Chapter 14

It's short but it's done. Chapter 14 happy endings for all those who arn't Raoul and Riley!

Erik woke up more rested than he'd been in a long time. It took awhile for the previous night to come back to him. But it did in small fragments at a time. It also took him a moment to register the warm body he cradled in his arms. 'Christine?' he opened his eyes and looked on at her sleeping form. So peaceful and calm, so beautiful, he couldn't remember her ever looking so perfect to him. She sighed in her sleep and pressed closer. 'This must be a dream, for I have done nothing to deserve such peace.' He stayed utterly still as Christine began to stir.

Christine felt comforting warmth wrapped around her as she began her decent back into consciousness. The memories of last night slowly returning to her. Memories of both her and Erik together. She opened her eyes to see Erik staring back at her warmly.

"Morning" she whispered.

"Morning" Erik felt the relief wash over him at her greeting. Glad that she hadn't run, or screamed, or just started crying at the realization of what they'd done. "How are you feeling?" he dared to ask.

"Good, sore but good." She told him honestly.

"I'm sorry."

"It's alright." She moved to him and kissed him lightly and then pulled away and looked at him oddly for a moment. Erik could feel dread rising in him.

"Erik do me a favor?" at his slight nod she continued. "Take off your mask, it would be much easier to kiss you without it."

"I fear it would only make it harder my dear."

"Erik please, trust me." he sighed he just couldn't resist her pleading voice but still he hesitated his hand hovering over the mask. He felt her hand gently wrap around his own pulling together at the mask. Erik closed his eyes waiting for the cry of shock and fear but none came. All that did was a gentle touch against his marred flesh. He looked into her face where he saw the slightest smile just before she brought her lips to the twisted skin. Erik again closed his eyes though only briefly, reveling in the sweetness that was her tender touch. No one had ever touched him like this and the love the swept through him was astonishing.

"I don't see how you can bare it Christine."

"Erik, to me your perfect."

&&&&

Buffy laid curled in Angels arms neither spoke both lost in their own thoughts. Worry's about the future and all they had still to cross, but at the same time knowing they were together again brought a great comfort. Buffy was cursed with another problem though. Riley!

'God how can I do this? What do I say? Hey Hunny I know we've been together now for like a year but while I was away in this other time with Angel I decided I loved him more and that we should give it another chance. I know this is out of the blue but hey thanks for being a great rebound guy. Yeah that should go over well.'

"Your worried about Riley aren't you?"

"Among other things yes."

"We'll get through this you know."

"I know and we'll get through the next thing and the next, it just seems sometimes like the worlds out to keep us apart."

"Maybe it is but we've always been good at taking on the world right?"

"Yeah, it's just there's so much we need to over come and don't get me wrong I love you and I want this to work but how do we do this?"

"Buffy come on if the crazy murdering guy in the room over their can get and keep a girl who by the way is not only with someone else but engaged, then I'm sure you and I can figure out away."

"Yeah, I mean maybe Willow can do a spell, change the curse make your soul permanent so they'll be no accidental releasing of crazy, evil soulless you. And who needs sun I'm out more at night anyways, besides sunlight gives you cancer, and the age thing well I'll be the cool old lady with the hot young boyfriend, hey we can tell people I'm rich!"

"Buffy I need to tell you something don't get to excited because we don't know all the details but theres this prophecy and in it, it says that when I gain my redemption I'll become human. But listen I don't know if that'll happen or when it will be but if it does.

"It'll solve all are problems. Okay, see plan. We find a spell or something to keep you good permantely and we'll work on this prophecy thing and see every things good. Except I still don't know what I should say to Riley."

"Honestly Buffy I wouldn't mind, in fact I'd be honored if you let me tell him for you."

"So not going to happen."

"I was thinking of just never going to tell Raoul if that helps?"

"It doesn't and you can't do that it's horrible." Buffy said turning to Christine who had just emerged with Erik behind her his arms wrapped around her waist.

"Yes but I thought it would be much easier on…well me." Buffy laughed.

"So did you to have a fun night?" Buffy asked and couldn't hide her smile as Christine began to blush.

"Yes we talked everything out."

"Talked? We'll if that's what you call talking Buffy you've been holding out on me." Angel spoke up looking from a now red Christine to a laughing Buffy.

&&&&

"So I'll just tell him what happened he'll be mad but it's what has to be done. I'll just tell him and then it'll be over with. Okay I can do it." Buffy said.

"Right so will I. I just hope Raoul doesn't over react like he did last night. I'm just so afraid though. I betrayed him, how can I tell him that? He'll hate me forever." Christine said sadly she was now sitting beside Buffy, Erik standing at her side.

"It's not to late Christine you can still go back to him you can still have the life he offered, he has so much more to give you. And you deserve much more than I can give."

"You can't get rid of me so easily Erik. Besides I'm damaged goods now. What respectable man would have me? No I'm afraid you're stuck with me for all time now." She smiled up at him, and he returned it faintly. He still wasn't completely confident in this but it would change over time she knew.

They were so caught up in talking that neither of them saw the flickering light appear in the background. But Angel did.

"Buffy I think that's are queue to exit." He told her pointing at the portal that was hovering just over the water of the lake.

"Oh wow looks like." She stood. "So I guess this is it? Good luck Christine." She moved in and gave her a quick hug.

"You to Buffy." She smiled warmly at her. It was because of her that she and Erik were where they were now and she could never thank her enough.

"Erik" Buffy said moving to stand in front of him.

"Mademoiselle Buffy." He gave a quick bow before Buffy pulled him into a hug. It surprised him and he stayed completely still as she did it but the faintest smile came to his face.

"Don't screw this up" she whispered to him as she moved towards Angel.

"Christine" Angel took a mocking bow to her smiling as he did it. "The best of luck to you both." He looked towards Erik and gave him a slight nod. Everything was said in that silence.

Angel scooped Buffy into his arms as he treaded through the water towards the portal. There was just enough time to look back at the couple that was so much like their selves and yet different at the same time.

Four very different people two very similar love stories.

I'm afraid I just can't end it here. I'm thinking we need maybe one more chapter to find out what happens to each couple after this, and then it will finally be done! Hurray big smiles everyone were alomst there!