//  A pair of star cross'd lovers, take their life  //
 

Cordelia broke down in tears and turned to the back of her, finding Willow, also sobbing loudly, for comfort.  The red head and the seer gripped each other as Angel's actions finally set in.  Xander looked at both of them and became curious about something.  He ventured forward to where Angel had been, searching the ground for any shimmering.

The rings.  Angel and Buffy's claddagh rings that Angel was holding onto weren't there.  Angel had taken them with him.

Angel opened his eyes and found himself staring at sunshine for the first time in a few years.  He was fascinated by the glow of the sun; welcoming and warm.  It beat down on his skin relentlessly.  He grinned.

He felt the grass underneath him.  Springy and soft, like silk.  His hand ruffled the blades of greass and they sprung back into place.  Angel looked down at what he was wearing.  A white shirt and a white pants.  He felt something in his hand.  Bringing it up for inspection, he saw that it was the chain with Buffy's claddagh attached.  he grinned and saw his own on his finger.

Finally, he took in his surroundings.  It was a beautiful, sunny day on a meadow.  With daisies and wild flowers growing.  Trees, Weeping Willows, hanging defensively over patches of grass.  The sound of running water wasn't far away, suggesting a river.  Or the faint crashing suggested a waterfall.

Some kind of paradise.. Or Heaven.. Have I?  Did I make it?  Am I forgiven?

He turned to the north, seeing something so beautiful walk over the hill in a white dress and sandals, her hair all around her in the breeze.

"Buffy.."

He quickly got up and ran to her.

"Of course," she smiled taking his hands.

"Of course what?" He asked puzzled

"Of course you made it.  Redemption.  It's yours Angel.. You made it.  You're forgiven," she grinned kissing him passionately.  Angel slid his hands round her waist and reveled in every second of her.

"I-I thought you were dead," he said between kisses.  She let out a hysterical laugh.

"I am dead Angel.  And you are too now.  And that means we have.. Oh.. The rest of forever to spend with each other?"

"Really?" He asked, not believing it as tears touched his eyelashes.  Buffy reached up and kissed them away.

"Yes really.  You won't get bored of me and go to some dead chick brothel will you?"

"Never, Buffy never," he smiled kissing her again.  "Oh, I have this to give you," he smiled, presenting her with the ring.  "It's a claddagh ring.  The hands represent friendship. The crown represents loyalty.  And the heart.. well you know.  You wear it with the heart pointing towards you it means you belong to somebody.  Like this," he teased showing her his ring.  She kissed his gently, once again.

"Cute Angel," she smiled as she slid the claddagh ring back on her finger the right way round.  "Very cute."

"I love you Buffy."

"Love you Angel."