Xander could hear Angel speaking in some strange language. He'd been
  going on for what seemed like forever. Every now and then he would pick up
  a stray word, but for the most part, he just couldn't focus. He tried to
  look around. He was surrounded by black candles, and Angel was standing
  near his head as he intoned some bad mojo. Now would be a good time for
  the cavalry, guys, he thought. Maybe they can't find me. Maybe Angel did
  convince Spike to let Druscilla fight Buffy. Maybe I am gonna get turned
  into a vampire.

  Then suddenly, Angel stopped chanting, and carefully stepped over the
  candles to kneel next to Xander's face. "Hiya rookie. Welcome to the
  team." He laughed, delighted he was so close to succeeding. "I'll see you
  on the other side." Then he sunk his fangs into Xander and began draining
  him. Xander felt colder, and he struggled to stay awake. He kept trying
  to think of Willow, Buffy and Cordy. If I can just hold on, they'll come
  for me, he thought. But the oppressive darkness came up and claimed him as

  one of its own.

  ***

  Giles' car screeched to a protesting halt at the entrance to the alley
  next to the Bronze. It was just after two in the morning, and the parking
  lot was deserted except for Oz and Cordelia's vehicles. They all hopped
  out of the car, quickly, and while Buffy rushed into the alley, Giles
  opened the trunk for Oz and Cordelia. They grabbed their two bags of holy
  water and stakes and hurried to follow Buffy. Giles grabbed Buffy's
  crossbow and briefly checked to make sure it was loaded correctly. Willow
  scrambled from the back seat to the passenger seat and tried to peer into
  the alley. She could see Buffy, paralyzed, watching as Angel kneeled over
  Xander. Not good, she thought. Wait in the car, she cursed. Not likely..
  Not tonight anyway. She reached into the back seat for her bag and grabbed
  Giles' bag from the floor of the car.

  Buffy's heart almost broke when she saw Angel leaning over Xander.
  Xander looked so white and vulnerable. I should have protected you better,
  she thought. I should have killed Angel when I had the chance. I'm so
  sorry Xander. Oh, please, please don't be dead. She couldn't see exactly
  what Angel was doing, but he wasn't drinking – his head was too far from
  Xander's neck for that. There were candles burning brightly around Xander,
  and she hastily tossed the book, matches and lighter fluid to the ground,
  knowing that Giles or someone would ignite them when they caught up. She
  was going to end this. Tonight.

  Giles, Oz and Cordy got there just in time to see Buffy hurl herself at
  Angel, foot extended as she kicked him. She knocked him off of Xander, and
  rolled to confront him with another attack, but they all paused as they
  heard the worst sound in their lives. Angel was laughing. Deep, hearty,
  belly laughs.

  Willow heard Angel's laugh. Her heart began pounding with fear and she
  scrambled out of the car. Then she quietly made her way over to the side
  of the alley. She could see Xander now, and she almost sobbed out loud.
  From her vantage point, she could see blood on his lips. Angel had done
  it! He had finished the ceremony and converted Xander. Her best friend..
  For many years, her only friend -- besides Jesse, who had died. Who had
  been turned into a vampire and died. She felt a sorrow bubble up from her
  heart so intense that she thought she might faint. Oh Xander, I'm sorry.
  But I'm still going to try and save you, Xander. I will free you.

  "Buffy, so nice of you to drop by in honor of Xander's rebirthday!"
  Angel exclaimed. "You're too late, honey," his voice dripped at her.
  "He's mine now."

  Buffy looked at Xander and realized with horror that there was blood
  caking his lips. Oh God. Oh Xander. Oh God. She looked back to Angel –
  NO -- only Angelus now -- and screamed an unintelligible battle cry. Angel
  let go of his own bloodied wrist he'd been holding and ducked her wild
  charge at him.

  Cordy ran to Xander, and began blowing out all the candles with help
  from Oz, feverently hoping that Angel was wrong and it wasn't too late.
  Giles sprayed the lighter fluid all over the book and struck a match,
  dropping it on the book and watching as the flames caught and burned
  brightly, illuminating the alley. Then he spotted Willow, quickly
  unpacking her bag with the spell components as she sobbed brokenly. He
  rushed over to help her. She fought for control. I have to be able to
  speak, she thought. Xander NEEDS me. And a sudden calm came over her.

  Buffy and Angel were trading blows at the end of the alley, evenly
  matched. Buffy hadn't yet had an opportunity to draw a stake from her
  stash in her pant leg. Cordy and Oz had blown out all the candles and were
  rushing to Xander's side to help move him away. "NO!" Willow screamed.
  "Get away from him!"

  Cordy had just enough time to look up in confusion before Xander's arm
  shot up and grasped her by the neck. Her eyes widened in terror as she saw
  Xander acquire a game face. She'd learned in her research for the group at
  the library that the vampiric need for blood was strongest right after the
  transformation. Not my blood Xander! she screamed in her mind. She felt
  blindly for one of the small vials of holy water she had in her bag and
  emptied its contents onto Xander's arm. He howled in pain and let her go..
  Oz presented a cross to Xander and tried to reach Cordelia, who sat in
  shock too close to Xander for comfort. Xander recoiled from the symbol and
  hissed at Oz.

  Willow took a bag of chalk and made a circle around herself. She
  intoned a few words and the powder began to glow white. Giles, standing
  just outside the circle, reached in to help her, but she waved him away.
  "I need Cordelia's necklace and Buffy's ring! Go!" Giles set the crossbow
  down on the ground beside her and moved to find Cordelia. Willow hurriedly
  set a small glass bowl in front of her. She made sure the two orbs were
  in easy reach and then poured some holy water into the bowl. This was
  followed quickly by some gold powder and she rolled the orbs in the liquid
  mixture quickly. The holy water to purify the blood. The gold powder to
  purify the soul. Now I just need symbols of love to call the soul home.
  She looked up. "Hurry Giles," she whispered.

  Giles presented his own crucifix as he made his way around Xander to
  Cordelia carefully. Xander really had nowhere to go. He had Giles and one
  side and Oz on the other with alley walls in front and back. "Cordelia, I
  need your necklace. NOW!" Cordy ripped it from her neck and held it
  lovingly for just a moment before she passed it to Giles. Giles rushed
  back to Willow with the object. She grabbed it from him and threw it in
  the bowl, rolling it in the mixture. Then she began chanting in Romanian.

  Buffy and Angel were still fighting. Buffy was absolutely enraged.
  Mostly at herself. If I hadn't loved you! KICK. If I hadn't made love to
  you. ROLL. If I had killed you last time. PUNCH. This is all my fault!
  DUCK. Giles would have to admit it was the fiercest he'd ever seen her
  fight, but the fact that she was crying the whole time belied her
  vulnerability at this moment. "Buffy, give me your ring. The one Angel
  gave you!" Buffy looked to him momentarily, and tried to loosen it from
  her finger while still defending herself from Angel.

  Angel seemed to realize what was going on as he noticed the others in
  the alley. And then he saw Willow, sitting serenely in her circle,
  chanting. And a far-away memory of another spell in Romanian caused an
  incredible fury to build within him. He was not going to become that sorry
  excuse for a vampire again. He turned from Buffy and was about to charge
  Willow when Buffy freed the ring from her finger. "Here!" she shouted,
  tossing the ring to Giles. Angel saw the flash of gold in the air, and
  leapt for it. He managed to touch it, knock it off course, but couldn't
  grasp it. He landed with a thud against the alley wall as the ring
  clattered away. He seemed disoriented for a moment and just lay there.

  Oz sprinted into action. He tossed Cordy his cross and lunged for the
  ring. Xander tried to dive after him, seeing he was now undefended, but Oz
  was faster. He grabbed the ring from the ground and looked up in time to
  see Buffy deliver a light kick to Xander's jaw, which was apparently about
  to close in on Oz's neck. "Thanks!" Oz said, and rolled away. He then
  shifted and stood, and ran to Willow's side. "Here!" he deposited the ring
  to her waiting hand. She removed Cordy's necklace from the bowl and
  plopped Buffy's ring in. She rolled the second orb in the mixture and
  chanted louder.

  Buffy and Xander were now circling each other warily. Angel was
  fighting off Cordelia and Giles, who were holding him in place with their
  holy symbols. Giles had a stake ready, just in case. Oz hurried back
  from Willow to Giles and Cordy, handing Giles the crossbow again and
  uncorking a vial of holy water. He held it ready in case Angel tried
  anything. Xander rushed at Buffy, and she quickly side-stepped him,
  letting him run into the alley wall with all his force. She hoped he
  knocked himself out. I can't kill you Xander. This is my fault. I'm so
  sorry. He was getting up again. Buffy sighed, and choked a little on
  some tears as she raised her fists again in a defensive pose.

  Willow felt the power surrounding her. She felt calm, masterful. She
  held up an orb in her hands. "I call to me the essence of Xander. I call
  you on behalf of those who love you, and those whom you love. Return to
  the home I offer you." Bright white light flowed around Willow and the orb
  for a few seconds, and then she smiled brilliantly. She could FEEL Xander
  in her hand. She'd know him anywhere. She kissed the orb and smiled at
  it. "We'll save you Xander, just hold on." She then held up the other
  orb. "I call to me the essence of Angel. I call you on behalf of those
  who love you, and those whom you love. Return to the home I offer you."
  She felt the power flow, and then she suddenly almost dropped the orb. She
  had never felt such sorrow and regret. Angel's soul knew of all the things
  Angelus had done. It brought tears to her eyes as she held the orb
  tightly in her now-shaking hands. She set it aside carefully. A sudden
  blinding pain flashed through her head. She brought one hand up to her
  throbbing temple and gritted her teeth against the pain. No! Xander needs
  me. It subsided and she again rolled Xander's orb in the bowl with the
  mixture at her feet. "I now remove the blood taint. Let the body be
  cleansed and purified with the sacred water. Be human once more!" She
  stood and looked at the sphere. It was covered in a wet gold powder, and
  she called to Buffy. "Bring Xander here!"

  Buffy was tired of ducking Xander's blows and charges, and she lured
  him closer to Willow. "This better work Will!" she exclaimed as she
  delivered a strong kick to his midsection that left him on his knees in
  front of Willow.

  "Xander's essence, I present to thee thy earthly form. You will make
  the form human again with the purity I have given you. You will live
  there for the duration of its lifetime. Go to your form now." She threw
  the orb to the ground, and watched as it shattered. A blinding white light
  erupted around Xander, and Buffy and Willow had to look away until it
  dimmed. Everyone else was stunned, watching the events take place.

  When the light finally subsided, Willow was almost afraid to look.
  So she was surprised when she felt Xander's arms encircle her in a fierce
  hug. "Oh God. Oh Will, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU."

  Willow collapsed in his arms and started crying with relief and
  happiness. "You're okay? You're alive?" she was afraid to ask, but had
  to.

  "You should feel my heart pounding," he replied, bringing her hand to
  his chest. Sure enough, she felt the strong beating beneath her palm.

  "Oh Xander…" Willow smiled through her tears, glad he was whole again.

  Their hug was soon interrupted by Buffy, who squeezed her way in
  between them, also crying. "I'm so sorry Xander. I'm so sorry."

  Xander released Willow to grab Buffy by both arms and stared deeply
  into her eyes. "I FORGIVE YOU. NONE of this was your fault. We all know
  that. You have to know that. Now forgive yourself. Please. For me."
  Her mouth gaped open once, then twice, so he pulled her to him and kissed
  her on the forehead. "I SO forgive you, Buffster." Willow's tears
  subsided and she hiccuped as she let out a laugh. She hugged Xander's back

  as Buffy held on to his front for dear life. Buffy let her tears begin to
  wash away all the guilt she'd been feeling.

  Finally, Buffy pulled away and began wiping the tears from her face.
  "Thank you," she said softly.

  "Um.. Willow," Giles interrupted. "Angel's still –"

  "Right Giles," Willow let go and met Xander's eyes. She smiled
  brilliantly. "I'm glad you're back."

  "I missed you too," Xander replied, returning her smile. "I knew you'd
  come—" He was interrupted from saying more by Cordy throwing herself into
  his arms and kissing him intensely.

  "I love you!" Willow heard Cordy's fierce whisper when she finally
  released Xander's lips. "Don't ever die again. EVER." Willow moved to
  her circle as she looked at her bewildered friend hugging his girlfriend.
  She was still smiling when she heard his whispered "I love you too, Cordy.."
  This was how it was supposed to be. She could feel it. She met Oz's eyes
  across the alley and grinned at him.

  She returned to her spot in the circle. "Uh, Buffy, I kinda need
  Angel in front of me to do this." Buffy advanced on her former flame with
  a vengeance. She spun-kicked him and knocked him to his knees. Then she
  took Oz's holy water and threw it at him. Angel screamed in pain and
  grasped at his face. She took that opportunity to grab her stake and haul
  Angel to his feet. She dragged him across the alley, stake pointed at his
  heart, until he was standing in front of Willow.

  Willow looked at Angel, who was glaring at her with such venom that it
  would have caused almost anyone to run away and seek shelter. Willow just
  smiled. She was going to destroy Angelus. She picked up the orb with
  Angel's soul trapped in it and rolled it in the bowl one last time. "I
  now remove the blood taint. Let the body be cleansed and purified with the
  sacred water. Be human once more!" She flinched momentarily as Angel
  struggled against Buffy's grip. "Angel's essence, I present to thee thy
  earthly form. You will make the form human again with the purity I have
  given you. You will live there for the duration of its lifetime. Go to
  your form now." Again, she threw the orb to the ground and was blinded by
  a startlingly bright white light. When the light dimmed, she saw Angelus'
  game face was gone, replaced by a remorseful looking Angel. Buffy still
  had a stake to his chest. She retreated slightly, seeing the threat was
  over.

  Angel had known somewhere the demon couldn't reach that they were
  trying to restore him, to help him, but he wished as he looked at the group
  around him that he was dead. He couldn't face Buffy, not after all he'd
  done. She would never forgive him. And he had no right to ask her to.
  And Giles, he would be lucky if Giles didn't just tear his heart out right
  here. THUMP. A startled look sprang to Angel's face. THUMP. THUMP.
  THUMP. He fell to his knees and clutched at his chest. He began to sob as
  he felt a heartbeat that had been dead for over two hundred years begin to
  sing inside him. He looked up at Willow in surprise, "Thank you," he
  mouthed through the tears that prevented the sound from reaching his lips..
  Willow regarded him grimly and nodded once, stepping out of her protective
  circle.

  Oh, my head hurts, Willow thought, feeling the bump on the back of her
  head gingerly. Oz came up to her and enveloped her in a strong hug. She
  leaned on him for support.

  "You never gave up, did you?" he asked.

  "I couldn't," she replied seriously.

  "Did I ever tell you that you are the best human I've ever met? And
  that I worship you?" he asked softly. Willow giggled into his chest. She
  turned her head and snuck a peek at Xander and Cordy. They were standing,
  close together, forehead to forehead, speaking quietly to each other.
  Willow sighed. And to think, tonight started out with Xander giving Oz and
  I grief for doing the exact same thing. She searched for Buffy.

  She was standing a few feet away from Angel, who was still on his
  knees, tears slowly making their way down his face in the moonlight.
  Buffy was regarding Angel with an odd expression. Part of her wanted to
  throw herself into his arms and try to find the love they'd had before.
  But the bigger part of her still couldn't forgive him like that. He had
  killed Ms. Calendar and tried to do worse to Xander. She didn't know if
  she even had enough forgiveness in her heart. Angel raised his eyes and
  looked at her. Briefly she allowed herself to examine the regret and
  longing she saw in them. He wants my forgiveness. I can't. Not yet.
  Maybe not ever. And then she turned away from him and ran to Giles. She
  collapsed in his arms. He rocked her back and forth slightly as she gasped
  for breath, fighting tears. He murmured soothing sounds and stroked her
  hair. He was glad the ordeal was finally over. Now he had to help Buffy
  heal. Giles watched as Angel slowly got to his feet and looked at him.

  "I'm sorry," Angel said simply. Giles stared at him, his expression
  dark. Angel looked at the people around him and saw the small groups of
  two comforting and reassuring each other that they had survived their
  latest trial. He didn't belong here, with them, anymore. At one time, he
  would have, but too much had happened. They all needed time to get over
  the reign of terror Angelus held over them. Even Angel himself. So Angel
  repeated his apology and fled into the night.