Disclaimer: All BTVS characters belong to Joss. All others are mine.
Rating: R
Summary: Anya faces her third fear, the fear of Death.
Feedback:Yes. please R/R . This is a mult-part story so the more comments the better the story gets.
Distribution: Cool that would be great just ask me 1st.
Note: This takes place in season five before the big glory battle.

Chapter 6: Final Fear:

"No," said Anya. "You can't make me believe that is how it will be"

"It is what you fear," said D'Hoffryn.

"Yes well the only think we have to fear is well I don't remember exactly remember what we have to fear but I know it was said by a former president and it probably was said a long time ago because I saw it in black and white," said Anya.

"You're a fool," said D'Hoffryn. "Fine, if you will not give in to your fears then leave me" The familiar cloud that Anya recognized appeared again.

"NOOOO!!!!" screamed Anya noticing Buffy hit the floor.

"D'Hoffryn I implore you "
"Hear your servants cry"

"Anya what are you doing?" questioned Giles.

"Take my soul for another"
"So My friends will not die"

"Anya what are you doing," said Giles "You weren't trying to call D'hoffryn were you"

"I thought I did," said Anya "I mean I could have sworn. Oh my god Xander and Buffy?"

"We have to call an ambulance," said Giles.

"I killed them," said Anya realizing where she was. "I must have failed"

"No it's not your fault but you gave me an idea," said Willow running out of the room.

"Willow now is not the time," said Giles but to no avail as Willow ran out of the magic shop.

A few days later Buffy and Xander's funeral was a sad occasion. Anya was in shock and she could not stop feeling the pain of his loss.

"It will be fine one day, Anya" said Giles "I know it is hard to see that now but trust me. Time does heal all wounds."

Anya could barely hold anything down for the last few days. She felt like she was in a daze and was living with Giles for the last few days. Giles seemed to be strong for Anya but she could hear him crying at night when he thought she went to sleep. The one weird thing about the whole experience was Willow was no where to be found. After the funeral at Giles house Anya felt the emptiness of the moment until there was a knock at the door.

"Hey Giles," said Faith as Giles opened the door.

"Faith?" said Giles confused. "The uhh council got me out of prison because of what happened to Buffy. I'm really sorry Giles. They knew about the hellmouth and thought you would need a slayer to keep things under control"

"Under control. Everything is out of control," said Giles to Faith " But I do appreciate your help"

"Is she OK," said Faith pointing over at Anya.

"It will take her sometime to heal," said Giles ' So did the council have any particular reason to send you besides Buffy's ahh loss"

"They did actually. Some particularly nasty demon presence has appeared soon after Buffy's death. They believe that after the slayers death the demons want to test the waters of a slayer-less sunnydale."

"Yes that would uhh make sense," said Giles. " I can consult my book. What do we know about this demon"

"It is slimy and has red spikes coming up from it's head. It is supposed to b very vicious and I am not sure what it wants but I've been to willies to do a little interrogation before came here and no one's talking," said Faith.

"Damn it Buffy I've told you never to go out on your own without telling me first. You need to let someone know your whereabouts' at all time or.." Giles started to say.

"Giles it's Faith," said Faith seeing Giles eyes glass over.

"Faith?" said Giles

"You called me Buffy," sad Faith

"I'm sorry but I guess, well anyway the demon thing is pretty bad. I think we should do some training Faith so we can assess…" said Giles.

"Training. I've had months of training in prison, hours and hours of training Gils. I'm not about to waist time with needless training when some demon is running amock" said Faith sternly.

"Damn it Faith Buffy would have.." said Giles.

"I am not Buffy," Faith shouted and then realized she was too hard on Giles "Umm. I'm sorry Giles it's just I'm not used to dealing with a watcher or anyone else for that matter giving me orders. It will ahh take getting used to."

"No faith I am sorry. I'm glad you're here. It's just so soon after. Let me look in my books and just check in with me from time to time to see if I make any progress. It will take a little getting used to your style I guess."

"Can I come with you Faith," said Anya coming out of her trance.

"Umm this is no place for a civilian," said faith.

"Actually Anya may be of use to you faith. She once was a demon and may be able to identify it faster than I would especially if she catches a glimpse of it " said Giles as he leaned down towards Faith's ear. "She could also use the time to get out since Xander died she's.." said Giles in a whisper.
"Good deal G. I got you covered. I'm five by five. Come on Anya let's go," said Faith.

Later that night Anya and Faith were walking on their way to willy's "Look Anya I don't know you very well but Xander was special you know. I remember when I was going through my dark phase he tried to help me and I just didn't listen. He really was one of the good ones. I should have listened to him, maybe things would be different now," said Faith.

"What do you mean Faith, maybe he would have been with you instead of some vengeance demon who's past came back to haunt her and get him killed. Is that what your saying," said Anya.

"No I just wanted to say that I really liked Xander an if he thought so highly of you I guess I deserve to give you a shot too. I know you didn't want what happened to him and Buffy to happen but pain is sometimes a part of life. I know from experience that if you don't deal with it can eat you up inside," said Faith.

"Oh yes and I should take the advice of a psycho slut like faith too," said Anya.

'Sorry I tried to help. I'm not all touchy feeling like Willow you know." Said Faith.

"I thought you were a little too touchy myself Faith," said Willow in demon form.

"Oh my God," said Anya. "It that who I think it is," said Faith.

"You used the amulet didn't you Willow," said Anya.

"What amulet?" asked Faith.

"When D'hoffryn offered to make Willow a demon he gave her an amulet to call him whenever she wanted to if she changed her mind," said Anya.

"Guess you changed your mind," said faith as she kicked the Willow demon hard in the stomach.

"Oh Faith I am so looking forward to kicking you ass," said Willow as she grabbed Faith by the neck and threw her across the street .

"You are very strong," said Anya looking at Willow hesitate "Well what are you waiting for, just kill me already"

"You want to die?" said the willow demon.

"I want xander," said Anya.

"Then wish it," said Willow " I am a wish demon now I can grant it to you."

"What is the price," said Anya thinking about it.

"Don't listen to her," said Faith getting up. "She's a demon"

"Shut up Faith " as willow moved her hand and levitated Faith into the trash can across the street.

"I see you also have warped your wiccan powers as well," said Anya.

"Yes I have. The power is great," said willow "You can have your power back Anya and you can also spare young xander from death. It can all be erased. Just give in" Willow caressed the side of Anya face.

"All I have to do is accept being a demon again," said Anya.

"Yes," said willow.

"And xander will be returned," said anya

"Yes" said Willow

"And I guess finishing this final test won't do it for me then," said Anya.

"What?" Said Willow with anger.

"Nice try D'Hoffryn," said Anya as the form of Willow morphed into D'Hoffryn and they were back in the demon's dimension.

"How did you know?" said D'Hoffryn.

"You dealt with Faith too easily. She would have kicked you ass," said Anya. "I want my life back,"

"You have passed the final test. The prize is yours," said D'Hoffryn with disgust.

Anya felt the familiar clouds build up around her and then she also felt lightheaded.

"Are you OK," said Xander holding Anya up.

"Yes I'm ahh fine," said Anya disoriented.

As soon as Xander and Anya walked out of the shop they saw the bum sitting on the curb.

"Eww a smelly man is sitting in front of our shop," said anya.

"Please spare some change," he said to Xander.

Xander reaches into his pocket.

"What are you doing. You're not going to give him money are you. He's not going to buy anything or make anything or sell anything. This is capitalism..." Anya started to say and then stopped " What am I saying. The American way is giving as well as receiving. Give the man some paper with a president on it so he can feed capitalism somewhere else. "

Xander smiles at Anya.

"You know you always surprise me Anya. Just when I thought you would never let a single dollar escape your hands you get all compassionate on me. Helping you fellow man and all," Xander replied.

Well if you don't give him anything, he will stay here and scare away customers," added Anya.

"Scare away customers?", Xander questions. "That's more like my Anya always thinking of the bottom line."

Xander smiled at her again.

Xander pulls out the dollar bill from his pocket. The man looked between Xander and Anya then stares at Anya..

"Anyanka," he moans out and grabs Xander's wrist. Xander

"Hey let Go," shouted Xander.

"I don't understand," said the man perplexed.

"Do I know you?" said Anya.

"You cursed me," said the man "Don't you remember?"

A tear started to fall down Anya's cheek.

"Anya what's wrong. Do you know this man. Why are you crying?" asked Xander.

"I don't know, I don't remember him," said Anya " There's just something about what just happened almost like some kind of deja vu feeling. I just feel so sad "

Anya looks down at the old man and looks close at him.

"You have been alone a long time, haven't you," said Anya who instinctively just grabbed him and hugged him.

"Your touching me. " The man started to say tears welling up in his eyes "It's been so long since I've been able to hold anyone. Since I've been able to feel again. You've healed me from my curse."

The man visibly started to weep hard into Anya's arms.

"OK Anya, I know you are in this help the homeless mode but hugging them all is a little above and beyond the call of duty." quipped Xander.

Anya rose up and hugged Xander tightly kissing him deeply. Tears were rolling down her cheek.

"I love you so much Xander Harris," said Anya "I just have this overwhelming feeling. I feel so thankful for having you in my life."

"I love you too," said Xander noticing the Jewelry shop across the street. "And soon I will show you just how much."

End Of Story..