Wesley and Gunn sat by Angel's side in the hospital

room. He looked so calm lying there in the bed. The

doctors were unsure of whether or not he would make it

through. Gunn and Wes were devastated.

"Cordy?" Angel asked weakly.

"Angel. It's us. Gunn and Wesley." Gunn said slowly.

"Hi guys, are you both okay?" Angel asked opening his

eyes. It warmed Wesley's heart to hear him ask if they

were okay first. He had always been so selfless.

"Yeah Angel we're fine. How do you feel?" Wesley

replied smiling.

"Not too well." Angel smiled weakly. He tried to sit

up, but found it too painful. "Am I… am I okay?" Angel

asked worriedly.

A look of pain shot through both his friends' eyes

telling Angel that he was not okay. Death had never

been a problem for Angel before. He had died once, but

dying as a human was a lot different than for a

vampire. It was real; he was real. Angel let out a

sigh.

"Angel, we want you to know we're here for you okay."

Wes said carefully.

"Keep Angel Investigations going okay?" Angel said

weakly. He laid his head back and closed his eyes.

"Angel, don't talk like that. You'll be alright."

Lorne said, walking in.

"It's okay guys. I am not afraid of death. I have

died before you know." Angel said trying to sound

light-hearted. Nevertheless, he knew this was

different. He remembered where he had been the first

time. It had been more pain and torture than anything

Angel had ever faced before, and that scared him. He

was terrified that in hell he would lose the memory of

Cordy. Or be tortured by the fact that he could never

see her again. It was agony to his soul.

"It's going to be okay Angel. You will survive this.

You're strong." Wesley said worriedly.

"Wes, my time is up. I have lived a very long life,

and I am ready to go." Angel said quietly. "I am

ready. I saved the world, many times. I have lived for

over 250 years; that's plenty of living for me."

"Yes but you have just received your gift; your

humanity. You can't give it up that easily Angel."

Lorne said.

"Guys, being human is so not all it's cracked up to

be." Angel said, smiling again, "The toll of losing

loved ones is taking its toll on me, and I am just

ready to go. You do not need me here anymore. You are

all stronger fighters than I am now. You can go on

helping the helpless. Do it for me, and more

importantly do it for Cordelia Chase." He said, seeing

the image of the beautiful brown haired girl in his

mind. That is what he had always wanted; to spend his

human life with Cordelia, but she was taken from him.

That was why he was done with life. He lost her, and

he was lost without her. He really was ready.

"Just keep on living guys, and don't forget to help

people. That's the most important thing." Angel said

closing his eyes again.

"Angel, please." Wesley pleaded.

But it was too late. Angel took his last breath and

the line went flat. He was gone.

***

Wesley, Gunn and Lorne sat in Angel's old office at

Angel Investigations. Neither one of the guys, besides

Lorne, would admit they had cried the previous night.

But the nonetheless they had. Angel had been their

boss, their hero and their best friend. They had all

known him for a long time, and knew nothing without

him. It had hit the group hard when their champion

girl, Cordelia had left them, but this was

devastating. Neither one wanted to help the helpless

anymore. They all wanted nothing more than to give up

and die like there friends, but they wouldn't.

"I'll really miss those crazy kids." Lorne said

sniffling.

"Yeah. I can't believe Angel gave up on life like

that." Gunn said, "He was always a fighter. I mean he

was in hell before, why would he want to go back

their?"

"What makes you think he did go back to hell?" Wesley

asked looking out the window.

"Huh? Hello! He's great and all, but he was a vampire

for 250 years." Gunn added.

"Yes, but he was also a human. He fought half his

life for redemption, and he got it. He did the right

thing. Fought the good fight. I don't think Angel knew

it, but I know he is in heaven now." Wesley said.

"With Cordelia Chase." Lorne added smiling slightly

at the thought of them finally being together, and

happy.

"Exactly. I think Angel is right where he is supposed

to be." Wes said sighing.

***

Angel's eyes opened as the bright light blinded his

vision momentarily. He had no idea where he was or

what happened. As his memory came back, a sudden chill

shot through him; this was hell again. He looked

around, as everything turned dark around him. The only

light now was coming from just in front of him; it

even seemed to be getting closer.

"I've been waiting for you Angel." A familiar voice

rang out into the air.

TBC…