Disclaimer: Joss. Not me. Got it?
Rating: Hard R.
Content: Death of a character, grief, violence.
Archiving: The usual suspects.
Feedback: I really need it.
Dedication: For Susie. Who was still there after the tears.
*************
Willow closed her eyes and waited for death. She knew he was coming. The witch could feel her energy ebbing away, in sync with the blood pouring from the hole in her side. Spike's blood mixed with Angel's as they held her in her final moments, the two she'd never expected to be there for her at the end. She'd thought Xander would be there, Buffy, maybe even Giles. If she opened her eyes she could see them, scattered around the cavernous room.
Buffy, hanging from nails pounded into her wrists...they'd crucified the Slayer, who fought until the last, never giving the Master what he truely desired......obedience.
Xander had died early in the battle, fighting back to back with Giles, trying to keep the vampires away from Buffy, who was engaged in the final battle with the Master. He laid only a few feet from her.
Giles stayed until the last, but when the light was stripped from his Slayer's eyes, something left him and he slipped, letting the fledgling at his throat. Now he was gone too, and all that was left was Willow. And Spike. And Angel, who'd come even though he hadn't been called.
Spike had warned him about the battle, and Angel left L.A. and his new life behind to fight with his beloved. But unfortunately, even his love could not save her from her appointed destiny.
With a struggle, Willow opened her eyes and met Spike's blue ones, which had lost their coldness as he stared down at the woman he'd given his heart and soul to. And would give anything else, had she asked.
"Willow." he said softly, brushing her hair back from her face and asking a simple question.
But for Willow, it wasn't ever that simple. Since she and the peroxide blond had become a couple, he'd wanted to turn her, and she'd always put the answer off, saying she'd be alive long enough to make the decision in due time. Well, apparently her due time was up, and here was the question, staring her in the face.
Goddess knew, she didn't want to die. But was she really ready to go on with a life her friends would never have the chance to have?
A cough startled her and she turned. Angel had stood up. "I'll leave you guys alone for this," he said awkwardly and went around the room paying his last respects to people that had treated him like family.
"Spike..." the word came out with a spray of blood, and he silenced her with a kiss. "Love, please don't speak. Nod yes or no," Spike asked gently, trying very hard to keep his demon under control.
Willow closed her eyes again, and before she lost her nerve, and what little life she had left, laid her head onto her chin in a yes. Spike changed and sank his fangs into her throat without response, and Willow dropped into unconciousness.
***************
Angel'd closed the eyes of Xander and Giles, and now lay in a corner cradling Buffy. He was sobbing silently, his tears mixing with the blood on her body to form swirls and patterns on her already cold skin.
Looking up at the growl of his childe, he kissed Buffy's forehead and closed her eyes, laying her gently onto the hard stone. "I'll love you forever, Buffy."
Stoically shaking his head, he wiped his eyes and went to stand over Spike, who was feeding Willow's lifeless body his blood. His childe didn't seem to notice Angel approach, and didn't respond when the darker man laid a firm hand on his shoulder.
"Spike. That's enough. Pick her up so we can go home."
The vampire roared, whipping his head around to glare at the older man. Spike gathered Willow into his arms and stalked from the cavern, headed to god only knew where.
And Angel followed.
read the sequal 'Possession'