I Saw You Today
by: dword
The last rays of setting sun were streaming through the window, empty soda cans and candy wrappers littered the room. Music was blaring from the stereo as the two young women sat on their beds, books scattered around them, studying. The knock on the door caused both to jump. Looking sheepishly at each other they both burst out laughing.
"I'll get it Buffy," said Willow as she headed toward the door. "You keep studying."
"Slave driver," grunted Buffy, goodnaturedly.
Willow opened the door and was confronted by a huge bouquet of lovely summer flowers. Gladiolas, Fuji Pom-Poms, Daffodils, Freesias, and Roses seemed to explode from the vase in the delivery boy's arms.
"I have a delivery for Buffy Summers. Sign here please." After Willow had signed for the bouquet the young amn quickly left.
"OOOhhhh, flowers!" Willow barely managed to hold back an excited bounce as she bought the flowers over to Buffy. "Who are they from? "
Buffy pulled an envelope out from the middle of the bouquet. She opened it and began to read teh letter she found inside. When she finished reading she lowered the paper with tears in her eyes but a beautific smile on her face.
Concerned and confused by the Slayer eraction, Willow asked, " Are you all right Buffy?"
"Yeah, I'm ok." Buffy handed the letter to Willow.
*******
Dearest Buffy,
As you receive these flowers and read this letter I am destroying the Gem of Amara. It is the right thing to do.
After all that has happened, after all I have put you though, it warmed my soul to know that, when it came down to giving the Gem to someone you could trust you chose me without hesitation. I don't deserve but I will do everything I can to live up to that trust.
I'm sure you are just dying to know if I used the ring and if I did what did I do. So before you and Willow expire from curiosity let me tell you how I spent my first day in the sun in 200 years (give or take). I was at the beach when I walked out into the sun. I had forgotten how warm the sun feels on the skin. People were everywhere enjoying the day. Children were building sandcastles and running in the surf. There was too much to take in. The sights, the smells (suntan lotion, baking bodies, etc), the sounds, I was overwhelmed. And then, as I do at least a thousand times a day, I thought of you. The next thing I knew I was in my car (with the top down) heading for Sunnydale.
I saw you today.
Baby, please don'e be mad because I didn't say anything. Because I didn't let you know I was here. All the reasons I had for leaving are still there, with some new ones. You don't agree with them, I know that, but I hope you accept them.
It was seeing you walking across campus, the sun glinting off your hair and sparkling in your eyes that finally helped me to decide that it was necessary to destroy the Gem. It would be so easy to give into the temptation the ring offered. To pretend that I was not a creature of the night, that I had no demon, that I was human. The Gem of Amara at first glance seemed to be my redemption, my reward, but then Baby I saw you and I knew.
I destroyed the ring because it was too dangerous to have fall into the wrong hands and it had nothing to offer me. You are my redemption, my reward. You are my sunshine. You are the reason I must continue fighting the darkness. The ring is a distraction, a lure to divert me from my true purpose.
I will always treasure my day in the sun. I have an image of you laughing in the sunlight to carry within me always. A priceless gift. Never let anyone tell you too are a part of the darkness, the night. You are the light.
One more thing, Baby you lied...you are beautiful in direct light.
All my love always,
Angel
*******
As Willow wiped the tears from her eyes and smiled at Buffy, "Oh my!"
"Yeah."
END