Chapter 26
Xander thought to himself, this is the night. I love you Anya...I love you so very much. And if this is my last night, I hope you know that I enjoyed my time with you. Buffy, I love you and miss you and if I've been lucky too long and my number has finally come up. Don't grieve for me. Know that I lived a pretty full life, being with you. And if my death gives you back your life, I'm happy and glad. So, let's rock and roll.
Buffy leaned over and hugged and kissed Xander, tears coming down her face.
Although Xander couldn't see or feel her, he knew that she had gotten her message and was grateful.
Willow and Tara prepared themselves and made sure they knew their spells well.
Gunn rechecked his lot of weapons and made sure the cars were ready and loaded with what they would need.
Giles checked through some of his magic books, looked over the scroll, wondering to himself. I wonder what this 'lost soul's chant is. Who is this 'lost soul'? And will we find them tonight? Also, why would it say 'Head' matriarchal sire? Wouldn't it just say the matriarchal sire? Some of these things keep sticking in my mind as important, but we've already solved most of them, and we hope that the others will come about soon, besides, Buffy hasn't corrected us, through Dawn or Spike yet, so we must be on the right track. I just wish I knew everything. It's harder when you not.
Dawn sat and watched everyone prepare to go into battle. She knew she was being left behind for a good reason. But she wanted to go. But Spike had made her promise...so she wouldn't go. Still, she prayed that everyone would be okay and return in one piece....although she loved them all, it was Spike she prayed for more than others. He was like a family member to her. He always treated her like his little sister or maybe even a daughter. And it felt good. To have a dad that was there. One she knew would never forsake her. Because, not only was it his duty, but he loved her.
Angel prepared himself by going over all his plans, checking to make sure he had all he needed, thinking about how happy he was gonna be, having Buffy alive again, & then realized, once his mind returned to the coming battle that he had forgotten on thing.
He looked over at Spike, for he had to discuss something with him, and witnessed a very touching scene.
Spike was sitting next to Dawn, listening to her, while she told him repeatedly to be careful, and stroking her hair in a soothing fashion.
Then he leaned over & kissed her forehead.
When she looked up, shocked that he would treat her so lovingly in front of everyone else, he winked at her & mouthed the words, 'they're family too, but I won't be saying so out loud.'
He then said, out loud, "I'll be careful, Sweet Bit. Don't worry! Daddy's gonna give 'is all to make sure we get what's needed to bring Big Sis back for you."
Tears shined in her eyes as she gave him a shaky, one-sided smile. "I know...I was worrying about you."
Spike was startled, but very touched.
Dawn flung herself into his arms.
Spike caught her & held her close. He held her until her sobs stopped, whispering comforting and soothing words, the entire time.
When she had calmed down a little while later, he said,
"I'll be alright...Pumpkin Belly. I promise to take care."
Dawn giggled. Hearing herself being called Pumpkin Belly with true affection from a soulless demon was more than her sense of humor could take.
Spike chuckled, as the same thought drifted through his mind. Then he said,
"I tell you what...we make a deal. If I cause you any extra worry, you can call me 'William the Bloody Cat' for a whole day."
Dawn laughed and then leaned up to whisper something in his ear.
In response to whatever she had said, Spike exclaimed,
"Well now, that tears it. You know I'm coming back now, just like I promised. There's no way anyone, especially THEM are gonna see that."
Dawn giggled louder & hugged Spike giving him a kiss on the cheek.
As Spike stared affectionately down at her, a thought came into his head. It was so impossible that he, instantly, tried to push it away, but it wouldn't go away.
He couldn't ask Buffy, for she wasn't there at the moment...and he wasn't sure if she knew, or would be able to tell him if she did.
Unfortunately, he couldn't discern if such a notion was true because he couldn't see himself in the mirror.
He was gonna have to rely on help.
Now how to do this without drawing attention, for he wasn't sharing this bit of information with any of the crew before he knew whether it was true or not.
"Nibblet?"
"Yes Spike?"
"Okay...I got a question for you. I know it's gonna sound really weird, but I gotta 'unch 'bout something I just realized was bugging me for a long time now."
"Sure....what?" Dawn asked, looking puzzled.
"Are your eyes like mine?"
"You don't know your eye color?"
"I told you it would be weird."
"I know, I know....You don't remember, do you?"
"No...I don't bloody remember. Tell me before I beat you, ungrateful child."
Dawn just laughed," I'm not a child...grandpa."
Spike gave her a look.
"Oh...alright already. Your eyes are blue."
"Like yours?"
"Not really...yours are lighter than mine."
Looking at him closely and then looking in the mirror she said,
"Nope...but our eyes are the same shape."
Spike closed his eyes.
"Do we share any other features, Little Bit?"
"Think we're related some way?"
Spike sighed...
"Sometimes, your just no fun to tease," Dawn said with a smile.
"Hmm...lets see. I guess we could say, we have the same lips, almost. Like I said before, we've got the same shape eyes. I'm almost as tall as you.."
At Spike's lifted eyebrow she said,
"Well, we could be...I'm still growing you know."
Spike chuckled. "Go on," was all he said, however.
"Now what was your original hair color?"
"Very funny?"
Dawn winked at him. Then she looked at him expectantly.
He leaned forward and studied a strand of her hair.
"I'm not sure...but I think it might have been some shade kinda like yours. You'd have to ask the 'Mighty Poofman' over there to be sure. He was around before I changed it."
"Why are you so interested in your looks now?"
"Just thinking on a theory. I think I'm gonna have to go find me some of those monks that made you human and sent you to us."
"Why?"
"Gotta a few things to say to them, that's all. Now, I promise to behave and kick lots of demon ass."
Dawn giggled, nicely sidetracked.
"Make sure you dedicate some of those to me."
"No way...there all mine."
"Meanie."
"You better believe it."
"Your not, not really."
"I am too!!"
"Are not!!"
"Am too!!"
"Are not!!"
"Am too!!"
Angel decided now was as good as any time to interrupt...even though they were really laughing over their little battle, instead of really arguing.
"Hey Spike?"
"Yeah?"
"Can I talk to you for a sec?"
"Sure, what about?" Spike asked, strolling over to where Angel was and hoping up on his counter.
"I forgot to mention this before...but you know the Bond of the Blood, right?"
"Yeah I know? Why are you bringing it up?"
"I just wanted you to know that if I can't do it...are you willing to?"
"I'm willing...and I can do it."
"Your sure?"
"Yeah...if Darla calls the Bond of the Blood on you, so you can't kill her, don't worry...I'll dust her. You just make sure we have that container to put her in. Kinda makes me wish Buffy had actually bought the dust buster she kept threatening to put me in."
Angel chuckled.
"So, what did you realize about Dawn?"
"I'm not telling you, 'Soul Boy,' so you can quit prying."
"Alright, alright."
"But, when we come back, can you do me a favor?"
"Depends...what's the favor?"
"Can you draw me...and Dawn...and maybe Buffy....separately and then all together?"
"If that isn't the weirdest request?"
"Yeah, well you once told me I was the weirdest childe."
Angel smiled.
"True. Okay, you got yourself a set of pics."
"Thanks 'Soul Man,' I knew I could count on you for the poncy stuff."
"You used to come up with way better names for me than these...what are you, loosing your touch, Spike?"
Spike flipped him the bird and walked back to his gear things.
After checking that they had everything, Willow and Tara set up their barrier around the hotel, for the crew staying behind and the battle ready crew stood proud and tall and set off into the coming battle.
TBC…