Sunny Days Are Forever

By JennyD

Disclaimer: All characters property of Joss Whedon andWB w/ the exception of Duncan Mcleod ( who belongs tothe guys who thought up Highlander).

Author's notes: The story is my take on the ending ofthe B/A crossover. Do send me feedback at moriah_100@yahoo.com

Part One

Can you go back in time
to a place in your mind
To the one who knew
A part of you
That you just couldn't find

A kiss in the sunlight. Ice cream and laughter. A stroll along the beach. Tears and promises. A collage of dreams which invaded her sleep for months had driven her to Ireland. Buffy Summers never took dreams lightly. The vampire slayer knew her dreams were more often than not, portents of the future. For some reason though, the ones that had haunted her the past months seemed more like memories and Buffy wanted to know why.

The answer lay with one man. Or rather with one vampire. Buffy knew Angel would give her the answers she needed. She hated disturbing him. He had his own life now, as did she. But Buffy knew she would never have peace until she knew why these dreams continued to haunt her.

A phone call to Cordelia had given her Angel's whereabouts. Cordy's boss had been in Ireland for a
month. As per schedule, Angel was attending a posh dinner for the visiting UN Secretary General that evening. Rupert Giles, her ex-Watcher had been invited by some old friends to the same event and had brought Willow and Xander along for company. The thought that the Slayerretes were there cheered her somewhat. At least she was not alone. They had gone on to the party ahead of her. Buffy had left the hotel much later, hesitant at the thought of seeing Angel again. Now she was here, amid strangers in a land which seemed so alive even at night.

She was an extraordinary woman and nothing could ever make Buffy Summers look common. Her shining gold hair fell in a luxurious tumble over her shoulders and back, left unbound as it normally was, it framed a face of striking, flawless beauty. Her finely molded cheekbones were slightly high, her skin creamy and glowing with health, her lips, generous and soft. But her eyes were her most striking feature; beneath delicately winged eyebrows long, long curly lashes fringed hazel eyes…wonderfully expressive eyes that sparkled when she was happy or darkened when she was pensive

With natural grace, she started down to the ballroom, where couples were dancing, but most seemed to be clustered about in groups, talking and laughing. A few steps to the bottom she paused momentarily to scan the guests, wondering where her friends had gathered. She saw them only a few yards away, and when Willow lifted her hand in a beckoning wave, Buffy nodded and smiled.

The smile still on her lips, she started to look away, then froze as her gaze locked with a pair of startled dark eyes. Standing with a group of men near the foot of the staircase, Angel was staring at her, his wineglass arrested halfway to his lips. His bold gaze swept from the top of her shining blond hair, over her breast and hips, right down to her blue satin stiletto heels, then it lifted abruptly to her face and there was a smile of frank admiration gleaming in his eyes.

He was tall, more than six feet, with powerful shoulders and long muscular legs.. His piercing eyes were ebony black while his voice was richly textured and deep; the combination sent a peculiar warmth up her spine.

Separated by less than two feet physically, they looked at each other in silence.

"Buffy."

His soft voice broke the stillness .

Part Two

If you asked me to choose
Between a memory or two
When it's said and done
I'll take the one
Whose love I had to lose

They left the party together, needing a private moment to thresh things out. They drove along the countryside, both savoring the silence of the night. A half-hour later the slayer and the vampire stood in the middle of a meadow, under a canopy of stars.

He held her hand and watched her expression change from shock to dismay and then sadness as he told her the truth. Of his brief moment of humanity. Of their day in the sun. Of what seemed to be a love that could never be. And of the memories which only he was supposed to have.

She looked away, not wanting him to see her tears.

"It's not fair…" She said quietly, trying to understand and yet unable to see how the Fates could be so cruel.

"No, it isn't….nothing in life ever is," he agreed, knowing how much the truth was hurting her.

She walked a few steps away, wiped the tears from her eyes and then faced him.

"I wanted it to be real…I wanted it so much to be true and it really was…" she bit her lip in an effort to keep her composure.

"I wanted you to live. A new life would mean nothing if I didn't have you to share it with…" Angel spoke truthfully.

"So, is this goodbye?" she gave him a sad smile. He walked towards her.

Of its own accord, Buffy's hand lifted, his fingers closed around it, and suddenly she was hauled forward; arms like steel bands encircled her, and a warm searching mouth descended on hers. Parted lips, tender and insistent, stroked hers, molding and shaping them to fit his, and then the kiss deepened abruptly while his hands tightened on her back and shoulders, caring and possessive.

When he finally dragged his mouth from hers Angel kept his arms around her, and Buffy laid her cheek against his crisp white shirt, feeling his lips brush the hair atop her head.

"I don't want it to be…. but for now it has to be this way," he admitted sadly.

"Thank you…" she held his gaze, caressing his cheek with her right hand."For loving me…"

And then she turned and walked away.

Cause when she danced
I lost my innocence
I loved her then
I always will
She left ( you're still) with me
A burning memory
She took with her a part of me

If I could get back to where I've been
Feel the passion of the past
I'd be there right now
And yet somehow
It never comes again

Part Three

Time : Year 2004

Willow's phone call brought her back home. The plane ride from New York to Sunnydale had been relatively smooth, although truth to tell, this could not cure the turbulent thoughts going through her mind. She had taken a few days off from work for the job, and although only a rookie at the Federal Bureau of Investigation, her impressive performance made it easy for the top guns to grant her request.

It was the Big One, Willow warned. It had not been foretold in the Watcher's Diaries but the apocalypse had arrived -- a time when the very spawns of hell would roam the earth, and not even the slayer would be strong enough to stop them. Buffy needed help, and although she knew the slayerettes would not desert her…the odds against them were much greater then before.

She had enlisted the aid of good friend Duncan McLeod, an Immortal, to the mission. She had met Duncan in New York and had found in him a confidante and mentor. Their years of training had given her mastery over the sword and had enhanced her skills as a warrior. The relationship was purely platonic and for this Buffy was glad.

The reunion at the library was a brief, but joyous occasion. Giles,Willow and Xander were battle-ready, armed with crosses, spells, and stakes. Duncan knew the slayer's friends could be trusted to help out in whatever way they could. Buffy had already mapped out the game plan.

Unknown to the others, another Immortal was monitoring the slayerettes at the little library. Duncan sensed his presence immediately. Angel had kept out of sight, not wanting to distract Buffy from the mission at hand. But he had to be there. The danger to the slayer's life was very real.

"Another one has joined us…" Duncan announced, lifting his sword as he shifted to attack mode.

"I'm here to help.." Angel walked out of the shadows, his eyes on the slayer.

His face was one of unleashed sensuality and arrogant handsomeness with its sculpted mouth , striking eyes, and ruthless set of his jaw. Everything about him exuded brute strength and that in turn made her feel unable to reject his offer.

Buffy put up her hand to keep the Highlander at bay.

"He's a friend, Duncan…it's okay."

"I have to admit, it's nice having you around Dead Boy.." Xander chuckled, coming over to pat Angel on the back.

"That's true…" Giles added, " if what Willow says is true, we're up against really powerful forces and we need as much help as we can get."

Angel smiled at the rest of the group, but kept his attention focused on Buffy. She sighed and shook his hand.

"Thanks for coming."

Duncan watched the exchange between slayer and vampire and read the connection between the two immediately.

Got to get those two back together, he made a mental note to himself, realizing just what a bond the two former lovers had with each other.

Part Four

Through the fire, through the limit
Through the wall…
For a chance to be with you
I'd gladly risk it all….

The new portal to hell, located beneath the Sunnydale Cemetery had opened as soon as the Scooby Gang entered the grounds.

"Slayer…I've been waiting for you.."

The sound of Lothos' booming voice caught Buffy off-guard. The vampire king had been Buffy's first major enemy…one she thought she had disposed of after a battle with his henchmen in Los Angeles soon after she had learned of her fate as the Slayer.

But she realized that with Armaggedon only a few moments away, the forces of hell are pulling out all the big guns to make certain of their victory.

"Hello, Lothos…thought you'd show…" Buffy replied coolly. The slayerettes positioned themselves behind her.

"Do you really think that you and your pathetic group could stop the inevitable..?" Lothos sneered, venomous hatred dripping from his lips. The vampire king stood at the very center of the graveyard, just a few feet away from the slayer. " Tonight our master walks the earth…and none of you can do anything about it!" he added, his voice echoing through the evening mist. At a snap of his fingers, a horde of vampires encircled the small group.

"Don't be too sure…" Duncan appeared behind Lothos, walking towards him, his sword unsheathed and glinting in the moonlight.

"McLeod…" Lothos recognized the immortal immediately.

"Yeah, we've beaten the odds before you know…" Angel said softly, showing up on the other side of graveyard, his black duster making him look like a dark, avenging angel.

"My, my, even Angelus sides with the slayer…" Lothos was impressed. That Angelus, the scourge of Europe, the most brutal of the undead would defend the girl surprised him.

"Enough talk now…let's just fight okay?" Buffy said as she loaded an arrow into her crossbow and took aim at the vampire king.

"Wrong! Now, The Evil One rises!!!" Lothos screamed with glee as the earth beneath them trembled.

The vampires began to attack the slayerettes but the Scooby Gang were able to hold off well on their own.

Lothos started towards Buffy but was blocked by Duncan. The Highlander raised his sword to strike the vamp king but was shoved aside by an invisible energy emitting from the vamp's outstretched arms. Angel tackled Lothos from behind, forcing the vamp king to the ground.

"Now Buffy!" The slayer's arrow found its mark.

"You may have taken me, but you will never defeat him!" the vamp king croaked a final chuckle as he pointed above them.

"He will destroy you all!" Lothos screamed, before exploding to dust.

Buffy and the Scooby gang looked upwards and were speechless. A giant dragonlike monster had risen from the ground and was headed for the slayer.

Buffy shot at the creature with her arrows, but none could penetrate its skin. Duncan threw her his sword but this too had no effect. Angel blocked the monster's path . Morphing to his vampire persona, Angel signalled for Buffy and the others to stay out of the way.

Strong as he was, Angel was no match for the giant creature. The monster swatted the vampire aside, its claws slashing across Angel's chest. He slumped to the ground, lifeless.

"No!!!!" Buffy screamed, running over to Angel. She knelt down and cradled him in her arms "Don't you dare die on me now…Angel…" she whispered, tears streaming down her face.

The creature was getting ready to attack again. Duncan scream a warning to the slayer.

"Buffy, the creature's pure evil. Only love can defeat it. Use your love for Angel !"

Duncan turned to the slayerettes. "Focus your thoughts on them…" he shouted. "Let all the love you have in your heart….flow to Buffy and Angel!!! Now!!!"

Buffy ticked a glance at the monster then with a determined look at her beloved, closed her eyes and let the love in her heart glow from within.

The slayerettes looked at each other , nodded and formed a semi-circle, hands linked to each other. Willow reached out to Duncan, who gave her his hand. They focused all their energies on the two lovers.

The slayer felt the power sing within her soul. She opened her eyes for a brief moment and looked at Angel who had regained consciousness. He looked at his beloved and nodded in understanding. The slayer and the vampire got to their feet and held each others hand. The power continued to grow within them until manifested itself in the form of a sword.

Buffy and Angel took hold of the sword and threw it straight at the creatures; heart. The monster shrieked in horrific pain and was gone in a flash of light.

It was over. They had won.

Part Five

Through the fire
Through whatever come what may
For a chance of loving you
I'll throw it all away

Right down through the wire
Even through the fire…

The next day dawned clear and fine with birds siging outside in the trees and sun shining gaily in an azure sky. Unfortunately, it was one of those days when solutions to old problems did not automaticaly present themselves and as she walked over to her car, Buffy had still not resolved her dilemma: she could not remain here now that her task was accomplished.

The world was saved again. But seeing Angel brought back to many emotions she thought were long gone. Knowing they could never be more than friends, she knew those feelings were dangerous. Giving herself a mental shake for being so sentimental, Buffy drove across the countryside to get a breath of fresh air.

He had left her so suddenly right after last night's battle that they had not had the proper goodbye. But she surmised, it was just as well. Less tears, less pain for all.

She had reached her favorite hill. She walked barefoot on the grass, trying to savor the precious few moments she had in Sunnydale, then choose a grassy spot and sat down to rest, not knowing a miracle had happened that would change her life forever.

The battle had turned Angel into a human being for good. The oracles had foreseen this event…the battle with Evil would give the souled vampire his humanity permanently. The transformation only became evident the next day. Angel had run out of his old mansion looking for Buffy but learned she had gone off somewhere. He had informed Willow and the other slayerettes of the change and had gotten confirmation
from Duncan that it was real.

Now to tell Buffy…

Part Six

He was partway there when he saw her off to the left, sitting on the hillside amid the bluebells, her amrs wrapped around her knees, her forehead restng atop them. Even wth her hair shining like newly-minted gold in the sun, she looked a picture of heartbreaking dejection. He started down the hll toward her.

"Buffy…"

Buffy started violently at the sound of his voice. Snapping her head up, she stared off to the left, keeping her tear-streaked face averted from him.

"Want to talk about it?" Angel suggested wryly, leaning slightly forward, trying to see her face. He thought he saw a morose smile touch her lips.

A teary chuckle escaped her, and she drew a shaky breath but still refused to look at him as she said, "It's too hard."

She gazed straight ahead, her eyes focused on the surrounding hills splashed with bluebells and hawthorn., " It's too painful," she admitted, then did a doubletake as she realized he was actually there with her in the sunlight.

"But how…?" as her lips widened into a smile, realizing that the miracle she dreamed of has become a reality.

He pulled her up onto her feet and embraced her fiercely. He held her closely as he explained what had happened.

He had found something he treasured beyond all bounds; he had found Buffy, and loving her made him more vulnerable than he'd been since he regained his soul. But now, things were different. No longer would they have to live with the threat of Buffy's death as the result of his being human. There were no trade-offs this time. They could start over. If only she would take him back.

With a raw ache in his voice he said, "I'm sorry for everythingI 've done. I've pushed you away when you needed me most. I love you , more than life itself"

She wrapped her arms around him and wept brokenly as he said, "Marry me."

For once, the slayer was tongue-tied, the happiness inside her bubbling like a stream. "Yes! Oh yes!"

He cupped the back of her head, crumpling the silk of her hair, holding her face pressed to his chest, imagining the nights he'd made her weep like this, despising himself with a virulence that was almost past bearing. But he vowed, he would make everything alright.

Part Seven

Time : 6 years later ….

Standing on the terrace near the balustrade, Angel gazed out at the immaculate gardens of their California home, where Buffy and their three-year-old daughter Anne, were kneeling among the geraniums, examining the vivid blooms. Their heads were so close together that it was impossible to distinguish where Buffy's bright golden hair stopped and Anne's began. Something Buffy said made Anne laugh and Angel's eyes crinkled with a smile at the joyous sound.

"Dad, what do you think heaven will be like?" six-year old Gabriel looked up at his father, knowing his answer would not disappoint him.

"I have an idea but it's only my opinion," Angel explained to his puzzled son. Crouching down, he put his arm around the little boy's shoulders and gestured toward the garden. As Buffy and Anne sensed they were being observed, they both looked up at the terrace, and then they smiled and waved--two green-eyed girls with golden hair and love shining in their eyes.

"I believe," Angel solemnly confided to his son, "that is almost heaven, right there."

"There are no angels," Gabriel noted.

"I see two of them,: his father quitely replied, then he glanced at his son and corrected himself with a grin, "three of them."

The End