The Way it Should have Been

Chapter 1

Author's Note: I had always wanted to write a 'what if' fan fiction about what would of, or could have happened if Buffy could have defeated Acathla without sending Angel to hell at the end of Season 2. And last night, while looking through my Buffy/Angel videos and watching a few, I decided to write this; even thought I told myself I wouldn't start a new story 'till I was done with the other 2 I have going currently… So here's the first chapter, I hope you all like it!

Disclaimer: Why us fan fiction writers have to include one of these is beyond me. It's universal knowledge that the person behind creating this show and these wonderful characters is a man named Joss Whedon. Me? I'm just borrowing them for a little bit!

"Buffy."

A suddenly relief washed over her at the sound of that one word. That one name. The warmth in his voice, Buffy knew… After seeing his eyes glow before she was able to deliver the final blow, she realized he must have gotten his soul back. She didn't care how it had been restored, just that he was back; her Angel was back. He pulled her into his arms . A place she had dreamed to be in for months now.

"I feel like I haven't seen you in months," he said as he held her tightly. "God, everything's so muddled…" Buffy closed her eyes and sighed in relief. He then kissed her shoulder, whispering her name as if it was his savior. Buffy let the tears escape that she had been holding back as he whispered her name. He was back. She never thought she'd see him again. Now things could return back to normal.

Suddenly, as if the fates had picked up on her thoughts, she heard a noise. Not wanting to, she slowly opened her eyes. Behind her, the demon Acathla's mouth dropped open and the vortex began. Her eyes opened in horror. She had forgotten all about Acathla until that moment. She hadn't been able to stop Angelus in time, and now she quietly watched as the vortex slowly grew behind them. She slowly pulled away from Angel's embrace, still wearing a worried face.

Angel looked at her confused. "What's happening?" he asked, his voice still a little weak. Buffy thought back to what Whistler has said at Giles' house. The sword isn't enough… Angel's blood is the key…

NO! She couldn't do it! She wouldn't. She quickly scrambled through her mind for some other way to stop Acathla without sacrificing Angel. She had just gotten him back, she wouldn't let him go again by using his blood to stop the demon. It would send him to hell, she knew. Suddenly she remembered what Giles had told her about the demon; about the knight had been able to kill the demon by piercing it's heart with the sword. Her gaze went back to behind Angel, the vortex growing more and more as the seconds went on.

"Don't worry about it," she told him in a hushed voice. Still confused, Angel watched as Buffy walked behind him, her hand gripping the swords handle. If driving the sword through the demon wouldn't work, there would be no other choice. She stood there for a second, as if hesitant before thrusting the sword into where it had been before, going straight through the demon's dead heart. For a second, nothing happened, then suddenly, a loud ear piercing roar came from the demon. Buffy stepped back as the building shook, and the vortex began to decrease in size, before finally disappearing back into the demon.

Buffy just stood there, stunned that it had worked. A few seconds later, Angel collapsed onto the ground behind her. Buffy quickly turned around and was at his side.

"Buffy I'm so sorry. I-" he began, sitting next to her, but half leaning against her as they sat in the middle of the room.

"Shhh," she hushed, her gaze locked on the now dormant Acathla. "It's over." Angel and Buffy sat there on the floor of the mansion, both thinking about the future of their relationship, and what had occurred during the past few months when Angelus was in Angel's place. The things he had done… Buffy closed her eyes, grateful she had him back. The apocalypse was over. Angel was back. For the moment, she could just sit there with him.