Buffy held it in her hand; elegant, beautiful, and heavy- it was her life line now.
She used it whenever she was faced with a foe.

As she stood firm and awaited the attacked, she let everything around her
surround her senses and then suddenly Buffy sensed the first move from her attacker.

“Not bad!” Buffy called out as she brought her sword up and felt his sword strike against hers.

“You seemed distracted, Buffy. I attacked and you were prepared.” Angel caught her blow against his sword
and then thrust back with everything he had.
“You’re amazing! You have only gotten better with time. Too bad Giles isn’t around..”

After that remark, Buffy was more aggressive and Angel became defensive.
She decided that turn about was fair play.
“Too bad Kate isn’t around either.”

He smirked.”Yea. Too bad indeed.” and he laughed giddily
and attacked her quickly and efficiently.

In the end though, Buffy and Angel were equal now.

As they stood with swords to each other’s necks, Buffy and Angel stared into one another s eyes.
~~~~~
Past Memory

“I heard you speaking to me while I was in my coma. I guess what I didn’t hear was the truth. I mean the truth now.”
She grimaced and laid back into the pillow.

“I appreciate you bringing me to your home, Angel. But I don’t know if I should stay.”
~~~~~
Present

“Do you think that we had enough time with everyone?”

“Buffy, when I was a vampire, time had no meaning. Now that I’m an Immortal,
well I think we used what time we had as mortals as wisely as possible.
As Immortals; we see time differently now, don’t you think?”

She nodded and walked over to replace her sword.
Angel walked up beside her and replaced his as well.
He put his hand over hers and turned Buffy to him.

“He lifted her chin to look in her eyes and asked,
“Will you always be my girl?”

“Always.”

FOREVER