In Memory

A few months later Buffy, Faith, Dawn, Xander, Willow, Giles and the other 'potential' slayers gathered together. They had split up previously to visit their families. Nothing had been the same since…the Hell-mouth had been destroyed. The one in Sunnydale anyway. That had been the one where Buffy's world had been torn apart.

FLASHBACK

"I love you."

"No you don't…but thanks for saying it."

END FLASHBACK

The last time she and the others had Spike. Sure. They had fallen out loads. They had argued. Hell they even tried to kill each other! But still…to Buffy…he was the truest…she hadn't realised how much she'd miss him. But he was gone. So here they all were. Stood at the edge looking over Sunnydale.

Buffy sneaked a glance at Xander. He was crying. With his remaining eye, floods were pouring.

FLASHBACK

"Did she…?"

"She died…saving my life…"

END FLASHBACK

Anya's last fight. Buffy bit her lip. She hadn't had much to do with Anya…Anyanka…but she had been a friend. She had been more to Xander. She had been his world. Even if she had left him at the altar. They were here to remember more than just her and Spike.

There had been virtually no one left in Sunnydale. But there had been some. People she had counselled. Dead. Also, what was just as bad. She knew there had been a slim chance they would have survived. But it came to her as a bit of a shock. She had gone into the Hell mouth with dozens of potential slayers. It was a shock to find out just how many had fallen.

She looked around at the few left. They were in tears. She wondered if they too were remembering their friends. Willow rested her hand on Buffy's shoulder. Buffy nodded and walked away from the crater where her home had been a few months previously. She stood in front of the others and smiled, a pained smile.

She shook as she took a deep breath. "We remember those who died here. We didn't know them all. I said I was sick of training. Sick of talking. I wanted to go straight into battle." She paused as some of the 'potentials' made shaky sobs. "I see now that I was right." She nodded as they looked up at her enquiringly. "Yes. I was right. We lost many but we have to remember…they put up a good fight. We should be proud of them. They did their part and it was worth it."

She turned around. "They have earned their place in the Slayer hall of fame." She took a black rose from Willow. She kissed the tip of it and gently threw it into the cavern. Giles handed out different coloured roses to the 'Potentials,' Faith, Dawn and Xander and they all followed Buffy's lead. They kissed the tip and dropped it into the crater. "In Memory." Buffy declared.

They all stood a bit higher and looked alert. "IN MEMORY." They agreed. They all turned to head back to the bus…save two. Willow glanced back. Buffy and Xander were huddled together seeking comfort from each other.

Xander's Thoughts

Anya I will never love another. You stupid woman…demon…creature…why did you do it?

Buffy's Thoughts

And so Spike…you died…you died to save the world…the last thing you heard was my declaration of love…but you didn't think it was real. On the bright side…you realised you had a soul…it's such a pity you had to go then…thank you…thank you so much. You will always be in my heart…I love you…