A/N:

Well, here it is... the last episode of CIS. I really hope you've all enjoyed reading it as much as I have writing it. This was quite a cathartic experience for me and I thank you all for your comments and support throughout. I cannot tell you how much it is appreciated. An epilogue will follow...

Once again, many thanks!
CB

Chapter 22: The Long Way Home

Does it feel that your life's become a catastrophe?
Oh, it has to be for you to grow, boy.
When you look through the years and see what you could
Have been oh, what might have been,
If you'd had more time.
So, when the day comes to settle down,
Who's to blame if you're not around?
You took the long way home
You took the long way home

Supertramp, "Take the Long Way Home"

CLEVELAND - TUESDAY– TRIAGE– 11:00 AM / NIBIRU – HOUR 12:15:00

NICKY'S POV

They should have been back two hours ago. Everyone is worried, but no one is saying anything. They don't need to. Andrew hasn't left his office since he did his thing with the computers. Kennedy was out all night Slaying with Jen, Liz and Claudine cause the vampire activity here has skyrocketed since we made the jump to Nibiru, so she's sleeping right now. Finally, Sophia, Willow and Dawn are with Buffy; she still hasn't woken up. I heard them talking earlier; she went into cardiac arrest again. Sophia said it weakens her heart every time that happens.

And me, well, I'm just sitting on a gurney waiting for Faith and Emma. I don't want to be in anyone's way so I'm just going to stay here until they come back. Cause they have to come back, right? Then my slow tears become sobs and I breakdown and cry: I want Buffy to be ok; I want Faith and Emma to come home; I want my family back. I stay like this for what seems forever, but it's only a few minutes. I know that cause when I hear something drop on the floor I look up and see that it's now 11:07.

A little scared, I slowly turn around but see nothing. Then I look on the floor and see Faith in a crumpled heap. "SOPHIA! COME IN HERE QUICK!" I yell out as I run to her, cradling her head in my lap. "It's ok, you're home now," I stroke the hair away from her face as the three of them race in.

"Faith," Sophia quickly scans the room for Emma then kneels down to her only patient, "Will?"

Willow comes over and lays her hands on Faith's unconscious body, "She's ok, no internal bleeding."

"Ok," Sophia picks her up and places her on the gurney I was occupying not two minutes ago, "let's get her cleaned up and screened."

Dawn takes my hand and starts to lead me away but I rip it from her grasp, "I'm not leaving."

"Nicky…"

Sophia cuts away the rest of Faith's jeans, "Hey Nick, why don't you go up to their room and get a change of clothes for Faith ok?"

"Ok, but just like boxers and tank top, right?" I ask, knowing that's all Buffy is wearing.

Sophia grins at me, "That would be perfect."

"Nicky," Faith breathes out.

Running to her, "I'm here, Faith," once again I brush her hair away from her face, "I'm right here." I can't help it as I start to cry.

"Hey," she finally opens her eyes, "I'm ok, really. I just got kinda knocked around when I jumped, I - I got lost."

I smile at her, "I got lost too. Did the Goddess find you and help you to get home?"

"Yeah, Nick, she did." She breathes out then closes her eyes, "Red, can you get Ken down here?"

Not questioning why, Willow goes upstairs. Dawn is leaning against the door jam, "Good to have you back Faith, Buffy's going to feel it; it will help."

"How is she?" Faith asks, "I kept losing my connection to her when I was jumping, that's how I got lost."

Sophia takes the bandages off her leg revealing a connect-the-dots maze of gun shot wounds, "God Faith." Soph carefully inspects the wounds then holds Faith's gaze, "She was stable for a couple of days, but went in cardiac arrest again this morning. That's why you were losing the connection." Sophia looks at her intently, "We'll get her stable again, don't worry." She smiles, "Now what about you? Do you feel pain anywhere?"

"Nah, just tired. Em patched me up good," then she looks at Sophia, "she wanted, well needed to stay, but she'll find a way home. I know she will."

Sophia sighs then shakes her head wearily, "Right, should be easy for a superhero." She shakes her head again then throws the bloodied bandages on the floor and starts to clean Faith's wounds.

"Sophia…" Faith slowly sits up taking in her body language, "Look, Sophia she really lo- "

Sophia closes her eyes, "Don't Faith," she lets out a breath as she rests both of her hands on the gurney, "I know, ok, I know." Then she continues to clean Faith's wounds. "It just doesn't make it any easier right now."

"Hey, Nick, can you get those clothes for me now?" Faith asks, "I think I'm gonna shower down here."

I nod and leave. I'm not stupid; I know they're going to have a grown up conversation. And the way they're acting; it's not going to be a nice one.

NIBIRU – HOUR 15:45:00 / CLEVELAND - WEDNESDAY – 3:00 PM

EMMA'S POV

When I open my eyes I find I'm lying under a good portion of the hill. I'm stiff and damp, must be from the dirt and sand. As I pull myself out from the pile on top of me, I sit to catch my breath. That's when I realize the dampness is from blood. I have cuts and gashes all over me not to mention I've been squished under the rumble for the past, I look at my watch, SHIT, close to 4 hours. No wonder I feel so...

I don't know how long she's been there. But when I look up, the goddess is staring down at me. "Are you alright?" She helps me stand.

"I feel... strange," how about some applause for the understatement of the century?

She nods, "Your friends are very resourceful."

"You like that?" I laugh, then grimace as I stand up straight, "Andrew is the man."

Regarding me slowly, she tilts her head to the side, "The prophecy is nearly fulfilled. Each of you has stood trial and spilled your blood into the sacred plains. There is but one more trial to be endured, however, it is not one to be taken lightly." She smiles as she backs away from me, "Bonus fortuna." Then she's gone.

"Right," I laugh to myself, "'Good luck' cause I'm going to need it huh?" Resting against the remains of the pyramid, I silently curse because the med kit is under the pile I crawled out of. "Luck," I snicker.

Once again, I lose track of time, but open my eyes when a shiver runs down my spine. I look up to see Richard walking towards me in the distance. His witch stays behind, in the background, not venturing near me. I try to reach her telepathically, but she shuts me down. Now he's standing in front of me, "You've certainly looked better Emma darling."

"Are you gonna kill me or just annoy me to death?" I'm just so very tired.

He comes nearer, reaching over to lift my chin, "You look exhausted, my dear." He pauses then regards me slowly, "I can still remember what it is to be bone wearily tired. All those years at the mill," leaning next to me against the pyramid, he sighs. "Grinding grain into flour with a stone mill 10 hours a day is no one's idea of fun. Life before electricity was not as romantic as films portray."

"So like Faith said, 'Are we gonna rap now?'" I can't help but laugh at myself; I'm a bit delirious I think.

He narrows his eyes at me, "Do you have to sink to a level below you?" He straightens his jacket and runs a hand through his hair. "I've been watching you since you were born, Emma. Your strength has grown so much since then. I felt your power when you destroyed the Coven members who killed your parents."

"I'm not talking about them with you," I clench my jaw and push my hands into my front pockets.

Smiling, he leans close to me, "It felt good killing them didn't it? You don't need to answer; I knew what you were feeling. I could taste it in your tears that evening." He takes in my shocked expression, "Yes, I was there, how do you think you got to the Coven Elder? You were in shock, my dear. I carried you there, wrapped in my arms."

"You are full of shit," there is no way I'm going to believe this.

His grin widens as he takes my hand from the pocket of my jeans, "Don't be alarmed," he coos to me as he intertwines his hand in mine, "Feel my memory, go ahead." And I do, 'In the twilight I see through his eyes, a child, me, standing in front of what used to be my house. The members of the Coven have been disintegrated, there is nothing left but the clothes they once wore...

"Stop it," I wrench my hand from his, "what do you want from me, you undead stalker?"

Richard brings me close, "I don't have to kill you, you need only say yes and all worlds can be ours. I've waited so long for this, you are ready now."

"Ready… ready to what, becoming a soul-less fiend cursed to walk the Earth for all eternity?" I shake my head, "Have you lost your mind?"

He comes nearer to me again, "You must choose it for it to be so."

"It's not going to happen," too exhausted to move, I close my eyes against his thrall.

Feeling his breath on my neck, he murmurs, "I know you want this," then his teeth break my skin and once again I feel the torrents of blood moving from my body. With my right hand still in my pocket, I feel for the only thing that will stop this madness. I grasp it and slowly take it out. Knowing I don't have the strength to stake him properly, I plunge it into the soft skin of his neck. There's blood everywhere, mine, his; he spits it onto the sand as he grasps his wound. "Fucking ungrateful bitch! I would have given you immortality!"

"Only fools want to live forever," I manage to mumble out as I fall to my knees, "and you have no clue what I want." My voice is now almost a whisper.

Camille runs to him. She puts her arm around him as she leads him away. I watch them until they disappear, no doubt jumping somewhere to recuperate.

As I lay on the sand, hurt, tired, weak, I watch my blood as it seeps into the earth and vanishes. My last conscious thought: Now Nibiru is drinking my blood.

CLEVELAND – THURSDAY – LIVING ROOM – 10:00 PM / NIBIRU - HOUR 19:37:30

FAITH'S POV

Sophia and I mended our fences over the last couple of days. She wasn't really angry with me or even Emma for that matter. The argument that ensued after my return was born of frustration, worry and love. I understand completely, cause I feel the same way. So we are chilling in the living room, having a drink, just us. Dawn and Andrew just took Nicky up to bed. Will is on Buffy-watch and Ken is on patrol.

"Want another?" I ask as I pour myself a second.

She thinks for a moment, "A small one, I have to check on Buffy again in a few minutes."

"Does it mean anything that she hasn't woken up yet?" I look at her expectantly, like I haven't asked her the same question every day, "I mean does it mean anything bad?"

Soph sighs and indulges me, "Not necessarily bad… but not necessarily good either." She looks up at me and rolls her eyes, "I'm not trying to be evasive on purpose. It's just that, yeah, for a Slayer, she should have woken up by now; for a regular person she should be dead, so it's that huge gap in between that we're dealing with."

"What does your gut tell you?" I venture.

Shaking her head, she sighs, "That's not fair, Faith. I really don't know, and I won't guess. Let's just take it one day at a time, slow and steady, no?

"Ok," I sulk for a minute then look up at her, "Can you still feel her?" I stopped using Emma's name the day I got back. It seems to upset everyone a little less. I wonder if they did that when I was gone…

She nods, "She's not dead, I…" Sophia looks down, then back up at me, "I feel her… far away. She's weak and hurt but she's alive." She dips her head again then sips her bourbon, "When Nicky came back, the Goddess gave her a message for me." Meeting my gaze, she continues, "She said, 'Death shall have no dominion.'"

"Like B's poem?" I can't believe it; how would Ereshkigal know about that?

Sophia nods, "Right before Buffy came back, Dawn and I were in Buffy's office and I noticed it." She drains her glass then closes her eyes and softly asks, "Do you think it really means Emma's going to die, or was she just being cryptic?"

"Shit, it could mean anything." You know, I've never really been close with Sophia, she was always more friendly with B and Dawn. These last couple of days made me realize how much I don't know this woman Emma fell in love with. Sure, I know her, even hung out with her family in Barcelona for a week one time years ago, but I don't really know her, not like Vi or Rona. She's really struggling with this, not that we all aren't but I can tell she's really hurting now. Getting up, I move to sit next to her, "Ereshkigal's been helping us all along the way," I put my arm around her and give her a squeeze, "I can't help but think she's trying to reassure you in some way." Just like I can't help but feel Richard told us he was going after Nicky only to get Emma alone on Nibiru.

She jumps then turns to me a bit startled, "Something happened to her, in a really not good way." She's about to say something else when the house alarms go off. Both of us jump up and run to Dawn & Andrew's office. Looking at the floor plan she tracks the blinking lights, "Fuck, it's the basement," then runs after me as I rush downstairs.

When I hit the bottom of the steps I hear scuffling then find Nicky fighting a room full of vamps in the mini OR. Where the hell is Willow? Not having time to think about that now because there's so many, I can't understand how they got in here. I grab one and twist her neck, dust. Then I hear Sophia, "Faith," she throws me a stake, damn, I'm liking this chick more and more by the second. It takes me a while to get to B cause they're all fucking over the place, but when I do all her hook ups have been severed. FUCK! Quickly staking two more, I look up to see my little girl stomp a vamp's knee then stake him as he leans down, cool, she's holding her own.

Sophia is trying to get in between the remaining vamps and Nicky, gently ushering her away from the fray. When one of the undead bastards makes a move for my kid, Sophia drop kicks him to the head then plunges a stake in heart. Yeah, I can see what Em sees in her. Feeling Buffy's pulse, I see it's weak, but steady, so I move to the last vamps. That is, I try to move, until I'm pinned to the wall. Looking around, I realize so are Nicky and Sophia.

"Are you quite finished with the estrogen display?" Richard comes into the room with Camille at his heels. She's chanting so, yeah, no surprise, it's a spell. How it got through all of Andy's security, I have no clue.

Taking in the sight of his blood-stained clothes and the healing gash on his neck, I start to chuckle, "Did my girl do that Dicky-boy?"

"Bitch," he grabs my face in his hand, "how dare you laugh at me," he seethes.

Acknowledging that pride is his weakness, I continue, "Even injured and weak she still got the better of you didn't she?"

"Silence," he backhands me across the face, "She's a very short-sighted young woman who will now not live through the night." He turns around, "It's your other daughter I'm interested in right now." He walks over to Nicky as she scowls at him. "Hello little one," he strokes the side of her face; "you and I are going to get to know each other very well." He takes a scalpel in his hand and runs the dull side down her face.

Sickened by the intonation of his words; I glance at Sophia then Nicky. Mindful of the Wicca, I send Nick a quick thought 'With all you got, free Sophia,'

Nick sends me back 'Ok,' then looks at Camille, trying to see if she 'heard' us.

She looks back to me then I send 'Now.'

Realizing she's free, but not making a move, Sophia looks at me questioningly. I look over to Camille then back to her. Sophia nods then reaches her hands to the sides of the Wicca's face and snaps her neck. The little Goth witch crumples to the floor when Sophia lets go. The Spaniard begins to advance on Richard.

"Camille!" Richard screams. Knowing we will all be able to move soon, he throws the scalpel at Sophia's head then grabs Nicky in his arms.

Sophia turns her head quickly, but the blade still cuts though her cheek to her ear. It's a lot of blood, but it's not deadly.

"You will pay dearly for this Faith, starting with this one," he sinks his teeth into my baby's neck and I'm about to pounce on him when he disintegrates.

Nicky falls to the floor, so does B, right behind her, stake in one hand, drawing Nicky into her with the other, "Jesus, he talked too much," she croaks out. Buffy nuzzles into Nicky's head, "You ok honey?"

"I love you so much," Nicky turns and buries her head in B's shoulder as she begins to cry.

B smiles and leans her head on top of Nicky's. She winces as she pulls our little girl closer to her, then lets out a breath, "I love you too, babe."

NIBIRU – HOUR 23:37:30 / CLEVELAND SATURDAY 6:00 AM

EMMA'S POV

I'm cold, so incredibly cold. There's no sound here, no wind, no trees, no animals... it's just dead, lifeless, except for me. And hey, I'm barely alive, so I'll fit right in soon. If I'd have to hazard a guess, I'd say: massive internal bleeding, multiple concussions, untold contusions and lacerations, probably a few broken bones. I also think hypothermia is starting to set in, great. Yeah, it's perfect conditions for an inter-dimensional jump. "Get the fuck up Emma," I mumble to myself as I crawl to the pyramid.

Leaning against the cold stone, I know I need to get back, get home. Pushing out a breath, I close my eyes and remember the feel of Sophia's arms around me. I try to immerse myself in the memory of her body flush against mine, her warmth, her softness, her smell. I reach out to grasp her essence, to take hold of that part of her which I've claimed as mine. The pull is thankfully strong and I gladly surrender to it.

It's hard to concentrate, I feel like my body is being pulled apart from the inside. When I finally arrive at the world of all possibilities, I'm shown the trials have ended. We won, the dimensions will not implode and my family is safe. Relieved, I try to continue but my weariness is now complete. As I feel myself start to drift, I sense someone take my hand and begin to lead me away. That's the last thing I remember before I close my eyes: my hand feeling so small in the Goddess', almost like a child's.

CLEVELAND - - SATURDAY– BASEMENT WEAPONS ROOM – 9:27 AM

KENNEDY'S POV

Claudine and I got back from another all night patrol a little after daybreak. We had a quick breakfast while we did our debriefing. The other Slayers had gone to sleep when the meeting broke up, leaving Claud and I to stow the guns and account for the ammo used this, once again, productive evening.

Demon and vamp activity had gone out of control almost the second Faith, Buffy and the girls jumped to Nibiru. As each one came back, it lessened, now we're just waiting for Emma. She's been gone for more than a week now and we're all worried. Sophia says she's alive, but hurt, and getting weaker by the day. Poor Sophia, I shake my head as I think about what she must be going through. Buffy tried to tell me what it was like to 'feel' Faith when she was in another dimension. How she knew when Faith was injured or on her way home. It must be so incredibly frustrating.

Claud and I have been working silently, lost in our own thoughts, so it's easy to hear the footsteps coming down the stairs and towards us. Looking up, I see Willow come in. "Good morning," I smile at her.

"Good morning," she hands us both a mug, "I brought you guys some more coffee. Andrew said you two got stuck with the log-duty."

Claudine drinks her entire cup down then laughs, "There's not enough coffee in the world to keep me awake right now," she shakes her head, "but thanks for the thought Willow." She looks over to me, "Can I finish this later? I'm beyond beat."

"Go, I'll finish up," I clap my hand on her back, "you did enough tonight and I have well-rested assistant right here," I point to Will, "so go get some sleep."

Nodding her thanks, Claud makes her way to the stairs.

"What can I do to help?" Will comes over to me.

Finishing my coffee, I pick up the clipboard, "I'm actually almost done." I start to write down the last of the inventory counts then sigh, "How's Buffy? I'll bet she's psyched to be back in her own room."

"She's good, still in a lot of pain, but Sophia says that's going to take some time." Will comes closer and encircles my waist from behind, laying her head against my shoulder. "They're up there now getting her settled from the move." She pulls me closer, "You look so tired babe, this can wait, you need to sleep."

Putting down the inventory list, I turn in her arms, "All done," then lean in to give her a kiss, "I'm all yours." As I lean in for another, I hear a crash. We pull apart, "Stay here," I take a gun then slam a fresh clip in as I run out. After checking each classroom, I slowly make my way to triage and find the instrument table overturned. Carefully walking in, I look behind the mess and see Emma face down, unconscious, bleeding all over the floor. "WILLOW - COME HERE NOW!"

"Are you alrig - "she stops short then runs to Em, putting her hands over Em's back, "She's alive... let me..." She closes her eyes and begins to chant under her breath. "Ok, I stopped the bleeding." She stands and looks over to me, "Get her on the gurney, let's clean her up a bit then get Sophia."

Emma's clothes are basically blood soaked rags barely hanging on her. Her shoes are gone and she's a mess of blood and dirt. As Will starts to clean her up, I start for the door, "I'm going to get Sophia; I'm amazed she's not down here already."

As I'm running into the kitchen from the basement stairs, Sophia is running towards me, "Where is she?" she pants out as she grabs my shoulders.

"Triage," I reply, then quickly add, "Will did some spells and is cleaning her up now."

She turns to move past me, but I hold her arm. Sophia furrows her brow as she searches my eyes, "What?"

"I just want to prepare you, it looks worse than it is," I reach up and rub her shoulder as she closes her eyes and nods, "Go ahead, I'll tell the gang."

LATER THAT NIGHT – TRIAGE– 11:03 PM

EMMA'S POV

The very first thing I realize when I wake is Sophia is near; the second is that I'm in triage. Turning my head to see where she is, my eyes slam shut and I stop cold when shooting pains course through my entire body, I groan out. She's there in an instant, lightly running her hand through my hair, "Shhh, don't move, baby."

"Mmmm," I'm loving the feel of her fingers through my hair, "if you keep that up I'll love you forever," I whisper. My voice is pretty much shot, so it comes out all soft and raspy.

I can feel the smile come to her lips, "You promise?"

"Yeah," I slowly open my eyes, "I promise." Taking in her smile, I give her one of my own then close my eyes again briefly. While mustering up the strength to speak again, I take in how exhausted she is as well as the healing gash under her eye. I look at her and venture, "Rough day at the office, honey?"

She laughs her easy laugh then nods, "Action packed couple of days here, but everyone's ok now, that's the important thing." Running the back of her hand down the side of my face, she leans closer to me, "See? I told you you were coming back."

"Yeah, you did," I lean up to close the short distance between us and capture her lips in a kiss. There are unbelievable waves of pain pulsing through my back, neck and stomach, but I don't care. After everything that's happened, one kiss isn't going to kill me now.

Pulling back and gently helping me rest my head on the pillow, Sophia smiles, "You need to rest. Willow did her thing then I took care of the rest, but you need to relax and let your own healing work now." She pulls the sheet back up around my broken and I just realize nude body.

"Too bad I was unconscious the first time you got me naked, I was kinda hoping we could have done that together," I waggle my eyebrows, then immediately regret it as bolts of pain throb in my head.

She laughs then shakes her head as she once again runs her fingers through my hair, "Actually, Willow and Kennedy got you naked, baby. I was with Buffy when you got back." She leans down and kisses my forehead, "So we're still on for the together thing, ok?"

"Ok," I smile then close my eyes, "tired."

Sophia strokes my face, "Sleep then, I'll be right here."

MEANWHILE UPSTAIRS IN BUFFY & FAITH'S ROOM – 11:58 PM

BUFFY'S POV

"So she's ok?" I look up expectantly at Faith as she closes our door.

Faith grins, "Yeah, Sophia said Em woke up for a couple of minutes then went back to sleep." She fiddles with the band-aid on her arm as she sits next to me, "She was lucid, so should be fine." My baby rubs her hand up and down my thigh, "How are you feeling?"

"Still in shock," I rest my hand over hers and squeeze, "I can't believe we did it," then I laugh, "I can't believe I died... again, Jesus, how embarrassing."

She gives me a sad smile then gets up and begins to undress for bed, "Yeah, didn't like that part." Throwing her clothes on the floor, she slides into bed and cautiously lays her head against my shoulder. Damn burns, it still hurts to touch. Sophia said it would probably take another week or so to heal properly. But if we're really careful, we can snuggle. She rests her hand on my hip, slowly stroking it with her thumb.

"Hey," I place a kiss on the side of her head, "I always come back right?" Seeing she's not playing along, I push a bit, "I'm really just like a bad penny!"

That gets some dimples action, "B there's nothing bad about you."

"You worried it's not over?" I look into her eyes.

She kisses my shoulder then shakes her head, "No, I know it's over... for now."

"Then what's the what?"

She strokes my hair and sighs, "I know I should be happy it's all done and we made it out with our lives, but I can't help thinking how long is 'now' going to last this time."

"I know," I kiss her head again as I run my fingers through her hair, "That thought is always in the back of my head too. I know it's escapist, but let's just try not to think about it, ok? Promise me we can just live for while?" Oh the hell with the pain, I think as I gather her more fully into my arms, "I just want to love you and the girls and live our lives together. Is it too much to ask the fucking Gods and PtB to get let us be happy together?"

Faith stares into space for a moment then looks at me and smiles, "We wouldn't know what do to with ourselves."

"Yeah?" I graze my lips against hers as I hold her face to mine, "I have a few ideas."

FIN