A Love That Won't Die
By Ivory (with help from Becca)
Disclaimer: All characters BTVS-related belong to Joss. Enough said.
Author's Notes: This story breaks away from the whole series (i.e. Stefanie-related fanfics) I was writing and is instead my own continuation of the recent two parter, Surprise and Innocence. My own answer as to how Angel gets his soul back. Hope you enjoy!
Prologue
Every night in my dreams
I see you
I feel you
That is how I know you go on...
--My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion
It was well into the evening hours when Buffy finished putting in place what would
protect her during the night. She wearily hung up a string of garlic over her window,
then moved to sprinkle holy water across the sill just in case. Anything that would
alert Buffy that her former boyfriend-turned-enemy was trying to enter.
It still hurt her to think of Angel as such a threat. Prior to when the curse that had made him good had been lifted, he wouldn't have even considered harming her in the slightest. But, little by little, as the days passed, she was getting over him. And soon, the time would come when Buffy would have to kill the man she had once loved dearly.
She stepped away from the window with a sigh, going to her bed and sitting down, a few stray tears running down her face. After a moment, Buffy slid under the covers, her eyes remaining on the window until sleep caught her.
The dream started off like most dreams do: white light, a sense of peace. What followed next was the series of sweet images. Buffy vividly remembered how he had said he loved her, how he had made love to her so tenderly. But, how could something so poignant cause so much pain, Buffy wondered.
The scene changed then, and Buffy found herself entering the alley where she and her beloved had first met. She was aware that she was dressed in a long white gown that was vaguely familiar to her. Slowly, she moved towards one wall, pressing her hand to the cool bricks. And, without warning, she began to sob, flooded by memories.
(Angel hugging her after one of her nightmares, assuring her that he was alright and that he would never leave her.)
(His evil persona, Angelus, mocking her with the statement that the worst thing he had done was pretending to love her.)
Hard to believe that these two were in essence the same person, Buffy mused. One gentle and so totally devoted, the other harsh and utterly cruel.
"Why?" Buffy whispered to the unforgiving night. "Once more, why did I have to lose him like this?"
When there was no answer forthcoming, Buffy bowed her head and began to cry. What stopped her was the warm hand that curled around her shoulder. And, somehow, without even looking up, she knew who it was, who it had to be.
"I would give anything to take this hurt away," he whispered in that deep voice of his. Her Angel, the one she loved. There was no mistaking it.
Buffy reached for his hand, bringing it to her face. She closed her eyes and sighed at the feel of him. Her heart seemed as if it might burst with all the pent-up emotion she felt at this moment. "Oh, God, Angel, I miss you so much!" she managed to get out. After a slight pause, she added, "Tell me how I'm supposed to survive without you... There are times when it gets so bad, I wouldn't mind dying myself."
She felt Angel stiffen at her words. His hands were at her shoulders in an instant, turning her towards him. "Don't," he said firmly. "You're too precious for that, Buffy." He paused, then pulled her to him in a tight embrace, casting a glance around the alley. "Right here was where I gave you that first cryptic message. And, right now, I have another for you."
Buffy pulled back, willing herself to look up into his dark brown eyes. "What is it?" she asked softly.
Angel smiled at her. "Don't give up on us, Buffy... Something's already in motion that will bring me back to you. Look for an unexpected ally in the next few days, someone who wants the same thing you do." With that, Angel stepped forward to give her a quick kiss, then began to walk away, like he had that first night spent here.
"I love you," he offered as a parting remark. "Hold on to that, Buffy... And don't be afraid to trust the one who'll offer to help you." Angel blew her a kiss, then disappeared into the night. And, for the first time since her boyfriend had turned on her, Buffy felt a tidal wave of hope come flooding in...