Chapter 13:Two minutes later

Both slayers ran as if their lives depended on it as the demons landed, the disorientation of traveling through the rift lasted perhaps a minute or two at most as they started to take off in the same the direction the slayers ran in.

As the Chosen Two cleared the outer boundaries of the cemetery they found themselves coming face to face with another portal. About fifty more creatures cleared the iridescent purple portal before it closed down. The winds died as the rains came to an end. It was like being in the eye of a hurricane the proverbial calm before the storm.

The two Slayers looked around, the older one a calm look on her face as she assessed the situation, the younger brunette still possessing a mentality of Punch, Kick and Stake, attacked the nearest demon to her. A spin kick took it down, her right boot clad foot coming down with all the strength she possessed to crush its windpipe. Blood gushed from its eyes, nose and ears. It was dead in an instant.

Another demon launched itself at Faith, it’s right hand extended, claws the sharpness’ of tempered steel entered her back as she screamed out her sister slayer’s name, “Buffy!” The words barely left her mouth as she collapsed in her own blood. The demon forgetting her as she fell it spun on the other slayer just in time to meet the famous, Mr. Pointy, as it found it’s way into the demon’s right eye, driving the sharp end into it’s brain.

In her mind she called out the name of her lover, all her fear hitting him like a ton of bricks. As his head shot up his mind linked to his mates. He stood on shaky legs and made for the door. His heart pounding in his chest, the others looked at him as a cried out, “Buffy!”

Angel was at his childes side in an instant hands on his shoulders as he turned the souled vampire to him, “What?” His voice filled with urgency bracing himself for the answer he was sure to hear as his own mate said, “It has begun, Buffy, Faith cemetery.”

The Seer looked with unfocused eyes in the direction of her mate as she spoke in a pained voice, “Angel so much blood.”

Spike growled and was out the door before the others could follow. His legs pounding the pavement for all he was worth he made it to the cemetery in record time. Sniffing the air as he ran he found the scent of his mate, his face a mask any emotion he may have been feeling pushed to the back of his mind as he rounded his old crypt just in time to see his lover holding a demon at bay. Without any thought he joined the fray his back to hers. They had done this so many times they moved with the grace of a well-oiled machine. Each taking down a demon and moving on to the next. The body count climbed as the blonde duo fought. Neither said a word. Nothing mattered at the moment except living through what was destined to be the bloodiest battle of their lives.

The others came upon a scene of ultimate carnage, each in their own way taking in the situation and lending a hand where they could. Angel in full game face attacked a demon that was sneaking up on his childe, his hands gripping it on either side of its neck and without so much as a thought he twisted hard; its neck snapped like a twig. Giles crossbow in hand took out as many demons as he had bolts. Xander and Willow seeing Faith on the ground, moved as quickly as they could through the throngs of demons to reach her side. Wesley sword in hand followed hacking away at anything that moved. His mind shocked by the sight of the woman he loved, lying still on the ground. He did his best to protect the backs of Xander and Willow as they attended to Faith.

Cordelia, fought like a mad woman beside the vampire who had claimed her as his. Her own sword covered in bluish green colored blood. Slowly the tide turned, as the demons ran off to regroup.

Jade colored lightning lit the night sky followed by thunder so deafening all other sound was drowned out. A jagged hole appeared in the open sky as clouds obliterated all the stars from sight. The remaining demons dove through the opening the portal made. As the last one made it through the portal slammed shut like a door. An explosion rocked the air around the remaining combatants. Then a calm surround the area.

Wesley moved to Faith’s prone body as quickly as he could and sank down. Pulling her head into his lap. He took in the blood covering her body. He had never been more scared in his life. “Please, Faith. Please, you can’t die. I love you. I can’t loose you, I can’t.”

Willow, placed her small hand on his right shoulder and sank down on her knees next to them. Her other hand feeling for a pulse in the right side of her neck, finding one she spoke softly to Wesley who picked up the rogue slayer in his arms and they quickly made their way to the cars.

“Xander, we have to get her to the hospital. She’s lost so much blood.”

“We will, honey she has to be alright. She’s one of the Chosen Two after all. I mean she’s Faith and she is not going to die. She survived prison right? You’ll see by morning she will be saying everything is five by five.”

The others stood around looking out at the carnage they had wrought this night. Each thanking whatever deity they believed in that no one else was hurt.

Buffy and Spike inspected each other for any sign of injury. Their hands roaming over each other, needing to feel one another to make sure the other was safe.

Giles joined them. His face showing the relief he felt that the woman who he had come to love as a daughter was uninjured. He spoke to her softly telling her that Faith was on her way to the hospital.

Angel and Cordelia went with the others to the hospital to make sure that Faith would be all right and to lend moral support to Wesley.

The Next Day Sunnydale General Hospital:

“I almost lost you,” he said softly to the Rogue Slayer in the hospital bed. He was petting her hair as they spoke to one another.

“But you didn’t.”

“Faith do you even know how much I love you? How much you mean to me?”

Her eyes filled with tears at his admission of love, “As much as I need and love you!”

A smile played at his lips as he bent down to kiss her, his hand tightening in her hair. She sucked at his bottom lip and then cried out in pain as he pulled her tightly against him.

“Sorry,” he muttered as he petted her hair.

“Wes, I’m just sore. This hurts more then the time Buffy stabbed me.” She looked lovingly into his eyes. “Can you just hold me?”

“For the rest of our lives!” Saying that he climbed into bed with her and held her.

Three hours later a nurse came in to check on them. She found them sleeping together holding one another. Not wishing to disturb them, she backed out of the room and shut the door behind her softly.

The Magic Box Later That Same Day:

Angel hung up the phone saying, “That was Wesley, he said Faith is out of the woods and should be released in a couple of days.”

“Probably sooner,” said the blonde slayer, “accelerated healing and all!”

“Giles we need to know how to keep that portal closed or come tonight we are going to have a repeat performance of last night. Any ideas?” Asked the bleached blonde vampire.

Before he had a chance to answer the reformed redheaded witch spoke up her resolve face and voice firmly in place. “I could close it!”

“Will,” Xander started to say but stopped as he saw the look on his lover’s face.

“I can do this Xander, you know I can do this. Giles I am going to need the covens help can you arrange that?”

“Willow, the danger to yourself could be fatal if you attempt to do this. The forces you would have to manipulate could burn you out. Have you even thought about this? This can’t be an impulse thing, understand this could quite literally kill you!”

“Giles,” she began her voice and spirit stronger then he had heard her in weeks. “If I don’t try, no let me rephrase that, if I don’t do this we will all die. Is that what you want? The world to end!”

He moved to the phone to place a call to England. He told her what he thought, but deep in his heart he knew his other surrogate daughter had to do this. Just as he knew each night his Slayer had to risk her life to keep their part of the world safe for the innocents who slept peacefully never knowing what demons roamed the earth under the light of the moon.

Xander pulled her against him and kissed her deeply, touching her face as he poured all his love for her into that one kiss. Slowly the need for breathing became an issue, he put his forehead against hers as he spoke to her in hushed tones only she could hear. “I love you, honey! I am not letting you do this alone. You know that right?”

“Xan, when Tara died, I thought my life was over. You know that!” She took a much-needed breath to steady herself and then continued, “I went crazy and then in all that darkness there was you. Fighting to pull me back. You brought me back from the edge of darkness. Who else do you think I would want at my side? As corny as this sounds, you are my life and my light. You keep me grounded. You, Alexander Harris, are my other half. You are the keeper of my soul.” She looked deep into his eyes, her breath catching in her throat as she felt tears of joy leak from her eyes. “I love you.”

There was so much more she wanted to say to him, but the words escaped her. He saw it in her eyes and smiled that special smile he reserved only for her. He would stand by her side, die for her if she needed him to. Tonight his soul would join with hers. Tonight a Witch and a Carpenter were going to save the world and the Hellmouth be damned. Tonight it ended.

Giles watched the two together and cleared his throat having gotten off the phone a few minutes ago. “Willow, Xander we have to prepare. It is going to take the power of three to stop this.”

He looked solemnly at the others in the room before he addressed them each. Giles retreated as Ripper came forward. “Spike take Buffy home and rest there is really nothing you can do here today. We will need you rested for tonight. Angel, you and Cordelia should go as well. We will meet back here at 9:30 this evening.”

As the others left, reluctantly, three special people retreated into the training room of the Magic Box. The clock was ticking and time was running out.

Chapter 14 – Interlude! Somewhere Between Time and Space:

“I have done as y-you have asked. I gave up my life for her. I need to do this.”

The twins looked at her as they communicated silently with one another.

“You know I-I hate when you do that. I am in this room with you if-if you are going to talk about me, at least have the common decency to speak out loud.” The young woman said as she crossed her arms across her breasts.

“You request is unreasonable. We cannot interfere with what is already in motion. Events must unfold without your help.”

“I request an audience with The Powers That Be!” She said it as calmly as she could, her other half needed her.

“The Powers That Be,” the male twin began.

The female twin finished the without a beat in between, “Do not speak with lower beings!”

“Never- never the less I demand an a-audience with them.” She had been with them now for what seemed an eternity and she still could not get use to the fact that one would begin a sentence only to have the other complete it.

“You are not here to make demands.” They said in unison.

Glaring at the twins she decided to try a different tact, her face revealed nothing of her inner thoughts as she formed an unreadable shield around her mind. “Why am I here?”

The male said patiently, “To aid The Powers!”

Her head tilted slightly to the right, as she looked at the golden skinned female, “When?”

The female before her opened her mouth to speak, then closed it as she silently communicated with her brother. ~This is tiresome. This one asks the same questions over and over again. She has no patience!~

Again she asked calmly, “When!”

“Soon,” replied the golden skinned male twin.

“In what way?”

Frustration creeping into her voice, the female twin replied,  “In any way The Powers That Be will it!”

“And if I refuse?”

Twin sets of eyes opened wide as surprise set in. Bewildered at her response, speaking in unison they asked, “What?”

In that same calm voice she replied, “I said, and if I refuse?”

The female began, “You cannot…

The male finished, “refuse.”

Finally her face revealed an emotion one of amusement at their obvious confusion, “Fine, then whatever these Powers want, I refuse to do their bidding.”

“No one can refuse The Powers. It is not acceptable,” they both said as one.

“Well you see that is where you are w-wrong. I can and do refuse to help.”

The female came close to her as she spoke, “They brought you here for a reason, lower being. You cannot refuse to help. There are certain uses for your talents. You will do as you are told, when the time comes. Do you not understand you are to assist The Powers That Be?”

The woman took a step forward forcing the female twin back a step, “No, I-I will not! And yes I understand I am to assist. What you fail to understand is unless y-you let me do this one last thing on the Earthly plane of existence that you and y-your Powers That Be ripped me from,” refusing to be intimidated any longer she took a step forward, forcing the female back another step, as she finished her sentence, “I will do nothing for you or them.”

The male’s golden face went pale, as he stated in a voice that betrayed his fear of any being refusing aid to The Powers, “But that is not acceptable.” Trying to regain control he said, “This discussion is at an end, you will do as you are commanded.”

Crossing her arms over her breasts she simply stated once more, “No I will not! You are not the b-boss of me. I wish to speak to The Powers.” Her blue eyes bore into both twins challenging them to refuse her request as she said raising her voice for the first time since she was brought before these two messengers of The Powers, “NOW!”

Before either could respond a voice that appeared out of nowhere and permeated everything said, “GRANTED!”

In The Real World, Seven Minutes Past Sunset:

Willow, Giles and Xander sat in a lotus position in the center of the training room. Each meditating on what role they would play in the coming battle. As they meditated, the mystical energy of The Coven infused their beings. Each began to glow a soft pale blue as the unearthly energies filled them. Slowly Giles floated up into the air and extended his feet so they touched the floor. Xander opened his eyes and found himself standing five feet to the right of Giles. Willow completed the triangle standing five feet to the left of Xander.

Located in the center of the triangle, an astral body began to take form, the shape was familiar as was the honey blonde hair that hung below her shoulders. All eyes focused on the woman that could not be standing before them but was.

Recognition and shock registered on Willows face as she said one name, softly, “Tara!”

The astral entity before her said in a voice filled with love and awe, “Willow!”

Chapter 15

2 Hours Later The Summer’s Residence

She stroked his face lightly as he slept her only thoughts where on keeping him safe. After only having admitted to herself, her friends and her family, that she was hopelessly in love with the Souled DayWalker, a couple of short months before, she could not lose him now.

The prophecy spoke of the two banding together, a souled vampire and a woman child of the light. It also spoke of how family and friends would band together to overcome the approaching darkness.

Elizabeth Ann Summers life had never been easy. The weight of the world always seemed to rest upon her slender shoulders and if the truth were to be known by the world at large, it did rest squarely on those shoulders. Before she met he who had become the center of her universe, her mate. Love had always eluded her. She had found it once in another Souled Vampire, Angel. Her first love! He taught her what love could be; he had given her a taste. He was her first. Angel was a gentle lover, he touched her almost as if he was afraid to hurt her. After that night, the night that Elizabeth, known to her friends and family as Buffy, gave to Angel her virginity, he had changed; he had found for himself in her, his one moment of true happiness.

The moment turned into a nightmare, as the gypsy curse took hold, his soul ripped from him as he turned once again into the loathsome creature known to the Vampire Realm as Angelus, Scourge of Europe.

All this she considered as she stroked her lovers face, looking down into that same face, locked in the soft embrace of sleep, a memory took hold of her. Their first meeting in the alley behind the Bronze, 4 years ago, a cocky vampire considering this small petite girl, his feral eyes locked into her own hazel green ones. “I’ll meet you here on Saturday!” he simply stated awaiting her reaction.

“What happens on Saturday?” She had asked, her chest moving rapidly from the exertion of dusting 3 vamps.

Moving with a cockiness, she would later come to expect from her then enemy, he came into her personal space, his demonic features coming to the surface he said in a near whisper his yellow eyes locked to her own, “Saturday is the day I kill you, pet!”

Having said what he willed his face to morph once again as the demon receded to be replaced with the features of, William The Bloody. Turning the then soulless vampire, his duster billowing out behind him, left and as he walked away. With each step he seemed to blend into the shadows of the night that were his true home.

Stroking his face unconsciously he sighed under her touch. The sound causing her mind back to the present, her eyes filled with tears as her heart suddenly ached, her voice hitching in her throat as she choked out, “Please, baby, don’t ever leave me!”

The peroxide blonde newly Souled Vampire opened his eyes to be greeted by the beautiful, red teary eyed blonde goddess, named Buffy. Seeing her like this broke his newly beating heart as his arms reached out to take her gently but firmly into his embrace. Without a word his mouth sought out hers and she lost herself in his arms and the heat of his lips against her own.

Whimpering into his mouth she clung on to him as if terrified of letting go. Finally he reached up and gripped the hair at the nape of her neck and gently jerked her head back so he could look into the eyes of his mate. Breathlessly, he spoke, in a voice only she had ever heard him use. The love emanating from him was almost a physical thing and she cried, her emotions twisted in knots, the tears flowing freely, unashamed, down her face. Only he was allowed to see her this vulnerable, to everyone else she had to be a rock, a pillar of strength, but not with her mate. Here she could be all the things that defined her, the slayer and the woman, the woman who loved him more then her own life. The woman that would do anything to keep him safe, that same woman in his arms was terrified and he could see it in her eyes.

“Here love, what is this then?” He felt her tremble in his arms as she pushed her face forward to bury it in the crook of his neck. “Slayer, you’re trembling.” He pulled her face away from his neck and forced her to look at him. “Love, you’re scaring me, talk to me, Buffy, please pet, tell me what has you so upset.”

“I’m afraid to lose you, Spike. Every…..”

He cut her off with his fingers on her lips, “Hey now, who said you would lose me, pet.”

“Don’t you see, everyone I love leaves me… everyone.”

“Buffy, you know that’s not true, I’m never going to leave you. I thought you knew that by now.” He stroked her arm as he talked and then her face, trying to offer her comfort and love through his touch.

“Promise me baby, promise me you will never leave me,” she said as she held on to him tighter her body molding to his.

“Slayer, you couldn’t get rid of me before you told me you loved me, why do you think I would leave you now?”

She would not meet his eyes as she spoke, so softly that if not for his vampiric hearing he would have missed it. “You could die tonight.”

He lifted her face to his and forced her to look into his blue eyes as he spoke in a voice reserved only for his mate, “No one is dying tonight, kitten, you and I are going to come through this. We are going to avert the present Apocalypse and then you and I are going to get married. We are going to live to ripe old ages, together.”

Her eyes went wide as a smile played across her lips, then without warning she was on top of him, kissing him with all the pent up emotion and love she knew how to convey. Her heart sang as her mind registered what he had promised, ~He wants to marry me!~

The Souled Daywalker, laughed with happiness, into her mouth, as he held her tightly, his hands seeking out the warmth of her body, turning her over he leaned over her, his lips parting from her own. “Feeling better, then pet?” He smirked.

The smile that lit her face and her eyes was his answer as she peppered his face with kisses and said in-between each one, “I am going to hold you to that buster. When this is done, you better make good on your promise.”

“I love you Slayer, you know I do, I would be proud if you would do me the honor of becoming my wife.”

TBC...