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

[breakmychest]

[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.

Comments

[Private]

[bigbad]

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

[Private]

[slayage]

[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?

[Private]

[bigbad]

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.

[Private]

[slayage]

[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?

[Private]

[bigbad]

[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.

[Private]

[slayage]

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.

[Private]

[bigbad]

[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.

[Private]

[slayage]

[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?

[Private]

[bigbad]

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

[Private]

[slayage]

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

Are you going into port?

[Private]

[bigbad]

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?

[Private]

[slayage]

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.

[Private]

[bigbad]

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

[Private]

[slayage]

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.]

[Private]

[bigbad]

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.

[Private]

[slayage]

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

[Private]

[bigbad]

That would be bloody amazing.