Defying The Odds: Last Chance At Love
by spikester_05
A/N: hi there! I don’t know what you think of this it’s something I wanted to make, a little twist at that last episode in Season 7, but I’m one of those who didn’t want Spike dead so to all you people out there… READ and ENJOY!
Defying The Odds
(Last Chance At Love)
by: spikester_05
Everything slowly crumbled down, Buffy rushed to Spike’s side and held his hand…
“I Love You,” she said at last admitting it.
“No you don’t, but thanks for saying it anyway.” Spike countered trying to make it a lot easier to depart. He could feel it in his soul, he needs to do this. But does it mean he has to leave the Slayer? With defeat in his eyes, he let her go. He disintegrated in front of Buffy’s eyes as he looked at her way with the pain he felt, not of leaving this world, but of leaving her. Buffy raced through the debris of the school and jump on the bus which gathered all the survivors. As she got in everyone congratulated her but,
“No! Spike’s the one, he saved us all.”
Everyone was bewildered as they gazed to what was left of Sunnydale (a.k.a. Hellmouth). Buffy looked around and saw Xander. She rushed to his side as she saw the pain in his face.
“What’s wrong?”
“She’s gone,” he tearfully said.
“She tried to save me and got the blow instead,” Andrew helpfully answered.
“She was brave enough. She always thought she could never do a selfless sacrifice, but she did.” Xander said as he reminisced through the pass…
Anya being a vengeance demon- Anyanka- then his girlfriend, fiancée, bride and it ended there as he perfectly recalled… but never his wife. He had been the coward he was when he left her in front of the altar.
“Shhh… we all have our loses but let’s thank whoever is watching for keeping the rest of us safe.” Buffy cradled Xander’s head as she spoke. Dawn saw the tension dying went over to Buffy.
“Are you okay?” she asked in a squeaky voice.
“Better than ever! I’m not anymore, no longer the Chosen ONE,”
“You were never alone.”
“I know but now, I feel safer and tougher if that is possible.”
“I understand,” Dawn offered “So… There’s no more Hellmouth… What are we gonna do now?”
Buffy smiled as the sun’s light twinkled in her eyes. She gazed up at the sky as the sun’s light started to encompass the sky with the clouds as clear as her head. But then, she saw Spike’s retreating back and he turned around as he bid her a final goodbye. With that mug smile on his face “Bye, love…” and everything came back to Buffy… HARD! When Spike broke into a song and professed his love for her. Their passionate night as they tore the abandoned house down. Spike who’s always been there to comfort her. Spike who knew everything. Spike who cares and loves her. Spike who looks after Dawn for her. Spike who got his soul back for her. Spike who was ready to die for her. Spike who believes in her. Spike who flung himself onto a cross as he confessed all his sins and his undying love for her. Spike who battled beside her. Spike who was… is her champion. Spike who… she deeply loves.
All the pain was visible on Buffy’s face, she wasn’t fast enough to hide it from Dawn and she knew it. But Dawn offered the privacy she needed and went to assist Wood.
Secluded and away from the others, Buffy tormented herself for letting go of Spike and never telling him before how much she loves him- or even show him- aside from bed of course.
“Damn you Spike, William the Bloody or whoever you are… I do love you!”
Buffy continuously repeated to herself as she remembered how Spike easily shoved her confessions off.
“Buffy…” she turned as Giles placed a hand on her shoulder. As she faced him she saw everyone who was able to survive. She had done her duty, she was able to save the world and she will never be alone again... But her heart tells a different story. The bus was led through the streets of L.A., Buffy still thinking of the last moments she spend with Spike… As they cradled each other in bed- only cradled- she questioned herself why she had to give the amulet to Spike when she could have let Angel have it…if she only knew. She answered the question herself- because she loves Spike and wants him to with her until the end- suddenly she caught herself. She was ready to sacrifice Angel and allow him to die and take Spike’s place. She meditated for a while as she searched deep but came out empty. Unfortunately for the Slayer the past few hours has been totally rough for her (emotionally) that she had to pass out. The bus stopped in front of Angel’s so-called hotel, where he and his crew awaited for the Slayer’s call. They were told to hold the line and be the reinforcements, but as the bus came to a halt, they found out that there was no need. Angel hurried to Buffy’s side as he saw her slumped figure which was being carried by Giles and Andrew. They placed her in one of the many rooms, but definitely one that is next to Angel’s. Everyone got a room for themselves but Dawn stayed in Buffy’s room. She knew what her sister was going through. She knew because even for her it was hard to comprehend that Spike was…
Down stairs, Angel got into a heated conversation with Cordelia. Cordelia being on her way to Angel’s heart and all then with the fact of seeing Xander again after she ran from her past in Sunnydale, didn’t want the Slayer and her gang to stay.
“They went into a rough day and can’t you see Buffy hasn’t awaken yet,” Angel simply said.
“We can’t afford it, we just can’t even with all the havoc in L.A. we can’t! Cordelia punctuated.
“Buffy’s having a hard time digesting it all and…”
“Buffy, Buffy, Buffy! Is that all you could think?! What about us Angel, what’s to became of this so-called relationship of ours?!”
“Cordy, you know…”
“Yes I know! You never did get over her, did you Angel? There’s always that shadow of hers lurking in that HEART of yours, just like Darla!” Cordelia ended the conversation there and bailed out.
“Spike, Spike, Spike…” Buffy woke up drenched in her own sweat as Dawn rushed to her side. “He’s not here,” she offered. And everything came back. Buffy then stood up and away from Dawn’s safe embrace. Still in what she wore during the battle, with smudges of dirt on her face, torn clothes and a badly undressed wound, she rushed down the stairs towards the garden. Her hands still tingling with the feel of Spike’s touch- remembering when their hands were still entwined. She faced the cloudless sky with the moon brightly shining on her as tears slowly trickled down her face.
“This was one of those nights when…” Buffy started reliving the moments when a hand rested on her shoulders. And a voice to match it.
“You okay Buffy?” Buffy hoped against all hopes that it would be Spike who was there asking and touching her. But, the voice was different, that sarcastic tone was gone and the timbre was quite different. As she turned she came to face Angel. The one Spike thought was still dominating her heart… but he was ironically wrong.
“Buffy? Buffy…” Angel tried to bring her back to reality and she instantly jerked away from him.
“It’s okay, it’s me. It’s Angel, your safe now,” as he gathered her in his embrace.
Where’s that sensation that she usually feels when Angel envelopes her in his embrace. Or even that unexplainable feeling when Spike sends a mere glance her way much more touches her. Angel slowly raised his head to gaze into her blank eyes as his mouth slowly descended onto hers. Angel’s passion and love for Buffy cannot be questioned even for that slight kiss. But undaunted Buffy remained motionless and she didn’t return the kiss. Angel puzzled, parted his lips away from hers and stared at her questioningly.
“I’m not alone, I’m no longer alone,” Buffy repeatedly said as if it was a mantra. She repeated it on and on, not of trying to convince Angel but instead she was trying to convince herself… badly.
“I’m no longer alone,”
“No you’re not. You have me, the Slayerettes, Xander, Giles…”
“I’m not alone,”
Angel shook Buffy gently but to no avail… only one way to bring her back. Angel’s knuckles squarely landed on Buffy’s jaw and that seems\ed to bring her back as she rushed towards him and cried her heart out.
“I’m no longer alone, but…” Buffy said in between strangled cries and gulps of air.
“Shhh, hush now”
“But, why do I feel so damn empty? It was never like this when you left,” there at last she was able to admit it.
Angel was speechless and filled with bewilderment; he didn’t know what she was talking about.
“When you left, I did feel something missing, but now why does it feel like more alone than ever. The feeling of losing all the senses in me.” She said as she gazed at Angel’s dark eyes-nothing muck like Spike’s.
“That amulet you gave me, why didn’t you tell me? Why did he have to die? Angel answer me! Why did it need be Spike’s death to close that damn hellmouth?!”
Dumbfounded, Angel blankly stared at her, SPIKE, the name she uttered was Spike, she did love him but why didn’t she admit it when he delivered her the amulet. Tears continuously trickled down Buffy’s face. He must help her, as she saw the anguish in her face, with much conviction he offered…
“Wasn’t it Willow who brought me back when you stabbed me and I supposedly died?”
Angel practically saw the light that dawned on her face. He must do this if it’s the only way to make her whole and happy for once. For he knew Buffy found something in Spike. Spike was able to love her even without a soul unlike him. During that brief moment his soul left him, he plotted against the Slayer, he tried to KILL her.
“Come on, let’s go. I bet Willow’s still awake,” as he ushered her inside
As they went inside Buffy almost running rushed to Willow’s room. The color drained from her face when she embarrassingly caught Willow and Kennedy locked in some serious lip action.
“My fault…” then suddenly she remembered the time when Dawn caught Spike and herself passionately kissing in the backyard.
“Whoa! Wrong timing,” Angel tried to ease the situation seeing Buffy was again in her own world.
“No, it’s okay Angel, we still have all the time in the world…”
Angel desperately tried to cut Willow’s comments off by his goofy waving of hands at Buffy’s back, that didn’t do much good as Willow continued.
“… Buffy, the gang and most specially Spike did save the world and gave us plenty of time.”
And that was it, Buffy Anne Summers burst out crying, wailing as she never did before. Everyone was drawn out of their very rooms as the situation was starting to get out of hand. Buffy was already thrashing the things in front of her. Angel was motionless at first, letting her go on to ease the pain she was feeling, but Giles nudged him…
“That won’t help her! Go get hold of her, you’re the only one who could withstand that power and temper of hers…” as Angel was on his way,
“Aside from Spike of course,” Giles whispered.
Angel rushed to her side and took a grip at her but he was pushed hard against the wall. Left with no choice Angel went for drastic measures and vamped-out (he didn’t want the Slayerettes to be uncomfortable with him so he hid his vampiric identity.
“So… he’s the vampire that had tasted her blood and nearly bled her dry,” Kennedy gasped.
They knew… they knew about him there’s nothing to fear. But of course! They did fight side by side with Spike. And so Angel rushed towards Buffy and flung her towards the couch but that alone couldn’t stop The Slayer. Willow who could no longer watch conjured a spell and finally calmed the Slayer. Everyone gathered around Buffy.
“Buffy what’s wrong? Tell us?” Willow softly pleaded.
“You don’t understand… he was the only one who understood me when you all turned your backs at me. He sought me out when you literally kicked me out of the group, he comforted me all the way since the moment I told him of my heavenly adventure when I died.”
“Buffy, don’t worry you still have us,” Dawn said, but deep down she does agree with her sister.
“But you’re not SPIKE! I know you Dawn… I know you feel it too,”
“Hush now, what would Spike say in times like this…” Angel crooned.
Buffy’s eyes glinted as she remembered “He’d say ‘Come on pet, you are what and I love you for that. Hush now pet,’”
And that made Buffy hysterical again but none of the thrashing.
Knowing that she won’t get any answers from the emotionally pent up Slayer, she decided to ask Angel,
“Why did you hurriedly barged into our room,”
“I remembered when you brought me back so…”
“You’re not thinking of…”
“What are you guys talking about?” Amanda one of the Slayerettes quipped.
“You want to bring Spike back,” Xander bluntly answered the question himself.
“But that was different… you tried to close the hellmouth,”
“What do you think Spike did?”
“You had a soul!”
“And you’re forgetting Spike also acquired one himself…”
“Look Willow,” this time it was Xander who stood up for Buffy.
“We all know what Buffy went through. Her relationship with Spike wasn’t that easy either, after being afraid of what might have happened” as he fixed Angel with one of his ‘threatening’ glares.
“But Xander, it’s just not…”
“Willow, we’re here for you. You have learned how to harness your own powers. We promise, you’ll never go on that rampage again.
Seeing Willow’s distress, Kennedy placed a hand on her shoulder,
“We’re here for you. For along time Buffy had also been. Don’t you want her to have the happiness we already are experiencing?”
“Okay, I’ll do it,” Willow said with a resigned sigh.
The very next night they turned the lobby into a ceremonial ground with candles forming a big circle as the Slayer and the Slayerettes gathered at the center. While Giles and the others were outside holding hands with Willow as they gave her the strength to withstand the power she was about to use. Holding their knives the Slayerettes slashed their wrists to open the portal with Buffy slashing her own wither mighty scythe. A good thirty minutes before Willow’s chanting took hold and the portal was fully opened. Willow chanted on and on until she collapsed and everyone stared at her except Buffy whose gaze was transfixed at the one in front of her… It was Spike, he was back.
“Spike!” Buffy said as she rushed into his embrace, in front of everybody they passionately kissed.
“I love you Spike. I really do!”
“I know, pet. I know!” Spike said as he continuously kissed her. But then he held her at arms length.
“Wait a minute, the last I remembered I was disintegrating in front of you! How could this have happened?”
Buffy lovingly smiled at him and told him of how Willow did it all.
“Bloody Hell! Did I not tell you! The thing about magic is there are always consequences and I mean ALWAYS!”
“Oh come on Spike, lay off! Can’t you see everyone went this far to bring YOU back?!” Xander glared.
“Then tell me Harris… Where’s your little vengeance demon?”
Spike did it this time; Xander charged at him and delivered a sturdy right hook.
Easily Spike vamped-out and tried to attack him but Angel got in the way.
“Come on Spike or is it William, haven’t they taught you anything up there, I do hope you were permitted. After all you have a soul and sacrificed yourself to save the world,”
“Still Angel I see, tell me how does Angelus feel being cooped up in you?”
“Spike,” Buffy whispered as she got closer to him and reached out to touch him.
“What is it pet?” Spike turned to her and completely changed his attitude as he lovingly gazed at her. Buffy tearfully rushed to his side crying desperately and clinging afraid to lose him once again.
“Hush now, love. I’m here, I’m back.” Buffy gazed her tearfully stained face to him and asked him what was wrong.
“Didn’t I tell you? There are always consequences with magic. You just forgot to take the soul back too,” he said boldly smirking.
With this everyone was taken aback. Spike was a Vampire inside out without a soul! But he still has that softness in him towards Buffy, and everyone witnessed that. Panic stricken everyone stepped back but Buffy continued to hold on to him. Then Angel went forward.
“You do love her deeply, don’t you?”
“Why’d you ask? Chickening out,” Spike sarcastically spat back.
“No, I’m exactly here where I should be. I was never good for Buffy. But you Spike I praise, even without a soul you were… No, you ARE still able to love her.”
“That’s what makes me different from Angelus. The moment I was sired the only thing I craved for was LOVE, to be with someone I would deeply love and who would love me back. At first I thought that it was Drusilla but not until I met the Slayer at that moment I knew it was Buffy all along.” Spike said with a straight face, gone was the trace of sarcasm.
“Spike I know we took you away from paradise, but I was too selfish,” Buffy said as she cupped his jaw.
Spike led Buffy away from the others and started towards the garden. There he turned her to face him.
“No love, there’s nothing to say sorry about, you’re my savior. You saved me from everything I was,” Buffy was bewildered.
“Come on pet don’t stare at me like that. You might think after that episode of ours I’d be led to the gates of paradise? I did too but to make it a lot simpler my soul was called back to where ever it came from but me, William the Bloody, a.k.a. Spike was tortured in hell for doing a good thing and closing the hellmouth; I was tortured for learning how to love but most of all I was tortured because I loved The Slayer.”
“Oh Spike, you didn’t have to,” Buffy said as she flung herself and tightly enveloped spike in her embrace.
“I had to; I figured I had to do it to pay for all my sins and to see you safe.”
Buffy promised to herself that she is never letting Spike go with or without a soul, he was hers forever. Buffy looked up and was held by Spike’s intense gaze… And it dawned on her…
“I didn’t think of this before, but what will come of us if I… if I…” Buffy said realizing that she will not live forever.
“It’s alright, pet. If I have to cross all the boundaries of heaven and hell, I will just to be with you,” Spike said with the love that’s visible in both of their eyes, they held each others gaze and ended up kissing passionately. Angel himself who was watching through the French window was contented to see Buffy happy in Spike’s arms… where she should be and always will be from then on.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in the story and so are some of the events but the ideas totally all mine!!!
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