Author: LCA
Disclaimer: I own Buffy about as much as I like All the King's Men. And that would be not at all, folks!
A/N: Well, this is it. Thanx for sticking by me for over a year! I hope that you've enjoyed this story about half as much as I enjoyed writing it. And I know I made you wait ridiculously long for some of these chapters, but you are the proud few that stuck by me! Tell me if I should write an epilogue or not. But fiiiiiirst.
To the Reviewers:
Chazza: Yeah, that cliffhanger was my baby! Hope you enjoy the next chaptah!
Willow120: Oh, hello! You're back! I had wondered where you had gone to.Glad you like the updates!
Crazy Green Person: Wow, I am in awe of you're coolness. Not only do you have an awesome pen name, you also end your reviews with "woot." God bless people like you!
Willow: I hope this reaches you, and all is well at the insane asylum. Tee-hee! Well, I updated more.GO ME!!!! *Sticks flag in ground and claims this fic for LCA*
Queen Boadicea: What? I wrote a cliffhanger? Nononono, that was simply the end of the fic. Sorry if that confused you. Tee-hee, I'm just kidding. Wow, I'm a loser.
Angelmouse1215: Here's hoping you prayed right. Cuz if you didn't, I'm gonna kill them ALL off!!!!!!! BWAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!! Or, ya know, not.
Solar Princess: Not only am I evil, oh no, I'm EVILE!!!!!!! I think that extra E adds something, ya know? Like extra super evilness.
So in conclusion.GO ME!!!! *sticks flag on flag already stuck in ground.cuz I can!*
Answer to a Prayer
* * *
Xander followed Anya out to the parking lot, cursing himself the entire way. How could he have not noticed that his wife was missing? That she had gone into labor? What kind of a husband was he? He had already failed as a father, and his child wasn't even born yet.
Cordy was there, lying propped up by the car, her water broken all around her. When she saw Xander and Anya running up, she tried to sit up a bit more, but a contraction came and she fell back down with a moan. Xander rushed to her side. She leaned close and screamed as loud as she could, "FOR THE LOVE OF GOD XANDER, DON'T BE AN IDIOT! HURRY UP AND CALL AN AMBULANCE!"
He had never known that someone that pregnant could have room for a lung capacity that big. With ears still ringing, he backed away and pulled out his cell phone.
"Hello, 911? Yeah, this is Xander Harris. Um, well, you see, my wife is in labor. No, I'm sure. Yes, I'll hold.Yes, I'm here. What? What kind of question is that? Of course she's still in labor. We're at the abandoned warehouse on Oakwood Drive. Yes, please just send an ambulance."
BANG!
Xander's face turned white. "Make that two ambulances."
* * *
"NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!"
Five voices screamed as one. Riley smiled as he lowered the weapon.
Perfect hit.
* * *
Her world exploded in pain. She could feel the sick lead as it pushed through one side and out the other. She had never expected it to be like this, she had always thought that she would die quiet, in bed with her husband, old and gray and wrinkley.
Pain washed over her, again and again. Crimson regret poured out of her wound. She smiled for a moment as she saw.HIM.
Her love.
Her Oz.
Willow slipped into unconsciousness.
* * *
Faith looked at Riley, the man who had delivered her baby, and could only think of one question.
"Why?" she asked him, not caring that rage was rampaging through her voice. "You bastard, why would you take so many lives? What was the whole purpose?"
To her shock Riley laughed, a laugh that made her sick in her stomach and lust for his blood.
"Boss wanted to jump you hubby, but she knew that she couldn't, not while he was oh so in love with you and your daughter. So she took the daughter. Druscilla saw how much he loved Joyce. Figured that if she was bound to Joyce, he'd lover her too."
"Bound? What the hell do you mean bound?" Faith asked frantic.
"Bound as in whatever happens to the baby would happen to her. She figured that since he loved the baby, he would then love her by default." Riley paused. "She wasn't the brightest bulb under the Christmas tree."
"Wait a minute?" Faith said desperately. "So my baby's ash right now?"
Her Joyce was gone? But that couldn't be, she had just seen Willy holding her. Faith looked over to where the two had been, but they were gone. Her eyebrows scrunched in confusion.
"No," Riley laughed. "Mistress didn't get to finish the spell before you guys swash-buckled your way in here. Really, it's a shame. If Spike had gone for Dru, that would have left you to me. I could have made you scream so.GAH!" Blood spurted from Riley's mouth and a wooden point made it's way out of his chest.
He dropped to the ground, revealing Willy right behind him. Angel looked up from where he had knelt down to try to help Willow.
"Spike, for Christ's sake, what did you do? We knew he was human, he was around in the daytime." He yelled at the man holding his child in one hand, and wiping blood onto his pants off of the other.
Willy leaned over and spit on the body. "Guess it works on humans too," he said.
* * *
The white light was all around Buffy, calming, soothing. She wanted out of it, but at the same time she pulled herself further and further into it. From time to time she became aware of voices. Usually nurses, nothing of notice. But one time she could have sworn she heard Angel.
She had tried then, tried so hard to get out of the light. But his voice had faded over to a place that she couldn't follow, no matter how hard she tried. Exhausted, she had given up. Now voices interrupted her again.
"Please Mr. Angel, I don't think that you understand how grave her situation is. If she talks to Buffy, she might become excited. Any emotion could pretty much kill her." A nurse. Buffy lost interest.
"I know, but I had to let Willow see her. She wants to tell her why she.did that." Angel's voice. Buffy started trying, but knew already that she wouldn't succeed.
"It's alright. I'm going to die anyway." a soft voice said. Buffy was confused. She knew that voice from somewhere.but where? She started running through names. Cordy? Faith? Dawn? Anya? Willow? Wait! That was it!
Buffy's lips parted, "Willow?" Her voice came out as a breath, barely audible.
This was her best friend! This was the girl whose room had become like a second home to her. This was the girl who knew all of her secrets and had spent long nights giggling over them. Buffy had to find a way to talk to her. She could feel herself rising out of the white.
"You aren't going to die, Ms. Rosenburg," the nurse said sternly. "You're in critical condition, and if you ever get any rest, you'll feel better."
"Ms. Rosenburg." Willow said the word as though it were foreign to her, unknown. "I was so close to being Mrs. Oz. So close." Her voice trailed off as though she had fallen asleep.
"Oh God, Willow? Willow wake up." Angel sounded frantic, but Buffy couldn't figure out why. What was happening? She dragged herself farther up. She began to feel pain throbbing through her head and latched onto the pain.
"I'm getting the Doctor, this isn't right." Footsteps ran out of the room, and soon another pair followed. Buffy assumed that she was left alone with Willow. Finding somewhere a shred of strength left, she opened her eyes.
There she was! Her red hair was matted down, dirt streaked her face. She was in a hospital gown and a wheelchair, with extra bandages around her sides. Buffy sat up.
"Willow?" Buffy's voice was louder now, more clear and easier to understand. Willow's head kind of twitched and then rolled it's way up. The smile she gave Buffy was one of total and complete happiness.
"You're awake!" Willow said. "Sorry I missed it the first time but.things came up." Her face lost the happy shine and a deep, soul-shaking sorrow settled in. "I lost him, Buffy. I lost him forever. But listen, I want you to take the chapel. I want you to have all of the wedding plans that we've set up. Just.don't take the roses, please. Oz loved roses. He would always get me some. Please, no roses."
"Oz." was all Buffy could manage.
"Oh, hello Willow! Geez, you don't know Oz do you? Well, he-"
"I know Oz. He's dead? Oh, Willow. I'm so sorry!" It didn't seem like enough to say. Buffy didn't even want to think of what it would be like to lose Angel. "Of course we'll take the wedding plans, but on one condition."
That seemed to peak Willow's interest.
"What's that?"
"You have to be my maid of honor." Buffy smiled at her best friend happily, but the smile she got in return was sad, and filled with knowledge of what was to happen. It was one of those smiles that give you chills, but let you know that the person wearing it is totally at peace with what will happen.
"Oh, Buffy," Willow breathed. "I'm done. I've given everything to the war against evil. My youth, my energy, and now my fiancée. I think it's time to give my body and soul to it as well."
"Will, what are you saying? I know its hard but.there will be other guys. Other chances at love. You can't give up!" Tears were trickling down her face.
Willow just shook her head and her eyes twinkled at Buffy. "I can see him. Buffy! He's right there!"
"Who?" Buffy screamed out, the tears pouring now. "Don't follow him Willow, please! Stay! I can't loose you when I just got back."
But Willow's eyes were no longer focusing on anything in this world. She took in a breath as though staring at something beautiful. "It's him Buffy." Her voice was soft and fading fast. "Oz." With that her head dropped and her whole body deflated like a marionette that had it's strings cut.
All Buffy could do was scream out her best friends name and press the call button as fast as she could. Nurses came running in, and Angel did too. He ran up to Buffy and put his arms around her, gently shushing her. It was then that she realized she had never quit screaming.
"Shhhhh, it's alright Buffy. This is what Willow wanted. She was ready to go." He said in a calming tone. It didn't work, she never let her best friend out of her sight while the doctors gathered around, looking serious, and pronounced her dead. Then, after she was wheeled away in a body bag, Buffy half wished that she had never woken up.
* * *
The sky was rainy. Perfect day for a funeral, Buffy thought dryly. She had been awake for four days, and those four days had been the worst in her life. Angel would come over every night, bringing some board game for them to play, but nothing brought her joy anymore. Nothing made her feel half as good as just one conversation with her Willow would have made her feel.
Everyone else would drop by occasionally. Tara had even stopped by, although she had only managed a mutter before she ran out of the door in tears. Buffy felt sorry for her, even if she had betrayed Faith and Spike, she had done it out of love. However, when you were talking about children's lives, Buffy supposed reasons never mattered.
Speaking of children, Buffy had seen Xander and Cordy's baby boy, Scott Oz Harris. He was so precious, and perhaps he would be the reminder to all of them that life goes on. Whether you want it to or not.
"Ready?" A voice startled her, making her turn around and show the picture she had been looking at. It was of her and Willow when they had just been getting to know each other. Willow's smile had been impish and shy, while Buffy's was relaxed and wide. Angel saw it and nodded his understanding.
"Let's go Buffy. Let's bury a friend."
* * *
The service was good, though no service could ever heal those wounds. It was a double burial, Willow and Oz together. Closing her eyes, Buffy set a single red rose on both coffins and watched as they were lowered into the ground.
Scott started fussing, bringing Buffy back to this world. Everyone was leaving.
"Come on Buffy," Angel said gently. "It's time to leave them in peace."
Buffy nodded. Hand and hand they walked away. As she walked, a smile started forming on her mouth. Cordy and Xander were arguing over who's turn it was to change the baby's diapers. Yes, life went on. Thank God.
Disclaimer: I own Buffy about as much as I like All the King's Men. And that would be not at all, folks!
A/N: Well, this is it. Thanx for sticking by me for over a year! I hope that you've enjoyed this story about half as much as I enjoyed writing it. And I know I made you wait ridiculously long for some of these chapters, but you are the proud few that stuck by me! Tell me if I should write an epilogue or not. But fiiiiiirst.
To the Reviewers:
Chazza: Yeah, that cliffhanger was my baby! Hope you enjoy the next chaptah!
Willow120: Oh, hello! You're back! I had wondered where you had gone to.Glad you like the updates!
Crazy Green Person: Wow, I am in awe of you're coolness. Not only do you have an awesome pen name, you also end your reviews with "woot." God bless people like you!
Willow: I hope this reaches you, and all is well at the insane asylum. Tee-hee! Well, I updated more.GO ME!!!! *Sticks flag in ground and claims this fic for LCA*
Queen Boadicea: What? I wrote a cliffhanger? Nononono, that was simply the end of the fic. Sorry if that confused you. Tee-hee, I'm just kidding. Wow, I'm a loser.
Angelmouse1215: Here's hoping you prayed right. Cuz if you didn't, I'm gonna kill them ALL off!!!!!!! BWAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!! Or, ya know, not.
Solar Princess: Not only am I evil, oh no, I'm EVILE!!!!!!! I think that extra E adds something, ya know? Like extra super evilness.
So in conclusion.GO ME!!!! *sticks flag on flag already stuck in ground.cuz I can!*
Answer to a Prayer
* * *
Xander followed Anya out to the parking lot, cursing himself the entire way. How could he have not noticed that his wife was missing? That she had gone into labor? What kind of a husband was he? He had already failed as a father, and his child wasn't even born yet.
Cordy was there, lying propped up by the car, her water broken all around her. When she saw Xander and Anya running up, she tried to sit up a bit more, but a contraction came and she fell back down with a moan. Xander rushed to her side. She leaned close and screamed as loud as she could, "FOR THE LOVE OF GOD XANDER, DON'T BE AN IDIOT! HURRY UP AND CALL AN AMBULANCE!"
He had never known that someone that pregnant could have room for a lung capacity that big. With ears still ringing, he backed away and pulled out his cell phone.
"Hello, 911? Yeah, this is Xander Harris. Um, well, you see, my wife is in labor. No, I'm sure. Yes, I'll hold.Yes, I'm here. What? What kind of question is that? Of course she's still in labor. We're at the abandoned warehouse on Oakwood Drive. Yes, please just send an ambulance."
BANG!
Xander's face turned white. "Make that two ambulances."
* * *
"NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!"
Five voices screamed as one. Riley smiled as he lowered the weapon.
Perfect hit.
* * *
Her world exploded in pain. She could feel the sick lead as it pushed through one side and out the other. She had never expected it to be like this, she had always thought that she would die quiet, in bed with her husband, old and gray and wrinkley.
Pain washed over her, again and again. Crimson regret poured out of her wound. She smiled for a moment as she saw.HIM.
Her love.
Her Oz.
Willow slipped into unconsciousness.
* * *
Faith looked at Riley, the man who had delivered her baby, and could only think of one question.
"Why?" she asked him, not caring that rage was rampaging through her voice. "You bastard, why would you take so many lives? What was the whole purpose?"
To her shock Riley laughed, a laugh that made her sick in her stomach and lust for his blood.
"Boss wanted to jump you hubby, but she knew that she couldn't, not while he was oh so in love with you and your daughter. So she took the daughter. Druscilla saw how much he loved Joyce. Figured that if she was bound to Joyce, he'd lover her too."
"Bound? What the hell do you mean bound?" Faith asked frantic.
"Bound as in whatever happens to the baby would happen to her. She figured that since he loved the baby, he would then love her by default." Riley paused. "She wasn't the brightest bulb under the Christmas tree."
"Wait a minute?" Faith said desperately. "So my baby's ash right now?"
Her Joyce was gone? But that couldn't be, she had just seen Willy holding her. Faith looked over to where the two had been, but they were gone. Her eyebrows scrunched in confusion.
"No," Riley laughed. "Mistress didn't get to finish the spell before you guys swash-buckled your way in here. Really, it's a shame. If Spike had gone for Dru, that would have left you to me. I could have made you scream so.GAH!" Blood spurted from Riley's mouth and a wooden point made it's way out of his chest.
He dropped to the ground, revealing Willy right behind him. Angel looked up from where he had knelt down to try to help Willow.
"Spike, for Christ's sake, what did you do? We knew he was human, he was around in the daytime." He yelled at the man holding his child in one hand, and wiping blood onto his pants off of the other.
Willy leaned over and spit on the body. "Guess it works on humans too," he said.
* * *
The white light was all around Buffy, calming, soothing. She wanted out of it, but at the same time she pulled herself further and further into it. From time to time she became aware of voices. Usually nurses, nothing of notice. But one time she could have sworn she heard Angel.
She had tried then, tried so hard to get out of the light. But his voice had faded over to a place that she couldn't follow, no matter how hard she tried. Exhausted, she had given up. Now voices interrupted her again.
"Please Mr. Angel, I don't think that you understand how grave her situation is. If she talks to Buffy, she might become excited. Any emotion could pretty much kill her." A nurse. Buffy lost interest.
"I know, but I had to let Willow see her. She wants to tell her why she.did that." Angel's voice. Buffy started trying, but knew already that she wouldn't succeed.
"It's alright. I'm going to die anyway." a soft voice said. Buffy was confused. She knew that voice from somewhere.but where? She started running through names. Cordy? Faith? Dawn? Anya? Willow? Wait! That was it!
Buffy's lips parted, "Willow?" Her voice came out as a breath, barely audible.
This was her best friend! This was the girl whose room had become like a second home to her. This was the girl who knew all of her secrets and had spent long nights giggling over them. Buffy had to find a way to talk to her. She could feel herself rising out of the white.
"You aren't going to die, Ms. Rosenburg," the nurse said sternly. "You're in critical condition, and if you ever get any rest, you'll feel better."
"Ms. Rosenburg." Willow said the word as though it were foreign to her, unknown. "I was so close to being Mrs. Oz. So close." Her voice trailed off as though she had fallen asleep.
"Oh God, Willow? Willow wake up." Angel sounded frantic, but Buffy couldn't figure out why. What was happening? She dragged herself farther up. She began to feel pain throbbing through her head and latched onto the pain.
"I'm getting the Doctor, this isn't right." Footsteps ran out of the room, and soon another pair followed. Buffy assumed that she was left alone with Willow. Finding somewhere a shred of strength left, she opened her eyes.
There she was! Her red hair was matted down, dirt streaked her face. She was in a hospital gown and a wheelchair, with extra bandages around her sides. Buffy sat up.
"Willow?" Buffy's voice was louder now, more clear and easier to understand. Willow's head kind of twitched and then rolled it's way up. The smile she gave Buffy was one of total and complete happiness.
"You're awake!" Willow said. "Sorry I missed it the first time but.things came up." Her face lost the happy shine and a deep, soul-shaking sorrow settled in. "I lost him, Buffy. I lost him forever. But listen, I want you to take the chapel. I want you to have all of the wedding plans that we've set up. Just.don't take the roses, please. Oz loved roses. He would always get me some. Please, no roses."
"Oz." was all Buffy could manage.
"Oh, hello Willow! Geez, you don't know Oz do you? Well, he-"
"I know Oz. He's dead? Oh, Willow. I'm so sorry!" It didn't seem like enough to say. Buffy didn't even want to think of what it would be like to lose Angel. "Of course we'll take the wedding plans, but on one condition."
That seemed to peak Willow's interest.
"What's that?"
"You have to be my maid of honor." Buffy smiled at her best friend happily, but the smile she got in return was sad, and filled with knowledge of what was to happen. It was one of those smiles that give you chills, but let you know that the person wearing it is totally at peace with what will happen.
"Oh, Buffy," Willow breathed. "I'm done. I've given everything to the war against evil. My youth, my energy, and now my fiancée. I think it's time to give my body and soul to it as well."
"Will, what are you saying? I know its hard but.there will be other guys. Other chances at love. You can't give up!" Tears were trickling down her face.
Willow just shook her head and her eyes twinkled at Buffy. "I can see him. Buffy! He's right there!"
"Who?" Buffy screamed out, the tears pouring now. "Don't follow him Willow, please! Stay! I can't loose you when I just got back."
But Willow's eyes were no longer focusing on anything in this world. She took in a breath as though staring at something beautiful. "It's him Buffy." Her voice was soft and fading fast. "Oz." With that her head dropped and her whole body deflated like a marionette that had it's strings cut.
All Buffy could do was scream out her best friends name and press the call button as fast as she could. Nurses came running in, and Angel did too. He ran up to Buffy and put his arms around her, gently shushing her. It was then that she realized she had never quit screaming.
"Shhhhh, it's alright Buffy. This is what Willow wanted. She was ready to go." He said in a calming tone. It didn't work, she never let her best friend out of her sight while the doctors gathered around, looking serious, and pronounced her dead. Then, after she was wheeled away in a body bag, Buffy half wished that she had never woken up.
* * *
The sky was rainy. Perfect day for a funeral, Buffy thought dryly. She had been awake for four days, and those four days had been the worst in her life. Angel would come over every night, bringing some board game for them to play, but nothing brought her joy anymore. Nothing made her feel half as good as just one conversation with her Willow would have made her feel.
Everyone else would drop by occasionally. Tara had even stopped by, although she had only managed a mutter before she ran out of the door in tears. Buffy felt sorry for her, even if she had betrayed Faith and Spike, she had done it out of love. However, when you were talking about children's lives, Buffy supposed reasons never mattered.
Speaking of children, Buffy had seen Xander and Cordy's baby boy, Scott Oz Harris. He was so precious, and perhaps he would be the reminder to all of them that life goes on. Whether you want it to or not.
"Ready?" A voice startled her, making her turn around and show the picture she had been looking at. It was of her and Willow when they had just been getting to know each other. Willow's smile had been impish and shy, while Buffy's was relaxed and wide. Angel saw it and nodded his understanding.
"Let's go Buffy. Let's bury a friend."
* * *
The service was good, though no service could ever heal those wounds. It was a double burial, Willow and Oz together. Closing her eyes, Buffy set a single red rose on both coffins and watched as they were lowered into the ground.
Scott started fussing, bringing Buffy back to this world. Everyone was leaving.
"Come on Buffy," Angel said gently. "It's time to leave them in peace."
Buffy nodded. Hand and hand they walked away. As she walked, a smile started forming on her mouth. Cordy and Xander were arguing over who's turn it was to change the baby's diapers. Yes, life went on. Thank God.