MIRROR
Author's Note: In the last chapter…let's just say that Buffy wasn't very nice to Spike. When Dawn tries to protect him, Buffy swats her away. Carrying the injured Dawn in his arms, Spike leaves Buffy.
CHAPTER 8- - - - - - - - -
The next day, I'd finished one container of blood, and had started on the second, when I heard a knock on my crypt door and stiffened. Only when my senses informed me that it wasn't the Slayer paying me a visit, did I move to answer it. When I opened the door, it was to find the Willow standing nervously outside. With a sweep of my hand, I motioned her in, then closed the door after her, shutting out stray sunbeams and other hurtful things.
Last night, I'd taken the Bit to Red's house. Figured Tara would be there, and would look after her. There were no broken bones, but the bruising would take a long while to heal. The birds had taken one look at my face and Dawn in my arms, and had invited me in. I'd laid her down on a bed in an upstairs room, and as they'd fussed over her, I'd left. Didn't feel up to an inquisition.
Apparently, Dawn had talked. Now, as Red moved into my crypt, she seemed a bit uncomfortable. She tried to hide it, though, looking around, babbling out false pleasantries. Decided to make it all easier on her by forcing her to the point.
"Don't think you came here for a chat. What's up?"
She hesitated a bit, then looked me straight in the eye.
"This morning, I went to see Buffy. She's…appalled about what she did to Dawn…and to you."
Having a drink sounded like a right good idea at that point, so I started to head for where I kept my bottles when Willow intercepted me. Brave girl, getting between a vampire and his booze.
"She wants to get her soul now. Because of what happened. She knows how important it is."
The harsh reply, 'Glad to be of service,' rose inside of me, but it lodged in my throat and I couldn't get it out.
"Spike, what I need to know is…if we do the spell now, are you in? Will you help?"
I threw her an outraged glance.
"Bloody hell, yes, I'll help."
Almost snarling, I advanced towards her.
"What you don't, what none of you, seem to realize is that I love the chit. Yeah, she hurt the Bit, hurt me. So what? Not going to take my marbles and run home. Especially not when she needs help."
The witch managed to look a trifle abashed at that remark, but then she squared her shoulders.
"We're planning on doing the spell at nine o'clock tonight, in the training room at the Magic Box. I guess I'll see you there."
I stayed where I was, not turning around to watch her open the door and leave.
- - - - - - - - -
That evening, when I walked into the Magic Box, Buffy and the two witches were already there. Red walked past me to lock the front door, then proceeded to lead the rest of us into the backroom. I managed to get close to Tara, and slipped the notes I'd written into her hand. She glanced at me, questioningly, and I whispered to her.
"For Dawn and Buffy…for afterwards."
She gave a sad little nod, then slid them into the pocket of her jacket. The room was already set up with circles of powder and lit candles. Willow indicated for me to step into the innermost circle that smelled of blood, and I wondered what she'd done to obtain it. Buffy was a bit puzzled at my participation, but didn't say a word. The three women stood around me and joined hands.
Red started calling up the powers then, chanting from near forgotten languages. While she and the other witch closed their eyes in concentration, Buffy didn't. Instead, she stood and stared at me with shame, apology, desire, and a hundred other emotions flickering over her face. I thought that one of those emotions might even have been love. When the magic swirled around me, I knew that it was almost time. This was my last chance. I slowly smiled at Buffy and mouthed silently, 'I love you.'
At that moment, the ceremony switched to English.
"Bring to us her soul, and accept this sacrifice in return!" Willow shouted.
Buffy got it then. Understood what my part in the proceedings was. Her eyes widened, and a scream of "No!" tore from her throat.
She broke away from Tara and Willow's grip, and started to take a step forward when her eyes glowed, and bright light shot from her. Then, with an agonized cry, she dropped to the floor. Simultaneously, all the candles blew out.
I stood in the dark, waiting. For what, I wasn't sure. Didn't know if I would be burned to ashes on the spot or whisked away to some hell dimension. Even with my enhanced vampire vision, I still couldn't see anything, so I concentrated on my other senses. My sense of smell was filled with the scent of the smoke pouring off of the extinguished candles. I listened to the sounds of breathing and heartbeats from the humans nearby. The heartbeats…the two sets of heartbeats.
With a roar, I rushed out of the circle to flip on the lights. Buffy was panting shallowly from where she lay on the floor. Willow was hunched over, exhausted from the powers she'd wielded. And Tara, that sweet, sweet witch…was crumpled on the floor, unmoving.
I stepped over to her body, now empty of life, kneeled next to it, and brushed a strand of hair away from the lovely face. The powers had rejected me, probably because I was a vampire, and taken Tara, the best of all of us, instead. At first, Buffy and Willow stared at me blankly, not understanding. It was only when I reached over and gently closed the lids over unseeing eyes did they realize what had happened. Buffy gave a cry of dismay. Willow didn't make a sound, but darkness filled her, and the earth shook in response to her despair.
The End
There's a two-chapter epilogue to this story. I hope you enjoyed it. Thank you again to my betas, Treacle-Antlers and Alena and thank you so much to everyone who gave me feedback.