We buried my beloved's mother yesterday. I was not able to attend either the church or burial services. I wished I could have been there to give Buffy support. I wanted to hold her hand and let her lean on me for strength during this difficult time. But a vampire cannot go into sunlight or onto hollowed ground.

The only comfort I was able to give her was on the night before. We were alone for the first time in days at the mansion. I held her in my arms; we didn't say anything for the longest time. We just looked out the window and into the night. Words were not needed; just the presence of each other's company was enough. Finally she turns around and looks straight into her eyes and whispers.

"Will the hurt ever stop? Can I ever fall asleep without crying because I miss her so much? Everywhere I turn there is something to remind me of her, even the little things. I hope she knew how much I loved and cherished her. I didn't have a chance to say good-bye…"

"Honey, you will always miss your mom but the pain lessens with time, it will eventually happen. You will remember all the times you had with her and you'll be happy to have them. I know that your mom loved you and right now she is probably still looking out for you."

"The house doesn't seem like home without her. She was supposed to be here with Dawn and I, watch us get married, have children the whole works"

"She will always be with you and Dawn in spirit." While I was saying this to her, I couldn't help thinking that Buffy said things about marriage and kids. I could never give her those things. Has she given up on the thought of us? Has she moved on? As if she sensed what I was thinking she amended her words.

"Well…at least Dawn's… No wait at least for the idea for our family being 'normal' she was needed to be with us." She realized that Dawn's future was uncertain as well. It's easy to forget that Dawn wasn't her sister and that she might disappear quickly as she appeared in their lives.

I try to comfort her by holding her in my arms. Maybe once we succeeded in winning over Glory than I can give her all the "normal" things she deserves. I can't give up hope that my redemption is at hand. I close my eyes and I remember the day that is my day alone. It's getting easier to remember that wonderful day that everyone has forgotten, especially my beloved. When I look back it actually gives me the strength to push forward and to work a little bit harder so that I can reach my heaven.

Buffy interrupts my thought when she started talking again.

"I had dreams about us. I use to have them every night. We were out by a pier; we were in the sunlight together. You had a heartbeat you were human. We finally had what we have always wanted but strangely you gave it all up."

"You really had those dreams?"

"Really. They seemed so real."

How can this be? The Powers told me that no one would have any memories of that day except for me. 

Wait, after the Powers erased that day I hoped that Buffy could remember that day if only in her dreams. I also remember how badly she wanted to never forget what happened between us. If our sure will was enough to conquer the conditions that the Powers and Fates embossed on us, then maybe anything is possible. What can I tell her? Would she even believe me? Would is serve any purpose? It will just add burden to her shoulders, which she cannot handle right now. Maybe this is a sign that my redemption is at hand? Just a little more patience and I might get rewarded for all the sufferings that Buffy and I have gone through to be together and in our destiny as protectors of humankind. I will tell Buffy all my secrets once we get through this test and survive to see a brand new day.

"They do say if you dream of something more than once it can come true."

~Ring Ring

The loud sound of the telephone ringing breaks the silence that followed my ambiguous statement. I am off the hook in this very awkward situation and I have time to digest what Buffy has said.

"Hello…what we will be over right away. I can't believe this…"

I turn around and face Buffy, my right hand subconsciously raking through my hair.

"Buf, remember we were wondering why we haven't heard from Glory in awhile. Well apparently she was just playing with us.  It's not easy to tell you this but..."

"Angel what…tell me? What has happened? Is it bad? Lately all the news I've gotten is bad."

"Willow took Dawn out for a walk, to try and cheer her up. They met up with Glory and her followers and Willow got hurt real badly. She is at the hospital and the doctors think she won't make it. We better get over to the hospital quickly…"

I look into Buffy's face and there is no reaction. She has a blank stare on her face and she crumbles to the ground.

"No…no…this can't be happening, it just can't. I am the slayer I'm the one that was not expected to have a long life. First my mom dies and I was helpless to stop it and now Willow… All my loved ones are leaving me. I'm the one that's supposed to die, not them. They are suppose to live long lives, this is all my fault."

"Buffy you are not thinking rationally. Your mom died of an aneurysm it was not your fault. The doctors warned her that there was a slight chance it might happen. No one is at fault. Life is unfair and we have to deal with the hand that is dealt to us.  Willow dying is because of Glory. She is trying to hit you with your weakness…your love ones."

"We better get going." Buffy says quietly.

This is not the Buffy I know. She seems so withdrawn and she needs her emotions, her anger, and her knowledge to fight and win. 

I grab her arm. "Buffy, you have to focus. You cannot let Glory win. I am here to fight by your side. I will never leave you again. We can do this together." I take her hand in mine and give it a squeeze and I know that together we will face whatever difficulties are ahead of us together.

We reach the hospital waiting room and we see the whole gang waiting for the word on Willow's condition. Buffy reaches Giles and she runs into her arms.

"How is Willow? Has she improved? What exactly happened? I want details."

"Umm Buffy." Giles taking his glasses off his face and kneading his temples, "I don't want to make the situation any worse but…Glory has Dawn. That is how Wil got hurt, trying to protect your sister."

"We… we need to think of a plan. We have to kick Glory's butt. We need to get Dawn back. Do you think she know about Dawn?"

"No I think she just did this to get to you. She must have someone working for her. All our previous run-ins with her, she has never been this smart, this strategically motivated."

In the background we hear a loud wail and sobbing. It is in the direction of Willow's room. The door slowly opens and a nurse is helping Willow's parents out of the room. The tears in their eyes and the uncontrollable sobbing tell it all. Willow is gone.

"No!" We all turn around just in time to see Oz run out of the hospital and into the night.

I look over to Buffy and she has tears running down her face. For the rest of my existence I am going to have a disliking for hospitals because I'll just remember all that Buffy has lost. I walk towards her and put my arms around her to comfort her over the death of a loved one once again.

"Angel… It's nice see you here, but we knew you would be."

That voice, I know that voice and I try to control the rage that is building inside.

"Lindsey what are you doing here?" Do you have a death wish? Leave, you do not belong here and you are not wanted."

"Didn't you not think that the head senior partners would have something up their sleeves after what you did to our firm in LA?  This is payback time. I wanted to be here to gloat over our victory."

"Who is he Angel?" Buffy questions.

"He's a lawyer for a firm in LA named Wolfram and Hart and they deal with demons. Things have just gotten from bad to worse."

"Did you meet our latest client?" Lindsey waves his hand in the direction of the door and Glory walks out of the shadows.

"Did you like our first move? I told you my pets that we are playing for keeps." Glory walks over to Lindsey and stands beside him.

"Lindsey, not even a snake like you should be in leagues with her. Do you know what she plans?" Angel sneers and his free hand is clenched in a fist. Buffy inhales deeply because she has never seen Angel in such a rage before. 

"Don't worry we have a deal worked out with her. You better concentrate on yourselves. You have just entered hell and you and your friends only have one-way tickets. I guess round one belongs to us. Maybe round two will go our way as well, due to a little bargaining chip we have. If you want to see the little girl alive again meet us at the abandon factory by the docks tomorrow at midnight."

Lindsey smiles and takes Glory's hand and they both walk out into the darkness of night.

I look down at Buffy who is still on my arms and I glance around the room behind me where the rest of the gang are. They all look very afraid and they are all still trying to deal with the lost of a loved one. This is the hardest battle we have ever faced and we have sacrificed a lot already. I look down at Buffy and the look of fear is replaced with a look of total determination. Her training has paid off, the slayer is back on track. We are emotionally drained but we have to go on. We must win; there is the whole world at stake.

Is this what the Powers and Fates had in mind for Buffy and I? There is so much pain and sacrifice. We are supposed to be the warriors of destiny, their champions. How are we going to win? 

My redemption is not important anymore, just surviving and getting humanity through this ordeal is all that matters. We all have to be ready to face Glory and the Firm tomorrow. This is the final stand…