Latter Days by Enigmaticblue

Summary: Set post-Chosen. After the Slayers are activated, the balance between good and evil is disturbed, and the Scoobies are flung to the far corners of the world to respond to the crisis. In the midst of all of this, will they be able to keep their relationships strong? Or will they be divided by circumstances and torn apart by fate? Follows my short story Yesterday.

Chapter 29: Pretoria, South Africa

“…There are things I haven’t said, things I want to say. When Anya was killed, I realized how much I’d lost. I would hate for the same thing to happen between us. I’m not scared of dying, only of losing you…” ~Excerpt from a letter from Xander Harris to Corey Bokhari

The reunion had been somewhat anticlimactic. If Willow or Buffy or Dawn had been present, Xander might have kept up the slightly antagonistic sniping just to keep up appearances, but there was no one around who expected it.

Well, Spike might, but Xander didn’t mind not living up to the vampire’s expectations.

Much to his own surprise, they had been getting along quite well, probably because Spike appeared to accept that Xander was in charge, and that he was there on something akin to a mercenary basis. Of course, so far all they had done was strategize and plan; once the real decisions had to be made, things might get a little more dicey.

“Harris?”

Xander glanced up from the map he’d been poring over. “Yeah?”

“We need to talk.”

He sat back down in his chair and waved Spike to the one on the other side. “What’s up?”

The vampire shut the door to the office behind him, ignoring the proffered seat. “We’re gonna have to make some tough decisions here.”

Xander closed his eyes briefly before opening them to see the sympathy on Spike’s face. “Yeah. What were you thinking?”

“We don’t have the manpower—or woman power—to mount a rescue.” Spike crossed his arms. “I think you know that.”

Xander put his head in his hands. “I have a duty to Nàtali. She’s scared, she’s alone, and I’m her Watcher.”

Spike cleared his throat. “I know. That’s why I think I should be the one to go.”

His head shot up. “What are you talking about?”

“Look, here’s what I figure,” Spike said, finally sitting down and leaning forward intently. “You need all of us, but those bastards need the sacrifices. No sacrifices, and they’re off balance and pissed. Soon as they figure out the captives are gone, you launch a frontal assault, and we come in from the back.”

“Who’s ‘we’?” Xander hated to admit that Spike was right, but it was true. The Oribi scouts had been certain of two things: there was an unknown number of children being held captive, and that there were more demons than they would likely be able handle.

“Me, Nàtali, an’ anybody else capable of holding a weapon,” Spike replied. “We’re gonna need the help.”

Xander was shaking his head before the words were completely out of Spike’s mouth. “No. She’s too young. It’ll get her killed, and we don’t know what kind of shape she’s in.”

“Give me a little credit, Harris,” Spike shot back. “If the kid is sick or hurt, you think I’d make her fight? I take care of Slayers for a living. It’s what I bloody well do now.”

Xander knew that he’d hurt Spike’s feelings. “It’s just—it’s Nàtali. If you knew her…”

“They’re all special.” Spike’s voice had softened. “You think I don’t get attached to them?”

“I’m sure you do.”

“I know she’s one of yours, but there aren’t a lot of options here. We barely have the people necessary to head up a rescue mission; we sure as hell don’t have the people to hang back an’ protect them from the bastards, too.”

Xander rose abruptly, going to stand by the window. “You’re telling me that we’re going to need my Slayers.”

“That’s what I’m telling you.”

Xander swore creatively. “The new one—”

“Leave her with Corey, an’ give her a crossbow. Tell her to stay back. It’s about all you can do.”

Xander leaned his forehead against the window, thinking about his girls, about Whit and Miles and Corey. They had no choice; Spike was right about that much. Without every one of them, the demons would succeed in their bid at opening the Hellmouth, and with trouble in every corner of the world, there was no one else to stop it.

There was a brief knock on the door, and Miles stuck his head in. “Xander? Do you have a moment?”

“Yeah.” He straightened and faced the older man. “What’s up?”

“The Oribi have sent word. It’s time.”

Xander met Spike’s eyes and saw the question there. The vampire would let him make the call; did he attempt the rescue, or did he attack, hoping that Nàtali and the rest would still be alive at the end of it?

“Who else besides you, Spike?” Xander asked.

“I’ll take Audra. That will give us a few more options.”

Miles raised his eyebrows. “What’s this about, Xander?”

“Spike’s our ace in the hole.” Xander’s smile was tight. “Again.”

~~~~~

Spike hadn’t been sure what to expect in Africa. He might have been the best choice from a purely strategic standpoint, but he probably wasn’t Xander’s first choice; their relationship had never been an easy one.

Xander had greeted him at the airport himself, a dark-skinned beauty next to him. Spike had sensed a certain amount of tension immediately, but none of it had been directed at him. Instead, Xander had appeared grateful for his presence, and had listened intently to his suggestions.

Their relationship was actually nothing short of friendly, which Spike attributed to the apocalypse being just around the corner.

He had been less than thrilled to discover that one of their Slayers was being held as a sacrifice by the demons responsible for the attempt to open the Hellmouth. (Spike liked to refer to them as bastards, wankers, or some other pejorative, just to avoid confusion with the Oribi, who were also demons by definition.)

The girl’s disappearance seemed to account for the strain on Xander and Corey’s relationship, in addition to the arrival of a new Slayer who spent one night out of three screaming her head off. She was having Slayer dreams, and while they needed the information she could give them, it was causing all of them to go short on sleep.

Spike lit up a cigarette and glanced at his companion. “Where’s Vi?”

“She’s coming.” Audra looked over at him. “Have you told Buffy about this?”

“What’s there to tell? We’re goin’ into a battle, and if the Hellmouth gets opened, we’re all sodding buggered.” He checked his pack and winced, realizing that he had only three fags left, and no time to get more; he’d have to ration himself.

“More gloom and doom?” Vi asked as she approached, having overheard Spike’s last comment. “What’s with all the cloak and dagger stuff?”

“We just needed to talk privately.” Spike tapped the ash from his cigarette onto the bare dirt next to the wall. “Xander agreed to the plan, which is goin’ to leave you in charge of the three others, plus Rory.”

Vi’s expression was puzzled. “I thought that left Xander in charge.”

“In theory, yeah, but my job here is to give him backup and provide strategic help where necessary. With me off on this little errand, that task is going to fall to you.”

The young Slayer was already shaking her head. “You’re crazy. Xander’s not going to listen to me.”

“You’re an experienced Slayer who’s dealt with two Hellmouths—Sunnydale an’ Munich. Other than Buffy an’ Faith, you’re one of the most experienced Slayers we’ve got.” Spike raised a scarred eyebrow. “So you just remind Xander of that if he balks.”

Vi nodded reluctantly. “Sure, but I still don’t see what I’m supposed to be doing.”

“Keeping our friend on the straight and narrow, and reminding him of some hard truths.” Spike sighed. “You were there. You remember how many we lost. Xander hasn’t learned those hard lessons yet, and somebody might need to remind him.”

“You’re assuming that I’m capable of that.”

“You’re a Slayer. It comes with the territory, luv.” He put a comforting hand on her shoulder. “I know I’m askin’ a lot.”

Vi took a deep breath. “Comes with the territory, right?”

“Atta girl.” He squeezed hard, knowing that he wouldn’t hurt her, then looked at Audra. “You okay with your role in this? You can stay behind if you like.”

Audra snorted. “Are you kidding me? Somebody has to keep you out of trouble.”

Spike smirked. “Spoken like a true Slayer.”

~~~~~

Corey knew that Xander believed she was angry with him, and she’d allowed him to go on thinking that; it was easier than talking when her guilt was so overwhelming she couldn’t find words.

She had been responsible for Nàtali, and she was the one who had led her into danger. Corey should have been able to protect her; the girl was, after all, only thirteen.

“Corey?”

She turned to seen Whit standing in her doorway. “What’s going on?”

“We’re having a planning meeting.” He paused. “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine.” She managed a smile to reassure him. “I’ll be right there.”

Corey finished packing her bag. They were leaving for the outskirts of the Oribi village, and from there would plan on engaging the gathering forces. She didn’t know how long they would be there, or what she would need. Corey liked to be prepared for any contingency.

She just had no idea what to expect.

Zipping up her bag, Corey decided that she’d focus on making sure the first aid kit was full. At least she could make a list of all possible injuries and prepare for those possibilities.

They were holding the meeting in the dining hall, a long, open room with picnic-style benches shoved up against the wall. Whit, Xander and Spike were standing with Miles, Vi, and Audra in a tight knot, and she hesitated before going to join them.

Moving through the room, she glanced at the Slayers; the girls from the school were in one corner, along with the new Slayer from Johannesburg, Inna. The Slayers from England were standing together, clearly more relaxed, as they teased one another and Rory.

Taking a deep breath, she moved towards the adults. “Are we ready?”

Xander glanced at her, then away, refusing to meet her eyes. “I think so. Spike?”

The vampire nodded. “Think we’ve got the best plan possible under the circumstances.”

Xander raised his hand. “Okay, guys. Gather around.” They moved closer, and Corey moved back to stand just behind him. “We’re going to need all hands for this one, which means no one gets left behind. Even if you’re not on the front lines, we’re going to need people who can perform first aid. Miles is in charge of that.”

When Xander looked over at the older man, Miles stepped forward. “Inna, Zindy, and Leotta, you’re going to be helping me.”

“And me?” Emily asked.

“You and Ilori are going to be paired up with Corey and Vi,” Xander replied. “We’re operating in teams for this. Even if you end up getting separated from the larger group, you stay with your partner.” He met each pair of eyes in turn. “That goes for everybody. Whit?”

Whit stepped forward, beginning to go over the details of the plan. Corey noticed that he’d grown in both confidence and maturity since coming to South Africa. He was going to do a fantastic job—assuming that he survived.

When as much had been explained to the girls as was possible, given that things tended to change in the heat of battle, everyone left to collect their luggage and whatever other belongings they would need.

“I need to talk to you.” Xander grabbed Corey’s arm as she tried to leave.

“My things—”

“I’ll get them,” Whit called over his shoulder.

She stared after him, slightly annoyed that she wasn’t going to be able to put this off any longer. “What’s going on?”

“You haven’t spoken more than two words to me in the last few days, and I know you can’t still be angry about me going with Kei.”

“It doesn’t have anything to do with you, Xander. Can we leave it at that?”

“Is it Nàtali?”

“I should have protected her.” The admission was difficult; Corey felt as though it had been ripped from her throat. “She was with me.”

“Corey.” His hands squeezed her shoulders. “You’re lucky to be alive.”

She shook her head helplessly, finding it impossible to respond.

Xander pulled her close, holding her tightly. “If I had lost you, it would have killed me.”

Corey buried her face in his shirt. “I’m sorry. I know how close you two were, and—”

“I love her, everybody does,” Xander murmured in her ear. “I hate to say this, but she’s a Slayer, and I’ve always known…” He trailed off. “I just thought I’d have more time.”

“She might still make it, Xander.”

“That’s what we have to keep holding onto.”

~~~~~

Spike had never met an Oribi before, but from what he understood that wasn’t unusual. They rarely left the savanna, and never left Africa.

He watched as Kei and Ebu, their contacts, came forward to greet Xander with a firm handshake and a friendly clap on the shoulder. Spike never thought he’d see the day when Harris was such good friends with demons.

They exchanged a few words and Xander glanced back at Spike. He took that as his cue and approached. “Yeah?”

“Ebu is going to be the one to lead you to where they’re holding the kids.” Xander nodded at the demon on the right. “He’ll get you close enough, and then you and Audra are on your own.”

Spike nodded. “Makes sense. Thanks,” he added for Ebu’s benefit.

“If they make the sacrifice, the mouth of hell opens, and darkness descends. We do this for us, not for you.”

Spike raised an eyebrow. “Well, pardon me, but we do this for all of us.”

Ebu dipped his head in acknowledgment. “Ah, but you are a Champion.” He smiled thinly. “You bear the mark.”

“Just what I always wanted,” Spike muttered, rubbing a finger along his eyebrow. “Right. We should get goin’. We’ve got a ways to go.”

Xander met his eyes. “You’ve got 12 hours to get in and get out.”

“Understood.” There was a moment of silence, and Spike’s lips quirked. “You’ll talk to Buffy if—”

Harris winced. “Yeah. Shit. You’d better come back in one piece, because I so do not want to make that phone call.”

They shook hands, and Spike thought it was probably the most civil conversation they’d ever had. “Take care of yourself, Harris.”

“You, too.”

Spike turned to Audra. “Ready, pet?”

She nodded and adjusted the straps on her pack. Spike took the pack Corey held out. Both were filled with food and water for the kids; they had no idea what kind of shape the captives would be in when they found them, and they would have to travel.

Ebu set off at a fast clip straight towards the setting sun, Spike and Audra close on his heels. According to the Oribi, it was a two hour journey, and there were about half a dozen children—human and demon—in the enemy encampment.

Spike still wasn’t sure how they were going to get them out and keep them safe; he just hoped that they all came through in one piece.