Finally
Disclaimer:God I don't own them, cos if I did they'd be living happily ever after right about now. They belong to Joss the almighty, so please don't sue.
Spoilers:Buffy Seasons 1 through 5 I guess and Angel Seasons 1 & 2
Feedback:It's like cigarettes you know I crave it. kickass-angel@aspen48.freeserve.co.uk
Rating:NC-17 I guess! (B/A)
Author's Note: I wrote this last year, I was pretty bummed about Buffy's mom dying and Angel sleeping with Darla (how could he?) I just wanna see them happy, also in my eyes they will so end up together.
Summary: It's kinda when they've beat all the baddies and stuff and they deserve a bit of happiness don't they.
Sunnydale - June 2004
Buffy has just slain the most powerful demon she has ever faced. It was a hybrid of all the powerful enemies she has slain in the past :- The Master, Angelus, Mayor Wilkins, Adam, Glory, Death, and Evil Willow. Buffy has reached quite a happy stage in her life. She has just graduated from college with Degrees in both Psychology and English, and she has coped well with bringing up Dawn on her own without her mother for the past three years.
Dawn has just graduated from high school, and has been dating her boyfriend Ethan for a year. Xander has been married to Anya for two years and she has just given birth to their first baby Hope. Willow and Tara have just got married and are buying their first house together. Willow is now recognised as the most powerful witch in America. Although Buffy misses Giles she knows he is happy in England with his new wife Olivia and their new baby Anthony. It seems everyone has what they have always wanted, except for Buffy there is still one thing missing in her life.
Los Angeles - June 2004
Angel and everyone at Angel Investigations have just got to the bottom of what was once the most powerful evil in all the dimensions, but what they have just reduced to history - Wolfram and Hart. Wesley has just celebrated his two year anniversary with Virginia whom he eventually got back together with in 2002. Cordelia is one of the highest paid actresses in Hollywood and has just married the Gruesalugg. Gunn has just found millionaire status in his 10 000th opening of yet another homeless shelter. He has engaged to Fred after going out for two years.
Angel feels they are all moving on with their lives and now that Wolfram and Hart are no more he has no idea what to do with his eternal one. He wants to go to Buffy but he knows they just can't work together. He can't offer her a normal life, and anyway she might have a new boyfriend in her life, they haven't spoken in a while.
Angel returns to the hotel alone after he has been to see the Host, who told Angel his future without making him any the wiser. He goes to cabinet in his office to lock away his weapons when he feels a presence. "Who's there?" he asks sternly and without fear. Someone moves from the shadows into the artificial light of the lamp. It is the Shaman who tricked Faith into thinking he had taken Angel's soul. Granted he helped Buffy and Giles but only because he owed Giles a favour, he wasn't exactly a good guy. So Angel approached with caution.
"What can I do for you?" he asked.
"I have come to fulfil your destiny." replied the Shaman.
"Something tells me this has something to do with my soul." Angel stated a little nervous. "No! It is time for your destiny to be fulfilled, we have waited long enough."
"What exactly do you mean by my destiny?" asked Angel morphing into vamp mode.
"The powers have decided that you have decided that you have reached salvation. You will fulfil your destiny now." the Shaman said impatiently.
"Wait! What are you going to do?" Angel shouted as he was about to go for the demon. The demon was quicker he threw blood from a chalice onto Angel's chest. Angel did not know if it was human blood and he didn't get a chance to give it a second thought because the Shaman began chanting in a language Angel didn't understand. Then white light began circling Angel electrifying him every time they clashed with his skin. Angel felt a searing pain through his chest, his skin began to tingle and glow. He thought he was dying he had never felt such pain - losing his soul had been a walk in the park compared to this. Then suddenly it stopped and Angel was gasping for breath.
BREATH suddenly he realised he was breathing, his heart was beating. "I'm alive!" he whispered. "Yes," replied the Shaman.
"But how? Why?" Angel couldn't quite believe it. "It didn't feel like this when Mora turned me."
"When Mora turned you it wasn't real." said the Shaman matter of factly. "You were being tested. Now the Powers have decided to reward you. You no longer have to fight the forces of evil. You have freed the world of the oldest most powerful evil that has ever existed. And now you are free to live your new life as you please." Then he disappeared into the shadows.
The doors to the Hyperion flung open and in rushed Cordelia, Grue, Wesley and Gunn all brandishing weapons. "Angel!" Cordelia screamed, "Where are you?" Angel walked out of his office into the hall of the hotel. The first thing they all noticed was the blood on his white T-shirt. "Oh God he's bleeding!" Cordi shrieked. Wesley ran to Angel's aid. "Wait guys I'm okay. But you won't believe what's just happened."
"You've just been attacked by some what I believe was a Shaman. Although you appear to be fine now." Wesley replied. Angel looked puzzled.
"Cordi had a vision." explained Gunn.
"So what happened. Did you kill it?" asked Grue.
"No, that's what I wanted to explain." replied Angel who then proceeded to tell them what had happened.
"So now I'm human and I'm free," he said a little breathless from all the talking. They all looked at him with open mouths. "No way!" exclaimed Cordelia.
"Yes way." said Angel happily.
"So is that it? There are no more loopholes." asked Wesley.
"That's it no more loopholes," Angel repeated, "He said that I have reached salvation and this is my reward."
"So what are you going to do now you're human?" asked Gunn.
"Well I'm thinking Mexican, but first I have to change."
"We will go Mexican if your paying," Cordelia said, "I mean it is a celebration." They all followed Angel to the Mexican restaurant two blocks away.
Later that night they all finished up at the Host's club. Angel, Cordelia and the Host were sitting around a table listening to Wesley, Gunn and Grue's drunken rendition of 'What a Feeling'. "So Angelcakes what are you planning to do with your newly found mortaldom." asked the Host.
"I don't really know." replied Angel, "I mean I'm not really sure what I'm supposed to do now or what my purpose is."
"Oh sure you know what you want to do. Everyone here knows what you want to do." said Cordelia, "In fact I'm surprised you're still here."
"Well of course that's what I want to do, but it's not exactly the right thing is it? I mean I can't just impose myself on her life. She might have a new boyfriend or anything."
"So what if she does, you know she would give it all up in a second if she knew she could have you." said Cordelia impatiently.
"I take it we're talking about Buffy here." said the Host, "C'mon Angelcakes this is the love of your life we're talking about here. Not many people get the second chance you've been given. You can't just sit about and wait for something to happen, you've got to grasp it with both hands and go to her."
"You think?" Angel said hopefully.
"Yes we think." said Cordi, "Now go get that slayer before I drive you there myself."
"Okay I'm going. Thanks guys." said Angel as he picked his car keys up from the table. Luckily he hadn't been drinking like the rest of them. As he walked out of the club Cordelia called him, "Angel?"
"Yeah."
"Be careful."
"I will." he said with a smile. After picking some clothes up from the hotel he set off for Sunnydale.
Sunnydale
Buffy and Willow were in Xander and Anya's apartment with Xander. Anya had taken little Hope to the mall for yet more baby clothes. "So you guys! We've come a long way since high school don't you think?" said Buffy.
"I do," said Willow, "We've all changed so much. I feel like a fully fledged mature person now. And "I've got Tara and Xander is the big family man now. But what about you Buffy you seem a little lost since we graduated."
"I am," replied Buffy, "It's just you guys all have someone in your life and - well you know my history with men."
"Oh come on Buff, don't be glum look at the great job you've done with Dawn." said Xander.
"I know. But I just feel something is missing, always have really. It's just now I'm getting older I mean I'm 23 and I haven't had a proper boyfriend since Riley three years ago. Unless you count Spike and that whole scenario was just warped. I mean I've had other dates and stuff but they just didn't feel right."
"And what does feel right?" asked Willow, "Actually that's a stupid question. Just go and see him Buffy."
"But nothing has changed. He's still cursed and I'll just end up getting hurt all over again." Buffy said in despair.
"So what." said Xander, "You've spent all this time, 5 years in fact, trying to forget about him and to no avail."
Well you've certainly changed your tune." replied Buffy, "I thought you hated Angel."
"Well I still do. But I keep seeing you not get over him Buffy and well maybe you are meant for each other. So go to him. I'll even let you take the Xandermobile."
"All right I suppose I've got nothing to lose but his soul." joked Buffy, "But who's going to look after Dawn?"
"Buffy she's seventeen she can pretty much look after herself." said Willow, "If it makes you feel any better I'll keep an eye on her."
"Thanks you guys." Buffy said as she hugged both Xander and Willow. She took Xander's car keys and headed home to pack a few things.
Buffy was in her bedroom packing her clothes when she was startled by a noise from Dawn's room. She had thought Dawn was out. She made her way to the bedroom. "Dawn are you home?" she called as she opened the bedroom door. Only to find Dawn and Ethan in bed. "Don't you ever knock?" said Dawn annoyed.
"Sorry," Buffy said as she closed the door behind her. "Dawn can I talk to you out here please." Dawn came out with her bathrobe tied around her.
"Are you being careful?" asked Buffy. Dawn rolled her eyes and said,
"Of course we are. I'm not a kid you know." Buffy smiled as she remembered saying the exact same thing to her mom when she was seventeen. "Look I'm going to LA for a while."
"Are you going to see Dad? Can I come and bring Ethan?" Dawn asked excited.
"No, I'm not going to see Dad. I'm going to see Angel." replied Buffy, "I'm trusting you in the house alone Dawn."
"Cool." said Dawn, "Can I have a party?"
"No! Willow is going to look in on you so I'll know."
"Buffy be careful with Angel."
"I will." Buffy said as she gave her sister a hug. Buffy got into the Xandermobile and headed for Los Angeles.
Angel pulled up outside Buffy's house at nightfall. He sat for a while and pondered whether to go in. 'I've come all this way and she might have a new boyfriend,' Angel thought. He psyched himself up, checked his reflection in the rear view mirror, something he was still getting used to and knocked on the front door. No answer. The house was in darkness it looked like no one was home. Angel decided to check the back door, it was unlocked. "Buffy? Dawn?" he called as he walked into the kitchen. Still no answer. Angel went upstairs to Buffy's bedroom. He sat down on the bed in the dark, and lay down. 'I'll just wait here a while,' he thought. Angel could smell Buffy's scent on the pillows, it was comforting. He snuggled into the pillows and slowly fell asleep.
Los Angeles
Buffy pulled up outside the Hyperion Hotel at nightfall. She was tired from the trip and she hoped Angel would be there. She walked into the lobby of the hotel and called his name, "Angel?" There was no answer the hotel seemed deserted. Buffy didn't know which room was Angel's and she didn't want to go searching all 400 rooms. She decided to go and get some food, she was starving and hadn't eaten since she left Sunnydale. "I'll come back later." she said aloud.
She drove around for a while and ended up at McDonalds. She chose a corner booth and settled down to enjoy her burger and hot chocolate, when she heard a familiar voice say, "Oh my God!" It was Cordelia with a rather nice looking guy.
"Hi Cordi," Buffy said as brightly as she could as she wasn't exactly thrilled to see her. "What are you doing here?" Cordelia shrieked a little to loudly.
"That's a nice welcome," replied Buffy.
"No I mean you're supposed to be Sunnydale," Cordelia said, "You must have passed each other on the way."
"I take it you mean Angel is in Sunnydale."
"Yes."
"Well why is he there?"
"Why else would he be there," Cordelia said impatiently, "He went to see you. Let's go back to the hotel we can call him from there." They went outside to the parking lot and got in Xander's car. "So aren't you going to introduce me to your friend Cordi?" asked Buffy. "Grue this is Buffy, Buffy this is Grue - my husband." Cordelia said smugly. "You're married!" Buffy said in shock, "Wow." She drove them back to the Hyperion.
Sunnydale
Willow let herself into Buffy's house with the key Buffy had given her. Dawn was at an all night party, so Willow wanted to check the house was okay. She turned the lights on downstairs and went to check upstairs. She walked down the hall when she heard a murmur from Buffy's bedroom. She softly chanted a vision spell to allow her to see through the door. There was a dark figure on Buffy's bed it looked like they were asleep. It was too big to be Buffy or Dawn, so Willow opened the door with caution. She quickly turned on the light and looked to see who it was.
"Angel," Willow said surprised. She had startled Angel and he awoke with a jolt. He turned to see who was there. "Willow?" Angel said still half asleep.
"Angel you can't be here," Willow said panicking, "You have to be in LA."
"Why?" asked Angel slowly waking up.
"Buffy has gone to LA to see you." Willow was still panicking.
Angel's cell phone began to ring, they both jumped startled by the sudden noise. "Hello," Angel said as he answered it.
"Hey Angel," came back Cordelia's voice.
"Cordi what do you want?"
"Well that's a fine way to greet someone who is about to do you a favour."
"Cordi!"
"Okay, Grue and I were in McDonalds and we ran into Buffy."
"Is Buffy there with you now?"
"Yeah hang on."
"Hello," came Buffy's voice.
"Buffy," Angel said almost panting.
"Angel?"
"Buffy what are you doing in LA?"
"Trying to see you. Although I could ask you the same question."
"I came to see you too. Buffy I have something really important I need to tell you. Can you drive back to Sunnydale tonight?"
"Yes. I'll get there as quick as I can. Bye."
"Bye." They both hung up.
Buffy pulled up outside her house just before sunrise. She was filled with both excitement and dread, she was anticipating the news Angel was going to give her.
As she locked up the car, the front door opened and Angel walked out onto the path. She hadn't seen him in a while and he looked even more gorgeous. 'Brace yourself,' thought Buffy, 'He mightn't be here for the reasons you want him to be.'
Angel walked down the path towards Buffy. She looked beautiful. The floaty dress she was wearing just skimmed her slim figure and Angel could see all of her curves. As they walked towards each other their eyes locked. Angel sweeped Buffy off her feet and embraced her in a full on passionate kiss. It had been so long. Both their lips needing the others.
Reluctantly Buffy pulled away from Angel. "Angel we need to get inside, the sun is about to rise." she said anxiously. Angel put a finger to her lips, and turned her towards the sunrise. Buffy protested but angel just said, "Trust me." Buffy looked surprised but did as he asked and turned to see were the sun was rising. They watched the sky explode with colours and light.
"It's so beautiful and it's been so long." Angel said emotionally. He turned to Buffy still holding her tightly in his arms. She looked puzzled at first, then as the sunlight began to light Angel's face, she realised. "Is it real? It can't be." Buffy said with a mixture of happiness and disbelief. "Yes, it's real," Angel replied. "I'm human." Buffy hugged him with all her might. "It's like a dream come true," she said with tears in her eyes. "C'mon lets go inside, I'll make you some breakfast and explain everything." Angel said happily. But they never made it pass the stairs.
They closed the front door and embraced each other. Hungrily kissing each other. Angel began to pull off Buffy's dress as she began to pull off his shirt. They made love to each other on the stairs, all the pent-up emotions and wants of the past seven years pouring into each other.
Afterward they both collapsed in a heap panting and laughing. "Wow that was . unbelievable," said Buffy out of breath. Angel turned to her and smiled, he picked her up and carried her to her room where they made love for the rest of the morning.
They both woke around tea - time and they were both starving. "I've got to have something to eat," said Buffy.
"Well come on then last one down to the kitchen has to make the food." Angel said playfully. Buffy smiled as she pulled on her bathrobe and raced down the stairs. "Hey," shouted Angel as he struggled to pull on his pants and get down the stairs at the same time.
"So what are you going to make me?" asked Buffy came running into the kitchen.
"Well what would madam like?" Angel asked as he kissed Buffy on the lips and walked over to the refrigerator. "I'll have whatever you're making." Buffy started to tickle Angel when the telephone rang. Buffy answered it, "Hello?"
"Buffy am I allowed to come home now?" Dawn's voice came over the phone.
"Of course you can come home, why couldn't you?" Buffy asked she shot Angel a puzzled look. Angel came over and began nuzzling her neck. "Willow said I had to let you and Angel be alone. But how long does it take? So can I come home now?"
"Yes," squealed Buffy as Angel tickled her neck.
"K see you soon." Dawn hung up.
"You're gonna have to stop that Dawn is coming home now," said Buffy.
"But your neck is so tasty," joked Angel.
"Food now!" said Buffy.
"Yes sir!" Angel saluted Buffy.
Later that night Buffy and Angel were snuggling on the couch while Dawn was making a desperate attempt to be grossed out. "Can you do that somewhere else?" Buffy looked at Dawn and started giggling as she tried to get Angel to stop fondling her. "So where are you going to live now Angel?" Dawn asked as she tried to keep her mind off what they were doing on the couch. "Are you going to get an apartment?" Before he could answer Buffy said, "He's going to live here."
"I am?" Angel asked surprised.
"Well yeah, I mean if you want to." Buffy said sheepishly.
"Course I want to." Angel said excitedly.
The next day the scooby gang were gathered in the Magic Box which Giles had left Willow to run when he went to England. "So all we all happy with the lack of demonage that has been around lately?" asked Xander.
"Well I for one am happy with the free time it leaves me with," replied Buffy.
"I've actually been able to get through reference those books I've meaning to do for months." said Willow. Everyone turned to look at her, "What?" she asked.
"Check out the she-Giles," said Xander.
"I'm not a she-Glies," Willow said defensively.
"Oh you are honey," said Tara, "But I love you for it."
END.