I failed.

I should've known better. I should've been faster, gotten Little Bit down, and gotten Buffy away. I was stupid. I was slow. Now I've lost her.

I feel alone in this world, without her. It takes every bit of strength I have to not stake myself. Buffy was the only person on this bloody planet that saw me as something more than just a vampire. Truth be told, Little Bit is the only reason I'm still around. I promised Buffy I'd look after her, protect her with my pathetic life. I won't let Dawn suffer the same fate as her sister.

Buffy hated the idea of open caskets. She thought they were morbid and pointless. But just because the funeral was closed casket, doesn't mean that I can't look at her face one more time.

I slowly lift the top and prop it up. There she is. Almost as beautiful as she was when she was alive, but even in death, she was breathtaking. I ran my fingers down her cheek and along her lips.

"Love...Buffy..." I say softly. "I'm so sorry. I'm sorry I couldn't protect you. I should've snapped Glory's neck when I had the chance. To hell with my life. You and the Bit would've been safe."

I take a deep breath, using every bit of strength I have to keep tears from falling. "I love you, Slayer. I know I've said it before, and I know the thought of it disgusts you, but I do. I always will. Whether I live another minute or another century, it will always be you."

For a moment, I wonder if there's a way to turn her. I know better, though. Corpses can't be turned. I remember some sorry git wanting to turn his best friend, back in the 60's. He begged me to help him, despite knowing the impossibility. I never understood why he'd want to do it, until now.

"I'll protect her, like I promised. I swear to you, Buffy, I will protect Dawn with everything I have. As soon as she graduates, I'll get her the hell out of Sunnydale, get her to a safer town. Somewhere she can live a life that neither of us were able to. I'll protect her from the human and non-human men that will undoubtedly be after her for more than her blood."

My hand slowly runs through her hair, the way I would when she was stressed. Only now, I'm the one who needs the comforting. My heart feels like it will shatter any second.

"My Slayer..." I start, "Buffy, come back to me. Please. I know I don't deserve it, but please come back. We need you. I need you."

Something in my head snaps. I turn around and throw one of the wooden chairs against the wall. Why couldn't it have been me?

Before I know it, I'm on the ground with Red and Little Bit next to me. Bit moves between my arms and begins to cry. I hold onto her as tightly as I can without hurting her. She's all I've got left of the love of my life.

"We need to bring her back." She cries against my chest.

I have to swallow hard before I respond to her. "We can't, love. I want to bring her back as badly as you do, but she's not meant to be here with us. Something needed her more. Probably your mum, trying to figure out how the blasted television works up there."

Bit lets out a small laugh, the first one since that night. Red's got that determined look on her face. One I've seen many times in the few years I've known her. She's planning something, but now isn't the time to question.

I slowly let go of Dawn and walk back to the casket. I place a kiss on her forehead, just as I did when she was simply sleeping in her bed.

"Goodnight, pet."