A Life From A Dead

6

She waited.
She was waiting, and would always wait.
Until she died.

Buffy sighed gently as she gazed out the window. It was sunny, and beautiful, and typical fall day. She was was always watching and waiting by day, never by night. He would come in the day light, not the darkness.
The Slayer swallowed, remembering. He had promised that he would come back. She had believed him, and still did. But she had aged. It had been so long. They were both waiting.
Her hazel eyes crinkled in pain as she remembered that night.

' I think it's right.' Angel said. " I hate it, but it's the only way we can be a family.'
Buffy bit her bottom lip, and glanced at Ronua, sleeping on the bed on her back. ' But... I thought... it was destroyed. You destroyed it yourself.'
' I did.' Angel answered back. It seemed like such a smart move then, but now it seemed foolish. ' But the Ring of Amara has a maker. He's in another dimension, I'm going to find him.'
' God, Angel...' Buffy whispered. She knew that the maker was protected very well... and that Angel...
' Hey,' Angel said softly, taking her in his strong arms. ' It's gonna be alright...' But what if Angel never did come back?
' I wish I could come with you. I could help you...' Buffy whispered.
' .... But you can't leave Ronua behind.' Angel finished. He would love her back up, but he couldn't stand it if Ronua got hurt. Angel saw a flash of silver on Buffy's left hand. He took her hand and saw that she was still wearing his Claddagh ring. He smiled and Buffy looked in his eyes. He gently kissed her.
' How long will you be gone?' Buffy asked softly, now confident that he was coming back.
' Maybe a few months.' Angel replied. He went over to baby Ronua and kissed her forehead.
He and Buffy met eyes one last time, before walking out the door.

Buffy held the Claddagh ring in her hands. She could hear Angel's words when he first gave it to her.
' My people -- before I was changed -- they exchanged this as a sign of devotion. It's a Claddagh ring. The hands represent friendship, the crown represents loyalty... and the heart... Well, you know... Wear it with the heart pointing towards you. It means you belong to somebody. Like this.'
Buffy smiled. She never stopped waiting for him to come back,
In the sunlight.

Angel grunted as he was thrown against the wall. He shook his head, and stumbled to his feet, holding his sword high. He charged, and hacked the demon's head off. The demon disappeared. Angel stumbled, and leaned against a wall for support.
' C'mon, dammit!' He shouted. ' I think i've killed enough of your little parasites!' He had lost count. The only two things that kept him going were Buffy, and Ronua. Ronua, with her gray eyes...
A Master was in front of Angel. He was startled, but kept his emotions hidden.
' Well?' Angel asked.
' Why do you really want the ring?' The cloaked figure asked.
' What is this, Lord of the- Argh!' Angel screamed in sudden fury and pain. The Master had put his hand on Angel's chest. Angel writhed in searing agony, wanting it would stop. It felt as if a knife was going through his body, searching hungrily. He felt his very soul being messed with. He could dimly hear the Master's words.
' Most want the Ring of Amara because of thier greed. They are power seekers, hungry for the world. I must see why you want the Ring... a vampire with a soul... Why?' The Master suddenly jerked in surprise, and pulled his hand back, leaving Angel gasping on the floor.
'.... Love.' The Master whispered. ' Love.'
Before Angel, the Master presented him with the Ring of Amara. Angel swallowed, and glanced at the Master's shadowed face. He carefully took the ring.
He had it.

Buffy still waited, as always. But she was now uncertain.
' Buffy?' Willow asked gently. Buffy smiled.
' Hey Wil,' She said in a soft voice. ' Are things better?'
Willow shook her head. ' No. I'm afraid Buffy... It's not good.'
' Maybe he'll help us.' Buffy said. Willow's eyes were filled with sorrow for her friend.
' Buffy... It's been fifteen years since he left. I'm sorry, but I don't think he's coming back.'
The Slayer met the wicca's eyes squarely. Her finger brushed against the Claddagh ring.
' He's coming. And i'll be waiting.'