Title: Never Let Me Go
summary: Buffy's death to save Dawn through Spike's POV and his promise to protect Dawn.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters; they belong to the wonderful Joss Whedon.
I'm sitting on the gravel holding a hysterical Dawn in my arms. I watch as tears flood her face, and it seemed like they will never stop. I have tears too, but I can't worry about myself. How will Dawn be able to live after this...Buffy was all she had and now she's-No, I can't even think it...but I have to! I have to accept that she's not coming back...but how? This isn't the time to think about that...the niblit needs me far too much. Helping her is the most important thing right now...It's what Buffy wanted...
I look over and see Red almost collapse at the sight of Buffy laying there motionless...she was held up by Tara, though, she would never let her fall...I just wish I could've been there like that for Buffy...My eyes then wander over to her...she still looks beautiful. There's barely a mark on her and she lay there as if she were just asleep. I even catch myself thinking about shaking her to see if she'll wake, but I know the truth. She won't wake...ever.
Xander isn't crying, but instead adopts a serious face that wasn't recognizable...too busy trying not to believe what he sees to feel the stabbing pain that has hit the rest of us. Anya lay in his arms, injured and weak...barely consious.
And then I see the watcher...standing beside her with a face of pure disbelief and unbearable pain. He's probably thinking he's failed her, but he hasn't and will soon realize who actually has...the one who was so close to Dawn and failed to reach her in time...me.
Hardly anyone speaks as we drive back to take Dawn home. She sits in silence, looking out the window, with tears stains on her cheeks. She begins to make new ones as we arrive in the drive way.
I relive the scene in my head, of our attempt to leave. Dawn had ran over and began shaking at Buffy and yelling at her to wake up. I had eventually pulled her away and placed her into the car, passing Willow who was now crying even more frantically after watching Dawn.
No one has been able to form any words in the three hours we've been sitting here in the living room. Willow sat on the sofa as Tara tried to soothe her, Xander on the other side of her with Anya in his lap, Giles in one chair and me in the other. We all sat there in silence. Dawn had eventually cried herself to sleep in her room. No one else knew this but me...I could hear her.
I slip up to Dawn's room unoticed. No one could notice anything right now...too wrapped up in their own thoughts...like me. I look at her, laying there in a light and unrestful sleep. I sit on the edge of the bed and push a stray strand of hair out of her face.
"Spike..." she said without opening her eyes.
"Yeah, pet?" I answered in a gravilly voice that was due to lack of use.
"Hold me?" she asked as her eyes opened to look at him...those beautiful blue eyes...
She sat up and turned to rest her head in my lap. I didn't protest, on the contrary, I welcomed the warmth of a living person. I had needed some comfort all night long; something to dull the pain. I leaned up against the head board and let out a sigh.
"Spike..." she spoke again, eyes still closed.
"Yeah, niblit?" I answered as I ran my fingers through her soft hair.
"Never let me go..." she replied softly.
"I promise..." he said and tears fell on his cheeks. He would keep his promise to Buffy...no matter what.