Chapter 44<\/b><\/p>\n
The entrance of the cave was cluttered by the quiet presence of the group. The determination and confidence that inundated everyone had slowly dwindled down to worry and concern.<\/p>\n
It hadn\u2019t helped that Buffy and Angel, the considered leaders of this type of battle plan, seemed bogged down with their own inner thoughts. The only confidence that was being shown was by Spike and Cordelia.<\/p>\n
Spike\u2019s confidence didn\u2019t count. The blonde vampire wasn’t there by choice, his self-assurance was just that all about \u2018self\u2019. Buffy threatened and he came, there was some doubt that the vampire would act for the greater good.<\/p>\n
No one knew where Cordelia\u2019s confidence came from. Wherever it came from it was a sad place, a place of resignation. It was her confidence that triggered Buffy and Angel\u2019s pensive contemplation.<\/p>\n
No words had been spoken to confirm this universal thought. None were needed. Buffy and Angel\u2019s eyes hadn\u2019t left the young brunette; their expressions and demeanor turning tense and inward the closer they got to the cave.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy,\u201d Angel pulled the woman to face him. \u201cIt\u2019s going to be okay.\u201d The dark vampire was the first to break the silence.<\/p>\n
Cordelia cocked her head. \u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel narrowed his eyes suddenly suspicious. Cordelia\u2019s earlier tears her confidence now all coming to a head in Angel\u2019s thoughts. \u201cWhat do you know? Cordy, did you have another vision. Do you know what\u2019s going to happen? You will not die.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia blinked once slowly, silently damning the vampire for making her lie this one last time. \u201cI know that we will close the portal, I know that Buffy will do what she\u2019s supposed to like I will. I know that you\u2019ll, Spike included, will do what’s necessary to make sure that everyone, everyone,\u201d she repeated emphasizing, \u201cwill be safe. I know this because we\u2019re damn good at this sort of thing, haven\u2019t lost the world once.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel\u2019s scrutinizing glare remained on the young woman. It didn\u2019t feel right. But, Cordelia was correct- they all would do what was necessary to stop the expansion of the portal and Angel would make damn sure that Cordelia was still alive when it was over.<\/p>\n
A silent wave of relief went through the others. Angel was no longer pensive, just determined again, confident in his abilities and by extension theirs.<\/p>\n
Buffy was the first to openly acknowledge the change in the vampire and with it blanketed herself in the confidence of her slayer abilities and her friends. \u201cCordy\u2019s right. We\u2019re damn good, so lets go be good.\u201d<\/p>\n
The group nodded quickly, except for Spike who just rolled his eyes. He wasn\u2019t sure what the big deal was; so the world was ending, as far as he could see it never worked. He just wanted to get the show on the road, beat up some demons and then get the hell out of there.<\/p>\n
There was a time that Spike would\u2019ve been grateful for the opportunity to stand by the slayer\u2019s side helping her but that had been a long time and several heated rejections ago. This had been the first time in an almost a year that Buffy came to him for help.<\/p>\n
Spike was disgusted; habit and the chip made him come. The slayer was using him again and he was letting her.<\/p>\n
\u201cI take it the \u2018oh\u2019 so bad things are patiently waiting to end the world that\u2019s why were standing here like idiotic blokes with our thumbs up our asses?\u201d<\/p>\n
Buffy glared, Angel growled, Cordelia gave a sad look to the vampire. Skip had said that the blonde vampire was turning out surprisingly good; Cordelia just hoped that would be true when this was all over with.<\/p>\n
But, he was here, so maybe it would. Cordelia shook her head; she couldn\u2019t concern herself with Buffy and Spike\u2019s future. \u201cCrass but correct, we need to do this,\u201d shrugging.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes,\u201d Wesley\u2019s hand went up to his glasses, coming down immediately when he realized that he wasn\u2019t wearing them. \u201cCordy, Buffy, you know where you need to be?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNear the biggest opening,\u201d both young women repeated as they had done countless times since Wesley instructed and then questioned them. \u201cBuffy\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
The slayer held up a thin sharp longish dagger and the disc. \u201cGot \u2018em.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe words\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI know what I have to say,\u201d Buffy rolled her eyes. Wesley hadn\u2019t changed completely that\u2019s for sure. At least he didn\u2019t stutter pompously when going over and over the information he was imparting anymore.<\/p>\n
Wesley nodded. \u201cWe\u2019ve two goals, to protect Buffy and Cordy and to stop any attempt by the Drakkus to do the ritual.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWesley, we\u2019ve done this,\u201d Angel growled impatiently.<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, we have, but nothing must go wrong,\u201d Wesley stared intently at the vampire. Wesley was as determined as Angel that nothing other than a cut on Cordelia\u2019s wrist would happen to the young woman.<\/p>\n
Angel grunted his acknowledgment of Wesley\u2019s purpose and need.<\/p>\n
Wesley took Angel\u2019s nod as permission to proceed with the final repetition of his instructions. \u201cCrystal and Spike will stay close to Buffy and Cordy. Crystal as a last barrier to the Drakkus, Spike will be there to make sure that none get close to her, so we don\u2019t need it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Angel grumbled shifting on his feet, his fists clenched to the side. The vampire didn\u2019t like this part of the plan at all.<\/p>\n
He should be the one near Cordelia. He wasn\u2019t sure that he could trust either of the demons to keep Cordelia safe. But, Angel had let Cordelia convince that him that he was needed to stop the Drakkus from doing the ritual. She had complained that she couldn\u2019t trust anyone else to make sure that she didn\u2019t end up impregnated by demon spawn.<\/p>\n
So, Angel had agreed. But once that danger was obliterated, Angel would be back at Cordelia\u2019s side.<\/p>\n
Buffy promised that she wouldn\u2019t let anything happen to Cordelia. Angel would have to rely on the slayer and her abilities until he could get there.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow, everyone\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWes, we got it okay,\u201d Cordelia said. \u201cAngel and Gunn will head to any Drakkus that looks like \u2018daddy\u2019 material\u2019, everyone else will just be fighting in between. The human guys as far away from Crystal as possible- just in case they go with their first choice as mommy. We need to go.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wesley reluctantly nodded. He didn\u2019t have anything else to say. It was time.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cCor.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMe, too,\u201d tiptoeing up to kiss Angel. \u201cGo, be a hero,\u201d pushing the dark vampire into the cave.<\/p>\n
Once Angel had disappeared, she snatched at Spike as he passed.<\/p>\n
\u201cSpike, no matter what, keep Crystal close to me and safe, but as soon as I kiss her get her the hell of out of there.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cKiss her?\u201d Spike stared at Cordelia. \u201cYou\u2019re changing the plan, what are you playing at?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s necessary.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNecessary? Smooching during an Armageddon?<\/p>\n
Cordelia narrowed her eyes. \u201cYou must of missed it. Just do it.”<\/p>\n
\u201cMissed the part where two hotties are lip locking, don\u2019t think so. I think Peaches and the English wanker need to know about your sudden attraction the tasty gold bit.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cordelia shook her head. \u201cIt\u2019s nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt ain\u2019t nothing, but what is it?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t worry about it, just make sure you do it.\u201d Cordelia moved past the blonde vampire into the cave.<\/p>\n
Spike looked after the young woman an uncharacteristic unease settled over him.<\/p>\n
He needed to talk to Buffy.<\/p>\n
Chapter 45<\/b>
\nSpike ran into the cave. Cordelia, Buffy and Crystal were already situated by the largest portal.<\/p>\n
\u201cSpike, get over there.\u201d Angel growled.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeaches, the chit\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGo,\u201d the vampire growled, Angel\u2019s attention turned immediately to the sparks and swirls shooting from the portals. \u201cIt\u2019s starting, GO.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSpike,\u201d Buffy yelled from her position.<\/p>\n
Damn\u2019t. Spike ran to the women. \u201cBuffy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShut up, they\u2019re coming,\u201d both Cordy and Buffy yelled. Spike didn\u2019t miss the glare on the dark haired woman\u2019s face.<\/p>\n
Damn her and whatever game she was playing. He wouldn\u2019t let her get away with it, even though he wasn\u2019t sure what it was but it gave him a bad feeling.<\/p>\n
Spike started to speak again, when a swirling flash popped into a full-fledged demon swinging a sickle. \u201cBugger, it\u2019s a lethal spirit of Christmas future, death shroud and black face hole and all.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s no spirit, it bleeds, so deal with it.\u201d Buffy yelled, resisting the urge to attack.<\/p>\n
Spike growled and swung the sword he had been given, slicing the demon in half, turning to face another that appeared in it\u2019s place. His body and sword acting as a barrier between the approaching demons and the women.<\/p>\n
\u201cBuffy, calm down. Start the ritual,\u201d Cordy said softly.<\/p>\n
Buffy clinched her jaw, nodding, slowly mumbling words, the knife and disc in her hands. Crystal waited nearby, wishing that she could do more. But Cordelia had insisted that she was needed there to be the last defensive against any Drakkus that broke through the others.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cAngel,\u201d Wesley tugged at the vampire\u2019s arm and pointed.<\/p>\n
Angel tore his attention from Cordelia to where Wesley urged. Standing in the middle of a large circle of demons was a lone-cloaked figure, a disc in his hands.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur cue,\u201d Gunn shouted running to keep up with the vampire.<\/p>\n
Angel barreled through the deadly obstacle of demons and weapons, cutting down everything in his path. Gunn was left to fend off the replacement demons that materialized at Angel\u2019s rampage.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
\u201cXander,\u201d Wesley yelled, swinging his sword.<\/p>\n
\u201cI see it.\u201d Xander moved to position himself before a new swirling vortex that had formed depositing more Drakkus.<\/p>\n
Willow and Fred ran up swinging their own weapons to help the young man, trying to keep the demons from getting close to where Spike was defending the three women.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Spike flinched as one of the demon\u2019s sickles slashed into his side. He turned plunging his sword, pushing up with all of his strength.<\/p>\n
The blonde vampire turned favoring his wound at the sound of a gasp. Spike stared as a black energy was surrounding Crystal\u2019s hands and head. That couldn\u2019t be good. The vampire ran trying to see where the threat was coming from.<\/p>\n
Spike reached out with a firm grip pulling at the young demon as he sighted the Drakkus manipulating the force encasing her. He kept Crystal close as he lunged with his sword and body. Spike growled as he felt and heard the satisfying sound of his blade hitting its target.<\/p>\n
The vampire and Crystal landed on the broken form of the Drakkus. Spike rolled them, keeping his body in a protective cover over the young demon\u2019s.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
Buffy kept her eyes on those of Cordelia\u2019s trying to block out the sounds of the deadly battle around them. Her words got louder and clearer as she neared their conclusion. She paused raising her blade.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s all right, Buffy.\u201d Cordelia smiled at the Slayer\u2019s hesitation at the necessary final act of the ritual. \u201cCrystal,\u201d the brunette beckoned. Cordelia jerked away from the blonde reaching for her wrist at the returning silence.<\/p>\n
\u201cCrystal,\u201d she called out. Cordelia\u2019s eyes widened at the sight of Spike pulling her away and rolling on the ground. Cordelia automatically moved closer.<\/p>\n
Buffy grasped at Cordelia\u2019s arm. \u201cShe\u2019ll be fine, Spike has her.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNO. She\u2019s too far away, I\u2019ve got to go her.\u201d Cordelia tugged at the slayer\u2019s grip.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy, she\u2019ll be fine, we\u2019ve got to do this. Look around the Portals are growing, the Drakkus are replacing themselves. We\u2019ve got to finish the ritual.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2026\u201d Cordelia glanced at the fighting. Her friends couldn\u2019t keep fighting an endless supply of demons. So far it looked like their wounds weren\u2019t fatal, but soon that wouldn\u2019t be the case, if she didn\u2019t end this.<\/p>\n
Cordelia closed her eyes, whispering. \u201cI failed him, again.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat? Cordy\u2026\u201d Buffy pulled the woman back towards her.<\/p>\n
\u201cTell him, I\u2019m sorry,\u201d Cordelia looked at the blonde. \u201cAnd, I\u2019m sorry to you, so sorry,\u201d Cordelia grabbed at the wrist holding the dagger.<\/p>\n
\u201cCordy, what are you doing? I\u2019ve done the spell, we have to finish it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI am, the right way,\u201d tears starting to fall down her face. \u201cThis is the only way all of the Drakkus can be destroyed.”<\/p>\n
Buffy yanked her arm back in sudden horrified realization of what Cordelia was going to do. But with all of slayer strength, she couldn\u2019t break the other woman\u2019s grip.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt has to be by your hand, you are the \u2018protector\u2019 of the hell mouth, Wes was right about that, I\u2019m so sorry.” A white glow formed gently over Cordelia\u2019s body giving her the strength to withstand the slayer\u2019s. Cordelia brought up Buffy\u2019s wrist, the knife still in the slayer\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n
Buffy tried to release the knife, but her fingers wouldn\u2019t move as Cordelia\u2019s fist enclosed over them in a vice grip. She winced as the light glowed brighter merging with the black of the swirling vortex that seemed to form directly behind Cordelia.<\/p>\n
\u201cI truly am sorry,\u201d Cordelia plunged, thrusting Buffy\u2019s hand still holding the knife into her own chest.<\/p>\n
\u201cNO,\u201d Buffy screamed as the blade penetrated Cordelia\u2019s breastbone to the hilt, jerking upwards ensuring the fatality of the strike.<\/p>\n
A light emerged streaming upwards from the wound joining the surrounding brightness. The light expanded into the vortex opening it wide, tentacles of brightness seemed to be sucked into it, growing overwhelming the void and then in a flash, it was over.<\/p>\n
***<\/p>\n
The group of humans, Angel, Spike and Crystal struggled up from the ground, blinking attempting to rid themselves of the bright spots that blurred their vision.<\/p>\n
It took them all a minute to realize that the cave was empty of all Drakkus and swirling voids. Except one, before them was a large vortex swirling and open.<\/p>\n
But it wasn’t a black hole of nothingness, it\u2019s interior shone brightly, giving them all the glimpse of life. It was a window into a peaceful plateau, a picture of colors, beauty and light. They all stared in amazement as they realized they were looking into another world, one full of life.<\/p>\n
The sounds of deep sobbing tore they\u2019re eyes and attention away from the idyllic scene. Beauty turned immediately to horror.<\/p>\n
Buffy was crying gulps of breath, low moans coming from her throat, staring at her bloody hands, rubbing at the stains that wouldn\u2019t go away as she kneeled over Cordelia\u2019s fallen body.<\/p>\n
A primal wail vibrated throughout the cave, piercing everyone\u2019s heart, bringing shivers down their spines as Angel stumbled crawling towards the scene.<\/p>\n
Buffy resisted, crying louder as Spike instinctively pulled her away from the other vampire\u2019s approach.<\/p>\n
Angel ignored all as he cradled the lifeless body in his arms, hugging it tightly, whispering to it, yelling for Cordelia to open her eyes.<\/p>\n
Buffy continued to fight against Spike\u2019s hold. \u201cShe said she was sorry, she said it was the only way, the only way to destroy all of the Drakkus, she said I had\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, you killed her,\u201d Angel growled, his voice deadly and cold, his eyes never leaving Cordelia\u2019s body.<\/p>\n
Spike pushed Buffy further back away from the dark vampire. Buffy fought harder, her sobs engulfing her body.<\/p>\n
\u201cNO\u2026.I couldn\u2019t stop her, she was too strong\u2026I couldn\u2019t stop her,\u201d Buffy gasped falling back into Spike\u2019s arms. \u201cI couldn\u2019t stop her,\u201d Buffy whimpered into Spike\u2019s chest.<\/p>\n