NOT REALLY HERE (1.02.10)
Buffy looks up to see Angel and Spike run through a secret entrance, "What?" She looks at Autum who shrugs.
"I told you I'd help you figure out who you loved… and that they wouldn't be injured."
Buffy looks wide-eyed at Angel, "I didn't… I mean…"
Spike sees the look in her eyes, "Oh, I get it… too good for jolly ol' Spike. Soul's not what it once was… but I'm better for it. Say tata and be on my marry way, then."
Buffy bounces up off the floor and grabs Spike's arm, "No… you can't leave."
"Why not?" Angel asks her.
"Because of the fight."
"And why should I stick around?"
"The fight."
"So neither of us are good enough for you?"
Autum laughs, "Lamb, she thinks the two of you are too good for her… don't you, pet?"
Buffy tries to hide… sink into her surroundings… but there wasn't anywhere in this room that would help.
"Buffy?" Willow asks her, "I mean… I know we haven't talked in over a year… but I've never heard you admit to loving Spike… every time we ask… you just say that you never really loved him… that you were just using him. It doesn't make any sense."
"She told me it once." Spike whispers. They all look at him. "In the Hellmouth… she didn't want to leave. She told me… every time she thinks I'm dead she tells me."
"Spike…"
"Save it Summers… I've heard enough for one night. I'll be… away." He turns out of the room.
Buffy runs after him, "Spike… Spike… William STOP AND LISTEN TO ME RIGHT NOW!"
Spike turns and looks her in the eye. "What you gonna say now, pet? Too late… tomorrow morning I'm gone."
"But you can't just leave."
"Watch me."
"But… you're the only one who's never given up on me…" Buffy starts to cry. Spike had never left before… he never decided what was best for her… Angel was the one that did that.
"Not givin' up, pet… taking a break. I'd never be able to leave for good… you know that."
"Then why won't you stay now?"
"Because you don't need me anymore… you don't need me in the fight… you've got Angel. He's what you need. You're ready to let me go."
"But I'm not… I meant what I said Spike… in the Hellmouth… back there. I meant it."
"But not as much as you love Angel… I can't compare to him… never could. He's the bloody thorn in my bleedin' thigh. Sod all else if it weren't for you, Buffy. I'd've staked him long ago if I'd've half a chance. He took away Dru… he took away you." Buffy tries to absorb it… but Spike leaves before she looks up.
Buffy walks back into the room without seeing anything. "He's gone… he's… tomorrow. He's leaving."
"Good." Angel says. Buffy sits down in shock.
"Me…. He won't stay… I asked him to, but he won't…" Autum pulls the Slayer up and pulls her out of the room. "Where're we going?"
"Your room… you need to lay down, pet… there's nothing they can do for you."
"How is she?" Angel asks Autum, standing.
"How do you think?"
"And Spike?"
"I'm going to go talk to him before he leaves… wish him a fond farewell."
Angel snorts, "Farewell… sure. I remember your farewells."
Autum's face turns bright red, "If you don't mind, I think I'm the one who remembers more things then you could possibly."
"Like what?"
Autum winks, "Wouldn't be a right show of a lady like me to be telling yah, now would it master Liam?" She does a mock Irish accent and Angel backs off. "There's a good little soldier."
Gunn's watching Autum. 'She's a tough one to figure. Never know what she'll do next' he thinks. The newest leader of his old gang comes over to him, "Gunn, we gonna head outta here. This isn't place for us. What do you say you come?"
Gunn looks at Autum, 'it's not the mission any more' "K… where to and when?"
"Tonight… ninish."
"I'll be there."
Someone screams. Everyone heads upstairs to find Illyria stabbing Autum over and over… Angel calls out to her, "You can't kill her."
"You, half-breed, do not know of our ways." Illyria sneers. Willow and Xander charge at her, she knocks them out with one smooth motion. "Pathetic humans… you don't know real terror… she is what brings it."
"No… but I can heal you…" Autum whispers. Illyria hisses at her and jumps away. Autum's wounds heal and she appears behind Illyria. Illyria turns and Autum grabs her head. "I think I will…"
When Illyria drops to the floor, she's no longer Illyria… she's Fred. Fred lays on the floor, panting as she looks around her, "Where am I?" She squeaks it out.
Autum enters her room… he's there again. "What're you doing here?"
"Maybe I should ask you."
"I'm doing the job I was assigned."
"You were not meant to through Illyria out of the dimension, nor return Winifred Burkle from beyond the ether."
"What you going to do with me then? You can't take away my immortality, nor my rank."
"It seems my trust was misplaced."
"You can't control the people of the world, that's what the fates do. You can only imply what is right. If the world goes to hell… it was meant to."
"I don't care for your attitude, little girl. You do the forbidden and I will have your immortality to show for it."
"Immortality isn't the only thing I have."
"It's not very wise, my dear, to tell the one being that is truly more powerful then yourself that they're wrong. I'll see you again soon."
"Yes father." She answers him as he places a kiss on her forehead. He could take her immortality, she doesn't care about it anymore. The one mistake he made…