A Witch In LA

It’s a quiet, but expectant group that spreads out through the high school. A couple watchers down each corridor, with guns and other assorted weapons.

Faith walks besides Tara with a pump action shotgun over her shoulder loaded with hardwood slivers, multiple stakes stuck in her pants pockets along with a knife and a sword strapped to her back. Swallowing, she glances over at her lover with the short sword in the make shift holder at her side, the Amulet around her neck and her mother’s crystal tucked away in the front pocket of her jeans.

“This is the best place for you to set up.” Buffy motions to Willow. “There’s only the one entrance in or out. Kennedy, Rhona you’re to stay here with Willow and Fred. Kennedy, you’re the fastest runner, you know where the Hellmouth is. You get that weapon down to us as soon as the spells complete.” Buffy looks hard at the potential. “Rhona, you stay and help fight whatever might get by us, or come through from other areas.”

Kennedy nods her head. “I won’t screw up.” She promises quietly.

Rhona nods her head silently in agreement.

“Wes, Gunn, Giles your job is to protect these four at all costs.” Buffy takes a deep breath, looking at the rest of the potentials, Tara and Faith. “Spike and Angel should be waiting for us up ahead. We get the fun job of playing in the Hellmouth.” Buffy glances quickly up at Tara’s blue eyes, frowning. “Let’s go. We got some ass to kick. Everyone, try and stay alive.” Buffy almost chokes on the words as she turns to stride down the hallway, followed by the rest of the group.

As they came to a halt on the Hellmouth, Buffy looks at Spike and Angel, nodding her head. “You two ready?”

“Always ready for a good fight, luv.” Spike smirks, throwing away the toothpick he was chewing on.

“Be careful you don’t trip and stake yourself on that.” Angel snarls at the blonde vampire. “I’m ready.” He finally states quietly, pulling a stake out from his jacket.

Tara glances around at the obviously nervous and scared Potentials, before her eyes settle on her lover. Looking over her lovers features, Tara smiles. Grabbing Faith strongly behind the neck, she jerks her in for a long, rough kiss. Pulling back looking in the surprised eyes of her lover, Tara hoarsely calls out. “I’m ready.”

“Let’s kick some ass.” Faith growls looking into the blue eyes of her lover, watching as they slowly get paler.

“Let’s do this.” A couple potentials call out.

“And it begins.” Buffy mutters, cutting her palm to open the seal to the Hellmouth. As the group quickly enters and spreads out, there’s a few gasps as they look out into the cavern, seeing the multitudes of Uber Vamps, the Turok Han’s. “Did anyone remember to invite The First?” Buffy asks belatedly.

Tara chuckles. “He’ll be here.” She mutters out a quick incantation. “Be prepared ladies and gentlemen, it’s going to be a bumpy ride.” Tara laughs, her eyes a pale blue, as the power starts sparking off her body.

“Shit! Here we go!” Buffy and Faith both growl out at the same time as their Slayer senses spike almost unbearably.

“What the fuck is causing this?” Buffy cries out.

“My witch.” Faith laughs before turning and shooting an Uber vamp as it starts heading their way, finally aware that they have company. Chortling loudly as it disintegrates, Faith pumps another shell into the chamber, quickly taking out another one.

Angel and Spike start wading into the vamps, staking them as quickly as possible.

Buffy swings her sword, taking the head from one vamp, while ducking another’s attack looking up in surprise as it dusts, with one of the Potentials shakily pulling her sword back towards her. “Keep it up.” Buffy nods her thanks before staring in stunned surprise as a mist seems to coalesce around the potentials. Watching as the potential that just helped her suddenly jerks and shakes, her eyes opening wide in disbelief, Buffy looks questioningly at the girl.

“It’s done!” The girl calls out grinning, jumping up and over Buffy to attack a vamp behind her, quickly slicing off it’s head with her sword.

“Thank you, Willow!” Buffy cries loudly, glancing up to the stairs as she watches Kennedy come running down them.

Kennedy looks at Buffy, as they make eye contact, she throws the weapon to her.

Buffy let’s out a war cry as she catches the weapon, spinning around to help out her sister slayers take down as many of the uber vamps as she can, giving Tara the time she needs to take on The First.

“Come on out, I know you’re here.” Tara mutters, working the spell quickly, grasping her mother’s crystal firmly in her left hand and the herbs in her right.

“Looking for me, little witch?” The First finally appears in front of Tara. “What, you can’t do anything to me. So why do you want me?” He states, slowly walking through Tara’s body, laughing quietly. “Soon I’ll be able to take on your lover’s form. How will you like that? To know that your lover died so that you might live?”

“Not something I’m really worried about.” Tara softly answers as she finishes the incantation, turning around to face The First. “However, it might be something you should worry about.” She growls, taking the herbs she had painstaking searched through most of Sunnydale to find. “Oh, Goddess, please heed my prayer. Make that which is fleshless become flesh, that which has no form take human form. Breathe life into the empty shell, giving it sustenance so that it may never take form again, once we have defeated it. Please Goddess, help us in this, our time of need!!” Tara yells out the last phrase as she throws the herbs on the smirking First.

“That isn’t going to get it done little witch. You don’t have the power to make me human!!” He laughs out loud. “You’re just a lowly witch that’s going to die.” His eyes narrow on Tara.

“I don’t think so.” Tara smiles as she uncovers the crystal within her hand, shoving it within the incorporeal body of The First.

The First’s eyes open wide as he screams. “NOOOO!!”

“BUFFY!!! THE WEAPON, NOW!” Tara cries out loudly, watching as Buffy tosses the weapon to Faith, who snatches it out of mid-air as she flips up and over Tara and The First, landing behind him.

“Back up, babe!” Faith calls out as she swings with everything in her, slicing The First from the crotch up through his head. Yelling loudly as he falls into two separate, even pieces. Faith jumps forward to slice off the two sections of his head, to be sure that he’s dead when she hears Tara cry out.

“FAITH!” Tara screams at the top of her lungs as an uber vamp starts to swing at her lover. “NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!” Tara screams swinging her arm out, pointing at the vamp.

Faith turns at the last second as the vampire blows apart into a million pieces as a burst of light hits his body. Turning back to Tara, she watches in stunned disbelief as the Amulet glows with light. “EVERYONE GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE, NOW!” Faith screams, as she starts wading through the uber vamps, helping the new slayers. “Get out of here!” Faith yells at each one as she works towards Angel and Spike. “YOU TWO GOTTA GO - WHATEVER’S HAPPENING ISN’T GONNA BE GOOD FOR YOU TWO!”

Spike glances back watching as a burst of light shoots from Tara towards an advancing group of Turok Hans, dusting them instantly. “Poofter, she’s right, get the hell outta dodge!”

Angel nods quickly running up the stairs, followed by Spike, barely dodging a blast of light.

Faith grunts, grabbing up a wounded potential, quickly throwing her over her shoulder and running up the stairs, basically throwing her at the two vampires that are waiting, just out of harms reach. “I think I saw a couple more that are still alive down there. I’ll try and get them to you!” Running back down the stairs, she stumbles as she watches Buffy take a hit. Running to her, Faith swings and slices the uber in half. Glancing around quickly she notices one other girl trying to crawl towards the stairs. Handing the weapon to Buffy she nods towards the girl. “I’ll help her up the stairs, you follow and get the hell out of here!”

Buffy nods her head slowly working her way over towards Tara, knowing this is where Faith will come back to, to be with her lover. Glancing at Tara, she looks into the powder blue eyes. “You positive?”

“Yes.” Tara smiles softly at Buffy as the light becomes brighter and stronger. “Be sure she knows I love her.”

“She’ll know.” Buffy feels the tears working down her face before she leans in to brush a gentle kiss over Tara’s lips. “I’ve kinda always wanted to do that.” Buffy smiles sadly at Tara.

Tara chuckles then glances up at Faith as she comes running back down towards her.

“B! Get the fuck outta here. The seal is starting to close.” Faith growls, coming to a stop beside the two women. She looks at Tara, love shining in her eyes.

“I love you, Faith.” Tara whispers, smiling softly into her lover’s brown orbs. Reaching out, she pulls her in for a firm loving kiss, silently saying goodbye to her lover.

“I love you, too.” Faith smiles looking at Tara, before her eyes widen in surprise, then close as she collapses, unconscious.

Tara catches her, tears running down her face. Glancing up to Buffy who’s tucking away the knife she’s knocked Faith on the head with. “Take her now.”

Buffy nods reaching down and throwing the unconscious slayer over her shoulder. Running to the stairs, she yells over her shoulder. “I’LL TRY TO MAKE SURE SHE DOESN’T DO ANYTHING STUPID!!”

Tara smiles softly, as she opens her senses fully, feeling her lover and Buffy finally reach outside the Hellmouth. Looking down at the lifeless body of The First, Tara kneels, double-checking that it was, really truly dead. Nodding in satisfaction after a few moments, she stands. Turning around, she looks out at the uber vamps that are trying to cower away from the light emitting from her body and the Amulet. Sending up a prayer, feeling the Hellmouth seal permanently, she watches as the light almost seems to work it’s way from the seal down, starting to fill in the cavern.

“Sorry boys, this Hellmouth is officially closed!” She yells, smirking as she backs up, taking a running dive off the edge, the witch becoming completely one with the light as she explodes within the chamber, searching out every nook and cranny, instantly dusting all the Turok Han while filling the cavern with light and love.

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

Buffy groans as she collapses outside the Hellmouth, looking back as it finishes closing completely, seeing a glimpse of light from within seem to fill the area. Shaking her head she looks at Faith, gingerly running her hand over the back of the slayer’s skull, feeling the knot, but no blood. Silently thanking whatever powers were that she didn’t crack her skull wide open.

“You okay, luv?” Spike questions softly, glancing at the blood seeping from the wound in her side.

“I will be.” Buffy nods, feeling her body wanting to give in. “What time is it? How many were injured or killed?” She questions looking at the motley crew of fighters. Smiling softly as Willow, with Fred’s arm wrapped around her stumbles towards them.

“From what I can tell, we lost three of the watcher’s up top to bringers trying to sneak in behind. Luckily there weren’t many bringers left.” Giles leans against Wesley, his leg wrapped heavily from a deep wound from one of the bringers. “Looks like we lost five potentials... Jasmine, Justine, Kristen, Monique and Antonia. I mean, slayers.” He softly corrects himself looking at the women surrounding him. “The rest have varying degrees of injuries, but not anything to major that I can see.” He rubs his hand across his eyes, before whispering out the last bit. “Then there’s Tara.”

“The First is dead. The Hellmouth is sealed, once and for all.” Buffy sighs quietly. “Still, I don’t think it was worth it.” She whimpers as tears fall from her eyes, finally allowing herself to break down at losing a dear friend. No, a sister.

“Now, luv. She didn’t want this, you know that.” Spike gently picks Buffy up to cradle her against his chest, his own dead heart aching. “She would have gladly done it a thousand times over, to help save the rest of the world.”

“More like to save Faith.” Kennedy softly states. “That’s when the power started, Faith was about to be killed by an uber when Tara obliterated it. I happened to glance up to see what happened. Faith had just finished taking out The First when it was getting ready to attack Faith from behind.” Kennedy shakes her head.

“That’s what love is, sacrificing yourself for the ones you love.” Willow whispers, tears streaming down her face. “I don’t know about the rest of you, but I really have got to get out of here.” She cries out quietly, turning to almost run out of the building, with Fred quickly following.

“Come on, let’s go.” Giles looks at the ragtag bunch.

“I got Faith.” Angel kneels besides the woman, gently picking her up, cradling her against his chest as he follows Spike carrying Buffy, and the rest of the crew out of the building. “You’re going to be unbearable when you come to.” Angel looks down at the slayer in his arms. “I guess I better stick around, see if I can help this group keep you under control.”

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

“Here.” Spike hands a mug of blood to Angel, who’s silently sitting beside Faith, waiting for her to come to. “Anything yet?” Spike questions softly.

“She moved and groaned a few minutes ago, but that’s been it so far.” Angel sips the mug of blood, grimacing at the pigs blood, having gotten used to the human blood Tar…. Angel shakes his head trying to get those thoughts from surfacing. Quickly finishing the blood, he looks up to Spike. “Thanks.”

“Welcome.” Spike nods taking the mug back away from Angel. “Should I get some more ice for her head?”

“I think it’s okay. It’s gone down quite a bit.” Angel tilts back in the chair, crossing his arms. “How is Buffy and the rest of the group?”

“Buffy’s pretty much holed up in our room. She ain’t quite come to terms yet.“ Spike looks towards Faith. “As for the rest of the crew, they’re okay. Some of the new slayers are chomping at the bit to try out their new powers. I sent them outside to play in the street. Hopefully they’ll get run over by a stray semi coming through.” Spike growls. “Ain’t got the sense God gave a gnat, those don’t.”

“Let me guess, Kennedy was one of the first, right?” Angel smirks at the blonde vampire, before sighing quietly, thinking about Tara.

“Actually, no. She’s been real handy, running back and forth, helping out wherever needed. She ran to the store and came back carrying about a hundred pounds of ice for everyone. I think it kinda changed her, seeing Tara acting so selflessly.” Spike admits quietly as he leans against the wall. “Do you think it’s a good idea having her in this apartment?” Spike questions looking around, unable to ignore the smell of sex permeating the room strongly.

Angel shrugs. “I really don’t know. But I don’t think it’ll be a good idea shying away from talk of Tara. They were too much a part of each other. The sooner she comes to terms with it, the better she’ll be.”

“I hope you’re right. That woman made a lasting impression on almost all of us.” Spike looks down, sighing quietly. “It just ain’t right.” He hoarsely mutters, surprised as he feels the sting of tears in his eyes, before quickly leaving the room.

“No, it’s not.” Angel agrees, watching Faith. “PTB, wherever the hell you are, if you know what’s good for you, you’ll help this woman out. At least help her come to terms with what happened.” Shaking his head, he sets the chair back down on all four feet, crossing his leg over his knee to quietly wait for Faith to regain consciousness, a single tear easing from his eye.

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

“Any change?” Buffy questions Spike, wincing as he eases the bandage away from her side.

“No, she’s still conked out.” Spike admits. “This is healing up good. Let me replace the bandage.” He turns to throw the used bandage away as he reaches for more healing salve, gently spreading it over the wound before carefully taping the new bandage in place.

“How’s Dawn?” Buffy questions as she lays back down on the bed.

“About as good to be expected.” Spike sits down on the bed beside Buffy, running a hand up and down her arm. “Captain Broody ain’t left Faith’s side. I took him some blood a few minutes ago. Willow and Fred are holed up in their apartment, I think it hit both of them real hard, even knowing ahead of time what was going to happen.”

“Gunn and Wes still gone?” Buffy questions quietly.

“Yeah, don’t know where they got too. Wes seemed upset, but that Gunn guy seemed worse off.” Spike admits.

“I think he was in love with her.” Buffy smiles softly. “Tara and I talked about it one day, how he was hitting on her from the time she came to LA, until she realized it and set him straight. I caught him watching her a couple times since he came here.”

“Well, can’t say as I blame the bloke.” Spike admits, looking at Buffy. “I have a feeling all of us were a little bit in love with the crazy witch. Kinda hard not to be.”

“I think you may be right.” Buffy smiles through her tears. “Spike, hold me.” Buffy whimpers as she starts shaking, tears pouring down her cheeks.

Spike quickly lays down beside Buffy, gathering her in his arms, letting her cry herself to sleep.

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

Rhona glances up in surprise as Kennedy walks in. “How’s she doing?” Kennedy softly questions, looking at Dawn.

“She won’t let anyone near her.” Rhona admits, watching Dawn, as she curls up into an even tighter ball. “Spike tried to get her to talk, even to see Buffy, but she wouldn’t budge. Same for Willow and Angel.” Rhona shakes her head, at a loss as what to do.

“Give her time.” Kennedy suggests quietly. “Want me to sit with her for a while? That way if you want to stretch your legs or get some sleep?”

“I think I could use a few hours sleep.” Rhona admits. “Thanks, Kennedy.”

“No problem.” Kennedy shakes her head watching as Rhona quickly walks back into her bedroom, leaving Kennedy to silently watch over Dawn.

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

“Do you need or want anything?” Fred questions Willow softly, as she brings the woman an ice pack, gently laying it across her forehead.

Willow chuckles sadly. “A second chance to maybe make things right?”

Fred shakes her head. “I think things went right, Will. I think this is what was supposed to happen. Look at all the lives that were saved. I may not have known Tara for long, but I know she always did what she thought was right.”

“That’s it in a nutshell. She always did what was right. Even if it meant her being hurt.” Willow nods her head looking up at the ceiling. “She was one of the purest souls I’ve ever seen, do you know that?”

“You could see her soul shining from her eyes.” Fred smiles thinking about the woman. “She wouldn’t want ya’ to be upset or angry. She wouldn’t want any of us to. She’d rather we remember the good times, and live.”

“I think you knew her pretty well.” Willow smiles softly at Fred.

Fred blushes looking down, before glancing back up as a soft hand strokes her cheek. Seeing the desire in Willow’s eyes, she smiles softly. Leaning down, Fred kisses Willow softly, as they gently celebrate being alive.

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

“What the fuck?” Faith growls, a massive pounding in her head. Reaching up she feels the small knot.

“Easy, Faith.” Angel reaches out pushing the Slayer back down against the bed. “You took a pretty good shot to the back of the head.”

Faith closes her eyes as she settles back down on the bed, lying quietly for a few moments before her eyes pop back open. “Tara?” She questions hoarsely, her eyes looking towards the vampire. Watching as he slowly shakes his head with a sad look on his face. “Why am I here instead of there, with her?” Faith growls, getting angry.

“It wasn’t what she wanted.” Angel whispers to the angry slayer. “She made Buffy promise, that no matter what, she’d get you out of there. That she wanted you to live, and hopefully love, again.”

“It wasn’t her fuckin’ decision!” Faith screams, grasping her head as it pounds even harder. “It was mine! The fuckin’ bitch knew I wanted to go down fighting by her side!”

Angel gathers the angry slayer in his arms, turning his head to the side as she beats against his chest as the anger slowly turns into sobs. Crying with her, he sits down on the bed, cradling the broken slayer against him. “She loved you with everything in her, Faith. She couldn’t stand the thought of you not living. That’s the real reason she fought, the real reason she did what had to be done. It wasn’t self-sacrifice to save the world. She did it because of you. She loved you so much, she was willing to give up everything for that love. Now don’t waste what she did. Mourn her, think about her, cry, but I want you to one day be able to fight and possibly even love again. That’s what she wanted.” Angel softly explains as Faith sobs into his chest.

“Don’t know if I can.” Faith mutters between sobs, curling up against the vampire.

“Just try.” Angel whispers, stroking the slayer’s hair. “No matter what, we’ll be there for you, Faith. Just remember you’re not alone.”

Faith nods her head as she curls her body into an even tighter ball against Angel, crying silently.