Chapter 19: Saying Goodbye

SLAYER DREAM – TIME DOES NOT EXIST HERE

BUFFY'S POV

"Oh my God, MOM," I run to her and nearly knock her over as I swoop her up in huge hug. I can't believe it; she's real, like really real. But this is just a dream, yeah, it's not real.

"No sweetie, it's real," my Mom says as she pulls away from me looking over my shoulder inclining her head, "Faith."

She touches her hand to her head in a mock salute, "Mrs. S, it's good to see you."

Mom tilts her head and narrows her eyes, "You're taking good care of my daughter?"

Faith's smile reaches up to her eyes, "Yes Ma'am, doing my very best."

Suddenly there's a short dark haired woman standing behind Faith, she puts a hand on her shoulder, "So this is your Slayer mi amore?"

Faith's eyes lock on mine, as if pulling some kind of strength from me, then drift to Mom's, "Why?"

Mom nods, "The Goddess sent us because She wanted you two to feel at ease. We need to tell you about Her, and, well, neither of us had the chance to say goodbye. She felt you two deserved it."

As Mom speaks all I can really concentrate on is the hand on Faith's shoulder. No one needs to speak her name; I know who she is from the second Faith's eyes held mine. Isabella's hand slides from Faith's shoulder to the back of her neck in such a slow, intimate, sensual manner, I blush. Standing stock still, Faith looks to the sky then closes her eyes and swallows. Then they face each other for a long moment before finally embracing.

I'm not really sure how I feel about this. Watching them now, it's weird, it's not that I'm jealous, well much; I think I'm more curious about this woman who helped Faith conquer her inner demons.

Mom breaks me out of my reverie, "It's not polite to stare Buffy. Why don't we give them a minute? There's nothing to worry about. Now tell me about what Dawn's up to."

Nodding, I tell her about Dawn and what we've all been doing as we sit on one of the benches. It's so strange, being able to see her again, talking about Dawn and the gang; it seems so natural, so normal, like she never left.

A dassie comes up to her and she reaches down to pet it.

"Don't Mom, they bite." I caution her.

She waves her hand at me, "Oh don't be ridiculous, I'm dead, it won't bite me." And sure enough, it doesn't. She stokes its fur for a minute then it jumps onto her lap. "It won't bite you either. Go ahead, give it a whirl."

I give the little creature a leery glance then shake my head, "Naaa, I'm good."

"Suit yourself," she sighs and looks around, "it's absolutely beautiful here."

"Yeah it is." I can't believe I'm sitting here talking to my mother.

"How do you know they bite?"

Looking at her then the dassie, I shrug, "I used to come here a lot on vacation." I start to get a little dreamy, "It was always just so…" I quickly stop myself then exhale, "It was a long time ago," shaking the thoughts from my head.

Mom gauges me for a moment then gives me her patented Joyce Summers pursed lips stare. Our eyes meet and she decides to take a different track, "So, you and Faith, huh?"

I laugh nervously then nod, "Yeah, me and Faith." I draw nonsense figures in the dirt with my boot then look up at her, "Are you ok with that Mom?"

"Oh honey, it doesn't matter what I'm ok with." She tilts her head, "Are you happy?"

"Very much so," I say softly.

"Then so am I. I stopped trying to figure out your love life after I found out about you and Angel." She wrinkles her nose and we both laugh for a moment, then she puts her hand on mine, "It kinda makes a lot of sense if you think about it." She smiles at me, "And you know I always liked her. Well, just not when she was trying to hurt you or me for that matter."

"She's changed a lot."

"I've noticed. There's a peacefulness about her now instead of a constant whirlwind. She seems to have been through a lot."

I scoff and shake my head, "You have NO idea."

"You two seem right together."

"Yeah? I think so too."

Mom gins, "And, well it's a big plus she's not a vampire, oh or a demon!"

"MOM!" But I can't help but to laugh.

Then I feel a weight behind me and I know it's Faith. She leans into my back, both hands now resting on my shoulders then kisses the top of my head, "Sorry, it was just a bit of a shock."

Looking up into her eyes, I nod, "I know." I grab one of her hands and swing her around to sit on the bench across from us. "Where's Isabella?"

"I'm here."

This absolutely stunning petite woman sits beside Faith. She's older than us, not a whole lot, just enough to make a difference. Her hair is black as coal, almost almond shaped eyes which, looking into them now, are warm dark pools. With skin a light shade of cocoa that seems like it would be so incredibly soft to touch; her once striking Mayan features appear to have softened with age, making her only more beautiful. She looks at me and I'm immediately captivated by the intensity of her gaze. The hell with the whole healing Wicca thing, Faith didn't tell me she's fucking hot!

"Ok, this is a world of weird, but B, this is Isabella, Isabella this is Buffy." Faith and Mom just watch as Isabella and I regard each other.

"Hey," I wave. Yeah, that's intelligent, what am I, 12?

She smiles warmly at me, "Hi Buffy, Faith told me so much about you, I feel I know you. I am so honored to finally meet such a great warrior of the light." She reaches over to me and grasps my hand, squeezing once then letting go.

"Buffy, I don't know how long this is going to last so we really have to talk." Mom looks over to Isabella then continues, "The most important thing we have to tell you is the Goddess is not evil."

Looking at her, "We kinda figured that out. The Coven in England went way overboard, that's why the PtB brought us in."

Mom tilts her head at me, "You guys figured that out? I mean by yourselves, without Rupert?"

Faith and I nod.

"I guess your Slayer headquarters is pretty good." She pats my knee, "I'm so proud of you honey."

"Oh my God, Mom, we're in our thirties, we aren't kids anymore." It's uncanny that I can still be irked by her babying me. I narrow my eyes when I see Faith's smirk. "And what are you smirking about?"

She puts her hands up in mock defense, "Nothing B, nothing at all."

"So," Isabella continues, "you also know the child is the means to the passage between the worlds?"

I shake my head, "First of all her name is Emma and yes we know that, but we don't know exactly what it means."

"Buffy!" Mom admonishes me, "there is no reason to be rude."

"No Joyce," Isabella says then turns back to me, "My apologies, Buffy, I did not know her name. She who rules us only refers to her as 'my child'." She waits until I look up at her, seeing her words are true before she speaks again. "The Wicca among your group possesses great power born of Ereshkigal, together with you, Faith and Emma the gap between the Heavens and the Underworld will be bridged."

Shaking my head again, "I still don't get why this needs to happen. Why does She need passage between the worlds now after all this time? And why is the Coven trying desperately to stop it?"

Another voice sounds; it is strong, almost gilded with royalty, it possesses an omnipotence that leaves little doubt as to its owner, "Soon will be a time of unrest with the Gods of the Heavens. There is a great struggle for power brewing. We cannot allow this struggle to carry over to the world as you know it." The Goddess walks over to us. She is tall, and incredibly ancient looking, but not old, sort of like she just walked out of a hieroglyphic. She rests her hand on my shoulder and I feel her power burn through me. "The PtB understood this threat and sent you to protect my Emma from the Coven who misinterpreted the signs."

Ok, she is so NOT Glory, she is truly ethereal, divine and breathtakingly majestic and I kinda feel like I should be bowing or kneeling or something.

"I apologize for the behavior of my vizier," she squeezes my shoulder sending out another powerful wave of tingles; "mercenary demons are so hard to control. He was never meant to harm anyone, only to bring Emma to me. You had killed one of his brothers, so he took it upon himself to extract his own revenge. I am truly sorry for his injuries to you and those you held dear."

I can't believe this. Jessie dying, the fight last night, it all shouldn't have happened? But didn't it have to happen? Or maybe that's a part of when Faith said things always revert to their true course? Regardless, I'm speechless, I'm utterly speechless. But thankfully Faith's not.

"We thank you for the apology. And just to be clear no harm will come to Emma?"

The Goddess turns her attention to Faith, "No, not from me. I am forever grateful the PtB chose two people who care about her so much to be her guardians. I know she is safe with you." She smiles at Faith then to me. "You grow tired, we must leave you now."

"Please," Mom pleads, "just a little while longer?"

"As you wish, but not too much longer," The Goddess retreats to stand at the ledge looking out over the city where she had lived and loved as a human all those years ago.

Mom stands and grabs Faith's hand, "Talk to me for a sec?"

Faith looks at her, me, then back to her, "Sure Mrs. S." She rises and follows my mom to another set of benches. This leaves me with Isabella, the gorgeous girlfriend.

"Come and walk with me for a moment." I look up at her and nod. We make our way over to the cable car and look down the side of the mountain. "I am happy you found Faith. As I knew you would."

"How did you know?" My voice cracks a bit as I try to stare out to the water.

She smiles at me sweetly, "I have the sight, or I should say I had the sight. I've always known."

I turn to her, "You knew you would die?"

She nods slowly. Faith was so right, she is so soothing, "We all die Buffy, some just sooner than others. That is why each day should be treated as a gift, especially when you are in love." She almost whispers the last part.

I look back out to the ocean.

She clears her throat then continues, "Faith told me about all the pain you endured over the years. You are a remarkably strong woman."

"My pain is nothing compared to hers." I shake me head, "I don't know if I could have endured what she had."

"The Gods give us only what they know we can handle. Well, sometimes they give us a little more to test our mettle. You have done very well and should be proud of that accomplishment. You and your friends have also brought the fight against evil to the 21st century. There's no telling what more you can do with the tools and talent at your disposal."

I can see why Faith fell in love with this woman. She is so comforting and, I don't know, wise? She immediately puts you at ease and makes you feel welcome. This would be an incredibly uncomfortable situation under almost any circumstances, but for some bizarre reason, it's not.

"Buffy, there is one other who would like to see you before we need to go."

"One other?" Peering over her shoulder I can't believe who I see standing there, a little shy, head tilted downward, that lopsided grin growing across her face. "Tara?"

In an instant she has engulfed me in her arms and I can't believe how much I've missed her. "God, you are a sight for sore eyes!" I hug her tightly again. "Willow is going to be very jealous."

Tara releases me, "How are you? How is she? Dawn?"

"Good," I think for a moment looking at Isabella and remembering all she has said, "great actually!"

She looks deeply into me, reading me like she always used to, just to keep me honest. Finally satisfied, she nods, "Yes, I believe you are."

Isabella looks at us, "It's near time."

Tara hugs me again. When we break apart she puts her hands on my shoulders, "It's not your fault about Warren. I know you keep that guilt, but it was just my time. It was all meant to be: had I not died Willow would never have amassed her power, and the First would have defeated you. She would not have this bond to the Goddess and," she stops short looking at Isabella, "all would be lost."

I nod, finally knowing what she says to be true and how lucky I am to have seen her again. "I miss you."

She smiles and I can't believe I forgot how her smile can light up the day. She hugs me again, "I miss you too."

Turning now to Isabella, I fumble with how to say goodbye. She steps very close to me, kisses both my cheeks then envelopes me in her arms. "Love her, love her like every day is your last." She whispers in my ear as I feel her tears on my cheek.

Tightening my grip on her I promise, "I do and I will."

Mom and Faith are walking over to us now. I hug Mom again, "I want more time."

"Oh honey, no matter how much time you have you will always want more. It's the human condition." She strokes my hair. "We really need to go now, look how tired you're getting."

"I love you Mom," I cry into her chest.

"I know, honey, I love you too. Give Dawn a big hug for me." She breaks away from me and joins Tara.

"Me too!" Tara calls out. Then adding shyly, "and Willow."

Faith and Isabella are talking quietly then realize all eyes are on them. They know it's time to go. Isabella holds Faith's head in her hands, gently tracing her cheek bones then gives her a chaste kiss on the mouth and a quick hug. Head down she goes to stand with the others.

The Goddess strides over to us, "I will find a way to contact you again soon." Then she smiles, "Or maybe your Wicca will first. Until then be safe and take care of my child."

As we say "We will," they all disappear leaving us alone once more.

The sun has almost completely set. I move away from Faith placing my hands on the guardrail watching as the sun disappears into the ocean. She follows, surrounding me in her arms from behind. "This is the most amazing sunset I've ever seen."

I lean back into her and sigh, "This was Jessie's and my favorite getaway. We'd come here when things got crazy, you know to recharge. I guess I was dreaming of a happy place after last night was so, well, so." I pause and rub the side of my head against her jaw, "And since I was here I thought it would be the best place to say goodbye to her." Shaking my head I sigh, "I didn't realize my subconscious was going to turn into a Slayer Dream party with Moms, Gods, friends and lovers..."

She bends her head down next to mine, leaning her chin on my shoulder, "I'm sorry. Do you want to be alone?"

I pull her arms tighter around me, "No, I want you with me."

We stay until the ocean has swallowed up the sun. One by one the lamps that line the path to the cable car turn on, they must be on a timer or something. With the sunlight gone to darkness, the lights from the city below begin to shine steady and strong; sort of like us, I muse. Turning in her arms to face her, I feel how much there is between us, so much more than words, then I realize I'm ready to let Jessie go. Reaching up to kiss her, I hold her face in my hands, "Let's go home."

BUFFY'S ROOM – 7:00AM

FAITH'S POV

We both sit up a little frantic. Then look at each other and realize it all happened.

B turns and buries herself into my chest, "That was fucking intense." We slide back down into the pillows.

I gather her close, "It was an enormous gift, allowing us to say goodbye."

She looks up at me, "Are you ok?" B gently touches my face, "That must have been awfully hard for you."

I nod into her hand, "Yeah, she told me we would meet again, after she died, but I thought it was just mystical Wicca stuff." Smiling I kiss her forehead, "She said she likes you."

B laughs, "I like her too."

"What did you guys talk about?"

Swallowing B softly says, "Life, you, us. How about you? What did you and my Mom talk about?"

"You and me."

"Get out," she looks at me, "really?"

"Yeah, she just wants you to be happy. She told me to take care of you."

B holds my gaze, "Isabella made me promise the same thing." She rests her head on my shoulder. "Love does transcend death; I guess that's good to know for the future."

I kiss her forehead, "Well no one is dying anytime soon if I can help it."

Looking like she's remembering something, she nods, "Yeah, I think we'll be ok for a while."

Raising my eyebrows at her, I look at her quizzically. She waves her hand as if dismissing her statement.

Too tired to think about it now I yawn, "I don't know about you, but I'm exhausted. I feel like I just ran a marathon."

She snuggles into me, "I think we expended too much energy staying there so long." B tries to stifle her yawn into my shoulder. "Maybe a little nap?"

"You bet," I mumble into her forehead already drifting off.

KITCHEN – 10:00 AM

DAWN'S POV

"Well, I think we should check on them again," Emma announces.

"We just checked on them an hour ago. I'm amazed we didn't wake them." I turn to her, "This is how Slayer healing works Em, they can probably sleep for a few more hours. You'll see when they get up."

"I don't know Dawn, I felt a strangeness this morning, it woke me out of a sound sleep. I can't put a finger on it, but something weird was going on."

"Did you talk to Will and Ken?" I ask, getting concerned.

Emma sighs, "No, they went out early. I haven't seen them yet." She sits her head in her hands.

"Come on; let's check the tapes, maybe Andrew can find something."

When we get to my office the hologram map is doing a serious color, flashing, disco ball thing. Andrew doesn't even realize we're in the room he's so engrossed in his test tubes and computer.

"Babe, what are you doing?" I ask cautiously.

"Hmm?" He's not paying attention.

"Babe!"

He snaps his head up, "Oh, hey guys."

"What's up with the map?" I ask again as Emma comes up next to me.

Oh, no, he's got that I-can-barely-be-contained-excited look in his eyes, here we go, "Well, this morning the sensors recorded some kind of energy actually IN the house. So I'm loading up all the demon samples Faith got for me to do a little cross-referencing and demons are popping up everywhere!"

"See?"

"What?" He looks at Emma then his eyes widen, "Wait, you felt it?"

Emma nods.

Andrew stands, then immediately sits back at his computer and types rapidly for a second then looks up, "Ok, tell me exactly what it felt like."

She bows her head and puts her hands in her jeans. "I can't describe it. Just that it wasn't good or bad, it just... didn't belong here."

He narrows his eyes at her, "I see..."

"What, what do you see?" I don't see anything at all.

"The nothing of course, it's a finding." He begins to furiously start typing. Meanwhile Emma and I both have blank stares. Looking up he sees our confusion, "Ok, the fact that Emma couldn't feel if it was good or evil shows it was very powerful, so we should not dismiss it. And her 'knowing' it didn't belong here shows she's in tune with it, so my conclusion is that it was the Goddess trying to make contact again."

Emma and I raise our eyebrows, turn to each other, back to him and marvel at the thought process. I'm about to ask him how he learned to think that way when Faith beats me to the punch.

"Q you are fucking amazing and bang on target. How the hell do you do it?"

Andrew blushes, God he's so cute when he's praised.

"Are you two ok? I was worried." Emma hangs on Faith's arm.

Faith draws Emma into a hug, "We're fine, we met your grandmother, among others."

"What?" I can't believe it, "You met the Goddess?"

Buffy grabs me into a hug, "We saw Mom and Tara too, they each told me to give you a big hug so..."

"What??!!!" This is really too much to handle as I'm being squished in my sister's arms.

Buffy smiles at me, "Really did, there was also Faith's beautiful and charming old girlfriend, but I'll tell you about her later."

"Hey what's going on?" Kennedy asks as her and Willow come in and join us.

Faith looks at Buffy, "Can't we tell them over breakfast? I'm fucking starving."

12

After End Credits Rolled