viciouswishes (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
viciouswishes) wrote2006-06-14 12:11 am
viciouswishes) wrote2006-06-14 12:11 am
Entry tags:
Monsters Inside - Leaving Flowers in Her Graveyard and The World We Made
Previous Part
"I think it's time to be let out of your cage, Spike." Wesley fiddled with the lock. "I think you've had enough time to think about what you've done."
Spike looked up from the ground. Wesley had refused to feed him for the past month, forcing him to feed from Angel if he wanted anything. But his sire's blood tasted of soul – of good and puppies and Christmas. "Hate you," he muttered as Wesley picked him up. He didn't have any injuries because Wesley had left him, left him alone with Angel. Wesley even had minions feed Angel.
"Goldilocks wasn't happy with his porridge." Angel's hand tapped on the bar on the far side of the cage, ignored by all.
"You could've eaten if you wanted to. Besides, a vampire can survive indefinitely without blood. And you were in no danger of going hungry."
Spike gazed up at Wesley in a daze. Surprised at how gentle he was. "Would you have eaten from him?"
"Had it meant my survival, yes." Wesley slammed the door shut and locked it. He carried Spike up to his room.
A young woman was tied to a chair, a cotton gag in her mouth and nasty head wound. Her stringy blonde hair encapsulated her face, and she almost looked like a child in a sundress and bare feet. Spike found himself in the chair next to her. Changing into game face, he pulled her unconscious body onto his lap and drank. Her blood tasted sweeter than a noble virgin's, and he felt filled with strength as her life forced drained.
Wesley pulled her body toward the door, calling on some minion to dispose of it. "You smell."
"So eloquent." Still weak, though he could've hobbled, Spike was carried into the bathroom. He groaned when the hot water filling the bathtub first hit his toes. The water stung his skin, and he didn't recall Wesley taking off his clothing even if he was now naked.
Picking up a washcloth, Wesley roughly scrubbed Spike's body. Soon the bathwater turned a dingy color. "Amazing how much dirt you picked up during confinement."
"Would hate to have to wash Angel myself." Spike watched the water drain down the tub and shivered as a towel was wrapped around him.
Wesley shook his head. "For being so old and soulless, you really are too human."
"Isn't this too human?" Spike asked as his arms laced around Wesley's neck, being lifted from the tub.
Ignoring Spike's question, Wesley brought him into the bedroom and sat him down on the bed, against the pillows. He walked over to the closet in search of something for Spike to wear.
"Why?" Spike found his eyes were closing and in need of sleep. With a smirk, he opened them as Wesley joined him on the bed and started dressing him in pajama bottoms. "You were lonely. Spent all those years alone as a human, and you don't want to spent eternity by yourself."
"Shut up, Spike. Unless you'd like to join your pet again." Wesley yanked back the covers on their bed before he stripped himself. The sun was nearly up, and he checked the thick curtains as a human would check a door lock.
When Wesley rejoined him, Spike placed his hand on the other vampire's cheek. "I know where you live, love. You can't hide. Don't have to."
Wesley grabbed Spike's wrist, squeezing until Spike started to move away. "You don't know anything about me. No wonder you never killed the Slayer or her little friends. No wonder you were Angelus' boy, just as you are mine. You're weak, Spike." Letting go, he rolled over and turned off the light.
"Is it true?" Spike held his wrist to his chest protectively.
"Is what true, Spike."
Spike's fingers massaged the broken bones that had already begun to heal. "That you've hired a mage to take away his soul."
"A vampire shouldn't have one. It's unnatural." Wesley sighed. "But I've hired a mage for many other things, including one failed zombie attack. Apparently, he thinks tricks out of Stephen King novels work. Now Spike, will you be quiet or must I gag you?"
Spike closed his eyes and pretended to have fallen asleep.
*****
"If you want to go, I'll be fine." Tara held Willow's hand as they walked toward the Magic Box.
"Baby, I can't leave you." They stopped before the door. Willow's free hand reached up and touched her lover's face. "Not with everything that's happened."
Tara shook her head. "I…I don't need you to coddle me." There, she'd said it. Said what had been going through her minds since her release. The physical trauma from her time in captivity had almost faded, and none were visible when she was fully dressed.
Willow's face shrank into a frown. "I'm not. I just want to help."
"I know. I'm sorry. I didn't mean…"
"Hey, how's my two favorite witches," Xander greeted them. He held the door open for them.
"We're fine, Xan," Willow answered for the both of them, ushering Tara into the safety of the Magic Box. "Do you know anything about the big scoop?"
"Nada, nothing." Xander kissed Anya who had walked up to him. "If it isn't the love of my life even when she tells me all about eviscerating men."
"It's only shop talk, Xander." Anya forced a smile on her face, nodding at both Tara and Willow, she continued her argument with Xander, "If you were at one point a woman or attached to men, you would understand. A poor girl came into the shop today crying over some bastard who'd cheated on her, and while I wished I could've done more, I did show her which powders were sure to give him warts."
Tara left Willow, Xander, and Anya and moved to the research table. She sat quietly waiting for the Scooby meeting to begin and wondered why they even bothered to invite her anymore. Sure she could do a little magic, but Willow was the one with the mega power.
Giles auspiciously cleared his throat, and everyone gathered around the table. "As we all know, since the zombies, there's been increased demon activity of the magical variety. Both Willow and I have sensed a strong, dark presence in the area and believe that Wesley and Spike may have hired a mage to use against Buffy."
"So how to we make the mage go boom?" Xander asked. He laid his hand on Anya's shoulder.
"First, we have to identify it." Willow produced a map from her book bag. "This is a layout of their lair that I obtained from old city planning records we stole from The Mayor." She looked up as Buffy appeared at the table, carrying a pile of stakes.
"We're going to go in when it's light, that way we have an easy escape route." Buffy dumped the stakes onto the table. "We're going to identify the mage and get out. Only kill minions if you have to. And no, I'm not going after Angel if he's still alive."
Tara watched as they planned on how to spy on Wesley and Spike. Apparently, there were four main entrances and Xander, Anya, Buffy, and Willow were going to take them. Giles was to drive, and she was once again to Cordelia-sit. To make sure that she didn't have any pressing visions as the rest went off to fight.
"And what do I get to do?" Dawn poked her head into the circle. Tara hadn't even noticed the girl before. She must have been watching Buffy make stakes.
Buffy frowned at her little sister. "You get to stay with Tara and Cordelia until mom's done with work."
Tara placed her hand on Dawn's shoulder. "Don't worry, Dawnie. We can watch some tv and raid Mr. Giles supply of ice cream."
*****
"I don't understand why Buffy can wear ill-fitting shoes," Anya protested. Her arms were crossed against her chest as she glared at Xander.
"Because Buffy's the Slayer, and we're the sidekicks." Xander sighed as he handed Anya a stake to place in her pocket. "If we fall down in our high heels, we get eaten. If Buffy does, she kicks the demon in the face as she regains her balance."
Anya frowned. "I still hate these sneakers." She held on tightly to her sword, not caring that currently it pointed at a funny angle and could possibly snag her clothing.
"Are you sure you're going to be okay with that thing?" Xander asked before they parted ways to spy on Wesley and Spike.
"Yes, Xander," she snapped. "Giles hasn't been training us to use these things for nothing." The sword had become familiar in her hand ever since they'd decided to start learning how to properly use weapons after Tara's abduction.
He sighed again. "I ask because I care." Leaning forward, he placed a kiss on Anya's cheek. "I just want my Anya to come back in one piece."
"I know. Sometimes, it's just frustrating." Anya lifted up her sword, causing a smile to cross her face. "But I can really see what Buffy meant about the horny part of fighting."
"See you on the other side."
She watched as Xander walked toward the east entrance as she headed for the north one. With her sword gripped tightly in her hands, she looked around for demon guards. It seemed that daytime did indeed mean naptime. "At least some demons are getting their traditions right," she muttered.
Slowly, Anya pushed open the door and peaked around it. Luck was with her as the coast was clear. Not that she couldn't have made a pretty good mess with the sword. She seemed to be in a room that once served as a kitchen or some sort, and with the various rotting bodies parts that laid around, it was likely that it was still used.
Hearing voices in coming through a door, she quickly entered what looked to be a pantry and crouched down. She hoped that no one smelled or hear her heart beat.
"Would you like to explain to me why you chose zombies? I'm paying you good money."
"They were top of the line. They don't come any better than that. Even the witch couldn't break their spell, just as she can't break my wards. Which I haven't heard you complaining about."
"That's because they worked, and I expect things to work. Your amateur spell could cost us a lot if Buffy finds out."
"I wouldn't brush me aside like that."
"Are you threatening me? Because there's really not a lot you could do."
"And here I thought you were supposed to be the smart one. Just because you're technically dead doesn't mean that you can't be influenced by magics."
Anya lifted her head to see Wesley and the mage. The mage's longish gray hair looked like it hadn't been washed in a few days, and he was clearly aging. Possibly well into his mid-50s. She smiled, then ducked back down.
"How about you prove yourself, Cody? Think of it as your honor."
"And how would you suggest I do that?"
"Spike had a brilliant idea last night, so why don't we ask him."
Anya heard the door swing open and once again peered out at the kitchen. Wesley and Cody had left. She bolted for the door, not caring how much noise it made as she scampered out into the sunlight and to Giles' car. "I got it," she announced, slamming the passenger's door shut.
"You saw the mage?" Giles asked. He turned from his position in the driver's seat.
"Yep." She nodded her head. "His name is Cody." She went on to give a complete description of the mage, and what he and Wesley had talked about. "So is that enough?"
"Yes." Giles looked pale.
"Giles? Are you okay?" Anya placed her hand on his knee.
Giles shook his head. "I once knew a Watcher who went by that name. Went to the academy with him, until he was expelled for messing with the black arts. He was powerful, and if this is the same man, no doubt, he's grown."
"You shouldn't worry, Giles, we have two powerful witches and a Slayer. Odds look like something I would place my hard earned cash on." Anya turned her head and removed her hand from Giles' knee when she heard the door to the van open.
Xander, Willow, and Buffy all piled in. "Recognizance, smecognizance." Xander frowned.
"Nothing but a bunch of vamps and a few demons. Everyone looked pretty un-special." Buffy sat back in her seat.
Anya smiled, happy at her find, and that she could contribute to their fight against Wesley and Spike. "I saw him. The mage's name is Cody, and Wesley didn't sound very happy about his performance with the zombies at the mall. According to Giles, he might be a former Watcher, turned evil mage. Frankly, I've seen these types before, and they're wild cards." When she looked over to Giles, she thought he looked hurt. "I didn't mean you, Giles. You're on our side, and not all with the bad magic, at least anymore. Or that's what Xander tells me."
"Anya." Xander brushed his hair away from his forehead and looked out the window.
"We're not going to wait around for Spike and Wesley's next strike. We need to take out this mage and them," Buffy spoke up. "We'll hit them hard and fast. Willow's been working on that sunshine ball, which should vanquish the majority of the help."
"Yes, we should rush in and be painfully killed." Anya felt uncomfortable about Buffy's plan or lack of it. Willow's spells were more than unpredictable, especially after Tara's capture and release. "It's not like Willow's spells are always reliable."
"Hey," Willow protested, "my spells work. And Tara and I have put a lot of energy into perfecting this one. Plus, we do have Buffy."
"We're going to put an end to this. The Council might have gotten themselves slaughtered, but they aren't us." Buffy crossed her arms as Giles arrived at his home.
Anya rolled her eyes as they entered Giles' home. She picked up the phone and ordered pizza, because Giles never had anything good to eat. Last time, she rooted through his cupboards all she could find was strange smelling British teas. The man should at least have Jaffa Cakes for the worn-out Slayer and her friends.
Buffy continued to talk and plan about their attack on Wesley and Spike. But Anya ignored her, and instead thought about how old Buffy was starting look. How the wrinkles under her eyes were just a little more pronounced than they were yesterday. Of course, they were all getting that way.
Then Anya remembered what Giles did have. Giles always had alcohol, and someone, namely her, needed to be celebrating her successful undercover mission. And at this point, no one seemed to notice her opening the liquor cabinet and pouring herself a glass.
****
Tara watched as Buffy circled the room again. She sat on the Summers' couch, gossiping with Cordelia. "Hey, Dawnie." Tara smiled as the girl sat down with them.
"Hey." Dawn grinned, big and toothy. And she watched Xander for a moment before turning back to Tara.
"How's school?" Tara inquired. She was surprised that Buffy hadn't yelled at Dawn to leave the room yet.
Dawn shifted on the couch. "It's cool. There's this boy, Robby, and I think he likes me."
"At least you're not going to Sunnydale High," Cordelia snorted. "Thank god, Giles blew up the place. Otherwise, you'd be worrying about being eaten by fish people instead of boys."
"I seem to remember a lot of fixation on boys despite vampires and big demon snakes." Willow handed Tara a glass of water, and leaning over, kissed her cheek. "Buffy's got the movies, and we're just going to have a fun time. A quiet night at the Summers' residence. No demons or evil mages."
"And I got the first movie, The Breakfast Club. Auspicious fun in high school detention." Xander placed the movie in the DVD player and moved to sit down in front of the couch, snuggling next to Anya.
Cordelia snorted and took the soda that Buffy handed her. "Plus I've seen it enough times that Xander doesn't have to feel sorry for the blind girl."
Sticking her hand into the popcorn bowl, Tara took a handful at sat back between Dawn and Cordelia. "I thought Mr. Giles was going to be joining us."
"Nope. Giles wanted some adult alone time. Probably with his books or something." Buffy picked up the remote and turned on the television.
"Or his alcohol," Anya muttered, leaning on Xander's shoulder. "This is one with Molly Ringwald, correct?"
Tara nodded as they all fell silent when the opening credits began to play. Halfway through the movie, both Willow and Buffy moved and went into the kitchen to refill their popcorn. Dawn moved to the floor, and Tara started French braiding her hair. By the purse searching scene, Tara noticed that Willow and Buffy hadn't returned; sliding out of the couch, she walked toward the kitchen.
"So have you decided on the whole Seven Years in Tibet fellowship?" Buffy asked. She tossed a handful of popcorn in her mouth.
Willow frowned. "It's kind of 50/50 right now. I want to go, but... There's Tara. I don't want to hurt her anymore than she already is. She was quiet before, but lately, it's just been eerie."
Tara stayed just behind the doorway, holding her breath and listening to their conversation. She knew that she'd been a burden on Willow, but she didn't want to keep her lover from her life.
"So, you're staying for Tara?"
"It's not just Tara. It's also you and Xander and Dawnie." Willow took a sip of her soda. Sitting the can on the counter, she began to spin it around.
"But you shouldn't. I know how big this is. I saw the look on Giles' face. It was similar to the one Anya gets when we land on Boardwalk and have to pay her a stack of orange paper money." Smiling, Buffy placed her hand on Willow's. "This is a big deal."
Tara took the moment of silence between the women to enter the kitchen. "Hey." She tucked a stray chunk of hair behind her ear.
"You okay, sweetie." Willow moved to Tara's side, wrapping her arm around her lover and pulling her closer. She placed a kiss on her cheek.
"Yeah, I'm good. Just wondering what happened to the popcorn." Tara smiled at them.
Buffy picked up the bowl and handed it to Tara. "Just me hogging it."
*****
Spike woke to a clatter downstairs and looked up as a vampire ran up into his bedroom.
"It's the Slayer. She's got the witches too. Wesley said to come and get you."
"You, go back downstairs and kill them." Leaping from bed, Spike tossed on his clothing. He'd mostly healed from his punishment, and Wesley had been oddly forgiving and gentle. Shaking his head, he finished lacing his boots and headed downstairs.
The main entrance to the church burned bright with flames. Long and thick red curtains were fully consumed with the fire. He heard chanting outside and saw Xander battling some idiot vampire. Spike remained out of Xander's line of view until the boy had staked the vampire. Running up behind Xander, Spike vamped and lunged at him.
With a grunt, Xander elbowed Spike and manage to turn around. His fist made contact with Spike's face as he repositioned his stake, aiming it at Spike's heart.
"Don't think so," Spike snorted. His face stung a little from the blow, but not enough to throw him off. He smelt blood coursing through the human. "Might drink from you before I snap your neck."
"Don't think that's happening." Xander jumped away, dodging Spike's returning punch. Reaching his hand up, his fingers wrapped tightly around the stake. He pushed it forward through the arm.
Moving his arm, Spike smashed knocked the weapon from Xander's hand. It clattered as it hit the floor. "Vamp always has his weapon." Taking a step forward, Spike grabbed Xander by the shoulders, ripping the boy's thin blue t-shirt. His mouth plunged toward Xander's jugular. Once he drew blood from the boy, Xander wouldn't have a chance.
Spike grunted and fell forwards when an axe hit him square in the back. Whipping around to face his attacker, he snarled.
"I prefer my boyfriend alive. Thank you very much." Anya pulled the axe to her and took another swing. This time aiming lower at Spike's legs as Xander moved away.
Jumping over the axe, Spike made his way to the wall where he heard Wesley shouted at him. A group of newbie vampires ran out with hoses and to finish off Xander and Anya. Keeping his head turned, he moved toward Wesley. "Having fun, love?"
Wesley growled at Spike and tugged on his sleeve. "Cody's occupying the Slayer and the witches outside. Let's hope he runs them down." Snapping his fingers, he ordered another vampire to keep an eye on the battle. "Buffy's becoming antsy."
"Bloody impatient," Spike agreed. "Whatever happened to the tradition where the demons go after the white hats."
*****
Gazing at Willow, Tara took her lover's hand. She smiled and started to chant. "Let the barrier against magics come down. Let the veil show. Let the barrier come down." Her head tilted up; tendrils of magic flowed through her to Willow. They coated the building in warm shades of gold and pink.
For the last two weeks, she and Willow had been experimenting with new spells. Keeping a strange silence, Giles had handed over anything they needed from the Magic Box's inventory, despite Anya's fussing. He gave them little information of the encounters he'd had with Cody. Encounters that by the tone in Giles' voice, he didn't want to rehash.
"Bring it down," Willow shouted. She held her hand out. The outline of the barrier warped and bent under the pressure of the two witches.
A loud crackle echoed in the air, and Tara brought her hands up her ears. Sparks flew toward them from the building as the barrier imploded. She let out a sigh of relief, gazing at Willow.
"Let's go find the mage and Buffy." Willow waved her to the building. They entered a room full of tables still covered in white linens with coffee mugs stored in the corner.
"Now girls," Cody appeared before them, "I can see you're adept at parlor tricks. I wonder what's going to happen when you face real magics." He twirled a cane in his hand. "Which one of you won't be able to stop." Lifting his cane, he pointed it at Tara, energy streaming from it. " Deliquesco."
"Barrier." Tara closed her eyes and winced, hoping that her magic would hold up. She felt Willow's going to protect her. When she opened her eyes, everything looked the same.
Willow looked around the room, her head turning from side to side, and she spun around. "Tara? Tara, where are you? Baby?"
"I'm right here." Frowning, Tara moved to touch Willow's arm. But her lover still didn't respond as the mage started laughing. Her hand went through Willow's arm.
Buffy ran into the room with her sword held high. Her face was smeared with vampire dust. "Am I late?" With a swing, she beheaded the vampire who had followed her into dinning area. "Where's Tara?"
"I don't know." Willow glared at Cody. "That's your mage. He cast some spell, and she disappeared." In a low voice, she began to chant, her magic glowing around her. Floating a stake out of her pocket, she sent it on a direct course toward Cody's heart.
With a nod of his head, Cody deflected it. "Can't do anything without her, can you? You never learned how to be on your own. Not even the Slayer stands by herself as she should."
Bringing her sword up, Buffy brought it down toward Cody's head. "What can I say, I don't like tradition." A tendril of magic wrapped itself around the sword, flinging it out of Buffy's hands and to the floor. "Fuck."
"And what do you plan on doing little girl? Slayers don't kill humans." Cody pointed the cane, aiming it at Willow.
Tara began to mutter to herself; almost every spell that she knew, she called on, anything that had to do with invisibility and transparency. She couldn't sit still and let Willow and Buffy take Cody on by themselves.
Grasping a metal folding chair, Buffy again attempted to hit Cody, catching him off guard enough to make contact. The mage faltered back, crumpling on the floor.
"Buffy, his cane," Willow shouted. She continued to glow.
Feeling the air tingle with magic, Tara looked back at Willow and noticed that her eyes had gone black. She shivered as her hand made contact with a table. Whatever Cody had done to her was fading.
Picking up the cane, Buffy snapped the stick in half over her knee. She cried out and dropped the pieces as the smell of burnt flesh filled the room. Clutching her hand, she held it close to her chest.
Taking out a crystal, Willow held it out in her hand. She started conjuring the spell that they'd planned earlier.
Tara hoped that the mage was injured enough, and she began to chant along with her lover. Apparently the spell didn't prevent her from using her own magic. She watched as Willow's eyes turned back to their normal softer color.
"Baby." Willow smiled as Tara's form reappeared.
The mage withered on the floor under the witches' magics as the crystal absorbed his strength. With a howl, his body turned into black flecks in a funnel formation, swirling and entering the crystal in Willow's hand.
Wiping the sweat off her forehead, Buffy smiled. "Bye, bye mage." She picked her sword from the floor. "Glad to see you, Tara."
"Me too." Tara hugged Willow who had run over to her after tucking the crystal into her pocket. She grimaced at the tightness of the hug, slight claustrophobia coming over her. "I'm okay, sweetie."
"I was so worried again." Loosening her arms, Willow let go and looked up as Xander burst in the room.
"We took care of a lot of them." Xander grimaced. A red gash decorated his forehead.
Anya trailed behind him, sword by her side. "Xander's injured. We must get him to a hospital. He won't let me look at it."
"I think we're done for the moment." Buffy turned toward the door where a new flood of vampires filled the room. "We've done what we came here to do. Retreat."
As they rushed out into the sunlight, Tara couldn't help but noticed that Buffy still protectively kept her burnt hand near her body. The knots in her stomach eased at familiarity of Giles waiting for them with the van. And for the first time in months, she smiled.
*****
Angel's screams echoed through the broken building. The screams he'd held back for months, and the ones that allowed for a smug smile to cross Spike's face.
Licking the blood of his sire's neck, Spike laughed, digging the knife deeper into his shoulder. "You know, I used to never understand your fondness for torture. But I've grown accustomed to our sessions. Guess Wesley has shown me a few things that you couldn't."
Angel panted as Spike pushed him to the ground. "You'll never have any finesse, Spike. You don't love this. You do it because it pleases Wes."
"Wes is dead."
Spike looked up at Wesley who stood at the doorway. Blinking, he smiled at the leather trousers Wesley wore. "Night out on the town, pet?"
"I think so." Wesley stepped over the broken boards that were scattered on the floor. "Something to get away from all this noise." The banging of hammers had filled most of the day and early evening as the church was slowly rebuilt.
"Don't understand why we just don't move." Spike chained Angel's hands together and threw him back into his cage. He slammed the cold steel of the door shut and secured the lock. "Cause the Slayer and her friends pretty much beat down our front door."
Wesley smiled, which seemed to Spike to almost more frightening than another expression he'd seen. "Then we'd be giving into what they wanted: to chase us out. You really have much to learn."
"You always say that, love," Spike tilted his head, "but last time I checked, I've lived a few more centuries than you." He picked his duster off a chair and quickly put it on. "And where do you plan to feast tonight?"
Wesley's face went back to his tightly drawn neutral expression. "I seem to remember a club called the Bronze. Should be something appetizing there."
"And if the Slayer and her sidekicks call us on it?" Spike followed Wesley toward the backdoor.
"Let them." Wesley took them to the Bronze, which in recent months became notorious for demon parties. Not like Willie's whose proprietor fed information to the Slayer and annoying demons that made Spike long for a bit of violence. Unfortunately, Wesley insisted on making alliances with the powerful demons and only allowed him to slice and dice a few.
Spike pulled Wesley toward the dance floor. Industrial music filled the club; played by some fool wanting to attract vamp wannabes. Last time they were here, Wesley had refused to dance but tonight things seemed to be different.
Of course, dancing was more like fucking than anything else. Spike liked to think that once Wesley learned that, the dance floor became one more way to get off. He brushed his hips against Wesley's. "You do know what I like, pet."
"That's because you're predictable when it comes to pleasure, Spike." Wesley closed his eyes as they fell into the rhythm together.
Biting his lips, Spike tried to pass off Wesley's comments as macho and adjusting for the softness he'd shown tonight. But part of him wanted to shove Wesley up against the wall and fuck him, good and hard. Like their first time should've gone. The only thing worse than a demanding Wesley was Angelus. Or maybe Wesley hit the tip of an unpredictable organized crazy.
Wesley's hand reached down and cupped Spike's arse, causing Spike to tense. "Is there something wrong?" his voice was low and dangerous; gold specks flashed in his eyes.
"Nothing at all." Spike leaned forward and kissed Wesley, hoping that the other vampire wouldn't catch the lie in his eyes. His rubbed his hip against Wesley's erection, and he remembered a time when Sunnydale was a lot more fun.
*****
'X's marked the calendar or at least they did when she looked at it. Tara ran her thumb over the crisp pages. Today was almost the final 'x.' Willow had called earlier, letting her know that she was bringing home dinner. She picked up her art history book and began to read. Miss Kitty jumped up on her lap, and her hand went into automation, petting her.
"Hey." Willow opened the door, carrying takeout cartons. "How do cheeseburgers and fries sound?"
Closing her book, Tara sat it down near her book bag. "Not like our usual." Usual meant something with noodles and peanut sauce, not cafeteria food or anything someone would allow Xander to cook.
"Thought a change might be nice. Plus I had a hankering for salt and fat and American." Willow smiled.
"So they're not French fries?" Tara made her way over to their table, stopping to fill the cat's food. She saw the delight on her lover's face at her joke. A joke as a symbol that made everything okay.
Placing a kiss on Tara's cheek, Willow moved to grab their plates. "I'll check to see if the catsup was made in Canada."
After eating, Miss Kitty crawled up on Tara's lap once again and begged for part of her burger. "No people food for you, missy."
"She does get a little crazy with the special sauce." Willow took a sip of her soda. "I sent in my letter today."
"You're going, right?" Tara looked down at her dinner, concentrating on the loops of her curly fries. "I mean, it's a once in a lifetime opportunity."
Willow nodded. "I… I didn’t want to leave you. My once in a lifetime girl. You've- we've been through so much." She placed her hand across the table.
Taking her lover's hand, Tara looked up. "It's okay. I'll be sad, but it's a great opportunity. I'm happy that you said yes." Tears started to travel down her face. "I hear that Tibet is pretty in the springtime."
Getting up from the table, Willow pulled her skirt out of the way as she pushed her chair back. Her arms wrapped around Tara. "It'll be okay." Willow kissed her forehead.
Tara wanted to disappear in the soft fibers of Willow's purple sweater. Just stay nestled inside the comforting arms of her lover, not to see her off on a plane in a week. This was college, and the odds of them staying together, especially with Willow halfway across the globes, were dismal. But she couldn't let herself be selfish; she had to be happy for Willow.
Letting a smile cross her face, Tara looked up and kissed Willow's lips. "I want to know everything you're planning on seeing and doing while in Tibet." Letting go of Willow, she allowed her lover to move back to her own seat.
"You mean besides stalking the Dalai Lama?" Willow grinned and unwrapped her burger before continuing to tell Tara everything she'd read in the Tibetan tour guides that she hadn't thought Tara noticed poking up from her book bag.
Tara ate with nods and single word questions to Willow's ramblings about the mysteries of Tibet. UC Sunnydale was always a waste of Willow's intelligence, and Tara saw that more now than before. Sure, she had good grades too, but only UCS and her backup school had accepted her, whereas Willow was wooed by no less than three different Ivy League schools. And Tibet would afford Willow the experience that she gave up by remaining in Sunnydale; at least that was what Tara told herself.
"We need to get going, honey," Tara interrupted Willow's babblings. "We don't want to be late for the Scooby meeting." She picked up her and Willow's empty paper plates, tossing them in the trash can.
Willow placed her hand on Tara's and kissed her. "Thank you. You're the best girlfriend a girl could ask for." Her other hand brushed a stray strand of Tara's hair behind her ear.
"You can't wait to tell them, can you?"
"No." Grinning, Willow bunched up her shoulders in excitement. And Tara added repressed resentment and abandonment to the list of things she'd be talking to her therapist about.
*****
"Is she here, yet?" Anya asked impatiently for the seventh time as she walked out of the Summers' bathroom. It wasn't any fun to throw a surprise going away party if the person in question wasn't there.
"Not yet." Xander gave her a meek smile and shook his head. "Oh, look a cookie." He stole one off a plate.
Xander definitely had a nervous eating problem. Well, it was just another thing that she needed to fix. Anya returned his smile, patting him on his shoulder and trying not to watch the cookie crumbs fall onto the floor.
"Buffy said that she'd bring her by after they stopped at the mall," Tara offered.
Dawn also reached for a cookie. "They probably got distracted by a shoe sale. I still don't understand why they wouldn't take me."
"Because you have the perfect lung capacity for blowing up balloons," Anya answered. She'd remembered several of the screaming sessions which occurred after the girl found out that she wasn't quite human. Anya didn't understand what was so wrong about not being human; after all, she herself had been a demon for a very long time.
Cordelia snorted. "As long as Buffy doesn't bring an arm home with her like the last Sunnydale surprise party I attended."
"Spike's never been one for world destruction, and I doubt Wesley would be either." Giles lifted his punch cup to his mouth and took a drink.
Xander wrapped his arm around Anya's waist. "Plus we all know that Spike would come crying to Buffy that his latest vampire friend was trying to destroy the world."
Rolling her eyes, Anya sighed. Friends? Yeah, right. Didn't Xander know anything about vampire 'partnerships.' She stole the remaining half of the cookie from Xander's hand and munched on it. He might not be smartest, but he did look awfully good in his construction uniform and had a nice solid body to curl up to.
She glanced over at Tara, who looked like a rabbit in a fox's den. No doubt brought up by the talk of Spike and Wesley. "So, Joyce, I really like that new chair you bought." Anya pointed over to the flowered upholstered nightmare that someone called a chair. "Xander and I were talking about getting new furniture for our apartment. And I-"
The door opened and everyone yelled, "Surprise!" Xander uncurled his arm and ran toward Willow to hug her as everyone huddled and congratulated her on being leaving for Tibet. Anya blew into her blowout, noticing that neither Tara nor Cordelia had left their respective spots on the couch. Of course, Cordelia had the excuse of being blind.
"We're all very excited for you." Anya patted Willow's arm with a smile on her face. "If you want, I can tell you of the few times I traveled to Tibet."
"Thanks, but no thanks, Anya," Willow replied. She sat down on the couch her lap was filled with presents. There were several guides to Tibet, a language book, and few specialized travel equipment. Giles had given her a huge backpack that was possibly larger than her. But Anya felt that her gift of magical charms to protect against various demons native to Tibet was the best; it was even witch approved. But possibly not by Giles, considering the look he'd just given her.
Dawn sat on the right side of Willow, looking more excited about the going away party than any of them. "There's cake. We have cake too."
"And ice cream." Xander moved from the armchair that both he and Anya occupied. "Anya and I will get it." He smiled at Willow, but Anya knew that he thought she should stay in Sunnydale, especially with Spike and Wesley around.
Following Xander, Anya passed up Joyce's offer to help them and made a beeline for the freezer. The ice cream was vanilla, an almost empty canvas for everyone to push his or her feelings into.
Xander picked up a knife and started cutting the cake. "I just don't understand why she's leaving now of all times," he started speaking lowly and softly enough for the others not to hear. "I mean, Willow and I have been best friends since before I could properly aim while standing up to pee."
"You still can't, honey," Anya interrupted. "But lucky for you, I love you anyway. I mean I was called on for less than that." She dug out a serving spoon.
"Ahn, I don't think this is the time," Xander sighed. "I just don't understand why Wil's leaving."
"Now, honey, you can't expect Willow to turn down academic opportunity for slaying demons." Heck, if it wasn't for Xander, Anya would've left the Hellmouth herself. Sipping margaritas brought to her by cabana boys sounded a lot better than scrubbing ooze off her clothing.
"She did once," Xander snapped and sighed. "We need her. Buffy needs her. Tara needs her."
"It must be really hard for Tara." Anya took a stack of paper bowls from the cabinets. She was a bit unsettled by Xander's sharp words, but she knew that he was upset about Willow and not with her. "I mean, Tara gets raped and tortured by evil vampires and then finds out that her lover is leaving her to go halfway across the globe."
"Would you ever do that to me, Xander?" Anya frowned. She needed to know that he wouldn't leave when she needed him.
"Well, it's not like The Fellowship Committee for Really Smart People is calling me up and saying 'hey, Xander, how about academic bliss.'" Xander loaded the plates into his arms and Anya held her breath, almost tempted to wish an appropriate answer for him. "But no," he finally answered, much to her relief.
"You promise?" Anya moved closer to him, a smile on her face. She spotted Willow standing at the doorway from the corner of her eye and wondered just how much she'd heard.
"Of course, I promise." Xander leaned down and kissed Anya. "I'll stay over the Hellmouth as long as you're with me," he muttered.
When Anya looked up from their kiss, Willow was gone from her post by the door.
*****
Wesley held onto the boy's shoulder as he took a long drink. The boy tasted salty from heat and close contact at the club, but the blood was marvelous. Every inch of Wesley's body craved the next victim, the next one he could drain until they were nothing. Blood called to him; and it'd been a lot harder to control his urges than he'd ever imagined.
He wondered just how Angel did it. But he quickly gave up the thought for more interesting prospects.
And one such prospect had already finished making a meal of the boy's girlfriend. How to entertain Spike had been a larger task than Wesley had ever expected, but the newly born part of him was reluctant to leave his lover behind.
Except maybe if they let out Angelus.
He let the boy's body drop to the ground, and his eyes flickered from golden to blue. "I do believe it's time to go home." Wesley looked up at the skyline as if expecting for the sun to suddenly burst onto stage.
"Home already? And here I was just starting to have fun." Spike's tongue slipped from his mouth and licked the bit of spilled blood on his chin. "Sun won't be out for another hour or so."
Wesley watched Spike, knowing that ever since Spike killed Wesley's father, he'd been vying for power. (He still heard Angel's mocking voice in his head about family's blood being the sweetest.) And after they killed the Slayer and all her friends, he would perhaps consider other options.
"Besides," Spike whispered, his mouth inches away from Wesley's, "I thought we could do other things." His hand reached down and groped Wesley's cock.
"In an alleyway?" Wesley questioned. He didn't want to be caught with his trousers down, literally, by Buffy; though he was curious as to what exactly she would do if she found him fucking Spike.
Spike gave Wesley his trademark smirk. "Yeah, love. Got a problem with my choice of location?"
"Not at all." Wesley kept his voice measured, despite Spike's continued touching of his cock. "It's not like I've never had a quick fuck in an alley before. Once with a beautiful hooker who had the tightest arse, wonder if you could top him?"
Spike unfastened the top of Wesley's leather trousers. "Were you human then?"
"Yes." Wesley nodded and allowed Spike to push him against the concrete wall of an abandoned industrial building. "And you died a virgin." He growled and grabbed the back of Spike's hair, pulling him in for a kiss.
Groaning into the kiss, Spike worked Wesley's trousers down far enough to expose his cock. His hand quickly stroked Wesley.
Wesley became impatient and needy. He grabbed Spike's hip and turned them around so Spike faced the brick wall. His fingers popped the buttons on Spike's trousers and yanked them down, pulling his long duster out of the way. "Tell me what you want, Spike."
"You," Spike growled. He pushed his arse back against Wesley's hard cock.
Wesley smiled as he had Spike just where he wanted him. As he rubbed himself against Spike, Wesley rummaged for the tiny packet lubricant that he knew Spike kept in his front pocket in anticipation.
Spike snorted as Wesley's hand pulled out of his sagging jeans. "Could've asked me to get it."
"You'll keep your hands on the wall," Wesley ordered, his voice clear despite his body's insistence on fucking Spike. If he'd had to wait much longer, he might've forgone the lubricant. Wesley let out a groan as he slicked himself and thrust into Spike.
*****
It'd been two weeks since Willow had left for Tibet, and the Hellmouth had been relatively quiet. So quiet that Giles had called Scooby meetings every night of the week and insisted that Buffy up her patrols. Anya spent most of her time working at the Magic Box. The Hellmouth might've been quiet, but sales were up.
She and Xander had spent the Sunday after Willow's departure moving Cordelia into the extra bedroom in their apartment. Anya had managed to get the landlord to lessen the extra person fees by claiming that Cordelia was her cousin and, not to mention, blinded in a terrible tragedy. More nights than not, Tara had slept on their couch, not that Anya blamed the girl for not wanting to walk back to campus in the dark.
Anya sighed as she tossed Xander's empty beer bottles into the recycle bin. There'd been something off about the entire day, from the woman who wanted pig's feet for a love spell (everyone knew that doves were a better symbol of love) to how the door jammed this evening when she came home.
"Hello, Cordy," Anya greeted Cordelia as she walked out of the bathroom. She wasn't sure that she'd ever get used to Xander's ex living with them. Not that she was worried, especially when Cordelia walked around without her dark glasses on.
Cordelia held a towel around her body as she bumped into a table corner. "Anya." She still hadn't mastered the layout of the apartment, and every day Anya found a picture or trinket that had been knocked off the wall or a table.
"I convinced Giles to forgo the Scooby meeting tonight. So there'll only be patrolling unless you have one of those head splitting visions. Have you ever thought about getting that checked out by a doctor?" Anya pulled a can of refried beans from her cupboard. "How does Mexican sound for dinner?"
"I'm fine," Cordelia assured her. "And Mexican works, but you might want to keep the beans away from Xander."
Anya snorted as Cordelia was starting to grow on her. "Good point. Maybe I'll order sushi from the place down the street. Seaweed is much better on the constitution."
"Sushi's good. I'm going to get dressed now." Cordelia moved toward her bedroom and Anya watched her move away.
Putting the can away, Anya sighed. Okay, maybe she still was on edge. She picked up the phone and ordered dinner. As she waited, she poured herself a glass of wine and couldn't help but think she should've snagged the bottle of scotch she'd found in Giles' desk drawer. Not that she was snooping.
She looked over as the door opened. "Welcome home, honey." With a grin on her face, Anya walked toward Xander. She'd seen on a television show that the perfect woman was supposed to greet her man in order to have a successful relationship. When she'd explained this to Tara, Tara took her hand and offered to loan her a book on feminism. Anya liked to incorporate a little of both in her life, and it seemed to work.
"Hey, Ahn, how was work?" Xander smelled a little sweaty. He needed a shower after a day of building houses. Despite enjoying the view of his large muscles, Anya hoped that he soon received a promotion to management or supervising.
Anya kissed him. "Work was the same as always. Giles was on edge. Apparently, a few men from a local gay club have gone missing, and he suspects that it's Spike and Wesley. I guess even the undead need to shake their booties once in a while."
"Were you watching more MTV with Dawn?" Xander teased her. He moved toward the refrigerator and took a beer out.
"Nope. But some guy dropped off fliers at the Magic Box for dance lessons. I mean, since when do I give free advertising. So I signed us up for free dance lessons in exchange for allowing him to place his ads on our counter." Anya thought that it would do Xander a little good to do something besides work and slay demons. It would be good for both of them and add a little spice to their relationship, not that it needed spice.
Xander moved to his armchair and flicked on the television. He sighed. "I don't know if we have the time. With Willow in Tibet, I don't think that we can take the chance that an elaborate hokey pokey would sprain an ankle." He turned the set to a 24-hour news channel.
"Fine." Anya crossed her arms, frowning. "Maybe I'll ask Giles. He seemed interested in learning something more." She headed to the bedroom, slamming the door. Let Xander watch about towns in the Middle East blown up by bombs and puppies rescued from streams.
She straightened out the bed's comforter with a tug before sitting down. Taking a pillow into her arms, she squished it close to her body. She heard Xander softly talking to Cordelia, answering her questions about the pictures on the screen.
Quiet tears fell from Anya's eyes. Xander used to tell her when he was upset about something, but everyone had been distant lately ever since Willow had left. Willow was Xander's best friend, and Xander was Anya's best friend; and she resolved not to sit idle and let Xander leave the way that Willow had.
Wiping the tears from her eyes, Anya stood up and walked into the bathroom. She blew her nose and sat down on the toilet to pee. She avoided looking into the full-length mirror across from her, deciding that she also needed to move it closer to the door. It was rather unsettling to watch oneself on the toilet.
Flushing, she moved to wash her hands. Anya took a cloth out and dabbed her eyes with cold cream where her mascara had started to run. With a smile, she reapplied it before giving her lips an extra shine with a bit of gloss.
Hearing a knock on the door, she grabbed her wallet from the dresser and moved toward the front door. "I'll get it," she announced as she exited the bedroom. She smiled and tipped the delivery man.
Dinner was relatively quiet, and for Cordelia's size, Anya was surprised just how much sushi she downed. She attempted to make conversation by asking Cordelia her opinion of the whole dancing lessons thing, but that only got her a dirty look from Xander.
As he finished, Xander stood up and moved toward his weapon's chest. He took a large sword out from it and stuck a stake in his pocket. "You should probably put on different shoes, Ahn. Buffy might get away with heels higher than Uhura in 1966, but we non-superheroes have to stick to our sneakers."
Anya cleared the dishes. "Will you be fine here by yourself, Cordelia?" She wasn't feeling up for patrol. Things were easier with wishes and powers. Besides vampire dust made her cough.
"I wouldn't mind some alone time." Cordelia gave her a smile.
Sighing, Anya tossed the empty plastic trays into the garbage. After changing into sensible shoes, she grabbed a stake and stuck it into her coat pocket, following Xander to their car.
Once he closed his door, Xander turned to face her. "Are you mad at me?" The knuckles on his right hand were turning white from his tight grip on the steering wheel.
"I'm just..." Anya buckled her seatbelt and finally understood why Dawn stuck her tongue in response to things she didn't enjoy. "I'm just tired, Xander. I don't want patrol tonight. I've had an off-day."
Xander reached out and squeezed her hand. "We'll make sure that it's a short patrol." He quietly changed the subject and started telling Anya about some off-colored jokes that the boys at the job had told him.
"Glad to see you could make it." Buffy smiled at them as they walked into the graveyard. "Giles was just telling me about the subtle differences from normative Latin compared to the scroll he's translating."
"It could be of some importance, Buffy." Giles carried a crossbow and hustled after Buffy.
"We're always happy to help, Buffy." While she might've shared her displeasure in the car, Anya knew that she needed to give a party line to the rest of them. "Now where's the vampires?"
"Right here, love," answered Spike as he appeared from behind a crypt. "And I'm touched that you asked." His hand rubbed his chest.
Xander held his sword, pointing it toward Spike. "You had to ask."
"I wouldn't worry about the bird, Xander." Spike tossed the cigarette he'd been smoking on the ground and stepped on it.
"Spike's right. I'd worry about yourself." Wesley joined Spike. Somehow he looked even more frightening in game face than Spike, but perhaps it was because Anya had also met Wesley when he was human.
Buffy stepped away from the Scoobies, moving closer to Spike and Wesley with a stake poised in her hand. "Aw and to think that I'd missed you guys." She ran toward Wesley, a kick flying in the air.
The other three went to take on Spike. Okay, Anya lagged behind, but both Xander and Giles were better fighters than she was. Spike quickly threw Xander toward a tree, and Anya rushed over toward him.
Xander groaned and held out his hand for Anya to help him to his feet. His sword had dropped down to the ground, but apparently Giles had picked it up in the meantime. "Thanks."
Anya watched him limp. "Are you okay?" She pulled her green coat around her.
"We have to help Buffy." Xander clutched his stake and went back toward the fight.
Anya watched as Buffy toppled over, Wesley's fist in her face. That was going to bruise in the morning, and Anya hoped that she had the correct cover up. She ran behind Spike, aiming her stake at his heart.
Again, Spike threw off all three of his attackers. "Even the Council boys were better fighters than you lot. Of course, Rupert, you're probably just getting a little old." He stumbled backward as Giles hit him in the shoulder with a bow.
Anya looked over at Buffy, who was on her back in the grass with Wesley. He strangled Buffy as she tried to kick up. Anya rushed over to Buffy as her legs didn't seem to be getting high enough to hurt Wesley. "Buffy!" Her fists hit against Wesley's back. "Let her go, you bastard."
Wesley reached out his arm and pushed Anya away. The action gave enough leverage for Buffy to start to move upward from the grass and just enough for Wesley to reach down and snap Buffy's neck.
Anya's hands went to her ears at the awful crack, and she found that she couldn't move as Wesley dropped Buffy's limp body back down to the ground. She heard Spike laughing and watched Xander and Giles run toward Buffy.
Spike and Wesley disappeared as quickly as they had arrived. Anya didn't let herself wonder why they'd left the rest of them alive. Of course, the Slayer had been the prize.
Giles pressed his fingers to Buffy's pulse point and started to perform CPR. Maybe she wasn't dead; Anya made a silent wish for their sake. But then Xander started pulling Giles off Buffy. Anya couldn't see Buffy moving and then she heard Giles sobbing.
Anya couldn't look at them any longer, and she bit back her own tears. Between the trees, she heard a cry and saw Angel stumbling toward them.
*****
Tara ran her hand down Dawn's hair as they stood around Buffy's grave. Everyone had already said their bit about Buffy's life, and Tara played with the well-used handkerchief in her pocket. She kept on the opposite side from Angel, not wanting to remember what she'd experienced while under Spike and Wesley's lock and key. But at least, she was still alive, unlike Buffy. All those times she'd feared that they'd finally killed her, Tara wondered why this wasn't her.
Xander had tried again and again to contact Willow in Tibet. Giles suggested that they sent a message via other channels, but Tara insisted that Willow was where she needed to be. Yes, she needed to know of Buffy's death, but not a message to rush home. Willow didn't need to come back to Sunnydale through guilt, and Angel mentioned a monastery he knew where Willow could meditate through her sorrow.
Tara, Dawn, Giles, and Joyce had chosen a spot under a large tree. It was peaceful, and Dawn said that the aspen trees reminded her of the playground she and Buffy played in as children. Tara let Dawn move forward and lay a clump of roses by Buffy's headstone. Instead of returning to Tara, Dawn hugged her mother, sobbing into Joyce's maroon sweater.
Tara was surprised at Joyce's strength through her daughter's death. Together with Giles, they'd arranged the funeral and buried Buffy. Tara recalled when her own mother died and knew that she didn't handle herself with Joyce's grace. Mostly, Tara worried about Giles, who'd stopped calling Scoobie meetings unless Xander sprung them on him. They continued to patrol almost every night, but it wasn't the same even in Xander attempted to pretend.
Watching Angel's cheek glisten with tears, Tara stood in silence with the rest of them. They'd find a way to continue fighting on the Hellmouth and to kill both Spike and Wesley before they could move on.
Cordelia, who had become Tara's confidant, spent most of her time comforting and playing nursemaid to Angel, and Tara felt rather lonely. She'd overheard Joyce talking about moving away from the Hellmouth and panged at the thought of losing the woman who had become a mother of sorts to all of them.
As Tara looked around from Dawn and Joyce, Xander and Anya, Angel and Cordelia, and finally to Giles, Tara realized why she wasn't leaving; they were her family. She laid a bundle of violets on Buffy's grave.
The World We Made: Epilogue (Six Months Later)
Without the Slayer, the prey became easier and Spike was bored. He couldn't sleep at night. The bedside was often empty, and Wesley stalked the hallways. Too many minions ended with a stake in their heart.
"You should've kept Angel," Spike said. "At least, he was entertaining." He rolled over onto his stomach.
Wesley had snagged Spike's cigarettes and was currently smoking one after another.
"You know, normally, smoking increases during times of stress. We killed the Slayer. Her little friends can't do shite." Spike licked his lips. He'd thought about going out for something to eat. But he wasn't sure if it was hunger or boredom.
Wesley threw the pack at Spike. "As much fun as taunting Rupert and the rest of them has been, I think it's time to move on. And that abomination was just as boring as they were."
"Maybe we should just move on, love. Road trip with the bikes we knocked off last week."
Wesley threw the cigarette on the floor and stomped it out with his shoe. "You know, Spike, that's the best idea you've had in a long time."
*****
They built a routine after Buffy died. A routine where they never said her name, among others. They grew used to living in the Summers' house which Joyce had sold to Giles and all the house's odd creaks and ghosts.
Tara combed Cordelia's long hair in the morning and pulled it back in a big braid. She also cooked pancakes on the stove and didn't look up when Giles moved the last of Anya's boxes into the house. Cordelia only asked once where they were going to put her before Tara caught Anya and Giles kissing in the dinning room.
After breakfast, Tara brought Angel's blood down to the basement. He had asked her to do this, but they both needed it. If anything she'd learned, it was that some things were beyond anyone's control.
Angel didn't watch her like she saw him doing with other people. He stayed motionless on his bed. The chains, he insisted on keeping, just in case, hung on the wall behind him. A memento of the people he couldn't save.
Sometimes Cordelia would come down with her. Tara left them in peace. Or only Cordelia in peace, who seemed to lecture Angel on how he needed people and needed the mission. Though no one talked about how Cordelia hadn't had a vision since Buffy died.
Tara received a postcard from Willow, one morning. She'd run into Oz and had decided to stay longer. No doubt, Sunnydale caused her too much grief. That she was sure she'd run into Xander on these back roads. Xander who couldn't look at Anya, drank too much, and was almost eaten by a newly rising vampire.
Tara smiled at Giles who bent over his books and called Anya at the Magic Box to bring home mandrake root. And went to the kitchen to make them both a cup of tea.
"I think it's time to be let out of your cage, Spike." Wesley fiddled with the lock. "I think you've had enough time to think about what you've done."
Spike looked up from the ground. Wesley had refused to feed him for the past month, forcing him to feed from Angel if he wanted anything. But his sire's blood tasted of soul – of good and puppies and Christmas. "Hate you," he muttered as Wesley picked him up. He didn't have any injuries because Wesley had left him, left him alone with Angel. Wesley even had minions feed Angel.
"Goldilocks wasn't happy with his porridge." Angel's hand tapped on the bar on the far side of the cage, ignored by all.
"You could've eaten if you wanted to. Besides, a vampire can survive indefinitely without blood. And you were in no danger of going hungry."
Spike gazed up at Wesley in a daze. Surprised at how gentle he was. "Would you have eaten from him?"
"Had it meant my survival, yes." Wesley slammed the door shut and locked it. He carried Spike up to his room.
A young woman was tied to a chair, a cotton gag in her mouth and nasty head wound. Her stringy blonde hair encapsulated her face, and she almost looked like a child in a sundress and bare feet. Spike found himself in the chair next to her. Changing into game face, he pulled her unconscious body onto his lap and drank. Her blood tasted sweeter than a noble virgin's, and he felt filled with strength as her life forced drained.
Wesley pulled her body toward the door, calling on some minion to dispose of it. "You smell."
"So eloquent." Still weak, though he could've hobbled, Spike was carried into the bathroom. He groaned when the hot water filling the bathtub first hit his toes. The water stung his skin, and he didn't recall Wesley taking off his clothing even if he was now naked.
Picking up a washcloth, Wesley roughly scrubbed Spike's body. Soon the bathwater turned a dingy color. "Amazing how much dirt you picked up during confinement."
"Would hate to have to wash Angel myself." Spike watched the water drain down the tub and shivered as a towel was wrapped around him.
Wesley shook his head. "For being so old and soulless, you really are too human."
"Isn't this too human?" Spike asked as his arms laced around Wesley's neck, being lifted from the tub.
Ignoring Spike's question, Wesley brought him into the bedroom and sat him down on the bed, against the pillows. He walked over to the closet in search of something for Spike to wear.
"Why?" Spike found his eyes were closing and in need of sleep. With a smirk, he opened them as Wesley joined him on the bed and started dressing him in pajama bottoms. "You were lonely. Spent all those years alone as a human, and you don't want to spent eternity by yourself."
"Shut up, Spike. Unless you'd like to join your pet again." Wesley yanked back the covers on their bed before he stripped himself. The sun was nearly up, and he checked the thick curtains as a human would check a door lock.
When Wesley rejoined him, Spike placed his hand on the other vampire's cheek. "I know where you live, love. You can't hide. Don't have to."
Wesley grabbed Spike's wrist, squeezing until Spike started to move away. "You don't know anything about me. No wonder you never killed the Slayer or her little friends. No wonder you were Angelus' boy, just as you are mine. You're weak, Spike." Letting go, he rolled over and turned off the light.
"Is it true?" Spike held his wrist to his chest protectively.
"Is what true, Spike."
Spike's fingers massaged the broken bones that had already begun to heal. "That you've hired a mage to take away his soul."
"A vampire shouldn't have one. It's unnatural." Wesley sighed. "But I've hired a mage for many other things, including one failed zombie attack. Apparently, he thinks tricks out of Stephen King novels work. Now Spike, will you be quiet or must I gag you?"
Spike closed his eyes and pretended to have fallen asleep.
*****
"If you want to go, I'll be fine." Tara held Willow's hand as they walked toward the Magic Box.
"Baby, I can't leave you." They stopped before the door. Willow's free hand reached up and touched her lover's face. "Not with everything that's happened."
Tara shook her head. "I…I don't need you to coddle me." There, she'd said it. Said what had been going through her minds since her release. The physical trauma from her time in captivity had almost faded, and none were visible when she was fully dressed.
Willow's face shrank into a frown. "I'm not. I just want to help."
"I know. I'm sorry. I didn't mean…"
"Hey, how's my two favorite witches," Xander greeted them. He held the door open for them.
"We're fine, Xan," Willow answered for the both of them, ushering Tara into the safety of the Magic Box. "Do you know anything about the big scoop?"
"Nada, nothing." Xander kissed Anya who had walked up to him. "If it isn't the love of my life even when she tells me all about eviscerating men."
"It's only shop talk, Xander." Anya forced a smile on her face, nodding at both Tara and Willow, she continued her argument with Xander, "If you were at one point a woman or attached to men, you would understand. A poor girl came into the shop today crying over some bastard who'd cheated on her, and while I wished I could've done more, I did show her which powders were sure to give him warts."
Tara left Willow, Xander, and Anya and moved to the research table. She sat quietly waiting for the Scooby meeting to begin and wondered why they even bothered to invite her anymore. Sure she could do a little magic, but Willow was the one with the mega power.
Giles auspiciously cleared his throat, and everyone gathered around the table. "As we all know, since the zombies, there's been increased demon activity of the magical variety. Both Willow and I have sensed a strong, dark presence in the area and believe that Wesley and Spike may have hired a mage to use against Buffy."
"So how to we make the mage go boom?" Xander asked. He laid his hand on Anya's shoulder.
"First, we have to identify it." Willow produced a map from her book bag. "This is a layout of their lair that I obtained from old city planning records we stole from The Mayor." She looked up as Buffy appeared at the table, carrying a pile of stakes.
"We're going to go in when it's light, that way we have an easy escape route." Buffy dumped the stakes onto the table. "We're going to identify the mage and get out. Only kill minions if you have to. And no, I'm not going after Angel if he's still alive."
Tara watched as they planned on how to spy on Wesley and Spike. Apparently, there were four main entrances and Xander, Anya, Buffy, and Willow were going to take them. Giles was to drive, and she was once again to Cordelia-sit. To make sure that she didn't have any pressing visions as the rest went off to fight.
"And what do I get to do?" Dawn poked her head into the circle. Tara hadn't even noticed the girl before. She must have been watching Buffy make stakes.
Buffy frowned at her little sister. "You get to stay with Tara and Cordelia until mom's done with work."
Tara placed her hand on Dawn's shoulder. "Don't worry, Dawnie. We can watch some tv and raid Mr. Giles supply of ice cream."
*****
"I don't understand why Buffy can wear ill-fitting shoes," Anya protested. Her arms were crossed against her chest as she glared at Xander.
"Because Buffy's the Slayer, and we're the sidekicks." Xander sighed as he handed Anya a stake to place in her pocket. "If we fall down in our high heels, we get eaten. If Buffy does, she kicks the demon in the face as she regains her balance."
Anya frowned. "I still hate these sneakers." She held on tightly to her sword, not caring that currently it pointed at a funny angle and could possibly snag her clothing.
"Are you sure you're going to be okay with that thing?" Xander asked before they parted ways to spy on Wesley and Spike.
"Yes, Xander," she snapped. "Giles hasn't been training us to use these things for nothing." The sword had become familiar in her hand ever since they'd decided to start learning how to properly use weapons after Tara's abduction.
He sighed again. "I ask because I care." Leaning forward, he placed a kiss on Anya's cheek. "I just want my Anya to come back in one piece."
"I know. Sometimes, it's just frustrating." Anya lifted up her sword, causing a smile to cross her face. "But I can really see what Buffy meant about the horny part of fighting."
"See you on the other side."
She watched as Xander walked toward the east entrance as she headed for the north one. With her sword gripped tightly in her hands, she looked around for demon guards. It seemed that daytime did indeed mean naptime. "At least some demons are getting their traditions right," she muttered.
Slowly, Anya pushed open the door and peaked around it. Luck was with her as the coast was clear. Not that she couldn't have made a pretty good mess with the sword. She seemed to be in a room that once served as a kitchen or some sort, and with the various rotting bodies parts that laid around, it was likely that it was still used.
Hearing voices in coming through a door, she quickly entered what looked to be a pantry and crouched down. She hoped that no one smelled or hear her heart beat.
"Would you like to explain to me why you chose zombies? I'm paying you good money."
"They were top of the line. They don't come any better than that. Even the witch couldn't break their spell, just as she can't break my wards. Which I haven't heard you complaining about."
"That's because they worked, and I expect things to work. Your amateur spell could cost us a lot if Buffy finds out."
"I wouldn't brush me aside like that."
"Are you threatening me? Because there's really not a lot you could do."
"And here I thought you were supposed to be the smart one. Just because you're technically dead doesn't mean that you can't be influenced by magics."
Anya lifted her head to see Wesley and the mage. The mage's longish gray hair looked like it hadn't been washed in a few days, and he was clearly aging. Possibly well into his mid-50s. She smiled, then ducked back down.
"How about you prove yourself, Cody? Think of it as your honor."
"And how would you suggest I do that?"
"Spike had a brilliant idea last night, so why don't we ask him."
Anya heard the door swing open and once again peered out at the kitchen. Wesley and Cody had left. She bolted for the door, not caring how much noise it made as she scampered out into the sunlight and to Giles' car. "I got it," she announced, slamming the passenger's door shut.
"You saw the mage?" Giles asked. He turned from his position in the driver's seat.
"Yep." She nodded her head. "His name is Cody." She went on to give a complete description of the mage, and what he and Wesley had talked about. "So is that enough?"
"Yes." Giles looked pale.
"Giles? Are you okay?" Anya placed her hand on his knee.
Giles shook his head. "I once knew a Watcher who went by that name. Went to the academy with him, until he was expelled for messing with the black arts. He was powerful, and if this is the same man, no doubt, he's grown."
"You shouldn't worry, Giles, we have two powerful witches and a Slayer. Odds look like something I would place my hard earned cash on." Anya turned her head and removed her hand from Giles' knee when she heard the door to the van open.
Xander, Willow, and Buffy all piled in. "Recognizance, smecognizance." Xander frowned.
"Nothing but a bunch of vamps and a few demons. Everyone looked pretty un-special." Buffy sat back in her seat.
Anya smiled, happy at her find, and that she could contribute to their fight against Wesley and Spike. "I saw him. The mage's name is Cody, and Wesley didn't sound very happy about his performance with the zombies at the mall. According to Giles, he might be a former Watcher, turned evil mage. Frankly, I've seen these types before, and they're wild cards." When she looked over to Giles, she thought he looked hurt. "I didn't mean you, Giles. You're on our side, and not all with the bad magic, at least anymore. Or that's what Xander tells me."
"Anya." Xander brushed his hair away from his forehead and looked out the window.
"We're not going to wait around for Spike and Wesley's next strike. We need to take out this mage and them," Buffy spoke up. "We'll hit them hard and fast. Willow's been working on that sunshine ball, which should vanquish the majority of the help."
"Yes, we should rush in and be painfully killed." Anya felt uncomfortable about Buffy's plan or lack of it. Willow's spells were more than unpredictable, especially after Tara's capture and release. "It's not like Willow's spells are always reliable."
"Hey," Willow protested, "my spells work. And Tara and I have put a lot of energy into perfecting this one. Plus, we do have Buffy."
"We're going to put an end to this. The Council might have gotten themselves slaughtered, but they aren't us." Buffy crossed her arms as Giles arrived at his home.
Anya rolled her eyes as they entered Giles' home. She picked up the phone and ordered pizza, because Giles never had anything good to eat. Last time, she rooted through his cupboards all she could find was strange smelling British teas. The man should at least have Jaffa Cakes for the worn-out Slayer and her friends.
Buffy continued to talk and plan about their attack on Wesley and Spike. But Anya ignored her, and instead thought about how old Buffy was starting look. How the wrinkles under her eyes were just a little more pronounced than they were yesterday. Of course, they were all getting that way.
Then Anya remembered what Giles did have. Giles always had alcohol, and someone, namely her, needed to be celebrating her successful undercover mission. And at this point, no one seemed to notice her opening the liquor cabinet and pouring herself a glass.
****
Tara watched as Buffy circled the room again. She sat on the Summers' couch, gossiping with Cordelia. "Hey, Dawnie." Tara smiled as the girl sat down with them.
"Hey." Dawn grinned, big and toothy. And she watched Xander for a moment before turning back to Tara.
"How's school?" Tara inquired. She was surprised that Buffy hadn't yelled at Dawn to leave the room yet.
Dawn shifted on the couch. "It's cool. There's this boy, Robby, and I think he likes me."
"At least you're not going to Sunnydale High," Cordelia snorted. "Thank god, Giles blew up the place. Otherwise, you'd be worrying about being eaten by fish people instead of boys."
"I seem to remember a lot of fixation on boys despite vampires and big demon snakes." Willow handed Tara a glass of water, and leaning over, kissed her cheek. "Buffy's got the movies, and we're just going to have a fun time. A quiet night at the Summers' residence. No demons or evil mages."
"And I got the first movie, The Breakfast Club. Auspicious fun in high school detention." Xander placed the movie in the DVD player and moved to sit down in front of the couch, snuggling next to Anya.
Cordelia snorted and took the soda that Buffy handed her. "Plus I've seen it enough times that Xander doesn't have to feel sorry for the blind girl."
Sticking her hand into the popcorn bowl, Tara took a handful at sat back between Dawn and Cordelia. "I thought Mr. Giles was going to be joining us."
"Nope. Giles wanted some adult alone time. Probably with his books or something." Buffy picked up the remote and turned on the television.
"Or his alcohol," Anya muttered, leaning on Xander's shoulder. "This is one with Molly Ringwald, correct?"
Tara nodded as they all fell silent when the opening credits began to play. Halfway through the movie, both Willow and Buffy moved and went into the kitchen to refill their popcorn. Dawn moved to the floor, and Tara started French braiding her hair. By the purse searching scene, Tara noticed that Willow and Buffy hadn't returned; sliding out of the couch, she walked toward the kitchen.
"So have you decided on the whole Seven Years in Tibet fellowship?" Buffy asked. She tossed a handful of popcorn in her mouth.
Willow frowned. "It's kind of 50/50 right now. I want to go, but... There's Tara. I don't want to hurt her anymore than she already is. She was quiet before, but lately, it's just been eerie."
Tara stayed just behind the doorway, holding her breath and listening to their conversation. She knew that she'd been a burden on Willow, but she didn't want to keep her lover from her life.
"So, you're staying for Tara?"
"It's not just Tara. It's also you and Xander and Dawnie." Willow took a sip of her soda. Sitting the can on the counter, she began to spin it around.
"But you shouldn't. I know how big this is. I saw the look on Giles' face. It was similar to the one Anya gets when we land on Boardwalk and have to pay her a stack of orange paper money." Smiling, Buffy placed her hand on Willow's. "This is a big deal."
Tara took the moment of silence between the women to enter the kitchen. "Hey." She tucked a stray chunk of hair behind her ear.
"You okay, sweetie." Willow moved to Tara's side, wrapping her arm around her lover and pulling her closer. She placed a kiss on her cheek.
"Yeah, I'm good. Just wondering what happened to the popcorn." Tara smiled at them.
Buffy picked up the bowl and handed it to Tara. "Just me hogging it."
*****
Spike woke to a clatter downstairs and looked up as a vampire ran up into his bedroom.
"It's the Slayer. She's got the witches too. Wesley said to come and get you."
"You, go back downstairs and kill them." Leaping from bed, Spike tossed on his clothing. He'd mostly healed from his punishment, and Wesley had been oddly forgiving and gentle. Shaking his head, he finished lacing his boots and headed downstairs.
The main entrance to the church burned bright with flames. Long and thick red curtains were fully consumed with the fire. He heard chanting outside and saw Xander battling some idiot vampire. Spike remained out of Xander's line of view until the boy had staked the vampire. Running up behind Xander, Spike vamped and lunged at him.
With a grunt, Xander elbowed Spike and manage to turn around. His fist made contact with Spike's face as he repositioned his stake, aiming it at Spike's heart.
"Don't think so," Spike snorted. His face stung a little from the blow, but not enough to throw him off. He smelt blood coursing through the human. "Might drink from you before I snap your neck."
"Don't think that's happening." Xander jumped away, dodging Spike's returning punch. Reaching his hand up, his fingers wrapped tightly around the stake. He pushed it forward through the arm.
Moving his arm, Spike smashed knocked the weapon from Xander's hand. It clattered as it hit the floor. "Vamp always has his weapon." Taking a step forward, Spike grabbed Xander by the shoulders, ripping the boy's thin blue t-shirt. His mouth plunged toward Xander's jugular. Once he drew blood from the boy, Xander wouldn't have a chance.
Spike grunted and fell forwards when an axe hit him square in the back. Whipping around to face his attacker, he snarled.
"I prefer my boyfriend alive. Thank you very much." Anya pulled the axe to her and took another swing. This time aiming lower at Spike's legs as Xander moved away.
Jumping over the axe, Spike made his way to the wall where he heard Wesley shouted at him. A group of newbie vampires ran out with hoses and to finish off Xander and Anya. Keeping his head turned, he moved toward Wesley. "Having fun, love?"
Wesley growled at Spike and tugged on his sleeve. "Cody's occupying the Slayer and the witches outside. Let's hope he runs them down." Snapping his fingers, he ordered another vampire to keep an eye on the battle. "Buffy's becoming antsy."
"Bloody impatient," Spike agreed. "Whatever happened to the tradition where the demons go after the white hats."
*****
Gazing at Willow, Tara took her lover's hand. She smiled and started to chant. "Let the barrier against magics come down. Let the veil show. Let the barrier come down." Her head tilted up; tendrils of magic flowed through her to Willow. They coated the building in warm shades of gold and pink.
For the last two weeks, she and Willow had been experimenting with new spells. Keeping a strange silence, Giles had handed over anything they needed from the Magic Box's inventory, despite Anya's fussing. He gave them little information of the encounters he'd had with Cody. Encounters that by the tone in Giles' voice, he didn't want to rehash.
"Bring it down," Willow shouted. She held her hand out. The outline of the barrier warped and bent under the pressure of the two witches.
A loud crackle echoed in the air, and Tara brought her hands up her ears. Sparks flew toward them from the building as the barrier imploded. She let out a sigh of relief, gazing at Willow.
"Let's go find the mage and Buffy." Willow waved her to the building. They entered a room full of tables still covered in white linens with coffee mugs stored in the corner.
"Now girls," Cody appeared before them, "I can see you're adept at parlor tricks. I wonder what's going to happen when you face real magics." He twirled a cane in his hand. "Which one of you won't be able to stop." Lifting his cane, he pointed it at Tara, energy streaming from it. " Deliquesco."
"Barrier." Tara closed her eyes and winced, hoping that her magic would hold up. She felt Willow's going to protect her. When she opened her eyes, everything looked the same.
Willow looked around the room, her head turning from side to side, and she spun around. "Tara? Tara, where are you? Baby?"
"I'm right here." Frowning, Tara moved to touch Willow's arm. But her lover still didn't respond as the mage started laughing. Her hand went through Willow's arm.
Buffy ran into the room with her sword held high. Her face was smeared with vampire dust. "Am I late?" With a swing, she beheaded the vampire who had followed her into dinning area. "Where's Tara?"
"I don't know." Willow glared at Cody. "That's your mage. He cast some spell, and she disappeared." In a low voice, she began to chant, her magic glowing around her. Floating a stake out of her pocket, she sent it on a direct course toward Cody's heart.
With a nod of his head, Cody deflected it. "Can't do anything without her, can you? You never learned how to be on your own. Not even the Slayer stands by herself as she should."
Bringing her sword up, Buffy brought it down toward Cody's head. "What can I say, I don't like tradition." A tendril of magic wrapped itself around the sword, flinging it out of Buffy's hands and to the floor. "Fuck."
"And what do you plan on doing little girl? Slayers don't kill humans." Cody pointed the cane, aiming it at Willow.
Tara began to mutter to herself; almost every spell that she knew, she called on, anything that had to do with invisibility and transparency. She couldn't sit still and let Willow and Buffy take Cody on by themselves.
Grasping a metal folding chair, Buffy again attempted to hit Cody, catching him off guard enough to make contact. The mage faltered back, crumpling on the floor.
"Buffy, his cane," Willow shouted. She continued to glow.
Feeling the air tingle with magic, Tara looked back at Willow and noticed that her eyes had gone black. She shivered as her hand made contact with a table. Whatever Cody had done to her was fading.
Picking up the cane, Buffy snapped the stick in half over her knee. She cried out and dropped the pieces as the smell of burnt flesh filled the room. Clutching her hand, she held it close to her chest.
Taking out a crystal, Willow held it out in her hand. She started conjuring the spell that they'd planned earlier.
Tara hoped that the mage was injured enough, and she began to chant along with her lover. Apparently the spell didn't prevent her from using her own magic. She watched as Willow's eyes turned back to their normal softer color.
"Baby." Willow smiled as Tara's form reappeared.
The mage withered on the floor under the witches' magics as the crystal absorbed his strength. With a howl, his body turned into black flecks in a funnel formation, swirling and entering the crystal in Willow's hand.
Wiping the sweat off her forehead, Buffy smiled. "Bye, bye mage." She picked her sword from the floor. "Glad to see you, Tara."
"Me too." Tara hugged Willow who had run over to her after tucking the crystal into her pocket. She grimaced at the tightness of the hug, slight claustrophobia coming over her. "I'm okay, sweetie."
"I was so worried again." Loosening her arms, Willow let go and looked up as Xander burst in the room.
"We took care of a lot of them." Xander grimaced. A red gash decorated his forehead.
Anya trailed behind him, sword by her side. "Xander's injured. We must get him to a hospital. He won't let me look at it."
"I think we're done for the moment." Buffy turned toward the door where a new flood of vampires filled the room. "We've done what we came here to do. Retreat."
As they rushed out into the sunlight, Tara couldn't help but noticed that Buffy still protectively kept her burnt hand near her body. The knots in her stomach eased at familiarity of Giles waiting for them with the van. And for the first time in months, she smiled.
*****
Angel's screams echoed through the broken building. The screams he'd held back for months, and the ones that allowed for a smug smile to cross Spike's face.
Licking the blood of his sire's neck, Spike laughed, digging the knife deeper into his shoulder. "You know, I used to never understand your fondness for torture. But I've grown accustomed to our sessions. Guess Wesley has shown me a few things that you couldn't."
Angel panted as Spike pushed him to the ground. "You'll never have any finesse, Spike. You don't love this. You do it because it pleases Wes."
"Wes is dead."
Spike looked up at Wesley who stood at the doorway. Blinking, he smiled at the leather trousers Wesley wore. "Night out on the town, pet?"
"I think so." Wesley stepped over the broken boards that were scattered on the floor. "Something to get away from all this noise." The banging of hammers had filled most of the day and early evening as the church was slowly rebuilt.
"Don't understand why we just don't move." Spike chained Angel's hands together and threw him back into his cage. He slammed the cold steel of the door shut and secured the lock. "Cause the Slayer and her friends pretty much beat down our front door."
Wesley smiled, which seemed to Spike to almost more frightening than another expression he'd seen. "Then we'd be giving into what they wanted: to chase us out. You really have much to learn."
"You always say that, love," Spike tilted his head, "but last time I checked, I've lived a few more centuries than you." He picked his duster off a chair and quickly put it on. "And where do you plan to feast tonight?"
Wesley's face went back to his tightly drawn neutral expression. "I seem to remember a club called the Bronze. Should be something appetizing there."
"And if the Slayer and her sidekicks call us on it?" Spike followed Wesley toward the backdoor.
"Let them." Wesley took them to the Bronze, which in recent months became notorious for demon parties. Not like Willie's whose proprietor fed information to the Slayer and annoying demons that made Spike long for a bit of violence. Unfortunately, Wesley insisted on making alliances with the powerful demons and only allowed him to slice and dice a few.
Spike pulled Wesley toward the dance floor. Industrial music filled the club; played by some fool wanting to attract vamp wannabes. Last time they were here, Wesley had refused to dance but tonight things seemed to be different.
Of course, dancing was more like fucking than anything else. Spike liked to think that once Wesley learned that, the dance floor became one more way to get off. He brushed his hips against Wesley's. "You do know what I like, pet."
"That's because you're predictable when it comes to pleasure, Spike." Wesley closed his eyes as they fell into the rhythm together.
Biting his lips, Spike tried to pass off Wesley's comments as macho and adjusting for the softness he'd shown tonight. But part of him wanted to shove Wesley up against the wall and fuck him, good and hard. Like their first time should've gone. The only thing worse than a demanding Wesley was Angelus. Or maybe Wesley hit the tip of an unpredictable organized crazy.
Wesley's hand reached down and cupped Spike's arse, causing Spike to tense. "Is there something wrong?" his voice was low and dangerous; gold specks flashed in his eyes.
"Nothing at all." Spike leaned forward and kissed Wesley, hoping that the other vampire wouldn't catch the lie in his eyes. His rubbed his hip against Wesley's erection, and he remembered a time when Sunnydale was a lot more fun.
*****
'X's marked the calendar or at least they did when she looked at it. Tara ran her thumb over the crisp pages. Today was almost the final 'x.' Willow had called earlier, letting her know that she was bringing home dinner. She picked up her art history book and began to read. Miss Kitty jumped up on her lap, and her hand went into automation, petting her.
"Hey." Willow opened the door, carrying takeout cartons. "How do cheeseburgers and fries sound?"
Closing her book, Tara sat it down near her book bag. "Not like our usual." Usual meant something with noodles and peanut sauce, not cafeteria food or anything someone would allow Xander to cook.
"Thought a change might be nice. Plus I had a hankering for salt and fat and American." Willow smiled.
"So they're not French fries?" Tara made her way over to their table, stopping to fill the cat's food. She saw the delight on her lover's face at her joke. A joke as a symbol that made everything okay.
Placing a kiss on Tara's cheek, Willow moved to grab their plates. "I'll check to see if the catsup was made in Canada."
After eating, Miss Kitty crawled up on Tara's lap once again and begged for part of her burger. "No people food for you, missy."
"She does get a little crazy with the special sauce." Willow took a sip of her soda. "I sent in my letter today."
"You're going, right?" Tara looked down at her dinner, concentrating on the loops of her curly fries. "I mean, it's a once in a lifetime opportunity."
Willow nodded. "I… I didn’t want to leave you. My once in a lifetime girl. You've- we've been through so much." She placed her hand across the table.
Taking her lover's hand, Tara looked up. "It's okay. I'll be sad, but it's a great opportunity. I'm happy that you said yes." Tears started to travel down her face. "I hear that Tibet is pretty in the springtime."
Getting up from the table, Willow pulled her skirt out of the way as she pushed her chair back. Her arms wrapped around Tara. "It'll be okay." Willow kissed her forehead.
Tara wanted to disappear in the soft fibers of Willow's purple sweater. Just stay nestled inside the comforting arms of her lover, not to see her off on a plane in a week. This was college, and the odds of them staying together, especially with Willow halfway across the globes, were dismal. But she couldn't let herself be selfish; she had to be happy for Willow.
Letting a smile cross her face, Tara looked up and kissed Willow's lips. "I want to know everything you're planning on seeing and doing while in Tibet." Letting go of Willow, she allowed her lover to move back to her own seat.
"You mean besides stalking the Dalai Lama?" Willow grinned and unwrapped her burger before continuing to tell Tara everything she'd read in the Tibetan tour guides that she hadn't thought Tara noticed poking up from her book bag.
Tara ate with nods and single word questions to Willow's ramblings about the mysteries of Tibet. UC Sunnydale was always a waste of Willow's intelligence, and Tara saw that more now than before. Sure, she had good grades too, but only UCS and her backup school had accepted her, whereas Willow was wooed by no less than three different Ivy League schools. And Tibet would afford Willow the experience that she gave up by remaining in Sunnydale; at least that was what Tara told herself.
"We need to get going, honey," Tara interrupted Willow's babblings. "We don't want to be late for the Scooby meeting." She picked up her and Willow's empty paper plates, tossing them in the trash can.
Willow placed her hand on Tara's and kissed her. "Thank you. You're the best girlfriend a girl could ask for." Her other hand brushed a stray strand of Tara's hair behind her ear.
"You can't wait to tell them, can you?"
"No." Grinning, Willow bunched up her shoulders in excitement. And Tara added repressed resentment and abandonment to the list of things she'd be talking to her therapist about.
*****
"Is she here, yet?" Anya asked impatiently for the seventh time as she walked out of the Summers' bathroom. It wasn't any fun to throw a surprise going away party if the person in question wasn't there.
"Not yet." Xander gave her a meek smile and shook his head. "Oh, look a cookie." He stole one off a plate.
Xander definitely had a nervous eating problem. Well, it was just another thing that she needed to fix. Anya returned his smile, patting him on his shoulder and trying not to watch the cookie crumbs fall onto the floor.
"Buffy said that she'd bring her by after they stopped at the mall," Tara offered.
Dawn also reached for a cookie. "They probably got distracted by a shoe sale. I still don't understand why they wouldn't take me."
"Because you have the perfect lung capacity for blowing up balloons," Anya answered. She'd remembered several of the screaming sessions which occurred after the girl found out that she wasn't quite human. Anya didn't understand what was so wrong about not being human; after all, she herself had been a demon for a very long time.
Cordelia snorted. "As long as Buffy doesn't bring an arm home with her like the last Sunnydale surprise party I attended."
"Spike's never been one for world destruction, and I doubt Wesley would be either." Giles lifted his punch cup to his mouth and took a drink.
Xander wrapped his arm around Anya's waist. "Plus we all know that Spike would come crying to Buffy that his latest vampire friend was trying to destroy the world."
Rolling her eyes, Anya sighed. Friends? Yeah, right. Didn't Xander know anything about vampire 'partnerships.' She stole the remaining half of the cookie from Xander's hand and munched on it. He might not be smartest, but he did look awfully good in his construction uniform and had a nice solid body to curl up to.
She glanced over at Tara, who looked like a rabbit in a fox's den. No doubt brought up by the talk of Spike and Wesley. "So, Joyce, I really like that new chair you bought." Anya pointed over to the flowered upholstered nightmare that someone called a chair. "Xander and I were talking about getting new furniture for our apartment. And I-"
The door opened and everyone yelled, "Surprise!" Xander uncurled his arm and ran toward Willow to hug her as everyone huddled and congratulated her on being leaving for Tibet. Anya blew into her blowout, noticing that neither Tara nor Cordelia had left their respective spots on the couch. Of course, Cordelia had the excuse of being blind.
"We're all very excited for you." Anya patted Willow's arm with a smile on her face. "If you want, I can tell you of the few times I traveled to Tibet."
"Thanks, but no thanks, Anya," Willow replied. She sat down on the couch her lap was filled with presents. There were several guides to Tibet, a language book, and few specialized travel equipment. Giles had given her a huge backpack that was possibly larger than her. But Anya felt that her gift of magical charms to protect against various demons native to Tibet was the best; it was even witch approved. But possibly not by Giles, considering the look he'd just given her.
Dawn sat on the right side of Willow, looking more excited about the going away party than any of them. "There's cake. We have cake too."
"And ice cream." Xander moved from the armchair that both he and Anya occupied. "Anya and I will get it." He smiled at Willow, but Anya knew that he thought she should stay in Sunnydale, especially with Spike and Wesley around.
Following Xander, Anya passed up Joyce's offer to help them and made a beeline for the freezer. The ice cream was vanilla, an almost empty canvas for everyone to push his or her feelings into.
Xander picked up a knife and started cutting the cake. "I just don't understand why she's leaving now of all times," he started speaking lowly and softly enough for the others not to hear. "I mean, Willow and I have been best friends since before I could properly aim while standing up to pee."
"You still can't, honey," Anya interrupted. "But lucky for you, I love you anyway. I mean I was called on for less than that." She dug out a serving spoon.
"Ahn, I don't think this is the time," Xander sighed. "I just don't understand why Wil's leaving."
"Now, honey, you can't expect Willow to turn down academic opportunity for slaying demons." Heck, if it wasn't for Xander, Anya would've left the Hellmouth herself. Sipping margaritas brought to her by cabana boys sounded a lot better than scrubbing ooze off her clothing.
"She did once," Xander snapped and sighed. "We need her. Buffy needs her. Tara needs her."
"It must be really hard for Tara." Anya took a stack of paper bowls from the cabinets. She was a bit unsettled by Xander's sharp words, but she knew that he was upset about Willow and not with her. "I mean, Tara gets raped and tortured by evil vampires and then finds out that her lover is leaving her to go halfway across the globe."
"Would you ever do that to me, Xander?" Anya frowned. She needed to know that he wouldn't leave when she needed him.
"Well, it's not like The Fellowship Committee for Really Smart People is calling me up and saying 'hey, Xander, how about academic bliss.'" Xander loaded the plates into his arms and Anya held her breath, almost tempted to wish an appropriate answer for him. "But no," he finally answered, much to her relief.
"You promise?" Anya moved closer to him, a smile on her face. She spotted Willow standing at the doorway from the corner of her eye and wondered just how much she'd heard.
"Of course, I promise." Xander leaned down and kissed Anya. "I'll stay over the Hellmouth as long as you're with me," he muttered.
When Anya looked up from their kiss, Willow was gone from her post by the door.
*****
Wesley held onto the boy's shoulder as he took a long drink. The boy tasted salty from heat and close contact at the club, but the blood was marvelous. Every inch of Wesley's body craved the next victim, the next one he could drain until they were nothing. Blood called to him; and it'd been a lot harder to control his urges than he'd ever imagined.
He wondered just how Angel did it. But he quickly gave up the thought for more interesting prospects.
And one such prospect had already finished making a meal of the boy's girlfriend. How to entertain Spike had been a larger task than Wesley had ever expected, but the newly born part of him was reluctant to leave his lover behind.
Except maybe if they let out Angelus.
He let the boy's body drop to the ground, and his eyes flickered from golden to blue. "I do believe it's time to go home." Wesley looked up at the skyline as if expecting for the sun to suddenly burst onto stage.
"Home already? And here I was just starting to have fun." Spike's tongue slipped from his mouth and licked the bit of spilled blood on his chin. "Sun won't be out for another hour or so."
Wesley watched Spike, knowing that ever since Spike killed Wesley's father, he'd been vying for power. (He still heard Angel's mocking voice in his head about family's blood being the sweetest.) And after they killed the Slayer and all her friends, he would perhaps consider other options.
"Besides," Spike whispered, his mouth inches away from Wesley's, "I thought we could do other things." His hand reached down and groped Wesley's cock.
"In an alleyway?" Wesley questioned. He didn't want to be caught with his trousers down, literally, by Buffy; though he was curious as to what exactly she would do if she found him fucking Spike.
Spike gave Wesley his trademark smirk. "Yeah, love. Got a problem with my choice of location?"
"Not at all." Wesley kept his voice measured, despite Spike's continued touching of his cock. "It's not like I've never had a quick fuck in an alley before. Once with a beautiful hooker who had the tightest arse, wonder if you could top him?"
Spike unfastened the top of Wesley's leather trousers. "Were you human then?"
"Yes." Wesley nodded and allowed Spike to push him against the concrete wall of an abandoned industrial building. "And you died a virgin." He growled and grabbed the back of Spike's hair, pulling him in for a kiss.
Groaning into the kiss, Spike worked Wesley's trousers down far enough to expose his cock. His hand quickly stroked Wesley.
Wesley became impatient and needy. He grabbed Spike's hip and turned them around so Spike faced the brick wall. His fingers popped the buttons on Spike's trousers and yanked them down, pulling his long duster out of the way. "Tell me what you want, Spike."
"You," Spike growled. He pushed his arse back against Wesley's hard cock.
Wesley smiled as he had Spike just where he wanted him. As he rubbed himself against Spike, Wesley rummaged for the tiny packet lubricant that he knew Spike kept in his front pocket in anticipation.
Spike snorted as Wesley's hand pulled out of his sagging jeans. "Could've asked me to get it."
"You'll keep your hands on the wall," Wesley ordered, his voice clear despite his body's insistence on fucking Spike. If he'd had to wait much longer, he might've forgone the lubricant. Wesley let out a groan as he slicked himself and thrust into Spike.
*****
It'd been two weeks since Willow had left for Tibet, and the Hellmouth had been relatively quiet. So quiet that Giles had called Scooby meetings every night of the week and insisted that Buffy up her patrols. Anya spent most of her time working at the Magic Box. The Hellmouth might've been quiet, but sales were up.
She and Xander had spent the Sunday after Willow's departure moving Cordelia into the extra bedroom in their apartment. Anya had managed to get the landlord to lessen the extra person fees by claiming that Cordelia was her cousin and, not to mention, blinded in a terrible tragedy. More nights than not, Tara had slept on their couch, not that Anya blamed the girl for not wanting to walk back to campus in the dark.
Anya sighed as she tossed Xander's empty beer bottles into the recycle bin. There'd been something off about the entire day, from the woman who wanted pig's feet for a love spell (everyone knew that doves were a better symbol of love) to how the door jammed this evening when she came home.
"Hello, Cordy," Anya greeted Cordelia as she walked out of the bathroom. She wasn't sure that she'd ever get used to Xander's ex living with them. Not that she was worried, especially when Cordelia walked around without her dark glasses on.
Cordelia held a towel around her body as she bumped into a table corner. "Anya." She still hadn't mastered the layout of the apartment, and every day Anya found a picture or trinket that had been knocked off the wall or a table.
"I convinced Giles to forgo the Scooby meeting tonight. So there'll only be patrolling unless you have one of those head splitting visions. Have you ever thought about getting that checked out by a doctor?" Anya pulled a can of refried beans from her cupboard. "How does Mexican sound for dinner?"
"I'm fine," Cordelia assured her. "And Mexican works, but you might want to keep the beans away from Xander."
Anya snorted as Cordelia was starting to grow on her. "Good point. Maybe I'll order sushi from the place down the street. Seaweed is much better on the constitution."
"Sushi's good. I'm going to get dressed now." Cordelia moved toward her bedroom and Anya watched her move away.
Putting the can away, Anya sighed. Okay, maybe she still was on edge. She picked up the phone and ordered dinner. As she waited, she poured herself a glass of wine and couldn't help but think she should've snagged the bottle of scotch she'd found in Giles' desk drawer. Not that she was snooping.
She looked over as the door opened. "Welcome home, honey." With a grin on her face, Anya walked toward Xander. She'd seen on a television show that the perfect woman was supposed to greet her man in order to have a successful relationship. When she'd explained this to Tara, Tara took her hand and offered to loan her a book on feminism. Anya liked to incorporate a little of both in her life, and it seemed to work.
"Hey, Ahn, how was work?" Xander smelled a little sweaty. He needed a shower after a day of building houses. Despite enjoying the view of his large muscles, Anya hoped that he soon received a promotion to management or supervising.
Anya kissed him. "Work was the same as always. Giles was on edge. Apparently, a few men from a local gay club have gone missing, and he suspects that it's Spike and Wesley. I guess even the undead need to shake their booties once in a while."
"Were you watching more MTV with Dawn?" Xander teased her. He moved toward the refrigerator and took a beer out.
"Nope. But some guy dropped off fliers at the Magic Box for dance lessons. I mean, since when do I give free advertising. So I signed us up for free dance lessons in exchange for allowing him to place his ads on our counter." Anya thought that it would do Xander a little good to do something besides work and slay demons. It would be good for both of them and add a little spice to their relationship, not that it needed spice.
Xander moved to his armchair and flicked on the television. He sighed. "I don't know if we have the time. With Willow in Tibet, I don't think that we can take the chance that an elaborate hokey pokey would sprain an ankle." He turned the set to a 24-hour news channel.
"Fine." Anya crossed her arms, frowning. "Maybe I'll ask Giles. He seemed interested in learning something more." She headed to the bedroom, slamming the door. Let Xander watch about towns in the Middle East blown up by bombs and puppies rescued from streams.
She straightened out the bed's comforter with a tug before sitting down. Taking a pillow into her arms, she squished it close to her body. She heard Xander softly talking to Cordelia, answering her questions about the pictures on the screen.
Quiet tears fell from Anya's eyes. Xander used to tell her when he was upset about something, but everyone had been distant lately ever since Willow had left. Willow was Xander's best friend, and Xander was Anya's best friend; and she resolved not to sit idle and let Xander leave the way that Willow had.
Wiping the tears from her eyes, Anya stood up and walked into the bathroom. She blew her nose and sat down on the toilet to pee. She avoided looking into the full-length mirror across from her, deciding that she also needed to move it closer to the door. It was rather unsettling to watch oneself on the toilet.
Flushing, she moved to wash her hands. Anya took a cloth out and dabbed her eyes with cold cream where her mascara had started to run. With a smile, she reapplied it before giving her lips an extra shine with a bit of gloss.
Hearing a knock on the door, she grabbed her wallet from the dresser and moved toward the front door. "I'll get it," she announced as she exited the bedroom. She smiled and tipped the delivery man.
Dinner was relatively quiet, and for Cordelia's size, Anya was surprised just how much sushi she downed. She attempted to make conversation by asking Cordelia her opinion of the whole dancing lessons thing, but that only got her a dirty look from Xander.
As he finished, Xander stood up and moved toward his weapon's chest. He took a large sword out from it and stuck a stake in his pocket. "You should probably put on different shoes, Ahn. Buffy might get away with heels higher than Uhura in 1966, but we non-superheroes have to stick to our sneakers."
Anya cleared the dishes. "Will you be fine here by yourself, Cordelia?" She wasn't feeling up for patrol. Things were easier with wishes and powers. Besides vampire dust made her cough.
"I wouldn't mind some alone time." Cordelia gave her a smile.
Sighing, Anya tossed the empty plastic trays into the garbage. After changing into sensible shoes, she grabbed a stake and stuck it into her coat pocket, following Xander to their car.
Once he closed his door, Xander turned to face her. "Are you mad at me?" The knuckles on his right hand were turning white from his tight grip on the steering wheel.
"I'm just..." Anya buckled her seatbelt and finally understood why Dawn stuck her tongue in response to things she didn't enjoy. "I'm just tired, Xander. I don't want patrol tonight. I've had an off-day."
Xander reached out and squeezed her hand. "We'll make sure that it's a short patrol." He quietly changed the subject and started telling Anya about some off-colored jokes that the boys at the job had told him.
"Glad to see you could make it." Buffy smiled at them as they walked into the graveyard. "Giles was just telling me about the subtle differences from normative Latin compared to the scroll he's translating."
"It could be of some importance, Buffy." Giles carried a crossbow and hustled after Buffy.
"We're always happy to help, Buffy." While she might've shared her displeasure in the car, Anya knew that she needed to give a party line to the rest of them. "Now where's the vampires?"
"Right here, love," answered Spike as he appeared from behind a crypt. "And I'm touched that you asked." His hand rubbed his chest.
Xander held his sword, pointing it toward Spike. "You had to ask."
"I wouldn't worry about the bird, Xander." Spike tossed the cigarette he'd been smoking on the ground and stepped on it.
"Spike's right. I'd worry about yourself." Wesley joined Spike. Somehow he looked even more frightening in game face than Spike, but perhaps it was because Anya had also met Wesley when he was human.
Buffy stepped away from the Scoobies, moving closer to Spike and Wesley with a stake poised in her hand. "Aw and to think that I'd missed you guys." She ran toward Wesley, a kick flying in the air.
The other three went to take on Spike. Okay, Anya lagged behind, but both Xander and Giles were better fighters than she was. Spike quickly threw Xander toward a tree, and Anya rushed over toward him.
Xander groaned and held out his hand for Anya to help him to his feet. His sword had dropped down to the ground, but apparently Giles had picked it up in the meantime. "Thanks."
Anya watched him limp. "Are you okay?" She pulled her green coat around her.
"We have to help Buffy." Xander clutched his stake and went back toward the fight.
Anya watched as Buffy toppled over, Wesley's fist in her face. That was going to bruise in the morning, and Anya hoped that she had the correct cover up. She ran behind Spike, aiming her stake at his heart.
Again, Spike threw off all three of his attackers. "Even the Council boys were better fighters than you lot. Of course, Rupert, you're probably just getting a little old." He stumbled backward as Giles hit him in the shoulder with a bow.
Anya looked over at Buffy, who was on her back in the grass with Wesley. He strangled Buffy as she tried to kick up. Anya rushed over to Buffy as her legs didn't seem to be getting high enough to hurt Wesley. "Buffy!" Her fists hit against Wesley's back. "Let her go, you bastard."
Wesley reached out his arm and pushed Anya away. The action gave enough leverage for Buffy to start to move upward from the grass and just enough for Wesley to reach down and snap Buffy's neck.
Anya's hands went to her ears at the awful crack, and she found that she couldn't move as Wesley dropped Buffy's limp body back down to the ground. She heard Spike laughing and watched Xander and Giles run toward Buffy.
Spike and Wesley disappeared as quickly as they had arrived. Anya didn't let herself wonder why they'd left the rest of them alive. Of course, the Slayer had been the prize.
Giles pressed his fingers to Buffy's pulse point and started to perform CPR. Maybe she wasn't dead; Anya made a silent wish for their sake. But then Xander started pulling Giles off Buffy. Anya couldn't see Buffy moving and then she heard Giles sobbing.
Anya couldn't look at them any longer, and she bit back her own tears. Between the trees, she heard a cry and saw Angel stumbling toward them.
*****
Tara ran her hand down Dawn's hair as they stood around Buffy's grave. Everyone had already said their bit about Buffy's life, and Tara played with the well-used handkerchief in her pocket. She kept on the opposite side from Angel, not wanting to remember what she'd experienced while under Spike and Wesley's lock and key. But at least, she was still alive, unlike Buffy. All those times she'd feared that they'd finally killed her, Tara wondered why this wasn't her.
Xander had tried again and again to contact Willow in Tibet. Giles suggested that they sent a message via other channels, but Tara insisted that Willow was where she needed to be. Yes, she needed to know of Buffy's death, but not a message to rush home. Willow didn't need to come back to Sunnydale through guilt, and Angel mentioned a monastery he knew where Willow could meditate through her sorrow.
Tara, Dawn, Giles, and Joyce had chosen a spot under a large tree. It was peaceful, and Dawn said that the aspen trees reminded her of the playground she and Buffy played in as children. Tara let Dawn move forward and lay a clump of roses by Buffy's headstone. Instead of returning to Tara, Dawn hugged her mother, sobbing into Joyce's maroon sweater.
Tara was surprised at Joyce's strength through her daughter's death. Together with Giles, they'd arranged the funeral and buried Buffy. Tara recalled when her own mother died and knew that she didn't handle herself with Joyce's grace. Mostly, Tara worried about Giles, who'd stopped calling Scoobie meetings unless Xander sprung them on him. They continued to patrol almost every night, but it wasn't the same even in Xander attempted to pretend.
Watching Angel's cheek glisten with tears, Tara stood in silence with the rest of them. They'd find a way to continue fighting on the Hellmouth and to kill both Spike and Wesley before they could move on.
Cordelia, who had become Tara's confidant, spent most of her time comforting and playing nursemaid to Angel, and Tara felt rather lonely. She'd overheard Joyce talking about moving away from the Hellmouth and panged at the thought of losing the woman who had become a mother of sorts to all of them.
As Tara looked around from Dawn and Joyce, Xander and Anya, Angel and Cordelia, and finally to Giles, Tara realized why she wasn't leaving; they were her family. She laid a bundle of violets on Buffy's grave.
The World We Made: Epilogue (Six Months Later)
Without the Slayer, the prey became easier and Spike was bored. He couldn't sleep at night. The bedside was often empty, and Wesley stalked the hallways. Too many minions ended with a stake in their heart.
"You should've kept Angel," Spike said. "At least, he was entertaining." He rolled over onto his stomach.
Wesley had snagged Spike's cigarettes and was currently smoking one after another.
"You know, normally, smoking increases during times of stress. We killed the Slayer. Her little friends can't do shite." Spike licked his lips. He'd thought about going out for something to eat. But he wasn't sure if it was hunger or boredom.
Wesley threw the pack at Spike. "As much fun as taunting Rupert and the rest of them has been, I think it's time to move on. And that abomination was just as boring as they were."
"Maybe we should just move on, love. Road trip with the bikes we knocked off last week."
Wesley threw the cigarette on the floor and stomped it out with his shoe. "You know, Spike, that's the best idea you've had in a long time."
*****
They built a routine after Buffy died. A routine where they never said her name, among others. They grew used to living in the Summers' house which Joyce had sold to Giles and all the house's odd creaks and ghosts.
Tara combed Cordelia's long hair in the morning and pulled it back in a big braid. She also cooked pancakes on the stove and didn't look up when Giles moved the last of Anya's boxes into the house. Cordelia only asked once where they were going to put her before Tara caught Anya and Giles kissing in the dinning room.
After breakfast, Tara brought Angel's blood down to the basement. He had asked her to do this, but they both needed it. If anything she'd learned, it was that some things were beyond anyone's control.
Angel didn't watch her like she saw him doing with other people. He stayed motionless on his bed. The chains, he insisted on keeping, just in case, hung on the wall behind him. A memento of the people he couldn't save.
Sometimes Cordelia would come down with her. Tara left them in peace. Or only Cordelia in peace, who seemed to lecture Angel on how he needed people and needed the mission. Though no one talked about how Cordelia hadn't had a vision since Buffy died.
Tara received a postcard from Willow, one morning. She'd run into Oz and had decided to stay longer. No doubt, Sunnydale caused her too much grief. That she was sure she'd run into Xander on these back roads. Xander who couldn't look at Anya, drank too much, and was almost eaten by a newly rising vampire.
Tara smiled at Giles who bent over his books and called Anya at the Magic Box to bring home mandrake root. And went to the kitchen to make them both a cup of tea.
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but the epilogue is new to me and i quite adore it.
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I'm glad you liked my tie-ing up of things. *g*
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Thank you for sharing it and for finishing.
*luffs you*