(1)

She sat in the shadows and watched as the first threads of pink appeared in the night sky.  She'd been sitting there for hours watching and waiting. Waiting and thinking about him.

Thinking about them.  When she was at her lowest, he had been there for her. The rest of them either tried to act like nothing happened or acted like she was some sort of criminal.  He treated her like a person, an addicted person, but a person.

Then things began to change.  She'd always felt attracted to him, but he had a crush on Buffy.  Then late one night, one of those nights when she couldn't sleep, he held her and as the sun came up at last, he told her how he felt. She didn't believe him, she couldn't let herself believe him.

She loved him, but she didn't want to be hurt.  Eventually, she decided to trust him.  She had to take the chance.

Now it had been two months since he'd started staying with her and she was afraid she'd been wrong.

For the past three nights, he'd been leaving their bed after midnight and returning before dawn.  She hadn't thought much about it the first night.
She just went back to sleep and he was there again in the morning.  Deep down she must have been uneasy because she woke again the next night and it was the same.  Tonight she would confront him about it.

She saw his shadowy form come over the balcony railing and enter silently through he French door, closing it carefully behind him.  He was half way to the bed when he sensed her presence.

"Trouble sleeping luv?" he asked as he turned to face her.

"Makes two of us I guess," she replied.

He sat down on the bed and waited.

"Where have you been?"

He rose shaking his head slowly from side to side, "let's not start this. Sometimes I have to go out at night, it's my time remember?"

"Something you can't tell me about?" she said angrily.

"Bloody hell, " he said with feeling, " I came back didn't I?  This is where I want to be; don't you understand that?  Don't you know what all this," his
gesture included her and the entire room, " means to me?"

Eyes blazing and cheeks flushed, she stood and faced him.

"You stay until I fall asleep and then slip back before dawn, I know exactly what all this means to you.  A convenient place to get off on a regular
basis."

Still fuming, she pull the hem of her nightgown up to her waist, " if it's Ok, I can pull down my underpants and bend over the chair.  Then you won't
even have to look at me."

As soon as she said it, she knew she had gone too far.

He froze; his face became a rigid mask.  Without looking at her, he turned and started for the balcony door.  Oblivious to the streaks of light that
were rapidly brightening the sky, his hand reached for the knob.

"No Spike!" she shouted, " please don't go.  I'm sorry, it's just that you're the only thing I've e got to hold on  to ; and if I lost you, I don't know
what …."

His released the knob and turned.

Still standing at the door, he said, " don't ever think that I could treat you that way.  What I've had to do the last few nights is something that I
have to take care of myself.  I don't want you or anyone else involved for your own good."

"Is it dangerous?"

He gave an evil grin, " dangerous?  Only for the other guy pet."

She sighed and let her body relax.  She hadn't realized how tense she had been.  Her muscles felt like she'd spent all morning training with Buffy.

That reminded her, "Spike you stay and get some rest.  Buffy planned on a late night and I promised to look in on Dawn before school, Ok?"

He nodded, moved to the bed and sat.

"Do you have to leave right now?" he asked.

She gave him a questioning glance.

"I mean, is the underpants thing still on offer?"

She pulled off her nightgown, wadded it up and threw it at his head, as she walked toward him.

Dawn was finishing her breakfast as her sister came through the kitchen door.

"Food, please tell me that you made extra, " she begged as she flopped down in the chair next to Willow.

"Pancakes, eggs and fresh squeezed orange juice, " her friend said with a grin as she moved to the cook top.

"How Martha Stewart Will, we gonna arrange flowers later?"

Willow brought her a plate and a cup of coffee.

"How's the patrolling going?  You've been out late the last two nights."

"New gang in town, " she said between bites, " causing a lot of trouble.  Not fledglings either, I get the feeling that there may be a master vamp behind it."

She sipped some coffee, " this is really great Will."

Her friend was unresponsive.

"Will, earth to Willow, thanks for the breakfast."

"Oh sorry, I guess I drifted away a little.  A master vamp, you really think so?"

"This bunch shows a lot of discipline.  They know what they want and the way to get it."

"If Spike weren't chipped, I might just suspect him." She added.

Willow looked thoughtful.

Pushing back her plate, Buffy said, " thanks again Will.  I really appreciate the help with Dawn."

Her younger sister looked up from the homework she was checking and stuck out her tongue.

"Will, you have to get back in the game.  There must be a guy out there who would appreciate all this," she gestured at the breakfast remnants.  "

"Another thing while I'm at it, I don't like you living in that big house all by yourself."

Willow jumped up and started clearing the table, " I think I need the space right now, recovery and all."

"Remember, " Buffy said as he rose to help, " your room here is always ready whenever you want it."

She felt the pressure growing deep inside her and she tightened her legs around his hips as he pounded into her.

That's right, she thought, my little soldier that's it.

Then she exploded and spasmed around him driving him over the edge.  She felt the warmth pump into her.  He was the best human she'd ever had.  No competition for her eternal lover but still very good.

Who would have thought that after being left for dust in South America, she could have found a treasure like him, dropped like a gift from above.

Drusilla looked into his handsome and satisfied face.

"Yes Mr. Riley Finn, I think we'll have a very interesting time here in Sunnydale.
 

(2)

Xander didn't look up as the trailer door opened.

"Sorry, we filled all the places this morning.  Check the board out front later in the week."

"Gee, not even for an old friend?"

Xander looked up startled. " Riley, I can't believe it.  When did you get back?" he said rising and shaking hands.

Riley sat down in the chair opposite him, "just a few days ago, I've been doing some traveling and I thought I'd see how Sunnydale was doing."

There was a short silence.

Xander cleared his throat, "have you seen Buffy yet?"

Riley shook his head, "I thought it might be better to talk to you first.  I know how things can change around here."

"Would you like some coffee?" Xander offered. " This could take a while."

~~~*~~~

Willow watched Buffy punch and kick the heavy bag.  She'd been trying to help with training since Giles left, but with catching up with school and Spike (guilty grin) she hadn't been a lot of help.

"I don't know how you can keep it up like that, " Willow said as Buffy stopped to catch her breath.

"Having no sex life leaves a lot of excess energy and the frustration level to act it out, " she said between breaths.

Remembering Tara, Buffy apologized, " sorry Will, wasn't thinking.  Sure you don't want to go a couple of rounds yourself?"

Willow colored, " no thanks, I'll work my frustrations out making up a whole quarter of physics."

"Ok, " her friend said, " but I don't want you to spend all night wrestling with something as hard as that, you have to have some fun."

Willow grinned, " sometimes the wrestling can be more fun than you think, especially when it's with something hard."

"I'll have to take your word for that one Will, " Buffy said preparing to resume her workout.

~~~*~~~

Willow turned as the bell over the shop door rang, "Xander, what brings you here in the middle of the afternoon?  A little love potion or a charm, is
Anya getting a little…"

"Ok Will, I get it, " he said, " but speaking of love, is Buffy here?"

"Yeah, she was training, she's cleaning up now.  What do you want with her?"

"I've got a little surprise, no a not so little surprise for her.  A surprise about six foot two and …"

"Xander you're rambling.  What are you talking about?"

"It's a surprise I think Buffy'll really like …"

"Maybe Buffy will and maybe she won't.  Give Xander, " the slayer said from the door to the back room.

"Ok, " he said going to the door and opening it.  He left but quickly returned with Riley in tow.

"Here it is, " Xander said with a huge grin."

Buffy stared silently and Riley just stood and stared back.

"Xander, I think we have to go and see about that thing, " Willow said rapidly as she came from behind the counter.

"Thing, see about what thing?" Xander asked puzzled.

"The important thing, " she said taking his hand and squeezing it for all she was worth.

"Owww, " Xander squealed, " Oh the thing, now I …"

The end of the sentence was cut off as Willow propelled him through the door and closed it behind her.

"Hi, " she said, " are you Ok?  I mean with the fighting and all"

"I'm Ok, how are you?" he replied.

She sighed, " a lot has .."

He put up a palm; "Xander filled me in on Glory and what you did and Willow's spell.  I know it must have been hard, must still be hard."

"Yeah and with Giles leaving and Dawn and…."

"Come here, " he said opening his arms.

She walked to him and he folded her against his chest.

"Just relax, I'm here for you.  Every thing will be all right, " he whispered rocking her gently.   "Leave it to Riley."

~~~*~~~

Spike worked his way as close to the cave entrance as possible.  It was closer than he'd managed to get before.  He knew she was back, he felt it the first night.  It had taken two more nights to locate the cave and get some idea of the size of the family.  It was small, maybe ten or twelve, but all senior vamps no fledglings.  Maybe tonight he'd find out why she was here.  He knew her well enough to know there had to be a reason.

He heard steps approaching and pressed back against the rock.  When the moonlight showed him it was Riley Finn, he couldn't believe it.  Then he
heard a familiar voice.

"My soldier is home, " Drusilla said as she ran to Riley.

They embraced and kissed passionately.

"I always come back to my princess, " the big man said as they walked to the cave entrance.

When they got a few feet into the cave, Drusilla collapsed into Riley's arms.

"You're still too weak, " he said with concern.

She smiled faintly, " after she drains the slayer, princess will be all well again."

"Why did you risk …" he started.

"He was there, I felt him.  It was all for him.  Just you wait my soldier, just you wait."
 

(3)

Willow looked up and rubbed her eyes, " morning already?" she asked with a yawn.

"Depends, " Spike said with an apologetic smile, " everything after midnight is technically…"

Willow reached out for the clock on the nightstand and stared at it for a moment in disbelief.

"It's four freaking o'clock in the morning!  I spent half the night on a paper and I have to be in class at eight AM.  This place better damn well be
on fire and I don't smell any smoke."

"Calm down luv, " he said sitting down next to her on the bed and putting an arm around her.

She gave him a suspicious look, "now I see what's on fire.  Well I'm not in the mood, so there, " she said shaking off his arm.

"No I've got some news, you'll never guess who's back in town."

Willow gave him an innocent look, " I can't imagine.  Let's see, how about Riley Finn?"

She grinned at the shocked look on his face, "old news lover, I talked to him this afternoon.  I was there when Buffy saw him, she looked a lot like you."

She was surprised to see his expression shift to concern.

"He's seen the slayer already?" he asked.

"Seen and I'm not sure what else.  I left them together this afternoon."

His face became even more solemn.

"What is it?" she asked sitting up.

"Someone else is in town.  I don't want you to get upset, but we have to talk about it."

"Talk about what?  Did Riley bring Graham or some of the other Initiative guys with him?  That's all over, I know the chip thing still has you down,
but look on the bright side…"

"Dru's back," he said in a flat voice.

"What?  What did you say?"

"Drusilla is back in Sunnydale. She's been here for a few days and I …."

"A few days?  Is that where you've been going?  Have you been seeing her?" she asked in a small tight voice.

"Yes, I mean yes and no.  I've been looking for her yes, but I haven't 'seen' her."

Willow dropped back on the bed and rolled away from him.

"Don't, " he said tentatively touching her back, "I had to find out why she was here.  I was afraid that she might be.. that she might want to hurt
someone."

She remained silent her back still toward him.

"She can be so jealous.  The thought of what she could do all because of me, I couldn't stand by and do nothing.  If anything happened to …"

She turned, " you haven't seen her?"

"Cross my heart and hope to …" he paused and smiled at her.

"You'd better not or I'll kick her skanky ass back to…where ever she came from, " she said with resolve.

"There's more, Riley was with her."

"You mean she captured him and he escaped?  He didn't say anything about that this afternoon."

"No, I mean he was 'with' her and now he's back with the slayer."

"With her?  You couldn't be mistaken?" she asked intently.

"Not about her pet, I've been there and there's no mistaking it."

Willow climbed out of bed and began to dress, " I've got to warn her."

"I'll come along, " he offered.

"No, I don't think it would help.  Buffy still has some trust issues where you're concerned."

~~~*~~~

"Will, what the hell are you doing here?  It's five in the morning, " Buffy said opening the door.

"Is Riley here?" she asked peering behind her friend into the darkened house.

"What are you the morals police?  No, he's not here if you must know.  Come on in, " she said stepping aside.

"Coffee?" she offered leading them into the kitchen.

Willow shook her head.

"That vamp group you've been after, it's Drusilla, she's back, " Willow said breathlessly.

"Yeah Will I know, old news.  Riley told me this afternoon."

Willow gave her a puzzled look.

"He's tracked her all the way from South America and finally caught up with her here.  In fact," she glanced at the clock, " in about twelve hours, we're going to settle with her once and for all."

"I've got to tell you something important, " Willow started.

"Don't worry, we're not going to need you guys tonight.  Riley still has a few of his old Initiative buddies."

"That's just it, Riley's involved with Drusilla," Willow said, " it could be a trap."

"Riley and Drusilla?  Did you smoke your breakfast Will? " she said with amusement.

"It's true, we don't know what they're up to, but…"

"Wait a minute, who's we?"

Willow looked her in the eye and said, "Spike and me, that's who."

The slayer's expression tightened, "Spike told you all this didn't he?  You didn't see or hear them yourself, right?"

Willow nodded, " but he saw them.."

"Riley told me he'd try something like this.  He said Spike would try to come between us; to try and break up the scoobies.  He's the reason she came back to Sunnydale.  She's always had a thing for him.  They're working together again.  Chip or no chip with Drusilla he still could make all hell break loose.  They didn't count on Riley though." she said with satisfaction.

"But Spike said, " Willow continued.

"Listen Will, I told you.  He's at the bottom of this, you can't trust him."

Willow tried, but she couldn't change her friend's mind.  She thought about telling Buffy about her relationship with Spike; but she knew he friend would think she was blinded by her emotions.

~~~*~~~

"Tonight?" Spike asked.

"That's what she said.  She and Riley and some of his army pals are supposed to do it."

Spike was thoughtful, "can you get the rest of the group here this evening, Xander and Anya?  How about Tara too?"

"I can try."

Later, the five of them were in Spike's car parked down the street from Buffy's.

Spike nodded as a black SUV pulled up in front of the house, "that must be him."

~~~*~~~

After trailing them into the hills north of town, Spike pulled down an almost invisible side road.

"We're losing them! " Xander yelped.

"Don't worry, I know exactly where they're headed.  I found another way to get into their little hideaway, besides this way we can hide the car, " Spike explained.

"Will, are you sure about this?" Xander asked.

"Believe Spike, he knows what he's doing, " she encouraged.

"Taking orders from Spike, " he grumbled, " how did I let myself get into this?"

Spike pulled the car into a small grove of trees, "wait here, I'll see what they're up to, " he said sliding out of the car and disappearing into the
twilight shadows.

He went through the entrance he'd discovered earlier into a small cave.  It was connected to the ones used by the vamps.  Proceeding deeper, he could hear the sound of hushed conversation.  He edged up to the opening to the larger cave.

"Where are Graham and the others? " the slayer whispered.

"They should be just ahead around that turn.  You wait here, I'll check, " Riley replied softly.

Spike watched him disappear and then softly called out her name.

She looked around and he stepped out into the faint light and put a finger to his lips.

He gestured for her to follow him.

She took a step toward him, and then turned back.

"Buffy," Riley called, " come on.  Everyone's here, we're ready to start."

Spike shook his head and gestured more forcefully.

She looked puzzled.

"Come on Buffy, you don't want to spoil all our plans.  We can take care of Drusilla once and for all."

She shot a last look at Spike and followed the sound of Riley's voice.

Spike faded back into the shadows, " looks like we go to plan B."

~~~*~~~

When Buffy rounded the curve, four vamps jumped her; and before she knew it, her wrists and ankles were manacled.

They pulled her to her feet, and pushed her forward.

She stared in disbelief.

Riley was standing with his arm around Drusilla, "shame on you Buffy, you almost spoiled all our plans, " he said, "I promised to take care of Drusilla
and I always keep my promises, don't I princess?"

Drusilla slowly licked across the pulse point of his throat, "yes my soldier and so do I, and so do I."
 

(4)

'Riley, I.. I .. don't understand, " Buffy said still shaken.

"You of all people should understand.  You know from experience, no flesh and blood mortal can compare to a vampire.  The sex is mind blowing and the feeding, that's something else."

"Did Angel take just a little taste when he was finished with you, after he fucked you and left you alone in your own little virgin bed?  Is that what
you missed?  Is that why I wasn't good enough no matter what I did?  When I threw away everything I ever had or wanted, it wasn't enough was it?  You couldn't forget him."

"Riley I'm sorry.  I tried to…"

"When I was wounded and captured. It was the best thing that ever happened to me.  Princess took me in and showed me what I was missing.  She made me understand how cruel you'd really been to act as if I had a chance with you."

"Now, I've brought her what she needs to be herself again, the slayer's blood.  In return, she'll give me the greatest gift, immortality.  Then I'll
show them all what real pain is, all of them."

Buffy watched as he ripped his shirt open revealing the feeding spot Drusilla had made high on his chest.

Drusilla smiled, "not on the neck, no, it wouldn't do for the slayer to see my soldier's love bites would it?"

She bent to his chest and he hissed as she morphed and bit deeply.  She fed until he became pale and unsteady on his feet.

"Princess too much, please stop, please.."

His voice faded as he dropped to her feet.  He continued to bleed blood slowly running from beneath him.

"You see my soldier, you reached too high.  There's only one mistress."

"And only one master, " a familiar voice added from the shadows.

"Spike, is it really you?" Drusilla crooned.

Her minions began to close around him as he lit the cigarette he held in his lips.

"Tell the kiddies to go and play luv, " he said gesturing to the circle of vampires closing on him with the used match.

"Spike, I hear you're different now.  Soldier boy's friends clipped your wings and no more feeding.  So sad for my poor Spike."

"Bollocks, don't believe every thing a horny lad tells you Dru, you've gotten too easy in your old age, " he smirked.

"The chip gave out long ago, I've been playing them all ever since waiting for the right moment, waiting for you."

He walked back the way he'd come, " come and see then decide."

Dru motioned for her three largest minions to accompany her.

When they entered the smaller cave, the sweet coppery smell of fresh blood hit them like a physical blow.

Anya lay in a pool of blood.  Xander draped over her in a failed attempt at protection, his neck and collar dripping crimson.  Tara lay face down as if
asleep except for the blood stained rock at her head.  The witch had almost made it to the cave's outer entrance before she'd been struck down.  The back of her head was matted with red.

"I brought them here to attack you, it was brilliant.  You should have seen their faces when they realized what I was really on to, " he smiled blowing a smoke ring toward the stony ceiling.

"I believe we have some unfinished business, you're going to need all your strength now that I'm back, " he put an arm around her and guided her back toward the waiting slayer.

Back in the main cave, he faced Buffy.

"Dru I know you've been a little peaked lately and I've always fancied a bit of this.  What do you say?"

She smiled and nodded.

He turned to the vamp closest to Buffy, "keys."

He glanced at Drusilla first.  A fraction of a second later, Spikes punch landed.

"I don't need effing permission, " he said harshly picking the stunned creature up with one hand and pulling a set of keys from his pocket with the
other."

He dropped the limp body and approached Buffy.

Forcing her back against a large flat rock protruding from the wall behind her, he said, " we can make this easy or we can make it hard.  Either way
I'll get off."

She stumbled and sat down hard on the rough surface.

He knelt quickly and unfastened her ankles, " don't get any funny ideas, " he growled.

She sat on the ledge her legs free and her hands manacled in front of her staring straight ahead.

He turned his back on the eager watchers and opened his leather duster and walked toward her.

"See anything you like slayer?" he taunted standing over her.

Buffy tried not to think about what was happening.  All she knew was that something terrible was in the next cave and she prayed that her friends were safe.

She focused on him as he approached with his coat opened wide and an evil grin on his face.

Involuntarily she looked and there in his belt was a stake.

He bent forcing her almost flat and dropped the set of keys into her hands.

"Unlock the cuffs and grab the stake, " he whispered.

She did as he said.

"Now start to struggle."

She wriggled from side to side.

"Now use your knee, and be bloody careful."

She struck with her knee catching him on the thigh.  He yelled and took her shoulder and pushed her to the right off the rock.

He spun around just in time to see four vamps dusted by the four cross bow bolts fired by the bloodstained but definitely live figures at the cave
entrance.  It was over almost before it started.  Buffy surprised three with her stake and Spike dusted the still woozy vamp he'd punched.  Two more took off into the cave followed by Willow, Anya and Tara with freshly loaded crossbows.

Spike spotted the last two hurrying Drusilla into the small cave.  He quickly followed.

He caught them at the exit.

"No, " Drusilla said as her last minions prepared to fight.

She collapsed against the cave wall, " you win, I always knew you'd be the death of me, I just thought we'd go together."

She closed her eyes and waited.

"Stop it Dru, you know I could never…"

She smiled and opened her eyes again, " come with me.  We could be .."

He tapped his temple and shook his head.

He motioned to the two vampires; "you lot get her out of here and be careful."

He leaned close and kissed her on the forehead, " goodbye princess."

He watched them carry her off into the darkness.

He rubbed a hand across his face and turned back.

"You let her go, " Willow said from the shadows.

"I couldn't bloody well kill her could I, too much history, " he said lighting a cigarette and taking a long drag.

"I think I understand, " she said turning back with him toward the main cave and slipping her hand in his.

Back in the main cave, they found Buffy kneeling over Riley.

"Who has a cell phone?" she demanded, "he's still breathing."

~~~*~~~

"Is there someone we should call about Riley?" Willow asked later when they were all together at Buffy's.

"I did have a number somewhere he said someone there would always be able to get a message to him.  It's in the book on the desk."

Willow left and Buffy turned to Spike, " what happened back there?"

"When you made the wrong decision and followed Riley, " she looked away, " I knew I was the only one who could get close enough to them to help you, but they had to believe that I was back with them.  So I killed everyone."

Buffy stared and Anya, Xander and Tara grinned.

"I had a cooler with a couple of bags of blood in the trunk, a few bodies carefully posed and covered with blood and instant massacre."

"I was a hero and I just had to come up with a way to get close enough to you.  A final shag seemed like a good idea."

"Do you mind if I don't thank you for that idea?" she said.

Willow returned, " it was an answering machine, I told them he was alive and in Sunnydale General."

"I guess that's all we can do, " Buffy admitted.

"Spike, what happened to Riley?  Why did he do those things and say those things and want to …." Her voice petered out and she wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.

"I reckon Riley and his friends attacked Dru's group in South America and he was wounded and captured.  I think Dru used her powers, don't forget she is a master, to control him.  I doubt if he could have resisted.  After that it was all her plan to get you,"

"And, " Willow interrupted, " to get you back."
 

Epilogue

"Will, thanks for coming with me.  I really appreciate it, " Buffy said as they entered the hospital.

"I couldn't spend all day in bed."

"That's not what I heard, " Buffy said with an evil grin.

"Damn Spike, " Willow said in mock anger.

Buffy stopped at the information desk, " we'd like to see Riley Finn, he came in by ambulance yesterday.'

The woman punched a few keys on her computer and paused.

"F-i-n-n right?" she asked.

Buffy nodded.

"I'm sorry, we don't have any patient by that name."

"Maybe they transferred him Buffy, " Willow offered.

The woman returned to her keyboard.

"No one by that name has been a patient here in the last year, I'm sorry."

END

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