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Chapter 59

“Don’t see what good this is going to do,” Spike grumbled.  “I say we just wait until Buffy gets back… or better yet, make the watcher do it.” 

“You are her husband.” 

“Yeah, and that’s going to go over well, too, now isn’t it.  Fuck, Doyle, the last time she saw me, I was leaning over her daughter intent on making her my third dead Slayer.  Got an axe to the head for my troubles.  Now you want me to… what?  Explain things to her?” 

“I don’t know, Spike.  Maybe you’re right.  This is a bad idea.  Forget I mentioned it. Blame it on the Lagavulin.  Good stuff always did go straight to my head.” 

Spike snorted but didn’t say anything in response, just veered off from his path to the Slayer’s house and started walking back towards home.  He’d not gone too far when he felt the presence of his grandsire lurking somewhere behind him.  Not that Spike had done anything to prevent it from happening.  Hell, he’d been hoping the git would confront him.  Needed the release their brief fight might grant him. 

And there’d been no doubt in his mind that there would be one.  Angelus would view Spike’s relationship with the Slayer as poaching on his property.  Not that Buffy had ever belonged to him, or anything – she’d been a virgin, and there’d been no bite marks.  At least none from the broody one.  No, Angelus was just a territorial bastard, and had some strange notion that the Slayer was his.  Not even the soul would be enough deterrent to keep the elder vamp from trying to ram home that fact to Spike. 

Try being the operative word. 

He stopped, a smirk transforming his sensual lips.  Doyle drew to a halt and looked at his friend, frowning upon seeing the vampire’s eyes alight with mischief.  

“Spike… what are you doing?” 

“Just a bit of family business to clear up,” he told the half-breed conversationally.  Then continued in a louder voice, sure enough to carry, “Isn’t that right, Angelus?” 

“Angelus?  What?” Doyle glanced around frantically for the souled vampire, and seeing no signs of Angel, looked pointedly at his friend.  “Spike, now is not the time...” 

“As if you could stop it.”  He turned around, and sure enough, the elder vampire was striding towards him.  Every step he made, the rigid set of his shoulders, conveying his rage.  Spike was surprised he wasn’t sporting his demon, given his obvious anger. 

“Spike…” Doyle tried again. 

“Look, this will be over in a minute.  Now step back out of the way before you get hurt.” 

Spike’s words to the Powers’ emissary were like salt to an open wound for Angel.  The stake was out of his pocket and he charged.  Fueled by his resentment at being usurped by the younger vamp, Angel’s brain shut down, allowing his emotions to rule his actions.  He wanted only to dust his descendent.  Wanted it so bad, he could practically taste it.  

How dare Spike take what was his! 

Spike caught a movement out of the corner of his eye.  Saw that it was Alric and gave a barely perceptible shake of his head – even as he twisted his body away from the intended blow and grabbed the wrist holding the stake.  In the blink of an eye, Spike had the wooden object out of his grandsire’s hand and gave a push to his back, sending Angel sprawling onto the ground.  

Angel’s eyes widened at how easily he’d been disarmed… again… but managed to recover enough that he rolled on the ground and was back on his feet in an instant, ready to take on his troublesome grandchilde once more. 

“Leave off, Angelus.  You can’t beat me.  I’m not him anymore.” 

The statement threw the elder vamp, causing him to pause in his attack.  “Not who?” 

“William.  Spike.  Take your pick.  I’m not the hotheaded, reckless vamp I used to be.  I won’t be cowered.  Not by you.  Not by anyone.  I’m master of my own clan now.  And you… you’re just a souled up pseudo-champion living off animal’s blood.” 

Angel growled, his eyes narrowing. 

“Do you really think you could take me when you couldn’t even defeat one of my own childer?”  Spike kept his eyes on the vampire in front of him and quietly spoke Alric’s name.  

Angel stared in disbelief as the vampire that had been with Buffy in the sewers stepped out of the shadows and joined Spike. 

“I thought I told you to stay in the warehouse,” Spike commented quietly – his words unrecognizable to either Angel or Doyle – once Alric stopped next to him. 

“I waited until the plane took off first.  I was on my way back to the warehouse when I saw doofus there following you.”  He inclined his head towards the seething vampire, who made no move to attack with both of them standing there.  “So, I followed him while he followed you.” 

“I knew he was there.  And as you can see, I have the situation well in hand.” 

“I know.  I came to watch.”  Alric winked and Spike laughed.  He so enjoyed his childe’s wit.  Sensing the half-breed’s regard, Spike sobered. 

“You both finished your pissin’ contest now?” Doyle asked, stepping away from the tree and walking across the grass towards Spike and Alric. 

“For now,” Spike allowed, switching back to English for the benefit of his friend.  “All depends on him.”  His gaze had yet to deviate from the elder vampire. 

Angel, seeing his chance to do away with Spike was now gone, turned and stalked off, his coat tails billowing out behind him. 

“Wanker,” Spike grumbled, starting towards the warehouse once more. 

“What’s a wanker?” Alric asked. 

“See you haven’t been in England of late,” Spike commented.  “Hmmm… how to translate…” 

Doyle held up his hand and interrupted the two.  

“What the hell are you guys talking about?  You know it’s rude to speak in a language not everyone can understand.” 

“Well, ‘m a bad, rude man,” Spike told him in English. 

“Oh, look who’s a comedian of a sudden.” 

Spike said something that Doyle didn’t catch, but figured it wasn’t very nice since Alric started laughing. He narrowed his eyes at the blond vampire, grumbling under his breath, “You’re lucky I like you, asshole.” 

~*~*~*~*~ 

Buffy watched over the three vampires as they slept in the plush chairs of the small jet.  Though the sun was high in the sky – a time she would normally be sleeping thanks to having spent so much time with Spike and the others – she found herself unable to close her eyes.  Marcus slept with his head in her lap, feet flung over the arm of his chair.  Renee was snuggled with her new childe, her arms wrapped protectively around the girl that bore such a striking resemblance to her friend.  Though they could have spread out and been more comfortable, the four huddled together in two sets of chairs facing the other, unwilling to be separated after so long of an absence – at least for the vampires it had been.  They needed the reassurance the touch of one of their family provided. 

Rather than wait for the cover of darkness to leave New York behind, it had been decided that they’d return to the airport right away and fly back to Sunnydale.  When Jocelyn woke, it would be around the entire clan.  With the decision made, it was an easy matter of Marcus incapacitating the security cameras to make good their escape without raising questions as to the undead girl’s state.  Then, rather than using the car they’d rented, the vampire had thought to show off his grand theft auto skills, stealing a car that would provide a more secure means of transportation in the daylight hours.  But at the Slayer’s protestation of not being able to drive, they’d put in a call to Adam to arrange for a limousine to pick them up at the hotel and see them back to the airport.  

They’d been in the air for almost six hours when the co-pilot left the cockpit to inform them of their descent into Sunnydale.  Marcus woke at the man’s arrival into the cabin and sat up, nodding at their trusted employee.  Renee and Jocelyn slept on until the plane actually touched down and pulled into a private hangar.  Even then, Buffy had to nudge her friend awake when the small plane rolled to a stop. 

Once the plane had been secured, the pilot came out to inform them of the car waiting to escort them home – that he’d received word from Adam while they’d been in the air, confirming its security.  Marcus thanked the man and told them that they’d be in touch –they weren’t sure how long they would be in Sunnydale.  

“I’ve got a mandatory down time.  FAA rules.  But, you know how to reach me if you need me beforehand.” 

“Thanks, Steve.”  Marcus shook the pilot’s hand and reached down and gently lifted Jocelyn out of Renee’s arms. 

Renee smiled her gratitude and followed behind the male vampire, linking her arm with Buffy’s as she went. 

“You should have slept,” Renee chided her friend, noticing the dark circles under her eyes. 

“I slept on the way out.  And, I can go back to bed once we’re home.” 

They descended the short flight of stairs and started walking across the cement slab towards the waiting vehicle.  

“I still can’t get over how alike in appearance you two are,” Buffy commented. 

“You!  You should have seen her, Buffy.”  Renee smiled fondly at the memory.  “Walked into the club like she owned the place.  Even seemed to recognize a few of the fledges casing the joint, too.  Thought it was just going to be a thing, ya know?  But then I finally got a look at her face… and I just knew.” 

“You’re truly happy then?” 

Renee nodded. 

“Then I’m happy for you.” 

“We’ll have to go back, Buffy.  I haven’t told you everything.  She knew about us…. Well, vampires at any rate.  She thinks… believes… that… she thinks my family, my human family, has been able to track me.  Jocelyn… she knows Travers.  Knows about the Council.  We’ve got to get those books back.” 

“Don’t worry, Renee.  We’ll get it sorted.”  Inside, Buffy was trying not to panic. 

“I hope so.  I don’t want our family at risk because of what she knows.  Or, who she is…” 

“Spike won’t let that happen.  Now stop worrying.  Come on, I’m sure the others are as anxious to see you as I was.” 

The two women climbed into the back of the waiting limousine, allowing the door to be shut behind them by the driver.  Jocelyn had been laid out on one seat, and Renee sat down there, lifting the girl’s head onto her lap.  Buffy plopped down next to Marcus and curled into his side. 

“Thanks for coming with me, Marcus,” she told him quietly.

Marcus slipped his arm around the Slayer’s shoulder and gave her a quick squeeze.  “As if you didn’t know you’ve got me wrapped around your finger, Buffy.” 

“Well, there is that.”  She grinned for a moment before her face grew serious once more.  “No more… promise me?” 

“No more what?” 

“I just… I don’t like it when we’re apart.  It doesn’t feel right.”  

“I know it doesn’t.  But—” 

“No buts, Marcus.  Please…” 

Marcus sighed.  

“I can’t promise you that.  We don’t have the sight,” he told her.  “We don’t know the future.  But you know we’d never willingly leave our sire’s side.” 

“I know. I’m being selfish… and unreasonable.” She paused, unsure how to proceed.  “I’m scared, Marcus,” she finally told him in a quiet voice, barely above a whisper.  

He felt her burrow closer to him, seeking his reassurance, and he tightened his grip on her shoulder.  

“What are you scared of?” 

“This.  Being back here.  What it means.  Why did we have to come back?” she asked, nearly in tears. 

“I don’t know the answers to that, Slayer.”  And Marcus didn’t.  Too many people knew about Buffy – about Spike – in this time.  Though no one knew about him and Spike’s other childer, or the fact that Spike was no longer considered a true Aurelian vampire, it was only a matter of time before others found out. 

Then how would they continue on as they were? 

~*~*~*~*~ 

Buffy wasn’t surprised to see Spike standing just inside the door as she walked inside.  She rushed forward, throwing herself in his arms. 

“Missed you, pet,” he murmured into her hair. 

“I was only gone about twelve hours,” she replied – her sassy tone belied the fact that she had a death grip on his neck.  “I missed you, too.” 

“See Renee brought someone with her,” Spike commented casually. 

Almost too casually, and Buffy lifted her head to glare at him. 

“You knew!”  Her anxiety over their situation was forgotten in light of her husband’s omission. 

“Well, of course I did.  Wouldn’t be her sire if I didn’t.” 

“And you didn’t tell me?”  Buffy frowned at her husband. 

“Wanted it to be a surprise.” 

He gaze swung towards the doorway as Marcus came in carrying Renee’s sleeping childe.  His eyes widened as he caught sight of the girl’s features. 

“Bloody hell,” he whispered. 

Marcus smirked at his sire.  “Yeah, that’s pretty much the consensus. ‘Bout threw me and Buffy for a loop.” 

“Me too,” Renee added as she hurried into the door behind him.  Though the entrance to the warehouse was completely covered in shadow, walking about in broad daylight never sat well with her demon.  “Is there some place I can take her?” 

Esme and Angelina both came forward.  “Come on,” Angelina commented, trailing a hand down along her mate’s cheek in welcome.  “We’ll show you.” 

Buffy tried to hide her yawn behind her hand, but Spike saw it anyway. 

“Come on, luv.  Let’s get you to bed.” 

“Sire!” Adam’s voice called out.  “Think you might want to see this.” 

Spike walked with Buffy over towards the monitors.  He saw who was slowly walking up to the Slayer’s house and couldn’t help muttering, “Better him than me.” 

“Spike!”  Buffy’s hand tightened reflexively around Spike’s.  “Oh my god!  My mom!  She’s—” 

“It’s alright, pet.  Think your watcher is there to explain things to her.” 

“Giles?  Why would he… how does he…” 

“Hey, Buffy.” 

“Doyle,” she greeted at the half-breed’s approach, her voice gruff as she struggled with her English for his benefit.  Then as she put his sudden appearance together with Giles’ appearance at her mother’s front door, her eyes narrowed in understanding.  “You told him, didn’t you?  Why?” 

“Sorry, Buffy.  And don’t look at me like that,” he added at her hurt expression.  “It’s not like I have any say so in the matter.” 

Spike mumbled something that sounded like him not being the only one led about on a string. 

“If anyone’s going to be able to get your ‘mom’ to understand, it’ll be Giles,” he whispered quietly for her benefit, not that Doyle would understand what he’d said, even if he could hear.  Spike wasn’t quite ready to let his friend off the hook for one, telling his grandsire about him and his childer, and two, for not letting him finish what the other started earlier – not to mention the fact that he was going to have to put up with the git once this proposed “reunion” took place. 

Buffy watched the monitor as Giles fidgeted on the front porch for a moment, apparently working up his nerve to ring the doorbell.  She noticed a few books under his arm – ammunition, no doubt, to get her mother to believe him. 

“She’s probably wondering where I am,” Buffy commented almost to herself.  “Spike…” 

“You want to call her?” he guessed. 

She looked up to see his guarded expression, and she nodded.  

“Alright, luv.  Adam, get her a secure phone.  I don’t want any traces.”

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