Disclaimer: Yeah, Yeah, Yeah. I know, I know, I know. Do I even need to continue? I didn't think so.

Rating: R



Showdown: Part one, internal affairs

Amy watched her crystal ball with a mixture of joy and surprise. She had first gotten into witchcraft after the entire body swapping incident with her mother. At first she had hated the stereotype of a witch having a broom, cauldron, black pointy hat, and a crystal ball. Now, she couldn't imagine any self-respecting witch without a crystal ball. Of course, after she had been given her new "life," she had become infinitely more powerful and able to channel energies that she hadn't even dreamed of before. Plus, she had two witch servants to draw power from.

She had watched as her spell took the slayer and the souled vampire over. Watched them relive some traumatic experience and confess their feelings for each other. Then the boy had come down and caught them in the act. He had thrown himself into the bathroom, and Amy assumed that one of her greatest threats was out of the way. Not that she thought he would actually be able to do, after her transformation, what the slayer wouldn't before it.

She had been greatly surprised when Harris came out of the bathroom, and left to catch the two former big bad demons and their slayers. He followed far behind the other four, lightsaber in one hand, tranquilizer gun in the other. The ball wouldn't allow her to hear sounds, but she assumed that Harris had brought the gun in case his precious Willow had been turned. Amy knew that her friends would certainly try and curse her with a soul if it got to that point. Amy smiled at how predictable they were.

In any case, she told herself, she had caused friction between the group, but she had failed to separate them. She told herself that it wouldn't matter, that the small band of warriors would stand no chance against her power. Plus, she had a plethora of surprises in store for the crew when they finally did arrive.

Better safe than sorry, she decided. Everything was setup perfectly for her next plan. She knew how they would stupidly risk their lives for Willow. And she would have the slayers in her grasp. They must not be alive to interfere with her ritual that would bind the power of the hellmouth directly to her. Then Amy felt a pang of regret. She had half expected the group to bring the key with them as bait. So they aren't as predictable as I thought.

Back to my next spell, she brought herself out of her thoughts. She summoned Willow and her servant witch to her. May as well draw as much power from the witch before her friends come for her, she decided.

"Yes mistress," her slaves said as they approached her. Amy was very pleased at how completely she now owned the two witches. They hadn't had a chance to play yet, but if things went as planned, they would have lots of fun, she mused.

"I have one more spell for us to cast. It seems that his loyalty was harder to break than I thought, so we will try something else. Our first spell certainly has set the groundwork though," she told them. Nothing wasted. I can use their emotions against them.

Amy watched the group getting closer to the factory. She waited for her chance. Then, she saw it developing. Angel tried to talk to Xander, and it appeared that Xander was about to try and knock Angel on his ass. He would fail, she laughed, but it was still the perfect opportunity.

"Now my lovilies," she whispered. She could feel them offer their power to her, and she greedily took it. Amy sent her spirit through the crystal ball and time froze.

STREETS OF SUNNYDALE

As he had stumbled upon the scene, he had tried to give her the benefit of the doubt. When he heard Buffy and Angel express their love for each other he told himself that it was one of those, There will always be a tiny tiny part of me that loves you, but I've moved on and am much much happier, kinda things. Then, he saw them kiss. Okay, maybe it's one of those goodbye pecks. On the lips. Okay that is so not a peck, he screamed inside his head. That had been when he lost it and cried out. That still wasn't enough to stop them.

It had been a very uncomfortable silence. When Xander had decided that Willow's life was worth more than his brooding, he simply wiped his eyes, opened the bathroom door, grabbed his lightsaber and tranquilizer gun, and walked out the door. He had ignored Buffy's pounding on the bathroom door for at least five minutes, before Faith had pulled her away. What kind of explanation could she offer me anyhow? He questioned.

He caught up after running for three blocks. When he came upon the four of them he said angrily, "Everyone just shut up. I'm doing this for Willow." William threw him an understanding look and even Faith had a look of compassion. Angel just wore his trademark expression of neutrality. And Buffy. He could barely bring himself to look at her, afraid he would break down again. He could see guilt written all over her features. Well good, she should feel guilty, he berated her mentally.

His own guilt was running him over like a tidal wave. He had thrown away his relationship with Anya for Buffy. Anya who would never hurt him, at least as long as she wasn't all vengeance demon. And then Anya had been brutally attacked. Never would have happened if you had stayed with her, he growled at himself. And what do you have to show for yourself? A broken heart, a broken ex, and probably a dead you. You're going to get careless and Amy will destroy you. If she even has the decency to end my miserable existence, he whined.

He snapped himself out of it. Okay Xan, you're getting into Angel territory as far as the self-deprecating brooding goes.

When they were getting closer to the factory, Angel dropped back to stand next to Xander.

"Shut the fuck up Dead-boy!" Xander cut off anything Angel was about to say.

"Listen Xander," Angel started. Xander was sure that his tone was patronizing.

"No, you listen Fangy. You come to town to help out with the big bad. This wasn't a social call. You know that you can't ever be with Buffy, but you just can't keep your damn undead hands to yourself!"

Angel was trying to offer some explanation of what happened. He didn't understand it really, but he was sure that it must have been some kind of spell. And he saw what it was doing to Buffy. She could barely stand up right. Angel thought he could physically see the guilt weighing her shoulders down. When Xander snapped at him, however, he forgot about that.

"Listen here, Boy," Angel made sure to emphasize boy. "You asked me to come here. I leave my own pressing issues to come and rescue you all. Again. This is the thanks I get." Angel regained control. Whoops, that was probably a bad move. He was right. Xander wildly threw his fist at Angel. He knew that even if Xander connected, it wouldn't have that much power behind it. He waited for the impact, but it never came.

Buffy had never felt so bad. Well, maybe after she had sent Angel to hell. But that had been different, she thought, I thought he was dead and gone forever. She had never felt worse about emotional pain she had inflicted on another. Xander. Who had been pinning away for her for five years. Who she had assured she would never hurt. Who she had promised that she was over Angel. And now, who hated her as much as he loved her.

The mere thought of it made her want to cry. How could she have let that happen? Her mind was too foggy to make any sense out of her exchange with Angel. Only one thing pierced her clouded mind. I love Xander and I hurt him like no one else could.

She noticed that Angel was falling back. Angel, stay away from him, she mentally pleaded. He didn't heed her silent hopes. He tried to talk to Xander. Xander spat out something venomous. Then Angel shot back. Hey, that's my boyfriend leave him alone! She yelled in her head. In reality she remained quiet. Then, a silent cheer went up when she saw Xander was about to level her ex. His blow never connected.

Faith was really pissed. She couldn't decide who she was more pissed at. Angel, Buffy or herself. I may have been a big skank in my day, she thought, but at least I never cheated on someone I truly loved. I never tried to get between two people who loved each other. And I should never have left the two of them alone, I knew what was going to happen. I just wanted to go and see William. Her guilt was small though.

She felt more pity. For Xander. And for Buffy. Faith could tell that Buffy was tearing herself a new one in her head. And poor Xander. She had been shocked to see him approach, and even more shocked by the anger in his voice as he told them, "Everyone just shut up. I'm doing this for Willow." Faith wanted to offer something to him, but there was nothing she could do.

Her mind wandered to William. She loved William. She had a strange feeling about him and hadn't been able to place it until she had pulled Buffy away from the bathroom door. She thought it was a mutual friendship and a strong attraction that could easily blossom into love. But she saw how much pain Buffy was in because Xander hurt, even if it was her fault. She knew she felt the same about William. If he hurt, she would hurt. He cared about her and she wondered if he would hurt if she did. She already knew the answer.

She cursed herself for playing games with him. She should have said the words before they went off on this suicide mission. He would have returned them, she was sure. As much as he fought to keep their attraction in check, he loved her. She was sure of it. She needed him to survive. What he saw in her she wasn't sure, but she thanked every deity she could imagine that he did.

Shouting drew her attention from her heart. She turned to see Xander about to introduce his fist to Angel. It stopped in midair.

William was both happy and worried when Xander had caught the group. Even though "William" had only known Xander for a few days he shared Spike's memories. Spike had hated Xander. William had grown quite found of him. Especially now that he fully understood the risks he put himself in daily. Spike had always thought Xander a doof who was way out of his league, in a fight he didn't belong in. William, who was still stronger than a normal human but had lost some of his super strength, now fully understood what it was like to face the forces of darkness without powers. His respect for Xander skyrocketed.

The boy, check that man, faced the forces of darkness with nothing more than a brave/stupid lack of fear and, while at times sophomoric, sense of humor. William had come to Xander first to revel himself for a number of reasons. He wanted Xander to break the horrible news to Buffy because Buffy could let Xander see her defenses down and all, as the impact of the situation hit her. But he had also wanted to see Xander. If anyone would accept and understand William, it would have been Xander. And in a few short hours, the man had all but forgotten everything that Spike had done and said to him. Even the Spike left in William no longer held a grudge against him.

And that was saying a lot, considering how much Spike had come to hate Xander when he first left Sunnydale. He blamed him for taking his woman away. Which was true in part, but William was also well aware of how bad Spike would have been for Buffy and how good Xander had been for her.

And that brought William to his concern. Buffy had kissed Angel and Xander caught them. Now he was going to be fighting Amy, full of anger and rage. While they could be effective tools, they could also lead to sloppiness. Sloppiness tonight would get him killed. But William knew there was nothing he could do to stop him, he only hoped that he could do something to protect Xander.

He also wanted to protect Faith. He wasn't sure if she was ready to face a foe this strong. But if Amy turned Willow, matters would be worse. Containment spell or not they had one chance to stop Amy, and it was tonight. So his slayer was rushed into battle. He had thought he would have at least another week to prepare Faith. No such luck.

His hands subconsciously lifted to his lips. He could still feel her there. Their lips meeting, the exchange of passion, of desire, of love. He just wanted to take Faith away from all this. But he couldn't. This was his job. This was why I shouldn't have fallen for her. How am I ever going to be able to objectively guide her when I love her this much? He didn't have a chance to finish that thought as he heard Xander and Angel yell at each other. His eyes followed that of his slayer's. He saw Xander swing and then, time itself stopped.

Xander felt his swing stopped. Huh? He thought to himself. He tried to speak out, to yell at Angel, something.

"So much anger in you, it makes you powerful," he heard a voice he was becoming all too familiar with.

"Look, I'm not Luke Skywalker, I just played him in a fight scene," he quipped, but his lips didn't move.

Xander was suddenly freed of his frozen status. But as his fist came to Angel, instead of connecting with him he passed through him.

"What the?" he asked, completely at a loss.

"Relax oh angry one," Amy laughed. "And yes, I heard your Skywalker joke. I have freed your mind from your body."

"Why would you do that?" Xander asked. He waved his hand through Angel, and started at himself. He was amazed at the rage in his eyes.

"To make you an offer," she said simply.

"Who are you, Monty Hall," he quipped. She looked questioning at him and he just shook his head. "You witches, turned rats, turned vampires really need to catch up on you pop culture. Monty Hall, Let's make a deal. It was game, oh never mind," he said, annoyed that no one was around to get his jokes. Buffy would have gotten it. Anger flared in him again.

"You want her back," she said seeming to be able to read his thoughts. "I can help you with that. You want her to live through tonight, then listen to what I have to say."

Xander regarded her carefully then said, "I'm not going anywhere."

"Angel," she was pleased to see him bristle at his name but he remained silent. "Not a big fan are you. Me neither. So here's the deal," she paused. "I can give you powers beyond your wildest dreams. You could use them against me, though I doubt you could kill me. You may, however, be able to save your girlfriend, or is she your ex?" Xander just glared at her.

"Fine, be the silent type. Not your style though. Anyhow, I give you powers, you save Buffy, and boom, she might run back to you. Nothing I can promise," she added.

"What's the catch?" He wondered aloud.

"That is the thing. There is always a catch. You might like this one though. Angel. He is such a pain, and he might try to screw things up later. You know if Buffy were to give him a happy, he might try to take my place as ruler of the hellmouth. He always did play by different rules," she sighed.

"Get on with it," Xander said annoyed. Part of him liked where this was going, and that concerned him.

"I'm getting there, keep your pants on. Gee, I hope Buffy and Angel can do the same," she added, knowing just what buttons to push.

"I'm about five seconds away from hoping back into my body and finishing things the old fashioned way with Dead-boy."

"Well, that's exactly what I want. Stake him. Turn his poor tortured soul into dust. Do that, and you will have powers galore. Buffy digs the guys with powers," she whispered.

"That's it! Stake Angelus, hell I was going to do that anyway," Xander said, purposely using his vampire name to justify his death.

"Well, please, go for it."

A small thought nagged at the back of Xander's mind. A, why was Amy about to offer him powers that he could use against her. B, killing Angel greatly reduced their chances of stopping Amy. C, if Buffy wanted to get back with Angel why was she trying to get Xander to talk to her. D, how the hell did Amy know about all of this.

These thoughts waged a war with another part of him. Killing Angel, sounds good. Geting powers and saving Buffy, sounds good. Being a real hero, sounds good.

Killing Angel will make you like him, a part of him that rarely interfered spoke up. Damn you logic, shut up! It will make Buffy sad. You can't hurt Buffy, even if she hurt you, logic went on.

I know that, you think I'm unaware, I just, I need to think.

What the hell do you call this, logic told him.

Killing Angel will eliminate a rival, anger snapped.

Is that why you want Buffy to be with you, because you killed her other options?

HEY! The anti-killing Angel part of him yelled. IF AMY WANTS YOU TO DO IT, IT IS PROBABLY NOT GOOD! IT WILL PROBABLY KILL BUFFY AND WILLOW. ANYA

"Hey," Xander turned on Amy. His internal war was over. "You killed Anya!"

"No, I simply had my men try to get the supplies needed for the containment spell you were about to cast. She was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Your powers would allow you to save her," she turned on him. She wasn't about to give up so soon.

"No. Nothing you want is ever good. I will kill you, save Willow, and make everything okay with Buffy. And I swear, if Anya is dead, I will bring you back from the dead, just to kill and torture you again! Don't think I won't. I can do it! I've done it before!"

Amy sighed. She knew she had lost him. All is not lost, she told herself. She put his mind back in his body and moved on to Angel.

Angel stood still for a moment, seeing that Xander was completely frozen. He took a step towards him, and walked right out of his body. What the hell, he thought as he turned around to see his own face glaring back at him. It had been so long since he'd seen his own reflection, and he was ashamed by what he saw. Anger. Jealousy. Rage.

"Pretty neat huh?" Amy asked.

"You. You did this," he said.

"Very good oh souled wonder. Champion of humanity. Can't see the sunshine, but hey why not fight beside those who would destroy us," Amy said, lacing her voice in sarcasm.

"What is this all about?" he demanded, his patience wearing thin.

"Well, it's like this. Harris here told me all about your love triangle," she lied but he cut her off.

"You and I both know that you were responsible for that," he growled.

"If that's what you have to tell yourself," she chuckled. "Even if it was magic, you can't tell me your feelings for Buffy weren't real. I know you still love her. And I know you enjoyed your make out session," she waited a brief second for a rebuttal, but when none came she went on. "Anyway, before I was so rudely interrupted, Harris here was asking about we giving him powers, or if I could kill you for him. Well, since I plan on killing you anyhow, I decided to tell Harris no. But then an interesting thought came to me. I just want you out of the fight. So, in order to spite Harris, I have a deal for you."

Angel was quiet. He was more intrigued than he wanted to be. And in the back of his mind he knew she was right about his feelings for Buffy. Whenever he left Sunnydale, his feelings for her could be tuned down, contained. Whenever he was near her or in Sunnydale, he lost control and the cork fell off of his bottle of emotions for her.

"Shall I go on?" She asked. He nodded. "I thought you'd be interested. Here it is. I make you human," she had expected something from him, but he kept his emotionless face. "Boy, I thought you'd be more excited about that. Anyway, Angel, I can make you human. You could still fight me, I suppose, but you and the little pretty over there could go off and ride into the sunset. I mean, Faith is here, you and Buffy can leave this fight."

"Enough. What's the catch?" He asked quietly.

"Stop killing our kind. If you kill one of us, you revert. No soul either," she said sternly.

Buffy will never go for it, he told himself. She'll want to fight. Plus, she loves Xander. Or does she. She kissed me, and then pushed me away, but she never cursed me. Maybe it's just guilt that pulled her to Xander. Maybe all that was is a repressed memory that we lived out because we wanted to. I sure did. He looked at Buffy's frozen face. He knew his answer. She didn't. To her, it had all been a mistake. She truly loved Xander.

But would she still if there was any chance we could be together. If I were human, would she give up Xander for me? I was her first love. It was supposed to be eternal, never burning out. And every time I saw her, the passion still burned. We could speak a million words in a glance.

But that's over now. The passion wasn't returned this time. And he had his own issues to deal with back in LA. How could he even think about abandoning it all? All his responsibility. Plus, William had assured him that his redemption would come. Was this how he wanted it. Everything was always on his own terms. He had left Sunnydale to give Buffy peace, even when she was willing to sacrifice it all for him. When he had been accidentally given his humanity and he and Buffy had been together, he had given it back. He had to do what was needed. To make up for what he had done.

And now, he had something else to add to the regrets pile. While he knew deep down Amy had been behind their episode, he couldn't escape his own responsibility. He had wanted to do everything that Past Angel had done, more even. And he knew that Present Buffy didn't, even if Past Buffy had. He had caused hurt to two more people.

Plus, if Amy was making the offer, she had something to gain from it. He doubted that Xander had gone to her. Even if he might have wished for powers or Angel dead, Amy had Willow. Xander would never allay himself with Amy.

"Not a chance. Put me back and wait your turn. I'll have my fun with you later," Angel growled out.

"Ooo, what kind of fun," she asked seductively, but before he could answer she put him back in his undead body. Next, she thought.

Buffy decided to put herself between Angel and Xander. She was afraid Angel would lose it and try to hurt Xander. He may hate her right now, but she would protect him no matter what. She realized about halfway there that they weren't moving. Buffy glanced around and saw that none of them were. Not even her. Not even me? She questioned.

"Hey Buff," Amy called. Buffy charged her, but passed right through her.

"Now, now. We've had this discussion about playing nice when I have a deal to make," Amy scolded her.

"Another deal," Buffy's eyebrows raised. "And what pray tell is that? And why am I a ghost?"

"A, not a ghost. Mind out of body experience. B, the deal is I know all about you and Angel. Your boyfriend came to me and asked if I could meet out some vengeance," Amy was pleased when her lie caused Buffy's face to fall.

"He, he came to you?" she couldn't believe it. Not Xander, not her Xander. It wasn't like him. Of course, when it came to Angel, it was.

"Not just for Angel, you too," Amy told her, reading her mind.

"He wouldn't. Would he?" she questioned aloud.

"Yup. Now, as much fun as it would be for me to watch you three go at it, and I mean that in any sense," she teased, Buffy just looked disgusted. Amy was disappointed that she wasn't more into it. "I think I have an even better idea. My offer, is that I go back in time and make Angel human from the moment you meet him."

"Bull. If you can time travel why don't you just go and kill me before I'm born." Shit, she cursed herself, don't give her ideas.

"Alas, time travel is a tricky thing. I can create a new timeline, but it's hit and miss, you can never really tell what the results will be. Plus, all that would accomplish would be another slayer called and I might have ended up stuck in mom's body. I do know, however, that if I made Angel human things would progress to this point. And a few of my kind are spared in the process," she said, trying to convince Buffy that was the reason for her offer.

Buffy shook her head. "No, I don't want Angel human. He's like this for a reason. I love Xander, and if you go back in time and make Angel human from the moment I met him, I'd never be with Xander."

"Honey, I hate to break it to you, but you'll never be with Xander again. Even if you live past this fight, Xander will never forgive you. He wished vengeance upon you. Why do you think it took him so long to get here? He wasn't crying over spilled milk sister, he wants you to suffer. The way he's suffering," when she sensed that Buffy was open to her, she went for the kill. "Think about being with Angel, no suffering just happiness. Jenny is still alive because no evil Angel. That would make Giles happy wouldn't it?"

"What do I have to do?" Buffy asked weakly. Just to see what she's after, she told herself.

"Well, to connect the timelines, I need one person of my choosing to carry the memories of this timeline to the next. I want it to be Xander," Buffy gasped. "Oh, come on, you could easily convince him. Tell him Angel doesn't exist in the next timeline tell him any lie. Just convince him. He's the only one who can do it," she finished.

Buffy's mind image couldn't cry, but if it could it would. "Why him?" she begged.

"It has to be someone who knows of all my dealings in order to be carried over. Plus spite."

Buffy thought Amy was right. Xander will never take me back, he'll never trust me again. I told him over and over that there was nothing between me and Angel, and I somehow let my memory take me over. And Angel would be happy. Jenny would still be alive. Giles would be happy. I would be happy. Ignorance is bliss. But if ignorance is bliss, then knowledge would be torment. The worst betrayal of all would be to have Xander carry the memory of this time. He would hate me forever, leave me and never return. All I want is to be happy. Some happiness with Angel would be better than no happiness with Xander right?

No it wouldn't. Even if this had never really happened and she carried no memories of this life, her heart would know. It would always know its owner. And that was Xander. Angel could never make her light and happy and carefree. Even if his humanity were returned, two centuries of pain would be pent up inside him. Xander had no deep, dark, emotional scars. Except maybe this one, which she had driven him to. No, Xander would never hurt me, he loves me. I hurt him befoer, but he's never left me before. That was why I never went to the next level with him, I didn't want to lose him ever. She could imagine Xander saying something like, "come on Buff, I'll always be there." Of course, she had said things with her and Angel were over and that was apparently wrong. They had kissed, but had it awoken any locked away desires? Her mind was too foggy to make any answers.

This is a trap. Amy would never try and make things better for her. Of course, punishing Xander with eternal torment seemed right up her alley. Xander would suffer for eternity. She could never do that to him.

"No, never," she said, uncharacteristically succinct. Amy shot her a questioning glance, she was so close Amy thought. "What?" Buffy snapped, "I don't owe you any explanation for my actions. Now put me back in my body so I can kick your ass." Amy sighed. This wasn't going the way she had expected at all. Their bonds were so damn deep. None of them would trade their own happiness if it caused the others pain.

May as well take a crack at Faith and William why I have the spell cooking.

Faith looked at Xander's hand, suspended in the air. This isn't normal, she mused. Amy must be up to something. She knew she was right when she stepped out of her own body. Interesting, I look hot, she thought, admiring her own beauty.

"Vanity can be a deadly sin," Amy purred at Faith, who was not surprised to see her. "Of course, you know first hand about deadly sins, don't you Faith?" That struck a nerve.

"I'll," she started.

"You'll what? Something violent I hope."

Faith was silent. "What is this all about?"

"Where has the patience gone. But, you were never one for patience were you? What was your old saying, Want, Take, Have?" Faith cringed at Amy's words. She was putting salt on all the right wounds.

"Of course, a pissed off slayer isn't something I want. So how about I change things a little?"

"How, and why?" Faith asked.

"Like, making you not ever have been a slayer," Amy told her casually.

"Why would I want that, I'm looking forward to kicking you ass."

"I know you are. And that's the problem isn't it Faith. Your violent side has caused you to do a lot of things you're not proud of. I can make that all go away. You would never have been a slayer, the slayer spirit that inhabits you would die. No more second slayers."

"A second slayer is a lot more important than the things I've done," Faith shot back.

"Is it? You know that if you had never been a slayer the scooby crew would have stopped the mayor long before the actual ascension. Think about that. The lives you took, the lives the mayor took," Faith backed down and Amy went on. "None of them would have been lost. Sure, a second slayer could do good later, but this is a chance at redemption. Plus, there were never supposed to be two slayers anyway. It was an accident, a bizarre twist of fate. So the lives the second slayer saved would be a bonus anyhow. It wouldn't be like you took those lives, they would have died anyway, except for a strange event. Think about it Faith, no more guilty conscience."

Faith was close to giving in. What would she be losing? Maybe the original gang would have stayed together after high school if she hadn't interfered. Cordy and Wesley. Even Angel. They all might have stayed in Sunnydale. And her guilty conscience would finally be cleaned in a way not even William could manage. Then it hit her.

"What about William. Would he still get his humanity?"

"Well," Amy mused. "Since that timeline would be a little different, Spike never gets his chip or his redemption, but Angel stakes him before he does any real damage."

Faith was torn. Spike the vampire was a demon. Her William would be free. Wouldn't he. Was she taking his life to clear her own conscience? Would William want it that way? Could she live without him, knowing what he had meant to her? Her questions came without any clear answers.

"What's the catch?" Faith demanded.

"What is it with you people, does there always have to be a catch! Well, of course but still, a little trust would be nice," Amy smiled at Faith. "Spike is the key. Kill him, and the PTB lose their grip on this timeline. Then I can change things."

Faith gasped. She could never kill William. Not even to wash away her own sins. Was it really that simple? She was finally moving on, putting the past away. Of course, she would most likely die at Amy's hands. Spike had earned his redemption to become William. William's soul had died when Druscilla turned him. So, he wouldn't be affected, would he?

And what about the others? She asked herself. Could I really abandon them in their fight against Amy? I've caused them more harm then good though, maybe it would be better if they never knew me, they might stand a better chance against Amy. William. My heart wouldn't hurt all the time though. Now, William is the only thing that can give me happiness, if I change things then other things can make me happy.

Would I be a good person without William? Sure, I wouldn't be a slayer anymore, but would I still have the same heart and mind. Would I cause pain in other ways? Crime? Murder? Even a cripple can pull a trigger. William helped me gain perspective, what would I be without that? Would I still be a slut, sleeping around with anything? What about my past, would it still be the same if I wasn't the slayer? No, as much as it would calm my aching conscience, I have a chance to come out of it all okay and I need to take it.

"Sod off," she told Amy, purposely stealing one of Spike/William's favorite curses.

"You gotta be kidding?" Amy asked incredulously. Faith shook her head.

"By the way, I got this whole violence thing down. I changed my motto, from Want. Take. Have. To: Kill. Only. Vampires. I thought Kill. Amy. Lots. Was a little over the top, how about you."

Amy shoved Faith back into her slayer body and turned her attention to William. He would be a challenge. He had almost all his hearts desires, except for one.

When William saw time stop around him, he knew exactly what had happened. Amy had cast a spell. What for, he wondered. As he walked out of his own body, he knew.

"I read about this spell in a dark magic book when I was trying to find a way to get this bloody chip out of my head," Spike told him. Spike was now standing next to him.

"What the bloody hell?" William asked.

"Since I still exist in you mind, when the big baddy over there separated your mind and body, I got lose too. This is a want spell. You can have your a wish, fantasy or dark desire fulfilled, but you have to give something up to get it. Usually a dark something. I think it has to cause a lot of pain to someone you love. That's why I could go through with it," Spike finished, his eyes downcast.

"Very good Spike. Too bad you don't really exist anymore or maybe I could get a great wish from you," Amy mocked.

"Sod off," they said at the same time. Spike's image faded a little.

"Not so much of difference between you two. Not much of you left in him, Spike. A shame."

"Nothing you can offer could cause me to inflict pain upon Faith," William spoke up.

"Heavens no watcher, I'd never want you to cause Faith pain. Keeping Faith safe is your desire, isn't it?" William didn't like how she could read his mind. She was using some powerful magic, hopefully wearing herself down for their attack.

"Well, here's the deal. I let Faith and you live, as long as you don't interfere with the battle. Stay out of the way and it's all sunshine and roses for you two. Bother me, and you're dead."

"And the others," William mused.

"Hopefully dead, but you and Faith live, no matter what. Hell, I could give you a spot at my right hand if you two wanted to go back to the way it was before," when William glared at her she sighed. "Figured. How about the three of us have some fun," she purred.

"Could I watch?" Spike piped up.

"NO!" William shouted, and Spike colored a little.

"Guess there is a difference," Amy apologized. "Better be careful Billy, Spike might take over." Spike grinned at this thought. William shot him a look and he dropped the grin.

"Sorry, just a fantasy. Not willing to sacrifice the little buggers to get it," he assured his human self.

William wanted to keep Faith safe. But what kind of world would be left if the others died?

Spike's presence also disturbed him. He knew that Spike was still inside of him, but he never knew how strongly.

"No, I'll take my chances," he said confidently.

"Well, you could do that. Of course, Faith hasn't done enough to earn her redemption. If she dies, well, eternal torment is the thought that springs to mind," Amy replied coolly. Gotcha, she thought.

No, this is all a big trick to tempt me. But it did raise a tough question. Was Faith's damnation worth the others lives? That was debatable. And there was no way to know what was in store after this life. Faith in pain. William wanted more than anything to shield her from it. But he knew that if they ran from this fight, Faith could never earn her redemption and he might lose his. The grinning Spike image was enough to convince him that would be a very bad thing.

"I'll take that chance. She needs to earn it, running will only guarantee a trip to damnation."

"I hate you ALL!" Amy screamed and Spike and William returned to their body.

FACTORY

Willow and the other witch collapsed in exhaustion. Amy was glad she had borrowed their power for her spell. Had it been successful Amy would have been far happier about her own lack of exertion to cast that very powerful want spell.

She was far too upset. Her spell had failed miserably. She had offered them all the chance to be happy, to fulfill hidden desires and fantasies. Even if the details were all lies. Granted, the only way the spell would have allowed her to actually grant their wishes was to call upon their dark sides, but none of them would cause others pain to be happy. Even Faith. She had the least to hurt, but she still wouldn't budge.

Oh well, she told herself, they will see that I am much more powerful in person than I am in persuasion.

SUNNYDALE STREETS

The spell was broken. Xander could feel his arm moving again, but stopped it. Something was weird. None of them could remember their exchanges with Amy. Their minds could only remember their internal struggles, issues and final decisions.

Xander was still angry, but killing Angel wouldn't solve anything. Angel loved Buffy, but he could never try to be with her. Buffy felt nothing for Angel, but held some small hope Xander would forgive her. Faith was racked by guilt like always, but knew that she had a real chance to make it right. William realized that protecting Faith above all would do more harm than good, and he was also acutely aware of the Spike part of him in his mind.

They all shook themselves. When their haze faded Xander spoke first.

"Look," he said at Angel and Buffy. He turned to Buffy first. "Things are not all right between us. They won't be for a long time." Buffy was nearly crushed. But there was a small sign of hope in his words. He looked at Angel. "You, well if you never come to Sunnydale again it will be way, way too soon. But if the world ends there will never be a chance for things to be right with us," he looked at Buffy, who had caught hold of his ray of hope, and turned back to Angel. "And, if you being around now helps avert the end of the world so be it. But after this, if I see you in town again, I'll stake you myself." Xander finished with confidence.

Angel could only manage a nod. Buffy spoke next. "I second that," she started. Angel didn't want to hear the words anymore than Buffy wanted to say them. That's not true, some part of him piped in, she wants the words out and said. And she means them.

Buffy went on. "Your help is great, especially if it helps make with the living. I tried the being dead thing a couple times," she glanced at Xander, whose expression softened just a touch, "and the living thing is much better. But unless it is an end of the world kinda thing, keep out." She said the last part roughly. Mostly for Angel and Xander's sakes, but whatever emotions their kiss had brought back, her own words stomped out.

She was with Xander. She loved him and could never risk their relationship again. She knew, deep down inside her, that what had happened with Angel before was artificial and forced. But her mind was too foggy on the details to make it come out that clearly. All she knew was that she loved Xander. If she was given a chance to be with Angel, no curse clause and no way for Xander to find out, she still would never betray her heart again.

Faith and William watched the exchange. Angel remained silent through it all. After it was over, the three took back into position and headed off at a new clip to the factory.

Faith and William exchanged a glance and they fell back behind the other three.

"William," she started.

"Wait, Faith, let me go first," she nodded. "The reason I have fought this, this, us," he stammered, "Was because I was afraid I would lose the ability to objectively guide you. And I have. I wanted to protect you from all the violence and problems that come with this job. And that isn't possible. I, well, I will guide you with my heart as well as my mind, now. It seemed to work all right for Rupert and Buffy. But my feelings are not of a father for a daughter," he paused, took a deep breath and pressed on to the finish. "Faith, I love you."

There was a silence that hung between them for a few moments. William was afraid that he had upset her. That he had said the words at the wrong time, or that she was afraid that now he would guide her poorly.

Then, she broke the deafening silence. "I love you too," she said the words she had been longing to say. It made her feel great inside. She wanted to run to him and kiss him. Then she looked up and sighed. "Too bad we're gonna die now," she quipped, a little too seriously for William's taste, as they arrived at the factory.

SUMMERS BASEMENT

Dawn, Giles, and Cordelia sat in the "fort." Giles had remarked several times how unsteady it seemed. He was very right, Dawn thought. All Angel and Faith had done was build a small four walled structure with nothing more than some bookshelves and some spare wood. They threw some old bed sheets on it as well. Angel had told them that it would be big enough for them to sit in, but small enough that Giles and Cordy would be able to cast a protections spell. If that failed, they were in for it.

Giles checked his watch. It was already twelve thirty. He was sure that Amy's goons would try something soon. He was a little surprised they hadn't already. Give them time to reach Amy, Rupert, he told himself. Then they will realize Dawn isn't with them, and they will come for us.

"Concentrate," Cordy chastised Giles.

"Right you are, sorry," Giles said, giving his imitation of Buffy's puppy dog look that she had perfected long ago. They closed their eyes and focused.

"Oh goddess Gretoria," Cordelia chanted.

"Show us your kindness," Giles chanted the next line.

"Grant us your protection," they finished together. It was their third time trying the spell. The first time, Dawn had brought them out of their trance with a coughing fit caused by the dusty sheets. The second time, Cordelia broke Giles concentration by worrying aloud about what would happen if their spell failed.

This time, the spell worked. Giles could feel the magical energy flow through the pair and surround their fort. He was thankful that Amy was too preoccupied to try and block their spell.

"It appears the first part of the spell has succeeded," he told the girls.

"First part?" Dawn asked.

"Yeah, we need to keep up a great level of concentration," Cordelia told her, a fake serious look on her face. Dawn smiled. In the few hours she had spent with Cordelia, she had grown to like her quite a bit. She was still somewhat shallow and superficial like the stories she had heard about her, but there was a level of maturity to her that Dawn admired. She was serious but didn't have that weight of the world feeling on her like Buffy. Dawn frowned. Buffy. She hoped that she would see her sister again. The last time Buffy had faced a foe this powerful who wanted to use the key to open the hellmouth, Buffy had died.

"It'll be okay Dawnie," Cordy told her, using the nickname she had heard the others call her.

Dawn gave Cordelia her best, being brave smile, but was still a jumble of nerves inside.

"Cordelia, we really do need to concentrate," Giles interrupted their female bonding moment as gently as he could.

"Huh? Oh right the spell and stuff," Cordy returned, flashing shades of the old Cordelia that Giles had come to know.

"Yes the spell and stuff," he repeated and sighed. Hurry, he thought silently to his slayer.

THE FACTORY

"Play time has started, take your places my servants," Amy called to her servants and snapped her fingers to put her plans into full swing.

Buffy and Faith started to charge the door to batter it in. Xander's words stopped them. "Hey guys, trap remember. The door is usually unlocked when it's a trap," he said simply and walked to the door and opened it.

"Oh," Buffy said quietly. The five of them then walked through the door. Buffy was struck by how nice the factory looked. It had been given a nice dusting and a make over. It even had some color.

"A color coordinated vampire lair, what a nice change," Buffy quipped.

"Which way?" Faith asked. She was anxious to get into this. It would be a great test to see if she could handle her violent streak, if she lived through it.

"I imagine Amy will come to us," William said.

"Why am I not comforted by that fact?" Xander asked.

"Me neither," Angel spoke for the first time since his tongue- lashing. Xander leveled a glare at him, but then relented.

"No kidding," he said quietly. We need Angel's help, Xander kept telling himself. A loud moan snapped his attention. It had caught the others attention as well. They ran over to a corner where the noise had originated. They had expected to find a bruised and battered Willow. What they found was bruised and battered, but most definitely not Willow.

"Tara, Oz! What are you two doing here?" Buffy demanded. Tara was helping Oz along, he looks like hell, Buffy thought.

"I-I tried t-t-to help f-f-free Willow," Tara stuttered. "I found them, but I-I wasn't s-strong enough. All I could do was help free O-oz from h-her spell. But Willow is still human," she added brightly.

"See, this was us making our not so stealthy escape," Oz told them.

"How did you get involved in all this?" Buffy asked.

"Don't know really. One minute I'm driving, the next one Tara is helping me up."

"He, he, was a-a-all wolf like," Tara mumbled, remembering the first time she had seen that side of Oz come out. It had been when he found out about her and Willow.

"Maybe that explains how Willow was abducted," Buffy mused. "Tara, that was really stupid. You could have been killed. And we could have used your magical help," Buffy scolded her.

Tara smiled slightly, and pulled off her backpack, passing the weakened Oz off the Angel. Angel felt something off about the whole encounter. But he wasn't able to put a finger on it. Amy must be messing with my intuition, Angel decided.

Out of her bag Tara brought out some magic supplies, than a small box with a skull and cross bones in silver on top. She also pulled out a bag of green dust and a vile of blood. "Box of alavance, ground Huygo toes, and," she glanced at Oz, "werewolf blood. I called in a few favors and did s- some magic to get it here. I didn't think Anya would be back yet," she added shyly. Xander's eyes hit the floor, fighting the instant tears that sprung to his eyes.

"Amy's men hit Anya before she could get the supplies. Good thinking Tara," Buffy told her sadly.

"I-Is she okay?"

"Don't know, I couldn't find where she was staying," Xander said quietly.

"Angel, can you help Tara cast the containment spell?" Buffy asked.

"Why me? I should be fighting," he said.

"Because, you and William are the only two in the group with magic backgrounds. We need you to help Tara," Xander said, shocking the group.

"Help a dazed werewolf out, but when did you start calling Spike, William?"

"Later," Faith sighed. "And I'm good too," she added quickly. Oz nodded weakly.

"Tara, where is she keeping Willow?" Buffy asked, trying to reign the conversation in.

"Down there," she pointed.

"Hey, that's where I held Willow and Xander up so they'd do my love spell," William said. "I mean Spike. Sorry not all the cobwebs are out yet," he sighed.

"If we live through this, I'll try and knock them out," Faith said. Old Faith would have loved that, she thought.

"Guys, hate to interrupt, but vampire witch holding our friend hostage," Xander grabbed the group's attention back.

"All right. Xander, Faith and I will go in first," Buffy said, laying out the game plan. "Tara, William and Angel stay back and start casting the spell as soon as we have Amy distracted. Oz, will you be okay?"

He nodded briefly. "Good. By the way, how did you escape Tara?"

She blushed. "Well, I a, was chased by Oz and cast a reversal spell to free him. She thinks I'm dead and might be getting suspicious about Oz being gone so long. Said something about giving him a scooby snack."

"Boy, no pop culture or punning skills," Xander chimed in. The others looked at him strangely, and he returned their look. "I don't really know where that came from. For some reason Monty Hall keeps popping up in my head," he shrugged.

"Time to move," Buffy said. The expanded group crept towards the stairs. When they got there, Buffy and Faith went in first, and Xander followed a step behind, lightsaber and tranquilizer gun in tote.

When they came to the ground level, Buffy was again struck by the nice interior of the once dank room. "Boy, she should have been an interior decorator," Buffy said under her breath.

Willow instantly caught her attention. She was lying on the floor, inside a large circle painted on the floor. She seemed to be uninjured, but was unconscious.

"Willow," Xander cried quietly. His resolve hardened in a moment. "Let's get her, before Amy gets here."

"Too late," Amy called out as she emerged from the shadows. Buffy wasted no time and launched herself full speed at the vampire witch.

"That oughta distract her," Faith said to Xander as she bolted after Buffy. "Hey, wait up B!"

Xander ran out to the circle. He slammed up against a wall. When he got his bearings, he pressed his hand against the force holding Willow in.

"It's the circle, destroy the circle," Willow called weakly from the floor.

"It'll be okay Wil, we'll get you out."

"Hurry, Xander," she pleaded.

Buffy reached Amy and kicked out, connecting. Amy fell backwards a few steps but stayed on her feet. Faith arrived a second later and the three launched into a free for all. Amy lashed out at the slayers with her taloned fingernails. Faith drew a dagger out. She had chosen the weapon to bury the Old Faith once and for all. Buffy pulled her own sword out. Amy moved at lightning speed, dodging the slayers weapons.

"Try harder," Amy baited the slayers. They took her up. Buffy swung her sword at Amy's feet, while Faith went in high. Amy twisted her body at unbelievable angels to avoid the blows. She landed on her right hand, facing the slayers and sprang back up. "Is that all you got?" she asked at the slayers amazed looks.

Tara began to set the spell up. William and Angel poured some of the supplies into the box. It began to hum. "Is that right?" Angel asked the others. They shrugged.

"Won't know until we try," William told him.

"Okay, I think we're ready," Tara said.

"You think or you know," Angel demanded.

"I-I," Tara couldn't get any other words out.

"Easy killer," William intervened. "Are you sure everything is ready?" He asked gently. Tara nodded. "Okay, what do we have to say?"

Tara handed them each a card. "We each r-r-read our parts, and then when the box looks like it's about to burst with energy, we slam the lid shut. It should draw a lot of her power into it," she said.

"Here goes nothing," Angel said and began to read his card.

Xander pulled his lightsaber free of his belt and brought the blue blade out. "Hold on Wil, I'm going to slash the circle."

"No you're not," Amy called at him. He was amazed she could notice him while continuing to slip out of the slayers reach. "Be gone," she said and snapped her fingers. Suddenly his lightsaber was gone.

"HEY!" he yelled. "That was my thing!" The three girls took a half-second out of their fight to throw him a disgusted looked.

"Not in a male part way," he said, managing to blush despite the seriousness of the situation. "I meant my thing that made me cool."

"Even if I wasn't in a life or death fight, I wouldn't dignify that with a response," Buffy told him, as she barely escaped Amy's advance.

"Suck up to Xander and his thing later B," Faith warned and finally scored a hit. A superficial cut to the forearm.

"Bitch, that hurt," Amy told her calmly and lashed her foot out, catching Faith in the gut and she fell to the floor.

"For the last time, don't hurt my friends," Buffy responded, just as coldly. Buffy spun her sword around and threw it like a spear towards Amy. Amy tried to catch it in midair, but the blade connected with her shoulder.

"Power in its truest form, come to us," William finished the last line of his card. Humming didn't adequately describe the power coming from the box. William imagined that Druscila would have said it sung. "Time to close the lid luv," William told Tara.

She was about to do that, when Amy called out as she pulled the sword out of her shoulder. "Enough of this charade!" Tara got a blank look on her face. It matched the one Xander saw on Willow's. Suddenly, Xander, who had been leaning on the force field, fell into the circle.

"Huh?" He called.

"Yes, mistress," the witches called out. Tara then grabbed the box and threw it to Willow. Willow then offered it to Amy. The slayers were too shocked by this turn of events to stop her.

"You lied, you promised you hadn't turned Willow!" Xander screamed.

"And you promised that you'd bring me the key, what's your point?" Amy shrugged. "Besides, I didn't turn Willow, I just enslaved her," she giggled.

"But the ritual?" William asked from a far.

"Oh, the second vampire witch. I took care of that," she said simply. When none of them said anything she added, "I turned Tara." All eyes turned to her, and the shy, nervous girl they had all known was gone. In her place, was a confident, strong, vampire.

"You guys are r-really stupid," Tara told them, mocking her own stutter.

The shock that held over the room was unbearable.

"How?" Buffy demanded, breaking the silence.

"You were all so concerned with Willow. Like I would want a bitch that turned my first offer down to share in my glory. Tara had given into me right away. The power consumed her. But I didn't turn her until last night. She was just under deep hypnosis, like Willow is now," Amy waved at Willow. "Tara was spying on you the entire time. How do you think I got to Anya?" Amy chuckled. Xander charged her, but Amy held a hand out, stopping him in mid stride. "Anyway. The containment spell can also be reversed, to feed me power. And I think I'll take a bite. Hand me the box," she commanded Willow.

But Willow didn't hear her. The shock of it all barreled through Amy's hypnosis. Her love, Tara, was gone. A monstrous demon had taken her place. Tricked her. Her mind had been too far under Amy's control for Willow to realize something was wrong when Tara had emerged from the shadows in the negligée. Now, everything connected.

"Oh, God, Tara," she mumbled.

"The BOX!" Amy screamed at her. Willow glared at her and slammed the lid down. "You want the box, here you go!" Willow screamed in rage. But it didn't phase Amy.

"I took into account that you scoobies might get your ritual completed," Tara told them, rising from her spot on the floor to join her sire. "So I made sure that it could only give mistress power, not take it away."

Willow's eyes burned into what had once been her girlfriend. She was just an empty shell now, Willow told herself.

"Anyway. So now that I have my other half, all I need," Amy paused, "is the key."

That sprung Buffy from her shock and back into action. She slammed a fist home to Amy's jaw, sending her backwards. Tara reached for Buffy, but Faith shoved her back.

"It's okay honey," Amy said, getting up far too quickly for Buffy's taste. "I will even up our odds. Oh OZ!"

Oz, who had stumbled down the stairs during the fight, yelped in pain as the wolf took him over again.

"The gun Xander," Faith told him. Xander pulled out the tranquilizer gun and fired at Oz. The shot connected, but the werewolf didn't slow down. Xander was able to load three more shots and fire them, all three hitting home, but none even phasing the werewolf.

"Neat trick I taught him, huh?" Amy asked. Xander finally swung the gun around and knocked the werewolf in the face with the butt of the gun. He skidded away, but was up and nearly on top of them in an instant.

"Mind if I play," Angel called, running towards the group. Amy had a plan for him. She stared at him and caught his eyes. His run slowed to a walk, and Amy knew she had him in her grasp. She shot waves of pleasure through him until he groaned and something went through him.

"Moment of true happiness?" Faith asked her watcher.

"Moment of artificial happiness," William corrected.

"Which means what?" Buffy asked, sizing Amy up while trying to avoid her stare.

"The effects are only temporary," he said.

"Yeah, but it's not how long, it's what ya do with it, ain' t that right Buff," Angel said, rising up to his feet. Angelus advanced menacingly towards William.

"Go," Buffy commanded. "I got Amy, stop Angel. And Faith, try not to stake him."

"I'll try B," Faith shot out as she ran to help her love.

"As for you," Buffy said to Amy, but the fight was on before she even spoke. "What, not even a chance to pun," she questioned as she dodged a kick.

Oz had Xander cornered. Think Xanman, he told himself. He didn't have to. Willow shouted something in an ancient language, and the werewolf curled into a ball. "Sleeping spell," she called to Xander. "Go help Buffy. I got Tara," she said. Xander was about to object, but Willow simply said, "Resolve face." So Xander headed over to the main attraction.

"You know Faith, what is it about you and souled vampire ex-bad boys?" Angelus asked as he decked William with a right cross. Faith grabbed his left arm and twisted it back. "Oh, rough, just how I like it. And how you like it, as I recall." William kicked Angelus in the groin from the floor.

"Sorry mate, know that will hurt when this is all over, but NO ONE talks to Faith that way," he cried triumphantly. "I hate Angelus," he added.

"Not a big fan a you either Spikey," Angelus said as he popped up and nailed William in the eye. It was swollen shut by the time he hit the ground. Faith slammed her fists against the back of Angelus' head and he fell on his face.

"Don't know what I ever saw in him," she said aloud as she went in for another blow.

"Tara, this is for you," Willow said as she faced off with her lover.

"What, you gonna give me a big kiss," Tara chuckled and kicked Willow's legs out from her. She collapsed in a heap. "Did you really think that any of that weak stuttering idiot would be left. Think again," she said as she kicked Willow in the stomach. "The only good thing that weakling ever did was dump your sorry ass." She grabbed a now crying Willow's hair, pulling her up to her knees. "And now, it ends," she changed into game face and went in for the kill.

Buffy and Amy exchanged blows constantly. Neither one connecting a solid shot, both easily deflecting the others offensive. "That the best you got slayer?" Amy asked as she tossed aside one of Buffy's punches.

"Just getting warmed up. I like to make it a slow death when they take people I cared about," Buffy answered, blocking Amy's flying leg. Amy then screamed in pain as a bottle exploded against her face. Xander tossed two more at her.

"Stupid mortal," she cried. Amy waved her hand and flung Xander backwards. Luckily, he landed in a pile taking Tara and Willow with him.

"No one, hurts my boyfriend!" Buffy yelled, launching into a flurry of punches, kicks, and head butts.

Faith was running out of options. She and William could inflict all kinds of damage on Angelus, but he just kept coming. He had managed to pin William down, and it had taken all of Faith's slayer strength to pry him away. If he doesn't snap out of it soon, it will come down to him or us. Faith knew what she would do, but she didn't want to.

When Xander emerged from the pile, he saw that Willow was knocked out. For real this time I hope, he thought. Tara was up quickly and was about to take out Xander, but Amy gave her a new command. "Tara, go get me my key.'' Amy snapped her fingers and Tara vanished.

"NO!" Buffy's call echoed throughout the factory. She reached for a stake and threw herself at Amy. Amy grabbed her shoulders and slammed her against a wall. Xander took off after them at a run.

SUMMERS BASEMENT

It was quiet. Way too quiet, Giles thought. Amy hadn't even sent any of her demon minions after them. If Giles hadn't seen everything he had in his lifetime, he would have mistaken that for a good sign. Even Cordelia and Dawn were uncomfortable about their safety.

"I'm scared," Dawn said sheepishly.

"We all are," Cordelia told her. Why lie to her, she knows anyway, Cordy thought.

"I mean," Cordelia went on, but was cut short by a blinding pain.

"Cordy?" Dawn asked.

"Cordelia," Giles said concerned. They had never seen her have a vision in person. When it was over she was gasping for air.

"What is it?" Giles asked.

Cordy could manage only one word, stunned more by the horrible vision she had see play out before her, then the pain that accompanied it, "Xander."

THE FACTORY

"Enough," Amy said as Buffy slammed against the wall, causing her to drop the stake. Buffy struggled against her iron grip. "Look at me," she said, sticking her face in front of Buffy's. She tried to avoid her eyes, but couldn't. Waves of pleasure shot up her body. "Relax," Amy purred. Buffy felt Amy take control of her mind, and she didn't care. Buffy stopped struggling and went limp in Amy's arms. "Neck," Amy said, and Buffy crocked her neck, careful not to break the stare, to give Amy a clear path. Amy pushed the few stray hairs off it before changing into her vampire face and beginning her descent.

Faith had no choice. She pulled out her stake and thrust it at Angelus. He was choking the life out of William. Then, something went through him. He dropped William, and Faith dropped her stake. She rushed to William's side. "What happened," he gasped.

"Musta worn off," she said. Then here eyes caught hold of Amy, about to take a bite out of Buffy.

A million things went through Xander's mind in a split-second. Buffy. He couldn't lose her, not again. Not like this. She had betrayed him, but that hadn't killed his love. Even if she had never loved him, he could never stop loving her. Now, he was the only one who could save her. No one else could get to her in time.

But what could he do when he got there? He had fought Amy before, and she had tossed him around like a rag doll. If he tried to tackle her, would she even budge? Then it came to him and he went into action without hesitation or thoughts of himself. He launched his body at Amy. He had his arms low, as if he meant to tackle her. Then, at the last possible second, he flung his own neck into her path. She bit down, stopping his momentum.

The pain was intense. He tried to break free, but he could feel the life being sucked out of him by her iron jaws. He heard Buffy call his name, "XANDER!" There was so much emotion in just one word. Pain. Love. Anger. Understanding. And in that moment, he knew he had made the right choice. Buffy loved him. She always would. His love of her had driven him to do the dumbest things of his life, but now, he knew he had done the right thing. She loved him, and he loved her. It would be okay.

His life flashed before his eyes. Early memories of he and Willow in grade school. A few of the better times with his parents. The day Buffy had come to Sunnydale. The rest of his memories all contained her. Whether it was a fight, a moment of friendship, the scoobies, the end of the world, she was always there. Three last images played into his head as he felt the last of his life drained away. Anya. He regretted that she had to suffer. Buffy, Willow, Giles, and himself, the slayerettes. The three people who had always been a constant through the last six years of his life. Finally, just Buffy. The love of his life. The person whose life he had traded for his own.

Then, Xander felt something being shoved into his mouth. A coppery liquid flowed down his throat. He tried to choke it back, but couldn't. Damn, not what I had in mind. I hope Buffy stakes me. I guess it would be fitting, he mused. Then the blackness claimed him.

TO BE CONTINUED

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