Special thanks to slaterbug, BrandiIndigo, SMGbest, BloodyPasion, Guest, Delia Winters, and Angellufy for the reviews! Last chapter, epilogue will be up soon. Song is Hallelujah by k.d. Lang.

I heard there was a secret chord

That David played, and it pleased the Lord

You don't really care for music, do ya?

The next morning Buffy woke to a cold spot next to her in the bed and with a sharp intake of breath she sat up and looked around the room. "No, no, no, no," she whispered as she threw off the covers and looked at her clock. With a pounding heart she dressed and threw her hair into a ponytail before noticing a single object on her dresser. She walked towards it on weak knees and stared at the single black feather lying there innocently. Her trembling fingers reached out and picked it up, the huge black object shining brightly in the sunlight. With new found determination she gently set down the feather and ran towards Giles' house, her heart in her throat.

"Angel if you can here me please don't do anything yet. I didn't get to say goodbye," she choked. Her feet slowed slightly as she understood. He didn't want to say it because that would make it harder on both of them. "You don't get to do that!" she screamed to the sky. "You don't get to just leave me!" Not getting a response she wiped away the tears that flowed down her cheeks and continued to her watcher's house.

She arrived at Giles' house and knocked frantically until he opened the door. "Have you seen Angel today?" she asked hurriedly.

He shook his head with a confused frown, "What's happened?"

"He's choosing Giles. He's gone."

Her watcher's eyes widened, "What did he choose? This could affect everything."

"I know it can and I have no idea. Where could he be?" she asked as Giles wrapped his arms around her to try to comfort his now sobbing slayer.

Well it goes like this

The fourth, the fifth

The minor fall, the major lift

The baffled king composing Hallelujah

Angel sighed heavily as he stared at the sky from the middle of a park on the outskirts of Sunnydale. He wasn't ready to leave yet but it was time. His wings had returned, he had chosen and hopefully it was the right choice. Another sigh escaped him and he wondered how long he would have to stand out here with his hands stuffed in his pockets. Why was it that you always saw people when you didn't want to but could never find anyone when you wanted to? The hairs on the back of his neck stood up and he turned slightly to politely acknowledge the person now standing next to him.

"Hey dad."

Lucifer smiled warmly and mimicked his son's relaxed stance. "Hello Liam." The pair stood next to each other in silence as they looked at the trees and clouds, both enjoying the serene day. "It's a beautiful day isn't it?"

Angel closed his eyes and allowed the sun to warm his skin as he nodded slowly, "Yes it is."

They stood still for a few more minutes until Angel spoke again, "You shouldn't wear so much white. Its kind of cliché."

Lucifer let out a low laugh; "I'll keep that in mind." He turned to face Angel and waited for his child to do the same. "I take it you're ready? You've chosen where you would like to be for eternity?"

Angel nodded, "Yes I have."

The pair shared a meaningful glance and Lucifer nodded to show he understood. "And you're sure about this? I don't want you to regret anything."

"I won't. I'm sure."

Lucifer smiled, "Well then, should we get started?"

A sigh escaped Angel as his sword appeared in his hand, "I guess we should."

His father eyed the blade and shrugged out of his jacket before lying in neatly on the ground. He rolled his shoulders a few times and cracked his neck before a sword also appeared in his grip, "I'm sorry it had to be like this."

Angel shrugged, "Seems fitting."

"Yes it does," Lucifer agreed before lunging forward to kill the child that had chosen the glory of heaven over the pits of hell.

Well your faith was strong but you needed proof

You saw her bathing on the roof

Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew ya

Xander and Willow burst through Giles door looking around frantically for the danger. "Where's the fire G man?"

Willow glanced at Buffy and ran over to her friend who was crying in a chair with her head down, "He's gone Willow. I don't know what's happening but he's gone."

Xander looked at Giles in disbelief, "That's it? Mr. Schizo left and she's sad?"

Giles shook his head, "I called you both because we need to stay together in case something big happens. Buffy informed me that Angel has made his choice but we don't know what it is." He lowered his voice, "I'm also concerned about Buffy. She's taking this very badly."

Xander nodded and walked over to Buffy and dropped to his knees in front of the couch. "Everything's ok Buff."

She shook her head and glared at him, "No it's not it's…." She trailed off for a moment and adopted a spaced expression. Just as everyone was growing concerned she snapped back to reality and jumped up, "I know where he is." She ran out the door quickly not waiting to see if anyone followed her.

Well she tied you

To a kitchen chair

She broke your throne, and cut your hair

And from your lips she drew Hallelujah

Angel was on the defense, which was not where he wanted to be. Unlike Abaddon Lucifer fought carefully, every move meticulously thought out and executed. Their swords clashed again reigning sparks over each other and the green grass below their feet. He was panting, sweat dripping off his furrowed brow as he tried to gain the upper hand.

"If I had known you were this weak and sloppy I would have come up their myself and killed you long ago," Lucifer taunted as he parried one of his son's blows. "You should have realized I wouldn't let you walk away from me."

Angel's eyes began to glow and he growled when blood began gushing from his side as one of Lucifer's attacks hit it's mark. Playtime was over, he had to step it up or this could end fatally for him. His wings burst from his back shredding his shirt and his eyes turned completely red as he bared his fangs.

"There's my boy. Give into it. All that hate, all that rage? It comes from me. It's not too late you can still come where you belong."

Angel growled again and finally landed a blow to his dad's arm where a thick black substance began to ooze out. With a smirk he attacked again.

Baby I've been here before,

I've seen this room and I've walked the floor,

I used to live alone before I knew ya

Time crawled by as both fought with everything they had, blood and tar dripping and oozing off them both.

"Give up son, you won't win this," Lucifer sneered.

And he was right. Angel knew he couldn't win it just wasn't possible. Lucifer was too strong, too fast, to old and powerful. One of them was not going to walk away from this and that was ok. The only thing that he didn't like was that with him gone everything was going to get worse, so much worse.

No. He would not allow that to happen, not to Father, not to Spike, and most definitely not to Buffy. For a fleeting moment he wondered if just saying yes to his dad would save his slayer, not make her go mad from grief from the inevitable end to this fight, but that wasn't an option. At least if Buffy was insane she would still go to heaven and be whole again when she died, not damned for all eternity. Decision made he dropped his sword to the grass and watched as it disappeared from view before dropping to his knees and praying. He prayed for strength, for guidance and as overall warmth spread through him he knew his prayers had been answered.

"What are you doing?"

He looked up at his dad who was watching him curiously and stood as he felt all his wounds healing. With a scream he ran forward and buried his fists inside Lucifer and grabbed onto his essence tightly. Lucifer's eyes widened when he realized what was happening and even though he tried valiantly he could not get away from the angel's grasp.

Angel held his fists inside Lucifer as he struggled to get away, the power of heaven latching onto his demonic essence. The pain was overwhelming, unlike anything he could have ever imagined. Every hair on his entire body stood on end and his teeth were clenched so hard that he was sure they could crack. His muscles went from quivering to shaking but he still held on. A heat that started at his hands quickly spread through him until it felt like he was on fire and he felt blood start to drip from his nose and ears.

"You fool you'll die with me!" Lucifer screamed around the tar that was beginning to ooze from his lips. He felt himself start to break apart, felt as the tar in his veins and throat began to boil and knew that he wasn't going to be the victor.

Angel never waivered just held strong and focused everything he had on what was happening. Pain erupted from his wings, every feather felt like it was being plucked out. A scream burst out of his mouth as he was engulfed in light and a second later the light erupted. It was so bright and so hot that he couldn't breath or see, a shockwave exploding from him and Lucifer. And then there was nothing.

He looked at his shaking hands before glancing around and seeing no one. He had done it. He had destroyed the devil. A small smile appeared on his face as blood began to fill his mouth and run down his chin. Unable to stay upright anymore he dropped to his knees and fought the dizziness and darkness that was trying to overtake him.

One. Two. Three breaths passed through his stained lips before he fell backwards onto the earth Father had created so long ago. His eyes stared at the clouds and peace settled over him, a small whisper of wind playing across his face as the light in him was finally snuffed out.

But I've seen your flag on the marble arch,

Our love is not a victory march,

It's a cold and it's a broken hallelujah

Buffy was over halfway there when she saw the light and faltered slightly. Hoping for a miracle that he would still be there she ran harder only to trip and stop when a horrible emptiness started to spread through her filling her veins with ice. "No," she whispered. That wasn't even a possible outcome, there was no way he….. Trying to ignore what she already knew was true she began sprinting towards the park.

She burst into the clearing and looked around for any sign that Angel was here or had been. A lone figure on the other side caught her attention and she ran forward as fast as she could to get to him.

Angel was lying on his back in the grass with his large black wings splayed to his sides. His hands were resting by his sides and his face was completely lax. Confusion engulfed her at his completely unharmed body but it disappeared when she noticed the blood coating the inside of his mouth and teeth and the sluggish drip of the crimson liquid down his cheek.

"Angel?" Buffy whispered when she dropped down next to him. When he didn't respond she grabbed his shoulders to shake him slightly. "Angel?" she asked again in a hysterical voice. But he didn't answer, just laid there. "Answer me Angel!" she screamed but with every shake his head just hung limp.

Tears flowed down Buffy's face as she threw herself on top of him and sobbed into his chest. "Please no. Please," she whispered to his face and looked away from his unseeing ebony eyes. She didn't even notice Giles, Willow, and Xander standing around the dead angel and her with distraught faces.

Xander stared at the angel before looking at Giles, "Is he…?"

He nodded and released a sad sigh, "I believe so."

Xander swallowed and nodded as he hugged Willow when she began to cry, "This feels wrong."

"I don't think an angel's death is supposed to feel right Xander. No matter if we agreed with him or his decisions he was still an angel of the lord."

Everyone stood still and watched their best friend cry over the loss of her love until Giles noticed two figures approaching out of the trees. One was Spike who wore a solemn expression, his shoulders slumped and eyes suspiciously bright. The other man towered over him and looked very old. He was at least seven feet tall and was dressed in a loose white robe. It had some holes and the sash was frayed but still looked almost regal. The man had the whitest hair he had ever seen and deep lines on his tan and weathered face. His eyes were bright green and stood out dramatically despite being buried under tan skin and white hair.

Maybe there's a God above,

But all I've ever learnt from love,

Is how to shoot somebody who outdrew ya

Everyone stepped back as the huge man and Spike walked over to Angel. Buffy looked at them both with her tear stained face and allowed Spike to help her up and pull her away from her mate. The large man leaned down with a small smile and picked up Angel's limp form, the angel's wings dragging slightly on the ground as his head lolled to one side. "Liam, Liam, Liam," the man quietly whispered, his tone carrying hints of pride and amusement.

"What happened?" Buffy whispered, as she looked at Angel who for once appeared very small and childlike.

It was Spike who answered in a strained tone, "He killed Lucifer. He killed his dad." Moisture gathered in his eyes but he blinked it away quickly, "Burnt himself out it looks like. He used everything he had and was to destroy him, ended up destroying him too."

Buffy nodded and stepped forward to look at Angel who was draped over the large man's arm. She leaned over and gently kissed his cheek, "Goodbye my Angel, I love you."

The huge man looked down at her sad face as a broken hiccup escaped her swollen lips, "Be strong child. Everything happens for a reason." She tried to nod but instead just began to cry harder, the dead feeling inside of her spreading and engulfing her soul. She felt an arm over her shoulder and turned into Xander's chest where she clenched her fists in his shirt and continued to cry.

Spike watched her with a heartbroken expression as he resumed his place next to the man and they started to walk away. Giles finally spoke when they were a few feet away. "Who are you?"

The huge man turned and smiled kindly, his whiskers lifting around his mouth. "You know who I am Rupert," he said in an amused voice before disappearing with Spike.

It's not a cry that you hear at night,

It's not someone who's seen the light,

It's a cold and broken hallelujah

Everyone stood in awe at the scene that had just unfolded until Buffy's legs gave out. Xander grabbed her tightly and lifted her into his arms to carry her home. She didn't even realize she was being carried until he carefully placed her in her bed at her house. "I'll be downstairs if you guys need anything," he said quietly as Willow nodded and climbed into the bed next to her heartbroken friend.

Buffy sobbed into her pillows that still smelt of spice and fresh rain, of Angel. Every tear that dripped from her face a dream that would never come true. She reached over to her dresser and grabbed the lone feather still sitting and pressed it to her chest over her broken heart.

Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Hallelujah, Hallelujah