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Twenty-four hours later, Buffy and Angel were refreshed. They stood in the underground entrance to the otherworld, ready for their meeting with the Oracles. Cordelia was there as well, ready to perform the small ritual whenever they were ready.
Buffy turned to look up at Angel. "I don't know if I can do this..."
"Shh," he said, smoothing her hair out with his hand. "Everything will work out."
"Angel, if they take back your humanity, I don't know what I'll do," she whispered, pressing her forehead into his chest. He wrapped his arms around her body and pulled her close to him.
"They won't," he said softly. "They saw how much better we work together, how happy we are when we're together. The Powers will know, and they'll make this permanent."
"You guys ready?" Cordelia asked, striking a match against the marble. She threw it into the bowl and chanted a few words before they could answer. A bright light appeared, and they stepped through it without looking back.
Again Buffy and Angel found themselves in the great hall of the Oracles. They were alone for the time being and Buffy clutched the bag she held on to, feeling small and insignificant in the cavernous room. Angel slipped an arm around her shoulders and softly dropped a kiss on her hair, closing his eyes and breathing in deeply. She smiled up at him.
"No matter what," she echoed from the day before.
Angel nodded. "No matter what."
"What have you brought us?" the male Oracle asked as they materialized in the room. Buffy started slightly.
"A rare Roman chalice," Angel said as he removed it from the bag. He tossed it to the Oracles, who caught it and examined it together.
"Wonderful," the female Oracle said gleefully. "Now I suppose you want your answers."
Buffy and Angel exchanged one last glance, filled with all the love and pain and longing they felt. Buffy closed her eyes and took a deep breath, memorizing the feel of Angel's strong hold on her shoulders and the peace she felt in her soul. When she opened them, she nodded.
"We have showed The Powers That Be all that has transpired since the day you first saw her, Angel," the Oracle stated. "We showed them the joy and pain of your relationship, the sacrifice you made when he was sent to hell, the confusion you both experienced when he returned, the helplessness of last Christmas, the heartbreak of your breakup. The joy of your day together. And finally, we told them of what happened yesterday, how although you were human you defeated twelve extremely powerful demons and how Buffy saved your life.
"They reviewed all this and came to a decision." The Oracle paused, watching the anxiety that was clear on both faces. She smiled in reassurance. "They have decided to allow you to continue on like this, Angel, a human with vampiric strength and healing powers. You are both much too valuable to our cause to let heartbreak be the death of you."
As soon as the words escaped her mouth, Buffy began sobbing in relief. She buried her head in Angel's chest and cried tears of pure joy as her deepest fantasies came true in a matter of moments. Angel whispered nonsense in her ear, calming her down while tears formed in his own eyes. The Powers had felt he was worthy of her love, something that made his soul sing.
He was finally worthy.
"Thank you," Buffy whispered, her voice muffled in Angel's chest. She wiped her eyes and gave the Oracles a watery smile. "I'm not usually this emotional."
They exchanged glances and smiled back at her. "Now go, my Warriors. Do your duty, serve those who cannot help themselves," the female Oracle said. "Never lose sight of who you are and what you stand for."
"Your humanity is not a free ticket to the rest of your life," the male Oracle warned.
"So it's not a 'Get out of jail free' type thing?" Buffy asked. He nodded.
"You must continue to fight, to protect those who cannot protect themselves," he reiterated. "But now you can do it together."
"Thank The Powers for us, will you?" Angel asked as he pulled Buffy gently with him to the portal. The Oracles nodded.
"You are welcome, my young lovers. Be happy," the female said. With a smile, they were gone.
She turned to look at her other half.
"We did good."
"That we did," he agreed, staring after the Slayer and her lover. "That we did..."