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Disclaimer: I own nothing, Btvs/Angel belongs to Joss Whedon and Co.
Author's Notes: special disclaimer to the quotes used from the ep, and re-wording of some. (oracle1 is the man, oracle 2 is woman) *Jennie this is for you.*
"I'm here to beg for her life." Angel said
"It is not our place to grant life and death." Oracle 1 said, as he and the other began to walk away.
Angel stepped toward them. "And ask you to take mine ... back." He said, his voice quivering. Angel realized that asking this, he may never be human again, and never be able to be happy with Buffy. But keeping her alive was more important than his happiness, and maybe hers.
The Oracles stopped in shock and turned to him.
"Look, I can't protect her or anyone this way. Not as a man." Angel continued
Oracle 2 looked on confused. "Your asking to be what you were, a demon with a soul. Because of the slayer."
"This is a matter of love." Oracle 1 analyzed. "Does not concern us."
"I know you have it in your power to make this right. Please." Angel pleaded.
"What is done, cannot be undone."
Oracle 2 saw the devotion Angel held for this girl, the slayer. This selflessness he possessed, was admired greatly, and she couldn't deny his wish. "What is changed can be done."
But Oracle 1 intervened. "We are not to stoop to the qualms of a lower being."
"No, He is willing to sacrifice every drop of human happiness and love he has ever known, for another. He is not a lower being." Oracle 2 said, defending Angel
Oracle 1 lowered his head in defeat.
Oracle 2 walked toward Angel, she smiled at the gift she was to bestow upon him. "You have proven worthy, to recieve your request. But, your selfless act has enchanted your wish, you will posses a demon. A demon's strength.
Angel looked confused. "What do you mean??"
"Mortality and Immortality shall be yours." She said, as the Oracle's stepped back to make their leave.
"Wait!!!" Angel pleaded, but it was unheard to them. He was suddenly tossed back out of the dimension.
Buffy was pacing back and forth in Angel's apartment. Waiting for Angel to return, she had no idea where he went, and she was worried. Whenever Angel was gone for along period of time, something was very wrong. Buffy was pulled out of he thoughts by the sound of Angel coming down the stairs. A serious look was plastered on his face. "Something tells me from the expression on your face, they were out of fresh O. J at the deli." She said sarcastically.
Angel didn't falter at her joke, and Buffy knew it.
"What happened?" She asked, worriedly
"Nothing happened... I just."
"Where have you been?"
"I went to see the Oracle's...I asked them to turn me back." Angel confessed.
Buffy could feel the tears form, why would he do this? She thought. "Why?"
Bowing his head, he could hear the quiver in her voice. "Because more than ever I know how much I love you."
Buffy shook her head, she knew where this was going. "No." She moved away from as if that would move her away from the pain that was forming.
Angel grabbed her arm quickly. "And one of us would have ended up dead, or both, and I couldn't let that happen. I wanted to keep you safe, and I couldn't do that, and be an ordinary man." His news would shock her, he knew that. But she had to know that afterwards it would be wonderful in the end.
Tears rolled down her face like a stream, their one chance at happiness was shattered. And Buffy became even more distraught when a smirk came upon his face.
Sniffing. "Now I can protect you..and give you the life you deserve."
"How?" She said sobbing
"The Oracle's restored my strength instead."
Buffy swallowed the lump in her throat, she had feared the worse. But in the end, a smile crept upon her face, beneath the tears that still fell.
Angel reached up and cupped her face, his thumbs softly wiping her tears away. He leaned down and brushed his lips softly as well on her lips. "I told you, I wanted to make sure you don't get hurt again, and I will."
Buffy reached up and crushed her lips to his, sniffling in between them. "I thought you were going to leave me again." She finally choked out. His lips turned up in a half-smile once again, and her heart did a little flip-flop.
"Never again." He whispered. "Never forget my promise to you. We'll make it work remember."
She bit her lower lip, and nodded. "Yes... I'll never forget."
Angel bent and scooped her up in his arms, kissing her fiercely; he carried her toward the bedroom. "Never Forget."