Title: Crash
Author: Kerrie
Contact: kerrielane@aol.com
Written: 11/03/03
Spoilers: None. But warning; major angst, major character death.
Rating: PG
Pairing: B/G (sort of)
Summary: Buffy's world is turned upside down by a phone call.
Feedback: Not the reason I am driven to write. FB is like finding another gift tucked under the tree.
Disclaimer: I solemnly swear I do not own them…Joss and M.E does. I just take them out for the night air now and then. I promise to have them back before sunrise.

Notes: This is dedicated to Ness, who has stood by me and held my hand and occasionally kicked my butt. May her faith in me not be miss guided. Moreover, it's all her fault that I'm writing angst. ;o]

In addition, to Morr my beta - Goddess Bless you for the task that is, at times a thankless job. I thank you and acknowledge the wonderful job you do.

And to Cat..you simply rock my world. Thank you just does not seem to cover it.

This Fic comes to you courtesy of a song bunny that Ness dropped into my lap one evening. The song is entitled 'One Last Time' by Dusty Drake.** I have included the words to this heart breaking song at the end of the fic.

WARNING: Major angst, major character death

The phone was ringing as Buffy came in the back door on a run. She was already late, as usual, and if she didn't get a move on it, she was going to be so very late picking Giles up at the airport. The ringing continued as she dropped her purse on the counter and grabbed a bottle of water from the refrig. Sighing, she reached for the phone with one hand, answering it with a lack luster hello. Hoping it was a wrong number and she could leave for the airport

"Summers residence." She listened for a moment and could barely hear the other person, "You'll need to speak up we have a bad connection." She listened for a moment, "I still can't hear you, why don't you hang up and try calling back later." She went to hang up the phone when she heard her name and a familiar voice, "Giles?"

"Buffy … thank God I got through … "

"Giles! Oh no. Did I screw up? Please tell me you haven't landed already. She leaned over to check out the flight information she had written on a post-it note stuck to the refrig door. "Please, tell me you're not standing at the airport."

"No, I haven't arrived yet. But it will be soon." Buffy could still barely hear him.

"Well that explains the crappie connection. Change your position and see if that helps." She sipped at her water as she waited for the connection to clear up. She almost laughed when she thought she heard someone praying. 'Oh poor Giles' she thought, 'he must be sitting next to a nervous flyer'.

"Buffy. Can you hear me now?" His voice was now clear.

"Yea, loud and clear. So what's up with the mondo expensive in- flight phone call, O Watcher-mine?" She paused when she thought she heard someone crying in the background and a shiver ran down her spine. She shook off the feeling as she continued, " Have you missed me so much you're willing to live on white bread and store brand tea in order to pay for this call?" She joked.

"Yes. I have missed you." He drew in a breath. "I needed to hear your voice again." She heard him cough. "Tell me what you have been doing. Are Dawn, Willow and Xander doing all right? How have patrols been?" The questions came at her in a rush, and then there was a pause and she thought she heard a sob. "Just …just talk to me Buffy. Let me hear your voice." Buffy felt that shiver return as she heard the emotion in his voice.

"Giles." She kept her voice calm even though fear was wrapping itself around her and whispering in her ear that her worse nightmare was about to come true. "What's wrong, what aren't you telling me?" She could hear chaos going on around him now. "Rupert, talk to me." She barked out at him.

"I love you, my golden girl." She could hear the tears in his voice.

"Oh God. No." Numbed, her body slid to the floor. "No. Please no." She held her breath. Her teeth sunk into her lip to silence the scream that ripped through her soul. "Tell me."

"There is something wrong with the plane, the flight crew has warned us that it will be a crash landing." Her Watcher laughed a little. "You know this isn't how I expected to die. I always thought that I would be by your side when that happened. I always prayed that we would go together. I did not want to live my life with out you.. again." She heard his sob. "Now, I am the one having to say good-bye and leave you behind. Oh God!" Giles wept openly now as he heard the low mourning sound from his Slayer.

"There are so many things I want to say to you…how proud I am of you. Not just as the Slayer but the lovely woman you have become. I hate that I will not be able to say these things while looking into your eyes. That I cannot take you in my arms and love you … I love you Buffy with everything that is in me. I just wish I had had the courage to tell you before."

Buffy heard the overhead announcement saying that all passengers needed to assume crash position and may God be with them all.

"I'm afraid my time is up. I love you. Please tell Dawn to behave and that I love her. Please tell Willow, Xander and Anya goodbye for me…

8888

As he walked towards the kitchen Xander heard: "Flight 348, originating at Heathrow England due to land at LAX has crashed into a field. It is feared that all on board are dead. Then he heard the gut-wrenching whimper.

The Slayer lay on the floor, sobbing into a dead phone.

8888

When she picked up the telephone
His voice came on the line
She said this can't be happening
And tears fell from her eyes
She said 'What am I supposed to do
I can't handle losing you?'
He said 'I just had to call and say goodbye
One last time'

He said 'There are some things in this life
That are out of our control
Like who we fall in love with
And when it's time to go'

She said 'What about the plans we had'
He said 'This connection's gettin' bad
Now, c'mon baby let me hear you smile
One last time'

She started to apologize for
All the things that she'd done wrong
She said 'I would've loved you better
If only I'd known'

He said 'You were the perfect wife
Promise me you'll gon on with your life'
She says 'The boys won't understand'
He says 'Tell them Daddy loves them and Be strong'

He said 'Hon, I've gotta go'

She said 'Don't you dare hang up
There's so many things I need to say
I love you so (much)"

It was almost like she felt him leave
She cried out 'Can you still hear me'
She fell down on the kitchen floor
When the signal died
As the pilot tried to pull out of the dive
One last…

END