CHAPTER 6

Dawn was at the mall with Darcy. Buffy really appreciated the time alone it gave her. She needed all the time she could get to prepare. She been out running errands all morning. Why it suddenly seemed so important to get a new conditioner that was both creamy and rinsey, and to pick up her favorite skirt from the cleaners were things she did NOT want to think about. Now she was showered, dressed for the second time (her lingerie hadn't matched her outfit) and coifed. She was ready for this.

Buffy stood, facing the individual reclining on her bed. She began to pace while she spoke what was on her mind. "Look, we need to have this conversation now. I know we haven't had an opportunity to talk about it since you came back all soul-y. It's just, things weren't good before you left. But you know that. And then you left. And we heard nada from you. And now you come waltzing back into my life..."

Buffy stopped pacing and stared at the eyes that calmly regarded her. "And why do you have to be so damned inscrutable? Yes, I do know what that word means, and you're being it! You're impossible!" She turned and flounced out of the room. Mr. Gordo sat on the bed, wisely keeping his little stuffed pig thoughts to himself.

*          *          *

In the bathroom of the Magic Box, Spike searched for his reflection in the mirror. Not that he had really expected his reflection to return, but still. It would be nice to know when it was time to bleach his hair, instead of waiting for some smart-arse to point it out. And it would make him a little more relaxed if he could see that he looked okay. "Right, mate; get it together. Go out there and make a good impression on the Slayer." There was no response from the empty mirror.

Spike walked out into the front of the shop. Giles puttered about, pretending to be busy. "Thanks mate. I think I can take it from here."

"Ah, very well, Spike. You're quite sure that I can't stay and..."

"What? Be a bloody extra wheel?" Spike's expression softened somewhat. "I 'preciate it, Rupert, but I've gotta do this myself."

"Good luck, Spike."

"Good night, Rupert."

*          *          *

Buffy headed downtown. She didn't even consider asking Xander for a lift. He'd want to know why she was going to the Magic Box now, and she so did not want to break the news to Xander that Spike was back in town. Besides, her walk served as a mini-patrol. And a chance to think about this.

*Okay he's back. Giles says it's just to help. And Spike says it's just to help, but who's he kidding? We'll just deal with this like sensible adults. If he wants to stay, fine, but he follows MY rules. There will be no non-following of rules. Self-discipline is important.* She stumbled a little as she remembered the last time she and Spike had dealt with discipline. She had lain face down over his knees, skirt up, begging Spike not to stop. Buffy felt herself flush bright red. *I am so not going there! Okay maybe not self discipline, just self-restraint.* And that started another barrage of images, with silk scarves. Handcuffs. Her own sports bra. *Oh, God.*

*          *          *

Spike sat at the table, waiting patiently. Or as patiently as a hyperactive resouled vampire desperately craving a nic-fix could wait. The bell jingled as the door opened. There she stood, a vision in white leather pants and a halter top. Hair shorter than when he left, curled since last night. She took a few more steps into the room, then paused.

Spike sniffed the air, catching the scent of her perfume and... He closed his eyes so she wouldn't see them change colors. *Bloody hell. Been tryin' not to think about her like that, and she waltzes in, enticing as all get-up.*

Buffy stared at Spike. *What is he doing?* She'd seen his nostrils flare the tiniest bit, and then... *Oh God! No no no no no! Please not that.* The blush she'd finally gotten rid of on the walk here returned with a vengeance. She took a deep breath and squared her shoulders, willing her face to cool. *Damn vampiric sense of smell.* "Spike. Let's talk."

Spike gestured to the chairs at table behind him. He heard her sharp intake of breath. *Oh, what a bloody pillock I am!* He looked at her, and saw all the color had drained from his face. Her eyes were focused on the table. Sodden hell. Didn't even think about that incident with demon-girl. *Damn damn damn!* "Buffy. Buffy, let's go outside." He walked past her to the front door of the shop.

"Yes, let's." Her voice was hard and flat.

*          *          *

"So, what's the up for your b-day, girl?" Darcy was looking at some guys over in the Food Court as she and Dawn walked through the Sunnydale Fashion Center.

"I don't know. Buffy said yes to a mini-party, but that was before Spike came back..."

"Your sister's ex? The one who cheated on her?"

"Um, that's kind of her last three boyfriends." Dawn looked down at the floor.

"Holy shit! But this is the one that she brawled with, right?"

*Most recently.* "Yeah, they had some serious problems." *Like him sleeping with her friend's fiancé. Oh, I can see it now. 'Today on Montel: Are Slayers just doomed to have troubled relationships? Do they just pick the wrong men and demons? Find out today!'* "But now he's back, and they're trying to smooth things out."

"You really think your sister'll take the guy back after all that?"

"I hope so."

*          *          *

Buffy came up the sidewalk just as Darcy pulled out of the drive and honked good-bye to Dawn. *I hope that doesn't piss off the Hendersons. And old Mrs. O'Mally.* She looked at Dawn. "Mall trip of the good?"

"As if it could be anything else. Then we hung out at the 'Nifty Fifties Diner' and pigged out. How'd the talk with Spike go?" Dawn tried to keep a hopeful note out of her voice.

"Not great. But I didn't stake him," Buffy added quickly when she saw Dawn's face start to fall.

"Well I guess that's okay," the girl formerly known as the Key replied. "So is he... different?"

"Asides from not sleeping with the first girl we bumped into, and not claiming that he loved me, not really."

Dawn unlocked the front door. "Oh. I just... He seemed... nice, y'know, last night before you showed up. And, well, Giles hasn't staked him, or demanded that he leave town as soon as we track down the Cross of Timmy."

"Yeah, that's kind of weird, isn't it?" Buffy's forehead creased. She wasn't good with the heavy thoughts this late at night. *I'll ask Giles about that in the morning.*

*          *          *

CHAPTER 7

Buffy walked up to Giles' swanky new bachelor pad early the next morning. She had woken up early, and had actually been able to cook breakfast for Dawn before her sister left for school. Buffy was eager to talk to Giles, as she kept thinking about her conversation with Dawn the previous night.

"Knock, knock," Buffy called through the partially open window next to the front door. "Giles, are you up yet?" Rustling came from down the hall. "Giles, it's me." She heard the creaking of the floor in the hall. The person who came into view was NOT Giles. "Spike!" And it was. Jeans. Barefoot. No shirt. Buffy realized she was staring at him.

"Bloody hell, Slayer. It's sleepin' time for the heartbeat-impaired. What's your bloomin' problem?"

"Spike! What are you doing in Giles' apartment? Why are you undressed? And where is Giles? If you've done something--"

"Cripes, Slayer, don't get you knickers in a twist! Watcher's fine. Said he was goin' to the shop early this mornin'. Rupert's lettin' me shack up here while I'm in town. Anything else?"

"Spike, let me in. I want to know why Giles has accepted you back like you did nothing. What's going on?"

He opened the door. "Please, come in, your highnessness."

*          *          *

"Giles, you bastard!" Buffy shoved open the door to the Magic Box. "No more secrets! Isn't that what we said? Didn't we just talk about that the other day?"

"Buffy, well, you see--"

"Giles, is it true?"

"Yes, yes, it was a favor to--"

Buffy cut in. "No! I know why you didn't tell me. But Giles, is it true he's got a soul?"

"Well, yes, actually. I ran some rather extensive tests, and--"

"But how, if he wasn't cursed?"

"Comin' through!" Spike entered the shop in a blur of smoking blanket. He tossed it aside and looked himself over for damage. "Bloody hell!"

Giles stared at the slightly singed vampire for a second. "Buffy, didn't you ask Spike?"

"He--"

Spike cut her off. "She wouldn't let me finish the whole story, mate. Just ran off into the bloody sunlight."

Giles looked from Spike to Buffy. "Buffy, I apologize, again. I'm terribly sorry. But I believe you two need to continue your talk from last night. And, if I may be so bold," here he stared pointedly at Spike, "the whole story ought to be told. The training room's free, I believe."

Buffy looked at Giles, her mouth open a bit. "But--"

"C'mon Slayer. Lets go."

Giles finally breathed a sigh of relief, when, several minutes later, there was still no sound of violence through the door of the training room. *Of course, vampires don't make a great deal of noise when they are staked. I wonder...*

*          *          *

It was nearly two hours later when the door of the training room opened, and a subdued looking vampire and a slightly annoyed Slayer walked out. With all body parts intact. Giles relaxed minutely.

"Giles, you and I are still not okay. We will have a talk about this. But not now. I need to go home and process this overload of weirdness. And I still don't trust Spike. I don't want him at your place all unsupervised. When it gets dark, he's moving to our place. He can sleep in the basement."

Giles looked a little concerned. "Buffy, are you sure that's wise? Given your history, I'm not sure that is the best course."

"Giles, right now, I'm not asking for your opinion. Until further notice, don't offer it unless it's asked for."

Giles grew quite still. "Very well." Buffy left the shop, leaving two emotionally drained Englishmen in her wake. Spike was the first to speak. "Well, mate, that could have gone a little better."

*          *          *

CHAPTER 8

"So, Little Bit, what do you want for your birthday next week?" Spike had shown up after sunset with only a duffel bag and a ragged U-haul box. He was currently sitting on Buffy's new floral print chair. He looked quite relaxed, a picture completed by the cold beer in his hand.

Dawn went into greedy little kid mode. "Well, I was really hoping for a leather trenchcoat..." A throat-clearing from Buffy in her 'mom-mode' cut that request short. "...But anything will be fine, really." She turned and stuck her tongue out at Buffy. *Just because a long black leather coat reminds her of Spike doesn't mean I shouldn't be able to get one.*

Spike leaned over and opened his duffel bag. "Then you can consider this an early installment, not the full deal. The wrapping is a hint." He tossed a floppy, pink-wrapped package at her.

Dawn tore the wrapping paper open. "Oh my God, Spike! An autographed 'Pink' concert tee shirt. Thank you so much!" She stood and went over to hug Spike.

Buffy looked on with a sour expression. *Nobody ever gives me hugs like that. Not that I was ever big with the frivolous gift-giving. Spike's going to spoil her rotten. It's not like other people get pre-birthday gifts.*

Spike reached into the duffel again and came out with a smaller, not-so brightly wrapped package. He handed it to her silently and watched her expression. *I will not be bought with gifts. Who does he think he is, strolling back into this house, trying to purchase forgiveness?* Her hands were greedily unwrapping the gift while her mind churned out negative thoughts. Inside the wrapping was a small box, the kind jewelry came in. Buffy glanced sharply at Spike. *If this is a ring, I stake him now.* She slowly opened the lid.

"Spike, it's..." *an almost identical necklace to the one Gramma Summers had promised me. The one Dad gave to that new bimbo of his, after Gramma died. I didn't realize Spike was listening the day I was all mopey 'cause I was thinking about it. He was watching 'Passions' after we had sex, and I got annoyed that he wasn't even listening to me. That was over six months ago. For him to have found this from just my description is...* "...amazing! I can't believe you got this for me. It's wonderful." Tears threatened to spill down her cheeks.

"You're welcome, Buffy."

Dawn watched the entire exchange with a touch of jealousy. It was Dawn’s birthday soon. Buffy's wasn't until January. And the gift! That wasn't some cheap piece of junk. She'd have to pry out of Spike how much he shelled out. But the way Buffy's entire demeanor changed was just... "Neat!"

*          *          *

Willow sat in the middle of her bed, hugging her knees to her chest. Her hair hung stringy and uncombed, down past the shoulders of the gray shirt she was wearing. Buffy peered through the window in the door. She listened to the doctor beside her drone on about Willow's condition.

"...and of course she's been improving for the past three months. Today she's doing quite well in particular. Would you like to talk to her?"

Buffy almost said no. *Sure, Doctor. I'll try to talk to my friend who's a staring zombie on the days she isn't screaming and pulling her hair out. Why yes, I'd love to talk about pleasant things with a person who watched her girlfriend die in front of her, then tried to end the world.*

"Yeah, I'll visit with her."

"Hey, Wills. How's my bestest girlfriend?" Buffy paused, as thought she actually expected a response. "Xander's doing well at work. He's the foreman at the new job site over on Pineview. He really hustles, you know. I think the job's one of the few things that keeps his mind off Anya. And Spike's back. He's been helping out again for the last few days. It's a little weird. He actually has a soul. It's kind of strange to think about Spike with a soul, but kind of... nice, too."

Buffy changed topics abruptly. "And of course Dawn's doing great! School's finishing up for the quarter and she's been getting good grades. Nice of her to do her part to keep Social Services off our backs. Giles apparently had a talk with them, too, and now they understand I have some "inheritance" from a foundation in England. How long did we struggle to make ends meet? At least I know the money will be coming regular-like. Heck, I've even started putting some in a college account for Dawn. Wow. Listen to me sounding all mom-like." Buffy stopped to wipe a tear from her cheek that threatened to be joined by many others.

"I still miss Mom, you know? Even after all this time. And then, after that, when Glory took Dawn and we though it was all over, I totally wigged. And you know who got me out? You. My friend." Buffy paused, remembering. "I totally understand how you're still missing Tara. God, we all are. It doesn't seem like the Scoobies ever get an even break. I just hope you know how much we care about you."

Buffy knew she had to be more upbeat for Willow's sake. She told Willow how Spike had caught the kitchen on fire trying to make waffles for Dawn. She described Clem's new girlfriend, and the fact that Angel was in total spaz mode because Spike was living at the house. After wrapping it up with a cheerful good-bye, Buffy went over and knocked on the door to be let out. She didn't look back, so she missed the trails of tears running down Willow's cheeks.

*          *          *

Sunlight barely filtered through the curtains in Buffy's room. *It was bound to happen sooner or later.* That's what she told herself. All that daily exposure to him, his (relatively) even-tempered behavior, not rising to any of her jibes, and the gift! The necklace he had given her meant a great deal. She suspected he knew it would. She hadn't taken it off except to shower since he gave it to her. She toyed with it now, as it stuck to the sweaty skin of her breasts. The evening had started normally enough...

*          *          *

EARLIER:

"Anybody home? Stupid non-information-having demon with sharp claws!" *Dawnie said she was going to see 'Spiderman' again. She must've taken Spike along for company.* She peeled off her sweatshirt on the way to the downstairs bathroom and its enormous first aid kit. She caught her reflection if the kitchen window as she passed by. Hair mussed, three parallel gouges on her shoulder, dark stains on her yellow sports bra. *Great, another clothing loss due to the forces of darkness!* She flipped the light on in the bathroom and got the first aid kit from under the sink. She straightened back up, and looked at her reflection in the mirror. *I wonder if slaying causes premature wrinkles?*

"Need a hand, pet?" Spike had been napping in the basement when he was awakened by her arrival home.

His voice from close behind her almost caused Buffy to drop the first aid kit, and she stifled a shriek. "Spike, you asshole!" She started to turn around, but his hands firmly held her arms.

"Relax, Slayer. I'll get it." His hand reached around her and took the kit, then left her field of vision. She searched for him in the mirror in vain. She watched in the mirror as the right strap of her sports bra slid down her shoulder. Just to clear the cuts. Nothing improper. She felt the betadine sponge gently scrub the cuts, and she watched as the skin in her reflection turned brown from the disinfectant.

"Nothing too serious, ducks" Spike said approvingly.

Buffy watched as the skin around the cuts moved, and antiseptic ointment appeared, as if by magic, in the wounds. Her breathing was a little shallow. *It's the pain,* she told herself. She could hear tape being pulled off the spool, then a bandage appeared in the mirror, taped to her shoulder.

"All done love." The voice was low and sensual in her ear. She felt goosebumps rise on her neck and arms. She made as if to turn around, but again he anticipated her, and firmly but gently held her arms.

"Relax." And his hands began to knead her upper arms. Spike moved his hands up to her shoulders, avoiding her injury. He massaged her shoulders. Slowly, deeply.

Buffy moaned slightly. The hands moved up, carefully avoiding her battle injuries, and began to work the knots of muscle in her neck at the base of her skull.

"Oh. Mmm. That feels nice." She leaned back a little, willing him to increase the pressure slightly.

Spike's hands moved down her back, working her shoulder blades, then lower to the small of her back. "Mmm. Spike." She leaned back a little more, and tilted her head to on side. Invisible arms embraced her. Strong, cool hands moved over her stomach, massaging, tracing invisible patterns. Cool lips kissed the side of her neck. The hands moved up, cupping her breasts through the material of her sports bra.

Sensing what he wanted, she raised her arms over her head. She watched as the sports bra lifted by itself, went over her arms and head, then was gone. Her breasts swung free in the cool air, nipples erect. The necklace from Spike hung down between her breasts. She watched as her nipples moved, apparently on their own, as invisible thumbs massaged them. An unseen tongue traced her ear, and invisible teeth tweaked her earlobe. *Is this what it looked like when I was invisible, when Xander...* She tensed, inhaling sharply.

"Relax, Buffy. Different now that the shoe's on the other foot, ain't it?"

"Spike--"

"Shhh, luv." And his hands convinced her, tracing down her ribs. Moving down from her stomach, tracing the creases from her hips, through her skirt, down between her thighs.

"Uhhh." Buffy pushed forwards into his hands, increasing the pressure. She could hear him breathing in her ear, though he had no need. She knew he was aroused as well, and she pushed her hips back, seeking him. She felt the vampire through the thin material of her skirt and the thick denim of his jeans. She leaned her upper body forward and put her hands on the counter. Her necklace swung free, almost even with the tips of her nipples. "Spike, now," she demanded quietly.

"Yes, Buffy." He slid his thumbs in side the waistband of her skirt, and smoothly pulled it to the floor.

She felt his breath caress her buttocks, then his hands traced up her thighs. They slid down again, this time taking the scrap of yellow thong with them. Buffy could feel herself getting wetter. Fingertips gently traced her lips and she gasped. Teeth nibbled on her left cheek, then cool fingers slid inside her. "Uhnn, Spike."

He took a gentle nip of her cheek, and worked two fingers back and forth inside her, rotating his hand as he moved in and out. Spike heard her breathing, loudly and deeply. *That's it, luv. Enjoy it.* He reached around the front of her leg with his free hand and stroked her clit with his index finger. As Buffy began to moan loudly he smoothly slid a third finger inside her with the other two. At the same time he gently but firmly bit her on the left cheek and tweaked her clit between his thumb and index finger.

"OOOOOO!" Buffy watched her breasts shake in the mirror as she came. She thought she was going to collapse. Her knees shook as spasms wracked her body. "Oh. Oh. Oh fuck." She exhaled. She took another deep breath, then turned around to face Spike, not surprised when there was no resistance this time.

Spike's arms slid over Buffy's smooth skin as she turned to him. He stood, and was pleasantly surprised when her lips captured his in a passionate kiss. It went on, and Spike felt Buffy's tongue reach out to explore his mouth. Her nipples brushed his chest. Eventually she pulled back. She looked at him, eyes shining, breathless. "Again?" Buffy knew she needn't have bothered asking.

And they did. On the bathroom counter. The kitchen floor. The couch in the living room. And the stairs (twice). By the time they ended up in her bed, Buffy was exhausted. Spike had a grin permanently plastered on his face. "Again, luv?"

She looked at him, incredulous. "I don't think I can."

"Good. Me neither."

*          *          *

Buffy awoke the next morning with a start. "Dawn," she gasped.

"Came back after we was done," came the answer from under a fluffy pillow.

There came a knocking at the door. "Buffy, you awake?"

Buffy sat up in bed "Yeah, Dawnie."

"Good. I was wondering, why are your clothes and underwear all over the bathroom floor?"

Buffy's jaw dropped. *Oh shit!*

"And where's Spike? He isn't down in the basement."

Buffy felt dizzy. *No no no no!* A snort came from under the pillow. "Shut up," she whispered fiercely.

"And Buffy?"

"Yeah, Dawnie?" By this time she was resigned to humiliation.

"Next time you guys are going to make with the hot monkey love, please let me know ahead of time. That way I won't have to pretend that I didn't come home before you guys were done, and then have to leave again to walk around the block a few dozen times."

"Sure thing Dawnie. Anything else?"

"Whoo-hoo Spike! You are the Big Bad!"

Groans from both blondes in the bed. They lay in silence for a few moments, then Spike pulled the pillow off his face and turned towards the Slayer. "Buffy--"

She placed her finger over his lips. "Shhh. I know, Spike. I do too. Just don't say it right now, okay?"

He kissed her finger and nodded. His eyes looked at her with pure adoration.

Buffy was pretty sure hers showed the same. She got out of bed to make Dawn... lunch?

*          *          *

CHAPTER 9

"Faith. Coming here?" Buffy's voice was incredulous.

Giles at least tried to look apologetic. "Yes, well, er...that is, Fred called and said that Faith is on the way here. Apparently she's the only one they could spare from the detective agency." Giles didn't say 'Angel Investigations' because he knew that would just inflame Buffy further.

"And Fred called WHEN?"

"Er, a quarter of an hour ago." *Or less. Good Lord, that girl was really asking for it, holding off calling for this long. Had she been taken lessons from Cordelia?*

"And Faith will be showing up WHEN?" Buffy was sure if her blood pressure went up any more she'd burst a blood vessel.

"Right a-bout now. Giles. B. Xan. Hear y'all got a problem I can help with." And in the doorway stood the dark Slayer. Flip as always, a standing like a twenty-dollar hooker on Sunset Boulevard, but managing to look dangerous and sensual and the tiniest bit uncomfortable at the same time. Lipstick matching her dark red nails, but a little less mascara than they remembered.

"Faith." Xander said her name as if it left a bad taste in his mouth.

*And maybe she had,* Buffy thought. *Okay, that was way too ooky. I'm going to freak myself out if I think about shit like that. Gotta stay focused, and deal with the psycho slut.* "Faith." Buffy actually said the name without much venom.

"Look, Buffy. I'm here to help. I so don't want to do the old fight anymore, but..." Faith's body language changed. And this was the Faith they all remembered. Chin raised a little, shoulders back, her whole stance screaming 'Bring it on!'

"Faith." Giles was actually able to start before Buffy could say something that would provoke Faith to the point of violence. "Thank you so much for coming. I gather things are busy in Los Angeles?"

"You bet, G-man. Soul-boy is working on cleaning out a clan of Rach'noh demons, one at a time, along with Gunn. And now that Cordelia sends 'em spirit-memos of her visions instead of being there in the flesh, Fred's gotta play secretary, too."

"And still no word from Wesley?"

"Naw. Can't even mention his name 'round there without gettin' the evil eye from Angel."

Xander spoke again "So they sent you here because they didn't need you?"

"No. They sent me here because Cordy said you all do."

*          *          *

Buffy surveyed the crew that sat around the table, almost like they had years ago in the library. *Before we blew up the school. Before Dawn was human. How long has it been? Only four years? It feels like a lifetime ago. It WAS a lifetime ago. We trusted Faith back then, and look where it got us. Of course, Spike screwed us over more than one, when we thought he was playing for Team Scooby.*

*I wish the others were here now.* But Tara was dead. Willow and Cordelia gone, in different ways. Oz, last heard from backpacking through the Yukon. And Angel. *Well, it's better that he's not here. It's bad enough Spike answered the phone when Angel called the Magic Box last week to ask Giles about a scroll. I just wish Spike hadn't dropped the bomb that he was living with us. God, I so did not need to talk with Angel for three hours about Spike. Or anything else.* The train of thought startled her. Had she really changed that much? That she didn't even care to talk to Angel? *He's just not part of my life anymore, he's part of my past. I've moved on.*

Giles had been briefing the team as Buffy had been zoning out. She'd already heard what he had to say, anyway. When Spike started to speak, Buffy snapped out of her trance. Faith leered at her. Dawn snickered. Xander scowled. He'd been doing that a lot, lately. "As I was bloody well sayin', we found the bleedin' idiot that wants to open the Hellmouth. Goes by Brannok."

Giles suppressed a grin. Spike said that Willy had actually pissed his pants when threatened this time. The unsavory Brannok character was known to be an accomplished demon-summoner. He saw opening the Hellmouth as a way to reach the pinnacle of power, leading an army of demons. Good thing they had found out about him in time to stop him.

It was Buffy's turn. "So here's the deal. We're going out to the Junkyard tonight for a reconnaissance." Spike grinned at her use of the big word, and she blushed. "It'll be me and Faith, with Xander as driver and backup. Spike and Dawn are going to sit this one out at Casa de Summers, and Giles is going home as well. Questions? All right, let's roll."

Giles spoke as everyone rose. "And you'll be sure to call if anything unusual happens?"

Buffy twisted side to side and cracked her back. "Yeah, but don't wait up. We'll call in the morning, otherwise."

Faith went over to where Spike was looking at a shelf of spell components, waiting for Dawn to finish using the restroom. "So Billy-Boy, all soul-y and stuff?"

"Yeah, what of it?" He was cautious around the dark Slayer. She knew just how to push his buttons; she'd proven it while wearing Buffy's skin.

"Well, you know, talkin' with Fred in L.A.--you know she's like, a genius?--and she said somethin' like the soul was the seat of the life force, of love, and stuff like that." Spike stood very still. "So," Faith drawled, "I was wonderin' if it was...different now. When you and B are goin' at it like bunnies. Do you slam her up against the wall? Do you vamp at the very end?" Then her voice changed, losing all of the sultry appeal. "Or is it just plain jane vanilla now?"

"Spike." Buffy had walked up too close to have missed that last part. "Shouldn't you be getting Dawn home?" She nodded towards her sister, who had come out of the restroom. Dawn was now shaking a little jar of chicken feet and clucking.

"Sure 'nough, luv." Spike looked relieved beyond measure for the interruption. He headed towards the door, pausing briefly at the exit until Dawn joined him.

"Faith." Buffy's voice was not hostile. Quite. "Leave Spike alone. He's trying to do the right thing. Just like you."

Faith had the good grace to actually look a little ashamed. "Sorry, B."

"And Faith?"

"Yeah?"

Buffy slowly leaned close to Faith, until she could speak without anyone else hearing. Her breath caressed Faith's ear, and when the blond spoke, it raised goosebumps on Faith's neck. "With a soul, it's fantastic." Then Buffy turned and headed toward the door, leaving a stunned Faith behind her.

"Faith?" She hadn't noticed Xander come up beside her.

"Ye-ah?" Her voice caught.

Xander backed up half a step. He noted that Faith was looking flushed, her pupils were dilated, and... *Great googooly moogooly, that girl is NOT wearing a bra! What the hell did Buffy say to her?* "Um, Faith?" He looked up into her eyes. He tried to control his heart rate and breathing, which were trying to match that of the Slayer. "We're ready to go."

Faith looked at Xander. The old Faith would have dragged him to the back room and taken him hard and fast, right the hell now, consequences be damned. The new Faith looked at Xander, and willed her heart rate and breathing back to normal. Can't do that. Not to him. And even if I could, he'd still hate me when we were done. "Yeah, X-man, let's go."

Xander smiled a little. X-man. I like it!

*          *          *

CHAPTER 10

Jimmy's Auto Recycling, unofficially known as the Junkyard, was on the eastern outskirts of town. The place had had a good reputation among both budget-conscious muscle car restorers, as well as those who simply couldn't afford newer cars and had to make do repairing their beat up old grocery-getter. Now that it was out of business, it served as the target of vandals and midnight auto part thieves. It was also the location Willy said they should look for Brannok.

Xander killed the headlights when they were still a hundred yards from the place. He pulled down a side street and stopped. There was dim lighting from a single working streetlight a block back. The slayers got out of the pickup, one after another, as Xander set the emergency brake.

Buffy pulled her shirt away from her body. *Gross! Faith was sweating on me.* Buffy figured the other Slayer was still worked up from her teasing back at the shop. *She better not have gotten excited from her skanky body being next to me on the ride here.* Buffy frowned. Then she turned and quietly observed the junkyard beyond the fence while Faith got the bag of weapons from under the seat.

Xander had been sitting on the other side of Faith, and he was also aware that she had been sweating. He knew it was mostly his fault, but could he help it if his arm kept rubbing up against a certain part of Faith's anatomy every time he turned the wheel? He remained safely hidden from the Slayers' view until his body relaxed again.

*          *          *

On Revello Drive, Spike watched for Dawn's reaction as the screen faded to black.

She turned to him. "What about the end of the movie?"

"Nibblet, that was it."

"Spike, all the Knights of the Round Table getting hauled off by the police is NOT a real ending."

"C'mon, Bit. It's part of the whole Monty Python deal. Can't believe you 'aven't seen this 'ere film before!"

"Well, Buffy doesn't like anything remotely British, except 'Sliding Doors'."

"That bint isn't even--"

"And I can't watch it with Xander, 'cause it's got the whole 'great fierce beastie with sharp teeth' scene that reminds him of Anya. And Giles, well, 'great bloody mindless waste of time.' So I hadn't seen it. 'Til now."

Spike smiled at Dawn's imitation of the Watcher. It actually wasn't bad. Maybe he could get her some fake spectacles and a handkerchief to clean them with...

"Spike. Spike!"

He looked at her, startled out of his musing.

"Spike were you thinking of killing someone?" Her eyes were wide.

"No, Nibblet! Why the bloody hell would you even ask?"

"Well, you had a smile on your face that you used to get when you'd think about 'the bad old days.'"

"No, luv. I was thinkin' 'bout how to help you with your watcher imitation."

"Oh." A pause. "Spike, do you miss it?"

Spike looked at Dawn, her bright face, the slightest bit of apprehension at the corner of her mouth and eyes. The pause was apparent only in his mind. "No, Platelet, not for a moment. I've got a woman that..."

"You love. Who loves you back. Even if she won't admit it."

"Yeah, that, and you to look after, and the whole 'noble vampire, help the hopeless’ gig going on."

Dawn actually fell off the couch she was laughing so hard. "Oh God, Spike, that's great. Buffy told me about you being all deluded when Willow..." Dawn's smile faded.

"Now then Bit, none o' that sadness, now, you 'ear?" He'd seen the shadow fall over her face when she though about the people Willow had hurt. He needed to get her mind off it. "We've still got volume two of 'Flying Circus' to watch." He got up to change tapes in the VCR.

"Spike."

He turned around to look at her. Before she spoke, he knew the question. "Yes Dawn, I regret the things I did. The people I...hurt. I know I'm not all broody like Peaches, but that don't mean I don't think about it, and feel bad about it."

"Oh." Then, a moment later, "Good."

*          *          *

They found the sorcerer in the upstairs office of the only building on Jimmy's lot. He stood near a table with a leather briefcase on it. *The cross,* Buffy thought. *Well, let's see what this bastard's made of.* "Don't suppose you'd like to surrender and come quietly?" Buffy's voice was deceptively sweet.

"Slayer? Not at all. Though I wasn't expecting you to be joining my little party here. I thought you'd be at home with your pet vampire." Brannok saw Buffy's look of surprise. "What, you didn't think I knew? And you, the other one. Did dirty work for the mayor, right? I do my homework, and I was shocked, simply shocked, to find the perversions that Slayers in this town take part in."

"Hey!" This from Buffy and Faith together. They looked at each other and grinned. Buffy looked back at Brannok. "This is your lucky day. Two slayers." She stepped forward, and swung at him with an empty fist. He jumped back nimbly, just out of reach.

A blur of motion to the side as Faith cartwheeled into a double side kick that hit Brannok in the chest. "No waiting." The villain was knocked back into the wall. Faith landed on her feet.

"Buffy!" Xander shouted a warning.

Buffy turned to look for the danger. Which smashed into her from behind. She screamed as something sharp stabbed her. She went down, the three hundred pound purple monster on top of her.

Faith turned to see Buffy laying on the ground. With a monster's enormous sickle-shaped talon sticking into her back. The beast leaned over Buffy, moving to bite the back of her neck with metallic-looking fangs. Xander was aiming his crossbow, but from his angle couldn't shoot without risk of hitting Buffy.

Faith launched herself at the demon. She dove across its back, hooking its chin in her right hand as she passed over. Her left palm struck it at the base of the skull. Even as Faith was twisting in midair, the creature rolled with her, so that instead of breaking its neck, she only flung it clear of Buffy. Faith and the purple demon slammed into the floor, and bounced apart. The demon rolled and came up on both feet. Faith arched her back and kicked coming up in the Instant Stand she'd learned from her long-dead watcher.

The demon regarded Faith. It feinted with its left talon, then swung its right. Faith predicted the set perfectly: ignored the first, parried the second, and followed up with an elbow strike to the toothy jaw. The monster turned and ran. Wimp. Faith started after it, but was stopped by Xander calling her name.

"Faith! We've gotta get Buffy to the hospital!"

*          *          *

*Fools.* Brannok sneered from his vantage point on top of the building. He watched as the Slayer called Faith and her lackey half dragged, half carried the wounded and unconscious Slayer back to their vehicle. Well, his other servant wouldn't find a Slayer at the house he had been sent to, but perhaps the vampire abomination would be there.