Title: The Way "End of Days" Should Have Been
Author: Bunny and Lucky
Disclaimer: The characters belong to the god Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy *Grr-Arg*
Rating: PG-13 (Like always)
Feedback: Let's see, take "YES" + "YES" = BIG FAT DUH!
Chapter Title: Aftermath
A/N: Thank you EvAnEsSeNcE! Those songs are great! ;-)
Summary: Takes place right after the big battle. But there are still a lot of questions hanging around the air.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Willow came up beside her. "It's really you isn't it?" Tara nodded, shyly grinning.
"We need to go to LA," commanded the resurrected witch. "It's important that Angel knows that everything i-is okay."
Buffy shook her head. "But he was here. Did he get staked?"
Tara began to walk to the bus with the others following. "The law firm that he works for knew that he was about to be killed. S-so they zapped him back over there because they still need him."
Buffy nodded before passing out. "Oh, goddess," muttered Willow. "Get her onto the bus."
Once they had done that, Tara looked around. "Vi," she said. "C-Can you drive?"
The newly appointed Slayer looked up. "How'd you. . ."
"Just can you drive?" She nodded carefully and got in the driver's seat. "Head t-to LA."
Vi glanced at Faith who gave her the go-ahead. Willow was finishing up the healing spell on Buffy. "She should be okay. I think it was mostly shock and obviously her side."
The two Wicca's distributed healing spells to all the injured. On one of Willow's breaks she sat next to Buffy who had just waken up. "I think that I figured out that Kennedy's dead. Am I right?"
"Yeah."
"Did you see how?"
Buffy tore her gaze from the window. She felt like lying to her friend, but something in her friends eyes made her realize that that wasn't the right thing to do. Willow could handle it. The good magic she had been doing made her not so scary and more easy to talk to. Even her hair was lighter. "Ubervamps surrounded her. A bunch of them. Kennedy fought hard and then she was cut in half through the stomach." Willow winced and looked down. "She was a real trouper. Her stubbornness pulled her through most of the fight. Be proud of that."
They stayed silent for a while longer. Then the sign came up.
*Los Angeles. The City of Angels*
***
Willow gave directions to the hotel. It was fairly easy to find. She, Xander, Faith, and Buffy all went inside first.
It was abandoned.
A note was beside the phone. "Angel Investigations has moved to a new facility. If there are any questions call this number." Willow picked up the phone and dialed. "Hello. This is Willow Rosenberg. I need to speak to Angel."
"What is the nature of this call?" asked the drowned voice on the other end.
"Tell Angel that he doesn't need to worry about the second front and get on the phone and talk to Willow!" she exclaimed. Her day had worn her out and she didn't feel like repeating stories over and over again.
When Angel came on she gave the Cliff's Notes version of the battle and asked if they could all stay in the hotel. He gave the okay and informed them that he would be in touch shortly.
Buffy and Willow were giving instructions to sleeping arrangements. There were enough rooms to hold two to three people each. When all of that was through, they came back to meet Xander, Tara, Giles, Wood, Dawn, Faith, and Andrew. "There are three rooms left," informed Willow. Everyone looked at each other.
"I'm going to see if there's anything on TV," stated the young teen. "I'm way too wired to sleep." That was only half her reason. She knew other people needed the rooms more.
Andrew gazed around and stretched, "I think I'm gonna hit the. . ." Dawn elbowed him in the side. "Ow! I mean. . .hit the television set with Dawn." They went off to argue between the TNN marathon of Star Trek and MTV Beach House.
Xander shifted his shoulder and headed off. "I'm going to take one. If anyone needs to bunk, just knock beforehand."
Giles took off his glasses. "I believe I found some scotch in the back room. I'm going to get myself a long drink."
Willow followed him. "I think I might join you."
Faith was pulling at Robin. "We're taking a room."
Buffy smiled at her sister-bond. "It does feel nice." Faith stopped a moment, then went over and hugged Buffy. She kissed her forehead before joining her boyfriend.
Buffy turned her attention to Tara. "Do you need to bunk with me?"
"I-I think I might join Giles and W-Willow for that drink," the Wicca stuttered out. Buffy raised an eyebrow. "Though you don't know it, Willow and I used to have a-a strong drink after a hard b-battle."
The Slayers gaze softened. "Are you going to try to get back together with Willow?"
Tara was silent. "I don't know."
"A friend of mine said that relationship stuff feels good. She also said to give it another go."
"T-Thank you." Buffy turned around, when Tara said, "In the morning, I'm going t-to have some questions, about. . .you know."
"It's okay."
"You and Spike. But you need rest right now." The Wiccan smiled letting her friend get some rest.
***
To say that Buffy was having trouble sleeping was under an understatement. She kept dreaming of the last five minutes in the cavern. A good half of her was convincing her it was the right thing. Her other friends still needed her. Then the other good half was convincing her just as strongly that she should have stayed in the cavern.
She'd hardly been lying there for an hour when she heard a voice. "Why'd you leave me, luv?" That got her to stand up.
"Spike?"
"Why'd you leave me?" he asked stepping out from the corner.
"You told me to leave," she choked out. It was becoming very hard to breathe.
He laughed at her like she was stupid. "You've known me for how long and you knew that I didn't mean it." He looked at her with that gaze that blamed her. "You said you loved me."
"I-I do," she said whispering. "It just that Faith came down. . ."
He waved his hand. "Piffle the excuses! You said that before. You always make excuses." Spike walked up to the side of the bed. "You always hurt the ones you love."
***
Tara could tell that Giles was becoming a little bit tipsy. They'd been drinking for about an hour, Tara on her second glass, Willow on her third, and Giles fifth. Or maybe it was sixth. She'd lost count. Just as the witches were about to re-encounter his childhood, she got a feeling. I made her a little bit sick. But she recognized it instantly.
"Tara," asked Willow touching her arm tentatively.
"Where's B-Buffy's room?" she asked urgently.
"One of three. Either fourth or fifth floor."
"Giles," Tara directed to the drunk man. "Go be with Dawn and Andrew." He got up wobbly but followed her directions. "Come on."
"Why? What is it?"
"You know." And suddenly Willow did.
***
"You know I don't even think that alleyway compared to every time afterwards that you left." He'd been going on like this for a few minutes. Not really all that long, but it was still enough for Buffy to crawl into the fetal position and cry. "No, I don't even think that all of that lot is as hurtful as that bloody cavern." Spike stopped pacing and squatted next to her. "Did you know, we could have been together?" She looked at him through teary eyes. "Yeah. We still can."
"Ho-How?"
"You know," he whispered closely to her ear. "Take a broken mirror to your wrists, overdose on pills, whatever you bloody well want. Just kill yourself and you'll be with me. You'll be happy and rested." Spike stood up. "I know that's all you wanted."
And for that moment, Buffy wanted to give in. Be with her lover and leave the world behind. Go and be happy and at peace. Know that everyone was okay.
She started to cry again. She didn't want to make choices anymore. Even if it was about killing herself to. . .wait a minute. Spike was asking her to give up her life. The one which he protected with his unlife. He wouldn't do that. Ever.
The door was thrown open, and there stood an angry looking Tara. "Get the hell away from her," she stated calmly, though it was laced with anger.
He stepped up and leered at her. "Ooh! Bitty-witch is all grown up."
"Buffy get away from him. Now." The Slayer shakily followed the command. "I thought I told you to stay away from me and mine."
"I do as I please."
Tara grinned. "What would you say if I told you I could defeat you now."
Spike smirked right back. "You wouldn't. Bloody family's supposed to preserve the balance, not screw it up anymore."
"Rbhap rai Febkr!" she yelled and twisted her fingers. Spike was trapped in an aura of blue with fear rippled over his face. "Getting rid of you would step up the balance of our side. Hell, it might even surpass you. But I really don't care anymore." Tara made a few more signals in the air with both hands, with blue sparks sputtering out from her fingertips. "Paralyze the enemy. . ."
He tried to focus on Buffy. "Buffy, luv, don't let her do this to me. She'll kill me."
The Slayer met his gaze with hatred. "Screw you."
"Oh, you did do that, didn't you?" She looked down embarrassed and ashamed.
". . .have the light tear it," panted out Tara. "Kaur er nuvm. . ."
"I know a little magic too, McClay." With that Spike managed to lift an arm. "Uwib-boti!" he exclaimed. Tara was shot out to the hall. Her fall was broken by Willow, who had been standing behind her. "Oops! Did I give you a boo-boo?"
Tara wiped the blood from her nose bleed and resituated herself. "Rbhap rai-"
Spike waved his hand. "Save it. I'll be gone in a minute. Was that all you had."
The Wiccan stood up defiant. "With all the power tricks I learned in the Between, you should be cowering at me." She smiled at his flinch when she said "Between." "Now I strongly suggest that you get out of here, 'The First', and make it stay that way."
Spike stepped away from the doorway of where the witch stood. He looked at Buffy. "That offer is still as good as any."
Then he disappeared.
Tara collapsed to the ground weary and Buffy began to cry again. Willow hurried downstairs to get Xander, Faith, and Robin to help her with the two people.
Tara drug herself over to the Slayer. "It's gone."
"I thought it was him," she whispered between the tears.
"I know honey," Tara said wrapping her arms around her. "It used to appear to me all the time. In the middle of s-school, or at a friends house. But I learned to ignore it." She paused. "What did it want?"
"To kill myself."
Tara jerked away and firmly held her shoulders. "Don't do that! However you deal with grief, I don't care, just d-don't commit suicide!"
"I'm not going to!" Buffy stopped crying, but she was still shaking. "I-I realized right before you came in, that Spike would never want me to do that. Even if it meant that he went to a hell dimension with lots and lots of torture. . .oh god, do you think he's there?"
Tara smiled warmly. "I know he's not."
Buffy nodded. Then she paused. "The First seemed afraid of you."
"W-Well, you s-see. . "
"Are you guys okay now?" asked Willow, followed up by her three recruits.
"I think we'd better g-go downstairs now," said Tara quietly. "There are some things I need to tell you."
------------------------------------------------------------------
TBC. . .
Sorry about the not updating for a bit. Lucky was in Florida and I was busy teaching Safety Town all week (Don't ask). Hopefully a new chappie will be posted by Friday.
Oooh! And as always. Feedback appreciated. Did you like our little equation up there? What'd you think about the Tara and The First scene?
Author: Bunny and Lucky
Disclaimer: The characters belong to the god Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy *Grr-Arg*
Rating: PG-13 (Like always)
Feedback: Let's see, take "YES" + "YES" = BIG FAT DUH!
Chapter Title: Aftermath
A/N: Thank you EvAnEsSeNcE! Those songs are great! ;-)
Summary: Takes place right after the big battle. But there are still a lot of questions hanging around the air.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Willow came up beside her. "It's really you isn't it?" Tara nodded, shyly grinning.
"We need to go to LA," commanded the resurrected witch. "It's important that Angel knows that everything i-is okay."
Buffy shook her head. "But he was here. Did he get staked?"
Tara began to walk to the bus with the others following. "The law firm that he works for knew that he was about to be killed. S-so they zapped him back over there because they still need him."
Buffy nodded before passing out. "Oh, goddess," muttered Willow. "Get her onto the bus."
Once they had done that, Tara looked around. "Vi," she said. "C-Can you drive?"
The newly appointed Slayer looked up. "How'd you. . ."
"Just can you drive?" She nodded carefully and got in the driver's seat. "Head t-to LA."
Vi glanced at Faith who gave her the go-ahead. Willow was finishing up the healing spell on Buffy. "She should be okay. I think it was mostly shock and obviously her side."
The two Wicca's distributed healing spells to all the injured. On one of Willow's breaks she sat next to Buffy who had just waken up. "I think that I figured out that Kennedy's dead. Am I right?"
"Yeah."
"Did you see how?"
Buffy tore her gaze from the window. She felt like lying to her friend, but something in her friends eyes made her realize that that wasn't the right thing to do. Willow could handle it. The good magic she had been doing made her not so scary and more easy to talk to. Even her hair was lighter. "Ubervamps surrounded her. A bunch of them. Kennedy fought hard and then she was cut in half through the stomach." Willow winced and looked down. "She was a real trouper. Her stubbornness pulled her through most of the fight. Be proud of that."
They stayed silent for a while longer. Then the sign came up.
*Los Angeles. The City of Angels*
***
Willow gave directions to the hotel. It was fairly easy to find. She, Xander, Faith, and Buffy all went inside first.
It was abandoned.
A note was beside the phone. "Angel Investigations has moved to a new facility. If there are any questions call this number." Willow picked up the phone and dialed. "Hello. This is Willow Rosenberg. I need to speak to Angel."
"What is the nature of this call?" asked the drowned voice on the other end.
"Tell Angel that he doesn't need to worry about the second front and get on the phone and talk to Willow!" she exclaimed. Her day had worn her out and she didn't feel like repeating stories over and over again.
When Angel came on she gave the Cliff's Notes version of the battle and asked if they could all stay in the hotel. He gave the okay and informed them that he would be in touch shortly.
Buffy and Willow were giving instructions to sleeping arrangements. There were enough rooms to hold two to three people each. When all of that was through, they came back to meet Xander, Tara, Giles, Wood, Dawn, Faith, and Andrew. "There are three rooms left," informed Willow. Everyone looked at each other.
"I'm going to see if there's anything on TV," stated the young teen. "I'm way too wired to sleep." That was only half her reason. She knew other people needed the rooms more.
Andrew gazed around and stretched, "I think I'm gonna hit the. . ." Dawn elbowed him in the side. "Ow! I mean. . .hit the television set with Dawn." They went off to argue between the TNN marathon of Star Trek and MTV Beach House.
Xander shifted his shoulder and headed off. "I'm going to take one. If anyone needs to bunk, just knock beforehand."
Giles took off his glasses. "I believe I found some scotch in the back room. I'm going to get myself a long drink."
Willow followed him. "I think I might join you."
Faith was pulling at Robin. "We're taking a room."
Buffy smiled at her sister-bond. "It does feel nice." Faith stopped a moment, then went over and hugged Buffy. She kissed her forehead before joining her boyfriend.
Buffy turned her attention to Tara. "Do you need to bunk with me?"
"I-I think I might join Giles and W-Willow for that drink," the Wicca stuttered out. Buffy raised an eyebrow. "Though you don't know it, Willow and I used to have a-a strong drink after a hard b-battle."
The Slayers gaze softened. "Are you going to try to get back together with Willow?"
Tara was silent. "I don't know."
"A friend of mine said that relationship stuff feels good. She also said to give it another go."
"T-Thank you." Buffy turned around, when Tara said, "In the morning, I'm going t-to have some questions, about. . .you know."
"It's okay."
"You and Spike. But you need rest right now." The Wiccan smiled letting her friend get some rest.
***
To say that Buffy was having trouble sleeping was under an understatement. She kept dreaming of the last five minutes in the cavern. A good half of her was convincing her it was the right thing. Her other friends still needed her. Then the other good half was convincing her just as strongly that she should have stayed in the cavern.
She'd hardly been lying there for an hour when she heard a voice. "Why'd you leave me, luv?" That got her to stand up.
"Spike?"
"Why'd you leave me?" he asked stepping out from the corner.
"You told me to leave," she choked out. It was becoming very hard to breathe.
He laughed at her like she was stupid. "You've known me for how long and you knew that I didn't mean it." He looked at her with that gaze that blamed her. "You said you loved me."
"I-I do," she said whispering. "It just that Faith came down. . ."
He waved his hand. "Piffle the excuses! You said that before. You always make excuses." Spike walked up to the side of the bed. "You always hurt the ones you love."
***
Tara could tell that Giles was becoming a little bit tipsy. They'd been drinking for about an hour, Tara on her second glass, Willow on her third, and Giles fifth. Or maybe it was sixth. She'd lost count. Just as the witches were about to re-encounter his childhood, she got a feeling. I made her a little bit sick. But she recognized it instantly.
"Tara," asked Willow touching her arm tentatively.
"Where's B-Buffy's room?" she asked urgently.
"One of three. Either fourth or fifth floor."
"Giles," Tara directed to the drunk man. "Go be with Dawn and Andrew." He got up wobbly but followed her directions. "Come on."
"Why? What is it?"
"You know." And suddenly Willow did.
***
"You know I don't even think that alleyway compared to every time afterwards that you left." He'd been going on like this for a few minutes. Not really all that long, but it was still enough for Buffy to crawl into the fetal position and cry. "No, I don't even think that all of that lot is as hurtful as that bloody cavern." Spike stopped pacing and squatted next to her. "Did you know, we could have been together?" She looked at him through teary eyes. "Yeah. We still can."
"Ho-How?"
"You know," he whispered closely to her ear. "Take a broken mirror to your wrists, overdose on pills, whatever you bloody well want. Just kill yourself and you'll be with me. You'll be happy and rested." Spike stood up. "I know that's all you wanted."
And for that moment, Buffy wanted to give in. Be with her lover and leave the world behind. Go and be happy and at peace. Know that everyone was okay.
She started to cry again. She didn't want to make choices anymore. Even if it was about killing herself to. . .wait a minute. Spike was asking her to give up her life. The one which he protected with his unlife. He wouldn't do that. Ever.
The door was thrown open, and there stood an angry looking Tara. "Get the hell away from her," she stated calmly, though it was laced with anger.
He stepped up and leered at her. "Ooh! Bitty-witch is all grown up."
"Buffy get away from him. Now." The Slayer shakily followed the command. "I thought I told you to stay away from me and mine."
"I do as I please."
Tara grinned. "What would you say if I told you I could defeat you now."
Spike smirked right back. "You wouldn't. Bloody family's supposed to preserve the balance, not screw it up anymore."
"Rbhap rai Febkr!" she yelled and twisted her fingers. Spike was trapped in an aura of blue with fear rippled over his face. "Getting rid of you would step up the balance of our side. Hell, it might even surpass you. But I really don't care anymore." Tara made a few more signals in the air with both hands, with blue sparks sputtering out from her fingertips. "Paralyze the enemy. . ."
He tried to focus on Buffy. "Buffy, luv, don't let her do this to me. She'll kill me."
The Slayer met his gaze with hatred. "Screw you."
"Oh, you did do that, didn't you?" She looked down embarrassed and ashamed.
". . .have the light tear it," panted out Tara. "Kaur er nuvm. . ."
"I know a little magic too, McClay." With that Spike managed to lift an arm. "Uwib-boti!" he exclaimed. Tara was shot out to the hall. Her fall was broken by Willow, who had been standing behind her. "Oops! Did I give you a boo-boo?"
Tara wiped the blood from her nose bleed and resituated herself. "Rbhap rai-"
Spike waved his hand. "Save it. I'll be gone in a minute. Was that all you had."
The Wiccan stood up defiant. "With all the power tricks I learned in the Between, you should be cowering at me." She smiled at his flinch when she said "Between." "Now I strongly suggest that you get out of here, 'The First', and make it stay that way."
Spike stepped away from the doorway of where the witch stood. He looked at Buffy. "That offer is still as good as any."
Then he disappeared.
Tara collapsed to the ground weary and Buffy began to cry again. Willow hurried downstairs to get Xander, Faith, and Robin to help her with the two people.
Tara drug herself over to the Slayer. "It's gone."
"I thought it was him," she whispered between the tears.
"I know honey," Tara said wrapping her arms around her. "It used to appear to me all the time. In the middle of s-school, or at a friends house. But I learned to ignore it." She paused. "What did it want?"
"To kill myself."
Tara jerked away and firmly held her shoulders. "Don't do that! However you deal with grief, I don't care, just d-don't commit suicide!"
"I'm not going to!" Buffy stopped crying, but she was still shaking. "I-I realized right before you came in, that Spike would never want me to do that. Even if it meant that he went to a hell dimension with lots and lots of torture. . .oh god, do you think he's there?"
Tara smiled warmly. "I know he's not."
Buffy nodded. Then she paused. "The First seemed afraid of you."
"W-Well, you s-see. . "
"Are you guys okay now?" asked Willow, followed up by her three recruits.
"I think we'd better g-go downstairs now," said Tara quietly. "There are some things I need to tell you."
------------------------------------------------------------------
TBC. . .
Sorry about the not updating for a bit. Lucky was in Florida and I was busy teaching Safety Town all week (Don't ask). Hopefully a new chappie will be posted by Friday.
Oooh! And as always. Feedback appreciated. Did you like our little equation up there? What'd you think about the Tara and The First scene?