Thanks, guys. Cindy inspired me. I still think she's COMPLETELY WRONG about Spike and the demon eggs, but that's what fic's for, right?

You think I'm completely wrong, but you fictionalized my wank? I'm touched.

I also loved the story ita, and Slayer-shagger had me choking.

You think I'm completely wrong, but you fictionalized my wank?

I'm multi-faceted like that, I guess.

Multi-faceted, yet another synonym for sparkly. I really liked the story (too bad ME didn't tell us that).

Anne, I commented in your LJ but I didn't know it was you, I was just following Plei's link. I was reading the challenge stories here (and enjoying them very much) and the nickel finally dropped. So ... sorry if I seemed strange in my comment.

I haven't killed anyone yet in any of my stories. Probably because when they die they stop hurting--unless you follow them into the afterlife and start inflicting the *really* creative tortures on their asses.

slowly, slowly, it all comes together. More V!Giles

Repetition did not make portal travel any better. Dawn squinted her eyes until she could just barely see which way she was going, because it was better than seeing the things pulsing in the walls. She ran just as fast as she could, desperate to get back to Buffy and her mother. There were footsteps behind her, but more than just Giles' steps.

A golden light appeared ahead, dawn's light. Go to the light. The light at the end of the tunnel. Is sometimes an oncoming train. Dawn stumbled on exiting the portal, a hand grabbed her arm to pull her up, and she screamed when she saw the bloody, bruised, crazed face of Glory.

Glory shook her. "Don't bother, kid. You're mine, and I'm starving." She clamped her hands around Dawn's head. "Shut up! You wouldn't even exist if it weren't for me!"

Dawn felt a dreadful hollow sucking in her head, and the world began to dim. Glory's eyes bored into hers. A strange green haze fell over Dawn's fading vision, and she thought, "She's right, if not for her I wouldn't exist. It almost makes sense, her taking me." It hurt, though, and she whimpered.

Glory suddenly screeched and let go. Dawn fell, gasping. Blinking hard, she saw Buffy, her face blood-streaked, clinging to Glory's leg.

"Get off, bitch!" Glory kicked at Buffy, who grabbed that foot and yanked. Glory hit the ground hard.

"Dawn," Buffy gasped, "get into the chapel."

Dawn started to crawl away, then Glory grabbed her ankle. Gasping in terror, Dawn tried to dig her fingers into the dirt, but the hellgod dragged her closer. Fingernails dug into her leg as the inhumanly strong fingers clamped down. Dawn tried to bat away the hands that clawed at her, even as Buffy tried to get to her feet. Glory kicked at Buffy, knocking her over, then, grinning, reached up to clamp her hand over Dawn's face again.

Until a gleaming swordblade slashed down between them, slamming into Glory's wrist and knocking the arm, regretfully intact, away. Glory yelled in pain and Dawn scrambled away just as fast as she could.

Glory looked up and snarled. Giles leveled his sword, the point just a few inches from her face. "Stop that," he said calmly.

I know, I know, it's short, but I've got this last battle to choreograph, then it's time for the denoument. Damn I hate finishing things.

Oo, connie. I like it. Especially Giles.

JS, what's your LJ user name? It was sweet of you to leave a comment for me. I've been absolutely giddy about all of the positive feedback I've been getting.

Connie, this:

"Stop that," he said calmly.

is perfect Giles. I can't wait to see what happens as you wind things up.

Anne, I'm "hereward" on LJ. I'm glad to hear that you are pleased with your feedback. I hope it is part of your inspiration to write more! [grin]