Chapter 4

Dream

Buffy found herself at the Bronze and the club was full people as Forever Young by Alphaville played loudly through the speakers. She was surprised to find herself at the Bronze over the few weeks she had only dreamed of being at Fangtasia, the Silent Shore Hotel and The fellowship of the Sun Church. Eric was in all of those dreams so she searched the crowd for him as she made her way towards the bar.

"Buffy" She heard a very familiar voice call out to her causing her chest to ache and she spun around to see her mother standing there. Her mother was wearing a pair of beige slacks and a white blouse, which was the same outfit that she was killed in.

"Mom." Buffy called out as her voice cracked and she ran to her hugging her to her tightly. "I am so sorry!" She cried as they hugged.

"It is ok." Joyce told her daughter as they hugged for a few moments. "You have to be careful, Buffy." She said to her as she pulled away from the hug. "They want you dead and they will not stop until you stop them." Buffy stared at her mother standing in front of her.

"Maybe I should let them." Buffy said looking at her mother. The idea of being in heaven with her mother there gave her true peace.

"No! You have to fight." Joyce said to her sternly. "You are not a quitter, Buffy. They need you with them to win the battle with the fellowship. Promise me that you will fight." Joyce demanded of her daughter.

"I promise." Buffy said to her honestly. "They will pay what they did to you."

"I have to go. He is waiting for you." Joyce told her daughter, who shook her head not wanting her to go. Joyce looked over to the dance floor and Buffy followed her gaze to see Eric standing there. He was wearing jeans with a black leather jacket with a black shirt under it. "Go on." She said taking Buffy's hand and squeezed it. Buffy looked over at Eric then back to her mother but she was gone. She walked to Eric as the fear you won't fall by Joshin Radin played in the background.

"You are sad." Eric said touching her face softly. "Let me make your pain go away. You just have to let me." He said pulling her close to him.

"I want to but" She began but was stopped by Eric's lips on hers kissing her softly. He went to pull away from her when Buffy pulled her to him kissing him passionately. She felt whole with his body pressed up against and his lips kissing her deliciously. Buffy couldn't ever remembering feeling so happy and peaceful accept when she was in heaven. A few moments later he was pulled away from her and she saw Eric in pain wrapped in sliver chains with Steve Newlin holding him laughing.

"You both will die." Steve Newlin yelled at her as she found herself tied to a stake as church members lit a fire under her.

End of Dream

"No!" Buffy yelled sitting up in bed trying to catch her breath. She looked over at the clock to see it was 7am. She got up out of bed putting on her workout clothes then left for the gym to work off her anxiety. Buffy made her way to the fitness center and began stretching before her workout.

Two hours later

Sookie walked past the fitness center on her way to get breakfast. She looked in to see Buffy wearing black shorts and a black sports bra literally beating the stuffing out of the punching bag.

"Buffy!" Sookie yelled out walking into the room but Buffy did not stop. "Buffy!" She yelled louder causing the slayer to stop hitting the bag and turned to look at her. "I think you killed it." Sookie said to a small smile on her lips. Buffy looked at the bag know noticing the bag stuffing was beginning to come out.

"Oops!" Buffy said looking at the bag. "I feel better though." Buffy told her smiling at her walking over to Sookie.

"Were you pretending the bag was Eric?" Sookie asked curiously. She was not able to talk to Buffy after they got back to the hotel last night.

"No. Steve Newlin." Buffy told her. "I am not very happy with Eric right now but that I will deal with him later." She said then added. "Have you seen Oz this morning?"

"Not yet. He is meeting me for breakfast real soon. You hungry?" She asked her.

"Starving. I have to shower first. Be back in ten." Buffy said hurrying off leaving Sookie staring at the punching bag in amazement.

"Buffy was here." Oz said walking up next to looking at the punching bag.

"She went up to shower before breakfast. Come on she will meet us there." Sookie told him as they felt heading to the restaurant.

"How are you doing after last night?" Oz asked her after their server had seated them at a booth.

"I am better this morning. How are you? I can't imagine being in there when that guy blew himself up." Sookie said to him.

"It's not the first time I have seen someone or something explode. It probably won't be the last." Oz shrugged looking over the menu.

"Wow! You must have seen lots of crazy things if seeing a man blow up doesn't bother you." Sookie said shaking her head.

"The mayor turned in a huge demon snake at graduation and ate our principal. " Oz shared as Sookie's mouth fell open. "That part was pretty cool but not the whole trying to kill us and take over the world." Buffy walked in wearing jeans and a green tank top with her still wet pulled back in a ponytail and sat down next to Oz taking a menu. "I was telling her about the mayor eating Principal Snyder."

"Sunnydale high Principals do not have long life spans. Principal flute was eaten too but by a group of students. "Buffy told Sookie then their server walked over to them.

"Hi, I'm Amanda. I will be your server. You ready to order?" She asked them.

"I will have the breakfast combo with bacon and a cup of coffee." Sookie ordered handing her the menu.

"I will have the same." Oz said to the server.

"Yes, I can have the same thing but with a side of pancakes. Also the veggie omelet with side of sour cream." Buffy grinned at as the server stared at her.

"Ok."Their server Amanda told her writing it down before walking away.

"You can eat all of that?" Sookie asked her wondering how she stayed so petite.

"It is a slayer thing." Buffy said to her. "Are you guys prepared for today?" She asked him worried.

"Yeah, we will be fine." Sookie told her. "Once we know where Godric is then we are out of there."

"Buffy, you know that you being close to the church would not be good." Oz said knowing Buffy was already thinking of sneaking in the church.

"Fine." Buffy said crossing her arms over her chest.

Later that afternoon

Buffy drove to the mall but instead of turning into the entrance she passed it. She would just sit in the car somewhere close to church just in case. She found a public parking lot across the seat from the church.

Meanwhile

"Wow, you are burning a vampire at dawn." Sookie gushed to Steve Newln with a grin. She felt sick inside pretending but it was necessary to their survival and Godrics.

"Yes, you two must be there to watch." Steve Newlin said to her as Oz smiled at him. "Come back at midnight for the lock in. There will be games and food up until the event."

"We will be there." Oz said as the door opened and a woman walked in.

"I am sorry to interrupt but we need to prepare him." The woman said with a huge smile on her face causing Steven's face to break out in a grin.

"I will be down to the basement as soon as I am finished." He called out to her looking extremely happy. The woman disappeared and Steve grinned at them. "Be here a midnight. There will be food and games and don't forget your sleeping bags." He said to them.

"Can we see him? I have never seen a vampire before. It will be like looking at the devil but I want him to know he will be sent to hell." Sookie began softly then finished loudly with conviction in her voice. She hoped that her acting was good because she and Oz's life depended on it."

"Honey, that is rude to ask him. We will be going." Oz said taking Sookie hand and standing up. Steve Newlin looked at the couple as they headed to the door.

"Ok, I will show you but don't get to comes to the bars." He said to them. "Follow me." Steve added as they followed him into the hall down the steps into a long corridor. Sookie's heart was racing but her face remained calm as Steve unlocked the door with a code. The door shut behind them and they walked down and set of cells. "Godric." Steve called out and a moment later Godric came into the light. "I want you to meet Marie and Dan. They will be attending the event tonight."

Sookie stared at Eric's maker surprised at how young he looked maybe 16 when he was over 1000 years old. Sookie stopped behind Oz, "God will lay down his final judgment upon you and I will be there to see it." Sookie called out to Godric.

"I know. In my very long life, I have caused much pain and suffering. Tonight I will meet the sun and deal with the consequences of my actions. I have lived to long." Godric said looking it her eyes.

"I want to go." Sookie said pretending to be frightened clinging to Oz from behind.

"Yes, we will go. Godric tomorrow will be your day!" Steve exclaimed grinning to him before leading of Sookie and Oz.

Outside the fellowship

Sookie and Oz got into the car and both let out sighs of relief after getting in.

"Let's get out of here." Sookie said to him as Oz started the car. They drove up to the security booth and the guard let them out of the lot. "Thank the lord we are out of there. Those people are totally loony." Sookie exclaimed looking at Oz. "I can't believe that he is there on his own free will."

"I understand wanting to end an endless life. But I wouldn't let those psychos do it." Oz said shaking his head as they drove back to the hotel.

Across the street Buffy started her car in relief watching Oz and Willow drive away. She began backing out of her spot when a car plowed into the driver's side. The air bag flew out and hit Buffy in the face. The driver of the other car walked over to her calling out.

"Miss! Are you ok? I am so sorry." The man exclaimed panicking as he opened her car door bending down to see if she was ok.

"I am fine." Buffy answered a little dazed turning to the voice. The man's eyes grew large when he saw her face. "That bad, huh?" Buffy asked him.

"I will call an ambulance." The man told her reaching into his pocket. Buffy rubbed her face trying to get the feeling back into it when she felt an electrical surge go through her body. She laid there in the seat for a moment hearing the phone calling from for them to come quick.

"You can't escape slayer." The man said laughing as he reached in for her. Buffy kicked him in the jaw sending him backwards as she unbuckled her seat belt getting out making a run for it. She heard a gun got off felt something it her back shoulder then felt to the ground. Buffy tired to stand up but felt too weak before passing out.

Silent Shore Hotel

Oz and Sookie walk in the hotel lobby a few minutes after sunset to find Chow, Bill and Eric already waiting for them.

"They are keeping Godric in the basement and plan on taking him to the roof at sunrise." Sookie said to them as Eric stood up as his eyes glowed. "He went to them and wants to be scarified."

"That cannot be true." Eric yelled at her furious and Oz and Bill stepped in front of her protectively.

"He told us himself in the basement. " Oz said to him then looked around. "Wait, where is Buffy?"

"I will call her." Sookie offered having a very bad feeling as she pulled out her phone to call Buffy. It went start to voicemail. "Her phone is off." She said knowing that the Fellowship must have discovered her somehow.

"They must have her. She would never turn off her phone." Oz managed to tell him. All eyes were on Eric, who stood motionless but his whole body tensed and his eyes glowed as he snarled loudly.

"We will go to the church and leave no survivors." Eric said picking up his cell phone. "This is Eric Northman. The fellowship of the sun has my maker and a human that is important to me. They must all be destroyed." He growled into the phone. "We are on our way." He said then hung up the phone walking to the front entrance quickly.

Fellowship Basement

Buffy opened her eyes feeling very woozy as she tried to sit up. She looked to see she was in a cell and then fell back on the bed.

"This sucks." She said to herself out loud. 'How can I get out of here?' She thought to herself.

"You are the slayer." She heard a voice say to her. Buffy sat up and looked over to see a large man standing at her cell door leering at her.

"I used to be." Buffy said to him. "What do you say you let me out of this cell?" Buffy asked him.

"You will not be leaving that cell until it's time to end your life whore." He said to her. "I can come in and keep you occupied." He added licking his lips as he looked her up and down."

"If you step foot in this cage, you will regret it." Buffy warned him furious as the man laughed at her. "I killed a demon with the flu so come in and test your luck if you want." She added. Buffy knew that she could probably still take him despite the drugs she felt in her system but was not hoping to test it.

"I'll take that bet." He said unlocking the door and walked into the cell shutting it behind him. Buffy stood up straight but was wobbling slightly. "This will be cake." He said approaching her. Buffy fist struck his face breaking his nose. "Bitch!" He yelled tackling her to the ground trying to pin her to the ground. A moment later he was ripped off her and she saw a vampire choking the man. She knew it had to be Godric standing in front of her.

"You will not touch her." Godric said as he snapped his neck. "Are you ok?" He asked throwing the body down walking to her helping her up.

"Godric. We have to get you out of here. "She said leaning on him as he helped her out of the cell.

"I am here on my own free will but you should not be." He said to her. "You are the slayer. Why do you want to save me?" Godric asked her.

"I used to be the slayer. Eric is here in town and we are all here to save you." Buffy told him as they walked down the corridor together.

"I want to meet the sun. You would agree with me if you knew all the things I have done in the last 2000 years. I killed children and babies." He began as Buffy interrupted him.

"I know vampires who have done the same and have changed. All people human or vampires make mistakes that we wish we could change." She told him quietly as they walked. He stood to look at her in the eyes.

"You mean it." He said in shock. "I will help you out but my mind is made up." He insisted as they hurried through the hall but they saw Steve Newlin in front of them. "Play along." He whispered in a voice so low she barely heard it.

"Where are you taking her?" He called anger to Godric.

"I was bringing her to you. I thought it was time." He said feeling Eric was very close to the church.

"Good. This way" Steve said as Godric dragged Buffy to the chapel.

The fellowship of the sun in the chapel

Buffy is being held by the church members. She could feel the drugs wearing off but was trying not to let them know so she could take them by surprise.

"We should let her go." Godric said standing on the stage of the chapel. "I am the one who is paying for my sins."

"She betrayed her own race by refusing to help us and for that she must die." Steve Newlin called out as the congregation yelled amen.

"You are all monsters not vampires." Buffy yelled at them and was backhanded causing her to fall backward and fall on the ground.

"Let's crucify the whore." Steve Newlin said as they drug her to the cross. Buffy felt sheer panic fighting unsuccessfully as she was being dragged to the cross. They tied her to the cross and reached for nails and hammer as Godric felt his anger building inside him.

"I do not agree." Godric yelled as the chapel doors opened to reveal Bill, Sookie, Chow and Eric.

"Let them go." Eric yelled at them furious. "You can take me instead." He said to them seriously.

"There is no instead just first. Bring out the chains." Steve called out as Chow, Eric and Bill moved so quickly they could not be caught. The doors flew open to the chapel and Willow walked in with black eyes.

"Kill the witch." Steve Newlin yelled as Willow put her arms out and all of the church members were thrown against the wall. Oz and Willow ran over to the cross untying Buffy.

"You will pay!" Willow yelled at Steve Newlin as sparks hit him.

"Willow stop!" Buffy called out running over to her now feeling back to normal. The sparks stopped but Steve as still up against the wall unable to move.

"Kill me and I will be a martyr." He gasps out Willow hit him with a current again.

"Stop!" Godric yelled out and it echo through the church. "I will not ease your pain killing this man , child." He said to Willow, who turned to look at him with her eyes still back. "Trust me. I have lived over 2000 years."

"He killed her." Willow voice cracked with emotion.

"It will not bring her back." Godric said touching her shoulder softly. He could feel the witches pain and anger when he did. She looked into his eyes and dropped her arms causing Steve Newlin to fall to the ground.

"You come near or hurt anyone I love then you will wish I would have killed you in the moment." Willow warned him as her eyes went back to her normal brown eyes.

"You dare threaten" Steve Newlin began as Buffy punched him in the jaw knocking him out good. Eric looked at Buffy with an amused smile on his face.

"Let's leave this place." Godric said to everyone. Oz walked over to Willow and gave her a small smile.

"Hey, Willow." He said to her making her smile at him. "It is really good to see you."

"It is good to see you too, Oz." Willow told him as Buffy walked up to them raising a brow at Willow.

"How did find out what was going on?" Buffy asked her curiously as they walked out of the church falling Godric, Eric, Bill, Sookie and Chow.

"I snooped the night you left and came here. " Willow admitted to her best friend. "So, which one is Eric?" Willow whispered to her. Buffy elbowed Willow to shut up and they looked head to see Eric looking back at them smirking. "Oh." She said as Buffy looked away from Eric quickly.

Buffy's Hotel Room

"Thanks." Willow said taking bottled water that Buffy handed to her then took a seat across from her at the table were Willow was sitting.

"Are you ok?" Buffy asked her worried. Buffy was wondering if they did the right thing by letting Newlin live.

"As ok as I can be." Willow answered honestly looking down at the bottled water in her hand. She looked at Buffy. "You weren't exaggerating about Eric." She said changing the subject.

"He is overbearing, stubborn and annoying." Buffy told her crossing her arms over her chest making Willow grin.

"You like him!" Willow exclaimed as Buffy shook her head. "Yes, you do!" Willow said giggling making Buffy smile. She hadn't laughed since Tara died.

"That is just what I did to fall for another vampire." Buffy said to Willow rolling her eyes.

"It is what you need." Willow told her. "You almost seem like you are happy. It is good to see."

"It is good to see you smile and laugh." Buffy replied to her. Willow looked down and the smile left her lips. Buffy knew to change the subject. "I am worried that Godric still wants to meet the sun."

"You should go find him. Tell him thank you from me. I am going to go to bed." Willow said yawning exhausted from using her powers.

"I will." Buffy said getting up and left the room to find Godric.

Silent Shore Hotel Roof

Buffy walked up the steps to the roof to see Eric and Godric.

"Two thousand years is enough." Godric said staring at the sky as Eric stared at him.

"I cannot accept this. It's insanity." Eric told him as Buffy stood there watching. She did not want to interrupt them but found herself unable to move.

"Our existence is insanity. We don't belong here." Godric said turning to look at Eric.

"But we are here!" Eric yelled at him hoping to get through to him.

"It's not right. We are not right." Godric said softly to him.

"You taught me there is no right or wrong." Eric told to Godric. "Only survival or death."

"I told a lie as it turns out."Godric said to him.

Eric took a step forward, "I will keep you alive by force."

"Even if you could, why would you be so cruel?" Godric asked him. Buffy watched as Eric spoke in another language and Godric spoke back to him. Buffy saw Eric begin to cry then a moment later he went down to his knees. She saw tears of blood run down his cheeks.

"Father, brother, son. Let me go." Godric said as Eric cried at his feet. Buffy felt the pain in her chest watching them.

"I won't let you die alone." Eric said to Godric.

"Yes, you will." He replied as more tears of blood ran down Eric's face. Eric looked up as Godric put his hand on his shoulder. "As your maker I command you." Eric stood up slowly backing away before turning around to walk away as he approached Buffy. He stopped in front of her as Buffy took his hand looking up at him.

"I'll stay with him. As long as it takes." Buffy said softly before walking over to Godric. Eric watched her walk towards his maker then went down the steps.

"It won't take long." Godric told Buffy looking at the sky. "Not at my age."

"You know it wasn't very smart. The fellowship of the sun part." Buffy told him.

"I know. I thought it might fix everything somehow. But I do not think like a vampire anymore." He said still staring at the sky as dawn approached. He turned to look at her. "Do you believe in god?"

"I do. I should know I have died twice." She told him. "So I know for a fact there is a heaven."

"How will God punish me?" Godric asked her.

"He does not. God does not punish. He forgives." Buffy told him.

"I do not deserve it but I hope for it." Godric said looking at the slayer.

"We all do." Buffy said honestly.

"You will care for him. Eric." Godric asked her.

"I will do my best." Buffy said to him unsure. "Are very afraid?" She asked Godric as he looked at the sun getting brighter.

"No." He said smiling at her. "I am full of joy."

"But the pain." Buffy said choking up shaking her head. "I am afraid for you." She said as tears welled up in her eyes.

"A human. The slayer with me at the end and human tears." He said to her as smoke began to roll of him. "Over two thousand years and I can still be surprised. In this I see God." He told her as the sun began to rise and he turned to look at it. He walked over closer to the edge of the roof taking of his shirt as he watched the sun rise up in the sky. Buffy cried as she saw him smoking and a few moments later he was gone. She walked over and picked up his shirt off the ground.

"Good bye Godric." Buffy whispered looking at the sun then walked towards the stairs.