Part XVIII - Putting out the Sun

Title: Inhuman Hearts

Pairing: B/S

Rating of the entire story: NC-17

Rating of this part: PG

Spoiler: Up to Normal Again.

Disclamer: I don't own them. Not mine.



Part XVIII - Putting out the Sun

Author's Note: The title comes from Brian Adams' song (which I adore by the way!!!) "When You Love Someone". To understand the title better, heare are the lyrics:

When you love someone,
You'll do anything...
You'll do all the crazy things that you can't explain,
You'll shoot the moon put out the sun.....
When you love someone.

You'll deny the truth,
Believe a lie...
There will be times that you belive you can really fly,
But you know that life has just begun when you love someone...

When you love someone you feel it deep inside,
And nothing else could ever change your mind...
When you love someone,when you need someone,When you love someone...

When you love someone you will sacrifice,
You will give everything you got and want think twice...
You risk it all no matter what may come,
When you love someone...

You'll shoot the moon put out the sun,
When you love someone.............

“Xander, watch out!!!!” Willow shouted as she saw a large rock falling inches away from her friend.

He stumbled to the floor taking Tara down with him. As the hard stones poured on them, Xander struggled to scramble to his feet.

“Tara, you ok?” he asked as he reached out his hand to help her up.

She nodded and with a lot of effort stood up. Her strain was evident in her face as she hissed in pain. Realising she wouldn’t be able to walk, let alone run from the avalanche of rocks that was quickly catching up to them, Xander scooped her off her feet and resumed running after It and Anya.

“Fast!” It squealed never looking back.

“Ah!” Anya shouted as some debris grazed her arm, making her lose her balance and fall.

Willow quickly came to her aid, pulling her up and pushing her forward. The Wicca glanced over her shoulder to see Xander with Tara in his arms close behind her.

“We almost there!” It yelled as its scrawny index finger pointed in the direction of a faint ray of moonlight at the far end of the tunnel.

The small creature ran as fast as it could, reaching the exit closely followed by Anya and Willow. The Wicca’s heart raced as she turned around to see the ceiling caving in right behind Xander.

In a last monumental effort, he jumped, propelling Tara’s limp body a few feet away.

“Xander!” Anya screamed, coming to kneel next to the tired young man.

His breathing was erratic and he tried to speak but all that came out of his mouth were sharp gushes of air. So, instead, he just nodded frenetically.

**********************************

“What was that?” Dawn asked as she saw the tunnel she and Spike had just exited cave in.

“I don’t know, bit.” The vampire confessed pulling the young teenager away from the entrance, afraid some debris might hurt her.

“Buffy…” Dawn whispered, bringing her hand to her mouth.

“I’m sure she found her way out just in the nick of time. That’s what she does best, she’s a hero remember?” Spike tried to force a smile on his lips, but deep inside he felt something break.

Something about this moment reminded him of that dreadful night where he had to stand and watch her… fall to her death.

*****************************************

“Tara, honey, are you hurt?” Willow asked concerned, brushing her lover’s hair away from her face.

Tara smiled and nodded.

“They’re you guys are, I was afraid you were trapped under the rubble.” Dawn sighed in relief bringing her arms around Xander’s bruised neck. He hissed in pain but didn’t protest. It was good to see that little Dawnie was safe.

Spike kept his distance as he scanned the perimeter for the Slayer. His heart nearly jumped out of his chest when he realised she wasn’t there. He swallowed hard before asking:

“Where’s the Slayer?”

Everyone’s eyes became dark and sad, none of them wanting to say what had happen. Dawn unwrapped her arms from Xander’s neck and looked straight at him.

“Where’s Buffy, Xander?”

The young man’s gaze was buried in the grass under his feet.

“She didn’t make it, Dawnie…” he whispered, running his fingers through the girl’s hair.

“What do you mean?” Dawn asked in disbelief.

“She stayed behind and she wasn’t able to get out in time.” Willow said in a low voice, her eyes fixed on the ground as well. She couldn’t face the look of hurt in Dawn’s glazed eyes.

“Bollocks! She’s the Slayer, super-strength and all, people. A little rock is no match for her.” Spike refused to believe what they were telling him.

“All the tunnels caved in, there was no way out.” Xander insisted.

“Fine! You stay here and plan her funeral once more, I’ll go in there and help her out! She’s had to dig her way out of her grave once, I’m not about to let her have to go through that again!” Spike scuffed walking away.

“How are you even going in there? Everything caved in!” Xander shouted after him.

“I’ll find my way.” Spike answered never stopping or looking back.

“I’m going with you.” Dawn said running after the vampire.

“Dawn, you can’t you’ll get hurt.” Xander protested running after the young teenager.

“I don’t care, she’s my sister and I-“

“Little bit, listen to me.” Spike cut her off, pushing a strand of tussled hair behind Dawn’s small ear. “I don’t much care for the whelp here, but I must admit that, this time, he’s right. You better stay behind.”

“But-“

“I’ll bring her back, I promise.” He whispered, placing a soft kiss on her forehead and walking away.

****************************************

“BUFFY!!!!” Spike yelled off the top of his lungs for the 100th time that night. His voice was hoarse and his body begged for a much-needed cup of warm blood and a peaceful hour of sleep, but yet he continued his search relentlessly.

He had been digging for hours with his our hands and nothing. He hadn’t been able to find a way under the rubble. He looked up at the sky. The sun threatened to rear its ugly beams as the deep blue of the heavens gave into a fiery yellow.

“Buffy!!” he was getting frustrated and kicked a rock that stood at his feet.

To his amazement, the stone moved to reveal a small entrance to the underground. With newfound hope, he crawled his way through the small opening.

As he landed on the floor and his eyes adjusted to the darkness he realised he was in yet another poorly illuminated tunnel. To his left the ceiling had caved in, which made his choice quite easy. “I guess I’ll take right, for 100.” He joked to himself.

He walked quickly along the frail tunnel, which threatened to fall at any second when a familiar smell invaded his nostrils. “Blood!” he thought out loud.

Instinctively, his game face overcame his soft human features as he sniffed the air, trying to pinpoint where the scent came from. The moment he realised it came from the far end of the tunnel he increased his pace and eventually ended up running, until he reached a dead end. The ceiling had also caved in at this side of the passageway.

“Bugger!” he cursed under his breath when suddenly another familiar aroma caused his nostrils to flare up. “Mango.” He breathed.

It was Buffy’s new perfume, the one that had intoxicated him just days ago in her kitchen. He closed his eyes as the images of her in that sundress, leaning against the fridge and batting her long eyelashes at him flashed in front of his eyes. That seemed so long ago, a lifetime ago.

He shook away the memory and concentrated on figuring his way around the barrier of rubble that separated him from his Slayer. Silently, he thanked whatever gods the fact that he was a vampire. Without his enhanced smelling ability he would have never have found her.

He examined the rocks in front of him and tried to move one. When he did, the entire wall of debris growled in protest. He immediately retracted his hand and put aside the idea of digging his was through the wreckage.

“Ah…” he heard a strangled cry from the other side of the wall.

“Buffy?” he breathed recognizing the Slayer’s voice. “Buffy!” This time he shouted.

Uncontrolled and ignoring the roaring and threats of the tunnel around him, he began to move the rocks in front of him at a frenetic pace until he had dug a small hole in the wall. He squeezed his way through it and was now in another compartment.

It was pitch dark and he couldn’t see anything, even with his game face on. He had no choice but to rely on his vampire instincts. He smelled the thick air in the room and soon he could pinpoint the exact spot where the Slayer was. He stumbled his way to her, falling over a few dead bodies on his way. As he approached her, he could hear her weak and shallow breathing. His blindly outstretched hands landed on the Slayer’s arms. Spike heard her moan in pain as his fingers connected with a thick liquid that covered her skin. He didn’t need to resort to his vampire instincts to understand that it was blood.

“Buffy…” he whispered as his hand sightlessly travelled up her shoulder, pass her neck and rested over her cheek. “Buffy!” he insisted when she didn’t answer.

Suddenly the room restarted its roaring. It was clear that because of the opening he had dug, the wall would soon give in and collapse.

“Buffy, wake up. We have to go.” He pushed her gently, trying to bring her back to reality, but she simply moaned.

Seeing he had no choice, he slid his arms under her neck and her knees and scooped her up. Slowly he moved through the piles of bodies scattered across the floor of the room and reached the small passageway.

“Buffy, you gotta wake up now, pet.” He called once more. There was no way he could simply push her body through the narrow hole.

The wall growled once more and Spike felt his heart nearly jump out of his chest.

“Buffy…” he paused to push back the tears. “I need you to wake up, luv!” he begged, lightly patting his fingers over her cheek.

No answer.

He took a deep breath and whispered:

“Come on, Goldilocks!”

At the sound of her pet name, Buffy stirred.

“That’s it, wake up. Come on, I need you to stay with me, just for a second.” The vampire encouraged the weak girl.

“Spike?” she spoke in a faltering voice.

“I’m here.”

“I-I… Where am I?”

Spike didn’t have time to answer as the sound of rocks falling inside the compartment was heard.

“I’ll explain later. Now I need you to go through this passage.”

Buffy frowned and stared at the place where his voice came from. It was pitch black in the entire room, except for a dim light coming from a small hole in the wall. She felt someone push her in the direction of the brightness and she forced her tired body to creep and crawl its way to it. When she reached it, she pulled herself up and squeezed herself through the small passage.

The moment she reached the other side she slumped to the floor and lost consciousness once more. Spike quickly followed her out of the cave and was met by the gruelling sight of a badly bruised and thrashed Slayer. He swallowed hard as he noticed the deep gash in her arm, from which thick blood still pooled down to her shoulder. Her jeans were also bathed in the red liquid and Spike questioned himself if it all came from her arm or if she had yet another wound in her legs.

His eyes then travelled to her sweet face and what he saw made him catch an unneeded breath. She had a long cut that ran along her forehead and stopped inches away from her right eyes.

He stood there and contemplated her for a while until he noticed her heartbeat slowdown to a frightening pace. She had lost too much blood, he had to take her to a hospital as soon as possible. Unceremoniously, he picked her up once more and ran down the tunnel. His game face came forth to help him see in the dim light.

Finally he reached the small opening he had weaselled his way through minutes before. He caught his breath when he saw a bright ray of sunlight shine through the entrance. He fell to his knees in desperation, the tears now ran freely down his soft and marbled skin as he looked upon an unconscious Buffy in his arms.

It was now his turn to curse the gods for his demonic nature. There was nothing he could do. If he tried to get her through the opening he would be dust and she wouldn’t have anyone to take her to the hospital. If he stayed there and waited for night to fall she would probably die.

The thought of loosing her brought a terrible numbness to his entire body. In a second, all the moments he had spent mourning her death that terrible summer assaulted him. He couldn’t go through that again. He couldn’t lose her, not again.

“Buffy… Luv… you have to wake up again.” He begged her, running his index finger over her cheekbones.

She stirred slowly, but didn’t open her eyes.

“Buffy…” he whispered bringing his lips to rest on her forehead and squeezing his eyes tightly shut as the numbness disappeared and desperation and pain settled in. He felt his throat tighten as he realised how cold her skin was.

“Spike…” she breathed quietly.

He was startled by the sound of her voice.

“Hey there…” he greeted her with a forced smile.

“What’s wrong?” she asked as she saw the tears streaming down his face. “Dawn!”

She called out and tried to stand up. He pulled her close and reassured her:

“She’s fine. She’s with Xander and the others. The-They’re all ok.” He paused, trying to push down the lump in his throat and then continued with the same fake joy: “I guess you saved the world once again.”

Buffy smiled weakly and let her heavy eyelids fall for a while before opening them once more.

“That’s me, hero-gall.” Her voice was weak and it was clear time was running out.

As the thought sank in, a new wave of tears came flooding down his face.

“Spike…” she whispered, her eyes closed once more. “I’m so tired.”

“I know luv.” He forced the words out between sobs.

She opened her eyes to look at him, she knew what was to come.

“I’m sorry.” She breathed.

“What for?” he asked a bit startled.

“I should h-have…” she took one deep breath and tried hard to keep from drifting into sleep. “told you.”

“What, pet?” he ran his hands through her hair as he waited for her to speak.

“I-I…” her eyelids became to heavy to keep open, but she forced them up anyway. “I miss you…” she paused and them continued: “…when you’re not there… I miss you.”

Spike sat there in silence as his heart was tossed around between utter joy and heart wrenching pain.

In one last effort, she brought her hand to rest of his cheek and stared up at him: “I’ll miss you’re face.” She breathed and smiled one last time as darkness finally took over her and her hand fell lifeless over her chest.

“No, Buffy, please don’t!” he cried out as the sound of her heartbeat faded and her body became limp and inert. “Luv, please wake up.” Sob. “Please, I can’t go through this again.” Sob. “Not again. Please don’t go.”

She lay motionless in his arms, her chest no longer rising and falling, her body like a dead carcass.

“Buffy!” he cried out in desperation as he saw her slip away.

Part XIX - Islands of Hope

Title: Inhuman Hearts

Pairing: B/S

Rating of the entire story: NC-17

Rating of this part: PG-13

Spoiler: Up to Normal Again.

Disclamer: I don't own them. Not mine.



Part XIX - Islands of Hope

Author's Note: First off, let me thank all of you who reviewed this story as you read it. I really appreciate it. It really helps to get me out of those write's blockage!!! THANKS YOU GUYS ARE GREAT!!!!

Second - The title once more comes from a song. This time it's Sarah McLachlan's I Love You: Love You

I have a smile
stretched from ear to ear
to see you walking down the road

we meet at the lights
I stare for a while
the world around disappears

just you and me
on this island of hope
a breath between us could be miles

let me surround you
my sea to your shore
let me be the calm you seek

oh and every time I'm close to you
there's too much I can't say
and you just walk away

and I forgot
to tell you
I love you
and the night's
too long
and cold here
without you
I grieve in my condition
for I cannot find the strength to say I need you so

oh and every time I'm close to you
there's too much I can't say
and you just walk away

and I forgot
to tell you
I love you
and the night's
too long
and cold here
without you


Spike was snapped out of his suffering by the sound of his name. It started out as a faint whisper and it gradually grew into a strangled cry.

“The whelp.” Spike finally identified the voice.

“Xander!” he shouted. “Down here!”

“Spike, are you in there?” Xander’s voice came from the opening.

The vampire’s fingers immediately came to rest on Buffy’s neck. He waited a second and… there it was! A weak and almost imperceptible pulse, but it was there. Carefully, he stood up, lifting Buffy’s limp body.

“Xander, I’ve got Buffy, but she’s hurt pretty bad. You need to get her to a hospital.” Spike explained. “I’ll push her up, but you’ll have to pull her.”

“Ok.” Xander promptly agreed outstretching his arms.

Soon enough he felt something at the tip of his fingers. He identified it as Buffy’s wrists as he grabbed a hold of them and pulled her up. When she was safely out of the tunnels Xander brought his hand down once more offering it to Spike.

Skulking in the shadows, Spike felt a pang in his chest. He swallowed hard before speaking.

“I can’t go.” He paused. “The sunlight.”

“Oh.” Xander realised retracting his hand.

“Take her to the hospital.” Spike order weakly.

He heard the shuffle of feet and added: “Something happens to her, I’ll come for you. Chip or no chip.”

Xander nodded, even though he knew the vampire couldn’t see him.

Underground, Spike sighed and secretly prayed the whelp could get her to help in time.

***************************************

Buffy squinted as the artificial light burned her sensitive eyes.

“Hey, Buffester!”

She heard Xander’s familiar voice and forced her eyes to focus. Various smiling faces greeted her.

“Buffy?” Dawn whispered.

Buffy turned to see her sister sitting on the right side of the bed. She tried to reach for her, but an excruciating pain, coming from her arm, travelled at lightning speed through her entire body.

“Don’t move, you still haven’t completely recovered from that arm.” Dawn explained.

Buffy smiled, it was good to have her sister boss her around for a change. Slowly, everyone approached the bed and the Slayer was able to recognise their faces.

“Hey.” Willow greeted.

Behind the Wicca, at the foot of the bed, stood Tara, smiling sweetly. To the Slayer’s left, closer to her stood Anya and Xander.

“How long have I been out?” Buffy finally asked.

“Three days.” Anya promptly answered.

“There goes my job at the DP.” The Slayer protested with a light smile.

“Don’t worry, we called in and said we would replace you, free of charge, as long as they let you keep you’re job when you got better.” Willow said proudly.

“Thanks, Willow, you’re the greatest.”

“You’re welcome.”

“The doctors are really amazed at your recovery. They say you’ll be out in a couple of days.” Dawn told her sister with a huge smile.

“Gotta love those Slayer healing powers.” Buffy joked, but the strain of laughing brought on another surge of pain.

A knock at the door was heard and a woman dressed in white and wearing a stethoscope around her neck entered.

“So how’s my super patient doing? Awake, I see.” The woman smiled and made her way to the bed. “Hi, I’m Dr. Katherine Ballard.”

“Hey.” Buffy greeted.

“How are you feeling?”

“I feel a little light headed.” She complained.

“That’s normal. You lost a lot of blood and along with the drugs for the pain in your arm it’ll make you kinda woozy. Don’t worry, it’ll pass.” She smiled and then turned to the rest of the people in the room and continued: “Well you guys, I think it’s best to let Miss Summers rest for a while, don’t you.”

Everyone nodded and started saying their goodbyes.

“We’ll see you tomorrow, Buffy.” Dawn said before closing the door behind her.

*************************************

Buffy paced around the living room; her hand rested of her still sore right arm. On the couch, It entertained himself by closely following the Slayer’s moves, which meant he just sat there moving only his neck from left to right. His eyes never left her figure, not even when a knock on the door was heard.

“Hey, Dawnie!” Anya greeted handing the young teenager a bottle of red wine.

“Hey, Anya!” Dawn replied as she gave Xander a quick peck on the cheek.

“Man, it’s cold out here.” Willow said as she followed Xander and Anya into the house.

“I know. It doesn’t even seem like Summer, huh?” Dawn chatted taking Tara’s coat and hanging it up in the closet.

“How’s she doing?” Willow asked politely.

“Apparently trying to dig a whole in the living room floor.” Xander joked, not giving Dawn a chance to answer.

“She’s been doing that since we came back from the hospital.” Dawn whispered.

“Huh?” suddenly Buffy seemed to snap out of her trance.

“Nothing. Just saying that - big circle in your living room floor” Xander pointed to the floor under Buffy’s feet and continued “could always become a fashion statement. You never know.” He smiled seeing the confused look on his friend’s face and decided to let the subject go. “So, how’s my favourite hero doing?”

“Fine. I’m still a bit knackered though.” Buffy answered.

“Knackered? Since when do you say knackered?” Xander asked.

Before she could answer, Dawn intervened, seeing her sister’s face become bright red.

“Xander, could you come to the bathroom with me? We seem to have some trouble with the plumbing again.”

“Sure.” The man replied following the young teenager up the stairs.

Buffy sighed in relief and resumed walking around in circles.

“Pleeeease, stop. It feel sick.” It protested as his eyes pointed to the bridge of his nose and his tongue hung loosely out of his mouth.

“No one forced you to look at me all the time.” Buffy suddenly snapped.

It immediately curled up into a little ball at the sound and sight of the angry Slayer.

“Sorry.” It squealed.

Buffy ignored the demon and turned to Willow.

“So, ready for the celebration dinner?” she forced a smile on her face and moved towards the kitchen.

“Are you ok?” Willow asked her best friend as they followed Tara and Anya.

“I’m fine.” She answered weakly.

Willow decided it was best to let the subject go, but it was clear that something bothered her best friend.

*****************************************

“Don’t forget the napkins.” Anya shouted as she sat at the dinning room table.

“This looks…” Xander searched his mind for a euphemism, but when he failed to find one he settled for a big lie. “… great.”

“Really, really…” Willow stared at her plate. “…great.”

The Wicca was still trying to figure out what the mush displayed in front of her was. “It looks like fish, smells like meat and…” she ran her fork through the food and finished her thought. “has the texture and feel of a slug.” She swallowed hard at the idea that pretty soon she would have to eat that.

Tara was the first, brave enough to bring a piece of the food to her mouth. She soon cursed her valour as the most painful taste ever took over her tongue.

Everyone watched as she turned bright red and her eyes became glassy with tears.

“Hum…” she paused before she forced the lump of food pass her throat. “Yummy!”

Willow smiled compassionately at her lover before speaking:

“Where did you learn to cook, Dawn?”

“Janice has been teaching me.” The young teenager answered with a huge grin on her lips.

“Arg... This is horri- ouch!” Anya started as she spat out the food back into her plate and Xander instinctively kicked her under the table. “Xander why did you kick me?” the ex-demon asked completely unaware of the situation around her.

“Honey, remember what we talked about manners?” the young man asked with a crooked smile.

Anya simply pouted and murmured under her breath something unintelligible.

“Buffy, you haven’t eaten a thing. Dr. Ballard said you should eat.” Dawn fell into her mother/nurse role when she saw the distant look in her sister’s eyes.

“I’m not hungry.”

“More!” It shouted as he finished licking his plate. “It want more!”

“Hey, he likes it!” Dawn noticed joyfully.

“More, more, more! Moooooooooooore!” It continued to bark as he simultaneously banged the plate on the table.

“It, stop that!” Buffy screamed.

An uncomfortable silence invaded the room as everyone turned to look at the angry Slayer.

“I’m sorry, guys!” she spoke in a calmer tone. “I’m just a bit tired. I think I’ll go to bed. Goodnight.” She stood up and jogged up the stairs.

“Why doe she get to leave and not eat this-?” Anya started annoyed.

“Anya!” Xander protested.

****************************************

Buffy closed the door to her bedroom behind her and let her body slump down to the floor. Curled into the foetal position, she rested her forehead on her bony knees.

“Why do I care?” she asked herself banging her head on the door.

She sighed and stood up, walking towards the bed. She squeezed her eyes shut as images of Spike’s marbled face staring down on her assaulted her mind. She had only dim memories of what had happen after the ceiling caved in on her.

She remembered being called by her pet name, opening her eyes to meet utter darkness but strangely enough not feeling scared, just tired and sleepy. The second time her heavy eyelids lifted she saw him. His face was marred and nearly disfigured with pain as tears streamed down his white, pale cheeks.

“I’ll miss you’re face.” She had whispered before closing her eyes and the last thing she heard was her name being called out, as Spike’s grip on her tightened.

“No, Buffy, please don’t! Luv, please wake up. Please, I can’t go through this again. Not again. Please don’t go…”

Buffy squeezed her eyes shut once more as she felt her stomach turn and her throat tighten. She shook the thoughts away and prepared to go to bed when she heard a crack coming from the hall.

She walked over to the door and opened it only to find two large eyes staring up at her in fear.

“Why are you following me, It?” she tried to speak calmly.

It spread his mouth wide open in a frustrated attempt of a smile.

“It?” she threatened.

“Sorry!” he begged. “Me no tell.”

“It!” this time the small creature knew it was in trouble.

“Bad vampire tell It - Follow Slayer.” He squealed immediately.

“What?” she asked incredulous.

“He say he want to know if Slayer no more pain.”

It took a few second for Buffy to translate and incorporate the information, but when the meaning of the demon’s words sunk in she found her blood start to boil.

“That… God, I’m killing him.” She said to herself as she stormed down the stairs and out the door, completely ignoring her friends’ questions.

***********************************************

“What the HELL were you thinking?” her voice echoed through the crypt as the door slammed behind her and she made her way to the lower level.

“Hum…?” Spike mumbled as her shouting woke him from a deep sleep. “Slayer?” he squinted.

“What’s your idea of sending your, your… ET to spy on me?” she was still yelling when she reached him.

He was sprawled on the bed, naked, with only a thin sheet covering him up to his waist.

“What? Huh?” he hadn’t quite woken up yet. “What are you yapping about, woman.”

“It. Spying. On me. Under your order.” She said pointedly.

“Oh!” he murmured sitting up and rubbing his eyes.

“I almost bleed to death, you don’t even bother visiting me at the hospital but you send a slimy, skinny annoying little… thing after me? Is that it?” her eyes were flaming red, her face flushed in anger.

“I thought you didn’t want to see me. I thought that was the agreement.

“What agreement?” she asked as a frown settled over her eyes.

“You, me, wrong. Remember?” his finger travelled between him and her as he spoke. She was about to speak, but he cut her off. “Don’t worry, I’m not telling any of your chums about us.”

She exhaled sharply; why did everything always have to be so hard around him?

“It’s complicated.” She sighed.

“Oh, I know. EVERYTHING is ALWAYS complicated, innit?” he could feel the anger start to grow in his chest.

“I can’t be with you.” She said in a soft voice.

“WHY NOT?” he shouted, standing and wrapping the white sheet around his waist.

“Because…” she searched for the reasons, which was gradually becoming harder with his proximity. “Because when I’m around you I’m not the Slayer.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I’m around you and I make mistakes because of it. And I can’t protect Dawn anymore.”

“So now you’re saying that losing Dawn was my fault, is that it?” he asked annoyed.

“No.” she answered promptly. “It’s just…” she struggled with the words. “I can’t concentrate; you’re always yammering and annoying me. I lose track of my goals. I’m with you and suddenly I’m fraternizing with… with… I play poker with a demon with a skin condition. For Christ’s sake, Dawn now wants a Khind’Ara demon as a pet.” She shouted.

“It’s staying with you guys?” he asked curious.

“That’s not the point.” She retorted angrily. “You come into my life and you turn everything upside-down. Suddenly not all demons are slayable, they’re… they’re friends.”

“I just showed you the world’s not black and white. There’s always grey in the middle.” He spoke calmly.

“I don’t LIKE grey.” She shouted to his face. “I like white on this side and black on that one. No mixing. Slayer good, demon bad, Slayer kill demon.” She paused to take in a much needed breath and continued with her ranting, walking around in circles in front of him. “YOU made things complicated.” She pointed angrily at him. “You come in with your smug grin and everything goes - BOOM - just when I’ve just figured out where everything fits.” she waved her arms around like a mad man.

“All of that is my doing?”

“Yes.”

“Why don’t you pin global warming on me while you’re at it.” He mocked.

“See!” she stopped circling and pointed an accusing finger straight in his face. “There! You did it again! You just think that everything is a big joke to you.”

“What did I do?” he asked incredulously.

“You SAVED me, that’s what!!!” she barked. “Why did you do it?”

“Cause I’m bloody in love with you. I’ve told you that a million times. Bugger!” he yelled back.

“You’re a VAMPIRE, Spike! You’re not supposed to love anything!”

“Well, I do!”

She paused for a while before continuing the argument: “I really hate you.” She hissed. “I hate you for saving me, for keeping your promise and protecting Dawn, for listening to me when I came back, for ever kissing me back.” She exhaled sharply and continued shouting at a frightening rhythm. “I hate for being a vampire with a damned chip in your head, for not leaving, for coming back for me-“

“That’s gratitude.” He cut her off.

“Shut up, Spike!” she demanded. “I hate you because… because…” she struggled with the lump in her throat.

“What?”

“Because I’m in LOVE with you, DAMN IT!” She blurted out.

Part XX - Nothing's wrong... finally!

Title: Inhuman Hearts

Pairing: B/S

Rating of the entire story: NC-17

Rating of this part: NC-17

Spoiler: Up to Normal Again.

Disclamer: I don't own them. Not mine.



Part XX - Nothing's wrong... finally!

Author's Note: Well, here's the final chapter of Inhuman Heart! FINALLY! Thanks you guys who patiently waited and who reviewed my work, I really, really appreciate it! You guys are amazing!

They stood there in silence, staring at each other, none of them daring to speak.

“I better go.” Buffy suddenly uttered, nervously looking around the room, finally turning on her heels and making her way towards the stairs with ground-eating steps.

“Buffy. Wait, Stop.” Spike snapped out of his trance. He tried to follow her but the sheet kept getting in his way and eventually he fell on the floor.

************************************

Buffy ran as fast as her legs could carry her out of that cemetery. Reaching her from porch, she fiddled with the keys as she desperately tried to fit them into the keyhole. Eventually Dawn came to her aid as she opened the door.

“Buffy, where were you? We were worried sick about you.”

Buffy completely ignored her sister’s question and made her way up the stairs, taking three steps at a time.

“What’s gotten into her?” Xander asked scratching his head.

She slammed the door behind her and started walking around in circled in front of her bed.

“Oh my God, I said it!” she thought out loud. “I said it. I can’t believe I said it.”

She could feel her heart racing in her chest, her breathing was erratic and she anxiously snapped her fingers against the palm of her cold hand.

“Where is she?” Spike asked as he came in the house.

“What did you do to her?” Xander immediately stepped in.

Spike ignored him and started to make his way up the stairs when the young man blocked his passage.

“You’re not going anywhere.” Xander spoke arrogantly.

“If you don’t get your ugly mug out of my face I swear I’ll bash your teeth in.” Spike hissed, but Xander didn’t give any sign of backing down. “Whelp, I’m warning you.”

“I don’t know what you did to her, but I’m not letting you hurt her anymore.”

“Hurt her? I’m in love with her, you bleeding brainless twit.” Spike replied angrily.

“Ha! In love with her.” Xander laughed out loud. “You-“ he wasn’t able to finish his sentence as Spike’s fist connected with his face.

“Ouch!” the young man cried out in pain as his hand rested on his bleeding nose.

Spike was so wound up he barely felt the jolt of pain that came from the chip in the back of his head as he continued his way up the stairs.

“Willow, do something.” Xander protested. When the Wicca didn’t move he turned to Dawn, but the young teenager simply crossed her arms, raised her chin and said nonchalantly:

“Don’t look at me, you’ve been asking for it, buddy.”

********************************************

Buffy jumped up as the door to her bedroom burst open. In front of her stood Spike; his hair tussled and his chest rising and falling at an even more frenetic pace than her own.

“Buffy…” he finally whispered taking a step towards her.

She responded by taking one back.

“Buffy…” he breathed again. One more step and she moved closer to bed, away from him. “We…” he couldn’t even form a straight sentence as her words still echoed in his head and in his ears.

“Spike…” she struggled with the words, taking a deep breath.

“Luv, we need to talk.” He was able to say closing the distance between them.

“There is no- ouch!” as she tried to move away she stumbled at the edge of her bed and nearly fell flat on the floor. Nervously, she straightened her clothes, frenetically running her hands over them. “There’s nothing to talk about!” she stated matter-of-factly, praying he would just let the subject go.

“What?! What do you mean ‘there’s nothing to talk about’? Buffy, you said you-“

“I didn’t say anything. I-I was…” she searched her mind and finally came up with an excuse. “confused and-and angry.”

Spike stared at her in disbelief.

“Can you just forget about it?” she tilted her head slightly to the side staring at him with pleading eyes.

“Forget it?! You can’t just say what you said and expect me to forget about.” It took all of his strength no to close the distance between them, grab her and kiss her.

“Why not?” she pouted, frenetically trying to hide her shaking hands from him.

“Why?!” he repeated astonished. “Because… Bec-Because you… Do you have any idea of how many times I’ve dreamt about this? Do you?”

“I have to think about this. I-I can’t th-think w-when you’re too close.” She stuttered nervously outstretching her arm took keep the distance between them, but when she realized how much she was shaking she immediately recoiled it placing her hand on her forehead. “I-I can’t do… I c-can’t… DAMMIT!” she yelled frustrated at her jumpiness. “I can’t do this right now, Spike.”

She stood and looked at him, her mind racing and her heart pounding against the walls of her chest. In the air, the only thing that cut the silence were the shallow and short gulps of air coming from both of them.

“I’m sorry.” She finally whispered.

Spike’s face fell as he listened to her. For some strange reason he felt he the need to breathe, but couldn’t as someone tightly clutched his chest.

“What?” he finally managed to ask.

“I-I… Why are you making this so hard?” she cried out, stomping her right foot on the wooden floor.

“Fine! I’ll make it easier. Tell me you don’t love me.” He ordered. He stared at her with maddening pain and desperation in his eyes.

“I-“ she started to speak but he cut her off.

“Tell me you don’t love me and I’ll leave. I’ll leave your house, this city; I’ll even leave the bloody country if you want. Just say it!” he cried out with a faltering voice as he waved his arms around.

Silence crept around them once more but Spike soon broke it with a whisper:

“It’s the only way you’ll ever get me out of this room. I’ll leave if you tell me you don’t love me.” He stared at her like a defendant awaiting the sentence that will change his life.

“I…” she breathed, preparing herself but when the words came out of her mouth there was no sign of hesitation. “I don’t!”

He stood there, his eyes blank, a sense of numbness taking over him. But it didn’t last, soon an excruciating pain that started in his gut and gradually spread all over him replaced it. Centuries went by before he could get his body to obey his command. He pressed his lips together and gave her a slight nod. All his efforts focused on not allowing the tears that welled up in his eyes to stream down his face as he turned around to leave.

She felt a pang in her chest as she saw him turn to leave. In a blink of an eye she was in front of him blocking his passage.

“No!”

“Buffy, I can’t be around you anymore!” he tried to speak calmly but failed miserably at it as anger and pain seeped into his voice and the tears rolled down his chiselled face. “Just hurts too much, I-“

“I don’t…” she tried to explain what she had meant looking up at him. “…want you to leave.”

He stared at her and was about to speak but she stopped him, bringing her mouth to his. He was stunned for a second, but at the feel of her body crushed against his and her wet tongue running across the edge of his lips he gave into the powerful turmoil of emotion that the kiss turned inside him.

The kissing intensified as hands came into play. Spike ran his fingers over her shoulder, down her naked arms until they rested softly on her waist. There he tugged at the shirt, pulling it out of her jeans and snaking his hand under the cotton fabric. The tips of his long finger hover over the sensitive skin around her navel and a giggle escaped the Slayer’s lips. He continued teasing her and she was forced to bring her hand over his.

“That tickles.” She breathed; a babyish smile dancing on her lips as she rested her forehead on his cool lips.

Her hands abandoned his and travelled the small space between their bodies to play with the buttons of his shirt. She looked up into his eyes as she began to undress him. In seconds the red fabric was on the floor and she turned her attention to the tight black t-shirt that covered his chest.

****************************************

“You guys are just gonna sit down here and continued playing Scrabble like nothing’s happening?” Xander asked in disbelief, looking at the four women and the funny looking demon that sat around the table.

“That’s the plan.” Willow shrugged.

“Me eat piece now?” It begged looking at Dawn wide-eyed.

“No, It! You can’t eat them.” Dawn told him for the fifth time that night and It inevitably pouted.

“You guys are unbelievable. I’m going up there.” Xander protested stomping out of the room.

“Xander Harris, you take one more step towards those stairs and your nose won’t be the only thing bleeding!” Anya warned him, her eyes never leaving the small square pieces in front of her.

Xander stopped dead in his tracks and turned to face his ex-demon.

“I’m Buffy’s friend, I’m-“ he started but Tara cut him off.

“Annoying!”

Everyone stopped and turned to look at the Wicca.

“What? It’s my word.” She explained setting the pieces on the cardboard with an unusual wicked smile.

*****************************************

“Ah!” Buffy moaned as he sluggishly traced the edge of her panties. She opened her eyes to see him hovering naked over her.

His index finger moved over her leg and dove into the valley between her thighs, but refused to breach the sanctity of her underwear. With a feather-like touch, he moved over the damp cotton fabric.

She bucked her hips towards his hands in a desperate attempt to increase the pressure and to her amazement he didn’t pull back. The connection between his fingers and her swollen clit sent a shock of electricity through her entire body.

“Ah!” she cried out.

He smiled at her. It never ceased to amaze him the effect he had on her and he wondered why it had taken her so long to realise they were meant to be.

Without warning, he pushed her panties aside and slid one long finger into her heat.

Her eyes popped open and she was about to say something, but when she felt him move in and out of her she lost all ability to speak and all she could do was moan and thrust her hips into his hand.

Never stopping his ministrations, his bent down and plundered her mouth. With every bit as much intensity and hunger she responded, prying his lips apart with her tongue to explore.

Instinctively, her hand found the dark nest of curls between his legs and she wrapped her long fingers around his swollen member.

“God!” Spike breathed into her mouth.

He could feel her lips against his mouth curling up into a cocky smile. He broke the kiss and looked at her.

“Tease!” the word barely escaped his lips as she moved her small hand up and down his cock at a steady rhythm. “Ah!”

Knowing he was close, he reluctantly pushed her hand away from him and travelled down her body, bringing with him the last item of clothing she had on. When he reached her calves, he reversed direction and began trailing soft kisses up her leg, her dimpled knees and her outer thigh.

Buffy’s breathing came in quick and short pants as anticipation took over her senses. With her eyes tightly shut, she could feel every soft peck he placed on her leg as he moved to the inside of her thigh. He was taking too long and she decided he needed a little encouragement, so she entangled her finger in his tussled hair and pulled him towards her centre. He obeyed and his lips now grazed over her soaked lower lips. Gently he pushed her legs apart and cupped her cheeks to gain better access and then he waited.

Buffy pried her eyes open and looked down on him. Between her legs, hovering just a bit over her dark curls was his bleached head, his gazed falling on her face. The sight of him in that position only served to heighten her desire and she found herself begging him: “Please… Please…”

“Tell me what you want.” He whispered. The cold hair coming fro his lips grazed over her soaked lips and it sent a bolt of electricity over her entire body. She arched her back off the mattress and pushed his face towards her aching centre, but this time he didn’t budge and he repeated: “Tell me what you want, luv."

“I-I want you…” she breathed looking down on him.

“You want me to what, pet?” he teased.

“You know what I want, Spike…”

“Enlighten me.” He continued to provoke her.

“I-I can’t say it…” she pouted.

“You don’t say it, I won’t do it.” He looked up at her. God, she looked gorgeous from that point of view. Two lustful eyes looking down on him between two perfectly shaped breasts. He didn’t know how long he could keep teasing her like this.

“I want you… Spike, please don’t make me say it.” She begged, but when she saw the determination in his eyes she knew she had no choice. “I want you to… kiss me… down there.”

“Smart chit, but you’re not getting off that easy.” He thought to himself and leaned into her and gave her a quick peck on her outer lips.

Buffy groaned in protest.

“Spike, please.”

“You said a kiss, I gave you one, luv.” A devilish smile crept over his lips.

“I want you to…” “God, I can’t believe I’m saying this” “…lick me… down there.”

“That’s my girl.” Was the last thing she heard him say, even if he had said anything else she wouldn’t have heard it, she was lost in ecstasy as his mouth ravaged her hot centre.

After tracing her tortuous contours of her lips he focussed all his ministrations on her clit. First curling his tongue around it, then lightly nibbling it and finally sucking in into his mouth as his tongue quickly ran over the swollen bud of nerves.

Buffy shut her eyes, arching her back off the mattress, violently thrusting her hips into his face as an intense orgasm seemed to consume her. With her head thrown back, her hands frantically searched for something to grab a hold of and finally they settled on the sheet that covered her bed. She pulled at the white fabric with all her might as a series of waves washed over her. It seemed to take forever, but eventually she came down from her moment of pure bliss and when she finally opened her eyes she saw his beautiful face hovering over her.

He reached out his hand, cupping her jaw and lightly running his thumb over her flushed cheek. Slowly, he bent down and placed a chaste kiss on her lips, but if wasn’t chaste for long. Soon she was clutching the back of his head in her hand and pulling him into a passionate battle of tongues.

The intensity of her desire overwhelmed him and he struggled to keep his demon face in check as he felt her nails dig into the skin on his back. Cat like, she snaked her legs around his thighs and cupped his ass in her hands pushing him down into her inviting heat. It took all of his strength and willpower not to thrust into her.

“Say it.” He looked at her with begging eyes. She stood there in silence with a cryptic gaze, so he supplicated once more. “I need to hear you say it.”

She never broke her tormenting silence as she placed a kiss on his lips and returned her head to the pillow to gaze up at him. Spike felt a pang in his chest as he realised she didn’t have the strength to say it. His eyes began to well up once, but he pushed the tears back and gave her a forced smile. He dropped his head to her neck and began to mechanically kiss the soft skin under her earlobe when he heard it. It was a faint whisper, but it was there and it was impossible for his vampire senses not to pick it up.

“I love you, Spike…”

He slowly raised his eyes to meet hers. He found her sweetly smiling at him. He had seen that smile so many times, but it had never been directed at him. He brought a hand to her face and brushed a rebellious string of hair away from her perfect face.

“I love you so much, Buffy Summers.” He whispered before bending down for a kiss.

Slowly he lowered his hips to hers, easing himself into her inviting centre. Buffy drew a sharp breath at the intensity of the moment. The emotions that his lovemaking to her stirred inside her were only rivalled by the ones she’d felt in that perfect place, in heaven. But that memory seemed so ancient and dimmed in that instant. Suddenly it dawned on her, for the first time since she’s come back, she had looked back on her ethereal experience without felling lost and broken inside. The realisation brought a smile on her face.

“What? Something wrong?” he asked concerned, stopping immediately and hovering over her.

“Nothing’s wrong… finally.” She whispered encouraging him to move inside of her.

Slowly he resumed pulling in and out of her in long, smooth stokes. His lips found hers for a passionate kiss, while his hands travelled down from her shoulders to caress her entire body. They completely ignored the loud protesting of the bed as it squealed in pain under their burden and the headboard was mercilessly banged against the wall of the room.

Buffy could feel the energy build up inside her, the intensity of their emotions becoming too over whelming as they truly made love for the first time.

“Spike!” she cried out as her orgasm washed over her body, causing her inner muscles to contract and clamp around him.

He pulled in and out of her one more time before joining her in ecstasy. It seemed to take forever, but when they came down from their orgasms, Spike was laying on top of her and Buffy had her arms wrapped around the emotionally knocked-out vampire.

***********************************

“Oh my God!” Xander cried out, standing up as he heard the strange noise coming from upstairs. “He’s trying to kill her.”

“Oh, he’s killing her alright…” Anya sighed envious of the Slayer. She had gone too long without any. Ever since she had made up with Xander they had always been in death threatening situations, which meant - no sex. She pouted at the thought.

“I wish I would die like that.” Willow spoke hopefully.

“Really?” Tara asked with a serious look on her face.

“Oh-oh! No-no, not in that way. In-in a happy way, you know. In a with you way and-and so not in a with a guy way.” Willow desperately tried to explain herself, she really didn’t want to lose Tara, not again. She sighed in relief when she saw the edges of her lover’s lips curl up into a sweet smile.

**************************************

“Hum!” Buffy sighed, resting her head on Spike’s marble chest. “This is good!” she drooled the words, running her index finger over the contour of his abdominal muscles. “Why didn’t I think of this earlier?”

“Think of what, luv?” Spike asked.

She turned to face him with her trademark smile and answered:

“Telling you I love you.”

Spike could swear he felt his heart beat that time. He still hadn’t gotten used to hearing her say it. He felt he was living a dream… “Hell, I am living a dream!” he thought.

“Really?” he smiled at her.

“Really. You get all…” her hand stopped caressing his belly and travelled south. “…pointy.” She finished her sentence.

“So, you only told me you love me so I’d get… pointy.”

“Yeah.” She said matter-of-factly. “Why else would I say it?”

In a blink of an eye, she was laying on the bed, crushed under his weight.

“Don’t even joke about that, Slayer!” he warned her. His face was as serious as a heart attack.

She looked up at him and smiled.

“Boy, I guess I found your sensitive spot, haven’t I.”

“You ARE my sensitive spot.” He stated without any hesitation.

They stared at each other for a while in silence, until he broke it.

“Say it.” He looked at her with pleading eyes.

“I love you.” She whispered.

“God, Buffy, I love you!” he breathed before crushing her mouth with his.

Slowly he manoeuvred his way between her legs and prepared to enter her, when she pushed him off of her.

“No. No more… pointy Spike.” She sat up on the bed, covering her chest with the sheet and pointed at his swollen member.

“But I thought you liked…” with vampire speed he grabbed her by her arms and once more he was laying on top of her. “…pointy Spike.” He finished his sentence placing himself at the edge of her entrance.

“Spike, we have to go downstairs. I thought you wanted me to tell my friends and Dawn about us.”

He looked down on her and pouted like a child that doesn’t get to eat its desert.

“Ok, fine! Just one more.” She warned him.

“Four!” Spike tried to bargain.

“Four? No way!” she flung her head from side to side to emphasise her resolve.

“Yes way.” He spoke in a child like tone. “Puity puisssss.”

“Two.”

“Three.”

“Two.”

“Three.”

“Spike!”

“Two and a half.”

“Two and a half? How do you make two and a half?” she asked confused.

“You have a lot of things to learn, luv.” He smiled at her wickedly.

*****************************************

“Finally!” Xander ran towards the Slayer who was coming down the stairs, with Spike following her close behind. “Are you ok? What did he do? Did he hurt you? Do you want me to beat him up for you?”

“Xander? What?” she looked around a bit confused.

“Well?”

“Yes. None of your business. No. And a very bug NO on that last one. No one’s beating him up except me.” She answered.

“Huh?” Xander ran after her into the living room like a lost little puppy, but she ignored him.

Buffy breathed in sharply. This was probably one of the most difficult things she would ever have to do in her life.

“Dawn!” she called out to her sister.

“Hey, Buffy.” The young teenager gleefully greeted, her eyes never leaving the cardboard on the centre of the table.

“Can you come here for a second?”

“What for?”

“I need to talk to you. In private.” Buffy begged.

“About what?”

“Dawn!”

“Is it about you and Spike doing the wild thing for mouths now and finally deciding to share the news with the rest of us, mere mortals.” Dawn asked matter-of-factly.

Buffy chocked at her sister’s words.

“You know?”

“Spike and Buffy what?” Xander asked astonished.

“Of course. We all do.” Dawn announced.

“Spike, how could you!” she yelled.

“Hey, I didn’t say a word.”

Realising he was telling the truth she turned to…

“Tara?”

“Oh, no-no. I-I didn’t say anything. No-not a word. I swear.” Tara tried to explain.

“Who and who is doing the what?” Xander continued to question, trapped in his own little world of make believe.

“Then how?”

“Well, we’re not dumb, blind or deaf.” Dawn began.

“Specially not deaf!” Anya emphasised, pointing at the ceiling.

“Oh!” Buffy managed to say as it dawned on her.

“Oh, it wasn’t today. I’ve known it for centuries. You guys are really bad at keeping secrets.”

“So you all know?” Spike finally spoke.

“All, even It.” Dawn began to answer, when she finally noticed the hysterical man next to her.

“Buffy and Spike? Spike and Buffy are-“

“Well, all except for Xander. He just refused to come down from his fantasy world.” Dawn explained.

“Me more smart that dumb Xander.” It squealed joyfully.

“Buffy and Spike have been doing what?”

“You know, honey, that thing we love to do. Well, used to do. We haven’t done it in a really, really, really long time. You know, the thing you don’t like me mentioning in public! The S-E-X.” Anya, gently caressed her lover’s back.

“Anya, we can all read and write. I don’t think the spelling trick is going to work on us.” Willow offered.

“Oh, sorry!” Anya apologized.

“You… and you have what?” Xander’s index finger frenetically alternated between pointing at the vampire and the Slayer.

“Don’t worry, I’m sure it’s not permanent.” Willow spoke.

“Yeah, he gets this way when he gets too surprised. Once, he were doing the… thing, and I pushed my finger into-“

“ANYA!” Xander cut her off, snapping out of his trance.

“Yeah, please, spare us the gruelling details.” Spike begged with a cocky grin.

“I think I’m gonna be sick.” Xander said resting his hand over his stomach and crunching up his face in disgust.

“Honey, are you ok?” Anya asked, seemingly concerned. “Oh, please don’t be sick.”

“I’ll be fine once I get home. Let’s go.” Xander said as he made his way out of the Summers residence.

Anya quickly followed him out, but not before grabbing her coat and shouting after him:

“Does that mean we get to have sex tonight?!”

“ANYA!” Xander’s angry voice was heard from the front porch.

“I guess not…” the ex-demon grumbled under her breath, dragging her feet as she exited the house.

“You think he’ll be ok?” Buffy asked concerned.

“Oh, the whelp will be fine. Just give him time.” Spike reassured her putting his arm around her shoulder.

A thundering silence settled in the air, as they all stared at the new couple. It just seemed so odd to see them so close and… not punching each other senseless. Dawn was the one to break the awkwardness.

“So, you guys in for a game on scrabble?”

“Yes!” Buffy immediately answered, relieved someone had actually spoken.

Hurriedly she made her way to the table. She stopped dead in her tracks when she realised there was only one chair vacant. Spike easily noticed her discomfort. She wasn’t ready just yet to show too much intimacy in front of the gang. He understood and quickly offered:

“Hum, I’ll get a chair from the kitchen.” With slumped shoulders he turned around to leave.

“No, Spike.” He heard Buffy’s voice and turned around. “You can sit here. I’ll sit on your lap. That’s, if you don’t mind.”

Spike’s face immediately lit put and he jogged his way to the table, offering his knee as a chair to Buffy.

“So, how do you play this thing?” the vampire asked, gently running his hand over Buffy’s lower back.

“Easy. We give seven pieces to each player. Each piece has a letter written on it. See?” Willow began to explain, showing the small squares to the vampire. “The goal of the game is to-“

“Oh, I know this. Clem has this game. He made me play once.”

“Clem? Really?” Buffy asked.

“Yep. So, what are we waiting for?” Spike asked rubbing his hand together. “I’m real jammy at this game.”

“You’re what?” Buffy turned to face the vampire. “Let’s get this straight. No British slang is allowed. No fags, whelp, bugger, bollocks, none of those count as words. Just good old fashion American lingo.”

“That’s not bloody fair.” Spike protested.

“I don’t care. You’re out numbered, buddy.” Buffy grinned wildly at the pouting vampire.

“Hey, Dawn, there are pieces missing.” Willow noticed as she handed out the smalls squares to everyone.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, I check everywhere.” Willow explained.

“But, I-“ Dawn looked around. Something… no someone was missing. “IT!” she yelled.

“Yesssss.” A shy squeal was heard from the dark corner of the living room.

“Come here.” Dawn ordered.

The small demon obeyed, hopping his way to her.

“Did you eat the pieces?”

“Noooooooo!” It drooled, frenetically moving his head from side to side.

“It, don’t lie to me.” Dawn warned.

“No, me no eat. Me- hick!” the demon immediately placed a scrawny hand over his mouth as an onslaught of hiccups came over him.

Seeing the young teenager’s serious glance, the demon caved in and his eyes drifted to the floor as he nervously shuffled his feet.

“Me, sorry!”

“Ah, It!” Dawn moaned in protest.



THE END