The Ever After Ending
By JennyD

Disclaimer: All characters belong to Joss Whedon and WB network. Song is "Dreams" from the Corrs.

Author's notes: A concert brings Buffy and Angel together. It's been a few years since they had last seen each other, and now, Buffy enjoys a successful career as the lead vocalist for Oz' band. She has relocated to LA. The Scooby Gang has found a cure for Angel's curse and with him now virtually human, the gang finds a way to reunite the two lovers. Do e-mail me at moriah_100@yahoo.com for feedback.

Buffy: I stepped out of the recording studio, relieved that finally the three hour taping session was over. Boy, Oz can be a slave driver at times, I thought to myself, shooting a glance at my best friend's boyfriend who waved goodbye as his red Camaro out of the parking lot at Sony Records. "Don't forget, rehearsal's at four tomorrow !" he yelled. "That gives us about three hours practice time before the concert!" I waved back, to show him I got the message. I got into my Honda and revved up the engine, still wondering how I ever got talked into making an appearance at the concert. Oz and I already agreed that I would only lend them my voice for the songs. I thought I made that clear enough. Oz can really be persuasive though, in his own, subtle way. I can see why Willow's still with him. He's that persistent. Kept saying the fans wanted it, the producers have been calling him day and night to make sure I was there. But of course, I set the rules. No spotlights directly on me. No autograph signing, no photoraphers and definitely no interviews. I was doing this as a favor , I had said, so please respect my decision to stay out of the limelight. Which he all did.

It all started accidentally of course. Oz had heard me singing some nursery songs with the kids the day he and Willow came to visit me at the center. Asked if I could stand in for one of the back-up vocalists. Sometimes, I still regret the day I agreed to do it. A showbiz career, even as a ghost singer, had never even entered my mind. My job at the children's center suited me just fine. It was uncomplicated, low-key, and it gave me a chance to work with kids . It's been two years since I graduated from college and since then, my life had been much quieter, almost normal, actually.

There were a few vamps who made an appearance every now and then, and some demons did do their best to take me out. What can I say? I guess that's one of the perks of being the Chosen One. You never lose your place in their hearts. That's what they want to get, by the way. My heart and my life, literally, of course. I wish I could hang a neon sign over me that says "This Slayer, Retired", but these creatures are way too dense. They'll never get it. And who am I kidding? I'll always be the Slayer. I'm just not actively seeking vampires anymore. It's a philosophy I've learned after all my years on the Hellmouth. You don't need to go after the vamps. You'll keep bumping into them eventually. I'm speaking from experience. Sure, new slayers make an appearance from time to time (after I died "technically speaking" at the hands of the Master during my early years as the Chosen One,the Watcher's Council has activated my supposed replacements, one after the other) but for some reason (poor Watcher training perhaps?), they all seem to die young. So here I am, still toting my bag of stakes, just in case.

The Scooby Gang has pretty much grown up. Xander has, (amazingly enough) been taken in by one of the biggest law firms in the state; Willow has her hands full with her job as a systems analyst at Caltech and Cordy, well…last I heard she was already a bit player in one of those daytime soaps. Oh I think she's still with that detective agency, but Cordy's been getting the breaks. Giles, the intellectual fellow that he is, has gone into teaching at Sunnydale College full time.

As for Oz… well, he's got a successful music career in L.A. Actually, Oz thinks I've had a lot to do with it, but I believe it's because in La La Land (if you're lucky), if you work hard enough and meet the right people, get the right connections…you can make it in the Biz. And boy has he made it. Magazine covers, concert tours, awards… the bands really beginning to take off. But for some idiotic reason, the guy thinks my ghost singing for some tracks in their first album was what did it. And that's why I'm here now. I've gotten pretty good at evading the press. Of course, some creativity was called for. Any public peformance usually meant spending some time in the dressing room putting on my Mask so to speak. Raven-tinted sunglasses , hair extensions, and the right make-up and was transformed into a totally different person. Summer was my alter-ego. The press called her the mystery girl behind Oz's music. They've tried practically every trick in the book to know who she is, but they never succeeded. Oz and I
made sure of that. Not even the guys at the recording studio have an inkling of her true identity. And that's just fine with me.

My private life, as I had often said, is mine alone. The Scooby Gang knows my secret of course, but I can trust them. I think it's really great that unlike other celebrities, I can still live a normal life. Buy groceries by myself. Take walks in the park. Still keep my day-job at the center. Even go on vacation without groupies running after me. That's one of my little blessings. Oz isn't as lucky.

Well, I'm finally home. Home is a two-story beachfront property in LA.. The one nice thing about being a celebrity is the financial rewards that go with it. I don't really care about the money. I'm just glad that I'm able to use whatever resources I have to help the
kids at the center, as well as my friends at the old folks home. The house was my gift to myself. Finally, my own little place in the world.

I climb up the staircase to my room and open the door. Boy, I just realized how exhausted I was. Good thing tomorrow's a Saturday. My rest day. As I plop into bed, I suddenly remember the concert. Oh well, I just have to get through that. Then I can have some time for myself.

I walk over to the sliding glass doors that open to a balcony overlooking the ocean. It's night time now and as has been my ritual, I say a silent prayer for Angel just before going to bed. Where are you now ? I wonder. We haven't seen each other for a while. Years was more like it. But I know he's here, in LA. I know there's a chance we'd bump into each other once again, but right now, I' m not sure how I would react if that ever happened. I hope he's okay.

Angel: Her songs haunted me. Almost as much as my memories of our past. I' had asked Oz about their mystery lead vocalist, and he'd been pretty vague, almost secretive about the whole thing. Gotta give the guy credit for trying. Buffy probably put him up
to it. She never did like getting that kind of attention. And she certainly did a great job of keeping her identity a secret. Specially since her songs have been receiving much airplay. She must've co-written some of them with Oz. Her songs moved me in a way I had never experienced before. Not just because she had a beautiful voice. The music reflects much of her pain and sadness. Emotions which I easily pick up whenever I hear her voice on the airwaves

No, Oz didn't have to tell me about Buffy. She could've worn the most foolproof disguise in the world and I still would've known it was her. That's how it's always been between. I could sense her a mile way…and I 'm guessing she could do just the same.

I knew I had broken her heart the day I left for LA. But she and I both knew we needed that break. I had to let her go for her own good. I had to let her fly, to try living a life without me. As the Slayer, she had to be strong. But I was her weakness….and that was something I had to remedy or she'll never survive. I don't think she'll ever know what it did to me.

I was alive but dead. Dead to everything. Dead to love. Sheer existence. That was all I had. My heart yearned to be with her. To touch her, tohold her. To tell her she was part of me. Part of my soul. I thought I would go mad. Purging LA of the demons and monsters were my catharsis. MY healing. But I never got over her. Not really.

Good thing, Doyle and Cordy were there for moral support. I don't think I could've lasted this long in the city of angels without them. Sometimes, I wish I could just share some of my angst over my destiny, but I hesitate, knowing this would be very unfruitful. LA's home for me …and now I just wish I had Buffy to share this life with me.

Oz had come over earlier this week to personally hand me three tickets for their latest gig at the Stadium tomorrow night. Buffy would be there, Oz promised…and would we want anything else? I accepted the gift, trying hard to contain the excitement that bubbled inside my soul. Was I ready to see her again? Only tomorrow will tell.

Oz: I'm glad to see the Scooby Gang all here. The stadium was jampacked just as we had expected it to be. Good thing we were able to save seats for the guys up front. Even Giles is here. Willow did a good job of contacting everyone to attend. Cordy, as expected, invited Angel to the concert. I realized only now that I should've told Buffy about him. It's been years since they last saw each other, and it looks like she's pretty much got her life back on track…but you never know. I only wish the two of them consider giving each other another chance. They belong together, possibly more than both would care to admit. Willow said as much. At first, I didn't believe her, but after having spent some time with both in the past years, I have to admit, my girl's still right on the money. They don't know it yet, but the slayerettes planned this reunion specially for them.

The crowd's calling for her. Only into our first set and they already want to hear her. Honestly, sometimes I think, nowadays, the only reason they keep coming to our gigs is because they're all hoping to catch a glimpse of the real Summer. I'm glad Buffy's
remained unaffected by all this celebrity crap. And it's probably this contradiction -- her staying away from the spotlight even when she's the hottest thing in the music scene --- is what the public so loves about her.

We're about to play their favorite. Really, it's only the intro but the people are already going wild. They know she's going to step out on that stage. Here we go. "Break a leg!" I said to her as she passed me to take the microphone. "Thanks!" she mouthed the response, as she positioned herself to the center and acknowledged the fans with a brief wave of the hand.

I ticked a glance at Angel to see how he is. I've never seen him look so absorbed in anything in his life. He drank in the sight of her, trying hard to see through the facade she's created for the audience. I cross my fingers and signal the band .

Show time!

Now here you go again
You say you want your freedom
Well who am I to keep you down
It's only right that you should play the way you feel it
But listen carefully to the sound
Of your loneliness
Like a heartbeat…drives you mad
In the stillness of remembering what you had
And what you lost…
And what you had…
And what you lost

Angel: She's so beautiful up there on that stage, like a goddess come to earth. And that song..I know what it means for her, for me. Could it be she could see me? I wish I could see her eyes. The mirrors of the soul, I always say. Then, I could see her heart each time I gazed into her eyes. Those eyes that had looked at me with love and understanding. Buffy, please look my way. I want so much to tell you…

Thunder only happens when it's raining
Players only love you when they're playing
Say…women…they will come and they will go
When the rain washes you clean you'll know

Buffy: He's here! I can't believe it. What do I do? What do I say? Angel. Why didn't you just stay away.

I've got to concentrate. The song, yes.. But there he is, looking at me with so much love. I can't ignore him. He's too close. Front row seats. Hmmm…Oz has got to be behind this. I shot him a look, but Oz just had this silly grin on his face. "Go on!" he whispers through the music.

Can I even dare hope that Angel still cares? Heart be still. Just breathe. That's all you have to do Buffy. Keep calm.

Uh-oh, he's going up on stage.

Now here I go again, I see, the crystal visions
I keep my visions to myself
It's only me
Who wants to weap around your dreams
And have you any dreams you'd like to sell
Dreams of loneliness
Like a heartbeat…drives you mad…
In the stillness of remembering what you had
And what you lost
And what you had…
And what you lost

Angel: Their bodyguards tried to keep me from going to her. I think Oz forgot to tell them about me. I shove them aside, and go on up. I could've just as easily broken their necks off like twigs if they stopped me. I've come to far to lose her again. I have to let her see.

Oz: He's beside her. The crowd's going wild! They obviously see the chemistry between those two. Now it's up to them both.

Thunder only happens when it's raining
Players only love you when they're playing
Say…women…they will come and they will go
When the rain washes you clean you'll know

He hands her a ring. Here goes nothin. I signal the band to stop playing.

Buffy: Angel

Angel : ( whispers) Buffy

Buffy: You sure about this?

Angel: ( Puts the claddagh ring on her finger) Hands for friendship, crown for loyalty and a heart for love. You remember…

Buffy: How? The curse…

Angel : Has been lifted. Willow…the gang…they did it.

Buffy looks at the crowd. They all wait expectantly.

Angel: Marry me. ( He holds her hands with his own and gently kisses them) I hold my breath. Will she accept?

Buffy: Oh Angel, you know there could never be answer but…Yes.

They kiss. The sweetest kiss ever. The crowd cheers. Oz gives a thumbs up to the Scooby Gang and the whole stadium reverbated with applause. For the star-crossed lovers who had found each other again. For a love that was immortal.

Buffy: ( Holds Angel's hand and faces the crowd. The audience falls silent) Thank you for all coming tonight. This is the last time you will ever see me onstage. I think you know why ( looks lovingly at Angel) why I have to say goodbye. But I thank you for giving us a place in your hearts. The music. I leave it with you. I will never forget you all!

Oz: She ends the song, the love and joy in her heart spilling over to the audience. Giles and Xander were patting each other on the back for a job well done. Cordy was all smiles, and so was Doyle who even now, looked quite taken with her. And my sweet Willow was crying…crying for happiness as she shared her best friend’s joy. I wish I could join her offstage but we had to finish the song. I blow her a kiss and she returns the gesture.

And so it ends. After years of pain and heartbreak, Buffy and Angel were together at last. I’m glad they finally found that happy ending. People, circumstances (and even producers –hint-hint) tried to separate them. But did they ever really think they could
succeed? They should’ve known better. Soul mates belong together. And nothing, not even death could part them. This is the true reality.

The End