Angel's eyes flew open, and he stared in disbelief at the vision before him. Buffy stood there wearing the same outfit she'd died in, only clean and without rips or tears, smiling at him in the way that had never failed to make his soul turn over. She said "Why do you look so surprised, Angel-love? A promise is a promise, after all."

At the sound of the name she'd only called him in their most private moments, Angel felt the tears come in earnest and he reached out to pull her into his arms. She was solid in his arms, her skin warm to the touch. He could feel her breath dancing along the skin of his neck as she nestled her head on his shoulder. She was real!

"I've finally lost my mind" Angel half-sobbed, half-laughed. "But I don't care."

Buffy pulled away from him just enough to look in his eyes, and smiled as she said "You haven't lost your mind Angel, I'm really here. This is a center of mystical convergence, remember? Haven't you learned anything from Giles?"

Angel just looked at her, marveling. "How long can you be with me?" he asked.

Buffy smiled, a sad edge to it, and answered "Until dawn. Then I have to leave."

As Angel lowered his lips to hers he whispered "Then we'd better make the most of it."

Buffy and Angel lay sprawled on the bed, entwined so tightly they could barely move. They had barely broken apart all night, but now their longing had been spent. First in desperate passion, then in whispered words, until now they just held each other, wanting the night to last for all eternity.

"I have to go soon" Buffy whispered.

Angel rolled so that Buffy lay on top of him and asked "Take me with you."

Buffy's face crumpled, then she started to cry as she told him "Angel, I want you with me so badly, but you can't come before your time-"

"It is my time!" Angel replied fiercely. "Did you see me when I dropped the glass?" Stifling her tears, Buffy nodded. "I dropped it because I suddenly saw a whole year without you stretch out in front of me and I couldn't bear it. I wanted to die the night of your funeral; I would have if it hadn't been for Willow and Xander. One way or another, my life ends with the dawn. Please let it be because you take my soul with you. Please."

Buffy untangled herself from Angel and climbed off the bed, still holding his hands. She led Angel to the floor in front of the windows, then slid her arms around his neck.

"I don't know if I can take you with me, but I can try."

Angel pulled her close and kissed her as the light of day started to creep across the floor towards them. When the sunlight poured over them, Buffy and Angel shimmered for a second, then disappeared together. There wasn't even a pile of dust left behind.

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