Disclaimer: If posession is 9/10 of the law... I still don't own that much.
Distribution: If thou wants, thou shalt ask first and thou shalt have :) Thou shalt not steal~
A/N: Yes, this was a long time coming, but hey, it's here now! Give me a bit on the next chapter because I'm in finals week. Then I get a month off for winter break! Woohoo! Thank you to all my readers, you've been wonderful and yours reviews have made me so happy! Enjoy everyone. Only a few more chapters to go!


Chapter 19: For Whom the Bell Tolls

No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main ... any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.
- John Donne




It was impressive. Buffy never felt more insignificant than she did standing besides those monstrous stones. They stood alone between the soggy grass and the evening sky, shadows and fire light splayed across the ominous pillars. Inside the sacred circle was a large wooden structure about three stories tall, a set of stairs curling around it. Flanking this makeshift altar were demons of all sorts, a few carrying torches, the only source of illumination in the entire area. Through the thickness of the dark, Buffy tried to find Leila, but to no avail. "Where is she?" Buffy whispered.

Spike scanned the area. Demons, demons, chanting sorcerers, but no sign of the Gemini and her boss. Then a wisp of white coming from behind the blue stones caught his attention. There she was in a flowy white shirt and black leather pants. Black and white. She stopped at the bottom of the stairs and turned to someone. Spike couldn't hear, but he assumed it was the boss. A man came into view wearing a long black hooded robe. It was him.

"Damn it," Spike cursed. "I can't see his face." Spike just watched from a distance as the man wrapped his arms around Leila's waist and pulled her into a kiss. She held him close as she returned the kiss. She pulled back, cocked her head to the side and smiled before slowly ascending the steps. The man watched her go and turned back to the chanters.

"The altar stone," Spike growled. He pointed to the group of monks. Right behind them was a large slab of stone on the ground.

Buffy remembered the Discovery Channel called it the altar stone. "So, Leila stands up there, the boss stands down here and the lightning bolt transfers the power from her to him," the Slayer surmised.

"Alright," Giles began, "Buffy, you go after the guards at the altar. If you can get to Leila, do so, but if the ritual has started, do not get in her way. Spike, wait until Buffy is inside the structure before going after the boss. Remember, human or not, he has great power within him. O'Malley and I will help you from here. Everyone have their amulets on? It is the only protection any of us will have against the paralysis spell." Everyone nodded their agreement.

Buffy double checked the locations of her various weapons. She then picked up a sword and handed it to Spike. He took it from her; it would be his only weapon besides his own demon. Without saying a word, the partners looked into each other's eyes. There would be no goodbyes and no final kiss. The love and determination shining in their eyes was enough for the both of them. Spike did spare a glance at Buffy's stomach, a small smile creeping across his face as he did so. He straightened his back and puffed up his chest. With one last look at Giles and O'Malley, Buffy and Spike headed to the circle.



"Leila!" Colin called out.

Leila turned to look at her lover as he came towards her. He looked so sinister in the black robe despite his happy countenance. "Colin?"

Colin embraced her and captured her lips. He felt her tighten her arms around him, almost too tight. He pulled free from her and took in some much needed air. "See you soon, love," he smiled.

Leila cocked her head to the side and smirked. "Soon."

On that note of sarcasm, she climbed up the stairs, not bothering to watch him go. She knew where he was headed.

Slowly, she walked on the wooden planks, one step closer to her destiny. She carefully made her way across a rickety walkway to another set of stairs. She stopped and looked down below. The demons milled about mindlessly. "None of them will be ready," she thought. "Colin's cocky attitude infected them. They aren't prepared for them." A sly smile broke her beautiful face. "And the blood will be thick and flow from us all."



Spike hid in the shadows behind one of the stones, safe for now. Buffy silently crept up to the altar, trying her best to keep to the darkness, away from the firelight. But, vampires would see her in the dark anyway. Buffy noted, however, that the guards weren't paying attention to their duties, just blissfully caring on and talking to one another.

Wanting to be as inconspicuous as possible, Buffy opted not to dust them just yet. She reached the makeshift altar; grabbing a hold of the second level edge, she flipped her body up onto a platform. Still no sign of alarm and truthfully, that scared her.

Buffy climbed up the next two levels, avoiding the staircases. "This can't be this easy," she mumbled to herself.

"It never is," a gravely voice replied.

Buffy spun around and faced two vampires in game face and ready for a fight. "Shall we?" the Slayer asked, wrapping her arms behind her back.

The first vampire charged her. Buffy stood still and watched the vampire run to her. Seconds before the vampire felt the heat of her human form, Buffy quickly removed a bottle of holy water from the back of her jeans. She threw the glass container and it smashed against his face, smoke and the smell of burning flesh quickly filled the air. The creature flailed about, his hands fiercely slapping his face, trying to dose the agony. Buffy grabbed the stake at the small of her back and stabbed the vampire in the heart, silencing his screams.

"He wasn't very smart, was he?" Buffy asked the remaining vampire.

"He was young and stupid. I won't be an easy kill, however," the vampire sneered just before he evaporated before Buffy's eyes.

As the dust cleared, the Slayer met with the eyes of her helper.

"So, you figured it out," Leila stated. She stepped over to Buffy, the sleeves of her shirt ruffling in the wind. Leila gave Buffy a slow once over. She was a beautiful creature, lithe body, fiery eyes and an unmistakable aura of power, perfect for Spike. "I must admit, part of me hoped you wouldn't be here, but part of me hoped you would."

Buffy quickly took in the woman before her. She was younger than Dawn, but looked years older, a girl forced to grow before she was ready. This was the first time Buffy ever spoke to the teen without Spike around. "Leila, come with us. We can-"

"Save your breath, Slayer. If Spike couldn't win me over, do you really think you can?"

Buffy leaned against a support beam. She didn't know what to say to her. "Ow!" Buffy cried softly. She looked down at her arm to see what hit her. She felt it again, tiny pin pricks along her skin, penetrating her clothes. Buffy met Leila's violet, expressionless eyes.

"Here we go," she said, pointing up.

Buffy followed the direction to the sky, small blue crackles of electricity scampered above her head. "Oh, shit."

"You know, I'm glad we ran into each other tonight," Leila commented, the ease of which made Buffy shiver. "I never really saw you until I mounted your boyfriend and only then again after you did." She leaned in closer, her breath dancing on the Slayer's face. "Just us girls now. It's kind ofnice I suppose."

This woman's composure had to be an act. There was no way she could be this flip while staring her death in the face. Buffy wasn't like that either time before she died. The first time she was terrified and the second time she was happy and determined to do her duty as a sister and as the Slayer. But, Leila was just standing there, looking like she was just waiting for a table at a restaurant.

"You take care of him." Leila demanded. She paused until Buffy's eyes were fixed on her. They were a glassy sort of sea green color shining with the blue sparks. "Take care of him. If you don't, not even the Powers will be able to stop me from coming back and kicking your ass."

"Why don't you stick around and save yourself the trip?"

Leila's musical laugh sang in Buffy's ears. "You're a cutie, but I've always found threats beyond the grave more effective, more ominous, haven't you?" Buffy made no answer, so Leila shrugged. "Oh well, goodbye, Buffy. Sorry to have to do this to you."

"Do wha-?"

But, before she could say anymore, Leila's foot shot out, connecting with the Slayer's gut, sending her backwards off the ledge.

Buffy hands grasped the air as she tumbled, trying to get a hold of the altar. Her left hand finally reached a wooden board and she held tightly. Her body jerked with the sudden stop and slammed into the side of the structure. Buffy breathed deeply and looked up; she hadn't fallen as far as she thought.

She pulled herself up quickly and saw several groups of demons coming towards her. Above, Buffy heard Leila continue her ascent. "Come on, guys, I could use the magic right about now." Buffy pulled out a stake, readying herself for the onslaught. Suddenly, she wished all of the Scoobies were here to back her up.




"Good Lord!" Giles exclaimed as he saw a dark figure falling, instantly knowing it was Buffy. When she caught herself, the Watcher released his breath and turned to O'Malley. "Quick, man. Let's get going."

Giles and O'Malley began their chanting and sprinkling black sand. While Giles continued saying the magical words, O'Malley picked up a golden chalice filled with the potent ingredients. He slowly poured the liquid into the black circle. A burst of flames and smoke erupted.

"It's working," he called to Giles. Just one last thing.

O'Malley reached into his vest pocket. Normally, he would never even think of using this powder in a spell, but he didn't see any other way to ensure its accuracy. This was a special kind of powder, sacred to the leprechaun community. O'Malley grabbed a pinch, just a pinch, of the gold substance and tossed it over the other ingredients. Another explosion of flames and smoke, accompanied by a blinding light burst. Both men feel to the ground and covered their eyes. When it vanished as quickly as it appeared, their eyes searched Stonehenge.

"Let's hope we were in time," Giles prayed as he brushed off his trousers.

O'Malley smiled. "I think we were, but let's get the next one ready just in case."




Spike waited in the shadows for what seemed like hours, surveying the area. In the space between the altar stone and the wooden pedestal, the monks were still chanting and casting incense. The boss was still covered, his gaze seemingly fixed on the weeping Heavens.

Out of the corner of his eye, Spike saw the demons guards rush up the spirals stairs. Spike immediately went into game face; Buffy was on her way to Leila. "Wait for it, mate, wait for it," Spike told himself.

When he saw the fire blaze over by Giles and O'Malley, the vampire jumped out into the dim light. As soon as he was spotted, several demons ran to the intruder. Spike raised his sword high above him and sliced through the night and a few heads.

"Damn it!" Spike heard the boss curse. "Get that bloody vampire!!!"

Spike stopped; he knew that voice, knew it well. There wasn't much he forgot about that uptight, too clean pain in the ass pillock. But, it couldn't be him.

Taking advantage of Spike's momentary distraction, a slimy demon punched him across the face. Spike struggled to stay on his feet, but the demon threw himself at him, sending them both to the soaked ground. The two rolled over, clawing at each other. The slimy demon managed to dominate Spike with his large form. He pounded into Spike's stomach and batted him about the face. Spike roared and caught the demon's fist in his own hand. Giving it a hard twist, the demon cried out in pain. Spike hurled the demon from on top of him and scampered to his feet. Just as Spike was about to grab the demon by the neck, a bright white light blinded him. Spike shielded his sensitive eyes with his hands and turned away from the harsh site.

When he felt the light fade, he blinked his feral eyes and slowly opened them. A smirk promptly appeared as he saw the frozen bodies of the demons in front of him. "Thank God for O'Malley."

"And who will you thank for me?"

Spike's ears picked up on the grating tones of the boss. He spun on his heels, his black leather duster flowing around him. Slipping into his human visage, Spike glared at the face of his enemy for the first time. "You have got to be kidding me."