by Mace

Dru toiled over the books she had accumulated over the decades for hours everyday. Some of the languages had been forgotten over the years. Among those, the magics that had restored Angel's soul. They translations had not been destroyed, Drusilla herself had destroyed and stole them after Angel's soul had been restored.

Dru had separated herself from the demon much like Angel did. Drusilla was a crazy demon who had been bent on world-destruction. Dru was the live-in vampire with the Slayer. Dru even had one of the books of forbidden magics. Her clan had hidden these spells because they were so dangerous. Drusilla was not really lucid enough to understand what was being said.

Her mind was far too simple. Dru, however, had the knowledge and wisdom of nearly a century.

Her head suddenly felt light, she knew she was having a vision. She lied on her bed and concentrated on the vision. Without the madness hazing her thoughts, her visions had actually become much clearer.

"Drusilla," she said.

"I'm called Dru now," Dru replied. "Edith?"

"Hello, sister, Janna asked me to see you. She wanted me to tell you that you'll only get one chance. There are two parts to the soul, the conscious and the unconscious. They are always together, that is until they've been separated," the small, twelve-year-old said.

"I don't understand, Edith. What do you mean?" Dru asked.

"'It means you belong to someone.' Dru, he belongs to her," Edith replied.

"Janna, who is that?" Dru asked.

"Janna Kalderesh. Jenny Calendar. Souls never want vengeance. When we do, we get lost, trapped between worlds. Our descendants made a mistake. Janna wants to fix it," Edith said.

"Fix what?"

"The clause. The elderwoman knew that Angelus would fall in love with her. Why do you think Janna was sent to watch him? It was to make sure if the Slayer didn't kill him, that she would. Enyos knew it too," Edith said, her body becoming lighter and lighter.

"What do you want me to do?" Dru asked. "I don't understand."

"Unite them. Their souls, unite them," Edith said.

Dru woke up in her bed in Buffy's basement. It was a month-and-a-half before Buffy's birthday. She gathered up her books, put them in the trunk, grabbed some clothes, some cash, and waited for the sun to go down.

Dru did not intend to be there when Buffy woke up. She left a note on the refrigerator and left. She caught a flight from Sunnydale to Los Angeles and from Los Angeles to New York. She hung low in New York until the sun went down, when she caught a plane to the place of her birth, hoping that whatever force was at work would lead her home.

It was so ordained by the Watcher and the Mother of the Slayer that there would be *NO* surprise party on Buffy's birthday, nor would whatever party there was be held at the Bronze. Buffy was informed some two weeks before her birthday that a party would be held at the Summers' residence on the night of her birthday.

"Are you gonna be okay with the party tonight?" Joyce asked.

"My birthday was a good day. It's everyday after that was wrong. I feel like celebrating tonight. You only turn eighteen once," Buffy said cheerily. "I only wish Dru was here." <> she thought.

Shortly after sunset, the black BMW pulled up in the Summers' driveway. She had a long package wrapped in bright purple paper under her arm and a smaller one wrapped in silver. She stepped in the house and was greeted by happy friends. Dru could sense Buffy's anguish, but she looked so happy. Only if you stared deep into the deeps of Buffy's eyes could you have seen the pain that rested there. It lessened minusculy as Dru came in.

"Dru!" Buffy said excitedly.

"Hi, Buffy," she greeted, "I hope I'm not late."

"I was worried. We hadn't heard anything from you. Where did you go?" Buffy asked.

"I'll explain in due time. Where do you want me to set this?" she asked, indicating the purple wrapped box. She stuffed the silver one in her back pocket.

"Right here," she said indicating a pile of boxes beside a huge chocolate cake.

They ate pizza, chips, and cake until no one could move. Then, Buffy, who could move due to Slayer metabolism, opened her presents. Oz and Willow bought her a shopping spree. Cordelia gave her some make up. Xander gave her candy. Giles gave her a pair of silver earrings to match the cross and Claddagh ring she always wore. Dru gave her a quilt embroidered with silk ribbons. Buffy's mom handed her a small box.

"Open it. I hope you like it," Joyce said.

Expected jewelry, she got quite a shock when she pulled out a set of keys. Buffy held them up, barely containing her glee.

"What are these to?" Buffy asked, smiling.

"You already have a house key, and I'd never give you keys to *my* car," Joyce said.

It turned out to be a maroon Corvette. Buffy was too thrilled to speak. She hugged her mom with full Slayer-strength.

"Honey, like I said, I need to breathe," Joyce said.

Buffy backed off and looked at her new car. Everyone was really pleased for Buffy.

The Slayerettes and Giles left Buffy's home about eleven. Buffy, Joyce, and Dru picked up the living room and put up the dishes. Dru explained that from her travels (she didn't explain as to where she went) that she was exhausted and planned to sleep all night and all the next day. Joyce and Buffy understood.

Joyce ascended the stairs, and Buffy said she wanted to get a glass of water. She got her water and was about to go to bed when Dru stopped her. She took the silver wrapped box and placed it in Buffy's hand.

"Open this in your room and wear it to bed. It's an apology from my people," Dru said.

"Your people?" Buffy asked.

"I went home, to Romania. G'Night, Buffy, and happy birthday. The quilt's what I had planned to give you that night you came back. I saved it until just the right moment."

"Thank you and 'night, Dru. Thanks for the quilt and whatever's in this box," Buffy said as she hugged Dru. She turned from her once-enemy and walked up the stairs.

Buffy opened the box and pulled out the necklace. It was a green orb about two inches across on a silver chain. She put the necklace on, put Dru's quilt on her bed, and quickly fell asleep.

She awoke around three that morning. Her hand with the Claddagh ring was holding the orb. The orb was vibrating. She pulled back the quilt to see that the vibrating orb was no longer green, but dark-blue and glowing.

She got dressed and crawled out her window like she had done so many times in the past. <> By the time she reached the front of Sunnydale High, the orb was vibrating even faster and glowing red-purple. She had no problem breaking into the school.

She walked down the hall as the orb took on this steady humming. It was almost soothing. . . . It *was* soothing. She stepped through the library doors. The orb was bright red and casting light all over the library. Buffy held her Claddagh ringed hand against the orb. The library shook slightly and the floor split open. Buffy looked around the library for some indication of what was happening. It was getting hot in there. She was sweating profusely.

Light poured through the hole in the floor, and the room smelled like . . . sulfur? Her heart stopped when he walked out of the hole. The hole closed behind him, and the light from the orb disappeared.

"Angel?" she whispered. ((**LIKE WE DIDN'T EXPECT THAT!!!**))

"Buffy?" he said equally as quietly.

She ran forward and held him for dear life. She looked up into his eyes, not really sure how he was there, but too happy to care. She lifted her lips to his and kissed him deeply. He slid hands up her back and through her hair, pulling her even closer. He inhaled her so very desired scent that could only belong to her. <> Neither of them noticed that they were crying.

"I missed you so much," she said as she broke the kiss.

"I missed you too. Is everything okay?" he asked.

"Fine, Angel. Now everything is fine. Are you okay?" Buffy asked. It was about that time her heart started beating again. Now, if only she could breathe.

He wove a little and sank to the floor on his knees, bringing her with him. She looked imploringly into his eyes.

"I'm better now, Buffy, just tired. I'm so proud of you," Angel said.

"For what?" Buffy asked.

"You didn't let me beat you. You were strong. You did your job," Angel said. "I'm so very proud."

Buffy smiled to herself, but it didn't last long. She started to sob. Angel smoothed her hair down and shh 'd her.

"I was so afraid. I never thought I'd see you again. I thought you wouldn't forgive me. After all this time, I thought you were gone forever," Buffy cried.

"How long has it been?" Angel asked. "There isn't much of a calender system in Hell."

"A year. It's my eighteenth birthday," Buffy sobbed.

"A year? I'm so sorry, Buffy. You forgive me?" Angel asked.

"Of course! I love you," she said.

"I love you too," Angel said, remembering how hard it had been once to say those little words.

"It's been so long since I've seen you. So much has happened. But I waited all this time, Angel," she said holding up her Claddagh ring. "I still belong to you."

"God, I love you," Angel said, letting those sweet words express all the pent up emotion he had felt since he first laid eyes on her. "I always have. I always will. How did I get here?"

"I'm not sure. I think Dru did it, but I don't know how."

"Dru? As in Drusilla?" Angel asked, suddenly very afraid of the consequences of his return.

"She likes to be called Dru now. She's got a soul and she's not insane anymore. She's been helping me slay vampires," Buffy said.

"Drusilla has a soul? I guess I really am behind, huh?"

"I kept your apartment. I dust it every week," Buffy said proudly.

She stood and helped him to his feet. They walked to his apartment without saying a word, just enjoying each other's missed company. It was almost as if no time had passed.

Angel, dirty from several months in Hell, took a shower, but he asked Buffy to wait so they could talk. They had both decided *not* to finish what they started a year previously because neither knew what the conditions of his return. Buffy was perfectly content just to sit there and stare at him. Angel felt the exact same way. He sat down on the sofa (she put it in there so she could have someplace to sit) beside her. He slipped his arm over her shoulder and pulled her against his chest.

"I'm so sorry, Buffy," Angel sighed.

"Don't tell me that ever again, Angel. Believe me, I know. Everything's okay with me. If everything's okay with you, I'd say we're fine," Buffy said.

"I'm good. When you've been in Hell for several months, just about anything is fine. Especially with you sitting here in my arms," Angel said.

She snuggled against him and sighed. "We're fine, then. Everything's gonna turn out great," Buffy said to herself.

"What about everyone else? What are you gonna tell them?" Angel asked, suddenly tense.

"I don't know. Giles, the Watchers' Council, and the rest of us have been looking for a spell or prophesy to bring you back, but I'm not gonna just blurt it out," Buffy said.

"They *wanted* me back?" Angel asked incredulously.

"Nah, they want me to be happy. I met Whistler," Buffy said.

Laughter rumbled deep in Angel's chest. "What'd you think?" Angel asked.

"Annoying. He was very, very annoying. He'd been looking for me after I left Sunnydale. Principal Snyder, he's a demon like Whistler. Only on the Hellmouth," Buffy sighed.

"You should probably get home," Angel said reluctantly. "Your mother might be worried."

"You're right, but we have an open-door Slaying policy now," Buffy said smiling.

"She knows?" Angel asked, arching an eyebrow.

"Yeah. She found out . . . well . . . I'll explain all this later. I'll see you tomorrow, Angel. You should get some rest."

"Okay," he said as she got up.

She walked to the door. Angel smiled inwardly at her. <> "Do you wanna go to the Bronze tomorrow night?"

"You should rest, Angel. I'll come by later to see how you're doing," Buffy said.

"Okay, I love you, Buffy," Angel said.

Buffy turned around to face him, her face was slightly flushed and her heartbeat was racing. "I love you too, Angel," she said as she left.

Do you want to read part six? Go here.

IF YOU GIVE A SLAYER A STAKE, SHE'LL WANT A VAMP TO SLAY. IF YOU GIVE A SLAYER A VAMP, HE'LL TURN OUT TO BE ONE WITH A SOUL. IF YOU GIVE A VAMP A SOUL, HE'LL WANT TO BE HUMAN. IF YOU GIVE THE WRITER SOME FEEDBACK, SHE MIGHT NOT GO **INSANE**!!!

Go here for more of Mace's stories.

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