Summary: I reworked Dead Things. I fudged the time line a bit adding a few things here and there and removing things I did not think belonged there. One of the things being, Buffy never told the scoobies about her being ripped from Heaven.
Disclaimer: I do not own the show Buffy the Vampire Slayer or Angel (The Series). All of the characters belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, 20th Century Fox, et al.
A/N: This isn't betated, so if there are mistakes, please forgive me. I haven't heard from my beta in a while and I wanted to post this. The fighting scenes I'm not really to sure about. I usually just gloss over them, but there a long of things going on, I couldn't just gloss over it.
Feedback: Charmedfan26@earthlink.net
Chapter Seven
As Buffy headed to the police station, she took a short cut through the alleyways. When she was about to turn the corner to enter the police station, Spike stepped out of the shadows and said, “What do you think you’re doing?”
Stopping, she turned around facing Spike. “How did you know I’d be here?”
“Dawn.”
“I shouldn’t even have told her.”
“The bit cares for you.” “She was worried.”
“I can’t let this go Spike.” “I need to tell what happened.” She began walking away from him.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
“I’m doing the right thing…for a change!”
Buffy was just about to the door when Spike lunged for her, dragging her back into the alley.
“Sorry, love, can’t let you do that!”
“I have to tell them what I’ve done.”
“Nothing happened.”
“How can you be so caviler about this, Spike.”“I killed a woman.”
“Demons in the woods.” “Time all wonky.” “They won’t believe you!”
“Then I’ll prove it.”
“How?” “Nothing to prove.”
“What?” Buffy asked, incredulously.
“What the hell did you do Spike?”
“Took care of it.”
“What did you do?” She asked again.
“What I had to.” “I took care of it.” "Doesn’t matter now.” “No one will find her.”
An officer was walking by and his walky talky went off, “Someone reported a dead body. Over.” “Where’d they find her?” He asked into the walky talky. “Down by river. She washed ashore not far from the cemetery. Over.”
Two cops rushed out of the police station, geting into the cruisers and drove away. Spike and Buffy overheard the cop talking on his walk talker and neither was pleased at the news.
“Great Spike!” “Got anymore bright ideas?”Buffy said in frustration.
“Shit!” “SHIT!”
A few moments went by and the two stood insilence. Spike was the first to break the tension that had arisen between them.
”There’s no way to connect you to this.”
“It doesn’t matter.” “I’m still turning myself in.”
“It wasn’t your fault.”
“I killed her!”
“It happened.” “It was an accident.”
“Don’t you get it, I killed her.”
Once again, Buffy started to leave the alley,but Spike prevented her from leaving. “You’re not going in there!”
“Watch me!” She wrenched her arm away from him.
“I can’t!” “I love you!”
“No you don’t!” Buffy said upset, but it was more out of spit to get back at him from stopping her.
“You think I haven’t tried?” “I’ve tried.”“Believe me, I tried.” “It’s not something that I can switch off like a bloody light switch.” “I can’t keep ignoring my feelings like you can, Buffy!”
Frustrated, Buffy hauled off and punched Spike in the face. He went flying back and landed in heap. “Try a little harder, next time, Spike.”
Those words hurt her more than she realized. She didn’t understand why she tried so hard pushing him away. She thought she had the reasons, but every time she tried convincing herself, it just didn’t work. Buffy turned her back on him and she started to walk away once again, but suddenly behind her there was Spike all vamped out. He threw her to the ground in his attempt to make her stay.
“You’re not throwing your life away.” “I won’t let you!”
“It’s my choice Spike.” “You can’t change my mind.”
“Why are you doing this?”
“Because, I have to.” She paused a moment and then she began to cry. “A girl is dead because of me.”
Bloody hell, she’s crying. Does she have any idea what the does to me?
“And how many people are live because of you?” “How many have you saved?” “One dead girl doesn’t tip the scale.”
“Do you have any idea what this is doing to me?” “This isn’t just a dead body like it is to you.” “She was a person.” “She had a family.” “A future.” “I took that away from her.”
Sighing, Spike said, “Buffy.”
Not wanting to listen to him, she attacked him, punching and kicking as hard as her slayer strength would allow to. He blocked a few punches from her, but ultimately, Spike decided not to fight back.
“You can’t understand why this is killing me,can you?” She said through tears.
“Why don’t you explain it to me.”
Punch
“Come on, that’s it, put it all on me.” “Put it all on me.”
Kick
“That’s my girl.”
“I’M NOT YOUR GIRL!”
Buffy kicked him so hard, he landed on his ass. She then jumped on him and begin to wail on him over and over. “You don’t…have a soul!”
Punch
“There’s no good or clean thing about you.”
Punch
“You’re dead inside.”
Punch
“You can’t feel anything real.”
Punch
“I could never be your…girl!”
Punch
She had no idea why she was beating him like this and it scared her, but she couldn’t stop. She kept hitting him and hitting him. Spike returned to his human visage. He was battered and bruised to the point where he couldn’t even open up his right eye.
Blinking a few times, she finally stopped, horrified with what she’s done.
“You always hurt the ones…you love.” He slurred.
Buffy rose to her feet, dismayed. Oh my god. Oh my god. How could I do this to him. He’s right. Oh my god! I did hurt the one I love.
“Buffy?” Spike called out to her.
Ignoring her inner turmoil, she left Spike and the alley, determined to turn herself in. To do what was right, she reason with herself.
In attempt to stop her, he tried reaching out to her, but he was too badly hurt
and laid there in pain.
Chapter Eight
Walking into the police station, Buffy headed to the desk sergeant. The sergeant was on the phone speaking to someone. She waited till her was off the phone.
“What can I do for you?”
Feeling uncertain, she stepped back and began to walk away.
“Ma’am, is there anything I can do for you?”
She stopped in her tracks, just as she was about to turn around, another cop walked passed her.
“Got an id on the girl we found serge.”
“Who was she?” The sergeant asked.
“Katrina Silber.”
The sergeant pondered this for a moment.
“That name sounds familiar.”
“Oh yes, she was reported missing yesterday.”
“It’s a shame that someone so young has to die.”
Buffy winced as she heard them talking, but then she remembered something that the girl was actually Warren's girlfriend and this was a totally relief to her.
“Of course,” She whispered.
“Warren is gonna pay!”
*****
Buffy had headed towards the Magic Box, hoping that she could get this who mess straightened out and take care of Warren as soon as possible.
Everyone had been there when she arrived. She explained everything that happened to and left the Spike parts out. Anya had been looking up the demon that Buffy described for her.
When she found what she was looking for, she set the book down in front of Buffy, pointing to a demon.
“Is that what you saw?”
“Yeah, that’s it.” Buffy replied.
“Hmm.” “The Rwasundi.” “Very rare. Um, its presence in our dimension causes a sort of ... localized temporal disturbance.” Anya said,matter-of-factly.
“So, that’s why time went all David Lynch onme,” Buffy realized.
Shaking her head, Anya replied as she sat down,"Right.” “Uh, human perception is based on a linear chronology.” “Being exposed to the Rwasundi for more than a few seconds can cause, uh, vivid hallucinations. And a slight tingly scalp.”
Willow chimed in, “So that’s it.” “They just made you think you killed her.”
“Yeah.” Xander agreed as he added his twoc ents. “Willow’s right, Buff. “ “She was probably dead long before you stumbled acrossed her.”
“It wasn't the demons.” “It was Warren.” “He knew Katrina. He had something to do with it, I know it.” Buffy spoke up.
“How can you be sure?” Willow asked.
It's now or never, she thought, taking a deep breath.
Buffy was silent before answering, “I know because you always hurt the ones you love.”
The gang was confused and Willow asked, “What do you mean exactly?”
“I…I…I’ve been lying to you for while now.” Buffy started a bit hesitantly.
“Lying about what?” Xander asked, confused.
Buffy hesitated again.
“What is it?” Willow asked, concerned.
“I need to be honest with you all.” “It’s killing me lying to you.” Buffy began to tear up. “I need to tell you where I go at night.”
Looking at each of her friends, she continued on.
“Sometimes I go on patrol and other times, I spend my nights with someone.”
“Who, Buffy?” asked Dawn curiously.
“In the beginning, I turned to him for guidance and advice, but the relationship changed into something else, something...sexual.” “I wasn’t prepared to tell you any of it.”
"Why tell us now, after all this time?" Xander asked, perturbed.
“Because you always hurt the one you love,” Willow reiterated Buffy’s statement from before.
Buffy shook her head as she whipped the tears away.
“We're your friends, Buffy, you know you can turn to us for anything,” Xander told her, a little hurt." “You know that, right?”
“I know, but I can’t tell you the reason yet. I needed…I need to understand it first.” Buffy replied, squeezing Xander’s hand.
“When you are ready, you tell us.” Anya said, comforting.
Everyone stared at her as if she had two heads. “What?” “Can’t I be nice?”
“Sure honey,” Xander patted her on the shoulder.
"God Xander, don't be so damn condescending," Anya huffed, crossing her arms over her chest.
“I just wanted you to know," Buffy began again, ignoring Anya's outburst.
"Who is the guy,” Xander demanded to know.
Buffy swallowed hard before said who it was. She was so scared, and didn't know if she could even admit it aloud.
"Who is it, Buffy," Willow asked.
”Spike.”
Dawn’s face lit up with happiness. She always wanted them to be together, and on some level knew they were. She turned her gaze to Buffy, “Does this mean you’re not going anywhere?” She needed confirmation.
Getting up, Buffy walked over to her sister and hugged her.
“I’m not going anywhere.” Turning towards her friends, she added. “Hate me all you want, but please don't hate Spike. He wanted me to be honest from the beginning. I just didn't know how to.”
"Spike?" "Why him?" Xander asked in a disgusted tone.
“It’s my decision be with him," Buffy snapped back and added silently to herself, If he'll have me,.
It dawned on Xander that Buffy was in love with Spike, and asked her, “You love Spike, don't you?" He stood up, pacing back and forth. “Fang breathe.” “Dead boy?” “Buffy are you sure?”
“I am totally sure, Xander.”
"Buffy how could you? With him?" "I don't even want to think about it."
"Xander," Anya chided him. "It's not our decision to make for Buffy. She loves him, and I think we should respect that!" Anya glared at him.
"Fine!" Xander mumbled, sitting back down next to Anya.
“We’ll stand by you 100 %,” said Willow,hugging her friend.
"Thank you, Willow. I really appreciate this." Buffy wipped the tears away, and continued on.
Willow smiled and surprisingly she wasn't all that upset by Buffy's revelation.
She was happy for her friend, and wished that Xander could at least accept it for
Buffy's sake. After a few moments, Buffy spoke.
"We've got important issues; we need to find Warren, and the others.”
“Whatever they've done, they're not gonna get away with it.”
Chapter Nine
Warren, Jonathan and Andrew went back to Warren'shouse, and headed down to the basement. Jonathon was still having secondthoughts about this whole thing, but didn't let on that it was bothering him. Andrew, however, did what ever Warren wanted.
The basement was large, and in one corner, there was asmall living room set off the right, and to the left was their area where they strategized.
Sitting down in his chair, Warren had a smile on his face, pleased with how everything was going.
"Soon we'll have the slayer right where we want, and then we'll pounce," Warren said, gleefully. "
Yeah," said a dreamy Andrew, looking lovingly at Warren.
No one was ever sure what which way Andrew swung, but never questioned him about it.
"Excuse me," Jonathan went up stairs.
Jonathan was so nervous; he had to go to the bathroom.
"I'm glad that he's gone," Warrenannounced. "He's holding us back. We need to get rid of him."
Sighing, Warren muttered something under his breath, shaking his head. "As I was saying,Jonathan has to go. He's dragging us down…I think he's having second thoughts."
"Really, you think so?"
Warren ignored Andrew's question and said what he was thinking. "I think we need to kill him."
Before Andrew could agree or disagree, Jonathan came down the steps, oblivious to what had happened. He went over to the livingroom area and sat down; tired of everything that was happening around him. He had to find some way to break free of this life. Buffy did so much for him and he could repay her like this. If there was someway, he could let her in on what was happening.
Andrew and Warren watched on as Jonathan was sitting,quietly, alone, and wondered why was he was thinking about.
Warren spoke up,breaking Jonathan's thoughts. "What are you thinking about?"
"Nothing," Jonathan lied.
"Just tired isall. It's getting late."
"Yeah, late," Warren echoed his thoughts.
Rising to his feet, Jonathan walked passed his so-called friends, and left the basement. It didn't bother them that he left, without saying another word. They just continued as if nothing even happened.
"What if he goes and tells Buffy about us?" asked Andrew.
Warren hadn't anticipated that scenario and was surprised that Andrew had.
"You're right. He could. I don't want to take that chance," Warren stood up. "Grab whatever important stuff there is, and let's get the hell out of here."
They had packed up everything of importance, and when they were finished,
they packed up everything they could in the van, and headed off to their secret
hid out, that only he and Andrew knew about.
Chapter Ten
Jonathan had been walking the streets, and hadn't realized that he'd walked all the way to the Magic Box. He looked up, surprised with himself. He saw that the lights were still on, and crossed the street, walking up to the door.
Opening the door, he stepped in. Everyone turned to look who had entered.
"Jonathan," Buffy whispered.
"What are you doing here," Xander asked,snidely.
"I…I…don't know," Jonathan walked back outside and Buffy followed him.
"Jonathon, wait," Buffy called out.
Turning around, Jonathan had a frightened looked on his face. He thought that the slayer was gonna kick his ass.
Sensing his worry, Buffy smiled, and he relaxed a bit.
"Don't worry, I'm not gonna kick your ass…yet!"
"Ok," he stuttered.
"Come back inside," She said.
"I'd rather not."
"Ok, why don't you start with why you're here?"
"I…I am really about everything. I never meant for it go as far as it has. I just…I just want out."
"This is not some lame attempt to get my guard up, is it?" "
No not, at all." Jonathan shifted at bit, putting his hands in his pants pockets.
"Better not be!"
"I assure you, it isn't. They don't even know where I'm at."
"And why are you here?"
"I'm here to tell you were Andrew and Warren are at."
"Oh!" Buffy said, intrigued.
As Jonathan was explaining everything to her, she was making a mental note of everything. And when was finished, he walked home, and she headed back inside.
"Time to take care of Warren," she annouced, grabbing what she could in weapons, just in case demons could pop up.
"Where's Jonathan?" Xander asked, a little too harshly.
He'd been still reeling for the Spike and Buffy are item now news. He just didn't know when to keep his mouth shut.
"He went home."
"What? You let him go?" Xander asked,incredulously.
Glaring at him, Buffy said, "I can't believe you're still on about Spike and I being together…Get over it!"
Turning her gaze to Willow, Buffy said, "Let's go, I might need your help with Warren, if he decides to do something magical."
"Ok," Willow said, getting up, not wanting to start another argument.
Xander kept his mouth shut for the time being.
"Anya, take Dawn home, and you and Xander keep an eye on her, ok?" Buffy asked.
Shaking her head yes, and turning to Dawn, Buffy said, "Ok...Behave Dawn!"
Dawn ignored her sister and rolled her eyes. I don't need a babysitter. I can stay home by myself!
*****
With that Buffy and Willow left, heading to Warren's house.When the slayer and the witch arrived, it was too late. Warren and Andrew were gone. There were papers scattered all around, left in their hasty exit.
Willow bent down, picking up a few things, and looked up at Buffy, showing her what she'd found. "
They must have figured Jonathan would squeal and left," Buffy surmised.
"Yeah, and it looks like they left theiritinerary."
Willow handed it over, and Buffy took it. She quickly scanned it over. It listed a bank robbery to a museum heist.
"At least we know what they'v ebeen up to, and where they might do next," said Buffy. "Let's gather up whatever we can, and head back to the house to go through everything."
After awhile they'd picked up every piece that they could and headed back to the house. Anya and Xander were on the sofa watching TV,when Buffy and Willow entered the house.
"They were gone," Willow announced, sitting next to Xander.
"It was set up?" He asked. "I knew it!"
"Apparently not, they'd left all this," She replied.
Buffy and Willow set the papers on the coffee table. Buffy yawned and Willow told her to go upstairs.
"Are you sure?" Buffy asked, hoping they wouldn't need her. She had to go see Spike and make sure that he was ok. She had to apologize some how.
"Yeah, just go, we'll take care of this," Willow told her.
"Ok, well, I'm gonna check on Dawn, and take shower, then just go to bed."
On the way to the stairs, she said, "Let me know what you find out."
Then she disappeared. She headed to Dawn's room, and checked on her.
Thankfully, she was still sleeping. She then went to her room,and climbed out
the window, heading to Spike's crypt.
Chapter Eleven
Spike had made it back to his crypt in one piece, barely. He cleaned himself up and lay down in his bedchamber. He was just about to fall asleep, when he heard the door open.
“Bloody great, just bloody great.” He muttered, sensing Buffy's presences. "Can'ta bloke get any rest?"
A few moments later, Buffy came down the latter.
“Fancy seeing you again…Slayer.” He seethed.
She didn’t say anything, and knew she deserved whatever he dished out to her. She crossed over to him and knelt in front of him.
“Spike, I…” Spike stopped her.
“Look, you don’t have to say anything.”
“I need to.”
Spike sat up, slowly, waiting for the apology.
“Say it, and then leave!”
“I’m not very good with words.”
She got up and paced back and forth.
“Get on with it.”
“I’m…I’m sorry, Spike.”
She stopped and turned towards him.
“I took my anger out on you. I never meant for it to happen that way.” “I let my anger get the best of me and I think I went to far this time.” “Can you forgive me?”
He thought about this for a moment. Before, he would forgave her for anything, but not this time. It’s gonna take a whole lot for her to gain his trust once again.
“I don’t know, slayer.” “I just don’t know!”
She walked back over the bed and sat down next to him. A few moments later, she blurted out, “I told them.”
“Told who what?”
“I told them about us.”
“What?” He asked surprised, looking at her. He smirked at her when she was looking. Spike was happy she took the initiative to tell them the truth. Now no more lying, he thought.
Ignoring his question, she started another topic, "By the way, I didn’t kill the girl.” “She was already dead.”
She looked him in the face and looked away. She couldn’t bare to look at his face like that, knowing she did that. After a beat, he asked,
“Why does this have anything to do with you telling your friends about us?”
“It was something you said.”
He knit his brow in confusion. “What did I say?”
“You told me, ‘You always hurt the ones you love.’”
"Yeah," He lifted his scared brow, intrigued.
“I hurt the one I love," Buffy said, looking anywhere at him.
“S’that so?” Spike smirked, but she didn't see it.
Always knew she loved me. Just needed to admit it to herself.
She shook her head to confirm.
After a few minutes he asked, “Who killed the girl?”
“Warren.”
“That bloody ponce.”
“Wait in line, we all want a piece of him.”
She looked back at him again.
“I’m sorry.”
“I know.”
She leaned into him and he wrapped arms around her, letting her know, he wasn’t going anywhere.