Alone.
Angel walked through the smoke and debris. He was the only one left. It was only him.
He was in the lonely barren place he always went when this happened. You'd think there'd be more lost souls there...but there weren't. There was never anyone else there. And there never would be.
He hoped this time, he would see her there. This time, things would be different. But, no. He had killed her...and held her in his arms. He had watched over her grave. No one would hurt the fallen angel. The world's protector would rest in peace. Damn Powers. They let him kill the one reason he sought his redemption and forgiveness. And then they gave it to him. After she was gone.
He had been human then. When it happened. When he was sent back here. It all went back to this wretched place. 100 years ago, he thought he was free of this place...when he was returned to his body...and when he was human...he thought he could never return. But obviously, he was wrong.
And Angelus had killed Willow too. No, worse. He made her one of them...and it was only because he knew what an evil bitch she was as a vampire. That was the only reason he had changed sweet Willow, he still would have tortured her endlessly, but she would have rested afterwards, sweet, sweet death.
But it was because of sweet, sweet Willow that he was back here, not protecting the grave of his beloved, Buffy.
Willow knew he was weak. Knew he couldn't sense her anymore. Knew he wouldn't fight back, hoping for the release of death. But she knew he also wouldn't expect more than death. Condemnation to an eternity of pain. Alone.
She had attacked him at his weakest point. For her Angelus. Angel chuckled. Angelus was no one's. He would toss her away in weeks.
He sat down in a rusty chair, stared down at his reflection in a broken mirror. He still wasn't used to actually seeing one. But he was even less used to seeing hers too. He blinked. It was still there. She put her hand on his shoulder.
"Angel."
Her voice was exactly as he remembered. And he could've sworn he smelled vanilla.
When he refused to turn of his own accord, she placed her soft, so soft, palm on the side of his face and turned him to face her.
"Angel."
She said it again, so softly.
He sobbed and threw himself to the ground wrapping his arms around her waist.
"Oh, God, Buffy...I-I killed you...Oh God..." he sobbed.
"Shh...Angel, it wasn't you, and those things aren't important now. We have to leave," he looked up at her. He never noticed the angelic glow that surrounded her.
"But...When Angelus get's his soul back," he said in a small voice. "I go back there, I-I have to atone for my sins..."
"Angel, you have nothing to atone for."
"But if he get's his soul back,"
"Someone else will be sent."
Maybe...Maybe...
He took her hand, and in a flash they were gone. And for the first time in months, Angel smiled.
A/N: yeah, yeah, yeah. I know. Confusing. I LOVE confusing people. Anyways, review, and send all questions to me via email: picklish at comcast. net