Friends Last

Halfreck quickly covered the span of the island, coming to a stop in front of Xander. “What is he doing back there?” she asked him.

“What?” Xander asked, startled.

“Your friend. What is he doing?”

“Trying to remember the spell,” he answered.

“Well, you need to go tell him that he needs to hurry up.”

Xander just looked at her. “What?” he said again.

“Anya is sick. I don’t know the first thing about how to help her. We need to get out of here.”

“He’s doing his best,” Xander said. It struck him as odd that he was more interested in defending Spike than finding out what was wrong with Anya.

“Well, how long will that take?” Halfreck asked, fuming.

“I don’t know,” Xander answered. He threw the branch he had been carrying into the large pile that he had started.

“Well, don’t you think that you should be helping him?” Halfreck pressed. “Instead of being all the way over here gathering leaves?”

Xander had enough. He stepped up to her, practically touching her nose with his. “Listen here. If we are stuck here when the sun comes up, Spike is dead, do you understand that? He is the only one who even has a clue of how to get us out of here. So. Back. Off.”

Halfreck took a step back. “A vampire,” she said. “You sent a vampire to do this? What were you thinking?”

Xander suppressed the urge the charge at her. “He was the only one who could do it,” he said evenly. “He’s risking his life to save your sorry ass so I suggest that you just lay off.” He pushed past her and picked up another branch.

Halfreck growled at him before returning to Anya’s side.


Xander threw the branch down into the pile forcefully. When had he become so concerned with Spike’s welfare? He had been ready to stake the vampire himself just yesterday.

He ignored the prying voice in the back of his head as he lifted two of the branches and leaned them against the trunk of the massive palm tree that rested peacefully at the end of the stream.

He wiped the sweat from his brow, trying to figure out a way to prop the branches up at the other end. This is crazy, he told himself. I shouldn’t even fucking care. To his utter dismay, a lone tear streaked down his cheek. Disgusted with himself, he turned to pick up another limb but his foot caught in the sand, causing him to fall, hands out, onto one of the thorny branches.

The jagged cut was deep and bleeding freely. Muttering a curse, Xander sat in a heap in the sand, examining his wound. He pressed his palms together, trying to stop the bleeding before rising to his feet again and kicking the pile ruthlessly.

“It’ll never work, mate.”

Xander spun around to see Spike standing beneath the tree. “What won’t work?” he asked.

“The leaves. It won’t work.”

“You don’t know that,” Xander countered. It was all too obvious that Spike knew what he was planning, so there was no point in trying to hide it now.

Spike let out a short laugh. “You can’t even get them to stand upright.”

“Why aren’t you back there working on the spell?” Xander asked.

Spike hesitated before answering. Did he want to tell Xander that the real reason he abandoned his task was that the smell of Xander’s blood had reached him? That he had been worried that something may have happened to the boy? “Just checking on you,” Spike relented. It wasn’t a total lie.

Xander felt a tiny bit of pleasure at the statement. “Oh. Well, are you any closer to getting us out of here?”

Spike shook his head. “No. I can’t remember a bloody thing.”

“So what happens now then? What happens in the morning?” Xander’s voice became frantic.

Spike stepped up beside him. “Hey,” he said, surprised at Xander’s outburst. “We still have the witch. It’ll have to be enough.”

“What if it’s not?” Xander pressed. The thought of losing Spike and being stuck on the island with Anya and Halfreck suddenly seemed to him to be the worst possible thing that could ever happen.

“Calm down, whelp. I’ve faced worse circumstances and come out alive. So to speak.”


Anya lay on the bank in delirium, images flashing behind her eyes. She saw Olaf. She saw Xander. She even saw Spike. But the image that stayed with her the most was Halfreck. Whose cool hands were constantly on her, touching her face, holding her hand.

Halfreck stayed by Anya’s side, the severity of the situation striking her most when Anya abruptly turned over and began to wretch. The brunette was at a loss. She had no idea what to do and that just enraged her more. “Hold on, Anya. Please hold on.”

Anya could hear Halfreck talking to her, but she sounded so far away. She struggled to answer but she was so weak, so tired.

“Anyanka, you asked me if I had ever been in love and I told you no. It was a lie. I have loved you for a long time. I can’t let you go without telling you that. Wake up, sweetie. Please wake up.”


“This is taking too long,” Buffy said again. She paced back and forth in the room, twisting a cloth in her hands.

“Tara and Willow are searching, Buffy. They’ll find a way out.” Dawn looked at the clock. Two in the morning.


Spike threw the vial he had been examining into the fire, causing it to burst, the flames shooting upward angrily. He had been trying for hours to remember the spell, but to no avail. It was over. His mind knew that the chances of the witch saving them were slim to none. There just wasn’t enough time.

Resigned to his fate, he turned to look at Xander. “I’m sorry, luv.”

The last of Xander’s hopes shattered in the fire along with the jar. Spike had given up. “What now?” he asked.

“Now we wait,” Spike said solemnly.

“Spike.” Xander tentatively touched the vampire’s arm. To his surprise, Spike didn’t pull away.

Spike looked at Xander. It’s now or never, he thought to himself. In one fluid movement, he closed the distance between himself and Xander, taking the boy’s head in his hand and kissing him deeply.

Xander’s eyes widened in shock but he didn’t resist. He could feel Spike’s urgency, his desperation. It mirrored his own.

Spike pulled away, allowing the boy to catch his breath. His eyes were filled with desire and pain. “Stake me,” he said.

“What?” Xander struggled to compose himself.

“I don’t want to end like that,” Spike explained. “When the time comes, I want you to stake me.”

“It won’t end that way,” Xander replied, knowing full well that he could not prevent it.

“I’m serious, luv.”

Xander shook his head. “I can’t.”

“You would have yesterday.”

“Things are different now.

Spike looked at him. “Are they?”

Instead of a reply, Xander kissed him again, pouring all of the confusing emotion into the act, letting them speak for themselves.

The scent of blood and arousal overtook Spike’s senses. Without conscious thought, he claimed Xander’s mouth, relishing in its warmth. His dream was unfolding right before his eyes. Xander was kissing him, was holding him, pressing against him. It was more than he ever thought he would experience.

All of the fear, the frustration, and the confusion urged Xander on, beckoning to him, telling him to surrender. His entire focus was on Spike. He could feel the evidence of Spike’s arousal pressing against him. But instead of making him step back, it only urged him on more. He needed this. He needed Spike. Where the sudden feelings had come from, he didn’t know, but they were there, rampaging through his body, controlling his movements.

Spike could feel Xander’s want, his need. He pulled away and looked into Xander’s hazy brown eyes. “Are you sure?” he asked.

Xander nodded and resumed the kiss. He couldn’t get enough of Spike’s taste. The pair slowly moved to the ground, Xander on his back, Spike resting atop him. The fire crackling next to them cast an orange glow over half of Spike’s face when he pulled back to look down at the boy. Xander watched in fascination. Half of his face was orange, the other blue in the moonlight. Night and day, he thought. He shoved away the thought of the impending dawn and wrapped his arms around the vampire.

Spike struggled to maintain his human form as Xander began running his fingers up and down his back, causing him to shudder. The desire, the hunger, they worked in harmony, threatening Spike’s fragile hold over his self control.

Xander, sensing Spike’s struggle, moved his hands to touch Spike’s face. “Let go,” he whispered.

Spike raised a questioning eyebrow.

Xander nodded. “Let go, Spike. Don’t fight it.”

A growl resounded from Spike’s chest as his eyes began to glow softly. Xander watched the change in Spike’s features with interest. He ran his fingers along the ridges of Spike’s forehead, resulting in immediate response. Spike rolled off of Xander, coming to rest at his side. His hands traveled the planes of the boy’s chest, memorizing every inch.

Xander looked into the vampire’s eyes, apprehension creeping into his mind. He didn’t know what to expect, what to do.

Spike smiled softly, hearing Xander’s thoughts. He brought his lips down again, this time placing a small kiss on his shoulder. “I won’t hurt you, Xander,” he whispered.

Xander smiled in the firelight. He reached out timidly and touched the smooth pale skin that stretched across Spike’s chest. Spike arched into his caress and moaned quietly.

Xander’s mind, his thoughts, his actions ceased as the vampire reached down and slowly began stroking him. He shifted position, offering Spike easier access to that which made him male.

Spike needed no further encouragement. He tightened his hold on Xander’s member and increased his motions, feeling the tension begin to build in the boy. As much as he wanted to, he held back the urge to sink lower and take Xander into his mouth. After several moments of deliberation, he surrendered to the urge and settled himself between Xander’s legs, pushing the one remaining article of clothing out of his way.

Xander’s eyes widened in anticipation. A husky whimper escaped his mouth as Spike took him in to the hilt. The extreme pleasure that shot through his body almost caused him to release right then and there.

But Spike remained still, allowing the lad to regain some sense of control before slowly lifting his head, working Xander’s shaft in and out of this throat. He carefully planned each of his movements, not wanting to nick the tender flesh.

Xander’s hands filtered down of their own accord to rest atop Spike’s head. “Don’t stop,” he whispered, his voice thick with desire.

Wouldn’t dream of it, Spike thought to himself. He increased his rhythm, eager now to please Xander, to taste him.

Xander couldn’t hold back. With a throaty gasp, he came into Spike’s mouth, releasing with it the last ounce of self control that he had managed to hang on to thus far.

Spike accepted Xander’s offering graciously, taking all of him, wanting more. He released his grip and climbed the length of Xander’s body, kissing him deeply before coming to rest next to him, taking the boy into his arms.

Xander slowly floated down to reality and held on to Spike fiercely. “You can’t go,” he said through clenched teeth.

“I’m not going anywhere,” Spike replied, wondering just what right he had to make such a vow.

The comment appeased Xander’s fears. Slightly. He rolled toward Spike, pushing him onto his back. He looked down at Spike’s swollen manhood with an evil grin.

“You don’t have to, luv,” Spike whispered.

“I want to,” Xander replied. He reached down and grasped the vampire’s cold shaft, marveling at the feel of it, not so dissimilar from his own.

Spike’s hips thrust into Xander’s touch. A rumbling growl emanated from his chest as Xander’s ministrations overtook his entire being.

Xander watched, fascinated, as the emotions played upon the vampire’s face. He had rarely seen Spike so unguarded. Inspiration struck him and he lowered his head to Spike’s chest and bit the pale flesh. His action was met with Spike’s hiss of pleasure. Encouraged by the reaction, Xander bit down hard on his own lip. The coppery taste of blood immediately followed and he lowered his lips to Spike’s, kissing him deeply.

At the taste of Xander’s blood, Spike lost all control, releasing his cold seed onto his abdomen.

Xander pulled his lips back, smiling at the blonde. He nestled his head in the crook of Spike’s arms, sighing contentedly.

A low rumbling made its way to Xander’s ears, causing his smile to widen. The vampire was purring.


Halfreck wiped another tear from her face as she watched Anya’s trembling form laid out before her. She didn’t know what was happening. She didn’t know how to stop it. The feeling of helplessness was taking its toll on the ex-demon.

Anya seemed to be getting worse. The vomiting had stopped, but now she would not stop shaking. Her body would calm down to a mild tremor and remain that way just long enough for Halfreck to think that they had subsided before Anya was again wracked by a major convulsion.

She lifted her head to look at the sky. “D’Hoffryn,” she whispered tearfully. “Why haven’t you come for us?”


Spike’s face slowly relaxed, allowing him to regain his human form. The warmth coming from Xander’s body permeated him, grounding him somehow. He lowered his eyes to the nest of brown hair resting against his shoulder. It was hard to believe. So much had changed in the course of one night. A slight doubt slipped into his mind. He had to wonder if Xander had only relented to him because of his fear of the situation. Or seeing Anya with that other demon.

Xander slid his hand across Spike’s chest in awe. He didn’t know what possessed him to take his non-relationship with Spike to this higher level. All he knew for sure was that laying here in his arms, under the pale moonlight, just felt right. Nothing else seemed to matter to him. If not for the fear of morning, he felt that he would be content to stay here, on the island, safe in Spike’s embrace, for the rest of his life.


Buffy stood in the basement of her house, ruthlessly pounding on the punching bag that suspended from the ceiling. Her rage was apparent in her actions. She glanced at the clock on the wall. Three forty-five. With a final blow to the bright red bag, she stormed upstairs and into the living room. “We are running out of time.”

Tara and Willow stood up with a start. “Well,” Tara began. “We may have found something, but I’m not sure it is going to work.”

Willow spoke up. “It is a very old spell and it will require a lot of skill to pull it off.”

“Fine,” Buffy responded angrily. “It’s better than just sitting here. Let’s do it.”


Dawn sat at the kitchen table, the remaining amulet resting in her hands. She took in the exchange of words from the living room with a feeling of increasing dread. What if that guy comes back before then? She wondered. What if we can’t get them back in time?

With strengthened resolve, she stood up and tiptoed to the phone. Reaching for the phone book that sat on the small table, she began to dial. She held the phone to her ear. “It’s Dawn. Please hurry, Buffy needs your help…”


Spike stared at the sky. Judging from his body clock, it was about four in the morning. He took a deep breath and reluctantly sat up, pulling Xander with him. “We should probably check on the girls.”

Xander frowned. “Why?”

Spike smiled. “As much as I would love nothing more than to spend the night here holding you, we did come here for a reason.”

Xander sighed. He reached across Spike and retrieved his boxer shorts, pulling them on quickly.

“No need to be shy now, pet,” Spike remarked, a playful glimmer in his eye.

Xander poked him. “I’m beginning to think that you actually like the feeling of sand in your ass.”

Spike stood up, grimacing. “It’s the best, mate.”

Xander laughed and rose to his feet. His hand closed around Spike’s as they set off in the darkness.


Spike knelt down next to Halfreck. “How is she?” he asked.

Halfreck suppressed a sob. “I don’t know what to do. She won’t stop shaking.”

Spike carefully lifted Anya from the bank. “Get some more branches,” he told Xander. “She should be kept warm.”

“Where are you taking her?” Halfreck asked, rising to her feet.

“I’m whisking her away to my bloody palace in the sky.”

Halfreck glared at the vampire as he carried Anya across the water, back to the fire. He laid her down in the sand and covered her with Halfreck’s cloak.

Xander returned with the limbs and dropped them next to the fire. He rested his hand on Halfreck’s shoulder. “You’re shaking too,” he said.

Halfreck brushed his hand away. “I don’t need your help.”

“Don’t start that again,” Spike interrupted. “We are all equally fucked in this so until what’s going to happen happens I suggest that we all try to play nice.”

Halfreck nodded. “You’re right.”

Spike tossed a sandwich and a soda to both Halfreck and Xander. “You two should eat. I’ll be damned if I’m going to spend the rest of my night playing nursemaid to the two of you as well.”

“I’m really not hungry,” Halfreck said, setting the sandwich aside.

“At least drink the soda,” Xander replied.

Halfreck relented. She opened the can and took a sip of the bubbling drink.

A shiver ran down Xander’s spine. “Do you think our clothes are dry yet?”

Spike nodded. “It’s possible. Cold?”

“Yeah.”

Spike turned to Halfreck. “You okay here with her?” Halfreck nodded. “Alright then, we’ll be right back. Yell if you need us.” He took Xander’s hand and led him back across the island to where their clothes rested on the rocks.

“Spike?” Xander asked as he pulled on his damp jeans.

“Hmm?” Spike was pouring at least a cupful of water from one of his boots.

“Why did you, I mean, before-at the fire, why did you-“

“Kiss you?”

Xander blushed. “Yeah.”

“Felt like it,” Spike replied.

“Oh…Spike?”

“What?”

“Let’s assume for a minute that we do get back to Sunnydale…”

“That’s a big if,” Spike interjected, glancing at the ever brightening sky.

“Yeah…What happens then?”

Spike stopped sorting through his clothes to look at Xander. “What do you want to happen?”

Xander lowered his eyes from Spike’s probing gaze. “I dunno…” He turns his back on Spike, not wanting him to see the disappointment on his face.

Spike, while very much a part of the conversation, was reserved in his answers. He couldn’t keep his eyes off of the horizon. Bright morning light was beginning to form, cutting the clouds, causing a sort of rainbow effect across the sky. He pulled on his boots, draping his wet duster over his shoulder. He held out his hand to Xander. “We should get back.”

Xander quickly wiped at his eyes and took Spike’s hand, no longer caring about saving face.

Spike saw the moisture in Xander’s eyes and pulled him close. “I don’t know what is going to happen, Xander. But if, by some miracle, we make it out of this I’m not letting you go.”

Xander melted into the vampire’s cold embrace, his words calming the tearing in his heart. He allowed Spike to lead him back across the beach to the fire.

“How is she?” Spike asked.

“No change,” Halfreck replied.

Xander glanced at the skyline. His eyes widened as a sinking feeling of dread settled in the pit of his stomach. It’s over, he thought. A single ray of sunlight slipped over the horizon

An agonizing scream escaped Spike’s lips. Without thinking, Xander flew at the vampire, knocking him to the ground. He lifted Spike’s duster and threw it over him, trying desperately to protect him.

Halfreck jumped to her feet. She snatched the cloak from the delirious Anya and tossed it over Spike. “This won’t work,” she cried as smoke began to billow from beneath them.

The wind began to pick up, making it ever more difficult to keep Spike covered. A small flash of light appeared on the other side of Anya. Halfreck looked on in horror. “It’s Slake.”

In a pained, hoarse voice Spike spoke up. “No, it’s the witch. But it’s not enough.”


Willow, Buffy, and Dawn watched helplessly as Tara visibly struggled to widen the portal. Willow stepped to the back of the room, not wanting to distract her. Buffy and Dawn followed suit, stepping back to Tara’s right.

Sweat broke out on Tara’s forehead as she struggled to maintain the opening. She had known that the ritual was not easy, but she didn’t think it would be this difficult. She knew that she couldn’t hold on much longer. Taking a deep breath, she focused all of her power on the hole.

The sudden eruption of bright light from the back of the room caused Buffy and Dawn to spin around. Willow was gone. Or so it seemed. Then they saw her and gasped.

Willow floated a few feet from the ceiling, adorned in white robes, colorless light emanating from her eyes. She had had enough. She couldn’t stand idly by and watch as her friends took on all of the responsibility. Her vow be damned, she focused all of her energy on the portal. It was time to act. She wouldn’t allow herself to lose her oldest friend and the woman she loves. Yes, she knows this now. If Tara couldn’t maintain the opening, she would be sucked in and lost forever. Slowly drifting down, Willow rested her hands lovingly on Tara’s shoulders.

Tara visibly relaxed. She sat up straight as white light began to pour from her eyes and fingertips. The wind picked up in the room. Buffy and Dawn stared blankly, their hair whipping around them, as the portal snapped open, stabilizing.


The portal beyond Anya suddenly widened. “Finally Red gets involved,” Spike said through screams of agony.

“Let’s get the hell out of here!” Xander cried through the biting wind, lifting Spike to his feet. He pushed him through the portal. “Come on!” he yelled to Halfreck.

She lifted Anya effortlessly and the three of them ran through. The hole immediately closed, leaving no evidence that it was ever there.


Spike, entangled in his duster, stumbled through the portal in a cloud of smoke, the force of Xander’s shove propelling him directly into Tara, knocking her back. Xander and Halfreck ran through, Anya unconscious in Halfreck’s arms.

A flurry of activity ensued. Halfreck headed straight for the sofa, gently laying Anya down. Buffy ran to Spike, pulling off his duster. Xander shoved her out of the way. “Spike?”

Buffy stumbled back from the surprising force of Xander’s action. She raised a questioning eyebrow before rushing to Anya’s side. “How is she?” she asked Halfreck.

“Something’s wrong with her,” Halfreck said quickly. “It started not long after sundown.”

Xander took hold of Spike’s hand and gazed at him, a worried expression on his face. “Hey,” he said. “Are you alright?”

Spike didn’t answer. Only the slight movements of suffering gave the indication that he was still in there somewhere.

Tara jumped to her feet and moved to Anya’s side. She touched the girl’s forehead and Anya’s writhing stopped. Buffy was busy explaining Anya’s condition to Halfreck.

Dawn stepped up beside Xander. “How is he?” she asked.

“I don’t know,” Xander whispered through clenched teeth. Tears fell from his eyes.

Dawn placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. “He’ll be okay, Xander. He can heal from this.” Halfreck’s sudden shout caused her turn away from Spike’s battered form.

“He came here?” Halfreck exclaimed. “Why? What did he want?”

Dawn stepped forward. “This,” she said, pulling the pendant from her pocket.

Halfreck snatched it from Dawn’s hands. She slipped it on and shifted into demon form. “He’ll pay for this.”

“I’m coming with you,” Buffy said flatly.

“No,” Halfreck replied. “This is my fight.”

“Not anymore,” Xander said firmly. “This concerns all of us.”

“Very well,” Halfreck relented.

Willow spoke up. “We should take Anya with us.”

“What?” Buffy asked. “Why?”

“He is the one who caused this,” Willow explained patiently. “He has to be the one to reverse it.”

“Fine,” Buffy replied. “Xander, you and Dawn stay here with Spike. He can’t go, it’s morning.”

Xander sat back, torn. He wanted to help his friends, but Buffy was right. He couldn’t leave Spike.

“Then it’s settled,” Halfreck said. She lifted Anya into her arms and waved her hand. Everyone was gone, leaving Dawn, Xander, and Spike resting on the floor.


The group materialized on a plateau overlooking Sunnydale. Halfreck quickly passed Anya to Tara and Willow. “Slake.”

The small man was standing at the edge of the cliff. “Halfreck. How nice it is to hear your voice.”

Buffy began to advance on Slake, but Halfreck’s outstretched arm stopped her. “What is wrong with Anyanka?” she demanded.

“She still lives?” Slake asked. “What a pity.” He turned to face them, raising his hands to Halfreck, when he found himself being lifted off of the ground.

Tara stood behind Buffy and Halfreck, her brow furrowed in concentration. Halfreck took advantage of the situation and rushed to him, searching his robes. “Where is it?” she asked.

Slake muttered a few words and fell to the ground, landing on his feet. An enormous blast flew from his fingertips, sending Halfreck flying several feet back.

Willow jumped to her feet raised her hand in Slake’s direction. “Buffy, do it now.”

Buffy sprang into action. She pulled her knife from her boot and slid it into Slake’s chest to the hilt. He fell to the ground, impaled on cold steel.

Tara ran to Halfreck’s side, examining her wound. Anya sat up slowly. “Where am I?” she asked warily. She caught sight of Halfreck spread out on the ground. She shot to her feet, swaying slightly. “Halle?” She rushed to where Tara was kneeling, dropping to her knees. “Halle? Wake up.”

Buffy watched the scene grimly, her eyes misting over. Something on the ground caught her attention. It was Anya’s pendant. She picked it up and walked over to the others. “Anya.”

Anya didn’t hear her. She had thrown herself over Halfreck, sobbing loudly. “Wake up, damn you!” She began beating her fists into Halfreck’s chest.

“Anya,” Buffy said again. Anya turned to face her, making Buffy gasp. She was in full demon form. She glared at Buffy before resuming her assault. Regaining her composure, Buffy knelt down and clasped the necklace around Anya’s neck. “I wish you could save her,” she said pointedly.

Dawn fought back tears as she watched the scene before her. Xander was sitting on the floor holding Spike’s head in his lap. He had a cool cloth in his hands that he was using to try and sooth some of the burns on the vampire’s face. She now knew why Spike wouldn’t stop looking at Xander when she saw them on the beach.

“Spike, wake up. Open your eyes and look at me. Please. Spike.”

The sound of a car door slamming shut caught Dawn’s attention. She carefully slipped through the front door, careful to let in as little light as possible.

A heavily robed figure was running toward her. “Dawn, what’s going on?”

Dawn rushed down the front steps. “It’s Spike. He’s hurt bad. Hurry...” She led the way back into the house.

Xander looked up as the pair entered. “What…”

Angel threw off his robes and stopped short. The sight of his childe lying on the floor in Xander’s arms, bleeding and in terrible pain met his eyes. “What happened here?” he asked, kneeling beside Spike.

“He got trapped in the sun,” Dawn explained quickly.

Xander grabbed Angel’s arm. “Can you save him?” he asked quickly.

Angel looked down at the hand gripping his wrist. “Not if you don’t let go.”

Xander released his hold on the elder vampire and scooted back, carefully laying Spike’s head down on the floor.

He and Dawn watched, mesmerized, as Angel pulled off his coat and shirt. Using his nails, he tore the flesh of his chest and lifted Spike’s head.

Spike reacted. His nose twitched and Angel brought his mouth to the wound. After a few tense moments, Spike latched on and began to drink. Xander breathed a sigh of relief just as the front door burst open and everyone poured in. Buffy froze when she saw Angel kneeling over Spike. “Angel…”

Angel raised his eyes. “Buffy.”

“What are you doing here?” she asked.

“I called him,” Dawn admitted. “I thought we might need him.”

Angel slowly returned Spike to a laying position and pulled his shirt back on. “I had a hell of a time getting here, I’ll tell you that much.”

Buffy noticed the burns on his hands. “You’re hurt,” she said.

“I’ll be fine. So will Will. I mean, Spike.”

Xander returned to Spike’s side. “What happened?” he asked Buffy and Anya.

Buffy explained the situation while Anya and Halfreck moved closer together. “And you,” Buffy said upon the story’s conclusion. “What is that all about?” She gestured to Xander’s hand, which was holding tightly to Spike’s.

“Guess the secret’s out, pet.” Spike opened his eyes. He felt like shit.

“Guess so,” Xander replied, looking into the bruised, blistered face of the vampire.

Buffy pressed on. “I’m confused. When did all of this happen? When we sent you guys through we thought you’d spend the whole time fighting, not…this.”

Spike attempted to laugh. “I’m full of surprises, slayer.”

“I see that. So,” she said to Xander. “Do I get to be as supportive of your vampire boyfriend as you were of mine?”

Xander felt the blood rush to his cheeks. Angel coughed.

“I mean, um, that’s great. Couldn’t be happier for you.” She turned to Anya. “And what’s going on with you?” she asked, exasperated.

Anya pulled Halfreck closer. “It must have been the water,” the demon replied.

Tara and Willow began to laugh behind her hands.

“What’s so funny?” Buffy asked.

Willow grinned. “You’re the only one left, Buffy.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, with Anya and Halfreck and now Xander and Spike…you’re the only one still in the closet.”

Realization came crashing down on Buffy. “Oh, no,” she sputtered. “Not gonna happen. Not in a million years.”

“That’s what I said too, Buff,” Xander chimed in.

“It’s true, slayer. Never say never.” Spike laughed.

Buffy looked helplessly at Angel. “Help me out, here.”

Angel just laughed and shook his head. “You never know, Buff.”

Buffy threw up her hands. “No way. If you guys were any more wrong you’d be in the dictionary. Under ‘wrong’. Look up ‘wrong’ and there would be your picture.”

“I’d say to look up ‘gay’.” Angel retorted.

Dawn raised her hand. “Um, hello? Not gay here.”

Halfreck laughed. She put her arm around Dawn. “Feeling out of the loop? Don’t worry. There’s this mystical island…it’s hard to find, but once you get there, they give you a rainbow flag and tell you to go at it.”

“Maybe it was the furry balls,” Anya chimed in.

“Furry balls?” Spike repeated. “I found those too.”

Xander reddened. Dawn took a step back. “No thanks,” she said. “I’ll pass.”


End.