"We've got to get you to the hospital," Buffy babbles. Xander's blood gushes over her hands. She's trying to stop its flow, but it won't even slow. She knows she's losing him. Her terrified heartbeat pounding in her ears makes her think she can hear his heart instead of hers.

His hands clasp hers. He can hear a song playing on harps somewhere near and far. "We'll never make it in time."

"We have to!"

"We won't."

She cries.

"Buffy? Dance with me." He sways against her.

"Xander - "

"Dance with me like you did before back in the Bronze when we were young." She does.

Her body slides against his. She knows this is wrong, and she can't stop crying. Yet she also knows that this provocative dance is her friend's last request. He never stopped loving her, she realizes, and sobs again.

He holds to her as the world spins around him and then begins to fade. He feels the song he's always felt thrumming between their bodies. He wishes she could have loved him.

She presses her forehead against his. She kisses him, though still knowing it's wrong. He falls against her, but when she closes his eyes, he's still smiling.

The End