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Chapter 11

Angel stared aghast at Willow. 

“You can’t mean to—” 

Willow looked up at the conflicted vampire, and smiled softly, resigned to her fate. 

“I’ve known since performing the spell that I’ve been living on borrowed time.  I just wasn’t sure what exactly I was waiting for.  With Buffy…” She gestured vaguely with her hand.  “Well, now I know.  She’s the one that pulled the scythe from the rock… imbuing it with her essence.  Her Slayer essence.  When I performed the spell… I sent it out into all those girls.” 

“But, I saw her… those first few days.  She…seemed to sense them.” 

“That was Buffy.  She needs that Slayer piece pushed back into her, to give her back her balance…and only I can do that.” 

“You’ll die.” 

The corner of the witch’s mouth turned upwards. 

“I’m already dead, Angel.  I was… the moment I did the spell.”  Her head hung, shame at why she’d been so reluctant to perform the spell in the first place pervading every fiber of her being.  “It was why I didn’t want to do the spell.”  Her voice was barely a whisper, and it was only his vampiric hearing that enabled him to pick up on her confession.  “I…I almost… told her.” 

“Why didn’t you?” 

“I’d helped to kick her out of her home…right before the battle…me, Dawnie, Xander… Giles…. that’s what sent her in there alone.  Afterwards… I was so… ashamed.  When she returned with the weapon… and Spike.  I’d failed her as a friend, Angel.  She was the Slayer and I… I doubted that we could win… and…I backed Faith.  We all did…” 

“It’s all right… she knew…”  Angel pulled the crying girl against his side, awkwardly patting her shoulder when she laid her head against his chest.  “She never held it against you guys.” 

“I saw Spike… later,” she went on, oblivious to his reassurances.  “He had that thing around his neck.  He was so… elated.  Elated that Buffy thought he was a champion.  Even with death shining in his eyes… he was just so damn grateful that she trusted him… had seen his potential.  Something all of us either couldn’t or wouldn’t acknowledge.  I couldn’t not do it, even after the coven told me what it would cost me.  I couldn’t fail Buffy again.” 

“Nobody knew?” 

“No… not even Giles.  I told the coven…the only way I’d do it is if the others didn’t know.  I didn’t want them to feel guilty…Didn’t want Buffy to feel guilty… for having suggested it in the first place.” 

“They’re still going to feel guilty.  Buffy especially.” 

“Not if you don’t tell them.  And, Buffy…”  She didn’t say that the Slayer would know.  Would find out the instant she touched the scythe. 

“Willow…” 

“Hey… last wish and all that.”   She tried to smile, lighten the mood. 

“They’re gonna know.  Giles… Faith… I think she already suspects.” 

“It’s because she’s a Slayer.  It’s hard not to recognize the power flowing through me…and let’s not forget the hair.”  She fingered a strand and stood up, putting an end to her trip down memory lane.  “I need the scythe.  I’ll do what needs to be done, then you give it to Faith.  She just needs to put it in Buffy’s hand… it’ll do all the work.  With Buffy back… her balance restored… it should be an easy matter of seeing to your other problem.” 

Angel nodded and stood as well.  He let himself out of his apartment and walked down the hallway towards the room Buffy and Spike were using to retrieve the scythe.    

~*~ 

Willow was busy preparing a spot on Angel’s floor for the coming spell and so didn’t hear the elevator doors that led directly into Angel’s suite open. 

“You were just going to do this without saying goodbye?” 

Willow started and looked guiltily over her shoulder at Faith, mentally cringing at the fierce look on the girl’s face. 

“I didn’t… Angel would have…” 

“You’re some piece of work, girl.” 

Faith stomped over to the witch, crowding her personal space.  She jabbed a finger in the girl’s chest telling her, “You can’t just call me out of the blue in the middle of the night, ask for my help, and then run off to do your thing all alone.” 

“Faith…” 

“Don’t you ‘Faith’ me.” 

“You can’t make me change my mind,” Willow told the Slayer firmly.  She made to turn away and finish her preparations, but her arm was caught, the grip firm, but not overly tight. 

“I know… but…you don’t have to do it alone either.”   

Willow was shocked by the tears in the girl’s eyes.  Tears that were quickly wiped away by the back of her hand. 

“Sorry… hormones and whatnot,” Faith explained hastily. 

Willow stared at the girl, using the technique taught to her by Tara about reading another’s aura.  She let out an audible gasp, unable to stop the smile that lit up her face. 

“You’re pregnant!” 

“Shhh!  I don’t think the demons in the basement heard you.” 

“Oh!”  Willow clamped a hand over her mouth.  “Sorry?”  But, her eyes belied her merriment. 

“Yeah, well, it’s a secret between you and me… oh, and Angel.  Damn vamp guessed right off the bat.  Forgot about those enhanced senses when I said I’d come with you.” 

“Robin’s?” 

Faith nodded. 

“Does he know?” 

“Not yet… I was gonna tell him… but then you called.  And, if he knew, there was no way he would have let me come, no matter how much I needed to be here.” 

Willow smiled her understanding.  “Can I?”  She lifted her hand as if to touch the Slayer’s stomach. 

Faith spread her arms wide.  The area seemed to glow where the witch laid her palm against her stomach; it felt like butterflies swirling around inside.  She stood there unmoving for the longest time, enough for the Slayer to ask, “Is everything ok?” 

“Five by five, Faith.”   

Willow winked at Faith, smiling as she finally removed her hand, and Faith couldn’t help but smile back. 

“Yeah?”   

“Yeah.  Things’ll be just fine, Faith.  Now, go open the door and tell Angel he can come back in.  Idiot’s been standing outside for a while now, and I’m not going to be able to hold out much longer.” 

“Is there anything you need me to do?” she asked once she’d let the vampire back into his own apartment. 

“Not really, no.  Just hold the scythe while I prepare everything.  Then, hand it to me once I step inside the circle...okay?”  She turned and looked at Angel.  “Angel?” 

“Yes?” 

“Break the hold Wolfram and Hart has over you,” she told him without preamble. 

“How did you—” 

“Powerful witch here.  And I met him, remember?  Or, maybe you don’t.  You were running around soul-free at the time.  But… the magicks your law firm used to make the others forget wasn’t strong enough to do the same to me.” 

“I did it to give him a new life,” he explained.  “Away from me.  I wanted him to be happy.” 

“And he’ll realize the sacrifice you made, but, Angel, he wouldn’t want it at the cost of your friends’ memories… good or bad,” she told him gently.  “By taking your son from you, Wolfram and Hart has won.  Tell your son and break their hold.” 

“But Connor…”  He’ll hate me like before. 

“Spike can help you with that.” 

“Spike?  How?” 

“Who else has put up with you for so long?  Hated you with the same intensity?  Spike will bring the boy around.  Please, Angel.  I don’t want to know that this is all going to be in vain.” 

“Yeah… ok.” 

“Good.  Now, let me get this done.  You’ve got a Slayer to bring home and a baddie to stop.” 

Willow stepped into the center of the circle she’d made and sat down. 

“Faith, bring me the scythe.  Don’t step on the circle.” 

Faith nodded and handed over the weapon she held in her hand.  She didn’t release it, not at first, forcing the witch to look up at her – onyx pools staring hard at the Slayer. 

“Thank you… for everything.  And I’m sorry… for being such a bitch before.  It was just…” 

“I know, Faith.  But, you’ll have that now.  You and Robin… your little girl.  And, there’ll be others.  You’re not alone anymore.  You have friends and a family now…” 

Faith didn’t bother to hide the tears that fell as she released the scythe into Willow’s hand and stepped back.  She felt a reassuring hand on her shoulder and unconsciously leaned back against the vampire that had stepped up silently behind her.  Lifting her head, she saw that his own expression hinted at the sorrow he felt. 

Together they watched as Willow began to chant softly.  The air became suddenly charged, then it was as if all the energy that gave Willow life seemed to erupt from her body in a blinding ray of white and resettle into the scythe.  It glowed brightly absorbing the girl’s essence before returning to its normal shade of red.  With the spell complete, Willow’s body tumbled sideways, the scythe falling from deathly-still fingers.   

Faith rushed to the girl’s side, taking note of Willow’s changed hair color, how it was back to her natural red.  The Slayer gathered her close, crying for the girl forever lost to them. 

~*~*~*~*~ 

The elevator door opened abruptly and Spike, Giles, Robin, and the rest of Angel’s Fang Gang spilled out into the room. 

Seeing Angel carrying Willow’s lifeless body towards his bedroom, Giles gasped, “What the hell happened?” 

Spike laid a hand on the watcher’s shoulder, sensing his grandsire’s distress.  He silently shook his head. 

“Faith!” Robin brushed past the others and went over to where his girlfriend sat weeping on the couch.  “Faith?  What happened, baby?” 

“She’s gone,” she blubbered, and collapsed into his arms, barely managing to not slice his arm since she’d yet to relinquish her hold on the scythe Angel had given her so that he could see to Willow. 

~*~*~*~*~ 

Giles’ eyes were unnaturally moist after Angel got finished telling them what had occurred. 

“It’s my fault.  I encouraged her to do it.  I’m the one that told her she could handle it.” 

“No, Giles.”  Angel shook his head, not willing to let the Englishman wallow in his grief.  “Willow was adamant that you… that none of you… feel that way.  If it’s any consolation…she…Tara…she whispered the name Tara…right before…you know.” 

“Glinda…” Spike explained to his grandsire.  “She was Red’s girlfriend.  Seems only right.” 

The others nodded. 

Faith managed to rouse herself from Robin’s arms and stand. 

“Come on, people.  We’ve got work to do.  Spike, Angel… let’s go find Buffy.” 

“Might wanna bring, Wood, luv.  Be nice to have an extra set of hands that know their way around a stake.”  He smirked at the dark-skinned man, causing the other to quirk his brow.   

“Yeah, alright… I’m in.” 

Faith made to protest, but the blond vampire just looked at her. 

‘Asshole,’ she mouthed.  Vamp hearing should be outlawed.  It was only that he’d heard what Angel had that Spike had invited her boyfriend along.  She’d have to make a point of getting him alone later on to tell him what she thought of his interference.

“Faith’s right,” Angel told the others.  “We’ll get Buffy.  While we’re gone, I want all of you to get your stuff and meet me at the Hyperion.” 

“But… Angel…” 

“No buts, Wes.  We’re leaving Wolfram and Hart.  Gather your things and…” He pulled a set of keys out of his pants’ pocket and tossed them to Wesley.  “… move in.  It’s time we got back to the basics.” 

“Hell yeah,” Gunn cheered, already loosening his tie. 

Wesley started sputtering, but Angel cut him off.  “Trust me, Wes.  We don’t need what Wolfram and Hart has to offer.” 

“Alright…”  The Englishman pocketed the keys to Angel’s hotel and left with the others. 

“Giles… Cordelia, can you manage with Willow?  I could give you the extension to the ‘Clean-up Crew’ but…” 

“No… we can manage.  We’ll get her to the Hyperion.  I think Buffy should have a say in where Willow’s final resting place should be.” 

“Slayer will probably agree with me… but… we should take her home, Rupert.” 

“Then as my last act as C.E.O. of Wolfram and Hart, I’ll get the paperwork squared away for her passage out of the country.  Speaking of… we need to make a detour by the office.  You guys ready?” 

~*~*~*~*~ 

Even though he was still reeling from the Bit’s death and Buffy’s reversion to pure vampire, and who was doubtlessly sleeping the day away after a night spent bathing in blood, Spike couldn’t help but chuckle at Angel’s “fuck you” to the senior partners. 

He’d spent a few minutes seeing to Red’s transportation to the airport and a flight out of the country, coordinating with a local funeral home for an appropriate casket.  Once finished, he’d grabbed a few weapons from where they hung behind his desk.   

“Oh, almost forgot,” he’d tossed out as he made to walk in front of his desk.  He’d passed off his weapons to Spike, leaving the other vampire rolling his eyes at wasting even more time. 

Spike had watched as Angel calmly retrieved a blank piece of paper from the top draw of his desk and a pen used especially for signing contracts.  He could do nothing but stare as his grandsire placed the back of his hand on the surface of the desk and brought the pen down, driving the point into his palm.  He’d scrawled something on the paper, and Spike’s brows had drawn together at seeing his elder smirk. 

“Think they’ll get the message,” he’d asked Spike, holding up the piece of paper to show him what it said. 

I quit. 

And it was signed simply, Angelus. 

He’d come around from the back of the desk then, and Spike had clapped him on the back. 

“Yeah,” Spike had said.  “I rightly think they will… Nice touch with the blood there.” 

“Just wanted to make sure they knew I was serious.  Now, come on… let’s go find your mate.” 

They’d left a shocked Harmony shouting after them as the four had hurried down the stairs.

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