Buffy was fuming, even as she wrapped her arms around a newly happy Spike. How dare he? She thought, how dare Angel come in here on Spike's night and ruin it?
Spike had recovered from the Angel encounter immediately, but Buffy was not so lucky. She pushed it to the back of her mind and praised Spike's performance openly. They had a few more drinks; Buffy switched to nonalcoholic, knowing her limits, and left the club.
“He said he was looking for Faith.” Buffy remarked as they approached the Desoto, “He said he wanted her to turn herself in.”
Spike snorted, “He would think that. The bloody git.”
“You don't think she should? She killed someone, Spike. She needs to face the consequences.”
“Never said she didn't need to repent and all that. But judging from the last I saw of her, she's feeling it. And I don't think putting a Slayer behind bars is ever the answer to anything.” Spike flipped through the CD book on the dash, “Do you want to hear Garbage so you know what I'm talking about next time?”
Buffy wasn't paying attention, she stared straight ahead remembering Faith's telling words of not so very long ago.
“You're right.”
“'Course I am, “ Spike said, looking up at her, “About what?”
“Faith doesn't belong in prison. What good could she ever do there? She should be out Slaying every night, fighting the good fight. That's the only way to make up for what she did.” Buffy yanked her seatbelt on, “Spike, drive. We need to find her before it's too late.”
Spike rolled his eyes and started the engine, “I'm beginning to wish I'd just kept my mouth shut.”
* * *
On the way to the police station, Spike pulled out a cell phone and started making calls. From Buffy's end it sounded like banking, she didn't pay it any attention because she was too focused on what they had to do.
They pulled up in front of the station with a screech, just in time to see Faith start to climb the steps.
“Faith! Wait, you can't do this!” Buffy jerked the door open hard enough to make Spike wince.
“B?” Faith exclaimed, looking her up and down. Buffy belatedly remembered her outfit and blushed a bit under the scrutiny.
“Yeah, listen, this is the stupidest idea ever-“
“It was Angel's idea.” Faith responded.
“Exactly. You can't do any good from a jail cell. Come with us, we'll think of something.”
“Why are being so nice to me? You remember two weeks ago, right? I took over your body and tried to take over your life, I totally macked on your boyfriend-“
“What! I mean, never mind that now, I'm giving you one last chance, Faith.” Buffy crossed her arms over her chest. She was so going to have a little talk with Spike later.
Faith blinked at her.
Spike called out from the car, “Will you two bloody well hurry up! This is a tow away zone and we're right in front of the sodding police station!”
* * *
The car was dead silent, Spike chain smoked and fiddled with the radio.
The sounds of the Beatles filled the car and 'Let it Be' reined supreme.
Spike smiled, he couldn't help it. It was his and Tara's song and it always put him in a good mood.
“ And when the broken hearted people living in the world agree
There will be an answer, let it be.
For though they may be parted, there is still a chance that they will see. There will be an answer, let it be.”
There is still a chance and they may see, the lyrics rebounded in his head. He glanced in the rearview mirror at the broken girl in the back seat. There will be an answer.
She was a slayer.
She was part of it all. She was part of his new duties and he'd given her not a second thought. Because she wasn't Buffy.
He'd thought that Buffy was the end all of everything until she was was… Spike's mind skittered off of that thought. He didn't ever want to think of a world without Buffy even though he knew it would happen.
But he had other responsibilities even now. And one of them was sitting in his back seat. He was glad he'd made the phone call. And know he needed to make another.
A plan was forming in his head.
* * *
Faith sat across from them in the diner and picked a napkin into tiny pieces a waitress approach and her eyes darted from Spike to Buffy almost shyly.
Spike was reminded strangely of Tara's first meal with him, “Order what ever you want, pet.”
Buffy's brow arched at the endearment. It was one of hers after all. She found herself feeling both a kinship and a horrible jealously of the girl facing her.
“I'll have the burger platter and a strawberry shake.” Faith said determinedly, glancing at Spike as if expecting him to protest.
“I'll have the same.” Spike announced.
Buffy was jolted out of her trance when Spike gave her a gentle poke, “Oh, uh, I'll have whatever he's having.”
“But her shake will be chocolate.” Spike corrected.
“Oh, yeah. “ Buffy ran an embarrassed hand through her hair and winced at the mat she could feel forming at the back.
When the waitress left, Spike leaned forward and steepled his fingers. Buffy decided she would follow his cue. Her big plan had been to stop Faith from turning herself in. What to do with her now was something she hadn't considered.
“Here's the deal, pet. There's a Hellmouth in Cleveland that's needs some tending to. I've been there, it's not nearly as bad as Sunnyhell but it could use a Slayer. I'll pay your bus fare and give you an allowance to live off of. It won't be enough for shopping sprees but it'll pay room and board and such. If you want extra, you'll need a job. Something part time won't interfere with the Slaying bit.” Spike sipped at the water the waitress had left.
“I can't get a job, I'm wanted in all fifty states!” Faith protested.
“If you really think that's a problem, you haven't seen as much of the underworld as I think you have. I can get you a new identity, it's being worked on as we speak.”
“Why are you doing this?” She asked in a small voice.
Buffy leaned forward to hear the answer, wondering the same thing.
“I think everybody deserves second chances. Look at yours truly. If the Council of Wankers hasn't stepped up to the task I guess I have to. I know you can do better, I just think no one's ever given you the chance.” Spike put down the water with a thump. This is your chance, Faith. Take it or leave it.”
The waitress showed up with their orders and a few minutes passed in the bustle.
Faith stared down at the burger and fries, her stomach snarled, “I'll take it.”
* * *
Driving back to Sunnydale a full day later than expected, Buffy fiddled with the radio, “It was a really good thing you did, helping Faith, I mean.”
Spike swatted her hand away and popped in an Oasis CD, “I know, so unlike me, eh?”
Buffy smiled and swatted him back, “And what did she mean by macking on my boyfriend?”
Spike turned up the music.
* * *
They pulled into the drive and Tara and Willow came out to meet them, chatting and giggling about the adventures they'd had patrolling while Buffy and Spike had been away.
“And Xander still has blue spots from where the demon's spit landed. Anya is NOT happy-“
“Oh, my God! I have that paper due in like, two days and I haven't even started it yet-“
“Don't worry, Buffy, I'll help. Mine's already finished-“
Spike just walked with them, absorbing it all.
This was a perfect moment.
Just one minute frozen in time and it couldn't get better than this.
He had his girls, he was happy, the sun was shining and there would be footie on the telly tonight. He could smell Tara's cooking all the way out on the porch. She'd made chili and hot wings his favourites.
You only get moments, he realized suddenly. He knew his future would be lonely. He couldn't fool himself any longer. Buffy would be gone, Tara would be gone, everyone he loved was going to die and he would have to keep going.
But he got moments just like this. And that made him the luckiest creature on earth or anywhere else.
He stopped and closed his eyes, enjoying the soft breeze on his skin.
“Spike! Come on in, your wings are getting cold!” Buffy called from the doorway.
His eyes snapped open and he bounded into the house.
(Author's note: This is the last chapter, there will be an epilogue in the very near future and I am planning a sequel. And a sequel's sequel, which I have no idea where to post. I'll say more about that later. I'm so sorry the last few chapters were so late, it's all work-related crap that you don't need to hear about.)
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