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Part 2
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"Buffy?" Doyle asked softly as he stood in the doorway to Ashlynn's room.
Moments after Lindsey had carried a sobbing Buffy out of the living area, he had returned and summoned Doyle. He was told only that Buffy wanted to talk to him, and not about what. As he moved toward Buffy's bedroom, Lindsey promptly stopped him and pointed him in the direction of Ash's room. Doyle didn't bother to ask why they weren't in their actual rooms, just did as he was told. Now, standing there gazing at Buffy, he was getting and eerie feeling.
She didn't answer him right away so he repeated her name. "Buffy?"
This time, she turned to face him, and he almost flinched at the look in her eyes. "Doyle."
"You, uh, wanted to see me?" he shuffled into the room, closing the door behind him.
"Yes," she nodded, facing him fully with arms crossed over her chest. "I want to speak to these Oracle people."
"What?" Doyle gasped in utter shock.
"The Oracles," she repeated and then pulled out a neatly folded piece of paper from her back pocket. "In Angel's letter, he said you took him there, and that these people represent the Powers. I want to talk to them."
"No, Buffy..." The vicious gleam in her eye made him take a step back. Déjà vu. Hadn't he just been in this situation five days earlier? "Why do ya want ta talk ta them?"
"Because they can't do this!" Her shout sounded loudly throughout the room. She took a deep breath, continuing on in a softer voice. "They can't just play with people's lives like this. It isn't right, and I intend to tell them that."
"It won't change anything," he tried to explain to her. The Powers weren't the type of beings who changed their minds once they did something. Buffy could only end up disappointed if she went to the Oracles on Angel's behalf.
"I don't care!" she cried out. "I want to talk to them!"
"Yer not going ta take no fer an answer are ya?" Doyle sighed and sat down on the bed. This was not good. Not good at all. Buffy was setting herself up for a fall, and there didn't seem to be anything he could do to stop it.
"No, and if you don't take me I will find them on my own," she stated in determination.
Doyle rubbed his temples and contemplated his choices. The Oracles were not the type of beings who has discussions. They made decisions, gave orders, etc. And they certainly did not like being questioned or second guessed. Buffy going to speak to them would not sit well. It didn't look like he had a choice, though. She was going to do this with or without him.
"Fine," he finally relented.
"Good. Let's go." Buffy immediately marched toward the door.
"Now," he squeaked, jumping off the bed. "Ya want ta go now?"
"No time like the present." She didn't wait for his reply as she marched out of the room and through the apartment. It only occurred to her momentarily that the rest of the apartment was empty, but any concerns she had over that were pushed away. She was on a mission, and nothing would stop her.
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"Are ya really sure ya want ta do this?" Doyle questioned for the tenth time since they'd left the apartment.
Buffy sighed in exasperation, turning to face him and then grimacing when her foot landed on something gross and sticky. Why exactly were these Oracle people located in the sewers? It didn't seem very appropriate. She'd imagined them in some lavish hotel at least, or maybe a mansion somewhere. But the sewers? The smell alone would be enough to chase people away.
"Yes, Doyle. I'm sure, and no I won't change my mind." She tried to sound emphatic, but it came out rather flat. All the emotional distress of the past week was taking its toll on Buffy and she didn't have the energy to argue with him.
"All right." He moved forward, pressing his fingers along the grimy walls until he reached a particular spot. Finding the mark he was looking for, Doyle's thumb hit an unseen button and a door appeared to his left on the wall. "Well, go on in."
Peering curiously at her friend, Buffy stepped forward and poked her head through the door. A scowl appeared on her face at the room on the other side. It looked like just another part of the sewer system, though not quite as dirty. As far as she could tell, though, there weren't any higher beings inside. Still, she went in anyway with Doyle following behind her.
Once inside, she further glanced around the room. It was about a five foot by five foot square with concrete walls and flooring. There didn't appear to be any other doors that would lead her to the Oracle people. As a matter of fact, there weren't any entrances or exits period. The door they'd just come through was now gone, leaving Buffy feeling a bit trapped.
"You do know what you are doing, right?" Buffy asked warily. She startled when a panel on the floor moved and a small stone altar rose upwards. This whole thing was really beginning to creep her out.
"Yes. They do this because they don't want just anyone finding them," he replied before moving to the altar that had just appeared.
"Oh, okay." That made sense, she supposed. It wouldn't be good if any bum off the streets could gain entrance to whoever these beings were. "What now?"
"I have ta say a chant and then use a special key sort of thing. Once it's done, if they agree ta see ya, an entrance will appear." As he said the word 'key' Doyle pulled an odd looking crystal from his pocket. It was long and thin, and seemed to be a silvery blue color.
Doyle stepped up to the altar after his explanation. He sprinkled a handful of a sand-like material on its surface first and then softly whispered a chant that Buffy could barely hear let alone understand the words. The small stone seemed to vibrate as he spoke, and Buffy couldn't tell, but also might have glowed slightly. Though she would never admit it, Buffy was a bit nervous over what was going on and was wondering if perhaps she'd made a wrong choice.
When Doyle finished the chant, an area on the top of the altar about the size of an orange blurred and shifted shape. A metallic object formed out of what was once pure stone, rising about six inches tall. It was the color of aged bronze with flowing curves and twists that gave it an inherit beauty. The center was hollow and there was an opening at the top that looked as if it would hold something. Buffy instantly realized that the key Doyle mentioned must go there. Her suspicion was confirmed when he took the crystal and placed it in the metal lock.
The second the key was in place, it glowed a blinding bluish light, forcing Buffy to shield her eyes. A low hum echoed through the room, tickling deep down in her gut. As quick as the bright light appeared, it vanished. Removing her hand and blinking her eyes to refocus, Buffy was shocked to find herself no longer in the small concrete room with Doyle. Somehow she'd ended up somewhere else without even taking a single step.
Spinning around in an attempt to gain her bearings, Buffy found herself even more confused. Wherever she'd ended up didn't even seem to be an actual room. It was more like empty, open space clouded over by an opaque white haze on all sides. She could see nothing but fog; no doors, no floor, no walls, and no Oracles. Just fog. Everywhere. What the Hell did Doyle get her into?
"Hello?" she shouted out into the abyss.
"Greetings, Slayer," a voice spoke from behind Buffy. She whirled around and tried not to be shocked by the fact there was now an expensive looking chaise two feet away where there had just been nothing. This place was enough to drive a person insane.
"Umm, hi?!" she squeaked nervously, facing the person sitting on the chaise.
Buffy wasn't sure, but she assumed the being was an Oracle, or maybe it was their secretary. Who knew? Doyle hadn't exactly given her directions. And he also didn't tell her that the people...beings...whatever...in this place, or wherever the Hell she was, defied explanation. The being before her seemed neither male, nor female. It was sort of androgynous. The clothes didn't help decipher It's sex either; togas were a unisex article. Shrugging off the oddness, Buffy focused on her purpose.
"We've been expecting you," It spoke in a low voice as It sat up fully on the lounger.
"You have?" Buffy wondered out loud in confusion.
"Of course. You're visit is not a surprise." It stood up and seemed to float towards Buffy, circling slowly around her. "You have served the Powers well. They are quite pleased with the work you have done."
"It's not like I had a choice," she snorted indignantly.
"You are unhappy with your duties?" It asked before retreating back to the chaise.
"No...well, sort of. It just would have been nice to have gotten a choice in the whole thing," Buffy replied honestly. She didn't really hate being a Slayer, but at the same time, it's not something she would have picked for herself.
"Only the strongest of mind are bestowed the responsibilities of protecting the world. You should be honored to have been Chosen," the Being told her as if the reasoning were obvious.
"Oh," mumbled Buffy, never having considered that line of thought before. "Look, I didn't come here to discuss my being a Slayer-"
"We are aware of that as well." It waved It's hand at Buffy. "You are here with regards to the vampire, yes?"
"Angel. He has a name you know." Hearing him referred to as 'a vampire' pissed her off. He wasn't some animal. He was a person.
"You did not answer our question. He is the reason you are here, is he not?" It ignored Buffy's correction, and gazed intently at her.
"Yes, he is," Buffy confirmed the motive behind her visit.
The Oracle smiled knowingly at Buffy over her confession. "As you will learn, we are never wrong."
"Good for you," she grumbled at the pompous statement.
"Respect is warranted here, Slayer. Insolence will not be tolerated," the Oracle relayed forcefully.
"Sorry," apologized Buffy half-heartedly.
"Now, as for the reason of your visit." It settled back in It's chair. "You wish to plead for the vampire Angel's life, yes?"
Buffy frowned at the being's knowledge. It was like she was having her thoughts read and that unnerved her. She didn't want anyone in her mind but her. "I am," she spoke defensively.
"We cannot just return him to this plane at your will." It went straight to the point.
"Why not?" Buffy demanded in a growl.
"It does not suit the Powers to do so," It stated indifferently.
"He does not deserve this!" she shouted in anger.
Eyes boring into Buffy, the Oracle pondered for a moment before speaking. "Why do you believe he deserves otherwise?"
The question startled Buffy. She hadn't been expecting it. Doyle had told her the Oracles didn't discuss things, but this Being she was talking to seemed to be content to do just that. Maybe she had a chance. Maybe she could make them see that what they did wasn't right.
"Because he is a good person," she started off. "I know he has not always been that way, but he had no control over what the demon did. He has a caring soul. If it weren't for him I would probably be dead, and the world might not exist."
"Your point is valid," It conceded. "But should he not atone for his sins? Is that not the way of the world?"
"That was the demon, not him!" Buffy argued. Why did people not understand that he was not responsible for Angelus' crimes?
"That is true," the Oracle nodded, shifting to a more comfortable position. "However, he willingly went with Darla to the alley all those years ago, and asked to be shown her world. And even before that, he was a drunken lout content to disgrace his family and chase after women."
"But...but he's c-changed," she sputtered in response, the blunt words getting to her at first. "Everyone changes and makes mistakes. He's not who he used to be. He fights for the world now."
"We do not disagree with you," It sighed in an almost sad manner. "The fact remains, though, that the Powers cannot just bring him back."
"Why? They are the Powers. They should be able to do anything," Buffy pleaded tearfully.
"Because that is not the way of things. The vampire, your Angel, made a deal. That is the way They work," It iterated concisely.
"Then take back the deal!" she ordered without thinking.
"You wish to reverse the way things are?" It questioned with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes!" an infuriated Buffy practically yelled. This person...Being...whatever...talked in circles, and it was irritating.
"It would do you well to consider the consequences of such an action," the Oracle pointed out. "The only way to take back the deal, the one where the vampire's life was taken in exchange for yours, would be to rewind time and go back to before the deal was made."
"Go back? Then I'd..." Buffy trailed off, realizing the implications of her request.
"Yes, you would return to your death bed," It confirmed.
"Why can't you just bring him back?" she again asked. The hope that had risen was beginning to falter. Either way she was screwed. If she did nothing, Angel would stay dead, if she reversed time, she would die. It was a no-win situation.
"As I have said, that is not how things are done. The Powers do not just give. They make exchanges," the being repeated its earlier reasoning.
"There has to be something you can do!" she cried out desperately. There just had to be a way to bring Angel back. He couldn't be dead. That was just unacceptable.
The Oracle sat up again, intrigued. It nodded its head imperceptibly, and in the blink of an eye, a cage-like structure, invisible to Buffy, appeared a few feet to her right. Inside the cage, also invisible to Buffy, stood Angel in utter confusion. He had absolutely no idea what was going on. One moment he had just made a deal to save Buffy's life, and the next he was locked in a metal box. Gazing around him, he was stunned to find himself back in the Oracle's chamber, and even more shocked to see Buffy there, and looking healthy...er....than before. What the Hell was going on?
"Buffy?" he called out to her, not realizing that she could neither see nor hear him.
"Buffy!" he shouted louder and again got no response. Looking to the Oracle, he tried to get It's attention, but It too ignored him which only added to his confusion.
"You wish to make a deal for the vampire's life, Slayer?" It asked, hiding a smile. Now they were getting down to business.
Inside his cage, Angel gasped. Buffy was here for him? To ask for his life? It shouldn't have shocked him, but it did. Considering all that he'd done to her, it was unfathomable to him that she would come to ask for his life. And it scared him. With the way the Powers worked he was afraid of what she would do for him.
"Yes," Buffy answered simply.
"The Powers will not accept your life for his. You are too important to this world," It stated up front.
"Just tell me what to do to bring him back! Whatever it is I'll do it!" she appealed to It.
"It is not wise to make such a bold statement, Slayer," It chastised her, and then cocked It's head as if it were listening to something. "The Powers have a deal to offer to you."
"What is it?" she eagerly wanted to know while Angel listened to the conversation apprehensively. He had a bad feeling he would not like this deal.
"In exchange for the Vampire's life they will require you to be indebted to them," the Being recited and then added, "For eternity."
"No!" Angel's shout echoed unheard to Buffy. He couldn't let her do this. His hands grasped at the bars to his cage, trying to escape and stop Buffy before she risked too much for him.
"What?" Buffy gasped.
"You are a powerful Warrior for the Powers. They would be more than willing to have you fight for Their cause for the rest of your life...an immortal life," It clarified the deal being proposed.
"Immortal?" she whispered to herself. "They want...I'd get Angel back if I became immortal? And fought forever?"
"No! Don't do it Buffy!" Angel raged on, oblivious to the fact that he was merely an observer to what was going on. His fear rose another notch at the idea of Buffy condemning herself to immortal life. Living forever may seem appealing to some, but in reality, it was horrible and depressing.
"Yes, we will return the vampire if you commit you're eternal life to the Powers as a warrior," It repeated her only option. "Think hard, Slayer. This is not an endeavor to be taken lightly."
And Buffy did think about it. Would she be able to live and fight forever? Would she be able to handle seeing everyone around her die while she remained young? For the first time, she began to understand the thoughts that plagued Angel when he left her. She'd never before considered herself in that situation. Now that she did, she could see how hard it would be. Could she take on the burden of becoming immortal in order to save Angel?
Yes, she could. He shouldn't have died, at least not as a deal to save her life. It wasn't right. She couldn't accept that the price of her recovery was Angel's existence. True, she was grateful he did it because she wasn't ready to die just yet. At the same time, though, Buffy wasn't ready to accept that in order for her to be alive, Angel had to die. That didn't quite seem fair. If she could bring Angel back by only giving up her mortal life wasn't that the right thing to do? Maybe it wasn't right, but it was what she wanted to do. Both she and Ashlynn needed him.
"I'll do it," she finally answered after five minutes of deliberation.
"Buffy! Don't!" Angel threw himself at the bars of his cage, hoping to escape.
"Very well." The Oracle waved its hand just as Angel hit the bars of the cage.
Buffy saw the air shimmer and for a split second saw the cage and Angel before the bars vanished leaving Angel to fall to the floor. His immediate presence left her unable to move for a moment. She hadn't expected him to appear right away. But the second she realized he was really there, she rushed towards where he fell to the floor, practically throwing herself on top of him.
Before Angel could realize what happened, he felt Buffy's body grasping at his. Lost in the moment, they embraced each other, tears of joy falling from both their faces.
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TBC!!
Part 2
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"Buffy?" Doyle asked softly as he stood in the doorway to Ashlynn's room.
Moments after Lindsey had carried a sobbing Buffy out of the living area, he had returned and summoned Doyle. He was told only that Buffy wanted to talk to him, and not about what. As he moved toward Buffy's bedroom, Lindsey promptly stopped him and pointed him in the direction of Ash's room. Doyle didn't bother to ask why they weren't in their actual rooms, just did as he was told. Now, standing there gazing at Buffy, he was getting and eerie feeling.
She didn't answer him right away so he repeated her name. "Buffy?"
This time, she turned to face him, and he almost flinched at the look in her eyes. "Doyle."
"You, uh, wanted to see me?" he shuffled into the room, closing the door behind him.
"Yes," she nodded, facing him fully with arms crossed over her chest. "I want to speak to these Oracle people."
"What?" Doyle gasped in utter shock.
"The Oracles," she repeated and then pulled out a neatly folded piece of paper from her back pocket. "In Angel's letter, he said you took him there, and that these people represent the Powers. I want to talk to them."
"No, Buffy..." The vicious gleam in her eye made him take a step back. Déjà vu. Hadn't he just been in this situation five days earlier? "Why do ya want ta talk ta them?"
"Because they can't do this!" Her shout sounded loudly throughout the room. She took a deep breath, continuing on in a softer voice. "They can't just play with people's lives like this. It isn't right, and I intend to tell them that."
"It won't change anything," he tried to explain to her. The Powers weren't the type of beings who changed their minds once they did something. Buffy could only end up disappointed if she went to the Oracles on Angel's behalf.
"I don't care!" she cried out. "I want to talk to them!"
"Yer not going ta take no fer an answer are ya?" Doyle sighed and sat down on the bed. This was not good. Not good at all. Buffy was setting herself up for a fall, and there didn't seem to be anything he could do to stop it.
"No, and if you don't take me I will find them on my own," she stated in determination.
Doyle rubbed his temples and contemplated his choices. The Oracles were not the type of beings who has discussions. They made decisions, gave orders, etc. And they certainly did not like being questioned or second guessed. Buffy going to speak to them would not sit well. It didn't look like he had a choice, though. She was going to do this with or without him.
"Fine," he finally relented.
"Good. Let's go." Buffy immediately marched toward the door.
"Now," he squeaked, jumping off the bed. "Ya want ta go now?"
"No time like the present." She didn't wait for his reply as she marched out of the room and through the apartment. It only occurred to her momentarily that the rest of the apartment was empty, but any concerns she had over that were pushed away. She was on a mission, and nothing would stop her.
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"Are ya really sure ya want ta do this?" Doyle questioned for the tenth time since they'd left the apartment.
Buffy sighed in exasperation, turning to face him and then grimacing when her foot landed on something gross and sticky. Why exactly were these Oracle people located in the sewers? It didn't seem very appropriate. She'd imagined them in some lavish hotel at least, or maybe a mansion somewhere. But the sewers? The smell alone would be enough to chase people away.
"Yes, Doyle. I'm sure, and no I won't change my mind." She tried to sound emphatic, but it came out rather flat. All the emotional distress of the past week was taking its toll on Buffy and she didn't have the energy to argue with him.
"All right." He moved forward, pressing his fingers along the grimy walls until he reached a particular spot. Finding the mark he was looking for, Doyle's thumb hit an unseen button and a door appeared to his left on the wall. "Well, go on in."
Peering curiously at her friend, Buffy stepped forward and poked her head through the door. A scowl appeared on her face at the room on the other side. It looked like just another part of the sewer system, though not quite as dirty. As far as she could tell, though, there weren't any higher beings inside. Still, she went in anyway with Doyle following behind her.
Once inside, she further glanced around the room. It was about a five foot by five foot square with concrete walls and flooring. There didn't appear to be any other doors that would lead her to the Oracle people. As a matter of fact, there weren't any entrances or exits period. The door they'd just come through was now gone, leaving Buffy feeling a bit trapped.
"You do know what you are doing, right?" Buffy asked warily. She startled when a panel on the floor moved and a small stone altar rose upwards. This whole thing was really beginning to creep her out.
"Yes. They do this because they don't want just anyone finding them," he replied before moving to the altar that had just appeared.
"Oh, okay." That made sense, she supposed. It wouldn't be good if any bum off the streets could gain entrance to whoever these beings were. "What now?"
"I have ta say a chant and then use a special key sort of thing. Once it's done, if they agree ta see ya, an entrance will appear." As he said the word 'key' Doyle pulled an odd looking crystal from his pocket. It was long and thin, and seemed to be a silvery blue color.
Doyle stepped up to the altar after his explanation. He sprinkled a handful of a sand-like material on its surface first and then softly whispered a chant that Buffy could barely hear let alone understand the words. The small stone seemed to vibrate as he spoke, and Buffy couldn't tell, but also might have glowed slightly. Though she would never admit it, Buffy was a bit nervous over what was going on and was wondering if perhaps she'd made a wrong choice.
When Doyle finished the chant, an area on the top of the altar about the size of an orange blurred and shifted shape. A metallic object formed out of what was once pure stone, rising about six inches tall. It was the color of aged bronze with flowing curves and twists that gave it an inherit beauty. The center was hollow and there was an opening at the top that looked as if it would hold something. Buffy instantly realized that the key Doyle mentioned must go there. Her suspicion was confirmed when he took the crystal and placed it in the metal lock.
The second the key was in place, it glowed a blinding bluish light, forcing Buffy to shield her eyes. A low hum echoed through the room, tickling deep down in her gut. As quick as the bright light appeared, it vanished. Removing her hand and blinking her eyes to refocus, Buffy was shocked to find herself no longer in the small concrete room with Doyle. Somehow she'd ended up somewhere else without even taking a single step.
Spinning around in an attempt to gain her bearings, Buffy found herself even more confused. Wherever she'd ended up didn't even seem to be an actual room. It was more like empty, open space clouded over by an opaque white haze on all sides. She could see nothing but fog; no doors, no floor, no walls, and no Oracles. Just fog. Everywhere. What the Hell did Doyle get her into?
"Hello?" she shouted out into the abyss.
"Greetings, Slayer," a voice spoke from behind Buffy. She whirled around and tried not to be shocked by the fact there was now an expensive looking chaise two feet away where there had just been nothing. This place was enough to drive a person insane.
"Umm, hi?!" she squeaked nervously, facing the person sitting on the chaise.
Buffy wasn't sure, but she assumed the being was an Oracle, or maybe it was their secretary. Who knew? Doyle hadn't exactly given her directions. And he also didn't tell her that the people...beings...whatever...in this place, or wherever the Hell she was, defied explanation. The being before her seemed neither male, nor female. It was sort of androgynous. The clothes didn't help decipher It's sex either; togas were a unisex article. Shrugging off the oddness, Buffy focused on her purpose.
"We've been expecting you," It spoke in a low voice as It sat up fully on the lounger.
"You have?" Buffy wondered out loud in confusion.
"Of course. You're visit is not a surprise." It stood up and seemed to float towards Buffy, circling slowly around her. "You have served the Powers well. They are quite pleased with the work you have done."
"It's not like I had a choice," she snorted indignantly.
"You are unhappy with your duties?" It asked before retreating back to the chaise.
"No...well, sort of. It just would have been nice to have gotten a choice in the whole thing," Buffy replied honestly. She didn't really hate being a Slayer, but at the same time, it's not something she would have picked for herself.
"Only the strongest of mind are bestowed the responsibilities of protecting the world. You should be honored to have been Chosen," the Being told her as if the reasoning were obvious.
"Oh," mumbled Buffy, never having considered that line of thought before. "Look, I didn't come here to discuss my being a Slayer-"
"We are aware of that as well." It waved It's hand at Buffy. "You are here with regards to the vampire, yes?"
"Angel. He has a name you know." Hearing him referred to as 'a vampire' pissed her off. He wasn't some animal. He was a person.
"You did not answer our question. He is the reason you are here, is he not?" It ignored Buffy's correction, and gazed intently at her.
"Yes, he is," Buffy confirmed the motive behind her visit.
The Oracle smiled knowingly at Buffy over her confession. "As you will learn, we are never wrong."
"Good for you," she grumbled at the pompous statement.
"Respect is warranted here, Slayer. Insolence will not be tolerated," the Oracle relayed forcefully.
"Sorry," apologized Buffy half-heartedly.
"Now, as for the reason of your visit." It settled back in It's chair. "You wish to plead for the vampire Angel's life, yes?"
Buffy frowned at the being's knowledge. It was like she was having her thoughts read and that unnerved her. She didn't want anyone in her mind but her. "I am," she spoke defensively.
"We cannot just return him to this plane at your will." It went straight to the point.
"Why not?" Buffy demanded in a growl.
"It does not suit the Powers to do so," It stated indifferently.
"He does not deserve this!" she shouted in anger.
Eyes boring into Buffy, the Oracle pondered for a moment before speaking. "Why do you believe he deserves otherwise?"
The question startled Buffy. She hadn't been expecting it. Doyle had told her the Oracles didn't discuss things, but this Being she was talking to seemed to be content to do just that. Maybe she had a chance. Maybe she could make them see that what they did wasn't right.
"Because he is a good person," she started off. "I know he has not always been that way, but he had no control over what the demon did. He has a caring soul. If it weren't for him I would probably be dead, and the world might not exist."
"Your point is valid," It conceded. "But should he not atone for his sins? Is that not the way of the world?"
"That was the demon, not him!" Buffy argued. Why did people not understand that he was not responsible for Angelus' crimes?
"That is true," the Oracle nodded, shifting to a more comfortable position. "However, he willingly went with Darla to the alley all those years ago, and asked to be shown her world. And even before that, he was a drunken lout content to disgrace his family and chase after women."
"But...but he's c-changed," she sputtered in response, the blunt words getting to her at first. "Everyone changes and makes mistakes. He's not who he used to be. He fights for the world now."
"We do not disagree with you," It sighed in an almost sad manner. "The fact remains, though, that the Powers cannot just bring him back."
"Why? They are the Powers. They should be able to do anything," Buffy pleaded tearfully.
"Because that is not the way of things. The vampire, your Angel, made a deal. That is the way They work," It iterated concisely.
"Then take back the deal!" she ordered without thinking.
"You wish to reverse the way things are?" It questioned with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes!" an infuriated Buffy practically yelled. This person...Being...whatever...talked in circles, and it was irritating.
"It would do you well to consider the consequences of such an action," the Oracle pointed out. "The only way to take back the deal, the one where the vampire's life was taken in exchange for yours, would be to rewind time and go back to before the deal was made."
"Go back? Then I'd..." Buffy trailed off, realizing the implications of her request.
"Yes, you would return to your death bed," It confirmed.
"Why can't you just bring him back?" she again asked. The hope that had risen was beginning to falter. Either way she was screwed. If she did nothing, Angel would stay dead, if she reversed time, she would die. It was a no-win situation.
"As I have said, that is not how things are done. The Powers do not just give. They make exchanges," the being repeated its earlier reasoning.
"There has to be something you can do!" she cried out desperately. There just had to be a way to bring Angel back. He couldn't be dead. That was just unacceptable.
The Oracle sat up again, intrigued. It nodded its head imperceptibly, and in the blink of an eye, a cage-like structure, invisible to Buffy, appeared a few feet to her right. Inside the cage, also invisible to Buffy, stood Angel in utter confusion. He had absolutely no idea what was going on. One moment he had just made a deal to save Buffy's life, and the next he was locked in a metal box. Gazing around him, he was stunned to find himself back in the Oracle's chamber, and even more shocked to see Buffy there, and looking healthy...er....than before. What the Hell was going on?
"Buffy?" he called out to her, not realizing that she could neither see nor hear him.
"Buffy!" he shouted louder and again got no response. Looking to the Oracle, he tried to get It's attention, but It too ignored him which only added to his confusion.
"You wish to make a deal for the vampire's life, Slayer?" It asked, hiding a smile. Now they were getting down to business.
Inside his cage, Angel gasped. Buffy was here for him? To ask for his life? It shouldn't have shocked him, but it did. Considering all that he'd done to her, it was unfathomable to him that she would come to ask for his life. And it scared him. With the way the Powers worked he was afraid of what she would do for him.
"Yes," Buffy answered simply.
"The Powers will not accept your life for his. You are too important to this world," It stated up front.
"Just tell me what to do to bring him back! Whatever it is I'll do it!" she appealed to It.
"It is not wise to make such a bold statement, Slayer," It chastised her, and then cocked It's head as if it were listening to something. "The Powers have a deal to offer to you."
"What is it?" she eagerly wanted to know while Angel listened to the conversation apprehensively. He had a bad feeling he would not like this deal.
"In exchange for the Vampire's life they will require you to be indebted to them," the Being recited and then added, "For eternity."
"No!" Angel's shout echoed unheard to Buffy. He couldn't let her do this. His hands grasped at the bars to his cage, trying to escape and stop Buffy before she risked too much for him.
"What?" Buffy gasped.
"You are a powerful Warrior for the Powers. They would be more than willing to have you fight for Their cause for the rest of your life...an immortal life," It clarified the deal being proposed.
"Immortal?" she whispered to herself. "They want...I'd get Angel back if I became immortal? And fought forever?"
"No! Don't do it Buffy!" Angel raged on, oblivious to the fact that he was merely an observer to what was going on. His fear rose another notch at the idea of Buffy condemning herself to immortal life. Living forever may seem appealing to some, but in reality, it was horrible and depressing.
"Yes, we will return the vampire if you commit you're eternal life to the Powers as a warrior," It repeated her only option. "Think hard, Slayer. This is not an endeavor to be taken lightly."
And Buffy did think about it. Would she be able to live and fight forever? Would she be able to handle seeing everyone around her die while she remained young? For the first time, she began to understand the thoughts that plagued Angel when he left her. She'd never before considered herself in that situation. Now that she did, she could see how hard it would be. Could she take on the burden of becoming immortal in order to save Angel?
Yes, she could. He shouldn't have died, at least not as a deal to save her life. It wasn't right. She couldn't accept that the price of her recovery was Angel's existence. True, she was grateful he did it because she wasn't ready to die just yet. At the same time, though, Buffy wasn't ready to accept that in order for her to be alive, Angel had to die. That didn't quite seem fair. If she could bring Angel back by only giving up her mortal life wasn't that the right thing to do? Maybe it wasn't right, but it was what she wanted to do. Both she and Ashlynn needed him.
"I'll do it," she finally answered after five minutes of deliberation.
"Buffy! Don't!" Angel threw himself at the bars of his cage, hoping to escape.
"Very well." The Oracle waved its hand just as Angel hit the bars of the cage.
Buffy saw the air shimmer and for a split second saw the cage and Angel before the bars vanished leaving Angel to fall to the floor. His immediate presence left her unable to move for a moment. She hadn't expected him to appear right away. But the second she realized he was really there, she rushed towards where he fell to the floor, practically throwing herself on top of him.
Before Angel could realize what happened, he felt Buffy's body grasping at his. Lost in the moment, they embraced each other, tears of joy falling from both their faces.
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TBC!!