CHAPTER TWO ♔ a sigh escapes from heaven and worlds end

[savemyself]

♬ The Dream Within - Lara Fabian

WHO || Rafael Giovanni, Burt Becksworth, Isabella Alessandro, Finnick Odair, Myrilandel de Tanos, Buffy Summers, Spike, Elena Gilbert, Dawn Summers, Desmond Descant, Jeanne Gar, Kat Samcelot, Mark Sandazhard, Violet Fiore, Sterling Archer
WHAT || CHAPTER TWO: Following the traumatic and tragic events of Finnick and Rafael's concert, our heroes are taken to be interrogated at the police station
WHERE || Concert Hall > Chicago Police Department, Chicago, IL
WHEN || July 3rd, 2013 [ forward dated]
HOW || Actionspam

Nothing is okay.

What was meant to be the Knights' triumphant collaborative effort to cut off Chad Becksworth's bid for total control of NOVA Records, allowing them to follow the trail elsewhere, has descended into chaos. Rafael's songs triggered some kind of reaction in Jade that allowed her to regain her lost memories, only to have their reunion cut tragically short by the actions of a hitman who took her hostage on stage, demanding her necklace. While Myri and Violet attempted to convince him that the necklace did not lie with her, Jade signaled to Rafael that she meant to utilize the distraction to break free - but things went out of control and Rafael's bullets struck Jade instead. The Knights felled the hitman, as the world watched, and Rafael begged a distraught and enraged Des to end his life. Meanwhile, a mysterious figure that only Buffy & Spike could see assisted Myrilandel in healing Jade enough to hang on for a little time more...

Time for people to say goodbye.

In the meantime, the police have arrived, arresting Rafael, Archer, and Des (or attempting to), and preparing Jade to be taken to the hospital. Everyone else is being ordered to head outside to be taken down to the station for questioning. It's a hectic scene, but people can finally snatch a few moments amid the chaos to try to make sense of what just happened...

Comments

[bigbad]

He doesn't really believe anyone is really better than Buffy, but he doubts saying it will help right now. In any case, she'll just continue getting better.

He gives up on keeping anything resembling distance and stands up, stepping in closer to her.

"You're not giving up before we've even faced him again, love. I don't care how scary he is. You're not a quitter."

[slay]

"I ran. Like a big, scaredy baby. Jack told us to go, and I couldn't get out of there quick enough." She could remember the eagerness to get away like it was yesterday, could remember the fear pounding through her as she realized she wasn't even putting a dent in the priest. "Sometimes, retreat is the smart plan. And sometimes, it's just the plan you want to hear."

[bigbad]

He hunches a little, moving down to meet her eyes.

"Hit me, love. Hard as you can."

[slay]

"What?" Buffy's attention snaps back to Spike and she stares at him, bewildered, for a long moment without adding anything to that. "Have you completely lost it? This isn't fight club!"

[bigbad]

He rolls his eyes, unsurprised at her reaction, but still frustrated with it. "Would you trust me for half a second? I'm trying to make a point."

[slay]

"A point that involves me putting you in traction -" She allows a beat for emphasis before promptly and dismissively shaking her head. "I don't think so."

[bigbad]

"You wouldn't put me in traction. I'm a vampire, remember? Something that some people find scary." His expression softens a bit and he gives her a smile. "And here you are, afraid you'll hurt me." He shakes his head. "You're strong, Buffy. Stronger than you realise." He gives her a hint of a smile. "Saying something, I know, when you're worried about beating up the super strong vampire. But you're brave, too, and a hell of a lot better a person than your Anderson guy."

He reaches up and touches her cheek, ever so lightly, expecting her to turn away, but needing her to look up at him. "And I fully believe that no matter how much he scares you, if he showed up at the door right now you'd be running towards him, not away. You'd probably be yelling for me to run and save myself, too."

[slay]

She flinches, barely noticeable, when his fingers touch her cheek, and she shuts her eyes for a moment before risking looking into his, because she knows precisely what she'll see there. And, she's right, and the vulnerability and the faith that she finds there are just as terrifying as she'd expected they'd be, and just as powerful too.

Her chest tightens, but she can't look away. Even as her eyes well up with tears that won't fall, she can't look away; she's hypnotized by that, because she's baffled that he can still feel that way, look at her that way, at all - after all this time. After everything she's done to him.

And because she knows he's right.

"Being the better person is a good way to get killed." Look at Jade. She was a bonafide goddess - or, half, anyway - and she was lying in some hospital bed, bleeding out for her troubles. That wasn't even Anderson. He had the benefit of living by his own rules and believing, truly believing, that everything he did was God's will - and that was terrifying.

[bigbad]

"Well, that's why I'd ignore you and stay right on fighting beside you." But there is a hint of worry in his eyes, despite the small, snide smile. It is a good way to get killed, and despite his absolute faith in Buffy, he can't help fearing that some battle won't end well. That Anderson, or hell, even one of the lesser monsters they've fought will get off a lucky shot and Buffy won't be able to keep fighting. So far, they've mostly hit Spike instead, which he's just fine with. What's the fun of being immortal if you can't laugh off a few critical hits? But despite her strength, Buffy's all too human for him to ever stop worrying about her fully.

[slay]

"That's why you're an idiot."

It's said with some affection, though. She sighs, shaking her head and pushing away her breakfast.

"Imma take a quick shower. The others will be out soon, will you make sure they - ?" She gestures to the coffee and donuts. "Don't eat all of them, okay?"

A part of her is doing it because she genuinely wants to shower away the wear and tear that the sleepless, trying night has put on her. A bigger part is trying to dodge this emotional moment because she doesn't know how to process it given all of that, and more.

[bigbad]

"Right." If he catches her dodge, he doesn't comment. It's not that hard a connection to make, all things considered. He drops his hand. "Take care of yourself, Slayer. You'll need to sleep eventually." Spot 25 means he's noticed.