Disclaimer: I do not own Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I am an avid fan of the television series. I wanted to do a tribute piece to Buffy 25 years later...

Chapter One

She sat comfortably wrapped in thick blankets on the old rocking chair that sat before the lolling waves of the ocean. She sipped at her hot tea as a breeze from the sea cliff stirred and rustled the tall amber grasses around her home. A flock of seagulls flew away from the setting sun, rapidly flapping their wings and calling out to each other to keep the rythym of feather and flight. She didn't look up to see them pass as she had done many times before. Instead, she fixed her gaze on the approaching shadows as night crept invitingly closer and closer.

" Ms. Summers?" A voice called out from the house.

Buffy gave a half smile. Even at the age of forty eight, she still pictured her mother in all her golden glory to answer. But that was a life time ago.

" Yes, Claire."

The tall, wispy form came closer to her and put a tentative hand on her shoulder. " Should we be going in now? The sea is bringing the cold in."

Buffy smiled at Clare's brown sugar eyes which showed concern. " Not yet. Please stay with me and watch the sun set."

Clare obliged and leaned against the railing of the wooden porch. " I've got the rooms ready for your guests." She supplied patting down her well oiled afro and checking her watch. " They should be arriving soon."

Buffy nodded in agreement and felt her insides quiver in excitement. She couldn't wait to see them all again, one last time: Willow, Xander, Dawn, Robin and of course Giles. Giles was getting up there in age and he could barely see but he was still Giles and he would always be her watcher.

" I can't wait to see how the kids have grown." Buffy told Claire.

Claire laughed out loud. " They grow up fast! Last time we saw them, they were just starting to walk. Aren't the twins ten? And Faith's boy..." She let her voice trail off as she caught the look of pain that flitted across Buffy's eyes.

Buffy exhaled slowly, rising above the pain until it no longer touched her. " Raven is twelve." She continued on as if nothing had happened. " I'm glad Robin is bringing him up to see me. He kind of went awol for a while after the death of Faith." Buffy mused inwardly that saying it outloud no longer hurt her. Perhaps it was because she too was nearing her end.

A slayer was never meant to live a long life. The constant mending and breaking of bones and other traumatic injuries took their toll upon mortal flesh. Human eyes and memories were locked into things they should never have had to witness. Faith knew this and had taken herself out five years ago during a mission which had gone very badly. She and Robin had been seperated for two years already but that hadn't stopped him from going into hiding to recover. Their son had helped with that Buffy was sure of it and the fact that they were coming to see her off was further proof that the worst of it was behind them. She hoped that her passing didn't re-open old wounds.

" I need to start your evening meds, Ms. Summers." Claire stated simply. She rose from her post and briefly touched Buffy's shoulder as she walked back into the house.

Buffy sighed and finished the rest of her tea before snuggling deeper into her blankets. She wondered what the twins looked like now. Of course they talked to Aunt Buffy on a weekly basis and shared with her the horrors of piano lessons and pre-pubescent boys. They had Xander's dark, shining curls and Dawn's light. They were beautiful and perhaps she was a little biased but they were all precious to her.

Suddenly, a figure crossed towards her with lightening speed as a stillness settled in. " Slayer."

Buffy's heart did a little dance. " I missed you."

Spike knelt in front of her and touched her face with a cool hand. " You never have to miss me, Pet. I'll always be here."

He was still smooth, dashing and hadn't aged a day and a half. Buffy smiled. " I know. Did you take care of the demony thingy?"

Spike grinned. " Let's not talk shop, Pet. How are you feeling?"

Buffy winced at the pain and concern he tried to hide deep in his eyes. She didn't want anyone to worry for her. " Today, I'm okay. The gang is coming. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone."

" Good. Willow still bringing her Doctor friend?"

" Yes." Buffy replied. " But the Doctor friend is her girlfriend, Angela and not a Doctor for me." She gave him a look that told him to stop worrying but that was one thing Spike was never good at. " Besides, she's a pediatrician. I'm not a child."

" Well," Spike scoffed, " she'll be good in a pinch if one of the little nibblets loses an arm, won't she?"

Buffy laughed and held out her hand so that he took it in his and clasped it to his heart. They remained like this for a while and seconds became minutes and minutes were turning into...

" I see a car!" Claire exclaimed from inside the house. " Someone is coming!"

I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter and won't get too mad that I'm killing Buffy. It will be a dignified and beautiful ending. I just wanted to do something that hadn't really been done before. Let me know what you think of chapter one. I'll update...I think if you guys like it enough...lol.