Chapter 1:
It's the only way, thought Spike as the Scoobies all gathered around the sleeping blonde in the hospital bed, the sound of beeping and haggard breathing filling the harshly lit room.
He stood in the corner, staying out of the middle of things, just watching. Always watching.
"Maybe there's something we haven't looked at something in a book, at the magic shop. Will? A spell? Anything?" Xander sat in the lone chair next to the small window, a desperate, hopeless look in his eye, chewing nervously on his fingernail.
"I've looked everywhere. I—I've searched for anything that could help. We all have. I—" Willow sighed, tears springing into her already bloodshot eyes. "I don't think there's anything we can do." The tears overflowed and ran down her cheeks, and Tara ran her hand soothingly up and down Willow's back, tears forming in her own eyes as she stared at an empty space on the floor.
"No, no, there has to be a way! Buffy can't die! Not again. No. I won't let her!" Dawn stood up and ran from the room. "Dawny! Wait!" Willow called after her, but she was already gone.
It's the only way! The thought ran once more across Spike's mind. But I'm going to need some bloody help.
"I'm outta here." He said aloud and stepped heavily out of the room, his boots echoing loudly off the white walls. Xander only glanced at him, and the others continued to stare off. "Not going to sit here and watch her die."
More and more stars were popping out as he crossed the parking lot, and instead of heading through the park, towards his crypt, he walked in the opposite direction. The car was sitting right where he left it, in the space behind the old factory, the keys still stuffed into a corner in the glove box. After throwing out a half empty whiskey bottle from the driver's seat, he threw the key into the ignition. The old engine sputtered to life and the remaining glass bottles clanked against each other from the vibrations.
Soon Sunnydale's "Come again soon!" sign was a small cleared up patch in his rear view, the rest blocked out by the black tar that protected him during daylight hours. Speeding as much as the car was able.
There's only one man who will get it, though Spike as sage bushes sped past in the glare of the headlights. And he pushed harder on the gas down the highway. Another green sign shone in the stream of light for a few seconds. 80 miles to Los Angelos.
He would go to the only man who couldn't say no.
Angel.