Standard disclaimers apply, of course. An additional disclaimer is located at the end.

EPILOGUE:

August 30, 2078

Cambuco, Ceara
Brazil
In the small tourist town of Cambuco, on the Northeastern coast of Brazil, hidden among the sand dunes that rose up from the coast line there was a large fresh water lake. The locals had believed for the last 300 years that there was a demon who lived in the lake and fed on the unknowing traveler. Generations ago, the demon had fed on the villagers themselves, but they managed to beat it back with a magic barrier. The magic had long since faded, but the creature didn’t know that.

Then recently, a group of teenagers ventured out to the lake and angered the creature that lived there. When it chased them back to the village it found the magical barrier once in place that had protected the village was no longer in place. Now it had become more daring and several of the towns people had gone missing in the past few weeks. Frightened, the mayor of Cambuco, a man named Umberto Santos, finally went to the town’s priest for advice, he hoped the Father would be able to recreate their magical protection.

Father Alan told him that such magic was beyond his capabilities, but that he knew of some people who made it there job to take care of such things. Not knowing what else to do, the distraught mayor allowed the Father to call in his contacts.

That was how Umberto came to be with the couple standing in front of him. Upon first glance they didn’t appear to be very dangerous. They certainly didn’t seem capable of taking out the monster that was feeding on his townspeople. The woman appeared to be in her early 30’s. She had long brown hair that she wore up in a pony tail. Her clothing was a combination of retro fashions from around the world. She wore a long flowing skirt similar to those worn by hippies a century before. Her top was similar to what Indian women had worn before the rebellion in 2035, when they took over the country in retaliation for their treatment the last 1,000 years by the men. On her feet were high healed leather boots that he found himself constantly amazed women could walk in.

The man with her had sandy blond hair that curled around his head in a most disorderly fashion. He also wore retro clothing, a pair of loose fitting trouser and a T-shirt with a picture of an angry looking man on the front with white spiked hair wearing leather gloves. On the back of the shirt ‘Billy Idol’ was written in a script.

Umberto had never heard of Billy Idol. Nor had he ever seen two people as strange as the ones before him.


“Right, lets get on with this.” The man had an air of impatience in his tone.

“You’ll have to forgive him.” The woman said apologetically. “He has bad memories of this country.”

“Nothing ever goes right here, pet.” The man insisted. “I don’t see why you had to agree to take this job.”

The woman just sighed. “The closest Slayer is tied up in Peru with that problem with the Nazca lines. Besides, that ho dumped you here almost a hundred years ago. Don’t you think its time to let that go?”

Umberto, looked back and forth between the two, unsure of what to make of their arguing.

“Excuse me, are you sure you are here for the right thing?” He asked hesitantly.

“Well we aren’t here for the cuisine.” The man muttered. Umberto swore his eyes flashed gold for a second.

“Spike.” The woman warned him, before turning her attention back to Umberto. “We are here to take care of your demon problem Senor Santos. I know we don’t look like much, but…” Both of the strangers eyes flashed this time, an unearthly green tint. “believe me we are more than qualified to handle this.”

Her smile lit up her face and Umberto immediately began to relax. He trusted this woman for some reason. However, Umberto wasn’t a fool. He didn’t want to send innocent people into the dunes just to be slaughtered.

“I understand, that you may think we are just superstitious, but I assure you there is a real threat out there.”

The woman just looked at her companion. “Are you up for a demonstration, honey?” Her companion grinned at her before his face changed.

Instead of the handsome young man, a vampire in full game face stood before Umberto. His eyes glowed a bright green color. Umberto staggered back in shock. He looked at the young woman expecting her to also sprout fangs and ridges. Instead her eyes were glowing the same bright green color.

Weapons appeared in their hands from out of nowhere and the two began to fight right there in the middle of the street. Even in his shock it only took Umberto a moment or two to appreciate their fighting skills. Umberto was involved with capoeira since he was a little boy and could therefore appreciate the dedication and skill it took to master any fighting style and it looked like these two had mastered several.

They appeared to be slowing down and finishing up there little demonstration. The woman put away the large knife she had been brandishing. The man however was a bit more flashy. He swung his thin sword a few more times before completing a back flip and turning and slashing imaginary opponents in mid air.

The woman just snorted and looked at Umberto. “He got that from a Bruce Lee movie. He can be such a show off some times.”

Umberto just stared at her in shock.

“Think we’re up to the task of disposing of your little demon problem?” The vampire had put his human mask back in place was looking at Umberto with amusement.

“The lake is located south of the Cantina on the beach.” Umberto told them without hesitation. “Walk out into the dunes about 3 miles and you should see it. The demon makes his home close to the lake, but his territory includes all of the dunes. Hopefully the he won’t find you before you find him.”

The man, Spike she had called him, gave him a thin smile. “We aren’t too concerned.”

With that they turned and walked off, leaving Umberto to stare after them in awe. He took notice as they walked past a store front window the vampire cast no reflection. Crossing himself, Umberto ran to the Father’s house to ask exactly what it was he invited into his small town.



Buffy and Spike headed down to the beach. They found the Cantina the mayor spoke of and headed away from it into the sand dunes.

“Can you believe that git thought we couldn’t take care of one demon?” Spike said with derision.

“He’s just the mayor of a small town. Its not like he really has to worry about the supernatural a lot. He probably doesn’t even know what a Slayer is, much less have heard of us.”

“You would think he would find all that out before he called us in.” Buffy just sighed she knew it would do no good to argue with him. Spike was determined to be as difficult as possible until they left Brazil. He always said he didn’t like the country and he claimed it had nothing to do with Drusilla.

“So what do you think it is this time?” Buffy asked Spike trying to change the subject. “Another on of those fishy demons?”

“Its possible. Given the area we’re in it might be some weird piranha demon.” Spike answered her.

“Great. Just what we need something with razor sharp teeth.”

Spike stopped and gave her a strange look. “How many demons do you know without razor sharp teeth, Slayer?” He asked her.

“Well a piranha demon probably has even more teeth.” She asserted, defensively.

Spike shook his head. “I do love you.” He told her.

“Damn right you do.”




Three hours later Umberto and Father Alan were just finishing up at the local bar. Umberto had had quite a bit to drink trying to deal with things that the Father had told him about. They stood outside in the street saying their goodbyes, while Umberto wondered if he would ever be able to sleep again, when Buffy came staggering through the town.

Her shirt was ripped on one side and it appeared she was limping badly.

Of her companion there was no sign.

“What happened?” Umberto exclaimed, as she drew closer. “Are you alright? Where is your husband?”

Buffy looked at him and said in a calm steady voice. “I need to use your phone.” Upon closer inspection Umberto could see blood dripping down her limbs from various cuts. There also appeared to be a deep wound in her stomach. She was trying to staunch the bleeding with a section of her skirt.

“The demon…?” Father Alan began. He reached out to touch her to lead her to his house where he could bandage her up.

“Yes, your demon is dead. Now can I please use a phone?” Her voice seemed dead. There was no emotion in her voice at all.

Father Alan nodded. “Of course, Miss Summers, right this way.”

As they headed off Umberto scanned the street for any sign of her husband coming behind her, but there was nothing but the darkened street.


Father Alan led Buffy to his modest home and pointed her in the direction of the phone. Buffy dialed the familiar numbers.

“Hello?” Willows anxious voice answered after a few rings.

“Willow, its me.”

“Buffy!!!” Willow yelled out to whoever was with her. “Guys, its Buffy.”

Buffy could hear excited voices in the background. Willow returned to the phone. “Thank goddess, Buffy. We were so worried about you. Angel called and said…”

“Willow.” Buffy interrupted her. “Is Dawn there?”

“Dawn? No, she went into town with a few her students.”

“You need to get her back right away I need her to open a portal for me. I need to come home.” Buffy’s voice still held no emotion, no inflection.

“Buffy are you ok? Angel called and said…”

“Willow, I don’t have much time. I need you to get Dawn back now. I want to come home.” Buffy’s voice dropped. “Spike is dead.” She said into the phone quietly.

There was dead silence over the phone, then Willow’s voice came much more subdued. “I’ll call her back now.”

Buffy disconnected and stared blankly at the wall in front of her.




Spike felt like he was floating, he couldn’t feel his body at all. He stretched out his senses searching for Buffy, but found her presence inside him had grown so faint he could barely feel her. Panicked he tried to open his eyes, but he didn’t seem to have any. He reached out his hands, but that didn’t work either.

Then he started to fall. If he still had a mouth he would have screamed as he went rushing downwards.

Spike landed gently for his accelerated drop, but when he hit the ground he was suddenly aware of his body again. For a few moments he lay where he was with his eyes closed as the pain from his injuries washed over him.

‘Bastard must have knocked me out.’ He thought to himself. Suddenly he was worried for Buffy, if he was knocked out than she was left alone with that centipede demon. He extended his senses again, searching for her. Only now her presence inside of him was almost gone.

Panic returned.

His eyes flew open…and met a pair of dark eyes staring down at him.

Spike flew backwards quickly.

From farther away he could see the eyes belonged to a girl in her mid-20’s who was smiling widely at him.

“Hello, William.” She said cheerily.

Spike backed farther away from her looking around frantically. Everywhere he looked he was surrounded by a swirling gray nothingness. As he moved he noticed his clothes were not the same ones he had on early. His blue jeans were now black and he now had on his leather duster, which had been destroyed 30 years earlier.

None of that registered as important to him, however, there was only one thing on Spike’s mind.

“Where’s Buffy?” He asked the way too cheery chit, who was still grinning at him like he just won the lottery.

“She’s not here.” The voice came, very matter of fact. It reminded him of the way Anya used to speak. “We’re the only ones here.”

“Where is she?” Spike turned and snarled at her. “And who the Bloody Hell are you? And where are we, for that matter?”

The girl held up her hands and stepped back. Spike was pleased that she finally lost that blasted smile.

She was actually very cute. She wasn’t tall, but she had a great figure. She was dressed in all black like himself, only instead of a T-shirt she had on a form fitting tank top. Her lips were as black as her clothes and her eyes were also lined in black. Black lines swirled out from the corner of her left eye down onto her cheek. Her hair, which was also black, hung full down her back. She was very pale, almost like a vampire, but those certainly weren’t ‘vamp’ vibes Spike got from her. No, she was much more powerful.

Around her neck on a leather strap hung a silver ankh.

“Whoa. Calm down William.” She said as Spike appraised her closely. He didn’t think he felt this much power coming from a single being. The First would be nothing compared to this small woman. Not that, that would stop Spike from trying to tear her apart if she tried to keep him from Buffy.

“The name is Spike, luv.” He was in full game face now. “Now are you going to answer my questions?”

She laughed at him as if he just said the funniest thing in the world. When she recovered she took on a mock hurt look. “You know I don’t expect most creatures to remember me because they only see me twice in their existence.” She walked up closely to Spike. “But you William, I’ve seen 3 times before.”

“What are you going on about? Where is Buffy?” He demanded. Spike wanted to grab her and shake her, but something prevented him. For some reason he was reluctant to touch her.

The woman’s face suddenly lost all of its humor and mischief. Instead eyes that were older than time itself looked at him. They seemed so sad for him, but more comforting than sympathetic.

“William, you’re dead.” She told him gently.

“Really?” Spike said sarcastically. “I’m a vampire. That goes with the territory.”

“No, I mean you’re DEAD, dead.”

Spike just stared at her open mouthed.



While Buffy waited silently for Dawn’s arrival in Father Alan’s living room her mind kept going back over the last few hours. Father Alan and Umberto kept trying to get her to talk or get her to let them look at her injuries, but Buffy was lost in her thoughts and paid them no attention.

She and Spike had walked out onto the dunes together searching for some sign of a demon or other nasty. They were bantering as usual as they scanned the surrounding area. They had wandered out to the lake and around it, but found nothing. They were heading back to the village to ask the mayor some more questions when suddenly their senses went on full alert. They looked they, but could see nothing but sand.

The sand below them started to shake, but before they could even process that they were thrown in the air. They landed a good distance apart, somewhat smoothly. Spike hadn’t flown as far away as Buffy and a shower of sand dumped onto him from above. He had tried to shield his eyes, but there was no time. As a result he couldn’t see the creature on top of him. Buffy turned as soon as she fell and gasped. In front of her was what appeared to be a giant centipede. It was about 10 feet off the ground, but she had no idea how much more was lying buried under the sand. She could see a green slime dripping from his fangs.

“Great.” She muttered to herself. “Big and slimy. Never a great combination, not like chocolate and peanut butter or anything.”

Buffy could feel the burning in Spike’s eyes so she knew he couldn’t see, so she sent him what she was seeing and her thoughts. Above him the creature tensed to attack but, as the creature struck, Spike managed to roll out of the way with the help of Buffy‘s sight. While he was rolling Buffy heard his voice in her head.

‘Everything comes back to chocolate with you.’

Buffy had started running as the creature struck and as it hit the sand she got within range. She threw her large knife and managed to strike the creature in its eye. The beast had reared up, screaming in pain. Buffy turned and headed to Spike as soon as the knife left her hand. She was planning on grabbing him and rolling down the other side of the dunes.

It happened before she could get to him.

The sand behind him erupted out of nowhere and Buffy had time to see something large swinging at him. He must have cleared the sand out of his eyes, because he looked right into her eyes as the sharp blade on the end of the centipedes tail took off his head. He dissolved before her.

Buffy felt a sharp tug inside herself pulling at her, but she fought against it. Then it was like something inside her was being ripped apart. She screamed out in pain and agony, lashing out at the creature’s tail in front of her.

The rest was a blur, Buffy couldn’t really say how she killed the centipede creature, but her fingers had almost no skin left on them and the wound in her stomach was making it harder and harder to stay awake.

Buffy fought the urge to just close her eyes. She couldn’t go yet. She wouldn’t go here, she wanted to see her friends and Dawn just one more time.

The air around her started to tingle. Buffy looked up as the Father Alan and Umberto jumped up in surprise. In front of the a large circle appeared out of thin air and started to glow brightly.


“I died!!” Spike shook his head and started pacing angrily. “There is no way some big slimy bug killed me. I don’t believe it.”

“Believe it or not, William, you’re dead.”

“The name is Spike, Lady. Or do I call you Madam Death? Besides if I’m dead than where is Buffy?”

“Just Death is fine, thanks.” Death replied. “Buffy isn’t here. She’s probably still alive.” She explained patiently.

“No you don’t understand. She’s my mate. She’s bonded to me. If I die, she dies. We were told when we mated, its part of our gift for being the bloody warriors for good down there.”

“Well, I’m sorry she’s not here.” Death explained, in the same patient voice, it was worse than her bloody grinning.

“Well where is she?!?” He yelled.

“I don’t know where she is. All I know is that it was your time to go so its time for me to send you on. She isn’t here so it wasn’t her time, obviously.” Death looked at him with those eyes again. “Maybe the Powers changed their minds, that does happen you know. I’m sorry.” She told him, once again he could see the immense age and wisdom in her gaze. There was no doubting her sincerity. The thought of Buffy being lost to him forever made Spike go into action.

“I have to find her.” He declared turning and walking through the gray nothingness.

“No.” Death’s voice became firm behind him. “Its time for you to move on.”

“Bollocks. I’m not going anywhere without Buffy.” Spike charged on through the fog.

Suddenly Death was in front of him. He jumped back in surprise.

“You are in my realm, its an extension of me. There is nowhere to go, except to move on.” She reached out her hand to him. “William, take my hand.”

Spike was tense, ready to fight, but looking at her he knew it was no use. He couldn’t fight her and from all appearances she was telling him the truth. Spike stared at her, trying to calm himself. He had learned over the years he came up with much better ideas when he shut out emotions like fear.

As he stared at Death the sight of her necklace triggered a memory from long ago.

“The woman in black likes stories.” He could almost hear Drusilla’s voice across the fog.

Spike straightened up and looked Death in the eye. “Fine, I will go with you, but first let me tell you a story.”

Death’s eyes got bright. “A story?” She asked curiously.

“Yeah, let me tell you the story of Buffy and me. If she isn’t here by the time I’m done, and you still believe I’m meant to move on alone I’ll go with you willingly.”

Death smiled that cheerful grin. “William, I don’t need you to be willing for me to take you.” Spike felt his gut clench at her words. “But I love stories.”
Out of the gray mist large comfy chairs appeared, across from them a table appeared with a fish bowl with two fish appeared.

Spike looked around what now appeared to be a small but cozy apartment, in amazement. “Welcome to my home, or one idea of it. But this is my idea of a home, so its my favorite.” Spike shook his head trying to understand what she was saying, but she just continued on. “I used to visit my brother all the time for stories, but things have been different lately. He’s been different lately. We don’t have the same relationship we once did.” She finished sadly.

Spike was still looking around her apartment in wonder “Can I get you anything?” Death asked him and he focused on her again.

“A beer and maybe some cigarettes would be good.”
Another small table appeared next to him, sitting on it were a Heineken on a coaster and an ashtray with his brand of cigarettes and Zippo lighter.

Spike raised an eyebrow in appreciation.

“That‘s a mighty nifty trick to have.”

Death just smiled. “Ok, time for the story.”

Spike sighed a lit a cigarette. “Well I was born in the 1800’s…”

“Wait a minute, how long is this story?” Death interrupted.

“Well we have to start at the beginning for you to understand everything that happened from there. No sense starting a story in the middle now is there?“ Spike didn’t give her a chance to answer before he continued. “Also try not to interrupt a fellow. It tends to make me lose my thread.” Spike scolded. He was afraid she would get angry and make him stop, but instead she just gave him a look that told him not to push his luck. Then a small teddy bear appeared on her lap and she settled in, listening to Spike tell her how he became William the Bloody.



Buffy and Dawn appeared through the green glow into Buffy’s old rooms at the Watcher’s Council. The rooms had been mainly unused in Buffy and Spike’s absence, although occasionally family dinners were held there to make the others feel closer to them.

Willow rushed to Buffy’s side as she staggered coming through the portal. Buffy smiled weakly at her friend.

Willow hadn’t appeared to age at all in the past 70 years, the only difference was her once red hair was now a brilliant white.

“Oh, Goddess! Buffy!” Willow already had tears streaming down her face, as she helped her friend to her old bed.

“Shh, Will. Its ok.” Buffy gently stroked Willow’s hair. “It doesn’t even hurt.” Buffy looked across the room as Dawn and Willow tucked her in and perched on either side of her.

Oz stood there holding up Xander, who was well into his 90’s by now. Xander was still the strength and support behind so many of the Slayers, even today he could name all the girls who came through the school in the past 70 years. He had run the school better than even Willow and Buffy ever imagined. He never did settle down. He had several relationships since Anya died, but none of them ever came to anything. He once told Buffy after way too much alcohol that he threw away his chance at that kind of happiness when he left Anya at the alter. Since he had no spouse to devote his time to the school and the Slayers were always his first priority. It was thanks to him Slayers now lived long full lives. He took it as a personal failure to lose one to anything but natural causes. Xander also studied as many of the books in the library he could get his hands on. As he advanced with age the loud shirts were replaced with more conservative clothing. In many way he had turned into Giles.

With Oz’s help he came towards the bed.

“Hey Buffster,” Xander’s voice was thick with age. “I thought I was going to be the first of the Original Scoobies to head to the Other Side”

“Yeah, well somebody has to go ahead and prepare the Other Side for you.”

Oz moved over next to Willow. While werewolves weren’t immortal, the tended to age slower than normal humans. As a result Oz didn’t look a day over 30.

He and Willow had been together exclusively for the past 60 years. They weren’t always together, though. He spent a lot of time with his pack in Canada and there was also that period of time he was gone with Spike trying to find her.

Buffy didn’t want to think about that time again. She turned to face her sister.

There was no more mistaking Dawn for a human. Her skin had started to take on a greenish tinge about the time of her 30th birthday. From there her eyes and hair had also started to turn green. Her mind had also expanded far beyond most human comprehension. They all believed that someday Dawn would evolve from her human state back into her natural energy state. Buffy wondered if she would remember the humans who loved her.

Her sister was the only one in the room who didn’t look at her with sadness. She knew it was time for Buffy to move on. She could see the scope of the whole universe, while the others couldn’t comprehend the intricate patterns at work.

Buffy felt a wave of weariness fall over her. Once again she fought against the urge to close her eyes and let go. They were still waiting on two more.

“Angel should be here any minute.” Dawn said softly, somehow able to read her sister‘s thoughts. Buffy nodded. Only one unaccounted for, but Buffy knew she would be here.

The door opened downstairs and inside herself Buffy registered ‘Family’. More than one.

Angel and Drusilla came slowly up the stairs. Buffy finally let herself begin to relax. She could finally begin to let go.



“So I told Rupert that was a possibility with any married couple and we left.”

Spike smiled at the memory.

Death watched him as he took a drink from his beer.

“So you guys lived happily ever after then?”

Spike’s laugh was more of a harsh bark.

“Not even.” Spike lit a cigarette and took a couple of drags on it. “The next ten years made the first couple seem like a minor inconvenience.”

“Well?!?” Death asked impatiently. “What happened next? What happened to the First? What about Willow and Oz? That’s not an ending is it, because if it is that is a pretty crappy story.”

“Easy there,” Spike soothed her. “That isn’t the end. I’m just not sure how to go on from here.”

Spike paused again. He had tried many times to shut out the memories of what had happened to them during that time, but had never succeeded.

He closed his eyes and the words came out before he knew he was saying them.

Buffy stared up at Angel and Drusilla. The last time the three of them had been together had been when Spike had been injured. Buffy had avoided them since then, she had never been comfortable with her memories of that night.

“My boy has moved on.” Drusilla said.

“Yes, he has.” Buffy watched her reaction closely. Drusilla moved up and touched Buffy’s cheek lightly. Buffy was surprised she didn’t want to pull away, part of her regretting the distance she put between herself and the vampires. They were Spike’s only family.

“I need you both to know I never blamed you for what happened that night. I know that it was actually a natural occurrence between vampire families. It was my own inability to accept the demony parts that led me to pull away from you. I know it was because of me that Spike never contacted you again and I’m sorry I kept you apart.” It was hard for Buffy to admit all this. Like Spike she had tried many times to block out those years from her mind.

“No worries, my lamb.” Drusilla cooed. “All is right. You made him so happy.” Buffy smiled at her.

Happiness. He had made her so happy as well, once they got past their own demons.


“Rupert was right. We weren’t prepared for what came next. We thought we had been through so much the rest would be easy.” Spike’s voice was low as he tried not to let the pain inside him reflect in his voice.

“At first it was pretty good. We spent some time with the Wolf and Red in Canada, before Buffy decided she wasn’t a big fan of the cold. After that we traveled around for a bit. It was about a year and half later when it started. Pretty much exactly as Rupert said.

First there was the little incident where the First’s minions brought out the First Slayer in Buffy‘s body. She tried to kill me, all she knew was that I was a vampire so I should die. I thought that with our bond and our love Buffy would be able to overpower the First Slayer, but she couldn‘t.

It took Willow casting a spell to reverse what The First had done, but then things were strained between us. I was upset that she wasn’t able to fight the First Slayer better. I thought it meant she didn’t love me as much as she said she did.

Meanwhile, Buffy was now afraid to let go of herself again. She was always afraid she would lose control. She was worse than when she came back she couldn’t let herself relax. We stopped having sex because she was afraid that she could lose control of herself when we were joined together. Things between us became very tense.

We tried to resume our travels, but it was difficult. We made it to Australia, when I was hit with some kind of poison from some kind of weird demon. It didn’t kill me, but it separated my spirit from my body. Not knowing what else to do Buffy called Angel and made him bring Drusilla. She was hoping Dru could heal me, like Angel healed her.”

Spike’s voice started to crack a little. He knew he could get through this, he just had to keep going. “Dru brought me back, but the way she did it called the demon instead of the man. Things happened. Buffy lost control, under the influence of my demon. Dru never really was far from letting go and Angel…“ Spike’s voice broke “I haven’t thought about this in so long...“ He stopped and got control of himself then continued. “By the time I fully came back to myself, Buffy was terrified. She had lost control again, only this time it was because of our bond.”

Spike stared out into the fog. “She left me. She went back to California, said she needed to figure some things out. We were apart for almost a year. I spent that year at the bottom of any bottle of liquor I could get my hands on. Anything to dull the pain her leaving created.

Then one day I get a call. Its Buffy. She tells me she misses me and she wants to come home to me.

I was ecstatic. I couldn’t wait to see her, to hold her, to touch her. She was to be home in a week.

Two days later she was kidnapped.” That last sentence was nothing more than a whisper.

“Two years we searched for her. Willow tried to enhance our bond hoping I could sense her better, but since we had been apart for so long it didn’t work too well. I couldn’t tell her exact location, just the basic area. They would always move her whenever I got close. I could feel everything she felt, though. I could feel when they tortured her. I could feel when they…” Spike let out a sob and stood up.

Death, who hadn’t interrupted until now, spoke up. “William, its over. You got her back and she did recover.” Her voice was calming, it brought him back from the blackness of that time.

“Yeah, Oz stayed with me most of the time. He kept me sane and helped me free her.” Spike couldn’t look at Death. He couldn’t look anyone in the eye when he remembered those times. Only Oz knew the extent the vampire had gone to for any information or clues to getting Buffy back. Torture and murder for those they could get away with killing. Other times Spike let himself be used as a pawn or even a whore for any information that would help them. Buffy had never asked him what he had done and he never wanted to tell her. Sometimes he suspected she had seen when they became close again, but if she had she also had sensed his shame and desperation and knew not to bring it up.
“Again it was the work of the First, trying to warp her into joining his team.” Spike wiped away the tears on his face before turning back around to face Death.

“Red and the Watcher had been constantly working on a plan to separate the First from Buffy and they finally came up with an idea to bind him. They found an old religious relic from some mad holy man that was supposed to be able to hold him indefinitely.

The First wasn’t too happy with that plan so he decided on a full on assault. Buffy was still recovering when the war started. Many of the younger Slayers were killed and more than a few of Riley‘s army folks also died. In the end it was Faith who was finally able to trap the First. She lost her own life in the process.”

Spike finished his beer and looked at Death, before he could even ask his can was full again. He smiled at her gratefully. “When Faith died Buffy and I saw first hand how devastated Angel was. The two of them had been trying to get together for years now, but they never got around to it, then it was too late. After that Buffy and I worked hard to rebuild our trust and relationship.”

“So was it always that hard and terrible?” Death asked, unable to help herself. “Did you make a mistake by being together?”

“Never.” Spike said with confidence. “As bad as things got, there were always those magical times that made all the pain worth it.”




”After we had trapped the First, Buffy and I left again to travel. We wanted to be alone to rebuild their relationship. We made it all over this time, but they found ourselves coming back to Greece again and again. One day I bought a small island in the Mediterranean. We built a house there and that became our permanent home.

Not long after that I surprised her by flying in all of her friends and informing her we were going to have a traditional wedding ceremony, with the dress, the holy man and all the trappings.

On a cliff over looking the see at sunset, we formerly declared our love in front of her loved ones. The wedding was unreal. Even after all those years and everything we’d been through to have Buffy standing in front of all her friends looking like an angel and professing her love and devotion to me was nothing short of amazing. Hell, even Giles, almost 90 at this point, agreed to give her away finally giving his blessing on our relationship.” Spike’s stopped and thought a minute.

“That isn’t my favorite memory though.” He continued. “My favorite memories have nothing to do with the big moments.” He looked at Death and tried to explain. “Laying in bed in the mornings holding her in my arms and watching the sun rise. Being able to fight by her side and knowing what move she was going to perform before she did. Teaching her to play chess on cold winter nights when we were staying in Russia. Watching her face light up when she was happy or surprised. All those are what made it all so magical. Having a daily routine together, sharing our lives. That was the sweetest part.

Anyone can make vows of love. Few stick to them. Fewer still get the point where they are really sharing themselves instead of just ‘being together’. Then there was always the danger of losing our edge or getting bored with our lives.


Once Giles gave his blessing and the First had been trapped, communications between the two warriors and the Watcher’s Council had opened back up. Buffy and I worked for the Council on an ‘as needed’ basis. We lived our lives simply; enjoying our home and the quiet, but when things got to restless we always had the option of taking a job and getting in some quality ass kicking time. We had the normal life and the extraordinary life.

We had it all.”





The room was silent as those gathered around her waited for what Buffy was going to say. They all knew that time was running out.

“Unlike Spike, I couldn’t just leave without saying goodbye, plus my corpse is going to be too cute to leave on a sand dune in Brazil.” Buffy smiled weakly at her friends assembled before her. Buffy held Willow’s hand on one side and Dawn’s on another. “I wanted to make sure you know how important all of you have been to me. Without you I wouldn’t have ever had the chance to experience the happiness I’ve found in this life. I love you all so much.”

Tears started to slip down Buffy’s face as she looked at each of her friends, remembering the first time she saw all of them.

“I don’t know what’s going to come next, but I hope that somehow, some way we’ll all get to be together again.”

“I know we’ll see each other again, if only in our dreams.” Drusilla sang softly. Angel took her hand to quiet her.

“We love you too, Buffy.” Dawn said quietly. “I know you worry about me forgetting you when I fully become the Key again. I promise there is no way I could ever forget my family.”

“I don’t think I’m going to be that far behind you, either, Buffy.” Xander added in. “So tell Anya I’m on my way.”

“Tara promised that we’d be together again.” Willow said through her tears. “I’m sure she meant all of us.”

Buffy’s voice got weaker. “No matter what, you will all always be a part of me and Spike.” Buffy’s eyes fluttered for a moment, then closed.

Around the bed her friends bowed their heads in mourning. Buffy the Greatest Vampire Slayer that lived, had died.



“So then she starts in on me about the amount of TV I was watching. Even the most wonderful woman in the world can get to be a right bitch around that time of the month.” By now Spike was stalling he had finished his story a while ago and was now going back and filling in any small detail or part of their lives he might have missed, trying to buy himself some more time.

“I think we’ve pretty much come to the end of your tale, William.” Death told him gently.

Spike sighed, resigned, he knew he couldn’t keep her interested in much longer. “Well?” He asked her.

“It was a wonderful story.” Death practically gushed. “It had all the great components of a great story; romance, adventure, drama, heartbreak, death, good sex…”

“I meant do see now that if Buffy isn’t here there has to be some mistake somewhere.”

Death just looked at him funny, Spike felt the panic begin to rise inside him again.

“We were promised by the Powers!” He yelled.

“I understand that William, but even if that’s true, the Powers are known for being fickle. With all the trouble you had before, maybe they changed their mind about that.”

“Those Bastards. I want to see them. I’ll fix them.”

“No William you have to move on. I’m sorry you lost Buffy, but the fact is you died and she didn’t. She isn’t here which means she wasn’t meant to be here.” Death reached out her hand. “William, take my hand.”

Spike turned and ran into the fog. He didn’t get too far before she stood in front of him. He turned to head in another direction, but she was there as well.

“William, please stop trying to get away. There is no where to go and you are beginning to wear my patience out.”

Everywhere Spike turned she stood in front of him. He knew he couldn’t get away. She came closer and was a hair away from touching him. Not knowing what else to do Spike fell on his knees and began to plead. Death just shook her head, then she froze. She looked out into the gray mist.

“I don’t believe it.” She gasped. From out of the fog came a voice.

“I leave you alone for a few hours and you’re already on your knees proposing to another woman.”

Spike looked up from in front of Death. There in front of them stood Buffy. She looked like she did right after he was resurrected.

“Buffy.” He breathed out her name as if it were a prayer. He stood and crossed over to her.

“Running a bit late, aren’t you luv?” He asked as he stalked over to her.

Buffy sniffed. “Well, unlike some people I didn’t want to leave without saying goodbye first.”

“Bloody Hell!! Its not like I really had a choice Buffy. Remember the nasty insect that chopped off my head.” Buffy just giggled at him. They stared at each other for another second before Buffy jumped on him wrapping her arms around his neck and her legs around his neck. Spike spun her around as they laughed at fate, enjoying the feeling of being together again.

Buffy lowered her mouth to his needing to taste him to make sure he was really there with her. She didn’t know where they were, but they were together so she wasn’t too worried. A throat clearing registered in her mind, but she ignored it as she reacquainted herself with Spike’s lips, then his neck. She was about to pull at his shirt when a loud voice cut through her fog of desire.

“Not to interrupt, but how did you get here?” Buffy and Spike finally separated at Death’s question.

“I died.” Buffy told her.

“How did you die?” Death asked her.

“Well, Spike died and our life forces were linked.” Buffy paused and studied Death for a moment. “Do I know you? You look familiar.”

Death didn’t answer her, just continued to look at them perplexed. “But then you should have arrived when he did.”

“You’re Death aren’t you?” Buffy got excited. “I remember you from the last two times.”

That made Death look at Spike with a wry look. “I’m glad someone does.” Spike threw up his hands in defeat.

“That’s right. Pick on the only fellow here. Women, get more than one of them in a room and suddenly its us vs. them.”

Death and Buffy just laughed before Death turned back to Buffy. “So if you two are the Warriors I’ve heard about why didn’t you die when he did. How could you wait? All the rules say that shouldn’t be possible.”

“I’ve never been too good at following the rules. Just ask any of my high school principals, or my mom, or my Watcher…”

“I think she gets the point, luv.” Spike looked deep into Buffy’s eyes. “What would you have done if I couldn’t wait for you?”

Buffy kissed him lightly on the lips. “I would have ripped apart heaven and hell to find you.” She whispered.

“I’m sorry I didn’t believe you William.” Death spoke loudly to get their attention, afraid if she didn‘t they would start making out in front of her again. “This changes everything.”

“What do you mean?” Buffy asked. “What happens to us now?”

Death just shrugged. “That’s up to you. Most creatures wind up going to where ever they believe they deserve to go. Either that or their spirit gets recycled or reincarnated. You two know too much about what’s out there so you can go where ever you want.”

“Wow.” Buffy and Spike exchanged shocked looks. “What are our options? Heaven? Hell? Purgatory?”

“Anything you can imagine.” Death told her.

Buffy looked at Spike helplessly. “I wouldn’t know where to begin. You?”

Spike just shrugged. “Do you have any suggestions for us?” He asked Death.

She seemed to consider for a moment before her face lit up with her trade mark grin. “Well I could always take you to my brother’s. He can always use another story teller. Plus there is a lot in the way of conflict in his realm, he could probably use your fighting skills.”

“That sounds ok to me. Will we have to stay there forever?” Buffy asked Death.
“I doubt it. You could probably work something out with him.”

“I’m always up for an adventure.” Spike said. “As long as I have my girl by my side that is.”

Buffy snuggled into his arms. “Even after all this time you can still surprise me by saying the sweetest things.”

“That’s because after all this time my love for you has only grown.”

“Are you two ready?” Death asked. The couple looked at each other and nodded. They reached out their hands to Death.

“So if you’re Death, who exactly is your brother?” Buffy asked suddenly.

The last thing that was heard before they faded from sight was Death’s reply. “He’s Morpheus. He’s the King of Dreams.”


The End

Disclaimer II: Death and her brother don’t belong to me. The belong to the genius of Neil Gaiman, Master Storyteller.