The Circle of Slayers Series 33/35 Incomplete
Chapter 33: Kivuli
By Denna at dennaseer@hotmail.com
Rated PG-13 for violence
Keywords: Buffy and Spike.what else could there be?
Disclaimer: I own none of the characters. They belong to Joss Whedon.
Jar'vees belongs to me. I love feedback, by the way.
Summary for Chapter 33: Spike faces his darkness and only if he can defeat
it, can their nightmare truly be over.


Chapter 33: Kivuli

Tuesday, January 7, 2002, 9:03 PM

A cold wind blew through the temple as Jar'vees opened the doors. It was
not the chill of the thin, mountain air, but one that rose through their
spines and hearts. Dawn thought she could see a black mist creeping along
the floor, questing, intangible fingers seeking living blood. The girl drew
back to the protective fold of her older sister behind her. She felt Buffy's
hand fall on her shoulder, a light but firm touch that spoke so much more
than words could.

The blonde vampire stepped up to the doors. He looked up at the sky,
starlight turning his light hair even paler. Buffy squeezed Dawn's shoulder
one more time to tell her she wasn't leaving, and stepped away to go to
Spike's side. Her small hand slipped into his and laced her fingers into
his. He looked down at her and smiled a taut, thin-lipped smile then turned
his attention back to the heavens.

"There it is," Jar'vees said, pointing with his staff. The moonlight shone
upon his head, now completely black with the moon turning new. The five of
them looked upwards, following the direction of his staff. There, like an
empty hole in a perfect sky, was the Temple. It floated like a thick shadow
textured by a thick ribbon of stairs.

"Let me go with you," Buffy pleaded with Spike one more time. She had had
this idea stuck in her head for several days now and wasn't close to giving
up.

Sighing, Spike turned to her and took her hands, "You can't go, luv."

"Why?"

"Because we'd be trapped. I told you that-"

"I could stay outside-"

"Do you want everything we've done so far be for nothing?"

She glared up at him. "It won't be! I just want to make sure you'll be
okay! Is that so bad?"

"You're not going, Slayer." Spike's voice had a finality to it that headed
no arguments. "You're going to stay here like a good hero and be brave like
you always are."

"Fine!" she snapped. "Go then!" She was about to whirl away when he laid a
hand on her arm to stop her. It was just the barest touch, but it stopped
her just as fast.

"Buffy. Don't make this harder than it already is."

Breath catching in her throat, she simply stared into his eyes. They were
large and bright as the sky he was shunned from, though she noticed
gathering storm clouds on the horizon. Storms that had never been there
before. Her heart twisted in pain. If those storms were going to clear, he
needed to do this. By himself. Nodding, she stepped forward, wrapped her
arms around his waist and laid her cheek against his chest. She felt him
encircle her shoulders with his arms.

"If you die, I'll kill you." Buffy told him.

"Anything you say, luv," he said with a smile as he released her. Buffy
stepped back, thinking he was going to turn away and start up the dark
steps, but he pulled her close again for a quick kiss. It was all too brief,
and then she was alone in the chill wind. She touched her lips, still
feeling that lingering kiss, as she watched him ascend that impossible
staircase towards the Temple of Shadow.

~

Holding Sahalia tightly in one hand, Spike climbed the last steps to the
landing outside the Temple. The doors opened into darkness. When the Temple
of Light had no shadows, this place was like a cave with no light. Even the
moonlight was blocked out by the moving shadows that formed the walls and
ceiling. The only light was that of the sword he gripped in his hand.
Swallowing hard, he stepped through the gaping maw of the doors, trying not
to flinch as they shut behind him. Funny how a creature of the dark could be
scared of it so suddenly.

Gathering himself, he quickly crossed the black floor towards the solid
ebony moonstone that hung in the center of the Temple. He stopped and stared
at the sword. It was the exact opposite of Sahalia: Black hilt, black
scabbard, black ribbons. There was even a smooth piece of onyx embedded in
the pommel. His skin crawled as he stared, even his demon shying from it.

His fingers barely touched it when he felt a chill go through him. Instinct
taking command, he ducked and jabbed backwards with a still sheathed
Sahalia. He felt it connect with something solid, followed by an exclamation
of air as someone gasped. Still crouching, Spike turned Sahalia sideways
between somewhat familiar black boots and shoved. Knocked sideways, the
shadow found its feet entangled with the sword and tripped. Striking out
with his fist, the vampire sent his attacker sprawling.

Straightening and turning, Spike faced the Guardian. That familiar figure,
dark hair sliding past her shoulders, rolled over and glared at Spike while
wiping blood from the corner of her mouth.

"That was so nasty, luv. Wait till I tell Miss Edith on you. You'll be
sorry when the ravens are pecking out your eyes."

She pushed herself to her feet and hunched over, gripping her sword
loosely. "Mommy has to teach her little boy a lesson or you'll have no cake
for dessert."

Spike shivered uncontrollably. "Dru."

He had known it would be her. Deep down inside he knew, but he hadn't let
himself admit it. It made sense. If Buffy was everything good inside him,
his beloved Black Goddess had to be everything evil in him. Every dark
thought, hateful word, every evil deed he had done was for her. She had
overseen it all.

Grimly, he drew Sahalia and dropped into a ready stance. "Sorry, luv."

Drusilla grinned innocently at him. "Sorry for what, my William? It is you
who is creeping in the corners. I am your mother, and children don't pick on
their family. Lost boys need their mothers."

"I have to do this, Dru. I'm sorry."

"I am sorry too, William, for what this the foul Slayer has done to your
heart." Her sword flashed and Spike blocked it easily with Sahalia. Her face
still smiling with those full lips he had always loved, she charged him
wildly, and the swords clashed.

Brilliant light flood through the chamber as the Spike and Sahalia became
one. Drusilla flinched away from the light, snarling like a wild animal. She
slashed at the sword as Spike drove it under her guard, only barely avoiding
the edge by twisting frantically out of the way. Whirling away, she raised
her own sword and charged him.

Impartially, Spike noted every fault with her form, every miss-timed step,
every missed opportunity - and used them to his advantage. The reflection
was still quick, however, and managed to miss most of his attacks. It wasn't
long before he was bleeding from half a dozen wounds.

Backing away, Dru first wiped one hand and then the others on her dress,
leaving dark streaks from the blood. "Always a fighter, William, you haven't
changed. But the tussle can only go on for so long before your black love
takes over you."

"You're not as good as you think you are, luv."

That wiped the smile of the Guardian's face. "What are you speaking of,
child? I am your wrists and fingers. You would never be the brave warrior
you are now without your dear Mother. Your Slayer would not plague your
thoughts if I had not made you mine. That Slayer.she's hurt you. I can see
her crawling all over you, like a disease. When it is all over, there will
be nothing left. Tsk. Tsk. Stay with me, William, I miss you so much."

The vampire shook his head. "I'm gonna have to say no to that one." He took
a step forward and the Guardian fell back with a corresponding step. "I'm
not who I used to be anymore."

"No," Drusilla sneered, "You know what you are. You are me and I am you. We
spent a hundred years together, my dark prince. I know every bit of black in
you. Poor William, you know you belong to me." The Guardian raised her black
sword. "Do not lie to yourself," she hissed and charged. The attack went
wide; all Spike had to do was step out of the way and hit her with the flat
of his sword to send her sprawling. Rolling with the blow, Dru righted
herself and stood poised on the balls of her feet facing the vampire. "I am
sorry, my love, but I am afraid I will have to hurt you very badly for
that."

Sadly, Spike shook his head. "I'm afraid not, luv." He took another step
forward. "It's time I ended this." With that, he leapt at her, Sahalia
flashing high over his head and down.

The Guardian's eyes went wide with fear and she dove to the side, slashing
up and under the blow. With no apparent effort, Spike twisted out of the
way. White struck black away to flicker in and draw crimson from Drusilla's
flesh once again.

With that same cool detachment, the vampire kept at the Guardian, wearing
her down, forcing her back. Blood stained the burning blade of his sword,
thick and red.

Then it was over. Drusilla moved one way and White Sword intercepted her on
its point. The blade entered the other's body, slicing through muscle and
bone cleanly.

Eyes wide with shock and pain, Drusilla dropped her sword and grasped the
blade of the sword that had pierced her heart, not seeming to notice the
deep red slashes appearing on her hands as she gripped the sharp steel. She
stared almost serenely at Spike over the hilt, while a line of scarlet blood
flowed from the corner of her mouth.

"Poor child," she whispered, "Trapped in a circle of Slayers. There is no
end, yet no beginning." Spike's eyes widened as he remembered those were the
same words Buffy had told him in the Temple of Light, "But there are two
sides to every coin. One side black as night. A thousand nights of death and
ecstasy. No fear, just lust and blood. Hiding under the dark angel's wings.
One side light as day. A thousand hours of sunlight and innocence. Fear,
yes, but a joy that surpasses all nightmares. Walking hand in hand with your
soul. Poor child, which side will you choose?"

With that, her eyes rolled up into her head and she slumped off the length
of his sword to the floor to lie in a pool of quickly congealing blood.

The glow of the sword dimmed and Spike found himself alone once again. He
stood there, holding Sahalia in one slack hand while he stared at the body
of the Guardian at his feet. Unable to just leave her lying there, he
dropped to one knee and placed the sword on the floor. He reached out and
rolled Drusilla onto her back and folded her hands over her chest and tried
not to stare into the face of the woman he had loved for a over a century.
Just as Sahalia's Guardian had been, this was part of himself he had
destroyed. There had been truth in the words Drusilla had told him. There
was darkness in him that he could not control, but she was also wrong. There
was strength he had never known he had.

But there was a feeling of overwhelming mourning at this destruction of the
dark. His darkness made him what he was, made him what he had been for
decades. Closing his eyes again as tears leaked out onto his cheeks, he
wondered if he would ever be the same again.

Stroking the smooth, cool skin of Drusilla's cheek once more he whispered,
"I love you." He tore his eyes away from her, caught up Sahalia and sheathed
it. Crossing the chamber, he reached up for Kivuli.

The Black Sword leapt into his hand and he immediately felt a feeling swarm
him. Like a dark shadow in his path or when the lights suddenly turn off in
a lonely room. A thrilling feel of power rose within him, and the stench of
death filled his senses. Shaking his head to get clear his mind, he quickly
sheathed Kivuli and left the Temple.

~

"There he is!" Dawn shouted, pointing upwards.

All of them scrambled to their feet and crowded around the open doors.
"Already?" Willow asked, "It's only been a couple hours."

"Let's take it as good sign, okay?" Jar'vees said softly.

They waited anxiously, but none so anxiously as Buffy. She stood to the
side, separate from the group and kept her eyes on Spike's form as he
descended the stairs to the Temple's landing. The others watched her
closely.

As he reached the landing, the vampire stumbled. "Spike!" Buffy leapt
forward to catch him. One blood stained hand caught her shoulder but he
forced himself to stand on his own. His brows were drawn together in pain.
"What-"

He shook his head, eyes still closed and the corners of his mouth turned
downward, and held up the sword. All of them, including Buffy, drew away in
horror and disgust from the Black Blade and the evil aura it gave off.

"What is that thing?" Buffy gasped. "It's.horrible."

Jar'vees felt icy fingers run up his spine. This was not a sword he wanted
to be close to when it was drawn. Shuddering, his mind was filled with
thoughts at what could happen if Spike merged with Kivuli as he had merged
with Sahalia. Such a thing would be more than horrific. He looked carefully
at Spike, hands unconsciously clenching on his staff, grateful for the razor
sharp blade of the crescent. Hoping he wouldn't need to use it, he watched
the vampire closely.

"Kivuli." was all Spike said in a hollow tone that made Buffy wince in fear
and sorrow.

Buffy's head snapped around and she stepped back up to his side. "What's
wrong, Spike?" she asked, her voice strained. He lowered his head and shook
it. It was only then that she saw the haunted look in his eyes, the shudder
in his movements and the blood leaking from his skin. "Oh, God!" she cried
and grabbed his wrists. "You're hurt!" Her hand brushed the sword and she
recoiled from its horrid feel.

"No, luv, don't," he pulled away only to stagger and nearly fall to his
knees. "I have to get-"

Then Jar'vees was there, shoving his staff into Buffy's hands. "The poor
guy's exhausted. This whole thing's finally starting to wear him down. Let's
get him into the Temple fast," he said, slinging Spike's arm over his
shoulder. Tara moved to Spike's other side and took that arm. Together the
two helped the vampire over to the moonstone. Dawn, Willow and Buffy
followed quickly, Buffy clutching Jar'vees' staff tightly.

Unsteadily, Spike lifted the sword and placed Kivuli in the dark half on
the moonstone. It settled into the groove willingly. The stone seemed to
darken and lose its solidity. Once the sword was out of his grasp, Spike
recovered somewhat; he stepped away from the stone and pointedly avoided
looking at it.

"I am Kivuli."

Everyone turned at the sound of that impossibly serene voice. Facing them,
dressed in a long black dress, was Drusilla. It had to have been her. She
had the same exotic features, wide dark eyes, tragic smile, and lithe,
feline body. Dark hair feel like a cloak behind silk fabric while fragile,
pale hands rested quietly on the pommel of her black sword that stood
downwards at the floor with the point resting between her feet. This was
Spike's dark. Drusilla was his black. She was Kivuli.

"What do you wish of me?"

Spike stared, still a little groggy from his exhaustion. Shaking his head,
he drew himself together. "I want myself back." He unbuckled Sahalia from
his sword belt and turned to go around to the other side of the stone.

"Is that what you really want?" the phantom in black asked him, her voice
smooth, calm and devoid of Drusilla's familiar insane ramblings.

The vampire's head snapped around. "Of course it is. I want to be who I was
before all this happened." He rounded the stone.

"No. I am a part of you. I know your hidden desires. There's something more
you want." Those dark eyes never wavered from Spike's face nor did that
smile slip.

The blonde vampire stopped and stared at his reflection. "What more would I
bloody well want than this to be over and done?"

The phantom cocked her head and looked at Spike levelly. "What if you could
be certain that your loved one would always be safe from harm, never have to
go through what she did, ever again?"

Spike blinked slowly. "What? What are you talking about?"

"Remember how it felt to wield Sahalia? The power it gave you? You
destroyed the Ausi with that sword." She took a few steps toward Spike. "I
can give you that power, and more. I can give you the power of the world."

"Do you really think I'm that daft?" Spike demanded. "You can't do that.
Sahalia can't."

The phantom shook her dark head. "Sahalia is not as powerful as I am."

Jar'vees moved forward. "That's not true, Spike, don't listen. Each sword
is its equal and opposite-"

"You know nothing, child," Kivuli sneered without taking her eyes from
Spike's. "You know only what your books tell you, half of which is wrong.
Quit meddling in things you don't understand."

The force of Kivuli's evil aura pushed Jar'vees backwards. "No," he said,
shaking his head, but his confidence was badly shaken. "It's still not
true."

"Spike," Buffy called, still clutching Jar'vees' crescent staff. She
stepped forward, but found her knees shaking as she approached the
manifestation of the sword's spirit. "Spike!"

The vampire was oblivious to her. He stared at the phantom as if
hypnotized. "Sahalia said to restore the Balance in myself, I had to win
both swords."

"And you have. You are Balanced and can remain so, but I can give you
powers you've never dreamed of. With me in your hand, you could become
invincible. No one could touch you. Buffy would never be taken away again.
She could never die, never bleed, never cry. She'd be safe with you,
forever."

"Spike! Don't listen!" Buffy started forward again, but Kivuli's eyes
flickered to her and she gasped, sinking to her knees as she felt a wave of
pure hatred flow out from the apparition. Jar'vees was also on his knees,
head bowed against the malevolent atmosphere surrounding Spike and Kivuli.

"Spike! Please!" Dawn was by Buffy's side, trying to help her up, but
becoming overwhelmed as well. Willow crouched by Tara, hands on her
shoulders.

"Spike! Look at what she's doing!" she gasped as she choked on the thick,
noxious atmosphere Kivuli was giving off. "Look!"

But like a bird hypnotized by a cobra's stare, Spike was caught. He was
aware of nothing but those dark eyes boring into his, looking deep into his
hidden recesses, unearthing his darkest desires and bringing them to light.
Into the light from him to see what he'd been hiding from himself. "Could
you do that? Could I do that? Make sure Buffy was always safe? No matter
what?"

Kivuli reached out and took Spike by the arm, leading him around to the
dark side of the stone. "You could do that and more. You'd be together
forever. Not even death would separate you. Just take the sword out of the
stone."

"Spike.please.no." Buffy pleaded. She, Dawn, Willow and Tara slumped
together into a tangled pile, overwhelmed by the sword's influence.
Jar'vees' staff hit the floor with a loud thud. The priest himself lay
unmoving on the floor, staring at the two with unseeing eyes.

Spike stared at the sword. His hands twitched in fever anticipation. The
thought of being with Buffy forever.the way he'd felt when he and Sahalia
had become one was exhilarating, knowing he couldn't be beaten.

The vampire extended his arm out towards the sword. He could protect Buffy
from anything.

Yes. From Death itself it sang. Just take the sword.

His hand drifted nearer. To be able to have Buffy for eternity, to be safe
from everything, to never wait for her death.

No one would call you a waste of space, a parasite, an impotent abomination
of your race.

He froze, hand hovering just over the blade.

They'd have to respect you, William, Master of Kivuli. Or they would
suffer.

"What do I have to do?" he asked aloud of Drusilla standing by his side and
whispering in his ear.

"Do? You don't have to do anything. Just take the sword, become one with
it."

It was tempting; Spike's hand hovered above the sword, almost shaking with
anticipation. His eyes flickered to the side to stare at the phantom, and he
saw something briefly flicker in her eyes. Something inconsequential, but
there, for only a moment. Whether it was fear, power or something else, he
knew he had seen it before. In Riley's eyes as he fought him. Riley when he
stared hungrily at Buffy. Spike dropped his hand.

"No," he said as he backed away. He looked around and saw his companions
lying unconscious on the floor. Buffy's blonde hair spilled out over the
black and white tiled floor like a smear of sunlight. "No!" he shouted.

Kivuli's face hardened. "You're throwing away everything," she said. "I'm
not going to offer it to you again. You could be a great warrior. Better
than the world has ever known. Your name would be known far and wide,
everyone would fear you, none would dare oppose you."

Spike shook his head and chuckled. "Been there, done that. Read the book.
And to tell you the truth, the whole 'power everlasting' starts to lose its
charms after a couple decades."

"Very well, then you shall die." Kivuli lifted the blade she held in her
hands and faced Spike. "And you can't defeat me."

"I don't have to, bint." Using his vampiric reflexes, he ducked under the
stone, brought Sahalia up, and thrust it into the white half of the stone.
He could hear the black blade slicing through the air, headed straight for
him and as he ducked down-

A flash of white intercepted the splinter of night and stopped it dead.
Spike looked up and found Sahalia standing over him, holding back Kivuli's
sword with its own blow. The two swords, equally balanced, faced off against
one another. Kivuli's pleasant façade broke and she snarled and jumped
backward. Sahalia still did not follow, but stood poised to react for
another attack.

Spike turned his attention away from the two and to the tiny woman slumped
on the ground nearby. He crossed the distance to her and gathered her up
into his arms. "Buffy," he called to her, cradling her. "Wake up, luv."

Her eyelids fluttered for a moment and then opened. "Spike.? Spike!" she
cried, throwing her arms around his neck. "Are you-"

"Not yet." He stood, still holding her close. He turned to watch the other
swords, one in the form of his beloved Drusilla, the other as Buffy, his
love. "I want to be myself again," he demanded.

Sahalia nodded and lowered her sword. "That is your right. The Balance in
the Stone has been restored. We are bound by your wishes." She began to fade
away.

"No!" Kivuli shouted. "I won't go back!" But she, too, started to fade
away. Soon both manifestations were gone.

Jar'vees sat up, just as Dawn, Tara and Willow began to stir. "What's
happening?" he asked, putting a hand to his head. He reached out, grabbed
his staff, and used it to help himself stand. Tara climbed to her knees and
held out a hand to Dawn.

"Look!" Buffy said, pointing at the moonstone. Everyone froze and stared.
The stone began to rotate on its central axis, slowly at first, then with
increasing speed. Two shapes detached themselves from the spinning stone,
one black and one white. Amorphous, they spun around each other, merging and
melting. Suddenly, without warning, it sped towards Spike, encasing him in a
thick fog. He threw his head back and screamed while sinking to his knees.
The shape surrounded him, the outlines melting and changing before it
contracted and disappeared into him. Slumping forward, Spike did not hear
Buffy scream his name nor feel the tile floor come racing up to connect
painfully with his cheek.

The Circle of Slayers Series 34/35 Incomplete
Chapter 34: Leaving Town
By Denna at dennaseer@hotmail.com
Rated PG-13 for violence
Keywords: Buffy and Spike.what else could there be?
Disclaimer: I own none of the characters. They belong to Joss Whedon.
Jar'vees belongs to me. I love feedback, by the way.
Summary for Chapter 34: Now that the adventure is finally over, it's time to
get back to Ol' Sunny D!

Chapter 34: Leaving Town

Friday, January 10th, 1:15 PM

Spike woke to silent darkness and a splitting headache. If felt like
someone with serious issues was taking out his frustrations with a hammer at
Spike's brain stem.

As he lifted his hand to put it to his head, he wondered where he was. He
didn't recognize this darkened room.Was he in a motel? What had happened? He
groaned softly as the pain in his head increased exponentially with how hard
he tried to remember.

There was movement on the cot beside him and a muttered word. A small, fair
face appeared in front of him and a smear of blonde tresses separated
themselves from the rumpled sheets next to him. "Spike?" a soft, concerned
voice asked.

"Is that me?" he said, squinting up at the dim face. "S'guess so.Bleedin'
hell, that hurts."

"What's the matter?" Buffy sat up and leaned over him.

"My head hurts. Feels like.feels like I have too many shots of bourbon,
that's what."

"Here. Let me help." She reached over him to the chesterfield next to the
bed and grabbed a glass of water. She gently set the cup against his lips
and let him drink it down. He could feel the sore pain in his throat gently
subside. "Better?"

He nodded, heaving a great sigh of relief. "Much. Thanks, pet."

She smiled down at him and caressed his cheek with one hand. "Are you
feeling okay?"

"Strange.hungry.when's dinner?"

Buffy laughed softly. "Nothing wrong with you that a little bit of blood
won't fix, huh?" She was quiet for a moment but then leaned down and kissed
him tenderly. "It's about time you woke up. We were getting worried."

"Whatever for, luv?"

"You've been konked out for three days, Spike. And I had to carry you here,
besides."

"No wonder my head feels like a feel asleep between two elevator doors.
Must be some god awful hangover." He tried to sit up and get into an upright
position with Buffy's help.

The blonde Slayer moved back so she could look straight into his eyes.
"Spike.you weren't drunk. Don't you remember?"

"Remember what?" He ran his fingers through his hair and stared at her. Now
that they were both sitting up, he could see that she wasn't wearing
sleeping clothes. They were rumpled and wrinkled, as if she'd been sleeping
in them. Buffy was usually so fussy about her clothes.and her eyes were
rimmed with dark shadows that stood out like bruises in the dim light.

"What's the last thing you remember?"

He thought about that as he stared at his hands. "Uh.we were at Harris'
party." His fingers played over the bright gold of the band on his left
wrist. "I'd just given you the band." He trailed off as he ran into a blank
wall.

"You don't remember anything after that? Don't you remember Riley? What he
did?" Spike's brow wrinkled as he looked at her and shook his head. "You,
Dawn, Willow and Tara traveling to New Hampshire? Meeting Jar'vees?" He
shook his head again. "Sahalia?"

Lightening pain struck through his head. He rocked forward as the wall in
his mind burst open and dammed up memory poured forth in a flood. Six weeks
of grief, madness, anger, insanity, relived in six seconds.

When it was over, he sat there, staring at his hands, tears in his eyes.
"Bloody hell," he croaked finally, "Did that all happen?"

"You remember?" Buffy's voice was strained and thin.

"I wish I didn't." He stared up at her and then pulled her into his arms.
"Buffy!" It was good to have her back, to have himself back.

Buffy put her arms around him and hugged him hard. "Don't you ever do that
again, Spike," she said, voice muffled into the bend of his neck.

"Do what?"

"Everything." She pulled away and looked into his face. Her eyes were
shining with tears. "I was so scared.Are you sure you're feeling okay?" She
brought her hand up to brush through his hair.

"Yeah, yeah. Don't get all Oscar Moments on me." Taking her wrist, he
pulled it down and laid a kiss on her palm. "Besides, why wouldn't I be?"

She glared at him. "Because you were unconscious for three days! We
couldn't wake you!" She took his hands and put one on her cheek. "What
happened up there?"

Through his nagging headache, he remembered his battle with Kivuli's
guardian, then Sahalia showing up. It seemed more like a dream now than a
harsh reality. "I don't know.I remember two flashes coming at me, and then
this p-pain.but then.God, I don't know.it was like falling asleep and
drowning at the same time." Spike trailed off, staring into the deep lines
of his palms. He saw faint scratches and nicks on his knuckles, from when he
didn't know.

"Spike?" Buffy's voice startled him out of his thoughts.

"Huh?"

Buffy stared at him for a long moment and shuddered, wrapping her arms
around him. "Spike." she whispered, "I'm so sorry you had to go through
that. All of it."

"Hey," he said, putting his arms around her and patting her back. "I'd it
all over again if I had to. I love you, Slayer. There's no way I'm going to
let any bloody ponce take you away from me." He placed a hand on either side
of her head and pushed her back so he could look into her eyes. "You're mine
and you'd better remember that," he said gruffly as he leaned forward and
kissed her.

She returned his kiss with interest, feeling so relieved that he was back.
And she knew it: The shadows in his eyes had finally lifted and they were as
clear and blue as the summer sky again. If there were any storms left on the
horizon, they were the result of the past weeks' events and the toll they'd
taken on him, and not because a part of him was missing. These storms would
pass once his memories started to heal and fade. And for once, she found
herself hoping that he would forget them completely; she didn't want him
living with the memory of that evil apparition of Kivuli, that dark
reflection of himself.

His arms went around her and he laid his palms flat on her back, pulling
her close to him and holding her tightly. Buffy went onto her knees and put
a leg over his so she was sitting across his lap facing him. His ardor
increased as she moved against him, yearning for him. She pushed her fingers
through his hair, tangling them in his light, golden mane. Her lips played
across his, pulling gently at them. A slight shift in her weight sent him
sinking down onto the thin mattress of the cot. Buffy's blonde hair tumbled
down onto his chest and shoulders as she moved her kisses downward to the
column of his neck. He gasped and whispered something incomprehensible as
she reached the hollow of his throat. She moved back up and brushed her lips
against his as she grinned. "Spi-"

A horrible growling sound interrupted her. Spike winced and arched his back
under her. He slipped a hand between them, laying it flat on his stomach.

"Spike?" Buffy asked, propping herself up onto her hands. "What was that?"

"Uh." he said shakily. "You said I'd been asleep for how many days?"

"Three."

"I'm empty, luv," he said with a slight whine in his voice. "I'm starving!
I need to eat!"

Buffy stared at him, and then started to laugh helplessly. "Spike, Spike,
Spike."

"What?" He looked pitiful, staring up at her with those big blue eyes and
trying to make his cheeks look hollow and emancipated, which wasn't that
hard considering.

She sat up and pulled him with her. "All right. Let's go get you something
to drink." She kissed the end of his nose and sat up.

"After." he told her, smirking, grabbing his jeans and pulling them on.
Once they were on, he shrugged his shirt on over his head and grabbed her
hand. "We'll have some time to ourselves, yes?" With that, he kissed her,
then walked out of the room, dragging Buffy along behind him.

~

"What do you mean, we can't leave?" Willow demanded. The little party stood
outside Twin Mountain's single hotel and it was snowing and it was dark and
she was cold and irritable and she wanted the hell out of this stupid little
town. "I'm not spending the winter here in this place!"

Jar'vees backed up a step from the angry little witch. "I'm sorry, Willow,
but the road is snowed in. There's no way around it, and winds over the pass
is too dangerous to do any of your spells." He shrugged and laughed
nervously. "Guess you're stuck with me until spring."

"Thanks, but no thanks," Willow said, stomping down the little lane that
led to the pass. Spike, Buffy, Dawn and Tara all looked at her with concern
etched on their face.

"She's up to something," Spike muttered under his breath.

"But what can she do? There's no way to get out of here once the road is
closed-"

"No," Buffy blurted out, interrupting Jar'vees. She exchanged nervous
glances with Dawn, Spike and Tara. "She wouldn't."

"She wouldn't." Dawn said softly, her eyes going round.

"Oh yes, she would!" Spike exclaimed.

As one, the four of them turned and ran down the lane after Willow.
"WILLOW!" Buffy shouted after her. Confused, Jar'vees hurried after them,
his cloak fluttering behind him in the cold, winter wind.

He caught up with them around the bend. Buffy caught up with Willow and
grabbed her from behind, hooking her arms under hers and holding her. "Stop,
Will!"

"Let go of me, Buffy!" Willow told her, "I'm not staying here!" She managed
to slip out of her grasp. "Levitation!"

The two of them lifted straight up, Buffy clinging onto Willow's legs.
Buffy looked downward as her feet left the ground and desperately try to
hang on to Willow. As her weight pulled her downwards, she kicked backwards,
catching him in the side. She gasped, let go of her, and dropped the few
inches to the ground. Sitting there in the snow, holding her side, she
glared up at her. "That wasn't fair, Will!"

"Sorry, Buffy! Don't worry, I know what I'm doing!" The witch floated up
onto a nearby snow covered rock that gave her a good view of the pass down
below. It was narrow and completely blocked with snow and ice. She shivered,
and then raised her hands. "Darkness beyond twilight." she began. The sky
darkened and a wind sprang up to lift her hair and coat. Power crackled
around her.

"Oh no! Dawnie, come on!" Tara turned back and ran back towards the path
where a confused Jar'vees stood. Dawn and Spike followed on her heels. As
they neared the Priest, both of them took an arm, dragging him along after
him. "Know any good defense spells, Jeeves?" Spike asked.

"Yeah." Jar'vees said, bouncing along with his heels dragging on the
ground. They rounded the bend and he lost sight of Willow. "Why?"

"Cuz we're going to need them if you want your cute little town to stay
above sea level!"  Without further explanation, Spike, Tara and Dawn ran
back towards Twin Mountain.

~

"Willow, stop!" Buffy shouted as she tried to find a way to get onto the
rock where the redhead was standing.

".crimson beyond blood that flows." She continued on with her spell,
oblivious to the shouts.

Unable to find a way to get onto the rock to stop her, Buffy looked up the
pass at the wall of snow, then up the sides of the pass to the high snow
banks piled up, then back down the road towards Twin Mountain. This was
going to be.

".buried in the flow of time."

"Dammit, Will, I swear I'm going to kill you for this," she muttered and
wedged herself onto the rocks.

".I pledge myself to your keep!"

Buffy looked upwards at the little witch standing on the rock in above her
and prayed to whoever might be listening to help her survive this so she
could kill her.

"Those who oppose us will be destroyed by the power we possess!"

Putting her feet against the rock, he leaned back and braced for whatever
was going to come. The hair on the back of her neck was standing straight up
as the magic power gathered and swirled around her like a storm. "Oh, God."
she said, "Here it comes."

"RELEASE!"

Buffy looked up to see what was happening. The massive buildup of power was
gathering around Willow's hands, focused, and then leapt outwards in a beam
of pure light. She heard the first explosions as the massive amount of power
connected with the snow banks. There was a sudden rush of humidity and a
hiss like a giant teakettle as the frozen water went directly from solid to
vapor as the power of Willow's spell bored through the snow and out the
other side.

Then.nothing. Cautiously, the Slayer opened one eye and looked down the
path. Nothing. She looked up at Willow. She was standing there brushing off
her hands, looking as smug as the pet that ate the canary. Buffy leaned out
and around rock up at the pass. Where there had been a huge wall of white,
now there was an open road. A few burnt trees lined the side, but other than
that.

A rumble like the sound of distant thunder rolled down the pass. A few
small snowballs rolled down past her, gathering speed and size as they
passed. Buffy watched one roll past her and then down towards Twin Mountain.
Her attention snapped back to the pass above as the thunder became louder.
And didn't stop. Looking upwards, her heart skipped a beat as she saw the
sides of the mountain moving. Her eyes went wide and she backed out of her
hiding place, tripping over a rock as she did. Stumbling, she picked herself
up and started running.

"WILLOW!" she shouted as the running rivers of snow met and crashed into
the cleared path, flowing down towards the fleeing Slayer and town below.

~

Willow stood staring at the cascade of frozen water coming right at her.
"Oh, dear," she said. "Levitation!" She shouted as she lifted herself up the
rock. The frozen inundation was going to go right over that rock and-

"WILLOW!" She looked down at the sound of someone calling her name. Buffy
was running down the path as fast as she could down towards the town.
Directly in the path of the solid river. And it was catching up with her.

"Buffy!" Angling downwards, Willow swooped down behind the blonde and
caught her up under her arms. Straining upwards, she lifted her into the air
just as the first frozen fingers of ice reached her boots. "What do you
think you're doing?" the redhead shouted at her friend above the rushing
snow. "You could have been killed!"

"What was #I# doing?" Buffy screamed at her. "What the hell do you think
#you# were doing?! Casting a spell like that here of all places?! Didn't you
think it would cause an avalanche?"

"You keep yelling at me like that and I'll drop you!" Willow shouted back,
hurt at the piercing tone in her friend's words.

"The town, Will! It's going to be buried in the snow!"

Willow looked down. They were high enough now that they could see the tiny
town below. Banking towards it, she flew down until they could see Tara,
Spike, Dawn and Jar'vees standing in the road. She set Buffy on her feet and
landed lightly.

"You're an idiot, you know that?" Spike told her.

"Shut up, Spike." Willow answered, the realization of what she had done
sinking in.

"Stop this, then!" Spike said, pushing Willow forward, "You've got to do
something to stop it before it reaches the town!"

"What do you want me to do? Ask it politely?" she said, rounding on him and
pulling out of his grasp.

"You guys! It's coming!" Dawn pointed up the road as the first of the snow
came crashing around the bend. Most of it went over the side of the cliff
and down, but some turned into the road was heading for the town.

"All right. All together, just as we said. You too, Willow, we'll need your
strength." Jar'vees told the others.

Willow joined the others and they quickly whispered to her their plan.
Willow, Jar'vees and Tara stepped together to face the incoming snow and
waited.

"Okay, now!" Tara shouted. As one, the three cast a wall of protection
across the road. Spike, Dawn and Buffy stood behind the others, looking
worried as the snow met the shimmering wall. The three of them grunted and
the wall gave a bit but they managed to sustain it.

The white river split and went around the small village. For what seemed
forever, snow poured past, thundering as it went. Most of it was diverted by
the spell wall and slid off the cliff. The rest washed up around the back of
the town, and piled up against the side of the mountain.

And then.it was over. The last of the snow trickled by and the town was
saved. The three dropped their spell and sagged, panting from the effort of
having to divert nearly a hundred tons of snow. Spike put his hand on
Buffy's shoulder and squeezed it. He didn't have time to say anything before
a shout made him look around.

"There they are!" Several villagers had ventured forth out of their
buildings and were headed towards them. Most were carrying sharp farm
implements; a few had torches.

"Here we go again," he muttered, "Uh, you guys.I think we need to be
going!"

The rest looked around. Buffy grabbed his hand and shouted, "Bye, Jar'vees!
Thanks for the help! We'll stop by and have coffee or something next time
we're.searching for magical swords! Come on, Spike! Hurry up!" She took off
at the pass, somehow managing to drag the 5"10 man behind her like a rag
doll.

Dawn, Tara and Willow hurried after the vampire and Slayer. "Bye, Jar'vees!
If you're ever in Sunnydale, come see me!" Dawn waved cheerfully as she and
the witches dashed up the road and disappeared.

Jar'vees stood there in the middle of the road, dumbfounded as the five of
them sped off barely ahead of the rampaging mob. He could hear Buffy
screaming something obscene at the top of her lungs as the group rounded the
bend, which only served to enrage them further. Then he was engulfed in the
riot, and yet remained untouched. The wind caused by their passing stirred
his graying black hair and whipped his cloak into huge black wings.

Then they were all out of sight around the bend in the road and he was
standing alone outside Twin Mountain's single tavern. He stared after them,
the snow trampled into slush and the occasional shout floating back to him
on the breeze. As quickly as these unusual characters had come into his
life, they had left again.

He grinned. The grin was followed by a chuckle. Then he threw back his head
and laughed heartily as the hilarity of the entire situation struck home.
Turning on his heel, he walked into the empty inn to help himself to a late
night snack and sit by the fire. Somehow he knew, call it a hunch, that for
the little group known as the Scoobies this was an everyday occurrence. Had
to be with that Buffy Summers leading them.

Raising his mug in the general direction of the pass, he smiled hugely.
"Here's looking at you, kids!" he toasted them and raised the mug to his
mouth.

It never made it. Just as he was about to take a deep swig, his eyes went
round and he slammed the mug back down onto the table. "Hey!" he shouted to
no one in particular and ran for the door. Pausing on the threshold, he
looked down the churned up road in the direction of the pass. "Where's my
money?" he shouted. Gathering his cloak around him, he took off after them.
"Come back here, you cheats!"