SUMMARY - What happened afterwards? What if it's Spike that goes to L.A. to tell Angel? Faith and Buffy are connected right so she obviously feels it. A lot of emotion and hell of a twist at the end.
DISCLAIMER - None of it's mine but the idea. Characters belong to the all mighty Jossy. Thanks Man!
- Death Is Your Gift by L.u.c.k.y. -
It was one of the most painful nights the gang had ever endured. It was only Xander in that crowd that had been with Buffy the first time she died, hell he had saved her and now the whole gang felt what he did. The helplessness and emptiness of her not being in their lives. The sight of Buffy just lying there lifeless and not moving will be burned into all their minds forever.
Although Tara had not been as close to Buffy she cried as she held her lover. Willow had pain radiating off her body and there was nothing Tara could do but be with her and cry. They stayed like that not really achknowledging how anyone else was reacting.
Xander held Anya for he knew she was in pain too but the reason tears leaked from his eyes like waterfalls were for his now dead best friend. Having Buffy die a second time just made this even harder for him. To stare at her so helpless... it wasn't like Buffy. Anya tried to comfort him the best she could but even she was having trouble comprehending the fact the slayer was now lifeless.
Dawn took it hardest of all as she limped down the stairs and the first thing she saw was her sister sprawled over broken concrete... not a slayer, savior or lover but her only family. The tears she had been slowly shedding picked up instantly as she tried desperately to make it to Giles who was closest to Buffy. She out of all people felt the most guilty; Buffy died for her, for someone not even real. That's what a hero is.
Giles knew more then anyone that this day was coming but no one could be prepared for what had happened. He had just lost his only daughter. He was so proud of everything she had become. Their conversation right before this night kept coming back to him. She was right when she said everything just get's stripped away. Buffy, his slayer and daughter sacrificed everything to save a world that was so cruel to her. He couldn't help but weep for the malicious circumstances surrounding her death.
Lastly there was Spike who couldn't hold in his emotions. His tough act full of insults and wit were gone the moment he saw her land. He didn't care if the scoobies saw him, he could do nothing but crouch down to the ground, hold his hands to his face and cry like he had never before, for the only woman who treated him like he deserved. She may have not loved him but at least she didn't lie to him or lead him on. The sound and whimpers in his sobs expressed every bit of gratitude and misery.
The sun was about to rise though and Spike would have willingly burned there with the love of his life if not for Willow who finally let go of Tara. She was still sniffling as she made it to Spike but spoke the best she could through sniffles and sobs, "We need to get you out of here. The sun rises in a few minutes and our house isn't far from here."
Spike glanced at the red head and for the first time really saw her. Everyone was starting to look around them and feel sorry for each other. Spike stood wiping the tears away and tried to put on his act again but when Willow hugged him he couldn't help himself. He shed a few more as Willow let go and walked to Xander who had been staring at her for a while.
"She was our best friend. I knew this day was coming but I... I... I should have been able to do something."
Xander just grabbed a hold of the broken Willow in front of him. "It's okay Will. She'll always be here. Come on with how much she tried to get out of Sunnydale and failed you think she'd leave in death?"
The tinest smile appeared on her face but then dissappeared. Willow went back to Spike. Staring at him she adressed everyone, "Let's go home." Everyone but Spike started moving. They all knew what Spike had to do and no one could watch. He saw them go as he moved to Buffy's broken side. He kissed her forhead and picked her up like a baby. Following everyone back to the Summer's house he carried the cold body of the dearly missed slayer.