Everyone stared at Buffy like she had grown another head after she had told of her idea.

"You can't be serious Buffy? Do know what something like that would entail. We wouldn't stand a chance." Giles was the first one to speak up.

"I've got to agree with Giles on this one Buff. It's insane. No way we could do that and survive." Xander said seconds after Giles had spoken.

Willow just looked at Buffy with a frown, but didn't say anything.

Faith looked like she was thinking about it, but hadn't formed a response yet.

Zaaron on the other hand had nodded his head in agreement.

Giles smiled when Buffy turned back to face him.

"I think it's positively brilliant."Giles said meeting Buffys eyes.

Willow sat down quickly on the couch as worry and fear stretched accross her features.

"Think we can really do this?" Faith said quietly looking at Buffy intently.

"I do."Buffy said giving Faith an encouraging smile.

"Okay you've all gone off the deep end. You're talking about going into the hell mouth. Not just fighting above it like we've done the last seven years. Buffy you died up here twice fighting , remember. Down there, we have nothing, not even the sun. We won't get very far." Xander said trying to discuss the situation reasonably.

"I agree. I don't think we should go down there." Anya piped up coming to stand beside Xander.

"You won't be coming." Buffy said looking at Xander and Anya. "Sorry Giles." Buffy added quietly.

"What do you mean we won't be coming?" Xander said stunned. "I figured, say my peice, grab a weapon and follow you down. That's the way it always works."

"What do you mean I won't be there?" Giles said coming to stand in front of Buffy.

"Not this time Xander." Buffy said before turning to Giles. "You're going to be needed up here. Outside the hell mouth. If we fail, and they get past us, it's up to you to stop them. I'm counting on you." Buffy said as Giles nodded his head looking down. "All of you." Buffy said looking to Xander and Anya.

Xander let out a deep breath and nodded in agreement.

"Who else is going with you?" Giles asked quietly.

"I'll be there watcher. Won't have Buffy go off keeping all the fun to herself." Spike replied as he came up and wrapped his arms around Buffy from behind.

"I'll go. In all the centuries I've been on this earth, this is one thing I've never done. Wouldn't be right if I let the opportunity pass by and not join in. Then after the fight, I can honestly say I've been to hell and back, and it would be true." Zaaron said smiling as he looked at Buffy and Spike.

"Thought you might." Spike said chuckling under his breath.

"Count me in B. Can't let you have all the glory can I." Faith said smirking.

"Thank you Faith. I had hoped you would come. Can't pull this off with out you." Buffy replied with a smile laced with sadness.

"Willow.................. We're gonna need you too." Buffy said quietly looking as Willow face went a little whiter.

"Why Willow? I thought she was staying with us up here." Xander said worriedly.

"No." Buffy whispered as a tear slipped down her cheek. "We're gonna need her down there with us." Buffy got out before her throat closed.

Giles closed his eyes and sat down quickly before his knees gave out, cradling his head in his hands.

Willow looked at Rupert then looked at Buffy. Willow saw Buffy wipe away her tears quickly , her features becoming unreadable. Willow knew Buffy was doing what she thought was right. Trying to protect the ones who weren't strong enough to go into the mouth of hell and have a chance at survival.

Willow stood up and walked over to stand beside Giles, bringer her hand over to rest on his head gently moving it, so his head leaned against her abdomen as she ran her finger through his hair. A tear slipped down her cheek as she looked back up to Buffy and sadly smiled, giving Buffy her answer.

Buffy nodded at Willow both staring into each others eyes in understanding.

"No. Buffy you can't let Willow go down there." Xander said quickly as he started pacing.

"She's not letting me." Willow said looking at Xander as another tear fell. "I'm volunteering."

"Willow.........no you can't." Xander said as his voice began to give away.

"Xander......I'm no different than you. If Buffy had asked you, you would have gone, no matter what the price. I have to do this. You know I do." Willow said quietly.

"What if..................what if it goes wrong. Really wrong. I'll never see you again. Or you Buffy. You two are my best friends. My family." Xander said with a lost expression on his face.

"If it goes wrong, and we don't make it out, then it's up to you. Or none of us will survive. If we stop it and still don't make it out, then we did what we set out to do. We won." Buffy replied honestly.

"You're talking about your own death like it's nothing. About our deaths." Xander replied.

"Not like I haven't died before." Buffy said smiling sadly. "But it's something we have to face. We've been staring death in the face for seven years. He's there.....waiting...for us to fail. I for one don't plan on giving him what he wants. But If I don't make it out, I'll make sure the First doesn't either." Buffy replied matter of factly. "This is my job Xander. This is Faiths job. You've gone out on patrol many times. Any one of those night, if I was off on my game, just by a second I'd be dead. Everyday I face the fact it could be my last. It's not idle conversation or morbid thought. It's a fact. But I'm telling you now, if I make it through this, If I survive. I'm done. I won't do this anymore." Buffy said leaning against Spike.

"Surely you can't mean that Buffy." Giles replied suprised.

"I can.......and I do. I quit." Buffy said ending the discussion.

"Buffy you can't..........." Xander started speaking.

"Yes......she can." Spike said abruptly looking at Xander. "She's given her life to this more than once. Said so yourself. Time for her to have a life when this is over."

"Spike and I should go see Verik, tell him what's going on." Zaaron said grabbing his jacket and shrugging it on.

Spike placed a kiss on Buffys neck then moved away shrugging on his jacket as well.

"Want us to come with?" Faith asked as she reached for her jacket.

"No, you stay here, talk things out. We'll let you know what happened when we get back." Spike said as he and Zaaron covered themselves and bolted out the front door and into the sewers.

Faith dropped her jacket back on the chair and remained standing.

"We're gonna need weapons. Xander.........you think you can get us some?" Buffy asked turning back to face him.

"I can go to the base. See what I can scare up." Xander said as he grabbed his keys and jacket.

"When are you planning on doing this?" Giles asked standing and putting his glasses back on.

"Soon." Was all Buffy said.

"I for one am glad I'm not going." Anya said as she took a drink of her coffee. "What?" Anya said when everyone turned to look at her.

"I'm just saying the truth. I would serve no useful purpose there. I have no slayer strength, no magical abilities." Anya said truthfully.

"You're going to be helping Willow prepare spells, potions, whatever we can use. Help make weapons if we don't have enough. Trust me Anya..... we need you too." Buffy said.

So any ideas how we're gonna start this thing?" Faith asked sitting in the chair.

"Well I thought we could all come up with some ideas. Anya, you were a Vengence demon for over a thousand years, you've gotta have some good ideas. Giles, you know startegy. Willow anything we need to know, you can find out." Buffy said taking the chair accross from Faith.

"What are you two doing?" Anya asked looking at Buffy and Faith.

"Listening to all your ideas. Listening to the ideas later at the meeting. Taking what we can use, tossing the rest. Putting it into action. Figuring out what we can do, what we can't. Coming out alive." Buffy replied.

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

Spike lifted the sewer cover in the darkened alley, climbing out. Zaaron climbing out seconds behind him.

They stopped at the door, they're senses going wild.

"Blood. Lot's of it."Zaaron said moving slowly to open the door.

Spike and Zaaron made their way quietly through the bar. Tab;es and chairs upturned, smashed to peices. Broken glass littering the floor.

Spike stepped over the bodies as he went towards the backroom.

Zaaron folled behind cautiously.

"Heartbeat, very faint." Spike said whispering as he opened the door.

Spike wandered through the room. The council leaders bodies were strewn about the room.

Spike made his way to Derclon who was laying face down in a pool of blood.

Spike rolled him over carefully, hearing his laboured breath. Spike saw the blood seeping out his stomach and chest.

"What happened?"Zaaron asked as he squated down beside Spike.

"No warning. Came out of no where. Too many. Couldn't beat ......... too many ....... kept coming. Verik...... " Derclon said as he took his last breath.

Spike stood and looked at what remained of Verik and the others. None had survived.

Spike raked his fingers through his hair. "Now what?"he said quietly.

"Let's find Paul." Zaaron said as he turned and scanned the bodies.

"Who?" Spike asked confused as to who Paul was.

"Paul was part of Kyle's group. Like a second in command." Zaaron stated as he started walking for the door.

Spike took a last look the followed in Zaarons footsteps.

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

Xander climbed out of his truck when he pulled into the army base.

The building were almost destroyed completely. The men obviously already left. Or never made it out. Xander thought as his eyes landed on a bodies, everywhere. As he got closer the pungent odour assailed his senses, making his eyes water.

Xander checked all the buildings for any survivors. He found none.

He went to the building where the weapons were kept, hoping they hadn't been taken or destroyed.

Xander walked into the building fearing the worst.

"Oh my god." Xander said as he smiled.

Some weapons were scattered about, no longer any good. But the weapons Xander was after were left unnoticed during the attack.

Xander grabbed only took a few odds and ends, before returning to his truck and leaving.

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

Xander pulled up turning off the engine quickly. He grabbed what he had taken and jumped out of the truck, and went straight into the house.

"I'm back." He yelled as he closed the front door.

"Find anything?" Buffy asked as she saw Xander coming into the dining room.

"You could say that." Xander smiled as he set the box on the counter.

Buffy and Faith smiled.

"Please tell me this isn't all we got."Faith said shaking her head.

"Would a truck load be enough for ya." Xander replied.

"Hell ya." Faith laughed as she picked one item out of the box and looked at it more closely.

Xander told everyone what he had found at the base, and about the soldiers who weren't so lucky.

"It's been there safe so far. I figure we'll bring back what we need when we need it. It's all there Buff."Xander said.

"Great. Now that we know about that, we just have to wait and find out how many are coming with us." Buffy said looking into the box.

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

Zaaron and Spike sat at the sewer access tunnel entrance waiting the last few minutes before sunset. Paul and what remained of the vampires had taken the caves by the cliffs as a refuge.

When they watched the sun almost fully disappear to wear it was withing safe levels they left making their way up to the caves quickly.

When they walked in Zaaron went directly over to Paul and clapped him on the back in greeting.

"You hear about Verik? About the council?" Paul asked dropping his head exhaustedly.

"We found them." Spike said as he sat on a rock beside Paul.

"Are you and your men willing to fight with us?" Spike added cutting to the chase.

Paul nodded. "I will. The men will answer for themselves." Paul replied.

"Fair enough." Zaaron replied. "Could you gather them for us?"

"They're gathered." Paul replied the look of defeat on his face.

Spike and Zaaron turned and looked disbeleivingly around the cave.

"Did they all leave?" Spike asked but already knowing the answer as his stomach clenched.

"No." Paul said quietly. "None of them left. Some were at Veriks for a meeting. They were to inform us of anything, changes, news and such. Only Tom made it back. We came under attack, demons charging through the entrance, some coming up from the depths of the caves. We're all that's left."

Spike looked at the very small handful of men standing around the cave, tired, dejected ready to give up.

"Look." Spike satrted, addressing everyone. "We're waging war, we're not going to wait for it to come to us. We're taking the fight to them. We're going into the hell mouth and fighting them there. Beat them on their own ground. Are you in?"Spike asked looking at everyone. "You can join us, maybe die. You can stay up here, if we lose you'll die anyway. Your choice how you die. Wait to long, you may have no choice." Spike finished waiting for their reply.

Paul stood beside Zaaron and Spike, watching and waiting for his men to come to their decision.

"I'd rather decide when and how I'm going out. If I go, I'll take as many of those bastards with that I can. I'll go down fighting."Tom said coming to stand behind Paul.

It took really no time at all for them to decide to join them. They were all thinking along the same lines as Tom.

"It's not safe for you here. They already attacked." Zaaron said.

"He's right. All of you come with us." Spike said as He and Zaaron led the nine remaining vampires from the cave.

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

Spike and Zaaron entered the house a cut and bleeding, having run into a small gaggle of demons on their way through the cemetary, losing three of their own in the fight.

Paul was overpowered by two demons, when they got him to the ground, they had brought a boulder down on him crushing his skull. James was killed quickly when he was shoved into a tree branch, peircing his heart, what remained of him, blew away with the wind. Deren had a wooden spear shoved through his chest from behind. The spear hadn't hit his heart, but the demon quickly broke the spear, grabbed the part still in his chest and shoving it up into further into James chest, where splinters broke off, entering his heart.

Leadership had now fallen on the shoulders of Tom.

The six vampires that were now left waited at the door not being able to cross the barrier.

"Buffy." Spike said quietly coming into the dining room where they were all converged. "Can I see you for a minute."

Buffy got up and walked over to Spike.

"Brought the troops. But they need an invite luv." Spike said quietly as he led Buffy to the door.

"Come in." Buffy said as she came near the entrance way.

Buffy stood watching Spikes grim face. Then she turned her attention to the vampires entering the house. Buffy face fell slightly when she saw the door close after the sixth one came through.

"Zaaron, take them downstairs. They look like they could use some rest." Buffy said quietly.

Zaaron let them downstairs as they nodded appreciatively to Buffy. Buffy smiled in return. But her smile disappeared when they were out of sight as she turned back to Spike.

"They're all that's left Buffy." Spike said as he raked his fingers through his hair and leaned against the wall, closing his eyes.

Buffy looked back to the basement door. "What happened? They're were so many of them.?" Buffy asked as she turned to look at him.

"They were attacked. Verik, the council. It's all gone. They were attacked almost at the same time. There was only nine left when we got there. Lost three on the way back here." Spike said quietly keeping his eyes closed.

"Come with me." Buffy whispered holding out her hand.

Spike grasped her hand squeezing it tightly as his eyes met hers.

Buffy pulled an exhausted Spike to the dining room. Zaaron had already returned and taken his seat next to Faith. By the grim looks on everyone faces, Zaaron had already told them.

"So you all know." Buffy said quietly.

They all nodded their heads but remained silent.

"We can't do it now Buffy. We don't have enough men." Xander finally said.

"Even if it ends up with just me, I'm still going." Buffy replied. "Xander.......You and Faith go to the base tomorrow. Bring back as much as you can. We go in tomorrow night. We're running out of time. They've already taken away all our allies. Watchers council, the wicca's, Demon council and now the vampires. Our last back up is Angel in L.A. if it gets past here. We're it, there is no more after us. If we don't do it now, there might not be a later." Buffy finished.

"She's right. It's now or never. I'd rather die trying, than die before I get the chance." Faith said.

"Everone get some rest, tomorrow is going to be a long day." Buffy said looking around the table before turning and going upstairs to her room, pulling a silent Spike behind her, closing the door.

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

"Tom and his men are in the basement. You and Anya can take the room upstairs or the dining room." Faith said to Xander.

"We're okay down here Faith , thanks for the offer." Xander replied quietly grabbing Anya's hand.

Everyone quietly got up and retreated to their rooms, to rest and prepare for what might be their last time seeing each other.

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

"Oh god. What am I doing? I'm going to get everyone killed Spike. What the hell was I thinking?" Buffy said as collapsed on the bed in a small panic attack.

"You're scared and worried. Wouldn't be human if you weren't. What you're doing is right Buffy. I can feel it. You don't need an army to win a war Buffy. Just a few well positioned men can bring a country to their knees. You're going to lead us down there, and we're going to win. I have no intention of dying. I've got too much too live for." Spike said smiling as he brushed the hair from her face.

Spike dipped his head and captured her lips in a passionate kiss, laying her down pinning her beneath him.

Buffy returned his kiss with just as much passion tangling her hands through his hair, deepening the kiss even more.

Buffys glistening body fell onto Spikes chest bonelessly, their breathing laboured.

Spike rolled her onto her side laying her head on his chest, carressing her gently.

Spike turned his face and kissed the top of her head causing Buffy to move in closer, hold him tighter.

"You should rest. Long day tomorrow." Spike whispered.

"No." Buffy whispered back, as her hand started carressing his chest.

"You need sleep. You won't be any good tomorrow if you're tired." Spike replied honestly.

"I'm scared Spike. What if it goes wrong. Really really wrong. What if we can't pull it off." Buffy thought out loud.

"We can and we will. We don't have any other choice. If we loose the world is done for. Peaches is the only back up, if he can't do it.......game over." Spike said as he ran his fingers through his hair.

"What you promised me....on the porch when the sun disappeared. You're going to do it right? If it happens?" Buffy asked quietly.

Spike remained silent for a moment as he closed his eyes.

"I remember. I told you I would. Never lie to you Buffy." Spike said as Buffy shifted to a sitting position.

"I know. But I also know it's not something you want to do either." Buffy said as she brought her hand up to carress his cheek.

"Not relishing the thought no. But I don't think I'll have to do it." Spike said as their eyes locked. "But I will if need be. What I told you in the room, I meant it, every word."

"I know." Buffy replied quietly as she closed her eyes.

"Sleep." Spike whispered as he pulled her down against him.

Spike was unable to sleep, as he heard Buffys breathing become even when she drifted into sleep.

He kept his arms around her tight, as he breathed in her scent.

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

"Xander, Faith, Giles and Anya, you take the truck to the school and start unloading all the weapons and take them to the seal. The rest of us will go through the sewers and meet you there." Buffy said athouritively.

"Xander, did you so what I asked you to do?" Buffy asked quickly.

Xander smiled widely. "All taken care of Buff." He said as he walked out the door.

"What did you ask him?" Spike asked.

"You'll see." Buffy said with a small smile as Tom and the rest came up from the basement brandishing their weapons.

"We're ready to head out Buffy." Tom said evenly.

"Good." Buffy replied as she looked over to Willow. "You ready?" Buffy asked quietly.

"No. Let's do it." Willow said giving Buffy an encouraging smile.

Buffy nodded as she opened the door walking to the sewer and lifting the lid followed by Willow.

Spike ran from the house diving into the sewer, quickly followed by the others.

Once they were down Buffy and Willow jumped in closing the lid behind them.

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

"Thought you weren't going to make it Buff." Xander said as he watched them come from the tunnel entrance in the basement.

"What and miss all this." Buffy replied. "Everything set?"

"Everything is where you said to put it." Faith replied as she looked from Buffy to Zaaron.

"Okay Will. Time for that spell now." Buffy replied.

Willow nodded as he began her incantation.

Spike, Zaaron and Tom looked around as they felt the power encircling them then throwing them back a few feet.

"What the bloddy hell was that?" Spike asked as he regained his footing.

"A protection spell. You're going to need it." Buffy replied quickly grabbing the fire hose as she started walking towards the seal.

"It's time." Buffy said as she laid the hose on the seal.

Willow grabbed a sword and a bag of hand granades as she went over to stand beside Buffy.

"Here Will. I'll take them down for you. I need you to do another spell before you come down. I'll put them by the entrance so you can get them quickly."

Willow agreed and handed Buffy her weapons. Spike looked at Buffy meeting her eyes but remained silent.

"What's the spell?" Willow asked as Buffy handed her the paper the spell was written on.

"It's a sheild and binding spell. Giles gave it to me lastnight." Buffy said looking to Zaaron who's head quickly turned to face her. Buffy shook her head and Zaaron nodded keeping silent.

"Okay, you all know what to do." Buffy said as she pulled out her knife.

They all cut their hands and let their blood fall on the seal.

The seal began to glow and open slowly revealing the hellmouth below.

"Take your positions." Buffy said to Giles, Anya and Xander.

They nodded and turned around leaving the basement going to their appointed stations.

"Let's get all of this stuff down there quickly before they notice our arrival." Zaaron said as they grabbed weapons and started their descent.

"Once we have everything down there, it's your turn." Buffy said quietly. She moved in slowly and gave Willow a hug. "Incase I can't say it later. Thank you.......for everything." Buffy whispered before pulling back.

Willow smiled returning Buffy sentiments.

"I'll see you in a few." Willow said.

Buffy just smiled sadly at Willow as she grabbed a bag and headed down.

After a few trips Buffy grabbed the last bag and started down.

She nodded giving Willow the okay to go ahead.

Willow nodded as she opened the paper.

Buffy stood under the opening as she watched and listened to Willow recite the spell.

Willow put the spell in her pocket as she started her descent.

Her brows wrinkled in confusion as she looked down at Buffy who was watching her.

The opening to the hell mouth was now sealed magically.

"I'm sorry Will. I couldn't take the chance." Buffy said sadly.

"Buffy No." Willow said as she pounded on the invisible barrier.

"The spell sealed any and all entrances down here. It's what Verik was working on when he died. Nothing can get out, no one can come down." Buffy said quietly.

"Then you don't need to go down there if it seals them in." Willow exclaimed quickly.

"It's temporary, it only lasts a few hours." Buffy replied.

"You should have told me." Willow said angrily.

"You wouldn't have done it." Buffy replied as she smiled at Willow.

"I'll reverse the spell Buffy, you need me down there." Willow said through tears.

"Yes we do, but they need you too." Buffy said quietly."You can't reverse the spell Willow. I had Verik make it so the caster can't undo it. Because I knew you would try. Tell Xander to start pumping the water in 15 minutes." Buffy said. "I love you Will. Take care of him." Buffy said taking a last look at Willow before turning and walking away.

"BUFFY........NO." Willow screamed as she fell to her knees pounding on the barrier.

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

Buffy walked over to Faith, Spike and Zaaron loading up with weapons on the way.

"You still haven't told me what the hose is for?" Spike said as he looked at Buffy.

"Pumping water down here." Buffy stated.

"Don't know what good that's gonna do B." Faith replied as she threw a pack on her back.

"Holy water." Buffy said quickly. "That's why you needed the protection spell."

"There's no preachers left here, how did you get that much of it?" Zaaron asked.

"When we were in highschool, senoir year. Xander did this thing online that made him a man of the cloth. He's forgotten it until night before last. He started joking about it. I remembered this morning and I told him to go bless the city's water supply." Buffy said slinging a pack over her back.

"Nice work luv." Spike said grabbing a pack and a bag.

"Where's Willow?" Faith asked as they started walking.

"I gave her another job to do." Buffy said as Zaaron looked at her.

"How did she take it?" Zaaron asked.

"Pretty glad I'm down here at the moment." Buffy replied.

Zaaron chuckled slightly.

They stopped walking when they came to two tunnels.

"We'll go this way." Spike said indicating the tunnel to the right.

"Right. Looks like Tom and the others split up too." Zaaron said looking at the footprints leading into both tunnels.

"Get your charge set." Spike said as he pulled out the explosive and put it at the entrance of their tunnel. Zaaron doing the same.

They stood up when they finished, looking at one another.

Spike and Zaaron shook hands as Buffy gave Faith a hug.

"See you on the flipside." Buffy said as she smiled.

"See ya there B." Faith replied.

Spike and Zaaron nodded as they turned and walked away from their entances.

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

Spike and Buffy made their way through a miriad of tunnels, following footsteps to lead them to half of the team.

They set charges at the entrances of each tunnel as they entered, ready to blow them at any given time whether they made it out or not.

Spike and Buffy move cautiously when they heard muffled sounds and movements.

When they got closer Spike nodded to Buffy as he straighted up and walked casually out of the tunnel seeing Tom and the other vampires there waiting for them to arrive.

"Seen Faith and Zaaron yet?" Spike asked quietly as he came to stand in front of Tom.

"No not yet. They'll be here though, all the tunnels lead to here. Through there...." Tom said pointing to the tunnel at the far side. "....that's where we're headed. The middle of hell." Tom said dropping his hand and looking at Buffy and Spike.

"I should go take a look." Buffy said as she looked at the tunnel entrance.

"Already did." Tom replied. "We scouted quickly and quietly. There's thousands. But that's what we could see, how many are there that we couldn't?" Tom replied.

"There's demons down there, I've never seen before. We're going in blind." Paris one of the vampired with Tom said quietly.

"Wouldn't be the first time would it." Spike said looking at the darkened entrance. "How far down the tunnel?" Spike added.

"Bout a hundred feet." Tom replied as he leaned agaist the rock wall.

"Xanders started the water about 10 minutes ago. By the seal entrance, there was that cliff leading down into a cavern. If we can somehow beat them back to there, or lead them there, the holy water will be soaking the ground and pouring over the cliff, that'll take help when it come to ubervamps. Slow them down some for us to take them out."Buffy said as different scenarios ran through her mind.

"We could set off the charges, collapse all the tunnels so they have to go that way." Spike said quickly.

"Probably the only way to get them to go that way." Faith said as she and Zaaron emerged from the tunnel.

"It'll also block ambushes from behind us." Zaaron added.

"Red should be here. We're gonna need her." Faith said to Buffy.

"I know. But she's needed up there too. If we fail, she's the only protection they have. If we don't make it Faith and that barrier goes down, she's their only chance to get out alive." Buffy replied. "I have to look at all the possible outcomes. We could win.......or we could fail. We have to have a plan for both."

"Let's do this."Spike said as he grabbed his gear.

Everyone followed suit and headed to the tunnel quickly and quietly.

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

They walked about a hundred feet coming out of the tunnel that over looked a deep cavern. Looking over the edge carefully Buffy saw what they were up against.

About a hundred feet down were thousands of demons. Some she recognized, some she didn't. They were all standing there, waiting to be told what to do. The growls and screams that emerged fromthe depths sent shiver up her spine.

"Damn B."Faith whispered as she looked down.

"Two entrances. One on each side of the cavern. We don'r know which one leads to the seal."Buffy said quietly.

"They both do." Spike said quietly as he came up behind her. "Every tunnel we came across all led here. I'll bet it's the same from down there."Spike added.

"Okay, so we make our way down there and blow it." Faith replied.

"No. We stay up here, go over to the other side and blast away." Buffy said pointing to the bag Spike had over his sholder.

"Maybe take out a few at the same time." Faith said counting how many grenades she had.

"You got it." Buffy replied.

"Stay down and move quickly and quietly. Hate to spoil the element of suprise." Spike said as he crouched down and stayed to the wall.

They slowly made it to the other side dropping their packs where they had the best vantage point.

Buffy pulled the bazooka from Spikes pack loading it quietly while everyone else grabbed grenades and machine guns that were already loaded and ready to go.

Buffy hoisted it onto her shoulder and aimed it just above the tunnel, flipping the switch, her finger on the button.

"You ready to do this?" She asked quietly.

"Fire away luv." Spike said as he got ready to pull the pin on his grenade.

"Hope you rot in hell." Buffy said as she pressed the button sending a missle soaring across the cavern, exploding on impact. Evrything shook as the tunnel and a small portion of the cavern collapsed crushing some of the demons under the weight of the rocks.

All the demons turned quickly in their direction as Buffy loaded another missile while Spike, Zaaron and Faith threw grenades adding to the body count below.

Buffy launched another missile right into the middle of the cavern, where a large portion of the demons were, decimating them.

"Spike, the charges. Blow them now."Zaaron yelled.

Spike nodded as he opened his bag pulling out the plunger and began flipping the switches.

The caver shook again as each charge detonated, successfully blocking the demos exit, as well as theirs.

"They're coming up the walls." Faith yelled as she pulled out her gun picking them off one by one.

"Shit." Faith yelled as an ubervamp jump and landed beside her.

Faith kick his feet out from under him quickly as she pulled out her sword decapitating him before he had a chance to get back on his feet.

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

"I should be down there." Willow said as she paced back and forth.

"Buffy was doing what she thought was best." Giles said quietly.

"I know. She said the barrier was only temporary, lasts a couple hours.

It's been up just over an hour now. When it disappears, I'm going down." Willow said clenching her jaw.

"Buffy wants you here for a reason Willow." Giles stated.

"I know why." Willow said quietly. "But I'm needed more there." Willow added matter of factly.

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

Spike threw the pack of explosives to Paris.

"Set the charges behind us." Spike yelled to Paris and Trevor. "We'll set them off after they all come through."

Paris and Trevor set charges at the exits to any tunnels they came across quickly so as not to fall to far behind.

They came to another cavern, half the size of the last one.

"This is good. Another well aimed missile could do some damage. Lower their numbers." Zaaron said as Paris and Trevor caught up to them

"They're all set and ready." Trevor said quickly as he scanned the area.

You two get a head start, get the next set of tunnels ready." Faith said quickly.

Trevor and Paris took off down the next tunnel opening.

"Take these and do the same thing." Buffy said to Gareth and Frank, two of Toms other men, pointing to a second set of tunnels.

They grabbed the pack and headed into the tunnel.

Buffy, Spike,Faith,Zaaron and Tom stood there waiting for them. They lost one man in the first attack. No one in the second.

Buffy hoisted her weapon as she heard them coming.

"Go. I'll catch up." Buffy said as she aimed her weapon.

Buffy heard their footsteps as they made their way through the tunnel Trevor and Paris had gone through.

"I told you to go." Buffy said quietly not taking her eyes off the target.

"Yes you did." Spike replied evenly. "Not leaving you Buffy." Spike said grabbing a few grenades getting ready.

"No, you never do." Buffy said as she watched the demons pour into the cavern.

Buffy pushed the button as Spike threw the grenades, then detonated the explosives, collapsing the tunnels behind the demons, blocking their escape.

"Nowhere for them to go but straight for us. Time to run luv." Spike said grabbing Buffys arm pulling her through the tunnel.

Spike ran quickly holding Buffys hand the entire way through the tunnel meeting the others at the next set of tunnel entrances.

"We ran ahead quickly. Those two in the middle lead back to the seal." Trevor said pointing to the two tunnels in the centre.

"The other two lead to the cavern below it." Paris said pointing to the tunnels on either side.

"They all need to be wired to blow." Spike said quickly.

Paris spoke up quickly.

"I'll take some and do one of the tunnels going to the cavern." Knowing it meant he wouldn't make it.

"Ill do the other one."Trevor said grabbing the bag and handing some charges to Paris.

"We'll take the other two." Gareth said as Frank handed him what remained in their bag.

Tom nodded as he watched the last of his men take off down the tunnels without hesitation.

They were silent for a minute looking where the departed men had stood, knowing they wouldn't see them again.

They turned and ran down one tunnel passing Gareth on the way through.

Once through the tunnel they positioned themselves by the seal entrance overlooking the cavern.

When Gareth and Frank came through Spike detonated the charges collapsing the tunnels, leaving the one open that Paris and Trevor had gone through.

They watched the cavern below intently. They stood silent as they saw Paris come out and set his last charge, immediately followed by Trevor who set about the task of setting his last charge.

They just had time to set them ready to be detonated when the demons came running through the tunnels cutting them down quickly.

They watched sullenly as Paris and Trevor fell becoming dust.

The demons spotted them quickly running over and scalling the rock walls, an ubervamp, practically flying to the top, taking out Frank upon his landing.

Buffy launched her last missile into the fray of demons, stunning them for a couple of minutes as Gareth fought the ubervamp and losing quickly. Zaaron ran up behind the vamp and decapitated him, turning him to dust, but not in time to save Gareth.

They all noticed the smoke rising from the cavern as the holy water poured over the cliff, soaking everything in it's path.

They heard the hisses and screams of pain, but they were getting louder and closer as they braced themselves for the impending attack.

Buffy was hit by a flying knife as it embedded itself in her stomach, bringing her to her knees, as Spike too doubled over in pain, before being thrown back against the wall as the amulet started to glow.

"BUFFY." Spike yelled when he saw her fall to her knees. His face contorted in pain as the amulent began to glow a little brighter.

Buffy looked down at the knife embedded in her stomach. She grabbed hold of the knife as she closed her eyes bracing herself.

Zaaron turned to see a demon clawing it's way up the wall and climbing over the edge right in front of Buffy.

Buffy let go of the knife and grabbed her sword, using all her strength and cut off it's head before it finished it's ascent, causing the headless body to fall back into the cavern taking a couple demons with it along the way.

Buffy dropped the sword as she grabbed the knife again and pulled it out of her stomach, slumping further to the ground.

Faith and Tom were already in battle with tow demons and an ubervamp that managed to scale the wall. The ubervamp was a little worse for wear due to the holy water being poured down.

Zaaron ran across to stand in front of Buffy as demons and ubervamps began climbing over quickly.

Faith and Tom took out the demons they were fighting and quickly rushed to stand in front of Buffy, bearing the brunt of the battle until Buffy was able to get to her feet.

"Spike." Buffy said quietly as ahe slowly made it to her feet, holding her stomach as her shirt became red.

She saw Spike against the wall not able to move.

She reached for her sword when she heard the metal clanging around her, she quickly joined in the battle ignoring the pain she was in.

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

"Times up." Willow said as she started walking toward the basement.

"Willow, that's not what Buffy wanted. She wanted you to stay here." Xander said quickly.

"I can't do it Xander. If they fail, we have a very small chance of making it out of here alive. If me being down there makes that chance bigger, that's where I have to be. Whether I survive or not, it doesn't matter, it's what I have to do." Willow said giving a last look to Giles. "I love you." Willow said as she smiled at Giles.

Giles nodded his head knowing he culdn't change her mind. "And I you."Giles replied with a sad smile.

Willow nodded back and slipped through the basement door and headed to the seal.

Willow eyes widened when she saw the battle going on below. Faith, Zaaron, Tom and Buffy were all back to back surrounded by ubervamps and demons. Their sword were swinging fast with deadly accuracy, but when one would fall there was three more to take it's place.

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

"Willows coming. She's almost at the seal. The barrier is starting to fade."Zaaron yelled to Buffy.

"Shit." Buffy said as she had everyone shift they're position, while never stopping the battle, so Zaaron was now protected in the center as they fought around him. "Do the spell." Buffy yelled as she thrust her sword through a demons neck.

Zaaron quickly blocked out the noises around him as he did the incantation.

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

Willow went to step down into the hellmouth and was quickly thrown back as the barrier came back up stronger than before.

Willow scrambled to her feet and ran back to the opening to see Zaaron look her way before takin up his previous spot and joing back in the battle.

Willow looked at Buffy puzzled for a minute.

"The caster of the spell, can't break it. But if Zaaron cast it, she'll know I can break it." Willow said to herself beofre a saddened expression took over her features. "You lied Buffy. The caster is the only one who can break it." Willow said to herself.

*I'm sorry Willow, I couldn't take the chance. Needed you to be safe.* Willow heard Buffy say as her mind reached out to Buffy.

*You need me down there.* Willow stated.

*I need you up there more.* Buffy replied.

*No.........you don't.* Willow replied.

Buffy, Zaaron, Faith and Tom watched as the demons they were fighting went flying through the air and back down into the cavern, some combusting into flames, becoming ash before they landed.

They looked up quickly to see Willow walking up to them carrying a sword.

"Since I couldn't break the spell and come through the entrance. I came through another way." Willow said as she came to stand in front of them.

"You shouldn't be here Will." Buffy said quietly looking at Willow.

"Yes......I should." Willow said as they all turned to see Spike fall to his knees as the amulet let a burst of light stream through out the cavern.

They all covered their eyes from the intensity of the light, hearing death wails coming from below.

Buffy, Willow and Faith ran to look down, watching as the ubuvamps disintegrated from the powerful rays.

It didn't affect the other demons as they continued making their way back up the wall.

They all quickly ran over to where Spike was kneeling on the ground.

Zaaron looked into Spikes eyes.

"You know what's happening." Zaaron said to him.

Spike nodded quietly. "Get them out." Spike replied softly.

"What's happenening?" Buffy asked worriedly.

"He's not going to make it." Zaaron answered quietly.

"There's gotta be a way." Buffy said quickly turning when she heard growling behind her.

"Take care of him. Find a way." Buffy said as she and Faith ran to the fast approaching demons.

"You apparently know magic. Anything there we can use?" Willow asked Zaaron.

"No, I don't know what possible affect it would have on the amulet, could be bad." Zaaron said.

"What's the amulet for? I guess I missed that meeting." Tom asked as he watched the girls fighting, ready to go when he was needed.

Zaaron and Willow gave him the short version as they divided their attention between Spike and the girls.

Willow saw a demon coming up behind Faith quickly.

Willow stood up and launched herself into a run, ramming her sword through his back, just as he had his axe poised to strike a deadly blow to Faith.

Faith whirled around when she heard the body fall to the ground behind her.

Faith sent her a look af gratitude as she turned and began fighting the next wave climbing over.

Willow threw herself into the battle fighting along side Buffy and Faith.

"I'll watch him. Your needed out there." Tom said to Zaaron as he noticed the girls strting to get over run by demons.

Zaaron nodded as he ran into the fray brandishing two swords, swinging them expertly, never missing his target.

Willow screamed as she fell to the ground. Faith turned quickly and took down Willows attacker, giving Willow a minute to recover.

Willow pulled the spear our of her leg and slowly stood, leaning on her other leg. Having used a lot of her energy in her teleportation to get down there, and using some during the battle, she was growing tired, not able to use her magic now, she had to rely on physical strength, which was slowly disappearing.

Willow lifted her sword, pushing herself past her limits, refusing to give in.

Faith screamed as her opponent shoved his sword through her shoulder knocking her down and pining her to the ground.

Faith looked up to see Zaaron grab and twist the demons head right off his shoulders. Throwing the decappitated body aside he remove the sword and helped her to her feet, as they were quickly attacked again.

The cavern began to shake knocking the demons climbing up the wall back to the bottom.

They took full advantage and They sliced through the demons who remained up top quickly, remembering their supplies the girls rushed to the bags and grabbed the guns and ran back to the egde and let the bullets rain down tearing their enemies to shreds.

"Buffy." Faith yelled looking to the tunnel entrances in the cavern.

Buffy looked over and felt herself start to fall.

More demons and ubervamps were pouring through the openings, twice as many as before.

"We not gonna make it." Willow said as she came to stand beside Buffy as she looked down at the onslaught of demons.

Buffy didn't reply as she looked down.

The caven began to shake again, harder this time, causing stellactites to fall, crushing some demons below.

The light had stopped for a minute before shining again, stronger and more deadly as they watched the newly arrived ubervamps burn to ash.

Zaaron turned to Spike and Tom. He bowed his head in respect as he turned to face the girls.

"Time to go." Zaaron said quickly.

"Can't leave." Buffy said loading her weapon and aiming it at the creatures below.

"We have to go now." Zaaron said as he grabbed Faith and headed for the entrance, reversing the spell as he walked towards it.

Willow and Buffy refused to budge and continued fighting.

Both exhausted from blood loss.

"Have to go lamb." Spike said raspily coming up behind them and pulling them back from the edge.

Buffy and Willow turned quickly to see a very weak Spike barely able to stand, trying to get them to safety.

They looked over to see Tom wearing the amulet as the intesity of the light grew and the cavern began to fall apart.

"You have to go, I can't hold it back much longer." Tom said looking at the three.

"You can go, you don't........." Buffy started to say.

"Yes I do. There's no time, you need to go." Tom yelled as he felt his insided begin to burn.

"Thank you." Buffy said quietly, before they turned and followed in Faith and Zaarons footsteps.

The cavern became blindingly white as Tom closed his eyes and smiled.

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

They came out of the basement and broke into a run as the school shook and started falling down around them.

They ran out to the street, Xander and Anya jumping into the backseat of Giles car and Willow climbing into the passenger side. Giles slid into his seat, quickly gunning the engine and tearing off down the road.

Buffy and Spike jumped into the backseat of her SUV and Zaaron took the drivers seat, starting the engine as Faith climbed in sitting beside him. Zaaron floored it the minute Faiths door slammed shut.

They watched in fascination as the town slowly sank behind them as they drove away.

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

They stopped their vehicle and got out when they felt the tremors stop.

They went and stood by the edge of what used to be their town.

They looked own to see crubled building and houses laying at the bottom.

"It's over." Willow said quietly as Giles came up and wrapped his arms around her.

"It's over." He whispered back as Willow layed her head on his shoulder.

"No. It's not." Buffy said just above a whisper as she turned and Faced Willow and Giles.

Willow and Giles looked at her with crinkled brows.

Buffy turned back to look at the crater.

"There's more of them out there. More hell mouths. It won't stop until they are all destroyed." Buffy said quietly as she leaned into Spikes embrace.

Faith leaned into Zaaron as she took in Buffy words and closed her eyes.

"You don't have to do this Buffy. You've done you're job. You're finished." Giles said quickly.

"I know. I remember what I said." Buffy said as she turned to look at Spike. "I can't do it."

Spike closed his eyes and lowered his head, finally nodding in agreement.

"Buffy, I may have been upset before when you said you were gonna quit,I was an ass and I was wrong. Buffy, leave it alone, you've done enough." Xander said quietly.

"This will happen again Xander. There's no one but us fighting it. If I let it go, what do you think is gonna happen."Buffy replied.

"I'll take care of it B. It's my turn to be the chosen one. It's your turn to have a life." Faith said queitly. "Your turn to be happy."

Buffy smiled at Faith before turning to Giles.

"How many hell mouths are there?" She asked as she turned back to Faith.

Giles lowered his head as he removed his glasses as he scratched his brow with the tip of his thumb.

"There's at least nineteen that I know about all over the world." Giles said quietly.

"You can't do it all by yourself Faith. But thank you for offering." Buffy stated.

Spike wrapped his arms tighter around Buffy as he looked up to meet Giles eyes. "Where's the closest one to here?" Spike asked quietly.

"In Cleavland." Giles answered in defeat.

Anya leaned into Xander hugging him from behind.

"You're going aren't you?" She whispered to him sadly.

Xander dropped his head as his hand came up encompassing her hands resting on his waist. "Yeah, I guess I am. I'm sorry, I have to help." Xander said whispering his reply.

Anya nodded. "I'm staying with you."

Knowing he couldn't change her mind he smiled and nodded to her.

"You sure you wan to do this?" Spike said in Buffys ear.

"Not want to.......have to." Buffy replied.

"Likely chance we might not survive the next one." Spike stated quietly.

"But we might." Buffy replied with a small smile.

"So we're all heading to Cleavland I gather." Giles said breaking up all the small conversations going on around him.

"What do you mean all of us?" Buffy said as she looked at Giles and Willow, then to Xander and Anya.

"Exactly that. All of us." Xander said quickly. "What you don't think we're gonna let you have all the fun do you." Xander added with a smile.

Buffy smiled as she looked at the group of people surrounding her.

"Okay, all of us it is." Buffy said.

"I don't think we really had a choice in that B. They were gonna come anyway." Faith said as she walked back to the car.

"We better get going, we have a long drive and have to find somewhere to sleep before the sun rises.

"We can take care of the hell mouths here in the States first. Then there are two in Canada, and three in Mexico as well as.........." Buffy chuckled as she heard Giles senrence trail off when he climbed into his car and closed the door.

"Thank god I'm not in that car." Faith mumbled as they all climbed back into the SUV.

"Yeah, you're not wrong." Spike said as he pulled out a cigarette, lighting it and taking a deep haul.

"If you're gonna smoke, open the window." Buffy said as she sat beside him.

Spike did as he was asked asn rolled down the window.

"Hey fang, pass one up this way." Faith said over her shoulder.

"Bite me bitch." Spike quipped back as he handed her one.

"You wish." Faith threw back as she lit up then rolled down her window.

Buffy leaned back and closed her eyes, smiling as she listened to Spike and Faith tossing quips back and forth.

Spike threw his butt out the window and quickly looked at Buffy worriedly.

Her heartbeat was slowling down.

"Shit, we need a hospital. Now." Spike yelled as he saw fresh blood covering Buffys hands as she rested them on her stomach.

Zaaron floored it and glanced back seeing Buffy pale complexion. He turned a worried look to Faith who was also starting to pale as he saw her shirt was dripping blood.

Zaaron turned his attention to the road as he drove as fast as he could.

"What's happening up there?" Giles said as he sped up to keep up with the SUV.

"Willow can you............" Giles said pointing to his temple, asking her if she couls reach out to some one.

"I can try." Willow said as she closed her eyes.

After a couple of minutes Willow looked over to Giles.

"I can't. I don't have enough strength. I'm sorry." Willow replied.

"Wait, the phone." Willow said as she reached for the glove compartment.

"Xander and Anya put one in each car lastnight, before we left, just in case." Willow said as she pulled the phone out.

"Good thinking." Gles said taking a quick look i the rearveir\w mirror.

Willow dialed Buffys cell number quickly.

Zaaron looked aroud when he heard the phone ringing.

"Faith, can you get that." Zaaron said as he turned to see she was out cold. "Dammit. Spike get the phone." Zaaron yelled over his shoulder.

Spike reached through the seats and over Faith as he pulled the phone out of the glove compartment.

"Yeah." Spike sid as he took his place back beside Buffy.

"Spike, what going on?" Willow asked quickly.

"Buffy......she's bad, Faith too. We're heading to a hospital." Spike said as he gripped Buffys hand.

"What's happening. Their heart beats are slowing down, they lost too much blood. If we don't find one soon........." Spike didn't finish his sentence.

"We're right behind you, if anythings happens let us know." Willow stated.

Spike nodded his head instead of speaking and closed the phone.

"We just passed a sign, there's a hospital ten kilometer from here." Zaaron said. "How's she doing?"
"Her breathing is shallow, heartbeat a little slower than before, but it's still there." Spike answered as he went over to check on Faith.

"Her breathing is a little slower, so is her heart beat. The bleeding is slowing down." Spike said as he tore up a blanket from under the seat.

He a peice of the blanket, ripping her shirt and placing it on the wound to her shoulder, using her bra strap to hold it down temporarily.

He quickly ripped a couple strips and tied it around Faiths arm and shoulder tightly, applying more pressure.

He grabbed the rest of the blanket and went back to Buffy, lifting her shirt, he pressed the blanket to her wound using his hand to apply pressure, hoping to stop the bleeding.

Spike and Zaaron had to concentrate to keep their demon from coming forth, the smell of blood permeated the air of the vehicle.

Zaaron pulled up to the hospital and slammed on the brakes, quickly turning the car off.

Spike and Zaaron got out and grabbed the girls quickly, carrying then at a run through the emergency exits.

Nurses saw then run in and quickly guided them to the emergency rooms. As they set the girls down on the beds, the doctors came rushing in.

The nursed began pulling the curtains as the orderlies tried to pull Spike and Zaaron from the room.

"I'm not leaving." Spike said angrily.

"It's better for them if you do. You don't want to be in there distracting the doctors." One nurse said as she came out from behind the curtain. "We'll do everything we can." The nurse added comfortingly.

Spike and Zaaron relented and allowed themselves to be removed from the room.

When the door closed behind them they Xander and Anya running up the corridor, followed by Giles who was supporting most of Willows weight.

"How are they?" Anya asked as she reached them.

"We don't know. The doctors are with them right now." Zaaron said as he watched through the window at the closed curtains.

A nurse came over when she saw Willow.

"Come with me dear, we'll get you looked after." She said as she motioned for an orderly to bring a wheelchair.

Willow sat down as they started taking her away. "If anything happens...."

"We'll let you know." Giles said as he watched her get wheeled away.

Spike closed his eyes as he sunk down the wall to the floor, tears started rolling down his cheeks. "Buffy." He whispered.

"Spike?" Giles aske worriedly.

Zaaron turned to face them as a tear rolled down his cheek.

"Flatline." Zaaron said just above a whisper.

Giles legs buckled as he fell to his knees looking at the closed door.

Anya buried her face in her hands and fell into the chair behind her.

Spike was numb all over. His worst fear was coming to pass. As a wave of anger washed over him his eyes flew open as he looked around, his breathing became erratic as growls started eminating from him.

Zaaron crouched down quickly, grabbing him trying to calm him down as a gutteral cry ripped through the air, startling everyone.

Giles and Xander turned to look at Spike.

Zaaron had his hands on either side of Spikes face staring into his eyes.

Spikes eyes were amber, full of pain and sorrow and so much anger.

Giles closed his eyes as he stood and went over and crouched down beside Spike.

Giles grabbed Spikes hand and held it trying to give him comfort.

Spike turned and looked at Giles as the tears streamed down his cheeks, his eyes turned back to blue as Giles pain was clearly etched on his face.

Zaaron and Spike rose to their feet in a split second spinning back to the door.

"They got her back." Zaaron said while Spike hovered by the window, never taking his eyes from the curtains.

Giles buried his face in his hands in relief as his tears fell.

Xander went over and sat beside Anya, pulling her to him and wiping each others tears away.

"How's Faith doing?" Xander rasped out.

Zaaron just nodded letting then know that she was okay.

A little while later the nurse came out of the room, effectively blocking Spike and Zaaron from entering.

"They're being prepped for surgery. There was a close call, but she's stable now. Both are very strong young women. I'm sorry I can't tell you anymore than that. They'll be in surgery quite awhile. Why don't you go and rest in the waiting room. Or grab some coffee from the cafeteria." The nurse said trying to give them a comforting smile as she went back into the room.

Giles put an arm around Spike and pulled him over and sat him down on one of the chairs.

"I'll go get some coffee. Come on." Xander said as he held out a hand to Anya. Anya took and slowly got up and followed him.

Zaaron came over and sat beside Spike as they all continued to watch the door.

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

"Rupert Giles?" A nurse asked when she came up to the group.

"Yes." Giles jumped up quickly.

"Miss. Rosenberg is resting now but asked to see you." The nurse replied.

Giles nodded and followed the nurse.

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

Giles stepped into the room, quietly closing the door behind him making his way to Willows bedside.

Giles placed a kiss on her forehead then pulled back slightly.

"Hey." Willow said groggily.

"Hello." Giles said smiling, running his fingers through her hair.

"How are you feeling."

"At the moment, pretty good. Drugs can do wonders." Willow said lazily. "How are they?" Willow added.

"Don't worry. Everythings fine. You rest now." Giles said placing a chaste kiss to her lips.

Willow slowly nodded as her eyes closed already half asleep.

Giles watched her sleep for a few minutes before returning to the others.

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

"How is she doing?" Giles asked as he saw Xander coming back down the hallway.

"Still asleep. Pretty powerful sedatives they have. She looks good." Xander said as he took a seat beside Anya.

"Haven't heard anything I take it." Xander said under his breath to Giles as he watched Spike pacing up and down the corridor.

"Faith is fine. She came out of surgery a little while ago. Zaaron is with her now." Giles said as he leaned his head back.

"She's been in surgery quite awhile. Shouldn't we have heard something by now?" Anya asked as she picked at her chipped nail polish.

"Faiths wounds luckily weren't as extensive as Buffys. It could take a great deal longer." Giles said quietly.

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

"Hey blondie." Faith said as Zaaron pushed her into the waiting room.

Spike opened his eyes and sat up looking at her.

"Faith, shouldn't you be resting or something?" Spike asked quietly but giving her a small smile.

"Nah. Been sleeping for a few hours now. Besides hospital beds are for sick people." Faith said as she came to a stop by Spikes chair.

"Faith I really think you should be in bed." Giles admonished.

"I'm fine G-man."Faith replied not taking her eyes off Spike.

"I could go for a smoke though." Faith said to Spike. "Care to join me?" Faith asked backing up her chair slightly.

Spike slowly nodded and stood up moving to stand behind Faith.

"We'll have to find a spot that's shaded. Due to your sun allergy." Faith said as Spike started to push her chair quietly.

Spike didn't reply as he pushed her down the corridor.

"Hey, heard you say you needed a shady spot for a smoke." An orderly said coming to walk beside them.

"Yeah, the sun kinda irritates his skin somethin feirce." Faith said smiling as she looked up at Spike.

Spike just kept looking ahead not really paying any attention.

"I know a spot that's shaded by the ell this time of day. I'll take you there, was just heading out for my break." He said as they stopped in front of the elevator.

"If you don't want to go outside, I sometimes sneak into the basement when I work the night shift." He said as the elevator door opened.

"We really don't like basements, kinda had our fill. Outside would be the choice."Faith replied.

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

"She should be resting." Giles reiterated as he leaned back into his chair.

"She's okay Giles. Stubborn, but she'll be fine as long as she takes it easy for awhile. She figured Spike could use a few minutes, hence the reason for the cigarette. Although I'm pretty sure it wasn't a totally selfless act." Zaaron said chuckling.

Giles just smiled and shook his head.

"How long have they been out of it?" Zaaron said looking to Xander and Anya who had fallen asleep.

"Not long. Maybe half an hour." Giles replied.

Zaaron sat down beside Giles leaning his head back against the wall.

"She'll make it." Zaaron said quietly to Giles. "She's a fighter. She's got something to live for. She won't give that up easily."

Giles just closed his eyes.

An hour later a doctor came down the corridor and stopped in front of everyone.

"Rupert Giles?" He asked looking around.

"Yes." Giles jumped up quickly walking over to the doctor with Spike on his heels.

"According to hospital records you were listed a year ago as Miss. Summers next of kin." The doctor stated.

"Yes that's right." Giles said quickly.

"If you want to come with me, I'll apprise you of the situation." The doctor said as he started to turn.

"If it's all the same to you, you can tell me right here. We're all he friends and family, I'll tell them everything anyway." Giles stated waiting for the doctor to continue.

"Very well. There were complications during surgery. We lost her twice, she had a lot of internal bleeding, damaged organs, but we managed to get her stabalized. She made it through surgery and is in the critical care unit right now. She's a strong young woman. I think her chances are very good. We'll keep a close eye on her, if she continues the way I think she will, she'll be moved to recovery within a couple of days. She's sleeping right now and most likely won't wake until tomorrow, but your welcome to check in on her. One person at a time though." The doctor said smiling at them.

"Yes, thank you doctor. Spike would you like to go first?" Giles said tirning to face him.

"No, thanks Rupert, but I'll go last." Spike said quietly. "You go first." Spike added with a small smile.

Giles nodded in understanding. He turned and followed the doctor down the corridor.

Nobody in the waiting room said anything. They all just stayed silent, happiness, releif washing away the grief they had been going through since the early hours that morning when they first arrived.

Spike got up and wandered down the hall to Willows room knocking on the door lightly.

"Hey Red." Spike said softly.

"Hi Spike." Willow said gesturing for him to come in.

"How are you doing?" Spike asked as he came to sit beside her.

"I'm fine. I'll be good enough to go tomorrow. Just a bunch of stiches, no real damage done." Willow said as she looked at Spike.

Spike leaned forward and buried his face in his hands as he sobbed quietly.

"Spike." Willow said as he moved to the side of the bed slowly and reached over putting her hand on his shoulder. "Oh god....Buffy...did she....." Willow said as she choked on the rest of her sentence.

Spike shook his head. "No. She's alive. The doc said she's gonna be okay." Spike said as all his pent up emotions poured out.

Willow wiped away her tears as she rubbed his shoulder.

"I'm sorry. I came here to tell you she was gonna be okay. She's not awake, but I wanted too see if you wanted to see her. I just...... I don't know what came over me." Spike said as he wiped his tears away and looked away from Willow.

Willow grabbed his chin and turned his face to hers.

"I do, and don't worry. I'll never tell." Willow said as she gave him a warm smile.

Spike grabbed her hand and sqeezed it. "Thank you Willow."

"You guys go ahead and visit with her.I'll visit with her later, I'm not going anywhere tonight." Willow said as she shifted back under the covers.

"That makes two of us." Spike said as he stood up. "I'll see you later, get some rest."

Willow watched as Spike left before closing her eyes.

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

Willow and Faith as well as Giles and Zaaron had managed to get Faith switched into Willows room.

They were both allowed to leave the next day, but this way they could watch out for one another.

Spike, Willow and Faith managed to talk them into finding motel and getting some rest since there wasn't really anything they could do now.

Spike sat vigil over Buffy while Willow and Faith checked in on him throughout the remainder of the day and part of the night.

Spike closed the door to Willow and Faiths room, when he checked on them and found that they were sleeping.

He went back and laid down beside Buffy, careful of the tubes attached to her arms.

He laid on his side with his arm around her waist as he closed his eyes.

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

Spikes eyes flew open when he felt the slightest movement beside him.

He looked over to see Buffy slowly opening her eyes.

"Hello cutie." Spike said softly as his finger trace the outline of her jaw.

Buffy blinked a few times trying to focus.

"Hey." Buffy replied slowly.

"You didn't leave me." Spike whispered in her ear.

"Never leave you." Buffy rasped out quietly.

Spike leaned over and placed a gentle kiss to her lips then pulled back slowly.

"Love you." Spike said as he reached down and grabbed her hand interlocking their fingers.

"Love you." Buffy replied as her eyes closed as she drifted back to sleep.

Spike close his eyes and held her close as he fell into a peaceful sleep.

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

"Are you always this possesive? Cause I'm thinkin Buff can handle herself. Well not right now, but normally." Xander said smiling as Spike opened his eyes.

"What?" Spike asked confused.

"Well you're in her hospital bed, and you were growling deadboy." Xander answered as he came to stand on the other side of the bed.

"Must have sensed you were coming whelp." Spike threw back.

"How is she? Any change?" Xander asked looking down at a sleeping Buffy.

"Yeah, she woke up lastnight." Spike said as he carressed her hand.

"Why didn't you call and let us know?" Xander said as his composure stiffened slightly.

"It was late. You all needed to rest. It was only for a minute, but it was enough for me to know she's gonna be okay." Spike said laying his head against the pillow watching her.

"Spike when was the last time you ate?" Xander asked looking at Spike.

"Don't know. A day, maybe two days before the fight." Spike replied.

"That's what I thought. Your eyes aren't exactly blue right now. I'll call Giles, have him bring you something. He'll be on his way here shortly." Xander said as he started out of the room.

"Thanks." Spike said quietly as he turned to look at Xander.

Xander just smiled and nodded as he walked out.

Spike turned his attention back to Buffy, watching her face as she slept.

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

"Hey blondie." Faith said as she walked into the room.

"Faith. You getting ready to bail." Spike said as he took in the street clothes she was wearing.

"You know it. Heard she woke up. Good sign right." Faith said as she sat on the edge of the bed by Spike.

"Yeah, very good." Spike replied.

"Spike." Faith said quietly as she looked at her hands. "What you told me.......about letting myself fall."

"Yeah, I remember." Spike said as he watched her fidget.

"Thank you. I did, and you were right. He caught me." Faith said as she looked up to meet his eyes.

"He's a good man Faith. You and I are kind of the same. We need someone to balance us, and sometimes knock us on our ass when we are about to do something really stupid. Which I admit, is alot." Spike said as he smiled.

"You got that right." Faith smiled back as she lowered her head.

Spike reached and grabbed Faiths hand giving it a squeeze.

"No worries luv." Spike said giving her a reassuring smile.

"Should I be worried." Buffy rasped out quietly as she looked at them with a raised eyebrow and a small smile.

Faith looked over, giving Spike's hand a final squeeze before letting go.

"What can I say B, you know all the cool vamps." Faith said winking at her.

Spike chuckled as his hand went back to Buffys, entwining their fingers.

"Giles and Zaaron are on their way.........and here comes Red." Faith said as she saw Willow coming to the doorway.

"Hey Buffy." Willow said as she came to the other side of the bed and hugged her carefully.

"Hey Will. How's the leg?" Buffy asked.

"Stiches. No big." Willow replied as she sat down in the chair Beside the bed.

They continued on in idle conversation, enjoying each others company with out the threat of an apocalypse looming over their heads.

They were jarred out of conversation when Giles and Zaaron followed by Anya and Xander came into the room.

"Spike I beleive this is for you." Giles said handing Spike a thermos.

"Thanks." Spike said as he sat up moving off the bed so everyone could visit with Buffy.

Buffy felt the loss immediately when he left her side. She smiled when Giles and Xander and Anya all bent down to give her a hug.

Her eyes constantly moving from them to Spike, wanting to know where he was every second.

Spike capped the thermos when he finished then turned to face the group of people surrounding the bed.

He saw the look of fear Buffy was barely containing as she looked at him beseechingly.

Spike quickly moved back to the bed, sitting beside her and wrapping his arm around her tightly, feeling her lean into him as felt her relax.

This did not go unnoticed by Giles and Zaaron.

"I think we should go and let you get some rest." Giles said quietly.

Everone had agreed and slowly ambled out of the room.

"Spike. Could I talk to Buffy alone for a minute?" Giles asked.

Spike carressed her arm as he got up and slowly walked out of the room.

Buffy watched Spike leave as her breathing got faster.

"Buffy, are you alright?" Giles said rushing to her side.

Buffy looked up with panic and fear in her eyes.

"You shaking. Buffy what is it?" Giles said trying to calm her.

Her tears started to fall as she choked out her answer.

"I....can't ...see him." Buffy said as she cried softly.

Giles got to his feet. "I'll get him for you." Giles left the room and met up with Spike in the waiting room.

"Spike, she's having a panic attach. It started because you left the room. I noticed she panickes slightly when you left her side, but she's.......you need to go in there." Giles said as he walked Spike back to the room.

"What's with all the tears luv?" Spike said as he sat back on the bed.

Buffy fisted his shirt as she buried her head in his chest.

"Don't leave me.........don't leave.........don't leave......." Buffy repeated.

"Why would I think of ever doing something like that. I'm yours Buffy. Always have been." Spike whispered as he carressed her back and placed a kiss to the top of her head.

Buffy started to relax but kept her head buried in his chest.

"It's alright. I got you baby." Spike whispered then turned his eyes to Giles who was watching on with a worried expression.

"Buffy, I have to go talk to the watcher. Will you be alright?" Spike asked quietly.

Buffy just gripped him tighter.

"I won't leave. I promise. We'll just be over there, where you can see..okay." Spike said softly as he gently loosened her hold on him.

Buffy nodded meekly as he placed kiss on her forehead.

"I'll be right back luv." Spike said softly as he stood up and walked to the other side of the room with Giles.

"She's okay Rupert." Spike said as he lowered his voice so Buffy wouldn't over hear.

"On the contrary, it would appear that she's not." Giles said also lowering his voice.

"She died Rupert, she knows she did. She's scared is all. In time she'll be back to her old self." Spike replied.

"I know she died." Giles said closing his eyes. "I want her out of it. I don't want her to do this anymore. Let Faith handle the job, get her to stop." Giles said as he looked at Spike.

"You know as well as I do, Buffy does what she wants. We can only be there for her." Spike stated.

Giles lowered his head.

"Buffys right though. It'll never end until they're all destroyed." Spike said.

"There are so many. It's a very strong possibility none of us will survive the next one." Giles replied.

"We all know the risks involved in this. I like this world because she's in it, she makes it worth fighting for, for me." Spike said.

"For better or for worse." Giles said as he ran a hand through his hair.

"I'm going to head out, take Willow back to the motel. Take care of her. I'll see you tomorrow." Giles said as they walked back to Buffy.

"I'll see you tomorrow Buffy." Giles said quietly to her.

Buffy nodded as she laid against Spike when he sat back down beside her.

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

"I can't beleive how fast your healing." The doctor said smiling as he examined her.

Buffy smiled as she looked at the doctor.

"Does that mean I can go?" Buffy asked.

The doctor shook his head.

"Unbeleivable." He replied smiling. "Not even three full days, your skni has already knitted together, with no scar I might add. I wish all my patients could heal like this." He said as he closed her chart. "Miss Summers, you can get dressed, and yes you can leave. These beds are reseved for sick people. Take care." The doctor said smiling as he walked out of the room.

"You heard him luv." Spike said as he handed her a bag of clothes Willow had brought.

Buffy grabbed the bag and removed her hospital gown, quickly putting on the jeans and t-shirt Willow had bought for her.

When she finished dressing she took Spikes outstretched hand and left the room.

Giles was waiting by the doors leaning on his car waiting for them.

When he saw them approaching he pushed off the car and went to the drivers side and hopped in.

Spike and Buffy went straight to the room that Giles had gotten for them. They didn't stop and talk to anyone, they just wanted to be alone.

Spike led Buffy over to the bed after locking the door behind them.

She put up a strong front for everyone, but now that they were alone, she let the guise drop and her exhaustion showed through.

He laid her down and removed her shoes before he pulled the blanket over her and making sure she was covered.

Spike leaned over and placed a light kiss to her forehead, as he pulled back he smiled lovingly at her when he saw green eyes looking back at him.

"Sleep baby." Spike said quietly as he ran his fingers through her hair.

Buffy smiled back as she closed her eyes.

Spike sat there a moment longer before quietly getting up and going to the bathroom.

He's been wearing the same clothes since Sunnydale and was in desperate need of a shower. He quickly peeled off his clothes letting them fall into a pile on the floor.

He bent over and turned on the water, adjusting the setting to very hot.

He left the door open so Buffy could here where he was as he stepped into the stream of hot water. Spikes hands splayed on the wall as he leaned under the water, enjoying the feel of it cascading over every inch of his body.

He stayed like that for awhile before grabbing the soap and cleaning himself, washing away the remnants of dirt and grime that had belonged to the place that he had called home for the last few years. A place none of them would ever see again.

Spike hung his head under the spray off water, letting it pour over him as memories of his time in Sunnydale drifted through his mind.

The more prominent memories were always the ones of Buffy. Their first meeting, first fight, first alleigence, first kiss. Since meeting Buffy there had been many firsts for him. Turning against his own kind, falling for his enemy.

Spike, fully relaxed turned off the water and stepped out of the shower.

He reached over grabbing a towel and dried off as he walked out to the room to check on Buffy.

He looked to see she was sleeping peacefully as he threw his towel over the chair and climbed into bed and embraced Buffy from behind.

Spike closed his eyes and drifted into the first real sleep he's had in days.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Spike bolted up out of sleep quickly when he felt Buffy move.

He looked over to see her sitting up and watching him wide eyed.

"Luv, what's wrong?" Spike asked worriedly.

Buffy shook her head. "Nothing. Sorry, I just woke up and didn't hear you or see you. When I turned around I saw you laying there. I didn't mean to scare you." Buffy said as she rolled all the way to her left side and curled into him.

"Don't worry baby. I got you. Not going anywhere." Spike whispered as he stroked her hair and place a kiss to the top of her head.

"I know. I love you Spike." Buffy whispered back as she closed her eyes.

"Love you too Buffy." Spike replied as he closed his eyes and listened to her breathe.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Are they ever gonna come up for air." Xander joked as they all gathered in the restaurant across from the motel for lunch the next day.

"She's alot worse off than she's telling us." Giles stated as he took a sip of his tea.

"She seemed fine when you pulled up yesterday." Anya replied as she took a bite of her burger.

"That's what she wanted to us to see." Willow said as she picked at her salad.

"Could be....or they're getting their groove on....big time." Faith said smiling.

"This long?" Xander said disbeleivingly.

"Oh yeah." Faith said smiling. "Gotta love their stamina." Faith added thinking about Zaaron.

Xanders jaw dropped as he looked at Faith.

"Yes....well..I don't think that's the situation. Buffy's not adjusting well since Sunnydale." Faith said becoming serious.

Everyone turned and looked at her.

"What? I'm not allowed to make observations." Faith said rolling her eyes at them.

"Yes. It's just you never really have before." Xander replied.

"No ones ever really listened to me before." Faith replied looking him straight in the eye.

"She'll be okay. Take some time, but it'll happen. Buffy's a fighter." Willow said taking a bite from her salad.

"Maybe she shouldn't be anymore." Faith said quietly.

"We all agree with you Faith, but Buffy has to make that decision." Giles said just as quietly.

They all looked down at their food shoving it from one side of the plate to the other.

"I'm gonna go back to the room." Faith finally said breaking through the silence as she stood up shoving her chair back. "I'll see ya later." She added as she turned away and walked to the door.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Buffy collapsed on top of Spike breathing heavily. Spike held her tightly until her breathing slowed.

Buffy shifted until she was laying beside him with her head on his shoulder.

They layed there silently for a long time just enjoying the feel of one another.

"Well pet, hate to say this but I think you should leave and go eat something. Have to keep your strength up." Spike said quietly as he carressed Buffy's arm.

"I know. I will in a minute." Buffy replied lazily.

"I'm sure they're all worried about you. Want to see you, make sure you're alright." Spike replied.

"You're right." Buffy said begrudgingly as she got up and headed for the shower. "Wish you could come though." Buffy said over her shoulder.

"So do I." Spike said as he looked at the window and could see light peeking through the edge of the curtain.

Spike layed there while Buffy showered and dressed.

Buffy walked over and sat beside him on the bed.

"Thank you for putting up with clingy Buffy." She said as she placed a kiss to his forehead.

"Wasn't a hard chore love." Spike said as he smiled.

"I won't be long." Buffy said as she stood up.

"Take your time Buffy." Spike replied as Buffy opened the door.

Spike watched her leave before rolling over and closing his eyes.

"Hey." Buffy said as she walked into the restaurant coming up to their table.

"Buffy. How are you?" Giles asked concerned.

"I'm fine Giles, really. Just needed time I guess." Buffy said sending him a reassuring smile.

"You look much better." Willow said as she sipped her tea.
"Thanks. How's your leg?" Buffy asked as she grabbed a menu.

"Oh it's okay. Could have been worse." Willow shrugged.

"Where's Faith? How's she feeling?" Buffy asked putting the menu away.

"She went back to her room a little while ago. She's good. Anya and Xander just left a few minutes ago." Willow replied.

"Buffy I know you don't want to hear this, but we all think you should stop. You've done enough. Live a normal life like you've always wanted." Giles said.

"I know what you guys want and I thank you for thinking of me. But I couldn't live that normal life if I knew you were out there possibly dying so I could have that. Why should I have a normal life if you guys can't. We'll fight together, end it and then we can all have that normal life we want........together." Buffy stated as the waitress came to the table.

Buffy placed her order as well as an order of spicy wings to go.

"I know there's nothing I can say to change your mind." Giles replied quietly.

"No...there isn't." Buffy said.

"So have you mapped out all the hell mouths? Any strategy ideas?" Buffy asked.

"Yes, Willow and I mapped out the ones we knew of. But there maybe many more we don't." Giles said as he removed his glassed and rubbed his eyes.

"I hate to say this but the idea you had, back there about splitting up, even though I don't like splitting up, is probably a good idea. Hit them from more than one direction at a time. Take them more by suprise." Willow stated.

"They won't be expecting us to strike again so soon. They'll think we're going to sit back figuring it's over." Buffy said as the waitress came back setting her coffee in front of her.

"That's true. If Zaaron and Faith hit one at the same time we do, it'll divide their attention." Giles said placing his glasses back on his nose.

"Yeah, we'll rip the map in half, we go one way, they go the other. We keep in constant contact, scope out and attack, regroup and rest on the way to the next one and start all over again. Until they're gone." Buffy stated.

"When we're finished with the ones we know of, I'm sure by then if there's more, we'll know where they are and can take them out as well." Willow added as she took another drink.

"It's going to be a long hard road Buffy. Are you sure about this?" Giles asked.

"I want that normal life Giles. Not just for me, but for you and Willow. Xander, Anya, Faith, we all desrve it. If you want something bad enough....." Buffy said.

"You make it happen." Willow finished for her.

Buffy nodded her head.

"Well I think we should rest a few more days." Giles said glancing at the two girls.

"I think so too. Over the next few days we'll all get together and get everything planned. Then we'll go our separate ways." Buffy replied.

Giles and Willow nodded in agreement.

A few minutes later the waitress came over with Buffy take out boxes.

They all got up and paid their bills, walking out and across the street together, only separating when they came to their own rooms.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next three days were spent going over maps, marking routes and and estimating times of arrival to each place.

It was also spent laughing and enjoying each others company as much as possible. It would be a long time before they would see each other again, if they were fortunate. The girls spent time by the pool during the day when they weren't discussing their plans. At night they wandered out to the beach and built a bonfire and relaxed with Spike and Zaaron walking along the shore.

The fourth day and night was not spent on anything to do with slaying or ambush tactics.

It was spent soley on strengthening friendships, sharing memories and wanting to remember this day in case it was to be the last time they would ever see one another.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Spike and Giles loaded the SUV while the girls said they're good byes.

Zaaron and Xander loaded their car quickly as Faith and Anya went over to say they're good byes.

Gile and Spike, Zaaron and Xander joined the girls wishing everyone well before they all turne going to their vehicles and climbing behind the wheel.

Both pulled out the the road and stopped looking at one another one last time before pulling and driving opposite ways down the highway.

Each watching behind them until the cars were too small to see.

"Ready to do this?" Faith asked to no one in particular.

"Five by five." Zaaron said with a smile as he looked at Faith causing her to smile.

"Ooh... Krispy Creme." Xander said as they passed the rest stop.

Faith rolled her eyes. "Next stop Xand." Faith replied.

Faith reached over and turned the radio, leaning back they all listened to the music quietly, their minds were racing with what they would be facing in just a few short days.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"So I think mall time at the next town is called for." Buffy said as she turned to face the back of the vehicle.

"Buffy I can't beleive you're talking about shopping at a time like this." Giles replied.

"I could use a new pair of boots." Willow chimed in.

Giles rolled his eyes as Buffy and Willow continued to talk shopping.

"Oi, I'm not wearin those nancy boy clothes so you forget about that right now." Giles heard Spike exclaim.

"We're all doomed." Giles muttered under his breath.

Buffy turned around as Spike reached over and grabbed her hand.

They entwined their fingers as they watched the road in front of them bringing them closer to their destination.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Giles pulled up to an old farmhouse that by the looks of it had been empty for sometime. He turned of the ignition as he went around and checked out the house to be catious.

When he was certain no one would be returning he returned to the SUV and opened the door and cleared a path so Spike could make a quick entrance into the house out of the sun.

When he was safely inside the rest of them went about bringing their belongings into the house.

Once inside they picked rooms and got themselves situated before meeting in the kitchen, gathering around the table.

"They should be arriving soon if they're not already there waiting to hear from us." Buffy stated as Giles laid the map out on the table.

"Willow can you call them, see if they've arrived yet?" Giles asked handing her the phone.

"Sure." Willow said taking the phone and dialing Faiths number.

"So this is the town." Spike said as they looked at the local map."We just have to figure out where the hellmouth is situated here. I'm guessing it'll be central, maybe on the main street." Spike said looking at the different possible locations.

"You're probably right. We'll do a locating spell as soon as Willow's off the phone." Giles replied.

They continued to point out possible hot spots as Willow came back to the table.

"They're a few miles out of town. They should be there in about an hour." Willow said. "But they spotted an old cabin that they're gonna use, it's very remote and they can work without being seen. They just have to go into town and take a look around." Willow finished.

"Very good. Looks like everything is going on schedule." Giles replied.

"Willow can you do a locating spell to point out the hellmouth?" Buffy asked as she leaned back rubbing her neck.

"Okay, just give a few minutes to get ready." Willow said as she got up and went to grab her bag.

Willow gathered her supplies and sat down. The spell only took a few minutes and the hell mouth was quickly located.

City hall was sitting directly over the hell mouth.

"Oh goodie, and we thought this was going to be tough." Buffy said.

"This is a small town, I doubt it will be as heavily guarded as it would be in a bigger city." Giles replied.

"He's right Buffy. It won't be any different than Sunnydale." Willow replied.

"No worries luv." Spike replied as he raised his hand to massage her neck.

"Yeah, you're probably right." Buffy replied closing her eyes at Spike ministrations.

"We've been driving for a long time. Let's get some rest tonight and start checking over the town tomorrow." Willow said as she stretched.

They all agreed and slowly got up dragging themselves to their rooms and collapsing on the beds, quickly falling asleep.

Tomorrow would be the beginning of the longest battle anyone person would face.

It was also one step closer to them reclaiming their lives.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Three weeks later in Los Angeles...............

Angel tore the envelope open causing the amulet to fall to the carpet.

A dark wind swirled around the office joined momentarily with an agonizing scream peircing the air.

Angel, Wesley, Fred and Gunn watched cautiously as it began to take form.

As the wind stopped they stood they're facing a man of medium build with brown hair who was looking around at his surroundings, not understanding what was happening.

The man backed up as he saw them coming closer and approaching him.

He stopped moving when they did and noticed they were looking down.

He looked down to se himself standing in the middle of a table, yet he felt nothing. He moved his hand down anly to watch it pass through the table.

He rolled his eyes as he shook his head. "What the hell is going on and who the hell are you?" He asked glaring at the people standing in front of him.