Disclaimer: I don't own anything. I just like playing in other people's backyards. Hats off to Joss Whedon and Marvel for creating amazing characters.
A/N: This first part includes snippets from Empty Places up to End of Days in Buffyverse. Next chapter, we'll have Buffy in the MCU, but for now, sit tight.
BtVS goes AU, but I'll try to be true to the MCU. Please, if any character isn't true to form, tell me.
Pairings: Steve/Buffy for now.

ONE.

Buffy held her head high, "I know I'm right about this. I just need a little – I can't stay here and watch her lead you into some disaster."

Dawn stood slowly, then walked up to Buffy, "Then you can't stay here. Buffy, I love you, but you were right. We have to be together on this. You can't be a part of it. So I need you to leave. I'm sorry, but this is my house, too."

Buffy felt like her entire body turned to lead. She walked woodenly to the front door and stepped outside. Faintly, she heard one of the girls say, "Ding dong, the witch is dead."

She heard the door open and close behind her. Faith followed her outside, concern filled her voice, "Hey, look. I swear I didn't want it to go this way..."

Buffy held up a hand. "Don't." She paused by the porch steps. "Don't be afraid to lead them." Her tears fell uncontrollably down her pale face. "Whether you wanted it or not, their lives are yours. It's only gonna get harder. Protect them. But lead them."

(In a stranger's house)

"I've seen your kindness and your strength. I've seen the best and the worst of you. And I understand with perfect clarity exactly what you are. You're a hell of a woman. You're the one, Buffy."

Buffy allowed his words to wash over her like a balm to her overwrought nerves. She looked at him in the eye and sighed, "I don't wanna be the one."

Spike joked, "I don't wanna be this good-looking and athletic. We all have crosses to bear."

(In the Vineyard)

Buffy stared at the shiny axe embedded in the rock. She walked up to it in awed silence, mesmerized by the power she could feel from its core.

Caleb pulled open the hatch and walked down the stairs, his mocking tone echoed through the walls, "So, you found it. Not impressed. 'Cause the question now, girly girl, is can you pry it from solid rock before I come over there ..."

Buffy grabbed the handle in one smooth motion then pulled the scythe out of the stone one-handed with ease. She looked at him expectantly.

"Hmmm. Darn." Caleb sounded deflated. He exhaled, "I guess it's on to plan B."

"Don't even think about it." The First/Buffy warned. "Caleb, don't!"

He walked cautiously towards the blonde, "Now, before you go hurting yourself with that thing, why don't you do yourself a courtesy and hand it over now?"

Buffy cocked her head to the side, "Yeah? You want it?" She tauntingly held the scythe to him.

"You don't even know what you got there."

"I know you're backing away." Buffy grinned.

Caleb narrowed his eyes, "You think wielding some two-sided doo-dad's gonna make a difference?" His arms lifted, his hands started to sketch figures in the air, his voice low as he muttered in what sounded like latin.

"Suscipe spiritum meum et vocavi te in malo , et auertere a me." Caleb's eyes turned entirely black, "Omnis verto masvenit pro redintegro pro elista."

The First/Buffy screamed, "Caleb! Stop it! You're ruining everything!"

A glowing red triangle surrounded Buffy, her limbs frozen. She was trapped. She clutched at the scythe she was held in her uninjured hand. Her eyes widened in sudden fear as she looked up and found she couldn't speak. She realized too late that this was what Caleb wanted all along. Spike! Help!

As if by some miracle, the bleached blonde vampire jumped from the open hatch, his eyes widened in fear as Caleb finished his spell. "Buffy!"

"Goodbye, Slayer." Caleb smirked. The red triangle glowed hotter and brighter as it consumed her. There was a piercing pain on her side then... nothing.

Buffy was gone.

Spike froze, unbelieving, "What the fuck did you do to her? WHERE IS SHE?!"

"Somewhere she won't be a nuisance, I hope." Caleb laughed. "May the bitch rest in peace."

Spike, in a burst of white hot rage, grabbed Caleb's neck and started pounding his face with powerful punches. Then he was able to immobilize the priest and drained him dry. He didn't stop until he consumed every single drop, the beast inside him lifted its head and roared in pain.

He tossed the empty shell of a man aside, his eyes glowing yellow at the First/Buffy. She huffed, irritated, "Now you've done it!"

Spike wiped his mouth, his chest heaved as he realized what he had done. A sudden sound from behind made him turn quickly.

Angel was standing at the doorway.