Standard disclaimer applies under all circumstances.
A/N: Hello peeps! How is everything??? Well, here is chapter 4 of Reason to Be! Um… there's really not much else to say so sit back and relax! Xoxoxoxoxo to all my readers! Hope you all enjoy!!!
Yeah… here's part 4!!!
Whom Shall it Be
Spike's eyes glowed a mysterious silver colour. Throwing his head back, he starred at the charred ceiling and for a moment, he thought he saw something… someone… familiar.
"Buffy," a soft voice cooed, looking down at the Slayer. The Chosen girl lifted her head and her eyes filled with surprise and light.
"Mommy?" she asked, her eyes filling again, this time with wonder. The woman smiled and bent down to stroke her daughters head. The floating angel looked down at the little group and smiled.
"Hello," she whispered, reaching out to lightly stroke a disbelieving Dawn's head. "I' miss you all so much."
"Mommy?" Dawn whispered, looking with sad eyes at the figure of her mother in front of her. Joyce nodded her head and gently stroked the top of the teens head as she started to cry.
"Now listen to me, all of you. There's something big that's going to happen very soon. You are all going to need to band together for this.
"There's a prophecy that it going to be fulfilled. You are all a part of it." Turing to her eldest daughter, Joyce smiled.
"Trust your heart Buffy. I know that it's hard after what Angel, Riley and your father did to you, but trusting your heart will bring you to realize all is not bad in the world. He's here Buffy, just open your eyes. Help him heal when the time comes." Joyce's kind smile continued onto look at Dawn.
"Hey baby," she said softly, stroking the brown girl's head. Dawn sniffled and looked at her mother.
"Dawnie, you need to understand that you have the most important part. You are going to be the newest in your generation. You're going to have to remember how your sister did it and I must tell you, you must trust your heart. When a boy comes to you in the next few days, speak to him sweetie. Get to know him." The teenager smiled weakly, a fresh batch of tears sparkling in her eyes.
"Xander, Anya," Joyce commented, looking at the couple. The duo looked up from starring at their hands and looked with deep respect at the woman in front of them. A cheerful smile greeted them and they smiled slightly in return.
"Now, I know I didn't really get to know you Anya, but I'm sure you're an amazing person. But sometimes, even when it hurts the most, you have to let go of the past." She gave a pointed glance at Spike—whom was hugging a sobbing Dawn—and Willow—whom was consoling a broken looking Buffy—for a brief second before turning back to the two.
"Xander, I know in the past year that you've made some foolish mistakes. But you must remember, that whatever doesn't kill you will only make you stronger. I know that there's some kind of irony in that, what with being a member of the Scooby gang, but I can't find it right now and it's not all that important anyway." Xander nodded stiffly. He always respected Joyce, and her plainly stating that in the past year, YES he DID screw up was slightly unnerving.
But Joyce's attention was taken from him when the Watcher let out a tiny cough. It was obvious to her that he was trying desperately to keep the cough within himself, but the tiny lapse in control sent the tiny cough out.
"Rupert. Mr. Giles?" The watcher looked up at the heavenly being and smiled.
"Joyce," he regarded, blushing slightly. No one saw this however because in reality, not many where paying attention to them.
"It… it's good to see you." Joyce smiled.
"And I throw the same thing at you." Joyce's playful look sobered slightly.
"Rupert, I'm so sorry to tell you this, but when the time comes, you will have to make a choice. One that may possibly change the fate of my daughter. But Rupert, when the time comes, you MUST listen to Spike. Do not let Buffy or Dawn persuade you. I know alone they are quite persistent and as a team they are almost unbearable. But the one you are going to have to trust is the one you trust the least." Giles nodded his head solemnly. He didn't quite enjoy the fact he had to listen to Spike, but in this case, the exception was wiling to be made.
Joyce then turned her head to Willow and the witch looked up from over Buffy's head. The spirit's eyes sparkled with tears as she looked over her daughter and her daughter's best friend.
"Willow," Joyce softly called and the red head turned her gaze the woman. Joyce said no words but placed her hand on the witches forehead. A bright flash of light came from the spot and Willow's eyes rolled back. As the light faded, everyone other than Spike and Dawn where starring at her, Dawn having fallen asleep in Spike's arms and Spike being quite thoughtful. Willow opened her eyes and nodded at Joyce, her mission clear.
"Spike." The vampire looked up, thoroughly surprised at being addressed. Joyce's soft expression made him tear up a bit and turn away. The angel moved towards him and placed a hand on his cheek, pulling his face to look him in the eyes. Joyce studied him for a moment and her eyes twinkled.
"Do you know why I liked you more than Angel?" The soulled vampire looked genuinely confused that the question before snarling a slight bit at the mention of his sire's name. Joyce laughed lightly as Spike looked at her again.
"I knew, long before Buffy did, long before you did, that you where the one." Spike looked amazed at this woman as she started to stroke the top of her younger daughter's head.
"Spike, you're the one that'll go through the most changes. Dawnie here has the most important part, but in order for it to come to pass, you must change physically and psychologically in order to protect her. Spike, the return of your soul is only a small part of the changes. Right now, you need to forget. I know most of your victims personally and they all forgive you. They're all at peace with you.
"You're changes are going to be big. There's no denying that. But when it feels like you can't go on, take a good look at Buffy and Dawn. During your absence, Dawn openly grieved for you and Buffy spoke to me all the time about how much she missed you. In fact, occasionally, she'd sleep with your duster on, just to be near you. The next few months will be hell on Earth. But my daughters are here to pull you through it." Spike nodded and looked at Joyce fondly.
"Thank you," he whispered, a solitary tear falling away from his eye. Joyce smiled and whipped it away from his face before leaning forward and placing a loving kiss on his forehead. The vampire's arms tightened around Dawn and she stirred, sensing the need for comfort the vampire was feeling.
"Goodbye, just remember, my dears, I will always be watching over you. You all have my blessing. Goodbye." And with that, she disappeared, Spike's eyes glowing a silver hue as she did.
The tired group looked around at one another and they all made a silent agreement that it was time to go home.
***
*sigh* Yes, I know, it's short. Please forgive the ever-so shortness of this chapter, this is just a filler thing. K, I hope you're happy.
FYI, I won't be posting for a while, due to the fact everything is just starting up again. Once I have a schedule for soccer, school, choir, creative writing and (hopefully) guitar, I'll be able to slot in a time solely dedicated to writing this story. This year I plan to be absolutely organized and everything is going to get done, even if it is slowly. "
It is better to be slow and well done than be quick and poorly done. Unless you have a deadline." -B. Willow-
Hopefully, every Sunday of the week is going to be for writing and posting. However, due to the constantly changing schedule of my chaotic life, this may not always be true.
I've lost a little bit of steam on this one (ask K, in Ireland I was writing close to one chapter a day) and now I lost the book all my writing was in. I know I seem to do this a lot, but I'm totally dis-organized in the summer and I tend to lose things only to find them again two months later. I am on a hunt for my book though, so it won't be two months until my next post. And right now I know K is waiting to strangle me next chance she gets.
Please do not lose all hope in me. I really am trying my best but at the moment, it seem my best may not be quite enough.
Regards,
Blue Willow,
"Angel of light let the sun shine down upon me
Grant forever my soul in eternal peace."
-B. Willow-