Leave it to Giles to ruin the moment, but then he was never one for the
emotional, over-the-top, happy ending. He never liked Spike anyway but it's
kinda hard to hate the guy who just died to save the world. "What kind of
magic is this," he asks, and his voice isn't demanding or accusatory like
I'd expected. It's almost hesitant, like he wants nothing more then to just
ignore the apocalyptic implications of an undead vampire bursting into
flames and re-emerging from the mouth of Hell as a living man. No one can
answer him; we don't know what kind of mystical forces brought Spike back.
Before anyone can start to guess at what's happened, a child's high-pitched voice solves the riddle and poses twenty more. "Mine," she replies, her white hair sparking from the sunlight and an inner glow of power. Willow inhales sharply, bowing her head reverently, whispering, "sweet Goddess," but no one acknowledges her. We're all too busy staring at this little girl who's anything but. Power is radiating off her in waves and her presence exudes an ancient wisdom.
She's speaking again, talking about some prophecy and how Spike restored the balance between good and evil. It's paradoxical; we can close the Hellmouth but the prophecies just keep following us, controlling our Destiny. Shaking my head, I realize that I haven't been paying attention to the petite goddess. She's talking about me and Spike now, gesturing quickly with her hands as Giles gapes in open astonishment. "The warrior who conquered her inner darkness shall be joined with the champion who sought his inner light." She paused, looking first at me, her eyes a myriad of colors, her gaze unwavering, "love is your gift." Then she turns to Spike, a soft smile curling the corners of her mouth, "and life is your reward."
It's in that moment that I realize that his necklace, the mystical amulet that was so powerful in our battle against the First, is broken. Half hangs around his neck, the thick chain looking out of place against his black tee- shirt. I guess I forgot to notice that when I was arguing with myself. As the childlike deity vanishes, I realize that I'm wearing the other half of the pendant, a heavy mass of metal and gemstone.
The silence is eerie; it's too quiet out on this deserted highway. I clasp his hand, smiling because I finally understand what's happening. I know he's real, that he's alive. I know that I love him. My eyes lock with his, hazel meeting blue. "I love you," I say, my lips trembling with anticipation of his next words, and he doesn't fail me. "I know," he replies, squeezing my hand gently. His arm drapes across my shoulders, "and I love you." Together we turn to face my friends, my family. They have questions, I don't have answers. But no one ever really has all the answers. It doesn't matter though, because Spike's here with me. We're together now and that's all I need.
THE END
Before anyone can start to guess at what's happened, a child's high-pitched voice solves the riddle and poses twenty more. "Mine," she replies, her white hair sparking from the sunlight and an inner glow of power. Willow inhales sharply, bowing her head reverently, whispering, "sweet Goddess," but no one acknowledges her. We're all too busy staring at this little girl who's anything but. Power is radiating off her in waves and her presence exudes an ancient wisdom.
She's speaking again, talking about some prophecy and how Spike restored the balance between good and evil. It's paradoxical; we can close the Hellmouth but the prophecies just keep following us, controlling our Destiny. Shaking my head, I realize that I haven't been paying attention to the petite goddess. She's talking about me and Spike now, gesturing quickly with her hands as Giles gapes in open astonishment. "The warrior who conquered her inner darkness shall be joined with the champion who sought his inner light." She paused, looking first at me, her eyes a myriad of colors, her gaze unwavering, "love is your gift." Then she turns to Spike, a soft smile curling the corners of her mouth, "and life is your reward."
It's in that moment that I realize that his necklace, the mystical amulet that was so powerful in our battle against the First, is broken. Half hangs around his neck, the thick chain looking out of place against his black tee- shirt. I guess I forgot to notice that when I was arguing with myself. As the childlike deity vanishes, I realize that I'm wearing the other half of the pendant, a heavy mass of metal and gemstone.
The silence is eerie; it's too quiet out on this deserted highway. I clasp his hand, smiling because I finally understand what's happening. I know he's real, that he's alive. I know that I love him. My eyes lock with his, hazel meeting blue. "I love you," I say, my lips trembling with anticipation of his next words, and he doesn't fail me. "I know," he replies, squeezing my hand gently. His arm drapes across my shoulders, "and I love you." Together we turn to face my friends, my family. They have questions, I don't have answers. But no one ever really has all the answers. It doesn't matter though, because Spike's here with me. We're together now and that's all I need.
THE END