Authors Note: Hopefully this all is running together smoothly. Let me know.
"Don't be so sure about that pet." The man said sweetly.
"Spike." Finally something I could kill I thought. After everything he alone had put me through. Trying to kill me numerous times, scaring my mother, my friends. He had the nerve to show up at the hospital when his girlfriend Drusilla was the reason we were all there. I was ready to rip his head off while I staked him. Just to feel remotely better about things. It would sure take care of a big part of my problem, just leaving Angel to deal with. I made sure my friends were out of the way and before Spike knew what hit him I had his face between my fist and the wall.
"Whoa, whoa. Calm down. I'm not here to kill you pet. You or your little scoobies." Spike shrieked, not moving a muscle. Normally he and I would be dancing at this point. But he didn't move at all. Just let me smash his face into the wall as he tried to speak.
"Why should I care Spike, you have given me more then reason to kill you?" I leaned down just a bit to get Mr. Pointy, Kendra's Lucky stake out of the strap on my ankle. "You just hope I can show a little more mercy to Dru." I raised the stake ready to stake him from the back side, full force still holding him against the wall. Xander and Willow looked at me in approval. "Kill him Buffy" Xander remarked.
"I can help you stop Angel." Spike shouted quickly. I stopped the stake inches away from his heart. "What makes you think I need your help Spike?"
"Cuz right now Angel has got your itty bitty watcher tied up. Probably torturing him with a blow torch by now. And now that Kendra is dead I highly doubt you planned on waltzing in there guns a blazin. I can help you. Ever since Angelus came back, blabbing on about destroying the world an all, I got to thinkin. You know… I like this world. It has people… and I like people. You can't take him out yourself love." I slowly started to release my grip on his neck. The thought of Giles being tortured, I could barely stand to hear the words.
"I don't get it Spike, what do you get out of this?" I was still contemplating weather this was a bunch of bull shit, just another ploy. "Dru... Angel won't get off. I want things the way they were... before Angel. I'll help you kill Angel then Dru and I will skip town. Never to come back…I bloody well hope." Spike strangely seemed to be telling the truth. I released by grip and looked back at the gang watching in silence.
"Alright Spike" I said in a stern voice. I knew my choices were slim anyway. I knew what the odds were if it didn't work out, but I was willing to try...for Giles…for Angel. "Buffy, No." Xander hurried to say. "Xander, what other choices do we have? Guys? Any ideas? As much as I hate to say it, Spike is our best chance of getting through this alive." I snapped. I looked back at Spike listening attentively. "If he dies, she dies." He knew I was referring to Giles. "Xander you come with me. I am going to need help getting Giles out of there, Where are they at Spike?" I looked at Spike. "The Mansion, it's not far." He responded. "I know where it is. Fine, I'll be there at dawn. Wait for my move." "Right." Spike Sneered. "Bloody Hell." He whispered as he left the room and exited down the hallway.
"Buffy. What's the plan then? What if Spike is lying, what if it's another trap? You'll die." Willow informed me shortly after Spike was gone. "I know. But I have to save Giles. At least now I know where he is. If Spike turns on me I'll just have to kill them all." I stood strong, looking at all my friends. Knowing that might be the last time I ever see them.
"Buffy, let me help. I am going to finish the spell. I know I can do it. I had it down pat. Dru just interrupted me from finishing. If all else fails maybe the spell will work just in time." Willow let in, she looked to Oz and Cordy, "Can you go to the library and get my things?" They both nodded.
"Will. You sure?" I stated with caution.
"I am doing this Buffy. I won't let you die, if there might be someway I can stop it." She replied showing her resolve face. I knew what that meant.
"Okay."
I stood there, watching Xander and Willow talk quietly to each other. I couldn't make out what they were saying. It didn't matter. I just looked. My two best friends, always there for me. I hoped I would make it through this, if not for myself then for them. I had lost everything. I lost Angel. He was my everything. Life was so much harder everyday just being without him. My friends were the only reason I was surviving at this point. Now was the final battle between Angelus and me.
I made a quick stop by the house to grab more weapons, a sword, and more holy water before coming back to the hospital. I sneaked through my window as usual so Mom wouldn't know I stopped by. Willow was preparing the spell by the time I had returned. Oz sat by her side. Xander and Cordy next to him. As I entered no one was speaking. We all knew what was comin, so we just looked at each other. Hoping everyone knew how much we all cared about one another. "I love you guys" Xander said in a low voice. That's all that was said before I looked to Xander, "Ready?"
"As ready and as scared as I can be." Xander smirked. I handed him one of my stakes.
"Good luck." Willow made sure to say as we made our way out the door. I stopped at the door way and turned before leaving, "you too Will." I looked at her softly; hope glistening in both our eyes.