Disclaimer : I, LJS angel, do not own, never have and sadly never will own Buffy, Angel et all.  Please don't sue ... blah, blah, bliddly, blah, i'm so stuffy, give me a scone. (That was a joke nice powerful, rich, lawery people)

“What does this mean ?” Angel demanded of the Oracles, holding an ancient parchment.  He scrolled it out.  “This part about the Slayer.  It says, ‘On this fateful night, the Chosen One will sacrifice her life for her immortal and she will be with him forever through life and death.’ Forever ?  Is she,” Angel gritted his teeth.  “Is Bu.. the Slayer, going to, going to die ?”  His voice cracked slightly

“Love survives through even death,” the female Oracle told him cryptically.

“Yes. I know that,” Angel said patiently.  “But what does it mean.  Please.  I have served you well.  I just want to know what this means.  Please,” he pleaded.

“The Slayer will face a great test set down not by her council or any demon.  This test is from fate and the Powers That Be.  If she passes, she will fulfil the prophecy,” the male Oracle said.

“What will happen?” Angel asked desperately.

“We have told what you do or do not need to know.  The Slayer will be tested days from now.  How many we cannot tell you.  As you have guessed you are the Immortal.  You are instructed by the Powers That Be to go to the Valley of the Sun and inform her so forth.  This conversation grows tiresome.  Leave us now,” the male Oracle instructed.

“But I need...” Angel started before a bright light blinded him and he was thrown back into the world.  Wesley was waiting for the vampire and helped him up.

“What did they say?” Wesley asked.

“They're confusing y’know.  It is a prophecy Wes.  They say it’s due in a few days.”

“So what do we do now ?” Wesley said as the stepped out into the night.

“We go back to Sunnydale.”

“Hey, pass the Pepsi,” Cordelia said to Wesley.  They were in Angel’s classic T-Bird somewhere between the bright lights of LA and the Hellmouthy demonyness of Sunnydale.  Wesley passed a can towards the back seat.  “How long til Sunnydale?”

“Another hour,” Angel said.

“Oh, good.  I think.  So, how’s this gonna work?” Cordelia asked Angel.

“With Buffy?” Wesley said.

“No, with Xander.  Of course with Buffy.  I mean you’re not gonna be all stalkerish again are you ?”

“No.  I called Giles.  He knows.  Buffy doesn’t, yet.  But she’ll know I’m there cause I’m involved in this prophecy,” Angel said staring straight ahead.  “But we won’t be involved.”

“Oh, OK.  Turn over this station Wes.  What is this Dark Ages FM ?”

“Well here we are,” Cordelia said from behind Angel.  They were faced with Giles’s door once again.  Both Cordy and Wesley were behind Angel because they knew he would have to be the one with the strength to go in and face her again.

Angel put forward his hand to knock on the door when it was opened by someone. Angel stared at the beautiful girl before him.

“Angel ?” Buffy asked unsure.  The Slayer was sure it was an illusion.  She looked up at his dark, soulful eyes, his gorgeous brooding appearance.  This was so surreal.  It was like a dream.  When she had went over to  the door, she hadn’t expected to find her ex-lover on the doorstep.

“Buffy,” Angel said.  She was even more beautiful than when he had last seen her.  Her hair lay loosely around her shoulders and she wore a light blue slit neck top and ocean blue hipsters.  She had matured so much in so little time since their day.  They gazed at each other for what seemed like an eternity.

“Hey Buffy,” Cordelia greeted appearing from behind Angel.  Angel stood out the way to let Cordelia through.  Wesley waved and greeted Buffy then walked past her into Giles living room.

“Are you even coming in ?” Cordelia asked sitting down on the couch next to Willow.

“Come in,” Buffy offered.  Angel half smiled at her and shut the door behind him.  Buffy turned away and pulled her hair back, trying to think clearly.  Giles, who was leaning against the wall next to his kitchen, nodded towards Angel.

“Angel.  I trust you had a good journey,” Giles said.

“I wish !” Cordelia said.  “So it’s refreshing to see a fraction of the same gang here.  Willow, when did you change your hair ?”

“Befo....” Willow started.

“Not that I care,” Cordelia interrupted.  “But where’s Xander ?”

“At Anya’s probably.  Those two are attached at more places than the hip...” Willow explained.

“Eugh !  Eugh !  Scarred for life,” Cordelia said.

“I agree,” Wesley said screwing up his face.

“I brought the scroll,” Angel said handing Giles the prophecy.

“Thank you,” Giles said trying to suppress his excitement.  “I have to admit, when you called me earlier and told me of this, I was quite excited.”

“What ?” Buffy said.  “You knew Ang.... they were coming back ?  And never thought to tell me ?”

“Buffy, this is important.  I needed you here to explain.  If you had known Angel was coming back, you...”

“Are you suggesting I would have ran ?” Buffy demanded.  She turned to Angel.  “Did you tell him to not say anything ?”  She didn’t give him the opportunity to answer.  “Get over yourself Angel, because I am.  I’ve moved on.  I’m not little Buffy Summers who needs you to look over her.  I’m at college now.  I don’t need protecting anymore.  If I did, I don’t want it from you.  You left Angel.  You left.  What gives you any right to come back and play Kevin Costner ?  What gives you any right to come back ?  You think I still love you ?  I don’t.  I have a boyfriend,” she announced.

Angel stared straight ahead.  Her words cut through his skin like glass.  Willow groaned and put her head in her hands.  Buffy was furious.

“A human boyfriend, who would never hurt me.  He loves me more than you ever could.”  The words kept spilling out of Buffys mouth.  She couldn’t stop them and knew most of them weren’t true.  She just wanted to hurt Angel.  How could he come back again and do this to her ?  She wasn’t going to let it happen again.

“That’s not possible,” Angel said quietly.

Buffy grunted in disgust and then grabbed her jacket.  She stormed past Angel and slammed the door.

“Wow.  Back two minutes and you’re already fighting.  Personal best ?” Cordelia asked.

“I’ve got to go after her,” Giles said.  Angel stopped him.

“I’ll go.  It’s my fault.  I’ll go.  Read the scroll.  We’ll talk when I get back,” Angel said.

The wind blew against the Slayer as she ran through Shadyhill cemetery with tears streaming down her face.  She got to a bench and sat down.  Buffy wiped her face and smoothed her hair back. She took a few deep breaths and thought about she had just done.  Buffy looked up and saw Angel standing there.  She jumped.

“Look Buffy, before you say anything, I’m sorry.  We should have..... are you crying ?”

“No.  No.  Did you want something ?”

“Can I sit down ?” Angel asked.

“Do what you want,” Buffy shrugged.

“Buffy, I didn’t come here for this.”

“That makes me feel better.”

“I knew somewhere inside you had moved on.  We didn’t want to tell you because we thought it was the best thing.  It obviously wasn’t.”

“Yeah, well.”

“Buffy, there’s a prophecy. About you and a test.  And I’m in it.  I couldn’t avoid coming back to Sunnydale.  The Oracles told me to.”

‘Oracles, Oracles,’ Buffy recognised that word.  She had the strangest sense of deja vu.  “So what’s this test?  Multiple choice ?”

“Not quite.” Angel stared at the ground.  “What’s his name ?”

“Who ?”

“Your... person.”  He couldn’t say lover or boyfriend.

“Riley Finn.”

“Oh,” Angel sat for a moment.  “He couldn’t.”

“Couldn’t what ?” Buffy asked the vampire.

“Love you as much as I do.”  Buffy was speechless.  She noticed the word ‘do.’  Angel stood up.  “Come back to Giles’s when you’re ready.”  He started to walk away.  Buffy stood up and ran after him.  She pulled his arm back.

“I didn’t mean it,” Buffy said.  “Everything I said.  I didn’t mean it.  I was just confused.  I haven’t seen you in months and there you were at the door.  It’s a little disorientating.  Sorry.  I was scared and put up the defences.”

Angel nodded.

“Want some company?” Buffy offered.

"..... Wow.  So the, um, immortal would be...." Buffy said after hearing the prophecy.  She pointed to Angel and then put her fingers to her lips.

"No, it's me !" Spike announced walking into Giles's house.  "Angel.  Those LA men not good enough for you that you have to come back to little Buff here ?  Or Xander wheres he ?"

Angel stood up ready to attack Spike.

"Angel," Giles said not wanting any upset.  He knew this would be hard enough for Buffy.  "It's all right.  Spike's quite harmless now."

"Yeah Angel.  No attacking the harmless now," Spike teased.  "I thought it was the hopeless you helped." He emptied a blood packet in a mug.  He warmed it and took a sip.

"I'll help my fist into your face," Angel said growling in a low voice.

"Now, now," Spike said.  "So did you know that me and Buffy were engaged.  Yeah, we had the wedding planned and everything but it got called off.  We're still good friends though.  Very good in fact..." Spike grinned tip toing his fingers across Buffy's back and to her shoulders.  Buffy reached up and twisted them round until they made a loud cracking sound.  Spike pulled them away quickly and made several 'oww' sounds.  He sipped his blood to help take his mind off the pain.  They still throbbed.  He stood well back to make another jibe.  "I was quicker than you Angel mate.  No dating, straight to the proposal.  Next we know, we're betrothed."

"What ?" Angel said in disbelief.

"True.  Spell," Buffy said ashamed.  She added with mock venom. "Willow."

"You actually... kissed him ?" Angel asked quietly.

"Spell !" Buffy defended and walked out of the house.

Willow's eyes said 'Go, follow.'  Angel obdiently went out the front door.

Spike beamed and stood tall holding his mug.  "It's nice to see the old sire again."

"You.. kissed Spike ?  Spike ?  You kissed him ? You were marrying Spike ?"

"Spell !" Buffy said desparately.

"But .. Spike ?"

"It - was - the -"

"I know, I know, spell," Angel said rubbing his neck.

"So what about you ?  Any spell imposed smoochys since you've been in LA or otherwise ?" Buffy said not-so tactfully.

"Unless you count Cordelia," Angel said.

"Cordelia ?  Cordelia !  And you thought Spike was bad ?  Cordelia ?" She said on a high pitch.

"Cordelia gets visions.  They were passed to her by, um, Doyle, before he died - by a kiss."

"So she kissed you ?  Nice to know she was thinking of you at the time - not herself.  So... was it ... good?"

"Not the word to descibe it."

"Oh.  Anyone.... else ?  Since you left ?"

Angel thought about their day and the kiss at Santa Monica pier.  He thought about the last kiss and Buffy.

I'll never forget.... I'll never forget..... I'll never forget...... She said in a breathless mantra, over and over.

"Angel ?  Angel ?" Buffy said.  "Are you OK ?"

He focused on her.  "Um, yeah.  Sorry.  Drifted."

"I noticed.  What were you thin........" Buffy started before she got a splitting pain in her head.  Like a force was trying to rip thorugh her skull.  She covered her head with her hands whimpering and crying out in pain.

"Buffy ?  Buffy !" Angel said holding her shoulders.

"Angel..... I " She forced out.  the she felt the real pain.  Buffy was about to collapse on the floor but Angel caught her and held her against his chest.

Buffy saw images, flashes of scenes.  She saw blurry images of LA.  Of standing in Angels office.  Of the demon crashing through the window.  Of it escaping.  Of the Santa Monica pier.  Of Angel.  Angel, striding out in the sunlight.  Taking her hand.  Kissing her.  Then to a table in what looks like an apartment.  Angel was kissing her again.  Then to a bed.  With ice cream.  Cookie dough fudge mint chip.  Peanut butter and chocolate.  Then a clock.  A minute.  Feeling Angels.... heart....... beating.  Kissing him again.  Crying.  Hugging him tightly saying over and over I'll never forget........... I'll never forget............. I'll nerver forget.

Then the pain stopped.  The hammering of her skull, the crushing of her temples.  She slowly took down her hands fromthe sides of her head.

"Buffy, what happened.  Did you.... see something ?" Angel asked softly.

"Angel," she said shaking her head.  "No, no....  It didn't."

"What Buffy ?"

"What happened Angel ?  It felt so real...."

"Buffy, what are you talking about ?"

"In LA.  When I came.  What happened ?"

"Nothing.  You came.  You told me not to see you again.  You left."

"No I didn't.  Tell me the truth Angel !"

"What about it ?"

"Abut LA.  About the Moro or whatever demon.  About what I think was the Santa Monica pier.  About cookie dough fudge mint chip ice cream.  About a minute.  About your heart.... beating," Buffy finished by putting a hand on his chest.  There was no movement but if he had a beating heart, it would be going double time.

"Oh god..." he said slowly.  What did you see ?"

"I saw it all Angel.  It seemed so real.  What happened ?  Is it real ?  Why don't I remember ?  Tell me."

"OK," Angel said.  "OK.  When you came to LA, the Mohra demon didn't escape.  I killed it.  Our blood mixed.  I was human.  We were together.  Then the demon regenrated.  You killed it permantly.  I asked the Oracles to turn me back.  They took back the day.  No one would remember but me.  We had about a minute left.  And then we were back to what you remember.  I killed it  And you left."

Buffy couldn't speak.

"Why... why did I get that thing, that invasion on my brain ?"

"I don't know.  I thought I would never have to tell you."

"You were never gonna tell me....."

"Buffy you have a life here.  Without me.  You have one with.... Riley.  I'm only here because I was told to be here."

"Angel how could you do that ?  Why did you ask them to turn you back ?"

"Because if I stayed human, you would die.  I couldn't just... I had to."

"You had to ?  Slayers die Angel !  You threw away our only chance at happiness for borrowed time ?"

"Buffy you are happy !  You have Riley remember ?"

"Am I ?  So why do i every night go through everything that reminds me of you ?  Why do I go to the mansion on Crawford street all the time ?  Why do I every night go to sleep with Mr. Gordo close to tears ?  You might be able to turn back time and make me forget that day Angel but I will never get over you !  Never."

"Buffy I never...... I thought you were over me.  You said that."

"Cuz I thought you were over me."

"Do you really think i could do that ?  Get over you ?  I can only love one person.  You can love two," he said bitterly.

"I don't love Riley.  I love you.  Unless you're saying Xand and I have got together then that makes for only one guy I love."

"Come to LA with me.  We can go to the Oracles.  We can make this right."

"You mean it ?"

"We can do things differently.  Mix mine and Mohras blood first or something.  We could...."

"I want to.  I ...."  Buffy looked up at Angel and kissed him passionately.

Angel turned round ad took Buffys and to lead her inside so they could tell everyone what was happening.  Then flashes of white surronding them.  Buffy covered her eyes and Angel shielded them both.

"Brother, they are here."

Buffy looked up.

"Who the f.."

Angel covered her month.

"You wished to come before us.  We just quickened the arrival rate," the male Oracle said.

"Did you give Buffy the visions ?" Angel asked

"Can we give and take lives ?  No.  The higher power does so and brought you here today," the sister said.

"She knows.  Everything.  How you gave up humanity for the girl," the brother said.

"The Slayer.  She is alot smaller than I would have imagined," the sister said.

"He....." Buffy was about to say but Angel covered her mouth.

"We know you came here for a request.  What say you ?"

"if you would," Angel started.

"We need to go back to the day," Buffy said.  "We need to change it."

"And needs must ?"

"I know this sounds weird you being a little silver man with leaves painted on your body but - have you ever been in love ?  Been a part of someone.  Being whole.  If you knew who that felt, you wouldn't need to ask."

"The Chosen one is bold," the brother says.

"We can not go back that far.  We risk double lapse in time.  The melding of two dimensions that were not meant to be."

"Is there not some trick or something ?" Buffy asked desparately.

A change of light from above came.

"What... they say yes," the sister says to the brother.

"The prophecy," Angel said.

"Yes, the prophecy.  Sacrificing the Slayers life for the immortal.  She has done so.  Now, you are to choose from two."

"One being eternal life for you both."

"No clauses, no restirctions."

"You live as human- heartbeat, but live forever."

"And forever wage the war."

"Or."

"You both shall become human."

"Both released from your fealty."

"And have little time together.  One will watch the other die."

"Your decision ?"

Buffy turned to Angel.

"I know you want to be human.  But immortality.  We could help lots of people.  Be together forever.  I couldn't watch you die."

"I couldn't watch you die either.  Humanity is tempting."

"I will.  If you want.  (to Oracles)  Could we do everything non-immortals do ?"

"Everything and more.  Vampire, you shall still possess supernatural abilities.  Slayer, you would have your current status."

"Angel ?" Buffy asked.

"What will happen if we refuse both and walk away?" Angel asked.  Buffy was about to start but he covered her mouth again.

"The Slayer would die shortly.  Within weeks.  In the great battle."

"Great, spoil the ending why don't you ?"  Buffy said.

"Immortality.  What could kill us ?"

"Only the blade of another immortal of your kind could kill you.  Each other."

"Option A ?" Buffy asked Angel.

"Option A."

"Immortality," Buffy said holding Angel's hand.  "Fight forever."

"As we suspected.  Very well.  Before you become immortal, you must accomplish one task."

"What ?" Buffy asked.

"Face your greatest fear."

"Both in turn. Slayer."

Flashes of white.

"Where am I ?" Buffy shouted.  No one was about.  She was back at Sunnydale High.  In the gardens part.

Then she saw Xander at the font.

"Xander, Xander !" Buffy shouted running over to him.  She put a and on his arm.  He ignored it.  "Xander, it's me Buffy.  What are you doing ?  Are you listening to me?"

Xander turned round.  His face was blank.  He looked her up and down

"Freak," he said and walked away.  Willow walked past lauging with Tara.  Buffy went over to them

"What's wrong with Xander?  He totally blanked me."  They ignored her.  "Will come on this isn't funny."

Willow turned round and looked at her the way Xander had.

"Bitch."

Buffy's eyes widened.  The laughing pair walked off.

Giles carried several books and paces across the Spanish style walk.

"Giles something really weird's going on.  The guys.  They're going all big funny joke that Buffys not in on kinda deal."

"Murderer."  He said plainly.

"What ?  Who ?  What ?"

"You killed Jenny.  I don't feel I want to associate with you any longer.  You're fired," he said and walked away.

Cordelia walked past with Harmony and Aura.

"Cordelia !  Something really freaky is happening.  You have to..."

Cordelia looked at her.  "Tramp."

She walked away and Buffy threw her hand up.  "What's new !  Like I didn't expect that from you !!"

Then Angel.  He was in the shadows.

"Angel !" She shouted and waved.  He walked towards her.  Nearly in the sunlight.  "Angel no !"  She couldn't move.  "Angel don't come !  Stay !  Angel."

He walked into the light and passed thorugh to her.  She could move again.

"Angel.  Oh god.  Was that like the vamps version of walking on water ?"

"Bitch."

"What ?"  He gave her a sword.   "Angel ?"

Her took her wrist and made her stab the sword into him.

"God no !" She yelled.  "Angel !"  Angel keeled over

"Not bad Buff.  Not bad.  Just how many times have you killed me ?" Angelus said standing up straight.  He darted forward and sank his fangs into her neck.  Buffy caught her breath.

Everyone gathered round and watched.  Xander, Willow, Giles, Cordelia.  Riley.

"Help.... help someone please," she choked out.

"You rejected me Buffy.  I think not," said Xander.

"I think I'll give it a miss too.  You did think I was a loser," Willow said.

"I ahh, never," Buffy said, Angelus still drinking from her neck.

"I would help you Buffy but you don't need me anymore," Giles said.  "I'm expendable."

"Cordy."

"Not likely Buffy.  You always had to be the star.  Always the center of your world and ours.  Xander.  He always obssessed over you more.  Any reason why i should?"

"Riley...."

"You want my help now Buffy ?  You have your blood sucking boyfriend now.  You don't need me.  Expendable."

"Bloody right," Giles said backing him up.

Angelus dropped her to the ground.  Buffy panted.  She looked up the faces.  They swirled around her.

Angelus handed her a stake.  He pulled her up.

"Go ahead Buff.  Not got the bottle ?  Thought not...." He said but Buffy jammed the stake into his heart.  It turned to Angel.  He dissolved before her.

"I love you," he whispered and distigrated, his claddagh ring falling to the floor.  Buffy picked it up and looked back up.  No one was there.

"Hey," a voice said behind her.  It was Riley.  Buffy held the ring in her palm.  Riley took it.  He inspected it.  "Nice ring.  Is it yours ?"

"Its..." She started.

"No matter," he said throwing the ring over the schools wall.

"What......"

"It doesn't matter......."

Riley changed to Parker Abrams, to Scott Hope, to Owen Thurman and to Angelus.

"We're all the same."

"No, no...."

Then Angelus turned to Angel.

"I'm here Buffy.  I'm here," he said holding her into his chest.  Buffy looked up again and she was back with the Oracles.

"What happened ?"

"You passed.  Warrior.  Your turn," the female said.

Flashes of white.

Angel opened his eye and looked around.  He was in his mansion on Crawford street.  He heard some fighting and banging in the main hall.  Angel got off the floor and ran through.  He seen Buffy... she was fighting a man.  A vampire.  She was up against a wall and the vamp had his back to Angel.  Buffy closed her eyes.  Then the vampire thrust his swordforwar and Buffy caught it with the palms of her hands and pushed it backwards into his face.

Angel seen who the vampire was.

It was him.

Or Angelus more accurately.

This was the fight.  The fight in which Buffy sent him to Hell.

"I already know this ending," he murmured.

"Do you ?" Angelus said.  Instead of Buffy kicking him like she was supposed to, he ducked and pulled her foot forwards.  Buffy sprawled over the floor.  Angelus jumped on top of her and hit her head of the marble flooring.  There was a sickening crack and Buffy lost her control.  She couldn't move and she was barely breathing.  Angelus leant down and pulled her hair back.

"No !" Angel shouted trying to get to them.  Something was holding him back.

"Bad luck Soulboy," Angelus said and sank his gleaming teeth into Buffy.  Angel fell slowly to the floor trying to push against what invisible barrier there was.

"Buffy, no," he cried.  "Buffy.. Buffy..."  He hit against the barrier and yelled in pain for his love.  "Buffy, oh God i love you.  Buffy please don't die.  Stay with me."

Then Angelus stood up straight.  Something went through him.  It was his soul.  Angel watched as his other self looked at Buffy on the floor.  Angel felt the barrier come down and he fell through.  He picked up Buffy's sword and looked at his twin.

"What happened ?" The other Angel asked tears flowing from exhaliration.  "Where am I ?"

"You happened.  We happened.  We destroy her. The single most beautiful thing on the face of this earth and we destroy her time and time again.  I don't have the courage to kill me but I couldn't do that to her after she begged me but I have the courage to do it to you."  Angel struck the sword through his mirror images' stomach.  the other Angel looked down at it.  Acathla drew him in and Angel watched his reflection dispear.  Once the vortex closed, Angel dropped to his knees.

He picked Buffy up in his arms and cradled her wailing and sobbing into her chest.  He held her head close to him and hugged her inanimate body close.

"Pathetic."

Angel looked up at the brunette.

"Really pathetic."

"J-Jenny," he stumbled still crying.  "Can you.. help her.  Buffy.  Please.  do something."

"She's dead Angel."

"No.. no she's not," he trembled.  "She's sleeping.  She's unconscious.  i have to get her to a hospital."

"Sleeping ?  Is that what i am doing and have been for centuries, Liam ?"

Angel looked up again and his mother stood before him.

"Ma ?"

"Yes Liam.  My dear Liam.  You destroy everything you touch.  You fall in love and you kill her."

"I didn't do this," he say almost pleading.

"You did.  You always do.  You destroy and you torture and you kill."  The woman looked at Buffy.  "Pretty.  Shame I never got to meet her.  I never got to see any of my children marry or have any grandchildren."

"Ma... i'm sorry.  god, i'm sorry," Angel said weeping into Buffy again.

"God ?  You were never a man of God," another voice said.  Angel looked at where Jenny and his mother have previously been and there was his father.  "Whoring drunk and the devil was in ye long before you became a monster."

"Father--"

"What boy ?  Are ye going to beg ?  Say ye're sorry ?  Plead ma forgiveness ?  But I'm not going to give ye it.  Ye dinnae deserve redeeming boy.  But I will spare you ma pity for animal you've become, even with a soul."

Angel stared at his father who looked disaprovingly.  He felt Buffy move in his arms.

"Buffy," he said nearly choking. "Buffy you're OK."

She slid out of his grasp and stood up.  She dusted herself down.  Then she felt her neck.

"Jesus, bit again.  I need a turtleneck," she announced to no one and went to walk off.  Angel darted up and ran to her.

"Buffy, slow down stay here."

"Why ?  So you can bite me again ?  Angel, I go slow enough you'll nibble on my knees."

"What ?  I-I.."

"So you can keep me in the darkness and never again know the touch of a man ?  A man."

"Buffy please.."

"Please what ?  Grow old with you while you stay the same?  Be deprived of children and light and true happiness ?  Watch you hunt and kill and feed?"

"I don't.  you know i don't."

"Doesn't matter.  i'm getting married."

"what-- you're what ?"

"Riley asked me and i said yes of course.  He's a man, not a demon.  Like you.  We're expecting our first child soon."

"You're.."

"Yes.  If you don't mind I have a rehearsal dinner to go to."

Angel loosened his grip on her arm and she walked out of the mansion.

He closed his eyes and then he flashed back again.  To the night he and Buffy made love.  Her 17th birthday.

He rolled over and opened his eyes.

And there he was, in the bed with her.  It was near morning.  That means--

His soul.  He waited silently but he didn't feel anything.  he just watched Buffy sleep.

How is this a nightmare if i get to see what i missed ?  He thought.  He kissed Buffy's eyelids and she stirred.

"Morning," Angel said quietly.

"What ?  Right.  Morning.  And you are ?"

Angel stopped dead.  "You don't know Buffy ?  Angel."

"Oh Angel.  Right.  Last night was great, but i gotta run.  I'll maybe call you."

She got out of bed and took the blanket with her, leaving Angel naked.

"Might wanna put some clothes on," she suggested.

"Do you know who i am ?"

"Yeah, you're the guy from the Bronze i pulled and we had sex.  Rehash much."

"We only met last night..."

"Yeah.  How ?"

Angel sat up speechless.  Buffy pulled on the last of her clothing and then went to his door.  "Bye, um,--"

"--Angel," he said with a lump in his throat.

"Right.  Gotta remember that.  See ya."

Buffy shut his apartment door.

Angel lay back and close his eyes.  When he opened this, he was in the middle of the desert, on one side of a canyon.  Buffy was on the other side and a flaming bridge separated them.

"Buffy !"

"Angel !" She yelled back.  She knows me he thought silently.  "Listen Angel, Riley's on the other side of me and there's the flaming bridge.  I've only got time to save one guy so i'm gonna save him since he's never brutally tortured or murdered anyone. 'kay ?  See you in Hell."

She turned on her heel and then ran to save Riley.  She pulled him over the edge and up to her.  They stood closely.  Angel could only watch.

"You're the only man i ever loved," she promises to him and then kisses him deeply.  He kisses her back.  Angel collapsed to his knees and it felt like his heart, his soul, was torn in two.

They stopped embracing and Riley held her hand tightly.  he felt a ring.  It was Buffy's claddagh ring.

"Nice," he said inspecting it.  "Yours ?"  She shrugged.  "No matter."  He tossed it over the side down into the river thousand of metres below.  Angel watched as it fell, the gleaming silver shimering in the sun.  Angel mourned his loss and put his head down.  He looked back up and buffy was standing beside him.  He stood up quickly.

"Buffy," he said standing up quickly.

"What now ?" She said impatiently.  "Oh forget it.  You are the worst mistake I ever made.  it's time to end it."  Buffy swung a sword from behind her and stabbed it into Angels gut.  He gasped in shock and hurt at the sword.  Deja Vu.

"Angel, are you OK ?  Angel come back to me," she begged.  Angel looked around and he was now again in front of the Oracles.

"What..."

"You passed," the male said.

Then a servant came in with a red pillow.

"The original rings," she said bending on one knee.

"Both of them were in the demon dimension from when the Warrior was brought back," the female said.  "They had the power to bring back the Vampire and they hold they power of your sacred love.  As long as you wear them, you are forever tied to each other and invulnerable."

Buffy took Angel's off the pillow and slid it on his finger.  He smiled and did the same.  Buffy kissed his ring like she had done on her 17th but this time he repeated the move.

They saw flashes of white and they were outside Giles house.  Buffy took Angels hand.

"Wow quick journey.  So.. no more curse?" Buffy ventured.

"No," he grinned.

"We need to get to my place.  We sure as hell aren't going to your place, I'd probably explode on the way over."

"You would?  I would," Angel said as they ran to Angels car.

Buffy got in the passenger side and Angel slid into the drivers seat.

He put the key in the lock and then stopped.  he turned and kissed Buffy.  She slid her hand down to Angels chest and felt his steady heartbeat as Angel kissed her more passionately.  She felt a tear slide down her cheek.  Angel stopped and sat back.

"Buffy.. why are you.."

"I'm so happy," she sobbed laughing.  She wrapped her arms around his neck and he felt her warmth, and his.  He had longed to warm her body with that of a humans instead of a cold one.  He kissed her ear and worked his way down until he got to the scar.  He froze.

"I'm sor.."

"Angel.. ssh."

"It's just, it reminds me of what I am."

"I know.  But I love it.  Because I love you no matter what.  Vampire, human, immortal.  Now drive," she ordered.  "Crawford street.  College is five miles away."

"Done."

Buffy turned over and stirred.  She opened her eyes and found angel playing with her hair.

"Morning sleepy," he grinned.  She looked at the clock.

"Did i sleep all morning ?"

"From lack of sleep at night," Angel grinned and kissed her.  He pulled her close to him.  they embraced again.

"Mm.. Oh god Giles- and everyone will be wondering where we are."

"It can wait," Angel begged as she reached for the phone.

"Two minutes."

"I'll go insane," he warned.

"One."

"Crazy."

"45 seconds and i won't leave this bed for the rest of the day."

"I was thinkin we could go for a shower."

"You getting fresh mister?"

"Nope."

She gazed at him.  "You run the water and I'll call the guys."

"I've gotta say, out of all the prophecies ever, this has been the best one."

"Yup.  A non-apolcalypse one."

"Don't speak too soon," he grinned.  He kissed her and then rolled out of bed.  Buffy watched him go.

She was so happy.  So peaceful.  So content.  And she would get to be this happy forever.  She rolled over to the phone but something caught her eye on the floor.  It was her old school book.  It said "Buffy and Angel 4ever" on it.

She laughed because it was literally true.