A/N: See chapter one for disclaimer, rating, and notes.
A/N+1: Spike's gone (see my other WIP for that little adventure), Faith and Buffy were pretty badly hurt, and Giles is back in town.
Title/Lyrics: From Collective Soul's song 'On High'
*****
"How have things been?" he asked me, his voice soft with concern. His accent, his language, reminded me of him. I couldn't save him, never got the chance to. I was too hurt to stop him, and now he's gone. Just… gone.
"You miss him," he said after my lack of answer. He knew, somehow, and I was waiting for the recriminations, the scolding, the 'he's an evil soul-less monster' speech. Imagine my surprise when he spoke.
"I was wrong about him," he said, taking off his glasses and rubbing the bridge of his nose. "He would do anything for you and Dawn, and now…" he sighed, "Apologies that are too late to be said hurt the most."
I must have been gaping, because he chuckled. His laughter stopped when my eyes filled with tears, and my vision became blurry. I could feel his arms around me as he pulled me closer. I cried onto his shoulder for a long time, and still the tears didn't stop.
"It's alright, Buffy," he whispered. "It'll be alright."
"I didn't even get to say goodbye to him," I managed to get out between my sobs. "He just…"
"He did what he needed to do. Dawn needs you, and he was the only other way to close the portal."
"I need him," I whispered, tears still flowing freely.
"I'll take you to your room," he said, helping me to my feet in such a fatherly fashion. "Try saying goodbye to him. Even if he's gone, I think he'll be able to hear you."
An old snatch of a song drifted through my head, and I'm not sure if it calmed me down or made me cry. I'm definitely Buffy-bot right now. Just going through the motions of living.
'And I have not the words to write,
A farewell to you tonight.
Maybe God you've found,
Maybe is all that you can offer now.
And I know hearts are weeping
while your voice is now singing on high,
Angel on high.'
*****
"How do you think she's taking it?" Xander asked Willow as he stowed the machine gun in his garage. It was resembling an armory now, with various pistols, rifles, shotguns and ammunition precisely placed.
"Not to well," the redhead answered, flipping through the tome Giles gave her. "I really think she loved him."
"I'm getting that feeling too," he murmured, taking down an assault rifle and beginning to clean it. "I guess he really did love Buffy and Dawn. Self-sacrifice and all, didn't know he had it in him."
"Well, we need to find out where that portal opened up to," Willow said as she continued to flip pages. "Maybe we can learn something that can hurt that evil, scary, dead guy."
"I'm willing to try high velocity, large caliber bullets," the sudden snap as he let the slide go forward. "Not much that can stand being shot to pieces."
"Except him," Willow said. "No matter how much we tried, we couldn't hurt him."
"But Mike could."
"True, but his sword is special, and he's…. well, kinda better equipped for that kind of stuff."
"I'm wondering what was up with the wings and stuff," now he was cleaning a pistol. "And if that's all he can do, or if he's got more super powers waiting to surprise us."
"I really don't think he…" she paused suddenly, reading the page she had turned to with a sudden interest. "Hold on a sec…"
"What'cha find?" Xander asked, his curiosity piqued.
"I don't think Spike died."
*****
"So, the portal, 'cause it was opened with such a small amount of blood, certain prices had to be paid for passage," Willow explained to Giles an hour later. Buffy was sleeping upstairs, but Willow wanted to make sure of what she found before she got her friend's hopes up. "Going from there to here, it was a free ride. But going through this side to there cost…"
"A spirit, demon, or soul," Giles said as he looked up. "I still don't understand how you think he survived that."
"Because of the blood," Willow said excitedly. "It opens doors, portals, pathways. And I think Spike got his soul back, as if the blood opened a portal inside of him."
"That's a bit of a reach, Willow."
"Not really Giles. It says here that..."
" 'The Key will serve to protect those who did it service.' I guess, maybe..."
"We both know how he was always looking after Dawn."
"Alright, that still doesn't help us find him, even if he is alive and well."
"I'm going to cast a simple divination," Willow said as she filled a bowl of water from the sink and set it on the counter. "I should be able to see Spike if he's alive. I just need something of his to serve as a link for the magic."
"He left his lighter on the couch," Giles said, pulling the plain Zippo from his pocket. "I sat on it last night."
"That'll work," Willow beamed. "Now, just keep quiet until the water shows a clear picture."
Giles nodded as Willow began chanting softly. The water began to darken and swirl, until it was pitch black. Willow continued to chant, the incantation flowing faster from her lips. Giles gave a small grin as the water began to clear, from the center of the bowl first. When the view steadied, the water stopped spinning.
"I don't see him," Giles said, peering into the water. "And it's sunlight, so I doubt he'd be outside."
Giles realized he spoke too soon when a familiar blonde haired man walked through the clearing. The view shifted and began to follow him, as he walked through the tall grass, blade in hand. He wore the same black clothing he had worn that night, but he'd added a sword belt under his duster, and his clothing looked mended.
"I guess he's alright," Willow said happily. "Now we just have to find a way to get him home."
"That'd be nice, Red."
Willow and Giles both nearly jumped out of their skins when Spike's voice drifted from the bowl. They could make out his smirk as he looked around, trying to find something.
"Spike?" Willow asked, "You okay?"
"Bloody well enough," the vampire answered. "'Cept I didn't remember how tiring walking all over the bloody place was."
"Spike," Giles said, "Can you hear me?"
"Well enough, Rupes."
"Do you know where you are?"
"Not really, but I've got a name for you to find. Myth Drannor. Big city, with elves and dwarves and shit."
"Myth Drannor…" Giles repeated thoughtfully. "We'll look into it, and try and contact you in a few days."
"Why didn't you try this before?" Spike asked. "Took you long enough to figure I might not be dead."
"It's been only two days!"
"Relax Red. Guess I should've known that there'd be a bit of a difference."
"Spike? How long to you think it's been?"
"Three weeks, Red. Three bloody weeks."
"Alright, we'll get Buffy here next time. Okay?" Spike's eyes seemed to loose focus at the mention of her name, and could only nod.
"Be careful Spike," Giles said. "We'll try and get you back quickly."
"Thanks Rupes."
*****
I came so close to loosing her, and it scared me more than I want to admit. She'd lost so much blood, her body had been cut so badly. My own heart seemed to cease beating while I waited for her to stabilize, waited for her to get well again. I didn't sleep much that first day, or the second day for that matter. Yet, other things kept me awake the second night.
What happened to me up there was frightening, but at the same time, it felt right. My father had been able to fly, and his father before him, but I always thought my heritage was too human for that. Now, I'm not so sure.
Something my father said to me when I was younger came back to me. Something that I never really understood until, well, now.
"Your strength and your speed don't come from hate, or rage. They come from the emotions that Angels fight for. Love and laughter, my son. Keep love in your heart and laughter in your head."
I didn't understand how I was supposed to be able to laugh and love while I fought, but somehow, I did. Memories of her lips, her eyes, her voice. Small jokes we shared; long nights spent just holding each other. I finally understood what my father had been trying to tell me. I guess I'm a little slow at times.
She is so beautiful when she sleeps, even the slight snore she has when she sleeps on her back. She's resting in our bed now, safer at home than in the hospital. She'll carry some scars with her, but her Slayer healing seems to be taking care of the worst of it. The doctors weren't sure if she'd live, but my girl is stronger than they think.
I carefully close the bedroom door and walk to the living room, sitting on the couch. Within seconds, the phone is in my hand, and my fingers punch in the number for Buffy's house. Thankfully, her Watcher picked up. I really didn't feel like talking to Dawn or Buffy, really. I'm not really good at listening to people grieve.
"Summer's residence."
"It's Michael," I said quickly. "I'm just calling to see how Buffy's doing."
"She's sleeping right now, but she'll be better in the morning."
"That soon?"
"I think the good news will make her feel much better. Spike's alive, in another world, but alive."
Well, will wonders never cease.
*****
I love waking up like this. Curled up next to him, needing nothing but to feel his warmth beside me. I still don't know what I did to deserve him. Or my second chance to do my duty. Or the forgiveness of everyone I've tried to kill. Someday I'll have to ask them why, maybe get a straight answer. Right now I'm afraid that they'll wake up and realize what they're doing.
I'm still hurting from that fight with old bones, and the sight of Michael falling still chills me to the bone. I passed out then, and I have no clue how he survived that fall. Another thing to ask him. Later.
I pull myself closer to him, my head resting over his heart. The steady, strong beat that I've grown to know so well. I can't keep my eyes open, and I'm done with the proverbial soul-searching. Right now all I want is two more hours of sleep, with him.
*****
"That was impressive," he said, his hood thrown back without care. The wispy strands of hair that hung to what remained of his scalp danced wildly in the air. "They all should have died, instead that half-breed manages to ruin all of my plans."
He cocked his head to one side, as if listening to someone talk. With a shallow grin, he nodded and walked into his abode. It was dark and terrifying, suiting him to the hit. Shortly after, the sound of chanting could be heard.
Thinks weren't done yet. Not by a long shot.
