AN: I just want to say thankyou to all of you who have stuck with me for so long. U guys are awesome. This chapter goes out especially to Mel, thanx sweetie for putting up with me through this, especially when it came to a certain item used in this bit. Ur patience is now rewarded…I hope :)
The next week passed in a daze. Buffy was in her own confused world while the rest of the gang were trying to push school, Prom, ascension and Tucker into their already slay-heavy lives.
Giles was reluctant to believe what had gone on between buffy and Angel but as the week progressed without even a word from his half human friend, even he began to accept it.
Finally the day of the prom arrived. Buffy put on a brave front as she returned to the library, Tucker's address clutched in her hand. The gang had been working tirelessly and there was no way her problems with Angel and the world at large were going to ruin everyone's night.
After sending the gang on their way, Buffy made her way to the weapons cage with Giles following close behind.
I want you at the gym. Keep an eye on them till I get there."
"I don't need to tell you you're being rather rash. Finding an address hardly adds up to case closed."
"Look it's done. You want to go after them and tell them they can't go? That all of their planning and dreaming was for nothing? That they can't spend tonight of all nights with their honeys?"
"Angel's not coming back is he?"
"Angel doesn't know when he'll be back…not anytime soon at any rate."
"Oh Buffy, I tried not to believe it. I understand this kind of thing requires ice-cream of some kind."
"Ice-cream will come. First I want to take out psycho boy."
"You sure?"
"Great thing about being a slayer, kicking ass is comfort food."
Giles sighed and watched his slayer go after Tucker while he headed to the gym. For just over an hour he waited, a little nervous about how she was coping. Eventually she walked through the door. She nodded to him to confirm things were all of the good then she went to find her friends.
Giles watched on in silence as she put on the bravest front of her life. His little girl had faced so much that it was hard to watch her like this. As the award part of the night began, Giles watched from the side as buffy slipped to the back and tried to blend into the background
"We have one more award to give out. Is Buffy Summers here tonight? Did she, um..." Buffy looked up as the class turned to try and find her, "This is actually a new category. First time ever. I guess there were a lot of write-in ballots, and, um, the prom committee asked me to read this. 'We're not good friends. Most of us never found the time to get to know you, but that doesn't mean we haven't noticed you. We don't talk about it much, but it's no secret that Sunnydale High isn't really like other high schools. A lot of weird stuff happens here."
" Zombies!"
"Hyena people!"
"Snyder!"
The crowd all laughed at the last outburst. Buffy just continued to stand still in amazement as Jonathan continued
"But, whenever there was a problem or something creepy happened, you seemed to show up and stop it. Most of the people here have been saved by you, or helped by you at one time or another. We're proud to say that the Class of '99 has the lowest mortality rate of any graduating class in Sunnydale history. And we know at least part of that is because of you. So the senior class, offers its thanks, and gives you, uh, this."
He produced a small glittering umbrella that had a small plaque attached
"It's from all of us, and it has written here, "Buffy Summers, Class Protector."
The crowd broke into applause, Buffy's English class were the loudest, each of whom had a new respect for the small blond, even if they weren't game to say it aloud. Buffy walked toward the stage in a surreal trance, receiving her award, she faced her peers and a smile broke out on her face as she began to comprehend what had just taken place. Looking at everyone she knew that although this moment was amazing, there was only one thing that could make it perfect.
A short while later, Buffy was once again standing on the sidelines watching her friends when Giles came up behind her.
"You did good work tonight buffy."
"And I got a little toy surprise." she added happily
"I had no idea children en masse could be so gracious." He admitted
"Every now and then people surprise you." She enlightened him
"Every now and then." Giles took the umbrella from Buffy and looked pointedly behind her. She turned to find Angel standing in the doorway watching her. Buffy's eyes lit up as he walked towards her
"I didn't think you were coming."
"I would never miss this, it's your night." He stroked her cheek then cradled her head in his hand, "Dance with me?"
Buffy gave a small smile and allowed herself to be led onto the dance floor. As they danced, Angel allowed her scent to wash over him. How could he have stayed away from her for even a single minute.
"Buffy, I know this past week has been hard for you. I know that by saying nothing about my whereabouts, you have probably drawn a good many conclusions in your head."
Buffy looked up at him, tears filling her eyes,
"Just tell me you aren't cheating on me."
"Oh my darling girl, never."
Buffy took a shaky breath and let the tears fall. Willow and Oz stopped dancing, ready to run to Buffy should intervention be required, and they weren't the only ones watching the couple. People around them stopped dancing and watched as Angel wiped away the stream of tears flowing down Buffy's face.
"Buffy, on Tuesday, your mother came to see me, we talked for a while and it made me realise something, I can't keep being with you like this."
Buffy looked down for a while before nodding,
"I know, I mean I understand."
Angel frowned at her dejected tone. He looked down at her and saw a small puddle of water beginning to form on his shoe.
"Sweetheart?" Buffy looked up and gave a small smile, "Baby, what's wrong?"
"Nothing, it's okay." She spoke softly, as if trying to convince herself of the fact as well as him, "Thankyou for being here tonight."
"Buffy, did you seriously doubt I'd miss this?"
"Well, it's not as if you've been 'Mr Talkative' this week. You've been so distant and avoidy and now you're saying that you're breaking up with me…I just don't understand."
By now the entire grade was watching and even Snyder had come over to see what was going on. Angel looked down at Buffy in utter disbelief before laughing almost hysterically. Willow rushed to Buffy's side and began to take her away from him but Angel grabbed her hand and stopped them.
"I get what's happening. Buffy, when did I say that I was breaking up with you?"
"You said that you didn't want to be with me."
"No, I said I didn't want to be with you like this, as your boyfriend. Buffy, this past week has been a nightmare for me, wondering if I was doing the right thing, now I know I am."
Angel let go of her hand and got down on one knee. Buffy's eyes widened and she held out to Willow for support.
"If we were living in Ireland and in the 1700's this wouldn't be the biggest issue but we live in America in the 20th centaury so I'm going to do this right. Buffy Anne Summers, will you marry me?"
Angel reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a ring. Buffy was standing completely still, her brain trying to process what was happening. The events of the last week began to fall into place.
"You want to be married to me. Not boyfriend, husband."
"Yes."
"The girl on the phone, asking you to look at something…engagement rings."
"Yes."
"Not avoidy."
"No."
"Yes"
"Yes?"
"YES!"
Angel jumped up and kissed Buffy soundly before placing a ring on her finger. The gang ran over and they all participated in a huge group hug. Giles shook Angel's hand and kissed Buffy's forehead.
"Good thing no one over-reacted this week."
Buffy smiled sheepishly then braced herself for the flock of girls that came over to inspect the ring.
"Woah!" Cordelia grabbed Buffy's hand stared in amazement, "Buffy this is…"
"Gorgeous?"
"TIFFANY'S!"
"Huh?"
"Oh God I need to seriously culture you lot. This is a Tiffany's Solitaire."
"With a diamond band." Angel called out."
"Diamond, as in real diamonds?"
"These are as real as they get."
Harmony burst through the crowd and looked at Buffy's hand in horror,
"There is no WAY you can be getting a Tiffany's before me."
Buffy rolled her eyes and "accidentally" tripped her up as she turned to her fiancée.
"This is so much more than I could have asked for. But, why did you put me through all that."
"Darling, after talking to your mum I realised that you needed the best so I went to the best. I wanted this to be the best night of your life so I had to make it a surprise. I had the worst week pretending not to care, I never want to do that to you again, I promise not to do that to you again.
Buffy looked up and searched his eyes, eventually she gave him a small smile.
"It's there."
"What is?"
"The truth, Its in your eyes…your soul. I love you so much."
Buffy kissed him again as glitter began to pour down around them, someone obviously deciding they needed it more than the Prom King and Queen. Buffy looked around at her classmates, friends and family and realised that her days of wishing for the perfect high school moment were over.
The End
AN: Well that it for this one, I have a few fics I want to finish first but not to worry; story 3 'Words of Endearment' will make an appearance. Till then, hugz and kisses :)
Reviews
dreamergirl18: hey sweetie, I hope this meets ur expectations :P
melluvben: all questions are answered :) I hope I did okay; I'm still a little hesitant as to how I ended it.
Urangel: Angel miss Prom…AS IF! Okay okay, so I could have made it like that if I wanted to but…nope :)
X-identaty: Thanx heaps :)
Buff: Sorry it took so long :)