Read if you dare.., have tissues on hand for the ending. The Buffyverse belongs to the WB, Joss Wheadon and the Mutant Enemy.. Not me.. though you have no idea how much I want it to!!
Angel lay crumpled on the floor as Buffy fought the newest Master Vampire's lap werewolf. It had transformed into a vicious half-human/half-wolf thing, kicking one of Buffy's legs out from under her and sending a fist into her face. She went skidding until she hit Angel, waking him. Their hands joined as they helped each other up.
Together, the werewolf had no chance. The werewolf creature lay unmoving on the floor, more creatures stepped out of the dark. With a single look, the two settled on a plan. Staying side by side, they slowly fought their way toward the door. The closer the two got, the bigger a smile grew on Buffy's face. Flanking the door were two torches. Luminated by the light were piles upon piles of paper. It occurred to Buffy why this factory looked familiar. The old paper factory.
Life was good.
Buffy gestured from the torches to the paper with her eyes. When Angel glanced in that direction, he gave her one of his best half-smiles. With a renewed strength, the Vampire and the Slayer fought tooth and nail, finally making it to the door. Angel kicked the torch by him and tried to pull Buffy outside with him when realization settled over her. The fire wouldn't spread fast enough. The Master Vampire would be long gone before the flames got close. Someone had to take the fire to her. Angel was out of the question. Vampiric flesh burned quicker than humans. She would have a better chance of getting out than he did. He was still trying to pull her out of the flaming building. She yanked hard on his hand, pulling him to her. Her lips met his in a hurried caress then she pushed him out the door.
Instantly, Angel tried to rush back in but a burning pile of something fell across the door, blocking his entrance. His yell of anger and fear rang across the burning entrance as Buffy grabbed the other torch and started running toward the Master.
Angel stood outside the burning building, hoping for a break in the flames to get in and help her with whatever plan she had in mind. Each second seemed to stretch out for infinity.
What was she doing in there?
With a shuddering crack, the ceiling started caving in. Angel went frantic, pressing as close to the flames as possible, feeling the waves of heat crashing against him. Only one thought existed in his mind, to save the only thing that ever mattered to him.
"Buffy!!!!!!!"
Inside, the screams of demons met his in a strange counterpoint. There was a moment where the only sound was the cracking of flames then another scream punctuated the night. Angel stepped back to jump into the building after hearing Buffy scream, when something came flying out of the burning building and crashed into him.
"Angel," the figure said breathlessly.
Angel sighed as he wiped some of the soot off Buffy's face. "Are you all right?"
"I think so."
"The Master?"
"She's dead."
Angel simply held her close to him for a moment.
"Angel, we have to get out of here. I've been accused of one case of arson, I don't need another."
Angel got up and helped the Slayer onto shaky feet. Together they fled the sounds of approaching sirens.
Quickly they made it back to the mansion. Buffy stood next to the glass doors as Angel shut them, then pulled the curtains closed. As Angel turned, he came face to face with the love of his life. His fingers lightly grazed her arm, Gazing into her eyes, he tried to steal the secrets that lie within.
Slowly, his fingers danced up her arm, resting on her shoulder, pulling her close. His lips met hers softly, giving her warning before deepening the kiss. Making her feel the fear and worry he had felt while she was in the burning factory. One of Buffy's arms went around his waist, the other going around his shoulders, pulling her closer into the circle of his arms. "We can't do this," she whispered against his lips.
"I know," he whispered back and kissed her again. "I almost lost you again," he said suddenly, his voice hoarse. "I can't take much more of this."
"It's only going to get worse," she whispered back, passion and sadness unveiling itself in her voice.
"Better make the best of it," he replied as led to the bed.
They both took comfort in each other. Their second night together was as perfect as the first.
Later, Buffy's head lay pillowed on his shoulder. His arms lay protectively around her waist, fingers splayed across her stomach. Angel woke with a languid feeling settled on his entire body. A nagging feeling in the pit of his stomach was growing. The demon was taking over, expelling the soul. This time, angel's rush out of bed awoke Buffy.
Angel?" She called as he made a mad rush to get clothing on.
"Buffy...," he gasped. Instantly, she was at his side, holding him as he collapsed.
"Please don't leave me," she whispered, tears in her voie.
"Don't let me...," he started before his eyes fell shut.
Buffy quickly rushed, throwing clothing on and headed for the phone to call Will and have her start on the spell of Restoration. She heard a slight moan and was at his side again. As soon as she laid a hand on his shoulder, his hands came up and clenched her neck. Instinct took over. Her hands grasped his, pulling away his thumbs, loosening his hold. Once his hands slipped free from her neck, she backpedaled, searching for the stake she had seen a few minutes ago. As Angel flowed up, he stalked toward her. She kept scooting back till her back hit the fireplace mantle and the stake fairly fell into her grasp. Angel.. Angelus reached for her shoulder, trying to gently pull her toward him, trying to get to her neck. She flew into action. The stake first being stashed in the small of her back. His hands went flying from her shoulders.
He went flying after a foot compacted his stomach. As soon as he hit the floor, he was changing directions and lunging back at her. Angelus hit her at the shoulders. She fell hard on the mantle, he fell gracefully onto his feet. Buffy tried to shake off the numbness that set in when her back hit the cold stone. Angelus stalked over and roughly grasped her by the shoulders.
"No," she whispered softly, "You can't do this. Please."
Angelus threw her on the ground. "Then come on, Lover. I want up to work up an appetite."
Buffy lay where he threw her, still gasping from the pain in her back.
"Come on, Lover." Angelus said again, coming toward her.
He came closer and Buffy shakily stood, pulling the stake from her back, she kept it hidden till he got closer. In a fluid move, she swung the stake from its hiding place to his heart. Incredusly, he stared down at the stake protruding from his chest. "Oh, **Shampoo**," he whispered as he exploded into dust. Buffy stared as his body collapsed. Her arm was still extended, her stake still in position.
He was gone, for good. She had promised everyone that he wouldn't hurt them again. He couldn't now. Tears tracked down her face. The rest of her life, however short, stretched out in front of her. How could she live without Angel? He had always been there, on the edge of the shadows, appearing from nowhere to warn her of some evil or come flying in right when things looked the worse. As Willow had said, when Angel had gone evil the first time, she was the only thing he thought about. There would be no return from this. No sudden escape from pits of Hell. He was truly gone. As her body was rocked by shuddering sobs, she turned the stake in her grasp, then brought the pointed piece of wood into her own heart. She fell to the floor instantly. A film covered her eyes. The mansion where she had lost and rediscovered Angel twice looked like it was under water. She gasped for air.
"Angel. I'm sorry." Her eyes slid shut and her last breath sagged out.
The next day, Willow, Xander and Giles were frantic. Joyce spread the word that Buffy hadn't come home. Once the news told of a burned down factory, they all feared Buffy had gone down with it. On a desperate try to dispel the thoughts of her best friend's death, Willow started calling the mansion where Angel was staying. No one answered.
Willow and Xander followed the path Xander had taken the day he had come, waiting to help Buffy battle Angelus, Spike and Drusilla. the door to the part of the mansion where Angel spent most of his time was shut, but opened under Willow's hand. Xander paused as Willow entered the mansion. He heard Willow scream and ran in. Buffy lay on a dusty floor, her stake still in her chest. Willow sat beside her fallen friend, holding her hand, crying her eyes out. He collapsed next to her, putting an arm around her waist and pulling her close to him.
"Shush. Everything will work out, somehow. I swear," Xander said as Will laid her head on his shoulder, tears continuing to track down her wet cheeks.
