Part 20: Farewells

It was three days before those who had fought the harpy were in any condition to be moving around...and even then it was just barely. In truth, the only reason they were up and out of their bed was the fact that everyone who had helped them was leaving.

"My Lord and Lady, you really should have stayed home," said one of the druids in consternation.

Buffy snorted, then said from where she sat in one of the waiting chairs, "As if we'd miss you guys leaving."

Angel nodded his agreement from where he sat next to his wife, Darkmoon on his lap.

"We will not say a word more, Sire," said Eve, "But only if you promise us that you will immediately return to your bed once we are gone."

"That was what we planned to do anyway," murmured the souled vampire.

"Good," said another druid.

Just then, the airport announcer called out over the loudspeaker, "Flight 1726 at Gate 1 now boarding."

Angel groaned as his head fell into his hands. Buffy patted his back -- fighting off a grin -- as he said darkly, "I wish they'd quit doing that!"

Shaking her head, the Slayer looked at the druids and Fates, and said, "You guys better go."

Nodding, the druids and Fate sisters left. Sighing, Buffy turned her head to look at the Watchers.

"Thank you for your help," she said.

The lead Watcher shook his head, before saying, "We should be giving you our apologies, not accepting your thanks, Slayer."

"You are who you are," Buffy commented with an indifferent shrug. "As long as we don't but heads too often, we'll get along fine."

"Indeed," the Watcher said. "We would not dream of interfering in a Paladin's business."

"I should hope not!"

"Flight 1898 at Gate 3 now boarding," the airport announcer said dully, as Angel rolled his eyes.

"You need to go," Giles reminded his fellow Watchers. "Is that not your flight number?"

"Yes, it is," confirmed the lead Watcher, before turning to gaze at those with him. "Ladies, gentlemen, let us be off, then."

All of the Sunnydale group waved - though, some half-heartedly - as the Watchers left.

Time passed in blessed peace and quiet within Sunnydale, all falling into a relaxed and easy pattern in their lives. Willow and Oz were engaged, planning to formalize their bond upon the spring equinox. Xander was still dating Cordelia, and had gotten a stable job with a construction company. Giles was still librarian at the high school - to better keep an eye on the Hellmouth -, and was being considered the next in line to take over the Watchers - much to his disbelief -. Buffy, Angel, and Darkmoon had mostly kept to themselves, all needing time to fully recover from the battle with the Harpy.

The three never said anything, but the others had felt since that battle that something fundamental to who they were had changed. It was nothing big, but the small things that made it noticeable. A glance at some comment, a gesture, or just the way one of them would look when they thought no one was watching. All this led to one conclusion in their minds: the Paladins and Guardian were restless and looking for something to do in the suddenly peaceful town of Sunnydale.

Spring had come and gone, allowing Fall in all its wondrous glory to be seen when the Beacons were once again used. Within the hour, all had assembled at Angel and Buffy's home, wondering what the emergency was. They did not have long to wait, as the said couple and their ever-present shadow came ridding out of the woods near the mansion.

The two paladins stopped a few feet from the group, Buffy dismounting and heading towards them. Her expression was sorrowful, yet filled with excited anticipation as she said quickly, "I don't have much time to talk, but we felt it would be a good idea to let you all know what is going on." Drawing in a deep breath, Buffy continued in a serious tone, "We've been called by the higher powers to help in another dimension, especially since everything's so calm here now."

"That will leave the Hellmouth unprotected, Buffy," Giles said quietly as he took off his glasses and fiddled with them.

The Light Paladin shook her head before saying, "That's being taken care of. Another Slayer's being called as we speak."

"How long will you be gone," Willow asked softly as she gripped her husband's hand tightly.

Looking sadly at her best friend, Buffy replied in the same tone, "I don't know. This is kinda going to be a permanent thing with us, 'cause of who and what we are, you know." She looked at her friends, tears threatening to fall from her eyes. "We'll come and see you all as often as we can, guys. We just don't know how long it will be between visits."

"As long as we get to see you...even Deadboy, again," Xander said, his voice cracking with emotion on the last word.

Her face and eyes showing the wealth of emotion she was feeling, Buffy held out her arms to the gang. All of them - even Oz and Giles - joined in a group hug that lasted for a solid minute. It was Angel calling Buffy's name that finally pulled them apart. With a last heartfelt glance of farewell, the Slayer turned around, headed back to Angel and Darkmoon, and quickly leapt onto her stead's back.

At that moment, the wind suddenly picked up, and a swirling white and black vortex appeared thirty feet away from the Paladins. The couple gazed at each other - their expressions filled with sudden anticipation -, and grinned. With a Gaelic war cry, Angel spurred his mount towards and through the portal, Darkmoon following at his side. Buffy quickly followed behind, laughter trailing after her.

THE END