Love's Destiny

by Cass 

Disclaimer: I own nothing, except the idea of Frocol’s Codex. Words to songs and poems belong to me, so please, no copying unless given permission. The characters belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Company, Fox, and the WB; I am earning no money from writing this story.

Author’s Note: Most of this stuff should be correct, except one thing. I am writing this and I have not seen the crossover, yet. I am in Michigan and will not be able to see it until I return on Saturday. So the events of the crossover never happened in this story. Past episodes are in <>. Also, when I use dialogue from The Prom, I’m gonna skip around… like leave some of it out… you’ll see what I mean. Thoughts are in Italics.

Author’s Note Contin.: I have to do my thanks. Thanks to my two betas Janice and Amber. Without them, this story wouldn’t even been here because I can’t spell. Thanks you to everyone who read this and gave me ideas: Jacque, Laura, Ben, Amber A., Lisa, Jessi, Pam, and everyone else! And now, I present to you… Love’s Destiny:

Buffy put down her diary and fell into a deep, dream-filled sleep. She dreamt of Angel, of slaying, and of Riley. No matter how hard she tried to forget these things…her subconscious wouldn’t let her.

It was a cool summer night, Riley and Buffy were arguing. It was the same argument every time.

"Buffy, you love him, you know you do. You don’t love me."

"Yes I do, Riley. You know I do. Angel is gone and he’s never coming back. I’m with you now, I chose you."

"You chose me - your mind chose me. Your heart and soul belong to him, and you know it. As long as he’s in your heart, I’ll always come in second."

"You’re right, I do love him, but that doesn’t matter. He left me; he left me to you. I love you."

"I love you, too. That’s why you have to leave. As long as I love you, I can’t let you continue to live a lie. You think I don’t see it? You think that I don’t see that every time you smile, you frown? You think I don’t hear every time you laugh, you cry? You can fool Giles, Willow, Xander, and you can even try to fool yourself, but you can’t fool me. I see right through it, you’re not happy, and without him, you never will be."

With that, Riley left. Buffy just watched him go. He was right, and for some reason, she couldn’t admit it out loud. She loved Angel, she always would.

Buffy’s thoughts were interrupted by a blood-curling scream. Riley, she thought. She ran as fast as she could, but she was too late. He lay there, hanging on by the thinnest of lifelines. It was like he wouldn’t go until something that he needed to be done was finished.

"Riley!" Buffy yelled. "Please, oh please, don’t die. You can’t leave me, too."

"I love you," he coughed out. And then, he was dead.

"NOOO!!!" Buffy screamed.

And then, she woke up. That’s when she woke up every night. He would die, and Buffy would wake, sweaty and breathing hard. She hated that she had to live with it again and again every night. He should be alive, but he’s not and it’s all my fault. And she laid there for the rest of the night, not sleeping, and waited to face another day until she would go to bed to dream it again.

Buffy was in trouble; Angel could feel it. He knew everything she was going through. He knew she was sad, and he knew why. But he had to. He had to leave; he had to leave for her. If he were still around, she would be dead. He weakened her. He was weak himself, but that didn’t matter. What mattered was that if Buffy had him in her life, she was doomed. It’s not that he didn’t love her. He loved her with all of his soul. His soul, that was the reason he had to leave. Things were getting too intense; he could feel it in their kisses. The passion, the love, the lust; they were growing too much. If he didn’t do something, it would happen again. He couldn’t lose his soul again. Not knowing what he did to her the last time. He could see everything. He remembered it all. Angelus hurting her, teasing her about their special night together.

<<<<"Angel!" Buffy said in a relieved tone.

"Hey!"

"Oh!" She ran up to him and hugged and kissed him.

"Hey."

"Oh, my God! I was so worried!"

"I didn't mean to frighten you."

"Where did you go?"

"Been around."

"Ohhh. Oh, my God! I was freaking out! You just disappeared."

"What? I took off."

"But you didn't say anything. You just left."

"Yeah. Like I really wanted to stick around after that."

"What?"

"You got a lot to learn about men, kiddo. Although I guess you proved that last night."

"What are you saying?" she asked with confusion in her voice.

"Let's not make an issue out of it, okay? In fact, let's not talk about it at all. It happened."

"I, I don't understand. Was it m-me? Was I not good?"

"You were great. Really. I thought you were a pro." He couldn’t help but smile as his said these heart-breaking words to her.

"How can you say this to me?"

"Lighten up. It was a good time. It doesn't mean like we have to make a big deal."

"It *is* a big deal!"

"It's what? Bells ringing, fireworks, a dulcet choir of pretty little birdies? Come on, Buffy. It's not like I've never been there before."

He reached his hand up to her face and she jerked back.

"Don't touch me."

"I should've known you wouldn't be able to handle it."

"Angel! I love you." She couldn’t believe what he just said to her, and this was all she could say hoping that she would get the response she was hoping for. She didn’t.

"Love you, too. I'll call you." He said it with such a non-meaning tine in his voice. >>>>

It hurt to see her cry, but it hurt even more to not be able to do anything.

Then, she finally did it. She finally did what she should have done the moment he turned. She defeated Angelus, but something changed. Angel was himself again, but he couldn’t remember anything. He couldn’t remember anything that had happened in the last months. Then, she was kissing him and telling him to close is eyes. Of course he did, he would walk in the sun if she told him it was all right. Then the next thing he felt was a painful jab in his stomach. He wrenched his eyes open and saw the sword she was holding jabbed in his chest. The next thing he remembered was hell.

Hell was nothing compared to having to live with the memories of what he did to Buffy during the time he was Angelus. The memories were probably the reason the Hell-demons left him alone. Every moment in Hell was spent reliving his triad as Angelus. He watched as Buffy and Angelus fought and as Angelus tore her apart.

Then, the most remarkable thing happened. He was out! He was lying on the floor of the mansion. He could remember everything, but he couldn’t process it all. Maybe that’s why he was animalistic. He was trying to shut it all out, shut everyone out so he couldn’t harm anyone. But then, she found him; she took him and cared for him. She loved him no matter what he was or what he did. That’s why he left. He left because her love for him would someday kill her.

Then why was he now entering Sunnydale, California, to see her - if seeing her would get her killed? He did it because Giles had asked him to. Giles had told Angel that there was something going on in Sunnydale, and if he didn’t come, it could mean the end of the world…again.

December 24, 1999 Christmas Eve

It was Saturday, Christmas Eve, and Giles had everyone meeting in the library of Sunnydale High School at seven in the morning. Needless to say, nobody was happy about it. Buffy showed up first and decided to put in some training so Giles would let her go to the Bronze later with Xander and Willow. She had just started training, but was interrupted when she heard two familiar voices.

"I’m telling you, Will, when the new year comes, we’re gonna all be in trouble."

"Xander, nothing’s going to happen. It’s all a lot of media hype."

Willow and Xander entered the library with Xander carrying a large paper sack.

"What you got there, Xand?" Buffy asked.

"My millennium kit. I’ve got flashlights, canned goods, and everything you would need for when the end of the world comes."

Buffy rolled her eyes. Trust Xander to make a big something out of nothing.

"Xander, you’re being stupid. The world will not end in 2000. Y2K is just some stupid thing that some stupid computer company made up because they couldn’t explain why they can’t fix their computers at the turn of the century," Willow explained.

"That may not be true," Giles said as he entered the library.

"What Y2K?"

"No, the end of the world. Buffy, I found something quite disturbing."

"Well, what is it?"

"I’d rather not explain it now. There are still two people missing and I’d rather not have to explain it twice."

"Who?" Buffy asked.

"Um, well, Cordelia, and uh, um, A-A-ngel," Giles said the last name with caution, knowing what that name did to Buffy. He saw the sadness pass across her face. He knew the coming week would be the hardest for all of them, but especially for Buffy and Angel. For they would have to prove their love to save the world.

Buffy felt like crying whenever she heard that name, but like always, she covered it up and didn’t show it. "Oh, okay. When will they get here?"

"Later tonight."

"Ok, do you need us here anymore? Because if not, I have a test that I need to study for. Can I go?"

"Of course. And Buffy, we’re all here for you. Remember that."

"Thanks, Giles." And she left.

The sun had set a half-hour ago. Angel was up and heading over to the school. Whatever Giles needed to tell him must have been important because he was told to come as soon as he could. He entered the library and was greeted by a familiar sight. Willow was sitting at the table while Cordelia and Xander were arguing about something senseless. He guessed Giles was up in the stacks. The only person he didn’t see there was Buffy. He knew that seeing her again, it would be harder to leave. He didn’t know if he could do it again. He was brought out of his thoughts when he heard Giles start to speak.

"Oh, Angel, you’re here. Good, we can get started as soon as Buffy gets back from locking the school to unwelcome guests."

This must really be serious, Angel thought. Giles had never locked the school off by magic in any circumstance. The doors of the library squeaked open, and Buffy came in. "All finished, G-" she stopped mid-sentence when she saw Angel in the room.

"Angel," she whispered.

"Hello, Buffy," he said back. All of the memories were brought back at that exchange.

"How are you?" Angel asked.

"Good, you?"

"Surviving." Again, silence. They just stood, staring into each other's eyes, their souls speaking to each other. The other occupants in the library watched them in silence.

The silence was broken when Angel began to speak. "Giles, what was it you needed to see us about?"

"Oh, oh, yes. I found another prophecy, one for the claiming of the end of the world."

"Is that it, Giles? No big deal, we find the demon that’s threatening us, and I slay it and we party," Buffy yawned, bored at the thought of another demon trying to ruin her holiday.

"It’s not that simple this time. I wish it was, but this is something that you can’t fight. This is something that you must cure."

"Cure? What do you mean Giles? Cure what? World hunger, suffering?"

"Buffy, can you please hold back on the sarcasm for five minutes so I can explain?!" Giles yelled at her. "Sorry, but this is important. This is unlike anything we’ve ever faced. This is not a demon, what we must stop is human."

"Who Giles? Who’s gonna bring forth Armageddon?"

"You, Buffy."

"What?" Buffy asked in shock.

"You and Angel stand in the way of the end of the world, again."

"Me and Angel? Giles, you’re not making any sense."

"I found this in Frocol’s Codex:

The Slayer and her demon lover, two born souls brought together by destiny and fate must be brought together for the fate of the world.

It all starts in the Slayer’s fifteenth year. The vampire that possesses a soul will aid the slayer in her battles. They will fight side by side, not claiming their love for each other until it becomes unbearable. Then, during the week of The Three, their feelings for each will be revealed, and they will deny it no more. Their souls will speak to each other, and they will forever be bound as one.

Then, the most horrifying even will happen. In a night of passion, the vampire will lose his soul and the Slayer will have to fight her one soulmate until death. They will fight the battle of all battles. The Slayer will defeat the demon, but before she sends him to Hell, something shall change. The demon’s soul will be returned, and the Slayer will show her love and compassion for the world. The Slayer will then send her demon lover to Hell to save the world.

But in the time to follow, her lover will return from Hell. They will then once again prove their love to the world, and try once again prove that nothing can keep them apart. They were torn by fate, but their love keeps them bound as one.

Only in the year of the new millennium will the Slayer and her demon lover be allowed happiness. This happiness can only be granted when they show their love for each other. Their love must pass six tests, one on each day following the birth of Christ. After these tests have been completed, then and only then will the Powers to Be decide the fate of the world.

The world is in the heart and soul of two lovers. Brought together be fate and destiny and torn apart by love.

"That’s all." Giles looked from Buffy to Angel, watching the mixture of emotions passing over their faces. He saw pain, fear, but most important, he saw love and hope, the two key things for their victory.

It was Willow who first spoke, "Giles, what are the tests that will be performed?"

"Um…it doesn’t say, exactly."

"Great," Buffy said. "All we know is that Angel and I must fight something unseen and to do this we have to take six tests and if we fail one, then the world ends. This is just great." With that, she ran out of the library. She couldn’t stay, she was scared. What if she failed? What if Angel didn’t want her anymore?

Angel chased Buffy until she entered her house. He climbed up the tree by her window and quietly entered. Buffy entered her room and knew Angel was there. She didn’t want to talk to him, she just wanted to be alone and cry. She wanted to do what she did every night: cry, write in her diary about how much she missed Angel, and go to sleep. She knew that with Angel here, she couldn’t do anything. She wanted him to leave.

"Go away," she ordered. "Leave me, you’re good at that."

Those words struck Angel deep in his soul. He knew that when he left he hurt her, but he never knew how much. He heard from Giles when he called that Buffy was sad, but he had no idea how much. She hated him, and he knew he deserved it. "I’m not leaving, Buffy. Not now. I can’t. I know I left before, and I’m sorry, but I can’t, not again."

"Why? Why did you leave? You could have stayed, but you had to leave. Why Angel? I can’t do this by myself." With that, all of the past months built up emotions came through. Buffy began to cry, and she thought she would never stop. Angel went over to the side of her bed and scooped her into his arms and held her the rest of the night, closing the curtains so he wouldn’t have to leave. She was scared and so was he. They would have to prove their love to save the world, somehow, but neither knew how.

Angel made a silent promise to himself and Buffy that night. He wouldn’t leave Buffy again, and tomorrow, being Christmas, he would give her the one thing she always wanted from him. He would give her his soul.

December 25, 1999 Christmas Day

Christmas day was always a day of cheer for everyone who celebrated it, especially for Buffy. But today, she was filled with a feeling of depression and uncheerfulness. When Xander, Willow (she came to spend the holidays with her friends), and Giles came over, Buffy hardly even smiled. They knew that she had a tremendous amount of pressure on her, but they were determined to make her enjoy what could be the last Christmas she might ever live.

When they saw Buffy and Angel walk down the stairs together, a million of questions raced through their minds. They all looked at the two with questioning eyes.

"Guys, don’t look at us like that. We didn’t do anything. Angel stayed here last night and couldn’t leave because of the sun. So stop, and Xander, I don’t want to hear a thing, nothing all day, you understand?" He nodded at her demanding tone.

They walked into the living room and sat down. Giles in the recliner, Willow and Xander on the couch, and Buffy and Angel in the love seat, keeping a safe distance in between each other. Joyce came into the room and immediately her eyes fixed on Angel. She had sent him away because she knew what was best for Buffy. She forgot that today because Giles had told her that Angel was needed and also about the prophecy.

"Hello, everyone, and Merry Christmas. Oh, Willow, you’ll have to excuse me, Happy Holidays."

"Thank you, Mrs. Summers," Willow smiled.

With that, everyone in the house got into the normal holiday spirit that you would expect from people who had not a care in the world. Though everyone in the house knew what was going to happen, everyone forgot the bad that was coming, for it was Christmas Day. Everyone except Buffy and Angel. They snuck outside so that they could be alone and away from the cheer. Neither one of them had the desire to be cheery today. Tomorrow, they would have to go into perhaps the most deathly battle that they would ever have to face. There was not one damn thing to be cheery about.

"I don’t get it, Angel. What makes them think that they have a right to be happy? Why do they get to be happy?"

"Buffy, you know that’s not fair. You know as much as I that they deserve this."

Buffy sighed, "I know. I know it’s selfish of me to say this, but I don’t want them to be happy. I want them to be miserable like us."

In a sense, Angel agreed with Buffy. It wasn’t fair that they got the dry end of the barrel. He sometimes wished that he had never become a vampire, but then he knew that he would never have met Buffy. He couldn’t imagine a world without Buffy. Life without Buffy was a living nightmare. Life without Buffy was Hell. But somehow, over the past year, he had done it. But now, he knew that he could never leave her again. Not now, not ever.

"Buffy, I-" he paused.

"You what, Angel?" She turned so she was facing him, giving him no way out of what he was about to say.

"I love you. I love you and you love me, and then I left. I’m sorry, Buffy. I shouldn’t have left. I’m so sorry." A single tear rolled down his cheek as he gave her his apology. He watched as she also began to cry.

"Oh Angel, I’ve waited forever to hear you say that," she hugged him to her and held his cheek next to hers, mixing their tears. "Never leave me again."

"Never."

"Promise?" she asked looking into his eyes.

"Always." And then he lifted her chin so he could guide her lips to his to meet in a gentle kiss filled with love and forgiveness.

"What about your soul, Angel? What are we going to do?"

"Shh. It doesn’t matter right now. I have something for you. A Christmas present, I guess."

"Oh! What is it?!" She squealed. Buffy reminded Angel of a five-year-old child, but he loved her for it.

"Close your eyes." Pain struck Buffy as she remembered saying those same words to him before she sent him to Hell. Seeing the pain in her eyes, Angel assured her, "It’s okay, I promise. I’m not leaving, never again." And she closed her eyes. Angel dug into the pocket of his duster and withdrew a small velvet covered box. He placed it in her hand. "Open." She opened her eyes and when she saw the box, she gasped. It was so beautiful. She slowly undid the clasp. Inside was a necklace with a heart shaped locket. On it was engraved Angel and Buffy Forever. She opened it and inside was a picture of her and Angel and on the other side, there was a glowing yellow light. Buffy turned the locket over and on the other side it said: Owner of My Soul. Buffy looked up at Angel with questioning eyes.

He told her, "You own my soul now, Buffy. You always have, but that’s my true soul. I can’t lose it ever again."

Buffy jumped into Angel’s arms as the hope and joy overcame her. "I love you."

"I love you."

They walked into the house hand in hand. The others, seeing their happiness, knew that for today, everything was good. The occupants of the house continued to celebrate the day. But it went by too fast. Before anyone was ready, the day ended and they were saying goodnight. As soon as the last guest left, Joyce, Angel, and Buffy started to clean up. There was an uncomfortable silence that was drifting through the house. Joyce broke it; "I want you to know that at first I didn’t approve of you and him, Buffy. But now, I guess I don’t have much of a choice, do I?’

"No, mom, you don’t. I know what you did, and I want you to know that I’m not mad. Not mad, but disappointed. You thought that you could make the decisions in my life, but you can’t. I’m the only one that can make the decisions in my life." It was settled. Joyce looked at her daughter and knew that she was no longer the little girl that she knew so long ago. Buffy was a woman.

Buffy and Angel went to sleep that night. They held each other, not wanting to let go. As they drifted off to sleep, the words playing on the radio remained in their minds.

As the song continued, a smile flashed across both of their faces. They knew that everything would be okay if they had each other.

December 26, 1999 The Battle Begins

Angel and Buffy met everyone in the library at sundown. They had spent the day talking and just being. As soon as they entered, Giles began to speak; "This came for you two." Giles handed them an envelope. Buffy broke the seal and read what was written on the piece of paper,

Angel and Buffy left for the warehouse reassuring everyone not to worry, that they would be back.

The First Test: Looking at Their Lives

They entered the warehouse with caution. It was bare inside, but it had a sense that something was there. They looked around, but when they found no one, they began to worry. Then they heard a voice coming from the shadows.

"Welcome! I am Glagbore. How are you today?"

"Show yourself," Angel growled.

"Whoa whoa, I’m not going to hurt you. I’m just here to get you started. Remember the fate of the world depends on your love."

"Fine," Buffy said. "Can we just get started?"

"Ok, keep your pants on. Here’s what I can tell you about the tests. The first one, you will face apart. If you pass, you will be brought together. Then, you must face the other five together. Expect nothing. Whatever happens, you must keep faith and hope close. That’s all I’m allowed to tell you. Follow me."

They followed him/it to a hallway. Then, everything changed. They were in a long corridor with six doors, three on each side. Surprisingly, it was bright. They entered the first door and were immediately separated. "Angel?" Buffy called. "I’m right here, but I don’t think we’ll be able to talk much longer. Just keep walking, and Buffy, I love you. Keep that close."

"I will Angel. Same goes to you. I love you."

All communication between the two was then cut. They entered rooms that were similar, but not knowing it. In each room was a chair and a screen. By the screen was a VCR that said, "Play me." They pressed play and watched as it began to show each other’s life. Buffy watched Angel’s and Angel watched Buffy’s.

Angel’s Life

Buffy watched as Angel grew up. She saw him walking in the sunlight and playing in the fields. She saw that he was happy as a child and that made her smile. But then, she watched as Angel was changed. She watched as Angel told Darla to show him her world. She watched him become a vampire. And she cried for him. She cried that he could not get the life that he deserved and she cried when she watched him go through his Angelus days. She watched as he tortured his victims, as he made Drusilla insane, and as he continued to earn his name as Angelus the Scourge of Europe.

Then, she watched as his soul was returned to him. She saw the pain and anguish in his eyes as he remembered what he had done. She cried for him once again, for his poor tortured soul.

She saw his life in New York, and watched as he fed off of rats night after night. Her heart broke at the torture that her love went through. Then she watched as Whistler told him that he could do something and be someone. She was surprised, although he had told her, when she saw him watching her outside of her school when she was called. She watched as he watched her in the shadows as she hunted and staked her first vampires.

Buffy walked all the way up until he came back from LA. And then, she knew. She knew why he had left and she understood. Meanwhile…

Buffy’s Life (At the same time as the above)

Angel watched as Buffy was born. He saw when the nurse brought her to the nursery. He saw her, a little patch of brown peach fuzz atop her perfectly rounded head. He watched her grow up. He watched her Dorothy Hamill stage, and watched as she glided across the ice in her first ice skating competition. These were the times that he wanted to give her. The things he would never be able to give her.

Then again, Angel saw the day that she was called. He watched as she staked her first vampire. The scenes followed to her at night, listening to her parents fight and crying herself to sleep. He cried for her, wanting her to have happiness in her now dark world.

Then, he watched the most horrifying thing in his life. He watched Angelus torment her. He watched as Angelus continued to play cat and mouse games with her. He watched as she cried herself to sleep, whispering for him to come back and asking for hope. And again, he cried for her, telling her that he was there. He was there, always watching over her.

He watched up until he returned from LA only days ago. He saw her as Parker told her that their night was just for fun and it was no big deal. And he watched her watch Riley die. Her one shot at a semi-normal life, and again, he cried for her.

As the screen turned blank, Angel understood. He knew why he had to stay and why he could never leave her again. Looking up, he now noticed a door that he hadn’t noticed when he entered the room. He walked out the door and saw Buffy. He ran over to her and embraced her. They stood there holding each other, whispering words of love to each other. Then, hand in hand, they walked into the next door. Ready to face their next challenge. Whatever it may be.

December 27, 1999 Test Two: Fight Together, and We Shall Win Together

When they entered a room, they were greeted with the familiar scene of Sunnydale Cemetery. The walked cautiously through the cemetery, concentrating in order to sense any danger. They felt it. They watched shadows move in the trees. Slowly, they crept over to where they saw ten vampires looking for prey. At that moment, they noticed that they had no weapons. They knew that they would have to improvise. They picked up two sticks lying on the ground as they slowly crept up to the group. On the count of three, they lunged at the vamps. Taking them by surprise, they had the upper hand. But not for long.

The vamps were gaining on them. With only two dusted, the odds were four to one. The odds were not looking too good. Angel and Buffy went to work. They fought back to back, offering each other assistance when it was needed. When they faced only two vamps, they knew they had won. Together, they staked the last two. Dropping the makeshift stakes, they exited the cemetery thought the door that had appeared by the trees.

December 28, 1999 Test Three: Can You Stand It?

Now in the third test, they watched in horror as their secret was revealed. Somehow, Sunnydale had found out that Buffy was the Slayer and that Angel was a vampire. They had taken Angel away and had locked Buffy up in a cage. That’s when the questioning began.

"So, Miss Summers, I hear you are a Slayer. Tell me, what exactly does a Slayer do?" Principal Synder sneered at her. When she didn’t answer, he said to her, "I suggest you tell me Miss Summers because if you don’t your lover will be experimented on until he’s little pieces of ash." Buffy watched in horror as they wheeled Angel out in front of her caged on a large table. Next to the table were numerous cutting and probing devices. Buffy was scared. She didn’t know what to do. Angel was in trouble, but to reveal her whole secret could be costly. But this was Angel, she decided. They would probably kill her and him in the end anyway, so why should she tell him?

"I’d love to tell you that, Snyder, but I haven’t the faintest idea what you are talking about."

"Be that way, Miss Summers. Boys, start dissecting." Buffy watched and gagged as the "boys" slowly made an incision across Angel’s chest. He screamed. "ANGEL!!!" Buffy screamed. "NOO!!!"

"Buffy," he whispered. "Don’t tell them anything. I’m here and I’m never leaving. Remember? I promised."

That gave Buffy faith. Snyder continued to question her and Buffy continued to play dumb. But it was becoming too much. She looked at Angel. He was lying on the table, with numerous things probing him. He had stakes circled around his heart, probably only a centimeter from touching it. Down his body, they had threaded iron bars through him. He was covered with blood from the places where they have skewered him and had bruises from the numerous places they had beat him. She didn’t know if she could listen to Angel’s screaming anymore. She began to pray in her head. Oh God, I know that I don’t come to you much, and I know that I haven’t been to church for the longest time, but please, oh please, listen to me. I can’t stand it anymore. What they are doing to Angel, I can’t take it. I know he’s not the most righteous person, but he deserves to live. He’s never done anything to anyone when he had his soul. Please, oh please, you have to help him.

It stopped. The screaming stop. Oh god, she thought, no, please, don’t let him be dead. She looked over at the table and saw that Angel was no long strapped to it.

"NOO!!! Oh no, please, oh please," she cried, "He promised, please, no no no no."

She was interrupted when she heard Angel say, "Hey, didn’t I tell you that I would never leave you?" She looked up and saw Angel standing in front of her, not a mark on him. She also noticed that the cage in which she was trapped had disappeared along with the other occupants of the room.

They continued on.

December 29, 1999 Test Four: I Want My Life to Be with You

Buffy and Angel were in the sewers. It all seemed familiar. Then, they remembered. The night that Angel told Buffy that he was leaving. They stood and replayed as Angel broke up with Buffy.

"I’m sorry, Buffy. You know how much I love you. It kills me to say this."

"Then don’t. Who are you to tell me what’s best for me? You think I haven’t thought about this?"

"Have you? Rationally?" Angel saw the hurt look cross Buffy’s face. It pained him to see her like this.

"No, of course not. I’m just some swooning school girl, right?"

"I’m trying to do what’s right here. I’m trying to think with my head, instead of my heart."

"Heart? You have a heart? It’s not even beating." Buffy knew she hurt Angel with that, but she didn’t care. He was hurting her.

"Don’t."

"Don’t what? Don’t love you? I’m sorry. You know what? I didn’t know that I got a choice in that. I’m never gonna change. I can’t change. I want my life to be with you." She begged.

"I don’t."

"You don’t want to be with me?" Buffy knew what was supposed to come next, but it didn’t. Instead, she started to say what she should have that night. "So these pas three years have all been a joke? You never loved me? Never wanted to be with me?"

"You know that’s not true, Buffy. You know how much I love you."

"Do I? Cause right now, I’m seriously rethinking it. You don’t just break it off with someone. You just don’t dumped them in the sewers!"

"I have my reasons."

"Oh, and what are they? Please, tell me because I must be having one of those blonde moments."

"I can’t have you risking yourself for me, Buffy. It’s not fair to you. You need to have a normal life. And with me here, you can’t. I’m leaving, after the Ascension."

"The fuck you are! You just can’t run away when things get too tough, Angel. You have to fight for what you want! Do you remember that night on the hilltop?" Angel nodded. "You promised that we would fight together. You said that you would never leave me, and that you would always be here with me. You promised."

"Some promises have to be broken."

This enraged Buffy. She lunged at Angel, hitting him across the face. "You don’t break promises! You don’t wake up one morning and stop loving someone!" She stopped and began to cry. "I need you Angel. I can’t survive without you. Without you, I’m dead. Please."

And then, it was over. There was a bright light, and they were once again in the corridor.

December 30, 1999 Test Five: Give into the Passion

They didn’t think that they could handle anymore. They had gone through a trip of emotional hell and they wanted it to end. But they still had two more to go, just two more. They prayed that they would be easy, but both knowing that the worst was probably to come.

They entered the fifth door in the corridor. Inside was the scene of Angel’s old apartment. It looked the same as it did the night that they lost themselves to their passion. Fear boiled inside them. It looked exactly like it did that night. But they couldn’t, they just couldn’t. They knew if they gave into the temptation, then Angel would lose his soul. That couldn’t happen. They both ran to where the door was, but it had disappeared.

"Angel?"

"I don’t know, Buffy."

Buffy looked at Angel with confusion in her eyes, but it was soon replaced with lust. Before they both knew what was happening, Buffy had jumped into Angel, wrapped her legs around his waist, and they were know kissing with a new ferocity that they had never had before. They put all of the pain and longing in that kiss from their past months apart.

Angel led Buffy over to the bed. Somewhere inside his head, there was a voice screaming, telling him to stop. But Angel didn’t hear it. All he could concentrate was the woman in his arms kissing him. They fell backwards onto the bed, Angel on top. They tore at each other’s clothes, getting rid of the barrier preventing the feel of skin on skin.

And then, Angel was inside of Buffy. The feelings of ecstasy and pleasure washed over them both. The only thing that could be heard throughout the room was their gasps and moans of pleasure. They were once again whole, like they should be forever. Buffy’s release came first, followed by Angel’s. Once they had come down, they fell asleep in each other’s arms, whispering one more "I love you."

Buffy woke hours later. At first, she felt alive and complete, but then the memories of what had happened entered her brain. She shot up in bed, looking for Angel, but saw him next to her. "Angel! Wake up!"

Angel woke, and he too, began to become frantic. "What have we done? Buffy! My soul! You have to kill me!"

"Angel? Wait why are you you? Shouldn’t you be him? I don’t understand. What’s going on?" Buffy asked in confusion.

He didn’t have time to respond. They looked down found themselves reclothed and saw the door leading into the corridor. They exited the room, looks of bewilderment on their faces and stepped into the corridor.

"Angel? What-"

He interrupted her; "I don’t know Buffy. I don’t know. I think the best thing to do is just enter the last door and see what’s waiting."

And so they entered the last door.

December 31, 1999 Test Six: The Final Battle

They were now inside the mansion. "Angel, I-" Buffy began to speak but was cut off when a sword came hurling at her head. She barely missed the blow and when she turned to face her attacker, she nearly fainted. Angelus. There he was, "living" again. A sword had appeared in Buffy’s hand, and her instinct kicked in. Buffy began to fight Angelus.

They fought for hours, neither one gaining the upper hand. Both were getting tired and exhausted, but they didn’t show any sign because if they did, it would mean the end. Something happened, Buffy faltered and Angelus was now holding her sword in his hand. "Now that’s everything, huh? NO weapons, no friends, no hope. Take that all away and what’s left."

Buffy remembered Angel telling her. I’m always here, I’m never leaving. Never again. "Me," she said forcefully and she thrust Angelus with the blunt end of her own sword. She was up again, and she had the upper hand. She had him down to his knees, but this time, he did not change. Angelus did not change to Angel, he stayed soulless. Buffy didn’t know what to do, but then, in place of the sword she was holding, there was a stake. Stake him, she heard in the background. Have faith, keep hope. I love you, always. And Buffy staked Angelus. He exploded into a cloud of dust without as much as a whisper.

And Buffy dropped to her knees and cried. She cried for Angel, she cried for the people that she could not save, and she cried for losing her one true love. Slowly, she got up to her feet and walked out the door.

As Buffy entered the corridor, she noticed that it was no longer a corridor. The warehouse was now back to its original form. Glagbore was there to meet her.

"Congratulations, young lady. You passed. I think you’d like to know that you have saved the world, again."

"Great, that’s great. But what about Angel? I thought that we were in this together. Why did he have to die? He never did anything to hurt anyone when he had his soul. Sure, he left me, but he’s so sorry for that. Why did he have to suffer? I’m glad that we saved the world, but a world without Angel in it? To me, it’s not worth living in."

"You are mistaken young lady, do you not remember the promise?"

"The promise." She did remember. I’ll always be here. Angel’s words once again echoed in her head. "But I killed him. I was there, I drove the stake through his heart, he turned to dust!"

"No, as I recall, you killed Angelus, not Angel. Go into that door down there, and see what I mean."

Buffy walked carefully to the door. She wasn’t sure that she should trust this demon, but she wanted answers. She got them as soon as she opened the door. Angel was standing there in the room.

"Angel!" she yelled and ran into his open arms. "I thought you were gone."

Angel chuckled. "Why is it that you always forget my promises? Remember? Never again." And he kissed her.

"Angel?"

"Yeah?"

"Glagbore said that I killed Angelus, not you. But you possess the same body, what did he mean by that?"

"Oh, well you see. While you were battling Angelus, they brought me in here. They told me that if you won then they were going to perform some rituals on me. So I had to watch you fight him, just like last time. It was me who was whispering to you Buffy, I couldn’t let you give up hope. Anyway, when you won, this bright flash of light engulfed the room, and the next thing I knew they were telling me that our love had made my soul permanent. I told them that it was already that way because of the spell I had performed. They told me that it was permanent in the way that I regained my humanity. I’m human, Buffy."

"Oh my god!" She again ran into arms. She was happy. They could now be together. "So, no demon?"

"No demon, just me." They hugged again, but then Angel began to speak again. "Buffy?"

"Yes?"

"I’ve wanted to ask you this for a long time, but my soul and demon always got in the way. Will you marry me?"

"Aren’t we already married?"

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"The claddaugh ring, Angel. It’s not just a sign of devotion, it’s a wedding band."

"How did-"

"I did some research. But that doesn’t matter. What matters now is that yes, I would love to be your wife. For all eternity." Angel picked Buffy up and spun her around in circles. Laughter rang out through the warehouse. He put her down, and they walked out of he warehouse hand in hand to tell everyone the good news.

Glagbore watched as the two lovers walked peacefully home. In his hand, he held a piece of paper. On it, it said:

The time will come that when two destined souls will find each other. When these two souls meet, nothing will tear them apart. Together, they will watch over the world and protect it from the darkness. Soulmates forever.

Glagbore looked down at his watch. Midnight, January 1, 2000, it read. Just in time, he thought, just in time. And then, Glagbore and the warehouse disappeared.

THE END

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