Dreams and Desotos

Chapter 3

No, the supernatural and Windmont were unmixy things, and that suited Buffy perfectly. Spike, her new friends, bowling, and her job were more than enough for her.

But like all things in Buffy's life, nothing could ever remain calm and quiet for very long. Trouble blew into town the very next week, and decided it wanted to stay awhile.

In celebration of Buffy's birthday, a small party had been planned at Larry's bar. Technically it was her 18th birthday, but her falsified papers listed it as her 22nd. The few choice friends rowdily celebrating her birthday with her at the bar were such a far cry from her birthday the previous year. It was easy to imagine that the drama that had unfolded with Angel after he lost his soul had never taken place.

Larry's Bar always seemed to remind Buffy of the Bronze. It wasn't just a place for liquid refreshment, but a place for social endeavors. But unlike the Bronze, there were all age groups represented here. Especially since it was one of the town's main attractions.

"Come on, Greased Lightening, it's your turn," Rick announced, pointing his pool cue in Spike's direction. The others in their group had pretty much deserted them in favor of the dance floor. It was oldies night, and the sounds of Buddy Holly were spilling out of the speakers to the delight of many of the mixed aged patrons.

"Greased Lightening, eh? Bloody fine movie, that one was." Spike bent down to line up his shot. With dead on precision, he sunk the ball he was aiming for, before taking a quick gulp from his mug of draft beer. He looked at Rick and smirked. "And I believe that makes it... still my turn."

"Shit."

Buffy and Elaine joined them after a trip to the bathroom. "Oh god, don't tell me you guys are playing for money again?"

Spike winked and leaned over to capture Buffy's lips in a heated kiss. "Of course we are, luv. It's more... challenging that way. Right, Rick?"

"Yeah, that's what you keep saying," Rick muttered good-naturedly.

"You do realize that Spike's been playing pool for like, ever, and you have no possible chance of winning?"

"Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence, Buffy."

"Hey, it's not my fault Rickie boy here keeps accepting my challenge," Spike protested, pausing to light a cigarette in between rounds of his dominance over the pool table. He finally missed one on purpose to keep Rick on the hook, and stepped back to allow him a chance to claim victory.

"How old are you anyway, Spike?" Elaine asked curiously. Every time the subject had come up, she'd always gotten an evasive answer.

"Old," Buffy answered with a private smirk.

"Hey, come on! Spill! It's a woman's prerogative thing to do the evasive thingie about age! Not a guy's thing! Don't be lame!" Elaine chastised in a teasing voice.

Buffy and Spike exchanged looks, and Buffy shrugged. Grinding out his cigarette in the ashtray, Spike answered, "I'm around thirty, give or take a few years."

An indelicate snort erupted from the girl by his side. Arching an eyebrow in her direction, Spike asked, "Something you want to say, Slayer?"

"So, what's the story behind this "Slayer" pet name?" Elaine asked, again receiving a shuttered look. "Oh come on, you guys!!! It's not nice to keep secrets from your best friends!"

"I don't care about your secrets," Rick injected, receiving a dirty look from his wife. "What? I don't."

Elaine shook her head in defeat. "Ok, ok! I get it! You guys are probably in the Witness Protection program or something, aren't you? And I'm like being totally obnoxious asking all kinds of personal questions, aren't I?"

Buffy just looked at her best friend and smiled fondly. She loved this woman, and hated all the secrets they had to keep from her. But hey, Witness Protection, that was a good one. Buffy would have to keep that one in mind, it made a handy excuse for being all "Evasive Girl."

Suddenly, all senses went on alert, and the hairs along the back of Buffy's neck stiffened. She got that hit on her radar that she hadn't felt in ages, and exchanged concerned looks with Spike. He was tense with anticipation, feeling the presence of other vampires in the very near vicinity. And he could feel more coming. Neither realized that Elaine and Rick were still trying to talk to them, trying to get their attention as they stared at their friends whose looks had become shuttered, their attention diverted elsewhere. Apparently it was something that only Spike and Buffy were privy to, because Elaine and Rick had not a clue what they were reacting to.

Then it seemed to happen as if it were in slow motion, a muted blur of activity that seemed to slow down time. The doors to the bar crashed open, and the crowd tensed as a gang of bikers entered the bar. By all outward appearances, with the leather, chains and grungy hygiene, they appeared to be one of those danged Hells Angels biker gangs most had only ever read about that had suddenly burst into their local bar. But Spike and Buffy knew they was something more.

The gang spilled in, fanning out around the perimeter of the room, strategically blocking all possible exits. Their cocky manner suggested that they anticipated an easy massacre with little resistance, before they rode out of town to wreck havoc on the next town. Buffy did a quick head count, coming up with at least fifteen. Still doable, she'd faced worse. She looked around the bar, noting the lack of panic but the high level of apprehension. Ok, apprehension was of the good. There would be panic soon enough, she knew.

In walked what had to be the leader, the master vampire. He was tall and his human face was not quite as visually unpleasant as others she'd seen. The fact that they had all walked in out of game face spoke volumes, a tell tale sign that none of these vamps were fledgings. They all were a bit aged. No matter, they all dusted the same.

With a nod to one of his men, the door was slammed shut and quickly locked, causing apprehension to give way to the rising panic experienced by many of the patrons. The music had been shut off by one of the gang in the middle of Tequila, so that act alone had drawn a hint of outrage. While before there had been curiosity about their intentions, now it was quite clear by the sinister click of the lock that rang out through the silent bar that something bad was about to occur. To most of the patrons, the entire scene had taken on a surreal aspect, as they waited to what act would unfold next.

With a mocking strut, the leader walked over to the smooth expanse of the bar and slapped his hand down on top of it. "I'd like some beer for me and my boys," he ordered, his voice low and sinister. Nobody was moving, all the customers waiting to see what was going to happen. There was something about these men that added an extra little chill to the air, and even though the customers far outweighed the gang in number, nobody was willing to move a step.

The bartender nodded nervously. "Uh.. tap?"

The leader vamp shifted into game face and grabbed the terrified bartender by his lapels, hauling him across the bar. "Why thank you, don't mind if I do," he announced with an ominous grin, the disco strobe light bouncing off of his gleaming fangs.

"No,... please..." the bartender begged. The delayed panic now flooded the air, as everyone in the bar caught a glimpse of the monster that now held one of their own hostage. Looking around in blind panic, they noticed that all the bikers wore the same evil face. Some part of their brains gasped and screamed that this couldn't be true, that such things did not exist, but they were unable to deny what was right in front of their eyes. With another sweeping glance, the realization that all the exits were completely cut off drew out an hysterical tittering from around the room, as they all began to fear for their lives.

Spike looked on as Gary, who had served him drinks ever since he had arrived in town, was being held in the evil clutches of this vampire. And for the first time, he felt true disgust for what he was. This swoop and kill was nothing less than he'd done hundreds of times before, but now it sickened him.

Stepping forward, Spike sounded a warning growl, motioning with one hand for Buffy to stay back. The vampire spun around, dropping the petrified bartender roughly on top of the wooden slab. Horrified faces watched Spike, the only one in their midst who seemed willing to stand up to god only knew what these men were, and their faces began showing a slight sign of hope. Silence had taken over with the intent of making themselves invisible, as the majority of the patrons huddled in a small circle on the dance floor where they had previously been enjoying themselves. The others kept themselves still in various locations around the bar. Elaine had grabbed Buffy and Rick's hands, beyond terrified.

Rick looked over at Buffy and wondered about the pissed off look on her face, thinking it at odds with the situation. He himself was feeling a sense of terror he'd never before experienced, and was not ashamed to admit to it. These men were not normal, and they damned sure weren't wearing costumes. Their deformed faces were far too realistic for that. Rick didn't want to think of the implications of what that meant, his only thought consuming him was to get out of this situation alive. He silently watched his friend, Spike approach the ring leader, with apparently no fear, whatsoever. He had always had gotten a sense that something was different about Spike, some dangerous edge that he seemed to always be working to control. But now, Rick was more than glad that at least one of them were brave enough to face this threat, and felt just a minimal amount of shame at not backing his friend up.

"Well now, what do we have here?" the vampire announced, with a sinister grin. A primitive meeting of demons came in to play as both vampires sniffed the other out.

"Get back on your bikes, and shove off. This is my town." Spike snarled, his smaller frame appearing larger and more menacing due to his assured body language and black leather duster.

The vampire laughed, taking the few steps that separated them. He looked down at Spike and smirked, knowing instinctively that this vampire was older than himself, but also knowing he was alone here. So this blonde vamp might be his elder, but he was more than outnumbered. "Really?" the biker vamp drawled, making a issue of looking around the bar. "Not seeing any of your minions here to back your claim. So I'm thinking I'm taking over your... town."

"Not gonna happen." Spike commented calmly, reaching into his duster for his pack of smokes, lighting one up and blowing the smoke into the other vampire's face.

The biker vamp laughed at the audacity, and crossed his arms over his chest. "You got a name?"

Spike took another leisurely drag of his cigarette before answering. "Spike."

Recognition dawned on the other vampire's face, and he broke into a delighted grin which appeared grotesque on the distorted face. "Ah... the missing 'William the Bloody'. Rumor had it that you went to hell along with the rest of your family."

Another indifferent shrug rolled off of Spike's shoulders. "You heard wrong. So as I said, you can bloody well hop on your little scooters, and hit the road. This town already has a master, and that would be me. This is MY town."

A mocking look came over the other vampire. "But I was just starting to like it here."

"Go find yourself another town." Spike said, his voice cruel and menacing. Elaine looked questioning at Buffy, but her friend's focus was entirely on her husband who was challenging the ring leader. Elaine could feel Buffy's tense muscles under her hand, and wondered about the look of cold determination set on her face. She wished she had the nerve to voice a question, but fear of drawing attention to herself held her back. So Elaine just watched with bated breath as the next course of events unraveled. But she really wanted to know who William the Bloody was.

The biker vamp let out a petulant sigh. "Fine, if that's the way you are going to be. Figured you'd be a little more hospitable, and share with the rest of the class." He grinned at the cold look Spike continued to give him. "Oh well. I think I'll just have a snack before I go though."

He turned back to face the bar and reached over to grab the terrified bartender by the lapels once more, dragging him across the wooden divider. He laughed at the immediate scent of fear that permeated the air, as the vampire looked down into the terrified face of the man below him.

Elaine gasped with fear when she saw her friend Gary at the hands of this monster once more, almost breaking into tears at the absolutely terrified look on the man's face. Then there was that slight bit of guilt that slid in at the voice that spoke in the back of her head that whispered, "I'm glad that's not me." What happened next though, stunned her beyond belief.

With a savage roar, Spike closed the distance to the bar and clamped his hand on the other vamp's wrist in a crushing lock, his demon features having slid instinctively into place in response to his fury. "My town, my people," Spike growled, tightening his grip so the biker vamp was forced to release his hostage with a pained cry, rather than risk his wrist being crushed to powder. Gary scrambled away to safety, where he was immediately engulfed in protective arms.

Two sets of amber eyes were locked on the other, both challenging and focused. Spike was unaware of the gasps of shock that sounded through the bar as his real identity was revealed. With burning intent, he ordered, "Leave. Now."

Even though it was an elder giving him orders, the other vampire saw himself as having the advantage. "I'm thinking...no. Way I see it, I dust you, I take this town. It must have something going for it, since you're all gung ho on protecting it. Tell me, what's so special about it?"

Elaine didn't think that anything else could shock her until she saw Buffy take her pool cue and break it over her lifted knee. She then walked forward defiantly to stand next to her husband. God, was he REALLY her husband? Elaine was going to throttle Buffy for keeping this kind of a secret from her. Wait! Was Buffy a monster too? Oh god, she couldn't look. Wait, she had to look. Dammit, she couldn't. Wait, who was she kidding? Of course she had to look. Frustration consumed her, as she just wanted this whole thing to be over.

The biker vamp looked at Buffy as she came to stand beside Spike, and an amused smile curled across his face. "A human? Really, Spike, I expected a lot more from someone with your... reputation."

Buffy looked over at Spike and asked, "Was that supposed to be an insult? Should I be insulted?"

Spike smirked in her direction. "I think so, luv."

"Sorry, it's been awhile." Buffy told the other vampire. "I'm a little rusty at this, so if you could just identify your comment as an insult, I'd really appreciate it."

A laugh escaped the distorted face. "I like this girl. Even if she is human." He nodded at one of his minions to grab Buffy, and one of the bigger ones came forward and seized her from behind.

"Ugh. The least you could have done is take a shower before rolling into town. You may not need to breathe, but hello, the rest of us do." Buffy commented, scrunching her nose up in disgust at the foul odor emanating from her captor.

Elaine looked on in horror at the unconcerned look on Spike's face that Buffy was in the hands of a monster, casually smoking a cigarette like he'd been doing practically all night. What the hell was wrong with him? Unless he really WAS evil or something. But wait, Buffy was with him, and she was human, or at least that is what the monster had said. God, she SO needed this to be over so she could get the scoop. This had all the makings for a full night of gossip. She impatiently began tapping her foot, causing her husband Rick to gape at her with a look of disbelieving outrage on his face at her seeming audacity. Curbing her impatience, she watched to see what would unfold next.

The vampire who held Buffy wrenched her arms cruelly behind her back. Spike blew out a leisurely stream of smoke and commented, "Wouldn't do that if I were you, mate."

"Oh, why? Don't think you are in much of a position to help your girl out," came the reply. The leader vamp walked over to where Buffy was being held and sniffed around her.

"Why... William the Bloody has claimed a human. How sweet."

"Yeah, well, she can be a right bitch when she wants to be," Spike replied.

"Hey!" Buffy yelled indignantly.

"It's true, luv."

"You still don't have to go announcing it to everyone though," she muttered under her breath, shooting Spike an icy glare.

Spike shrugged, still biding his time for this group to let down their guard just enough for Buffy and him to strike.

"So, then you won't mind if I do this, then," the lead vampire asked, trailing his finger along the side of Buffy's breast. He knew full well he was playing with fire, touching the property of an elder vamp, but felt he was in the position to get away with it.

"As I said, I wouldn't do that if I were you," Spike commented, in a deceptively calm voice, but his inner rage was close to the boiling point.

"Why? Think you can take us? All by yourself?" Laughter poured from the vampire at the absurdity of one against fifteen.

"No," Spike drawled, "but we can take you."

More amusement colored the other vampire's face as he cast his glance around the bar. "We?"

In a flurry of movement, Buffy broke her captor's lax hold and whipped out the fractured pool cue she had stuck in her jacket. With lethal accuracy, she thrust it into his chest before he'd even processed that she was free of his clutches, and he promptly fell to the ground in a rain of dust.

"Yes, WE." Buffy clarified, rising herself up into her warrior's pose, throwing the other half of the cue in Spike's direction, which he caught easily. Weapons were always of the good.

"Did I forget to mention," Spike began, "that I left Sunnydale with the Slayer?"

The biker vamp began laughing again, shaking his head back and forth. "Oh Spike, I've always heard wild stories about you, but this one takes the cake. You've claimed and aligned yourself with the Slayer, have you? Alright, you win. We'll tuck our tails between our legs and leave town."

Elaine let out a sigh of relief, glad that the danger seemed to have passed. The monsters had said they were leaving, and you could practically feel the relief flood throughout the bar. Then Buffy did something that shocked the hell out of Elaine, who had already been shocked way past her limit for one evening, thank you very much. She calmly stepped up to the monster who had done all the talking and told him that that option was no longer available!

Elaine had such a burning desire to get the story from her; this went beyond every piece of gossip she'd ever picked up. Her new best friend just killed something right in front of them. Her husband apparently had fangs, and Buffy seemed to be cool with that. And Elaine wanted, no, NEEDED to know just what the HELL was going on!!

And then she watched the fighting start, and Elaine‘s eyes practically bugged from her head as she exchanged bewildered looks with her husband. What the... Holy crap, THAT was her best friend??
.

tbc...

a/n- I know I'm evil to leave it here, I'm sorry! I've been trying to work on Cold Lovin, but my kids are being SO annoying that my muse for that fic has exited the building temporarily. Will work on it again tomorrow, I promise!!

chapter 4

Elaine could barely believe the sight before her eyes. If someone had told her that her eyes were literally popping out of her head, it would come as no surprise. She managed to spare her husband a miniscule exchange of glances that screamed of mutual incredulity, before her attention was once again riveted back to the scene unfolding before her.

The group of monsters converged on the blonde pair in a circular fashion, finally having figured out the most effective way to attack. The pair were met with sinister looks of anticipation, mixed with taunts about who would be the one to kill the Slayer. Apparently, this was supposed to upset them, yet Buffy and Spike did not look troubled by it, if their facial expressions were any indication. This thoroughly confused Elaine, who was severely bothered by the fact that Spike's pet name for Buffy was a wellknown moniker among these... things, and she had yet to learn the meaning behind it.

But most disturbing of all, were the looks that kept drifting over both Spike and Buffy's faces, while they stood back to back, waiting in eager anticipation. Elaine couldn't understand the lack of fear present on Buffy's face. Jeez, if that were her out there, she'd be a spastic puddle on the floor by now. But her friend just kept throwing out little jibes and witty comments, and trading not too subtle sexual innuendos with Spike.

Then the actual fighting started, and with a flurry of punches and kicks that no normal person could do, Elaine watched as the number of vampires dwindled from the daunting number of fourteen to a mere handful. The smile on Buffy's face was almost unnerving, not only was she extremely competent, she seemed to be totally enjoying herself. Several of the men tried to suck up their fear and step in to offer assistance, but Buffy just called out that they had it under control. And, oh, did they ever.

Elaine was forced to seek shelter from the flying debris, irritated that her view of the action was partially obstructed. There was a feeling of horrified anticipation shared by the patrons scattered around the bar, but as more of the monsters turned to dust, that feeling quickly gave way to relief.

Finally, it was over. Spike and Buffy stood among the wreckage of what used to be an immaculate bar. Now it was riddled with broken tables and chairs, shattered glass, and piles of vampire dust. They stood gazing at one another, Buffy's chest heaving with exertion, when suddenly their faces both broke out into wide, satisfied, grins.

"I see you still got it in ya, Slayer," Spike commented, with a smirk.

Buffy drew herself up, and crossed her arms over her chest. "You weren't so bad yourself. Although I'm not sure which I enjoy more; trying to kill you, or having you at my back."

Spike took a step towards her, so caught up in the aftermath of the first fight they had been in since fleeing from Sunnydale, that he momentarily forgot where he was. Suddenly, he became aware of Gary approaching him hesitantly. Spike could still smell fear pouring off the bartender, and realized he was still in game face. With a slight shake of his head, he allowed his features to relax into the human mask the town had grown accustomed to.

"You ok there, mate?" Spike asked gently.

Gary nodded, still reeling from being that close to death. "So... uh... just want to know something. What are you?"

Spike and Buffy exchanged looks, and finally Spike sighed, replying, "Vampire."

"Oh." Gary studied Spike closely, then nodded. "Want a beer?"

Spike couldn't help the smile that plastered itself across his face. "Oh yeah, now that sounds bloody good right about now."

Gary nodded, and turned towards the bar, which had surprisingly, come through unscathed. The patrons of the bar had yet to make a move, still bewildered by what had just occurred. They watched in stunned silence as Spike followed the bartender and stood by the bar.

Buffy made a move to follow, but found herself jerked around by her arm. "Oh no you don't, little missy." Elaine announced, her face intent. "I have something I need to do first."

Buffy looked at her curiously, when her friend suddenly threw her arms around her, engulfing her in a tight hug. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!" Elaine cried. "I'm mad as hell at you for not telling me before that you're some kind of super freak, but thank you for saving us tonight."

Buffy decided Elaine must have a bit of super human-strength herself, suddenly finding her ability to take in oxygen severely compromised by the iron bands Elaine called arms wrapped tightly around her middle. As quickly as she was grabbed, Buffy found herself released, as Elaine turned on Spike.

"And YOU!" Elaine yelled, pointing her finger in the vampire's direction. "I am totally pissed off at you. Sunlight allergy, my ass! I can't believe you didn't tell us!"

Rick came up behind his wife, wondering once again if Elaine's mouth was going to get her into trouble. Or in this case, eaten. He looked warily at what he hoped was still his friend.

"Bloody hell, Rickie boy, I'm not going to eat your wife," Spike announced dryly, rolling his eyes.

"Damn," Rick muttered good-naturedly.

Elaine whirled on her husband, gasping with indignation. "I SO cannot believe you just said that!" She swatted her husband's arm furiously.

Rick spun away, trying to avoid his wife's wrath. "Ow! I was just kidding! Geez!"

Elaine glared at him, then turned her attention back to more important matters. "So... Let's just get a few things straight here." Her heavily made-up eyes whipped back and forth between Buffy and Spike. "You're a vampire," she said, pointing a manicured finger at Spike. "And you're... what?" she asked Buffy.

"I'm just Buffy," she tried to answer, but crumbled under her friend's weighty glare. "Ok, fine, I'm the vampire Slayer."

Elaine nodded in consideration, still eyeing the two. "So, Spike. Do you still eat people?"

"Just Buffy."

Buffy rounded on Spike and slapped his arm, much like Elaine had done to her spouse just moments earlier. "I can't believe you just said that!" she hissed, her face turning red in embarrassment.

Spike didn't spin away from his wife's wrath, like Rick had done, merely laughed and gathered her in his arms. "Who has the dirty mind here, eh? I was referring to your blood, princess.

"Oh," Buffy mumbled. "I so knew that."

"Sure ya did, luv," Spike mocked, pressing small, slow, kisses to Buffy's neck.

They were once more interrupted by Elaine's loud voice sounding out through the silent club. "What is wrong with you people?? Hello! Why are you all just standing there? There are some heroes that need to be thanked here!"

That blurted announcement served to break the spell, and the vampire and slayer soon found themselves surrounded by the people they had come to call friends. There was a slight wariness among the crowd as they slowly approached Spike, but much to the vampire's surprise, it didn't last long. The easy acceptance that came his way shocked him, filling him with yet another sensation of completion that Spike didn't even know he'd been yearning for.

Word had immediately made its way through the small town, and the bar was soon overflowing with townspeople intent on seeing for themselves if the strange tale being whispered about was really true. Spike lost track of how many times he'd had to switch in and out of game face to satisfy morbid curiosity, and how many times his face had been poked and prodded. In a way ,though, he didn't mind; it demonstrated a certain level of trust.

Finally, when the occupancy level was maxed out at the bar, Buffy decided to move matters along. She hopped up on the bar and tried to call for everyone's attention, but the noise level was so intense her voice was unable to penetrate through their conversations.

Elaine, seeing what Buffy was trying to do, used her loud voice to lend assistance. "Hey!" she yelled. "Buffy wants to say a few words, so everyone shut your yaps for a few, got it?"

Elaine's ear piercing decibels served to do the trick, and Buffy soon found everyone's attention on her. As she looked around, she could swear that practically the whole town had assembled in under a half an hour. She moved to sit down on top of the bar, her legs dangling over the side.

Smiling hesitantly, still feeling a bit self-conscious now that their secret was out, Buffy announced, "Um... I just wanted to say a few things so some of you could feel like you could go home and wouldn't be missing anything." She gestured for Spike to join her, and he leapt up with an easy grace to sit by her side. "Ok, first of all. You now know that vampires are real. I know how a lot of you are feeling, because I totally wigged when I first found out too. We're talking major denial. Second," she looked over at Spike, grabbing his hand, "Spike is a vampire. Third, I'm the Vampire Slayer..."

"What is that, exactly?" Elaine couldn't help but interrupt to ask, her curiosity still fully aroused.

Spike answered before Buffy could reply, "There's one Chosen bird who is given super powers to take out my kind. That Chosen bird is Buffy."

"Well, actually there are two now. Since I died and everything, I kinda messed things up," Buffy said to Spike.

"You DIED??!!!" Elaine shrieked, eyes bulging.

"Ok, long story. Like one so totally for later."

The librarian for the elementary school spoke up, being one of the ones who'd seen all the action. "So, if you're a...Slayer, and he's a vampire, why didn't you kill him? If that your job and everything?"

That was a question that had the others nodding, eagerly awaiting the answer. Buffy replied defensively, "Well, I tried. Lots."

Spike nodded, snorting with derision. "Yeah, same here. I can't tell you how many times I tried to take the girl out, and I've taken out two Slayers in my day."

Horrified silence followed that statement, as it was processed just what Spike had revealed, and Buffy turned to smack Spike again. "Like you so had to bring that up, you idiot!"

"Stop smacking me around, Slayer," Spike growled, causing Buffy to roll her eyes in his direction.

"So anyway, obviously we're not trying to kill each other anymore. And Spike is not like those vamps that you saw, he's totally different."

"How?" came the question.

With a smirk, Buffy replied, "Because I tamed him."

She started giggling at the outraged snort that sounded beside her, and turned to look into the dark scowl that covered his face. "You're lucky I love you, Slayer. Otherwise I'd kill you for that little remark." Spike snarled, glaring at her.

Buffy tried to draw her face into a mask of seriousness, but failing miserably. "Likewise, baby."

Spike retaliated by crushing his lips to hers in a bruising kiss, causing Buffy's giggles to turn into a whimper at the delicious onslaught. She allowed her arms to reach out and ensnare his neck, bringing him even closer, as his tongue slid into her mouth. They quickly forgot they had an audience that consisted of practically the whole town, as they melted into the other.

"Hey..., hey..., HEY!!!!" Elaine yelled, clapping her hands to regain their attention. "You guys can do that once you get home! Because right now, I'm needing some answers and like NOW."

They drew apart reluctantly, giving each other tender smiles before facing their friends once more. "Ok, shoot," Buffy told Elaine.

Elaine huffed incredulously. "Hello, do I even need to say it? I want to know how you guys wound up together, and what the hell you're doing HERE!"

Twenty minutes later, the entire town had a newfound respect for the pair, regarding them with something akin to awe. Elaine threw her arms around them, hugging them tight. "Oh my god, that was the most ROMANTIC thing I have ever heard!!!!" She released them, and dabbed at her tears. Pinning a stern look on Buffy, Elaine announced, "And you and I are going to be doing a little bit more talking...in PRIVATE!!! I ought to flog you, little missy!! You know that? But you know what? I just love you to pieces."

Rick and Spike exchanged pained looks, shaking their heads. "Dude, I am never playing you for money again." Rick informed him, earning a smirk from Spike.

Someone plugged the music back in, and "Oldies Night" continued, almost as if there had been no interruptions. Buffy's 22nd birthday was celebrated, as the two had not disclosed all the details of their lives. They had also asked that things be kept quiet, because people were most likely looking for them. In a true testament of friendship, the town had rallied back, making sure their true identities were secure, and life went on as usual.

Until the next thing popped up.

tbc...

Life, surprisingly, did not change much for Spike and Buffy once their secrets had been revealed. Spike really appreciated not having to hide from mirrors anymore, and his sunlight intolerance didn't have to be explained away. He no longer had to be nagged by Buffy to remember to dress according to the weather, another thing that suited him just fine. He would think nothing of walking out in the middle of a snowstorm wearing nothing but jeans and a t-shirt, only to be ordered back inside to put a jacket on. And Buffy would never let him wear just his duster either. Oh no. It had to be a soddin' North Face parka that had cost a bloody fortune. But now? Things were all nice and tidy, just the way he liked them.

They also found little need to check their superhuman strength, which was beyond liberating. Often times, they were asked to lend a hand when mere mortal strength wasn't quite enough, often with Buffy teasing Spike about being a show off.

Animal blood was much easier to obtain, as the local butcher kept it in stock especially Spike. The town was very accommodating for their two supernatural heroes, not wanting to give them any reason to move on. Not that either Spike or Buffy had any inclinations to do so, both having found their bit of peace in this town, a 'bloody miracle', as Spike often referred to it. They were happy.

Spike and Buffy still bowled every Thursday night, and their savage competitiveness was better explained now. As a result, the bowling alley suffered an even greater number of pin and ball fatalities. But everyone still agreed, it was incredible to watch.

The first Thursday after the bar incident, bowling night started off slightly awkward for the blonde duo. As the two entered the bowling alley that night, they noticed a larger crowd than normal. Neither paid any attention to the people loitering around the bar or standing against the wall, talking in small clusters. They quickly made their way to Elaine and Rick, who were waving them over from their regular lane.

Buffy gave Elaine a quick hug while Spike shook Rick’s hand, their usual smirks firmly in place. Buffy glanced back nervously at the crowd of people congregating near the bar.

“What’s with all the people? Is there like a party or something?” Buffy asked.

“Yeah, and you're the guest of honor, sweets." Elaine commented wryly.

"Huh?"

"Oh, don’t pay them any mind, hun. They’re just here to gawk at our town’s new superheroes,” Elaine said with a wink. She glanced over at Spike slyly, letting her eyes roam appreciatively over the fine specimen that was his body as he stood talking with her husband. "Well, there may be more than gawking from some of us," she added teasingly.

Buffy’s jaw dropped in astonishment. “You’re kidding right?”

“No, sweets. I mean, really. Can you blame us? Just look at him." Elaine sighed dramatically to emphasize her point, still staring.

Buffy rolled her eyes derisively, well acquainted with Elaine's quite verbal appreciation of her husband's physical attributes. Of course her eyes had to follow Elaine's, and she got caught up in her own web of drool. Dammit, Elaine always did that to her. If she didn't know that Elaine and Rick were nuts about each other, she might have some issues with Elaine's continuous lustful comments. But, for the most part, she just found it hysterical and tried to keep out of total gutter mind. Valiantly pushing thoughts away of Spike and sex, Buffy focused. "No, the people, Elaine. I'm talking about the people."

Elaine giggled. "I always get you.You're so easy, you know that?" She ignored the dirty look Buffy threw her way, waving her hand dramatically. "They’re hanging out so they can thank you both, silly.”

“Thank us?” Buffy turned to Spike, confused. “They want to thank us,” she mouthed, pointing at the people.

Spike just shrugged his shoulders as if to say, “Got me, pet.”

“Come on, Buffy. Let’s go say hello to your adoring public. Now, don't forget to smile, and tell everyone I'm your BEST friend, got it?” Elaine instructed, looping an arm through hers and dragging her away from the guys.

Vaguely, Buffy heard Spike say that he and Rick were going to get some beer. She just nodded as she was lead away by her friend.

Buffy found her new celebrity status slightly uncomfortable, but she soon realized what it was that had been missing from her time as the Slayer. Appreciation. The town was here tonight merely to showing their gratitude, and Buffy just wasn't used it. Still, it was... nice. Spike didn't seem to have a problem with it, and Buffy realized as she glanced over to where he was standing by the bar with Rick accepting the congratulations of the people around him. If he seemed embarrassed by the easy acceptance of the townspeople, he never let on, taking their thanks in stride, as if it were no big deal. Buffy realized that it was probably the first time his demon had been fully accepted.

For someone who was already well liked by the townsfolk, this new, dangerous, supernatural, edge just added to it. Especially by the romantics in the bunch. And the woman like Elaine.

The non-bowling crowd only remained for about an hour, just long enough to express their support for the vampire and slayer in their midst. Buffy felt like she was getting to know practically everyone in town, having spoken with people tonight that she had only seen from afar.

Soon, it was just their regular tight knit group, and things were well on their way to being another entertaining league night.

Spike and Rick had returned from their second bar run of the evening, setting the pitchers down on the table. Buffy and Elaine looked up as they approached, and Elaine allowed the conversation to trail off since she had been pumping Buffy for juicy gossip about her sex life. Sex with a vampire... it was like something out of a torrid romance or something. And Elaine intended on finding out about every little detail.

Spike handed Buffy her requisite diet coke, and she smiled her thanks as he settled next to her. Elaine kept a direct stare pinned on Spike, watching him tip his beer back and draining his mug. She found herself watching Spike a lot these days, finding his vampire status intriguing

"Rickie Boy, could ya tell your wife to lay off the bloody eyeballing," Spike announced, pouring beer from the pitcher into his empty glass.

Rick looked over and saw his wife staring unabashedly in Spike's direction. "Elaine... " Rick said in a pained voice. Buffy had to hide the grin that had erupted on her face, especially when her friend completely ignored her husband and got to the heart of the matter.

"So," Elaine stated finally. "You're like... dead."

"Undead," Spike corrected.

"What?" Elaine asked perplexed, her eyebrows making a valiant effort to furrow, but were restrained by the Botox injections she routinely received by the plastic surgeon in the next town.

"He said he's undead, Elaine," Rick repeated patronizingly.

Elaine gave a quick shake of the head. "That just makes no sense."

"What are you going on about?" Spike asked.

"I know! It totally doesn't!" Buffy injected, wholeheartedly agreeing with her friend.

"What are you bints blathering about?"

"You being undead. It makes no sense. It would be like being "un" pregnant. Either you are, or you aren't. And if you're not dead, you're alive." Elaine explained.

"See... I know! That's what I've always thought! Doesn't anyone own a dictionary or anything?" Buffy exclaimed dryly.

"I don't know. It should be more 'half dead.' Or 'sorta dead.'"

"Yeah! Or... 'semi dead. Or.... partially dead!'"

"You two are off your nut," Spike informed them disgustedly, not wanting to admit they had a point. He and Rick exchanged glances, both rolling their eyes, as their wives continued their exploratory conversation.

"Hey, are you guys really married?" Rick suddenly asked.

Spike was silent for just a moment before answering. "We have the rings on our fingers, we have the paperwork saying we are legally wed, but have we actually gone through a ceremony and exchanged vows? No."

"Lucky bastard."

Spike let out a short bark of laughter at Rick's lighthearted comment. "Yeah, well, don't really need a ceremony. Buffy belongs to me."

Rick looked impressed. "Wow, she really lets you get away with saying that?"

"Hell yeah, she does."

"Elaine would kick my ass if I said she belonged to me," Rick replied dryly.

Spike threw a smirk his way. "Things would be a little different if you were a vampire, Rickie, my boy."

Understanding dawned on Rick's face. "Ah, I get it. Pretty cool."

"Yep."

The next few weeks passed by quickly. Things had settled down for both Spike and Buffy, which came as a relief. It still made Buffy slightly uncomfortable being stopped and given heartfelt thanks for doing what she had been Chosen to do, but found she enjoyed getting to know people better. As a result, she felt like her roots were now imbedded in this town, spreading and growing stronger with each person met.

Buffy's job at the ER hadn't suffered from the town's newfound revelations. It was business as usual; except now Buffy was occasionally called when extra security was needed. The town itself didn't generate a large need, but sometimes they would get patients from neighboring communities that didn't have the small town mentality, and would get out of hand.

Three weeks after the bar incident, Buffy came to work on a dark, dreary evening, to the sound of ambulance sirens, and utter chaos. There had been a multiple vehicle accident on the highway just outside town, and since they were the nearest receiving facility, several critical patients were brought in. Because theirs was a small hospital in a small town, they practically never saw this type of action. Or at least, not all at once. Usually the two ambulances that were always on duty had more than enough free time to kill during their long 24 hours shifts. But today, both units were dispatched, with two units responding from the nearest town.

Buffy was immediately pulled from patient care and put to work trying to call the appropriate doctors, while trying to juggle multiple other tasks at the same time. The ward clerk who usually took care of those tasks had called in sick, leaving the ER in utter pandemonium. Buffy noticed there was a CPR in progress in one of the trauma rooms that had the ER team pretty tied up. Buffy had been informed that he was the one responsible for the motor vehicle accident, and was highly intoxicated.

In the middle of Buffy's organized chaos, getting doctors on the phone, ordering lab work and x-rays, answering telephones, Buffy finally managed to realize her "spider sense" was thoroughly engaged.

Everyone in her immediate vicinity watched as she went from competent, but frazzled, ER tech, to something they couldn't quite describe in the blink of an eye.

Buffy allowed her senses to try to pinpoint where the vamp was, but there were too many bodies scurrying around in the ER. She reached down and lifted up one leg of her scrub pants, plucking the stake out of its hiding spot.

"What is it?" Jen, the nursing supervisor, asked worriedly, seeing the look of cold predatory determination on Buffy's face.

"There's a vampire in here," she stated simply, walking out from behind the desk. Buffy turned around in a slow circle, her eyes searching for the one who didn't belong.

"Oh my god! What should we do?" Jen asked fearfully.

"Nothing," Buffy answered, narrowing her eyes. There.

Breaking into a run, she sprinted into the trauma room, stake in a lowered ready position. Buffy looked up at the heart monitor and saw the presence of a heart beat, then looked at the man, lying bloody and still on the gurney. He appeared to be in his twenties, well dressed, and reeking of alcohol

"Stop CPR," Buffy ordered.

The doctor, who was covering Windmont's ER from another city, was poised at the patient's head in preparation for intubation, and did not take kindly to a lowly ER tech telling him to wait on the breathing tube. "I'm the doctor here," he stated coldly.

Buffy ignored him. "Stop compressions and back the hell away," she told the respiratory therapist, who did as asked. Judy, the RN who had tried multiple times to start an IV, also complied without question, once she saw the presence of the stake in Buffy's hands. They knew who Buffy was, and weren't about to question her.

The doctor's face mottled red with rage. "Oh, get the hell out of here! I'm the doctor, which means I call the code, got it? Respiratory, get back in there and start those compressions back up."

Buffy crossed her arms over her chest. "Ok, but hey, check him out. Your patient is all twitchy guy." She gestured to the jerking limbs of the man lying on the gurney.

The doctor looked down at the man, then at the monitor. "Oh for God sakes, why did I agree to work in this po dunk town," he muttered angrily, walking around to check the leads that went to the heart monitor on the crash cart.

"I totally wouldn't do that if were you," Buffy warned, annoyed by this doctor's highhanded manner.

Just as Buffy was about to get backlash from the irate ER doc, the eyes of his patient suddenly sprang open, quickly shifting to amber, as his teeth elongated from his gums. With a sinister laugh, the now-conscious vampire reached up and grabbed the stethoscope looped around the physician's neck and tried to pull him down to meet his waiting fangs.

Buffy exchanged looks with Judy and the rest of the staff that were watching from the beyond the glass doors, barely suppressing the urge to roll her eyes at the shocked look on the doctor's face. Stepping forward, she clamped her hand down on the vampire's wrist, breaking his hold. The ER doctor scurried away, knocking over several IV poles in the process, which clattered noisily to the ground.

The vampire threw himself off the gurney, looking macabre and evil with the injuries sustained in the car crash, coupled with his natural demon countenance. "Well, lookee here. A real do gooder."

"Boy, did you ever pick the wrong town to crash in," Buffy informed him, tense and prepared for an assault. The wait was not long, a sloppy attack due to the continued inebriated state of the vampire. Buffy sent him flying over the gurney, where he crashed into the wall with heavy force.

"Who are you?" the vampire growled, attempting to regain his footing.

"Sorry, where are my manners. Buffy, vampire Slayer. And you're... dust." It gave her a great feeling of satisfaction to drive her stake through the chest that had been so carefully worked over to bring this shell of a man back to life. Buffy watched as he crumpled into dust before looking over at the crowd that had gathered in the hallway, outside the trauma room doors.

"Ok, mental note. From now on, make sure CPR's actually NEED to be resuscitated," Buffy announced in a flippant tone. She looked at the ER supervisor. "I'm thinking mirrors on the crash carts might not be such a bad idea."

Her suggestion was given serious consideration, the entire ER shaken up at what could have just occurred if Buffy hadn't just come on duty. Buffy looked around and saw the ER doc still huddled on the floor, looking completely shellshocked. She walked over to him and helped him to his feet.

"What was that?" he asked, trying to come up with a scientific explanation for what he had just witnessed.

Buffy rolled her eyes, and walked away. "Long story." she called over her shoulder to the bewildered man. "And I'm terribly busy."

++++++++++

Buffy had been concerned that the presence of another vampire in their town was a sign of things to come, but it seemed to be an isolated incident. Another uneventful two weeks passed by. In Sunnydale, that would have been an ominous sign. One that would have had the Scoobies scurrying to their research books to try to get ahead of whatever apocalypse or big evil was sure to follow.

But here in Windmont, peace and quiet was just par for the course. Spring was being anxiously awaited, the cold and snow becoming old and tiresome.

It was another cold, bitter day that found Buffy baking cookies in her kitchen. Before Windmont, any attempts of the culinary persuasion always turned into disasters. But with perseverance, and a lot of time to kill, Buffy had managed to nail baking down. Chocolate chip cookies were her specialty, and Spike ate them by the dozens.

She had just pulled a pan out of the oven and put it on top of the cooling rack, sticking another pan in the oven, when the doorbell rang. Yanking off her oven mitts, she hurried to the front door to open it before the bell was rung again. Spike was still sleeping, and she had come to learn that a sleepy Spike was a grumpy Spike.

Not bothering to check to see who was at the other side of the door, Buffy threw it open, and found her face frozen in shock. Her mother and Giles were standing on her freshly shoveled porch.

"Buffy! Oh my god, it's really you," her mother cried, throwing her arms around Buffy and clutching her tightly. "My baby!"

The dazed look did not leave her face, as Buffy stood stiffly in the embrace of her mother. Joyce didn't seem to notice, as she pulled back, tears streaming down her decidedly aged face.

"Buffy," her Watcher uttered quietly, his eyes glued to her face. The relief was easily read on the Englishman's face, as he took in every detail of his missing Slayer. She had been gone for almost a year, and they had exhausted many resources in an attempt to locate her.

"Come in," Buffy finally said, stepping to the side of the threshold so they could enter her house.

"Is this your house?" her mom asked, trying to contain her tears and overloaded emotions. She looked around the small foyer, taking note of the cheery warmth, with just a slight added clutter. It was so unlike the daughter she knew, it was startling.

Buffy nodded curtly. "Yes, it is. But I'm assuming you already knew that, since you rang my doorbell." The hostility was just barely veiled.

"Yes, well, I'm afraid that is all we had," Giles explained, as Buffy led them into the kitchen where she'd left her cookies. Giles watched as Buffy efficiently transferred them from the cookie sheet to the cooling rack, before taking the cookie sheet over to the sink and running water over it.

Buffy's lips were tightly compressed as she worked to rein in her screaming emotions. 'NO!' she wanted to scream. 'Not here, not now! Go away!!' "What are you doing here?" she couldn't help the icy edge to her voice when she voiced her question.

Her mother looked agonized, a new crop of tears flowing down her cheeks. "Oh, Buffy, I am so sorry. So sorry for whatever I did to make you think you had to leave like you did."

Buffy just nodded, accepting her mother's words, but unable to give her the forgiveness she was looking for.

Giles sighed heavily, his haggard face falling even more. "Buffy, I realize things had to be done that must have upset you tremendously, but I don't believe you know the lengths we have had to go through to pinpoint your whereabouts. Our locator spells weren't conclusive, and it was just this most recent one that gave us a location. You have been missed, Buffy. Terribly."

"You mean the Hellmouth has missed me."

"Good lord, Buffy. You are more than just my Slayer..." Giles allowed the words to drop off, but Buffy couldn't deny the acute pain she witnessed in his eyes.

"When I think of how difficult things must have been for you, how scared you probably were. Traveling alone... You have no idea how many nights it's kept me up," Joyce revealed, pain coming off of her in waves.

Buffy sighed, wanting to keep up the indifference, but finding herself not up to the task. She had to swallow the lump that was forming in her throat. "I... wasn't alone."

Joyce exchanged looks with Giles, then pasted on a bright smile. "Oh, well, that is wonderful. You met someone." Buffy's mother looked around, and finally noticed the hints of a masculine influence; the cigarettes on the counter, the ashtray, empty bottles of beer lined up on the kitchen counter to go out for recycling, a pair of black boots haphazardly shoved under one of the kitchen chairs, obviously too big for Buffy. The signs were there. Buffy was not alone.

Unexpectedly, a voice drawled, "Well now, didn't know we were expectin' company."

Giles spun around in his seat, his brain rapidly attempting to come to terms with just who was leaning so casually against the door jam that led into Buffy's kitchen. Although he'd never seen his bleached blonde hair in such curly disarray, nor had ever seen him without the black leather duster he wore like a death shroud. But there was no denying just who this was. Clad only in a pair of jeans, the skin that was on display was too pale, too marble-esque to be human.

"Spike," Giles ground out, easing out of his chair to put himself between the vampire and Joyce.

"Watcher," Spike replied, his lips curled up in a smirk. "Joyce," he added, tipping his head in her direction.

Buffy's mother looked with startled confusion at the bare chested man in her daughter's kitchen, recognition dawning slowly. Yes, she knew him. This was a vampire. The vampire from her living room that fateful last night. Joyce looked over at Buffy and found her only child smiling fondly in the demon's direction.

The tension in the room was thick, almost pulsing with life. Spike could easily have killed to protect his newfound happiness with Buffy, yet knew that wasn't possible. With practiced nonchalance, he sauntered over to snatch a cookie off the cooling rack, studiously ignoring the unwanted presence of Buffy's watcher and her mum.

"Hey!" Buffy yelled, slapping at the offending, thieving, hand with the plastic spatula she still held in her hand. "Back off! Those are for tonight."

Spike jerked his cookie-less hand back, nursing it against his chest. "Bloody hell, Buffy, don't need to be so violent."

She arched an eyebrow at his outlandish statement, than gave him a soft smile. Now that he was there at her side, she could feel her tension fleeing. She could so do this. They could do this. Buffy leaned into Spike's side, taking comfort in his close proximity. In unison, they both crossed their arms over their chest, and waited for the onslaught to commence.

Giles ripped his glasses off in a fit of agitation. He exchanged glances with Joyce, whose look of uncertainty rivaled his own. The urge to lash out at his young charge was overwhelming for her flagrant lack of common sense, but Giles knew he had to tread lightly here.

"So... Buffy," Giles began, placing his glasses back on his face. "You're here with... Spike?"

Giles saw Buffy's chin come up, her face tightening with resolve, while she exchanged looks with the vampire.

"Yes, Giles. I am here with Spike."

Giles watched as Spike's lip curled contemptuously, and once again wished he'd had the foresight to bring a stake. "Yes, well..."

"Why did you come?" Buffy asked her Watcher, interrupting the forthcoming tirade.

Surprise snuck up on the older man's face. "Why, to bring you home, of course."

Spike and Buffy exchanged amused looks. "Giles, I am home." Buffy sent her mom an apologetic look when hurt settled on her face.

tbc...

Surprise snuck up on the older man's face. "Why, to bring you home, of course."

Spike and Buffy exchanged amused looks. "Giles, I am home." Buffy sent her mom an apologetic look as hurt settled over her face.

Giles looked at her with something akin to disbelief, eyes wide and unblinking. This was home? Any response he might have made was postponed by the creaking sound of the front door opening.

"Hey! Where are you guys?" a loud voice called out.

Relief filled Buffy at the unexpected, yet well timed, interruption. Anything to escape this old, familiar feeling of having to justify herself yet again. "We're in here," she called out, ignoring the looks her mom and Giles were sending her way.

Elaine paused with dramatic flourish just outside the wide kitchen entryway, breaking out into a wide, leering grin when she saw Spike leaning against the kitchen island. "Ooh yeah..., I see I got here just in time," Elaine drawled, allowing her eyes to run over Spike's muscular chest appreciatively. "Very nice... very nice, indeed." Elaine looked at Buffy and winked, then took a closer look at her friend, noting the unfamiliar tension that Buffy was exuding. Something was definitely wrong.

"So, THAT'S why you wanted to come early?" Rick grumbled good-naturedly, coming up behind his wife.

"Of course," Elaine replied airily. "It's not every day a girl gets to see sexy vampires without their shirts on, you know."

Spike merely rolled his eyes, per usual, and played along. "Your wife bloody well scares me, Rickie."

"Yeah, she scares me too," Rick replied, stepping around Elaine and walking into the kitchen. "I should have figured something was up when she rushed me out of the house... " His voice trailed off as he noticed the strangers seated awkwardly around the kitchen table. "Oh, sorry. We didn't know you had company."

Elaine walked into the kitchen and saw the middle-aged man and woman perched at the table, and threw Buffy a questioning look. She could read the panic and anguish in her friend's eyes, and it wasn't a far leap to realize this was someone from her past. Elaine walked over and gave Buffy a welcoming hug, whispering in her ear, "Do you want us to stay or go?"

Buffy clutched at her friend like a lifeline. "Oh god, please stay," she whispered back, her voice stressed. She looked over at her mom and Giles, who were staring at her friends with curiosity and barely veiled irritation. "Uh, Mom, Giles. These are our friends, Elaine and Rick," Buffy introduced awkwardly. "Giles is... was, my Watcher." Giles started visibly at the introduction, realizing this pair was aware of Buffy's Slayer status.

Elaine put on the false, bright, smile that she usually kept reserved for annoying customers, and crossed the room to shake hands. "It's so nice to meet you both!" she gushed. Turning to Joyce, she added, "And I just have to say, I love your daughter to death. She's the best friend I've ever had. The day she moved here, was probably the best day of my life." At the pained look her husband threw her, Elaine giggled. "Besides every day with you, sweetie." She blew him a quick kiss in apology.

Joyce smiled weakly, not replying, as she watched the loud blonde cross over to Buffy and begin an airy conversation, completely excluding the other occupants of the room. Then she realized it was being done intentionally.

Buffy looked up at Spike, who had thus far, managed to hold his tongue remarkably well. "You better go get ready," she informed him.

He looked at her in surprise. "We still going?"

"I didn't make all these cookies for nothing."

Spike gave her an appreciative smile, leaning down to press a quick kiss to her lips. "If they get out of hand, just sic Elaine on 'em," he whispered in her ear, before drawing away and leaving the kitchen. He paused to shake hands with Rick and inform him of the presence of beer in the fridge.

Rick walked over to their refrigerator and helped himself to a beer, before taking one of the empty seats at the kitchen table. The atmosphere in the kitchen had grown tense. Buffy offered beverages to her guests, and her mom commented how strange it was for her daughter to play hostess.

"So, does it always snow like this?" Joyce inquired, desperate to quell the uncomfortable silence.

"Yeah, pretty much. It took a while to get used to it, that's for sure. You know, total California girl, and all," Buffy replied, scooping more balls of cookie dough on the sheet.

"Uh, how long have you been here?" Her mother asked.

"Almost a year, I think it's been."

Finally, Giles was unable to help himself, this situation too bizarre for him to comprehend. They were making small talk in Buffy's kitchen, while she lived with a vampire, and had friends who were privy to the secret. It was practically unimaginable. "I hope you don't mind my asking, er, Elaine, but I heard you refer to... Spike as a vampire."

Elaine heard the hostility in the crisp, British voice at the reference to her friend, and bristled. "Yes, I did."

Giles stared at her, waiting for her to elaborate, then realized that was the end of her sentence. "Yes, well," he began, finding himself growing increasingly aggravated, "then you are aware of that fact?"

"Isn't that what I just said?" Elaine replied in a confused voice, eyes purposely wide, causing Buffy to have to bite her lip to hold back a snicker as she stood at the kitchen island, transferring another batch of cookies onto the cooling rack.

"So, you don't mind that he's a vampire?" Joyce found herself asking, curious to hear their reaction.

Elaine exchanged looks with Rick, who was absently flicking through one of Spike's magazines. "Mind?" Rick asked neutrally.

"It... that is... it doesn't bother you?" Giles asked, his agitation escalating, completely missing the black look Buffy threw his way.

Rick slapped the magazine closed and leaned back in his chair. "Look. Spike and Buffy are our best friends, ok? Yes, we know Spike is a vampire. Yes, we know Buffy is a vampire slayer. Does it matter? No."

Giles mind was ready to explode with the implications these two had just made. He stared intently at Buffy's alleged friends, seeing if perhaps his first opinion was completely off. By all appearances, they seemed to be a typical middle class couple. The woman, Elaine, was a bit overdone and loud for Giles's taste, but they certainly seemed normal enough. Spike must have worked some serious mojo to make these two so oblivious to the danger he presented, yet had so easily befriended.

Ripping his glasses off once more, he turned in his seat to look at Buffy, desperate to make her see how dangerous this was. "Surely you can see that something is very wrong here. Good Lord, you are the Slayer, and yet, you are harboring a known killer in this town. I'm quite sure there have been a rash of unexplained deaths or injuries since you've been here. How can you be so blind? You are being completely irresponsible."

Joyce shot Rupert a look of dismay; this wasn't the way they had agreed to handle things. Yet, apparently Rupert felt the need for accusations. Joyce knew from experience that this was the absolute wrong way to approach Buffy, and could only hope Rupert knew what he was doing.

Buffy's reaction was much as Joyce had feared. Even their unexpected arrival hadn't dimmed the happiness and peace Joyce could see surrounding her daughter. However, Rupert's words managed to do just that, leaving a chilly replica in her place.

Buffy drew herself up slowly, feeling every muscle tighten in response to the harsh, unfounded, accusation. Poised, she quietly replied, "I don't expect you to take my word for it, or even the word of our friends. If you feel the need to investigate these things for yourself, I encourage you to do so."

Giles held the determined gaze of his Slayer who seemed so different from the girl he had last seen, and found himself nodding his head. "Very well. I believe it is my duty to pursue this avenue. Perhaps you could point me in the direction of the library?"

Joyce gaped at him, incredulous he was leaving so soon after finally locating Buffy. All she wanted to do was sweep her daughter into her arms, and beg for her forgiveness. Joyce was beginning to see the reason behind Buffy's desperate need for escape; the Council had been her shadow this past year. Even now, their intrusion was enormous.

"You're kidding, right?" Joyce heard Buffy's friend, Elaine, ask.

"I beg your pardon?" Giles asked haughtily.

Elaine exchanged looks with Buffy, and saw nothing in her face that gave her a red light. "I mean, the whole 'point me in the direction of the library' thing."

Buffy could see Giles getting his little British feather ruffled, and was suddenly very tired. She so didn't need this. Deciding to be kind to Giles, and not let Elaine get a hold of him, Buffy interrupted, "Giles, the library is closed. Just... come with us tonight, and you can talk to whoever you want, ok?"

"You're going someplace?" Giles sounded outraged.

"Yes, we are going someplace." Buffy replied in a steely tone.

"Well, I would think that you could cancel whatever plans you have..." Giles began to say, only to be interrupted by Buffy mother.

"Rupert," she said sharply. "If Buffy has plans, she has plans." Joyce looked at her daughter. "I'm sorry we just barged in on you, Buffy," she apologized, pleased to note when some of the previous contentment re-entered Buffy's eyes.

Buffy allowed her body to relax a fraction. "It's ok. No big." She smiled hesitantly at her mom, feeling a surge of guilt at the profound happiness that surfaced on her mom's face at the hesitant gesture.

Spike swooped back into the kitchen at that moment, wearing his usual bowling outfit. He'd heard every word the Watcher had said, and was fighting the urge to cause the git a great deal of pain. But for Buffy's sake, he knew he had to play nice. She was taking the last batch of cookies out of the oven, and he went to stand by her.

"Why don't you go get ready, luv?" He suggested softly, his eyes searching hers. He could see the pain swimming in her eyes, and drew her into his arms, holding her for just a moment. Spike could practically feel the contempt burning into him from the Watcher, and had to steel himself not to react. There was no way he was going to give the man the satisfaction of acting true to stereotype.

"So, where are you going?" Joyce asked, watching the tender way Spike held her daughter.

"It's bowling night," Elaine announced.

"You BOWL?" Giles asked incredulously.

"Yeah, and they're damn good at it, too," Elaine commented.

"Spike bowls as well?" Giles inquired, a confused look marring his face.

"Yes, Spike bloody well does," Spike retorted, turning Buffy around and giving her a slight shove towards the entryway. He had just looked at the clock and realized that they were starting to cut it close.

A half hour later, Buffy and Spike walked hand in hand into the bowling alley. However, this time, it was not with the usual carefree abandonment they usually presented. Even if it wasn't for the presence of the strangers shadowing behind them, the change was immediately noticeable.

"Hey! It's Fanged Lightening!" one of the men called out in greeting, causing Spike to snort. The usual rounds of hugs and hand shaking commenced, with Rick and Spike heading for the bar soon thereafter. Buffy was almost worried Spike wouldn't come back, but knew he wouldn't desert her like that.

The bowling alley was crowded, and the faces were all familiar ones to the regulars. Giles found himself looking around in stunned shock. He had never set foot in a bowling alley in his life, and now he knew why. The idea of renting shoes that had been on someone else's feet was appalling, making him visibly nauseous.

It hadn't escaped his notice how his Slayer and... Spike, seemed to be acquainted with everyone present. They were a loud group, and so far, no introductions had been made. Although to be fair, they weren't exactly there as esteemed guests.

Buffy had shown he and Joyce to a little table, than had gone off with her crass friend somewhere. Giles met Joyce's eyes, and saw the curiosity lurking there as she looked around.

"I have to say, of all the scenarios I imagined where we'd find Buffy, something like this was never even a consideration," Joyce admitted.

Giles had to admit to the same thing. "I rather thought we'd find her working in some out of sorts diner somewhere."

Suddenly, a drink was banged down on the table in front of him. Scotch. Giles looked up and saw Spike standing above him. In his hands was a tray laden with several different pitchers. "Just call me the soddin' barmaid, Joyce. Beer or diet coke?"

When Joyce was unable to do anything but stare stupidly in his direction, he arched a scarred dark brow.

Joyce finally found her voice. "Uh... beer." Spike nodded, and set down one of the empty mugs on the table. He poured it full from the pitcher, placing it front of her. With a sly wink in her direction, he deftly picked the tray back up and strode over to the group of people that were clustered around the middle lanes. They watched as he put it down on one of the tables, and called out that the bar was open.

"Do you think they know? What he is, I mean?" Joyce asked, her curiosity more than piqued.

Finding himself flustered, Giles sputtered, "I should say not."

Joyce saw Buffy heading towards them, her friend finally gone from her side. She was more than aware of the curious looks that were being sent in their direction, and wondered how Buffy was going to introduce them.

Before Buffy could get to the table, Joyce saw her engulfed in a enthusiastic hug from a distinguished looking older gentleman. She saw her daughter's face light up as they exchanged pleasantries, then Buffy grabbed his arm, remarking, "You are so the man I was hoping to see here tonight. Do you have a few minutes?" Joyce heard the man assure Buffy that he would do anything for her, then Buffy closed the short distance to the table, bringing the man over to be introduced.

"I wanted you to meet my mom and... an old friend of the family, Rupert Giles," Buffy announced, as Giles got to his feet, extending his hand out. His hand was clasped with a sure grip, as the two men sized each other up.

"When I'm not 'mom,' I'm Joyce." Buffy's mom said teasingly, earning a round of laughter from the newcomer.

Buffy rolled her eyes slightly, before saying, "This is Dr. Adler. He's the Director of our Emergency Room." She pinned her stare on Giles, then turned to the doctor. "Our friend here, Mr. Giles, was curious about some things in our town, and I thought maybe you could help enlighten him a little?"

Giles felt very much put on the spot, but nodded encouragingly when the ER director assured him that he'd help in anyway he could. He and Buffy sank down into the two empty chairs, both looking at their watches in sync, realizing they had a few minutes before their games began.

"So, what can I help you with?" Dr. Adler inquired, curious to finally met any of Buffy's family.

"Well, I do quite a bit of research, you could say," Giles began, unsure how to phrase it without seeming obvious. "And I was just wondering if there was any trend of accidents recently, that fit a peculiar... profile? Perhaps injuries not easily explained?"

Dr. Adler gave Giles an odd look, then tipped his head in Buffy's direction. "Why didn't you just ask Buffy?" At the confused looks that met that remark, it didn't take much to figure out that these were some of the people that Spike and Buffy didn't want coming to look for them. "No, I can honestly say there have been no unexplained injuries lately."

Giles tipped his head in response. "I see. You wouldn't happen to know if there have been any increase in missing persons, would you? I know it seems like an odd question, but it correlates with my research, you see."

Dr. Adler gave a wry smile, keeping his gaze locked on the man in front of him. "Look, if you're trying to subtly find out if Spike is slowly offing the town, the answer to that, is no. I'm surprised Buffy didn't tell you that." He looked over at her and caught the look on her face, actually laughing in response. "Ah, I see you tried."

Giles finally comprehended what it was this doctor had said. "So... you know about what Spike is?" he asked in shock, his contempt palpable.

Dr. Adler nodded, then turned to shoo Buffy away. If he was the one who had to tell the story, he didn't want her sitting there listening. When Buffy had finally left, rejoining Spike and Elaine, Dr Adler turned back to Joyce and the family friend, and his face turned serious.

"There is just one thing you should be aware of before I tell you my piece. This town thinks pretty highly of your daughter and her husband..."

"Husband?!" Giles uttered disapprovingly.

Dr. Adler's face hardened. "Yes, husband. I reviewed her job application myself, and that is how she listed him. Husband. At work, she refers to him as her husband. I think that is clear enough, don't you?"

"You work with Buffy?" Joyce asked in confusion.

Dr. Adler heaved a pained sigh, and realized he'd probably be missing a few games tonight. "Yes, she works in the ER. She's our best ER tech."

He noticed her mother looked oddly proud, while the 'family friend' had a tight look on his face. "Anyway, as I was saying, Spike and Buffy are well thought of here. Whatever problem you have, I suggest you keep it to yourself."

"This is ludicrous!" Giles muttered, shaking his head in disgust. "He's worked the whole town."

Dr. Adler leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. "I take it you don't care too much for Spike?"

"I should say not! He's a cold blooded killer." Giles sputtered.

"I don't know about his past before he came here, and quite frankly, I have no desire to. All I can tell you is this, the Spike we've had the pleasure of knowing this past year, is a good man."

Joyce took a moment to study her daughter and Spike mingling with their friends, their arms looped easily around the other. It was clear they cared for each other, even Giles wouldn't be able to deny that. Joyce was trying to differentiate this carefree, joking, man with the morose, intense vampire that had stood in her living room so long ago. There was little similarity left.

"How did you find out he was a vampire?" Joyce found herself asking.

Dr. Adler's face grew animated. "Well, I found out with about half the town," he replied. At their questioning look, he continued, "It's a bit of a long story, and I'd really appreciate no interruptions, if you don't mind."

Giles took the hint, and nodded, bringing the drink that Spike had brought him to his lips, as he listened to this man's story.

"It was an occurrence at Larry's Bar." Dr Adler paused to take a sip of his beer. "It was Oldies Night, then a gang of bikers blew into town. Turns out, they weren't your ordinary bikers. We kind of figured that one out when they locked all the doors, and grew fangs." He paused to appreciate the shocked looks he was receiving. "So, everybody in the place was just frozen in place, too horrified to move, and the bartender was just about to get eaten..." he paused once more for dramatic effect, "When suddenly Spike walks up to the leader and tells him to shove off, told him that this was HIS town. The leader just laughed a bit, then leaned down to bite Gary, when Spike decided to come out of the closet. He rescues Gary, tells the leader that we are his people, then Buffy jumps in and I got a lesson on the post mortem disintegration of vampires."

Dr. Adler took another sip of beer, then looked meaningfully at Giles. "So, like I said, this town is pretty protective of those two."

Giles felt like his mind was running on two separate levels; one where he wanted to believe in the Spike that this town did, while the other screamed at him that vampires do not change. That their evil is inherent, and as immortal as they are themselves.

He quite honestly didn't know what to think.

tbc...