Consequences

Epilogue

Written: 4/20/02

Rating: PG

A/N: I wrote this due to popular opinion that it needed an epilogue. I'm not saying it's what y'all wanted, but it's what you get. :0)

"So, let me get this straight." Willow had gone over it a few times already, but none of the others could begrudge her an additional explanation.

"Spike is good, I was evil...and a lesbian...and all my friends were insane."

Spike looked down at the floor with feigned interest in the virtual pattern his foot made on the floor. "That about sums it up, Red." She just shook her head, trying with all her might to hold back the tears. The vampire had just spent a good hour recounting the events of the last couple months to Xander, Buffy, Anya and Dawn. However, for Willow, it was quite a bit more information. She had no recollection of Adam, Riley, Glory, Ben, Doc, Rack, Buffy's death, Joyce's death, Oz's return, Giles' and Angel's departures, Spike's chip, and a great many other things. But the worst was the loss of her memories of Tara. They had shared so very much together, and now all of it was gone. Spike assumed this was why Tara was not present at this strangest of meetings.

"It's surreal." The poor red head stared at a spot on the floor, stuck in a trance-like state. "I-I mean, I love you all so much. I can't believe I could do those things. How could I change so much in just a couple years?" All were surprised at her apparent self-control.


Buffy broke herself out of her own trance to offer support to her long-time friend. She approached Willow and gingerly sat down next to her, putting her arm over the ex-witch's shoulder. "I think I speak for everyone here." Buffy looked around the room to secure an affirmative nod from each person. "We all love and forgive you. And we're all here for you, any time of day or night...just like always."

Willow looked up into Buffy's eyes, her own filling up with tears. "How can you? I got involved in some seriously bad stuff. I put you all in danger and hurt you. I screwed up so badly that the only choice was to turn me back into a different person." The disappointment she felt in herself was quite evident. "And that girl, Tara, she's so let down by me that she's not even here."

"Willow. Look at me." Just Spike's presence was enough to shake her up, let alone the fact that he was talking to her as if they were old friends. "That's how the black arts work. You get sucked into it and it changes you. If Rupert were here, he'd tell you the same bloody thing." Thankfully, Willow seemed to understand. "So, if your mates are willing to forgive and forget, then you might as well accept it and move on."

It sounded like such good advice. If only it could be that easy.

Just then, Xander spoke up. "Hey, Will. We all did stupid things. I left Anya at the alter on a whim."

Dawn interjected, "And I turned into a klepto!" Willow didn't quite understand the girl's enthusiasm over the admission, but was comforted to hear some happiness in the room.

Spike chimed in. "I accidentally harbored dangerous, killer demon eggs in my crypt."

"Yes, and I almost allowed myself to be turned back into a vengeance demon so that I could reap revenge on Xander!" Anya said with a truly Anya smile.


Buffy, now grinning at the livening up of the mood in the room, added her own: "I slept with Spike, then insulted him and beat him up!"

All heads turned to the slight blonde. The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. But the only sound heard were crickets in the distance.

Buffy looked around at all the saucer-wide eyes, wondering why she couldn't admit the things she had done wrong too. "What?!"

-Crick, crick, crick...

END