She woke slowly, awareness coming in layers, taking in first the sleeping vampire she was cuddled against, then memory of what had transpired, then lastly the huge brass bed and soft silk sheets in which they were lying and the rough texture of the walls, soft light from the candles flickering on them. They were in the lower level of Spikes crypt, she looked around, it was nice, comfortable, Spike had transformed it with rugs, bed and clothes chests, no mirror she noted to herself, candles covered most available surfaces down here just as they did above. Spike may be a creature of the night but he liked his light, just as he liked other human comforts. A leather bound book lay on the bedside table, bookmark visible poking out between the pages. He really was so unlike other vampires she thought to herself, not that she made a habit out of being in vampires bedrooms, but she didn’t need to to know that Spike was pretty unique.

This brought other vampire related matters to mind and she turned them over in her head for the next couple of hours, to the gently lulling sound of her lover’s light breathing. Even in sleep he drew breath his body didn’t require for survival.

“Spike?” Buffy ventured softly.

“Mmmm, love?” the sleepy vampire replied, snuggling her closer to his side, nuzzling gently at her neck and purring softly as he closed his eyes ready to let sleep claim him again.

“You know I can’t let you keep feeding on people don’t you”, Buffy’s voice was gentle, but determined.

This had his attention, “have to feed love, unless you fancy me a walking mummy?”

“I know you do, but can’t you, I don’t know…you could drink blood from the butchers?”

“Like Angel you mean!” Spike’s voice took on a hard edge despite his best intentions. Wary of not hurting the girl in his arms he softened the tone, “you don’t know what its like love, vampires are meant to drink live blood, dead blood can keep you going, but only just and its disgusting, dead animal blood, even worse.” Wanting her to understand, to know he wasn’t just being objectionable for the sake of it, he tried to explain, “What’s the worst thing you have ever had to eat, something that makes your stomach churn?”

Without hesitation Buffy answered with a shudder “brussel sprouts”.

“Ok, so imagine really old, rotting brussel sprout soup, that’s what dead animal blood is to me.” He sighed and continued on with what he hoped was a credible argument. “Look luv, I’m not killin’ anyone, haven’t done for months cause I knew you wouldn’t like it, just take a bit and leave em, no harm done, no one the worse for it an maybe a lesson learnt by them on why not to walk the streets at night, when you think about it I’m doin’ a public service!”

“I know you haven’t been killing Spike, you think I hadn’t noticed that! But the point is you are still attacking people and most likely scaring them half to death, it’s just...well you just can’t keep doing it, don’t you understand, it is my job, my calling to protect people, how can I live with myself if I turn a blind eye just because it is my boyfriend doing the attacking?”

“I’ve thought about this pet and I don’t know any other way, I HAVE to feed, not a matter of choice here luv just the way it is!” His voice was soft

She had contemplated this for hours while he slept and knew what she had to say, although knowing it didn’t make it any easier. She drew a shaky breath, lowered her lashes and chewed worriedly on her lower lip, terrified of what she was about to suggest, the words when they came were almost a whisper, “what if…what if you fed on me?”

“NO!!!” He jerked away from her as if she had just burnt him, his eyes flashing from blue to gold and back again.

Hunger, excitement, glee, even just plain old enthusiasm where the reactions she had expected, nothing prepared her for the violent denial, the horror on his face at her suggestion. She reached for his face, stroking it softly, calming him with the love in her touch and her eyes. She spoke softly “Why not? It makes sense I mean my blood, it’s strong isn’t it? You wouldn’t need much and besides, you know, Slayer healing, what you took I would make back in no time flat, so no big right?”

“No Buffy, I can’t. Yes your blood is strong, nothing finer in all this world than Slayer blood, the power, the taste…ambrosia, but I can’t, I might not be able to stop…it’s not just Slayer blood luv, it’s YOUR blood! I just can’t, I might hurt you, kill you, couldn’t live with that, never want anything to happen to you and won’t bloody let it, you hear!”

“You won’t Spike, it’s ok, I know you wouldn’t hurt me…not ever, I KNOW that, I trust you, I love you. You just have to trust me, like I trust you!”

“Not a matter of trust luv, the bloodlust, its so strong ‘specially for Slayer blood, for your blood, it‘s not me in control pet, it’s the demon and only thing it wants is to drink you up, drain you and revel in the power and the taste of your unbelievably wonderful blood.”

“That’s not true Spike I know it isn’t, I know you are in control, not the demon, or I wouldn’t be alive now! You think I’m stupid Spike, think I don’t know the difference between a Master vampire in control of his demon and a stupid fledgling totally controlled by his demon?” Buffy bristled, then at the look of fear and concern on his face her tone gentled, “You’re scared Spike, I understand that…you think I’m not, when the Master bit me it was terrifying, I couldn’t move couldn’t think I was totally petrified”, her lip trembled and her eyes shone bright with unshed tears, “but I love you and the thought of having to stake you because you are killing people or of you living on something disgusting that you have to force down just because you love me, well that terrifies me more. I’m scared, but I do trust you and I do know you won’t hurt me, a little blood, well that’s an awfully small price to pay to have your love. I’m yours Spike, and you are mine, we belong to each other, ok, we are a part of each other. So stop being a stupid vampire, don’t you know arguing with the Slayer is REALLY bad for your health!!” She glared at him but the effect was lost somewhat as one of the unshed tears picked that moment to slowly trickle down her face.

“Buffy” The one whispered word encompassing all his love and devotion as he gathered her into his arms holding her so close to his long unbeating heart. He tried to muster the strength, the words to argue with her, to explain to her why the thought of drinking from her scared him so much, only problem was he couldn’t explain it to himself. She was right HE was in control had been for a very long time, long, long years since his fledgling days, days he preferred not to dwell on, days consisting of pain and humiliation, beatings, torment and million other reasons why he hated his bleedin’ Grandsire. All he could do was nuzzle into her hair, kiss the top of her head gently, breathing in the warm, beautiful scent of his slayer. He sighed against her, “alright luv, but there’s a condition.”

“What condition?” She eyed him warily, was he trying to back out…find something he knew she wouldn’t agree to, to use as an excuse not to do this?

“Wrist” he stated, “I’ll feed from your wrist, then if I get carried away or somethin’ you can just sock me one, ok. Only way it’s gonna happen pet”

She nodded her agreement, what he said actually made sense so she was happy to agree with him. She wasn’t so happy a few moments later when he reached over the side of the bed and picked up a stake which he handed to her.

“Just to be on the safe side luv”

Buffy took the offered stake in her right hand, sitting up and facing him she lent forward and kissed him gently, the kiss deepened until eventually, reluctantly they drew apart. Blue eyes fastened on hers as he reached for her left wrist, turning it towards him. Blue was replaced with gold as fangs appeared in his otherwise still beautiful face. Eyes remaining firmly locked to hers he gently bit down on her wrist, his mouth flooded with the sweet taste of his slayer’s blood, moaning softly he drank, slowly, allowing Buffy’s own racing pulse to pump the warm intoxicating nectar into his mouth, his chest tightening with an overpowering surge of love for his girl. He watched as her eyes closed, her face filled with wonder and love. Clamping down on the struggling demon inside him that was urging him to drink, drain, kill, he pulled his mouth away and licked gently at the wound till it closed. He could feel the power from her blood coursing through him.

Drawing a ragged breath, Buffy’s eyes opened again to stare once more into the amazingly blue eyes of her vampire lover. “Wow” she declared, her face lighting into a dazzling smile.

From the moment he had stared into her eyes she was lost in him, the bite was little more than a pinprick, no real pain, especially not for the slayer. Then the gentle touch of his mouth on her wrist, sensual as a kiss, his soft moan as he began to feed sending warmth flooding through her body, after a few moments, or was it a lifetime… she couldn’t tell, locked still in the depths of those now gold eyes, a wave of love deeper than anything she had ever known flowed over and through her, so beautiful, her eyes had closed; then, too soon it was gone, his tongue lapped gently at her wrist leaving behind no evidence that only seconds before his bite had been there.

He lent forward gathering her into his arms, tucking her head under his chin as she planted soft loving kisses on his neck. “Mmmm” he purred, “wow, what luv?”

Buffy described the feeling that had run through her, how she had felt and known with absolute certainty how much he loved her.

“Makes sense I guess” he mused. “Normally when a vampire bites it is hunting, feeding, you know, nothin’ sweetens the blood more than fear. Hunger and bloodlust are what you are feeling when you hunt and I guess the prey, feeling that, would experience absolute terror. While I was feeding on you all I knew was how much I loved you…guess you got to feel that too…..mmmm….nice little side effect that, what I’d call a bonus!”

“So”, she murmured against his neck, “you all over that being worried you are gonna hurt me bullshit? Cause you know you aren’t and I know you aren’t so enough already!”

He laughed a beautiful deep throaty laugh, “yes Ma’am!” His face turned serious, “still doesn’t hurt to be a little cautious for a while though does it luv, just till we are absolutely certain I have this whole, feeding on the wonder that is slayer’s blood, down pat?” A hint of concern played across his face, begging her to agree.

“Ok sweetheart, if you really are that worried we can take it carefully till you feel safe, but oh God I want to feel you feeding on my neck!”

A hungry growl escaped him at her words and his mouth plunged towards her neck fastening on the pulse point just above her shoulder, not with fangs as his demon would have liked, but lips and tongue and then gently with blunt human teeth. “Love you Buffy, love you” He breathed against her neck over and over as they proceeded to lose themselves in each other.

Later that night Buffy made her way across the cemetery towards her home. Spike had wanted to accompany her, to be by her side as she faced the wrath that was certain to descend upon her for her absence the last 24 hours, however she had managed to eventually convince him that she needed to do this alone. He had then insisted he at least walk her home, again they had disagreed, with Spike finally giving in when Buffy told him that it was hard enough having to say goodbye to him here, but outside her door, with her Mother most certainly looking on would be unbearable. Eventually they agreed that she would go home and face her Mother and Spike insisted that he patrol for her that night so at least she did not have to concern herself with that or worry that she was neglecting her sacred duty. After a lengthy and reluctant parting they had each headed off in different directions through the graveyard.

The closer to her destination, the slower her feet dragged, every step taking her nearer to a confrontation she was dreading and farther from the arms of her love.

As she turned onto the path through her yard the front door flew open.

“Buffy, where have you been? I have been worried about you, everyone has been worried about you. Mr Giles didn’t know where you were, Xander and Willow hadn’t seen you. Are you ok? Angel didn’t do anything to you did he? Are you inj……”

“Mom! I’m fine” Buffy exclaimed. “Please, breathe, let me answer you! Can…can we go inside first though?”

“Of course. You’re certain you are ok?” Joyce turned back towards the house, ushering her errant daughter inside.

Once inside Buffy walked into the lounge room and sat down in the chair, trying to calm her nerves and control the shaking in her limbs. Joyce sat on the lounge her apprehension clearly painted on her face.

“Buffy?”

“Ok Mom, what I have to tell you, you really aren’t going to like!” Buffy’s voice was small, her eyes fixed on a point on the floor in front of her. She tried again to order her thoughts, to try to come up with a way to explain the events of the last 24 hours to her mother in a way that sounded reasonable. Reasonable! Telling her mother that her 17 year old daughter had spent the last 24 hours having sex - mindblowingly beautiful, loving, wonderful sex – with a hundred and fifty year old vampire…yeah there had to be a way to make THAT sound reasonable.

“I believe I had actually worked that out for myself, I can’t imagine anything you can tell me that I am going to like about the fact that I have spent the last 24 hours wondering if you were dead somewhere, or injured and in need of help. If your crazy vampire ex-boyfriend who refuses to accept that you have broken up with him had kidnapped you. You have no idea the scenarios that have been running through my mind Buffy, but I can assure you not one of them does anything close to making me happy!” Joyce’s voice was shrill with emotion and she made a visible effort to calm herself. “Please Buffy just tell me where you have been, I believe I am owed an explanation!”

“Right, well …. um. The problem is what I need to tell you kinda goes back a bit before last night. You remember parent teacher night?” At her mother’s nod of confirmation she continued. “Well the blonde vampire, the one you hit with the axe, his name is Spike. About six months ago Spike saved my life, since then we have been kinda becoming friends, really good friends. I trust him with my life, he has never let me down, always been there when I needed him. Well last night when we were patrolling I got injured and Spike took me back to his crypt and fixed me up. I’m not sure what happened, somehow we were just kissing and, well, it was just right! I realised that I loved him, that I had loved him for a long time and he loved me too. Mom, I never knew you could love someone and be loved so much. When he holds me I feel like I’m home, I…” Tears poured down her face as she tried to find the words to explain to her mother something she did not even know how to explain to herself. How she just knew that Spike and her were meant to be together, that they belonged to each other in a way they could never belong to anyone else.

Joyce watched as her daughter broke into tears, trying to choke back the sobs which threatened to consume her. Moving on instinct she knelt on the floor in front of the chair and gathered her distraught daughter into her arms. Rhythmically stroking her hair and making soft soothing noises she calmed her troubled offspring. Eventually Buffy’s sobs subsided, hiccuping she looked up through her tears at her mother’s concerned face.

“I’m sorry Mom, I didn’t mean to go all blubber baby on you.” Buffy gave her mom a watery smile as she wiped the tears from her face. “Oh god I must be a wreck!”

“Well It’s not one of your better looks that’s for sure!” Joyce quipped, earning a short bark of laughter from her daughter. “Why don’t you go upstairs and wash your face, I’ll make some tea and we can continue our talk ok.”

“Ok Mom.” Buffy rose and headed upstairs, the urge to flee to the sanctuary of her bedroom and curl up in a ball on her bed was overwhelming, instead she made her way to the bathroom and liberally splashed her face with water, cooling her painfully inflamed eyes and cheeks. Drawing a hand through her hair she looked in the mirror starting at the sight before her, “Ughh, thank god Spike can’t see me now!” Tidying her hair the best she could and fanning her face to attempt to cool more of the angry heat from her cheeks she took a deep breath and headed back downstairs to continue the talk her hysteria had interrupted.

On her return to the lounge room her mother handed her a cup of tea and urged her to again take her seat.

“So what you are trying to tell me I assume is that you slept with this vampire. Would I be correct?” Joyce’s tone was matter of fact even though inside she was shrieking with denial.

Buffy again lowered her face and stared at the floor, nodding slowly. “We love each other Mom.” Unable to meet her mothers eye she waited, for what she didn’t know. An explosion of parental riotousness? Rejection? Horror? Anger?

Joyce forced herself to remain calm, “I see.” She began. “ Buffy, that you love each other, well, that is a good thing, however I really cannot condone your actions, or more to the point HIS actions, you are only 17 I am assuming Spike is rather older than this?”

“He …. he’s about a hundred and fifty if you include the years he was human.” Buffy mumbled.

“ A hundr …… Oh, oh my!” Joyce’s eyes widened as she attempted to absorb this latest information. “Well in that case he definitely should know better than to enter into an adult relationship with a girl of your age!” Joyce stated.

“It’s not his fault Mom, he said we should wait, he wanted to but, I …. Mom, don’t blame him, please, be angry at me, yell at me, tell me I am a slut or or I don’t know, but please, don’t blame him!” The tears which had so recently ceased began to flow again. “He is beautiful Mom, inside and out …. he is amazing, you have no idea! Mom, vampires, they don’t have a soul, they shouldn’t do the things Spike has done, shouldn’t be able to love, shouldn’t care…. but he does, he loves me so much, there is nothing he wouldn’t do for me ….”

“He doesn’t have a soul? Doesn’t that make him dangerous? Buffy I’m not sure you should have anything to do with him, I really…”

“Mom, Spike would never hurt me, he loves me! If he wanted to hurt me he has had more than enough opportunities over the last six months, he carried me unconscious and bleeding to his crypt last night, if he wanted me dead I would be dead, if he had wanted to turn me he could easily have done so last night!” All consideration for herself had flown out the window at the thought of her lover being held solely accountable for their actions or deemed to be a dangerous creature who must be dealt with. Buffy was not kidding herself, she knew from firsthand experience just how dangerous Spike could be, she also knew something of his past and was in no doubt whatsoever that he had happily murdered thousands, that was in the past though and was NOT who he was now.

“Be that as it may Buffy, I don’t think I want you having anything further to do with this man, you are so young and….”

“I am young Mom, I know and Spike told me he was willing to wait for as long as I needed, but Mom, don’t you understand, I am the slayer,” her voice caught in another quaking sob, “it’s not a job, Mom, it’s a life calling, most slayers don’t live to see their 18^{th birthday, so yeah I’m young, but I probably won’t live to be anything but young! And … and I love him so much, I can’t imagine not being able to see him, not being able to hold him, Mom I….” Buffy’s ever rising hysteria broke again in an enormous wave of tears and sobs.}

A grief stricken Joyce attempted to process not only her sobbing daughter in front of her, the actuality of a hundred and fifty year old VAMPIRE boyfriend as well as the reality of her only child’s haunting words in regard to her life expectancy. For the first time since Buffy’s birthday admission of exactly who and what she was, the exactness of that disclosure hit home; her baby was not going to have what other girls had, would most likely never have the college graduation or the fairytale wedding, would not live to have children of her own and watch them grow, her baby was going to be lucky to see adulthood. Gathering her daughter to her she soothed and shushed, at the same time clinging fiercely to her child as if by strength of will alone she could hold at bay the reality of a life of violence and danger and protect her offspring from pain and the surety of untimely death.

A knocking from the door eventually dragged the Summer’s matriarch back from her still sobbing daughter’s grief to the mundaneness of life. Gently untangling her daughters arms from around her neck she quietly assured her she would return in a moment. Drawing a deep breath and wiping her hands across her face in an attempt to both compose herself and hide the evidence of her distress, she opened the door to a highly agitated leather clad blonde pacing back and forth across her front porch.

Spike had finished patrolling and had headed to Revello drive, just to check that she was ok, he told himself, just in case she needed him. Which was the truth, what he didn’t admit was HIS need to see her again even if just for a second, to climb up to her window and kiss her goodnight, to assure himself that she still loved him, that the reality of home and family had not brought crashing down upon her the realisation of what she had done. He needed reassurance that she was not regretting their night together!

As he approached the house he had heard Buffy’s grief stricken sobs and her mother’s quiet attempts to sooth. All thought, all sense abandoned him at the sound of his love’s sorrow, all he knew was he had to get to her, to hold her and ease the pain which was currently overwhelming her. Before he knew what he was doing he had knocked on the door, waiting the moments it took for the door to open was an eternity, an endless age in which all he could hear was Buffy’s misery. He wanted to reach out and tear the door from its hinges, beat it down and rush to her side. He forced himself to wait, his feet carrying him on a furious march across the confines of the porch and back again in urgent need to expend the swell of anxiety.

The door opened to Buffy’s mother, her face damp and red from her own anguish. Recognition dawned across her face, “You must be Spike?”

He could hear Buffy’s weeping, smell her tears on the air and the need to hold her, to ease her pain anyway he could, increased. Nodding, whilst looking past Joyce, his mind barely even acknowledging her continued presence, he strained to see his girl, his slayer whose grief was ripping him apart. Stepping forward he encountered the barrier, the hidden force which prevented a vampire from entering uninvited into a human home. “Buffy” an anguished whisper slipped unbidden from his lips, turning grief stricken eyes on the woman before him, “please, invite me in.”

Joyce watched as the vampire’s pacing ceased, his every sense appeared to be trained beyond her to the lounge room, even as he acknowledged her question with a nod his focus was clearly on Buffy and not her. She saw him move to enter only to be stopped short by something she could not see, something intangible yet seemingly impassable even for the clearly powerful creature standing before her. Her daughters name spoken in pained reverence before he turned to her and requested an invitation to their house, to their sanctuary; never invite a vampire into the house, this message had been clearly stated by both her daughter and her watcher! Something in his face, in his eyes decided her, “Come in Spike.” His gratitude shone clearly on his face for a brief second before he was gone, past her, dropping to his knees and gathering Buffy into his arms.

“Buffy love, I’m here.”

She watched in amazement as her daughter’s shuddering lessened as she burrowed her face into the vampire’s shoulder. She saw his hands, gentle and loving as they stroked and soothed, heard soft mumbled words as he nuzzled tenderly at Buffy’s hair. Slowly Buffy calmed, her breathing becoming more regular, the convulsions which had wracked her tiny frame stopped.

Raising tear swollen eyes to her lover’s face. “Spike?” She whispered as if only just now consciously realising he was there. Her hand reached to stroke the angular planes of his face, her eyes again filling with tears, this time gentle tears of love and wonder, “you came!”

“Course I did pet! Shh, don’t cry love.” His lips gently brushed away her tears. “Hush love, I’m here, I’ll never leave you, long as you need me I’ll always be here!” He rocked her gently, holding her close to his unbeating heart. Buffy sighed into him and allowed herself to be comforted by her lover’s soothing presence.

Eventually she calmed enough to draw back, away from him, taking his hand in hers in order to maintain contact. Buffy raised her eyes to her mother’s face. “Mom, this is Spike.”

The next hour or so was spent talking, the two lovers clinging to each others hands like a lifeline. By the time Joyce rose to announce that it was late and that it was probably time for Spike to be on his way she was secure in her decision that she would not stand in the way of the clearly devoted couple. Not least in her determination was the fact that Spike’s love for and dedication to her daughter could make a vast difference to the life expectancy of the young girl whose duty placed her in danger on a constant basis.

Buffy walked Spike to the door, kissing him lovingly. “Thankyou Spike, thankyou for coming here, for staying and talking to my mom…”

“I like your Mum luv, hellova lady! Still can’t get over her whackin’ me with that axe that time.” His eyes glinted with respect and some amusement as he remembered the determination on Joyce’s face as she told him to get the hell away from her daughter! He knew not all of Buffy’s incredible fire stemmed from the fact that she was the slayer, Summer’s women were amazing! “Guess I better go pet, I’ll see you again soon?” Buffy was astounded by the vulnerability and doubt in his voice.

“I love you Spike! Please don’t ever doubt that, ok! Nothing and no one could ever stop me loving you!” She gently stroked his face and felt a swell of love as he nuzzled his face further into her hand purring softly for a moment. “I’ll see you tomorrow, I better go now, have to phone the search party and let them all know I am safe….ughh THAT is not gonna be fun. I’ll come by around lunch time, give you time to get some sleep. I love you!” With that she kissed him again, long and slow, neither of them wanting to part, both knowing they had to!

By the time Buffy re-entered the lounge room her mother had already phoned her watcher informing him that she was safe and at home, no apocalypse had occurred, no she was not injured in any way, her absence in fact had had nothing to do with her job as the slayer and NO he could not come around now to see Buffy, her daughter was tired and was going to bed. He could wait until Monday to see her.

That left Buffy with the easier task of phoning Willow and assuring her friend she was perfectly safe but very tired and leaving her with the promise that she would go over in the morning and talk to her.

“Mom…” She began.

“I like him Buffy, he seems like a lovely….. well I guess I can’t exactly call him a young man can I? Anyway I like him and it is obvious to me that he loves you, this goes against everything I have ever believed in as a parent but I will not do anything to prevent you from seeing him and yes I am aware of the nature of your relationship, the only thing I ask is that you be careful Buffy and I do not want you staying out all night without my knowledge, I do not ever want to spend another night worrying if you are alive or not…do you understand me young lady!” She fixed her daughter with a Mom look.

“I understand Mom, I promise. You …. you are alright with me spending nights with Spike?”

“Yes Buffy, I am, I don’t quite understand why I am but…” She paused and looked thoughtfully at her daughter. “Not on a school night though, I do not want to see your schooling suffer because of your relationship.”

Buffy laughed. “I think my schoolwork couldn’t suffer any more than it already does from my slaying duties, but yeah Mom, not on a school night, promise!” Hugging her mom she tried in vain to fight back a yawn. “I’m beat, mind if I go to bed, or did you want to talk more?”

“No honey, I don’t mind at all, I am off to bed too. See you in the morning.”

********************

Sunday morning arrived and a very tired and emotionally wrung slayer made her way to her best friend’s house.

Willow greeted her with the usual bubbly enthusiasm. “Hey Buffy, how are you? You know you don’t look so good today…not that I mean , you don’t look bad or anything, it’s just, you know, tired maybe or….”

“It’s alright Will, I look like crap, I know, rough night….. that’s kinda one of the things I need to talk to you about, well actually just a part of the whole thing I need to talk to you about!” Buffy sighed and sat on her friend’s bed, absently picking up a teddy bear and turning it over in her hands.

Willow sat on the bed next to the distracted slayer, gently removing her bear before any harm could befall it. “Ok Buff, you know I am always here if you want to talk. Has it got anything to do with why you were missing? Cause you know we were all really worried about you, not that you can’t take care of yourself, cause …. so got that covered! But you know, friends … worry and concern kinda part of the package.” The red haired girl turned large expectant eyes on her friend.

“Yeah Will it does have to do with why I was missing but there is a lot more to it than that and it’s kinda a long story and really difficult to tell, so, um, if you could wait till I’ve finished to ask me questions and then I’ll tell you anything you want, well, almost anything.” Buffy replied cryptically with a slight blush.

“No worries, call me non interupto girl!”

Buffy looked down at her hands neatly folded in her lap and proceeded to explain to Willow the events of the last six months, how Spike had saved her life and then helped her with her training and patrolling, how they had become closer and closer, ending with a not too detailed account of the weekends events including the talk with her mother the night before. Looking up for the first time since beginning her story, she sought out her friend’s eyes, worried that her reaction would be one of disgust and shame.

“Oh Buffy, wow, that is so romantic!” Willow’s eyes glowed with wonder. “Who would have thought … Spike, hey…wow and major cutie, definitely yum material! And wow, you ... you know, with Spike...wow, um...good?”

A huge sigh of relief escaped as Buffy hugged her friend with enthusiasm. "Oh yeah! Good is sooo an understatement." Buffy's eyes lost focus and her face went dreamy.

“You know Xander is gonna be a problem don’t you!” Willow burst her friends bubble.

“Yeah I know, and Giles too….but I’ll just have to cross that bridge when I come to it, which will be tomorrow actually, but well in the meantime basking happily in denial land!”

The two girls chatted happily for the next couple of hours until Buffy excused herself to head off to the cemetery for her rendezvous with her vampire.

Walking into school on Monday morning Buffy steeled herself to face her Watcher and friend, neither Xander nor Giles was likely to see the romance as Willow had or the love and dedication her mother had, they would see one thing and one thing only – VAMPIRE! Well she would just have to make them understand or at the very least accept because there was no way she was going to let anything come between her and Spike.

God she missed him, they had parted last night when he walked her home after patrol. They had spent a considerable amount of time saying goodbye on the front porch until her mother had come out and very nicely but firmly bid Spike goodnight. Maybe she could just turn around and head over to the cemetery, then she wouldn’t have to deal with this right now; and Spike arms, mmmm, could there be a better place to be than wrapped up in beautiful, strong, sexy Spike arms!

“Hey Buffy!” Willow’s voice broke through her daydream.

“Hey Will.” Buffy’s voice was a little less than enthusiastic.

“What’s wrong, nothing wrong with you and Spike is there?” Willow asked, a small frown of worry creasing her brow. She thought the story Buffy had told her of how her and Spike had got together was the sweetest most romantic thing she had heard and the thought that they could be having problems bothered her greatly.

“No, no, Spike is wonderful, we are fine, good, better than good’, a dreamy smile played across her face.

“Earth to Buffy!” Willow laughed, relieved that things were still in dreamsville for her best friend and her vampire.

“Huh, oh sorry Will, Spike thoughts tend to lead to Buffy spacedom!”

“So what is wrong then?”

“Oh, oh yeah, Giles, Xander, the big confession, yulche! Thoughts of running away to the Big Bad and hiding! What do you think?”

“Well, hiding could be a temporary good, is true, but then, tomorrow, or the next day? Sooner or later you are gonna have to tell them! Come on Buff, you can do this, and I’ll be with you...like a blanky! A big Willow shaped security blanket, and if Xander gives you a hard time I’ll show him my resolve face, he knows better than to argue with the resolve face!

“Ok Will, I’m relying on you to save me from the Xander monster, that just leaves the big scary Watcher!”

The two girls made there way slowly to the school library. It was a great reflection on the academic prowess of the school population that the library could pretty much always be guaranteed to be empty of all but the scoobies. They entered the library to see Xander sitting on the research table obviously having a conversation with someone, a very tormented looking Giles emerged from behind the stacks.

“Buffy, Willow, you’re here!” Giles enthused, “Thank God” he muttered quietly to himself. Any more of Xander Harris this morning and he was likely to stake him. “I must say Buffy I am inordinately pleased to see you in one piece. Your disappearance on Friday night was most disturbing. Your mother assures me it was in no way slayer related however as your watcher I feel I am entitled to some form of explanation!” Leaning back against his desk he looked expectantly at his charge.

“Umm, yeah, where I was on Friday night. Well you see, this is a really long and not very interesting story and probably one you don’t have time for right now so why don’t we just leave it for another time. Oh look at the time, gonna be late for class, can’t have that now can we I mean, learning very important, I’m all with the whole, Buffy learn thing!” Buffy’s face reddened as panic set in.

“Buffy.” Willow took her friends arm forcing her to look at her. “Its ok, Buffy, come on, you can do this.” Turning a firm gaze on the two males in the room, Willow admonished them, “you just leave her alone and let her tell the whole story ok. And there will be no jumping down people’s throats or laying of blame!” The little red head’s determination clearly showing on her face.

“So Will, already in the know hey? Gee typical. Of course Buffy would tell you, I mean girl talk, I get it, I understand … really!” Xander’s voice took on an even more whiny quality than normal.

“Xander Harris!” Willow glared at him.

“Ok, ok, shutting up now.” Xander quickly backed down not wishing to incur the tiny red head’s wrath.

Buffy looked around the room at the expectant faces of the two men and the supportive face of her small, deceptively mild ally. “Ok here goes…”

As Buffy relayed the events of the past 6 or so months the faces of her watcher and friend changed several times, from disbelief to fear, from distrust, to horror. Buffy tried hard not to let their faces effect her, kept looking to Willow’s warm supportive face for comfort and security. By the time her story was complete Xander was blustering and her watcher, face red with barely contained anger, was polishing his glasses so furiously Buffy was sure they would catch fire or something.

“Spike!” Xander’s voice was dripping with disgust! “Buffy, how could you, I mean SPIKE of all peo…animals, that’s what he is an animal, a disgusting filthy thing who has tried to kill you and us how many times?”

“Xander, leave her alone!” Willow’s voice cut through his rant as Buffy’s face dissolved into tears. “Look what you’ve done, how could you!” Willow engulfed her sobbing friend in her arms.

“It’s ok Buffy, don’t listen to him. He’s an idiot and a… a…well I can’t think of the word at the moment but when I do, well, he’s one of them too!”

Willow’s words brought a smile to Buffy’s face and a small laugh despite her tears.

“Will, we’re talking about…” Xander’s words were cut off by the furious glare of his oldest friend. Wisely for once he chose to shut up.

A small voice, scared and desperate emerged from the tiny blonde, “Giles?”

The watcher raised his face from and looked at his slayer, she was quite obviously miserable and a surge of pity rose in him to be quickly squashed. No, no matter his paternal feelings for his charge he had responsibilities as her watcher, this was just unacceptable, a renowned vicious slayer murdering Master Vampire was in no way an acceptable association romantic or otherwise. Nevertheless his heart went out to her. Keeping his voice gentle he addressed his surrogate daughter.

“Buffy, I understand that it is easy to be beguiled into believing Spike’s attentions to be of a romantic nature. I can however assure you that vampires are completely incapable of feelings of this nature. And that even though his motive may be currently undecipherable it would inevitably be revealed to be nefarious.”

“You’re wrong Giles, he loves me, if he wanted me dead I would have been dead ages ago, he could have killed me so many times. And, and, this is Spike we are talking about, not big on the whole long term planing thing, you know that.” Her eyes were pleading with him to understand. “You should see the sword he gave me for my birthday, it’s beautiful and he had it made for me, and he helps me train and taught me how to use my spidey sense and…oh Giles, I just know he loves me ok, I can tell. Every time he touches me I can feel his love and when he fed…” Her voice tapered off, horror encompassing her at what she had just revealed.

‘My God they’re gonna stake him for that and it’s all my fault.’ The thought of her lover being dusted clutched at her heart like a vice. Like hell they will, Buffy’s inner slayer rose to the forefront.

“He what?” Both Giles and Xander exclaimed at the same time.

Buffy drew herself up to her full hight of five foot nothing, her voice hardened and they were no longer facing Buffy Summers but one fiercely protective slayer, her eyes flashed as she enunciated clearly so there would be no misunderstanding. “He fed on me, I asked him to, he didn’t want to but I convinced him. In case you had forgotten vampires need blood to live, slayer blood is strong and powerful and Spike only needs a small amount to survive. It is my blood and my choice do you understand me? I do not wish to speak about this again, what Spike and I do in private is our business and not yours!” She pinned each of the men with a determined stare until, reluctantly, they backed down, eyes lowering. “If either of you do anything, and I mean ANYTHING to harm or threaten Spike in any way I will never forgive you, do you understand that?” She waited for a response. Xander buckled under the powerful stare of the infuriated slayer.

Giles cleared his throat, not quite so easily intimidated as the young man beside him, “Buffy, I still feel it is my duty to point out to you the dangers inherent in this course of action. Surely you can see that allowing a vampire, any vampire but most especially a vampire with a reputation for killing slayers, to feed on you is asking for catastrophe. Even if as you say he has nothing but the best of intentions in regard to you, the type of control required for a vampire to disrupt feeding on what is to these creatures the most concentrated source of power ….”

“Firstly, Spike is not a creature, secondly you have no idea the amount of control Spike is capable of. You have no idea how much he loves me and how much me being hurt in any way would effect him. I am telling you he will not hurt me, he has fed off me a few times now and never has he taken more than a couple of mouthfuls and not once has he had any trouble at all remaining in complete control.” Buffy fumed at the implication that Spike would harm her intentionally or otherwise.

“Buffy, I understand that it is difficult for you to remain impartial under the circumstances and I am not suggesting that he would intentionally harm you but accidents happen. Also there is the complete probability that, if as you say he is infatuated with you, he would wish to make the arrangement a little more, shall we say, permanent?”

“He would never do that.” Buffy denied, aghast at the suggestion. Giles opened his mouth to protest further only to be interrupted by the slayer’s fist crashing down on the table in front of her. “Enough! I don’t want to hear any more, I love Spike, he loves me, we will be seeing each other and you will just have to deal with that fact, ok!” With that The Slayer turned on her heel and marched out of the room, followed closely by Willow, who turned to give the two flabbergasted males one more disparaging look on her way out the door.

Xander gathered his things and followed meekly behind the rapidly disappearing forms of the two girls.

No one noticing he dark shape deep in the stacks.

*********************

Angel had made his way through the tunnels to the library, determined to speak to the watcher. To make him listen to his concerns about Buffy spending time with Spike. He was not even sure the watcher was aware of the blonde pests continuing presence in Sunnydale let alone his association with The Slayer. There was way too much that Buffy was keeping to herself, things he was going to make certain were brought into the light.

He had come up out of the tunnels and into the stacks to find the room full of scoobies, Giles, Willow, the annoying boy and Buffy. He had melted into the shadows and listened. It seemed Buffy had pulled a disappearing act on Friday and her watcher wanted to know where she had been. He saw Buffy hesitate, trying to find a way to avoid answering. As the conversation continued and her whereabouts was revealed a cold fury gripped him. Ripping at his insides like knives, his fists clenched as nails dug deep into palms, drawing blood. Teeth clenched tight in an effort to restrain the rage boiling up, the urge to fly into the room and shake her till her teeth rattled in her head to belt her into submission. How dare she, how dare this stupid little girl reject him, his support and protection - his love! And then to add insult to injury she gave herself to him; his insufferable grandchilde a soulless, malicious, evil, obnoxious vermin!

She was tainted now, she would never again be the beautiful, pure, sweet slayer he had loved, nurtured and cherished. He would not allow this to continue however, could not in all conscience. He knew what Spike was, knew him for the filth, the animal he was! He had to make sure her watcher put an end to this perversion, it could not be allowed to continue!

He waited until all the children were gone. Stepping out from behind the stacks he spoke to the weary librarian, watching with some pride at the man’s obvious jolt of fear. “You know this cannot be allowed to continue, don’t you.”

“What precisely would that be, Angel?” Giles annoyance at the vampire clear in his voice. This vampire may have a soul but he had never liked or trusted him and after Buffy’s obvious distress at her birthday party he was more convinced than ever that his initial judgement was correct. There was a cruel set to the dark haired man’s mouth and a hardness to his eyes that never seemed to leave.

“Spike!” The word was spoken with dripping hatred and loathing. The vampire loomed over the other man, his dark presence would be intimidating to most, the watcher however was not most men.

“I do not believe that is any of your business Angel, in fact I do not believe anything Buffy does is your concern, if I remember correctly you are no longer dating and she has made it quite clear that she no longer wishes to have you involved in her life or her duties.”

“Yes you are correct, we aren’t seeing each other any more, however I still care about her and Giles Spike is dangerous, he is one of the most dangerous vampires in existence. You know this, you have seen him and the things he does. He kills slayers, that is what he does and he is very inventive in his methods and NEVER gives up. You can not possibly think he is in love with a slayer, you know yourself vampires do not have souls, they are incapable of love or of anything close to love, they are devoid of feeling and compassion. This thing will kill your slayer if you do not do something about it!”

“Yes well, I will certainly consider your words before determining my course of action in regard to the current situation, however I must stress that I trust my slayer and her judgement and this also will be taken into account.” Giles dismissed the vampire and turned to make his way to his office, despite the words he had just spoken he was deeply concerned with Buffy’s news that she was romantically involved with an unsouled vampire and even more so by her admission to allowing said vampire to feed on her.

“A spell!” Angel blurted out in a last ditched effort to make the other man listen to him.

Giles turned, “what was that?”

“The sword he gave her, for her birthday, I only caught a brief glimpse of it but it has markings, runes of some sort, it has only been since he gave her the sword that she has been acting this way, I think it is a spell, a way of controlling her!”

“I see, well, that is certainly something I will have to look into. Thankyou for your time Angel, you will close the door on your way out won’t you.” With that he turned and once more made his way towards his office, shutting himself in there he drew a deep breath as he sat and contemplated all he had been told this morning.

Buffy left the Library accompanied by her best friend, the morning had taken its tole on her energy reserves, she felt flat and lifeless, how could so much have happened in so short a time. In the last three days she had undergone an emotional rollercoaster, highs and lows, joy, sadness and anger. All she could think of was how much she would love to be curled up asleep next to a gently purring, stunningly gorgeous vampire.

At the thought of his soft purrs she couldn’t help but smile, she loved that sound, such gentle contentment from one of the most formidable and dangerous beings on earth. She didn’t kid herself, she knew who and what Spike was, there was no doubting how dangerous he was, you only had to look at him to see that, it was written in every sleek line of his powerful body. The fact that he had been in the past and was still certainly very capable of being a killer did not however mean that he was one. He loved her and she had no doubts whatsoever that he was no danger to herself or anyone else for that matter.

She longed to leave, to make her way to her lover’s bed and the comfort and peace his loving arms brought. She found herself however dutifully making her way along with Willow to their first class of the day. As the morning wore on Mrs Davis’ voice became nothing but a background drone of useless facts about ancient Roman society. A nagging uneasiness tugged at the corners of her mind, something was wrong, she just didn’t know what, it was nothing definite, just a constant niggle that caused her to shift in her seat and tap at her pencil, her body urging her to action when she had no idea what form that action should be taking.

The day passed slowly and her sense of unease grew rapidly, she knew something was seriously wrong, her Mom maybe, or some major evil brewing? Whatever it was, was going to drive her crazy. By the time lunch came around she was just about jumping out of her skin, she made her way back to the library, something was up and she needed to see her watcher. This morning’s altercation was of little importance compared to the major danger signals her body was practically screaming at her to sit up and take notice of. Throwing open the doors to the library she called out to her watcher.

“Giles, you here, I need to talk to you.”

“Buffy, what is it, what is wrong?” He came hurrying out of his office where he had spent the morning trying to come to terms with the news his slayer had presented him with and the further input from the dark haired vampire. The stress and urgency in Buffy’s voice however had him quickly casting aside all previous concerns.

“ I don’t know, but I have this uber-bad feeling, something is wrong Giles, I know it, I just wish I knew what it was. Can you ring my Mom and make sure she is ok, I’d feel heaps better knowing she was alright.”

“Certainly Buffy, I’ll do that right away.” He made his way back to his office to phone Joyce’s gallery. He knew better than to discount Buffy’s premonition, a in built sense of impending danger was part and parcel of the slayer make up.

On returning to the library main he assured his fretting charge that her mother was indeed fine and in no immediate danger. “The only avenue I can suggest is to consult the books for any prophesies in regard to today or the near future.” His eyes followed his slayer as she paced urgently around the room, a picture of agitation.

“Buffy please, be seated, nothing will be achieved by wearing a hole in the floor.”

“I’m sorry Giles, I just feel so useless, something is wrong, I know it, I just, I can’t DO anything about it until I know what it is!”

“Yes of course Buffy, I sympathise however as I stated your incessant pacing is in no way assisting and is in fact quite distracting. So if you will please take a seat, you could start with the English translation of the Davlar Prophesies whilst I work through some of the older texts.” He passed Buffy a large leather bound book, when she opened it the musty scent of old paper and dust assaulted her nostrils causing her to sneeze.

They worked in silence for a short time before Giles broached the subject he knew his slayer least wished to discuss. “Buffy about this morning.”

“Giles, I don’t want to argue with you about that any more. I told you Spike and I are together, nothing you say is going to change that so you just need to learn to deal with it ok!” Her exasperation at the lack of progress and her continued sense of unease as well as her profound reluctance to continue the morning’s discussion sharpened her voice more than she would have liked. She knew Giles was concerned about her and as stuffy and annoying as her watcher could be at times she adored him and knew he viewed her almost as a daughter. It was difficult being at odds with him and she really didn’t want to make the situation worse.

“I realise your private life is really none of my concern and I have attempted as much as possible to allow you freedom in such matters, more freedom I might add than any slayer has ever been allowed before, however I feel the need to express again my concerns in this matter. Also it has been brought to my attention that the sword you say Spike gave you for your birthday has certain symbols, runes of some sort engraved in it, Angel is concerned that these runes are a spell of some sort which may be exerting an influence over your decisions. Causing you to act in a manner you would normally not consider.”

“What you are saying Spike has put a spell on me, of all the ridiculous……hang on, what do you mean Angel, how would Angel know anything about Spike and I?”

“Yes well it appears he was in the stacks this morning whilst we were having our discussion. He….”

“Spike” Buffy’s cry of dismay cut him off. He watched in stunned disbelief as his slayer flew out of the library, taking a moment to gather some basic necessities he followed quickly behind.

***********************

Angel had left the library furious at the watcher’s apparent lack of concern. How could he be so blind, surely he could see the danger Buffy was in!

As he entered the tunnels to make his way back towards his apartment he remembered the night he had watched Buffy kiss the blonde vampire goodnight. He recalled the direction his grandchilde had set off in, he contemplated the possible choice of hideouts the vampire could have chosen as his lair. Not much lay that way that would make suitable accommodation for a vampire other than the cemetery four blocks over from Buffy’s street. Spike always was one for dramatics and theatre, a graveyard was an obvious choice.

After returning to his apartment for supplies he set out on his search. Taking a cross tunnel he knew lead in that direction he stretched out his senses searching for any trace of his grandchilde’s presence lingering in the stale air of Sunnydale’s underground arteries.

It had not taken long to pick up Spike’s unique signature. By mid morning he had traced the scent to an underground cavern of a large crypt. Spike’s scent was strong here and reaching out with all his preternatural senses Angel detected the blonde asleep in a bed only a short distance inside the chamber. As silently as only a master vampire could be he made his way carefully to his grandchilde’s side raising his fist he delivered a crushing blow to the sleeping vampire’s temple knocking him out.

He made quick work of chaining his adversary up, knowing Spike would not be unconscious for long. Once he was satisfied that the younger vampire was effectively restrained he made a thorough search of the crypt, Buffy’s scent was all through the place, she had obviously been here as recently as last night. Growling furiously to himself, he continued his explorations, climbing the ladder to the upper level he found two large sarcophagus, a couple of leather chairs a refrigerator an old television and a few rugs spread around the floor. Looking up he found the ceiling to be high vaulted with large strong beams spaced evenly across the expanse of roof. Perfect for his intentions.

Going back to the lower level he collected the still unconscious vampire and dragged him to the upper level, securing him with the heavy chains to a beam so that his feet were barely touching the floor at full stretch, his arms extended above his head. Just as he finished fastening off the chain Spike began to groan as he made his way towards consciousness. He opened his eyes to the malevolent sneer and fuming hatred plastered across his Grandsire’s face.

“Angel? What?” Spike’s mind struggled to focus, trying to make sense of his current situation. He had been sleeping, dreaming of Buffy’s warmth in his arms, her intoxicating scent in his nostrils.

“You’ve been touching things that aren’t yours boy.” Angel’s voice oozed menace. “You know I get angry when you touch my things, time to teach you a little lesson in manners!”

“Buffy, you’re talking about Buffy”, Spike looked incredulously at his Grandsire. “She’s not yours mate. She loves me you stupid Irish git, not your choice, not mine either for that matter, Slayer’ll make up her own mind ‘bout who she wants. So why don’t you get down off your fuckin’ high horse, piss off outta my crypt and let a fella get some sleep.” Spike didn’t know why he felt the need to antagonise Angel when he was so clearly at the disadvantage, but he hated the son of a bitch and he was so brassed off right now he didn’t really care about the consequences.

As the first blow of the tyre iron connected with his left knee it occurred to him through the swimming haze of agony that keeping his mouth shut for once might have been a good idea.

After the first few blows had brought wave after wave of ever increasing pain as legs shattered and ribs smashed, Spike’s mind sought refuge in the solace of unconsciousness.

“Oh no you don’t boy you don’t get out of things that easily.” Angel threw the contents of a flask at Spike’s face, the water firstly waking the vampire as he slipped into much sought after oblivion, then scorching and burning, searing into the tender skin of eyelids and lips, boring into his cheeks, dripping off his face onto his naked chest in rivulets of fiery torment. An agonised scream echoed around the crypt, Angel hoped the heavy oak door and thick walls of the mausoleum would confine the anguished cry.

Tiring of the impersonal nature of the damage he had so far inflicted Angel switched to the more satisfying sensation of his own fists striking the exposed flesh of his unruly offspring.

Buffy flew through the school adrenaline racing, pushing her to greater and greater speed. Out of the school and into the streets she made her way as quickly as she could towards her lover, knowing now without a doubt what her slayer sense had been screaming at her all morning. Spike was in danger. As she ran she kept telling herself over and over, her own private mantra, he will be alright, I’ll be in time. He will be alright, I will be in time, her legs pounded against the pavement, he will be alright, I will be in time, she rounded the corner, through the wrought iron gates of the cemetery.

*************

Giles’ breath came in ragged gasps as he forced his legs to continue through the agony that gripped them, his body shook with the unfamiliar exertion. Ahead he could just make out the blonde form of his slayer as she turned a corner and disappeared from view. He knew he could not hope to keep up with her, already his initial burst of speed was depleted, however the watcher struggled on, forcing movement into trembling muscles. The only destination he could come up with in the direction Buffy was travelling was Sunnydale Memorial, one of Sunnydale’s older graveyards sporting a variety of older tombs and mausoleums, doubtless it was in one of these that the peroxide vampire had made his home.

**************

Pain, his mind was past comprehending anything beyond that ceaseless fact. Excruciating pain!

He fought with every ounce of strength and will remaining to him to remain conscious, his mind begged to slide into the welcome abyss away from his Grandsire’s continued ministrations, however he knew now that there was no peace, no relief in unconsciousness, each time he had slipped into blessed oblivion he had been brought screaming back to consciousness as more holy water assaulted already desecrated flesh.

His left knee was smashed, right leg broken in several places left arm was dislocated and his right collar bone was a jigsaw puzzle. Shattered splinters of ribs shifted and ground each time he moved and his belly was on fire from the twisted wounds inflicted by the vicious dagger in his Grandsire’s hand. Blood oozed from the numerous sear marks where the holy water had burnt and scalded. Massive purple contusions decorated his body and the muscles in his arms shook with the continued stress of holding his unsupported weight.

Angel was talking to him again, telling him how he was a wretched childe, how he was unworthy of walking the same ground as The Slayer of casting his filthy eyes upon her. How the girl was his and his alone and Spike would rue the day he had dared to lay so much as a finger on that which he had no right to dream about let a lone touch. Angel never tired of the sound of his own voice. Never had. Spike had watched many of Angelus’ torture sessions over the years and had always found that fact to be true, his Grandsire was truly in love with the sound of his own voice and firmly believed his founts of wisdom relayed mercilessly between bouts of calculated torment were a spring of enlightenment.

Spike didn’t know whether to be grateful for the momentary cessation of physical suffering or long for it as an end to Angel’s conceited ramblings.

In a blur of movement the door of the crypt flew open a scent more precious to him than blood filled his being with hope and serenity. A smile curled the corners of swollen, broken lips. His head fell forward as he loosened the iron grip on his will, allowing the welcome blackness to swallow him. She had come!

****************

The sight before her eyes was more horrifying than anything Buffy could ever have imagined. Her beautiful vampire was chained, hanging limp and broken from the ceiling, his body barely recognisable, swollen, broken, bleeding. Angel had been pacing the floor before him, a stake waving in the air in emphasis to certain points. Points such as his ownership of her, she had heard the brunette vampire’s voice as she approached the tomb, listened in disbelief at the comments pouring from his mouth. She had realised at the end of their relationship that he was controlling and possessive, nothing however had prepared her for the full impact of just how extreme his obsession was.

Quickly taking stock Buffy spun into a kick, the stake flying from Angels hand before he had the chance to complete the downstroke he had aimed at Spikes chest upon her entrance. Angel lunged for her then and they fought, kicked and punched furiously back and forth. She landed heavily several times, thrown savagely against the rough walls of the crypt. Her face ached from the vicious blows he had landed there and her breath already ragged from her furious flight across town was coming ever faster and more irregular. Angel himself fared not much better, she was merciless as she rained blow after blow upon him, kicks that would have broken a lesser vampire smashed against spine and ribs, elbows shattered against nose and face. A powerful kick caught him hard in the groin white hot agony coursing through his body, tears temporarily clouding his vision.

Shaking off the pain he closed, how dare she treat him in this manner, to choose his most despised childe over him was an insult he would not bear, she would pay for her audacity. His fist raised to land a punishing blow to her face as a click from the entrance sounded, a ragged voice gasped out between shaky wheezes. “Enough Angel!” A crossbow aimed at his chest, the hands holding it, firm and steady despite the exhausted trembling of his overextended body. Angel froze, the Watcher’s face a mask of grim determination left no doubt as to his readiness to pull the trigger, his easy handling of the weapon left no doubt as to his skill.

Buffy had never been so pleased to see anyone as she was to see her watcher appear in the doorway. Giving him a look of profound gratitude she made her way to where the broken vampire hung lifelessly. As gently as possible she unchained him and lowered him to the ground, her hand brushing lovingly across his brow, her heart screaming in agony at the sight of his poor tortured body. After settling him as comfortably as she could on the cold concrete she turned, her face stone as she surveyed the vampire before her.

“I should kill you!” Her voice flat with barely controlled fury, eyes filled with disgust and contempt for her former love. “Get out Angel, leave Sunnydale, if I ever so much as see you again, I will kill you. If anything ever happens to Spike I will hunt you down and make you beg for death!”

“Buffy” The gentle loving tones of her former boyfriend slipping so easily from the lips of this cruel and heartless creature. “I did it for you, I had to protect you. You don’t know what he is Buffy, he isn’t like me, he doesn’t have a soul. He will turn on you.” His eyes pleaded with her to understand.

“You are right Angel, Spike is nothing like you and for that I am eternally grateful!” Buffy fixed him with a stony gaze, “get out Angel, I mean it, be gone tonight I never want to see your face or even so much as hear a whisper of your name again. I meant what I said, if anything ever happens to Spike, I will assume it is your doing, you had better pray Spike lives a very long life because the pain you inflicted on him today is nothing compared to what I will do to you. Now go.”

Giles followed, crossbow still in hand as Angel made his way to the lower level and out through the tunnels. As Angel made his way back along the underground thoroughfare he allowed his mind to review the events of the last hour, he could not believe what had happened, that Buffy would choose Spike over him was beyond his comprehension. One thing he could comprehend though was the ice cold fury shining in the slayer’s eyes, he knew without a doubt she had meant every word she said, it was time for him to leave Sunnydale, for good.

Returning to the upper level of the crypt Giles found his slayer seated on the ground a blonde head resting in her lap as she gently caressed blood soaked curls.

“Come along Buffy, we should return.”

Looking up at her watcher’s concerned face Buffy shook her head, speaking quietly so as not to disturb the vampire, “you go, I’m gonna stay.”

“Buffy I really must insist, Principal Snyder will take your absence as an excuse to…….”

“Giles”, she cut him off, “I’m not leaving him to wake up alone and injured, I’m staying. You should get back though before you are missed. Could you let my Mom know where I am so she doesn’t worry. And Giles, thankyou.”

“Yes well, quite”, he murmured at a loss. Buffy’s attention was once again on the vampire, her eyes and gentle hands assessing his injuries, her mind attempting to process them. Shaking his head slowly he backed out of the crypt and made his way back to the school. He would return tonight after school and attempt to talk some sense into the girl. In fact with the extent of the vampires injuries he could foresee no great difficulty getting her to accept that it would be the kinder option to put the creature out of its misery.

********************

Left alone at last with Spike, Buffy allowed herself the luxury of tears for a few moments. Spotting the dagger Angel had used to exact pain and suffering upon her lover’s body she reached for it. Drawing it carefully across her wrist she shallowly opened the vein and held her bleeding wrist to the vampires lips, and was rewarded as she watched him swallow. She fed him in this manner for some time until her blood slowed as slayer healing kicked in and Spike sighed his head turning away from her wrist as he drifted from unconsciousness to sleep. It seemed she sat there with him forever, every now and then she would reopen her wrist and coax a little more of her healing blood down the sleeping vampire’s throat.

As the sun set she heard an engine and then a car door opening and closing. Her mothers face appeared from around the heavy oak door. “Mom, what are you doing here?”

“Mr Giles told me what had happened, is he alright?” Joyce’s face reflected her horror at the sight of the vampire’s injuries.

“He’s not good, but he’ll be alright, he just needs rest and blood.”

“Right then.” Buffy watched her mother’s face set with resolve just before she turned and left the crypt. She returned a few moments later with a blanket. “If we can roll him onto this we should be able to carry him to the car, give me a hand Buffy.”

“Mom?”

“Well we can’t just leave him here now can we, I’ve been home, I set up one of the camp beds in the basement so we don’t have to worry about the sun. The car is just outside, help me get him home Buffy and then we will see what can be done about his injuries.”

Joyce calmly took charge, helping her daughter carry the injured vampire first to the car and then into the house and downstairs onto the bed she had prepared for him. Resting his head gently on a pillow and covering his broken body with soft blankets.

Once home she ordered Buffy to the bathroom for a shower. “You are no use to him in your condition, go get cleaned up and have something to eat, it will help revitalise you. Then we can worry about cleaning his wounds and trying to set his bones. Sleep is probably more beneficial to him at the moment.” Having said that she ushered her daughter up the stairs and into the bathroom.

While Buffy showered Joyce found some soft sweat pants, scissors and gathered her first aid kit, a cloth and a bowl of warm water. She heated some soup for her daughter knowing Buffy would not want to take the time to sit down to a proper meal but knowing also that she had to have some food before what she was certain would be an all night vigil at the vampire’s side.

After a quickly gulped meal Joyce sent Buffy downstairs with orders to cut the clothes from her lover’s body and detailed instructions on the cleaning and caring for his wounds. “If you need any help, honey, just call me. We will need to set his broken bones won’t we?”

“I don’t know Mom, not quite sure how vampire’s heal, but we’ll worry about that later, for now I just want to get him comfortable and fed.”

“Fed? Oh Buffy I didn’t even think, I’ll go to the butchers now and get some blood for him. Is there any preference?” The concern in her mothers voice touched her and Buffy dreaded what she was about to say, the last thing she wanted was to destroy her mom’s acceptance of the vampire.

“Um actually yeah there is but, well um you can’t get it at the butchers.” She looked her mother in the eye calmly and steadily. “Me, my blood is the best thing for him, slayer blood will heal him faster than anything else and he um won’t eat blood from the butchers anyway. I didn’t want you to have to know that, I know its kinda squicky. But it’s not that he hurts me or anything, and he only takes a little.” The look of shock and dismay on her mothers face, where the acceptance had been only moments before stung but she couldn’t allow that to waver her resolve. “It’s ok Mom, I know what I am doing and Spike would never hurt me, you just have to believe that!” At her mom’s hesitant nod she made her way downstairs to tend her patient.

Once she had removed the blood soaked clothes that covered him the full extent of his injuries became apparent. She gently cleansed and applied antiseptic, not that she thought vampires required antiseptic but her mother had been quite specific in the level of care she expected. There was no way she could dress him without causing him greater injury and pain so she settled for placing the blanket back over his now clean naked body. Settling by his head she stroked his face, gently coaxing him to drink from the offered wrist. When her efforts failed she used the scissors to once again open the vein and trickle the blood into his mouth, he swallowed more strongly this time and fed for longer before turning away to once again sink into the depths of slumber.

Twice more over the ensuing hour she was able to get him to take the nourishment he required. Each time his feeding was stronger and each time he took a little more. Leaving him for a short while she made her way back upstairs to let her mom know his progress. “He is getting stronger but he needs to feed more, I can only get him to take the tiniest amounts at the moment. But he will get there, he is already heaps better and the wounds in his stomach are just about closed. I couldn’t get the pants on him though, his legs are so broken it would just hurt and I’m afraid it would undo any healing they have done.”

“Should we try to set them, I could make some splints and we have plenty of bandages.” Joyce offered.

“No I think they will fix themselves, I can kinda hear his ribs rearranging themselves as they heal so I guess his other bones will do the same.” Buffy shuddered as she remembered the sound his bones made as they settled back into place. “Well I just wanted to give you an update, I’m gonna go back down in case he wakes up, also I’d like to try and get him to eat some more.”

Joyce tried to block the vision of what precisely the vampire was feeding on from her mind.

Buffy had just finished getting Spike to take some more blood, this time he took much more and he had actually latched onto the wound on her arm instead of her having to dribble the blood into his mouth, when she heard a knock on the door and her mother’s voice as she answered it.

Heading upstairs she joined her mother at the door. Giles stood framed in the doorway a look of irritation on his face.