*A Fortune Told by Always

Da Challenge #2:
Post chosen and Post not fade away the Powers that be call Spike to an audience where he is to receive his rewards.
1. He doesn't Shansu but is made a Vamp in a living body, all the Vamp powers doubled, none of the weaknessess.
2. The remove the geas that forced him to Love Buffy. hehehe

So write us a fic about a love sick Buffy courting her former Vamp love slave
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Dawn cast a worried glance to the back seat of the bus where her sister had been curled up and unresponsive for the last few hours. An occasional murmur or whimper, a slight shuddering of her shoulders the only signs of life. They had all tried to illicit some type of response from her. Even Faith had tried to do something to comfort the pain that so obviously consumed the small blonde. But nothing they did seemed to get through, certainly none of the gentle words or encouraging touches, not even the harshly spoken demands to ‘snap out of it’ had elicited any type of reaction. Any indication that she was even remotely aware of her surroundings.

Her tortured mind sought solace in oblivion. Survival instinct alone had driven her. Legs pumping, her Slayer strength pushed to the utmost limits, she had run, practically flying through the air until she had clutched the cold, hard surface of the get-away bus. She had stared with the others at the huge gaping hole, the cavern that had once been their home, their town. She had smiled woodenly at those who surrounded her, grateful for their presence, she had listened to the account of the missing, the fallen, each one listed in hushed, sad loving tones …. all except him. The one whose loss assured their survival.

“What could have done that” she heard, not sure or even caring who posed the question. Her answer, one quietly spoken word, bringing the reality crashing home, her mind finally catching up with the events that had so recently taken place. “Spike” As she spoke his name his absence hit her in a wave of agony.

Somehow she found herself back on the bus, the people around her jubilant in their victory yet saddened by the deaths of those they held dear. Nobody but her mourned the passing of a vampire, none her felt the keen absence of his company, his strength which had been all that had seen her through these last days. His love, which had been a constant even when unacknowledged, in her life for years. He was hers... and in the last moments of his existence, blinding realisation had hit her that she was, and always had been, undeniably HIS.

He came to her then, as he always had in her need, spoke soft words that only she could hear. Peppered her face with whispers of kisses, gentle hands reaching out to brush her hair from her face. He told her to be strong, he told her she had to stay when all she wanted was to escape this world of pain. A world without him in it. He wrapped her close in strong arms and nuzzled softly against her.

A soft whimper of pain escaped when the more lucid portion of her mind told her this was a dream, that he was not holding her in his loving embrace, that the voice she heard against her ear was not real, that he was gone. The one who never left her, the one who would always be there and would always love her, was gone.

“No luv, I’m here pet, would never leave you. Never Buffy, never leave you.”

“That’s not true Spike, I saw you, I watched you burn, how could you leave me, how could I leave you, I should have stayed with you…should have…”

“Have to love, for her. I’ve seen her. She’s beautiful Buffy, you have to stay, for her.”

“Shush love, later sweetheart, you’ll find out in time. But you have to stay, you must promise me luv.”

“You know I will love, I’m always here I told you that. Now promise me Buffy, I need you to promise me.”

“I will, Spike, I promise, just don’t leave me!” her mind practically screamed.

“Hush my love I’m here... I’ll always be with you. You need to go now pet, need to eat, get some sleep, have to take care of yourself.”

“Buffy, come on, you have to wake up, please Buffy, please!” A hand shook her roughly and Buffy opened her eyes to her sister’s tear streaked face. It was dark out. The miles had bled by, and everyone was exhausted. Looking around she saw a sign announcing ‘VACANCY” in gaudy neon . She allowed Dawn to guide her off the bus and into the cheap hotel room. A shower, a meal she didn’t taste and then sinking down into one of the lumpy beds in the room she shared with her sister, Willow and Kennedy.

Sleep claimed her as soon as her eyes closed and once again he was there, whispering his devotion, stroking her face gently, kissing her softly between sweet words of everlasting love.

Over the months that followed, the Sunnydale survivors slowly pieced a life together. A memorial was held for their fallen once they reached London. Words were spoken, remembering the young slayers who gave their lives; the former demon whose bravery at the last showed how far her journey into humanity had taken her. Not one of the scoobies or slayers mentioned Spike, never acknowledging his part in their continued existence. Not one of them acknowledged a debt of gratitude to a creature they abhorred. Andrew had tried on several occasions, only to be ignored or rebuked. Buffy never spoke of him because Spike was hers, not theirs and she didn’t wish to share him with any one. She knew no one would or could understand why she would mourn for him every waking moment.

She filled her days with as much activity as she could cram into them, helping to rebuild the council. Tracking down girls around the world whose powers had manifested themselves when Willow cast her spell. Anything to keep busy, to keep the aching, mind numbing pain at bay.

Her nights were spent in his arms, every night he came to her, every night he soothed her dreams with gentle words of affection. Every night they whispered to each other pledges of forever, of an eternity of love. Every night he obtained from her further promises of continued existence. Months passed with days a chore to be endured and nights a blessing to flee to.

One night, he held her a little closer, his gentle words of love held no promises of forever as he told her he had to go away for a while. “Not for long love, not for long.” His voice soothed as he nuzzled closer, breathing in the warm scent of her hair, kissing away the tears that traced a wet path down her face.

“Why? Where?” She was desperate, clinging to him, despair filling her even as she dreamed..

“Don’t know pet, only know I have to go. Shh love, it’ll be alright, everything will be alright.”

A light flashed and he found himself standing in a room. Well, if you could call it a room. It seemed to go on forever, the muted walls discernable in the distance; close and yet at the same time, miles away. White opaque floor that ebbed and flowed like the tide, yet was solid beneath his feet. The same white opaque ceiling swirled with gusts of unfelt breezes, while clouds alternately gathered and dispersed.

Turning in a slow circle, he sought out his companions. They had been fighting at his side as the last dragon fell on the darkened alley in the city of Los Angeles. Where was his Grandsire?? Or the brave human who fought on even as his life was pumping from his body. Where was the strange blue Goddess who had inhabited the body of a gentle Texan girl? Reaching out with every one of his preternatural senses he searched to the farthest extent of his abilities. They were not here, wherever here was.“You are everywhere, and nowhere” A voice spoke from all around him.

“Right then, bloody hallucinating that’s what it is!” He thought to himself.

“This is a representation, a form your mind can comprehend, the vastness of its reality would be more than even such as you could endure.” Again the voice came at him in stereo, it seemed to have no direction.

“All right then, what the hell am I doin’ here and where are Charlie boy, Peaches and the Smurf? An while we’re at it, who the bleedin’ hell are you?”

A ripple of amusement sounded, echoing quietly for some time as Spike spun in slow predatory circles, watchful at all times for any danger that may approach.

What bloody fun was it when they didn’t even get pissed off? “All right then, how ‘bout a simple one. What am I doin here?”

“You are here for your remuneration. You have served us well and your loyalty must be rewarded. You have travelled quite a journey, one no creature such as yourself has ever willingly undertaken before. As such your reward shall be inimitable.”

“Well thanks anyway mate, but I have heard a thing or two about what you blokes consider to be a reward and if it’s all the same to you, I’ll pass. Already done the blinding headaches, not lookin’ to repeat the act. And as for becomin’ a higher bein’, not really on my to-do list either. So if you could just send me back where I belong, we’ll call it even, ok!”

“Oh that’s great, innit? A bloke doesn’t even get a say in if he wants a bloody reward or not! What kinda reward is that?”

Spike smirked to himself. Well how bout that... he could try the patience of even the most patient... Always knew he had it in him!

“You are as we have stated previously, rather unique, and as such, your reward shall be equally unique. Your body will be made that of a living man. You shall walk in the sun, eat, drink, breathe as a man, your heart shall beat and you shall know the passage of time, though the last shall pass for you much slower than that of a normal man. Your strength and skills shall remain that of the creature you have been for the century past, only greater again than you have known before. Not man nor beast but, as to some regard you have been for some years now, both. Extraordinary as is fitting one as exceptional as yourself. Your service to our cause is ended. You may take your reward and live out your life however it is that you see fit.”

The room around him began to shimmer, the light amplifying to a blinding level. Then, as suddenly as it began to build, the room returned to normal and the voice once more surrounded him.

“One last thing, the geas laid upon you is dissolved. It has served its purpose in guiding you on your journey. Your heart is now your own to give to whom you will, no longer is it fettered to the slayer.” With that, the blinding light returned and Spike found himself standing once again in an alley strewn with fallen enemies and one fallen comrade. Angel stood over the body of Charles Gunn; Illyria stood to one side watching on with a vague detachment. Spike shook his head, he must have hit it during the battle, he stumbled half blinded to his Grandsire’s side. “Did we win?”

Angel sighed. “Yeah, yeah we did, if you can call this winning! You should both get out of here, I’m going to take his body to the mission, then I’m leaving.”

He hoisted his friend's body into his arms and walked off, after a few paces he stopped and turned. “You did good Spike, I …. I’m glad to have had you on my side.” With that, he left, not once looking back at his astonished Grandchilde.

“I am uncertain. Wesley is no more and this causes me discomfort. I do not understand this?”

Illyria turned to the vampire. “You are insolent.” Fixing him with a concentrated stare, her head tilted to one side in a manner very similar to the vampire's own habitual gesture. “You are different, more human than you were previously, I do not understand how such a thing could occur.” With a final regard, she turned away from the vampire “It matters not, I have decided! It appears a way no longer exists for me to leave this world, I find it tiresome and wish to return to the well. When next I wake, this plague of humanity may no longer inhabit this world.” With that she strode off.

Spike looked around him at the twisted bodies littering the alley, mangled remains of warped creatures. Sighing, he walked away. Not knowing where else to go, he headed home. At least there, he could get some blood, rest and decide later where he was headed next. One thing he knew, he would not be staying in L.A.

Letting himself into his tiny basement apartment, Spike felt a rush of exhaustion hit him. How long had it been since he last fed? Last slept? Going to the fridge, he poured himself a mug of blood and placed it in the microwave. His muscles ached, but he had no serious injuries. All he needed was food and rest and he would be healed by the time he woke. It amazed him that with everything they had faced tonight, the three of them had come through the battle fairly unscathed. Gunn and Wesley, of course, could not say the same and he allowed himself a moment to grieve for two men who had become ,if not friends, comrades over the past months.

It was at that moment he decided he would go home. He had not stepped foot in England for nearly a hundred years and he suddenly felt homesick for something he knew had ceased to be his home many years ago. The England he would return to would be nothing like the one he had left behind, but with no other destination in mind, it was as good a place as any.

Going to the microwave, he fetched his meal. Throwing his head back to down the mug full, he was totally unprepared for what happened next. His body retched in disgust as the blood hit his tastebuds, and when it hit the back of his throat, blood sprayed everywhere and he coughed hard, gasping to draw breath. His heart pounded as another fit of coughing seized him. His sleep deprived, exhausted brain took a moment to process each of these things. Gasping for breath? Heart racing? What the hell was going on here? Then he remembered, the strange voice, the weird white room that stretched on forever...

Stilling himself as only a creature of the night could, he listened to the sound of his heart beating. He could hear his own blood racing through his veins. Concentrating he summoned his demon, nothing happened. Again he concentrated, reaching out with vampiric senses he could hear the roaches crawling in the walls, smell the filth from the garbage cans outside.

More than 6 months had passed since Spike had last came to Buffy in her dreams. Sleep no longer held an escape from the constant ache his absence left behind. She threw herself even harder into her work, long hours spent with Giles and the few Watchers who had crawled out of the woodwork once the danger had passed. The Council was being rebuilt, but not the Council as it had been before. No, it was having a complete overhaul and she and Giles were right in there on the decision making.

The endless rounds of meetings and planning sessions, of setting up the new school, tracking down young girls whose lives had changed dramatically overnight, coordinating with the seers and witches... All these activities, added to watching over Dawn and settling into their new life left her just exhausted enough so that at the end of the day she was able to fall into dreamless oblivion for a few hours. Only Buffy would soon awaken and begin the ritual over again.

His first thought upon waking the next morning was ‘Buffy’. He was human now, he could go to her, be what she deserved. He waited for the usual twist of longing, the empty ache that only she could fill – it didn’t come. What was it the voice had said about the slayer? That’s it, he had been forced to love her! A geas, worse even than Red’s bloody spell that had had them making goo goo eyes at each other.

But that couldn’t be right, could it? Surely his feelings for her had been real. But if they had been, why weren’t they there now? Sure, she was a tasty little thing and a hell of a shag, but did he love her? He thought back to their time together; years of insults and abuse, years of following her around like a fuckin’ trained monkey. Not once had it been good, not once had she given of herself. Well... that wasn’t completely true, he knew. Right at the end there, those last few nights he had felt her there with him, but was any of that real? She had thought they were all going to die, Surely that was all it was. Like that crumb she threw him as the world came crashing down around them in the Hellmouth, telling him she loved him, the words she knew he had ached to hear. But he could tell, he knew by her voice, the way she forced the words out that all they were was an offering to a dying man.

Ha! The love of his life, the wonder that had caused him to remake himself to become a white hat, to fight for a soul, to give his life to save the bloody world because she was in the world, she was what he was saving. All a bloody lie, every bit of it! He didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He wanted to rip heads off, to shove that blasted white room and its fancy fucking floor fair up the arse of the smug bastard with the self-satisfied voice. He had been played for a fool and he was furious! Never mind that he had been rewarded, he never asked for any bloody reward, never mind that he was free now to do as he pleased. HE, William the Bloody had been played like a worthless dupe!

Storming out of the building and into the bright blazing sunlight, he set out in search of something he could kill. Vampires...demons... he didn’t care. The powers that sodding be were what he wanted, but failing that he would make do with what he could find. The warmth of the sunlight on his face, the miracle of his blood pounding with fury inside his veins did not even register, he was too caught up in bloodlust and rage. Those miracles could wait for another day to be appreciated.

He had been in England now for three weeks. After procuring a false identity in L.A. he had flown first to France where ‘William the Bloody’ had a part interest in a certain highly profitable demon club just on the outskirts of Paris. Needless to say, his business partner was most displeased to see that after all these years, he was ‘not dust’. Even less so when Spike informed him that he wanted out of the thriving business and that he had forty-eight hours to come up with the cash. When Merv had hummed and hawed, Spike’s patience, which seemed even less than usual lately, had given out. After a brief, but thorough reminder of why it would be in Merv’s best interest not to piss him off, Spike had informed the terrified demon that his share had just gone up by 2% and that he would be back in two days expecting cold hard cash. Good old Sterling too, none of those poncey Eurodollars.

So, William Prescott, 28 years of age born in Rochford, Essex had rented a nice apartment in London and set about to explore the city that had grown massive since he had last seen it. In the three weeks since his arrival, he had already acquired some favourite haunts. One of which was a small jazz club a few blocks over from his home. It was not his normal scene but the music was good, the atmosphere was soothing and best of all, he wasn’t come on to a dozen times a night by the loud, scantily clad drunken tarts that hit on him every time he set foot in one of the more upbeat nightclubs around town. He just wasn’t in the mood for company right now, not even for a shag and the stupid whiny little bints reminded him of Harmony, making his blood run cold. What had he been thinking?

Another of his favourite pastimes was walking along the canals, watching the world go by at a slower pace, the warm sunlight of a London summer shining down on him. It had taken him a few days for the rage that had consumed him to burn out. A few days over which Los Angeles’ demon population had diminished rapidly. Once it did however, he had begun to appreciate the gifts that had been bestowed upon him. Sunlight and the comfort of its warmth surrounding him being his favourite.

Buffy was heading home after a long day to the ‘New Council of Watchers’ provided flat, Dawn was going to her new friend from school, Rebecca’s house for the weekend, so no diversion there. Willow was down in South America and Xander had returned home to The States a few months ago, homesick and heartsick. On impulse, she turned away from home, opting instead to head for one of the many lovely parks London was famous for. She had done very little in the way of sightseeing since arriving in London. In fact, she had done very little at all in the way of living since that morning in the Hellmouth nearly 10 months ago.

Walking through the park, enjoying the peace, the softness of this long English twilight, she lost all track of time. How long had she been walking lost in her own world, following a path that branched and meandered for miles? She had no idea where she was, or how to get back home from here. She cast her eyes around looking for somewhere she could get a taxi from, a figure in the distance caught her eye. Black clad body lean and lithe, possessed of a self assuredness and grace, white blonde hair slicked back against his head. She was not close enough to see the sharp angular features of a beautiful face, or the glorious sapphire eyes that could burn into your soul, but she knew they were there, knew every line of that face as if it were her own.

As her feet started to carry her in his direction she forcibly stopped herself. What was she doing? It wasn’t him, it couldn’t be, she knew that, she had seen him burning up, watched as his soul incinerated him from the inside and had been helpless to prevent it. This could not be him, it couldn’t. But oh how her heart longed to believe it could be. In direct disobedience to her orders her legs again started in the blonde’s direction, he was moving away from her in a smooth long legged gait. Speeding up to close the distance, her heart pounding, adrenaline rushing through her, she kept trying to tell herself not to be stupid ‘it cannot be him.’ But no matter how much she told herself this as each step brought her closer to him ,she became more and more convinced it was him, it had to be...

She watched as he turned to a busy road, his arm reaching out, hand signalling as a big black London taxi pulled to the curb. No! She had to do something, she started to run, desperate to close the distance between them. “Spike!” She screamed out at the top of her lungs, legs still pumping as she hurtled towards him. The blonde figure stopped and looked at her. It was him, it was, she had known it had to be no matter what her common sense told her. She watched as recognition lit his face, her heart singing with joy. Then watched again in horror as his face hardened. He stepped into the taxi, closing the door purposefully behind him. The Black hulk pulled away from the curb just seconds before she reached it, tears pouring down her face she crumpled to the ground in a heap.

CHAPTER4

The Slayer was in London, of all the soddin’ bloody bad luck! Why? How the hell had she found him and what the bleedin’ hell did she want anyway? Spike was pacing back and forth across his lounge room floor. He had come here to get away from it all, every reminder of Sunnyhell and its bleedin occupants! And yet here she was... was she following him? Or was it just a coincidence? Yeah, that was more likely wasn’t it? Her an’ the Bit probably just came here with her Watcher cause they had no where else to go.

So no problem, if she wasn’t followin’ him an’ she didn’t know how to find him then he wouldn’t have to worry about her, would he?

When he’d heard her scream his name and he had looked up and seen her, for one second... No, not even that long, less than a second his heart had lurched, and then it was gone and all he could think to do was get away from her as fast as he could. But he had seen the look on her face as he closed the door. Stupid bint, what the hell was her problem anyway? Anyone would think he had hurt her! Yeah like that could happen, in order for him to hurt her she would actually have to give a shit!

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Buffy had finally managed to pick herself up from where she sat on the pavement crying, she had caught a taxi home, numb... unable to comprehend what had happened. It was Spike. He was alive, he was here. And if the look on his face was anything to go by he hated her! Why? What had happened? He had promised to love her forever. He had told her he was only going away for a short while and he would be back, well he was back but…. No she chided herself, they were just dreams, that was all they were! Beautiful, wonderful dreams where she had been able to feel his arms, taste his kisses, bask in the warmth of his voice, drown in his eyes and know beyond doubt that he loved her…….forever. She would give the world to have those dreams back! To have his love back!

She had seen him in the Hellmouth. The light consuming him, she had felt the fire burning as their hands had linked. She had seen the huge crater that was all that was left of Sunnydale. There was no way he could have survived, and yet here he was. And he didn’t love her! She felt the pain of that realisation wash over her once more. Stumbling through the modest flat she shared with her sister, she made her way to her bedroom, not bothering with even the most basic bedtime ritual she curled up on her bed, hugging herself into a tight ball and allowed sleep to ease her pain for a few short hours.

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She had to find him, had to talk to him. Find out what had happened, how he had survived. Why he hated her so. The irony was too much, she had finally realised after trying for years to convince him not to love her and that she would never love him, that she DID love him, that he was her world and now that she had worked it out, he no longer loved her!

She couldn’t believe that! No, he was mad at her about something! Leaving him, abandoning him in the Hellmouth maybe? Or…or…oh who knew, but whatever it was she would find him they would talk and they would sort it out. Spike never stayed mad at her for long, she would fix this, whatever it was that was wrong between them she would fix it!

Over the following weeks, with her new mission driving her, Buffy hunted the streets of London. She walked the meandering paths through beautiful parks, searched bars and clubs (human and demon) to no avail. She checked butchers shops, discretely enquiring about customers purchasing blood on a regular basis, again she came up empty.

She had thought about enlisting Giles’ help in locating the vampire, but was wary of doing so. He would think she was insane, or worse yet he would believe her, in which case he might decide once again that Spike was dangerous. Instead she continued her vigil alone, telling no one, not even Dawn, just as she had told no one of his visits to her in her dreams. Every evening after work she searched for hours until heartbroken and disappointed she would make her way home and fall exhausted into bed.

One evening she was heading home, disappointed once more, when a flash of black leather and shocking blonde hair heading into a tiny jazz club caught her eye. She crossed the street and followed the blonde into the club. Once down the stairs she found herself in a cosy little club, a small clean bar on the left and a slightly raised stage on the far right, tables filled most of the space between. The room was smoky and dimly lit but friendly and welcoming, in no way dark and seedy as you might expect. Looking around she spotted him through the smoke, sitting alone at a table on the far side, near the stage on which an elderly man was playing a saxophone, the sweet sound filling the room.

Gathering her courage she walked over and sat at his table. His attention was fixed on the beer in front of him and the haunting melody in his ears and he started visibly as she sat down.

“Bloody hell!” He got up to leave, his face a mask of fury.

“Spike, please, don’t go, I just want to talk to you!” She spoke quietly but he had no difficulty hearing her despite the music.

“Nothin’ to talk about!” He paused, eyes hard as he looked at her.

“How can you say that? After everything? Spike…please, just a few minutes and then I’ll leave you alone!” She hated the begging, wheedling tone she had in her voice.

“Alright, a couple of minutes, then you go, an’ bloody well leave me be after that!”

“What did I do Spike? I don’t understand why you are so mad at me?”

“ ‘M not mad at you, just not interested in seein’ you or any of the bloody Scoobies for that matter! Just want to be left in peace. Ok, you got your answer now on your bike.”

She bit her bottom lip to try and hide the tremble his words created. “But, I…Spike…what happened. The Hellmouth I mean, after I…..after I left you.”

“I died!”

“Spike…please, won’t you just talk to me?” Tears brimmed and she fought to keep them under control.

“Told you, nothin’ I want to talk to you about!” With that he got up and walked out without a backwards glance.

Buffy sat in shock for a moment, what was wrong, why was he being so hostile? Pulling herself together she hurried out into the street after him. Looking around when she reached the street she saw him disappearing around a corner, she ran to catch up with him. Grabbing his arm she spun him around, “Spike….please…just tell me what I did? Is it because I left? You told me to…I didn’t want to…you told me to go!” She stopped with a sob as tears started to fall.

He stared at her in disbelief, the bint was crying! Why the bloody hell did she need to come back into his life and start trying to complicate it again. He did not need this!

Wrenching his arm from her grip he turned away and continued walking.

“Spike! Please don’t leave me! I love you!”

He spun around, fury burning in his eyes. “You don’t love me, you never bloody loved me, you daft cow, and you wanna hear somthin’ really funny – turns out I never loved you either. How’s that, hey? Just some stupid bloody geas the fuckin’ powers that be put on me to get me to do what they wanted, get a soul, turn into a bloody white hat an’ save the soddin’ world! You wanna know what’s wrong, well there you have it, it was all a fuckin’ lie, all of it, everything I thought I felt for you was all just manufactured by some interfering bloody all powerful wanker. Well I’ve had it with bein’ played an’ I’ve certainly had it with bein’ your lapdog. Piss off an’ leave! me! alone!”

This time when he turned to leave she let him. Her heart breaking from the impact of his words. A few moments later, she drew a deep shuddering breath, if she let him go now she may never find him again. Hurrying after him she caught up in time to glimpse him turning into a beautifully appointed apartment block. Waiting for a while in the shadows to see if he came back out she thought over the things he had said to her.

It couldn’t be true! She knew he had loved her, it wasn’t a lie, she knew that, she had felt it, those last few days they had had together she had felt his love and it had been the only thing to keep her going, to get her through the fear of what was to come, the betrayal of her friends and loved ones. His love had been her one guiding light and it had NOT been a lie!!

She didn’t know what had happened to him since the Hellmouth but something obviously had and whatever it was she had to fix it, make everything right between them. She had to be strong for him the way he had always been strong for her, loving her against all odds, loving her when the last thing in this world she had deserved was his love, when she had been unbelievably heartless and cruel to him. Spike had loved her with everything he was, holding nothing back, opening himself up for unmeasurable pain because it was the only way he had known how to love…completely, absolutely, and that was how she had to love him if she wanted him back!

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She would show up near his flat after sunset and wait for him to appear. Sometimes he didn’t show and she would wait until late and then go home. Sometimes she would find him in the little jazz club sitting alone enjoying the music, she would watch quietly from the shadows, drinking in the sight of him. She would follow him, keeping far enough back that his vampire senses could not pick her up.

She had followed one night into his building watching as the numbers on the lift stopped on the 5^th floor, she had taken the stairs at a run, hoping to catch him before he went in, to find out which was his apartment. When she reached his floor he was nowhere in sight. There were only two apartments on the floor and she lent against the doors, reaching out with her senses, feeling for vampire, for that special tingle that was particularly ‘Spike’. She located him inside the second apartment. Curling up on the floor of the hallway she basked in the warm safe comfort of ‘Spike near’. She Longed to knock on the door, to throw herself into his arms and profess her love over and over until he believed her, but knew that was not the right thing to do, that it would only anger him. So she contented herself with a few moments of the peace that only his presence could bring before dragging herself away to home and a cold empty bed.

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Once she knew his haunts, she would ‘show up’ sometimes, doggedly ignoring his demands for her to go, for her to ‘piss off an leave him alone’. She would find him fighting vampires or demons and join in. She would sit at the next table over at the club. When he repeatedly refused to answer her questions, she gave up trying and instead would walk rapidly at his side, her slayer abilities the only reason she was able to keep up with him, telling him everything. All that had happened since that last day in Sunnydale. Relaying anecdotes about Dawn’s adventures here in England, her new school, her friends, her intent to attend Oxford and then, later, probably train to become a watcher.

With every gesture and every look she tried to relay her love for him. Tried to show him how much she had changed, that he was her world and there was nothing she wouldn’t do to prove that to him.

He was strong, she noted, stronger than ever. He had always been a strong fighter but now he was amazing, she found herself mesmerised by him. Stepping back from a fight just so she could watch him, he was beautiful! He took her breath away!

******************

Why couldn’t she leave him alone! What did it take to get through to her, he didn’t love her, wasn’t bloody interested! He didn’t care about what her or her soddin’ Scoobies had been up to. Couldn’t give a shit if they were rebuilding the Council. Despite himself he found himself eager for news of the Niblet, of course she would go to Oxford, bright little thing his Bit, she’d make one hell of a watcher too!

He hated the way they fell into an easy rhythm when fighting, how right it felt to fight once more by her side.

He tried however not to react, not to give her any encouragement. All he wanted was her out of his life, but she was everywhere. There was nowhere he could go to get some peace from her. He had even caught her scent in his building, right outside his bloody door for that matter! The only peace he had was during the day when the bint was workin’. She had no idea about his new status as a ‘not quite vampire’ and he had no intentions of enlightening her.

He figured sooner or later the slayer would get the hint and give up. The whole thing was a bloody farce anyway. Stupid bint only wanted him now cause he no longer wanted her. Maybe he shoulda tried this years ago, coulda had her followin’ him all over Sunnydale!

Now all he wanted was for her to leave him the hell alone!

CHAPTER5

He left his apartment block and turned towards the club, a bit of nice relaxin’ music, a couple of beers, that’s what he felt like tonight. That’s when he spotted her, waiting in a doorway for him to make an appearance. Turning in frustration he stormed off the other way, when was she going to take the bloody hint and just leave him be? He was getting so sick of it, at least three nights a week she tracked him down. He had thought about moving, about finding new hangouts, but why the hell should he have to? He was happy with his life at the moment. He liked where he lived, the places he frequented, the casual slaying when he felt like it. He was even contemplating acquiring a false University degree in History, as his real one was a little out of date, and ‘going back’ to Uni to study teaching. He would enjoy teaching history and he figured he’d be damn good at it too!

So all in all, life was pretty good right now. Except for the bloody Slayer. She haunted him. It didn’t matter what he did she would not leave him alone and he was getting so pissed off with her that pretty soon he might be adding a third slayer to his belt!

He felt her presence drawing near as she hurried after him. Stopping he turned and glared. “Why can’t you bloody well leave me be?” He asked in exasperation. “Can’t you get it through your thick skull I’m not bloody interested!”

“I don’t believe you Spike. I know what you felt was real, I don’t care what some voice told you...it was real, I felt it, I saw it in your eyes…it wasn’t a lie!” She lifted her chin stubbornly and fixed his eyes with her own, longing only to drown in their deep azure pools.

As he stood temporarily transfixed by her words she reached out with one hand to stroke the beautiful planes of his face, she ached to touch him. Just before her hand made contact he awoke from his trance and jerked away from her leaving her bereft, tears gently tracking down her face.

“You have no idea what you are talking about, you stupid bint!” He stormed off down the street, taking turns blindly in an attempt to leave her behind.

She caught up with him ten minutes later as he turned into a dimly lit alley. “Spike…please! Won’t you just give us a chance? I love you, I don’t want to lose you again…please baby…please.” The last plea almost a whisper, despair filling her as she took in his closed face and angry eyes.

“Love!” He spat the word at her, “you wouldn’t bloody know love if it jumped up and bit you in the arse. Fucking isn’t love and fuckin’ is all we ever did, sweetheart!” He was cold hard fury now, no trace of her gentle tender lover remained. Moving with a speed and strength beyond anything he had ever displayed before he grabbed her, pinning her furiously against the rough, harsh brick of the alley wall.

“You want this do you? You want me to fuck you…fine!” He ripped open her blouse, hands which had previously elicited such pleasure now pinched and grabbed, no tenderness, no urge to please. Reaching under her skirt he tore her panties from her body. “This what you want, pet?” He looked her in the eye, his burning with rage. When she made no move to stop him he reached down and undid his fly, thrusting himself into her cruelly again and again until he was spent and his anger burnt away.

Turning away from her he dressed himself hurriedly, shame ripping at him, and walked away without a backwards glance. As he was leaving her quiet voice drifted to him through her tears, “I love you Spike…I will always love you.” His pace quickened to a run, putting as much distance between them as he could.

*******************

Numbly Buffy pulled her blouse together the best she could, knotting the ends together as the buttons had been torn off. She pulled her skirt down, her panties had been shredded and thrown across the alley. Drying her tears she made her way out of the alley and headed for home. She was bruised and sore, her back was bleeding where skin had been scrapped off on the rough brick.

Worse than anything, her heart ached. She had made no move to stop him, she wanted him badly, longed for his touch. She had not expected him to be so heartless, so cruel. She knew he was angry but had thought that anger would disperse quickly, that the passion and love he had once felt would resurface. She knew he was in there, buried somewhere under all the anger and betrayal. She just had to find a way to reach him.

Right now all she wanted was a hot bath and her bed. She prayed for dreams of love filled pools of sapphire, shining down at her, even flashing gold eyes challenging and taunting her, anything to remove the image of his icy cold eyes burning into hers with disdain.

TBC

Chapter 7

Buffy filled his dreams, clinging to him as they kissed, her warmth surrounding him as they whispered their love to each other throughout the long hours of the night.

Another one of those dreams! However, if what the slayer and he had surmised was true, then they weren’t dreams at all, but memories of the time he was gone… trapped inside the amulet?

He had loved her then. His intense love for her a lasting memory upon waking.

******************

Buffy arrived at Spike’s apartment just before 11am the next morning. Knocking on his door, she tried to overcome her nervousness at the thought of seeing him again.

She had been devastated when leaving him the night before. His anger was gone, he was Spike again and he still didn’t love her. As the night progressed however she had felt better about things, at least they were talking now. At least he wanted her friendship and hey, wasn’t that how things had started with them anyway? I mean if you think about it, it hadn’t even been friendship at that point, not really, so if her could fall in love with her from there…. well, anything was possible. She had decided she would do as Spike wished, be his friend, and she was confident that, given time, he would realise once again that he loved her and that they belonged together. Yep a good solid plan!

The door opened as she was contemplating to a room filled with blazing sunlight. Her first instinct was terror, he would burn… she would loose him again! Her ungrounded fear lasted only fractions of a second, just long enough for her brain to catch up and remind her that he could go out in the sunlight now. Just long enough for her heart rate to skyrocket and for Spike to register both her increased pulse rate and the sudden scent of fear.

“’S’wrong luv?” His vampiric senses searching the corridor for whatever nasty had set the slayers nerves awry. Finding nothing he turned his attention once again to the young woman ion front of him, his head tilting slightly and his eyes narrowing as he tried to fathom what could have caused her momentary panic.

Feeling foolish the slayer mumbled something so quiet even his keen hearing was unable to pick up more than the word ‘light’.

Stepping back from the doorway he ushered her inside, at the same time asking, “what was that pet?”

“I said, I forgot about the sunlight!” She ducked her head, not wanting to see him laughing at her stupidity.

“”S’all right luv, I forgot myself a few times in the beginning, takes a little getting used to. Bloody lovely though, I must say!” He beamed at her, his eyes glowing and she thought he had never looked so gorgeous, standing in the sunlight with a genuinely happy smile on his face. None of the pain, or doubt that had shadowed his features so much in the last few years, just simple contentment. Her beloved vampire was at peace at last with his soul and his world, and this realisation brought her more happiness than she could have imagined.

Even if their relationship never again passed the friendship status she would be happy. Happy that he was back in her life, that he was still her friend and that he had finally found happiness himself! She felt her mouth curving into the first real smile in longer than she cared to remember.

“It’s no more than you deserve Spike! You saved us, all of us! The whole world!” At his look of discomfort she allowed her voice to take on a teasing note as she continued, “you know that makes you a hero don’t you!” Her eyes widened as she looked at him with mock adoration.

“Knock it off slayer”, he growled at her as they settled back into an easy banter.

********************

They had spent a couple of hours talking, both catching up and trying to understand what possible reason the Powers That Be could have for messing with them they way they so obviously seemed to be doing.

Later they had gone for a walk and Spike had bought her a lovely lunch in a small Italian restaurant he had told her was good. And he was right! The food had been excellent, the service was friendly but discreet and the atmosphere was warm and inviting. She would have to remember this place and bring Dawn here for dinner one night.

He hesitantly told her of his plans to become a History teacher, waiting for the mockery he was half certain would follow his announcement. He was pleasantly surprised when her reaction was one of enthusiasm and encouragement!

Walking back to his apartment that afternoon they were back on the topic of their possibly not so friendly Puppet Masters and what to do about them.

“Maybe we should have us a chat with The Watcher pet, he might have a bit more of an idea about it that we do.”

Buffy hesitated, “we could. I mean, if we can’t think of anything else…”

“You haven’t told ‘em have you? They don’t know I’m alive?” Spike looked at her incredulously.

“I just….it’s…well.” Buffy stopped walking and Spike had to turn to look at her as she spoke again, “after that stunt in Sunnydale with Giles and Wood trying to kill you…I just worried, I don’t want anything to happen to you Spike. Ok! Is that so wrong?” She was on her defensive now and a defensive slayer was a snarky slayer.

Spike couldn’t help but grin at her, she really was beautiful when she got her back up!

“I’m not sayin’ a thing slayer, it’s your call if you tell your watcher or not.” He softened his voice and looked her in the eye, “Only thing I will say pet, is anything your Watcher has ever done, he has done out of love and commitment to you. ‘M not sayin’ he was right, bloody stupid wanker’s made some pretty bum calls as far as I’m concerned, but he has always had your best interests at heart. Just think about it luv, I’ll leave the decision entirely up to you.”

**********************

They parted outside his building. Buffy heading home for a Sisters’ evening with Dawn, they were going to watch sappy movies and paint each other’s toenails. There were so few days left that they would be able to do these things, pretty soon Dawn would be heading off to University and then on to Watcher’s school.

Spike kept walking past his building and off towards the seedier side of town, seeking out the vampires and demons that preyed on the city’s unsuspecting.

He had enjoyed his day with the slayer, they had been at ease around each other in a way that had really only happened before in the days just prior to that final battle in the Hellmouth. She was different now he noted, less careworn, freer than he ever remembered, even more so than the young innocent he remembered from his arrival in Sunnydale. The sharing of her burden obviously a huge factor in that development.

She was still terribly thin, the last few years she had become almost gaunt as she ate less and trained more, hardening her body to become a finetuned weapon. Maybe now that her life was less stressful, now that the fate of the world no longer rested on her tiny shoulders and hers alone, maybe now she would start to take a little more care of herself. If today was anything to go on, her appetite was definitely on the improve. He laughed to himself, maybe he could make it his mission to see that she ate at least one good ,meal a week.

**********************

His dreams that night continued to haunt him with visions of his arms happily filled with a warm loving slayer.

t.b.c.

“No! No, no!” he roared as he ran. Moving with a preternatural speed beyond that which even a master vampire of his age would normally be capable of; he covered the space separating them in less than a heartbeat. But it was not enough. He caught her to him and watched in horror as the crimson stain spread, her white cotton blouse rapidly darkening as her lifeblood poured out of her.

For the last few weeks he had met up with the slayer on a regular basis. They patrolled together at night, took in the sights together on the days she was free from her responsibilities to the New Watcher’s Council; and once a week, he took her out for lunch and assured himself that she ate at least one decent meal a week. Their friendship had bloomed rapidly, not only reaching its previous level, but far surpassing it. With none of the strains that their previous life had placed on their relationship, they were able to relax and enjoy each others company in a way they had never been able to before.

He found himself looking forward to their time together. He enjoyed showing her the remnants of London past, the London he had known as a boy, and then later as a young man. They explored London present together, discovering its secrets and its wonders. They would laugh together, spontaneous and trouble free. There was no doubt they had come a long way from their Sunnyhell days.

This day, they had packed a picnic lunch and headed for Regents Park. Once there, they had taken a walk along the canal in the bright sunshine, taking advantage of the beautiful late-summers' day. They had stopped at the Camden Locks and watched the narrow boats. Buffy had been fascinated by them and when she found out that you could ride on them, she vowed to bring Dawn so they could have a trip on one of the exquisitely beautiful boats. Spike had watched her face light up with joy, her hands clapping together with youthful excitement. He didn’t think he had ever seen her more relaxed or more beautiful.

After a simple picnic in the shade overlooking the canal so that Buffy could watch the boats make their tranquil, unhurried journey along the waterway, they had headed through the park towards their destination- the London Zoo.

That is where things had gotten a little fuzzy in his mind. He recalled hearing a child scream, had seen the men in their balaclava’s pointing guns at the uniformed security guards as they exited their security van near the automatic teller. He had heard Buffy’s sharp intake of breath as one of the armed men swung around in the direction of the terrified child and his mother. From that point on, all he can remember is Buffy leaving his side, the sound of guns firing, a child’s terrified sobbing and the mother's screams. He remembered the scent of blood- Buffy’s blood... Then he was running, catching her up in his arms as he listened to her laboured breathing, her heart struggling in her chest as her life pumped rapidly from her body.

He was vaguely aware of the shouted orders of the security guards telling the armed men to put their hands on their heads, of the sobbing mother and child clinging to each other in terror and relief. He heard-but did not register- the murmurs of onlookers, a whistle blowing and horns honking. He felt water on his face and somewhere in the recesses of his brain. he wondered if it had started to rain.

The shrill scream of the ambulance sirens broke through the veil of confusion and disbelief, bringing his mind plummeting back to the woman in his arms; her blood covering his arms and chest as he rocked her gently while mumbling soft words of encouragement.

The ambulance officers gently removed her from his protective embrace where they went to work on saving her life. EKG leads were attached, pressure dressings applied, multiple IV's started to replace precious fluids, an oxygen mask was settled over her mouth and nose; all these things done in rapid succession and with grim determination. Time was of the essence here, and the ambulance crew were seasoned professionals.

She was breathing, that much he could hear. But what concerned him was the increasing shallowness of each passing breath. Her heart was struggling to keep up with demands the blood loss was putting on her body, and he felt such overwhelming helplessness, it threatened to crush him.

With a coordinated effort, Buffy was efficiently strapped to a backboard and lifted to a waiting gurney, then loaded into the back of the waiting ambulance.

“I asked you if you are hurt, Sir? We need to get going, have to get the young lady to hospital. Are you injured in any way?”

“No, no I’m not…s’all her blood. Some bastard shot her..” He watched as doors to the back of the ambulance were slammed shut. “Hang on a bloody minute, I’m coming with you. I’m not leavin’ her, understand?”

Spike was directed to the jump seat at the head of the gurney as the ambulance roared out onto the busy street; sirens blaring and lights flashing. He watched as the younger officer checked Buffy over once more, then began cutting the clothes away that surrounded the wound. In the process, her cell phone was found and quickly turned off.

“Oi, what yer doin’ mate? I coulda used that to phone her sis an’ her friends. Now I’m gonna have to try an find the numbers!” Spike snapped at the man and snatched the phone out of his hands.

“Sorry, the signal interferes with our equipment." He pointed at the ECG machine that was keeping careful record of the heartbeat that Spike could hear with his own ears. "Would you happen to know if she is allergic to any medication? Or if she is taking any medication?"

The trip to the hospital was spent with the young officer working on Buffy, keeping careful eye on her heart rhythm and giving his radio report to the receiving nurse in a calm, efficient manner.

Upon their arrival in the emergency bay, Buffy was whisked inside and Spike was left to fend for himself. Making his way to the nurses station, he was told to wait and he would be contacted as soon as there was any progress to report. Distractedly, he asked for a directory and took the offered book from the registration clerk. He soon realized he had no idea where to start.

Informing the nurse on duty that he would be just outside the doors, he took Buffy’s phone out of his pocket and stared at it. He turned it on. Yep, just as he had suspected- it wanted a password. Bugger! Ok think….Buffy’s birthday... He tried that, punching it in forwards and backwards. No good. Dawn’s birthday... He had success when he punched it in backwards.

Searching through the programmed numbers, Spike found their home number and Dawn’s cell phone. He would only call that as a last resort…didn’t want to tell The Bit over the phone that her sis was in hospital. Continuing on, he found Giles’ number. He phoned and left a stunned Head of the new Watchers Council in the wake of his call. He simply did not have time to be explaining how he was there or why he was with Buffy... or anything right now. His first priority was to get back inside to his slayer.

Yes, HIS slayer. From the moment he had seen the blood stain spreading rapidly across her crisp white blouse he had known he could not lose her- not again. Every feeling he had ever had for her came rushing back to hit him full force. He loved her, and he knew without a doubt that he always had. Buffy had been right. The bloody Powers that Be had done something to him. Something to make his feelings for her not only go-but altered- so initially all he had felt for her was contempt and hatred. Even when he had overcome that, his true feelings for her had still been masked. Why? To what end?

Now however, for whatever reason, the wall that had been built that had kept his love for the slayer locked away had come crumbling down and his love poured out; filling his heart and his soul. He could not...no, would not lose her again. Heading back inside, he checked once more at the nurses station only to be told to sit and wait. Waiting was something he was not good at; so by the time the watcher arrived with Dawn in tow, Spike was frantic with worry. What the bleedin hell was taking so damned long?

Dawn stopped dead in her tracks as she stared at the vampire in disbelief. Although Giles had told her that Spike had phoned to tell him Buffy was in the hospital, it had not registered. Nothing beyond 'Buffy' and 'hospital' had registered.

Spike got to his feet and went to move towards her, hesitating as he recognised the glare on the teenager’s face. He watched as a myriad of emotions played across her face, settling finally on wonder. He opened his arms and took a step in her direction. Before he could take another, his arms were suddenly filled with a quietly sobbing, shaking teenager.

“Hush Nibblet," he soothed, stroking her long auburn hair gently as he murmured soft words. “She’ll be ok luv, she’ll be ok.”

“What happened Spike?” she hiccupped, trying to dry the tears that continued to fall in great fat drops, despite her best efforts to contain them.

“Big sis was being a hero, luv. Savin a little boy from a nutter with a gun. Not really sure what happened after that pet, just…somehow, she was shot. Was all so bleedin’ quick. Not a thing I could do about it, not a damned thing.” These last words was muttered softly, his voice thick with self-recrimination.

Spike practically jumped out of Dawn’s arms as he swung around. “Right here mate! You got some news for us, or what? How is she? She gonna be ok?” The words poured out in a rush, desperate for the answers he has been anticipating for hours.

“NO I don’t want to take a bloody seat! That’s all I’ve been doing for hours. I want to know how Buffy is. Now!” he practically growled. Dawn was surprised not to see gold flecking his angry blue eyes.

Unfazed by the hostile response, the doctor began his report. “Miss Summers is out of surgery and is in recovery. The operation was long and difficult; there was a lot of internal damage which had to be repaired. We managed to save her spleen, but we are not sure as of yet how much function it will retain. She is currently stable, but she has not yet regained consciousness and the next twenty four hours are critical. As I said, there was a lot of damage and a lot of blood loss. It is amazing that she survived at all.”

“Can we see her?” Dawn asked, her voice small and frightened. She felt the vampire wrap his arms around her again in silent support.

“Yes, you may. A nurse will be along shortly to show you to intensive care and will make arrangements for you to visit with her.

Giles had taken Dawn home to get some sleep, assuring Spike they would be back the next morning. They had been sitting with Buffy for hours, taking turn holding her hand and talking to her. Willing her to open her eyes, to come back to them. Exhaustion had begun to take its toll on the teenager however, and both Giles and Spike had agreed that it would be better to take the girl home so that she could get some sleep in her own bed before returning in the morning. She had clung fast to Spike before leaving. “You’ll take care of her, right?” Her eyes brimmed with emotion as she turned their wide, trusting appeal on him.

“Course I will pet! I’d protect her with my life, luv. You know that.” He took her face gently in his hand. “Go on luv, get some sleep. Big sis will be alright. She just needs her rest, let that marvelous slayer healing do its work. You go on with the watcher, Bit. I’ll see you in the morning.”

The two Englishmen had shared a look over the teenager’s head. Spike nodded in agreement to the unspoken request; he would phone the watcher the moment there was any change in Buffy’s circumstances.

He sat by her bedside, her small hand held gently in his. His thumb softly caressed the back of her hand as he spoke to her.

“Right pet, you got my attention now, so enough of this, yeah? ‘S’time to wake up now, luv. Buffy, please, come back to me pet. I love you, baby. I can’t lose you again, luv. I just can’t. Damn it all, Buffy, you are stronger than this. You can’t let a little thing like this beat you, not something like this, pet!” He rested his head on the covers next to her, his eyes fluttering closed against his will. Hours had passed with no sign of improvement from the wounded girl. The doctors were non-committal regarding her chances, but Spike could read in their eyes that they had written her off-deeming the damage far too extensive for the patient to recover from.

He had never felt so helpless. Well, not since the day he had watched as her body plummeted to the ground, ripped at by the mystical portal that had torn her life from her.

“Anything,” he spoke aloud, “I’ll do anything. Whatever it takes, just don’t let her die!” He cried his passionate plea to the silent ether.

As his eyes drifted closed once more, he felt his world shift. He no longer sat at his love’s bedside. No longer held her motionless hand in his. He opened his eyes to the blinding white brilliance of the strange endless room.

“Right. I’m back here, am I? What do you want? What will it take to save her?” His voice roared in the stillness and silence of the seemingly empty room.

There is nothing we require of you. The slayer lives or dies by her own choosing.

“Why the hell am I here then?” he demanded. He did not have time for this, he needed to get back to Buffy. She needed him.

“Wait a bloody minute! You mean you did all this as a test? A soddin' test? Couldn’t you have just bloody asked me?” He was fuming. What they had done to him... to Buffy... For a test?

A ripple of laughter floated through the air before the blinding light was replaced with softer filtered light in Buffy’s room. His head was still resting on the covers close to her pillow. He closed his eyes once more, the words he had heard echoing in his mind. He was pulled from his reverie by a tentative touch. Buffy’s hand rested delicately on his head, her fingers gently stroking and teasing the errant curls which had broken free of their chemical restraint.

“Buffy, love.” His joy evident in his face, in his eyes and the wonder in his voice.

She smiled gently at him, his heart skipping a beat at the sight of his beloved; alive, awake, and smiling with love, love that was for him alone!

This chap Revamped March 2005.

And a Big Thank You to AmyB for stepping in to beta these next 2 chaps for me as my other wonderful Beta BSB has more to do than there are hours in a day…don’t know how she does it myself! Anyway…HUGE thanx AmyB **HUGS**

Chapter 9
Spike smiled down at the giggling girl in his arms as he spun her around in circles, causing her skirt to fly out in a silken cloud around them both. God, she was beautiful, he thought to himself. Stopping his spinning, he held her closer to his chest as he fumbled with the door to their hotel room. Pausing momentarily, he looked down at his bride and declared “I love you” as he carried her over the threshold, his heart swelling with love and tenderness. Spike reflected blissfully for a moment on the events of the day—it had been perfect. Absolutely bloody perfect!

It had not been a church wedding—no, that wouldn’t do, not for the former vampire and the vampire slayer. When all was said and done, it had been, in fact, the wedding Buffy had planned all those years ago whilst under Willow’s spell. They had taken their vows under the chestnut trees on the grounds of a beautiful Victorian manor owned by the Council. The reception itself had taken place later, inside the manor, at the beautiful oak dining table that easily seated the small party of guests. The Celebrant was a Druid priestess who worked occasionally for The Council.

Buffy, of course, had looked amazing. Her dress was simple; cream instead of white, it featured a lightly embroidered silk corset with thin spaghetti straps that showed her lovely golden tanned shoulders, and the simple clean silk skirts that completed the delicate garment hung from the waist, very slightly flared, to ankle length. Instead of a veil, she wore a fine garland, made of small cream and pink rosebuds and gypsophila twisted intricately together, around her head. Her gorgeous gold tresses hung perfectly straightened and cascaded like a shimmering waterfall down her back. His breath had caught in his chest at the sight of her; she was truly a vision of splendour, this incredible woman—and she was his!

Giles had been bursting with love and pride as he gave his surrogate daughter away to the man he had once looked upon as little more than a dangerous disgusting creature in desperate need of putting down for the sake of all humanity. Fortunately for both Bride and Groom, his view had changed considerably since then. More amazing still than Giles’ eager participation, however, was the choice of best man.

In the time since Buffy’s near fatal wounding in Regents Park, Xander and Spike had struck up an initially tentative, then later wholehearted, friendship. Xander, who had returned to England while Buffy was still in hospital, had come to realise just how narrow-minded he had been in the past and Spike had, for Buffy’s sake, accepted the whelp’s mumbled apology. The two had bonded slowly, helped along by the fact that they were the only males apart from father figure Giles in the slayer’s almost entirely female inner circle.

Months later they had been joined by another male when the itinerant werewolf Oz had shown up in London. Giles had convinced the young man that his services to the New Council would be indispensable, and as such he too was now a permanent resident of the British capital. Willow and Oz had cautiously renewed their friendship, and recently romance had once again begun to blossom between the two.

His Nibblet had looked exquisite in her beautiful cornflower blue silk bridesmaid’s dress. Like Buffy’s dress it had been simple, ankle-length silk, with tiny white flowers embroidered on the bodice; unlike his bride, however, Dawn had worn a long-sleeved, loose, waist-length overshirt of gossamer cornflower blue organza, giving her an almost ethereal air.

Spike had worn a black tuxedo with a cream silk shirt and deep red cummerbund; a cream rose had completed the ensemble—only the best for his beautiful girl. Now, however, he was itching to get out of it, or least the bow tie, which felt like it was slowly strangling him.

Spike carried his bride over to the bed and carefully lay her down, half covering her with his body. He captured her mouth in a gentle kiss, his tongue tracing her lower lip before sliding lightly across her teeth as she opened her mouth to allow him entrance. He stroked her tongue once with his before reluctantly drawing away, breaking off the kiss and moving out of her embrace to stand once more. His eyes drank in the sight of her, green eyes shining with love and lust as she looked up at him, lips slightly parted and breasts heaving against silk as she caught her breath; lending her a wanton look that went straight to his cock. His shaft jumped urgently to attention in response, just as his heart surged as the obvious love in her gaze went straight to the core of him; trying to collect himself, he swallowed hard against the lump in his throat.

His fingers worked the knot in the tie, loosening it and then tugging it off to be discarded on the floor as he eased his shoes off and bent to remove his socks; he turned his attention back towards his wife as his toes wiggled, rejoicing in their freedom. Buffy smiled gently at him and reached a hand out, beckoning him once more to her side as she propped herself up on one elbow, urging him down to sit by her on the bed. Her fingers ran lightly over him, cherishing and worshipful as she laid claim to every inch she could reach of her husband’s beautiful body. “I love you too, Spike. More than anything else in this world.” She reached up to cup his face, her thumb running lovingly across his cheekbone, as she bathed in the love shining in his eyes just for her. She could drown in his eyes, but then again, she always could have if she had only let herself; his every emotion shone clearly out of their exquisite cerulean depths for all the world to see, laying him bare for those who cared enough to look for him inside. She ran her hand around to tousle the curls that she so loved to play with, running her fingers through them and loosening them as she disregarded her husband’s mock-growl at her actions. Having given up on feigned irritation, Spike turned his head and nuzzled deeper into her hand, planting soft kisses against the pulse in her wrist and purring quietly as her fingers continued to tease the soft curls on the back of his head.

Buffy brought her other hand up and slowly undid Spike’s buttons, her fingers gently stroking the skin below as her efforts gradually exposed more and more of him for her exploration. Once all the buttons were undone, she slowly eased the soft silk back over his shoulders and allowed it to fall down his back. Spike’s hands were also busy as he removed her garland and allowed it to drop carefully to the floor, knowing that she would want to keep it.

He reached behind her to slowly undo the laces of her gown and then gently slid the thin straps down her shoulders, allowing the silk to pool at her waist. He drank in and savored the sight of her firm bare breasts and her hair falling in waves about her shoulders, but when he met her gaze and he took in the love shining from her eyes, a small sob shook his frame. He reached desperately for her, crushing her to him to anchor himself to this world by the force of her love alone.

“Buffy. My love.” His voice caught in his throat as his love for this beautiful woman—for his wife—threatened to overpower him. He buried his face against her chest, breathing in her warm reassuring scent as he sought to regain control over his raging emotions.

“I’m here, baby. I’ll always be here. Nothing will ever keep us apart again.” Buffy held Spike close, gently stroking his shoulders and running her fingers through his hair, soothing her love even as her own emotions welled up. A tear of joy and happiness tracked slowly down her face and into the soft platinum curls as she placed loving kisses against his hair; they had come so far and overcome so much to be here today, and the reality of it was more than a little overwhelming.

Spike was in heaven, or, he figured, the closest to it he was ever likely to be. Not only did Buffy love him as completely as he had always dreamed that she would, but here he was on their wedding day with his beautiful bride half-naked in his arms. So why the bleedin’ hell was he sobbing like a bloody poof? He smiled sardonically at his own weakness and mentally kicked himself before dipping his head to capture one perfect rosy nipple in his mouth. He smirked against her skin at his wife’s startled gasp, a sound which quickly became a husky moan and was joined by the heady scent of her desire as it filled the room with its unique perfume.

He rose, pulling her to standing with him so he could ease the dress past her hips as she toed her shoes off; the divestment of her gown and footwear left her clad only in a tiny lacy thong. Her small hands reached hungrily for his belt and zip, and she made quick work of both before pushing his pants from his hips, dropping them to lay mingled with the exquisite cream silk of her dress. She stroked the strong planes of his chest, nails scraping lightly across one eagerly puckered nipple before placing soft kisses in her hand’s wake. Buffy reached up to wrap her hands around the back of his neck, fingers spread to rake once more through his errant curls as she claimed his mouth gently with hers. Their tongues danced, touching, tasting, and brushing lovingly before moving on. Spike’s hands closed on her waist, fingers splayed possessively as his thumbs rubbed gentle circles across the taut skin of her abdomen, delighting in the strong muscles below the soft warm surface of her golden skin.

He slid his hands lower to cup her bum and lifted her, pressing her tightly against his body with his eager cock sandwiched between them. He moved them to the bed, seating himself before drawing her down to sit sideways in his lap, their lips never breaking contact as they continued their sensual, bone-melting kiss. Buffy’s hands left the back of his neck and began to run across his body with a soft, teasing touch that sent sparks of desire racing through him.

With a moan Spike broke from her lips and settled back on the bed, Buffy following to lay on her side, half-draped over his body with her foot running slowly up and down his leg. She initiated another kiss, this one deepening yet again and causing a fresh flood of arousal to dampen the tiny thong as Spike’s hands wandered hungrily over her body. Her hand slid down his body, tracing the lines of muscles to its destination. Closing her fingers firmly around his eagerly twitching cock, she smiled against his mouth at his indrawn hiss of breath and soft moan of pleasure as her hand began to move along his length, pumping him slowly and swirling her thumb lightly over the soft sensitive head, collecting the drops of pre-come that had gathered there before continuing her slow torturous rhythm.

Breaking off the kiss, Spike moved to once again capture her nipple with his mouth, suckling hard on it before biting gently on the sensitive little bundle of nerves. Gently extracting his aching cock from her too-clever hand, he moved slowly lower down her body, kissing, nipping and licking as he went. When he finally reached the scrap of lace he nuzzled her hungry flesh through the thin material, breathing deeply to inhale her scent. He hooked his thumbs through the straps on her hips and slowly drew her panties down her legs, his eyes drinking in the sight of her body now fully revealed to him. He settled himself between her thighs and reached out slowly with the tip of his tongue, eager to taste yet again the sweet juices coating the soft brown curls. He lapped once, gently, at her clit, and her hips flew upwards off the bed to reach for him even as she called to him, her voice husky with want.

“Come here, Spike. Please, baby. Want to hold you. Want you inside me,” she pled, the last spoken in little more than an urgent whimper. Unable to deny her anything, particularly when he himself was ravenous with the same need, Spike left his place and moved up her body to capture her mouth once more. She wrapped her arms around him, holding him fast to her body and shifting her hips slightly to position him at her entrance.

“Buffy, there’s no rush, luv. Let me…”

“Want you now Spike. Need to feel you inside me. Please. We have all night. Right now I just need you to make me yours.” She arched her hips to meet him and he thrust gently inside her, each of them crying out with pleasure as their bodies joined. Buffy let out a sigh of contentment as Spike filled her completely, holding him close as they rested for a moment, delighting in just being one with the other.

Slowly he began to move, his thrusts long, slow and deep; giving over instinctively to the rhythm, they stared into each other’s eyes as their bodies synchronised. Spike dipped his head to capture her mouth once more in a long languorous kiss, his hands wandering slowly over her body before cupping her bum and lifting her hips slightly to change the angle of his thrusts. His cock brushed unerringly against her sweet spot with every thrust, and his pelvic bone rubbed her aching clit stoking her desire. Her inner walls started to tremble and Spike felt his own release rapidly approaching.

With a long moan of ecstasy, Buffy clamped down around her husband’s cock as her orgasm raged through her. Wave upon wave of pleasure gripped her body, propelling her into a delirium of ecstasy. With a last deep thrust, Spike followed Buffy into bliss, his body exploding with pleasure as her ecstatic moans fuelled his own desires and shredded the last remnants of his rapidly waning self-control.

One hundred and twenty-odd years of vampire instinct took over at this point, and before he had time to comprehend what he was doing Spike had sunk his blunt human teeth into his bride’s neck; after gently drawing a mouthful of her blood, he breathed against her skin, “Mine.” As soon as the taste of her blood registered with his senses, he realised what he had done and made to apologise, to beg her forgiveness; before he could even try, however, he felt her sharp little teeth enter his neck as well. An exquisite rush of sensation coursed through him as she, too, tasted his blood and then growled possessively, “Mine,” repeating his vow and completing the claim. Tears of joy filled his eyes as an overwhelming rush of love filled his heart. She really did love him—all of him—the demon he had been and the man he had become. She was his. His Wife, his Mate… it seemed too good to be true, and he almost expected to waken and find himself alone in his crypt back in good old Sunnyhell. But the feeling of her hands gently stroking his cheek and neck, the luminous and joyful green eyes that gazed up at him, and the brilliant glint of gold shining from each of their hands reassured him that no—this was very, very real, and it was his destiny.

Authors note: some lines in chapter 9 taken from the movie ‘Sex, Lies, & Videotape’.

EPILOGUE

11 Months later……

“It’s this way, I tell you!”

“Really, Xander, I do believe that is what you have said about the last five corridors!”

“Yeah, well this time Mr Smarty Pants, I’m right!”

“Giles, Xander, will you please stop arguing. You’re making my head ache!” the witch complained.

A brunette head popped out of a room ahead. “Not to mention disturbing everyone in the place. God, didn’t anyone ever teach either of you any manners?” Dawn glared at the two men.

“I told you it was this way!” Xander had to get the last word in.

Mildly chastened, they turned towards the hospital room, speaking quietly to a still-frowning Dawn, who was blocking the doorway. “Is Buffy awake?”

An English voice answered from inside the room, “Well, if she wasn’t before she bloody well would be after the racket you lot were makin’. Yes she’s awake, come in but keep it down a bit, hey! Bit, let ‘em in.” Dawn stepped aside and allowed the three friends in.

They entered quietly. Willow went and hugged Buffy gently and handed her a huge bouquet of flowers. Next Xander and Giles each gave her a hug and kiss and handed over neatly wrapped gifts. She thanked them all, a huge smile painted across her face.

Spike was seated on the other side of the bed in a chair close to Buffy’s head; he carefully took the flowers and gifts from his wife and mate, his eyes shining with love as he brushed her forehead with a kiss. Rising, he placed them on a table next to the chair. Giles stepped forward and offered Spike his hand; stunned for a moment, he stared at the hand before reaching out to shake it.

Willow could contain herself no more and started to bounce slightly on the spot. “So,” she bubbled, “where is she?”

With a huge smile, Spike turned around to the Perspex crib he had been guarding non-stop for the last 9 hours. Gently taking the small sleeping bundle in his arms and passing her to Buffy he announced, “We’d like to introduce you to Billie Elizabeth Prescott.”

THE END

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