breakmychest | XLIV--video, backdated to the first minutes after port starts;

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XLIV--video, backdated to the first minutes after port starts;

[Locked to Elphaba]

[Spike holds up his warden item which is no longer registering Elphaba.]

Congratulations, Miss Not-so-Wicked Witch of the West. You're a free woman.

[Locked to Fred]

[Spike is grinning almost maniacally, looking like he's on the verge of tears.]

I did it. God, I can't believe it. My inmate's graduated.

[Locked to Buffy]

I just graduated my inmate. After port, I'm going to go home for a bit. I have to.

[Public]

Just thought everyone should know, Elphaba Thropp graduated.

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I get it. Go back to the future and get me a postcard. [Semi-awkward silence.] How long?

I don't know. Not... probably not forever. But you know how home is. Things happen.

[She blinks.] ...Oh. [... And slumps a little. Abandonment issues. Oh the abandonment issues. Then in a big show of PFFT I DON'T CARE, IT'S TOTALLY COOL, she waves a hand dismissing it.] Yeah, no, I know.

[And softer.] You do what you gotta do.

[He sees that look. He leans forward and looks her in the eye.] Buffy. I'll come back. If not here, then at home. I swear it. I just-

[He breaks off.]

It's Fred.

[She nods too much. But seriously tries her best to act like it's okay. She understands it, she trusts Spike more than just about anyone, but she can't shake the uneasiness.] It's okay. I know. [And she does know. She just hates the chance. And the uncertainties of this place.]

[And she pauses at that.]

Fred?

She's my deal. I graduated an inmate, now I get her back.

[Okay. Wait. What? Get her back? Get her back for what. For him? For..] Oh. O-Oh.

[Apart from the sinking feeling that felt like she'd already melted through two floors, a twinge of anger made itself known. She stares at him in disbelief.] That was your deal?

Yeah. [He glances down, looking away from her.] The way she went... no one bloody deserves that, especially not Fred. I couldn't save her then, but now... now she'll be alive again. It's bloody amazing.

[Blink.] She died.

[Duh, Buffy. Big DUH. Of course he didn't mean it like that.. The anger melts away but she feels internally embarrassed forever at herself for instantly going down that road. Buffy sighs a little, sadness now tugging at her heart.] When? How?

[He quirks an eyebrow at her, noting the jealousy but not commenting. Then he shakes his head.]

It doesn't matter anymore. She's coming back. But don't... don't tell her about it, all right? She doesn't know. And she shouldn't have to.

I wouldn't. Knowing you're supposed to die kinda brings on mental-explosion. [She knows. Oh she knows.]

But you fixed it. [Twitch of a smile. Is that a glimmer of pride in her eyes?] I'm glad. And I'd go see if the Admiral held up his end of the bargain too. I will if I ever graduate someone.

[He notices the pride and looks down, pleased.] Yeah. I've got to make sure. I've got to see her again. The future her. Make sure she's all right. I've missed her a lot. She's... she believed in me when no one else would. Angel doesn't exactly flatter me in front of his friends.

[Smirk. Angel and Spike working together. She'd actually like to see that. ... On second thought maybe not.] I get it. [SPIKE BELIEVED IN HER WHEN NO ONE ELSE WOUUUUULD. And vice-versa.]

Just, uh, tell me? Before you go?

Of course, love. I wouldn't leave without saying goodbye.

[Pause and a silent bittersweet look. Then back to seriousness.]

Are you going into port?

Yeah. It'll probably be horrible in some way or another, but I may as well get one last Barge thing in before I go, right?

Will I see you out there?

Yep. Me and my inmate will be trekking around wherever it is, and I'll be spending my nights awake so that he doesn't try to assassinate me in my sleep.

Be right useful to have a nocturnal fellow around then, wouldn't it?

Nah, I want him to think I never sleep. It'll give me a whole new level of scary.

[...] Which, actually, I don't really ever sleep. [...]

Anyway. Hope wherever we land the sun is vamp-friendly. To you, anyway. [She'd love to watch Franklin burn in the sun. Look at that slightly dangerous mischievous smirk coming on as she imagines it.]

Bugger, I wasn't even thinking about that. [He'd gotten so used to not worrying about the sun.] I'd better bring some sort of blanket just in case.

[Little frown.] Maybe it'll be indoors. Like. A giant indoor sun-free facility.

That would be bloody amazing.

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XLIV--video, backdated to the first minutes after port starts;

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