It stings. And, it’s so bright. Can’t see. Flooded. It’s flooded. Right then, I’ll stay. Knew this was coming. I’ll stay, until she’s safe. Until…

My hand…it’s so warm. It’s burning. She’s holding me…my hand. But…how can she? She wouldn’t. Not now. She knows…She has to leave!

…Heat is too much, things are crumbling, and she…she’s…staying. The light’s in her eyes, and she is so…bloody…stubborn!

Her voice, I hear it.

“I love you.”

Thank you. Oh. A dream. It’s a dream. Now I can…leave. You love me, and now I can leave.

Leave. Go. Why won’t you…?

Oh. I know. Your Dad, Angelus…Riley…your Mum. You loved them all, and now they’re gone. I don’t want to be the last…to leave you. The last you love.

“No, you don’t. But, thanks for saying it.”

I want you to love. I want you to live. Please. This place is crumbling. You’ll die down here… “Now, go!”

The earth is shaking, and I can feel her losing her balance. Don’t fall! Please, don’t fall. You can’t stay down here. It’s falling in, dust in my eyes…I can’t see you. But, I know…Go!

I’ll never leave you.

It’s beautiful…bright…the end. I want to see it. Stand here…watch it come. A good brawl, any day.

“I want to see how it ends.”

White light. Quiet. Weightless. Floating. I can see everything. See her running. Feel…

Running. Pounding…so loud. It’s in my head. So fast. So steady. Go. Go up. Up. Up! The light, I see it. Got to reach the light. Everything’s falling. Can’t fall…not now. Have to keep up. Run. The bus…Dawn…Giles. Flying. Crashing. The ground’s…yellow? And…can’t see. Move my head. Is it mine?

Where…? Oh, yeah…Bus.

Ow. That hurt. Moving. Got to hold on. Hold on. Pitching. Hold on…hold on. Screeching. Burnt rubber…

Stopped. Dust. Dust and light. I can’t see. Too bright. Have to find…

Moving…Feet. Feet on the ground. Soft sound of gravel under foot…foot. Feet. I’m here. I’m here. Here.

Is it me? But where is…?

I look to the side. Orange, yellow, blue, brown and…nothing. Something’s wrong. It’s not right. Where is…?

Dawn. Oh, thank God! You’re still here, and real. I could hold you forever. Now what happened to…?

I see it now. It’s a crater. Nothing can live, not after that. And, that’s a good thing. Now, they can sleep at night.

“We won!” That’s Willow. Friends. Friends are good.

I’m impressed. Never seen anything like it. And it’s…oh yeah… “…Closed for business.” Faith’s voice. And then, the sign falls in, and I think I know how this happened. It’s not until I hear Giles asking, “What did this?” and I hear the answer that I really know.

I hear Buffy’s voice and I know, I did it right.

“Spike.”

She’s alive, and I am so bloody happy it doesn’t matter that I can’t see her. She’s alive.

I did it. I saved her.

I did it. I took care of my Slayer.

And, I smile. I can rest.
***********************************************

Buffy woke, and sighed. Ever since…Sunnydale, she’d had the same dream. Every night.

“Buffy, you ready yet?”

She looked, with annoyance that might just burn a hole through it, at her closed bedroom door, “Xander, you know I’m not a morning person!” Buffy growled.

There was patience in his tone. At least he understood that much. He understood her loss, “Maybe not,” he conceded, “but, the Slayers need training in hand- to- hand- combat. They’re not ready for dusk patrol, yet. You know that. And, this is your schedule,” he reminded gently, through the door, “Remember?”

“Fine. Give me ten minutes.”

“Okay. I’ll go make sure they’re all shaking in their stylish boots.”

Buffy got up from her bed. One last look in the mirror. Everything had healed…except…there was a scar, right at the corner of one eyebrow. It reminded her of…

And, why did she prefer to wear black these days?

She shrugged, as she went out the door. Sentimental, she supposed.
***********************************************************

Buffy had to admit, it gave her a rush, hearing them quiet down as she entered a room. All eyes were on her, and she loved it.

That’s right. * The * Slayer just walked in.

She looked at all their shining faces, one by one, as she stood in front of them, “Lesson the first,” she said, as she palmed and twirled her stake with a flourish that would have made Spike proud, “A Slayer must always reach for her weapon…”