when

WARNING: Contains disturbing plot elements, including character death and nonconsensual sexual contact.

DISCLAIMER: All hail Joss Whedon, UPN, the WB, FOX, Mutant Enemy and 20th Century Fox Film Corporation. Theirs, not mine.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Part Thirteen of The Slave Series. The title comes from “Levi Stubb’s Tears”, a song by Billy Bragg. The line that I kept hearing over and over in my head when writing this fic was “When the world falls apart, some things stay in place.” Which, actually, has very much to do with the story.

Drusilla’s song is from “The Hollow Men” by T.S. Eliot and Tara reads from “The Second Coming” by William Butler Yeats.

DEDICATION: To Annie, beta dominatrix, for whipping my sorry ass into shape until I got it right.

Giles walked through the airport terminal, his garment bag slung over his shoulder. A willowy brunette and a harried looking man in a business suit waited for him at the gate. “Cordelia,” he said, enfolding her into a hug. “Hank,” Giles was noncommittal as he shook Buffy’s father’s hand. “So good of you to come.”

“I’m afraid I’m here to catch a flight myself,” Hank said apologetically. “I have business in Madrid that I wasn’t able to get out of. The doctors tell me that Buffy’s coma isn’t likely to reverse itself and it wouldn’t do any good to stay.”

Giles regarded the other man for a moment. “You do what you think is important. I’ll be here when she awakens.”

Hank smiled uncomfortably. “Yes, of course.” He paused. “Dawn is settled back in at school and trying to go on normally. She doesn’t need to be upset unnecessarily. If anything changes in Buffy’s condition please let me know before you tell her.”

“Of course,” Giles’ voice was sharp. “I wouldn’t want to overstep my place when it comes to your children.” The two men stared at each other.

“Thanks again for coming,” said Hank. He plucked nervously at his tie, then turned and walked to the ticket counter.

“Only two weeks and the bloody bastard has given up on her already,” Giles said angrily.

“It’s been hard to deal with all this,” Cordelia said. “Everyone is doing the best they can.”

“How is Spike? If his condition improves, or vice versa, there must be hope for them both,” asked Giles.

Cordelia shook her head. “They have both been comatose since Buffy killed the gunman. Tara tried magic to deactivate the chip, but nothing she tried worked. She takes care of Spike at home, but it’s taking more and more of her magic just to get him to feed. He’s skeletal; he doesn’t look remotely human anymore. He won’t last much longer, even tapping out all she has to give.”

Giles sighed and cleaned his glasses. “And Xander? Has there been any improvement?”

“He’s still not breathing on his own. He had a living will made, and it’s clear that he wanted to be taken off life support if there was no chance of recovery. His parents have scheduled a memorial service for tomorrow.”

****

Willow held Xander’s hand as the respirator pumped life into his body. “I know you can hear me,” she told him. “I love you so much, and I really need you.” She tightened her hold on his hand. “I’ve needed you my whole life. You’ve always been there for me. Don’t leave me now.”

Anya patted Willow on the back. “They’re going to turn off the respirator,” she said, her voice thick with strain. “We should leave now.” Mrs. Harris stood on the other side of the bed, sobbing into a handkerchief, as her husband stood behind her with a stony face.

“I’m not going to leave him,” responded Willow fiercely. “He could wake up any time.”

“We’ve gone through this, Willow,” rebuked the other woman. “This is what Xander wanted. He left a living will, and he was very specific. This is the way he wanted to end his life.”

“I’m not willing to let him go!” Willow’s face was red and swollen from weeping. “Am I supposed to just walk away? Buffy’s in a coma; are we going to go unplug her next?” She laughed hysterically as she plucked at the front of her crumpled shirt with her free hand.

“Please don’t make this any harder on me,” Anya whispered painfully. “I love him so much. This is the last thing I would ever want to do.” She covered her face with her hands and cried. Willow held her and rested Anya’s head on her shoulder.

“This can’t be happening,” declared Willow. “I won’t let this happen.” She pulled away, her eyes pure black. “Subsisto!” The world froze in its tracks. The tears on Anya’s face halted in their path. The respirator stopped its motion. The sobbing of Xander’s mother ceased. Everything was still, clear, and quiet.