Chapter Twenty-One
Giles pondered the proposition of re-acquiring his soul while the others around him picked apart the how and why of it.
"Is this another ploy of the Powers that Be?" asked Buffy.
"Actually, no," said Tara. "Their grand mission is simply to help their 'chosen champions'."
"Nicely vague," scoffed Spike.
"Sounds just like them," said Buffy.
Giles couldn't help but notice how their knees touched under the table, or the seemingly unconscious action of Spike rubbing the pad of his thumb across the back of Buffy's hand, which rested on his thigh.
"The thing is, they don't seem to like any of my methods of helping. I want to try this, but I don't know if they'll let me."
"That's why you don't wanna wait," said Buffy.
Willow gave a tight smile. "We're not sure how long Tara will be around now Spike is back."
"How would it work?" asked Dawn. "Is it like how you got Angel his soul back?"
"No. This isn't a curse."
"So, it's like how Spike got his?" Dawn pressed.
Spike flinched ever so slightly, but said nothing as he waited for Tara to reply.
"There's a spell. It's much bigger magic than Angel's curse, especially since it includes so many people but nothing dark."
"Okay," said Buffy, "But who's gonna do it, because – no offense, Tara – but you're all un-bodied."
"I can do it," said Willow, timidly. She didn't meet the Slayer's gaze. "Tara talked me through the ingredients and incantations."
Buffy turned to Giles expectantly. He cleared his throat.
"Willow still has her magic. At this point, it's a part of who she is. It would be pointless in her trying to give it up. In England, we instead focused on grounding the power. I believe she's more than capable."
Buffy frowned, thinking on it, before finally saying, "If you think it's safe, I trust you." Her eyes travelled to Willow. "I'll give you a chance."
A silent tear ran down Willow's cheek. She uttered muted thanks.
"We're trying this, then," said Dawn, resolutely.
"It does seem settled," affirmed Giles. He called Xander and Anya, who arrived a half-hour later – together. Quickly, Tara gave them a rundown of the plan.
Everyone helped clear the living room of furniture, where they then sat in a circle with eyes closed and hands joined. In the middle was a bowl full of smoldering herbs.
Willow got the spell up and running and then, at the key part, Tara said, "Everyone wishing to reclaim their soul must now make a decision. In your mind, either say yes or no."
There was a flash of light and the sound of chiming bells.
Spike and Tara gasped.
Everyone opened their eyes.
Buffy looked at Spike. His breathing was labored and hand was shaking in hers. She opened her mouth to ask if he was okay, but was distracted by Tara crying and falling into Willow's arms.
Willow caught her new corporeal form.
Buffy jumped to her feet. "What's going on?"
Willow and Tara were too choked up to answer, but Giles said, "It would appear Tara chose the return of her soul. The Powers have released her back to human form."
Buffy turned on her heal back to Spike. "What did you do?"
He had mostly caught his breath but was still panting slightly. "Bloody gave it up, didn't I?"
"What?" exclaimed Xander.
Spike didn't look at him. His eyes didn't leave Buffy's. "Knew you'd be done with souls, after all this. If you're gonna be without a ticket to heaven, I don't bloody want one. All of it's about you, Buffy. If they don't matter to you, then I couldn't give a toss."
Tears gathered in her eyes. "But it cost you everything," she heard herself say, the words half-choked.
"Almost," he allowed. "But of all the regrets I have, that isn't one of them."
Buffy fell into his arms and kissed his face, not caring who was watching.
"Wait," said Xander. "Buffy didn't accept her soul?"
"I didn't either," said Anya, beside him.
Tentatively, Dawn asked, "Did anyone, except Tara?"
She was met with resounding silence.