Xander yawned as he flipped through a magazine. Anya sat on a stool beside him, her arms on the countertop cradling her head. Her soft, rhythmic breathing told him she was asleep. Willow stood in front of him on the other side of the counter. She was trying to show Dawn how to change the radio stations with her mind. The wind still howled fiercely outside and thunder rolled after bright flashes of lightning lit up the candle lit kitchen.
Now here's something we should have in the weapons chest! Xander stopped on a page in the magazine. It was an ad for a set of walkie talkies. We should definitely have some of those. It would make life so much easier and Buffy could have one and we the other as we patrol. It's a perfect idea. I wonder why we never thought of it before. Xander shrugged and turned the page.
Maybe because we can do this now.
Xander jumped at Willow's voice inside his head. I thought I told you not to do that. Xander waved a finger at Willow who only smiled.
Hearing voices, Xander? Not a good sign. Dawn giggled.
Xander closed the magazine and pushed it to the side. We live on the Hellmouth, Dawn. Nothing's a good sign around here. Xander winced as a polka started flowing out of the radio. Please change the station. I'm not in the mood for cheese right now.
Willow and Dawn raised eyebrows at Xander. they asked in unison.
Yeah. Swiss? Cheese? Xander looked for some recognition of his joke but got none.
I don't feel like cheese, but I do feel the munchies coming on. Anyone up for a snack? Willow smiled and pointed her finger at the corner of the counter. Abruptly a small plate of chocolate covered strawberries appeared within a thin swirling glow.
Xander shook his head as the two girls dug in. It must be a girl thing. Xander stared at the strawberries for a second. First of all, why can't you light the kitchen up with magic? Xander stopped in surprise as the kitchen lit up as bright as day. He frowned. And second, don't you think you're using too much magic, Will? You seem to be using it more and more everyday--and for small things.
The light suddenly went out and the candles fought against the dark again.
I don't think I use too much magic! And you never asked me to light the kitchen with magic. You just handed me a bunch of candles and told me to light them. Willow tried not to sound hurt but she was.
Xander stared at the remnants of a previous Monopoly game that sat on the table. I'm sorry, Will. This hurricane has my nerves on edge, he sighed. He had tried hard not to think of Buffy out in the storm, but he was tiring now and his mind wandered back and forth from one thing to the next. He couldn't think straight.
It's okay, Xander. I'm worried about Buffy too. But she has to be all right. Whether she's with Spike or Angel, she is okay. Willow used her mind to change the radio to a rock station.
Dawn stared at the strawberry she held in her hand. The chocolate had begun to melt and now ran down her fingers. She wanted Buffy.
***
Buffy took in her surroundings. Large paintings hung on walls that seemed to reach into nothingness. The hall was long, never-ending, and narrow. Very narrow. She was standing in a narrow hall with orange carpet under her feet and ugly paintings on the walls. Buffy walked down the hall and searched for a way out of this maze. The hall seemed to go on forever before finally coming to a tiny room. There were no windows in the room and no lights. A soft yellowish glow suggested a candle somewhere but Buffy saw none.
In the middle of the tiny room, a beautiful wedding dress seemed to hang in midair. The dress was made of white silk and had tiny pearls sewn into the bodice in shapes of flowers and leaves. A long white veil, also embroidered with tiny white pearl flowers and leaves, hovered over the dress. On the head band was a white cross of tiny pearls. It was a breathtaking sight.
A noise startled Buffy and she quickly turned to find Spike standing in the doorway. He was wearing no shirt and his bare chest was full of deep gashes and smeared with blood. he asked as if unsure where he was or why she was there with him.
Buffy looked at Spike then back at the wedding dress. Suddenly, the dress burst into orange and yellow flames that heated Buffy's face, forcing her to step back from the dress and shield her face. Slowly the dress and veil disappeared. The flames grew lighter and began to shrink until there were no flames left.
Buffy glanced at the ground beneath where the dress had hung. There were no ashes.
Buffy turned and saw Spike still standing in the doorway. His chest showed no signs of hurt! He was completely healed! A yellow light flickered behind him and he vanished. Buffy blinked. What had she just seen? Was it real?
Buffy glanced at the floor where spike had stood. A tiny white lighter sat on the orange carpet as if dropped there by someone.
***
Angel sat on the floor with his head in his hands. What had he been thinking? He was actually going to ask Buffy to marry him! He didn't know what would happen but he knew he could not live without her anymore.
Angel could hear Spike moving around and Buffy was moaning. Glancing towards the the bed, he saw Spike trying to remove the slayer's wet close and replace them with dry ones.
So many things went through Angel's head. She left clothes here---at Spike's place!? What was she thinking? Why? I don't want to know what's been going on between them! I already know. I don't want to think about this! It's all some bad dream---it's not real!
Angel watched Spike dress Buffy and pure rage welled up inside him. It should be him helping her. He loved her! He would do anything for her! Yet here he sat and that--that---thing! He was dressing her! Dressing! Touching her!
Angel fought the urge to jump up and kill the other vampire. He loved Buffy and would do anything for her. Even if it meant letting Spike have her. Angel loved Buffy and wanted her to be happy. Buffy loved Spike now. That was it.
Still watching the vampire trying to dress the slayer, Angel suddenly saw the pain and fear in Spike's eyes. Was that a tear?!? It was! Spike was actually crying! Could it be he really did care for the slayer? Buffy moaned again and Spike bit his lip. More tears streamed down his pale face.
Angel watched the tears fall to the floor and suddenly he felt slightly sorry for Spike. There sat one of the greatest vampires that ever terrified. He sat with a piece of plastic and metal in his head that told him what was right and wrong--worse than a soul! He had been tortured by a god---a god! Just so Buffy's sister stayed safe. He had never left Buffy's side when Glory opened a door to a hell dimension which threatened to swallow the world whole.
Angel sighed heavily and put his head back in his hands as his own tears began to fall. Spike had even stayed to watch after Dawn when Buffy had lost her life saving the world. He had dedicated himself to protecting the slayer's sister. Angel could not even compare with that. He had left Buffy. Left her. Alone.
But he loved her so very much!
Angel cried.
***
Willow stepped into the living room and watched as Xander covered Anya with a blanket. He had carried her from the kitchen and laid her on the couch where she was now sleeping peacefully. Xander saw Willow and smiled.
Dawn asleep? he whispered.
Yeah. Poor thing was so exhausted with worry. I hope Buffy's okay. Willow said softly. Her face fell and guilt swept over her. I never should have brought Buffy back. She was in heaven! If it weren't for me, Buffy would probably be somwhere safe and warm instead of out in the middle of a hurricane.
Xander pulled his friend into his arms and held her, resting his chin on her head. She'll be ok, Will. You know Buffy. She probably took shelter in Spike's crypt when the storm hit. I'll bet the two of them are staring each other down right about now. As for the heaven thing? I know she doesn't show it much, but Buffy doesn't hate you for it. There have been some hard times, but Buffy loves you, Will. She always makes the best of things, you know her.
You're right. Buffy's a lot of things but stupid isn't one of them, Willow pulled away from her friend,Besides, she was with Angel, right? I know he would never let anything happen to her.
Neither would Spike, Xander said absently. He remembered the talk they had had with Spike when he found out they had brought Buffy back. As much as Xander hated to admit it, he knew Spike really loved Buffy. He would take care of her.
Willow smiled at Xander who smiled back. Of course Buffy was okay. She had two somewhat great guys looking out for her and slayer powers on the side. What could possibly go wrong?
A tiny voice inside the very back of Willow's mind mumbled one word, Everything!
***
Spike tried frantically to stop the bleeding. Buffy's side had stopped bleeding for an hour then suddenly started up again without warning. Angel had also got up and asked how he could help. Spike had been speechless for a minute before telling Angel to help him put pressure on Buffy's wound.
This was a very strange night.
Buffy fought the urge to open her eyes again. The pain had become unbearable now and she just wanted to die. The pressure from Angel's and Spike's hands knocked what little breath she had out of her. She gasped for air as Spike cursed. She felt weird,pain wracked her side yet she felt numb all over. She heard voices but they were fuzzy and distant.
Spike ignored the warm liquid on his hands as he glanced at Buffy's face. Sweat glued her hair to her forehead and cheeks and made her skin glisten in the candelight. I have to get help. She is going to bleed to death if we wait any longer. I'm going to go get a doctor.
What?! There's a hurricane going on out there! How are you going to get to a hospital and get a doctor back here? There is no way! Angel tried to keep his voice calm but Spike was right. Buffy was dying.
Well what do you suggest? Spike's voice broke. She needs help or she's going to die! I'm not going to stand by and watch her go this time! I'm going to do something! Spike tried to block from his mind the picture of Buffy lying limp on the rubble below Glory's tower. It still shook him to the core and brought tears to his eyes.
Angel looked at the blood that covered his hands. Spike was right. They--he--had to do something. I'll go, he said quietly and headed for the door.
Spike looked up at the other vampire. You don't have to--
Yes I do. Angel opened the door and climbed into the upper part of the crypt. The door slammed shut behind him.
