Title: The End of the World
Author: Mandy C
Email: amanda@beingdrowned.com
Summary: What would you do during your last moments on Earth?
Spoilers: Through "The Zeppo" (mid-season 3)
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: I've noticed this theme where I do not write stories where I would have to come up with my own plot. I sort of do in this one, a little, maybe. No, never mind. In "The Zeppo," the Hellmouth opens. In this story, it didn't get shut. So the characters and the backstory are Joss's. Hooray.
Distribution: My site at http://beingdrowned.com/fanfic, Land of Denial, fanfiction.net, and the Slayer Fanfic Archives...um, if you want it, take it, just let me know.
Notes: OK, Hellmouth is open, the Scoobs have been split up. My only excuse for this is that I've been reading too much Vonnegut. I wanted to put the quote about there being nothing intelligent to say about a massacre, but I think that's beside the point of this story. Assuming, of course, that there is a point to this story.
Feedback: Please, please, please, to amanda@beingdrowned.com

Two: Willow and Xander

"I'm sorry," Xander said. Willow looked at him questioningly. "Well, it's just that with the world ending, I thought I should say...sorry. For the thing with Cordelia, for not being with you, and for, well, being with you. For screwing stuff up for you and Oz."

She shrugged, kicked her legs against the bed frame. "No big," she said. "I know--I mean, I get it. All the stuff you did and didn't do. That we did and didn't do. It doesn't really matter."

Xander looked down at their feet. "Yeah. Guess not."

She slid her hand into his and gave him the tiniest smile. "Thank you anyway."

They sat there on the edge of the bed, at the end of the earth, holding hands and looking out the window.

"Are you scared?" Xander asked abruptly. "Of dying."

Willow evaluated. "Maybe I'm a little scared of dying," she offered. "I'm scared that it'll be slow. Or-or that it'll hurt."

He swallowed hard and looked away, and she squeezed his hand again. "But I'm not afraid of death." She continued, almost wistfully, "Jenny will be there. We'll see Jesse again...and maybe, by the time we get there, maybe Giles and Buffy"--her voice cracked--"and Oz will be there, too. Maybe you and--and Cordelia could even work things out in, y'know, the afterlife. You'll have lots of time." Xander smiled, this time to hold back the tears building up in his chest. Willow's voice softened. "I think she loved you, Xander. Even if she'd never say it. Or show it. Or know what--well, you get it. But things will be okay, Xander."

He nodded. "I don't have any jokes."

"I know what you mean."

"I love you, Will."

She said simply, "I know."

She held him as he cried for everything they were going to lose, and for all the things he didn't know how to say. She held him until it was over.

It wasn't long, and it didn't hurt.




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