The Show Must Go On
Author: Elizabeth5
Chapter Three: The Sky Is Falling
She had been fighting nonstop for the past three hours. It had been three hours since Giles' death, little more than three hours since she'd found out that Spike was still alive, and Buffy had been given absolutely no time to process these two monumental events. She couldn't let herself think of them, because then she'd slow down, and then she'd lose.
It was difficult to tell who was still alive now. She thought she'd caught a blur of Principal Wood, and there was some freakishly strong blue chick who seemed to be fighting on their side. She was fairly certain that Angel was still alive, because she would just feel it if he was gone. The same for those others who were nearest and dearest to her– Dawn, Xander, Willow. Spike. Of course, she hadn't felt that he was still alive, so maybe that train of logic was a faulty one. Maybe everyone she loved was gone, just like Giles.
But she wouldn't let herself think that. Buffy took hold of the head of the demon she was fighting it, twisting it sharply to the side. It fell to the ground, lifeless. One down, dozens to go. It seemed no matter how many killed, there were ten or twenty waiting to take its place.
I can't go on like this much longer, she realized, a surge of panic rushing through her. What if this was it? What if this was the real, end-all apocalypse? There were so many things left unsaid. Will they know I love them? she wondered as she hacked off the head of a chaos demon. Will I see them again?
And then suddenly, Buffy felt herself being frozen in time, unable to move. She panicked at first, struggling to break free, but then a feeling of utmost serenity washed over her. A wave of cold energy overtook her body, beginning at her core and spreading out to the ends of her hair and the tips of her toes. With surprising calm, she watched as a literal wall of green fire came rushing toward them. She closed her eyes, bracing herself for the end. But a moment later, nothing had happened, and Buffy opened her eyes to find she was surrounded by the flames, completely unsinged.
Other creatures around her were not so lucky. They screamed in agony as the flames consumed their flesh, picking the bones dry. The agony was so extreme that Buffy almost felt sorry for them.
Almost.
And then it was gone. Buffy slumped to the ground, panting as she struggled to regain her bearings. She heard a girlish squeal and a moment later, Dawn was at her side, her eyes alight with excitement. "Oh my gosh, Buffy, it was so cool," she babbled, "Willow did this spell, and her hair got all white, and then she was using my essence to power this giant wall of flames, hence the green energy– "
"Dawn!" Buffy cried when she had finally found her voice.
Dawn's face fell. "Geesh, Buffy, the battle's over. All the demons are dead, partly because of me, so don't even yell at me for coming onto the battlefie– "
She was silenced as Buffy threw herself at her, hugging her tightly. Dawn patted her back awkwardly. "Oh, I get it. I love you, too, Buffy. And, ow."
Buffy pulled back, her face apologetic. "I'm sorry, I just...I didn't know if we were going to make it."
As the words passed through her lips, her face darkened, and she glanced backward. Giles' body remained on the pavement, lifeless but unsinged by the flames. For that, at least, she could be grateful.
Dawn followed her gaze and let out a little gasp. "Oh my gosh...Giles!"
As Dawn ran to the fallen watcher, Buffy let her gaze run over those who were still standing. So many had fallen during the battle: Giles, Gunn, dozens of former potentials. She pressed her eyes shut, forcing back the emotion that threatened to overwhelm her.
"Buffy, are you all right?"
Buffy looked up to see Angel standing over her, his face filled with worry. She stared at him blankly, then murmured the only words she could think of: "We have to help the wounded."
And there were plenty to choose from. There were several people she didn't recognize, and too many she did. Her gaze fell upon Faith; she was aiding a limping Robin Wood, who had a heavy gash on his forehead.
Buffy rushed toward them, ignoring her own minor wounds. "Faith– Robin. Are you all right?"
"Five by five," Faith returned, glancing over at her companion. "But Woody here needs to see a doctor."
Buffy took Robin's other arm and they headed toward a corner where Xander was already beginning to gather the wounded. Angel walked alongside them for a moment, looking oddly pensive as he glanced over Faith. "You're injurred," he said finally, "badly."
Faith merely glared at him. "I'm fine. Slayer healing, and all that."
"Faith– "
"I'm fine." the dark slayer snapped. She and Buffy deposited Wood with the makeshift medics and then turned back to gather more.
As Buffy made her way through the crowd, she noted the Smurf Woman standing over Gunn's body. She was staring down at him, as though she didn't quite know what to make of it. "I told him not to die," she said to no one in particular.
So caught up in watching this was Buffy that she walked straight into someone. Spike. She reeled back, staring at him, uncertain of what to say. He opened his mouth then clamped it shut, seeming to run through several sentences before finally settling on, "You're limping."
"I'll live." she returned bitterly, then started in the other direction.
He caught her arm. "Buffy, wait– "
"We don't have time for this right now," she reminded him, wrenching away. As if to prove her point, she leaned down and helped a now-human Oz rise to his feet.
"Oh, hey Buffy." Oz said, sounding rather tired. He glanced down at himself. "I'm kind of naked, aren't I?"
Wordlessly, Spike removed his coat and handed it over. Oz nodded at him gratefully. "Thanks." He did a double take, frowning at Spike. "Hey, not that I'm all that particular, but weren't you evil?"
Spike shrugged. "I got over it."
"Come on," Buffy interrupted, supporting Oz as he stumbled toward the medics. Once out of earshot of Spike, she softened visibly. "Thanks for showing up, Oz. It's always good to see a familiar face-- especially when we're being attacked by a never-ending demon army."
"Anything to help Willow," Oz returned good-naturedly, though there was a trace of sadness in his eyes.
Buffy helped Oz settle down comfortably and had just turned to go help more of the wounded when she felt a sudden tightening in her chest. She turned instinctively, just in time to see Faith stumble forward, landing squarely in Angel's arms.
"Faith!"
Buffy sprinted forward as Angel lowered Faith to the ground, his eyes intent as he pushed back her hair from her face. "I told her she needed to get medical treatment," he said.
"Will she be all right?" Buffy inquired, surprised at how much it mattered to her. She and Faith had never exactly been the closest of friends, but they were linked. Buffy couldn't really fathom a world without Faith in it.
Angel pushed back Faith's coat, revealing a deep stab wound. He swore under his breath. "Come on, Faith, you don't get to give up yet. You just got back your soul– now it's time to fight for your life. I believe in you, Faith. You can do it– "
"Angel." Buffy placed a hand on his shoulder. "She's gone."
He was silent for a moment, his face completely expressionless. And then his face twisted with grief, and he gathered her now lifeless body into his arms and began to sob.