At the steady sound of thumping and the rhythmic rise and fall of Angel's chest, Buffy nearly cried out in pure joy. She turned to face him, the place they were in and the Oracles' presence slipping from her mind. In wonderment, she brought a shaky hand up to his chest, laying it on his smooth muscles and watching with fascination as it slowly rose and fell with the movement of his heart.

She pressed tighter, wanting to imprint the moment forever in her mind. It beat incessantly and her hand moved in the soft pattern as a smile spread upon her lips, a smile born of unadulterated happiness. She pulled him closer to her, all the while her eyes focused on her hand and his chest. In and out, in and out, in and out...

When she finally turned her eyes up to seek out his, she found that Angel's eyes were closed and his head was lolled back in what appeared to be pleasure. A smile graced his mouth, one of those sexy half-smiles that he had perfected over two hundred years ago and that always made Buffy want to grab him and kiss him with all her love and passion.

Angel somehow sensed that Buffy was looking at him and slowly opened his eyes to meet her stare. She blinked back tears of happiness as she watched her love take a deep breath, her hand creeping up a bit to experience the full sensation. Angel smiled broadly at her as he became lost in the hazel eyes that had always haunted him so...

"Well, you were right about one thing," the male Oracle said softly. "They are extremely cute together."

Buffy and Angel of course did not hear him, too wrapped up in the other to notice, or even care. Angel wrapped his arms around Buffy's body, pulling her flush up against him in an attempt to get as close to her as possible. His eyes were brimming with tears as well, something Buffy had rarely seen before.

And suddenly he leaned his head down, just as she tilted hers at the perfect angle, and their lips met and all that mattered was that they were in each other's arms again and were together and could finally be together in every sense of the word. Buffy ran her hands up Angel's back softly before settling her hands around his neck, urging him closer to her still. Angel gently slid his arms around her thin waist, nearly pulling her off the ground as he fought down the desire that swept through him.

He knew the Oracles were happy for them, but he doubted they would be too pleased if he and Buffy started going at it like two hormonal teens right in front of them.

"Oh, God, this has to be a dream," Buffy said as she ripped her lips away from Angel's. He kissed her again, softly, passionately.

"This is as real as it gets, baby," Angel whispered in her ear as he hugged her, nuzzling her throat in the process. Buffy kissed his neck softly, breathing in deeply as she held him close to her.

"I think we're making the Oracles sick," she giggled as she pulled away slightly. Angel pressed his lips to her temple.

"They don't get sick," he replied.

"Tell me this is real," she said again.

Angel leaned into her. "How about I show you?" he suggested, kissing her again. She pulled back, looking him square in the face.

"I love you."

Angel trembled slightly. "I never thought I'd hear you say that again," he told her. She smiled.

"Did you ever doubt it?"

"No."

"Are you two finished?" the male Oracle asked. Reluctantly, Buffy and Angel pulled away from each other, Buffy spinning around to face the Oracles but staying in the circle of Angel's arms, molding her back into his chest as he wrapped his arms around her waist.

"Sorry about that," Buffy grinned.

"You have nothing to be sorry about, my Slayer, it was beautiful. I have no doubts that you two will prove to The Powers that you are meant to be," the female Oracle said with a soft, friendly smile.

"So what exactly do we have to do?" Angel asked, almost dreading asking.

"If you look for it, you will not see it," he said, waving a hand in front of him. "It will seek you out, do not try and discover what it is on your own."

"And now we bid you farewell, my precious lovers. In two days time you will come to us again, and your fate will be decided," his other half said as she pointed a slim finger at them. "Until then, be happy."

With a flash of light, Buffy and Angel were sucked back into their world.

"Geez, you guys sure were gone long enough!" Cordelia cried from her seat on the floor when Buffy and Angel appeared. She quickly clamored to her feet and marched over to them. "Well?"

Wordlessly, Angel lifted one of her manicured hands in his, placing it over his heart. She gasped as she felt his steady heartbeat underneath it and looked up at him in shock. "I'm alive."

"Well, obviously! When a person's heart beats, that's what it means," Cordelia snapped. "Want to explain to me what's going on?"

Angel pulled Buffy close to him with a broad smile on his face. "We have two days to prove that we work better when we're together than apart. If we do, I get to stay human," he said. Cordelia rolled her eyes.

"Didn't you try that before? And you gave it all back so little Miss Slayer wouldn't get killed, remember?" Cordelia reminded him.

"They let him keep his strength," Buffy explained. A small smile broke out on Cordelia's lips as she pulled the two of them in for a hug.

"Well, then I guess I should congratulate you," she said as she pulled away. Buffy murmured her thanks and looked lovingly at Angel. Cordelia had never seen the two of them look so happy...well, that she could remember, anyway. The two of them had probably made her sick during that day he had been human...

Buffy glanced one last time at the portal before looking up at Angel. "Can we get out of here? This is kinda wigging me out," she begged. Angel complied and laced his fingers in hers. They walked off, leaving Cordelia to stare after them.

"I hate being the third wheel!" she muttered. "And why do they act like they're the only ones alive when they're together?! That 'we're-soulmates' thing is getting old..."

Shaking her head, she followed them out into the sunlight.

As soon as they stepped out into the day, Angel blinked rapidly as his eyes fought to become accustom to the sunlight again. He squinted down at Buffy, amazed at how precious she looked in the sunlight. It was as though she was a goddess sent down from Mount Olympus, her hair shone with an ethereal glow and her face was illuminated in the afternoon sun.

Buffy, for her part, was staring up at Angel in wonder. He was unusually pale, but that was a minor detail. His eyes seemed to sparkle with happiness and she knew it would be impossible for him to brood anymore. His hair was tinted with the slightest bit of auburn, something she had never noticed before.

Cordelia strode up next to them. "Okay, I'm going back to the office. You guys want a ride?"

"No, we'll walk," Angel said, never taking his eyes off Buffy's face. Cordelia rolled her eyes.

"I'm leaving, you two are gonna make me loose my lunch," she said as she moved away. "Try to control those hormones of yours in the big crowds. PDA is so out."

Buffy waved her away, smiling up at Angel again. He brought a hand up to her cheek, caressing it softly as he guided her mouth to his. She deepened the kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck once more as she pulled him to her. They stayed locked in a tight embrace until they heard a gasp behind them.

Breaking apart, Buffy and Angel turned to see who had made the sound. Kate Lockely stood before them, arms laden with packages. Her face glowed with embarrassment as she looked away awkwardly, trying to hide the hurt look on her face.

"Kate! What're you doing here?" Angel asked as he slid an arm around Buffy's shoulders. Kate looked up at him.

"Shopping. Witness me blowing all my money on presents that will be forgotten about the day after Christmas," she replied, holding up her many bags in emphasis. Her eyes focused on Buffy. "Who's your friend?"

"Oh, I'm sorry. Kate, this is Buffy Summers. Buffy, Kate Lockely," Angel said, introducing the two. Kate held out her hand and Buffy shook it firmly--maybe a little TOO firmly.

Kate winced slightly. "Wow, that's quite a grip you have. And how do you two know each other?"

Angel smiled down at Buffy proudly. "She's the love of my life."

Kate's lips formed a small 'O' in shock. Her eyes narrowed slightly at the younger woman before they turned cool as ice. "Well...I've always wanted to meet the girl who knew the way into Angel's heart."

"It's nice to meet you too," Buffy said slowly, her eyebrows raised. "And how do you know Angel?"

"We've worked together before," Angel told her quickly, stepping in. He could feel the tension between the two and it was quite unpleasant...

"Oh, that's nice," Buffy said with a slightly sarcastic voice. There was an awkward pause between the three.

"Well, it was nice seeing you Kate," Angel said suddenly. "Buffy and I are going back to the office, so I'll see you soon?"

Kate smiled flirtatiously at him and laid a hand on his arm, something that caused Buffy to shoot daggers at the woman with her eyes. "Sure, Angel, I'll call you."

Angel smiled at her and detached himself from her grip, steering Buffy clear of her.

"It was nice to meet you," Kate called after Buffy. "I hope to see you again soon!"

Buffy smiled over her shoulder as she walked away with Angel. "Bye, Kate," she waved before freeing her hand from Angel's. She took his hand and guided it around her waist, patting her pocket with it suggestively. Angel got the hint and slipped it into her jeans, pressing her body to his. Buffy hooked her pointer finger in the belt loop of Angel's slacks, knowing Kate was watching. She could feel the other woman's eyes boring into her back...

"She's my contact with the L. A. P. D.," Angel explained once they were out of Kate's earshot. Buffy giggled as she looked up at Angel, oblivious to the world around her.

"She obviously wants you," Buffy countered playfully. Angel laughed.

"She's nice and she's a good friend, but that's where it ends. She's got some problems, too, when she introduced herself she said she was a 'self-flagellating hypocrite slut.' She's too needy for me," Angel told her as they moseyed down the block, making an extremely attractive couple. They balanced each other perfectly, short and tall, blond and brown, fair and chiseled.

Buffy and Angel walked slowly through the city, enjoying each other's company quietly for a while. They passed Salvation Army Santas, who stood on the corners with their little red pots and rang their bells. They passed stores lit up in holiday lights, advertising amazing last-minute sales. The sky was clear for once, the sun smiling down at them from its place high in the sky as the couple toured the city.

"Did you miss me?" Buffy asked suddenly, her eyes fixated on a point ahead of her. Angel unconsciously tightened his hold on her, slipping his hand deeper into her pocket.

"Every minute," he whispered. Buffy smiled.

"Not a second went by that I didn't think about you," she told him.

"You were everywhere," Angel agreed. "There was no escape."

"I tried so hard to forget," Buffy confessed, "I tried so hard to be what they all wanted. But it didn't feel right, going out with Riley and--"

"Riley?" Angel asked, stopping suddenly and looking down at her.

"Did I forget to mention I have a boyfriend?" she winced. Angel raised his eyebrow at her. "He was my psych T.A., we met in class. Actually, we met in the bookstore, I dropped some books on his head..."

"And he found that romantic?" Angel asked. Buffy laughed.

"Not exactly..."

"And what will happen to this boyfriend of yours if I stay human?" Angel asked playfully. Buffy frowned.

"Well, I'll have to just go back to Sunnydale and be his little girlfriend," Buffy said.

"Really? That's too bad..." Angel said, taking both her hands in his. "Because you'll be missing out on the best thing that'll ever happen to you."

"Aren't we cocky," Buffy smirked. Angel returned it for a moment before sombering.

"Honestly..."

"Angel, do you even have to ask?" Buffy asked. Angel's face told her he needed to hear it anyway. "You know that if we actually do this and you get to keep your pulse there is no way in hell I'm ever letting you go."

"If we beat whatever it is they're throwing at us I won't let you out of my sight again," Angel replied, rubbing her palms with his fingers. She smiled up at him with love.

"I love you," she whispered, pressing her forehead to his. Angel entwined his fingers in hers.

"I love you more than life itself," Angel replied, kissing the tip of her nose softly. They stood like that for a long time, feeling completed again, not realizing they had ended up on the same boardwalk that they had first kissed in the sunlight.

For once, everything was right in their world.

The Oracles watched them through the glowing orb once more.

"Do you doubt them now?" she asked. He sighed and turned away.

"I hope you know what you're doing," he replied heavily.

"I do," she said. "They are setting things up perfectly."

She turned back to the orb, watching Buffy and Angel shopping for Christmas things for the office. "And what a perfect time for them...instead of being lonely like so many of their kind, they have found each other again. It is nothing short of touching."

"I still think you're going about this all wrong," he grumbled. She sighed.

"What do you have against love?"

"Nothing. Those two just make me sick."

She laughed at his narrow-mindedness and turned her attention back to the couple, who were laughing as they tried on matching Santa Claus hats. She sighed in contentment, happy that she had given them this incredible gift.

Buffy and Angel strolled into the office as Cordelia was shutting the lights out. She looked up when she heard their laughter, greeting the two with a smile as she switched the Christmas tree lights back on and took some of the bags from them.

"What did you two buy?" she asked curiously, peeking in one of the bags.

"Lots of Christmas stuff," Buffy said as she pulled a Santa Claus hat out of the bag and put it on Cordelia's head. She took the other two out and tossed one to Angel as she slipped hers on her head. Cordelia looked up at it.

"What did you just put on me?!" she asked, pulling it off her head and staring down at the hat. "Okay, who are you and what have you done with my brooding boss?" she demanded, looking at Angel. He laughed as he began unloading the bag. Silver tinsel, more lights, a poinsettia, and even one of those dancing Santas Xander had gotten Giles were unpacked.

"He got a life," Angel said, causing the girls to crack up. He popped the 98 Degrees Christmas CD that Buffy had made him get into the CD player as they began decorating the office even more.

"So what did you guys do today?" Cordelia asked.

"Angel, can you help me put this up?" Buffy called, standing on a chair to hang the tinsel up on the window. Angel walked over to her, taking some of the tinsel from her and stringing it up.

"Well, we took a stroll, met up with Kate--" Buffy started but was cut off by Cordelia.

"You met Kate? Lucky you," Cordelia said with a roll of her eyes.

"She seemed quite...interested in my Angel," Buffy said with a grin. Angel pinned up mistletoe and pulled Buffy to him, kissing her hard on the lips in the doorway. Cordelia took one look at them and picked up her purse.

"You know...I'm just gonna...go. Now. You two seem to finally be acting on all that pent-up lust you must have...so I'll see you tomorrow," Cordelia said as she inched around them. "Or maybe next week..." she muttered when she saw that they were still going strong.

Buffy and Angel didn't even notice that she left. They were two busy trying to shove their tongues down each other's throats to care. Angel pushed her up against the door frame, his hands roaming freely over her back. Buffy jumped up, wrapping her legs around Angel's waist as her hands grasped at his shirt, trying to remove it as quickly as possible.

Angel suddenly boosted her up again, urging her to wrap her legs even tighter. Slowly, precariously, he carried her through the office into the elevator, closing it and pushing the 'Down' button as they continued to kiss. Buffy felt so empty, so needy...she needed him to claim her again, she needed to remember what it was like to be whole again.

The elevator dinged open and Angel began the task of maneuvering to the bed. He almost tripped once but made it without dropping her. He laid her down gently on the bed, breaking the kiss to look her in the eye. Her lips were swollen with his kisses and her eyes were dark with lust. He nuzzled her cheek with his, gently kissing a trail down her throat.

"Angel...I need you so much," she pleaded, grasping at the sheets.

"Shh, baby, soon," Angel whispered, calming her. "Let me do this."

She whimpered and complied, settling down into the warm sheets as Angel moved down her body once more.

"Oh, God, I'm gonna be sore tomorrow," Buffy moaned hours later. Angel chuckled and gazed into her hazel eyes, loving the way she could make him feel so accepted in a single glance. Buffy was resting her head comfortably on Angel's arm, her body facing his.

"Is that a bad thing?" Angel asked as he drew lazy circles on her arm. She shook her head and nuzzled his arms, kissing his bicep softly.

"Of course not. I just don't know when I'll be able to do that again..." she grinned.

"I give you an hour, tops," he replied, smiling back at her as he kissed her forehead. She sighed.

"Yeah, you're probably right."

"Aren't I always?"

"Do you want me to answer that one?"

"Buffy..." Angel said softly, in that breathy way that always made her feel dizzy. "You know what I did was for the best."

"I know, Angel," Buffy said as she snuggled closer to him, wrapping her arm around his chest and pulling him to her. "For so long, I was confused...and hurt, I guess. When you said you didn't want to be with me, a part of me died."

"I never said I didn't want to be with you, Buffy. I said I didn't want your life to be with me. I didn't want you to feel as though you were wasting it..." Angel said as he leaned down, planting a kiss on her temple. Buffy kissed his chest softly in response.

"I know, I finally figured that out. But it still hurt that you didn't seem to trust me enough to make my own decisions."

"I know that I've made some bad choices in the past, ones that have affected you as much as they've affected me. But if we can do this, and if I stay human I promise you that every decision made that concerns our relationship will be a joint one," Angel said, stroking her hair with the hand of the arm she was resting on. She smiled up at him.

"You don't know how happy that makes me feel," she whispered.

"I think I do," he replied. She scooted up a bit to kiss him softly on the lips before settling back down underneath the warm covers, Angel's body making her skin tingle wherever they touched.

"I think this is a new beginning," she said sleepily, trying to contain her yawn. Angel kissed the top of her head and settled back against the mattress.

"I love you, my little Slayer," he whispered shyly.

"I love you too, Angel."

And the ex-vampire and his lover slept peacefully, safe in the arms of love.

Cordelia sighed as she rummaged in her bag for her keys. She could hear the phone ringing and wanted to get it before the answering machine picked up. Jamming the key into the lock, she opened the door and flew to the phone as Dennis closed the door behind her.

"Hello?" she said breathlessly as she picked it up.

"Hi...is Buffy there?" a male voice asked. Cordelia frowned.

"Who do you think I am, her secretary?"

"Well, no," he said, "but her father gave me your number and said she was staying with you for a couple of days. I'm Riley Finn, by the way."

"Riley?" Cordelia repeated, a smile on her lips. Ooh, this would be fun...

"Yeah, Buffy's boyfriend," he said cheerfully on the other line. Oh, the poor boy, if only he knew what--or actually WHO--his girlfriend was doing right now...

"Oh, of course! Riley, hello. I'm Cordelia Chase," she purred.

"Yeah, I figured," Riley laughed. "So is Buffy there?"

Cordelia shook her head. "No, I'm sorry, she's not. She's staying at a friend's for the night," Cordelia told him.

"Oh, one of her friends from Hemery?" Riley asked.

"No. Her ex-boyfriend, Angel."

Riley was silent for a moment. "Her ex? Why is she staying at her ex's for the night?"

"Maybe so they can have crazy monkey sex all over MY office?" Cordelia retorted. "Sorry, did I just say that out loud?"

"Yeah, you did," Riley snapped. "What the hell is going on?"

"Short version? Angel and Buffy worked out their issues. Angel and Buffy are back together. Angel and Buffy are screwing like bunnies right about now. Any questions?" Cordelia asked as she sat down on her couch.

"Look, I don't know what you're trying to pull here, but can you just have Buffy call me when she gets home?" Riley asked. Cordelia smirked.

"Yeah, whatever. Just don't be surprised if she calls to break up with you..." she warned before clicking off the phone. She smiled down at it proudly as a plate floated over to her, loaded with salad and chicken. "Ooh, yum. Thank you, Dennis. Nothing but the best for Queen C, right?" She chuckled in the emptiness of her apartment and picked up her fork, idly wondering what her friends were doing before wincing in disgust.

Those thoughts led to BAD mental pictures...

Buffy opened her eyes slowly, panicking for a moment when she found herself in a strange bed all alone. She calmed down quickly as the events of the past day filled her mind, and she stretched like a cat and rolled over, looking for Angel. He was not in the bed, and Buffy began to feel an urgency creep over her. What if something bad happened to him? What if he had gone to fight whatever challenge it was they were fighting without her? What if--

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a pot being dropped in the kitchen. She got out of bed smiling and pulled on one of Angel's silk shirts, buttoning it as she walked out of the bedroom, careful not to trip over the clothes that littered the floor. She entered the kitchen to see Angel busy at work at the stove, cooking what appeared to be omelets and bacon.

"Wow, great in bed and knows how to cook. I think you're a keeper, mister," Buffy said as she slid up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist. He started for a moment before realizing who it was, and he turned around to give her a sweet good morning kiss.

"Nice outfit," he drawled as he looked her up and down.

"You're one to talk," she shot back playfully, trying not to let the fact that he was wearing only a bathrobe and a pair of boxers get to her. His robe was cinched loosely around his waist, exposing a bit of his chest to her hungry gaze. She had the overwhelming desire to kiss it...

Angel handed her a plate laden with food and directed her to the table. He sat down opposite of her, but it wasn't good enough. She scooted around the table and plopped down on his lap, reaching over to get her plate.

"I like you in my clothes," Angel said as he fed her a piece of toast. She grinned and leaned down for a kiss.

"Get used to it," she replied, taking a sip of orange juice.

"Oh, I think I definitely could..."

As soon as the table was cleared and the dishes were done Buffy turned to Angel with a devilish grin on her face. Taking his hand, she hopped up onto the kitchen table and pulled him into her body.

"What do you say we have another go at this table thing?" she teased, unbuttoning her shirt slowly. He grinned wickedly at his beloved and quickly shed his robe.

"Let's just try not to break it this time," he said. Before she could respond, his lips were fusing with hers and she promptly forgot all her snazzy comebacks, becoming lost in the feel of him.

"'Morning, Cordy," Buffy said with a huge grin as she and Angel stepped out of the elevator. The actress gave them a look.

"I hope you realize that I've been emotionally scarred," she said, turning her attention back to her paperwork. Angel kissed Buffy's hand softly before going over to his desk.

"How so?" she asked, plopping down on the couch and turning on the dancing Santa. The tune of 'Jingle Bell Rock' filled the air.

"I heard you guys down there, it sounded like you were killing her, Angel!"

Angel chuckled, but didn't respond.

"That's what it felt like," Buffy said dreamily. "But in a good way..."

"I think that was an oxymoron," Cordelia muttered as she focused on the computer screen in front of her. Before Buffy could reply the door flew open and a person raced in.

"Angel," Cordelia called as she focused on the man before her, who was trembling and glancing over his should nervously. "We've got company."

"What is it?" Angel asked as he came into the main room, sweeping his gaze over the guy. "What do you need?"

"Help," the guy rasped. "My family...we're...I..."

"Speak," Cordelia encouraged. "Take a deep breath and then speak."

He did as he was told. "My family was taken by these...these things. They were big and purple and had horns coming out of the middle of their heads. I managed to get away, but I don't know where they went and I need help," he said, almost in hysterics. Buffy placed a comforting hand on his shoulder and pulled him down beside her on the couch while Angel fetched him a glass of water from the cooler.

"So a bunch of demons came and grabbed your family and ran off and you don't know where they are?" Cordelia repeated, squinting at him. He nodded and guzzled the water down.

"Any idea where they were taken?" Buffy asked. He shrugged helplessly. She looked at Angel for help and realized he was thinking.

"Angel?" she asked. He looked up at his name and narrowed his eyes slightly.

"You said they were purple? With horns? Did you see what color eyes they had?" he asked, beginning to pace. The guy thought for a moment.

"Yeah...they were white. It was scary, like they weren't even looking at me..."

"They weren't," Angel said. "They're Ochruis demons, they rely on smell and hearing to capture their victims."

"Well, do you know where they might be?" Cordelia asked.

"I think I saw one the other night while I was patrolling," he said, "down by the old warehouses that they turned into clubs."

"Oh, yeah, where they put The Chain and stuff in?" Cordelia asked. Angel nodded and grabbed his jacket. Buffy stood as well, gently taking it from him.

"It's warm out, you don't need it. Plus the whole long-coat-wearing-mysterious-guy routine only works at night," she said as she walked to the door. "Cordy, we'll take care of this. You stay here and watch him."

"Sure, Buffy, whatever. Oh, and your little boytoy Riley called last night. I said you were staying at Angel's," she said. Buffy sighed.

"Thanks, Cor, how am I gonna explain it to him?"

"Well, I already told him so it shouldn't be too hard..."

"C'mon," Angel said, dragging her to the door. "You can figure out how you're gonna break up with Riley later. We'll take my car."

With that, the two Warriors left to face what could very well be called their destiny.

Buffy and Angel paused outside of the warehouse they had pinpointed as being the demon headquarters. Each gripped wicked-looking swords in their hands, ready for battle.

"This is it," Angel said grimly as he peered into the grime-covered window. Buffy nodded, gripping his hand.

"We can do this. We have to do this," she whispered pleadingly. "I know I won't be able to live without you."

"I love you," Angel said as he brushed his lips against hers. "No matter what, remember that."

"And I love you, always and forever."

With those words and a final kiss for good luck, they crept through the window and began their search. It wasn't hard, the first large room they came to was where the Ochruis demons were sitting, looking as though they were meditating. Several people were cramped together in a tiny cage in the corner, scared and shaking and dirty.

A glance between the two allowed them to communicate. Splitting up, Buffy and Angel crept through the old boxes that were leaning against the wall. There were twelve demons in all, but they were huge, each nearly seven feet tall. Buffy was waiting for Angel to get into position, and she said a silent prayer to the Oracles or whoever would listen that they would survive this fight and prove they were indeed better off together.

Angel looked across the room at Buffy with love in his eyes. He mouthed 'I love you' to her; she mouthed it back. She was scared, he could tell. In all truth, so was he. So much depended on this one thing, their entire lives and future rested on the outcome of this battle. But that did not discourage him, if anything it made him stronger. He could do this, and so could she, and they would together prove to The Powers that they were an amazing team.

The signal was given, and Buffy crept up behind the closest demon. With a swing of her sword, he was decapitated and he fell to the floor with a scream of agony, his body turning into green goo on the concrete.

"Eww, it's a good thing you guys don't have carpet. The cleaning bills would be hell..." she said as she stood ready to fight. The other demons stared at her with rage in their eyes before advancing on her hungrily. "Wow, don't just sit there, come and get me," she quipped nervously. Angel silently stalked up behind the demons who were slowly making their way to his lover, beheading two before they knew what hit them.

"You'd think you demons would learn that it's better to move *quickly* so you avoid an ambush," Angel growled as he kicked one of the purpled demons in the back, sending it sprawling to the ground as he quickly beheaded it. Immediately he was surrounded by five of the Ochruis demons, all nearly drooling at the sight of him.

"You forget, honey," Buffy grunted as she spin-kicked one of the demons in the chest, stabbing another with her sword. "They aren't that smart."

"That's probably a good thing," Angel replied as he punched one in the face and elbowed another in the stomach. Soon the fight became too hard for idle chitchat. Buffy was thrown to the ground, her sword sent careening across the smooth floor several feet away from her. She pulled a dagger out of her boot and plunged back into the fight, taking out one demon and kicking another at the same time.

Angel threw several solid punches, catching the demon he was fighting square in the chest. The demon punched back, knocking Angel to the ground. He jumped up swiftly and stabbed the demon in the heart, not waiting for it to turn to go before moving onto the next one.

"That wasn't very nice! Didn't you mother ever tell you not to hit poor, defenseless girls?" Buffy demanded after being punched in the jaw. A trickle of blood was marring her pretty face and she quickly wiped it away, kneeing the demon in the groin before stabbing it right in the gut. The demon moaned as it fell to its knees, screaming for mercy as it dissolved. Buffy looked around, wanting to fight something else, when she saw Angel defending himself against the remaining four demons. She jumped on the one who was closest to her lover, delivering a stunning blow to the head. She was quickly flipped over the demon, landing hard on her back.

She groaned and blinked back the stars that swam in her vision. The demon that loomed above her was a bit fuzzy, but she rolled over backwards, kicking her legs up to catch the demon in the chest as she used her momentum to do a back flip, landing on her feet facing away from the purple guy. Quickly stabbing him with lightning speed, she took out another one with ease.

Soon there were only two left, but Buffy and Angel were getting tired. Buffy was exchanging blows with the one when she heard the clanking of swords. Looking up in horror, she saw that Angel and the demon were fighting, the demon using the sword she had dropped and Angel using his. Angel's cry of pain sent adrenaline pumping through her system and she ignored the aches all over her body and the blood that was trickling from the various wounds she had received.

Beating the demon back, she quickly disposed of him and turned around to see Angel fighting a losing battle. He was tired and hurt and it showed. Blood poured from the deep cut in his arm as he fought valiantly. Buffy doubled over in pain suddenly, her abdomen clenching tightly. When she looked up again, breathing hard in an attempt to ease the pain, Angel had been backed into a corner with the demon prepared to strike.

"Angel!" Buffy cried and with a speed she didn't think she possessed, the Slayer moved across the room and plunged her bloody dagger into the demon's back as it prepared to strike. It melted in front of her but she was unaware of what she was kneeling in as she bent down and looked closely at Angel.

His eye was bruising and he had a spilt lip. Blood was still coming from the wound on his arm and he looked rather pale from the blood loss, but he looked up at her tiredly and managed a pain-filled smile. She trembled in relief and leaned into him, ignoring her sore muscles and the fire that breathed through her.

"I thought I was going to lose you," she whispered, clutching him to her. She kissed him gently, tasting the coppery flavor of his blood as it mixed with hers.

"I'll never leave you again, Buffy," he promised, wrapping his tired arms around her.

The Slayer and her lover stayed like that for a long time, so engrossed in each other that they didn't hear the cries of the people in the cage. Finally, the fog in their brains cleared and they realized they weren't done.

Buffy helped Angel up and hobbled over to the cage. Using the last of her strength, she kicked the door open, freeing the two men, three women, and five children inside.

"Thank you," they gushed, supporting Buffy and Angel as they walked out of the dreadful place. Angel directed them to his car.

"I can take a few of you back to my office and the rest can take a cab," he said as he slid into the black convertible and opened the door for Buffy. She immediately began searching for something to stop the bleeding of Angel's arm with, and when she could find nothing she took off her shirt and wrapped it tightly around his wound.

"Hush," she scolded lightly when he tried to protest. "I didn't like it anyway. Now drive, I'm feeling incredibly naked."

Angel smiled despite his state and handed the ones who were getting a cab his business card. He waited until they had hailed one before pulling out into traffic, trying to stay awake long enough to get them home safely.

"My God!" Cordelia cried as they stumbled into the office. "What the hell happened to you two?"

"Twelve Ochruis demons," Buffy said as she sank down into the couch cushions. Angel plopped down next to her as Cordelia rushed to get the first aid kit, pushing through the reunion that was taking place in the middle of the office. She returned in a few second, tossing Buffy a blanket in the process.

"Uh, Buffy? Where'd your shirt go?" she asked, eying the Slayer. Buffy pointed to Angel's arm and Cordelia nodded. "Oh, I thought maybe you two had stopped for a quickie beforehand or something."

Buffy shot her a look as Cordelia began tending for both of them. The man who had asked for their help in the first place--Matt, his name was--came up to them as Cordelia applied antiseptic to the cut on Buffy's forehead.

"How can we ever thank you?" he asked. Angel was about to speak when Cordelia cut in.

"We'll send you a bill," she said sweetly. "Just leave your address with us and we'll be in touch in the next day or so." Buffy looked at her friend strangely before shrugging.

"I owe you my life," he said, focusing on Buffy and Angel.

"But we didn't save you," Buffy pointed out. Matt shook his head.

"You saved my family. They're my life," he told her softly. Buffy smiled and leaned against Angel.

"You're welcome," she said warmly, Angel echoing her statement. "Merry Christmas."

"Same to you! There should be more people in the world like the two of you," he said as he ushered his family out. They all shouted their thanks and holiday wishes as they walked out, leaving the office silent.

"Okay, I don't think you need to go to the hospital, Angel, it seems to be closing up already," Cordelia announced as she stood and threw the wrappers and Buffy's bloody shirt out.

"The perks of supernatural healing," he said grimly. Buffy sighed, rubbing her temples.

"You have anything for my headache?" she asked. "Preferably something that will knock me out..."

Cordelia laughed as she retrieved the bottle of aspirin from Angel's office. She handed them to Buffy, along with a glass of water. She swallowed two down and took a long greedy gulp of water before setting the glass down.

"I think I'm just gonna go sleep until tomorrow," Buffy moaned as she stood and helped Angel up. He was unusually quiet, but she didn't comment on it.

"Well, I have an audition in a half hour for a part on a soap opera," Cordelia said.

"Good luck, Cor! Knock 'em dead," Buffy smiled.

"Oh, I'm planning on it. I'll come check up on you guys later, okay?"

Angel shook his head. "We'll be sleeping. Just take the rest of the day and night off, go to your audition and do whatever you want," he told her. She kissed both him and Buffy on the cheek before grabbing her purse and her script and leaving. Angel offered Buffy his good arm, which she greatly took, and led her downstairs into his apartment. They changed, Angel into sweatpants and Buffy into one of his shirts and a pair of his boxers, and, regardless of the fact that it was only four in the afternoon, crawled under the covers, cuddling together and instantly falling asleep after a hard day of slaying.

Twenty-four hours later, Buffy and Angel were refreshed. They stood in the underground entrance to the otherworld, ready for their meeting with the Oracles. Cordelia was there as well, ready to perform the small ritual whenever they were ready.

Buffy turned to look up at Angel. "I don't know if I can do this..."

"Shh," he said, smoothing her hair out with his hand. "Everything will work out."

"Angel, if they take back your humanity, I don't know what I'll do," she whispered, pressing her forehead into his chest. He wrapped his arms around her body and pulled her close to him.

"They won't," he said softly. "They saw how much better we work together, how happy we are when we're together. The Powers will know, and they'll make this permanent."

"You guys ready?" Cordelia asked, striking a match against the marble. She threw it into the bowl and chanted a few words before they could answer. A bright light appeared, and they stepped through it without looking back.

Again Buffy and Angel found themselves in the great hall of the Oracles. They were alone for the time being and Buffy clutched the bag she held on to, feeling small and insignificant in the cavernous room. Angel slipped an arm around her shoulders and softly dropped a kiss on her hair, closing his eyes and breathing in deeply. She smiled up at him.

"No matter what," she echoed from the day before.

Angel nodded. "No matter what."

"What have you brought us?" the male Oracle asked as they materialized in the room. Buffy started slightly.

"A rare Roman chalice," Angel said as he removed it from the bag. He tossed it to the Oracles, who caught it and examined it together.

"Wonderful," the female Oracle said gleefully. "Now I suppose you want your answers."

Buffy and Angel exchanged one last glance, filled with all the love and pain and longing they felt. Buffy closed her eyes and took a deep breath, memorizing the feel of Angel's strong hold on her shoulders and the peace she felt in her soul. When she opened them, she nodded.

"We have showed The Powers That Be all that has transpired since the day you first saw her, Angel," the Oracle stated. "We showed them the joy and pain of your relationship, the sacrifice you made when he was sent to hell, the confusion you both experienced when he returned, the helplessness of last Christmas, the heartbreak of your breakup. The joy of your day together. And finally, we told them of what happened yesterday, how although you were human you defeated twelve extremely powerful demons and how Buffy saved your life.

"They reviewed all this and came to a decision." The Oracle paused, watching the anxiety that was clear on both faces. She smiled in reassurance. "They have decided to allow you to continue on like this, Angel, a human with vampiric strength and healing powers. You are both much too valuable to our cause to let heartbreak be the death of you."

As soon as the words escaped her mouth, Buffy began sobbing in relief. She buried her head in Angel's chest and cried tears of pure joy as her deepest fantasies came true in a matter of moments. Angel whispered nonsense in her ear, calming her down while tears formed in his own eyes. The Powers had felt he was worthy of her love, something that made his soul sing.

He was finally worthy.

"Thank you," Buffy whispered, her voice muffled in Angel's chest. She wiped her eyes and gave the Oracles a watery smile. "I'm not usually this emotional."

They exchanged glances and smiled back at her. "Now go, my Warriors. Do your duty, serve those who cannot help themselves," the female Oracle said. "Never lose sight of who you are and what you stand for."

"Your humanity is not a free ticket to the rest of your life," the male Oracle warned.

"So it's not a 'Get out of jail free' type thing?" Buffy asked. He nodded.

"You must continue to fight, to protect those who cannot protect themselves," he reiterated. "But now you can do it together."

"Thank The Powers for us, will you?" Angel asked as he pulled Buffy gently with him to the portal. The Oracles nodded.

"You are welcome, my young lovers. Be happy," the female said. With a smile, they were gone.

She turned to look at her other half.

"We did good."

"That we did," he agreed, staring after the Slayer and her lover. "That we did..."

"Ooh, do we have any more of those cookies I made yesterday?" Buffy called from her seat on the floor. "Or did you eat them all..."

"Got 'em," Angel replied from the kitchen. He returned swiftly, carrying a package of strawberries and the cookies Buffy had made. He set them down gently and let Buffy sort through it while he turned the lights of the Christmas tree they had decorated on and lit the dozens of candles he had placed around the room. It was Christmas Eve and Buffy's father had gotten tied up with last minute business. He was flying home on Christmas morning, so Buffy got to spend Christmas Eve with her newly human boyfriend.

Angel lit the final candle and blew out the match, turning the special radio he had on low. There were no advertisements, just music. He joined Buffy on the living room floor, lying down on the red satin coverlet they had placed in from of his electrical fireplace. He turned it on and set it to the lowest heat, wanting it more for atmosphere than warmth.

Buffy snuggled up to him, feeding him a strawberry as she kissed him. The song playing softly throughout the room caught her attention, and she smiled when she realized it was the one she had been hearing for the past few days.

"There were moments of gold,
and there were flashes of light.
There were things we'd never do again,
but then they'd always seem right.
There were nights of endless pleasure.
It was more than all your laws allow.
Baby, baby, baby.

"When you touch me like this
And when you hold me like that.
It was gone with the wind,
But it's all coming back to me.
When you see me like this,
and when I see you like that.
Then we see what we want to see.
All coming back to me.
The flesh and the fantasies
All coming back to me.
I can barely recall,
but it's all coming back to me now."

"This song helped me remember," she told Angel, looking down at him. His head lay in her lap, his face illuminated by the fire. He looked so mysterious, dark and handsome like the stranger she had fallen instantly in love with. He smiled up at her and kissed her bare calf.

"I'm glad you did," he said.

"I'm sorry you had to carry that for so long," she whispered, leaning down to brush her lips against his forehead.

"It all worked out in the end," he said softly, suddenly sitting up and reaching for the coffee table. "Speaking of working out, here's your gift." He handed her a small box, wrapped in silver paper and tied with a blue bow. She grinned at him and pulled his presents out from under the couch. He eyed them. "You first."

Buffy obliged, ripping into the paper eagerly. She took the lid off and gasped when she saw the contents of it. The Claddaugh ring Angel had given to her on her seventeenth birthday, the one that had technically married them, sat in a sea of cotton. She removed it with trembling fingers, grasping the cool metal as she turned it over in her hands in wonder.

"Look on the inside of the band," Angel urged. She did, turning it to the fireplace so she could see the inscription. "No matter what, I love you always," she read aloud. Looking up at Angel with tears in her eyes, she smiled and handed him the ring. "Will you put it on me?"

Angel nodded and slipped it on her finger, loving how right it felt. Someday he would slip a real wedding band on her finger and become her lawful wedded husband, but for now the symbol of their love was enough. He murmured something in Gaelic as he leaned over and placed a gently kiss on the ring.

"What did you just say?" she asked, holding her hand up to the light. The silver glittered in the candlelight, reflecting the dozens of candles round the room.

"With this ring, I thee wed," he whispered, tugging her hand up to his mouth to kiss it softly. She wiped away the tears that had formed and was about to put down the box when Angel stopped her. "No, there's more."

Curious, Buffy picked through the cotton to find an antique gold locket. She pulled it out by the chain, watching it dangle and dance with the fire. On the front was inscribed 'Buffy and Angel' and there was a diamond heart in the middle of it.

"I didn't put any pictures in because I thought you'd want to," Angel told her. She smiled at him and leaned over to kiss him deeply.

"Thank you," she murmured, nuzzling his cheek with her own. "They're both perfect." She carefully set aside the necklace and focused her attention on Angel. "Your turn."

He chose to open the larger present first. It was actually two things wrapped as one and he was surprised to see this. First was a beautiful framed picture of the two of them. Actually, it was several pictures made into one collage. Cordelia had taken them two days before when the three of them had gone out for the day, to the beach and shopping and the boardwalk. Buffy and Angel were goofing off in one, kissing in another, touching foreheads in a small one and smiling broadly in the corner. He stared at it for a long time, the memories of that day rushing back to him.

The second item was a beautiful journal with a picture of a sunrise on the cover. On the first page, Buffy had written a few words for him and he read them silently.

My love,
I know how much you love to write your poetry or just your thoughts down. This sunrise is a symbol for the dawn of our new relationship as equals on every front. I will spend eternity with you and love every moment of it.
Yours forever,
Buffy

Angel looked up at her joyfully. Leaning over, he gave her a sweet kiss on the lips. "Thank you," he breathed, reaching for the third package. Tearing off the paper and the top of the box, he was surprised to see a matching Claddaugh ring sitting in it.

"Guess we think alike," she laughed as he took it out. "I wanted you to have one that was from me only."

Angel handed it to her and she repeated what he had done to her, minus the words in Gaelic. Angel set his presents aside too and got up to throw the paper in the garbage, taking the food back into the kitchen. He returned a moment later to find Buffy stretched out on the blanket, looking relaxed as could be and wearing nothing but a sexy grin.

He quickly shed his own clothing and joined her on the blanket. They shared a long, tender kiss before Buffy spoke.

"Come to my father's for Christmas tomorrow," she said softly, pulling him on top of her.

"Are you sure I won't be imposing?" he asked. She nodded.

"Cordy's coming and my dad's housekeeper is gonna come cook for us," she said, kissing the tip of his nose. "I really want you there."

"Anything for you, my love," he whispered as he kissed the scar on her throat.

"If you forgive me all this.
If I forgive you all that.
We forgive and forget,
And it's all coming back to me.
When you see me like this
And when I see you like that,
We see just what we want to see
All coming back to me.
The flesh and the fantasies
All coming back to me.
I can barely recall, but it's all coming
back to me now.

"I love you, Angel," she whispered, arching off the coverlet. Angel covered her mouth with his.

"And I love you."

"This is the best Christmas ever," she said. "I guess miracles really do happen."

"Only to people who deserve them."

And with those words, both promptly forgot how to speak as they became lost in each other.

On to: Ringing In The New Year