p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"No you don't, but thanks for saying it."/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"Th words had barely left Spike's mouth before he regretted them. Buffy's eyes immediately filled with tears as she continued to gaze in horror at him. He felt helpless as the world crashed down around them./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"He also felt pain, given that his arm was on fire./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"Suddenly an almighty jolt resounded through the earth, and they were yanked apart. Spike clenched his teeth through the pain, but he was able to remain aware of his dire situation. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Now go," he told her firmly, but she shook her head./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Not without you," she insisted. He began to protest./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Buffy…" he started. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"No!" she yelled, "Look! You've done your job, so you're coming with me!" He glanced around at the chaos surrounding them and realized she had a point. He reached up and tore the amulet from his neck, hurling it into the depths of the hellmouth. He looked at her./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Let's go."/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"***/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"She grabbed his arm and together they half-stumbled, half-sprinted up the rapidly deteriorating stone staircase. Behind them, the cavern crumbled as the ceiling collapsed. Spike reached the mouth of the Seal of Danzalthar first and bent down to pull Buffy through. Clutching her scythe, she clambered to her feet. Together, they ran through the hallway. Debris fell from the ceiling, and they only just leaped aside just in time. As they dashed past the lockers, a gaping hole opened up in the floor. Spike stumbled, but grasped Buffy's outstretched hand just in time. He let out a crazed laugh of relief, and reached the doorway with her- only to be stopped short by the sun. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"Buffy's eyes widened. Spike grinned at her, then pulled his duster over his head./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Good thinking!" she panted with a smile of relief./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Didn't think I wore this thing just for fashion, did you pet?" came the muffled reply. They ran down the steps, Buffy guiding his direction under the coat. In the distance she could see a yellow school bus speeding out of Sunnydale. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Ok, I think the others are in a bus. Let's get to a car," she ordered, and they threw themselves into the nearest vehicle. As she started the vehicle and accelerated down Main Street, Buffy glanced over at Spike worriedly./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"So, I, er, have to admit that driving and Buffy are non-mixy things. Me and cars have never gotten along too well," she mumbled. A smothered laugh came from beneath the duster. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"No worries, love. Just concentrate on the roa- bloody hell!"/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"What is it? What's wrong?" Buffy asked frantically, her iron grip threatening to crush the steering wheel./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Don't look now, Slayer, but Sunnyhell appears to be… crumbling," he replied. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Okay!" she squeaked back./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"As they reached the outskirts of Sunnydale, Buffy spied the yellow school bus./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Ok, the others have stopped. I think they're past the boundaries." She pulled up beside them, proud of her unusual driving skills. She turned to Spike. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"I'll just be a minute, ok? We need to work out where we're going." A just discernible nod came from beneath the duster, and Buffy left the car./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"Giles, Xander, Willow, Faith and Dawn were gleefully inspecting the crater that had once been Sunnydale. They turned and exclaimed joyfully as Buffy joined them./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Looks like the hellmouth is officially closed for business!" Faith remarked. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"There's another one in Cleveland! Not to spoil the mood," Giles added hastily from behind./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"We need to find somewhere to stay, and quick," Buffy announced. At the puzzled faces of her friends, she quickly told them about Spike's sunlight predicament in the car./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Well, what about LA?" suggested Willow. Buffy nodded grimly. She knew she needed to have a little emchat /emwith Angel about what that amulet nearly did to Spike. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Yeah, that sounds good. Spike and I will join you on the bus- as I said said to him,Buffy and driving are un-mixy things. Plus, I can't properly close the car door." At the others' questioning looks, she elaborated./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"I just opened it by force, given our lack of a key. Spike hotwired the car. I think. I don't really understand that stuff."/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"emI'm /ema key!" Dawn grinned. The others rolled their eyes./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Okay, let's get going," Giles called to the group as a whole. They all stepped up onto the bus, and then watched in amusement as Spike made his dangerous journey from the car to the bus. Giles started the engine as the Scoobies all sat down, Buffy and Spike sitting at the back. He slid down below the window, where no rays of the sun could reach him, and pulled his duster off./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Finally!" he gasped, while Buffy laughed at him./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"You don't even need to breathe, you dork!" she said, raising an eyebrow. Spike looked scandalized./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"I still get hot, you know! Christ, a vampire can have problems, can't he?" he grumbled. But, at the look on Buffy's face, he sobered. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"So, um, what you said down there. Did you, you know, mean it?"/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"Buffy exploded./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Yes, I meant it, you stupid, stubborn,emshirty /emvampire! Why do you think I said it?" she yelled. Everybody in the bus turned to looked at them. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"You, er, ok back there Buff? Bleached wonder getting on your nerves?" Xander enquired tentatively. Buffy gritted her teeth. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"No, everything's emfine, /emXand. Please, go back to whatever you were doing." Her friends nodded uneasily, and resumed their conversations. When Buffy turned, Spike was shaking with silent laughter. She glared furiously at him, but he did not subside. On the contrary, he laughed harder, snorts occasionally escaping him. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"It's not funny!" she hissed, while he tried desperately to contain himself. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Sorry, pet. Just thinkin' about what the whelp would say if he knew what you were yelling about."/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"Reluctantly, Buffy allowed a small smile to creep across her face./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"I suppose you do have a point," she conceded. He tilted his head at her./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"I just thought you might have been sayin' it so I could die happy. Be at peace, you know."/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"Buffy opened her mouth… and closed it again. She nodded. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"I see what you mean, but that wasn't it. I said it because it's true," she affirmed. His face lit up./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"You really mean it?" he asked joyfully. She rolled her eyes./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"How many times do I have to say yes?" she asked in exasperation. When she next looked at him, he was practically bouncing up and down with glee. emGreat,/emshe thought. emI'm gonna have a hyperactive vampire next to me for the rest of the way./em/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"***/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"By the time they reached the outskirts of Los Angeles, Buffy was asleep, along with most of the other Slayers. Night had fallen, and the pale moonlight illuminated the sleeping faces. Yawning, Spike heaved himself to his feet and traipsed up to the front of the bus. He plopped himself down opposite Giles, who was still never taking his eyes off the road. He looked fatigued, but determined. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"So Watcher, your Slayer isn't the one and only chosen anymore. How's that feel?" he asked. Giles' face was weary./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Spike, I really think even you must understand that it is too early to say. We're going to have a lot of work ahead of us, and I don't think any of us wants to discuss it tonight," he replied curtly. Spike raised his eyebrows./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Uh-huh. Right."/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"Giles took in a deep breath, as if preparing himself for a long speech./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Spike, what happened down there in the hellmouth? What was Buffy yelling at you about earlier?"/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"Spike smirked. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Heard that, did you?" he chuckled. Giles' mouth twisted into a wry smile. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Hard not to. She seemed rather… agitated,"he answered. Spike shook his head with a grin. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Yeah… in the hellmouth. I was wearing the amulet, which turned out to channel sunlight through the soul of yours truly. Burned all the uber-vamps to ashes, then started on the wearer. I was tryin' to go out all noble, only Buffy wasn't having it. She got me to rip off the necklace just in time, and we got out. End of story." He shrugged. Giles, however, raised his eyebrows. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"And that's all that happened?" he repeated, glancing at Spike shrewdly. Spike tensed./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"We had some words, but those are between myself and the Slayer," he responded stiffly. Giles gave a terse nod and returned his concentration to the road. Spike walked slowly back up the length of the bus, noting the many cars parked outside hotels and inns. Clearly, they were not the only ex-Sunnydale residents to flee to LA. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"He had crept halfway up the bus when he heard Faith's voice. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Hey Blondie. You ok?"/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"Spike gave a short chuckle, and nodded his head. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Yeah. Glad to be out from the daylight." /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"Faith laughed. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Must be rough. You miss it? The sun, I mean," she asked. He shook his head./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Nah, not really. Would like to know if I tan, though," he replied. He lowered himself onto an adjacent seat, and looked at her in concern./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"You ok?"/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"She shook herself, and forced a smile./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Yeah, just kinda nervous about going back to the city. Who knows how many cops are looking for me?" she pointed out. Spike widened his eyes. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Bloody hell, I never thought of that. We'll have to be careful. Angel has some lawyer types working for him, doesn't he?" /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"Faith shrugged./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Yeah, I think so. I guess he could easily get them to drop the charges. It's just, should I? I mean, I did some seriously bad shit, man. I killed tons of innocent people. I don't really know how to make up for that, you know?"/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"True. Way I see it, there's two ways to look at it. One is what Peachesdid- mope for a century, wait for someone to tell you to get your act together, and get some to do stuff for you by lookin' miserable. Or, you can decide to do some good to make amends instead of rotting away in the slammer," he finished. She stared at him./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Peaches?"/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Angel," he confirmed. She let out a bark of laughter. At that moment, Giles' voice rang through the bus, coaxing the Slayers and Scoobies awake. Buffy came up behind Spike. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Looks like we're here." Spike grinned. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Right you are, love."/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"***/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"Buffy, Spike, Willow, Xander, Giles and Faith clomped off the bus and into the Hyperion Hotel. Willow would have thought that the presence of so many looking so weary would have inspired a few surprised stares from passers by, but clearly Angel Investigations brought in many a disheveled traveller. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"Buffy strode up to the front desk, and was surprised to see Harmony sitting behind it, talking on the phone. As she turned and noticed Buffy, a slightly fearful look came across her face. Buffy and her friends waited patiently for her to finish, and when she did, her voice was fearful and high-pitched./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Hi Buffy- I mean, emSlayer!"/em/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"Buffy fought down a laugh (unlike Spike, who was openly chortling). /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Hi Harmony, would we be able to talk to Angel?" she asked gently. Harmony visibly relaxed./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Sure. He's in his office. And Spikey, what are you giggling about? Is something up with my hair?" She sounded panicked, and Buffy discreetly stamped on his foot./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"I-emow!/emNo, it's nothing, Harm. Nothing at all," he smirked. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Whatever. Slayer, I can handle him if you ever need help. Trust me, I'm used to it" Harmony sniffed, whilst Spike's eyebrows travelled higher and higher up his forehead. Buffy felt that it was perhaps time to remove themselves from the area before Spike pissed anyone off too badly. It was a habit of his. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Ok, we'll go talk to Angel. Thanks, Harmony," she said firmly. Together, the group climbed the stairs until they reached Angel's office. Buffy took a deep breath, and knocked loudly. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"***/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"So, let me get this straight. Sunnydale is a crater, because of… Spike?" Angel asked incredulously. Buffy sighed. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Noem,/emAngel. The amulet, which emyou/emgave me by the way, channelled sunlight through Spike's soul and destroyed the uber-vamps. It then started to destroy the hellmouth. Spike and I got out just in time." /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"Angel furrowed his brow. "So where's the amulet?" /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"In the hellmouth. Spike ripped it off. Just before it emincinerated/emhim, I might add!" Buffy glared at Angel, who inched away hastily./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"I didn't know what it would do! I was just given it by Wolfram and Hart!" he shot back. She sighed, and wearily ran a hand through her hair. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Yeah, I'm sorry. I was just so scared." /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"Angel frowned but did not press the issue./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"So that was all that happened? Spike wore the amulet and burnt up the turok-hans?" he asked. Buffy shook her head./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"No. We did a spell… long story short, there are now hundreds of Slayers running around. There arearound ten on the bus outside; they fought with us in the now have a lot of Slayers to round up, bases to establish, a Council to rebuild… I don't think I'm going to get too much sleep. At least not for the next few years." She looked so exhausted that Giles thought it a good time to jump in and give her a break. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"We decided to stay in LA very briefly, seeing as it isn't too far from what was Sunnydale. And, of course, we could get you up to speed on the situation," he informed Angel. Buffy smiled gratefully and stood up./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Well, I think we're just about done. Guys?" There were nods of assent throughout the group, and Angel stood up too. As he walked them to the front door, Buffy assured him that she would indeed drop in when they left the city. The group- minus Angel- boarded the bus. Buffy stood at the front and clapped her hands./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Ok, everyone. All awake? Good. We've been to see Angel, so now we're going to find someplace to stay. Probably a hotel. There are a lot of you though so please, for the love of god, emstick together./emDon't wander off. Right now you're gonna have a lot of questions about what we're going to do, where we'll go when we leave LA. However, I really can't answer any of those things until we have a chance to discuss our situation. The First has been defeated, but not destroyed. We don't know if it'll come back. We are vulnerable right now, so we all need to be on our guard. Ok? Good. Let's go, Giles."/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"***/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"They arrived at their hotel, causing quite a commotion when their fellow guests realized just how large their group was. When Buffy finally made it to the room she would be sharing with Dawn, she immediately collapsed onto the bed face-first. Dawn watched sympathetically. She emhad /embeen about to boast to her sister all about the turok-hans she had killed in the battle… but she got the impression that the Slayer was done for the night. Because what a day it had been. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"Dawn knew that all the new Slayers would be nervous about their calling, about the fight that would last for the rest of their lives. She remembered frequently hearing Buffy gripe about all the responsibility placed on her shoulders. The weight of the world, quite literally. It sounded rough, especially the low life-expectancy. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"But at the same time…/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"It also sounded exciting. A real purpose, no doubts. An ability to actually do some serious good in the world. Plus, superpowers? Pretty cool./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"Dawn sighed. Like Xander said, Buffy would never understand that. Just like Dawn would never understand what it is to be a Slayer. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"***/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"Willow, meanwhile, was brushing her teeth while Kennedy got changed. Like Buffy, she was wiped out. And no wonder! Today she had performed one of the most powerful spells that had ever been performed, and had undoubtably changed the course of history. She could feel every Slayer awakening, like some great Mexican wave of superpowered teenage girls. And she hadn't gone at all evil or veiny. On the contrary, the way Kennedy told it, she had looked like a goddess. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"emOh Tara, if only you could have seen me today. /em/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"Kennedy was… great. No-one else seemed to like her very much, but she made Willow feel good. And that was nice. But she didn't know her, didn't emunderstand /emher like Tara had. Kennedy thought that witchcraft was her hobby, her new-age pastime. Only Tara had understood the way it had been a part of her, running with the blood in her veins. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"And there were parts of Kennedy that… well, it did seem like no-one could get anything right except her. Like she said, she emwas/emkind of a brat./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"***/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"Xander sat down heavily on the bed, dropping his head into his hands. He inhaled a large breath, and exhaled. It changed nothing. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"Anya was dead. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"No amount of mental preparation could have equipped him to process that information; it simply didn't make sense. Anya had always been so full of life- surely her flame was one that could never be extinguished? /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"Every moment, he expected her to come and put her arm round him and order him to stop moping. And he would smile at her, and go make breakfast. But never again./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"Andrew ambled into the room, humming the Star Trek theme. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Xander? Are you ok?" he cried, rushing to the side of his fellow nerd. Xander sniffed and nodded. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"I was just thinking about… did you see what happened to Anya?" he pleaded. Andrew paused, and then very carefully answered./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"She was incredible. She died saving my life."/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"Xander straightened up, proud of her last moments. He clapped a hand on Andrew's shoulder. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"That was my girl. Always doing the stupid thing."/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"Th words had barely left Spike's mouth before he regretted them. Buffy's eyes immediately filled with tears as she continued to gaze in horror at him. He felt helpless as the world crashed down around them./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"He also felt pain, given that his arm was on fire./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"Suddenly an almighty jolt resounded through the earth, and they were yanked apart. Spike clenched his teeth through the pain, but he was able to remain aware of his dire situation. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Now go," he told her firmly, but she shook her head./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Not without you," she insisted. He began to protest./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Buffy…" he started. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"No!" she yelled, "Look! You've done your job, so you're coming with me!" He glanced around at the chaos surrounding them and realized she had a point. He reached up and tore the amulet from his neck, hurling it into the depths of the hellmouth. He looked at her./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Let's go."/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"***/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"She grabbed his arm and together they half-stumbled, half-sprinted up the rapidly deteriorating stone staircase. Behind them, the cavern crumbled as the ceiling collapsed. Spike reached the mouth of the Seal of Danzalthar first and bent down to pull Buffy through. Clutching her scythe, she clambered to her feet. Together, they ran through the hallway. Debris fell from the ceiling, and they only just leaped aside just in time. As they dashed past the lockers, a gaping hole opened up in the floor. Spike stumbled, but grasped Buffy's outstretched hand just in time. He let out a crazed laugh of relief, and reached the doorway with her- only to be stopped short by the sun. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"Buffy's eyes widened. Spike grinned at her, then pulled his duster over his head./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Good thinking!" she panted with a smile of relief./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Didn't think I wore this thing just for fashion, did you pet?" came the muffled reply. They ran down the steps, Buffy guiding his direction under the coat. In the distance she could see a yellow school bus speeding out of Sunnydale. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Ok, I think the others are in a bus. Let's get to a car," she ordered, and they threw themselves into the nearest vehicle. As she started the vehicle and accelerated down Main Street, Buffy glanced over at Spike worriedly./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"So, I, er, have to admit that driving and Buffy are non-mixy things. Me and cars have never gotten along too well," she mumbled. A smothered laugh came from beneath the duster. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"No worries, love. Just concentrate on the roa- bloody hell!"/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"What is it? What's wrong?" Buffy asked frantically, her iron grip threatening to crush the steering wheel./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Don't look now, Slayer, but Sunnyhell appears to be… crumbling," he replied. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Okay!" she squeaked back./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"As they reached the outskirts of Sunnydale, Buffy spied the yellow school bus./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Ok, the others have stopped. I think they're past the boundaries." She pulled up beside them, proud of her unusual driving skills. She turned to Spike. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"I'll just be a minute, ok? We need to work out where we're going." A just discernible nod came from beneath the duster, and Buffy left the car./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"Giles, Xander, Willow, Faith and Dawn were gleefully inspecting the crater that had once been Sunnydale. They turned and exclaimed joyfully as Buffy joined them./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Looks like the hellmouth is officially closed for business!" Faith remarked. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"There's another one in Cleveland! Not to spoil the mood," Giles added hastily from behind./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"We need to find somewhere to stay, and quick," Buffy announced. At the puzzled faces of her friends, she quickly told them about Spike's sunlight predicament in the car./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Well, what about LA?" suggested Willow. Buffy nodded grimly. She knew she needed to have a little emchat /emwith Angel about what that amulet nearly did to Spike. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Yeah, that sounds good. Spike and I will join you on the bus- as I said said to him,Buffy and driving are un-mixy things. Plus, I can't properly close the car door." At the others' questioning looks, she elaborated./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"I just opened it by force, given our lack of a key. Spike hotwired the car. I think. I don't really understand that stuff."/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"emI'm /ema key!" Dawn grinned. The others rolled their eyes./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Okay, let's get going," Giles called to the group as a whole. They all stepped up onto the bus, and then watched in amusement as Spike made his dangerous journey from the car to the bus. Giles started the engine as the Scoobies all sat down, Buffy and Spike sitting at the back. He slid down below the window, where no rays of the sun could reach him, and pulled his duster off./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Finally!" he gasped, while Buffy laughed at him./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"You don't even need to breathe, you dork!" she said, raising an eyebrow. Spike looked scandalized./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"I still get hot, you know! Christ, a vampire can have problems, can't he?" he grumbled. But, at the look on Buffy's face, he sobered. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"So, um, what you said down there. Did you, you know, mean it?"/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"Buffy exploded./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Yes, I meant it, you stupid, stubborn,emshirty /emvampire! Why do you think I said it?" she yelled. Everybody in the bus turned to looked at them. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"You, er, ok back there Buff? Bleached wonder getting on your nerves?" Xander enquired tentatively. Buffy gritted her teeth. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"No, everything's emfine, /emXand. Please, go back to whatever you were doing." Her friends nodded uneasily, and resumed their conversations. When Buffy turned, Spike was shaking with silent laughter. She glared furiously at him, but he did not subside. On the contrary, he laughed harder, snorts occasionally escaping him. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"It's not funny!" she hissed, while he tried desperately to contain himself. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Sorry, pet. Just thinkin' about what the whelp would say if he knew what you were yelling about."/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"Reluctantly, Buffy allowed a small smile to creep across her face./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"I suppose you do have a point," she conceded. He tilted his head at her./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"I just thought you might have been sayin' it so I could die happy. Be at peace, you know."/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"Buffy opened her mouth… and closed it again. She nodded. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"I see what you mean, but that wasn't it. I said it because it's true," she affirmed. His face lit up./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"You really mean it?" he asked joyfully. She rolled her eyes./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"How many times do I have to say yes?" she asked in exasperation. When she next looked at him, he was practically bouncing up and down with glee. emGreat,/emshe thought. emI'm gonna have a hyperactive vampire next to me for the rest of the way./em/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"***/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"By the time they reached the outskirts of Los Angeles, Buffy was asleep, along with most of the other Slayers. Night had fallen, and the pale moonlight illuminated the sleeping faces. Yawning, Spike heaved himself to his feet and traipsed up to the front of the bus. He plopped himself down opposite Giles, who was still never taking his eyes off the road. He looked fatigued, but determined. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"So Watcher, your Slayer isn't the one and only chosen anymore. How's that feel?" he asked. Giles' face was weary./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Spike, I really think even you must understand that it is too early to say. We're going to have a lot of work ahead of us, and I don't think any of us wants to discuss it tonight," he replied curtly. Spike raised his eyebrows./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Uh-huh. Right."/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"Giles took in a deep breath, as if preparing himself for a long speech./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Spike, what happened down there in the hellmouth? What was Buffy yelling at you about earlier?"/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"Spike smirked. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Heard that, did you?" he chuckled. Giles' mouth twisted into a wry smile. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Hard not to. She seemed rather… agitated,"he answered. Spike shook his head with a grin. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Yeah… in the hellmouth. I was wearing the amulet, which turned out to channel sunlight through the soul of yours truly. Burned all the uber-vamps to ashes, then started on the wearer. I was tryin' to go out all noble, only Buffy wasn't having it. She got me to rip off the necklace just in time, and we got out. End of story." He shrugged. Giles, however, raised his eyebrows. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"And that's all that happened?" he repeated, glancing at Spike shrewdly. Spike tensed./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"We had some words, but those are between myself and the Slayer," he responded stiffly. Giles gave a terse nod and returned his concentration to the road. Spike walked slowly back up the length of the bus, noting the many cars parked outside hotels and inns. Clearly, they were not the only ex-Sunnydale residents to flee to LA. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"He had crept halfway up the bus when he heard Faith's voice. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Hey Blondie. You ok?"/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"Spike gave a short chuckle, and nodded his head. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Yeah. Glad to be out from the daylight." /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"Faith laughed. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Must be rough. You miss it? The sun, I mean," she asked. He shook his head./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Nah, not really. Would like to know if I tan, though," he replied. He lowered himself onto an adjacent seat, and looked at her in concern./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"You ok?"/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"She shook herself, and forced a smile./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Yeah, just kinda nervous about going back to the city. Who knows how many cops are looking for me?" she pointed out. Spike widened his eyes. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Bloody hell, I never thought of that. We'll have to be careful. Angel has some lawyer types working for him, doesn't he?" /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"Faith shrugged./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Yeah, I think so. I guess he could easily get them to drop the charges. It's just, should I? I mean, I did some seriously bad shit, man. I killed tons of innocent people. I don't really know how to make up for that, you know?"/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"True. Way I see it, there's two ways to look at it. One is what Peachesdid- mope for a century, wait for someone to tell you to get your act together, and get some to do stuff for you by lookin' miserable. Or, you can decide to do some good to make amends instead of rotting away in the slammer," he finished. She stared at him./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Peaches?"/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Angel," he confirmed. She let out a bark of laughter. At that moment, Giles' voice rang through the bus, coaxing the Slayers and Scoobies awake. Buffy came up behind Spike. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Looks like we're here." Spike grinned. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Right you are, love."/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"***/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"Buffy, Spike, Willow, Xander, Giles and Faith clomped off the bus and into the Hyperion Hotel. Willow would have thought that the presence of so many looking so weary would have inspired a few surprised stares from passers by, but clearly Angel Investigations brought in many a disheveled traveller. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"Buffy strode up to the front desk, and was surprised to see Harmony sitting behind it, talking on the phone. As she turned and noticed Buffy, a slightly fearful look came across her face. Buffy and her friends waited patiently for her to finish, and when she did, her voice was fearful and high-pitched./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Hi Buffy- I mean, emSlayer!"/em/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"Buffy fought down a laugh (unlike Spike, who was openly chortling). /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Hi Harmony, would we be able to talk to Angel?" she asked gently. Harmony visibly relaxed./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Sure. He's in his office. And Spikey, what are you giggling about? Is something up with my hair?" She sounded panicked, and Buffy discreetly stamped on his foot./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"I-emow!/emNo, it's nothing, Harm. Nothing at all," he smirked. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Whatever. Slayer, I can handle him if you ever need help. Trust me, I'm used to it" Harmony sniffed, whilst Spike's eyebrows travelled higher and higher up his forehead. Buffy felt that it was perhaps time to remove themselves from the area before Spike pissed anyone off too badly. It was a habit of his. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Ok, we'll go talk to Angel. Thanks, Harmony," she said firmly. Together, the group climbed the stairs until they reached Angel's office. Buffy took a deep breath, and knocked loudly. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"***/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"So, let me get this straight. Sunnydale is a crater, because of… Spike?" Angel asked incredulously. Buffy sighed. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Noem,/emAngel. The amulet, which emyou/emgave me by the way, channelled sunlight through Spike's soul and destroyed the uber-vamps. It then started to destroy the hellmouth. Spike and I got out just in time." /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"Angel furrowed his brow. "So where's the amulet?" /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"In the hellmouth. Spike ripped it off. Just before it emincinerated/emhim, I might add!" Buffy glared at Angel, who inched away hastily./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"I didn't know what it would do! I was just given it by Wolfram and Hart!" he shot back. She sighed, and wearily ran a hand through her hair. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Yeah, I'm sorry. I was just so scared." /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"Angel frowned but did not press the issue./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"So that was all that happened? Spike wore the amulet and burnt up the turok-hans?" he asked. Buffy shook her head./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"No. We did a spell… long story short, there are now hundreds of Slayers running around. There arearound ten on the bus outside; they fought with us in the now have a lot of Slayers to round up, bases to establish, a Council to rebuild… I don't think I'm going to get too much sleep. At least not for the next few years." She looked so exhausted that Giles thought it a good time to jump in and give her a break. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"We decided to stay in LA very briefly, seeing as it isn't too far from what was Sunnydale. And, of course, we could get you up to speed on the situation," he informed Angel. Buffy smiled gratefully and stood up./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Well, I think we're just about done. Guys?" There were nods of assent throughout the group, and Angel stood up too. As he walked them to the front door, Buffy assured him that she would indeed drop in when they left the city. The group- minus Angel- boarded the bus. Buffy stood at the front and clapped her hands./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Ok, everyone. All awake? Good. We've been to see Angel, so now we're going to find someplace to stay. Probably a hotel. There are a lot of you though so please, for the love of god, emstick together./emDon't wander off. Right now you're gonna have a lot of questions about what we're going to do, where we'll go when we leave LA. However, I really can't answer any of those things until we have a chance to discuss our situation. The First has been defeated, but not destroyed. We don't know if it'll come back. We are vulnerable right now, so we all need to be on our guard. Ok? Good. Let's go, Giles."/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"***/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"They arrived at their hotel, causing quite a commotion when their fellow guests realized just how large their group was. When Buffy finally made it to the room she would be sharing with Dawn, she immediately collapsed onto the bed face-first. Dawn watched sympathetically. She emhad /embeen about to boast to her sister all about the turok-hans she had killed in the battle… but she got the impression that the Slayer was done for the night. Because what a day it had been. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"Dawn knew that all the new Slayers would be nervous about their calling, about the fight that would last for the rest of their lives. She remembered frequently hearing Buffy gripe about all the responsibility placed on her shoulders. The weight of the world, quite literally. It sounded rough, especially the low life-expectancy. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"But at the same time…/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"It also sounded exciting. A real purpose, no doubts. An ability to actually do some serious good in the world. Plus, superpowers? Pretty cool./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"Dawn sighed. Like Xander said, Buffy would never understand that. Just like Dawn would never understand what it is to be a Slayer. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"***/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"Willow, meanwhile, was brushing her teeth while Kennedy got changed. Like Buffy, she was wiped out. And no wonder! Today she had performed one of the most powerful spells that had ever been performed, and had undoubtably changed the course of history. She could feel every Slayer awakening, like some great Mexican wave of superpowered teenage girls. And she hadn't gone at all evil or veiny. On the contrary, the way Kennedy told it, she had looked like a goddess. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"emOh Tara, if only you could have seen me today. /em/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"Kennedy was… great. No-one else seemed to like her very much, but she made Willow feel good. And that was nice. But she didn't know her, didn't emunderstand /emher like Tara had. Kennedy thought that witchcraft was her hobby, her new-age pastime. Only Tara had understood the way it had been a part of her, running with the blood in her veins. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"And there were parts of Kennedy that… well, it did seem like no-one could get anything right except her. Like she said, she emwas/emkind of a brat./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"***/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"Xander sat down heavily on the bed, dropping his head into his hands. He inhaled a large breath, and exhaled. It changed nothing. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"Anya was dead. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"No amount of mental preparation could have equipped him to process that information; it simply didn't make sense. Anya had always been so full of life- surely her flame was one that could never be extinguished? /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"Every moment, he expected her to come and put her arm round him and order him to stop moping. And he would smile at her, and go make breakfast. But never again./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"Andrew ambled into the room, humming the Star Trek theme. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"Xander? Are you ok?" he cried, rushing to the side of his fellow nerd. Xander sniffed and nodded. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"I was just thinking about… did you see what happened to Anya?" he pleaded. Andrew paused, and then very carefully answered./span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"She was incredible. She died saving my life."/span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify"span style="font-size: 12pt;"Xander straightened up, proud of her last moments. He clapped a hand on Andrew's shoulder. /span/p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify" /p
p style="margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 16px; background-color: transparent; font-family: -webkit-standard;" align="justify""span style="font-size: 12pt;"That was my girl. Always doing the stupid thing."/span/p