I want to thank everyone for the reviews and for not hurting me for killing Chris. When I started this story I wasn't really even considering them as a pair, but as it evolved it just sort of happened. When I took a break from posting a while back I was really unsure of where to go with the whole Buffy Chris relationship. I love both shows and wanted to be true to their characters and so, I couldn't send Buffy home with Chris. It's something I couldn't see her doing especially at the that point in her life. I told you guys a few chapters back that I finally figured out how to end this, which made everything easier. The next few Chapters after this one will be following both Shows, and how I feel they can intersect with each other. As for Buffy and Chris, who know, well I do but, I'm not telling. Bear with me, the story is actually far from over.

Bridge:

Buffy sat staring out at the twinkling lights of the city. She felt numb. Something caught her eye she walked over grabbing the piece of blue paper wedged into the corner. It was a piece of a streamer, one Chris had carefully hung for their prom. She held it tightly as she sank to her knee's sobbing, finally letting herself feel for the first time since he'd disappeared before her eyes. The pain, anger, guilt and emptiness assaulted her as she wept.

Hospital:

"Wow." Paige said as Leo finished telling them what had happened in the underworld.

"I can't believe he's gone," Piper began. "I just..."

"I know." Leo said understandingly.

"So what happen's now?" Paige asked as they glanced around noone really sure of how to answer the question.

Manor next day:

"Buffy?" Phoebe asked knocking slowly on the open door. Surprised to find noone there. "Paige." She called.

"What?" Paige asked walking out of her room.

"Where's Buffy?" She asked. Paige shrugged as she followed Phoebe downstairs.

"What's this?" Paige asked picking up a note on the table.

Bridge:

"They're gona be upset, that you didn't say goodbye. "Leo said watching her cautiously.

"I know, but I couldn't do it." Buffy replied.

"Do you want me to heal your arm before you go?" Leo asked gesturing to the wound Gideon had inflicted on her.

"Why not, for old times sake." Buffy said as Leo placed his hand over her wounds.

"But, don't get any ideas." She began smiling softly.

"You still don't like me, I know." Leo finished. "I don't know how to thank you, for everything."

"Then don't, just don't screw it up. You got a second chance don't waste it." Buffy replied.

"It's not that easy." Leo began.

"Nothing's easy, if it was, it wouldn't be worth it." She cut him off. "You want to know a secret?"

"Sure." he replied.

"You tell anyone, I'll deny it." She began. "I may act tough, I may have 'superpowers' but, beneath it all, I'm, just a sacred seventeen year old girl trying to survive. Two months ago I had to kill the man I loved to save the world, I never thought anything could ever hurt so much, I couldn't imagine a pain greater than that. Then yesterday, Chris lay dying in my arms, I couldn't stop it and I couldn't do anything, I've never felt so helpless in my entire life. He told me he loved me, and I was too scared to tell him that I loved him too. I let him die without ever knowing how much he meant to me and I don't think I'll ever forgive myself for that. I don't know if I'll be able to live up to the greatness that Chris seems to think I'll be but, I have to try, for him.Now, you may be an Elder, it may be your job to watch over and protect the world, but how can you do that when your whole world is right here? Don't be a coward like me, I lost my chance but you still have one."

"What are you going to do now?" Leo asked.

"What I do best, save the world." she replied smiling. "It's the one thing I seem to be able to get right."

"I can drop you off outside Sunnydale, I can't orb in there because of the hell mouth." leo explained.

"Actually, could you drop me off in LA?" Buffy asked. "I was supposed to go there, there's a big bad there waiting for me to kick it's ass. It was the weirdest thing, I meant to go there but, I was at the bus station and I suddenly had this urge to go to San Francisco instead." He nodded holding out his hand.

Hospital:

"What do you mean she's gone?" Piper asked.

"She packed her things and left." Paige replied.

"We found this on the table." Phoebe said handing her the note.

Dear Piper, Phoebe and Paige,

I know you'll be mad I just took off without saying anything, but I couldn't handle a big goodbye right now. I just wanted to let you guys know that, I'll be ok. I feel so lucky to have met you and that you allowed me into your lives. You'll never be able to understand how much you've all helped me. I don't know if our paths will ever cross again but it helps knowing that their others out there fighting, that I'm not alone. But, it's time I went home, back to my own destiny. You take care of my little guy. I like to think that what I do will help in some way create a better future for him, even if I can't be around to share it. Don't worry so much about what tomorrow will bring and just enjoy what you have today.

-Buffy.

LA:

"Good Luck." Leo said preparing to leave.

"You too." Buffy replied. "And Leo." She said causing him to pause. "Your not such a bad guy, for an Elder." She finished.

"Thanks, I think." Leo replied smiling. "If you ever need me, just call."

"You know I wont." Buffy replied honestly.

"I know, but for what it's worth, I'm sorry and thank you for everything." He replied.

"I didn't do for you." She said turning and disappearing into the crowd.

"I know." leo replied softly ducking back into the alley to orb away.

1 Week Later:

She looked out the bus window sighing as the sign came into view

WELCOME TO SUNNYDALE

"Welcome home Buffy." She whispered quietly to herself as she gathered he things.

She got off the bus with the same small bag she'd left with, unsure how they would all react to her return. She slowly walked down the quiet streets passing the many cemeteries that she spent countless nights patrolling. It was late and she knew she couldn't put it off forever so she took a deep breath quickening her steps. She didn't know what she'd tell them, how much she was willing to reveal about her summer. She heard a noise in the cemetery and took off on instinct taking down the vampire. She was surprised to find herself not alone, she reached down a hand to help the other woman up.

"You must be Faith." She said pulling the girl to her feet.

"And you must be Buffy." Faith replied. Assessing her. She nodded as they found themselves surrounded by a pack of vamps.

"I got the three on the right," Buffy began.

"I'll take the three on the left." Faith finished. As they charged into battle.

"Welcome back B." Faith said as she kicked one vamp into another.

"It's good to be home." Buffy replied pulling out her stake.

San Francisco:

"What are you doing?" Phoebe asked walking into the attic with Paige.

"I just finished packing up the stuff Chris left at P3. I couldn't throw it away." Piper explained closing the box.

"So, what now?" Paige asked.

"We keep fighting, and make sure the boys have the future they deserve." Piper replied.

Sunnydale:

She told them the truth about Angel and the spell, but decided not to mention anything that happened in San Francisco, instead just saying she'd been in LA. They all seemed to take her sadness as being still for Angel and she let them. It had been a few days and she realized she still wore his ring. She didn't know why, she'd let go a long time ago. She walked into the mansion pausing at the spot Acathla had sat.

"I'm sorry Angel, for everything. I don't know if you can even hear me but, I have to stop blaming myself, I have to move on. Well, I have moved on and I feel guilty for that to. He was a great guy, and I lost him to. Maybe it's me. Maybe it's something I'm not meant to have. I guess what I'm trying to say is, Goodbye Angel." She finished placing his ring on the ground and turning to leave. She never noticed the blue glow the ring took. She was already gone when it flashed engulfing the room in a bright light. She didn't see the portal that threw Angel to the ground.

San Francisco:

"What's an Avatar?" Paige asked.

"We're not sure." Phoebe replied searching through the book.

"I have a bad feeling about this." Piper replied.