-Kennedy's Room-
When Willow walked in Buffy was sniffling while leaning on the wall by the open door. The first sight Willow saw was that of Kennedy lying still on the floor covered in her own blood from her slit wrists. Instantly the witch understood the slayer and walked over to comfort her. Both girls cried for a long time knowing they should of been able to stop this, Kennedy especially shouldn't of been the one lying on the floor.
It took them a while to stop crying but Buffy calmed Willow and was the first to speak, "I'm sorry you two never got to talk, I mean you guys weren't extremely close anymore but..."
Willow nodded, "I feel like it's my fault, I mean it makes me wonder what the first could of said to her to make her do this to herself. I should of talked to her instead of avoiding her, I mean..."
Buffy shook her head and wrapped her arms around her best friend once more, "You can't help the way you feel Willow. Kennedy was weak, I hate to say it but it was all her own fault... And the evil."
Willow pulled away from her best friend and nodded, "I guess so. It's just, why did it have to be her?"
Buffy nodded, "I can do this alone Willow, you can go back downstairs. I shouldn't of even asked you to come up here."
Willow shook her head, "No. I can do this, I should do this."
Buffy silently agreed and started walking towards the body, "I'll carry her, I just need you to do the whole saying and help with digging part."
Willow nodded, "Don't you think we should clean her up? I mean, that wasn't kennedy. She was... She wore clothes not full of blood and..."
Buffy stopped walking towards kennedy and walked back to Willow. She knew then that Willow couldn't help her. "Why don't we go downstairs and dig first before we bring her down?"
Willow didn't even nod before turning around, "Buffy, I'm sorry."
Buffy shook her head, "You don't need to explain yourself Willow. You just go downstairs and start the grave. I'll clean her up."
Willow just kept walking out the door. After a few seconds Buffy walked out after her and saw Oz waiting at the bottom of the stairs. As she looked down upon everyone she couldn't help but smile, she knew they were all a family again. Then when she started tearing up she realized she wasn't just crying because Kennedy was forced to murder herself but because in a few hours she could be the one to murder all of her friends, to break the relatively close family. Slowly she backed herself back into Kennedy's room and shut the door. She stopped herself from crying as she walked into the bathroom and grabbed a cloth and bowl of water. When she made it back to Kennedy's body she finally saw Kennedy's face, her eyes were closed. Buffy grabbed the cloth and was about to start cleaning up the blood but her eyes suddenly flew open. In seconds a life-like double of Kennedy sat in front of the real kennedy's body, obviously the first.
Buffy tried to stay strong, "Get out."
The first just smiled and looked down at Kennedy, "She's a masterpiece isn't she. She cried for a good hour before she finally grabbed the knife."
Buffy shook her head, "I'm not listening to you. LEAVE!"
The first stood so she was towering over buffy, "This is going to be you in a matter of hours. Your heart will fill with black, your mind will cloud with hate and your blood will pulse with death. You may still live and breath but you're going to despise yourself for it, you're going to hate this world, this place, your friends and most of all your lovers. I'm going to miss tortuing you but I'm betting I'm going to love being a part of you more." Buffy was speechless as she stared down at the ground obviously believeing the ghost. The first noticed and continued once she saw tears, "Oh Buffy don't cry, you're going to love it. I'm anticipating a very good party after you kill the loves of your life."
With that the first was gone in a small puff of smoke and Buffy was left to finally breakdown right next to the dead body of kennedy.
-Hyperion - Lobby-
When Willow made it down the stairs she walked right into the arms of Oz still somewhat sniffling. The slayers that were still downstairs cleared out to give them space but the Willow and Oz commotion drew the attention of the heroes. Xander came running first and then eventually everyone who was in the kitchen was next to Willow and Oz. Willow backed a little ways from Oz for a few seconds to stare at Spike and Angel who seemed to be in charge.
She glanced up the stairs and then back at the vampires, "She shouldn't be left alone with the body too long. Buffy's already pretty close to falling and... she just shouldn't be alone with kennedy."
Angel was about to run up but Spike stopped him, "Me and the slayer got a few loose ends to tie up."
Willow looked at Spike, "Careful."
Spike nodded and before Angel could protest Spike was halfway up the stairs. Willow looked at Angel, "You guys figure out the exact plans and moves so we don't expect anything to go wrong while I do the digging."
Everyone just nodded and watched Willow walk away with Oz. Angel looked at everyone, "Let's work out the kinks."
-Kennedy's Room-
Spike could of cried himself when he walked in on Buffy's broken body. She didn't even notice Spike's presence until he knelt down next to her and touched buffy's shoulder. She jumped and turned towards him but when she realized it was Spike she fell into his arms where she then proceeded to continue her breakdown of emotions. Spike wrapped his arms around her so he was holding her like a child so he could carry her to the bed. Once they got to the bed Spike had to comfort the slayer until she finally calmed down.
When she was down to sniffling Spike stopped whispering calming words and started 'the talk.' "So why this breakdown luv? It's not as if this hasn't happened before."
Buffy spoke through sniffles, "It wasn't the body Spike. Her eyes opened and she talked to me. I'm going to hate you all, I'm going to kill some of you and I'm... I'm going to like it. She told me Spike, she would be a part of me."
Spike realized instantly she had a visit from the first, the first visit that had left her shaken enough to break. Spike couldn't even imagine what it had said to make Buffy this scared. He started to rub her back as he looked down into her eyes, "It won't be you pet and you know that."
Buffy didn't respond to his statement at all. It took her a few seconds to even speak and when she did she asked a question, "What's it like Spike? To lose your soul?"
Spike shrugged and avoided her glare, "I don't really remember. Being changed into a vampire must be a lot different then just having your soul taken away from you. It sounds like you ought to talk to your teddy bear."
Buffy sighed and slowly continued to calm herself down, "What if i do something Spike? What if one of you end up dead and I become the reason? I don't know how you and Angel do it. You guys are so strong, so strong."
She started crying a little more then but Spike started rubbing her back and whispering calming words again, "I'm not strong Buffy. I mean feeling guilty for everything i did isn't easy but I'm only dealing with it because I have you. You were the only one when i came back that believed i could be a better person. Even now no one thinks I'm doing the right thing but you... I'm strong because people around here make me strong, because you made me strong enough to face what i did. You're just as strong as i am buffy, more even. This slayer label you have makes you different then all your little pals but I know you and I know that you face whatever comes to you buffy and you never stop surviving. Everyone in this hotel believes in you slayer and that's how I know you're stronger then Angel or me for that matter."
Buffy stopped crying near the end of his little speech and was now smiling into his eyes, "You always know what to say to me."
Spike smiled and petted her hair, "Yeah well, comes with the best friend territory." Buffy nodded and finally smiled which made Spike smile, "See, knew you had it in you."
Buffy nodded and sighed before looking down to Kennedy's body, "It shouldn't of been her Spike. I didn't like her much but she didn't deserve this."
Spike nodded, "No one does buffy but we know the first's emmo. Feeds off the weak."
Buffy shrugged and wiped away a fresh tear, "I know, it's just... she didn't deserve to die this way Spike."
Spike nodded and thought about how he responded for a while, "I guess you're telling everybody what or who they deserve now."
Buffy shut her eyes and laid back down on the pillow, "Spike I didn't mean... you weren't supossed to hear any of that."
Spike slowly slid off the bed to a standing position, "Why? You don't think I deserved the truth buffy? You know what, it's not even the fact you didn't even talk to me about it. I just can't believe you think you didn't deserve me, ME of all people."
Buffy opened her eyes, "When I came back Spike I felt like everything hated me, like this world was my hell but you, you became the one person who treated me like I deserved to be here, like I had a place in this world. I didn't deserve that." Before Spike could reply buffy hopped off the bed to stand in front of him, "All that time I was disgusted with myself it wasn't because I was sleeping with you, it was because I knew I was treating you the worst way possible. Then you... in the bathroom... after you left I knew we were finally even. I thought that was the only reason you treated me like I was real."
Spike shook his head and walked a little closer to buffy, "Buffy, you know I..."
Buffy nodded, "I know now Spike but then I couldn't help but think that. Then when you came back I was so confused. I didn't hate myself the way I thought I did but I still didn't think I had the right to help you or to be with you. Spike, you deserve someone who doesn't completely treat you like crap, someone who adores that insult thing you do and someone who can love you with everything, not the way I did."
Spike instantly walked up to his slayer and hugged her, "Oh buffy, you have no idea how wrong you are." He pushed her away a little to stare into Buffy's eyes, "Don't ever repeat this or I'll kill you but Peaches is the luckiest vampire alive to have you. You don't understand how amazing you really are buffy but I hope one day you do because then you'll be as proud of yourself as I am of you. Back then buffy it wasn't you who didn't deseve me, it was me who didn't deserve you."
Buffy just shook her head and hugged him a little tighter then she was before. "Oh god, I missed you Spike. You start treating faith like this and she'll be yapping about her emotions in no time."
Spike smiled and pulled away so he was face-to-face with her again. "She's so worried that she's second best to you and it's so hard to tell her she's right."
Buffy actually smiled, "No she's not Spike. You and me, we have something, something no one can penetrate but we don't belong to each other. Faith needs you to take care of her, just like you took care of me."
Spike nodded and thought of something, "Did you ever think we'd be standing here expressing every feeling we have to each other like a bunch of girls?"
Buffy burst into laughter slipped out of his grasp so she was holding his hand, "Are we counting the time we were engaged?"
Spike started to laugh himself, "No."
"Well then, of course not. You were bad ass vampire and i was bad ass slayer. The lines weren't supossed to cross but they did and I'm glad."
Spike nodded but when he did his eyes caught the glance of kennedy's corpse. He stared back at buffy all serious once again, "Are you okay now?"
Buffy nodded and looked back at kennedy, "Yeah. I just have to clean her up a bit and then we'll bring her downstairs."
Spike nodded, "I'll help you. Willow's worried about you being alone."
All Buffy could do was nod, "So am I."
-Lobby - 10 minutes Later-
All the girls who were leaving were packed and standing by the door. The girls that weren't leaving were standing by the kitchen enterence on the other side of the room, already having said their goodbye to their new friends. The ones leaving highly outwieghed the ones staying. There were only 5 girls who chose to stay and help which didn't surprise many people. The rest of the gang sat in a circle actually making the plans perfect.
Willow and Oz walked in from out back obviously tired. Everyone stood instantly causing Willow to smile, "I'm fine, just a little tired from the digging."
Angel nodded and looked down. Oz stared at everyone else, "Buffy and Spike haven't come down yet?"
Angel shook his head while Gunn sighed, "Nope."
Willow took a deep breath, "Well then I'm going up..."
It was at that moment Buffy and Spike emerged at the top of the stair case, Buffy holding the body of kennedy. Willow shook her head and leaned into Oz as buffy and Spike began their decent. It was silent with the exception of sobs from some of the girls until they reached the bottom of the stairs. Spike moved from her left side to her right side and after giving her a reassuring rub on the shoulder he walked in the direction of faith. Buffy smiled knowing what he wanted to do but her gaze was instantly on her Angel who was staring right back at her. She winked at him as she continued her walk of death towards the already dug-out grave. After Buffy was out of sight the girls made their way to follow the lead slayer, then the Sunnydale and L.A gang followed but Spike grabbed Faith's and before she could walk anywhere.
When everyone was gone faith looked at Spike, "What do you..."
Spike smiled and interrupted her with a very passionate kiss. Of course she accepted so it lasted a while but eventually Spike pulled away. "I need to tell you something."
Faith smiled, "If it was anything like that I'm defenitely willing to listen."
Spike winked at her and then put his serious face on, "I'm not in the mood for another feelings overload moment so try to disguise the bluntness of my confession. I like you a lot and despite what you think you're not a second to buffy or anyone. I worry about you a lot actually and that's why i also think you should leave with everyone else."
Faith looked like she didn't know what to think, "So that little Buffy moment made you realize all of this?"
Spike nodded, "Yeah well, we had a talk and we realized we're connected but not in a way people think. So as i say this in the most corniest way possible, faith will you be my girlfriend?"
Faith burst out laughing along with Spike but it eventually turned into more when faith wrapped her arms around his neck, "I'll have to think about it."
Spike smiled and another kiss was ensued.
-Backyard-
Buffy smiled despite the somewhat funeral knowing how happy Spike was. It was gone instantly so people wouldn't get the wrong idea about her feelings but she was still happy for her best friend. Angel who was standing next to the slayer tightened his grip on her hand which brought her back to this moment. Everyone stood in silence which is when Spike and Faith decided to enter. Buffy winked at him before going serious again and starting the powerful eulogy.
-Lobby - Half an hour later-
Everyone was still in silence as they sat in their circle. Willow was leaning on Oz, Buffy curled up against Angel, Faith's head rested upon Spike's shoulder while their hands intertwined, Wesley and illyria sat together holding hands, Rona and gunn sat beside eachother while Gunn wrapped an arm around her protectively, the slayers that were staying grouped together close and Andrew and Xander sat alone, leaning against the long couch.
It was one of the girls who finally broke the silence, "I know this is kind of selfish but when are we leaving?"
Buffy stood knowing this was the time for orders. She took a deep breath before starting, "I want three drivers, three cars to take the girls that are leaving to the airport. Use your credit cards to pay for the ticket home, I wish you all the luck. I want Cordelia in a room guarded by one of the potentials at all times. The rest of you can work on that plan you guys have. We have about 7 hours left until sunset, seven hours until this world changes."
Angel stayed sitting but directed his question to buffy, "What are you going to do?"
Buffy shrugged, "I'm going out."
Angel stood instantly, "You're going out?"
Buffy nodded, "I need a little time Angel. I'm a big girl, can take care of myself remember."
Angel sighed, "Where you going?"
Buffy looked down instantly, "I'm going home."
Everyone who knew her well understood on the spot. Spike stared up at her though, "You shouldn't go alone."
Buffy sighed but Xander stood up, "I'll drive you around."
Buffy nodded and grabbed his hand, "I'm good. I'm only going to be gone for an hour or two tops."
Angel nodded and stood beside his slayer, "Fine. Stay safe, our plan doesn't work if you're soulless or dead."
Buffy smiled and gripped his hand harder. It took her a few seconds to come back to reality and stare to everyone in the room, "So who's driving?"
Faith stood up, "I will. Kind of need out of the house anyway."
Buffy nodded and waited for another volunteer which turned out to be Oz and Willow. Oz smiled, "We'll do it."
Buffy actually smiled, "You guys are going to leave the other's side for more then 10 minutes. Wow, must be a record."
Willow sighed while Xander nodded, "Yeah I mean when vaca day comes it's going to be pretty much me and buffy."
Oz nodded, "Yes well, we should get these girls home."
Buffy nodded and waved to Willow and Oz who walked out the door. Buffy turned around just in time to see Faith and Spike hug so she couldn't help herself, "I suggest you could take Spike but the ride back might take too long considering how comfy the backseat of the car is."
Faith slowly pulled away from Spike and smiled, "This would be a bad thing because..."
Buffy winked at her, "I feel everything he feels remember?"
Spike suddenly got defensive, "So everytime I...when stuff happens..."
Faith giggled a little, "Ah we'll get over it. I live to make her jealous remember."
Buffy shook her head and walked a little closer to her, "I'd stop there Faith because it's been a long time since you and i had it out."
Faith laughed a little again and glanced at Spike, "Later."
Spike nodded as Faith turned toward buffy and smiled, "We're going to have it out when i get back."
Buffy nodded and sighed, "Thank god. I could use a good work-out."
Faith waved as she too took off out the doors. The girls all waved and some cried as they started walking out the doors also. When the room was now half empty Spike turned towards buffy, "Jealous?"
Buffy shrugged, "No she just always bugs me. You dating her just gives me a reason to beet her up."
Xander giggled a little bit, "You and Faith? Imagine the psycho wedding."
Despite Spike's look everyone else had a laugh. When buffy saw he had enough she calmed and turned to Xander, "Let me change again because of the god damn blood on my clothes and then we'll go."
Xander nodded and everyone watched as Buffy turned back towards her Angel, "I'll be down in a bit."
Angel smiled and they leaned in for a quick kiss. Spike laughed a little now, "I'd tell you to get a room but we all know we don't have three hours to spare."
Buffy pulled away and shook her head, "So this is how it's going to be. I insult your girlfriend and you insult my boyfriend."
Spike shook his head, "Not really. I've always hated Angel so him dating you just gives me another reason."
Buffy sighed and actually let go of Angel's hand, "I'll be down in a bit."
Xander looked around awkwardly, "Hurry."
Buffy smiled and walked back up the stairs.
-20 Minutes Later-
Buffy came skipping down the stairs forgetting about the belly button ring which means she wore a shirt that showed it off pretty good. The second she walked off the last stair and walked to the group on the couch, she regretted not putting on a longer shirt because the first sound she heard was a whistle from Spike. She shook her head and sat down on Angel's lap.
Angel couldn't help himself eiher, "I don't know why you were hiding it. It looks good on you, real good."
Xander stood up instantly, "Ick fest geese. Can we go?"
Buffy smiled and turned to kiss Angel again before hopping off him, "That we can."
Spike and Angel both stood up and spoke at the same time, "Don't die."
Xander smiled, "Awe, i never knew you guys cared about me."
Buffy giggled and nodded at the vampire's looks before grabbing Xander's hand and walking out the door. Wesley actually looked around, "So what now?"