Chapter 4 – Surveying Dimensions
"Intrabit in regnum videntem videre et tangere anima videamus quomodo connectere binis praeteritis de futuris texitur. Aperire fenestras! Venite videte!"Latin translation: (Enter the realm of the seeing, to see and not touch, connect these two soul and let us see how they are intertwined from past to future. Open the windows! Let us see!)
The sand began to shift around them, turning from a circle into an octagon. Then a crystal like shell grew out of the sand, forming a crude shell around Buffy, Spike, and Willow. When it was done growing each crystal pane stood nearly seven feet tall and three feet wide, and resembled a dressing mirror, only tinted green. Then the glass started to glow and images started to appear.The first one Buffy saw she recognized in an instant:
Buffy was sitting on Spikes lap in Giles flat, holding a figuring of a bride and groom Ooo, red paint, smear a little on the mouth, blood of the innocent. She remembered saying while she was under the influence of Willow's 'I Will it So' spell. Then just as Buffy was about to look to another pane the image changed. Now they were in Giles's bathroom, Spike was chained to the tub, and Buffy was unwrapping a wounded arm. She remembered the wound, from the Shumash vengeance warrior spirit that shot her with an arrow. Once the wound was unwrapped she picked off the scab that started and let the blood drip into Spikes mouth. Before long Buffy lowered her arm until Spikes lips grazed her skin, and she was letting him drink straight from the wound. Buffy was taken back, she knew how that could feel from when Angel bit her, and she started to think how it would feel if Spike were to… Buffy let her thoughts drift, then she caught Spike out of the corner of her eye looking at the same mirror. Then Buffy searched for another, more helpful option.
Spike was intrigued by the pane Buffy was watching but refocused on the point of the spell and looked into a different dimension:
The pane that caught his jealous eye was one that didn't happen but easily could have if the timing had been different. There was a helicopter leaving the tree line of Breakers woods, below on the helicopter pad Buffy was in Riley's embrace, exchanging fierce kisses and words he could best guess were 'I thought I was gonna lose you' and 'I'm so glad you came' and 'I'm so sorry'. Spike really hated that prick, always thinking he was better than him. Spike tried his best to keep his feelings in check and watched as the scene flashed forward to when Glory had Dawn tied to the top of the nut job tower. Much of the fight was the same as he remembered, except when Spike and Riley made a break for the tower, Spike got caught up with the demons at the base while Riley rushed to the top. As he approached the top he managed to sneak up behind the old lizard man and threw him off the tower before Dawn had been cut, the portal was never opened. Then Riley freed Dawn, Glory had missed her shot, all thanks to Riley. I could have been sneaky, that way Buffy wouldn't have had to jump. Why the hell did I have to talk and muck it up? Spike thought to himself, then the image faded out, What'd that mean, did I leave town after that battle or something, did Buffy and me part ways? Did I die? With that Spike searched for a more uplifting mirror.
Dawn looked for a more helpful mirror, she didn't think watching the memory of her being used as a key was gonna be helpful against the FIRST. Then she spotted a mirror she could not look away from:
Buffy was in the main hall bathroom, filling the tub, she seemed to be in pain. Then Spike walks in, they talked for a little while, Dawn couldn't read what they're lips were saying, but Spike was clearly upset and frustrated. Oh no, this might be a memory I best not see. Is this when Spike tried to rape her? Nervously she watched on, intent that if the scene turned bad she would look away. Eyes focused on the screen she saw Spike start to cry, and collapsed on the floor. Buffy slowly walked over to him and sat down next to him, seemingly trying to comfort the confused vampire. Then Dawn read a clear 'I love you Buffy' escape from Spike's lips, followed by her saying 'I know'. Then the words got less decipherable, her best guess was they were trying to work it out, then Buffy tilted Spike's head up and gave him a soft kiss. Clearly stunned by the gesture, Spike started to back away, then Buffy took his hand in her's and compelled him to stay. Then they just sat there on the bathroom floor in each other's arm. Then the pane faded into Buffy's bedroom, candles lit all around and Spike messaging a naked Buffy. Then at closer look Dawn noticed Buffy wasn't the only one naked. With that image Dawn concluded this dimension was not going to help them defeat the FIRST, and she went searching for another mirror.
Willow was uneasy from the dimension she just witnessed, something she had hear about but was kind of in her own world when it happened. When Spike tried to rape Buffy. Another mirror please? She begged to herself, and sure enough another intriguing scene caught her eye:
Buffy, Spike, Faith, and all the potentials were in a large cavern; everyone was geared up for a fight. Then the view widened out, Willow saw something that was definitely gonna be useful information, the army of Turok-Han. Then the army began to swarm the girls. At first they were barley holding their own, then every potential started to fight with the strength of Buffy and Faith, like they all were just infused with slayer strength. But how? That shouldn't be possible, but it clearly is, somehow… Then a bright light shot out from the midst of the group, Willow focused in on the light only to see Spike was the source of it. She looked even closer to see there was a large pendant on his chest the light was coming from. Willow tried to remember the details of the pendant for later, since this light was acting like sunlight to the uber-vamps, turning them to dust as it hit them. Then the beam started destroying more than the vamps, the pillars of the cave began to crumble. Faith & Buffy started ushering the new slayers out of the cave, after they had all fled up the stairs, Buffy stood at the base with Spike. They were talking, Willow couldn't tell what was being said. Then Buffy took Spikes hand in hers, and a brilliant flame emerged, and Buffy clearly said 'I love you', she couldn't tell what Spike said in return, but as another pillar collapsed Spike released her hand and ushered her up the stairs. He stayed in the cavern, walls tumbling around him as he seemed to burn from the inside out, then became dust. Then scene then flashed to Buffy overlooking a crater, as the 'Welcome to Sunnydale' sign fell in. Well helpful, but Spike has to die… Willow thought uneasy Not sure that's the solution Buffy will want…
All of them dead, Buffy, Faith, Slayerettes… Only Spike and her made it out alive, and just barley at that. Why was Buffy wearing that glowy amulet? And that was so mean, she lied to Spike, at least seemed to say she'd be right behind him… That can't be how this plays out, we'd find a better way, or should I run from this apocalypse too? Anya thought to herself as she finished her sketch of the amulet then searched for a more helpful mirror.
The next pane was clearly at the Bronze, but not since they did their big re-do, before that, when it was still dingy. Buffy exited the dance floor and bumped into Spike, they talked for a bit, probably bickering, then Buffy got a weird look on her face. She stepped toward the vampire and pushed him against the post under the staircase, kept her hands on his chest and spoke to him with that same look on her face. Then Spike began to look sick, or maybe aroused. Buffy took a step back, and smiled, then Spike cocked his head down and gave her that wicked grin he had, then he stepped forward, grabbed the slayer by the waist and the back of her neck and kissed her hard. And Buffy did not pull back in revolution like Anya thought she would, instead she kissed him back with equal fervor and pushed them toward the door to the back ally. Once clear of the bar scene Buffy pulled open Spike's jeans as he slid down her leather pants. Without skipping a beat Buffy mounted her mortal enemy and fiercely rode his cock. The rough ordeal did not take long for either to feel that pleasure moment. After the rush of hormones subsided Spike had a look of wonder, and possibly love plastered to his face. While Buffy just said a content 'thanks' pulled her pants up and walked out of the ally. Not so helpful with the FIRST, but pretty juicy. Wonder if that one was real?
Now this one I recognize, Halloween 1997, careful what you wish for night. Where we all got to be our costumes, good times. Xander thought as he watched the dimension unfold before him.
Solider Xander had just punched out a pirated version of Larry, giving him an odd sense of satisfaction. Then him, Angel, Cordelia, Ghost Willow, and 18th century Buffy were barricading a warehouse door to keep Spike and his gang from killing them all. Then the vampires and kid demons burst through the door, bashing Xander to the side as Spike knocked Angel down and made his minions hold him and grabbed Xander as well. Then Spike stalked up to helpless Buffy, smelled her, then pulled her head aside and bit down on her neck, and sucked the slayer dry, letting her limp body hit the floor. Well, that would have sucked Xander thought No doubt he killed us next…
There's something different, a beach house, Buffy thought. Maybe not an evil dimension, but not from the past.
Buffy stood on the deck of a beach house, gazing out over the ocean the sun setting in brilliant colors before her, absolutely breathtaking. Buffy noticed a heart shaped diamond ring on her left ring finger in the image. Married, no way, heart shape diamond… Angel? Just then Spike walked up behind her, shirtless he wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her neck. Then Spike moved his hands up and settled on her belly, her very full belly… Am I pregnant? And married to Spike? Not Spike's kid, it's not possible. Buffy turned to face him on the balcony and lovingly kissed him, as he held her tight. After a little bit they broke the kiss and exchanged a few words and started walking inside. They descended a staircase into an open kitchen/dining/living room area where two kids were sitting on the couch. One was a boy, he looked to be about 12 years old, sitting there reading. He looked familiar, dirty blond hair & hazel eyes; but Buffy could not put her finger on who he looked like. The other child was a girl, probably about 14 years old, and the spitting image of Spike; piercing blue eyes, brown curly hair, those cheekbones, and she was taunting the boy relentlessly. Spike called over to the kids, placed the girl in a soft head lock, and probably said something to the extent of 'stop picking on the boy' or I guess, her brother… Then the family sat down for a meal, like a real family might, Mom, Dad, 2 kids, and one more on the way. Then the pane faded out. No way… that's not even possible, unless it's a dimension where Spike was human, or became human… either way that's sooooo not this one… God I hope Spike did see that one…
Andrew was mostly confused by the dimensions he was watching, but one caught his eye, I think I know that bar, did we stop at it on our way to Mexico?
A cowboy themed bar, in the middle of the desert, seemed like it hosted demon clientele, although since it seemed all of them were now dead. Bodies lying everywhere, parts of demons spread everywhere too… Yuck! Andrew thought. Then in the midst of all the guts and parts, Buffy and Spike were duking it out, possibly in a fight to the death, they both looked exhausted. Each successful blow having more effect than the last, then as Spike and Buffy were fighting on the catwalk level Buffy roundhouse kicked Spike and he landed in the worst place possible in her mind, a comfy couch. She cursed something to herself, then realized the structure she was standing on was ready to give way, more than 2 stories up from the ground. The only safe spot to land without breaking a bone or ten, the same couch Spike had just fallen on, and was now sprawled out gloating, probably about that perfect fall. He knew she'd have to join him there if she wanted to fall safely. The two hollered couple things back and forth, then Buffy leapt for the couch, and landed on top of Spike. Ouch… still softer than the floor I suppose. Then it seemed the pair took some kind of time out, they both sat on the couch catching their breath, then started drinking, then seemed to be talking, and laughing? Then there talking got more ambiguous, and they started getting closer to one another, then Buffy suddenly lunged in for a kiss, and Spike did anything but refuse. They continued to kiss feverishly, then Buffy who was already straddling Spike began to move and gyrate in the pelvic region. She was giving Spike a lap dance, and he was enjoying it, a lot! Then clothing started to peel off, soon they were naked, and going at it like rabbits. Passionate lovers, every touch seemed sensational. The sex-capades went on for a while, then both exhausted, laid naked on the couch together for a while, then got dresses and went to leave. Once the disheveled duo were outside Spike walked toward his car, and was seeming to offer the slayer a ride. After what seemed to be a bit of coursing Buffy got in the car, but the car stayed put, and the sex-capades continued. After a while more a van pulled into the lot, and the whole Scooby gang poured out of it; Giles, Willow, Oz, Cordelia, & Xander. They started looking around the lot, looking for their missing friend no doubt. Then Buffy gave Spike some kind of look… Apologetic, not wanting to leave, a hint of love perhaps? Then Spike kissed her hand and she snuck out the car. The Slayer reunited with her friends, keeping her enemy lover's location a secret as she ushered everybody home. I don't know if that dimension was helpful, but very cool and sexy… and educational…
Dam'it, not another sex scene, I so don't need to see those two getting it on this much. And Andrew looked a little too intrigued watching that one… Just glad he didn't notice me watching it too, that would have been wayyyy awkward… Dawn thought Helpful stuff, come on! She was learning a lot… but nothing on the main reason they were doing this spell, the whole avert the end of the world stuff she should be looking for. Just then she saw a pane that was coming into focus on an uber-vamp:
Not just one, hundreds, maybe thousands of them, the whole army Buffy saw in her vision. Marching down the streets of Sunnydale, and Spike was leading the charge, every house was being broken into as they marched, and the Turok-Han killed anyone inside, then they'd exit and rejoin the march, mouths fresh with blood. Then the 100 or so uber-vamps that Spike led turned down Revello Drive. As they approached, Spike signaled his army to hold. Then Buffy stepped out of the house, and all the potentials filed out behind her, forming their own lines on the lawn. Buffy walked down the sidewalk, and Spike walked up. They began talking, Buffy was clearly trying to be strong and stoic, but there seemed to be another expression escaping her face; fear? hate? pain? betrayal? And why the hell did Spike switch sides? Is that the FIRST's plan, to turn him against Buffy? How's that even possible? Thought we fixed the trigger? Then in what seemed to be a last stitch effort, Buffy's features softened, and she brought a hand up to Spike's face. Clearly he was taken back by the gesture, but didn't pull away from it, instead his features began to soften as well. 'You still love me' Dawn thought she read from Buffy's lips, the rest of what she said was less discernable… 'away your soul', 'heart', 'always loved me', god I need to get better at lip reading then Dawn read a clear 'I love you Spike' from her sisters lips just before they met Spike's for a fervent kiss the vampire simply couldn't refuse. Then Xander threw down a large heavy blanket from where he was hiding in the tree's branches just above them, covering them both. Then a brilliant light shone above them, emitting from the roof where Willow and Giles were. The light was as bright as the sun, and apparently carried the same features, because the uber-vamps started to burst into flames then turned to dust. The potentials cheered at the success of the plan, Willow was wiped out on the roof, Giles tended to her as Anya came up to help. But under the blanket there was no cheering, just the passion of a lover's embrace. Okay, on the probable chance that this ends with more sex… new pane please. Dawn thought to herself as she finished taking her notes.
Still caught up in the happy family ending, Spike tried to stay focused on the task at hand, Lookin' for ways to beat back the FIRST, not to be happily ever after with Buffy… or ya know find one with both would be bleedin' fabulous! Then a very large, pustular demon came into focus on a pane. This may be promising:
A hideous looking demon loomed over Buffy in the quad on the college campus, loomed a good 4 feet over her. She looked helpless, or weak. Why isn't she fighting back against this bastard? The boil covered demon got closer and closer to the slayer, she seemed paralyzed, she was sweating and breathing heavy. Then when the demon was within 5 feet from her another 'limb' grew from it's midsection. Bloody hell! Please tell me I'm around the corner in this dimension… And sure enough Spike came roaring in and tackled the demon aside, he then looked to Buffy saw the ax by her side, grabbed it and proceeded to chop the creature's member clean off. The demon stumbled for a moment then fell to the ground, dead. With the demon dead Spike ran to Buffy's side, dazed and barely able to stand. She clung to him first for support, then started feeling up and down his body, pressing up against him. No way… If Buffy did that every time I saved her we'd be in that other reality… What's going on here? Then Spike pulled Buffy off him looked at her very confused, said something, then swooped her up and headed for Buffy's house. Spike laid her on her bed, Buffy seemed to be begging him not to leave. Then he pulled a box out from under her bed and set it in front of the whimpering girl. Buffy pouted, and opened the box, pulling out a small silver object; she offered it to him, but the vampire refused and sat in the chair at the desk on the far side of the room. Buffy then proceeded to pleasure herself with the silver implement, and the moment after her bliss, the embarrassed slayer shooed him out of the room. Then the pane changed to another scene, this time three of the ugly buggers, Buffy was being held by two of them while the third advanced on her. And then came Spike, ax a swingin', hacking off penis after repulsive penis until 3 dead demons were on the ground. Then he looked to Buffy, passed out on the ground. Spike looked worried and tried to wake her, he looked around and saw the community pool. Probably thinking water might shock her awake, he ran her over, after running her under the cold water of the showers the slayer was sprung awake. After catching her breath, Buffy shared a look of thank you and wanting with the oddly noble vampire then she fused her lips to his. This time Spike gave in and held his love close and followed through with every plea she made. Soon enough the duo was making love on the shower room floor. As much as I love this dimension… not so helpful.
Xander seemed to keep seeing the oddest of dimensions, most of which ended with either Spike killing Buffy, or Buffy grinding on Spike, both not so pleasant in Xander's mind… Oh goodie, Ethan Rayne, what trouble is this chaos worshiping toad gonna cause… good thing I'm good with the lip reading, cause this guy's a chatter box…
Ethan was pinned against the kitchen island by Spike, while Buffy leaned against the stove. 'Why do you make my life miserable?' Buffy asked 'Your life's more interesting to screw up than others, more chaos when you're distracted'. Ethan said as he gave a sideways smile to Spike, then the vampire morphed his face 'just tell the slayer what you came to say, or I'm havin' a little snack'. 'Okay okay!' Ethan was pretty sure Spike wasn't joking 'I like to live, so if the FIRST completely tips the scale like it wants to, I'm dead. So I do want you all to win this fight.' Buffy, understanding that Ethan was probably trying to be helpful, nodded to Spike, who let the man up from the counter, but kept his vamp face on. 'Over all the world needs balance to survive,' Ethan continued 'everything has its opposite, the yin to it's yang, and so does the FIRST'. Buffy and Spike looked at each other, confused and intrigued Of course, how could we not see that before, the FIRST evil, what about the 'FIRST good'? 'So what you're saying the slayer is the opposite?' Spike asked 'No dear boy, you can't think with your heart. The slayer did not come from good, she gets her power from the essence of demons. You need to find the Guardians, the creatures who have been guiding the slayer to do good for centuries. Those that drove the true demons off this earth to allow humanity the chance to grow. That is your source of good mate. If the FIRST hasn't killed them all off already.' 'Where?' Buffy asked 'We haven't read anything about these guardians' 'You read anything about the FIRST?' Buffy shook her head 'Cause they both predate written word, and the Guardians only appear when they think they're needed, very tricky to find. But at least one tends to stay close to the current slayer, helps her in little ways you probably never noticed, but have saved your life.' What he was saying seemed to make sense. 'These Guardians, they their own entity, or they more of a spirit that works though people?' Spike inquired. 'Both, they have their own body, could be human, could be beast, but they all know magic, and can use it to influence others to do things.' Spike looked puzzled 'You think these buggers made it so I'd get a fancy government chip?' 'Perhaps, pretty much since then you've been fighting with and protecting the slayer, so yeah that'd be an easy twist of fate to assure the slayer's safety.' 'huh' was all Spike responded. 'So, you know where we can find one or should I be kicking you out of my house now?' 'That's all I got luv, until next time.' Then Ethan ran out the back door, before Buffy or Spike had a chance to harm him. 'Guardian hunting huh, how do you find someone who doesn't wanna be found?' Spike asked. Then Buffy replied with one word 'Bait.' Just then the image started to get fuzzy, like a bad T.V. screen.
Xander could kinda see into the circle where Buffy, Spike, and Willow were. Willow was starting to shake, and she looked like she was soaking wet. The spell was getting to be too much for her. Xander reached into the circle and pulled the witch out, causing the crystal panes to crash to the ground, and become the sand they were created from. Everyone in the room was confused and a little mad at Xander for ending the spell, then saw a passed out Willow in his arms and completely understood. Buffy and Spike were still holding hands, both trying to make sense of everything they saw, then Dawn handed Buffy a notepad and pen.
"Start writing before you forget anything important."
"Thanks Dawn," Buffy said as she accepted it with her free hand, then looked to her right hand and started to wiggle it free. After looking down at their intertwined fingers, Spike released her hand, and accepted the notepad Dawn was now offering him.