The gang was in research mode. Well, Giles and Willow, anyway. Everyone
else was pacing or hanging near them. Spike was smoking, sitting on the
ladder. Angel stood next to the training room door waiting for Buffy to
come back. She had heard a noise and gone to investigate. Buffy came back
in and took his hand. For a moment no one spoke. Buffy was entirely
focused on Giles.
"Something going on out back?" Angel asked quietly.
"Vampire." Buffy said.
"Oh."
"Anything?" she asked Giles.
He looked up at her. "Nothing you want to hear. The ritual is.."
"Explain it to me again."
"There's nothing new to.."
"Go through it again."
"The Key was living energy. It needed to be channeled, poured into a specific spot at a specific time. With all attendant ritual, of course. The energy would flow into that spot, the walls between the dimensions break down. It stops.. the energy is used up and the walls come back up. Glory uses that time to get back to her dimension, not caring that all manner of hell will be unleashed on Earth in the meantime."
"But only for a little while, right?" Anya asked. "The walls come back, no more hell?"
"But that's only if the energy is stopped. And now that the Key is human.. is Dawn.." Willow said.
"'The blood flows, the gates will open. The gates will close when it flows no more.' When Dawn is dead." Giles said.
"I have places to be!" Tara said loudly.
Everyone shifted a little and stood in uncomfortable silence. Xander broke it. "Why blood? Why is it Dawn's blood? Why couldn't it be, like, a lymph ritual?"
"Cause it's always gotta be blood." Spike said.
"We're not actually discussing dinner right now."
"Blood is life, lack brain. Why do you think we eat it? It's what keeps you going, makes you warm, makes you hard, makes you other than dead. Course it's her blood."
"Pretty simple math, here. We stop Glory before she can start the ritual. There's still a couple of hours, right?" Buffy asked.
"If my calculations are right, but Buffy.." Giles said.
"I don't want to hear it."
"I understand that.."
"No you don't understand! We're not talking about this!"
"Yes we bloody well are." Giles yelled, standing. "If Glory begins the ritual.. If we can't stop her.."
"Say it. Come on, we're bloody well talking about this, tell me to kill my sister!"
"She's not your sister."
"No. She's not. She's more than that. More than family.. my sister, my daughter.."
"She's your sister and your daughter?" Xander asked.
"She's me. The Monks made her out of me. I hold her and I feel closer to her than.. It's more than just the memories they built, it's physical, it's.. Dawn is a part of me. The only part that I.."
Angel came over to her and held her. "We'll solve this. We will. Don't have another coma, okay?"
"Buffy, if the ritual starts, every living creature in this and every other dimension imaginable will suffer unbearable torment and Death. Including Dawn." Giles said.
"Then the last thing she'll see is me protecting her."
"You'll fail. You'll die. We all will."
"I'm sorry. I love you all, but I'm sorry."
"Okay, all in favor of Stopping Glory BEFORE the ritual!" Anya said. "Suggestions? Ideas? Time's a-wastin.."
"When you say you love us all.." Spike started.
Angel, Giles, and Xander all said, "Shut UP!"
"Willow! I bet you've got some dark spell a'brewin'. You make her a toad, little hoppy toad, we hit her with a hammer.." Anya said.
"Hoppy toad!" Tara giggled.
"What about Ben? He can be killed, right? I mean, I know he's an innocent, but you know, not, like 'Dawn' innocent. We could kill.. a regular guy.. God." Xander said.
"It's doubtful he'll surface again this close to the ritual. We have to expect it's Glory we're dealing with." Giles said.
"Well somebody come up with something!" Anya said panicking.
"Should we join essences and become super-slayer again?" Xander asked.
"That worked against Frankenbot, but to kill a true god.." Buffy said. "I don't think it's
enough. And I need you guys conscious."
"But we don't have to kill her, just stop her from performing the ritual. I mean, there's just the one time she can do it, right?" Willow asked.
"Yeah, we get her on the ropes, we just gotta keep her occupied till it's too late!" Spike said.
"Okay, but I'm still not hearing enough ideas. She's a god, let's think outside the box!" Anya said.
"Why don't you go think outside the bleedin' box?"
"Yes, Anya, apart from your incredibly un-infectious enthusiasm, have you anything to contribute? Any ideas on how to fight a god? Love to hear 'em." Giles said.
"How about we don't pick on my gi.." Xander started.
Anya didn't let him finish. "The Dagon's Sphere!"
"Sorry?" Giles asked.
"When Buffy first met Glory she found that magical glow-y sphere that was meant to repel Glory. We've got it in the basement. It might drive her back, or hurt her.. Oh! And Olaf the Trollgod's enchanted hammer. You wanna fight a god, use the weapon
of a god."
Buffy crossed to it as Spike said, "Nah, that thing's too heavy to.." Buffy picked it up easily. "Yeah. Good."
"I like this." Buffy said.
"Built for squashin'!" Anya said.
"Good heft to it. I just might do some damage with this. Thanks."
"Here to help. Want to live."
"Anya, that's all very.. did you just think of all that just now?" Giles asked.
"Smart chicks are so hot." Xander said.
"You couldn't have figured that out in tenth grade?" Willow asked.
"You know me and timing."
"Well. We have some ideas. And a little time to come up with some more." Giles said. "Could give Glory a decent run, but.."
"But we still have no idea how to find her." Angel said.
"Big day.. it calls out and.. I have to be there. Big Day." Tara said. Everyone looked at her, an idea as to how to find Glory coming to their minds.
"Ok. I need to train. Angel?" Buffy said.
"Right there with ya."
They walked back into the training room. Buffy stretched out a little and looked at the punching bag. She hit it a few times and then rounded on Angel. He blocked her first few punches. They continued with the thrust and parry routine for almost 45 minutes before Giles came in.
"You sure you're not going to tire yourselves out?" Giles asked.
"We're sure." Angel said, still sparring.
"We're still working on ideas. Time's short, but it's best to wait 'til the last minute. If we go in too early and she takes us out, no chance of getting her to miss her window."
"So we wait." Buffy snapped kicked away and knocked the punching bag off the chain and sent it flying across the room.
"I imagine you hate me right now."
Buffy turned to Giles. "Little bit. But I understand."
"I love Dawn."
"I know."
"But I have sworn to protect this sorry world, and sometimes that means saying and doing what other people can't. What they shouldn't have to."
"You try to hurt her, you know Angel or I will stop you."
"I know."
Buffy crossed over to where Angel was sitting and sat beside him. "How many apocalypses is this for us?"
"Well, eight, at least." (A/N I recounted. There were eight before that. The Master, The Judge, Angelus, the Sisterhood of Jhe, The Mayor, Those three demons from the episode 'Doomed', Adam, and now Glory.)
"Feels like a hundred." Angel said.
"We've always stopped them. Always won." Buffy said.
"Yes."
"I sacrificed Angel to save the world. I love him so much.. but I knew. What was right. I don't have that any more. I don't understand. I don't know how to live in this world, if these are the choices, if everything's just stripped away then I don't see the point. I just wish.. I wish my mom was here." There were tears in her eyes as she said that, but she was stoic about them. A moment passed and then she rose and started to leave. She stopped and turned back. "The spirit guide told me that Death was my gift. I guess that means a Slayer really is just a killer after all."
"I think you're wrong about that." Giles said.
"It doesn't matter. If Dawn dies, then I'm done with it. I'm quitting." She left. Angel looked over at Giles. "She's serious this time."
"I know."
"Don't touch Dawn. I'll kill you if you do. I know Buffy's already warned you, but now I am. I love you as if you were my own father, but I can't let you hurt Buffy like that. I love her more than I love life or anything on this Earth. All my worries, all my fears, all my hopes and dreams are rooted in that woman and I will do anything to make sure she is never hurt."
"She's lucky to have you."
"I know." Angel followed Buffy out. She sat next to Willow talking.
"You got anything for me?" Buffy asked.
"WILLOW
Some ideas.. well, notions, or theories, based on wild speculation. Did I mention I'm not good under pressure?" Willow said.
"I need you, Will. You and Angel are my big guns."
"I'm your.. I never was a gun.. Let Angel be the gun, I could maybe be a cudgel, or pointy stick.."
"Willow, you're the strongest person here. You know that."
"Well, no.."
"You're the only one who's ever hurt Glory." Angel said. "At all. You're our best shot at getting her on the ropes."
"So don't get a jelly belly now. What about those spells you used on her before?" Buffy asked.
"They only worked for a few minutes. Plus she knows about em.. she might have protection, some counter-mojo set up. I mean, she's gotta know we're coming." Willow said.
"So.."
"Well, I do sort of have one idea, but.. last few days I've mostly been looking into ways to help Tara. I know that shouldn't be my priority.."
"Of course it should." Buffy placed her hand over Willow's and squeezed. Willow looked at her gratefully.
"I've been charting their essences, mapping out.. I think.. If I can get close enough, I may be able to reverse what Glory did. Kind of take back what she took from Tara. It might weaken Glory, or make her less coherent, or make all our heads explode.. I'm still working out the details."
"I don't like the exploding heads. The rest sounds solid."
"I'll try to work it."
"Buffy.." Giles called.
Buffy went over to them. "What's up? You got something?"
"We may have. Xander and Anya found the Dagon's Sphere."
"Good."
"We also found something else." Xander said. "Thought you might like it. Doesn't compare to the rocket launcher present, but.."
"We found your Buffybot." Anya said.
"And that means..?" Angel said.
"A doppelganger. Send the Buffybot in to fight Glory and Buffy gains the element of surprise. Glory's not going to hold back tonight, Buffy would lose in a fist to fist combat with her."
"We wend the Buffybot in, Glory kills it, Buffy comes in with the troll's hammer and beats the crap out of her." Xander said.
"Maybe.. It's risky." Angel said.
"No, that's good. That could be pivotal. Thanks, guys." Buffy said.
"Well, then you're going to need.."
"Way ahead of you. We got time?"
"Yes. If you two hurry." Giles said.
"I'll grab some weapons, too."
"I'm looking for something in a broadsword.." Xander said.
"Don't be swinging that thing near me." Spike said.
"Hey, I happen to be.."
"A glorified brick-layer?"
"I'm also a swell bowler."
"Has his own shoes." Anya said.
"The Gods themselves do tremble." Spike retorted dryly.
"Spike. Shut your mouth and come with us." Buffy said.
She and Angel headed out. Spike followed close behind them. The whole way, the three were at a dead run. Buffy opened the door to her house and stepped in. Angel headed upstairs to get himself changed and grab his favorite broadsword.
"Weapons in the chest by the TV. I'll grab the stuff upstairs, you and Angel load up." Buffy said.
"Uh, Buffy.." Spike said. Buffy turned and saw that Spike was still outside. "If you wanna just hand them over the threshold.."
"Come in, Spike."
He stepped in gingerly. "Presto. No barrier." Spike moved to the weapons chest. "Won't bother with the small stuff. Couple of good axes should hold off Glory's mates while you take on the lady herself."
"We're not all gonna make it. You know that." Buffy said.
"Yeah. Hey, I always knew I'd go down fighting. Sure as hell never thought it'd be on this side.. or for this reason.."
"I'm counting on you, Spike. To help protect her."
"Till the end of the world. Even if that happens to be tonight. Nobody touches the Little Bit while Spike's around. I promise."
"I'll be one minute." Buffy started up the stairs, but Spike stopped her.
"I know you'll never love me." Buffy turned to face him. "I know Peaches up there will always own your heart. I know that I'm a monster. But you treat me like a man, and that's.. Get your stuff. I'll be here."
She paused for the briefest of moments before she went up. Angel was already changed and waiting for her on the bed. She moved over to him and sat next to him.
"Angel, do you have any idea how much I love you and how grateful I am that you stayed?"
"I have a pretty good idea." Angel said quietly, understanding why she was asking. "I don't know if I can let you go."
"I know. Hey, I might make it through this. We all might make it through this. If we don't, always know that I love you."
"Buffy, there's nothing in this world to make me doubt that. It's me I have doubt in. If I loose you.. It'll be more that I can bare."
"I know. And I know that you'll go on without me. Because you know you have to.. For Dawn."
Angel kissed her forehead. "So grown up. Now hurry up and get changed."
Buffy quickly got changed while Angel went down to help Spike gather weapons. She went out into the hall, heading for the stairs. She stopped and moved slowly into Dawn's room instead. She looked around and sat on the bed, smoothing out the pillow absently with her hand. Buffy took a picture off the bed table. It was the four of them. Joyce, Dawn, Angel, and Buffy.
"Buffy? Ready?" Angel asked from the doorway.
"Let's do it."
"Something going on out back?" Angel asked quietly.
"Vampire." Buffy said.
"Oh."
"Anything?" she asked Giles.
He looked up at her. "Nothing you want to hear. The ritual is.."
"Explain it to me again."
"There's nothing new to.."
"Go through it again."
"The Key was living energy. It needed to be channeled, poured into a specific spot at a specific time. With all attendant ritual, of course. The energy would flow into that spot, the walls between the dimensions break down. It stops.. the energy is used up and the walls come back up. Glory uses that time to get back to her dimension, not caring that all manner of hell will be unleashed on Earth in the meantime."
"But only for a little while, right?" Anya asked. "The walls come back, no more hell?"
"But that's only if the energy is stopped. And now that the Key is human.. is Dawn.." Willow said.
"'The blood flows, the gates will open. The gates will close when it flows no more.' When Dawn is dead." Giles said.
"I have places to be!" Tara said loudly.
Everyone shifted a little and stood in uncomfortable silence. Xander broke it. "Why blood? Why is it Dawn's blood? Why couldn't it be, like, a lymph ritual?"
"Cause it's always gotta be blood." Spike said.
"We're not actually discussing dinner right now."
"Blood is life, lack brain. Why do you think we eat it? It's what keeps you going, makes you warm, makes you hard, makes you other than dead. Course it's her blood."
"Pretty simple math, here. We stop Glory before she can start the ritual. There's still a couple of hours, right?" Buffy asked.
"If my calculations are right, but Buffy.." Giles said.
"I don't want to hear it."
"I understand that.."
"No you don't understand! We're not talking about this!"
"Yes we bloody well are." Giles yelled, standing. "If Glory begins the ritual.. If we can't stop her.."
"Say it. Come on, we're bloody well talking about this, tell me to kill my sister!"
"She's not your sister."
"No. She's not. She's more than that. More than family.. my sister, my daughter.."
"She's your sister and your daughter?" Xander asked.
"She's me. The Monks made her out of me. I hold her and I feel closer to her than.. It's more than just the memories they built, it's physical, it's.. Dawn is a part of me. The only part that I.."
Angel came over to her and held her. "We'll solve this. We will. Don't have another coma, okay?"
"Buffy, if the ritual starts, every living creature in this and every other dimension imaginable will suffer unbearable torment and Death. Including Dawn." Giles said.
"Then the last thing she'll see is me protecting her."
"You'll fail. You'll die. We all will."
"I'm sorry. I love you all, but I'm sorry."
"Okay, all in favor of Stopping Glory BEFORE the ritual!" Anya said. "Suggestions? Ideas? Time's a-wastin.."
"When you say you love us all.." Spike started.
Angel, Giles, and Xander all said, "Shut UP!"
"Willow! I bet you've got some dark spell a'brewin'. You make her a toad, little hoppy toad, we hit her with a hammer.." Anya said.
"Hoppy toad!" Tara giggled.
"What about Ben? He can be killed, right? I mean, I know he's an innocent, but you know, not, like 'Dawn' innocent. We could kill.. a regular guy.. God." Xander said.
"It's doubtful he'll surface again this close to the ritual. We have to expect it's Glory we're dealing with." Giles said.
"Well somebody come up with something!" Anya said panicking.
"Should we join essences and become super-slayer again?" Xander asked.
"That worked against Frankenbot, but to kill a true god.." Buffy said. "I don't think it's
enough. And I need you guys conscious."
"But we don't have to kill her, just stop her from performing the ritual. I mean, there's just the one time she can do it, right?" Willow asked.
"Yeah, we get her on the ropes, we just gotta keep her occupied till it's too late!" Spike said.
"Okay, but I'm still not hearing enough ideas. She's a god, let's think outside the box!" Anya said.
"Why don't you go think outside the bleedin' box?"
"Yes, Anya, apart from your incredibly un-infectious enthusiasm, have you anything to contribute? Any ideas on how to fight a god? Love to hear 'em." Giles said.
"How about we don't pick on my gi.." Xander started.
Anya didn't let him finish. "The Dagon's Sphere!"
"Sorry?" Giles asked.
"When Buffy first met Glory she found that magical glow-y sphere that was meant to repel Glory. We've got it in the basement. It might drive her back, or hurt her.. Oh! And Olaf the Trollgod's enchanted hammer. You wanna fight a god, use the weapon
of a god."
Buffy crossed to it as Spike said, "Nah, that thing's too heavy to.." Buffy picked it up easily. "Yeah. Good."
"I like this." Buffy said.
"Built for squashin'!" Anya said.
"Good heft to it. I just might do some damage with this. Thanks."
"Here to help. Want to live."
"Anya, that's all very.. did you just think of all that just now?" Giles asked.
"Smart chicks are so hot." Xander said.
"You couldn't have figured that out in tenth grade?" Willow asked.
"You know me and timing."
"Well. We have some ideas. And a little time to come up with some more." Giles said. "Could give Glory a decent run, but.."
"But we still have no idea how to find her." Angel said.
"Big day.. it calls out and.. I have to be there. Big Day." Tara said. Everyone looked at her, an idea as to how to find Glory coming to their minds.
"Ok. I need to train. Angel?" Buffy said.
"Right there with ya."
They walked back into the training room. Buffy stretched out a little and looked at the punching bag. She hit it a few times and then rounded on Angel. He blocked her first few punches. They continued with the thrust and parry routine for almost 45 minutes before Giles came in.
"You sure you're not going to tire yourselves out?" Giles asked.
"We're sure." Angel said, still sparring.
"We're still working on ideas. Time's short, but it's best to wait 'til the last minute. If we go in too early and she takes us out, no chance of getting her to miss her window."
"So we wait." Buffy snapped kicked away and knocked the punching bag off the chain and sent it flying across the room.
"I imagine you hate me right now."
Buffy turned to Giles. "Little bit. But I understand."
"I love Dawn."
"I know."
"But I have sworn to protect this sorry world, and sometimes that means saying and doing what other people can't. What they shouldn't have to."
"You try to hurt her, you know Angel or I will stop you."
"I know."
Buffy crossed over to where Angel was sitting and sat beside him. "How many apocalypses is this for us?"
"Well, eight, at least." (A/N I recounted. There were eight before that. The Master, The Judge, Angelus, the Sisterhood of Jhe, The Mayor, Those three demons from the episode 'Doomed', Adam, and now Glory.)
"Feels like a hundred." Angel said.
"We've always stopped them. Always won." Buffy said.
"Yes."
"I sacrificed Angel to save the world. I love him so much.. but I knew. What was right. I don't have that any more. I don't understand. I don't know how to live in this world, if these are the choices, if everything's just stripped away then I don't see the point. I just wish.. I wish my mom was here." There were tears in her eyes as she said that, but she was stoic about them. A moment passed and then she rose and started to leave. She stopped and turned back. "The spirit guide told me that Death was my gift. I guess that means a Slayer really is just a killer after all."
"I think you're wrong about that." Giles said.
"It doesn't matter. If Dawn dies, then I'm done with it. I'm quitting." She left. Angel looked over at Giles. "She's serious this time."
"I know."
"Don't touch Dawn. I'll kill you if you do. I know Buffy's already warned you, but now I am. I love you as if you were my own father, but I can't let you hurt Buffy like that. I love her more than I love life or anything on this Earth. All my worries, all my fears, all my hopes and dreams are rooted in that woman and I will do anything to make sure she is never hurt."
"She's lucky to have you."
"I know." Angel followed Buffy out. She sat next to Willow talking.
"You got anything for me?" Buffy asked.
"WILLOW
Some ideas.. well, notions, or theories, based on wild speculation. Did I mention I'm not good under pressure?" Willow said.
"I need you, Will. You and Angel are my big guns."
"I'm your.. I never was a gun.. Let Angel be the gun, I could maybe be a cudgel, or pointy stick.."
"Willow, you're the strongest person here. You know that."
"Well, no.."
"You're the only one who's ever hurt Glory." Angel said. "At all. You're our best shot at getting her on the ropes."
"So don't get a jelly belly now. What about those spells you used on her before?" Buffy asked.
"They only worked for a few minutes. Plus she knows about em.. she might have protection, some counter-mojo set up. I mean, she's gotta know we're coming." Willow said.
"So.."
"Well, I do sort of have one idea, but.. last few days I've mostly been looking into ways to help Tara. I know that shouldn't be my priority.."
"Of course it should." Buffy placed her hand over Willow's and squeezed. Willow looked at her gratefully.
"I've been charting their essences, mapping out.. I think.. If I can get close enough, I may be able to reverse what Glory did. Kind of take back what she took from Tara. It might weaken Glory, or make her less coherent, or make all our heads explode.. I'm still working out the details."
"I don't like the exploding heads. The rest sounds solid."
"I'll try to work it."
"Buffy.." Giles called.
Buffy went over to them. "What's up? You got something?"
"We may have. Xander and Anya found the Dagon's Sphere."
"Good."
"We also found something else." Xander said. "Thought you might like it. Doesn't compare to the rocket launcher present, but.."
"We found your Buffybot." Anya said.
"And that means..?" Angel said.
"A doppelganger. Send the Buffybot in to fight Glory and Buffy gains the element of surprise. Glory's not going to hold back tonight, Buffy would lose in a fist to fist combat with her."
"We wend the Buffybot in, Glory kills it, Buffy comes in with the troll's hammer and beats the crap out of her." Xander said.
"Maybe.. It's risky." Angel said.
"No, that's good. That could be pivotal. Thanks, guys." Buffy said.
"Well, then you're going to need.."
"Way ahead of you. We got time?"
"Yes. If you two hurry." Giles said.
"I'll grab some weapons, too."
"I'm looking for something in a broadsword.." Xander said.
"Don't be swinging that thing near me." Spike said.
"Hey, I happen to be.."
"A glorified brick-layer?"
"I'm also a swell bowler."
"Has his own shoes." Anya said.
"The Gods themselves do tremble." Spike retorted dryly.
"Spike. Shut your mouth and come with us." Buffy said.
She and Angel headed out. Spike followed close behind them. The whole way, the three were at a dead run. Buffy opened the door to her house and stepped in. Angel headed upstairs to get himself changed and grab his favorite broadsword.
"Weapons in the chest by the TV. I'll grab the stuff upstairs, you and Angel load up." Buffy said.
"Uh, Buffy.." Spike said. Buffy turned and saw that Spike was still outside. "If you wanna just hand them over the threshold.."
"Come in, Spike."
He stepped in gingerly. "Presto. No barrier." Spike moved to the weapons chest. "Won't bother with the small stuff. Couple of good axes should hold off Glory's mates while you take on the lady herself."
"We're not all gonna make it. You know that." Buffy said.
"Yeah. Hey, I always knew I'd go down fighting. Sure as hell never thought it'd be on this side.. or for this reason.."
"I'm counting on you, Spike. To help protect her."
"Till the end of the world. Even if that happens to be tonight. Nobody touches the Little Bit while Spike's around. I promise."
"I'll be one minute." Buffy started up the stairs, but Spike stopped her.
"I know you'll never love me." Buffy turned to face him. "I know Peaches up there will always own your heart. I know that I'm a monster. But you treat me like a man, and that's.. Get your stuff. I'll be here."
She paused for the briefest of moments before she went up. Angel was already changed and waiting for her on the bed. She moved over to him and sat next to him.
"Angel, do you have any idea how much I love you and how grateful I am that you stayed?"
"I have a pretty good idea." Angel said quietly, understanding why she was asking. "I don't know if I can let you go."
"I know. Hey, I might make it through this. We all might make it through this. If we don't, always know that I love you."
"Buffy, there's nothing in this world to make me doubt that. It's me I have doubt in. If I loose you.. It'll be more that I can bare."
"I know. And I know that you'll go on without me. Because you know you have to.. For Dawn."
Angel kissed her forehead. "So grown up. Now hurry up and get changed."
Buffy quickly got changed while Angel went down to help Spike gather weapons. She went out into the hall, heading for the stairs. She stopped and moved slowly into Dawn's room instead. She looked around and sat on the bed, smoothing out the pillow absently with her hand. Buffy took a picture off the bed table. It was the four of them. Joyce, Dawn, Angel, and Buffy.
"Buffy? Ready?" Angel asked from the doorway.
"Let's do it."
