Finally

by Jill

Disclaimer: I do not own them. All the characters belong to Joss, Mutant Enemy and other companies. So don't sue.
Rating: if you see the show you can read this
Spoilers: some parts of the Seasons, but mainly AU
Summary: This is an AU. Angel and Buffy have met, they have kissed in the Angel-episode' (Season 1). But all the dating, kissing and for this Surprise/Innocence never happened. Also not Becoming. Angel was in love with Buffy from day 1, but he never told her. She had a crush on him but because he was always distant they were only friends. He left after GRAD2, because he could not stand being near her and not telling her about his feelings. He did not think he was worthy, you know all the guilt yadda, yadda... AND he knew about the curse and the loophole. Angel went to LA, IWRY happened in a different style. She came to see him for buisness reasons, he told her that he loved her and they made love (for the first time, because he was human), and he made the Oracles turn back time for well known reasons. The rest of Season 4- Buffy and 1-Angel happened (well Sanctuary of course was different), but Buffy did not sleep with Parker or Riley so far!!! However we are now at a time when Buffy graduates from college.

Part One

Angel closed the files he had been reading when Cordelia rushed in his office - without knocking as always.

"I am going to the mall," she said, looking at him.

Angel only quirked an eyebrow and she continued: "I need a dress, you know. Buffy invited us to her graduation and the party, I repeat a party, which means I have to dress up."

Angel rolled his eyes:

"Cordelia, you have what hundreds of robes to wear."

Now it was her term to roll her eyes: "That's the typical answer from Mr-I-dress-only-black-and-look-good. But I need a robe. However I just wanted to inform you I will be gone for some hours. Oh, and by the way, did you call her?"

"Whom?"

She sighed in frustration: "Buffy! The little, blonde slayer living in Sunnydale. Did you tell her about your news?"

"No, there is no need to do it. She'll see it soon enough and besides why should she be interested, we haven't seen each other for over four years."

"Yeah, yeah, fine. But I am not blonde, you know. And I have eyes."

"Meaning?"

"Come on, don't you think I never saw you sitting in your office staring at her picture. Why did you never tell her you loved her for Christ sake?"

"Sorry, Cordelia, but that is none of your business."

"Fine. But this," she pointed at the open window and himself sitting in sunlight: "does this not change everything?"

"Change what?"

"Angel," she sighed in frustration: "I know you left Sunnydale, because you did not feel worthy to tell her about your feelings. Plus you were a vampire and you saw no future for you both but now..."

"Didn't you say something about shopping?"

"I'm going, but that does not change anything."

With this she turned and left. Angel leaned back in his chair and pulled out an old picture of Buffy. Xander had taken it at the prom, she had looked so beautiful that night and Angel had been so close to tell her what he felt. He would never forget her face when he told her about his decision to leave Sunnydale.

Sunnydale - five years ago in the sewers

"Buffy, there is something we have to talk about."

"What?" She stopped and looked at him.

"I am going to leave Sunnydale."

"What?" Buffy stood before him in complete shock :" What do you mean, leave?"

"I will leave, right after the ascension - if we survive that is."

She stepped back with an expression of hurt and disbelief: "B-But you cannot leave. Angel, you are my best friend, you always watch my back, you ..."

"I am sorry, but I cannot stay." Seeing her like this broke Angel's heart.

"Did I do something?"

"No... no, Buffy, this has nothing to do with you." Of course it has, he thought, but I cannot tell you, I must not tell you.

"Where will you go?"

"I am not sure, maybe LA."

She nodded: "Will you phone or write?"

"We will see, maybe."

"There is nothing I can say to change your mind?"

He shook his head: "No, I am sorry."

She only nodded and turned to hide the tears that were running down her cheeks.

LA - Angel's office - present

Angel snapped out of his thoughts when Wesley knocked and entered: "I just wanted to check when we are leaving for Sunnydale?"

Angel looked at his clock:

"In three hours. We are invited to the party tonight. I am not looking forward to it, but even Giles insisted us in coming. At least it is a private party only for the gang."

Wesley nodded: "Where is Cordelia?"

"Looking for a dress."

"I see. Angel?"

"Hmmm."

"Are you alright."

He sighed: "Why on earth is everyone asking me that!"

Wesley smiled: "Maybe because we are worried about you. You will see her again."

"I know, but I am able to deal with it."

"As the last time."

Angel frowned: "What do you mean?"

"The last time you saw her. That Thanksgiving when she came for business reasons."

"What do you know about that?"

Wesley rose his hands in defense: "Nothing, nothing. Cordelia told me you were brooding for months though."

Angel sighed: "That's not true and it is not the same now. It's been a long time we saw each other and she has moved on. She has dated some guys and she has a boyfriend now."

"You are well informed."

"Drop it, dammit," Angel stood up, anger building up in him. Why on earth was everyone so interested in his private affairs.

"Okay. So we are going tonight."

"Tonight."

Part Two

Willow looked down at her feet and smiled. The red toe nails looked nice she had to admit. She had never been one for dressing up but Graduation party was special and she wanted to be a good match for Tara who was sitting on her side of the bed, nails red as well. Willow and Tara were a couple for some years now, Oz had decided to come back to Sunnydale one day but Willow was not willing to let him into her life again and she also realized how much love she felt for Tara by then. In their sophomore year Willow, Tara and Buffy had moved out of the dorm and found a nice apartment near to college much to the disappointment of Mrs. Summers who had hoped Buffy would come home again. She had been very possessive of her daughter but since she got married two years ago she was much better.

There was a knock at their bedroom door and Willow smiled: "Come in, Buffy."

The slayer entered with a grin on her face when she saw the picture before her: "Red toe nails, Will?"

"Yeah. Why not go crazy for one night," the redhead grinned back. Tara only smiled. Willow frowned: "Why are you here? We thought you were with Riley."

"Riley," Buffy sighed.

"What about him?"

"Nothing ... and everything. He annoys me."

Willow looked at her friend disbelieving: "I thought you were getting along. I thought," she gazed at Tara "we thought, you liked him."

Buffy sighed again: "I thought so. But somehow we are not getting along. I mean we have some fun, but I always wonder."

"Wonder what," Tara asked her.

"There must be more, I mean romantic, satisfying, passionate are not the keywords when I am thinking about Riley."

"Is there someone you connect the words to," Tara asked slyly. Willow stared at her girlfriend, she did not understand what Tara was going for.

Buffy's eyes became distant and dreaming when she finally asked: "I had this feeling - once - a long time ago."

"What? When? Who? Why did you never tell me?" Willow said confused.

"What?" Buffy snapped back into reality, shaking her head she said: "I told you about it, Willow."

"You did? I cannot ... oh, OH," the redhead exclaimed finally.

Now it was for Tara to look confused. Buffy explained: "You never met him, Tara. He ... he was a ... is a friend, I really hope he still is as I did not talk to him for a long time. His name is Angel."

Tara smiled: "Oh, I know about him. Willow told me."

Buffy nodded and said: "I invited him to the party and for graduation. But he never called so I do not know if he will come."

"I am sure he'll come," Willow tried to comfort her friend.

"I truly hope so. I know there are no romantic feelings on his side, but I miss my friend."

When she heard a knock on the door Jenny Giles went to open it and smiled when she saw the visitors: "Angel, Cordelia, Wesley, nice to see you."

The three of them smiled back at her and followed her into the house. Since Jenny and Rupert had been married four years ago they had moved into a bigger house. Giles had been reluctant to give up his apartment but finally gave in when Jenny became pregnant a year after the wedding. Little Arthur was three by now and playing on a blanket in the living room when the guests entered. Giles was sitting beside his son and looked up when he heard voices at the door: "Angel, good to see you."

Angel nodded and shook Giles' hand who got up in the process. Surprised and confused he gazed at the man in front of him: "What happened?"

Angel sighed: "It's a long story."

"I bet. You are warm, Angel. I mean your hand is warm and it is still daylight outside. Would you explain."

"I am human, Giles. I am no vampire anymore."

Giles' eyes widened in disbelief when he saw Cordelia and Wesley nodding their heads behind the ex-vampire. Wesley explained: "It was a prophecy, Mr. Giles. Actually we found out some years ago, that there was a possibility he might become human and all of a sudden it happened."

Giles was still in shock but managed to ask: "When?"

"Only a week ago," Angel answered.

"Angel was fighting two very ugly, slimy demons. He looked dreadful when he returned to the office. Then sleep, next morning. heartbeat. End of story." Cordelia explained in typical fashion. Angel rolled his eyes at her: "Thank you Cordy. But this is the short version."

Giles nodded: "I see. So you just woke up and were ... human."

"Sort of. I asked the Oracles about it and they said it was my gift, that I had earned it."

"The Oracles ... they are real?"

"They are. We are quite familiar with them."

"Oh, yeah and can I just say it sucks." Cordelia walked over and sat down beside Giles' son.

The former watcher shook his head and said: "What?"

Angel smiled: "Cordelia gets visions from them. She kinda ... inherited them. However her visions are my connections to them. I was their warrior."

"Oh I see, a warrior of the light. I have read about this."

"Darling, business again," Jenny said when she entered the room carrying a tray with tea and cake. Putting it on the table she looked around: "I hope everyone wants tea and cake. It will be some hours until the party."

When all of them were seated around the table in the living room, Giles spoke again: "You really have to tell me more about this, Angel. It is fascinating."

"I can do that, but maybe later."

"Later is good. Because it already gives me a headache talking about the subject." Cordelia took a sip from her cup and rolled her eyes :" And there are more important things. Where will the party be?"

"At Buffy's house, I mean at her mother's. Joyce and Frank, he is Joyce's husband, are staying in New York until tomorrow morning and so the house is empty. They will come back for the official graduation ceremony though." Giles eat a piece of his cake and continued: "I am really glad this will only be a small party, it was a relief when they decided to have a private thing. There are a lot of frat parties going on tonight and I would not looking forward to one of these."

"Who will be there?" Cordelia was anxious to know.

"Well, Buffy, Xander, Willow, Oz, Tara, she is Willow's ... err ... friend."

Jenny put a hand on her husband's and smiled: "Tara is Willow's girlfriend. They are lesbians."

Cordelia nearly choked in her tea and Wesley patted her back: "They are what? Willow? Sweet little Willow? Why did nobody tell me that. I mean we phone or e-mail from time to time but they never told me that."

Jenny shrugged: "I do not see why this is important. They love each other."

Cordelia only shook her head: "It is important. I thought Oz was back."

"He was and still is, but I think Willow was not able to forgive him, he hurt her a lot and in between she had fallen in love with Tara. I have to admit they are a cute couple."

"Okay, fine, a cute couple. Oh these mental pictures give me nightmares for months. So who else will be at the party?"

Giles thought for a moment: "Anya will be there, she and Xander are quite serious now and Riley of course."

"Buffy's boy-toy," Cordelia stated matter-of-factly shooting Angel a look. He did not change his expression when he said: "Of course she will bring her boyfriend."

"Of course," Giles said : "You have never met him, have you? He is ... well, he is nice, though I never really understood what she sees in him. Nevermind, he was ... is a sort of demon-hunter. I told you about the Initiative?" He looked at Angel who nodded.

"Talking about Buffy, " Jenny said :"Does she know about that?"

"You mean about me being human? No, she doesn't. Jenny, I have not talked to her in over four years."

"She really misses you, Angel. She was very sad when you left and she had a hard time after she went to LA to see you. She had dreams and nightmares for quite some time."

Angel's head shot up in alarm: "Nightmares?"

"Yes. She never told us about, but Willow could hear her crying in her sleep. It stopped about a year ago."

"I see," the former vampire only answered, but deep inside of him an alarming voice would not stop shouting.

Part Three

Buffy frowned looking around the large living room of her mother's and step-father's house. She was glad they had allowed her to held the party there. She had insisted on having a private celebration with Riley being angry at the beginning as he had been looking forward to the party in his new frat house. But the slayer had long ago decided to invite Angel as she knew he would not refuse an invitation for something as important as graduation from college, but true as this she also knew that he would have never want to go to a frat party. After their meeting at Thanksgiving all these years ago they had not spoken again. Buffy had never quite understood what caused this. After he left Sunnydale he had written a letter from time to time but after her visit to LA he had cur the contact immediately. She had tried to phone him but he was never there or that she was told. She was not able to believe this anymore and had to accept that he was not interested in talking to her. It had hurt her more than she could say. Especially after she had realised she was in love with him. Deeper and more serious she had ever thought. She cursed herself for being so stupid to realise this when he was already gone. Of course he was a vampire, of course there were worlds between them but the kisses - oh these kisses - they had shared so long ago had been beyond imagination. Like electricity streaming through her body, like the world faded away and nothing was important than being together. He had told her they could not be together like that and rationally she understood but the feelings were a different matter. But then after he had refused to talk to her she had to move on somehow. She had dated some nice guys for a short time and then she had met Riley. He had been sweet and thoughtful and he seemed to love her. And as a surprise it had appeared he was a demon-hunter and she had no reason to hide her identity from him which was release. After the Intiative had been destroyed Riley left town for a while and Buffy was single again. He had returned a year ago and somehow they came together again. The slayer was never sure why. As she had told Willow and Tara before her feelings for Riley weren't passionate but he was nice and it was better to go to parties with a boyfriend. But Buffy felt bad deep inside of her, she had the feeling of using him because his feelings obviously were deeper. She had realised how disappointed he was that she would not have sex with him, to calm him she had told him she had decided to marry as a virgin. She was a horrible liar but he seemed to believe it, make it for his country origin, maybe farm-girls in Iowa would marry as virgins Buffy wondered.

"Do you think everything is ready," came a voice from behind and an arm slipped around her waist. She turned her head and saw Riley smiling beside her.

"I think. It looks good, doesn't it?"

"Yeah. Cosy," he whispered: "made for couples in love."

He lowered his head and gave her a soft kiss on the mouth. Buffy pulled back: "I am sorry to interrupt this but I have to look for the food and drinks."

A flicker of disappointment was in his eyes but after a second it was gone and he said: "Can I help?"

"You could bring all the plates from the kitchen over here," she pointed to the table she had moved to the corner so there was enough room left for some slow dancing. He nodded and disappeared in the kitchen when Buffy heard a knock at
the front door. Gladly she invited Tara and Willow in, both in black skirts and red shirts and of course with red finger and toe nails. Buffy laughed it really looked funny. Willow looked around:

"Wow. This looks good. You did all by yourself?"

"I helped." Riley came from the kitchen two plates in his hands and went over to put them on the table, then heading for the kitchen again.

"He helped and Xander. Well, Xander did most of the furniture moving," Buffy explained :" I could have done that myself but he insisted on it. So who am I to hurt a man's honour."

The three of them laughed. Willow leaned over to her friend and whispered: "I talked to Giles on the phone. He is there."

Buffy looked at her and a wide genuine smile appeared on her face.

"I would hope that is for me," Riley said when he brought the last plates.

"What," the slayer asked confused.

"The smile, it was the most wonderful smile I have ever seen in you."

"Oh," Buffy slightly blushed, Tara and Willow exchanged a knowing look.

"Shell I bring the bottles and glasses as well," Riley asked.

"Yes, that would be wonderful," Buffy gave him a smile as well, but it was not the same Willow noticed at once. She had always known Buffy had a crush on Angel and personally she had never understood what was the problem. Her romantic
nature saw no problem in dating a vampire, he was a good vampire and he was ever so handsome. Another knock on the door disturbed her thoughts and Buffy went to answer it. She opened the door and her heart skipped a beat. There he was, dressed in black as always, handsome as always. She cleared her throat and smiled:" Hi."

And then it happened, he smiled back, how she had missed that smile and these eyes, deep as the ocean although they had changed somehow Buffy could not really explain.

"Can we come in or do we have to party here which would be bad because in the darkness nobody could see my new robe and I bought it especially."

"Hi Cordy," Buffy said to her friend :" So please do come in, all of you."

When Angel entered his hand touched her arm for a second and there it was again that shock of electricity, she looked at Angel but his face showed no emotions. Behind him, Cordelia, Wesley, Giles, Jenny and their little son entered the house. Arthur smiled at Buffy: "Hi," he said looking at her with his big blue eyes. He simply adored the slayer.

"Arthur," Buffy exclaimed, clapping her hands, then opening her arms to pick him up. He laughed and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

Angel was overwhelmed by her presence. God she was so beautiful, she wasn't a girl anymore but an attractive young woman. He was barely able to look at anyone or anything but her. And seeing her with the little boy took his breath away, he smiled thinking about this. It was nice to feel like a human being.

"It's so good to see you," a voice came from beside him. When he looked down he saw Willow's smiling face. He smiled back: "The same here. It's ... like coming home."

Willow nodded and exchanged another look with Tara, both of them had seen the way Angel had looked at Buffy. Willow mouthed 'see I told you' at her girlfriend who nodded in response. When they heard a slight cough from the doorway they turned round to see Riley standing there. Buffy looked at him: "Oh, sorry. You don't know each other, these are Angel, Cordelia and Mr. Pryce from Los Angeles and this is Riley."

"Buffy's boyfriend," he added smiling at the three guests. Willow did not miss the annoyed look on Buffy's face at his announcement.

The next guests to come were Xander and Anya. Xander grinned when he saw who was already there: "Hi everybody, and dead-boy you haven't changed at all."

Everyone shook his head at his words, to Buffy's surprise Angel only grinned. But Riley was completely confused: "Don't you think this is a strange nickname?"

"Why? I always thought it fits for a vampire," Xander said smiling good-naturedly.

Riley's eyes widened in shock when he glared at Angel: "A vampire? He is a vampire?"

Buffy nodded, but was taken aback when Cordelia only said: "Was would be the correct term."

Five heads shot around, Angel gave her a look but she grinned enjoying the moment beyond everything. She knew something her friends didn't: "He is no vampire anymore."

Buffy's thought she would faint when she finally managed to ask: "Care to explain."

"I became human. A week ago," Angel's soft voice came from behind her.

"Human? You are human, as in breathing-heartbeat-eating-food-human?" Buffy was still in complete shock. Angel nodded: "Yes. It was a prophecy we found some years ago. And it became true."

"Wow," Willow said :"This is good, isn't it. I mean you are happy to be human because I would be. You are happy, aren't you?"

Angel smiled: "I am. Very." His voice became deep and his eyes rested on Buffy for a moment.

"Dead boy isn't dead boy anymore."

"Why does it surprise you. I am not a demon anymore."

"I know sweetheart but I never knew you as a demon, on the other hand he was always deadboy for me. It will be hard to digest."

(AN: I leave it to you to discover who was speaking ... grin.)

Suddenly the telephone rang and Buffy went to answer it, when she came back she announced: "Oz will come later. He has some things to do first. So, what are we waiting for, let's start." She pointed to the table with food and drinks and walked over to Angel: "So, human, hmm?"

"Yeah."

"How does it feel?"

"Different."

"I bet."

"Yeah, first of all there are things I nearly forgot like a rumbling stomach or sweating or other things."

Buffy smiled, she had seen the first minute that something was different in him, now she realised that his whole attitude was lighter and easier. She would bet he had smiled more the last minutes than he had in the years they spent together.

"Your boyfriend seems nice," he stated

"What? Oh, Riley, he is alright."

Angel quirked an eyebrow: "Alright?"

Buffy sighed: "He is nice okay, can we skip the subject."

He grinned: "Are you angry with him?"

Her head shot up: "What?" He had done it again, he had seen what was going on in her at once. She had never been able to hide anything from him.

"I can see it. Why are you angry?"

She shrugged: "Nothing really important."

He laughed, Buffy could not believe it. Angel laughed and she loved it, it sounded nice, oh how she loved this sound. She really hoped she would hear this more open but then how could that be, he would leave after the graduation - again, going back to LA. Buffy could feel the electricity in her body only standing next to him, it was the familiar feeling, the feeling she had missed so much these last years. Maybe he missed me she thought and almost unconciously said: "I missed you."

His face became serious, his eyes suddenly darker than normal when he answered: "I missed you too."

"But then why would you not answer my phone calls, why, Angel? I thought we were friends but all of a sudden you closed up from us ... me."

He closed his eyes for a moment:

"It's complicated, a long story."

"I am free tonight."

"Buffy this is your party in your house."

She rolled her eyes: "And? Giles can be the one in charge for some time. Do you want to go for a walk?"

He was discussing this shortly in his mind, but then threw all doubts out of the window: "I would love to."

She nodded: "I meet you outside in five minutes."

"We could switch one or two graveyards if you don't mind. Giles gave me the night off but maybe it's worth a try," Buffy said. Angel nodded: "It's fine with me." So they headed for the first cemetery, everything was quiet, it was a nice summer night, warm and pleasant. Buffy cleared her throat and asked: "So are you going to tell the story now?"

"I don't know. I am not sure it is a good idea anymore," he replied averting his eyes. She stepped closer:

"But you said..."

"I said nothing, you were just assuming I would tell you the story."

"Oh, fine," her voice sounding angry and hurt : "I thought we were friends, but then you've already proved that our friendship is worth nothing." With this she turned round and stomped away. Only for a short distance when a strong hand grabbed her arm and forced her to turn round: "It is not true. Our friendship means everything to me, everything," he yelled.

Buffy looked up and was taken aback by the pain apparent in his eyes. But she was not able to soften her voice now, so she shouted back: "But why would you not talk to me anymore, why did you shut me out of your life?"

As if it was suddenly to painful to face her, Angel turned his back on her, his voice was hoarse when he answered: "It was to hard, Buffy. I could not do it anymore, not after...," He broke off suddenly realising what he had been about to tell her.

"After what?"

He only shook his head, still not facing her: "I cannot tell you, Buffy. I cannot, but even if I would you would not believe me."

"Try me."

He turned round to see her standing before him, hands at her hips and waiting for, no demanding an answer. But could he do it, could he answer her question. It was true she deserved an answer but he was not sure if he would be able to deal with her reaction. But then on the other hand she was hurting because of his behaviour towards her. He took a deep breath locking his eyes with hers: "Your remember when I told you that I was cursed with my soul," he began. When she nodded he continued: "There was more to this curse I had known at the beginning. There was a clause attached to it. It said that if I would find a moment of true happiness I would loose my soul. So I was living with the threat the demon would gain control over my body and by no means I was willing to risk that. I had to live with all the memories of my early deeds and I would not let this happen again."

"Why did they do it?"

"I do not know. Maybe to make it harder, maybe to torture me. Oh, I am not complaining, I certainly earned all of it, but I do not really know the explanation. Constantly I was wondering what a true-happiness-moment could be, until ... until I met you."

"Me," she whispered without understanding.

"Yes, you. I was a miserable homeless man before I met you, protecting you made my life less worthless."

"But your life was never worthless," she protested.

"That is not the point. The fact was I felt better being around you, doing something that was important, that would help people and not endanger them. But I never, " he took another deep breath and Buffy could see he was searching for the right words: "Being around you made me feel happy, I felt less depressed, my heart was less aching and I realised how dangerous this could be for the clause in my curse."

"But Angel, that has nothing to do with true happiness. Feeling better has nothing to do with true happiness," Buffy could still not understand.

"No, but falling in love could." His eyes were still resting on hers, she whispered: "Falling in love? What do you mean?"

"You, I mean falling in love with you," he whispered with a trembling voice.

"You...you fell in love with me? When?"

"The day you were called, when you were shown to me on the steps of your school in LA."

"Oh god," she whispered and turned away from. None of them did speak a word for some minutes. Buffy was to confused to think straight, he had been in love with her? The same time he knew about the curse and for that how forbidden this love was, how dangerous it could be. She took a deep breath and faced him again:

"But you managed to be my friend nevertheless. What changed? I mean you left, why?"

"It became to strong. I was not sure I could resist you any longer, telling you about my feelings, so it was better to leave, to bring some distance between us."

She looked at him and suddenly she thought she understood: "And it helped right?"

Now Angel was confused: "What helped? What do you mean?"

"The distance. When we met in LA you realised the love was gone and you did not need me in your life anymore."

Buffy nearly screamed from the pain when his hands grabbed her arms roughly, his eyes showing more pain and desperation than ever and he shouted: "No. You do not understand, I only realised that I loved you more than anything, but after making love to you, holding you that day it was to hard, to painful being near you..." he suddenly stopped, shocked by the words that had escaped his mouth unwillingly. Buffy's expression was not less confused:

"Making love to me? What are you talking about, we never made love."

Angel took a deep breath and tried to control his voice, he failed miserably: "You do not remember. You are not meant to remember. The day was erased. I was human on that day."

"Erased? Who could do such a thing?"

"The Powers That Be, they are like god, they are in charge of the fate, the future."

Suddenly Buffy's eyes widened, her hand flew to her mouth, then she whispered: "The dreams, oh God, the dreams I had. They were no dreams, they were memories. Oh God, Angel, I dreamed about that day. You told me you loved me and we slept together ... I remember your face, you were so happy, so relaxed," a sad smile crept up her face, but it was fading quickly: "and you gave it back, you gave it back for me. Oh God." She was not able to stop the tears anymore, they were running down her cheeks. She reached out for his face and stroke his cheek: "I told you I loved you."

He nodded, tears in his eyes as well: "You did."

She shook her head to clear her mind: "Do you still? Do you still love me?"

"Yes, I do," Angel said. He had decided some minutes ago that only the truth would help both of them to go on with their lives, but he was not prepared for her answer:

"Me too." His world stopped, he was not able to see anything, feel anything. He was completely lost in Buffy's eyes. She smiled a little bit: "Are you okay?"

"I ... I'm fine. I just ... didn't expect that."

She laughed a bit nervously:

"Talk about not expecting this. I certainly did not expect that when I invited you for a walk."

Now he was able to smile, but became serious at once: "What are we going to do now?"

"I do not know. I only know ... I would try to ... would love... gods ... could we try to be together? I mean you are human now, there is no curse anymore," she stopped and asked: "There is not curse anymore?"

"No, there is not. But what about your boyfriend?"

"Yeah, good question, Buffy, what about me?"

Buffy and Angel spun round to see Riley standing behind them.

Part Four

Willow looked at her watch and gave a concerned glance to Tara: "They've been gone for a while."

"How long?"

"Nearly an hour."

Tara scanned the room with her eyes: "And Riley is missing," she said.

Willow's eyes widened: "This is not good, this is definitely not good."

"She is in love with him," Anya took a sip from her coke and stroke Xander's arm absentmindly. His head spun around: "Who, what?"

"Buffy, she is in love with the tall, dark, handsome."

"Deadboy," Xander's face showed confusion :"Why do you think that?"

"Oh, Xander. I was a revenge demon for thousand years, I can see if a woman is in love or not. And she is and who would not understand, he is so hot."

Xander quirked an eyebrow: "You think he is hot?"

Anya nodded: "Of course he is."

"What about me?"

"You're hot too."

"That's it, that's all? I am hot too," Xander said slightly hurt.

She smiled and took his hand: "I still like my orgasms with you, you know. But I have eyes and it is not as if you would not see a pretty girl when you meet it."

Xander heard a giggle behind him. Noticing Cordelia with a huge grin on her face he turned deep red which made his ex-girlfriend burst out in laughter. Xander shook his head and turned back to his present love: "Anya, I think this is not a subject for a public conversation, you know."

"Don't be so childish Xander, everyone knows we are having sex."

Xander took a deep breath and tried to ignore the laughter in his back. He stood up and walked over to the CD-player, starting some slow music. When he turned round Cordelia was still holding a hand over her mouth.

Buffy gasped in shock and felt suddenly weak. She grabbed for Angel's hand and he slipped and arm round her waist to comfort her: "Riley," she whispered: "What are you doing here?"

"You were gone for a while so I thought it was a good idea checking on you, after all this is still Sunnydale and it is night," he answered, his arms still crossed in front of his chest: "And I am glad I did come here right in time."

Regaining some control Buffy straightened: "Meaning?"

He stepped closer, glaring for a moment at Angel then returning his attention to his girlfriend: "Aren't you supposed to be my girlfriend?" When Buffy gave no answer he continued: "Is it true?", seeing her confused look he asked: "Are you in love with him?"

Buffy lowered her gaze, then took a short look at Angel who smiled at her assuringly and answered: "Yes, I am. I am sorry, Riley. I wanted to tell you in private."

He let out a short pained laugh: "And this would make it better? Saying it in private? When did you plan telling me you lied to me all the time, Buffy? When?"

"Lied to you? When did I lie to you," she asked not understanding his words.

"Come on, we know each other for a while and you are still holding me on the long arm, refusing having sex with me because you wanted to marry as a virgin while you were fucking a vampire," his voice was loud and accusing now and the last words were shouted in pure disgust.

"I am really sorry...", Buffy began, then the words hit her and anger was building inside of her: "You were following us, weren't you. And you overheard the whole conversation, you were spying on us. Well, that really shows your trust in me, doesn't it."

"And I was right. God, I was such a fool, trying to be kind and understanding. I thought you were shy and pure and all the time you were laughing behind my back."

"I was not laughing behind your back," Buffy said trying to calm down :" and if you heard all the conversation you know that I did not remember the day with Angel."

"Oh, and that makes it better," he yelled again :"but you were with me when you jumped in bed with him, you had no problems loosing your virginity with him, you slutty bitch."

"Now, that's enough," came Angel's angry voice.

"You stay out of this," Riley shouted back: "This is none of your buisness, this is between me and my ... and this person."

Angel was about to say something when he felt Buffy's hand on his arm, when he looked at her she shook her head. So he took a deep - now necessary - breath and kept his mouth shut. Buffy turned her attention back to Riley: "As I said before, I am sorry for this, the way I treated you. I am aware I was leading you on, in a way, but I really liked you..."

"Liked me. Now I feel flattered and it makes up for all the nights I stayed lonely while I wanted to have sex with you."

"Is this all you are thinking about. Sex? Maybe you should have tried to hit on Anya then." Buffy knew he was hurting but his words had been harsh and she could not help but give him such a sarcastic reply.

"Thanks for your compassion. You know I had a girlfriend when I was back in Iowa for the two years and she wanted to have sex with me. Thinking I let her go for you - it just sounds ridiculous."

"Then why don't you take your ass and hurry back to her?"

"Buffy," came Angel's warning voice from behind and Buffy calmed down immediately. She again focussed on Riley: "Again, I am really sorry, but obviously that means nothing to you. It seems we cannot part as friends, so why don't you just leave us alone."

Riley glared at her for a last time, turned round and stomped away. When he was out of sight, Buffy suddenly felt weak and would have fallen if Angel's strong arms had not supported her. She looked up at him: "I am sorry," she laughed : "it seems I am saying this often tonight."

He smiled at her: "I am sorry too. I never wanted to cause you trouble, it was the reason I left in the first place."

"You have nothing to do with this," Buffy answered, straightening up again: "he was hurt and I was the reason for this. So he had a right to be angry."

Angel shook his head: "But he had no right to talk to you like that. He behaved like a brat, his words were harsh."

"Yes, they were. But on the other hand I am glad it is over. I was not looking forward talking to him," she suddenly grinned: "I told him I love you, did you hear that."

He grinned back: "I did."

"So what are we going to do with this now," she asked smiling seductively.

"Maybe we could start with this," he answered lowering his lips to hers and capturing them in a kiss that began sweet but soon became passionate. Buffy felt as if she was flying, this was the kiss she remembered all these years ago at her bedroom window. When they had to come up for air both were panting heavily, suddenly she let out a giggle, seeing his quirked eyebrows she said: "I was expecting you to vamp out, that's all."

He laughed out loud: "Not going to happen, my beauty."

"My beauty," she repeated : "I love that, it sounds nice. Do you really think I am a beauty?"

"Of course. You are the most beautiful woman in the world for me," he stated, his eyes full of love.

"You know, this is somewhat unreal, I mean, you just came back to Sunnydale and after all these years we just know we loved each other from the very beginning."

His head shot up in surprise: "What did you say?"

"From the very beginning, Angel, I fell in love with you the first moment I saw you in that alley. I did not realise it then but I know now. Why do you think I never slept with one of my boyfriends, not even with Riley. I was always hoping you would be the first," she blushed slightly : "You know. Only to realise now, that you already were the one."

He smiled: "Well, technically you are still a virgin, Buffy. The day was erased, so it never happened, although I have all the memories. They were just given to me to pretend it form happening again."

She gently stroked his cheek: "To think you were carrying all these memories on your own, it must have been so hard."

Angel closed his eyes for a moment, remembering the pain he had felt afterwards: "It was. I was like a ghost for months, knowing what we could have had. Actually it was Cordelia who was able to bring me back into the real world. She is a good friend."

"I am glad they were with you, Cordelia and Wesley, I mean. They are good for you."

He nodded: "They are. Buffy," his voice suddenly serious again: "what are we going to do now. I mean, with us. I have the agency in LA and you cannot leave Sunnydale."

She grinned: "Actually I can."

"You can," his voice full of disbelief.

"I am graduating from college tomorrow. This means I am released from my duties as a slayer. Giles might have told you that I came to terms with the coucil again. They wrote a letter to me some weeks ago, to inform me I was free to choose if I wanted to go on with slaying or quit after graduation."

"What happens if you quit?"

"Then Kendra will take over. You remember Kendra?"

"Of course I do. So, what will you do?"

"I was thinking, you know. How about a new employée at your agency, your own private slayer? I could take care of the demons and vampires in LA, you do have them, don't you?"

Angel laughed: "Yes, we do. So you are offering your service to me," he said with a wicked grin.

"Yes, Sir," she answered and blushed immediately: "I mean... I wanted to say..."

He kissed her gently and smiled: "I know, what you meant, dear. I would love to have you there. And we could date for a while before...", his voice trailed off.

Now it was her term to grin wickedly: "Oh, I would not go that far. I mean, you told me about that erased day, but I would prefer a practical demonstration some time soon."

"Good," he simply answered and offered his hand which she took: "we should go to your house, they will miss us."

She nodded and together they went back.

Part Five

When they returned to the house most of the gang was engaged in dancing so they did not even see the couple coming back. Exept Cordelia, she had been watching the door all the time eager to be the first to get any news. When she saw the entwinded hands she grinned and came over to them: "Can I say I knew it all the time?"

Buffy grinned back while Angel shot her a look, she laughed: "Come on, Angel, I am not blind." Now Angel smiled back. Cordelia turned to Buffy once more: "Riley left," she said.

Buffy nodded: "Yeah, we already know. He followed us and kinda overheard our conversation."

"Seeing you now may I just say ooops."

"It was not something I want to do again, but I am glad it is over. I mean, I would have broken up with him, I even decided that before Angel came, but somehow it is easier after he behaved the way he did," Buffy sighed.

"Bad, hm?" Cordelia laid one hand on Buffy's arm and Angel answered in her place:" You can say that. He is a brat."

"It's okay, Angel. I am fine, really," Buffy smiled at him and squeezed his hand slightly. He relaxed immediately. Cordelia took her other hand and patted Angel's arm: "Now why don't you two just dance and enjoy. After all it is a graduation party, a big thing and you also give some nice comments about my robe." She smiled once more, then turned and took the hand of a stunned Wesley to pull him to dance.

Angel looked at Buffy: "May I have this dance?"

"With pleasure."

They had just reached the dancefloor when the front door open and shut. Buffy's head shot up and turned to see her mother and step-father standing in the door of the living room. Joyce saw her daughter, came over to her and smiled: "Honey, I do not want to disturb your party, but we had to come earlier as they cancelled the early flight tomorrow and by no means I would miss your Graduation." With this she hugged her daughter, then she realised there was standing someone beside her. She gasped: "What..."

Buffy laid a hand on her mother's arm: "Mom, you remember Angel?"

Her mother was still to much in shock to say anything so she only nodded. After a minute she said: "Aren't you, I mean, isn't he a ..."

"He was, mom."

"Was? What do you mean?" Joyce face showed confusion.

"He is human, mom and we are ... err ... we are together."

"WHAT?"Joyce yelled and it made everyone turn their heads towards the three persons in the room. When Buffy's mother realised the attention she lowered her voice: "And where is Riley?"

"We broke up," Buffy stated matter-of-factly.

Joyce looked back to the door sending a pleading look to her husband who came over at once. Frank took her hand and greeted Buffy with a smile, then he asked: "Is there something I can help with?"

His wife nodded: "In fact there is. Our daughter just broke up with her boyfriend."

Frank quirked his eyebrows: "And this is a problem?"

Buffy smiled at him gratefully, he was always so calm and rational.

"The problem is," Joyce explained :"he," she pointed at Angel :"He is her new boyfriend."

Frank looked at his wife then at Angel and back to Joyce: "He looks nice and obviously your daughter cares for him, so I do not understand. Joyce, she is old enough."

"He is not normal, I mean he might be now, but for a long while he was a vampire."

Angel's eyes widened when he turned his gaze to Frank but he did not seem impressed so he obviously was informed about Buffy's secret identity. The older man looked at Angel and asked: "Do you love her?"

"I do, very much, sir," Angel answered with a smile that made Buffy smiling at him immediately. Frank smiled back and slipped a hand round his wife's waist: "Come on, Joyce, you are tired. We should talk about that tomorrow and leave the young people to themselves. He again smiled at Angel and Buffy and pulled his wife up to their bedroom.

"He seems nice," Angel stated.

"He is and he likes you, well who could not," Buffy said taking a step closer to him and bringing her lips only an inch in front of his. Angel grinned: "Yeah, who could not." With this he caught her lips in a kiss that became passionate very soon.

"Oh my god," came Willow's exclaim from behind and made the lover's jump. Both had a rapid breathing when they turned to the red-head. "Willow," Buffy exclaimed: "don't do that. I thought my heart would stop."

Her friend grinned widely: "But that is just, I mean ... you guys. I alway knew it."

Angel rolled his eyes: "Everyone seems to have known that tonight."

Buffy giggled: "It seems, but hell, who minds."

"Where is Riley," Willow wanted to know.

"Gone for good. Well not really good, he was mad actually. He followed us and ... he heard when we were talking. It's fair to say he did not like it, he did not like it at all."

"Poor Riley, "Willow felt with the boy. He had been so in love with Buffy.

"Don't pitty him, Willow," Angel said, still angry how Riley had treated his love: "he behaved in a way he does not earn any compassion."

"So the Buffster has dumped fishboy. It was about time," grinned Xander who had heard the last part of the conversation: "I never liked him."

"That's because you were jealous, Xander," Willow said.

"Hey, why would my boyfriend be jealous. He has no time to be jealous, he needs his energy for me."

Xander rolled his eyes and the others laughed. He gave them an annoyed look: "I was not jealous. Okay I once had a crush on Buffy but I am over it. However the boy is an ass, I mean come on all this hostile-talk at the beginning and this clinging on Buffy who was not at all interested." Everyone shot him a look and he exclaimed: "Everyone could see that. She never had this look in her eyes."

"This look?" Buffy questioned.

Xander grinned at Angel: "This look, yes. The one you had for Dead-Boy, sorry I mean Angel."

"Thanks," the former vampire said.

Xander grinned again and nodded at him.

"And you are together now," Willow finally asked.

"Yeah," Buffy said: "we are." She reached out and stroked Angel's cheek, he smiled at her and bowed down to kiss her forehead.

Suddenly Buffy turned round: "Where is Giles?"

"He left about twenty minutes ago, said he was tired. Personally I think he was annoyed by the kissing going on and Arthur started to fuss." Willow said.

"Well, then we have to tell him tomorrow," Buffy shrugged.

"Tell him what tomorrow?"

"I am leaving Sunnydale, Willow. I am moving to LA, with Angel."

On to Part Six