Buffy stared out into the darkness. Everything seemed especially quiet tonight. Perhaps it had something to do with the impending doom and apocalypse. Tomorrow they would fight. All of the training and preparing would be put to the test, and they would find out if the girls were truly ready. Her idea for the spell had indeed been a clever one, and she was sure that if it worked, they would win. But there was still a small part of her that feared the spell wouldn’t work, and if that was the case, everyone could die. Herself included. Not that dying was a foreign concept to Buffy. After all, she had done it twice already. But that did not mean that she wanted to die again. In fact, she wanted quite the opposite. She wanted to live; really live. She wanted to be able to get up in the morning without worrying about saving the world or killing evil things that wanted to end it. And assuming everything went as planned, she would get that life.
Inside, everyone was trying to forget about tomorrow. Some of them were probably asleep by now, but others were still up playing games and watching television. She knew Willow was upstairs preparing herself for the spell she would cast, and no doubt Kennedy was right by her side, telling her she would do great and not to worry. It was nice to have someone like that; to tell you what you need to hear, giving you strength. She had someone like that, too. Someone who was probably lying in the basement, waiting for her. Not two years ago, she would have thought the mere idea of her taking comfort in Spike, insane. And it was, if she was honest. A slayer turning to a vampire for strength was not exactly an everyday occurrence. Unless you were her.
She could probably write a book about it; a book warning future slayers to watch out for good looking vampires who were in touch with their human sides. They were tricky, those vampires. They could reel you in when you weren’t paying attention, and then cause you to have these feelings that you really don’t want, and know you shouldn’t have, because you’re supposed to be killing them, but for some reason you can’t seem to do that because of the stupid unwanted and unwelcome feelings they happened to evoke in you unexpectedly. It would probably be a best seller.
Buffy shivered and rubbed her arms with her hands. It had been getting warmer the past few weeks, but it was still cool at night. She took one last look into the yard before turning to go inside. The house was relatively quiet as well. Either everyone had gone to bed, or they didn’t want to wake those who had. Most of them were probably lost in their own thoughts about their families and the possible death tomorrow promised. Buffy wished she didn’t have to lead these innocent girls into battle, but the First had to be stopped, and there seemed to be no other way. She entered the dining room to find Xander and Giles playing a game with Andrew and Amanda. Amanda was one of the few potentials’ names she had remembered. Those that had been here for one on one training were more familiar to her, but many of the new girls, she’d never even spoken to. Maybe that was why a lot of them seemed to prefer Faith. She had taken the time to get to know most of them. But being a leader was not about being best friends with your followers, and that was what she had to be. And like she had told Spike, she knew some of them would die, and as bad as it may sound, she didn’t want to care. Because caring made you weaker, and she already had enough people she cared about fighting this war.
She made her way to the kitchen and noticed two of the girls were sitting at the bar talking. She didn’t recognize them. They both smiled at her, and she tried her best to give them a reassuring smile back. They seemed to accept it and went back to their conversation. The slayer then continued her journey and ever so slowly approached the basement door.
---------------------
Spike lay on his cot in the basement of Casa de Summers. He listened to the sounds coming from up above. For the most part, everyone had settled down. Occasionally, he would hear footsteps or stifled giggles. There was really no telling what the antsy teens were doing.
‘Probably looking at bloody magazines or something,’ he thought. ‘Or peeping at Harris again.’ He laughed at the thought.
Xander had lived in Buffy’s house for a while now, and had still not learned to properly lock the bathroom door.
‘Git.’
He heard the front door close and wondered if Buffy had come back. She’d left earlier, saying she needed some air, and some time to think. Spike picked up the trinket beside him and looked at it. He still couldn’t really believe the slayer had given it to him. What he couldn’t believe more is what she’d said to him before giving him the amulet. She had called him a champion. Never in his 100 and something years had anyone ever considered him a champion. It was an indescribable feeling. He wasn’t sure if he should let himself get too excited about it though. Lately, Buffy had been sending him rather mixed signals, and he wasn’t exactly sure what she wanted from him. Sure, they had spent the last few nights in each others arms, but did that mean that she wanted more than just comfort? He really didn’t know what to think.
If she really did want more from him, he wasn’t sure he was ready to give it. In the past, he’d have been willing to give her anything if she would have only asked, but now things were different. He had a soul, and that meant doing the right thing. And he didn’t think the right thing in this situation was to jump in with no inhibitions. If he really wanted this to work, he would back off and let her make the first move. He would follow her lead, and not push her for anything. That had been his problem before. He had wanted to think that he knew what was best for her, when clearly he had not. He had been thinking mostly about himself and not about her feelings. Of course he had loved her and cared about her, but he hadn’t been able to see what their relationship was really doing to her, and he’d be damned if he let that happen again.
The sound of the basement door opening pulled him out of his thoughts. He stood when he saw that it was Buffy. She stopped at the end of the stairs, and they stood there a moment, just looking at each other. She was the first to speak.
“So, um, I talked to Faith, and she’s giving me my room back.”
“Just like that, huh?” he asked, not really believing the rogue slayer would give up the big bed so easily.
“Well, no. Actually, there was yelling involved; some throwing of heavy objects. It wasn’t pretty.”
“But you won.”
“I did.”
Silence.
“So…why are you down here?”
“I was sort of hoping you would…stay with me.”
She looked surprisingly nervous as she awaited his response.
“I could do that.”
A slight smile appeared on her face.
“Great. And it’s a good thing you agreed, cause I kind of gave your bed away.”
“Oh you did, did you?”
“Yeah. I told Faith and Wood they could sleep down here. I pointed out how it’s quieter and more private in case they want to…you know.”
“Just don’t expect me to sleep down here again if they do.”
She laughed.
“To be honest, I think they already did…in my bed. But don’t worry; I changed the sheets and everything.”
“How considerate of you,” he said grabbing his coat. “Guess this is all I really need.”
She nodded, and they both started up the stairs. Before they made it too far, a noise caused them to abruptly turn around.
Standing in the middle of the room was a yellowish demon with green eyes and a giant blue stick. They both rushed at it, but before they had a chance to make contact, the demon pointed his staff at them and chanted a few words. A bright light formed and they both shielded their eyes.
Soon the light faded, and everything went quiet again. The basement of the Summers’ home seemed unaffected, but the vampire and slayer that had occupied it, were gone.
-------------------------
Buffy slowly faded back into consciousness. Her eyes opened, and she blinked several times before they could focus. She was looking at the stars.
‘Since when was I outside?’ she thought.
The last thing she remembered was being in the basement of her house with an ugly demon and Spike. Spike. She wondered where he was.
“Spike,” she called sitting up. She noticed for the first time that she was in the cemetery. She looked around and saw the vampire lying a few feet away. He was seemingly unconscious. She crawled over to him.
“Spike.” She reached out and shook him. “Spike,” she tried again. “Wake up.”
She heard a groan emit from him. He opened his eyes and made a strange face at her.
“Slayer?”
“Yeah.” She helped him sit up.
“What the bloody hell happened?” he asked rubbing the back of his head.
“Seems Mr. Sallow Demon thought it would be funny to send us on an adventure to the graveyard.”
“That’s exciting,” he said, noticing that her hand was still on his arm.
“Oh yeah. You gotta love demons with a sense of humor.”
They sat there a moment in silence before he spoke.
“We should get back. This could be the First trying to get us out of the house.”
A sudden rush of panic hit Buffy.
“Oh God, you’re right. Come on.”
They both got to their feet and were about to take off when a voice from behind them caught their attention.
“You’re not going anywhere.”
They turned around and found themselves face to face with the last person they expected to see.
“Riley?”
“Buffy? What are you doing? I thought you were taking the East side.”
“What?” the slayer asked confused.
Riley turned his attention to Spike.
“Didn’t I tell you to get lost once already?”
“How do you get off telling me to get lost? And since when are you back in town anyway? Didn’t you skip off on your honeymoon or something?”
It was Riley’s turn to look confused.
“I don’t know what the hell game you’re playing, Spike, but I’m not in the mood.”
Spike narrowed his eyes at the other man. It had been over a year since he’d last seen him, and yet his feelings for the soldier had not changed. He still had the urge to punch his lights out. The only difference now was that he could. Since the slayer had gotten the chip taken out of his brain, he’d really only tried it on Wood. He assumed the boy must know about the chip. He had, after all, been the one to leave all decisions up to Buffy. Surely the other soldiers had told him the outcome; unless he hadn’t wanted to know. Spike always thought Captain Cardboard had felt threatened by him; even when they both thought he had no chance with Buffy. It would be great if he could show him how threatened he should be, but he knew Buffy wouldn’t like that very much, so he settled for glaring.
“Riley, what are you doing here? I’m with Spike. I thought you were in like Bolivia or something.”
“What are you talking about? And what do you mean, you’re with Spike?”
“I mean, I agree with him. I’m equally surprised to see you.”
“Why? I saw you less than fifteen minutes ago.”
Buffy and Spike shared a look of confusion.
“What’s going on?” she asked him.
“Bloody hell if I know.”
“Buffy? Are you alright?” Riley asked.
“I’m fine, but are you sure you’re alright?”
“Yes. I told you, I can handle myself. I don’t need you looking out for me, Buffy. I’m a big boy.”
“Sure you are, Mate.”
“Spike,” Buffy warned and he rolled his eyes.
“I really don’t know what you’re talking about,” Buffy told her ex, “I haven’t seen you in over a year.”
Before he could reply a girl approached him.
“Riley, there you are. I’ve been looking all over for y…” she broke off when she saw the other two people standing there.
All four sets of eyes widened in disbelief. The two men took a step back and examined the two women before them. The two women, who both had blonde hair and green eyes. The two women, who both had two small scars on the left side of their necks. The two women, who were both Buffy Summers.
-----------------------------
squawks
05/18/17 04:16 am
pj! I remember wishing one of your stories would be finished seriously about a decade ago. Amazing. I just tried an old password I used to use and amazingly got in too. Memories!
pj
03/20/17 01:20 am
10 yrs later, i finally rem my username and password. Pari, you rock. Hope you are well.
Rabbit_moon1
12/23/16 01:12 pm
I donate every month. Please donate to keep this site up!
AudryDaluz1
10/06/16 08:34 am
Great post.
Chrissel
08/31/16 03:45 pm
And anyone else who loves this site, it's worth mentioning there's a nifty little "Donate" option just below the shout box here! ;)
Chrissel
08/31/16 03:43 pm
Just wanted to take a moment to thank Pari and all the mods for maintaining such a great site!
05/18/17 04:16 am
pj! I remember wishing one of your stories would be finished seriously about a decade ago. Amazing. I just tried an old password I used to use and amazingly got in too. Memories!
pj
03/20/17 01:20 am
10 yrs later, i finally rem my username and password. Pari, you rock. Hope you are well.
Rabbit_moon1
12/23/16 01:12 pm
I donate every month. Please donate to keep this site up!
AudryDaluz1
10/06/16 08:34 am
Great post.
Chrissel
08/31/16 03:45 pm
And anyone else who loves this site, it's worth mentioning there's a nifty little "Donate" option just below the shout box here! ;)
Chrissel
08/31/16 03:43 pm
Just wanted to take a moment to thank Pari and all the mods for maintaining such a great site!