Buffy gently knocks on the hospital door.
"Come in." Buffy hears Pike say from behind the door.
Taking a deep breath Buffy walks in. She isn't sure what she was expecting but the sight before her makes her cry. Merck lay there in the hospital bed but he's so much thinner and paler than she remembers. It is hard seeing him like this. It is hard seeing Pike and Merrick together in the same room with her. She wouldn't be surprised of Lothos appeared out of nowhere, it would definitely complete the situation.
"Merrick."
"Buffy? Is that you?" Merrick asks. His voice wavers but it's the same voice she remembers from the old days.
"Yes. I came to see how you were."
"It's good to see you." Merrick slowly raises his hand but drops it promptly when it seems it's too hard to hold up. Buffy walks over and gently brings his hand to her chest. A small smile appears on the man's face and he slowly closes his eyes.
"Wait, Merrick, no...!"
"I'm just going to sleep that's all. No need to get flustered."
Buffy laughs.
"Alright. You sleep. But you have to promise me you'll wake up."
"I promise."
When the old man's eyes shut Buffy closes her eyes.
"I am so sorry for everything Merrick. For the way I treated you. For abandoning you. For blaming everything on you. It wasn't fair and I'm glad I am here." She mutters.
The machine that was connected to Merrick's heart begins to beep and the doctors come rushing in.
"What's happening?" Asks the doctors but gets no answer because they are busy.
She looks over at Pike and sees his wide eyes.
The doctor turns to look at them and Buffy can't bear to see the look in his eyes.
"No..."
"I am sorry but Mr. Jamison-Smythe's heart was too weak and didn't make it."
Arms envelope Buffy in a hug and she realizes it's Pike.
"All he wanted to do was to say goodbye..." Pike says quietly and Buffy nods. Merck knew that it was only a matter of time, curse or not, before he died but he wanted to say goodbye to his last slayer, and so he did.
Tears fall down Buffy's face and no matter what they won't stop. Pike keeps passing her tissues but keeps half of them for himself. It was strange sitting on the hill where the three of them had their first real battle with the evil.
"I miss you, you know." Buffy asks.
"I doubt it." Pike responds.
"I do. I'm not saying I think about you every single day but Pike, you were my first true friend, and more. You helped me get through a tough time. And I do miss you."
"I miss you too." Pike says.
"You've grown up." Buffy suddenly blurts.
"Well I would hope so after all these years." He laughs.
"I suppose in my head you're still the old Pike."
"Well in my head you're still the old Buffy."
"We were young and foolish." Buffy says.
"Yes, we were."
"Maybe we still are." She says.
"Definitely." And the two of them laugh. It's a laughter filled with sorrow for their departed friend, of sadness for the old days, but also happiness of still having each other.