Angel motioned Spike over to the desk away from the group sitting on the sofa, congratulating Fred. "Spike I going to go pick up Wesley," the pain shone out of Angels eyes as he thought of his friend, "I know of a mortuary that will take him no questions asked."
Spike laid a hand on Angels shoulder, "I'll go with you mate," at Angels look of surprise, "I ain't that cold Peaches, he might have been a complete poofter but he was alright. Do you know what, well what he wanted?"
Angel nodded, "Wesley wanted to be cremated and his ashes scattered into the ocean," Angel grabbed his coat and started walking out of the hotel, Spike following, "He said that since he never really got to visit strange new lands like a normal guy, he'd do it in his own way, by riding the ocean currents after he was dead."
Angel grabbed the bars of the gate, his knuckles went white as he tried to control his grief, he struggled so hard that the bars were bent when he finally let go.
The ride to the mansion and then to the mortuary was accomplished in silence as both men remembered their friend, his dry sense of humor, his patience and his strength.
The night of Wesley's memorial was bright and clear, for a change you could see the stars in all their glory. Angel looked out at the large crowd that had gathered in the chapel to remember Wesley; there was that demon that looked like a large striped zucchini that would argue with Wes for hours over the merits of Charlotte Bronte. There was the fox, who always dedicated a song to Wesley when she sang karaoke at Caritas, in thanks for him helping her with her thesis. There were a whole group of folks from Wolfram and Hart who came to pay their respects; there was Steve from accounting, Nora from library services and some others that Angel didn't know.
Dawn had also contacted the local slayers and they had come to pay their respects to a watcher they had only heard about.
Since Wes did not prescribe to any religion they decided to just allow people to get up and speak, some speakers moved the mourners to tears, others to laughter, some outright bored the listeners.
Fred grabbed Angels and Spikes hands when Giles got up to speak, it had taken her almost two days of straight talking to convince the two that Giles had every right to be there for his protégée. They finally promised not to rip his head off (Spike) and to not send him to the hospital (Angel), Gunn had even tried to threaten Giles, even though he was confined to a wheelchair for the next month.
"I knew Wesley as a young watcher in England, he was one of the youngest to be accepted into the ranks." Giles paused to take a deep breath, "But that does not tell you of the man he came to be, a man who showed great strength and courage, a man who was graced by good friends. That is the man I will remember, goodbye Wesley."
Suddenly Fred stiffened, Spike shot her a look and realized that Illyria was back, she rose and walked slowly to the front of the room. "I do not understand what you are doing here, but I too wish to remember the one called Wesley. He was a good guide when I came awake in this time. May his soul forever ride where he wishes."
Angel breathed a sigh of relief, when Illyria closed her eyes and Fred reappeared, she nodded over at Spike who stood and grabbed an acoustic twelve string guitar from a corner.
Fred clasped her hands together and started to sing, her sweet alto voice rose across the crowd as she sang Children of the Heavenly King
Children of the
heav'nly King,
As ye journey, sweetly sing;
Sing your Saviour's
worthy praise,
Glorious in his works and ways.
Fred had only gotten finished the first verse when, one voice, and then two voices joined hers.Two young slayers stood and walked slowly up the side aisles and joined Fred. When they reached Fred both young girls reached over and clasped her hands.
Ye are trav'ling
home to God,
In the way the fathers trod;
They are happy, now
and ye
Soon their happiness shall see.
O, ye banished
seed, be glad!
Christ our advocate is made;
Us to save, our
flesh assumes,
Brother to our souls he comes.
Shout, ye
little flock, and blessed,
You on Jesus' throne shall rest;
There
your seat is now prepared
There your kingdom and reward.
Fear not,
brethern, joyful stand
On the borders of your land
Christ, your
Father's elder Son
Bids you undismayed go on.
Lord!
submissive make us go,
Gladly leaving all below;
Only thou our
leader be,
And we still will follow thee
After the girls finished singing, Buffy watched from the rear of the chapel as Angel, Spike, Xander, Gunn, the young man that had been introduced as Conner went to the front and with Angel and Spike at the front, Conner and Xander at the rear with Gunn following they walked the casket out to the waiting hearse.
Dawn and Faith led the slayers up to the front of the chapel, with Fred leading them they followed behind Gunn singing Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me.
Three nights later, Angel and Fred released Wesley's ashes into the ocean, as Nina and Spike watched from the car.
