Disclaimer: Characters belong to Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy. The song 'Goodbye, My Friend' is by Linda Ronstadt. No copyright infringement intended.

Goodbye, My Friend
By: Dayna


Angel entered the cemetary and followed the familiar path, walking to the place where he had spent nearly every night of the past month. Had it only been a month since he'd lost her? Time seemed to move in slow motion ever since her death. Angel knelt down next to the fresh grave. She was the only person he'd ever truly considered a friend, and her death had nearly destroyed him. Angel had never felt such lonliness and despair in his life. After his silent greeting, he reached for the tombstone and gently traced the inscription----Willow Rosenberg....an Angel's guardian.

Oh, we never know where life will take us
I know its just a ride on the wheel.
And we never know when death will shake us
And we wonder how it will feel.

Willow had always been there for him. She had risked her own life to perform the ritual to give him back his soul. She was the one who stayed with him after he came back, and convinced him not to let guilt destroy his life. Willow made him want to live again....to try to make amends, once again, for the actions of Angelus. She had been the one constant in his life----never judging, always defending. Her loyalty had never wavered.

So goodbye, my friend I know I'll never see you again.
But the time together through all the years
Will take away these tears.
It's okay now.....Goodbye, my friend.


Angel laid the single yellow rose on the grave. The symbol of friendship. <How will I go on alone? For what reason? Without you, I have nothing.> Willow had been the one bright spot in his life. She had even taught him to laugh again. After all the horror he had witnessed, and inflicted, he never thought he'd experience happiness again. But Willow became his link to a happier existence, teaching him to enjoy the world around him <God, how I miss her!>

I see a lot of things that make me crazy
And I guess I held onto you.
You could have run away and left, well maybe
But it wasn't time, we both knew.

They shared a love that few people ever understood. It wasn't a love like he had felt for Buffy, it was so much more. Theirs wasn't a physical love, it was a spiritual love. He and Willow had been soulmates. She had been by his side no matter what happened. And together they were able to conquer whatever the Hellmouth threw at them. Willow was his friend, his confidant, his companion, his other half. <How do I say goodbye to a part of myself?>

So goodbye, my friend
I know I'll never see you again
But the love you gave me through all the years
Will take away these tears.
I'm okay now....Goodbye, my friend.

Memories of Willow flashed through his mind. Willow searching the internet; Willow laughing; Willow listening to his problems; and Willow offering him his most treasured possession....her friendship. Other things came to mind, little things that had never seemed very important before, but now held new meaning. The color had left his world the day Willow died and she took a huge part of himself with her.......not just his heart, but his soul as well.

Life so fragile and love so pure
We can't hold on but we try
We watch how quickly it disappears
And we never know why;
But I'm okay now.....Goodbye, my friend.

"I'm so tired, Willow. You were my strength, but now you're gone." Angel leaned his head against the headstone.

"I just want this unholy existence to end! How many more decades....centuries must I suffer for my sins?" Angel screamed to the Heavens.

Angel stood, noticing for the first time the tears that were falling down his cheeks. As he began walking away, a voice called to him.

"Angel."

<It can't be.> Slowly Angel turned, and then backed up in shock.

"Willow?"

Standing there surrounded by a brilliant light, was Willow, reaching her arms out toward him.

Walking on unsteady legs, Angel approached the apparition.

"Is it really you?" Angel questioned, tentatively touching her cheek.

"It's really me. You didn't think I'd leave you, did you?" Willow asked, tears forming in her eyes.

"But how? Why?"

"It's over, Angel."

"Over?" Angel asked in confusion.

"It's finally time to rest. Come with me."

Angel didn't hesitate, he trusted Willow implicitly. She held his hands tightly in her own.

"We're both free now, Angel. Nothing can hurt us anymore." Willow smiled at Angel. It was the most beautiful sight he'd ever seen. A sight he thought he'd never see again. Together they walked into the light and disappeared. Friends reunited forever.

You can go now.
Goodbye, my friend.
Willow's belief in his goodness and her unwavering friendship had not only restored Angel's soul....it had released him from his vampiric prison on Earth. Their souls could now rest in peace.


The End