His Tender Mercies

His Tender Mercies

Author: enigmaticblue <enigmaticblue@yahoo.com>

Rating: PG-13

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters below, although I wish I'd thought of them first.

Archive: Anywhere that already has my stuff. Anywhere else, just ask.

Summary: A response to Helga Von Nutwimple's Vamp-in-the-Box Challenge. Wolfram & Hart make a slight error, and bring Drusilla back instead of Darla at the end of Ats S1. Drusilla heads straight to Sunnydale and Spike, and in the process throws a monkey wrench into Buffy's thinking. Oh, and Riley left after "Restless."

A/N: I don't particularly want to post the rules right now because it will give away too much of the story. Therefore, they will be posted at the end, and you all can decide for yourselves how well I did answering my first challenge.

Chapter 19: You Are My Sunshine

"You're hurt," Drusilla said as soon as Angel and Wesley walked through the door. Angel, naturally, assumed she was talking to him since he had a nice gash across one cheek. Drusilla, however, headed straight for Wesley, who was limping slightly.

Angel was a little put-out. He'd gotten his cut while fighting, while Wesley had tripped and twisted his ankle. "I'm alright," Wesley insisted, sounding both pleased and embarrassed to have her fussing over him.

"Let me look at it," Drusilla suggested, tugging Wesley over to the couch.

Angel grimaced. Having a vampire's sense of smell had never been so inconvenient. Knowing that Wesley and Drusilla were a couple was bad enough without having the evidence right in front of his nose, so to speak. "Aren't they cute together?" Cordelia asked, pulling him out of his thoughts.

He glowered. "Very cute."

"Say it like you mean it, Angel," Cordelia chided. "Come on. You've got to admit that Drusilla's really good for Wesley. And vice versa."

Angel watched as Dru gently checked out the ex-Watcher's injuries, while he interrupted her task with a gentle touch to her cheek. It was apparent that they thought themselves the only ones in the room. Cordelia was obviously right, but that didn't mean Angel had to like it. "I guess."

Cordy rolled her eyes at his stubbornness. "Geez, Angel, grow up. There are plenty of other fish in the sea."

"Not for me," Angel said quietly.

Cordelia tugged him away, towards her small kitchen, in order to give the two lovebirds some privacy. "How did it go tonight?"

"Fine," Angel replied. "Although, next time we have to deal with something that size, I'm going to call Gunn."

"Who?" Cordelia asked, frowning.

"Gunn," Angel repeated, realizing belatedly that he hadn't really told her about the gang leader. "Charles Gunn. He's the one who was in charge of that gang of kids."

"Oh," Cordelia replied. "It probably isn't a bad idea to have a little more muscle on hand."

"You know," Angel began in a tone that told Cordelia to be wary. "I may have to ask you to have Drusilla stay here for a while longer than we thought. Not that there isn't the money, but I'd feel better if she had a little more transition time."

Cordelia sighed, but she didn't argue. Drusilla wouldn't be so bad to have around. She was really nice, she understood about the visions, and she seemed to be getting along with Dennis, all points in her favor. Besides, it wasn't like Wesley didn't have his own place, so they wouldn't be making out—or doing other things—on her couch all the time.

Cordelia peeked around the corner. Or maybe not. "Maybe we should get back out there," she suggested. "Because if they keep going, I'm going to have to have that couch cleaned."

~~~~~

The front door squeaked a bit as Buffy entered, looking back over her shoulder at Spike. "Are you hungry?"

"I could eat," he replied. "You should probably eat somethin' too, luv."

She shrugged. "I'm not that hungry."

"Buffy—"

"Really, Spike. I'm not." She frowned. "You don't think I should have stayed with Mom tonight, do you?"

"They were goin' to kick you out, pet," Spike reminded her gently. The doctor had made the decision to keep Joyce in the hospital overnight for observation. Since the biopsy had occurred later in the day, they wanted to be certain she didn't have an adverse reaction to the anesthesia.

Buffy had wanted to stay, but Giles had strongly suggested she get some rest. Spike, taking his cue from the Watcher, had insisted on seeing her home. The Slayer was still feeling a little dazed by it all. The biopsy results wouldn't be in for a while, and until then they wouldn't have any idea of what would need to happen next.

She attempted a smile. "Yeah, I could see the nurse giving us the evil eye." There was a long pause. "Would you stay tonight?"

Spike blinked in surprise. "I don't—"

"I don't want to be alone."

There was only one response that Spike could make to that, of course. "Then I'll stay. You sure you don't want Willow, though?"

Buffy stared at him. "You don't want to stay?"

"No!" he replied quickly. "I just—I want you to be sure, luv. I want you to know, you're not getting rid of me, Buffy. We do this, you ask me to stay, and I won't be leavin'."

She stared at him, recognizing the warning for what it was. "And if the chip stops working?"

"We'll work somethin' out," Spike replied. "Told your Watcher today, I won't hurt you, Slayer. Whatever comes."

Buffy understood the faith that was required to believe him. Her concerns, stemming from the last vampire she'd dated, were valid, of that she had no doubt. Spike had been one scary guy before he'd been chipped. Even though they had never managed to kill each other—and even though Spike had teamed up with her to stop Angelus—he'd been a formidable opponent.

"I know." Her voice was steady when she did speak. A new strength coursed through her, replacing the fatigue that sitting in the hospital waiting room had brought. It was a strength borne of desire, of hope, of a deep sense of peace. She had seen Spike with Drusilla, knew how he could be with someone he loved—even human.

She knew, somehow, that he loved her.

Spike took a step in her direction. "Ready to take this to the next level then?" he asked, a challenge in his tone. "I could sleep in the basement."

"That would entirely defeat the purpose of having an empty house," Buffy pointed out logically. "Might as well take advantage of every opportunity."

"Not a bad idea," Spike agreed, his voice becoming husky with desire. "Never know when it'll happen again."

Buffy smiled, taking a step closer. "I've been meaning to talk to you about that. You really are going to have to do something about your crypt. At least get a bed."

"Only for you, luv," Spike said in reply, close enough now so that their lips met in a frenzy of desire.

Buffy needed to feel—to feel someone's arms, someone's lips and tongue. To know that she wasn't alone, and that her mother's illness would not completely shatter the foundations of her world. That Spike, at least, would stay constant—her north star.

Spike simply wanted her. He'd dreamed of this moment, though never of the emotion that lay behind it. He loved her, as crazy as it might sound. Somewhere along the way, Spike had fallen for the Slayer. It was bleedin' pathetic, was what it was.

At the moment, he didn't care.

The kiss was rapidly heading into previously unexplored territory as Spike allowed his hands to wander freely. Buffy's own hands were just as courageous, beginning to blaze a trail down the front of his shirt, leaving buttons undone in their wake.

His shirt was half off before Spike managed to suggest that it might be better to go upstairs. "Not that there's anyone here to see us, but a bed might be nice," he muttered against her lips.

"Bed," Buffy echoed, nearly incoherent. She didn't remember anything feeling this good in the past. "Upstairs then."

They managed to stumble their way up the stairs, neither one of them willing to lose contact. Once inside Buffy's door, however, things slowed down a bit. "There's no goin' back," Spike warned her. "This isn't a one night stand, Buffy."

"I don't do one night stands," she replied evenly.

And then there was no more waiting.

~~~~~

Buffy lay in a boneless, satiated heap on top of Spike, who was also sprawled out. She couldn't ever remember being this relaxed or contented, not for a long time. They were supposed to be heading out to pick her mother up at the hospital soon, but neither one of them cared to move.

"I love you."

The quiet words sent a thrill through Buffy. She'd suspected it, but hadn't been certain. For all she'd known, Spike just wanted her.

Moving just enough to see his face, Buffy caught a flicker of fear in his eyes. "I know you do, Spike."

Understanding lightened his expression as Spike realized that even though Buffy couldn't say the words, she would accept them from him. He didn't mind waiting, as long as she wanted him there. "Buffy—"

He was interrupted by an impatient knocking on the door. "Buffy! We have to leave in thirty minutes to get Mom!"

Spike frowned, at first not recognizing the voice. Buffy had no such problem, however. "Just give me a minute! I'll be right there!"

"If we're late, I'm going to tell Mom you were jumping Spike's bones all night and kept me awake!"

Spike frowned as Dru's words echoed in his memory. The second thing is the Slayer's sister… she's the Key to the whole thing. You have to protect her, Spike, just like you protected Mummy.

"I'm going to kill Dawn," Buffy groused as she pulled herself up. "We don't have to leave for at least an hour. She knows that! She just hates me."

"She doesn't hate you, luv," Spike replied, amusement displacing confusion. He'd have to discuss Drusilla's warning with the Slayer later, but they had more important things to take care of at the moment. "She's just bein' a pest. It's in the job description."

"I'm still going to kill her," Buffy mumbled, giving him a quick peck on the lips. "She ruined my afterglow."

~~~~~

Having Drusilla around was turning out to be something of an interesting experiment. Cordelia had never before shared an apartment on what could be a long term basis, but she thought it might work out with the other woman.

Provided, of course, that Wesley wasn't underfoot all the time.

With Drusilla there, the ex-Watcher always seemed to have a good reason to be there as well. Cordy was going to have to discuss the benefits of going out on dates, rather than staying in before she strangled him and broke Drusilla's heart.

Not that she didn't like seeing either of them happy, but Wesley in particular was just so—sappy about the whole thing. It was obvious that he was in love, but more than that. He was infatuated. He basically worshipped the ground that Drusilla walked on.

It actually was bringing back memories of high school, when Cordelia had men at her beck and call at all times. While Cordy wouldn't have gone back for all the money in the world, she missed that part of it. She hadn't had a date in—forever.

Not since Doyle had saved her life, at least.

Trying to explain the head-splitting visions to a guy was pretty much out of the question, though. The only men Cordelia thought might understand were Wesley and Angel. Wes was obviously taken, and Angel—

It was only in the depths of her heart that Cordelia could acknowledge the growing affection for the vampire. It wasn't love, but—there was something.

Something she wasn't ready to even consider as of yet.

Today, however, it was going to be just Cordy and Dru, going shopping. The paperwork for the trust had come through, and Cordelia—who had just barely learned about things like budgets and rent-paying—found herself in the position of teacher.

Cordelia was more than a little suspicious about Wolfram & Hart's ready acquiescence to Angel's demands. It smacked of them having something else up their devious little sleeves. She had also learned never to look a gift horse in the mouth. Lindsay and the rest of them might not be done with Angel yet, but then again, they probably never would be.

Cordelia hadn't had the chance to look for a new bikini in ages—of course, she hadn't had a lot of opportunities to go to the beach, either. So shopping promised to be fun and exciting, even if looking for swimming suits was about the hardest thing ever on a woman's self esteem.

"Try this," Cordy suggested, handing a deep purple two-piece to Drusilla.

The other woman eyed it doubtfully. "Are you sure? It seems a little—"

"Revealing?" Cordy asked. "Trust me, this is nothing. Besides, something like this is guaranteed to render Wes speechless."

Drusilla nodded and then handed her own choice to Cordelia. "I think you ought to try this one on."

Cordelia hesitated, having seen the price tag. "I don't know. I'm not sure that it's me."

It was definitely her. Drusilla was getting the hang of the fashion thing, and Cordy thought Dru might actually rival her someday. "My treat," Drusilla insisted. "You've been so kind, it's the least I can do."

Her hesitation only lasted a moment more. "Okay," she decided. "I'll give it a try." Cordelia looked over at Dru. It had been ages since she'd had a girlfriend to do these kinds of things with. After her parents had lost everything to the IRS, most of her Sunnydale friends had deserted her. Or rather, she had distanced herself, having no desire for anyone to find out what had happened. Now, however, Cordelia knew she had a shot at a real friendship with another woman.

It felt good.

"We should go to the beach sometime," Cordelia said impulsively. "Just us girls."

Drusilla smiled slowly. "I think I should like that very much."

~~~~~

Willow could barely hold her tongue on the way to the hospital. She'd offered to accompany the Summers girls to pick up Joyce from the hospital, having the dual motives of wanting to assure herself that Mrs. Summers was okay and to pump Buffy for information about Spike.

She'd noticed Spike's change of dress, and had her own theories on why the vampire would have done it. Once Buffy had picked her up, and Willow saw the post-coital glow, she had her confirmation.

Not that she wanted details, but Willow was a sucker for gossip, especially of the boy variety.

To curb her enthusiasm, the redhead willingly chatted with Dawn about the newest Harry Potter book and let Buffy concentrate on driving. The Slayer still wasn't that great at it, but at least Willow no longer felt as though she was taking her life in her hands when Buffy climbed behind the wheel.

Once they'd reached the hospital, however, and Dawn ran ahead, Willow looked over at her friend. "So? How was it?"

"How was what?" Buffy asked innocently.

Willow mustered her resolve face. "Don't give me that, missy. You have satisfaction face. You got satisfied last night."

A bright red flush began creeping up Buffy's face. "There might have been some…satisfaction."

"And?" Willow insisted. "On a scale from one to ten?"

Buffy got a dreamy look. "Off the charts."

Willow's eyes widened. "Really? That good?"

"Oh yeah," Buffy murmured. She grimaced. "Although, Dawn was threatening to tell Mom we kept her up all night. If she says anything at all…"

"I'll distract her," Willow said loyally. "But there's definitely a you-and-Spike now?"

Buffy smiled. "Yeah. Pretty crazy, huh?"

"No crazier than there being a me and Tara."

~~~~~

Spike was in the kitchen heating up the last of the blood when he heard them come home. Dawn was telling her mom about everything they could do while Joyce was recovering, and Buffy was reminding her sister that their mom should be resting and Dawn shouldn't bother her.

Chuckling as he listened to the fight get started, Spike decided to drink his meal before going out there. He hadn't expected Willow to join him in the kitchen. "Hey, Spike."

"Red," Spike said evenly. He wasn't quite sure what to expect from the girl, even though she'd been in on the rescue attempt. "How're things?"

"Good," Willow replied. "I hear you and Buffy are good too."

Spike raised an eyebrow. "How would you know anythin' ‘bout that?"

"Please, Spike," Willow replied. "Buffy and I have been friends for years. I know when she's had a good night."

If vampires could blush, Spike certainly would have. "Yeah, well…"

"Spike—" Her unusually serious tone cause him to meet Willow's eyes. "Buffy's really happy with you for whatever reason. Don't make me regret supporting her decision."

Spike was slightly taken aback, recognizing her tacit offer of support. "I won't."

"Good," Willow replied, cheerful once more. "I'd hate to have to dust you. You kinda grow on a girl."

Spike couldn't keep from laughing.

"I thought it might be best to take Angel's car today," Wesley said. "We'll have to take the motorcycle some other time. You'll love riding along the coast," he promised, already planning their next outing.

Drusilla merely smiled, her sarong parting slightly to reveal one shapely leg as she got into the car. The slight choking sound from Wesley's direction told her that she'd chosen her outfit exceedingly well. The purple batik sarong was a perfect complement to the tank top she wore, which served as a cover up for her bathing suit. She was cool, comfortable, and enticing.

Wesley climbed into the driver's seat, giving her an inquisitive look. "Do you know how to drive?"

Drusilla smiled. "I would like. That would be nice." She realized that Wesley had asked because he wanted to be sure that she was as self-sufficient as possible. He wanted her to feel confident, to be able to be self-proficient—as much as he wanted to take care of her. It was one of the qualities that Drusilla liked best about him.

The ride in the convertible, with the top down, felt like freedom to Drusilla. The sun on her face, the wind sending her hair flying in all directions—she had never in her life felt anything so wonderful. She had her eyes closed against the wind, but a smile curved her lips as Wesley's hand snuck across the seat to clasp hers.

Dru's eyes opened slowly, and she turned her head. "It makes the time we are together all the better," she pointed out.

"This is so not fair," Dawn said, her voice perilously close to a whine. "I don't need a babysitter."

Buffy frowned at her younger sister. "This isn't just about you, Dawnie. I want to be sure Mom is okay too. What if she gets sick? Do you really want to be in charge if something like that happens?"

Dawn chewed her lower lip, obviously torn. "No," she finally answered, sounding slightly sullen. "You'll bring Spike back with you tonight?"

"If he wants to come," Buffy replied. "He might have other things to do," she pointed out. "And I doubt he really wants to be hanging out with you."

Dawn's lower lip trembled. "Spike likes me," she shot back. "He understands me!" With that, Dawn whirled and ran up the stairs, her footsteps thumping. Buffy sighed, rubbing her eyes.

"Buffy? What was that about?" Joyce asked, entering the kitchen from the living room. "Is everything okay?"

"It's fine," Buffy replied. She thought it odd that her little sister would echo her own words about Spike, the argument she had given her mom for embarking on a relationship with the vampire. "Dawn's just being—Dawn. I'm supposed to go meet Giles. Willow should be here shortly to watch out for you guys."

"Buffy, I'm going to be fine," Joyce said gently. "The doctor said we caught it early enough, and with the radiation treatments, I won't even need surgery."

"I know," Buffy replied. "It's just—" She fell silent, unsure of how to express her fears. If Drusilla hadn't said something to Spike, if Spike hadn't gotten her mom to take his warnings seriously—who knows when they would have caught the tumor? It might have been too late.

"Why don't you bring Spike over tonight, Buffy," Joyce suggested. "I wouldn't mind seeing him."

"Other than the fact that he's a vampire?" Joyce asked. "Yes, I do. I always have."

Joyce frowned. "I don't really know. I suppose it has something to do with seeing his potential. There's always been more to Spike than meets the eye, right from the beginning."

Buffy sighed, shaking her head, deciding that she was never going to understand. "I'll ask. I think he said he'd be at Giles' today, so I'll see him there."

Buffy was thinking hard on her way over to Giles' apartment. Spike had reminded her the previous day of Drusilla's words, about Dawn being a key, whatever that meant. They were both supposed to meet at her Watcher's flat to discuss what the ex-vampire might have meant, and what they were going to do about it.

The last thing Buffy wanted to consider was that there might be something wrong with her sister like there was with her mom. As annoying as Dawn could be, she was still her sister.

Spike was already there, talking to Giles when she arrived. In an odd gesture, he stood as Buffy came into the room. "Hey, luv."

If Giles noticed the casual endearment, he chose to give no sign of it. "Ah, Buffy. There you are. How's your mother?"

"Better," Buffy replied. "She should be able to go back to work tomorrow. They want to start her on the radiation treatments right away, though."

Giles frowned. "Yes, well, if you need any help, please let me know. I'll be happy to do what I can. Is your father—"

"He's in Spain," Buffy said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "With his secretary. He hasn't replied to any of the messages I left."

"Said he was a wanker," Spike muttered, more to himself than anything else. Both of the others were inclined to agree with him. "What are we gonna do about the Bit?"

Giles shook his head. "I'm not certain. You mentioned that Drusilla said she was the key to everything."

"Drusilla told me Dawn was the key to the doors between the worlds," Buffy said. "It's just—I remember her telling me this the last time she was in Sunnydale, but why haven't Spike and I remembered this until now? I mean, I could swear I forgot about it till just the other day."

Spike shook his head. "Somethin' doesn't feel right about this whole deal. Don't know what it is, but there's something."

"That's hardly helpful, Spike," Giles said, but his tone was less harsh than his words might have suggested. "I don't know, Buffy. There are several things we might try, of course, but I don't know exactly where to start."

Buffy frowned. "Do you think we should tell any of the others? Not that there's really anything to tell yet, but—"

Giles shook his head, and Spike mirrored his action. "They'd just be runnin' their mouths around the Niblet," Spike pointed out. "No sense in worryin' her or your mum till we know more."

The sense of unreality struck Buffy suddenly. Here she was, concocting a plan with her Watcher and a vampire she'd have sworn she hated until just a few weeks ago. A plan concerning her annoying little sister, and to the exclusion of her friends.

"I agree," Giles said, for the moment deciding not to think about how strange that sounded. "I think we ought to continue looking for something that will help us clarify what Drusilla meant. Of course, we could always ask her to return to Sunnydale. Perhaps she would be able to tell us more now."

"That's not a bad idea," Buffy said. "But I really think we should exhaust our resources here first. I'm sure Drusilla has enough to do in L.A. right now."

Drusilla was moaning in pleasure, the sound sending a bolt of heat to Wesley's stomach. Well, a bit lower than his stomach, really. His strong hands were kneading the muscles in her back, rubbing the suntan lotion in thoroughly. It was the third time he'd applied the lotion, and the liquid was runny and warm from sitting in the sun all afternoon.

Wesley carefully worked his slick fingers under the tie of her bikini top and down around her sides, managing to cop a quick feel while he was at it. Drusilla's quick gasp was reward enough for his actions. While the bathing suit covered everything that needed to be covered, her bare legs and toned stomach had been wreaking havoc on him all day.

He'd wanted to insist they go back to his place as soon as she'd removed her sarong and top. Wesley had promised her a sunset, however, and so they'd had a picnic lunch and gone swimming for a bit to cool off. The sun was just now beginning to descend from its zenith, and it would soon be time to find a vendor for a quick dinner along the Promenade.

"You are going to make it quite impossible for me to control myself," he said. "You know that, don't you?"

"Isn't that the point?" Dru asked, mischievously. "You did promise me ice cream."

"I think I'd rather have dessert." Her eyes traveled down his bare chest. "Dinner can come later."

He gave her a pleased smile. "Then let's go get ice cream." Wesley pulled on his t-shirt, watching as she put her skirt and top back on.

Drusilla spied him watching her and her lips curved again. It had been a truly magical day. She couldn't ever remember being this happy, even before Angelus. Perhaps there had been moments this wonderful in her childhood, before the visions, when she and her sisters had spent the afternoons playing in the garden.

It was a day like this that made her think it possible to regain some of her lost innocence.

They walked together hand in hand, each of them with an ice cream in their free hand. The double scoops of strawberry and chocolate exploded in flavor and temperature on Drusilla's tongue. Wesley licked at his own cone, trying to keep his eyes off of Drusilla and her obvious enjoyment of her own cone.

They people-watched and spoke idly of unimportant things. Wesley found himself telling her about his time at the Watcher's Academy and of his father. Her quiet acceptance made it easier to say things he'd never thought to tell anyone else.

"Your father sounds like a bully," Drusilla observed. The sun was low on the horizon, but she was focused more on Wesley than watching it set.

Wesley was silent for a moment. "I suppose he was. I—I still wish I'd been able to make him proud."

"Men like that are never satisfied," Drusilla said gently. "Even if you had been perfect, he still would have found fault, because the deficit is his, not yours."

Wesley looked out over the horizon, watching as the sky turned orange and red, setting the ocean on fire with color. "Will you ever be able to forgive Angel?" he asked, changing the subject.

Drusilla followed his gaze. Every sunset was different, and this one seemed more glorious than any other than she had ever seen. It was perfect. "Someday," she replied. "I think I will someday."

"She went out with Wesley," Cordy replied, not looking up from her fashion magazine. "And I doubt we'll see either of them until tomorrow."

Angel slumped in one of her chairs. "I thought we were supposed to go take care of that nest tonight."

Cordelia gave him an annoyed look. "You thought," she pointed out. "Wes told you yesterday that he was planning on taking Dru to the beach. Weren't you paying attention?"

He had been paying attention, actually, but Angel had believed that vampire-hunting would take priority. "I was listening," he grumbled. "I just don't see how dating is more important than fighting evil."

"Maybe because dating makes Drusilla happy, and she deserves a little bit of happiness." Cordy sighed. "Heck, we all deserve a little time once in a while. If Dru wants to have a day at the beach with a guy she likes, just so she can pretend to be normal for a while—I say more power to her."

Cordelia raised her eyebrows. "Seriously? Other than not having mind-numbing visions and maybe seeing my acting career finally take off? I would love to go out to dinner at a really nice restaurant, get dressed up, and then have somebody else pay for it. That would definitely make me happy."

"Then why don't we?" Angel asked. At her surprised expression, the vampire continued more enthusiastically. "I don't feel like going after a bunch of vampires tonight either, so why don't we go have dinner somewhere. My treat."

"Give me fifteen minutes," Cordelia replied. "I'll be ready." She walked into her bedroom and shut the door behind her, leaning back against it.

The research party had broken up when Xander appeared. Anya wasn't with him this time, which made the Slayer wonder. Xander and Anya had been pretty much inseparable up until now. "What brings you around, Xander?" Buffy asked cautiously. He was one of her oldest friends, and the Slayer hated being on the outs with him.

On the other hand, Buffy was of the firm opinion that Xander had to learn that she had the right to select her own boyfriends, without input from him. "Your mom said I could find you at Giles'," Xander replied, giving Spike a dirty look. "She didn't say he would be here, though."

"Xander, don't," Buffy said shortly. "I don't care if you hate Spike, but it's not going to change anything, okay?

"Lay off, Harris," Spike snarled. "Don't care who you are, you're not goin' to hurt her feelings again. She's got enough to deal with."

When Xander looked like he was going to launch himself at the vampire, Giles stepped in between them. "That's enough, Xander," he commanded. "I've already discussed things with Spike, and we've reached an understanding. Buffy is old enough to make her own decisions, whatever anyone else might think of them."

A harsh silence fell, and all three of the others gaped at Giles as they realized that he had chosen to indirectly support Buffy's decision. The Watcher hadn't planned on doing so, but over the course of the afternoon he had come to a better understanding of Spike's willingness to do whatever was necessary to protect both Buffy and Dawn.

Buffy nodded tightly. "It's fine, Xander." She looked over at Giles, gratitude in her eyes. "I should probably do a quick sweep before heading home."

Buffy grabbed Spike's hand and they left together, but not before Spike had given Giles a silent nod of thanks.

Giles turned to look at the now-silent young man. "You do realize that if you continue on this course you will alienate her completely."

"As irritating as he might be, Spike does have certain assets that could be quite valuable," the Watcher said quietly. "I suggest you get used to the idea that he's going to be around for a while."

"We should really get back home," Buffy said, sounding worried. "I don't like leaving Mom for too long."

Spike tugged on her hand. "Just a quick stop," he promised. "Want to show you somethin'."

"For researching, for being here, I don't know. For all of it." Buffy never had been good with words. She merely knew that she felt a wordless gratitude that Spike was present. It defied explanation.

""s my pleasure, luv," Spike finally replied. "You know I'd do 'bout anything' for you."

Spike shrugged. "Does there have to be a reason? Just do." They had reached his crypt, and he pulled her towards the trapdoor that led to the lower level. "Down here."

Feeling a trifle apprehensive, she followed. Although she really did trust him, Buffy wasn't sure exactly what Spike had planned. Her mouth gaped open as she saw what he'd done. "Spike—"

The cavern was almost cozy, with the rug on the floor and the large bed. Nothing matched, and Buffy knew that what Spike hadn't scavenged, he'd most certainly stole, but the beauty of his gesture stole her breath away. He'd created a getaway for the two of them—a safe place. "It's perfect," Buffy said sincerely.

He shrugged, obviously embarrassed. "Still needs more work, but I thought it would do as a start. Don't really want to have to worry 'bout the Bit walking' in on us."

"This really is great, Spike," Buffy said, regret creeping into her tone. "I just wish we had time to take advantage of it right now. But—"

"Your mum is waiting, an' so is the Bit," Spike finished for her. "I get that, Buffy."

Spike did get it, Buffy realized. Better than anyone else, this Slayer of Slayers understood that she wasn't just a girl—nor was she just the Slayer. Spike understood the complexities of her life, knew that her life was destined to be short.

For some reason, it was Spike who understood that she had duties as a daughter and as a sister, and he was as prepared to help her deal with those obligations as he was to aid her in nightly patrols.

It made Buffy feel as though she didn't have to shoulder her burden alone for the first time in a long while.

"Then let's go home," she replied. "And maybe once they're asleep, we can sneak out and take that bed for a trial run."

Spike glowered at his traitorous cards. "Bloody hell." He tossed her a bag of M&M's. "I think you're cheatin'."

"If I am, it would only be because I've learned from the best," Dawn replied with a smug grin. She glanced up. "Buffy? Aren't you going to play?"

The Slayer shook her head. "Not right now, Dawnie. Besides, you should be in bed."

Dawn made a face. "I'm not going to be able to sleep," she objected. "I'm too wound up."

The girl opened her mouth to argue some more, but Spike shook his head. "Off to bed now, Bit. Your sister's right. One of you needs your sleep if you're goin' to keep me company on the drive back tomorrow."

To her credit, Dawn went to bed without further complaining while Spike came to join Buffy by the window. Sunrise was still a few hours away by his reckoning—sunrise and the promise of safety. "How much longer?" Buffy asked.

"Not long," Spike promised. "Few hours at most. Sun comes up, an' we'll be safe, accordin' to Dru. You doin' alright?"

"I'm worried about Mom," Buffy confessed. "If Glory finds them, I won't be able to get there in time."

"The witches are more than capable of takin' care of your mum," Spike reminded her. "An' Rupert will look after the other two. Was better for us to split up."

"I know," Buffy replied. It had only made sense for the two of them to guard Dawn, while the others went their separate ways. When Drusilla's warning about the day of reckoning came, there hadn't been much discussion. The two strongest warriors would be needed to protect the Key, and they didn't need to risk anyone else. Willow and Tara had gotten the job of looking after Joyce, who had fully recovered from her illness, the radiation treatments having been successful.

Spike, as usual, had been a godsend. Even Xander had come around after Glory went after the vampire, guessing correctly that the Slayer's boyfriend would know where Buffy had stashed the Key. What the Hellbitch hadn't realized was how stubborn Spike could be, especially when it concerned one of his girls.

Buffy glanced up into his still face as he looked out into the darkness. He had patrolled with her, he'd comforted her when they'd finally discovered the truth of what Dawn was. Spike had been her shadow, her lieutenant, the person she trusted above all others. By his tender mercies, Spike had proven himself beyond all her expectations.

"I love you, too," he finally managed, and then his lips descended on hers. He'd loved her, and he'd waited for her to say the words. Through it all, he had waited.

Vamp In The Box Challenge

Requirements:

Setting: An A/U AtS Season Two/BtVS Season Five, after "To Shanshu In L.A." and "Restless".
Pairing: Spike/Drusilla (temporary), Spike/Buffy

Basic Plot Elements:

When Wolfram & Hart tries to resurrect Darla (AtS 1x22, "To Shanshu In L.A."), they discover that they have resurrected Drusilla instead. Still insane (although now having a human potential to recover from her mental trauma), scared and vulnerable, she flees L.A. for the one person she's sure will protect her -- Spike.

He notices her slightly-less-craziness and realizes that if he vamps her again, he'll do to her what Angelus did -- leave her trapped in insanity forever. So, he becomes determined to cure her, then vamp her... only, the more sane Drusilla becomes, the more she turns back into the pious, innocent girl she had been. See Spike wrestle with ethics! Wrestle, Spike, wrestle!

When Spike ultimately decides to give up his immortal beloved so that she can be happy as a human, it causes Buffy to finally see him in a different light.

Extras:

1. Still!Crazy!Dru being able to see that Dawn is the Key
2. Drusilla telling Buffy endearing things about Spike
3. Drusilla revealing that "Run and catch / Run and catch / The lamb is caught in the blackberry patch" has always referred to Spike, the sacrificial lamb (how much Dru reveals about Spike's death in "Chosen" is up to you) caught up in Buffy (the prickly, painful 'blackberry patch' that wounds him and he can't get away from).

Bonus Points For:

1. Drusilla foreseeing and managing to prevent Joyce's death
2. Cordelia giving Drusilla very Cordelia-style dealing-with-visions advice