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The gang stood outside the school the next day. Willow had found the proper magic spell to send Cordelia back to her time and now all that was left was to say goodbye. Cordelia and Xander had returned with an injured Angel. He had been hurt, but he was very much alive, and in good spirits. He was thankful to Cordelia for saving Buffy, and he commented on how mature a woman she had become. Cordelia only smiled, shyly accepting his appreciation. Then Angel thanked Xander, who had a new attitude about him. Within minutes, the two were talking like long lost friends. The tension broken, it seemed true the way Cordelia had explained their future relationship. Buffy had taken Angel home to recuperate; the sunlight would have done little for his color. Iago had fled during Angel's rescue attempt and the demon had disappeared. Perhaps he would visit again in the future, who knew? But for the time being, the evil was gone.
Cordelia stood before the gang and held out her arms trying to capture every ray from the sun. If she returned to her old world and never saw the sun again, she would remember this day forever. She closed her eyes and felt the warmth on her skin. She smiled, turning to face her friends. She hoped that she would return to a world where they would be by her side again. *Please God, let me see them again.*
Cordelia walked up to the group and prepared to say her good byes. She stepped before Oz and Willow first. "Take care Oz, keep up with your music. It will be an inspiration to us all, no matter what happens. Willow," she stood before her friend, "keep up your studies. You will be a great warrior someday and read everything you can. There's nothing wrong with wanting to be a book worm, Willow, no matter what anyone says. You are one of my best friends, and I love you."
Willow smiled, her face turning red. She hugged Cordelia softly. "Thank you, Cordelia. Please take care of yourself."
Amy watched Cordelia step before her. Though the years before Cordelia had been obnoxious and mean, her future self was respectful and caring. The two hugged and Cordelia told her to prepare for the burden of leadership that was to be her right in the future.
Next, Cordelia moved to Xander, giving him a kiss softly on the lips. She straightened his hair with her hands and held his cheek lovingly. "Take care my love," she said, almost in a whisper. She swallowed hard, fighting back tears she longed to give way to. Xander, for all his wise-cracking and jokes, was silent, except for a chaste kiss he gave Cordelia.
Cordy watched with jealousy, even though it was ridiculous. Cordelia took hold of her hands. "Cordelia," she told herself, "You need to stop wasting time. Don't take for granted the years ahead of you. Change. Accept your love for Xander, no matter what anyone thinks. You love him, *I* know you do. Don't waste any more time," Cordy took Xander's hand lovingly, still listening to herself intently. "Accept these guys as your true frinds, not those social conscious wanna-bes. Your friends, your family are right here. Don't wait for an apocalypse to occur before you understand this." Cordy nodded her acceptance. In her heart, she knew Cordelia was telling the truth. She loved Xander, and she cared for the others as well. She would waste no more time, to that she swore.
Cordelia moved on to Giles, who was still worn from the exorcism. Giles watched with fascination as the woman gathered her words. "To you, Giles, I owe a great apology. I never wanted to believe that you would betray us. Now I know you didn't. Please accept my apology, Giles."
Giles pulled Cordelia to him, hugging her as if he were her father. "I cannot forgive you, for you've done no wrong. You stood for what you believed, and to that you have my respect. What you have done here can never be repaid, but I thank you nonetheless. Godspeed, Cordelia."
Next Cordelia stood before Buffy. She looked at her friend with genuine respect and love. Cordelia dropped to one knee, lowering her head. "Buffy, without you nothing would be possible. It is your resilience and bravery that has kept humanity alive. You are the greatest person I have known and the most courageous, loyal friend that a person could have. If I had had a sister, Buffy, I wish she could have been you."
Buffy pulled Cordelia up and hugged her tightly. "Cordelia, thank you. Thank you for everything."
They held each other, and as they did, Cordelia told Buffy to be strong, no matter what came about. "Never lose faith, Buffy. Never lose your love. It is too easy to become cold and lifeless. Never lose your heart."
Cordelia stepped back and turned to Amy and Willow. "I'm ready."
As they began to recite the incantation, Cordelia waved good bye to her friends. A brilliant light ensued and Cordelia, the warrior from the future was gone.
Buffy turned to Giles, "Do you think she changed the future?"
Giles seemed to ponder the question and then answered, "I don't know, Buffy.
Only time will tell."