Chapter 75:

Buffy had been hidden away in Dawn's room to get ready, so Spike was able to hurry upstairs and get what he wanted. He wasn't sure if the spell actually required this, but he wanted to give it to her. He quickly pocketed the box and headed back down.

The entire living room had been rearranged for the ceremony. Jillian had begged to be the flower girl, and Spike had promised her that at the actual wedding she would be first pick.

Waiting was the hardest part. Spike didn't think he'd ever fidgeted so much in his entire unlife. Even Angel had come over and given him an encouraging pat on the back, hoping that would calm his nerves.

It didn't.

“Can see why you thought takin' off wouldn't be a bad idea,” Spike muttered as Xander passed him.

Xander sighed and stopped, handing whatever had been in his hands to one of the girls. He knelt down in front of Spike, giving his friend a look.

“Remember how I said that it was a really bad idea? Well, it is. I wouldn't recommend it.”

“Not gonna,” Spike mumbled.

“Listen up, then,” Xander said softly. Spike glanced up at his friend and found him smiling.

“I know you're nervous. Beyond nervous. This isn't even the real wedding, but the jitters are still the same. And I can guarantee you she's feeling them, too. You just can't see her having them because you can't see her at all at the moment.

“But trust me: when she walks in? Nothing else is gonna matter. The whole room will fade away. Just her and you. That's all you'll see.”

Spike felt himself calm slightly, and he gave Xander a tiny smile. “Thanks mate.”

Xander shrugged. “Hey, you're doing better than I did. Cheer up.”

Spike snorted, rolling his eyes. With a grin Xander stood and headed over to his place as best man; Spike's request.

“You guys ready?” Dawn asked, running down in a dress she'd thrown on.

The nerves came back again. Dammit. “Yeah, we're ready Bit,” he said, standing and clenching his fists. Unclenching. Clenching. Unclenching.

“Spike, calm down,” Angel whispered.

“You try it sometime,” Spike muttered. “Not as easy as it looks.”

Dawn began to hum the tune to 'Here Comes the Bride', and all eyes turned to the staircase. Buffy came around and into the living room, and Spike stared. Angel, Willow, Xander...they all disappeared. The room was empty, and it was just him and her, gazing at each other in silence.

Buffy took Giles' arm and stepped forward towards him. She was wearing a simple white dress with spaghetti straps. The skirt remained close to her body, but not close enough to trip her. Two white heels stuck out from the bottom of the skirt. Her hair was done up, with a curl falling on each side of her face, framing her features. She licked her glossy pink lips, and Spike saw what Xander had told him: hope, love, and a touch of fear in her gaze. She was just as nervous as he was.

He gave Giles a smile and took Buffy's arm in his. “Ready?” he whispered, stepping up to Willow and Tara.

Buffy nodded. “More than.”

They turned and faced the witches, hand in hand. Willow gave them each a big grin and turned to the book Tara was holding. Tara gave them a tiny wink and a smile.

“This spell is to unite Elizabeth and William into a promise. A promise that they shall remain unto each other until the wedding is complete. They will be united mind to mind, soul to soul, heart to heart. They shall be one person forever. Do you agree with this, William?”

“I do,” he said. He could hear her asking Buffy the same thing, and Buffy's soft, “I do,” was like music to his ears.

“Is there a wish to further the promise?” Willow asked.

Spike blinked, glancing over at Tara. 'Do you have a ring?' she mouthed.

He smiled and reached down into his pocket. The velvet box was soft in his hand, and he pulled it out, slowly opening the old case. “How did you suddenly get one of those?” Buffy asked him incredulously.

“Not sudden, luv,” he said, reaching into the box and pulling out the ring. Buffy gasped softly as she stared at the silver ring. Tiny diamonds surrounded the center, which was fashioned into the shape of a multi-pointed star. A very large multi-pointed star.

“Wow,” she breathed. “Where did you...”

“Was my mum's,” he said quietly. “I've been savin' it. For the right one. And I found her.”

Buffy's eyes flooded with tears, and she covered her mouth with her free hand as he slid it onto her left ring finger. “I love you,” he whispered.

Buffy sniffled. “Please tell me I can kiss him now,” she managed to choke out.

Willow had barely said yes before she launched herself at him, her tears mingling into their kiss. He pulled her close, kissing her deeply as if it was their final kiss.

When they parted, he grabbed her hand and hauled her towards the stairs. “Thank, Red!” he called over his shoulder, leaving the smiling group behind as he all but ran upstairs with her.

Spike closed the door, then turned to Buffy with a smile. “We did it,” he said softly.

Buffy nodded, fingering the new ring. The pad of her thumb ran over the diamond, carefully tracing the softened edges.

She gasped as he lifted her easily and carried her over to the bed, where he laid her down. “You're so beautiful,” he whispered, his hand gently cupping her cheek.

She smiled, feeling the blush in her cheeks. All this time, and he could still make her turn red with a simple phrase. So beautiful himself, and so hers...

His other hand drifted down to the hem of the dress, before sneaking underneath. His fingers ghosted over her legs, causing her to shiver and goosebumps to rise. Then his hand reached the junction of leg and body, and his eyes widened when he found the surprise.

“No knickers?” he asked, giving her a mock gasp. Buffy grinned, shaking her head. She'd been going to put on a lacy pair, but couldn't have bothered. All she needed there was him.

Slowly, inch by inch, he pulled the dress up. Buffy felt her legs being exposed to warm air and closed her eyes just as it uncovered curls. “Love you so bloody much,” he said, before dipping his head down.

Buffy nearly cried out when his tongue licked a trail up and over her clit. “Spike,” she breathed, crying out for real when his wet lips wrapped around her clit and sucked. Not hard, not teasing. Just lightly, enough to cause the already pooling moisture between her thighs to increase.

He pulled away for a split second, then his tongue was darting inside of her, giving her a tease as to what was to come.

Gently his hands reached around her back, slowly pulling down the zipper. The dress loosened, and he pulled it away, exposing her to him. And there he was, still dressed in his black satin shirt and black pants. It wasn't fair.

He chuckled, kissing the tip of her nose. “Impatient little hussy,” he said, having apparently read her mind. He undid the buttons on his shirt, then tossed it into a corner.

She reached out, tracing her fingers along his abdomen. She couldn't remember the last time she'd seen his bare skin and not been able to touch him. To feel all that power and strength compacted into one perfect being. Lower and lower her fingers trailed, until they reached his pants. She pouted and gave them a tug, and Spike laughed softly as he undid them. “As I said,” he said, “You're so impatient.”

“And you're not?” she asked, raising her eyebrow at him.

He pulled the pants off and tossed them somewhere behind him. Her fingers reached out to curl around his shaft, and he shuddered, his eyes drifting shut. “Fuck, Buffy...” he whispered.

“In me,” she breathed. “Spike, please, in me. I need you.”

His eyes opened again, and carefully he placed himself at her entrance. With one smooth motion he was inside. Buffy froze when he did, feeling herself expand slightly, then wrap around him. She could feel him pressing against all of her, making her feel filled. Complete.

Now they were one.

He began to pull in and out, keeping his movements slow. His eyes never left hers, and Buffy couldn't have looked away if she'd tried. He was there, and tomorrow, both of them could be gone. This could be her last chance with him.

That thought caused her to reach out with her left hand, desperately trying to find his. He grasped her hand in his, their fingers intertwining. She sighed then, pushing back in time to meet his thrusts.

He could have finished them both if he'd sped up, but he'd chosen to keep his movements slow and steady. She knew it wasn't easy; she was using all the inner strength she had to not pick up the pace herself. But he knew just as she did that this time was precious. 'Till death would they part, which sounded really romantic unless that death part was waiting for them as soon as the next day.

'Till death would they part. Buffy felt tears spring to her eyes, and Spike halted briefly. “Buffy?” he asked, worried. “I didn't hurt...”

“My husband,” she breathed, smiling through her tears. Her other hand reached up to cradle his face. “Spike, you're my husband...”

“Forever and ever,” he promised, his smile returned now that he knew she wasn't in pain. “My wife and I for all eternity.” Even at his own words, he sounded awe-stricken.

The orgasm came out of nowhere. She gasped as her inner walls clenched around him, triggering his own release. Only when he came down and rested on his arms did she break eye contact with him. She closed her eyes, letting the familiar feeling of flying wash over her. It felt good.

He pushed himself back up, and her eyes flew open. She grabbed his shoulder with her free hand, causing him to glance at her, puzzled. “Don't...don't pull out yet,” she said. She knew she'd be sticky and sore later for it, but she didn't care. The feel of him inside of her was one she couldn't describe.

“Wasn't going to,” he said softly. “I was merely moving so I didn't crush you.”

She smiled, closing her eyes briefly as he bent to place a kiss on her forehead. “You're such a sweetie, William,” she said.

“Your sweetie,” he corrected, laying down next to her. He pulled her close, and she sighed happily, helping him tug the blankets over them.

“My sweetie,” she agreed, before a thought struck her. “Is my sweetie going to give me a proper honeymoon?”

Spike sleepily glanced up at her, then smiled. “'Round the world,” he said. “Promise. I'll show you all sorts of places. Give you the best damn honeymoon ever.”

“I could live with that,” she yawned, letting sleep claim her. She realized that her hand was still entwined in his a moment before she drifted off.

Chapter 76:

“So I'll, um, see you tomorrow,” Cordelia said, heading for the stairs.

Angel nodded, fiddling with his shirt. She could've ripped her hair out: tonight was their possible last night alive (or undead in his case) and that was it? They were just going to...to stay apart, when everyone else was pairing up for the evening? Hell, Buffy and Spike had practically gotten married. Even Gunn was calling someone and sort of spending the night with her.

Cordelia sighed and turned back to him just as Angel stood from the cot.

“Can't I stay?”

“Stay here?”

They blinked at each other, and Cordelia almost rolled her eyes. This was insane. She was Cordelia Chase: she should just take what she wanted.

But she knew she wasn't that girl anymore. Hadn't been for a long time.

Slowly she stepped back down, walking over towards him. “We're not technically causing any happiness,” she said. “We slept together before. With baby Connor. Remember?”

She saw a flash of hurt in his eyes at the once happy memory, but he nodded. “Yeah. We were fine.”

“So we should be able to just share a bed tonight, right?” She'd almost reached him. “I mean, we could die tomorrow. Not much happiness going on right around now, you know?”

His arms reached out and pulled her close, and Cordelia almost gasped at the speed. “You're not dying tomorrow,” he whispered roughly. “I'll be dust before I see you hurt.”

“Hey, that whole wanting to protect the beloved thing? Goes both ways,” she told him, glancing up. Beautiful, soulful eyes, full of worry for her, love for her, and one kiss wouldn't hurt, would it?

Gently she leaned up and kissed him. He stiffened, then tilted his head, teasing her lips with his tongue. His arms wrapped around her and she moaned, letting his tongue in to play.

If he didn't make it, she didn't know what she would do. Her hero, her champion, gone...one of the reasons she'd left Sunnydale in the first place.

Its taste in luck never ran on her side.

“They're probably having sex up there.”

“Mm hm.”

“I think Willow and Tara are really having a threesome with Kennedy tonight.”

“Mm hm.”

“And Cordelia hasn't come out of the basement yet.”

“I can guarantee you that no, she and Angel are NOT having sex, Ahn,” Xander said. “That leads to so much badness I can't describe.”

Anya huffed and sat down. Everyone else was having sex besides her and Xander. It really wasn't fair.

It wasn't just the sex she wanted; it was the post sex part. Where he held her in his strong arms. Kept her safe from the world she wasn't sure she still understood.

“Buffy and Spike are having their honeymoon night, of a sort,” Xander said. “So yes, I'm sure they're up there...doing things.”

“We did things on our honeymoon night,” Anya said.

She watched Xander slowly smile at the memory. They'd done plenty on their first night as husband and wife. “Remember the third time?” she asked him. “When you took the silk strings from my panties, and used them to...”

“Don't tempt,” he warned. “But yes, I remember.”

Anya hid a smile and leaned forward. She almost had him... “Remember what I did when you reached up to use them?” she whispered.

Xander swallowed audibly. “Ahn, we can't,” he whispered pitifully. “Faith and Robin took the upstairs bedroom, remember? We told them we'd trade off, and we did?”

“Everyone else is in bed,” Anya told him. “And no one would see us behind the counter...”

That was all he needed. Quickly he reached over and grabbed the two folded up blankets on the little coffee table and headed into the kitchen, practically dragging her behind him. She grinned and hurried up.

Faith hummed and snuggled down into the warm bed. Dawn had good taste, she'd give her that. The bed was supreme.

Chocolate brown eyes invaded her vision, and her smile grew. She had the better taste in men, though. “Hello, stranger,” she purred, pulling him down for a brief kiss. “Where are the girls?”

It was Robin's turn to smile. “I asked them to camp out in the living room. I wanted it to be just you and me.”

Faith blinked, her heart suddenly pounding a heavy beat that pulsed through her ears. “Nice,” she managed to say.

“Just nice?” he asked.

She chuckled softly. Before she could reply, however, his lips were on hers. He nibbled on her lower lip, his one hand reaching up to tangle in her hair. Faith groaned as he lowered himself onto her, feeling a familiar pressure against her thigh. But it was all new, too. Because it was him.

For the first time that she could remember, Faith was nervous about having sex. This was one guy she didn't want to disappear in the morning.

“Relax,” he breathed into her ear, causing her to shudder. “Just go with me.”

“I seriously really do like you,” she said, panting. “Because I don't hand the reins over to a guy. Ever.”

“I feel honored,” he said, before gently biting her ear lobe. She gasped, arching up off of the bed as small tingles ran down from her ear to her spine. She felt wired and connected in ways she'd never been before.

And she felt safe. She trusted him to take care of her. To show her how to have a good time. How to make love instead of just have sex.

Faith closed her eyes and mentally handed over the reins.

Tara shifted, turning to her left. Instead of Willow, she found herself face to face with Kennedy. She blinked, causing the girl in question to smirk.

“Willow had to use the bathroom,” she said. “I get my moment.”

Then she was kissing her, a soft feathery kiss from someone that seemed so tough and sure of herself. It was enough to stun Tara, leaving her there even after Kennedy had pulled away.

“Seriously going for a threesome now.”

Tara glanced up at Willow, who was leaning in the doorway, eyes wide. Apparently, she'd caught the kiss. “It was nice,” Kennedy told her. “She didn't even really kiss me back, and it felt nice.”

Stunned didn't cover all of how she felt now, especially after Willow added, “I know,” and crawled in, giving Kennedy a small kiss before resuming her place next to Tara.

Tara mentally added her vote for a threesome. She wasn't in love with Kennedy, and she knew Willow wasn't either. But damn could that girl kiss.

“Wow.”

“Yeah. Tough stuff.”

“You coming back, Charlie-boy?”

“I'm trying. Not sure if I can. This could be my last night on this green earth. Takes things and puts 'em into perspective, you know?”

“Yeah, I know. Just...why call me, then? You've spent the greater part of your final evening with me. Not that I'm not honored, but I would've thought you'd be spending it with your Texan.”

“Fred and I came to an agreement: we don't work anymore. Haven't for awhile. But it...it felt good to actually own up. To say it. We're still good as friends, though.”

“That still doesn't explain what you're doing on the phone to me.”

“Yeah it does. I said perspectives change. Feelings change. Well, changed a while back. I just didn't see it. Wanna start where I left off, which was with you.”

“...You mean, you...really?”

“Yeah. Really. If I make it through this...”

“Be my first?”

“Would've thought you'd been enjoyin' the life of touching, now that it's open to you.”

“Surprisingly, no. Couldn't get a certain someone's lips off my mind. Besides, it doesn't work all the time. It goes into charging mode, where it has to recharge its battery. Solar enabled or something; every time I walk out into the sun it stores up the energy 'till it's got enough to do its thing. You could get shocked.”

Gunn smiled. “You already know how to jump-start me back. Remember?”

“Yeah. I remember. You should get some rest for the big day. But do me a favor?”

“Yeah, Gwen?”

“...Let me know. After it all...if you can be my first.”

Chapter 77:

The morning of the final battle, the entire house was still. No one wanted to get up and face reality.

Wesley and Fred were still sleeping side by side, their hands entwined. Downstairs, Angel was awake, watching over the still sleeping Cordelia, running his fingers through her hair and praying she made it through. Anya and Xander were up, but they hadn't stopped touching all morning. Faith and Robin remained not moving, with Faith, for once, not wanting to leave right away in the morning after. Willow had grabbed onto Tara and Kennedy and hadn't let go.

Buffy and Spike were awake, facing each other, eyes glued to the other. Neither said a word as they simply waited until the last possible moment to get up. Every moment was spent not memorizing or cataloging the other's features, but simply...being there with them. Holding on. Feeling their touch in the other's hands.

Spike was absolutely terrified, and he knew it showed. His stomach felt like it was pulled into someone's cold, iron fist, and they were twisting it mercilessly. A permanent knot had formed in his throat, keeping him constantly swallowing. A mantra had formed in his mind, going over and over again: I'm not losing her. I'm not losing her. I'm not losing her this time.

Buffy's face looked like someone had slapped her, but it wasn't just a passing gaze; it remained on her features as she kept her eyes locked on his.

The alarm went off behind him, making them both jump. Their eyes widened as they realized they couldn't pretend anymore: they had to go, and it had to be now.

Buffy's eyes began to glisten, and Spike's heart constricted. “Listen, if...” He choked up and tried again. “If one of us falls behind, the other should...”

“Should keep going,” Buffy said softly with a jerky nod. “Yeah. It's a good idea. I'll hold to it. Promise?”

“Promise,” Spike whispered. “I'll do the same.”

Slowly they rose, still holding onto the other, knowing they weren't going to hold to the promise at all. If one of them fell, they'd go back for them. It was something husbands and wives did for each other.

'Till death do you part...

Spike abruptly let go and headed into the bathroom, closing the door before she could catch up. He made sure it was locked, then turned the fan on. It wouldn't hide everything, but he deserved this one moment.

His back to the wall, he slid down to the floor and sobbed.

“All right, listen up,” Buffy said, turning and glancing at her troops. They formed a semi-circle around the entrance to the high school, each nervously gripping a weapon. The fear of dying, fear of watching the others die was written across their faces. Buffy wished she didn't have to do this to them.

Behind her, Spike stood, stiff and impersonal. On the small of her back, however, she could feel the gentle brushing of his fingers. She knew he was torn between distancing himself from her to make a possible parting easier, or to stand by her with every minute he had left. She'd heard him from downstairs, even with the fan on. Everyone had, but no one had said anything when he'd emerged ten minutes later, emotions locked up tight. He hadn't let go of her, though.

Xander gave her an encouraging nod, and she smiled briefly. The Scoobies shouldn't have been dragged into this, either. But here they stood with her, ready to make their possible last stand. “Here's the plan, and how it's going to go.

“We're going to go down and find the seal, with the two Slayers leading the way, and the two vamps closing the rear. The teams that were assigned will be placed in the hallways in strategic points. If something gets past us, I want to know we've got backup.

“Willow and Tara will join us later on after they've done the spell.”

Here she was interrupted by Willow's voice. “Um, if we go too far, then we won't be...”

“You'll be joining us after the spell's complete,” Buffy said firmly, giving her best friend a look. She wasn't losing either of them to the black magics.

Willow nodded. “Can we take a backup of our own?”

Buffy was confused, until she realized what they meant. If they did go too far, they wanted someone there to make sure they didn't come from behind and wipe everyone out. Someone to take them out first. “If it does happen,” Tara said softly. “It might not, but we'd rather not take chances.”

“I'll do it.”

All eyes turned to Kennedy. For the first time since she'd known her, Buffy could see the vulnerability on her face. She understood. Buffy gave her a slow nod, and Kennedy walked over to join Tara and Willow.

“After the spell's done, Kennedy can bring the scythe down to us. Does everyone have their secondary weapon on hand and easy to reach?”

The girls double checked their hips and legs, then nodded. “Good. They won't take out the vamps, but they'll do what they need to do in a flood of Bringers. If you lose both weapons, head to one of the group leaders. We'll be placed in various points of the place, and you'll know the closest one. Try to stay close to someone, but not too close.”

The girls continued staring, their freak level reaching even higher. Buffy sighed. Not exactly the motivational speech she wanted to give them.

“I think we have a chance,” she said quietly. “I really do. But in cases like this, you can't be too careful. Watch your backs. Watch the others. Keep an eye on your surroundings. If you do this logically and intelligently, there's no reason why you shouldn't walk out of there with everyone else. Just remember that there's no rules. They won't be fighting fairly. They're aiming to kill. Not hurt. Kill. Give it back to them. You guys can do this, even without the Slayer powers. I have faith in you guys.”

Cassie gave her an approving nod, and even Vi tried to smile. Buffy gave her a tiny one back, then turned to Jennifer. “Where's your sister?”

“In the bus, keeping Juliet company,” she said. “I made sure she understood that under NO circumstances was she to leave. None. I can go tie her in, if you want,” she said a little too perkily.

Buffy didn't blame her. If she'd thought she would've had any luck in the matter, she would've shipped Dawn off somewhere safe, unconscious if need be. “No, Jillian can listen. Don't worry about her.”

“Jelly-bean'll be all right,” Spike said, startling everyone. The first words he'd really said all morning.

“Everyone know what they're supposed to do?” Buffy asked, glancing around.

Gunn twirled his blade and gave an affirmative nod. Anya and Xander squeezed hands and turned to give her smiles. Angel gripped his sword, and Faith gave her a smirk. Giles gave her a pleading look that no one understood but her. She ignored him magnificently, turning and heading into the school with her weapon in hand.

As they headed up the stairs, she reached out and grasped Spike's arm, causing him to look back. “Remember: if we make this, you owe me a honeymoon,” she said.

He gave her a forced smirk and a nod, then headed in. Just focus on the prize at the end. Honeymoon around the world. He promised you. Now you've both got to live to see it...

“Nice to see you with one of those again,” Cordelia remarked.

Buffy grinned as Xander opened the door. “I don't know. They hold a certain sort of flare for me, you know? Nostalgic sake and all that. Plus...”

A group of Bringers rounded the corner, then froze in their tracks as she hefted the rocket launcher onto her shoulder. They'd barely turned to run when she fired, sending them all flying like a set of bowling pins.

“It makes that catchy boom sound,” she finished, handing it to Spike. Spike set about reloading, and Buffy nodded to Xander. Quietly he crept up to the corner, glancing around then turning back. He held up four fingers, then pointed to the fragmentation grenades. Just Bringers, then.

Buffy calculated the odds, then shook her head. Not yet. Those she didn't have a huge supply of, and there were going to be moments when they needed them. For only four Bringers, it wasn't enough. She extended her hand, and Spike gave her the launcher.

Xander gave a quick nod and Buffy slid out behind him, firing again and effectively bringing them down. She paused, glancing around the hallway, then motioned for them to continue in.

The battle had begun.

“Take positions!” Buffy called, and with a quick wave Dawn and Jonathan headed down the hallway, closely followed by Anya. Giles, Robin and Andrew headed the other way. Tara and Willow grabbed hands, waiting behind Xander for their moment.

They didn't have to wait long. Xander hurried to the next corner and peered around, then shot off two bullets. “Go!” he yelled, and the witches took off, Kennedy right behind them. They tossed a few good lucks behind them as they went.

“Next teams out,” Buffy ordered. She glanced back to see Angel and Cordelia parting with worried glances. Wesley gently took her by the arm and led her after Fred, who was already running down the hall.

“She'll be fine, mate,” Spike said softly.

Angel sighed but nodded. “Let's get this over with,” he said tersely. Buffy didn't blame him.

With Xander still in the lead, they hurried down towards the basement. “Head inside,” Faith said, but Buffy held up her hands to halt them. The door to the gymnasium, which was located next to the offices, was broken.

Slowly she approached, keeping a tight grip on her sword. She stepped over the broken pieces, then headed inside, staring at the sudden gaping hole in the middle of the room.

It looked like the floor was made of sand. The edges were all dipped down towards the hole, as if being pulled in. Warily Buffy glanced over the edge.

Long, long drop, but with no one in sight. On the other side of the gymnasium, near the emergency exit, was a small dirt path leading down.

She motioned for the others, and soon had the entire group glancing down at the mess. “Damn,” Gunn said softly. “Looks like a real mouth of Hell now.”

“That it does,” Buffy agreed. Change of plans. “Xander, run down and let the others know that their entrance to the bottom changed suddenly. Then head back to your respective groups. We'll be back up as soon as we can. Ladies, watch your step heading around to the path.”

Slowly they edged their way across. The hole was massive, taking up most of the entire room. Their gym was a decent sized one, too. “Can we say ick?” Amanda said, shuffling along. “I was just in here a couple of weeks ago playing dodge ball.”

“Dodge ball's a nasty game,” Buffy told her. “Especially on the Hellmouth.”

“What are you talking about?” Faith asked.

“NOTHING! Nothing at all!” Xander called out desperately. Buffy suppressed a smirk. He thought they didn't know that he remembered everything about his hyena incident.

He thought wrong. They just hadn't said anything.

“Remember, Spike and Angel will bring up the rear. Leave us girls to take the front. Got it?” she said, once they'd gotten over.

The girls nodded, and Buffy headed down the hole. A hand grabbed her, however, and as she turned, she found cool lips on hers. One last time. She closed her eyes for a brief second and let herself be lost in his taste, the way he felt against her skin, everything about him. They parted, letting their gazes speak louder than words could've. I love you. I'll break the promise. Anything to keep you alive, keep you safe. You're mine, I'm yours, always and forever. Won't break our eternal promise.

Then she headed down, into the hole, into Hell.

Chapter 78:

Willow licked her lips. Nervously her hands reached out for Tara's, who was seated directly across from her. In the corner, Kennedy was leaning against the wall, watching with her blade out and ready. She seriously hoped it wouldn't come to her having to use it. Willow wanted to spare her as much as she could.

“Ready, sweetie?” she asked lightly, forcing a smile on her face. Tara nodded, swallowing hard. Let's just start this off with a big case of nerves, why don't we, and a tossed salad on the side, hold the tomatoes.

Hysterical laughter bubbled inside of her, and she immediately clamped it down. Any minute and Buffy could be facing the hordes of Hell without the power she needed for her two plans.

What the others didn't know was that there were technically three plans. Buffy had simply neglected to tell the others, mainly because it didn't concern them. But also, mainly because she'd known that certain people, like a blonde-haired vampire, would've firmly said NO.

The third plan was simple: if the girls couldn't be alloted their own Slayer powers, Buffy would share hers. But with the amount of girls down there, there would be a possibility of her not surviving when her strength was stripped from her. The only person Buffy had told had been Willow. Not even Tara was privy to this knowledge. Everyone would've gone against it.

“Okay then, here we go,” she said, tightening her grip on Tara's hands. Her eyes locked with Tara's, and the world began to fade away as they concentrated only on the other. No cold, tiled floor. No white walls. No desks, chairs, impending death around the corner. Just her and Tara and the magics.

No words were needed for this spell. Between them sat the only thing they would need to accomplish their mission: the scythe. She could see it clearly, even though her eyes never left Tara's. Its golden power emanated and brightened the entire room. But it was only for them to see. She wondered briefly if Buffy could see it.

Then suddenly, an old feeling washed over Willow. It was cold, but inviting, awakening her senses. The magics of the Hellmouth, trying to entice her to take them. She saw Tara's eyes widen slightly as she too was tempted, and she made sure Tara understood what was going on before mentally reaching out, pulling the dark strands to her.

In an instant the strands became binding chains, wrapping around her and tightening their hold on her, all the while giving her all the power she wanted. Everything she could desire, and it would give it. All she had to do was give herself, her soul. Then the world was hers.

It was a dizzying sensation, and she knew Tara could feel it too. In an instant she knew they wouldn't be able to harness the power to use for them. It was simply too strong. It wouldn't even go near the scythe, because its own golden power kept warding it off.

She closed her eyes briefly, cursing Buffy and the plan. But she had no choice. The power was simply too much, and she wasn't risking Tara. She concentrated all of her thoughts on the scythe, reaching through the line to tug at Buffy's Slayer abilities.

Then suddenly the chains were gone, and something else was there. Something Willow had never felt. Her eyes popped open with a gasp, and from the stunned look Tara was giving, she felt it too. But what was it?

The darkness was pushed back, and the light streamed in from every corner of the room. The scythe buzzed, practically jumping up in agreement to the power that now surrounded it. Whatever was causing the reaction would be a wonderful power source, if they could capture it long enough.

But just as the thought came, Willow dismissed it, because she'd figured it out. This wasn't power to be captured. The power was simply letting itself be borrowed. It knew they needed it, and was offering itself up freely. The true essence of white magic. The power of the Powers That Be.

And they were holding it in their hands.

Willow slowly began to smile. “Thank you,” she breathed, and the power slid through them and into the scythe.

Then her head snapped back as suddenly every girl was awakened. She felt it the moment they did, and it wasn't just the girls down in the cavern. Ones around the world they hadn't gotten. China. Russia. Greece. Italy. Egypt. Brazil. Canada. There were so many...

The Slayer power was undefinable. It brought her senses to life, causing her to hear things, feel things she wouldn't have been able to otherwise. She was wired, almost on a permanent sugar rush, and it felt wonderful, right.

Tara's hands squeezed hers seconds before the explosion hit. The power bloomed inside her one final time, and she could hear distant laughing, recognized it as her own. Her eyes opened, and she glanced over at Tara. Her beautiful, white goddess. Her hair flying past her shoulders as if hit by the wind, with glistening silver tears rolling down her face. She had the biggest smile Willow had ever seen her wear, and she knew it was reflected on her own face.

Then the white disappeared, and they lurched forward, panting heavily. “Wow,” Tara said first.

“Damn.”

The low word caused Willow to turn to a wide-eyed Kennedy. “Was I white, too?” she asked.

Dumbly Kennedy nodded.

“That was incredible,” Tara breathed. “It was like...like...”

“Magic,” Kennedy whispered, and Willow smiled. She finally got it.

Grabbing the scythe, she managed to slide it over to Kennedy. “Take this down to Buffy. Enjoy your new Slayer abilities while you're at it,” she said. “We'll meet you down there when we get air back into our lungs.”

Grinning like a maniac, Kennedy nodded and ran out. She was lighter, quicker in step. Already the Slayer powers were showing themselves.

Her good deed done for the day, Willow turned back to Tara, giving her a goofy grin. “That was nifty,” she said, before slumping onto the floor, hearing Tara giggle before she did the same.

When Buffy paused not far down the tunnel, Spike knew it wasn't anything to worry about. She was already shaking it off and moving on. The spell had started, then. Faith stumbled slightly, then quickly righted herself and kept going. Now it was up to the witches to bind the power to the girls. Make them all Slayers.

When the two each inhaled sharply, however, Spike began to frown. He didn't think this was part of the spell. Especially when the girls weren't looking like they'd felt anything spectacular. Something had gone wrong. As usual.

Angel stepped closer to whisper, “What's going on? Was the spell supposed to do...”

Buffy cried out then, dropping her sword and clutched at her chest. Spike ran forward, grabbing her as she stumbled backwards. Her face was pale and getting whiter by the second, as if someone was draining her of blood. Her eyes were wide and glassy, almost as if she had a fever. Her fingers trembled as she dug them into her chest over her heart. “Buffy?” he called softly, brushing hair away from her face. Her clammy skin felt so wrong to his fingers. “Luv, what's goin' on?”

Just as suddenly as it came, it ended. Buffy breathed in, then exhaled, and the color came back into her face. Her fingers stopped clutching at her chest, and her skin was warm again. Her eyes focused on him, and the first emotion he saw above the others was guilt. He could hear Faith and Angel behind him, asking what was going on, and he pinched his lips. “Care to explain?” he asked shortly.

Buffy sighed, giving him a pleading look. “We needed a backup plan for our backup, like Xander said,” she said quietly. “So I talked to Willow, and she agreed...”

Gasps from behind him caused them both to glance over at the girls. Their hands immediately leapt to their chest, and it seemed like their faces, their arms, their entire bodies were glowing. Then the glow disappeared, and they exchanged glances around.

“That was awesome,” Cassie said, sounding breathless.

Vi and Chloe exchanged smirks. Spike blinked and looked again. Yep, honest to goodness smirks. “Up for a little dusting?” Vi asked innocently.

Chloe grinned. “Bring 'em.”

“So this is why you guys take risks all the time,” Jennifer mused out loud, glancing down at her outstretched arms, as if she could see a difference. “With that cocky attitude behind you, not to mention that feeling of super something...yeah, I wouldn't be afraid of too much myself.”

“It's a good feeling, but don't let it go to your head,” Buffy warned. “Just let it go with you. It'll take time, but do the best you can for today. I'll show you guys afterwards how to really have fun with it.”

“Not unless you explain,” Spike said, turning back to her and pinning her with a glare. “What happened?”

Buffy sighed. “We had a third plan. Willow and I. She agreed when I said there had to be another way to extract Slayer strength to give to the girls. We just didn't agree on how to do it.”

Spike's eyes widened immediately. Damn her. Hadn't she thought... “You as the battery. Not just you as in a filter, but as the actual bloody source. Are you aware that that would've...”

“I know,” Buffy said, giving him a look. “Figured out why I didn't tell you yet?”

“Brat,” he muttered, hanging his head with a sigh. She was going to be the death of him.

“I'm sorry William.”

He looked up, an honest look of anguish in her eyes for having caused him this. “Rather not lose you, if that's all right,” he muttered, but he gave her a small smile.

She gave him a bigger one and rose to standing. “I agree. We ready, troops?”

“Don't you need this?”

Spike turned in time to see Kennedy toss Buffy her scythe. Buffy grinned and tossed Kennedy the sword in return, then glanced down at the unexplored section of the tunnel. He rose as well, glancing back at the army of Slayers that were about to get a crash course in their sacred duty.

Yeah. This would be good.

Chapter 79:

The darkened tunnel began to brighten about a quarter of a mile in. Buffy held up her hand and signaled for a slower speed and ultimate silence. Not too far ahead, she could hear a dull echo, as if someone were yelling. Gripping the scythe tighter, she continued on.

She wanted to know just what exactly had happened with Willow, but Kennedy hadn't imparted much. All Buffy got was that Kennedy was in more awe of the magics then before.

Suddenly the tunnel opened up into a huge cavern, and the dull sound became a loud roaring of yells and screams and howls. It bounced off of the walls, echoing all around her, piercing her ears and making her wince. She winced again, this time in sympathy for the vampires, whose ears were much more sensitive than her own.

The soft dirt beneath her feet extended for a least fifty feet, then without any sort of warning, simply dropped into a huge hole. Buffy could just see the other edge of the hole. The slope was steep, leading down into the middle of the hole. Where the sounds were coming from.

“Took you long enough to get down here.”

Buffy's head whipped around, and she found herself staring at herself. Dressed just as she was to boot, except the First didn't have a scythe. Buffy gave a smile, and the First gave her a mocking one back. “What an unfortunate surprise: little pimply-faced girls, two Slayers, and two vampires. Not to mention cronies galore up above.” She gasped, holding her hand to her lips. “What ever will I do? I should just call the whole thing off right now.”

“Maybe you should, seeing as you're about to get your ass firmly kicked to whatever hell dimension you came crawling out of,” Buffy said cheerfully.

The First's face deepened into a murderous glare. “I don't think so, Slayer,” she hissed. “I'm part of this Hellmouth. Always have been, always will be. When you ripped Angel from hell, I went with him, sweetheart. Does it burn, Spike?” she asked, turning to him. “That the reason you're fighting here is because of her love for him?”

“Not really,” Spike said immediately, stepping up alongside Buffy. “See, the thing is, maybe she loved him. Bet she still does, on some scale. But she's with me now. Her and Angel brought you here. Me and her...we're gonna kick you right back. And we got an army to do it with.”

The First laughed. “That would require opening the Hellmouth itself. You don't have the power to do anything like that. Go ahead and look, if you think you can stomach it,” she taunted, gesturing to the hole behind her.

Buffy clutched her scythe and stepped forward, giving the First a look as she peered over the side. She froze on the edge, the air whooshing from her lungs as she stared. This was more than anything she'd considered. More than...

There were thousands of Turok Han below her. All snarling, hissing, clawing the air, screaming in anxious awaiting. For their moment. They knew fresh blood was on the way, and they'd been hungry for so long...

“Buffy?!”

Buffy could hear Spike distantly behind her, but it was the First's calm voice that came in louder. “You had no clue, did you? There's nothing you can do. I control the Hellmouth. Not you. There's nothing stronger than darkness. It consumes everything in its path. You can have everything swallowed by darkness, even your little flashlights and candles. Nothing can pierce through.”

“We beg to differ.”

Buffy's head spun around, and she smiled in relief at the sight of Willow. The redhead and her girl were standing side by side, fingers just brushing. Both were smiling confidently, and both were practically glowing. A golden sort of glow, and they looked like goddesses themselves.

“We know of something that can pierce your darkness,” Tara said, stepping down with Willow. They reached the floor of the cavern, and exchanged smiles before turning back.

“Our light,” Willow breathed, before raising her free hand to her face. She cupped her palm and pointed her fingers out away from her, then gently blew across her skin.

Golden dust shimmered briefly, then scattered throughout the cave. It was even brighter than before as it settled down. Each place it touched let forth a continuous explosion of light, and soon the whole cavern was gleaming.

Buffy glanced at the First, and for the first time ever, it looked scared. Willow and Tara had obviously caught hold of something that could beat it back. Good.

The ground began to shake, and a quick glance showed that it was the army of Turok Han, heading up towards them. “Get ready!” she yelled, backing up and away from the edge. Spike's hand grabbed hers briefly, causing her to see the worried look he wore for her. She flashed him a tiny smile, letting him know the crisis was over. The momentary panic had faded, along with the images of Sunnydale and her friends burning.

It was time.

The Turok Han swarmed over the edge, and Buffy swung her scythe up into the air. “NOW!!” she screamed, and her command was lost to a sea of battle cries from both sides. The girls rushed forward, meeting the Turok Han tooth for sword. The first body fell, and Buffy was relieved it wasn't one of theirs.

“Keep an eye on those two!” Buffy yelled over to Angel, pointing to Willow and Tara. The two witches had gathered together, and were holding hands, their eyes closed as they drew on their power source. “If they fall...”

“We fall,” Angel finished, nodding before running over. Buffy caught Faith's eye, and with a short nod of her own her sister Slayer headed over to defend them as well. That left another vampire-Slayer team for fighting.

Sensing the approaching vampire, she swung around, her scythe going straight through its neck. It fell with a sneer on its face, and she smirked. One down, nine hundred and thirty to go.

Vi shouted and swung her sword around, felling two with one hit. Buffy could've sworn that she growled before doing so.

Nevertheless, the uber-vamps began to run past them. Kennedy gave chase, but Spike halted her. “Leave them for those upstairs!” he yelled. “We've got enough to deal with down here!”

Kennedy glared at him but turned around, jumping on a Turok Han and bringing it down for the kill.

A scream went out throughout the cavern, decidedly human and very much in pain. Buffy whipped around just in time to see Chao-Ahn fall, blood flowing from her torn neck. She hit the ground, eyes wide and unseeing.

She'd known that she would lose some, but it still didn't prepare her for what she felt. She'd barely known her, hadn't really ever been able to talk to her because of the language barrier, and suddenly her heart felt like it was wrapped in a tight iron fist that was slowly bleeding her. It physically hurt to see the girl go down.

With a gasp Buffy found herself on the ground, Jennifer on top of her. “There's nothing you can do,” the teen said. Her eyes were big and watery, and Buffy realized her own face was damp too. “Just keep going,” Jennifer said softly.

Buffy nodded, forcing the tears back. They'd take them down. For Chao-Ahn. For Jenny Calendar. For every single life the Hellmouth had ever claimed.

This was a time for payback.

She pulled herself up, letting her scythe loose with a battle-cry.

Dawn heard the noises first. “You ready?” she asked, glancing over at Jonathan.

Jonathan grimaced but nodded. “I can hear at least three,” Dawn told him, carefully edging her way in front of him. He was still hurting from where he'd been stabbed about a week ago.

Sounds of approaching footsteps caused Anya to stand, gripping her sword tightly. When Xander slid into view, however, they all relaxed. “How many?” Dawn asked.

“About eight,” Xander panted. “Gunn went to warn the others, and they'll be ready and waiting. I threw a warning to Giles and company, and now it's down to the four of us to take out whoever comes our way.”

“How're they doing down there?” Jonathan asked.

Xander shrugged, causing Dawn to breathe a tiny sigh of relief. That meant no screams of agony had been heard, or people hadn't come running out in fear. That meant her sister and Spike were probably still alive. “Willow and Tara headed down not long ago, right after Kennedy. Pretty sure the spell worked.”

“Then that means less uber-uglies for us to deal with,” Dawn said cheerfully, twirling her blade. She glanced over at Anya, who was staring out to her right, where the emergency exit was. Beyond the window in the door, Dawn could clearly see the big bus, all revved and ready to go. Inside, a mass of golden curls was visible, and she was sure Jillian had already gotten Juliet out to play with.

“She'll be okay,” she said softly.

Anya turned back, giving a rueful smile. “Sorry, just...wanted to know she was okay. I've got this urge to make sure out of everyone, her and her sister make it through this. I think I read about this. I'm pretty sure it's a mother-bear instinct.”

“I believe it is, too,” Xander said, stepping over to her. He gently took her hand, squeezing it briefly. “I feel the same way, too. Jilly AND Jenny both. I think it started back in New York, when I first grabbed them.”

“I want kids exactly like them,” Anya said suddenly, glancing up at Xander. Dawn blinked, shifting her gaze quickly from the end of the hall to the couple discussing children.

Xander gave her a look. “Uh, not sure I can do exactly like them, since their genetic structure is way different than what we could produce, but hey, we could always try,” he joked, before becoming serious again. “Seriously, though, the only way to have EXACT kids like them is to get the kids themselves.”

Anya gave him a look that clearly said 'Uh, duh?'. Xander's eyes widened along with Dawn's. Was she serious?

“Are you serious?” Xander said, shocked.

Growls caused Dawn and Jonathan to turn towards the other end of the hall. Three uber-vamps were headed their way. Great. “Uh, guys? Can you discuss this later? Like, when we're not all dead?” Dawn hissed.

“Well, they've got no one and nowhere to go,” Anya said, as if it were the simplest thing in the world. “And I like them. I really do. Besides, this way, I could make sure I was good at being a mom before having my own kids. And I know you like them, too.”

Dawn couldn't believe what she was hearing. “Guys!” she snapped. “Weapons, fighting, please?” The uber-vamps swiped their claws and grinned. Dawn could feel the color draining from her face. She hadn't been aware that they could grin. It was creepy.

Even creepier when the three vamps came running at them. “I do,” Xander said, giving Anya a smile. She smiled back, and Dawn almost rolled her eyes. They were making with the mushy-gushy family stuff, and there were three, three nasties headed their...

Without looking Xander pulled a grenade from his belt and tugged the pin loose, then tossed it to his right. Dawn shrieked and backed straight into Jonathan, who pulled her away from the oncoming blast. The explosion caused her ears to ring, but when she looked again, the vampires (besides bits of the wall) were gone.

Dawn exchanged looks with Jonathan, then as one they turned to a beaming Xander and Anya. “We're going to adopt two girls,” Anya said proudly.

“I'm so happy for you,” Dawn said sarcastically, picking herself up and brushing bits of plaster off of her clothes.

Gunn skidded to a halt in front of the others. “How goes the battle, chief?” Fred asked.

“Well, I ain't hearin' any screaming yet, so I'm gonna assume we're winning,” Gunn said, breathing heavily. He and Xander had started running the minute they'd heard the growls coming from the tunnel. When they'd turned back to look, eight uber-vamps were coming up. They'd exchanged brief good luck wishes, then had headed off to their respective groups.

“We've got a few baddies comin' in,” he said, before turning to Wesley. He fought down his usual sarcastic remark and forced himself to think about what Fred had said the other day. She'd told him about her conversation with the ex-Watcher, how he'd blamed himself for everything that had happened between Cordelia, Connor, the whole thing. Gunn could admit now that it wasn't, but he was still pissed off with him. He'd thought they were friends, and Wesley hadn't even bothered to tell him any of this.

But he could see Wesley's side of it now. While he'd felt betrayed by Wesley, Wesley had felt betrayed by him. Both sides had figured the other had forgotten about any sort of friendship. Fred had said that even Angel was attempting to make a change in his attitude towards Wesley. Time for him to do the same. Besides, if they died, there really wasn't anyone else he wanted by his side: Wesley could honestly fight.

“I'd use that long-sword, English,” he advised. “I'm not sure your crossbow skills are gonna work here. These guys have got tough skin.”

Wesley blinked, and Gunn could see the obvious surprise on his face at having been spoken to like...a friend. “I'm sure you'll have no problem cutting through them with your axe,” Wesley said after he'd recovered.

They stared at each other, before they began to smile. Maybe they'd changed. But friendships could still possibly be salvaged.

“Hate to break the male-bonding moment, but we've got company,” Cordelia said sharply, and everyone turned to see two uber-vamps backed by quite a few Bringers. Gunn gave Wesley a look, and Wesley nodded briefly, dropping the sword and reaching for his belt, where Gunn knew he kept a few handguns. He'd leave the Bringers to Wesley: he was going to get a piece of those Turok Han.

Gunn grinned and hefted his axe onto his shoulder. A Bringer ran forward, only to fall with a bullet in the head. “'Preciate it, English,” he called.

“Anytime, Charles,” was the answer, and Gunn's grin widened before he attacked.

The Turok Han were on them before they could register what had happened.

Andrew could hear the sounds of battle still waging when he picked himself up. Robin had shoved him out of the way, he supposed. He was getting really tired of being pushed around. He could fight! Not as good as Obi-Wan, who was obviously the better Jedi between him and Luke, but he could still fight!

Then he realized that these were the uber-vamps, the ones the main group of girls had gone down to fight. How had these gotten past them? Were they all dead down there? Were the groups on top the only defense left?

Spike was down there. Buffy was down there. Amanda was... Andrew could feels his fists tightening. Amanda was down there. The one person who knew how important it was to make sure your character stayed leveled up in Dungeons and Dragons. Who knew all the different classifications of characters. Who understood why Obi-Wan was so much cooler than Luke. And she couldn't be...

With a yell Andrew pushed himself up, grabbing something and shoving it through the thing in front of him. It happened to be an uber-vamp, and he happened to be holding a sword. The uber-vamp glanced down at the wound, then looked back up and glared at him.

Andrew glared right back at him. “You're nothing but a troll,” he declared, reaching into his back pocket for his stake. “And Amanda's down there, and she's got an ultimate weapon. And she knows how to use it.” He pulled the stake forward and rammed it into the thing's chest, pushing until he lurched forward into dust.

He glanced around at Robin and Giles, who were readying themselves for round two. “I just hope she remembers to use it,” he mumbled, before heading over to join them.

Chapter 80:

Spike slid his sword through another vampire's neck, watching as the thing dusted before him. Glancing ahead, his heart jerked as he saw another girl on the ground. They hadn't lost many, but they were losing some.

From the look on Buffy's face, she knew, but was trying to ignore it. He knew she'd grieve later. Right now, they had a battle to win.

“C'mon, Red,” he whispered, glancing over at the witches. The area surrounding them was bathed in pure, white light, giving them an unearthly glow. But they were smiling happily, so he figured they knew what they were doing. So long as they did it quickly, they were fine. If not...

“Spike! We need help!”

Spike turned to see Rona down, Megan already rushing over after having called him. But before she got there, Charlie was sliding in front of the fallen girl, kicking the uber-vamps away. Spike kept his eye on them as he hurried towards them, watching as Charlie grabbed Rona's sword and turned back to an approaching vamp. With a yell she pulled the sword back and swung.

The head went flying several yards before it turned to dust. “Now that's what I call a home run,” Megan told her. Charlie just grinned.

“Not a bad swing,” Rona croaked. Spike went to her first, checking her injuries over. Her lip was ripped open and bleeding, and she was clutching her entire right arm to her chest. Her face around her mouth was beginning to turn a lovely shade of purple, and Spike assumed that a vampire's fist had gotten a little too friendly with her face.

“Get her out of here,” he ordered, helping her gently to her feet. “Head straight to the bus, past group one, like we showed you. Got it?”

Megan and Charlie nodded, each wrapping their arms around Rona. “I'm sorry,” Rona said, grimacing as she spoke.

Spike gave her a small smile. “Don't be,” he told her. “You took out your fair share. You've done your bit; let your friends do the same for you now. All right?”

“Do we come back?” Charlie asked. “After she's on the bus?”

Spike was already shaking his head. “The witches are 'bout down, pet. Think it's time to say school's out for good. Now get out of here; we'll have others followin' in a bit.”

Megan nodded, heading towards the exit. An uber-vamp came up behind them, and Spike swiftly threw his stake into its chest, dusting it before it could lunge at them. Without looking back Megan waved her thanks. Spike grinned and turned back to the fight.

He was just in time to see the show. He heard Buffy shout out his name, but when he glanced at her, she was already pointing to the witches. He turned his gaze on them and watched as the white power slowly flooded the cavern.

Spike had been conned into watching Fantasia 2000 with the girls, and had admitted that the music combined with the stories was good, especially the final song, when the earth spirit went around after the volcano had been unleashed and restored everything to living again. That's what it looked like, except everything was turning white. Pure white, and not just like a snow blanket. The things themselves were turning white, as if someone had showered them in a high beam light.

The first uber-vamps to get touched by the light were dusted instantaneously. Angel immediately stepped away from the light, as did Spike. He loved the fact that it was clearing out the cavern, but he didn't want to become the next dust pile.

It continued to spread, coating the Slayers in a beautiful light, and dusting the uber-vamps in its path. The witches themselves were not only bathed in it, they were becoming it. The tips of their hair and the edges of their clothes were turning white, and that was just the beginning. They really did look like goddesses.

The Slayers were still fighting the Turok Han, taking care of the ones Willow and Tara's spell hadn't reached yet. Shannon was there among them, merrily swinging her weapon and dusting more than a few of them. Jennifer was pulling high kicks and lunging down into the splits to avoid a few swipes from their claws, effortlessly wiping them out. Cassie looked like poetry in motion. Faith looked like she was having a blast.

And Buffy...

His eyes landed on her, and for a second, everything slipped into slow motion. She swung the scythe with both hands around her head, bringing it down to take an uber-vamp out. The vamp dusted, and then the approaching vampire was taken out as the light covered it and her. Buffy glanced down at the light covering her, then turned to look over at him. She gave him a smile, and Spike thought she looked absolutely angelic.

Then her smile vanished, and her eyes widened in horror. Her mouth formed a silent 'no', and he frowned, turning to see what she was staring at, only to be covered in blinding light.

He cried out and stumbled backwards, feeling his entire body start to tingle. Then...nothing.

Spike blinked and glanced down at his arms. They weren't burning. Nothing was burning. Then how...?

Angel was now completely bathed in the light as well, but wasn't burning either. They exchanged baffled glances, before Spike spun around.

He jerked at the sight of Caleb, before he gave the First a look. “You lose, mate,” he said, snorting. “Take a look around. Your army? Gone. We're walkin' out of here.”

Caleb gave him a glare. “Not in one piece,” he declared. “If I'm getting dragged back down into the deepest fathoms of hell, then so help me, but I'll take you down with me. Every single one of you.”

Then Caleb was slowly becoming distorted, moving and molding into something new. A huge, red beast with glowing eyes and large claws stared down at Spike, snarling and spitting. “I shall have the last word,” it boomed. “No matter what you do, I WILL win. Even though I shall lose my place here, I shall be allowed to bring you all down to my hell dimension, where I will enjoy making you all suffer for eternities to come. Not even the Slayer will be exempt.”

“See, that's where you're wrong.”

The First turned, and Spike saw Buffy standing behind it, looking bored. “'Cause me?” she continued, gripping her scythe. “I'm a heaven-bound sort of girl.” She lunged forward, burying her scythe into the beast.

Into.

Spike stared with wide eyes as the First let out an unearthly scream, spreading out in a circle of fine red mist. The particles that remained froze for a split second, then lurched outwards, slamming Spike backwards and onto the ground.

The cavern began to shake ominously. Shrieks were heard, and he pulled himself up, glancing around. “Everyone OUT!” Faith yelled, already at the exit and helping girls through.

Buffy wasn't among them.

His head whipped around as he desperately searched for golden hair. “Buffy?!” he yelled, panic setting in. He thought he'd seen her get pushed back after the First had disappeared, but he wasn't sure. She could be back in the hole, for all he knew.

Knowing his luck, she was.

He began to run forward, but Faith grabbed his arm. “Let's go!” she shouted. “You've got to get those girls out!”

“But...”

A flash of blonde hair running out caused his head to whip around. She was out, then. Good.

Another rumbled nearly sent them both down, but Spike managed to keep his balance. “B was helping one of the girls,” Faith explained. “Are you coming?”

Spike nodded, heading out with Angel and Faith right behind him. Time to get the hell out of Sunnydale. He was glad the damn bus was prepped.

It was just as she was coming out of the tunnel that Willow realized Kennedy wasn't with the group. “Everybody to the exit!” Xander yelled from the doorway. She glanced up and saw the girls running out, with Tara helping the few that were stumbling. That was one down. Where was Kennedy, though?

She caught Xander's eye briefly, and he gave her a perplexed gaze. Willow gave him a sheepish look, before darting back into the tunnel. “Willow!” she heard him yell, but ignored him. She had to know. Maybe she'd missed her. Maybe she was...

Xander cursed, loudly, as Willow headed back inside. “What's going on?” Cordelia asked, coming back over. Tara had turned back as well, eyes wide as she realized Willow wasn't with her.

“She went back for something, but don't worry about it,” Xander said, giving her a reassuring smile. “I'm gonna head down and get her out, even if I have to carry her out to do so. Okay? Make sure Anya and Jennifer are on that bus by the time we get out. Anya's not gonna leave until she sees me, so force her on that bus if need be. Got it?”

Tara nodded, looking relieved. “Got it,” she said, before heading out after the others.

Xander headed back into the gymnasium, then stopped when Cordelia followed after him. “And you're going where?” he asked her, glaring at her.

Cordelia glared right back at him. “With you, doofus.” When he began to protest, she upped her glare. “Listen, buster, the sooner we get Willow, the sooner we can all be on that bus. And trust me, I'm not going anywhere. Consider this my resolve face. It used to get me a lot of things back in high school. Comprendo?”

Xander glared daggers through her, wishing Angel would show up and drag her out. No such luck. “Angel is so going to kick my ass if you get hurt,” he said with a huge sigh, running for the tunnel. Cordelia grinned and ran after him.

They slid down the dirt, each grasping at the other when another large shake caused them to stumble. “Willow!!” he yelled into the darkness. No answer.

With a growl of frustration Xander ran deeper in. Images of Willow flashed through his mind. Willow crying over a broken crayon. Willow getting picked on in school. Willow smiling sheepishly when her spell had caused everyone's hair to stand on end. Willow sobbing in his arms when she'd tried to take over the world. Willow laying under a huge stone, crushed as she'd gone back for one final thing.

Xander sped up his run, his lungs burning. His eyes desperately scanned the darkness, looking for the tell-tale hair. He slid around the corner, then froze.

Willow was kneeling on the ground, tears streaming down her face. Her body was wracked with sobs, and her hand was holding a limp, lifeless one in hers. Kennedy.

“Merciful Zeus,” he breathed, swallowing and hanging his head. He'd known the death toll would hurt, but if anyone would've gotten out, he would've thought it had been her.

He heard Cordelia gasp softly behind him, before she went over to Willow. She crouched beside her, carefully wrapping her arms around the crying woman. Xander leaned down and slowly placed his fingers against Kennedy's neck. No pulse. From her shirt, he could see blood flowing through.

“She's gone, Wills,” he whispered, rising and reaching over to his friend. “We've gotta go.”

Cordelia and Xander began to pull her up, but Willow let out a whimper and pulled herself away. “No, I can't...can't leave her, Xander. I can't leave her...” she choked out, reaching out to brush strands of hair from the dead girl's face.

“Willow, sweetie, we have to go,” Cordelia said softly but firmly. “We don't have time anymore. If we don't get out now, we never will. Sunnydale's going down. I know you don't want to go with it. Kennedy wouldn't have wanted you to. Tara doesn't want you to. Okay?”

When Willow didn't respond, Cordelia pressed her lips together and began pulling Willow to her feet. Willow tried to fight her, but Cordelia stayed firm, her grip tight on the witch. “No, I'm not...Cordelia, let me go, I have to...”

The struggling stopped as both women turned to Xander. As they'd argued, he'd bent down, carefully picking the fallen Slayer into his arms. Once he was sure she was secure, he turned to Willow and Cordelia. Cordelia gave him a tiny smile of resignation, and Willow gave him one of gratitude. “Who's ready to get out of here?” he asked.

Willow sniffled and nodded. “Cordy, lead the way,” Xander ordered, trying not to think of the girl in his arms. Cordelia bit her lip but headed for the exit, with the two Scoobies following.

“Everybody on, now!” Faith bellowed, shooing the girls inside. Anya glanced back at the school, frowning. Had she missed Xander coming out? She knew he wouldn't leave Willow behind, and she hadn't seen the redhead yet.

A few girls came streaming out, followed closely by Tara. “Get on!” Tara shouted, grabbing Anya's arm and pushing her in. Anya heaved a sigh of relief. The bus was so crowded, she couldn't see if Xander or Willow was on. She couldn't really see anyone, it was so full.

But if Tara was on, then so was Willow. And that meant Xander was on, too. Tara wouldn't leave without Willow. So somewhere they were on the bus, helping the wounded. Which was what she should be doing.

A tug on her sleeve caused her to turn to a wide eyed and crying Jillian. “M'scared,” she whimpered. Anya bent down, pulling the child into her arms. Jillian sniffled and buried her head in Anya's neck.

“It'll be okay,” Anya said soothingly. “We made it, you know. We all made it out.”

She never saw Giles shudder and close his eyes, a look of self-loathing on his face. She did hear the doors close, and she felt the rumble of the ground shaking as they pulled away.

She glanced over at Tara and smiled. She heard Spike curse, and she closed her eyes with an even bigger smile. Everyone was out, then.

A few minutes later, the bus slid to a halt outside of Sunnydale. The ground gave an occasional shake here and there, but mostly it just felt like a buzzing beneath them. They were out.

“We really made it,” Fred breathed. “Wow. I just...wow.”

The others began to giggle with relief and spread congratulations. “Great driving,” Faith told Giles, slapping him on the shoulder with a grin. Giles' eyes were staring at the steering wheel, silent. Anya frowned. What did he have to be upset about?

“Giles?” she asked, knowing her ever present bluntness would be a good tactic to use now. “What's wrong?”

Before Giles could answer, Tara's soft voice was heard above the din. “Where's Willow?”

Anya froze, turning to stare at her. “I got on because I thought you wouldn't leave without her. Xander wouldn't, either.”

Tara's face turned white. “That's what I was thinking,” she whispered.

The bus was silent.

Chapter 81:

From the back, a slightly hysterical Fred suddenly asked, “Where's Cordy?”

“She's not here either?” Angel asked, staring at his co-worker with a stunned look on his face.

Fred shook her head, looking ready to burst into tears.

“Where's my sister?”

Dawn's voice had a dangerous edge to it, like someone that had seen too much grief and this was their new way of handling it. Anya didn't want to look at Spike, but she had to...

Spike was staring into nothing, fists clenched beside him. Then he blinked, turning to Giles with a dropped jaw. “You knew,” he breathed.

Anya's head whipped around to Giles, and suddenly the self-loathing had a very obvious reason. “You didn't,” she said, shock coloring her voice.

“Giles, how could...” Dawn started, but he cut her off.

“Do you really think it was easy?” Giles exploded, tears in his eyes. “She asked me a few nights ago to make sure you and Spike got out, and if I was to leave her behind then so be it. Xander and Willow also said to leave without them, if need be.”

“But she was out,” Spike said, his lower lip trembling. “I saw her, I...”

“Did you?” Giles asked softly. Spike began to reply, then stopped, tears flowing down his face. “I'm sorry, Spike.”

“NO!” Spike roared, jumping up and running down to the end of the bus. He had the emergency door open before Angel could grab him, and he was running out into the cloudy weather, heading straight for Sunnydale.

He hadn't even passed the sign when the ground shook, sending him to his knees. The bus rocked from the force of the shaking, and several of the girls whimpered. Dawn and Faith were running out to stop Spike, telling him it was too late, but Anya tuned them out.

She'd left Xander behind. She'd left him behind.

The ground shook, causing Buffy to blearily open her eyes. She'd sneaked around Spike while they were all running out, had gone back for someone who had fallen, and then...black. All she could remember.

She pulled herself up, then promptly found herself back on the ground again. Glancing down at herself, she found a huge amount of blood pooling from her middle. Oh. That would explain the dizziness then.

She tried standing again, this time being much more careful about it. Hoping another shake wouldn't come along and jostle her precarious standing point, she glanced around the mouth of the cave. The person she'd seen fall...she couldn't remember who it was now. Dark hair, and that was it. A she, Buffy knew that much. But things were really muddled, and it was more than could be accounted for from her stomach wound.

She blinked, then blinked again as blood dripped into her vision. She followed the trail up to the top of her skull, and just at the back, she could feel a huge, swelling lump of liquidy blood. Wonderful.

She wasn't staying long enough to see if she had a concussion. She could sort that out on the bus.

Slowly but surely she made her way up to the surface.

They were halfway out to the parking lot when the ground shook, sending the girls to their knees and Xander up against a wall. “Move!” he yelled, and they ran faster, out to the parking lot.

The parking lot that was empty of any sort of bus.

They stared, before Cordelia shook it off. “I'm just hoping they got out,” she said softly.

Willow nodded, her face falling. Her cheeks were tear stained, and her eyes were puffy red. “I'm...I'm sorry guys. For making you go back.”

Gently Xander reached out with his hand from underneath Kennedy. “Don't be. I would never leave you behind.”

“Did you send Tara ahead?” Willow asked.

Xander nodded. “She said she'd take Anya with her, so that's covered. I know I saw Dawn running out with Jonathan, and Angel grabbed Spike and hauled him in, so...they're out at least.”

The three friends stood and smiled at each other, and the building rumbled once more. They didn't really mind. “You know, I can't think of a better group of people to go down with,” Xander said.

Willow managed a smile. “Me neither.”

“Think they'll ever forgive us for staying behind?” Cordelia asked.

“In a century or two,” Xander replied immediately, and the two once lovers shared a grin.

“How about them not having to forgive us at all?” Willow said suddenly, and the others glanced over to where she was pointing. Not too far off, a lone car was parked in front of the school.

There was a pause. “No keys,” Cordelia pointed out, but she sounded hopeful.

“Don't need 'em,” Willow said firmly. “Get me near the thing, and I'll have it unlocked and running in a jiffy. Someone's gonna have to drive, though. I can't do that. Normally, not a problem, but I'm still coming off that doozy of a spell, which,” she said, her face lighting into a goofy grin, “was very, very fun.”

“Then let's move out,” Xander said, and the three headed for the car.

Everything was a blur. The building kept rumbling, worse each time, and she could barely see in front of her. And everything throbbed.

She managed to get to the surface, and was surprised that she still had the scythe in hand. At least she hadn't lost her new toy, though she briefly wondered where the rocket launcher had gone.

She could see the exit doors when the big one hit.

Dawn shrieked as the ground beneath them began to rumble, and Spike could've sworn he saw the damn dirt ripple. “Back up!” Angel ordered, and the girls that had gathered around the town's outskirts did so.

The only ones who didn't were Spike, Tara, and Anya. They remained at the edge, staring off into the distance of Sunnydale, miserably wishing they could go back in.

There was no way they'd be able to turn the bus around in time, though. Giles had already tried, saying that though he'd promised Buffy he would get Dawn and Spike out, that didn't mean he wouldn't go back for her when he'd done so. The bus, however, had a turning radius like the Titanic. And the road wasn't very wide to start with.

Tara took his right hand, and Anya his left. He gave them both tiny squeezes, and the three friends simply waited for the end, trying not to think about the people they'd unintentionally left behind.

Xander was in there. Willow was in there. The cheerleader was in there. And Buffy...

Spike closed his eyes, tears falling down his face. One by one they hit the dirt below, making tiny little pools in the sand. He'd left her. He'd just left her. There were no words for how much he hated himself. Everything, the whole year...all of it a waste now.

He'd known it could happen. Known it probably would happen. But he'd wanted it to happen to him, not her. She didn't deserve this. Didn't deserve to go down again. Fuck, Buffy, I'm...

“Luv, I'm sorry,” he whispered brokenly.

Then Tara and Anya had him in their arms, and the three cried softly together.

“You gonna be okay with driving?” Cordelia asked.

Xander swallowed. “Sure, why not? I just have no depth perception at the moment, but what the hell...”

Willow was in the back seat, gently running her fingers through Kennedy's dirty hair. Fresh tears had started, but she'd done her best to keep them at bay. When they landed on Kennedy's face, she tenderly wiped them away.

If Tara ever died, Cordelia did not want to see Willow at that time.

The car started up, and slowly Xander began to move it. He looked nervous, but after a little bit he was back in the swing of things. He slowed the car down and prepared to take a left out of the parking lot.

“Did you see Buffy get out?”

Xander applied the brakes so fast Cordelia lurched forward. She wasn't complaining, though: she was wracking her mind to think of when she'd seen the blonde Slayer leave. Enter, sure. She remembered that.

But she'd never seen her leave.

“I'm not leaving her,” Willow stated, reaching for the door. Xander started the car up again, slamming them all back into their seats.

“One time around the school, keep your eyes peeled for her,” he said, pressing his lips together. When Cordelia gave him a look, he smiled sadly. “I'm not leaving her either.”

Cordelia gripped his arm, glancing around the area. Fallen trees already, and the school was a mess. Doors were smashed, windows were broken, and there were several bonfires she'd never noticed before. She wasn't sure if that was the work of the students or of the Bringers.

But no sign of Buffy.

He went around one time completely, and Cordelia could hear Willow softly crying in the backseat. “Go,” she whispered anyways, and with tears glittering in his own eye Xander turned out of the parking lot, away from the Hellmouth. Cordelia continued to glance out the back window, hoping that somehow, Buffy had already gotten out.

The shaking worsened, sending the car almost into a building. Xander tightened his lips and pressed down further on the gas pedal.

Buffy was gasping by the time she made it to the doors. The pain in her head caused it to throb, to the point that everything moved, whether she did or not. Her stomach felt as if it were closing in on itself, and for a few moments she couldn't breathe. She'd been hurt before. She'd died before. But it had never really hurt like this.

She whimpered, feeling tears rise to her eyes. The building shook once more, and she stumbled into the wall. She felt like laying down and dying, not even caring anymore. It was better on high. No more pain, and her head would stop throbbing so much. No more...

“Spike,” she breathed, before pinching her lips together and continuing outside. She had to know if he was out. She had to. He would've taken Dawn with him, she knew, but had he even gotten out in the first place?

The bus wasn't there. She would've breathed a sigh of relief if she hadn't seen a tiny blue car driving away. Wait a minute. Who the hell was left in Sunnydale to...

Willow's soft voice came straight through to her. She sounded tired and her voice, even in her head, was hoarse. As if she'd been crying. Oh please, not Tara, not Tara...

The voice was more urgent this time. “Um, in front of the school?” Buffy said out loud, then winced and clutched at her stomach. So tired... “Did Spike get out?”

“Keep going; I'm not leaving without him,” Buffy said through gritted teeth. “I'll find him, I'll...”

The look from her memories surfaced: the look of horror, of grief, that passed his face every time he thought about when she'd died. How, even after all this time, he still blamed himself for it. She hated that he felt that way.

“Keep going,” Buffy said, stepping forward.

“Going to wait for me by the Bronze,” she said, breaking into a run. “I'll catch up with you guys there. Don't waste time coming back for me.”

The ground rumbled, but Buffy jammed the scythe's end into the ground, and when the rumbling subsided, she began to run. The pain hit her body like hot pokers running up into her skull, her arms, her legs, but she didn't stop.

Buffy gritted her teeth but pushed herself to a faster speed. She'd made a vow, a sacred promise to Spike. She wasn't leaving him.

Chapter 82:

Tara could feel the dust whipping into her eyes, and more tears ran down her face. It wasn't fair. She'd fought so hard to keep Wills safe, almost surrendered herself to darkness for it, and she was going to lose her anyways. It just wasn't fair.

Behind her, she could hear Jennifer sniffling at having lost someone so close to her again. Anya stood beside her, holding a softly crying Jillian. Anya was silent, much like she had been when Xander had 'died' before. Her eyes were blank and unseeing as she continued to stare out into the city of Sunnydale.

Spike hadn't moved in much too long. He was also staring out at the city in front of him, but he had an awareness about him. He looked ready to burst into sobbing one minute, then anger and rage the next. Tara kept an eye on his feet, to see if he would attempt a 'rescue'. She'd stop him, for Buffy and Dawn's sakes.

Suddenly Dawn gasped, running forward. Okay, maybe she'd have to worry about her attempting something, too. As Tara AND Spike darted forward to stop her, Dawn stopped herself, pointing with a shaky hand out into Sunnydale. “Look!” she yelled. “Coming down the main road!”

Tara squinted, wiping the tears from her face and eyes to peer down into the city. Her eyes widened as she caught sight of something blue moving through the streets. A car. Which meant someone was driving it. And the only people left were...

For the first time in what seemed years, Tara began to hope. They could make it. Everything was going to be okay again. From the corner of her eye, she saw Spike slowly smile, and Anya rushed forward with Jillian and Jennifer. “What's going on?” Angel asked, heading forward as well. Soon the entire group was clustered around the edge of the city.

Tara let out a choked laugh. “See that blue speck getting closer?” she asked, pointing at it. “That's...”

The ground rumbled, sending everyone to their knees. They waited for the rumbling to pass, but Tara only felt the rumbling getting louder. She placed her hand palm down against the ground and closer her eyes. The ground felt hot and angry, as if it was sick and had to get rid of something. Something that shouldn't be there. The whole earth seemed to sing in agreement, and as one being it surged up to swallow the Hellmouth whole, to wipe it from its face.

Which meant...

“NO!” Tara screamed, jumping up and running up to the edge, despite the shaking that threatened to jumble her bones to pieces.

“Tara!” Spike roared, running forward and grabbing her arm. “You have to get...”

Then the middle of Sunnydale crumbled into the ground.

Xander had been driving along, almost at the Bronze when something had come down on the roof. Hard. He'd yelped, almost jerking the car, but Willow had told him it was Buffy playing catch up, and to keep going. So he had, telling her he'd have appreciated a warning. His heart had still felt a hell of a lot lighter knowing he wasn't leaving one of his best friends for dead.

Then the ground rumbled, and he almost lost control of the car. “It'll stop,” Cordelia began, but Willow's tremulous voice cut her off.

“Not this time,” the redhead whispered.

Xander glanced in the rear-view mirror just in time to see the High School get swallowed into the ground. There was no better word for it. The earth just simply crumbled away like sand in an hourglass, and with a mighty groan the building toppled in. “Holy fuck,” Xander breathed.

It didn't stop there. It continued out, taking down buildings, cars, houses, anything in its path. The Hellmouth was finally being taken care of, and it was going a little too fast for Xander's tastes.

Apparently for Buffy's too, because Willow said, “You might want to hurry up, Buffy said. Pedal to the metal and all that.”

Xander grimaced. At higher speeds, it wasn't as easy to control, but he had no choice: death was on their heels trying to drag them down into a literal Hell.

No thank you.

“Then tell her to hold on tight,” Xander said, slamming his foot down on the accelerator. The car jerked once, then rose to the challenge.

“They're not gonna make it,” Chloe said, but she didn't look fearful. She looked pissed off.

“Yes they will!” Cassie argued, but even she looked doubtful.

Dawn didn't care. “Come on!” she screamed, watching as the car came closer and closer to the finish line. The destruction behind it was magnificent, taking everything down with it. Everything that included...

She gasped and jerked forward. “They'll be fine,” Faith said, grabbing her arm.

Dawn shook her head. “You don't understand,” she said tearfully.

Buffy came to the same conclusion around the same time Dawn did. By now, Revello Drive was a distant memory in a mass grave of buildings and streets. The cemeteries would be swallowed up too, and Buffy tightened her grip on the top of the car, wishing she could've done something about...

“Mom,” she whispered, closing her eyes. Jenny Calendar. Kendra. Her mom. All the innocents. It just wasn't fair.

When she opened her eyes, she had to whip her head away before a stray piece of cement caught it. The destruction was almost on them. “Come on, come on, come...” she began to whisper.

“...on, come on, come on...” Spike whispered, watching the car get closer and closer. It was out of the buildings now, racing down the street towards them. They should've been safe.

The destruction didn't stop there. It continued on, cracking the ground all the way to the entrance sign for the city. Right underneath the car.

“NO!!” he screamed, and the cry was made louder as everyone's voices joined his. The ground underneath the car disappeared, and it tumbled into the earth.

He stared, wondering how fate could be so cruel. They'd been right there, almost had made it, and then to take them, take her, was just...

One last rumble was heard, but it wasn't the earthquake. Spike watched as the car sailed up and over the ragged edge, landing front wheels first on the road. It skidded to a halt in front of the wide-eyed group, the front end of the car smoking slightly.

No one moved for a long time. Then a groan was heard, and the top of the car moved. Dirty, wind-blown, blonde...Buffy! Spike slowly began to run.

He knew Anya and Tara and Angel and everyone else was behind him, but he didn't care. His eyes were locked on the car, Willow in the back looking shocked, Cordelia blinking in the front, Xander at the wheel, and his beautiful Buffy on top.

Xander slowly stepped out just as Spike made it to the car. “Nice drivin',” he said, and Xander gave him a wan grin, before letting himself be swallowed up by Anya's hug. Jennifer and Jillian weren't far behind in joining her.

Tara ran around, but Willow was already headed towards her. Her eyes were almost as red as her hair, and her smile kept trembling, the corners eventually turning down as she started to sob. Tara looked bewildered but took her in her arms, just happy to have her girl.

Cordelia slid out of the car and straight into Angel's waiting arms, where he picked her up and spun her around. Then Spike didn't care anymore, because Buffy's eyes were finally on his. They gazed at each other for a few moments, before she smiled weakly. “You owe me a honeymoon,” she said hoarsely.

He let out a choked sob and reached up to bring her down. “Bloody hell Buffy...” he gasped, pulling her close with tears in his eyes. He'd almost lost her again. Too close.

“I couldn't leave you again,” she whispered into his ear. “I made a promise. I'm not going anywhere.”

Giles stepped over, and they parted just enough for the ex-Watcher to give his charge a stern glance. “If you ever, ever ask that of me again, so help me, I'll make sure you're tied to the bus,” he said, his voice wavering. Buffy sniffled and giggled, and reached an arm out to hug her father.

“I'm sorry I asked it,” she said, biting her lower lip. “I won't again. Promise.”

“Please make sure you don't,” Giles said, blinking his eyes rapidly.

Then Dawn was there, Giles scooting out of the way to see to his other 'children' while she collected a hug from her sister. “You do that again, and I'm telling,” she said, a watery grin on her lips.

Buffy rolled her eyes, and Spike finally allowed himself to laugh as he held her close. He glanced around, satisfied that he had everyone.

Not too far off he could hear Xander saying softly, “Jenny, you and Jilly have nowhere to go after this. And frankly, even if that wasn't the case, we'd still ask you. We...we want to start our family, and we want you two in it.”

He could feel Buffy's smile against his neck before they both turned in time to see Jennifer's jaw drop. “Y-You mean...adopt?” she croaked.

Jillian's smile was wide and matched her huge eyes. “If not that, then fostering,” Anya said, smiling. “I really like the two of you around. I wouldn't mind having daughters like these.”

With a squeal that made Spike's ears hurt, Jillian darted forward, tackling Xander and Anya's legs together. Jennifer moved more slowly, but the grin on her face was just as wide. Xander's arms opened, and she dove in, squeezing with all of her Slayer strength.

“Sweetie, I'm fine, you're fine. Is it...is it shock? I just...I hate seeing you cry, and I can't figure out why you would...”

Tara's quiet voice reached his ears, and Spike turned to see her gazing helplessly at the still crying witch in her arms. “What happened?” he asked softly.

Willow turned to him, and from the corner of his eye Spike saw the smiles on Cordelia and Xander's faces fall. “I...I didn't see h-her come out, so I...I w-went back in, and they f-followed me and took h-her back...” Willow choked out, before finally burying herself in Tara's arms. Tara frowned and glanced around into the still open car. She froze, swallowed convulsively, and Spike saw tears gather in her eyes. She held Willow close, and Spike suddenly didn't need to ask who it was in the backseat.

“Would've thought Kennedy'd make it out,” Spike said, sighing.

“I saw one of them trip, so I backtracked in the tunnel,” Buffy said quietly. “I think...I think it was Kennedy I saw. I don't know. It got...got hazy.”

Spike glanced down to comfort her as she spoke haltingly, but he didn't see grief on her face like he'd expected. He did see a lot of pain, though, and for the first time, the smell of blood permeated his senses. Brushing aside her hair, he was able to see that the dirt was also mixed in with a lot of blood, most of it coming from the back of her head. A blood scent also caused him to look down, and he stared as blood oozed out of her shirt, rolling down her jeans, staining the front of them a dark red.

“Oh,” he heard her say faintly, and he glanced up in time to see her pale. “No wonder it hurt so much. Looked a lot better in the dark,” she said, as if in a daze, right before her eyelids fluttered and she slumped against Spike. His arms wrapped around her, catching her before she hit the ground. She mumbled into his chest, but he couldn't make out the words.

“We done here?” Angel called, arm still around Cordelia.

“You don't wanna stare at the mess we made?” Faith teased, coming around towards him. “You seem in an awful hurry to get...oh,” she said, her smiling fading when she caught sight of Buffy. “Shit,” she mumbled. “Okay, yeah, we need to find a hospital.”

“Everyone onboard,” Xander called, giving Anya a brief kiss before heading around to pull Kennedy from the car. Spike carefully lifted Buffy into his arms, hurrying towards the bus. After some serious stitching and lots of bed rest, she'd be fine. She probably had a concussion of some sort, but they'd deal with it.

As the others helped bandage her, Spike held her tight, never letting go. His eyes roamed around the bus, seeing friends and couples and a new family in the midst. There'd been heavy casualties, and the reminder of that was lying in the back of the bus, covered with a blanket.

But they'd made it.

Willow and Xander glanced over at him, and they gave him tired smiles. He returned it, then reached down and took Buffy's hand in his. He could faintly feel the thrum of her pulse through his own hand, and it reassured him that she'd be fine. “We made it,” he whispered, then smiled. Weakly she smiled back at him.

From here on out, there were no more clues about the future. No more hints, no more time spells. For everything else, they were on their own.

But they had each other now. Their friendships were stronger, their love was visible. They didn't need time spells anymore. So the future was a great big unknown.

They had everyone they needed to face it and win.

< --- >

I send my thanks out to the readers that stuck with me for this journey. I loved every single moment of writing this, and I've loved all of your fb you've sent my way. Thank you so much for all of your comments, your support, and your love for the story. I hope you've enjoyed this as much as I have.

~Nebula