The Future
Ok, these are stories that are all connected.
Back story:
These stories take place three years after Sunnydale was destroyed. Which puts the year to be 2006. The gang has successfully moved to Cleveland, and they have started a school for the slayers. The school is a mix between Professor Xavier's and Hogwarts. The girls go to a regular school, either elementary, middle or high school, and then come home for their special classes. Giles is the Principal. Willow teaches demonology, and History of the slayer. Buffy teaches the girls to fight.
Meanwhile, in L.A, Angel has been busy doing what he does best, save the world. Here's where I'll leave you. Enjoy!
Story one:
Life After Death
"Hello?"
"Hey."
"Buffy! Hi. I've been trying to get a hold of you for like a week."
"Sorry. I went on vacation. I actually went on a demon free vacation!"
"So, then you're liking the arrangements?"
"I'm loving it! It's the closest thing I've had to a real life in ten years! Sure, I have to go to school, cuz I'm the teacher, but it's freedom."
"Oh yeah, you guys started a school, didn't you? How's that going?"
"Great! Giles takes care of the financial stuff, and the media and stuff. Xander and Andrew take care of finding the girls, Will takes care of the educational stuff, and I do what I do best. I train. No more, no less. Nothing more is expected of me. We even have these cool letters that are sent to the parents of slayers, informing them in stupid that their girl is special, and we'd like to have her at our school."
"Any downsides?"
"I can't just go out and kill something if I'm having a bad day. If and when I do patrol, I have to take a group of first, second or third years out with me. Which means that the girls are either 10, 11, 12, or 13. There are also scheduled nights when and where I can patrol. And then the other days I don't, the fifth and up patrol."
"Years?" he asked, trying to sound intrigued.
"I know that we haven't really been in touch, but you don't even know about the lass system? I would have thought that Wesley or Willow would have told you. The first years are girls that just came into their powers. We still have some 15 year olds that Xander or Andrew missed, but it's happening less and less. And then each year, they move up a grade. Only it's in years. 1st, 2nd and 3rd years can't patrol without me Giles or Willow. 4th years can patrol with 7th years. 5th or 6th years can patrol in groups as small as three, and 7th years can patrol alone. By that time, they're sixteen. Because Giles figured out that they gain their powers at age 10. This way, they have 7 years of training before being let out into the free world."
"So, Will's teaching?"
"Yeah. For the first two years, she was substitute teaching long term, until she got her primary degree. And now she's almost completed her secondary degree, so she can teach elementary up through high school. The girls go to a regular public school during the day, for regular classes, and then they come back to the school and have training, slayer history, demonology, and for those who have the aptitude; magic. Once they're 4th years they take weapons training."
"Sounds like life's going pretty good for you." He sounded resigned.
"It is. I never knew how much I'd enjoy teaching. And I have help. The girls who were there for the first; Vi, Amanda, Rona, Shannon, Kennedy; they've gone through pretty much the ultimate test. She they get to help out. Though they still have to go to school."
"How's Dawn?"
"Great. She's a..freshman in college now. Well, next fall. She's thinking about becoming a watcher, though I hate to tell her, watcher's are becoming obsolete."
"well, other than the school, what's new with you?"
"Well, you know how we thought that Dawn might be a slayer, right? Well, we're still not sure. She has the qualities of the slayer, and she's got the best repertoire besides mine, that is, but she had all that before, the grace, the speed, the strength, only not as defined. Giles is trying to do tests, but Dawn's not putting up with it too well." She laughed at the thought of Giles's last try to test her sister. "Wow, listen to me babble on! What's new in L.A?"
"Nothing much." He was keeping something from her, she could tell. "I'd like to see it. The school, I mean. Could I come and visit? Things are pretty quiet right now. I'd like to see where you live. And I'd like to see you again." His voice softened at the last part.
Suddenly she was flustered. "uh.sure. That'd be great."
"Good. I've missed you." His voice was full of emotion.
"Me too." She said awkwardly.
"I be seeing you."
"yeah." She said faintly before hanging up. She didn't know how she felt about seeing him again. The last conversation she'd had with him was that stupid cookie analogy, and that was three years ago. They'd gone to visit after Sunnydale, but he'd been so busy they'd bearly seen each other, much less said a complete sentence to the other.
"Hey, Buffy?" Willow knocked on the open door, bringing her out of her thoughts. "Can I talk to you about Mariah for a moment?"
"Yeah, sure Will."
"What's wrong?" She had heard something in her friend's tone. She sat down on the couch facing Buffy at her desk.
"Nothin-" she sighed. "Angel called. Well, I called him, but he called while I was gone."
"Yeah, a couple times."
"He's coming to visit. He was interested in the school, and I'm fine with him being interested it's just that.."
"What?" she prodded gently.
"look at my life. I can go out on almost any night I please. I have a great job, doing something I love. I'm around my favorite people every day. And for the first time, I'm not truly alone in bearing this burden called a destiny. They are tons out there who have it! For the first time in my life, my destiny isn't hanging over my head, weighing me down."
"And you're afraid?" This was a stab in the dark.
"Yes! Afraid that if he walks back into my life, all the pain that I've been running from will come rushing back. I've put most of it behind me, I thought I had moved on, but every once in awhile, I'll think about him, or Riley, or even Spike, and I get that same twinge. And then I realize that I'm not over them. And I wonder if I'll ever be totally over them."
"How do you know he's staying around?"
"Something in his voice." She sighed. "I can't exactly explain it, but maybe it's my intuition. I just know that he wants to try again. All I want is a normal life. That's all I've ever wanted. And we've tried. We really did, but it didn't work out. Who's to say that this time it will be any different?"
"he wouldn't want to try if he didn't think it could work."
"Yeah." She sighed yet again. "Well, we'll just have to wait and see. So, what's the problem with Mariah?"
~ * ~
There was a knock on the huge oak door just after dusk the next day.
"Hi, Angel." Buffy greeted him. He walked in as she moved aside. "No invite?"
"It's a school." He thought fast. She nodded, unconvinced.
"Let's go up to my rooms." She led the way up two flights of stairs, and into the right wing. Her's was the last door.
"This place is huge."
"Yeah. We got it at a great price. The first floor is classrooms. 2nd is the student rooms. 3rd floor is the teacher's rooms, their offices, and the left wing is for guests. Like girls who have graduated, once we've been her seven years, or the Sunnydale potentials. Basement is Giles's library." She explained as they walked. "Well, here we are." She unlocked the door. "As if a simple lock would stop a determined slayer." she joked. She was a bit unnerved, being so close to him again.
She moved to close the door as he went to sit on the couch.
"Buffy, if you are uncomfortable, you can leave it open."
"We're both adults. I don't think we have to worry about falling prey to our passion. I still remember what happened last time."
"If this is a bad time-"
"No. You're here. It's just..don't mind the mess. I've only been back two days. I went with Dawn to see her college. Pretty chic."
"I've wanted to visit you for awhile. But then things got bad.." The sentence hung in the air.
"I know how that is." She joked, trying to ease her tenseness.
He looked around her room. It was furnished as a living room/study. There was a couch, coffee table, t.v. As well as a large desk and computer in the far wall. There was even a small book case. The carpet was a plush maroon, and windows occupied most of one wall. The curtains were open to show the dark, starry sky.
There was a door in the opposite wall that they had come in from, and he figured that it led to her bathroom and bed room.
"So, uh, would you like a tour, since you're here to see the school?"
he almost told her the truth, he was here to see her. He couldn't care less about the school. But he bit his tongue and nodded instead. "Sure." She showed him around. Soon they were back at her door again.
"Buffy." He stopped her outside her door with a hand on her elbow. "We need to talk." "Why?"
"I know things are different between us, but I'd like us to be friends."
"We are." She said defensively.
"No, more than what we already are. Before I called, we hadn't spoken in three years. We aren't friends."
"We tried being friends my senior year, remember? It didn't work then. What's so different to make it work now?"
He sighed. "I have something to show you. But not tonight. It's late. Why don't you get some sleep. We'll finish this tomorrow."
"You're welcome to sleep on the couch."
"thanks. Night, Buffy."
"night."
~ * ~
Once he knew she was asleep, he crept into her room and watched her sleeping for awhile. He still wasn't used to sleeping during the night. She looked so innocent while she slept.
She woke up early the next morning. The sun was streaming through her window. She stretched luguriously, before going to take a shower.
She walked out into the living room wrapped in her terry cloth robe, massaging her hair dry. She stopped dead when she saw him on the couch. Then she remembered. She squeaked, and uncharacteristic sound, she had to admit, and scurried to get dressed. When she ventured out again, he was awake and over by her desk, looking at the books there.
"they're mostly slayers or watcher's diaries. At first, I felt really strange reading them, but they've really helped me train the girls."
"Good morning. You look good for so early in the morning." He was partially teasing her.
"Thanks." She looked down at her red sweats and white tank top.
"I have something to show you."
"A surprise? Goody." She smiled at him.
"Come on." He walked over and took her hand. He led her from the room, and down the stairs. The few girls who were up and around stared curiously at this handsome man and their teacher.
He led her to the first floor and out the front door. She just stood there a moment, not comprehending what she saw.
Then questions flooded her mind.
"How?" was the first one that managed to find her tongue.
"I told you things got busy. This was my reward. I was forgiven."
"When?"
"2 weeks ago. We didn't figure it out for awhile, though. I seem to have all my senses at their souped up strength. I'm not as strong as I was, but I can still put up a good fight." She looked down at their entwined hands and felt the heat from his palm. She hesitantly took her hand from him and placed it on his chest. She could feel his heart beat. "Buffy.what I said last night..it was a lie. I don't want to be just your friend. I don't know if I can be. I needed something to say so you'd let me stay. I didn't want to lie to you. I missed you. I love you." He didn't want to push her, but he had been waiting seven years to tell her what he felt in his heart. He gently pulled her into a hug. She made as if to balk, murmuring something about the students, but he held her fast.
"I-I missed you too, Angel. But."
"I want us to try."
"me too, Angel, but.Our lives are different now. You're in L.A. I'm here. How do we know that we can fit in each other's lives anymore? We both have jobs..."
"I'm the boss, I can do whatever I want. And besides, after a long time brooding, they all think I deserve a break. A vacation."
"This is just all so sudden! I-I-I.I have a class to prepare..and.and.."
"Shh. You need time to think. I'll get out of your hair." He gave her a card. "my cell phone's on the back. Call me when you've decided, no matter what you decide." He tilted her head up and kissed her tenderly. She automatically stepped closer to him. He pulled a way and with one last look, walked away.
She just stood there staring at his retreating form.
Then she went straight to Willow.
"Buffy?! What's wrong?" She asked, after opening her door to the slayer's knock. Buffy was confused and there by close to tears.
Willow ushered her into her room and listened to her best friend's woes.
"And now I'm so confused! I loved him. Then he left. Then Riley, and he left me too. Then Spike, but he died. And for the past three years, I've been pulling Faith's. Dating, but not letting myself get attached. Hurting them before they have a chance to hurt me. And I don't know if I should let him back in. I don't know if I can!" she concluded. She looked to her best friend for guidance.
"Buffy, love is worth the pain."
"But what if he leaves? Again?"
"If he's been holding on this long, chances are he won't be letting go without a fight. You told me how he was jealous of Spike."
She sighed. She seemed to be doing that a lot lately. "Your right." She sniffled, then smiled. "Do you think we have a chance?"
"If I said no, would you listen?" she teased.
"Before, I would have decided it was a challenge, but now.."
"too many real challenges to get excited about it?" Buffy nodded. "I've always thought you two were destined to be together, Buffy. I've always thought that you two would be the ones out of all of us to make it. We've all had demonic relationships, and you are the only one that still has a chance. I think you two can do it." Buffy hugged her friend and left to prepare.
~ * ~
Buffy sat by one of the lilac bushes in the back yard, at dusk. The sun was setting, turning the clouds pinks and reds. She heard him approach.
"The sunset is gorgeous, isn't it?"
"Yes it is, and so are you." He sat beside her. "it's great to be able to watch it. I'd like to see more sunsets, just like I'd like to see more of you."
"You broke my heart twice. Once wasn't your fault, but you still did. And each time, I picked up the pieces, and gave it to someone else. Well, now I find myself sitting here with a very battered and bruised heart. And pieces of it are missing. And I don't know if it can take another beating." She now turned to face him. "It's scared that if I give it to another person, even you, who I trust, it might not survive." She looked into his eyes and he saw the sadness her life had put there, and the fear.
He didn't know what to tell her. He didn't know how to put his thoughts into words. He still had the memories of his past; their past together.
She saw his hesitance, and was about to turn away when he pulled her to his chest. She heard his heart beat. He wrapped his arms around her.
"I never meant to break or smash your heart. More than anything, I wanted to protect it. I still do."
"I know." She murmured. "Angel? Could we take this slow? Learning who we are now, and how we fit together? I've walked through the fire, and over thin ice. I've learned to be careful about my footing."
"So, does this mean you are done baking?" he teased.
She actually considered it. "Well, I'm 25 now, I have freedom from my destiny, a purpose, a great job doing what I love, and a nice home. I know who and what I am. I guess you could say I've found self-actualization." She smiled.
"Wow, big word."
"yeah. Yeah, I'd definitely say that I am now delicious chocolate chip cookie me. But I'm still to hot to ea.enjoy right yet."
"Good. So am i. Well.oatmeal raison." He joked. She stood, smoothing out her white summer dress. She held out her hand expectantly. He took it and stood close beside her.
"Angel." she sounded unsure of herself. "can we take this slow? I don't think I'm ready.."
"Of course." They watched the sunset a bit longer, before he led her through the lilacs to the house.
The End.
Ok, these are stories that are all connected.
Back story:
These stories take place three years after Sunnydale was destroyed. Which puts the year to be 2006. The gang has successfully moved to Cleveland, and they have started a school for the slayers. The school is a mix between Professor Xavier's and Hogwarts. The girls go to a regular school, either elementary, middle or high school, and then come home for their special classes. Giles is the Principal. Willow teaches demonology, and History of the slayer. Buffy teaches the girls to fight.
Meanwhile, in L.A, Angel has been busy doing what he does best, save the world. Here's where I'll leave you. Enjoy!
Story one:
Life After Death
"Hello?"
"Hey."
"Buffy! Hi. I've been trying to get a hold of you for like a week."
"Sorry. I went on vacation. I actually went on a demon free vacation!"
"So, then you're liking the arrangements?"
"I'm loving it! It's the closest thing I've had to a real life in ten years! Sure, I have to go to school, cuz I'm the teacher, but it's freedom."
"Oh yeah, you guys started a school, didn't you? How's that going?"
"Great! Giles takes care of the financial stuff, and the media and stuff. Xander and Andrew take care of finding the girls, Will takes care of the educational stuff, and I do what I do best. I train. No more, no less. Nothing more is expected of me. We even have these cool letters that are sent to the parents of slayers, informing them in stupid that their girl is special, and we'd like to have her at our school."
"Any downsides?"
"I can't just go out and kill something if I'm having a bad day. If and when I do patrol, I have to take a group of first, second or third years out with me. Which means that the girls are either 10, 11, 12, or 13. There are also scheduled nights when and where I can patrol. And then the other days I don't, the fifth and up patrol."
"Years?" he asked, trying to sound intrigued.
"I know that we haven't really been in touch, but you don't even know about the lass system? I would have thought that Wesley or Willow would have told you. The first years are girls that just came into their powers. We still have some 15 year olds that Xander or Andrew missed, but it's happening less and less. And then each year, they move up a grade. Only it's in years. 1st, 2nd and 3rd years can't patrol without me Giles or Willow. 4th years can patrol with 7th years. 5th or 6th years can patrol in groups as small as three, and 7th years can patrol alone. By that time, they're sixteen. Because Giles figured out that they gain their powers at age 10. This way, they have 7 years of training before being let out into the free world."
"So, Will's teaching?"
"Yeah. For the first two years, she was substitute teaching long term, until she got her primary degree. And now she's almost completed her secondary degree, so she can teach elementary up through high school. The girls go to a regular public school during the day, for regular classes, and then they come back to the school and have training, slayer history, demonology, and for those who have the aptitude; magic. Once they're 4th years they take weapons training."
"Sounds like life's going pretty good for you." He sounded resigned.
"It is. I never knew how much I'd enjoy teaching. And I have help. The girls who were there for the first; Vi, Amanda, Rona, Shannon, Kennedy; they've gone through pretty much the ultimate test. She they get to help out. Though they still have to go to school."
"How's Dawn?"
"Great. She's a..freshman in college now. Well, next fall. She's thinking about becoming a watcher, though I hate to tell her, watcher's are becoming obsolete."
"well, other than the school, what's new with you?"
"Well, you know how we thought that Dawn might be a slayer, right? Well, we're still not sure. She has the qualities of the slayer, and she's got the best repertoire besides mine, that is, but she had all that before, the grace, the speed, the strength, only not as defined. Giles is trying to do tests, but Dawn's not putting up with it too well." She laughed at the thought of Giles's last try to test her sister. "Wow, listen to me babble on! What's new in L.A?"
"Nothing much." He was keeping something from her, she could tell. "I'd like to see it. The school, I mean. Could I come and visit? Things are pretty quiet right now. I'd like to see where you live. And I'd like to see you again." His voice softened at the last part.
Suddenly she was flustered. "uh.sure. That'd be great."
"Good. I've missed you." His voice was full of emotion.
"Me too." She said awkwardly.
"I be seeing you."
"yeah." She said faintly before hanging up. She didn't know how she felt about seeing him again. The last conversation she'd had with him was that stupid cookie analogy, and that was three years ago. They'd gone to visit after Sunnydale, but he'd been so busy they'd bearly seen each other, much less said a complete sentence to the other.
"Hey, Buffy?" Willow knocked on the open door, bringing her out of her thoughts. "Can I talk to you about Mariah for a moment?"
"Yeah, sure Will."
"What's wrong?" She had heard something in her friend's tone. She sat down on the couch facing Buffy at her desk.
"Nothin-" she sighed. "Angel called. Well, I called him, but he called while I was gone."
"Yeah, a couple times."
"He's coming to visit. He was interested in the school, and I'm fine with him being interested it's just that.."
"What?" she prodded gently.
"look at my life. I can go out on almost any night I please. I have a great job, doing something I love. I'm around my favorite people every day. And for the first time, I'm not truly alone in bearing this burden called a destiny. They are tons out there who have it! For the first time in my life, my destiny isn't hanging over my head, weighing me down."
"And you're afraid?" This was a stab in the dark.
"Yes! Afraid that if he walks back into my life, all the pain that I've been running from will come rushing back. I've put most of it behind me, I thought I had moved on, but every once in awhile, I'll think about him, or Riley, or even Spike, and I get that same twinge. And then I realize that I'm not over them. And I wonder if I'll ever be totally over them."
"How do you know he's staying around?"
"Something in his voice." She sighed. "I can't exactly explain it, but maybe it's my intuition. I just know that he wants to try again. All I want is a normal life. That's all I've ever wanted. And we've tried. We really did, but it didn't work out. Who's to say that this time it will be any different?"
"he wouldn't want to try if he didn't think it could work."
"Yeah." She sighed yet again. "Well, we'll just have to wait and see. So, what's the problem with Mariah?"
~ * ~
There was a knock on the huge oak door just after dusk the next day.
"Hi, Angel." Buffy greeted him. He walked in as she moved aside. "No invite?"
"It's a school." He thought fast. She nodded, unconvinced.
"Let's go up to my rooms." She led the way up two flights of stairs, and into the right wing. Her's was the last door.
"This place is huge."
"Yeah. We got it at a great price. The first floor is classrooms. 2nd is the student rooms. 3rd floor is the teacher's rooms, their offices, and the left wing is for guests. Like girls who have graduated, once we've been her seven years, or the Sunnydale potentials. Basement is Giles's library." She explained as they walked. "Well, here we are." She unlocked the door. "As if a simple lock would stop a determined slayer." she joked. She was a bit unnerved, being so close to him again.
She moved to close the door as he went to sit on the couch.
"Buffy, if you are uncomfortable, you can leave it open."
"We're both adults. I don't think we have to worry about falling prey to our passion. I still remember what happened last time."
"If this is a bad time-"
"No. You're here. It's just..don't mind the mess. I've only been back two days. I went with Dawn to see her college. Pretty chic."
"I've wanted to visit you for awhile. But then things got bad.." The sentence hung in the air.
"I know how that is." She joked, trying to ease her tenseness.
He looked around her room. It was furnished as a living room/study. There was a couch, coffee table, t.v. As well as a large desk and computer in the far wall. There was even a small book case. The carpet was a plush maroon, and windows occupied most of one wall. The curtains were open to show the dark, starry sky.
There was a door in the opposite wall that they had come in from, and he figured that it led to her bathroom and bed room.
"So, uh, would you like a tour, since you're here to see the school?"
he almost told her the truth, he was here to see her. He couldn't care less about the school. But he bit his tongue and nodded instead. "Sure." She showed him around. Soon they were back at her door again.
"Buffy." He stopped her outside her door with a hand on her elbow. "We need to talk." "Why?"
"I know things are different between us, but I'd like us to be friends."
"We are." She said defensively.
"No, more than what we already are. Before I called, we hadn't spoken in three years. We aren't friends."
"We tried being friends my senior year, remember? It didn't work then. What's so different to make it work now?"
He sighed. "I have something to show you. But not tonight. It's late. Why don't you get some sleep. We'll finish this tomorrow."
"You're welcome to sleep on the couch."
"thanks. Night, Buffy."
"night."
~ * ~
Once he knew she was asleep, he crept into her room and watched her sleeping for awhile. He still wasn't used to sleeping during the night. She looked so innocent while she slept.
She woke up early the next morning. The sun was streaming through her window. She stretched luguriously, before going to take a shower.
She walked out into the living room wrapped in her terry cloth robe, massaging her hair dry. She stopped dead when she saw him on the couch. Then she remembered. She squeaked, and uncharacteristic sound, she had to admit, and scurried to get dressed. When she ventured out again, he was awake and over by her desk, looking at the books there.
"they're mostly slayers or watcher's diaries. At first, I felt really strange reading them, but they've really helped me train the girls."
"Good morning. You look good for so early in the morning." He was partially teasing her.
"Thanks." She looked down at her red sweats and white tank top.
"I have something to show you."
"A surprise? Goody." She smiled at him.
"Come on." He walked over and took her hand. He led her from the room, and down the stairs. The few girls who were up and around stared curiously at this handsome man and their teacher.
He led her to the first floor and out the front door. She just stood there a moment, not comprehending what she saw.
Then questions flooded her mind.
"How?" was the first one that managed to find her tongue.
"I told you things got busy. This was my reward. I was forgiven."
"When?"
"2 weeks ago. We didn't figure it out for awhile, though. I seem to have all my senses at their souped up strength. I'm not as strong as I was, but I can still put up a good fight." She looked down at their entwined hands and felt the heat from his palm. She hesitantly took her hand from him and placed it on his chest. She could feel his heart beat. "Buffy.what I said last night..it was a lie. I don't want to be just your friend. I don't know if I can be. I needed something to say so you'd let me stay. I didn't want to lie to you. I missed you. I love you." He didn't want to push her, but he had been waiting seven years to tell her what he felt in his heart. He gently pulled her into a hug. She made as if to balk, murmuring something about the students, but he held her fast.
"I-I missed you too, Angel. But."
"I want us to try."
"me too, Angel, but.Our lives are different now. You're in L.A. I'm here. How do we know that we can fit in each other's lives anymore? We both have jobs..."
"I'm the boss, I can do whatever I want. And besides, after a long time brooding, they all think I deserve a break. A vacation."
"This is just all so sudden! I-I-I.I have a class to prepare..and.and.."
"Shh. You need time to think. I'll get out of your hair." He gave her a card. "my cell phone's on the back. Call me when you've decided, no matter what you decide." He tilted her head up and kissed her tenderly. She automatically stepped closer to him. He pulled a way and with one last look, walked away.
She just stood there staring at his retreating form.
Then she went straight to Willow.
"Buffy?! What's wrong?" She asked, after opening her door to the slayer's knock. Buffy was confused and there by close to tears.
Willow ushered her into her room and listened to her best friend's woes.
"And now I'm so confused! I loved him. Then he left. Then Riley, and he left me too. Then Spike, but he died. And for the past three years, I've been pulling Faith's. Dating, but not letting myself get attached. Hurting them before they have a chance to hurt me. And I don't know if I should let him back in. I don't know if I can!" she concluded. She looked to her best friend for guidance.
"Buffy, love is worth the pain."
"But what if he leaves? Again?"
"If he's been holding on this long, chances are he won't be letting go without a fight. You told me how he was jealous of Spike."
She sighed. She seemed to be doing that a lot lately. "Your right." She sniffled, then smiled. "Do you think we have a chance?"
"If I said no, would you listen?" she teased.
"Before, I would have decided it was a challenge, but now.."
"too many real challenges to get excited about it?" Buffy nodded. "I've always thought you two were destined to be together, Buffy. I've always thought that you two would be the ones out of all of us to make it. We've all had demonic relationships, and you are the only one that still has a chance. I think you two can do it." Buffy hugged her friend and left to prepare.
~ * ~
Buffy sat by one of the lilac bushes in the back yard, at dusk. The sun was setting, turning the clouds pinks and reds. She heard him approach.
"The sunset is gorgeous, isn't it?"
"Yes it is, and so are you." He sat beside her. "it's great to be able to watch it. I'd like to see more sunsets, just like I'd like to see more of you."
"You broke my heart twice. Once wasn't your fault, but you still did. And each time, I picked up the pieces, and gave it to someone else. Well, now I find myself sitting here with a very battered and bruised heart. And pieces of it are missing. And I don't know if it can take another beating." She now turned to face him. "It's scared that if I give it to another person, even you, who I trust, it might not survive." She looked into his eyes and he saw the sadness her life had put there, and the fear.
He didn't know what to tell her. He didn't know how to put his thoughts into words. He still had the memories of his past; their past together.
She saw his hesitance, and was about to turn away when he pulled her to his chest. She heard his heart beat. He wrapped his arms around her.
"I never meant to break or smash your heart. More than anything, I wanted to protect it. I still do."
"I know." She murmured. "Angel? Could we take this slow? Learning who we are now, and how we fit together? I've walked through the fire, and over thin ice. I've learned to be careful about my footing."
"So, does this mean you are done baking?" he teased.
She actually considered it. "Well, I'm 25 now, I have freedom from my destiny, a purpose, a great job doing what I love, and a nice home. I know who and what I am. I guess you could say I've found self-actualization." She smiled.
"Wow, big word."
"yeah. Yeah, I'd definitely say that I am now delicious chocolate chip cookie me. But I'm still to hot to ea.enjoy right yet."
"Good. So am i. Well.oatmeal raison." He joked. She stood, smoothing out her white summer dress. She held out her hand expectantly. He took it and stood close beside her.
"Angel." she sounded unsure of herself. "can we take this slow? I don't think I'm ready.."
"Of course." They watched the sunset a bit longer, before he led her through the lilacs to the house.
The End.
