A/N: Almost done. Maybe one more chapter to go, in a story that's about three years in the making. Thanks to everyone who read.

Spike wiped his eyes. The last entry, however short, had sent his teetering emotions over the edge. What Buffy had felt over the loss of her mother, he was now feeling over the loss of her. Sure, he was a vampire, and sure, he'd lived longer than most. It never got easier, losing people. Determined to move ahead, he flipped past the entries about the funeral, and leaving town to get away from Glory. He got a little overzealous, and landed on a blank page. He stared at it for a few minutes, and then backtracked to the last entry in the diary. Spike debated silently if he was up for reading it, before letting his eyes drift slowly down the page.

Dear Diary,

There's little time, and Spike is waiting. Tonight's the night we go up against Glory. We've faced many apocalypse's before, but this one...this one is different. We aren't all going to make it, and as heartless as it makes me seem, as long as Dawn is all right, I'm not sure it matters. The Spirit Guide in the desert told me that death is my gift. I hope so, because it's going to take everything I can dish out to keep Glory from sacrificing my sister to the universe. I don't know why, but I'm feeling like I ought to leave some sort of message behind for my friends, just in case. So here it is:

Giles: Why is it that I never know what to say to you? I think it really boils down to one thing. I love you, Dad.

Willow and Xander: You two are the best friends a girl could have. I wouldn't have made it this far without you. For every time I saved your lives, you saved mine in return.

Anya and Tara: I haven't known you two as long as everyone else, but I'm glad that you've been in my life, and that my friends make you happy. I wish you every happiness. Thanks for being my friends.

Angel: Our paths may have been in different directions, but all roads lead to you in some way. Please don't let anything that happens affect your work in L.A. Keep on helping the hopeless.

Dawn: God, what do I say to you? First, this isn't your fault. No matter what happens, you didn't ask for this, and you don't deserve it either. I love you, no matter how you were brought into my life. It's been an honor to be your sister.

Spike: I'm sorry I couldn't tell you how I really feel. It means more than you'll know that you've vowed to protect Dawn the way you did tonight. I won't forget it, even if things between us never go anywhere. I've spent so long afraid of what I feel for you that I'm not sure how to make that next step to admitting what it is that draws me to you, that keeps me coming back. If the end of the world is tonight, know that I'm sorry I couldn't say that I love you.

Good-bye,

Buffy