Title: Flicker A/N: Enjoy.

Willow chanted

words rolling off her tongue like waves on the shore

Tara sprinkled red sand across the map of Sunnydale

a small light like a reflection of a watch face the kind that I used to think were fairies before.

all this mess

Giles studied the light his eyes now his own but sad and worried

it was all going on around me but I was listening to the words those dreadful words playing over in my head

Buffy was in Heaven

I felt Giles stand

saw him leave

then.

the words hit the others

Tara looked sick she moved away from Willow

who was weeping

suck it up bitch!

I wanted to scream

you're the one who took her from peace

Xander was trembling

and Anya blinked looked down looked up and our eyes met

the look of perpetual confusion that always adorned her face was replaced by perfect clarity

and in that moment of clarity we all took a breath as one

we would need to be one to get through this