Chapter 10 of How Many Days by Xionin

Title: Another Day - Chapter 10 of How Many Days
Disclaimer: Joss doesn't play with his toys anymore. Someone has to, dammit!
Rating: R
Pairing: Buffy/Spike, Dawn/Other, Willow/Giles, Willow/Other
Summary: Post-Season 7. This is a sequel to 'Don't Stop the Dance'
Distribution: Anywhere you like, just let me know.
Feedback: is welcome. ~Xionin (xionin@beautiful-freak.com)
Thank you: Maribel and Pam: the most amazing betas in any universe.

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It's hard to tell the poison from the cure
Harder still to know the reason why
The only thing I really know for sure
Is that another day's gone by -Sting
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He'd always wondered what it would be like when he finally got to hold her fragile and sleeping form in his arms for the first time. What he'd imagined was certainly nothing like this. He'd never pictured the mind-numbing fear that could accompany something so...sublime as cradling his beautiful Dawn as she slept.

Colin runs his fingers through the length of her hair spilling over his arm. So silky, shiny and perfect – just like she is to him. He watches the rise and fall of her chest with her even breathing. She looks as if she is in a simple and peaceful repose, but he knows better. Willow had hinted at the war raging inside her. Of the other being that could be inhabiting part of her. This Spike' person...no, not a person. A vampire.

A vampire with a soul.

Willow had been briefly unconscious after the convulsions ceased, and when she came to she spoke frantically; first to Giles, then on the phone with the women of the Coven, and finally to Colin.

Giles had replaced his couch-side vigil as Dawn's guardian while he stepped away to speak with the powerful witch. The Goddess. Although he's spent a lot of time around her, she still unnerves him greatly. Something about having that much power at her fingertips...it seems unnatural, to him.

And then she'd told him. Everything. Not in words, because there wasn't time, worse yet she'd showed him and oh god. Oh. God. He'd begun to tremble. With anger. With fear. With a paralyzing sense of uselessness, as there was nothing he could do but be there for her.'

But it all made some sort of sick sense. The eyes, the strange lapses into British colloquialisms, all of it fit together in his mind to form a grotesque tapestry of the horror that must be her life. His lovely girl.

He despises this Spike', no matter how noble he'd become. It's an irrational feeling towards someone that saved the world, but it's there nonetheless. Colin could never feel otherwise towards someone that's caused Dawn so much pain; however inadvertently.

He leans forward and places a feathery kiss on her forehead, whispering in soothing tones even as she grimaces in a fitful sleep.

Sweet, sweet girl. I'll not let anyone harm you. We'll get through this, you and me. I promise. He leans against the back of the couch, cradling her in his arms, and waits. For something...anything...to bring her back.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Richard sits perfectly still as Giles recounts the events of the past eighteen hours. The younger man's pacing back and forth around the small study in the telling of the, rather startling, tale has lulled him into stupor. He simply cannot fathom it.

I just...I can't believe it.

Believe it, Richard. We were all here to witness it. Giles removes his glasses and pinches the bridge of his nose. Having been on his feet for nearly two days, the exhaustion is taking its toll. Couple that with the emotional strain of the day, and it is all he can do not to collapse in a heap on the floor. The candelabra was a conduit...a-a vessel in which the thing lived and through which it traveled, when the candles were lit.

But a liderc. Here. Now, in these times. It's...

I know. Giles' voice cracks from fatigue. He slumps into a leather armchair, fortuitously close to a decanter of scotch. He absentmindedly chooses a glass and fills it; his limbs moving on auto-pilot. He takes three full swallows before English manners get the better of him and he offers some to Ostriak.

No...Thank you. Richard still cannot wrap his mind around this unfortunate turn of events.

He'd procured the silver candelabra, as a gift for the Slayer, in order to demonstrate his goodwill towards her. Not that he thought he'd be able to buy into her good graces, but having his present turn into such an instrument of horror - well, it isn't going to help him get any closer to her. If anything, she and hers will be ever more cautious of his motives, and he really doesn't want that.

I assure you, Rupert, I had no idea at all that this...that the... He spreads his hands at his loss of words.

No, no of course not, Richard. We know that, old friend. It was...an unfortunate accident. No one thinks anything ill of you. Giles offers a thin and weary smile. Richard exhales a breath of silent relief.

Is...is there anything I can do? To assist? Giles takes another sip of the calming liquid.

Er, no. We have the more pressing matter of Dawn at hand, but we'll do some...some research... He yawns.

Dear fellow, you're done in. You need to rest.

Yes, I am rather...but I cannot. Not while Dawn is... He groans in frustration. Turning to face Richard, the anguish in his slate blue eyes is unmistakable. Whatever am I to do, Richard? That girl...those girls...Buffy...Dawn...I couldn't bear to lose either of them. Why wasn't I paying attention to what was happening? Why didn't I see the downward spiral?

He runs his hand roughly through his hair.

She's become so thin, so removed – Buffy has – and I said nothing. Nothing. And Dawn's...spells...they haven't disappeared, only lessened in their frequency. Why did I think that was enough? He stands, slamming the tumbler down on the table in his anger. What have I been bloody doing all this bloody time, while my children disintegrate right before me?

Richard is stunned. His children'? He'd had no idea Rupert felt so strongly about the Summers' girls; no inkling of the paternal bond he seems to have with them. Observing him with Buffy, he'd noted a particularly strained relationship. He had seen nothing that would suggest this level of emotional involvement; had observed nothing more than genuine Watcher-pride in her accomplishments and the typical student/teacher tension whenever they worked together. Nothing ever suggested he'd harbored deeper feelings for his charge and her sister.

The sister. Now there is an interesting puzzle-piece indeed. No slayer in recorded history has ever had siblings, so why this one? The more he's thought about it, the more he's wanted to ask Rupert about that little tidbit. Something about the whole scenario isn't quite right. But short of reading Giles' journals, which are kept in his personal rooms, the only other way to get the information he seeks is by asking the source.

I lost her once. His voice is so soft, that Richard has to lean forward to hear him. Giles slides back down into the chair defeated.

Now doesn't seem an opportune time for his queries.

I didn't know.

Giles looks up at Richard as if seeing him for the first time. He'd forgotten he was there, but he continues, almost grateful for an audience to his pain and regret.

A few years ago...she- He winces with the ache of the memory of watching her broken body lying on a pile of rubble. Waiting...hoping for any sign of life, his stunned grief flashed to a burning hatred the moment he'd laid his eyes on Dawn emerging from the scaffolding; alive while his girl was dead. That hatred dissipated into remorse as he watched her eyes land on her sister's form. In that moment he knew that her loss was the greater one and he understood why Buffy had chosen to make the sacrifice.

Richard waits patiently for Giles to come back to himself. He does know all about Buffy's...death; as well as her resurrection. Of course, when he'd finally met Willow, he understood that the power that it took to bring the Slayer back had been in the witch's tiny hands.

Such tiny, insignificant girls with all the power in the world between them.

I know...that every Watcher feels it is inevitable, but...Buffy had thwarted death so many, many times, that I thought – in my arrogance –

You thought she'd live forever?

Giles smiles sadly, rubbing his temples before wiping his hands across his face. He looks at his old friend. Silly, I know. Pointless...but then she was back. His thoughts wander again.

Oh hello, Willow. It's nice to hear from you. Everything alright?

Giles, I have some...s-some news...

She was back and God, Richard; I tell you when I first saw her. I realized that I would do anything to keep her from harm. Anything.

I understand.

No, I don't think you do. I was willing to...I let so much transpire. I was blind to her pain when she returned and only when it was almost too late did I act...and then, what did I do? I left. Retreated here like a fool and left her to stand on her own two feet'. He lets out a breath that's somewhere between a laugh and a sob.

I'm sure it was for the best, Rupert. I'm sure the girl needed to come to terms with her life as it was.

Her life!? He laughs bitterly. Her life was in shambles, Richard. I walked out at the worst possible time. If I had been there, maybe she wouldn't have... Giles stops, knowing he is about to say too much. He slumps into the chair, the energy of his anger dissolving. If I had stayed...perhaps she would have made...different choices.

Perhaps, Rupert. Perhaps. Or perhaps not. Either way, you cannot change the past. And from what you're not saying, I gather that, had those choices' not been made, we may not be sitting here today. He arches his eyebrow.

Giles is dumbstruck. Of course Richard isn't an idiot; he knows what he'd left out of his mini-tirade.

Spike.

It always seems to come back to him. To him and Buffy, more specifically.

He sighs heavily.

The only thing I am certain of is that my two girls are suffering; one from loss and the other...the other, I just don't know how to help her.

I think I do. Willow steps into the room and looks back and forth between the two men before landing her gaze in Giles'. Richard watches the transformation behind Rupert's eyes. Something passes between Rupert and this extraordinary girl.

This could be very interesting development unto itself, he thinks.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Angel stares at the box.

Why you? Why did they have it brought to you? And why your place instead of here? He swivels his gaze to the former Watcher.

I believe I can answer that, s-sir. The young man nervously straightens his tie.

And...you are?

Fitzwater, sir. Brendan Fitzwater, Archival Recoveries? I was sent to retrieve the...the artifact and was instructed to deliver it to Mr. Wyndham-Pryce as soon as I'd returned. He smiles apologetically, but Wesley knows it's an act.

Alright, Brendan, what are we supposed to do now?

What'd I miss? Gunn enters Angel's office followed quickly by Fred who threw a quick glance at Wesley's curious look that says no, we didn't come together.'

Well, Brenton here-

Uh, Brendan. Sir.

Uh. Sorry. Brandon here brought us a little gift. Angel gestures towards the box on his desk.

What is it? And is it really important enough for us to be here at 6 in the morning? Fred yawns.

I...I believe so. Brendan? Wesley nods and Brendan moves to the box. Angel, eh, you might want to step away. Angel raises his eyebrows at the suggestion, but complies. He joins the others on the other side just as the lid pops off.

The room fills with screams and howls. Gunn and Fred cover their ears, but the sound falls away as a column of light forms before them. Images begin to flash in rapid succession; an incredibly fierce battle taking place before their eyes.

The Hellmouth? Angel shouts over the din. What is this?

I don't know! Wesley yells back. We didn't see this before!

Suddenly, amidst the chaos, the figure of the blonde Slayer appears.

There's Buffy! Angel cries out. Gunn and Fred move closer, absorbed in the spectacle before them.

It's...it's like instant replay.

The five of them stand immobilized, watching the episode play out before them. When Spike appears, Angel steps forward. He watches as the amulet takes affect, pinning his progeny against the cavern wall. When the beams take down the Uber-vamps, Wesley's mouth drops open.

Oh...oh wow! Angel! Fred exclaims.

Yeah, I see it.

Isn't that Faith? Gunn points to the dark-haired slayer.

They watch mesmerized as the scene unfolds. They gasp when Dawn appears out of nowhere and runs towards the blonde vampire, getting trapped in a shaft of light.

That would explain the thing with her eyes. Fred says. Wesley nods, unable to look away from the sight before him.

They all look on as Dawn collapses and Faith goes to her side while Buffy runs to help Spike. Angel is glad he cannot hear the conversation between his ex and his boy. Watching Spike in his role as champion is difficult enough, especially knowing the outcome, without listening, no doubt, to their last words of love to one another.

All five of them remain silently riveted until Buffy and Spike clasp hands and the flame erupts.

Oh...wow. Oh...wow! Fred's eyes are rimmed with tears.

Gunn responds. Wow, man...Angel, I-.

I know.

The love that passes between the blonde couple blinds them all. Watching Buffy and then Dawn say their goodbyes to Spike, Angel understands, with perfect lucidity, all that he could never have been to her or to them. All that Spike was, in the end.

Up until this moment, he'd often wondered if he had been meant to fill that role: her Champion. He now knows the answer. It's an unequivocal and resounding no'.

Dawn leads Buffy out of the cavern and the five witnesses watch in horror as Spike burns away. As the last vestiges of his unlife flicker and die, so does the spectacle before them.

They all exhale in relief and amazement.

Gunn takes the nearest chair, shaking his head in disbelief. I mean, it's one thing to hear them talk about it when they were here, but to see it. I mean...

Yeah, it's...wow. And Buffy, god, to lose him like that. But boy did he go out like a hero. Fred offers Angel a sympathetic smile. She's well aware of his conflicting feelings about Spike.

The senior partners gave the amulet to you though, Angel, I don't understand for what purpose, but... Wesley quirks an eyebrow.

Neither do I, but I'm convinced they got exactly what they wanted out of the deal as far as I am concerned. But I wonder if they meant for Buffy to wear it, not knowing there was another...well, another me out there.

Another you? Fred asks, confused. Angel grumbles.

Another vampire. With a...with a...

Soul. Spike had a soul. Wesley confirms, rather than asks. Angel offers him a half-nod.

Wait, Spike had a soul? Gunn's voice rises in surprise.

Fred asks.

Seems he found...a way to get one. Angel mumbles.

Gunn looks to Wesley for answers.

I'm as in the dark as you are, Charles. He speaks to him without taking his eyes off of Angel, who retreats to the corner of the room. But we'll deal with that later, though it certainly explains why he was so instrumental in Buffy's...army. I do wish she'd been more able to tell us what occurred in the year leading up to... he gestures towards the dormant amulet.

Well, what I want to know is why this thing is here and what we're supposed to learn from the floorshow. Gunn is straight-to-the-point as always.

Wesley turns to Brendan, who has been strangely silent. What was the significance of bringing this to us now?

Sir, all I know is...things are not as they were meant to be. The...the girl, the young one.

Angel steps forward.

Yes, she somehow interfered with...the nature of things and now what was meant to be two is now three.

Could you be a bit less vague? Wesley eyes the man suspiciously.

Actually, no. Just as Angel is about to protest, another sound emanates from the amulet causing everyone to jump back.

Oh, now what. Gunn grumbles, but his eyes are filled with trepidation.

A figure appears in the air over the box, exactly as it had appeared before in Wesley's apartment.

Angel whispers.

His face is distorted in a silent scream, his fists clenched at his side. His figure is dazzlingly bright and it looks damned painful. Everyone looks on in horror.

Oh, what can we do? We've got to do something! Fred turns to Angel, then Wesley, then to the dubious messenger.

The image flickers before winking out, leaving the room with a pop'. Everyone turns and stares at Brendan.

I wish I had more information for you. He tilts his head as if listening to something. But I think what you need is on its way. With that he smiles and disappears into nothingness.

What the-

Whoa, that was several different shades of freaky. Gunn steps around the space formally occupied by the messenger. Angel, what the hell is going on around here?

I wish I knew. Angel moves over to his desk, peering down at the amulet. Fred extends her hands around the space where the man had been.

It's really warm. Feel. Wesley complies.

Yes. I have a hunch, call me silly, that he isn't merely an employee at Wolfram and Hart.

Gee, y' think? Gunn smirks, annoyed at the parlor tricks.

Well, the senior partners seem pretty happy to keep playing their games but we need answers. This can't wait another day.

Just as the words leave his mouth, Angel's intercom buzzes to life.

Um, boss? It's a call from England. It's Willow.

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A/N: Thanks so much for being so patient, guys, I know it's been some time in coming. I really hadn't planned to take so long getting this chapter to you, but sometimes the muse wants what it wants.

On to your feedback:
Pin1: I hope this chapter helps clear things up for you, at least a bit. But take heart: the time is drawing near for a...reunion.
Wolf116: See, you were so clever! Hope you're still enjoying the ride.
Dragonqueen12: I'm glad you liked DSTD and I hope this story continues to entertain you. :]
Moriah: Now how could you read that chapter without reading the earlier ones? LOL. You must have been so confused.
Mon: With the plethora of fantastic fanfic out there, it's hard to come up with something original. I'm glad you appreciated the effort. ;]
Kimbyann: Thanks so much! I'm enjoying the twists and turns myself. Haha
Jerusha: Yeah, I am being pretty hard on everyone aren't I. Not even poor Colin is safe. LOL
Ali: I really am putting poor Buffy through the ringer. Well, the best things in life are never truly free.
Mary Rose: I haven't been spending as much time on Willow as I would like, but you will get to know more about her as the story progresses.
Signa: Thanks for hanging in there!
Pattyanne: I hope I haven't driven you too batty. Wouldn't want to compromise your muse. ;]
Irishwoman39: Here comes Spike. Here comes Spike! Really, really soon...
Spikealicious: Sorry to make you wait so long, I hope it was worth it!
Anna Marie: I'm happy that you're still with me on this.
Tammy: Wow, thank you! That is so sweet of you to say. I'm so glad that you're having fun on my little trip. And I promise more on the Goddess!Willow is to come. And who knows, there may be something in what you're seeing. :]
Caroline: Thanks, sweetie. It's nice to know that people really are enjoying my work.
Karen: So, you liked the vision of half-naked Wesley, eh? Ha ha. Me too! We'll have to have more of that. What is up with Richard, hmm? Any ideas?
Andrea: Sorry for the long hiatus, hon. I'll try not to let it happen again.

Til next time!

~Xio

Chapter 11: Inside