Of Fact and Fiction 6

Willow's gaze was fixed on the tower. She flicked a glance at Spike and the others. Bits and pieces were coming

back to her, and she remembered one very important thing.

Concentraring, Willow reached out to the blonde vampire, 'Spike. Can you hear me?'

Spike frowned, hearing a very familiar voice in his head. It brought certain memories to the fore, certain memories

that he had swore to push away for the moment. "Yeah, loud and clear."

Willow wanted to smile, she could see images flashing in Spike's mind, but she firmly told herself that she would

examine this intresting phenomen at a later time, she focused on one thing. 'Is there someone up there with Dawn?'

"Yeah, can't tell who." Spike squinted, trying to get a better look.

Xander glanced over at the blonde vampire who seemed to be muttering to himself. "Are you talking to us?'

'Get up there. Go now.'

Spike flicked a hesitant glance at the minions who formed a virtual wall between him and the tower. "Yeah, but..."

Willow didn't need to deal with a hesitant Spike. 'Go!'

Obeying the voice of command, Spike surged to his feet, leaving a stunned Xander and Anya behind.

Willow reached for Tara, who immediately placed her hand in her lover's.

Spike grinned to himself as the crowd parted before him, he didn't have the time to appreciate the whole thing though,

and he used the moment to sprint effortlessly through.

* * *

Buffy continued to pummel her mercilessly with the hammer, relishing the feel of for once being in control against

something that she should be powerless against. She had been beaten up one too many times beneath Glory's

hands, and this time she felt damned good.

"You're just a mortal!" Glory gasped, as she struggled to her feet, "You couldn't understand my pain..."

Buffy grinned grimly, "Then I'll just have to settle for causing it."

She slammed the hammer down again, relishing seeing Glory reel backwards.

"You can't kill me..."

"No." Buffy hefts the hammer over her shoulder once more, she really liked this feeling. "But my arm's not even

tired yet."

Once more the hammer slamed down, and Buffy secretly relished the sound of the sickening crack of bones

breaking.

She'd been told she had a thing against authority, but considering her past experience with any form of authority,

Buffy felt she was justified. Another reason why she felt so damned good was that somehow, beating the shit out of

Glory was payback against another dark god that she had been powerless against.

"Stop it!"

She knew she should feel something at the sight of those glistening tears, but Buffy was completely unmoved.

This bitch had caused her too much pain. "You're a god. Make it stop."

Something inside just snaped, as Buffy envisioned her sister's petrified face, Willow's agony over Tara, Spike...

The hammer relentlessly pounded, again and again, without mercy.

Then it happened, the hammer pausing in it's downward decent. The hell-bitch was no longer lying there - it was Ben.

Buffy felt cheated, as she looked down at Ben's battered face.

"I'm sorry." the words slipped past his cracked lips, as he stared up at her, eyes glassy with pain.

Her breath caught in her throat; that was a low blow. "Tell her it's over. She missed her shot." She continued to

gaze down at him, one part of her wanted to snuff out his life, another, far more dominant part, screamed that he

was an innocent. "She goes. She ever, ever, goes near me and mine again..."

She let the threat hang in the air, one's imagination could conjure more horrific images then her words could.

"We won't. I swear."

* * *

Spike grimaced, and struggled to stand. He had to get back up there... Dawn...Buffy...Damn it. He had failed

them, he had failed her.

With a pained groaned, his world blackened, but before he lost consciousness, he could've sworn he heard a very

familiar taunting laugh.

He whispered the dark god's name, before he lost his hold.

* * *

"Buffy, it's started."

Chaos ruled around them, and one thing ran through Buffy's mind.

He had won.

She still couldn't remember everything, but this much she knew.

"I'm sorry."

Buffy turns back to her sister, she couldn't understand why her sister was apologising to her. It should be her

apologising to Dawn. For not saving her, for not being enough. "It doesn't matter."

Dawn stares at her, before attempting to rush past her. Knowing her sister very well, Buffy anticipated the move and

grabbed her, "What are you doing?"

Dawn was becoming frantic. "I have to jump. The energy..."

Buffy stared at her, the words weren't sinking in. Dawn couldn't. "It'll kill you."

"I know."

Buffy stared into her sister's eyes, and what she saw was not the eyes of a young girl. What she saw was determination,

and full awareness of the situation. If Dawn said she would jump she could.

"Buffy I know about the ritual. I have to stop it."

"No." How could this be happening? Did her baby sister actually think she would just let her...

"Buffy you have to let me go. Blood starts it, and until the blood stops flowing it'll never stop. You know you have

to let me. It has to have the blood."

Buffy stared at her, anguished. When did her sister grow up? Then it struck her. It was time. She should've known.

A part of her wanted this so badly. The need to end a life that had been filled with pain. It was the selfish part of

her, a part that would insist that she was doing this for the good of the world, not because she was tired. Another

part, so much fainter, cried out for what could've been.

She turned to face the platform.

Dawn saw immediately what she wanted to do. "Buffy no!"

"Dawnie I have to." It was the only way. There was no time for regrets, or thinking of what could've been.

"No!"

"Listen to me. Please, there's not a lot of time, listen."

* * *

He knew.

Spike's eyes snapped open, his eyes riveted to the platform. "No...Buffy no!"

He tried to get up, but his body failed him, as his legs crumpled beneath him. Spike fell to the ground, an anguished

sob bursting forth from the depth of his being. He blamed the world, blamed Hikari for choosing her, blamed Kage.

Spike still vividly remembered his own death, at the thought of the woman he loved beyond all sense, the agony

of the death of his being consumed him.

* * *

"Yes!"

Kage surged to his feet, "Look at that! You gotta admit, it doesn't get more perfect then that!"

Hikari crossed her arms, glaring at him. She stayed silent.

Kage wanted to dance. Never in the course of history had he waited this long for the death of a Slayer. They usually

only survived a year or two. But this one. This one simply ruined his reputation. It was bad enough that the actual

Slayer, the one that the line runs through was in jail. Kinda makes it that much harder to kill her off. But he liked

that one. He was unspeakably relieved to see the ending of this Slayer.

He spun around to face his sister. "Told you I'd get her this time!"

Hikari remained stonily silent.

Kage was acting like a child, "I wanna watch it again! Let's go right to the part when they go back and Angel's all

confused - I love that part." Kage drew himself up; he deepened his voice, and pretended to draw a cloak around

his body, "I am Angel, the blood-guzzling defender of the weak and innocent!" He whirled around, and pointed at thin

air. "No need for your gratitude! Just get your sweet and tempting neck away from me! Now I'll scurry off into the

darkness with smoke mysteriously billowing out behind me in all my heroic glory!"

Hikari finally breaks her silence, rolling her eyes at her brother's antics. "What is it with you and that vampire?"

Kage shrugs. "Eh - I don't like him. He gives me the wiggings - unnatural that's what it is. That soul, the rescuing, the

hair gel. It all gets to be too much!"

Hikari rolls her eyes again. "So you'll settle for tormenting him for the rest of his days?"

Kage shrugs again, "Well...yeah. I'd get some mileage out of that one."

Hikari sighed, "You know the soul thing? I think he gets enough torment from that."

Kage glared at her, "What is it with you and vampires? You're as bad as that Slayer!"

Hikari raised a challenging eyebrow, "What is it with you and the dark Slayer?"

Kage fell silent, glaring at her. He sighed, letting go of the argument. "It's done. My rep is saved - all's well that

ends well."

With another sigh of perfect contentment, Kage strides out.

Hikari glares at his retreating back, her gaze flicked back to the frozen scene. "Well...we'll see about that."

* * *

He watched her walk up the stairs, he wanted to lift the invisible weight off of her shoulders, smooth her hair back

and tell her everything was going to be ok.

Wearily, Spike rubbed the back of his neck, how many times did he have to tell himself to be focused? It just never

worked, and he had a horrible feeling in the pit of his stomach that he wouldn't be able to...he wouldn't be enough...

He sensed her coming long before she actually did; a light shudder racked his body. He didn't turn even as she

slowly made her way down the stairs. He had to collect himself first, he could never just *look* at her. He always

had to prepare first.

"Spike."

Slowly he turned, something about the way she stood warned him that something was a little off.

"Slayer." He couldn't bear to use her name - not now. He had to be focused, in control.... and damn did she have

to look so good? She wasn't making it easy for him. But then she never did.

Buffy walked slowly towards him, one hand behind her back, hazel-green eyes glinting with resolve.

Unsure, Spike took a step back, "Slayer?"

Calm, controlled...no thoughts of warm skin, slick beneath his touch...

She stopped mere centimetres before him, her scent wrapping around his head, making his head spin.

"Spike..." she was so close that her warm breath feathered along the underside of his jaw, curling beneath one ear

making him shiver again. Control...

She looked up at him, and Spike was transported to that other place again, a place where she whispered her love

for him...Focus!

One hand reached up to touch his cheek, Spike told himself sternly not to press into her hand and purr himself silly.

His vision went all red.

Startled, he blinked then stepped back. The red turned out to be red leather cover of a book.

* * *

Kage's mouth dropped as he stared. "What have you done?!"

Hikari grinned to herself, and merely reclined backwards, watching her brother rant and rave.

* * *

"How long have you known?"

Spike blinked, confused by the solemness he saw in her eyes. "Known what Buffy-love?"

As soon as he let the endearment slip out, she grabbed hold of his arm, tugging on it insistently. "That - right there."

Spike smiled down at her sadly, misunderstanding her meaning, "Ah luv, I've known that for a while - you've known

that for a while. Have you got amnesia or something pet?"

Buffy blew out her breath, exasperated. Wordlessly, she flipped the book open to a page and thrust it beneath

his nose.

Spike stepped back and took the book from her hands. The veil of confusion lifted, as he read.

"Buffy I..."

Buffy took a step back, unsure of what she wanted accomplished. "How long have you known?"

Spike stared into her eyes, silent for a moment.

He wasn't sure what this meant - did she remember? His mind couldn't formulate a response until he knew how

she felt.

Buffy also remained silent, staring up at him. Finally she let out her breath in one slow rush.

She took another step close, closing the gap between them. She placed one hand on his chest.

"We don't have much time Spike, so I need you to..." she took a deep breath, there was too much for her

to process. Tentatively, she reached up, one hand curling around his neck and bringing him close. Just as tentatively,

she touched her lips to his.

In one blinding flash, everything became crystal clear. For one shining moment, their world and all it's problems

disappeared.

Amid all the trappings of hell on earth, she found heaven in their kiss. It quenched a thirst that was parched for

relief. It fed a hunger that consumed her soul. It filled every crack and crevice and ache in her heart. Just that

clinging together, that meeting in mutual longing and need, it made all that was wrong disappear. It made

everything right. Memories came tumbling back. She remembered the feel of his hands gliding along her body,

remember those hands urgently tangling in her hair. Mostly importantly she remembered how safe and content she

felt in his arms.

If she was starving for this - this affirmation - he was positively ravenous. He took possession of her mouth with his

lips then his tongue. Not tentative. Not gentle. But needy and demanding. It was what Buffy wanted above a

all things.

Spike's mouth slanted across hers, fitting them closer as his tongue slid between her sensitive lips. It lasted only a few

seconds, but it felt like hours to Spike. The dark cloud that had been hanging over his head, dissipated.

She pulled back, and without a word, turned and strode out the door.

For a moment, Spike was rooted to the floor. He stared after her, his thoughts jumbled. Then reality came crashing

down again. Now was not the time.

He had a hell-god to kill, lunatics to stabilise, a girl to rescue and a world to save. Well, technically that was Buffy's job. He was just the backup crew.

* * *

The wind ripped at his hair and clothing, and he stared at the...thing...with undisguised loathing.

"You don't come near the girl, Doc."

Doc cocked his head to the side, and appraised him "I don't smell a soul anywhere on you. Why do you even care?"

He was genuinely curious, it wasn't an everyday occurrence for a vampire such as Spike to care about mortals.

His blues flashed with some indescribable emotion, "I made a promise to a lady."

Doc grinned, so the rumours were true. "Oh?"

Doc's tongue lashed out at Spike. Spike ducked aside, aware of the damage that tongue could do. Doc dropped to his

knees and pulled Spike's legs out from under him. That Spike wasn't prepared for and he hit the floor with a thud.

They both struggle to regain their footing; Doc dragged Spike upwards, making sure that the vampire's arms were

behind him.

"Then I'll send the lady your regrets."

Spike's gaze whips to Dawn's terrified visage. "No."

Gleefully, Doc pushes him over the edge.

The air was rent with Dawn's scream, as she watches horrified as Spike disappears over the edge.

Doc turned to Dawn, and she shrank back from the malicious glint in his dark eyes. The knife flashed in his hand,

blood still dripping from its edge.

Dawn's eyes are rivted to the knife and the blood that oozed off it. Time for her slowed, as she watched the crimson

drops fall, mimicking the tears that flowed down her cheek.

The knife flashed in the darkness and Dawn cried out, pain lashing out from her stomach.

"Shallow cuts..." tears flowed, as she watches him horrifed and helpless. "...Shallow cuts... "

Another cry of pain escaped her lips as the knife once more flashed.

Dawn closed her eyes, unwilling to just watch him cut her up into little pieces. She began to pray for the whole

thing to just be over. She braced herself for another cut, and instead heard the dull thud of flesh against flesh.

Slowly she opened her eyes, and cried out in relief as she saw Spike. He was leaning over the railing, watching

something disappear into the rubble below with great satisfaction.

Dawn glanced down; she could feel a thin trickle of blood flowing from her stomach. "Spike..."

Spike turned back, "Come on Nibblet."

Swiftly he untied her, she grabbed hold of his hand, "Spike listen...the blood."

Spike's swept over her torn dress, "Don't worry about it pet, we'll get you home and cleaned up..."

"No Spike you don't understand!" she was becoming frantic, "The ritual...the blood...the portal will open once

my blood has been spilled and it won't stop until the blood stops flowing!"

Then it hit him. Just as a drop of her blood hit the floor.

A small vortex opened. His gaze was torn between Dawn and it, and Spike felt an emotion that he hadn't felt in

years - utter helplessness.

But Dawn, knew what to do. She bared her neck to him, "Do it Spike."

He knew instantly what she was asking of him, "No Nibblet...no..."

Dawn shook her head, "You have to! You don't have to kill me...just take enough to..."

Spike shook his head firmly, "I'm not going to do it Dawn. I can't do it."

Dawn's eyes began to mist over, "We don't have time to argue over this William." she bares her neck once more.

"Do it."

Spike stared into her eyes, and took a step back. He promised Buffy that he'd protect her sister. Nothing came

before Dawn's life.

Furious now, Dawn grabed the knife that had fallen to the ground. Spike saw what she was doing, and reached out

to stop her, but she was faster then him. Without hesitation, the knife flashed, and a thin line of red marred her

once perfect neck.

Spike took another step back, the scent of Dawn's blood filled the air, making him light-headed, but still he backed

away from her.

Dawn's eyes narrowed, as she watched him back away, she grabbed the back of his head, and pulled him in.

Spike's stomach churned, and he felt nauseous. He wanted to pull back, and Dawn wouldn't have the strength to hold

him, but ultimately, he was weak.

The intoxicating scent of human blood flooded his senses. He hadn't been anywhere near the stuff since Drusilla

had been in town. It had been to damn long. Besides, he had to save the world didn't he?

With that flimsy excuse, he drank.

Dawn's blood was sweet, with a tinge of something...it zapped his mouth pleasantly, his head began to spin as the

blood filled his veins. However intoxicated Spike was, he could never forget who he was drinking out of.

By now, the throb had slowed and the small vortex had disappeared. He pulled away. Woozily, Dawn drooped in

his arms.

"Dawn!"

He whirled around, "Buffy."

Buffy stared at him, eyes wide, and he knew that she had seen.

She rushed to take her sister from his grasp, in her panicked rushed, she pushed Spike aside, and he fell to the ground.

Dawn stirred, feeling her sister's warm hands taking her by the shoulder. "Buffy?"

Instantly, Buffy turned to her, "Shush Dawnie, I'm here. Everything's alright."

"Buffy...Spike..."

"I know sweetie." Even though it was meant to be reassuring, both Spike and Dawn heard the harsh edge in Buffy's

voice.

Dawn struggled to sit up, "No Buffy, you don't understand!"

"I understand more then you think Dawn."

Spike couldn't meet her gaze, he knew that there he would find condemnation.

"Buffy, he saved us...the portal opened and he...I told him to...he didn't want to Buffy..."

Buffy ran her hand through her sister's long locks, noticing that the wounds on her neck had begun to scab. "Shush,

Dawnie...it's alright."

Xander bounded up the stairs, "Buffy!"

The three turned, Buffy relinquished Dawn to Xander's care.

As Xander ushered Dawn away, she cast one last look at her sister, imploring her not to stake the vampire.

Buffy watched them disappear down the stairs, needing the time to sort out her thoughts and feelings.

Spike remained silent. He knew what he did was wrong, no matter the reasoning. He hated himself. He should've

found another way...

The feeling of Dawn's blood rushed through his cold body, never had he felt more alive, and at the same time he had

never felt so sick in his entire existence.

Slowly he realised how very aware he was of Buffy. She was in his blood.

That realisation rocked him to his core. It hadn't occured to him before that Buffy was in him, in the most basic

way, the blood hummed beneath his skin was hers. As he realised this, he also realised that every naunce of her

being was heigthened to his already sensitive senses. Her scent was all around him, in him. The very essence of

what made Buffy - Buffy was in him. It was a drug that he was fast becoming addicted to.

And that realisation was the most dangerous yet. He had told himself, so melodramatically, that he didn't know

if he couldn't live without her, but now he knew for fact. How long could he survive without basking in the sun

that was Buffy?

Buffy turned around slowly, her eyes focused on him.

Buffy stared down at him, and she knew.

She knelt down, and tilted his face gently upwards. He gazed at her quizzically. She realised that she had never

looked at him before, really looked at him. His face had more colour in it, his eyes, hooded as they were,

sparkled with an inner light. It occured to her, that she had never truly looked at him right after he had just fed off

a human. His entire being seemed suffused with life.

Buffy couldn't deny the fear and fury that had paralysed her as she first came upon the scene. Her first instinct

had been to throw a stake at the bastard, but something had stayed her hand.

Now she stared at him. Buffy knew that he wouldn't hurt Dawn intentionally; she could see the torment in his eyes

that were so blue. The Spike that hovered in the shadows in her mind, was thrown into high relief. The Spike

of another world stood before her, silently reaching out for her.

Buffy leaned forward, and pressed her lips on his. Spike, for one moment, couldn't move in his shock. He had

expected to be thrown over the rails, staked, beaten up, not kissed. He groaned, and swiftly pulled her into his

embrace. This was it; she was slowly killing him with her kisses. Didn't she kiss the poof before she plunged a

sword into him?

Buffy trailed soft, wet kisses along his cheek, and pressed her mouth to his ear.

"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."

Buffy frowned for a moment, she hadn't meant to say that, but it had come out anyway.

Spike jumped slightly, he had heard those words before, and silently threw up a heartfelt thank you to the heavens.

They both leaned backwards, and slowly their lips met in a kiss fierier then the last. Their time had come, and neither

was prepared to let it go. Of all the kisses they've shared, in this world and otherwise, this was the sweetest. In it's

honeyed depths, she tasted forever. In it's enveloping warmth, he tasted real life.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dawn unravelled the gauze slowly, frowning at the scarring on her neck.

"Look at that! I'm disfigured!"

Buffy rolled her eyes at her sister, keeping her eyes glued to the TV. "It's just a scratch, I've got worse then that

measly little thing."

Dawn glared at her, "Well excuse me, I'm not Miss Rambo, sporting my battle scars!"

Willow flicked a glance at the teen from her vantage point from the floor. "Its not bad Dawnie, can barely see it."

Tara offers her a smile, "If you want, I can whip up a cream for you, get rid of that in no time."

The offer, piqued the Slayer's interest. "Really? Would that work on all scars?"

Tara nodded, grinning at her.

"What now? Wanting to get rid of those scratches on your back luv?"

Buffy blushed, and merely threw a cushion at the blonde vampire that just walked in with Xander.

Xander grimaced, "Imagery...like eww."

He hands Anya her glass of water and was rewarded with a brilliant smile.

Anya sighs happily, eyes glued to the screen. "Watching the Apocalypse when its confined to the screen is very

comforting, as opposed to being in the thick of it."

Xander smiled down at her, and takes her hand. Anya took the opportunity to flash her ring at the Scoobies

for the umpteenth time.

Buffy, Willow and Tara exchanged amused glances, rolling their eyes at the ex-demon's antics.

Spike handed Buffy her Coke, and moved her legs out of the way. Buffy pouted for a moment, before plopping

her legs over his.

Dawn grinned at them, still reeling from the fact that her sister and her best friend were together.

Willow suddenly remembered something and looked up at Buffy, "Hey Buff, what happened to the book?"

"What book?"

Willow rolls her eyes, "THE book."

Spike and Buffy exchanges glances, "Oh! THAT book...umm...why?"

Willow shrugs, "Well, you know I kinda wanted to read it again...I don't remember everything you know."

Xander shakes his head, and shuddered, "Don't wanna remember anything - living in the land of the oblivious here

and liking it damn fine!"

Buffy shrugs, "I'm not sure, Spike?"

Spike tried to hide his grin, but it just wouldn't work, "Wouldn't have a clue Buffy-love."

* * *

A scream rent the air.

Angel was galvanised into action, "What? Cordy what is it?"

Cordelia thrust the book into Angel's hands. "It's evil! I so didn't want to know that much about Buffy's love life!

Haven't these people heard of 'too much info'??"

With a huff, Cordelia flounced out of the room, leaving a slightly confused Angel.

He glanced down at the book in his hands, and then it clicked. It was THE book.

He should just put it down, throw it out the window, burn it.

Mentally he groaned, as his body sat down. He really shouldn't be doing this...

He flipped the book open and read...

Another scream rent the air.

THE END

Send Feedback <spikes_angel01@yahoo.com>