I know a few people have commented on the dramatics in this fic and I totally understand. No, neither Spike nor Angel would ever cry that much. I know that. But please keep in mind that the story isn't over yet. Thank you to all have reviewed this story. It means a lot to me. Enjoy.
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Willow sat cross-legged on the living room floor. Earlier, she had done a locator spell while Xander and Anya had moved the coffee table and rug to make room on the bare wood floor for Willow to do her separation of forces' spell. Willow had then lit three candles and set them inside a triangle drawn in salt on the floor and set a small, white crystal in the middle of the candles. She began to chant.

The three powers had been too big to focus on and, during the locator spell, the map had caught fire. Willow had frowned in frustration before smiling in triumph. The spell hadn't worked as planned, but it had worked! Willow could tell by the small hole with blackened edges that the fire had, in fact, burned an entire point on the map. The three powers were in the cemetery. But why?

Here me great forces I bid you come
Let us right this wrong that has been done
Separate the powers from those that bind you
Let freedom and peace somewhere find you


Willow finished the chant and waited.

Silence

Willow sighed and began again,

Here me great forces I bid you come
Let us right this wrong that has been done
Separate the powers---

Suddenly a loud, howling wind exploded into the room! A bright white light blinded Willow and her friends, shocking Xander and Anya to become motionless

Here me, great forces! Separate from those who have bound you to their will! The rulers of another world welcome you! The young witch had to yell over the thunderous wind, which didn't even begin to lessen in strength.

Before she could say another word, another explosion shook the room! Xander held onto Anya who screamed. Willow tried to scream but no sound left her throat.

Xander screamed, What on the hellmouth is going on?

Willow tried to move but seemed frozen to her spot. She couldn't move and she couldn't talk. She had no idea what was going on! This wasn't supposed to be happening!

***

What in bloody hell-- Spike held Buffy close to him as the earth shook violently. Things began to fall off his makeshift shelves and clatter to the floor. Dirt fell from the walls and ceiling, showering slayer and vampire. The ground beneath his bed suddenly began to crack and open, threatening to swallow him and his precious ious companion whole.

Quickly Spike grabbed a blanket off the bed and wrapped the injured slayer in it. The bed jerked and began to fall. The vampire jumped off the bed just in time as the crack opened wider and swallowed the bed, contents and all. Spike just stared at the place where his bed had been. Bloody hell!

***

Angel opened his eyes with a snap! Where was he? He tried to stand but was held down by a fierce wind that was howling around him. Right, hurricane. Suddenly everything flooded back to him and frantically he searched for the doctor. She was nowhere in sight and Angel tried not to panic. Suddenly the earth began to shudder beneath him and the shudder quickly grew into a violent shake. In an instant the vampire spotted the doctor lying on the ground a few feet from him. Her bag was nowhere in sight.

Angel called and tried to make his way to her. She was hanging onto a post that was stuck in the ground, the wind threatening to tear her from her spot. Angel pushed through the wind to get to her. Doc, are you okay?

The doctor squinted through the wind and shouted a Yes, I'm fine!.

Angel searched the area for her bag but saw nothing even remotely close. Ok, I'm going to grab hold of you and I want you to let go of the post ok? Angel too had to shout over the roar of the wind and quake. The doctor nodded her consent and Angel made his move, grabbing the doctor around her waist. The doctor let go of the post. We have to get to Buffy! Angel shouted and the doctor again nodded in consent.

Keeping a tight grip on the doctor, Angel slowly moved himself and her toward the crypt and Buffy.

***

Spike quickly glanced around the room trying to find safe solution to his problem. Down here he and Buffy were likely to be swallowed by the opening ground. Above, they had to fight a gale force wind and cold. Spike decided to take his chance with the hurricane and hurried up the short ladder to the top half of his crypt. He clung to Buffy as if he had nothing left in his life but her.

Perhaps he didn't.

Spike glanced around his living room'. Bits of broken glass and pottery dotted the floor. His television set had toppled over and crashed to the floor, the screen shattered. His fridge in the corner had opened and spewed it's contents on the floor as well; the glass jars of blood had fallen out and broken on the floor, a pool of blood danced on the floor with the shaking.

Spike suddenly wished he hadn't brought the slayer to his crypt, he had began to doubt it's security. Of course, an earthquake was never really preceded by a hurricane and how was he supposed to know there would be one?

The vampire tried hard not to panic but it was difficult considering the precious life he held in his arms. Where was that old pouf?!

Suddenly the metal door slammed open and Spike looked up to see rain pouring in and a tall figure in a long black duster that floated behind him in the wind. There was a smaller shadow beside the first.

It's about bloody time! Spike cried.

Immediately Angel and the doctor were inside fighting to close the door and push back the enraged wind and torrent of rain. Spike considered placing Buffy on the floor to go and help with the door, but he quickly shoved the idea aside fearing the floor would crack open and devour her as the ground had his bed. He wouldn't put her down no matter what.

Angel and the doctor fought the door and won. The older vampire rushed to the younger vampire's side and the slayer in his arms. Spike glanced at the wet vampire then at the doctor.

She's going to help Buffy! Angel yelled into the wind.

Spike shifted his weight to keep his balance as the ground shook fiercely.

On instinct, the doctor, also trying to keep her balance, rushed to the patient in the tall, blonde man's arms. Buffy was white as a sheet and certainly low on blood.

She's lost a lot of blood!Spike shouted with deep concern, I don't know how to stop it!

For the first time the doctor looked up at Spike and seemed shocked.

I-I tried everything! It just wouldn't stop! Spike's voice was tight and he tried hard not to cry...again.

It's you! The doctor shouted and then surprisingly smiled.

A thunderous roar filled the small room. The wind howled ferociously, the ground shook with rage! The three standing were nearly thrown to the ground as the earth shifted again and again. A chunk of cement fell from the ceiling and missed Spike by an inch.

We have to get out of here! Angel screamed above the noise.

Spike jumped out of the way of another piece of cement. Angel started for the door and Spike followed with Buffy and the doctor. The two vampires and the doctor jumped out of the crypt into the wind just as the earth shook harder than it had ever shook before and the crypt collapsed into a pile of dust and rock.

Not knowing what else to do, Spike found shelter underneath a tree and covered Buffy's body with his own. The vampire just waited until everything finally stopped.

Silence.

Slowly Angel began to rise from the spot where he had fallen over the doctor in an attempt to protect her as Spike did Buffy. The doctor rose as well, glancing at the sky and ready to jump and the next sound. Angel was dripping on the grass and the doctor pushed her soaked hair out of her face.

Spike was surprised to find himself soaked to the bone as well even though he had only been in the rain for all of about a few seconds. Quickly he checked Buffy who looked unharmed by the weather.

Angel took the doctor by the wrist and silently made his way to where Spike was now gently laying Buffy on the ground underneath the large tree. The doctor trotted over to the couple on the ground and began to look over the slayer's wound.

Angel stopped a few feet from the tree and Spike stood.

I-I'm sorry. Angel said softly.

Spike stared at his grandsire with cold eyes. The doctor looked up from what she was doing and watched Spike slowly step toward Angel. The silence now seemed thunderous and the tension was strong.

I shouldn't have said those things earlier and I apologize. Angel's voice was nearly a whisper, but Spike heard him.

I would never do anything to hurt her, Spike's voice quivered but he kept himself together.

Angel stood still as stone and calmly watched the young vampire come toward him with increasingly slower steps. I know.

I would gladly give up everything I have for her. She means the world to me! Spike continued toward Angel.

I know. Angel replied meekly.

There is nothing you can do to stop me from being near her. Spike stopped directly in front of his adversary.

Angel quickly glanced over at the doctor leaning over Buffy. I know and I won't try.

Without warning, Spike swung a punch at Angel's face and knocked the vampire to the ground. Angel shook it off, rubbed his jaw and looked up at his foe. I'll let you get away with that because I probably deserve it. But try it again and you'll be the one needing a doctor's care.

A smile spread across Spike's face and he held out his hand to help Angel up. The two stood facing each other with their hands around each other's for an instant. Right then, so it's settled.

Angel nodded and decided now was the best time to make his exit. The reason for his being in Sunnydale now seemed unimportant and in the past. He loved Buffy and would keep on loving her, but, as much as it pained him to think so, Angel knew the slayer deserved someone better. He desperately wanted to stay with her until she recovered but he knew she was in good hands with Spike and the doctor. It was better that he left quietly and hopefully Buffy would forget he was even there.

Spike silently watched as Angel slowly turned and began to walk towards the exit. He was almost sorry to see the bloke go. On the other hand, the truce between the two would not last long and it was best Angel left now.

Angel turned one last time, I don't know if it means anything to you, but she was calling for you. She must trust you if your name is the first she thinks of when she's hurt. You ever do anything to her and I will be back for you.

These last words were said in a harsh tone and Spike knew the truce was already beginning to fade. In moments the other vampire had disappeared completely and sirens brought Spike back to reality. Turning Spike saw an ambulance pull up on the path next to the tree, the doctor was already talking to one of the paramedics. Spike walked back to Buffy.

TBC