Chapter 5 of Death Is Your Gift
-Summer's House-
Angel and Spike sat in the living room with the blinds closed in silence. They awaited the sun to set and Buffy's friends to get back. Neither had cried or lashed out in anger but just sat. It was almost half an hour to sunset when the gang started coming in through the doors. Dawn came running in through the doors first tears streaming down her face like rain. She ran to into the living room where Spike and Angel now stood right into Spike who just held her as she rambled.
"She misses you Spike. She didn't really hate you. Please know that! I wish she was here to tell you that." Dawn gripped him as she just cried and cried.
Everyone stared at them as Spike held her trying not to let down his strenghtened wall for if he cried now with Dawn he was afraid he would never stop. Everyone seemed to be hugging someone at this point. The vampires didn't need to be told that the funeral was brutal. Willow let go of Xander and walked to Angel.
"She loved you Angel so much. Be careful going to her tonight, it's harder then you think." The hugged each other and Angel just started thinking as Willow walked to Dawn and gently lead her upstairs to buffy's room.
Spike and Angel just looked at each other and then Xander addressed them both, "Look I don't like either of you and I never did but I think I finally realized it was probably because you were different and that you got closer to her then I could. I know it was for the best though, you guys kept her alive a lot longer. It was just her time. Thanks."
Xander just turned around and lead Tara upstairs to see Willow. Giles looked at the vampires who were obviously in pain. "Xander was actually right. It means a lot that you guys were there. Our history no longer matters."
Giles walke dupstairs alos hoping to comfort the emotional Dawn. This left Wesley, Cordelia, Gunn and Fred staring at the vampires. Of course Cordy walked to Angel and hugged him, "You know we could of come with you tonight."
Angel shook his head, "I think this is something me and Spike need to do alone. Thanks a lot though Cordy."
Cordelia half smiled, "It's so wierd being in this place without her here. I used to wish her away so many times but now it's like, without her..."
Angel just nodded and hugged her while she softly cried. Spike discretely looked out the window and walked to tap Angel on the shoulder. "The sun finally set."
Cordy let go and backed up to Wesley. Angel looked at Spike, "Are you ready?"
Spike nodded, "As ready as I'll ever be."
Angel gave his gang a quick glance as he walked out the door into the night followed by Spike. They walked at a slower pace then usual for neither one of them were anxious to see they're dead lovers grave. They were almost at the place where Willow said Buffy was buried. They didn't want her buried in a cemetary where she hated to be. They walked there in silence for neither knew what exactly to say.
They arrived minutes later and just stood there staring at her headstone. She saved the world a lot kept running through their minds as neither knew what to say or do.
Spike spoke first, "What are we suppossed to do now?"
Angel shrugged, "No idea."
It was then they heard the rustle in the bushes. Niether went into fighting stance as they both somehow knew who it would be. There sitting by the trunk on the tree was Faith.
"I was waiting until the fang boys showed up." Faith stood up and walked to stand by the vampires
"Buffy knew you were coming. How did she know?" Angel asked
Faith looked down, "Me and her always had this mind connection thing. When I was all coma and she was all blood drained we had a mind walk thing and while I was sleeping in a jail cell I had a dream. I saw it all happen..."
Faith drifted off as Angel went to hug her. For once you see Faith show her softer side. Spike just walked forward and knelt on Buffy's grave to trace his fingers over the tombstone. Faith and Angel slowly followed him and each put a hand on his shoulder and one hand on the tombstone. Nobody noticed a beautiful white light at the bottom of the tombstone. The longer all their hands stayed on the tombstone the light got brighter and still none of them noticed.
Spike whispered, "How you doin slayer?"
"I'm fine Spike, how are you?"
All three heads shot up the instant they heard Buffy's voice from the trees behind them. She was in an all white sleeveless dress with a somewhat tiarra on her head. It wasn't a glow that surrounded her but a light that made her look actually happy. She just walked slowly up to her tombstone and sat down on top of it. She looked at Spike, Faith and Angel and smiled a smile that she hadn't spread accross her lips since she was 16.
"Is this too much of a shock for you? Because I thought you three out of all people could deal with seeing a dead person."
Spike was the first person to talk, "Buffy, is it really you?"
Buffy just smiled again and held open her arms, "It's really me."
Spike hugged her without hesitation. When they finally disembraced Buffy caught the other two staring at her, "What Spike can accept it but you two can't?"
Faith just walked up and hit her on the shoulder, "Here I thought you were mad at me for killing all those people."
"I just needed you three together. It's nothing personal."
"It's always personal when we're together in dreams."
"Okay so i'm going to get in trouble for lying when I go back."
Spike piped in, "You're going back? Where are you going? I want to come with."
Buffy smiled and was about to answer when Angel who had been surprisingly quiet the whole time answered for him, "She's where she belongs Spike. People like you and me don't belong there, isn't that right Buffy?"
Buffy just stared at Angel and for the first time they were both staring at each other not daring to let there eyes wonder in case it might not be real. Spike interrupted though and reality shot back, "Why can't she stay then?"
Buffy looked at Spike, really stared at him knowing she would understand, "I'm happy Spike. I'm going to miss everyone and some of the things but where I am is where I've always wanted to be."
Spike had a shot of anger run through him, "So what, you just come down here, show yourself, give hope and then leave again? That's just bloody great, as if it wasn't hard with the letters and the...."
Angel interrupted knowing Buffy looked hurt, "Spike listen, she's here because she needs to say something, or we have something to say. It's not to hurt you but your chance to say goodbye."
Spike just waved a hand in his face and started slowly pacing. Buffy smiled when Faith chimed in, "This is why you needed all three of us here?"
"That it is. You three are the only ones emotionally and physically strong enough to bring me here. I just needed you guys to touch the stone and I could come back, for a while."
Spike stopped pacing and looked at her, "So what do you need to say? Is the world ending again? Is someone going to die and you're going to take them away?"
Buffy sighed and looked up at him, "You know Spike you should really start thinking before you speak. I thought you seeing me would be a good thing but I guess it's not. If you don't wish to talk to me or say goodbye then go away now."
Spike scoffed but didn't move. Angel couldn't help his smile. Faith though had questions, "So this is just to say goodbye? Even to me?"
Buffy still just sat there, "No it's not. The worlds gonna end." She watched Spike's gloating smile for a while but then continued, "Kidding." Spike just stood ignoring the others smirks. "I need to say that things are going to change. Our fate was always decided for us, our lives controlled and our happiness defied." She stared directly at Angel through the rest of the speech. "It's too late for some of us but now that I'm dead I finally have a say in this. There won't be worlds of pain and badness anymore...It won't all be good because agruing get's me no where sometimes but it will be better."
Faith walked right up to the dead slayer, "So why am I here?"
"You're holding the line. I am the strongest fastest and longest living slayer ever and now you are going to be. What once was my fate is now yours. I know that you can handle it because I have Faith in you, the powers have faith in you and Angel has faith in you. You'll need to stay in Sunnydale sadly but everything will become clear. My duties and my prophecies are now yours. You wanted my life and now you got it...just this time i'm giving it to you instead of you taking it from me. You can control yourself, when the worlds on your shoulder and you're all alone...that's when you'll know what control is. I wish you all the luck."
Faith just stared back at buffy ignoring the vampires behind them, "I can't do this. You're asking a murderer to be a slayer."
"No I'm asking a girl who has strayed but come back to us to be a slayer. You know these two vampires right here, well they tend to most of the emotional stuff. Don't be afraid to cry on their shoulder, beet them up, ask for help or love them."
Faith just stared at her, "What....Love?"
Buffy smiled a sly smile and looked at Spike, "Yes Love."
Faith was completely baffled and surprised. She did the same to buffy as the slayers engaged in a hug that seemed like forever. When they did let go Spike walked up, "You know Buffy, I'm still evil. I can't love and I can't care and i sure as hell can't save the world."
Buffy smiled and laughed just a little bit, "You loved me and Drusilla. I know you love Angel too. You guys are like father and son."
Angel looked at her, "Don't even go there."
Spike looked mad, "I agree with the ponce. I can't believe you would say that."
Faith and Buffy smiled knowing Buffy got the reaction she wanted, "I know you can care or else you wouldn't be here, or else you wouldn't guard Dawn with your life. Spike every single talk we had, that kiss, it all saved my life. You saing my life helped me save the world. Your evilness is sure looking ensouled to me. I believe that you can be this person you want to Spike but know if you do anything, TRY ANYTHING I will find a way back here and torture you for as long as possible."
Spike smiled, "Now you're getting the hang of it. Threats actually mean something now."
"They only didn't mean anything before because you wanted me to beet you up."
Spike just stared, "Was that so wrong luv?"
Buffy sighed, "There's a lot in your future Spike. In all of yours. There's going to be some hard decisions but know that when the right choice is made your lives will turn out exactly how i wanted mine to be. The future is bright and not in the dark, not like how it always was and Spike one of your decisions holds the greatest purpose. I need you to think with your heart now because thinking with your head get's you no where. Isn't that right Angel?"
Angel recognized the line from his little break up speech, "It got me to L.A."
"It got you out of my life."
Angel looked hurt at her harsh words. Spike looked at them both and grabbed Faith's hand. "As much as I hate to admit it these two need their own goodbye. You got two mushy people in love on one grave, what can you expect?"
They walked away leaving Buffy who was standing but leaning on her tombstone now and Angel who was standing almost 10 feet away from her still. Buffy stared at him deeply, "I don't bite. Well actually I do but not in the bad way."
Angel half smiled at memories sprouting about but then looked into Buffy's eyes and slowly started walking forward, "It's just like a dream, like you'll dissappear as soon as i touch you. I'm afraid to get close to you, I don't want you to go away from me."
Buffy was in tears as she welcomed the hug of her forbidden lover. "Angel you'll never lose me, ever! When I go back I can still hear you, every word. I'll be with you the whole long road ahead."
"I know that but you won't be here. I just can't help but think about the years I was away from you, where I could of been holding you and feeling you but now... I just can't see how it was the right thing to do anymore. I'm gonna miss this so much. I always thought we'd end up together someday, back in each others arms, married even but now...."
Buffy was practically breaking down now along with Angel. They both fell to their knees still gripping each other knowing if one let go the other could be gone. "Angel listen to me. I would of loved if you stayed, I would of been in heaven already and we could have all those wonderous nights and midnight picnics but look what you have, what you made for yourself. You're doing what no one else can do better then you and I am so proud of you. I missed you so much and dreamed everynight you would come back but I knew deep down then when you walked away from me that then was the last time it was ever going to be me and you. All I ever wanted was to curl up with you on a blanket in front of the fire forever like we used to do but now I understand. Why you left, what you thought and why you could. There's something out there for you. You can't stop fighting Angel, if not for you then for me. There's something in your future if you make the right choices."
"And what if I make these choices? What happens when I save everybody huh?"
"Angel you don't get to live forever." Angel looked surprised. He didn't let go of her but stared into her eyes. "One day when it's all over. When the choices are made, better fighters come along and we finally win then we'll be together. You'll come to me, where you will always belong. There's hope in the world now, I made it that way. I'll look for the day that you come back to me."
"Oh buffy, I wish I never left. I could of been there, should of helped. Maybe I could of realized sooner....I just wish I could change..."
"If you did then I wouldn't be happy. I would be alone in a cemetary pretending to hate Spike and slaying vampires. I don't want this. I can make such more of a difference up there. Things will be better."
Angel slowly stopped crying as buffy held him, "I promise Buffy, I will be with you again."
"I'll look forward to it every single day of my un life."
They shared a small smile as they gazed into each others souls knowing Spike and faith would soon return. As if on cue a few minutes later the walked back to the grave seeing Angel and buffy hugging. Spike looked at them, "It's time for her to go isn't it?"
Buffy walked to Spike with Angel still holding onto her hand and hugged him, "I'm trusting you with my life Spike. Protect them from anything, you don't even have to save the world if you don't want to again but just keep them safe."
Spike nodded and both with tears in their eyes hugged. For the first time in their whole relationship it was something meaningful true to Spike. When he let go he looked her in the eyes, "I'll see you around slayer."
Buffy smiled and let Spike go. Faith walked up to her, "You always believed in me and I don't know why but thanks. Not a lot of people could trust me to do this, to do anything involving saving lives."
Buffy smiled, "I don't trust you, I just know that you will take care of them because you want to prove me right. You know you can do it and you just needed me to say you could. I respect that."
"Shoulda been there B, quite a ride."
Buffy smiled and the slayers embraced again. When it did end buffy smiled at her and then turned to Angel. "You have to let me go for a while Angel."
"I...I don't know Buffy. It's just so easy, I can feel you and talk to you..."
"I love you so much Angel but this is the work we have to do. We belong to the world remember? It's too late for us but not for every single soul out there. It will only be for a little while."
"I am going to miss you so much Buffy."
"Ditto. Don't worry Angel, I'll wait forever for you."
"That's the whole point."
Buffy smiled and they finally kissed. One of their world melt away full of passion kisses that they could get lost in forever. Unfortunately buffy started to glow and she stopped the kiss. "I have to go now Angel. I love you." She paused a few seconds until she spoke again, "And tell Cordy I'll see her soon. She's not going to die but she'll be upgraded."
Angel smiled and nodded and she started to walk away towards the trees where the light bagan to surround her totally and Angel yelled one last thing, "You're still my girl."
There was no answer and Angel just stood there with tear stained eyes staring towards the path the love of his life just took out of this world. She should of answered he thought over and over. Suddenly there was a small breeze that blew towards Angel, it rippled his hair just a tad. He was about to turn when the wind blew a small piece of paper onto Buffy's grave. Angel knelt to pick it up. After flipping it over he revealed it to say one word, "ALWAYS"
He actually smiled and then turned to Faith and Spike. "You guys ready to go?"
They both nodded and Faith spoke, "We have a lot of work to do."
Spike nodded, "Yea apparently we're going to fall in love."
Faith just looked at him, "Dream on."
Spike sighed and Angel smiled again, "Don't worry guys. With who's watching us i think it will all be clear soon. It'll take forever until this worldy war is over but for some reason I know it will be okay."
The other two just looked at him as all three super heroes walked their journey to the Summer's house. Each one of them was starting something new that very day.
FOREVER - THAT'S THE WHOLE POINT!
...The end