I-I have to sit down. Buffy was hardly aware of anyone in the room except herself. She had even forgotten about the disheveled and unconscious vampire on her couch.

Xander glanced at Willow with concern then at Buffy. Uh, Buff? You are sitting down.

Buffy suddenly realized her friends again and glanced down. She was seated on the coffee table facing Spike and Willow was sitting beside her. Uh, right. So what is this ritual for? Who do I have to fight to prevent it from happening? Buffy was suddenly in slayer mode.

Willow nervously played with her hands which were in her lap. It's a power letting ritual. Like Glory's blood letting ritual, the demons are to drain all of Spike's blood. That's where the power lies. Every drop must be shed or it won't work. However, his blood doesn't open a portal like Daw--like the key. Willow caught her self and hoped Buffy didn't notice. As his blood drains the power flows into the demons making them invincible.

So how long do we have to come up with a plan? asked Buffy.

Two, maybe three days? I'm not quite sure, but I do know they can't do anything if we have Spike. That'll buy us sometime.

Good. We'll get a good night's sleep tonight and start planning first thing in the morning. Xander, I'm assuming you are staying here tonight. I want you and Will to keep an ear on Dawnie. I'm going to stay down here tonight and keep an eye on Spike. He might wake up and not know where he is which will probably scare him.

Buffy, you need to sleep too. Xander and I can take turns watching Spike.

It's okay, Will. I'm not much for sleep tonight. I won't get anymore sleep in my own bed than I will down here in the arm chair. Buffy smiled at Willow. But thanks anyway.

Sure. I'll go grab you some blankets. Willow ran up the stairs leaving Xander and Buffy alone with Spike.

Xander looked at Buffy who was holding her head in her hands and staring blankly at Spike. She looked so tired and so sad. Xander concentrated on Buffy so hard that she startled him when she spoke.

I would put him in my bed, it's more comfortable. But I don't know if I should move him. This is all my fault. Buffy's voice shook and Xander was surprised to see tears running down her face.

Buffy, hon! Xander sat down next to her and started gently rubbing her back. It's not your fault. How could you have known who he was? He couldn't have even known! Besides, if it hadn't been you, it would have been someone else. He would have eventually ended up this way no matter what.

If it wasn't my fault then why do I feel like this? Buffy burst into sobs and fell into Xander's arms, burying her face in his chest. The warmth of his body felt good on her wet face, but it suddenly reminded her of Spike and she started to cry harder.

Xander lovingly wrapped his arms around his friend and gently rocked back and forth. As soon as Buffy had said those words he had known why and his heart skipped a beat. It's called love.

***

Willow had grabbed some blankets from the upstairs hall closet and started back for Buffy when she ran into Dawn.

Dawnie! Hi! How's the homework coming? Need any help?

No thanks. I'm all finished. Dawn beamed.

Willow frowned slightly,

Sorry. I know how much you like homework. I'd give it to you to do everyday, but then there's the whole Buffy factor.

It's okay, Dawnie. It's just with the whole Christmas break no homework' thing, I think I'm having homework withdrawals.

Dawn laughed at Willow's seriousness but stopped and cleared her throat when she saw Willow's confused look. So are you sleeping on the couch tonight? Dawn pointed to all the blankets Willow was carrying.

Oh, no. These are for Buffy and Spike. Seeing Dawn's eyes go wide Willow quickly added, Spike's on the couch, Buffy's in the armchair. She doesn't want to leave him alone in case he wakes up and freaks out or something.

Dawn suddenly remembered why she had cornered Willow to begin with. How is Spike? Is he okay--did you find out what's wrong with him? Nobody came to tell me what's going on and it's been so quiet. Dawn saw Willow's eyes glaze over and she got suspicious. What? What did you find out? What's wrong, Willow I have to know! Dawn raised her voice slightly to show she meant business. She was tired of being too young to know'. Considering all she had seen and been through lately, she figured she was ready enough.

Willow was taken back by Dawn's raised voice but she understood. Willow sighed. Dawnie, let's go into your room and talk.

***

Buffy's sobs slowly subsided and she sat silently in Xander's arms for a short while. It felt good to have someone holding her again. Lately, it seemed, she was holding' everyone else. Everyone depended on her to do the right thing. They depended on her to keep them going. The trouble was, she couldn't keep herself going.

Xander whispered. Will's here and she comes bearing blankets. Xander looked up at Willow who was now standing beside Buffy. Dawn was right behind.

Buffy shook herself back into consciousness and smiled halfheartedly. She wondered if her eyes were red and puffy, telling on her for crying. Thanks, Will.

No problem. Willow smiled her ever bright smile as if she knew Buffy's pain and was trying to make it better.

Buffy spotted Dawn staring at Spike. Dawnie, he'll be fine. I promise.

How can you be sure? Dawnie's voiced cracked. Willow told me everything.

Buffy started but was cut off by her sister.

Even if you kill the demons, Buffy, he's dying anyway! Can you save him from his insanity? Dawn had raised her voice but she took a deep breath to continue softly. He's going to die no matter what you do.

Dawnie, I will find a way--

You always say that!

And I always do! Buffy winced as she realized she was yelling. She hated yelling, especially at her sister. Dawnie, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to--look, Spike is not going to die. I will not let that happen. We will find a way to get him back.

Dawn sighed and looked back at the vampire who had literally fought to become close to her and her big sis'. Spike was now more a part of them than perhaps any of them had ever realized. The demon was no longer simply a tool with which to fight evil, he was someone Dawn and her sister loved very much. Dawn knew that, even if her sister didn't admit it, Buffy loved Spike too.

Dawn felt guilty for saying the things she had. Buffy had never failed her and Buffy did have something to lose, perhaps more than anyone else. I'm sorry, Buffy. I know you'll do your best to help him. I'm just so worried about him. I need him, Buffy.

I know you do, Dawnie. I need him too. Buffy stood up and hugged her sister. But right now the best we can do is get some sleep. We won't be able to help Spike if we are too tired to try. Will and Xander will be upstairs with you tonight and I'll be down here looking after Spike. Buffy turned to show that the next few words were for everybody's ears. If you need me for any reason, don't hesitate to scream.

Back into big sister/slayer mode, Buffy sent everyone upstairs to bed as she gently covered Spike with a blanket. Then, settling herself down in the arm chair with a blanket, she sighed. It was going to be a long night.

***
Buffy frowned when she saw the large tower. Her heart sunk when she saw Dawn tied to the top. Without thinking Buffy broke into a run towards the tower. She had to get to Dawn before Glory did. There wasn't any time left.

Buffy ran with all her might and as fast as her legs would go. She pumped her arms ferociously and put everything she had into running. After running for what seemed like hours, Buffy looked up and almost stopped dead in her tracks. Her heart stuck in her throat. The tower was moving away from her as she ran. No matter how hard she ran, the tower was not getting closer.

Screamed Buffy. This time she did stop. A flash of white appeared beneath the tower and was growing larger by the minute. It had already begun. The portal was beginning to open and Buffy couldn't get there in time to close it. She was too late.

Suddenly the earth shook and Buffy saw the tower coming towards her at high speed. It was as if somebody had a video camera and was zooming in to the tower. Buffy closed her eyes and threw her arms in front of her head in order to brace herself for a collision between her and the tower. It never came, however, and as Buffy opened her eyes she gasped. She was standing at the base of the tower and directly over head was Dawn and someone else who Buffy couldn't make out.

Buffy dried out to her sister and started to run towards the stairs. Something caught her arms and jerked her back keeping her from her destination. A silent cry left Buffy's lips as she saw what held her back. On each wrist was a shackle attached to a thick, rusting chain. Buffy pulled as hard as she could to free herself, but it was no use. The chains were too strong.

A scream forced Buffy's eyes to the top of the tower where Dawn was. The someone else' Buffy had seen was now at the edge of the tower. His curly bleached hair waved in the wind and blood dripped down the side of his face. His black shirt and jeans were ripped almost to shreds of nothingness showing deep wounds in his chest and thighs.

Buffy tried again to pull free from her bonds but was held tight. Buffy suddenly realized what the vampire was doing. Spike? Spike, no don't! It was said too late. Buffy watched in horror as Spike jumped. Tears stained Buffy's face as she watched the white flash grow brighter and brighter until it stopped altogether dropping Spike's limp body to the ground.

Buffy wanted desperately to run to him and hold him but the chains continued to hold her back. Tears stained her face and she cried in choked sobs. All she could do was watch helplessly as Spike's body laid on the cold, hard pavement. Blood still trickled from his forehead where Buffy could now see a deep gash. It was hard to believe a dead body could bleed. Especially one so cold and already dead.

Buffy shook the thoughts out of her head as she saw Dawn run past her and land beside Spike. Dawn picked up his limp body and held it the way a young girl would a rag doll. Spike's body was just that--a rag doll.

Dawnie? Are you okay? Buffy's sobs had stopped but her voice was still shaky as she tried to get her sister's attention.

Tears flowed down Dawn's face as she hugged the vampire close. She didn't even glance at Buffy.

Dawn, can you hear me?

Dawn broke into sobs and cried her sister's name.

Dawn! You can hear me! Can you see--? Buffy stopped as disappointment flooded her. Dawn was still talking, and not to Buffy--exactly.

I miss you, Buffy! Please come back--I need you! Dawn's sobs grew more desperate. I-I will do anything! Please come back! You have to help Spike--Buffy, please don't stay dead!

Buffy started thinking out loud. Wait a minute! Spike's a vampire--how can that have killed him? He would of just passed through the portal into the hell dimension. H-he can't die--not like that! ? Buffy paused a second in her confused thoughts. I'm dead?

As if she had heard Buffy's words, Dawn blurted, He's human now, Buffy! Spike is human! You two can be together now! Please, Buffy! He's my brother! I can't lose you both!

Buffy stared at Dawn in unbelief. Her mouth went dry and she found herself suddenly thirsty. Human? B-Brother?

***

Buffy woke with a start. Sweat beaded on her forehead and she threw off her blanket. Scrambling out of the arm chair, Buffy scolded herself for falling asleep. It served her right having a nightmare like that. At least it was just a nightmare and Spike was really sleeping safely on her couch. Buffy looked at the couch and froze. Spike was gone!