop." Faith said. "We're leaving in a few."

Gunn moved off. "I better go say my good-byes and get my gear."

"B." Faith said, hugging Buffy tightly.

"Keep in touch." Buffy said. "You need anything. . ."

"I'll call." Faith finished. "I feel like there's so much more to say."

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

"Hey, what I'm built for." Faith said. "Rona, Molly, get ready to motor."

"Just the four of you?" Buffy asked.

"Yea." Faith said. "Buffy."

"I know." Buffy said.

"I love you." Faith nodded.

"I love you too." Buffy said, hugging Faith again. "And Faith?"

"Yea." Faith stopped.

"Thank you for everything." Buffy smiled.

"Jeez, are you too every going to finish?" Dawn said, moving to give Faith a good-bye hug. "Thanks for everything."

"Thank you." Faith said. "Keep in touch."

"Promise." Dawn said. "As soon as you let us know where you settle down."

Faith and Buffy smiled and moved into the room. The sleeping bags and blankets were stacked or rolled. Bags were packed and people were hugging, crying and generally saying good-bye.

"You need anything, you call." Giles said to Faith as she entered the room.

Faith reached up and pulled Giles into a hug. "Same goes for you." She smiled.

"Charles." Wesley nodded. "It's been a pleasure fighting at your side." The two men shook hands and moved apart.

"You get into any trouble, English, give me a call." Gunn smiled.

"Be safe, Charles." Fred said, as she moved to hug him good-bye. "I'll miss you."

"Same here." Gunn said, wiping a small tear from Fred's check. "You staying in Sunnydale?"

"Fred's going to help Giles and I restart the council." Wesley said. "Along with the few remaining Watchers."

"Yes, Robson said he'd arrive tomorrow morning." Giles added.

Gunn nodded and moved off.

Amanda packed her bag with a happy bounce. "What're you so happy about?" Vi asked.

"My mom and dad are coming back today." Amanda said. "I can't wait to see them."

Vi smiled. "So, you're staying in Sunnydale then?"

"Yea." Amanda said softly. "Buffy and Giles said they'd train me."

Conversations continued through out the house as people said good-bye and swapped plans for the future. Two were missing from this conversation.

"Now's your chance to be a man." Angel said to Spike.

"Vampire with a soul for hire?" Spike said. "Sounds familiar."

"You work you're way to redemption." Angel said. "You work to become a better man."

A soft light filled the house. Everyone gathered into the dining room.

"Buffy?" Dawn said with a little fear in her voice. "What's going on?"

"I don't know." Buffy said.

"You fought well." Joyce said as she and Tara stepped from the light.

"And you won." Tara smiled.

Willow returned the smile lovingly.

"Angel." Joyce said. "Thank you for everything."

"You gave up so much." Tara said.

"I'd do anything." Angel said.

"I know." Joyce smiled. "But now it's time to get on with your life."

The light dissipated. Angel's eyes began to glow as he gasped and fell to the floor.

"Angel." Gunn shouted as he moved to catch him.

"Angel?" Buffy said, placing her hand on his chest. "Are you okay?"

"I'm alive." Angel said, moving Buffy's hand over his beating heart.