A/N: I tried to put this up last night also, but couldn’t get it up till now. I just didn’t want to leave it where I had.

Also, I should probably tell you that this is definitely not going to follow the season 6 outline anymore…it started out like that, but it’s going very AU. So, don’t expect any more of the baddies from season six.

And With This Power

Chapter Ten: Hurt


No.

Everything was fine.

Just because she hadn’t seen Willow or Spike for two days now didn’t mean that anything was wrong.

She’d gone to his crypt a few times to discover that he wasn’t there, and she had no clue what to think.

But what wigged her out even more is the fact that Willow had yet to come home or even call.

Tara had offered a simple locating spell because of how worried Buffy was getting, but Buffy didn’t take her up on it.

But now she was seriously considering it.

As she arrived home from yet another patrol, she felt aches all over her body.

“Dawn!” It was only a few seconds after Buffy called for her sister that she remembered Dawn was staying with Anya and Xander. Tara had offered to continue living there until Willow came back, and Buffy guessed that she was upstairs sleeping.

Setting her jacket on the couch, the slayer started for the kitchen and almost jumped out of her skin when Spike suddenly appeared from the kitchen doorway.

After calming herself down, Buffy sent a glare Spike’s way that was followed by a confused look.

“Scare ya, pet?” He asked with a smirk.

Glaring, she answered, “No. Where’ve you been?”

“Why miss me?”

“Spike-”

“I just went out for a few days. Needed some space is all.”

“Oh. Well, you should’ve said something…I was getting worried.”

With a roll of his eyes, Spike sighed. “Why, didn’t think you’d be able to handle all the new big bads on your own?”

“I love you…you know that’s why,” she answered, looking slightly hurt.

“Right. You love me. See while I was out, I thought about a few things. You end up saying you love a bloke right before you take him to your bed…and they leave soon thereafter. So I’m thinking something must be wrong in that department. See, I thought I loved you…and I do. I love the part of you that fights. I love the slayer. Not Buffy. Just a bit too clingy and whiney for my tastes.” Smirking, Spike walked past her, then stopped to look at her again.

Buffy had unshed tears in her eyes that she refused to let fall. Suddenly, Spike started laughing and then morphed into a mirror image of Buffy herself.

Realization hit Buffy and she didn’t know if she felt relief or grief at the moment. “Get out,” Buffy said coldly to herself/the First.

“Oh, come on. I love getting you all worked up like that. I guess Spike’s a sore spot for you. It’s gonna hurt when he doesn’t come back, isn’t it?” The First then changed into Angel.

“Come on, Buffy…you’re working yourself too hard here.” As Angel/ the First smiled at her, the front door opened to reveal Dawn, Giles, Xander and Anya. They had all come over to discuss the disappearance of Willow.

Because they honestly didn’t care that Spike was gone.

Well, Dawn did…but the others didn’t seem to worry about it.

“Angel?” Giles asked; his eyes narrowed.

The First turned to face Giles. “Hey, how ya been lately? Got any new schoolteachers I can break?” He asked with a smirk.

“Angelus,” Giles corrected himself and took a step back.

“Get out!” Buffy’s scream had everyone turning to face her.

The First once again morphed into Buffy and sighed. “Fine, ruin my fun. You think you can win? You think just because you got to see the future that you can beat me?” The First smiled and laughed a little. “Guess what. I got to see the future too,” she said in a taunting voice. “So any advantage you thought you had over me…forget it. I’m way ahead of you. In fact…” The First morphed first into the potential, Amanda and then into Kennedy. “I’ve already got some of your warriors down. Pick up the pace, Slayer.” Kennedy/the First vanished, leaving four confused Scoobies and one pissed off slayer.

“Buffy?” Giles asked, stepping forward.

“I don’t guess you want to explain all of that?” Xander questioned, also taking a few steps toward her.

[Same time]

Willow walked out of a small building, a smile on her face. She was doing better. It had only been her first day with the woman who promised she could help the redhead.

Willow had left Sunnydale, knowing she had hurt the one woman who would do nothing to harm her. With the knowledge that she needed help, Willow had gone to see a powerful Wicca she’d heard of, in hopes that she could learn to be responsible for her power.

[Same time]

Spike was determined to do this. No matter what Buffy had said, he knew that she wanted a souled Spike.

So that’s what she’d get.

Speaking of…

“Buffy?” He asked in disbelief as she walked in front of him. “What? How?”

“What do you think? I followed you.” Of course he didn’t know, but this was the First.

“Um…why?”

“To stop you from doing something stupid. This soul thing? Don’t do it.”

Spike didn’t know how she knew what he was doing, but he still looked confused. “Why not?”

“Because if you get the soul, then I’d have to feel all sorry for you and then there’d be no way I could leave.”

“Leave?” Spike tried his hardest not to let the hurt be evident in his voice.

“Yeah. Leave…as in leave you. Come on…you honestly think we’d work out? I had demon poison in me when I proclaimed my love for you. And believe me…there’s nothing I regret saying more.”

Spike pushed all hurt aside and masked it with anger. “Slayer-”

“I don’t have time for this. Or you.” She turned to walk away. Suddenly turning back around, she sighed. “And if you decide to come back home…there’s no longer a standing invite,” the First lied and turned.

Spike could only watch as she turned the corner to walk through a trail in the woods. He couldn’t see her anymore, but he had too many emotions running through him to move.

The First/Buffy stopped walking when she came to the man who had been waiting for it.

“Go for it, Caleb. Get me a new soldier,” she said with a smirk that Caleb returned.

Caleb walked out to where Spike was still standing.

“Ain’t that just like a woman? Make the promises and then turn her back on you.” Caleb made the ‘tsk’ sound as Spike eyed him wearily. “A war’s about to begin. Against the Slayer and all her friends. There’s no doubt that they will lose. And the Slayer’s pretty little neck will get to crack in you hands…if you want it.”

Spike wasn’t this stupid. He was mad, yes. But he loved Buffy still; there’s no way he’d help kill her. “Sorry, don’t think so,” Spike said, taking a step forward.

“Ah,” Caleb started, a smirk on his face. “That, my boy, is where you don’t have a choice.” Before Spike had time to contemplate what Caleb had said, Caleb’s hand was brought down on Spike’s shoulder and a bright light surrounded them both.

And Spike could only scream in pain at the magics that tore through him.

The magics that took all his love for Buffy and Dawn away.

The magics that made the demon in control of the man again.

The magics that took all the good there was out of him.

And the magics that made him the First’s newest recruit.

As the light died down, Spike lifted his head with an evil glint in his eyes. Turning to Caleb, the vampire could only smile.

Spike’s smile turned into a smirk as he asked, “Didn’t you say something about cracking someone’s neck?”

Three months. That’s how long it had been since the first appearance of the First.

Buffy had calmly explained to her friends that she’d had a vision about the First. But she definitely did not tell them about how she saw most of the future.

---Flashback, three months before---

“I-I had this dream. A few nights ago. I didn’t know what it meant until the First just showed up.”

“Didn’t it say something about seeing the future?” Dawn asked.

“Y-yeah…talking about my dream…that’s all the future I got to see,” she lied in assurance.

“So, is this something we should be worried about?” Xander asked.

Buffy and Giles shared a knowing look. “You should be more than worried.”

---End flashback---

Immediately, Buffy had the council round up all the potentials they knew of. They weren’t going to be brought to Buffy’s house, but put in a safe haven somewhere in England.

Buffy had no idea how she was going to work this out.

Willow had called a week after her disappearance and assured Buffy and Tara that she’d be back soon. She didn’t tell them what she was doing, just simply that she’d come home soon enough.

Sometime or another, Buffy would have to get Willow to do the spell to make all the potentials slayers. They’d need the muscle once the fighting started.

None of the Scoobies had anymore encounters with the First since that day.

But, none of them had yet to see Spike either.

Even Giles had been concerned for the bleached vamp the other day.

Huh. Who would’ve thought?

As Buffy continued to dry the dishes, waiting for Dawn to get home from Janice’s house, she never heard someone open her front door.

As Spike walked in the front door, he was a little confused. Hadn’t Buffy said he’d no longer be invited? Shrugging it off, he put on his best ‘I love you’ face and started slowly toward the kitchen. Buffy was humming some tune while washing the dishes over the sink.

Buffy felt her slayer senses kick in and she turned quickly.

But she couldn’t prepare herself for seeing him.

After three months of no word at all.

He was just standing there, smiling, like he would every other day.

“Hey,” he said in a monotone voice.

“Hey? Gone for three months and all you have to say is ‘hey’?”

“Hey, you’re the one who-” Suddenly, Spike stopped himself. Fighting with her wasn’t going to get her on his side.

“I’m the one who what?”

“Nothing…I just needed to think, okay?”

“And it took you three months? Brain must be slower than I thought.”

Okay, now he was just getting pissed off. He was trying to be ‘nice guy’ here, and she threw it back in his face.

Okay, technically, he just wanted to bite her.

But he had to wait. The First assured him he could be the one to kill the slayer.

“Sorry,” Spike mumbled.

Buffy just shook her head. “You should be. God, what were you thinking!?”

“Hey, now!” What was she so worked up about? Oh yeah, new evil that wants her dead. Funny.

“You were gone! What am I supposed to think? I mean, there’s this damned First Evil that wants to kill me, and I’ve got a couple dozen slayers piled up over in England just sitting and waiting for me to give them an okay to move. And you! You weren’t here!”

Spike would’ve laughed if he could. Seeing a slayer so worked up over something.

But no. He had to play pretend now.

“Oh, Buffy…I’m so sorry, luv.” Buffy blinked back tears and nodded her head.

“Listen…it’s late, Buffy. I guess…I’ll go.”

“No. I mean…with this new evil…it’d be nice if you could…stay?” Spike smirked inwardly. It was so easy to get her exactly where he wanted. The more he was around her, the more he would find out about her plans.

“Okay.”

---Next night---

Spike walked into the caves the First used and leaned against the wall. When the First finally appeared, it took the form of Kennedy. “So?”

“I’m in. Also got some info for you.”

“…Well?”

“She was talkin’ to me last night. Told me that the girls were over in England in some little fort they set up.”

Kennedy’s form smirked and then cracked her neck. “I love it when things work out my way.”

“Uh, yeah, great for you.” He didn’t sound like he cared. “Why is the Slayer acting like she never told me to piss off when she met up with me that day?”

The First knew he would ask that. “Forgetting spell I had Caleb do. I leave the fairytale stuff to him,” she said, sounding like Kennedy still.

Spike was still skeptical. He wouldn’t care whether Buffy had really said it or not. He hadn’t felt this free in a long time.

He didn’t love or feel.

Which made everything so much easier.

“Lemme ask you somethin’ then. You take the forms of the dead. Can you look like Buffy?”

“No.” It was a lie, but it couldn’t have Spike thinking that it was all a setup. “I can only take the forms of the currently dead.”

Spike smiled slightly and then pushed himself off the wall. “Well…when do I get to play with her?”

Smiling, the First answered, “Let me kill those pesky potentials first. Then you can have her.”

With a smirk, Spike started walking away.

---Same time---

“No, Superman could totally-”

“It was a figure of speech, Andrew.”

Andrew just smiled, knowing he was annoying Buffy.

Last month, Buffy had upgraded the basement a little and made it as comfy as she could. Andrew and Jonathon actually had separate twin beds to sleep in now. And they were no longer ‘guestage’…just guests. They’d tried to prove themselves worthy a couple of times by trying to help with patrol, and Buffy couldn’t help but give them some slack.

“So…Spike’s back,” Jonathon said, changing the subject. “What’s that like?”

“Confusing.” Buffy’s shoulders slumped a little as she admitted this. “He’s just been a little weird.”

“Well…I can make cupcakes,” Andrew offered. “Or, hey! Movie night! Just us three, the couch, a couple of chick flicks?”

Buffy had an amused smile on her face, but then shook her head ‘no’. “Sorry…I’m a bit tired from all the waiting. For the First to make it’s move, ya know?”

They both nodded and Buffy got up from the couch, heading toward her room.

As she was about to get into bed, she was surprised when Spike came walking though her bedroom door. “Hey,” he said softly.

“Hi…”

She remembered how nice it felt when he had just held her those few nights.

He knew what she was thinking. She was a woman. What else would she want besides having him hold her and be there just to comfort?

Okay…Caleb’s personalities were definitely rubbing off on him.

Note to self: Not so much training time with Caleb.

As Spike held her that night, both of them had separate thoughts. Buffy wanted to know what was causing this odd gut feeling.

Spike just wanted to know when she’d fall asleep so he could go get an update with the First.

A/N: For all those upset about where this is going, calm down. Lol. Spike won’t kill Buffy or her friends. He won’t even be evil much longer, I promise. The main plot of this story is Buffy fighting the First…except differently than she saw in Heaven. So, I’m not going to keep Spike evil, because that takes away from my big picture. Lol. So, don’t fret. Only one last chapter of evil Spike, and then we’re fine. He was just some little itty bitty angst I needed to throw in. :P Thanks for reading!


“Ow! Watch where you’re going, snotface!” Andrew whispered in a ‘yelling’ type tone. Andrew had walked into the dark kitchen only collide with a short man, who could only be Jonathon.

“You watch it!”

“You’re gonna wake Buffy up!” It was still the middle of the night, and these two were the only ones awake.

Jonathon was about to reply when he heard someone descending the steps. He recognized the British curses and knew it was Spike.

For some reason, Jonathon had a gut instinct to stay out of the way. He pulled Andrew into the shadows of the kitchen and watched as Spike put on his duster and boots at the front door. When he was done, he quietly exited the house.

“Why were we hiding from Spike?” Andrew asked once Jonathon had taken his hand away from his mouth.

“I don’t know…instinct I guess.”

“Like slayer senses?” Andrew questioned.

“No. Not the same. Why is Spike leaving in the middle of the night, anyway?”

“I dunno.” Both were silent for a short moment, both thinking the same thing. “So, wanna follow him and see what he’s up to? Could be like a secret Superman mission or something.”

Jonathon smiled and raced Andrew to the door.

-----

“Well, well, well. Someone finally decided to show up,” The First/Kennedy said in a teasing voice as Spike entered the caves.

“Ha Ha. Bloody slayer wanted me to hold her. Thought she’d never go to sleep.”

The form of Kennedy walked closer and smiled. “I sent someone to get rid of those irritating potentials. Which means you can go back and get Buffy now. She’s all yours. Do whatever you want. Course, you can’t keep her alive too long. I need the entire slayer line dead to begin my plans.”

“Believe me. She won’t be alive too long.”

Above the caves, at the little opening, Andrew and Jonathon watched with wide eyes at the scene going on before them.

“Oh, and uh…never got to thank your boy Caleb,” Spike said before he started walking away.

“What for?”

“Ya know, working his mojo. Taking away the love, the good. It’s all really annoying to be a vampire and still want to cuddle with the slayer. So, next time you see Caleb…thank him for me,” Spike said with a smirk and began walking away.

Andrew and Jonathon sped away once they had that last bit of information. It was all they needed to know that Spike was the First’s instrument.

----

The nerd duo hadn’t stopped running until they reached Buffy’s house. When they finally burst through the door, they locked it behind them. “Go get Buffy,” Andrew was ordered by Jonathon.

When Andrew appeared a few moments later, he looked confused. “She’s not upstairs.” It was then that both spotted a note on the nearby counter.

Picking it up, Andrew read:

Hey, guys. Couldn’t sleep well. Went out for patrol.

-Buffy

“Spike isn’t home yet. He probably sensed her and followed her to the cemetery,” Jonathon said sadly. At the same time, both looked to the stairs and took in a deep breath.

“Tara!” They screamed in unison.

---Cemetery---

“Buffy?”

The Slayer jumped at the sound of Spike’s voice behind her and then sighed. “Oh, you mean you’re still in town? I woke up and figured I probably shouldn’t expect to see you for another few months,” she replied in an icy voice.

Spike just stood there, a smirk on his face. “There’s still things here to stay for,” he said casually. “Now. I don’t want you to be shocked when I hit you, because it’s no fun when you don’t fight back.” Before Buffy could think, Spike’s fist had been her reason for landing on the ground. “No. Still fun.”


A half hour later, Spike was tying a semi-conscious Buffy to a rock in the caves. He hadn’t really beaten her up. A few hits were enough to put her more in a state of shock and made it easy for him to bring her here.

When Buffy finally regained herself, she glared at him. “You’re not him.”

“Oh, I’m Spike, alright. But after your little show down in Africa, I figured that since you didn’t want me here, the First might have some use for me.”

“Africa!?” Buffy couldn’t help it and started laughing. “God, you really are stupid.” The monotone remark received a punch from Spike. “Come on, Spike! It’s the First. It who can take the form of all things dead! Technically, I’m already dead!”

“The First can only take the form of the currently dead.”

“Wrong again, Spikey.” Buffy let out another angry laugh. “The First has taken my form before.”

Suddenly, the First appeared, in the form of Kennedy. “She’s lying. I think that deserves punishment.” When Spike picked up a sword, ready to finish Buffy off, Caleb ran in.

“Stop!” He yelled. “The potentials…they aren’t dead! The ones we sent to kill them failed. Only three of the potentials were actually there, because the others were in training sessions.”

The First didn’t see this as a reason to panic and only smiled. “Hmm. Guess that means we have to keep her alive a bit longer. We kill her; another slayer will rise. Can’t have that. Play for awhile, then you can kill her.”

Spike smirked and raised the sword again.


---Same time, Buffy’s house---

Tara sat with a book in her lap, candles burning around her. As she chanted a spell, Andrew and Jonathon watched.

---A half hour earlier---

“What is it?” Tara asked with concern as she ran downstairs.

When the duo had explained to Tara what they’d heard in the caves, Tara had closed her eyes, concentrating on something.

When her eyes finally opened, she nodded. “I can help. T-the First did do some kind of spell. But it didn’t get rid of Spike’s feelings for Buffy or fill him with evil; it only masked his love and his good side. Now all I need to do is-” She paused when she realized she should probably explain her plan in simple terms. “-um, unmask those feelings and the good. I-it’s actually not that hard. Just…um…d-don’t be near me when I do it.” Tara felt uncomfortable being so controlling at the moment, so she softened her orders with a smile.


Now Tara continued chanting until the candles flared and then burnt out. A small, bright ball of light formed and then burst, filling the room for a complete second. When the room was dark again, Tara stood and turned the lights on. “Th-there’s not much else I can do…we’ll have to wait and see if they come home.”


---Same time, Caves---

Buffy’s eyes widened as she watched Spike slowly bring the sword to her. He was going for the torture thing.

Suddenly, Spike pulled back and his eyes widened. The smile on the First’s incorporeal face faded and she glared at the bleached vampire. “What the hell are you waiting for?”

Spike shook his head and his look hardened again. “Don’t know. Felt something strange is all.” Spike raised the sword again and brought it down hard. Closing her eyes, Buffy waited for the blow, but never felt it. When she opened her eyes, Caleb was on the ground with the sword in his gut and Spike was quickly untying her.

Before Buffy could get in a word, he was running fast with her in his arms.

Buffy was totally and completely in shock. She thought she was going to die.

And she had been terrified. What made it hurt worse was that her mind was still stuck in that moment, watching Spike raise his sword.

Buffy barely heard, felt or saw anything as she was set on the porch and Spike gently shook her shoulders. There were unshed tears in his eyes and his pain-filled voice kept asking if she was okay.

But she never heard.

“Buffy?” Spike repeated as Andrew, Jonathon and Tara ran out on the front porch. “Buffy!”

Buffy finally blinked and by reaction, jumped away from Spike.

“Luv, it’s alright, I promise,” Spike soothed as he inched closer to her and kneeled before her.

“You’re…I mean, why…it just…”

Spike silenced her by pulling her into a hug. “A spell, Buffy. The First used a spell on me a couple months ago.”

Tara sighed in relief that her spell had worked and she went closer to the couple.

“Come on, Buffy. W-we’ll get you some tea and tell you what happened, alright?” Buffy accepted Tara’s hand and the five went back inside.

----

The next morning, Buffy woke to the sunlight streaming across her face. Slowly sitting up, she decided to make her way down.

When she entered the dark living room, she remembered that they had closed the blinds because Spike had decided to sleep on the couch.

She sat down in the chair in the living room, turning the TV on low volume so she could watch it. When she was sure Spike wasn’t going to wake up, Buffy picked up the telephone and dialed a number.

“Hey, Giles…yes, I’m fine. Uh, Spike’s good too. I don’t think there’s any side effects from the spell…yeah…Oh, right, um…I need you to call the council. Tell them to send the potentials over here to Sunnydale tonight at the latest…yes, I’m sure…Thanks. Bye.”

Buffy hung up the phone and made sure Spike was still sleeping before she picked it up and dialed another number.

“Angel?” She started in a whisper. “No, I’m fine…because I don’t want to wake Spike up…no, he’s not in my bed!” Buffy immediately calmed down and sighed when she realized Spike was still asleep. “Listen, I need you to do something for me…There’s an amulet. Supposed to be worn by a champion, something with a soul but greater than human…yes, it’s dangerous, but I really need it, Angel…Don’t do that. Don’t try to protect me. This is my job. I need that amulet….Thank you, Angel…One more thing. Don’t mention the amulet to anyone, okay? Keep it between me, you, and whoever you have to talk to in order to get that amulet…Thanks. Bye, Angel.”

Buffy sighed and put the phone back in it’s cradle. Standing up, she walked from the living room and into the kitchen.

Spike opened his eyes in the living room. The confused expression on his face was enough to show that he had heard both phone conversations.

---Next night, Buffy’s living room---

Twenty potentials sat scared in the confines of the living room. Xander, Anya, Giles, Tara, Dawn, Andrew, Jonathon, and Spike sat there also, wondering why Buffy had called them there.

Finally, Buffy walked into the large living room and took a deep breath. “I’ve just contacted Willow. She’s on her way home.” Walking into the room a little further, Buffy just glanced to each potential. “Hi, um, everyone. You’re all probably wondering why I brought all the potentials here…” After a short pause, she continued. “This isn’t going to be a battle, you guys. This is going to be a war. That means a bunch of big battles that result in death.” When everyone stared at her with wide eyes she shrugged. “But, hey…life of a slayer. Means you die. Then again, everyone dies.”

“Um, is this supposed to be helping us?” A potential asked with narrowed eyes. Even her friends were a little shocked at how she was talking.

“Wars result in death,” she continued. “Just make sure it’s none of you that are doing the dying.

“I’ve gone through countless battles with my friends, and they’re still here. They aren’t slayers, or potentials. But they get the job done and come out alive. You can do the same.”

“So, why did you call us here?” Another potential asked.

“Because tonight’s battle number one. And to be in a battle, I need an army.”

“Wait,” Xander said suddenly. “How do you know there’s a fight tonight? Did we get threatened?”

“No. I’ve decided I’m not waiting around for them to pick us off. We start the battle and we’ve got the advantage. You guys done asking questions?” Her tone was slightly annoyed.

“Now, hold on, Buffy. You can’t just jump into a battle without making plans,” Giles told her.

“I have made a plan. We go to this vineyard. It’s where Caleb, ubervamps, bringers, and the First hides out.”

“Ubervamps? Bringers?” Dawn asked.

“Ubervamp is a really ugly-looking vampire. Also very strong. Stronger than me. Bringers are eyeless guys who are out to kill us all.”

“And we’re just going to walk into their lair? I’m not liking this, Buff,” Xander said.

“Look, I don’t even know if they’ve raised an ubervamp yet. And bringers aren’t that strong.”

“So, you’re willing to take a chance?” Dawn asked, feeling very skeptical.

Buffy was getting very annoyed. This was the second time she’d had to go through this. All she wanted to do was get it over with. That’s why she was being extra bitchy.

“Fine. You know what? You all can stay here while I go out and do this.”

Spike chose now to cut in. He grabbed her arm before she got to the door. “Hey now. Stop right there. You’re certainly not going in alone.”

“I’m going in whether you guys come or not. And since it looks like everyone’s staying here, I guess I am going alone.”

“Buffy. Now, Spike is making a good point. You cannot face all of this alone.”

“Watch me.” Everyone’s eyes softened at the pain they heard in her voice. They had no idea how hard it was to go through all this again.

She’d been all tough and commander-y because it helped to hide the pain. But when Giles had said she couldn’t face it alone, it brought up old memories and she couldn’t help how her voice cracked.

“Wait, you guys.” Xander stood up. “Now…Buffy’s never been wrong about these things. Even when we doubt her. So…let’s get ready and we’re following you, Buff.”

Buffy smiled at her friend and nodded. “I’ll meet you all outside.”

---Outside, just a few minutes later---

Everyone was still getting ready as Spike stepped out on the porch to stand by Buffy. “You had visions about all this in Heaven didn’t you?”

“I already told you I did.”

“No…you didn’t tell me the specifics about the First.”

“No, I didn’t.”

“I’d like it if you did. You’re planning something, Buffy. And you need to let me in, or you’ll get yourself killed.”

“Spike-”

“We’re ready, Buffy,” Dawn said as she opened the door for the potentials, Xander, and Tara to step out. “Giles, Anya, and the nerds are staying here with me.”

Buffy nodded as they set off for the vineyard.

She had to get the scythe tonight.

---Vineyard, middle of the fight---

Buffy swung around, landing a kick into a bringer. So far, they hadn’t seen any ubervamps, so that was of the good.

“Buffy!” She heard a girl shout. Turning, she saw a potential in the hands of Caleb.

When they got here, Buffy had quickly learned that Spike stabbing Caleb with the sword wasn’t enough to kill him.

“No!” Buffy yelled at Caleb. “Let her go!”

“That’s not the way these things work, Slayer.”

“Xander, get everyone out!” Buffy shouted at him as she ran toward Caleb. By the time she’d gotten there, Caleb had already broken the girl’s neck.

“Oops. Guess I bent her poor neck the wrong way.”

Another potential, who had been distracted, felt a sword slide through her lower abdomen and she fell lifeless to the ground.

Xander had managed to get the rest of them out. The only ones left were Spike, Buffy, and the two dead bodies.

Without hesitating, Buffy ran forward, delivering hard fast blows and kicks. Caleb didn’t have time to react as she blocked him in a corner and backhanded him to the ground.

Now she turned and started running for the entrance where she knew the scythe was. But suddenly she was pulled back. Turning, she realized that the one holding her back was Spike.

“Buffy, we need to get out!”

“Let go, Spike!”

“Slayer, I’ll carry you out if I have to. Preacher Boy’ll get up any second. Let’s go!”

Spike had to drag Buffy out and when they got there, they were met with the eighteen remaining potentials, and an expressionless Xander.

---Later, Buffy’s living room---

“I did not make a mistake tonight, Giles,” she argued.

“How can you say that!” A potential yelled. “We just watched two of our friends die! We warned you, and you led us down there!”

“Because I had to.”

“Why, Buff?” Xander asked, finally talking. “What did we get out of this?”

“He has something down there, Xand. It’s the key to winning this.”

“Even if you are right, and it is down there…where is it? It’s still down there, Buffy!” Anya practically yelled. “You acted like you knew you would win. But you didn’t. Do you think you’re better than us?”

Buffy’s eyes widened. This conversation was sounding way too familiar.

“You’re being careless,” Rona pitched in.

“We can’t win if you’re leading us,” Anya said, not sounding very sorry.

“Which is why you should go,” Dawn said in almost a whisper. “I love you, Buffy. But…this is big and we can’t have you making big decisions that get everyone killed. You need to leave.”

Buffy looked around, and no one looked like they would object.

Except Spike who looked pissed off and ready to kill everyone in the room bar Buffy.

“I’m sorry, Buffy. But you can’t be apart of this anymore.”

A/N: I loved the “Touched” episode. But, unfortunately, things are going to go way different. Buffy’s not giving up like before, so she won’t even need a comforting speech. Just wait for the next chapter when this conversation is continued.

Buffy’s expression didn’t even change as her friends and family tried to kick her out.

“Buffy…I…” Dawn started.

“No,” was Buffy’s answer. “I’m not leaving.”

“That’s right, she’s not leaving,” Spike said, his angry side coming through.

“Buffy, we understand that you want to help. But you didn’t even think today.”

“I thought plenty,” Buffy said in a casual tone. “Now that we’re done with this discussion, is anyone hungry?” She asked as if the conversation was really over.

“Buffy…”

“You’re being careless!” Rona shouted and a few other potentials agreed.

“No!” Buffy yelled back, losing her cool. “I’m being a leader!”

“Being a leader means getting people killed?” Giles asked. “We clearly warned you of the consequences and you ignored them!”

“Okay…” Buffy said in calm tone. “I’ll tell you what. Anyone who doesn’t like my tactics and leadership. Get out of my house. But once you walk out that door, don’t you dare expect me to protect you against the First.”

“Do you just think you’re better than us?” Anya asked. “You think you’re the only one who can protect us?”

“No. Spike can help,” Buffy retorted.

“Buffy. We just think you need some time to cool off.”

“And do you think that by kicking me out of my own house, in a city where I’m wanted dead, that I’m going to cool off!?” Buffy yelled. “Six damn years! Six years I’ve protected you, so don’t you dare tell me that I’m being careless, or that I need to leave.”

“In Buffy’s defense…”

“Shut-up, Bleach Boy,” Xander cut off Spike.

“No. He’s in this too. As much as you may not like it. He’s in this.”

Everyone in the room looked a mixture of angry and shamed. “Um, can I say something?” Andrew asked. At Buffy’s nod, he cleared his throat. “Buffy’s a good leader. She fights stuff and keeps saving you guys. So just because you guys don’t agree with her, doesn’t mean you need to get all selfish with the leader position.”

Jonathon spoke up. “Yeah, I mean…she’s done this for six years, and now you’re putting her out there with nothing. No one.”

Spike stepped forward. “Um, actually, she goes, I go too.”

Bravely, a shy potential stood up. “Me too,” she said strongly. “You guys, Buffy’s done everything possible to protect us. She can’t insure that some of us won’t die…but she’s been trying pretty damn hard. So…if she goes…I’m going with her.”

Dawn took a deep breath. “We’re just saying-”

“No. This conversation is over, Dawn. I’m staying. You don’t like it? You leave.” Dawn was taken aback by Buffy’s harsh words and looked hurt. “Don’t you do that. Don’t you tell me to leave and then act wounded when you get the same retort. Doesn’t work like that Dawn.”

Dawn was about to say something when suddenly, there was a knock on the door. “Buffy, it’s me!” Buffy heard Angel call.

Smiling, she went to the door and let him in. “Whoa…guess you’ve got some company.”

“These are the potentials, Angel. So, do you have it?”

“Have what?” Giles asked.

“The amulet,” Angel answered.

But at the same time, Buffy shouted out “Nothing,” not wanting Giles and the others to know. Luckily, her voice drowned out Angel’s so the others didn’t hear. “Where is it?”

Angel sighed and brought it out, but didn’t hand it to her. “I can’t let you have it, Buffy.”

“Hell you can’t. Give it here.”

“Buffy…I researched it. This thing is beyond dangerous. It requires a sac-” Buffy knew he was about to say ‘sacrifice’ so she cut him off.

“I know it’s dangerous. But it’s the key to winning this, okay.”

“Buffy…”

“What is it, Buffy?” Spike asked quietly. Both Buffy and Angel turned to him.

“What are you doing here, Spike?”

“He works for us,” Buffy explained as Spike walked over. She looked at him for a second before smiling. He returned it and Angel looked confused.

“Wait. Am I missing something? Buffy…is he…”

“What?”

“Ya know…your boyfriend?” Everyone in the room had wide eyes as they waited for her answer.

“No,” she replied as if it was crazy to think. Spike looked down; he’d known that would be her answer. Buffy then smiled a little. “But he will be.”

There were whispers and gasps going around the room, but Angel’s look of confusion made Buffy’s mouth twitch into a smile.

“Buffy…you can’t be serious.”

Spike was smiling now too. “Oh, I think she is,” he said with a smirk aimed at Buffy.

Buffy seemed to come out of the moment quicker than any of them. “I need the amulet.”

“Buffy, you have no idea what this thing does.”

“Yes I do,” she said quietly.

“Buffy…there isn’t a written record about what exactly it does except the fact that the sacrifice needs to be something with a soul, but more than human.”

Everyone gasped but Buffy ignored them. “Which would be me. Now give it.”

Spike pulled Buffy a little roughly so she’d face him. “No. You’re not doing this.”

“You don’t even know what I’m going to do!”

“You mean besides kill yourself!?”

“What?” She asked, and then sighed. “Oh, God…Spike. I’m not going to be the sacrifice, okay.”

“Then how do you plan to do it?”

“Easy…or, I’m hoping it is. I wear it, it works, then I take it off and run for my life.”

Buffy heard Dawn giggle behind her and it made Buffy smile a little. “Buffy…” Angel started, and as he did Buffy took the amulet from him. “Hey!”

“Ha. Might want to work on those reflexes, Angel,” she teased. Angel sighed and smiled.

“Buffy…be careful, okay?”

“I promise.”

Buffy took a step forward and Spike thought for sure they were going to kiss. But instead, Buffy gave the older vampire a friendly hug. “Thanks for this.”

“You’re welcome, Buffy.” He pulled away and smiled at everyone else before turning.

But all of a sudden, he turned around, facing Spike. He’d sensed that something was different when he’d first walked in, but now he thought he knew what it was.

Taking a few steps forward, Angel looked into Spike’s eyes. “Hey, Peaches…if you’re trying to kiss me, I should probably let you know I’m not like that.”

Angel rolled his eyes and then focused on Spike again.

With slightly wide and confused eyes, Angel turned to face the blond slayer. “You didn’t tell me he had his soul.” Buffy’s and Spike’s eyes went wide also.

“What!?”

“What?” Dawn repeated, her voice much quieter. Everyone in the room looked equally shocked.

“Well…it’s there. He’s got it,” Angel replied, his hand going to scratch his head slightly.

Buffy just looked at Spike and shook her head. “You said that the First got to you before you could get your soul.”

“It did!” Spike almost yelled, not liking that someone or something was messing with him.

“I don’t understand,” Giles murmured, taking off his glasses to clean them.

“That makes a roomful of us,” Xander stated.

Anya was pouting slightly. All this deal with the First, Caleb, and now Spike was pushing the wedding further and further back. Of course, she knew, that these were things that needed to be done, considering they were life-or-death situations.

Dawn was grinning like she didn’t know how to stop. “Really?”

Everyone ignored her almost inaudible question and turned back to Spike.

“We need to find out if this is something with the First…or I dunno…”

Angel had been thinking hard and now he turned to Buffy slowly. “I may know a way you can find out.”

---A little while later, living room---

Buffy stood in the middle of the darkened room, only a few candles illuminating around her. The potentials watched eagerly from the doorway and everyone else, minus Tara, stood along the outer edges of the room. Willow had yet to make it home, so Tara was standing next to Buffy, setting everything up.

“So…I just go speak to these oracle things…and they tell me why Spike has his soul?” Buffy asked Angel with raised eyebrows.

“Hopefully. They may not have anything to tell you.” He paused for a moment. “Oh, and you need an offering.”

“You mean like a goat?” Buffy questioned, looking slightly confused.

“No…like a watch…or something.”

Buffy looked down at herself, noticing she wasn’t wearing a watch. “Ah,” she smiled, taking off her thin bracelet that had three diamonds to decorate it. “I never wear it anyway.”

“Are we ready?” Tara asked shyly, tucking her hair behind her ears.

“Think so,” came Buffy’s answer.

Less than a minute later, Tara was chanting the spell, her eyes slightly wide, and the rest of her was shaking slightly.

After a moment, she took in a sudden breath and almost fell backwards. “I…they aren’t letting access the powers from here…”

“Try again,” Buffy commanded softly with a warm smile. Tara smiled back uneasily and closed her eyes in concentration.

After a moment, a vortex of golden light formed in front of her. “I go in there…I’m coming back out, correct?” She asked.

“Go!” Dawn suddenly yelled, seeing that it was closing up.

Buffy sighed before taking a small leap through.

Everyone else in the room just stood with wide eyes as the vortex disappeared. “She bloody well better come back,” Spike muttered under his unnecessary breath.

---

Buffy stumbled forward as she found herself in an open, golden-lit room. Standing before her were a man and a woman. Both looked pretty much emotionless as they paced around her.

The way the two were circling her made her feel a little defensive, but she didn’t dare go into a fighting stance.

“Hello. You’re one of the two slayers. Buffy.”

Smiling somewhat uneasily, Buffy nodded. “Yeah, and um…you’re those oracle things, right?”

The man and woman locked eyes for no more than a second before they stopped pacing in front of her. “Yes,” the man answered.

“Oh, I brought you…this…” Buffy informed them as she fumbled with the bracelet on her wrist.

“No need,” the woman answered with a somewhat kind tone. At Buffy’s confused tone, she added, “You protect the lower beings. You have accepted your destiny. No gift is needed.”

Buffy smiled. “Well. That’s good, considering I really wasn’t liking the idea of giving this to you.” When she saw their not-so-amused faces, she cleared her throat. “Um, right. I’m here because--”

“We know why you have come,” the female interrupted.

“The vampire. William,” the male started. “You want to know why we gave him back his soul.”

“Wait. You gave him back his soul? That was you guys?”

“Indeed we did.”

“Well…okay, why?” Buffy questioned with narrowed eyes.

“The one who wears the amulet will not walk away from this war. You are not meant to die,” the male explained.

Buffy was raging before she could stop herself. “That isn’t for you to decide! I decided to be the one to wear it!”

“William was given his soul because he is the one that is meant to wear the amulet.”

“I don’t give a damn! This isn’t your choice! Spike wears it and he dies!”

“And if you wear it, than you too would die,” the male tried to reason, never showing emotion.

Buffy tried to keep her breathing in check as she clenched her teeth slightly. “That’s a risk I’m willing to take.”

“It’s not one we are willing to let you take,” the female informed her.

“Besides, what is so wrong with giving the vampire his soul?” The male asked.

“Because then he knows!” Buffy yelled, tears near the surface of her eye. “Then he knows he can wear it! And he will! He’ll be stupid and he’ll wear it!”

“And die a champion,” the male and female finished at the same time.

“Die is the keyword!” The blond slayer fumed.

“You don’t--” The female started to talk, but Buffy quickly interrupted.

“No. You don’t. You don’t understand!” She screamed and turned to pace a little. “What was the damn point of letting me see the future if everything has to happen the same way?” She asked in a small yet demanding voice.

“So you would be prepared to fight and know what was to come. So you could save more lives.”

“That’s all? That’s the entire reason?”

“By giving you those visions a total of forty-five lives will be saved. Not just people you know, but others also.”

Buffy looked down, slightly ashamed that she was getting mad when they had in fact given her the vision for good reasons.

“So that’s it? Spike still has to die?”

“He does.”

The room around Buffy started to fade and spin a little. When she looked up to see why, the oracles were already gone. But she still heard the female’s voice.

“Don’t let this discourage you, Slayer. Not even death shall keep him.”

As the room continued to fade and spin slightly, Buffy tried to figure out what that meant. ‘Not even death shall keep him’?

What was that supposed to mean?

Before she had time to think more about it, she felt two pairs of arms holding her steady on either side.

While trying to get back in the right state of mind, she realized she was back in the living room. Spike was holding one of her arms, and Xander the other. “Thanks,” she said weakly.

Without even looking up, she began to leave the room.

“Um, Buffy?” She heard Dawn’s voice.

Angel continued, “What did the oracles say?”

Buffy let a slow, but very fake, smile form. “They said it’s a gift,” she lied.

“A gift?” Spike questioned, a little skeptical.

Nodding, Buffy continued her lie. “Just a gift. You know, since you’re helping out with the big fight and all…they wanted to give it to you.”

“I’m confused,” Spike informed her. “Shouldn’t I be acting all poor and tortured like Peaches does with his soul?”

“It’s called guilt,” Angel corrected, slightly annoyed.

Buffy looked a little confused herself. “I don’t know…maybe…I don’t know,” she said and shrugged. “But, I’m tired. As in, I’m going to sleep.” She looked at the room full of potentials, her friends, and her sister. Sighing, she was about to turn when Angel spoke up. “Well, then I’ll be leaving town. I guess, you got what you needed, so…”

Buffy smiled, but didn’t move forward. Understanding, Angel just nodded and smiled as he opened the front door and walked out.

Just a few moments later, Buffy sighed again. “Okay, this time, I’m really going to bed,” she informed them.

Just then, the door opened to reveal a smiling Willow. “Hey, guys I’m…” She trailed off seeing the houseful of people. “Sleepover? We’re having a sleepover?”

---Later---

Buffy sat up in her room a few hours later. Willow had been filled in, and the rest of the house was now asleep.

Picking up the amulet, she sighed as her fingers ran over and traced the edges. When she heard a soft knock on her door, she quickly put it under the bed just as Spike walked in.

After softly shutting the door, he took a few steps forward. “Hey, I just…wanted to make sure you were okay.”

Smiling, Buffy nodded, though she knew he was the one who should feel pretty weird about now. He was the one who’d just gotten his soul. “Spike…” When he looked back up at her, she patted the space beside her on the bed. “Stay here with me?” She asked as she moved over to make more room. He looked a little confused but didn’t waste time in walking over and sitting beside her.

As his strong arms hugged her to him, she smiled slightly. “Thanks.”

He replied by placing a soft kiss on the top of her head.

It was about twenty minutes later that she finally closed her eyes. She didn’t want to sleep, but she knew she needed it.

Spike knew that the slayer wasn’t sleeping. He could tell by her breathing patterns. “Buffy?”

“Hmm?”

“Am I going to lose you?” He questioned finally. The tone and volume of his voice made her cringe inwardly. He sounded almost broken and weak. Of course he wouldn’t want to lose her.

How could she answer that though?

Saying yes would mean that he would do everything in his power to wear the amulet himself.

Saying no meant lying to him…making it all the harder when she did die.

So she didn’t answer. He kept waiting, but she wouldn’t let a single word pass her lips.

That was enough answer for him though.

She wasn’t going to make it. She knew she wasn’t going to make it.

Well…not if he could stop her, she couldn’t.

“No, you’ve got it all wrong,” Spike almost growled as he watched the army of teenage girls try to get into a fighting stance.
Sighing, the girls let their bodies fall back into a comfortable standing position. “Why isn’t Buffy training us today?” One with brown hair asked.
“She’s got some business to take care of with Red. Now…”
---

“Are you sure about this, Buffy?” Willow asked, her eyes wide.

“I’m positive.”

“It’s very risky…”

“I know. But all you have to do is perform the spell near the end of the big fight.”

“Buffy…if something goes wrong…”

“Nothing will go wrong. I promise.” Buffy gave her friend a reassuring smile.

“Where am I supposed to get the power to do that kind of spell? I just went to this place that helped me control my magic…and now you want me to do this?”

“It won’t harm you, Will. And it won’t hurt me.”

“That’s not the point…I’m powerful. But what you’re asking me to do…where do I get that kind of power?”

“You can do this…and Tara can help you. Together you guys will be more than powerful enough.” When Willow smiled and nodded her agreement, Buffy stood up with her own smile.

“There’s another spell I need you to perform around midnight tonight. When everyone’s asleep.”

Willow’s eyes went wide, but she listened as Buffy explained the second spell that would make the potentials real slayers.

---

“Okay, you guys. Rest up, get ready for the big day tomorrow,” Buffy commanded as the teens settled into their sleeping bags.

“I have a question. Why are we going into the hellmouth? Why are we starting the fight? Can’t we just wait for them to come to us?”

“No,” was the blond slayer’s answer. “We’re not waiting for them to come to us. That’s what gets people killed. If we go in tomorrow, they won’t be expecting us, they won’t be ready. We will.”

“We are not ready,” the potential argued back.

“You are. It’s that kind of attitude that will get you killed,” Buffy said with a strict tone. Backing off, the potential just shook her head and let her head fall back on the pillow.

“And where are you going?” Buffy took her hand off the knob of the front door and turned toward the voice.

“Hey Spike.”

“You didn’t answer my question.”

“I’m just going out.”

“Where?”

“What’s with all the questions?” She asked defensively.

“Why aren’t you answering them?” Spike smirked as Buffy’s resolve turned into a slight pout.

“Patrolling. Happy now?”

“No. It’s ten at night; you have a big battle tomorrow. Most vamps and demons have long skipped town by now. No need to patrol.”

Buffy rolled her eyes, opened the front door, and started walking out. She was only a foot outside when she was grabbed by the shoulders and pushed non-too-gently against the wall of the exterior of the house.

With wide eyes, the slayer looked over at Spike and was about to ask what the hell he was doing. Before she could get a word out, she felt herself even more pinned against the wall as his lips came crashing down on hers in an almost bruising kiss. Spike reached one hand over and pulled the front door closed so the potentials wouldn’t see from inside, never breaking the kiss.

Soon, the brutal kiss turned more soft and caring. Finally pulling back, Spike just looked at the bewildered blond.

“What was that for?”

“Because you look like you’re about to go out and do something stupid.”

“And kissing me was supposed to make me not go?” Her eyebrow rose.

“Well, seeing as how you’re still against the wall, and not gone…” He trailed off with a smirk as Buffy sighed.

“I need to go.”

“Are you coming back?”

“What kind of question is that? Of course I’m coming back,” she assured him.

“I meant…is this stupid thing you’re about to do going to get you killed?”

Sensing his distress, Buffy let out a small sigh and quickly gave him another soft kiss. “No. I’m coming back. There’s something I need to do.”

Breaking free from his grasp, the slayer started off the porch. When she was halfway down the sidewalk, she turned to see that Spike was still facing where she had been standing, shoulders slumped.

Sighing for the millionth time, the slayer set out to do her job.

---

“Let her go, Caleb,” the First/Buffy commanded.

Buffy stood on the other side of the room, holding the scythe. Caleb was seething mad, and didn’t look like he wanted to back down. “I said let her go,” the First repeated more firmly.

Before Caleb had a chance to do anything, Buffy fled, running up the stairs and out of the vineyard.

The slayer hadn’t slowed her pace down until she realized she was plenty safe. Sighing, she was about to revel in her victory when she felt herself being tackled to the ground, making her drop the scythe.

Landing on her front side, she let out a small cry of pain. Buffy had tried getting up but found it pointless since her attacker was sitting on her back, pinning her down.

“You. Are. One. Bloody. Stupid. Chit,” Spike ground out slowly, making Buffy sigh in relief that it wasn’t someone else.

“God, Spike. What’s your problem?” She tried getting up, but he just held her tighter. “Ow!”

“I’m not hurting you,” he said with a roll of his eyes. “My problem is you. You said you weren’t doing anything stupid.”

“No. I said that I was coming back. Not that I wasn’t doing something stupid.”

“Slayer…” He started in a warning tone. “You went to fight Caleb. Alone. All to get that stupid shiney weapon!”

“Hey,” Buffy shouted in her own defense. Before she could say anything else, Spike got off of her and she was being pulled off the ground. She expected him to let her go, but he just held both of her upper arms tightly, so she was facing him. “And for your information, that scythe is really important in this battle!”

“How do you know? Is that something you learned while seeing the future?”

“Yes!”

Suddenly, Spike’s look of anger changed before her eyes to vulnerability. His grip on her arms loosened until he finally let go and backed away.

“Spike?”

“I need you to talk to me Buffy.” She cringed inwardly at how broken his voice sounded. “You know how to win this battle…you know what’s going to happen. But you’re not letting anyone in. You won’t tell me what’s supposed to happen…and I know you’re hiding something.”

“Spike…”

“No. You’re willing to let yourself get killed in this war, and I’m not willing to lose you!”

When she saw the single tear slip from his eye, Buffy’s eyes went wide. Not hesitating, the slayer took a few steps forward and put her arms around him. He didn’t waste a second before hugging her back to him. “Buffy…”

“I won’t die, Spike. I won’t die. We’re going to get through this. Both of us, alive. Trust me, okay?”

Spike just nodded slightly and she smiled as she rested her head on his chest, hugging him tighter. “I love you, Buffy.”

She moved her head back slightly to look at him. “I love you too.”

[i]Oh God…

What if I really don’t make it?[/i]

Buffy, Willow, Giles, Spike, and Tara sat alone in the basement of the house, the only place that was empty at the moment.

True to her word, Willow had gotten the supplies ready for the spell to make all the potentials slayers.

“I have to say Buffy…this idea…it’s…”

“Brilliant?” She asked with a toothy grin, remembering what Giles’ remark had been the first time she’d lived through this.

“That it is. How did you come up with this?”

“Well…the scythe is connected to the slayer line. So, if we use its power, we should be able to make it so that each potential ever born…is a slayer. No waiting.”

“Why didn’t someone think of this before?” Spike asked with a smile, which Buffy and the two witches returned.

“Okay, so we’re ready then?” Buffy asked Willow, who looked unsure.

“As long as Tara can help,” she said shyly.

“Willow, you can do this on your own. You need to prove this to yourself, okay? Tara can help you with the other spell.”

“What other spell?” Spike and Giles asked at the same time. The three women in the room cringed inwardly. No one else was supposed to know.

“Nothing important,” Tara spoke up, trying to keep her voice strong. Buffy wanted this spell kept secret, so there was no way she was going to give it away.

Spike and Giles looked unconvinced, but let it go.

“I can do this,” Willow said strongly and went to where they had set the things up.

---

Sunlight streamed through the small openings of the curtains, sending a few slivers of the light throughout the room. Such a beam of light danced across the face of a potential, Celeste.

As she opened her eyes, she stretched out. Slowly, as if on the same mental clock, the other girls in the room opened their eyes. Each girl was met with nine figures standing around the room: Buffy, Giles, Spike, Willow, Tara, Jonathon, Andrew, Anya, and Xander. Dawn, who had decided to bunk with the potentials the night before, slowly sat up and looked concerned.

The eight adults standing around the room looked like they had just been standing there for a while. Waiting.

“Um…what’s wrong?” Celeste asked.

“Nothing,” Buffy said truthfully. She picked up a knife that she had laying on the banister and looked at it for a moment.

Without warning, she threw the knife with all her force toward Celeste, who caught it just before it hit her between the eyes.

“What the hell!?” Dawn yelled, eyes wide at her sister’s behavior.

“I…I caught it?” Celeste asked, still shaky.

“You’re a slayer. You have those reflexes now.”

“Wait…if I’m a slayer…”

“Does that mean Faith died?” Dawn asked suddenly.

“No. Faith didn’t die.” When she saw their confused faces, Buffy explained the spell Willow had done. “So, you’re all slayers. You each have the power to live today. It’s your choice whether or not you embrace it.”

“We-”

The question was interrupted by a knock at the door. Being cautious, the blond slayer went to open it.

“Hey, B. Heard you were havin’ some fun out here. Didn’t think I’d let you do it alone, did ya?”

“Faith?” Buffy looked confused, but cautiously let the brunette slayer in.

“Wow…big sleepover?”

“These are the potentials. Actually, now they’re slayers,” Xander informed her.

“Wha…” Faith asked, looked utterly confused.

“Spike, fill her in on everything. The rest of you.” She scanned her eyes around the room “Get ready. It’s almost time.”

---

Night had finally fallen once again, and Buffy’s stomach was in knots. It was decided that they’d go down there close to sunset so that Spike could run out of the caves without being burnt to bits. The First would never see them coming like that.

“So, you’re sure you know what to do today?” Buffy asked Willow and Tara when they were alone outside, waiting for the rest.

“Positive. It’s actually not that hard of a spell. We just need to crank open that hell portal, and then you do the rest.”

“Great,” Buffy said and turned to the others as they walked out of her house.

“Troops are ready,” Spike said as he walked up to her. “Buffy?”

“Hmm?”

“Can I talk to you for a sec?” He asked, indicating he needed just a moment of privacy. Nodding, Buffy followed him away from the loud group of people.

“What’s up?”

“Giles, Faith, and your friends and I…we were talking.”

Buffy was immediately on the defensive. “Yeah…”

“After this is over. The fight…they…we want you to have a better life. Better than this. There are other slayers now.”

“What are you saying?”

Closing his eye for a brief second, he gave her a sad look. “There’s another hellmouth in Cleveland. When we’re finished here…Giles said he’ll give you and Dawn some money to start a life someplace safe, away from all this.”

“J-just Dawn and me?” Buffy cursed herself inwardly for her faltering voice.

“Well…yeah. Xander and Anya still have their wedding ahead, so they’re gonna want to settle somewhere. The witches still want to help out in Cleveland. Giles is going back to England, try to straighten the council out. Faith and I will hold down things at the other hellmouth just like you have here. You and Dawn though…you could have normal lives.”

Buffy couldn’t believe what he was saying. Anger ignited somewhere inside her and she couldn’t stop it. “I love you!” She yelled out in an accusing tone, causing the group a few yards away to quiet down and look over at the couple. “Is this your way of saying ‘I love you’ now?! By leaving!”

“Hey! You know I love you, Buffy,” he yelled out, just as angry now. “But this isn’t about us. This is about what’s best for you and your sister!”

At that, every feeling that was inside Buffy disappeared. Love, hope, anger, frustration, hate…all of it was gone, leaving her empty.

‘This is about what’s best for you…’

She was so tired of everyone thinking they knew what was best for her, that she couldn’t stand it.

And now, when things were so close to being perfect…Spike had to pull an Angel on her.

“You’re right,” she said, her voice void of all emotion. Spike noticed, for his expression softened a great deal. “Dawn deserves to be happy.”

“So do you,” he replied in a whisper.

Buffy just shook her head sadly, turning around to walk to the group. “Obviously not,” she called over her shoulder, loud enough for only a vampire to hear.

“Are we ready?” She asked the group, her voice flat, but with some of the slayer edge to it. The girls nodded cautiously and everyone was silent as they followed Buffy’s lead.

A/N: Ohhhh….some angst. Hehe. Couldn’t resist putting that there. Anyway, the final battle is in the next chapter. I’ll probably post tomorrow. I’m trying to get back into daily updates. Sorry that I haven’t been. Life’s been in the way. :P

Some of you won’t like how the final battle ends. KEEP IN MIND that there are plenty of chapters after the big battle, so obviously, I’m not going to leave it like it is.

You’ll know what I mean in the next chapter. Review please. If I get lots of pretty ones I’ll update faster. : )