Vertias
Vertias
2003
"Times New Roman"'>
"Times New Roman"'>HISTORIANS NOTE: This story takes place in the seventh
season of BtVS.
"Times New Roman"'>DISCLAIMER: I made up some of the scenes, but around the
end, I took parts from the script of '
way, it still ends with Spike dying, but some things are changed. Some things
are written [by me] as I think they should of been.
"Times New Roman"'>
"Vertias"
"Times New Roman"'>('Vertias' is Latin for 'Truth')
"Times Rom Roman"'>(This is my take on what should of happened in '
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'>Chosen
"Times New Roman"'>')
"Times New Roman"'>
"Times New Roman"'> Spike
laid Faith gently down onto his tomb-turned-bed, laying on her abit. He looked
into her brown eyes, and she stared back at his blue ones. He leaned down and
pressed his lips to hers for a gentle yet full-of-need kiss. She returned it,
just as needy. He straddled her, and she sat up hastily taking her dark blue denim
jacket off, not breaking the kiss. She had tucked her red muscle tank into her
pants earlier but tugged it out of the waistband of her jeans. Spike slid his
hands under her shirt and along her sides and stomach. Her skin felt like fire
to him. His hands felt like ice to her. Faith pulled away for air and
unfastened his belt, then unzipped his jeans. As she went back for another kiss
her right hand found its way into his jeans. She got a nice surprise, finding
out that he went commando. She ran her fingernails along his length, her other
hand gripping his ass, pushing him closer to her. He nipped her lower lip and
tugged at it as her hand tightened abit around 'him'.
"Times New Roman"'> He
broke their kiss to take his shirt off. She stopped playing with' him' long
enough to pull her tank off and unfasten her bra. Spike's eyes traveled down
her body to her breasts. He ran his tongue over his lower lip and pushed her
down. She lay down and watched him lick from her throat down between her
breasts. He unfastened her jeans and un-did her black studded belt. Spike
tugged the waistbands of her pants and thong down abit, revealing her hips. He
ran his tongue along her lower abdomen.
"Times New Roman"'> "Uhh,"
she shivered in pleasure.
"Times New Roman"'> He did
it again, his tongue pressing harder. Un-able to control it, Faith shivered
again. She raked her hands through his slicked back white-blonde hair, mussing
it into little spikes. He looked up at her and kissed her again, his tongue
exploring her mouth.
"Times New Roman"'> "God
you're good with you're tongue," Faith murmured.
"Times New Roman"'> "I
can do something even better with it," he replied, kissing her chin and
neck.
"Times New Roman"'> "Really,
now?" Faith questioned, her hands resting on his back.
"Times New Roman"'> "Yeah,"
he drawled, his tongue trailing along her collarbone and down to her breasts.
He sucked on her left nipple while fingering the other one.
"Times New Roman"'> "Show
me. . . “ The rogue Slayer panted.
"Times New Roman"'> He
looked up from her breasts and smirked. He licked her left nipple one last time
before sliding down her body, getting off his bed. He un-zipped her black
platform-y boots and tugged them off, dropping them to the floor. Spike took
her pants and thong off and dropped them down beside her boots.
"Times New Roman"'> "Slide
down 'til yer legs are over the bed," he instructed her. She obliged. He
knelt in front of her. "Put yer legs on my shoulders." he said. She
did so. He ran his tongue along her right inner thigh. "Yer wet," he observed.
"Times New Roman"'> "You
made me that way," she responded.
"Times New Roman"'> That
was all he needed. His tongue was inside of her instantly. He rubbed her
swollen clit with one hand, the other one resting on her hip as his tongue
explored inside her most private part. She was so hot inside it felt like fire
but he didn't cease.
"Times New Roman"'> Her
legs tightened around his neck and she gripped the black and red silky sheets
in both hands as little shivers of pleasure surged through her whole body. She
felt tingle-y down 'there' as he sucked on her. Her breaths were getting heavier;
she didn't bother holding back the little moans of pleasure. He knew she was on
the verge.
"Times New Roman"'> Spike
ducked out from under her legs and kicked his boots off, then yanked his jeans
off also. He stood, naked, in front of Faith.
"Times New Roman"'> She
propped herself up on her elbows to see why he'd stopped. He stood before her,
naked. She took his body in. He stroked his hardness, his eyes locked onto
hers. She let one hand trail down her body. She rubbed her clit, biting her
lower lip, her eyes on his. He moved toward her again and she pulled herself
back onto the bed 'til her head rested on some of the pillows he had there. He
climbed over her and she spread her legs for him, wrapping them around his
waist. He slammed into her hard, making them both gasp. She felt him inside
her, cold, hard, swelling, pressing deeper. He felt her, hot, wet, tighten
aro
around him, and contracting, only to tighten again. He thrust into her harder,
making each movement better than the last. She dug her nails into his forearms,
gripping them tightly. He groaned, pushing in as deep as he could go.
"Times New Roman"'> "Oh
fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck," she
moaned aloud, closing her eyes, feeling like her whole body was gonna explode.
He closed his eyes, moving faster. She kept the pace, biting her lower lip 'til
it started to bleed.
"Times New Roman"'> Smelling
the blood, he vamped and kissed her, licking at the blood on her lip, then
finally sucking on her lip 'til it swelled. She moaned into his mouth, moving
with him. Her breathing became quick and shallow, her body feeling like it was
gonna explode. He felt like screaming in ecstasy, but held back. She nipped his
neck, sucking on the flesh, making a wicked-dark bruise. That set him off and
they caogetogether, their cries of pleasure mingling.
"Times New Roman"'> Later
on, Spike awoke next to Faith. He was warm still, which made him smile. She'd
made him warm. Faith lay next to him, on her stomach; her head facing away form
him. The silky sheets covered only her buttocks, the rest of her skin pale in
the darkness. It matched his own, only her veins showed through as blood, her
life source, pumped through them. He kissed the back of her neck and fell back
to sleep, draping one arm over her back.
"Times New Roman"'>
"Times New Roman"'> When
Faith roused early the next afternoon, she stretched then looked around, taking
in the crypt. She looked over at Spike who was still sleeping and grinned. He'd
been awesome last night. She'd fallen asleep soon after they screwed. She'd
been too exhausted to play with him, or else she would of. Made her kinda
wonder why he had her here still. She figured maybe with his soul-having, he
didn't have the heart to throw her out. She shrugged the thought off and leaned
down to grab her clothing from the floor.
"Times New Roman"'> Spike
woke up again, only to have Faith's ass in his face. He smack it, and she
turned around. He grinned. "Leaving so soon, love?"
"Times New Roman"'> "Don't
see why you'd want me to stick around," she replied, trying to untangle
her bra form her tank top.
"Times New Roman"'> Spike
took both out of her hands as he sat up, then he kissed her softly. She kissed
him back roughly, but he pulled away. "Gentle. . . ." he chastised
her, in a whr. Hr. He went back for another k -gentle- kiss. She went for the
gentle approach this time too, finding it odd. All the times she'd done shite
with other guys, she'dn ron rough 'cos they liked it, and so did she, but for
some odd reason, this made her feel sorta happy and good about herself.
"Times New Roman"'> He put
one hand at the back of her neck, bringing her closer, and she put her hands on
his chest, leaning into him. He wrapped his other arm around her, holding her
close as they kissed. She drew the kiss deeper, both their eyes closed. He
broke it of though, and looked at her. "You look so innocent like that."
he pointed out, meaning how she kinda clung to his chest.
"Times New Roman"'> She
shrugged abit. "I'm not."
"Times New Roman"'> "You
are, though. Beneath that tough-girl act, there's a young woman who was forced
to grow up to damn fast. You lost
again. Am I right?"
"Times New Roman"'> She
looked away. He had it right on the dot. She answered but didn't look at him.
"Times New Roman"'> He
hugged her tightly, surprising her. "You can trust me," he murmured,
kissing her hair.
"Times New Roman"'> Faith
remembered something Buffy said after Gwendolyn Phad had been killed,
"This is
of time kicking your face, but you can trust me."
"Times New Roman"'> She
couldn't trust Buffy in the long run, what made Spike think she could trust
him? They were the same. They got each other. Had the same need for love and
acceptance that B. and her crew weren't gonna give to
either. They had each other only, now. She was gonna
trust him.
"Times New Roman"'> Faith
pushed Spike down and got on top of him. She grinded against him, making him
hard, then got him inside of her. She was gonna give
back what he gave to her last night. The two got lost in each other, the
kisses, the moans, the passion. . . .They escaped into it. She gave it to him
gently at first, then showed her rough kinky side. She
bruised his neck, chest and arms like he'd done to her last night. He enjoyed it,
the little bits of pain from the bruising exciting him more. She'der ger gotten
a guy this crazy before, but then again, there's a first time for everything.
She smirked then went and teased him, going slow, moving herself off him so he
was only touching her hot wetness abit.
"Times New Roman"'> She
grinned as he whimpered and squirmed, trying to get back in her. She wouldn't
let him and finally, he pushed her off his bed, and pinned her to the floor,
slamming into her hard. She ran her fingers along his features. He'd taken on
the countenance of a vampire when he'd slammed her down, but it didn't bother
her. If anything, it made her more aroused. She entwined her legs with his,
moving with him, dragging her nails down his chest and back, tearing the flesh.
"Times New Roman"'> No
sooner had they finished, did the good Slayer burst into Spike's crypt.
"Times New Roman"'> "Spike,
we're going to need you tonight—" Buffy cut herself short upon seeing
Spike entangled with Faith. Only two nights ago Buffy and Spike had made love
in her room, and she'd admitted to loving him. Obviously he was over her. Or
else he wouldn't be in Faith's arms. The rogue Slayer, still breathing heavily,
perched herself up on her elbows. "Give us abit, then
we'll be over."
"Times New Roman"'> "No
one said you, Faith." Buffy said icily. "You know what? Forget it,
Spike. We can do just as well without you." Buffy said, before turning and
leaving. The crypt door slammed shut. faith moved out
of spike's embrace.
"Times New Roman"'> "Aren't
you gonna go run after blondie?"
Faith said, a twinge of cruelty in her voice.
"Times New Roman"'> "Why
would I do that?"
"Times New Roman"'> "You
love her, and don't deny it. Everyone knows."
"Times New Roman"'> "That
was before. Times have changed, pet," he replied, standing up and reaching
for his smokes, lighting one up. He stood there, naked, smoking for a few
minutes before reaching for his pants.
"Times New Roman"'> "But
I still mad a promise to the little Bit that I'd see them all through this mess
with that bollocksed-up preacher, Caleb." Spike
yanked his jeans on, and grabbed a black button up shirt and pulled it on too.
Faith got dressed herself.
"Times New Roman"'>
She muttered.
"Times New Roman"'> "Why's
that?"
"Times New Roman"'> "Don't
got anywhere else to stay. Not like I'm
slam the dor in my face anyway." Faith zipped
her boots up and pulled her jacket on.
"Times New Roman"'> "You
can stay 'ere," Spike offered.
"Times New Roman"'> She
squinted at him. "What's the price?"
"Times New Roman"'> "There
is no price. Just be happy."
"Times New Roman"'> "What
the hell am I supposed to do while yer out running
around killing things for the Slayer and Co. ?"
she asked.
"Times New Roman"'> "You'll
be out -with me- running around killing things for the Slayer and Co.," he
replied. He pulled his duster on, putting his smokes and lighter in one of the
inside pockets. "Ready?"
"Times New Roman"'>
him out into the night, heading towards the one place Faith knew she wasn't
welcome. Strangely, she was scared.
"Times New Roman"'>
* * *
"Times New Roman"'> Dawn
answered the knock at the front door, knowing it was probably Spike. She was
right, but he had a dark-haired and kinda Goth-y
woman beside him. "That Drusilla?" Dawn
asked.
"Times New Roman"'> Buffy
had come up behind Spike. "No, Dawn, it's
Faith."
"Times New Roman"'> Dawn
stepped back, crossing her arms, a look of disapproval on her face.
"Times New Roman"'> "Take
it yer the Slayer's sister?" Faith said,
stepping inside after Spike.
"Times New Roman"'> Dawn
didn't answer. She just turned away and went towards the kitchen. Spike, Buffy
and Faith stood around the foyer awkwardly until Xander
came in from the living room.
"Times New Roman"'> "What
the hell is she doing here?" He
demanded, glaring at Faith.
"Times New Roman"'> "She's
with me." Spike answered, heading for the kitchen, where the
Rona, Amanda, Caridad and some others- plus Dawn were
standing around, talking. Anya and Giles were trying
to get some order restored and managed. Spike entered the kitchen, leaning
against the counter as Robin entered from the basement with
scythe.
"Times New Roman"'> Buffy
pulled Faith aside. "Look. I don't know why you're here and I really don't
care, but if you're here on some kind of personal vengeance over me stabbing
you, then get out."
"Times New Roman"'>
the big house just so I could get revenge." Faith exclaimed. Off Buffy's
look, "I'm here to help." With that, she headed to the kitchen,
standing between Robin and Spike. Buffy came in a few seconds later and
explained why Faith was here.
"Times New Roman"'> "We
have an ex-con on our team?!" Vi said shrilly.
"Times New Roman"'> "We
need all the help we can get," Buffy insisted.
"Times New Roman"'>
forming-argument short by holding the scythe up and handing it to Faith.
"Times New Roman"'> Faith took
it and as soon as she touched it, her eyes widened. "This thing has mad
power! What is it?" Faith asked,
passing it from hand-to-hand.
"Times New Roman"'>
way.
"Times New Roman"'> "I
knew that, blondie," Faith snapped. "I
meant the power. What is it and
what's causing it? Can y'all feel it too?" She passed it to Robin who then
passed it to Spike who passed it to a PotentiBuffBuffy was last to hold it.
"Times New Roman"'> "I
feel it." She said.
"Times New Roman"'>< sty style='mso-tab-count:1'> "So
did I," Faith agreed.
"Times New Roman"'> No one
else had felt it.
"Times New Roman"'> "Maybe
it's some Slayer thing?" Dawn piped up.
"Times New Roman"'> "No,
then I'd of felt it, and they would of too," Kennedy replied, gesturing to
the rest of the Potentials.
al'>
"Times New Roman"'> "Wait,"
Spike said, slowly. Everyone turned to him. "The Potentials are just
Slayers-In-Waiting. Back in 1940, when Dru and I
killed a bunch—"
"Times New Roman"'> Robin
cut him off. "This isn't the time to brag," he said dryly.
"Times New Roman"'> Spike
raised an eyebrow at Wood before continuing. "When Dru
and I killed a bunch, we felt no power what-so-ever from them. Maybe they only
get their powers when they're activated?"
"Times New Roman"'> Giles
looked thoughtful. "I do believe you're right.,
Spike." He didn't look happy admitting it though.
"Times New Roman"'> Spike
smirked, and crossed his arms.
"Times New Roman"'> "Caleb
and his minions couldn't get it out and they're pretty strong," Buffy
stated. "I was able to get it out with perfect ease. Guess it's a full
Slayer thing." She looked pretty damn pleased.
"Times New Roman"'> "This
thing must be pretty important then." Vi stated
the obvious.
"Times New Roman"'> "Guess
what they say is t scy scythe does matter."
Buffy and Faith got the joke though, and both flashed sardonic smiles.
"Times New Roman"'> "Well,
I guess we got one thing to help us with defeating Caleb, but there is still
the First and it's army of über
vamps to deal with." Kennedy said, changing the conversations direction
back to business.
"Times New Roman"'> "From
what Wes told me back in L.A, the First is incorporeal, so we can't kill iting ing our usual techniques." Faith pointed out.
"Times New Roman"'> "Angel!"
Buffy exclaimed, staring at a cupboard by Spike's head. The punked-out
vampire turned quickly, thinking his sire and enemy was behind him.
"Times New Roman"'> "Seeing
things now, Slayer...?" he said slowly. Buffy glared at him before
continuing.
"Times New Roman"'>"No,
the First messed around with Angel and tried to get him to kill his self,
remember?" Willow, Giles and Xander all shook
their heads, remembering when that had happened.
"Times New Roman"'> "I
had to kill the priests of the Harbringers, which we
can easily do now. The First left us alone after that." Buffy said.
"Times New Roman"'> "Yeah,
but obviously you didn't do a good job, B. The First is still
"Times New Roman"'> Buffy
and Faith started arguing which pissed Spike adn
Robin off, and gave Giles a more severe headache. Hbbedbbed his temples and
left the room, muttering about lookingo wao ways to kill the First. Spike and
Robin both slammed their fists on to the island counter in the middle of the
"Times New Roman"'> Both
Slayers shut up instantly, and
the Potential's out of the kitchen. Robin was the one to speak though.
"Times New Roman"'> "You
two are going to have to put aside this thing going on between you two so we
can kill this evil." Robin looked at Spike, then looked Buffy right in the
eyes. "We don't have time for vendettas." He'd thrown her words back
at her. She'd said that to him when Robin had brought out the demon in Spike
that had killed his mother -a Slayer from 1970, Nikki Wood- in an attempt to
kill Spike. He'd failed and Spike had barely left Wood alive.
"Times New Roman"'> Robin
left the kitchen, and Buffy followed after telling
Spike to take Faith and do a quick patrol of Restfield
before turning in. They were all gonna be up at seven
the next morning for the Final
he was gonna have a big part in saving
had dropped some tacky looking necklace off to Buffy, saying that the one to
wear it has to be an en-souled champion.t's t's the
only toy to draw the full power out of it. Buffy had argued with Angel, telling
him, that she'd need him as a second front if she got killed. Angel had agreed
to that and left Sunnydale
"Times New Roman"'> He
pushed the thought out of his mind as he and Faith walked side-by-side on their
way to Restfield. The thought came back to him as
Faith kissed him out-of-the-blue. What the hell was he gonna
tell Faith? He'd just said she could trust him. He was more than willing to
give her the love and acceptance she longed for, but how could he do so when
he'd be a pile of ash in less than twenty-four hours?
"Times New Roman"'> Faith
noticed something was up and didn't hesitate to ask. "What the hell's
eating you?" she demanded as they walked through the rows of grave
markers.
"Times New Roman"'> So he
told of his new duty. She looked at him. "So you're gonna
kill yourself to save this shit-hole of a town? All because
Good-Slayer said so?
"Times New Roman"'> Sounds stupid to me."
"Times New Roman"'> "I'm
doing this because I'm seeking redemption. I could just as easily take out
everyone in Buffy's place 'cos I don't
I got a control on my bad side and my way of redeeming myself for the nasty
things I've done in my past is to save Buffy and her little friends. I made
this decision long before you came here, Faith. Mind you, now that I know you,
I wish I could take back what I said and let someone like Angel get his self
killed for this place, but I don't break promises. Ne'er '
"Times New Roman"'> Faith
sat beside him. "I'm gonna be with you 'til the
end." She promised, taking his hand.
"Times New Roman"'>
die, Faith. Yer gonna
be needed." Spike protested.
"Times New Roman"'> "Since
when do people need me? I do what I want. I'm gonna
die with you." Faith said sincerely. Spike said nothing. He couldn't. No
one had ever wanted to die with him. Even Drusilla wouldn't of
done that. He squeezed her hand. The moment was ruined a couple seconds later
as a few of the über vamps showed up. Spike and Faith
jumped up and started kicking the shit outta them.
Spike vamped and used his vampiric nature to help him
kick the piss outta the ugly rat-faced vampires.
"Times New Roman"'> Faith
got thrown into a crypt, the one wall crumbling abit from the force that she
had hit it at, but she got right back up and got back into the fight, giving it
her all. Hell, she hadn't spent all these years working out in the big house
just to get her ass kicked by a couple of ugly-ass vampires. She dusted the
last one by kicking it's head off it's shoulders.
Spike finished his last one off by tearing it's head
clean off it's neck. Covered in sweat, blood and ash, the twosome headed to
Spike's crypt to clean up and get some sleep.
"Times New Roman"'>
* * *
"Times New Roman"'> Buffy
was showered, fed and pumped up by
Robin -whom she'd slept with the
night before-, Dawn,
Xander and Anya, Giles and
the Potentials. They were just finishing up breakfast as Faith came into the
"Times New Roman"'> "Where's
Tall, blond and creepy?" Xander asked, shoving
the last Pop Tart into his mouth, ignoring Andrew's whines about calling last
dibs on it.
"Times New Roman"'> "Spike
took the sewers. Doubt you guys want him dead before he saves y'all,
right?" Faith said bitterly. As they waited for Spike, every started
talking about what they were gonna do after they
saved the world. Amanda noticed Faith hadn't participated in the conversation
so she spoke to the ex-con. "What's you're plans for after we save the
world?"
"Times New Roman"'> "You
mean after Spike saves the world. I won't be around after that. I'm going down
with Spike." The rogue answered.
"Times New Roman"'> "Faith—"
Buffy started.
"Times New Roman"'> "No,
B. This is what I want to do. I'm not about to let the only person to ever
understand me die alone. I'm gonna be by his side
every minute that counts."
"Times New Roman"'> Buffy
went to say something again but Spike came in from the backyard. "The
sewers took alot longer than expected so I risked the
cloudyness and ran the rest the way." He
explained after noticing it was an hour after they were supposed to meet up.
"Times New Roman"'> Buffy
got right down to business after Spike showed up. "Willow, got
spell?"
"Xander, Dawn, Robin, Giles, Anya
and Aw, yw, you guys remember your places in the high school? Recap: you are to
kill any of the über
vamps that come up from the basement. Do whatever
it takes, just don't let any survive.
The six of Buffy's friends nodded. Buffy turned to Spike, then, and the kitchen
went quiet. "Spike, you have the necklace, right?"
"Times New Roman"'> Spike
took it out from under his shirt. He had it around his neck, and showed it to
Buffy then putbackback under his shirt. Dawn suddenly let out a tiny sob and flung
herself at Spike, holding him tight. He put his arms around her, letting her
cry. Strangely, he looked like he was going to cry his self.
"Times New Roman"'> He bit
his lower lip and un-tangled his self from Dawn then knelt in front of her,
speaking softly. "Dawn, remember that promise I made back when
Dawn nodded. "I'm still keeping that promise. I vowed I'd protect you 'til
the day I died. That's partially why I'm doing this. I save Sunnydale,
I save you." She made a wimpery noise, crying
harder.
"Times New Roman"'> "
streaming down her face.
"Times New Roman"'> "Only
me and Angel are able to wear this necklace and draw out it's
power." He explained.
"Times New Roman"'> "Why
couldn't Angel of been the one to die?!" The littlest Summers
cried out.
"Times New Roman"'> Spike
couldn't believe he was saying this, but he did it anyway. "If something
happens to you all and Buffy dies, it could be days, maybe hours before the
First and it's army reaches Los Angeles. From there
on, it'll start to destroy the world. We need Angel as our second front incase
that does happen. He'd do a helluva better job at
saving the world than I would, you and I both know
that." Spike hugged Dawn again.
"Times New Roman"'> Buffy
wiped her own tears away and took her role as the Leader again, though her
voice wavered."O
outside and gassed up?" Robin nodded. "Everybody,
start loading weapons and whatever else we'll need onto the bus.
was the last to leave, but Buffy put a hand on his shoulder, stopping him. They
were the only ones in the kitchen.
"Times New Roman"'> "Spike,
what you're doing...." Buffy started.
"Times New Roman"'> "Look,
Buffy, I'm doing it 'cos I have to. Plus, it's not
like I'll really be missed. By Dawn and Faith, yeah, but I can list the rest of
the lot will be relieved that I'll be dea—"
Spike got cut off as . . . .
"Times New Roman"'> . . .
.Buffy kissed him. "Thank you, Spike." The Slayer said before
following everyone else out. Spike followed her.
"Times New Roman"'> It was
time.
"Times New Roman"'>
"Times New Roman"'>
group across campus. Thankfully, the weather was in Spike's favor as it was
still very cloudy. Lucky for him, that meant he got to catch Wood's speech.
"Welcome to Sunnydale High. There's no running
in teh halls, no yelling, and no gum." He told
them all in a booming voice. "Apart from that, we have only one rule: if
they move, kill them." He let Buffy take the spotlight once they were all
gathered in the mfoyefoyer of the school.
"Times New Roman"'> "Ok,
Potentials in the basement, follow Spike and Faith.
Willow, Robin's office is right down the hall," Kennedy cut Buffy off.
"Times New Roman"'> "I'll
go get you set up." The Potential took Willow's bag of things she'd need
for the spell and headed to the office.
"Times New Roman"'> "It's
right above the Seal," Buffy reminded Kennedy.
"Times New Roman"'>
they'd fight off the vamps that escaped from the basement.
"Times New Roman"'> Then,
it was only Willow, Buffy, Xander and Giles.
"Times New Roman"'>
"Times New Roman"'>
"Times New Roman"'>
"Times New Roman"'> They
made small talk about what they'd do after saving the world, and eventually
went to their posts, ready to fight. When Buffy took her place around the Seal,
she cut her palm open with Andrew's mystical knife and passed it to Faith, who cut
her palm then passed it to Spike, who did the same, then the knife was passed
along the Potentials who, in turn, cut their own palms. They put their hands
over the Seal and the blood dripped on to it, opening it.
"Times New Roman"'> "Pucker
up, girls, we're goin' to Hell." Faith announced
as they all decended down.
"Times New Roman"'>
few of the girls went as more followed.
"Times New Roman"'> And
Spike, with the amulet around his neck.
"Times New Roman"'>
fabulous accessory isn't exactly tingling with power."
"Times New Roman"'> "I'm
not worried," Buffy told him.
"Times New Roman"'> "I'm
getting zero juice here, and I look like Elizabeth Taylor." Spike went on.
"Times New Roman"'> "Cheer
up, Liz. Willow's big spell doesn't work, it's not gonna
matter what you look like." Faith said to him.
"Times New Roman"'> "I'm
not worried," Buffy said again.
"Times New Roman"'> But her
voice said otherwise, and the others gazed in horror as they moved to the
that cavern . . . thousands of Turok-hano:p>
"Times New Roman"'>
"Times New Roman"'> "I'm
not worried," Buffy said, almost catatonically.
"Times New Roman"'> As one,
the vamps caught sight of the girls. Screaming, they charged.
"Times New R"'><"'> "
whispered.
"Times New Roman"'> The
battle had begun.
"Times New Roman"'>
* * *
"Times New Roman"'>
Kennedy asked, alarmed.
"Times New Roman"'>
"Times New Roman"'>
up, eyes widening, as light began to fill the room, coursing through her,
through everng: ng: flowers in Paraguay and the coven back in England, all the
Wicca, and there she was, in Willow's soul, Jenny Calendar . . . and all who
had fought for good, with magicks and with their
souls and spirits. . . .
"Times New Roman"'> "Oh
"Times New Roman"'>
"Times New Roman"'>
"Times New Roman"'> Willow
cried.
"Times New Roman"'> Kennedy
fell back, slammed by something unseen. She grunted, shouted . . . and was
filled . . . filled as Buffy had dreamed she would be, when she had given each
Potential her choice:
"Times New Roman"'>
generation one Slayer is born because a bunch of guys that died thousands of
years ago made up that rule. They were powerful men."
had pointed to Willow, and said the things that made Willow so uncertain:
"Times New Roman"'>
of them combined. So I say we change the rules. I say my power should be our
power. Tomorrow Willow will use the essence of this scythe,
that contains the energy and history of so many Slayers, to change our
des. Fr. From now on, every girl in the world who might be a Slayer,
will be a Slayer. Every girl who could have the power,
will have the power. Who can stand up, will stand up. Every one of you and the
girls we've never known, and generations to come . . . they will have strength
they never dreamed of, and more than that, they will have each other.
choice. Are you ready to be strong?"
"Times New Roman"'>
grabbed the scythe Willow tossed at her and tore down the hallway of
and tossed the scythe to Buffy.
"Times New Roman"'> Kennedy
got into the fight. All the girls down there fought like they never fought
before. They kicked ass like they never kicked ass before.
"Times New Roman"'> In the
cavern, as Spike fought off in a corner, he was startled by a surge of power
from the amuln hin his chest.
"Times New Roman"'> "Uh,
Buffy?" he called, but she was in the heat of the battle. "Whatever
this thing does, I think it's . . .
"Times New Roman"'> He
dropped to his knees, stunned by pain.
"Times New Roman"'>
"Times New Roman"'> The
army of the bad was not getting any smaller.
"Times New Roman"'> Faith, Buffy
and the Potentials fought like crazy, trying to lessen the amount of them.
"Times New Roman"'>
"Times New Roman"'> Searing
pain wracked his body; he tossed away a vampire as confusion and pain contorted
his body; he clenched his stomach.
"Times New Roman"'> He was
burning from the inside out.
"Times New Roman"'>
"Times New Roman"'> After
being stabbed, Buffy looked up at the the First whom
had taken her form, mocking her. Buffy, the real one, stood up.
"Times New Roman"'>
"Times New Roman"'>
"Times New Roman"'> And
Spike.
"Times New Roman"'> He
staggered under the Seal opening, paused, and said, "Oh, bollocks!"]
"Times New Roman"'> Then,
energy shot up from within him, straight through, like a geyser, piercing the
Seal, and bursting through Robin Woods office, narrowly missing the still-prone
Willow, who watched in astonishment as the brilliant plume crashed through the
ceiling. "I didn't do that." she murmured.
"Times New Rom>
Spike:
"Times New Roman"'> The sun
hit him hard; he was pinned, pain and something else building up inside him . .
. he called out to the only person who was so much like him—
"Times New Roman"'> "—Faith
. . ."
"Times New Roman"'> She saw
him, raced to him.
"Times New Roman"'> "Spike!"
she shouted —and had to dive out of the way as a prismed
ray of pure, soulful sunlight blasted out of the amulet and into the cavern.
"Times New Roman"'> In an
instant, hundreds—thousands of vampires were incinerated.
"Times New Roman"'> The
cavern began to fall apart.
"Times New Roman"'>
"Times New Roman"'> The
remaining Potentials ran up and out of the Seal, leaving Buffy and Faith
behind. Buffy took Faith's arm. "Come on, we have to go, now!"
"Times New Roman"'> Faith
refused. "I wanna see how it ends."
"TiNew New Roman"'> Buffy
was so thankful of Spike taking his life for everyone. She thought back to what
he had said the night the gang had gone after Glory, trying to save Dawn and
stop the Hell Goddess from opening the portal:
"Times New Roman"'> "
always knew I'd go down fighting."
"Times New Roman"'> Spike
closed his eyes, the pain showing on his features. Faith gripped his hand, and
Buffy took off out of the Seal, and out of the school.
"Times New Roman"'> Spike's
hand burst into flame, and Faith cried out at the pain. She never let go,
though. The fire burnt and melted her flesh, and Spike started burning
elsewhere. The fire travelled up Faith's body,
burning her alive. Faith died, holding Spike's hand at the same time he dusted.
"Times New Roman"'>
"Times New Roman"'>
"Times New Roman"'> After
pan
class=SpellE>Xander and Kennedy stared down into the ditch. Robin had
stopped the bus once they had been in the clear. The clouds were gone and the
sun shone brightly. Smoke rose up from the ditch. Dawn cried hard, clinging to
mourning Spike, Xander mourning Anya.
Giles,
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'>Willow
were silent. Robin was in the bus with the rest of the wounded Potentials.
"Times New Roman"'> Buffy
stood at the edge.
"Times New Roman"'>
"Times New Roman"'>
"Times New Roman"'> Tears
flowed down her face, but she wore a tiny smile.
"Times New Roman"'>
"Times New Roman"'>
"Timew Rew Roman"'> They'd
saved the world.
"Times New Roman"'> Spike
had taken his life to save the world.
"Times New Roman"'> And
that filled Buffy with pride.
"Times New Roman"'>
"Times New Roman"'>
the
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"'>†