See part one for disclamier, setting, pairing, rating, etc...

: italics : means thought speaking. Sorry if that is hard to pick up, fanfic was being mean on the uploading of this part...so I am sorry that the mindreading parts totaly bite in this update...

PART 25: You Promised...

Buffy looked at her as The First yelled and charged at them. Christine lifted her other hand, her sword falling to the ground and The First stopped dead in its tracks and was lifted into the air.

"NO! You can't do this!" It yelled struggling. Buffy looked at Christine as the foundation began to shake more and crumble. The potential looked back at her.

"It was an honor to have known and fought with you," Buffy stated, she didn't know what else to say. Christine sadly smiled at her.

"Go," the potential urged as the blonde slayer looked over at Faith briefly, then started to run.

"Faith! Let's go!" Buffy yelled, hopping up on the ledge. All the other potentials had gotten out of there, knowing it was time. It was part of the plan and as soon as the ground began to shake they started backing out. Faith had seen Kennedy before she backed out....

:::::FLASHBACK:::::

"Promise me you'll bring her back," Kennedy stated looking at her. Kennedy couldn't do anything for Christine and knew it was up to Faith, still believing there was a spell to weaken The First, and that they would get out. Faith had nodded to her before seeing her go...

:::::END FLASHBACK:::::

"Faith!" Buffy yelled. The brunette turned to her.

"Right behind you B! Go!" the younger slayer yelled up to her. Buffy stood there for a second not wanting to leave, but she trusted Faith and trusted she would get out ok. Buffy then nodded and turned, running out.

"You...should go," Christine stated as the brunette turned back to her.

: There was no spell to weaken The First was there?: Faith asked Christine in her mind, knowing the potential couldn't really physically talk, that it hurt her.

: Faith...: Christine said looking at her. Faith's eyes began to water, not understanding what was happening or why this had to happen. She had just found Christine, now she was going to lose her? :Please don't cry...I can't hold the foundation much longer...: Christine stated as the ground shook more. :Please go.: Christine pleaded, looking at her.

Faith tried to hold the tears back as one rolled down her cheek. The brunette slayer looked at her for a moment. : I love you : Faith stated. Christine was like a sister to her. The potential sadly smiled to her. They both were ignoring The First's yells and screams as it still held, struggling in the air.

: I know Faith...there isn't much time...tell...tell her I love her...and I'll never forget you Faith, or the others...remember what I told you...: Christine said holding so hard the tears that wanted to come. The potential was fighting with all her strength to hold everything around her; the pain was becoming too great.

Christine watched as Faith placed her hand over her heart. : I remember Christine, I'll always remember...: she said as the place began to crumble more. The potential looked at her then around where they were.

:Now GO!: Christine urged, trying to give an encouraging smile to the brunette...

CHAPTER 37

Above ground...

"Everybody out now!" Buffy yelled, as a full scale retreat takes place. They are all rushing to the bus. Andrew stands in the hallway as he looks at Anya's body on the ground. Why was he alive, was she really gone...

Wood runs past him yanking him with him. "Get them on the bus!" Wood yells as they all run out side.

"Everybody! This way!" Giles yells trying to guild them all with Spike right next to him.

"Anya! Anya!" Xander calls out. Dawn pulls him away as she runs passed him. Xander never notices the body near him, still clinging to life.

They all dashed onto the bus. VI had Rona in one seat trying to keep her awake. "Look at me! This is nothing! Stay awake!" she said as she held her. Fred made it on the bus with Willow with her, who was quite dazed and drained. Xander and Dawn ran on as Giles started it up. Kennedy came up behind them and Buffy got on last. Xander looked around on the bus. Where was Anya? Xander then saw Andrew not too far away, sitting, looking at his hands...alone.

"We got to go!" Wood yelled as the foundation started to cave. Kennedy and Buffy looked around frantic.

"Where are they!?!" Kennedy yelled. Buffy didn't look at her as Giles began to pull away.

"No wait!" Buffy yelled.

"There is no time!" Giles yelled as everything behind them started caving in.

"Buffy!" Dawn yelled pointing out the window. Buffy looked up frantic to see Faith, running along the rooftops, leaping from building to building, a body in her arms, as she tried to keep pace with the school bus until she could leap onto its roof. Buffy's, as well as Kennedy's, hearts caught in their throats.

Faith saw her chance as she risked it and jumped, landing on the roof, cradling the body in her arms, trying to stay on top of the roof. Buffy closed her eyes in relief, knowing Faith made it out. As the bus races out of town, Sunnydale collapsed into a giant pit behind them.

Xander stood in the aisle way, grasping onto a seat to keep steady, looking at Andrew again as he looked up at him. Andrew had tears in his eyes.

"Why didn't I die?" he asked softly and Xander looked away, not wanting to think about it, his heart aching. Dawn came up behind him and placed her hand on his shoulder.

"She was a great person Xander," Dawn stated, trying to smile and sound reassuring. Xander looked away.

"Ease off. We're clear," Spike said as he looked behind them. The bus pulled over and stopped. Buffy rushed outside with Kennedy behind her

"Faith!" Buffy called when she got out. Faith was already on the ground not too far away, bent over the body she placed down, checking it. Buffy's breath caught in her throat. Did Christine make it? Was Faith able to save her? The brunette slayer turned around and looked at Buffy, sadly smiling at her, glad that she was safe.

Kennedy stood frozen as Xander ran off of the bus running past her. "Anya!" he yelled, running over to Faith and hitting the ground next to her as he grasped Anya's hand. Dawn exited the bus and smiled. She was standing next to Xander as he looked out the window and saw her, immediately running off of the bus. She was happy that Anya was safe...but...where was Christine?

"I saw her on my way out..." Faith stated as Anya's eyes fluttered open.

"Oh thank you Faith..." Xander said filled with emotion as he looked up at her, "thank you..."

"Xander?" Anya whispered coughing. Blood was still seeping out of her side where she was pierced with a sword, protecting Andrew.

"Don't talk, you are going to be ok," Xander said applying pressure to the wound as Dawn came up next to him with Andrew, who had a medical box, glad that Anya was ok. Giles came out of the bus with Spike followed by Fred, who was helping Willow slightly as the redhead was still gaining her strength back. Wood was taking care of injured potentials back in the bus.

Faith stood up as Buffy closed the gap between them and pulled her into a fierce hug. Tears were streaming down the brunette's face as Buffy pulled away. Faith looked away from her, tears still in her eyes as she looked at Kennedy, who came near, barley able to stand.

"You promised..." Kennedy whispered, tears streaming down her face.

"Kennedy..." Faith started.

"YOU PROMISED!!!!" Kennedy wailed. As she collapsed in front of Faith, the brunette catching her as the potential wildly hit her chest, not really delivering any blows, as she fell to her knees. "You...promised..." Kennedy sobbed. The potential's blows died down as she just clung on to Faith, crying.

"I know Kennedy, I know...I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," Faith stated, wrapping her arms around her, lightly crying herself. Buffy looked away, sadness coming over her as Giles, Spike, Fred and Willow came closer.

"She loved you Kennedy, she told me that...told me to tell you," Faith said quietly. Kennedy cried even harder, sobs wrecking her whole body.

"I don't understand. What did this?" Giles asked coming to stand next to Buffy. The blonde was just about to answer but Willow beat her to it, who was able to stand now on her own, her strength better.

"Christine," the redhead stated, causing everyone to look at her. Willow felt bad, now she was the one that had to tell them. Fred grasped the redhead's hand and squeezed it.

"H-how?" Giles asked. Willow looked away, the gazes piercing into her becoming too much.

"I knew something wasn't right with the little bint," Spike mumbled. Willow took a deep breath and started to explain.

The crater, before it collapsed...

Christine watched as Faith leapt onto the ledge and briefly looked at her as she fled the cavern. As soon as Faith was out of sight, Christine started screaming...the pain was unbearable. But she tried to hold it. She had to...had to make sure Faith got out ok...that they all made it.

The First still struggled as it started changing many forms. Christine looked over at it as the cavern caved in around them.

: It's over...: Christine told The First in its mind. She knew it should hear her. The First turned its head toward her.

: It's never over, there are other hellmouths, other demons...: The First started. Christine turned her hand, tightening her phantom grip on The First causing it to yell out. The amulet around her neck started burning into her flesh and Christine yelled. She wasn't even producing human like noises anymore. Christine and The First locked eyes, yelling in pain, as everything collapsed around them and went dark.

TBC-Well I got another one up for you. Sorry for lack of updating sooner, a lot going on. We are just about near the end. And I bet a lot of you thought Anya was Christine, lol, sorry...well, stick around folks, we got about a few more parts before it's all over. I know some of the wording is a little screwy with this update but I just wanted to shell it out. And yes, the part where Faith says that she will always remember is a total CHEESE BALL moment, lol. And cringe worthy, but eh, lol. I'll update again later when I can. I am glad that some of you really like this fic. I've read your reviews and they make me smile, so thanks!! ;) :)