Doctor Who One Hundred

    AUTHOR: kerk_hiraeth

    LENGTH: tbc;

    'VERSE: post-series;

    CHARACTERS: Angel, Spike, Buffy Summers, Willow Rosenberg, Jesse; mention of Dawn, Faith & Kennedy;

    A/N: Written for my fic challenge to myself of 2013; this was the third written (posted on the 4^th of January on my lj). Looking back there is definite reference to the world of Dead Like Me for which I wrote a crossover with Buffy at another time. 
             A little more significant re-editing of this one, but only in the last third. 
             (edit ps. as I complete this post I think I see where I can fit this into my season six au) 

     “We can't. “

   Angel winced but, even though he knew Spike was right, he couldn't prevent his uncoperative legs from taking a couple of steps closer to the bed.

   Spike never moved; instead lighting a highly illicit cigarette and, not even looking, asked him softly, “You'd really take away everything he was?”

   Angel turned his face to the ceiling, barely managing a whsiper in response.

   “He saved my life.”

   'More fool him, ' was what Spike wanted to say; instead making the more cogent statement, “Taking his Humanity from him would be a bit of a poor thank you, mate. “

   “But to let him die... “

   There was no response from the other vampire this time; Angel was speaking to the Heavens, not him in any case.

   Angel leant backwards against the wall; slumped against it in defeat more like, was Spike's thought.

   He knew Harris would never forgive Angel; nor him for that matter, if he didn't stop Angel.

   Glancing at the bed, he said carefully, “And, you great bog-trotting Irish pouffe; putting Red's soul at risk is off the menu as well. “

   He'd been right, it had been on Angel's mind and, though he had no way of knowing who Spike was speaking to, the older vampire caved; sliding down to the floor, head in hands.

   Defeated.

   Spike left him alone, sort of and once, a short time after he returned he fell under the grip of the drugged coffee Spike gave him before he carried him to a nearby room to recover.

   Not long after that Buffy arrived; answering his call. She said a brief final farewell to her old friend; she, Dawn and Faith had been near constant presences for days until the Doctors finally gave up on his chances for recovery.

   “Will he never come out of it? “

   She still had to ask, even though the answer wouldn't change; could never change, without solutions he'd never forgive them for. He just shook his head; words pointless, even though she wasn't really looking at him.

   He did ask; not looking at her, if they'd found Red; relieved that Buffy didn't notice he wasn't watching her, or looking at the bed, he was aware of her shaking her head.

   “Not even Kennedy's heard from her; neither of us is really on speaking terms with Will these days. “ She seemed to come out of her funk for a second then, telling him firmly, “ Best to keep Dawn away from here in case she does make an appearance though. “

   “Well, somebody'd better find her, “ he muttered too loud, and unnecessarily, “or the Carpenter here will stay like this for years.

   Don't seem right somehow, “ he said quietly as they looked, well Buffy did anyhow, at the figure in the bed.

   Buffy, still thinking he was speaking to her, kissed him gently on the cheek, and arm placed gently around his neck told him softly, “You take care; get some rest yourself. I'll get Angel moved to the van; got a long drive ahead of us if we're going to beat the storm. “

   Somehow he managed to not make the obvious comment; just responding with a steady eyed, “I'll keep an eye on him. Call; anything if... you know. “

   Buffy took a last look at Xander; eyes closed; bruises fading; at peace, if only by virtue of modern technology; she left to arrange Angel's move to their getaway vehicle.

   Outside, he watched as they loaded the great pouffe into the van.

   Buffy managed a brief smile, hugging him farewell as he told her to be careful of the blizzard headed down from north of the lakes.

   “Best avoid Chicago; especially as the Kings are playing there this weekend. “

   Buff gave Spike another kiss; this time on the forehead, before she watched them drive away, with Buffy waving briefly as she gestured to the young Slayer who'd be doing the bulk of the driving to Pennsylvania.

   Spike only briefly stepped back into Xander's room a couple of minutes later.

    “Thanks, blondie, “ a tired; rasping, voice spoke from the ether as a much older figure than he remembered materialised and sat down in the chair next to Harris.

    “I'll be in the canteen when you... I'll leave you in peace. “

   He watched her silently for a second, then stepped out and left her alone with the Carpenter.

   A pained, but appreciative expression appeared on Willow's face as she watched his back disappear through the door.

   “Thanks... , “ she told him, knowing he was only just out of her sight, “... you know for calling me. “

   She could hear him breathing; unnecssarily so she knew he really was there. She could almost see his head and shoulders slump just a little bit before he was gone.

   The rest didn't need to be said.

   And she wanted to be alone with her oldest companion before she did what had to be done.

   Neither could see the two shades watching the interchange.

   “So how long before we head out of here? “

    A still apparently solid Xander turned and queried of his still teenage looking conductor.

    Jesse shrugged.

   “I'm still new to this duty; only got transferred a few days ago; guess someone must have owed you a favour. Beats conducting the souls of Vampire victims.

    Hardly seems like the Willow I remember. She'd have dived into a volcano to bring you back.”

    What was left of Xander was grateful she hadn't tried anything; part of him wondering where Spike's soul was, even as he thanked him for talking Angel out of...

    Whatever he'd been planning.

    He couldn't tell how long he'd been waiting for her to turn up, but it had been nice to see Jesse again after all this... however long it had been.

    He had no concern about Buffy or Dawn, and Faith had never got on with Will.

    The two Vampires had surprised him; struggling to remember why that was as he found himself drifting in and out of this place.

    They stood there until the darkness began to fall; talking about whatever the dead talked about while they waited for their journey to begin, though neither pondered on why they could still feel the floor beneath their feet.

    Somehow Xander hadimagined that a nerd like they had been would get an answer to that at least.

   They waited for nearly an hour before, as the stars began to appear, Willow leant forward and kissed her oldest, and bestest, friend on the forehead before she turned off the machines keeping his body alive.

   More than an hour after he had been taken away Willow stood up and, tears all shed, failed to notice the two shades fade away as he walked through them and out the door.

   She found Spike in the cafeteria; seven empty coffee cups; all full and cold, in front of him as he took another swig of whisky from his flask. Silently she took it from his grasp; knocked it against each of the coffee cups and took a swig herself.

   He nodded.

   There was no need for words.

   They silently shared the whisky and, occasionally, coffee until pre-dawn arrived.

   It was snowing as they stopped out into the coming dawn's light and got aboard his Triumph then, as she silently hugged him, he started the machine that was older than her parents and slowly trundled out of the vicinity of the hospital approved parking.

   What could they say really?

   Everyone's right hand man was off to register and the Great Comicon in the sky.

    Goddess watch over you,

     He always gravitates to the minor key

     As he navigates his way away from me

     He claims a guardian for every sailor in the storm

     But where are the patrons for those left on the shore

     And as the darkness falls around me

     He takes my hand and starts to pray

     This is a hymn for all those left behind

     This is a prayer for every heart left barren

     This is a call for all the saints to be reminded

     To sing a hymn for all those left behind

     She only dreams in shades of gray these days

     Now that her children have all grown

     And though her husband sleeps just two feet away

     When she wakes she feels alone

     And as the dawn comes through the window

     She lies awake, tries to recall

     If there's a hymn for all those left behind

     If there's a prayer for every heart left barren

     If there's a call for all the saints to be reminded

     To sing a hymn for all those left behind

     { ~ Hymn for Those Left Behind by Shannon Moore, from the soundtrack of Latter Days, 2003 }

    kerk hiraeth