Part 9

A/N: This will be the last part of this story, but if you still want a sequel, I'll give it to you. I'm sorry this has taken so long, I've been busy, and my muse for this took ANOTHER vacation. Sheesh, she better not think she's getting pay for that. . . Ok, I'm done with the pointless non-humor. Song is 'Only Hope' by Mandy Moore. Did anyone else see 'A walk to remember'? I swear, the first time I watched it I bawled my eyes out, and the book was even worse. Also, I don't know Latin, so please forgive me on the spell-stuff. Songs are in-between ~~~, memories are in-between ***. Plz review! Lots of love,

Andi

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The Scoobies were all standing around the dining room table, waiting for Buffy and Spike to come downstairs.

Giles had not yet told the others of what Buffy had to do, but as soon as she came down, he was going to. He didn't think she would be able to. But then, she had always surprised him, hadn't she?

Soft foot-steps sounded from the stairs as the vampires came towards the dining room.

Giles stood up as they came into the room. Buffy suddenly came over to him and wrapped him in a tight hug as tears streamed down both of their faces.

"What's with the tears, Buff?" Asked Xander.

*Sniff* "There's som-something I have t-to tell you. . ."

"Buffy?" Dawn came up behind her. Buffy turned around and smiled through her tears.

"Dawnie. . . I'm so sorry. . . I didn't want it to be like this."

Dawn's eyes grew large as Buffy spoke.

"We found a way to defeat the First."

Everyone, aside from Giles, Willow, Buffy, and Spike let out sighs of relief, but that relief quickly evaporated as Buffy spoke again.

"I have to give-up my soul. And. . . I'm not going to stay alive without it. I-I asked Spike to stake me once the ritual's done."

No one said a word. They all just stared speechlessly at both Buffy and Spike.

The eerie hush was broken as Kennedy bounded through the room.

"Has anyone seen my sleeping bag? I swear, it was here earli- What's with all the long faces?"

Spike turned his icy glare onto the cheery SIT. "Leave. Now."

Kennedy turned on a face of compliant annoyance. "OK, sheesh, what's his problem," she said as she walked out of the room.

"You're leaving."

Buffy turned to her sister and bit her lip. "Dawnie, it has to be done. . ."

"You're leaving. Again." Dawn's face held her confusion and grief out for all to see.

Buffy kneeled down in front of her sister and smiled. "I'll always be here, with you. Just like mom is, just like Goldie is."

"I had Goldie for one week before he wound up in the toilette bowl. You're my SISTER! You're my only family left, aside from dad, and we both know how much THAT counts."

Buffy looked at her sister with defiance. "Now, we both know that's not true. Everyone in this room is your family. They love you endlessly, and would do anything for you. So don't say that I'm your only family left."

Dawn dropped down in front of Buffy and wrapped her arms around her.

"I don't want to lose you again."

Buffy kissed her cheek. "I'm sorry."

She got up and left the dining room, silently beckoning Willow to come with her.

Once they got up to Buffy's room, she turned to the witch with a determined face.

"Take care of her. For me?"

Willow nodded. "Of course."

************************************************************************

~~~

There's a song that inside of my soul.

It's the one that I've tried to write over and over again.

I'm awake in the infinite cold,

but you sing to me over and over and over again.

~~~

Everyone stood in a circle around the seal, Buffy standing right over it.

"Mother Moon, goddess of the night, I summon thee."

Willow chanted the spell to the sacrificing of Buffy's soul. A small, glowing light began to form over Buffy's chest.

~~~

So I lay my head back down,

and I lift my hands and pray

to be only yours

I pray to be only yours.

I know now you're my

only hope.

~~~

"Bringeth the balance, restore the light."

Dawn glanced nervously at Buffy, who mouthed to her 'I love you'.

~~~

Sing to me the song of the stars.

Of your galaxy dancing and

laughing and laughing again.

When it feels like my dreams

are so far,

sing to me of the plans

that you have for me over again.

~~~

Buffy had said her good-bye's to everyone in the group, waiting until the end to speak to Spike.

***

"I'm sorry that I didn't tell you sooner, how I felt. . ."

He kissed her softly and sighed.

"S'alright, Love. I'm just thankful you told me."

She looked up with tears in her eyes once more.

"I love you. Please, protect them."

"'Til the end of the world."

***

~~~

So I lay my head back down,

and I lift my hands and pray

to be only yours

I pray to be only yours.

I know now you're my only hope.

~~~

"We give you the soul of the bringer of light in return for the restoration. So mote it be."

The light that had grown to fully incompass the former-slayer flashed blindly, and then it disappeared.

Spike drew out a stake and threw it.

~~~

I give you my destiny.

I'm giving you all of me.

I want your symphony.

Singing in all that I am.

At the top of my lungs,

I'm giving it back.

~~~

Buffy exploded into a cloud of dust, but no tears were shed as they walked silently up the stairs, waiting to see if the spell had worked.

~~~

So I lay my head back down,

and I lift my hands and pray

to be only yours I pray

to be only yours.

~~~

"Did it work?" Dawn looked furtively over to the faint-looking witch.

Willow reached out with all her senses and suddenly gasped.

"I feel it! I feel. . . The balance, it's back!"

Everyone drew up sad smiles.

Spike looked up and said quietly, "It's what she wanted."

Dawn came over and wrapped her arms around him while he rocked her silently.

~~~

I know now, you're my

Only hope.

~~~

~The End~