Divine Interference
Part Thirteen
Disclaimer: see previous sections. There's at least one in there.
Posted: July 24, 2004
Author's notes: I am so sorry to have not updated sooner. Things have been more than busy around here at my house, and this sadly had to take a back seat. I hope this is definitely long enough for you, being 12 pages, without any formatting. I have a few more updates to go, before the story will be done with. I hope you guys like the ending, I love it.
I am also teasing the idea of a sequel. But I need your guys' opinions. If you think it wouldn't ruin the story to have a sequel, then let me know. And if you think it will ruin it, well, let me know.
I've gotten pretty good at transferring scripts into past tense, but if I missed anything, let me know please.
That's about it! Enjoy your incredibly long update!
Oh, if you think they should be shorter next time, let me know!
Reader Responses:
Malfeus: Sorry, I don't see any Xander babysitting in this story. Maybe in the sequel, if the populace agrees on one? I've already got an idea for when it would take place, but she'd still need a babysitter.... Thanks for the review!
Oh, what's the exposition song?
Melluvben: smiles secretly just you wait until the end, ok? And even in this chapter (I think) you get some of your wish. Maybe not 'action' as you call it, but...well, just read!
Bluie: poor you and your strained eyes from studying. Yeah, I think this will be the first chapter in this whole entire story to not have tense issues. I have tense issues, for God's sake! My writing teacher said that all writing should be in the present tense, but that just doesn't make sense, or sound right to me! Garg! Here's your next update, from your favorite season :D
(START OF STORY)
They were all in Tara's hospital room. Giles looked at some X-rays of a hand that were posted on the wall. He removed his glasses and wiped his eyes as he turns towards Anya, Xander, and Tara, sitting on the edge of an exam table wearing a hospital gown. She looked straight ahead with a glazed expression. Her hand is bandaged. Willow sat beside her.
"Can she go home now?" Willow asked the doctor.
"Unfortunately, no. Hospital policy dictates we keep her for the night," the doctor explained.
"But does she have to? I-I can take care of her at home."
"It's poisoned," Tara said suddenly, then turned to Willow, "Why don't I tell you that? It, it has to be checked, though." Willow looked sad. Tara looked confused.
"She your sister?" the doctor asked.
"I-i-it has to be verified, of course. Anyone can tell you that. Of course," She looked from one person to the next, "Of course, of course."
"She's my everything," Willow said softly.
"Well, you can get her released first thing in the morning. But she's gotta spend one night in the psych ward. Just for observation. We'll keep an eye on her, do a couple basic tests, and then you can take her home. Does that sound fair?" Willow nodded. "Well, sit tight then, and I'll send a nurse by in a few minutes to pick up Tara." The doctor left as Anya and Xander gave Willow concerned looks. Willow stood and brushed hair back from Tara's face.
Buffy entered soon after the doctor left. "Hey. Will, I'm so sorry." She hugged Willow, looking over her shoulder at Tara. Tara stared vaguely at nothing. Willow had tears in her eyes as Buffy let her go. She looked at Tara who gives her a huge smile.
"They kill mice."
"Tara." Buffy hugged Tara, who didn't react. Buffy pulled back slowly and looked at Willow. "I'm sorry it took me so long, I couldn't get a hold of Angel, but Dawn's safe with Spike, so I-I can stay as long as you need." Willow put her hand over Tara's non-bandaged hand.
"I'm so scared." Buffy put her hand on Willow's cheek.
(SCENE CHANGE)
"Nothin' to be worried about, kid." Spike said to the baby on his hip, feeling strange about it. He was going through his underground cavern. Spike moved a little slowly and with a slight limp. "No one's gonna hurt you. Chin up, platelet. Don't get scared. Maybe Glory doesn't wanna kill you, maybe it's something...worse." He sighed, trying to figure out how to get up the ladder into his crypt, and still hold onto Dawn.
(SCENE CHANGE)
Tara sat in a wheelchair, while a nurse is trying to settle her. Tara pushed at the nurse's hands trying to stop her.
"Don't! Please don't with that treachery!" She calmed down slightly as the nurse went around behind the wheelchair and began to wheel her out. Tara looked up at Willow. "I told the cat. And now I beg my mother sitting all alone."
"Bye, Tara. I'll see you tomorrow. I love you," Willow told her.
Tara whimpered as the nurse wheeled her out. She reached her good hand back toward Willow. Willow watched her go, Xander stepping into her path to stop her from going after Tara.
"Willow. No. It's just for one night."
"Yeah, I-I know, but ... it's a whole night. I don't think I can sleep without her," She said, looking at the ground, then back up at her life long friend.
"You can sleep with me," Anya said, without thinking. "Well, now that came out a lot more lesbian than it sounded in my head."
"Will, you just have to rest. Okay? Right now there's nothing you can do," Buffy told her friend.
"Yes there is," Willow realized.
"No. No way." Buffy chases Willow out into the hallway and stopped her. "You cannot even think about taking on Glory."
"You saw what she did to Tara. I can't let her get away with it."
"No. You have to let her get away with it. Even I'm no match for her, you know that."
"But maybe I am," She turned to go but Buffy grabbed her arm.
"You're not. And I won't let you go!"
"This is not your choice. It's mine."
"This is not the time."
"When, Buffy? When is? When you feel like it? When it's someone you love as much as I love Tara? When it's Dawn, is that it?"
"When we have a chance. We'll fight her, when we have a chance. You wouldn't last five minutes with her, Willow. She's a god."
Willow shook her head, "Fine. I'll wait," she said, only to make Buffy happy.
"It's the only way," Buffy tried to placate her.
"Yeah," Willow said skeptically, walking away.
"Can I do anything?" Buffy asked after her.
"Just let me be alone." Buffy watched her go with a concerned expression.
(SCENE CHANGE)
Willow burst into the Magic Box and headed straight for the forbidden section. She opened a bag, and started pulling books and other items into the bag, including vials and knives.
She shoved books off the shelves every which way, looking for something in particular. Finally she found it, and pulled out one very large old book and put it on the floor in front of her. The cover read Darkest Magick. The book had a metal lock holding it shut. Willow grabbed a small axe from the shelf and hit the lock with it. The lock broke and the book's pages flipped open. The pages continued to flip past as if blown by a wind.
(SCENE CHANGE)
Buffy continued staring after her friend, before turning to Giles. "I don't like this. If something like this happened to any of you, or...or Angel, I would spaz."
"What are you going to do?"
She thought a moment, "Can you keep trying to get a hold of Angel? Tell him Spike has Dawn. I'm gonna go after her."
"Are you sure that's wise?" Giles asked.
"No, but what other choice do I have?" He considered it, then nodded, and she ran off.
(SCENE CHANGE)
Glory walked unsteadily down the stairs, followed by three minions. "You know, I think I'm a little buzzed from eating that witch! What a mind she has. Mmm, nummy treat."
"Is your grace not the slightest bit concerned about-" a minion started.
"What, about the Slayer? Don't be stupid. I know I'm closing in. The key's as good as mine. Girl like Buffy's got just so many friends. All I gotta do it rip through 'em one by one until I finally..." The walls began to shake and rattle, and she stopped. Things fell off from the shelves on the walls, smashing. Glory looked around confused, as did her minions, who were terrified. "Did anybody order an apocalypse?"
The door flew open, and Willow floated in, a few inches from the ground, hair being teased by an unseen wind.
"Kali, Hera, Kronos, Tonic...Air like nectar, thick as onyx...Cassiel by your second star..."
Uhh. It's the lover," Glory sighed, starting to walk towards Willow, "That's so cute."
"Hold mine victim as in tar," Willow finished the spell, as the air thickened around Glory, and she couldn't move. She looked at Willow with surprise.
"I ... owe ... you ... pain!" Blue lightning flashed out of Willow's hands toward Glory. Glory screamed and clutched her shoulders.
"Shatter." Willow commanded, and the mirrors in the room shattered, the glass flying towards Glory, slicing her dress, but not harming her.
"Is that it? Is that the best you can do? You think I care about all this, the apartment, the clothes?" She pulled off the shredded dress to reveal a black negligee underneath. She plowed through the thick air and backhanded Willow, who flew into the sofa, and it toppled under her, so she landed on the floor. "Now, sucking on your girlfriend's mind? That was something to treasure."
Willow pulled herself to her feet, her pretty face covered by an angry mask, her eyes black. Blood slowly trickled from her mouth and down her chin.
The black bag, from where Willow had left it on the floor, slid across the room to her side. Willow looked at it, and it opened, answering her unasked command.
"What's this? Bag of tricks?" Glory asked.
A bunch of daggers were lifted up out of the bag.
"Bag of knives." Willow answered, sending the daggers toward Glory, who just batted them aside. One buried itself in the wall. "Spirit of serpents now appear," Willow started a new spell.
Glory threw the coffee table at Willow, knocking her down. Willow propped herself up on her elbows and glared at Glory.
"Hissing, writhing, striking near," she finished her spell. A snake appeared out of the carpet and winds itself around Glory's leg. Glory shook the snake off, and it disappeared in a puff of smoke.
Glory walked towards where Willow lay on the ground, panting, "Now this is getting weak." She grabbed Willow by the throat and pulled her to a sitting position. "And so are you, honey. Aren't ya?" In response, Willow spat in Glory's face. Glory grabbed Willow's arm and dragged her across the floor, grabbing a dagger from where it was lying, and continues out of the room.
"No!" Willow cried. Glory shoved Willow against the wall, holding her by the throat.
"Know what they used to do to witches, lover? Crucify 'em." Glory pulled her arm holding the dagger back, ready to stab Willow, when Buffy appeared and grabbed Glory's wrist.
"They used to bow down to gods." Glory smiled in delight, but Buffy kicked her in the stomach, which made Glory let go of Willow, who fell to the floor. Buffy twisted Glory's arm and punched her. "Things change."
Buffy cart wheeled across the floor and kicked Glory in the face, punched her a few times, kicked her again, and then spun around to get momentum for another punch but Glory blocked it. Buffy did a flip and kicked Glory in the face, before trying to punch Glory a few more times, but the god evaded. Glory pinned Buffy's arms behind her back and threw her over the upturned sofa.
"That witch barely slowed me down." Glory glared at Buffy, who kicked the sofa, which flew forwards and pinned Glory against the wall. Buffy jumped up and ran to Willow, helping her up. Glory shoved the sofa aside and started towards them as Buffy began to lead Willow out of the apartment.
"Thicken," Willow said as a last resort, which made the air around Glory thicken, stopping her in her tracks as Buffy and Willow escaped.
"This isn't over, you hear me? It isn't over!" Glory screamed after them. She sighed in annoyance.
(SCENE CHANGE)
"I'm sorry, Buffy," Willow said once they were far enough away.
"I understand why you did it. If it was you, or Xander, or Giles, even Angel, I would have done the same thing."
"I hate seeing Tara like that. She's helpless!" Willow said, as tears formed in her eyes.
"Then she can come live with us, ok? You helped me with Dawn, you still are, so I'll do all I can to help with Tara." Willow nodded. "I'm sorry that I couldn't...but we'll get through this, one step at a time."
"Yeah..." Willow said uncertainly.
(SCENE CHANGE)
After Willow went and signed Tara out, Buffy, Willow, Tara and Dawn sat in the middle of the living room, Buffy had pushed aside all the furniture, and they sat on the floor. Angel had made sandwiches for them, before he retired to Buffy's room, not wanting to join them.
"What's Tara got?" Willow asked as Buffy sorted through the sandwiches.
"Uh...tuna fish ok?" Buffy asked both Tara and Willow.
"Plastic and their six sisters. Six sick sisters," Tara said, then turned to Willow, "Willow?" she whined, uncertain, confused.
"It's okay," Willow soothed her, "Let's just start slow today. Um, Buffy, could I have that?" She pointed towards a thing of applesauce, and Buffy handed her the cup and a spoon. Dawn crawled over towards Tara, and she whined. Buffy picked up her daughter, setting her down with a plastic toy.
"Here you go," Willow said softly, spooning some applesauce out for Tara, who ate it uncertainly, "That's my girl."
"What did they give you?" Buffy asked, taking the plastic sandwich bag away from Dawn hurriedly.
"I don't know. They gave me a lot of stuff to ... keep her calm. They said I might have to restrain her at night. But ... sometimes she's fine. She looks at me, and ... she's fine," Willow almost pleaded.
"I'm sorry I couldn't-" she tried again.
"It's okay. I can do this. I'm gonna take care of her. Even if she never..." Dawn squealed and started crawling towards Willow, "She's my girl."
Buffy looked sympathetically at Willow, picking up Dawn as she zoomed across the carpet, "I understand."
"I know you do," Willow nodded. Buffy smiled at her, and Willow returned it, "Hear that, baby? You're my always." Willow kissed Tara on the forehead as Buffy set Dawn down on the other side of her. Suddenly, the apartment started rattling, and the door and half the wall was ripped down, Dawn already heading towards the destruction, curious. Buffy grabbed her as sunlight streamed in. Glory appeared at the door.
"I told you this wasn't over," she said. Buffy instinctively crushed Dawn to her, who squawked.
"No. The place is cracking! It's cracking! Cracking, no, no, no!" Tara cried out in fright.
"No, Tara, it's okay," Willow tried to calm her. Dawn squealed in a mix of outrage and excitement, drawing Tara's attention.
Tara gasped, staring at Dawn, "Oh, look at that, look at that. The light! Oh, it's so pure! Such pure green energy! Innocent and pure!"
Buffy gasped and looked at Glory, her fear evident on her face. She looked towards the bedroom, wishing Angel would come and help her.
"Oh, it's so beautiful," Tara reached for Dawn. Glory smiled looking at Dawn as if she was a thousand dollar bill. Buffy shifted her daughter to her other hip, putting herself between Glory and her child.
Without thinking, Buffy grabbed a sling from where it was in the wash pile nearby, struggling to get Dawn in as she ran down the hall. She finally got Dawn in and strapped it on as she kicked down her bedroom door. She could hear Glory following her, and didn't look back, hoping Willow was doing something to stop her.
Angel sat straight up from where he was resting in her bed as the door fell. He grabbed for a weapon instinctively, before his eyes were open. "Buffy?"
She didn't stop to talk as she clung to a now screaming Dawn. There was no other way out of the apartment, only one door...She'd just have to make one.
She dived through the nearest window and shade, sunlight fighting to get in as she fought to get out. She heard Angel cry out behind her as the sun touched his skin. In that moment, she knew she really loved him. If they survived this, she'd give him another chance.
She pushed the thought aside as the ground rushed to greet her. Sure, she had dived out of a few windows in her day, but never with a screaming, fighting child strapped to her chest. She couldn't let Dawn get hurt, but she needed to be able to protect her.
"Hold on, sweetie-" she twisted around right before she hit the ground, taking the impact on her shoulder. It screamed in pain, but she continued her roll. Once she could sit up, she jumped to her feet arms still wrapped around the baby in front of her, and ran. Ran faster than she had ever in the past.
She didn't know where she was going, but she ended up at a familiar crypt. Thank God Angel had been out of town when the Buffy-bot thing had went down.
"What the blazes-Oh, it's you."
"I need your help, please, Spike. Glory knows," she leaned back against the crypt wall as she tried to calm Dawn. The adrenalin was filtering out, and mind-numbing fear was taking hold.
"You have to get out of town. I know just the way. I suspect the Girls Scouts and Brood Miser are coming along, eh? Meet me in the hospital parking garage in an hour," he didn't wait for an answer as he jumped down into the lower part of his crypt and stalked off towards the sewers.
Tears pushed against her eyes, but she fought them back. If she let herself go to pieces, they'd lose. And she'd lose Dawn.
She pulled out her cell phone and began dialing, rubbing Dawn's back with the other hand.
(SCENE CHANGE)
"We're not coming with you."
"What?!" she jiggled Dawn as they waited for Spike.
"We'll just be in the way. Ayn knows a place where we can hide, and be off Glory's radar. Will has super witch powers, Angel's a vampire, and Giles is big on the knowledge. We can't offer you anything."
Buffy's resolve was going fast, "But I need you! You hold this group together! With your- y-our jokes, and getting of snacks! I can't lose you!"
He hugged hr close, mindful of Dawn, "You're not. There are only Five Scooby positions, and I'm letting Angel borrow mine."
"You'll be ok?" her question was muffled by his shirt.
"I'll be just ducky."
Just then a camper pulled up, and the door was pushed open from the inside.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, Go."
Angel quietly led her into the camper. The others were surprised he didn't make a stink about Spike being there as he led Buffy into the back room. He sat her silently on the bed, and he knelt before her and pulled Dawn from the sling, setting her on the middle of the bed, before taking Buffy into his arms. All the tears she had been holding back came busting through, and he held her as her body shook with silent sobs.
Forty-five minutes later she had composed herself once more. After making sure she didn't look like she'd been crying, she put in a brave face and stepped into the living area. Angel stayed with Dawn to put her down for a nap, giving her time alone with her friends.
"So, what's the plan?" Willow asked, her arm comfortingly around Tara.
"Keep driving. Don't stop. We'll all take shifts. Get the hell out of dodge and as far away as possible."
"Buffy, running is not necessarily the right course of action-"
"She's nine months old, Giles! She doesn't understand what's going on! And I can't fight Glory, she's too strong. What do you suggest we do?"
"She must have some weakness, we just haven't looked hard enough yet."
"You and Will have exhausted both your resources, and yourselves. Cordy and Wes have been working around the clock. Gunn, one of Angel's buddies, is scouring the streets for news. And an empathic demon is doing all he can. She doesn't have a weakness. And I can't fight her," she whispered.
"We'll find a way, Buffy, don't worry," Willow said with conviction.
(SCENE CHANGE)
"So the key...is an infant," Glory smiled, "Never would'a thought...tricky monks," she giggled.
"My queen, they're not in the town."
"We'll find them. Oh, we'll find them."
(SCENE CHANGE)
It was Giles's turn to drive, with everyone sitting around the table, cramped. Spike slid off the seat next to Tara and stayed on the floor, Buffy and Angel were trying to keep Dawn occupied. Willow had pulled out one of her books awhile before, and was paging through it.
"I almost feel like I should be asking, 'are we there yet?'" Buffy said softly.
"That only works when you know where you're going," Angel told her, picking up Dawn from her lap.
"Does anyone have any idea where we're going?" Willow asked, not looking up from her book.
"We'd already be somewhere if Captain Slowpoke would give up the wheel," Spike muttered. Neither vampire was happy to be in such cramped quarters together. "Hey Gramps! Bloody step on it!"
"Step on what? I've driven tricycles with more power," Giles muttered, squinting through the hole of tinfoil. He didn't manage to miss the bumps in the road, and the vehicle jostled.
"I should'a nicked that Porsche I had my eye on," Spike said quietly to Dawn, who was now back on Buffy's lap, leaning over the seat, "Just enough room for you and mum."
Angel glared at him.
"What?"
"Would you give it a rest already?"
"Why? I've had enough rest in my 150 years of being undead. Though not as much as you have."
"Be careful, or you'll be undead man walking. I'd like to see you hitchhike a ride, with your thumb on fire," Angel growled.
"Fine," Spike sulked. He wanted to throw an insult right back at his poofy grandsire, but Buffy was looking pale and worn, so he didn't.
Angel sighed, deciding to get as far away from Spike s he could.
"That guy's rubbing my last nerve the wrong way," Angel growled as he took the seat beside Giles.
"Buffy does have a point, though. In a confrontation, he could be, ah, useful."
"Not sure Buffy's thinking too clear these days. I've never seen her so."
"She's been through more than her fair share of late, we all have. She just needs to catch her breath, regroup. She'll be alright."
"Yeah," but Angel wasn't convinced.
They rode in silence, until finally, Buffy couldn't stand it anymore, "Having any luck?" she peered over at Will's book.
"Uh, if you define luck as the absence of success, plenty. There's a couple barrier spells, but...they only work on a fixed locus. Haven't found anything that'll work while we're still moving."
"So pretty, can I have one?" Tara asked, reaching out for Dawn.
"No, baby," Willow pulled her back gently.
Dawn had somehow gotten a hold of the window shade string, and she was pulling on it.
"Hey! AGH!" Spike's hand was touched by the streaming light, and he jumped from his seat. Dawn started whimpering.
"Shh, sweetie," Buffy bounced her, "I'm sorry, Spike. She doesn't know any better."
Spike nodded, "No biggie. Look, the skin's already stopped smoking. You go ahead and play ... peek-a-boo with Mister Sunshine all you like. It keeps the ride from getting boring."
"Buffy?" Angel came back from the front seat, "maybe it's time for Dawn to take another nap. She didn't sleep much last time," he used as an excuse. Buffy nodded, taking the baby into the back.
Angel followed her a few minutes later, "Thanks," he said, as he closed the door.
"What?"
"For pretty much everything. For her," he said, touching Dawn's booted foot.
"Oh, yeah, I'm doing a great job," Buffy said sarcastically.
"But you are," he sat down beside her.
She shook her head, "I'm the slayer. The Chosen one. All mythic and defender-y. Evil nasties are supposed to flee from me. Not the other way around."
"You're not fleeing," he told her, "You're ... moving at a brisk pace."
"Quaintly referred to in some cultures as the big scaredy runaway," she said sadly as she rocked Dawn, "It all just keeps on coming....Glory...Riley...now this..."
"Look on the bright side."
"What bright side?"
"Things can't get any crazier. You've hit rock bottom, and now-"There was a crash of glass as an arrow shot through the window, and hit the far wall.
"You know this is all your fault, right?" Buffy asked, handing over Dawn. She pulled the blinds a side a bit to peek out, to see a bunch of knights. "It's those damned Balthazar knights," she muttered, "Stay here!" she yelled at him, "Giles!" she yelled, rushing out into the main part of the vehicle.
"I see them."
"See who?" Spike asked. Several knights had caught the RV, and came up along side it. One man took aim with a crossbow, and let it fly. "Bloody Hell!" Spike dove for the floor as the bolt appeared in the wall next to him. "Weapons?" Giles asked, and Buffy threw the bag under the table to Spike.
"Hello! You're driving one!" Spike yelled at Giles.
"Don't hit the horsies!" Willow exclaimed.
"Oh, we won't," Buffy assured her, though she wasn't sure herself, "Aim for the horsies," she told Giles, moving up beside him.
She thought they were in the clear, when a sword came through the top of the camper. "Stay Low!" she called," Watch out for-" The sword once more came through the top, and if it wasn't for Spike's quick grab, Buffy would have been hit. She ducked, looking for a way through the situation.
"Now would be a good time for some heroics," Spike called, holding on tight to the sword as the knight tried to pull it free.
"Hatch!" she cried, jumping up onto the table. She pushed open the door, and sprung out of the camper. The swordsman finally pulled his sword free, and Buffy heard a distinct howl of pain from Spike. The knight saw Buffy as soon as she got her footing, and he thrust at her, she sidestepped, ducked his second swing, and side kicked him. He went down, and she pounced on top of him, blocking another blow, and knocking the sword away.
She punched him in the face a couple times, but then he managed to block her next punch, and roll her over, so she was on bottom. They got up, grappling, and he managed to kick her in the head, throwing her over the side. In passing, she grabbed the railing to the top of the RV, and held on tight. Out of the corner of her eye, she sees another knight coming at her, this one with a mace.
The knight on top of the vehicle retrieved his sword, and bent down to swing at her, but she kicked up and hit him in the face, and he fell backwards. She pulled herself back on top of the moving vehicle, and they faced off.
Out of the corner of her eye, Buffy saw another knight, this one with a grappling hook, get a hold on the camper, and began to climb.
Buffy knew she had to act fast to survive, so she punched the first knight, before whirling around and hitting him with a nice, straight, strong back kick. He fell over the side with a satisfying scream.
The second knight had reached the top as Buffy heard another grappling hook catch on the rail.
Buffy heard the smashing of glass, and saw a knight smash through the window. She heard sounds inside, sounding like the fending off of said knight, and paid attention to the two that now were standing in front of her. She tried to think of something that would help her against two burly knights, and saw the sword the first knight had dropped on his way overboard. The only problem was the two guys were standing in between it and her. She punched the knight with the axe, kicked the other one, kicked the first one, ducked an axe swing, only to get a glancing blow from the mace, punched the mace wielder, then back flipped to kick both of them in the face.
She finally reached the sword, scooping it up, twirling it around so the mace chain got stuck around it. She pulled the knight closer and spun him around, kneeing him in the stomach, throwing him overboard. She lost hold of the sword, though. The axe bearer came at her from behind, but she kicked him away, ducking another axe swing as he came at her again. She kicked him in the chest, managing to get a hold of his axe hand, keeping it at bay while she hit him again. She heard the clamber of another knight on the ladder. She slammed the axe hand and grabbed it as he let go. She swung it at him, which he ducked, before kicking him off the RV. She threw the axe at the new knight, who screamed and fell backwards.
Buffy looked around, silence from both inside and out. The knights seemed to have cleared off. Buffy turned to go back down through the hatch, only to see a knight with a spear, heading straight for the front of the RV.
She felt Giles twist the wheel, as she lost her balance and slammed against the top of the RV. She saw in slow motion the spear being thrown, crashing through the window, and she heard Giles's gasp of shock and pain. Buffy could feel the RV starting to go out of control, and as a last effort, she climbed over the rail and jumped free, hoping everyone inside was safe.
As she sat up, the RV flew off the road, flipped over, and stopped in a spew of dust. She looked up into the bright sun, and swore.
Half an hour later they were all safely out of the RV, Dawn strapped to Buffy's back, Angel and Spike hiding underneath blankets from most of the rays. Willow was helping her carry Giles, who was in so much pain he could barely walk.
"We've gotta find shelter," Buffy murmured, looking over her shoulder at Dawn, who was looking listless.
"Yeah, Bloody right. I'm burning up out here," Spike called.
"I think we all are, Spike. In one way or another," Angel said through grinding teeth.
A bit a ways away, Buffy spotted an abandoned gas station, "Head there, guys." The two vampires rushed ahead, kicking down the door, and rushing into the safety of shelter. Once Buffy and Willow had dragged Giles in, Angel slammed the door.
Buffy looked around their shelter. The windows were shabbily boarded up, with strips of light coming through. To one side was waist high counter, "Spike," she nodded towards it. He cleared it off, while Angel helped her lift Giles onto it. Both British men were groaning from the effort of getting Giles on the counter; Giles from his stomach wound, oozing blood through his shirt, and Spike's mangled hands.
"Thanks, Will?"
"On it." Spike hurried into one of the light free corners, holding his hands close to him.
"Are you ok?" Angel asked as he helped Buffy take Dawn from her back.
"I'll live," she said tersely.
"What about my bloody hands?" Spike asked. She went over and grabbed one to examine it. "OW! Bloody hell woman!"
"They'll heal."
"Florence Bloody Nightingale to the rescue," Spike muttered.
Buffy went over to look out the window, seeing no one in sight.
"Uh, Do we have another plan?" Willow asked, "one that doesn't involve a Winnebago and sharp objects?"
"We-we'll just rest here for a moment. We've got to keep moving," Buffy said, looking to Angel for agreement.
"Where will we go?" Angel didn't give her the confirmation she was looking for.
"I don't know!" she could feel the tears coming on, and covered her face with her hands, "We just, we, we, we can't, can't stay here. I-it's too close to the wreck, we're too easy to find!" She heard a grunt of pain from Giles and rushed over, "Will, how is he?"
Willow didn't answer right away, her hands covering Giles's puncture wound.
"Will?"
"I-I think I slowed the bleeding, but..."
"Ok, ok, just give me a minute to think," Buffy walked away from the group, trying to get her brain to work past the exhaustion and fear to think. The flaming arrow coming through a slot in the window didn't help things.
"Get down!" Another fiery arrow followed he first. Angel grabbed the first arrow with his free hand, throwing it in the dirt, putting out the fire. He reached for the second, "Damn it, Angel! Get down!"
Willow pushed Tara behind the counter, Angel rushing behind her, "Baby, I need you to do me a favor, ok?" Tara nodded, whimpering, "Can you hold this?"
"Shiny," Tara rocked a bit.
"Yes. Can you hold it for me?"
"Uh-huh." Angel handed Dawn, tired and dehydrated, over to Tara.
"We've got company," Spike was over by one of the windows, peaking out, "and they've brought a bloody crusade."
"Get down, Spike!" Buffy yelled at him, "Willow!"
"I'm working on it!" she called, sitting beside Tara, behind the counter. Tara sat and stroked Dawn's hair, muttering pretty light.
"Help me!" Angel and Spike rushed to help Buffy push whatever they could find against the door.
"Go! Go! Go! Let's move! Come on, move it!" Buffy heard from outside, and the feeling of overwhelming odds came rushing over her. A knight found another door, one by the counter, and Buffy went to stop him, but he punched her, and she fell aside. Both Spike and Angel lunged at the knight. Spike went to slam the knight into the next week, but after making contact, he held his head, screaming from the pain. The knight went to use his weapon on Spike, but Angel intervened, kicking and punching the knight. He punched him right back.
More knights started pounding on windows, and Spike ducked as glass fell on top of him.
By this time Buffy was on her feet, taking over for Angel, parrying a blow, and knocking him unconscious.
"Willow!" Buffy screamed, trying to get her to work faster, knowing it wouldn't work.
The general entered through the door that had been burst down by the previous knight, "The Key, where is it?"
Buffy thought quick, picking up a nearby weapon and throwing it at the general. It hit his hand, making him drop his sword. He lunged at Buffy, but Angel got behind him and slammed his fists into the top of his head. He fell sideways, into a pillar. Down for the count.
"Enemies, Fly and fall," Willow said finally. Buffy looked over at her, cross-legged, with the book in her lap. But she wasn't looking at it with her eyes black. "Circling arms, raise a wall," she commanded, and Buffy heard a whoosh.
Once everyone was sure the knights wouldn't come barging in, they relaxed a bit. Buffy went over to where Willow was helping Tara up, still holding Dawn, entranced.
"Will, how long will it hold?"
"Half a day," she sounded uncertain, "Maybe." Willow went to look out the window, "or until Heckle and Jeckle punch a hole through it.
"What's the story with these role-playing rejects?" Spike asked, nudging the nearest guy, unconscious.
"Let's find out." A few minutes later, with Angel's and Spike's help, she had tied the general to a pillar in the back room. Spike alerted her a half an hour later, when he came to, to see her standing there, arms crossed. Angel could be seen through the door, trying to get Dawn to sleep.
"You sure Scarface here can habla the English?" Spike asked, doubtful.
"He understands me. Don't you?"
"You were warned we would return, Slayer."
"Took you long enough. What are you supposed to be, some kind of chief?" Buffy asked, the disdain clear in her voice.
"General," he sneered.
"General. In charge of what, getting captured?"
"You do not frighten me, child," he looked through doorway, to the baby in the vampire's arms, "The instrument of chaos must be destroyed."
Buffy slapped him, "Look at her that way again, and she will be the last thing you ever see," she threatened.
"As I've been told, you protect the key of the beast."
"It's not that simple."
"Yes. The key has been transformed, given ... breath, life. Yet, this makes no difference. The key is the link. The link must be severed Such is the will of God."
"She doesn't remember anything about being this key you're all looking for. She's a baby! The only thing she remembers is warm arms holding her, rocking her to sleep! What kind of god would demand her life for something that she has no control over?" He did not seem impressed by what Buffy had to say, "We are not your enemy. Tell your men to stand down."
He looked through the doorway again, and Buffy moved to block his view. "No."
"It is not her fault! She's human now!" she herself looked backwards at her child, rubbing her eyes tiredly as the man she loved walked her to sleep.
"The key is too dangerous ... to be allowed to exist. No matter what form it has been pressed into."
"I will not let anyone tell me-" a wail interrupted her from the next room. She could hear Willow murmuring to Tara. Buffy looked at Spike, telling him silently that he was in charge, before leaving the room, "What's wrong?"
"I don't know, she just went nuts," Willow said, franticly trying to sooth her.
"Time! Time! Time!" Tara cried, running over to one of the boarded up windows, trying to get through. Willow ran after her, trying to get her away from the window. Tara broke free and ran to another window. Willow grabbed her torso, pinning her arms to her side.
"Tara! We have to do something! She, she can't stay this way. Buffy!"
"Time... time... time..." Tara kept repeating.
"Do the best you can," Buffy told her. She heard a grown from Giles, and rushed over, "I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"We should have stayed. If we had, none of this would have happened."
"Don't. What you did ... w-was necessary ... what I've always admired."
"Running away?"
"Being able to place ... your heart ... above all else," he breathed heavily. It was obvious talking was taking a lot out of him, "I'm so proud of you. You've come so far. You're everything a Watcher ... everything I could have hoped for." He held his hand until he seemed to fall asleep, before pulling her hand carefully out of his grasp.
"Willow," she said resolutely, looking at the witch, who was now stroking Tara's hair, who had somehow fallen asleep, "Open a door."
Willow did as she said, and Buffy stepped outside the protective barrier, Angel watching from inside, holding Dawn, unable to help.
"Speak," the guy who stepped forward ordered.
"One of my friends was hurt when you attacked us."
"And ten of my men are dead. Honorable men," he drew his sword, "Shall we balance the scale?"
"Will you let someone come and help him or not?" Buffy asked, angrily.
"Give quarter to an agent of the beast? What madness would move me to such action?"
"I'm done asking." Buffy moved to hit the man, when Spike intervened, as the knights were preparing to fight back.
"Hey now! I've been around a long, long time, and one thing I've learned is...this is war, right? In war, there are rules...or at least there was back in the day, if you are as honorable as you think you are. Plus, we have your General...guy."
He nodded in assent.
Buffy rounded up Willow towards the nearest pay phone. "Discharge, and bring life," Willow commanded, and the phone began to work. Buffy picked up the phone, and nodded her thanks to Willow.
"Handier than a Swiss knife. Look, the door to my crypt's got this nasty squeak, maybe you could..." Spike started, but Willow rolled her eyes, turning and walking away.
"Hey, uh, i-it's Buffy. I need to ask you a really big favor," Buffy said into the phone after the other end was picked up.
Part Thirteen
Disclaimer: see previous sections. There's at least one in there.
Posted: July 24, 2004
Author's notes: I am so sorry to have not updated sooner. Things have been more than busy around here at my house, and this sadly had to take a back seat. I hope this is definitely long enough for you, being 12 pages, without any formatting. I have a few more updates to go, before the story will be done with. I hope you guys like the ending, I love it.
I am also teasing the idea of a sequel. But I need your guys' opinions. If you think it wouldn't ruin the story to have a sequel, then let me know. And if you think it will ruin it, well, let me know.
I've gotten pretty good at transferring scripts into past tense, but if I missed anything, let me know please.
That's about it! Enjoy your incredibly long update!
Oh, if you think they should be shorter next time, let me know!
Reader Responses:
Malfeus: Sorry, I don't see any Xander babysitting in this story. Maybe in the sequel, if the populace agrees on one? I've already got an idea for when it would take place, but she'd still need a babysitter.... Thanks for the review!
Oh, what's the exposition song?
Melluvben: smiles secretly just you wait until the end, ok? And even in this chapter (I think) you get some of your wish. Maybe not 'action' as you call it, but...well, just read!
Bluie: poor you and your strained eyes from studying. Yeah, I think this will be the first chapter in this whole entire story to not have tense issues. I have tense issues, for God's sake! My writing teacher said that all writing should be in the present tense, but that just doesn't make sense, or sound right to me! Garg! Here's your next update, from your favorite season :D
(START OF STORY)
They were all in Tara's hospital room. Giles looked at some X-rays of a hand that were posted on the wall. He removed his glasses and wiped his eyes as he turns towards Anya, Xander, and Tara, sitting on the edge of an exam table wearing a hospital gown. She looked straight ahead with a glazed expression. Her hand is bandaged. Willow sat beside her.
"Can she go home now?" Willow asked the doctor.
"Unfortunately, no. Hospital policy dictates we keep her for the night," the doctor explained.
"But does she have to? I-I can take care of her at home."
"It's poisoned," Tara said suddenly, then turned to Willow, "Why don't I tell you that? It, it has to be checked, though." Willow looked sad. Tara looked confused.
"She your sister?" the doctor asked.
"I-i-it has to be verified, of course. Anyone can tell you that. Of course," She looked from one person to the next, "Of course, of course."
"She's my everything," Willow said softly.
"Well, you can get her released first thing in the morning. But she's gotta spend one night in the psych ward. Just for observation. We'll keep an eye on her, do a couple basic tests, and then you can take her home. Does that sound fair?" Willow nodded. "Well, sit tight then, and I'll send a nurse by in a few minutes to pick up Tara." The doctor left as Anya and Xander gave Willow concerned looks. Willow stood and brushed hair back from Tara's face.
Buffy entered soon after the doctor left. "Hey. Will, I'm so sorry." She hugged Willow, looking over her shoulder at Tara. Tara stared vaguely at nothing. Willow had tears in her eyes as Buffy let her go. She looked at Tara who gives her a huge smile.
"They kill mice."
"Tara." Buffy hugged Tara, who didn't react. Buffy pulled back slowly and looked at Willow. "I'm sorry it took me so long, I couldn't get a hold of Angel, but Dawn's safe with Spike, so I-I can stay as long as you need." Willow put her hand over Tara's non-bandaged hand.
"I'm so scared." Buffy put her hand on Willow's cheek.
(SCENE CHANGE)
"Nothin' to be worried about, kid." Spike said to the baby on his hip, feeling strange about it. He was going through his underground cavern. Spike moved a little slowly and with a slight limp. "No one's gonna hurt you. Chin up, platelet. Don't get scared. Maybe Glory doesn't wanna kill you, maybe it's something...worse." He sighed, trying to figure out how to get up the ladder into his crypt, and still hold onto Dawn.
(SCENE CHANGE)
Tara sat in a wheelchair, while a nurse is trying to settle her. Tara pushed at the nurse's hands trying to stop her.
"Don't! Please don't with that treachery!" She calmed down slightly as the nurse went around behind the wheelchair and began to wheel her out. Tara looked up at Willow. "I told the cat. And now I beg my mother sitting all alone."
"Bye, Tara. I'll see you tomorrow. I love you," Willow told her.
Tara whimpered as the nurse wheeled her out. She reached her good hand back toward Willow. Willow watched her go, Xander stepping into her path to stop her from going after Tara.
"Willow. No. It's just for one night."
"Yeah, I-I know, but ... it's a whole night. I don't think I can sleep without her," She said, looking at the ground, then back up at her life long friend.
"You can sleep with me," Anya said, without thinking. "Well, now that came out a lot more lesbian than it sounded in my head."
"Will, you just have to rest. Okay? Right now there's nothing you can do," Buffy told her friend.
"Yes there is," Willow realized.
"No. No way." Buffy chases Willow out into the hallway and stopped her. "You cannot even think about taking on Glory."
"You saw what she did to Tara. I can't let her get away with it."
"No. You have to let her get away with it. Even I'm no match for her, you know that."
"But maybe I am," She turned to go but Buffy grabbed her arm.
"You're not. And I won't let you go!"
"This is not your choice. It's mine."
"This is not the time."
"When, Buffy? When is? When you feel like it? When it's someone you love as much as I love Tara? When it's Dawn, is that it?"
"When we have a chance. We'll fight her, when we have a chance. You wouldn't last five minutes with her, Willow. She's a god."
Willow shook her head, "Fine. I'll wait," she said, only to make Buffy happy.
"It's the only way," Buffy tried to placate her.
"Yeah," Willow said skeptically, walking away.
"Can I do anything?" Buffy asked after her.
"Just let me be alone." Buffy watched her go with a concerned expression.
(SCENE CHANGE)
Willow burst into the Magic Box and headed straight for the forbidden section. She opened a bag, and started pulling books and other items into the bag, including vials and knives.
She shoved books off the shelves every which way, looking for something in particular. Finally she found it, and pulled out one very large old book and put it on the floor in front of her. The cover read Darkest Magick. The book had a metal lock holding it shut. Willow grabbed a small axe from the shelf and hit the lock with it. The lock broke and the book's pages flipped open. The pages continued to flip past as if blown by a wind.
(SCENE CHANGE)
Buffy continued staring after her friend, before turning to Giles. "I don't like this. If something like this happened to any of you, or...or Angel, I would spaz."
"What are you going to do?"
She thought a moment, "Can you keep trying to get a hold of Angel? Tell him Spike has Dawn. I'm gonna go after her."
"Are you sure that's wise?" Giles asked.
"No, but what other choice do I have?" He considered it, then nodded, and she ran off.
(SCENE CHANGE)
Glory walked unsteadily down the stairs, followed by three minions. "You know, I think I'm a little buzzed from eating that witch! What a mind she has. Mmm, nummy treat."
"Is your grace not the slightest bit concerned about-" a minion started.
"What, about the Slayer? Don't be stupid. I know I'm closing in. The key's as good as mine. Girl like Buffy's got just so many friends. All I gotta do it rip through 'em one by one until I finally..." The walls began to shake and rattle, and she stopped. Things fell off from the shelves on the walls, smashing. Glory looked around confused, as did her minions, who were terrified. "Did anybody order an apocalypse?"
The door flew open, and Willow floated in, a few inches from the ground, hair being teased by an unseen wind.
"Kali, Hera, Kronos, Tonic...Air like nectar, thick as onyx...Cassiel by your second star..."
Uhh. It's the lover," Glory sighed, starting to walk towards Willow, "That's so cute."
"Hold mine victim as in tar," Willow finished the spell, as the air thickened around Glory, and she couldn't move. She looked at Willow with surprise.
"I ... owe ... you ... pain!" Blue lightning flashed out of Willow's hands toward Glory. Glory screamed and clutched her shoulders.
"Shatter." Willow commanded, and the mirrors in the room shattered, the glass flying towards Glory, slicing her dress, but not harming her.
"Is that it? Is that the best you can do? You think I care about all this, the apartment, the clothes?" She pulled off the shredded dress to reveal a black negligee underneath. She plowed through the thick air and backhanded Willow, who flew into the sofa, and it toppled under her, so she landed on the floor. "Now, sucking on your girlfriend's mind? That was something to treasure."
Willow pulled herself to her feet, her pretty face covered by an angry mask, her eyes black. Blood slowly trickled from her mouth and down her chin.
The black bag, from where Willow had left it on the floor, slid across the room to her side. Willow looked at it, and it opened, answering her unasked command.
"What's this? Bag of tricks?" Glory asked.
A bunch of daggers were lifted up out of the bag.
"Bag of knives." Willow answered, sending the daggers toward Glory, who just batted them aside. One buried itself in the wall. "Spirit of serpents now appear," Willow started a new spell.
Glory threw the coffee table at Willow, knocking her down. Willow propped herself up on her elbows and glared at Glory.
"Hissing, writhing, striking near," she finished her spell. A snake appeared out of the carpet and winds itself around Glory's leg. Glory shook the snake off, and it disappeared in a puff of smoke.
Glory walked towards where Willow lay on the ground, panting, "Now this is getting weak." She grabbed Willow by the throat and pulled her to a sitting position. "And so are you, honey. Aren't ya?" In response, Willow spat in Glory's face. Glory grabbed Willow's arm and dragged her across the floor, grabbing a dagger from where it was lying, and continues out of the room.
"No!" Willow cried. Glory shoved Willow against the wall, holding her by the throat.
"Know what they used to do to witches, lover? Crucify 'em." Glory pulled her arm holding the dagger back, ready to stab Willow, when Buffy appeared and grabbed Glory's wrist.
"They used to bow down to gods." Glory smiled in delight, but Buffy kicked her in the stomach, which made Glory let go of Willow, who fell to the floor. Buffy twisted Glory's arm and punched her. "Things change."
Buffy cart wheeled across the floor and kicked Glory in the face, punched her a few times, kicked her again, and then spun around to get momentum for another punch but Glory blocked it. Buffy did a flip and kicked Glory in the face, before trying to punch Glory a few more times, but the god evaded. Glory pinned Buffy's arms behind her back and threw her over the upturned sofa.
"That witch barely slowed me down." Glory glared at Buffy, who kicked the sofa, which flew forwards and pinned Glory against the wall. Buffy jumped up and ran to Willow, helping her up. Glory shoved the sofa aside and started towards them as Buffy began to lead Willow out of the apartment.
"Thicken," Willow said as a last resort, which made the air around Glory thicken, stopping her in her tracks as Buffy and Willow escaped.
"This isn't over, you hear me? It isn't over!" Glory screamed after them. She sighed in annoyance.
(SCENE CHANGE)
"I'm sorry, Buffy," Willow said once they were far enough away.
"I understand why you did it. If it was you, or Xander, or Giles, even Angel, I would have done the same thing."
"I hate seeing Tara like that. She's helpless!" Willow said, as tears formed in her eyes.
"Then she can come live with us, ok? You helped me with Dawn, you still are, so I'll do all I can to help with Tara." Willow nodded. "I'm sorry that I couldn't...but we'll get through this, one step at a time."
"Yeah..." Willow said uncertainly.
(SCENE CHANGE)
After Willow went and signed Tara out, Buffy, Willow, Tara and Dawn sat in the middle of the living room, Buffy had pushed aside all the furniture, and they sat on the floor. Angel had made sandwiches for them, before he retired to Buffy's room, not wanting to join them.
"What's Tara got?" Willow asked as Buffy sorted through the sandwiches.
"Uh...tuna fish ok?" Buffy asked both Tara and Willow.
"Plastic and their six sisters. Six sick sisters," Tara said, then turned to Willow, "Willow?" she whined, uncertain, confused.
"It's okay," Willow soothed her, "Let's just start slow today. Um, Buffy, could I have that?" She pointed towards a thing of applesauce, and Buffy handed her the cup and a spoon. Dawn crawled over towards Tara, and she whined. Buffy picked up her daughter, setting her down with a plastic toy.
"Here you go," Willow said softly, spooning some applesauce out for Tara, who ate it uncertainly, "That's my girl."
"What did they give you?" Buffy asked, taking the plastic sandwich bag away from Dawn hurriedly.
"I don't know. They gave me a lot of stuff to ... keep her calm. They said I might have to restrain her at night. But ... sometimes she's fine. She looks at me, and ... she's fine," Willow almost pleaded.
"I'm sorry I couldn't-" she tried again.
"It's okay. I can do this. I'm gonna take care of her. Even if she never..." Dawn squealed and started crawling towards Willow, "She's my girl."
Buffy looked sympathetically at Willow, picking up Dawn as she zoomed across the carpet, "I understand."
"I know you do," Willow nodded. Buffy smiled at her, and Willow returned it, "Hear that, baby? You're my always." Willow kissed Tara on the forehead as Buffy set Dawn down on the other side of her. Suddenly, the apartment started rattling, and the door and half the wall was ripped down, Dawn already heading towards the destruction, curious. Buffy grabbed her as sunlight streamed in. Glory appeared at the door.
"I told you this wasn't over," she said. Buffy instinctively crushed Dawn to her, who squawked.
"No. The place is cracking! It's cracking! Cracking, no, no, no!" Tara cried out in fright.
"No, Tara, it's okay," Willow tried to calm her. Dawn squealed in a mix of outrage and excitement, drawing Tara's attention.
Tara gasped, staring at Dawn, "Oh, look at that, look at that. The light! Oh, it's so pure! Such pure green energy! Innocent and pure!"
Buffy gasped and looked at Glory, her fear evident on her face. She looked towards the bedroom, wishing Angel would come and help her.
"Oh, it's so beautiful," Tara reached for Dawn. Glory smiled looking at Dawn as if she was a thousand dollar bill. Buffy shifted her daughter to her other hip, putting herself between Glory and her child.
Without thinking, Buffy grabbed a sling from where it was in the wash pile nearby, struggling to get Dawn in as she ran down the hall. She finally got Dawn in and strapped it on as she kicked down her bedroom door. She could hear Glory following her, and didn't look back, hoping Willow was doing something to stop her.
Angel sat straight up from where he was resting in her bed as the door fell. He grabbed for a weapon instinctively, before his eyes were open. "Buffy?"
She didn't stop to talk as she clung to a now screaming Dawn. There was no other way out of the apartment, only one door...She'd just have to make one.
She dived through the nearest window and shade, sunlight fighting to get in as she fought to get out. She heard Angel cry out behind her as the sun touched his skin. In that moment, she knew she really loved him. If they survived this, she'd give him another chance.
She pushed the thought aside as the ground rushed to greet her. Sure, she had dived out of a few windows in her day, but never with a screaming, fighting child strapped to her chest. She couldn't let Dawn get hurt, but she needed to be able to protect her.
"Hold on, sweetie-" she twisted around right before she hit the ground, taking the impact on her shoulder. It screamed in pain, but she continued her roll. Once she could sit up, she jumped to her feet arms still wrapped around the baby in front of her, and ran. Ran faster than she had ever in the past.
She didn't know where she was going, but she ended up at a familiar crypt. Thank God Angel had been out of town when the Buffy-bot thing had went down.
"What the blazes-Oh, it's you."
"I need your help, please, Spike. Glory knows," she leaned back against the crypt wall as she tried to calm Dawn. The adrenalin was filtering out, and mind-numbing fear was taking hold.
"You have to get out of town. I know just the way. I suspect the Girls Scouts and Brood Miser are coming along, eh? Meet me in the hospital parking garage in an hour," he didn't wait for an answer as he jumped down into the lower part of his crypt and stalked off towards the sewers.
Tears pushed against her eyes, but she fought them back. If she let herself go to pieces, they'd lose. And she'd lose Dawn.
She pulled out her cell phone and began dialing, rubbing Dawn's back with the other hand.
(SCENE CHANGE)
"We're not coming with you."
"What?!" she jiggled Dawn as they waited for Spike.
"We'll just be in the way. Ayn knows a place where we can hide, and be off Glory's radar. Will has super witch powers, Angel's a vampire, and Giles is big on the knowledge. We can't offer you anything."
Buffy's resolve was going fast, "But I need you! You hold this group together! With your- y-our jokes, and getting of snacks! I can't lose you!"
He hugged hr close, mindful of Dawn, "You're not. There are only Five Scooby positions, and I'm letting Angel borrow mine."
"You'll be ok?" her question was muffled by his shirt.
"I'll be just ducky."
Just then a camper pulled up, and the door was pushed open from the inside.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, Go."
Angel quietly led her into the camper. The others were surprised he didn't make a stink about Spike being there as he led Buffy into the back room. He sat her silently on the bed, and he knelt before her and pulled Dawn from the sling, setting her on the middle of the bed, before taking Buffy into his arms. All the tears she had been holding back came busting through, and he held her as her body shook with silent sobs.
Forty-five minutes later she had composed herself once more. After making sure she didn't look like she'd been crying, she put in a brave face and stepped into the living area. Angel stayed with Dawn to put her down for a nap, giving her time alone with her friends.
"So, what's the plan?" Willow asked, her arm comfortingly around Tara.
"Keep driving. Don't stop. We'll all take shifts. Get the hell out of dodge and as far away as possible."
"Buffy, running is not necessarily the right course of action-"
"She's nine months old, Giles! She doesn't understand what's going on! And I can't fight Glory, she's too strong. What do you suggest we do?"
"She must have some weakness, we just haven't looked hard enough yet."
"You and Will have exhausted both your resources, and yourselves. Cordy and Wes have been working around the clock. Gunn, one of Angel's buddies, is scouring the streets for news. And an empathic demon is doing all he can. She doesn't have a weakness. And I can't fight her," she whispered.
"We'll find a way, Buffy, don't worry," Willow said with conviction.
(SCENE CHANGE)
"So the key...is an infant," Glory smiled, "Never would'a thought...tricky monks," she giggled.
"My queen, they're not in the town."
"We'll find them. Oh, we'll find them."
(SCENE CHANGE)
It was Giles's turn to drive, with everyone sitting around the table, cramped. Spike slid off the seat next to Tara and stayed on the floor, Buffy and Angel were trying to keep Dawn occupied. Willow had pulled out one of her books awhile before, and was paging through it.
"I almost feel like I should be asking, 'are we there yet?'" Buffy said softly.
"That only works when you know where you're going," Angel told her, picking up Dawn from her lap.
"Does anyone have any idea where we're going?" Willow asked, not looking up from her book.
"We'd already be somewhere if Captain Slowpoke would give up the wheel," Spike muttered. Neither vampire was happy to be in such cramped quarters together. "Hey Gramps! Bloody step on it!"
"Step on what? I've driven tricycles with more power," Giles muttered, squinting through the hole of tinfoil. He didn't manage to miss the bumps in the road, and the vehicle jostled.
"I should'a nicked that Porsche I had my eye on," Spike said quietly to Dawn, who was now back on Buffy's lap, leaning over the seat, "Just enough room for you and mum."
Angel glared at him.
"What?"
"Would you give it a rest already?"
"Why? I've had enough rest in my 150 years of being undead. Though not as much as you have."
"Be careful, or you'll be undead man walking. I'd like to see you hitchhike a ride, with your thumb on fire," Angel growled.
"Fine," Spike sulked. He wanted to throw an insult right back at his poofy grandsire, but Buffy was looking pale and worn, so he didn't.
Angel sighed, deciding to get as far away from Spike s he could.
"That guy's rubbing my last nerve the wrong way," Angel growled as he took the seat beside Giles.
"Buffy does have a point, though. In a confrontation, he could be, ah, useful."
"Not sure Buffy's thinking too clear these days. I've never seen her so."
"She's been through more than her fair share of late, we all have. She just needs to catch her breath, regroup. She'll be alright."
"Yeah," but Angel wasn't convinced.
They rode in silence, until finally, Buffy couldn't stand it anymore, "Having any luck?" she peered over at Will's book.
"Uh, if you define luck as the absence of success, plenty. There's a couple barrier spells, but...they only work on a fixed locus. Haven't found anything that'll work while we're still moving."
"So pretty, can I have one?" Tara asked, reaching out for Dawn.
"No, baby," Willow pulled her back gently.
Dawn had somehow gotten a hold of the window shade string, and she was pulling on it.
"Hey! AGH!" Spike's hand was touched by the streaming light, and he jumped from his seat. Dawn started whimpering.
"Shh, sweetie," Buffy bounced her, "I'm sorry, Spike. She doesn't know any better."
Spike nodded, "No biggie. Look, the skin's already stopped smoking. You go ahead and play ... peek-a-boo with Mister Sunshine all you like. It keeps the ride from getting boring."
"Buffy?" Angel came back from the front seat, "maybe it's time for Dawn to take another nap. She didn't sleep much last time," he used as an excuse. Buffy nodded, taking the baby into the back.
Angel followed her a few minutes later, "Thanks," he said, as he closed the door.
"What?"
"For pretty much everything. For her," he said, touching Dawn's booted foot.
"Oh, yeah, I'm doing a great job," Buffy said sarcastically.
"But you are," he sat down beside her.
She shook her head, "I'm the slayer. The Chosen one. All mythic and defender-y. Evil nasties are supposed to flee from me. Not the other way around."
"You're not fleeing," he told her, "You're ... moving at a brisk pace."
"Quaintly referred to in some cultures as the big scaredy runaway," she said sadly as she rocked Dawn, "It all just keeps on coming....Glory...Riley...now this..."
"Look on the bright side."
"What bright side?"
"Things can't get any crazier. You've hit rock bottom, and now-"There was a crash of glass as an arrow shot through the window, and hit the far wall.
"You know this is all your fault, right?" Buffy asked, handing over Dawn. She pulled the blinds a side a bit to peek out, to see a bunch of knights. "It's those damned Balthazar knights," she muttered, "Stay here!" she yelled at him, "Giles!" she yelled, rushing out into the main part of the vehicle.
"I see them."
"See who?" Spike asked. Several knights had caught the RV, and came up along side it. One man took aim with a crossbow, and let it fly. "Bloody Hell!" Spike dove for the floor as the bolt appeared in the wall next to him. "Weapons?" Giles asked, and Buffy threw the bag under the table to Spike.
"Hello! You're driving one!" Spike yelled at Giles.
"Don't hit the horsies!" Willow exclaimed.
"Oh, we won't," Buffy assured her, though she wasn't sure herself, "Aim for the horsies," she told Giles, moving up beside him.
She thought they were in the clear, when a sword came through the top of the camper. "Stay Low!" she called," Watch out for-" The sword once more came through the top, and if it wasn't for Spike's quick grab, Buffy would have been hit. She ducked, looking for a way through the situation.
"Now would be a good time for some heroics," Spike called, holding on tight to the sword as the knight tried to pull it free.
"Hatch!" she cried, jumping up onto the table. She pushed open the door, and sprung out of the camper. The swordsman finally pulled his sword free, and Buffy heard a distinct howl of pain from Spike. The knight saw Buffy as soon as she got her footing, and he thrust at her, she sidestepped, ducked his second swing, and side kicked him. He went down, and she pounced on top of him, blocking another blow, and knocking the sword away.
She punched him in the face a couple times, but then he managed to block her next punch, and roll her over, so she was on bottom. They got up, grappling, and he managed to kick her in the head, throwing her over the side. In passing, she grabbed the railing to the top of the RV, and held on tight. Out of the corner of her eye, she sees another knight coming at her, this one with a mace.
The knight on top of the vehicle retrieved his sword, and bent down to swing at her, but she kicked up and hit him in the face, and he fell backwards. She pulled herself back on top of the moving vehicle, and they faced off.
Out of the corner of her eye, Buffy saw another knight, this one with a grappling hook, get a hold on the camper, and began to climb.
Buffy knew she had to act fast to survive, so she punched the first knight, before whirling around and hitting him with a nice, straight, strong back kick. He fell over the side with a satisfying scream.
The second knight had reached the top as Buffy heard another grappling hook catch on the rail.
Buffy heard the smashing of glass, and saw a knight smash through the window. She heard sounds inside, sounding like the fending off of said knight, and paid attention to the two that now were standing in front of her. She tried to think of something that would help her against two burly knights, and saw the sword the first knight had dropped on his way overboard. The only problem was the two guys were standing in between it and her. She punched the knight with the axe, kicked the other one, kicked the first one, ducked an axe swing, only to get a glancing blow from the mace, punched the mace wielder, then back flipped to kick both of them in the face.
She finally reached the sword, scooping it up, twirling it around so the mace chain got stuck around it. She pulled the knight closer and spun him around, kneeing him in the stomach, throwing him overboard. She lost hold of the sword, though. The axe bearer came at her from behind, but she kicked him away, ducking another axe swing as he came at her again. She kicked him in the chest, managing to get a hold of his axe hand, keeping it at bay while she hit him again. She heard the clamber of another knight on the ladder. She slammed the axe hand and grabbed it as he let go. She swung it at him, which he ducked, before kicking him off the RV. She threw the axe at the new knight, who screamed and fell backwards.
Buffy looked around, silence from both inside and out. The knights seemed to have cleared off. Buffy turned to go back down through the hatch, only to see a knight with a spear, heading straight for the front of the RV.
She felt Giles twist the wheel, as she lost her balance and slammed against the top of the RV. She saw in slow motion the spear being thrown, crashing through the window, and she heard Giles's gasp of shock and pain. Buffy could feel the RV starting to go out of control, and as a last effort, she climbed over the rail and jumped free, hoping everyone inside was safe.
As she sat up, the RV flew off the road, flipped over, and stopped in a spew of dust. She looked up into the bright sun, and swore.
Half an hour later they were all safely out of the RV, Dawn strapped to Buffy's back, Angel and Spike hiding underneath blankets from most of the rays. Willow was helping her carry Giles, who was in so much pain he could barely walk.
"We've gotta find shelter," Buffy murmured, looking over her shoulder at Dawn, who was looking listless.
"Yeah, Bloody right. I'm burning up out here," Spike called.
"I think we all are, Spike. In one way or another," Angel said through grinding teeth.
A bit a ways away, Buffy spotted an abandoned gas station, "Head there, guys." The two vampires rushed ahead, kicking down the door, and rushing into the safety of shelter. Once Buffy and Willow had dragged Giles in, Angel slammed the door.
Buffy looked around their shelter. The windows were shabbily boarded up, with strips of light coming through. To one side was waist high counter, "Spike," she nodded towards it. He cleared it off, while Angel helped her lift Giles onto it. Both British men were groaning from the effort of getting Giles on the counter; Giles from his stomach wound, oozing blood through his shirt, and Spike's mangled hands.
"Thanks, Will?"
"On it." Spike hurried into one of the light free corners, holding his hands close to him.
"Are you ok?" Angel asked as he helped Buffy take Dawn from her back.
"I'll live," she said tersely.
"What about my bloody hands?" Spike asked. She went over and grabbed one to examine it. "OW! Bloody hell woman!"
"They'll heal."
"Florence Bloody Nightingale to the rescue," Spike muttered.
Buffy went over to look out the window, seeing no one in sight.
"Uh, Do we have another plan?" Willow asked, "one that doesn't involve a Winnebago and sharp objects?"
"We-we'll just rest here for a moment. We've got to keep moving," Buffy said, looking to Angel for agreement.
"Where will we go?" Angel didn't give her the confirmation she was looking for.
"I don't know!" she could feel the tears coming on, and covered her face with her hands, "We just, we, we, we can't, can't stay here. I-it's too close to the wreck, we're too easy to find!" She heard a grunt of pain from Giles and rushed over, "Will, how is he?"
Willow didn't answer right away, her hands covering Giles's puncture wound.
"Will?"
"I-I think I slowed the bleeding, but..."
"Ok, ok, just give me a minute to think," Buffy walked away from the group, trying to get her brain to work past the exhaustion and fear to think. The flaming arrow coming through a slot in the window didn't help things.
"Get down!" Another fiery arrow followed he first. Angel grabbed the first arrow with his free hand, throwing it in the dirt, putting out the fire. He reached for the second, "Damn it, Angel! Get down!"
Willow pushed Tara behind the counter, Angel rushing behind her, "Baby, I need you to do me a favor, ok?" Tara nodded, whimpering, "Can you hold this?"
"Shiny," Tara rocked a bit.
"Yes. Can you hold it for me?"
"Uh-huh." Angel handed Dawn, tired and dehydrated, over to Tara.
"We've got company," Spike was over by one of the windows, peaking out, "and they've brought a bloody crusade."
"Get down, Spike!" Buffy yelled at him, "Willow!"
"I'm working on it!" she called, sitting beside Tara, behind the counter. Tara sat and stroked Dawn's hair, muttering pretty light.
"Help me!" Angel and Spike rushed to help Buffy push whatever they could find against the door.
"Go! Go! Go! Let's move! Come on, move it!" Buffy heard from outside, and the feeling of overwhelming odds came rushing over her. A knight found another door, one by the counter, and Buffy went to stop him, but he punched her, and she fell aside. Both Spike and Angel lunged at the knight. Spike went to slam the knight into the next week, but after making contact, he held his head, screaming from the pain. The knight went to use his weapon on Spike, but Angel intervened, kicking and punching the knight. He punched him right back.
More knights started pounding on windows, and Spike ducked as glass fell on top of him.
By this time Buffy was on her feet, taking over for Angel, parrying a blow, and knocking him unconscious.
"Willow!" Buffy screamed, trying to get her to work faster, knowing it wouldn't work.
The general entered through the door that had been burst down by the previous knight, "The Key, where is it?"
Buffy thought quick, picking up a nearby weapon and throwing it at the general. It hit his hand, making him drop his sword. He lunged at Buffy, but Angel got behind him and slammed his fists into the top of his head. He fell sideways, into a pillar. Down for the count.
"Enemies, Fly and fall," Willow said finally. Buffy looked over at her, cross-legged, with the book in her lap. But she wasn't looking at it with her eyes black. "Circling arms, raise a wall," she commanded, and Buffy heard a whoosh.
Once everyone was sure the knights wouldn't come barging in, they relaxed a bit. Buffy went over to where Willow was helping Tara up, still holding Dawn, entranced.
"Will, how long will it hold?"
"Half a day," she sounded uncertain, "Maybe." Willow went to look out the window, "or until Heckle and Jeckle punch a hole through it.
"What's the story with these role-playing rejects?" Spike asked, nudging the nearest guy, unconscious.
"Let's find out." A few minutes later, with Angel's and Spike's help, she had tied the general to a pillar in the back room. Spike alerted her a half an hour later, when he came to, to see her standing there, arms crossed. Angel could be seen through the door, trying to get Dawn to sleep.
"You sure Scarface here can habla the English?" Spike asked, doubtful.
"He understands me. Don't you?"
"You were warned we would return, Slayer."
"Took you long enough. What are you supposed to be, some kind of chief?" Buffy asked, the disdain clear in her voice.
"General," he sneered.
"General. In charge of what, getting captured?"
"You do not frighten me, child," he looked through doorway, to the baby in the vampire's arms, "The instrument of chaos must be destroyed."
Buffy slapped him, "Look at her that way again, and she will be the last thing you ever see," she threatened.
"As I've been told, you protect the key of the beast."
"It's not that simple."
"Yes. The key has been transformed, given ... breath, life. Yet, this makes no difference. The key is the link. The link must be severed Such is the will of God."
"She doesn't remember anything about being this key you're all looking for. She's a baby! The only thing she remembers is warm arms holding her, rocking her to sleep! What kind of god would demand her life for something that she has no control over?" He did not seem impressed by what Buffy had to say, "We are not your enemy. Tell your men to stand down."
He looked through the doorway again, and Buffy moved to block his view. "No."
"It is not her fault! She's human now!" she herself looked backwards at her child, rubbing her eyes tiredly as the man she loved walked her to sleep.
"The key is too dangerous ... to be allowed to exist. No matter what form it has been pressed into."
"I will not let anyone tell me-" a wail interrupted her from the next room. She could hear Willow murmuring to Tara. Buffy looked at Spike, telling him silently that he was in charge, before leaving the room, "What's wrong?"
"I don't know, she just went nuts," Willow said, franticly trying to sooth her.
"Time! Time! Time!" Tara cried, running over to one of the boarded up windows, trying to get through. Willow ran after her, trying to get her away from the window. Tara broke free and ran to another window. Willow grabbed her torso, pinning her arms to her side.
"Tara! We have to do something! She, she can't stay this way. Buffy!"
"Time... time... time..." Tara kept repeating.
"Do the best you can," Buffy told her. She heard a grown from Giles, and rushed over, "I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"We should have stayed. If we had, none of this would have happened."
"Don't. What you did ... w-was necessary ... what I've always admired."
"Running away?"
"Being able to place ... your heart ... above all else," he breathed heavily. It was obvious talking was taking a lot out of him, "I'm so proud of you. You've come so far. You're everything a Watcher ... everything I could have hoped for." He held his hand until he seemed to fall asleep, before pulling her hand carefully out of his grasp.
"Willow," she said resolutely, looking at the witch, who was now stroking Tara's hair, who had somehow fallen asleep, "Open a door."
Willow did as she said, and Buffy stepped outside the protective barrier, Angel watching from inside, holding Dawn, unable to help.
"Speak," the guy who stepped forward ordered.
"One of my friends was hurt when you attacked us."
"And ten of my men are dead. Honorable men," he drew his sword, "Shall we balance the scale?"
"Will you let someone come and help him or not?" Buffy asked, angrily.
"Give quarter to an agent of the beast? What madness would move me to such action?"
"I'm done asking." Buffy moved to hit the man, when Spike intervened, as the knights were preparing to fight back.
"Hey now! I've been around a long, long time, and one thing I've learned is...this is war, right? In war, there are rules...or at least there was back in the day, if you are as honorable as you think you are. Plus, we have your General...guy."
He nodded in assent.
Buffy rounded up Willow towards the nearest pay phone. "Discharge, and bring life," Willow commanded, and the phone began to work. Buffy picked up the phone, and nodded her thanks to Willow.
"Handier than a Swiss knife. Look, the door to my crypt's got this nasty squeak, maybe you could..." Spike started, but Willow rolled her eyes, turning and walking away.
"Hey, uh, i-it's Buffy. I need to ask you a really big favor," Buffy said into the phone after the other end was picked up.