NOTE: Sorry that it has been so long. Here is an update, finally. I tried to make it longer to make up for the lack of updates. It's getting near the end now. I have been super busy latly, and as a side note, I am slowly but surely writing the next part to 'Leaving You' for those of you reading that one and wondering about it. I was in major writer's block. But I will eventually get it done. So anyway, onto the fic!

Remember that (: :) with italics mean thought (mind) speaking.

Disclamer, pairing, setting, rating, and all that jazz is in the first part, read that for all that jazz! ;)

PART 23: It's Time...

CHAPTER 34

Christine smiled as she watched Spike climb down from the school bus. He squinted and raised his hand to his face, shielding his eyes from the sun light. He wasn't used to it. The potential couldn't imagine how Spike felt at the moment. She smiled again watching him as others came out of the bus.

Their small army had gathered. Weapons and all. After the talking in the living room, they loaded up and headed over to the high school. Not a soul stopped them, there was no one left in Sunnydale. Xander and a few of the others were talking to them on the bus, going over last minute things. Bags, weapons, and various items scatted on the floor of the bus and in people's laps. They knew they needed to salvage what they wanted to bring back with them, there was no turning back.

For most of them no one really brought anything. The underbelly of the bus was packed with weapons and things. Buffy and Dawn were the last ones to board the bus. Christine guessed that it was hard for them to say goodbye to the house. Christine couldn't blame them, she knew how that felt.

Christine had sat on the bus with Kennedy next to her. The potential reached out her hand and held Kennedy's without meeting her eyes the whole way. The potential just gazed out the window as she felt Kennedy lovingly caress the back of her hand, drawing imaginary patterns. Everything seemed to be happening so fast. Within mere moments, they had arrived to the high school

Buffy, scythe in hand, lead the way into the high school with Faith right beside her. Christine observed everything around her. She wasn't stupid; she knew that not everyone going in right now were going to come back out alive. Emotions played across a few of the potentials faces that walked by her. Christine was going to make sure that most of these girls got out alive.

The potential could see one thing in common in everyone's faces though... well a few things really. Courage, bravery, confidence...and as the dirty blonde saw these she smiled. She was proud to be there among them. Buffy stopped in the center of one of the hallways where there was an intersection.

"Alright, I want the potentials to go ahead and head towards the seal, Kennedy, show them the way, Faith, Christine, Spike, and I will be there shortly," Buffy said as Kennedy nodded, briefly looking at Christine, and lead the girls away. Buffy took a deep breath and Willow looked nervously at Christine for a moment.

"Well, this is it," Buffy said awkwardly. Christine smiled for a moment.

"I guess so. Thanks for the trip!" Christine said half jokingly. Faith laughed and Giles shook his head as Spike smiled.

"Goodbye, Hellmouth...finally," Willow stated, looking around her. Xander laughed looking around himself.

"All that work for nothing," Xander laughed shaking his head.

"Well...it looks nice," Fred added. Everyone smiled. Silence came over them all and Christine watched them.

"I guess I'll be out of a job," Wood said speaking up. Buffy looked at him.

"Hate to break it to you, you have been out of a job," Buffy stated. Wood smiled.

"Well, we should do this," Faith said speaking up and looking at the others. "I'm heading to the seal B, catch ya in a few," Faith stated before walking away, she wanted to give the blonde some time with her friends. Spike looked at all of them, feeling a little out of place, nodding to the others as he followed Faith to the seal. Wood watched both of them walk off than spoke up too.

"I'm going to go to my station as well, see you soon Giles...and hopefully the rest of you soon," Wood stated before walking down another hall way with a sword in hand. They watched him go.

"Well, that leaves me and the dungeon master in the north hall," Anya said looking down the hallway in which they will be heading down.

"We will defend it with our very lives," Andrew stated puffin up his chest a little bit, trying to look strong.

"Yes, we will defend it with his very life," Anya acknowledged nodding towards Andrew as she picked up her sword.

"And don't be afraid to use him as a human shield," Xander added looking at Anya. A few of them laughed but tried to cover it up. "Good, yes! Thanks," Anya replied looking at Xander for a moment. She tried not to show any emotion as they shared their silent moment. No words were spoken, there didn't need to be. "I just want to say how proud I am to die for this very special cause with you guys," Andrew said tearing up a little bit and going into a speech. "There's some people I'd like to thank, both good and evil, a shout-out to my brother Tucker who gave me the inspiration to summon demons and also..." Andrew was saying. "Nobody cares, ya little monkey," Anya said annoyed and rolling her eyes as she yanked him down the hall, Andrews's sword hitting the ground as she pulled him. They could still hear the echo of "ow ow ows" down the hall. Dawn shook her head.

"Well, I'm going to check out our field of engagement, see ya in a few Xander," Dawn said starting to walk away.

"Dawn..." Buffy started as Dawn turned abruptly around cutting her sister off.

"No. Anything you say is going to sound like goodbye, see you soon," Dawn said smiling to the others as she left. Buffy watched her go; tears threatening to spill from her eyes but held them in. Now was not the time.

Christine looked at Fred. "Well, I'll help you set up really quick, make sure you're all set up, and then join the others," Christine sstated and Fred nodded catching her meaning.

"Christine you don't..." Buffy started but Christine cut her off.

"I'll just be a moment Buffy, I won't hold you up," Christine said as Willow handed her her hand bag smiling. "I'll see you in a bit," Christine stated, following Fred down the hall. Buffy watched her a moment and shook her head before looking at the remainder of who was now in front of her.

Xander shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other and Giles looked at them and smiled. "So... what do you guys want to do tomorrow?" Buffy asked looking at them then down at the scythe she held in her hand.

"Nothing strenuous," Willow answered looking up and smiling.

"Well, mini-golf is always the first thing that comes to mind," Xander added looking at them. They smiled.

"I think we can do better than that," Giles answered looking over at Xander.

"I was thinking about shopping...as per usual," Buffy piped in looking at them.

"There's an Agnes B in the new mall!" Willow added excited a little bit.

"Good. I could use a few items," Xander stated as he adjusted the strap of the blow torch gun he had strapped over his chest.

"Aren't we going to discuss this? Save the world and go to the mall?" Giles asked tapping his broad sword on the ground as he moved his arms.

"I'm having a wicked shoe craving," Buffy stated looking at him.

"Aren't you on the patch?" Xander asked smiling.

"Those never work," Willow stated shaking her head.

"And here I am, invisible to the eye, not having any say..." Giles stated smiling and shaking his head.

"See, I need a new look. This whole construction thing isn't really working out," Xander stated.

"Oh! You can go with the whole military look! Like commando guy again," Buffy suggested.

"Or secret agent man. You can get some really cool sunglasses!" Willow said excited. "Or the puffy shirt, pirate-slash-poet feel. Sensitive yet manly..." Willow also added. Buffy laughed a little.

"Now you're getting a little renaissance fair on me," Xander stated.

"It's a fine line," Buffy said looking at them.

"The earth is definitely doomed," Giles stated shaking his head.

CHAPTER 35

Christine helped Fred lie out and arrange a few things. They didn't say much to each other...they didn't know what to say. The potential looked up at the brunette for a moment stepping back and sighing. "Thank you," Christine said softly. Fred looked up at her and saw that she was sadly smiling at her.

"Oh, come here," Fred stated, walking over to Christine and giving her a hug. Christine lightly smiled and didn't respond at first, but then closed her eyes and hugged Fred back.

"Don't I get one?" asked a voice from the doorway. Christine parted from Fred and looked over. Willow walked into the room and walked over to the potential. She reached into her back pocket and pulled out the amulet and came to a stop in front of her. Christine tried her best to give Willow her best smile, but seemed to be failing a little bit. The redhead smiled sadly at her before placing the amulet around the girl's neck.

Willow placed her hands on Christine's shoulders for a moment. They just looked at each other for a moment before Willow pulled Christine to her and hugged her. A tear escaped Christine's eye as she tried her best not to cry. She wasn't the only one. Fred stood a little off to the side trying not so show any emotions and being strong for Christine. Willow then let go of the potential and took a step back.

They were silent for a moment. "Thank you Willow," Christine lightly said as the redhead looked back at her, her eyes stinging for tears that wanted to come. Christine looked at her with a pain filled expression.

"Oh...no, please...don't cry," Christine said stepping closer to Willow and pulling her into another hug. The redhead forced herself not to cry as she hugged the potential tight. Fred kept her space away letting the two have their moment. Willow knew Christine better then her and understood they needed time. She didn't want to intrude.

Willow stepped away from Christine holding back the tears. Both the redhead and Fred watched as the potential tucked the amulet into her shirt to hide it. "Y-you need to go," Willow stated softly. Christine looked at her then looked over at Fred.

"Both of you have done so much for me...I'll never forget...either of you," Christine stated. Fred looked away for a moment not being able to look at her. Christine stood there for a moment, not wanting to say goodbye. Both of these women had done so much for her...the potential only wished there was something she could say, do...then she remembered.

"Oh! Willow," Christine said reaching into her back pocket and bringing out two crystals. The redhead looked at them then her eyes grew big.

"Where did you get those?" Willow softly asked. They were something similar to what Tara had given her once when they first met. But these were more rare and more powerful. The potential looked at Willow with a proud yet sad smile as she reached out and took a hold of the redhead's hand, placing the crystals into her palm.

"Just think of it as a thank you," Christine stated as Willow looked back up at her. The potential's palm covered Willow's for a moment then she let go, leaving the glowing crystals in her hand. Willow looked at them for a moment before looking back at Christine.

"Oh I can't..." Willow started as the potential cut her off smiling.

"Hey...I want you to have them. Been carrying them around with me for so long...just take them," Christine said knowing she had to go. The crystals had been given to her by her grandmother just before she died. She knew Christine was different and could trust her with them. The potential had always carried them with her; they reminded her of her grandmother, of goodtime. Christine's watcher had seen them and told her what they were and that she should take real good care of them. The potential couldn't think of anyone better to give them to but Willow. And Christine owed her a lot...and it wasn't just that...

There was silence again as Christine stepped back towards the door. The potential looked over and nodded at Fred. "Take care of yourself, ok?" Christine stated looking at her. Fred smiled and nodded a little.

"Ok," the brunette replied as Christine looked back at Willow, who still stood in the middle of the room. The potential smiled at her.

"Well, I guess I'll see you around Red," she stated, managing a grin. She was trying to keep it light and not leave them down hearted. Willow smiled at her as Christine turned around and headed for the door. "Oh and Willow?" the potential said stopping at the door. Willow looked up at her as Christine smiled before saying, "Make sure you kiss her for me," Christine looked at Fred then grinned leaving. Willow laughed and shook her head as Fred turned bright red.

CHAPTER 36

Christine jogged into the room where everyone was gathered. She placed her hand on her chest, feeling the amulet that was there. She made it in there as the seal was opening. Faith turned and looked at her. "Nice of you to join us Chris," Faith stated smiling.

Spike turned and looked at her. "Sattle up, it's going to be a bumpy ride," the vampire said, tossing a sword at the potential. Christine caught it in one swift motion and Spike smiled before dropping into the hole. Buffy went in after him and Christine made her way in front of everyone and did the same. She was the one that knew the place better.

It didn't take long to get everyone in there. Christine walked next to Buffy and Faith as they made their way deeper into the cavern. Faith couldn't help notice how much stronger and older Christine looked. (:You ready for this?:) Faith asked the potential in her mind.

Christine looked at Faith. (:Five by five:) she answered smiling. Faith smiled back as they continued to walk. The potential put her hand to her chest again, feeling the amulet, making sure it was there...she was becoming a little nervous. She knew what was going to be there...but they didn't.

Upstairs...

Meanwhile, Willow and Fred were upstairs barricaded into the room they were set up in. They had set everything ready and Willow was uttering words while placing her hands on the athame in front of her. Fred couldn't do anything now other then sit and watch. She wasn't as or even near as good or powerful as the redhead was. All she could do was help and guild her.

Fred was worried and even a little scared for Willow. Even though she didn't show it much, she deeply cared for her. She watched the Willow in amazement and admiration. Fred just hoped everything was going to go well.

Back underground...

Christine led them into a clearing, trying to be quite. "I'm not worried," Buffy was whispering as they walked in. They all froze, except for Christine, as they saw all the numerous ubervamps in front of them.

"Buffy?" Kim, a potential, whimpered looking at them all. The rest of them filled in a little scared and trying to be quite. They were all silent for a moment.

"I'm not worried. As long as Willow can work her spell before they..." Buffy was saying as the ubervamps below them grew silent and all turned and looked at them. "See us," Buffy concluded as everything was still for a moment. They could see The First, in the form of Christine, standing on a platform, smile on its face, down in front of them. Then the ubervamps charged at them.

"Willow..." Buffy lightly stated grasping the scythe in her hand tighter.

TBC... yea yea, but I tried to make this one a longer update for you guys. I have been REALLY busy,so I am VERY sorry about the lack of updating. I will update when I can, thank you for sticking with the fic, again sorry for any grammer mistakes and etc.