A/N - This chapter is mostly focussed on the sadness of Spike and Angel. I figure their pain is more interesting, sad and emotional then the others. Just so you don't think this is going no where i should tell you that Faith shows up and buffy makes one final appearing. I figure this fic is only going to be like 5 chapters, maybe 6 at the most.
Chapter 4 Of Death Is Your Gift
It had been an extremely quiet ride so far. Gunn and Fred had gotten their very few needed answers and decided to come along for the funeral at Cordy's request. Wesley also wasn't to sure at what he was doing there seeing as the few months he was there he was barely of help and only an annoyance but Cordy always had a way of making things seem dire. They stayed in L.A a day before Angel and Spike could even make it out of the hotel without crying or zoning. Spike had gone along with Angel and the gang because since his car was stolen it didn't matter that he left it begind. Angel and Spike were up front while the others were crowded in the back.
It was a awkward straight road to Sunnydale but after a couple hours they were parked in front of the Summer's house. Angel practically whicpered his commands to the others.
"Go inside. I'll be there in a minute."
Without question they got out and walked tot he door only to be greeted with soft and short welcomes. Spike was the only one who stayed in the car with Angel. He looked at his old grand sire who had yet to take his sight and hands off the wheel.
Spike sighed, "You don't have to put on some sort of act Angel. Everyone in that house knows how much you're hurting. You are aloud to show pain. Hell i thought you were an expert all these years until now."
Angel didn't react but spoke, "Spike, do you love her?"
Spike was caught of guard but saw no point inlying because he could forsee the next question out of his mouth, "I do, with everything in me. I was willing to stake Dru for her, (He paused for a sec and lookd at Angel who was gripping the wheel tighter but staring at him) But she nothing of it. Through Riley, Parker and even me there's only been one person that girl could settle for and he's not even a person. Sure we talked a lot, you know me always one for emotions but I was just another friend compared to you." He saw Angel somewhat smile, "If you ever tell anyone I said that to you I'll make sure you turn up a pile of ashes."
Angel just sighed expecting Spike to try and save his dignity somehow, "The only reason I'm not right now is because she asked me to be here.....She told me to keep...."
"Fighting. Yadayada yada, I heard it. When Riley left she went to the mansion and I was already stalking her by then. Followed her and she pretty much replayed it. You did a number on her Angel but I know for a fact that she wouldn't change any of it. I also know you wouldn't change anything either."
"Since when did you become the talking type?" He just stared at Spike and whispered the girls name. "Buffy!"
Spike nodded as they both slowly got out of the car. They started to walk towards the house when Spike spoke, "Remember don't hide too much but don't break. Dawn can barely leave buffy's room so looks like me and you are rooming again." Angel just nodded and opened the door to meet his worst fears...her friends."
- Basement -
Spike was upstairs putting Dawn to bed. Angel just sat on the bed and leaned against the wall holding the one thing he managed to score from Buffy's room before Dawn walked in, Mr. Gordo. He just shut his eyes and thought, like eh always did just this time more so. He could still feel the pain lingering in the living room the moment he wlked in the door. Willow's red puffy eyes...Angel kind of figured that she would take this a lot harder then most, even Dawn. They had been so close...Knew everything about each other. That's why it was no surprise that it was Xander who was holding her. The two of her closest friends...Xander wasn't into her girl life but everything she needed was in him. Hell he saved her life...the first time. Angel knew Xander never really stopped loving her but just grew closer. Giles was the last he felt excrciating pain coming from. his only daughter dead in front of his eyes. Angel could finally see how much his father might of hurt to see his only children lying lifeless in their beds ith him shadowed in the corner.
Angel could only think and the more he did the more he gripped the stuffed pig. Anger wasn't what he was feeling but sadness and madness seemed to always linger close to each other. Spike brought him out of his thoughts as he decended the stairs.
"Quality time with Mr. Gordo?" He asked innocently enough
Angel's head shot up in memory surprising Spike so he was quick to explain, "That's what she said to me when she caught me holding him."
"So you and the pig were close then?"
Angel just shook his comments off, "No, I was waiting at her house to ask her to go skating. Would of been a pleasant day too if you hadn't sent the assassins and everything."
Spike felt a little guilt, "Sorry."
"Don't be. A lot of good came out of it. Plus you were the one who said it's best not to want to change anything."
"Since when do you listen to me?"
"Since you started making sense."
Spike just smiled. "Yea well that's what Buffy will do to you."
Angel finally smiled too, "I know what you mean." There was a small pause. "You're pretty close to them all."
Spike sighed and sat on the bed too, "Not everyone. Little bit things the night thing is cool, Willow knows I'd do anything for Buffy, Tara's witht he witch, Anya's an ex demon so that just leaves..."
"Xander and Giles. Yea it was the same with me. Why is it the men in her life were always the most over protective?"
"I don't know. There's just something about her....There's so much more she should of been protected from. Maybe Xander could be one of them."
"He was always the closest...God I hated him."
"I don't blame ya."
angel smiled then went serious again, "Take care of them. Even Xander. When i go back to L.A. they'll need someone. I know that you would normally take off right after the funeral but..."
"You're asking me to stay...yadayadayada. What do you two have the same minds? She wrote that in my letter. Plus I was planning on staying anyway. The little one likes me."
"You know I'll be calling often right?"
Spike sighed, "Oh how have we come to be like this? The most evil and vicious vampires of all time sunk to sitting in the basement deciding how to protect the innocents mourning our dead love and most of all standing each other."
Angel somewhat smiled, "If I didn't know better, I'd think you have a soul." Spike gave him a look, "If i didn't know better."
Spike spoke next, "I'm even tired. Since when am i suppossed to sleep at night?"
"Since we got you a coffin and magic dust to turn you into a bat."
"Making fun of myths. very mature."
"Well I try."
They smiled at each oher and talked for a little bit more. Then a fight started to break out over the bed until Angel finally through Spike off. The thoughts ran through their minds, 'Just like old times.' It would be morning soon, The funeral... Angel and Spike would stay home seeing as everyone thought with how much her life had been lived in the dark that her funeral be set in the sun. Tomorrow was going to be one of the hardest in all their lives.