Tempus de Muto

by Schehrezade

Disclaimer: They ain't mine but I gets to play with them!!
Feedback: As a first time writer, I would love input. It's a drug that I could become addicted to! Drop me a note at
schehrezade_1@hotmail.com
Rating: PG15 for now will vary from chapter to chapter. Will always put in a warning.
Dedications: To Tales, cos I wouldn't be writing without her prodding. You're my muse girl!! Madame Draco my Beta. Thank you for all the hard work and patience. A true gem!

Chapter 22

“Remind me why were doing this, pet?” Spike whispered to Buffy as he gazed out of the window. His hands were clenched around the armrests as he watched Los Angeles disappear below him.

“For Dawn,” Buffy whispered back. Her left hand rested gently on Spike’s tense forearm. A faint smile lingered on her full lips.

“Right, that’s it.” Spike tried to smile but failed. All he could think about was the plane lifting off Terra Firma.

Tara laid her right hand over Spike’s clutching fingers and gave them a gentle squeeze. She gave him a lopsided grin and then rested her head on his shoulder. “You okay?”

Spike tilted his head and rubbed his cheek against the top of Tara’s head. He glanced over out the window and froze in surprise. The plane was in the clouds. “Blimey!” he hissed.

Buffy rested her head on his shoulder and patted his forearm soothingly. “It’s okay, we’ll be all right…”

Spike closed his eyes, “s’not natural flyin…” he grumbled.

Spike ignored the two women giggling on either side of him.

“Man, you are sooo old!” Buffy teased trying to ease Spike’s nerves.

“Spike, haven’t you ever flown before?” Tara asked curiously.

“Nope. Strictly cars and boats until now, was always the problem of not being able to protect myself from the sun. That and Dru, never trusted her to behave on a plane.” Spike shuddered at the thought of Dru on a plane. A faint memory tickled at the edges of his mind. “Oh, was on a submarine once, with Granddad, back in the day.” He smirked at the memory of the two vamps Angel had dusted. ‘What a couple of nits!’ He was amazed that they had survived as long as they had…

“Submarine? When?” Buffy’s curiosity was aroused. She also wanted to distract Spike. She slipped her hand over Spike’s, which was gripping the hand rest and squeezed it gently.

“Was back during the last war…”

“Which one?” Tara interrupted Spike. “The Boer War?” she teased.

“Oh ruddy funny! Thinks she’s a comedian now! World War 2, was invited to a party,” Spike avoided mentioning the Free Virgin Blood party, because he knew both of his girls would laugh at him for his idiocy and then smack him for being evil; he was cautious about revealing much about his past as he didn’t want to remind Buffy of what he had been and done

‘Bloody ugly Virgins and hardly that, were they, Spike m’boy?’ He thought wryly. ‘But the jacket had been right smart…’

“How did you get from a party to a Submarine with Angel?” Buffy was fascinated; she tried to imagine the two of them in such a claustrophobic atmosphere. “Did you fight each other? Was there oil?”

“Actually, no…we worked together to do in the Nazis and get the sub back to the States.” Spike smirked at the open mouthed stare Buffy gave him. “Wot is it about you and oil, luv?” Spike arched his eyebrow at Buffy

Buffy ignored his last comment with a sniff, “you fought the Nazis with Angel?” she asked.

“Actually fought em before Peaches and I were stuck in the sardine can, I’m British,” Spike answered defensively.

“But you were a bad boy then?” Buffy teased.

“Yeah, but those German pillocks were the enemy, Dru and I had a grand time behind enemy lines.” Spike smiled nostalgically at the hunts he and his Dark Princess had been involved with.

“But…”

“Hush luv, lemme tell you some stories,” Spike released his death grip on the seat’s arm and turned his hand and linked fingers with Buffy. For the next few hours he entertained Buffy and Tara with his exploits during the 40s. Both girls exchanged knowing grins, glad that they had managed to distract Spike from his fear of flying.

***********

“You think they’ll be okay?” Connor squinted through the gates, trying to catch a glimpse of the three blondes as they disappeared onto the plane.

“I’m sure they’ll be fine Connor. Come on, lets get back to the hotel and see how your dad’s doing,” Fred wrapped her arm around Connor’s thin shoulders. She knew he didn’t want them to go, not so soon after discovering them and bonding with all of them. Spike and Buffy’s vibrancy had brought Connor to life. He had started to come out of his shell with their teasing and camaraderie, his sullenness had been replaced with smiles and he had cautiously began to step out of his room to interact with the others in his family. Fred looked down at Connor and gave him a squeeze, something he had never allowed her to do before.

“I’ll miss Tara, she was really nice to me,” Connor whispered as he scuffed the toe of his boot on the floor. He had found Tara’s presence comforting, almost motherly. He hated that she was so distressed by Willow and wanted to help, but instinctively knew that she had to face this rite of passage herself.

Angel had been unable to leave his bed to see off his newly reclaimed Childe, Buffy and Tara. They had said their farewells at the hotel and left with Angel’s warning of being careful and not to trust anyone ringing in their ears. The dark haired vampire had made them promise to call for anything.

With one last look at the plane taxiing away Fred, Gunn and Connor exited LAX and headed back to the Hyperion.

***********

Wes flipped through the photocopied pages of the Codex.

“Find anything new?” Anya asked from her position behind the cash till.

“Nothing much, there is a reference to a text, which unfortunately the Council have the only surviving copy of…”

“Really?” Anya slipped round and clattered over to the research table. “May I?” She sat down and frowned at Wes’s cramped notes, “I might be able to find it in another dimension. You never know.”

“Indeed,” Wes slipped the relevant papers over to Anya.

She sat down and began to read the translated Codex. A faint frown of concentration marred her forehead. Wes surreptitiously watched the ex-demon read.

“Hey there, Ahn.” Xander entered the Magic Box and jogged down to the table. “Watcher Man,” he nodded to Wes and sat down. Xander stared at Anya waiting for her to respond, his grin faltered when she glanced up and nodded at him with a small smile, before turning back to the papers.

Xander visibly deflated. He had decided to try and be happy Xander – despite their being on a break. The wave of relief that had flooded him when he and Anya had talked had surprised him, but he realised she had been right. But after a nights sleep he was unsure – he wanted her. He knew he was wavering from one extreme to the next, but he couldn’t help it…

Wes watched the byplay between the two estranged lovers, unsure what to say. He and Groo had been unwilling witnesses to their mutual decision to take things slow. He had been mildly surprised that Anya had returned her engagement ring to Xander. From what he had deduced, Anya had placed great stock in their engagement. But she had realised belatedly that Xander’s proposal had been impulsive and he had not thought through the ramifications. It had been the support of Tara, Dawn and Buffy that had given her the strength to step back before either of them had been hurt or destroyed by their actions. Unknown to Wesley, it had also been his and Groo’s friendship that had helped Anya to be strong enough to realise that she and Xander were ‘rushing in where angels feared to tread’.

Xander had been visibly relieved when she had returned his ring. His poorly concealed relief had caused Anya’s mouth to tighten briefly and she had realised that like her, Xander was not ready to get married. She had managed to remain civil towards him since their dramatic decision. The ex-demon had mourned their parting and was gradually getting better, from her talks with Wes and Groo she had realised it would take time, but she would be all right.

They both would be.

Xander on the other hand had started to regret that he had accepted the ring back and was hoping to rekindle their relationship. But he wasn’t having much success, unlike the Slaying. He, Groo and Wes had patrolled every night and were keeping a handle on the demon and vamp situation in Sunnydale. Xander was amazed at the energy that Buffy had, going out there every night and fighting for no reason except it was the right thing to do…her calling.

He even had admitted to himself that Spike was a big help. Xander had never thought that he would have a positive thought about the blond vamp. Xander smiled to himself, ‘watch out, Xanman. You might be growing up here…’ he grudgingly admitted to himself. He knew that he and Spike wouldn’t be bestest pals, but if the peroxide menace came back, they might eventually become reluctant allies. Especially if the Buffster decided to carry on seeing the Chipless Wonder…

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

“He made you swim twenty miles?” Tara’s voice was filled with shock. “But you could’ve been incinerated by the sun!”

Spike tapped her nose gently, “yeah, I could’ve been, but I’m a tough bastard.”

“What happened to the other vamp? The one Angel turned.” Buffy was in shock. Angel had turned someone when he had a soul. She never thought he would’ve done that. She sighed as another scale dropped from her eyes. ‘It sucks growing up…’ she pouted.

Spike watched the play of thoughts that ran across Buffy’s face; he knew that Angel turning the Submarine Boy would be another shock, but he knew that she could cope. “Dunno what happened to the fledge, never even caught his name.”

Tara yawned and rested her head against the window.

“Tired, Colomba?”

She nodded sleepily.

“Get some shut eye, luv.” Spike turned to Buffy, “you too, Sunshine.”

Buffy curled up against his side. During Spike’s storytelling she had pushed the dividing arm up so that she could get closer to her vamp. Nudging her head against his shoulder Buffy sighed happily. Despite all the recent upheaval, leaving Sunnydale, LA and heading to London, she was content. Spike was next to her and his familiar scent lulled her off into the land of nod.

Spike glanced over at Tara who was snoring softly and his harsh features softened. Resting his head on Buffy’s he exhaled loudly and stretched his legs out as far as he could. Still hated flying but the scent of his girl flooded his senses and it calmed him. He snuffled his nose into her hair and sighed happily.

Within moments he was asleep.

**********

“Dad?” Connor nudged the door open and peeked into Angel’s room.

“Come in, son.” Angel gingerly pushed himself up and rested against the headboard of his bed. He gestured for Connor to come join him. “They get off safely?”

Connor nodded as he settled on the bed. “Yeah, was kinda sad seeing them go…” he sighed. Connor had gotten used to having the dynamic couple being around; Buffy and Spike had accepted him as family without question. Something he had not known he craved. He had been intrigued with their energy and obvious love for each other. He and Spike had become close in the few short days that the vampire had been around. When they had left, Spike had promised to return and show Connor the sights and demons of Sunnydale. Connor had been intrigued by the idea of a Hellmouth and was itching to visit.

Connor had also enjoyed Tara’s gentle nature and her company, in just a few days she had mothered him and won his heart. It was through her astute questioning that he had finally revealed that he wanted to go to school, mix with normal kids and just belong. Something that Connor had never had during his stint in Quortoth. The three Sunnydale natives had managed in just a short time to turn his life around and show him that there was more to living than the constant fight. There was school, friends and family.

But most importantly Spike had returned his father to him. For that alone Connor owed him a debt that he could never repay. He felt that persuading Spike to get the chip out had gone a long way in covering his debt, but Connor wanted more for his pseudo Nephew

“You okay?” Angel folded his arms across his chest and frowned at his silent son. He could see that something was bothering him.

“What? Oh yeah, I’m fine. Just miss them and I wanted to do something to help…”

Angel reached out and gripped Connor’s arm. “You did help, and don’t worry about them, Spike’ll keep them safe.”

Connor nodded, “yeah, he can now. Weird thing is, I should be staking vamps and not releasing them into the wild. Holtz must be turning in his grave!”

Angel grimaced at the memory of Holtz for a brief moment and then grinned again. “We did the right thing. I never thought I’d say this, but Spike’s changed, he’s…”

“Fighting for the good guys,” Connor interrupted with a grin.

Angel nodded, “yeah, who woulda thought?”

“Seems like the love of a good woman put him on the right track.” Connor replied.

Angel waited for the expected pang of pain at his son’s words and was surprised that it was faint and bearable. “Buffy is amazing.”

“Yeah, she is. I like her,” Connor added.

“I noticed,” Angel teased.

“Not like that, yeesh, she’s family, that’s gross!” Connor flushed red.

“She is family, isn’t she?” Angel grinned at his embarrassed son. Angel was thrilled that he was free from his watery prison and able to tease his son.

“Like Spike?” Connor hesitantly asked.

Surprisingly, Angel nodded, “yes, like Spike.”

“Spike’ll be able to protect Tara now right? Cos I wouldn’t want anything to happen to her, she was good to me. Healed me and helped me…”

“Connor, it’s okay. Spike will bring them both back safely…” Angel blinked his eyes and then his body jerked backwards. A raft of images filled his mind.

Buffy and Spike fighting in a cemetery.

Tara and Willow arguing angrily. The Red-headed Wiccan had black eyes.

Incredible pain and then nothing.

A complete blackness that filled his mind.

“Ahh…” Angel yelled as his brain overloaded and he jolted backwards, away from Connor’s grasping hands.

“Dad! Dad? Are you okay?” Connor yelled. He grabbed for Angel’s convusingly body. He turned his head towards the door. “Somebody help us!”

There was a clatter of feet as Gunn, Fred and Lorne rushed into the suite. They all screeched to a halt at the sight of Angel’s spasming body.

“Oh my…” Fred whispered.

“Angel?” Gunn stepped forward.

“Is he having a vision? You know, like Cordy did…uh does…” Lorne’s red eyes flickered from Connor to Angel.

Angel groaned and sat up. He let Connor steady him. Rubbing his head he looked up at his friends. “Ouch…what happened?”

“You okay Dad?”

“I’m all right, Connor.” Angel squeezed Connor’s shoulder as he pulled himself up.

“What happened?” Fred asked nervously. “Cos you kinda looked like Cordy did when she had a vision.”

Angel paled even more, when the ramifications of what had happened sunk in. “I saw Buffy and Spike fighting, Tara and Willow yelling at each other…then there was great pain and blackness. I think…I had a vision.”

Lorne sipped from his ever-present glass, “but, if you’re having visions, then that might mean…” he trailed off, not wanting to be the one to voice what everyone else was thinking.

“It means that Cordy isn’t coming back,” Angel whispered. “Not if I’m…”

“A seer?” Fred asked anxiously.

***********

Xander squinted through his fringe and slipped the stake he had tucked into his waistband out and held it loosely in his hand. He could see Wes’s crossbow peeking over the edge of the Mausoleum- the Watcher had taken the higher spot for this ambush. Groo was stationed across from Xander; they were waiting for a group of vamps that had sired several fledges and buried them in one spot. Clem had overheard them celebrating their newest additions to the family and had called Groo immediately. The saggy skinned demon was unsure as to how many – only that there were a lot.

‘Man, this is when we need Buffy and Spike!’ Xander thought ruefully. When ten vampires appeared in the cemetery and headed noisily over to the freshly interred graves yelling and shouting as they stumbled drunkenly around the tombstones. ‘At least Clem managed to get them drunk for us.’ The wrinkly demon had offered to buy the vamps a few rounds of drinks to help out.

The vamps arrived and were standing in the centre of the trap set by the three men..

There was a whiz and thunk as Wes fired off his first shot. One of the vamps dissolved into dust – the others were too drunk to notice. Not until Groo appeared and decapitated two of them in one swing.

Xander leapt out with a yell and staked one in the back.

The fight continued for a few minutes. Wesley’s accurate shots taking out any of the vampires who tried to sneak up behind Groo or Xander.

‘Oh man, I am gonna feel this in the am!’ Xander thought as his head cracked into a tombstone. He felt blood seep down his face as he pushed himself up and turned to stake his attacker. He could see Groo slicing and dicing to his left and Wesley was now standing up and firing at the remaining vamps. Within moments they were all dust.

“Xander, are you okay?” Wesley called as he climbed down from the mausoleum.

Xander mopped the cut with his sleeve, “yeah, I’ll fine, thanks man.”

“Well fought my friends,” Groo added gravely as he scanned the mounds to see if there was any movement.

“Heads up, guys, here come the baby vamps!” Xander warned as the first of the fledges began to push it’s way through the dirt covering it.

***********

Spike woke when the airhostess appeared with their breakfast; he and the girls had managed to sleep for about seven hours.

He nudged Buffy awake and helped her sit up. Both of them were cramped and achy from their awkward positions. Both of them unused to being so still for so long – they were active beings and being cramped up in such a small space was wearing on them. Spike was also suffering from sexual frustration, being this close to his Slayer and not being able to play was driving him batty, but out of respect for Colomba he had reigned in his raging libido and been a gent. It didn’t help when he had a warm sleepy Slayer draped over him but he had managed.

Tara yawned and stretched and gratefully accepted the tray from the airhostess with a smile.

“What is this?” Buffy prodded at her scrambled eggs and wrinkled her nose. Dropping her fork she grabbed her orange juice and gulped it down.

“How much longer to till we land?” Spike asked as he accepted his tray of food.

“A few hours, Sir. Would any of you like coffee or tea?” the Barbie wanna be asked perkily.


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

Xander chopped off the head of the final fledgling as it was pulling itself out of the ground. “It’s fun getting them before they can kick the crap outta me!” he exclaimed as he handed the sword back to Groo.

Wesley smiled over at Xander as he slung his crossbow over his shoulder. “Yes, infinitely more preferable!” He chuckled at Xander, finding a camaraderie with the remaining original Scoobie- both of them had initially been useless in a fight, but with time and practise they had improved.

“You both acquitted yourselves admirably, my friends!” Groo smiled broadly. “So, shall we retire? It looks like the sun will be rising soon.”

The other two nodded and they joined Groo as he headed out of the cemetery.

Xander rolled his shoulders and tried to ease the tension across them. The fight had helped put Anya out of his mind for a while, but now as he walked, he began to dwell on her again. Looking down he noticed his shoelace had come undone in the scuffle. He knelt and quickly tied it. He glanced up to call to the others to wait for him and his eyes widened in shock. He leapt up, “NO!”

Throwing himself at Wesley, he managed to push the startled man aside and into Groo, they fell in a tangle of arms and legs.

Xander threw himself at the massive warty, stinky demon, which had nearly killed Wesley with his claws and wrestled with him. Xander felt a burning sensation in his back and gritted his teeth. He swung a punch at the olive skinned demon and caught it in the temple, or what he thought was its temple. A jolt of pain shot up his arm; Xander groaned and tried to pull away from the demon’s arms but failed as it held him tight.

Xander grunted as the demon arms banded around his back; he could feel his ribs move and wondered briefly how much it would hurt if he broke all his ribs in one go.

Wesley and Groo managed to untangle themselves and launched an attack at the hulking demon, which seemed to be holding Xander in a not so friendly bear hug. Its claws were embedded in Xander’s back and blood was pouring down his legs and pooling at his feet.

Groo ran around to the back of the demon and swung his sword at its head. Wesley reached for Xander and tried to pull him free, but the demon’s claws were too deeply embedded. His hands scrabbled at the demon’s blood soaked claws. Xander slumped in its grip, finally succumbing to the bliss of unconsciousness.

Suddenly Xander was in Wesley’s arms and the demon’s head flew off to the right.

Xander’s eyes fluttered open and a lopsided grin ghosted over his lips. “Ow?” With that he passed out…

*********

“Ladies and Gentleman, please return your seats to the upright position and ensure that your seatbelts are secured and you have returned you seats to the upright position. We are approaching London Heathrow. The weather forecast for London is cloudy and the temp is 15 degrees.”

Spike snorted and woke. He yawned and stretched. He ran is hand over Buffy’s fair head, she was curled up awkwardly on her chair with her head in his lap. “Wake up, luv,” he whispered.

“Mmmm,” Buffy sat up and stretched. She smoothed her hair down and smiled sleepily at Spike. “You okay?”

“Yeah, pet, I’m okay.” Spike reached over and poked Tara in the side, “up and at em, Colomba.”

Tara batted Spike’s finger away and opened her eyes, giving him the hairy eyeball. “You always so cheerful when you wake up?”

“Yeah, he is,” Buffy grumbled good-naturedly as she poked Spike hard in the ribs. “Leave Tara alone, Spikey!”

Spike squirmed away from the tiny Slayer fingers that were drilling into his side. A sound that suspiciously resembled a giggle escaped his lips. “Gerroff Slayer, or I’ll check if the chip really is out!”

Tara’s eyes widened. “You mean, you haven’t tried out your freedom?”

Spike and Buffy exchanged sheepish looks.

“Well, we were going to then something came up,” Buffy explained.

“Too right something came up,” Spike ran his tongue along the back of his teeth and smirked at Buffy, who blushed bright red.

“So Fred and I de-chip you and then the two of you stayed in bed for the last three days?” Tara asked in an awe filled voice.

Spike ran his fingers over the completely healed patch on his head; “she wanted to play nurse…” he trailed off suggestively with a wicked glint in his blue eyes.

“Hey, less with the sharing, chipless!” Buffy gently thumped Spike on the shoulder.

“And you didn’t have a nibble?” Tara examined Buffy’s neck for bite marks.

Spike cracked his neck and looked down his nose at Tara- he tried to look angry but failed miserably. He couldn’t get mad at his girl; he smiled at Tara, “wouldn’t bite my Slayer unless she asked me too.”

Buffy laced her fingers through Spike’s and squeezed gently. “Love you too, Spike.” She leant over and pressed a gentle but lingering kiss to his full lips.

Tara reached over and rubbed Spike’s curly head. “You’re a true gentleman, Spike.”

Spike broke his kiss and rolled his eyes at Tara. “Am not.”

“Are too!” Tara teasingly replied.

“Am not!” Spike rumbled

“You so are!” Buffy added her two pennyworths.

Spike sighed and looked down into Buffy’s hazel eyes and sighed. “Well, I’m trying too…”

“You can disembark now.” A stewardess stepped up to their seats and smiled at the three travellers.

“We’ve landed already?” Spike craned his neck and stared out at the tarmac. “That’s bloody brilliant! Didn’t even feel a thing!” He unbuckled his seatbelt, reaching over he undid Buffy’s and Tara’s and helped them to their feet. “Ladies, shall we?”

With that the three blonds exited the plane.

*********

“So what now?” Buffy wilted against Spike as she stared at the long queue at the taxi rank. Tara sat tiredly on their luggage, her chin resting in her hand.

“We get a cab.” Spike wrapped his arm around Buffy’s waist and held her against his hip. “Come on, girls.” He pulled Tara to her feet and grabbed the three rucksacks and shouldered them easily. He pulled Buffy along and they joined the queue. “You know, I never had to get in line when I was the Scourge of Europe,” Spike muttered to Buffy.

The couple standing in front of them turned around and stared at Spike. Taking in his punk outfit and the two girls hanging on his arms they blinked and smiled weakly before turning back. “These British types are weird,” the man hissed at his wife in a strong German accent.

Buffy rolled her eyes at her preening Vampire.

Half an hour later Spike pulled open the door to the black cab and helped the two tired girls into it’s depths.

“Where to, mate?” the cab driver called through the glass partition.

“Avonmore Hotel, West Ken,” Spike called back as he settled back with a groan.

“Right you are…” with that the cab shot forward and pulled out into the traffic. “Posh digs that place, nice and central,” the driver threw over his shoulder as he pulled onto the M4 and began to weave through the traffic.

Tara gripped onto the strap and watched wide eyed as the countryside flashed past at an alarming speed. Buffy pressed her face against the glass and squeaked at the lush green landscape. “It’s so green!”

“Sure is, miss. You American?” The driver called through the intercom as he deftly dodged past a lorry with a dramatic swerve.

Buffy slammed into Spike and steadied herself on his thigh. “Yup, all American gal here.”

“First time in the UK?”

“Yeah, William here is British though.” Buffy pointed at the now dozing Spike

“That right?”

Buffy nodded.

“You should get him to take you on the London Eye, you get a fab view of the Old Smoke if the weather’s good,” the cabbie suggested as he hurtled down the motorway.

“We’ll try.” Buffy smiled at the friendly driver and turned back to look out of the window. In the distance she could see buildings. “That London?”

“Outskirts of, love. Gets more interesting further in,” the driver supplied as he pulled onto the flyover.

A large orange neon sign flashing the time and the local temperature whizzed past Buffy’s eyes.

***********

“Wake up guys, we’re here!” Buffy bounced excitedly. Her eyes were wide as she stared out at the row of Victorian buildings. The Hotel was painted white and had a flag flying from the balcony. “Wow!”

The cabbie pulled in and turned to smile at the excited blonde. “You like the look of it?” he gestured to the buildings.

Buffy nodded. “Yeah, it’s lovely here.”

Spike woke with a snort, “we there yet?”

“Jet lag getting to you?” Buffy teased.

Spike reached into his duster and pulled out a handle full of notes and handed them through the partition. “Thanks, mate.” He turned to Tara and prodded her gently, “Glinda, wake up, we’re here.”

Buffy waved as the friendly cabbie pulled away, before turning and following Spike and Tara up the set of stairs. She bumped into Tara who had stopped to stare at the Antique decorated reception. The two girls exchanged awe-filled looks. Spike sauntered over to the desk and spoke to the concierge.

“It’s gorgeous!” Tara whispered unnecessarily.

“Come on doves, our rooms are ready.” Spike came over and offered his arms to the two women and they followed the bellboy up the wide stairs.

Buffy tripped over her feet as she stared up at the massive rock crystal chandelier that hung over their heads. Spike caught her before she face planted into the carpet. “Eyes forward luv.”

***********

“Get some sleep, Tara, and we’ll see you in the am.” Spike placed the Wiccans’ rucksack inside the door to her room. “We’re across the hall from you if you need anything.” Spike nodded and disappeared out into the hall.

Tara shrugged off her coat and collapsed on the large four-poster bed. The minute her head hit the pillow she was fast asleep.

Buffy turned from the open window and smiled at Spike as he shut the door behind him. “Tara okay?”

“Fast asleep, as you should be.” Spike pulled off his duster and tossed it onto the Louis XVI armchair. He looked around the lavishly decorated room, “nice digs…”

“It’s stunning,” Buffy breathed.

“Only the best for you, my love.” Spike wrapped his arms around her small form and lifted her up. “Come on, lets get you to bed.”

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