So, this is it. We come to an end. I'm sorry it took so long, but well, the length should make up for it a little. This is the big ending! So many thanks. I'm a terrible writer, I really would have just stopped if I hadn't had those amazing reviews from you guys. And not only did they push me to write this, they pushed me to write some original work as well. On top of that, they made me feel better after bad days and exams. For all this, I am grateful to you guys, even those who have silently read this whole time.
My results come out in August, wish me luck :D
Childer-en is also nearly done, so those that read, stay closely tuned.
Thank you.
FinnGrrPupPet
Buffy lay in bed. She could hear the house, a live mass of preparation around her. They all thought she was sleeping, storing up energy for her big day. How had everything slipped from her control? How was this whole thing even happening? Why was it happening? Why couldn't she just rest?
/// "If Spike doesn't do anything, if he lets it all happen – if he doesn't fight for you – I'll marry you Buffy." ///
So it was all coming to this, some sort of showdown. If Spike didn't do anything, she would marry Brian.
**That was the deal? What deal? Why is there a deal? Is love about deals? Why am I thinking this? Why is my mind only question upon question?**
In her heart, Buffy knew Brian was right. If she had known Spike loved her…
**I could never have left. I left because Spike did love Sara**
So, it was Spike's move.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Spike knew he was a coward. But this wedding was what Buffy wanted. And he knew that if he stayed – he couldn't watch it play out. He would do something, ruin it and Buffy would hate him and the wedding would happen anyway. This way, at least they could be friends. Sighing, he checked his mobile and walked into the kitchen, everyone was there, and the excitement was practically oozing off their every pore.
There was a slight lull on Spike's entrance but when Brian pulled out a chair for him, the mindless chatter continued. They had all been told that the 'problem' had been resolved, everything had been talked out and the wedding was set to go.
"Thanks, mate."
Breakfast continued. Spike was getting antsy; he just wanted to be out of there. Glancing at his watch, the vampire realised there were still 3 minutes to go before his assistant called.
**Why did I say five minutes? He could have called in two minutes, still not suspicious. Why five?**
The blonde's fingers itched. He reached for an apple and crunched into it, tapping his feet and chewing at an alarming pace.
//Ring//Ring//Rin-
"Hello?" Spike tried to make it sound surprised. At least he was doing something now.
Everyone turned to look at him.
"…are you sure? Can't you move it to later in the week?…mm…well McGrower was a bad idea…Can't you send over Raza for the moment?…"
Everyone listened to the one sided conversation and watched
as a frown settled over Spike's features.
"Alright, I'll catch the next flight then…alright, thanks, bye."
"You're not going are you William?" Peter asked.
"I'm afraid I am. There's a huge problem at our branch in Cairo – the guy I had in charge turned out to be a bit of a wa-"
"Spike." Giles warned, cocking his head toward the children.
"Ah right… well, he turned out to be not so good. Burnt down half the branch and ran off with three million smackeroos."
"Can't it wait? The weddings only in a few hours…"
"I tired that but they're pulling up a meeting now – the rest of the branches think there might be an international threat – they're saying the guy that ran off is working for mafia. They want more security now or they'll strike. They're scared really, so I've gotta go sort it out. All the branches have one or two really really valuable pieces and they're trying to buck pass responsibility like madmen. If I don't go, the whole system could collapse. I'm really sorry."
"That's awful!" Anya said, indignant. "I can't believe it!"
"Is it going to be ok Spike? You couldn't lose it all…" Xander furrowed his eyebrows.
"Nah, it'll be ok. I just need to calm them down and get to the bottom of it as soon as possible. I really wish I could have stayed."
//Ring//Ring//Ri-
Spike picked up the phone. "…alright...an hour? Thanks."
"My flight leaves in an hour."
~~~~~~~***********~~~~~~~~~*********~~~~~~~~~
"Oh, right."
Brian studied his fiancée's face for any sign of disappointment or anger or…anything. But he got nothing. She was just nodding.
"Well, I guess you were right about him. Now we can get married in peace and put this behind us. I'm glad."
Brian sighed. "I'm trying to convince him to stay – I think he's chickening out."
"Just let it GO! Spike was never mine, he'll never be mine and vice versa. I'm trying to have a wedding today and all you want to do is find a way to ruin it! Anyone would think you couldn't bear the thought of marrying me!"
Her outburst resulted in an echoing silence.
"I love you. You don't love me. I want you to be happy so I'm doing my best to get you another man – if he's worthy. I'm sorry he's not who you thought he was. And I'm sorry he doesn't love you enough to do the right thing. But don't pretend I don't love you – because I do and this hurts me more than you leaving Sunnydale hurt you."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Spike."
He turned. Damn. It was her. Everything had been going so well.
"Buffy, I've been looking for you. No doubt you've heard."
"Yes."
They were standing by the door, his suitcase packed, the taxi waiting.
"Yes, well, it's a bit of an emergency really. I tried to delay it a bit but the situations a tad screwed. Worst possible timing. I hate to have to go."
"You sound like Giles."
"Buffy, please."
"Yes, Spike?"
Her face was bleak. Her eyes were wide and…angry? Was she angry? Spike furrowed his eyebrows and stepped back a little. Her voice was airy, she almost seemed ghostly to him. The blare of the driver's horn did nothing to break her hold on him.
"Don't go Spike."
"I have to."
"Please."
"I'm sorry. I can't."
"I thought you loved me." She whispered. The world seemed empty around them. Neither could hear any bustle or commotion, no animals ran past, no people called out to them. Everything seemed to have stopped, and every word was heavy in the air almost as if it was drooping from an old leaky tap and if you tried, you could taste it.
"I do."
And with that, he left, clicking the door shut behind him.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"All the cars have gone to the marquee." Giles smiled. His daughter (by all but blood) looked beautiful. The dress was a delicate white gauze petticoat that spread out like a Victorian ball gown with a fitting white corset that had thin grey beading swirling across it. A simple diamond pendant rested against her throat and her blonde hair fell in a tumble of curls with a few strands pulled back into a silver tiara with light diamond studding. A veil fell off it and the make up was simple and natural. She looked radiant. The jewellery was from Giles' family collection and he felt indescribable pride swell in his soul at the sight of them on Buffy.
"Who's left for the last car then?"
"Xander, Willow, Pauline and us."
"Alright, we should probably leave in a few minutes."
"Yes. You look beautiful Buffy."
She smiled and they hugged. "No man could be prouder of his daughter than I am of you. And no Watcher will ever have a Slayer like you."
"Oh, Giles." She bit her lip to stop the tears falling and sniffling, they started downstairs.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Spike yawned. They were stuck in a traffic jam. At least he was well out of the vicinity of Buffy. Thoughts nagged his mind…was she walking up the aisle yet? No, not yet, soon. She was probably on her way to the marquee.
#¬#¬#¬#¬#¬#¬#¬#flashback¬#¬#¬#¬#¬#¬#¬#¬
Buffy clicked her tongue and tapped her foot like she always did when he was late.
----------
- Touch noses
- Bump right shoulders.
- Hold an imaginary stake to own heart and stake twice.
- Hug.
-----------
Spike got a job. Spike got a birth certificate, a passport and an existence. All over again, just like Buffy had done. Spike had enrolled in college just as Buffy had done. Spike had to patrol just like Buffy did. Spike was Buffy and Buffy was Spike. They did it together. Everything Buffy had to do, Spike had to do.
---------
Her body was wallowing in a huge sweatshirt and loose khakis making her appear much smaller and vulnerable than she really was. Spike grinned at her; she was the image of perfection in his mind, from her scruffy ponytail to her worn sneakers.
---------
They were quick, so in tune with each other that it looked like a choreographed sequence, an erratic dance of movements and gestures.
--------
Doors were slammed, tongues were protruded and ice cream was consumed. A normal day for Buffy and Spike.
#¬#¬#¬#¬#¬#¬#¬#flashback¬#¬#¬#¬#¬#¬#¬#¬
Spike smiled haltingly. The memories could not help but make him smile. She was his everything, the ray of light in his world and he'd lost her.
~~~~~*******~~~~~~********~~~~~********~~~~~~~#
"Sit still!" Anya scolded her antsy children as they tried to peer down the aisle in an attempt to catch sight of Buffy.
Buffy was, of course, the calm and collected Slayer they all knew and loved. The wedding was taking place in a marquee and luckily the day had turned out brilliantly to suit them.
Brian waited at the 'alter' and could be seen talking to his mother while they waited for the music to start up. The pianist was a little late.
Outside the marquee, Buffy stood with Giles behind the string of bridesmaids in front of her. Everyone was talking and laughing, oohing and aahing as you do at weddings. Finally, the music started up and after a quick 'eek' from Dawn and an 'eep' from Willow, they started gliding down the aisle. Giles was having an attack of the nerves and kept ruffling about and nodding. Buffy smiled and put her hand on his arm in an attempt to calm him.
"Its right together left, right?"
"Giiiilles, calm down." Buffy smiled as he mumbled and muttered to himself, ignoring her.
"It's us!" he yelped a few moments later. Squaring his shoulders, he took Buffy's arm and they started walking down the aisle. Everyone stood and turned to see her. Giles puffed out his chest in pride and the smile on his face was as enormous as that of…well, a father giving away his daughter.
The scene was perfect, traditional, modern, romantic, special and glossy as it should be.
Giles kissed her cheek and handed her over to Brian. The music slowed to a still. The formalities went as they always do and finally they both said, "I do." And they were married. They kissed amid the cheers and whistles from their friends and family.
"So, we're married then?" Buffy whispered, smiling.
"I guess so."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The reception was outside the marquee, white tables and umbrellas were scattered in front of a stage where the band entertained them all while they ate from the buffet. A dance floor of sorts was created on a section of grass and copious quantities of cake were consumed.
And it was then, amidst all this that Spike arrived.
"I'm guessin' I'm a tad late for the big entrance."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"No problem." He muttered. Spike, feeling distinctly foolish, turned to leave.
"Spike?"
Damn, it was her.
"Hey, Buffy. I managed to get myself a few more hours here. Took a little work but I felt awful for missing your big day. I guess I missed the main bit though."
"Its alright. It was beautiful…"
"I've no doubt."
"Spike." Brian stood beside Buffy and felt a frog gloop up his throat. Everything was meant to be over. They were married now.
"Hello Brian…congratulations, to both of you." He smiled.
"Thanks."
Silence.
"Well, is there food?" Spike grinned and the couple nodded and pointed out the buffet. Rubbing his palms together, Spike raised his eyebrows and head towards it.
"Well…" Brian began.
"It doesn't mean a thing." Buffy told him, believing it.
They were about to go dance when they saw Spike turn around and walk back towards them.
"I'm not hungry." He said.
"Oh, right." Buffy replied, dumbly. "Well, you can dance…uhm…talk to people…"
"No, no. Brian mate, I'm sorry. Buffy…I came to stop the wedding."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The reception sounded like a carnival of laughter and children's screams of delight. The food left a pungent scent in the air and the band's music was light but jovial.
Spike was smoking, sitting on an icebox behind the marquee. Away from everyone.
The big statement wasn't as cool as it had sounded in his head. They were married. He was too late. It could have been different. Spike could have had Buffy.
Though his thoughts were churning, he appeared bored and drowsy to all those that chanced to see him from the street. Nimble fingers rolled the cigarette between themselves and brought it to pale lips for a long, slow drag.
"I thought you gave up smoking."
He closed his eyes and hoped she would disappear. When he felt her shadow beside him and an added weight to the icebox, he knew for sure that his hoping never paid off.
"I did." He replied to her statement. "For Liz. Sadly, another lady made me start up again."
"Just this once then?"
"Of course. What am I, nuts? No way in hell is Liz going to think smoking is ok."
Buffy smiled. "You're a good father."
"Yeah."
Silence. Again.
"This is no' how its meantta be." He stated. "I was meant to swoop in, swoop you into my arms, and swoop off with you. In general, there was intended swoopiness."
He heard a gentle laugh from her. They looked at each other for the first time.
"You look amazin', pet."
"Thanks." She murmured. There was something special about her, something ethereal and above him. It was almost as if he had been allowed into a beautiful painting of a fairy with golden hair and wise eyes.
"You know Spike, I think there's something in fate that says we can't be together."
"I reckon that's prolly a decent suggestion." He smiled. "Buffy, I'm so sorry."
"What for?"
"For being too late."
"Its alright."
"It could still….I mean, we could still…."
"I'm married."
Spike nodded and bit his lip, hard. The bitterness was as sour as the coppery liquid that spilled onto his tongue. It was over.
~*~*~*~*~~~*~*~*~*~*~~~~*~~~~*~~~*~~~~*~*~*~*~
"What's going on then?" Brian asked, trying to sound matter-of-fact. But the nervousness crept into his voice with shameful ease and he let out a little breath looked at her.
"I love you and I'm married to you."
"What about-"
"Gone. On his way to the airport." To his surprise, she smiled. "I think there's something about me and Spike. Something beyond a relationship. Something beyond earth and dimensions. I think its something in our destiny. Every time we try to affect it, things go wrong. Maybe we're destined for something beyond all of this, or maybe we were destined for something a long time ago. Whatever it is or was Brian, I'm here right now. I'm with you and that's what is meant to be. Spike…he doesn't fit. I think we both understand that."
"So you're saying you might fit at a later date?" Brian asked.
"I'm saying, Spike and Buffy aren't meant to be together. They're meant for something else and we confused it all. I love him, I'm in love with him. But, that's not enough. I don't think it ever will be. So, I'm saying we should go dance, because we just got married."
"What about our fate being in our hands?" Brian shot, stubbornly.
Buffy smiled. "I have experience with destiny. You can't run away from or skirt around it."
"I don't understand this Buffy, its not making sense."
"Spike and I belong to a different world. A world I thought I belonged in forever. But time changes, people change and worlds change too. What you want and need and who you are aren't necessarily hidden away, they just change--"
"You're talking out your arse, Buffy. So what, he showed up after the wedding – he showed up. To stop the wedding. You should be with right now. Do you even understand what you're saying?"
"Yes, I do."
"Well, I don't. You're someone totally different to who I thought you were. I've been trying to deny it, but its true."
"I didn't let you know me very well."
"And now we're married."
~~~~~~~~~**********~~~~~~~~*********~~~~~~~~~~
"Buffy, is that all of them?"
"Yeah, Thanks Brian."
He smiled and the two of them surveyed the apartment.
"Its not fabulous." Buffy said. "But it's a start."
"Yeah, clean up the layers of dust, a little paint, furniture, lamps…it'll look great." Brian smiled.
"Yeah, I think it will. It'll be fun doing it up, decorating is always a blast."
"What are we going to do first?" he asked, leaning against the doorframe.
"Getting rid of the dust, and then paint!"
"Great, I'll be over tomorrow morning then."
"Cool, thanks Brian."
"No problem."
They hugged and then he left, leaving Buffy in her new apartment.
"Oh, Buffy…"
She turned around to see him standing at her door again. "Yeah?"
"I'm glad we're friends."
"I'm glad we're friends too." She replied sincerely.
He turned to leave but again turned back for a final thought. "Don't be late tomorrow."
"I won't be." She giggled. "Its not everyday you get put in the Guinness World Book Of Records for Shortest Marriage!"
~~~~*~~**~~~***~~~*~*~*~~**~~~~**~~~*~~~*~~~~
"Hey Dawnie, where's Giles?" Buffy grabbed an apple from the fruit basket.
"Hey! No eating from fruit basket of the house you no longer live in!" Dawn grinned. "Giles is in France. He flew over for the weekend."
"Alright, never mind. When he gets back tell him to give me a ring."
"Cool."
The sisters talked for a few moments before Buffy left to go shopping with Brian. The two friends had decided to just start things with a clean slate. They planned to get to know each other better than before. There was no pledge of more, but Buffy had promised that she would not hesitate to act on any such feelings and Brian promised the same if it occurred for other women.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
So, life had taken an unexpected twist. Buffy thought about all that had happened while she plodded through her living room/kitchen/dining room/study, ice cream pot in hand. The blonde settled herself in front of a little TV to watch Casablanca.
Of course, Buffy was a little apprehensive about the future. The world seemed less stable than it had before and the thought that Spike was just across the channel comforted her and gave her strength, just as it always had. No one could predict what would happen tomorrow and Buffy realised she had missed that feeling.
Life goes on, people change, people get to know one another better, people get to know themselves better, people realise things, people do things and before you know it, in times when nothing makes sense, the best things happen.
The End.
So, my friends
We reach the end
The story's done
Lets go get a rum
But just before you toddle away
I have one final thing to say
Through all the poems at the end
I've asked one thing for you to send
I've compared you to poo,
Stopped you going to the loo,
Probably even told a dog to piss in your shoe
Just so that you
would review.
Push the boat out
I'll wave and shout
Drop me a line
Make my sun shine
And I'll release these poems on album
Produced by a bloke named Malcom
You'll be able to hear me rappin'
And hope no other things happen.
Adieu!
