Boats Against the Current

Boats Against the Current (Chapter Twelve)

They’d all made it out alive and, for the most part, unscathed. Giles had somehow managed to sustain a minor head injury – that seemed to be the leitmotif of his time in battle – but he hadn’t been rendered unconscious, so it still went in the win column in terms of his personal victories, of that Angel was fairly sure.

Buffy had fought better than he’d ever seen her do before and it had impressed him, but his respect was uncoloured by nostalgia. Watching her had the opposite effect – it was one more thing that confirmed that they’d never been meant to be at all. She was even a better fighter without him around…and so was he. Being free to unleash his demon, as he was when he fought alongside Willow…it made a difference, a difference he had fully comprehended for the first time as he found himself having to restrain that side of himself with Buffy beside him.

He wandered into the kitchen. He and Spike could both use some blood. To his surprise, and not happily so, Buffy followed him.

“Hey,” she said as he turned to face her. “Kinda like old times, wasn’t it?”

“No,” Angel said curtly, “it wasn’t.”

She was taken aback, but then again, so was Angel. She had more than a bit of nerve. He wondered if she even realized what she was doing. Probably not, he thought, and that was the only thing that saved her from getting slapped.

“I just meant…”

“I know what you meant, Buffy. The question is, do you?”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m in love with Willow.”

“I know that.”

“Are you sure? Because you don’t sound like you do.” Angel decided that now was the time to rip away the last of her illusions. Oddly, the fact that he’d respected her in battle was the reason he felt this was right. She was strong, and deep down, she had a pure heart. She could handle reality, even if it hurt. “I claimed her, Buffy. I claimed her the first time we made love.”

Buffy gasped and stepped back. “You…you…but you have your soul.”

Despite the fact that he’d always known, deep down, that she hadn’t understood him, her words still shocked him. “What does that mean? Do you think having a soul means I’m not a vampire? Because I am, Buffy. Soul or not, I am a vampire, a demon, and…”

“And Red likes him that way, at least if the moaning and screaming is any indication.” Welcome to the party, Spike.

“That was more than I needed to know,” Buffy grumbled under her breath.

“No, it isn’t,” Angel contradicted her. “Because you need to understand that what you and I had wasn’t what you’ve deluded yourself into thinking it was. It was puppy love, Buffy. We weren’t destined and it wasn’t the love of a lifetime. It was a first love for both of us, but it’s the kind of first love you grow from and move on from, not hang onto forever.” He softened his tone as tears formed in her eyes. “I’ll always care about you, and I don’t regret what we had, but it’s over now and it’s time for you to see that, really see that. Then you can be happy. Just like I am.”

“If it helps, I never meant for this to happen,” Willow said softly from the doorway. “It just kind of did.”

Buffy turned around and faced her friend. “I know, Will. And hey, I can see where – working together every day – things can just...”

Spike coughed loudly, obviously stifling his laughter, as he put two bags of blood in the microwave. “Sorry, choked on something,” he said when Angel glared at him.

Buffy turned around and looked at Angel before turning back to Willow. She knew. “I’m guessing now that Spike knows something I don’t, or at least that I didn’t.”

“Yeah,” Willow said softly. Angel beckoned to her and she came to him. She wasn’t going to face Buffy alone in any way. Buffy turned back around.

The microwave dinged and Spike poured the bags into two mugs, handing one to Angel before heading back to the sidelines to watch the show. Angel drank a bit from his; he needed it.

“When did you guys…?”

“When did our relationship start?” Willow asked. “Umm…”

“It started when she came to Los Angeles looking for Oz.”

“When did you do that?”

“December,” Willow said softly.

“But that was when… Oh. Aunt Esther wasn’t…” And Buffy finally got it. Angel had wondered if she ever would.

“No.”

“’Bout time you figured it out, Slayer. Harris put the pieces together before you did.”

“Spike,” Willow chided.

“Sorry, Red.” Someday, Angel was going to figure out how Willow could so easily get an apology out of Spike. It couldn’t just be the family connection, since Angel couldn’t manage it.

“I’m sorry I lied to you,” Willow said. “I just…”

“I understand. It hurts. But I do understand.” Buffy was sincere, Angel could see it in her eyes, and he was impressed with the maturity she was showing. All his hopes had been well-founded.

“I’m glad of that.”

“Hey,” Riley said as he walked in. “I was gettin’ lonely out there.”

“Maybe you should take the hint,” Spike snapped, his eyes focused on the place on Riley’s chest where a bandage lay beneath one of Xander’s shirts – a bandage that symbolized a freedom Spike might never know again.

“Hi, honey,” Buffy said, ignoring Spike and wrapping her arms around her boyfriend. While Angel could hardly be blamed for thinking little of her taste, he hoped the man made Buffy happy. If he was the one for her, so be it.

“So, what’s going on?” Riley seemed aware that something was transpiring in the kitchen beyond a search for blood and food.

“I’m just making sure that Angel’s taking care of my Wills,” Buffy said, amping up her smile.

Riley looked at the two of them, seeming puzzled for a moment, before asking, “Willow? You mean you and Angel…?”

“Ha!” rang out from Spike. “I apologize, Slayer. Here I thought you were the biggest idiot in the bunch. Looks like Captain Cardboard has you beat in the brainless department.”

This time there was no demand for an apology from Willow. She, like Angel, was intently focused on the expression of disgust Riley was failing to suppress. “Yeah, Riley – me and Angel. You got a problem with that?”

“No,” he said, plastering that ‘aw shucks’ look Angel was already sick of on his face, “it’s just…he’s a vampire, Willow.”

“No!” Willow stepped away from Angel in mock horror and he fought to keep from laughing. “Really? And here I thought he just had a really bad overbite.” She rounded on Riley. “I know he’s a vampire. I think we established several days ago that yes, he’s a vampire, and that he’s also been my friend for years now. He’s saved my life, fought evil with me, and he’s the man I love. If you have a problem with that, then feel free not to come over for dinner. We’re not actually inviting you anyway.”

“Will, he didn’t mean it that way,” Buffy said, trying to smooth things over.

“I take back my apology. You are an idiot,” Spike interjected. “Of course he meant it that way.” Willow was about to say something, but Spike cut her off. “I’m not apologizing this time, pet. She may be your pal, but her boyfriend and his merry band of largely-deceased sadists mutilated me and wanted to watch you get raped. What part of that means he didn’t look at you just now and see something subhuman?”

Willow said nothing. Angel wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close.

“I don’t think you’re subhuman, Willow. And contrary to what you may think, I wouldn’t have let them do what they did to you if I’d been there…and not just because I know you.” Riley had clearly anticipated what Angel was about to say at the end there. “But I don’t think you’ve thought this through. He’s a demon, and that means a lot of things you don’t seem to understand. Look what happened with Oz.”

Amazingly, it was Buffy who came to Willow and Angel’s defense this time. “No,” she said, pulling away from her boyfriend and glaring at him in a way he’d find frightening if he knew her well enough, “you’re the one who doesn’t understand. Willow understands. She understands demons and she understands Angel. And if this is the man Willow loves, we all have to respect her right to be with him, not treat her like a child or…anything.” Buffy had obviously been about to say something that would have revealed her own past with Angel. “If we love Willow and we want to keep being her friends, then we have to accept that she and Angel love each other. And…I do.” When he heard those words and saw Buffy coming near, Angel let go of Willow and let Buffy embrace her. “I do, Will,” she whispered. “It’s gonna take a while for me to get used to, but I do.”

“I love you, Buffy,” Willow said, her voice choked with emotion.

“I love you, too.”

“I think I’m going to be sick,” Spike said as he took his mug and slunk out of the kitchen.

“I’m sorry,” Riley said, addressing Angel this time. “But Willow is my friend and you can’t expect me not to be concerned. You’re a vampire and we all know what happened with Willow’s last demon boyfriend.”

Angel fought to keep from vamping out as both Willow and Buffy glared at Riley.

“Angel’s not me.” Oz’s voice, calm and even, made them all turn to the doorway.

“Oz.” Willow sounded concerned.

“Hey. Spike said the kitchen’s where the action is right now. Gotta say I agree.”

“Where are Xander and Cordelia?” Willow asked, her eyes filled with gratitude for the opportunity Oz afforded for changing the subject. Angel felt exactly the same way. Riley had gotten on his last nerve and…come to think of it, where were Xander and Cordelia?

“I don’t know. Xander was going to borrow Cordelia’s cell phone to call Anya, but I haven’t seen them since.”

Was Angel the only one who had a sinking feeling right about now? No, Willow seemed to be somewhat stricken as well.

“I’m getting a wiggins,” Buffy said. Seemed she was on the same page with them.

“You noticed?” Willow asked.

“That Cordy’s been wearing belts instead of skirts and that you could swim in the amount of drool Xander’s been…drooling? Make that a big yes.”

Angel, while enjoying the prospect of Anya’s imminent heartbreak, wasn’t quite sure how he felt. Yes, he was forced to acknowledge, he’d come around to actually liking Xander, but it was one thing to tolerate his company during a brief visit to Sunnydale, quite another if Xander were to accompany them back to L.A. Would his newfound acceptance of the boy hold up to prolonged propinquity?

He’d once believed vampires couldn’t get migraines. He’d been mistaken on that score.

“It’s a good thing Anya doesn’t have her powers anymore,” Willow said ruefully. Riley’s eyes shot wide open, but thankfully, he kept his mouth shut.

“Xander would be toast,” Buffy agreed.

Speak of the devil. “Hey guys, what have we been missing?” Xander sounded excessively chirpy as he entered, followed by an almost too immaculately put-together Cordelia.

“The lipstick on your chin,” Willow said. Huh? Angel didn’t see any… Oh, but his love was evil. He grinned when Xander did his best to be furtive as he turned and wiped his actually-quite-clean chin.

“Xander,” Cordy hissed, but it was too late.

“How’s Anya?” Buffy asked, obviously competing with Willow for the title of Most Evil.

“She’s…uh…I wasn’t able to reach her.”

“Kind of hard to talk with Cordy’s tongue in your mouth, huh?”

“Buffy,” Willow said, trying to sound stern and failing miserably, probably because she was giggling at the same time.

“Would you believe it was a spell fluke?” Everyone in the room stared at Xander and Cordelia punched him in the arm. “Ow! Alright. It wasn’t a fluke and yes, there’s been some rekindling going on and…”

“He’s coming to Los Angeles with us,” Cordy announced.

“I am?” Xander asked before caving under the weight of Cordelia’s death glare. “I mean…I am.” He put his arm around her shoulders and kissed her cheek. “I am.”

Angel heaved a sigh. He knew he was expected to offer the boy a job right now, but he decided to be evil as well and let Cordy and her boyfriend sweat for a bit. Served them right. It wasn’t as if Cordelia had even asked him before making this pronouncement.

“You’re leaving?” Buffy said, her eyes filling with tears again. “But…but what am I gonna do without you?”

“Yes, Xander, are you quite sure about this?” And now the one person yet to be heard from filed into the kitchen: Giles. “And what about Anya? You do realize you’re being rather unfair to her.”

“Yeah, I mean, Sunnydale needs you, sport.” Spike was back. “And you can’t just go off to frolic with some trollop and abandon the little woman.”

“Gosh, Spike, I never knew you were such a big fan of Anya.” Xander sounded as if he felt Spike was something less than sincere, which was true, so good for Xander.

“Shows what you know. I’m all about the side of good and right. Which is why I can’t condone you abandoning Sunnydale when the Slayer can’t possibly defend it against the forces of darkness without you. And leaving poor Anya…tsk tsk. What have the good guys come to these days?” Spike did his best to look utterly guileless as he spoke. Of course, in truth, he looked a complete and utter clown. Even Riley was staring at him as if he were high on the PCP the late Principal Snyder once thought fueled this town.

“And it has nothing to do with the fact that you hate Xander…and me, and would love to see us both miserable for all eternity?”

“Well…there is that,” Spike grudgingly conceded.

“He does have a point, though, Xander. How am I going to get along without you?” Buffy’s voice was soft and sniffly.

“Oh for god’s sake, Buffy. He’s moving to Los Angeles, not the moon. It’s not like they don’t have phones here in Nowheresville. He can call you. When he’s not busy, that is.”

“Busy doing what?” Oh good…Anya had obviously gotten tired of waiting for a phone call, because here she was. And he’d thought the battle was over. Oh well, it might be a dangerous show, but it was going to be fun to watch. Did Xander buy any popcorn?

“Cordelia,” Spike piped up before anyone could stop him.

“What?!?!” Anya shrieked.

The look on Xander’s face meant that denial was not an option. “This is not the way I wanted you to find out, An,” he said, looking around for confirmation that he’d have some backup.

“So you really are having sex with her. Is it those skirts? Because I could wear skirts that short, too, you know.”

“It’s not the skirts, An. It’s just…I guess I never really got over her. “

“You know, I’m starting to think it’s not me who has the problem acting like a human.”

“I know, An. I’m…I’m a jerk. I’m sorry. You deserve a lot better than me”

“I know I do. But I was willing to give you a chance anyway. I know I should have known better, because after all, your cheating is what brought me here. I guess I never thought you’d do it to me.” Anya looked lost and sad. “I guess I really am human, because I’ve made the classic stupid human mistake.”

Much to Angel’s surprise, Willow went to Anya and hugged her. “I’m sorry, Anya.”

“You should be,” Anya answered. “Because it’s really your fault this happened. If you hadn’t brought Cordelia here, then Xander and I would still be happy.”

Angel wanted to step in, but Willow glared at him over Anya’s shoulder and he held his tongue. Still, he was going to have a talk with his lover about her ridiculous level of compassion.

“I need to leave now,” Anya said after a moment or two as she let go of Willow. “I have to get the things I have at Xander’s. I expect you to stay away while I do that.”

Xander nodded. “An,” he said, reaching out for her.

She cut him off and stepped back. “Don’t touch me. I need to be away from you. It’s part of my healing process.”

“Okay,” Xander said.

“And don’t give me that stupid line about still being friends. Because we were never friends.”

“Okay,” he said again.

“Good. I’m leaving now. Oh, and don’t come crying to me when she can’t give you as many orgasms as I did.” And with that, Anya flounced out of the kitchen and out of the house.

“Well, that was nowhere near as exciting as it should have been. She must not have fancied you that much, Chubs.” Again, Angel had to agree with Spike. He’d been hoping for a more vivid display of anguish from Anya.

“I feel really bad for her.” Angel pulled Willow to him and kissed her forehead as she spoke. That talk needed to happen very soon. “You know, she really is hurting.”

“Yeah,” Buffy agreed. “I mean, I know I never really got along with her, but…”

There really wasn’t much else to say, though even Cordelia looked a bit guilty at the moment. Why, Angel could hardly understand since she’d done exactly what she had set out to do.

“So you really are leaving us?” Giles had come back to the most important bit of business and seemed quite upset.

“Yeah,” Xander said, his voice and manner uncharacteristically subdued. “Gosh, it seems weird to even think about it. I guess I never thought I’d do something like this. I mean, there was Oxnard, but that was youthful folly, and…”

Buffy grabbed Xander and hugged him tightly. “I’m gonna miss you so much. First Willow, now you…how am I going to live without you guys?”

Now it was Angel’s turn to feel guilty as he watched the two embrace while Buffy shed copious tears. He was laying waste to her life, basically. Angelus hadn’t done as much damage as he’d managed to do, though Xander’s departure was only indirectly his fault.

Still, it had been bound to happen sooner or later, he told himself. Teenagers grew up, moved on, discovered the world outside their childhood borders. Willow, especially, would have left Sunnydale at some point, that was for certain. The thought cheered him immensely. He hadn’t caused any damage that time itself would not have caused in due course.

“Are you sure, Xander? I mean, you and Cordelia are kind of sudden and…” Riley decided to share his unwanted opinion.

“Excuse me? Sudden? I’ll have you know that Xander and I got together in tenth grade! Sure, we broke up and all, but…”

Angel decided that it was time for him and Willow to have some alone time. Quietly, he guided her out of the kitchen. Frankly, he was now bored with the Cordelia and Xander show. He supposed he understood what everyone was upset about, but he didn’t care nearly as deeply as they did and he wasn’t going to pretend that he did. Anya repelled and annoyed him and he had no sympathy at all for her. She was miserable? Good. Now she’d get a taste of what she put everyone else through.

Spike, it seems, had decided to make his escape as well.

“I can’t believe you’re letting the cheerleader bring that whelp to L.A.”

“His name is Xander,” Willow said, exasperated.

“Yeah, Xander, whatever. What matters is that she’s foisting her gigolo off on us. No matter what, Peaches, you cannot give the boy a job. She wants him around to service her, fine, but she can bloody well keep him out of our way.”

“You do realize that he’s my best friend, right?”

Spike looked hurt and Willow picked up on it quickly. “Best human male friend, okay? I’ve known him since kindergarten. And I don’t like it when you insult him like that. He could be a lot of help, you know. He comes up with great ideas when the chips are down.”

Even Angel gave her a disbelieving look at that one and Willow grew indignant. “Remember The Judge? Who do you think thought of using the rocket launcher?”

That had been Xander? Really? Angel and Spike were both shocked, though Spike still had the presence of mind for a snide comeback. “That makes him one up on Evangeline Adams. She’s never much use. I say we fire her and hire the boy instead.”

“Spike,” Willow whined.

“Sorry, pet.” He came over and kissed Willow’s cheek. “I’m gonna go grab a bit of shut-eye. Anything to escape the nonsense in that kitchen. And if you two decide to shag, keep the volume down. My room is right next to yours.”

With that, Spike was gone.

“I’m a little tired for that tonight, do you mind?” Willow said, her eyes conveying a good deal of concern.

Angel chuckled and held her tight. “I think I can survive.” He kissed the top of her head. “I hate to admit it, but I think Spike might have had a pretty good idea. I think we could both use some rest.”

“Yeah. That spell…wow. It was really intense, you know? The only spell I’ve ever done that was anything like it was when I restored your soul.”

“Did it feel like that?” Angel couldn’t help it; he had to admit being jealous of Willow sharing that level of intimacy with anyone else. The soul spell had been a powerful experience - he could still recall the feeling of her soul touching his - and he hated the thought of her friends having experienced it as well.

She was quick to reassure him. “No, it wasn’t the same. It was weird, it was kind of…impersonal, you know? It was like parts of all of us were merged with Buffy, but not me. Does that make any sense?”

“Hey, guys,” Oz’s voice cut off the discussion and Angel loosened his hold on Willow.

“Can’t take the heat?” Willow grinned, joking about Oz’s exodus from the kitchen.

“Pretty much, yeah. It’s kind of turned into an argument in there.”

“Oh no,” Willow looked up at Angel, obviously seeking permission to go in and smooth things over. She wasn’t receiving it; he shook his head.

Her answering frown was adorable, but his mind wasn’t changed.

“I’m gonna head out.”

There was something in Oz’s tone which told Angel that head out meant something more than just leaving the mansion. “Where are you going?”

“Not sure, really. Just gonna head to Devon’s, get my stuff, see where the road takes me.”

“You’re ‘leaving’ leaving?” Willow asked.

“Yeah. Kinda seems like the right thing to do.”

“But Oz, you just got here. I mean I know things kinda sucked and all, but…”

“Buffy could use your help,” Angel said. “The way you handled yourself tonight…it was something.” He decided not to mention in front of Willow the fact that he could smell the blood of the soldier who’d hit Spike on Oz’s shirt, but he gave him a meaningful look and hoped his gratitude showed in his eyes.

“Not sure about keeping the wolf under wraps if I stay,” he said softly.

“Maybe you don’t need to,” Willow said. “Maybe you just need to accept it and find some peace with it.” She looked up into Angel’s eyes and he smiled at her. His love was a very wise woman.

“Maybe.” Oz stood quietly for a moment, taking the idea in. “I’m gonna head to Devon’s, get some sleep. I’ll see what I feel after that. But I’m guessing you guys are leaving at sundown tomorrow and I’ll say my goodbyes to you guys now, okay?”

“Okay,” Willow said, the glint of tears in her eyes. Angel nodded at her and she walked over to Oz and hugged him. “I’m sorry,” she said.

“Nothing to be sorry for,” Oz replied, hugging her back, a tear or two shining in his own eyes. “Be happy, okay?”

“You, too,” she said.

And with that, they parted. “Angel,” Oz said.

Angel nodded in reply. Willow looked puzzled by the exchange, but neither man needed to say anything more. With that, Oz turned and walked out of the house.

“Speaking of getting some sleep,” Angel said after a long, silent moment.

“Yeah. Sleep would be good.” She was obviously drained and the adrenaline crash was happening right before his eyes. Her body was going limp as she stood and he quickly moved to support her.

Angel guided Willow out of the room and up the stairs. He kissed her softly as she sat down on the bed. “Sleepy now,” she said as he removed her shoes and she lay down. She was asleep almost before her head hit the pillow. He decided to forgo changing out of his clothes, instead toeing off his own shoes and lying down beside Willow. He pulled her close to him, realizing for the first time that he was pretty well worn-out himself. It wasn’t long at all before he, too, was asleep.

*****

The day had passed quickly, largely because even the humans had slept through most of it. No one had woken up until half past four. Angel could hear them shuffling about before going downstairs, their steps still leaden and heavy. The battle had drained them…as had the aftermath.

When all was said and done, Angel felt more sympathy than he’d ever expected for Buffy. She had lost Willow, now she was losing Xander…but more than that, she’d also lost her innocence and her illusions. Still, he liked to think that what she’d lost was made up for by what she’d gained, even if she didn’t realize that yet. Because if she and Angel weren’t a love for the ages, it meant that the best was still yet to come – somewhere in her future was a love that was real and true and special…just like what Angel had found with Willow.

He and Willow packed the few things they’d unpacked in silence, stopping to touch or share a kiss, but both understanding that this was Willow’s true leave-taking, and Angel’s as well. There was solemnity in that and it made them both grave and quiet.

When they were done, Angel took their bags and they headed down to join their fellows and say their goodbyes. The others were gathered in the living room. Including Oz.

“Hey,” he said.

“You’re back.” Willow grinned as she spoke.

“Yeah. Thought about what you said.” He said nothing more, but he didn’t need to – his few words were enough. Angel was glad. Not just because he wanted Buffy to have an ally, but because he agreed with Willow that the answer for Oz lay in making peace with himself, not trying to stifle and suppress what he’d become. Sunnydale was probably the best place for him to learn to own the wolf within.

“I, for one, am glad you’re going to be here,” Xander said, clapping Oz’s arm. “You should have seen this guy fight last night, Buffy.” Oz smiled shyly and ducked his head.

“Good, because he’s got a heck of a pair of shoes to fill.” Buffy grabbed Xander and hugged him, using a bit too much Slayer strength if Xander’s expression meant what Angel thought it did. “I’m going to miss you so much.”

“I’m gonna miss you, too, Buff.”

Even Giles seemed a bit overcome. “Yes, Xander, we’ll…” Just as Buffy let go, Xander was embraced again, this time by the reserved Watcher. It lasted for only a few seconds before Giles pulled away, seemingly disconcerted by his own emotional display. “I’ll…I’ll miss you,” he finally stammered out.

“Look what you’ve done, whelp. You made the Watcher hug you. You can’t leave now. That’s the closest thing the man’s had to a shag since Olivia turned tail and ran.” Spike was still trying to avert the inevitable, but his thoughtless words hit Giles with some force and Angel looked at him with not a little compassion.

“He’s coming with us, Spike. Deal with it,” Cordelia snapped.

Willow went up to Buffy and hugged her. “I love you,” she said as she held onto her friend.

“I love you, too, Wills.” Then, in a soft voice Angel could only barely make out, she said, “I’m glad you’re happy.”

The two girls hugged even tighter after that. “You will be too,” Willow whispered. “I know it.”

“So, you guys are leaving now?” Good job keeping up with the other kids there, Riley. He’d feel sorry for the soldier, now bereft of purpose, if that purpose hadn’t been so diabolical. As it stood, it was all he could do to manage to feel anything but disgust for the man…or worse.

“Duh,” Cordelia replied. “Like we want to stay here forever. Adam’s toast, the Initiative’s a memory – our job’s done.”

“Cordy,” Angel warned. “Yes,” he said, addressing Riley, “I have a business to run.”

“It’s not like we can leave the relief Watcher in charge for much longer, either. Nancy boy would wet his pants if any real danger came calling.”

Giles chuckled at Spike’s mockery of his one-time rival. There were still issues there.

“He’s not that bad anymore,” Willow argued. “He’s actually a lot of help.”

“Oh yeah, that computer thing? Pretty slick falling into Adam’s trap like that.”

“Spike,” Willow whined.

“Sorry, Red.” Again: how did she do that?

“The sun’s down,” Xander said. For a moment, Angel was surprised that he was the one to point it out, but then they locked eyes and he understood – Xander was afraid that if they didn’t leave soon, he wouldn’t be able to leave at all. His burgeoning relationship with Cordelia notwithstanding, Xander was afraid to leave home…to leave Buffy and Giles and the life he knew. A part of Angel was sure that if Willow wasn’t going to be there with him, Cordelia’s shortest skirts couldn’t lure Xander to Los Angeles.

“We’d best be off, then.” Spike looked half-resigned, half-ecstatic.

“Goodbye, Giles,” Willow said, hugging him.

He seemed only slightly more comfortable embracing her than Xander, but he held onto her for a bit longer. “Take care,” he said. “I miss you, too, you know.”

“I know,” she said. When they parted, there were tears on both sides.

“Be careful,” Riley offered, his eyes focused on Willow.

“We will. Thanks,” Spike replied, snide as ever.

Oz stood off to the side and Willow looked at Angel, her eyes asking permission. Angel nodded.

He watched as she walked over and spoke softly to the wolf. He could hear nothing of their conversation, but he wasn’t concerned. He simply stood and watched as lips moved, exchanging words, and then they embraced. It was friendship and farewell and nothing more. Angel was glad they had their moment.

Soon enough, she was back by his side. “I guess we should go now.”

She and Xander went to Buffy, hugging her one last time and shedding a few more tears. There were more tears shed as they each embraced Giles again, though in more restrained fashion, and then Xander picked up his and Cordelia’s bags.

“’Bout time,” Spike huffed as he hoisted his own suitcase, and with that, he and the others walked outside to the car.

But Angel hesitated. There was one thing he needed to say before going. He walked over to Buffy and took her hand. “You did good,” he said, meaning so much more than just her prowess in battle.

“Thanks,” she said, trying hard not to let tears give away the turmoil he knew she felt. “You, too.”

“Be happy,” he said.

Before she could answer, he walked away. Picking up the last of the bags, he headed towards the door. He didn’t look back as he headed out to Willow’s car. It was done. He got in and turned to Willow, kissing her softly then starting the engine. As the car headed down the drive and onto the road, he took a moment and stared into her eyes, sharing a sense of peace with his love. The battles had been fought and won. They were leaving Sunnydale…at last.


The End