Disclaimer: I am not Joss, nor do I work for him. Therefore, I do not
have rights to the characters of BtVS. I don't own Xena or Gabrielle,
either, so obviously I'm not raking in any cash for this fiction.
Note: Here's the big finish for this part of the series. Never fear, there are more sequels to come in the future. However, the next story will feature only the Buffy characters and won't technically be a crossover. I can't say more than that for fear of giving anything away.
Feed the writer! Contact me at xencall@yahoo.com with any comments or questions, or check out my and other alternative universe fiction at my website: http://suddenshift.topcities.com
* * *
Dawn spread out her tools on the floor in front of her. She took a deep breath to center herself, then cringed when she caught a lungful of the foul smell across the street. This close to the hotel where Xena and her sister were now living, the stench of death was suffocating. She knew vampires were dead and all, but they had to notice how disgusting decomposing bodies were.
She sat on the floor of a looted gas station. Technically, she did not need a physical proximity to her chosen target, but she wanted to be close to Buffy to make sure the spell worked. Careful not to be seen, she entered the facility through a small window in the back, just so no one would notice her from the street. The spell had to go just right, without interruption.
Her hands shook a bit when she reached into her bag for the final component, the Orb of Thesulah. She'd kept it wrapped in a bit of cloth to make sure it was safe as she ran through the shattered streets of Sunnydale. As she pulled the heavy bundle out of her bag, she marveled at the power contained in such an otherwise unremarkable object. She recalled that they'd often been sold as New Age paperweights to the clueless shoppers of the Magic Shop. But here it was, the sole answer to all of their problems.
When Dawn unwrapped the object, her breath caught in her throat. In her palm lay not the orb, but a white cue ball. She stared at it in shock for several seconds, her heart pounding viciously in her chest. When she realized what must have happened, she threw the ball across the room and swore.
"That bitch!" she exclaimed as the cue ball crashed through what was left of the front window. When had Willow been in her room that day?
"You should learn to control that temper," someone said from the shadows.
Dawn jumped to her feet, immediately readied for battle. When the woman stepped forward into the moonlight streaming through the front windows, Dawn wavered momentarily. It was Gabrielle.
"I've been waiting for something to get me back inside," she purred. "And here you are."
* * *
"I can't believe you let her go," Willow snapped at Xander once more. "I told you she'd do something impulsive."
"Maybe she's doing something constructive instead of just sitting around on her ass like some people I know," he retorted, circling the front of the van to jump into the driver's side.
"That is so not fair," Willow muttered. She hefted the bag of supplies against her side, lifting the strap to a more comfortable position on her shoulder. It was heavy enough to slow her down. "Give me one good reason why the spell couldn't have waited a few hours."
"Do you want me to get that?" he asked when she unsuccessfully tried to climb up into the back of the van.
She frowned at him. "I've got it," she answered. She managed to toss the bag inside and jumped up nimbly behind it. Avoiding the passenger seat, she remained in the back with her weapons. "Now where's Spike?"
"He went ahead," Xander said. "Probably already over there, actually."
"I had to get a few things," Willow said irritably. "Why don't you go ahead and get your ass moving now?"
He faced the front of the van, shoving the key into the ignition and twisting it savagely. "Dawn is very self-sufficient," he said. He sounded as if he were trying to convince himself more than Willow. "You'd be surprised at what she's accomplished since you've been gone."
"I'm well aware of what an accomplishment staying alive is in this town," Willow countered. She paused as he pulled out of the small garage behind the church. "I need you to let me off on Elm Street. It's better if we go in from different positions."
He glanced at her in the rearview mirror. "You really think we should split up?" he asked in surprise.
"It'll do us no good to get caught together and both die at the same time," she explained.
Xander was quiet for many long moments. "I'm glad you're back," he finally admitted, his voice sheepish. "You might not think it, but we all are."
Willow smiled. "You know, I think I'm glad to be back," she said. She laughed when she realized the absolute truth of her words. "It's really a shock, let me tell you."
"So let's do this," he said.
Nodding, Willow added, "Elm Street, okay?"
* * *
Dawn bucked under the vampire's grasp, feeling her arms groan in their sockets. Gabrielle clicked her tongue in chastisement, then tightened her grip. "Easy now, girl," she told her captive. "You don't me to break your arms, do you?"
Her wrists were lashed together with some electrical wiring ripped from the wall of the gas station. Gabrielle pushed her forward as they crossed the street. For being so small, the woman was amazingly strong. Dawn knew that no matter how well she'd trained these past few years, her normal mortal strength was no match for a two thousand year old vampire. As she dragged her feet when they approached the hotel, Gabrielle forced her to move even faster.
Several vampires milled about the front of the building, where an overhang once allowed some shelter to people unloading their cars in the rain. The broad glass doors were surrounded by windows that clearly revealed the lobby inside. Even from her vantage point, Dawn could see that the place was trashed. The largest two of the guards stepped forward to stop them as they came closer.
"You know the rules, Gabrielle," the first said. "You're no longer welcome here."
"Oh, you're not still angry about that little fight we had, are you, Gregory?" Gabrielle pouted. "I see your leg has healed."
The vampire scowled at her. It was a mean feat, making that face look even angrier. "Don't make us force you to leave," he warned.
"Are you blind?" she snarled, shaking her prey in front of her. Dawn winced when her arms strained with the assault. "I have a gift for the dynamic duo. Now let me inside so I can offer it to them properly."
Squinting at Dawn, the vampire shrugged then returned his attention to Gabrielle. "So?" he said. "Xena's got enough women."
"I'll just bet," Gabrielle growled lightly. When he continued to stare at them stupidly, she sighed. "However have you morons managed to gain positions of trust in this venture? This is the Slayer's sister. The one she's been looking for."
The expression of astonishment on Gregory's face made Dawn laugh out loud. He glared at her, and her amusement subsided. "What are you going to do?" she challenged. "Kill me before Buffy gets to me? You're headed straight for a quick dusting, Mister."
Gabrielle chuckled behind her. "I love the straightforwardness of children, don't you? Now let us pass."
They were made to wait in the lobby, which set Gabrielle off into another childish outburst. Stalking back and forth across the tile floor, she kicked broken pieces of furniture out of her way and sent splinters flying through the air. Dawn would've guessed that a vampire would have more care around wooden projectiles. Gabrielle didn't seem to be dealing a full deck. She probably would've gotten along well with Spike, if she wasn't so into chicks.
"Gabrielle," a strong female voice called from above them. At the head of the large staircase leading up to the second floor, a tall dark-haired woman leaned over the railing to peer down at them. It had been awhile since Dawn had seen her, but she was still wearing the same leather gear she'd always favored.
The look of longing that crossed Gabrielle's face was painful to watch. For an instant, Dawn almost felt sorry for her. She couldn't imagine being tossed aside by someone she'd spent centuries alongside. It was just another example of how destructive Buffy was like this. And Willow had ruined their one chance with her stupid posturing. Where had she put the Orb of Thesula? Had she destroyed it?
"Who let her in here?" another voice demanded. Glancing up at the top of the stairs, Dawn spotted her sister standing there, hands on hips, surveying the lobby area with haughty disdain.
"Now, now," Xena crooned. Her eyes hadn't left Gabrielle for a moment. "She's brought you something."
When Buffy's dead eyes lit on her, Dawn could hardly suppress a shudder. Her hands were still tied behind her back, but it didn't mean she was completely helpless. Gabrielle's attention was fully diverted by her undead lover, and Buffy was just far enough away.not stopping to check the locations of the minions around them, Dawn twisted around and sprinted toward the doors.
The vampires nearby were too stunned by the action to move right away. It was only when Buffy screamed at them from the top of the stairs that they sluggishly turned to grab her just as Dawn reached the glass doors. She soon had two vampires pressed up against her sides, each taking one arm and hauling her back toward the foot of the stairs. Dawn struggled, and managed to kick the one at her right with the heel of her sneaker, but it barely slowed them down.
Hurrying down the stairs, Buffy first slapped one of the vampires across the face. He hissed in pain, and Dawn knew she'd used her nails to claw his flesh as well. "I shouldn't have to tell you to stop her," Buffy growled at him. "Now keep her still."
She smiled when she turned her attention to Dawn. "Sister," she murmured. "I haven't seen you in some time. However did you let that irritating blonde take you off your game? Didn't I teach you anything?"
Dawn scowled. Gabrielle's reaction was more to the point. She rushed toward Buffy, enraged by the implied insult. The Slayer ignored the approaching attack until Gabrielle was upon her, then merely twisted at the waist and used the other vampire's forward momentum to throw her over her shoulder and send her sailing through the air. A human, or even a weaker vampire, would have crumpled to the floor upon landing. Gabrielle landed neatly on her feet, then whirled to make another attempt.
"I thought we discussed this, Xena," Buffy called up the stairs, her voice cold. "You were to keep your bitch on a leash where she belongs."
Gabrielle paused to hear what Xena had to say to this. She hissed at Buffy warningly.
"Gabrielle," Xena said, her voice weary. "Not now."
Shocked, Gabrielle glanced up at the warrior woman, a wounded expression on her face. She shifted out of vamp face, revealing her emotional vulnerability. But even without the mask to mar her features, she'd never look human. She was far too old of a vampire for that. Dawn lost any sympathy for her when she realized that. Demons didn't need humans to feel sorry for them.
"Xena," Gabrielle implored. "I've brought this gift for you. I know that the Slayer's desires are your own."
Xena looked pained at her words. "If you two could only work together, this wouldn't be an issue," she said.
"Oh, cut the melodramatic bullshit," Buffy snapped. "With the two of you mooning over each other every day, we'd never get anything done. Gabrielle, we thank you for the gift, but you can be going now."
Gabrielle stood firm. "I'm not leaving," she said.
"You-" Buffy started, then stopped herself. "Fine, I have more important things to deal with right now. We'll have a go later on."
Turning to face her sister once more, she reached out to touch Dawn's cheek. Buffy's cold fingers left icy trails down her skin. Dawn shivered in revulsion.
"Now," Buffy whispered, "where were we?"
* * *
Xander found Spike watching the front of the hotel from behind a collection of dumpsters in an alley across the street. The vampire's white blond hair stood out like a beacon in the moonlight. Thankfully it could only be seen from this side of the street. The dumpsters effectively blocked any visibility to those in the hotel.
"You're not inside yet?" Xander asked.
"Thought I'd wait for you and Will," Spike answered. He glanced behind Xander. "Where is she?"
"She said we should go in from different points. It sounded like a good idea the way she explained it," Xander defended when Spike looked at him like he was crazy.
"A good way for her to get killed," Spike responded evenly. "She's been out of the game for awhile, Xander. She's not exactly the one who should be making battle plans right now."
"Have you seen Dawn?" Xander asked.
"No, but there's been some commotion over there," Spike answered. "A good number of vampires have collected around the front doors over the past twenty minutes or so. They usually only have around five or so guarding at one time. Look over there now."
Xander counted at least twenty-five vamps milling about the front doors. Many of them were cautiously eyeing their surroundings, but most of them were unabashedly watching something that was going on inside the lobby. "Something big is up. Think Dawn did the spell?"
"If she did, Buffy could be in danger," Spike answered. "She'll be confused for a bit. It's a bad place for her to be when she comes to her senses."
"Okay, so we find a way inside. I'd say the front doors are out."
Spike gestured toward some broken windows on the opposite end of the hotel. "We head back through this alley and go down the back street a ways before coming out down there, we can cross the street without being noticed. I don't think that area of the hotel is being used anymore."
Xander nodded. "It's the best we can do, I suppose. Are we armed?"
Spike opened his leather jacket to reveal a row of wooden stakes strapped inside the lining. Xander glanced at them skeptically. "Well, they're as good as any," he said. "I really wish I hadn't lost my axe inside that Chaos demon last month."
* * *
"Buffy, this isn't you," Dawn whispered. It was her first attempt at reaching the human woman lost inside the monster.
Buffy paused, smiling. She leaned forward until Dawn could smell the scent of death on her breath. "Then who am I?" she whispered back. "Who am I really? A pathetic whiner who thinks she can save the world with a wooden stake and some holy water? A mortal who can't seem to die because her own friends would rip her out of heaven rather then let her go like any other normal people?" She shook her head. "You're wrong, little sister. I'm finally the person I was always meant to be. I can finally use my strength and my abilities to the best of my advantage. No more sulking about how terrible life is. I can finally revel in the Slayer's stock and trade. Death."
"That's quite a speech," Dawn answered. "Too bad you can't see how full of shit you are."
Buffy pulled back, a little surprised. "Why, Dawnie," she said. "I taught you better than that. Don't make me wash your mouth out with soap, little girl."
"How did you find her?" Xena asked, coming halfway down the stairs.
Gabrielle gazed at her a moment before answering. "She was holed up in the gas station across the street. I think she was going to try to cast a spell on you two."
"No," Buffy said. "Only me. Isn't that right, Dawn? I wondered if you would remember what happened with Angelus. Although technically, you weren't actually there at the time. Isn't memory a funny thing when it's been manufactured by some monk bastards too weak to protect their own mystical energy?"
"It doesn't matter if I wasn't really there," Dawn said. "I still have the memory. I'll find another way to make it work."
"You assume you'll be leaving this place alive," Xena countered. She glanced at Buffy. "You know what you have to do."
Buffy stared at her sister, her eyes unwavering. Gazing into the murky depths, Dawn desperately wished she'd be able to see some sign of the person her sister had once been. If she could only see that little spark of humanity before leaving this world, she could die without regret. She would have hope that there was some bit of Buffy left, that it may someday rise to the surface and put things right again. Otherwise, Dawn had accomplished nothing in these past two years.
As they stared at one another, a strange glow flared from the center of Buffy's irises. It shined brightly enough to make Dawn squint, then was gone in an instant. As she watched, her sister shook her head in confusion and closed her eyes a moment. What had just happened?
"Buffy?" Xena questioned, her voice sharp. She wasn't in the mood to be ignored.
"Yes," Buffy murmured. "I know what I have to do."
Dawn realized in that instant that her sister's voice had changed subtly. The mocking tone had vanished. It was weary for the first time since she'd been changed. When Buffy looked up again and met her gaze, Dawn saw what she'd been looking for. There was compassion in those eyes once more. Her heart surged with excitement.
Buffy reached out and grabbed one of the vampires by the neck. In his surprise, he loosened his grip on Dawn's arm, and she was able to wrench herself away before he was thrown across the room. The second vampire stepped back in surprise, but was caught by Buffy's powerful fist. The punch landed in his chest, imbedding itself within him and destroying the heart. He burst into a flurry of black dust.
"Buffy?" Dawn asked.
"Get over there," Buffy ordered her, pointing toward the edge of the room. "Stay down."
She was forced to turn away an instant later to avoid another attack. Ducking, she quickly punched the third vampire in the stomach, then dropped down to reach for a broken piece of a chair leg on the floor nearby. Arching up, she caught the vampire square in the chest with the makeshift stake. He backed away, his mouth dropped open in surprise, before he disappeared in a flurry of darkness.
Dawn backed away from the melee, twisting her wrists against the wire that bound them. She could feel it cutting into her skin, but the injury was secondary to getting her full motion back. Dawn saw Xena still standing on the staircase, a strange expression on her face. She seemed frozen, unable to move. She leaned on the railing for support.
When Dawn backed into a firm body, she jumped forward and grunted in surprise. "Easy, now," a familiar voice murmured softly in her ear. She relaxed instantly and felt Spike's hands carefully untying her.
"The spell," she gasped. "You did it?"
"No," he answered in confusion. "You left with all the supplies."
Untied, Dawn turned to face him. "But I didn't," she said. "The orb was gone. Buffy is-she's back. Look." She pointed toward her sister, who was busy dispatching two more vampires.
They were distracted then by a howl of outrage. Gabrielle, forgotten at the bottom of the stairs, launched herself toward Buffy, an expression of murderous intent stamped across her features. Buffy was heavily involved with a group of minions, and didn't notice the vampire's approach.
"No," Spike said, running after her. He reached into his jacket as he went, pulling out a wooden stake. Sprinting, he overtook Gabrielle just as she was about to grab Buffy from behind. He thrust the weapon into her back.
Gabrielle's howl turned into one of agony. She managed to turn and see the face of her killer before falling into a cloud of dust. Buffy twisted around just as the vampire's final scream faded away. Seeing Spike standing there, her eyes widened in surprise.
"Gabrielle!" Xena cried. She'd risen from her stupor long enough to realize what had happened to her companion. Hurrying down the stairs, she raced toward them before the dust of Gabrielle's body had completely fallen to the floor. Spike grabbed Buffy by the arm and pushed her out of the way, moving after her.
But Xena didn't go after them. She stopped at the spot where her lover had vanished, staring at the dust on the floor with a mixture of horror and amazement. "Gabrielle," she repeated softly.
Someone touched Dawn's arm. She quickly threw a punch to defend herself, only to recognize Xander as he caught her wrist in his hand to avoid the blow. Spike and Buffy glanced around themselves quickly. The rest of the vampires had disappeared, likely taking off as soon as they realized they didn't stand a chance against the Slayer and her friends.
When Xena looked up again, she faced a crowd of enemies staring back at her. After glancing about to see that she was now alone, she shook her head and frowned. She seemed groggy, only half-aware of her surroundings. But she was still able to recognize the danger she was in. Before any of them had a chance to say a word or make a move toward her, she raced toward the front doors and vanished in the darkness beyond.
"Buffy," Spike said, reaching out to touch the woman's arm. Buffy pulled away. She stared at him as though she had no idea who he was. Taking several steps back, she shook her head.
Dawn understood that some confusion was natural after this sort of thing. Giles had warned her that Buffy might not be able to even fight or defend herself. At least that point had been incorrect. Buffy's soul was accustomed to being in her body, it wanted to return to her. She hadn't gone very long without one, not like Angel or Spike. Her memories and her mind should return to normal much more quickly. But she needed time.
When Buffy turned to start walking away, Spike moved to follow. "Don't," Dawn called. "Let her be."
He stopped, turning to glance at her. "Were you ready to face all of us afterwards?" she asked him.
He sighed, then nodded. Then his eyes widened as she saw something behind them. Xander and Dawn twisted around, expecting another one of Xena's minions to emerge from the hallway. But it was Willow, standing hesitantly in the doorway to the east wing of the hotel. She obviously wasn't sure that she'd be welcome.
"Had to get some stuff, huh?" Xander said.
Willow shrugged, then looked at Dawn. "Did it work?" she asked.
In response, Dawn ran into her arms, enveloping her in a firm embrace.
* * *
Buffy didn't return to the church until the following night. None of them had the nerve to ask her where she'd been. She seemed to be recovering well, but there was more for her to deal with now that her soul had been returned to her. Spike understood the guilt she was feeling intimately. He knew at some point she'd need someone with whom to talk about it, but that she also needed to come to him on her own. She had to make the choice, not him.
Spike and Willow sat in one of the pews just before sunrise. Buffy had already retired into the chapel office, obviously exhausted from her ordeal. A duffel bag of random items sat at Willow's feet. She wore her business suit.
"You'll be back next week then?" Spike asked.
Willow nodded. "I have to take care of a few things back home.well, back where I was," she amended. "But Sunnydale is where I belong. We've got a lot of work ahead of us."
"Xander's bringing the van around," Spike told her. "He'll take you to the nearest airport."
"Spike," Willow started, then paused. "Did you notice.did Xena seem different to you before she left?"
Spike shook his head. "I don't understand, Red. Different how?"
"When I did the spell, I felt this huge surge in energy pass through me. More than the time with Angel. It was as though the magick inside of me was so intent on spilling out that it just forced its way through this channel I was offering it. It was more than I could control. I felt-" Willow paused.
"What?" he asked.
"I felt two souls returning to their bodies."
Spike stared at her, stunned.
"You said that Gabrielle tried to murder Buffy," Willow commented. "That wouldn't lead me to believe that the soul had been hers."
"Do you think Xena has her soul back?" Spike asked.
"I don't know. I guess it could have been any of the vampires there that night. A lot of them ran off before Buffy could get to them. I just don't know, Spike," Willow sighed. "But I'd really like to. Either way, I'm guessing we'll be seeing her again in the future, after all that happened."
"Willow," Xander called from the doorway. "You ready to go?"
Standing, Willow nodded. "Dawn's still out patrolling?" she asked.
Xander looked sheepish. "I think.I think she's a little embarrassed about the way she treated you," he said. "She'll come around by the time you get back."
Willow smiled. "I can't say I entirely blame her for her reactions," she said. She glanced at Spike. "Say goodbye to Buffy for me?" she asked. When he nodded, she added, "And tell her this time she can expect to see me again really soon."
Willow followed Xander outside to the van. It was time to close another chapter of her life, and finally move forward again.
The End
Note: Here's the big finish for this part of the series. Never fear, there are more sequels to come in the future. However, the next story will feature only the Buffy characters and won't technically be a crossover. I can't say more than that for fear of giving anything away.
Feed the writer! Contact me at xencall@yahoo.com with any comments or questions, or check out my and other alternative universe fiction at my website: http://suddenshift.topcities.com
* * *
Dawn spread out her tools on the floor in front of her. She took a deep breath to center herself, then cringed when she caught a lungful of the foul smell across the street. This close to the hotel where Xena and her sister were now living, the stench of death was suffocating. She knew vampires were dead and all, but they had to notice how disgusting decomposing bodies were.
She sat on the floor of a looted gas station. Technically, she did not need a physical proximity to her chosen target, but she wanted to be close to Buffy to make sure the spell worked. Careful not to be seen, she entered the facility through a small window in the back, just so no one would notice her from the street. The spell had to go just right, without interruption.
Her hands shook a bit when she reached into her bag for the final component, the Orb of Thesulah. She'd kept it wrapped in a bit of cloth to make sure it was safe as she ran through the shattered streets of Sunnydale. As she pulled the heavy bundle out of her bag, she marveled at the power contained in such an otherwise unremarkable object. She recalled that they'd often been sold as New Age paperweights to the clueless shoppers of the Magic Shop. But here it was, the sole answer to all of their problems.
When Dawn unwrapped the object, her breath caught in her throat. In her palm lay not the orb, but a white cue ball. She stared at it in shock for several seconds, her heart pounding viciously in her chest. When she realized what must have happened, she threw the ball across the room and swore.
"That bitch!" she exclaimed as the cue ball crashed through what was left of the front window. When had Willow been in her room that day?
"You should learn to control that temper," someone said from the shadows.
Dawn jumped to her feet, immediately readied for battle. When the woman stepped forward into the moonlight streaming through the front windows, Dawn wavered momentarily. It was Gabrielle.
"I've been waiting for something to get me back inside," she purred. "And here you are."
* * *
"I can't believe you let her go," Willow snapped at Xander once more. "I told you she'd do something impulsive."
"Maybe she's doing something constructive instead of just sitting around on her ass like some people I know," he retorted, circling the front of the van to jump into the driver's side.
"That is so not fair," Willow muttered. She hefted the bag of supplies against her side, lifting the strap to a more comfortable position on her shoulder. It was heavy enough to slow her down. "Give me one good reason why the spell couldn't have waited a few hours."
"Do you want me to get that?" he asked when she unsuccessfully tried to climb up into the back of the van.
She frowned at him. "I've got it," she answered. She managed to toss the bag inside and jumped up nimbly behind it. Avoiding the passenger seat, she remained in the back with her weapons. "Now where's Spike?"
"He went ahead," Xander said. "Probably already over there, actually."
"I had to get a few things," Willow said irritably. "Why don't you go ahead and get your ass moving now?"
He faced the front of the van, shoving the key into the ignition and twisting it savagely. "Dawn is very self-sufficient," he said. He sounded as if he were trying to convince himself more than Willow. "You'd be surprised at what she's accomplished since you've been gone."
"I'm well aware of what an accomplishment staying alive is in this town," Willow countered. She paused as he pulled out of the small garage behind the church. "I need you to let me off on Elm Street. It's better if we go in from different positions."
He glanced at her in the rearview mirror. "You really think we should split up?" he asked in surprise.
"It'll do us no good to get caught together and both die at the same time," she explained.
Xander was quiet for many long moments. "I'm glad you're back," he finally admitted, his voice sheepish. "You might not think it, but we all are."
Willow smiled. "You know, I think I'm glad to be back," she said. She laughed when she realized the absolute truth of her words. "It's really a shock, let me tell you."
"So let's do this," he said.
Nodding, Willow added, "Elm Street, okay?"
* * *
Dawn bucked under the vampire's grasp, feeling her arms groan in their sockets. Gabrielle clicked her tongue in chastisement, then tightened her grip. "Easy now, girl," she told her captive. "You don't me to break your arms, do you?"
Her wrists were lashed together with some electrical wiring ripped from the wall of the gas station. Gabrielle pushed her forward as they crossed the street. For being so small, the woman was amazingly strong. Dawn knew that no matter how well she'd trained these past few years, her normal mortal strength was no match for a two thousand year old vampire. As she dragged her feet when they approached the hotel, Gabrielle forced her to move even faster.
Several vampires milled about the front of the building, where an overhang once allowed some shelter to people unloading their cars in the rain. The broad glass doors were surrounded by windows that clearly revealed the lobby inside. Even from her vantage point, Dawn could see that the place was trashed. The largest two of the guards stepped forward to stop them as they came closer.
"You know the rules, Gabrielle," the first said. "You're no longer welcome here."
"Oh, you're not still angry about that little fight we had, are you, Gregory?" Gabrielle pouted. "I see your leg has healed."
The vampire scowled at her. It was a mean feat, making that face look even angrier. "Don't make us force you to leave," he warned.
"Are you blind?" she snarled, shaking her prey in front of her. Dawn winced when her arms strained with the assault. "I have a gift for the dynamic duo. Now let me inside so I can offer it to them properly."
Squinting at Dawn, the vampire shrugged then returned his attention to Gabrielle. "So?" he said. "Xena's got enough women."
"I'll just bet," Gabrielle growled lightly. When he continued to stare at them stupidly, she sighed. "However have you morons managed to gain positions of trust in this venture? This is the Slayer's sister. The one she's been looking for."
The expression of astonishment on Gregory's face made Dawn laugh out loud. He glared at her, and her amusement subsided. "What are you going to do?" she challenged. "Kill me before Buffy gets to me? You're headed straight for a quick dusting, Mister."
Gabrielle chuckled behind her. "I love the straightforwardness of children, don't you? Now let us pass."
They were made to wait in the lobby, which set Gabrielle off into another childish outburst. Stalking back and forth across the tile floor, she kicked broken pieces of furniture out of her way and sent splinters flying through the air. Dawn would've guessed that a vampire would have more care around wooden projectiles. Gabrielle didn't seem to be dealing a full deck. She probably would've gotten along well with Spike, if she wasn't so into chicks.
"Gabrielle," a strong female voice called from above them. At the head of the large staircase leading up to the second floor, a tall dark-haired woman leaned over the railing to peer down at them. It had been awhile since Dawn had seen her, but she was still wearing the same leather gear she'd always favored.
The look of longing that crossed Gabrielle's face was painful to watch. For an instant, Dawn almost felt sorry for her. She couldn't imagine being tossed aside by someone she'd spent centuries alongside. It was just another example of how destructive Buffy was like this. And Willow had ruined their one chance with her stupid posturing. Where had she put the Orb of Thesula? Had she destroyed it?
"Who let her in here?" another voice demanded. Glancing up at the top of the stairs, Dawn spotted her sister standing there, hands on hips, surveying the lobby area with haughty disdain.
"Now, now," Xena crooned. Her eyes hadn't left Gabrielle for a moment. "She's brought you something."
When Buffy's dead eyes lit on her, Dawn could hardly suppress a shudder. Her hands were still tied behind her back, but it didn't mean she was completely helpless. Gabrielle's attention was fully diverted by her undead lover, and Buffy was just far enough away.not stopping to check the locations of the minions around them, Dawn twisted around and sprinted toward the doors.
The vampires nearby were too stunned by the action to move right away. It was only when Buffy screamed at them from the top of the stairs that they sluggishly turned to grab her just as Dawn reached the glass doors. She soon had two vampires pressed up against her sides, each taking one arm and hauling her back toward the foot of the stairs. Dawn struggled, and managed to kick the one at her right with the heel of her sneaker, but it barely slowed them down.
Hurrying down the stairs, Buffy first slapped one of the vampires across the face. He hissed in pain, and Dawn knew she'd used her nails to claw his flesh as well. "I shouldn't have to tell you to stop her," Buffy growled at him. "Now keep her still."
She smiled when she turned her attention to Dawn. "Sister," she murmured. "I haven't seen you in some time. However did you let that irritating blonde take you off your game? Didn't I teach you anything?"
Dawn scowled. Gabrielle's reaction was more to the point. She rushed toward Buffy, enraged by the implied insult. The Slayer ignored the approaching attack until Gabrielle was upon her, then merely twisted at the waist and used the other vampire's forward momentum to throw her over her shoulder and send her sailing through the air. A human, or even a weaker vampire, would have crumpled to the floor upon landing. Gabrielle landed neatly on her feet, then whirled to make another attempt.
"I thought we discussed this, Xena," Buffy called up the stairs, her voice cold. "You were to keep your bitch on a leash where she belongs."
Gabrielle paused to hear what Xena had to say to this. She hissed at Buffy warningly.
"Gabrielle," Xena said, her voice weary. "Not now."
Shocked, Gabrielle glanced up at the warrior woman, a wounded expression on her face. She shifted out of vamp face, revealing her emotional vulnerability. But even without the mask to mar her features, she'd never look human. She was far too old of a vampire for that. Dawn lost any sympathy for her when she realized that. Demons didn't need humans to feel sorry for them.
"Xena," Gabrielle implored. "I've brought this gift for you. I know that the Slayer's desires are your own."
Xena looked pained at her words. "If you two could only work together, this wouldn't be an issue," she said.
"Oh, cut the melodramatic bullshit," Buffy snapped. "With the two of you mooning over each other every day, we'd never get anything done. Gabrielle, we thank you for the gift, but you can be going now."
Gabrielle stood firm. "I'm not leaving," she said.
"You-" Buffy started, then stopped herself. "Fine, I have more important things to deal with right now. We'll have a go later on."
Turning to face her sister once more, she reached out to touch Dawn's cheek. Buffy's cold fingers left icy trails down her skin. Dawn shivered in revulsion.
"Now," Buffy whispered, "where were we?"
* * *
Xander found Spike watching the front of the hotel from behind a collection of dumpsters in an alley across the street. The vampire's white blond hair stood out like a beacon in the moonlight. Thankfully it could only be seen from this side of the street. The dumpsters effectively blocked any visibility to those in the hotel.
"You're not inside yet?" Xander asked.
"Thought I'd wait for you and Will," Spike answered. He glanced behind Xander. "Where is she?"
"She said we should go in from different points. It sounded like a good idea the way she explained it," Xander defended when Spike looked at him like he was crazy.
"A good way for her to get killed," Spike responded evenly. "She's been out of the game for awhile, Xander. She's not exactly the one who should be making battle plans right now."
"Have you seen Dawn?" Xander asked.
"No, but there's been some commotion over there," Spike answered. "A good number of vampires have collected around the front doors over the past twenty minutes or so. They usually only have around five or so guarding at one time. Look over there now."
Xander counted at least twenty-five vamps milling about the front doors. Many of them were cautiously eyeing their surroundings, but most of them were unabashedly watching something that was going on inside the lobby. "Something big is up. Think Dawn did the spell?"
"If she did, Buffy could be in danger," Spike answered. "She'll be confused for a bit. It's a bad place for her to be when she comes to her senses."
"Okay, so we find a way inside. I'd say the front doors are out."
Spike gestured toward some broken windows on the opposite end of the hotel. "We head back through this alley and go down the back street a ways before coming out down there, we can cross the street without being noticed. I don't think that area of the hotel is being used anymore."
Xander nodded. "It's the best we can do, I suppose. Are we armed?"
Spike opened his leather jacket to reveal a row of wooden stakes strapped inside the lining. Xander glanced at them skeptically. "Well, they're as good as any," he said. "I really wish I hadn't lost my axe inside that Chaos demon last month."
* * *
"Buffy, this isn't you," Dawn whispered. It was her first attempt at reaching the human woman lost inside the monster.
Buffy paused, smiling. She leaned forward until Dawn could smell the scent of death on her breath. "Then who am I?" she whispered back. "Who am I really? A pathetic whiner who thinks she can save the world with a wooden stake and some holy water? A mortal who can't seem to die because her own friends would rip her out of heaven rather then let her go like any other normal people?" She shook her head. "You're wrong, little sister. I'm finally the person I was always meant to be. I can finally use my strength and my abilities to the best of my advantage. No more sulking about how terrible life is. I can finally revel in the Slayer's stock and trade. Death."
"That's quite a speech," Dawn answered. "Too bad you can't see how full of shit you are."
Buffy pulled back, a little surprised. "Why, Dawnie," she said. "I taught you better than that. Don't make me wash your mouth out with soap, little girl."
"How did you find her?" Xena asked, coming halfway down the stairs.
Gabrielle gazed at her a moment before answering. "She was holed up in the gas station across the street. I think she was going to try to cast a spell on you two."
"No," Buffy said. "Only me. Isn't that right, Dawn? I wondered if you would remember what happened with Angelus. Although technically, you weren't actually there at the time. Isn't memory a funny thing when it's been manufactured by some monk bastards too weak to protect their own mystical energy?"
"It doesn't matter if I wasn't really there," Dawn said. "I still have the memory. I'll find another way to make it work."
"You assume you'll be leaving this place alive," Xena countered. She glanced at Buffy. "You know what you have to do."
Buffy stared at her sister, her eyes unwavering. Gazing into the murky depths, Dawn desperately wished she'd be able to see some sign of the person her sister had once been. If she could only see that little spark of humanity before leaving this world, she could die without regret. She would have hope that there was some bit of Buffy left, that it may someday rise to the surface and put things right again. Otherwise, Dawn had accomplished nothing in these past two years.
As they stared at one another, a strange glow flared from the center of Buffy's irises. It shined brightly enough to make Dawn squint, then was gone in an instant. As she watched, her sister shook her head in confusion and closed her eyes a moment. What had just happened?
"Buffy?" Xena questioned, her voice sharp. She wasn't in the mood to be ignored.
"Yes," Buffy murmured. "I know what I have to do."
Dawn realized in that instant that her sister's voice had changed subtly. The mocking tone had vanished. It was weary for the first time since she'd been changed. When Buffy looked up again and met her gaze, Dawn saw what she'd been looking for. There was compassion in those eyes once more. Her heart surged with excitement.
Buffy reached out and grabbed one of the vampires by the neck. In his surprise, he loosened his grip on Dawn's arm, and she was able to wrench herself away before he was thrown across the room. The second vampire stepped back in surprise, but was caught by Buffy's powerful fist. The punch landed in his chest, imbedding itself within him and destroying the heart. He burst into a flurry of black dust.
"Buffy?" Dawn asked.
"Get over there," Buffy ordered her, pointing toward the edge of the room. "Stay down."
She was forced to turn away an instant later to avoid another attack. Ducking, she quickly punched the third vampire in the stomach, then dropped down to reach for a broken piece of a chair leg on the floor nearby. Arching up, she caught the vampire square in the chest with the makeshift stake. He backed away, his mouth dropped open in surprise, before he disappeared in a flurry of darkness.
Dawn backed away from the melee, twisting her wrists against the wire that bound them. She could feel it cutting into her skin, but the injury was secondary to getting her full motion back. Dawn saw Xena still standing on the staircase, a strange expression on her face. She seemed frozen, unable to move. She leaned on the railing for support.
When Dawn backed into a firm body, she jumped forward and grunted in surprise. "Easy, now," a familiar voice murmured softly in her ear. She relaxed instantly and felt Spike's hands carefully untying her.
"The spell," she gasped. "You did it?"
"No," he answered in confusion. "You left with all the supplies."
Untied, Dawn turned to face him. "But I didn't," she said. "The orb was gone. Buffy is-she's back. Look." She pointed toward her sister, who was busy dispatching two more vampires.
They were distracted then by a howl of outrage. Gabrielle, forgotten at the bottom of the stairs, launched herself toward Buffy, an expression of murderous intent stamped across her features. Buffy was heavily involved with a group of minions, and didn't notice the vampire's approach.
"No," Spike said, running after her. He reached into his jacket as he went, pulling out a wooden stake. Sprinting, he overtook Gabrielle just as she was about to grab Buffy from behind. He thrust the weapon into her back.
Gabrielle's howl turned into one of agony. She managed to turn and see the face of her killer before falling into a cloud of dust. Buffy twisted around just as the vampire's final scream faded away. Seeing Spike standing there, her eyes widened in surprise.
"Gabrielle!" Xena cried. She'd risen from her stupor long enough to realize what had happened to her companion. Hurrying down the stairs, she raced toward them before the dust of Gabrielle's body had completely fallen to the floor. Spike grabbed Buffy by the arm and pushed her out of the way, moving after her.
But Xena didn't go after them. She stopped at the spot where her lover had vanished, staring at the dust on the floor with a mixture of horror and amazement. "Gabrielle," she repeated softly.
Someone touched Dawn's arm. She quickly threw a punch to defend herself, only to recognize Xander as he caught her wrist in his hand to avoid the blow. Spike and Buffy glanced around themselves quickly. The rest of the vampires had disappeared, likely taking off as soon as they realized they didn't stand a chance against the Slayer and her friends.
When Xena looked up again, she faced a crowd of enemies staring back at her. After glancing about to see that she was now alone, she shook her head and frowned. She seemed groggy, only half-aware of her surroundings. But she was still able to recognize the danger she was in. Before any of them had a chance to say a word or make a move toward her, she raced toward the front doors and vanished in the darkness beyond.
"Buffy," Spike said, reaching out to touch the woman's arm. Buffy pulled away. She stared at him as though she had no idea who he was. Taking several steps back, she shook her head.
Dawn understood that some confusion was natural after this sort of thing. Giles had warned her that Buffy might not be able to even fight or defend herself. At least that point had been incorrect. Buffy's soul was accustomed to being in her body, it wanted to return to her. She hadn't gone very long without one, not like Angel or Spike. Her memories and her mind should return to normal much more quickly. But she needed time.
When Buffy turned to start walking away, Spike moved to follow. "Don't," Dawn called. "Let her be."
He stopped, turning to glance at her. "Were you ready to face all of us afterwards?" she asked him.
He sighed, then nodded. Then his eyes widened as she saw something behind them. Xander and Dawn twisted around, expecting another one of Xena's minions to emerge from the hallway. But it was Willow, standing hesitantly in the doorway to the east wing of the hotel. She obviously wasn't sure that she'd be welcome.
"Had to get some stuff, huh?" Xander said.
Willow shrugged, then looked at Dawn. "Did it work?" she asked.
In response, Dawn ran into her arms, enveloping her in a firm embrace.
* * *
Buffy didn't return to the church until the following night. None of them had the nerve to ask her where she'd been. She seemed to be recovering well, but there was more for her to deal with now that her soul had been returned to her. Spike understood the guilt she was feeling intimately. He knew at some point she'd need someone with whom to talk about it, but that she also needed to come to him on her own. She had to make the choice, not him.
Spike and Willow sat in one of the pews just before sunrise. Buffy had already retired into the chapel office, obviously exhausted from her ordeal. A duffel bag of random items sat at Willow's feet. She wore her business suit.
"You'll be back next week then?" Spike asked.
Willow nodded. "I have to take care of a few things back home.well, back where I was," she amended. "But Sunnydale is where I belong. We've got a lot of work ahead of us."
"Xander's bringing the van around," Spike told her. "He'll take you to the nearest airport."
"Spike," Willow started, then paused. "Did you notice.did Xena seem different to you before she left?"
Spike shook his head. "I don't understand, Red. Different how?"
"When I did the spell, I felt this huge surge in energy pass through me. More than the time with Angel. It was as though the magick inside of me was so intent on spilling out that it just forced its way through this channel I was offering it. It was more than I could control. I felt-" Willow paused.
"What?" he asked.
"I felt two souls returning to their bodies."
Spike stared at her, stunned.
"You said that Gabrielle tried to murder Buffy," Willow commented. "That wouldn't lead me to believe that the soul had been hers."
"Do you think Xena has her soul back?" Spike asked.
"I don't know. I guess it could have been any of the vampires there that night. A lot of them ran off before Buffy could get to them. I just don't know, Spike," Willow sighed. "But I'd really like to. Either way, I'm guessing we'll be seeing her again in the future, after all that happened."
"Willow," Xander called from the doorway. "You ready to go?"
Standing, Willow nodded. "Dawn's still out patrolling?" she asked.
Xander looked sheepish. "I think.I think she's a little embarrassed about the way she treated you," he said. "She'll come around by the time you get back."
Willow smiled. "I can't say I entirely blame her for her reactions," she said. She glanced at Spike. "Say goodbye to Buffy for me?" she asked. When he nodded, she added, "And tell her this time she can expect to see me again really soon."
Willow followed Xander outside to the van. It was time to close another chapter of her life, and finally move forward again.
The End