"Buffy, please don't leave me." Spike screamed, trying to stop the flow of blood. Giles took his shirt off, pressing it into the wound in Buffy's back, but he knew it wasn't going to help. She was losing too much blood, too fast.

Spike rocked Buffy's limp body, willing her to stay with him. "Please, luv. Wake up. I can't do this without you. I need you." Spike held her head to his neck, could feel her breath hitch as she struggled to breath. The scent of her blood was overwhelming him, choking him.

Willow and Tara clung to each other, helpless to stop what was happening. Anya was frozen, her hand over her mouth, tears streaming over her fingers. Xander was on his knees, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Spike, we need to get her to the hospital. Keep the pressure on her wound. We're going to get the car." Giles told him, reaching blindly for Anya's hand. Spike nodded, holding the shirt in place.

"Tara and I will stay with him. Just go!" Willow screamed. Buffy couldn't die. She had too much to live for. She had a man who loved her, a baby on the way. This couldn't be how it would end, not after everything Buffy had been through.

"It's not supposed to end like this. We're supposed to live happily ever after." Spike cried, pressing his lips to Buffy's brow. "You've got to fight luv. I know you can do it. I need you. Dawn needs you. Bitty needs you. Please fight. You've got to hang on."

"Love you too." Buffy mumbled. "Don't want to go." She stammered. Spike leaned back, staring intently at Buffy. Her eyes fluttered open, but the light was gone from her hazel eyes.

Spike smiled through his tears. "Don't talk. Just stay still. Giles is coming with the car."

"I'm so cold. Spike, I'm so cold." Spike rubbed her head with his chin.

"I'll keep you warm." Spike struggled to pull her into his lap. Xander grabbed Buffy's legs, and placed them on Spike's. He fell back on his butt, staggered by the anguish he saw in Spike's blue eyes.

"Is that better?" Spike asked, quietly. He could hear them dying. He was losing both of them. He raised his eyes to the heavens, praying to a god he'd long since forgotten.

"Buffy? Buffy?" He shook her, but she was unconscious. "Don't leave me, please. Please, don't. I can't live without you. I won't."

It wasn't supposed to be like this.


Buffy fingered the ring hanging from her neck. She couldn't get that melody "Going to the chapel and we're going to get married" out of her head. I'm getting married. I'm getting married. She repeated, and couldn't help feeling absolutely giddy, despite the present situation. She smiled, thinking of Dawn's reaction when they told her about their engagement. She'd started crying, hugging both Buffy and Spike. After all the work, she'd done on their behalf, Dawn still didnt' think they'd actually do it. It was all they could do to get out of the house. Buffy had to promise they'd discuss a wedding date when they got back. Buffy was determined to reassure her that yes, indeed, there was going to be a tomorrow for them, that they planned on winning this fight and coming home to her.

Spike parked the car outside of Willy's. If anybody were watching them, they'd think he was there with Buffy. They didn't expect Warren to keep up the surveillance tonight, but they didn't want to take any chances. Willy had a basement, and they planned on taking the sewers all the way to the school. Buffy thought it was ironic that after all the effort she'd made to get out of high school, she was returning to it. She guessed it was appropo that she was fighting former classmates at the place that started all of this.

"You okay?" Spike asked as they parked.

"I'm fine, Spike. Stop worrying about me. There's no getting rid of me, now." She said, lifting the chain from her shirt. "Don't you know that by now?" She said, caressing his cheek. Spike rolled his eyes as their private moment was interrupted by Giles' cough.

"Is that your way of telling us it's time to get a move on?" Buffy asked, smiling at him.

"Well, we are on a schedule. You two have plenty of time for the smoochies." Giles said.

"Smoochies? Rupert, I didn't know you had it in you." Spike kidded him, pulling the back seat forward so Giles could get out.

Buffy buttoned her jacket, effectively hiding her stomach. It wouldn't do to walk into Willy's advertising her condition. Buffy took Spike's hand as they walked the short distance to the door.

"Okay, let's go over the plan one more time. I go to the bar, you and Buffy head to the basement. I'll join you in a few minutes. If I'm not there, go on ahead, I'll catch up." Spike reminded them. Buffy squeezed his hand tightly.

"You broke one of my finger." Spike glared at her, and she shrugged.

"Sorry. Just don't like leaving you up here by yourself. I'd like the father of my child to be around for her birth."

"I'll be fine, Pet. We've already discussed this. I'll cover your backs. This is not the most dangerous part of our evening." Spike kissed her on the nose, looking deeply into her eyes. "Nothing is going to keep me from making a proper woman out of you."

Buffy giggled. I love you. She mouthed. I love you too. He said back, opening the door for her.


Buffy paced in front of the stairs, nibbling on her nail. Her face lit up with relief when the door opened, and Spike sauntered down the stairs, his duster waving behind him.

"Let's go. No one seemed to notice you going down here, so I think we're in the clear."

"Good." Giles said, walking over to hole in the floor. Buffy had removed the grate ahead of time.

Spike dropped down the hole, and they heard a splash as he landed. "You can come on down. I don't smell anything out of the ordinary."

Spike led the way, following the directions Willow had given them. This route would bring them out behind the school. They would only need to make their way through the boarded up building and to get into position.

"How much time do we have, Giles?" Buffy asked, shining the flashlight ahead. Using his own flashlight, Giles checked his watch.

"About 20 minutes. The convoy should be arriving within the city limits now. The barrier will be in place shortly. Let's just hope, Warren doesn't decide to attack early."

That was the only flaw in their plan. Warren. He was unpredictable, and a bit insane in Spike's opinion.

"Then, I guess we'd better pick up the pace. Less chatting, more walking." Spike quipped. Buffy knew he was more worried than he was letting on. He was doing the macho bit to shelter her. That was Spike. Always trying to protect her, care for her. He loved her. Buffy felt the ring hanging between her breasts. It was her talisman. It gave her strength, hope, a symbol of the man who'd given it to her.


Anya and Tara were parked behind the 'Welcome to Sunnydale' sign. Anya remarked she was surprised they'd replaced the sign after Spike knocked it down the last time. They heard the army vehicles before they actually saw them. The ground rumbled with the weight of the trucks. Just as Xander had suspected, there were 4 vehicles surrounding a single transport truck. They couldn't tell if there were troops in the back of the truck, but assumed there were. Anya waited till the last vehicle had passed before pulling out onto the highway.

Anya put a good distance between her car and the black Tahoe. Tara stared unseeing out the front window. She began chanting, invoking the powers which would erect a barrier around the convoy. Anya sped up, knowing they needed to spread the barrier from the last vehicle to the front one.

"Hold on." She told Tara as she gunned the engine. The Army drivers looked appreciatively at the blond occupants of the red convertible, never realizing what Anya and Tara were doing for them. Anya honked the horn as she passed, and threw her hand out the window. Tara slumped against in her seat, trying to catch her breath.

"It's done." Tara said, turning around to see the lights of the convoy slowly fading out of view. "We need to get to the high school. Buffy, Giles and Spike should already be on their way to Willy's."


"Be careful, guys." Dawn warned Willow and Xander as they prepared to leave the house.

"We will Dawnie. Don't worry. Buffy and Spike will be home before you know it." Xander assured her.

"I know. They'll take care of each other. You do the same." She told them as she hugged them both goodbye. Clem stood off to the side, his hat in his hands.

"Okay, we're going. Clem, there are weapons in the chest. If anyone comes by and you don't know them, hide in the basement." Willow said, grabbing her jacket.

"Don't worry about us. We'll be fine." Clem told them, handing Xander his bag of weapons. "Spike's already threatened me with bodily harm if anything happens to Dawn, so I'm good." He said, smiling.

Dawn and Clem waved good-bye before heading inside for a round of poker.


Life didn't get any better than this. He thought as he parked the van in front of the high school. He looked contemptuously at the place of his torment. They'd laughed at him, punched him in the halls as he walked by, dumped his lunch in his lap. He hated this place. When he'd found out the Mayor was planning on eating his way to a new world, Warren had actually cheered for him. "Kill'em all" He said. Buffy and her friends had come to him for help. He told them he would. He didn't, of course. He had sat at home, beer in hand, waiting for the world to end. When it didn't, he'd been disappointed, but resigned to the fact, Buffy would always win. That was then, this was now. The bitch wouldn't win, not after tonight. Once he had that teleporter, he'd show up in her bedroom as she and Spike slept. Then, he'd take them to a special location, where he'd torture and kill them. God, he got hard just thinking about it. Yep, today was a good day. It would be the first day of the rest of his life, and the last day of theirs.


Buffy snapped the neck of the Noinu demon.

"Thank god, I didn't wear my leather jacket. What is it with the slimy demons lately?" Buffy lamented.

"I think they just want to mess up your wardrobe, Pet." Spike remarked, loading his crossbow. "Time?"

"You know the next mission we do where a watch is needed, we're buying you one." Giles quipped. "7:40. Willow and Xander are in place. As are Anya and Tara. We're just waiting for the guests of honor to arrive."

As if on cue, they heard the rumble of the caravan as it made it's way past the school. Two seemly empty cars erupted into flames, blocking the route of the trucks. Brakes screeched and men poured out of the vehicles, guns drawn. The Scoobies watched as about 20 demons rushed the men only to find themselves bounced back by the barrier. The troops fired their weapons, but the bullets only ricocheted off the barrier. Luckily, they stopped firing when they realized they were doing more harm than good, when they realized they weren't in any danger from the demon squad.

Buffy and Spike looked around, hearing a high-pitched screech. Warren, they mouthed and laughed.


Warren looked at the scene in front of him, angered at Buffy's audacity. This was his coronation. There was no way he'd let the blonde do-gooder ruin this day for him. He had to admit he was surprised to see her here, but this was actually better. Buffy had trapped the army inside, but she was outside. There wasn't a damn thing she could do to stop him.

"Hurry up! Buffy's got some sort of barrier erected around the transport. Stupid woman. That's only going to help us." He flipped a switch on the handle bar. Pressing the red button, Warren was lifted off the ground. He looked down and saw Jonathan and Andrew preparing for takeoff. Warren turned slowly, and headed back towards the school.

"Look ma, I'm on top of the world." Warren shouted.

"Yippee!!!" Andrew shouted. Warren grinned at him. Jonathan was tight-lipped, not really comfortable flying 50 feet in the air.

"What's wrong, Johnny Boy, afraid of heights?" Warren mocked.

"Fuck you, Robot Boy! Let's just get the thing, and get out of here. Buffy will figure out someway to get inside that barrier." Jonathan warned.

"You worry too much. I'm savoring my victory, you moron."

"Well, savor it, once we're away." Jonathan shouted back.


Spike felt his teeth loosen from the blow, but shook it off. "Bastard! You knock my tooth out." He said, kneeing the vampire in front of him. They looked up, hearing the whoosh above. Spike swore he saw Warren and his geeks fly overhead.

"Oh, bloody hell, that's not fair." Spike kicked the vamp in the stomach, causing him to double over. Spike, then hooked his head with his knee, and snapped. Dust flew threw the air, covering Spike's jeans.

"Buff, the geeks are flying." He shouted, pointing in the air. Buffy's mouth dropped, and she swore. Giles raised a brow at her language. Must be Spike's influence. He mused.

"I'm the good guy. How come I don't have nifty gadgets like that?" Buffy mumbled.

"Giles duck!" Willow screamed. Giles dropped to the ground as the arrow passed perilously close to his chest. She shrugged her shoulders.

"It went through the vamp." Willow said in her defense.

Xander grabbed a Nionu demon off of Anya, flinging the dwarf before it could bite her. Taking the bat from Anya, he beat the creature to death. "You okay, An?" He said, helping her up off the ground.

"Yeah, just peachy." She said sarcastically, wiping her hands on her pants. "Those little suckers are like snot machines. Can't stand them!"

Willow ran up to them, winded. "Everyone okay?" Willow asked, speaking to all of them, but her gaze was on Tara. Tara nodded, and reached for Willow's hand.

"Did Jonathan just fly overhead?" Xander asked, seeing men on top of the transport truck. "We'd better get over there." He told them.


"This is unbelievable." Buffy said. "I mean, they have jet packs now. Like they didn't have enough stuff to annoy the hell out of me. Now, I have to deal with flying geeks. Oh, yeah, that's fair." Buffy stuck her tongue out at the Army sergeant staring back at her through the barrier. She pointed towards the transport, but he ignored her, keeping his gun trained on her.

"Any ideas?" Spike said dryly.

"Tara, is this basically the same type of barrier like the one I used at the gas station?" Willow asked, pacing. It was kinda funny how the guns followed her movements.

"Xander, stop doing that. I'd hate to be you, if the barrier came down right now." Giles admonished him. Xander stood up straight. He'd been monkey gestures at the troops.

"Yes, it is. Why?" Tara answered.

"You can open a door for us to get in, then close it back." Willow said excitedly.

"That's great, but what are we going to do once we're inside?" Spike asked, watching as the demons they'd driven back gathered for another go.

"Kick those nerds' asses, honey." Buffy also took note of the demons. "Okay, here's what we're going to do. Giles and Xander will come with me. We'll take care of Warren and the gang. The rest of you fend off the demon attack until we're able to get back out and help you."

Buffy could see the steam coming off Spike's head. "I know you want to help, but they're human. You can't hurt them, and I won't let them hurt you." She lifted his head. "You're the strongest one. You have to protect them." She said gesturing to Anya, Tara, and Willow.

"I know. Just wanted to take a few hits at Warren myself." Spike patted her belly. "Take care of your Momma, Bitty."


Warren leaned over the edge of the truck, and saw two guards peering out the back. Andrew handed him two small orbs. Warren threw them inside, knocking the guards out. Warren scrambled off the roof, slipping inside unnoticed. Jonathan and Andrew quickly followed.

"Wow! It's bigger than I thought." Jonathan gasped.

"I bet you don't hear that from the ladies, do you?" Warren sneered. Jonathan narrowed his eyes at him, but didn't say a word.

"Guys, we're going to be gods." Andrew gushed.

"Watch the door, while I start this baby up." Warren pulled his laptop out of his backpack, and pulled up the schematics for the teleporter. He had to make sure he put the correct data in. He didn't want to end up in the middle of the ocean. He had a nice little pad all set up. Once he arrived, he'd begin his reign of terror against Buffy and Spike. They would be his informercial, selling his services to the highest bidder. Too bad, Jonathan and Andrew would not be around to share in his success. He supposed he could drop in at Leavenworth and break them out of jail, but why waste the effort? Their usefulness was over. It was time to cut the dead weight, and move on.

"Jonathan, this is so cool. I feel so James Bond." Andrew said, excitedly, scanning the area for intruders. He looked over at Jonathan, and his eyes widened. He started to scream a warning to Warren, but Giles cuffed him on the neck, knocking him out. Buffy helped them lower the unconscious bodies to the ground, and stood with her hands on her hips, attitude firmly in place as Warren busied himself with the controls.

"Need some help?" She sneered, then smiled to herself when Warren jumped.

"Buffy." Warren stated flatly, turning to face his arch nemesis. "Glad you could make it. Didn't want you to miss the party."

"I'm touched Warren. I really am. It's over, you loser. Don't make me kick your ass anymore than necessary. Andrew and Jonathan are out. You're all alone in this." She said, advancing slowly towards him.

That's right, Buffy. Come a little closer. Warren pulled the switchblade out of his back pocket, waiting till Buffy got within range for him to strike. Buffy looked around the inside of the trucks, taking note of the darkening shadows. She halted her progress, and stood just outside of the dark area.

"Scared of the dark, Slayer. Thought that's where you belonged. Well, that's what Spike was telling you."

Buffy's brows rose at that. "That's right. I've been watching you and Spike do the nasty all over town. I could make a mint selling those videos on the internet. Must admit, you're a wild woman in the sack. Against a tree. A wall. The Bronze. Just about anywhere." He taunted.

"You sick pervert, at least, I'm getting some. You get yours from a robot. No, that's right, robot's gone. You're doing your hand these days, aren't you?" Buffy studied him, seeing the slight movement of his hand behind his back.

"You bitch! I would still be with Katrina, if it wasn't for you. She'd still be alive if you hadn't meddled in my business." Warren lunged for Buffy, the knife directed at her belly.

Buffy grabbed his arm with one hand, and struck him in the face with the other. Warren pushed Buffy away with his free hand, and slashed at her again. Buffy blocked the blow, bending Warren's wrist back till it snapped. He howled in pain, clutching his wrist to his chest. Buffy grabbed him by the collar, and flung him back against the console of the teleporter. He slid unconscious to the ground, next to one of the guards.

Buffy was shaking with rage. Warren had tried to stab her in the stomach. He had tried to kill her baby. "It's okay, Bitty. We're okay. It's over. That bad man isn't going to be able to hurt you ever again."

Buffy lifted the tarp, and waved to Giles and Xander below. Jonathan and Andrew were tied up next to them. Buffy could see Spike and the others finishing off the demon squad in the distance. As if sensing her, Spike looked over his shoulder. She waved excitedly at him.

"Be quiet or I'll shoot." Buffy groaned, and slowly turned to face an irate, but drowsy Army ranger with a rifle.

"Look, I can explain." Buffy began, her attention centered on the gun pointed at her, and not Warren, who was slowly waking up.

"Don't speak. I don't know what's going on, but we're going to find out. You're under arrest until we get this all settled." The sergeant said, shaking his head to clear the cobwebs.

Warren groped in the dark, finding the second Ranger's gun. He stood up, knowing neither person could see him. He'd win after all. Spike could see Warren quite clearly and he shouted at Buffy to watch out. Giles and Xander heard Spike's shouted warning, and screamed Buffy's name at the same time. Buffy saw the gun, heard the bullet fire, and lurched for the Ranger. She grabbed him, jerking him towards her, and flung them both out of the truck.

Time moves slowly when something awful happens. Well, it seemed to move slowly to Tara. They all turned towards the convoy after hearing Spike. They saw Buffy, Xander, and Giles with their hands in the air. Giles and Xander scrambled out of Warren's view. Spike beat his hands against the barrier. Tara opened a door, and Spike fell through. He ran towards Buffy, leaping over and around stunned troops. By the time, Spike reached Buffy. She and the Ranger lay motionless on the ground. Warren stood over them, the gun pointed directly at Buffy's back. Next thing, Warren was down, shot in the shoulder.

Everyone stood around stunned at the turn in events. Spike skidded to a halt in front of Buffy, rolling her on her back. "Wake up, luv. This is no time to be sleeping." He teased. Spike patted her cheeks, which had lost their rosy color.

"Buffy?" Spike shifted her to his other arm, raising his hand to push her hair out of her face. Blood dripped from his fingertips, dotting Buffy's face. "Oh, god, no!"



"Buffy!" Dawn screamed. "Buffy!" Chips flew in the air as Clem dropped the bowl he was carrying in from the kitchen.

He quickly searched the room, looking for Buffy, but only found Dawn with tears streaming down her face. He rushed to her, shaking her.

"Dawn, what's wrong? Tell ol' Clem. What's wrong?" Dawn looked at him blankly, her face flushed.

"Buffy's dying."


"She's been shot!" Spike screamed, hugging Buffy to him. Giles fell to his knees at the sight of Buffy bleeding profusely. He ripped his shirt off, pressing it to Buffy's back.

"We need help!" Giles screamed. The army troops were rushing around to secure their equipment.

"We don't have a medic with us. We'll have to call and get some help, but that'll take time." The young man knelt and pulled back the shirt, which was rapidly becoming soaked with blood. "Hold this and don't stop. We're going to see if we can get a medivac here for her."

"Please help her." Spike cried.

"Is she going to make it?" Willow asked the Ranger as he passed her.

"I'm sorry. I think the bullet might have hit an artery. She's bleeding out." He ran to the lead vehicle, quickly calling for a helicopter.

"Buffy, love. Hold on. We're going to get you to the hospital."

"Spike, keep talking to her. Giles and Anya went to get the car. They'll be here shortly." Tara told him, pressing her hand onto his.

"Can't you do anything?" Spike whispered. "You're a witch. Do something. Don't let her die. Don't let them die." He begged, and it broke her heart. She didn't have the power it would take to stop Buffy from dying.


"You have to take me to her, Clem. She's dying. The baby's dying. I can feel it. I need to be there." Dawn begged, her throat raw from screaming.

"I don't know, Dawn. We don't know where they are." Clem told her, rubbing her back.

"I know. We're going." Dawn grabbed Willow's keys off the rack in the kitchen, and ran out to the garage.

"Dawn, this isn't a good idea." Clem said, pulling the door shut. He barely got in the car, before she pulled out.

"Do you have your license?" He asked, fumbling with his seat belt.


"Fight, Buffy! Fight, you silly bint! You can't let Warren win. You've beaten bigger fish than him. Now fight!" Buffy's heart slowed, and Spike clutched her tighter, trying to will her back to life. He could feel the baby slipping away. "No, Bitty. Hold on. Buffy, our baby is dying. You're the only one who can save her. Fight, damnit!"

Willow knelt beside Tara. "Spike, I need you to trust me. Spike!" She screamed again to get his attention. Spike looked at her, his face shadowed with grief and worry.

"Willow?" Tara asked, concerned. Willow's eyes had turned black, and Tara could sense the power coming off her in waves.

"I'm sorry, Tara. I really am." Willow pulled Tara and Spike's hands away from Buffy, and placed her hands over the wound. "Hold her still, Spike."

Buffy thrashed as the air hummed with electricity. Spike felt the pull on Buffy's body, and squeezed her tightly. Buffy cried out softly. A stream of blood flowed out of Buffy's back, followed by a bullet. The bullet hovered in the air, dropping harmlessly to the ground. "Keep pressing this into the wound. The bleeding should stop soon."

Willow leaned back and fell unconscious to the ground. Tara and Xander pull her aside. "She's just out of it." Xander assured Tara. Spike closed his eyes, hearing Buffy's heart beating getting stronger.

"Thank you." He said, crying softly into Buffy's hair. "Thank you."

Giles and Anya pulled up. "Get in!" Giles shouted from the driver's seat.

"Hey, we can't let you leave." The Ranger said, putting a hand on Spike's shoulder. Spike growled and his eyes turned yellow. The Ranger took a step back, adding this to a long list of unbelievable things he'd seen this night. Tara helped Spike carry Buffy to the car. Spike laid Buffy's head on his lap, making sure to keep his hand firmly on her back.

Xander picked Willow up and carried her away. Tara raised the barrier, preventing the army from following them.

"Isn't that Willow's car?" Anya asked as a small compact came careening around a corner. Dawn didn't put the car into park, before she was racing to Buffy.

"Buffy!" She cried.

"Get in, Dawn." Giles had to keep his fear in check. This was no time to panic. He'd be damned if he'd watch his daughter die a second time. They sped off with Buffy to Sunnydale General. Her condition was still critical, and they all worried the baby might not survive this trauma.


Warren's wrist hurt, his shoulder hurt, but he was alive. He kept his head down, wove in and out between the vehicles until he was away from the army transport. Okay, this wasn't what he had planned, but he'd accomplished one thing. Buffy was dead. He saw the blood running like a river out of her. She was dead. He was alive. Things could be worse. He could be in jail, like Jonathan and Andrew would soon be.

Shackleford watched impassively as the Slayer was taken away by her friends. "She was shot. Pretty bad from the looks of it. No, I didn't any closer. The army has more troops on the way to secure the area, and the locals are just arriving now."

Shackleford flung his cigarette away, watching the huddled figure scurry away from the scene. "I have someone you'll want to meet. I can have him on a plane to England by morning." He told Travers, motioning to one of his men to pick Warren up. "Yes, I think you'll like what he has to say. Why you ask?"

Shackleford lit another cigarette, taking a long drag before answering. "He may have bagged your Slayer. Yes, I thought you might find that interesting."

Shackleford grinned as Warren tried in vain to get away from his men. "Patch him up and get him ready for transport."

"Who are you?" Warren gasped as his hands were tied behind his back.

"Your worst nightmare or your best wet dream. You decide."