Walking by His Side

The battle was chaotic, with newly empowered girls taking on the ubervamps with a renewed vigor. A couple of girls only enjoyed their newfound powers for mere nds nds before dying, yet others held their heads and stakes high.

Spike's once-again dead heart lept to his throat when he saw the sword run through Buffy's side. Her momentary defeat made his cold blood rush through his ears. 'Get up, get up, get UP BUFFY!', he thought, clenching his teeth and wiring his jaw.

"I want you...to get...out of my FACE!", she screamed, getting up and fighting back with a stronger, inner power. Something seemed unhuman and vicious about the way she fought. However, Spike barley had a moment to think of that.

Suddenly, electricity surged through Spike's body. He was almost parylzyed from the pain. In the next few minutes, ubervamps were no more, and the building started to crumble. girl rans past him, and he propped himself the cavernous wall to stay upright.

Buffy was urging him to leave, he was sure. However, he couldn't even hear her; the pain screamed through his brain and ears and veins. He knew what she wanted, though. She wanted him to forget his promise, and save himself. She wanted him to back away from what he knew he had to do.

'Buffy, I'm going as a hero. I'm honoring my promise to you. Now, go. Let me give you what you've always wanted- this damn hellmouth closed. It\y lay last gift, please. Have yourown life to do whatever you want- I know that's been your secret desire for so long, and I can't offer that to you.

You'll grow older, I'll stay young. I can't give you children. I'm a souled monster. I have to do this. It's my time. It's my sacrifice for the world.'

Buffy held his hand, her own burning with his. Tears welled up in her eyes, and her lips sadly and wearily parted to whisper, "I love you".

Spike knew she didn't have any time left. He called on his Mate bond to her, forcing her thoughts and actions. 'Leave me, Buffy. Let me do this. Go, now'.

"No, you don't. But thanks for saying it."

Buffy's eyes widened at the betrayal, but she gave him one last, sad look before turning to run as he forced. Suddenly, she turned around and stared at him, moving her hair to one side.

There was no Mate mark on her skin. It was as clear as if it had not been bitten less than twelve hours before.
The last thing Spike saw was her smirk, and turn up to the stairs to leave him.

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"What are you going to do now, Buffy?" Dawn asked tentatively.

Buffy only smiled. Her body hummed with excitement as she though, 'Now that I'm in that bitch's body? I can do anything...'

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Spike groaned when he opened his eyes. "Bloody hell woman, when will I die?"

The guide laughed. "You were already dead."

Spike took in the brilliant light, and the soft surroundings. "Another waiting dimension, pet?"

The guide shook her head anxiously. "I'm afraid not."

"Where then?"

"A heaven dimension. Your soul has been uncondemmed. You are halfway through your journey. You chose a chance at redemption for yourself over love.", The guide smiled encouragingly. "I'm so proud of you."

Spike moaned inwardly. Halfway? Damn, let me be damned again."

The guide giggled. "You still are damned, if I may remind you."

Spike's eyes widened when he remembered what had happened in thee. \e. "Buffy- I have to-"

"-Absolutely not. It is out of the question. You have made your choice, champion."

Spike lay there, thinking for a moment. Something about her stance, and timid expression formed an idea in his mind. He would try a different approach. "What's going on?"

The guide shook her head sadly. "Your Buffy is not what she seems. However, I can't tell you what has happened to her. You will rest here- Buffy's concerns and situation is no longer your concern. However, I can tell you that not all that was requested of you to do was not done; however, it was't time for you to understand yet."

Spike growled. "What?"

"Spike, I wish I could tell you, but I do not even know what has happeneed." She blushed furiously. "I am Murae, only the 14th order down on the heiarchy of the guide for the Powers That Be. I am only two thousand and some years old. I cannot have access to what your mind wants to know."

"Only two thousand?" Spike quirked.

Murae sent him a teasing glare. Then, her face softened. "You're not the only one here who's made sacrifices in the name of love, you know. I know it must be hard."

Spike glanced at her with a raised brow. "What do you mean, pet?"

Murae looked at him steadily. "I am immortal, a guide, a high order for the Powers. I am prestige and honor. I am wisdom and truth. However, I may not engage in humanly things- I cannot love. If I do so, I shall be cast out from the status and turned human with no assistance. I have given up the one thing I long for continually, just to keep my name and glory."

Spike mused, "So you gave up free will to have a good name and flit around with a harp like a cupid?"

Murae winced. "Doesn't sound so attractive when you put it as that. However, nothing would be worse than turning human. I'd lose everything that I am. It would be suicide. None of my kind have ever survived being cast out into the human world."

Spike shook his head. "Murae, pet...if I were you, I'd keep that position in that case. It makes you happy, and you're practically a goddess. There's no need to give it up if your work is satisfying."

Murae decided to let the subject drop, and teased him. "Well, since you're sitting so far away, I can't see how it could ever be satisfying!"

Spike lunged, tickling her. To his delight, she was actually ticklish. Her face almost became red with laughter, and her ribs ached for the first time. Even the corners of her mouth was sore from her wide and happy smile.

Murae couldn't believe it. How could a damned, rebelious vampire make her knees weak and her heart feel so human? She heard him dare her to get him back, and she grinned micheaviously. Pillows appeared, and they hit each other until feathers and pillows were snowing everywhere around them. Laughter pierced the air in this heaven as two strangers turned into two friends had become united in their cause- giving up something they truley desired more than anything for what they thought was right.

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This chapter has been edited for clarity and the moved story arc.