Author's Notes: Well, guys, this is it, the last chapter for Dark Waltz. This chapter will really display Buffy's struggle of whether she wants to go with Angelus, or go sharpen her stake. I'm happy with the way the story had turned out, and I'm very happy that you guys have enjoyed it. This chapter is very much inspired by the Charmed season four episode Long Live the Queen, especially towards…well, you just have to read and see. Thank you all for the great feedback and alerts that you have given. Enjoy!

Chapter Five

Her eyes fluttered open as they laid upon the smooth paneling of the ceiling above her, her mind distorted and in a state of muddled confusion. Almost without thought, she felt moisture dripping from her neck as fingertips pressed against the freshly punctured wounds, droplets of blood falling languidly onto the spotless kitchen floor.

"I passed out, didn't I?" Buffy muttered in resignation, using the support of the island and dishwasher to rise steadily to her feet. She knew instantly without focus that she was alone, but at the illusion of peace.

Passed out? Slayer, you slept through most of the night, the voice in her mind huffed. Do you not remember? Dawn is close to approaching. "And the vampire I dusted earlier?" Buffy queried, her eyes blinking rapidly to adjust to the dimness of the kitchen. It was merely a dream. There was no one in the house for most of the evening but yourself and I. Although, you ended up sleepwalking, as if you were hearing a voice that even myself could not hear. That same voice was luring you here. As if you were under a thrall. No matter how hard I had tried, I could not reach through you.

A sudden thought raced through her mind, though it came to no surprise for the Slayer. "Angelus?"

Yes. You do not understand. Even in dreams, even without your conscious knowing, he has the power to drain your blood, to make you helpless, to want you to need him. It was something that I was trying to warn you, before you begin to sleepwalk towards the stairs, but the attempt was futile at best. For the second time, he fed on you, and then you went into slumber. One more time, Slayer, and you'll become like him. There will be no turning back then.

"Maybe it could explain the dress I'm wearing. I wore this when I went up against the Master. But look, what if I'm never ready to go up against him? He doesn't exactly scream 'evil Hellmouth being bent on destruction' you know?"

Seduction itself is more subtle than evil. Almost anyone can fall prey to its power, including you, Slayer. It is just another one of his tricks in order to lure you to the dark side. This is what we've been waiting for. We have to prepare ourselves, most especially yourself. You have to be ready to fight. Whatever it takes is what you have to do.

Buffy snorted, but before she could counter the voice, a wave of dizziness struck her, sending her to keel over the island. And before she could retain herself, her mind became a void of endless darkness. Soon, she fell into a state of undisturbed slumber, quietly waving goodbye to the world.

Whoa. What in the hell just happened here? This can't be one of those fairy tale things, can it? 'Cause they're so retro, Buffy's mind murmured incoherently. She felt a chill settling over her bare arms, further delving into her lungs before reaching her heart. She opened her eyes, already sensing a presence in the room alongside her. "Show yourself," she declared as she rose. She had barely noticed that she was lying upon an intricate four poster bed.

In the back of her mind, she knew that it was his, but she decided not to dwell on it.

"My love, don't you recognize me?" Angelus cooed, his voice calling out from the shadows, but he firmly kept himself hidden from her eyes. A sense of alarm sent hairs on the back of Buffy's neck to rise. Something was amiss. "Why am I here?" she demanded suspiciously. She detected something in his voice that caused her Slayer senses to reel beyond her ability to control them. Under the red velvet duvet, she searched in desperation for a stake.

There was none.

Finally revealing himself under a direct ruby filtered strobe light, Angelus had never looked so beautiful to her, and it adamantly took her breath away. In a moment's silence, Buffy clenched at the duvet, her nails digging into her palm. How can I kill him? Look at him. He's…

"I know," Angelus finished for her, a satisfied smirk on his lips. "You will not do it. You cannot. You want to be with me, don't you?"

"I…," Buffy stumbled at a loss for words, forcing herself to look away. At that particular moment, she couldn't stand to glance at him; the attraction was much too powerful to smother. In her mind, it was telling her to stake him. But in her heart, it was revealing a much different outcome.

It was telling her to love him, to give herself to him. Body, heart, and soul. A part of her had yearned to.

"Come with me. I have something to show you," his hand reached for hers, his voice gentle. Buffy instinctively shrunk onto the goose down pillows, fear blossoming in the center of her heart. Should she obey him? For the first time in years, she didn't feel as if she were the all-powerful vampire Slayer. For the first time, under Angelus' penetrating gaze, she felt remotely helpless, as if she were a defenseless child and nothing more. I want to go with him, but...

She hesitated, lowering her chin before making a decision. She nodded her head. He welcomed her hand into his, but as they both prepared to exit the bed chambers, Buffy, the part that was still the diligent Slayer, managed to break apart the wooden bed post quickly, hiding the piece under the sheath of her dress before returning to Angelus' side.

Soon, they entered the massive ballroom. It was adorned with expensive Italian statues, imported crystal chandeliers, and long dinner tables. It was filled to the brim with dancers and court jesters in Renaissance-era gowns, masks, and peasant suits.

Buffy's stomach began to fall. She knew that it was no ordinary masquerade ball. Under the guise, it was simply nothing more than a blood feast. "Don't be afraid, beloved," Angelus attempted to comfort her, as he placed his cold lips upon hers. Despite the protest in her mind, she gave in, savoring the taste that her heart had selfishly yearned for. Their tongues collided against one another before they ended the kiss.

"Dance with me?" Angelus continued softly, wrapping an arm around her waist in a protective gesture.

"Yes," Buffy's mind was foggy from the kiss, her body wilting towards him. She wanted no one else but him.

They strode to the center of the ballroom, every pair of eyes watching. Forgetting the world around them, their eyes held upon each other's. Buffy felt herself twirl under his arms before entering them, her head leaning against his shoulder as she inhaled his signature scent. Her thoughts were solemn. At the stroke of midnight, she knew what had to be done.

"At midnight, you will be mine. Forever," Angelus murmured in her ear. Buffy remained silent, her mind and heart battling against one another in a tug-of-war. "Would you like to live forever by my side, Slayer? As companions, as lovers? How does that sound to you?" They continued to dance. "Nothing will keep us apart, lover. Not even the sun. We'll have eternity together, you and I. I will even make you my vampire queen."

He detected the expression on her face. "I know what you're thinking. I'm sorry, but it's for the best."

Buffy ignored his vows and apology, her attention shifting to a weathered grandfather clock that was perching near the towering stairs. If I kill him, all these vamps should be good as dead. I can't be what they are. Not now. Not ever. Not even for him.

Just thirty more seconds...

With said seconds left to go, Buffy reached behind her, tugging at the stake that was strapped against her leg. She blinked fresh tears, her lips quivering as she began to sob. Wrapping a single arm against his neck, she pulled Angelus towards her, engaging her lips in a passionate kiss that was also a signal for goodbye before she released him from her embrace.

"I'm sorry too," Buffy wept, raising the stake higher before plunging it into Angelus' chest. His eyes widened in deep surprise, as if he couldn't believe what she had just done. "Buffy, no. No!"

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." She carefully distanced herself from him, watching the trails of blood trickling onto the marble floor, her face flushed and tear-stained. Everywhere around her, chaos ensued. Masquerade dancers and jesters were no longer there; merely motes of dust. Tables splattered into halves as chandeliers shattered into millions of shards, the room filling itself with never ending screams and howls of pain.

A sorrowful look crossed Angelus' face as his eyes bored into hers. "I will always love you," he mouthed, before crumbling and fading away, leaving a puddle of fresh blood behind. Buffy whimpered as she fell to her knees.

I'm sorry that it had to end like this, Slayer.

"Me too. Me too," she heavily sighed as she hovered over the pool of his blood. One last look, and she turned to head for the exit before her, her shoulders slumping, her vision still blurring. She wasn't experiencing the taste of victory. It was more as if she felt the loss of defeat, of the heartbreak of loss itself. Because in the end, she didn't win.

She had lost him. And it was killing her, eating away at her insides. But even so, she forced herself to ask the question that needed to be answered. "Was he always like this? A vampire?"

A contemplation from the voice and then, No. two hundred years ago, he was turned. Against his will. He was human once. He had a happy life, though unfortunately, it was short-lived.

"It shouldn't have been like this. Not this way. Can...can vampires be reborn? Is there a way to bring them back? I didn't want to kill him. I just didn't," Buffy's voice took on a desperate, flustered tone.

I know you didn't, Slayer, but it had to be done. But perhaps someday, he'll be reborn. Hopefully, a better destiny will be given to him, and also, the opportunity to ask him for forgiveness. Nothing is forever. You have to believe it.

At this revelation, Buffy produced a slight smile, though it was merely wistful. "Hopefully I won't have to wait forever. But for him, I think I will. I only wish that we had a happier ending instead."

Fin?

A/N: Oh, you didn't expect I'd end the story like this, did you guys? Expect a epilogue to be posted sometime later tonight. Should be good!