Never the Same
Chapter 9 – Never alone.
DISCLAIMER: Buffy the Vampire Slayer belongs to Joss Whedon, and Harry Potter to J.K. Rowling. I don't own anything…
RATING: PG-13 (T) to R (M) - violence, language, angst, horror, possible mild sexual interactions, etc. If you can watch BTVS/AtS and read HP, I doubt you'll have any problem with this story.
TIMELINE: Sequel to "Out of the Blue" and "Red Horizon" (Part 3 in the series), and begin where we left in "Red Horizon" chapter 39, and a bit before BTVS season 7, though it's almost completely AU, with many changes from the real plot.
SUMMARY: BTVS/HP crossover. Sequel to RH. "You can run but you can't hide, evil finds you everywhere. Peace and quiet can no one provide, who said life was ever fair?" Starting over is something that definitely falls into the 'easier said than done'-category. Buffy and Remus are doing their best to move on, and get used to the changes and the new turn their life has taken, but it's not easy...especially not when living on a Hellmouth.
CENTRAL PAIRING: Buffy/Remus
OTHER PAIRINGS: Willow/Tara, Xander/Anya
Special Thanks to: My Beta – CharmedChick
"Hey, we're back," Remus sighed tiredly, walking into the living room, which was occupied by the Potentials and Scoobies, who were all arguing.
"Hello!"
"Oh, Remus, good." Giles stood up. "What did you find out?"
"Shouldn't we wait until everyone's here?" Remus looked around the room. "Where's Buffy?"
"Eh...you see..."
Spike came in, snorting. "Let me guess. Slayer got herself kidnapped again?"
"Eh...no...we..." Willow stood up. "We had a slight disagreement," she said, wringing her hands nervously. "And we came to the conclusion that...it would be better for everyone if...Buffy...took a little time off."
Spike burst out laughing. "Blondie took a time out? That's hilarious!" He slouched down in one of the chairs, chuckling all the while.
Remus stared at Willow. "Right. That's funny. Not. Where is she?"
"We just told you," Kennedy said impatiently. "Now sit down and tell us what you found out."
Remus narrowed his eyes. "When did you become boss? And where is Buffy? I don't buy the crap about her taking time off. We're in the middle of an apocalypse. She wouldn't take off."
"It's not like she hasn't before..." Willow muttered. Remus glared at her, but said nothing.
"She really did. Leave, I mean," Xander said.
"It was her choice," Giles said, cleaning his glasses furiously. Remus looked around. Half of the room looked triumphant, and the other half guilty.
"Okay. I'm not stupid. Something has happened- and Buffy saw it fit to leave?" He snorted. "Was that before or after you gave her some kind of ultimatum?"
The Scoobies cast each other guilty looks, and Remus felt himself becoming enraged.
"I can't believe you people," he hissed. "Youäre supposed to be her friends! Friends don't treat each other like this! They don't betray each other like this!"
"Hey, knock it down!" Faith said. "Don't you think you're overreacting? B made her choice."
"A choice that you forced her into," Remus spat, shaking his head. "You are just too much. All of you." And with that, he stormed out.
"Buffy..." Remus said softly, sitting down beside Buffy, who was lying on a bed in an abandoned house. "I've been looking for you."
Buffy sniffed. "Right. So you can yell at me like everybody else?"
"No," Remus pulled her close. "To tell you that they can all go to hell."
Buffy let out a hysterical laugh. "Yeah. Like that helps."
Silence.
"They're right," Buffy muttered. "It's all my fault. Annabelle and Molly...they're dead, and it's my fault. You should hate me."
Remus sighed. "It's not your fault. You didn't even want to storm Caleb in the first place. Faith's the hothead, not you. You did nothing wrong. And Molly..." he sighed. "You can't be held responsible for her. You can't be held responsible for Annabelle, or Lily, or James, or Eliza, or Peter. We were in a war then, and we're in a war now. And people die. That's life." He sighed again. "Molly...I was fond of Molly. Her quirkiness...it was growing on me. And she reminded me of home. You know, she was English and all. Annabelle was English too- but she just annoyed me. So does Spike. And I won't even mention Giles, 'cause he just makes me feel sick."
Buffy half sobbed, half snorted.
"Anyway, Molly...she was amusing. In a weird kind of way. And she looked up to me, and I can't deny that I enjoyed basking in that. But I let her down. If anyone should feel guilty about her death, it should be me. She trusted me to keep her safe. But I did nothing but watch her die."
"But you did!" Buffy protested. "You tried!"
"Exactly. And that's all we can do. Try. And sometimes, that's not enough. Then we have to accept the fact that we did what we could, and move on."
"But...going there in the first place...that was my mistake..."
"Not yours only. And the fact that you're the only one of those cowards who even admit that you made a mistake in the first place...well, it shows you're not to be blamed. You learned from your mistake. And now it's time to move on."
Buffy was silent for awhile, and then looked up into Remus' eyes. "How is it..." she said slowly, "that whenever I'm feeling down and like all hope's lost, you make me feel like a Goddess?"
Remus kissed her forehead softly. "Because I know you. And you know I'm right."
Buffy snuggled up to him closer. "Tell me about your mission," she mumbled quietly.
"Well...except for traveling on a motorbike with Spike, it all went rather well...we found out that Caleb is guarding something...something that he doesn't want you to have."
"At the vineyard?"
Remus nodded sleepily. "Most probably. Why else would he be there?" He yawned.
Buffy nodded to herself. "So I guess I should take it from him then. Should piss him off. Rem? Remus?" She smiled to herself as she noticed he was fast asleep.
Remus woke up from the sun shining in through the windows, sticking him in the eyes. Still half-asleep, he sat up, staring at the axe Buffy was holding in her hand.
"Buffy?"
"You're awake. Finally," Buffy said, teasingly. "You were out like a light."
"What is that?" Remus frowned.
"This?" Buffy nodded towards the axe. "This...is a wicked scythe of some kind. I grabbed it from Caleb- he seemed pretty insistent that I wouldn't get a hold of it. Not that I cared."
"What's it for?"
"Except being an awesome weapon?" Buffy grinned. "Not sure. But it's really sharp. And really pretty. But we should find out."
Remus nodded in agreement.
"Does that mean we have to go back to Revello Drive?"
Buffy snorted. "Hell no. I'm not crawling back to them. I'm done begging. They wanted me out of their way, well, they got their wish." She smirked. "From now on, we're playing this by our own rules."
Remus grinned. "I like your rules already."
"Stupid electricity...," Buffy muttered, as she entered the very dark library, only to stumble as she walked straight into - " - OUCH! Stupid chair..."
Remus snorted. "I thought you had super-sight?"
"Well, I do...kind of...I just wasn't looking were I was going."
Remus smirked. "Right. Well, mythological section, here we come," he said, lighting his wand with a 'lumos' and started to look around. "Do you think the library has got anything we need?"
Buffy nodded emphatically. "It's the library on a Hellmouth. Of course it does."
"And if it doesn't?"
"Eh..." Buffy shrugged. "We pray?"
Remus laughed, and Buffy made her way towards several computer. "You think you can start these?" She wondered. "I mean, the electricity's out...but maybe charging it with magic could work."
Remus frowned. "Eh...maybe." He poked his wand at the hard drive. "Not that I'm sure how it works in the first place..."
Buffy shook her head in mock-defeat. "Look at us," she chuckled. "Totally hopeless." She groaned. "Let's start the praying, shall we?" Buffy clasped her hands together, looking up at the roof. "Dear whoever's up there...help us to start this computer so that we may put a stop the evil which threatens thee."
Suddenly, there was a buzzing sound, and the computer started up. Buffy stared at Remus with awe. "How did you do that?"
Remus shrugged. "Magic." He frowned. "Actually, I'm not sure. It must have been the praying."
Buffy snorted as she entered the net. "Yeah. Must have been."
Remus grinned, as he went over to the bookcase, pulling out several volumes. "So," he asked. "What do you want to do once we've stopped this thing?"
"Get drunk," Buffy stated. "And make a fool out of myself. And most probably giving the others ugly gestures and several 'I told you so's'."
Remus laughed. "It's good you don't hold grudges."
"Don't I know it," Buffy quipped. "And when they've been crawling in the mud for awhile, worshipping my feet and basking in our glory, I'll probably take advantage of their guiltiness a little longer. I know, I know, I'm evil," she said, as she saw Remus' incredulous stare.
"No," Remus shook his head. "That's not what I was going to say." He grinned. "You're amazing." A beat. "Let's get married."
Buffy gawked at him. "Huh?"
"I'm serious! When all this crap is over, let's get married."
Buffy burst out laughing. "That was a real proposal? Oh, my God! I can't believe you're proposing in the middle of an apocalypse!"
Remus gave her a sheepish grin. "Well...I surprised you, right?"
Buffy grinned back. "Yeah. And yes. I accept your very blunt and very unexpected - and quite tactless- proposal."
Remus let out a huge sigh of relief. "Oh thank God. For a second I was afraid I would have to wave it away as a joke."
Buffy went over to him and gave him a long kiss. "Never. But I want another proposal. With a ring. Later. When we're not in the middle of an apocalypse," she added. Remus threw her a mock salute.
"Got it."
Suddenly, there was a beep coming from the computer, and Buffy grinned. "And I've got a match!" She went over to the computer, nodding to herself as she read whatever the Internet page said. "I know where to go."
"This place...is creepy," Remus mumbled, looking around the tomb.
"Tell me about it," Buffy muttered.
Suddenly, a voice interrupted.
"I know who you are. I've been waiting."
Buffy spun around, and got sight of an old woman coming out of a drapery.
"You're the Slayer," the woman said, smiling softly. "And you've found our weapon."
Buffy looked down at the scythe she was holding. "Who are you? And what kind of weapon is this?"
"A weapon. A scythe. Forged in secrecy and kept it hidden from the Shadow Men."
Buffy groaned. "Those men again. Yeah. I didn't like them very much."
The woman smiled, understanding. "They became watchers."
"Well, that explains why Giles is acting the way he is," Remus muttered. Buffy's lips twitched.
"...And the watchers watched the slayers. But we were watching them. We are Guardians. Women who want to help and protect you. We forged this centuries ago, halfway around the world. Forged there, it was put to use right here...to kill the last pure demon that walked upon the Earth. The rest were already driven under. And then there were men here, and then there were monks. And then there was a town, and now there was you. And the scythe remained hidden. We hid too. We had to, until now. We're the last surprise."
"So...as long as I have this...I'll win?"
The woman smiled mysteriously. "That is really up to you. But that is a powerful weapon." She turned to look at Remus. "But you already have weapons. Love. And friendship."
Buffy snorted. "I don't have any friends."
The woman just smiled. "They'll come through for you."
Suddenly, the guardian's head was dismembered from her body, and Buffy's eyes widened as she got sight of Caleb, holding a sword. "Sorry to crash the party." He pulled back his arm, and knocked Remus out, making him fly across the room and crash into a wall.
"Rem!" Buffy yelled.
"Am I invited?" Caleb smirked. Buffy stared at Caleb, enraged, and swung with the scythe at him, but he simply grabbed it, pushing her away. Several punches, kicks and hard landings later, Buffy realized he was winning. As did he.
"You can't win this, little girl," Caleb grinned, grabbing the axe from Buffy, at the same time as he pushed her down to the floor. "I am stronger than you." He lifted the axe above his head. "I am filled with thy holy power. I am - "
Buffy's eyes widened again, as Caleb crumbled to the floor, revealing Angel standing there. "You looked like you could use some help."
Buffy grinned. "Thanks. She pulled up the scythe from the floor and turned back to Caleb, who was getting to his feet, enraged. "But this is my fight."
Angel nodded.
"I get it. I'll just...enjoy the show then."
Buffy nodded. "Do that."
The roles were reversed. This time, it was clearly Buffy who had the advantage, and Caleb went down a second time, easily. However, just as she thought it was over- that she'd killed him- he stood up again.
"We're not finished, bitch!" He yelled. Buffy spun around, groaning.
"Don't tell me you're one of those 'I die, but keep coming back for more'-types? I'm so tired of them..."
"You understand nothing," Caleb snapped, stalking towards her. "You think you have power over me? Think again. You can't kill me."
In the background, Remus was slowly regaining consciousness. Angel was still watching Buffy, ready to jump in in case something went wrong.
Caleb kept walking towards Buffy. "You don't have the balls - "
He froze as Buffy swung the axe up between his legs, hitting his groin. Remus, who now was fully awake, winced, as did Angel, but as they realized they did the same thing, they gave each other identical glares and turned their heads the opposite way, just as Buffy finished Caleb of for real, splitting him cleanly in two.
"Who does, nowadays?" She turned to Remus and Angel, but, as she noticed their defiant stance, she rolled her eyes. "Oh, grow up."
Angel snorted. "In his case, not likely." He walked over to Buffy, putting an amulet in her hand. "This is for you."
"Jewelry? Sorry, Angel, but...I'm kind of engaged. That won't get me back."
Angel snorted in amusement. "Wasn't trying to. That is a weapon." He nodded his head towards Remus. "When did he pop the question anyway?"
"About an hour ago," Buffy said airily, before returning her attention back to the amulet. "And how can this be a weapon?"
"Wait...he proposed in the middle of an apocalypse?" Angel shook his head. "What you see in him..." he muttered, shaking his head. "Anyway, it's very powerful and probably very dangerous. It has a purifying power and bestows strength to the right person who wears it. Someone ensouled, but stronger than human. A champion. Like me."
Remus rolled his eyes, muttering to himself. "Egoistical prat..."
Buffy's lips twitched, amused at Remus' comment, but trying not to show it. "Or like me," she said instead. "Thanks, Angel. It'll help."
"Wait...you don't need my help?"
Buffy shrugged. "No."
Angel pouted. "Oh. Well...if you're sure...good luck."
"Thanks. And you know...if we lose...I need you to pick up the pieces. Be our second front."
Angel sighed. "Fine. I'll go rally my troops." He turned around. "Be careful."
"Always."
"So what's our next step, boss?" Remus asked Buffy as they stepped out of the tomb.
"Well...going back to the house," Buffy sighed. "The guardian was talking about my friends...on her, it sounded like they'll come around. That they'd be needed."
Remus pouted. "Typical."
As Buffy and Remus entered Revello Drive, their jaws dropped. The house was in chaos: Everyone was running back and forth, and the living room seemed to have been set up as a temporary hospital: Several Potentials were lying there, badly wounded.
"Well," Buffy mumbled, trying to feel some sympathy, but it was hard. "I suppose a lot can go wrong even with the supposed 'problem' in question out of the way."
Remus snorted, and he and Buffy went into the room, Buffy with her wand at the ready. Healing spells. This was her thing.
"Buffy?" Willow looked up from a Potential she was washing, flushing slightly. "You're back."
"For now," Buffy muttered, giving the scythe to Remus and leaning down by the Potential. "What happened?"
"A bomb..." Kennedy spoke up. "A Bringer lead us into a trap..."
"You were lead into a trap..." Buffy muttered, at the same time as running a diagnostic spell at the wounded girl. "Now, why does that sound familiar?"
"What is that axe thing, Buffy?" Giles wondered, looking interested.
"A Slayer weapon," Buffy said shortly. "I took it from Caleb and cut him in half."
The room went silent.
"Oh." Xander muttered. "Way to go, Buff..."
Buffy snapped her head around to glare at him. "Don't call me that," she said quietly. "I only let my friends call me that," she finished, before turning her attention back to the wounded girl. Xander blanched and had the grace to at least look ashamed.
"Buffy..." Joyce sighed, walking over to her. "We're so sorry..."
"Stop," Buffy said. "Just...stop talking. We can do that later, but right now, I need to fix this mess, alright?"
Joyce lowered her head. "Alright."
Several hours later, when the Potentials had been somewhat fixed up, they all gathered in the living room again, Buffy standing in the center of the room as usual.
"So," she said. "You wanted to talk- so talk. What happened?"
"Well, we got blown up..." Chloe muttered. "And then ambushed by uber-vamps. We barely made it out alive..."
"Yeah. You were right, Buffy," Kennedy said shamefully. "We should have followed you. Faith lead us straight into a trap and almost got us all killed..." The rest of the room murmured its agreement.
" - SHUT UP!" Buffy exploded, and the Potentials and Scoobies looked at her wide-eyed. "Just...shut up. You understand nothing. I can't believe you people! Always changing your opinions depending on where the wind blows. It's sad. And pathetic. I think you all need to learn how to grow up! Learn to think for yourselves! Stand up for yourselves! Not blindly moving to what looks like the winning side! You are...unbelievable. Acting like...like...GAH!" She let her arms fall to her sides in frustration. "I don't even have a word for it, but that's what you are." She gave each and everyone of them dark, long looks, her blue-green eyes almost shooting lightning. "Now you listen to me, and listen good. You're not my friends. You're not forgiven. Some crawling and 'I'm sorry's'- it just won't cut it. We're not 'fine.' We won't be 'fine.' Not until you've gotten off your all-mighty horses you think you're riding." She narrowed her eyes. "And one more thing: Nobody lead you into a trap. Not at the vineyard, not now. Because neither Faith- nor I - could have known what it was. Not one of us lead you there on purpose. Because. It was. A trap. The entire meaning of that word- TRAP!" She yelled, making the room flinch.
" - Says what it is. Something unprepared. Something unexpected. Something you can't guard yourself against. You were tricked. It. Was. A. Trap. Learn to recognize that sentence. And learn what it means. Faith and I made mistakes. I admit that. And I think she will admit that as well, whenever she wakes up from her unconscious state. Now, what is a mistake? A mistake is a wrong someone does. Something you do that you think is right, that turns out wrong. Both Faith and I thought what we did was right. But it wasn't. It was wrong. Simply said, we made mistakes. We learn from mistakes, so they won't be repeated. Will you learn from yours?"
Buffy looked at her now very shameful, very quiet audience. "That is the number one question, isn't it?" She walked out of the room, Remus following, whistling, as they entered their room. "That was one hell of a speech."
Buffy flushed. "Thanks. But just so you know: I don't remember a word of it."
Remus gave her a long look, and then burst out laughing.
Later that evening, Buffy and Remus had a moment in their bed, needing the closeness they could give each other. All the potentials that had inhabited the guestroom with them had moved out, too ashamed to even be close to Buffy.
Suddenly, a familiar shape came to stand in front of them, and Buffy and Remus sat up in shock, their covers falling down to the floor in the process.
"Meaoww," 'Molly' said, whistling in appreciation.. "You've got some nice assets there, Remus."
"You're not her," Remus said through gritted teeth.
The First sighed. "No. She's dead. Thanks to you both." 'Molly' grinned, smiling brightly again. "Oh, please, keep going. Don't mind me. It was a really nice show. I enjoyed it."
"Okay..." Remus said, staring at the First in both disgust and horror. "I think you've just made me go celibate for quite some time forward."
The First pouted.. "Aww...little Remus shriveled right up?"
"You're sick," Buffy spat, grabbing her clothes and putting them on, Remus quickly doing the same. "What do you want?"
"Oh, I don't know?" 'Molly' shrugged. "Power, the world, my army of thousands at my disposal..." She suddenly grinned again. "Oh, wait - I do."
"You don't have the world," Buffy hissed.
The First sighed. "No, not yet. But soon. After all, no one can stop me."
"I will stop you," Buffy said quietly.
'Molly' laughed, and then transformed into Caleb. "You and...who, exactly?" Caleb transformed into Eliza. "You have no friends. Just your werewolf, who, even if his assets are very nice and all- won't be enough. To defeat me, you need an army. Stronger than mine. But you don't." Eliza transformed into Lily. "The only thing you have is a house full of traitors and teenage girls with PMS and bad fashion sense, who - ahhh, how was it? Ah, yes- 'need to get off the all-mighty horses they think they're riding.' Which won't be anytime soon." Lily turned into James. "And when that happens...it will be too late. You can't make them grow up over night. You can't make them change. You can't turn them into heroes with a snap of your fingers. You're good, Buffy..." 'James' shrugged. "...But not that good. You stand alone."
Buffy's eyes flashed. "You're wrong."
'James'smirked. "That remains to be seen, doesn't it?" He started to fade away. "Now I suggest you go back to what you were doing when I got here- you'll need the pleasure your lover can give you- it's probably the last of it you'll ever have. Because the next time we meet...it's the end."
Buffy stood stock still in the middle of the room, staring at the spot the First had faded from. Remus put a hand on her shoulder. "Buffy?"
Buffy turned around to face him. "I know how we'll win."
Buffy, Remus, the Scoobies and the Potentials were all gathered in the living room - Faith had awakened as well and sat half-asleep in a chair in a corner. The grandfather clock had just chimed four.
"Okay, B...I get that you like bossing us around," Faith said. "And I respect that. Hell, after my very, very big failure- or failures - I welcome it. But can it wait 'til after lunch or somethin'?"
Buffy ignored her, and looked at the half-asleep audience, dressed in various states of night shirts and pajamas. And for a second, she actually doubted she could do this...maybe the First was right. That is, until she met Remus eyes, who was filled with pride and love. He believed in her. They all counted on her. She wouldn't let them down.
"We are in a war, people," she began and started to pace around the room. "In a war, there are leaders. And what are leaders? Leaders are the ones who make all the hard choices. All the hard decisions. Leaders are the ones who stand alone. Leaders are the ones who get blamed if something goes wrong. Because something will go wrong. Something always go wrong. Because we all make mistakes. I don't think there is a single person in this room who has not made one." She took a deep breath. "In a war, certain sacrifices have to be made. It sounds cruel, but it is the truth. In a war, people die. It is the leaders' job to make sure that number is as few people as possible. That as many as possible are saved. But not everyone. Because not everyone can be. Trying to achieve that goal, is the same as condemning all to death. And everyone knows that. We can't save them all. But still we fight. Why? Because it's the right thing to do."
Buffy looked up, face filled with determination. "So here's the part where you make a choice. Will you take a chance? Will you step over the edge, and know that you may not make it out alive? I won't give you time to think about it, because if you don't know it like that - " she snapped her fingers. "- Know that you want to take that step - that you are ready to- then you never will be. And if that's the case, then I want those persons out of the door right now. And I want them to leave Sunnydale. Because this is the place where we go to war. Where we make the hard choices. And this is the place where we might lose. Where we might die. But it is also the place where we can conquer. Where we can survive. Where we write history. We are facing the biggest evil the world has ever seen. And I'm going to face it head on. It's against the odds - I know- I don't care. Because it is the right thing to do. I am a leader. And so I make the hard choices. And I am making one right now. Tomorrow- actually, today- " she looked up at the clock. "- I'm going into the Hellmouth. If I go alone... No. Because I am never alone. One is never truly alone until one has given up. And I never give up. What about you? What is your choice? Do you give up...or are you ready to be strong? If you're not...well..." she pointed to the door. "...Then that's the end of the line."
No one moved, and Buffy gave the room- now fully awake- a grim smile. "Good. Right now, you're probably asking yourselves what the Hell you've gotten yourself into. Well, the answer is, as I said: Hell. The mouth of it. We all know how the story goes. In every generation a Slayer is born. I'm her. So is Faith. And you could be." Buffy took the scythe Remus was holding, and swung it casually over her shoulder.
"The First Evil is just that: Evil. It's the Slayer's job- her duty- her destiny- to fight evil. It's obvious what we have to do. So what makes me think we can beat it? I don't. I know. Because I have the power. And Faith has the power." She gave the Potentials a long look. "And you can have that power. This scythe contains the very essence of the Slayer. It is meant for the Slayer and her alone." Suddenly, she threw the axe and it buried itself gracefully in the wall. "Alone. It's that word again. I don't think that's how it has to be. I know we're stronger together than we are apart. So that's why we are going to use what the fates have provided us with." Buffy pointed at the scythe, glimmering in the first rays of sun that had started to find its way through the curtains. "That scythe. We are going to use it to change our destiny. To transfer the essence from the scythe into you. Slayers. All of us. We're never going to be alone - ever again."
Silence.
"I'm not sure I can do this," Willow said, wringing her hands, several hours later, as they neared the High School. Tara gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "I'll be right by your side, sweetie. And Remus too. Remember: Never alone?"
Willow tried to grin, but it came out more like a grimace. "Yeah. Well, I feel alone. This is a lot of power, Tara. More than I've ever handled. And if I fail...then we're screwed."
Remus turned his head grinned at her from the front of the line where he was walking with Buffy. "Well, then don't fail."
Willow whimpered. "That's reassuring..."
As they entered the silent, empty halls of the school, it was Xander's turn to whimper. "I think I need to pee."
"Bathroom's that way," Robin said, pointing towards an empty corridor.
"Thanks," Xander said. "But I'll keep it together. I think."
Buffy snorted, and turned around. "Okay. Time to split up. Those who are going into hell itself: Basement. Willow, Tara- principal's office. The rest of you: The atrium, north hall and through the lounge."
Anya grinned brightly. "We who are about to die, salute you!" Then she frowned. "Actually, I meant the opposite: You who are about to die; I salute you!" She grabbed Xander's arm, and dragged him with her to the north hall, Robin and Rona took off towards the longue (as Rona had a broken arm, sending her with the others into the Hellmouth would be rather stupid), and Giles along with Joyce took off to the atrium, while Tara and Willow went to the principal's office, right above the Hellmouth, leaving Buffy and Remus standing by themselves.
"You okay?" Remus wondered quietly, and Buffy gave him an overly bright smile.
"Please don't ask me that."
Remus chuckled. "So...I guess not then."
"Are you kidding? We're all gonna die. I don't know what I was thinking..."
"Hey." Remus put his hand under her jaw and forced her to look at him. "You're not going to die. Not you, not me. Be positive. We can beat this."
Buffy took a deep breath. "Yeah. Positive. I'm being positive. Check." She smiled and gave Remus a kiss. "You should go to Willow and Tara. I'll see you later, okay?"
"Yeah," Remus nodded. "Be careful."
Buffy grinned. "Always."
Remus smiled back at her and as he half-walked, half-ran (backwards; his eyes never leaving Buffy's face) to catch up with the two wiccans, he said: "After all this is done and over with, what do you say about doing that thing we never finished last night because of the First-Evil-Who-Are-About-To-Get-Its-Ass-Kicked interrupted us?"
Buffy laughed. "You bet."
Remus grinned and turned around the corner, disappearing out of sight. As he was gone, Buffy's smile faded and she started to walk towards the basement.
"Who am I kidding?" She muttered. "I am so gonna die."
"Oh. Remus. Hi," Willow said, breathlessly, as the werewolf entered the office. "Ready to work some mojo?"
"The question is: Are you?" Remus wondered, leaning against the doorframe.
"Hell no," Willow laughed. "But I'm doing it anyway."
Tara smiled, sitting down cross legged across fromWillow. "I believe in you."
Willow gave her a tight smile, gripping the Scythe with both hands. "Let's hope that belief isn't misplaced, huh?"
Buffy stared wide-eyed at the huge army down in the Hellmouth, at the same time as fingering the amulet around her neck worriedly. They had the higher-ground...but if Willow's spell didn't work...well, then they were screwed. Big time.
"Buffy..." Amanda, a Potential said, sounding frightened.
"Don't be worried," Buffy gulped. "I'm not worried. I'm not worried...as long as Willow can work her spell before they - "
Suddenly, the Turok-hans looked up at the cliff where they were standing, and let out a load roar, rushing against them.
"- See us," Buffy whimpered.
"Willow..." Tara muttered, as sweat broke out on Willow's forehead.
"It's not working," Willow breathed. "Oh God...it's not working."
Tara put her hand on Willow's right. "I'm here. Focus. Borrow my power, Will."
Willow closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. For a second, the axe flashed white...only to fade away again.
"Oh no..." Willow whimpered, starting to panic. "I can't do it. It's not working."
Remus left the doorway and sat down beside Tara, putting his hand on Willow's left. The other hand, he stretched out in front of him,towards the axe, and Willow watched wide eyed as beams of what looked like electricity shot out of it, hitting the axe.
"What is that?" Willow breathed. Remus gritted his teeth hard together, sweating badly, his eyes flashing yellow, as he felt the wolf rise to the surface, leaning him some of its strength.
"Magic." He muttered. "Pure energy, take your pick. But you better start focus, because I think I'm passing out soon. I can't keep this up for long - it's too draining."
Willow nodded, closing her eyes again, breathing deeply. Suddenly, the axe let out a bright flash and Remus and Tara were pushed back, crashing into the wall. Looking up, groaning, they got sight of Willow, overcome with power, her hair bright white.
"Willow..." Tara breathed, just as the axe stopped shining, and Willow collapsed. Tara quickly scooped her up in his arms, while Remus grabbed the axe, rushing out of the room; destination Hellmouth. He still felt a little wobbly on the legs after all overused energy, but he still ran, knowing he had no time to loose.
In the Hellmouth, Buffy was realizing she was fighting a losing battle. The Turok-han were nearing the edge, and still none of the Potentials had felt anything.
"Oh God," Chloe muttered, hugging herself. "We're all gonna die, we're all gonna die..." Suddenly, she let out a gasp, as did the other Potentials, as they felt a surge of power pass through them, just as the first wave of Uber-vamps reached them, only to be kicked back down again. Buffy grinned.
"No, we're not."
"Buffy!"
Buffy turned around, and caught the scythe gracefully in the hand, as Remus entered the fray and threw it at her. She swung it around, beheading several vampires at ones, and out of the corner of her eye, she saw Remus blast another vamp into pieces with a spell.
For several minutes, the battle raged on, Remus and Buffy always keeping an eye out for each other, even though they were separated by several feet and uber-vamps. Suddenly, the amulet around Buffy's neck let out a bright flash, and she looked down, not noticing the uber-vamp behind her, who stabbed her in the back.
Buffy gasped in surprise and pain and the sword sticking out of her stomach: It had gone straight through, and the world started to spin as she fell to the ground.
"BUFFY!" Remus yelled, fighting his way furiously up to her. Faith reached her first, however. "Hold. The line," Buffy cried, giving the axe to Faith, who nodded, and jumped back into the fray.
"Buffy..." Buffy looked up at Remus, who'd now reached her, and was staring wide-eyed at her. "Don't die on me," he begged, shaking his head, as Buffy closed her eyes. "We're getting married, remember? I can't marry you if you're dead." He sounded close to tears, and Buffy opened her eyes and tried to grin, but it came out more as a grimace. "I can heal you," Remus said. "Just...I need you to get up. Don't give up," he hissed, suddenly looking angry. "I'll never forgive you if you give up." Buffy closed her eyes again.
Flashback
"Often, the demons and vampires we face are stronger. But strength isn't everything. It's how we use it- our strength and agility and all the rest of our resources- that determines the outcome of a battle."
Flash
"- it doesn't help anyone if you fall apart. If you do, you let it win."
Flash
"Don't underestimate yourselves. Don't underestimate your abilities."
Flash
"You're all trapped. The odds are against you. You have no means of fighting. No means of escape. So what do you do? Give up? No. You still stand strong. Even though you'll probably die doing it. Why? Because we don't give up. Never give up."
Flash
"Nothing is impossible to kill."
" - in the end it's going to be us. If we all do our parts, and believe in it, we'll be the ones left standing."
Flash
"I love you. If you don't believe anything else, believe that, at least."
"Why? Why should I? Why do you love me?"
"Because you're you. And I believe in you. All of you."
"We will defeat this. I don't know how yet, but we will. We are stronger than this...better than this. I won't let it break me."
Flash
"...She doesn't let herself be pulled down. She died, but she came up kicking..."
"...she's one hell of a girl- no, woman- and one hell of a Slayer."
"Trust her."
Flash
"We can't save them all. But still we fight. Why? Because it's the right thing to do."
"...this is the place where we go to war. Where we make the hard choices. And this is the place where we might loose. Where we might die. But it is also the place where we can conquer. Where we can survive. Where we write history. We are facing the biggest evil the world has ever seen. And I'm going to face it head on. It's against the odds- I know- I don't care. Because it is the right thing to do. I am a leader. And so I make the hard choices. And I am making one right now. Tomorrow - actually, today- I'm going into the Hellmouth. If I go alone... No. Because I am never alone. One is never truly alone until one has given up. And I never give up."
End flashback
Buffy looked up into Remus' amber eyes, breathing heavily, but getting to her feet, new determination shining in her eyes. Remus smiled, and at the same time, they turned the attention back to the battle, now fighting side by side, covering each others backs.
"BUFFY!" Faith threw the scythe back to her, and Buffy caught it, swinging it around in a new circle, her moves mirroring the pulsing warmth coming from the amulet. Suddenly, it let out another bright flash, and the blue light reached the ceiling and made a hole through it.
Buffy seemed to have frozen in her step.
"Buffy!" Remus gasped, looking up at her with wide eyed. Suddenly, the blue light lashed out in a magnificent circle, turning golden on the way, dusting the vamps where it hit.
"Oh. My. God..." Remus breathed, as he saw the light taking on the form of people thought dead...Nick...Michaela...his parents...Eliza...Lily...James... At Buffy's wide-eye look, he realized it wasn't his imagination.
Tears appeared in Buffy's eyes. "Lily...'liza...James...is that you?"
The 'ghosts' just seemed to smile and wave, and then, in a blinding flash of light that forced them all to cover their eyes, they were all gone.
"Buffy?" Faith stepped up to her, along with all the other Potentials...no...Slayers.
Xander, along with Willow, Tara and everyone else who hadn't been in the actual fight, came down the stairwell and joined them in looking down at the now very empty Hellmouth.
"So...does this mean we win?" Xander asked.
Buffy smiled sadly, thinking of her dead friends, and the guardians mystical words coming back to her, barely noticing the others climbing out of the Hellmouth, chattering happily at the same time.
Flashback
"...you already have weapons. Love. And friendship."
Buffy snorted. "I don't have any friends."
The woman just smiled. "They'll come through for you."
End flashback
Buffy was broken out of her thoughts by Remus putting his arm around her, hugging her tightly, letting her know without words how he felt. He understood too. They stood alone, holding each other tightly, closing their eyes.
'Thank you, guys...'
Suddenly, a wind seemed to blow through the empty Hellmouth, and Buffy and Remus smiled, as they turned around and started to climb upwards, arms still wrapped around each other.
They now knew for sure they'd never really be alone.
A/N: Awww! Don't worry - it's not the end! We still have three chapters left before we're moving ontopart four -Come What May.Please Review! Also, pictures of possible actors for Remus, Sirius and James can be found in my Live Journal.
/Ida