The Witch, The Warrior, and the Vampire

Chapter 23
Patrol III

Willow was lost in a dark void. She could feel Tara’s presence watching over her, guiding her, but she couldn’t find her way back. She had no sense of time and didn’t know how long she’d been in the void. Minutes, hours, days, years. The not knowing was scaring her far more than anything else. She’d tried to use magick to create a light, but she didn’t seem to have any power, or for that matter, a corporeal body. All she had was her intellect and the knowledge Tara was waiting for her return.

~*~

“Are you ready for your first assignment, beautiful?”

“My name is Cordelia you freak. Not kid, not beautiful, not any of the stupid names you call me. Cordelia.” Chocolate eyes blazed with fury.

“Are you ready for your first assignment, Cordelia?” Whistler asked as he lit up a cigar.

“What is it?” She snapped in full Queen C mode.

The demon waved an arm through the air and an image appeared. Cordelia recognized Willow and Tara.

“I thought you said I was supposed to help people in other dimensions.”

“The red-head is in another dimension. It’s your job to find her, show her her destiny, present her with her choices and the possible outcomes, and bring her back.”

“How do I do that when I don’t know how?” The anger Cordy had been rife with had turned into curiosity and concern.

“I’m sure you’ll figure it out when you get there, being a higher being and all.” Whistler said with a wry grin before he shoved Cordelia through the image and into the portal behind it.

~*~

Holding onto Spike’s hand fiercely, Dawn kept a wary eye out for danger. “Are you sure you’re ok, Spike?”

“I’ve been a few rounds with a Hell God, ‘bit, I’m fine.” He squeezed her hand reassuringly.

“Have you ever been staked before?”

“Yeah.” The vampire didn’t look at Dawn, just kept walking, pulling her along with him.

“In the heart?” Dawn asked jokingly.

Spike nodded but didn’t offer further details. Dawn realized it was something he didn’t like to remember. His body stiffened suddenly and he pulled Dawn closer to him, while picking up the pace.

“What is it, Spike?” Dawn asked, worried.

“Vampires, lots of them and close by…” Blue eyes scanned the immediate area, but could see no intruders within attacking distance.

“H-how many?” Dawn’s voice started trembling.

“Can’t tell, luv.” Spike was sprinting now and dragging her with him.

“Should we fight?” Dawn panted out.

“Not here, we need to be in a more open place, or make it to the house.” Sweeping Dawn into his arms, Spike ran as fast as he could to Revello Drive. Running from the vampires abhorred him, but he was injured and he had to make sure Dawn got home safe. Dawn was the most important thing in his unlife, more important even than Buffy. He had sworn a blood oath to protect her until the end of the world. Failure was not an option.

He skidded to a stop when a horde of vampires surrounded them. He set Dawn on her feet and they stood back to back preparing to fight.

“Can you take them?” She whispered as she clutched a corner of his duster.

“Normal circumstances, yes.” He shifted into game face. “Now, no, but they don’t know that.” He had one stake. If he had anything else, a sword, an axe, any kind of weapon he knew he could get them home safely. “Got anything besides that stake, bit?”

“Yeah.”

“What?” Spike was fervently wishing for something akin to a flame-thrower at this point.

“Cut me.”

“What? I’m not going to cut you, what the hell? You trying to send them into a bloody frenzy?”

Dawn didn’t reply. She grabbed Spike’s hand, used one claw to slice into each of her wrists. Holding both arms above her head she spread her fingers wide. She had practiced this with the others several times, but without using the Blood of the Key it had only been practice. “Cover up, Spike.”

Spike didn’t need to be told twice. One he thing knew with certainty in Sunnyhell wast wht when a witch said cover up, you covered. He crouched on the ground with his duster pulled around him. He could feel the vampires coming closer. His instincts screamed at him to fight. He could feel the mojo Dawn was using and knew that if he distracted her, they would both die. She was chanting. He couldn’t make out the words or the language, but the power surrounding them both was palpable.

“OPEN!” Dawn commanded. The vampires were closer.

“OPEN!” One was almost within touching distance.

“OPEN!” She could feel its breath on her neck. She crouched and wrapped her body around Spike to protect him. She felt a fist grab her hair and then there was a blinding flash of light. She moved her arms around the vampire below her until her wrists were near his covered face. “Drink it, Spike, or the gate won’t close.”

He could hear the vampires screaming as they died and felt skin begin to smoke. His tongue snaked out and rapidly cleaned the blood from Dawn’s arms. He licked both wounds carefully to close them, wondering if it would be the last thing he ever did.

~*~

After fixing a mug of blood, Angel roamed the Hyperion. Cordelia was gone. Connor was gone. His friends and co-workers had disappeared as well. He couldn’t understand where everyone had gone. He was aching with loneliness. He needed his friends and family. Where were they?

~*~

At the make out point in Breaker’s Woods, Buffy found what she had been looking for: a trail. There were five cars with windows smashed. Two dead bodies half pulled out of a Mustang convertible had puncture wounds on their necks. The other cars were empty of occupants. Signs of fighting were easy to spot, as well as the drag marks of the vampires’ victims. At least ten people had been there, maybe more. It was possible they were still alive. Buffy ran through the woods stopping here and there to investigate the trail. She recognized the pahey hey were following but couldn’t quite place it. She ran quite a distance before she realized she was headed towards Harmony’s old lair. Knowing her destination was close, she picked up speed, determined to save the idiots who parked in Sunnydale.

~*~

“I hate it when people push me!” Cordelia muttered as she arrived in a… wherever it was Whistler had pushed her. She was surrounded by darkness and realized she was glowing. “Hey! Willow, are you here?” Cordelia called into the darkness.

“Cordelia?” Willow’s voice was low and terrified. Cordelia looked all around her but couldn’t see her old friend (and sometimes rival) in the darkness.

“Yes, it’s me. Where are you?” Cordelia felt slightly assured, hearing Willow’s voice. Now if she could just find the little witch…

“I don’t know.”

“You must be close. Keep talking so I can find you.” Cordy walked carefully, listening for the sound of Willow’s words and/or breathing, heading towards the source.

“I don’t think that would do you goo good. I don’t think I have a body here, wherever we are. I mean I think it’s just my spirit. Hey! How come you glow?”

“Because I’m a higher being. Can you see me?” The brunette looked around her, still unable to see the other girl.

“Yeah, what’s a higher being?” If Willow had been corporeal, she might have been able to see Cordelia’s pronounced eye roll at her question.

“Well, come towards me and grab my hand or something.” She carefully extended her hand out into thin air, spreading her fingers wide.

“Oh, ok.” Willow felt herself move towards the strange silver light that surrounded Cordelia and grabbed her hand. “Got it.” She felt a tingle when she touched Cordelia, the glow that had surrounded the seer spread to Willow.

“Wow, I gave you a body. I wonder what other kinds of powers I have.” Cordy mused.

“Thanks for the body, and for coming here. But where are we and why are you of all people here to rescue me?” The redhead looked puzzled.

“Whistler sent me. I’m supposed to show you your future or something.” Not knowing how to do her job frustrated Cordelia to no end. ‘Guess I’ll just wing it, like I do everything else.’

Cordelia reached for and grabbed hold of Willow’s other hand. The glow surrounding them expanded into the void and Cordelia recognized, vaguely where they were. Off to the right she saw a pool of water surrounded by a stone ledge.

“Over here, come on.” Cordelia tugged Willow along. Not letting go of Willow’s hand, they sat on the ledge.

“Um, not to be pushy or anything, but now what?” Willow asked timidly. Here in the void she felt like she had been reduced to her high school persona. Weak, timid, powerless, useless.

Cordelia waved one hand over the pool of water, as she had seen Whistler do. The water rippled and images appeared. “This is your future. Or a version of your future. You have some big choices to make Willow. They will affect the outcome of your life, and that of the world.”

“Me?” Willow squeaked.

“You. You’re a very powerful witch and there’s darkness trying to use you. There are three ways you can go. Good, bad, or ok two ways you can go. Now watch the water and you’ll see.”

~*~

His sire was injured and he was here. His sire was injured and he had been unable to help him. His sire had been injured and he was following the orders of the Slayer instead of staying with his sire. His sire was injured. His sire was injured. Xander knew protecting the Bronze was his job and that Spike was fine without him. The demon inside him, however, was having a hard time understanding that. His demon, blood, body, mind, were screaming at him to go to his sire. But he couldn’t because his soul wanted to protect the weak and fragile humans.

“Xander, behind you!” A scream pierced his thoughts.

He spun and staked the creature with little thought. At least his wife was here.

“Oh, oh, Xander get down, cover up!” Anya tackled him from behind and tried vainly to shield his body with hers. For 90 beats of Anya’s heart, the sun was shining in the middle of the night. His skin was smoking. It burned, oh god, how it burned. The smell of his smoking flesh made him want to heave. Then it was over. Anya patted him down roughly, tears falling freely.

“Xander, Xander, baby are you ok, talk to me!” Anya cried helplessly.

“Ahn, I’m fine. Just a little singed on the edges. What happened?” He touched the few blistered areas of his skin tenderly; they were already starting to heal.

“I don’t know, but the vampires are all dust now. You’re lucky I felt it coming and Spike made you buy that sexy leather coat.”

Spike. His sire. The demon inside him reared again. “Come on, we’re going to Buffy’s.”

Anya didn’t bother to argue. She was ready for this nightmare of a night to be over with too.

~*~

By James’ calculation, Maggie had slain over forty vampires that night. Wearily he turned left at the next stop sign. “What are we going to do with her, Giles?” Maggie was marching alongside the car, not a hint of fatigue in her step.

“I’m not sure, James. There were extenuating circumstances which led to Faith’s behavioral problems. Her father abused her and her mother before he left them. Her mother was an alcoholic and died from it. She was living on the streets when the Council found her.” Giles let his head fall tiredly back on the headrest of the car.

“Do you think it has something to do with them being orphans?” James mused aloud.

Giles sighed and cleaned his glasses for what felt like the thousandth time that night. “It’s definitely one avenue we can pursue, but in the meantime… ” He trailed off as Maggie engaged yet another vampire.

“Yes, of course, the meantime.” James echoed as he watched his Slayer kick the male vampire in the groin before she staked him.

The sun shone brightly for a minute and a half over the entire city. The two Watchers exchanged a startled look. “Should we keep patrolling?” James asked.

“I don’t see how any vampires could have survived that.” Giles swallowed, his mind straying to Xander. And Spike.

~*~

Willow stared into the pool.

Everyone, the whole Scooby Gang and some others she didn’t recognize, were in a huge cavern. There were vampires everywhere. Everyone except for the witches were engaged in combat. Buffy was fighting the Master. She saw the Master bite Buffy. She screamed “No!” She left her coven and rushed to Buffy’s aid. Before she got there she was bitten.

Ripple.

Willow was a vampire, the Master’s right hand. The Hellmouth had opened and once again Willow was a Queen of the Night.

Ripple.

Everyone, the whole Scooby Gang and some others she didn’t recognize were in a huge cavern. There were vampires everywhere. Everyone except for the witches were engaged in combat. Buffy was fighting the Master. She saw the Master bite Buffy and screamed. “We’ve got to help Buffy”

“No!” Morgaine yelled at her. “We must continue the spell; it is the only way.” She left her coven and rushed to Buffy’s aid. Before she got there, she was bitten.

Ripple.

Willow was a vampire, the Master’s right hand. The Hellmouth had opened and once again Willow was a Queen of the Night.

Ripple.

Everyone, the whole Scooby Gang and some others she didn’t recognize were in a huge cavern. There were vampires everywhere. Everyone except for the witches were engaged in combat. Buffy was fighting the Master. She saw the Master bite Buffy and screamed. “We’ve got to help Buffy!”

“No!” Morgaine yelled at her. “We must continue the spell; it is the only way.”

“I can do it! I can do two spells at once.” She split her concentration. One on the spell she was performing with her coven. The other, a spell to repel the Master. Her energy touched him and his face shot up.

“You! I’ve been waiting for you.” He held out his hand and pulled her to him.

Ripple.

Willow was a vampire, the Master’s childe, right hand, and mate. The Hellmouth had opened and once again Willow was a Queen of the Night.

Ripple.

Everyone, the whole Scooby Gang and some others she didn’t recognize were in a huge cavern. There were vampires everywhere. Everyone except for the witches were engaged in combat. Buffy was fighting the Master. She saw the Master bite Buffy and screamed. “We’ve got to help Buffy”

“No!” Morgaine yelled at her. “We must continue the spell; it is the only way.”

“You can do this without me.” She turned towards the Master. Using all her power she pushed him away from Buffy.

Ripple.

The Hellmouth opened there was no living creature left on earth. Her spirit trapped forever to see the damage she had caused.

Ripple.

Everyone, the whole Scooby Gang and some others she didn’t recognize were in a huge cavern. There were vampires everywhere. Everyone except for the witches were engaged in combat. Buffy was fighting the Master. She saw the Master bite Buffy and screamed. “We’ve got to help Buffy!”

“No!” Morgaine yelled at her. “We must continue the spell; it is the only way.”

Focusing her power on the spell, she used the dark magicks to push the Master away from Buffy.

Ripple.

The Hellmouth opened. “Thank you Willow, for your help.” The Master said.

“You’re quite welcome. I believe I can live forever on the strength the Hellmouth gave me.” Willow answered him. Her hair and eyes were jet black. Black veins etched her face and she watched with enjoyment as her friends were being tortured. “I think it was a nice touch keeping them alive forever just to torture them.”

Ripple.

Everyone, the whole Scooby Gang and some others she didn’t recognize were in a huge cavern. There were vampires everywhere. Everyone except for the witches were engaged in combat. Buffy was fighting the Master. She saw the Master bite Buffy and screamed. “We’ve got to help Buffy.”

“No!” Morgaine yelled at her. “We must continue the spell; it is the only way.”

Willow nodded and continued chanting.

Ripple.

“Do you see?” Cordelia asked.

“Wait a minute! What happens if I do what I’m supposed to?”

“Do you really want to know?”

“Of course I want to know! I mean, you just showed me all the awful stuff I do to end the world. What happens the other way?”

Ripple.

The Scoobies and their help crawl out of the cavern. The Hellmouth is closed. They’re beaten, bruised, some with serious injuries.

Ripple.

Years later Willow and Tara are older.

Ripple.

Her tombstone. Willow Rosenburg. Beloved Friend. Beloved Wife. She Helped Save the World A lot.

Ripple.

“I thought I was supposed to get immortality too.” Willow pouted, turned accusing eyes on Cordelia.

“Do you really want to live without Tara?” It wasn’t so much a question as a statement.

“Why can’t she be immortal too?” Willow asked despairingly.

“Not everybody who fights the good fight can live forever Willow, and Tara knows that.”

“But the Prophecy said--” She protested.

“I don’t care what the Prophecy said. Those are your choices. That is your test. Only you can make your decision. Now, you know what the repercussions are; it’s your choice. It’s cold here and I’m going back to where ever I was before.” Cordelia stood up, stepping away from the pool.

“How do I get back?”

“Not my problem.” Cordelia said and vanished.

“Bitch.” Willow yelled at the spot where Cordelia had been sitting just a second ago.

~*~

Buffy entered Harmony’s old lair seconds before the sun came out. Noiselessly she crept forward until she could see the vampires and their victims. One corpse was thrown in a corner, seven humans were tied together looking drained but still alive. There were 12 vampires laughing and taunting someone or something chained to the wall, but Buffy couldn’t quite make it out.

She raised the Xander Special Crossbow and fired six times in rapid succession. bbinbbing a stake from the small of her back, she attacked the remaining vampires. In seconds they were ashes floating on the air.

“Buffy! Thank god you’ve come!”

Buffy spun around and started laughing when she saw who had been chained to the wall.

~*~

Dawn hung up the phone. After checking in with Tara, she only had one job: bandage Spike’s wounds. She grabbed the first aide kit from under the kitchen sink and headed towards the living room. Spike was lying on the floor face down with his shirt off. Before she could get started someone banged on the front door and made her jump.

“Dawn! Spike! Let us in.” Anya yelled.

“Better let ‘em in ‘fore they break the door down, ‘bit.”

Dawn yanked the door open and headed back towards Spike. Anya came inside but Xander couldn’t get past the barrier. “Um, Dawn.” Anya started.

“Come in, Xander.” Dawn tossed over her shoulder.

In the blink of an eye, Xander was at Spike’s side. “Spike?”

“ ‘S’alright, Xander. Just need to bandage it.” Spike said wearily.

“Which is what I was trying to do.” Dawn said and tried to push Xander aside to continue her job. He growled and vamped out on her. Dawn let out a shriek and backed away from the vampires on the floor.

“Calm down Xander, let the bit do her job.”

“It’s my job. You’re my sire.” Spike let out a sigh. Would this bloody night ever end? He’d been staked. Had some strange out of body experience with Buffy. His dick ached from not being able to finish what he’d started with the Slayer. His nibblet had used some weird mojo with her keyness, made the bloody sun cup aup and saved them both from the hoard of rampaging vampires, but almost killed him in the process. Now his fledge who he hadn’t wanted, but wouldn’t trade for anything in the world, was acting like a weak, dependent, mindless minion. He had had enough. He jumped up off the floor and started yelling and gesticulating wildly.

“What the bloody hell is wrong with you lot? Are you going to fight over who patches up old Spike’s wounds? Well, I don’t need it. You.” He said pointing at Dawn. “You are going to bloody well stay at the mansion tonight and the both of you are going to take her there.”

At the sound of Xander’s whimper and Dawn’s huff of indignation, Spike decided to change tactics. He lowered his voice, cocked his head to the side, stopped pacing, and smiled his most charming smile.

“Right then, sorry. Dawn, I think you need to go stay with the witches and tell them what you did. Xander, Anya, will you please see Dawn safely to the Mansion? I’d like to take a shower and get cleaned up before Buffy comes home.” No one moved.

“Bloody fuckin’ HELL!” Spike roared and shifted into game face and resumed his pacing. “I’ve not had one soddin’ second of time alone since he got turned. I’m tired. I’m hungry. I’m sore. I want ten bloody minutes to myself. Is that too much to ask? Sod off, the lot of you.” He spun on his heel and stormed upstairs. Within seconds, the sound of running water could be heard.

“I think we need to do what Spike said. Dawn, go pack an over night bag.” Anya said, then wrapped an arm around a trembling Xander. “He’s not mad at you, Xander. Really, he just wants some time alone. We’ll be back in an hour.”