Forever by spikeskat

Chapter #1 - Prophecy

Rome Six months after leaving Sunnydale… She clasped his hand, looking deeply into his eyes, wanting to maintain the contact with him as long as possible. Her hand ignited within his. The pain is intense, but she refused to let go, to leave him. “I love you.” “No, you don’t. But, thanks for saying it.” Time was getting short. The walls were starting to crumble in around them. “Buffy, you have to leave,” Spike told her. “No.” “Buffy, you have to. This place is falling apart.” Reluctantly, Buffy released Spike’s hand as he started to burn from the inside out. Using the remainder of her energy, she ran up the stairs to the roof of the school. Just as the school started to implode, she hurled herself onto the top of the moving bus filled with the remaining survivors of the confrontation with the First. ~*~ Buffy abruptly sat up in her bed, Spike’s name frozen in a silent scream on her lips. Drenched in sweat, tears were streaming silently from the corners of her eyes down her ashen face. Pulling her knees to her chest, she dropped her face in her hands breathing slowly to calm her racing heart. It was the same every night. She should be used to the dreams by now, but she wasn’t. She could still feel the pain from the fire as she had gripped Spike’s hand. Could still feel the intensity of his gaze. It hurt just thinking about it. Buffy shook her head to clear her thoughts. Swinging her legs over the side as she swept the covers off of her body, she reluctantly climbed out of bed. “I guess I better get Dawn up and on her way to school,” Buffy mumbled to herself, heading for the bedroom door. Buffy had been trying to put Sunnydale, the Hellmouth - and the events surrounding her departure - behind her. She had finally carved a niche out for herself and her little sister in Rome after touring most of Europe. Dawn was in school, actually in school, learning languages, sciences, arts, and history - things that weren’t possible before because the First had come back from a final showdown in Sunnydale. At one point, the students hadn't even bothered going to school. But, things were different now. The future was looking brighter for her younger sister. Buffy had settled into a new life training slayers. With Giles starting to reestablish the Watcher’s Council in England, he was far too busy to see to the day to day training, and it gave her something to do. It also helped that he was in charge, because her former watcher saw to it that Buffy was finally paid for her assistance in addition to providing her with a nice place to live. Now that there were so many slayers, it made sense to give these “new slayers” every possible advantage over the demons that still roamed the Earth. As quickly as Giles, Willow, and Xander, could find them; the girls were arriving on her doorstep. Pretty soon she’d have to move to a bigger building. She missed seeing her fellow “Scoobies”, but she didn’t want to appear selfish. Their emails and weekly chats would have to suffice for now, although she still had her daily morning conference call with Giles in England. And, since Giles was making the calls, it saved on her phone bill. Hooray for the new head of the Council! Each day, after her morning briefing, she would walk out into the courtyard to train and meditate before she headed to the third floor to start her basic training with the girls. At the end of the day, Buffy would take a shower, letting the hot, pulsing water heal her bruised and battered body. But, the training wasn’t enough. It did not help the heaviness in her heart. But, if she just trained hard enough, she might be able to fall into an exhausted sleep, devoid of dreams. It never worked, however. Each night she dreamed of her last moments with Spike, and each morning she resolved to work that much harder so she wouldn’t have the dream the following night. She was losing weight, weight she could barely afford to lose, and her lack of appetite wasn’t helping. For the last six months, she had been going through the motions. After all the heartache from the aftermath in Sunnydale, emotionally, Buffy shut down. Except for Dawn, Buffy didn’t have any room left in her heart to love. It just hurt too damn much. Buffy had realized too late how strong her feelings were for Spike. She had meant it when she said she loved him. And, it wasn’t just because he died saving her. He had been her rock after he came back from Africa. Believing in her, even when she didn’t want to believe in herself. When Angel had shown up in Sunnydale claiming to be her champion, she had almost said yes. Buffy knew, deep down, that if Spike were to become her champion he would be taken from her. And, she'd been right. But, it wasn’t to be. Since getting his soul back, Spike had the whole “hero” bit down pat and had just held out his hand for his reward as if it were a foregone conclusion it would be his. So now, she had given up on men and relationships - the few men that she had loved in her life had ended up leaving. Even Spike. She knew it was irrational. She felt guilty for even thinking it. Spike had died saving the world. ‘But, he still left me, dammit,’ Buffy thought to herself. ~*~*~*~*~ Los Angeles Wesley was sitting behind his desk when the mail clerk arrived at his office. Included with the other various envelopes, there was a dusty chest placed upon his desk. Looking up from perusing an internal memo of absolutely no relevance (thanks Harmony!), Wesley glanced at the chest. On top of the chest was a weird inscription that he couldn’t make out. Putting the memo aside, he got up and walked around to the front of his desk peering closely at the chest from several angles. Old in design, with many unusual markings, the chest was about two feet wide, by one foot tall, by one foot deep. There were no locks on the chest, just a clasp holding the top closed. Wesley opened the chest to reveal an old parchment written in an unusual language. “Interesting. I guess I should take this and show it to the others,” he mumbled to himself. Lifting the chest in his arms he headed off for Angel’s office. He ran into Gunn and Lorne on the way, nodded towards the box held in his hand, and told them to follow him. “What’s in the box, Wes?” Gunn asked. “I’m not sure yet. There’s a scroll inside written in a language I’ve never seen before. I was on my way to Angel’s office to see if he might recognize it,” Wesley replied. Lorne opened the door for Wesley and followed him and Gunn inside. Angel and Spike were throwing verbal barbs at one another. Fred was sitting on the couch, silently laughing at both of them. Angel and Spike had come to an uneasy truce since Spike had materialized from within the amulet and just recently becoming corporeal. Lorne personally thought they bickered like siblings. He never mentioned it to either of them because he didn’t want to their glacier stares pointed his way. But, it was cute nonetheless. Wesley set the box down on Angel’s desk. “What’s in the box, Wes?” Angel asked. “I was hoping you could get me. There is an inscription on the lid. When I opened the lid…” “You what?! You ponce!” Spike yelled, his momentary bickering with his poofy grandsire forgotten. “Aren’t you supposed to open new thingies in one of those secure thingies? What are you tryin’ to do? Start a bleedin’ new apocalypse?” “Spike, shut up.” Angel muttered. “Wes, continue.” “Er, right." He glanced at the blond vampire warily. "Like I was saying. Inside the box is a scroll written in a language I’ve never seen. Since you’ve been around for awhile, no offense, I was hoping that you might take a look at the writing and see if you recognized the language.” Wesley opened the lid, revealing the scroll protected inside. Angel and Spike peered at the scroll. “Bloody hell! Looks like gibberish to me,” Spike said. “I’m not going to be of much help either,” Angel replied. Fred got up from the couch to take a look. The men in the room made a space so that she could see the scroll clearly. “These markings look somewhat familiar. I thought I recalled seeing a book in Wesley’s collection with similar markings,” Fred exclaimed. “Hmmm...really? I don't recall...” Wes trailed off as Fred left the group and moved towards the door. "Coming, Wes?" she asked. "Uh, yes..." He hurriedly re-closed the lid and caught up with the petite Texan, leaving the two vampires, Gunn and Lorne in the room. “Right. Well, I'll leave you to it, then,” Spike said as he followed Wes and Fred out of the office. Once outside, Spike headed for the front doors of Wolfram & Hart. The night was young and he had a job to do. The others could stay and shuffle papers. Spike, on the other hand, took more of a hands-on approach towards stopping the supposed Big Bads of the city. Nothing like staying sharp pitting your skills against the various scumbags inhabiting Los Angeles. “No wonder Buffy doesn’t trust the poofter anymore.” Spike muttered, on the lookout for some baddies to stake. “Since taking over at Wolfram & Hart, he’s gone soft. Never comes out of his office to get his fingers dirty.” ~*~*~*~*~ Lying on his bed, back at his apartment, Spike thought back over the previous hours’ work. Three vamps and some weird Fandlyre demon. Not a bad night – but it just wasn’t the same without the slayer at his side. The past few months Spike had become dispassionate with the way things were apparently handled at Wolfram & Hart. Angel, his ensouled grandsire, had gone soft. He missed Buffy. ‘Bit too, now that he took a moment to realize it. He had said that he didn’t know how to top his last exit, at least that was the excuse he gave for not going after Buffy. But the truth of the matter was that he was scared. Scared to take the chance of finally seeing the slayer and having her take back the words of love she'd spoken before he had been sent to hell. 'Quit being a bloody pansy,' he thought. 'Just get on a plane and fly to Rome. Peaches has a private jet. Put it to use. Get off your bloody arse and just go.' With that thought in mind, Spike drifted off to sleep, clutching his pillow tightly to his chest as if it were Buffy he held in his arms, just as the sun started to appear in the sky.

Chapter #2 - Remember Me?

Somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean Spike looked out the window of the Lear jet as it crossed the Atlantic Ocean. He was trying to think of something to say to Buffy when he showed up on her doorstep. “Hey, luv, how s'ya been?” “Nope, s’too impersonal. Damn!” Spike mumbled as he threw back another shot of rum. “Ya miss me?” “Bollocks!” 'This is harder than I thought,' Spike thought as he refilled his shot glass with rum and gulped it down. “ARRRGGGGHHHH!!” Spike stood up on unsteady feet and flung the glass across the airplane. He picked up the bottle and drank from it straight. A minute later, the last of the rum was gone and that empty bottle joined the other empty one of Jack Daniels on the floor. Collapsing back into his chair, he thought about the events leading up to him currently being on the plane. A smile came to his lips when he thought about his conversation with Angel. ~*~ “I need to borrow the plane, Peaches.” “Come again?” “I said…I need to borrow the bloody plane, mate.” Spike’s bad-boy attitude started to appear at having to repeat himself. “What for?” “Look. It’s just sitting at the bloody airport, not being used. What’s it to you anyway? Thought you wanted to be rid of me, and all.” “Buffy,” he growled. “Yeah, what about her?” Spike questioned, playing innocent. “You’re going to see her!” “So?” Attitude was coming off of Spike in waves now. “What’s it to ya? I’ve put it off long enough. Time to see where I stand with her. Lil ’Bit, too. Tired of sitting here wallowin' in me sorrow. Forgot for a while who I was. I’m not running away. Time for me to take what I want and damn the consequences.” Spike didn’t see the punch coming. One minute he was starting to get all philosophical and rationalize his feelings for Buffy, the next minute he was flying through the air, landing funny on the couch. “Right then,” Spike said as he rubbed his throbbing jaw. He vamped out, pushed himself to his feet and attacked. Angel was waiting for him, already had his game face on. But, his grandsire wasn’t ready for a determined Spike. He started running towards Angel, but before reaching him, Spike launched himself straight at Angel’s midsection. The force of that headlong dive sent them both crashing over and behind Angel’s desk. Since Spike landed on top of Angel, he was able to get up first. Over and over, they traded punches, kicks. So into their battle, they didn’t hear Angel’s office door open. Didn’t see Fred, Wesley, Gunn, and Lorne throw open the office doors and rush inside to see what the commotion was all about. They were too busy concentrating on who would get the upper hand. After a while, their bloodlust subsided. Now, they were throwing punches for their own perverse pleasure. Having had enough, Angel threw his grandchilde off of him saying, “Hurt her and I’ll stake you myself.” “Hello?! Slayer. If anyone’s gonna be doin the hurtin, ’s gonna be her, Peaches.” The elder vampire raised an eyebrow over the obvious disrespect in that nickname but didn’t comment about it. “I’ll call the pilots and let them know you’re coming.” Spike walked out the door, never looking back. ~*~ Spike rubbed his jaw, shaking his head ruefully. “Bloke could still throw a punch,” he muttered as he drifted off into a drink-induced slumber. ~*~*~*~*~ The jet touched down in England a few hours later. It was night when they landed, so he could freely leave the plane. Walking up to the cockpit, he told the pilots he had a few meetings but would be back before dawn so they could resume their flight to Rome. “Now to see a man about a girl,” he smirked as he headed out into the night. About an hour later, he caught up with him. Andrew had just emerged from the Watcher’s Council building. Hell, he even looked the watcher part, right down to the tweed suit. “Hey, mate.” “Spike!?!?! What are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be in L.A.?” “Old news. I need her address.” “Who-. Oh, you mean Buffy’s? I don’t know if I should. She doesn’t even know...” “Oh, bollocks. Look, mate, we can do this the easy way or the hard way. I may have a soul, but nothing is gonna stop me from seein’ ‘er. I’ve been bloody noble long enough.” “Does Giles know that...” “No, he doesn’t, and I want to keep it that way,” Spike cut him off menacingly. His eyes flashed yellow and the ridges briefly appeared on his forehead to emphasize his point. “N-no problem. I wasn’t going to say anything. I didn’t say anything before…after I came back from L.A.” Opening his briefcase, he took out one of his cards and wrote the address down on the back. Spike took it and left without another word. He didn’t think that Andrew was going to keep his promise, but it was too late now. He was over halfway there, he wasn’t turning back now. ~*~*~*~*~ Rome 5:00 a.m. “Bloody hell!” Spike cursed as he looked out the window. It was too close to dawn for him to leave the plane to try and find out where her place was located. This did nothing to improve his rapidly deteriorating mood. Frustrated, Spike slammed into the bedroom at the back of the plane to attempt to sleep the daylight away. Grabbing a pillow, he cuddled close to it imagining it was Buffy, and fell into a fitful sleep. ~*~ 8:00 p.m. Night was finally upon Rome, and he was able to leave the plane. His Italian was very rusty, so it took him a few hours before he found her place. Now that he had located it, he was getting nervous. He headed to a bar around the corner from her home to get a drink to help fortify his courage. A few beers and things weren’t helping. Paying his tab, he exited the bar. It was now or never. Spike walked back to the address on the paper. Looking at the building, he was surprised to see very few lights on. “Great! Now I’ve missed her. She’s probably out on patrol.” He knocked on the door anyway. After a few minutes, he could hear footsteps coming closer to the door. He heard a few locks give way. “Damn. Don’t they even ask who it is anymore?” Spike mumbled as the door began to creak open. The door opened and Buffy stood in the doorframe. Spike was trying to look his fill. The last time he'd seen her, he had been burning from the inside out. It felt like a lifetime ago. “Spike?” Buffy whispered, reaching a hand out towards him. She promptly fainted, but not before getting out a weak, “come in.” “Bloody hell.” Spike caught her before she collapsed to the floor. Scooping her up in his arms he kicked the door shut and headed for the nearest bedroom.

Chapter #3 - It's Really You

Los Angeles Wesley’s Office, Wolfram & Hart Wesley sat in his seat behind his desk, while Fred sat near him, perched on the edge of the desk. Both were deeply engrossed as the two stared at the scroll laid out before them on the desk. Several books were scattered over the top of its surface, each book was open to various places to help them translate the scroll before them. Empty, discarded take-out Chinese boxes took up the remaining empty spaces. Wesley looked at the text again. Just when he thought he was on the right track, he’d be brought to a halt by another translation in a different book. So far, they had only been able to get two lines translated and they’d been working on it since yesterday. ZBS ZSHH HOSJA KLT LAK (Spawned from darkness and evil) AHGASHT AHKSHGK THASJ AHDS (Yet, but for love willingly chose) ATELLV SLPPRS LCMNPWN SLSJNPA LSLWPW DLMCX XCCOWS DSLDL EIMOSPW DHSLS SSLSWOWY DMCLS SLSLWPW SLSOWPQ SLNCWP SCSKS IWOECOPS SLSNSAP SAANSLLOS DLMCX XCCOWS SLSANL SLNCOC SOCMD DJDIEMDK SKSOWRUR SJXMIE CMQOW QOSXZ AOLCKCH ALNCLS CPAMA ALOCEKS XLCOWZ ALCOA COAANLL ALCOALA ACOQNAE ACOAKAB “Hmmmm…” Fred grabbed another book and flipped to a page marked with a scrap piece of paper. (Couldn’t dog-tag these pages, Wes would have a fit!) “This may help us with the next part… Yes, that’s it!” “To give up the demon inside…For which a soul now grows… It looks like this is the translation for the next two lines. Wow… Wes, this sounds like Angel.” The person they were talking about chose that moment to knock on Wesley’s office door. “How’s it coming, guys?” Angel asked. “I think we’re finally starting to make some headway. It looks like we have the first part translated.” “We’ll know better how it relates once we get the whole thing transcribed, but the first part says ‘Spawned from darkness and evil, Yet, but for love willingly chose, To give up the demon inside, For which a soul now grows,” Wesley replied. “Well, keep at it, guys,” Angel said. “And, let me know when you have it finished. I’ve got feelers out with other departments to see if we need to be worried about anything that might be coming.” “Right. We’ll let you know what we come up with.” Fred and Wesley once again bent over the scroll on his desk and got back to work. ~*~*~*~*~ Rome Buffy’s Residence Spike walked though the entryway taking in his surroundings, Buffy cradled gently in his arms. Bypassing the main hallway, which appeared to lead to various living rooms, studies and such, he quickly ascended the stairs in an attempt to seek out Buffy’s bedroom. At the end of the second floor he noticed a door ajar. Pushing the door all the way open with his foot, he realized that this was Buffy’s room. Not because of any personal effects, the room actually looked quite barren. Rather, he just sensed that this was her room - her scent being more concentrated here. Spike laid Buffy gently on her bed, and then sat down next to her looking at her face. With hands that shook, he smoothed the hair back off her face. “Luv, wake up,” Spike whispered, his eyes starting to tear. Buffy looked like hell. Her skin was pale, and she looked like she'd lost weight that she had no business losing. Dark circles prevailed under her eyes. ‘She looks like the walking dead.’ He got off the bed to shut and lock the bedroom door. Next, he walked over to the drapes (nice, thick drapes, he noticed) and pulled them shut, sealing out any possible sunlight that may filter through come morning. Spike made his way back to the bed and pulled the covers down on one side before carefully removing Buffy’s clothes and sliding her beneath the covers. He then stripped off his own clothes and laid them over a chair before slipping into the bed beside her, resettling the covers around himself. Slipping his arms around her, he gently pulled her back into his embrace. Idly, he ran his hands lightly down her face, whispering words of love she undoubtedly couldn’t hear. Spike held her like that for what seemed like hours before he too finally succumbed to sleep. ~*~*~*~*~ Los Angeles Angel’s Office, Wolfram & Hart Angel was seated behind his desk talking to Lorne and Gunn when Fred and Wesley hurried into his office. “Whatcha got, Wes?” Angel asked. “I’m not sure what it means, but we’ve managed to finally get it transcribed. It took awhile because it wasn’t written in one distinct language. Rather, a blending of languages, if you will.” “What does it say?” “I’m not one hundred percent positive. Like I said, blending languages and all, but this is what I’ve...we've... come up with,” Wesley replied, then he began to read the transcribed scroll in its entirety. Spawned from darkness and evil Yet, but for love willingly chose To give up the demon inside For which a soul now grows As the one grows weak And begins to decay A kiss, mixed with blood To keep death at bay A price will be paid To save the one’s life Forever immortal No longer among light “What does it mean?” Angel asked. “I have no idea,” Wesley replied. ~*~*~*~*~ Rome Buffy’s room, the following morning Buffy lay in bed, not completely asleep, not quite awake. She felt rested for the first time in well... a long time. She realized something was different but couldn’t quite put her finger on what it was. Slowly, things started coming back to her. As the haze of sleepiness finally wore off, she bolted upright in bed. Several things went through her mind at once: 1) no heart wrenching dream last night, 2) no crying myself awake, 3) Spike is alive! Turning, she looked into the piercing blue, although uncertain, eyes of her blond vampire. Spike had awaken instantly when the slayer woke suddenly – game face on – ready to protect Buffy with his life if need be. Seeing no one else in the room, the ridges above his eyes quickly faded, and eyes went from yellow to blue in a flash. He looked at Buffy trying to judge her mood. Buffy reached out a tentative hand, trying to determine if the vision before her eyes was real or just a hallucination. Her fingers shook as they made contact with his sculpted cheekbones. “Spiii…iike?” she stuttered softly. “Yes, luv.” Slowly, she dropped her hand from his face. Her face crumpled, and she began to sob uncontrollably. “Awww, luv, don’t cry,” he whispered as he scooped her up in his arms and cradled her close to his body. In between sobs that racked her body, Buffy got out little phrases like: “…so hard after you were gone…wanted to be with you…missed you so much…wanted to die so I could be with you…” Spike just held her while she poured out her grief, mumbling incoherent assurances, comforting her as best he could. After a time, her crying subsided and Spike quietly rocked her, holding her as tightly as he dared. ‘God, it feels good to have her back in my arms,’ he thought.

Chapter #4 - Here To Stay

Rome Buffy’s Room Buffy lay in Spike’s arms. Every so often, her body would shudder from a delayed half-sob. Spike just continued to hold her, running his hand from the top of her head down the length of Buffy’s hair. The soothing touch eventually lulled her into a light sleep. When he felt her breathing even out, he carefully eased himself out from under Buffy’s body and headed to the bathroom for a quick shower. Afterwards, he grabbed his pants and shirt from the chair he had laid them over last night and put them on. Hearing a door open down the hall, he quietly unlocked Buffy’s bedroom door and slipped silently into the hall, pulling the door shut behind him. ‘Better talk to Niblet before she wakes up Buffy.’ Dawn was walking down the hall on the way to wake up her sister before she started to get ready school. Various thoughts were running through her mind, so at first she didn’t see the blond-haired vampire walking towards her. Suddenly, she glanced up. Just as she was about to let out a blood-curling scream, Spike’s hand settled over her mouth. “Smii…” Dawn mumbled behind his hand, her eyes going wide. He nodded at her, grinning. When Spike was sure that Dawn wasn’t going to start yelling, he removed his hand from her mouth. “Spike? It’s really you? How?” Dawn questioned as she launched herself at him, tears starting to form in her eyes. Spike enveloped Dawn in a big hug. “Hey, 'Bit. It’s a long story. Once Buffy wakes up we’ll talk, ok?” “Er, ok. I have to get ready for school. Oh, and there’s about ten other girls staying with us right now. Feels like a sorority house at times! Good thing they’re out patrolling late so I can get into the bathroom first. Otherwise, I’d never make it to school on time!” Dawn said. With a smile on her face, she turned around and headed back to her room. Halfway down the hall, she stopped and turned around. “You’re gonna be here when I get home, right?” Dawn questioned, concern clouding her features. “You bet. I just got here. I’m not going anywhere.” “Ok, then,” and she continued back down the hallway to her room, a little skip in her walk. Spike turned around and slipped back inside Buffy’s room. Seeing her still asleep, he went and sat in the chair, his eyes never leaving her still form. Eventually, he dozed off. ~*~*~*~*~ Buffy woke feeling slightly disoriented. Suddenly, everything from this morning came rushing back her, and she glanced to the spot beside her. Nothing. ‘Don’t tell me it was a dream. I couldn’t take it.’ She quickly sat up in bed, pulling the covers to her naked chest. Frantically, her eyes darted around her bedroom. She let out a breath when she spotted Spike sprawled in the chair across the room. His feet were resting up on the matching ottoman. His elbow was propped on the armrest, while his head lay in his upturned palm. He was fast asleep. ‘I wasn’t dreaming,’ she thought. Shoving the covers off of her, she bounded out of bed. Somehow, Buffy had managed to lose all her clothes last night. Walking over to the dresser, she pulled out a pair of underwear, a pair of shorts and one of Spike’s black t-shirts. (They had all packed duffle bags before the big showdown on the Hellmouth and Buffy had kept Spike’s stuff because she couldn’t bear to part with anything of his.) When she was feeling especially despondent, she’d go to her bottom drawer and pull out something of his to look at or wear. In those times, she felt a little closer to him. She didn’t really need to wear it now, but she wanted him to know that she had thought about him. Hadn’t forgotten him. Padding quietly across the floor, she slipped into the bathroom to take care of a few necessities. After using the bathroom, she made quick work of brushing her teeth and washing her face. Grabbing a scrunchie, she gathered her long hair into one hand and tied her hair back into a ponytail. Looking in the mirror for the first time in what had probably been ages, she thought, ‘Wow. I guess I need to get a haircut.’ Quietly, she walked out of the bathroom. Spike was still dozing on the chair, so she slipped soundlessly out of her bedroom and went in search of Dawn. Walking down the hall, she could hear Dawn singing along to some song playing on the radio in her bedroom. The door was ajar, so Buffy pushed it open. As usual, Dawn’s room was a mess. Looking at Dawn’s reflection in the mirror, Buffy could see that she was unusually happy. Just then, Dawn looked up and made eye contact in the mirror. Twirling around in her chair, she bounded up and over to Buffy. “Can you believe it? He’s really back!” she gushed. A slow smile came to Buffy’s face. ‘I guess he already ran into Dawn.’ “I know! Dawn, you can skip school today if you want. Hang out here with us,” Buffy said. “I thought about it, believe me, but I have a huge history test. Can’t miss it. It’s ok. He said he’d be here when I got back. You’ll make sure, right?” “Count on it. Well, let me get you some breakfast before you go.” “Uh, Buf. No thanks. I know how you are with food and cooking. Non-mixy. I’ll just grab a pastry.” Seeing the crushed look on Buffy’s face, she said, “But, if you’re making coffee….” Perking up, Buffy said, “Right, coffee. Coming right up.” She left Dawn’s room and walked down the hall, then descended the stairs to the first floor. Walking across the hallway, she entered the kitchen to start the coffee. Once the machine whirled to life, Buffy sat down at the small kitchen table. As the coffee started to drip into the coffee pot, the smell helped wake her up. 'Uh oh. Spike’s gonna need some blood.' Standing up, Buffy rushed up to Dawn’s room to let her know that she was running down the street to the butcher shop. Back downstairs, she stopped by the desk in the front hall, opened the top drawer and pulled out some cash to take with her. She let herself out the front door and walked down the street to the butcher shop. ‘How much should I get? Maybe I’ll just get a couple of liters for now.’ Once at the shop, she noticed a few people waiting in line. ‘This shouldn’t take too long.’ And, it didn’t. The people in front of her didn’t waste any time with their orders. Before she knew it, it was her turn. “What can I get you, miss?” the man asked. “A couple liters of pig’s blood.” The butcher gave her a weird look, but didn’t comment. Buffy paid for her purchase, took the brown bag, and walked back home. Dawn was just heading out the front door when she got there. “I’m off. I’ll see you this afternoon.” “’Kay. Have a good day.” Buffy headed inside and pulled one of the liters out of the bag. She poured some blood into a mug and put it in the microwave. Putting the half-empty liter bottle back into the bag, she put the bag in the refrigerator and shoved it towards the back. ‘No need freaking out the girls yet,’ she thought ruefully. The microwave went off and she grabbed the warmed mug full of blood. Buffy then headed back upstairs to her room. Spike came awake as Buffy quietly shut and locked the bedroom door. Smiling, she headed over to the chair. Buffy held out the mug of blood to Spike. He sniffed the contents before taking a sip. “Pig’s blood," Buffy apologized. "Best I could do on such short notice.” “It’s fine, luv. I’ve had worse.” Spike then proceeded to down the contents. Finished, he set the empty mug on the floor beside the chair. “Thanks.” Spike looked up once he had set the mug on the floor. Buffy was eying him nervously, unsure what to say. Spike reached out his hand to her. “Com ‘ere, luv.” Taking Spike’s hand, Buffy allowed him to pull her towards him so that she could sit on his lap and lay her head on his shoulder. She had so many questions that she wanted to ask. In the end, all she could get out was: “How?” Spike proceeded to tell her about how he was brought back by the amulet that Buffy had given him to use, how at first he was non-corporeal. He told her about everything that happened right up until he got on a plane to come see her. Throughout his explanation, she said nothing, although she had unshed tears shining in her eyes. “Why didn’t you come back to me sooner?” “Hate to say it, luv. But, I was just scared. I was trying to be noble, tryin to do the right thing. But, I couldn’t do it. I missed you too damn much. I know I’m no good for you, but I couldn’t stay away.” “I’m glad. Glad you finally came back to me.” Picking her head up from his shoulder, she looked into those blue eyes that seemed to haunt her dream. Placing a hand on either side of his face, she ever so slowly lowered her lips to his. She lightly brushed her lips back and forth across his own, driving him wild with the gentleness of the kiss. His cock hardened, the pressure of his jeans against his hardened length becoming unbearable. Spike’s hands tightened into fists in the waistband of her shorts, he started to moan, “Buff…” That was the opening Buffy was waiting for. His mouth open for the taking, she left her gentleness behind and thrust her tongue inside his mouth, as she reacquainted herself with him, claiming him. Spike couldn’t hold back any longer, and his tongue started its own exploration. When he could stand it no longer, his grip tightened on Buffy as he pushed himself to his feet; Buffy locked her legs around his waist to hold herself in place. Never breaking their frenzied kiss, he headed to the bed across the room.

Chapter #5 - Introductions

Rome Buffy’s Room Kneeling on the bed, Spike slowly laid Buffy back against the mattress then followed, stretching his body out on top of hers. Her arms were still clasped firmly around his neck. ‘I’ve got to slow down, going to fast,’ he thought. “Buffy, luv, gotta slow down.” Balancing the majority of his weight on his elbows, he leaned down and nipped lightly at her bottom lip. “Over too fast.” Leaving his lips, Buffy made a trail to Spike’s ear and started nibbling lightly. “Next time,” she purred in his ear before resuming her love bites. All thoughts of him taking it slow went right out the window at her words. With a growl, he released his weight from his upper arms. Grabbing Buffy, he rolled so that she was straddling him while he stretched out underneath her. He gripped the bottom of her black t-shirt and lifted it up over her head and threw it to the floor. She wasn’t wearing a bra. He sucked in an unneeded breath at the sight of her bare breast. Sitting up, he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. Her breasts smashed against his naked chest, a soft moan escaped them both at the contact before Spike claimed her lips in another toe-curling kiss. “Cor, Buff… feels so good,” he whispered as he released her mouth to trail kisses along her jaw. Fisting one hand in her hair, he tugged her head back, strong enough to drive her crazy, not strong enough to hurt. With slow deliberation, he trailed kisses down her exposed neck. His tongue flicked over the vein before biting gently over where he could see the blood pumping through her jugular. He saw the marks left by his Grandsire, Angel; the long-dead Master; and that ponce Dracula and bypassed them, a fleeting thought of leaving his own mark on her neck came to his mind before he thrust it aside. Spike couldn’t wait anymore and easily flipped her onto her back. Sitting up and pushing himself away from her body, he quickly peeled the shorts down her legs, sending them on the same path as her discarded shirt. Except for a tiny triangle of red, Buffy lay completely exposed to him. He rose to his feet and stripped off his own jeans then rejoined Buffy on the bed. Starting with her toes, he trailed kisses slowly up one leg. When he reached the red triangle at the apex of her thighs, he gave a quick kiss to her mound. ‘This is no time for foreplay,’ she thought. Buffy’s body was humming, she couldn’t wait any longer. Fisting her fingers in his platinum hair, she tugged his head up. “Fuck me now, Spike,” Buffy growled, her need making her aggressive. Spike didn’t have to be told twice. He ripped the tiny piece of red triangle from her crotch before sliding up her body,. Grabbing his cock, he positioned it at the opening of her damp opening slowly rubbing the head up and down across her slick opening, coating it with her juices. He was torturing her, teasing her with his slight penetration. The pleasure was driving her crazy. Her body was screaming for release. “Spike!” she begged with a shout. He slammed into her in one motion, burying himself to the hilt. Fisting his hands in her hair at the back of Buffy’s head, he once again tugged her head back to expose her slim neck. With his face buried in her neck, he pumped into her with strong, forceful strokes. Buffy wrapped her legs around his lower back and locked her ankles to hold herself in place, allowing him a different angle, a deep penetration. The tempo increased to a frenzied pace; the bed started to creak as he pounded away driving her deeper into the bed. Buffy was close to sailing over the edge. She wanted Spike there with her. “Now Spike, gonna... cum… now,” Buffy gasped. Her inner walls started to contract, squeezing his dick, coaxing him to his own release, sending him tumbling over the edge after her. With one final stoke, he poured his seed into her, groaning her name before collapsing on top of her. Both laid there, completely sated as they slowly became aware of their surroundings. After a moment, he shifted and slipped out of her before rolling to his back and dragging Buffy on top of him. Giving her a gentle kiss on her lips, he let her collapse on top of him, allowing her body to recover. At first, he wasn’t sure if she would let him hold her like this. Before, she would get up, hastily grab her clothes and leave. She hadn’t liked for him to touch her afterwards. It wasn’t until the night she was kicked out of her own home by her friends and family that she actually broke down and let him hold her. Nothing happened that night, of course, but it felt good just to have her in his arms. She came to him again the night before their battle with the First still reeking of Angel, but he couldn’t turn her away. Could never turn her away. Idly, he ran his fingertips up and down her back while her labored breathing and heart rate began to slow. It didn’t appear that she wanted to move out of his embrace so he continued to rub his hand up and down her back in a soothing gesture. He tucked her hair behind her ear, exposing it, enabling him to lightly nibble on it. He could feel her body start to stir above him, smell her becoming aroused again. It was making him hard again. ‘Slowly this time,’ he thought as he slipped inside her welcoming heat once more. Gradually, he rolled them so that they both lay on their sides, letting her top leg drape over his hip. Tilting her chin up, he gazed into her shining hazel orbs. He kept a slow pace, never breaking eye contact with her. He made love to her like he had always wanted to, cherishing her with his body. Her eyes glazed over at the pleasure he was invoking, but she held his gaze. She had never allowed this before, this connection. Before, it was always about lust, passion, need. This time - with their gazes locked on one another, his thrusts slow and deep - it was about love. All too soon the pressure became too much. Buffy’s eyes started to drift closed as her orgasm approached. “No,” Spike whispered. Buffy’s eyes snapped open again. “Look at me,” he urged. “I want to watch you. See your eyes.” Spike kept up the slow, deep pace. Suddenly, Buffy’s mouth opened, her eyes became unfocused. He felt the beginnings of her orgasm. “I,” he whispered. “Love,” he whispered again. “You,” he mouthed. He punctuated each whispered word with the thrusting of his hips. Eyes locked with Buffy, he joined her, filling her with his release. ~*~*~*~*~ Buffy lay in Spike’s arm, listening to his deep, even breathing. (Not that he was or needed to breath, but that was the image that was in her mind. Someone completely sated after making love – and this time, it had been making love – and falling into a deep slumber.) After a time, she got up and headed to the bathroom. She took a quick shower then went to her dresser to grab some workout clothes. It was time for her to start her training session with the girls. Grabbing a piece of paper out of her nightstand, she wrote Spike a brief note. Spike, It’s almost noon. I’m on the third floor training the girls. Join me when you wake up. Buffy When she finished her note, she laid it on her pillow so that he would see it. Quietly, she made her way to her bedroom door. She gave a last backward glance at Spike after opening the door before stepping out in the hallway and soundlessly shutting it behind her. With a little sigh, she headed down the hallway to the flight of stairs leading to the third floor, and the Slayer training room. Walking into the huge room, she noticed the girls were all sitting on the floor, stretching out their muscles, getting ready for the coming workout. Various weapons littered the walls. In the center of one wall was the scythe that had been saved from the last battle on the Hellmouth. It served as a reminder that evil was still out there but could be overcome with a little faith, determination, and a nice big axe. Buffy took her position at the head of the room. The girls stood up and spread out throughout the room and Buffy began the kata. After about an hour and a half, she finished and the girls broke up into smaller groups to work on their hand-to-hand skills. Another hour went by and the girls grabbed stakes, daggers, or small crossbows to practice against the dummies stationed throughout the large room. Spike walked into the room to see a girl mangle a suspended dummy with a broadsword. He looked like he had just rolled out of bed; his hair was standing on end. Buffy had sensed Spike nearby, and she stopped instructing one of the girls on how to escape a chokehold to look at the door. ‘Bed-head Spike, yum.’ She could feel her panties getting moist. Spike just gave her a knowing smirk, his scarred eyebrow raising. The others in the room stopped what they were doing to see what had distracted the Slayer. Usually she kept them at it for five straight hours without a break. Today, it seemed like her mind was somewhere else. Plus, there were no harsh words. No quick criticism. Today, she was actually taking time to go over stuff without getting angry. Seeing a vamp, master vamp at that, standing in the doorway quickly got the girls on edge. “Guess they need to work on their intuitive skills a bit, luv,” Spike remarked. “I could sense you all the way at the end of the hall.” “I haven’t got that far yet. I’m still working on their defensive skills,” Buffy replied. Seeing the camaraderie between the vampire and the slayer, the other girls began to relax. Buffy chose that moment to introduce Spike to the girls. “Spike, these are some of the girls that the new council members have sent me.” The girls walked away from the various stations they were at to form a half-hazard line about ten feet in front of him. The youngest appeared to be no more than thirteen, the oldest not much older than that. “They’re a little young, slayer.” “That’s the age group I get. Once they reach sixteen, they’re given their own watcher to look out for them. Right now, I teach them. Then, we go out as a group to patrol.” Spike gave her a questioning look. At that, she said, “I wasn’t feeling well last night. That’s why I was here.” “Ah, right then.” “Anyway. These are my girls: Angelina, Stephanie, Zhora, Theresa, Francesca, Katherine (Kat for short), Lionna, Sydney, Petra, and Corina.” As each name was said, the girls smiled. Some gave a little wave. “Ladies... You ‘bout through here, pet.” The girls looked ready to drop. “Actually, we’ve got another hour or so.” Groans erupted from some of the girls. “But,” she said over their outburst, “I think we can knock off for today.” There were actually a few cheers to that announcement. “Besides, we can always work a little longer tomorrow.” More groans. Buffy winked at Spike. “Ok, girls. Let get the weapons put away then hit the showers, dinner will be in a few hours.” Buffy grabbed Spike by the arm and left the training room. “Come on. I need to get a shower before Dawn gets home. I promised her that you’d be here when she got home from school.” With a wicked grin she asked rhetorically, “Now, how am I gonna manage to keep an eye on you and get a shower at the same time?” And, she sauntered off down the hallway leaving a rock-hard Spike standing there staring after her. He recovered quickly and raced after her. Scooping her up in his arms, he upended her over his shoulder caveman style and raced down the stairs as fast as he could manage without jarring her. Her squeals of delight floated back up the hallway. If the slayers-in-training thought it was weird for a slayer and a master vampire to be acting like a bunch of lovesick teenagers, they sure didn’t voice it.

Chapter #6 - Something Wicked, This Way Comes

Dawn, Buffy, and Spike were sitting at the kitchen table. Spike was explaining to Dawn how he came back. Buffy had heard the story earlier so she just sat quietly to the conversation flowing around her. Spike’s story was interrupted quite frequently by Dawn’s, “No ways! Reallys! Uh uhs! and Wows!” Once he finished retelling his tale, he asked Dawn what she had been up to. “Not too much. We traveled a bit during the summer, and then decided on Rome as a place to live. It’s way different than Sunnydale. I’m back in school. It’s actually kinda fun. Way better than before.” “That’s good, Niblet.” “Yeah, and now that Giles is in charge of the new Watcher’s Council, we don’t have to worry about money. Buffy’s actually getting a paycheck. Can you believe it? And, the Council even footed the bill for this place. Neat, huh?” Dawn asked. “’Bout bloody time,” Spike grumbled. Buffy just smiled ruefully. “It’s getting late, Dawnie. Better get started on your homework. I’ve got to go get ready for patrol,” Buffy said as she stood up from the table. Spike stood up as well. “I’m comin’ with, if it’s all the same to you, pet. Maybe I can show your little slayers a thing or two. Will the ‘Bit be ok here?” “She’ll be fine. This place is surrounded by a protection spell, thanks to Willow. It was one of the things she managed to take care of once we finally settled on a place to live. Giles insisted.” “’Lemme just grab my jacket and round up the girls. I’ll be right back.” Buffy walked out of the kitchen and headed up to her room to get her jacket and a few weapons. On the way back out into the hall she called the girls. They began to trickle out of their rooms and followed her back downstairs. They weren’t surprised to see the blond vampire waiting for them. They didn’t stay out on patrol long. It was kind of hard to sneak up on the “baddies” with such a large group. They weren’t exactly the most quiet. However, they did manage to find a few minion vampires to dust, so all in all, it wasn’t a bad night. The girls got to practice their hand-to-hand combat skills, and Buffy was grateful to have an extra pair of expert hands keeping an eye on things. Once back home, the girls headed up to bed. They needed to get some sleep so that they would be ready for their tutor tomorrow morning. The young slayers didn’t go to a regular school like Dawn. Buffy didn’t want to worry about having to answer any questions posed by school officials. So, the council sent tutors to teach the girls English, science, math, and history. They also learned about religion, relics, demons, and magic. Every little bit helped, right? Buffy walked through the place double-checking the locks. Spike trailed behind her. Once she was satisfied everything was secure she headed upstairs to her room. “The girls are good. A little green, but the slayer instincts are there.” “Yeah. I’m afraid I’ve been a little hard on them.” Spike just looked at her quizzically. Buffy glanced at him, but didn’t comment as to why. The last thing she need to do was voice her recurring nightmares and the steps she had been taking to deal with them and prevent them from reoccurring. “Now that you’re here you can help me with them. You are staying, right?” she asked a little uncertainly. Spike enveloped her in his arms. “Just try to make me leave.” Pulling slowly out of his embrace she told him, “I’m gonna go check on Dawnie real quick. I’ll be right back.” It was a little after eleven. Dawn would probably be asleep, but Buffy always checked on her. Just to be safe. Buffy no longer took things for granted. Cracking Dawn’s door open, she stuck her head in the room. Dawn was snuggled under the covers, fast asleep. Re-closing the door, she headed back to her room. ~*~*~*~*~ Spike waited in the bedroom for Buffy. He wasn’t sure exactly where he stood with the slayer. True, they had made love, but he didn’t want to presume anything. With nervous uncertainty, he prowled around the room. Hearing Buffy walk back down the hall towards him, he stopped his pacing and went to stand over by the window. Lifting the curtain away from the window, he peered out at nighttime Rome. Everything was quiet. Almost too quiet. ‘Not good,’ he thought to himself. Buffy pushed open the door, then shut and locked it behind her. ‘He feels it too. I knew I had reason to worry.’ “I’m glad I’m not the only one who can sense it.” Turning away from the window as her voice broke the silence, he looked at her, his head cocked to the side. “It’s too bloody quiet.” “I know.” Walking over to him, she laid her head against his chest. Spike wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. “Wonder if this has something to do with the chest that showed up on Angel’s door back in L.A.” “Huh?” she asked as she looked up at his face. “Nothin’, luv. Just thinkin’ out loud.” Scooping her up into his arms, he carried her over to the bed and laid her on top of the covers. He pulled off her shoes, then shucked his own. Climbing onto the bed he stretched out alongside of her, pulling her back into his arms. “It’s just that when things show up mysteriously, for no reason, the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. Before I left L.A., Wesley received this chest containing some scroll. Didn’t know where it came from.” “I’ll ask Giles tomorrow when he calls and see if he’s heard anything, knows of anything. I don’t like this quiet. It’s just a feeling I have, nothing tangible. I’m worried, Spike.” “Don’t be, luv. I’m here now. I won’t let anything happen to you.” He leaned in and kissed her ear, whispering, “Now rest. It’s been a long day.” It killed him to say those last seven words. Turning in his arms to face him she said, “I don’t want to rest. Love me, Spike.” ‘Oh, thank God!’ he thought. “Always, pet,” sealing his vow with a searing kiss. Clothes were quickly shed, and then Spike was once more sheathed inside Buffy’s liquid heat. Home. Soon, all thoughts were gone as he was caught up in Buffy’s radiating heat. ~*~*~*~*~ The Outskirts of Rome The cloak-clad figure stood staring at the rising fire in the hearth. He seemed transfixed as he stared at the flames, as if they were talking to him in a language only he could understand. A manservant stood in the corner of the room, awaiting word from his master. In his hands, the servant held the book that would aid his master in ridding the world of all the new slayers. “Bring it to me.” The servant walked quickly forward, coming round to stand in front of his master, his head bowed. He held the book up. Red eyes glanced quickly at the cover of the book before fading to black, then he opened book. His hand hovered a moment over the book. Magically, the pages began flipping. Halfway through the book, the pages stopped, coming to rest where the man needed. Quickly, he scanned the pages, then let forth with an evil laugh. ‘This is almost too easy,’ he thought.

Chapter #7 - A Call to Aid

England The Watcher’s Council Headquarters, Giles’ Office “Hello, Buffy,” Giles said into the phone. “How are things progressing on your end?” (Silence.) “That’s good.” (Silence.) “Er… uh, no. No, I didn’t know that he was alive. Wait…how do you know he’s alive?” (Silence.) “Oh. Oh, I see.” Giles pulled off his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose. “How?” (Silence.) “And, he’s been at Wolfram & Hart’s this whole time?” he asked. “Helping Angel? You don’t say. Andrew never said a word.” 'Wonder why?' “Spike persuaded him?” (Silence.) “Oh.” ~*~*~*~*~ Rome “Ok. The girls have the instinct, they just need the direction.” (Silence.) “Giles, did you know about Spike?” she questioned out of nowhere. (Silence.) “He’s back. He came back to me. He’s here with me. In Rome. Right now.” At his question of how, Buffy told him briefly about how he was brought back through the amulet and that he’d been staying with Angel in L.A. (Silence.) “I think Spike may have persuaded him to keep quiet.” “Listen, Giles. The reason I’m mentioning Spike is because he’s feeling something. And, the funny thing is…so am I. Have you heard anything? Some new apocalypse I’m not aware of? I’m not liking this feeling that I’m getting. Something isn’t right. Like it’s lurking in the shadows, biding its time. I worried, Giles.” Dawn suddenly came into Buffy’s line of vision as she sat behind her desk taking into the phone to Giles. “Look, Giles. Just check into it for me and get back to me, ok?” (Silence.) “Thanks, Giles. I love you. Talk to you tomorrow. Right. Bye.” Buffy hung up the phone and looked at Dawn. It didn’t appear like she heard anything. ‘Phew. That was close,’ she thought. ‘I don’t want her to worry if I can avoid it.’ “Are you ready for school, Dawnie?” she asked, adopting an overly-bright tone to her voice. Dawn didn’t notice anything unusual, figuring her sister was on a happy high now that Spike was back. It was nice to finally see a little life back in her sister’s eyes. “Yep. I’m just gonna get me a cup of coffee before I head out.” “I’ll join you. Giles caught me before I could get a cup.” Both girls headed to the kitchen to get their morning java. They doctored their coffee to their liking then went to the kitchen table and sat down. Buffy had just taken a sip of coffee when Dawn asked, “So, what’s the deal with Spike?” Coffee went down the wrong pipe and Buffy started coughing. Dawn just sat there sipping her coffee, blinking in wide-eyed innocence, waiting for her to recover. After a few moments, Buffy was able to get air down to her lungs, rather than coffee. She glared at her sister. “Not that it’s any of your business.” “You’re not gonna send him away, are you?” Seeing anxiety start to creep over her sister’s face, she rushed to reassure her. “No, Dawnie. Believe it or not, I’m glad he’s back. I’m not going to be the one to send him away. It’s going to be his choice as to whether or not he wants to stay.” “It’s about time!” She opined, her good mood quickly restored. “Hey!” Dawn just smiled. Finishing her coffee, she stood up. She put her coffee cup in the sink then went to grab her books for school. “I’m off.” “Ok. Have a good day.” “You too.” Dawn winked at her she walked out the door. ‘Cheeky little brat.’ ~*~*~*~*~ About eleven thirty, Buffy headed upstairs to get ready for her daily workout with the girls. She carried a mug of blood for Spike with her. Cautiously, she opened the door. ‘Good thing the girls don’t come down to my room. They’d be in for an eyeful if they had happened to open the door.’ Spike laid on the bed in all his glory. The sheet that would have provided a modicum of modesty had managed to fall well below his waist. It was too good an opportunity to pass up. Setting the mug on the dresser, she tiptoed over to the bed, quietly stripping out of her clothes along the way. Gingerly, she placed one knee on the end of the bed, glancing at his face to make sure that she hadn’t waken him, then the other. Either he was starting to have a really good dream, or his body sensed her presence. His cock started to get hard, right before her eyes. She stopped crawling up the bed when her face came parallel with his dick. Without touching his body, she breathed lightly over him. His cock moved of its own accord, reaching up in an attempt to reclaim the warm caress of her breath. With a wicked glint in her eye, she scooped her hair in one hand. No point in alerting him to her presence just yet by having her hair fall across his thighs. Without so much as a touch of her finger along his length, she opened her mouth and enveloped his cock. Spike’s hips shot up off the bed a groaned “bloody hell” escaping his lips. His head flew back in utter ecstasy; ridges appeared above his eyes, and she knew instinctively that if she could see his eyes, they’d be yellow instead of the blue she normally saw. Buffy loved that she could drive him that crazy, make him lose control so completely; it made her wet just thinking about it. The night before last had been about reconnecting; their first time frenzied in an attempt to soothe their bodies after a long separation. Then, it had been slow – a first for them. Then yesterday in the shower they’d been playful before the haze of lust had claimed their bodies and Spike had pounded into her body as the shower rained water upon them. Last night, Spike had once more been tender, as if to eradicate any hint of the demon inside. And while he had been passionate in his lovemaking, he had been careful to conceal the violence that had defined their relationship a few years back. But, part of Buffy needed that – a taste of the violence that was swirling inside her. And she refused to let Spike deny it, as if it didn’t exist. Since he was wide-awake now, there was no point in holding her hair back. Releasing it, she allowed it to tumble down around her, providing a silky curtain around her face. Buffy proceeded to love him with her hands and mouth, driving him wild, wanting that blessed control of his to snap. Spike’s hands made fists into the sheets. His force of will great, as he attempted to hold his demon at bay. But, she seemed determined to release it as she scraped her nails down his side. Buffy could feel the blood pounding in her lower region. Moisture dampened the curls between her legs. She needed release, now. It was time to make him lose that control he so desperately guarded. Spike almost sighed when she finally released his swollen cock from her mouth. He’d been so close, so close, to taking her and ravaging- Then he felt her teeth sliding over the length of him from the base up towards the head. His eyes flew wide and his control snapped. Spike sat up and pulled her mouth off his cock, then flipped her onto her stomach. Lifting her ass off the bed, he slammed into her from behind. Buffy moaned at the force of his invasion, doing nothing to stop him as he pounded into her sopping hole. Buffy needed this, this roughness. Not all the time, mind you. Slow and sweet was nice, but so was this. This mindless fucking, the barely stemmed violence, that made her blood thrum though her body. It was making her crazy. She needed that release that only Spike could seem to give her. Spike reached in front of her and started fingering her clit. But, it wasn’t enough. Her body was poised on the brink of rapture, but she couldn’t tumble over. Spike leaned over her back. He could see the blood rushing through her veins, hear it pounding in his ears. Without another thought, he brought his fangs to her exposed neck. His demon wanted out; the slayer had made sure it would. Sensing what he was about to do, she moaned, “Yes!” Spike sunk his fangs into her neck. That second penetration sent her spiraling over the edge. Her orgasm slammed through her body and she screamed his name. She came hard, her inner walls milking his shaft. The taste of her blood and her slayer muscles squeezing his cock sent him tumbling after her. Releasing her neck, he shouted his release. When the last of his seed has filled her, Buffy’s legs gave out and she fell forward onto the bed; Spike collapsed on top of her. Spike slowly became aware of his surroundings. His facial features smoothed out. Carefully, he pulled out of her wet warmth, groaning from the pleasure as he did so. He flopped onto his back and pulled Buffy into his arms. He could see the marks he left on her neck and gently ran his tongue over the puncture wounds. He could still taste her. Resisting the urge for more, he placed a kiss on each hole. “Buffy, I…” He tilted her chin up so he could look into her eyes. “Shhh…Don’t.” Buffy placed a finger over his lips. “It’s ok, Spike. I wanted you to. I needed this, you needed this. It doesn’t always have to be like this. Like it was before. But, we can’t deny this. It’s there. And, I trust you.” Spike relaxed back into the bed. He had been worried. He didn’t want to revert to how they had been before. Now that he had a taste of her lovemaking he didn’t think he could handle going back to just their violent coupling that hard marked their previous relationship. Still sensing his unease with what happened Buffy leaned her head back a bit, exposing her fresh puncture marks. “Show me.” Spike didn’t understand at first what she was talking about. Grabbing a fistful of her hair, she draped it over the shoulder of her recently marked neck. Seeing the mark that he had left, he vamped back out. Slowly, she lowered her chest back onto his, bringing her neck close to his fangs. He couldn’t refuse the invitation. Grabbing a fistful of her hair he lightly tugged her head to the side, exposing more of her vulnerable neck. Leaning up, he once more sunk his fangs into her neck. ‘Oh, God!’ His cock hardened instantly. Sensing what he needed, Buffy slowly slid back down onto him. Barely draining any of her blood, Spike let her ride him. Just having his fangs in her neck was driving him crazy. When he could stand it no more, he flipped her onto her back and pounded into her, never once letting go of her neck. Buffy wrapped her legs around his lower back, allowing him to sink deeper into her moist heat. She couldn’t stop the tremors that began at her inner core and worked outward until her whole body was shaking. Her orgasm was long and hard. Spike wanted to keep driving into her slick heat, but those slayer muscles squeezed him so tight, he was unable to hold back. Finally releasing her neck, he reared back, yelling her name as his release claimed him, his yellow eyes blazing. His features evened out yet again and he collapsed on the bed beside Buffy, pulling her back into his arms. Much as she wanted to stay right there, she had a bunch of girls that were going to be waiting for their lessons. Sighing, she turned over to face him. “I hate to get up, but I’ve got a bunch of girls waiting on the third floor for me.” She glanced over at the clock. 12:15. ‘Oh, no. I’m late.’ With a shriek, she jumped up out of bed. She swayed slightly from the slight loss of blood but more from the way her body had been so wickedly used. Shaking it off, she darted over to the dresser. Spike just propped his hands behind his head and watched her as she raced frantically around the room, trying to find some workout clothes. A soft chuckle escaped his lips. Buffy heard it and stopped what she was doing to glare at him. “It’s your fault I’m late.” “My fault? How you figure that, slayer? You’re the one that woke me up, remember?” Buffy blushed at that. “Not that I’m complainin’, mind you. Not in the least. Feel free to wake me up like that anytime.” He flashed a wicked grin. “Ohhhhh…. Can I help it that I was distracted because you were lyin’ in bed without a stitch of clothes on?” she pouted. Spike just chuckled. Swinging his legs over the side of the bed, he stood up. Grabbing his jeans, he slipped them on. Padding barefoot across the floor, he opened the door. “Go take a quick shower, luv. I’ll keep the girls entertained till you get there.” And with that, he closed the door behind him and was gone. Buffy was about to go after him, demand that he put some more clothes on, but changed her mind. She headed for the shower instead.

Chapter #8 - Mastermind at Work

The Outskirts of Rome The cloak-clad figure stood before the fire once again, deep in thought. ‘The advent of all these new slayers is tied to two people, the witch that created the spell and the Chosen One. Eliminate one and the spell is broken. The world goes back to only the two slayers, Buffy and Faith. The witch is too powerful, anyone that was able to pull off the spell in the first place would be. But, the slayer.’ He chuckled ruefully. ‘Now she is vulnerable.’ Even though that vampire guards her, he could get around that. It would just be a matter of timing. It wouldn’t even take any fighting on his part. Thanks to the book, he had the means to take down the slayer without having to resort to violence. It may take a little longer to see the effects, a week perhaps, but it would work. All without exposing himself or his agenda. Turning away from the fire, he left the room to set his plans in motion. ~*~*~*~*~ Rome 1:30 a.m. Spike left a sleeping Buffy and made his way downstairs to the office to use the phone. He hadn’t wanted to worry her, so he had waited until she had drifted off to sleep before quietly slipping out of bed. But, he need to see what – if anything – that prophecy had to do with what he could feel was coming. Spike picked up the phone and dialed the number to Wolfram & Hart. He hated to involve his grandsire, but he needed to make sure that scroll had nothing to do with Buffy. And he needed to see if they were also feeling these vibes that he was having. He figured that since Angel had a gateway to the senior partners he could actually put the paper-pushing ponce to work. Besides, if something evil were about to happen, the boys at Wolfram & Hart would hear about it first. Shoot, knowing them, they probably already did. It would just be a matter of twisting the right arm for the information. Or neck. “Wolfram & Hart, how may I direct your call?” a female voice enquired. “I need to speak with the poof… uh, gimme Angel,” Spike said. “One moment, please.” “Angel’s office, how may I help you,” Harmony asked. “Harmony, is Angel there?” “Blondie-bear! How are…” Spike interrupted her. “Harmony, just get Angel on the phone. It’s important.” “Uh, right, sure. Lemme see if he’s in.” A pause. “Spike, he’s not in his office. He’s probably pow-wowing with Wesley and Gunn down in Wesley’s office. Something or other about a new prophecy.” “Damn. Hey, ring me to Wes’ office.” Spike heard a few clicks, and then Wesley’s voice came on the line. Well, it sounded like Wesley’s voice anyway. Damn speakerphones. Bloody annoying. “This is Wesley.” “Wesley, it’s Spike.” The other occupants in the room stopped what they were doing and looked at the phone. “Spike?” “Yeah. So tell me, did you guys ever get that scroll translated?” “Er, yeah. Just not sure what it means yet.” “Whatsit? Bloody connection.” “I said that we’ve translated the document as best we can. We’re just not sure what it means, exactly.” “Look, the slayer and me, we’re getting a bad vibe. Nothing specific. Just a feeling, really. I don’t bloody well like it either.” “Spike?” This from Fred. “Hey, pet. How are things?” “I can’t complain,” she said with a smile in her voice, a sideways look at Wesley. “How are you?” “Not bad, pet. Except for this weird feeling ‘m havin’. Almost like the calm before a bloody storm.” The tunnel-voice abruptly ended when Angel picked up the phone. “Tell me.” “Good day to you too, peaches.” Spike scowled into the phone. “Look, mate. I’m not likin’ this. Not one bit. It’s not just me either. The slayer feels it too. She’s worried, but isn’t sayin’ anything, as usual. She’s got Giles looking in to it as well. I think you should send a copy of the text and translation to him. See if he can help you guys out.” “I’ll get Fred on it. I would have sent something before, but Buffy isn’t exactly in the ‘trusting me’ mode right now. Speaking of, how is she?” “She’s good. Got a whole passel of li’l slayers running around here. Enough to creep out even a master vampire like myself.” “Little slayers?” Angel asked confused. “Oh, right. Buffy trains the younger girls that became slayers when Red cast that spell back in Sunnydale. You know how that went. Bloody slayers were poppin’ up everywhere. Some are too young to deal with it. Buffy helps.” Usually, slayers weren’t “called” until they were fifteen or so, but when Willow did the spell, it included all potentials, no matter their age. Most had no idea of the gift they had been given. Hence, the “slayer school.” “Oh,” Angel replied, shaking the image of little Spike/Buffy’s running around. He so did not want to go there. “Anyway, stuff’s on its way to Giles. Keep me posted on your end.” ‘Keep her safe.’ he silently voiced. “I’ll let you know if we find out anything here.” “Right.” ‘I will.’ Spike replied, ringing off. Silently, he made his way back upstairs. ~*~*~*~*~ Spike quietly closed the door to Buffy’s room. Looking towards the bed he could make out her figure underneath the sheet. He didn’t like what he saw. The slayer was thrashing around in bed, moaning in her sleep. He hurried towards the bed to try to get her to wake up. ~*~ Buffy walked through the hallway towards the training room. It was quiet. Too quiet. Dawn was at school, but the other girls should have been getting ready for their workout. Buffy was getting a bad feeling. Hurrying the rest of the way down the hall, she quickly threw open the door to the training room. Angelina, Francesca, Lionna, and the others were lying on the floor, blood pooling onto the ground from their numerous wounds. She froze for a moment from the sight that greeted her, but quickly recovered and ran to the closest body. Bending down, she turned over Angelina checking for any sign of consciousness. Nothing. She hurriedly checked the other girls, but it was too late. Tears were silently falling unchecked down her face. Standing up, she backed carefully out of the room. Her hand was covering her mouth, trying to hold the screams back. ‘I’ve got to get to Dawn,’ she thought. Turning, she ran down the hallway and practically flew down the two flights of stairs to the first floor. On her way to the front door she heard a shrill ring. She couldn’t place the sound. Then she remembered: the telephone. ‘Maybe it’s Dawn.’ Reversing her steps, she ran to the phone. In her agitation, she dropped it. The sound of the phone connecting with the wooden floor resounded through the quiet building. Recovering quickly, she picked up the phone. ‘Dawn!?’ she shouted, panic evident in her voice. ‘Buffy, it’s Giles.’ ‘Wha… Giles? I can’t talk right now. I’ve got to find Dawn. Something bad has happened.’ ‘Buffy, wait. It’s not just there. It’s everywhere. The slayers are gone.’ ‘How? That can’t happen. There’s too many of us now. They can’t get us all.’ ‘It’s you, Buffy. It’s tied to you.’ ‘Huh? You’re not making sense, Giles.’ Buffy glanced at the mirror beside the phone. She let out a muffled scream, the phone slipping silently from her fingers as she brought them up to touch her face. Her normal tanned complexion was pasty-white, her veins protruding blue through her translucent skin. ‘Buffy. Buffy!’ Giles’ voice was calling frantically to her from the dropped connection. She was unable to support her weight and slide silently to the floor. ‘Nooooo…’ she whimpered. ‘Noooo…’ ~*~ Just as Spike reached the bed, Buffy went deathly still. If his heart were actually beating, it would have stopped. He leaned over her, grabbed her by the shoulders and started shaking her. “Buffy, wake up! Wake up, dammit!” He continued to shake her. Abruptly, her eyes opened and she gasped as she sat up in bed, instinctively reaching for Spike. “Hush, luv. I’ve got you. It was just a bad dream. I’m here now,” he said as he cradled her gently in his arms. Buffy was openly weeping. Spike just continued to hold her while she calmed down. After a while, he pushed her back so that he could look at her. She got out a muffled, “slayer dream.” “Tell me what happened.” In a halting breath, Buffy told him that she was making her way to the training room, but was getting spooked because it was so quiet. She told him about how all the girls were dead, that she was trying to get to Dawn when Giles called saying that all the slayers were dead. She told him that she could see herself dying right before she woke up. When Spike heard that, he tightened his hold on her. She didn’t seem to mind, taking comfort in his tight embrace. “I won’t let anything happen to you. You’re safe with me.” He spoke more to convince himself than her. He wouldn’t be able to go on if something were to happen to her. He’d died once to protect her, he’d gladly do it again. Buffy squirmed in his hold attempting to get out of bed. “Where are you going?” “I’ve got to check on Dawn.” “I’ll go. You stay here.” He placed a quick kiss to her forehead and let her lay back in bed. “I’ll be right back.” Spike left the room to make sure that the Niblet was ok. When Spike left, Buffy got up and went to the bathroom. Turning on the cold-water tap, she cupped her hands under the cold stream. Lifting her hands to her face, she let the water splash down her face, removing the last vestige of sleepiness. She looked at her reflection in the mirror, grateful when she saw her normal, slightly tanned complexion. She took a few deep breaths to slow her heart rate down. She was sure Spike could hear the pounding of her heart all the way down the hall. As far as slayer’s dreams went, this one was a doozy. She could almost feel herself dying in her dream, and she definitely had some experience with that feeling. Only, this wasn’t a blissful death. It was filled with a pain so deep, she could hardly contain it. The pain of it had leaked over into her consciousness. Its deadly talons digging at her from the inside out. Resolutely, she put the dream from her mind. Walking from the bathroom, she looked up to see Spike shutting the bedroom door. At a questioning look from her, he said, “She’s fine. Sleeping like a baby.” “We’ll need to call Giles,” Buffy said. “We will. In the morning. Right now, you need to get back to sleep.” “I don’t think I can.” “Well then, I’m sure I can think of something to occupy our time.” Scooping her up in his arms, he crossed to the bed. He laid her body tenderly on the bed, and then crawled in next her. Wrapping his arms around her, Spike pulled her up on top of him. True to his word, he kept her busy until the first rays of the sun could be seen behind the thick curtains.

Chapter #9 - An England Assist

Rome They lay in bed, wrapped in each other’s arms, until they could hear Dawn getting ready for school. Sighing, Buffy disentangled herself from Spike and got up. Crossing to the dresser, she threw on a t-shirt and a pair of shorts. Spike sat up in bed as well, the sheet falling down his naked chest too pool in his lap. He didn’t want Buffy to have to make the call alone, so he swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood up, scrounging for up his own clothes. Slipping on a pair of jeans, he padded barefoot to the door, a few steps behind Buffy. “You don’t have to come with me,” she said. “Buffy. I’m here. I’m not gonna let you go through this alone. Besides, I need to talk with Giles as well.” Buffy cocked her head to the side, giving him a questioning look. He just shook his head at her. “Not here.” Quietly, they made their way downstairs to the office Buffy used to keep in touch with Giles. ~*~*~*~*~ If nothing else, Giles’ phone call was like clockwork. Promptly at eight, the phone began to ring. Buffy picked up the extension before the second ring could finish. “Hi, Giles,” Buffy said into the phone. “Er...Buffy. Hello. My, that was fast.” “I was waiting for you. I’ve got something bad to tell you. I think I’ve had another slayer dream,” she rushed out, a catch in her voice. Hearing this, Spike came around the desk. Scooping her up in his arms, he sat back down in the chair behind the desk, settling Buffy in his lap. Buffy was grateful for his support. She didn’t know how she would get through the story without his presence. Every time she relived the dream, unshed tears welled up in her eyes. Spike, for his part, just continued to soothe her with his touch. Soon, Buffy was finished with her story. He took the phone from her and spoke to Giles. “Giles, Angel is going to be couriering something to you.” (Silence.) “I’m not sure. Something that showed up at their place before I left. It may not even have anything to do with Buffy’s dream.” (Silence.) “Right. Well, I’m here. I’ll look out for her.” Spike rattled off Angel’s number in L.A. “Wesley deals with most of the translation stuff, so he’d be your point of contact. Let us know what you come up with. I’ve got a bad feeling, and Buffy’s dreams aren’t helping matters.” Moments later, Spike slipped the phone back in its cradle. Waiting for the backlash from Buffy, he was surprised when none was forthcoming. Guiltily, he looked up at her. Whereas before she would have been all over him for withholding information, now she waited patiently for him to explain. “Sorry, luv. I didn’t want to worry you. Besides, I’m not sure it has anything to do with us. Probably doesn’t, even. I just don’t trust that wanker not to mess it up, so I told the pooft...er, Angel, to send what he had to Giles. If anyone can suss this out, it would be Giles.” Buffy just smiled. ‘I think that’s the longest explanation he’s ever given me,’ she thought to herself. She gave him a quick hug and a peck on the cheek. Growling, Spike grabbed the back of her head to give her a real kiss. “Hey, none of that. Dawnie will be coming down those stairs in just a moment.” Looking towards the door, the person under discussion peeped her head in. “Hey guys!” “Hey Dawnie. Ready for school?” Buffy asked as she pushed herself off Spike’s lap. She gave Spike a “you couldn’t tell she was there” exasperated look. If she thought he could blush, she figured he’d be bright red right about now. “Hey, ‘Bit,” Spike got out, a little strained. Quietly he said to Buffy, “You go ahead. I’ll be along in a few.” Buffy just blushed as she headed for the door to join Dawn. There was no mistaking the bulge she felt as she slipped off of Spike’s lap. Spike just closed his eyes and tried to will away his hard-on. ‘No need to get the ‘Bit blushing like her sister.’ ~*~*~*~*~ England Giles stood up from behind his desk when he heard his fax machine click on. Walking over to the machine, he looked at the cover sheet. True to Spike’s word, the gang from Wolfram & Hart was sending what they had on the mysterious prophecy they had received. Putting down the cover sheet, he walked out of his office to get a cup of tea. ‘Nothing like a spot of tea to get the mind functioning properly.’ On his way back into his office he saw that the fax machine had clicked off. Taking the papers, he went back behind the desk to look over them. Briefly scanning the pages, he saw that Wesley had included the text in its original form as well as a translated copy. The translated copy he put aside for now. He didn’t want to be biased as he attempted to translate the document himself. Giles got up and walked over to the extensive library of books lining one whole wall of his office. He quickly scanned through several rows, randomly selecting several texts as he went. Walking back to his desk, he placed the texts for easy reach during his research. Giles then pulled off his glasses, and in a manner completely “Giles-like”, cleaned his glasses before replacing them on his face, then sat down to begin translating the script he had received. ~*~*~*~*~ Rome “What’s taking him so long?” “’Luv, he just got the stuff from Wesley a few days ago,” Spike said. “It’s not like e’s got the Scoobies to help ‘im like before. Besides, I’m sure he wants to take his time to make sure he gets it right. He’s been callin’ you every day with an update. Just be patient, pet.” Buffy looked up from her journal to look at Spike. She had taken to writing her thoughts down in the aftermath of Sunnydale. Well, more like forced; but that was another story. She had never been good at voicing her feelings, but by writing them down, she had eventually been able to cope after Spike had died. In the first months after she left the crater that was once Sunnydale, her journal had kept her sane. Her journal allowed her to talk to Spike, allowed her to still be close to him, maintain some form of connection. Even though she had him back with her now, she still wrote in her journal every day. Maybe one day she would get up the courage to show it to him. Then, he would understand the depths of her feelings for him. Her journal housed all the feelings, desires, and words that she had been unable to voice. And that she still had some trouble with. But, she was getting better at that. Slowly. Spike never asked her about what she was writing in her journal. He just assumed it was slayer-related. A sort of progress report done for her trainees. He respected her privacy, and just watched quietly each day as she wrote away. Usually, he had a book out and read while she was writing. He enjoyed the almost-normalcy of their special quiet time. It was something they never really had before, this companionable silence. “I’m trying.” Spike glanced up from the book he was reading to look at her. In the week he had been here, he had noticed a change in her appearance. Gone were the dark circles under her eyes; the sallow, washed-out complexion. Her eyes sparkled with life now and she had a healthy glow to her face. She had started to put on a few pounds now that she was eating properly and not training until she dropped from sheer exhaustion. “I know you are, pet. I told you, it prob’ly has nothin’ to do with us anyway. C’mere, luv.” Sighing, Buffy closed her journal. She unfolding her feet from beneath her and stood up. Quickly, she put her journal away in the hope chest that housed all her personal possessions. She walked over to where Spike was propped up against the headboard of the bed they shared. He put his book on the nightstand next to the bed and held out his arms to her. Eagerly, she slid onto the bed into his embrace. Spike’s arm enveloped her body and Buffy laid her head on his bare chest. Slowly, he ran his fingers through her hair. She’d had it cut a few days ago so now it only fell midway down her back. The golden tresses now gleamed with renewed vitality. “No sense borrowin’ trouble before it’s ‘ere. Giles will suss it all out, Wesley too. In the meantime, you’ve got me here and I’m not gonna let anything happen to ya.” Buffy closed her eyes and let his soothing words flow over her.

Chapter #10 - So It Begins

The Outskirts of Rome The cloak-clad figure stood with his back to the hearth while the minion brought everything in that was needed. He’d needed to fast for a week to prepare his body for the rigors needed to create the elixir that would bring about the destruction of the Slayer. Silently, he watched while everything was prepared to his satisfaction. The minion worked quickly to get everything laid out as it should be. Once done, he stood back from the table, his head bowed in a manner of subservience towards his master. “Leave me.” The minion bowed quietly and left the room, soundlessly shutting the door on the way out. Stepping away from the fire, the figure slowly approached the table. He reached up to remove the cloak from his head, revealing silky black hair that fell in waves down to his shoulders. Various markings were etched into his cheeks and forehead. His black gaze swept over the contents of the table, assuring everything was to his satisfaction. Appeased that all was as it should be, he removed the cloak from his body. Well-defined muscle showed in his chest and arms. Markings were etched in his taut, olive skin all over his arms and chest. His eyes flashed red and his markings began to glow as he began to make the elixir that would bring about the destruction of the blond slayer, and with her, all the other slayers created that fateful day. ‘Soon, my King, it will be as it was before. And then we will rule this Earth.’ Reading from a book that was ancient long before his own time, the man carefully combined the ingredients needed. Softly, he began to chat in a language so old, no written record of it was recorded. The bowl containing the mixed ingredients began to vibrate on the wooden table. Wind blew on the flames of candles scattered throughout the room, the only means of light. Shadows shifted, and a blue, hazy mist materialized above the bowl. The chanting became louder, more forceful until it built to a fevered climax. Then, silence. The markings on his body began to fade; his eyes faded from red to once again become black, opaque orbs. Coming out of his semi-trancelike state, he glanced in the bowl. Staring down at the deep blue liquid, an evil smile came to his face. ‘It’s ready,’ Damius thought to himself. ‘Now it’s time to introduce the slayer to death.’ ~*~*~*~*~ Rome “Nothing yet, Buffy. I’m still working on it,” Giles voice sounded in her ear. “Thanks, Giles. I’ll talk to you tomorrow then,” Buffy said as she hung up the phone in her office. ‘Damn!’ Buffy was starting to get impatient. Truth be told, she passed impatient days ago. Each day, Giles called to update her on the progress of that prophecy he received from Angel. Each day it was the same answer. Nothing. She was ready to pull her hair out from frustration. Actually, it made her kill a few extra demons each night then go back home to shag Spike for a few hours. ‘Oh my God. Did I just think the word shag? Spike’s really starting to rub off on me,’ she thought. That thought brought a smile to her lips. It had been a great week. She was eating better and wasn’t dropping from exhaustion each night. ‘Well not the kind of exhaustion I had before Spike got here, anyway.’ Now, she could at least get a decent night’s rest. The Sunnydale dream hadn’t returned, which was a good thing. And there had been no more prophetic slayer dreams, either. Though, she still couldn’t shake this impending sense of doom. ‘Don’t borrow trouble. Save your strength for when it’s needed.’ Grumpily, she got up and made her way upstairs to spend time with her vampire before she needed to head to the third floor to start her workout session with her girls. ~*~*~*~*~ Buffy, Spike, and the young slayers slowly made their way through the cemetery, eyes peeled for any demons. Buffy grabbed Spike’s arm to let the other girls move a little ahead of them. He stopped, head cocked to the side. ‘Vampires. Two of them,’ he thought. Silently, he held up two fingers. Buffy nodded, agreeing. Buffy upended the sword she was carrying so that the tip was resting lightly in the ground. Spike swung the axe he was carrying loosely over his shoulder. Standing still, they watched the scene play out before them. Angelina, who was leading the pack of girls, saw them first. Two vampires had cornered a man out walking his dog, poised and ready to attack. Pulling out her stake from beneath her jacket she got their attention. “Hey! Leave him alone!” she yelled. The two vampires looked away from their dinner only to be confronted by not one, but ten girls. The girls quickly fanned out to surround the two vampires. The man picked up his dog, running away from the vampires. Safely behind the girls surrounding the vampires, he could only get out half asked questions: “What…are? Are you?” The man was bordering on fainting from shock as he approached Buffy. She took one hand off of the hilt of the sword and placed it on his shoulder, getting the man’s attention. “It’s ok. Just go on home. We’ll handle this,” she said. Dazed, he wandered off towards home, mumbling under his breath. Buffy gazed after him to make sure he was going to be all right. Satisfied, she once again turned her attention towards the action going on. Even though the girls out numbered the vamps ten-to-two, they weren’t all that experienced. This evened the odds out a little bit. That’s why Spike and Buffy were there as back up. The concern on her face gave way to a slight smile. What the girls lack in experience, they more than made up for in teamwork. Angelina and Francesca distracted the first vamp long enough for Kat to position herself behind him, stake ready. All that remained was a forceful jab. Kat rammed the stake through the vamp’s back, straight into his heart. It gave out a loud yell, and then vaporized to dust between the three girls. The second vamp, seeing his friend meet his end, attempted to run. Suddenly, he stopped and stared at something in the distance. Buffy and Spike, seeing the vamp’s gaze, turned and looked at the far side of the cemetery. At the edge of the cemetery stood a man cloaked from head to foot. Six vampires surrounded him. Buffy quickly pulled the sword point out of the ground and assumed a defensive stance. She motioned for the girls to fall back behind Spike and herself. Just then, the vamps attacked. They avoided Buffy and aimed straight for the girls. Spike put himself between the vampires and the young slayers and vamped out as the first wave reached him. The vampires were obviously not that skilled and Spike dusted two in a matter of seconds. ‘Guess this leaves the mysteriously cloaked one for me,’ she thought, as she engaged this new enemy. Sword at the ready, she waited for her attacker. It wasn’t long in coming. Seeing that the vampires had the others distracted, he made his move. He ran towards Buffy, arms shoulder high, sword poised to attack. As he got close, he swung his sword down, attempting to embed his sword in her shoulder. Buffy waited until the last second before bringing her sword up to block. And so it began. The fighters were well matched. Neither could gain the edge over the other. During the battle, the hood fell from his head. Buffy noticed the black hair, olive skin complexion, and weird markings on his face; she filed the information away for later. Without warning, one of the remaining vampires broke off from the other girls and attempted to take out Buffy. Seeing his intention, Spike intercepted the vampire before it reached his slayer, but it was enough for Buffy to momentarily take her eyes off her attacker. It was the opening he needed. In that brief moment of distraction, he swung his sword in a wide arc, slicing Buffy’s midsection. She cried out in pain as the force of the blow spun her sideways. She fell to her knees clutching her stomach. “Buffy!” Spike yelled. Enraged, he quickly dusted the vamp and ran to put himself between her and her attacker. Realizing that the distraction the vampires had provided was almost at an end, the cloaked figure smirked at the vampire standing guard in front of the slayer. “Some other time, vampire,” he said, and twirling on his heel, swiftly left the cemetery. Spike would have liked nothing better than to go after him, but he could smell Buffy’s blood on the air as it poured out of her wound. He needed to get her back home so he could tend to her wound. ‘Count on it,’ he thought to himself. When he realized that no other dangers were present in the cemetery he backtracked to Buffy. He passed off his axe to one of the girls, then he bent down and carefully lifted Buffy up into his arms. “’s ok, luv. I’ve got ya. You’ll be right as rain in no time.” Slowly, he made his way home, Buffy cradled gently in his arms.

Chapter #11 - The Confrontation

The Outskirts of Rome ‘Everything is going exactly as planned. The slayer suspects nothing more than an additional attack on her little group tonight. It’s a shame she got a look at my face, though. Oh well, it doesn’t matter,’ he thought. Slipping the hood of his cloak down off his head, Damius made his way back towards his temporary living quarters. Black orbs briefly flicked red. Before leaving to confront the slayer, Damius had liberally applied the potion he had made to the sword he now carried in his hands. All he had needed to do was break the skin in order for the potion to mix with her blood. Then, he just had to sit back and wait as the poison slowly seeped through the slayer’s bloodstream, eventually killing her. With her slayer healing it may take a bit longer, but she was no match against the poison now working its way through her body. In the end, she would die, and along with her, all the other slayers. ‘Except Faith,’ he thought. ‘Then there will be only one.’ ~*~*~*~*~ Rome Spike swept through the front door held open for him by Lionna. “Someone bring me the first aid kit. The rest of you go to bed. And, be quiet. I don’t want the ‘Bit waking up.” He made quick work of climbing the stairs, careful not to jar Buffy as he headed for her room. He nudged the partially open bedroom door with his foot, sending it swinging inward, then walked over to the bed. Gently, he leaned over and he laid Buffy down on top of the covers. Standing back up, his eyes scanned over her body quickly inventorying her injuries. Her face was pale, probably due to shock. Blood covered the front of her shirt spilling over onto her arms where she was holding them over the front of her wound, trying to stem the blood flow. Just then, Kat walked in bearing the first aid kit. “Here you go, Spike,” she whispered, handing him the kit. “Do you want me to stay and help?” “No, we’ll be fine. The slayer’s been through worse than this scratch.” Even as he said the words, he didn’t entirely believe them. Something about the attack just didn’t sit right with him. The vampires were too inept, that mysterious cloaked dude was too focused on his slayer. Pushing his wayward thoughts aside, he took the first aid kit over to Buffy and set about getting her taken care of. Kat quietly shut the bedroom door behind her, letting the vampire tend to Buffy alone. She was still conscious as she lay there on the bed. Spike set the kit down on the bed. “Let’s have us a look-see, luv.” Reluctantly, Buffy removed her arms from her wound. Spike pulled out the dagger he kept hidden in his boot, and with painstaking care, slit the front of her shirt from neck to hem. The shirt parted to reveal an eight-inch cut just above her belly button. Blood continued to ooze out of the wound. Spike grabbed some gauze and used it to apply pressure to the wound. After a few minutes, he lifted the gauze away from her body to get a better look. ‘Not as deep as I thought,' he thought to himself. Aloud, he said, “I’m gonna have to stitch this up, luv.” Buffy just closed her eyes and gave a weak nod. Spike reached into the kit and grabbed the antiseptic and some more gauze. He liberally doused the gauze then applied it to her wound. Her breath left her in a “whoosh” as tears sprung unshed to her eyes. Spike lifted his gaze from the task at hand to look at Buffy. Watery eyes looked at her, a silent apology in his gaze. He left the antiseptic-filled gauze on the wound and rummaged in the kit for needle and thread. Once the needle was threaded, he poured antiseptic over it. Spike removed the gauze from the wound and set about stitching his slayer up. Buffy never made a sound, but he could feel each jab of the needle through her skin right in his unbeating heart. Spike, for his part, tried to work as quickly and as efficiently as possible. Once finished with his task, he had her sit up so he could wrap a dressing around her stitches. When he was finished with the bandage, Spike scooped Buffy up into his arms and placed her on the chair. He walked back to the bed and quickly stripped the blood-soaked sheets. Grabbing a fresh set from the closet, he remade the bed. Backtracking to the chair he once more picked Buffy in his arms. Gingerly, so as not to jostle her wound, he laid her back down on the freshly made bed. He reached down to remove her boots, then her pants. He tucked the covers carefully around her shoulders then leaned down to brush the hair off her forehead. “I’ll be right back, luv.” She just nodded and closed her eyes, letting sleep finally overtake her. Spike stood up and grabbed the discarded clothes and linens. He threw them in the hamper on the way to the bathroom. Stripping down to his bare skin, he took a quick shower to rid himself of the slayer’s blood and the dirt and grime from the battle. He emerged from the shower and wrapped a towel around his lean hips. Cutting the light off in the bathroom, he made his way back into the bedroom. Spike crossed to the nightstand that had the light on, and clicked it off, then walked around to the other side of the bed and eased himself between the sheets. Carefully, he spooned himself up to Buffy’s side, sliding his arm under her neck and placing the other on her hip. She sighed in her sleep and relaxed back into his embrace. He held her while she slept, reliving the battle in his mind, trying to figure out what was nagging him. Towards dawn, he gave up and drifted off to sleep. ~*~*~*~*~ She sat on a rock staring at the flames of the fire burning before her. A shadowy figure moved in and out behind the flames, crouching on her haunches. She couldn’t tell what it was. Hints of a woman, dreadlocks, a painted face. ‘I…I'm sorry, I…I'm just a little confused. I'm full of love, which is nice, and ... love will lead me to my gift?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘I'm getting a gift? Or, or do you mean that, that I have a gift to give to someone else?’ ‘Death is your gift.’ ‘Death…’ ‘Is your gift.’ ~*~ Buffy woke up with a start, her eyes flying wide open. She would have jolted to an upright position, but the cool arms wrapped around her prevented her from moving. Waking took away the numbness sleep provided for her wound, and the pain in her abdomen caused her to clutch her hands over the bandages covering her midsection. Buffy emitted a muffled groan. The noise woke Spike, and he lifted his head so that he could look at her face. “What is it, luv?” “Nothing. Just a dream. I don’t even remember it,” she lied. “’s ok. I won’t let anything happen to you. Close your eyes and try to get some more sleep.” Buffy fidgeted for a moment, trying to get comfortable. She scooted as close to Spike as she could without aggravating her wound. A tremor shook her slight frame. She hated to lie to Spike, but she had no explanation for her dream. And what’s even more peculiar is that she had already had this particular dream. This was definitely a first – a repeat dream. She distinctly remembered the slayer dream from her quest Giles had helped her with before having to deal with Glory a few years back. She had ended up jumping off a tower to save the world, dying in the process. She would hate to think about something like that happening again, she wasn’t ready to go back to heaven yet, now that Spike was back with her. With a soft sigh, she let the soothing caress of Spike’s fingers through her hair lull her back to sleep. Spike could tell by her even breathing and slower heart rate that she had drifted off to sleep. He knew that Buffy was lying to him about her dream, but he didn’t want to push the issue. She needed to heal right now, not argue. And, he could feel a big argument coming on. ‘In the morning,’ he thought. ‘We’ll hash this out then. I’m not gonna let her deal with this on her own.’

Chapter #12 - A Lingering Pain

Buffy was pulled from a dreamless sleep as intense pleasure centered in her core to spread outward throughout her body. Slightly disoriented from a lingering pain in her stomach and the remnants of sleep, it took her a moment to realize what had pulled her from sleep. As her mind slowly came into focus, she realized she was lying on her side, her top leg draped back over Spike’s lean hips. She felt the cool length of Spike’s cock as it slid in and out of her slick passage. Ignoring any lingering pain she was feeling, she wiggled her ass taking him deeper inside her. “Mmmmm… god, that feels good,” Spike whispered against her ear. His tongue slowly traced the shell before nibbling on her lobe; the sensation producing an answering throb in her clit. His hand left her hip to tease her nipples, alternating between the two. Softly his thumb flicked across the hardened points before lightly rolling them between his thumb and forefinger. The feel of his hand on her breasts caused her to moan in delight, her head falling back against his chest. Her exposed neck was too much of a temptation for Spike and his mouth left her ear to trail kisses and blunt-teeth nibbles down her neck. Another moan, louder, escaped Buffy’s lips. Spike kept his strokes nice and slow, burying himself to the hilt while trying not to aggravate the wound on her stomach. The angle of his thrust hit her spot, and as his hand released her breast to allow his thumb to flick over her clit the pleasure became to great and Buffy’s orgasm rocked through her body. Inner slayer muscles squeezed his cock in ongoing sweet torture, milking him for all he was worth. Spike could not stand the blissful torment any longer, and with one last deep thrust he spilled his cool seed within her body as he fell over the edge with her into oblivion. “’Mornin, luv,” Spike whispered in her ear, a while later. He eased himself out of her moist heat, groaning as her muscles clamped down on his cock, refusing to let go, before finally conceding. “Mornin.” “How ya feelin?” A blissful sigh escaped her lips. Spike chuckled. “I meant the wound, luv,” Spike replied. Buffy blushed even more under her already flushed face. His bare stomach received a quick elbow for his teasing. A silent gasp formed on her mouth for the pain it caused her. “Ow. That hurt, slayer.” “Good. Teach you to tease me,” she replied, trying to cover her pain, not answering his original question. Her slayer healing should have already been working miracles on her cut, and she was surprised that she was still feeling the aftereffects of last night’s battle. Spike wasn’t deterred in the least. He had heard her hitched breath as she had jabbed him. “Buffy?” he called her name, concerned. He was starting to feel guilty about making love to her this morning, especially since she still appeared to be somewhat sore. “It’s nothing. I’ll be fine. A little sore. No big.” So saying, she pulled out of his embrace and swung her legs over the bed. Gingerly, she stood up and padded silently to the bathroom. Spike watched her go, noticing the hesitancy of her step. He propped himself up against the headboard waiting for her return. Buffy came out of the bathroom a bit later and paused, taking in Spike’s demeanor. ‘Uh oh. Resolve face. Guess he picked up a few things from Will,’ she thought to herself. Trying to buy herself some time, she crossed to her dresser to get a shirt to slip over her head. A slight grimace appeared briefly on her features as she lifted her arms through the shirt sleeves. She turned around to face him again. Spike cocked his scarred eyebrow and waited, arms crossed casually over his chest. ‘Damn. Still there.’ “What?” she asked irritably, trying to pick an argument to get his mind off of her injury. Spike wasn’t falling for it. He just cocked his head slightly to the side and waited, raised eyebrow mocking her. ‘Aw, hell.’ Knowing she wasn’t going to win caused her to pout. Head lowered, her bottom lip jutted out. Spike hid a quick grin while she wasn’t paying attention, but was once more in his ‘resolve face,’ as Willow liked to call it, when she glanced back up at him. He just waited. “Fine! Damn Will anyway, teaching you the resolve face! See… It’s just… Damn!” She mentally stomped her foot in childish frustration. “Ididn’twanttosayanythingcuzyouwouldjustworry,” she rushed out really quickly, hoping he didn’t understand what she had said. He waited. “It’s just that, it was just a scratch really. No more. I should be fine. Me with the slayer healing and all.” A little gesturing of her hands in the air soon stopped when she winced in pain. “But, it’s still sore. As you can see. And, it shouldn’t be. And, I don’t know why,” she mumbled. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me,” she whispered. Thoughts of her dream the night before flitted through her mind. Spike’s expression softened immediately. He knew it took a lot for her to lean on someone. Usually, it was the other way around, everyone leaning on her. Not anymore. They were in this together. He got out of bed and walked over to Buffy. He pulled her into a hug, mindful of her bandages. “It’s probably nothing. You weren’t exactly running at 100% when I showed up. I’m sure you’ll be right as rain in no time.” With all the soul-baring from Buffy, Spike completely forgot about her nightmare from last night. “I’m sure you’re right,” she replied, a slight smile on her face. Although, Buffy wondered. With that dream she had last night, she wasn’t so sure. Buffy put her robe on and made her way downstairs to meet Dawn for breakfast, while Spike went back to sleep for a few more hours. “No training today, slayer,” he mumbled as he snuggled down into her pillow, wallowing in the scent that was Buffy. “Right, no training for me today,” she concurred. ‘As if I feel up to it, anyway.’ ~*~*~*~*~ The lure of fresh ground coffee pulled her towards the kitchen. Dawn was sitting down at the table with a steaming cup in front of her, reading over school notes. Buffy walked over to the cupboard that housed the mugs so she could pour herself a cup of coffee. Without realizing what she was doing, she attempted to reach over her head to grab a mug. The pain that lanced through her stomach caused her to let out a muted groan, and quickly grab her middle. Dawn glanced up frantically at the sound of pain coming from her sister’s mouth and noticed her clutching her middle, a pained look on her face. “Buffy, what’s wrong?” she cried, rushing to her side. “Nothing, Dawnie. I just ran into a nasty last night on patrol. He nicked me above my stomach. Hurts a little to lift my hands over my head. Wasn’t thinking when I reached for a mug.” Buffy attempted to distract Dawn with a request for a cup. Quickly complying, Dawn grabbed one down out of the cupboard while Buffy made her way to the table and sat down. Dawn filled the mug full of coffee and brought it back over to Buffy. She pulled her chair over and sat down next to her. “You sure you’re ok. I can stay home if you need me too.” “Yes. And, no, you need to go to school. It’s just a couple of stitches (More like twenty, but who’s counting?). I’ll be fine. Spike’s already banned me from training for the day so I can heal. Really. I’ll be fine.” “Ok. If you’re sure?” Buffy assured her she was. “Oh, by the way, Giles called. You must have still been asleep. He said he’d call back about 9:00 a.m. our time. Nothing big, just his daily check up.” “Thanks.” Buffy sat back and sipped her coffee, eyeing Dawn as she moved back to her stop and once more resumed looking at schoolwork. “Whatcha’ working on?” “Oh, just looking over my notes for history. We have a test today on WWII. Can I say ewww?” ‘Ewww, is right,’ Buffy thought. She nodded at Dawn sympathetically. “Definitely of the ewww. Hey, since I’m off patrol for tonight, you want me to get a couple of movies so we can have movie night?” “Sounds great,” Dawn replied as she scooped up her stuff so she could head off to school. “Oh, don’t forget the pizza and popcorn!” Buffy smiled to herself as she finished her coffee. ‘Another crisis averted,’ she thought. She picked up her coffee mug and made her way to the office to await Giles’ call.

Chapter #13 - Reflections

A/N: For those of you reading this story..... I apologize. For some reason some of my chapters didn't update correctly. I've since added those chapters to this site (in the correct place), so you may want to skim back through what you've read to make sure you haven't missed anything. (One of them being about the prophecy... ) Gah! Again, sorry for the mix-up there. Buffy made her way upstairs after her call with Giles. She hadn’t bothered to tell him about the confrontation the night before. ‘No need to add to his stress,’ she thought. And, she sure didn’t tell him about the slayer dream from last night either. He would have been on the first plane to see her to make sure that she was ok, and she didn’t want to have to explain her latest battle scar. She needed him to concentrate on that prophecy he got from Wolfram & Hart. A slight shudder went through her at the thought. ‘Can’t believe Angel thinks he’s accomplishing something in that evil place. I hope he knows what he’s doing.’ Giles had finished translating the text, and came up with a near exact translation that Wesley had, but wasn’t quite sure what to make of it. He was going to do some further research to see if he could get a better understanding of what it all meant. As of now; though, he didn’t think it had anything to do with Buffy, so she could relax a bit. Buffy went into her bedroom, keeping quiet so as not to disturb the sleeping vampire sprawled out on her bed. She crossed over to the bathroom and closed the door. Gingerly, she shrugged out of her robe letting it fall to the floor. Buffy ignored the pain once more as she slowly slipped out of the shirt. Standing behind the bathroom door she looked at herself in the full-length mirror, naked except for the bandages covering her midsection. ‘Man, I look a mess.’ She turned away from the mirror to get the scissors out of the bathroom drawer. Placing the scissors at the top of the bandage, she slowly cut a straight line through the dressing. Afterwards, she put the scissors on the counter then slowly pealed the bandage away from her wound. Turning back to the mirror, she got a good look at the cut on her midsection. Thirty stitches (yep, she counted them) protruded from where her skin had mended itself. ‘At least the wound’s closed. I was wondering there for a minute.’ She would have Spike remove the stitches once he woke up. She took stock of the various bruises on her body, most of those showing the final color stages of a bruise. The only one that looked bad was the bruise that surrounded her cut. This she eyed warily. It was more blue than purple, its shape almost symmetrical to the cut. ‘Weird.’ With a sigh, she turned away from the mirror and cut on the shower. ‘Nothing like a nice, hot shower to help heal all the aches and pains.’ Buffy stayed under the pounding spray until all the hot water was gone, then reluctantly shut off the taps, and climbed out. She toweled herself off then squatted down to reach for the robe she had discarded on the floor. She slipped the robe over her naked body, loosely belting it, then walked back out into her bedroom. Spike was still asleep, so she grabbed her journal out of her chest and curled up into the chair to write. I had a slayer dream last night, and it scares me. Although, it wasn’t really a dream, so much as a vision I had long ago. I dare not tell anyone about it. Everyone would worry, and I can’t take that right now. I’m not being honest. And I said I would always be honest here. I’m not scared, I’m angry. Haven’t I done enough? I’m not alone in my fight anymore. There are girls like me all over the world now. I’m not ready to die! I want to see Dawn graduate from high school, then go on to college. I want to be there when she gets married. I want to hold my little nieces and nephews. Dammit, I just got Spike back. I want time with him. Time to make up for that horrible year when I was brought back. Time to tell him, show him, how much I love him. It’s just not fair! Tears slipped unchecked down her face as she continued to write, pouring her heart and soul into her journal. When her grief, anger, and frustration were spent, she stopped writing and closed her journal and put it back in her chest. She quickly washed her face in the bathroom then threw some clothes on so she could get some movies for tonight. Buffy scrawled a quick note for Spike, letting him know where she was going, then made her way downstairs. She grabbed some money from the desk in the front hall before making her way outside to complete her errands. ~*~*~*~*~ Spike awoke about a half hour after Buffy had left, to a quiet room. ‘No heartbeat. Slayer must be downstairs,’ he thought. He glanced over to the nightstand and noticed a folded slip of paper with his name on it. He opened it and read: Spike, I told Dawn we would have a movie night since I’m not allowed to patrol tonight. I’ve gone out to get a few movies and to put in an order for some pizzas for tonight at the local pizzeria. I shouldn’t be gone more than a couple of hours. Can you do me a favor and work with the girls today? Buffy Spike grinned as he read the first line. He could just picture her pouting as she wrote that. He groaned when he read the second line. ‘Movie night? Bloody hell! More like sappy, chick flick night.’ He perked up a bit when he realized he could cuddle with the slayer while she watched the flick. He scrambled out of bed and pulled on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. Leaving the room, he climbed the stairs to the third floor, listening to the noise coming from the training room. As he got close, the noise stopped. All he heard was the accelerated heartbeats of the slayers. He opened the door and noticed everyone was facing him, weapon at the ready. A devilish smile transformed his features. “Felt me coming, didja?” A few nods. “Good!” “Now, get ready for some real fun. Lose the weapons. We’re gonna work on a little hand-to-hand today.” The girls replaced their weapons and formed a circle around him. Spike took up a fighting stance. The girls followed his lead. “Now, attack!” Without any further prompting, ten girls rushed the master vampire. ~*~*~*~*~ Buffy walked into the house with a small stack of movies under one arm and a delivery receipt for pizza in the other hand. She placed the receipt and keys on the desk and walked into the living room to deposit the movies for viewing later. It was early yet, so she made her way to the third floor to check on Spike and the girls. Various grunts, groans, and crashes filtered out of the room. When she got to the top of the stairs, she could make out some of Spike’s snarky comments directed at some of the less agile girls. A smile crossed her lips. ‘Just like old times,’ she thought, as she made her way down the hallway. Suddenly, a thud, louder than the others, resounded through the room. A yelled, “Bloody Hell!” and a “Dammit, Slayer!” quickly followed. Buffy stood at the door leaning against the doorjamb, taking in the scene. Buffy’s hand covered her mouth, stifling her giggles. Spike lay in an upside down heap against the far wall. Her girls formed a semi-circle around him, positioned in a defensive pose, waiting for him to get up. He kicked his feet over so he could sit on his butt. His eyes locked with Buffy’s. She dropped the hand that was covering her face and sucked her lips into her mouth to hide her smile. Her eyes still twinkled with mirth, however. “Do you give up, Spike?” Buffy asked, laughingly. “Bloody hell, woman. It’s your damn fault ‘m slumped ass over end here.” “Me? All I did was walk up the stairs. Not my fault, me showing up here distracted you. You’re the master vampire, right?” “’An don’t you forget it!” he blustered, mock-sternly. Buffy spoke to the girls saying, “Good job, guys. Why don’t you hit the showers then get ready for your lessons. I know it’s a bit early, but since you knocked Spike to his butt, you deserve a little break. Oh, by the way, tonight’s movie night, no patrolling. Attire is pj’s and bring a pillow and some blankets.” A few girls cheered at this pronouncement. Slowly, the girls filed out of the room to the floor below so they could get showered and changed. Spike stood up and walked towards Buffy. “Feelin’ better, luv?” “Yeah. I need you to pull my stitches out for me. The wound has closed over. Got one hell of a bruise, though.” Grumbling. “Oh, and did I mention that it itches?” Chuckling, he walked by her side down to her room.

Chapter #14 - Dinner & A Movie

If someone had told him that he would ever be sitting in a living room with a slayer draped over him, half asleep, and eleven other girls laid out on the floor around him watching How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, he would have laughed his bloody head off. Then, he would have staked the wanker for saying it. But, here he now was, watching some blond chick “personalizing” some guy’s home. The girls were laughing uproariously; Spike just cringed inwardly. ‘The things I do for the slayer.’ At least the entire night hadn’t been a total sap-a-thon. The pizza had arrived around six and everyone ate that while watching The One. Pretty interesting flick, if a little farfetched. The girls took pity on him and played another action movie after that one before they settled into the “chick flicks.” That’s the point where the slayer had drifted into la la land. He only wished he could join her and ease his suffering. Unfortunately, his sleep schedule didn’t allow him to nod off at only eleven at night even though the movie was bloody awful. Ah, well. After this show, he’d beg off, citing Buffy’s sleepiness. He’d dare anyone to comment on that remark. Grinning at the thought, he once more turned his attention to the antics playing out on the screen. As soon as the movie ended, he cradled the sleeping slayer in his arms and stood up. He headed for the opening that led back to the main hall. Without turning around and while still walking he said, “I’ll just take Sleeping Beauty up to bed now. You guys finish ‘yer movie fest.” Dawn flashed a wicked grin and said, “You could always come back down and watch another one with us after you put Buffy to bed. We could take an intermission until you get back.” Spike glanced back upon hearing that comment from the ‘Bit. When he saw the look on her face, he mumbled something that suspiciously sounded like “sod off” before heading out of the room. Dawn’s chuckle sounded softly behind him. ~*~*~*~*~ “Have a nice nap, luv?” Spike knew she wasn’t asleep because he had heard her heart rate slowly increase towards the end of the movie. He had been tempted to get up and leave with her right then, but didn’t want to have a blushing slayer on his hands. He settled her softly on top of the bed and looked down at her face. Buffy slowly blinked her eyes awake and tried to fake a yawn. Spike wasn’t buying it. “Vampire hearing, pet. Knew you’ve been awake for a while.” A chagrined look crossed her face. “Woulda’ left before the movie was over, but didn’t want to shock the kiddies.” “Oh, you’re bad!” she said, while a blush lit up her face. Reaching behind her, she grabbed a pillow and threw it at him before he had a chance to block it. The pillow bounced off his forehead, disrupting his slicked-back platinum hair. She giggled when she saw some of his hair start to curl up and frame his face. Personally, she thought he looked adorable when his hair did that, but he’d have a fit if he heard his name and adorable uttered in the same sentence. He looked at her in mock astonishment before slowly reaching down to pick the pillow up off the floor. A wicked gleam came into his eye as he slowly stalked his prey waiting warily on the bed. He heard her heart rate accelerating then was hit with the smell of her arousal. Buffy didn’t know if she should grab another pillow to defend herself or lay back and wait eagerly for Spike to pounce. She licked her suddenly dry lips in anticipation, watching Spike’s eyes flare in reaction. Halfheartedly, she reached for a pillow behind her, but he stopped her, leaning in close before whispering in her ear, “very bad, pet.” His words flooded her senses; she could feel her panties getting drenched at that remark. She moaned as he trailed his tongue around the outer shell of her ear before standing back up to divest himself of his t-shirt. When that slipped from his fingers and fell to the floor, he brought his hands to the fly of his jeans, undoing the top button and slowly lowering the zipper. His cock suddenly sprang free from its confinement. The jeans were quickly removed from his lean hips, sliding down his legs, before he stepped out of them. Then he stood before Buffy in all his naked glory. Buffy had sat up to perch on her knees while Spike had taken off his clothes. As he stood there looking at her, her hands came up to remove her pajamas. “No,” he whispered. Her hands stilled on the top button. “Let me.” A soft sigh escaped her lips and she slowly dropped her hands, nodding slightly. Spike walked over to the edge of the bed and sat down. He reached up and tucked an errant lock behind her ear. He then trailed his fingers down her ear, along her neck, making a path on her body to where her top came together over her chest. With exquisite care, he used one hand to undo the buttons of her top. He could hear the slayer’s heart pounding in her chest, felt her breath hitch in her throat. When the last button came undone he trailed his fingers back up her body along the slight opening that he had made. Her body quivered at his touch while his fingers traced a cool path up to her neck. His other hand came off the bed to works its way under her top to caress her exposed shoulder. Both hands softly kneaded her shoulders from her neck outward to her arms, allowing the top to glide effortless down her arms. Reaching behind her, he grabbed the top with one hand-moving it out of the way – while with the second, he gently encouraged her to fall back against the pillows behind her. He dropped her top on the floor and stretched out alongside her. Spike brought his thumb up to brush lightly over her slightly parted lips. He own lips soon followed the path of his thumb. Open-mouthed, he brushed his lips back and forth across Buffy’s. His tongue traced its way around her lips before sucking her bottom lip into his mouth. She moaned, and that was all the invitation he needed. His tongue slipped inside her mouth to languidly explore the inner recesses of her mouth, before dueling with her own. Her hands came up around his neck to pull him deeper into the kiss. He broke away, panting needless, resting his forehead against hers. Once more under control, he slid down along her body. His fingers played lightly over her ribcage and down along her side. He took in the laceration that had slowly healed on her stomach. A faint line was the only scar, but the bruise had not gone away. In fact, it looked worse. Spanning out from the oblong-ish blue bruise were spidery blue veins. They reached almost to the underside of her breasts on the top and to the dark curls that covered her womanhood on the bottom. It brought a frown to his face. Sensing his hesitation, Buffy opened her eyes and looked at him, puzzled as to why he was frowning. “Does it hurt?” he asked as he trailed butterfly-soft fingertips along the scar. “No. Not really.” “You sure?” “More than sure,” she replied as she grabbed his hand from the scar and pulled it up towards her breast. Taking the hint, he stopped talking and got back to the task of making love to his woman. While his hand cupped her breast, using his thumb to lightly brush back and forth over the nipple, his mouth tended to the other. His tongue circled the areola a few times causing the nipple to harden even more. Then he began lightly flicking her nipple before sucking it into his mouth. A low moan slipped from Buffy’s lips and her hands fisted into the bed covering. Wanting to be fair, his mouth released the one nipple before settling on the other to give it the same loving attention. With a last gentle tug of his blunted teeth, he released the puckered bud to slowly make his way down her body. He could smell her arousal coming off of her in waves as he settled himself between her legs. He leaned in close to inhale deeply, his tongue flicked out for a quick taste. Buffy’s hips came off the bed at the slight contact. Spike had played her body so well that she was teetering on orgasm. She thought she would die is she couldn’t feel that sweet release. Spike could feel the tension in her body and decided to ease a little of her suffering. He brushed two fingers over her slick passage getting them nice and wet. Then, he pushed them into her opening as his mouth clamped down on her nub and pulled. With a started cry, she came instantly. Spike removed his fingers to replace them with his tongue, lapping up the slayer’s essence. When her tremors died down, he gave one last lick and stopped. Then, he brought his fingers to his mouth and licked them clean. ‘Almost as good as her blood.’ Buffy watched through half-lowered eyes as Spike stuck his fingers in his mouth. Seeing his pleasure in her taste was making her hot all over again. She wanted more. Now. She started to sit up just as Spike pulled his fingers out of his mouth and looked at her. His piercing gaze stopped her, and she froze, head inches above her pillow. “Uh uh, pet. Just lie back.” With a frustrated pout, she did as he asked. Spike sat up again, still within her parted legs, and grabbed one of her legs. Using both of his thumbs, he massaged her foot for a few minutes before he bent over and began trailing kisses up her leg. Her breath hitched in her throat as he neared the curls at the apex of her legs. She shivered in anticipation, waiting to feel his tongue on her clit again. He teased her softly, his breath blowing across her damp curls. Abruptly, he sat up again to start the same ministrations to her other leg. A quick massage, then his tongue and lips were gliding kisses up her opposite leg. Buffy was going crazy! Again his mouth was hovering above her mound. She was going to die if he didn’t take her into his mouth. Just when she thought she could stand the suspense any more, she felt his cool tongue along her slit, sliding up and down. Her hips flew off the bed, her head fell back into the pillows, and the veins stood out at her neck, as the skill of Spike’s mouth once more worked its magic. Pressure began to build inside Buffy once more and she attempted to raise her hips to seek friction against his face that would enable her to tumble over the edge, but Spike stopped before she obtained that sweet release. Sliding up on his knees in between Buffy’s parted legs, he lifted her hips, positioned his cock at her slick opening and slid home. He didn’t stop until he was buried to the hilt. Both of them let out a groan of pleasure. He tenderly lifted her body up off of the bed so that she was sitting in his lap facing him, mindful of the healing injury on her stomach. Spike swung his legs out from under him, sitting on the end of the bed, his feet balanced on the floor. Grabbing her hips, he pushed her body back until just the tip of his cock was left inside her opening before plunging once more in her welcoming heat. Ignoring her mewling pleas of “harder” and “faster,” he made love slowly to his slayer, conscious of the expanding bruise on her stomach. Buffy gave up trying to urge him on, and let him set the pace. She reveled in his gentle loving, feeling cherished in his embrace. Her orgasm took her completely by surprise, crashing over her in seemingly endless waves. Her inner muscles squeezing his cock urged him to his own release, and with one final thrust, Spike spilled his cool seed in her welcoming body.

Chapter #15 - Blood Ties

Spike watched as Buffy slept peacefully by his side. His tender lovemaking had her drifting off to sleep moments after he had slipped out of her warm body and cradled her to his side. Assured that she was sleeping deeply, he tucked a stray wisp of hair behind her ear and brushed a light kiss to her cheek. Carefully, so as not to awake her, he slid from bed. He donned his black jeans and made his way to the bedroom door; he had a few calls to make. He made his way swiftly, but quietly, downstairs so as not to disturb the girls in the living room. Although, with the giggles he heard emanating from the room, Spike was doubtful that they would hear him. His first call was to Giles. He wanted to check up on how the translation was going. ‘Midnight here, only eleven there. Giles should still be up,’ he thought to himself. The phone was picked up before the second ring had a chance to finish. An annoyed, “’ello!” sounded in his ear. “Rupert. How go things?” “Spike! What the bloody hell…” Then, in a much more dignified voice, “Do you have any idea as to the lateness of the hour?” “Vampire, hello? It’s only eleven there. Don’t tell me you’re in bed already, old man?” Spike chuckled softly. It was nice to be able to yank the watcher’s chain a bit. But, the seriousness of the call quickly sobered him. “No, not at all.” Papers shifted in the background. “I’m just going back over some of my translations. I wasn’t expecting the phone to ring. Was there a particular reason for you ringing me so late?” “I just remembered something about Buffy’s attacker from...” “Buffy’s attacker?” Giles interrupted. “Dear God! Is she ok?” ‘Whoops...’ “Uh yeah, Rupes. She’s fine. She didn’ tell ya?” “I should say not!” Giles blustered. “What happened?” “We got ambushed by some bloke. He got in a lucky blow to the slayer’s stomach. We were worried a minute ‘cuz her injuries weren’t healin’ as fast as usual. But, everything’s ok now.” “Not healin? Spike, what’s going on? Never mind that, I’m coming there. I’ll book a flight out for first thing in the morning.” Spike could hear the nervous energy on the other end of the line. “Rupes, she’s fine. If you come ‘ere now, she’s gonna know I told ya. Then I’ll have one brassed-off slayer to deal with. I’ll pass, ‘f it’s all the same to you. Besides, I need you there to work on that translation.” “Yes, quite right. But, like I told Buffy this morning, I don’t think it applies to your situation.” “Well, tha’s a spot ‘f good news,” Spike replied, relieved. Getting back on track, Spike told Giles why he was calling. He quickly described the guy that hurt Buffy and the markings he bore on his face. Giles asked if he could describe them to him. “I’m no artist. I’m gonna call Angel and see if he can whip up something. He was always good with his pencil. Whatever I’m able to get, I’ll pass on to you.” Giles agreed and said that he would wait for more information to come from either the L.A. offices or Spike. Spike hesitated before ringing off. “Giles?” “Yeah, Spike?” “I don’t like this. This guy was too focused on the slayer. Obsessively so.” “We’ll figure it out, Spike. It’ll just take some time.” “That’s the problem, watcher. I’m not sure time is with us on this one.” Shaking away his gloomy thoughts, Spike hung up with Giles and placed his second call. Before, asking his grandsire for anything always left a bitter taste in his mouth, but he really needed Angel’s help. At times, Angel could really be a pain in his arse, but since he had been brought back, grudging acceptance had been evident in the older vampire’s demeanor. Time to test it. Blood bond was there, now to see if the poof would acknowledge it. Spike needed his help and if anyone could commit to paper what Spike described, it was Angel. After all, what was family for? “Wolfram & Hart, how may I direct your call?” a female voice enquired. “Get me Angel.” Soon Harmony’s voice came over the phone. “Harmony, I need to speak with Angel.” A little elevator hold music, then Angel’s voice sounded over the line. “This is Angel.” Spike took a deep, calming (completely unnecessary) breath then said, “Sire, I need your help.” Angel almost dropped the phone. ‘Oh Holy Hell!’ If he could have gotten any paler, he would have. Spike rarely, if ever, acknowledged their bond. For him to result to this, something grave must be occurring. Gripping the phone tightly, he replied, “You have but to ask, Childe.” Spike closed his eyes for a moment, relieved that no smart remarks were forthcoming from his grandsire. Slowly, he related all the events of the past few days: the battle, the slayer subsequently getting hurt, her slow healing, their combined yet unspoken fear. Angel listened without interrupting, but his demon surged to the front, anger at this unforeseen enemy hurting Buffy. He tamped it down when he heard Spike’s request. “Can you draw what I’m describing? Maybe by figuring out what those marks on his face were, we can find out who’s behind this.” “Hang on while I grab my tablet and pencil.” Spike let out a sigh as he heard the phone placed gently on the table. ‘That wasn’t as hard as I thought it was going to be.’ After a few moments, Angel came back on the line. “Tell me what you saw,” he requested quietly. Spike complied, and for the next half-hour he described the various symbols he had seen as well as the man’s face. When Angel was finished drawing, he asked Spike for his fax number, then faxed over what he had done. They both waited on the line while the fax machine whirred to life and spat out a piece of paper. Spike walked over and grabbed it. Staring back at him was the guy that had hurt his slayer. “Damn, Angel. It’s him. It’s bloody him!” “I’ll give it to Wes to see if he can come up with anything.” “Thanks. I’m going to forward mine on to Giles. He said that he translated that text but he didn’t think that it had anything to do with Buffy. But, he’s gonna keep diggin’. Maybe this will help….Angel?” A pause. “Thank you, Sire,” he said simply, once more acknowledging their connection. “Anytime. I’m here when you need me, Childe.” Quietly, Angel disconnected their call. Closing his eyes, he leaned back in his office chair. Anguish, combined with hope, played across his face. He had thought that when he had given up Conner, he would once more be alone in the world. Sure, he had his friends that came with him to Wolfram & Hart. But, they wouldn’t always be there. Once they were gone, his lonely life would stretch out endlessly before him. Spike could, at times - make that most of the times – be a pain in the ass, but he was still family. Personally, he thought the younger vamp acted that way just to get a rise out of him – as if he did it just to take some of this endless guilt off of his shoulders. It wouldn’t surprise him. Chuckling to himself, he pushed the maudlin thoughts away and went to seek out Wes. He had to try and help his childe out. ~*~*~*~*~ Halfway around the world, Spike slowly replaced the phone in its cradle, a slight smile forming on his lips. His Sire. Bond stated, bond claimed. He hadn’t been sure how Angel was going to react. A weight lifted when he realized that Angel acknowledged their tie as if it was a given. Spike was no longer alone. Spike looked at the picture Angel had faxed over. Yellow flashed behind his blue eyes. After a moment, he crossed to the fax machine and sent the image to Giles. Once finished, he folded up the paper and put it in his pocket as he made his way back upstairs.

Chapter #16 - Revelations

England Giles’ Office, Watcher’s Council Headquarters Giles was sitting at his desk, lost in thought. Yes, it was early on a Saturday morning. But that had never stopped him from coming in to his office to get some work done. It seemed like he spent more time here than at home anyway. Restructuring the Watcher’s Council from scratch took time and effort and wouldn’t fit into a normal workweek schedule. Besides, it not like he had plans to be anywhere else. Ever since Spike’s call last night as his residence, he was more puzzled than ever about the text he has translated. This was why he sat leaning back in his seat, glasses held in his hand, as he absentmindedly sucked on the tip of one of the ear frames. He was going over the translation in his mind when he suddenly sat up, perched his glasses back up on his nose and reached for his discarded notebook. Quickly, he reread the translation. “Of course,” he mumbled aloud, pausing over a word that repeated itself: the one. Then, he froze, blood rushing from his face leaving behind a pale visage. “Oh, dear God.” Scrambling out of his chair, he rushed to the bookshelf. Desperately, he began searching for the text he needed. Nimble fingers skimmed along the outer bindings of six rows worth of books before halting on the one that he needed. The book was musty from disuse, yet thick – filled with vast amounts of knowledge. So much so, that several volumes could have been written instead of just the one. Glancing at his watch, he noted the time: 6:00 a.m. ‘Only an hour before I need to call Buffy,’ he thought as he mentally calculated the one-hour time difference. Crossing back to his desk, he set the book down, once more resuming his seat to begin a marathon research session. His earlier words to Spike came back to haunt him. Buffy seemed to be at the center of the prophecy, and if what he feared was true, so too was Spike. ~*~*~*~ Los Angeles Wolfram & Hart Offices At the same time Giles was researching new meanings to the text, Angel was walking through the door of Wesley’s office to check on how the research of the sketch he had dropped off earlier was coming. A clock chimed ten times, indicating the lateness of the hour, yet Angel noticed Wesley paid it no mind. He was thoroughly engrossed in the book laid out before him. Wesley hadn’t even glanced up as he gave a quick knock and walked in. “Anything, Wes?” Angel asked. Wesley glanced up, slightly startled as the voice broke through his concentration, just realizing that Angel was standing in his office. Recovering, he replied, “I think I’ve got a lead. Finally. I was just starting to read about it when you walked in.” He gave Angel an annoyed look for scaring him half to death. Angel just let the look roll off his back, saying nothing. “Er, yes. Like I was saying. I just started reading. But, I can tell you those markings are for some type of protection. They allow save passage for persons from the Draemuir dimension. Sort of a means to keep them grounded here in ours.” He saw Angel open his mouth to ask the question, but cut him off saying, “And, before you even ask… No, I have no idea who or what inhabits that dimension and why they would be here. But, I am heading in the right direction now and should have something for you in a couple of hours. Hopefully.” Angel sighed and walked over to the window, looking out at the night sky. ‘Why would someone from the Draemuir dimension be here, and what does it have to do with Buffy? Are the senior partners somehow involved?’ “… with that scroll that was delivered to me?” Wesley’s words finally penetrated Angel’s silent musings. “Er, what was that, Wes?” “I said. Do you think this guy’s appearance has anything to do with that scroll that was delivered here?” “No. Spike said that Giles thought that the scroll had nothing to do with them. So, we need to concentrate on this guy and try to figure out why he went after the slayer. I’ll be back in a few hours. And, Wes?” “Yeah?” “Thanks.” ~*~*~*~*~ Rome Buffy's Room Both occupants on the bed sleep soundlessly, oblivious to the household waking up around them. For one, it was their normal sleep schedule. For the other, it wasn’t. ~*~*~*~*~ Rome City Square Dawn, along with the other girls, had woken up early. There was an art festival in town this weekend in addition to the weekly farmer’s market held in the square and they had all made plans to get up early and go before the crowds hit. It was because of this that the ringing phone went unanswered. That, and the two occupants sleeping upstairs who couldn’t be roused to answer it. Dawn wasn’t worried when Buffy hadn’t shown for their jaunt. More than likely Buffy was just catching up on her sleep. A little grin came to her face as to why she would need it, but was happy because Spike was still around. Besides, the art festival was going to be here all weekend, so it wasn’t like Buffy was going to miss it if she didn’t come right now. Wandering through the various booths, she tried to see if anything warranted “gift” status. Pretty jewelry abounded and Dawn picked out a silver ring with an amethyst stone for Buffy, and a handmade necklace for herself. She paid for her purchases than wandered off again. She stopped when she came to a local painter’s booth. She eyed his wares before noticing the painting he was currently working on. When she saw what he was working on, an idea came into her head. “If I gave you a picture, could you paint a copy of it? Like what you’re doing there?” she asked. “Sure. With something to go by, I could have it finished in a few hours. You could pick it up this afternoon once it dries,” the artist replied. Squealing with delight, she reached into her purse to pull out her wallet. Opening it, she extracted a picture of her and Buffy together. It was a candid shot, taken a few years ago. Their arms were wrapped around each other and innocent smiles played across both of their faces. She couldn’t remember who took the picture, but it was her favorite. That’s why she had cut it down to size to fit in her wallet. Spike would love it as a painting. Christmas was coming; well, in another six weeks anyway. She just prayed she could keep quiet about it until then! ~*~*~*~ Rome Buffy's Room Spike awoke, lying on his back, about midmorning. Eyes closed, he reached his arms out hoping to encounter the slayer’s body, but knowing the space beside him would probably be empty. She was normally up and about this time of day. He smiled when his hand encountered the warm bundle lying next to him. “Slayer, I think you overslept,” he said drowsily, eyes still closed. He didn’t get a response. He opened his eyes at that and leaned up on one elbow to look at her. Buffy was lying on her back, her slightly pale face the only thing exposed above the sheet that covered her body. He reached out a hand to gently shake her awake. She’d be pissed that she had overslept, missing Giles’ call. His light shaking caused her to groan in her sleep. Pain, not pleasure. The noise made him quickly pull back his hand. He sat up, instantly awake, eyes locked on her face. “Buffy,” he called in a louder voice, trying to wake her with his words. When he sat up, the sheet had pulled away from her body, exposing her upper arms. His gaze locked on what he had missed a moment earlier: twin blue streaks starting to snake up between the valley of her breasts. Carefully, so as not to cause her any more pain, he slowly lifted the sheet away from her body. “Nooo…” he moaned softly. The sheet slipped from his fingers to pool around her hips. Her upper torso was left bare to his scrutiny. The slight spidery veins of the night before had doubled in number. She looked like someone had painted a blue sun on her belly then drawn a bunch of rays outward from the circle. Some reached down to the tops of her thighs, others started to circle around her waist. More wound their way up towards her neck, not quite reaching the tops of her breasts. She lay unresponsive to his attempts to get her to awaken. He didn’t know what to do. His bellow for Dawn went unanswered. Then he remembered; the girls were at the festival. Quickly, he jumped out of bed and threw on his jeans. Call the Watcher. He would know what to do. Spike raced out of the room to do just that.

Chapter #17 - On My Way

Spike was torn as he flew down the stairs, his feet barely skimming their surface. He wanted to stay with Buffy, but on the other hand, he had to call Giles. God, he wished Dawn were here. Why did they have to pick today to go to the festival? Racing into the office, he picked up the phone and punched the speed dial button that would ring Giles’ office. It was a good thing the number was preset in phone, his fingers were shaking so bad that he feared he would be unable to dial the number, let alone remember it. He heard the connection made then heard the telltale ringing of the extension. “Hello,” Giles answered the phone formally. Since it was Saturday, his secretary was off leaving him to answer the phone himself. “Giles, you’ve got to help me. It’s Buffy. She’s hurt. She won’t wake up. Why won’t she wake up?” The desperately panicked words tumbled out of his mouth leaving no room for Giles to respond. Spike was babbling and he knew it. But, it was his slayer that was lying up in that bed, completely unresponsive. “Spike, calm down.” Giles attempted to break through Spike monologue. “Spike. Spike!! Spike!!” The third shout finally got Spike’s attention. Silence came to the line. “Now, Spike, just tell me what’s happening.” “It’s Buffy. She won’t wake up. The sore. The bruise is spreading. I can’t make it stop. Giles, you have to make it stop,” Spike pleaded, near tears. “Spike, listen to me. Was Buffy breathing?” “Yes, although shallowly. Like it hurt her to breath.” “Ok. That’s something in our favor. She’s the slayer. Whatever it is, her body is trying to fight it. What I want you to do is go back up there and stay with her. Don’t move her. But, see if you can coax her to drink something. Water would be good. See if you can try to get her to wake up and talk to you. Can you do that for me?” “Yes,” he whispered. “I’m going to grab some stuff and be on the first flight to Rome. Have you heard anything from L.A. on Buffy’s attacker?” “Nothing yet.” “Ok, I’ll call them and get them to forward any information to me there. I should be there early afternoon. Can you have someone meet me at the airport?” “I’ll try. The girls… the girls are all out at the art festival.” Spike didn’t mention that he was home alone with Buffy. He was scared and all alone. “Well, I’ll call when I land. If nothing else, I’ll take a cab. I’ll see you in a few hours.” “Hurry.” Spike didn’t even say goodbye before he hung up the phone to rush back upstairs to Buffy. ~*~*~*~*~ England Giles’ office, Watcher’s Council Headquarters, 9:30 a.m. Local Time, London “This is Rupert Giles. I need to speak with Angel immediately. It is most urgent.” He glanced at his watch to note the time, mentally calculating the time difference. He was astonished that someone actually answered the phone at one-thirty in the morning. He had thought he would have to leave a voice message rather than actually get a human, er, someone to answer the phone. While he waited for someone to pick up the line, Giles busied himself with gathering the books he was looking at. Putting the phone on speakerphone, he crossed over to the bookshelf and grabbed a few other texts that he thought he might need. Snatching his satchel from behind his chair, he started loaded everything inside. “Hello,” a voice came over the speakerphone. Giles stopped what he was doing, and as someone is wont to do on a speakerphone, practically shouted, “This is Rupert Giles. I’m holding for Angel.” “Well, hello there Rupert. Wesley here,” he replied cheerfully for someone awake at such a god-awful hour. Giles walked back to the desk, cradling the phone to his ear, and said, “Wesley, I need to speak with Angel. It’s rather urgent.” “Angel is out of the office right now. He had some negotiations to do with a few Kremlick demons. He’s not due back in the offices for a few hours yet.” “Find him. Get him back immediately. I’m on my way to Rome right now. Buffy has been hurt, and it doesn’t look good. Tell Angel to get all the information he was able to come up with about Buffy’s attackers and fax it to me at her residence. I should be in Rome in a few hours time. And, Wesley?” “Yes.” “Hurry.” Dropping the phone back in the cradle, Giles finished gathering up the texts and papers that he might need and headed for the door. Once in his outer office, he grabbed a passing watcher-in-training and in his most authoritative tone, told her that he wanted to be on the next feasible flight out of London Heathrow airport for Rome. And to pull out all the stops. He wanted no delays. If they had to hold the plane until he got to the airport, so be it! It was time to throw a little of the Council’s weight around! ~*~*~*~*~ Los Angeles Both Angel’s pager and cell phone went off simultaneously. Ducking to avoid the axe aimed at his head, he spun his leg out in front of him, effectively sweeping the legs out from under the Kremlick demon knocking it to its back. Reaching over him, Angel jerked the axe out of the demon’s hands, and threw it towards the far wall where it imbedded in the plaster. He then fisted his hands in the lapels of the demon’s shirt and jerked him upright, until they were almost nose-to-nose. “I trust we’re not going to have any more problems. Correct?” The demon vigorously nodded his assent. Kremlick demons were a fierce lot, but always bowed down before superior strength. Angel exhibited that strength. “Good. Meeting adjourned.” Angel let go of the demon’s shirt and stood up. Without a backward glance he headed towards the exit. Once outside in the hallway, he grabbed the cell phone out of his pocket. One missed call, the phone practically accused. He pushed a series of buttons, and determined that it was the office that had called him. Next, he grabbed his pager. Again he pushed a few buttons. The office again, noting Wesley’s extension. He put the pager back in his pocket and used his cell phone to make the call. “This is Angel, put me through to Wesley’s office.” In a matter of moments, Wesley answered the phone. “Angel. I need you back at the office right away. I just got off the phone with Rupert. Something is happening in Rome.” “I’ll be there in ten.” He jumped in the viper and sped off toward Wolfram & Hart. He had hung up before Wesley could get out, “Buffy’s hurt.”

Chapter #18 - Convergence

In Flight Somewhere over Northern Italy Giles sat in the last row of the first class seats, pouring over the books and papers he had spread out on every available space in his little area. His lap, the tray table, and adjacent seat bore evidence of Giles in “research mode.” This ailment of the slayer did not bode well for their line. He had found some obscure passage mentioning, he thought, the First Slayer. But, he wasn’t concentrating on that right now. Currently, he was trying to find something to combat whatever had - for want of a better word - inhabited, his slayer’s body. Whatever it was had Spike worried, and Giles wasn’t one to disregard the vampire’s instincts. He paused in his research to glance at his watch. He estimated that they would be arriving in Rome in about another thirty minutes, or so. Sighing, he went back to the book laid out on his lap, once more becoming engrossed in his research. Time was of the essence, and every moment spent researching was one not squandered away. ~*~*~*~*~ Los Angeles 1:45 a.m. Pacific Standard Time Angel entered Wesley’s office to see both him and Fred frantically gathering up loose papers that were scattered haphazardly around the office. They paid him no mind as they scooped up discarded books, closing them and stacking them neatly on Wesley’s desk. “What’s going on?” Angel asked. Fred and Wesley abruptly halted their actions, guilt mixed with sorrow colored their features. Tearing their gazes from Angel, they glanced at each other. A silent question played across both their faces. In the end, Fred nodded and turned back to Angel. “It’s Buffy,” she said. “She’s been hurt-” Fred’s voice trailed off at the look on Angel’s face. She never was much of a “news-giving” type of person, and she semi-stuttered through her brief tale. “Giles called Wes. He said he was taking the next flight out to Rome. Apparently, Spike had called him saying that the slay, er, Buffy wouldn’t wake up. Giles needs any information that we’ve been able to come up with on Buffy’s attacker in hopes of determining what he has done to her. We’ve been gathering everything we have since he called.” She gestured to the mountain of books and papers stacked on Wesley’s desk. “Finish grabbing what you need and bring it with you. We’re on a flight to Rome as soon as the jet can get us cleared for takeoff.” A blank mask had descended on Angel’s face as Fred had given her explanation. A thousand thoughts and questions were running through his mind, but he couldn’t dwell on them. Right now he had to stay focused. ‘Get the stuff, get on the plane.’ Once he was in the air was soon enough for him to dwell on the situation. Fred and Wes just nodded, knowing it was a given they would be heading to Rome. And Wes, wanting to get a head start, had placed the call to get the plane ready as soon as he had hung up with Angel. “Angel,” Wes said, stopping Angel’s departure from his office. Angel froze, his hand resting on the doorknob. “I’ve taken the liberty of forewarning the pilots. They should be there with a flight plan approved by the time we arrive. We’re already packed. We were just gathering up what we needed here.” Angel glanced back, grief evident on his features, and gave a brief nod. “Thanks, Wes. Let me grab a quick bag and I’ll meet you in the garage.” Without another word he walked out of the office to grab his things. He made quick work of packing a duffle bag. He didn’t care that he was traveling light. He wouldn’t have bothered at all, but the fight with the Kremlick demon had left him with a ripped pair of pants and a ripe shirt. Quickly, he discarded his stale clothes, replacing them with something clean. He would have taken a shower to get rid of the battle stench, but he had already taken up enough time changing his clothes and stuffing the duffle bag with others. He figured he would meet Fred and Wes about the same time in the garage, if he left his room right now. So he did. Grabbing his bag, he made his way down to the garage level to the waiting limousine. The ride to the airport was completed in silence, each of the occupants in the back lost in their own thoughts. Words right now seemed, somehow, inappropriate. At least the ride wasn’t long, and the awkward silence was soon a distant memory. The limousine pulled right onto the tarmac, a few feet from the company jet. As the car rolled to a stop, the pilot came out to greet the trio. “Mr. Angel, our flight plan has been approved and we can leave as soon as you are all on board and your luggage is stowed,” the pilot said, by way of greeting. Not bothering to correct the pilot about his name, he just said, “Then, let’s go.” Twenty minutes later, the Wolfram & Hart company jet was streaking its way eastward towards Rome, the night lights of Los Angeles a distant blur. ~*~*~*~*~ Rome 4:00 p.m. Local Time Giles was brought out of his silent musings as his plane taxied at the Rome Leonardo da Vinci Airport. He had repacked his books and papers when the call came that they were beginning their descent. Afterwards, his mind had drifted, replaying the information he had gleaned from his books over and over in his mind. The pilot’s voice came over the intercom welcoming them to the great city of Rome and announcing that travelers were now allowed to turn on cell phones, and other electronic devises, as well as voicing other useless ramblings that no one really paid any attention to. As soon as humanly possible, the passengers stood up to prepare for disembarking. Giles had reached into his internal breast pocket of his coat and turned his phone on as soon as the pilot’s announcement started. By the time the pilot had finished his speech, Giles had gathered up his things and was ready to make his way towards the exit. First class seats sure came in handy at times! As he was making his way up the gangplank, his cell phone went off. Without stopping his forward progress to the main terminal, he deftly snagged the ringing phone out of his pocket. He clicked the “ok” button and rattled off a hello. It was Dawn. Both she and Angelina were waiting to meet him at the baggage claim turnstiles. Oh, and Spike wanted her to tell him that Buffy had woken up for a few minutes and appeared to be sleeping better now. And, that it was really cool that Giles had decided to take a brief holiday to check up on his girls. And, wouldn’t it be such a surprise to Buffy, even though she came down with some sort of flu bug last night. Giles paused momentarily at that cryptic message. Obviously the vampire didn’t tell Dawn the truth about Buffy’s condition. Well, he wouldn’t be the one to mention it either. Giles met up with the girls a few minutes later. He passed off his carry-on to Angelina so that he could stand by the spinning rack – along with everyone else – to wait for his bags to come up the ramp. Someone was smiling down on him, because his bags were one of the first to be spit out by the conveyor belt. Lifting his bags off the revolving platform, he engaged the wheels and moved off towards customs. With his credentials, he was soon passing out into the open air, followed by Dawn and Angelina. Dawn had just seen Francesca drive by, so they would need to wait a few moments for her to pass back by. “Geez, Giles! This bag is heavy. Don’t you ever leave your books at home?” Dawn asked cheekily. “Well, yes. Er, that is, I was working on a little research, when Spike called me about visiting-” Giles began, trying to lie his way through an explanation. When slight shock registered on Dawn’s face, he pushed on with his story. “Anyway, Spike said that Buffy was feeling a mite lonely, and could I perhaps drop in for a few days. Maybe surprise her. And, it’s been a while since I’ve been here. Could call it a Council’s check-up visit. See how things are running and such,” he babbled on. Dawn’s face registered even more shock/surprise, if such a thing were possible. Sighing, Giles just said, “No, Dawn, I don’t ever leave my books at home. It’s a watcher’s dictum.” Shock disappeared from the teenager’s face, then she rolled her eyes. “You could have just said that. No reason for the elaborate ‘Spike wanted me to come, yada, yada, yada, tale.’ As if.” She snorted. ‘Spike calling Giles. Please!’ “Quite right.” Giles gave a mental sigh of relieve that Dawn seemed to have dropped the subject. He hadn’t however, and his first order of business was a nice, long chat with a certain peroxide vampire. ~*~*~*~*~ Rome Earlier that day ~ about 2:00 p.m. Spike sat beside the bed, holding Buffy’s hand, his eyes roaming up and down her still form. Her breathing had evened out somewhat, and her heart rate wasn’t as shallow as it had been earlier. ‘That’s it, slayer. Fight it!’ They stayed like that for about an hour, neither figure moving, except for the steady rise and fall of Buffy’s chest. Spike thought it was music to his ears when his slayer let out a slight groan. His gaze locked on her face searching for any signs of movement. A few minutes later, he was rewarded when her brows twitched in a way that indicated she was trying to wake up but couldn’t figure out where she was and why. Her eyelashes began to flutter, then finally open. She moved her head slightly so that her glazed look could bring Spike’s face in to view. Buffy tried to open her mouth to speak but she felt like whatever moisture she once had in her mouth and throat was gone. “No, luv. Don’t try to talk. Just rest and let that slayer body of yours do its job.” She didn’t understand, he could tell she didn’t, so he tried to explain. “Your bruise is spreading. Gave me quite a scare when you wouldn’t wake up earlier. Giles is flying in and will be here in a few hours. He should be able to whip up something to get you all better. You just rest now. Ok?” Buffy just closed her eyes and gave a slight nod, drifting into an easier sleep. Spike stood up and brushed the hair off her face. He had heard the girls entering the front door a moment ago, and he needed to go confront Dawn before she found out about the seriousness of Buffy’s condition. ~*~*~*~*~ Spike walked into the kitchen, forcing a nonchalance he did not feel. He nodded to a few girls that were fixing themselves some lunch and went to grab some blood out of the refrigerator. He poured some into a mug and popped it into the microwave. While he waited for it to warm up, he turned to Dawn. “Where’s Buffy,” she asked, before he had time to say anything. “Uh, she came down with some sort of flu bug. I came down to find some soup for her,” Spike tried to lie. He couldn’t remember a time when the slayer had ever been sick, and he hoped Dawn wouldn’t call him on it. She didn’t seem to question his response; rather, she got up and went to the panty to pull out a can of chicken noodle. “So, that’s why she didn’t come with us this morning. She’s gonna be so upset she missed the art festival. Hopefully, she’ll be better later, and can maybe go tomorrow,” Dawn said as she walked over to Spike to hand him the can. He gave her a quick, but tight hug. If she noticed he seemed a tad more clinging, she didn’t mention it. “Thanks, Dawn. She’s sleeping right now, so I’ll leave this on the counter for later,” Spike replied. “Oh, hey! Guess who’s coming to visit us for a few days?” Dawn pulled out of his embrace to look up at him. “Who?” “Giles.” “Really? Wow! It’s been like months since he’s been here! Him showing up should help motivate Buffy into kicking that nasty flu bug,” she responded, beaming a smile up at him. “Yeah. Think you can go pick him up at the airport?” “Sure. Not a problem. When does he get in?” “You’ll have to call his office for his flight information. I was upstairs when the phone rang a bit ago. You have the number, right?” “Yep. I’ll go call now then take a few girls with me to the airport to meet him.” “Thanks, ‘Niblet. Be careful.”

Chapter #19 - The First to Arrive

In flight Somewhere over the United States Once the plane leveled out, the three passengers unbuckled their safety belts settling more comfortably in their seats. A few minutes later, Wesley stood up and grabbed the bag that had all his research on the Draemuir dimension. Carefully, he placed the stuff out on the adjacent table and got back to work. After a moment, Fred joined him. Angel just sat in his chair, lost in thought, as the jet slowly made its way towards Rome. He didn’t know what to feel. On the one hand, he knew that Buffy had moved on from their relationship. She had even told him that Spike, his own grandchilde, was in her heart. What that meant, he wasn’t really sure. He hadn’t asked for details during their last meeting, just calmly went home when she told him to. Shoot, even he had started to move on, sort of. There was a lot of drama that signified his relationship-or what passed for his relationship-with Cordelia. Unfortunately, she was still in a coma, after the whole “Jasmine incident” and they were never really able to hash out what they meant to each other. Besides, there was that whole “happiness” clause he had to deal with. He didn’t make for an especially nice vampire if he broke it. Plus, this tentative relationship with his grandchilde, Spike, was another matter. Spike was family, or what passed for family as vampires. Most times he was a pain-in-the-ass, but still, he was family. If he had been a vampire without a soul, Spike’s feelings wouldn’t really have mattered. But, he was, and they did. Care, that is. Cared for both of them. Deep in his soul, he knew that Buffy and he could never truly be together. As much as they both may have once wished it were so. He would carry the memory of that day he was human until he was dust, but it was time to let her go and have her shot at happiness. It wasn’t going to be easy. With that thought uppermost in his mind, he vowed he would help find a way to get Buffy better and deal with this demon from the Draemuir dimension. Turning to his two friends pouring over texts, he asked, “So, Wes, what have you learned about this Draemuir dimension?” Wesley looked up from the book he was reading and sat back in his chair. “Quite a lot actually. The Draemuir dimension is ruled by a class of demons called the Draelorns. They’re shape-shifters, after a sort. Similar in appearance to humans, thus very difficult to differentiate. Very vicious, ruling with strength and fear. The positive is that they rule over their dimension are content to stay there. I honestly don’t know why someone bearing their markings would be here in this dimension.” “I guess the Draelorns aren’t content to play nice in their own house anymore. But, why would they come here? It’s not like were running on a shortage of slayers anymore.” Angel had no way of knowing how prophetic his words were. None of them did. “I’m assuming that they can be killed, right? We’re not talking gods and goddesses here, are we?” “Ah, no. Nothing in my research indicates that they can’t be killed like any other demon inhabiting this earth. Although, we have to allow for some leeway between dimensions. As for the markings Buffy’s attacker bore, I guess their essence can’t sustain in this dimension without them. So, if we notice a run on marked demons, we’ll have a heads-up.” “Ok. Mark that as a plus in the good column. Easily identifiable.” ~*~*~*~*~ Rome 5:00 p.m. Local Time Giles breathed a sigh of relief when the car came to a stop in front of their destination. He watched as Dawn glanced over at him and rolled her eyes. Typical teenagers. He had probably lost ten years of his life and gained another hundred gray hairs after that roller coaster adventure they referred to as “driving.” “Er, yes. We’ve made it,” Giles said aloud to the passengers at large. He doubted anyone heard his mumbled, “praise God.” Opening the passenger door, he alighted on shaky legs. Reacquainting himself with the nice, non-moving ground beneath his feet, he walked around to the back of the vehicle to retrieve his luggage. Once the back hatch was open, he grabbed the two largest pieces and headed for the front door. Dawn and Francesca grabbed the remaining two pieces and followed behind after locking the car. He heard them talking about typical teenager stuff as they trailed along behind him. No mention was made about Buffy’s sickness. Maybe the vampire was right not to have Dawn made aware of the danger. Seeing her now, happy and carefree, was worth any flack they may catch at a later date. He had to agree with what Spike had done; Dawn needed this normalcy. However, Giles would never admit it to the vampire. Heaven forbid they ever agree on anything! When they opened up the front door, Giles was surprised to see Spike descending the stairs to greet him. Looking at him, Giles would never know that this was the same vampire that called him but a few hours ago in a panic. ‘No wonder he was so good at poker; he probably bluffed his way through every hand.’ Spike came to stand a few feet in front of Giles in the entryway. “Watcher,” Spike said by way of greeting. They didn’t shake hands, but Spike did grab one of the suitcases that Giles had placed on the floor. Turning on his heel, suitcase in hand, he headed for the stairs. “We put you in the room across from Buffy. Hope that’s ok.” “That’ll be fine, Spike,” Giles replied, following Spike as he made his way up to the second level. For the benefit of the other two girls, Spike said, “Buffy woke up again a bit ago. I got her to eat some soup, well, drink the broth anyway. Then, she fell back asleep. I guess this bug is kicking her ar-, er” Spike censored himself at the last moment. “Well, at least she’s eating something,” Giles talked over the momentary silence, playing along with Spike’s story. “That’s always a good sign that you’re on the mend.” It seemed to be working. The two girls detected none of the undercurrents in the conversation between the two men. They just assumed Buffy was sick, nothing more. Spike paused before the door across from Buffy’s room. He grabbed the doorknob with his free hand and opened the door. Walking into the room, he placed the suitcase, which was probably full of books judging from the weight of the thing, beside the table. Giles and the two girls walked in behind him. Dawn and Francesca dropped the bags they were carrying then made a hasty retreat back down to the first level waving a quick “see ya” over their shoulders. When Spike was assured they were no longer in hearing range he spoke. “She’s sleeping better now, but I can tell she’s in a lot of pain,” Spike said, the pain of uttering those words reflected in his gaze. “Let me see her.” Spike nodded and they crossed the hall to Buffy’s room. Quietly, they slipped inside shutting the door behind them. No need to have any eavesdroppers listening in. Both men walked over to the bed where Buffy lay sleeping. Spike slipped the sheet back, exposing Buffy. Earlier Spike had slipped her into one of his t-shirts and a pair of panties for modesty’s sake. Giles’ modesty, that is. Carefully, he lifted the t-shirt up until it reached the underside of her breasts. A shocked gasp left Giles’ lips when he got a look at the bruise covering his slayer’s midriff. “Have you ever seen anything like it?” Spike asked, not taking his eyes off of Buffy. When he didn’t hear a response, he glanced back inquiringly at Giles. Unshed tears danced before the watcher’s eyes, and he was slowly shaking his head no. Spike took pity on him. “It’ll be ok, Rupert. She’s strong. She’s already woken up, twice even. And, she’s eaten a little something too. I’m sure you’ll be able to figure out whatever it is that’s hurting her and fix it.” Spike resettled the t-shirt down around Buffy’s hips and pulled the sheet back up over her. He pinned Giles with a stare, very much wanting to believe the words he had just uttered to him. He needed to believe them. He couldn’t live without her, didn’t want to. Giles had to make her better. Once more getting his emotions under control, Giles replied, “Quiet right. I’ll just go back across the hall and see what I can come up with.” Although, he didn’t believe the lie that had just come out of his mouth. He had never seen anything quite like the bruising that was covering Buffy’s body and appeared to be spreading. He only hoped that Wesley could find out more about Buffy’s attacker. At least then they would have a starting point. Remembering Wesley, he told Spike, “I’m expecting faxes from your friends in L.A. about Buffy’s attacker. Hopefully, that will point us in the right direction for fixing this.” “The fax machine is down in the office. You passed in on your way to the stairs. Which I’m sure you already know…so why am I telling you this? You can set up your stuff down there, or here. It’s up to you. The girls stay out of there for the most part, so you shouldn’t be interrupted. I’m going to go back to Buffy. Come get me if you need me.” And with that, Spike walked out leaving Giles to whatever it was that he was going to do. He paused in the doorway. “Watcher,” he said, not looking back. “Thanks.” Without waiting for a reply, he softly shut the door behind him. Giles just gazed at the closed door in bewilderment. Since when did Spike ever thank anyone for something?

Chapter #20 - The Truth Comes Out

Rome 8:00 p.m. Local Time From his perch on the chair, Spike felt Buffy start the slow process of waking. A slight increase in her heart rate, deeper breaths. Looking up from the book he was reading, he was rewarded with her slight moan, and fluttering eyelashes. Discarding the book, he stood and crossed over to the bed. Her head twisted towards the noise of the book falling to the floor. Blinking, Buffy attempted to bring the fuzzy image of Spike into focus. Spike sat on the edge of the bed, lifting one of her hands unto his, stroking it tenderly. “Hey, luv. How ’r you feelin’?” She opened her mouth and attempted to speak. A croaked, “Sore,” tumbled from her lips. Glancing towards the nightstand, she saw the pitcher of water and motioned to it. Spike laid her hand back down and quickly filled a glass full of the cool water. Slipping one hand under her shoulders, he eased her up so that she could take a sip. She must have been regaining some of her strength, because she was able to finish the glass of water as well as half of a refill. When she was finished, Spike eased her back down onto the pillows. “There’s someone here that wants to see you.” Buffy gazed questioningly at him. A slight smile played about his face, and he got up and exited the room. Walking across the hall, he knocked on the watcher’s door before opening it. Giles was sitting on his bed, a book open on his lap. He looked up when the door opened. “Guess who’s awake?” A smile broke out over the watcher’s face and he quickly discarded the book to follow Spike back to Buffy’s room. Giles walked into the room and his eyes went immediately to the figure reclined on the bed. When Buffy saw who the visitor was, a smile broke out on her face and her eyes filled with unshed tears. Spike went back to the chair while Giles crossed to the bed. Sitting on the edge of the bed like Spike had done earlier, he looked down at his charge. Well, not his charge anymore. A grown woman, now. Seeing her in this state was almost more than he could bear. This was worse than that time when everyone’s thought were invading Buffy’s mind. She had been reduced to a quivering mass back then. Now she just looked broken, haunted. “Hey, Buffy. How are you feeling?” he asked as he slipped his hand in hers. The show of affection didn’t go unnoticed by her, and the unshed tears spilled over on her ashen cheeks. “Hurt. You’re here to help?” “Yes. Spike called me earlier when you wouldn’t wake up. I caught the first flight out. Arrived here a couple hours ago.” Buffy glanced at the vampire across the room and smiled at him. He gave a tentative smile back. “We going to figure out what happening to you, Buffy. Whatever it is, it’s strong. The good thing is that your slayer healing has slowed the progress down somewhat. I’m trying to find a spell that will help even more.” He gave a quick glance at Spike, knowing his dislike for magicks, and spoke to him. “Nothing black arts, just a simple deterrence spell. Increase her healing abilities while decreasing whatever it is that’s ki… er, hurting her.” Spike caught the watcher’s slip, and anguish filled his face before the indifferent mask came back. “Well, yes… I’m going to let you rest, Buffy,” he said turning back to her. “I’ll be back in a while to perform that spell, ok?” Buffy just nodded, worn out. At this point, she would take what she could get. Giles got up and headed back to his room. He needed to find that spell and make sure he had supplies necessary to complete it. He shut the door behind him when he left. “Dawn?” she asked, drawing Spike’s attention from the closing door. Shaking himself out of his reverie, he went back over to Buffy. “She’s downstairs with the girls. She doesn’t know. Thinks you’re just sick,” he said. “I’ve never been sick a day in my life. That’s excuse is not going to hold up for long.” “I know. Especially if Giles is going to do this spell. He’s going to need help. She’s going to have to know.” He sighed uselessly, dreading that scene. “We’ll wait until Giles is ready. Then I’ll tell her. No sense shattering her world before then.” Carefully, he crawled onto the bed and cuddled as close to her as he could get without hurting her. He didn’t know what else to do for her, and he lay there contemplating Giles’ Freudian slip. The watcher thought she was dying. Spike didn’t think he could go through that again. That summer after she died was a dark period for him. He lost weight from lack of sleep and food. If it hadn’t been for his promise to protect Dawn, he would have lain down on Buffy’s grave and welcomed the sunrise, his dust covering her final resting place. ~*~*~*~*~ An hour later, Giles knocked on Buffy’s door. He had found the spell relatively easily; he just had to get a few herbs. He mentally thanked his foresight in having the young slayers learn a little about magicks. This made obtaining what he needed rather expedient. A soft “come in” sounded. Holding his supplies in one hand, he used the other to open the door. Both Spike and Buffy watched him enter the room and close the door. Giles eyed the couple. They looked like hell. Buffy he could understand, even Spike partially because of his feelings for Buffy. But still. Then it dawned on him. “When was the last time you fed?” Spike looked up sharply at the blurted question, blue eyes glaring. “’M fine.” “No you’re not. And you’ll be no good to Buffy in your condition. Go get something to eat.” At Spike’s mutinous expression, he added in his best Ripper voice, “Now, Spike.” “Yes, Da,” Spike replied petulantly. A brief smile came to both the slayer and watcher’s mouth and that show of “twoish-ism.” A growl escaped his mouth as he left the room to get some blood. “Thanks, Giles,” Buffy spoke softly from the bed. “I’ve been trying to get him to eat for a while. He didn’t want to leave me. Darn stubborn vamp!” Giles just chuckled. He may not understand this relationship between his slayer and the vampire, but he could see that it did her good. Even though her body was struggling to deal with the poison coursing through her body, he could see that the vampire was beneficial to her well-being. And, if Spike makes her happy, who was he to begrudge? A few minutes later a grumpy vampire stormed back into the room, Dawn following quickly on his heels. She took in the scene and stopped short. Buffy was lying on the bed, pale, like her life’s force was being drained from her body. Giles, normally so stoic, showed signs of desperation, fatigue, and pain. She pushed her way past Spike. “Buffy…” Her eyes darted to Giles. “What’s going on?” He just looked at her for a moment then turned away. Whirling around, her eyes locked on with Spike’s. “Spike?” she whispered. Irritation gave way to despondency, and Spike had trouble holding her gaze. But, he did. “’Bit,” he began. “No!! Not again. Not now,” she began, then stopped. She started to crumble and would have fallen to the floor if Spike didn’t catch her. He pulled her close and gave her a big bear hug. “’Bit. It’s gonna be ok,” he murmured as he stroked her hair. The other two occupants were quiet as Spike tried to comfort Dawn. “That’s why Giles is here. He’ll have her better in no time. Just you wait.” Hopeful eyes looked up and locked with pained blue. “Really?” “You bet.” Forcing a smile, he held her at arms length. “And, you’re gonna help.” Dawn tore her eyes away from him and looked around the room. Spike’s arms slowly fell away from her. She noticed the books and magicks supplies lying on the floor near the bed. “A spell. You’re going to do a spell?” she asked. Giles spoke up. “Yes. Nothing too complicated. It’s just going to enhance her slayer healing abilities, while suppressing whatever it is that’s spreading through her body.” “Spreading through her body?” she questioned. She walked towards the bed to get a good look at her sister. Buffy’s face was pale, and she could make out blue, web-like bruising on her upper arms that were lying on top of the sheet. “Hey, Dawnie,” Buffy whispered, taking hold of Dawn’s hand and giving a loving squeeze. “It’ll be ok. Honest. Giles is going to get me fixed right up.” Answering Dawn’s question, Giles said, “It appears to be some type of poison spreading through her body. We’re going to try and stop it and let her body do the rest. Dawn turned away from Buffy and said to Giles, “What do you need me to do?”

Chapter #21 - A Spell to Help

Giles began getting the room ready for the spell. Quickly, he set up the sacred circle and began lighting candles for protection. Dawn helped by lighting incense and setting out the healing crystals that would be placed on Buffy’s body once she was inside the circle. When everything was set up as it should be, Giles turned to Spike and spoke. “Spike, I need you to place Buffy inside the circle.” Spike gently scooped Buffy up out of the bed and into his arms. He crossed to the circle and knelt before it. “Careful, Spike. You can’t disrupt the circle,” Giles said. Spike fixed the watcher with a glare but once more bent to his task of getting Buffy inside the circle. The circle was large enough that it enabled Buffy to lie inside it without disrupting the protective barrier. When he had her settled comfortably on her back, Spike slowly stood up and backed away. Dawn stepped forward with the crystals and began placing them on Buffy. One for her head, one for her heart, one for each palm, and one for each foot. When she was finished, she rose and went to stand by Giles. He nodded at Dawn to let her know she did a good job, then picked up the book that contained the spell. With a clear, deep voice he read out the incantation seeking healing and restoration for his slayer. The crystals began to glow a bright green then faded to amber as he read. When he finished, the crystals once more returned to their natural, non-illuminated color. It was done. With a sigh, Giles closed the book and set it aside. Meanwhile, Spike crossed back towards Buffy so he could pick her back up and put her back in bed. Concerned blue eyes met hazel. “It doesn’t hurt as bad,” she murmured, awed. That’s all Spike needed to hear. With a grin on his face, he once more scooped the slayer up into his arms, and took her back to the bed. She was starting to get a little color back in her face, he noticed. When she was comfortably settled against the headboards (she didn’t want to lie down), Dawn came over and sat down beside her on the bed. She too was smiling. It widened even more when she heard Buffy’s stomach start to growl. “Dawnie, you think you could make me a bowl of soup? I guess I must be a little hungry,” she said, behind a rueful blush. “Sure! I’ll be right back.” Dawn practically bounced her way out of the bedroom. Buffy smiled as she watched Dawn leave. Turning her head, she glanced at Giles. He made his way over to stand beside the bed. “Thanks, Giles. I can’t tell you…” she started. Giles interrupted her before she could finish. “Yes, well,” he stammered. “No thanks are necessary, Buffy. I just wish I could do more. I don’t know how much this will help. Or, how long it’s going to last. I still need to do research on this attacker…” This time Buffy interrupted him. Taking his hand, she said, “Giles. Don’t worry. I’m sure you’ll figure it all out. And, I do feel better, honest.” As if to confirm her words, her stomach growled again. A blush slowly worked its way up her cheeks. “See. I’m hungry. A sure sign I’m getting better.” “Well, I’ll leave you to eat then. I’ve got some more books I’d like to look at before I turn in,” he said. He patted her hand affectionately, then let go, heading towards the door. “Eat and rest, Buffy.” He gave a pointed look to Spike and exited the room. Spike turned to Buffy and spoke, “I’m gonna see what’s keeping the ‘Bit. I’ll be right back, ok?” Buffy smiled and nodded her assent. Spike smiled back and followed after the watcher. ~*~*~*~*~ Spike noticed the watcher’s bedroom door open when he stepped out into the hallway. He poked his head in the doorway and made eye contact. “How long do you think it will last?” Spike asked. “I’m really not sure, Spike. I’m going to grab a few books and head down to the office. Hopefully, Wesley will have sent some information by now.” “I’ll see what’s keeping the Niblet then join you.” Spike heard his agreement and backed out of the room. His paused, then stuck his head back inside. “It’s good that she’s hungry, right Rupert?” Giles looked up from gathering his books. He saw the concern on the vampires face and sighed. He didn’t know what to say. On the one hand, he didn’t want to encourage Spike too much. But, on the other, he didn’t want Spike to give up hope. In the end, he couldn’t dash Spike’s hope, for to do so, would kill his own. “Yes, Spike. This is a good sign.” Spike nodded and left the room to search out Dawn. ~*~*~*~*~ Spike found Dawn in the kitchen. Well, at least he thought it was the kitchen. Every available surface space was covered by vegetables, spices, pots, and other paraphernalia. Dawn was running hither and yon in an attempt to make, what? He didn’t know. Who did she think she was, that Emeril bloke? “Dawn, what the hell?” Dawn stopped in her tracks and looked at Spike. “I just…she wanted some soup,” she started gesturing to the stuff on the counters, “I was trying to…” Spike crossed over to her and gave her a hug. “It’s ok, Niblet,” he spoke soothingly. “I think some Campbell’s will be fine. Maybe we can save this for tomorrow?” She nodded against his chest. He smiled into her hair. “Why don’t you get a can out of the pantry while I start cleaning this mess up.” More nodding. Pushing her to arms length, he gestured with his head towards the pantry. She just stared at him. Spike turned her around to point her in the right direction. Then, he gave her a swat on the butt to get her moving. She yelped, and glanced back at him to give him a good glare, rubbing her offended posterior. Chuckling, he turned away to start putting away everything she had just pulled out. Dawn came out of the pantry with a can of soup and quickly heated it up on the stove. By the time the soup had warmed up, Spike had everything put away and a tray set out for Buffy. Dawn scooped some soup into the bowl, cut a few slices of bread, and filled a mug with herbal tea. When she was finished, she picked up the tray and started up towards Buffy’s room. Spike followed behind her shutting out the lights in the kitchen on the way. ~*~*~*~*~ Back in Buffy’s room, Dawn set the tray carefully on Buffy’s lap. The smell of food had Buffy’s stomach growling once more. She picked up the spoon and started to eat while Dawn looked on. Spike leaned against the door jab and watched for a moment. “I’m going to take the girls out for a quick patrol,” Spike said from the doorway. “Dawn can stay here and keep an eye on you while I’m gone, ok?” Buffy stopped eating to look at him, concern evident on her face. Spike met her gaze and spoke again, “They can’t sit around here and do nothing. I’ll keep an eye on them. Promise.” She gave a short nod. “I’ll be back in a couple ‘f hours. Giles is downstairs in the office if you need him.” He pushed away from the doorjamb and went to round up the girls for patrol. ~*~*~*~*~ Patrol was uneventful. There was no sign of Buffy’s attacker, although he had looked. They encountered a few newly risen fledglings that the girls were easily able to make quick work of. Frustrated, he trudged his way back home, the girls following behind. ~*~*~*~*~ Entering the darkened house, the girls departed to their rooms to sleep. Spike walked to the office to tell Giles that he was going to check on Buffy and come back downstairs to help with the research. Giles muttered something that sounded like an “ok” and continued reading from the book on the desk before him. Spike walked into Buffy’s room to check on her. She was sleeping peacefully: slow, steady heartbeat; deep, even breaths. There was no sign of Dawn. He left the room and walked down the hall to Dawn’s room. He turned the knob and peeked inside. She, too, was sleeping. He pulled the door shut and went downstairs to help Giles. ~*~*~*~*~ With a frustrated sigh, Spike plopped down in one of the chairs that were in front of the desk. “Anything?” he asked. Giles looked up from the text and leaned back in his chair. He pulled the glasses from his face, whipped out his handkerchief, and started wiping the lenses as he spoke. “Not really. I was hoping that I would have received word from Wesley by now, so I could start cross-referencing some things. But, nothing as yet, had come across the fax machine.” Spike frowned. “How’s Buffy doing?” Giles asked. “She’s sleeping. The ‘Bit, too. I tried to see if I could find any trace of Buffy’s attacker while we were out patrolling, but nothing. It’s like he just disappeared without…” He stopped abruptly, and stood up. Giles took one look at the serious concentration on Spike’s face and stood up as well. Walking to the cabinet behind him, he reached in and grabbed an evil-looking axe, prepared to do battle. He hefted a sword at Spike. Spike grabbed it and left the office, headed for the front door. A soft knock sounded just before he reached to throw the front door wide open. The building was protected by a spell, so he wasn’t too worried about who was outside. But, someone knocking on the door at eleven o’clock at night could not be a good sign. With a quick glance at Giles to make sure he was ready, he threw the door open, sword extended menacingly at the figures standing just beyond the door. Fred’s wide eyes started back at him. “Spike?” Relaxing his battle stance, he pulled the tip of his sword away from her neck and pointed it towards the ground. “Sorry, pet.” His eyes landed on the faces of the other two people with her. “Hi, Wes… Angel.” Wesley mumbled a hello. Angel didn’t say anything. “Wesley?” Giles asked, moving closer to the open door. “Hello, Rupert.” Spike moved aside and allowed them to enter, then rushed up to the second level. He bypassed Buffy’s room and went to Dawn’s. He opened the door and crossed to the bed. Gently, he shook her awake. “Dawn. Dawn, I need you to wake up for a minute…” Moaning in her sleep, she attempted to roll over and snuggle deeper into her pillows. Spike picked her up and carried her downstairs. “Spiiike? What are you doing? Put me down.” “Sorry, Niblet. We have a guest,” he said as he put her down by the front door. “Mind inviting him in?” She threw an exasperated look at Spike, then turned to look at the man standing in her doorway. “Come in.” she grumbled. A half-smile came to Angel’s lips and he stepped over the threshold as Dawn moved out of the way. “Can I go back to bed now?” “Sure, Niblet. Thanks,” Spike said. Grumbling, half-asleep, she made her way back upstairs to bed.

Chapter #22 - We Are One

Spike watched Dawn slowly ascend the stairs until she was out of sight. Then, he turned to the assembled group in the front entry. They all stood there in awkward silence until Giles spoke. “Let’s go in to the office, shall we? I have my research set up in here.” Giles gestured to a room off the front entry. “Wesley, I take it that you brought what you’ve been able to find out about Buffy’s attacker?” Wesley nodded and indicated the satchel he had slung over his right shoulder as he preceded Giles into the office. Fred and Angel trailed behind him, followed by Spike. Giles walked in last and shut the door behind him. Wesley and Fred took the two seats in front of the desk, while Angel propped himself up against the wall, arms folded over his chest. Giles went around the desk and sat down. Spike stood behind him, adopted a stance similar to Angel’s. “So, Wesley, what have you been able to find out?” Giles asked. Wesley started speaking as he began pulling texts, papers, and other research items out of his satchel. “Based on the drawing Angel was able to recreate, we’ve been able to determine that Buffy’s attacker is from the Draemuir dimension. They’re a hierarchical-based world ruled by draelorns. They’ve been content to stay in their own dimension, thus far. We still can’t fathom why they would venture in to our world, but we’re still researching.” “Why would they want to try and come here? Haven’t they heard about the sudden over-population of slayers?” This from Spike. “It makes no sense to us either,” Fred said. “If they wanted to attempt expanding their empire, they should have tried it before now.” “So, we need to find out why they’re suddenly interested in our world. There’s got to be a reason for their sudden interest. And, even more troubling, what makes them think they have any hope of succeeding,” Giles said. “I’m assuming you all will be here for a while?” “Until it’s fixed,” Angel spoke from his space by the wall. “Right. Then, you’ll need a place to stay. I’m sure we can find some room for you here.” “That won’t be necessary. Wolfram & Hart owns a hotel in the city. I’ve booked us rooms there. We can shower and change there then come over here to research. I don’t want to disrupt things any more than they are,” Angel said. Spike pierced his Grand Sire with a look. “We can make room. She’ll want to see you,” he said quietly. “See me she will, but we’ll stay at the hotel,” his quiet tone brooked no argument. Spike just sighed and nodded. “Now that that’s decided… Why don’t you all go get some sleep and well get a fresh start in the morning? I’m sure your body clocks are all awry after that long flight,” Giles said. They all agreed to get some rest and meet back there first thing in the morning. Well, before sunrise, as to account for Angel’s safe passage. Then, the three visitors were gone, leaving behind the research they had brought with them. There was no sense in lugging it back and forth from the hotel. ~*~*~*~*~ Spike went upstairs to keep vigil over a sleeping Buffy, leaving Giles once more alone in the office. He took off his glasses and set them on the desk. Using his right hand he pinched the bridge of his nose as he leaned his elbow on the desk. He had deliberately avoided mentioning the prophecy that he was researching in front of the others and tried to get them to focus on Buffy’s attackers. He feared the two items were directly related and he needed as much information as possible about this draelorn demon before he voiced his concerns to the others. For now, he went back to researching. He was desperate to prove himself wrong about this prophecy, Buffy’s fate, as well as the line of the slayers. He had seen a lot over the last seven years first as her watcher, then her mentor. The heartache she’d endured. Betrayals she’d overcome-some by him. The failed relationships. The death of her mother. Her dying, twice. Then, getting resurrected the second time, torn out of Heaven by her well-meaning friends; attempting to get used to being back on Earth again. If what he thought came to pass it was going to be a long while before she saw Heaven again. ‘Don’t think negatively. Look through the books and find a different answer.’ ~*~*~*~*~ She awoke to feel the cool sand beneath her bare feet; a white, calf-length dress billowed about her legs from the gentle breeze. Buffy took a moment to get her bearings then realized she was immersed in a slayer dream. “Great! As if the last one wasn’t bad enough,” she mumbled under her breath as she started walking through the darkened desert. A full moon provided the light necessary to guide her on her way. Buffy arrived at the cave, unerringly. She took a deep breath before walking inside; there was just *something* about a slayer dream that made you want to delay putting off the inevitable. As she expected, a fire provided the only means of light. What she didn’t expect was to see the first slayer walk out to calmly sit beside her. Last time, it was all about the skulking through the shadows, lurking behind the flames, and paint-covered face as she pranced around in the latest “cavewear.” The woman before her stood tall, proud, shoulders thrust back in a regal bearing. Her face was scrubbed clean to reveal her beautiful ebony skin, high cheekbones, and wide lips. She wore a simple dress that blazed with vibrant colors of green, red, blue, purple, orange, and yellow. A blue turban the same shade as the color on her dress covered her once-matted dreadlocks. On her feet was a simple pair of leather sandals. She was stunning! “Welcome, Buffy Summers,” she said in a melodious voice. The raspy, cryptic voice was a thing of the past. “Uh… hello. You’re the first slayer, right? What’s with the new look?” The first slayer flashed a wide smile and took Buffy’s hand in hers. “My time is nearing an end. Soon, someone else will take my place as guardian of all who will come after. This,” she said, gesturing to her clothing, “is my burial wardrobe. It is the custom of my people to celebrate death as life. Vibrant colors are worn to celebrate a new life in the hereafter.” “But why?” “Why are you asking me questions for which you already possess the answer?” “But…it’s just. I know about the whole death being my gift thing. But why now, why me? I don’t want to be the… Haven’t I don’t enough?” she cried. “Buffy, you sealed your fate when you reclaimed our weapon, the slayer’s weapon. It bonded to you in ways you cannot begin to fathom. When you used the scythe to release the potentials allowing them all to become slayers, a part of you went to each of them. You are tied to them, and they to you. This is the reason.” Buffy just looked at the first slayer, stunned. She had no idea that this would be the consequence of working that spell. Sighing, she got up to leave, allowing the other woman to finish her preparations. From the looks of things, it meant that Buffy didn’t have long.

Chapter #23 - Vows, Subterfuge, and Memories

Buffy awoke in the predawn hours to feel Spike trying to carefully untangle himself from her. The spell that Giles conducted last night seemed to help a bit. She was still sore and could feel her strength draining away, but she believed that she could still get up and move around. The first place she wanted to move to was the bathroom. It seemed like ages since she’d relieved herself, or taken a shower. With that thought in mind, she sat up as Spike was pulling on his jeans. The soft rustling on the bed had him glancing around at her. “What do you think you’re doing?” he whispered a little harshly. “Bathroom and shower,” she said as she swung her legs over the side of the bed. Spike rushed around to the other side of the bed intent on carrying her there. She shot him an evil glare just daring him to try it. She wasn’t going to build up her strength if he kept carrying her everywhere. Seeing the look on her face, he shot both hands up in the air in a placating gesture, but stood there in case she needed him. Slowly, Buffy stood up on wobbly legs; she faltered for a minute-arms shooting outward for balance-then regained purchase and started her way towards the bathroom. When she got to the bathroom, she grabbed on to the doorjamb and held on. She looked back to where Spike was watching her progress with anxious eyes. “Where were you off to?” she asked taking in his semi-dressed attire. “We had more guests show up while you were asleep,” he mumbled. “Heard them pull up and need to go let them in.” Buffy looked at him, a question on her face. He didn’t know if he should tell her or not. What was he thinking? He had to tell her. Shoot, she was going to find out soon enough anyway. He looked at the floor, then sighed and looked back up at her. “Angel, Fred, and Wesley showed up late last night. They’re here to help figure out this mess,” he said, motioning towards her stomach region. “Take a shower. I’ll let our guests in and rouse Giles, then come back up to get you, ok?” Buffy nodded and slowly shut the bathroom door. Spike pulled on a t-shirt and padded barefoot to the door. He knocked briefly on Giles’ bedroom door, letting him know through the closed door that the L.A gang was back, then went downstairs to let Angel and company in. ~*~*~*~*~ The office held more people than it was comfortably able, but the occupants wanted to be assured of privacy from the younger slayers. There was no point getting them involved if it wasn’t necessary. Spike sat beside Fred in one of the two chairs in front of the desk, holding a weakened slayer snuggly in his lap. She had exhausted herself with her shower and her attempts to walk on her own until finally he had growled and scooped her into his arms and carried her down the stairs and into the office. Damn woman and her independent streaks. Dawn perched on the arm of Spike’s chair-there was no way she wasn’t being included in the research, especially since she had found out the seriousness of Buffy’s condition last night. Giles was again behind the desk, Angel and Wesley flanking him. Quickly, Giles outlined a plan of attack in dealing with the situation. “I think the best thing would be to split up into groups. We still need to find out all we can on this Draemuir dimension as well as Buffy’s attacker. But, I think it would be beneficial if we could actually find this person, demon, whatever it is. Maybe then we can narrow down what he has done and come up with a solution to fix it. Spike, Angel, I’ll leave that to you. You can take the other slayers with you. It will allow them to keep up their skills while Buffy is incapacitated,” he said, pinning Spike with a look. Spike gave a slight nod back at the watcher. There was no way Buffy was going out to patrol and he had effectively sidestepped any argument that she might come up with. “The rest of us will research. See if there is anything we’ve overlooked or have yet to find.” He squelched the guilt he was feeling about the short text he had found and was now secretly hidden in his room. He wasn’t even sure if the passage related to Buffy. His conscience argued that it wasn’t true, but he refused to dwell on the finality of the words. And, if he mentioned it to the others, then they would become distracted-possibly give up hope. So, for now, he was keeping mum. To make it easier to research, they collectively decided to move everything into the dining room. It had a huge table and allowed them to spread out. Grabbing books, scrolls, pads of paper, and pens; Fred, Wesley, and Dawn went to go set everything up. With the sun now peaking on the horizon, Spike and Angel were pretty useless, so they both decided to get a few more hours of sleep. Spike stood up with Buffy in his arms and was about to take her back upstairs, but she stayed his action. “I need to look at a few things on the computer. See if Willow or Xander sent me an email.” Spike gave her an exasperated look, but nodded and deposited her in the chair behind the desk that Giles had just vacated. He brushed a kiss to her forehead then left to show Angel where he could catch a few hours sleep. Giles was just about to follow the two vampires out of the office when Buffy’s voice stopped him. “Giles?” He stopped and turned around to look at her. “I had a slayer dream last night.” The whispered words carrying a tinge of fear had him closing the door to the office and walking back towards her. “I haven’t told Spike…” she faltered, eyes filling with unshed tears, head bowed. She took a steadying breath, then looked up at Giles with anguish filled eyes. “I haven’t told Spike yet. But, I saw the first slayer. Twice, actually. But, last night it was different. She was different.” Giles looked at her questioningly, silently urging her to continue. “She said I’m tied to the slayers and they’re tied to me. Because of that spell we did with the scythe. That now, I’m going to become their guardian. But, that’s not the worst part.” Mentally, Giles braced himself for her next words. “Death is my gift,” Buffy whispered, letting the tears finally fall. Giles rushed around the desk to pull the woman he had always thought of as a daughter into his arms. He pulled off his glasses so that he could wipe the tears streaming down his face with the back of his hand. “Buffy…” he began, unsteadily. He grabbed her upper arms and held her out so that he could look at her. “Those dreams are supposed to be prophetic. Like a metaphor of what may happen. Could possibly happen. And, I’m stressing the ‘could.’ The events of our life are not set in stone.” “But Giles. You don’t understand. The first dream I had. It was the exact same one I had when I was dealing with Glory. And, you remember how well that went.” Giles went pale at that. But, he quickly recovered and pressed on. “It doesn’t matter. We will figure this out.” “Ok.” Buffy gave him a wobbly smile and sat back down behind the desk. Her trust in him was implicit. She turned on the computer, letting it warm up. “Don’t stay here too long, Buffy. You still need your rest.” “God, you’re as bad as Spike,” she grumbled. “Fine, I won’t. But, I’m not going back to bed.” Before he could interject with more fatherly concern, she told him, “But I’ll confine myself to the couch and watch TV. Is that ok?” “Yes. That should be fine.” Leaving Buffy to her email, he made his way to the dining room to join the others at research. He felt as if he had been sucker-punched. As Buffy told him about the dreams she had, all he could think of was the short passage now emblazoned in his mind. Two demon’s compromise An ensouled phoenix shall arise Mixed blood interwoven To save all chosen From unequivocal demise ~*~*~*~*~ Spike lay in bed, refusing to get up as he heard his Grand-Sire walk down the hall. He could be the bigger vampire and allow him this time with her. ‘Yeah, right! Who am I kidding?’ But, he knew that they had some things to discuss; he just had to trust in Buffy’s love for him. After all, it was he that was in her room, lying in her bed, attempting to get some sleep; not Angel. With a smile on his face, he cradled her pillow close to his face and dozed. ~*~*~*~*~ Buffy sensed him before he had even opened the door. Quickly, she finished typing her email. Guys, I need you. There is not much time and I would like to say goodbye. Love, Buffy She knew the email was abrupt, and would probably send both of them into conniptions. But she didn’t have the time, or the strength, for a longwinded explanation. “I’m coming, I’m coming, you overbearing, protective vampire,” she ranted, her gaze locked on the computer as she pressed the send button on her email, not bothering to look up as the door opened. “You’d think I wasn’t the slayer the way you act-“ She broke off as she looked up and saw it was Angel in the door, not Spike. “Angel! Hi!” “Buffy,” he acknowledged softly as he shut the door behind him. He took in her awkward greeting and hesitant manner and sighed softly. Gone was the shy girl he had come to love so long ago. Before him sat a woman; strong, confident, capable. And, this woman didn’t love him. He was sure there was a part of the girl still inside that would always love him-be in her heart. But, it was the blond vampire upstairs that she loved, his Grand-Childe. And, if that’s what she wanted then, he’d stand aside. No matter how much as it pained him. “How are you?” he asked. His question struck her as funny and she started laughing. A good laugh that took all the melancholy produced from her earlier conversation with Giles away. Tears of joy, this time, slipped out the corners of her eyes and she leaned back in the chair as she wiped them away. Angel didn’t know what he said to make her laugh, but he was glad to see her happy. Finally, she wound down and told him, “I’m sorry. It’s just that everyone’s been asking me that. It’s: Hey Buffy, how are you? or Hey Buffy, how are you feeling. I’d be rich if I was given a nickel every time someone has said that to me the last few days.” She smiled at him, and the brooding expression that was a constant on his face melted for a moment, and he smiled back at her. “But, to answer your question, I’m cookies.” “Uh, cookies?” Angel racked his brain trying to figure out what the hell she was talking about. Maybe the exhaustion was getting to her, messing with her mind. She gave him an impish grin and just waited. She didn’t have to wait long. “Right, I remember. The day I showed up in Sunnydale with the amulet. We kissed. You told me you were cookie dough. But, you’re not cookie dough anymore? You’re cookies now?” “Yeah, about that. I’m sorry.” “Sorry? For what?” “For kissing you.” “Huh?” “It’s just, the thing with Spike. I had to be sure. So, I kissed you.” At his confused look, she plodded on. “It was nice, don’t get me wrong. But, you weren’t him. I needed to see if what I felt for you would ever allow me to feel anything for him. And, that’s why I kissed you. Then I knew. I love you, Angel. A small part of me probably always will. But, I’m in love with Spike. I can’t imagine my life without him.” If they could, her words would have broken his heart. But, his heart had stopped long ago. “When we were in the school and that amulet took over, I knew he wasn’t going to be leaving with us. And, I didn’t want to go. I would have stayed down there and died with him. But, he wouldn’t let me. He made me leave. Threw my words of love back in my face and forced me to go. Damn stubborn vampire.” Angel chuckled at that. He knew how stubborn his Grand-Childe could be. But, at the same time, he was capable of such great love. He would protect those he loved with his life, had protected. “It’s ok, Buffy. This thing with us was never going to work anyway. I just want you to be happy. And, if Spike makes you happy, that’s good enough for me.” “Thanks, Angel,” she said softly. “Now, are you about done in here? You need to rest.” “God! You’re just as bad as Spike!” she complained. “But, as a matter of fact I am, and I’m going to go watch TV. in the living room.” She got up from the chair and slowly made her way around the desk. She was feeling weak again, but refused to give the vampire the satisfaction of her whining. Slowly, she made her way to the office door. Angel watched her awkward movements. ‘Damn girl is as hardheaded as Spike ever thought of being.’ One minute Buffy was walking towards the door, her groans echoing soundlessly in her mind, the next, she was scooped up into Angel’s arms. “Dammit, Angel, put me down. I’ve got two feet of my own.” “That are about to give out. You just don’t know when to quit, do you? Spike would have your ass, and you know it!” She just crossed her arms in front of her and pouted as he carried her to the living room and deposited her gently on to the couch. Standing up, he grabbed the remote off the coffee table and handed it to her. She gave him a dirty look but mumbled a thank you. “Need anything else?” “No, I’m fine,” she groused, still pouting at his highhandedness. “Good. Relax and don’t get up. Call Dawn if you need anything. I’m going to catch a few hours sleep.” He tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear and quickly left the room. He hadn’t slept in what seemed forever, and he was literally walking dead on his feet.

Chapter #24 - Red's Return

Several hours later, Dawn came out of the dining room to check on Buffy. For her part, Buffy was bored to tears, but her slowly deteriorating condition prevented her from leaving the confines of the couch. The spell Giles had done last night had helped, but whatever was coursing through her body was quickly adapting, bent on its destructive path. At the rate things were going, Buffy figured she had a few days left. Wiping the negative thoughts from her mind, she looked up at Dawn. “Hey Dawnie! How’s the research coming?” Dawn sat on the floor next to the couch facing Buffy. Her expression told Buffy all she needed to know. They were getting nowhere. Buffy reached out and ran her hand down Dawn’s hair. “Don’t worry, Dawnie. We’ve faced worse than this and been fine. You’ll see.” “I know. It’s just that Giles, way smart. And, Wesley and Fred, they’re both also good with the research. We should have found something by now.” “It’ll come, Dawnie. So, is everyone taking a lunch break?” she asked. “I think so. Can I get you something? Some more soup?” “Soup would be of the good,” she lied. The thought of eating right now unsettled her already sore stomach, but she needed to give her sister something to do to take her mind off of things. “One bowl of chicken noodle soup coming right up,” Dawn said, getting to her feet. ~*~*~*~*~ Dawn brought her sister her soup then returned to the kitchen to make herself a sandwich. Giles joined her in the kitchen asking where the other girls were. “They went back to the festival. Today is the last day.” Giles mumbled some kind of acknowledgement. He almost dropped the pot he was filling with water when Dawn squeaked. “Oh god. I almost forgot! Giles, I’ve got to go pick up something I forgot to get yesterday. Will you be ok here without me for a couple hours?” “Hmmm, oh yes. Fine. Go ahead.” “Thanks Giles! Oh, and can you let Buffy know where I went. I don’t want her to get worried.” She rushed off to grab her purse and was out the door in a whirlwind of teenage exuberance. ~*~*~*~*~ She held the sword before her ready to block her attacker’s thrust. She couldn’t see his face because of the hood, but she knew she was dealing with evil personified. Over and over he swung, trying to find an opening. Each time, she blocked him. But, she was growing weaker. Soon her tired arms would give way, allowing him the chance to connect his sword with her flesh. On a particularly violent round of thrusts and parries, his hood fell back revealing his face. Black, soulless eyes started back at her. Unusual markings adorned his face. A maniacal grin transformed his features. All too soon, her arm strength gave out and his sword ripped into the flesh on her stomach. His face twisted with glee as his aim was true. Buffy dropped the sword and clutched at her middle, attempting to stem the flow of blood. She glanced down at the blow taking her eyes off of her attacker. There was no blood. Moving her hands away from her injury, she noticed that her stomach had turned blue. She glanced at her hands to see that they had become pale with rivulets of blue snaking up from her fingertips to disappear beneath her shirt. “What have you done to me?” she screamed. “The time is at hand for us to rule and you are the link standing in our way. When you are gone along with your line, I will be given a place of honor in the new order. It is just a matter of time.” “Nooo…” she moaned. Then her voice became stronger, defiant, “You will not succeed. I have defeated worse than you could ever dish out. I will not let you win.” He walked forward towards the girl sitting on her knees, body racked in pain, staring up at him mutinously. “Succeed?” He ran his hand down her face to cup under her chin. “I have already succeeded.” Damius released her face, letting her body crumple to the ground. ~*~*~*~*~ Spike came awake to the sound of an erratic heartbeat. “Buffy,” he whispered, throwing off the sheet. Pausing long enough to throw on a pair of jeans to cover his naked body, he raced out the door and down the stairs. “Buffy!” he hollered, running unerringly towards the living room. The heartbeat that was once erratic was now very faint. He pulled up short when he saw her looking so lifeless, just laying there on the couch. For a moment, he thought that she was dead she was so still. But he calmed, reminding himself that he could still make out her heartbeat, however faint it was. That had him rushing forward again to her side, kneeling beside her. He lifted a trembling hand to her face, praying that she would open her eyes and look at him. He’d never been more scared in his un-life. “Buffy, luv. Wake up. Look at me,” he pleaded with her still form. He reached out to smooth her hair from her face and was shocked by how cold she felt. Panic was starting to set in, and he looked up towards the entryway to see his Grand-Sire standing there, torment mirroring his own. ~*~*~*~*~ Spike’s anguished cry had people coming from various places all over the house. Angel had heard Spike rush by the room he was taking a nap in. He, too, had heard the erratic heartbeat but had been slower to react because of his lack of sleep. But, Angel wasn’t far behind him when Spike finally reached the living room. Giles, Fred, and Wesley had come rushing out of the dining room. They came to a halt when they noticed Buffy’s appearance as Spike knelt beside her. She had obviously deteriorated rapidly in the last few hours. It was a good thing Dawn had left to go to that market, Giles thought as he gazed at the unconscious slayer lying on the couch. Giles walked into the room and stood behind the sofa so that he could look down at both Buffy and Spike. He hadn’t seen Spike this devastated since Buffy had jumped off the tower to save Dawn’s life. “Spike,” he began, his voice breaking. Spike looked up at the watcher. “Giles, what happened? The magic?” “The magic was only a temporary fix, Spike, not a cure. Apparently, whatever is invading Buffy’s body has overcome the feeble spell we cast last night. Right now, our only hope lies with finding this Draemuir demon and determine what he has used to harm Buffy.” He glanced around at the others as he said this. Then he turned back to Spike. “Spike, let’s get Buffy back in bed. Alright?” Spike looked up at the watcher and nodded. Almost reverently, he lifted Buffy into his arms to carry her back upstairs to her bed. The others trailed behind him. ~*~*~*~*~ Dawn came home a few minutes later. Walking in to the office, she hid her gift that she had purchased for Spike. She left and headed towards the living room to check on Buffy; she could hear the faint tunes of the TV. When she got there, she was surprised to find the TV on but no one in the room. She cut the TV off and walked towards the dining room to see how Giles and the others were coming along in the research. ‘That’s odd,’ she thought to herself when she noticed the books still scattered out on the table but finding the room was empty. “Giles,” she called as she walked in to the kitchen. No one. Everyone was gone. Then, she noticed the quiet. Eerie quiet, as in the something-bad-has happened type of quiet. ‘Buffy,’ she thought and raced upstairs to find her sister. She screeched to a halt just inside her open doorway when she saw everyone in her room. “Buffy,” she whispered. Five sets of eyes turned to look at her. Her gaze settled on the piercing blue of Spike’s. “’Bit,” he got out, pushing away from the bed and walking towards her. “Is she-“ Dawn began to ask. She couldn’t finish the thought and started to crumple to the floor. Spike reached her and pulled her in to a hug, soothing her. “No, platelet. She’s sleeping, is all. See,” he said and turned her towards the sleeping figure lying on the bed. “Why don’t you go sit next to her, ok?” Dawn walked over to the bed and sat down in the chair that had been pulled over. Spike’s anger was slowly getting to him, and he needed some type of release. Turning away from the scene, he stormed out of the room and headed up to the third floor. Maybe a little exercise would help. Angel looked at Giles for a moment then followed Spike. Between the two of them, they should be able to work off some of their helpless frustration. “Dawn, why don’t you stay here and keep Buffy company. We’re going to head back downstairs to our research. Come and get us if she wakes up or starts thrashing in her sleep, ok?” Giles said, after the two vampires had abruptly departed. Dawn just nodded, her eyes not leaving her sister’s face. ~*~*~*~*~ Spike walked in to the training room, game face already on. Reaching the wall with the weapons, he pulled down a sword and walked towards the far side of the room. Angel took his shirt, shoes and socks off, leaving just his pants on to match Spike’s attire. He then went to the wall and pulled down a matching sword, slipping in to game face as he turned around and faced Spike. They weren’t really battling against each other. But, their demons needed a release, needed to inflict violence. Sparing with each other gave them this. It also prepared them for when they finally found Buffy’s attacker. And, it was when, not if, for there was no doubt in either of their minds that they would find him. They were predators, and the hunt would be on tonight. They were just waiting for the sun to set. So, for now, they sparred. After a while, they left the training room to shower and change for the hunt that would begin soon. ~*~*~*~*~ Angel and Spike had showered and just finished their mugs of blood when the sun disappeared into the night sky. Grabbing Angel’s empty mug, he rinsed both mugs out in the sink. He made his way to the dining room to tell Giles that they were off to patrol, Angel trailing behind him. Spike left Angel in the dining room with the others while he left to round up the other slayers. “We will find him, Giles,” Angel said after Spike had left the room. “We’re not coming back until we do. We’ll take the girls out for a while. But, we can’t have them with us on this hunt. This is something we have to do alone. They would only slow us down.” Giles nodded at him. “Just be careful. We don’t know how powerful this demon is. Oh, and try to bring him back alive.” Angel gave him a look, but wisely made no promises. Soon, Spike was back and the two vampires, followed by ten youthful slayers, left the house to make Rome a little safer for the night. ~*~*~*~*~ After the patrol party left, Giles and the others got back to work. He gave himself a few more hours to try and find some alternate means for Buffy before he had to voice his interpretation of the prophecy Wesley had received and the additional passage he had found. Pushing his grim thoughts aside, he willed himself to find the right book to make this situation all better. The three were deeply engrossed in their respective books when the phone rang about an hour later. Giles stood up so quickly his chair toppled over. He quickly rushed off to get the extension in the office. “Hullo,” he rushed out after his un-watcher-like dash to the office, praying he got to the phone before the person hung. “Giles?” a female voice questioned. “Willow?” “Yep, it’s me. I just wanted to let you know that I’m on my way. I was in France when I got Buffy’s email this morning, and I caught the first flight out. I’m at the airport now and should be there in about an hour.” “Huh? Willow, I’m confused. You’re saying you’re here in Rome? Right now?” he asked confused. “Yep. Buffy sent me an email this morning. Giles? Where is Buffy going?” ~*~*~*~*~ “Giles? Where is Buffy going?” The innocent question of Willow’s played over and over in Giles’ head. He gripped the phone tightly in his hand and debated how to respond. In the end, he took the easy way out. ‘Better to tell her in person,’ he thought to himself. “We’ll discuss everything when you get here, ok?” “Ok. Oh, the luggage turnstiles are starting. I’ll see you in a bit. Bye, Giles.” Then the line went dead. Heaving a sigh, he went back to the dining room to let the others know about Willow. “Fred, Wesley, you remember Willow?” At their nods and murmured assents, he went on. “Well, apparently, Buffy sent her an email telling her to come. It appears she’s in Rome as we speak and should be here within the hour.” “Well, that could be a bit of good news, actually, Rupert.” “How so?” he asked. At this point, he’d take any good news he could get. “For one thing, this whole attack on Buffy has me puzzled. If it were a normal battle, her Slayer healing abilities, such that they are, should have easily been able to repair the damage done to her body. This leads me to believe that some type of magick may be involved, maybe even the dark arts.” Fred picked up with Wesley’s thought, and finished for him. “And, if magick is involved, it would give off some type of residual energy, almost like a homing beacon. And, who better to find that signature than a witch,” she exclaimed, excitedly. “Yes, of course. I don’t know why I didn’t think of that. I guess with all that’s happened, I didn’t even think about the possibility of this attacker doing magick. It was the break that they had been looking for, and the three got back to work, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the redheaded witch. ~*~*~*~*~ It was dark when the taxi pulled up to the house. Thanking the driver, Willow grabbed her bags and made her way to the front door. ~*~*~*~*~ A splash of red dashed by as Spike rounded the corner. They were on their way back to drop off the girls so that Angel and he could go hunting. ‘Red?’ Then, he sniffed the air. It was her. He broke in to a jog to catch up with her. He stopped and stared as she raised her hand to knock on the door. “Hey, Red!” At the sound of that name, one she hadn’t heard in so long, Willow whirled around. She took in the bleach-blond hair, the black duster and clothes. “Spike?” “Yep!” “But how? You died…you know…in Sunnydale… with the whole fire and whoosh thing…then the whole huge crater thing,” she babbled. “You can thank the good people at Wolfram and Hart. They brought me back,” he said, flashing his trademark smirk. “They thought the Big Bad was gonna be on their side. But, I haven’t been on that side for a while. So, I stuck around helping out Angel in L.A. Now I’m here.” As he finished his brief summary, Angel and the others walked up. “Angel? What are you doing here? What in the world is going on?” she asked, confused. “Let’s go inside, Red. We’ll let the watcher explain. Then, you can go say hi to Buffy.” He walked past her and opened the door. He picked up her bags and went inside. Willow trailed after him, confused, followed by the rest of the patrol party-who were unusually quiet. ~*~*~*~*~ “Giles!” Spike hollered and he walked through the entryway and dropped Willow’s baggage in the foyer. “Willow is here!” “Oh, for heaven’s sake,” Spike could hear Giles mutter. “Damn vampire, doesn’t have to shout. Could just walk down to the bloody dining room.” “I heard that,” Spike said as he reached said dining room. “Come on in, Willow,” Giles said as Willow reached the dining room. “You’ve met Fred and Wesley, of course.” She bobbed her head yes, as she came in to the room. ‘Uh oh. This does not look good,’ she thought. “Uh, Giles? What’s going on? Why are all these people here? And where in the world is Buffy going that I had to leave France and rush to Rome and say goodbye?” That last question effectively silenced everyone in the room. If Spike could, he would have paled even more. Giles stood up, snatched the glasses off his face and whipped out his handkerchief to begin a thorough cleaning. He didn’t know where to begin. “Um, actually, Buffy isn’t going anywhere. She’s hurt. Badly as a matter of fact. She was probably scared when she wrote you and wanted to have you near.” The color drained from her face at Giles’ words. Deflated, she collapsed into one of the dining room chairs. “But, how?” “We’re working on that. And, now that you’re here, we’re hoping you could help.” “Anything!” Giles put his cleaned glasses back on his face and sat back down. He told Willow everything that had happened to Buffy with regards to her attacker, including the part that magick might be involved. “So, since you’re here, we were hoping you could do a type of locator spell that could pick up on any dark magicks that may have been conducted in or around Rome.” Both Angel and Spike perked up at this. This was the first time they had heard about this, and a break like this could prove very useful to the two. “No problem. You guys still keep your magick room stocked, right?” At Giles’ nod, Willow said she needed to grab a few things and would be back momentarily. Spike turned to Angel, an excited gleam in his eye. ‘Finally. They were getting somewhere!’ he thought.

Chapter #25 - Locating the Demon

Willow came back with the ingredients for the spell. She set everything up in the main foyer, claiming that she’d need the space. Then, she turned and spoke to Giles. “You said it was magick that was affecting Buffy, right? Like a type of poison in her system.” He nodded yes. Slowly, she walked over to Spike. “I’m going to need a little of her blood, preferably near her original wound. Can you do this for me?” A stricken look crossed his face, but Spike nodded and left the room. She glanced at Angel, but his face was an immovable mask, his emotions locked behind the sturdiest of cages. Spike climbed the staircase, dreading the task that Red had given him. But, if it would help locate the sadistic bastard that had hurt his slayer… Dawn glanced around as Spike walked into the bedroom. He crossed to the nightstand and opened the drawer. He pulled out the small dagger that was kept inside. “What are you gonna do with that?” Dawn whispered. Spike looked at her. He wasn’t quite sure what to say. “Uh, Red’s here. She’s gonna do a spell to help locate that bast, er, the demon that did this. But, she needs a little bit of Buffy’s blood.” “Ok,” she said softly, trusting this vampire who was like an older brother. “Can you get me a plastic cup out of the bathroom, ‘Bit?” He’d rather not have her in the room as he nicked her sisters stomach with the dagger. Dawn got up and left to get the cup. Spike sat on the end of the bed, pulling down the sheet and lifting her top to expose the wound on Buffy’s stomach. The blue was once more pronounced, and the blue veins were starting to work their way down her arms and legs. Placing a hand on her stomach to keep her still, he inserted the dagger a half an inch in to her stomach right near the jagged scar. Buffy made no protest; wherever she was right now, she was beyond pain. Dawn came back with the cup and Spike pushed it lightly into her side to allow gravity to drain her blood into the cup. When the small cup was a quarter of the way full with blood and poison, he pulled it away from her body. Spike leaned down and licked the residual blood off her stomach and helped close the small wound he had made. Afterwards, he pulled her top back down and pulled the sheet back over her, resettling it around her waist. He brushed his lips over her forehead and got up to bring Willow the needed blood. Dawn resumed her seat, more interested in keeping an eye on her sister, than watching the show downstairs. ~*~*~*~*~ The spell took no time at all and as soon as the destination became clear, both vampires were gone-coats billowing behind them in their haste. They took Angel’s company car, and were near the old farmhouse Willow spoke of in under an hour. Parking a ways away so as not to alert the demon, they trekked the remaining mile on foot. As they neared the farmhouse, they stopped to sniff the air. They could detect no human presence. Cautiously, they made their way inside. Both vampires went through the house in record time. No one was there. They decided to check the barn, just in case. There were no animals inside the barn, which was immediately suspicious. As they neared the end of the barn, they noticed that the bundles of hay were arranged in a weird way. Spike glanced at Angel and spoke softly, “Is it me, or is that hidin somethin?” Both vampires walked around trying to find some type of catch. On the second pass, Angel noticed a little lever. Giving it a tug, it dropped down in the open position. A soft whir sounded in the barn, and then the board holding the bales of hay slid to the side revealing an underground cave. Both vampires slid into game face as they descended the stairs to the chambers below. As they reached the bottom, they heard rustling coming from the chamber at the end of the hall. Stealthily, they crept along until they reached the closed door. Each took up positions on either side of the door, swords drawn. At a nod from Spike, Angel kicked the door in sending it crashing against the far wall. Damius looked up from his scroll to see two enraged vampires enter the chamber. Seeing the demon that had hurt his slayer sent Spike into a rage. Wasting no more time, he charged, leaping over the table in his rush to get to the demon. Damius lifted his sword off the table at the last moment, deflecting most of the blow. The vampire had moved so fast, he had barely reached his sword in time. Spike landed nimbly on his feet and turned to face the demon. Angel stood before the door, sword ready, and let Spike fight. His demon demanded the right, and Angel would not be the one to interfere. “You’re dead, demon. Tell me what you’ve done to Buffy, and I’ll make it quick.” “You think killing me is going save your precious slayer? Even now the poison is coursing through her body. Her slayer healing properties are no match for our magick. What my people have wrought is before even your time, vampire,” Damius taunted. The clanking of swords rang out in the chamber. Damius was careful to keep the vampire at a distance so as not to disrupt his markings. Both were evenly matched, but Spike had rage and revenge on his side. Right now, he was the cold-blooded killer he had been for over a hundred years. He stalked his prey, moving in closer and closer for the kill. Seeing his intent, Angel tried to reason with Spike. “We need him alive, Childe.” A slight clearing of the bloodlust haze that had enveloped his eyes was the only indication that Spike heard him. Changing the grip on his sword slightly, he waited for the demon to lunge. When he did, Spike sidestepped, switching his grip to hold the sword with his right hand, as he swung downward, sending both swords to the ground. With his left hand, Spike drew back and slammed it into the demon’s cheek. The punch caused the ink markings on the demon’s right cheek to smudge. Damius reared back as if mortally wounded. “Damn you, vampire! I was not ready to return,” he yelled, black eyes boring in to Spike’s. The demon disappeared right before Spike’s and Angel’s eyes. “Bloody fucking hell!” Spike raged. “Where did he go?” Angel walked over and put his hand on Spike’s shoulder. “You smudged his markings. They were his ties to this dimension.” “Shoulda’ just bloody killed him. At least then I would have been satisfied,” Spike grumbled. “Come on, let’s get the books and head back to the house. Maybe something in here can tell us what was used on Buffy.” Sighing, Spike turned away from the spot where the demon had disappeared. Noticing the books on the table, he walked over to them. They both made quick work of gathering the various references before leaving the farmhouse behind. ~*~*~*~*~ Spike walked into the house, several books in his hands. He made his way to the dining room and dumped the lot on the table. Without a word, he turned on his heels and left the room. He wanted nothing more than to see Buffy, hold her close. He paused in the doorway and saw Dawn still sitting in the chair, but with her head on the bed, fast asleep. Walking over to the bed, he ran his hand over Dawn’s hair. “Niblet? Come on, ‘Bit, wake up,” he said softly. She stirred and looked up at him. “Huh? Spike?” she said sleepily. “Off to bed with you. I’m here now. Go get some rest and you can sit with her once you wake up, ok?” She nodded, and slowly pushed her way to her feet. Spike walked Dawn to the door and watched after her as she made her way down the hall to her room. After she had closed her bedroom door, Spike backed in to the room and closed his. He walked back to the bed, stripped off his clothes, and climbed in to bed. He got as close to Buffy as he dared without jarring her, closed his eyes and went to sleep. ~*~*~*~*~ “What’s all this stuff?” Giles asked after Spike’s abrupt departure. Angel stared at the opening Spike has disappeared through for a moment, lost in thought. Mentally shaking himself, he turned to answer Giles. “This stuff,” he began, placing the items he also carried down on the table, “is all that we could get from the demon’s hideout. Hopefully, there is something in here that can be of use to us.” “And the demon?” “Gone.” Angel answered shortly. “But, I told you we needed it alive…” Giles began. Angel cut him off. “Look, I know what you said. And believe me; we did everything we could to keep that thing here. We didn’t kill it. Its damn markings got smudged during the battle and the thing up and disappeared-right before our eyes.” “I’m sorry, Angel. I know you guys would have done everything in your power. It’s just that it would have saved us some much needed time if we had a place to start. And time is not in our favor, it seems.” Angel sighed and nodded. They were all frustrated right now, and getting in to a yelling match right now would not help matters. Angel picked up a scroll and a huge book handing one to Wesley and the other to Giles. “These were the things that the demon was looking at when we burst in. Maybe this would be a good starting point,” Angel said, effectively breaking the tension that had settled around the dining room. Giles glanced down at the scroll, noted the dialect, and grabbed another book to help him translate. Wesley glanced at the title of the book he was given then began thumbing through the text. Fred and Willow got up and they each grabbed a book from the pile that Spike and Angel had brought back from the farmhouse. Seeing the occupants of the room settle down in to research-mode once more, he left to get some blood out of the refrigerator. Research wasn’t his forte and it wouldn’t do for him to stand over them, lurking. He decided to head to the Rome offices of Wolfram & Hart to see if he could find any more information on this demon, the Draemuir dimension, how the hell it got here and why. ~*~*~*~*~ “This can’t be right,” Wesley mumbled to himself some hours later about an hour before dawn. “What’s that, Wes?” Fred asked. “I think I’ve found out what that demon did to Buffy,” he said. He quickly outlined the ingredients of the elixir that were used. Then he dropped the bombshell. “It cannot be undone. This…this spell, poison, whatever you want to call it. There is no way to counteract it. It’s sole purpose is to kill the soul.” The other occupants of the room leaned back in their respective chairs, devastated. “Surely, there is something?” Giles asked, refusing to believe. “I’m sorry, Rupert. Here take a look.” Wesley handed the book to him. Giles read the script, his face going pale. “Oh. dear. Lord.” As if to punctuate the gloomy mood that had settled over the room, a distant clap of thunder was heard followed by the pounding of rain against the windows. Obviously, they were in for a big storm today. The front door opening and closing broke the silence in the dining room. Angel walked in, happy to have a bit of good news to share with the others. He stepped in to the dining room and noticed the defeated faces of those around him, unable to meet his eyes. “What is it?” he barked out. “Angel,” Fred began, but then faltered. “I don’t know how…we just found out what spell that demon used. There’s no way to counteract it,” she said quietly. Angel refused to react to her words. He held his emotions tightly in check, but inside, he was raging. If he could go back to that farmhouse and kill that demon, he wouldn’t think twice. He could feel his control start to slip so he turned on his heel to leave the room. “That may not be entirely true.” Giles words stopped him cold and Angel spun around, eyes flashing yellow, to pin the watcher with a glare.

Chapter #26 - Life in Death

“That may not be entirely true.” Just a sliver of hope, but enough to cling to. At this point, Angel would take anything. Anything. “There may be repercussion. It’s why I’ve hesitated to mention it before now.” He broke off, removing his glasses so that he could put his thumb and forefinger over his closed eyes to prevent himself from crying. He took a steadying breath, then looked up at the other occupants of the room. “I need to retrieve some things from my room. Why don’t we take a break for a few hours? We’ve all been going nonstop. Willow, you’ve done nothing but a spell and research since you arrived. How about if we all meet back here at,” he stopped to glance at his watch. 6:00 a.m. “11 o’clock? That will allow us to catch an hour or two of sleep and get refreshed.” Feeling much steadier since his announcement, Giles began issuing directions. “Willow, your old room is available. Perhaps Fred can bunk with you?” At her nod, the two girls left, each retrieving one of Willow’s two suitcases that were still in the main foyer. “Wesley, how’s the couch in the living room sound?” “Rupert, right about now, the floor sounds inviting,” he replied, exhaustion evident in his voice. “Good. Angel, you know where you are.” Nodding at Giles, Angel left, followed by Giles and Wesley. ~*~*~*~*~ Buffy woke feeling as if her whole body was encased in ice. “Cold,” she mumbled, her eyes fluttering open. Weakly, she tried to bring the covers up around her shoulders to get herself warm. “Hey! You’re awake,” Spike whispered. He leaned up to look at her and felt like he had been kicked in the gut. Blue lines were slowly creeping their way up her neck, just cresting her jaw line. He reached out and ran his hand lovingly down the side of her face. “Cold.” “Well, let’s see if we can take care of that, pet.” He climbed out of the bed and slipped in to his jeans. He walked to the closet and grabbed a couple of blankets. Unfolding each one, he draped them in layers over Buffy’s body. “Better, luv?” he asked once he was finished. She nodded and gave him a weak smile. “Oh, guess who showed up last night? Willow. I could see if she’s awake. Would you like that?” She gifted him with a tremulous smile and nodded. He smiled back at her and told her he’d be right back. He opened the bedroom door and stepped out in to the hallway. Noticing Giles’ bedroom door open, Spike crossed the hall to peer inside. Giles was rushing around in his room, anxious. “Giles?” he called trying to get the older man’s attention. Giles stopped what he was doing and looked up guiltily at Spike. Spike’s eyes narrowed; he could hear the bound of the watcher’s heart, his nervousness, and he sniffed the air. Was that fear? “What the bloody hell is going on, Watcher?” Giles backed up a step when he heard the underlying menace in that question. Giles willed his heart to slow down, knowing his pounding heart was feeding his sudden rage. True, Spike had a soul now and obviously fought on the side of good. But, a soul alone would never hinder him the way his chip once would. It was something he had tried to explain to Buffy, but to no avail. Taking a calming breath, he spoke. “Spike, we’re about to meet downstairs to go over some developments. If you would care to join us?” Spike tilted his head to the side, regarding the watcher for a moment. Giles met his gaze, unflinching. Spike let it go for now. “Can’t,” he said in response to Giles’ invitation. “Buffy’s awake and I told her I’d go get Red for her.” “Maybe it’s for the best. We can discuss it later.” Secretly, Giles was a happy that Spike wouldn’t be there as he broke the news to the others. He had always been an emotional vampire and Giles had no way of knowing how he would take the news. Thankfully, Angel was there. Whatever past the two vampires have had, they appeared to have come to a tentative truce. Maybe when Spike found out, Angel could be a calming factor on his rage. “Willow is a few doors down the hall, in the room next to Dawn’s. She should be up since we had tentatively decided to get together at 11 o’clock and it’s just about that time now.” “I’ll get Red to sit with Buffy and then I’ll be downstairs for your little pow-wow session.” Giles nodded and went back to gathering the things he would need to explain his understanding of the prophecy. Spike left the room in search of the witch. ~*~*~*~*~ Spike was just about to knock on the door to Willow’s room when the door opened inward. Lowering his hand, he said a polite hello to Fred. Willow walked up behind her and greeted Spike. “What’s up, Spike?” “Buffy’s awake and would like to see you.” “She is… oh… that’s wonderful,” Willow gushed. “I’ll just go…” Spike smiled as the redhead darted around him and rushed off to Buffy’s room. “I’m just gonna head downstairs,” Fred said. Spike stepped back out of her way. He glanced over and saw Dawn’s door open. “I’ll be down in a sec. I’m just gonna talk to Niblet for a minute.” “Niblet? Oh, you mean Dawn. Ok.” Spike walked off to see how Dawn was doing while Fred descended the stairs to see about Giles’ new development. ~*~*~*~*~ Angel, Wesley and Fred were the only ones in the office when Giles walked in and shut the door. Gripping the tattered scroll tightly in his hands he crossed silently to his seat behind the desk. Rather than put off what he had to say, and wanting to get through as much as possible before Spike arrived, he launched right into his interpretation. “Wesley, you brought the translation to the original prophecy you received in L.A.?” “Got it right here,” he said, producing a copy of the translation. “Good. Reread the first stanza for me.” “Spawned from darkness and evil. Yet, but for love willingly chose. To give up the demon inside. For which a soul now grows.” “When we first translated it we thought of Angel,” Fred offered. “Yes, I could see where you might make that mistake,” Giles commented. “The next part, Wesley.” “As the one grows weak. And begins to decay. A kiss, mixed with blood. To keep death at bay,” Wesley read. “And the last part,” Giles urged. “A price will be paid. To save the one’s life. Forever immortal. No longer among light.” “Yes, unfortunately, it all makes sense now.” “What make sense, Giles?” This from Angel. He’d heard the translation before and it made no more sense now than it did the first time Angel heard it. Except for the first part and how it had seemed to be centered on him. “While I was in England trying to decipher the text from it’s original form, I came across a short passage. Quite by chance, actually.” “Don’t keep us in suspense, Rupert. Tell us already,” Wesley said. “Yes, of course.” Taking a deep breath, he picked up a single sheet of paper and read. Not that he needed to read from the paper. The memorized words written on the sheet of paper he held taunted him. “Two demon’s compromise. An ensouled phoenix shall arise. Mixed blood interwoven. To save all chosen. From unequivocal demise.” He put sheet of paper down on the desk. Pulling off his glasses, he threw them on top of the discarded paper, disgust with himself and the whole situation evident in his stiff bearing. His slayer was about to become that which she had spent the last seven years killing. But, two, not one demon would be battling within her body. And, if Buffy did not agree to it… well, she held not only her fate, but also the fate of the other slayers in her hand. ~*~*~*~*~ Willow was shocked when she walked into Buffy’s room and saw the condition her friend was in. This was the first time Willow had had a chance to see Buffy since she had arrived. Things had been real hectic from the moment she had walked through the front door. And, it wasn’t like Buffy had been up to having visitors. “Buffy! Hey,” she whispered softly. The email Buffy had sent came back to her and understanding dawned on the witch’s face. Buffy knew that she was dying. “Xander?” Buffy croaked. Willow shook her head. She hadn’t heard from him in a while, and she didn’t know if Xander had received Buffy’s email or not. After the events of Sunnydale, Xander had gone off on his own once they had reached England. Remorse about Anya had hardened the once-comical, fun-loving man. Trying to escape the memories of his years in Sunnydale, he had left his friends, choosing to wander alone in distant countries, occasionally finding a new slayer to send back to Buffy or Giles. His emails of late had gotten more sporadic, as if he was drifting away from his friends, trying to leave his old life behind. When Buffy had sent the email, she wasn’t sure if Xander would get it in time, but she had to try. He was her friend, even thought they didn’t always see eye to eye on things, and she had wanted to say goodbye. Seeing Buffy’s melancholy, Willow tried to lighten her mood. “Don’t worry, Buffy. Giles has a new theory. He’s actually talking to the gang about it now. We’re gonna make this better, you’ll see.” Buffy gave her friend a reassuring smile, wanted Willow to believe that things would be ok. Unfortunately, she knew better. “Can you get… paper… pen… in the drawer?” She lifted her hand weakly to point to the nightstand drawer. Willow got up quickly to do as she asked, bring back the blank paper and pen and handing it to her. She spied a book on the table on the other side of the bed, and rushed around to grab it, giving Buffy a flat surface on which to write. Buffy attempted to write a letter to Spike, but in her much-weakened condition, she ended up only writing a few words. When she was finished, she dropped the pen on the bed beside her. Folding the letter in half, and then in half again, she brought it to her mouth to kiss. She held it out to Willow. “For Spike. After…” Buffy choked out. Willow took the note, holding it close. Tears were now slipping unheeded down both girls’ cheeks. “Buffy. It’s gonna work out. You’ll see,” she cried, moving to the bed to give her friend a reassuring hug. “I told you, Giles--" Buffy shook her head. “Getting close. Can feel it.” Just then, both girls heard shouting, followed by a bellow of rage. Spike. ~*~*~*~*~ “So, what are you saying? I have to turn her?” Angel demanded, yelling loudly. There was no way he was doing that to Buffy. Was Giles crazy? Buffy… a vampire? Or, was it half-vampire? Was there such a thing? The door to the office banged open to reveal one pissed off vampire in all his glory. His below of outrage could probably be heard throughout the house. “No. Bloody. Fucking. Way, Watcher!” Spike hollered as he advanced into the room. “Spike, come in, please.” Gesturing to his bumpies, he told him to relax. Spike just crossed his arms over his chest and waited. When the occupants of the room settled down once more, he went on with his explanation. “Angel, to answer your question, no you don’t have to turn her.” Then, he let the bomb drop. Eyes locked with Spike he uttered the words that would crush, possibly both vampires. “Spike does.” “Me?” Spike whispered, confused. His demon features faded at his shock revealing the human mask once more. Tormented cerulean-colored eyes gazed back at him. “Why me?” “Because, Spike, you are the vampire described in the prophecy.” He quoted softly, “Spawned from darkness and evil. Yet, but for love willingly chose. To give up the demon inside. For which a soul now grows. You willing chose to have your soul restored. Angel was cursed with his.” Giles glanced at Angel to see how he was taking this news. A flicker of emotion before it was quickly covered by his trademark brooding expression. Not as bad as he had expected. “But…” “Spike, Buffy had a slayer dream the other night. She hasn’t been able to tell you about it yet, but it all ties in to this prophecy. With your help, she will become the new guardian of the slayers, taking the place of the First Slayer. She is bound to them through the spell conducted with the scythe before your battle with The First. If her soul were to depart this plane, all the slayers that were instantly called would lose their abilities. I think this is what that demon was trying to achieve when he attacked Buffy. By killing Buffy, we would be left with just one slayer: Faith. It would be too good of an opportunity for the Draemuir demons to pass up. We have to keep Buffy alive. Well, if not technically alive, as she would be a vampire. But, her soul would be grounded here, enabling the slayers to live.” Spike shook his head, unable to process all that Giles had told him. He turned to look at Angel. “I can’t. She’d hate me. Hate what I had done to her. Sire,” he spoke. Angel pushed up off the wall and walked over to Spike. He put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. Spike was obviously distraught; so much so that he had acknowledged Angel with his title, rather than some off-the-wall nickname he would normally use in mixed company. Angel didn’t think Spike was even aware of what he had done. “William,” he spoke softly, for his ears alone, “it must be done. She will not hate you. Couldn’t hate you. It must be done and you will do this.” His tone brooked no argument. Their whispered words were broken up when Willow came flying down the stairs and ran into the office. “Giles! It’s Buffy. She’s-” She got nothing else out before two vampires raced past her running up the stairs. They were out of time. It was time to fulfill the prophecy. ~*~*~*~*~ Thud. Thud. Thud. Thud. Thud. Thud. Why hadn’t he noticed before? Her heartbeat was always there - beating in the back of his mind. He should have noticed the second it started to weaken. He reached the doorway and stopped dead in his tracks. Buffy was stretched out on the bed, body bowing slightly off the surface; her head was thrown back exposing the veins running down the sides of her neck. He didn’t have much time. He walked quickly into the room and crawled up along side her. He stripped off his shirt and flung it aside, not caring where it happened to land. Vaguely, he heard the bedroom door shut. Apparently, Angel thought it best that there should be no witnesses. And, he was grateful. If he had to look at the ‘Bit’s eyes, he didn’t think he could go through with this, prophecy be damned. He pulled the covers off of Buffy and pulled her carefully into his arms. Spike lifted her hair back to expose the unmarked side of her neck. Before he could think better of it, he shifted and sunk his fangs in her neck, piercing her jugular. He’d had the blood of two slayers before her, but even in near-death, Buffy’s blood, by far, was the sweetest he had tasted. Even with the poison coursing through her veins. She had let out a slight moan as his fangs pierced her neck, but he was so gentle and she was so far gone with pain that the slight discomfort faded quickly. Spike continued to drink from Buffy, leaning back on the bed with her draped over him as her limbs lost whatever strength she had. Thud… thud. Thud…thud. Thud…… thud. It was time. Reaching up, he sliced his chest, right near where her lips rested. Releasing her neck, he guided her lips to his cut, willing her to drink. Rolling over so that Buffy lay beneath him, he rose up on his elbows and allowed the blood from his cut to drip down into her open mouth. She could do nothing but swallow as gravity forced the blood down her throat. Thud…….. Thud……. With a final swallow, her heart stopped.

Chapter #27 - It's All in the Preparation

Spike tenderly kissed the blood off of Buffy’s mouth before extracting him arms from around her body. Almost methodically, he rearranged her limbs so that she looked like she was just resting. Then, he climbed off the bed away from Buffy’s lifeless body. He walked two steps before he lost it. Blinding rage consumed him and he lashed out at the inanimate objects in the room. Nothing was safe from his path of destruction. Lamps, chairs – they all went flying as his grief tore through him. Tears fell steadily from his yellow eyes. He cursed the fates, God, everyone, for making him do this. The bedroom door flew open as Spike continued his rampage. Angel could understand how Spike felt. He had stood outside her door, keeping everyone away, and listened as Buffy’s heart slowed and then finally stopped. But, he couldn’t let Spike beat himself up over this. This stuff was beyond him, beyond all of them. It had been preordained, and Spike was just a pawn in Fate’s machinations. It was time to remind Spike of that. Angel grabbed Spike from behind before he could pull out the drawers to the dresser and fling them about. His fury was so great Spike just shrugged him off. “Spike!” Angel hollered, once more grabbing him, trying to get him to calm down. “Spike! Stop it!” “Ow!” he yelled as Spike elbowed him in the stomach attempting to break Angel’s hold on him. But, he didn’t let go. Angel could tell the exact moment when the rage wore off and the anguish began. Shudders racked the younger vampire, and Spike cried. Sinking to the floor as his legs gave out, he gave in to the grief he was feeling. Angel slipped down beside him and in a show of utmost compassion, pulled the younger vampire into his embrace and provided protection and comfort while he cried. Angel didn’t say anything, just allowed Spike to grieve. Besides, there wasn’t much he could say right now. Spike was doing what Angel was unable to do. So, he let Spike cry for both of them. Moments later, a blinding white light invaded the room and enveloped Buffy. Angel just stared in awe. For a second, Angel thought that he could make out the image of Cordy. But, then, the light got even brighter around Buffy and Angel had to shield his eyes against the glow. “Spike. Look.” Spike was still crying, but not as hard as before. Angel tried to get his attention. “William. Look at Buffy. She’s glowing.” Slowly, Spike lifted his off of Angel’s shoulder. He glanced at the bed and sucked in an unnecessary breath. Buffy was glowing. Just like an angel. He wiped his tears to clear his blurry vision. Realizing where he was, he scrambled out of Angel’s embrace and stood up. His slayer was glowing! Glowing! What the hell – or should he say heaven – was going on? Angel got up off the floor and came to stand beside Spike saying, “You did that, William. You are what’s keeping Buffy’s soul grounded here. So, don’t be sorry. Don’t hate yourself. True, she may be different. But, without you she would have died taking all the others with her. Never forget that.” Silently, he left the room, leaving Spike alone with Buffy. He needed to tell Giles what was going on. ~*~*~*~*~ Spike hadn’t moved from where he stood gazing at his slayer when there was a knock at the door sometime later. After a pause, the door opened to admit Giles. He peeked around the corner of the open door then paused at the sight before him. As if in a trance, he came in and absentmindedly shut the door behind him. “It’s true,” he whispered mostly to himself. Buffy lay in the bed and appeared to be sleeping peacefully. But, she was just glowing. There really was no other way to describe it. In all his years as a watcher, in all the texts he’d read, Giles had never come across anything that described what he was seeing. It was as if her soul was a blinding burst of light, refusing to leave her. This was a monumental event that would need to be documented, so that Watcher’s for years to come might now what his slayer had done – for all of them. Shaking himself from his revere, Spike turned towards the watcher. “I need to leave her for a bit. There are things I need to do, to prepare.” He didn’t go any further. He wasn’t about to tell the watcher of his plans. Didn’t want to hear his protests. And he would too. But, if Spike was doing this, he was going to do it right. He grabbed a clean shirt out of a drawer that, thankfully, was still attached to the dresser. He dressed quickly, told Giles to watch out for Buffy, then left the room. He didn’t know how much time he had before Buffy woke up. Normally, he would have a few days. But, well, his slayer never did anything the normal way. The skies were still dark in the early afternoon because of the continuing rain, and it allowed Spike to leave without having to worry about his sun “condition.” He had snagged Niblet’s keys to make it easier and quicker for him to take care of what he needed to do. His first stop was a candle shop where he loaded up on dozens of candles in varying size, shape, color and smell. Buffy’s rebirth would be nothing if not special. Then, he scoped out a local hospital. He refused to allow Buffy’s first meal to be pig’s blood. He was determined make her as strong as possible, and if that meant human blood, so be it. And, it wasn’t like he was going to kill humans for her to obtain it. He was just going to nick it from the donor storage facility. Leaving the car parked at an unused side exit, he walked around to the front and slipped inside. His duster billowed behind him as he moved quickly down the hall, water droplets leaving a trail behind him. Rather than head towards the ER department, figuring that that blood storage area would be constantly busy, he took the elevator to where surgeries were performed. Except for the odd emergency surgery, most were conducted by appointment. Traffic there shouldn’t be as bad. Luck was on his side, and he didn’t encounter anyone in the hall. Slipping inside the lab, he made his way towards the wall freezer that held all the donated blood. ‘Jackpot!’ he thought as he opened the door. The freezer was packed with blood; it must have been just recently stocked. He grabbed a box from under a counter and started dumping bags of blood inside. He was careful to grab the more dated blood, leaving the newer stuff behind. When the box was full, he closed in then shut the cooler door. Picking up the box of blood, he swiftly made his way to the stairs, figuring people would be less likely to notice him. Down several flights and he was soon wending his way to the side exit where he had parked Dawn’s car. He opened the front passenger-side door and set the box inside. Quickly, he crossed back to the driver’s side and slid inside. The rain was coming down in buckets and his hair was plastered to his head, water running unheeded down his face. His duster had protected his clothes from most of the deluge, but he could feel the front of his shirt plastered to his skin. He would have grabbed a couple of bags of blood for the drive home, it seemed like it had been forever since he ate. But, the thought of slush blood had him crinkling his nose in distaste. He could wait a few minutes until he was home and able to heat some up in the microwave. ~*~*~*~*~ When Spike arrived back at the house, the rain was still pouring as hard as ever. I guess Mother Nature was just as pissed as he was at the slayer’s death. Ignoring the rain, he grabbed the five huge bags full of candles in one hand and the box of blood in the other and made his way inside. He dropped the bags in the foyer and took the box of blood into the kitchen. Spike opened two bags of blood and dumped them into a huge mug and stuck it in the microwave. The remaining bags, about 40 of them, were placed in the freezer. He planned on gorging himself, and Buffy, on the human blood the first few days of her un-life. And just let someone try and stop him. The buzzer sounded and he pulled the mug out and gulped down the contents. Ahhh. Human blood. He had almost forgotten what it tasted like; he’d been swilling the animal stuff for so long. He was just licking his lips when his Grand-Sire walked into the kitchen. “Change of diet?” Angel asked, an underlying menace in his tone. He could smell the human blood on Spike. Spike returned the glare. Without a word, he opened the freezer door revealing the bags of blood. “I’m gonna do this, I’m gonna do it right,” Spike argued. “No Childe of mine is going to awaken to pig’s blood. So, I paid the hospital a little visit. Hell, I even took the older stuff.” He crossed his arms over his chest, waiting for the battle ahead. Angel surprised him. “Just checking to make sure it wasn’t bodies you were stacking up, Childe.” Spike was at a loss. Had Angel stepped out of brooding mode to attempt a funny? He decided to tease him a bit. After all, it was what he did. “And if I had?” he replied, trademark smirk firmly in place as he cocked his scared eyebrow. Angel moved forward to grab Spike and shake some sense in to him. He wasn’t even halfway to him when Spike started grinning like an idiot. “Gotcha, Peaches!” Angel turned and started out of the kitchen mumbling under his breathe about insolent Childer needing some discipline and not showing the proper respect. Spike chuckled and followed after him, his mood temporarily lightened.

Chapter #28 - I Wrote You a Letter

Spike noticed the packages waiting for him in the foyer and his light mood evaporated. Grabbing the items, he realized that it was awfully quiet in the house. When he got to the open doorway of the bedroom, he realized why. Everyone was there, standing inside the room. Most had dazed expression on their faces. All gazed at the glowing figure on the bed with something akin to awe. He felt it too, but that didn’t mean that everyone else had to witness it, dammit! The awakening of a Childe was a private matter, and these people were intruding. Seeing that Spike was about to erupt, Angel began slowly ushering the people out of Buffy’s room. Finally, it was just Spike, Angel, and Willow standing inside. Willow walked over to Spike and handed him a folded piece of paper. “What’s this, Red?” he asked. Then, he caught a whiff of Buffy. He brought the paper up to his mouth and sniffed. Closing his eyes, he inhaled, letting her scent wash over him. “Buffy… she…asked me to,” Willow was floundering. Her friend, for all intents and purposes, was dead. And Buffy knew. Knew that she was going to die. “She said it was for after,” she whispered. Tears falling freely down her face now, Willow rushed out of the room to search for Dawn. Maybe between the two of them, they could find some type of comfort. Dawn had left before Angel could force her, refusing to speak to the blond vampire. Spike walked over to the chair Buffy used to curl up in to write in her journal. Cautiously, he unfolded the paper. Buffy must have written this recently, if Willow was the one handing it to him. He looked down at the paper and read. Journal Read Love You Make Angel tell… Cookies The few words scribbled stared back at him. Obviously this was important to her. She must have written it right before he rushed up here. Right before he killed her. “What is it?” Angel asked softly. “She said she loves me. Told me to read her journal. Then, there’s something here about cookies, said to ask you.” Spike looked up at Angel questioningly. Reluctantly, Angel told him about the conversation he had with Buffy. Told him about his arrival in Sunnydale before the fight with The First. About that kiss that Angel didn’t think Spike had seen, but had more than likely been able to smell. About Buffy’s subsequent talk of her being cookie dough and that one day she’d be cookies. “And, that’s what she told me yesterday. That she was now cookies. You made her cookies.” Hope shined in his eyes as he gazed up at his Grand-Sire. Maybe she wouldn’t hate him when she woke up. “I’m going to leave you now. I’m sure there are things you’d like to do before Buffy wakes.” Nodding, Spike stood up and walked with Angel to the door. Angel still needed to talk with the others about what he had found out while at Wolfram & Hart. They had been sidetracked when they had heard about Buffy’s situation, and there had been no talking to any of them. Now that they’d been banished from the room, it was time to lay out a plan of attack for when Buffy rose. She was going to be needed to help close the portal to the Draemuir dimension once and for all. After Spike closed the door behind Angel, he went to the bags he had placed inside the door. Dozens upon dozens of candles were inside and he started pulling them out to set up all over the room. Then, he walked through and lit each one of them. He turned off the artificial lighting, leaving only the candles burning in the room. While he was gone someone, probably Angel, righted the mess he had made of the room during his earlier rampage. When the room was to his liking, he exited soundlessly, making his way down to the kitchen once more. He opened another two packets of human blood in a mug and heated it in the microwave. He wasn’t hungry, but the more human blood he had coursing through his veins, the better it would be for Buffy. So, he’d continue to eat every few hours until she awoke. He finished his mug quickly, not wanting to encounter anyone. His guilt was still riding high, and he didn’t want to see any accusing stares pointed his way. Although if he stopped to think about it, no one – except possibly the Niblet – had looked at him like he was a monster. But, it still didn’t make him feel better. While secretly he was glad that Buffy would be around for all eternity with him, the last thing Spike had wanted to do was turn her. She was sunshine and light, not the darkness he had become so long ago. Once more closeted in the bedroom, he went to the chest that held Buffy’s journal and opened it. Various memorabilia lay within, and Spike took note of a few things. A shawl her mother once wore. A couple of pieces of art, probably stuff that had once been displayed in her mother’s room. Reaching into the box, he pulled out Buffy’s journal. He shut the lid and walked back to the chair that was placed across the room. Sitting once more, he opened the journal to the first page, and began reading Buffy’s words. ~*~*~*~*~ May 20, 2003 God I feel stupid doing this. But, Giles thought it would help. Practically demanded it is more like it. What, am I like fifteen again I yelled at him. He just gave me that uptight, pompous Watcher look and said that ‘he’ was far older than fifteen and he still kept a journal. I just rolled my eyes at him and walked away. Well, I wrote something, so there! God, I’m tired. I just want to sleep, for say, the next month straight. Spike traced his fingers across the first journal entry. His slayer didn’t like to write, obviously. He had to chuckle at the uptight, pompous Watcher comment. He had always thought the same himself. ~*~ June 1, 2003 Don’t think this is going to become an everyday occurrence. I’m just bored, that’s all. We’ve been in L.A. for the last ten days resting and recuperating. Hiding, if the truth be known. We’ve had no contact with the outside world. Our little group has stayed to themselves. We didn’t want to attract attention. And, we damn sure didn’t want to run into the pseudo-Scooby gang here. Giles has had Willow trying to break into bank records to enable him to become the power-of-attorney for the Council’s resources. She finally broke in yesterday. Can I just say yay! Now we’ve got access to the Council’s funds. And, I have to say, when I looked at the bank balance I was shocked. Couldn’t they send a little of that my way??? Sheesh. Do they know what I went through two years ago? They could have spared me the humiliation of working in that God forsaken Meat Palace! Stingy bastards! Anyway… Now that we’ve got access to money, we’re leaving California behind. Personally, it can’t come fast enough. The more miles between the closed Sunnydale Hellmouth and me, the better! Giles has rented a Winnebago and we’re headed to Cleveland. Apparently, there’s another Hellmouth there, and Faith is gung-ho about keeping an eye on it. More power to her! Thoughts of that camper on wheels bring back… Spike flipped the page, but the entry just ended and another began. So, he continued to read. After the first initial lapse in the dates, he noticed that she started writing daily. She described her cross-country journey, how they picked up a few slayers along the way to Cleveland. She mentioned the small building they converted to a local headquarters with the help of Council money. Apparently, Giles wasn’t skimping now that he had taken over. Buffy wrote that they spent over a week there getting things set up before she, Dawn, Giles, Willow, Andrew, and Xander caught a flight out of the states headed for England. After a bit, he looked up from the journal to glance at Buffy. She was still glowing and showed no signs of waking. And, though, he wasn’t hungry he made a quick trip to the kitchen for more human blood. Once back, he picked up the journal and re-immersed himself in her words. ~*~ June 21, 2003 Well, we made it. All six of us. Although, if I have to listen to Andrew drone on and on anymore I’m going to put my slayer abilities to good use and beat the crap out of him. Damn, he doesn’t shut up! And, what’s with the damn tweed? He does realize that he doesn’t have to wear that crap to be a Watcher-in-training. Shoot, even Giles got rid of the stuffy clothes! June 22, 2003 Willow and Giles would be so proud. I’ve turned into a regular research girl. Not that they’d be too happy with what I’m researching, but who cares. I’ve long since given up caring what they had to say. Well, not really. But it felt kinda good writing that. Though, this was one subject they couldn’t make me change my mind about. He gave me a starting point, and with a little unknown help from the archived computer records of the Council, it wasn’t too hard to find what I was looking for. I have his name as well as his birth and supposed death dates. So, I’m off to the Family Record Centre. Don’t ask me why I’m doing this, I probably couldn’t tell you. But, the more I know about him, even if it was the human him, the closer I feel to him. ‘What in the bloody hell?’ Spike thought as he looked up from the journal to glance at Buffy. She had actually gone looking for information about him? He turned the crisp page of the journal and noticed that pages now looked slightly warped as if they had gotten wet. Some of the writing was smudged, but not unreadable. All her previous entries had lacked emotion, as if she were just reciting a blow-by-blow narrative of her time spent since the averted Sunnyhell apocalypse. Something must have happened, because the next entry had him trembling and shedding tears of his own. ~*~ June 25, 2003 I can’t stop crying. My heart is broken and I feel so lost. I tried going there. To that alley. Don’t ask me why. It had been over a hundred years ago, and it probably wasn’t even there. But, it was. Don’t ask me how I knew that this one was the right one, I just knew. I just wanted to feel closer to him. To my Spike. And, what better place than where he was made. That alley that Drusilla had found him in so long ago. Crying because his heart had been broken by that bitch Cecily. It had changed a little. Gone were the bails of hay. Now, a dumpster and forgotten wooden crates littered the area. I crouched down behind a few, holding my knees to my chest and lost it. I sat there in that dank alley and thought about my life and what I had done over the last few years. The hateful things I said to him. Snide bitchy remarks meant to inflict pain. I knew he was trying to change, knew it, and still I belittled him. Over and over. Just as I’m sure Cecily had. God, I’m no better than her. I remember the punishment he took at the hands of Glory, just to protect Dawn. For me. Always for me. Remember seeing his battered face, his abused torso. Glory had taken great delight in carving that smooth alabaster perfection. And, there I was, going to kill him. Just to keep him quiet. We couldn’t have him spilling our secret, could we? I felt shamed when he was fooled into thinking I was that Buffybot and told me, it, how if anything had happened to Dawn, it would destroy me. And, that he couldn’t stand to see me in pain. And still, bitchy me, I had to get in a lick about that damn robot. But, he came back. He thought nothing of himself as he agreed to drive us out of Sunnydale in that beat up Winnebago, still mending from his injuries. And, God, the insults and accusations he took from Giles, Xander, all of them. But he did it, for me. Grabbed the sharp end of a sword with his bare hands to protect me. I remember the look in his eyes when we got back to Sunnydale and I invited him back inside. The love, the adoration, the gratitude. I dismissed it all. He was evil. And, I, I was the slayer. The chosen one, destined to kill all evil. I couldn’t afford to believe that he had feelings, that he had changed. I couldn’t take a chance. And, there was the gang. Whispering. Evil dead. Demon. Just waiting for his chance. But, did Spike take off. No. Even after I was gone. He stayed. Protected Dawn. Helped the Scoobies. He did it for me. Then, I’m dragged out of heaven. Lost and confused and back in hell on earth. Betrayed by my friends. I don’t know what to feel, my emotions were gone. And then, he punches me. Punches me! And, I could feel. Just a little. So, we fight our dance. Then, it changes and I want a different kind of dance. So, what I want, I get. Right? It’s not like I’m taking advantage of him. He’s wanted this. For a long time. His taunting words that I’d come back wrong play in my mind. It’s the excuse I need to allow myself this contact. So, I take and take and take some more. Once we wake up and the haze wears off I realize what I’ve done. There’s something wrong with me. There has to be. Why would I sleep with an evil, soulless demon. His only restraint, that damn chip in his head. At least that’s what I tell myself. Never mind all the times he’s been there for me. But, I fool myself into believing there’s something wrong with my and I use him, over and over, I use him. Only with him do I feel even slightly alive. Even after I find out that there’s nothing wrong with me, I continue to use him. I make him tell me how much he loves me, then I beat him for even daring to think that he can love. And, he just lets me. Lets me beat on him as if it’s my right. God, what kind of sick person was I? Am I? Then, I finally tell him it’s over. But, I’ve said it before and I still come back. It’s like a game. I refuse him, he convinces me with drugging kisses, melting my resistance. Only, the last time, it wasn’t a game. And, he didn’t realize. But, it’s partly my fault. Deep inside, I knew that. Knew the mixed signals I had been sending him. Yet, when he finally realizes and stopped. Horrified at what he had done. Image that. A soulless demon horrified. And, what does my Spike do? Realizing what he’s done to me, how he’s hurt me, he runs off to Africa. For what, you might ask? A GOD DAMN SOUL. That’s what. Because, he wants to be a better man. For me. Always for me. I remember how he held me close as those final days neared to an end. Before our big confrontation with The First. How everyone – my friends, my former Watcher, even my sister – told me that I had to leave my own house. That I couldn’t be there. Couldn’t be a part of it. So I left. I walked out that door. I wandered around dazed, kicked some guy out of his own home and laid down on his bed. And, the one person that comes after me is Spike. My beautiful ensouled Spike. He calmly restores my faith in myself, then holds me through the night, making sure that I’m not alone. Then, he pays the ultimate sacrifice for me. And, I wish he hadn’t, because now he’s gone, and I’m all alone once more. God, I wished I’d stayed with him. I don’t know how long I sat in that alley and wept. For him. For me. For us. If my journal is anything to go by, probably two days. Time has ceased to have any kind of meaning for me right now. I sat in that alley and cried, and slept, and cried some more. Vampires, demons – they all left me alone. Although, I almost wished one had come along, ended my pain. But, as you can see, I’ll still here. I returned home eventually. Well, to Giles’ home. I didn’t have one anymore. They opened the door when I knocked (yeah, I knocked. I don’t know why.) They were all with the whispered words, worried glanced they passed back and forth between one another that they thought I didn’t see. But, I see everything now. Everything is so clear. They never asked me where I had been. And, I never talked about it. To anyone. Only here. Where I can pour out my heart and soul for a vampire I realized I loved, too little too late. Spike ran his hand over the last line of the entry. Tears fell from his eyes to blend with – what he could only assume were – her dried ones on the crinkled pages. Something had caused the pages to warp. It tormented him that she had cried for him. And, he kicked himself for not coming to her sooner. Even if he had been temporarily bound to L.A. and Wolfram and Hart. He turned the page of her journal and read about how she had soon left England behind. She couldn’t bear the memories of England and wanted to leave them behind, leave all of them behind. With her sister, she had traveled for the summer before they needed to settle some place and get Dawn enrolled in school. She had covered a lot of ground in a few short months, then finally decided on Rome. She figured that the Catholic capital of the world was as safe a place as any to live. He had to chuckle at her naiveté. For all the churches it possessed, it still provided an irresistible lure for demons. Xander and Willow had also eventually departed Giles’ side, each going to opposite ends of the globe in search for new slayers, and to perhaps escape their own personal demons. Only Andrew had stayed with Giles, slowly helping him to rebuild the Watcher’s Council. Spike stopped once he reached the point in her journal where he had shown up. He’d save that for another time. Buffy should be waking soon, and he needed to feed some more and bring the extra bags of human blood up to the room. Maybe he could even manage to nick the microwave. Once she awoke, he had plans to be barricaded in the room for at least a week.

Chapter #29 - Awakenings

Spike stripped and crawled into bed beside Buffy. The glow was starting to diminish around her, almost as if it knew that she would soon be waking. He gazed down at her – willing her to wake up and look at him, tell him she wasn’t mad for what he had done. Done to her. While she slept, the blue lines had receded from her face and neck leaving the slight tan she had had before this whole mess had started. Although, that too would fade with time. She would be like him, destined to hide from the sun. Earlier, he had kicked off the extra blankets he had placed on her so that now only a sheet covered her body. This, he slowly lowered so that he could see how much her body had healed. Lifting the silk chemise above her hips, Spike noticed that the scar had healed, and there was no trace of the blue poison visible anywhere on her body. Lightly, he ran his hand over where the scar used to be then leaned down to place a light kiss on the spot. A soft moan had him raising his head to look at Buffy’s face. Her eyelids started to flutter before finally opening. The first thing she saw as her vision cleared was Spike. “Spike? What happened?” she asked softly, confused. She glanced down at her body. The glow had faded, leaving behind her slightly sun-kissed skin, void of any of the poison that had been evident in her body. “We… I fixed you,” Spike stated, as he moved up her body and pulled her into his arms. They lay there, side by side, gazing at each other. “Fixed me? How?” “How? You don’t remember?” he asked, stalling. Flashes began to drift through her mind. Cold. Dying. Wanting Spike. Finding him there, holding her. Teeth piercing her neck, not hurting. Comforted. Protected. Positions reversing. The blood. Blackness. Spike watched the emotions play across her face as she started to remember what happened to her. He saw the exact moment she realized what he had done. And, he waited. Waited for her rage, her disgust, at his betrayal. Because of what he had done, he’d denied her entrance back into heaven. And he waited. It never came. She looked up at him with wonder in her eyes. Slowly, she reached out one hand and ran in down his sculpted cheekbone then gently cupped his chin. Lightly she ran her thumb over his closed lips. The soft caress had him trembling and he closed his eyes against the sensation. “Forever,” she whispered, understanding. His eyes flew open at her softly spoken words. His blue eyes looked into hers, penetrating deep, searching for any hint that she might hate him. He saw nothing, no revulsion, just wave after wave of love pouring from her hazel eyes. He cupped her face with both hands, repeating her whispered promise, “Forever.” Then, he pulled her close and kissed her, sealing their vow. ~*~*~*~*~ This kiss was carnal, wanton. Both knew what the other liked and weren’t shy about giving it or demanding it. Their tongues dueled. Each reacquainted themselves with each other’s tastes and textures. Spike broke the kiss momentarily to whip the chemise over her head, leaving Buffy’s bare body exposed to his gaze. Then, he claimed her mouth once more, his tongue demanding entrance, which was immediately given. When Spike tasted blood, he groaned, delighting in her taste. Deepening the kiss to get more. Then, his eyes flew wide when he realized what she had done. Buffy – his Childe – had nicked herself with her fangs, allowing him to taste her. Realizing that she hadn’t had her first meal yet, he tore his mouth away from hers. Groaning at the loss, Buffy opened her eyes and looked at him. “What’s wrong, Spike?” she questioned provocatively. It had been so long since they had been together like this and Buffy was trying to make up for lost time. “You need to feed first, luv. You’re very weak, though you may not realize it.” She wrinkled her nose at that. Feed. That was sure going to take some getting used to. Then, she started to panic. Feed. Blood. People. Seeing where her thoughts were going, he quickly rushed to reassure her. “From me, pet, from me,” he whispered, twisting to pull her naked body on top of him, guiding her to his neck. Sliding one hand into his hair, Buffy gently tugged his head to the side. Instinctively, she found his jugular; her fangs poised above it, just breaking the skin. “Go on, luv,” he whispered. “Drink me…aaaahhhh” he broke off as her fangs struck deep and she began to suck at his neck. “That’s it, baby. Taste me. Feel me.” God, he had forgotten what this felt like. The connection. The belonging. The arousal. His nostrils flared. He could smell it coming off of her, just as he was sure she could smell it on him. Growling, he pulled her closer, aligning her body with his. Buffy exalted in the taste of him. Spike wasn’t kidding. It was about the blood. And, she couldn’t get enough of him. Her Spike, now her Sire. She continued to pull deep mouthfuls before swallowing, moaning at the taste as it slid down her throat. Allowed it to fill her up, revitalizing her. It was driving her crazy. The throbbing in her womb told her that she needed him inside her. Sliding in and out as she drank, connecting in a way only they could. Now. As vampires. He had to be inside her. Needed to be inside her. Sex and blood – they went hand in hand. He rolled over, pinning her beneath him, as she continued to feed from his neck. Poised at her sopping entrance, he buried himself to the hilt with one smooth thrust. Her inner walls clamped around his cock like a steel vise, squeezing him for all he was worth. He stilled within her, letting her adjust to his invasion. Besides, she hadn’t finished feeding yet. Buffy quickly disengaged her fangs from his neck and instinctively licked the wounds closed. She could finish feeding later. Right now, she wanted him, pounding into her for all he was worth. She spread her legs wider, allowing him to settle more deeply between her legs. Spike groaned. “Buffy…aaahhh…” She was trying to shift underneath him, urging him to move. “Luv….please…” Another moan. “You gotta finish feed…” His voice trailed off; Buffy had just grabbed his hips and pushed, forcing his cock to slide out of her slick channel. Then, she grabbed his ass and slammed him back home again. “Later. I need you now,” she whispered in his ear, her tongue darting out to trace along the shell. “Please, Spike,” she begged as she wrapped her legs around his lower back, moving her arms up to his shoulders before dragging her nails down his back deep enough to leave scratches. Hell, this was going to be fast. So much for the foreplay he had planned. Spike just prayed that she was as close to the edge as he. Removing one arm from underneath her shoulders, he reached down and grabbed her ass trying to bring her even closer. Then he began to thrust. Only, this was no tame lovemaking. It was feral, mating at its most elemental. Spike pounded into her almost brutally, over and over. Claiming her. Possessing her. And Buffy didn’t care. She gloried in it. His taking. Her nerve endings were tingling. She was ready to launch herself from the abyss and fly. So close now. Spike could sense that she was ready. He gripped the hair at the back of her neck and tugged her head to the side exposing his mark. His face shifted and lowered towards it. When his fangs penetrated her neck and he pulled her blood into his mouth, the sensation shot straight to her core and she came, a growl torn from her throat. Her inner walls squeezed him, coaxing him to join her. Wanting her lover with her, Buffy sunk her own fangs back into her previous mark, pulling her Sire’s blood into her mouth to slide blissfully down her throat. The taste of him...she couldn’t get enough. Her fangs were his undoing. His orgasm crashed over him, and he tore his mouth from her neck shouting her name. As the last of the tremors that shook his body subsided, Spike collapsed on top of her. Buffy released his neck once more and began lovingly licking the wounds. Shifting slightly, he slipped out of her and rolled to his back, bringing Buffy to lie along side him. Seeing the blood oozing slightly from his bite, he leaned over to lick it up while running his tongue over his mark to close it. Sated, they both lay there for a moment, cradled in each other’s arms. ~*~*~*~*~ Downstairs, Angel could hear the two lovers yet tried to ignore them. And the blood, dear God! He could smell it, practically taste it. It was family. And even though she was Spike’s, Buffy was now tied to him. The House of Aurelius now had a slayer among its ranks. And not just any slayer. A Guardian Slayer, similar to the First Slayer. He had the rest of the members of the house, along with Fred, Wesley, and Giles, gathered in the living room: 1) because he knew what it was like when a fledgling first arose and 2) because what he needed to say involved them all. Well, would involve them all. Now was as good a time as any to start preparing to deal with the demons of the Draemuir dimension and getting that portal closed, permanently. Ignoring the moans and smell of blood wafting down from the second level, Angel launched into the reason for this meeting. “As you know – well, most of you anyway – Buffy was attacked by a demon from the Draemuir dimension. His goal was to end the slayer line by killing her, which would release her soul from this plane. Giles, maybe you can explain the whys a little easier?” “Right, of course. As Angel was saying, this demon knew how to render all of you obsolete, leaving only Faith as the single slayer. And, what he knew, and we eventually found out, was that Buffy was the key to all of you simultaneously being called. It had something to do with the scythe recognizing her as its owner when the spell was done. So, if she were to die…” He paused to remove his glasses for a thorough cleaning. “If she were to die, each of your slayer abilities would be gone.” Sensing that Rupert was starting to get choked up, Wesley stood up and continued. “As near as we’ve been able to determine, the Draemuir demons are attempting to take over here. But, with the multitude of slayers now populating the Earth, it’s not feasible for them. That’s why they probably concocted this plan.” “Which leads us back to why,” Angel continued. “Using the extensive resources at Wolfram & Hart, I’ve been able to find out that the Draemuir demons roamed the Earth but were banished by rival demon clans almost two thousand years ago. Apparently, there was some type of loophole in the spell that allows them to attempt a return every two thousand years. And, that deadline is a little over a week away – on the day of the full moon of the eleventh month. Which translates to next Thursday.” “But, that’s Thanksgiving!” Willow shouted, then blushed, embarrassed by her outburst. “I don’t think the demons had that in mind when they planned this, Willow,” Giles stated deadpan. Everyone in the room looked at him for a minute and then they all burst out laughing. Well, everyone, that is, except Angel. His normally brooding face softened for a moment, before evening out once more. “What?” Sweeping the room with disdainful eyes, he fixed each occupant with a glare usually reserved for uncouth hoodlums. Yet, they continued to laugh. “Oh dear Lord, what is so bloody funny?” he asked in his most exasperated, put upon, longsuffering, why-the-hell-am-I-stuck-here-with-all-these-juveniles voice. That just sent the room into a second round of laughter. Even Angel chuckled this time. Realizing that no more discussion was to be had regarding the upcoming confrontation next week, Giles stiffly excused himself from the group, retreating to the office to see if he could formulate some type of plan for next Thursday. Angel had followed him, retreating to a corner, a pad of paper and pencil in his hand. Fred and Wesley joined them after a bit, while the girls curled up in front of the TV to watch movies. No one wanted to venture upstairs to better hear the faint sounds coming from above.

Chapter #30 - Explanations

“Do you hate me?” They weren’t the first words Buffy had expected while laying in her post-coital bliss. Actually, she didn’t think they were in the top ten. Yet, she could hear the underlying apprehension in his voice. She just didn’t know why. She needed to ease the distress she heard in his voice, she just wasn’t sure how. This was all so new to her. She had so many questions. Most of which, she didn’t think anyone would have the answer for. But, she pushed the thoughts aside and concentrated on him. “Hate you? No, I don’t hate you, Spike. Why would I?” He put his hand beneath her chin and lifted it so that he could look into her eyes. Seeing just love reflected in their hazel depths had him releasing an unnecessary breath. Grateful, he let his eyes close as his forehead came to rest on her. “I was so sure you would. I kept you…” He broke off; flashbacks of her conversation about being pulled out of heaven came back to haunt him. “I kept you out of heaven. Giles said-“ He was starting to get worked up. “Shhhh…” she tried to soothe him, holding him tighter. Her face rested in his neck and she nuzzled her feed marks from earlier in an attempt to calm him. “It’s ok, Spike. Not exactly what I was expecting. But-“ “What do you mean, not what you were expecting? You were expecting something? Why the bloody hell didn’t you tell me?” He was getting upset all over again. “It’s not like I had a chance to tell you-“ “The slayer dream. Giles mentioned your slayer dream.” “Spike, would you shut up and let me finish,” she said, exasperation clearly evident in her voice. Spike didn’t take too kindly to her tone of voice if his growl was any indication. “Sorry,” Buffy said, backing off instinctively at that warning growl. “No, I’m sorry, pet. Old habits are hard to break, I guess,” he said with a sigh. “So, this slayer dream. It's what told you that something was going to happen?” “Yeah. Kinda. And, I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to tell you. I knew something was going to happen, just not what exactly. I was going to tell you about it. Honest. I just ran out of time.” Just the memory of her pre-death condition had Spike tightening his embrace once more. “So, in my dream, I saw the First Slayer. Only, not like before. Well, the first time, yeah, she was all wild woman and cryptic. And, before you even interrupt me again, I had two slayer dreams. So… anyway. I’m in this cave and I see her. Only she’s gorgeous. Beautiful clothes. Nice turban. Smooth complexion. I never knew what the white and black paint hid.” Buffy could sense his annoyance at her digression, and she rushed on with her explanation. “So she sits down, calm as you please, and tells me that she’s preparing for her funeral and that a new guardian was coming. Me. Because, like, I haven’t done enough, mind you. And, it’s because of the spell from before. You know, the one I had done with the scythe?” “I remember.” “Yeah, and well. I guess the scythe recognized me as its owner and when the spell was cast, part of my essence was passed on to the other potentials. So, I’m tied to them and they to me. I just didn’t figure on this whole immortal thing. I mean, I knew I was going to die-“ “What do you mean you knew you were going to die?!” he roared. His anguish making him yell a little louder than he would have liked. “Geeez. Loud much?” Buffy tried for some levity. His pointed stare told her that it didn’t work. She gave a long-suffering sigh. Her human traits not completely worn off. “That would have been the first slayer dream. It’s weird, actually. It was the same one I had before the battle with Glory. Scared me to death. Uh, sorry.” Spike just grunted. “So, I have this dream. I freaked. But, after the second one I knew. It was going to be ok. Only, I figured that I’d be more like the First Slayer, you know. Coming in dreams, and such. I didn’t realize that I’d actually be undead. So, to get back to your question.” Lost in her explanation, Spike had completely forgotten his initial question. He looked at her, confusion marring his features. “Hating you…” “Ahhhh, right.” “I can’t hate you. You’ve made it possible for me to stay. I can see Dawn grow up, get married, have some kids. True, I may not be able to take them to the beach, or the park, or pick them up from school. But, I can hold them, and watch them grow, be here. Not just some wisp of energy, or whatever the First Slayer was.” Tears of happiness were falling from Buffy’s eyes. True, she may have not wanted to become a vampire or whatever hybrid thing she was now, but it was a small price to pay for getting to stay. Plus, she wouldn’t be alone in her immortality. She’d have Spike with her. “Buffy-“ he whispered. So overcome with emotion, he could only say her name. Pulling her close, he nuzzled his mark. Heaven. It felt like he had been given a glimpse of Heaven. Strange coming from a demon who had no hope of reaching that destination, but that’s ok. Heaven was here on earth, Buffy by his side. An immortal, like him. He couldn’t ask for anything more. He saw her eyes flash yellow and realized that she hadn’t had a proper meal. He was surprised that her demon had made its displeasure known before now. Although on the other hand, it knew better than to demand anything of its Sire. Time to rectify that. Slipping out of her embrace, Spike strode to the cooler he had brought in earlier. Lifting the lid, he grabbed a package of blood. His facial features shifted and he sunk his fangs into the bag, draining it in a few short pulls. Damn, he should have nicked the microwave! He’d have to remedy that situation. Because, cold bloody? Ick! He grabbed another bag and did the same. Then, two more. When he was finished, he slipped back into bed, leaning back against the headboard. He grabbed Buffy’s hand and tugged on it, silently gesturing her to straddle his lap. His cock sprang to life as her naked form settled in his lap facing him. He tilted his neck to the side, invitingly. “Time to finish feeding, luv.” Buffy needed no further urging, quickly shifting her facial features then sinking her fangs back into his neck. As her Sire’s blood slipped down her throat, she practically purred at the taste. Greedily, she fed from him, taking long pulls of his intoxicating blood. The sweet ambrosia quickly overcoming any qualms about feeding in the first place. Spike leaned his head back against the headboard, eyes closed, while Buffy fed. He ignored his raging hard-on and just basked in the feel of his Childe feeding from him. He let her take as much as she wanted, wanting her to be strong. With the new role she had, she was going to need to be strong. All those slayers, now dependent on her. When she was finally done, she removed her fangs from his neck licking the fresh marks closed. She curled up against him and sighed in contentment. She was just about to drift off to sleep when she realized something. She bolted upright and looked at him, horror evident on her face. “My soul! I don’t have a soul!” she wailed.

Chapter #31 - A Soul for Me?

“My soul! I don’t have a soul!” she wailed. Spike tried to pull her back to him so that he could calm her down. But, Buffy was having none of that. She just scrambled out of his arms, tears flowing down her face and she dashed off towards the bathroom. He ran after her, but she beat him there; the door shut and locked before he could stop her. He could easily break the lock, was half tempted to, but something held him back. What, he wasn’t quite sure. Maybe that subconscious guilt he was still feeling for having made her what she was in the first place. Instead, he put his hand flat against the door, as if somehow, he could reach through the wall that was between them and touch her. Sighing, he put his back to the door and slid slowly to the floor, leaning his head back against the closed door. Her anguished sobs tore at his unbeating heart. He needed to comfort her. He was her Sire, dammit. And, if she would have him, her Mate, too. He was supposed to take care of her. Very hard to do with a locked door between them. “Buffy, please, luv. Stop crying,” He banged his head softly against the door, tormented as he listened to her weep. “Please stop…” he mumbled brokenly, her tears a torture worse than anything Angelus could ever inflict upon him. She continued to cry, oblivious to his pleas. “You have your soul, baby. It never left this room,” he finally whispered some time later. Her crying abruptly stopped as she got wind of his barely uttered words, and he fell backwards as the bathroom door was practically yanked off the hinges inward. “Really?” she asked in a small child like voice, looking down on his sprawled body on the bathroom floor. “Yes, luv,” he said as he looked up at her. Her smile was blinding. She was so happy that Spike just smiled back at her, grateful she was no longer crying. He felt so helpless when she cried. Squealing, she launched herself at his prone form, eliciting a grunt from Spike as her naked body landed on top of his own. Buffy began placing quick pecks all over his face and neck, grateful at this good news. “Buffy...pet...” Spike tried to get out. “Floor... hard... go… bed.” She took advantage of his open mouth and slipped her tongue inside to duel with his. Her playfulness gave way as passion flared from their heated kisses. At that point, Spike could have cared less where they were. Buffy could feel his cock hardening against her stomach as she lay flush against his body. Breaking their kiss, she leaned up away from his chest. With her breasts now exposed, Spike reached up and enveloped them with his hands, using his thumb to rub back and forth across her hardened nipples. She shifted forward so that the curls covering her sex could glide up and down along the length of his cock, making it wet from her secretions. At the feel of her nether lips brushing along his length he groaned, gently squeezing her breasts in reaction. Her answering moan had him sitting up, taking one of her pert nipples in his mouth, his tongue laving it to an even harder point. Her arms wrapped around his neck to hold him close while his mouth paid homage to her breast. When Spike felt that it was tended to properly, he released her nipple and proceeded to run his tongue down the valley between her breasts before his mouth settled on the other one, showing it the same attention. Shifting to her knees, she reached down with one hand and wrapped it around his length causing Spike to groan around the nipple in his mouth. She slowly pumped him from base to head a few times producing a few drops of precum. She used her thumb to smooth the drop over the head. Then, she guided his cock to her entrance, rubbing it up and down the slit, coating the head with her juices. Positioning him over her opening, she slid slowly down his length, enveloping him. Her actions caused Spike to release the nipple he was tending to groan out her name. Pushing him to lay back on the floor, she began to slowly ride him – using her knees as leverage to raise her hips so that only the head of his cock remained inside before lowering herself once more. His face was a picture of absolute ecstasy: head thrown back, the corded muscles in his neck taut, his eyes squeezed tightly shut, his mouth open – as if he wanted to say something but can’t quite get the words out. The slow pace was starting to drive Buffy crazy. Bracing her hands on his shoulders, she proceeded to ride him hard. She bit her bottom lip to keep from screaming her pleasure. Her butt slapping his bare thighs the only sound as they lay half in, half out of the bathroom. Spike could feel his balls starting to tighten and knew he wasn’t going to last much longer, so he took one of his hands from where it was gripping her hips as she rode him and moved it to her clit. He used his thumb to slowly rub circles over that sensitive bundle of nerves. Buffy released her bottom lip to moan at the touch. Soon, the pleasure became unbearable and she hollered Spike’s name as her orgasm overtook her. As her inner muscles clamped down on his cock, he tumbled into oblivion after her. Spent, Buffy collapsed on top of him practically purring her contentment. ~*~*~*~*~ “Spiiiiiiike!” The bellow was heard downstairs by all. The occupants of the office looked up from what they were doing to stare at one another. The blush staining Giles’ face even encompassed his ears. He whipped off his glasses to give them a quick no nonsense scrubbing with his handkerchief before resettling his glasses on his face, burying his nose back in the book he was reading. Angel gave a silent, wistful sigh then went back to the drawing he was making of his new family drawn completely from memory. Fred and Wesley looked at one another; Fred blushing a becoming shade of red, Wesley replying with a shy smile and a shoulder shrug as if to say: “Lovers.” Then, they both returned to their work. The occupants in the other room were far luckier. They were all fast asleep. ~*~*~*~*~ “I really have my soul,” Buffy asked in a child-like voice awhile later. “Tell me...do you feel like eating Dawn, or Giles, or Willow? They’re all downstairs completely vulnerable. You could have ‘em drained before they knew it.” “Ewwwww...Spike,” she said as she leaned up off of his chest to look down at him. “Gross.” “Well...you asked, pet. Do you think if you didn’t have a soul you would care? Shoot, they’d probably be your first meal.” “But, how? Did Willow do that spell with that orb thingy? What’s it called?” Then another realization dawned on her. “Oh God, do I have one of those happiness clauses. No wait. I can’t.” Spike just looked at her as she rambled on. He apparently didn’t need to participate in this conversation; she was doing just fine by herself. Then she paused. “Can’t what, kitten?” “I can’t have a happiness clause, silly.” “Well, of course you don’t.” “Smug much?” she asked, doing a good Spike imitation of the raised eyebrow. “Huh?” Somewhere along the line he had lost the thread of this conversation. “The happiness clause. I obviously don’t have one of those, or I would have lost my soul already.” The light bulb went off in his head and Spike realized what Buffy was referring to. A smile lit up his face producing an answering smile on Buffy’s. He had made her happy. A moment of pure happiness. He leaned up off the cold floor to give Buffy a hug, practically breaking her ribs in his enthusiasm. “Thanks, luv. Although, that’s not exactly what I was referring to. Your soul never left this room. Shoot, probably didn’t even stray too far from your body. And, Willow’s magick had nothing to do with it.” Now it was her turn to say, “Huh?” “Maybe Giles can explain it better. And, although I had planned on keeping you looked up in here for the better part of a week, I think the others would like to see you.” “A week! And they... and we...” she broke off. If it were possible, her entire body would be beet red from embarrassment right now. Her mortification wore off quickly giving way to anxiety. She didn’t mind what she had become, but she had no idea how the others were going to react. She threw her arms around him, pulling him tightly to her. She was scared and needed him to reassure her. “They’re gonna hate me, aren’t they?” She hated the quavering note to her voice, but she couldn’t remember a time when she was more nervous to see her friends and family. “Oh, no, pet. They’re not gonna hate you. They love you. Now, me on the other hand...” She pushed back a little so that she could see his face. He gave her his trademark smirk, designed to fool all that he didn’t care. But, Buffy had heard the resignation in his tone. She didn’t know what to say. Her friends had never really cared for Spike. Even after he had saved them all, he was still a sore subject between them. But, this time around things were going to be different. If her friends couldn’t accept Spike, then they would have to go. It was time that he came first for a change. She gave him a quick kiss then stood up. “Shower first. Then we can go see Giles.” She reached her hand down to help him up. He wiggled his eyebrows at her. “Shower only, Spike.” “Whatever you say, pet.” Needless to say, showering wasn’t the only thing they did. And, it was over an hour later before they finally made their way downstairs. ~*~*~*~*~ The closer they got to the office, the more sounds that Buffy could make out. Three heartbeats. Rustling papers. Low murmurs between Fred and Wesley. A pencil scratching back and forth across a piece of paper before it suddenly stopped. Angel. She could feel him. She was starting to get nervous and she slipped her hand into her Sire’s seeking his reassuring touch. He gave her a quick squeeze as he laced his fingers through hers. Spike used his free hand to open the office door before Buffy could change her mind. With his other hand still clasped in hers, he gave a quick tug and pulled her into the office. He shut the door behind them, blocking her means of escape and getting the attention of the other occupants in the room. Everyone, that is, except Angel; he had sensed them outside and already had his eyes trained on the door. Spike released her hand and leaned back against the door with his arms crossed over his chest; Buffy stood about a foot in front of him staring at Giles. With her back to him, Buffy wasn’t able to see the glare he directed at everyone - daring them to hurt her feelings. Giles bounded to his feet when he realized who had stepped into the office. He whipped his glasses off his face, getting ready to wipe them clean as was his nervous habit. With a shake of his head, he tossed them on the desk. He glanced at the blond vampire before rolling his eyes at Spike’s rude glare; Spike just quirked his scarred eyebrow in return. But, Spike was dead serious; he’d flay anyone alive that hurt his girl’s feelings regarding her new “status.” Giles made his way around the front of his desk to stand before Buffy. His miracle slayer. Her outward appearance had changed a little. She was a bit paler than before. Although, compared to the last few days, her appearance was a major improvement. Plus there was the whole lack of breathing thing that took some getting used to. But, as he pulled her to him for a hug, he knew that is was still the same Buffy on the inside. Even if she was now cool to the touch. Buffy was nervous as she felt four pair of eyes on her as Spike pushed her in front of him. She’d have to remember to have a word with him about that. But, when she looked at her former Watcher and could see nothing but awe and acceptance, she finally began to relax. When he embraced her, she released the completely unnecessary breath that she had been holding. Apparently, Spike had been right, though she’d never tell him that. After a time, Giles stepped back and held Buffy at arms length. She visibly sensed him going into “Watcher” mode and was grateful. Now maybe she could find out what exactly the hell was going on. Giles walked back around behind the desk, gesturing for Buffy to take one of the seats facing the desk. He grabbed his glasses from the desk and settled them back on his nose. Spike, seeing Buffy move to sit at one of the two chairs in front of the desk, realized that she wasn’t going to bolt. Pushing himself away from the door, he crossed the room to where Buffy was sitting. She made no protest as he pulled her up out of the seat so that he could sit down and pull her down on his lap. Giles just rolled his eyes at the move. Buffy was actually grateful for Spike’s seeming highhandedness. Her lingering anxiety hadn’t abated, and she needed him near. His touch calmed her. Somehow, instinctively, he seemed to know that. And, by his “Big Bad” posturing, he was able to provide what she needed without making her appear weak before the others by asking for it. Sighing, she leaned back into his chest as his arms came around her waist to hold her in place. “So, Giles, you want to tell me what in the world is going on?” Buffy asked in her usual, take-charge manner.

Chapter #32 - Connections

“So, Giles, you want to tell me what in the world is going on?” Buffy asked in her usual, take-charge manner. Spike cast a broad grin the watcher’s way, grateful that he was the one that would be explaining things to Buffy. “Er, yes, well…” Giles stuttered. He was still somewhat in shock at seeing Buffy before him. Oh he knew that she was undead – well, he guessed she was anyway, with the whole lack of breathing and the pale skin – but, he wasn’t quite sure what she was really. That snippet of prophecy had alluded to two demons inhabiting her body. He could only assume one was the demon that helped make the First Slayer, while the other was the vampire demon. “Quite frankly, we’re trying to figure this out as we go, Buffy,” he replied to her question. “We do know a little bit about your would-be assassin.” Spike cocked an eyebrow at that; in his mind there was no ‘would-be’ about it. Giles ignored him and pressed on, telling Buffy about what the demon had hoped to accomplish and why. He went on to explain that the Draemuir demons were apparently trying to re-enter Earth’s dimension and that the event was supposed to take place next week. “We have to assume that they’re going to attempt to re-enter through the portal. They have no way of knowing that their attack was unsuccessful and that the slayer line is secure. That all of them are still here. We’ve got a little time yet to do research to see how we can get the portal closed preventing them from entering our dimension for another two thousand years. Angel has given us some information to get us started…” he trailed off. “So, this thing tried to kill me because it knew I’m somehow linked to the other slayers now?” “Exactly. Killing you would wipe their slayer strength away – possibly worse – and would leave just Faith to handle the influx of demons. Much better odds for them than currently stands right now.” Buff nodded at this. She was starting to get sleepy again, her strength having not returned completely. With a muffled yawn, she leaned her head into the crook of Spike’s shoulder. “Ok, so that tells me why that demon went after me. Have you got any info on why I’m still here? And, apparently with my soul intact with no mojo from Wills.” Giles was somewhat shocked at her calm acceptance of her new “status.” He knew that she had desperately loathed the idea that the creatures she had been duty-bound to stake may one day turn her. It was one of the risks she ran being a slayer. He wasn’t quite sure, but she seemed almost happy – certainly happier than she’s been since she’d been called to be the Chosen One. Maybe that second slayer dream she had had mentally prepared her for her new role she was now destined to lead. Clearing his throat, he attempted to answer her. “Ummm… exactly why, er no, I don’t.” At her confused look, he struggled to continue. “See, all I…we…had to go by was the prophecy delivered to Wesley and the subsequent one I found while researching the translation to the original.” Quickly he read both to her. “So, you see, according to the prophecy, you were never in danger of losing your soul. And I have to say, the sight I beheld earlier was nothing short of a miracle.” The other occupants of the room murmured their assent. Just thinking about Buffy as she lay in bed glowing had Giles starting to tear up, his awe clearly evident. “We…uh…just weren’t sure exactly how that was going to be accomplished,” he pushed on, trying to get back on track. “We’re still not sure exactly what you are, Buffy. We do know that you are possessed of not one, but two demons. The rest…” he shrugged his shoulders, his voice trailing off. “We can only hope to learn as we go. We’ll need your help for that. Spike’s as well. Even Angel can assist us, put in his “two cents.” Anything that feels off, any sensation you don’t recognize as normal, you need to let someone know. We have no way of knowing exactly what may happen. I’m sorry about that, Buffy.” “That’s ok, Giles,” she said, yawning into Spike’s neck. Seeing how tired Buffy was, Spike stood with Buffy in his arms, putting an end to the conversation. She needed her rest if she was to regain her strength. The only reason he came down here in the first place with her was to ease her mind about her soul, to try and give her some answers. Now it was time to head back to the room for some more blood and then rest. “Right then, we’re off. Someone needs her rest. How ‘bout we meet back down here later so we can discuss what to do about those Draemuir demons. Sound like a plan, Giles?” Giles just nodded, his thumb and forefinger rubbing back and forth over his eyes wearily. Noticing this, Spike added, “Besides, when was the last time you guys slept? No offense, but you all look like the walking dead. ‘Cept Peaches, of course, since he already is.” With a grin tossed his Grand-Sire’s way, he made his way to the office door. The others soon followed in his wake, exhaustion clearly evident as they rose from their chairs. When they heard Spikes voice raised in concern, a burst of adrenaline had them all rushing to the door to find out what was wrong. ~*~*~*~*~ “You can put me down, you know. I am capable of walking,” she muttered to Spike, once they were outside the office. “I like holdin’ ya, pet,” he replied with a wink. She just settled back in his arms, getting comfortable, figuring it was useless to argue. As he made his way across the foyer Buffy suddenly stiffened in his arms. She could feel her body start to tingle, and unbeknownst to her, her eyes flashed yellow. Before he could stop her, she scrambled out of Spike’s arms and rushed off towards the living room. Spike took off after her. “What is it, pet?” he hollered as he ran after her. She didn’t hear him, intent on reaching the living room as quickly as possible. When she reached the entryway, she pulled up short, scanning the sleeping occupants for sign of trouble. Dawn and Willow were stretched out on the couch, their heads at opposite ends, fast asleep. The ten young slayers were scattered haphazardly on the floor, buried in sleeping bags or under quilts. On her first pass, Buffy noticed nothing amiss. Then she heard it – a soft moan coming from Angelina. Her yellow-tinged gaze zeroed in on the girl, and she quickly made her way over to her. Spike had managed to catch up to Buffy just as she stopped in the entryway of the living room. He watched as her gaze scanned the occupants of the room before honing in on one of the young slayers. He felt Angel and the others coming rushing up behind him and he raised his hand in the air to keep them out of the room. They all watched in silence as Buffy knelt down by the girl, her hand hovering above the girl’s head. She was obviously having a dream, and a bad one at that, if her facial features were any indication. Then they noticed as Buffy ran her hand over the girl’s hair, pushing it off of her face; she used her other hand to cradle one of Angelina’s hands in hers. Buffy’s eyes closed as if she were concentrating deeply and the others watched amazed as the girl ceased her struggles, her dream apparently no longer affecting her. Buffy ran her hand through the girl’s hair one more time then slowly released the hand she had been holding, placing it gently by the girl’s side. Her eyes opened and she stood up to meet the gaze of Spike, Angel, Giles, Wesley, and Fred. Concern was evident on all their faces. “Uh… she was having a slayer dream,” she spoke softly to the others, trying not to wake the girls as she attempted to explain. Giles was about to comment, but Buffy shook her head at him, signaling for him to wait until they had left the room. No need to wake the girls up with their conversation. “How did you know?” Giles asked as they made their way back into the foyer. “I’m not sure exactly. All of a sudden I just started really tingling, and just…ya’ know…knew. I can feel them all in there, actually. More so, Angelina, because she was, um, distressed?” “Interesting… wait, you said you could feel them?” Giles questioned. “All of them?” “Uh huh.” She wasn’t sure if she should mention that there were vague feelings of other slayers scattered throughout Rome. Maybe later, once she got used to it. She had ignored that subconscious tingling she had been feeling, thinking it was somehow related to the vampire demon now inhabiting her body realizing that slayers were about. But, the more she thought about it; she realized it was the slayer demon that was feeling the connection to the other slayers. Giles looked like he wanted to rush back to the office to get his Watcher’s diary so he could record this for posterity. ‘Talk about feeling like a freak,’ Buffy thought. Nervous with all the eyes on her, she looked around at the group. The others weren’t looking at her like she was a freak, however, which was somewhat comforting. Sure, they were curious, but not to the point where they’d want to stick her under a microscope and study her. Thoughts of the Initiative flitted briefly through her mind before she brushed them aside. She’d like to see them even try to get their hands on her. The evil grin that came suddenly to her face had the others looking at her questioningly. She bit her bottom lip to hide her smile, but her eyes still gleamed. She caught Spike’s stare and gave him a slight shake of her head. She’d tell him what she was thinking about once they were back in their room. The newness of her recently arisen status was starting to take its toll on her body and she let out a huge, fanged yawn. Both Spike and Angel watched her amused. She reminded Spike of a newborn lioness with that yawn. Telling the others to get some sleep and that they would meet back downstairs in a few hours, Spike ushered Buffy upstairs to bed.

Chapter #33 - Easing Fears

A/N: Ok, down to the last few chapters of this fic. Some loose ends may not be resolved, one big one being about how Willow is associated with the spell. Nagging by my muse and others has me caving to do a sequel, soooo... Anyway, getting ahead of myself, here. ^_^ Enjoy! Since Spike’s idea of keeping Buffy locked up for a week in her bedroom had backfired, there was no point in keeping the cooler in the bedroom to hold their blood. ‘May as well put it back in the freezer.’ So, while Buffy lingered in the shower, Spike got out, threw on some clothes and grabbed the cooler to take back downstairs. He walked into the kitchen, the cooler held before him, and stopped dead in his tracks. He knew she was in there, debated on turning around, but figured now was as good a time as any to get this over with. Resuming his path to the refrigerator, he glanced at Dawn while she sat at the table sipping her coffee. Her head was down, refusing to acknowledge his presence. It hurt, her rejection of him. Hanging his head, he set the cooler on the floor and opened the freezer door. He leaned down to open the lid of the cooler and began grabbing packets of blood from the container to toss lightly inside the freezer. The sound of blood bags smacking against one other as they landed inside the freezer, the only thing breaking the tension-filled silence of the room. Once all the bags were in the freezer, Spike shut the door. He could hear Dawn’s heartbeat pounding in her chest. Knew that she was aware of him being there. Then he smelt it, that slight tinge of fear. And rather than dumping the ice out of the cooler like he planned he turned and strode swiftly from the room. Her hate he could deal with, her fear was something else. Disgust at himself had his soul practically weeping at the pain he had caused her, and Spike needed to get as far away from Dawn as possible to lick his wounds. By saving one sister, he had inevitably lost the other. Dawn knew that refusing to acknowledge his presence as he came into the kitchen probably hurt the blond vampire that she viewed as a big brother. She just didn’t know quite what to feel right now. On the one hand she was thankful. Her sister was alive, well undead she guessed was the correct term now, because of Spike. And, if someone had to do it, she was glad that it was Spike. Where the confusion came in was where it left her. Buffy now had this guardian status, and Dawn just didn’t know where she was going to fit in anymore. If she was going to be left alone. That thought had her quaking with fear. When she saw Spike practically run from the kitchen, she knew she had to talk to him. He would listen to her, help her deal with all these feelings she was having. That decision made, she leapt up from the table and started after him. Spike was lost in his own haze of pain at Dawn’s rejection. His abject misery so great as he made his way to the living room that he didn’t hear as Dawn came rushing up behind him. “Spike…” Dawn choked out. Tears were rushing down her face as she raced after him in the foyer. He didn’t acknowledge her, just kept on walking towards the living room. “Spike…” she cried louder. Her voice finally broke through his anguished thoughts just before she reached him. He heard his name called, then sobbing. He jerked around in astonishment to see Dawn flying towards him, tears flowing down her face as she openly cried. She continued to rush towards him and he just managed to open his arms before she ran headlong into his embrace. His own eyes started to mist seeing her in such pain. “Awww.. ‘Bit. Don’t. It’s ok,” Spike attempted to soothe. His softly spoken words just seemed to make her cry more and sag weakly against him. Rather than stand out in the open foyer where anyone could come along, he scooped her up and strode quickly to the living room, giving them some modicum of privacy. Dawn didn’t even notice, too far gone in her misery to care. He settled himself in a lounge chair and held her as she cried. He gave up trying to ask her what was wrong and just let her cry first. Maybe once she stopped then he’d be able to find out what was wrong. Unfortunately, he already knew what was wrong. He’d killed her sister, made her a vampire, even if it was to save her life. Sighing, he just settled her more comfortably on his lap, holding her as one would a frightened child. Eventually, her fervent sobbing lessened then finally abated. Spike just waited for her to start talking. The words that came out of her mouth had him gripping her upper arms so that he could pull her away from his body to face him. “I’m gonna be all alone now, aren’t I?” “Oh Niblet, of course not. Your sister’s not going anywhere and neither am I,” he vowed. “Whatever gave you that idea?” He pulled her back towards him once more, his hand running down her hair in a soothing gesture as she spoke. “It just…now she’s a vampire, guardian, whatever…she’s gonna go away, be like that First Slayer, live in some cave or something,” she knew it sounded ridiculous as the words came tumbling out of her mouth, but she rushed on. “And you’re like, her Sire now, right? So, that means you’re gonna go with her, wherever she goes and I’m gonna be all alone again.” ~*~*~*~*~ “…her Sire now, right? So, that means you’re gonna go with her, wherever she goes and I’m gonna be all alone again.” The forlorn words drifted to Buffy as she made her way down the stairs had her increasing her pace and rushing towards the living room. She came to an abrupt stop as she saw Spike sitting in a chair, Dawn cradled like a small child in his lap as he attempted to soothe her fears. He looked up, his helpless gaze locking with her own. He shrugged his shoulders slightly as if to say, “I can’t even begin to figure out where she came up with this idea.” “Dawnie?” Buffy called out. On hearing her sister’s voice for the first time since she had “died,” Dawn’s head snapped up off of Spike’s shoulder. Scrambling off of his lap, she raced around the couch and into her waiting sister’s arms. “Shhh…. It’s ok, Dawnie,” Buffy soothed. “What made you think I was going somewhere? You know I’d never leave you, right?” Dawn just held on tighter letting her sister’s words slowly sink in. “Why don’t we go sit on the couch, ok?” Dawn nodded against her shoulder, then pulled away, allowing herself to be led to the couch. The two sisters curled up side-by-side on the couch, their arms wrapped around one another. Dawn’s words tripped over themselves as they tumbled from her lips. “You were dying… and Spike… so scared… didn’t want to be alone again… didn’t want you to die… pretty glow…” Throughout it all, Buffy just held her sister close, her own tears falling unchecked, as she ran her hand down her sister’s hair as Dawn sat curled beside her, her head on Buffy’s shoulder. Finally, Dawn calmed down and they just sat there in each other’s arms. Seeing that the two had finally seemed to calm somewhat, Spike got up from his chair and came to sit down next to them on the other side of Dawn. “’Bit, we’re family. And families stick together no matter what,” he gave the explanation as if he couldn’t believe that he’d, she’d – no, they’d – ever abandon Dawn. As if. He snorted to himself at his Buffy-ism. “Doesn’t matter that Buffy is now this “Guardian” slayer or some such, she’s still your sister first. Got that?” Buffy looked over her sister’s head to look at Spike, her eyes conveying without words how grateful she was for him being here, explaining things, reassuring Dawn. Spike just smiled back at her. He broke off eye contact and looked towards the entryway, Buffy’s gaze following his own. Willow. She was coming towards them. Spike stood up so that Red wouldn’t think she was intruding on a private moment and went back to his chair and plopped down. Buffy eased Dawn up off her shoulder, brushing her hair out of her face and wiping away her tears as she did so. She leaned over and gave her sister a quick kiss on the cheek and a slight smile. She made quick work of wiping away her own tears, then turned towards the entryway once more as Willow came into view. Both friends gazed at one another in shock. It had been a long while since they had physically seen one another. There had been that brief moment when Willow came through to add the protection spell to this place. But, before that, it had been since Buffy and Dawn had left on their summer holiday tour of Europe. The awkward silence continued as Buffy stood up next to the couch. In her anxiety, Buffy’s eyes momentarily flashed yellow, causing Willow to gasp in surprise. Thinking her friend couldn’t accept what she had now become, her face fell and she looked away from her friend, instinctively seeking the comforting gaze of her Sire. Spike surged to his feet with a growl, concern for Buffy had him snapping, “Bloody hell, Red, if this is the way you’re gonna react around Buffy, you may as well leave now!” He quickly reached the slayer, pulling her into his comforting embrace as he glared at the witch. Willow gazed at him with first shock, then horror, as she realized what she had inadvertently done. “Oh, no… Buffy…I didn’t mean…” she stammered. Quickly, she walked into the room and started to make her way towards her friend. Spike, seeing the apologetic look on Red’s face, disentangled Buffy arms from around him and turned her around to face her friend. “Buffy…” she started but was cut off. Buffy was starting to get mad. And, in her hurt, she lashed out. Her vampire features fell into place and she spoke furiously at Willow, “Look at me. Look at my face. This is what I am now. What I’ll always be. If you can’t deal with that then maybe you should just leave…” she broke off then continued in a smaller voice, “I just can’t deal with the thought that what I am now might disgust you. Better for you to leave before my feelings get hurt any more than they are.” “Oh Buffy… I’m sorry. I’m not disgusted. Honest.” Slowly, Willow walked towards her friend, stopping once she was standing directly in front of her. Her hand reached out hesitantly to trace the ridges on her brow. Buffy watched her friend’s eyes carefully, waiting to see if they filled with disgust. What she saw was acceptance, and she breathed an unnecessary sigh of relief. Reassured, she shook off the demonic features, her human mask once more settling into place. Now that their awkward moment was over, the two friends embraced, both with tears flowing freely down their face. Spike just snorted and resumed his place in the chair, watching the three girls as they settled themselves on the couch – Buffy situated between Willow and Dawn – and launched into conversation. Spike vaguely listened as the girls chatted amongst themselves, catching up on old gossip. His ears perked when he heard Buffy ask about Xander, but Willow just shook her head and said that she hadn’t seen him since they had all split company at the beginning of the summer and only talked to him via email. Buffy just sighed at that and nodded. They shook off their morose thoughts and turned their conversation to lighter subjects. After awhile, Spike sensed the other slayers coming down the stairs, slowly making their way towards the living room. He briefly noticed Buffy’s eyes flash yellow but thought nothing of it. When her human mask briefly slipped from her face, his casual pose in the chair abruptly faded. Sitting on the edge of the chair, he continued to watch Buffy. Both Dawn and Willow had noticed the slight change come over her features but thought nothing of it. Then the other slayers arrived at the room and made their way inside. Spike broke through the growl that suddenly emanated from Buffy, slightly startling both Dawn and Willow. “Willow. Dawn. Get up now and move away from Buffy.” The just looked at him, confused. “Do it now,” he growled. Confused, both girls did as he request, quickly getting to their feet and moving away from the couch. Spike watched as Buffy’s face shifted once more, this time her demonic mask staying in place. Spike uncoiled from the chair as Buffy stood up. Her gaze swiveled to the entryway noticing the young slayers standing poised at the entrance. Another growl erupted from Buffy; an answering one came from Spike. Buffy whipped back around to glance at her Sire. She cocked her head to the side, silently regarding him. He cocked his scarred eyebrow at her and waited. She turned to the slayers once more and ran her tongue along her lips. Spike watched as she coiled her muscles, prepared to launch herself at them. “No!” his Sire-voice rang throughout the room. Launching himself at her, Spike tackled her to the ground before she could go after the girls. He pinned her beneath him as she growled up at him. “Everybody out. And someone find Giles. Now!” he yelled when he could hear no one moving, his eyes never leaving Buffy. There was a rush of movement and then the two were left alone in the living room.

Chapter #34 - Battling Demons

Angel was descending the staircase when he heard the call for Giles by Spike, then the growled “now.” The authoritative note in his bellow had Angel rushing down the remaining stairs racing to his side. Angel was just about to open his mouth and object to Spike’s treatment of Buffy at the sight that greeted him. Then he got a look at her face – her vamped, snarling face – and all thoughts of voicing his opinion flew right out the window. Instinctively understanding that Spike needed his support, he walked in the room to stand by his side as Spike sat there straddling Buffy’s waist, his arms pinning her shoulders to the floor. Angel crossed his arms over his chest and gazed down at her. She was definitely a sight to behold – her hair splayed out on the floor, her yellow eyes flashing mutinously up at her Sire as a growl erupted from her lips. The growl drew a surprised look from Angel; most vampire demons instinctively knew to yield to their Sires, yet Buffy appeared to be the exception to the norm. She blatantly defied her Sire. Spike sensed Angel standing next to him and commented wryly, “Seems we have us a bit of a problem, Sire.” He used the respected title in the hopes that Buffy would recognize the order of things and that he would enforce his will over her, the same way Angel would over him, if necessary. Buffy turned to Angel and growled again, not liking the fact that they were discussing her as if she weren’t even present in the room. The growl at him, Spike could handle; he made allowances due to his feelings for her. But, this second disrespectful growl, directed at Angel – no less – had Spike momentarily seeing red and he reacted before he had time to think about his actions. His demon demanded it. Hell, even Angel’s demon was having fits if his answering growl was any indication. Angel wouldn’t fault him for what he was about to do. Yanking her head to the side – the one bearing Angel’s, Dracula’s, and the master’s marks – he leaned down and sunk his fangs into her neck. This bite was all about submission, not connection, so he had refrained from biting her on his side. Angel looked on as Spike drank from her, the loss of blood slowly forcing Buffy to yield to him. Eventually, her vampiric demon receded, allowing her human features to shift back into place. Buffy came out of her violent haze to feel Spike sucking great quantities of blood from her neck. This was no gentle bite either; the sting of it had her whimpering his name. “Spike?” she asked softly. Her eyes flicked briefly up to Angel’s, confused as to why he was staring back at her in his game face. Spike retracted his fangs from her neck as he heard Buffy call his name. His human features slid back into place and he quickly licked his lips, removing all visible traces of her blood, before he sat up to stare down into her face. Her confusion tore at him and he wanted to kick himself for what he had done to her. He scrambled off of her prone body and skidded away from her, his back coming to rest against the couch. Buffy didn’t understand what was going on. Spike was putting as much distance between him and her – as if there was something wrong with her – and her eyes watered with unshed tears. “Spike?” He just continued to stare back at her, refusing to acknowledge her. She looked helplessly back up at Angel. “Angel?” she whimpered. Angel’s own human features slipped back into place and he turned and looked at Spike. “It needed to be done, Will.” Spike self-disgust was evident as he looked up at Angel. His own gaze was hard, before it finally softened, an unnecessary sigh escaping his lips. “Buffy doesn’t understand what’s going on,” he said, then went on a little more forcefully, determined to prod Spike out of his self-hate. “She needs her Sire.” Those words seemed to propel him into action, fear of further hurting Buffy motivating him to return to her side. He crawled back over to her and scooped her limp body into his arms. “Weak,” she whispered. “What happened?” “I’m sorry about that, luv. It was the only way to break the vampire demon’s hold over you,” he said softly, running his fingers lovingly through her hair. He pulled her up so that her face was held close to his neck, leaning his own to the side to give her better access. Buffy needed no further encouragement; her face swiftly shifting to allow her fangs to elongate before sinking them into his inviting neck. Spike barely flinched as her fangs penetrated his skin before she began greedily sucking his blood, quickly restoring her depleted supply. Feeling the strength flow back into her limbs, Buffy released Spike’s neck, pausing to lick the wounds closed, before curling into his body. Spike just held her, grateful she didn’t appear to be upset with him. All three looked up when Giles came rushing into the room, followed by Wesley, Fred, Dawn, and Willow. ~*~*~*~*~ “What is it? What’s happened?” Giles demanded as he came rushing into the room. He looked over to see Spike sitting on the floor, Buffy curled in his lap. Spike’s head was down, refusing to look at him, so he turned to Angel. Angel crossed his arms over his chest and glared back at the watcher. Seeing that he wouldn’t get any answers from either vampire unless he calmed down, Giles attempted to rein in his panic. Something that was very hard to do considering how quickly his heart had started pounding as both Willow and Dawn had burst into his room, scaring him half to death – their choked out, “Buffy… Spike… vamped… growling… come now” almost impossible to make any sense from. He didn’t bother to analyze their words, just homed in on the “come now” and raced out of the room after them as they rushed back to the living room. Putting one hand over his chest to help still his racing heart and the other one on the back of the couch to help support his suddenly wobbly legs, he took a few deep breaths and tried again. “You’ll have to forgive me. Willow and Dawn came barging into my room completely in a dither and I just rushed down here thinking the worst had happened.” Angel gave him a slight nod, glancing at the two girls clutching each other in the entryway behind Giles. He returned his gaze to Giles and said, “It appears we’ve reached our first lesson, Rupert. Seems that Buffy’s vampire demon may have wanted to make a snack out of some of the young slayers. Spike had to assert his dominance over her to make her back off.” Angel cast a quick glance at the two still huddled on the floor; neither one were paying him any attention, too focused on the other right now. “But…Buffy…she has a soul. Why would she do something like that?” “I don’t know, Giles,” he replied, sighing. “Maybe her demons haven’t reached that ‘compromise’ that was mentioned in the prophecy…who knows? But, she appears to be back to normal. Hell, it was the weirdest thing,” he started, running a hand through his hair in agitation, “One minute she’s this great vampiress, growling and ready to claim her next victim, practically defying her Sire and me to do so. The next, it’s just Buffy, lost and confused.” “Hmmmm… like the vampire demon completely surprised the First Slayer demon,” Giles murmured. Angel just nodded. “Well, all we can do is keep an eye on her for the time being. And make sure she’s not alone… wait, you said she went after the slayers? Is that correct?” “That’s right…” “What about Willow and Dawn? They were in the room, right?” “Yes…” “Yet, Buffy didn’t go after them, just the slayers?” Angel nodded, unsure quite where Giles was going with this. “Interesting. It’s like her vampire demon only went after the slayers because it could sense the connection the First Slayer’s demon has with them. Anyway. I still think it’s best that she’s not left alone with anyone right now. Either Spike or you should be with her at all times. Just until we can figure out…” Angel had started to shake his head at that. “Look, Angel, I don’t like this any better than you. But, you and Spike are the only ones that can force her vampire demon to submit. Not that I expect something like this happening again, but better to be safe.” Angel’s face became an impenetrable mask once more as the futility of the situation washed over him. “Alright. But, I want someone researching this. I’m not going to be very happy if I have to be the one to make her vampire demon play nice.” Angelus wouldn’t have minded in the least, but Angel damn sure had a problem with it! Giles had better hope it never came to that. ~*~*~*~*~ The group quickly disbursed. Giles, Fred, Wesley, Dawn, and Willow retreated to the dining room to begin research on the portal that was to open next Thursday and hopefully find a means with which to stop it. Angel told them he would make them all breakfast while they got started, and had both Buffy and Spike help him. The young slayers, rather than wait for Angel to fix them something, grabbed themselves some bowls of cereal and ate in the living room so as not to tempt Buffy by being in the kitchen and because the dining room was full of people in “research-mode.” Angel got both Buffy and Spike to sit down at the kitchen table – after the slayers had cleared out of the kitchen – to have them cut up some fruit. He figured the useless activity would keep them both occupied while he pulled out the eggs, green peppers, ham, cheese, and other various ingredients and set about making omelets for the people hard at work in the other room. Angel glanced up from his preparations to see Spike’s shocked face as Buffy tentatively offered him a strawberry. He watched transfixed as Spike slightly raised out of his seat to lean over and take the offered treat from her hands. His eyes shut as his mouth closed around the fruit as well as a few of her fingers. Angel felt like a voyeur as his eyes flicked over to Buffy to take in her reaction. The vision of her own eyes closed, her head slightly tilted back, mouth open in a silent “O” as she savored her Sire’s lips on her fingers was imprinted on his brain and had his cock hardening inside the dress slacks he wore. He ignored his body’s response to the scene playing out before him, too entranced by the sight to look away. His Grand-Childe had always been a sensual creature, the sexual benefits of being a vampire something Spike wholeheartedly embraced once being turned. Angel never before understood why Spike still insisted on eating normal food, but seeing the obvious pleasure he took in eating the piece of fruit from Buffy’s hand, he was beginning to. Maybe having a soul didn’t mean that he had to constantly deny himself life’s simple pleasures. Spike obviously didn’t seem to have a problem with it now that he had a soul; he was still all about pleasure – simple or otherwise. The pressure of his cock against his pants had started to ease at his silent introspection. But then he watched as Spike swallowed the fruit before reaching out and hauling Buffy up out of her seat and halfway across the table for a kiss. This was no quick kiss either, his cock hardening once again could attest to that. Once more his gaze locked in on the two figures that appeared oblivious to his presence. From his partially hidden position behind the kitchen island, Angel reached down to adjust himself to relieve some of the pressure his hardened length was causing in the confines of his slacks. He watched as Spike’s tongue slipped out to trace the outer curve of Buffy’s lips. Her mouth parted in pleasure and Spike took the opportunity to slip his tongue inside to mate with her own. Spike knew how to kiss, his memories as Angelus could attest to that. That tongue of his was capable of inducing the greatest pleasure – greater even than his own Sire, Darla – and that woman had been a whore by trade before she was turned. Their lips weren’t fused together and Angel could see Spike’s tongue as it slipped in and out over Buffy’s, mimicking what he could be doing with his cock if they were back in their room. Spike smelt the burning eggs before Angel did and opened his eyes to figure out where the offending odor was coming from, his tongue never stopping its languid slide along Buffy’s. His cerulean gaze locked with that of his Grand-Sire’s, the normal chocolate-brown color almost black as his pupils dilated from his--- Spike sniffed the air again, searching. Faintly, under the overpowering scent of burning eggs, he noticed it: arousal. And from the unlikeliest of sources – Angel. He broke off his kiss from Buffy and gazed at Angel, his own eyes darkening perceptively. Memories of days long past flitted briefly across his mind before being abruptly cut off at Buffy’s quiet groan. The noise seemed to break whatever spell had been cast over the two male vampires and while Spike turned his attention to Buffy, Angel turned around to fix the burned mess that had become of his eggs. “Later, luv,” Spike replied, his smile promising about pleasure yet to come. Buffy just nodded and started cutting up fruit once more. “Are you burning something?” Dawn yelled, from her position in the dining room. “Just trying to get used to your burners!” Angel hollered back. The mumbled response of “God, his cooking is as bad as Buffy’s” had him growling softly, and Spike and Buffy chuckling. He turned around to glare at the two making fun of him and met Spike’s eyes. Spike gave his classic smirk followed by an impudent wink, fully aware as to the real reason the food had started to burn. ‘Insolent Childe,’ Angel thought, determined to put Spike in his place and wipe that smug look from his face. Angel made sure he had Spike’s full attention before his eyes flashed gold; a wide smile reminiscent of his Angelus days transformed his normally dour countenance before he used his tongue to slowly lick his lips. Spike watched mesmerized as Angel allowed his canines to extend and lightly ran his tongue around them. Before his tongue once more resettled in his mouth, he nicked it, allowing the blood to pool, the scent of it hitting Spike’s nostrils causing them to flare. At the pointed look Angel gave him before retracting his tongue inside his mouth and swallowing his own blood, Spike gulped, and Angel watched as he attempted to shift in his seat to ease what Angel knew to be Spike’s own painful arousal. Smiling in satisfaction, Angel turned back to the stove to dump the now-charred eggs in the sink and start over. ‘That’ll teach him to goad me.’

Chapter #35 - Showdown

A/N: Ok, all, this is it. The last chapter of this story. (Except for the epilogue I'm working on now, set to take place at Christmas.) Keep in mind, some issues haven't been resolved. 1. Buffy's demon issues. 2. Willows part in the spell. They'll be resolved in the sequel. So, here you go...the ending to my story. Enjoy! Angel, Buffy, and Spike all walked into the dining room carrying several plates of omelets and a bowl of fruit salad amongst them. The research party was grateful for the interruption and quickly turned away from books and scrolls to devour the food giving off such a scrumptious aroma. Dawn bit into her omelet and sighed. She turned to Angel and said, “I take back that comment about your cooking being like Buffy’s. This is awesome.” Angel, slightly mollified, gave her a hesitant smile. Dawn returned with one of her own. Spike, not to be outdone by his Grand-Sire, quickly announced, “Try the fruit salad, ‘Bit. I made that.” Dawn turned to him and rolled her eyes. Not wanting to hurt her pseudo-brother’s feelings, she took a bite of the fruit and announced, “Also, very good!” At his slightly offended look she added, “Actually, the best fruit salad I've ever had.” Buffy, from her position in Spike’s lap, snorted. “Like it’s so hard to make a fruit salad.” “Bite your tongue, wench. I slaved hard over that salad.” Buffy objected to the “wench” and gave him a good poke in the ribs. “Ow! What the bloody hell was that for?” “That, was for calling me a wench.” Buffy smiled sweetly up at him. The others in the room started chuckling, causing Spike to frown at them. Angel hated to break the light mood that had settled over the room, but it was time for him to tell the others what he had managed to find out about the portal. “Now that we’re all here, I guess I can tell you what I was able to find out about the portal.” Those that were eating stopped mid-bite to look at him. “You all know that the portal is scheduled to open next Thursday. Well, I’ve found out that Buffy, as the guardian will be needed to close it. This time, once and for all. I managed to pry out of one of the seers that ‘The Guardian holds the key.’” Wesley, Fred, and Giles just looked at one another before announcing simultaneously, “The scythe!” “It makes perfect sense. After all, that’s what started this whole ‘connection’ thing to begin with,” Giles opined. “I quite agree,” Wesley added. “Willow can use the scythe as the catalyst that helps to close the portal.” “Don’t forget about the blood, mate.” This from Spike. They all turned to him questioningly, confused as to how he would know about this. Buffy answered for him. “It’s always about the blood.” Spike just smiled at her, both remembering his words from long ago. “I think Spike has a point here,” Giles replied. Soon, the four – Giles, Willow, Fred, and Wesley – were deep in conference, discussing various means of enacting the spell. After a moment, Angel broke into their heated discussion. “We still need to figure out a plan of attack for next Thursday.” The others stopped their conversation and looked at him. Angel glanced at Spike and Buffy, before turning back to the four huddled on the far side of the table. “I think we need to call Faith.” Giles started to sputter, shaking his head. “She’s needed on the Cleveland Hellmouth—” Buffy cut him off, well aware of Angel’s train of thought. “No, Angel’s right. We need her here. She came through before. Besides, if what I’m thinking is similar to Angel, she will give us a good cover.” “Exactly my thoughts.” Angel went on to explain. “That demon we encountered has no way of knowing his spell was unsuccessful. I say we bring Faith here, leaving Buffy and the other slayers hidden until we get the portal closed, then bring them out as our secret weapon.” Buffy grumbled at this, hating to wait while the others fought, but realized that Angel was right. Her attacker didn’t know that his plan had failed, but if he saw her, he would instantly know, blowing whatever advantage that they might have. In the end, everyone agreed with Angel and a call was placed to Faith. It was decided by everyone not to tell Faith about what was going on until she arrived. So when Faith showed up Thursday, a week before the scheduled portal opening, she was completely shocked to see not only Angel and Buffy, but Giles, Wesley, Fred, and Spike. Spike? When the hell did that happen? Then her eyes zeroed in on Buffy. “Damn, B! What the hell have you been up to over here?” ~*~*~*~*~ “Damn, B! What the hell have you been up to over here?” Buffy opened her mouth to answer, trying desperately to wrap her tongue around the words that would explain her situation. In the end, it was Giles that came to her rescue. Good ol' Giles. Giles turned to the man standing silently behind Faith. “Mr. Wood, good to see you’ve sufficiently recovered from your previous injuries.” “It’s Robin, and thanks. Had some help in that department,” he replied, his arm settling around Faith’s shoulders, giving her a quick squeeze. She rolled her eyes at him at that, but a soft smile played across her lips. After Robin had healed, he’d insisted that Faith and he take things slowly. At first, she tried to seduce him into changing his mind, determined to not let her emotions get involved. But, he was having none of that, his will in this being much greater than hers. In the end, Faith had allowed him to set the pace and slowly the two of them had built a relationship on trust and honesty. “Er, Robin, of course. Faith, Robin, why don’t we step into the office so we can explain what’s going on. “Giles, we may as well go to the living room. There’s more space there anyway. And, now’s a good time to let the other slayers in on the plan,” Buffy said. “Yes, of course. The living room, then.” While the others made their way to the living room, Buffy kept walking down the open foyer to the classroom that the girls were currently occupying, Buffy refusing to allow their tutoring to slip. It was the same reason Dawn was currently as school and not here as well. Buffy wanted to maintain some type of normalcy with her girls and schooling helped in that endeavor. ~*~*~*~*~ As Buffy sat anxiously waiting behind the cover of the trees, she thought back over the previous week: the explanation to Faith and Wood of Buffy’s new role as the Guardian slayer and the events leading up to it; the week-long research marathon that left everyone tired, yet determined; the nightly lovemaking sessions that would have her blushing in memory if she were able. She hadn’t had another “vampire episode” in the past week and Buffy was secretly thankful for it. Giles had said that it would become their top priority once this Draemuir dimension issue was resolved. Buffy still hadn’t heard from Xander and she silently hoped that her friend was ok. Everyone had decided to remain at Buffy’s place for an impromptu holiday celebration after closing the portal to partake in some American turkey dinner. Well, after some much-needed rest anyway, since it was just after midnight. By the time this confrontation was over, they’d all be ready for some much-needed rest. Buffy pulled her thoughts from the previous week and concentrated on what was happening now. Buffy, Willow, Dawn, and the other slayers were hiding in the trees as Spike, Angel, Faith, and the others made their way into the clearing to confront the Draelorn demons that were quickly filtering out of the open portal. Willow and Dawn stayed hidden so they could put up a barrier that would make it impossible for anyone to leave. Yeah, some of the demons may have gotten through the portal, but they weren’t going to be going too far. Buffy and the other slayers stayed hidden – temporarily – for another reason; they wanted to lure the demons out, especially the one that had attacked Buffy. He had no way of knowing that his plan hadn’t worked. So, for now, Buffy and the others waited. Once the portal was closed, all bets were off. Buffy never allowed others to fight her battles and she wasn’t about to start now. “Have you got the barrier up?” Buffy whispered anxiously to Willow. She blinked in amazement as she noticed Willow’s appearance. She looked like an avenging angel; her hair practically glowed white, yet her eyes were pitch black. “Uh, Wills, you ok over there?” “I’m fine, Buffy. Honest,” Willow replied. “I’ve learned to control this a lot better than before. I’ve been busy these last few months.” Buffy didn’t doubt her friend. Willow spoke in a slow, even tone, her youthful appearing belying the maturity of the voice that spoke to her. “Ok….the barrier?” she once more asked. “It’s up. Now to work on closing the portal. Angel said that he was told that the ‘Guardian holds the key.’ I’m…we’re… sure that means the scythe. After all, that’s what started this whole thing, right?” “I guess so. That’s what Giles and the others thought, anyway.” “Ok, then. Let’s get started. Bring the scythe and place it in the circle. Just make sure you don’t disrupt the protective ring.” “Right.” Buffy placed the scythe inside the circle; Willow sat Indian-style before it. “Ok, nick yourself and sprinkle a little of your blood on the scythe.” Buffy complied, nicking her wrist with her fangs, allowing her blood to drip along the length of the scythe. Finished, she licked the wound, closing the cut she had made. Willow began chanting, the foreign words sounding oddly melodic to her ears. Buffy turned to the portal, waiting for it to close, so she and the young slayers could join the others in the battle. Willow’s chanting came to an end, and she opened her eyes, shaking her head to clear the haze. “Did it work?” Willow asked. Buffy glanced over at the portal. Demons were steadily streaming out of the opening. If they didn’t get the thing shut soon, they’d be too many for them to handle. “No, Willow, it didn’t work,” Buffy cried, her anxiety making her voice sound unnecessarily harsh. “I don’t understand,” Willow whispered to herself. “‘The Guardian has the key.’ Those were the exact words out of Angel’s mouth. This should have been all we needed to do to get the portal closed.” “Me either, but if we don’t do something soon, there’s gonna be too many demons for us to handle.” “Uh, guys,” Dawn broke into their conversation. Buffy and Willow turned to Dawn. “Ummm… maybe…uh,” she broke off, unsure. Buffy walked over to Dawn, placing one of her hands under her chin to gently force Dawn to look at her. “What is it, Dawnie?” “It’s just… I mean…I was supposed to be used to open portals. Maybe I need to help close this one?” “The ‘Key’. Dawnie, that’s brilliant,” Willow cried from her seated position in front of the circle. “Buffy, you and Dawn come over here. You’re both gonna need to cut yourself. Let your blood mix before letting it fall to the scythe.” Buffy and Dawn quickly walked over to the circle. “Sorry, Dawnie,” Buffy whispered, moments before her fangs sliced a line across her palm. She quickly did the same to her own hand. Interlacing their fingers together, their blood mixed before slowly falling to the scythe that lay on the ground. “That should do it, Buffy,” Willow said, before beginning to chant once again. Buffy pulled their joined hands from over the scythe. She unlinked their fingers, bringing Dawn’s palm to her lips to close the wound before repeating the same action to her own. Buffy reached out and tucked a stray strand of hair behind Dawn’s ear. “Ok?” Buffy asked. Dawn just nodded, unable to speak. Her sister’s fangs hadn’t hurt as she’d cut a line across her palm, but when their blood mingled before falling to the scythe, Dawn could feel tingles rushing through her body. Instinctively, Dawn knew that this was what needed to be done, that this time the spell would work. Sure enough, the girls watched as the portal slowly got smaller, before finally closing. It was time for Buffy and the others to go to work. ~*~*~*~*~ Spike quickly found himself surrounded by Draelorn demons. He held his sword loosely in his hands waiting for the first to strike. After what seemed like hours, but in reality was mere seconds, the first one made his move, swiftly bringing up his sword to strike in a downward arc. Spike was ready for him and quickly blocked the move. His attacker tried to land several more blows that he was able to easily parry before landing his own death blow: as his attacker made his last lunge, he overcompensated his swing leaving his head vulnerable for Spike’s death blow, effectively severing the demon’s head from his shoulder. Spike had no time to congratulate himself on his kill as his next attacker made his move. As his second attacker charged him, running full force, Spike waited to the last second before ducking, effectively sending his attacker flying over his shoulders and down his back to sprawl on the ground behind him, momentarily dazed. Ignoring him for the moment, Spike concentrated on the next two that appeared ready to engage him. As they both inched forward, Spike swung his sword in a sweeping arc before him, causing both of his would-be attackers back a few paces. This allowed Spike to regroup and prepare to meet their charge. His attackers thought they would be smart, one circling around to attack his back while the other made his move on his front. The demon in front of him surged forward, attempting to drive his sword down to imbed in Spike’s shoulder. Spike managed to deflect the blow, surging in close to his attacker so that their bodies were practically touching. Neither was able to use their sword against each other. Out of the corner of his eye, Spike saw the attacker that had swung around move in for an easy kill. Quickly, Spike pushed away from the attacker that had him pinned, the momentum allowing him to swing his body in a complete circle giving extra force for his sword to strike his attacker’s middle. His attacker got in a lucky block, but Spike quickly attacked again. The downward thrust of his sword tearing into the flesh of his shoulder. He hadn’t forgotten about the attacker behind him, and as Spike saw him raise his sword, he quickly loosed the sword from the first attackers shoulder to bring it up to deflect the blow by the second. His attacker wasn’t expecting to be blocked and was thrown off balance. This allowed Spike to finish off his first attacker. With a sweeping arc of his sword he decapitated the first and used the momentum of his attack to twist around to face the second attacker. A few quick thrusts and this foe, too, was dispatched. Spike allowed himself a quick glance around the room to see how his teammates were doing, before he was once again sucked into the thick of battle. ~*~ Giles, Fred, and Wesley stayed together relying on their numbers to make up for their lack of skill. Between the three of them, they were able to make a slight dent in the number of demons left in the clearing. ~*~ Faith was thoroughly engaged in the battle; Robin did his best to guard her backside and keep her alive as she took out one Draelorn demon after the other who were foolish enough to try and fight her. ~*~ Angel was dealing with the three demons surrounding him when he heard a bellow erupt from one of the last demons to enter safely through the open passage. He glanced up quickly at the noise – and almost foolishly got his head hacked off – to see the demon both Spike and he had confronted in the barn last week. Apparently, he had just noticed that his portal was now closed as well as the appearance of the slayer – Buffy, that is. With a slight smile playing about his lips, he noticed that Spike was well aware of the demon’s presence as well. ~*~ Buffy, with the aid of her red Slayer’s scythe, was quickly charging her way through the Draelorn demons that had managed to get through the portal before it was finally closed. The scythe whistled through the air as she swung it to and fro hacking anything and everything that stood in her way. Since the portal was closed, there was no more need for her and the other slayers to hide. ~*~ The young slayers also adopted Giles’ and the other’s fighting style. They had broken up into several groups as they raced across the clearing behind Buffy, staying close to one another as they fought, able to offer any additionally help to the others if need be. ~*~ Spike recognized the sound of that bellow of outrage. Quickly dispatching the demon he was currently fighting, he turned to see Buffy’s attacker slowly making his way towards her. Seeing red, he raced towards him on an intercept course, his sword raised in preparation of the fight to come. He reached Buffy before the demon and stood at her back as Damius continued his advance. Around him, the Draelorn demons were quickly being eliminated leaving just Spike’s opponent. The others watched as Spike and the last demon entered into a battle to the death. None had any doubt that Spike would be victorious and stood back to watch the fight before them. Spike was prepared as Damius came at him at a run, his sword held before him in an attempt to skewer him. Spike waited until the demon got closer then swung his sword in an underhanded arc to deflect his opponent’s blade. The move caused Damius to twist to the side, leaving him vulnerable and Spike took advantage, landing a bone-jarring punch to the demon’s face. Before the demon had time to recover, Spike had re-gripped his sword with both hands. He had hoped to finish this battle quickly so that they could all go home and put this behind them, but at the last possible second, the demon was able to block the deathblow. Spike quickly regrouped and once more charged the demon. “I told you we’d meet again, demon,” Spike taunted as he moved in for the kill. “It’s a good thing I’m going to kill you because now you won’t have to go back and tell your ruler that you messed up. Not that you could go back anyway. My slayer took care of your little loophole. Looks like you demons are just gonna have to be happy in your own little dimension.” “I’ll kill you for that, vampire. Nobody makes a fool of Damius, high priest of the Draelorns,” the demon vowed. Spike snorted at that. “Maybe you haven’t notice this yet, mate. But, you’re the last one standing. Now, make your move so I can go home with my friends there.” Damius became enraged that the vampire would dare belittle him like that. His anger made him careless, which was just what Spike had intended all along. As the demon attempted an erratic thrust of his sword, Spike was prepared, easily sidestepping the blow and landing his own. His sword penetrated the demon’s chest, where Spike assumed his heart would be. Not taking any chances, he quickly pulled the blade out of the demon’s body and severed its head. “That was for hurting my girl,” he whispered to the corpse before upending his sword and driving it into his back. Turning, he made his way over to where the others stood waiting for him. Buffy ran towards him and threw herself in his arms. Spike wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close in a near bone-crushing hug. Buffy just hugged him back. “Let’s go home, luv.” “Home,” Buffy repeated softly. “Yes, let’s go.” Together, the two walked towards the group waiting patiently for them. ~*~*~*~*~ It was a grateful, yet tired group that entered Buffy’s home back in Rome during the predawn hours. Without words to one another, they quickly broke off to get some much-needed sleep. Everyone was exhausted after spending the past week researching or planning the coming confrontation, sleep calling to all to recharge the battle-weary bodies. ~*~*~*~*~ Several hours later, everyone began filtering downstairs. Since Angel turned out to be such a good cook, he was nominated by everyone to cook the turkey. Grumbling about the unfairness of the vote, he volunteered Spike, Wesley, and Robin to help him. The women of the household quickly seconded Angel’s idea, snickering behind their hands at the thought of the men finally being the one to cook the traditional Thanksgiving meal. The women congregated in the living room, while Angel, Spike, and Robin were busy in the kitchen. Giles, not wanting to be the only male in the living room with a roomful of girls, escaped to the kitchen to join the men. Willow and Faith quickly caught the others up on what they had been doing since they were all last together. Faith blushed a becoming shade of red when mention was made of her relationship with Robin. The other girls, seeing this, soon began teasing the brunette. “So, Faith, how’s it feel?” “Yeah, how’s that ‘wood’?” Buffy added. It finally felt good for Buffy to be on the giving end of the innuendos. The girls all dissolved into giggles at Buffy’s comment. They laughed even harder when Faith didn’t comment, just blushed even more. “Why, Faith, is that a blush?” Willow teased. She been on the receiving end of some of Faith’s comments about her sexuality, and as they say, payback is a bitch. Although, this time around, there was none of the malice of before. This time, the girls were just gossiping, as women are wont to do. The ringing of the doorbell interrupted their teasing, and Faith pounced on the opportunity to scramble from the room, yelling a quick, “I’ll get it” over her shoulder. “It’s good that she’s finally happy,” Buffy commented. “Yeah, Wood seems to agree with her,” Willow replied. She flashed a wide-eyed, innocent blink at the others before dissolving into a fit of giggles again. The others in the room soon joined her. Buffy stopped abruptly when she noticed the newcomers standing in the entryway. Xander, along with a petite, dark-haired girl, stood hesitantly just inside the living room. Faith had moved behind the two, preventing their escape. “Xander?” Buffy called softly, coming quickly to her feet. ~*~ Spike sensed Buffy’s distress and quietly left the kitchen to see what was upsetting her. The others noticed his departure and silently followed him out to the foyer. Everyone stopped when they saw who stood just inside the living room entrance. ~*~ “Hi, Buffy,” Xander replied nervously. Buffy wanted nothing more than to rush around the couch and throw herself in her friend’s arms, his anticipated reaction to her room-temperature body stayed that action. “You got my email?” Xander just nodded. “A few days ago. Sorry. I would have been here sooner, but I had to convince Alaine here to come and meet my friends. She was a little hesitant about coming.” Apparently, Alaine didn’t like being talked about as if she wasn’t here, if the elbow to Xander’s ribs was any indication. Xander’s breath left him in a rush and he rubbed his stomach to ease the sudden ache. Buffy liked her immediately. Buffy walked around the couch and stood in front of the girl. She had noticed the scent of werewolf on her, watched as said werewolf sniffed the air and caught her scent. “Hi, I’m Buffy. Welcome to my home,” Buffy said to the girl, holding out her hand. Alaine gave Buffy a shy smile, reaching out her own hand. “Alaine.” “Alaine, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Buffy glanced over at Xander and noticed his relieved expression. As if she would fault him for dating a werewolf. They’d all been down this road before. “Why don’t you come on in and have a seat? Would you like something to drink? Xander? A beer?” Alaine told Buffy that a soda would be fine; Xander concurred with the beer request. She looked up as she walked in the foyer on her way to the kitchen and noticed the guys had all come out of the kitchen and were standing there, watching their new guests. Buffy just shrugged her shoulders. “Spike, can you get a soda and a beer for me?” Spike nodded and walked back into the kitchen. The others followed Buffy as she turned around and reentered the living room. “So, Xander, what have you been up to?” Buffy asked. He hadn’t sat down, just stood next to the chair Alaine was sitting in. “Uh… well… that is…” he trailed off. Buffy watched as Alaine placed her hand on his arm, immediately soothing him. Buffy was impressed. It appeared that Xander had come a long way in dealing with demons and such. “I toured a bit, finding the occasional new slayer to send on their way to you or Giles. But then, well, I got tired. Decided I’d had enough and was determined to start a new life. A normal life. I met Alaine here, and I thought I had found that. Turns out I just wasn’t meant to have normal. See, Alaine here is a werewolf. And, I love her.” His smile said it all. He did love her, and that love had appeared to take away the cynical edge that seemed to mark her friend since his friend Jesse was killed by a vampire. “Oh, Xander. That’s wonderful!” Buffy cried. There were well wishes all around the room for the couple. Hugs and kisses were exchanged. It was like the Scooby gang had never been apart. It was as Xander gave Buffy a huge hug that he blurted out teasingly, “So, Buffy, when did you become a vampire?” Buffy pulled away and stared at him with her mouth open. “You know?” Xander gave her a knowing look. “Uh, Buffy, have you looked at yourself in the mirror?” Then, he promptly burst out laughing at his own joke. Buffy stared at her friend in shock. “Ok…who are you? And, what have you done with my friend Xander?” “Buffy. As long as I spent on the Hellmouth, did you honestly think I wouldn’t notice?” Buffy let out an unnecessary sigh. “You’re ok with this?” Buffy asked hesitantly. “He better be ok with this or he can just turn around and walk right back out the front door,” Spike said from the entryway. To prove he meant business, he gave Xander an evil glare. “Pffft,” Xander replied, his arm slung casually around Buffy. Spike quirked his brow at Xander’s response. “Hi Spike! Nice to see you among the undead again.” “Ok, who are you and what have you done to Xander?” Turning to Red, he questioned, “Is this a Xanderbot?” “Ha ha, deadboy,” Xander replied, although there was none of the malice of before in the name. It almost sounded like grudging affection. “Watch your mouth, whelp. I don’t have a chip that’ll prevent me from hurting you.” Spike watched in amazement as Xander just snorted at him. His gaze narrowed as his saw his arm still around his girl. “And get your hands off my girl!” “Okay, okay…” Xander replied, raising his arms up in an innocent gesture. “A mite touchy, aren’t we?” Buffy rolled her eyes and walked over to give Spike a quick kiss. “You’re not burning anything are you?” “You should be asking Angel that, luv. He’s in charge.” The guys took the hint and retreated to the kitchen, Xander included. The girls got back to their gossip, eager to get Alaine’s story on how she had met Xander. The retelling had all the girls in a tither, their laughter resounding throughout the room. When they heard Spike shout, “Bloody hell, Xander. You are a demon magnet,” Willow and Buffy lost it. Tears began to stream down their face in their merriment. They were laughing so hard, they didn’t hear Xander reply, “Shut up, fang face.” ~*~*~*~*~ The meal was finally finished and everyone was seated around the dining room table. Mini conversations were being shared as trays were passed around the table. The smells caused several to lick their lips in anticipation. It was by far the best Thanksgiving Buffy had had since her mother had died. Tears welled in her eyes as she stood up. Everyone stopped speaking to look at her. She looked around the table at her friends and family, a lump forming in her throat. She swallowed subconsciously to regain control of the emotion that threatened to consume her. “I just wanted to say… Happy Thanksgiving…to all of you. My friends, some new, some not so new. And my family. And to tell you how much you mean to me. How much I love you. All of you.” Her eyes made contact with everyone at the table. “I hope that all of you may one day experience the joy that I’m feeling right now. And, I want to welcome you to the first annual Buffy Thanksgiving. There’s no reason why we can’t get together at least once a year to see how we’re all doing.” Again she looked around the table, noticed that everyone nodded, and smiled back at them. “Good. Now that that’s settled, let’s eat.” Giles stood up as Buffy resumed her seat. “To friends,” he said raising his glass. Everyone stood up and raised their glasses. “To friends,” they chorused. “To family,” Giles added. “To family,” they all replied. Raising their glasses higher, they all took a drink, sealing the toast that sounded suspiciously like a vow.

Chapter #36 - Epilogue: A Very Merry Christmas

“’Bout bloody time Peaches finally put the company’s resources to good use,” Spike said as he prepared himself a drink from the bar. Buffy just rolled her eyes at him as she settled back in her plush chair, nodding distractedly at something Dawn said from the seat next to her. “You’re not gonna get drunk just because we’re spending Christmas in L.A., are you?” Buffy asked, eyeing the double-shot of Jack Daniels he poured into a tumbler. “Make this soddin trip go a lot quicker,” he mumbled under his breath. “I heard that. Vampire hearing now, remember? Now, come sit down and keep me company,” Buffy said, patting the seat beside her. Actually, she wanted her pillow back. The long flight from Rome to L.A. was extremely boring, and she was hoping to get a nice nap in to make the time go by quicker. “Can’t believe I agreed to this…wasn’t Thanksgiving enough? It’s bad enough I’m the only bloke living with twelve females. Now, I’m willingly going to add Angel’s gang, the Scoobies, and your git of a watcher too? For a whole soddin week? Am I bloody insane? I swear… if Giles brings Andrew with him I’m bloody well locking myself in my suite and refusing to come out!” “Spike?” He looked up from his rant into Buffy’s eyes. She knew this act was just for show. Spike had come to tentative truce with Xander. Oh… they still traded their barbed nicknames, but it was done more out of habit than malice now. He’d also put aside his differences with Giles. She knew he was secretly grateful that Giles had come to Rome at a moments notice to help her. Shoot, even Angel seemed to be part of Spike’s recent good will. The two had apparently buried the hatchet of whatever had seemed to be bothering them for the last oh…hundred years or so. Sure, Spike still seemed to get on Angel’s nerves. But, Buffy thought he did that to keep Angel from constantly brooding. A smile came to her lips as she thought about what mischief Spike would create with Angel once they arrived in LA. “Huh?” “Shut up,” Buffy replied, slipping a little exasperation into her tone of voice. His scarred brow quirked at that and Buffy gifted him with another roll of her eyes. Seeing “Plan A” wasn’t working, she quickly regrouped and switched to “Plan B.” “I’m tired, Spike,” she half-whined. “Can you come and sit down so I can lean on you and take a nap… please?” Out of the corner of her eye, she made out her sister’s eye roll at her expense. ‘Hey…whatever worked.’ The plaintive whining worked. Spike pushed himself away from the bar and sat down beside Buffy. “C’mere, luv,” he said softly, guiding Buffy’s head to rest in his lap. As his fingers glided through her hair, she was soon lulled to sleep. She slept until Spike gently shook her awake, telling her that they were about to land. The nice thing about having your own private company jet was that it was usually stored in your private hangar. This allowed the two vampires to easily switch from plane to limo without worrying about the daytime sky. The limos and the lack of having to deal with baggage claim were a big bonus as well. In a matter of minutes, both limousines were wending their way through the afternoon Los Angeles traffic on their way to the Wolfram & Hart law offices. ~*~*~*~*~ “Peaches!” Spike hollered, throwing open the double doors to his office. “Spike,” Angel muttered. His voice became much friendlier as he greeted Buffy, Dawn, and the others. “How was your flight? No problems, were there?” “The flight was fine…” Buffy started. “’Course it was fine for you… you slept the whole way.” That remark earned Spike an elbow to the ribs. “Ow! Bloody hell, slayer! What the hell was that for? ‘S the truth…” Buffy ignored him and turned to Angel. “Thanks for the use of your plane, Angel. You didn’t have to do that. Giles was going to pick up the tab with Council funds,” Buffy told him. “Not a problem at all. Besides, half the time the thing is just sitting in the hangar. It gave the pilots a chance to rack up some in-flight miles if nothing else.” “Well, thanks…so… speaking of… have you heard from Giles? What about Willow and Xander? Anything from them?” she asked. “As a matter of fact, I just sent the limo after Giles. His flight is due to arrive any time now, and with his Council credentials, he shouldn’t have to deal with a long line in customs. He should be here in about an hour. Willow is already here, probably asleep in her room. Xander isn’t due in for another two hours yet.” Standing up from behind his desk, he gestured to the elevators in the corner of his office. “Why don’t I show you all where you’ll be staying and let you get settled in? Sound good?” Murmured assents were whispered from the grateful group. After a ten hour flight, everyone was eager for a shower and a bed, not necessarily in that order. Jet lag was a bitch. Angel showed everyone to his or her rooms, explaining that he didn’t have a formal meal planned for tonight as he had figured on everyone being exhausted. He did, however, show them how to get food and drink delivered to their rooms via the telephones and that breakfast was being catered in one of the conference rooms in the morning. ~*~*~*~*~ Buffy and Spike were alone in their room. The room Angel had given the two to use was rather large. The door opened to a large sitting area that included a huge couch and entertainment center. Further in the room was a pseudo dining area and bar; the bar included a mini refrigerator, microwave and sink. Cabinets above housed an assortment of dishes and glasses. A beautifully decorated folding screen provided privacy for the huge king-sized bed that was tucked against the back wall. The headboard, dresser, nightstands, and foot chest were all composed of the same dark wood, all beautifully handcrafted. Off to the side was – upon further inspection – a huge bathroom. A shower and separate sunken tub made out of beautiful tile beckoned visitors to while away the hours why getting clean. Buffy wandered out of the bathroom and started unpacking the many suitcases that were brought up by some flunky and were now stacked at the foot of the bed. Spike had wandered to the bar after cutting on the television. ‘Probably trying to see if ‘Passions’ was on,’ Buffy thought. “Ahhh… good ole Peaches,” Spike said as he pulled a couple packets of blood out of the mini refrigerator. Buffy was unsure what Spike was talking about until she peeked around the folding screen and saw him dangling a couple bags of blood in the air. Realizing that it had been a while since she fed, Buffy licked her lips in anticipation. Watching her tongue glided unselfconsciously around her lips had Spike’s cerulean gaze darkening to an almost midnight-blue hue. Seeing her effect on him had Buffy repeating the action, this time with seductive slowness. In the weeks since being turned, Buffy had started taking her blood out of a mug like Spike. But, that was usually when he wasn’t around. Most times, she continued to feed from him. He didn’t seem to mind, in fact, he encouraged it. Both enjoyed the closeness it provided to each other. So, whenever they were alone – like now – Spike would feed from the mug, and Buffy would in turn feed from him… which usually led to other things. It was those “other things” that had Buffy crossing swiftly to their bedroom door to secure the lock before turning back to Spike with a predatory look. Eyes locked on him as he waited for the blood to heat in the microwave above the refrigerator, Buffy began a slow striptease as she made her way to the huge king-sized bed, negligently dropping items of clothing along the way. As she reached the screen, the last item of clothing slipped from her fingertips. With a seductive wink and a crook of her finger, she sauntered behind the screen, hidden from his view, to await him on the bed. She held a hand over her mouth to keep from laughing as she heard him mutter at the microwave to “bloody hurry up.” She was surprised he didn’t just open the door and guzzle the blood semi-cold. Although, it would be just like him to tease her by waiting after that little striptease she just pulled. Just in case he was of that mind, she fluffed the pillows behind her and got started without him. Licking both fingers in turn, she let them slip from her mouth to trail down her neck to her awaiting breasts. The wicked thoughts running through her head had her nipples tightening. Using a hand on each, she rubbed the hardening nubs between her thumb and forefinger. Vaguely, she heard the timer for the microwave sound. When he didn’t immediately show himself, she realized that she had guessed correctly: he was going to take his time. ‘No matter,’ she thought as she continued to pluck and roll her nipples. Buffy pushed thoughts of her wayward Sire aside as she got caught up in pleasuring herself. She allowed one hand to fall from her breast to glide down her flat stomach to play with the coarse curls covering her sex. She felt the first drops of moisture as she trailed her fingers around the outer folds. ‘He should smell that. Now let’s see how long it’ll take him now.’ Turning her mind back to the matter at hand, she trailed a finger up and down the length of her slit coating her finger with her juices. When it was good and wet, she allowed it to slip inside her. A soft moan escaped her lips. She pumped her finger inside her a few times before adding a second… and then a third. It wasn’t enough. Removing her other hand from where it was alternately tugging on her nipples, she let it trail down to draw lazy circles using her thumb on her clit. So involved was she in bringing herself to climax, she didn’t see Spike walk around the folding screen. Was oblivious to his enraptured stare as he watched his golden goddess writhe around on the bed, head thrown back, eyes closed as she attempted to achieve her release. Spike quickly stripped out of his clothes, letting them fall where he stood. With feline grace he crawled up the length of the bed. Lowering his head to where her fingers were furiously working to bring herself off, he extended his tongue to lap at the juices coating the fingers pumping into her body. His hand came up to replace the one of hers that was circling her clit. Her suddenly free hand worked its way into his hair to hold his head secure at her apex. The pleasurable feeling of his cool tongue laving her outer folds and fingers had them stilling their insistent pumping. As her fingers slipped from her slick passage, she felt as Spike slipped each one into his mouth to suck it clean. That task out of the way, he bent his head to allow his tongue to lave up and down her slit before plunging inside. Buffy’s hips shot off the bed when she felt his tongue slip inside her core. She groaned in disappointment when she felt his tongue leave her, but moaned in delight as she felt him slide up her body positioning his cock at her entrance and thrusting deep inside. The mewling sound that issued forth from her lips as her inner walls gloved his staff nearly sent Spike over the edge. He attempted to hold himself still for a moment, taking deep unnecessary breaths, his forehead resting on hers, as he fought to bring his raging desire under control; but Buffy had other ideas. Her hands slipped to his tight ass, each hand grabbing a taut globe and squeezing; she gripped him so tight she knew that her nails were going to leave small, bloody crescent marks. “Move, dammit,” she commanded. To further illustrate her point, she pushed her hips down into the mattress causing his cock to slip out of her slightly. With her hands still imbedded in his ass, she pulled him forcefully back inside her, while she lifted her hips to grind her clit up into his pelvic bone. The slim control Spike tried to maintain snapped and with a fierce snarl he let himself go. Slipping his arms underneath her shoulder blades, he used his hands to grip the tops of her shoulders to hold her in place while he proceeded to fuck her into the mattress. If the keening cries issuing forth from her lips were any indication, she didn’t appear to mind. Buffy raised her legs on either side of his hips to wrap around his lower back. “God… yes… fuck… Buffy…” he got out, as the new position allowed him to penetrate a little deeper. He never slowed his pace and continued to fuck her as if he couldn’t get enough of her, sinking into her body over and over to the sound of her cries. “Yesssss… Spike… harder…faster…yeah, baby…that’s it… more…” He felt her start to spasm around his cock, watched as head fell back exposing her neck as she climaxed, her juices cascading over his pulsating length. With one more surge within her slick passage, he came, his seed spewing forth within the depths of her body. Her neck was too good an invitation to pass up and he sunk his fangs in his mark then began sucking small amounts of her blood into his mouth. The second penetration sent another orgasm crashing over her. Spike released her neck, lovingly closing the fresh marks on her neck before he collapsed on top of her. The feel of his weight as he lay on top of her was something akin to heaven, and Buffy wrapped her arms around him, holding him close. After a time, Spike shifted to lie beside her, spooning her backside as he pulled her back in his arms. With a kiss to her bare shoulder, he drifted off to sleep. “I love you,” she whispered, before she too gave herself over to sleep. She could feed later. ~*~*~*~*~ After a good night’s rest by Angel’s guests, everyone gathered the next day in his office. It was officially Christmas Eve. Angel had given the employees of Wolfram & Hart the day off, much to the shock of the senior partners – who let their displeasure be known via Eve. Angel just told her politely to “stuff it,” inviting her to leave so that he could spend time with his family and friends. She left his office in a huff, much to the amusement of the people currently occupying his office. Everyone came armed with their gifts, piling them in a vacant corner, to be opened tomorrow. The gang spent the afternoon hanging out in Angel’s office, either socializing or watching the television playing the latest in holiday entertainment. By early evening, everyone made their way to their individual rooms to relax after a day of eating, drinking, and being merry. After the last person left his office, Angel picked up the phone and had his decorators get to work. ~*~*~*~*~ Buffy and Spike finally made their way back to their room after wishing Dawn a Merry Christmas and that they would see her in the morning. Hand-in-hand, the two walked into their borrowed room. Spike looked up in surprise at all the unlit candles scattered about the room. Turning to Buffy, he quirked a brow at her. She just smiled at him. She had sent him out of the room ahead of her on the pretext that she forgot to grab a gift. After he had left, she’s pulled the candles from their hiding place and placed them all over their room. Quickly, so as not to arouse his suspicions, Buffy got everything prepared for the early Christmas gift she planned to give him. Now that everything was in place, Buffy was ready to give Spike his early Christmas gift. It was Christmas Eve after all, and it was a tradition in the Summers’ household that everyone got to open one gift the day before Christmas. Moving forward, she grabbed Spike’s hand in hers and led him to the bed. Telling him to get undressed, she left him there to walk about the room lighting the candles. When she was done, the room resembled her bedroom at her “awakening.” She wondered briefly if Spike realized the significance of the candles, but figured he probably didn’t. Buffy knew how much Spike wanted to claim her, but had resisted. She was glad, because she wanted to be the one to initiate this. To prove to him how much she loved him. She had heard how he’d tried to claim Dru so many years ago, only to have her reject his claim. It was probably why he hesitated with her now. Although, if Spike had initiated the claim, she would have certainly reciprocated. She wanted nothing more than to tie herself to this man for all eternity. But, she wanted to be the one to do it. To show how much she loved him. Would always love him. After all the candles were lit, she walked back to the foot of the bed, gazing down at her naked lover. The love spilling forth from his eyes had her weak in the knees. With her eyes fixated on his, she slowly undid the buttons to her top before shrugging out of her top. Reaching one hand up between her breasts, she undid the front clasp of her red lace bra, allowing it to follow the same path to the floor as her shirt. She watched as his eyes blazed hot with his mounting desire. Her eyes flicked briefly to the cock standing so proudly at attention. Licking her lips in anticipation, she reached behind her to undo the clasp of her skirt then lowering the zipper. The garment fell to the floor to pool at her feet. She stood before him in the matching pair of red thong underwear. Slipping a finger into either side of the waistband, she slowly lowered them to the floor, her eyes never leaving his as she worked the cloth down her toned legs. Finished with her little striptease, she stood back up, allowing Spike to feast on her naked figure. If possible, his eyes seemed to smolder more, his hardened cock straining towards her. With a smile on her lips, she crawled on the edge of the bed to make her way up his body. As she slithered up the length of his body, her tongue darted out to lick a path from the base of his cock, up along the underside, swirling around the head…once, twice, before engulfing his engorged staff in her mouth. His hands fisted in her hair as she took him all in her mouth, a hoarse, “Fuck… Buffy…” escaping his lips. As her head bobbed up and down on his staff, incoherent babblings issued forth from his lips. “Oh God… feels so good… don’t stop… harder… ahhh…” His words spurred her on, increasing her pace as she deep-throated him. Reaching one hand down, she fondled his balls, rolling them around in her hand. “God… Buffy… gonna cum…” Slipping his cock out of her mouth so just the head remained, she ran her tongue along the underside of his length, tracing the tip along the protruding veins. Then, in one quick motion, so took him in her mouth to the hilt, sucking hard on the upstroke to send him over the edge, before enveloping him once more. It was too much for Spike to take. Grabbing the back of her head, he thrust his hips upward and came. “Buffy…” he hollered, as his orgasm overtook his body. Buffy eagerly swallowed as his release flooded her mouth, the extra sucking action causing slight tremors to shudder through his body. Slowly, she worked her mouth up and down his cock, making sure he was licked clean, before releasing him from her mouth. As he collapsed back to the bed, a smug look came over her face. Licking her lips to get any stray bits she may have missed, Buffy moved further up his body. Straddling his hips, she leaned down and kissed his parted lips, allowing him to taste himself on her. The moan that escaped his mouth had her once again licking her lips this time in anticipation. She could feel him start to swell again as she leaned over him, sampling his lips. Eagerly, she started to rub her wet slit along the length of him, her juices spilling forth to coat his now-hard cock. Reaching one hand between her legs, she gripped him, stroking him a few times, before rubbing the head up and down her slick entrance. Her head fell back as he lifted his hips to slip slightly inside her drenched passage. A soft mewl escaped her lips. His raised his hips again, slipping a little further inside her core. Unable to stand the exquisite torture anymore, Buffy sank down on his length until she felt his pelvic bone grind into her clit. She felt his hands slide to her waist to guide her movements as she rode him. She wanted nothing more than for him to flip her to her back and pound into her with bruising intensity, but she needed to be in control tonight. Later, she promised herself. Right now, she just rode him for all she was worth, clamping her inner walls tightly around his cock. All too soon, her climax was upon her and she ground down on him as she began to quiver around him. Her demonic features slid to the fore and she came with a roar, burying her fangs in his neck, pulling his blood into her mouth, swallowing it down greedily. Her fangs were his undoing, and with his hands gripping her waist tightly, his hips shot off the bed as he filled her core with his release. “Mine!” she growled fiercely, as she felt his cock pulsing within her, releasing his seed within her. His eyes flew wide at her stated claim. “Yours,” he answered humbly, overwhelmed by her gift. With a fierce wave of possessiveness, Spike flipped her to her back, careful not to jar her fangs where they clung to his neck. Allowing his own features to shift, he quickly sunk them into her neck, just above his original mark. As her blood slid down his throat, a wave of contentment washed over him. “Mine,” he growled back. “Yours,” was her soft reply as she released her fangs from his neck. Buffy nicked her tongue with her fang and brought Spike’s lips to her own, sealing their vow. Releasing each other’s lips, they allowed their own blood to coat the fresh marks they gave one another before licking the wounds closed. With a sated sigh, he rolled off her then gathered her close to his side. His fingertips trailed up and down the length of her arm that was draped across his middle. Her head tilted up so that Buffy could look at him. The love blazing from his eyes humbled her. Moving the hand draped across his waist upward, she trailed her fingers down his sharp cheekbones. The gentle caress had him closing his eyes in pleasure. “I love you, Spike,” she whispered softly. His eyes flew open at her declaration. Sure, she had said the words often after awakening and he never got tired of hearing them. It’s just that now, finally being mated, and the words springing forth from her lips… that little niggling of doubt that whispered to him in the back of his mind was gone. She really loved him…proved it in the claim that she had instigated. “I love you too, Buffy. Forever.” ~*~*~*~*~ It was early Christmas morning, and everyone was sprawled around Angel’s office in preparation of the gift exchange. Demons and human alike gathered to spread good cheer and bestow gifts of love and friendship to their friends and family. Even Willow – who was Jewish – got into the gift-giving atmosphere that was spreading throughout the room. All were in awe of the sudden transformation Angel’s office underwent over the previous night. It was as if Santa’s own decorator came in to transform the vampire’s office from a cold, remote workspace to a warm, inviting winter wonderland. Some type of holiday decoration covered every available surface. The once-vacant wall that was the home of the pile of presents now sported a huge Christmas tree, complete with fancy decorations. At the entrance to his office, mistletoe hung from the frame so that Angel was able to take advantage and place a chaste kiss to each of the females as they entered his office. The other males soon got caught up in the act and began dragging unsuspecting victims to the special branch to claim their kiss. After a time, everyone took a seat so they could begin passing out gifts. Spike and Buffy were curled up on the couch nuzzling next to one another. Surprisingly, Xander and his werewolf fiancé, Alaine, were sitting next to them. Dawn and Willow sat on the floor chatting to the two. On a separate couch sat Fred, Wesley, Giles, and Gunn. Lorne was at the bar fixing himself a drink. The young slayers were scattered on the floor in small groups, talking amongst themselves. Almost all of them were practically prancing in their seats, each waiting with child-like eagerness to start tearing into the beautifully wrapped packages. Angel broke into their conversations to say, “I want to thank you all for coming to spend your Christmas here. Rather than go into some longwinded speech, how ‘bout we just get to opening gifts?” That announcement was met with several “hear hear’s” and a few “yeses” from some of the girls. Smiling, he walked over to the tree and grabbed a gift. “Giles. This one is for you.” “Oh, I say…” he trailed off, a blush staining his face. He got up and went to retrieve his gift. Angel started calling out more names until, finally, everyone was loaded down with presents surrounding them. Some eagerly opened their gifts, tearing into the paper then squealing with delight at what they had received. Others, tentatively opened packages, shocked to be receiving a gift in the first place. One such person was Angel. Spike and Buffy watched as he fingered the wrapping paper of the gift they had given him. He looked up and made eye contact. ‘Open it,’ Buffy mouthed. Turning his attention once more to the package, Angel tore off the paper, suddenly overcome with giddy anticipation. His normally expressionless face gave way to awe as he fingered the gift they had given him: multiple sketchpads, pencils and charcoals of exceptional quality stared back at him. “Read the note,” Spike said soft enough that he could be heard, but not overheard by the others as noise erupted around them. Angel glanced up for a second before looking through the supplies for a note. Finding it, he opened it and quickly perused its contents. When he was done, he looked back up at both of them and nodded once. Angel, I know this is your gift, but both Spike and I would like something in return. We want a family portrait – a complete family portrait. Love, Buffy (The “complete family portrait” was underlined twice.) ~*~ Giles held the gift in his hand, confused. He looked up to where Spike sat opening a gift. As if sensing his gaze, Spike looked up to see the watcher staring at him. He gave the watcher a slight smile, completely devoid of his normal smirk. Turning away from the vampire, Giles quickly opened the gift Spike had given him. To say he was stunned was an understatement. The leather-bound book was obviously high quality. He didn’t see a title on the book so he opened the cover for a clue to what was inside. A folded piece of paper slipped down, gaining his notice. He opened it and read Spike’s handwriting: Rupert, I cannot thank you enough for all of your help. I’m sure the extensive library your Council maintained on past and present vampires is sadly lacking since the old Council building was destroyed. I hope this helps. Spike AKA William the Bloody Giles thumbed through the text and gaped in astonishment. It seemed like every Master Vampire Spike had come into contact was written about in this book. ~*~ Spike looked at the framed portrait that his ‘Bit had given him. His girls. He could feel tears coming to his eyes as he gazed down at Buffy and Dawn. “I had it done from a picture I carry in my wallet,” Dawn said softly from her position on the floor by his feet. Spike reached a hand out and ran it down her hair. “Thanks ‘Bit,” he whispered softly, almost too overcome for words. ~*~ Dawn opened her gift from her sister and Spike. She looked at the golden locket, turning it over at Buffy’s whispered, “There’s an inscription on the back.” “My family. Forever,” Dawn read. She opened the locket and saw a mini portrait of the three of them together. Tears came into her eyes and she got up from the floor to launch herself into their waiting arms. “I love you, Dawnie,” her sister whispered in her ear. “Me too, ‘Bit. Now, open your other gift,” Spike urged. Dawn pulled back and looked at them. Buffy had a confused look on her face; she had no idea what Spike was talking about. Dawn sat back down and searched among her packages for her other gift from Spike and Buffy. Well, Spike at least. Actually, it was from Spike and… Angel? She dug into the wrapping and her jaw dropped. Before Angel had a chance to prepare himself, Dawn launched herself at him, squealing her joy. “Stanford!” Angel awkwardly hugged the girl in his arms, helplessly turning to his Grand-Child for help. Spike just smirked at him, enjoying his Grand-Sire’s floundering. “Uh… all I did was to provide the contacts. Spike’s the one that paid for it. Honest.” He was trying to detach himself from the clinging teen. “I don’t care…. Stanford!” she squealed again, wrapping her arms tighter around the vampire’s neck. “Uh… Spike. A little help here,” Angel asked, desperation now entering his voice. “Hey! What about me?” Spike complained good-naturedly, finally taking pity on his Grand-Sire. Releasing one vampire, she turned and launched herself at the other. “Thanks, Spike!” “No problem, ‘Bit. No goofing off either. I expect good grades on that report card,” he said, mock-sternly. “Stanford?” Buffy questioned. “Stanford!” Her voice was starting to get a little loud. “Now, pet,” Spike started soothingly, “You knew she was going to be spreading her wings sometime.” “But Stanford? And all alone?” “It’ll give you an excuse to come back to the states more often. Besides, it’s not like we can’t relocate your operation back here anyway. Entirely up to you though.” Buffy just crossed her hands over her chest and pouted. “Buffy, I don’t have—“ Dawn began. “Oh no you don’t.” Spike cut her off. “You’re going and that’s final. Besides, it’s already paid for. And you,” he pointed a finger at Buffy, “be happy for your sister.” “Oh, Dawnie, I am happy for you. It’s just…you know…” Tears formed in Buffy’s eyes at the thought of her sister going away to college next summer. ~*~*~*~*~ After their gift exchange, the small group broke up to gush over their gifts. The conference room was opened next door and set up buffet-style for lunch. As people got hungry, they wandered out of Angel’s office to fix themselves a plate of food. Angel had also hired someone to man the bar all afternoon, so that by evening, several people were on their way to becoming severely intoxicated. In all, everyone’s spirits were high. At some point, a stereo was cut on and Christmas tunes played softly in the background. A few more rounds of drinks and many of the guests were singing along. Nobody seemed to mind the off-key voices raucously belting out the various carols; alcohol had a great numbing affect on the ears for everyone. That is, except one person: Lorne. ~*~*~*~*~ Lorne walked over to where Buffy stood surrounded by a group of her friends as they all sang off-key Christmas carols. Between the drinking and just the general lack of singing skills of the people involved, Lorne was attempting to rub away the developing migraine using two fingers to either side of his temples. He tapped Buffy on her shoulder to get her attention. "Hey sweetcakes, we need to talk..."

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