Buffy the Vampire Slayer - The Fireman Series

Part 4: The Last Slayer

Rating: PG-13

Date started: 19th September 2001 Finished: 20th September 2001

Notes: Lyrics from Lara Fabian’s “I will love again.” Thanks to Joseph B for the transcript of Primeval.

 

People never tell you
The way they truly feel
I would die for you gladly
If I knew it was for real
So if all this talk sounds crazy
And the words don't come out right
Does it really matter
If it gets me through this night

Spike stared at the moon and took another drag from his Marlboro. It was such a beautiful night he wished he could be sitting right there sharing it with Buffy. Every minute he was away from her, felt like an eternity. He wanted things to be ok with them again. It hurt him that Buffy had slapped him and sent him away. But what was paining him more was the probability it was hurting her just as much.

He sighed.

“Bugger, mate. You’re a fool for love.” He muttered to himself.

It was some time past midnight the same night Willow had gone and fought the First Evil.

Giles had just arrived back to his house using a Taxi. He had gotten on the first Concorde out of the UK to get to Sunnydale as quick as possible. Big trouble was brewing, and he wanted to help.

“Giles! Psst, over here!”

Giles dropped his house-keys in shock. He was relieved it wasn’t a thief.

“Spike! Never thought I’d say, I’m relieved it’s you.” Giles put a hand on his chest above his heart, feeling how quickly it was beating.

Spike came out of his hiding place and approached Giles, flicking away his finished cigarette.

“We need to talk.”

Giles saw the serious look on his face.

“Fine, fine.” He bent down to pick up his keys, almost dropping his suitcase at the same time. “There we go.” He unlocked the door and they both entered.

Spike flicked the light on and surveyed the living room.

“Still the same as I remember it.” He grinned breathing in the room. “You know you haven’t invited me over for a while, Rupes.”

“Yes unfortunately that doesn’t take away your ability to enter my house though.” Giles wandered over to the kitchen, taking out a bottle of scotch. “Well then,” He poured a glass, “enough with the pleasantries: what’s wrong?” Giles had a nagging feeling he already knew what it was.

Spike inhaled a deep unneeded breath and started,

“It all happened yesterday. This huge, hellish beast looking creature—“

“The First Evil.” Giles finished off.

“Excuse me?” Spike stared at him dumbfounded.

Giles took a whiff of his scotch.

“It’s older than any demon, or entity.” He ruffled through his brief case and took out a tattered old book. “Tara asked me to research The First Evil for her.”

“The First Evil.” Spike snorted. “Did that nasty bugger make that name up for himself to scare the locals?” Giles half-smiled but his expression changed back to a serious one as he flicked through the book.

“It is the most evil being in existence, Spike. Older than time, deceptive, manipulative—“

“Sounds like your regular big—“

“No!” Giles cut him off. Spike was startled by his seriousness. “It is relentless in its pursuit to conquer every dimension. The only reason it hasn’t taken control of Earth is thanks to the Slayer.” Giles went over and sat down on his comfy couch. Spike sat opposite him, intrigued.

“What are you trying to say, mate?” Spike asked.

Giles shook his head.

“From what the Watcher’s Council has been able to tell me, the Slayer is its twin.”

“Rot!” Spike snorted. Giles took his glasses off and started to clean them with his shirtsleeve.

“That’s what they said—“

“Sod what those pillocks say!” Spike was getting angry. No way his Slayer was a spawn of evil. “You said it yourself, Rupes, it’s a manipulator. Maybe it has been spreading these lies all these centuries?” They both paused to think.

“We briefly faced this creature almost three years ago. It tried driving Angel evil.” Giles said.

“Unfortunately it failed to turn that poof I gather.” Spike smirked. Giles eyed him sternly. “So what powers does this whats-its possess we should be wary of?”

“In its true form, it can pretty much do anything it wants, fire, lightning the regular painful stuff. But on Earth it loses those powers.” Giles recited from the book, “Yes here ‘The priests allow it to roam the Earth and to shape-shift. It remains almost invincible but it loses its powers unless it can possess someone powerful’—“

“Wossat?” Spike interrupted, realization hitting him.

“’Er, possess someone powerful—‘” He repeated.

“Sodding hell.” Spike swore. He got up and started pacing the room. “Bloody hell.” He repeated.

“Spike what’s wrong.” Giles asked, annoyed.

“It got to Willow.” His face turned to fear, “And she’s with Buffy right now.”

“Oh dear.”

“You say it can’t control this dimension because of the Slayer?” Giles nodded. “What if it tries to take Buffy out?”

“According to my research, it can’t. Or else it dies too.”

“So how do we kill it then?” Spike asked.

Giles gritted his teeth staring directly at the vampire.

“The only way is for both entities to die, they must be killed at exactly the same time.”

Spike laughed bitterly, hiding his pain.

“That’s just terrific, gramps. You want me to kill Buffy right after I brought her back?”

Giles got angry.

“I’m not—“ He sighed, “anyway Spike it wasn’t just you that got her back, Willow and—“

“After we got her back, she was killed by a Gargoyle.” Spike cut in. “I got to her, kissed her, and she came back to life.” Spike shrugged his shoulders as if it was no big.

Giles’ eyebrows rose analyzing Spike’s face as it hung down in despair.

“Look I’ll try calling them, you, you head over there.” Giles was concerned about him.

Spike nodded, opened the door and paused there.

“What?” Giles asked.

“Buffy really hates my guts right now, I think that Evil sod did something to her—“

“In your appearance?” Giles finished off.

Spike sighed.

“Now Buffy and everyone think you’re the bad guy—not that I ever thought differently mind you.” He quickly added. Spike smiled, relieved that someone understood what was going on and actually believed him. “I’m sure everything will be ok.” Giles added.

Spike nodded and exited hurriedly.

Giles took another whiff of his scotch and rubbed his temple worriedly.

We might already be too late.

*****

Did I ever tell you how you live in me
Every waking moment, even in my dreams
And if all this talk is crazy
And you don't know what I mean
Does it really matter
Just as long as I believe

Buffy was in Dawn’s bedroom, sitting on the edge of her bed, trying to get her to sleep.

“He just took off?” Dawn asked. Buffy nodded, covering Dawn up with the blanket.

“I don’t think I should be sharing this with you, Dawn.” Buffy said exasperated. They had been talking for a few minutes basically Buffy telling her about the showdown.

Dawn grinned.

“Come on, you just got to the juicy part!”

“Dawn! Nothing happened.” Dawn bobbed her head up and down.

“Sure…yeah.” She said sarcastically.

Buffy thought twice, but if it would make Dawn go to sleep, she’d do it.

“You know how your head gets lighter, and you feel all your senses stretched to their limits? You feel your head go numb, like all your breath has left your body and the blood in your veins feels like it’s massaging your every muscle…”

“Wow.” Dawn said in awe. “And a bit, eew.” She added.

“That’s what I feel when he’s around.” A thought hit her then. When Spike had shouted at her at her doorstop, she never felt the same pleasure. “You’re the first person I’ve admitted it to, so keep quiet.”

Dawn imitated zipping her mouth closed, locking it and throwing the key away.

“I won’t tell a soul! Hey that means I can tell Spike right?” She grinned

mischievously.

“No, you can’t! And you just locked your mouth, how are you still talking?”

Buffy mocked her.

She finished tucking Dawn in and left to close the door.

“’Night, Dawnie.”

“’Night, don’t let Spike bite.” Dawn giggled under the covers. Buffy couldn’t

help but smile herself. She switched the light off and left the room.

She slowly walked down the steps thinking deeply. Her doubts about Spike rose even more. This was Sunnydale after all. Home of the weird and the wacky. There must have been an explanation to how he acted.

She spotted Tara and Anya in the living room.

“Guys, where’s Willow?” Buffy asked them, looking around. Anya shrugged.

“I’m not sure.” Tara said. “I think she left to get some stuff from the magic shop. She said she had a surprise spell she wanted us to do.” She shrugged then pursed her lips, thinking. “She seemed a bit spacey after we got back.”

Buffy nodded.

“She said she defeated the First Evil. But I have my doubts.” Buffy muttered knowing that if she were still alive, her twin would be too.

“How do you know?” Tara asked.

Buffy explained to her everything she knew so far about their foe.

“Wow.” Anya said, who had begun listening to their conversation after talk of evil and death had come in.

“Anya, you’ve been alive a thousand years, do you know any more about it?” Buffy asked thoughtfully.

Anya shook her head.

“No. I heard it used sometimes to tell little infant trolls off; ‘do your worm stew or first evil will get you!’” Tara giggled at Anya.

“Are you serious?” Tara asked in between giggles. Anya started giggling as well.

“Guys, stop. It’s not funny.” Buffy sighed. They didn’t understand the gravity of the situation. “This thing tortured me for god knows how long and it’s still out there.” Both Anya and Tara looked down in shame.

“Sorry, Buffy.” They both said.

“No big.” She sighed, “Where’s Xander anyway?” She sat down.

“Went back home to get some sleep. He’s got a big day tomorrow. Apparently he needs to work over time to pay for the wedding bills.” Anya told her. “Speaking of wedding,” Anya’s face beamed, “have you guys seen my ring?” She dug in her pocket and found her ring. After admiring it herself, she gave it to Tara.

“Wow, it’s so beautiful.” Tara said admiring the large crystal.

“I’m not very good at these things, but aren’t you supposed to wear it on your finger?” Buffy asked.

“Well yeah,” Anya said, “but I don’t want it to get damaged! It’s expensive, it cost Xander two—“ Buffy stuck her palms out defensively.

“I don’t wanna know, Ahn.” Tara handed her the ring. “Wow.” It was very beautiful.

“Isn’t it pretty?” Anya beamed proudly.

“You’re a lucky girl, Ahn.” She handed the ring back.

She took it, and placed it on her finger.

“Like this?” Anya asked, indicating her hand. They both nodded.

“You’re now officially an engaged-gal.” Tara smiled at her.

“Now tell us about your wedding plans.” Buffy rubbed her hands together gleefully.

“Well, I want it to be one hell of a wedding, so listen up…” Anya chirped and began divulging her plans.

Whichever way it would turn out, it really would be a Hell of a wedding…

*****

Willow wandered the streets of Sunnydale a huge grin on her face. She was now in front of the coffee shop after having finished with the magic shop.

Look at all these humans, she thought. So pathetic, so….weak.

She was carrying a bag with all the ingredients she needed for her spell. Tarot cards, a few herbs and some candles. She was excited, she was finally going to get rid of the Slayer and make Earth another part of her empire.

She began to laugh and the urge to kill someone rose. Like hunger, she had to satisfy it. A young man and what looked like his date were sitting at a table across from her in the coffee shop.

“Perfect.” She whispered. Putting down her grocery back, she began uttering some magical words. Her eyes became completely black and her voice got so loud that passerby’s started staring at her as they walked past. “Burn!” She screamed.

A circle of fire blasted out of her and expanded all across the street burning everyone it touched. There were screams as people started running away on fire.

“Hahaha!” She started cackling. “Run, run vermin.” Her eyes became red. “I love this witch!” Just then she heard the crying of a baby. She walked forward to a pram. There was a cute little baby inside, crying for its mother.

She picked him up with one hand and dangled him in front of her.

“How do you want to die, infant?”

Suddenly a motorbike swooshed by and someone grabbed the baby from her.

“Aaargh!” Willow screamed angrily.

It was Spike.

He revved the engine and headed to a lady he found waving her hands frantically at him. The baby’s mother.

“Thank you, thank you--” She said, tears streaming down her face as he handed her, her son.

“Run home.” He told her. She nodded and in an instant, started running away.

As Spike was about to turn back to Willow, he felt the temperature rise. He instantly revved the engine and got out of the way of a HUGE Fireball. “That was close.” He whispered.

“You!” Willow called out, her voice angry. She started laughing. “I had a lot of fun being you.” Spike looked at her defiantly.

“What did you do to Buffy?”

Willow shrugged.

“Called her a few bad words and threatened her. You two have a beautiful relationship, loving someone who won’t love you back—“

That was all Spike would hear, he kicked the motor and headed straight at Willow.

“Stop!” She commanded calmly.

Spike froze but the motorcycle kept moving forward, eventually clattering to the floor and going dead.

Spike tried to get up from his kneeled position but he couldn’t move a muscle.

“What…did…you…do to me?” He managed to blurt out.

Willow walked closer.

“A little spell. I thought I owed you something since I had so much fun using your appearance. And you’re already dead so, why not try, mmm something else?”

“You’re insane.” Spike croaked. He felt like his jaw weighed a ton.

Willow muttered a few more magical words, inaudible to Spike. He barely made out:

“….let the Slayer forever see his face as a reminder of her failure...” With that, she pointed all her fingers at him and a buzz of light shot out at him. He didn’t feel any pain. Instead he felt relief as he tumbled onto the floor, able to move again. He lay there motionless, still trying to gain his motor functions.

“Goodbye, lover. Even if the Slayer somehow finds a way to win, I will rip out her heart from my grave.” With that, she walked away.

Spike knew something was up. She wouldn’t just let him go alive? Well technically dead, but…

Spike began to pant feeling the blood in his veins getting heavy. Something was happening to him. He didn’t know what. But the pain started. That was usually bad.

Willow skipped back to her grocery bag. Her curse was so ironic it made her smile with glee.

“Oh, Slayer. Your heart will break and shatter. I wish I could be there to kick the pieces at your face.” She roared and started cackling evilly again.

Evil was fun.

****

Buffy, Tara and Anya had waited almost an hour. It was past 1am and they were very tired. Willow should have been there by now.

Anya yawned.

“So you guys like my plans?” Anya asked them sleepily.

“Yeah they’re great.” Buffy yawned as well. “I’m going to try calling the magic shop, maybe Will’s having trouble finding the ingredients...” She headed over to the phone and picked up the handset. There was no tone. “What’s up with my phone?” Buffy asked tracing the phone cord.

Tara shrugged and said. “I used it to call Giles um today, er yesterday, um y’know...”

Buffy continued to trace the cord across the room. And that’s where she saw the problem. Someone had torn it out of the wall.

“I think I found the problem.” She relayed to them what she saw. Then she got suspicious. Was it an accident, or did someone deliberately disable their link to the outside world?

Just then the door opened and in walked Willow, spreading an innocent smile on her face.

“Hey guys, sorry I’m late.” She plopped the grocery bag on the table in the living room.

“Finally, we can get this over with.” Anya said sighing.

Willow began laying out the candles on the floor. Buffy came.

“Hey Will.” Buffy greeted her. “Did you know our phone was out?” Buffy thought she saw Willow blink for a second.

“Um, no?” She replied.

Buffy crossed her arms and observed the ingredients.

“What is all this stuff, Will?” She found the ingredients familiar. “Hey isn’t this the enjoining spell?” Buffy asked.

Willow continued with her work, ignoring her. Buffy looked at Tara who had just shrugged.

“Will?” Buffy placed a hand on her shoulder. She took it back in pain. “Ow! You’re burning up!” Buffy said blowing at her hand.

“Sit down and shut up.” Willow’s voice echoed in the room.

“Excuse me?” Buffy replied.

“I said SIT DOWN and do what I say!” Willow repeated.

Buffy did as she was told, unable to control her body. Tara and Anya sat cross-legged also in a circle. Buffy couldn’t move. Was Willow controlling her actions?

“Power of the slayer and all who wield it, last to ancient first, we invoke thee.” Willow chanted.

Anya lit a candle, Willow controlling her actions subconsciously.

“Make us mind and heart and spirit join.” Willow laid open a tarot-card, “Spiritus, the spirit.”

Buffy tried to say something to interrupt the spell. She couldn’t open her mouth.

Tara opened her tarot card and placed it in front of her on the floor.

“Animus, heart.” Tara said monotonously.

“Sophus, mind.” Anya said, opening her card.

“And Manus, the hand.” Buffy complied as she opened her card.

“We implore thee. Admit us. Bring us to the vessel. Take us now!” Willow commanded.

Buffy saw a white light on the floor suddenly which immediately headed straight to her face…

Buffy found herself in the desert. The same desert she had been in her dream and when she had visited the slayer guide. Across in the distance she saw the First Slayer. On the other side, The First Evil in its true form. They were 3 corners of a triangle.

“What are you doing in my resting place?” The First Slayer called out roughly. Her voice echoed in the desert.

Buffy’s eyes widened in shock as she saw The First Evil heading towards the first slayer, seizing the opportunity. Buffy pointed it out at her.

“Look out!” Buffy screamed and started running to them.

The monster attacked the slayer who had been caught off guard. After dealing a few severe blows to her head, it sent its large claw and impaled her in the chest. She slumped down, in a heap of blood.

“Spirit of the Slayer, die and be no more.” It chanted a spell and shot out some bolts of lightning at the fallen slayer.

“No!” Buffy shouted. She ran and jumped sending a flying kick at the first Evil’s huge face. She sent it rolling down the steep hill. Buffy quickly went back to the fallen slayer.

She looked hurt really badly.

“I’m sorry.” She whispered.

“Listen closely.” The primal slayer said. Buffy got closer, unsure of what to do. “Do not listen to its deceptive tongue; You are not its twin. You are the opposite. You are the bright light, the shining symbol of good…of life. And you are now the first and the last Slayer. Remember that.” With that, the first slayer gave out her last breath.

Buffy softly placed the slayer’s head on the ground and closed her eye-lids.

Suddenly she felt something enter her as the primal slayer’s body disappeared. She arched back as the primal power hit her. Her pupils shrunk to tiny pinpoints, her irises orange surrounded by yellow.

“Ha.” The First Evil laughed bitterly, after climbing back up the hill. “I thought killing her would finally get rid of you, slayers.” It showed off its large teeth, “Guess not. One down, one to go. You can't last much longer.”

“We can. We are forever.” Buffy’s voice was a mix of all the previous Slayers.

The First Evil looked at her worried.

“You really think you can win?” It asked.

“You could never hope to grasp the source of our power.”

The First Evil for the first time ever, felt fear.

It approached Buffy and swung its huge claws at her.

Buffy calmly waved her hand forward and froze the monster in its place.

In Sumerian, Buffy began casting a spell. “Sha me-en-den. Gesh-toog me-en-den. Zee me-en-den. Oo-khush-ta me-ool-lee-a ba-ab-tum-mu-de-en.”

Three white doves materialized out of Buffy’s hand and headed straight at the First Evil. They flew above him and dropped pebbles of fire from their mouths. The First Evil fought anxiously against Buffy’s freezing spell, eventually breaking it and began to retreat. The doves continued their onslaught.

In an instant, a white light shone ahead. It formed into a doorway. From where? Buffy did not know. The monster saw it and immediately headed to it. Buffy was barely able to react. The First Evil looked back for one second a grin on his face and he was gone.

With another blink, Buffy opened her eyes and she was back in her living room…

*****

One day I know, I will love again
You can't stop me from loving again
Breathing again
Feeling again
I know, one day, I'll love again

Giles burst through the door. As soon as he saw them sitting in a circle, he took out his cross and placed it near Willow.

“Stay back, vile creature!” He cried through gritted teeth. Just then Buffy, Tara and Anya opened their eyes and slumped forward waking up from their trance.

“Interesting spell.” Anya said exhilarated from the carnage. Tara was panting hard. They all looked at each other making sure the other was fine.

But when they looked at Willow, their hopes were dashed. Her head was on the floor, and her eyes were closed.

“Will?” Buffy got up to her friend and shook her shoulder gently, “Willow?”

Tara quickly got closer to Willow and began stroking her hair while Buffy felt for a pulse.

“Honey?” Tara pleaded.

“Dear lord.” Giles prayed in the background. “The demon was too strong for her body…” He said to himself.

Anya stayed back, observing them all in shock.

“There’s a pulse but she’s not breathing.” Buffy told them, remaining calm. With Giles and Tara’s help they laid her on her back and began CPR. Tara breathed into her mouth while Buffy kept an ear above her heart.

A few seconds later, their prayers were answered as Willow started coughing.

“I found you.” Tara whispered and instantly hugged her.

Buffy smiled and wiped the sweat from her brow. She got up happy Willow was ok. She then noticed Giles behind her. She instantly hugged him.

“’Missed you, Giles.” Buffy said. Giles smiled and hugged her tightly. It was the first time he had seen her since she came back.

“I as well.” He replied after they parted. He took off his glasses and wiped away a tear.

“Now, Giles, don’t get all sentimental on me.” She said playfully.

“Even a pompous Brit like me can’t contain his emotion.” He replied sincerely, caught. Just then a thought crossed his mind. “Where’s Spike?” Buffy’s eyes widened in shock.

“What do you mean?” She asked, concerned.

“Buffy first I need to tell you something; it wasn’t Spike that hurt you. You have to trust me on that.” Buffy nodded her head trusting her old Watcher.

“So where is he, Giles?” Buffy asked again.

He opened his palms up defensively.

“I told him to head to your house after we figured out Willow had been possessed by The First.” Buffy started pacing.

“So why isn’t he here Giles?” Giles started scratching his head. “Your house isn’t all that far from here!” She found her voice breaking unable to continue. “God, what if something’s happened to him while Willow was out there?” She started biting her nails nervously.

“Guys, what’s going on?” Dawn was standing halfway down the stairs, rubbing her sleepy eyes. “I heard a lot of noise.”

As Buffy was about to tell her to go back to sleep she heard,

“Spike…” Willow’s first word. Buffy immediately went back to her friend.

“Yes?” Willow coughed. “Did you—um, did the First do something to him?” She was afraid of the answer.

Willow nodded weakly.

“I remember everything I--it did…” Her head hung low about to cry.

“Will, look at me.” Buffy lifted Willow’s head up with her hand.

“Oh god, Buffy—“

“Will, focus!” Buffy almost shouted at her.

“God, Buffy, I’m so sorry…” Willow repeated

“Where is he!?”

*****

I will love again
Though my heart is breaking
I will love again
Stronger than before
I will love again
Even if it takes a lifetime to get over you
Heaven only knows, I will love again

Buffy had almost stormed out of the house the instant Willow had told her Spike’s location. Giles forced her to wait a few more seconds as she explained the spell she cast.

It was then that she ran like she never did before. Her legs took large strides forward, a few times she felt as if both her legs were off the ground gliding.

Please let me be in time, please…

She finally got to her destination. The site she saw shocked her.

Spike was standing in the center of the deserted street. Not moving. Fires were still burning from a recent showdown. Other than that it was deathly quiet.

He looked like he was trying to get to his fallen motorcycle.

Her mouth started to shiver as she got closer and slowed down.

“Spi-ke?” She asked.

When he saw her, he tried his best to smile. It was just too difficult.

“Buff—“ Was all he could mutter. He had barely managed to stand upright. His body was now locked in position unable to move. “I was tryin’ to get to you. You’re kay?”

Buffy nodded, staring at him in horror. There was a look of pain on his face as the spell continued to work its tragic magic.

Spike blew out a breath, relieved. He had spent all this time worrying about her ever since his fight with Willow.

“Willow told me about the spell.” She whispered.

“I’ll be kay, love. Nuthin to worry ‘bout.” Spike tried reassuring her.

Buffy paused trying to think of what to say.

“She cast a stoning spell on you, Spike.”

Spike’s eyebrows rose, confused.

“But they don’t work on vamps—“

“This one’s different.” A tear fell down her face.

“Can Will, reverse it?” He whispered, scared.

Buffy shook her head in reply. All hope Spike had sunk.

“I’m so sorry.” Buffy said beginning to cry.

“Shhh, don’t be. Argh!” He growled in pain. The spell would slowly over time turn him completely into stone.

“Oh god. Are you in pain?” She asked concerned.

He blinked twice indicating he was. And it was getting more painful every second as every molecule slowly turned to stone.

“The spell will pain you forever because your body keeps trying to heal it.” Buffy relayed Willow’s words.

Spike thought a bit about it. And realized he’d rather die than live as a frozen piece of meat.

“What a way to go out, eh?”

Buffy bit her lower lip and stared at the ground.

“Do it quick.” He felt more pain in his chest. Only it wasn’t his blood turning to stone, rather his heart sinking.

Buffy’s eye went wild with fear. She tried to argue but no words come out of her mouth.

She got closer to him and put her hand on his freezing cheek. She looked deep into his eyes admiring his courage. But she also saw the desperation and fear in them. She would give anything in the world to take that away from him at this minute.

She slowly put her lips to his, her own getting ice-cold. A tear fell from her face and froze below Spike’s right eye. Her memento to him.

She pulled back slowly.

“I love you, Buffy.” He whispered, his voice shivering. “Give my love to Dawn too. Tell her I’m sorry I f-f-ailed her.”

She shook her head.

“I can’t, I CAN’T do this!” Her hands started shaking. “You didn’t fail us Spike…” Her voice trailed off as he closed his eyes.

Buffy continued to stare at his face, memorizing every detail. She stood there another minute in silence.

“Open your eyes.” Spike opened them and memorized her face for what he knew would be the last time.

She did the same, looking one final time at his beautiful eyes. She felt like she was looking into his eyes for the first time ever. She saw love and stories, so many hidden untold stories. So many chances wasted fighting each other unable express their feelings.

Then, in one swift ironic stroke, Buffy plunged the stake deep into his heart.

Instantly, the spell finished its payload as his entire body turned to gray stone and into a statue.

Buffy broke down on her knees and started to cry. The tears flooded her hands and face. Her mouth shivered uncontrollably. She almost passed out before remembering to breathe again. Then she wished she had just let herself pass out so the pain would stop. Searing, blinding pain.

The spell had worked.

Her heart had broken and shattered.

If I'm true to myself, nobody else can take
The place of you
But I've got to move on, tell me what else
Can I do

I will love again
I will love again
I will love again
I will love again

Loved and Loth'd