Part Two

"Time on the line, only tomorrow knows
How you decided which way to go
But time is only the mystery of love, the future's a chance we take
That we can't be frightened of."
Armored Saint

The telephone rang and Angel awoke, lazily reaching for the cordless receiver. "Hello?"

"Angel. it is Mr. Giles. Sorry to wake you, but . . .is Buffy there?"

Angel jumped from the bed and looked about uneasily. He called out to her, but there was no answer. "No she's not here, Giles. Did you check her at home. She doesn't always stay here."

"Yes. Joyce has not seen her since yesterday. She told her she was going to be with you. I would not worry, but Buffy never checked in with me after her patrol last night, and she never forgets.I fear someting may have happened."

Angel kept a level head despite wanting to openly panic. "I'm sure she's okay. She probably stopped off at Willow'a of left the house before her mother woke up. But just in case, I'll go out and put my ear to the ground."

"Thank you, Angel."

Angel hung up the phone and got dressed in silence. He told himself over and over that Buffy was fine, but a wave of apprehension made him shudder. He had the most frightening feeling that Buffy was in danger and he felt strange. It was a feeling he was unaccostomed to. It was fear.

******

Buffy awoke in a dark, dank underground dwelling sparsely lit with candles. She glanced around and she could feel the throbbing in her head. She closed her eyes and looked down. She was tied to a chair with chains. She pulled on them and realized she couldn't break them. *Someone did their homework.*

"Ah, Buffy, I see you are awake. I am deeply sorry for the way you were brought down here, but being that you would have killed us all the first chance you had, well . . . we took what precautions were necessary." It was the man whom she had seen earlier. He was tall and well-dressed, looking very much like the stereotypical All-American even down to the teethy smile. But there was something buried deep in his blue eyes, something that madee him so very dangerous . . .almost maniacal in a way.

"What do you want?" Buffy asked, again struggling with the chains.

The man waved his finger disapprovingly. "Now, don't do that. I wouldn't want you to have to be unconscious throughout the entire ceremony. Now, what do I want to do? How about I answer the question you truly want to ask . . . ."

"Okay. Who are you?"

The man laughed. "I'm suprised you don't already know. Your Watcher must be slipping in his old age, and you for that matter. When you go off tramping around with your turn coat boyfriend, you pay the price, Ms. Summers. My name is Iago. I am the Crown Prince of the Dark Lords. At the dawn of man, my soldiers were defeated on the edge of Damnation by what you mortals refer to as *God's* angels. They were banished to the underworld by His *holiness*, but I escaped. An eternity I have waited, until the day a soldier tainted with the vileness which is love could be brought to this hallowed ground. You are that soldier, Slayer, and tonight, when the darkn moon reaches its peak, your blood will open the gates to my minions' eternal prison. This time, God cannot intefere. There will be no war for Heaven. NO . . . this war will be for your world. You wanted to know what I wanted, well here it is: REVENGE! This world is mine by birthright, and I have come to claim it."

Buffy struggled once again with all her strength. It was hopeless. Iago smiled and laughed insanely. "It's over Slayer. Who will come to your rescue? Your Watcher? He couldn't make it past my sentries. Your friends? That little witch playing make believe magic, floating pencils and calling forth curses?" Iago once again burst into laughter. "Or how about that geek and his girlfriend? Two fools on a path to destruction. Or how about your precious Angel? Human again . . . playing house . . . that fool! He denied his own immortality and now he's powerless to protect you. I'll make sure I thank him before my men and I tear him to shreds."

Iago's laughter drowned out Buffy's paralyzing fear. "It's all over, Slayer . . . .Checkmate."

******

The gang sat amassed within the library. The room was deathly quiet, no one quite sure what to say. Giles paced the room anxiously, waiting for word from Angel. He was not yet ready to give up hope.

"What are we doing here?" Xander said, getting up from his chair, frustrated. "We should be out looking for her."

"And look where, Xander?" Cordelia asked. "In case you've forgotten, you're pretty much a zero when it comes to being a superhero."

"Well, I'm tired of being the only one who cares around here. When Angel gets here, *we'll* go looking for her and the rest of you can just sit on your - -"

"That's enough, Xander!" Giles shouted. "Your rashness will only make matters worse. I know what you are feeling, but sometimes all you can do is wait. Now sit down."

Xander was half way in his chair when Angel came through the doors. He wore a face of anguish and horror. "My God," Giles said softly, "What is it, Angel? What has happened?"

"He has her prisoner . . . they're going to kill her, Giles." Angel's voice faltered.

"Who has her?"

"Iago."

Giles' eyes went wide with horror. "Iago? The Prince of Darkness? Angel, are you sure . . . . The prophecy? Has it come . . .so soon?"

Xander got up. "Okay, hold up a sec. Who is this Iago guy and what is this talk of prophecy and stuff?"

Giles took off his glasses, eyes distant. "Iago was the Prince of the Dark Lords, they were dark angels who fell from grace with Lucifer. Iago was His son, and he led a second war in Heaven against God's angels. Iago was defeated, his Dark Lords banished to the underworld for all eternity, but he himself escaped. A prophecy arose in time, a possible release of those deadly demons." Giles went into his office and emerged with "The Black Chronicles". He read from the book:

" . . .and on that night, the darkest of nights, the warrior of virtue will be placed upon the hallowed gates locked away before man existed. The blood spilt will erase the past and they will rise with anger and hate. The four corners of the world will taste their revenge . . . ."

"What does that mean?" Willow asked.

"Armageddon."

"Well, that's it . . . .I don't care about Armageddon or Iago or anything else for that matter," Xander had opened the weapon's storage and had begun pulling various things out. "Full armed assault of Iago's lair or base or whatever, and we rescue Buffy. End of story."

"It's not that simple," Giles told him.

"I don't give a damn about simple. We're going, alone if we have to, right Angel?"

"No."

"What!" Xander was outraged. "I thought you loved her man. I'm tired of you. First you're a vamp, so of course I hate you, now you're human and I see I stll have a reason to hate you. What? Is your precious life too great to risk for Buffy?" Xander stepped up provokingly.

"Xander, sit down. I'm going . . .alone. I'm the only one who can save her." Angel took a crossbow from Xander's hands and for once, Xander was speechless.

"Angel," Giles started, "You are no match for Iago or even his minions. You are as powerless as we are to stop this. You go down there, you will die, as would Xander or myself if we tried."

"I'm not powerless," Angel answered.

"You are not a vampire anymore. You are a human, you're mortal."

Angel thought it over momentarily. "Than change me back."

Everyone was dumbfounded. "Angel . . . ."

"Just do it, Giles. It is the only way."

"But Angel, Buffy wouldn't want this," Oz spoke up suddenly. "There has to be another way."

"No there isn't." Angel turned to Giles. "The only alternative is to allow Buffy to die. I'll sacrifice myself first. I'll die again, if that will save her." He turned to Xander. "I do love her, Xander. More tha life itself. I love her with a passion I wish I could put to words, but I can't."

Xander felt ashamed at that moment. "I'm sorry, Angel. I know you love her. Forget what I said and forgive me." Angel smiled.

Giles spoke again. "Angel . . .you do know of the clause, don't you?" Angel nodded, but Giles continued. "Once the spell is reversed, you can never use it again. You will remain a vampire for all eternity. You can never be human again."

Angel had never been more certain about anything in his life. He had never been a poet, he could never write a poem or put to words his love for Buffy, but this was something he *could* do. This was something concrete. He had said that he would die for Buffy and this was his chance.

"Do it, Giles."

"Angel . . . no." It was Willow. She walked over to him and hugged him. "Angel, please, we can try something else. You can't do this."

Angel wiped the tears from Willow's eyes and kissed her forehead gently. "You guys have been the greatest friends a man could have, and I know deep down that you know that what I am doing is the right thing. These past months have been special, we'll never forget them . . .*I'll* never forget them, but what kind of a friend would I be if I were not willing to make this sacrifice?"

Angel turned to Giles. "Get everything ready. There's something I need to do first."

*******

The sun was impossibly bright as Angel sat beneath the cypress tree with pen in hand. He wrote like he had never believed he could. It was his first poetic expression . . .another first too late in the game. He folded the letter and placed it in an envelope, sealing it. He scribbled a name on it and got up. He looked to the sky without regrets. There were no second thoughts, nor apprehension in his heart. What he was doing and why was expressed clearly and legibly upon the envelope: FOR BUFFY.

*******

Everything was ready to go when Angel returned after sunset. No one said a word, so many emotions coursing through their veins. Angel looked at the candles and took a deep breath. He walked over to where Giles and Willow stood. He took off a cross from around his neck and handed it to Willow.

"I want you to give this to Buffy for me, Willow." She opened her mouth to say something, but Angel put a finger to her lips. "I don't know if I'll see her after this is all done. I don't know if I can say good bye to her again. So please, do this for me." Willow nodded solemnly. Angel turned to Giles.

"I want to thank you . . .from the bottom of my heart, Giles. This was the greatest gift anyone could have given me, I know our friendship has been tumultuous at times, with Angelus and all that, but I've always considered you a friend, a father figure in a sense. I don't regret giving up my life for Buffy and I don't hate you for giving me happiness only to have to surrender it again. You'll never know how much this has meant to me. You'll be in my prayers until the day I die, Giles. Thank you, thank you so much." With that, Angel embraced Giles. The Watcher, usually stiff and proper, held Angel tight.

"I'll never stop looking for another spell, Angel, I swear it! You are a strong man. Never forget that. The sacrifice you have made today will never be forgotten. Never!"

"He's right." Angel looked up. It was Xander. His eyes were slick with tears. "You are our friend, Angel. You don't have to leave."

Angel walked to Xander. "I do. Buffy deserves a life. She deserves what I cannot give her, and I'll never hold back. I've experienced so much in these past months, and I know now that the decision made before was the right one. Buffy will live out her life, and she *will* be happy." Angel and Xander exchanged a quick embrace. Finally, they had mended their breach and had become friends. The bound they had formed on this night, despite the circumstances, was one that could never be broken. It was clear to all in attendance, the anger and hatred was forever gone.

Angel said good bye to Cordelia and Oz and then turned back to Giles. "Let's do it. My girlfriend's waiting."

Giles hesitated momentarily then began the incantation. The light show followed and Cordelia hid her face in Xander's chest. As the energy flowed through Giles and then to Angel, the gang all shed tears when their friend let loose a painful scream. It was a scream of fear and loss . . .it was his dying breath. The Angel that pulled himself up was a familiar sight, until his face morphed. No one looked away and no one felt fear, only grief in their friend's loss. Angel felt his face and then morphed back. He stepped to Xander who had taken a crossbow for him. He handed it to Angel.

"Be careful, Angel."

Angel smiled despite what had just occurred. "I'll bring her back don't worry about that." Then in a blink of an eye, he was gone.

*******

"It is time!"

A loud chorus of demons cheered.

Buffy stretched her neck to witness dozens of vampires and demons amassed. They stood in awe as the Slayer was brought before a dark abyss surrounded by ceremonial candles. Iago stepped forward and looked down at Buffy.

"Have fun, Slayer."

Iago turned to his followers. "The time has come. The hour is at hand. My soldiers will walk this world again." Iago bent down and picked up a handful of dirt. He tossed it to the abyss and it bouced off an invisible mystical gate. "This gate has held my father's loyal warriors for too long. When they rise and take this world, you, who have labored against good, will all have a place in my new regime. This world will be our nesting ground as well as our banquet for all eternity."

A loud chorus of cheers arose as Iago produced a small blade. It was ornate and deadly. "The Slayer's blood will open the gate. And when it is accomplished, all will have a chance to feed on her *Chosen* blood," Buffy trembled at that. Fear was causing her to panic. She shook frightfully and squirmed in the thick chains. Laughter filled the air from the demons in attendance.

"Now our time has come!"

Suddenly, a loud scream pierced the cheering and vampires began to explode left and right. The demons turned to see several of their kin disintegrating before their eyes.

"What is this? Who dares defile this holy ceremony?"

"The name is Angel."

At that, the remaining vampires began to panic. Some fought, others ran, most died. Iago was furious. "Come to me, Angelus. Come and look upon thy death, human!"

Buffy watched as Angel made his way through the remaining hysterical vampires. Some leapt forward to battle, but Angel disposed of them neatly, his eyes never leaving Iago. It was only a few yards away that Iago noticed something peculiar. Angel's face was not that of a human. It was a vampire's. Buffy noticed as well and she began to cry, knowing somehow, Angel had given his rebirth for *her* . . . to save her. "NO! Angel., NO!!"

Angel never heard her as he and AIago came crashing into one another. The battle was intense and bloody. In the end, Angel forced the dagger meant for Buffy into Iago's cold heart. Ten thousand years of human guises morphed upon Iago's face until his true demon face melted away into a storm cloud of dust and bone. His final scream was a horrifying echo of the most evil sound that man had ever heard. It resonated through the underground lair throughout the city and then subsided.

A bloody Angel turned to release Buffy. She had shed tears, and now only looked upon her love with great pride and regret in what he had given up. They held each other's eyes for a moment, not saying anything to one another. What was there to say?

Angel broke the chains and Buffy took him into her arms. "Why, Angel? Why?"

"Buffy,"Angel said softly,"Know only that I will always love you."

At that second, a vicious demon leapt at Angel from behind, a large wooden spear in hand. There was no time to react, death was imminent. But from acoss the room a crossbow's arrow struck the vampire's chest and it exploded in surprise and anger. Angel and Buffy looked across the lair and there stood Xander, Giles, and Oz, all bloody and weary, but very much alive.

Angel smiled, saying more with his facial expression to his friends than he could have said with words. He hugged Buffy to him and wondered how he was going to live without her. He picked her up and they made their way out of Iago's underground base. On the surface, Willow and Cordelia were waiting. Buffy was immediately engulfed by frantic friends who were happy that she had survived. In the excitement, she was seperated from Angel. She looked for him and she could see him, already a distance away.

"Angel," she called, but he could not hear her. Willow touched her shoulder and handed Buffy a letter and the cross she had promised Angel she would deliver. On the envelope was written: For Buffy. She opened it and began reading the letter:

"Buffy, My dearest love. No time, nor distance can erase what you have meant to me . . .or I to you. Let us not look on our good byes but on our memories as a source of inspiration in all we do."

Buffy looked up from the letter, alredaung shedding silent tears. At that moment, Angel stopped and looked back at Buffy. It was the last stand of Angel's dying heart. He fought the urge to run back to her. This was for Buffy . . . . The two locked eyes momentarily, and then Angel continued on. Buffy went back to the letter:

"I will be everywhere . . . even if not with you. I'll be there at the park under our tree, on the windy beach with the sand on your feet, in the sunrise with its wide array of beauty. I love you and we will always share our soul which is two from one. You have been my light in the darkness, and for a short time, my light in the light. Live your life, Buffy, and don't hold back. Have your children . . .become a wife . . . become a grandmother. You deserve happiness and it will come to you. I swear it. I love you, Buffy. With that, remember me always. Yours eternally, Angel"

Buffy looked up, the letter finished. Angel had disappeared into the night. A hand rested softly on Buffy's shoulder and she looked into the eyes of Giles whose own eyes were slick with tears.

"He was valiant, Buffy. I haven't known many better men than he, and certainly very few with his heart. I made him a promise and I'll make it to you: I'll find another spell and we will give him his life back. But for now, let's just go home."

Buffy turned once more to see if Angel was there. All that was there was the darkness. She blew a kiss softly into the dark night after a long while and turned away, not quite sure she could make it without him again.

In the shadows, Angel watched her go. He caught her blown kiss and held it close to his heart. *Good luck, Buffy. If you ever need me, I'll be there. If . . ..* He was darkness again, but the memory of light warmed his cold body. He turned and faded silently into the black.

THE END

"Through the raging tide, remember your heart
Through the darkest night, remember your heart
Through the longest day, remember your heart
As you walk away, remember your heart."
Armored Saint