Always

By Michelle McKague

Disclaimer: I don’t own any of the characters from Buffy, they belong to Joss Whedon, The WB,...oh, you know the rest. So please don’t sue me.

Author’s Notes: A Post-prom story, in wehich Buffy and Angel don’t end up together. Very agsnty, but I do leave hope. They will get back together.

Feedback: Yesplease, I live off it.

Distribution: Serena, Felicity, and Dreamer have permission, any one else ask.

Rating: PG-13 at the most.

Spoilers: The Prom


As the music ended Buffy looked up at Angel, the pain in her eyes evident. “When are you leaving?” She asked brokenly.

“Next week, the day after the ascension.” Angel said, looking away. He knew if he looked into her eyes and saw how much this was shurting her, he’d stay. And he couldn’t.

“Is there anything that could make you stay?” Angel finally looked at her, and shook his head.

“No. Buffy, I can’t, you know that.” Buffy didn’t answer, she just looked at him. Memorizing every detail.

Just then the music stopped and the DJ came on. “This next song is for a very special couple from Willow, she says that you’ll know who you are and what she meant by chosing this song. Enjoy.”

Go on and close the curtains
All we need is candelight
you and me and a bottle of wine
Going to hold you tonight

Buffy and Angel smiled over at Willow, who was standing at the refreshments table with the others, esepecially wehn they reconised the song.

Save Tonight by Eagle Eye Cherry.

Angel asked Buffy a silent question, and she nodded silently. He led her on to the dance floor and she snuggled into his arms.

We know I'm going away
How I wish...wish it were different
Take this wine and drink with me
Let's delay our misery

The slayerettes watched them sadly.

Willow sighed, if only there could be some way. Giles heard that sigh and turned to her. “Sad isn’t it, they love each other so much.”

Willow nodded. “I just feel so guilty being happy, when Buffy told me she feels like she’s dying. She isn’t sure, how she’ll live without him.”

Giles didn’t say anything, just looked at the slayer sadly, and then muttered to himself. “Poor girl.”

There's a log on the fire
And it burns like me for you
Tomorrow comes with one desire
To take me away..it's true
It ain't easy to say goodbye
Darling please don't cry
Cause girl you go I've got to go
Lord I wish it wasn't so

Buffy looked up at Angel. “I love you.” She whispered, her voice breaking.

“I love you.” He said capturing her face in his hands. “Always.”

“Always.” She repeated, remembering the last time she had said that. “Will I always be your girl?” She asked heitantly

“Always.” He said, just as she had only a month before.

It seemed longer than that.

Save Tonight
And fight the break of dawn
Come tomorrow
Tomorrow I'll be gone

He leaned down and kissed her gently, their last kiss.

Their tears mixed together, as they both clung to the kiss like a lifeline, neither wanting to break that last connection. It lasted a fee more seconds, before she finally pulled away.

Tomorrow comes to take me away
I wish that I...That I could stay
Girl you go I've got to go
Lord I wish it wasn't so

Angel looked at Buffy seriously. “Buffy, I’ll come back. I don’t know when, but someday. This isn’t forever.”

“Promise?” She asked, a tiny hope forming inside her.

“Yes.” He siad his voice gentle. She smiled softly, glad to have a little hope inside her that he’d come back to her.

Save Tonight
And fight the break of dawn
Come tomorrow
Tomorrow I'll be gone....

The song ended, and Buffy and Angel left the dance floor. Angel moved away. “I should go.”

“Yeah.” Buffy said sadly, not wanting this night to end.

Angel turned and walked to the door, when he got there he turned around and mouthed the word Always.

She smiled, no matter what happened they would never really be apart. They belonged to each other.

Always.

The End