Falling Into You

By Spike Speigel

Who Dares Wins

He relished her lips on his, her arms around his neck, her. He missed her so much that he wanted to make up for lost time. He wanted to stop time at this moment so they could have eternity together. But he knew better. The end of the race was in view now. He could feel it in every fiber of his being. Even though he and his angel had reunited, sadness was sure to follow.

Her hands were now in his hair, his on her hips. Spike would be content to stay with Buffy, to run away, to avoid what had to be done, to be with the woman in front of him. But he couldn’t. He would see this through to the end, no matter the consequences.

“Hey, Buff. We’re here. Where’s… whoops.” It was Xander, Anya following up the rear. Talk about a mood killer, this was it. Buffy and Spike reluctantly separated from their embrace, Buffy turning to the group that had just entered. Why didn’t people knock anymore?

“Oh, you guys are back together. How sweet. Do you need us to leave so you can have sex now?” Leave it to Anya to be as blunt as possible.

“Uh, no. It’s okay. What’s wrong?” Buffy’s hand remained encircled around Spike’s, not wanting to let go. However, it was Spike that broke the hold, feeling uncomfortable showing emotion in front of the others. He leaned his back up against the wall, his fingers fishing out another cig from his breast pocket. He remained quiet, listening intently on what the others were saying.

“Tara needs to talk to Spike. She found something in the translation.” Spike took a quick drag, then spoke.

“So, why ain’t she here to tell me, Harris?” Anya looked troubled now, Xander shaking his head as though he was trying to find an answer to a question he hadn’t expected.

“She’s at the Magic Box. She wants to make sure she’s translating the prophecy correctly before she breaks the news.”

“Alone? You stupid git. She’s the only one that knows what we have to do to stop Willow.” Buffy’s hand gently squeezed Spike’s forearm, instinctively trying to calm him down. It was still a weird feeling, having his Slayer showing emotion for him once again.

“No, it’s okay. Really. She’s not alone.” Anya was now speaking, her arms crossed across her chest. “Giles is with her. But he can’t have the Magic Box back.” Xander gave her a “this isn’t the right time” look, but she didn’t notice. “After all, a shopkeeper can only take so much stress over management of the store.”

“Giles is here?” Buffy sounded concerned now.

“Yeah. Tara thought it was best to have Giles help her with the translation.” Xander had now pulled up a chair, sitting across from the vampire. He still felt uncomfortable around Spike, but given the fact that Spike was humanity’s salvation, he’d give him the benefit of the doubt today.

“So, what’s so bloody important that the Watcher needs to be here? What aren’t you telling us, Harris?” Spike was also concerned that Giles was back. After all, he had left Sunnydale to let Buffy grow up on her own, to make decisions on her own. Now, with his reappearance, that could only mean trouble around the bend. Xander looked concerned at the question, Anya’s hands now on his shoulders, trying to comfort him. Xander looked at the vampire, about to speak. That was until they heard the crash.

“Bloody hell?” Buffy moved toward the living room, the rest following. Another loud sound, followed by screams. “Dawnie.” Spike flew up the steps, Buffy right on his heels. The door was locked. Dawn never locked the door. Spike’s foot came down hard on the door, the hinges breaking away from the frame. He moved into her room to see a group of men pulling Dawn out of the bedroom window.

“Buffy! Spike!” A sheet was thrown over her as one of the men jumped down from the window to the ground. The other followed.

“Dawn!” Buffy ran to the window, Spike right behind her. Xander and Anya had now made it up the stairs. The sight was one that would make Spike’s blood turn cold if it wasn’t already.

“Hello, lover.”

“Dru.” Spike’s first love, if you could call it love. His sire. The one that had turned him to the world of darkness. The one that had ultimately damned him. She was surrounded by men and vampires. What an odd combination. But then again, nothing was normal with Drusilla. Buffy, teeming with rage, leapt out of the window to get her sister back. Spike followed.

“Give her back, you hellbitch. It’s okay Dawn. Everything’s going to be okay.” Buffy moved forward toward the group of henchmen. The mob began to condense in front of Drusilla, a union of man and demon. Drusilla violently pulled away the sheet from Dawn’s person, her arm around her chest, her finger hovering over her throat.

“Careful, luv. One more step and little sister will be watering the lawn with blood.” Buffy stood deadly still, Spike clenching his fists.

“Buffy?” Tears were now evident on Dawn’s face. Spike hated this. Why Dawn? Oh, no.

“This is Willow’s handiwork, innit pet?” A wicked yet relaxed smile played across Drusilla’s face. Buffy’s face turned to one of shock as she heard Spike’s proclamation and saw the nonverbal response from Drusilla.

“You were always a smart one, William.” The door opened behind the two star crossed lovers, Xander and Anya now joining the fray. Drusilla began to trace her finger along Dawn’s cheek, her skin deflecting from the force Drusilla was placing on her face.

“But Willow doesn’t need Dawn’s blood to open the gate. Why does she want her then?” Buffy’s voice wavered. Spike can only imagine the emotional turmoil the Slayer was going through at this moment. Her best friend, now her enemy.

“A sacrifice. And what better sacrifice than the Key?”

“Willow would never do that.” Xander didn’t want to believe what he had just heard. Their innocent, bookish Willow. She would never do something like this. Never.

“Don’t make a difference what you believe, luv. This little girl is gonna bring on the end of the world.” There was a slight uplift in her voice as she reached the end, as if she was a child pleasantly surprised at Christmas upon opening her presents.

“What’s your play, Dru? How do you fit in all of this?” Spike still couldn’t put together the pieces. What did a power hungry Wicca and a telepathic vampire have in common?

“Haven’t you figured it out, luv?” It made Spike uneasy, hearing that word coming from Drusilla. He wasn’t her anything anymore. “I’m here for you.”

“What do you want with him?” Buffy had now moved closer to Spike, as though she was instinctively protecting him. How things had changed. His lover, his killer. His killer, his lover.

“I want to see him suffer, just as I did when he rejected me for you!” Drusilla’s nail slashed across Dawn’s cheek, blood dripping freely from the gash. She lifted her finger to her mouth, savoring the blood. Her demeanor had now relaxed as she composed herself. “Anyway.” A lucid smile now appeared. “I like the quiet.”

“You heartless hooer.” Spike’s rage was beginning to get the best of him, his dark side now evident on his face. Buffy’s hand gently held him back to prevent any further danger to her sister.

“You’re one to talk, luv. You don’t have a heart. You’re as bad as I am.” Drusilla’s fingers now clamped around Dawn’s throat, forcing an inaudible gasp. “No, you’re worse than I am. You’re still one up in Slayer elimination.” Spike’s head slowly dropped. His dark past flooding back into his conscious. She was right. He was no better than her. But it didn’t matter now. Dawn was the only thing that mattered. “I tire of talking.”

A quick nod of her head and the horde descended upon them. Drusilla casually walked toward the waiting car, the driver opening the door for her. Buffy and Spike began to work their way through the mob, Spike being careful not to inflict his wrath on any humans. Xander and Anya joined in. While the pack was easily enough to dispatch, they had served their purpose. Drusilla was gone, and Dawn with her.

Amy watched as Willow chanted the spell from the scroll. Waves of red energy swirled around her body, just like when she had brought Buffy back from the dead. However, this time, instead of feeling pain from the incantation, she relished every moment. The power was the only thing that made her feel. First it was Tara’s hindrance. Then it was Buffy’s ultimatum. One by one, her friends had deserted her. But not Amy. Amy had opened her eyes. Had allowed her to gain comfort in her ability. To not be ashamed of her gifts. And now Amy was here to help her gain what she never did from her former friends. Power. Pure and absolute.

Amy’s gaze fell back upon the text in her hands as Willow continued to chant as though this was an everyday occurrence. Indeed, it was for these two. She continued to read the passage in the text as Willow’s voice hovered in the background.

“Minuo superfluo. Patefacio porta. Effringo! Effringo!” A bolt of yellow light shot through Willow’s body, throwing her back against the apartment wall. A crackle of static electricity through the air and all was silent.

“Almost there, Willow. You handled the impact better this time.” Willow gingerly lifted herself off the ground and made her way to Amy, still sitting on the couch.

“I know, Amy. I can feel it.” She sat next to Amy, her legs up on the couch. If a stranger were to look in on the two, they would think two girlfriends chatting about the usual girl stuff. Boys, school. Not the end of the world. “I can feel my body adjusting to the power. It feels all tingly, but a good tingly.”

“Are you sure about Drusilla, though? Can we trust her?” Amy was beginning to have doubts about their alliance with the vampire. Willow nodded her head, a gentle smile emerging on her face.

“Sure we can, Amy. She wants Spike. We need Dawn. It’s a win-win situation.” Willow began to rub her shoulder, trying to ease the tension in her body after her ordeal. “Anyway, we need Buffy and the others to stay out of our way. We can’t have them interfering.” A hint of sorrow in her voice. She still cared for them. But she was convinced that they didn’t care for her anymore. That’s why she had to do this. To prove to them that she was right. That she could handle the power. That she was important.

“So, where do we meet up with Drusilla? To get Dawn.” Amy had not moved her gaze from the text while talking to Willow.

“When we find out where we open the portal, I’ll call her and tell her to meet us there.” Based on their research, they could no longer open the gate that Buffy had sealed. Once a gate was sealed by the Key’s blood, it was sealed forever. Therefore, the search for a new gate had been of the utmost importance.

“Oohhh.” Amy’s gaze had now moved to Willow.

“What is it?” Amy moved the ancient text closer to Willow, both gazing down on the pages.

“How’s this for irony?” Willow’s eyes opened widely as she saw what Amy wanted her to.

“Oh, that’s pretty ironic. Kinda fitting too since dead people live there.” Willow smiled at herself for her clever play on words, congratulating herself.

The group had gathered at the Magic Box to figure out their next move. Giles saw the look on their faces as they trotted through the door. Something had gone wrong.

“What is it, Buffy?”

“Dawn.” That was all she had to say. They had been here before. Glory. She needed Dawn to open the gate so she could return home. This time, things were different. Dawn was still needed to open the gate, but this time the threat was Willow. No matter how odd it sounded, it was real nonetheless.

“Oh, God. Did Willow hurt her?” Tara’s voice was tinged with panic. Her Willow tree. How had things gone this bad this fast?

“Wasn’t Willow. Dru.” That name again. Drusilla. How he hated that name now. And to think there was a time he would have died for that woman.

“How does Drusilla factor into this?” Giles was honestly confused at this point. Drusilla and Willow in the same sentence was as different as night and day.

“She’s working for Willow.” Xander; her best friend. He still couldn’t believe it. Willow. Kindhearted Willow. Sweet Willow. Honest Willow. He slumped into a chair, a loud groan of frustration passing between his lips.

“I was afraid this would happen. I should have stopped that stupid girl before…” Giles couldn’t finish his statement. Instead, he removed his spectacles and cleaned them with his shirttail as he often did when he didn’t want to see or think about something.

“Look, no one’s at fault here.” Buffy began to speak, noting that someone had to alleviate the dire situation now growing out of control. “We all have had our personal struggles this year.” She immediately thought about her burgeoning relationship with the vampire by her side. The road to this point had been a tumultuous one. First denying her feelings for him. Then admitting them. Then ultimately pushing him away for fear of rejection again. But they were here together in this moment in time. And they’d be together for as long as it would last. For as long as they would last. “Willow had the choice to stop, but she couldn’t. Now we have to stop her before she does something she regrets.”

“Think she already did, pet.” Spike was thinking of Dawn. His pigeon. If anything happened to her, he would die. He was already dead, but for the first time in his life, he felt alive being with the Summers’ women. He couldn’t risk losing them. Not now. “Willow and Dru a good match they do not make, luv.” Buffy nodded in agreement. Uncontrolled power and undeniable evil. That was never a good combination.

“So, what do we do? Go from door to door asking people if they’ve seen a redheaded, black-eyed witch with a rat gal and a vampire telepath toting around the key to opening the gates of hell?” Anya was still unaccustomed to these situations. She may have been born a demon, but she had grown to care for the individuals in front of her now. And the man sitting in front of her. Xander. The one that had changed her life for the better. She loved him. This much was true. But she was still unfamiliar with how to deal with these tense human moments.

“No, I don’t think that would be a prudent course of actions, Anya. But at least it’s an idea.” Giles moved toward the stack of books, grabbing what seemed to be the thickest, dustiest volume. “I think it best to figure out what Willow is planning. Does anyone know why they took Dawn?”

“She’s gonna sacrifice the bit.” Spike felt Buffy standing close to his side, their arms touching. He couldn’t stand the thought of Buffy in pain. “You figure out what she’s gonna do, I’m gonna look for her.” He moved away from Buffy, making his way to the door.

“Wait, Spike. We need you here…”

“To what? To bury me bloody nose in a book? She’s out there right now with Dru. Anything happens to the li’l bit and…” He felt Buffy’s hand on his shoulder, his body beginning to shake with fear and anger.

“Giles, Spike and I are going to stop off at Spike’s to pick up some supplies and go look for Dawn. You guys try and figure out where they could be taking her.”

“Alright, Buff.” Xander picked up a book from the table and flipped it open. “You take care of her, Spike.” He sounded sincere. Spike responded in kind.

“Always will, Harris.”

“What’s wrong, Spike?” He had been eerily quiet ever since they left the Magic Box.

“Hmm, what’s that, luv?” He was deep in thought and had not heard the question. In fact, he wasn’t sure how they’d gotten all the way to the cemetery, but here they were.

“You’re worried about Dawn, aren’t you?” A half smile played across his face.

“That obvious, innit?” Her hand gently squeezed his as they kept on walking. Her heart was breaking for him. He may be a creature of the dark, but he was the one that made her a better person. Her and Dawn.

“We’ll find her. I know we will.”

“Well, first things first. Gotta get the gear and then we go roaming for Dru.” He felt better, knowing that he wasn’t the only one feeling this way. He missed his niblet and would do anything to get her back. As they stood in the moonlit cemetery, a noise from behind them startled the two.

“No reason for that, lover.” Drusilla stood in front of the duo, Dawn still within her grasp.

“Well, gotta thank you for that, luv. More energy for me to kill ya with.” Spike flew from Buffy’s side, but was halted by a bolt of blue energy. He flew back toward a tombstone, the force of his momentum shattering it. Buffy ran to his side, helping him up to his feet.

“What was that?” Buffy looked around for the source of the energy. Her eyes fell upon the last thing she wanted to see at this moment.

“Buffy. I was hoping to run into you. Time for you to see how powerful I really am.” Amy and Willow were standing together, a slight smile on Willow’s lips.

“Oh, look. The family’s all here.” Drusilla began to laugh at the moon, vampires emerging from behind her making their way toward Buffy and Spike.

“Oh, God.” Giles slid his spectacles onto his face to closely examine the text. He wanted to be sure that it was correct. He prayed that it was wrong. But upon further inspection, his prayers went unanswered.

“What is it Giles?” Tara looked up from her notes, as did Xander and Anya.

“Buffy and Spike are in grave danger.” The Watcher grabbed his coat from the back of his chair and moved toward the weapons cabinet. He grabbed an axe and tossed it to Xander. Anya picked up a crossbow as Giles removed a blade looking something like a scimitar. “Grab your notes, Tara. We have to get there before it’s too late.”

“Where are we going?” Anya sounded more annoyed than afraid. “Should I lock the store so no one comes in and steals anything?”

“Not now, honey.” Xander and Anya followed Giles out of the store. Tara picked up her notes, feeling fairly secure in her confidence to cast the spell. As she looked down at her notes, she saw what Giles was reading. Giles knew where the portal was going to be. As would Buffy and Spike if it wasn’t already too late.

“Dawn, are you okay?” Buffy saw that Dawn had been crying for a while, her eyes red and swollen from the tears.

“I’m okay, Buffy.” Her cheek was now stained with blood from Drusilla’s mark. Spike looked at the two Wiccans, arm in arm, enjoying the scene as if they were watching a tense nail biter at the local Cineplex.

“Don’t worry, niblet. Your sister and I are gonna get you out of here.” She weakly smiled at Spike even though this was not a time for joy.

“You promise?” Spike nodded his head and winked at his li’l bit.

“Promise, bit.”

“Ohhhh, that’s so sweet.” Drusilla’s grip around Dawn’s neck increased, Dawn’s face shuddering in pain. “So disgustingly sweet.” Her relaxed smile returned to her face. “I don’t know what I ever saw in you, lover.”

“That makes two of us.” The vampire horde began to move in on Buffy and Spike. A quick glance over to Buffy, and they knew what needed to be done. They moved toward the center of the mob, their fists and feet flying. The mob would have surely overpowered any other two people in the world, but not Buffy and Spike. They had too much on the line to give up. They’d never give up on Dawn, no matter the consequences.

“Look, there they are.” Anya pointed toward Spike’s crypt. Out in the distance, they could definitely see some type of activity going on.

“We’re not late then.” Giles hurried toward the melee now in progress. “You know your part, Tara?” Tara was panting hard as they ran toward their friends, but answered nonetheless.

“Yeah…have to…wait…for Spike.” Giles nodded, his face now deadly serious. He had wished this day would never come. That he wouldn’t have to act on his words to Willow when he came back to Sunnydale. When he found out that Buffy was brought back from the dead. He couldn’t stop her then. But he’d stop her now.

“Luv, behind you!” Buffy ducked out of the way in time to avoid a knife to her back. Buffy kicked the vamp away, his body flying into the air, falling down onto two other vampires. God, we need stakes. We can’t bloody well hold them off forever. A vampire rushed Spike, but Spike was faster. He moved out of the way, his hands wrapping around the vamp’s neck. A swift twist and he heard cartilage and bone snapping. Spike let go once he heard the sound, the lifeless body tumbling to the ground.

Buffy looked over to Dawn, seeing that Willow and Amy were now standing with Drusilla. Buffy hated her friend now more than ever. How could she have done this? Why was she fighting against her once best friend? They should be sitting on the sofa, talking about how their day went. Not this. Not this.

“Why are you doing this Willow?” Dawn’s tears had subsided, only because she physically couldn’t anymore. “It’s not too late, Willow.” Drusilla twisted Dawn’s arm behind her back, making her scream out in pain.

“Shut up, you little brat. Grown ups are talking.” Willow looked at Dawn, a troubled look in her eyes. But whatever she was thinking about had quickly subsided.

“It was too late a long time ago, Dawnie.” She gently caressed Dawn’s blood stained cheek. “Sorry, Dawnie.” She turned away, moving toward Amy. Amy had a look as though she was very excited. Then again, a boost in magic was always something to be excited about. She and Willow would have the world in the palm of their hands. The world was about to be theirs. Nothing could stop them now.

Buffy looked back towards Spike to see if he was okay. He was fighting with a ferocity that she had never seen before. Even when they were enemies, she had never seen such a rage in him. Bodies were flying left and right, Spike’s demeanor never wavering. He was intent on saving her sister. Unfortunately, he didn’t see the one vampire behind him. “Spike!”

He turned around to see the mace swing into his stomach. He dropped in pain, the vamp readying an overhead blow. Spike, still wincing from the pain, could only watch as the mace came down again. Then, the vampire exploded into a cloud of dust. He looked off to the distance to see what had saved him from a sodding headache. “Giles.”

“Glad to see we’re not late.” He tossed Spike a stake while Xander and Anya aided Buffy.

“Welcome to the party, Rupert. There’s plenty to go around.” Giles smiled at this. Even in these dire straits, Spike was the only one to keep a level head.

“You ready to end this?”

“You just cover me. I’m making a run for the bit.” A nod in agreement.

“Good luck, Spike.” Giles sheathed his sword and lifted the crossbow on high. He wouldn’t miss.

Buffy looked over to Spike and Giles, seeing the two conversing. Now armed, the vampire horde was less menacing now. She impaled two with a broadsword in one swift blow. They may be violent, but they weren’t that smart. Xander and Anya were holding their own with a few of the vamps while Tara sat down a further way down, readying herself if Willow was successful in opening the gate. Buffy shook the thought out of her head. For Willow to be successful, Dawn would have to die. She died once to prevent that tragic event. She was ready to do so again, even if it meant taking Willow with her.

She looked back to the position where Spike and Giles were. Spike began to run towards Dawn and the others, a look of determination on his face. She had never seen him act more heroic than this moment. She knew for certain this was the person she was going to spend the rest of her life with. A hand came down on her shoulder, pulling her backward. Buffy flipped the figure forward, her sword coming down across the vamp’s head.

Spike continued to close the distance between he and Dawn, vampires disintegrating to the left and right of him. He had to hand it to the Watcher; he knew how to handle the crossbow. As he got closer, that’s when the light show started. Amy was hurling waves of fluorescent energy toward him. If it wasn’t for his quick reflexes, he’d most likely be dead. Well, more dead, he thought to himself. Amy looked vexed as she tried to connect with her magic. Drusilla still held Dawn close to her, while Willow began chanting. Her voice sounded otherworldly, the magics now in control of her body.

“Minuo superfluo.” The red swirls of energy began to surround Willow’s body.

“Patefacio porta.” The clouds were beginning to swirl in the sky. Spike closed in on Amy’s position, as she angrily continued to knock him out of commission. He needed a distraction to get closer to her.

As if Giles read his mind, an arrow connected with Amy’s shoulder. Thanks, Watcher. I owe ya one. Spike seized the moment and lunged toward the now startled Amy. His arm wrapped around her neck, his other holding her hands securely behind her body. “Can’t have ya casting any bad magic, luv. You’re my bargaining chip for Dawn.” Willow continued unabated with her chanting. Drusilla stood in front of Spike, Dawn now mimicking Amy in her grasp.

“What now, lover?” Drusilla was relishing the moment. Her relaxed smile was now one of giddy excitement. “Looks like we have a standoff.”

“Looks like.” Spike’s arm constricted around Amy’s neck, his whole being fighting the monster inside him, the part of him that wanted to snap her neck like a twig. He couldn’t risk losing himself. Not now. He’d do what he had failed to do a year ago. He’d save Dawn this time. “Willow! Just give me Dawn and you can have me!” He was yelling over the loud energy crackling throughout the surrounding air. “You hear me, luv! I’ll be your goddamned sacrifice!” No response. She was still mumbling, chanting under her breath. Time to get her attention. His hand bent one of Amy’s arms upward, the snap of bone audible to those in the immediate vicinity. If that didn’t get Willow’s attention, Amy’s scream of pain would.

Willow turned her gaze to the situation not even six feet away from her. However, it was no longer Willow. Spike could see that the powers she was attempting to harness had gotten control of her. Her eyes were pitch black, her voice sounding as if it was out of sync of reality. A wave of her hand and a stream of black energy flowed quickly to Spike and Amy. “Be quiet!”

Spike wasn’t fast enough to move out of the way. The black energy surrounded Amy, her body writhing in pain. Spike was thrown back, his arm burning as if the sun itself had affected it. He quickly threw off his coat, noting that the energy acted like fire. He stomped it out on the grass, his coat now discoloring at the point of impact. His arm was still in pain, the skin on his forearm bubbling, expanding, from the energy. He looked back to Amy, her yells audible to the whole cemetery.

Buffy and the rest had taken care of the vampire minions and were regrouping when they heard Amy’s screams of pain. The sight made them sick to their stomachs. Layer by layer, Amy’s flesh began to peel away from her body, her body still writhing away. While the energy was black, the group could see clearly into the ether.

“My God.” Xander was in shock as he saw Willow’s hand pointed toward the carnage. Buffy looked over and saw Spike working to get his coat off.

“That’s not Willow,” Anya stated matter of factly. “Her eyes are different.”

“There’s still a chance that Spike can save Dawn.” The words had come from Xander. Had things become so bleak that Xander was actually depending on the vampire? Buffy looked back at Spike, standing alone in front of Drusilla and impending doom. She had to be at his side.

“Xander, I’m going to help Spike. Signal to Tara if things…” She didn’t want to finish the thought. Xander nodded agreement, knowing what she meant. She ran toward the scene, determined to stop Willow at all costs.

Spike rose from the ground, gingerly grabbing his forearm. The pain shot all through his body, but he had a job to finish. Just then, another arrow whizzed over his head, towards Willow. The arrow vaporized in the energy storm now around Willow, if that was still her. No choice now. Have to save Dawn. Nothin’ else matters.

“Dru!” The anger was now back in his voice. “Let her go!” He moved slowly toward her, the pain hindering his pace. She was giggling like a little schoolgirl now.

“Oh, look at the bones.” She was looking at Amy’s remains. “That was fun, lover.”

“Don’t call me that!” There was only one person that held claim to his heart now. Buffy.

“What? Lover, lover?” Dawn was now trembling, the situation growing darker.

“Effringo!” Willow’s arms pointed toward the heavens. “Effringo!” Energy shot down from the heavens, engulfing Willow’s body. She turned back to Spike and Drusilla. All Drusilla could do was smile.

“Sorry, lover.” Her hand released Dawn’s throat, a look of relief quickly moving over both Spike’s and Dawn’s faces. Then the unthinkable. “You lose.” Drusilla’s hand moved quickly across Dawn’s throat, blood spurting from her jugular. Dawn’s hands automatically went to her throat, trying to stop the blood. Spike’s mouth dropped open, trying to scream, to yell, but no words came. Dawn dropped to her knees, Spike moving over to his fallen pigeon.

“Noooooo!!!!” Spike cradled Dawn’s shivering body in his lap and arms, looking to the source of the declaration. It was Buffy, her arm in front of her as if that would get her to Dawn faster. He turned back to Dawn, rocking her in his arms.

“It’s okay, pigeon. Everything’s gonna be okay. Just lay still.” Spike hadn’t noticed that his eyes were now swelling with tears. Dawn looked up at him, trying to vocalize something but physically couldn’t.

“Goodbye, lover.” Drusilla began walking off in the distance. Spike wanted to go after her, end her life. But he couldn’t. His li’l bit was draining away in his arms. He could hear Drusilla’s lilted voice singing a hymn as she disappeared into the darkness.

“Dawn?” She was motionless now, the gasps of air getting shorter. “Dawnie?” Her body remained still in his arms, her eyes looking up at him, those kind eyes. Spike slowly moved his hand over her eyes, closing them forever. His head bent over her fragile body, the tears freely pouring now, falling onto her face.

“Dawnie?” Buffy finally made it to their location. Spike’s body uncontrollably shook, his arms cradling his niblet closer to his chest. Xander saw the scene and wiped a tear from his eye. Anya was holding onto his arm, her face full of sorrow. The crossbow dropped from Giles grasp as he leaned against the tree for balance. Xander looked back, his arm waving for Tara to begin.

Tara steadied herself, no emotion visible on her face. She needed to concentrate if this was going to work. Willow had to be stopped.

“Corrumpo.” She noted the blue energy surrounding her. “Corrumpo!” The energy began to slither over her body. She didn’t like the feeling, but she had to continue to give Spike a fighting chance. “Corrumpo!” The energy flew from her body and toward Willow’s location. In a flash of light, Willow winced in pain as if

someone had hit her in the solar plexus. Tara dropped to the ground, her body weakened by the spell. The rest was up to Spike. God help them all.

Spike looked up as the blast of light sliced its way through the energy storm now surrounding Willow. It had come to this. There was no backing out now. Buffy now knelt next to him, gently stroking Dawn’s hair, her sobs paining his heart. He had failed them once again. Time to make amends, Spike ol’ boy. He slowly moved Dawn’s tiny body over to Buffy.

“Take care of her, luv.” Buffy didn’t hear him. She was still in shock over the loss of her sister. She cradled Dawn’s motionless frame in her arms, her forehead touching the top of her sister’s. Spike looked back on the women that had changed his life. He wanted to stay and comfort Buffy, but he couldn’t. All he could do now was stop damnation.

He turned toward Willow, the energy still surrounding her, but flickering. Whatever Tara had done, it had worked. He walked into the energy storm, his body beginning to register the pain. He never looked back, fearing that he’d lose the courage to do what needed to be done.

Willow’s arms continued to point to the heavens, bolt after bolt of dark energy coming down upon her. Suddenly, a discoloration in the surroundings. She looked up and smiled. The gate was finally opening.

“Yes! Power! Power!” She sounded as though she was happy, but it was unclear since the voice that came out no longer sounded like Willow. It was then that she felt the hand on her shoulder.

“Funny thing ‘bout power.” She turned around to see Spike standing there. His skin had begun to peel and wither with the energy surrounding them. However, he seemed oddly calm at this moment. His dark side emerged onto his face, startling Willow. “It’s fleeting.”

His mouth came down upon her neck, his teeth sinking into her flesh. The spell had worked after all. It was a twofold spell. It weakened the energy field surrounding Willow just enough for Spike to survive and it weakened the human side of Willow, thus negating the chip that the Initiative had placed in his brain.

He pulled her close to him, feeling her body struggling to escape his grasp. However, Spike wouldn’t let go, no matter the pain he now endured. It felt as if he was drinking raw power instead of blood. He both hated and savored the feeling of feeding once again. He hated it because it reminded him of his past. He savored it because he was releasing his hatred. His pain. Dawn. I promise, I’ll make things better, li’l bit. He plunged deeper into Willow’s neck, the energy tearing his being apart. He wouldn’t let go though. He wouldn’t fail them again. Never again.

Buffy stayed close to her sister, while the others made their way over to her. She was gently rocking Dawn, her sobs still drowning out the surrounding noise.

“No.” Xander began to feel tears falling down his cheek as he whispered to no one in particular. Anya stayed close to his side, not knowing how to comfort the man that had brought her happiness. She wrapped her arm around his; squeezing it as though she was afraid he would disappear. Before they could vocalize their sorrows, a bright flash of yellow light emerged from the black energy field. They all instinctively shielded their eyes as though they were looking at the sunrise from the horizon, wanting to get a better view.

The yellow energy field began to expand, the black beginning to dissipate. It was then that they all saw what was happening inside the vortex.

“Spike.” Giles’ monotone summarized what everyone was thinking. He was doing it. He was trying to stop Willow. It was the most foreign sight the group had ever seen. Except for one.

“Spike?” Buffy looked up from Dawn’s lifeless body, staring into the energy field in awestruck wonder. It was then she realized what had happened. He had gone through with it. He was trying to stop Armageddon. She had already lost Dawn. She couldn’t lose Spike. Not now. Not after what had happened in the kitchen. “Spike!” She gently laid Dawn’s head on the ground and started to move toward the energy field. Giles stepped in front of her before she could advance any further. “Get out of my way. He needs me.”

“I’m sorry, Buffy. You can’t go in there. The feedback has already started. You wouldn’t have a chance were you to go in there.” He sounded confident as he said this, but his face gave him away. There was a sense of sorrow evident. He had seen her lose so much ever since she was chosen. Now to lose both Dawn and Spike in the same moment would devastate her. She was about to toss him to the side, until she heard Tara.

“Look. Something’s happening.” Buffy looked over Giles’ shoulder, the sight sending chills down her spine. Willow continued to struggle in Spike’s grasp. But that wasn’t what chilled her. It was Spike. His body, battered and bruised from the violent energy, had taken up a purple tint. It was almost as if he wasn’t entirely there anymore, almost phased out of reality. The yellow energy field continued to expand, the black fading ever faster.

Suddenly, the ground began to shake. Stumbling around for some semblance of balance, most fell to the ground. All but Buffy. She continued to look into the energy field, watching every moment that would decide the future of the world. Then, a white light emerging from Spike’s body shot up to the heavens, hitting the gate. She saw him throw Willow out of the vortex, as if it was a reflex.

Willow landed just outside the proximity of the energy field, yellow energy now surrounding Spike, white shooting to the heavens. His body began to shake uncontrollably, and even though the noise of the crackling energies had submerged the cemetery, if not Sunnydale itself, she could hear Spike scream. It was one of anguish, one of torment. She moved past the fallen Watcher, toward the energy storm. She had to save him. Even if it meant her death again, she had to. She had lost Dawn; she wasn’t going to lose the man that gave meaning to her life again. However, before she could enter the energy field, a wave of energy cascaded from Spike’s body, pushing her off her feet.

She lifted herself up, not looking back to her friends. As she looked up, she saw it. The gate was sealing, the last energy pulse from Spike the catalyst. A loud thunderclap and the gate disappeared. A final bolt of energy from the gate knocked Spike onto his back, and then nothing.

The ground had stopped shaking; the skies were once again lined with moonlight and stars. Buffy looked toward Spike, seeing that he was motionless. “Spike, Spike!” She got up from the ground and ran over to the fallen vampire. As she got closer to him, she noticed the odd glow surrounding his body. The purple energy was still surging through him. That didn’t matter now. All that mattered was his well-being. She knelt down next to him, her hands gently squeezing his shoulders. “Spike, wake up. Please..” His body began to stir.

“Did I do it?” His eyes fluttered open, his voice weak. “Did I stop her?” Buffy gently stroked his cheek, a sorrowful smile appearing on her face.

“Yeah, you did it. You did good.” A weak smile was her reward. However, she didn’t expect what would come from his mouth next.

“I’m sorry, luv. I couldn’t save her.” He meant Dawn. His eyes began to water, the aura around him intensifying. Buffy gently kissed him on the forehead, trying to comfort him in his moment of grief.

“It wasn’t your fault. Don’t you blame yourself.” Buffy began to cry again. Such a sad night. Unbeknownst to her, things weren’t over yet. Spike’s body began to spasm in her arms, the purple energy intensifying around him. Buffy tried to steady his body but felt her hands moving into Spike. Her look turned from one of sorrow to one of terror. She quickly pulled her hands out of Spike, noting the purple energy now covering her palms. He was becoming intangible. His body couldn’t handle the amount of energy Willow had siphoned from the gate. She was losing him. “Spike?” He looked up into her eyes, already knowing what was happening to him.

“Guess this is it, luv.” He began to get up, but Buffy resisted.

“Stay still. We’ll figure out what to do.” She turned back to her friends in the distance. “Giles!” His hand gently stroked her chin, tilting her gaze back toward him.

“Too late, Buffy. Nothin’ the Watcher can do now.” He looked calm and serene in this moment. Almost at peace.

“Don’t say that.” The tears came faster now, her cheeks damp. “Don’t you give up on me, Spike. Not now.” Sobs began to wrack her body. “Not now.” Then she heard his voice, barely audible, calling to her.

“Tell me about Heaven?” He gently smiled at her. She smiled back at him upon hearing the question. A man could truly change, even the one lying in her lap.

“I don’t remember much.” She began to run her fingers through his hair gently, fearing that she’d plunge her hands into him again. The energy felt warm, comforting, as she moved her hands along him. “I remember that I was happy. Very happy.”

“Think they’ll have room for a damned soul like me?” The question pained her heart. Even though he was now an honorable man, his past was tainted with the blood of innocents.

“Of course they will.” She smiled back at him, her tears subsiding.

“You’re not a good liar, luv.” She gently laughed at this. Then she spoke.

“I don’t want to lose you.” He felt great joy upon hearing those words. He was wanted. He was needed. He was truly loved.

“Made you and Dawn a promise.” She looked confused upon hearing Spike’s words. He noted her confusion and spoke. “We’ll be together again, Buffy. I promised.” His body was beginning to deteriorate, the energy glowing much stronger now. Buffy closed her eyes and leaned toward Spike. Her lips gently brushed against his, the energy tingling her skin. Tears rolled down her cheek, onto his face as she continued kissing him. She wanted this moment to last forever, to be with him until the end of time. But fate had other plans.

The weight on her lap lessened, as did the sensation around her lips. She slowly opened her eyes to see the purple energy no longer had a coherent form. It began to disperse and float upward. Buffy’s hands moved to her face, her tears coming stronger now, her sobs overcoming her. She was stirred from her position by a voice from behind her.

“Buffy!” She slowly turned around to see the purple energy drifting toward her friends. It slowly swirled around the group until it hovered over Dawn. Buffy got up from her knees and began to walk over to the commotion. She walked past Willow’s unconscious body, paying it no heed. As she got closer to the others, she saw the purple energy that was contained in Spike’s body cover Dawn. It made it’s way into her body, flowing into her with ease.

“Oh, my God.” Giles had spoken once again. He removed his glasses, wiping them with shirttail as he customarily did.

“Her neck.” Anya’s eyes widened in wonder and surprise, as did the rest of the group. Buffy was close enough to see the gash across Dawn’s throat begin to seal itself. Her pace quickened, not believing what she had just seen. Then she thought her eyes were playing tricks with her. Did Dawn’s foot just twitch?

As the remaining remnants of energy made its way into Dawn’s body, a slight glow surrounded her followed by a loud gasp. She was breathing. Dawn’s eyes flew open, her hands moving to her throat, evidently remembering the prior moments that led to her being here. Buffy began to run toward her sister; a smile now emerging from her face, tears streaming. Her arms flew around her younger sibling, pulling Dawn closer to her.

“Buffy?” She was alive. Dawn was truly alive.

“It’s okay, Dawnie. It’s okay.” Buffy squeezed tighter, hearing Dawn let out a sigh. “Oh, sorry.” Dawn smiled back at her and saw the group around her, all smiles. All but one.

“Buffy? Where’s Spike?” Buffy slowly pulled away, her joy now being mixed with her previous sorrow.

“He’s gone, Dawn.” Buffy saw the tears come quickly, her sister now burying her face against her. “I know, Dawn.” She comforted Dawn as best she could, but she couldn’t hide her loss. “I miss him too.”

It was at that moment that Buffy realized how she and Spike were so much alike. Her gift was death. His was life.

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