Trust

by Rob Sorenson

Chapter Thirty-three

*****Los Angeles Coliseum, Jun 11, 2005 6:30pm*****

Buffy, Willow and Xander exited the SUV and turned to face the stadium.

“We really needed to find a way to widen the upper deck seats.”

Willow raised an eyebrow. “You’re critiquing me NOW?”

“Reflex.”

The stadium was roughly seventy-five percent finished, with the exception of the main entrance. Willow had conceived a combination of Greek and Roman architectural forms. Massive Corinthian columns in the style of the Forum of Augustus combined with an archway that borrowed heavily from the Ionic style of ancient Greece, albeit on a much larger scale. The design immediately generated criticism from certain circles; one review had gone so far as to call it “hackery.” Willow responded with a letter to the editor of Architectural Digest. Unbeknownst to her, Xander kept a copy of it in his desk drawer:

I appreciate the candor shown by my esteemed colleagues with regard to my proposed design for the new Los Angeles Coliseum. As I’m sure many of you are aware, I’m only twenty-three years old; therefore my practical experience in this art form is quite limited. As a consequence, I’m forced to revert to my textbooks from Introduction To Architecture at UC Sunnydale. One moment while I consult…yes, here’s the passage I was looking for: “The architecture of Ancient Rome was reflective of the varying styles within the Empire, which at its peak spanned the entire known world. For example, the Roman Doric style is derived from the original Greek version, with alterations made by the artisans of the time.”

I’m forced to pose this question to my elders: who among you would like to refer to their blending of influences as “hackery?”

That’s what I thought.

In closing, let me reiterate my appreciation for the generous advice I’ve received; I can only hope to be every bit as supportive to all of you in the future.

Or, as a dear friend of mine once said to an elder: bite me.

Regards,

Willow Rosenberg

Xander had never been prouder.

“Would’ve been a bitch to get those columns right.”

Willow sighed. “Yes, Xander. For the thousandth time, I realize that part is going to be tricky…” She frowned. “Hey! What did we say about attitude?”

“Huh? Oh, I forgot. It definitely will, in the not so distant future, be a bitch to get those columns right.”

Buffy craned her neck. “I’d forgotten how big it is.”

Willow smiled. “The columns are going to be 13 stories high at the center.”

“No way. Seriously?”

“Yup.”

Now slightly wide-eyed, Buffy gazed at the top of the structure, stretching more than 300 feet into the air. “I can’t imagine working all the way up there.”

Willow looked away as Xander shrugged. “I used to.”

Realizing her mistake, Buffy groped for words. “Well…who would want to anyway? It’s dangerous, right?”

“Not if you know what you’re doing.”

“And…you can’t-“

“Buffy, I can’t even look up there without throwing off my equilibrium for an hour at least.”

There was a long silence as they passed beneath the webwork of girders that made up the unfinished area. After negotiating their way through the assorted blocks and ladders, Buffy slowed so that Xander and Willow could guide her through the bowels of the stadium. Several twists and turns later they came to a long concrete tunnel. Xander pointed.

“Field’s through here.”

The Slayer sighed. “Well, at least there’s light at the end, right?”

There was no response as they began to walk together, footsteps echoing hollowly against the walls.

*****East Los Angeles, CA, Same Time*****

“Not looking to pee on the parade here, Charles, but I think we’ve done all we can.”

Gunn shook his head as they walked down the street. “Not by a damn sight.”

“We’ve been doing this for the last day and a half without a break.”

“No one’s holding you here. If you’re tired, head on back to the hotel. I’ll hitch a ride.”

“Have you seen yourself? You’re wiped out.”

“I’m good for a while longer.”

“Maybe you missed the memo, but I’m the one who’s actually capable of going without sleep for a few days.”

Gunn stopped, turning to face him. “Look. I appreciate what you’re trying to say, but this is something I gotta do. If all you’re going to do is nag, I’d rather you just go.”

“Ok then, answer me this: we’ve already been on this street. What’s going to be different this time around?”

Gunn ignored him.

In the previous thirty-six hours, the two of them had questioned, cajoled, bribed and threatened countless denizens of the area where Rondell had been murdered. To this point, the search had revealed precisely nothing…aside from one guy Gunn had violently persuaded to sing. If Lorne hadn’t known better, he’d have thought Sam Cooke was still among the living. When Gunn wasn’t looking, he’d slipped the kid a few phone numbers. No reason to waste talent.

Lorne sighed deeply. “You won’t want to hear this, but I understand-“

“What I’m going through? Give it a rest.”

“Ok. Let’s say you actually do get a lead on whoever did this. How do you plan to prove any of it?”

Gunn resumed walking. “Didn’t bother thinking about that.”

Lorne trailed behind, a quizzical expression on his face. “Maybe my fedora is on too tight, ‘cause you’re losing me. What was the point of this whole exercise if you just plan on going all Bernie Goetz? Which, by the way, isn’t recommended if the target is a well-connected gangster.”

“He didn’t pull the trigger.”

“Ah. So we’re working our way up. Ok, assuming I’m on board the eye-for-an-eye express for a moment, why wouldn’t we just work from what we DO know? Maybe we can find some way to question-”

“Man just gave the order. Doesn’t know or care who carried it out.”

“Yes, but we could find out who he contacted-“

Gunn stopped again, sighing heavily. “I’m not going anywhere near Jimmy Royal, much as I’d like to. Carries too much heat.”

“Meaning…”

“You said it yourself. He’s well-connected. As in nationwide. Someone disrupts business, they’ll come from everywhere, and come down hard. Won’t be any runnin’ from that.”

Lorne considered that for a moment. “Worse than demons?”

“Demons will usually give you some warning. A roar or a…stench of some kind.”

“Hey!”

“Don’t get your horns all knotted up. I said usually. Point is, these Mob dudes will send one or two goons with a gun, and they’ll do it quietly. If you manage to actually survive the first try, they’ll send three.” Gunn shook his head again. “No…Royal’s time’ll come eventually. When it does, I’ll be first in line to dance on his grave. Until then…I get what I can.”

“Which brings us back to the original point, Charles.” Lorne said softly. “There’s nothing here to get.”

Neither was able to speak for a minute as a passing car boomed the latest Delinquent Habits release.

“Loud.” Was all Lorne said.

“You’re right.”

“Well, thanks. The ringing ears provided a helpful hint.”

“I meant about the other thing. We’re going in circles.”

“It wasn’t your fault, you know.”

Gunn scowled with irritation. “The hell it wasn’t.”

“You didn’t pull that trigger. You have to understand that.”

“Rondell had a family. I understand that, too.”

“Then maybe your efforts are best spent on them.”

“Man, I don’t need your psychoanaly-“

If Gunn didn’t have such quick reflexes, Lorne would have knocked him to the pavement. As it was, he barely kept them both upright.

“Lorne, what is it? What’s wrong?”

“Oh my God!” The demon slapped his forehead with such force, his hat flew into the street.

“Lorne!”

“We have to go. As in right now.”

***********Fifteen Minutes Earlier************

“Um…I don’t know that one.” Dawn said apologetically. “Sorry.”

Angel shook his head. “How can you possibly not-“

“Angel, it’s older than she is.” Wes interrupted. “If we could perhaps come up with something more current?”

The vampire folded his arms. “They still play it in clubs.”

Spike grimaced. “How the bloody hell would you know?”

“You in a club?” Faith chimed in. “I don’t think so.”

“I go.” Angel said defensively. “For business.”

“Demons do hang out in night spots.” Riley glanced at Angel. “Not that I’m defending you. I don’t know that song either.”

Fred entered the room. “I can’t get into Lilah’s email. Talk about firewalls-“

“Fred.” Angel interrupted. “Do you know the words to ‘Tainted Love’?”

She stopped short, looking at the others with confusion. “Should I?”

“Come on, everybody knows that song.”

“Well…maybe I’m a bad person to ask. I was sort of gone for a few years.”

“Me too.” Faith put in.

“Technically I’m only four years old.” Dawn added.

Angel looked at Spike. “What’s your excuse?”

The blonde looked down at his wardrobe, then back to Angel. “Do I look like I listened to 80’s bubblegum pop?”

“Fine. What’s your suggestion?”

Spike thought a moment. “Anyone know ‘Rock and Roll High School’?”

Faith’s eyes widened. “There we go! Ramones kicked all kinds of ass.”

Wesley sighed. “I don’t suppose anyone is familiar with Kate Bush?”

“I am.” Spike said. “Never listened much, though. Strange bird, that one.”

“I rather liked her.”

Dawn brightened, poking Wes in the side. “Wait! Honey, you like Radiohead, remember?”

Faith raised an eyebrow. “YOU like Radiohead?”

“Really?” Spike said with surprise.

Wesley looked at Dawn with annoyance. “As it happens, yes. I only know one song by heart, however.”

“I think I know the one you mean.” Angel said quietly. “Just the chorus, though.”

“Same here.” Cordy said.

“Me too.” Fred added.

Dawn smiled at Wesley. “You’ve played it enough times. If I didn’t know it by now…”

“I think we have a winner.” Riley declared.

“Right then.” Spike said. “Guess we should start.” He glanced at Angel. “For the record, mate? This doesn’t work, we’re all going to kill you.”

Dawn winced. “Is there any way I could just dance?”

Angel shrugged. “Anyone who has a better idea can speak up now.”

The group looked at each other, but said nothing. Finally the silence was broken by Faith, singing with a breathy – and surprisingly gentle – voice:

“When you were here before…couldn’t look you in the eye.”

Spike, Wesley and Dawn joined in:

“You’re just like an angel…your skin makes me cry

You float like a feather…in a beautiful world

You’re so fuckin’ special

I wish I was special”

The entire group came in for the chorus:

“But I’m a creep…I’m a weirdo

What the hell am I doing here?

I don’t belong here

I don’t care if it hurts

I want to have control

I want a perfect body

I want a perfect soul

I want you to notice

When I’m not around

You’re so fuckin’ special

I wish I was special

But I’m a creep…I’m a weirdo

What the hell am I doing here?

I don’t belong here”

Spike surprised them into silence when he switched into a lovely falsetto.

“She’s running out again…she’s running out.

She’s run run run running out”

There was a slight catch in his voice as he finished:

“Whatever makes you happy

Whatever you want

You’re so fuckin’ special

I wish I was special

But I’m a creep…I’m a weirdo

What the hell am I doing here?

I don’t belong here

I don’t belong here.”

There was an uncomfortable silence when the last note faded out. Spike cleared his throat as he spoke.

“That work, you think?”

Angel looked away. “Maybe. Just in case, though, I’m going to check Lilah’s bedroom for potpourri.”

“Good idea.” Cordy chimed in hastily. “I’ll join you.”

The rest of the group also made various excuses, leaving Dawn and Spike alone. She moved across the room and took a seat next to him.

“That was amazing.”

He looked at his lap. “Good song, is all. Can’t believe Percy actually listens to them.”

“Stop calling him that. I’ll have you know Wesley can be full of surprises.”

Spike shot her a glance. “Not doubting that.”

“Right.” Dawn flushed slightly. “So…are you-“

“Yeah.”

“Want to call me nibblet or something? I’ll allow it on special occasions.”

They shared a smile.

“What is it about you Summers women, anyway?”

Dawn shrugged. “It’s a blood thing.”

“My favorite kind.”

Both jumped slightly when there was a pounding on the door. Suddenly the whole living room filled with people.

“Lorne, is that you?” Angel shouted.

Gunn responded from the outside. “Could y’all possibly pick a happier song next time? My man out here’s a wreck.”

**************************************

Willow smiled slightly. “Buffy, you’re going to catch flies.”

The Slayer’s jaw snapped shut. “Sorry…just looking. It’s like an ocean of seats.”

“It is big,” Xander agreed.

“And you guys built it.”

“Well…” He exchanged a prideful glance with Willow. “Other people did most of the actual work.”

Buffy gave them a withering look. “This is me here.”

“Ok, you’re right. We did it all.”

The field itself was one hundred by twenty yards, but the total surface area was more than triple that.

“Why all the extra room?”

“City requirement.” Willow supplied the answer. “They wanted space to convert to all kinds of events. Summer Olympics 2016, right Xander?”

He nodded. “That’s what they’re shooting for.”

Buffy did a full three-sixty, gazing in every direction. “You did this.”

“Think we just established that.” Xander said. “You ok, Buff?”

“Just…one hundred years from now, people will pass by this place. It’s…proof of your existence.”

Willow gave that some thought. “I suppose.”

Xander found himself looking around now also. “Never really looked at it like that.”

“What do I have to prove I was here? All my accomplishments turn to dust.”

“It is a shame they don’t provide receipts for world-savings.”

Buffy glowered. “I feel an arm slap coming on.”

“Hey, I just had a great idea!” Willow exclaimed. “How about you work with the crew on the last day? That way you can honestly say you were a part of it too.”

“I don’t know.” Xander said. “Last time I tried that, things didn’t exactly work out.”

Buffy pointedly ignored him, choosing to focus on Willow. “I guess…maybe.”

“What if we just track down some non-dusty demon carcasses and send them to Uncle Rory? Slap a few M’Fashnik’s on the wall, you got yourself a legacy. OW!”

“I do believe I warned you.”

Willow looked at the sky. “Sun should be setting in about an hour. We’re on time, right?”

Xander spread his hands. “Are we really in a hurry?”

Buffy frowned, turning away from them as Willow responded.

“No…I simply have a healthy respect for punctuality. I’ll bet Buffy agrees.”

The Slayer said nothing. Willow frowned. “You don’t?”

When Buffy didn’t respond a second time, Willow turned to see what she was staring at…and froze.

“Hello, Buffy.”

She smiled. “Giles.”

************************************

“Kick the door down!” Angel shouted.

“Thought you’d never ask.” Gunn responded.

Moments later, the jamb splintered. After two more kicks, the lock gave way and entrance was granted. Gunn winced slightly.

“Shit doesn’t look like it’d hurt when you see it on tv.”

He began to stroll in.

“Wait!” Faith shouted, but it was too late. He passed over the threshold, followed by…

Nothing.

“Hey.” She said. “You didn’t go flyin.’”

“Should I?”

“Perhaps opening the door broke the spell.” Wesley surmised.

“One way to find out.” Spike stalked toward the door. The group closed their eyes in case of another flash, but he got through without incident. He turned to face them with a smirk. “Best we get goin’ yeah?”

Lorne cleared his throat. “Just as a point of interest, leather isn’t generally approved material for a smoking jacket.”

“Bloody hell!” Spike yelled, stepping back to avoid the brightly lit hallway.

Faith brushed past him. “Angel, gimme your keys.”

“Why-“

“So I can put the top up and pull the car around front. What, you thought I wanted to do donuts in the parking lot?”

Still somewhat reluctant, Angel tossed them over, and Faith was gone. Gunn watched her go.

“We in a hurry, then?”

Angel nodded. “Wes’ll fill you in on the way to the hotel. You brought the truck, I hope?”

“Yeah. Ok, all those who are sunlight friendly, come with me.”

Everyone hustled out with the exception of Spike, Angel and Cordy.

“Cord?”

She was walking toward Lilah’s bedroom. “I’ll ride with Angel.”

“Lorne?” Angel called. The green demon poked his head in the door. “Nice job.”

He tipped his hat. “Take my advice? Stick to Easy Listening. Oops, elevator’s here.”

Cordelia came back with two huge wool blankets. “These do?”

Angel grimaced. “I hate traveling like this.”

Spike looked offended. “What, they’re not good enough for you?”

Cordy rolled her eyes and tossed one to each vampire. “Guys, time crunch?”

They draped themselves and headed out, thumping into one another as they reached the door.

“Watch where you’re going, mate!”

“How can I possibly…forget it. Cordy?”

“Move aside, boys.” She slipped between around them and strode toward down the hall. “Follow the sound of my voice.”

When they reached the inside of the elevator, Angel ripped the blanket from his head. “That’s why I hate it!”

Spike didn’t follow suit. Cordy raised an eyebrow. “Um, Spike? We’re out of the sun now.”

“Getting back in it again, aren’t we? This way I know all my bits and pieces are covered.”

The doors slid open at the ground floor, flooding the inside with rays of an evening sun.

“Dammit!” Angel cursed, throwing the blanket back on.

“Told you.”

“Shut up, Spike!”

Cordelia led the way to the front entrance. “Where the hell is-“

She was interrupted by a screeching of tires.

“Oh God.” Angel moaned.

**********************************

“Gaah!” Xander yelled as he spun around. “Do things like this always have to appear behind me?”

Giles smiled slightly. “I’ll thank you for not referring to me as a thing.”

Buffy moved toward him, but he held up an apologetic hand.

“That might be a bit…disconcerting for you. Sorry. I’m incorporeal.”

“Oh.” She looked at him doubtfully. “You look so much more…”

“Real?”

“Yes. In the dream you were all…” She waved a hand.

“Glowy.” Willow supplied. “Hi Giles.”

“Willow. You appear to be expecting. Congratulations.”

“Best spell ever.”

He shook his head. “It was far greater than that.”

“So,” Buffy interrupted, “Are you here to provide…um…Spirit Guidance?”

“To a degree, yes. There are ground rules that must be followed.”

“Oh, good.” Xander said. “I was worried about that.” He made a show of looking around. “Where IS out of bounds, exactly?”

Buffy closed her eyes. “Xander?”

“Sorry. Giles had the floor. Or the sod, in this case.”

“First of all, Buffy, I must ask you to dispense with those.” He nodded toward her weapons bag.

“What? How am I supposed to-“

She was interrupted by a brief flash of light. The bag disappeared from her hand.

“What the hell? You can’t just take that! It was a gift from…” She hesitated.

“From me. Thanks so much for remembering.” Giles confirmed. “I gave it to you during your junior year. It’s in a suitable place.”

“Suitable. That’s great. Anything else you want to strip away from me?” She glanced at Xander. “Don’t even think about going there.”

“Already put on the brakes.”

“No.” Giles responded. “You are only to battle with your own natural gifts. Willow, of course, doesn’t require weapons.”

Buffy cracked her knuckles. “Fine. Tell me what we’re fighting.”

“Not we. Each of you.”

Willow frowned. “Come again?”

“You will each have your own separate challenge to overcome.”

“What!?” Buffy shouted. “Who made up that stupid rule?”

“It is how such things are done.”

“Well, we’re changing it!”

“Buff-“ Xander began.

“No! No, we’re walking out of here now. This isn’t happening!”

“I’m sorry.” Giles said softly. “I understand-“

“Giles, you can’t do this.” Willow begged. “Let at least one of us stay with-“

“It was never my decision to make. When the three of you bonded, events were set in motion.”

“Stop them, then! You know what’s going to happen!”

“Would two out of three wins be enough?” Xander said softly.

Giles looked away before answering.

“No. All three of you must win the challenge. Otherwise…”

“The baby dies.” Willow said, a slight hitch in her voice.

Giles took a deep breath. “Far more than that, I’m afraid. This dimension would be overrun with darkness for the next age. Everyone will suffer…including those who have passed on, like myself.”

“And Mom.” Buffy whispered.

“And Tara.”

“Anya too.”

“Yes.” Giles confirmed. “All earthly dimensions will be destroyed, replaced with…creatures the likes of which I cannot describe. The only way to avoid that fate is for your child to survive…and that requires victory from each of you.”

No one spoke for a long moment. Finally Xander clapped his hands together.

“Well, thank God you picked the A-Team. Any other helpful hints to share?”

Giles took another deep breath. “Only this: to preserve the future, you must learn from experiences of the past.”

Buffy surprised them all by chuckling. “Oh, a riddle. Just what I was hoping for. Can we play charades too? How does one act out an apocalypse, exactly? First word: torture.”

Giles kept his voice even. “I realize-“

“That you’re not even giving us a chance? Maybe whoever runs the good side of things should’ve given that some thought.” Buffy shook her head. “No. Not this time. We’re out of here.”

The Watcher’s voice rose with alarm as Buffy turned to leave. “What? Buffy, you can’t simply-“

She kept walking. “I can and I will. This is it. Let it end if it’s going to end. No more sacrifices.”

“By leaving, you sacrifice us all.” Joyce said as she appeared next to Giles.

Buffy stopped in her tracks.

“Honey, any hope is better than none at all.”

The Slayer slowly turned, eyes filled with tears. “Pulling out the big guns, huh?”

“Buffy, you have no-“

“DON’T…tell me I have no choice. There’s always a choice…even when they both suck. Right now, you’re telling me to fight until the world ends. Otherwise, the world ends. Seems to me if the end result is the same, I’d rather spend what little time I have left with Spike and Dawn. What’s the point of taking a beating for nothing?”

“Spike and Dawn have their own roles to play.”

Buffy blinked, moving back to her original position between her best friends. “What’s that supposed to-“

“Honey, I’m asking you to trust me. You can do this.”

“Don’t you get it? It doesn’t matter what I can-“

“Wait.” Xander said quietly.

“Xander, you-“

“Buffy.”

They stared at one another. Finally she nodded.

“You have something to add?”

He gave her a slight smile before turning to address Giles.

******Hyperion Hotel, 7:00 PM******

Angel rushed toward the weapons cabinet while Dawn sprinted down to the basement. “Everybody grab something sharp.”

Gunn grabbed a broadsword. “Doesn’t that go without saying?”

“What I mean is, no crossbows or stakes. They’ll be useless.”

“And swords are good because…”

Angel twirled an axe. “If they’re missing hands…”

“They’ll be missing the Gem.” Wes finished as he selected a wakizashi to go with matching .357 Magnums.

Faith nodded. “Slice and dice, then? Works for me.”

Dawn emerged from downstairs. “Guys, look at this.”

Spike shrugged. “Buffy threw your clothes out of her weapons bag? Surprised she didn’t do it days ago.”

“That’s not what I mean. She didn’t take any of them.”

Angel selected a katana for Cordy. “I agree that’s odd; on the bright side, I don’t have enough for everybody here, so…let’s take advantage.”

Dawn pulled a katana of her own out of the bag. “I don’t do much sword work.”

Faith moved next to her to check the bag out for herself. “Gonna get some now, I’m thinkin.’” She pulled out two wicked looking axes, forged in the shape of Native American tomahawks. “These’ll work.”

Cordelia banged the safe door closed. “One Gem of Amara.”

The two vampires looked at one another. After a moment Spike motioned Cordelia toward Angel.

“Give it to him. It’s his show.”

Angel didn’t bother to argue, slipping it on to his pinky finger. “You’ll have to stay in the car until we can get hold of another one.”

“Lovely.”

“When we do, you’ll have it.”

“Right.”

Riley came trotting in from the parking garage, cellphone in hand. Angel frowned with annoyance. “How about you check your voicemail after we avert the apocalypse?”

The soldier flipped it closed, smiling slightly as he pointed at the weapons chest. “You’re out.”

Dawn thrust the bag toward him. “I’m not. Would an axe be ok?”

He pulled it out. “It’ll have to do.”

“Don’t do much blade work either, huh?”

Riley shook his head. “Generally not an axe man.”

“Xander tried to kill Spike with it once.”

“Huh. Suddenly liking it better.”

Spike held up two fingers as they headed out the door. Riley just grinned back.

“What’re you smiling at?”

“You’ll see. Want to ride in the back of the truck?”

“Want me to beat the livin’ crap out of you?”

“Hey.” Faith said crossly. “Don’t make me come over there and kick both your-“

Two tomahawks clattered loudly on the concrete floor where Faith had been standing.

***********************************

“Asses.” Faith finished, looking down at her empty hands with confusion. “What the fuck-“

“Hi, honey.”

She looked up, blinking her eyes in astonishment. “Xander?”

“Sounds like you were having an interesting conversation. Didn’t mean to interrupt.”

“What…what’s going on?”

“You’re inside the Coliseum. Fifty yard line, actually. Best seat in the house.”

Faith was out of words for the moment, merely staring in astonishment. Xander touched her cheek with the back of his hand.

“We don’t have much time. I wish there was enough for me to say how sorry I am for everything. So much garbage we went through recently could’ve been avoided if I’d just acted like a man for once. I was scared. Didn’t want you thinking I was weak.”

“Xander, why am I-“

“I should have trusted you. That’s all I wanted to say, I guess.”

He took her hand and began to walk backward; Faith was still so flummoxed she allowed herself to be led. When she spotted Buffy and Willow, her confusion only grew. Finally she snapped herself out of it.

“Wait a second! Somebody start talkin’! What’s the deal?”

Xander brought her hand to his lips and kissed it tenderly. “I believe I made a promise not too long ago.” He glanced at her wedding ring. “You made me swear on this, remember?”

She nodded dumbly.

“This is one promise I plan to keep.”

After hesitating one more moment, he placed Faith’s hand over Willow’s stomach. Both their heads shot back; there was an ever so brief flash of light. Xander caught Faith as she collapsed, while Buffy managed to gather herself enough to steady Willow on her feet.

“Faith? Honey, you ok?”

Her eyes fluttered open…then immediately widened.

“What…what did you do?”

He glanced at Willow’s belly, then back to his wife. “She’s yours now.”

Tears sprang from her eyes, but Faith barely noticed. “The…the…you gave up…”

Xander nodded. “Yeah.”

She shook her head slowly, blood rushing away from her face. “Why?” she managed in a choked whisper.

Xander shook his head. “This isn’t where I belong. The world needs someone who can fight for them; someone they can trust. I might qualify on the second score, but not the first. Pretty much left me without a choice. After that it was just a matter of choosing someone to…take over.” He forced a grin. “That was the easy part.”

“I…I can’t believe you.”

“I’m sorry. You have no idea how much.” He gave Giles a quick glance. “Baby, I have to go. I know it’s a lot to ask, but you have to get it together, ok? You have to fight.”

Faith managed to gather herself enough to stand without his support. Xander leaned in and kissed her mouth tenderly. “If it isn’t asking too much, I’d really be happy if you won…’cause it’ll be my fault forever if you don’t. Won’t be able to live with that.”

She simply nodded, still unable to find words. He smiled at her. “I love you so much.”

He stepped away from her and looked around at the stadium.

“Hey, Buff?”

Buffy cleared her throat. “Yeah?”

“I never would’ve believed I could build something like this until I met you.” He met her eyes. “I figure that makes it your legacy too.”

Her eyes watered. “Xander-“

“Sorry I have to leave you guys.”

They fell into his arms. “You’ll always be daddy…connection or not.” Willow whispered. “Ok?”

Xander didn’t trust himself to respond at that moment. When they finally separated, he gestured toward the baby. “Take care of her.”

“That’s twice you’ve done that now.”

“Done what?”

“Referred to the baby as female.”

He rolled his eyes. “Yeah, like it could be anything else.”

Xander turned toward the exit, giving Faith one last, lingering look. Slowly he smiled at her, then offered a wink. “You got this, right?”

She managed a ghost of a smile in return. “Yeah. But I’m still gonna beat the shit out of you when this is over. Meet me at the hotel.”

“Hey, something to look forward to.” He glanced to one side. “Later, G-man.”

“How many times must I ask you not to call me that?”

“I’m thinkin’ this is probably the last.”

He turned away and began walking slowly out of the stadium.

“Xander?” Giles called.

“Yeah?”

“We DID pick the A-Team.”

He didn’t bother to turn around, just giving a slight wave of his hand as he walked.

Giles cleared his throat to speak. “As I was saying, you will each have your own individual challenge to meet. Once any of you no longer have a challenge, then – and only then – are you allowed to help one of your teammates. Most important of all, only those who stand on this field may participate. As of this moment, there is a magical barrier that prevents all others from coming or going Is that understood?”

Xander turned one last time, watching the three women nod simultaneously. He smiled slightly, then worked his way through the tunnel and out of the stadium.

He managed to make it all the way to the car before collapsing against the steering wheel, unable to hold the heaving sobs back any longer.

- End Chapter Thirty-three -

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