Chapter 9

The sun peeked between the partially opened curtains causing the rays to play along the intertwined legs of the two bodies lying on the bed. They slept in spoon fashion with her back pressed against his stomach, his arm wrapped possessively around her waist. Buffy snuggled closer in her sleep, as she tried to get to the heat radiating from his body. The movement caused Spike to wake enough to realize where he was and who belonged to the warm body next to him. He inhaled the shampoo scent lingering on her hair and smiled; content for the first time in a very long time. He leaned down and kissed the top of her blonde head.



Fully awake now he opened his eyes and rose on his elbow, careful not to wake her. He studied her profile even though he knew every line and curve by memory. He watched in fascination how the filtered sun’s rays played on the blonde strands that had fallen across her cheek. God he loved her hair. He loved her face, her body, but most of all he loved her spirit. She was a fighter, or at least she was. A scowl fell across his brow as he thought of how she was forgetting their world and who she really was. She was the chosen one and now that took on a whole new meaning. Now she was choosing to leave all that behind and forget Dawn and her friends, let alone the rest of the world that needed her to save them from the First.



As much as he might want to stay with her in this dimension and be ‘human’, he was enough of a realist to know that all this wasn’t real; it wasn’t where they both belonged. Reluctantly, he whispered in her ear, “Buffy, luv, wake up.”



“Mmm….,” she mumbled in her sleep as she unconsciously scooted closer to him, causing a pleasant but uncomfortable reaction.



He wet his lips and groaned. She will be the death of me, or rather the ‘undeath’ of me, he thought. Even fully clothed and asleep, he felt closer to her than any of the times they were together the past year. Just holding her, watching her sleep was more than he could stand. “Buffy,” he whispered.



She stirred again without waking, a smile played across her lips. She was having the most delicious dream. She was standing on the bank of a lake under a ‘willow’ tree. Strong arms wrapped around her, holding her as she ‘watched’ the colors of ‘dawn’ appear. She felt safe and loved. A light kiss on her temple caused her to turn and look at Spike as he…



Buffy woke with a start. Spike! Holding her! She sat up and self-consciously smoothed her hair.



“Good morning, pet”



Buffy managed a weak smile as she eased out of bed, uncomfortable with him being so close and the lingering effects of her dream.



“Did you sleep well?” Buffy asked as she started to straighten the room with nervous energy. Spike watched her for a few minutes before answering.



“What’s wrong, luv?”



“Wrong? Nothing’s wrong. I’m just picking up around here. Don’t want to be messy-girl and all.”



He slide off the bed onto his feet in one smooth, lithe movement, and stopped her nervous restlessness with his hands on each of her upper arms, turning her to face him.



“What’s wrong?” he asked gently.



She raised her eyes and answered with a soft voice, “This isn’t right.”



He released her arms and stepped back, knowing what was coming next. “Right then, I’ll just get my jacket and be on my way.” Before she could answer or stop him he climbed out the window and dropped to the ground. She watched him leave as tears fell down her face. She knew he had misunderstood her meaning but she had let him go anyway. Her feelings were too strong to deal with right now. When she told him it wasn’t right, she had meant that it wasn’t right for it to feel so good waking up with him, feeling him next to her. The hesitation and distance she usually maintained with him was gone. Then why did she let him leave? As typical, when it came to her emotions, she had backed away.



Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on her door. “Buffy?” her mother asked as she opened the door. “Oh good, you’re up. I was wondering if you could drive Dawn to school today.”



Buffy wiped the traces of her tears away before turning to answer her mother. “You want me to drive?”



Joyce smiled and answered, “Oh course, honey. I have to run to the airport and pick-up our guest.”



Confused Buffy asked, “Guest? We’re having guest?”



“Giles is busy at the bookstore and I told him I would pick up Drucilla and the children.” Joyce busied herself picking up dirty clothes and missed the shocked look on her daughter’s face.



“Drucilla’s coming here?”



“Well, Giles’s apartment is too small, so I told him that they all could stay here. William and Drucilla could have the guest room and Dawn can sleep with me so the boys can have her room.” Joyce looked at her daughter’s stricken face and laughed, “It’s only for a couple of days while William is lecturing on his new book. Besides, I’m sure the boys won’t be that bad, after all, you were three once, too.”



Joyce turned as a startled Buffy stared open mouthed after her. Dru here! Dru and Spike sleeping together in her house! Crap!



Spike walked down Main Street toward Giles’ apartment, or at least where he thought Giles would be. He figured if Buffy lived at the same house then Giles would probably live in his same apartment. He walked without looking where he was going, lost in thoughts of Buffy. How was he going to get her to fall in love with him when she could barely stand being next to him? “Come on Spike, ol’mate, think. You have to get her home. What does Buffy like?” He snorted in disgust, “Angel for one, bloody wanker.” Distracted he ran into someone walking toward him, knocking him to the ground. “Watch out!” Spike snapped then signed in disgust and reached down to help his victim off the ground only to find Whistler sitting on his butt. He took his hand on pulled him to his feet.



“I told you to make the slayer fall for you ,not me!” Whistler smirked as he dusted the dirt off his seat.



“It’s not working out, we’ll have to try something else,” Spike said as he pushed his hands in his pants pocket, totally discouraged after the morning’s episode with Buffy.



“There ‘is’ nothing else. She has to want to be with you enough to want to go home with you!” Whistler sighed and tried again. “Look Blondie, it’ll work if you both quit backing up and face what you feel.”



“She knows how I feel.” Spike challenged.



“Does she? Have you told her since you got the spanking new soul?”



“Not in so many words, but she knows.”



Whistler shook his head and led him to a vacant table at the coffee shop across the street. After they had ordered coffee Whistler asked, “You want to know what she wants?”



Spike cocked his eyebrow and said, “Enlighten me.”



“Let’s look at the past men in her life. There’s Angel.”
Spike rolled his eyes, but didn’t comment. “Then there’s Riley.”



“She never really loved Capt’n Cardboard, yeah know. It was just a phase.”



“Whether she loved him or not, she was attracted to him. And don’t forget what his name….Parker. On second thought, lets’ not count him. Everybody has an experimentally fling in college. Part of the growing up process.” They waited while the waitress served their coffee then Whistler said, “And then there’s you. What do all three of you in common?”



“She mighta’ had feelings for Peaches and Capt’n Cardboard, with me it was just an itch.”



Whistler shook his head and said, “If that were true she would have staked you after the itch was over. What else?”



“Well, except for yours truly, they’re really tall. I’m not wearing lifts!” he added.



“No lifts required. What else?”



Spike gave it some thought and said, “We’re all fighters… for the cause. And Angel and I are vamps; he had the whole soul-having first but I got more attitude.”



“Had more attitude you mean. Since the soul you went from a tough alley cat to a…a tabby.”



“Is that right?” Spike snarled, his already bad mood getting worse.



“Calm down Garfield. Look; having a soul makes you feel guilt, remorse and you have a conscious, but where does it say you have to be a pussy…cat?”



“I’m still tough, I just don’t have the lust for violence like I used too, that’s all.”



“That tough, fighters’ edge is what she needs. All the men in her life have been fighters, soldiers or champions. You’ve still got the tough; you’ve just lost a little of the attitude.”



Spike looked down at his rumpled sports coat and said, “It’s bleeding hard to be tough in linen. I miss my coat.”



“Lets take a little trip to the mall,” smiled Whistler as he paid the check and left a bewildered Spike to follow.”



Cont. Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Buffy paced across the living room floor, waiting for her mother to return from the airport. She still couldn’t believe Drucilla was going to stay in her house, not to mention with Spike and their two children. “My first instinct will probably be to stake her because heaven knows there’s no love lost between us,” she said to herself. Nervous and frustrated, she continued to pace and talk to her self, “ Damn! Drucilla!”



“Yes?” came a soft voice from behind her.



Buffy spun around and was met by a pair of large questioning dark eyes framed by long black hair. Buffy stood there open mouthed, staring at the tall thin woman in front of her. Drucilla was beautiful. She had a soft fragile look about her, one that could beg for someone to take care of here.



Joyce stepped around her and said, “Buffy can you give us a hand with the bags?” When she didn’t answer, she repeated, “Buffy? The bags?”



Buffy shook her head and stammered, “Yeah, sure Mom. Be right there.”



Drucilla extended her hand and said in a musical accent, “I’m so glad to meet you Buffy. I’ve heard so much about you.”



Reluctantly returning her handshake, Buffy closed her mouth and mumbled, “Nice to meet you too.” She then rushed out the door, unable to handle the human Drucilla. Standing on the porch, she took a deep breath and tried to slow her racing heart. In spite of the history between the dark vampire and herself, Buffy had really had very little face to face contact with Spike’s ex. That is if you don’t count being chained to the wall beside her when Spike confessed his love for her or the few times in battle, but she was in vamp face then so she never really noticed how truly beautiful Drucilla was in real life, so to speak.



A noise distracted her thoughts and she turned to find two toddlers trying to pull a suitcase that was bigger than either one of them, up the sidewalk. Stepping off the porch she stopped in front of the boys and smiled, “You two must be Spi…I mean William’s little boys.”



They stopped pulling on the suitcase and looked up at her. She was startled by their appearance. Even though they were twins, they couldn’t have been any more different. The boy on the left had sandy hair and watched her with clear blue eyes so much like his fathers’. The other child had dark hair and large brown eyes like his mother. That was the one that stepped forward with his little hands on his hips and said, “Who are you?”



Taken back by his straight forward manner, even for a three year old, she leaned down and smiled, “My name’s Buffy and I live here. What’s your name?”



The dark headed boy said, “My name’s Liam and this here’s my brother, James. He don’t talk much. Mama says he’s like ‘da but I’m her mirror.” He puffed out his tiny chest then turned to tackle the suitcase once more. James looked down at his feet with a small shy smile and said in a low accented voice, “I do too talk. ‘Da says I talk fine.”



Her heart went out to the shy boy, and she whispered, “I think you talk just fine and you look just like your daddy.” This seems to please the child as his shy smile turned into a huge crooked grin that showed a tiny dimple on his left cheek, just like Spike had when he truly smiled, which was rare. Most of the time he just smirked. “Here, let me help you guys with that.” Buffy took the suitcase and followed the boys into the house.



Later that afternoon, Buffy headed upstairs. She could hear sounds coming from the living room, some ridiculous cartoon accented by the boys’ laughter. She had avoided Drucilla all day. She couldn’t bear to look at her and know that Spike had once loved her, loved her so much that he spent over a hundred years with her. Maybe still loved her. She had just rounded the corner heading to her room when she heard her name being called from the guest room. “Buffy? Can you come in here for a minute?”



‘Arggh’ thought Buffy as she reluctantly turned and headed into the guest room. Drucilla was standing by the bed unpacking. “Oh, I was just wondering if I could have a few more hangers.” Drucilla asked with a soft purring voice.



“Sure. I think there’s more in the closet in the back.” She walked over to the closet, moved the winter coats aside and pulled several hangers from the rod. When she turned to hand them to Drucilla she was surprised to find her holding a sheer red nightgown in front of her. That is if you could call the tiny piece of silk a nightgown, it barely reached her hips.



Drucilla saw her surprised expression and laughed. “Do you like my new nightie?” She didn’t wait for an answer as she laid it gently on the bed and reached for the hangers. “It’s a surprise for my William. I’m sure he will fancy it.” She smiled a knowing smile and shrugged her shoulders then sat on the bed as Buffy continued to stare slack jawed at the black haired woman in front of her. “You probably know how it is. William has been traveling promoting his new book, leaving me at home all alone with two small children. It’s just not the same as when we first met. He was my knight, my champion. We were insatiable. ‘Grrr’” She accented her point by raking the air with her claws. “But after two children and a hectic work schedule, we haven’t had much time for….us. I missed him so much I just jumped on the plane and came straight here, not even thinking that I couldn’t find a hotel room in town. Who knew there was a big convention in town, leaving us at the mercy of your mother’s kind hospitality.” She picked the gown off the bed as a mischievous smile formed on her face. “We’ll try to be quiet but I can’t make any promises.”



The sounds of wicked laughter echoed behind Buffy as she ran to her own room and slammed the door. Images of Spike and Drucilla entwined in a lover’s embrace sent cold chills down her back. Surely he wouldn’t ‘sleep’ with her, not in my own house’, thought Buffy. She paced around her room randomly picking up different objects without looking at them, heart racing. Her first impulse of shock was quickly being replaced with anger. “How could he marry her! Sure she’s beautiful and seductive but she’s so…so bony!” She threw the shirt she held in her hand across the room and fell on the bed. “He can’t sleep with her; he’s not really married to psycho-Dru.”



She buried her head in her hands, realizing that in this dimension William ‘was’ married to Drucilla and had every right to sleep with her. “What am I going to do, now?” she moaned as tears formed in her eyes.



“Now this is more like it!” said Spike as he turned in front of the three paneled mirror at the clothing store. It had taken a bit of adjustment to see his reflection in the mirror, but now he turned easily, admiring his new clothes. He had discarded the sports coat and dress pants and replaced them with clothes he was more comfortable wearing. He had selected a midnight blue collarless pullover shirt which was tucked inside a pair of snug black jeans. This was topped off, or rather bottomed off by a pair of black ‘doc martins’. “I still say a black shirt would be better,” he said as he turned to Whistler who was leaning against a counter, watching the blonde who had preened and paraded in front of the mirror for the last hour.



“Trust me on this, big guy, Buffy will like the blue better. It brings out your eyes,” he teased. He stood away from the counter and added, “There’s just one more thing to be the big bad that she needs.” Whistler turned and left the dressing area only to return a few minutes later with a long black leather coat. He smiled when he saw Spike’s face light up. “Here, try this on.”



Spike slipped the coat on in one fluid motion, so accustom with his old coat, that it seemed second nature. He stood staring at his reflection when his cocky smile was replaced with a troubled scowl. “This ‘ere looks just like my….hold a minute…this is ‘xactly like my old coat.”



“So?”



“Bit odd finding a coat just like mine. Not ‘xactly a current trend in the fashion world, yeah know.”



“Sometimes the odds are in your favor. Maybe its fate,” suggested Whistler who seemed uncomfortable as he fidgeted with his hat.



“Fate Hell! Fate’s got nothin’ to do with it. It’s all luck and skill and timing,” Spike pointed out as he turned to face the red head.



Whistler eyed him with caution, “Did you have some skillful ‘luck’ when you timed your little trip here?”



Spike sniffed in disgust, “Sure to hell wasn’t fate, I tell you!”



“Fate happens! Spike, the Powers That Be have a hand in things. Why else would I be here?”



Spike stepped closer, keeping his eyes locked with Whistlers’, “Why are you here? It’s not like you’re doin’ anythin’ but giving fashion advice.”



Whistler was well aware of the threating tone in Spike’s voice. “Just remember, things aren’t always what they seem.”



“Meaning?”



“I can’t tell you everything. Just trust me, okay.”



“Tell me what you know or….”



“Or what?” Whistler had a job to do but it didn’t include being threatened by an ex-vampire.



Spike took another step closer, and said in a cold, low voice, “I may not be a vampire in this world but I wager I can do a’little damage, if you know what I mean.” He stood about a foot from Whistler, leaning in to tower over the shorter man.



Whistler swallowed and looked up at his cold glare. He wet his lips and tried to keep the trimmer out of his voice. “All….I can say is that Buffy may not be the only one that will have to make a choice.”



“Such as..”



“Other forces are at work here.” Spike leaned back, his glare replaced with a look of confusion as he let Whistler continue.



“The First tricked Buffy into coming here, we agree on that. Right?” Spike nodded and Whistler continued, “Buffy came here and occupied her own counterpart’s body, which was in a coma making it simple. But you, my friend, weren’t suppose to be here. There is no ‘Spike’ in her world.”



Spike tried to ignore the double meaning of Whistler’s words. “But people know me here as William, who has a life and friends and…a sodding wife and kiddies. Harris and…’Uncle’ Giles know me. How do you explain that?”



“The First didn’t expect you to follow her.” Whistler ran his hand thru his hair in frustration. He wasn’t sure just how much to tell Spike. “You changed things by coming after her. Without you, she would be happy and content to stay here, forgetting about Dawn and her world and what she was meant to do. Save the world from the First. But with you here, adjustments had to be made.”



“What kind of adjustments are you talkin’ bout?”



“Ripples? Manufactured memories? Who knows how the First did it….but don’t underestimate that power,” Whistler warned.



Spike started paced around the small dressing area. “Can’t the Powers That Be, who ever the hell they are, do somethin’ but send… ‘you’? Like help Buffy keep her memories or help her get back?”



Whistler shrugged and said, “Can’t.”



“Oh.. like you can’t open a portal?” Spike challenged.



“Something like that…free will; with a little help. Look, Spike the Powers That Be can’t control the First or change what ‘it’ plans to do.”



Spike stopped pacing and looked directly at him, “Like….?”



“Like…” Suddenly Whistler’s feet flew out from beneath him, sending him falling hard to the floor.



Spike frowned at Whistler sprawled on the floor. “What was that all ‘bout?”



“Nothing, just lost my footing is all. You better get on over to Buffy’s house. I have a feeling there’s something going on over there,” Whistler added as he tried to change the subject.



Worried about Buffy, Spike left him sitting on the floor and headed out the store saying over his shoulder, “You and me are finishin’ this later!”



Whistler pulled himself off the floor and looked up as he rubbed the knot on his head, “You didn’t have to do that, I wasn’t going to tell him.”



Cont Chapter Eleven

Chapter 11

Four o’clock. Buffy stared at the clock on her bedside table and groaned as the minutes crept by. She had spent all afternoon hiding in her room avoiding any more encounters with Drucilla, while images of Spike and his wife ‘reuniting’, played over and over in her mind. That was so wrong, she thought. Deciding she was being too much of a coward, she left her room and headed downstairs to help her mom with supper, walking fast past the closed door of the guest room.



Joyce was standing at the sink washing vegetables, when she heard her daughter enter the room. She turned and said, “Hello stranger. Where have you been all day?”



Buffy sat at the counter and said, “Just hanging out in my room. Need some help?”



They worked in silence for a few minutes when Buffy asked, “Where’s Drucilla and the boys?”



“Rupert took the boys to the park and Drucilla is lying down. Poor thing, she’s probably tired from the flight.”



“Not used to being awake in the daytime,” mumbled Buffy under her breath.



“What?” asked Joyce, turning to place the sliced vegetables in the refrigerator.



“Nothing.”



“I hope William is alright.” said Joyce, wiping her hands on the dishcloth, “He never called Giles last night to let him know where he was staying.”



“Oh…I’m sure he’s fine…probably got busy with book tour stuff and it got late and….didn‘t want to wake Giles and Willow so he…probably slept somewhere ...else.” She hoped her mother bought it because she couldn’t think of anything else to say.



“He’s going to be so surprised when he gets here for supper and find Drucilla and the boys waiting here.” Joyce leaned against the counter and smiled, “I bet he’ll be shocked.”



“Oh, he’ll be shocked alright.” A knot formed in the pit of her stomach at the thought of Spike and Dru together in the same house much less the same bedroom. Why did her thoughts keep returning to that? Arrgh! “Mom, are you done with me? I think I’ll go get ready for supper.” She didn’t wait for an answer as she ran upstairs to her room.



Buffy chose a pale blue sundress with thin straps and sheer layers that fell just above her knees. The color accented her tan beautifully and blue was Spike’s favorite color, besides black, ‘that it is’, she thought. She added a simple gold chain and small hoop earrings. Studying her reflection in the mirror she piled her hair off her neck, “No, he likes it when I wear it down. “She released the clasp, letting the soft stands fall naturally about her shoulders. Leaning closer to apply pale pink lip-gloss she looked deep into her own eyes. She was forgetting something. What was it? Something just wasn’t right. Was it Dru’s presence that had her unnerved? Buffy furled her brow in concentration. She knew that Spike used to love Dru, but did he still? Could she convince him to stay here with her and not go back …with Dru? This was her life now, the life she had always wanted. She just had to convince Spike of that. Determined to win him over she took one last look at her reflection, turned and headed down the stairs.



Spike walked with purpose up the walkway to Buffy’s house. Something told him that she was slipping away, that he was going to lose her to this dimension if he didn’t act fast. “A’right mate, time for action.”



The door was answered by Buffy. Spike stood in the doorway, speechless as he looked at her from head to toe. She was so beautiful. Her blonde hair was just the way he liked it and the pale blue dress hugged her every curve. She had a mischievous smile on her face, instinctively knowing the effect that she had on him.



“Like what you see?” she teased.



Spike swallowed trying to ease the dryness in his throat. When he finally found the ability to speak, he said, “You’re beautiful.” It was all that he could get out and even that was a whisper.



Buffy returned his appraisal, her smile changing to a smirk, “I see someone’s been shopping. I like!” She reached up to touch the soft leather, “It becomes you,” she said in a seductive whisper.



Something in her tone set off alarm bells in Spike’s head. “You’ve seen it before, Luv. Remember?”



Stepping back, she frowned, “No, I don’t think I have.” Her frown deepened as she tried to pull a memory swirling in her head. “Have I?” He looked so natural in the long black coat. Spike watched her face and could see the confusion. ‘What the hell is going on’, he thought.



Before he could say anything else, a noise caught his attention. Looking up to see what had distracted him, his mouth fell open. Coming down the stairs, dressed in a long, clinging midnight blue dress, her eyes never leaving his, was the woman he had loved for the last hundred plus years. Drucilla!



Speechless for the second time, Spike just stared as she walked the rest of the way down the stairs. Drucilla’s long black hair fell around her neck which was covered with a black silk scarf. A playful smile was on her lips when she said, “Hello honey. I’ve missed you.” She moved past Buffy and wrapped her arms around Spike’s neck. “Aren’t you going to give your wife a kiss?” She didn’t give him time to answer as she pulled him in for a long deep kiss.



Time froze for Spike. Drucilla’s lips were so familiar that his lips instinctively returned the kiss as his mind raced with the details. Drucilla here! Buffy doesn’t remember the past! He jerked his lips away and pulled out of her embrace. He turned to see Buffy, red-faced stalk toward the kitchen. “Wait! Buffy!” Drucilla tried once more to capture Spike in her arms.



“Don’t worry about her. Mommy’s here now. I’ll take care of my sweet William.”



Spike looked at Drucilla, or at least looked at the woman that was supposed to be his wife, Drucilla. It wasn’t her fault that her ‘husband’ was in love with another woman. Hell, she wasn’t even really his wife. She was just the First’s manufactured memory or some such nonsense to explain his presence here in this dimension or to keep him here. He reasoned that if he wasn’t supposed to be here then neither was Drucilla. “Look, pet, I need to talk to Buffy for a bit. We’ll have a little sit down, later. A’right?”



Drucilla smiled and said, “Alright my sweet, but don’t take too long, we have some catching up to do.” After Spike left, Drucilla’s smile turned into a wicked sneer. “And, we’ll have a party and be a family again, my love.”



Spike left Dru and walked into the kitchen. When he didn’t find her there he looked outside and saw her sitting on the steps of the back porch. Taking a deep breath he headed outside.



“Call me all manner of confused, but how the hell did Drucilla get here?”



“Plane,” answered Buffy in a flat tone.



“No…I mean why ‘is’ she here now?”



“She wanted to surprise you.” She turned to look at his face and added, “And from the look of it, she did.”



Spike sat down beside her, letting his long legs stretch out in front of him. “Buffy, we really do need to talk.”



Buffy lowered her head and asked in a soft whisper, “Do you love her?”



“What?” he asked, not believing she would even ask that question.



She ventured at look at his face, “Do you love Drucilla?”



He reached out to touch her hand. “Buffy, you know that I love you. Maybe I haven’t told you lately, but you know I do. Drucilla was in my past….and in another world.”



She didn’t quite get the ‘other world’ part, maybe it had to do with his life in England, but she did get the ‘I love you’ part and smiled up at him. “I want you to stay here with me…in Sunnydale. I want you to be with me…. always.”



Spike pulled back in confusion. Something wasn’t right here. Buffy was talking like this world was real, that this was her reality. “Buffy, luv, you do know where you came from. Who you are? Right?”



Before she could answer, the back door opened and Joyce called out. “There you two are. I’m so glad you’re here, William. Giles and the boys will be back any minute now. I know you can’t wait to see them. Oh, and Buffy, Angel called while you were in the shower. I invited him for supper.” Joyce turned and went into the kitchen.



Buffy and Spike looked at each other, stunned.



“Boys?” exclaimed Spike.



“Angel!” exclaimed Buffy at the same time.



Cont Chapter Twelve

Chapter 12

“Daddy! Daddy!” the boys cried in unison as they ran to a stunned Spike, each wrapping a little arm around a leg. He looked down in fear and awe at their sweet innocent faces. He cocked his head to the side and studied each face. Liam, the dark headed boy looked up and said, “Da, I missed you.” James the shy brother just smiled and hugged his leg tighter. Spike awkwardly disentangled them from his legs and knelt to study each child.



“Well, aren’t you two the grandest things. Let’s have a look, shall we?” They both stepped back to let their ‘father’ look at them. He studied their faces, smiled and said in a soft whisper, “You’re just like I imagined you’d be.” He looked in their faces once more then stood and cleared the lump that had formed in his throat. This isn’t real, he kept repeating to himself. Nodding to the boys he said, “Go on now, run along with you and get ready for supper.”



“A’right Da,” said Liam as he turned and ran up the stairs. James remained and ran to Spike to hug him one more time then turned without saying a word and ran after his brother.



Drucilla placed a hand on his shoulder and smirked, “Like two peas off the pod, they are.” Buffy couldn’t take Dru’s possessive manner or the wistful look on Spike’s face, so she turned and when into the kitchen, leaving them to follow.



To say that the meal was strained was a huge understatement. James and Liam had already had supper and were upstairs watching television in Dawn’s room. Giles and Joyce sat at opposite ends of the table with Spike, Drucilla and Willow on one side and Angel, Buffy and Dawn seated on the other. Spike wanted the meal to be over so he could get Buffy to himself and figure out what was going on. Drucilla took every opportunity to tease and flirt with Spike, irritating Buffy to no end. Angel tried to keep up the conversation with Buffy but was for the most part totally ignored. Willow ate rapidly so she could meet Alexander for a late movie at nine.



“I ‘gotta go. Joyce, supper was yummy as usual.” She got up from her chair and leaned down to kiss Giles on the cheek. “See ya’ later, Dad. I’ll be home around one. Bye, “she called over her shoulder as the front door slammed.



“I’m finished too,” said Dawn as she pushed her chair away from the table. “I’ll go up and see if the twin terrors have completely destroyed my room.” This was said with annoyance but the grin on her face ruined the effect.



Joyce stood and began to clear the dishes from the table, while Giles reached to help. “Why don’t you young people go outside and enjoy the warm evening. Giles and I will clear the table.”



Buffy stood to leave, as Spike reached for her arm and whispered, “We really need to talk. Things are getting out of hand.”



Buffy was still irritated at him because of the kiss with Dru at the door and the flirtation at the table. “Aren’t you too busy for a talk?”



Shocked, he said, “Busy? Are you completely off your rocker? I need to talk to you alone!”



“Think your wife will mind?” She said over her shoulder as she headed into the kitchen.



Spike stood there, clinched his teeth and stretched his neck in frustration. First she’s forgetting now she’s just pissing me off, he thought. “Buffy, wait!”



Drucilla eased up to him and placed her arm around his shoulder. “Don’t worry about her, my luv. Your princess wants her own private party.”



Spike glared at her then followed Buffy outside, leaving Dru to follow.



By the time Spike got outside, Angel had already taken up residence beside Buffy on the porch swing, leaving the two patio chairs for him and Dru. ‘I’ll play this out for a while, just ‘till Buffy and I can be alone’, he thought as he sat in one of the chairs. Drucilla had been standing off to the side, leaning against the porch rail, until Spike sat down. She then walked in a slow motion and sat on his lap, surprising Spike.



“What the….? Dru! There’s a chair right there. Wouldn’t you be more comfortable over there?”



She wrapped her arms around his neck, as she rubbed her rear into his lap. Enjoying his discomfort she purred, “Your princess likes it here, just where I am, my sweet William. All comfy and cozy like a dark, delicious cocoon.” She smiled a wicked smile as she leaned her head on his shoulder, cutting her eyes at Buffy, enjoying the shocked and pissed off look on her face.



Spike didn’t know what to do. He had to play this game, at least for a while, but Dru wasn’t making it easy. Neither was Buffy for that matter. He could tell she was pissed and it wasn’t even his fault. He shifted and tried to raise Dru off his lap but she held fast, refusing to let go. Other than dumping his ‘wife’ on the floor he didn’t have any choice but wait until Dru decided to get up. He ventured a glance at Buffy and wished he hadn’t. Her face showed the storm that brewed just under the surface, he knew that look oh so well. “Bugger’,he thought, ‘can this get any worse?’



Buffy returned his look, trying without success to keep the anger from her eyes. ‘Two can play that game’, she thought as turned her face and looked up at Angel with the sweetest smile she could muster. “Angel, I’m so glad you could come for supper. I haven’t had a chance to see you lately, busy with Mom’s wedding and being all bridemaid’y.”



Angel looked down into her face and stammered, “Is that what it was? I just thought you didn’t want to see me.”



“Oh silly! Of course I want to see you, why wouldn’t I?” she said as she leaned closer, batted her eyes and smiled even more.



Spike watched the scene between the two and sneered, thinking to himself, ‘stupid git, can’t he tell she’s just flirting to get to me? At least I hope she is..’ Spike knew he wasn’t the real Angel but his heart twisted in his chest all the same seeing him so close to Buffy. He cleared his throat to get her attention and asked in a clipped cool voice, “Something in your eye, pet?”



Not to be outdone, Buffy said, “I think there is.” She turned back to Angel and asked in a sweet seductive voice, “Could you look at my eye and see? You’ll have to look real close.” She leaned even closer, her face just inches from his.



Angel reached out and touched her cheek and tilted her face up to the light coming from the kitchen window. He looked directly into her eyes and leaned down as if to kiss her.



Spike had had enough. He jumped to his feet. Surprised, Drucilla would have fallen to the floor had Spike not grabbed her arm. The sudden movement caused Buffy and Angel to turn. “Are you alright?” asked Buffy, looking as innocent as she could.



Still angry but not wanting to let on, Spike said, “I’m fine! Never better,” he grounded out between clinched teeth.



Drucilla clung to his arm and said, “Why don’t we go to our room? Mommy’s ready for bed, luv. A party is planned and I’ve got a delicious surprise waiting for my stray daddy.” She cut her eyes at Buffy and wiggled her brows, knowing that she knew exactly what the surprise was. It had the desired effect as Buffy remembered the tiny red scrap of silk Drucilla had shown her earlier. Her face blanched white then filled with red heat as the anger replaced shock. Amused, Dru laughed as she clung tighter to Spike. “Buffy and her cherub boyfriend won’t mind. Will you, little girl? You have your own daddy that’s swapped and new, so dark and handsome.”



Angel didn’t understand anything that the strange dark haired woman was talking about when he heard himself being referred to as Buffy’s boyfriend, his chest puffed out and he placed a protective arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer. The term caused quite the opposite effect on Spike. He clinched his jaw, causing the hollow beneath his sharp cheekbones to flex with anger. Angel, too distracted by Buffy’s nearness and her perfume, smiled and said, “Yeah, you two go on. Don’t worry about us. We’ll be fine. ” His hold on her thin shoulders tightened.



Buffy, speechless and upset about Spike and Dru’s impending reunion, missed the gloating, possessive smirk on Angel’s face. Spike however did not. When Buffy didn’t object to Angel’s claim he took that as acceptance. “Fine! We’ll be off then! Don’t let us intrude.” He turned and stalked into the house with Dru following close behind.



Buffy was shaking with anger as her mind raced with thoughts of Spike and Dru, alone in the guest room. ‘How dare he! Going to bed with that…that…’ The anger evaporated as despair and hurt filled her. Tears threatened to fall. She was losing him; she could feel it and it tore her apart. How could she survive without him? Lost in her own thoughts, she didn’t notice Angel kissing her ear, then moving slowly down her jaw toward her mouth.



Cont. Chapter thirteen

Chapter 13

“What the hell are you doing?” Buffy asked as she pulled away from Angel.



Shocked, Angel stammered, “I..I thought you wanted me to…”



“To what? Attack me?” She knew she was taking her frustration and anger out on Angel, but she didn’t care.



“I wasn’t attacking you. I just wanted to kiss you. I thought you wanted it too.”



“Well, I don’t!”



Angel stood and looked down at Buffy, “Then what was that all about? Why the big flirt act? Trying to get the bleached brit jealous?”



Buffy shot her eyes up at him, surprised that he could tell that was exactly what she had been trying to do. Feeling guilty and ashamed, her face dropped as she said, “I’m sorry, Angel. I can’t explain…”



“You don’t have to. I get the picture,” jerking his head in the direction of the back door, “You have a thing for William. I just thought you and I could take up where we left off, before you…got ‘sick’.” Buffy turned her eyes up at Angel. He could see the regret and sorrow she felt at not returning his feelings. “It’s alright, Buffy, you can’t help it if you don’t feel the same way about me.”



She studied his face. It was the face of someone she had once loved. She knew every line and shadow. But the face was all that was familiar to her. The man himself was just another man, handsome and nice but he didn’t stir any of the feeling that Spike inspired. Buffy stood and walked up to him as she placed her palm on his cheek. “I wish I could love you, I wish things were different, I wish…”



“We don’t always get what we wish for, I should know,” Angel interrupted.



“Angel…”



“No, it’s alright.” Angel looked away and when he liked back he had a bittersweet smile on his face. “I better go.” He turned and walked toward the steps, then turned around again and said, “Good luck with William, that wife of his is one strange bird.” Buffy watched him leave; miserable because she couldn’t return his feelings and that she had hurt him.



She wasn’t ready to go upstairs where Spike and Dru were together, so she sat on the porch step to study the situation. Angel had been right, Drucilla was certainly strange. Something in the back of her mind told her that Spike’s wife could be even stranger under different circumstances. She didn’t think Spike loved his wife, not with the way he had looked at her all night and how he had tried so hard to get her alone. She wondered what he wanted to talk to her about.



It seemed to her that she had known him for a very long time. He was so familiar to her, but how could that be? Hadn’t they just met? Her head fell into her hands as feelings of despair filled her. What was she going to do? She did know him; she knew what he liked, what he needed and who he was. He was the man she wanted in her life. What she didn’t know was what he was doing right now.



Spike paced around the bedroom, completely ignoring Drucilla who lay across the bed watching his restless steps with a mischievous smile on her face. His pacing was interrupted by the sound of laughter. He turned and studied his dark haired wife. “Something amusing, pet?”



Drucilla rolled over to her stomach, keeping the smirk on her lips, “You are, my sweet William, stalking and fretting when all is as it should be.”



“Is that right? And how’s that?”



“The king and queen are ‘one’ in their kingdom that’s bright and new.” Drucilla closed her eyes and rolled to her back, drawing her legs up on the bed. She laid her hand on her stomach, rubbing it and humming, “I’ve been so good at the play, now I need my lovely boy to join me in the games.



He studied her for a minute. This Drucilla talked a lot like the real Drucilla from his dimension. Maybe she’s bug-shagging crazy no matter where she was. But, something bothered him. If he wasn’t suppose to be here, then neither was she. If this woman wasn’t real, then what was she? Did the First ‘manufacture’ her, based on what the real Drucilla was like? Spike walked to the bed and sat down next to her. He studied her face as he asked, “Do you remember where we first met?”



Dru sat up, adjusting the scarf around her neck and clapped her hands, “Oh goody! I like this game.”



“Not a game, luv, just answer the question.”



Disappointed, she pouted and replied, “We met in London. It was spring.” Her face brightened when she whispered in a slow British accent, “I was your salvation.”



Spike frowned, “What do you mean salvation?”



She looked away, nervous, unable to meet his eyes. “I mean I saved you from being…all alone.”



Something wasn’t right. He could feel it. She was acting bonkers, which was saying a lot where Dru was concerned. She not only looked exactly like the Dru from his world but she acted like her too. Not liking how he was looking at her, she started to move off the bed. Spike grabbed both of her arms and pulled her back. As he did, it loosened the silk scarf she had worn all evening. That’s when he noticed the tiny scars on her neck. Quickly, she pulled away and attempted to adjust the scarf. He stopped her hand and slowly ran a finger over the smooth marks on her neck where Angel had made her a vampire. They were faded with time but had never completely gone away. She watched his face, eyes wide, wondering what he would do.



Spike was always quick to ‘suss out a situation. The marks on her neck would only mean one thing; this was the real Drucilla, not some manufactured image to make his appearance in this world more believable. He moved his fingers up her neck to caress her face, laying his palm on her cheek. She closed her eyes and smiled, humming softly under her breath; taking his actions to mean only one thing. She was wrong.



“What are you doing here, Dru?” he asked in a soft voice that disguised underlying steel.



“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Dru could sense that he knew the truth or at least part of the truth. She pulled away, swinging to her feet, playfully picking up the tiny red nightie, laughing seductively, “Let’s be naughty…grrrr.”



Spike watched Dru as she held the tiny night gown in front of her; swaying her hips and grinding them in an erotic motion. “Now’s not the time, pet. You need to answer my question. What are you doing here?”



Drucilla recognized the tone in his voice. There was no way out of this. Sitting on the edge of the bed and pouting, she said, “He said that you would be my dark love again. That you would want to stay here in this bright world.” Her pout turned to tears as she said, “I don’t like it here, Spike. There’s no darkness and blood, only the Slayer and ….ohhhhhh”, she rose to her feet and started to moan and sway from side to side, a vacant stare on her face. “I was all alone…all alone. You’ve lost your way and princess can’t dance alone.”



Spike stood and stopped her as he gripped her arm. “Ouch!” she said, “Have I done something to displease you?”



“What do you mean ‘he’ said, and how the hell did you get here?” Drucilla tried to pull away but Spike tightened the grip on her arm. “I don’t want to hurt you Dru, but you ‘will’ tell me what you’re doing here!”



Drucilla stopped trying to pull away and leaned into him, pressing herself against him. She looked into his angry eyes and smiled, “Don’t be angry with princess, Spike. You and I are meant to be together, that’s why I made you. Daddy had Grandmummy and I was left out of the parties, so I made you my knight. Remember all the fun we used to have, pillaged and plunder and…passion.” She rubbed her tongue over the edge of her teeth as she used her hands to press against his chest.



For a moment he was lost in her eyes, feeling the old familiar emotions that his dark queen used to stir. He shook his head to clear it then said, “Old history, pet. I want to know what this is all about.”



She pulled out of his grasp and started to giggle. “The evil one knows we were meant for each other, he sent me here for you; to keep you and the Slayer busy, busy, busy. Like l’ittle bees. Buzzzzz. We can be together again, me, you and Miss Edith. Happy families again, just like old times. I won’t even mind the shinny spark in you. Daddy got the spark and he wasn’t any fun anymore, but you my luv…when the Slayer’s chalk board is clean and she is dead…chop, chop; the party will start.”



“Let me get this straight, the First sent you here to kill Buffy and to keep me here, right?”



She clapped her hands and bounced up and down, “That’s my boy, so smart and clever. Don’t fret, my love, she won’t be the Slayer much longer and her power on you will float away just like her memories….on fairy’s wings.”



“You are not going to hurt Buffy!”



Her eyes widen as she started to shake, “Ohhhh, my Spike is angry with me when all I want is to be together. I even played mummy with the two urchins.” She frowned, “So lovely and delicious. I couldn’t even eat them.” She reached up to rub her forehead, “I miss my beautiful lumpies. Can’t eat, can’t hunt….no fun, no fun at all. If you won’t play then I’ll just leave. I can’t help you…you’re all lost. Tin man’s heart will shatter and rust.”



Spike shook his head at her ramblings, “How are you planning on leaving, pet?”



Drucilla started to laugh until she heard the sound of a door slamming down the hall. She placed her index finger to her lips and said, “Shhhhh! Secrets for me, none for you. Bad boy! None for you!” She moved to the far corner of the room and looked back at Spike. “Tick tock, tick tock. Time’ running out for the Slayer.” She closed her eyes and whispered, “I want to go home with all my heart.” The air around her crackled and popped. “Goodbye my sweet William. I tried to save you….” As she said this, the last words faded as she disappeared into a mist that formed in back of her. In mere seconds, Spike was left standing all alone in the bedroom.



“Bloody Hell!”




Continue Chapter Fourteen
 

Chapter 14

Buffy walked slowly up the stairs, thoughts of Spike and Drucilla and what they were doing filled her mind. Alternating between tears and anger, she passed Dawn’s room and looked in to find Dawn and the twins sound asleep on the bed with the television playing in the background. She walked in and turned the set off. Their faces were so peaceful and innocent. Careful not to wake them, she covered them with a blanket and turned out the light on her way out. She turned the corner and started down the hall toward her room. She had just passed the guest room when the sound of Drucilla’s laughter stopped her. Her eyes widen as her imagination ran rapid. Turning, she ran to her room and slammed the door.



Spike couldn’t believe what he had just seen. Drucilla just vanished right in front of him. He still had trouble believing it was the real Drucilla. The First had sent her to keep him here. But what did she mean by ‘when the Slayer’s slate is clean, she’ll be dead’? And how will Buffy’s power over him change when her memories were gone? He would always love Buffy even if she didn’t remember him. He had to go find her.



He stepped into the hall and looked toward Buffy’s room. Was she still outside with that wanker, make-believe Angel, or was she in her room? Taking the lesser of the two evils, Spike turned to go in the direction of her room when a slight sound stopped him. It was coming from the Nibblet’s room. It sounded like a faint whimper. Surely Dru hadn’t come back to harm the l’ttle ducks. He stepped into the bedroom, trying his best to be as quiet as possible. In the dimly lit room he could tell all three were covered with a blanket, sound asleep. He stood there watching them, while new and confusing emotions played inside him. He knew this young teenager wasn’t the real Dawn and that the two toddlers weren’t really his, but standing there watching them, he was filled with an over whelming desire to protect them. Gently, he reached down and brushed a lock of golden hair from James’ face as the small boy mumbled softly in his sleep. These could be his children, if only…. What? Turn his back on the real Dawn and the real world? “Balls!” he said under his breath. He was becoming a regular soft hearted pouf. He turned and walked out the door heading towards Buffy’s room.



He stood a few minutes outside her door, trying to plan out what he needed to say to convince her that she was the Slayer and that she needed to go home…with him. He knocked gently on the door. After the second knock and still no answer, he turned the knob and quietly opened the door.



“Buffy? Luv? Are you in here?” The room was dark and he could barely see the outline of the furniture in the room. He missed his vampire senses. He couldn’t hear her heart beat or see her in the darkened room. The only thing he smelled with the lingering scent of her shampoo.



He started to close the door when he heard a soft voice, “Spike?’



His hand was still on the door knob, but he stopped and said, “Yeah, pet. It’s me. Can I come in?”



He heard a small sniffle then she said, “Sure, just don’t turn on the light, okay?”



When he closed the door it shut off the only light that had been coming from the hall, pitching the room even further into darkness. “Help me out here, luv. Can’t see as well in the dark as I used too. Where are you?”



“I’m over here, on the bed.” He heard the sound of the bedsprings as she shifted over, making a place for him to sit.



They sat in silence for a few minutes, neither one knowing where to begin. There was no point in prolonging the inevitable, Spike thought as he reached over and turned on the bedside light, casting the room in a soft glow. Buffy grimaced and turned her face, hiding it behind one of her hands. Spike looked at her. She seemed so small and fragile, huddled in a tight ball, hugging herself as she tried to hide from him. Slowly he reached up and pulled her hand down, showing her face that was red and puffy from crying. She tried to pull away but he stopped her and asked, “What’s wrong? Did….he… hurt you?”



Shaking her head, she replied, “No. He’s gone. For good probably.” Spike let out a sigh of relief. “And nothing’s wrong. Just in a down mood, I guess,” she lied. Wiping her eyes she looked at him and asked, “Where’s Drucilla?”



He watched her for a minute, not answering but instead trying to find the words that would convince her to leave this safe world and return to their own dimension where evil and demons were real and her life was in constant danger. But seeing her so frail and sad it suddenly occurred to him, that’s not what he wanted for her. Seeing her unhappy and crying broke his heart. He wanted her to be safe and happy even if he wasn’t around or maybe ‘because’ he wasn’t around.



He reached over and wiped a remaining tear off her cheek as he smiled and said, “Drucilla’s gone. She went back to her world and that’s where I’m going.”



“You’re going with her? Back to England?” She couldn’t believe he was leaving.



“No, not England.” How could he explain this to her? The reality of their world had been reduced to nothing more than images, like a strange dream for her. The actual memory of Dawn and the others no longer existed. “Buffy, I have to go back, to my real world. There’s…people there, that’s in danger, and I have to do what I can. I don’t belong ‘ere…in this world. But maybe you do.”



Buffy watched his face. She could see how hard it was for him to go. “Spike? Stay here with me.” Placing a hand on his arm she continued, “I need you here. I can’t explain it. We just met, but it seems like I’ve known you forever. I don’t want to lose that.”



“I’m not what you think I am, luv.”



“Then tell me, why can’t you stay? Is it Drucilla? Is she why you’re leaving?”



“No. Drucilla and I have been over for ages. I told you why.”



Confused, Buffy ran a hand through her hair. “Is it because of this bizarro’ world you keep talking about?” When he didn’t deny it she swung her legs off the bed and started to pace. “All that stuff can’t be real, Spike. It just can’t. There’s no such thing as vampires and Slayers. That was all a figment of my imiagination.”



“It is real and you’re the Slayer. The chosen one. ‘Whether you want to believe it or not, it is real and I’m a real vampire…or rather was,” sounding somewhat disappointed. “And I have to go back… alone.”



“If...if you’ve a vampire and I’m the chosen Slayer girl, then why can’t I remember? Uh? Why don’t I want to go save the world, if it’s my destiny? Explain that!”



He let out a sigh of frustration, “Buffy, there is an evil, or rather ‘The’ evil force in our world and ‘it’ plans on taking over, but you were in its way. It tricked you into coming here and makin’ it all so bloody perfect that you would want to stay. Taking your memory away. It’s like erasing your past and giving you a new one.” He paused in thought, “Actually, pretty decent if you think about it. New life with Mum and little’ sis, where you don’t have to fight for your life on a daily basis. The only problem is, this isn’t real.” He stood and walked up next to her. With a bittersweet smile he said, “I have to go, but I want you to stay… and be happy.”



She could tell in his eyes that he was telling the truth and that he was leaving her. “Spike, in that other world…were we together? I mean, were we in love? Is that why I feel like I do?”



He wanted to lie to her and tell her they were in love, but he couldn’t. She deserved the truth before he left. “No, ‘we’ weren’t in love.” He thought he saw a flash of disappointment but ignored it and continued, “I loved you…with all my bloody heart, but you didn’t love me back.” He pursed his lips, raising his head, trying not to let on that it hurt him to tell the truth. “ ‘S ‘alright. You couldn’t love me. I know that. Known that for a long time, if the truth were told, probably always knew it, but it didn’t stop me from feeling what I did.” He turned away from her, not wanting her to see how much it hurt him.



“Why?”



“Why what?” looking back at her in question.



“Why couldn’t I love you?” she asked in a soft whisper, sensing it was painful for him.



He shrugged, “Just a fact of life, luv. You’re human and I’m, or rather was, not of the human variety.”



Buffy was still confused, but not about how she felt about him. “If that were true, then why do I want you to stay here with me?”



“Don’t you get it? I’m human here. Not vamp. Not an evil ‘thing’ like before.”



“You don’t seem evil, what with the wanting to save the world and all. Seems pretty unevil to me.”



Spike snorted in disgust, “I’ve got what you call…a soul. Takes the edge off the evil. But even with the new soul, I still wasn’t what you needed.” He started to move away but she stopped him by placing her hand on his arm. Spike looked down at her hand then up at her face.



“If this evil who-ma-call-it sent me here to get rid of me, then why are you here?”



“I came here to get you. To bring you back. I didn’t know if you were safe, so I popped in and now I see you are safe so I’ll be running along.” He wanted to get out of there while he still could. All he wanted was to stay and be here with her, but his memories were real and he knew that Dawn and the world were in danger. Making up his mind, he turned to her and asked, “A’right then. I’ll be on my way.”



Buffy’s mind way racing. He was leaving her…here…alone. Maybe it was real, that other world. It felt like more than dreams to her. He felt real, and he certainly believed all of it. “Spike? Let’s say for a minute that all of what you’ve said is real. Why can’t you stay here with me, be with me. You’ve human here, and…and we could be…together…if you wanted.” She suddenly felt shy, nervous about his answer.



He turned with such speed that it surprised her as he took her arms in his hands, “Don’t you think that’s what I want! I want it more than anything!” The anger and frustration flowed from him. He was leaving her and it was killing him. “You have no idea how hard it is for me to leave. You’re right, I could stay, and we could be together, maybe you could love me, being all human and all, but I’m not! I’m a vampire and you’re the Slayer. Nothing is gonna’ change that. Just different window dressin’ ‘ere. I’m still me and you’re still you, only you get a choice. You can stay here, with your family, but I don’t belong here.” His anger deflated as acceptance took over, “Don’t you see I have to go. If I don’t go back, the First wins. Maybe I can’t stop it, but I have to try. I’ve done such bad things in my life that I have to live with; I don’t think I could live with myself if I turned my back now.”



“And you think I could? Is that what you’ve saying?” A spark of the old Buffy flared, “Oh, it’s alright for you to go and save the world, but I have to turn my back and stay here where it’s all safe is and cozy?”



How in the hell did this get so turned around, he thought. “Buffy, that other world isn’t real to you. You could stay and be happy here.”



“But you said this world wasn’t real. Well it ‘is’ real, but it’s not our reality.”



He threw his hands up in frustration, “I don’t know all the sodding metaphysical details, but I do know that ‘it’ wins if it’s not stopped and I have to try and stop it.” He took a calming breath and tried again, “Buffy, evil is hate and mistrust and lies. That’s what’s waiting for you, and I don’t want that for you.” He stepped closer and gently took her in his arms. “I want you safe and happy, and you can only be that ‘ere.”



She looked up at him as her eyes started to mist. She could feel how much he loved her and knew without a doubt that she wasn’t letting him go back, alone. “I’m going with you,” she said simply.



Spike jerked his head back in disbelief, “Haven’t you heard a thing I’ve been saying? You’re safer here. You could be happy.”



“Not without you. Not by turning my back on my friends and family, not to mention the whole world. Look, Spike, I’m still a little fuzzy on the details, but my gut tells me that what you say is true, and I have to do what it is I do. Go and fight. I’m not staying here without you.” She leaned in to place a quick kiss on his lips but as they touched, the electricity between them charged the air. They both pulled back to look at each other, stunned by the spark. He was the first to move, pulling her to him and capturing her mouth in a searing kiss that held all the months of longing and need.



Buffy returned as good as she got, pulling at him to get closer. Their tongues mated together, drawing each other in, claiming the other as their own. When the need for air caused them to pull apart, they stood there, foreheads touching, panting with need and desire. She was the first to pull away and look into his eyes. “For someone I couldn’t love, that was certainly…wow!” she whispered.



Continue Chapter Fifteen
 

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