Chapter 59:

“M'bored.”

All eyes warily turned to Jillian, who sat on the floor, looking, unfortunately, extremely bored. Buffy grimaced. A bored four year old was no laughing matter. She would know; she'd babysat for quite a few when she was in her preteens.

“Well...we could play a game,” Vi suggested. Jillian rolled her eyes at that.

“You could watch TV,” Tara said. Jillian only shook her head.

“Do you want me to read to you?” Dawn offered, biting her lip.

Jillian sighed an exasperated sigh that only a four year old could do. “No!” she said, shaking her head despairingly. “I wanna go racin' down the road 'gain. Like we did when the bad guys chaseded us!”

“NO!” everyone exclaimed. Jillian blinked as everyone exchanged glances.

Xander shook his head, becoming the spokesperson. “No. That was a one time only thing, Jilly. It was an emergency.”

Jillian pouted, looking absolutely adorable as she did so. Her golden curls framed her face, the one that had a jutted out lip that demanded that someone pay attention. “When's the next 'mergency, then?” she asked.

“Next five minutes, give or take,” Spike muttered. Buffy poked her elbow into his side, causing him to glare at her.

“Don't jinx us,” she hissed. “We've had a nice couple of days to get back on our feet. Don't screw it up.”

It really had been a nice couple of days. After they'd found out that a trigger was non-existant, Buffy had indeed gotten her 'thanks' from Spike, the longest (and most satisfying) thank you she'd ever received. She'd gotten smirks and rolled eyes the next morning for it, but she'd merely stuck out her tongue, telling them they were just jealous. Anya had agreed with her out loud, and Buffy had reveled in the red face Xander had shown at that.

They'd continued researching, and Willow had found an interesting piece of information: the seal had to have been closed by tears from the person who opened it. Buffy had remembered the tears the man had unwittingly shed over it while gasping for air, and had told everyone that they were safe. When Willow had asked, Buffy had simply told her that Tara had made sure of it. Tara had slowly smiled, and Buffy'd known she'd finally forgiven herself for what she'd done.

“Then what DO you want to do? Besides race around Sunnydale in Xander's very beat up car,” Dawn added quickly.

Jillian stuck her tongue out as she thought, and Buffy smiled at the picture she made. “Adorable, isn't she?” Spike asked her softly. Buffy glanced up and nodded, before she realized he wasn't looking at her. His eyes were still locked on Jillian, a small half-smile playing on his lips.

Buffy's eyes widened. Spike thought the little one was cute. She knew that he'd thought the same of Dawn, especially when he'd first met her (and she'd only been ten or so at the time), but Buffy had thought that was because he was either interested in eating her (which he wasn't) or using her as a means to get to Buffy (again, which he wasn't). He honestly thought little ones were sweet, and not in a tasty way. She bet that when he'd been human, he'd been planning on a big family. Like she did.

She began to smile at the thought. Her and Spike in a house with a purple picket fence, because she wasn't doing white. White was normal. But they'd have hamsters or cats or something, and they'd had children. Lots of them, running around all over the place, bouncing with their mom on the trampoline in the backyard. Squealing and giggling as daddy spun them around again and again. Watched G-rated Disney movies, knowing they'd have popcorn waiting with just a tiny jut of their lip.

“Buffy? Luv?”

Buffy shook herself and found Spike gazing at her, looking slightly worried. “Zoned out for a bit,” he said, running his fingers through her hair. “You all right?”

Buffy nodded, laying her head on his knee. “Couldn't be better,” she said, closing her eyes.

“Mind if I ask what kept you somewhere else?” he asked.

“Thinking,” she said softly. “Us. Purple picket fence. Hamsters. Kids.”

Spike's fingers paused in her hair. “Hamsters?” he asked after a moment.

“They weren't big picture,” she assured him, then asked, “How many kids did you want?”

“Kids?”

“Yeah. Wee little ones. Munchkins. Tots. Your own litter. How many did you want when you were human?”

“Five,” he said instantly.

Buffy pulled up to glance up at him. “You wanted a big family too?” she asked, a small smile tugging on her lips.

Spike nodded. “Always loved the idea of little ones runnin' around free every which way. Playin' with them in the water, showin' them the night sky...that sort of thing.”

“I wanted six,” she said. “Nice, round number. I was going to let them do all the crazy things my mom never let me do. Roller skate in the house. Sled down the stairs. Swing on the chandeliers. Have a room that was completely upside down, just like Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle.”

He chuckled, placing a soft kiss on her forehead. “Think we could get that?” she asked.

“There's always adoption,” he offered. “But it'd have to be...”

“After,” they finished simultaneously, sighing. Everything they wanted had to be done after the damned apocalypse. It wasn't fair.

“No, you can't go outside and collect fireflies, Jilly,” Willow said wearily. Apparently, this hadn't been the first time the idea had been turned down. Buffy had just tuned it out.

Jillian was bouncing on the balls of her feet, which meant she either had to leave soon, or she was too hyper. Considering she'd had chocolate after her dinner, it was probably the latter. “I wanna do something. I'm bored,” she whined.

“We noticed,” Rona said.

Dawn came downstairs then (Buffy hadn't noticed her leave), waving a CD in her hands. “Found it, Amanda,” she said, heading over to the stereo. “Okay Jillian, here's something to keep you, um, un-bored.”

“Un-bored,” Willow snorted, shaking her head. “And you're in WHAT grade now?”

Dawn ignored her, placing the CD in the stereo. “We made up a CD not too long ago of all our old favorites,” Amanda explained, grinning. “And I mean old, old, OLD favorites of ours. Like our own kid days.”

A deep, familiar voice told a little lady he'd elucidate, and Buffy stared at her sister with a growing grin. “Told you they were old favorites,” Dawn said. Jillian squealed and jumped up as the saxophone began to play.

Jillian began to twirl, and Buffy sighed happily. Good music, a man to lean against, and a four year old that wasn't bored anymore? Life couldn't get any better. She froze, turning to stare at the front door, wondering when her sudden jinxing was going to come around. But there was nothing there to disrupt their evening.

“You know, this is kinda...nice,” Faith admitted, taking a seat next to Buffy.

Buffy nodded. “Couldn't agree more,” she said. Spike's hand reached around to gently caress her hip, and she leaned against his shoulder, watching as Amanda was pulled into the middle by a demanding Jillian.

Amanda began to spin with Jillian, laughing as she did so. Andrew stood to join her, giving her a tiny grin. Anya and Xander rolled their eyes but stood to join them. Buffy gave a small 'aww' as Xander held Anya close, swinging her back and forth to the jazzy time.

“You do realize somethin's gonna come in any minute,” Spike said quietly.

“I'm waiting,” she simply said.

By now Willow and Tara had joined, with Tara carefully making sure that Willow was having fun but not aggravating her injuries. Kennedy remained seated, watching as the other Potentials joined the growing throng on the floor with a sort of smile. “Aren't you gonna dance?” Jillian asked her.

Kennedy shrugged. “Eh, not so good with the dancing kiddo. As Buffy would say, they're non-mixy things.”

“You don't know until you've tried,” Tara said, giving her a look. Kennedy frowned.

“Oh, c'mon and dance already!” Willow said, reaching out and pulling Kennedy up with her good hand. Kennedy's eyes went wide as she stood, widening further still at the smile Tara gave her as she joined them.

Everyone yelled out, “Ricky tinky tinky!” with Marie just as the last chorus began. Buffy giggled and wished she had her camera. They all looked absolutely perfect. Even Giles was smiling from his perch near the doorway. She wondered if someone would get him out onto the 'dance floor'. If anyone had a shot at it, it'd be Jillian.

Drums pounded out, and Jillian squealed, grabbing Xander's hand and twirling herself with it as the beat picked up. “Dance with me?” Spike asked.

Buffy grinned. “Thought you'd never ask.” She let him pull her up and onto the dance floor, and noted that Giles' smile broadened as she did so.

They mingled towards the middle, with both of them facing each other, getting down and grooving with the others. Dawn began to sing along, and Xander bent down, strumming the hell out of his air guitar, though there technically wasn't any guitar in the song. Buffy laughed, wondering when they'd last had fun like this.

Way too long, that was for sure.

< --- >

Chapter 60:

Chapter 61:

The room was black, the scene a tranquil evening. No light, even any cast off from the streetlights, was going to pierce the darkness. Hushed voices could be heard through the blackness, and every now and then a soft rustling noise.

Then, a single drop of golden light appeared. It rose into the air, hovering over the floor by only a foot. Soon, other small lights joined it, making one golden ball.

It danced back and forth, first right, then left, then right again. Without any warning it dropped, hitting the ground and disappearing. The blackness returned for a brief moment, and then the lights came on.

“Did it work?” Jonathan asked.

Buffy groaned, blinking rapidly. “Would a little warning before you flicked the switch have killed you?” she said, glaring at Willow.

Willow rolled her eyes. “You knew it was going to happen. Stop whining.”

“Got to agree with her on this one,” Spike said, squinting. His eyes adjusted faster than a human's, granted, but that didn't mean it still didn't hurt.

“When don't you agree with her?” Xander said, giving his friend a look.

“Hey guys,” Tara said, leaning over the floor. “It worked.”

“Thank you,” Jonathan muttered. Spike rolled his eyes but edged forward to join the others.

Where the golden light had hit the floor, a glowing dust remained. It began to spread out across the floor, and several times a Potential or two had to scurry out of the way. In the center, where the golden light had vanished, it still pulsed brightly.

When it stopped, Spike found himself facing a very accurate and detailed map of Sunnydale. “Neat,” Buffy said. “Where is he?”

“That golden spot,” Willow said, pointing at the pulsing point. “It looks like a church, from what the map's drawn. It's not far from the winery.”

“No wonder he's so crazy,” Xander said. “He's been hopping over to the cellars in between sermons.”

Anya gave her husband a small punch in the arm, and Spike silently thanked her for it. If she hadn't done it, he would've, and it wouldn't have been as light as he would've wanted it to have been.

“I know the place. Let me scout it out, and then I'll come back and let you all know how we should do this,” Buffy said, heading for the weapon chest.

It took Spike a few moments to figure out what she was talking about, and when he did, his eyes widened. She was not even thinking about... “Are you leavin' us here?” he asked incredulously.

Buffy turned and gave him a look. “I need you guys here. It'd be best for everyone.”

“You're out of your bloody mind!” he yelled. No way in hell was he letting her go off by herself. Not while there was a nutcase on the loose, and after the dream she'd had... “Remember when you told me about the dream?” he said, his voice lower now. “And if you asked me to remain behind, to kindly not listen to you? This is me not listenin'. I'm goin' with you.”

Buffy paused, before shaking her head. “I need you here, Spike. Watch out for them. I can take care of myself. And I've got my shiny new cell phone, so if I need help, I'll be sure to call. Okay?” And before he could say anything against the matter, she was out the door, sword in hand.

Silence descended on the room. Spike balled his fists, furious at her. How could she do this again? Hadn't they talked about this?

“So when are we going after her?” Dawn asked. Spike turned, and the same determined Summers look greeted him. Except this time, it was on his side.

A quick glance around showed the same for everyone. “Right now,” he said quietly, turning to the chest. He'd need something strong to knock her out with.

The church doors opened with a long, loud creak, causing Buffy to wince. But besides that, she couldn't hear a thing.

In front of her was two lines of pews leading up to the front, which looked like it was being redone. Scaffolds and ladders and tools were everywhere, and it looked wrong, somehow. All that wood and plaster just left around, messing up the place of worship. Even though it would look better for it in the end.

Then she was flying into the church, slamming into several pews and denting them. She glanced up and couldn't stop her heart from going double time at the sight of the young preacher.

“Well, I do declare,” he said. “But it is a pleasure to meet you at last.”

The same Southern accent, the same cocky grin...it made her stomach flop. Something about him was all wrong, and her senses screamed at her to make a run for it. But he was only human. She could take him.

“Seein' as how we'll be here for...well, not long,” he said with a smirk, “We should introduce ourselves. It is the polite thing to do; was raised to be a right young man in my mother's eyes.”

“Wonder what she'd think of you now?” Buffy retorted, pushing herself up and away from the pews.

The younger preacher tsked at her. “What a mouth. Full of deceit and other whorish things, I'm sure. It's no way for a proper young lady to act, but you're no proper lady, are you? You're the chosen one. And I'm the one that's been chosen to kill you.”

“I guess we don't need introductions, then. Since it looks like you know perfectly well who I am.”

The man shrugged, moving towards her. Buffy circled around him, and he automatically did the same. She only had to get to the doors. She'd done her scouting out. Let Spike scold her later for going on her own. She'd have him and a dozen others by her side the next time she took this loony on.

“Well, that surely is true. However, names are somethin' important. Mine's Caleb, just so you know who's going to be droppin' your body off where your friends can find it.”

An icy chill ran through her. Focus, Summers! Why are you letting him get to you? she wondered. Maybe it was just the casual way he talked about it. No arrogance. Just simply...knowledge.

Maybe casual enough to get a hit in? She'd try it anyways. She rushed him, slamming her fist into his chest.

Caleb didn't move. “That was a mighty peculiar feeling,” he said, giving her a smile. “A nice tickle, there.” Then he backhanded her.

Buffy went sailing through the church doors, landing on the pavement outside. She coughed, wondering just where her sword had gone to. It didn't matter. She needed back up, fast.

Slayers were meant to do things by themselves. They weren't supposed to need help. And all she'd been planning on doing was scoping the place out. She hadn't mean to get this close.

But when she'd seen Bringers go inside, she'd taken a risk and had peered inside, thinking to have a few easy victories.

It hadn't worked.

She pulled out her cell, pressing the number for home. Before it began to ring, however, she was kicked across the cement. The phone went flying from her hands, and she watched in horror as her last chance for help was crushed under Caleb's heel. She was on her own.

“That was interesting,” Caleb said, laughing at her. “Now, you are supposed to be, without a doubt, the single best Slayer the world has seen. And yet, you're tryin' to call for help. Because you can't take on a single man by himself.” He paused, before his smirk widened. “Of course, it's not a single man anymore.”

Bringers flooded out of the church, heading straight for her. Caleb started forward, then stopped when the first row of Bringers right behind him fell. He turned to glance back behind Buffy, and she did the same, her heart lurching happily at the sight of Spike running forward, crossbow aimed ahead. The others were right behind him.

The Bringers swarmed around Buffy, but their focus was now on the Scoobies. Dawn yelled as she swung, taking out two with one hit. Buffy reached out and pulled one down, then punched it, taking it out. A glance up quickly showed her that she had bigger fish to fry. Caleb was still headed her way, hindered every now and then by a fallen Bringer.

Hands grabbed her and pulled her up, and Buffy turned to attack. Spike clutched her fist before she could hit him. “Just scopin' the place out, huh?” he said, glaring at her. The look in his eyes, however, was one of obvious relief.

She leaned forward, pulling him in for a short, yet deep, kiss. He handed her a small axe while their lips remained locked. A Bringer charged at them, but was quickly brought down by their combined stabbing.

Buffy finally pulled away. “I appreciate you not listening,” she said, grimacing slightly. “It really was just supposed to be a check the area sort of thing. But then...”

“Yeah, I know how it goes,” Spike said, rolling his eyes. “S'why I came after you, isn't it?”

“You're both nuts,” Faith said, hurrying over. They turned as one to see Caleb swing at them. They ducked, then attacked together. What normally would've been a powerful attack was quickly pushed away. Buffy let out a yell and swung around, hitting Caleb in the leg. Or so she thought. Caleb blocked her attack, then seconds after he'd shoved her away he deflected the high hit Faith had intended to crack his head, right before he turned and parried Spike's thrust.

“How the hell can he do that?” Faith said, panting heavily as she stumbled backwards. “That's not possible!”

“Haven't you heard of miracles?” Caleb asked, sounding not at all winded. “Why, he that asks for help shall surely receive it.”

There was nothing they could do with him. They would just have to wait. “Retreat!” Buffy shouted, inwardly kicking and screaming. It felt wrong. She couldn't retreat. After all that she'd said, bringing the battle to the First, taking it out, and here she was ordering a retreat?

If she didn't, though, they were dead.

“Everyone pull out!” Xander yelled, and she could hear the sounds of feet picking up speed behind her. Her eyes remained focused on Caleb, who stood before her, smirking. Smirking. If she could just take him out now...

“Buffy, no!” Spike shouted, jumping forward just as she did. She swung her axe around above her head, before letting it slam down towards Caleb's head.

She took off a head, but it wasn't his. The uber-vamp fell to dust before her, and four more came out after it. There was no way she could take them all. They blocked her view and path to Caleb, and she began to hack at them, too enraged to listen to Spike and Faith's callings. She could hear them fighting beside her, but she only had her mind focused on the beings that stood between her and the preacher. She took one down and turned to the next, but a blood-curdling scream stopped her. Xander. She spun around to see what was wrong and froze.

Caleb stood above her friend, bloody dripping down his finger and ring. Most of the blood, was streaming down Xander's face. Where his left eye was.

Buffy could feel the bile rising in her throat, and managed to swallow it down at the last minute. But she was helpless, standing frozen and watching as Xander screamed.

Anya rushed forward, screaming herself, but Spike beat her to Caleb. With a roar he fell on him, pummeling him for a few seconds before Caleb threw him off. Xander fell to the ground, slumping over, and Buffy found the silence even worse than his cries.

Willow and Dawn were already running forward, with tears streaming down their face. Then they were shouting as Bringers grabbed them, hauling them towards the church. Buffy shook herself, forcing herself into action. She could have a breakdown later. Not now.

As she turned, the uber-vamp swung and knocked her to the ground, taking her breath away. She gasped for air, feeling a kick to her ribs but not really registering the pain.

She watched as the others were pulled into the church as well, and she noticed that Robin and Tara had been a part of the group. The Bringers were surprisingly strong as they dragged her friends away, but two of the four uber-vamps Buffy had been dealing with hurried over to back them up.

And Buffy couldn't move to help them.

“BUFFY!!” Spike screamed, trying desperately to pull away. “No, Buffy!!” Beside him, Anya was sobbing, her hands reaching out to Xander even though she had no chance of reaching for him.

Caleb stepped behind them, following them into the church. With a casual, friendly wave in Buffy's direction, he closed what was left of the doors, and Buffy could barely hear their screams. Spike's screams. They had him. And Dawn.

She'd failed them.

Above her, the two uber-vamps continued their assault. Something inside Buffy hardened as she realized she was literally taking this lying down. She twirled around, yelling as she landed a kick into an uber-vamp. It went flying into the remains of a door, and one of the pieces pierced it through the heart. It dusted, still snarling at her.

At least luck was on her side. She rolled to avoid the next hit, then forced herself up. She was bleeding and tired and hurt, but dammit, they'd dared to touch what was hers. Who knew what they'd do to them? And Xander...

Xander was still laying on the ground, limp and lifeless as if he were a puppet. Buffy began to move in his direction, but the uber-vamp swatted at her instead. She tumbled down, choking on her own blood. She was at the wrong angle to try and send it into the wood pieces, and she doubted she'd get that lucky again. It swung its claws towards her, and Buffy pulled up her axe to block it.

The claws scraped her weapon, then disintegrated. Buffy frowned as it dusted, then stared wide-eyed at who was standing behind it.

Chapter 62:

“Open!”

The door refused to budge.

Willow glared at it and tried again. “Open!” she commanded.

Still nothing.

Faith just rolled her eyes. “Look, maybe you should be trying a physical approach here. Like kicking the damn thing down.”

“I was waiting for you to do that,” Willow grumbled. Secretly, however, she was having a full-blown panic attack. She wasn't sure she should be trying magics of any kind when she was this emotional.

They'd been in the tiny storage room for over two hours. Caleb hadn't come crowing about a dead Slayer, but he might not bother, either. Xander had looked...bad. Really bad. Willow had gone into the Slaying business with the knowledge that they might take casualties that would leave them alive, but she'd never really expected it to happen. But Xander...

Faith began to bang on the door. “Open the frickin' door!” she yelled, kicking it. It wouldn't budge.

“Um, Wills?” Tara said, her voice soft. Willow turned to see her sitting next to Anya, who was in turn curled up and rocking herself back and forth. Her face was stained with tears, and more continued to flow down her face. Even when Joyce had died, Anya hadn't been this upset.

Willow knew how she felt. If it had been Tara...

She pushed the thoughts aside. No. She needed to focus. Someone had to keep them together, and Spike didn't appear to be voting for leadership, for once.

Spike actually hadn't said much of anything. She couldn't remember him saying anything at all after he'd screamed for Buffy. She glanced over at her friend, wincing at the sight of him.

Spike was staring straight ahead at nothing, tears slowly rolling down his cheeks. His arms hung loosely at his side, and he looked much like Buffy did when Dawn was taken.

“Spike? Sweetie?” Tara called. There was no response. There hadn't been for two hours.

“What does it want with us?” Robin said, rubbing his aching shoulder. When a Bringer had thrown a punch at Faith, he'd tried to run to her side. Unfortunately, the only thing he'd accomplished was a twisted arm and, quite possibly, a dislocated shoulder. “It could've had Buffy. So why take us and not her?”

“B's dead, for all we know,” Faith said, giving the door another bang.

“NO.”

All eyes whipped around to Spike. He was glaring at Faith, lips curling up into a snarl. “No,” he said again. “Buffy and Xander will be fine. They have to be. They'll pull...pull through.” The snarl faded, and he sat back, looking sort of puzzled. “They'll be fine. They'll be fine. They'll be fine, they'll be fine, they'll be...” He trailed off into a whisper, continuing his mantra underneath his breath.

Willow slowly glanced over at Tara and Dawn. She didn't just have to worry about Buffy and Xander now. She could worry about Spike, too.

Caleb could kill them. Snap their necks. Easily break them, torture them, sacrifice them to the Hellmouth. And there was nothing she could do about it.

If only she hadn't gone alone. Then only Spike could've gone with her, and they could've gotten out a lot faster. No one would've gotten hurt. Xander would've...would've...

“Here.”

Buffy pulled her face away from her hands, glancing up at a steaming styrofoam cup. “It's coffee,” Cordelia said softly, sitting next to her. “Figured you could use some caffeine.”

“Thank you,” Buffy whispered gratefully, taking the drink and sipping. The warm fluid trickled down her throat, warming up her insides. She shifted on her stiff chair, glancing around the white hospital halls. It was too sterile. Too...too everything. She couldn't stand it.

“And thank you again,” she added. Cordelia turned to look at her, frowning slightly. “For earlier. All of you.”

“We're just happy we got there in time,” Wesley said, walking over with his own drink.

“Thank Cordy more, though,” a soft voice with a Texan accent said. Buffy glanced over at the young woman approaching, a darker-skinned man right behind her. “She's the one that had the vision,” the woman continued, smiling gently.

“Well, I'll thank you all, Fred,” Buffy said. “You too, Gunn. That was a hell of a move you pulled with that...what is that weapon?”

Gunn gave her a grin. “I call it 'mine'. It's a handy little thing.”

“Thanks for using it. And just...thanks in general,” Buffy said, forcing her smile to stay on. She felt like crying, and she knew her lower lip was wobbling. But she had to stay strong. She'd get them back.

“Thank the doctors, too,” a lower voice said. Buffy's head whipped around to see Angel walking over from the left. “Xander will be fine,” he said quietly.

Cordelia gave Buffy a nudge, and it was all she needed to jump up and into Angel's strong embrace. Tears spilled over her cheeks. “I don't know what to do,” she whispered helplessly. “They took him. Angel, they...”

“We'll get them back,” Angel said in a hushed tone. “I promise. The doctors did all they could,” he said in a louder voice. “Xander should be able to see again with his eye, since only the side was ripped. That will heal on its own after time. But they're not certain. He's going to have to wear a patch for awhile either way.”

Buffy nodded and pulled back, discreetly wiping the tears away as she did so. Spike would've done it with his thumbs. Gently brushing them over her skin and wiping away the tears as he did so, giving her a soft smile that promised he'd make it okay somehow. Her eyes burned again, but she forced the unwanted tears away.

The others gave her kind smiles. Fred shifted slightly, and Gunn and Wesley both turned to her. They paused when their eyes locked over Fred's head, and immediately both tensed. Fred shifted again, this time much more uncomfortably. Buffy wondered at the obvious tension between the three.

“Can I see him?” Buffy asked.

Angel nodded. “Not for long, though. He's pretty heavily drugged.”

“I'll go with you,” Cordelia said, already walking over to join Buffy. Buffy nodded, and the two made their way down the corridor.

They had barely entered when they froze, staring at the bed. Xander lay on the sheets, damp hair plastered to his face. His face was pale on account of the blood loss, and a white patch covered his entire left eye.

“Anya always said I looked good as a pirate,” Xander croaked, and that was all they needed. They hurried over to the bedside, each taking one of his hands in theirs. Buffy gently took his hand that had an IV in it, rubbing her thumb over his skin.

“How're you holding up?” Cordelia asked, when it appeared that Buffy wasn't going to say anything.

Xander shrugged. “Not too bad. They've given me advanced warning about the food, so...”

Buffy laughed, then suddenly stopped, afraid if she opened her mouth again, she'd sob and lose it. Xander's hand weakly gripped hers, and he gave her a small smile. “I'll be okay,” he whispered.

She sniffled, leaning forward to wrap her arms around him. His hand patted her back, and she closed her eyes, hating the tears that spilled out, but she couldn't stop them. This was a hospital, and that was Xander, her Xander, and this wasn't happening. “I'm so sorry,” she choked out. “Xander, I'm so sorry...”

Another hand gently touched her, but it was Cordelia's this time. “He'll be fine. I promise. I'll watch him, and we'll get ourselves caught up. Old times and all that. Okay?”

Buffy pulled away and glanced up at Cordelia's face. Though the ex-cheerleader no longer wanted to pull Xander into a closet and kiss him senseless, she still cared about him. Knowing that she'd take care of him helped relieve a little of Buffy's stress.

Not much. But every little bit counted.

She nodded. “Get Ahn back?” he asked, though he smiled as he did so.

“I will,” Buffy promised. “Trust me. She's as good as gotten.”

“There's NO way we can get them back. This guy sounds impossible.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” Buffy muttered, rummaging through her trunk of weapons. Tons of crossbows, a few good swords, but Buffy felt she should have something better. Something...unique. For her. Like Gunn had his sharp axe scythe thingy.

Unfortunately, she didn't have a unique 'thingy' lying around, waiting to be used. Drat.

Rona rolled her eyes and continued. “You heard me. If we can't take him on...”

“Then who's going to get Willow and Tara out?” Kennedy demanded. “We have to go in there. We have to get them out.”

“And Dawn,” Jonathan said, gritting his teeth. “Count me in.”

Buffy sighed and stood. “I brought things with me,” Angel offered.

She nodded reluctantly. “I'd better take a peek. It couldn't hurt.”

“I don't want to go!” Molly cried. “There's NO way we could take him! We're not good enough! If you lost, then what chance do we stand?”

“Time OUT!” Buffy yelled, silencing everyone. “Okay, first things first: someone needs to keep an eye on the hospital, make sure Xander and Shannon aren't taken out while we're working on Caleb. I think...”

“I'll go,” Giles said immediately. “Andrew and I will join Cordelia there.”

Buffy paused. She'd originally been going to choose Andrew and Amanda, but the look in Giles' eye said he wanted to be on the hospital grounds, not the battle grounds. “You sure?” she asked. “We could use you out there.”

Giles shook his head. “I feel that I'll be more needed in the hospital,” he said. Xander was the closest thing to a son he had. She knew he needed to make sure Xander stayed safe, for his own peace of mind.

Buffy gave him a soft smile. “Okay. Then I charge you guys with hospital duty. The rest of you...”

“There's NO way,” a Potential said, shaking her head. “We can't.”

“Yes we CAN,” Jennifer argued. “We're going in there. We don't have a choice, anyways! We have to get them back.”

“What about the others here?” Megan asked.

Amanda shook her head. “That's just why we need to go. We have to make sure no one else is hurt.”

“Yeah, by sacrificing ourselves to some mission. How will our blood do anything for the cause?” Rona asked, and the word 'blood' was enough to send everyone into hysterics. Chao-Ahn, who didn't understand a word of English, understood the situation enough before Giles translated. She began to yell in her native tongue, shaking her head dramatically. Jennifer, Cassie, and Amanda joined Buffy's side, saying they needed to fight. They'd prepared long enough. They were ready to fight.

“Fight and lose,” Vi argued. “We can't POSSIBLY take him out!”

“Not by ourselves, no,” Cassie said angrily. “But together we can take him.”

“Why, did you have another vision?” Rona snapped.

“She doesn't need one,” Amanda said, glaring at them all. “We'll win. I know it.”

Another Potential rolled her eyes. “Since when did YOU become a physic? You've got no clue how we'll make it.”

“Because we won't,” Rona said. “I'm sorry about the others, really, but there's no possible way we can do it.”

“Guys,” Buffy started, but was immediately cut off.

“How do you know? Unless you haven't been practicing?” Charlie retorted.

“No, because we've been running from these guys all the time!” Chloe exclaimed. “We've fought dummies and a few vampires. Not THE big boss at the end.”

“So what, we just leave them in there?” Kennedy said incredulously. “You can't...”

Megan hung her head. “Look, I'm sorry. But we can't risk it, not even for them.”

“Then what about her?” Jennifer shouted above the noise. All eyes turned to where she was pointing. Jillian stood at the edge of the room, gazing around with wide eyes. In her hand was a cross.

“Don't fight for the others, then. But fight for her,” Jennifer said, her voice softer now. “You want to talk about someone that's completely not ready? Jilly's had NO fighting practice. She's not even four feet tall. But she's ready to defend herself, if need be. For her, guys. Please.”

Silence reigned in the room. Buffy gave Jennifer a small smile. She was proud of the teen. She'd stepped up and taken charge, but she hadn't snapped necks in order to do so. She'd make a good leader.

When the first two people stepped forward, Buffy was slightly surprised to see that it was Chloe and Vi. They looked absolutely terrified, but their lips were pursed in a grim line. “For her,” Chloe said, standing up straighter. Vi gave a short nod, and Buffy's smile widened.

Megan followed, with Molly right behind her. Charlie darted forward, and Rona sighed but did the same. One by one the girls stepped up. Buffy felt tears sting her eyes, and her smile couldn't stop broadening. If only the others could see them now.

They would, soon enough.

“You've got a hell of an army,” Angel said, sounding impressed. “I've brought extra weapons with me. You guys can load up outside.”

The girls headed for the door, and as she gazed at them, Buffy had a sudden inspiration. “Wait,” she said, calling them back. The girls stopped and turned as one, frowning. Buffy began to grin. This would work.

“I've got a better idea.”

Chapter 63:

Next to him, he could hear Buffy still sleeping, but not snoring. She never snored. Dawn did, though if he told her about it, she'd deny it. Her cheeks would turn pink, however, giving her away.

But he could smell the vanilla and jasmine that surrounded Buffy, giving her that unique scent. The soft sheets covered them both, and she moved, rustling them slightly. Any minute and she would wake up, and he could hopefully steal a kiss before she headed down for breakfast and work.

Spike slowly opened his eyes. The stone walls surrounding them were still gray and bleak and impenetrable. They'd tried for hours the previous evening, Spike knew that.

He also knew that sometime that morning, when everyone had almost been waking up, Tara and Willow had come over, gently hugging him and telling him things would be better. To trust them, just like he had earlier, when he'd gone to get his soul. He'd broken down then, crying and letting out everything he'd held back. Xander's screams and limp body. Dawn shrieking as Bringers had grabbed her. And Buffy's bloody face helplessly watching him being pulled away. He simply hadn't been able to handle it anymore.

“Welcome back,” Dawn whispered from beside him. He gave her a weak smile, which she returned.

“So, oh Mr. Big Bad, what's our first move?” Faith asked him.

Spike gave a short nod. Right. Time to get everyone together. He pushed himself up, forcing thoughts of Buffy and Xander away. It was the only way he was going to function. “I'm guessin' we're in some sort of storage room in the church,” he said, looking around. The walls, ceiling, and floor were made of stone and cement. “Some have a trap compartment down into where they keep the valuables. Might be able to access the sewers from there,” he said.

Faith nodded her agreement just as the door opened. They spun around, staring as Caleb entered. “There is a trap door in one of the storage rooms, but I'm a might bit smarter than that. Sorry to disappoint,” he sneered.

Spike roared and lunged for him at the same time Faith did. They'd almost reached the preacher when they were both flung backwards towards the wall. They skidded along the stones, glaring furiously at the still smirking man.

“Now, I see it's my duty to let you know that your Slayer is alive and well,” Caleb said. “And she's on her way to rescue you all. She's bringin' others to help her, but really, they'll just hinder her. Only side they're gonna help is ours.”

“Why keep us alive?” Robin asked, kneeling next to Faith. His fingers curled around hers, and Spike desperately wanted his own Slayer to wrap his fingers around. “What good are we?”

Caleb shook his head despairingly. “Didn't you ever read about the great wars, boy? Prisoners of war were the standard trade and way for leaders to meet in peace. I've got something of hers. Well, I had something of hers long before I got you all, but,” he said, laughing, “she's not touchin' that. But she'll want proof that you're alive and well. When she comes with those sweet girls, then we're done business wise. We'll kill her and then kill you, and then the real fun can start.”

Suddenly Buffy appeared in the corner. Even though he knew it was the First, Spike's heart still leapt in his chest at the sight of her. “It's about to start a lot sooner then we thought,” she said, grinning. “My boys have got her now, and they're bringing her in.”

Spike froze. No. They couldn't...he wouldn't let them...with a strangled cry he darted forward, trying to get past Caleb. Caleb shot an uppercut at him, but Spike merely side-stepped it, pressing on. Caleb grabbed him and flung him back towards the room, with Spike tugging at Caleb's head to keep himself there. With one final wrench Caleb threw him back towards Willow, glaring at him. It was only then that Spike saw the nail marks on his cheek. Caleb was bleeding like any other human.

So how's he gettin' his strength? Spike wondered.

“Go,” the First ordered, and Caleb gave a small bow before doing so. The door locked behind him, leaving the First in the room with the Scoobies.

“I'd like to punch your lights out,” Dawn growled.

The First sighed and rolled her eyes. “Dawnie, really, we've had this conversation,” she said, giving the young Summers a look. “Violence only solves things on patrol. Otherwise, we try to avoid it. They're un-mixy things.”

Spike swallowed. She sounded and looked exactly like Buffy. He remembered this conversation, too. Remembered Dawn saying how she'd like to hurt some person that had made Amanda feel badly at school, and Buffy had responded with that statement.

The First turned to him then, giving him a soft smile that looked like a wince. “Spike, sweetie, I need you to listen,” she said, and Spike had to tell himself it wasn't her. “I did come, but...not for...this is hard. I came for them. They're my friends. And Dawn's my sister. But...when I was in LA? And Angel helped me with Faith? It made me realize that I don't want to do this. I want a house with six kids and hamsters and not having to feel so beaten down all the time. Like I have to keep pushing myself for everyone's sake. And I know if I stay with you, I'll always have to keep pushing myself until I break.”

Spike shut his eyes. It wasn't her. It wasn't her, it wasn't her, it wasn't...

“I made an agreement with the First,” she continued, sounding sheepish. Like she'd just told him she'd accidentally bleached his black jeans. “That they'd let the others go if it could keep you. And it promised it wouldn't kill you or dust you, and it's really the right thing to do. It'll keep Dawn safe, you know? And I want her to be safe. To have that normal life, like me. So I agreed. I just wanted to tell you that I'm...”

“Fuck off.”

Spike opened his eyes, staring at Tara in shock. Buffy froze, staring as well. Little shy Tara had been doing a lot of grown-up things this year. Tara was glaring at Buffy with a hatred he'd never seen her show. He blinked, shaking himself. Not Buffy. The First. And he'd let it get to him.

The First snarled and disappeared. Everyone was staring at Tara. “Did you just...?” Faith asked, looking just as surprised as Spike felt.

Tara shrugged. “I got tired of it,” she said, glancing over at Spike. She gave him a wink that no one else saw, and Spike smiled. He didn't know what he'd do without the Scoobs.

“Okay, let's work on the door,” he said, standing. Somewhere inside of him, however, a small part of him was bleeding at what the First had said. He needed Buffy, and he needed her now.

Buffy felt like she could use a little Spike right around now. He'd loosen her shoulders up, massage her neck, then massage lower, more sensitive regions of her body. He'd use some of that oil, and get her to relax in ways no one else could.

Of course, he'd untie her first, then save her from the hell she was now facing.

With a muttered curse Buffy was shoved to her knees by the two Bringers behind her. Her wrists hurt, but that wasn't what she was concerned with. The others were her top priority; she wondered where they had gone. And if they were having a better time than she was.

Applause caused her to look up, and she gave Caleb a baneful gaze. “The young brought to their knees in reverence to the most powerful bein' here,” he said, sighing happily. “It just makes my heart sing. Welcome, Slayer. It's a pleasure to have you here.”

“Wish I could say the same,” Buffy grumbled, testing the ropes. They remained too snug for her to pull out of. Damn.

Caleb slowly smiled. “Now, see, I've heard tales of you for years now. The Slayer, the golden, chosen one, unstoppable, unbeatable, and yet, here you are, in my place, on your knees before me. For someone that's supposedly so good, you went down a might easier than I expected.”

Buffy pushed herself up, her eyes locked on Caleb the entire time. “You're right,” she agreed. “It was really easy, wasn't it? Makes you kinda...suspicious, doesn't it?”

The two Bringers whipped off their hoods, revealing Angel and Wesley. Before Caleb could register what was going on, they'd pulled the slip-knot free, releasing Buffy from her bindings.

The doors to the church slammed open, and the others rushed inside. Gunn tossed Buffy a sword, which she used on the two real Bringers that came her way. “Stick to the plan!” she yelled.

The others fought off the Bringers, but Wesley and Angel stuck close to Buffy. They took care of the Bringers that came her way, but they mainly waited for their moment.

While the fighting continued, Kennedy slowed slipped away. She had her own mission to accomplish, and she knew Buffy would have no problems taking on Caleb. Especially with Angel and Wesley beside her. But she'd probably do better if she had Spike and Faith with her.

Okay, she just wanted to get Willow and Tara out. She was beginning to like the blonde witch just as much as the red-head. They were a beautiful couple, and Willow was absolute spitfire. Of course, so was Tara now. It had been cool to watch.

And they were both cute as all hell.

She stepped into the corridor and flew past two rooms. They would keep them downstairs, away from everyone else. She glanced behind her at a sudden noise, but there was no one there. She gripped her weapon tighter all the same.

Suddenly she was being grabbed, a hand wrapping itself around her mouth and head.

Upstairs, Angel and Wesley finally got their chance. The uber-vamps came out, heading straight for Buffy. “Go!” Angel yelled, holding them off.

That was all Buffy needed. Swinging her sword once she darted straight towards Caleb.

Caleb, for all his might and power, turned and ran.

Buffy smirked and gave chase. All powerful and could kick her ass, huh? Then why was he fleeing in the opposite direction?

Finally Caleb ran himself into a corner. Buffy swung the sword in his direction, glaring at him. “Time's up, Caleb,” she said. “Guess you've given your last speech.”

Caleb smirked, and Buffy's hands itched to swing the sword through his neck. “Then I guess you wouldn't want to be knowin' just where I've stashed your friends?” he asked casually.

Buffy froze, giving Caleb enough time to slide away. With a curse Buffy ran after him, following him down a corridor and up a flight of stairs. At the top was a door marked 'New Wing Construction: Enter With Care!', which Caleb darted through. Without glancing back Buffy followed him in.

Chapter 64:

Spike kicked at the door, hearing Dawn's exasperated sighs. “It's not going to budge,” Anya said. One of the first things she'd said all day.

Faith shook her head. “You don't know until you've tried. Go again, Blondie?”

Spike gave a short nod, and on the count of three they rushed forward, slamming into the door with both their sides. All they got for their efforts were two extremely sore shoulders.

“Enough, it's not doing any good,” Robin said, pulling Faith away. “We'll just have to wait and see.”

“You mean wait and hear,” Dawn said, sitting up straighter. “Listen.”

Spike cocked his head, frowning at the sounds of...swords clashing? More than one, too. Sounded like a huge fight, and it seemed to be not too far above them.

“Guess Buffy's not going down without a fight,” Willow said, smiling slightly. Spike wished he had her optimism. What good was the Big Bad if he couldn't even fight?

The sounds of soft footsteps outside caused them all to stop. “Here's what we were waiting for,” Dawn hissed. Spike gave Faith a nod, and the two waited on either side of the door. Apparently, she'd done this before.

The door unlocked with a small click, and a Bringer stepped inside. Before Spike could pull it in to knock it out, it fell in on its own, stumbling as it did so. Spike frowned and peered at the door.

“Hey, I actually got him!” Kennedy said, grinning.

“Kennedy!” Willow yelled happily, darting forward with Tara. Kennedy threw down her plank of wood and stepped towards the two, hugging Willow right before Tara. “How'd you find us?” Willow asked.

Kennedy gave her a look. “Like I was going to leave you two down here? I don't think so.”

Willow smiled at the brunette. Tara merely gaped. Spike couldn't help grinning at the three of them. Glinda doesn't know how beautiful she really is, he thought. Kennedy'll change that.

“Seriously, if you guys go for that threesome, tape it for me, would you?”

Spike froze, his heart lurching before he turned towards the voice. Anya had beat him there, however, almost tackling Xander with her hug. Xander closed his eye and clutched at her, as if afraid she'd disappear. “Thought you were dead,” he whispered brokenly. “I couldn't have gone on if you were. I tried to get to you, and I couldn't move. Holy hell, Ahn...”

“I know,” she said, sniffling. “I thought you were gone. I didn't know what to do.”

“Xander? What happened to your eye?”

Dawn's quiet question caused Spike to look closer. On Xander's face was a white patch, covering all of his left eye.

Inside, Spike howled at the dismemberment. “It's...it's too early to tell if it's for good or not,” Xander said, glancing away. Anya pulled back to look, and Xander swallowed before continuing. “There's a good chance I can still see, and that it'll heal. But...but there's...” He shrugged, trying to dismiss it, but Spike could tell he was hurting in more ways than one. “I might as well be here to help you guys. Gotta get used to the one-eye vision thing anyways,” he said, trying to joke.

Silence reigned in the room. Spike was trying to think if a church would have railroad spikes. Caleb needed to have a special treatment for this.

Anya reached up and gently brushed a few stray strands away from his face. “Always thought you looked good as a pirate,” she said, smiling.

Xander's gaze dropped down to her, and he gave her a watery smile in return. When the first tears threatened, he pulled her close, burying his face in her hair. “I love you,” he whispered.

Spike clenched his fists. Dammit, there was way too much loving going on, and none of it was from him or Buffy. He needed his girl, and he needed her now.

Speaking of which... “Where's Buffy?” he asked.

Xander wiped his eye and glanced back up. “Fighting Caleb, I guess. It was all planned out: she went in with back-up, pretending to be captured, and she got you guys and Caleb's head out of the deal.”

Tara frowned. “Back-up?”

Xander began to explain, then yelped as he was pulled away. Spike started forward, then stopped, watching in amusement as one Cordelia Chase reminded one Xander Harris of just why she'd been the terror of the high school. “What the hell are you doing out of your hospital bed?” she shrieked.

Xander cowered against the doorway. “Um, Cordy...”

“Don't you 'Cordy' me! You told me to go get something to drink, that it was just fine to leave you there. And then when I get back with my non-fat, half-caf, cinnamon and chocolate cappuccino with extra foam, you're gone! Not even Giles had seen you. And when I finally figure out where you'd gone to, I find you here. HERE! Alexander...”

“For the love of everything good and pure, PLEASE do not say my middle name,” Xander pleaded.

Willow swallowed a snicker. Spike didn't. “We've all heard it,” Dawn told him, rolling her eyes.

Kennedy began to smirk. “I haven't,” she said.

“You know, I don't think I have either,” Faith said, giving Cordelia a hopeful glance.

“I take it you're back-up,” Tara said, ignoring the others.

Cordelia finally seemed to notice the larger group. “Yeah, Angel and crew are here to defend,” she said. “Which we should be doing, by the way. Unless you'd prefer to stay down here?”

Quickly they hurried out of the room and down the corridor. “Good to see you again, cheerleader,” Spike said.

Cordelia threw him a grin. “Ah, Sunnydale. Where people still respect me as a cheerleader. I knew there was a reason I liked this town.”

Buffy ducked as Caleb swung a punch at her, forcing her to take the sudden knee he sent into her stomach. She stumbled backwards, trying not to groan. He was doing more damage than she was.

The entire room was covered in construction equipment. Buffy had already almost fallen into the many holes scattered throughout the room. It seemed they were redoing the floor as well, to her unfortunate luck.

Buffy barely managed to avoid tripping over a coil of rope, throwing a roundhouse kick at Caleb. He easily batted it away, sending her to the floor. Her sword was still in her hand, though. Point. “It's a shame to see such an older warrior keep fightin', even though they don't know the fight's been done and over with,” Caleb said, giving her a sad pout. “I mean, you missed the fact that I was responsible for that time spell of yours. Or rather, the copy of it. Made you think you were in trouble, didn't it?”

Buffy pushed herself up, swinging her sword and then suddenly jabbing it at him. He almost didn't avoid it, and Buffy held her grin at bay. He was slowing down. “Were you responsible for the seal then, too?” she asked, panting slightly.

“Not directly, no,” Caleb said, shaking his head as he curled his hands into fists. Three punches, and only one found its way to Buffy's cheek. Still doing good. “I did bring the man over to help me with it, though. So I am responsible. Just not, you know, responsible. There's a world of difference.”

“Not in my eyes,” Buffy growled, getting tired of being batted around. “It's closed, though. Which means you must've opened it again.”

Caleb sighed, sending a kick her way. She sidestepped it, eyes on him the entire time. “I did, yes,” he said, looking disappointed. “However, I was hopin' it would take out those friends of yours. Make you emotional, get you weak. Not that I need you weak, obviously.”

“Why not just have the uber-vamps kill me?” she asked, frowning. “Why just the others?”

Caleb feinted a kick, then threw out a true one, slamming into her chest and sending her sailing. Buffy landed on the floor, sword sliding from her grasp. Dammit. She'd be moving towards it now, if she could just breathe. He'd hit her ribs, hard.

She wasn't aware of Caleb grabbing a hanging rope behind her, casually making a lasso with the end. She became aware of it when he threw it over her neck, then tightened the rope. The air she'd suddenly started breathing again disappeared, and she gasped, clutching at the rope. “Because I wanted to take out the sinful Chosen one,” Caleb said.

The doors flew open, and the gang rushed in, with Spike at the lead. He skidded to a stop as his eyes took in the scene. Buffy with a noose around her neck, struggling with a rope that went up through a pulley. Caleb walking over to a metal construction scaffold that had a box on the top. A heavy box that the other end of the rope was tied to. The one that was suddenly teetering as Caleb gave the scaffold a shove...

“NO!” Spike screamed, running forward. But he was too late.

The box dropped to the ground, and Buffy was pulled back then up, up, up until she hit the pulley. Almost two stories above him, Spike watched in horror and rage as she choked, her hands still desperately trying to loosen the rope. Her cheeks began to turn purple, and Spike could see the crystal tears running down her cheeks.

Dawn screamed behind him, then choked off into a sob. “Oh goddess,” he heard Willow say in a trembling tone.

“Get her down!” Xander roared, and Spike knew everyone was immediately looking for something to use. Spike caught sight of a sword nearby, and he dashed towards it, then turned to throw it and get her down. Her struggles were weakening.

“Now, what type of preacher would I be if I didn't offer my help to those in need?” Caleb asked, pulling out a dagger. “You wanted the lady down, correct?”

Spike stared at him, trying to figure out what was going on. Why would Caleb offer to help...?

With a smirk Caleb cut the rope. Buffy fell towards the ground towards a tarp. Which she went right through.

Spike stared at the huge hole in the floor, which was, he realized, not the only one in the room. He heard a crash from the direction of the hole, then nothing.

She'd fallen again. Straight through into a void he couldn't get her out of. He'd failed her, could've gotten her down himself. But in the end, he still would've failed. Because that was what he did.

But this could be the void he pulled her out of. He'd pulled her out of a dark hole once, though it had been in her mind. He could do it again. He ran forward, eyes on the hole. He barely felt the hit that landed against the side of his head. He slid across the floor, watching the hole disappear from his sight as he...wait, what?

“No!” he yelled helplessly, feeling strong arms pull him away. Voices around him that were so familiar, saying there was nothing they could do to help Buffy, too many Bringers, and Caleb at the back of the room, laughing. Laughing.

“Buffy, luv...” Spike whispered brokenly, as Xander and Faith hauled him out of the room and down a small flight of stairs. She couldn't be gone. She just couldn't be.

Chapter 65:

They'd been pushed back into the main room once more, joining up with Angel and his crew. Bringers and an occasional Turok Han surrounded them, keeping them in a tight circle. Though their weapons were ready, they didn't move towards the Scoobies. At least, not yet.

Xander was trembling and leaning on Anya, with Jennifer right beside him. Spike knew he wouldn't last much longer: he did need to rest still. He shouldn't have come to save them. But he had, because he loved Anya.

Like Kennedy had come for Willow and Tara. Like Jonathan had come for Dawn. They'd come for the people they loved. They were still here.

Buffy wasn't.

His gut lurched again, and Spike thought he was going to be sick. She wasn't there. He didn't remember hearing a heartbeat when she'd fallen, but then again, he hadn't really been paying attention to that. His mind had been drifting back to a previous date. One that no matter how many times he tried to forget about, still haunted him. It marked his greatest failure: not having caught her when he needed to.

Like now.

Caleb appeared before them, his smile widening when he realized he had them all. “Don't look so cocky,” Faith snapped. “We've still got a Slayer and two vamps here, ready to kick your ass.”

“Seems like it's only one Slayer and one vampire,” Caleb retorted. “One looks about ready to take a sunny walk. A real shame, that. Ready to give up just because of one girl.”

“Bite your tongue,” Angel hissed. “She was more than just 'one girl'. She was someone incredible.” His voice wavered, and it caused Spike to tear up. Listening to one of the most formidable vampires he'd ever known break down was more than he could bear.

Slowly he raised his head, eyes shimmering with tears. “I'll take that walk,” he whispered, knowing Caleb could hear him. He raised himself to standing, his eyes still locked on the smirking preacher before him.

He couldn't live without her. He'd done it once, and it wasn't something he wanted to repeat. But the others would go on. And he wasn't going to leave them with this bastard around.

“After you're dead,” he hissed. “Then I'll take my walk.” With that, he lunged at Caleb.

A story below the group, the storage rooms were silent. Boxes and crates full of all the things a growing church would need were stacked high. Banners and announcement boards were hanging on the walls, ready to be used.

It was in one of the back rooms that the perfect scene was broken. The dust was still settling around the center of the boxes, where a large tarp lay. Several broken crates were smashed, with jagged and dangerously sharp wooden pieces sticking up. The tarp was torn in various places, having gotten caught on the sharp points.

A bloodied and mangled hand appeared, shaking as it stretched up from the wreckage. It fell onto a non-damaged part of a box, gripping tightly to the side. The tarp rustled, and slowly a figure rose from the broken mess.

She panted as she moved, her knuckles turning white as she continued to move to standing. Blood ran down her face from a hit to the forehead. Her clothes were covered in it, as a result of multiple cuts she'd taken in the fall. But she was still standing.

Slowly she raised her gaze, looking up through the hole above her. She could hear no voices, but that didn't mean they'd left. It was a matter of finding them.

Her eyes glanced down and back around the gloomy storage room. Her first action was to reach behind her head and pull the rope from her neck. It had left a vicious red line around her throat, but it was of little matter. She didn't need to talk to take care of him.

She began to head for a small ladder, then stopped. She felt an unmistakable tug towards her right. Where a solid wall was.

She didn't question it. Painfully she moved over to where the tug was leading her, and found a small golden crack in the wall. She gave the wall a simple push, and just like that, it opened. A bitter-sweet smell of fermented wine assaulted her senses, but what stunned her the most came from her sight.

The tug urged her on, and she knew that was what she'd been looking for. It was as if it was a part of her. Just like he was.

For the first time in days a smile crossed her lips. She had a preacher to bleed, and a vampire to reassure. This would help both processes greatly.

Everything that could go wrong was going wrong.

Bringers continued to pour into the room, never ceasing, never relenting. The Turok Han had been brought down to only a couple, and those were gone for good once they'd been taken care of. But the amount of blood and energy it took to do so wasn't usually worth the attempt. On top of all of that, Caleb sauntered around the room, dealing blows occasionally. He didn't strike often, usually preferring to stand back and watch, but when he did attack, it was hard and accurate.

Kennedy cried out as she took a hard blow to the head. She fell to the ground, unconscious before she even touched it. “Kennedy!” Willow yelled, hurrying over with Tara to protect the fallen Potential.

Cassie, Amanda, and Jennifer had banded together in a group of three, ordering the other Potentials back. They'd already tried to get out, but there was no exit to be found. The girls had exchanged looks, then had bravely stormed back into the fight.

Dawn and Jonathan were backed into a corner. Bringers continued to attack them, and one finally managed to slip past the teens' defenses, going straight for Dawn. Jonathan intercepted it, however, shoving Dawn to the side and taking the dagger meant for her. “JONATHAN!” Dawn screamed, kicking away the Bringers in a mad attempt to reach her bleeding boyfriend.

Her screams caught Xander and Anya's attention, who hurried over, leaving their Bringers to Faith. On the way, however, a Bringer slammed into Xander from his blindside. Both went down in a tumble of limbs and weapons, and Anya clutched her axe anxiously, waiting for a clear shot to take down the Bringer fighting her husband.

Then Angel was there, pulling the Bringer off of Xander with a roar and kicking away another one that was headed towards them. Faith had reached Dawn and Jonathan by that time, and together, the three managed to push the Bringers back. Long enough for them to get away from the corner. Anya pulled Xander to standing, and the two headed over to help move Jonathan to a safer place. There weren't many to be found.

Wesley was knocked aside, and with a yell Fred immediately rushed over, placing a well-aimed bolt into the Bringer's head. Gunn and Cordelia ran over to defend the two as Fred reloaded and Wesley picked himself up. The end result found everyone grouped together once more.

Except for Spike. Spike was still trying to get to Caleb. Most of the time, the stupid Bringers would get in the way, and once an uber-vamp had headed towards him with the intent of taking him down. Spike had merely ripped its head off, eyes still on Caleb. Rage and grief were powerful allies when you fought.

Everything had become a blur. The Bringers, the others, all of it. The only thing Spike could see clearly was the woman he loved clutching at the rope that slowly strangled her, even as she dropped through the floor. The other thing he saw with perfect clarity was the man who was responsible. A man Spike was intent on taking down. Nothing was going to stop him from what was rightfully his kill.

He'd expected some twinge of remorse from the soul about taking out a human being, but the soul wasn't having any of it. It had lost Buffy, too. Caleb had to die.

Finally, a clear shot. Spike shoved himself forward, taking Caleb's waiting blow and dealing two of his own. They barely made a dent in Caleb's side, but Spike didn't care. He'd wear him out.

When Caleb went to kick, Spike shoved his leg away and kept his eyes on his neck. One well-placed bite, and he didn't care how tough this preacher was: he'd go down.

He never got the chance. Caleb ducked away from his impending bite and dealt a hard hit to the side of Spike's head. A thud was heard around the room as Spike was practically thrown to the ground. “Now, see, you did the same thing she did,” Caleb said, sounding disappointed. “This is where she messed up, too. She got distracted, talked too much. A pity, that. She almost gave me a run for my money.” He slammed his boot into the back of Spike's neck, and Spike could hear the distinct sound of metal being pulled from a sheath.

Then the boot was off his neck, and another thud echoed through the room. Spike glanced over with a frown, and immediately his jaw dropped.

Caleb had been thrown against the wall, and was now leaning with his back to it, glaring at the object at his neck. A beautiful, golden scythe happened to be the object in question. A sharp, red blade was pressed to his throat, and the other end held a sharp point. A very sharp point.

The hands that held it were bloody yet steady. The arms they were attached to had torn sleeves and scratches everywhere. The body was coiled, tensed to attack at the slightest movement. Clothes were torn and ripped, showing damaged skin. The neck was uncovered, a raw red line wrapped all the way around.

Green eyes glared right back at Caleb, ignoring the blood that trickled down from the forehead. Blonde, matted hair that was streaked red. Lips tight and sure.

Buffy.

Chapter 66:

Spike was aware of all the other sounds of battle tapering off behind him, but he didn't dare remove his eyes from Buffy. He was afraid that if he did, she wouldn't be here.

“You are a tough one to get rid of, aren't you?” Caleb hissed. “And I see you found it. Don't matter; I'll have it back before the day's through.” He reached out and punched quickly.

Well, tried to. Buffy moved to the side, twisting the scythe around her head and bringing it down towards him. It scratched Caleb's forehead, leaving a bleeding line. All of this in less than five seconds.

Spike wasn't sure his jaw could drop any further. That was the fastest he'd ever seen her move. It was almost inhuman, and he knew for a fact that she was still human. So how did she do it?

She wasn't making any quips, either. Spike frowned and peered closely at her. Her face was a stony gaze, blocked off and unreadable. Just like it had been when Annabelle had died, and the uber-vamp had attacked. She'd been so detached, so unlike herself. And she'd fought when he thought she hadn't been able to.

His eyes widened at a sudden realization: he wasn't looking at Buffy anymore. This was the pure Slayer part of her. Buffy hadn't been able to carry on anymore, so the Slayer had taken over.

Caleb swung, and Buffy ducked. Caleb kicked, and Buffy avoided. Caleb did a very fancy move, and Buffy sent it back at him with a flick of her wrist.

Caleb snarled and reached down towards his boot. When Spike saw the blade, he began pushing himself up. He wasn't sure how long the Slayer would last, but he wasn't willing to find out. He was just starting to run when Caleb feinted left and pulled the blade with him. Buffy pushed the scythe out, and the blade slid upwards and across her face. Her head whipped to the side on account of the blow, before slowly turning back to him.

Spike watched her reach up to touch the wound, and pulled her hand away with blood on her fingertips. She stared at it, as if it were a foreign object, then turned her gaze back to Caleb.

Spike barely saw her move, and suddenly Caleb was also sporting a thin red line on his cheek. “You little...” Caleb yelled, moving forward.

The fight moved like a blur. Caleb's faster abilities kept him almost equal with Buffy's sudden burst of speed. Caleb was strong and sure-footed, but Buffy was obviously the better fighter. When he threw a punch, he'd hardly gotten his arm to extend fully when she was already sliding aside and pulling her kick up towards his stomach. Her moves were clear and calculated, though she didn't attack unless he made his move first.

She was like a hunter, prowling around him. Watching. Waiting. Knowing he would make a wrong move, and then she'd be able to take him down.

This was a true Slayer.

Spike cautiously crept closer. He was still worried about her condition: the red mark around her throat haunted him. And she was still bleeding. Slayers weren't supposed to keep bleeding. He wasn't sure how long Slayers could keep going.

Not something he'd like to test anytime soon. The two continued to battle in front of him, with Caleb and his dagger facing off Buffy with her scythe. He thrusted, she parried..it was that simple. And always the two kept moving. Always.

But it wasn't beautiful. Not like him and Buffy, when they fought. When they fought, it was a beautiful dance, with each move perfectly executed, neither stumbling or fumbling, and both of them wanting to be there, just for the fight. Not really caring at all who won, so long as the dance kept going.

Theirs, though, was a gruesome battle to the finish. Caleb's rhythm and hers were different, and completely off-sync. Any minute now, and one of them was going to make a mistake.

Buffy was, unfortunately, the person who did it. As Caleb came at her, she ducked the wrong way. Spike recognized the move immediately: she'd been so focused on hitting him, she moved herself into the line of danger. He'd gotten his first Slayer that way.

The dagger flicked around in Caleb's fingers, going straight for Buffy's throat. Spike stepped in and grabbed her, yanking her back and kicking his wrist. Caleb stumbled backwards, long enough for Buffy to flip herself up. She turned on Spike, eyes blazing with hot fury. Ah, the Slayer attitude of 'I don't need your help'. That was a familiar sight. Buffy had gotten over the nasty habit that went with it, though: not threatening or trying to stake him for it.

But she surprised him. Instead of moving to attack him, she stared at him, into his eyes. Spike wondered briefly if the Slayer part of her could really see the soul inside him.

She pointed the sharp end of the scythe at him, causing him to jump slightly. When she didn't aim at his chest, however, he frowned. She nudged the scythe once more, and he turned to where she was pointing.

A sword lay discarded on the floor. She wanted him to fight with her.

Slowly Spike began to smile. He took the two steps over to the sword, and easily flipped it up into the air with only his foot. “Ready?” he asked her.

The Slayer stared at him, then nodded tersely. As one they turned back to Caleb, who was nearly shaking with rage. His hands clutched the dagger with almost a death-grip, and Spike smirked. He didn't stand a chance.

As if on cue Buffy took a quick step forward, then automatically dropped into a roll. Caleb swung at her, and Spike used the opportunity to hit Caleb from the side. His attack was blocked, but barely. Buffy meanwhile was on the ground, swinging her legs around to knock Caleb down. The preacher retaliated with a kick, swinging Spike's sword away.

Spike spun and hit once more, and pulled away from the block he knew would be there and waiting. Buffy kept him occupied as she ducked and wove around the back, moving as if a sleek panther on the prowl. She was beautiful to watch, even in her blood-stained and torn clothing.

Not that Spike could really watch her: Caleb, although slowing, was still a force to be reckoned with. He dealt Spike a blow across the middle, and the vampire hissed as he backed away, blood dripping through his black t-shirt.

Buffy used the opportunity to roll onto the ground and swipe her legs at Caleb. Caleb jumped and turned, but wasn't expecting the follow-up with her scythe. He screamed and fell as the blade nearly took off one of his legs.

Spike stepped forward, swinging his sword. Time to finish this. Caleb was panting and glaring, dagger still in hand. He'd just have to be careful where he dealt the final blow.

A tiny sound, and Spike blinked, startled, as Buffy silently appeared at his side. She stared at Caleb, her scythe dripping blood onto the floor. Her gaze was serious and intent, and Spike suddenly wondered if she'd even let him take another shot at Caleb. That was all it was really going to do to finish him off.

Caleb didn't give him a chance to find out. A shout, and he was back up, punching and stabbing. Spike flicked the dagger away with his sword and met Caleb's punch with one of his own. Caleb stumbled backwards from the sudden shock of bone against bone, and Buffy took her moment.

Spike watched as the blade swung upwards, gleaming from the light the room offered. As if in slow motion the blade came down to the right, where Buffy pulled it across and to the left. Straight through Caleb's middle.

Silence reigned in the room. Then, a soft gurgle from the preacher, right before he fell to the floor in two. Buffy remained in her position, knees bent in an almost crouch, right hand out to the side for balance, left arm holding the scythe out and to the side, as if to display to all the world the blood that proved he was dead. She was still coiled, still tense and ready to fight.

Then in a second the tightness disappeared, and she began to shake, seconds before her knees gave out. Spike had her in his arms before the rest of her hit the ground.

“Hell of a move,” he whispered in her ear, hearing the others coming up behind them.

She turned to him, and he could tell she was back. “You did pretty good yourself,” she replied hoarsely, smiling.

She was really here. She wasn't dead at the bottom of a hole somewhere. She was here and Caleb wasn't, and everything was right. He couldn't resist kissing her, and the touch and taste of her helped pound in the fact that yes, she really was there, and things were okay.

She returned the kiss, brushing her lips gently against his. “Glad you're okay,” she said softly.

Spike pulled away, giving her an incredulous stare. “Glad I'm all right? Buffy, you fell through a floor from about two stories up. Through the fuckin' floor! Besides the fact that he was stranglin' you, and I couldn't get to...”

“You are NOT in any way responsible for what happened,” Buffy said angrily, coughing before she continued. “If anyone's to blame for all of this, it's me. I shouldn't have gone alone. Then you guys wouldn't have been taken, and you wouldn't have gotten almost killed, and Xander wouldn't...” She broke off then, swallowing convulsively.

Spike stared at her, wondering why he was surprised that she still took all the responsibility for something she'd had no control over onto herself. “Baby, luv, no,” he whispered, placing a kiss on her brow. “Not your fault in the slightest. If I'd gone, they would've gone too anyways. We all would've been there, and things would've stayed the same. Would've happened the same. And we're all here. You're here,” he said, carefully bringing his hand up to caress her cheek. She closed her eyes and leaned into the touch, and Spike let out a sigh of relief. Things were okay in his world.

“You guys all right?” Faith called.

Spike nodded. “Yeah. We're all right. Let's get the hell out of here.”

So busy and intent on helping Buffy out of the place, Spike never noticed nor heard the conversation behind him. Willow and Xander wearily approached a tense Angel, who was watching the couple leave. “So?” Willow asked softly. “What do you think?”

Angel remained silent for a few moments, before saying quietly, “They look good together. They really do.”

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