The Deal: This is the sequel to 'You Never Just Forget...'. No time has passed since the other part, but you should read it to understand this. Where as the first one was mostly about things that've happened leading up to this point and the feelings they still have for each other, stuff actually happens in this part.
Note: I wrote this and the first part after 'Helpless'. This is how their lives are after Angel moves to L.A. and the gang goes to college(my version of what happens).
Los Angeles: still the night of Feb.5, 2002
He sat in his apartment, unable to recover from the shock of what Whistler had just told him. He recounted the conversation again, for what seemed like the trillionth time.
He had found Whistler there upon entering his apartment.
"Hey big guy." the demon had said, catching his attention.
"Whistler." he'd replied.
"Naw, it's the tooth fairy." he could be such an annoyance at times.
"What do you want?" Angel had asked.
"Just stopping by to check up on my old buddy," was his reply "And to congratulate you."
"Congratulate me?" he'd asked, more than a little confused.
"On your work here. You did a hell of a job," he told Angel "The Forces sent me. You've fulfilled your destiny, congrats."
"I still don't understand." he'd stated.
"Figures," the demon had said "You've redeemed yourself. You made the greatest sacrifice of all for the good of the world, and that type of thing doesn't go without notice."
"Sacrifice?" Angel'd inquired.
"Geez, you really are thick aren't you?" the demon was again bordering on annoying "The Slayer. You gave up your love by coming here..thus keeping her, and the world, safe. Also, you've each learned your true potential..yet never forgotten your love. That, my friend, is what true love is. Not just the feeling, but the commitment and sacrifice that comes with it. You grew as individuals, and even gave up your love when it became necessary."
The vampire still didn't get it.
"You passed the test." the Whistler simplified for him.
"Wait, this was all some kind of test?" he asked.
"Of redemption, of true love, of destiny...the stuff dreams are made of." the demon joked.
"So..what now?" Angel asked him.
"Ah, the best part," Whistler said "The Forces have decided to reward you. They figure they know what you want. You tell me you do, and it's done."
"You mean..?" he asked.
"Yup. You and that soul you're so fond of become attached at the hip. Well, you know what I mean..it's yours."
"Unbreakable?" Angel asked.
"Under any any and all cirrcumstances," the demon verified, and then seemed to read his mind "Yes, you and the Slayer can get as close as you want..minus the not-so-good consequenses."
"So..it'd be mine forever?" he asked.
"Yes!" the demon said "What does it take to get that through your thick skull?"
"How long would it be before it was permanent?" he'd then asked, ignoring the demon's comment.
"You want it, you got it. No fuss, no muss. Just one completely permanent soul."
He thought for a moment. "Fine." he'd said.
"It's already been done," Whistler told him "Your answer was already a 'yes'."
The demon had then left the apartment, leaving Angel in complete shock.
And now here he was, still in the same state of shock from Whistler telling him that his soul was now permanent.
Demeter: 3 days later
She gazed up at the stars in the night sky as she sat on the park bench. She'd explained to Seth that everything was fine, she just wanted to wait..and he'd bought it. With all the things he knew about her, he knew nothing about Angel. She planned to keep it that way. She also knew that she couldn't put it off forever, he'd get suspicious about it. Even if the only reason she was with Seth was to bury thoughts of Angel, she'd still stay with him. What other choice did she have? Any other guy she found would probably serve the same purpose as he did, so she'd just stick with him. They went through all the motions of a relationship; went out, kissed..did everything you were supposed to do in a relationship. And yet her heart wasn't in it. It was so casual, so..not love. Yet she knew she'd forget this, and things would go on the way they were. Oh well, what can you do about it? A hand rested gently on her shoulder, bringing her out of thought. She turned around, expecting to see Seth there. Her heart caught in
her throat as she saw that it wasn't Seth.
Los Angeles: 2 days ago
The next night, Angel had made arrangements to go to Demeter, where Whistler had said he'd find her. He'd been a little hesitant, not sure if he should come back into her life..not sure if she'd care either way. Two and a half long years had passed, time enough for her to move on with her life. They hadn't stayed in contact, despite his promise to her that they would. He'd thought it for the best. For all he knew, she might be happier without him in her life. After alot of thought, he'd finally decided that the least he could do was go there and see. She'd be in college now, along with Xander and Willow. All of them had grown up. Demeter was a small town, he was bound to find her. Maybe he was crazy to hope that she'd still care about him as he did her, to hope that she hadn't moved on too much for him to still be a part of her life. Maybe he was even crazy to not just leave the past behind. In any case, he *had* to try. She'd once told him that love makes you do the wacky..and she'd been right. So he'd go to Demeter, find her, and pray with all his heart that she'd still care.
Demeter: the now
"Angel." she uttered, in a voice so low it was almost a whisper.
"Buffy." he said, not sure of what else to say.
She snapped out of the shocked state she'd been in(of wondering whether or not this was a dream), jumped up from the bench, and threw her arms around him.
"Angel." she said again, not letting go. She'd dreamed(too many times to count) that he would just show up one day and tell her that they could finally be together. Now, a part of it was reality..he was here..and she wanted it to last as long as possible before reality came crashing back down on them once again. She sighed, breathing in the scent of him. If only things could stay this way forever...
He just held her, for fear that if he let go she'd tell him something that may crush his heart.
For the longest time, they stayed like that..just happy being in each other's arms. But reality took over, and they both pulled away. They stared into each other's eyes for awhile. What now?
"So, what brings you here?" Buffy asked, being the first to break the precious silence.
Angel shrugged "They don't need me in L.A. anymore," he said "How've you been?"
"Okay." she told him, trying to pretend it was true. He looked at her with those deep brown eyes that could always see past any disguise she put up. She broke down into tears, and he held her..letting her cry out all the pent up emotions. "Not okay." she admitted. When she calmed down they sat on the park bench, and she told him what was wrong.
"I've tried," she told him "I've tried to move on, but.." she sighed "It's hard. I've been dating this guy for two years, but I don't love him. Everything he is to me consists of trying to forget about you..but I can't. I love you. It's scary to feel like you'll never be able to give your heart, or even most of it, to someone else. It hurts to know that the one you gave your heart completely to, you can never be with." she sighed again, and he put his arm around her.
"But you can." he told her quietly.
"Yeah, but not *really*..or you know what would happen."
He remained silent for a moment. "The Forces, the ones that brought me back, say that I've fulfilled my destiny," he said, then added "Apparently, they wanted to reward me."
"How?" she asked, afraid to even hope what she knew she wanted to.
"My soul. It can't ever be taken from me." he confirmed.
She just stared at him in shock "You mean...?"
He nodded "Under any and all cirrcumstances, according to Whistler."
She sighed "Are you sure you can trust him?"
"He's never let me down, only helped me." Angel said.
They gazed into each other's eyes in wonderment. What they'd both dreamed of for so long, but had dared not hope, could now become true.