Chapter 26 - Decisions Decisions

-Summer's House - Where Last Chap Left Off-

Buffy was already half way down the stairs when Spike finally realized she was coming down to the basement. She stopped quickly at the bottom realizing Faith was down there with him, "You guys are talking?"

Faith nodded, "I got through the whole teenage thing a long time ago."

Buffy nodded and looked at Spike who just smiled back at her. She wasted no time in lunging for him. Luckily for him Faith was in the way and while she was getting up she knocked Buffy backwards. Everbody who followed Buffy was downstairs by now watching Buffy get back up. Spike had the sheet wrapped around his waist to hide anything as he quickly jumped to his feet.

He was no longer smiling as he yelled at Buffy, "Have you gone mad?"

"Just a little bit."

"Good we got that explained then."

Buffy nodded and walked up to him. Without a warning she punched him, knocking him back to a sitting position on the bed. Dawn started yelling, "Buffy! Seriously you're over reacting."

"I am not!"

"Uh yes you are. You didn't even like work anyway."

Spike laughed a little bit, "Principle fired you."

Buffy lunged at him again but he moved just in time to have Buffy fly into the wall on the bed. She sighed as she stood up, "It's your fault."

Spike shook his head, "Maybe you are a little bonkers because the way I remember it Giles and him tried to kill me."

Buffy agreed and stood up, "Yes, but you were suppossed to kill him."

Spike looked completely shocked, "Are you serious? You would rather I killed him then let him go because you got fired?" Buffy was speechless already which made Spike smile. "That's what I thought."

Buffy had enough as she threw the stake at his feet which he easily dodged. Without effort she ran passed everyone up the stairs. Spike sighed to himself under all the myserious looks. "I didn't do this."

Xander nodded, "Oddly I believe you."

Spike's head went into a shocked face, "You? Believe me?"

Xander nodded and Angel stared at Spike, "So what happened Spike? I know I haven't been here long but I still know she wouldn't kill you for some stupid reason."

"She wouldn't have killed me anyway. That was just to get me riled up so I would beet her up. Now if you don't mind I have to go calm a very brassed off slayer." Still only in a sheet he ran upstairs passed everyone. After a few seconds of wondering glances everyone else took off upstairs after him anxious to see what happens next.

-Upstairs - Living Room-

Spike didn't have to go far to find Buffy. She sat on the couch staring at a blank T.V. screen. He walked around and sat beside her. "You want to tell me why you just tried to kill me like four times?"

"I wasn't going to kill you."

"I know but I still want to know why you tried to pick a fight."

Buffy sighed figuring truth was her best out, "I got fired."

"I got that part."

"Yeah well I shouldn't have blamed you, I'm sorry I almost staked you and your foot. I'm fine now."

"Are you really going to make me pry?"

Buffy debated it for a few seconds before taking a deep breath, "I had a job Spike, like a real career. I mean even in the midst of the world ending something was real to me. So I figured hey you're..." Buffy finally looked at him, "...Naked."

Spike looked extremely confused until he realized his current state, "Yes well..."

Buffy smiled, "Were you and Faith...?"

Spike laughed a little bit, "No. She walked down when I was just waking up. If you would have given me a few more seconds maybe..."

Buffy stopped smiling, "You like Faith?"

Spike winked at her, "Why? Does that get under your skin pet?"

Buffy shook her head slowly, "No. Of course not."

"You know you have Angel now right?"

Buffy raised her voice, "I told you I was fine."

Spike stood up, "Good. Your little gang is coming up the stairs now so I'm going to go back down and get dressed."

"Want me to lock Faith down there?"

Spike sighed, "You keep talking Buffy."

"Okay."

At that moment the basement door opened and everyone came pooring out into the hallway. To end the silence Buffy yelled to all of them, "Hey Faith guess what...?"

Spike instantly had his hand over Buffy's mouth and finished her sentence, "You're patrolling with the girls tonight. Well I have to go and actually put some clothes on..." He stared down at Buffy and removed his hand, "...You're going to stay nice and quiet aren't you Buffy?"

Buffy nodded and Spike walked to the basement door. He glared at Buffy before shutting the door and walking down. Faith stared at Buffy, "So what was that?"

Dawn smiled, "Oh, Buffy got fired by the principle which is somehow Spike's fault."

The only person in the room who knew what she was talking about was Angel. Buffy just nodded, "Exactly." She started looking around at everyone and noticed Xander and Anya holding hands and Willow not around Kennedy. "What happened while I was gone? I mean Xander and Anya, Willow and Kennedy, Spike and Faith... Do people get along better without me?"

Angel smiled, "I know I don't."

Buffy was suddenly all giddy, "Good, because then I'd have to stake you."

Angel winked at her but then looked at Conner, "So how was school?"

Conner smiled at Dawn, "It was boring until art class. Dawn and I found out I can draw really good."

Buffy whispered to herself, "Just like your dad."

Conner looked at her, "What?"

"Nothing. So it looks like we'll have to get you into school when the world doesn't end."

"How about just art school? I mean the math stuff was really boring."

"Probably because you kept answering all the questions in like 2 seconds."

Willow clapped her hands, "Oh my god another genius. I have another nerd in the house."

"Nerd is a good thing right?"

Buffy couldn't tell him the truth so she just made him feel good, "Especially to Willow. You just made her day."

Dawn and Conner gave each other clueless looks but those looks turned into smiles. Buffy noticed and started giving orders. "Uh...Dawnie you should start your training with the girls in case we need you. Willow, I want that group of champions thing meeting right now."

"So, you want me to help train the girls?"

Angel answered without hesitation, "No." Buffy smiled at him as he tried to find an explanation, "Uh...You get to be a champion. You're at the meeting."

Dawn looked at Amanda, "Come on. We should change into some workout clothes."

Amanda followed upstairs. Dawn started to but stopped at half, "I'm borrowing some work-out clothes Buffy."

"I swear Dawn if you take my long black pants..."

Dawn was already out of sight as she took off. When she was gone Angel looked at Conner, "Just cute huh?"

When Conner looked at Buffy for help he saw the same questioning look on her face. "Well, hey it's not my fault you put me in school with her."

"Fine. I need a drink Have everyone meet in the living room but the girls and Andrew."

Willow nodded and watched as Buffy walked into the kitchen. Angel followed quickly. Buffy opened the fridge, grabbed a bottle of water and when she closed the door she was staring Angel in the eyes. She smiled after the surprise was gone, "Hey."

Angel smiled back, "Hey. I was going to start the conversation out with how was work but I guess I'm overstepping my balance by a long shot huh?"

Buffy giggled, "It was good until I got fired. How was here? Looks like a lot went on today."

"Yeah. Drama central."

Wesley and Giles were finally revealed to be sititng behind them at the table. Wesley spoke first, "Looks like big meeting time?"

"Yep. Pretty much as soon as Spike get's up here."

"Okay."

So both watchers walked out of the room and into the living room. Angel stared nervously at Buffy, "So whatever happens here stays that way Buffy. Nothing changes."

"I think I can handle that... unless it's you."

Angel smiled, "Ditto!"

They both saw Spike walk up from the basement. They saw Willow walk up to him and heard her tell him about the meeting of all the champions to see who's going to wear the necklace. The second Willow walked away Spike looked towards the kitchen to see Angel and Spike staring at him. He nodded and walked into the living room with everyone else who was waiting for Buffy and Angel. Dawn and Amanda walked down the stairs and into the kitchen. Amanda kept walking outside but Dawn stopped.

She stood directly in front of Buffy, "Don't be brave or I'll kill you."

"Those are my long black pants."

Dawn shrugged and walked into the backyard. Buffy wrapped her hands in Angel's as he smiled down on her, "Listen to your sister."

Buffy reached up for a small kiss, "Come on, let's go decide our fate."

Angel nodded and started walking into the living room, guiding Buffy with the hand he was still holding of hers. When they got into the living room everyone sat in a circle leaving two spaces on the long couch for Buffy and Angel. When they sat down a small silence started the meeting. Buffy had to think of a way to start it but as she thought all eyes were on her, waiting for direction.

Finally she spoke, "So we're gathered here today to find out what we're going to do next."

Willow followed her statement, "You think of anything that has to do with the voice you heard?"

Buffy shrugged, "I have theory's but nothing solid."

Wesley looked at Angel, "So, Cordy, Lorne, Gunn and Fred coming to Sunnydale then?"

"They're already on their way."

Buffy sighed, "Good."

Conner looked around, "So how come no one's bringing up why we're all really in a circle?"

Buffy loved how blunt he was, "Because a lot of people in this room aren't going to like the results."

Spike was defenitely in agreement there, "Yeah, well...we may as well get it over with. I'm looking forward to talking you out of wearing the necklace."

Buffy shook her head and looked around, "Okay then, so how are we going to decide who wears the necklace?"

Anya was excited to actually be giving ideas, "Well first I think we should all know who's up for the necklace. Like I know I'm not doing it."

Buffy agreed, "We already know that Anya. Me, Angel, Spike and Faith. Conner and Willow don't get to be included."

Willow shook her head, "Are you kidding? What makes you guys so special? I mean stronger yes but that is so not fair. I don't want to die or anything but I think if you guys get to die I get to die."

Buffy sighed, "Willow..."

Willow shook her head, "No Buffy. You're the one who made a huge deal to have me here, I get to die too."

Buffy half smiled but then Conner spoke, "Why can't I?"

Angel and Buffy both stared at him and Angel spoke, "Because you mean too much to a lot of people."

Conner nodded, "You and Buffy are in love. I think that counts as meaning a lot to a lot of people."

Xander finally smiled and spoke, "He doesn't mean a lot to me. I think him or Spike would be perfectly fine to wear the necklace."

Buffy sighed and looked at Conner, "If you wore the necklace and something happened I don't think Angel or me could handle that. At least between us five I've died, Angel and Spike are already dead, Faith was born to die and Willow's all full of redemption."

Conner nodded, "So your point is?"

Buffy looked down, "You've got a lot more to lose."

Conner couldn't believe her justification, "You're kidding right?" Buffy tried to speak, "So that's it? If you five do this then I'm not losing as much as you guys. You could die Buffy. I don't care you've done it before, you won't be here anymore. If it's anybody who has a lot to lose it's you."

"Yeah, but I lost them a long time ago."

Conner noticed her change of tone and so did Angel so he took over, "Listen Conner, Buffy and I decided a long time ago that the world comes first, before us but you, you're more important then anything, even the world. The answer's no Conner. You're not going to die like this."

Conner shook his head and sighed. "I can't believe this."

Buffy was suddenly angry, "Why do you want to die huh? It's not so amazing. A few white lights, a little pain and eternal boredom."

Conner stood and walked to the hallway. "It's not that I want to die Buffy. It's that I don't want any of you to leave."

With that Conner left the room and through the kitchen. Buffy sighed and lent back on the couch. Angel smiled over at her, "Calm down Buffy. At least we kept him safe."

Buffy nodded but obviously didn't believe him. Wesley was the one to break the following silence, "Maybe we should find out if this necklace will actually kill the person before we choose who get's to wear it. You could possibly be making a big mistake by being all scared."

Buffy shook her head, "If anything happens suddenly, we're going to need to know who's wearing the necklace. If we are over exaggerating then we'll laugh about it later but right now we're playing it safe."

Everyone was in agreement and Spike finally spoke, "So how are we going to decide this?"

It was then that Conner came back in with 6 straws. He looked around the room, "We draw. That way no one decides the fate of no one but fate."

Buffy looked at the number of straws, "You've already included yourself, haven't you?"

Conner nodded but Angel shook his head, "No!"

Conner smiled at him, "If I'm meant to live I won't draw the short straw."

That silenced Angel which scared even Buffy. Spike took charge, "Okay then, who's holding the straws?"

Xander walked up to Conner and took them all not really paying attention to the actual straws. "Well, god luck everyone." He looked up to the cieling, "Don't let it be Buffy!"

Buffy smiled as Xander looked at Conner. Conner quickly took a straw not revealing it to anyone. Xander then walked to Willow, "Pick a long one Will."

Willow smiled and picked a straw fairly quickly. She also didn't reveal it as Xander walked over to Faith. Faith barely cared as she whipped a straw out of Xander's hand. He walked over to Spike next and smiled, "Pick the short straw Spike."

Spike glared at him and picked a straw. He was standing in front of Buffy and Angel now. Angel sighed and picked a straw. Buffy took the last one hesitantly and looked around. When Xander sat down the whole room was filled with only the voice of Buffy, "So, who loses?"

Conner threw his straw on the table and smiled as Buffy and Angel let out a small sigh of relief. Willow threw hers on the table to see that it matched the size of Conner's. Buffy smiled, "Well, doesn't seem like a big thing now does it Willow?"

Willow smiled and everyone looked at Faith who threw hers on the table. It matched the size of Conner's and Willow's and she actually cursed herself. She stared at Spike, Angel and Buffy. "Looks like one of you get what you wanted." Spike, Buffy and Angel glared at each other for the longest time. Buffy squeezed Angel's hand tighter then ever as Angel threw his straw down.