DISTRIBUTION : ask me
RATING : G
AUTHORS NOTES : Buffy and Angel, in the future, 8 years from now. The song is "Whenever You Call" by Mariah Carey and Brian Mcknight.

Love wandered inside
Stronger than you
Stronger than I
And now that it has begun
We cannot turn back
We can only turn into one

"So, I guess this is goodbye... again," Buffy reluctantly stated, her eyes bitterly staring at the concrete floor of Angel's old apartment. The dim lighting... the old style blandness of her surroundings... There was a time when it would have offered the Slayer comfort, a feeling of protection.

But it was a time that had passed. Now, all she felt was a tired resignation towards the surfacing memories that came with seeing Angel.

"I guess it is," he replied evenly, his face almost void of any emotion. He stood a few stoic feet away from the Slayer, trying to resist the urge to move any closer. It felt like his blood was boiling, it had been so long. They had come to an unspoken agreement that whenever either one of them needed "work" help, they would call.

Buffy had called him about a new apocalyptic threat. He came.

I won't ever be too far away to feel you
And I won't hesitate at all
Whenever you call
And I'll always remember
The part of you so tender
I'll be the one to catch your fall
Whenever you call

When he first arrived, it was all he could do to try to smother his feelings with his guilt, always reminding himself why they couldn't be together. Unfortunately, no matter how much he reminded himself, it didn't make seeing Buffy any easier.

For the past 8 years, they saw each other on frequent "business" trips, which were about once every six months. The first visits were the worst, always ending in a "morning after" scene. They would succumb to their... passions, and wake up exactly where they started.

And now, here they were. Two lovers, almost completely resigned to the cruelty of their situation.

The stared into each others eyes, both understanding what they couldn't have. It was almost a comfortable silence.

And I'm truly inspired
Finding my soul
There in your eyes
And you
Have opened my heart
And lifted me inside
By showing me yourself
Undisguised

I won't ever be too far away to feel you
And I won't hesitate at all
Whenever you call
And I'll always remember
The part of you so tender
I'll be the one to catch your fall
Whenever you call

"Well," Buffy started, breaking the quiet, "Thanks for your help Angel, I'll see you around."

The Slayer smiled sadly. She felt so... old. So... NOT 19 anymore. There was a time when she was willing to sacrificed everything, her heart, the world, to be with him. Now, years later, she had sacrificed everything for him, they for each other, but still they could not be together.

Sighing resolutely, losing herself in his soulful brown eyes for a brief moment, she turned pointedly on her heels and reached for the door handle.

"I love you, you know that," Angel said, his voice low, harsh.

Not allowing herself to turn around, Buffy smiled, in spite of herself. Her eyes beginning to brim with tears, she closed her eyes, batting them away. Her back still facing him, she answered him.

"I know, Angel. I love you too," the words rolled off her tongue, glad she could say them even once more. "Always..."

Buffy turned slightly, almost facing him. She felt like she should say something, do something... All she wanted to do was lose herself in his arms one last time.

But that was how it always started. It started with a simple touch, and it ended with the pain of leaving each other again.

Buffy reverted back to her previous position, her back facing him. Straightening her shoulders, gathering her strength, she opened the door.

"I'll miss you." She said simply, uttering her final goodbye. With that, she went through the door and left.

And I will breathe for you each day
Comfort you through all the pain
Gently kiss your fears away
You can turn to me and cry
Always understand that I
Give you all I am inside

Putting his hands on the back of his neck, looking up onto the ceiling of his apartment, Angel closed his eyes and let out a long sigh. A moment passed, as he opened his eyes and stared at the door.

"I'll miss you too, beloved," he repeated to the empty room, his voice full of longing.

After an eternity, Angel regained his composure, straightening his broad shoulders. He turned, once again embracing the emptiness of his old apartment. Walking over to the bed, he tiredly lay down.

It would be a few hours before the sun set, and then he would journey back to LA, once again, leaving his heart and soul with her.

Always.

I won't ever be too far away to feel you
And I won't hesitate at all
Whenever you call
And I'll always remember
The part of you so tender
I'll be the one to catch your fall
Whenever you call

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