CHAPTER 2

Historical Note: This story takes place during the seventh season of Buffy, during the series finale.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters from either Buffy or Angel; although I wish I did!!

Authors Note: After watching the final episode of Buffy, I was a little disappointed that Angel wasn't there for the actual battle, so I decided to re-write the last episode including Angel in the final battle. Otherwise, everything else is the same. Also, since it broke my heart to see Xander's eye get gouged out, I'm just going to pretend it never happened!

Summary: The apocalypse is drawing dangerously close for Buffy and the group, and with the potential slayers being killed off one by one, both Buffy and Faith are realizing this time both slayers may be in over their head.

Then all of a sudden, someone from Buffy's past comes to help them with the fight; causing old feelings to stir. Faced with what seems to be the final battle; Buffy is forced to face her past as well as her greatest love; as he joins her in the last battle.

Disclaimer II: A good amount; not all, but a good amount came from a book called 'Chosen.' I just wanted to make a note of that. I'm not trying to pass this whole story as being all my idea, obviously. But the idea of having Angel stay there for the fight was in fact mine, so there!

As soon as Buffy entered the house, the first thing she saw was...Dawn!? She had told Xander to take Dawn away from the town; away from the danger so that she'd have a better chance at surviving, but there she was, standing in front of Buffy. She looked at her sister confused before Dawn kicked her in her shin.

"Ow," Buffy said in a low voice. Dawn just stood and looked at her.

"Dumb-ass," Dawn said to Buffy with a very displeased expression on her face. Buffy looked into the kitchen where Xander was sitting on a chair; Anya was behind him rubbing his head.

"Don't look at me. It's a Summers thing, it's all very violent," he told her. Buffy turned and looked back at Dawn.

"If you die, I'm telling," she told her before walking into the kitchen; Angel followed.

"Did you find out anything about the..." Willow began. She then realized Angel was standing behind Buffy. "Angel? Hey. What brings you here?" Willow asked with a confused expression.

"I heard you guys may need a hand," he answered simply. He then looked at Buffy.

"Also, I brought some stuff that might be important," he added. Buffy handed the folder to Giles.

"Here," she said. He looked back up at Angel.

"Where did you get this?" he asked. Angel looked at Buffy.

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you," he said to them. Willow looked at the scythe.

"I see the scythe thingy was put to use. Did Caleb..."

"He's gone," she told them. "Well actually, he had to split," she said as she smiled. The group looked at her confused. She turned and looked at Angel.

"They don't get my pun," she whined. Angel sighed.

"She kinda sliced him in half," he explained. Everyone then smiled and commented at the same time.

"Alright," Willow said happily.

"He had it coming," Anya muttered.

"Hey, party in my eye socket. Everyone's invited!" Xander said loudly. The room then fell silent as everyone looked at Xander.

"Sometimes I shouldn't say words," he said to himself as Anya began to rub his head once more.

"So you'll be...assisting us in this battle?" Giles asked Angel.

"Yeah, I guess so," he said.

"Good. We need all the help we can get," he told him truthfully. Buffy then looked around the room, and noticed Spike's absence.

"Where's Spike?" Buffy asked.

"Ah, he came back a little while ago mumbling something about being an idiot before disappearing downstairs," Xander explained.

"Oh crap," Buffy said as she headed for the basement. She then remembered Spike saying he'd stop by the vineyard to see if she needed any help. He probably saw them kissing.

She sighed as she closed the basement door and slowly walked down the stairs. Buffy noticed Spike was beating on the punching bag as she reached the bottom step.

"Where's tall, dark, and forehead at?" he asked as Buffy walked over to him.

"Let me guess; you can smell him?" she said tiredly as she leaned against a support beam in the basement.

"Yeah, that and I used my enhanced vampire eyeballs to watch you kiss him," he told her.

"It was...a hello," she told him, even thought deep down she knew it wasn't just a 'hello'.

"Yeah, well most people don't say hello with their tongues," he told her. He paused. "Well, I suppose they do, but..."

"There were no tongues," she lied. She was really confused, and didn't exactly care to be getting into an argument with Spike over Angel.

"So where is he?" Spike asked again.

"He's upstairs," she told him. "He's going to help us beat this thing," she explained as she walked over to Spike.

"Great, the great pouf is staying. Now there will be two of us vamps with a soul living under the same roof," he said. "What bloody fun that will be," he muttered under his breath.

"Great, great. I haven't had enough jealous vampire crap for one night," she said as she walked past him towards the punching bag. She looked over at the punching bag and noticed Spike had drawn and taped a picture of what was suppose to be Angel on the punching bag.

Buffy shook her head tiredly. "You know one of these days I'm just going to put you both in a room and let you rassle it out," she threatened. He didn't seem fazed as he tossed his empty carton of cigarettes onto the floor.

"No problem at this end," he told her.

"There could be oil of some kind involved," she said with a smile on her face, entertaining the idea in her head.

"Where's the trinket?" he asked.

She paused. "The who-ket?"

"The pretty necklace your sweetie-bear gave you," he explained. Buffy looked down at the trinket in her hands. "The one with all the power," he added. He gazed at her calmly.

"I believe it's mine now," he said.

"How do you figure?" she asked.

"'Someone with a soul, but more powerful than human'," he said quoting what Angel had told her.

"Angel meant to wear it, that means I'm the qualified party," he explained.

"It's volatile," she told him. "We don't know-"

"You need someone strong to bear it," he told her. "You were planning on giving it to Andrew?" he drawled. Buffy hesitated for a moment, thinking of who really should wear the amulet. They really didn't know much about it, but something kept telling her Spike should have the amulet.

"Angel said...this amulet is meant to be worn by a champion," she began. Spike backed down thinking she was putting him down. She then held the amulet out to him. Spike looked at her surprised. She was calling him a champion.

"Been called a lot of things on my time," he told her. Buffy sighed as she walked over to him.

"I want you to be careful," she said gently. "Angel won't be too happy about this, but-" she began before Spike cut her off.

"Are you still in love with him?" he asked. Buffy was caught off guard from his question.

"What?" she asked. Spike turned around towards her.

"You heard me. Are you?" he asked. Buffy looked down to the floor.

"Do we have to do this?" she asked him not wanting to think about his question. Spike looked at her and smiled.

"No, we don't," he told her. He already knew her answer.

"Spike-" Buffy began.

"Don't," he told her. "Not now. You've got more important things to concentrate on than this," he reminded her. Buffy just stood there and looked at him for a second.

"Ok," she told him before walking back up the stairs. She knew Spike was hurt, but she couldn't help but feel torn between the two of them. Angel was her true love; the one that was taken from her.... But Spike had been there for her after Angel left; time and time again he had come through for her when she least expected it.

She couldn't say whether or not she actually loved Spike, but like she had told Angel, he felt for him. But Spike was right; there were more important things to think of.