The Keeper

Willow stood before them, looking at Spike and Buffy with apprehension. “So, um, we’ve gone over these prophecies, and we’ve figured them out,” she began.

“You found out who the Keeper is?” Buffy asked.

“Yeah. I’ll get to that.”

“Sweetie, let me handle this,” Azrael spoke up, laying a comforting hand on Willow’s shoulder. Willow looked at her gratefully and took a seat. “Look, Dawn’s power could only be used once, unless activated by her Keeper. After that’s done, she can use it anytime she wants. To activate the Key again, though, there’s blood required. Hers, and her Keeper’s. After that, Angel’s soul can be found. I’d be the one to do that, being that I know my way around dimensions.”

“But who’s the bloody Keeper?” Spike asked.

Azrael’s eyes settled on him. “You are.” Spike stared at her in shock, as everyone else stared at him. “Spike?”

“No,” he said, standing up. He looked to Buffy, making sure she wasn’t angry, but her expression was blank. “I’m not doing that, not to the Bit.”

“I want to do it,” Dawn told him. “If there’s something good I can do by being the Key, I want to.”

Spike looked at her helplessly. “It’ll hurt, Nibblet.”

“I know,” she replied, looking to Buffy.

“It’s your decision, Dawnie,” her big sister said. “And Spike’s.”

Dawn turned back to Spike. “Would you?” Her pleading expression was more than he could bear. “I’ll think on it. One more night won’t hurt, will it?”

“I’ll start on the spell, just in case,” Willow announced, and that ended the meeting. Everyone left the witch alone, except for Azrael, who stayed to help.

*

Buffy and Dawn gave Spike the full tour of the Council meanwhile. When they were coming back up from the basement’s training room, they were intercepted by Angelina, who was hopping excitedly. “Buffy!”

“What’s wrong?”

“Angelus, he’s outside.”

“What? Get upstairs. You too, Dawn.” Both girls obeyed, and Spike and Buffy walked quickly toward the lobby.

Parting the curtains, she let out a long sigh. “She’s right.” Standing across the street in the shadows, just as Spike had been before, was Angelus. “He’s just waiting.”

“We’ll take care of it, love,” Spike assured her, smoothing her hair. “One way or the other.”

She looked to him. “You really don’t want to do it, do you?”

“I don’t. It’s too vague, anything could happen. Dawn doesn’t understand that.”

“She just wants to help. And with you and Azrael there, she’ll be okay. But if you say no, that’s fine too.”

“So, that was one of your slayers back there?”

Buffy smiled. “Yeah. Angelina.”

“Seemed a little hyper to me.”

“You have no idea. You should see her when she’s not mourning.” A look of guilt crossed her features. “They’re scared. They were getting really good, and now they’re afraid.”

“They’ll get over it. You did.”

“Not really. I just got harder.”

“Rubbish. You got older, that’s all that happened.”

“If that’s true, then why am I ready to go out there and kill Angel?”

“You did it before.”

“And it killed me. Now…” she trailed off. “I don’t think I’d blink an eye. I mean, I’d rather he get his soul back, but if he doesn’t…” She shrugged.

“Maybe you’re just tired of getting screwed over, pet. Happens to the best of us.”

“You really think that’s all it is?”

“That’s all it takes. I know that.” She nodded slightly before leaving the window and taking his hand. “Where are we going?” he asked.

“Back to the basement. I need a cigarette.”

He shook his head. “That’s something I’m never going to get used to.”

*

Azrael looked at Willow with concern. Being immortal, she didn’t really need sleep, but the girl had barely slept in days, and it was showing. She rested her head in her hands as she stared blankly down at the Latin translation book. “Will?” The witch didn’t stir. “Willow?”

“Huh?” She looked up, blinking. “What is it?”

“You need some sleep.”

She faintly shook her head. “I can’t. This spell…”

“You’ve got all night tonight, and all day tomorrow, and if it’s not done by then, they can wait. Come on.” She helped Willow stand, leading her out of the library.

In Willow’s bedroom, she helped her into bed, pulling the blankets up to her chin. “I’ll come wake you up later,” she promised.

“’Kay.”

Unable to help herself, Azrael leaned down, placing a light kiss on the witch’s forehead. “Sleep tight,” she said, quietly leaving the room.

*

They sat comfortable against the wall, sharing a smoke. “So, what happened to you?” she asked. “After…”

He shrugged. “Showed up at Wolfram and Hart.”

“And you were a ghost?”

“Sort of, yeah. Couldn’t touch anything, walking through bloody walls. Then, Azrael came and fixed me up. The two of us started working for Angel. That’s really it.”

“I still can’t believe Angel didn’t tell me.”

“I asked him not to.”

She looked at him with a slight smirk. “I figured that, but when do you two ever listen to each other?”

“I guess when he agrees with me, and that was probably the first time.” Buffy took his cigarette, taking a long draw. He watched her for a moment, before taking it from her and flicking it across the room. She raised an eyebrow at him. “I don’t like you smoking,” he explained.

“Are you supposed to?”

“It just doesn’t fit you. When’d you start doing that, anyway?”

She wrapped her arms around herself. “In Paris, after we left Sunnydale.”

“What, did the urge just strike you?”

“You could say that.” Her eyes were far away. “I did it because I missed you.” She didn’t turn her head, unaware of his astonishment. “And I kept missing you, so I kept doing it, and now I’m a big nicotine freak.”

Spike tried to gather words as he brushed a stray hair behind Buffy’s ear. “Well, I’m here now, pet, and I’m not going to have you going into coughing fits while you’re on patrol.”

She turned, her eyes large. “Are you here? Really?”

“What do you mean?”

“You didn’t want to be.” His hand moved to caress her face. “Got that wrong. I wanted to be here more than anything. Just thought things would be better if I wasn’t.”

“You’re stupid.”

He chuckled softly. “Been told that.” They shared a soft look before he leaned forward, brushing his lips against hers, still afraid she would push him away. Instead, he felt her fingers on the back of his neck, pulling him closer as she deepened their kiss.

He growled unconsciously as her tongue flicked across his lips before finding its way between his teeth, and his hands gripped her hips, pulling her away from the wall and into his lap. She came willingly, straddling him, her hands going gently to the sides of his face, and Spike couldn’t believe any of it was real. Not only was Buffy back in his life, but she wanted him to be in hers. There was a time before when she’d needed him, and that need had been reflected in her brutal touch. Now, that touch was soft and honest, timid even, her hands trembling as they roamed lightly over his face and down his arms.

She pulled away to look at him. “Are you going to stay?” she asked.

“If you want.”

She nodded slightly. “I want.”

“Dancing”

Again, those golden eyes, and the smell of him. She could hear Sophie, chanting from far away.

“But this already happened,” she said to no one at all. “I can’t keep having this dream if it’s already happened.”

She could hear the voices of her friends, cool hands on her face, comforting words. She was dying, it was over, but—

She was awake.

“Buffy?” Startled, she looked to see Spike staring at her in concern. “Are you alright?”

“Yeah,” she replied, not liking the shakiness in her voice. “Just a dream.”

“Was it… him?”

“No. Well, yeah, but that’s not it. It’s something else.” She noticed his confused expression, and laughed softly. “I’ve been having this dream since I got to L.A. I thought it was warning me about Angel, about what happened.”

“But you’re still having it?”

“Yeah.” She swallowed. “It’s changed, though. I… die at the end.”

His face hardened. “Well, until things are right, don’t think you’re leaving this house. Last thing I can take is you dying on me.”

She smiled. “Are you telling me what to do?”

“Only if that means you’re going to hit me,” he retorted, smirking.

She only punched his arm lightly before settling back down on the pillow. “I’ll hit you in the morning,” she promised.

“Good. Something to look forward to.”

*

Willow woke, looking at her digital clock on the nightstand. Seven a.m. She knew she should get back to the library, and help Azrael, but her thoughts were so clouded, she was afraid she wouldn’t be able to concentrate.

She’d never become so infatuated with a girl so quickly, and it made her guilty. Kennedy was in Cleveland, with a handful of other slayers that had gone to the Hellmouth there. She called at least once a week, and the tone in her voice told Willow that her loyalty had not strayed in the slightest. It was always “I miss you” and “I love you.” Those calls were getting harder to sit through.

She did love Kennedy, she knew that. So, why couldn’t she tear her eyes away from Azrael?

At first, she’d been sure it was only physical attraction. Who wouldn’t be attracted to her, with that flawless, porcelain skin, and those sooty lashes around those enormous green eyes? And they way she smiled…it was like she was letting you in on a private joke, and everyone else was just clueless. Not to mention the legs, or the…

Stop, Willow.

Being alone with the angel for the past few days had only taught her, however, that the attraction ran much deeper. Azrael had surprised her at how polite and intelligent she was, in between the innuendos and suggestive grins. And she even took notes with different colored pens. She was perfect.

But wasn’t Kennedy?

*

Spike woke to the sounds of Buffy getting ready. Slowly, he opened his eyes, looking to the clock. “What are you doing?” he growled.

“Getting ready to train,” she replied, sitting on the bed to slip her shoes on.

He sat up on his elbows. “Are you serious? It’s seven a.m. on a bloody Saturday.”

She turned, giving him a serious look. “And if that spell goes wrong tonight, I have seven slayers who need to be ready to kill Angelus.” Her stern expression melted, and she smiled. “Besides, I get to hit you today.”

He glared knowingly, his lips turning up in a smirk. “I’m guessing I’m going to get seven other birds beating up on me, too?”

“I swear, nothing gets past you.”

*

“Everyone, this is Spike,” Buffy addressed the slayers that were grouped before them. “He’s training with us today. Tonight, we’re going to try to get Angel’s soul back. If we fail… we’re killing him. It’s too risky to let him live, and I’m not losing anyone else. Hopefully, I won’t even need your help, but there’s always the chance. I want you prepared.

“You’ve all trained with Angel,” she continued as she paced. “I’ll tell you now, he was soft on you. If I sent any one of you out there tonight, you’d be dead. Spike, however,” she said, glancing at him, and he could see her hidden smile, “doesn’t play that way.”

“Does he… have a soul?” Angelina asked, her round blue eyes looking in terror at Spike.

Buffy nodded. “Yeah, he does. But…” She turned to him again. “Let’s just say he doesn’t have as much practice using it.” She faced the girls again, her face like stone. “He doesn’t care that you’re not experienced, or that you don’t know the best way to block a high kick. Spike fights dirty. That’s how he wins.”

She closed in on him, and he smiled. “Ready to dance, love?” he asked, and she nodded just slightly, beginning to circle around him.

She started by socking him in the nose, and he had to keep himself from laughing; he’d known it was coming. As she withdrew, he grabbed her wrist, throwing her into a flip onto the mat. Their dance was on.

The girls watched intently as the slayer and the vampire traded blows. “It’s so different,” Stefani whispered to Liz.

She nodded, eyes wide. “Fast.”

Spike grinned as he ducked, barely evading the kick meant for his head, but she was ready, sweeping his legs out from under him.

The fight went on for over fifteen minutes, neither really wanting to end it, though each had more than one chance for victory. They’d forgotten they were being watched in their enthusiasm; Buffy’s face was flushed, a sheen of sweat across her brow as her eyes tracked him. And who exactly is the predator, love? he thought, and in his excitement, forgot to block her next punch, which sent him to the floor. She was upon him instantly, a fist to his chest to symbolize the missing stake.

Eyebrows raised, she turned to the slayers. “Questions?”

Meg let out a chuckle. “Yeah, shouldn’t you get a room?” The other girls giggled and Buffy reddened, standing up.

Spike admired how quickly she recovered. “Okay, Meg. You get round one.” Tossing a look at him that very clearly said ‘give her hell,’ Buffy led the other slayers away to train.

*

After having a long breakfast with Xander, Willow made her way into the library, shocked to see Azrael still there. “Have you been up all night?”

Azrael nodded as she chewed on a pen. “I think we’ll be ready, I really do.”

Willow joined her at the table. “Hey, um…” The angel looked up, eyebrows raised. “When we get this done, can I… I need to talk to you. About some things.”

Azrael smiled slightly. “Alright.”

*

Buffy was closely watching Liz and Blake spar when Spike approached her. “So?” she asked.

“Killed every one of them.”

Her pout was too adorable, and he had to smile. “Really? Crap. Guess it’s just me, then.”

“And me,” he reminded her. “The winger will probably want to throw in her two cents as well.”

“I just wish this would be over with.” She let her eyes slip shut at the comforting feel of his fingers kneading her tense shoulders.

“It will. Tonight.”

“Worlds Collide”

Fred entered Wesley’s office to find him busying himself behind a stack of papers. “Azrael just called. They’re starting soon.”

“Is he there?”

She nodded. “Since sunset.”

“I hope this works. We need him here, with the murders going on.” He stared down at the latest police report that had been faxed to him earlier that day. Ten disappearances in the L.A. area just in the past two days.

“Do you think he’ll come back? I mean, even if he gets the soul?”

“Not sure, really. It will be hard for him.”

Fred bit her lip. “I think you should call Spike.”

“For what reason?”

“Well, he still works here. Maybe he’ll help, if Angel won’t.”

“I seriously doubt Spike wants to be employed here any longer. We haven’t heard from him since…” he trailed off, not wanting to finish. Fred only nodded, seeming lost as she quickly left the room.

*

Buffy was on her way to the library where everyone was gathering, when she heard a knock on the door. She knew, and went to answer it. “Sorry, we’re closed,” she told him.

“Well, look at you,” Angelus said in an appreciative tone. “All healed up.”

“Comes with the whole slayer gig. Really, if you don’t have anything—“

“It won’t work.”

She gave him a knowing look. “I think you’re just afraid it will. Because if it does, you’re stuck with it forever. No evil vacation time to get rid of all that stress.” He only smirked in response, and she shut the door in his face.

Entering the library, she saw everything was nearly ready. The tables had been moved to make room for the elaborate circle Willow had prepared. Within it were all the supplies needed, including a ritual blade, a scrying mirror, and an elaborate collection of herbs and candles.

Willow, Azrael, and Sophie sat just outside the circle, going over last minute notes, and Buffy briefly wondered how Sophie had managed to get inside with Angel standing outside the house. Dawn was seated at one of the tables between Spike and Xander. Giles was pacing. The air vibrated with tension, and Buffy felt wrong for breaking the silence as she walked across the hard wood floor to sit on the other side of Spike.

Willow stood after a moment, snapping the book she held shut. “Okay. We’re ready.” Spike patted Buffy’s leg, and she could only watch as everyone but her, Xander, and Giles entered the massive circle.

Willow and Sophie sat, and Willow lit the candles before nodding at Giles, who walked to the doorway to shut off the lights. Azrael took over the job of lighting the sage, and soon the room was filled with its earthy aroma.

Sophie picked up the blade, pointing it toward the four corners of the circle as she mumbled under her breath. She then waved it over the smoke from the sage before holding it out to Spike. His mouth twisted as he took it.

Willow and Sophie exchanged a look, and Willow nodded, taking a deep breath.

“We come from the light.”

“Nous venons de l’obsurite,” Sophie followed.

“We come with a purpose.”

“Nous venons avec une puissance.”

“We shall bleed.”

“Et nous dessinerons le sang.”

Spike held his palm open, drawing the blade across it. Blood welled in the cut and he licked his lips anxiously, looking at Dawn. She held out her own hand and Spike briefly closed his eyes, obviously hating his job, but he cut her quickly. Once she was bleeding, he put his hand to hers, and their fingers entwined.

Buffy watched as blood seeped between their hands, and fell to the floor. Once it hit the ground, a bright blue light appeared, growing as the puddle enlarged. Willow glanced at it with wide eyes before continuing.

“We send the guardian of his conscience to retrieve his soul.”

“Nous envoyons economiser tombe damne.”

Without hesitation, Azrael stepped into the growing portal.

Spike looked in concern at Dawn. “Feel alright, Nibblet?” he asked quietly.

“I’m fine.” She managed a tiny smile.

*

Azrael looked around, not sure of how to proceed. There was nowhere to go, only bright, blinding light. “Hello!” she called. There seemed to be no floor, but her footsteps echoed loudly. “What the hell am I supposed to do?” she grumbled, frustrated that she didn’t have much time. Dawn couldn’t bleed forever.

“Hey!” she called. “Came to get a soul here! Can I get some help?”

“Are you sure it’s what you want?”

Azrael turned quickly, and everything was pitched into darkness.

Before her stood a withered old woman, and in her hands she held what the angel knew she’d come for. It was glowing warmly in the woman’s gnarled hands.

“Of course it’s what I want.”

“So you say, dark one, but you have no idea what decision you make.”

Azrael rolled her eyes. “Is this where you tell me a bunch of riddles?”

“He’ll kill, yes, but he’ll soon be killed. You restore his soul, and another path must be taken.”

The woman continued, and Azrael couldn’t help but listen.

*

Willow was growing nervous. Dawn was beginning to pale, and she didn’t care for the glares Spike was sending in her direction. She let out a huge sigh of relief when Azrael reappeared. Spike immediately withdrew his hand from Dawn’s, closing hers in a fist to stop the flow of her blood before sending her out of the circle.

Buffy took her sister in her arms, but was unable to tear her eyes away from Azrael, who was staring at her intently, her brow furrowed.

“Azrael?” The angel turned to Willow.

“Yeah, I got it. Go ahead.”

Willow gave her a troubled look. “Are you alright? I mean—“

“Do it!” she cried desperately, and for the first time, Willow could see a glimpse of the power that lay in the girl’s eyes. Azrael held out her hand, revealing the glowing orb of light she held.

“Okay… Here lies the truth of the man.”

“Voici se trouver la laisse du monstre.”

Willow closed her eyes, gathering her power. When they opened, they were not black, as they all expected from experience, but dead white. “Send to him his salvation,” she commanded, her voice slow and calm.

“Donnez-lui sa douleur.”

The orb winked out of existence, and Azrael ran from the circle and out of the room. Willow quickly closed the circle as everyone got up to follow.

She went to the door, throwing it open and covering her mouth, pained at the sight of Angel. The spell had obviously worked, and he lay on the ground, lifeless.

Willow could see how upset Azrael was, but didn’t expect the sorrowful look she threw over her shoulder at everyone before running out into the dark. They all watched as she pulled Angel up, saying something to him. He seemed confused, looking around, but she hurried away with him, her small form supporting his much larger one. “Azrael!” Willow called, starting out the door. She was stopped by Spike.

“Let her go, Red,” he said, his voice soft.

*

Sophie left soon after, and Buffy made sure Dawn was feeling alright before seeing her to bed.

When she went into her bedroom, Spike was waiting. “She okay?” he asked.

“Yeah. I didn’t expect Azrael to do that, to just run off.”

Spike shrugged. “She’ll be back. Guess I can’t blame her.”

Buffy shook her head. “No, I don’t, it’s not that. She just… looked at me so strangely, when she came back. I thought she had something to tell me.” She stood before him as he sat on the edge of the bed, looking up at her. “I can’t be mad at her, I don’t think. If it weren’t for her…” She ran her fingers through his hair, staring into his eyes.

He pulled her down into his lap, kissing her softly, but she could feel the need under his tenderness, and she pushed him back onto the bed, her fingers finding their way underneath his shirt. He wouldn’t deny her now.

Spike helped Buffy in removing his shirt, reveling in the feel of her warm hands on his chest as her tongue probed his mouth. He knew what she wanted, but he didn’t know if he was ready to give it.

His hands seemed more than ready, however, clutching her hips greedily, needing to have her closer than she already was. There were suddenly too many things to focus on; the feel of her hair brushing his shoulders, her lips, the smell of her skin, and he thought he would go mad. He’d been denied all these things for so long, he was desperate to reclaim them, sitting up slightly to deepen their kiss, to taste her more fully.

She pulled away, her hands frenzied as they started removing his jeans, and he kicked them off, pulling her blouse over her head before gripping her bare arms and bringing her to him again, his lips leaving a hungry trail from her chin down to her neck. She moaned softly, and he felt her hand against his stomach as she unbuttoned her pants.

It was all he could take, and he rolled her underneath him, stripping the pants away as Buffy removed her underwear. Finally free of all their clothes, he settled on top of her, staring down into her hazy eyes. He didn’t have to say anything; she only nodded, and he buried his face in her neck as she guided him inside of her.

Buffy let out a sigh as Spike entered her. It was so strange, so gentle, and her hips rose from the bed to take him completely. “Oh God,” he gasped against her neck before nipping the skin there with blunt teeth. His hands began to roam all over her, lightly skimming over her arms and breasts, and she felt his fear to touch her, even though he was buried within her.

“Spike,” she whispered, and he raised his head, looking down at her, and she was shocked that he could have such an innocent expression, so open and vulnerable.

She put her hands on his narrow hips, pulling him farther into her, and his eyes closed from the sensation. “No, look at me,” she told him, and he immediately obeyed. “Just look at me. I want to see you.” She leaned up to place a chaste kiss on his lips before laying back and staring up at him, her entire body leaving the bed to meet his every slow thrust.

It was a wonder to Spike that Buffy wanted to see him, to watch him as he was inside her, but he couldn’t be so far away for long. He was soon kissing her deeply, collapsing on top of her to take her in his arms. Her legs wrapped around him, forcing him deeper, and forcing a strangled cry from her that erased all thought from his head. He let himself get lost in her all over again, not caring if he ever found his way out again. No matter what happened this time, it was better with her, and always would be.

He remembered what each movement from her meant, as well as each sound, and as her rapid panting grew uneven, he pushed himself up, resting his hands on each side of her as he quickened their rhythm. “Almost there, love?” he purred into her ear. The rising pitch of her moans was the only response he needed.

She suddenly stiffened against him, rising off the mattress, and he wrapped an arm around her to hold her against him, growling as her muscles clenched around his cock, forcing him to come as well. “I love you,” he gasped against her ear.

“Tell me again,” she sighed.

“I love you.”