Epilogue : Absence Of Fear The Night Before Buffy zipped up her duffel bag as she placed the last piece of clothing in it. Outside thunder roared and lightning cracked. This storm was going away anytime soon. But that was the least of worries. She didn't want to wake her mother up. There was no telling what she night do to Buffy. Buffy shook the thoughts out of her head as placed her duffel bag over her shoulder. Looking around her room for the last time, she walked near her door. But something stopped her. She was forgetting two very important things. Quickly, she grabbed the cross and leather jacket that her lover had given her. She needed the objects just as much as she needed him. Slipping her bag off of her shoulder, she unzipped it, folded the jacket in it, and layed the cross on top of it. With a sigh, she zipped it back and walked out of her house - Forever. Once outside, lightning lit up the sky. It was the imperfect end to an imperfect day and there was a sense of irony to it. Things would get better in her life just like things got better after a raging storm. It might seem bad at first, but it would clear up and little bit of happiness would begin to shine like the sun. Buffy knew this would happen for a fact. Looking around, she saw her lover standing in the rain. He ran up to her and passionately kissed her on the lips. Everything that they had been through together raced through both of their minds. How had they ended up at this point? What started out as just a friendship to warn each other of bad things to come had turned into something wonderful most people only dream about. Their first kiss had seemed like a nightmare, yet a wonderful dream for both of them. People had said they couldn't be together, but they'd show them. They'd show them all. They were going to be together. And now, they had a little child to take care of. It was their child that had been conceived out of a night a true love and passion. If anyone ever said that the child was a mistake, they were wrong. Their baby was going to bring them a lifetime of joy. They were going to spoil it and raise it and love it more than anything in this world and they were going to do it together. Taking her hand in his, Angelus ran with her to where he had parked his car across the street. Buffy said nothing because deep down, they both knew it was going to be okay. Everything would turn out the way it was supposed to. Nothing was wrong if they had each other. Inside my skin There is this space It twists and turns It bleeds and aches Inside my heart There's an empty road It's waiting for lightning It's waiting for you and... I am wanting I am needing you here Inside the absence of fear Muscle and sinew Velvet and stone This vessel is haunted It creaks and moans My bones call to you In their separate skin Make myself translucent To let you in for... I am wanting I am needing you here Inside the absence of fear There is the hunger This restless inside of me And knows that you're no stranger, you're my gravity My hands will adore you through all darkness aches And they will lay you out in moonlight and reinvent your name for... I am wanting I am needing you here I need you near Inside the absence of fear... - Jewel The End 