Love that prevail over death

Giles' voice Last time in 'Buffy, the Vampire slayer': Buffy is newlywed to Riley Finn. But then, she receives a call from Cordelia, who has shocking news: Angel is gone, for real.

Part Two: There's always hope

Cordelia called Giles that same night.. The former watcher was shocked with the news. Angel was a good man, a man who carried enough burden. Buffy's marriage to Riley was the last drop on a full pool. It brought him over the edge.

And Buffy, who should be 'content' with her marriage, was suffering.

Giles took a flight to LA that same night. Olivia didn't want to come with him. She didn't know Buffy too well neither didn't know Angel. When he arrived at A.I, Buffy was sleeping, holding Angel's clothes tight.

She felt someone had arrived. Slowly, she opened her eyes only to see Giles sitting on a chair beside her.

"Hey" She whispered softly.

"Hello" He replied "You look awful"

"I miss him, Giles" Her eyes filled with tears "God, it has been more than five years the last time we met, and I couldn't move on. I didn't want to. I miss him so much".

"I know" Giles caressed her hair "We all do. He was a great man".

"Once more" Tears fell silently as Buffy whispered "He gave up his life because of me" Her voice wasn't louder than a whisper. Then, Willow showed up, squealing with delight, her eyes sparkling with hope.

"We found it!" She squealed, grinning. Then, no more grinning, but still glowing with hope, she leaned and hugged her best friend "There is this ancient prophecy. It speaks about an ensouled vampire that fights for the light".

"It talks about Angel?" Buffy said, her eyes also glittering with hope.

"I think so. Giles, could you check on it for me?".

"Pretty sure" He smiled father-lovingly to his former slayer "Don't you worry, we'll bring him back" With that he left to check on the prophecy. He knew Buffy hated prophecies and wanted to make sure Angel would come back whole to his almost–daughter.

The blond and the witch were alone at that moment. Buffy looked at her best friend, her voice cracking as she spoke to the second person for whom she would open her soul.

The other one was Angel, but he wasn't there... for now.

"It hurts like Hell, Will".

"I know".

Buffy shook her hand strongly.

"No you don't. No one does. He told me, at the letter, you know, not to blame myself, but I do. Jesus, when did I become so idiot?".

"What about Riley?".

"I called my lawyer. I asked her to annul our marriage. I can't go on with this, lying to Riley, lying to myself. I did it once and it ended with Angel's death".

Willow patted solacingly at her friend's shoulder. Buffy was looking away, lost in her own little world, where she could remember Angel with calmness and security.

"Go sleep" She said lowly "Angel will blame us if you look like this when he comes back. You look beaten".

Buffy smiled sadly.

"Do you believe he will? Come back, I mean".

"Yes I do. I'll make anything to see you happy once more. See?" Willow pointed her face "Resolve face".

Buffy laughed briefly and hugged Willow.

~~**~~

Angel woke up. He rubbed his eyes strongly, looked around and down to himself. He was at a huge, white bedroom, with no doors, neither windows. Angel looked at himself once more: he dressed a tunic Matrix – style, only white instead of black.

'Where am I' he thought.

"I am the PTB, Warrior" A soft, loving, powerful voice said. Angel, caught unprepared, looked around once more, only to see nothing "I see you are confused" The voice added.

"I think it resumes it" He mumbled "Why am I not in Hell?".

"Instead of what my Oracles say" The voice sounded annoyed "I don't think you're a lower being. You gave up humanity to keep your soulmate's life. Now it's time to give it back to you".

"What?" Angel spoke softly, after a brief pause.

"You achieved your redemption, Liam" A female voice said from behind him. He turned on his tracks only to see Christal.

Christal was the Romani girl he had killed long ago. She was quite beautiful, with her long black hair, her dark blue eyes and a peaceful smile on her lips, on a light blue dress.

"You" "He said, confused.

"Yes, me" Christal stated simply "Your soulmate needs you, Liam. She is dying. I gave her hope, showing her friend a prophecy that talks about you".

"You shouldn't have done that, she is married. I have no hope to get her back".

Christal smiled, touching her cheek lightly.

"She is married to you. For true love there is always hope. She is sleeping right now. Reach her with your thoughts".

Angel sat down in hindi style and closed his eyes. He saw a strong glowing red string attaching him to somewhere. He smiled lightly, he knew where that string attached him. He silently started to follow it. A little after, he saw her.

She stood there, beautiful, petite. She wore a long hippie – style dress, satiny light red, her hair flowing down her back – which was turned to him – and a crown of flowers on her head.

~~**~~

Buffy looked around to recognize where she was. She had followed that glowing red string, attracted like a magnet to it. She had arrived at that dark room, and she didn't like it, she didn't like it at all. Then she looked at herself – and smiled. Her dress was silk or satin, light red. She could feel her hair cascading free down her back, and she could sense the scenty weight of a crown of flowers in her head.

Then she felt it.

The warmth on his heart that only Angel could give her.

She slowed turned on her tracks. And saw him, a smile on his face, tears shimmering on his loved chocolate eyes.

"Angel!" She cried as she launched to his arms.

~~**~~

She had felt him. He knew she had. He noticed her stiffinening a little, then turning around. He felt tears in his eyes, and a smile made its way to his face. Buffy, lovely at that red dress,  stared at him, unbelievingly. Then, she noticed it was true, he was there, and yelled his name.

He opened her arms and she threw herself into them. Their tears mixed, and he finally felt home.

~~**~~

She was in his arms. Those arms she loved so much. Jesus, it felt good. She was complete, her being was home again.

He slowly leaned. She closed her eyes, and waited for the kiss. It was soft, full of love. He was savouring her and she loved every second of it. Buffy felt a tear trickling down his cheek, and supported her hands at his strong chest. What she felt there made her break apart.

A heartbeat.

She stared at him. He smiled sheepishly.

"A heartbeat".

"Yep".

"Explain".

"It seems the PTB needed that I killed myself to give me my humanity back".

"Will you come back?" She asked him hopefully.

They heard Christal voice.

"For true love there is always hope".

~~**~~

He was deadly tired.

Riley Finn looked at the building he had been stalking for the last two days. His most treasured possession had been there for the last 48 hours, mourning the death of a vampire.

He snorted disgustedly. His wife crying over a dead vampire. He looked down at the gold band. She was under some spell, that was the only reason.

"Don't you worry my love" He whispered "I'll get you back".

Little he knew that his wife was having inside the most wonderful dream of her life.

~~**~~

Christal glanced worriedly at the pool that showed the former commando. She spoke inside the lovebirds' minds.

"It's lovely to see you together, but you'll soon wake up, Slayer. Don't leave the Hotel alone, Riley is stalking around".

"Oh, damn it" Buffy whispered. She looked at Angel "Come with me".

"Not yet, beloved" He whispered back "But soon".

"For true love there is always hope" Christal chanted once more "Hurry!".

They kissed once more. Buffy took a flower from her crown and gave it to Angel.

"Remember me" She whispered.

"Always".