Repost FF Children of the Earth (10/10) Part 2

["Willow X" <willowxbvsb@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Please see Part 1 for heading and disclosure.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

We watched the Summer?s residence closely from across the street. Sometimes 
the accuracy of Methos? predictions astounded me. He foresaw that Willow 
would be alone and she was. He foresaw that Spike had turned evil again and 
he had. He foresaw that Spike would try to abduct Willow and he did. 
Finally, he foresaw that Willow will bring forth Armageddon and? well?that?s 
why we?re here ? to stop that from happening.

When we arrived a few minutes ago he was already inside the house. I could 
see him through the windows.

?Mr. Giles?? Witherspoon asked with a slight jitter. I looked over at him 
annoyed. I?ve asked him to be quiet repeatedly. The last thing we need is 
to announce our presence.

?What?? I whispered back.

?There are two vampires. Two! And that is not including the vicious one 
inside...umm?Spear or Lance or whatever his name is.? He said nervously.

?Spike! His name is Spike.? I said correcting him. Spike?s name was not 
to be forgotten.

?Yes. Of course. Spike. Lovely. I should have known you?d be on a first 
name basis with all the killers of this wretched town.? Witherspoon said 
distastefully. I caught his inference of my personal relationship with 
Willow and shot him an angry glare.

?You?re skating on thin ice Witherspoon.? I warned.

?Yes well ? regardless ... Three! There are three vampires! We must abort 
the extraction mission. Methos will understand.? He concluded.

?If you think I?m leaving without her your mad. Lord knows what he intends 
to do with her.? I muttered without taking my eyes off the house.

?Perhaps it?s for the best. If he takes care of her then we won?t have 
too.? He said.

I turned suddenly and gripped his neck. ?Let?s get one thing straight 
Witherspoon. I don?t like you. Never have, actually. The only reason I 
agreed to this was to stop Willow before she did something she would regret. 
She hasn?t done anything wrong yet and if I hear you repeat what you just 
implied again I?ll deliver you to Spike myself.?

I released my grip around his neck and Witherspoon began coughing 
vigorously. ?Be quiet!? I scolded again.

?No? by all means? make a lot of noise. I like it when they scream!? I 
heard the rough voice say from behind. I turned slowly to see one of 
Spike?s vampires standing behind us. The vampire snarled as he appreciated 
the expression of surprise on our faces.

?Oh. Oh? please don?t? don?t hurt us? we were just...? Witherspoon began 
to whine.

?Oh for God?s sake would you bloody shut up you blithering idiot!? I said 
cutting him off. Reaching into my jacket I pulled out a hand held crossbow. 
Aiming the weapon at the vampire?s heart I shot out a stake the size of a 
pencil. In a matter of seconds he was gone. Dust!

?Look Witherspoon now that there are only two you can stop soiling your 
knickers.? I whispered under my breath sarcastically while returning my 
attention to the home. A few seconds later Spike walked out carrying Willow 
over his shoulder. The other vampire was at his side. Willow seemed to lay 
lifeless over his shoulder. Like a rag doll with arms and legs fluttering 
all over? I feared the worse.

?Are you ready?? I asked Witherspoon. He nodded nervously in agreement. I 
handed him the crossbow and we proceeded with our plan.

Staggering out onto Spike?s path I began mumbling, ?Oh Spike!! Thank 
heavens. We?ve been looking for you. It?s Buffy. She needs your help. 
What? What happened to Willow??

Spike smiled broadly. He looked like a child who just found another gift 
under the Christmas Tree. ?Well well well. Been looking for me, have you? 
You?re going to wish you never found me.?

Before Spike knew what had hit him I pulled the stun riffle I?d been 
shielding from under my overcoat. I shocked Spike and he quickly dropped 
Willow. Simultaneously, Witherspoon shot the other vampire with the hand 
held crossbow. Once Willow was on the floor I continued shocking Spike 
until he lost consciousness. The vampire that Witherspoon was supposed to 
have killed was choking him. I pulled a spare stake from my coat and 
dusted him myself. Witherspoon lay on the floor holding his throat.

?Are you alright?? I asked moderately concerned. He started grunting as I 
walked away from him??he was fine. Willow was lying lifeless on the floor. 
I knelt over her body and felt her pulse. She was still alive but 
unconscious.

?Come on. We have to get her back to Methos before it?s too late.? I 
advised Witherspoon as I put Willow over my shoulder. I sigh relieved. We 
found her just in time to make everything right. Just in time to stop her.

?What do we do with the vampire?? Witherspoon asked. I thought about it 
for a moment. What did Spike deserve?

We dragged his body to a nearby tree? out of sight. I reached into my bag 
and found the metal shackles we brought along in case Willow resisted. I 
used the shackles to tie him securely to the tree.

?Tomorrow ... when the sun rises ... he will get what he deserves.? I 
concluded.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The drive home seemed to last forever. Every street corner, every house, 
every car was a reminder of how far away from her I was when she needed me. 
How could I have been so stupid? How could I have listened to Hope? Willow 
should have been with me. By my side? where I could have defended her ? 
protected her ? taken care of her.

When we finally arrived the front door of the house was wide open and all 
the lights were on. I don?t remember parking the car or getting out. The 
only thing I remember is standing at the door of the house. I heard a 
slight rustling coming from the kitchen and quickly made my way there. Once 
I got there my heart stopped. Literally stopped.

?You!? I said in disgust. Hope was kneeling over Dawn?s body on the floor 
? her eyes black with magic. Her hands were bloody and I could hear Dawn?s 
painful whimpers.

?Buffy?I?she...? Hope began to explain as I charged towards her. With one 
swift swing of my fist Hope?s body flung in the air and landed hard on the 
kitchen counter. Before she could recuperate I ran up to her and gripped 
her neck?lifting her body high over my head.

?This was all you! You?ve been planning this all along! Orchestrating it! 
Looking for a way to separate Willow from me!? I screamed at her with all 
my might. Suddenly gusts of wind began blowing through the kitchen doors 
and windows. Plates, glasses, and utensils began flying around the room in 
a circular motion around us.

?Let me go!? Hope muttered angrily through her teeth with her eyes consumed 
in darkness. I responded by tightening my grip around her neck. She 
reached down and placed her hand on my chest?in an instant I felt as if I?d 
been kicked in the heart by a force stronger than a hundred vampires. I 
flew weightlessly through the air like until I felt my body smash against 
the wall of the kitchen. Seconds later I landed on my knees a few feet away 
from Dawn. When I look up Hope was preparing for her second attack. A huge 
wind tunnel was forming in the palm of her right hand and I saw as she flung 
it at me. I closed my eyes and covered my head to prepare for the blow.

?ENOUGH!!!? The familiar voice screamed from the doorway that leads to the 
dinning room. Suddenly I was encased in a green shield and watched as the 
wind tunnel bounced off. I looked at the doorway and there stood Tara ? her 
own eyes black with magic.

?That?s borrowed power!? Hope growled.

?But power nonetheless!? Tara countered.

I knelt helpless beneath the glowing green shield Tara protected me with. 
Tara and Hope were looking at each other angrily. Dawn was still breathing 
because I could see the expanding and contracting of her chest and there was 
someone lying on the floor just outside the kitchen door that I couldn?t 
quite make out. It wasn?t Willow though? the clothes were not familiar.

?What have you done?? Tara asked Hope in a forceful voice. The minute the 
question reached Hope?s ears her facial expression changed. Her eyes 
softened and returned to their olive green shade.

?I haven?t done anything. I got here a few minutes ago and found her on the 
floor. I was trying to heal her when Buffy walked in.? Hope turned to me 
and showed me her bloody hands, ?I was healing her little one. Healing 
her!! I would never hurt her or Willow.?

Tara looked at me and I nodded at her. The green shield that had been 
protecting me disappeared and I crawled towards Dawn?s body as soon as 
possible.

?Dawn! Dawnie, honey, are you ok? Dawn please open your eyes.? I pleaded 
with her. A few seconds later her eyes opened. She smiled softly glad to 
see me, but her smile quickly disappeared as her eyes swelled with tears.

?He took her.? She whispered.

?I know.? I responded.

?Is the ?Wicked Wicca Fest? over?? Anya screamed from behind Tara. Tara 
was still in battle stance and her eyes were black, fixed on Hope.

?Buffy? it?s Janice.? Dawn whispered as she turned over slowly pointing 
towards the back porch. Hope quickly moved outside and placed her hands on 
Janice. A yellow light began to shine brightly. I leaned over Dawn to 
cover her eyes from the glow and felt as her heart weakly beat against mine. 
My eyes swelled with tears.

?I was so worried about you Dawnie. I was so worried.? I whispered softly 
and she moaned lightly in response.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

((We did it. We beat Glory. Buffy stomped her to near death a few minutes 
ago and now she is with Dawn on the tower. Tara was with me. Everything 
was ok. Everyone was safe.

Suddenly the sky exploded with a bright light. Tara and I crouched on the 
ground holding each other ... covering our eyes. The earth started shacking 
and cracking all around us. A few seconds later a huge electric current 
charged out of the center of the light in the sky and a demon 
appeared...then another...then another...something had gone desperately 
wrong. The gates of hell were opening.

The gates of hell were opening!

Looking up at the platform I covered my face and squinted my eyes trying my 
best to make out what was going on. Buffy and Dawn were together. I 
couldn't figure out what had gone wrong. Then right before my eyes it 
happened. My life changed forever. My heart broke.

I saw Buffy run down the span of the platform and...... jump. Such a 
graceful jump. Such beauty. Her body sliced through the air as bright 
lights began appearing all around her. In a matter of seconds everything 
stopped. The world was silent. The gates of hell were closed....and 
Buffy's body lay lifeless on a pile of rubble.

She was dead...and I never got to tell her how much I loved her. How much I 
really loved her. ))

"BUFFY!!!!!!"

"Sheesh....talk about homoerotic obsession. You scream her name even while 
unconscious." The sound of that voice made my blood boil. I opened my eyes 
and, at first, was unable to focus. My hands and feet were bound to the 
chair I was sitting on and my neck and head were sore. I blinked repeatedly 
but the light was making it hard for me to see. Once my eyes had adjusted 
to the brightness, I saw her ... Amy ... standing before me with her arms 
crossed and a smug look on her face.

"I should have given you rat poison when I had a chance." I muttered. The 
smugness in Amy's expression quickly morphed into rage as she raised her 
hand up in the air to slap me.

"Amy." A deep voice warned from behind her. Her hand stopped mid air and 
she glared at me intensely. The feeling of hatred was 
overwhelming...unnatural hatred. Unhappy that she could not strike me, she 
leaned in closer and spat on my face.

"That's quite enough Amy." The deep voice warned again. "Step away so I 
can see her."

Amy stepped aside reluctantly and I got my first look of the room I was in. 
It was an office or study or something. There were shelves filled with 
books on the wall and a grandiose mahogany desk. Sitting at the desk was a 
dark man.

"Methos." I concluded.

"Very good Ms. Rosenberg." He replied.

"How did you...?" I began to ask but Amy interrupted harshly.

"Thanks to our friendly neighborhood librarian." She said.

"Giles?" I asked confused.

"Yep! The best part was that it didn't even take a lot of coaxing to get 
him to stab you in the back.... and of course...the look on his face when he 
realized what he had done." She chimed pleased at herself.

"Amy...leave us...I need to speak to Ms. Rosenberg alone." Methos 
instructed. Amy hesitantly obeyed his instructions and left the room. As 
soon as the door closed behind her Methos began to speak.

"Willow Rosenberg. It is an honor to finally make your acquaintance. I've 
been waiting for you for centuries...."

"What did you do to Buffy?" I interrupted harshly.

"Nothing." He responded nonchalantly.

"Why can't I feel her? Why can't I feel her?" I asked angrily.

"Ahhh...yes...well...your getting ahead of me."

"Is she dead? Did you kill her?" I demanded to know. He smiled and 
chuckled a bit at my question.

"You have no idea, have you?" He asked amused at my apparent ignorance.

"What?"

"Nevermind. The reason you can't sense the Slayer is sitting at the end of 
this desk." He explained as he motioned towards a glowing red paperweight.

"It's not a paperweight. Really, Ms. Rosenberg, you're disappointing me." 
He said reading my thoughts. "It's the Orb of Gehasi and the reason why you 
have yet to strike me down." Suddenly it made sense. The Orb of 
Gehasi...of course. The candidness of his comment, however, surprised me a 
bit. Did I really have the power to strike him down?

"Twice over." He responded. "Now if you only knew how to use it...then I'd 
really be in a pickle."

"What do you want?" I asked sourly. I was growing impatient.

"What everyone wants....POWER!!! We are sitting on the mouth of Hell. Do 
you have any idea what kind of power we can harness from here? We could 
control planets....dimensions...time and space....good and evil....we could 
control it all. Re-write history to our own liking.? He finished with an 
evil gleam in his eyes and I looked at him with such disgust.

?Hope was right... you are corrupt and evil,? I paused for a moment and then 
finished my statement ?I?d rather die than help you!?

Methos sat quietly at his desk. His stare was piercing and I could see his 
jaws moving as he grinded his teeth. The longer he looked at me the harder 
my resolve face became. After a few minutes he nodded slowly in agreement 
?Yes. You would. I can see it. However, you will help me accomplish my 
goal...whether you?re a willing participant or not.? He finished in disdain. 
Just as the words had excited his mouth, the door opened and in walked 
Amy, Rack, Giles, and a man I didn?t recognize.

?Mr. Giles ... Mr. Witherspoon .... please escort Ms. Rosenberg to the 
gateway.? Methos instructed coldly.

?Giles! Giles it?s me! Willow! It?s me!? I pleaded with him.

?The Council fights evil...the Slayer is merely the instrument. The Council 
fights evil...the Slayer is merely the instrument. The Council fights 
evil...the Slayer is merely the instrument.? Giles chanted over and over 
again with a spaced out look on his face. I felt my face go pale. Giles? 
I heard Amy chuckle from behind me.

?Neat trick, huh?? Amy asked proud of herself. ?Oh come on? it?s not the 
first time you see me do it.?

I couldn?t believe what was happening. Where is Buffy? Where is Buffy?

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Life is filled with defining moments ? instances that change the course of 
your existence forever. Time and circumstance can be very perplexing. Have 
you ever looked back at a point in your life and wondered what would have 
happened if you hadn?t been in that same exact spot at that same exact 
moment? What would have been of your life? I?ve done that a thousand 
times... wondered what would have happened had I not been called. What 
would have happened had we stayed in Los Angeles. What would have happened 
if Mom had chosen any other town in California other than Sunnydale.

The answer is always the same...I would have never met Willow. Or would I? 
She?s my soul mate...would I have met her eventually? Would we have crossed 
paths at one point or another?

?Where will they be taking her?? I asked Hope. It had been a while since 
the chaos that ensued earlier. Xander and Faith were already home, Dawn and 
Janice were resting, and it was time to concentrate on Willow.

?The Hellmouth. The ritual must be performed at the very entrance.? Hope 
explained and Xander shot me an awkward look.

?How do you know?? Tara interrupted. Hope looked at her silently for a few 
minutes. After a while she smiled broadly and nodded her head.

?I?m very proud of you. Willow gave you extraordinary power...but instead 
of using it against me...you used it to protect your friend. I was right 
about you all along.? Hope finished.

?Ummmm...is it just me or did she just not answer your question?? Faith 
asked Tara annoyed. Returning her attention to Hope she began to speak 
again. ?Look lady I?m getting sick of your crypto ?I?m helping you but I?m 
not? talk. I?m not big on chasing my own tail here. Now...answer the 
fucking question. HOW DO YOU KNOW??

?How I know is not your concern. You may choose to use the knowledge or 
not. It?s up to you.? Hope explained emotionless. ?I note, however, we do 
not have much time left. It has been foreseen. At 7:30 A.M. a great 
sorceress will die and the world as you know it will change forever.? 
Should I trust her? Should I trust her with my life....with all our lives? 
Hmmmm...the funny thing about defining moments is that the decisions are 
never easy.

?So tell me more about this red ball you were talking about earlier.? I 
responded. Faith and Tara were not satisfied but followed my lead. Is this 
a trap? Have I changed our lives forever? Am I positioning myself in right 
spot at the right time?

There is only one way to find out.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Sunnydale High. Well...the ruins at least. It seems only fitting that I 
die here. Right where it all started. Right where we first met.

?Tie her securely to the altar.? Methos instructed Amy and Rack. Amy 
tightened the ropes that were holding my hands and Rack had a stiff 
expression on his face.

?What time is it Witherspoon?? Methos asked.

?It is 7:12 A.M.? He responded.

?We haven?t got much time left. Begin lighting the torches and bring forth 
the Orb.? Methos demanded. The torches that had been positioned in a 
circle around the altar were lighted all at once by Amy. She was more than 
pleased at the task. Giles stood quietly in the shadows. His expression 
was emotionless.

Sunrise was a few moments away and the darkness of the sky was being 
replaced by a bright red glow. I lay still on the alter facing the clouds. 
This was it. My time had come. My eyes glazed over as Methos began 
chanting softly around me. One by one each of them joined in the 
chant...even Giles. After a few minutes the sound of the chanting was like 
a river roaring through my ears. It was unbearable. I felt as my insides 
began to tear. Something terribly wrong was happening. I opened my eyes 
and the sky was blood red. It was crackling and thundering but there were 
no rain clouds. The Earth began to shake beneath me and I heard the 
familiar growls of the untold horrors that inhabited the Hellmouth.

Suddenly the sky darkened to a deeper shade of red ... the color of blood. 
Rain began falling on my face in violent droplets ... blinding me ... 
choking me. The louder the chanting became the harder the wind blew. I 
opened my eyes slowly and saw Methos standing over me holding the Orb high 
in the sky. Bolts of lightning were shooting out of the Orb and I felt has 
my heart twisted inside of me. Suddenly a ray of green light hit Methos in 
the chest and the Orb dropped to the floor chattering in a thousand pieces. 
Almost instantly I felt a wave of power overcome my body

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

We arrived at the ruins of our old highschool just in time. They had Willow 
tied down to some sort of altar looking thing. She was moving around and 
the sight of that alone made me breathe a huge sigh of relief. Part of me 
was afraid she was dead...but I never allowed the thought to completely 
invade me. Suddenly the sky darkened and violent winds began blowing all 
around us. The Earth began to shake and several huge cracks appeared 
spreading out from beneath the altar. The cracks formed like a sort of 
spider web formation with Willow tied helplessly at the center. The first 
demon to crawl up from beneath the ground was a slimy green looking one. He 
had teeth all around the outside of his skull and once out, let out a loud 
terrifying growl. I turned and looked at Xander and Faith whom were 
crouched behind me in the bushes. We were in position. Across the stretch 
of the ruins Tara, Hope, and Anya prepared for their own attack.

?Buffy...am I seeing things or does that look like...?? Xander began to 
ask.

?Giles! Yes. I saw him too.? I responded. ?Look Xander. When all this 
goes down I want you to go straight for Giles. I don?t know what he?s doing 
there so be careful. Don?t hurt him...just keep him away from us and out of 
harms way. Faith and I will do the rest.? I finished.

?Who?s the other guy?? Xander asked.

?Hey you.? Faith responded sourly.

?Huh?? Xander and I asked in unison.

?My watcher... real dickhead.? She explained. I turned to her and asked, 
?Are you ready??

?As ever.? Faith confirmed. Turning again to watch the scene unfolding 
before us I saw Hope, Tara, and Anya mustering strength to strike down 
Methos. Although Tara and Anya had limited powers, what little strength 
they had would give Hope the edge she needed over her other half...her 
equal. Willow was screaming and twisting and turning under the shackles 
that held her down. Without warning it began to rain ... hard rain ... the 
type that felt like thousands of needles pricking your skin. The harder it 
rained the harder it was getting to see Willow. Methos was standing proud 
over her, holding the glowing red ball over his head.

Several other demons had already crawled out of the Earth and I was 
beginning to get nervous. Suddenly a charge of energy shot out from the 
combined efforts of Hope, Tara and Anya hitting Methos square in the chest. 
He was knocked off his feet and the Orb came crashing down. As it shattered 
into pieces a red mist made its way to Willow. Her body stiffened and she 
screamed with all her might. What came next was nothing short of chaos.

Almost instantly Amy charged in the direction of Hope and Tara. They began 
battling each other. Hope stepped in front of Tara to bare the front of the 
attack. She was protecting her just as Tara had protected me earlier.

?B... come-on, it?s time to move like we got a purpose.? Faith urged. We 
stepped out from behind the bushes, Faith and I both sporting large swords. 
I was carrying the one I had used so many years ago to kill Angel. We 
walked through the ruins slicing our swords through the air ... demon blood 
splattering all over us. I looked towards where Willow was. Xander had 
done just as I asked. He had effectively knocked out both Giles and 
Dickhead, as Faith had so eloquently referred to him. Then I saw something 
that caught my eye. The entire altar that Willow had been tied to was 
floating in the air, slowly moving higher and higher. A bright red glow 
engulfed it and Methos was covering his eyes on the floor beneath it. Out 
of nowhere the altar exploded in. The force of the explosion was so strong 
that we all fell over. I felt as my body crashed hard against the ground 
behind me. A few seconds later I opened my eyes to see Willow ... standing 
strong before Methos. Her entire body engulfed in a glow and her red hair 
flowing in the wind and rain.

?Get up Methos.? Her voice thundered.

Methos stood slowly with a smug expression on his face. His gaze was truly 
evil. ?Do you remember when I said you had the power to strike me down 
twice over?? He asked with his own voice echoing power.

?I lied!? He finished and with that let out a scream that created a vortex 
of wind that shot straight out at Willow. Her body flew across the air and 
landed in a pile of rubble.

?I tried. I tried to save you. I tried to give you the world. Power 
beyond your wildest imagination. Strength! Riches! Fame! Instead....you 
spat in my face like the low grade little bitch that you are!? Methos 
growled evilly. He clapped his hands over his head and lightning thundered 
through the skies.

?Years!!! Centuries!!! I?ve been mastering my power for centuries you 
idiot!! You will never defeat me!!!? He screamed. Willow stood from 
within the rubble. Her mouth was bloody and her hair was disheveled but her 
eyes were red with rage.

?Did you just call me a bitch?? Willow asked. She waved her hands at a 
pile of rubble that was near Methos and in one fail swoop he was buried. 
She turned to me proudly dusting off her hands but before she had a chance 
to speak a grumbling sound was heard from beneath the rubble. Like popcorn 
exploding out of an uncovered pan, rocks and stones began flying all over 
the place. In a matter of seconds Methos was standing again with a mighty 
angry look on his face.

?Perhaps the gravity of the situation has not hit you yet.....but it soon 
will.? He growled and one by one rocks the size of basketballs began 
shooting towards Willow one after the other. She muttered something and was 
instantly protected within a glowing blow sphere... each rock effectively 
bouncing off. Her shield was losing force and she was kneeling weakly 
within it. I began to run towards Methos and with a wave of his hand he 
sent me flying. My body exploded in pain as I landed against a nearby tree.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

We stood about twenty feet away from the altar. Willow had just been 
returned her strength and was battling Methos, but we were running short of 
time.

?So it?s come to this! It?s really quite poetic.? Rack screamed over the 
sound of the wind blowing. He and Amy were standing a few feet away from 
Tara, Anya and I.

?It doesn?t have to ? you know what we must do! You know that this is 
wrong.? I said. Both Tara and Amy seemed confused.

?Do you know this chic?? Amy asked Rack with a hint of disgust.

?Amy?? Tara screamed as she extended her arms out with palms up ? magic 
crackling at her fingertips. ?What was it we were discussing about 
underestimation?? She asked in an innocent voice.

Amy growled and a huge fireball flew out of her mouth in Tara?s direction.

?Reverso!? I muttered waving my hand in the air. The fire ball that had 
been hurdling in Tara?s direction stopped in mid-air and returned to Amy 
with force. Before she had a chance to move the fireball consumed her.

?Nooooo!? Rack?s voice thundered at the sight of what had happened. He 
looked at me with his eyes filled with rage. ?Nooooooo!?

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

?Are we getting tired?? Methos asked Willow sarcastically. She could only 
grunt as she used all her strength to hold the shield. Methos increased the 
rate of boulders he was steering her way until finally one broke her shield 
and slammed against her stomach. Her body was crushed between the wall 
barely standing behind her and the boulder Methos threw her way.

?Now ... you will learn what pain is.? He hissed triumphantly. A barrier of 
green light appeared all around them as Methos raised his hand high and 
sliced his fingers nails through the air. Willow screamed in agony as 
bloody gashes appeared on her left cheek. I looked around for help. Faith 
and Xander were fighting demons. Hope and Tara were trying to save Amy. I 
got up and ran towards Willow again until I hit the invisible wall Methos 
had erected. I fell back from the sheer force of the collision and as I was 
struggling to get up again Hope appeared next to me.

?It?s time little one.? She said.

?Amy?? I asked.

?She?s dead. Rack escaped into the bushes. Tara and Anya are looking for 
him.? She explained.

?Help me. I have to save Willow.? I urged.

?There is only one way to save her now.? She explained. I looked at her 
confused and noticed that she had tears in her eyes. ?You must kill me.? 
She finished.

?What? No! You have to help me. Help me stop him. Help me save her.? I 
pleaded.

?I can?t! I can?t hurt him. I can?t fight him. Why do you suppose I?ve 
been hiding for so many years?? She asked while helping me up. I looked 
over her shoulder and Methos was really beating Willow hard.

?Hope! Get out of the way. I don?t have time. I need to save Willow!? I 
screamed.

?STOP!? She said grabbing my shoulders harshly. ?You?re not listening. 
The only way you?ll save her now is killing me. I?d hoped it wouldn?t come 
to this ? but it did. Methos and I are one. It?s what you?re supposed to 
do. It?s your destiny.? She finished breathless.

?What? I ... I don?t understand.? I said confused.

?Methos foresaw his death at the hands of one of the Children of the Earth. 
When Willow appeared he figured it would be her. He figured only another 
Sorceress would ever stand a chance to overpower him. But I knew the truth 
... I knew it would be you all along!? She explained. My world was 
spinning out of control and I was emotionally exhausted. The wind was 
blowing hard and the rain was blinding me. The only thing I could hear was 
Willow?s cries for help. She was in danger, I couldn?t get near her, and 
Hope was asking me to...

?What are you asking me to do?? I finally asked.

?Death is your gift. I need you to end this.? She said.

?I will. As soon as we stop Methos this will all be over.? I concluded.

?You cannot stop him. He will never allow you to get close to him. Willow 
doesn?t have much time left. You must do this. Once I die so will Methos. 
Why do you suppose he didn?t have me killed centuries ago? Because my death 
would mean his own. Just as Willow?s death would mean your own as 
well...and vice versa. It?s the price you pay once you are One.? I looked 
into her eyes and couldn?t believe what she was telling me. How could she 
expect me to do this?

?You must! The fate of the World depends on it. In a few minutes Methos 
will use Willow?s power to open the Hellmouth. Once he opens it Willow will 
be dead and so will you. There is no other way.?

?I can?t do it Hope. I can?t ...? I began to protest and Hope interrupted.

?Please,? she begged softly, ?please ... I?m so tired. I?m so very tired. 
There is no hope for him. I can see it. I can?t live another day knowing 
that he is a part of me. Please.? She pleaded. I looked over her shoulder 
once again. Methos had placed his hand on Willow?s head. His head was 
flung back and he was laughing evilly. I looked back at Hope again and she 
nodded softly.

?Death is your gift little one ... please?? She pleaded once more. I took 
a deep breath and gripped the handle of my sword with both hands. With one 
swift jab I ran the sword through Hope?s stomach. Her eyes popped open in 
pain as she gasped and stumbled backwards onto some nearby rubble.

?Hope? Hope? I?m sorry. I?m sorry.? I repeated softly as I ran to her 
side. Her eyes shined a blinding light and I felt the energy coursing 
through her body as I held her. I looked up to see that the barrier Methos 
had created disappear suddenly. He had released Willow and was stumbling 
back slowly just as Hope had done a few seconds ago with a confused look on 
his face. The rain fell harder and the wind was hollering loudly as if the 
sky was grieving the inevitable loss of a great Sorceress.

?Don?t make the same mistakes I made little one. Don?t make the same 
mistakes.? Hope pleaded softly until her eyes finally closed. And then ... 
almost as if a switch had been flipped ... everything stopped. There was 
only quiet. The wind and rain ceased. The demons that Faith and Xander so 
valiantly had been fighting disappeared. The sky that had turned the color 
of blood quickly returned to its beautiful shade of light blue. I looked 
around confused...assessing everything that had changed and when I looked 
back down, Hope?s body had disappeared as well.

I made my way towards Willow. Running and jumping over piles of rubble and 
garbage. When I reached her, her eyes were closed and her clothes were 
bloody and torn. We had been through such an ordeal these last few days. I 
almost lost her. I almost lost her. Then out of the blue I remembered what 
Hope had said ... the price we pay ... the consequences of our actions. And 
it occurred to me that I will never lose her. Ever.

I laid my body over Willow?s and closed my eyes as fresh tears squeezed out. 
I held her tightly to me willing her to be well. Wishing her to wake up. 
To smile at me. I missed her smile so much. I missed the sound of her 
voice. I missed her eyes. I missed everything about her that made my heart 
sing... and just as I was having these thoughts a surge of energy coursed 
through me. I felt my body shake and become weak. When I opened my eyes 
again...there she was...my Willow. Her flawless face, glowing green eyes, 
and cascading red hair.

?You healed me.? She whispered softly as she smiled.

?You scared the shit out of me!? I said back.

?Sheesh... ok...I?m gonna close my eyes we can try this all over again.? 
She countered as she rolled her eyes in the cutest way. My heart skipped a 
beat as I laid my body back on top of her. I could feel her heart beating 
strong and I was never letting her go again.

?I love you so much.? I whispered sadly remembering Hope?s last words to 
me.

?I know.? She whispered back.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I heard as Willow made her way up the stairs of the house and down the hall. 
Every step bringing her closer to our bedroom where I?d been hibernating 
for the last three days. Willow was beginning to get really concerned 
already ... I could tell.

?Baby?you?ve been in bed all day again.? She said softly as she made her 
way into the room. I didn?t answer. I just lay still with the covers over 
my head. I didn?t feel like talking about it anymore.

?Buffy? Buffy? You have to get up to eat at least. Strong Slayers need 
their Wheaties.? I didn?t need to see her face to know that she was half 
smiling. She always half smiled when she was trying to be funny. But it 
wasn?t gonna to work this time. I didn?t feel like moving?.ever.

?Alright alright?.if you?re not getting out of bed that means I?m gonna have 
to get into bed. I don?t wanna, but you?re making me. If cuddling is what 
it?ll take then cuddling is what you?ll get.? I heard as her t-shirt sliced 
through the air and hit the floor, followed by the clunk of her left shoe, 
and then thump of her right. I stayed still as she made her way around the 
bed humming softly as she moved. She?d been humming since she got up this 
morning. I was listening to her around the house.

I followed the sound of her humming with my senses until she was on the 
other side of the bed and that?s when I heard her zipper?she was taking off 
her pants. I felt a soft breeze of cool air hug my back as she lifted the 
covers and climbed in next to me. Once in bed the warmth of her body was 
electrifying. She wrapped her arm around my waist and pulled me towards her 
spooning me softly. I felt as her nose found my right ear and caressed it. 
I loved her caresses.

?What?s wrong Baby? Why won?t you get out of bed?? She whispered into my 
ear.

?Don?t wanna.? I groaned under my breath.

?You?ve been in bed for three days straight?.doesn?t your butt hurt 
already?? She asked while she squeezed me softly.

?No. It doesn?t. Now leave me alone.? I said with a baby pout. It did 
hurt. But I wasn?t getting out of bed yet.

?Come on ? Giles and Faith have been waiting to play with you all day.? She 
said softly and I grunted in response.

?Staying in bed is not going to change what happened. Nobody blames you 
Buffy. You did what you had to. Hope would have been proud. It?s what she 
wanted.? She turned my body slowly until we were facing each other. She 
looked worried. ?It was your destiny. Hope said so herself ? remember?? 
She finished as she ran her fingers through my hair.

I nodded softly as warm tears ran down my face. ?Why is everything always 
so hard for us Willow?? I managed to say between whimpers.

?That?s where you?re wrong. It?s not just us. Everyone has it hard. It?s 
called life. Struggling is part of living. Granted, our struggle might be 
a little different than other people?s but I?m certain that as long as we 
are together it will all be worth it.? Willow finished with her eyes glossy 
with tears.

?I love you.? I whispered and laid my head on her chest. I felt as her 
chest expanded and contracted when she breathed. Her heart was beating 
softly and I closed my eyes and breathed in deeply, eagerly inhaling her 
scent. Everything about her was wonderful. Even her smell.

?What else is wrong?? She asked softly as she stroked my hair.

?Huh?? I couldn?t hide from her?she knew me too well.

?What are you thinking?? She persisted. I thought about the response for a 
few seconds. Trying to find the best way to word it.

?I?ve been laying here for days trying to remember a time when you weren?t 
part of my life. I can?t. I can?t remember my life before you. And now, 
knowing that I?ll never have too. That I?ll never have to face a day 
without you. That your last day will, thankfully, be mine as well. Well? I 
just find that comforting beyond words.? I finished softly.

Willow looked at me steady for a few seconds. Her eyes were overflowing 
with love. ?You?re so beautiful Buffy.? I felt my body weaken and my heart 
flutter as the words graced my ears. She finally said it.

?You finally said it Will. No more sexy word games?? I asked with an 
embarrassed smile.

?Oh come on Buffy. By now you should know that?s the first I think of every 
single time I look at you.? She ran her hand over my left cheek caressing 
it softly and repeated her confession for emphasis ?Every single time.? She 
guided my head with her hand and laid it on her chest once more. Our hearts 
were beating in unison?as if they were one. That?s when I heard her soft 
humming again. Curiosity was getting the best of me.

?What are you humming?? I asked.

?What?? She responded.

?You?ve been humming all morning?super hearing remember?? I said in a nasal 
tone. I couldn?t help it I?d been crying. I always get nasal when I cry.

?Oh. That. I heard the remix of an old song I like. The lyrics kind of 
remind me of you and I?ve been humming it all day.? She conceded.

?Oh really? Sing it to me.? I requested.

?What? Are you nuts? I can?t sing. I don?t sing?remember? Not even 
Sweets got me to sing a solo?? She was about to go into one of her nervous 
rants and I stopped her with a finger to her lips?just like she does to me.

?Please Willow? For me? It will make me feel better. Plus? I want to hear 
these lyrics you say remind you of me.? I pleaded softly while running my 
fingernails over her bare stomach.

?Errrggggggg?. I can?t!? She groaned and I felt as her heart beat quickened. 
Maybe I was being too pushy.

?Ok ok?don?t wig out on me. We can just continue laying here?in silence.? 
I finished pointedly as I rested my head next to hers this time? on her 
shoulder. I felt as her nervousness continued. Her heart was beating a 
mile a minute so I began stroking my fingernails over her stomach to soothe 
her. After a few minutes her breathing was almost back to normal and that?s 
when I heard her begin singing softly in my ear.

?Oh thinking about our younger years
There was only you and me
We were young and wild and free
Now nothing can take you away from me
We've been down that road before
But that's over now
You keep me coming back for more?

She paused for a moment and took a breath. Her voice was soft, barely above 
a whisper, and it was sweet and beautiful. I can?t understand why she?d 
never sing out loud. She should sing every word that comes out of her 
mouth.

?Baby you're all that I want
When you're lying here in my arms
I'm finding it hard to believe
We're in heaven
Love is all that I need
And I found it there in your heart
It isn't too hard to see
We're in heaven?

She paused again and I felt as if her heart was going to explode. I lifted 
my head slowly to face her. I needed to see her eyes, her skin, her face? I 
needed to see her. Her eyes were closed tightly. I lowered my head and 
kissed her chest right above her heart. When I looked up at caught her 
smiling at me. She took my face into her hands and continued singing to me 
softly.

?Oh once in your life you find someone
Who will turn your world around
Bring you up when you're feeling down
Now nothing could change what you mean to me
Oh there's alot that I could say
But just hold me now
Cause our love will light the way?

She pulled my face towards hers until we kissed. I felt her lips quiver 
against mine. I loved her so much it hurt. She was my everything?my world. 
We stopped kissing for a moment, she rested her forehead on mine, and 
continued singing softly into my mouth.

?Now our dreams are coming true
Through the good times and the bad
I?ll be standing there by you
Baby you're all that I want
When you're lying here in my arms
I'm finding it hard to believe
We're in heaven
And love is all that I need
And I found it there in your heart
It isn't too hard to see
We're in heaven?

I melted. It was official. The sound of her voice was the most beautiful 
sound in the whole world. This moment was absolutely perfect. The warmth 
of her body. The feel of her skin. The smell of her hair. Everything. 
Everything was perfect.

?Willow?? I asked softly.

?Yes Buffy?? She responded.

?Anywhere but here?? It was a game we used to play back in highschool. I 
don?t know what possessed me to ask her now?I just know that I did. I 
needed to hear her answer.

Willow smiled broadly at the question. She wrapped her arms around and 
squeezed. Her grip was tight and I felt like she didn?t want to let go.

?Nowhere but here Buffy. Nowhere but here.?



The End?. Oh Come On?. Did you really think I?d end it?




EPILOGUE

The sewers were dark and musty. This was not what was supposed to be 
happening. I am not supposed to be here. I am Rack?son of the Children of 
the Moon. I was meant for bigger?better things. There were prophecies 
written about me. Yet ? here I am ? hiding in the caves and sewers 
underneath Sunnydale.

?Hostile 2? did you scope out the parameters?? I asked.

?Yes Sir. The parameters are clear.? Hostile 2 responded.

?Hostiles 12 and 15?you take the watch for the night. I want these sewers 
secure. We don?t want those Slayers meddling where they don?t belong.? I 
instructed.

?Yes Sir.? Hostiles 12 and 15 responded in unison.

?Ahh ? Hostile 17?we meet again. That whole vengeance thing didn?t work out 
for you ? did it?? I said as I turned to the Vampire in question. This one 
has been out of my control for a while. He is less docile.

?You?re the one that removed my chip.? Hostile 17 stated.

?No ? sorry dude? I simply modified it ? like I did to all of your friends 
here.? I said motioning towards the rest of the demon troops.

?What do you want from me mate?? Hostile 17 growled harshly.

?Take it easy there Sparky. You?ll do whatever I ask! If it wasn?t for me 
you?d be kissing daylight. Besides?I can always make you do it.? I 
threatened while extending my arm out to him. Hostile 17 doubled over in 
pain holding his head.

?Ahhhhh ahhhhhhh!? He bellowed and I smiled broadly. A few minutes after 
his pain had subsided he looked at me evilly.

?So?I take it you were responsible for the cardboard G. I. Joes that were 
prancing around here a few years ago.? He stated.

?My father had The Council ... I had The Initiative. Dad was right after 
all? my approach was too aggressive. It didn?t last very long but it sure 
as hell packed a punch.? I said with a chuckle.

?Yeah ? they did.? He said sourly. ?So?what are we going to do now?? He 
finished.

?We, my dear vicious friend, are going to turn to plan B. They don?t know 
who they messed with. I want what is rightfully mine. I want??the World! 
But first things first ?? I said as I turned to him ?You need to find me an 
Urn of Osiris ? I need to bring my girl back. Then we can start this 
party.?

?Where do I get that?? Hostile 17 asked sarcastically.

?I don?t care if you have to go to Egypt yourself. Just get it! I?m going 
to be a lot stronger next time around.? I finished.

To be continued in book two?. ?The Chosen Ones?








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