Chapter: Chapter Twenty Five – The Aftermath

Author: Queen Akasha

Rating: NC17 in some chapters

Summary: B/S. Season Seven. (As it should be, by Queen A)

Disclaimer: I was reading spoilers, and they said that Spike was going to meet up with a dragon, and the son of Satan, and that Buffy would FINALLY confess her love to Spike. *How cool is that!* I thought to myself, but then I realized I wasn't even on-line – I was just in MS Word. Oh well. A girl can hope, can't she?

Spoilers: This is my fictional season seven. Anything up to the end of S6 is fair game. I'm Alternate Universe from about "Normal Again." (Spike didn't get his soul)

Distribution: If you want, take. If you tell me, I'll send you updates. >)

Buffy ran to the window and, throwing up the blind, looked out. All she saw was demons and dragons fighting everywhere. Giles and Xander were fighting together against a large demon of a particularly putrid shade of pink. Anya was cheering them on, stepping out from behind the car from time to time to get in a few swings with a tire iron. JB's brother was talking to a very large 'being'. Buffy knew right away that he wasn't human. She turned to Spike. "We've got to get out there and help."

"Right," Spike said, looking at Willow, Tara and Dawn. "Nibblet, can you grab us some weapons? I'd like a sword, for sure."

"Sure, Spike." Dawn ran excitedly to Buffy's weapon chest.

"Battle-axe for me," Buffy called after her.

Spike looked at Willow. "You know what you have to do," he said gently.

Willow nodded. "Yes, actually I do. Can I just have a minute?" She smiled at Tara.

Buffy nodded. "Take as long as you need." Buffy walked to Tara and hugged her, whispering, "Thank you for everything you did for me. I'll never forget you."

*I know,* Buffy heard, and felt Tara's goodness enfold her.

Spike stood hesitantly behind her. Buffy moved aside, Tara opened her arms to him, and he laid his head on her shoulder. "Good-bye beautiful," Spike said to her. "I don't expect we'll meet again."

Tara smiled at Spike. *You'd be surprised,* he heard, as she gently kissed his cheek.

Dawn darted into the room with the sword and axe. "Dawnie, say good-bye to Tara," Buffy said.

Dawn's eyes open wide and she dropped the weapons. "But, Buffy, no, we need her to stay," Dawn pleaded, tears filling her eyes.

Buffy took her hand and looked into her eyes. "Dawn, you know the truth."

"NO!" Dawn screamed, covering her ears with her hands.

*Dawnie,* they heard, *it's OK. I'll always be with you, just like your mom is right now. Can't you feel her?*

Dawn stood very still, and then nodded.

*Come hug me,* said Tara, and Dawn fell into her arms, Tara smiling tenderly down at her.

"Dawn," Buffy said, "I hate to interrupt, but we have to go help the dragons, and make sure they win."

Dawn looked at her. "Dragons?" she asked. "Cool."

She whispered to Tara, and Tara nodded. The girls released their embrace, and everyone left the room, leaving Tara and Willow alone together.

"Dawn, hold down the fort," Buffy said. "We're going outside."

"OK," Dawn said, not arguing for a change, as Buffy, Spike and JB went out the door.
 

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Spike felt much better with a sword in his hand. He'd always enjoyed sword-play; thought it was more refined than an axe, which simply chopped, although he would never say anything to Buffy.

"I am too refined," she said, slightly huffy, "I just like chopping heads off," she defended herself. "And arms."

"Now, now," Spike said placatingly, "I didn't say anything, love. Don't read my mind if you're going to take offense."

"I'm sorry, Spike," she said. "I'm still not used to this."

"Me either, love," he said, grabbing her close in a quick embrace before pelting into the fray.

Buffy stopped a moment to take stock of the situation. The dragons seemed to have everything under control. Giles, Xander and Anya were leaning against the car, watching the last few demons being hounded by dragons. Buffy watched her lover eagerly attack the largest demon left, who was swinging what appeared to be a fence post, and behead him with a skillful swing of his sword. *It does look pretty,* she thought, and heard Spike's reply, *Thanks, love,* before he turned to engage his next opponent.

She joined him, but her help was barely needed, as everything was wrapped up in under five minutes. She and Spike walked over to the car to join the rest of the gang. She noticed JB was there, still arguing with his look-alike twin, while the human-like being looked on, frowning slightly.

Spike sighed a little, and then walked between the two large quibbling demons, clapping his hands between their faces. "Boys," he said loudly, "what's the trouble?"

"He's always been the favorite," the two said in unison, and then stopped, shocked, looking at each other in amazement.

Spike sighed again. "How old are you two?" he asked. "Thousands of years?" The two nodded sheepishly. "Do you realize how stupid this quarrel is?" he asked them. They nodded again, without looking at each other. "You two are lucky to have family, I'd say. You should appreciate what you have. Now, be men and shake."

He stepped out from between them, and the two demons reluctantly held out their hands. "C'mon now," Spike said forcefully, "show some enthusiasm! You're brothers!"

The two shook hands, and JB muttered, "Sorry." Celex replied, "Me, too."

JB then pulled Celex to him in a close embrace. "No, I really mean it, brother. I am sorry we've become so distant." Buffy thought she saw the shine of tears in his eyes.

"I am sorry as well, brother," replied Celex, patting JB on the back. Buffy smiled. It looked like JB was a huge baby being burped. "We do need to spend time together and, how do you say it, catch up on things?"

"We will," said JB. "Starting right now."

Everyone turned at the sound of clapping. The large, too-good-looking-to-be-real being was smiling and cheering. "Good job, vampire," he said, in a voice that reminded Buffy of JB's. "I've been trying for millennia to get them to even talk to one another. I owe you one."

"And who might you be, mate?" Spike asked, but Buffy said, "Are you JB's dad?"

When the entity nodded, Spike gulped. "S-s-satan?" he said.

"Yes," Satan smiled, "but I prefer Luke. Good to meet you, Spike," he said, enfolding Spike's hand in his huge mitt, "and you as well, Slayer," he took her hand and kissed it.

"Well, I can see where JB gets his charm from," Buffy commented. Luke smiled. His face was even more beautiful when he did.

"We have much to discuss," Luke said, "but first, we have to dispose of these bodies. Perhaps our friends the dragons would assist us?"

Minerva appeared from the darkness behind them. *Lord Lucifer, we would be very pleasssed to help you. I am glad thessse demonssss were conquered. We love thissss world too.*

"Well, let's get to it," Spike said, rubbing his hands together before picking up a large bloody chunk of demon flesh.

Luke laughed. "Spike, the dragons can do it so much quicker. They can teleport it out of here in a short while. You have all earned a rest," he said, spreading his arms wide and shepherding them towards the house. "We will talk in the morning," he promised. "Tonight, I need to speak with my children, and you all need to relax. We'll be back early, with breakfast. OK?"

Xander shook his head. "Can things even GET any crazier? Satan bringing us bagels and cream cheese?"

Luke laughed. "Shall I bring Starbucks as well?" he asked. "I have shares in them, you know."

"I KNEW it!" Anya snapped her fingers. "Their strange success could only be explained by supernatural means."

Luke laughed again, his deep baritone rumbling, making everyone want to laugh along with him. "Until the morning then," he said, and, beckoning to his boys, disappeared into the shadows.

"See you tomorrow," JB called cheerfully, joining Celex in following his father.

"Well," Buffy said brightly, "who's up for hot chocolate?"

"Scotch," Giles and Spike said in unison, and the group, laughing, walked towards the house. Spike paused at the door.

"Spike, it's OK," Buffy said. "You've never been un-invited."

Spike smiled, walking in. "Wasn't sure, love," he said. "You should've done it, though," he added. "I would've deserved it."

"We'll talk about that later," Buffy said, sinking gratefully down onto the sofa. "Dawn," she called, "are you OK?"

Dawn entered the room, carrying cups and a steaming pitcher. "Hot chocolate, anyone?" she asked.

Buffy looked at her quizzically. "Were you reading my mind?" she asked.

"No, stupido," Dawn replied. "You always like hot chocolate after slaying."

"Got any scotch?" Spike asked hopefully.

"Right here," said Giles, already pouring drinks. "Xander? Anya?" he asked.

"Hot chocolate's good for me," Xander replied.

"Scotch, neat," Anya said.

"Buffy?" Giles asked.

"I'll have hot chocolate, please, Dawn," Buffy said, accepting a cup from her sister. Giles brought over three drinks, and everyone settled into the comfortable furniture.

"So, tell about the dragons," Dawn started, but stopped when she saw Willow walking slowly down the stairs. Buffy stood.

"Will? Are you OK?" she asked, walking over to her.

Willow nodded. "You know, for the first time in a really long time, I think I really am." She walked to the living room, and stood in the doorway. "I'm really sorry, everyone," she said. "I don't know what I was thinking."

"There's time enough for apologies and explanations in the morning," Giles said firmly. "Would you like scotch or hot chocolate," he asked her.

"Can I have both?" Willow asked, surprising everyone.

"Of course," said Giles, pouring her a drink, while Dawn poured her a hot chocolate. "Together?"

"Yuk," she said. "Now that's going too far." She downed her scotch with a quick flick of her wrist, and then sipped on her hot chocolate. Xander looked on in horror. "It's really not that bad," she said.

"So, OK, tell about the dragons," Dawn started to say again, before being distracted by the sight of Anya's left hand being strategically waved in the air. "Oh my GOD, Anya. Are you two engaged again?"

Anya smiled smugly, but waited for Xander to answer.

"Nope," Xander said, smiling at his bride. "You are addressing Mrs. Xander Harris. We eloped to Vegas and got married."

This produced a sizable yell from Dawn and Willow, and necessitated another round of drinks. With one thing and then another being talked about, Dawn never did hear about the dragons. After a detailed description of the wedding (and almost of the wedding night) by Anya, Dawn asked again, "OK, now, I REALLY want to hear about the dragons. Please?"

Spike made an elaborate show of yawning. "How about tomorrow, Nibblet?" he asked. "I'm knackered." He glanced quickly at Buffy.

"Oh, uh, yes, I'm tired too." She yawned deeply. "More talking in the morning, I promise," she said to Dawn's disappointed pout. "Xander and Anya, please stay here. The couch pulls out. Willow, can you, .....," she tailed off, forgetting what she was saying, because Spike had ahold of her hand, and was tracing sensual patterns on her palm.

Willow smiled. "You two go ahead and go to sleep," she emphasized. "I'll make sure Xander and Anya have pillows and stuff. And I'll find somewhere to sleep, since," she smiled at Spike and Buffy, "my room seems to be temporarily roofless."

"OK, thanks. Sure hope it doesn't rain." Buffy forced another yawn, and then stood, stretching. Spike sat, waiting, until she said, "Coming, Spike?" He jumped up eagerly, and then looked at the assembled crew.

"Uh, yes, very tired," he said, before following Buffy up the stairs.

"God," said Dawn, "good thing he's not the Big Bad anymore. He's become a TERRIBLE liar."

Buffy and Spike shut the door of her room to the sound of a chorus of laughter from below.
 

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TBC
 
 

Still some more to come, although things are wrapping up now. Hope you're liking it so far. >)