Summary:
This
story takes place after the first is defeated, and the hell mouth has
been permanently closed.
-----
"Death
was her gift". As Xander walked down the deserted street, the same
thought kept on peircing his brain. "Death was her gift".
Sunnydale had temporarily been deserted. The First had swept
through the hellish town, not leaving much behind. Buffy had perished
in the battle, but her death was necessary, it saved the world, and that
was what she had been chosen to do. Although Xander knew that Buffy
took her own life so she could save the world, he could not help but
feel guilty. She had died for him, she died for the people she loved.
Xander turned the corner, only to see the remains of yet another
Sunnydale Highschool. The hellmouth was located right beneath this
school, but it had been closed recently after the First was destroyed.
There were no vampires or demons, and all Xander could think was how
Buffy should be there, living the normal life she had always wanted, but
never could get.
"Your still here?", asked Willow, as she came up behind Xander.
"I should be asking you the same question." said Xander.
"Xander, you remember what Buffy said right before she...you know...she
told us that her death would bring the world back to order. That we
could finally leave Sunnlydale, and live normal lives. The hellmouth
would close, and the battle between good and evil will finally be over.
We need to leave Xander, and move on. I don't think people will begin
to come back for at least a few weeks. We should do what Buffy wants.",
said Willow.
"Oh leaving isn't the problem, its forgetting. How will I ever be able
to forget how evil the world was, and how many people it has taken away
from me. Buffy should be here with us, living normal lives. I don't
want to live a normal life without her in it."
"I don't either. But this may be the only chance we have at normal
lives. We can go to Los Angeles, its not too far, not too close."
A tear glided down their cheeks. They had to leave, they needed
to. Buffy wanted them to. She would give them strength to get on with
their lives.
"Willow, do you realize that we are the only ones who excaped that
fight? Why us? Why did we live? Why couldn't we have died along with
Buffy?"
"Yes, and I think we lived for a reason. Buffy made sure we lived, so
she can have us live the life she never had. We have never had a normal
day, never. Buffy always knew that we were strong. Yes I may be a
witch, but you have dedication. You had the most humanity of all of
us. That's why you lived Xander. And me, well, I lived because Buffy
always felt guilty about me not going to a great college. So, in
respect to her, I am enrolling in UCLA. It will be a good start."
"Willow, you have places to go. Things to accomplish. I don't know
what I want in my life right now."
"Come with me then. I will take you with me, and we can live in a
normal world together. Just give it a shot. This place may not be evil
anymore, but it sure will kill you with guilt. So let's get out of
here, before we get even more attached."
"Ok, I think I'm ready"
Xander bent down, and pulled Mr. Pointy out of his jacket. He dug a
hole with his hands in the Sunnydale High soil, and buried it.
"I love you Buffy." wispered Xander.
As he and Willow turned to the car, he stopped. Xander had a sudden
vision of a baby, and she was in what remained of the Summer's house.
"We need to stop at Buffy's before we leave. I need to get something."
he told Willow.
They drove to the Summer's home and he entered. There was the baby
girl. He picked her up and cradled her in his arms.
"Who is that?" asked Willow in shock.
"This is the girl that would have been a slayer in another 15 years.
Without the hellmouth, she's not needed anymore. But someone should
take care of her. We shoul take her with us."
"How did you know she was here?" asked Willow.
"Buffy showed me."
Willow didn't ask anymore questions, it wasn't hard to believe. Buffy
will always be with them, every day. And the baby...
"We need to name her." said Xander.
"How about Joan? Buffy always liked that name." said Willow with a
smile, remember a year before when they had all forgotten their
idenities.
"Well Joan, " said Xander to the baby.
"Welcome to a world of no evil."
For the first time in weeks, they laughed.
"I never thought those words would pass your lips." said Willow.
"Yea, well the way things seem to work around here, lets get out before
evil comes back. You never know."
"Xander, shut up." said Willow.
Then the three walked out of the home, said their last words to
Sunnydale, and left, without one regret.
The
End