Buffy knew what she had to do. The same blood flowed through both her and Dawn’s veins, that meant that she would be able to close the portal as well. She told Dawn how much she loved her, that she would always look after her. That Dawn had to take care of the Scoobies, and make sure that Giles’ life didn’t get too boring. “The hardest thing in this world, is to live in it.” As Buffy imparted this last bit of wisdom to her sister, Spike reached the top of the tower.

“Slayer. Buffy. You can’t be thinking about jumping.”

“I have to Spike. It’s the only way. I won’t let Dawn do my job and sacrifice herself.”

“But you’ll die, Buffy.”

“It’s what I have to do. It’s what I was chosen to do.” The look that Spike was giving her was breaking her heart. He looked completely devastated.

“But I love you, Buffy.” Buffy squeezed her eyes together tightly.

“I know you do, Spike. But that doesn’t change what I have to do. It’s my blood that can close the portal. Mine alone, because I will not let Dawn throw away her life.”

“But you’ll throw away yours!” Spike screamed in a rage.

“My life isn’t meant to be long!” Buffy yelled back. “I’m meant to die, so that Dawnie can live! It has to be my blood.” Her blood. Spike wasn’t going to let that happen. It had to be her blood, it didn’t have to be her.

In the blink of an eye Spike charged the Slayer, slipping into his Vampire visage. “I won’t let you throw your life away, Buffy.” He whispered as he lowered his fangs to her throat. Buffy struggled, but was weakened by Spike’s strong pulls. He was draining her.

When Buffy was about to give up and give in, to close her eyes. Spike released her. He looked into her eyes. “I won’t let you die.” He whispered. Then he was gone. He ran to the edge of the platform, outstretched his arms, and dove.





It hurt. Everywhere, it hurt. Spike didn’t know that obliteration would hurt this much. He rather thought that it wouldn’t hurt at all, for there would be nothing left to hurt. But this hurt like a bloody bitch.

He could hear voices around him, but he couldn’t tell what they were saying. It was like everything was too loud. It also sounded like there were people screaming. Cracking open an eyelid was useless, for the world around him was blurred. But he did notice that there was someone lying next to him. Spike blinked a few times, trying to clear his vision.

Buffy.

Buffy was lying next to him. As he realized this, she let out a groan. Spike dragged his body closer to hers and put his arms around her. Why was Buffy there? What had happened? Trying to look around himself, Spike noticed people running towards them. They were wearing long robes and talking, rather excitedly. Before Spike could take any more in, however, he passed out from sheer exhaustion.


When Spike woke up a second time it was in a far different environment. From what he could tell, he was in a bed, in some sort of hospital. Buffy. He looked around for the girl in question. She was on the bed next to him. There didn’t seem to be anyone else in the room, though.

Spike maneuvered his way off of the bed and sat down on the edge of Buffy’s. What was she doing there? He had gone into that portal so that she didn’t have to die. But shouldn’t he have died? Death logically followed sacrificing yourself for another.

Buffy groaned. Her eyelids squeezed together and she turned her head. Spike saw his marks on her neck. Two perfect little pinpricks. Even in his haste he had tried to be gentle. He didn’t want to hurt her.

“Spike?”

“M here, Slayer.” She opened her eyes.

“Where are we?”

“Dunno. Woke up, same as you. Though I was in a different bed originally.” Buffy smiled a little.

“You tried to save me.” She whispered, putting a hand to her throat.

“Wasn’t too successful though, was I?” He hung his head a little.

“Well, we aren’t dead, at least.” Buffy looked at Spike. “The portal. It did this weird thing where a part of it broke off…it looked like lightening. And it sort of grabbed me, and then there was this whole sucking thing, and wooosh, it took me too.” Spike nodded.

“Least we aren’t dead.”

“Or, you know, deader.” Buffy smiled. The two looked at each other for a long moment. Buffy wanted to thank Spike for what he did, she wanted to hug him. To let him know how much it meant to her. But her thoughts were interrupted by the opening of a door.

“It’s nice to see that you are awake.” The man who addressed them had long silver hair, and a beard to match. He was wearing, what looked to Spike and Buffy, a dress with moons and stars adorning it. He had half moon spectacles and pretty blue eyes. “I’m Albus Dumbledore. I’m the Headmaster here at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. And you are?”

“Well, I’m Buffy. Buffy Summers.”

“M name’s Spike.” They introduced themselves.

“How did we get here?” Buffy asked. “And where is here? Besides some weird ‘school’?” Buffy asked, complete with air quotes. There was no school she knew of that had hospital beds.

“I’m not entirely sure how you came to be here, Miss Summers. I was actually wondering if you would be able to enlighten me on the subject.” Buffy just shrugged her shoulders. “You are currently, as I said, in Hogwarts School. It’s a boarding school for young witches and wizards in England.”

“We’re in England?” Buffy asked. When Dumbledore nodded, Buffy looked at Spike. “This is where they make Gileses.” Spike smirked at Buffy.

“That’s right, love.” Dumbledore smiled at the pair.

“Maybe if you could tell me of the circumstances before you awoke here.” Buffy filled Dumbledore in on Glory and the Key and the big bad portal that Spike had tried to close. She basically fit it into two sentences. Score one hundred to the nutshell capabilities of Buffy Summers. Dumbledore had listened patiently the whole time, his fingers tented and his face contemplative.

“That is rather astounding, I must say.” He commented. “For the time being, I would prefer if you would stay here, with us. I will of course attempt to contact your friends in California to tell them that you are alright.” Buffy nodded her compliance.

“It’ll be cool to have a nice vacation after all that.” Spike smirked.

“Sure you don’t mind having me around for this vacation of yours?” Buffy nodded and entwined her fingers with Spike’s.

“I think you could use a nice vacation too.”