-Twenty-Seventh-

By Annie

2003-12-21

¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ ¤¤¤¤¤¤

Spike was about to open his mouth and drop a sarcastic comment of how she hurt his feelings ignoring him so thoroughly, but then the few lights still lit in the foyer went out and the blackness which surrounded them seemed to be deeper than even that of night.

Buffy had stopped halfway to the stairs and now she turned around toward him.

It took only a few seconds for her eyes to adjust and though her night vision meant she saw everything in black-and-white, she saw him perfectly clear. He, on the other hand, behaved as a blind man and she felt a sudden sympathy with him. It couldn't be easy, to go from being able to do pretty much anything, to barely being able to maneuver in the dark. She didn't miss the power-him, but she wondered if HE didn't sometimes. It must have been a real adjustment, getting used to his mere human form after he had been brought back.

Of course, there were so many bonuses coming with that form, she supposed. Perhaps there wasn't that much to miss in his vampire one after all.

She walked up to him and reached out a hand, taking his and he gave her a smile.

"Knew I'd find you," he quipped and she smiled as well.

"Candles," she then said and he nodded.

"Kitchen cabinet. Right side corner. Below the counter."

She let his hand go and turned, hurrying across the foyer and into the kitchen. She found her prize where he had said it would be and grabbed a handful as well as a large silver candelabrum. Putting the candles into the five arms of the latter she searched for, and found, a box of matches. Quickly putting flames on each candle she grabbed the candelabrum and proceeded back to Angel's office.

Wesley had joined Spike with a candlestick of his own. His hair stood on end and he seemed to have grabbed the first best thing at hand to cover his bare torso, and seemingly that been a very wrinkled, red shirt which he had neglected to button up. He was quite the sight as apposed to what he used to look like. He also had a haggard expression in his gaze when he turned it into the Slayer's, but before she could put in any kind of remark he stated:

"The whole city's out."

Buffy wasn't surprised, but she still put the candelabrum down on the desk before turning and running through the foyer, up to the front door. She opened it and stepped outside.

Blackness.

She drew a small breath and turned, closing the door behind her as she walked inside again and looking up as Angel and Cordelia came down the stairs.

"What's going on?" Cordelia demanded as the three met in the middle of the foyer.

"'And on the second day their cries shall eclipse all'," Buffy replied. "Add that quote to your favorites list 'cause I'm sure it's one that'll be remembered."

"I'll do that," Cordelia said and Buffy smiled a weak smile just as Fred and Gunn also came clambering down the stairs, both holding a candle each and looking rather alarmed.

"It's okay," Buffy calmed. "It's just the 'second step' being taken," she added. "Go into the conference room, I have something to tell you. I just have to wake up Faith."

They all looked at her with eyes asking her if this was good or bad, but she didn't even give them a hint as she turned and proceeded up to the second floor.

***

"I finally got it," Buffy said, fifteen minutes later.

"Got what?" Faith asked, not hiding a yawn and Buffy gave her a patient smile.

"My dream," she answered and she could feel Angel's eyes immediately having all their focus on her.

She turned her gaze in his and then nodded.

"Yeah, this is pretty big," she confirmed his expression. "Because now I have an explanation for the 'how' and maybe even for the 'where'."

At this everyone seemed to quickly grow more awake and most of them squirmed slightly in their seat; with disbelief that this moment had actually arrived, as well as anxiousness over what it meant that it had.

"I didn't tell you of the 'extended version' I had a few nights back," Buffy now continued. "I didn't think it mattered. Most of the details were regarding Spike," she added with a smile his way, which he returned though she could see how he joined the others in impatience with her getting to the point. She would. "My dream this time began, however, with me going down into the Hellmouth. I didn't pick up on this sign of where it's actually taking place -until tonight. I realized that it's significant to this whole situation and after talking to Giles I know I'm right. He didn't confirm my suspicions, but he gave me enough acknowledgements to make me fully believe in them. He said that there is a possibility that the caves of the Hellmouth might stretch as far away from Sunnydale as to the coastline. I smelled the ocean in my dream, and that was what threw me for a loop. I never even considered the Hellmouth being larger than the actual gape of it, located beneath Sunnydale. But, I think it is. I know it is.

"There's a well in my dream, and first it's filled with clear water; but then it's filled with blood. I thought this was linked, again, to the Spike aspect of the contents. I thought it had something to do with his past as a vampire and also with my Slayer side. I didn't know how to interpret it, but I thought I had the grounds for the part of why the blood was there figured out. I was wrong. The prophecy told me why it was there, but I didn't connect the dots."

The silence was strained and seemed on the verge of snapping the air as all stared at her.

"'And the heavens shall cry tears of blood and they shall rain down upon he who is damned and he shall drink them and they shall cleanse him for his final task...'" she recited, looking at Angel who seemed to finally understand.

"Of course," he murmured.

"'Of course' what?" Cordelia asked, her voice suffering a small shake as she looked from one to another.

"Tomorrow morning Angel and I have to find this place where the well is," Buffy answered her. "Once Angel drinks the blood which either already is there, or will come to be there once the 'final' step of this whole thing is set in motion, his demon will be released."

"In other words, he'll die," Cordelia cut in and Buffy paused, glancing at the vampire before she slowly replied:

"Yes."

"No!" Cordelia exclaimed, her tone agitated.

"Cor..." Angel said gently. "Cordelia." She looked at him, still annoyed, and then that emotion gave way for sadness before she averted her gaze. "This is good news. We might just win this yet."

"I hate Angelus for being right," she shook her head, looking up at him again before rising to her feet, adding: "He said 'you can't win'. And I can't."

She left the room and Angel sunk back in his chair, closing his eyes in defeat. Then he seemed to take a hold on himself and he looked up at Buffy again.

"How do we know when the right time is?" he asked. "We can't release Angelus before Satoch has left Susannah."

"We'll have to trust that we'll know," Buffy answered and he gave a nod to that.

"Did you get a hold of Willow?" he then wondered and she smiled a little.

"She said she'd do her best," she replied. "Which means she should be here in a few hours," she added and Angel looked relieved at that.

"That's good," he said.

Buffy observed him for a few moments, then encouraged:

"Go after her."

Angel seemed to hesitate, and then he rose from the chair, walking the way Cordelia had a few minutes earlier, following her well-known scent and finding her on the steps before the front doors of the hotel. She had her arms around her knees and her forehead leaned against them. The candle she had grabbed was dancing in the cool breeze of the street and seemed to spread a surreal light in the otherwise so dark world. She didn't make any sound like she was crying, but he still felt a rush of guilt for the pain she must be under. He could feel it too, surrounding his still heart with a web of gray and blue.

He slowly took a seat beside her, looking at his hands for a while, not sure what he could possibly say to her.

"I was thinking," she then mumbled, raising her head but looking straight ahead instead of at him, "that this could be it for me too. That I could die tomorrow. There is that possibility every day, I suppose. That you might die. But this time it's really... in my face. Know what's scary?" she wondered, and he shook his head a little. "I'm not sure if I'd mind all that much," she finished and he blinked, then gritted his teeth before saying:

"You don't mean that."

"Yeah, I do," she stated. "I do mean it. Why live in a world where everyday is a constant battle? Why live in it when you know what evil there is in it? When you've seen it, practically even tasted it? What is there that holds me to it?"

"Stop this," he mumbled, taken aback by her words. "This battle we fight, it's the good one, remember? It's to make the evil in this world a little weaker, and make it a little safer to live..."

"Yeah, for everyone else," she cut him off. "We have to give up everything so that our neighbors can go on with their little lives while we suffer. I'm sick of it. Look at you, Angel. You've walked the Earth for so long; can you honestly tell me that it's changed at all? Isn't it the same worthless speck as it was when you were born? Filled with murderers and cheaters and liars. People with no moral conviction who wouldn't give a damn about us even if we saved their precious ass from the fires of hell! So tell me, why should I care about them? Why should I go out there tomorrow and try to save them, when I really don't wanna save myself?"

Angel looked at her for the longest time, and then he said, voice soft:

"For me?"

Her eyes welled up at that, and she looked away from him again.

"This feeling," he continued, "it'll pass. You'll want to... go on, Cordy."

"Is it worth saving, then; to you?" she inquired, her jaw set and her tears held back by force. "This world?"

"Yes," he answered her with conviction. "It always was. I admit, I've wanted to bring it to a close myself."

"No," she said, mock-bafflement in her tone and he smiled a little; hoping that she might be letting go of her anger and bitterness; hoping that he was reaching her.

"Once or twice," he said nonchalantly and she had the trace of a smile on her mouth as well, kindling that hope even more. He continued: "But there's a lot worth while. A beauty unmatched. Intelligence and spirit and that human attribute of striving to improve. It's fascinating, to watch how history has made its path over a billion years. And I've seen nearly three centuries of it. I'm blessed. I've seen and felt things you wouldn't believe... I've laughed and lost and longed. And loved..."

He trailed off, growing tentative as she carefully met his gaze.

"There's so much love in this world, Cor," he mumbled. "It weighs out all the hate, if you just believe in it. Do you? Believe in it?"

She looked at him, then smiled a small smile.

"I believe in it," she answered quietly and at that he returned her smile.

***

The wind was cold on the altitude she was keeping, but it didn't bother her very much. Her Sisters were protecting her in more ways than one as she sailed the air over the Atlantic, its waves a blue carpet some fifteen thousand miles down.

Her mind was foggy and she felt like drifting off, but knew she had to keep herself awake or the ones keeping her moving would lose their contact with her, and she would plummet.

Drowning wasn't even close to her top priority right now, and so she gave herself a mental slap and fought to get her eyes at least into slits; though the harsh draft really made it quite difficult to have them open even as little as that.

Soon, she told herself. It's not far now. A few more minutes and you'll see the lights of Manhattan. After that Los Angeles isn't more than a breath away.

She kept her pep-talk up as she was brought in over the very shore she had a few minutes earlier mentioned. It wasn't much farther now. It was always easier to teleport over landmasses than vast ocean waters because the elements were stronger coming from rock and earth, and more tangible.

Before she knew it she began ascending and she felt her concentration beginning to come more easily the lower she got. Then the city of Los Angeles was spreading itself before her and she drew a small breath.

The country seemed to be suffering one major blackout. No town shone any lights, and it was obvious this city was no exception. It was eerily quiet as she touched down on the asphalt outside the large Hyperion Hotel.

She was hit by the sense of something very dark residing within the walls of the building, and also by how it sensed her presence as well. It didn't want her there. She smiled a little.

"Sorry," she mumbled. "I'm here to stay."

She crossed the street and then started toward the entrance of the hotel. When she got closer she could see that the steps hosted two forms, and after only a few more paces she knew who they were.

"Willow," Cordelia said, sounding as surprised as she looked and getting to her feet.

Angel did the same, his face splitting into a welcoming smile.

"Good to see you," he stated as she stopped at the first step below them and smiled back with as much warmth.

"The same," she assured and he laughed, taking one step down and giving her a hard squeeze.

As he stepped away Cordelia moved forward and embraced the Wicca.

"It IS good to see you," the former said and Willow smiled brightly, hugging the other back. "I have a feeling we have lots of reasons to be happy you're here," she added and Willow grew serious.

"Yeah, I'd really love to know exactly what's going on," she said and Angel nodded.

"Come on," he said, opening one of the doors and holding it up for the two ladies. "I'm sure Buffy's eager to see you."

The three crossed the foyer as Angel took the lead to the conference room. As they entered Buffy turned around from where she was standing talking to Wesley and her eyes lit up when they rested in Willow's.

"Wills!" she exclaimed. "Thank God you're here," she added, walking up to meet her friend and then giving her a hug.

"It's good to be needed," Willow smiled as they let go, and then her eyes met the blue of Spike's; her gaze growing mild and then she smiled again. "Hello, Spike," she said and he smirked, though he looked a little insecure. "Well, come on!" she added, waving one hand at him to get up and come over to her. "Give us a hug," she finished and his smile widened before he rose and did as she instructed.

Walking around the table he then embraced her and she suddenly chuckled. He blinked, pulling back with a wondering look on his face.

"It's just..." she said, keeping her smile from growing too broad with effort as she finished: "I can't help but remember the time you tried to bite me."

At that he laughed as well. Clearing his throat he then said:

"Ahem... yeah. Eh, sorry about that."

She shook her head as she watched Buffy's arm slip around his waist and how the Slayer stepped closer to the former vampire in a way which tattled that she was so used to doing it that she gave the motion little thought. Willow smiled at the sight, feeling how a great weight was finally lifted from deep inside her where it had grown so strong from watching Buffy's quiet and stoic anguish for all those months.

"You don't look so different," the redhead now stated wryly and Spike smirked again.

"Don't feel so different," he replied. "Except the need for anger management is gone," he added. "And whenever I'm a bit annoyed I don't get yellow eyes and very sharp teeth."

Willow smiled once more at that remark.

"And don't forget the lumpies," Buffy pointed out. "No lumpies either."

"True. No lumpies," he admonished and Willow watched as they looked at each other in a way she never would have thought possible three or four years ago, and then they gently shared a kiss.

"Pretty disturbing, isn't it?" Faith's voice sounded from behind her and Willow turned toward it. "Them not beating each other up all the time," the slayer elaborated with a smile. "Makes you wonder what exactly it was that threw the world order out of wack."

"Hey," Buffy complained and Faith smirked. "That Alliende guy was way ahead of us with that," the blonde added and Willow smirked as well.

"How are you?" she then asked Faith, who gave a shrug.

"Same old," she answered. "Another prophecy, another give-us-today-our- daily-bread," she added. "You?"

"Jetlagged," Willow replied and Faith laughed at that.

"We all need to get some sleep," Buffy said now, having Willow turn to her again. "But before that there's someone you need to meet," she stated and Willow raised her eyebrows.

***

Susannah woke with effort, it seemed. She looked more fatigued now than ever before; and still she had been sleeping most of the past two days. She blinked at the soft light from the bedside lamp before slowly focusing her eyes on the new addition to their group.

"Get away from me, witch," she then murmured and Buffy's heart sank.

"Susannah?" she tried, but the woman smiled such a wicked smile that the Slayer immediately understood that the demon was back in control.

"There is no way of stopping the future from crashing down upon you all!" it spat. "My time has arrived and you shall despair!"

Willow bent her head and summoned the power she possessed, felt it tingle through her nerves and into her fingers, and then she whispered the words her Coven had taught her. Making a small gesture with her left hand when she was finished she then opened her eyes and looked at the young woman before her.

"What...?" Susannah asked, disoriented.

"It's alright," Buffy soothed, feeling the certainty that everything was going to be okay settle between her ribs and heart, beating in sync with the latter. "I've brought someone who can help."

Willow took a step forward and Susannah gazed up at her.

"He really doesn't approve of this," the latter then mumbled and suddenly there was a faint smile on her lips as she reached out a trembling hand and took one of Willow's in a steady grip. "Welcome," she added and the Wicca smiled back at that.

"Willow can help exorcise Satoch so you won't have to drink from the bottle," Buffy now said.

Susannah looked even closer at the woman before her at this disclosure.

"Who are you, then?" she asked and Willow squeezed her hand a little.

"My name's Willow," she answered. "I'm a good friend of Buffy's."

"And a witch," Susannah said. "A powerful one at that, I take it," she added and Willow didn't have to verify it for the other to know it was true. "So, what are my chances now that the cavalry has arrived?" she wondered, letting Willow's hand go and sinking back against the pillows.

Buffy turned her eyes on her friend as well and Willow paused, choosing her words before she answered:

"If I can successfully remove the demon, you're chances are excellent."

"And if you can't?" Susannah inquired.

"She can," Buffy answered in the Wicca's stead. "Just focus on that. She can. I just wanted you two to meet tonight, so we're ready for anything tomorrow," she added. "Go back to sleep now."

Susannah nodded tiredly, though Willow knew she watched them as they silently left the room again. Buffy closed the door and turned to Willow.

"Please, tell me you don't harbor any doubt that you can pull this off," she asked and Willow looked at her for a second before she sighed.

"That's a powerful demon in there," she said. "I can't promise you anything. You have to be realistic, Buffy."

"I am!" Buffy hissed. "You're her last hope. OUR last hope! Satoch has to be exorcised and if you can't do it... I don't know what's gonna happen, but I'm sure it'll have her die once the final hour begins, and I'm NOT gonna let her die like that!"

"What about this bottle?" Willow asked.

"It's only design is to set Satoch free... it's poison to her," Buffy answered, running her hands through her hair as she leaned against the wall to the side of the door. "And there's something about the potion in the bottle... We're not sure if it's meant to increase his strength or his size or... The legend says, according to Wesley, that the woman who made it - Ritha - worshipped Satoch with a passion almost surpassing Nefertiti's. She wanted to ensure that once it was his time, he would be unstoppable."

"Wow, had I know I'd get a history lesson I would've brought a notebook," Willow said and Buffy gave her a look as they proceeded up the stairs to the third floor. "But Satoch is supposed to... destroy this world right? So what was he doing going all wimpy three-thousand years ago? I mean, from what Giles has told me that Wesley has told HIM this 'demongod' only possessed Nefertiti and her husband."

"Yeah, but Wesley has a theory about that. He thinks that it wasn't time yet. Satoch's one purpose was to destroy, right? That was the only thing he wanted, to cause chaos all around him. But he was 'young' back then, he wasn't strong enough to wipe out life as we know it. He knew he needed to bide his time, but also that he couldn't grow stronger in some cave somewhere. So, what does he do? He takes possession of a powerful figure through which he can wreak havoc and feed that need for anarchy and distortion. And, of course, keeping himself within that bloodline he was able to feed off of war, misery and whatever else was going on around the one hosting him."

"You sound like you've actually been doing your homework," Willow remarked and now Buffy stopped.

"Aren't you proud?" she wondered and Willow smiled.

"I've never been prouder," she stated.

"Not even when I aced my SAT's?" Buffy asked and Willow put on a thoughtful look before she shook her head.

"No, this takes the cake," she answered and Buffy smirked, pushing the door open to the room which had been assigned to the Wicca. "This is nice," Willow said, stepping inside.

"It's one of the better rooms," Buffy nodded. "But let's not kid - it isn't exactly in top shape."

"I like it," Willow merely replied.

"Well, good night," Buffy said. "We'll probably need to get up bright and early in the morning."

"Okay," Willow said, stopping the Slayer in the doorway by saying: "And... where do you sleep? In case something happens and I need to get to you, I mean."

Buffy gave her a sweet smile.

"I sleep just a few doors down the hall."

Willow cocked an eyebrow and Buffy's smile widened.

"Shut up," she muttered before grabbing the door handle and stepping out into the hallway, closing the door after her.

**************************************************************************** **************************************************************************** **************************************************************************** ******************

What Is To Be

-Twenty-Eighth-

By Annie

2004-01-07

¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ ¤¤¤¤¤¤

Buffy woke up the following morning from her body shaking with frost. She was so cold that she could barely get herself to sit up. She could see her breath as it formed a small cloud before her and she frowned. What was this?

Grabbing one of the blankets she wrapped it around her shoulders and pulled it closed tight before she even attempted getting to her feet. As she rose, Spike stirred and then she heard his harsh intake of breath as he sat up.

"What's going on?" he asked and she turned her head to him.

He brushed his hands quickly up and down his arms, trying to regain some heat in his icy limbs, and his curls were an untamed mess on top of his head, his eyes still heavy with sleep and his whole appearance quite adorable.

"Where's a camera when you need it," was all the reply he got from the now smirking Slayer before she crossed the floor to the door and disappeared through it.

He blinked, confused, then sighed and began to collect the blankets that were left; pulling them around him the best he could before he rose as well. The windows were all covered with a thin layer of white frost and he squinted as he put one hand against one of the pains and created an opening big enough to peek out through.

He stared at the sight which met him, his mouth falling agape; then he straightened his back and turned to the sound of Buffy reentering the room. She stopped at the sight of his expression.

"You okay?" she asked, putting the clothes she had gotten for herself, from where they still were kept in her "own" room, down on the bed.

"Look outside," he encouraged and she raised her eyebrows before she did as he said, walking up to the window and gazing out on a completely altered world.

"Snow?" she said and Spike nodded. "But it's the middle of May," she disagreed and he nodded again. "Great," she grumbled, throwing the blanket off and walking back up to the bed, grabbing the first pair of the two sweatpants she had gotten and pulling them on; proceeding with the second one she then pulled on two sweaters and a sweat shirt.

Spike watched her with a small smile playing on his lips and once she had finished, as she pulled her hair out from under the hem of the sweaters and then turned to him, he asked:

"Warmer now?"

She returned his smile, then had hers die away as she replied:

"No. But I'd better be - we've got work to do."

"And the white wonderland out there?" Spike wondered.

"What should I do?" she asked. "Call Mother Nature and ask her what she's on? She'd just say mister sir Alliende slipped her something last night and she can't remember a thing." Spike smirked at that. "Get dressed, honey," she added. "Group meeting in ten minutes."

***

The discussion had been on for nearly half an hour. The subject was the past six days and everybody spoke their minds freely. The only one who was keeping quiet and keenly listening was Willow, who had only heard the prophecy in broad, bold strokes last night - all the interesting details had been left out.

"I think we shouldn't rush into anything," Fred said, looking around at the others before she suddenly got a trace of insecurity in her gaze and she added: "Unless, of course, we really have to... since it's the last day and all."

Gunn smiled comfortingly, taking her hand, and she smiled as well before she leaned her head against his shoulder.

"I think my girl's right," Gunn spoke up. "What do we know for sure? That Buffy and Angel have to find some well in some cave somewhere, and then what? All we have to go on so far are hunches and something a demon scribbled down hundreds of years ago."

"That's not what I said," Fred disagreed silently. "I'm sure the prophecy is as authentic as it gets and Alliande wasn't just 'a demon' - he was a prophet. He saw the future as it was."

"But Forte said that this 'prophecy' had been talked of amongst his people for a really long time, like some kind of folklore. And this BEFORE Alliende chose to grab a piece of parchment and a goose pen and write it all down," Gunn countered and Fred sighed, having nothing to say to that.

"There's a very real demon just up the stairs," Buffy stated in her stead and Gunn looked at the former as she added: "In case you've forgotten just how real the prophecy is, perhaps you should go upstairs and have a look."

He shook his head, turning his gaze out of the Slayer's and she nodded.

"Good. We all have to remember that this isn't something about to happen - it's happening. Right now. Whether we want it to or not. Satoch expects to break free today. He expects us to fail because he sees himself as invincible now that his time's finally arrived. We're gonna prove to him just how wrong he is. Gunn," she said and the man once again looked at her, "you're right. Hunches and instincts are about all that we're left with. But trust me - mine's yet to fail me. Angel and I are heading out in one hour. We'll see where our instincts take us."

At that they broke for breakfast.

Cordelia nodded to Fred's question if she should make some coffee for the whole gang and then walked up to Buffy, who now had her arms wrapped tightly around Spike's waist and her head leaned against his chest - trying to get access to his body heat, as well as he was wishing to borrow some of hers.

"I can't tell you how much I dislike not even knowing around when we can expect this whole shablam to start," Cordelia muttered and Buffy nodded, then frowned.

"You look really good this morning," she remarked and Cordelia shrugged.

"Yeah... I FEEL really good, actually," she answered and at Buffy's quizzical expression the dark haired smiled sheepishly. "I guess my body's used to the cold," she added and Buffy returned her smile.

"I actually feel better too," Angel stated as he joined them, leaning against the table and crossing his arms over his chest. "The heat's not so overwhelming. Slept like a baby straight through the night for the first time since this illness came over me. Or whatever it is."

"Well, that's... good. Right?" Buffy wondered and Spike smiled.

"Of course it is," he cut in.

"I just wish I knew how I'm gonna stand this cold once we're out of here," she grumbled unhappily. "Nobody told me it was a bring-clothes-for-EVERY- occasion trip."

Spike laughed at that, having her move her head and look up at him.

"We'll find something for you to wear," Angel assured.

"I'll bring out my winter clothes," Cordelia offered and Buffy gave them both a grateful smile.

***

"You nervous?"

Angel turned around and faced Cordelia, who was leaning against the doorpost of his bedroom - where he was going through some of his older belongings and trying to gather his thoughts. He could see the burning need to have what was left to say between them said; it was all over her. In her loosely crossed arms over her chest, in her tight jaw and in her questioning gaze. But most of all it was in the echo of her beating heart, and he wished that he could reach out and place one hand over it; have it vibrate through him.

"No," he then answered her question and she smiled a little before it turned into a frown and she stepped into the room.

"Didn't think so," she tried at keeping the conversation light.

It failed.

He watched her face so intently that she had to look away. Her mind couldn't understand that in less than an hour he was walking out of her life forever. That he'd be gone and there seemed to be nothing she could do about it. She felt helpless in a way she never had before, and she couldn't even touch him.

"I remember the first time we met," she mumbled, still not looking at him and fighting back her tears as they came to a glistening layer over her eyes. "I remember thinking 'There goes the handsomest man I've ever seen'... And then you turned out to be nice and friendly and funny and... completely in love with somebody else."

"Aren't you forgetting something?" he asked with the trace of a smirk on his mouth and she raised her eyebrows, turning her gaze in his. "I wasn't exactly your average scouting material," he elaborated and at that she smiled brightly.

"You had some excess baggage, sure," she agreed and he mirrored her smile. "And yeah, at first it was a bit freaky... Even when we teamed up here it was a bit odd to not see you as just the regular Joe. I mean, between the times you suited up in that... other form. But I know you... now. Now I know you. And I know Angelus has never really mattered when it comes to who you are. He's no side to YOU, he's only a representation of that demon you have to carry around with you. So I don't even have to take him into account, summing you up...Your worth lies in you and you alone. The man that you are. I-..."

He cut her off by stepping up to her and pulling her close to him. She was rigid at first, surprised by his action and anticipating the pain to overcome her as before. Only it didn't. For another few seconds she couldn't understand why, and then she connected the scarce dots and concluded that even with nothing but the fabric of the clothes they were in separating their skin from contact with the other, it obviously was enough.

She relaxed.

Leaning her head against his shoulder her hands slid up his back and she pressed herself closer to him. At the feel of him, the scent of him, and the churning knowledge that he was about to disappear, she couldn't hold back her sorrow any longer. Her sobs were soft, but they ripped at him as he could feel her shoulders shake gently from them.

"Please," he mumbled. "Please, don't do that."

"I can't take this," she whispered, looking up at him as the trails down her cheeks slowly began to freeze.

He put up a hand, pausing his movement right above her skin and having the water thaw and then just as slowly start to dry up. He smiled a little, then brought his hand to her temple and carefully touched her hair before placing the hand back at her left hip.

"There's so much I want you to know," he murmured and she nodded a little.

"Me too," she stated. "Angel, I'm..."

A knock on the doorframe interrupted her and she was about to chew whoever it was' head off right before her eyes landed in Buffy's and she saw the expression in them. They looked not all too unhappy and Cordelia immediately had her craving-of-good-news drenched antennas stand on alert.

"I'm sorry," Buffy apologized as the two before her let each other go reluctantly. "But there came a messenger from Forte just now," she added, stepping through the doorway and bringing one hand out from behind her back, as she finished: "He had this for you."

She reached out her arm toward Angel and revealed the object placed in the middle of her palm - a bottle of nearly the exact same size and shape as the bottle of Ritha, only this one carried no etchings or markings what so ever and it was made of silver.

Angel took it with clear hesitation as he eyed it, then looked at Buffy questioningly.

"What is it?" he asked and she smiled a half smile before replying:

"The note from Forte - and it was short, by the way - said that it's the counter pool to the other bottle. He never realized it until today, when... Well, open it and you'll see."

Angel put a hand up and cautiously pulled the small top off the mouth of the item. Cordelia drew a breath as there was a thin, but undoubtedly visible, ray of bright, white light stretching itself all the way up to the ceiling.

"The note said it started glowing about two hours ago," Buffy stated, continuing: "And then that it stopped, seemingly collecting the light inside instead... He's heard of it, but didn't know it was in his possession. He thought the bottle in question was supposed to look exactly like the other one. Anyway, I know what it's for," she finished and both Angel and Cordelia observed her skeptically, which made her smile again. "We're not supposed to feel out the right moment for you to drink," she picked up her thread again, her eyes in Angel's. "We're supposed to fill this bottle with the blood, and bring it back here. We're supposed to face this, all of us together. And that's the only way of beating it."

***

Spike corrected the borrowed hat Buffy had on her head and she looked up at him with a smile as she pulled her borrowed gloves on. In fact, pretty much everything she was wearing was borrowed from Cordelia. They were all warmer now, having been awake for a few hours and having been on their feet moving around as much as they possibly could during that time. But the world outside promised cold and so Buffy was thankful for all the warmth she could store before having to face it.

The greatest warmth, of course, came from the adored man standing before her.

He seemed slightly nervous. Frightened.

"I'm coming back," she said gently and he glanced up to meet her gaze. "You know that, right?" she added and he smiled.

"Of course," he replied, though he didn't convince her and she pushed away her own fluttering fear from her heart before she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled herself closer to him.

"I love you," she whispered and felt how his arms slipped around her as well. "I wouldn't miss our first date for anything in this world, you know that. Not even some bloody demon with delusions of grandeur."

His face nestled into the side of her throat and he held her tighter at that, but she knew he was smiling.

"You'd better come back to me," he then murmured and she swallowed her tears bravely before pulling back and meeting his worried eyes.

"Tell me you love me," she mumbled and he put up one hand by her cheek, brushing his fingers over it softly before he smiled a little again.

"I love you," he then complied, voice as low as hers and then their lips met carefully before they deepened the kiss, unwilling to ever break it again.

Cordelia looked from them to Angel as he pulled on his black coat and then met her gaze. She smiled tryingly and he returned it.

"We all rely on you now," she said, voice soft and he nodded. "I guess you're used to that, though," she added and his eyes turned warmer.

"We'll be back soon," he replied and she swallowed before nodding, forcing on another smile.

"Promise?" she asked and he clenched his jaws together, then nodded as well.

"I promise," he said and she stepped up to him, slipping her arms up and around his neck before she moved even nearer and closed her eyes.

"In case anything happens..." Wesley said tentatively and Angel felt Cordelia's grip tighten. "What should we do?"

"It won't come to that," Buffy replied with conviction; the kiss broken and she slowly let her love go before stepping away from him, her gaze in Wesley's. "Just sit tight, we'll be back before you know it," she added, looking at Spike who held her eyes in his with intensity.

She pushed away the small shiver of displeasure down her spine at the prospect of what she might be about to face, what demons might be waiting for them out there. Then she smiled one of those bright smiles which she knew that man of hers adored seeing on her before she turned and headed for the door.

"Be careful," Willow called after her and she looked back at her with reassurance not to fret.

The determination to get the mission over and done with, so that she truly could be back at the hotel as soon as possible, took over easily and she welcomed it.

Angel watched Buffy go, then looked at Cordelia.

She smiled a small smile again, and he held her gaze for another moment before he turned and followed in Buffy's footsteps.

Cordelia's heart was heavy with anxiety and when she glanced at Spike she knew he understood her perfectly as the door of the Hyperion closed behind the Slayer and vampire.

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What Is To Be

-Twenty-Ninth-

By Annie

2003-01-11

¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ ¤¤¤¤¤¤

The blanket of snow was close to blinding white as it reflected the bright sun in the sky and covered everything as far as their eyes could see. Buffy pulled the jacket she was in tighter around her before she began to wade out into the glittering dunes. Stopping after only a few paces she turned to her companion, who was looking at something right before his feet and seemed quite taken by it.

"What?" she asked and he looked up, then moved his arms and pulled his coat off. "What are you doing?" she added as he let it fall around his feet.

"I can't... explain it," he answered and then he began to move forward, towards her.

She furrowed her brow questioningly, watching him as he got closer and then her eyes widened when he made his way passed her. The snow melted an inch or so before him and in its wake it was gone completely, creating a perfect path for her to follow in.

"What the...?" she murmured, then tentatively stepped out of the heap of cold she was in and began to walk behind him instead.

As the fascination of what was going on with him began to wear off she started to pay attention to the world around her. The stillness was what hit her the most. Everything was cushioned. There was no noise, no wind, no shouts or laughter, no traffic, no life. Just an ivory wave of silence. And everything was so clean, so sparkly. It was as though Mother Nature had put on her most precious gown and decided to show it off in all its splendor. And there was nothing for anyone to do but thoroughly admire it.

Buffy suddenly smiled to herself at a memory from another time when she had been walking through a snow covered land with the vampire before her. Then they had been holding hands and known nothing of what their true fate would be. God, so much had changed since then. And still she loved him, she cared for him, and felt happy to walk through the magical change of the country with him. Happy that he was there with her, and that she didn't have to go in search of the Hellmouth on her own.

"You know, it feels a bit like old times," she said and he stopped, turning his head to look at her over his shoulder.

"It does," he then agreed, smirking. "I'm glad you're here."

She smiled back.

"I'm glad you're here too," she replied and his smirk widened, then he looked ahead again and started up their walking. "So... you and Cordy? I mean, you looked like you're actually making progress when I came knocking earlier..."

"'Came knocking'?" he interrupted sarcastically. "I'd say you barged in at the most inappropriate moment. Literally."

"Said I was sorry," she pointed out and he gave her another glance before he laughed softly.

"I don't know if I wanna discuss Cordelia with you, Buff," he then admitted and she smiled.

"Fine, I'll hear it all from her then, I've gotten everything from that source so far," she teased and he stopped again, turning to face her. "What?" she asked, innocently. "Girls talk with each other, unlike MEN. AND vampires, it seems."

"I talk," he countered. "It's just... strange. I see you with Will and... it's great. I'm happy for you. Both of you! Still... it's strange. Part of me will always love you, you know that."

"And part of me will always love you," she agreed. "But you being happy for me now means everything to me. I'm happy for you. It's strange, yes, I have to agree that it's a bit weird seeing you with Cordelia; knowing that you met her around the same time as you met me... But it's... fate. Can't tamper with that."

He suddenly looked regretfully sad and she felt a growing lump in her throat as she remembered.

"Angel..." she tried, but he shook his head.

"If I get into this with you I'll go crazy. It's enough seeing what it's doing to her. I know what I have to do, Buffy. I can't rationalize my way out of it, can't change it, can't even TRY to tamper with it. Let's leave it at that."

She was about to say something, but then let his words sink in and kept her mouth shut.

"Did you tell her?" she asked instead, and he sighed.

"As fate would have it, there wasn't time," he grumbled and she reached out a hand to place it on his arm.

"You will," she said.

"No," he disagreed. "I HAVE to. She has to know."

After another moment he turned around and began walking once more. She wasn't late to follow. They continued their journey passed blocks of buildings, onto the vastness of the beach. The ocean closest to shore was covered with ice, but farther out it was billowing in steel-gray.

They had been going for nearly fifteen minutes when Buffy asked:

"Do you have any idea where we're headed?"

There was a slight pause and then he answered:

"Not really. But trusting my 'instincts' I'd say we're on the right track."

"Right," she nodded. "What if our instincts malfunction? What if magic gets into the game and sends us on a wild goose chase?"

"Does anyone use that expression these days?" he asked and she gave him a shove in the back before replying:

"I'm serious! What if we're completely...?" her eyes landing on something glowing in the quilt of white, not far ahead, cut her sentence short.

"We're not," Angel simply said before he held up the silver bottle, which he had kept in his hand ever since they started walking. "It's been leading the way."

***

"Hey," Spike said, standing in the doorway of Willow's room and having the Wicca look up from the page in the book she was currently studying.

"Hi," she replied with a smile.

"I'm not disturbing you, I hope," he said as he entered the room and she shook her head, putting the book down on her lap and watching him as he came to sit to the side of her on the edge of the bed.

"Interrupting," she then admonished and he smirked before she continued: "but not disturbing."

"So... what do you think?" he asked with a gesture to the book, which happened to be Wesley's very detailed journal on the prophecy.

"About Wesley's handwriting?" she quipped and the blonde laughed, shaking his head. "About the contents?" she therefore wondered and receiving a nod, she sighed. "I'm not sure. It's so dark and depressing all of it. Hasn't anything good happened over the last six months that can at least give me one speck of belief that we'll be able to beat this one?"

Spike smiled at that, then he replied:

"Buffy came. Sent from heaven with the choirs singing their hallelujah's. And then you came, accompanied by nothing less."

She smiled a small smile back, looking a little taken by that statement.

"I think I'm starting to understand how you could have such an affect on Buffy when you did," she remarked wryly and he smirked.

"I had my ways," he replied. "But you can't blame it all on me. She was weak after the whole death-going-to-Heaven thing, and on top of that she did kiss me first."

Willow's eyes suddenly kindled with real interest and she leaned forward a little.

"She did?" she then inquired and Spike cocked an eyebrow. "I've never heard the story of when hate couldn't separate the two of you anymore," she explained. "I mean, for a year she's been... absent. And before then... Well, you were around and I couldn't exactly go 'Oh, and by the way, Buffy. What ACTUALLY happened between the two of you?' while she was dealing with you and the souled bit of you and, before then there was the way you just left her and she wouldn't even mention you, so that wasn't a good time either and... Would you just tell me? Please?"

He simply looked at her for the most grueling five seconds and then he smiled.

"You sure you wanna know?" he asked and she nodded, trying not to look too eager. "Do you think she'd mind if I told you?" he then stopped himself and Willow blinked, then answered truthfully:

"No. I really don't."

He drew a small breath.

"Well, I guess it all really started with this dream I had. Let's just say it woke me up to one or two truths..."

***

Angel and Buffy stopped at either side of the hole from where the glow had been coming. It was still there, glistening around the edges and straight down seemed to be the source of the light because it was nearly hurtful to try and look into the brightness of the gape. The opening was a little less than a yard in diameter and Buffy looked up at the vamp, who held her gaze and then nodded.

They knew what they had to do.

Question was if it really was such a good idea.

Guess we'll see, Buffy thought as she took a small step closer to the edge.

Suddenly there was something pulling at her, feeling as though a thousand small arms were wrapping tightly around her and dragging her forward and before she knew it - she was falling.

She couldn't hear Angel's voice, but knew he called her name. Then she hit the ground. It wasn't painful, though she could feel the impact and the hardness of rock beneath her. She even noticed how her head got thrust into the ground mercilessly and when she opened her eyes the first thought that came to her was that she shouldn't be able to.

That she should be dead, or at least in a coma. That her brain shouldn't be functioning after a hit like that. Only it was, and since the second thing her eyes took in - apart from the fact of her being in a cave that looked much too familiar - was a well in the cave floor from which a beam of light was stretching into the ceiling, she didn't think more of the fact that she shouldn't be alive.

She slowly sat up, feeling her heart racing with adrenaline in her chest and then remembering...

"Angel."

She looked around, her eyes landing on his form merely a few feet away and she got on her hands and knees, crawling over to him. Right before she reached him he made a small noise and rolled over on his back.

"Am I dead?" he murmured as she was at his side and when he opened his eyes she smiled widely. "'Cause it sure feels like it," he filled in before sitting up with a painful grimace. "What is this place?"

"My dream," she replied matter-of-factly. "It's weirding me out seeing it like this, but this is exactly what it looked like. God, I'm thirsty..."

Her eyes widened slightly at that statement.

She really was thirsty.

She didn't think she ever had been so thirsty.

It felt like her throat was digging to get out through her neck and she put a hand up by it as she leaned forward, fighting for air.

"Buffy?" Angel asked, obviously growing worried.

"I need... have to..." she tried to reply, but started coughing instead.

Suddenly her gaze fell on the glittering water in the well.

Yes.

Just a little drink.

A mouthful; she knew it would be enough.

She began dragging herself toward it, disregarding Angel's repetitive questioning of what she was doing.

Just a little drink.

She reached the water's edge and felt her heart leap with joy and triumph. Soon the clawing pain would be nothing but a memory...

A memory...

She stared into the blank surface. She could feel the coolness of what lie just beneath it. Could taste it slipping over her tongue. And then she heard it. The memory. Of her sister's voice in her dream, as it whispered:

"It's poison to you."

Buffy pulled herself back, startled. Crawling backwards she then stopped nearly ten feet from the well and drew a shaky breath.

A trap.

Her thirst was already evaporating, the pain was already being soothed out.

"You okay?" Angel asked to her left and she turned her head to him, then smiled weakly.

"Yeah," she answered him. "Now I am."

Angel nodded, then turned his eyes on the well again. Buffy did the same. They both rose to their feet as there began to be slow ripples on the surface of it. Buffy came up to join at Angel's side and they both took a step closer, watching as something dark began to mix with the clearness of the liquid; the light from below being shut out.

"Is that...?" Angel asked and Buffy, practically holding her breath, nodded slowly.

"Yup... 'The Heavens shall cry tears of blood'," she then mumbled as the blood was pushing the water away, taking its rightful place as possessor of the well.

The process was quick and soon thick crimson was all there was to be seen.

Angel brought out the bottle from one pocket and opened the lid. The thin ray of light inside was still present and the silence surrounding them seemed to bid the task to be ceremonial and filled with awe at what they were doing.

Buffy swallowed, not sure why, but her senses were all on attention as she watched Angel walk up to the edge and carefully get down on one knee. He glanced at the object in his hand before he gripped it tighter and then brought it toward the slowly moving waves. He paused for a moment, then brought his hand into the liquid. When he brought it back up the light was smothered in the bottle, just as in the well, and he put the top back on firmly as he rose to both feet, turning toward the Slayer with a rather relieved expression.

She knew precisely how he felt.

"Okay," she nodded. "Let's go."

He turned toward the opening through which they had come, and then they both turned their eyes in the other's.

"How do we get out of here?" Angel was the one who voiced their mutual concern and Buffy was about to offer a reply when there was a very distant sound which cut her off.

Angel had heard it too.

They turned their heads to the large crack in the far wall, seemingly serving as an entrance and Buffy recognized it to be the place through which she had come in her dream. So, she could only deduce that beyond that crack lay vast, un-chartered territory of passageways, more caves and Hellmouth.

And that sound... a scratching noise... she had heard it before.

It had been following her in her dreams, but it had never shown itself.

She swallowed now, looking at Angel again and seeing the questions in his eyes. She clenched her jaws together, then reached back and grabbed the stake she had tucked there. Bringing it out she said:

"Get ready."

Angel stared at her, then at the weapon, before he brought one hand up behind his neck and grabbed the sword which he had hanging in its sheath on his back. Pulling it out the slow sound of metal against metal was all that was heard.

The stillness told of something not being right, Buffy could feel it in the air all around them.

And then there was the loud cry of something not even close to human.

This time it sounded close.

Very close.

***

Willow turned her head and looked out the dirty glass of the one window in her bedroom. Spike stopped talking, his smile fading as he saw the expression on the Wicca's face.

"Did you hear that?" she asked and he frowned, shaking his head a little as she moved to sit straighter, seemingly still listening.

There was a small sliver of chilled goose-bumps down his spine as he was able to interpret her behavior and he took a breath as he realized that something was terribly wrong.

"It's Buffy, isn't it?" he asked, his voice breaking as Willow's eyes began to grow black. "Willow..." he tried to reach her, but she got off the bed in the next instant with a sharp breath and he felt his heart begin to race with fear at what she was seeing.

"No," she whispered. "Oh, no."

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