Title: Afterlife
Part title: Reunion

Author: GMB loves Angel

Spoilers: Iwry (as always), the last four eps of Angel season 2, the bachelor party, Hero, the gift... that's kinda it...

Rating: PG-13

Timeline: A few months after the gift...

Authors notes: This fic series will go between two worlds. Here's my version of what happened after the gift... I admitt it I'm completely hung up in Pylea... Iwry happened a season after than it did in the show...

Dedication: To Dawnie, for her wish for a new part... And to Sarah Mclachlan, because her CD, Fumbling Towards Extacy is playing in the background and it's very inspiring...

Buffy woke up, knowing it hadn't just been a dream. She found Doyle by the window. He was staring at the sun-up… Slowly more and more light filled the room, until it was bright as day.

- Why didn't you ask what you wanted to?

- I didn't have to ask to know that she's all right. I saw it myself when she was here. You needed an answer more than I did. I knew why you didn't ask. Family's more important. They should have let you got two.

- But they didn't. I don't get the oracles. What was so important that they could take her like that? And how am I gonna get her back? Are they gonna use an other portal? Who's taking care of her? Them? I doubt they know how to take care of a baby…

A tear sneaked out of the corner of her eye and slid down her cheek. Doyle got up and hugged her.

- Hey… The oracles may do stuff we don't like, but one thing they don't do, is lie. You will get her back. Don't forget that they've promised you this… Hold on to that promise… Come on… We can't just sit in here the whole time…

Buffy nodded, but kept crying. She couldn't help it. It was so good to be there. She didn't have to restrain her emotion, like she had to at home. Home was cold. There was lying. People, even her friends, restrained their emotions so that it was appropriate, but here there was no need. Doyle tried to make her feel better, but he never said "Don't cry" to her, because he knew that sometimes you just had to. Being out here for months, all alone, had taught him that. Sometimes, crying was the best emotion.

Doyle took her to town. She'd never been there before. He was right about the demons not liking humans, but luckily for her, she still had the slayer strength and if they tried anything, she would be able to defend herself. But she didn't have to. Their walk up to the castle was without problems of any kind. They reached the guards.

- Stop, what is your wish, coming here?

- We wish to speak with the Grusalugg…

- And what is the matter you wish to address?

- We are friends of the Princess.

- I will send for him.

The guard yelled for a messenger, told him the errand and send him to the Grusalugg. After a while the messenger came back with orders to let them in. The insides of the castle was beautiful. Kind of medieval style. They were lead up and down long corridors and in the end they weren't sure which way lead where, but in the end they were shown into huge throne room. A man sat on it, but got up, them minute he saw them. Buffy took a moment to study him. His body showed a strong warrior. He had muscles everywhere, but that wasn't what got her attention. It was the eyes. The eyes showed a contrast of his body. They were like a little boys eyes. He looked like a lost boy in the big, scary world.

- You know my princess?

- We know Cordelia all right. But we haven't seen her for a while, because we've been stuck here, Doyle answered. - We need your help.

- What for?

- We need to find our way back to the world. And we know that your are the one with the books. We need to open a portal.

- Of course. Any friend of the princess is a friend of mine. I'll get my servants to do it.

- Can I go with them, Doyle asked.

- All right.

Doyle left and Buffy was left alone with the Grusalugg.

- How do you know my princess?

- We went to school together some years ago. I don't know her so well anymore. I'm not looking for her, but someone else. I have a daughter and she was taken from me. She disappeared through a portal. I need to find her.

She stopped talking, just stood there. He didn't say anything either. She took time to appreciate the beauty in the building, when she heard a wail coming from behind. She turned around. There Cordelia stood, holding her baby. She knew it was her and behind her, she saw Angel. Tears started dwelling in her eyes. Soon all she could see was blur. She sunk to the floor, crying.

- No…