Of Fact and Fiction 4

Buffy sighed, and Spike shuddered as her breath flowed into him,

filling him for one precious moment with her life force.

Buffy pulled back and looked into his eyes, she ran a hand down his

face, tracing the marvel that was his sculpted cheek. She was

constantly amazed by how blue his eyes were - there was blue and then

there was *blue*. She sighed again, she felt calm and in control in

his presence. It was somewhat ironic that in his presence the

darkness that surrounded her receded. She desperately needed his

strength, and he was willing to give her every drop.

Spike watched her face as she re-discovered his face. He grabbed her

hand, and held it still against his cheek.

"Luv, we have to get out of here..." his voice sounded hoarse and

unsteady to his ears.

Her hand twisted beneath his grasp to hold his hand. She squeezed his

hand lightly, telling him without words that she would willingly

follow where he led.

* * *

I had to act quickly, and I knew the only way was to separate them.

Swiftly, I swooped in.

* * *

They were plunged into darkness, not even Spike's eyes could see

anything. He tightened his grip on Buffy's hand. She stepped closer

to him, reassuring him with her warmth.

He felt a tingle run up his arm, and he tightened his grip even more.

He heard her cry out softly in pain, whispering an apology, he

lightened his hold, puzzled that she would be hurt by that.

They kept walking. Spike had no idea how he was going to get them out

of there - but he was determined to find a way. Buffy trusted him to

find a way, and he would. He was about to call out to Danica, when it

hit him. The wave of relentless darkness, he cried out to Buffy,

but his voice was lost in the silence that enveloped him.

* * *

Buffy was so cold. She had never felt his bone-numbing coldness

before, she didn't think she had any toes or fingers to speak of.

She clung to Spike's hand, mind whirling. She wanted them to get out

of here, yesterday would've been good.

He tightened his grip on her hand, and she heard a soft cry of pain,

shocked to discover that the sound had come from her mouth. How did

he manage to hurt her?

Then she realised exactly what was happening. The creature was

draining her strenght away. He had used horrendous mental images to

distract her from what he was doing. Every second she remained here,

the closer she came to completely losing everything that made her

a Slayer. For it was now painfully obvious that it was the essence

that made her a Slayer that this creature wanted.

She opened her mouth to tell Spike, but a violent rip of darkness hit

them, and her hand was wrenched from his.

No, not again. She can't do this again! Buffy screamed out Spike's

name, reaching out blindly in the darkness for the touch of his hand.

Then the whirling stopped. Buffy closed her eyes, willing her stomach

to stop heaving. Buffy found herself back exactly where she was

before.

She blinked, trying to adjust her eyes to the darkness.

Then she saw him.

This time he didn't bother to use anyone's image. Instead he came in

another form, a completely non-descript individual who would be lost

in the crowd, he had no defining characteristics and was the image of

an ordinary person.

"Slayer. You know I really expected more from you. Falling for a

creature of darkness? A vampire? Doesn't that make your whole

existence pointless?"

Buffy wanted to leap up and rip out his throat, but found she simply

didn't have the strength to move. She felt utterly drained. She

looked down at her hands, and noted that they were shaking.

She heard his low laugh, "Yes Slayer. It won't be long now."

"Why?" it was the only word that managed to slip past her throat,

which had constricted with her efforts not to cry.

He knelt down to look straight into her eyes. His eyes roamed over

her face, studying it. "You really are quite stunning my dear, and

let me say that in all the time that I have worked, you have given me

the most amount of trouble." he nodded, eyes sparkling. "Consider

that a compliment Slayer."

Buffy was confused by his words, what did he mean? She opened her

mouth, but no words came.

He smiled at her; the smile was almost kind. "I see you want to know -

all of them did. I suppose, it's the least I can offer you."

He stood, and seated himself at a luxurious chair that Buffy hadn't

noticed before. "Very well Slayer, I shall tell you, and like all the

others you will understand..."

* * *

"He's gone."

The others looked up. Willow had woken up, and Tara now held a cool

glass of water for her lover, which Willow had gratefully accepted.

Anya sat with Dawn, while Xander restlessly paced.

Giles put the book down. "Spike has left the dimension, presumably in

search of Buffy."

He sighed, he had never felt more helpless in his life. Buffy, the

girl he loved more then a daughter, was far from his grasp, and her

only hope of salvation was in the form of a filthy vampire.

Willow glanced at him, her head still pounded, and she spoke

slowly, "She'll be ok Giles - Spike will save her."

"That was what I feared."

Willow nodded understandingly. Never had Giles looked so frail as he

did now. He was slumped in his seat, his hair was mused and his face

haggard. "Giles, I trust Spike."

This simple statement snapped all eyes towards her, and Willow shrank

back from the scrutiny.

Silence fell for one moment, before they all started to speak.

Wincing, Willow held up her hand in a silent appeal for them to be

quiet.

Their voices tapered off, until silence descended once more. "Ok I

know what most of you are thinking. But I was in his head

and...and..." she frowned.

Tara held her hand, and Willow smiled at her, grateful for her

support. "I can't explain it, but I trust him." she looked directly

into Xander's eyes. "All I ask is that you trust my judgement."

Xander remained silent. He had a lot to think about.

Anya saw this and drew him away.

Once she was sure that they could talk in private, she turned to

him. "Xander we need to talk."

Xander nodded; too weary to do much else.

"Xander about Spike and Buffy..."

"No! There is no 'Spike and Buffy!"

Anya sighed, and took his hands, "Are you going to listen to me?"

Xander saw the determined look in her eyes, "Yeah, I'm listening."

Anya continued to look at him, until he sighed, "Zipping."

He pretended to zip his mouth close, and Anya nodded. "Spike's a

demon - Spike loves Buffy - Buffy...might love Spike..."

Xander grimaced, but as promised kept his mouth shut.

"I was a demon." she watched as his eyes widened, he opened his mouth

but she clapped her hand over his mouth. "I love you - and you love

me. Are you getting the picture here?"

Xander stared into her eyes, and sighed in resignation. "Yeah An, I

get the picture."

Anya flashed him one of her smiles, and Xander felt as if his whole

world had lit up.

She kissed him firmly on the mouth, "Just try ok?"

He nodded, and let her lead them back.

Anya and Dawn exchanged looks, and Dawn grinned.

* * *

Danica paced up and down, worried about Buffy and Spike. But she

trusted what she saw in Spike's eyes. His armour might be tarnished,

but he was a knight if she ever saw one.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`

"Buffy!!!!"

He screamed out her name until his throat was raw, and still he

called for her.

In vain.

How many times was he supposed to feel this pain? Every time it felt

as if someone had ripped out his guts. The pain was primal, and deep

inside he experienced doubt.

He doubted whether their love was meant to be. In the short time they

had been together, Buffy had been wrenched from his grasp twice.

Perhaps the gods were trying to tell him something.

Screw the gods.

He was damned anyway.

Spike knew that if Buffy was not by his side, his existence was

worthless, and he wasn't going to just give up. Something had taken

her, and that something was going to die a miserable death by his

hands.

Spike slumped against a wall, for a moment trying to regain his sense

of direction. He had no idea how long he'd been wandering.

He focused internally. He had always been able to sense when Buffy

was around, and if she was still in this godforsaken dimension - he'd

find her.

He concentrated, conjuring up images of his beloved. He recalled the

flash of anger in her eyes, the way that it would change the colour

of her eyes from a whimsical blue-green to hardened jade. He recalled

the way the moonlight glinted off her golden locks. He recalled the

way she looked up at him, little chin jutting out, eyes sparkling,

soft skin...

There. There it was, that faint yet unmistakable hum that

screamed 'Buffy.' He turned, following that faint sound, he was going

to find her - and he was going to get her out of here - no matter the

cost.

* * *

Danica continued to pace - she didn't have much time.

If only Elizabeth was here, she'd know what to do. She always knew

what to do.

But Elizabeth wasn't here, and Buffy was at the Shadow's mercy - and

Spike...

Danica worked quickly, gathering herbs and instruments.

'Black magic...Devil's Spawn...'

She shook her head, she couldn't allow the malicious wagging of

decrepit tongues, distract her from what she must do.

Heaven help her - she would surely burn at the stake.

Grimly, Danica pushed the thought away. Now was not the time for

doubt. Besides, people thought she was mad didn't they? Why would it

matter to them what she did or did not do?

As soon as everything was ready, Danica settled herself. She could

still feel the traces of another's power - but she didn't have the

energy to seek that one out. She had to call upon the Light - only

she could banish the power of the Shadow.

Conventions be damned, Danica started to chant.

* * *

"There's a reason why Slayers don't live for very long, and its not

just the hazards of their occupation." He smiled at Buffy. "I've been

waiting for you a long time now Slayer. You should've been in my grasp

at least two years ago. Yet you continue to defy logic. Two Slayers

have been called - one has died and the other incarcerated. You

should by all means be mine now." He stared deep into her eyes.

"Yet here you are, defiant to the very end."

Buffy was getting tired of the babble, "Look, would you just cut to

the chase? As poetic you believe yourself to be, I would rather have

this done and over with as soon as possible."

Buffy realised that his eyes were brown, as nondescript as the rest

of him. She only noticed that fact now because his eyes narrowed in

annoyance. "Well I guess that's really your choice my dear, so long

that you realise that with the ending of this narrative comes the

ending of your life."

Buffy shrugged, not the least bit phased. "I've heard that one

before. What is it with the big bad wanting to air out his master

plan?"

He grinned at her, "Ah my dear now that is where you err - I am

no 'big bad' as you call them. I simply am." He leaned back. "Slayer -

I am Kage."

He paused expectantly.

Buffy blinked - then realised that he was waiting for her to say

something. "What?"

He growled at her, "Your Watcher is incompetent!"

"Hey!" Buffy leapt to Giles' defence. "He is not incompetent! He's

very competent - he can kick your ass!"

He shook his head, "I am Kage - the bringer of darkness. I am brother

to Hikari - the bringer of light." He studied her blank expression,

and sighed, "Hikari is the caller of Slayers."

Buffy gasped. Could it be? Were her questions going to be answered?

Kage smiled at her again, "The Chosen One - though that title seems a

little...unfitting, considering you are not the One and Only. It is

she who Chooses - and it is I that ends it."

Realisation dawned on her - and she finally the meaning of his words

sunk in, "So you kill off Slayers when they're getting too old - is

that it?"

He laughed, the sound sending chills down her spine. "Now you're

getting it. There is a reason for the expiration date. A Slayer lives

too long, they begin to question. A young Slayer has such a wonderful

outlook on life. Everything is black and white." he flashed her a

grin, "You vampire Slayer - them vampires." He cocked his head to the

side, "But you were always different weren't you? You have fallen in

love with that which you must slay. Twice."

He sighed, and flicked his fingers, "Enough of this chit-chat. I am

not inclined to unfold the mysteries of the world before you..." He

stood.

Buffy felt paralysed. So this was how it was meant to end. Not at

some battle to save humanity - no, it was to be this dispassionate

execution.

She bowed her head, squeezing her eyes shut, and whispered his name.

* * *

His head snapped up - he could smell her now. That intoxicating scent

of delicate flowers mixed with the muskier aroma of power and blood,

it was unmistakably Buffy.

He could smell her fear, and in his mind's eye he saw her beautifully

defiant. Standing with legs spread wide, eyes flashing challengingly.

"Hold on Buffy - hold on."

He could feel the undercurrents of ancient power coursing through the

atmosphere, and Spike was filled with apprehension.

But no matter what it was, she would get through it, like she always

had.

'Spike...'

He heard it, her faint voice, calling out to him. he heard the

resignation in it, and he feared.

Spike ran.

* * *

Willow pressed her hand to her chest, her eyes widening. She turned

to Tara. "Can you feel that?"

Tara shook her head, "What is honey?"

Willow gasped, forcing the air into her lungs. The vibration of power

was making her choke. Her eyes snapped over to where the girl sat by

the window.

Dawn felt calm, at ease and she didn't question the feelings.

Willow slowed her breathing, eyes focused on Dawn. The waves of power

weren't emanating from Buffy's sister - it was someone else. And that

someone else was generating a lot of energy. What could they

possibly be doing?

Then it dawned on her. Willow stood, and swiftly went to Giles' side.

"Giles."

Giles looked up. Willow's face was tight, and he could see she was in

pain. "Willow?"

Silently she held out her hand, and waited.

Realising what she wanted, he relinquished the book, concerned for

the girl.

With a nod of thanks, Willow flipped through the pages. Quickly she

scanned the words of the last paragraph, and as she understood, she

realised what must be done.

She dropped the book, and in a flurry of red gathered ingredients and

tools.

Anya watched her with worry etched on her face. "You're going to pay

for that right?"

* * *

It wasn't working; it was enough! Danica wanted to curse and stomp

out her frustration, but determination demanded that she kept up with

the chanting.

That was when she felt it. A tendril of that aura that still lingered

in the atmoshpere - it was reaching out to her.

Danica tensed up, unsure of what to do, then she felt the gentle

persuasion, gently asking, no begging, to be able to help.

Then the aura grew stronger, and Danica could not refuse.

She opened her mind.

* * *

Willow settled down, she had refused to explain to any of the others

what was going. That would waste precious time. Time she didn't have.

She settled down and began to chant.

Anya's eyes widened as she recognised the chant. "What are you

doing?!"

Willow refused to answer and continued with the chant.

Anya shook her head frantically, "No! You mustn't you crazy witch!

You have no idea what you're doing!" She started to pace around her,

but unwilling to do more to disturb the witch. She knew the danger of

disrupting the supplicant. "Just because She is Light, doesn't mean

She'll take too kindly with this! Willow please!"

Dawn had kept her eyes on Willow, she trusted the witch. Swiftly she

got up and grasped Willow's hands, much to Anya's dismay. Dawn

listened to the words, and soon joined in with the chant.

Driven with the need to help, Tara got up and joined hands with

Willow and Dawn, Willow smiled at her lover, gripping her hand

tightly.

Anya moaned.

Silently, Giles stood, and joined the circle, with Xander on his

heels.

By this time, Anya was a nervous wreck.

"You guys have no idea what you're doing! You just can't drop in and

say hey, how are you to the bloody Goddess!" She wrung her hands, and

watched.

"Guys please! I want to live a nice long time! I want many, many

orgasms!"

Her pleas fell on deaf ears. Xander looked up at her, his pleading

for her understanding.

She cracked, and sat next to Xander, muttering about the foolishness

of the mortal heart.

* * *

"Buffy!"

A man was seated in an ornate chair, hands loosely clasped together.

Spike shuddered, for the first time in his undead existence he felt

cold.

Buffy stood before the man, head bowed, hands clenched.

Seeing him, the man leapt to action. "Do not dream of interfering

vampire!"

Spike glared at the man. He didn't feel human; he could pummel him

into oblivion. "Course I wouldn't dream of interfering - I just will

you ponce!"

His muscles were tensed to jump at the man, but her voice stopped him

in his tracks. "Buffy-love?"

Buffy looked up, "Spike - this is how it was meant to be."

Spike shook his head violently, "What are you saying luv? Nothing is

meant to be!" he peered into her eyes. "Buffy-love, you can do

this..."

Buffy shook her head sadly, "It's my time Spike."

"Like hell it is!" It felt as if someone was twisting his eart. "It's

not your 'time' - not if I had anything to say about it!"

The man laughed, "But you have no say in it."

Spike stood and approached Buffy. Gently he took her by the

shoulders, "Listen to me Buffy. You're going to live a nice long

time. You'd still be slaying in your tight pants when you're eighty."

He saw her lips twitch, and he pressed on. No one can save Buffy if

she didn't want to be saved. "Come on luv - you gotta pull yourself

together."

He turned to the man, "Look, if you're so bloody determined to take a

friggin life - take mine."

Something in the man's eyes changed, "You're willing to give your

life for the Slayer? The killer of your kind?"

Spike tilted his head to the side, regarding the man, seeing his

chance. "Hell yes."

"No!"

Both men turned to look at the Slayer. Spike saw the fire in her eyes

as she stared at the man, "You are not taking him Kage."

The man shook his head, "How you've deteriorated my Slayer. But it

doesn't matter." He turned to Spike. "Don't dream of pitting yourself

on me. I am the source of your power - what I give I can easily take

away. Her time is through vampire - let her go."

Spike stared at her, memorising every feature of her face, "Never - I

will never let her go."

Spike lunged towards Kage.

Everything slowed down, as Buffy watched in horror as Spike threw

himself at the dark entity. She watched as Spike moved, reaching for

the man's jugular. She saw the expression of disgust and contempt on

Kage's face, watched as he rose his hand, ready to deliver the fatal

blow.

A piercing scream rent the air, the voice filled with despair, and

with a shock she realised that the voice was hers. Buffy lunged to

intercept Spike's own desperate move, unaware of the dark ball of

lightening hurtling towards them.

But Spike saw, and as Buffy's body hit his, he reached out and

grabbed her by the waist, twisting their descent so that he fell on

top of her.

In a flash, the merciless apparent slowness vanished to be replaced

with quicksilver light as the energy hit Spike's body.

Another scream gathered at the back of her throat.

She watched as his eyes widened with the pain, hoarsely he whispered

her name, and as she looked into his eyes, she saw the love he felt

for her, before the lids fluttered close.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`

Danica closed her eyes tightly, chanting steadily. She heard it

within her; the steady voices chanting with her from across

dimensions. She could feel their love and concern, and she drew

strength from them.

~~~~~~

Against all her fears, Anya chanted, feeling sick. She didn't know

what this would accomplish, aside from getting them all killed. She

feared for the girl in the other dimension - it would be through her

that the connection would be made. For the first time in a life

filled with death, destruction and salvation, Anya prayed.

~~~~~~

Giles didn't know what this would accomplish, he didn't want to admit

it, but he wasn't fully sure what Willow was up to. But by this point

he would do anything to keep the girl he considered his daughter,

safe. He didn't want to think about what other things was going on in

her life, and could only hope that she could make it.

~~~~~~~

Dawn felt calm and at ease - she couldn't explain this feeling, but

she knew that everything was going to be ok - it had to be, she would

not allow another alternative. She was not going to lose her sister

and her best friend - the world would disintegrate first.

~~~~~~

One phrase ran around Xander's head like a litany, as he tightly

grasped Anya's hand, it was simple:

Buffy be safe

~~~~~~

Willow knew that her mind had to be utterly focused, one wrong word,

a loss in the rhythm could mean everything.

She could not afford to screw this one up, and she wasn't going to.

~~~~~~~

Tara was prepared to give whatever Willow asked for - and what her

lover demanded of her now was complete and utter trust. She placed

her life in Willow's hands, and feared for her, as she watched

Willow's dreamy green eyes turn utterly black...

* * *

"No! Spike! No!" This couldn't be happening - not when she just found

him! It wasn't possible that Spike - the immortal vampire would die

before her. Was she fated to be alone? Did all of them have to leave

her?

Buffy felt his weight drop onto her, and she gasped, blinking back

tears, as she slowly extricated herself from beneath his desperate

clasp.

She stared down at him, at the sculpted cheekbones. She had never

realised how long his lashes were, now she noted the length, as the

lashes brushed across his face. She stared at him, willing him to

open his eyes.

Slowly, she looked up at Kage - tears of hate and frustration

coursing down her face. Not a word would come, she couldn't even

begin to express the feelings of utter despair that had begun to

fester in her soul.

They haven't begun - and already he was taken from her.

Kage smiled at her, that saccharine stretching of the lips that she

loathed. "I can give you back to him. Just accept my Slayer..."

At his words, her eyes widened. Give her back to him? Could she...?

Did he mean...?

But as she considered it, she knew that Spike would hate her for it -

he had given his life for her, and she wasn't about to throw such a

priceless gift away.

"Come my Slayer, give in...the cycle must be renewed!"

Buffy gazed down at Spike, she held him closer and silently begged

him to come back and drive her up the wall...in more ways then one...

* * *

They all gasped, as the feeling of warmth and calm descended upon

them.

She had come.

* * *

All was warm and dark, and he couldn't seem to open his eyes. But he

could hear a voice, calling.

Slowly he turned, until he saw a small figure.

She sat on top of a large boulder, white dress hugging her slender

figure, legs crossed demurely. Her rich brown tresses were pilled on

top of her head in artful disarray. Her chocolate brown eyes sparkled

with warmth and compassion. She smiled at him, and he felt oddly at

peace.

"Spike..." her voice was rich and warm, reminded him oddly of whiskey

filling his gut. "Never thought that I would ever be speaking to you.

But things change don't they?"

Spike took a step forward, wary.

Her smile never wavered. She held out her hand to him. Without

knowing why, he took it.

Her touch was warm, and the warmth danced up his arm, settling in the

region where his heart would've been. He sighed, feeling slightly

drunk - the warmth that he felt from her touch was akin to feeling

blood dancing in his veins. He was jostled out of this euphoric state

with one thought....

Buffy.

Spike jerked backwards in alarm, eyes frantically snapping from one

empty space to another.

She sighed, watching him, "Should've known that I couldn't get you to

forget about her."

Spike's eyes jerked back to her, "Buffy."

Her smile brightened. "Yeah...Buffy." she shook her head

slightly, "It's beautiful you know? It's one of those things you hear

about, but never expect to experience."

He frowned, he had no idea what she was blathering about, and he

didn't have the time for it. "What?"

"True love." she grinned at him, "You've got - the whole heart-

thumping, destiny, fairy-tale she-bang." she paused for a

moment, "Well...maybe not the heart-thumping in your case." She shook

her head. "What's a girl supposed to do?" She stared at him some

more, and Spike squirmed beneath her intense gaze. "Let me give you

some advice Spikey-boy, remember the difference between fact and

fiction, and know that the line is often blurred until you don't know

anything for certain. Remember that."

Spike sighed, he wasn't up for a nice philosophical

discussion. "Listen lady, I don't know what the bleeding hell you

want from me, but I got to go find Buffy...she's..."

The dreamy look in the chocolate orbs vanished, "I know perfectly

well what the Slayer has been up to Spike."

Then her statement softened, "Just tell me one thing ok? I'm a

sucker for happily-ever-afters. Are you prepared to give her

everything?"

Without hesitation Spike nodded empathically, "My whole being is

worthless without my sun."

She smiled, head tilting to the side, "Who ever said you were a

bloody awful poet?"

She jumped off the boulder, hips swaying, she flicked a glance over

one creamy shoulder, and studied his shocked face. "Trust me...don't

use the word 'effulgent'. Just not romantic baby."

With another swing of her hips, she was gone.

* * *

He groaned, feeling as if every bone in his body was broken, and

every organ - no matter how useless, was smashed.

He rolled over, his body screaming in protest. Then he saw her.

Buffy was kneeling, partly hidden in shadows. Kage's hands were

stroking the base of her throat, deceptively innocent. Spike saw the

tears glistening on her cheeks, as she turned her face away from the

dark creature draining her strength away.

He watched, partly out of frozen indecision and partly because he

felt weak - a fact that he would never admit.

Ever so faintly, she whispered his name, before swiftly knocking Kage

back.

Hope surged in his breast, as he watched Buffy attempt to fight Kage

off, but the dark creature merely shrugged, and in a move so fast,

had Buffy cradled in his arms once more.

Spike watched horrified, as Buffy's body sagged down - she was

exhausted, he could plainly see that. He had watched her fight long

enough, to know when her energy had been depleted. Buffy was now

facing him, still wrapped in that deadly embrace. From the scratches

on her arms, and face, Spike could see that she had been fighting.

He leapt to his feet, ignoring the wave of dizziness that engulfed

him. He called out her name.

Buffy's head snapped up, eyes widening as they locked on him, he

heard his name slipping past slack lips as she continued to stare at

him with utter shock.

Kage's grip on the Slayer loosened, and she fell from his grasp. His

head snapped to the side, it looked as if he was listening to

someone, and Spike would've sworn that he saw a flash of white.

Kage smirked; he flicked a glance at Buffy, who sat in a heap at his

feet, and then at him.

"It seems that my sister likes you vampire." Kage smiled

indulgently, "Very well then. One last reprieve. If you agree

to my terms. What do you think?"

Spike drew up to his full height, "You know I'd agree."

Kage laughed, "Foolish vampire, you haven't even heard the terms!

What if it demands too much?"

Spike glanced briefly at Buffy, and then turned his determined visage

back to the dark creature. "Nothing is too much."

Kage sighed dramatically, pressing a hand to his chest. "My, my

Buffy! What a gallant hero you have!"

Buffy ignored him, and continued to stare at Spike, still unable to

believe her eyes. She was certain that he was an apparition that her

dying mind had conjured.

"Alright vampire - the terms are simple, and direct." He gestured to

a dark corner, drawing Spike and Buffy's attention to the figure

sheathed in the shadows.

She stepped forward, as soon as she moved, Spike recognised the

willowy gracefulness of her movements.

Buffy felt ill, she too recognised the figure the moment she moved.

Her dark curls tumbled around shoulders, her pale skin gleamed in

what little light there was, and her dark eyes seemed to glow in the

darkness. The shadows claimed the slim figure, as she weaved in and

out of the light as she walked.

"Spike..." his name slipped past her rosy lips, as she gazed at him.

Unable to help himself, Spike took a step forward. "Dru..."

Kage held out his hand to the vampire, who willingly fell into his

embrace, "My beautiful child."

He turned to Spike, "She is lovely isn't she Spike?"

All Spike could do was nod, as he stared at Drusilla, his sire, his

lover - she who had been everything.

* * *

Buffy wrung her hands anxiously, while Kage watched her, an amused

smile twisting his lips. "Slayer...don't you trust your lover?"

She glared at him, "Of course I trust him!"

But the answer had come too fast, and Kage knew that she was trying

to convince herself. He chuckled.

"Wonderful of you really my dear. I mean, he is a soulless vampire

after all, and he just walked away with the love of his undead life."

He grinned to himself as he watched the doubt flicker in her

eyes. "How strong you are my dear."

Buffy remained silent. Spike had been so sure that it was Drusilla,

she had told him of Kage's deceptions and tricks,and still he

insisted. He and Drusilla had walked away, Spike had taken Buffy's

hand and flashed her that rakish grin that sent shivers through her

body. But she couldn't explain why seeing Spike turn and follow

Drusilla had rent her apart, and why now tears slipped down her cheek.

* * *

"Spike...Miss Edith has been calling me again...she tells me that

you're far away from me...far, far 'way!"

Spike watched Dru's graceful form sway gently in an unseen breeze. He

took a step towards her. "Dru..."

She spun around, her tattered skirts flaring out behind her, "My

Spike...my beautiful Spike."

She held his face, and stared deep into his eyes. Ever so gently, she

pulled him down, her lips dancing on his.

"How you glow my Spike!"

With that she pulled him down for a savage kiss.

Hard and fast, their tongues duelled with one another, teeth nipping,

hands desperately groping. If Spike had any doubts if this was indeed

his dark princess, all was dispelled with this one kiss. He could

taste the blood on her tongue, rich and intoxicating, as she reminded

him of all the years passed. Then just as suddenly, the kiss gentled,

and turned almost chaste, as Drusilla ran her hands through his hair,

murmuring incoherently.

It was Drusilla who broke the kiss; she stared up at him, her eyes

filled with sadness. "So this is it my Spike."

"What is it luv?" He wanted to hold her tighter, have this last

moment with her that he would probably never really

have.

Drusilla smiled at him tenderly, stroking the side of his face. "This

my Spike is the end, for us, and perhaps for you."

She whirled out his grasp. "Miss Edith has been whispering in my

ear...telling me that my Spike is lost to me."

She turned to face, dark eyes unfathomable. "But I didn't want to

listen - then another voice started to call to me...so rich...so

dark...I loved him, I followed him. And he leads me into your arms."

Spike swallowed hard, he had been unsure of what to say to his dark

princess and yet here she stood. What to say?

Drusilla flung her arms open, and started to whirl around the empty

space. Spike watched her - he had always loved to watch her, and now

as no different. His precious Drusilla, so free - deadly and

innocent. Buffy would never understand that about her. Yes Drusilla

could be vicious in her bloodlust, but to watch her was poetry.

Fluid movements in the shadows; the very brutality of her actions in

such stark contrast with her child-like state. She was his dark

inspiration, and his demon had rejoiced in her.

No. Buffy would never understand, though he loved Buffy with all his

being, there would always be his Drusilla.

That night when he had the Slayer in chains, and Drusilla in ropes,

he had seen the same sadness in her dark eyes. She had silently

reminded him that she would always be. The Slayer was after all, only

mortal - and Drusilla was forever.

But one thing Spike had always valued was the moment. Only now

mattered.

Drusilla stopped spinning, and stood, head cocked to one side, eyes

blank, a soft smile on her lips. Her eyes snapped to meet his. "Oh my

Spike, my darling! You are mine again!"

She flung herself into his embrace, after years of this; Spike's arms

wrapped themselves around her slim waist. He pressed her close to

him. "I'm always yours pet."

She pulled away from, her expressive eyes darkening for a moment,

before clearing. "Not now Spike - but you will be. How I've missed

you! Miss Edith has missed you too Spike."

She pressed her body tightly to his, going on her toes to whisper in

his ear, as she loved to do. "You must give her up Spike."

Violently, Spike thrust her from him, eyes wide. There was no

mistaking Dru's meaning. The way she had said 'her' had told him

clearly who she was speaking about. The word had dripped with

unconcealed venom, and that told Spike how very much Dru hated his

Buffy.

She grinned at him, "Yes my Spike, I see you understand! It is the

only way! Don't you love me Spike?" Then she held out her hand, as if

to stop his words, "No, you don't. But you love her...and you would

do it for her. Wouldn't you Spike? You'd let her walk in the sun,

while you remain in the cold shadows..."

Driven by fear and rage, Spike's hand connected with Dru's pale cheek.

Slowly, she turned her head to look at him again, and he saw the

excitement dancing in her dark eyes. "Oh Spike..."

"Don't toy with me Dru."

That grin was still firmly in place, "Never...my prince tells me

there is but one way for you to save her."

She paused, waiting.

Knowing her as only he did, Spike growled, "Please Dru."

She clapped her hands, "Oh Spike!" she took his hand. "Very well my

Spike, I'll speak clearly. For you to save her, you must agree to

stay away from her."

"What...?" Spike didn't have the strength to pull away from

Drusilla's grasp.

"She's to have no memory of you my Spike - it would be as if our

lives and hers have never mixed!"

Drusilla laughed, obviously delighted, while Spike stared at her,

devastated. He knew precisely what it was that Kage was asking of him.

* * *