Summary: Goes off-canon during The Harsh Light of Day. Sunnydale is devastated by the release of a prototype virus that was being developed by a branch of The Initiative. Now, half the population is 'infected', and the other half is living on borrowed time. A bite will turn you into one of them, and Buffy's got her mom and sister to think about. With the gem, Spike's immune and so it makes perfect sense to Buffy that he should help them get out of town. But this thing's already bigger than Sunnydale, and if Spike's their best chance of survival then it looks like he's along for the ride.
Introducing: A vampire who's been needed before, but never exactly wanted. And a girl struggling to understand the true nature of good and evil, whilst standing shoulder to shoulder with the Slayer of Slayers. (Inspired by Stephen King's The Stand, AMC's The Walking Dead and every zombie flick I've ever set eyes on).
Winner at the SunnyD Awards (Round 31) for Best Unfinished, Best Drama and Best Plot. Endless heartfelt thanks to everyone who voted!
None
Artists: None
Categories: Season 4,
Crossover (AtS),
Alternate Reality,
Award Winners
Characters: Ensemble
Genres: Action/Adventure,
AngstWarnings: Adult Language,
Buffy/Other (Temp),
Character Death,
Violence
Completed: No
Chapters: 16
Word count: 72,290
Hit Count: 46,496
ePub Downloads: 405
Published: April 02, 2015
Updated: September 29, 2015
Print or Download Story: 
View All Chapters
Story Notes: I started writing this during season 1 of The Walking Dead (so it's been a good few years of dawdling on my part) but since then there's actually been a challenge issued here on EF with a similar idea – I was pretty surprised by some of the parallels! However, it's not exactly the same, and as I'd been working on this for a while before I saw the challenge, I've decided not to post it as a challenge response. I hope that the person who issued the challenge is alright with my decision, and I thought I'd better point it out in case anyone was wondering.
Also, this isn't a crossover with TWD, but definitely takes inspiration from the show, so credit to the creators.
Rated R for gore and adult language.
1. Chapter 1 - What Lies Ahead by solstice - Likes: 48 Comments: 62 Word Count: 7,523 Hit Count: 7,445 Published: April 02, 2015
Thank you to my beta, the fabulous The_Moonmoth!
2. Chapter 2 - Night of the... by solstice - Likes: 35 Comments: 31 Word Count: 3,665 Hit Count: 2,800 Published: April 06, 2015
Thank you, Moony! (beta fixes made Sept 2015)
3. Chapter 3 - Dead end by solstice - Likes: 40 Comments: 30 Word Count: 6,309 Hit Count: 2,835 Published: April 10, 2015
4. Chapter 4 - Dead end part II by solstice - Likes: 35 Comments: 29 Word Count: 6,037 Hit Count: 2,863 Published: April 13, 2015
5. Chapter 5 - Why we fight by solstice - Likes: 35 Comments: 25 Word Count: 4,250 Hit Count: 2,517 Published: April 17, 2015
6. Chapter 6 - Of Monsters and Men by solstice - Likes: 31 Comments: 22 Word Count: 3,914 Hit Count: 2,424 Published: April 21, 2015
7. Chapter 7 - We won't rot by solstice - Likes: 37 Comments: 27 Word Count: 4,631 Hit Count: 2,452 Published: April 25, 2015
8. Chapter 8 - Not today by solstice - Likes: 36 Comments: 26 Word Count: 4,432 Hit Count: 2,481 Published: April 30, 2015
9. Chapter 9 - Death at your doorstep by solstice - Likes: 34 Comments: 30 Word Count: 4,384 Hit Count: 2,589 Published: May 26, 2015
10. Chapter 10 - Death at your doorstep part II by solstice - Likes: 42 Comments: 29 Word Count: 4,166 Hit Count: 2,446 Published: June 01, 2015
11. Chapter 11 - The light of day by solstice - Likes: 38 Comments: 31 Word Count: 3,464 Hit Count: 2,548 Published: June 06, 2015
12. Chapter 12 - The first casualty by solstice - Likes: 39 Comments: 27 Word Count: 4,611 Hit Count: 2,511 Published: June 11, 2015
13. Chapter 13 - Meet Your Maker by solstice - Likes: 40 Comments: 28 Word Count: 4,184 Hit Count: 2,622 Published: June 25, 2015
Endless love and thanks to my beta, the_moonmoth 
14. Chapter 14 - Brother and Son by solstice - Likes: 40 Comments: 33 Word Count: 2,668 Hit Count: 2,571 Published: July 20, 2015
Love and hugs to Moony for the beta. And huge huge thanks to everyone who voted for me in the SunnyD awards. I was blown away by the results, so thank you!
15. Chapter 15 - Where You Invest Your Love (you invest your life) by solstice - Likes: 37 Comments: 25 Word Count: 4,746 Hit Count: 2,461 Published: September 16, 2015
As always, thanks to my beta Moony for your tireless efforts and support. And huge thanks to those of you still reading - your feedback makes it all worthwhile :)
16. Chapter 16 - Where You Invest Your Love Part II by solstice - Likes: 81 Comments: 69 Word Count: 3,306 Hit Count: 2,923 Published: September 29, 2015
Moony, I love you. Thank you to everyone who reads and reviews!
