Title: Only Time 5/?

Author: Doc OnlyTime@eternal.ws

Disclaimer: I don't own the Scoobs or the AI gang. Joss Whedon, David Greenwalt, Mutant Enemy, and FOX I think…and well, me eventually…..But don't sue me b/c I have nothing and the only thing you would get would be my immense B/A collection and considering you own them you already have everything B/A so, just lay off ok? Pretty Please J

Dedication: To Sara_Lee for writing me the awesome poem to help me feel better, to Lizzie for being such a funny, crazy, and great friend, to Meredith for being the best friend in the entire world and a good Samaritan (is that how you spell it??), to Quinton, for wanting more of this even tho he doesn't like B/A, and um, Crystal, for being great and helping me on my site J And to all the great, amazing writers on these lists

Spoilers: The Gift, Seasons 1-5 of Buffy and Seasons 1-2 of Angel (Not a lot tho)

Rating: If you watch the shows, you can read this

Author's Note: I know it has taken me FOREVER to get this out, but thanks to everyone for being so patient. My muse went a vacation and FORGOT to tell me J

Author's Note2: If you have not read the previous 4 parts and would like to, please contact me off list at the above email, and I will get them to you ASAP

Buffy awoke feeling refreshed and oddly, safe. She didn't realize where she was at first, but then she noticed someone's arms were wrapped protectively around her. She looked up into the face of an angel. Her Angel. She watched him sleep.

"Am I drooling?" Buffy jumped a little but then started laughing.

"No, I was just watching you sleep."

She looked at her watch.

"Oh my gosh. It's 4 o'clock. I must have been sleepier than I thought."

She sat up on the couch and then fell back against Angel's chest.

"Do we have to get up?"

"Well, its not long till sunset, and you were saying you wanted to go talk to the Oracles."

She turned over on her stomach and kissed him soundly on the lips. He graciously returned the kiss and held her to him, never wanting to loose contact with her body. It was amazing how loved and wanted she could make him feel. Buffy pulled away.

"Yuck. Morning breath."

Angel laughed.

"How about we go get ready and I'll meet you back down her at 6 and we'll go see the Oracles."

"Okie dokie."

Buffy jumped up off the couch and ran upstairs. She climbed out of her clothes and stepped into the warm shower. It felt good to her weary bones and she layed against the wall and let the water pour over her. So many things were changing so quickly in her life. She was this whole other person with a whole different life. She was Buffy Summers, lawyer, but then again, she was also, Buffy Summers, Slayer, protector of the world, fighter of evil. She washed her hair and rinsed the soap off her body and got out. She wrapped herself in the white fluffy towel and looked at herself in the mirror. She dried her long golden locks and pulled them back into a pony tail and threw on a baby T and a pair of Capri's and some makeup. She ran downstairs and was surprised to see Spike sitting on the couch.

"Hey Slayer. Looking alive as ever."

"Spike. What are you doing here?"

"Well, I was just waiting on Dawn to get home from school. I figured I'd take her out looting and show her how to use a gun. What do you think?"

"Funny. But if you ever harm a hair on her head, you're dust. Got it?"

"Oh, there's the old Buffster."

"Spike. What the hell are you doing here?"

Angel stood at the bottom of the stairs clad in black leather pants and a midnight blue button down shirt. Buffy almost started drooling at the site of him.

"Waiting on Nibblet to get home."

"Well, now's not a good time. Me and Buffy are going out and I don't want Dawn going places I don't know about."

"No problem Peaches. Dawnie, me and a few of her mates are going to the pictures. I'll have her home by 12. Don't worry old man."

He slapped Angel on the shoulder and took his seat back on the couch. Angel looked pointedly at Buffy. *What?* He motioned for Buffy to follow him. They walked over into his office and Angel shut the door.

"Aren't you going to say something?"

"Angel, no matter how much me and you don't like it, I'd rather have Dawn thinking we're at least tolerating this so she doesn't run off and do something stupid. I know this is driving you nuts, but believe me, if we show our support, we'll earn her respect and we won't be kept in the dark about things."

Angel let out a low growl and sat down at his desk.

"I just don't like it. He's, evil. I mean, I know He can't hurt her, but he can put her in situations that can get her hurt. I just don't trust him."

"Angel, we really can't object to this. What Dawn said last night about me being hypocritical was right. I can't go and have a relationship with you when I'm 16 and then expect her not to do the same. I just get the feeling that she's trying to follow in my footsteps and I don't like it. That leads down bad, consequential paths."

"Well, she knows our expectations and her limits. Hopefully she respects both of us, and the others to follow them. It's getting late. We better head over to the post office."

"What?"

"Well, to gain access to the Oracles, you kind of have to go through a portal type thing, which just happens to be located under the post office."

"LA, what did I expect?"

Buffy and Angel walked out of the office and back into the lobby where the found Spike and Dawn making out on the couch.

"Hey."

Dawn and Spike quit kissing and looked up hurriedly.

"What?"

Buffy laid a hand on Angel's shoulder.

"Dawn, me and Angel have to go out and run an errand. We expect you home by midnight, and not a minute later. Understood?"

"Gotcha. Be careful you guys. Bye."

Dawn and Spike ran out the front door.

"I can't handle this. I mean, I didn't even like it when I thought she was dating normal guys. But this, this is too much."

"Angel. Calm. Down. Giles!!!!"

Giles came to stand at the top of the stairs.

"Yes Buffy, what do you need?"

"Me and Angel are going to talk to the Oracles. Dawn's out with Spike and she's suppose to be home by midnight. We should be back by then, but if not, and she's not home, call me on my cell. I left the number on the fridge."

"All right. Be careful."

"Always."

Buffy and Angel walked out into the night. It was surprisingly cool and Buffy shivered. Angel took off his coat and put it over her shoulders.

"Thanks."

"Welcome."

They reached the post office and Angel showed her to the tunnel that lead beneath it. Angel performed the ritual and him and Buffy stepped through the portal.

"Hello Angel."

"Naddia. We're here about Buffy."

"Yes, we know."

Naddia's brother stepped out from a nearby doorway and came to stand beside his sister.

*Why do the guys always have to be such jerks*

"Hello Cassius."

"What have you brought us?"

"The sword of a fallen worrier, used to kill her lover."

Buffy recognized the sword and her eyes welled with tears. Angel noticed her change in stature and quickly gave the sword to the Oracles.

"Nice. But the worrier is not fallen. She has returned."

"Yes."

"So it is what you are here about."

"Why was I brought back?"

Buffy had regained her composure and decided to speak on her own behalf.

"Slayer, you made a great sacrifice the day you jumped into the Hell Beast's portal. You not only saved your sister, but you saved the world. We decided to give you what you had always wanted. A Normal Life. We took away your memories of your life as the Slayer, and replaced them with normal memories and placed you in a fitting life. We have brought you back because there is a battle brewing. The End of Days is nearing, and we will need all worriers at our disposal. The Powers thought it best to bring you back as a Slayer, because you were the first to willingly sacrifice your life for another when there was an alternative. You showed ultimate devotion and love. Buffy, we need you back. If you choose not to accept your duties and to go back to your life in New York, your memories will be taken back and everything will return as it was before. It is your decision to make."

Buffy stared at the woman before her, dumbfounded.

"You mean I can go back to my normal life? Not have to worry about saving the world or vampires or anything?"

"Yes. But you must understand that your help is greatly needed."

"If I chose to go back, could Dawn come with me?"

"No. As I said before, everything will be returned to normal. To your friends and sister, you will be dead."

Buffy looked at Angel, but he couldn't read what she was thinking. Her eyes were full of confusion. He knew that he wanted her to stay with him and for them to be able to start over. However, he also wanted her to be able to have the normal life she always craved in her days of being the Slayer. He didn't want this burden to yet again be put on her shoulders.

"Can I have a minute?"

"Take your time. This decision is not to be taken lightly."

Buffy took Angel's hand and pulled him to a corner of the room.

"Angel, what do I do? I mean, I can't just forget about you and Dawn and all my friends. But, what if I can't make it as the Slayer again."

She looked down at the floor and messaged the bridge of her nose.

"Buffy, this is your life. Your decision. I know in my heart that you'll make the right one. You've never failed. You won't this time."

He smiled at her. With his few words of encouragement and his reassuring smile, she knew what her decision would be.

"Ok. I'm ready."

"You have come to a decision?"

"Yes"