Name: Legacy of The Fireman 6/6 Of the Fireman Series

Rating: PG13

Spoilers: Just Season6

Keywords: Fireman, Paradox

Feedback: Heck yeah! I can take it.

Notes: If you missed any parts, visit DML or my site
http://mosupes.future.easyspace.com/fanfic

This is the last part: Hope you find it satisfying as an ending and generally good hehe. Thanks to all who've kept reading all the way up to this chapter. Your feedback kept me going with it and boy where it's gone has been unbelievable and slightly different than I imagined so it was a lot of fun and full of surprises for me as well! The story took on a life of its own to the point where I wasn't even in control-the charachters were making the story as they went along. I'm happy to have narrated that journey for you. Thanks again for reading and replying, it meant a lot! The options are open for a sequel (read the story to understand why) but I'm perfectly happy to just leave it here.

Disclaimer: "Joss Whedon and the UPN own the characters. I'm not making any profit from this story."

Summary: Buffy and Spike face their first bump in the road as Xander and Anya prepare for their wedding. Tara and Willow face their own problems as well, with Willow's hunger taking on dangerous new ground. Buffy gets some help from a certain talking-dragon as The First Evil's plan is set in motion. But how can Buffy defeat it when the only way is for them both to die? When all the vampire dust settles though it'll be clear: that the
legacy of the Fireman will always will live on.

Previously on Buffy the Vampire Slayer: In case you've forgotten what happened in the last 6 chapters....

Buffy was sent to Hell by The First Evil's minions when she should've gone either to heaven or back to Earth. Buffy came back to life by the gang bringing her back through the Hellmouth (which they opened by using Dawn). Giles didn't help them though, he left back to England.

Spike brought Buffy back to life after she was killed by a Gargoyle via an 'Act of Truth'.

The First Evil crossed the plane into our world via his priests.

The First Evil possessed Willow and caused some mayhem and friction between Buffy and Spike (he possessed Spike and hurt Buffy verbally) causing Spike to go solo on his lonesome.

Tara had messed with some Space/Time magic and told Willow she saw her future and it didn't look good.

Giles showed up in town and Spike was first to see him still on the run. Giles filled him in on his research of the First Evil (most importantly that it can only be killed if both Slayer and First Evil die at the same time).

Spike turned into a statue thanks to The First Evil's stoning spell (while it possessed Willow). First Evil used Willow to cast the joining spell and they visited the First Slayer again which he killed. Buffy became the Last Slayer.

Buffy was able to restore Spike by going to a mountain and retrieving the Horn of Praecor Loth (guarded by a talking-dragon by the same name) then casting a Flesh Rejuvenation Spell with Willow's help.

Buffy and Spike sang their true feelings to each other and admitted that they are desperately in love with each other.

Xander and Anya's wedding is coming up. Anya proved her love for Xander when she didn't hurt him as a vengeance demon.

****

A few weeks later.

Buffy and Spike strolled through the cemetery, hand in hand. The other hand carried a stake. It was quite chilly and foggy, but then again for one of them the cold didn't matter. For the other, being near Spike kept her blood pumping warm.

"Dum, dum, dum." She chanted happily. Spike grinned at her,
amused. She winked at him.

"So Mr. Best-Man, how does it feel being a Best-Man." She asked.

"Well for one thing, they'd better change that on the invitation
card to Best-Vampire!" He said half-serious.

"Did you try the tux yet?" Buffy asked.

Spike looked down embarrassed.

"No."

"Spike! Tomorrow's the wedding and you still haven't tried it
on?" She scolded him.

"Excuse me Ms. Brides-maid I can't exactly look at myself in the
mirror now can I?"

"No. But you can still try to see if it fits. You can't show up
to the wedding wearing that duster!"

"And why not?" He smirked at her. "You certainly don't
complain."

"Well, it is a nice coat." She grinned thoughtfully.

"Vampire!" He pointed to the side with the hand with the stake.

"No problem." She said. They unclasped from each other and she went after the vampire herself. Spike watched her do an uppercut then a sweeper followed by a quick staking. "Time?" She beamed proudly.

Spike looked at his imaginary wristwatch.

"2 seconds. Very sloppy technique may I add."

She walked closer to him.

"You may not add." She teased.

"Shouldn't I be punished then?" He asked innocently. She placed
her hands on his chest moving the duster out of the away. She pushed him against a tree slipping her hands further down his waist. She lightly pressed her lips against his and pulled back teasing him some more. Electricity danced on their lips. They both wanted more.

"Oh, Buffy." Spike couldn't restrain himself anymore. He swept
her up into a passionate kiss, and within seconds they were both heaving and panting heavily devouring the other. Spike turned them around and pinned Buffy to the tree and continued kissing her neck. She squirmed with delight.

"Mmm." He kissed her again in the same spot, she jumped up in
delight. "Ahh." His hands slipped beneath her skirt to unexplored regions. "Wait-" He covered her mouth with his and massaged his tongue with hers. "Oh god, don't stop!" She managed to utter as she wrapped her hands around his neck and let him explore deeper both up and down.

She didn't need to tell him twice. He was burning for her. She
pulled down his duster to his waist and he took off her sweater. Their first time! Their first time was going to be in a cemetery, Buffy thought. Not how she pictured it, but it was strangely exciting. His hands went beneath her shirt where she yelped with every touch.

"Buffy." He whispered. She moved her hands down further and
began to unzip his pants. She felt the heat and enormous bulge before she unbuttoned it. But she didn't unbutton his pants.

"Wait." She pleaded. Spike didn't hear her. "Spike." He was too
busy kissing her neck. She pushed him away from her lightly. Spike stopped and looked at her confused, panting heavily and highly aroused. "Can we wait some more, Spike?" She pleaded softly. Spike sighed.

"Fine. Not like we've waited long enough." He began zipping his
pants back and adjusting his clothes. She knew he'd take this the wrong way. She began fixing her clothes as well.

"Look, Spike, I just want it to be the right moment."

"Bollocks, you just don't want to face sleeping together cause
you think either a. I'll turn evil b. I'll leave town c. I'll humiliate you and hurt you or d. all the above? Isn't that it?" He asked bitterly as he began walking away.

"Fine! Be that way!" She shouted back at him angrily. He was
blowing this out of proportion. That wasn't it at all.was it? She had a lot to sort through her mind.

"I'll see you when I see you, slayer." He turned his back to her
and walked away leaving her all alone.

She didn't feel like staying to fight any more vampires by
herself. Upset, she turned back and headed home to get a good night's sleep. Or as good as it could get after tonight.

****

Buffy floated through the clouds, flapping her arms wildly
trying to touch the soft cuddly-white substance. Her hands cut through the cotton candy-like fluff easily, like a stake through chest. Buffy felt so happy. As happy as a child at an amusement park throwing cotton balls at prop vampires.

Up ahead she saw a Boeing plane. Strangely it wasn't making any noise even though the engines were turning. She floated closer and noticed another funny thing. There was a huge wristwatch wrapped around it ticking away slowly. Buffy got even closer curiously. Peeking through the windows, she found the plane empty. But then she crept closer to the cockpit window. Inside was one petite red head, standing straight, arms behind her back like the captain of the plane. Buffy knocked on the window:

"Willow!" She yelled. Her friend didn't respond, either she didn
't hear or she just did not want to respond. "Will?" Still nothing. Buffy focused on her hard face, looking deep in thought ahead. There was pain and sorrow etched on Willow's usually smiling face.

Buffy felt some heat emanating ahead of the plane. She looked
ahead where the plane was flying to. It didn't look good. Floods of fire and lava fell from the sky.

Suddenly the alarm on the huge wristwatch went off. It was deafening. Buffy tried slapping it to shut off. Again and again.

"Arrgh!" Buffy shot out of bed and punched her wristwatch laying on the nightstand. She began rubbing her eyes to grind away the sleepiness still in them. She looked outside her window at the bright shining sun and lush green trees. It looked like a beautiful day.

But, dang. That was one weird dream. Buffy quickly tried to recall all the details of the dream so she wouldn't forget it. A plane; wrapped around it was a wristwatch. Either this was one of the mysteries of her brain or a slayer dream - something she hadn't had for a long time.

She was the Last Slayer now. Maybe her death and rebirth had affected the slayer circle, so she was not receiving these prophetic dreams. Still though, Buffy was doubtful what kind of dream she should classify that in.

The past few days had been very easygoing. Dawn was nearing the end of her semester, which meant a lot of revision. Giles was helping her out whenever he could. Willow was getting paler and thinner everyday. Buffy was certain that spell they did, the "Flesh Rejuvenation" spell, was responsible. Which
means, I'm responsible, Buffy thought since they had used that spell to free Spike from his stone state.

Ah, Spike. Things had become very different ever since that night at the Bronze. She saw him whenever she could, usually at the cemetery followed by some serious heavy petting. But they hadn't gone all the way. As hard as it was for her to stop, she didn't let them get that close. Not yet.

Today was the big day-Xander and Anya's wedding.

Buffy jumped out of bed and headed to the bathroom not noticing the time on the broken wristwatch.

****

"Morning!" Dawn greeted her sister in the kitchen in the middle
of making a sandwich.

"Hey." Buffy replied, opening the fridge. She took out a carton
of orange juice and poured it into an empty glass. "Isn't it a beautiful day?" She commented.

Dawn took a bite out of her sandwich.

"Not if you have a Physics exam in an hour."

"Are you ready for it?" Buffy asked seriously.

"Giles helped me out a lot. I think I'll pass."

"Pass? You have to do more than that, sister!" Buffy warned her.

"Gee, feel the positive encouragement in this room." Dawn said
sarcastically. "Spike is supposed to help me with the History tomorrow." Buffy smiled to herself upon hearing his name. "Unless you get him all tied up-literally!" Dawn added noticing her changed statement.

Buffy gave her a stern look.

"Don't you have somewhere to be?" Dawn smirked at her.

"Yeah, yeah I'm going."

Buffy gulped down the last of her orange juice.

"Good luck."

"Thanks." With that she was out of the house.

Just as the door closed, in walked a thin unrecognisable figure
followed by Tara. Oh, oops.

"Hey Will." Buffy greeted her. Willow nodded in reply as she
headed to the fridge.

"Got anything to eat?"

"Help yourself." Buffy watched her as she rummaged through the Fridge.

"Hi, Buffy." Tara said. Buffy turned to her.

"Morning, I'd offer you something to drink but a certain Willow
monster seems to be thirsty."

"We came because we have some info, Buffy." Tara's tone was
serious.

"What's up? My stakes are sharp and ready."

"A couple of customers came to the magic shop yesterday. Said
they heard stuff on the streets. Something bad is going to happen tonight."

"Something big." Willow corrected her girlfriend.

"Yeah, they were scared, said they were leaving town, arming
themselves with magic for defence." Willow began devouring a chocolate cake. Tara grimaced watching her stuff her face attempting to satisfy her craving. "I'm not sure exactly how much we can trust what they said. But you should've seen the look in their eyes. The fear, Buffy.I've never-"

"Don't worry." Buffy reassured her, "I'm on it. I'll check if
Spike's heard anything too."

Willow belched loudly wiping her mouth.

"Don't you have anything bigger?" Willow asked, unsatisfied.

"I don't think the fridge could fit anything bigger." Buffy
commented. "Will, don't you think you should see a doctor or-"

"No." Willow stopped her. "No doctors. I'm fine." She said
stubbornly.

"But-"

"Resolve face. See resolve face? I'm fine."

Buffy sighed loudly.

"Whatever. I need to go to the wedding shop and pick up Anya's dress now. I'll get on this business after the chores are done."

"Sure, we've got History of Art now too. We'd better hurry. We'll see you at Xander and Anya's house around 4'ish?"

"Sounds good." Buffy smiled, chipper. "Oh and whatever you do,
don't tell Anya this news." Tara nodded. She grabbed Willow by the arm and all 3 of them headed out.

Buffy completely forgot to mention her dream to Willow.

****

"The final steps are in motion. We are almost ready." Werdan
informed his master.

The First Evil sat up proudly on his throne, clearly pleased.

"Good. Everything is proceeding as planned."

"One small thing, my lord." Werdan bit his demon lip. The First
Evil looked at him waiting. "An element in the mix might disrupt our plans.Our priests have calculated that 1 person can bring this whole thing crashing down and we might fail."

The First Evil roared angrily.

"Well then, find it and kill it whatever this element is. Must I
think of everything?"

Werdan nodded grovelling before his master.

"We've tried sending demon assassins after him, but him and the Slayer kill them as if they are nothing. You could do it-"

"I am still too weak to face the Slayer." He began to grind his
teeth, remembering their last fight. A huge smile curved around his face suddenly. "But I have a better idea. Since they seem such tight allies, I shall break that trust and make the Slayer's heart bleed."

"Very well, my liege." Werdan bowed, morphed back into Andrew (his human form) and went away back to his shop. Anya certainly wasn't the only demon shop owner in Sunnydale.

****

The store bell rang as Buffy entered the store. She looked
around. It was empty.

"Hello?" She called out. No answer.

Buffy walked over to the counter and looked behind it in to the
backdoor. She struck the bell on the table. Once, twice, three times.

"Yes, yes I'm here." Andrew called out, panting heavily as he
came in. He flashed a big smile. "How may I help-oh, Miss. Summers. Come to collect the dresses I presume?"

Buffy nodded smiling back.

"Yup. Tonight's the big night." Andrew grinned inwardly. It
certainly was.

"Just let me go in the back and get them." He said, his hands
clasped together as he walked away.

"Sure." Buffy started drumming her hands on the desk. That's
when she noticed something odd. In the rubbish bin was a huge pile of yellow goo which she found familiar. Wasn't that a sign of a demon living here?

"Here you go." Andrew came back with the dresses.

"Thanks." Buffy took them from him and began walking out. "You've been very helpful. Thanks a lot."

"Ah, but thank you too Miss. Summers. And make sure to thank the bride and groom." He told her, rubbing his hands together.

The bell rang as she opened the door. She walked out feeling
more scared about tonight. Things just weren't right in the air. The sun didn't seem as bright anymore and the birds were no longer chirping. Sunset was approaching faster than usual. She'd drop off the dresses at Anya's and then go visit Spike. She missed the taste of his lips and the hardness of his muscles. Everyday it became less and less bearable to be away from him and waking up alone.

She'd better hurry.

****

Spike paced around in the lower level of his crypt wearing his
rented tuxedo. He wanted a way to see himself with it on to tell if it was good, needed fixing or whatever.

He needed Buffy. She had been the first thing on his mind the
minute he woke up. No, she had actually already been on his mind while he slept. She was in his very core and being. He missed her warm breath and the soft beating of her heart. She made him feel alive again. Warm. Complete. He hated when they fought. But that usually meant it was just a normal
relationship. As normal as a relationship on the hellmouth anyway.

He then heard the grating of the crypt door above as it opened.

"Buffy." He whispered to himself as he quickly climbed up the
stairs to greet her.

Buffy looked around the crypt, as if studying it for the first
time.

When Spike came up from the stairs, he grinned at her.

"Afternoon, love." He walked closer. "I missed you." Something
was wrong. Buffy looked at him strangely. She was clearly upset. "What's
wrong, pet?"

Buffy started pacing.

"Everything is wrong, Spike. This thing.it's wrong." She pointed
at him and then at herself.

"What do you mean, love?"

"Will you stop calling me that!" She shouted at him.

Spike was confused. Was this just a game?

"Love?" He grinned at her again, coming to touch her. She pulled back.

"Stay away from me."

"Playing hard to get are we?" He asked seductively.

"Look, Spike. I'm serious. This thing between us is over." Spike
still was completely ignoring her words, concentrating on her lush lips. He got closer. "I mean it, stay away!"

Damn this was his fault. He should've have gotten so upset last
night. He could wait as long as she wanted-but just being around her drove
him crazy.

Just then, Buffy pulled out a crossbow fully armed and aimed it
at his chest. That's when Spike became alarmed, his reflexes ready. She pulled the trigger. Spike had only a microsecond to react-he could tell the arrow was headed straight to his heart. It would be too slow to move his whole body, so he quickly moved his hand in a stop sign, above his heart and
pushed forward. The arrow went through the centre of his palm, the momentum causing his hand to shrink back to his chest. The arrow continued going through his chest a few centimetres.

He stood still, awaiting the second he'd find himself look at
his hands dissolve to dust. Nothing happened. The arrow had missed his heart by a few millimetres.

He stumbled backwards, relieved, pained and confused at the same
time.

"What did you do that for?" He panted, his hand and chest still
impaled by the arrow. Buffy smiled menacingly, arming her crossbow again and aiming it at his brain.

"Listen, William. This whole thing is over. Finished. Get it? I
want you out of this town now! I never want to see you, hear of you ever again. If you ever come back to Sunnydale, I will finish off where that arrow stopped." She paused for effect and began to laugh, "You pathetic little bloody poet. You really know how to pick 'em don't you?"

"Shut up." He spat. She was hitting him at his most vulnerable
side.

"First a girl that doesn't love you back, then a crazy woman who
used you as a play thing for a 100 years then dumps you." She continued laughing.

Spike held a defiant face - about to crumble.

"Why are you doing this, Buffy?"

She walked to him, towering above him, looking menacing.

"'Cause you're beneath me, Spike. A pathetic vampire that can't
write poetry and can't get anyone to love him."

Spike's eyes began to tremble and he swallowed away a tear. His throat was dry, but he managed to croak out.

"I love you."

She laughed again and kicked him in the face, sending his blood
spraying against the wall behind him.

Spike began to sob quietly, hiding his face in his arms as she
walked to the door.

"By the way, I hate your tux."

And with that, she was gone.

****

"My lipstick! Where's my lipstick!?" Anya threw her hands up in
the air panicking.

"Don't worry, it's right here." Tara came to the rescue, holding
the lipstick in her hand. Anya snatched it from her.

Willow, Tara, and Anya were preparing themselves for the wedding at Anya and Xander's house. Xander had already tuxed up and headed to the reception. Buffy had left half an hour ago to pickup their dresses.

"Where's the heck is Buffy?" Anya demanded. She was very edgy. Pre-wedding nerves and all that.

"I'm sure she'll be here, don't worry." Willow said, disinterested as she flipped through a beauty magazine.

"No, I am going to worry! If even one of my bridesmaids is
missing this whole thing is going to be a disaster!" Her voice got faster and more high pitched as she continued talking. "I NEED MY BRIDESMAIDS!" She yelled.

Just then, the door flew open. In walked a petite blonde.

"Oh thank goodness, Buffy it's you." Anya began to relax, as
Tara fanned her with one of the magazines. Buffy put the dresses on an empty chair.

"Hey, Buff." Willow said from behind her magazine. She took out an apple from her bag and started to eat it.

"Hey guys." She said, breathlessly. There was a dark cloud on
her face.

"Everything ok, Buffy?" Tara asked her worriedly. Anya sensed
the worry and began to panic.

"Oh no, the wedding cake, it's-it's not finished is it? I knew I
should've ordered it earlier-"

"No, no it's not that." Buffy stopped her. "And please, calm
down." Anya did (a bit). "I was just over at Spike's, the place is empty."

"How do you mean?" Willow asked with a mouthful. She looked even thinner than this morning.

"I mean he's packed his bags. None of his clothes, bottles or
anything is there any more."

"Oh no, now the best man is missing!" Anya began to
hyperventilate, fanning herself with both hands. "What if something happened to him?"

Buffy registered a shocked look. How could she even suggest
that!

"I'm sure he's perfectly alright, Buffy." Tara assured her.

Anya began to chew her fingernails.

"Anya!" Tara yelled at her. "Those took hours to glue on." She
stopped biting.

Buffy went and sat next to Willow.

"What are you going to do?" Willow asked quietly just between
them. Tara and Anya were busy with the makeup again.

Buffy shook her head and looked down, glumly.

"I don't know. What if this bad news you mentioned has started? Something bad is going to happen, I feel it in my bones." Buffy said the last part a bit too loudly.

Anya froze and turned to her from her chair - a deadly look on
her face.

"WHAT?!" She screamed. "Nothing wrong is going to happen on my wedding, you hear?" Willow and Buffy both nodded at the same time.

Anya relaxed a bit.

"Good." She nodded at her reflection in the mirror. "Good."

****

Xander stood in the corner of the wedding reception. He looked
at the time:

"5:18pm. Good, good. Plenty of time left." Around him, caterers
and ashurs rushed to get the food ready and the ornaments and plants in position. Cameramen adjusted their cameras while the chefs prepared the dishes. Everything was going as planned.

Xander took the opportunity to leave the room and regroup and
relax. The fresh air outside did wonders to his nerves. He then dug around in his pockets looking for-aha-found it. He took out his cigarette and placed it in his mouth.

"I blame Spike for this." He muttered under his breath. He took
out the lighter and flicked it. "Light up, damn you." The thing wouldn't hold the flame. Finally he lit the cigarette and as he exhaled the smoke, he nearly jumped out of his skin. "Dragon!"

"Need a light?" It spoke.

"A talking Dragon!" Xander dropped the cigarette and began to
run. He didn't get very far as the Dragon blocked his path with his huge wing.

"Tell me, mortal, are you a friend of the slayer?"

Xander turned to him, looking down at the floor in fear.

"Err, um no. I hate the slayer, really."

Loth gritted his teeth angrily.

"Then I have no use for you-" Smoke began rising from his nose.

"No, no wait!" Xander held his hands up in plea, "I am the
slayer's friend. Truly. Ask me anything! Buffy Summers, she's almost 21, she moved here 6 years ago."

"Enough of your blathering, I believe you." Loth still had the
power to see through people's hearts and minds. This mortal was telling the truth. Xander sighed relieved.

"How can I help you, oh, er, wing-ed one?" Xander grovelled.

"Just tell the slayer when she gets here, that I am ready to
help her. Tonight is a big night." With that, he upped and flew away leaving a shaken Xander.

"Sure. Ok."

****

Spike revved the engine of his motorcycle harder. It was almost
5:30 and the sun was already setting so it was safe enough to go outside. The wind blew through his hair and dried the tears he had shed. But he hadn't sat there and sobbed like an idiot. No. He'd gotten up, packed whatever he could and rode off on his motorcycle. Goodbye Sunny-hell, goodbye bitch-Buffy.

Up ahead, he saw the sign: "Now leaving Sunnydale, come back
soon!" He'd left Sunny-D twice, after his alliance with Buffy against Angelus and after leaving again to win back Dru's heart.

Spike smiled as fond memories returned. He remembered how
vulnerable Buffy had been, on the run from the cops and all alone. He had offered his help in return that she'd let him and Dru leave unharmed. Their banter and bickering had always been a fun time for them. Never had it been more prevalent than at that time. There had always been that silent passion
none dared admit to the other. Boy, how far they'd come.

Then again, he allied himself with her and Angel. He'd never
admit it to himself back then but he would now. He had been jealous of Angel then. That poofter didn't know how good he had it.

Spike slowed down the motorcycle and stopped completely on the side of the road. Cars and vans passed him as he collected his thoughts.

"Bugger this, mate. This ain't over." He revved the engine and
headed right back to Sunnydale.

****

Buffy walked through the altar her pink dress trailing behind
her. She was awed by the scene. Flowers covered every inch of the walls, the benches were all painted heavenly white and candles lighted up the room. It was astonishingly beautiful. She knew she would never have a wedding as she had imagined so she would try to make it as best as possible for her friend.

Up ahead, a man came running toward her as if his life depended on it.

"Wow, slow down Xander. You don't wanna break your back before you get married!" Buffy scolded him.

Xander panted, shaking his head.

"I saw this Dragon."

"Praecor Loth?"

Xander looked at her puzzled.

"He talks and he has a name?"

"Long story."

"Anyway, he said he's ready to help tonight. Ready for what
Buffy? What's going to happen tonight?" Xander asked.

Buffy looked at him innocently.

"Nothing. Everything going to be just fine. Excuse me, I need to
go."

Again Xander was left all alone.

"Harris."

Or maybe not.

"If it isn't the best man himself."

Spike looked at him seriously. He had made it back to Sunnydale in record time. Xander noticed he wasn't in his tuxedo. "For heaven's sake man. Get in to your tux, we're starting soon!" Xander began to panic. Spike smirked at him.

"Don't get all worked up, mate. Anyway, I wanted to have a word with you first."

"Sure." Xander said. They both walked outside.

Spike took out a cigarette and lit it. Xander did the same.

"Taking up smoking are we?"

"I blame you." Xander looked around expecting the dragon to show up again.

"How does it feel?" Spike asked.

"It hasn't sunk in yet. I'm about to spend my whole life with an
ex-demon and live together in the same house. I might even become a father some day." He took a drag of his cigarette. "Part of me wants to just use this free moment I have to run away and not look back. Go back to the single life where I was a loser and had to have women pay to date me. Yet there's
this other part, the stronger part that's telling me this is the best decision I've made in my entire life. That it's time for me to grow up. No one this good comes along every lifetime. There's a sense of completion like I'm about to start this whole new life with this person I love. And it feels great." Xander threw away his cigarette. "I don't need that thing anymore. Thanks for providing a sympathetic ear Spike."

Spike was moved by his speech.

"I believe that's the first time you've ever thanked me for anything, Harris."

"Well there's a first time for everything."

"If it's any consolation I think Anya's a swell ex-demon." Spike
grinned at him tossing away his own cigarette.

"I knew there was I reason I picked you as the best man. Now was there something you wanted to ask?"

"Yeah, it's Buffy-"

"I should've guessed." Xander mocked him.

"Did you notice anything odd about her?"

Xander looked at him and stroked his chin thinking hard.

"Nope. Her usual quirky and mysterious self."

"What do you mean?"

"She just ran off after I told her about this dragon. Wouldn't explain what's going on."

Just then an ashur came to a screeching halt in front of them.

"Mr. Harris, the ceremony's about to begin! Hurry!"

Xander looked at his watch, it was almost 6pm.

"Spike, do you have the ring?" Spike looked at him in shock.

"Ah, crap mate I forgot it at my crypt."

If Xander had a stake with him right then, Spike would've been dust.

"Just kidding." Spike chuckled as colour returned to Xander's face again. "Go on, I'll be there in a sec." Xander shook his head wordlessly and went back inside.

Spike quickly rushed to the nearest restroom to change in to his
tux.

****

The wedding had begun. Buffy was first to walk the aisle,
throwing flower petals from her basket as she did. When she reached the end of the aisle, she smiled at Xander and then noticed a familiar face standing next to him. Wasn't that where the best man was supposed to stand with him? Whoever that was, he looked mighty fine in that tuxedo and-wait a minute-oh
my god that's Spike! Her heart began to race. She smiled and winked at him.

Spike looked down quickly to avoid her eyes. She didn't
understand why. She'd talk to him later about where he'd been.

Tara and Willow followed her and eventually stood next to her
near the altar.

Finally the big moment.

The doors to the wedding hall opened. There stood Anya in her magnificent dress. It had a low-cut midriff and covered her face behind a transparent white sheet. Giles led her down the aisle proudly.

Everyone in the audience stood up as she walked the aisle gracefully. Xander couldn't keep his eyes off her. She was an absolute angel.

When they reached the altar, Giles handed her over to Xander and went to sit at one of the front benches. Everyone sat down.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today-" The priest began
the ceremony. Buffy couldn't take her eyes off Spike. Every few seconds he would look at her and then back at the wedding couple. What is he thinking? She thought. She'd kill to know how this wedding business made him feel. Was he being uneasy because he thought one day she'd want this wedding and he wouldn't be able to walk her through the light? So many questions.

"The ring please."

Spike dug in his right pocket and took out a velvety-blue box.
He opened it, took out the huge ring and gave it to the groom.

"Now repeat after me, 'With this ring as a token of my love and
affection I be wed.'"

"With this ring, as a token of my love and affection I be wed."
Xander repeated as he put the ring on Anya's finger.

"Now yo-"

"With this ring, " Anya cut him off quickly. This moment just
felt so unreal she didn't want to suddenly wake up finding it all just a dream. "-as a token of my love and affection, I be wed." She placed the ring on Xander's finger.

Buffy wiped a tear away from her eye.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may-"

Enough happiness. It was time for things to go wrong.

The whole ground began to shake as a huge crack formed in the
centre of the wedding hall.

Everyone in the audience began to panic and scream. They all got up and began running to the exit.

"Everyone, try to remain calm!" Giles shouted. It was doubtful
anyone heard him.

Suddenly a huge demon emerged from the opening in the ground. A red one with huge menacing claws, and large horns. It was the First Evil.

"No no no! This is MY wedding. And I say this is NOT happening!" Anya screamed.

"Slayer!" The First Evil growled after spotting her.

"Great. Was expecting you to show up." She muttered. Anya looked at Buffy incredulously.

"You mean you knew this was going to happen?" Anya shouted stamping her foot down.

"Ahn, honey, now's not a good time to be pointing blame."

"This wedding was the perfect ritual to use to open the hellmouths around the world. The bridge between the human and the demon world was opened. I must thank you both." He told them. Anya looked at him, fire in her eyes.

"Let's go." Giles told them as they began to head for the back exit.

"Now, slayer, we have a score to settle yes?"

"Thought you said we can't kill each other?"

"Yes but I didn't say we couldn't have fun trying."

Spike ran up to Buffy then and talked low enough for only her to hear.

"Buffy--" Buffy looked at him a blank statement on her face, "look Giles told me something about this First Evil guy the day he got back to Sunnydale. You can kill him, but you both have to die at the same time."

"How can I do that exactly?" She was getting impatient. She could use a good fight.

"Look I'm just trying to be helpful, alright." He said bitterly.

"I don't need your help." She regretted that.

"Fine." He walked away. He wasn't going to get involved.

Without wasting another second, Buffy picked up the nearest bench and smacked the First Evil across the face with it.

"Let's get this on." They continued to spar as Spike left the hall.

There he found them all huddle in a circle. There was a sudden cool breeze. Spike looked up and found Loth the dragon approaching. Buffy had mentioned him once or twice. He was responsible for the Horn that saved his life.

"It's opened. It's true." He didn't waste a second briefing them.

"What's opened?" Xander asked dumbfounded. Everyone else watched in awe as Spike and the dragon conversed.

"Damnit, so his ritual has opened all the hellmouths?" Spike asked.

"Aye." Loth replied.

"How can we close them?"

"I can easily get us to each hellmouth quickly. But you'll have to find a way to close them all."

"Last time we closed the hellmouth here, we used The Key. Do you know what that is?" Spike suggested.

Loth nodded his huge head.

"Yes that could work. I know a spell that could help."

"Ok." Spike headed to the group still staring at the dragon. "Giles, I need you to go with Loth here. Get Dawn at home. I'm counting on you to close the hellmouths." Giles nodded.

"We'll do our best." Giles said and without another word he rode on Loth. And they flew off.

Just then a limousine rolled up.

"That's your call Xander. Anya."

Xander looked at him crazed.

"Are you mad? We're not going on our honeymoon with this going on!"

"We'll take care of it. Just go, today's your day." Anya and Xander looked at one another considering his words. "You can't do anything more. If tonight's the end of the world, you should at least enjoy your last few hours on Earth."

Anya sighed.

"Maybe he's right, honey." She whispered. He looked at her, then at Spike, then at Buffy in the back still sparring with the First Evil.

"Just promise me everything will be ok." Xander said and they headed to their waiting limousine.

"Have fun." Tara told them as they left.

"Listen up, red. I have a plan. Can you make us a spell to switch bodies?." Spike said, getting back to business.

"Take that!" Buffy shouted as she picked up yet another bench
and slapped her enemy with it. It cracked in half.

"Hahaha!" It laughed amused. "Is that all you have, Slayer?"

"She's got us." Willow's voice echoed in the room as she floated
in, feet above the floor. Her eyes were black as she crackled with energy. She opened her palm, waiting for Tara to join her. When she did, she sent a huge ball of lightning straight at the First Evil.

It knocked him all the way to the back and caused a huge plume of smoke to rise off him. He was clearly weakened.

"Hah, you weren't expecting that were you?" Buffy beamed
proudly, winking at her friends.

"No. But I bet you weren't expecting this either." Just then, a
few of his minions entered, almost 10 in total.

"Hurry up, Spike." Willow mumbled as she prepared for another
ball of lightning.

****

Spike stormed in to the Magic Box with his motorcycle knocking a few tables and items off their shelves. He quickly headed for restricted magical ingredients and picked out the stuff Willow had requested. A few herbs, roots and crystals. With those in hand, he tore off his tuxedo and quickly put his legendary duster on. A sparkly crystal attracted his attention which he quickly pocketed. Then quickly he hopped on to his motorcycle and headed straight back to the wedding hall.

****

They had managed to defeat all the minions save one who was
giving Buffy a hard time.

She finally managed to get him into a chokehold and break his
neck quickly and cleanly. That was when the First Evil had begun to recover.

"Damn witch. I've had enough of you." It growled. It launched it
's own ball of fire.

"Move!" Buffy shouted at Willow and Tara.

They just managed to move enough so the ball wouldn't hit them. But it still created a huge crater beneath them and they fell down.

"Nooo!" Buffy shouted.

****

Willow and Tara landed on a surface at least 20 meters below
ground. It was completely dark and silent.

"Tara?" Willow asked breathlessly. Her stomach began to growl.
God, the hunger. It was intolerable.

"I'm here." Tara replied back groggily. "I think my leg's
broken." She moved her hand to feel her leg. "Ouch! I think my arm's sprained also."

There it was again, that growling in her stomach. It was getting
painful. Whenever she used magic it just got worse.

"Willow are you okay?" Tara asked concerned. In the darkness,
she saw her eyes flash primal red.

"We have to get out of here. Now!" Willow said urgently.

"Don't worry, we'll get to Buffy in time." Tara assured her.

"It's not Buffy I'm worried about." Willow replied, almost
drooling as she stared at Tara's plump and delicious neck.

Tara noticed her intense stare.

"Willow?"

Tara couldn't see her in the darkness.

"Will?" Willow didn't reply. Suddenly Tara felt extremely
scared. The hairs on the back of her neck shot up. "Will, you're scaring me."

"Tell me, Tara. Why do you love me?"

"Uh, Will?" She began backing away in the little room they had
left. It was getting very cold.

"Just tell me. I want to hear your voice."

"Well you know, I love you because of the woman you've made me become. I always lived in shadows. Scared, alone.until I met you. You've had me under your spell since I first saw you." She began to back away some more as she felt Willow creep closer. "Even when I was lost, you found me. You made me complete. Gave new meaning to my life. I love you for the person that you are and what you've made me believe." She paused and gulped. She couldn't tell where Willow was anymore.

"Should I go on?"

"God the pain." Willow said helplessly. "I can't make it stop."

"It's ok, you just need to eat something. It'll pass." Tara
offered. Somehow she couldn't convince herself even.

Willow couldn't think clearly anymore. She just wanted it to
stop.

"That's it. I'm getting out of here." Tara said diligently
trying to get up. But like an animal in a trap, she fell back down in pain.

Willow put her hands around Tara's neck.

"You won't feel a thing."

"Hey, hey, what are you doing?" She kicked with her good leg and tried vainly to push Willow away with her one useful arm. Willow had her overpowered.

"I love you."

"No!!" Was Tara's last word, as she screamed just before Willow broke her neck. Without wasting another second, she bit her neck and began to devour her meat.

The pain was already starting to go away.

****

"How long do you think you can keep going?" The First Evil
asked.

Buffy was panting hard, there were cuts and bruises all over her
face and body. The whole place was now trashed. Shattered wood and broken glass littered the place. Demon bodies still occupied the area and blood stained the roofs. It was a scene of carnage when it was a place of matrimony. It just wasn't right.

"However long it takes." Buffy said through gritted teeth.

Just then she heard the sound of a large engine. And it was
getting louder.

Spike entered on his motorcycle and headed straight to Buffy.

"Hop on." She got on the back as they sped outside. "We're
taking this fight outside."

They headed out into the garden. They were quickly followed by
the First Evil.

"You two! You have been thorns in my side since the beginning." He was clearly frustrated which pleased both Buffy and Spike. "You." He pointed at Spike. "I thought I made you leave this wretched town?"

Buffy looked at Spike. He looked back at her.

"I did. But I can't ever leave her." Buffy looked at him in
wonderment. "Not even death can separate us." He told the monster.

"We shall see." With that he struck at his motorcycle with his
huge claw. Spike quickly dodged the blow by accelerating forward.

Buffy jumped off the bike and grabbed the First Evil by his
neck. As she continued to choke him, Spike grabbed one of the poles setting
up the tents. He held it forward like a knight on his horse and rammed it
straight through its chest.

"Aargh!" It screamed in pain. It couldn't even get Buffy off its
back, its arms too huge.

"Where's Willow?" Spike shouted to Buffy. She didn't hear him,
too busy trying to maintain her hold.

Spike looked around frantically for another weapon. He
didn't get far with his effort. The First Evil batted Spike and his
motorcycle across the lawn with its huge claws. Spike immediately began
coughing blood.

"Spike!" Buffy shouted still riding the monster.

Spike immediately got up on hearing her voice. His motorcycle
looked damaged but possibly still useable.

He then looked at the monster struggling. It looked visibly getting weaker. Now was their chance to kill it. But bollocks, where was Willow?

"Need a little help!" Buffy shouted to him. Spike nodded as he formulated a plan. There was a lake behind him and the power cables weren't far off.

"Make him come this way!" Spike shouted as he ran to them. As
the monster's huge claw came toward him, he grabbed his huge arm and pulled him forward. It ended up falling forward and rolling down the lawn to the lake. Buffy let go of her grip and felt flat on her face as the First Evil continued to roll forward. Perfect, he splashed in to the water.

Spike ran to the cables connecting the various lights and stereos. He ripped them in half, and as the electricity sparked dangerously, he carefully walked a few steps to the lake and threw the cables in. The whole lake lit up like a Christmas tree. The First Evil shook and buzzed as he was electrocuted. The lights in neighbouring houses turned on and off as the juice from the electricity grid was sucked into this small lake.

After a few seconds, the electricity had been used up or a fuse had popped somewhere. The First Evil lay motionless presumably dead in the water.

Spike ran to Buffy, still sitting on the ground watching the fireworks. She smiled at him.

"Good plan, Spike." He helped her to her feet. "Wow, still feeling a bit wobbly."

"Stay here for a minute." Spike balanced her on her feet and went inside the hall to get a weapon. In the compartment of his motorcycle, he took out the sack. Inside was a sword and the herbs Willow needed for their spell. He took it with him and ran back to Buffy. She was standing at the edge of the
lake, looking hard at the dead body.

"Here." He gave her the sword. She smiled at him. That was the last thing he remembered, just as he gave her the sword. The next instant he felt a breeze of wind in front of him as the First Evil got back up and smacked him across the lawn-unconscious.

"Raaaa!" It growled as it reawakened, alive and ready for blood. Its skin was charcoaled black and peeled as it moved to attack her.

"Let's finish this!" The last Slayer took her stance, and twirled the sword in her right hand. She plunged it forward as he ran at her. She impaled him, but he kept standing, in shock. She pulled the sword back out. Wham! He smacked her down with his claw as blood spewed from the gaping hole in his chest.

Buffy fell on to her back as the First Evil jumped on top of her. He began to choke her as Buffy searched the floor with her hand for her fallen weapon. She tried to kick forward but he was too heavy. He continued to glare at her with his eyes that were burning with the deathly fire.

"Gah!" She choked. Suddenly everything looked so much darker and she could barely hear the fountain or anything ambient sound. Her life was slipping away. She dashed with her free hand again looking for the sword.

"Looking for this?" The First Evil swiped the sword from under her and rammed it straight through her left lung.

"Aaaaaaaaah!" She screamed. Her eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. She almost passed out but the thought to live, just long enough to take him with her sustained her. She began to breathe very quickly. Short, desperate, painful gasps.

The First Evil got up and smirked at her. Admired the blood spurting out of her and the look of pain on her helpless face. He walked backwards from her and watched her lose her life.

All he needed was some popcorn and a couch and he'd be in his version of heaven, Buffy thought. She needed a plan. She slowly closed her eyes and relaxed as hard as it was considering the pain she was in. She lay further back and found her peace.

The First Evil smiled and turned his back to her. He stepped to the edge of the lake, raised his huge arms up and chanted: "The Slayer is dead!"

Buffy quietly, got up, swallowing her desire to cry out in pain with every move. His back was to her. Now was her opportunity. The taste of victory was close. She wrapped both palms around the sword's grip that was still impaled in her. She gritted her teeth as she pulled the sword out in one quick stroke.

"Gya-aaarrrghh!!" Then she ran. Ran faster than she ever did before in her life. The First Evil had turned around long enough to see her ram the tip of the sword straight between his eyes.

They both toppled in to the lake face first.

Buffy tried hard to turn around and get out. But she was spent. She couldn't move at all. Her body began to convulse as the infected water entered her body. And somewhere in between she just ran out of the will to breath. She welcomed the sweet release, watching the seabed creep closer to her face. She closed her eyes and thought of everyone she loved. Spike, Dawn, Xan-

Her thoughts ended. She died.

They both drowned at the same time. It wasn't the first time for Buffy.

****

"Hey, Spike." Buffy whispered in his ear. Her voice sounded
dimensions away. And so heavenly.

"Are you an angel?" Spike asked squinting his eyes from the
bright white light. They were in the middle of a white room. In the distance all he saw was clouds and more clouds.

"Not exactly." She smiled weakly. Her voice massaged his
throbbing brain.

"Why does my head hurt?" He asked, feeling the back of his head.

"You were knocked out."

"Oh."

He looked deep in to her green eyes getting mesmerised by them.

"What happens now?" He wondered.

"I think I have to go. I just wanted to say goodbye." She said
sadly.

"Goodbye? Why?" He really had no idea.

"Spike, when you wake up, you have to stop Willow. I now
understand what the dream meant." Spike looked at her confused.

"I don't understand, Buffy.love." He touched her face. She
closed her eyes, taking in the feeling of his touch. She put her hand on top of his feeling him as well.

Then she pulled away quickly, this wasn't permitted. She'd spent long enough here.

"I have to go now, Spike." She wiped away a tear.

"Don't! Stay!" He got up desperately wanting her to stay. She
kept moving away, and every time he touched her, his hand slipped away mysteriously.

"I wish I could. But I can't." They stood opposite each other.
Spike was finally focused enough to understand what was going on.

"God, it's my fault."

"Goodbye, Spike. Remember, stop Willow. Her life depends on it."

"Stay, please!" She was fading out with the clouds and the room. "I love you!"

Everything around him disappeared.

And he woke up.

****

"Buffy!?" Was the first thing out of his mouth when he woke up.
He was on the ground of the lawn in the dark. It was cold. His eyes found what he dreaded. "Buffy."

He shot up and ran straight for her corpse. He pulled her out of
the water and put her down on the ground. It was hopelessly too late to do anything. She had already bid him goodbye. Spike buried his face in her cold, blue neck and began to cry. He started to kiss her blindly as he poured out his grief. No no no! This wasn't fair. Death had already taken her away from him. Not again, please... the powers, they had to do something. Intervene. Or was life and death just too controversial to handle? Or too difficult for those bloody bastards?

He cradled her in his arm and began to rock her and soothe her
with his soft words..

Spike didn't know how long had passed. It was still dark but he
could smell the dawn approaching. Buffy was still cradled in his arms. His face had dried from the tears. He had cried till all the energy in his body had gone. Now he just looked at the far horizon, dazed. He'd wait till the sun came up. It would clear his conscious.

Ha, what conscious? I don't have a bloody soul. What the hell is a conscious anyway, Spike thought bitterly.

He heard someone approach from behind him.

"Hi." He recognised her voice.

She looked around at the devastating scene. She then looked down at the floor in shame and guilt. Then at the body cradled in Spike's arms. She was mesmerised by the love she saw there. They fit together so well. They were important. For the future.

"Where the hell have you been?" His voice was coarse and bitter.

Willow looked at his hurt face and was hesitant in how to reply.

"I did.something to Tara. I've been working on a spell ever
since."

"Spells, spells, spells." He repeated angrily. "That's all you
ever-" He stopped himself. Now wasn't time for a blame game. He let her continue.

"When it was done, I realised it couldn't help me. It can only
help someone else. If I use it, I can get teleported to any dimension in this existence. Thus I can't get to Tara."

Spike lifted his eyebrow at her.

"What did you do to Tara?" Then was when he took the opportunity to study her. She looked different.she was healthy again. Suddenly Spike felt sick to the stomach. Willow fidgeted at his question and wiped away a tear.

"Listen, you have to go back and stop this from happening. Use
this Enchanted Orb of Thesula to switch places with Buffy so she can kill The First Evil. Both of you must touch it to switch back as well when the job's done."

Spike took a minute to comprehend what she was saying. Time
travel. It was a dangerous concept. He'd heard hundreds of tales about people trying it.and failing miserably never to be heard from again. Then he remembered what Buffy had told him.

"Wait, Buffy, she told me.she told me I should stop you from
doing it. Your life depends on it."

Willow looked at the far horizon, it was getting much lighter.
The sun would be peeking out from behind the clouds soon. Willow knew her life was at stake with this time travel spell. Either she could dismember herself by casting it or teleport herself to countless parallel dimensions or previous lives. Anything could happen. But she was a powerful witch, she
had faith in her self. And in a sick way, she felt Tara inside her. She had more power than a dozen wiccas combined.

But messing with the past and the future was serious stuff. What if the powers wanted Buffy to die? Or maybe they had just lost count and they needed a guide. Yeah, I'm just helping them, Willow thought.

"Will?" Spike snapped her out of her trance.

"Get ready, Spike. I'm sending you back."

"No!" He said firmly. "Buffy told me not to."

"Buffy is doing what she does best. Looking out for people other than herself. Looking out so much for them she ignores what's important for her. Now, that's what you are Spike. She needs you. She gets very lonely. She's weakest like that. You have to help her. The legacy of the fireman must live on." There was a distant look in her eyes as she said the last part.

Spike looked at her in awe. He was lost. Didn't know what to do.

"Willow, you're willing to sacrifice yourself for her?"

"I'm ashamed to go on living after what I did to Tara. I can
only pray I can be someday redeemed."

They both sighed at the same time.

"The sun is coming up. Get ready." She told him.

Spike laid Buffy's blue and purple face on the ground delicately
then stood up. He still wasn't sure about this.

She gave him the Orb of Thesulah wrapped in a cloth.

"Good luck. Maybe we'll meet up again someday."

Spike nodded and shook her hand. A strange light passed between them before they were lost in oblivion.

****

Spike felt himself tumbling down a rabbit hole for merely a
second before he opened his eyes again. He was standing in the middle of the lawn, ahead the First Evil was in the water.

Oh, no. It didn't work, he thought

"Wow, still feeling a bit wobbly."

Huh?

"Spike?"

Next to him he saw the most angelic creature in the world. Oh
god.

"Buffy!" He instantly gave her a huge bear hug feeling her to
make sure it was her.

"Gah!" She choked. "Spike we can hug and celebrate after we make sure he's dead." He pulled away embarrassed and wiped away a tear. "You're alive!"

"Well, doh?" She was amused by his weird behaviour. The sound of the monster waking up again snapped him out of his trance.

"Oh, quick Buffy, " He took out the Orb of Thesulah in his
pocket still wrapped in the sack. "We have to switch bodies so you can kill it. I'm dead, so when you kill it-"

She held her hand out in a stop sign.

"Hey, no way, I'm not getting in to your body, no sir-ee." He
didn't let her protest much as he forced her hand on it while he touched the other side as well.

In the next instant he found himself staring at himself.

"Damn is that how I look like?" He was impressed.

She, er, he shook her head amused.

"Let's get this over with." She went to fight it while Spike ran
inside the hall and got the sword. He went back outside and tossed her the sword just as she landed an uppercut on the monster's jaw.

"You can't kill me. We must both die." It growled angrily. Then
laughed. Buffy looked at him amused.

"You're missing one thing buddy. I'm already dead." With
incredible speed, she sliced off his head. He barely had time to react. His huge body fell back in the murky waters and drifted off.

Spike came up from behind her.

"Good job." He held out the Orb again for them to touch it. She
looked at herself and Spike looked at himself both literally lost in each other yet found at the same time.

They were the twins.

****

A few kilometres away, 3 nerds sat in a basement. The biggest losers of Sunnydale were playing monopoly as usual.

Warren threw the dice, bored to death. A thought crossed his
mind.

"Say, you guys wanna team up and take over Sunnydale?" He
suggested.

Jonathan and Andrew looked to the other to see his opinion.
Jonathan shrugged his shoulders a what-the-hell gesture. Andrew quickly shook his head.

"Trust me, dude. It won't work."

A beat. Then Warren caved in and shrugged his shoulders.

"Just a suggestion." Warren said defeated.

"I've had enough of this, you always win." Jonathan whined. "Let's see what's on TV."

****

1 Week later

"Ah, it's such a lovely feeling." He looked at her inquisitively. "To be walking around Sunnydale with the knowing feeling that
everything is fine. No big bad to deal with. Just your normal run of the mill vamps and demons to kill." She clung to Spike's arm as they walked.

Sunnydale felt so different.

"It's so quiet, but a different sense of quiet you know? Not like before when we were expecting the apocalypse at any moment." She took a lick of her ice cream.

"Speaking of Apocalypses.how did Loth, Giles and Dawn do?" Spike asked. "They managed to close all the hellmouths without too much chaos." He looked at

her expecting more. "And, the few demons that escaped from the mouths were quickly dispatched by Loth."

"And?"

"We're on our way to Giles' now, silly. We'll ask them there."

"Yeah but you spoke with them on the phone. Is Dawn okay?" Spike was always concerned about her.

"She's absolutely fine Spike. Relax. She was actually ecstatic. They went to about 10 different countries." Spike was impressed.

"As long as they're alright." He looked ahead at the darkness.
They were on the pavement walking between the huge trees.

"Anya called me too. They're having a hell of a team in the
Philippines. They've been skydiving, scuba diving and apparently the water-slides are to die for. Hint, hint." She nudged him and winked. "We need the inside info on all destinations you know, for us." She trailed off.

"Buffy?"

"Mmm."

"It wasn't you that visited me at my crypt and said all those nasty things right?" He asked, hopeful.

She squinted trying to remember.

"Depends on what you mean when you say 'nasty'" She grinned
suggestively.

"No I didn't think so."

"Wait, what do you mean?" She was suddenly interested.

"Remember how The First Evil took on my form and hurt you.well."

She understood.

"Oh." She looked down. "I guess we've both seen the worst of
each other huh?"

"And I didn't even turn evil." Spike smirked at her
suggestively.

They walked a few more steps silently.

"Everything's right with the world." Buffy pronounced, chewing
off a big pile of creamy goodness from her scone.

Spike felt uncomfortable and guilty about something that had
been bugging him for a while.

"Not everything is right, Buffy." He told her.

"What do you mean?" She squinted her eyes at him.

"Willow."

"You told me she and Tara left town for a holiday." Off his
statement, "Which probably wasn't the truth." She nodded understanding. "Hit me." She ate the rest of the biscuit scone.

"You might think I'm crazy but hear me out. That night we fought the First Evil, you died but you killed the First Evil too." She looked at him confused.

"I was in your dead body. Emphasis on dead, Spike."

"Yes, yes. Just hear me out. You died, it was horrible.and devastating. I wanted to kill myself." She looked at him worriedly and squeezed him tighter. "But Willow, she finally came and offered me a spell she was going to use to help Tara. To go back in time and help Tara." Buffy looked deep in to his eyes. "Instead she sent me back to stop you from dieing and saved your soul."

When he didn't go on, Buffy finally asked.

"So what happened.where's Willow?" Buffy asked, her voice was
heavy with emotion.

"She said the spell would mess with the fabric of time, she
could end up anywhere in the world basically. Any dimension, planet, time, you name it. I've heard of these spells before, Buffy. They never end well."

Buffy's heart raced.

"So she could be dead, Spike? She gave up her life for me?" He
nodded. "She's the best.best friend ever." There was a moment of silence between them as they continued to Giles' house. It was only a few minutes ahead.

"So when do you think the next big bad is going to strike." She
went back into ironic-sarcastic-fed-up-with-life Buffy. The lonely Buffy Willow warned him about. He sighed.

"Evil will never rest Buffy. Even if you killed the first one
that ever existed. Evil comes from the hearts and minds of Humans and demons. Humanity will never rest. They will go through pain, trials and humiliation to prove themselves that they belong here."

"Sheesh, when did you get so insightful and caring about humanity? Say you wouldn't have happened to run along and got yourself a soul from that orb did ya?" She asked. They both looked at each other intriguied. Could he have?

Nah.

"We finished the battle, but there's still a war left. Lots of fires to extinguish. The fireman's job isn't done yet." She looked baffled by his term.

"Fireman?"

"That's what Willow called you."

"Hey, mom used that term when I was dead. The first time not
now, no wait, technically 2nd time. Crap. I've lost count." Spike grinned at her. She shrugged her shoulders. "I like that term."

"But I can still call you slayer right?" He stuck his tongue out at her. She rolled her eyes at him.But couldn't help chuckling after it. Phew, happy-Buffy was back.

"That's my girl." They kissed. Deep, foreshadowing kiss. There was still so much ahead in their life. Adventures, quests, perils and fiends to kill. But it would always turn out ok. They would always survive. She was The Last Slayer. That meant a great deal. Either the powers found the slayers useless and decided to end it with Buffy or it meant soon good was going to triumph
and the slayers would no longer be needed.

They continued kissing and walking at the same time as they stepped to Giles' front door. They started giggling as they lost their footing and crashed through the door.

They fell to the ground. Dawn and Giles glared at them, arms crossed. Their cheeks burned red with embarrassment as they got up.

"Hey guys." Buffy giggled as she got up. She did a little wave to them.

"Look at this." Spike said as he got up. They had uncovered one of the stone slabs under the door. "It's an envelope." He turned it round to read the address. "To Buffy and Spike and the gang."

He showed it to Buffy, who looked at him surprised.

"Open it." She said determined.

Giles and Dawn gathered round them to read it as Spike opened the envelope and took out the only slip of paper inside. It was very old. Like it had been there for years and years.

"Dear gang,

It's me, Willow, writing this. This time-travelling thing's pretty darn difficult to get right. I finally ended up in Sunnydale today but, er, it's the wrong year. 1880 to be exact. Hey isn't that when you were sired Spike? Anyways, I'm going to leave this message for you under Giles' old house (cause it's the only structure up in this time. Buffy, your house hasn't been built yet!) Talk about Giles liking old stuff, oh eh Giles you could be
reading this right? Um ignore that then. :o)

Yeah, so I just wanted you guys to know I'm ok. I've lost count of how long I've been travelling. I'm still working through my problem, and grieving and hopefully when I get back to you I can talk to you about it. It's just very." Spike tried rotating the paper trying to read. "It's smudged here. oh well wait it goes on 'If we're reading this letter together then boy I feel awfully embarrassed. ;-) Oh if Xander and Anya are back from their
honeymoon, hope you had a great one! Can't believe you're married now! My my, what if you already have kids!? Can you imagine little Anya or little Xander?

If it's that time of the year, just want to wish you guys a Merry Christmas. Happy new years, and happy holidays. I miss you guys so much!

XXX OOO

-Willow'"

Spike folded the paper back and put it in the envelope. He looked at Buffy.

"She's fine. Still trying to get here." Buffy sighed, relieved.

He looked at everyone individually, Giles, Dawn, and Buffy. They were like family.

Giles took out a few cups and poured them all some champagne-except for Dawn who got a Pepsi.

Giles started the toast.

"To Willow and to Sunnydale. A town that knows no bounds. And to Buffy for saving the day yet again. And Spike.well, as much as it pains me to say this, you've done well."

"Thanks gramps. Cheers." They clanged cups and drank heartily.

Happy days in Sunnydale were a rare occasion. Spike put his arm around Buffy and they looked at each other one final time. Her lush lips. His wavey blonde hair. Her mesmerising green eyes. His cheekbones. They burned for each other.

She blushed knowing what he was thinking. He bit his lip hungry for her.

She wanted the right moment? He'd give it to her. The sparkly crystal on the engagement ring he had hidden in his pocket was the key. He would present it at the right time. When they were ready.

Blame Xander.

The End