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Chapter 63

“Does this have something to do with why Giles hasn’t pushed me about seeing Willow and Xander these last few days?”  Especially given that the first day Giles had been brought here with her mother, he’d made a point of telling her how much her friends – and Angel – had missed her. 

Spike noticed that she didn’t seem too upset over that fact. 

“Can’t put anything past you, can I, luv?” 

Buffy caught his petulant frown out of the corner of her eye and couldn’t help but snort in exasperation.  After seventy-five years spent in the company of the vamp, there wasn’t much, if anything, that got by her.  She knew when he was thinking heavily on a subject, especially when it pertained to one of his own.  Even more so when it had to do with her specifically. 

She got up and resettled herself on his lap, oblivious to her nakedness – though she did notice the slight flaring of Spike’s nostrils that the action elicited.  Not to mention the growing bulge beneath the towel still slung about his hips.  She smiled knowingly as his hands settled on her bare hips; it never failed to thrill her how fervent his response was to her nearness.  But, right now they needed to talk; play time could come later. 

“I don’t know why you bother trying to keep things from me,” she told him, wrapping her arms loosely about his neck.  Her hazel eyes grew suddenly serious.  “It’s not like I don’t know when you’re up to something.  Hell, Spike…after seventy-five years, I wouldn’t be much of a wife if I didn’t know.” 

Spike sighed.  He lifted one hand to trail lightly over the mark he’d given her, the one that made her his.  Her eyes closed and she leaned into his touch. 

“These marks mean you’re mine, Buffy.  Mine to look after, to protect,” he told her. 

“I know…” Her eyes opened again.  “But that doesn’t mean that I can’t be privy to your plans.  You know I’m going to find out soon enough anyway.  What?  Do you think I’ll challenge your decisions?” 

The look in his eyes – before he quickly masked it – seemed to say as much. 

“I’ve never once—” 

Spike quirked a brow, choking off the rest of her retort. 

“Oh, come on.  That doesn’t count.  And, that wasn’t a decision you’d made, so much as me seeing things to their natural progression.  It was long overdue… and you can’t tell me that once I forced your hand you weren’t happy with the results.” 

“Stubborn wench,” he grumbled. 

“Stubborn being the key word, not challenging.  You can’t tell me since that night that I’ve ever… don’t look at me like that.”  

Her brows drew together, mimicking his frown of earlier.  The vamp was being deliberately obtuse, and here she was trying to be serious. 

“Fine… if you want to be that way…” 

She made to get off his lap, but his arms tightened around her waist. 

“Let me up,” she growled, narrowing her eyes.  

“No.” 

His smug look in the face of her righteous anger just fueled her ire.  “Dammit, Spike.”  She struggled to get free, pushing her hands against his chest, but it didn’t do a damn bit of good – he wasn’t going to let her go until he wanted to.  Glaring at him for his high-handedness, she crossed her arms over her chest and waited. 

And waited… 

“I’ll forgive you the situation with Renee, but no, you’ve never deliberately challenged my decisions.” 

“Then why—” 

“The watcher’s made me see that… as much as I know that you’re happy being with me, with us, some part of you needs your human family.  I had to see for myself before I sought your input on the matter.”

“Then why all this talk of killing me off?” 

“Because I don’t like to think what the Council would do if they found out you’re damn near immortal.  Let’s face it… Slayers live on borrowed time.  Without me, you would have had what?  Maybe a year?  Two tops?”  He avoided mentioning the things he’d seen, thanks to Doyle’s interference, that she’d ended up being one of – if not the – longest lived Slayers.  Like the half-breed had said at the time, the visions were for his benefit alone.  “It’s better this way.  Rupert is inclined to agree.  In fact, he’s become adamant.  Doesn’t trust them for some reason… though he wouldn’t say why.” 

“Oh, so, it’s Rupert now?” Buffy smiled. 

“He’s not so bad as long as your mum’s about.  And, if you bloody well tell him that I’ll bite you.” 

“But you always bite me, baby,” the Slayer teased. 

Spike made to lunge for her neck, but Buffy stopped him. 

“Uh uh… I want details,” she giggled, pushing him away from her. 

“Well, hell,” he pouted. 

“Hey…serious time, remember?  Killing me, big reunion… ringing any bells?” 

So Spike told her.  Told her of the plan both he and the watcher had come up with, right down to the big bad she was set to go up against in a few days.   

“You’ll meet the other Slayer tomorrow night, do a few patrols, lay the ground work, so to speak.  Watcher thinks you should stay with your mum for a few days… appearances and whatnot.  Your mates have been led to believe that you’ve come down with something and she’s managed to hold them off thus far.  But…” 

“Alright.” 

Buffy didn’t like it.  But, if it was what needed to be done, she’d do it.  It was only for a few days.  Besides which, she knew it was doubly hard on the vampire on whose lap she was now ensconced.  And, there was that whole non-challenging thing she had to consider. 

“When?” she asked. 

“Promised her I’d have you there before sunup.” 

~*~*~*~*~ 

Buffy sat, curled up on the couch beneath a down comforter, staring mindlessly at the television across the room.  By all rights, she should be upstairs asleep – she’d lost count of the number of times she’d yawned into her hand already. 

Her mom was in the kitchen.  The fragrant smell of coffee as it was being brewed drifted out of the room, and the Slayer hoped it was the good stuff; she was going to need it if she was about to be invaded by her friends. 

“A lot of cream and two sugars, just like you like it,” Joyce told her daughter as she walked into the room and handed her the overlarge mug. 

“Thanks, mom.” 

The elder Summers smiled at her daughter. 

“I’ve got to get ready for work.  I expect both Willow and Xander here shortly.” 

“I can’t believe you’re condoning them skipping school.” 

“It was that, or force you to go.” 

Buffy mentally shuddered.   

“But, since I’d already informed Principal Snyder you were most likely going to be out the entire week…” 

“Good idea.”   

Buffy took a sip of her coffee and sighed happily at the extra-strong brew.  A few more cups of this and she’d be able to last until at least lunchtime.  Having kept vampire hours for so long, this being awake during the day really sucked. 

“You’ll be alright here?  I rented a bunch of movies… I wasn’t exactly sure what to get…” her voice trailed off, her gaze briefly flitting to the channel her daughter was watching.  Well, not so much watching, but Joyce could tell that Buffy easily understood the foreign language being spoken.  Was it only days ago that she was praying her daughter would pass her history test? 

“Whatever you got is fine, mom,” Buffy assured her.  If nothing else, the movies would help fill in, what she was sure to be, a lot of awkward silences. 

Joyce leaned down and gave her daughter a kiss on the forehead. 

“Well, have fun.  There’s stuff in the refrigerator if you guys get hungry.” 

“Thanks.” 

Buffy watched her mom climb the stairs, then turned back to the TV.  She listened for a bit longer before reaching for the remote and changing it to a channel her friends thought she might watch.  Five minutes later, she was nearly asleep, the sound of the singing mermaid enough to induce her to coma. 

The doorbell ringing jerked her upright, and Buffy set aside her coffee so that she could get up and let her friends in. 

~*~ 

Xander nearly salivated at the movies sitting on the coffee table.  Having both Willow and Buffy with him, he’d expected to spend the day sitting through the dreaded “chick flicks,” but was pleasantly surprised. 

“You say your mom picked these out, Buff?” 

“Yeah, since finding out I’m the Slayer…”  Buffy shrugged.  “I guess she figured my tastes ran more towards action adventure.  I didn’t have the heart to tell her that I get enough of that at night.  Although, these aren’t bad, really.” 

Murder at 1600, ConAir, Air Force One… they were all good to Xander.  Though, Men in Black had him chuckling for some reason.  Probably something to do with the fact that the movie touted man’s unawareness of aliens coexisting peacefully on Earth.  Almost like no one knew that demons were real.  Funny really. 

“So, what do you want to watch first?” he asked. 

“It doesn’t matter.  You pick,” the Slayer told him. 

“Hmmm… Harrison Ford, or Nicolas Cage…”  Xander grabbed Air Force One out of its case and put it in the VCR. 

“I can’t believe Giles suggested we skip school today,” Willow commented.  “Not that I’m complaining though,” she rushed to reassure her friends before she was subject to “the look.”  “I’m all for a movie night, or day, as the case may be.  It’s just… skipping school…? Of the bad.” 

Xander, who had settled at their feet on the floor next to the couch, snorted.  “That’s just because you’re you, Wills.” 

“What’s that supposed to mean?” she cried, snagging a piece of popcorn out of the bowl resting on her lap and throwing it at his head. 

Xander smiled indulgently, pulling the stray kernel from his hair and popping it in his mouth. 

“You’re the only one I know that complains about not going to school.  Me, I like living on the wild side.”  He wiggled his eyebrows, causing the redhead to giggle. 

Buffy just sipped her coffee, saying nothing, staring intently at the opening credits of the movie Xander had selected. 

~*~ 

“There’s something different about her,” Willow whispered to Xander.  Buffy had fallen asleep not too long ago, giving Willow a chance to talk with her friend. 

“Giles did say that she’s been suffering the lingering effects of the spell that brought her back,” Xander mentioned, his voice just as quiet. 

“For four days?  I’ve been reading… I’ve never heard of a spell with that kind of effect.” 

“So, what are you saying?” 

“I don’t know… it’s just…she hasn’t talked to us… told us what happened.  I thought we were supposed to be best friends.” 

“Wills, she was stuck with Spike.  I’m sure it was pretty traumatic for her.  Bringing it up… probably not much with the helping right now.” 

“I suppose so.  But, that’s what friends do…”  She couldn’t help pouting at being kept out of the loop.  Buffy was always quick to talk with her.  Now, she’d been lucky to get two words from the girl. 

“I’m sure she will in time.  Once she’s had a chance to process it.  For now, just cut her some slack, alright?” 

Willow nodded reluctantly, then returned her attention back to the movie.  Though, she did glance often towards her slumbering friend.  Noticing the way Buffy seemed to curl in on herself, rather than stretch out on the couch while she slept.  Even in sleep, she was keeping her distance. 

~*~*~*~*~ 

While Buffy was busy upholding her part of the plan, Spike spent his time seeing to the details of their departure.  Jocelyn’s turning couldn’t have come at a better time since it afforded them an inconspicuous place to stay on such short notice.  Plus, it would help squash the rumors that had circulated about the disappearance of the Countess of Hastings from New York.  Rumors that had him ready to fly back to the city with the chit, because nothing short of her reemergence would seem to squash them.  Which was why they were spending a day – or night, as the case may be – in New York before making the transatlantic flight.   

It would also afford them a chance to box up what Renee had thought might be incriminating evidence about the clan, though Spike didn’t think that was the case.  There was no way that anyone knew of their existence. 

Staring up at the monitors and seeing the sun high up in the sky, Spike knew he should be sleeping.  But, the thought of going to his room alone… it left a bitter taste in his mouth. 

Maybe a spot of violence would do him some good. 

He glanced around in his chair, looking for a likely candidate.  The main area was deserted, but Spike could hear noise coming from their entertainment room.  The sound of one particular vamp’s laugh caught his attention, and his eyes narrowed menacingly. 

Spike rose from his chair, every inch the predator as he made his way towards the room – and his intended victim.  When he stood in the doorway, everyone seemed to still, sensing his presence. 

Seeing his sire standing there, Alric knew that his reprieve was over.  With Buffy gone, the vampire needed a distraction, and after the events of last night, he just knew that he’d be the one to provide it.

Sure enough, those deep blue eyes centered on him. 

“Feel up to a little sparring, mate?” 

Alric wasn’t dumb.  He knew better than to say no. 

~*~*~*~*~ 

“Bye, mom,” Buffy called out as she let herself out the front door. 

“Be careful,” Joyce called from the kitchen. 

“I will.”   

She shut the door, spared a smirk for whoever happened to be eyeing the monitors, then started walking towards her watcher’s house.  The dark seemed to envelop her, and she felt almost at home.  The impromptu lie-in with Xander and Willow hadn’t been too bad, if you discounted the awkward silences in between movies – oh, and that time they’d been fixing lunch.  She’d pretended not to notice Xander’s look, or the slight shake of his head, when Willow made to open her mouth as the three stood in the kitchen making their sandwiches.  Pretending an eagerness for the next movie, she’d hurried the pair along, trying to inject a bit of the old Buffy in her tone. 

Willow had smiled, apparently appeased, but she’d noticed that Xander hadn’t been too convinced. 

It had been a long afternoon.

After they’d left, Buffy had stretched out on the couch and fallen asleep, only to wake once her mom came home from work.  The four hours of sleep hadn’t been much, but she’d survived on less.  And, it wasn’t like the others would actually let something get close enough to her to pose a problem. 

Maybe she could use the time wandering the cemeteries getting to know her sister Slayer. 

At her watcher’s door, she turned around and spoke softly. 

“I don’t even have to tell you the trouble you’ll be in if this Slayer gets wind of you.” 

No one answered her, not that she expected anyone to.  Really, she wasn’t sure why she was worried.  Her clan was adept at being invisible.  But, this was the closest any of them had been to a Slayer, besides herself. 

Buffy glared for good measure, to make sure whoever was out there knew she meant business, then turned around and knocked on Giles’ door. 

It opened immediately, her watcher looking at her somewhat relieved. 

“Buffy!  So glad you’re feeling better,” Giles greeted, ushering his charge inside.  “Come.   I’d like you to meet…Kendra.” 

Buffy quirked her brow at her watcher’s pregnant pause, wondering what it was about the girl that seemed to have him so flustered. 

“Buffy, this is Kendra.  She’s staying here for a few days until more suitable arrangements can be made.” 

“Hello,” Buffy greeted.  She affected a wave, and got the arms-akimbo-quirked-brow look, coupled with an incoherent grunt, in response. 

“So?  Patrolling, Giles?”  Buffy’s voice was overly bright. 

“Er… yes.  Patrolling.  Very good.” 

Buffy led the girl out the front door and started towards the closest cemetery. 

“Pretty weird, huh?  Two Slayers…” the blonde began, hoping the night wouldn’t be spent in complete silence.   

For a while there, Buffy didn’t think the girl would answer, but finally got another stilted response. 

“It is…strange, yes,” Kendra replied in her heavily accented voice. 

“One girl in all the world, and suddenly there’s two.  Bet that’s one for the diaries.” 

As they walked through the front gate of Restfield, the two girls shared a look, smiling slightly in amusement at their watchers’ propensity for writing things down.  That there were two Chosen Ones probably had everyone at Council Headquarters scribbling furiously. 

They were maybe a handful of steps inside the cemetery when Buffy suddenly stopped. Her eyes darted back and forth, sensing something amiss, and she wondered if Alric sensed it too.  If he’d slipped off to take care of whatever was making the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. 

She continued walking, pleased when she saw Kendra pull out her stake and handle it with a bit of skill.  The further they walked into the cemetery the more apprehensive Buffy became.  Something was out there.  Tracking their movements. 

And, whatever it was… well, it was doing a damn good job of evading Alric. 

Buffy stopped suddenly and whirled to the right. 

A woman glided from behind a tree, the dress she wore a style from years gone past.  She seemed to dance to music heard only in her head, arms and legs graceful, like that of a ballerina.  Her pale face looked like that of an angel. 

But, Buffy knew better. 

She knew she was getting her first glimpse of Spike’s sire.  And she froze, unable to actually harm the vampire that had made him. 

The Slayer’s indecision would cost her. 

Screeching about bad little girlies and ruined tea parties, the vampiress launched herself at the two Slayers, amber eyes burning with deadly intent.

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