Buffy can't sleep, so she gets up and starts walking through the hall. Drusilla is behind her. She opens a door and walks into the Bronze. Willow is there with a monkey and her mother comes up to her with cappachino. She says "Do you really think you're ready Buffy?" Then, the cup breaks. She sees Angel and before she can go up to him, Drusilla stakes him from behind. He turns to dust and Dru wishes her a happy birthday. Buffy wakes up.

Buffy goes to Angels to see if he's okay. He says yes and she expresses her dream to him. He comforts her. She speculates that Drusilla is alive, but before Buffy can get to into deep conversation about it, he kisses her. They get into a passionate embrace, but Buffy realizes that she has to get to school. But, she can't bring herself to go. More kissing. He asks her what she wants for her birthday, she says she doesn't know. They start talking about how she loves seeing him at bedtime.

Buffy consults Willow for advice on her relationship with Angel. Buffy feels ready for the next step in their relationship. Willow is in awe. Then, they see Oz. Willow goes over and they talk about the band. He asks her out. (sigh). She says yes. But, then she remembers they are throwing Buffy a party the next day. She says he can go with her. He agrees.

Xander tries to approach Cordy about actually having a relationship... not all grabbing. She rejects, he walks away.

Buffy approaches Giles, Xander, and Jenny and tells Giles about her dream. A wonderful exchange over Buffy and a pre-birthday spanking and Giles being a drama queen.... Fantastic!

Meanwhile, Spike is preparing for Dru's birthday. Dru is strong and Spike is in a wheelchair with many burns. The presents they are compiling for Dru are a series of boxes, each containing a body part.

Buffy tries to bring up the subject of getting her liscense. Her mother says "Do you really think you're ready?" And, she then drops a plate. Super wig.

Jenny is approached at school by a creepy guy. He says that she hasn't written for a while and that the curse is lessening. They say Angel's pain is lessening. She admits that there is a girl. He says that if Angel has one moment of happiness, the curse will end. Jenny is a gypsy of the tribe from which Angel killed a young girl. Jenny promises to take care of it.

Buffy tells Giles that part of her dream came true. Willow and Xander come in. Giles tells Buffy to take it easy and meet him at school that night. The party goes on as planned.

Buffy shows at school and Jenny is there and tells her that Giles told her to take Buffy somewhere else. They are nearly there, and Buffy sees some guys unloading boxes. She begins to fight and it gets pretty hefty. The gang waits inside the Bronze. Buffy makes a great entrance. She crashes through some glass and stakes the vamp.

They surprise her. She is touched, yada, yada, yada. And, the news of vampires existing is broken to Oz. He's cool with it. Jenny actually finds one of the boxes. They open it. It's a hand that jumps out and grabs her and begins to strangle. Angel gets it off and they put it back in the box. Angel knows what it is. It is the Judge. He swears to rid the planet of humanity. He cannot be killed, only dismembered. They were buried in every corner of the earth. They are planning to bring forth Armageddon.

The plan is for Angel to take the arm and hide it. He must hop a boat and leave, for months. Jenny decides to drive Angel to the docks.

Drusilla is displeased with the vamp who lost the box. She almost kills him, but he swears to retrieve the box.

Buffy goes with Angel to the docks to see him off. They have a sentimental farewell. He gives her his present. It's a claddagh ring. It is from his people and is a sign of devotion. He has one as well. She puts it on; heart facing inward.

Just as they are saying final goodbyes, vamps crash; an entire group attacking each of them. They put up a good fight, but the vamps get the box. One vamp throws Buffy into the sea and Angel goes in after her.

Buffy finally shows at the library. Angel is getting dry clothes. Giles has researched the Judge. He burns the humanity out of people. And, he cannot be killed. They stay up into the night and study. Buffy is tuckered out and falls asleep in Giles's office.

Buffy has another dream. Buffy is at the warehouse. There are tons of candles all around. Jenny is also there. The boxes off the Judge are all scattered around. Dru goes to the top of the stairs and kills Angel in front of Buffy. She wakes up screaming his name. He comforts her.

Drusilla starts her party. Spike brings her the last box and they assemble the Judge. All the parts fuse together and he rises. He's a huge blue dude. He kills one of the vamps who has humanity in him. Dru way loves it.

From Buffy's dream, she knows where Dru and Spike are. Her and Angel head off to find them and see how far they are with the Judge. They find the factory and enter. They hide in the rafters and see that the Judge has already been assembled. The Judge senses the humanity in them. And they are caught. The Judge goes to kill Buffy and Angel manages to free himself.

Angel helps Buffy get free and they run into the sewyers, thus escaping. They find their way to the surface, where it is raining. They go back to his place, very cold and wet. He tells Buffy to warm up in his bed. She has a cut on her back, so he checks it out. He sits down next to her and tells her it's fine. She feels right being next to him. And, they embrace. He proclaims his love for her. She initiates sex. And, hence, Angel's one moment of true happiness. Later, as Buffy lies in his bed. Angel wakes up suddenly and runs into the rain. While in terrible pain, he calls out her name.