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_______________
"They're all..." Buffy couldn't continue, the words stuck
in her throat.
"I'm afraid so, Buffy."
"How?"
"Apparently Angel and his associates took out The Black
Thorn, a cadre of powerful demons that served Wolfram & Hart. The Senior Partners sent a vast horde of demons after them.
They all died in battle."
Buffy's only response was a small sob.
"I'm so very sorry. We...I was wrong about
Angel." Giles's voice was gentle. He'd hated having to give the news to his Slayer, but he wouldn't allow anyone else to tell
her.
Buffy was silent at the other end of the telephone line, her harsh breathing the only sign that she was still
there.
"Buffy?"
"It's...I'm all right, Giles," she said, forcing a strength she really didn't feel into her
voice. "Look, I have to go. Someone's at the door."
Hanging up, she took a couple deep breaths and went to open the
door to her apartment. A deliveryman stood there holding a package and a clipboard. Buffy signed and took possession of the
padded envelope. There was no return address, but it was postmarked from the United States.
Opening the envelope, she
withdrew a clear plastic baggie that held what looked to be dust.
"What the hell?" she muttered to herself. An irresistible
compulsion made her pull the top of the plastic bag apart. As it unsealed, the dust inside began to whirl and twirl like a
tiny tornado. Buffy gasped and dropped the bag. The dust forced its way out of the bag, twisting ever faster. Buffy watched
wide-eyed as it began to solidify and form into a man-like shape. She recognized the black shirt and jeans, black leather
duster, and white hair.
Buffy felt her knees grow weak and she held onto the back of a chair to keep herself from collapsing
in shock.
"Spike?"
He looked around confusedly until his eyes rested on her.
"Buffy?"
"Oh god,
Spike!"
Buffy rushed to him, arms reaching out to enfold him, hold him, never let him go again.
She passed
right through him.
Spike sighed.
"Bugger."
The End
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