DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything to do with Buffy the Vampire Slayer – it all belongs to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, Fox, etc. . .Neither do I own anything to do with Charmed, which belongs to Spelling Entertainment and Constance M. Burge. I think.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I am truly crap with updates, but I have had no time to type this up or anything. FINALLY, it is up, and I will just say, I have a valid excuse – this is the longest chapter I have ever written, trying to tie up loose ends. This'll make all you Bangel 'shippers out there happy. I hope you liked the story guys – let me know what you thought. Nat xxx
Chapter 10 – Endings and Beginnings
The prom hall was throbbing with action. Dance music played in the background, and the dance floor was filled with students.
Oz and Willow strolled in arm in arm, Xander following them like a trailing puppy dog. Giles, who was supervising the dance, walked over to them.
'Hey Giles!' Willow said in an upbeat voice.
'Have any of you seen Wesley?' he asked urgently.
'No – is he missing?' Oz asked.
'Well. . .' Giles looked up and caught sight of the Watcher. 'Mr. Wyndham-Pryce!'
Wesley had walked in with Phoebe and Cordelia on either arm, Prue and Piper walking beside them in elegant dresses.
'Hey!' Xander said to them. 'You made it to the Prom!'
'Well, we are virtually students here,' Prue joked.
'You didn't have any problems getting in?' Willow checked.
'Let's just say. . .' Piper answered cunningly, 'the door person froze when he saw us.'
Willow smiled. 'Gotcha.'
'Now ladies,' Wesley released Phoebe and Cordy. 'I have a Rota here. Cordelia – we dance for two songs. Then Phoebe. We alternate.'
'That certainly makes a girl feel special,' Piper muttered to Prue, as Cordy and Wesley headed off to the dance floor.
'Wesley, you're meant to be supervising!' Giles called out after him, but found himself completely ignored.
'Where are Buffy and Faith?' Prue said, taking in the atmosphere.
'On their way,' Xander replied. 'They had some demonic dogs to take care of.'
'Oh my God, are they OK?' Piper asked worriedly.
'Two Slayers?' Oz said, shifting one eyebrow. 'They'll handle it.'
Just then, Buffy and Faith rushed in breathlessly, brushing themselves off in sleek figure-hugging dresses.
'Woo!' Faith shook her body out. 'We miss anything?'
'Nope,' Xander said nonchalantly. 'The dogs taken care of?'
'No problem,' Buffy said, high fiving Faith. 'We can have our prom in peace – no Mayor, no dogs. . .' she paused, '. . .no date.'
'Yeah, I've decided,' Xander announced, 'that having no date on prom symbolizes our freedom as teenagers. Celebrate the fact that we have personal freedom!'
'Sorry Xand,' Buffy said. 'I see myself as a big loser with no one to dance with.'
'I disagree B,' Faith took Buffy's hand. 'Together, we rule that dance floor.'
They mingled in the crowd, and after not too long were surrounded by guys. Xander watched them longingly.
'Aw, heck, I wanna dance!' He joined the guys, pushing to the center.
Piper pulled Prue to the dance floor. 'Come on Prue, I love this song.' Oz and Willow followed them.
They all danced for a few songs, and then came the dreaded moment – the slow song.
Oz and Willow cuddled each other, while Cordy and Phoebe pulled an arm of Wesley each. Echoes of 'it's my two songs!' and 'no it's not, you just had yours!' came from them.
Piper and Prue rolled their eyes, dragging Phoebe back. 'Come on Phoebs, we can dance together. . .' Piper put her arms around her sister's waist from the back, while Prue put them around her neck from the front.
'It's so unfair!' she bitched, not taking her eyes off the dancing couple. 'If she makes one move on him, the little sl-'
'Phoebe. . .' Prue warned. She kept staring in the direction of the Watcher and her rival.
Meanwhile, Buffy and Faith had split. Buffy saw Giles and Xander awkwardly conversing in the corner. Exchanging looks, Faith said: 'I call your cute Watcher.'
'Deal. It's ex-Watcher though,' Buffy corrected. 'And cute? Don't put scary, wrong thoughts into my mind.'
Faith giggled deeply. 'I try.'
'Come on boys,' Buffy took Xander's arm. 'We refuse to not have someone for the slow dance.'
She took Xander in a friendly embrace, casually chatting to him.
'Having a good time?' she asked.
He shrugged. 'Could be better. I'm dancing with a gorgeous superhero now though, so things are looking up.'
She gave a mild smile.
'How about you?' he countered.
'Same, I guess. The fact that Faith is here is great on so many levels.'
'Tell me about it. I mean, that dress. . .'
Buffy raised her eyebrows.
'. . .is very nice. The prettiest one among all the other hideous ones!' He laughed nervously.
'So my dress is hideous?' Buffy said, mock-insulted.
'No!' he insisted. 'I mean, they're both so refreshing to the fashion industry, I. . .' he gave up. 'Please take my shovel, this hole I've dug is eating away at me.'
She laughed. 'With pleasure.'
They were quiet for a few seconds, until Xander spoke:
'So. . .have you gotten rid of the chickens yet? Cuz if not, we could send them to-'
'Angel?' she said shocked, peering over Xander's shoulder.
'Actually, I was gonna say my godfather's farm a few miles away, but now that you mention it. . .' he turned around, glimpsing the brooding vampire in a tux, '. . .oh.'
She put on a painful expression. 'Do you mind?'
He shook his head. 'Not at all.'
She patted him lightly on the shoulder and slowly walked over to Angel.
'What're you doing here?' she said defensively.
'Someone tipped me off. . .' his gaze looked up towards Willow, who was now staring at them intently. She gave a frightened wave, and then spun Oz around so fast he almost tripped.
'You look beautiful,' he said, noticeably not taking his eyes off her.
'Thanks,' she said flatly.
'You wanna dance?' he offered, outstretching his hand.
Reluctantly, she took it, and before she knew it, they were dancing together. This would've been so blissful – her and Angel dancing at the Prom – apart from the fact she knew he would be leaving after this.
But not if she had something to say about it.
'I hear you defeated the Mayor,' he said, trying to make conversation.
She backed away from him, looking quizzically. 'How'd you know?'
He furrowed his eyebrows. 'Well, there's the fact that everywhere you go, newspapers and TV stations scream the headline "Mayor of Sunnydale missing".'
'Oh.' She hugged her body to his again. 'Good. And it's real lucky he didn't tell anyone he was coming to the high school, otherwise Snyder would have had a field day.'
'Yeah, and that same person who tipped me off before kinda gave me the whole lowdown too.'
Buffy clenched her jaw. Oh, Willow was so gonna die for not telling her she was having secret rendezvous with Angel.
They silently danced for a few seconds, just listening to the sweet notes of the song that would be their bitter end.
'Why didn't you call me to help you?'
She looked up into his eyes. 'I. . .I. . .'
The song ended. The audience clapped and Buffy concluded her thought.
'. . .I can't talk about this here. Come on.' She took his hand and dragged him just outside the front doors of the school into the breezy night. She released his hand, facing him.
'I couldn't. I couldn't – if I had the choice – look at you and think I wouldn't have you much longer.'
He sighed. 'Buffy, it's not like that. . .'
'But it is!' She paused. 'To me anyway.' He looked away, and she used this opportunity to come closer to him.
'You don't understand. I couldn't call you to help, because it would have just. . .triggered all these feelings that I have no control over and made me lose my focus or whatever.'
He was silent. 'You know you're gonna have to get used to me not being there like that.'
'Why, Angel?' she challenged. 'Why, after everything our relationship has been through – the crap it's been dragged through several times – don't we owe it to ourselves to try and make it work? And you're just giving up.'
'We've been through this!' he argued. 'I'm not giving up. I'm moving on, because we both know this isn't gonna work.'
'How can you be so blind?' she threw up her hands, backing away from him. 'It's not about a relationship and whether it'll work or not – comes down to the fact that I need you. Whether we're friends, or more than that-'
'That's the thing!' he pointed out accusingly. 'You don't care. What about the fact that I can't stand being close to you, and not being able to kiss you, knowing it might lead to something that will have much worse consequences?!'
'How dare you?!' she said with a trembling voice. 'How dare you say I don't care, when there's nothing and no one I've ever cared more about! We're not animals, Angel, we can restrain ourselves.'
'It's not about restraint,' he clarified desperately. 'It's about desire. We might be able to not act upon it, but it will drive us insane, that tiny thing holding us back.'
'You know what?' she said, putting her hands on her hips. 'I'm sorry.'
He looked puzzled at her.
'I'm sorry that I ever let myself fall in love with you. Sorry I ever tried to make a relationship between a Slayer and a vampire work. Sorry that I felt any guilt when I killed you, and sorry that I was hopeful – hopeful when you came back from hell, when I should've known you'd run away.' She found herself crying.
'Buffy, I. . .' he tried to touch her, but she flinched.
'I'm not giving up on us,' she said through tears. 'If you wanna do that – just go. No arguments. Walk away now.'
He stood immobile, but then turned away from her, sorrowful expression in place, and walked away.
Her knees gave way, feeling the cool wet grass on her dress. It would leave a stain, but she didn't care. Her prom was ruined.
As soon as the slow song had ended, Phoebe had gone back to fighting over Wesley with Cordy. Prue and Piper just rolled their eyes and looked on in amazement.
'That girl won't give up, will she?' Piper said.
'I think we should seriously start thinking about moving to Sunnydale,' Prue teased.
'Piper?' a voice behind her called.
The familiarity caused her insides to warm. She turned around, only to see Leo standing there in a tux.
'Leo!' she threw herself on him. 'What are you doing here?'
'Come to congratulate you, of course,' he said sweetly.
She smiled widely. 'You heard about that?'
He pulled her onto the dance floor, to a medium speed song. 'I saw that.' He twirled her around.
'What?' she said astonished. 'I thought the Elders called you up and you were busy!'
'I was. . .' he answered, taking her back in his arms. '. . .for a short while.'
Her mouth gaped open. 'But we really could have used you! Why didn't you come?!'
He smiled defiantly. 'Elders gave me a front row seat. I could hardly say no.'
She poked him in the chest. 'You are unbelievable.'
'Didn't look like you needed my help.' He dipped her down, but she forced herself back up.
'Yeah, OK, but. . .I missed you Leo,' she said earnestly. 'My moral support was at an ultimate minimum.'
He drew her in closer. 'It's just. . .watching you. It made me realize something.'
Piper held her breath, mentally crossing her fingers.
'I'm never gonna stop loving you. No matter what the Elders say. . .I'm gonna keep on loving you Piper. Until the end.'
They danced for a few seconds, Piper with her eyes wide, unsure of what to say.
'So. . .what does this mean?' she asked with a quivering voice, butterflies fluttering up her stomach.
'I'm with you,' he told her simply, cuddling her, 'because you mean more to me than anything.' He paused. 'Are you with me?'
It didn't take long for her to make a decision. Within moments, they were kissing passionately on the dance floor. A few of the students stopped dancing and started clapping. It was a magical moment – without any magick.
The last thing Piper heard was Phoebe telling Wesley not too far away: 'You see that? That good kiss thing runs in the family.'
Giles stacked a few books on the shelves, his last batch in fact from the ones that had gone all over the place at the destruction of the Mayor. He looked over his neatened-up library lovingly, thinking that if they hadn't succeeded in defeating him. . .well, none of these rare books would have existed much longer.
But it was Graduation Day morning. His final day with Buffy as a student at Sunnydale High – and then what? Drifting apart? At least she was going to UC Sunnydale with Willow rather than the East Coast like she'd planned initially. If he ever needed them. . .they were just a phone-call away.
The perfect quiet was stirred by the swinging of the double doors, and the bubbling of conversation swam through the room.
'No way,' Oz said, 'I cannot agree.' He and Xander were at the front talking, Buffy and Willow right behind them.
'Oh come on!' Xander stuck his hands out. 'He so is!'
'So what?' Giles asked inquisitively. Xander hesitated before answering. 'OK – the Doctor on Star Trek Voyager. Just a program, or deeper feelings and emotions?'
Giles glared at them. 'It's your Graduation Day, and you're arguing about Star Trek?' He paused before saying, 'of course, he is more than just a program, but still. . .'
Oz gave a little satisfied smirk.
Buffy interrupted their argument, not wanting to hear more sci-fi talk, saying:
'When does the ceremony start?'
'Oh,' Giles checked his watch. 'In about 45 minutes.'
Willow nodded, taking Buffy aside and sitting down at the table with her so they could finish their conversation. 'And he just walked away?'
Buffy's eyes drooped. 'Pretty much.'
Willow cringed. 'That's. . .eesh. But you know. . .he's kinda right.'
Buffy's head shot up. 'What?!'
'Well. . .' Willow chose her words carefully, unwillingly sounding defensive. 'Maybe it would be best for both of you. That you go your separate ways for new beginnings.'
Buffy's face showed one prepared to protest and fight back, but she ended up seeing Willow's point. 'I. . .I guess. If I have to look at it in a good way, that one might as well be it.' She put her head in her hands, stressed even though all the demonic action had passed and it was the end of the school year.
The room was greeted with more excitement as Cordy and Wesley walked in arm in arm, both looking very smug.
'Check it out,' Xander observed. 'Wes only has one woman on him.'
Cordy sneered at Xander. 'Well, just shows – best woman won.' She turned to Giles. 'When's Graduation?'
Giles distractedly checked his watch once again. 'Oh – um. . .in about 40 minutes.'
The Halliwell sisters and Faith made their entrance, all giggling together and seemingly very happy.
'Hey,' Oz said to them.
'Hey,' Prue greeted in reply. 'We have news.' She paused. 'We're going back to San Francisco today.'
Sounds of disappointment went through the room. Except for Cordy of course.
'So soon?' Willow voiced.
'Yeah, well,' Piper explained, 'we have jobs to take care of.'
'And so do I,' Faith added slowly, coming forward. 'I've thought about it and. . .I'm gonna move to San Francisco with super-witches here.'
Buffy stood up. 'What?'
Faith bit her lip. 'I figured. . .demonic Big Bads on the Hellmouth – your department, which you can deal with your friends. San Fran sure could use a Slayer. From what I hear, the demon numbers are huge.'
Buffy smiled, taking Faith's hand. 'Good luck.' They embraced each other.
'So. . .Faith?' Wesley spoke up. 'Um. . .how do you expect me to be a Watcher here for Buffy and for you miles and miles away?'
'I don't,' she replied simply. 'I'm making it easy for ya, Sparky.' She patted his shoulder. 'I quit. I have my witches and their big book for guidance.'
Buffy hid a smile, until Wesley directed himself at her, obviously not too disappointed to not have Faith to worry about anymore. 'Very well – Ms Summers, it's just you and me.'
'No, bird-brain,' she fired back. 'It's just you. After all that's happened recently, I've also made a decision – I quit too. Your Council hasn't helped me at all, I'll tell you that much.'
Wesley looked left and right helplessly, hoping the answer would be on someone's face.
'You can't both quit the Council – it's because of them you girls are chosen!'
'I thought it would was cuz of some guys that gave us power eons ago,' Buffy corrected.
'Mr. Wyndham-Pryce!' A new figure had silently entered the library.
It was Quentin Travers, head of the Watchers' Council.
'Mr. Travers!' Wesley said panicked.
'Don't be so worried Wesley,' Travers comforted. 'I'm only here to congratulate you on the effort you've made to prevent the Ascension, and to make sure everything has been dealt with accordingly. Fantastic work, by the way.' He turned his attention to the two Slayers. 'Ms Richards – welcome back.' He outstretched his hand to Faith.
'Thanks,' she said politely, '. . .but no thanks.'
'We're quitting Mr. Travers,' Buffy told him flatly. 'We took care of everything with – guess what – none of your help.'
Travers stared at her in awe. 'You can't quit the Council!'
'Really?' Faith said, mock-surprised. 'Cuz – last time I checked, me and B here were the ones with the fists.'
Giles smiled coyly, hidden away from his former boss.
'What do you expect the Watchers' Council to do without Slayers under their control?' Travers asked frustrated.
'Drink lotsa tea?' Buffy suggested.
'This is not your choice Ms Summers!' he said firmly.
'Too late,' she said finally, staring deeply into his eyes, shooting bullets of hatred at him. 'Come on guys, let's get some good seats.' She led the way through the library double doors, the rest of the gang copying Buffy's example with the piercing glares. Only Wesley and Cordelia remained.
'So Wes,' she whispered, her finger stroking his chest. 'I've got some time before the ceremony. You wanna. . .' she wiggled her eyebrows suggestively. Both giggling, they ran out of the library.
The group sat in a row – Buffy at the aisle, next to her Willow, then Oz, Xander and an empty seat intended for Cordelia. The Halliwells and Faith stood with the parents while Giles sat with the teachers. The ceremony was about to begin.
Buffy sat with one leg crossed over the other, tapping her knee, sighing deeply. After everything she'd been through the past three years here, she'd managed to survive. This was the climax of it all – then why couldn't she be enjoying it more?
Suddenly, Cordelia rushed along the row of seats, taking her place next to Xander looking very agitated.
'Where's Wes?' he asked.
'What?! Where?!' she jumped up, head darting left and right in a panicked away. 'Oh, right – that didn't work out.' She thought about the disastrous make-out session they'd just attempted to have. That relationship was doomed to fail.
'Ahem. . .' Snyder's fake cough echoed to the students through the microphone on the stage. 'Congratulations class of '99,' he said in a drab voice. 'You've all proved more or less adequate.'
Buffy and Willow exchanged a glance.
'Now, the Mayor of Sunnydale was supposed to be giving a speech right now. . .but unfortunately he has disappeared.'
'Ain't that lucky,' Buffy quipped quietly.
'So I would just give you your little worthless diplomas. . .but I believe one of your fellow peers has something to say.'
He walked off the stage miserably and was replaced by a geeky-looking boy, Jonathan. He placed his hands on the stand, clearly nervous.
'Well. . .it's been a long four years, guys.'
There was a murmur of agreement.
'And now. . .we are here. . .today. . .receiving our diplomas. Something we've all worked hard for.'
Well, this is quite the jolly atmosphere, Buffy thought, looking around to view the sight of various students yawning and picking out the dirt from under their fingernails.
'. . .harder than most,' he added deliberately, preparing to say something more important. 'I think it's fair to say, we live in a place unlike any other. In a place where our lives are endangered on a weekly basis by creatures we never dreamed existed.'
By now, the audience had perked up. They weren't surprised to be hearing the content of this speech – they were very aware Jonathan was right, but at the same time were relatively stunned that someone had finally had the guts to come out and say it.
'I stand here looking at how many of us have survived, and I can't help but think that we couldn't have done it alone.' He paused for effect. 'Most people go through their lives performing small acts of kindness and care that are never recognized as much as they should be. That's why I'm here now to grab the last chance I have – we all as students here have – to give a very belated thank you to a group of people that more than deserve it.' His head turned to the row of seats Buffy and her friends were sitting on. 'We all know who I'm talking about, and they've been working more than just academically for three successful years now to make our lives easier – our streets marginally safer. I know some of us would definitely not have been sitting here if it weren't for them.'
A positive reply sounded from the audience.
'We think you deserve something for that – please make your ways here, Buffy Summers, Willow Rosenberg, Xander Harris, Daniel Osbourne and. . .Mr. Giles.'
Clapping and cheering egged them on stage, while Cordy crossed her arms angrily. 'I hang out with those losers two years, and I don't get an honor?!'
They climbed on stage together, completely unaware of what exactly was going on.
Jonathan took five little trophies from underneath the stand, handing one to each of them. It had a little statue of angel wings engraved with the word "Sunnydale" on it, and the school colors of red and gold painted on the side.
'We wanna thank you. . .our Sunnydale Guardian Angels.'
The response from the audience became louder and they were even getting a standing ovation. The Charmed sisters and Faith clapped hard and whistled also.
'Wow,' Faith said as it slowly died down. 'I can't believe their work has been noticed.'
'Yeah – how come we never get "Good Samaritan" awards or whatever?!' Phoebe complained.
Snyder interfered, pushing Jonathan aside. 'Alright, alright, enough happiness! You five – return to your seats. Let's get these diplomas handed out and finish this school year.'
Alphabetically each diploma was given to each student in the crowd. As the last name of Jason Zakowski was read out, the students celebrated the moment they'd been waiting for.
With a large whoop, they simultaneously threw their Graduation hats into the air.
Later that day, after the post-Graduation party, the sun was setting into evening and the Halliwells and Faith were saying their goodbyes.
'It was so great to meet you guys,' Piper took turns in hugging everybody. 'Anytime you're in San Francisco – you know where to go.'
'I'll definitely keep that in mind,' Buffy said gratefully.
Wesley ran past them, chasing Quentin Travers. 'Please, Mr. Travers, this is all a mistake!' he pleaded.
'Well, I'm turned off,' Phoebe informed them, putting her hands in her pockets.
'Thank God!' Piper playfully hit Phoebe's arm, laughing at her sister's pathetic crush.
The sun dropped into the horizon as night descended upon one of the most dangerous cities in the world where night could be experienced.
'I think we should get out of here now,' Faith suggested. 'Night-time in Sunnydale is prone to vampire attacks and traffic.'
'And that isthe official town phrase,' Xander joked.
They exchanged their final hugs and reluctantly said goodbye. Just before they left though. . .
'Buffy?' the voice made her jump from behind.
Angel stood, holding a bouquet of flowers.
'Angel,' she said coldly.
'Hey look,' Willow said distractedly. 'People I haven't said bye to yet. . .' she walked away, pulling Oz, Xander and Giles with her. From afar, the Halliwells and Faith all saw what was happening even though they were already halfway to the car.
'I hope she's OK,' Piper said in a quiet worried voice. 'They deserve as much luck as they can get.'
Back between the two of them, the tension was incredibly thick.
'I thought you would have left by now,' Buffy said, not daring to come any closer to him, her eyes fixated on the grass.
'Yeah, I thought so too.' He held the bouquet in front of her, which she grabbed and dropped on the floor emotionlessly.
'Buffy, don't be pissed. . .'
'Oh, I'm not pissed!' she insisted. 'In fact, I'm the total opposite of pissed – I'm. . .unpissed.' She knew it sounded lame, but she couldn't help it.
'I didn't want things to end the way they did,' Angel explained, 'on such awful terms. So I thought I'd get you those flowers,' he pointed to the ones on the ground, 'as a gesture of forgiveness.'
She tapped her foot impatiently, arms folded over, trying her best to remain calm.
'But then I thought. . .'
Her head flew up in surprise.
'. . .I don't wanna do this.'
Her eyes widened.
'I'll get you flowers. . .I'll move away, search for redemption, let you live your life. . .then what? I'll end up helping you fight the Big Fight, you'll help me, we'll stir up old feelings – how will that help either of us move on if we're constantly on each other's minds?'
'Well. . .' she searched her mind desperately for something smart and sophisticated to say. '. . .yeah. . .'
'The bottom line is. . .' Angel took a step closer to her, 'you are the source of my strength – the light at the end of my tunnel. If that's taken away, what is there to fight for?'
Buffy cleared her throat. 'Aside from the never-ending battle and hope for good to prevail over evil?'
'Well. . .that too. But. . .' he took her hands into his, '. . .that battle? I wanna share it with you. Be it as friends, or as acquaintances, or whatever. . .let's be by each other's sides.'
'You really mean it?' she said disbelievingly.
He stroked her cheek. 'No jealousy. No anger. Just. . .support.'
Tears forced themselves in her eyes. 'That sounds like a plan.'
'It definitely is,' he assured. 'Because no matter what happens. . .we'll always be soulmates. Two souls intertwined that have to be there for each other to radiate light; to feel love. If we never have romance. . .we'll share something that 99 of the world never finds.'
She put her arms around his waist, holding him tightly, and he did also.
Side by side, it was a fight to the end.
Having viewed the scene of affection, the witches and Slayer continued their journey towards the car.
'It looks like all worked out for those two,' Prue said with a content smile on her face.
'I'm really glad,' Piper said, cracking open the boot and stuffing it with their and Faith's bags. 'If Leo and I could work it out. . .so can they.'
Phoebe turned herself toward Faith. 'This is quite a drama you're leaving for the sights of San Francisco.'
Faith shrugged. 'Sometimes you need a new start.' She made sure they were all listening to her. 'I'm really glad you guys came here. I almost feel as if some powers from above made you come and helped redirect me on the right path.'
'No powers honey,' Phoebe smiled sweetly. 'Just some luck with me touching a. . .' she paused, racking her brain and thinking back, but realizing there was nothing to remember. '. . .oh God, I just realized something.'
'What is it?' asked Prue, anxious.
'When I got my premonition. . .I-I wasn't touching anything. . .' Phoebe looked curiously at her sisters.
'You normally touching something?' Faith checked. Phoebe nodded looking away.
'That's weird,' said Piper, trying to think of a plausible explanation. 'I can't believe we didn't realize when it happened. . .'
'I guess we must've been too distracted by what I saw. . .' Phoebe guessed.
'Has that ever happened before?' Faith asked.
'No. . .' Phoebe shook her head. 'Could it be my powers developing?'
'Into what?' Prue asked skeptically. 'Seeing evil coming along randomly? I think you get enough premonitions as it is.'
'It makes no sense. . .' Phoebe leaned back on the car. 'There's no way I could have gotten that premonition unless. . .' She broke off.
'Unless what?' said Piper, eager to find out what her sister was thinking.
'. . .unless someone sent it to me.' Phoebe looked up anxiously. 'Guys, I don't think it was the Power of Three at work here. Something else wanted us here to save the day.'
Piper raised her eyebrows. 'That's not so bad though, right? At least we know it's a good super-being able to tell the future and send it to others.'
'But. . .' Phoebe was still confused. 'Why? Why was it needed? And how did it get in touch with us?'
Faith shrugged. 'I don't think it matters. You did your job – more than you were supposed to. Everything's great. Just guess we'll never know.'
Puzzled, they all took a place in the car together as they drove off into the dusk, heading northward.
Giles looked on at Buffy and Angel holding one another with so much love and tenderness.
He was definitely proud of his Slayer. She was learning from her mistakes and deciding how to shape her life.
But now he had a new charge, especially with his Watcher career down the drain.
His gaze wandered over to Willow, conversing happily with two best friends. She would make one fantastic witch all right, he knew that.
With a smile, he orbed in a glittery blue light to a hallway styled with ancient Greek patterns. Sure enough, the presence of the two Oracles was bestowed before him.
'All is well?' one said.
'All is well,' Giles replied.
'We are very happy to have helped,' the other Oracle contributed.
'The plan worked better than any of us expected,' Giles told. 'Not only has my new charge benefited from a magick education, we have also destroyed a major threat to the world of good, and redirected a Slayer onto the right path, returning her to our side.'
'All because of one vision the Powers sent to the witch?' the first Oracle said impressed. 'Fate is a remarkable thing.'
'I'd just like to thank you,' Giles said warmly, 'on behalf of the Elders. They are very pleased to have worked with such a strong force in the magickal world.'
'We are glad to have been of service,' the second Oracle answered pleased. 'If the leaders of witches and of fate can get along, who knows what other great things we can cause to come about?'
Giles smiled thoughtfully. 'We'll just have to see.' He stood back, preparing to orb away. 'To the future.' With that, he disappeared in an illuminating sparkling blue light just as he had arrived, the trademark of all Whitelighters.
THE END
