-Hyperion - Buffy's Room-
She couldn't hear them but she knew everyone downstairs was deperately trying to come up with a plan that would work but Buffy also knew such a plan didn't exist. She had accepted everything the moment she founded W&H's plan, that was the easy part but the hard part would be dealing with everyone she loved when they finally realized it too. It would be especially hard to deal with Spike and Angel. Just feeling what they were could almost break her heart. She knew at that moment they really loved her with everything they had. So as she sat on her bed, staring out into the night she started to wonder if she would ever think about night the same way again, if she would ever think about life the same way again and especially if she would ever love again.
It was the sight of buffy curled up against her headboard in the total darkness that Spike and Angel walked in on. When Buffy glanced their way she stared directly into their eyes with a few tears. The look on their faces were ones that could instantly change her decision but she had to be strong. She knew she had only one choice to save her sister and Angel's son.
No one spoke for a little while, not until Spike closed the door. Both vampires walked to the edge of Buffy's bed and sat down. Angel couldn't even bear to look at her as his head stared down when he spoke, "How are you?"
Buffy smiled one of her innocent smiles, "As good as can be expected."
Spike shook his head, "We're going to get you out of this. I hope you know that. There has to be a plan."
Buffy nodded but her tone proved she didn't believe him, "I really hope you find a plan and it's good that you know that."
Angel took a deep breath, "You don't have to do this."
Buffy smiled, "Yes I do. Come on Angel we both know this is what I was born to do. I sacrifice myself and my friends live. I've done it a lot before."
Spike nodded, "True but this time we're not sure if we can bring you back."
Buffy nodded as a little more tears flowed, "I think I'm ready for that. I mean I always wondered what it was like without a soul."
Spike and Angel shook their heads and each grabbed her hands. Angel tried to smile, "It's not so great when you get your soul back."
Buffy nodded, "Doesn't look like I'm getting mine back though." Spike and Angel were speechless now. The only sounds in the room were small sniffles from buffy once in a while until she started speaking again. "I hear it's really simple. No worries, no fear and no pain. It can't be so bad."
Angel shook his head, "It is that bad buffy. I mean look at Spike. He was evil and he was always in pain."
Spike glared at him but knew he was right so nodded. "He's kind of right. You still have feelings buffy. It's only the feelings of others that don't matter."
Buffy nodded ready for her orders, "That's why I need you to do me a favor." Angel and Spike were already surprised. "I've been thinking about this and I know once I do go all no-soul I won't much like you guys very much. The day i go to get Dawn and Conner I want you all gone. It's the only thing I'm afraid of."
Spike was already shaking his head, "No way! We're not just going to leave you."
Angel nodded, "Exactly."
Buffy smiled, "I thought you guys would say that but it's best for everybody. I can't worry about what I could do to all of you so I need you to go."
Spike stood up, "I can't believe this. I mean what happened to the Buffy who would never give up? What happened to the slayer with a plan? I don't have to sit here and listen to you pity yourself okay. I'm going to go downstairs and I'm going to find a way out of this wheather you like it or not."
Buffy actually smiled as Spike stomped out of the room and slammed the door. She stared down towards the bed, "It's going to take him too long to finally realize there's no way out."
Angel moved to sit right in front of her now. He grabbed both of her hands and made her stare into his eyes, "There is a way Buffy. There's always a way. We just need you to see that too. You're not gone yet so stop acting like you are."
"You can say it over and over Angel and I can hear you but I'm not listening to your voice." She took one hand and put it on his chest where his heart would be, "I'm listening to your heart. You know there's no other way and you're already grieving for me. I am not going to sit here and listen to you lie to me Angel. You know I have to do this just as much as I do."
Angel was stumped because he knew deep down she was right. "It's just, you were always suppossed to be here."
Buffy nodded and tears were falling again, "I'm going to miss you all so much. I don't want to go Angel but I... It's so hard to say goodbye."
Angel even had tears in his eyes now, "Ironic huh? We should be used to saying goodbye."
Buffy nodded as Angel grabbed both her hands and kissed her knuckles. She stared into his eyes again, "At least now I get to meet Conner." Angel half smiled as thier tears mixed when they fell on their joined hands. "I love you so much Angel, so much."
Angel stared at the slayer like there was never going to be another moment to say this, and there just might not be. "I love you more then anything Buffy Summer's and I'm so sorry I ever thought for one minute we shouldn't be together."
Buffy smiled, "I guess it's too late huh."
Angel couldn't even smile anymore. Their faces were inches apart and their eyes almost closed already so he replied with a passionate kiss. It was just suppossed to be a kiss but it defenitely escalated. Buffy had her arms wrapped around Angel's neck as he slowly started to lie her down. Angel stopped for a few seconds to stare into the saddened eyes of his only love and smiled which buffy actually returned. A night full of sadness followed by bliss for Buffy and Angel.
-Downstairs - About 3 hours Later-
The slayers continued to lounge about the hotel. Some in sadness and some in regret for how they treated Buffy. None of them though were in the lobby where the main gang still sat. Willow had a few books in front of her like she had a lead and was reading very intensely. Everyone watched with depseration and sadness lingering in their eyes. Only a few words had been spoken so far but mostly is was silence. Wesley and Illyria sat close together, Willow sat accross Oz's lap, Gunn and Rona were actually training with Andrew and the other girls, Xander and Kennedy sat accross from them on the floor and Spike sat on the floor leaning against a chair with Faith sitting in front of him in between his legs leaning on him. Everyone appeared to be comfy and calm but they were nothing more then ducks on a pond. Cordy watched everyone's reaction from her lying down position on the couch but was more worried about how long Buffy and Angel had been alone together.
Filled with envy she finally opened her mouth about it. "Is it just me or does it seem wierd that they've been alone for like three hours now?"
Eyes finally focussed her. Spike and faith paid special attention to the look of envy that existed in Cordelia's eyes. Spike smirked, "At least we know they're not shagging."
Xander, Faith, Willow and Kennedy all looked at Spike suddenly realizing no one had contacted L.A. after Willow had taken away the clause from Angel's soul. Since no one else was speaking Xander smirled at Spike, "Actually we don't know that."
Spike looked confused for sure, along with Cordelia who looked ready to burst. The fact Angel couldn't make love was the only thing keeping her sane right now. "What are you talking about?"
Xander's smile widened but Willow interrupted his fun moment and continued the explanation seriously, "After Buffy got the magic she realized Angel had an amazing amount of feeling towards Cordelia. She wanted him to be happy so she came to me. Since my knowledge of magic has defenitely been upgraded I could finally take away the clause."
Xander couldn't help himself, "Angel can be as happy as he wants."
Cordelia lay on the couch not knowing to feel incredibly guilty for thinking of her happiness with Angel more then his happiness all together. Buffy had been willing to risk her life with Angel for her and here Cordy herself was trying to kill Buffy for even walking into L.A. She also didn't know if she should feel overwhelming jealousy for the fact buffy and her Angel could be sleeping together right now. I guess her silence stunned the room because all eyes were on her.
Kennedy who was closest tapped her shoulder, "You okay Cordelia?"
Cordy nodded and tried to smile, "Yeah. It's no secret I could possibly hate everything going on in that room."
Spike smiled over at her, "No worries prom princess, it get's easier."
Xander nodded, "I too know the feeling of jealousy and It's wrath will soon be gone."
Cordy only nodded and realized it was only jealousy she felt. She tried to hide it though with the thought of knowing Buffy would be gone in no time. She had to change the subject though so she stared at Willow, "So, you got anything?"
Willow shook her head, "I was working on a way we could actually steal her soul but I got no where. I mean there has to be some way after it's taken out that i can return it."
Faith looked up the stairs, "I can only imagine what that girl is feeling."
-Buffy's Room-
Buffy was feeling overwhelmed with comfort as her body curled into Angel's. They were sleeping after their long night so far but that doesn't mean their minds were. Of course being wrapped in Angel's arms made buffy feel a little better but inside her mind she was still a wreck. Buffy lay still so only she knew her only uncomfortable bit of that moment was a dream.
BUFFY'S DREAM
Buffy sat alone on bleachers over looking a field. Instantly a bunch of demons came from one side and all her heroes came running out the opposite. All Buffy could do was sip her drink. Suddenly Drusilla appeared beside her and smiled, "I dreamed about this night forever. You'll know how it feels without the light in your heart."
Buffy nodded and watched her dissappear. Her eyes were back on the battle occuring in front of her. Most of the girls were dying but everyone else seemed okay. After a few seconds Glory say sat beside her, "Well look who has all the attention on her again. Why can't you just die already, it's gonna happen sooner or later. More sooner then later, especially since Faith is un trustworthy."
Buffy actually sighed but when she looked at the battle in front of her only two people were left. Angel stood staring at her, devestation written in his eyes while Spike stood exhausted behind him. By the time Glory dissappeared buffy was on the field with a sword in her hand. Angel too had a sword and they stood staring at each other like they did the last time Buffy had to kill Angel.
Buffy smiled and started to sway a little closer to him, "Has it really come to this? I mean you don't have to be alone." Angel looked down ready to cry and Buffy's smile spread further, "Calm down lover. It'll all be over soon and you will finally be back where you have always belonged my dark prince."
Now that buffy was only a foot away from him Angel shook his head and before buffy knew it Angel had cut off her head. Before it hit the ground everything went white and there stood Whistler in a giant white room, "It wasn't suppossed to go down like this. You have to know what to see."
Buffy didn't really understand as she stood watching him. She started looking around and one wall caught her attention. As she watched it the wall moved aside and Cordelia walked through it. The last thing buffy saw was a werewolf ripping Cordelia to pieces.
END BUFFY'S DREAM
Buffy awoke with a start and her eyes opened wide. She suddenly realized that Cordy has something to do with everything.