Day of reckoning
The day of reckoning had come; Judgement day they called it. It’s now or never thought Giles; since the high school had been rebuilt Giles was librarian again. This had pleased him greatly. He’d been in the library all day, cleansing it so it was devoid of evil. Devoid of evil it never will be thought Giles, or tonight maybe our one chance to shut this blasted thing forever.
The school day had passed by devilishly slowing and without much incident, apart from the odd minor earthquake. Just a taste of what’s to come thought Giles. Pike, Whistler and Doyle knew it would start as soon as the sun went down, so they had gone to the Espresso Pump earlier in the day to get to know each other slightly better. Before God knows what happens thought Giles.
Giles had arranged that all of them, apart from the Slayers, to meet up at the school at 5:00pm sharp, this was because sunset was at 5:39pm and none of them wanted to be late when the party started. Himself, Whistler, Pike and Doyle had arrived even earlier to set the circle, cast the runes and position the candles. Giles had told Buffy and Faith to meet him outside the high school at 4:30pm, 4:30pm came and so did they. Faith was wearing all black and so was Buffy excellent for not being seen. We’re the only chance the world has. The Slayers looked at each other and a faint smile played on both their lips. So we ain’t as heck gonna give up, we’ll give the evil down there the fight of its life. They thought as they walked up the steps, possibly for the last time of the high school, where lives’ had been forged, broken, corrupted especially mine thought Faith.
“Thank God you’re on time,” said Giles thankfully.
“’Course Giles, and we also bought along another party pooper who thought he could leave the party early.” As Faith said this, she shoved Riley into Giles sight. “You were trying leave weren’t you?” whispered Faith into Riley’s ear, “you were gonna desert the girl you love when she needs you most and who also happens to be the Slayer, you good for nothing son of a bitch.”
Whistler came out of the school as this little charade took place, he had been stood calmly behind Giles and when the little spat was over he tapped Giles on the back. Giles jumped as though electrocuted.
“Giles were ready.” Pike and Doyle appeared behind Whistler and said one after the other, “Now we need the gang” “And we can shut the Hellmouth forever.”
“Right just give me a minute,” he gave Riley one of his old pissed off Ripper looks, “Riley go and help them,” as Riley walked past him he hissed into his ear, “the Slayer always comes first.”
Faith had watched the tiny argument between Giles and Riley with amusement and downright anger he loves her and he tries to leave, lowly bastard. Buffy saw the mixed emotions on Faith’s face and answered her thoughts.
“I know I never thought he’d even try to run. I really did think he was braver than that. I always thought that he’d try to prove his love of me by doing something ‘Die Hardy’ during the finale battle. But now I guess not.” She lowered on head, checked her watch 4:50pm and looked at the slowly setting sun. Even as she turned to look back at Faith, movement in her peripheral vision caused her to spin around fists raised in a long ago taught fighting stance to find…the whole gang, weapons and all stood in front of her. Buffy’s heart swelled in her chest, all her life she had tried to keep them away from the absolute evil she sometimes fought but here they were now ready to fight the evil she knew many of them dreaded and feared in their heart of hearts, to fight to throw caution and their own lives as it were to the wind as the final battle approached.
The swelling moment ended and the reality of what could happen to her long life friends kicked in and the feeling in her and on her face was of worry and doubt I shouldn’t have to put them through this not with everything they’ve already gone through from knowing me. Willow and Tara looked at Buffy; both of them had read her thoughts, as they are well known, highly respected and accomplished witches. We’ll be alright Buffy, we’re prepared for this. Ever since we knew that you were the Slayer we knew that one day there would be a final battle and we’ve all prepared for it in different ways…even Xander and Anya have prepared. We’ve all pitched in.
Buffy realized in that one moment, she had never had enough faith in her friends, as if in answer she nodded her head.
“IF I could have your attention please now that almost everyone is here. I have proposed that whilst we are doing the ritual, Buffy patrol outside the library and Faith patrol in the few corridors leading to the library area.”
“Good enough for me c’mon B. Gotta go get ready to kick some serious booty,” Faith said cracking her knuckles in anticipation.
“Okay I’ll be one minute Faith. There’s something I’ve got to do first.” Buffy looked over at Angel who had just arrived, their gazes locked. The look Buffy was giving Angel was ‘we need to talk’ Angel gave a short nod. Faith nodded she knew what B was about to go do.
“Buffy,” she said, Faith rarely said Buffy’s full name, “we are gonna make it. The two scariest Slayers who ever existed…Angel need not worry babe.”
“Thanks.” Buffy meant it. As she walked over to Angel she cast a backward glance at the dark haired Slayer like I said to Will once ‘that could have been me’. But the only way I didn’t become like her is because I have family. Though Buffy would never admit it to herself, sometimes in the past she had envied Faith’s rash lifestyle. Coming and going when she pleased, doing whatever she wanted, whoever she wanted but Buffy knew she never would have survived that lifestyle she had too much of a conscience.
“Hey Angel,” Buffy said, “I love you, no matter what happens out there you have to remember that.”
“Buffy don’t talk like that, you’re scaring me.”
“I just want you to know…just in case something does happen,” Buffy looked away, “I hope nothing happens.” She muttered to herself. Then they slowly looked at each other, two warriors, and two lovers, two souls who couldn’t live without each other. Buffy was looking at Angel with love, sadness and determination, and then she steeled her gaze and started to go into Slayer mode. Angel was looking at Buffy with a fiery passion and worry at what was about to go down and wonder at whether she’d live through this. Angel felt tears coming to his eyes and briefly looked away to calm himself, taking a deep fake breath he looked back at Buffy. They kissed, maybe for last time, during this they clung to each other finding the hope and strength they needed for what lay ahead. They pulled apart.
“Well I guess this is it. Let’s put the Hellmouth out of business forever.”
They walked to the school with so much bravery, Buffy was proud to stand with them in what might be their last night on Earth. They grouped together in the foyer, the warriors, the only ones who could save the world from its worst nightmare. (The whole crew are here…here we go. Will we be paying the ultimate sacrifice? And will there be any school tomorrow?)
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