Title: A Slayer's Path
Author: Oracleholly
Rating: NC-17
Warning: Sexual situations, Biting, Violence
Spoilers: Post-Chosen, set during Angel S5 "Damage."
Summary: Buffy gets one hell of a Slayer dream and must follow the path to her heart.
Disclaimer: The characters contained herein are the property of Joss Whedon and various other entities, but I like to play with them from time to time.
A/N: An incredible thank you to SandyS who made the banner and personalized it for this story and to Spikeslovebite for her readiness to beta just about anything I throw her way (and lately I've given her some strange tales.)

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Chapter One - The Beginning

She had been getting images in her dreams for the past few days, but she hadn't considered them of any major importance. The images always seemed like crude finger painted drawings on white paper. They were crude in the sense that any kindergartener would have done a much better job. They bothered her at first - the strange, two-dimensional, violent drawings. However, she dismissed them without discussing them with Giles, thinking that she was perhaps remembering something from her childhood in a new way.

However, as of tonight, she now knew those simple, crude drawing-dreams had only been precursors to tonight's major Slayer dream fest.

Buffy recognized the desert - that same wretched place where she had first accidentally met the First Slayer after the Uber-Slayer mojo. She never did figure out that bizarre Cheese Man. The second time she had visited this place, Buffy had received the portentous mantra - "Death is Your Gift" - straight from her ancestor's yellow-teethed mouth. The last time she entered this desert she had met those men - the Shadowmen, the ancestors of the Watchers - who had attempted to rape her with more Slayer demon. That last time, her sister Slayer had been nowhere in sight.

This time everything was different.

As Buffy stepped across the sands barefoot, she felt the grains pass between her toes. Its warmth was slight, but it didn't burn. A movement to her right caught her eye. Oh great, here we go again. How many times does it take for her to learn not to fight me? Bracing herself for the usual sudden barrage associated with meeting the First Slayer, Buffy was surprised when instead her ancestor slowly approached, walking fully upright for the first time ever. While her predecessor still remained garbed in her typical tattered, gray rags and war paint, Buffy noted that her demeanor was entirely calm. In fact, it was wigging her out.

Buffy stayed as still as possibly could, yet kept braced for a fight, alert for any sudden moves just in case. You never knew with the First Slayer. The primitive slayer tilted her head to one side, strangely reminiscent of a certain snarky vampire that Buffy missed terribly. Her elder tapped her chest in rapid succession, opened her mouth and roughly spoke one word, "Senaya."

Startled, Buffy relaxed her stance a little. Then, she repeated the name aloud, receiving a nod in reply. Smiling a little, Buffy then tapped her own chest and said her name. Senaya's mouth turned down as if she had just swallowed a few lemons, and then she laughed. Buffy could never remember in any of her Slayer dreams where "Senaya" had displayed any emotion besides that of an aloof, surgical hunter determined to either kill her or drive her insane with the cryptic talk.

"Hey, my mother gave me that name," Buffy responded, affronted by her elder's laughter. Then Buffy remembered saying the same thing to Spike one night. That was twice in a very, short time span that this contact with Senaya had conjured memories of Spike. Did it mean something?

Senaya immediately sobered her expression and held out her hand, motioning for Buffy to take it. Buffy did, and together they began to walk hand in hand across the desert.

Just like her dream when they first encountered each other, the landscape began to subtly change. The scant presence of trees soon began to appear as if a rough crayon had drawn the copse of trees; the sun turned into an actual, Crayola-yellow circle, complete with yellow rays. Then Buffy found herself, along with Senaya, in a hospital watching a girl with brown hair coloring vigorously, vivid pictures depicting demons and vampires.

"She's one of us?" Buffy questioned.

"She does not understand who she has become," Senaya answered.

Even though the doctor present in the room could not see them, the girl quickly turned her haunted eyes their way. The confused girl locked eyes with Buffy. Suddenly, flashes of what had happened to the girl as a child played out like a short film in Buffy's mind. The horror of what had happened to the poor child made Buffy want to scream in pain and outrage. She felt violated and abused. Fortunately, Buffy felt a comforting squeeze from Senaya bringing her out of the girl's past. The scene unexpectedly shifted again.

However, Buffy found that they were still with the same girl. The girl was now alone in a padded room, the walls covered with grotesque drawings, some of which Buffy recalled from her previous dreams. This time, the girl was oblivious to their presence. Before she could verify that the drawings on the walls were in fact the same as she had dreamed, another brief shift in time occurred.

This time, Senaya was no longer by her side. Instead, Buffy saw Senaya standing beside the troubled girl.

Senaya caressed the girl's hair. "She does not understand what she sees."

"She's been getting our visions?"

"She relives us all," Senaya cryptically voiced.

Within the room, a "window" opened, like a viewing screen. Another time. Buffy recognized her fifteen-year-old self in bed, apparently experiencing a nightmare. The room seemed vaguely familiar, and then it came to her. She was in her home in Los Angeles, before she learned of her calling. With a touch to her temple from Senaya, Buffy remembered the disturbing dreams she had dreamt prior to meeting Lothos. In each dream, she was the Slayer - she understood that now - fighting vampires, until Lothos arrived and killed her each time.

"Stop!" Buffy recalled that those visions had differed from those involving her and the Master. In the "Master" dreams, she knew that she was really battling the Master. The Lothos dreams, she realized, she had relived from each previous Slayer's experience. With some clarity, Buffy turned damp eyes to Senaya. "That girl has been reliving all of our experiences? Every single one of us?"

Gravely, Senaya nodded. She seemed about to add something; however, she shook her head. Once again the desert reappeared, but they were no longer alone.

"Tara?"

As before in her first coming to this desert, Tara stood before her wearing the beautifully crafted sari. "I've been granted this time by the Powers to give you some wisdom of the things to come," the vision of Tara spoke.


Chapter Two – “New Understanding”

Buffy fidgeted in her seat for the billionth time. She knew that the undercover air marshals must have her under observation, but frankly she didn’t care. She got that her twitchiness meant that she made people nervous, but her emotions were a swirl of anger, resentment, happiness, regret, sadness, elation, fear, anxiety, and hope that she physically couldn’t be still.

She pretended to watch the in-flight movie, complete with wearing the earphones, but she had the volume turned almost to mute. She needed to process everything that had happened in the last twenty-four hours. So much had occurred, yet, nothing could be resolved until she landed in Los Angeles.

*******

Much like she had when she’d first opened her eyes in her coffin a little over two years ago, Buffy awoke gasping for air. She clung to her sheets as if grasping for something to catch her. Her body had sweated and soaked her sheets and her hair was a mess of tangles.

Her first word upon waking was more of a scream, “Spike!”

Buffy tried to recapture the last images of her dream before releasing her death grip on the sheets. She’d just started to calm down, when Dawn rushed into her room, clad in her pajamas. The concern on Dawn’s face almost broke her heart…almost. She loved her sister, she really did, but a part of her would never forgive her for kicking her out of the house and treating Spike like she had. Not that she was one to cast stones in that department, but still, that last year…

Buffy knew part of Dawn’s concern was over her fear that Buffy was regressing. For several months after Sunnydale, Buffy had recurring nightmares about Spike. Everyone thought she had gotten past it…whatever they imagined happened. She’d kept it from everyone.

“I love you.”

“No you don’t, but thanks for saying it.”

Buffy had learned a long time ago how everyone thought she should act, so after awhile she’d begun going through those old motions. Shopping, patrolling, training…repeat as necessary. But no one really knew her inner most wishes and desires. No one. Once again, she was alone…alone in a world that now had an army of Slayers.

She knew they had all been surprised how she’d treated Angel and his crew when they arrived in Los Angeles after the destruction of Sunnydale. She guessed everyone thought she would rush head-long into the waiting arms of her “soul mate” and live happily ever after. But that had not happened, and it never would.

Now that Angel was a part of Wolfram & Hart, she no longer trusted him at all. When they’d arrived at the Hyperion, a messenger from Wolfram & Hart had been there to inform them of the change of address. Buffy had been incensed but held it in. Even Giles looked uncomfortable about the news.

She’d asked the messenger how long Angel had been working for W&H. When told over a week, Buffy easily put together the missing pieces of information that Angel had blatantly failed to tell her in Sunnydale, especially about the origin of the amulet. Her grief over Spike’s demise almost crippled her then. Her suspicions about whether Angel had known what the amulet would do grew.

Buffy thought her performance for Angel and his merry crew should have garnered her an Academy Award nomination. She acted her ass off. She’d answered their questions with a calm detachment, very like a soldier reporting in to his superiors. However, when that two-face son-of-a-Darla asked her about Spike, she wanted to claw out his brown eyes.

She couldn’t help the emotion that’d filled her voice, relating just how heroic and brave and stoic Spike had been in those last moments. When asked what exactly happened though, she clammed up. All she would ever tell anyone from now on was that Spike died a Champion.

So, seeing Dawn’s concern face was like a bucket of ice water had been thrown on her.

Buffy had quickly gotten out of bed and gathered a bag from her closet. She ignored Dawn’s questions while she started piling in clothes, changes of underwear, and shoes. When she grabbed a second bag for her toiletries and stakes, Dawn grabbed her by the shoulders. Buffy fought the urge to throw Dawn into the wall. Hadn’t she learned by now to never touch a preoccupied Slayer?

“Dawn, let go of me,” Buffy warned her.

“Buffy, what are you doing? You are scaring me. Why won’t you tell me what’s going on?” Dawn almost screamed.

“I have to take a trip. It involves one of the new girls,” Buffy said.

“What new girl? You know you don’t do that. Andrew does,” replied Dawn.

“Well, starting now, so do I. Now, I have to get going. Move,” ordered Buffy.

Dawn countered, “I’m calling Giles.”

“You do that, Dawnie. And while you’re at it, why don’t you ask him why he failed to tell me that Spike was back,” Buffy angrily spat.

“Buffy? What do you mean Spike’s back? I thought you said he died?” Dawn’s lip started to tremble.

Buffy started to feel guilty about snapping at Dawn, but then again, Dawn never knew that Spike had told her about Dawn’s threat to set him on fire. She would always love Dawn; she was her flesh and blood, but that didn’t mean she would ever forgive Dawn for kicking her out of her own home nor how Dawn had treated Spike after he got back. Buffy knew that she shouldn’t be the ones to cast stones in that regard, but someone had to stand up for Spike now.

“Well, I guess like me, death doesn’t take kindly to us. So, I’m going.”

“Okay. Umm…Buffy?”

Blowing out an exasperated breath, Buffy asked, “What?”

“When you find Spike, tell him to come home.”

Buffy stopped her maniac packing to really look at her sister. Dawn had shocked tears running down her face, snot dripped from her nose. Grabbing a tissue, Buffy handed it to Dawn. “Here, wipe your nose. So, you miss him too?”

“Yeah. I’m so mad at myself for…you know…being all distant with him after he got the soul. I just didn’t know how to act around him anymore…not after what he did to you and all,” Dawn sniffed.

Buffy bristled at the mention of the bathroom incident. It was time to clear the air about that – way past time. “Dawnie, sit down.”

Once seated, Buffy said, “Look, sometimes I wish you’d never found out about that night. It was one horrible mistake – both Spike’s and mine. I’d treated him horribly before that night, Dawn. And before you interrupt, I’m not making excuses for his behavior. It was wrong. But I can understand it, given how things were back then. I’d actually forgiven him about ten minutes after it happened. If you remember I had taken you to his crypt for Spike to watch over you. Now, I ask you, if I really mistrusted Spike after what had happened, would I have ever entrusted you, my precious sister, to his care?”

Dawn was silent.

“Well? I’m asking you. Do you think I would have trusted just anyone with your care?”

“No, I guess not. You did leave me with Clem though. Of course, Clem was…well, Clem,” Dawn said, smiling at the memory of the floppy-eared demon.

“Yeah. And I could just wring Xander’s neck for telling you his interpretation of what happened. It wasn’t his place to do so, nor were you at an age to hear about it.” Holding up her hand, Buffy kept Dawn from blurting out any argument. “You know mom would have felt the same way, so let’s not argue about it.”

“So, that’s why you let me back in the house when he came back all crazy?”

“Well, Dawn, I never even revoked his invitation. He could have come by anytime. What does that tell you?” Buffy smiled.

Dawn grabbed Buffy’s hands and said, “I want to go with you.”

“No. You have something called school, young lady. I know it’s a pain, but you do. Besides, I think I have to settle some matters once and for all, and I can’t be worrying about your safety while I do it.”

Disappointed but understanding, Dawn replied, “Okay. Just bring Spike home, Buffy. Please tell him that his niblet misses him.”

Running her hand down the side of Dawn’s head and hair, Buffy smiled. “I will. And you know me…I get the job done.”

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

“Ladies and gentlemen, we’ll be arriving at Los Angeles International Airport in approximately twenty minutes. The weather forecast is sunny with a mild wind, 75°F. The time is….”

The announcement broke Buffy from her reverie. Soon, Spike. Soon, I’ll be there. Just don’t do anything stupid first. Rolling her eyes immediately, she corrected her thoughts. Just be careful, Spike. I’ll be there soon.


Chapter Three - Revelations

As Buffy was waiting to reclaim her luggage, her cell phone rang. She eyed the Caller ID and with some satisfaction, let the call go to voice mail. Giles will not be interfering. Hadn't he learned in Sunnydale? With a sigh, she realized that perhaps her former Watcher hadn't learned anything…nothing at all. After the cell buzzed announcing that she had voice mail, Buffy decided just to turn it off. No well-intentioned but misplaced Scooby friends would be butting their noses into her business. Not this time.

Finally her one checked bag circled around the carousel, and she hefted it off the conveyer belt. Stopping only to make sure she'd gotten the right bag, she headed for the rental car booth to procure herself a car. However, the long line at the stand dissuaded her from waiting.

Seeking her cell for one call only, she turned it on and scroll through her phone book. Finding the number she wanted, she pressed send. After only a few short sentences, Buffy hung up and started walking toward an exit. The recipient of her call had said he'd get her a special taxi. No problems.

Before her foot even got near the curb, a green Mini pulled next to her. "You Buffy?" the driver asked.

"Yes."

"Get in."

Buffy entered the vehicle, and the car sped away from the curb.

A bit later, the green Mini stopped in front of a warehouse not far from where the Hyperion stood. Buffy thanked the driver and asked, "How much do I owe you?"

The driver waved her off, his skin flapping as he did so. "Your fare has been paid. If he says you're like family, then welcome to the family."

"Thank you," Buffy said, giving him a genuine smile. Still, she pulled out a twenty dollar bill and handed it to him, "As my thanks, here's a little something that should help you get a few kittens."

"Appreciated. You know, you're exactly how he said you would be."

"I'll take that as a good thing. Again, thanks."

He handed her a card. "Just in case." She nodded, and the driver pulled away.

Buffy knocked on the warehouse door, and it immediately was opened to reveal a lavish tavern. "Welcome to Sanctuary."

"Buffy!!!!" Her name was heard over all the music and conversation.

"Clem!!!!" Buffy rushed heedlessly through the demon clientele, hearing snorts of 'Slayer' in her wake. She grabbed Clem into an enormous hug.

Clem's skin started to pale slightly, and he said, "Easy girl, I need those glands."

Releasing him immediately, Buffy apologized. "I'm so sorry. I'm just so happy to see a friendly face."

"You're looking good, Buffy. It's been awhile."

"Since that day," Buffy reminded him.

Clem looked sort of uncomfortable. "Yeah. You know congratulations and all that. Knew you could do it."

"I know, Clem. I know."

"So, tell me, what brings you to LA? Dish, girl."

"Spike."

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

Using Clem's connections and after talking to a few customers at Sanctuary, Buffy knew where Andrew and his gaggle of Slayers were staying. She wanted to track them without them getting wind of where she was. She had paid for her plane ticket with cash and had used one of the fake passports that Spike had long ago gotten for her.

The passport had a funny story behind it. During that whole time of Glory, Spike had secretly been making plans to take Joyce, Dawn, and her out of Sunnydale if the need arose. Buffy hadn't known of his plans at the time, and that was probably a good thing. She would have refused. Sometimes she wondered whether if Spike had taken them away, would her mother still be with them?

So, Spike had obtained multiple passports for each of them. She didn't know how he got them or how he paid for them, and she didn't care. They just represented to her just another thing she'd overlooked all those years.

He'd finally showed them to her one night after she'd come back from the dead. In the heat of the moment, she'd told him she wanted to be able to disappear from all her friends. He'd gotten out of bed to retrieve a box. Warily, she'd opened it and discovered the passports.

A little while later, before the bathroom incident, Spike had told her that he'd secured them in a safe deposit in LA for her, if she were ever to have need of them. His foresight amazed her. Buffy had reclaimed them after she'd spoken to Angel at Wolfram & Hart. No one else knew about them.

For now, she was in the country as Joan Williams. It hadn't been one of the original passports. After retrieving them from the bank, she'd found that Spike had made this one probably in honor of that time when he was Randy and she was Joan.

Ready, Randy? Joan's coming for you.

Clem had arranged help with surveillance. He never questioned her about how she knew a new Slayer would be making herself known soon, for which she was grateful. Buffy just wanted to prevent what Tara had shown her.

***********

Buffy stood beside Senaya in the desert, but they were no longer alone. Once again clad in a beautiful sari was Tara.

"Tara?"

"I've been granted this time by the Powers to give you some wisdom of the things to come," the vision of Tara spoke.

Tears rolled down her cheeks in happiness to see her very missed friend. "Tara, I miss you. I'm sorry you died."

"My death, my life…all part of the cycle. Do not be sorry that I died, rather be happy that for a short time, I lived and was a part of your life," Tara replied.

"Oh, I am. I am happy that you were. Thank you." Buffy paused to take a deep breath. "I never really thanked you while you were alive for taking such good care of Dawn. Thank you."

"You're welcome, Buffy."

"But that isn't why you are here. What do the Powers want to tell me? Usually they send Whistler," Buffy said.

"I've been chosen because of my connection to you, to the Goddess, to the Guardians, to the Slayers, and to our Champion. Our Champion needs you, Buffy," Tara announced.

"Angel? No way. I'm sorry. I have to disappoint the Powers," Buffy responded, more than a little irked.

"Not Angel. Angel is not our champion. Buffy, I've told you little about my family. Remember, I told you about my mother dying when I was young?"

"Yes?" Buffy answered, now completely confused.

"I, myself, did not know until it was revealed to me, but my mother and I were part of a long line of descendants of those who watched the ones who watched."

"The Guardians!" Buffy exclaimed in a whisper.

Tara nodded. As she did so, Senaya moved to stand beside Tara. Touching her heart and then touching Tara's, Senaya said, "Sister."

Buffy reached out with her senses and there it was. Very faint, but very much there. Buffy declared, "You were a potential Slayer!"

"Yes, Buffy. Had I lived at the time of Willow's spell, I would have also been 'activated' as Mr. Giles put it," Tara answered. "So, not only am I a Guardian, but I was also of the line."

"When I speak of our Champion, I mean the Champion of the Guardians and of the Slayers. The one who will help our line and our way. The one who will…well, that I cannot reveal just yet," Tara added.

"Okay, so Angel's obviously not our Champion. The only other one I can think of is dead." Buffy's mind drew a big blank as to the identity of the Champion.

"He's dead, but not dead; alive but not alive. He is like a phoenix arisen from the ashes. He had form, but was formless 'til it was restored to him. By trials and by fire he cleansed his soul, though he does not know it. He is love and is loved, but yet does not know it. He has returned to be once again our Champion." Tara stopped and waited for Buffy to get her meaning.

It didn't take long.

Once again in tears, Buffy cried out for her lost lover, her lost love, and her once chance at true happiness.

"Spike!!!!"


Chapter Four - Preparation

Dusk crept across Los Angeles like a thief wanting to steal the last vestiges of sunlight. Buffy watched the interplay of the sunset across the city from atop Sanctuary. She ached to get going, but knew she had to time it just right for everything to come out okay. Like Tara had reminded her - 'everything has a time and a place, the key is to know how to recognize it.'

Tara, I'm trying. I think I get it now. Thank you.

No one knew she was in the city but a group of demons. She snickered to herself over the fact that the once-and-still general of the Slayer army now commanded a contingent of demons - and some of their human friends. Buffy found it funny how the years had eroded her holier than thou mantra regarding all demons. Deep down, she knew she owed it all to Spike…and well, to Anya.

Thank you Anya…Anyanka.

Buffy felt a jolt when she could have sworn she heard Anya whisper in her ear, "You're welcome. Good luck." Then she grinned because if anyone could cheat death or at least win in a bargain with it, it would undoubtedly by Anyanka. She just wondered if she'd see that bubbling, capitalism-loving, wise friend again.

"Everyone's ready, Buffy," Clem said as he approached her.

Buffy could tell that Clem hadn't wanted to startle her, but really, he'd no fear of that. Her Slayer senses were as sharp as ever. Thank you, Senaya. "Thanks Clem, I really appreciate all you've done today and really those times before now."

If Clem could blush, Buffy supposed he was doing it now. It was kind of cute actually, which just made her heart love Clem more. If someone had told her years ago that she'd be a good friend with a demon, she would have probably staked whoever said it. But that was then, and lots of water had gone under that bridge and all that.

"I can't believe Spike's back," Clem said yet again. He'd been repeating that every so often since she'd first told him.

"Yeah, and believe me, Clem, he has a lot to answer for. I mean…I get when he was all ghost-like he couldn't physically pick up a phone, but hello, someone else could have dialed and told me. And now, he's got his body back and does he call or come visit? No."

"Buffy, perhaps…" Clem began but then shut his mouth.

"What?" she asked.

"Perhaps he was scared of what you'd say?" Clem offered.

Exhaling a slow breath, Buffy turned to Clem and smiled. "I know he probably was. I'm not really that mad at him. I get it. I'm just happy he's back."

Clem became all giddy and said, "Well, let's go get him."

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

Buffy watched as a strange man who radiated bad vibes exited the building where Spike lived. She didn't like it. Couldn't put her finger on why, but she knew that guy in the cowboy boots was bad news. She ducked down in the backseat of Clem's car as she spotted Spike strolling out the door.

Mentally she memorized the man and decided she'd have Clem find out who he was. She might need to take care of more than just Spike, Dana, and the rest of it. Trouble. And that starts with T and…Why did that song just pop into her brain?

Her heart clenched in her chest. Spike exited the building, his duster billowing about him as if some unseen wind knew to blow at just the right time. Spike was just as she remembered him, except a touch of sadness surrounded him. Had he always had that? Never again would she not know the answer to that, and Buffy vowed right then and there in the backseat of Clem's VW Jetta that Spike would never be sad again - if she could possibly have a say in the matter.

Buffy knew where he was headed. Buffy wanted to follow him, but she had some other place to be first. Besides he'd be okay for the time being, and she'd already been there, handled that. She wondered what exactly he'd been told, and also what had been reported to Wolfram & Hart.

"Okay, let's go to the warehouse and get ready for the party," she told Zachary, one of Clem's friends.

**************
(An hour before)

Entering any hospital - especially a psychiatric one - gave Buffy the willies. Taking stock of her fears and shelving them until half-past never, Buffy pushed open the doors to the facility in her newly acquired doctors attire. At first, the fact that everything looked just as it had in her dream rocked her, but that lasted all of five seconds. Equilibrium again achieved, Buffy kept her head ducked and her hair in her face as she continued toward the service elevators.

Flashing her pass at the half-awake guard, she entered the elevator and pressed the floor's number. She breathed in a few times, going over in her head how she would approach her sister Slayer. She hoped that in some way, Dana would recognize her or know her. She didn't think it likely, but she'd hope for the best and expect the worst. Of course, the worse would never happen now. Dana's escape from this place wouldn't be like she'd envisioned. No one had to die. No blood would be on Dana's hands.

Halfway between floors, Buffy pulled the Emergency Stop button. She fished out the device Zachary had given her in the car. He'd gone over everything with her until she could have probably done what she needed to do in her sleep. Once she'd found what she needed, she retrieved a stylus she'd tucked behind her ear. Using it, she pressed a certain sequence on the keypad. Now, no pesky cameras. Take that Angel.

Exiting the elevator, Buffy once again was amazed by the complete lack of awareness by the guards and this time a nurse. No one even bothered to glance in her direction. She wore the right gear apparently, so she wasn't worth their consideration.

She privately thanked whomever Clem had bribed to get copies of the keys to all the gates. It really made things so much easier. Gate after gate, Buffy eased down the hallways of the ward. She kept on her mind on the singular purpose of getting Dana safely out of the hospital in order to keep those nagging fears about this place under wraps.

Buffy found herself outside Dana's door. Using a key, she opened it cautiously, and then stepped back. Dana leapt from her hiding place and was in the processing of attacking Buffy when she paused.

Buffy smiled calmly and made a shushing gesture with her fingers and mouth as she quietly entered Dana's room. "Hi Dana."

Dana looked at her for a few uncomfortable moments and then uttered one word, "Sister?"

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

Chapter Five - Show Time

(At Wolfram & Hart)

Angel, Gunn, Lorne, and Fred were vehemently discussing what was to be done about Eve. Just as the conversation reached a crescendo, the object of the conversation calmly entered the room.

"Talking about little ol' me? I'm flattered. But you know, you can't fire me or do anything else you might have planned, boys & girl. I don't really work for you," Eve said, examining her fingernails.

"Eve, get out of my office," Angel growled out.

"No can do, Angel. I'm here on the Senior Partners' behalf. They are very disturbed about some events that have happened this evening," Eve replied. She was the epitome of cool.

"And that's a bad thing?" Angel remarked.

Eve approached his desk, brushing Fred to the side. Leaning over she looked Angel in the eye and said, "Yes, it is. It's business, Angel. Remember what your position is and what's riding on your cooperation."

Angel grabbed Eve by her necklace and said, "Never threaten me, Eve. You won't like what I do."

"Maybe I will, Angel."

Lorne and Fred looked confused over Eve's threat and silently wondered what hold Eve had over their boss. Gunn privately was racking his brain for any reference to any potential blackmail that the Senior Partners would have on Angel, but much to his consternation, he couldn't find anything.

"So what has the Senior Partners all upset, then?"

"Someone assisted a girl escaped from her psychiatric ward this evening. Her doctor, Doctor Rabinaw is a client of ours," Eve supplied.

"Of course, he is," Angel responded.

"Well, he's unlike lots of our clients in that he is human and is doing good for the mentally ill," Eve coolly said.

"Sure, I believe that. Do you believe that, guys?" Angel sarcastically asked Lorne, Fred, and Gunn.

Fred spoke up. "Who is the girl? Who helped her escape? Is she dangerous?"

"Short answer. Dana. That's your job to find out. Uncertain, but likely," Eve answered. "So get to it, team. The Senior Partners are highly interested in the return of our client's patient."

Eve strode out of the room, her shoes barely making marks in the carpet.

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

(Some warehouse near the docks)

Buffy had started having some serious misgivings as she listened to Dana wail and whimper and speak in different languages. She'd kept the number of guards to a minimum and made sure that at all times she was within eyesight of the girl. She had seen how the girl had been traumatized as a child, but what Doctor Rabinaw had been doing to her was equally as monstrous.

If Dana had received the proper care, nurturing and attention she had desperately needed all those years ago, Dana would probably have been recovered by now. Instead, she'd been subjected to experiments and forms of mental torture. Buffy knew that she and Spike were going to be the best caretakers for her now. Dana would get help, and they would support her completely.

However, Buffy knew that how Dana and Spike would meet had to be handled gently. Senaya and Tara had showed her why - the path of what was supposed to be and the murkiness of what could be. She witnessed with horror the events as they would have played out had they not intervened and how Spike would have been damaged from Dana's confusion and mania. With a mixture of shame and disgust, she watched how Andrew of all people took part in the aftermath.

In order to save both Dana's innocent soul and Spike from all that horror, she had to succeed. Failure was not an option. Like she'd told Robin Wood that fateful night in that shed with all the crosses, 'The mission is what matters.' Tonight, her mission was all about saving the man that held her heart and the sister Slayer who needed her most.

A flash of light in the window indicated that Spike had arrived at the warehouse. In preparation of his arrival and in order to mask her scent, Buffy had doused herself with what seemed like tons of some brew Clem gave her. If Spike somehow sniffed her under all that, more power to his vampyrific senses.

Dana had been positioned in front of the enormous window, with a clear view of Buffy hiding behind a stack of crates. Buffy had told Dana that she was playing Hide-and-Go-Seek and to not give her away. Dana had responded in a foreign tongue, and Bruce, another of Clem's associates, translated it for her.

"She said that Slayers do not hide from vampires."

"What language was that this time?" Buffy asked.

"Chinese," Bruce answered.

Buffy had surmised in the vision that Dana had projected the first Slayer that Spike had killed during the Boxer Rebellion. Buffy shook her head. As much as it worried her, they needed Dana to be that Slayer for the time being. "Not normally. We don't," Buffy told her in English.

Dana grunted and then her eyes became highly aware. Buffy sensed him too. Her vampire. Her Spike. She growled low in her throat, in an ancient language. Dana bowed her head in subservience to Buffy. Dana understood. No harm.

"Likin' the view, are we? What say we have a nice, quiet chat…about mistreating little girls…demon to demon," Spike announced, his melodic voice filling the room.

Buffy rolled her eyes. What in the hell had he been told about Dana? Did he think she was possessed? I love him, but sometimes he can be a little dense.

Dana grinned dangerously at Spike. She knew not to hurt the pretty vampire. He was for her Sister, but that didn't mean she couldn't have fun.

"What are you grinnin' at?" Spike asked.

Without warning, Dana flew into her attack. "Aaaieahh! Mmhh!" Unfortunately for her, Spike flung her across the room.

Buffy stifled a chuckle as Spike tried taunting the supposedly possessed girl. "Oh, yeah. Look at the big, bad demon hidin' inside the helpless little girl. Why don't you come on out of there, and let's have a proper go, mate?

Like a Weeble that wobbles but won't fall down, Dana popped right back up and picked up a shard of wood. She looked briefly at Buffy; the barest of nods reassured Buffy that Dana didn't mean any harm still. Although, the spirit of the Chinese Slayer was highly irate about that.

"Or you could do that," Spike responded to no one but himself.

Dana started swearing at him in Chinese.

Spike obviously recognized its origin, but had not a clue as to what she said. "Sorry, luv. I don't speak Chinese."

Buffy knew then that she had to make her presence known. Dana's eyes had flared with remembrance of those same words Spike had told a fallen Slayer all those decades ago. Before Dana could fling Spike out the huge window, Buffy stepped out from behind the crates and growled.

Dana immediately dropped Spike onto the floor and backed away. At first, Spike was too busy trying to get up to notice what had happened. He looked toward Dana with confusion. Then he followed the direction of Dana's eyes and discovered to his shock…

"Buffy?"

Buffy smiled and said, "Hello cutie."


Chapter Six - Reunion

Buffy absorbed Spike's completely stunned expression. He almost resembled a fish out of water. Confusion and an inkling of fear rested in his eyes. Any nagging concerns that she might have had about whether he'd hadn't contacted her because he no longer loved her evaporated in a heartbeat. His love still shone in his eyes, and it nearly took her breath away. She could literally kick her own ass for all those times that she'd denied his feelings.

Never again, Spike. I promise I'll never reject or deny your love for me ever again. Realizing that Spike might be thinking she was some illusion, she put on her determined face and decided to remedy his confusion quickly. She knew just the way to do it.

Walking over to Spike, she offered her hand to help him get to his feet. With some trepidation, Spike took her hand, and Buffy pulled him up and close to her. Breathing in his unmistakable scent, Buffy asked, "Miss me?"

Buffy watched as Spike's Adam's apple bobbed a few times. She wanted to nibble it, but she'd save that for later. She could tell that despite knowing that she was indeed real, Spike was having a hard time believing his eyes. Well, her poor vampire had been haunted by the First Evil in her visage and, of course, there was that time involving Faith. Poor guy. She understood his reluctance - her smell was wrong.

Buffy sighed as if she'd read his mind and answered his unspoken question. "It's really me, Spike. No one knows I'm here and I certainly don't want a certain other supposedly souled vampire from finding out. At least not yet. But, if you don't believe me, well then I can just go." She made a move as if to pull away.

Spike released her hand and grabbed her arms, crushing her to his chest. Buffy gasped in relief and shock. Spike arms! Arms of Spike!

He leaned down and sniffed her neck. After a few moments, Spike's head flew back and he studied her eyes. "Buffy?"

"Well, duh. Thought we covered that." She rolled her eyes.

Spike snickered. Before he could say anything more, she placed her fingers on his lips. She let them linger for a moment before removing them.

"Lots to tell you, but first you gotta do something for me," Buffy said, hoping her voice hadn't sounded too lusty.

"And what's that, love?"

God, how his voice affects me. "Kiss me, you idiot."

With a snarl that sounded like a combination of aggravation, relief, and happiness, Spike closed the distance between them and met her lips in a bruising kiss. Buffy felt like she died all over again - to be in his arms, kissing him…she'd dreamed of it, but had thought it would never happen again. Many a night she had cried herself asleep, because she'd been too gun shy and stubborn to take the actions she'd really wanted to take after he returned from Africa. Fear and her sense of duty to all the potential had caused her to keep him at arm's length - except for those all too few moments.

He broke their kiss, allowing her to breathe, but kept giving her feather-soft kisses on her cheeks, her eyes, her ears, her neck, and… "Whoa Spike. We're not alone, remember."

"Don't really care, love. You're really here. You came," Spike murmured. Then he looked at her funny, "How did you know? How long?"

Buffy laughed in happiness. "Like I said, I have lots to tell you, but to answer the most important question…I came as soon as I found out. I've not slept since. I've got jetlag like you wouldn't believe." She stopped and then playfully slapped his chest. "And why did I have to find out about your miraculous return from Tara and Senaya? Huh? Why?"

Spike had been so wrapped up in just watching her lips move and hearing her voice again that he almost missed what she actually said. He then studied her face and saw the beginnings of black circles under her eyes from fatigue. "Who's Senaya, pet? And Tara? Tell me."

"Oh, Senaya's the First Slayer. She and Tara gave me a little visit."

"What's this now?"

"Slayer dream. Now's not the time to go into it. It's a long story…well, not so long…but I hope it will have a happy ending. Of course, if you keep squishing me, there's a danger of that not happening," Buffy teased.

Relaxing his hold somewhat but not releasing her from his arms, Spike replied, "Sorry, love. You feel too good in my arms."

Buffy wrapped her arms around his torso and placed her head on his chest. "I know what you mean," she whispered. "Do you believe me now?"

Spike heard her little question and at first was confused as to what was he supposed to believe. Then understanding and awe swept across his chiseled features. He knew what she was referring to - what she'd last spoken to him in those final moments. Still, he had to get her to say it again. He didn't want to get it wrong.

"What's that, pet? You know I believe you. Always."

"Not always, Spike. You didn't…" Buffy sniffled in remembrance of all those nights she'd replayed that moment in her mind. 'No you don't, but thanks for saying it.'

Reluctantly picking her head off his chest, Buffy gazed into his eyes and said clearly and emphatically, "I…love…you…you idiot." She added that last part with a smirk.

Spike stuttered.

"And just where do you get off telling me I don't mean what I'm saying? Huh? Thought you were the one who knew me so well." Buffy had meant for that to come out playful, but she couldn't keep the tinge of sadness and anger from her voice.

"Buffy…love…didn't mean it. I'd hoped that you did, but had to get you out of there, now didn't I? Couldn't let you die again. Not because of me," Spike stammered.

"So, you believe me?" Buffy asked, pulling out all the stops, using her pout and weepy eyes.

"Say it one more time, like you said…I'm an idiot," Spike teased.

"I love you," Buffy happily responded.

"Oh, thank God!" Spike exclaimed before plundering her mouth anew.

Unfortunately, Dana started whimpering again, and Bruce emerged from the shadows. Bruce felt honored to have witnessed the tender reunion. Clem was right - Buffy wasn't like all the past Slayers. Bruce liked her, and he really didn't like humans all that much. Their skin was not an attractive blue. He imaged just for a moment what Buffy would like would blue skin. Beautiful. Lucky vampire.

"Excuse me, Buffy, but Miss Dana senses the arrival of others," Bruce stated. He'd felt them also, and hadn't wanted to interrupt, but now, matters demanded it.

Buffy reached out with her senses. With a frown, she broke from Spike's embrace. "It's Angel. We've got to go." She held out her hand for Spike to take it. "Come."

With his hand in hers, Buffy walked Spike slowly over toward Dana. "Spike, I'd like for you to meet Dana. She's a Slayer. I'm surprised you didn't sense it immediately what with your Slay-dar."

"Slay-dar, luv?" Spike quirked his eyebrow.

"Yes, Slay-dar. Whatever that radar is that you have for detecting Slayers," Buffy huffed. "Well, I thought it was cute."

"It is, pet. Very," Spike responded, leaning over and kissing her cheek.

Mollified, Buffy continued the introductions. "Dana." Dana focused her attention on Buffy. "Dana, this is Spike."

Dana's back straightened. Her visage changed. She looked tough now, in a more street-wise sense. "William."

Spike jerked in surprise. He recognized the voice immediately. "Nikki?"

Dana cracked a slow, wicked smile, and then just as quickly as she'd morphed into Nikki Wood, Dana reverted back to the scared little girl. Buffy smoothed Dana's hair and comforted her with their ancient tongue.

Spike watched in fascination as Buffy comforted the damaged Slayer. He hadn't a soddin' clue as to what they were saying to one another and he'd never known Buffy to be adept at languages - that had been Nib's forte - but whatever it was, it was calling to his demon. It sounded primal and beautiful, savage but civilized all at the same time. Without a thought, he began to respond to them in a language long forgotten but locked inside the essence of Spike's demon.

Both Buffy and Dana turned to Spike and responded in kind. A family of sorts was being formed, and history - both human and demon - had never bore witness to such an event. Bruce fought the desire to bow before the trio, because he had to keep his wits about him and get this precious family out of the warehouse before all hell broke loose.

Clearing his throat, Bruce interrupted one more time. All three eyed him with some annoyance. "I'm sorry, but we really have to get out of here. Unless, Buffy…you've decided to change the plans?"

Buffy shook her head, clearing out the euphoria she'd just experienced of sharing a familial connection with who she hoped would soon be her mate and her warrior sister. Clarity returned, and Buffy leaped into action. "Okay, thank you so much, Bruce. No changes to the plan."

Caressing both Spike's cheek and Dana's hair, Buffy told them, "It's time to go."

She gave Dana's hand to Bruce and told the girl, "Follow him."

"Let's go, Spike. I'll fill you in on everything on the way. Besides, we have some major catching up to do," Buffy hinted.

"Sure thing, Buffy." Spike watched Bruce lead Dana towards a hidden exit and asked, "Umm pet…who's this Bruce? And why does he resemble those blue aliens from Star Trek?"

"You mean the Andorians?" Buffy asked innocently.

With no limit to his surprise, Spike countered, "Since when do you know Star Trek, pet?"

"Oh, Andrew lives with Dawn and me in Rome. I think it's like absorbed or something. Oh and Bruce is a friend of a friend. He's from another dimension, got trapped here. He's sweet. You'll like him. Now, enough talk, move it mister."

Hand and hand they left the warehouse barely missing Angel and company's arrival.


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