Birthright

Chapter 9

Daughter. She’ll never meet her daughter. What daughter? Was it a riddle? Like a might have been. If she never saw Spike again, never made things right with him? But it was absurd, wasn’t it, because vampires can’t have children. Except she had noticed those pointed ears. Maybe in that world he could have kids and since she wasn’t welcome there...oh God!

She’d wasted half a day pondering over that riddle. That and realizing she’d made a very big mistake. She’d lost Spike and Dawn because of her own prejudice and stupidity, and it just might be too late. But she had to try. She felt a wave of possessiveness wash over her. No one was going to marry Spike, her William, except her.

She paused for half a moment, letting that thought sink in and the panic to ensue. Only there was no panic, except an ever increasing impatience to move it. She had unfinished business and she was running out of time. She had to find someone with the magic and knowledge to book her a one way trip back, and she knew of only one witch and one book smart guy. But she was flat broke, and she’d need money. Fast. The only thing she had of value was the house and if she was really doing this, she wouldn’t need it anymore. She grabbed the deed to her house and ran across town to Willie’s, slapping it down on the counter,” How much for a take as is, Willie?”

The proprietor may be sleazy, but he sensed a desperate need from the slayer. He offered her a fair trade of goods and within hours she had enough money to set her on her way. She stopped by Xander’s apartment, possibly to say goodbye. The brunette opened his door, blinking in surprise,” Buffy?”

Her smiling trembling,” Hey, Xan.” She nibbled on her lip and looked away, he opening the door wider and ushering her in. Over a couple of cokes they sat on the couch, staring at one another. Her best friend and he felt like a stranger. She took a long drink before sighing and flicking her hair behind one ear,” I’m leaving.”

Xander choked on his drink,” Bu- what??”

She nodded to herself,” I can’t do this anymore.” He started sputtering and she held up her hand,” I died, Xander. Twice. I think it’s my due. They can bust Faith out of jail and let her do her thing...I’m done.”

Shaking his head,” Buff...you’re the Slayer-“

Chin firming,” I’m a slayer. I was the slayer until Sunnydale. The Master saw to that. There’s only supposed to be one slayer and it should have been Kendra.” He looked so confused but she just sighed,” I didn’t come here so you could talk me out of it. I came to say goodbye.”

Running a hand through his hair, looking confused and angry and understanding,” Where will you go?”

Bodily trembling in fear and excitement,” I’m taking a one way trip to England.”

Sighing,” And what does Dawn say about all this?”

“ Dawn’s gone...and she’s not coming back.”

Eyes widening,” Bu-“

”And so is Spike. Everyone I-...everyone I love is gone and, and I’m going to join them.”

Jumping to his feet,” You can’t kill yourself! Buffy!”

Laughing almost hysterically,” They’re not dead, Xander! They’re...they’re in a different dimension. And they’d rather be there than come back here. Neither one of them will choose me over that place- what am I supposed to do? I love Sunnydale...but I love them more...”

He blinked at her in surprise, her words of love finally filtering through,” You love bleach boy?”

Smiling slowly, tears gathering,” Can’t put anything past you, can I Xan?”

He looked down and toed the carpet,” No ma’am. Nothing escapes my keen powers of observation.” He glanced back up at her,” What’s in England?”

Shrugging,” Giles and Willow. If anyone can get me a ticket back to that world, it’s them.” Xander nodded and put down his coke, grabbing his keys.

She gave him a questioning look,” I’m going with you.” Opening her mouth to object,” I’ve been with you since the beginning, Buff. I’m there till the end.” Slowly she gave him a smile and hugged him. Shaking his head as they headed out,” I can’t believe I’m setting my best friend up to be shacked up with that blond idiot.”

*

Spike gave himself the once over, smoothing down the shimmering, silvery tunic. He could deal with that but the gold trim along all of the edges was a bit over the top for him. And he couldn’t even wear his leather breaches since this was his coronation. He made a face at himself,” Bloody hell I miss black. Everything’s grey or blue or...balls!”

Dawn giggled behind her hand, sitting on the bed,” Black doesn’t exactly say King William.”

Frowning at her reflection,” No?”

Shaking her head with a grin,” Nope. Thug William maybe.”

He smirked at her wickedly before sighing to himself, hands moving to run through his hair,” Touch that hair and I break your fingers, mister!” Spike froze,” That took me twenty minutes now leave it alone.”

He shrugged apologetically at his Nibblet and retrieved his sword, running it through it’s holder in his belt. His natural curls were a big problem since they didn’t exactly believe in hair care products here. He glanced down at his light tan boots and sighed to himself,” Ready, I suppose.”

Dawn slipped off the bed and moved to a rather antiquated jewelry box, carefully lifting the lid and retrieving a necklace from it. A simple silver chain, long enough for the pendant to hand at the center of the chest. She cupped the pendant and turned to show it to Spike, the blond’s blue eyes widening,” Ariana said it was customary for the crowned royal to wear this. I think it’s been passed down for ten generations or something.” It was an exquisite piece. A perfect melding of intricate ribbons of silver and gold with a pure ruby at the center.

Spike silently leaned down, letting Dawn putting it on him and gasping softly to himself when it rested lightly in place. For the first time in his long existence, he felt like he was home. He was where he belonged, doing what he was supposed to be doing. For the first time he was at peace.