Chapter 6

These demons were different from any Buffy had dealt with before. Larger than the average maybe standing seven feet tall and their skin was a pale gray with red vein like streaks covering them. All three of them seemed to be moving in a weird synchronization. On their faces where eyes should have been was just a thin slit that seemed to glow with an angry green light. The nearest one was holding an axe, the other two were devoid of weapons but somehow Buffy didn't think that would hinder them very much.

Buffy felt that familiar odd combination of fear and excitement as she let the slayer in her take over.

"God rude much?" she asked them loudly. She moved to stand by the opposite side of the bed. She searched the room trying to scout the best way to take them. She heard a low growl next to her as she watched Spike slowly take to his feet. The room itself was too tiny for a decent fight to take place and Buffy knew that hand-to-hand fighting against the ax-wielding demon wasn't going to be very easy in such cramped quarters. Thinking quickly, she started to back against the far wall trying to give herself enough room to make her move.

"Well since you're here.... what the hell do you want?"

The lead creature raised a thick finger at her. "Slayer," it rasped.

"Less than twenty four hours and people already know I'm here. I'm touched. Look Spike, my own welcoming committee."

Spike doubted that these guys were just going to leave if he asked them politely and to tell the truth he was kind of glad they weren't. That was a bloody great kiss they had interrupted and now he was brassed off. A slow evil smirk spread across his lips.

"Damn considerate if you ask me pet. Why don't we thank them properly?" Spike caught her nod out of the corner of his eye not letting the demon trio out of his sight for a second.

At her nod, both moved with a fluid grace. Buffy vaulted over the bed tucking into a roll going between the first and third demon and making it to the far side of the room. Using her momentum she slid out of the broken doorway and into the hall. The action grabbed the attention of the Lizzie Borden want-to-be and he moved towards her. In an instant she was all fists and fury, her blows striking him about the face and a roundhouse kick catching him in the chest.

He hadn't even watched her as she landed across the room from him as he was already on the second demon. It snarled at him and Spike launched a fist at it. Connecting squarely with its jaw the demon didn't even flinch. He turned and with his other hand punched the demon in the gut. Not even the barest shiver ran through the other creature. Barely moving, the demon's own punch sent him flying into the wall. Plaster broke all around him. Quickly getting to his feet Spike charged at the thing, using his speed to tackle it. To him it was like running into a brick wall and he was knocked to the floor with the impact. Gaining his footing once again, he stood and as he did so, the demon reached out and picked him off of the floor by the throat.

Buffy's kick caused the ax man to double over letting her deliver a crushing right hook to his chin or what she thought would be a chin on it. It fell away just in time for the third one to propel itself towards her. Now out in the roomier hall she ducked and tilted letting the creature pass. Snarling, it whirled around fist punching at the air seconds from where her head had been. Rolling backwards, she grabbed the ax from the other demon struggling to its feet. "Thanks."

Bringing his feet up close to his body and trying to ignore the growing pressure on his neck Spike used all of his coiled strength to kick out. It was just enough for the grip on his neck to break off and he fell to the floor. Getting up quickly he backed away trying to figure out what was going to stop this thing. Thinking that maybe Buffy had the right idea, he tried to vault himself over the bed. The demon wasn't fooled and managed to grab his ankle. Tugging and swinging him in a vicious arc Spike crashed into the dresser and TV, knocking it over to fall on top of him as he hit the floor.

Testing the weight of the ax in her hand Buffy watched the standing demon tense, gathering itself to strike. Without blinking, she threw the ax watching it twirl in the air its short flight interrupted by the head of said demon. Its lifeless body fell to the floor. She noticed that the ax wielder was now back inside of her room. Walking over to the other one, she stepped on it using her foot for leverage to pull the now blue ax out. Quickly she walked back into the room.

Spike hurt in a lot of places he wished he didn't have right then. Blinking blood out of one eye, he saw the offending demon reaching for the toppled TV. He watched as it raised the telly over its head. Not knowing how, he rolled himself away inches from where the thing smashed to the ground. He could tell he was closer to the door now. Hurrying to his feet, he stopped as the other demon in front of him held the stake that Buffy had dropped the night before. He tried to back up but ran into the solid body of the identical creature. A step closer and said demon was raising the stake upward.

"SPIKE!"

Buffy's eyes widened as she came hurrying through the door. Taking in the scene before her panic gripped her insides and she felt her hands moving on their own.

The downward thrust of the stake was pushed forward to his surprise and intense pain, it lodged itself securely in his sternum just below his heart. Suddenly the solid wall that was behind him was gone and he toppled backwards flat on his back. Unfortunately, the other demon was also surrendering to the pull of gravity, the ax lodged in the back of its head. Spike closed his eyes tight against the coming impact. When a second passed and he still felt nothing he slowly opened one eye at a time. There she was all sunlight and fresh air grunting as she swung the demon to his side by the arms. It fell to the floor with a loud thump. He looked her over seeing only one or two hairs out of place. She was so gorgeous and filled with deadly grace; made a vamp almost forget the annoying peace of wood sticking out of his chest.

She quickly kneeled next to him concern all over her face. Touching his face softly, she gazed into his eyes.

"Are you alright?" her voice was nervously hesitant.

"Well if you want to know the truth luv, this hurts like a son of a bitch." His eyes softened to hers. "You’re going to have to pull it out." She flinched a little at his words but nodded her head in agreement.

Reaching out she grasped the spilled contents of her overnight bag grabbing her nightshirt. Using her strength, she tore three long strips from it and folded the rest into a small square. Turning so that she was directly over his chest, she took a nervous breath.

"Ready?"

"Yeah, do it fast pet."

One hand on the offending stake and the other next to it holding the folded cloth she pulled quickly. She heard his pained gasp and grimaced forcing herself to hold the material over the gaping wound. Throwing the blood soaked wood behind her; she used her free hand to lift his shoulders. Sticking her leg under them slightly propping him up she took one of the strips and slid it underneath him tying it tightly over the wound. She took the second strip and did the same making sure the make shift bandage would stay in place. Finished she lifted his upper body again and slid her leg from underneath him. Tucking it back underneath her, she reached out with the third strip and started cleaning the cut above his right eye.

"Spike we're going to have to get out of here. Its not safe." She looked again at the wound in his chest. "Is it...”

"Gonna heal, yeah luv, just hurts a whole hell of a lot."

She nodded at him again and started throwing the spilled contents of her bag back in. "I can pull a car to the side door, the back windows are tinted." Her gaze flicked across the room. "We can use the comforter to cover you."

"We'll use mine. 's got special glass in it. Keeps me from turning into a roman candle. Keys are in my duster pocket." He watched as she rushed around the room gathering what little she had with her and stuffing it into the bag. Grabbing her purse she threw the strap over her shoulder and reached for his duster. Pulling out a set of keys she looked back over at him.

"Which one is it?"

"Just hit the open button it will beep at you." He breathed out.

"I'll be back in a second." She turned and slipped out the door. He could hear her pounding footsteps fade and a door slam shut.

He tried to maneuver himself to a sitting position and grimaced at the pain. He didn't want to think about how close this latest attempted staking had been. The shock of watching that stake as it came towards him reminding him of the battle in that alleyway. Way too close of a call. He shuddered at the thought of turning into something for a dust buster again.

Buffy was back in the doorway in just a few seconds and was glad to see Spike sitting up. She was going to need his help to get him to the car. Grabbing the comforter from the bed, she extended a free hand to him to pull him up. Using a slow steady pull, she managed to get him leaning towards her. Once he was steady, she draped the bedspread over his head. Circling her arm around his waist, she began to lead him from the room. They walked as briskly as possible down the few hundred feet of the hallway turning to the right Buffy pushed on the door blinking in the sunlight. Pulling him through the door, she pushed him into the open passenger side. Making sure the door was firmly shut she walked around the front of the car and got in the driver's side. Closing the door, she watched as he pulled the comforter off his head. At his nod she put the car in gear and drove away.

 

Chapter 7

She reached over him for her purse, eyes never leaving the road she rummaged around until she triumphantly pulled out her cell phone. Hitting the auto dial she listened as it began to ring.

"Hello?"

"Faith I'm gonna need directions to your place." She blurted out.

"Everything cool?"

"Just the usual uninvited guests; kind of trashed my hotel room."

She could hear a slight chuckle on the other end. Buffy concentrated as Faith gave her the detailed instructions to get to the house she and Robin rented.

"Okay I got it." Buffy sighed slightly into the phone. "I know this is kind of an imposition considering the day but I kind of have a guest."

"B you pick up someone at the hotel?" She heard her snicker. "Takin' a page out of my book?"

Buffy groaned. "Faith... look you'll get it when we get there. But I have one more favor to ask."

"Shoot B."

"Do you know someplace where I could pick up some blood?" Buffy bit her bottom lip hoping that she wouldn't have to answer any questions now.

"I'll get someone to take care of it B. Why don't you just hightail it this way? We got a lot to do today and something tells me not all of it is about my wedding."

"Thanks Faith." She hit the button on the phone. Slowly letting out a pent up breath her eyes finally traveled to the vampire next to her. She noticed he sat rigid almost, head against the headrest, eyes closed. He looked pale, well paler than normal she noticed.

"Spike?" she asked him quietly.

His eyes opened blinked twice and he turned to look at her. "Yeah luv." he breathed.

"You alright?" Her voice started to tremble.

"Right as rain pet. Just need a little time to heal. Think the bleedin' stopped already." He gazed at her while she stared at the road in front of her. "Are you okay?" He watched her nod in agreement her hands tightening on the wheel. "How far we got to go?"

"Not too far, about fifteen minutes."

"Then I'm gonna close my eyes for a couple of minutes get a little rest." He settled his head back and let his eyes slip shut.
Relaxing a little, he suddenly felt her warm hand on his knee. Before he had time to react, he felt her give him a small squeeze and just as suddenly, the hand was gone. He concentrated on the hum of the engine letting it sooth his shattered nerves.

Buffy wondered how a morning so full of promise could crumble around her so quickly. Damn demons didn't they know when to leave well enough alone. She shook her head knowing that this was just typical of her short but eventful life. At least she had been with Spike. He understood all of this madness. It was good fighting along side him again; she had always enjoyed watching him beat an opponent. Although that wasn't what had happened today. She shuddered at the memory of watching the stake descending towards him. Too close. If she had been a second slower, if she hadn't just reacted and stopped to think he could be gone now. Not a thought she wanted to be entertaining right at this minute. She concentrated harder on driving them to their destination. If she didn't think about it she didn't have to face how she felt now. And that was definitely of the bad.

The rest of the trip passed quickly as Buffy saw the row of small houses dotting the street. As she pulled up to a beige two story home she reached out and took his hand in hers.

Rubbing his palm with her thumb, she stopped the car. Feeling her light touch, his eyes opened slowly.

"I'll go and make sure that Faith is close by so she can give you an invite. Don't want to tempt fate with you standing out here waiting." She smiled tightly.

"Go on luv, I'll wait right here."

She opened her door careful to make sure no stray light met his side of the car. Closing the door, she took a calming breath and walked the short distance to the door. Fingers shaking slightly she pushed the doorbell. She watched the door swing inward and there stood the once rogue slayer.

"Hey B good of you to make it." She looked past Buffy eyes searching. "Your guest still in the car?"

"Um yeah I'll just go get him." She could feel Faith's curious gaze as she sprinted to the passenger side of the car. Tapping on the window, she nodded her head. Straining to see inside she watched as he settled the comforter back over himself. Seeing him completely covered, she opened the door letting him find his footing. Again, she settled her arm around his waist mildly supporting him and led him quickly to the door. She watched the look on Faith's face as the other woman leaned on the doorjamb. Not wanting to read that look, she pulled him to a stop in front of her. Buffy ducked her head away from her gaze.

"Well..." She drawled, "Why don't you both come on in." She turned and stepped into the house.

Relived Buffy straightened up and lead him inside.

"So how many Vamps you know B?" Buffy closed the door behind them and turned to take the comforter off him.

"She bloody better not know more than one," came the muffled reply. Tugging hard Spike grunted in pain as the blanket finally fell off him.

"Whoa! Spike?" She shook her head in amazement. "Don't any of you stay dead?"

Buffy led Spike to the couch in the living room and sat him down. "Funny Faith. A little help here." She was trying to peak under the bandage she had put on him earlier. The bleeding had slowed considerably now just a mere trickle. The material had soaked through however and she needed to change the bandage.

"Sure let me get some stuff. Had Willow go out to the butchers she should be back soon." She turned and went down the hall.

Untying the bandage carefully she exposed the wound again. Looking at the hole in his chest she saw the blood drying on his shirt sticking to his skin and the wound.

"We gotta take your shirt off." Spike looked at her worried features.

"Knew you were just waitin' to get me undressed." He chuckled lightly.

"Ha ha. Don't you just wish?

Faith walked back in then, hands full with a first aid kit and a pair of scissors.

"Soooo something I should know?" She asked.

Taking the scissors Buffy began to cut through the front of his black tee shirt. "He's undead. Again." She slowly unpeeled the shirt from his skin. Opening it wide she got a better look at his injury. The edges were a little torn and it wasn't as deep as she had thought it to be in the hotel. She reached into the first aid kit and started to recover the wound with some gauze.

"Got that memo. Felt the tinglies when he was still in the car." She touched Buffy's shoulder gently. "Was thinking that there was a little more to the story."

Spike looked into Buffy's eyes and watched as she wrestled with her feelings yet again. He spoke slowly and carefully.

"Powers brought me and the poofter back. Sent me to look after her." He watched the rogue, knowing that Angel and her had shared a kind of bond.

"Angel's alive?"

"No he's still dead just not as dead as we were." She rolled her eyes at him. "He's staying in L.A."

"And this was his choice?" She surprised him by her insight.

He shrugged a little at her. "It was suggested to him. Powers want him to start helpin' the helpless again."

"And they sent you here to look after Buffy. Yet she's the one patching you up?" She smirked at him again.

Finished bandaging him up Buffy stood up. Turning to face the other woman, she smiled.

"I know it seems just a little odd doesn't it? I mean usually I'm rescuing him." Her smile took the sting out of her words. Both girls chuckled at his large groan.

"So what’s the deal? Makin' with the happy again?" It sometimes unnerved Buffy the way she could just stab right to the heart of the matter.

"We worked some things out. But I'm thinking we should get everyone here before." She moved and sat next to Spike on the couch. "Besides the guys we just fought. Not your everyday sort of thing."

"I'll start calling them in then. Robin is gonna be pissed that he missed out on this." Buffy's gazed quizzically at her. "Bad luck to see the Bride before the wedding."

"You got someplace we can lie him down for awhile then?"

"Yeah just down the hall there's a spare room. Think you can manage on your own?" He nodded slightly at her. "Good B and I actually have a little work to do."

Gathering himself, he rose slowly to his feet. "Be fine just wake me when everyone gets here." He placed a hand on Buffy's shoulder and squeezed slowly. "Go and do whatever you birds do to get ready." He walked slowly down the hall.

Faith turned back to Buffy looking the blonde over. She noticed the strain on her face.

"He'll be fine. Just got to let that Vampire healing kick in. Come on let me show you my dress." Dragging her by the arm, they went down the hall together.
 

Chapter 8:

Buffy had managed to spend the last thirty minutes talking to Faith or rather listening as she went over her last minute details for the evening. Finally content that she would fulfill her role as bridesmaid the other slayer had let her excuse herself to go and check on Spike.

Closing the door behind her she stared at the figure on the bed lying perfectly still. That was the thing with vamps they slept like the dead literally. She didn't know how many times she had tried waking him out of a deep sleep and not getting a response. Not to mention the not breathing thing. Quietly she walked towards the bed stopping as she reached the foot of the bed she just watched as he slept.

Thinking of how close she had come to losing him again today was just too much. Now without anything to keep her focused her mind drifted back to the memory of watching the demon swing the stake towards Spike's chest. Her eyes closed at the memory. The fear and pain she had been keeping at bay suddenly overwhelming her small frame. Tears began to stream from her eyes as she sat softly on the bed. Forcing herself to look at him again she mentally chided herself for her reaction after all he was here now. His blurry form was resting somewhat comfortably. Buried in her own thoughts she didn't hear the front door open and close. Didn't notice the sound of voices talking in the kitchen.

She did however hear the door open behind her. Turning she watched Faith walk slowly in the room a mug in one hand, a box of tissues and a shirt in the other.

"Hey."

"Hey."

"Thought you might want to give him this." She passed the mug to Buffy. Faith tilted the box of tissues towards her and placed the tee shirt next to her on the bed.

Gratefully taking one Buffy wiped the tears from her cheeks.

"Look...the others will be here soon. I can keep her busy until then but she's gonna want some answers."

"I know. Hope the others get here soon enough. It will be easier to do this with all of them here." She looked into the slayers dark eyes with her green ones. "I have a lot to explain."

"Go on get him squared away. I'll come get you when they get here."

Buffy smiled slightly. "Who are you and what have you done with Faith?"

The other woman smiled back. "Still me B." She glanced at Spike on the bed. "I'll be back." and she turned and walked out of the room.

When the click of the door echoed through the room she stood and walked over to the head of the bed. Setting the mug on the nightstand next to her she let her eyes travel over his face. Reaching out she touched his cheek. His eyes opened slowly.

"Hi."

"Hi yourself." She sat on the bed next to him. "Thought you might want to eat a little."

Spike pulled himself to sit upright. Silently she handed him the mug from the nightstand. He glanced into the mug looking at the red liquid finally noticing how hungry he was. It had been almost three days since he had last fed. How he was functioning so well surprised him. Quickly raising the glass he drained all of it in one long drink. Pulling the mug from his mouth he sat it back on the nightstand. Looking at her critically he tilted his head to one side in that endearing way he had.

"You been crying pet?" He reached his hand up and touched her cheek.

Buffy tried to turn her head away from the intensity of his gaze. "No." she managed to choke out.

"Hey look at me." he reached for her chin and gently turned her face back to him. "You have. Why?"

Not being able to help herself she felt the sting of the tears she had bitten back threaten to fall again. She felt his eyes search hers questioning, trying to understand the emotions he read there. Subconsciously she moved herself closer to him. Responding he wrapped his arms around her. As she leaned into his frame another small sob escaped her throat.

Grasping her tighter he felt her warm tears fall onto his skin. "Luv what is it?"

"Promise me you won't leave again."

He took a long breath. "Not going anywhere pet. Can't get rid of me that easily." He looked down at her upturned face. Seeing the uncertainty in her eyes he brought his mouth down on to hers kissing her hard. As he pulled away he smiled slightly. "I promise Buffy I'll do everything in my power to stay."

Sighing slightly she wiped the wetness from her face. She pulled herself out of his embrace and stood back up moving towards the tee shirt that Faith had left on the bed. Lifting it she shrugged at him. "Sorry about that. That was totally unfair."

He took the shirt from her hands leaning away from the wall he slipped it over his head. " 'Salright love."

"No it isn't. That was me being selfish. So not what I want to be." She took a deep breath. "Just it scared me you know?"

"Know a little to well." He pulled her closer to him. " 'sides I don't think the powers brought me back just to say hello and then get all dusty."

She looked at him thoughtfully. "You never did tell me why they did send you back."

"No don't suppose I did. You sure you want to know now?"

"No time like the present. Besides I don't want to take the chance of turning into avoidy girl about it."

"It's all cryptic like,” he said in warning.

"They always are go ahead it’s alright."

"Believe they said that I was to help you find you’re way again. They said that you were giving up on being the Slayer and your loved ones. Wanted me to make sure you found out that you were important still." He looked at her bemused expression. "Told me that whatever destiny you had was intertwined with my own."

"Let me get this straight... The all knowing Powers that Be thought that I had given up on my entire life and sent you here just so I would start slaying again and talk to my friends?" He shrugged at her. Buffy started to giggle and then was quickly taken over by pure laughter. Noticing his expression change from curiosity to anger she quickly started to force the chuckles back down her throat. "Sorry sorry. Just. " Another stifled giggle, "just I never gave up slaying. Yes I moved to a town that not much happens in but I wasn't going to stop my calling. I just needed sometime to heal. I was a little distracted and didn't want to face the great evil and get myself killed." She touched his knee.

"Then..."

"Spike how resistant were you to the idea of coming to see me?" she asked her eyes still twinkling.

"Honestly I was bloody terrified luv." The hand on his knee rubbed his leg affectionately.

"You didn't have to be." his eyes searched her face letting the words sink over him. "Really Spike didn't you think for a minute that I could have been just as miserable as you were?" she shook her head. "I think there's more to this then they told you. A whole lot more."

"So what are you saying?" His voice was gruff with confusion.

"I don't know what they had planned. I mean even without you here eventually I would have been back on the front lines. I can't give up who I am. And as for my family.... well I would have sought them out some time down the road." When he didn't seem to understand she touched his cheek.

"Spike I think they told you that so you would help me do this sooner rather than later. Or maybe to give you something. I don't know. Maybe they were just testing us. I hate these guys that’s why I was glad they dealt with Angel and left me alone."

"So you think I was being played again." He ground the last word out through clenched teeth.

"Maybe or maybe not. I don't really know why or do I really care how your back. I'm just glad you are." Her finger traced his jaw. "I'll tell Giles about it, if anything just to cover all our bases." Her fingers stopped at his lips. "Meanwhile I want to take advantage of the fact that some one up there likes us." her voice had almost dropped to a whisper. She felt his arms tighten around her and she lifted her face to his.

He kissed her slowly and gently this time savoring the texture of his lips against hers. With his tongue he traced her bottom lip pulling it into his mouth. Sucking and pulling he felt her moan deep in her throat. Slipping his tongue into her mouth he let it duel with hers. This time she pulled back slowly gasping for air. Looking into her bright green eyes he saw the desire beginning to burn there. Again he lowered his head to her slightly parted lips.

There was a knock on the door.

"Bloody hell!" he ground out.

"Everyone's here B." she heard Faith chuckle.

"I'll be right there." she called back. Lightly she kissed his cheek. "Sorry. I better get out there before they start really letting her have it. Give me a few minutes to talk to them all. I need to explain some stuff to them."

"Whatever you want luv."

She rose and strode towards the door. Grabbing the knob she turned and looked back at him a smile softly turning her lips. "I love you."

He gaped at her as she walked out and closed the door behind her.

Chapter 9:

In the hallway Buffy took a deep breath hoping to steady the sudden nerves she felt facing people she had known for the last ten years. It was kind of ridiculous in a way. She had only been the same Buffy she always was putting up the emotional barriers that tried to keep her wounded heart from scarring anymore. Why her friends had expected that she be any different confused her. They had known the loss she was feeling from first hand experience and all had dealt with the pain in different ways. It didn't mean any of them had been wrong or right. It was just dealing with the pain. She thought about all the people they had lost as they stuck together. Her mom, Jenny Calendar, Tara, and Anya. She had known how much they had grieved for her when she had died. They had all known so much heartache.

Squaring her shoulders she walked into the living room. She stepped forward taking in the expectant faces of her closest friends the people she considered her family. She looked over at Faith who was leaning against the wall close to the hallway.

"Did you get Dawn on the line?"

Faith pointed to the coffee table where the phone sat red light blinking that there was someone on the other end.

Buffy smiled she thought it best to start with her sister.

"Dawnie!" She said loudly.

"Buffy!" came the answer. She looked at each of them in turn Willow and Xander sitting on the couch. She thought both of them looked older now. Giles sat in a recliner next to the couch his calm eyes studying her carefully. She gave each of them a warm smile in return.

"Hey everyone." They kind of just stared at her. Knowing they weren't going to say anything without her making the first move she opened her arms wide. "What no hug?"

The tension in the room dissolved immediately. The three were scampering to their feet running over to her. Soon she was surrounded with the warmth and affection she had always cherished from this special group. She chuckled.

"Kay need a little air here." Everyone kind of backed up a little breaking their embrace. "Sit we've got a lot to talk about and not a lot of time."

"Not to be rude or anything but...” Xander looked at her carefully. "What’s with the happy Buffy?"

"Xander. I'm happy to see you and Willow and Giles. I'm even happy to see Faith."

"Kay now I know something isn't right. You're happy to see Faith?"

"B are you gonna get on with this or what?" Faith tapped her foot impatiently.

"Yeah yeah. You guys are going to have to bear with me. The first part of this really I need to get through without interruption"

"Whatever you need Buffy. You know we're here for you." The red head gazed at her with concern.

"I know Willow really. And that is part of this. I just wanted to let you know how sorry I am for the way I've treated you guys since..." she thought for a second, "well since Sunnydale fell into that giant crater. I know we've all been going through a lot since then and I know that I was being closed off to you. I didn't do it to hurt any of you I swear. Just you know me. It's either General Buffy or avoidy girl with the feelings."

"Buffy you don't have anything to apologize for. It was a really tough period of adjustment for you."

"Giles that's just it I didn't adjust. I was just going through the motions like I did when I first came back. I was just better at it this time. Gives me no excuse for pushing any of you away when you just wanted to be there for me." She gave a sad smile to Xander. "And it doesn't give me an excuse for not being there for you when you needed me. I'm sorry Xander."

He looked at her shocked. "Me?"

"Yeah you. I should have been more concerned with what you were going through. I know exactly how it felt and I never could express how sorry I was that you had lost Anya." She sighed. "We should have stuck together and we didn't and I'm sorry."

She looked at the phone on the table. "I'm sorry to you too Dawnie."

"Buffy wha...?"

"No Dawn I should have been able to comfort you. You'd lost just as much as I had and all I did was pull you halfway around the world. You needed stability and I wasn't able to give it to you. And I know how much losing Spike meant to you." she heard sniffles on the other end of the phone. "I'm sorry Dawn can you forgive me."

"There's nothing to forgive I love you Buffy."

"You've grown up way to fast you know that right? I love you too Dawn."

"Giles, Willow I think I hurt you two most of all. I let you guys down time after time and only thought how I was feeling or denying what I was feeling anyway. I know that now. I just wanted to let you know how much you guys have meant to me." She turned to face Giles. "You know that my Father and I were never close and after my parents were divorced how alone I felt. You've been there for me Giles the closest thing to a father any girl can ask for. I know we don't always see things the same way but I guess that's the point right?"

He stared as if she had suddenly grown two heads. She quickly turned to Willow.

"Wills I just wanted to tell you that I'm sorry if you ever felt shut out. I don't mean to do it you know?" She looked into the Wicca’s kind face. "I just want you to know there isn't anything that I feel I can't tell you. It just takes some time for me to work up the nerve to get it out in the open."

"Did I leave anyone out?" Faith cleared her throat. "Oh please we already worked out the fact that we're way to similar." She rolled her eyes. "Just wanted to let you know that I am happy for you. I'm glad you found someone that makes you happy. Slayer's need that."

"Not that I don't appreciate the sentiments here but what exactly has brought on this insightful monologue?"

She smiled back at Giles. "I spent the last couple of months working some stuff out on my own. I just don't want to be regret girl anymore. I want to be the girl who can look back and say yeah that didn't work out but at least I tried. I want to embrace life. Not run from it."

"Buffy that's well that’s great!" Willow exclaimed.

"Good cause now there is a little something I need to tell all of you." She nodded at Faith who walked down the hall. "You know that I brought a guest here with me?" They all nodded. "I kind of ran into an old friend." She heard the gasps as Spike stepped into the room behind her.

The room broke out in pandemonium. Everyone was talking at once asking questions throwing expletives in the air. She could here Dawn shouting what and who into the phone trying to figure out what was going on. She grabbed Spikes hand and gave it a tight squeeze.

"Guys come on settle down we'll explain everything we swear." The four voices quieted and three sets of anxious eyes fell on them.

"Spike how is this possible?" Giles voice of reason spoke first.

"SHIT! Spike?" came through the phone.

" 'Bit language." he said a chuckle behind his words.

"When? How? I mean you told me that..." came from Xander.

"Yes I told you exactly what happened he died." She squeezed his hand again "Go ahead Spike."

He took the time to explain what had happened when they came back in L.A. and how he had contacted Andrew to find Buffy.
The others were quiet trying to take in what he was telling them.

"So let me understand this. You and Dead boy Sr. are just brought back and told to live your merry little lives?" Sarcasm dripped from Xanders words.

"It is highly unbelievable that said Powers would bring you both back without wanting something in return." Giles finished.

"They do want something but its not what they had explained to him we need to figure that out." Buffy cleared her throat. "I really need your help with this." She gestured nervously with her hands. "Something else happened this morning that we need some research on too."

She explained about the demon trio breaking into the hotel room trying to remember all the details about the new creatures. She finished by telling them about the other demon of the trio just vanishing when she had killed the leader.

"I've never seen anything like them. The leader when I was battling him was just like hitting any other demon but the one Spike fought didn't seem fazed by anything."

"Was like fightin' a bloody wall." Spike grumbled.

"Okay so we get on the research then. Find out why the baddies know your here."

"That's the plan Wills. But I have one more thing to talk to you guys about." Faith sighed and looked at her watch. "I won't take long."

"What's going on Buffster?"

"Remember how I said that regret girl was a thing of the past?" She smiled as she heard Giles groan and looked at Willows happy expression. She even heard a cheer over the phone from her sister. As always Xander was the only one that didn't get it. He gave her a blank look waiting for an explanation. Spike's hand came up and rested on her shoulder. She felt comforted by his cool touch. "Xander think for a second." She watched as he tried to concentrate. Shaking her head she gave in.

"I realized in the last two months that I love Spike took me losing him to get my attention. So since I love him and he still loves me....” she waited for him to connect the dots.

"Are you sure about this Buffy?" Giles prodded gently.

"I know what your thinking Giles and yes I'm sure. No regrets remember? I want to give us a chance to work this out."

Xander sputtered trying to make an intelligible sound. After several seconds he seemed to give up and than started again.

"Buffy I can't believe you would....?"

"I would want him in my life after all we've been through together?" She finished for the young man. "The past is gone Xander and I need to move forward. I think trying to move forward with some one who loves me completely and that I trust more than anything is a step in the right direction." She smiled gently at him.

"No one is more surprised than me whelp." He spoke clearly. "Not going to do anythin' to hurt her."

"I didn't think you would fang face. Whatever makes you happy Buff." Spike blinked at him in surprise. He smiled back at him. "What people grow you know. Life changes you."

"Quite. Is this everything Buffy anything else we need to know?"

"No that was everything I think. Maybe Willow, Faith and I need to start getting ready?"

" 'Bout time B. Come on lets go upstairs." Willow rose to the couch and crossed the room to Buffy. She gave her a hug.

"I'm glad you’re happy." Buffy squeezed her back.

"Thank you."

Than to his amazement the little redhead grabbed Spike in a tight embrace. It took a minute for him to get over the shock and hug her back.

"Welcome back Spike."

"Thanks Red." Buffy could hear the emotion in his voice.

Buffy stepped closer to him. "You should probably rest again. Not much is gonna happen for awhile." He nodded at her. She reached up and kissed his cheek.

"Hey Dawn!"

"Yeah?"

"I'll call you a little later okay?"

"You better and I want to talk to Spike too. I still have a piece of my mind to give him."

Buffy chuckled. "Later."

"Bye Buffy." She reached over and hung up the phone. She met the other women at the base of the stairs and the three of them went up.
 

Chapter 10:

Spike tried to let sleep take over him again. He tried to make himself comfortable in the center of the bed. But sleep eluded him. His mind kept wandering thinking over the reactions from Buffy's friends. He hadn't expected anyone to get up and stake him at the prospect of the two of them together. She would have never allowed it. However to be welcomed with open arms by Red and to have Giles and Harris take the news quietly if not with resignation wasn't something he had prepared for.
He wondered not for the first time how much things had changed since he had seen the sodden hellmouth close.

He shifted a little on the bed. To tell the truth even though there was a slight twinge in his chest he could tell the wound was closing up. It really wasn't necessary for him to try to rest anymore and he knew that he didn't have to stay in the bedroom. The only alternative however was to go out there and sit with the watcher and the boy as they pawed their way through some dusty old books trying to find something out about the demons they had fought. Not something he really wanted to participate in.

Listening carefully he could hear the girls laughing upstairs. It was good to hear the three of them laughing kind of carefree. He knew that they all had come from such dark places in their lives.

So lying on the bed he willed the time to pass. Not wanting to join in but not wanting to be left out. It scared him how much he really felt the need to be accepted by this group. He had been around them so long just on the fringes of this tight knit circle that she had always kept around her. He couldn't even imagine the pain she must have been feeling for her to cut herself off from them. Using his vamp hearing earlier he had listened closely to what she had to say to them. The walls she was tearing down leaving herself open. It amazed him to no end. There was a time when he was the only one she could talk to, the only one she could tell her deepest fears. Seems that too had changed. And not for the first time he wondered what the hell he was doing here.

The I love you she had said to him as she left the room had stunned him. He didn't know how long he had stared at the door after she had left. A million years could pass and he would never get over the shock of those three little words coming out of the slayers mouth directed at a vampire of all things. The irony was just too much. There had to be a higher power out there somewhere. Who else could enjoy such a cosmic joke?

He stared at the clock on the far wall. It was nearing two o’clock. He couldn't take it anymore he had to get out of the room. The boredom was going to be the death of him.

Walking back into the living room he watched as Xander helped himself to another doughnut. Both men had books scattered all around them.

"You got a whole library out in your car Ripper?"

The man snorted towards him. "This is just my emergency stash." He gestured for Spike to take a recliner that was across from them. "How are you feeling?"

The question knocked him for a loop. "Watcher I'm touched didn't know you cared." he mocked the man by placing a hand over his heart.

"And I didn't say that I did." the cold response made him wish he didn't always have to be so flippant. "Buffy told us about your injury."

Spike shrugged self-consciously. "It's pretty much healed now."

Giles nodded at him.

*********

The time passed quicker here out in the living room. There wasn't much talking just the occasional murmur about different possible demons. Spike shifted in his chair again growing uncomfortable.

"Hey are you guys going to get ready or what?" All three heads turned to stare at the women that had walked down the stairs. He could feel the same reaction in the men behind him. Painfully they all blinked in unison.

Buffy and Willow were dressed in pale blue strapless dresses. Both of the had their hair swept up with a few curls draping their necks. The dresses hung on each of their curves draping sensually over their figures. Faith's white dress was fully sleeved with lace and the front had a plunging neckline. Beaded finely in the front it fit snugly over her hips sweeping delicately to her feet. She wore her hair up also and her veil was arranged with small flowers. The three of them had a perfectly feminine smile on their lips. Pride swelling in each of them over the effect they were having on the men in the room.

Buffy tapped her foot at the silence that followed her question.

"Hello earth to guys." She said impatiently.

"Um yes I suppose that would be best." Giles managed to stutter out.

Spike had managed to get to his feet without thinking. He couldn't believe the beauty before him. She positively radiated with her perfection. If he had to breathe he would be gasping for air. It was like he was drowning being pulled in by her luminescence. Who said the poet in him was dead.

"Buffy you..." he gulped. "You look beautiful love."

Buffy beamed back at him. "Thank you." she started to giggle as the sound of people clearing their throats came from behind her.

For once Xander caught on without any help.

"You all look amazing." He blushed.

The three of them in unison turned their eyes to Giles. And not surprisingly he took off his glasses and began to clean them.

"Yes um you all look quite beautiful. I'll just collect my things from the car then."

"Um Giles would you mind getting my things from the boot of my car?" He asked the question his voice low so only the watcher would hear him.

Luckily the man was feeling generous today it seemed he just nodded his head.

"Don't take to long you guys. Limo will be here in less than an hour."

*********

The wedding itself had been relatively simple. Faith had looked stunning of course as Giles led her down the aisle. The older man had been flattered that she had asked even though he knew that she really didn't have anyone else suitable for the role. Only Buffy, Willow and an old friend of Robin's had stood up front with the couple as they exchanged their vows. Buffy could see the obvious love flow between the two of them. It was wonderful to watch. All to quickly the ceremony was over and they were leaving the small hall where the ceremony was held. They passed the small gathering of people mostly friends of Robin's and a few of the newer slayers that could leave their positions for a day or so. The sun had already set for the day the autumn chill settling into the air.

There was only a small moment of trepidation as the poor groom got into the limo only to be joined by the platinum blond vampire whom he had thought dead. A brief explanation was all it took for the man to forget about the bleached vamp and focus on his new wife beside him. That and her strong hand holding onto his knee. The short ride was than filled with warmth and laughter. Old friends being able to catch up with one another.

The place they had rented for the reception was kind of tiny but with such a small group no one minded. They were served dinner and after a toast from the best man a dj was brought in. Being as this was Faith no sappy love songs were played. It was one hell of a party. The open bar had been a great idea according to Spike and very few disagreed with him. Buffy sipped on her single glass of wine eyes dancing as she watched Wills and Xander dancing together. She was happy and it was wonderful. The only thing she thought was missing was the fact that Dawn wasn't there. But she knew it was okay.

Spike had watched her all night. His eyes couldn't be torn away from the woman he had wanted for so long. She had never looked happier. He wanted to grab her and never let go. Wanted to bury his nose in her hair and breathe in the scent of her shampoo. Hold her as she slept and comfort her when she was sad. He just wanted to be near her. The sight of her as she had first came down those stairs had confirmed what he had known all along. She was the one.

Standing he came up behind her hand touching her shoulder.

"Hey pet."

"Spike." she smiled as his name fell from her lips. She placed her hand over his.

" 'avin' a good time?"

"Very." She giggled. "Look at them out there. Like old times."

He smiled with her. The two out on the dance floor were lost in the music laughter swirling around them.

"Why aren't you out there?"

"Ummm good question. Maybe I should?" She squeezed his hand. "Unless you would rather I stay with you."

"Go have fun with your mates. I can entertain myself for awhile." She squealed in delight and nearly ran to join the other two.

Now the scene before him had the strange sense of deja vu. He thought of the first time he had seen her dancing with them at the Bronze. He had been trapped then he just hadn't known it. Now he didn't kid himself with how obsessed he had been after that first meeting. How he couldn't wait to see her again. In that respect not much had changed she was the only thing on the planet worth dying for but most importantly she was the only thing worth living for. He continued to watch as their bodies swayed in time to the music. He could hear her laughter from where he was sitting.

"I think that I am getting too old for this." He listened as the watcher sat with a huff.

"Nonsense Ripper. I'm way older than you." He looked the man in the eye. "Aged better too."

"Funny. I should think you would be bored by now."

Spike snorted at him and turned again to watch her dancing. "Can't get bored when I'm with her."

"Spike." He turned at the seriousness in the man's tone. "What are you planning?" The vamp gave a little shrug. "I mean the future for you and her."

"I don't know. I 'aven't thought any further than the fact that she told me she loved me."

"No I don't suppose there's been the time."

"Somethin' on your mind watcher?"

He started cleaning his glasses with a napkin from the table. "You know how I feel about her right?" Spike nodded. "I love her like I would a daughter and in some ways I think we are closer than that. Her happiness is something that has always mattered to me." he paused slightly. "I know that she is happy with you. And yes we knew that she loved you even when she wouldn't admit it. These last few months have been extremely difficult for her." He gestured towards the trio. "But so we are clear... if for any reason you ever hurt her know that I will make sure you are so much dust in the wind."

"Fuck watcher if I hurt her I'd rather stake myself."

"And I know that too. I just wanted to make sure we understood each other." His warm gaze fell onto Spikes blue eyes. "Just make her happy." And with that he stood up and walked away from the table.

"Christ what the hell just happened here?" he muttered to himself.

"Spike." he was startled to see her standing right in front of him. "Dance with me."

The music had changed he was noticing now. A slower song and people were pairing off on the dance floor.

"Buffy I don't..." he started then stopped. Who was he kidding of course he wanted to dance with her. What was the harm?
"Of course." He stood taking her hand in his as he walked into the center of the floor.

Slipping his arm around her waist he pulled her in closer to him and together they began to move to the music. She inched closer still resting her head on his shoulder. They moved together bodies touching softly.

Buffy felt the coolness of his skin through the dark blue dress shirt he wore. The feel of his arms around her was a little piece of heaven. She felt so at peace in the haven of his arms. Right now there wasn't a force on earth strong enough to pull her away from this spot. She never would have imagined a time when she would feel a love this strong and so all encompassing. Never would she let it go again. It was only stupid pride that had kept them from being like this only a stupid and wrong sense of what was good and bad. She knew now that she would never want or need another in her life. She finally felt complete. And that was the only thing in the entire world that mattered.

Chapter 11:

The entire world was spread out before him trembling in his gaze. The feeling of power was all consuming now and it filled his body making it hum with electricity. He spread his hand out before him watching the sparks as they made the shadows dance. Cackling he let his amusement fester in his eyes. Soon it would all be soon.

Glaring at the lowly minion before him he waited for his answer.

"We are ready my master." It bowed his head.

His glance swept from the speaker and over the once proud banquet hall. In times past it was a grand place full of life and music and laughter. Now it was dark and deserted and the stench of death polluted the air. He smiled such was a perfect fit for his new home. It was as though he was destined to be here. But even destiny would soon feel fear of him.

"Good." He stared at the crowd before him. Taking in the light from the computers in the corner of the room everyone waiting for his word to begin. "The time of cleansing..." He nodded letting them know to start signaling the others "begins now."

The cheers from the demons and vampires was almost deafening. Pleased he smiled.

*********

They had gotten back from the reception just after nine that night. While others would think it late, for this group the evening was really just beginning. Spike and Buffy had quickly gone to change wanting to be ready in case they felt the need to patrol.
The others had resettled in the living room of Faith's place and started diving into research mode full steam.

Buffy was glad that Faith had invited her and Spike to stay until they had gotten some answers. She knew that without Faith here even with two junior slayers in the area someone should really pick up the slack. Just until she was back. What were another few days? After all it wasn't like she had a job or anyone waiting for her in California.

But to tell the truth she was in no hurry to leave. After the long absence she wasn't ready to leave the people she was with now. She wondered if they were comfortable with the reasons she had given them about her distance. Most of it was true. So she left out a minor detail here and there. She felt downright bad about it. Sighing she slumped in her chair.

Spike looked up at the small sigh she made. The others didn't even notice the tiny rush of breath she had released. He knew that she was getting antsy. Research wasn't where either of them excelled. He knew they needed to be out there trying to find whatever those things were.

"AHA!" Willow sat up proudly.

"What is it?" Giles asked expectantly.

Willow held up the book she had been reading turning it so Buffy and Spike could see the picture. "Is this the demon you saw?"

"Bingo Red that’s them." Buffy nodded her agreement.

"No that's him."

"Huh?" Buffy asked.

"It says here that it’s a cameria demon." She passed the book to Giles. Looking over the text carefully he suddenly straightened pulled his glasses off and began cleaning them.

"Oh dear." he muttered.

Xander groaned. "That's so not good."

"Giles answers please." Buffy asked impatiently.

"The Cameria demon is not one normally found on our plane of existence. It has a very clever ability to split into separate copies of itself. The copies are nearly undefeatable except by attacking the head. Since they are to distract any would be opponents it leaves the original to achieve whatever tasks it has. The demon itself is very vulnerable to attack just as most others are."

"So that's why the other one vanished."

"When you killed the original the force which made the copy was severed." he placed his glasses back on. "That is not all however, this demon would not have come of its own accord to this dimension. It would have been summoned to achieve a certain goal."

"Like maybe killing a slayer?" She asked. "So someone with a grudge against me summoned one of these camera demons."

"That seems the likely answer. There is one other thing though. Anyone who could summon this demon would have to be extremely powerful." Buffy shrugged at him. "I mean that there are Gods who could not summon one of these creatures."

She tensed at his words. A being more powerful than a god. That was all she wanted to hear.

"Well any ideas on who could bring it here and want me dead?" she asked the group.

All eyes fell to the floor. Everyone was lost in his or her own thoughts. She was sure none of them would answer. It was just as well. She knew she had plenty of enemies from first hand experience. The last year had proven that even if she hadn't met a particular baddie it was still pissed at her for releasing all the new slayers into the world and spoiling all their fun. She stood and began to pace.

"Okay so we don't know. And now I'm guessing we're out of leads. So Spike would you like to go out and patrol see if we can scare up some info?"

"Sounds alright to me Pet."

She nodded and walked to a chest in the room. Opening the lid she grabbed a stake and slid it into her waistband. A glance at Spike and he nodded his agreement. She tossed a second stake to him and he placed it in the pocket of his duster.

"Maybe we could try searching for something that would have enough power to bring one of these demons here. Give us something to go on. Like the process of elimination." Willow smiled. "I could even go get my computer. Be high tech researchy girl."

"Good idea Wills." She smiled at her warm and affectionately. "We'll be back soon."

And with that they both slipped out of the door.

Chapter 12:

Loud giggles echoed through the empty graveyard the sound bouncing off of the tombstones and cold mausoleums. A dry chuckle followed mingling together spreading through the darkness ahead of them.

"A puppet you can't be serious." Buffy tried to get her giggles to stop. She leaned against a tall monument.

"Serious and you can't even mention Jim Henson to him now. Makes him totally bonkers." His eyes got a wistful look. "Wes always got a good laugh outta that."

Instantly Buffy felt the mood change. The lighthearted feeling they were trying to maintain evaporated like so much mist. In its place the feeling of denied sorrow swept over them seeping into their skin. She felt the giggles die in her throat at once.

"Spike." She looked at him her shared sorrow showing plainly in her hazel eyes. "I'm sorry about... I know you got the chance to get to know them and.... well I'm sorry."

" 'Salright pet." He leaned next to her. "They were a good lot."

"I. I mean you should probably know we... we found the others... that day we uh we... Shit. We saw that they all had proper funerals. Contacted their families and such." she placed her hand on his arm. "If you ever feel the need they're buried just outside Los Angeles."

He placed his hand over hers giving a small squeeze. "Thanks Luv." Silence settled over the two of them. He watched as a slight breeze blew some leaves around the graves in front of them. The thoughts in his mind swirled gently reminding him of the leaves being tossed about so carelessly by the unseen force. "Buffy why weren't you angry when you saw me last night?" He saw her eyes narrow in confusion. "You had every right to be mad at me. You weren't why?"

Looking down she stared at a spot on her foot. She thought about all the ways she could tell him the full truth. Let him know everything make sure there was nothing to hold back. Now was not the right time. Oh but how she wanted to tell him. Just open up completely let it all spill out like a dirty little secret. Again she was going to have to settle with a version of the truth.

Spike watched her bent head staring down at her feet. He could see the change in her body language how her shoulders tensed up how her back was a little straighter.

She looked back up at him taking in the questions pouring out of those clear blue eyes.

"You're alive Spike. How the hell could I be mad at you?" She pushed herself off of the stone walking ahead again. "Yes I was angry when I found out you were alive. For like a few seconds. There wasn't time for me to be mad." As she kept walking Spike started walking falling into step beside her. "I just wanted a chance to tell you everything to let you know how I felt. And yes when you were dead again I was pissed. But not at you. I was mad at life at time." She stopped looking at him. "I'll even admit when you told me why you had stayed away I got a little angry. But I love you I really do and with that comes a whole lot of forgiveness." She gave him a slight smile.

The sound of a snapping twig drew both of their attentions. Their heads turning in unison to the area to the right of them. Buffy noticed it then her spidey sense was going haywire. Usually she would be able to tell how many vamps were in an area separating their individual signatures. She could isolate the warm comforting tingle that she always recognized as Spikes and shoved that feeling aside. Now however she couldn't get enough focus to determine how large a crowd was gathering here. That worried her. She had fine-tuned the sense and knew that she could easily distinguish between seven or eight vamps. It all meant that this group was a whole lot bigger than that.

Spike sensed the unease in her stance and he knew that he was about to get into something not at all pleasant. He could make out some of the vamps as they skirted the edge of his vision. Still a little way off then. As the figures gathered he counted silently and he could make out at least eight of them forming in a circle around them.

They only had time to turn and press their backs together as suddenly the first group of vamps started their attack. Luckily for the two of them this group seemed to be mostly fledglings maybe a few minions mixed in. The both of them were all fists and feet.

Buffy took out the first two with a minimal amount of effort. Two punches to the face and a fluid movement sent a dust cloud around her. A kick to the head and one to the gut followed by the stake coming up as the vamp doubled over took care of the second. The third managed to get a punch in to her head. Knocking her back and away from her defensible position with Spike. As she ducked the bloodsucker’s next punch she felt her fourth vamp jump on her back. She turned quickly managing to throw it off of her and into the nearest head stone knocking it unconscious. She kicked the third one this time sending it spinning. A fifth one sent his own foot right into her stomach he followed it with a sharp right hook into her jaw. Staggering back she regained her footing. The vamp took the opportunity to come charging for her. She used its momentum to throw him back into the monument that she and Spike had been leaning on. The third vamp came back towards her and she threw three quick punches at it making it fumble backwards. Seizing the weakness she drove the stake home. Just in time to feel a kick to the kidneys from another vamp. Bringing its leg up for a second kick Buffy tucked and rolled underneath it coming back up to where the third vamp had been watching. While it looked on in surprise she swung the stake again.

Spike was looking forward to this. He hadn't had a decent fight since he had come back considering the outcome of his fight with the demons that morning. Had it only been earlier today? So much had happened in such a short amount of time.

He watched as four of them began to form a semi circle around him. They let two others slip through them when they were close enough he let his fists do a little introduction. A quick jab to the first, followed by a right to the second vamp gave him an opening. He sent two punches to the nose into the first followed by a kick in the gut to the second. As the first one came back for him he sidestepped and plunged the stake home. He grabbed the second by the head and pulled it into his knee thrusting the stake into his back. Now his back no longer against Buffy's the four waiting vamps close in on him. He rubbed his hands in anticipation. Not stopping to concentrate on his moves he let his body dictate the actions he needed. He banged the heads of the next two together stunning them and he tossed them back into the other two. One dodged and came up next to him. He punched it in the head and followed it with a second punch to his jaw. He kicked hard into its solar plexus sending it back into the other three. Quickly he jumped on him and seemed to pin the rest of them down. Thrusting his stake he dusted the one on top and managed to get the one directly underneath before they could struggle to throw him off. The remaining two knocked him to the ground. As they stood above him he kicked out and sent one of them flying into a nearby crypt while managing to grab the leg of the other one brining it to the ground. Rolling he brought himself up and sent his stake into its chest. His fourth vamp flung itself at him and this time he ducked waiting for it to pass as it did he brought the stake up and was covered in dust. Now he could make out two more of them coming closer to where Buffy was just finishing up her last vamp.

She set her feet preparing to finish off her sixth vamp. As she finished her swing she could see two more vamps making their way towards her. She could tell these two were different than the younger ones they had been fighting. These guys had some years in them not master vamps by any means but not inexperienced like the fledglings. Suddenly wary she let her eyes drift for a moment locating Spike. With relief she saw him make his way towards her and the approaching two.

Both vamps then quickly split and each started to advance one on one. As they got closer Buffy noticed that her vamp had an ax gripped in his hand. He broke into a run and swung the ax she jumped back as it crossed in front of her chest. She ducked and dodged his swings each coming faster and faster. Finally on as the vamp followed through a swing bringing the ax up above his head she managed to sink a hit into his face. The vamp didn't seem fazed and again started to bring the weapon to strike her.

Spike fought with the more mature vamp toying with it just a little. His strength was far superior to this adolescent and he held back the first few of his punches to prolong the fight. He was enjoying himself until the bastard got in a lucky kick to his head and sent him reeling backwards to the ground. Now he was pissed. Jumping to his feet he swung striking the vamp in jaw sending it back and to the right. He gave it a roundhouse kick and the youngster fell back against a headstone. The break gave him time to look at where Buffy was fighting the ax wielder. He noticed that she was still holding her own and smiled. That was his girl. He had made his way to the fallen vamp and he sat on his chest. He let punches rain down on its face blow after blow sounding through the night.

She had gotten a few good shots now at her current attacker. He was starting to slow now the movements with the ax not so precise. She was able to dodge them and strike out at it in between. She saw Spike out of the corner of her eye sitting on the vamps chest beating the hell out of its face.

"Spike keep yours alive I want to ask him some questions!" She shouted as she ducked the next swing.

Hearing her voice he looked up he saw her punch the vamp in the face. Something moved behind her and caught his attention.

"BUFFY!"

Her head turned at the alarm in his voice to late to make any move as the previously unconscious vamp used a forgotten board as a club and struck her in the head. The blow distracted her and she had no time to react as the ax was sunk deep in her stomach.

He was up off of his vamp running before the board had struck her. He drew back his stake and struck the ax vamp as he buried the weapon in her stomach.

"NO!" he watched as she slowly began to sink to her knees. The fledgling behind her began to swing the board at her and Spike let loose a deep growl throwing himself at the vamp. He made a grab for its head and wrenched fountains of anger fueling his strength. Its head came clean off and it exploded into dust.

Turning he saw her still on her knees breathes coming irregular and shallow. He felt his heart twist as on of her small hands curled around the handle of the ax and gave it a good yank. She sent it flying into the night letting out a painful groan. He was there at her side dropping to his own knees, hands going around her shoulders. He could see the blood gushing from the open wound.

"Buffy." her name came out as tortured whisper.
 

Chapter 13:

"NO!" he watched as she slowly began to sink to her knees. The fledgling behind her began to swing the board at her and Spike let loose a deep growl throwing himself at the vamp. He made a grab for its head and wrenched fountains of anger fueling his strength. Its head came clean off and it exploded into dust.

Turning he saw her still on her knees breaths coming irregular and shallow. He felt his heart twist as one of her small hands curled around the handle of the ax and gave it a good yank. She sent it flying into the night letting out a painful groan. He was there at her side dropping to his own knees, hands going around her shoulders. He could see the blood gushing from the open wound.

"Buffy." her name came out as tortured whisper.

She raised her head and looked into his eyes. Raising a hand she began to gently stroke his cheek.

"We've got to get you to the hospital love."

"No" she said strength behind her weak sounding voice.

"Slayer if we don't get you there now your gonna bleed to death." His voice was desperate. Spike was feeling something near hysteria clawing its way through his body.

"Spike no. No hospitals." She moved her legs so she could sit fully on the grass underneath her. She looked down at the wound in her midsection noticing as the blood pooled onto her jeans and was spreading on the ground near her.

"Buffy." His voice was rising to alarming levels. His hands tightened on her shoulders and he began to pull her up.

Her hand clamped onto his wrist the strength in her grasp causing him to stop his movement.

"Don't." She saw the terror in his eyes felt his panic in the air around her. She knew she was going to have to tell him no use holding back now. She wanted to hold him, comfort him, and reassure him that everything was okay. Trying to get her breathing under control she gritted her teeth from the pain. Glancing behind her she saw a marker that was behind her. Pushing herself backwards with her hands she came close enough to lean against it. She closed her eyes briefly trying to gather her thoughts.

The scent of her blood was filling the air all around them the strong smell of it pounded into his head. He knew that there wasn't much time left. Spike had spent years perfecting technique knowing how much blood a human body could lose before the person began to shut down. He realized he was breathing heavily he was fighting the panic coursing through his body. Every muscle and fiber screaming for him to move get her out of here make her safe. What was he supposed to do he didn't know couldn't think and get a clear thought in. He just knew he couldn't lose her, not like this, not ever again.

"Spike..." her voice was quiet and he moved closer to her. "It’s okay."

" 'S not okay. You aren't going to die on me. We're going now." His voice was rougher the panic edging it painfully.

"No." she said it again her hand reinforcing her word with a squeeze. "Not gonna die."

"Pe..."

"Not gonna die. Can't." She bit the words out. She was starting to feel dizzy from the blood loss and she hoped she could fight it off long enough to get through this. "Spike gotta..." she took a ragged breath. "Trust me."

"Buffy your bleedin' out let me help you." His eyes sunk into hers dark with fear and pain.

"Trust me." She said it louder. Her eyes clear and open to him. "Things I need to tell you." She shifted her weight a little and gasped from the pain. "Fuck." She let out a breath slowly trying to get a handle on the agony that was burning in her belly. "Gonna be okay just need time."

He opened his mouth to protest.

"Spike look." she gestured to the wound with her hand.

He could see her shirt glistening from the blood that had stained it red. But before where he could see the blood spilling out of her now it seemed to be slow like sap running from a tree. He focused himself listening to her breathing painful but clear. He listened for her heart and heard a steady strong beat. It hadn't weakened from the loss of blood at all. Confused he looked back into her eyes. He didn't know how she could be so calm how she could be so sure.

"I'll explain soon just let me..." another slow breath "need some time." They heard a loud groan from the vamp Spike had left beaten a few yards away. Both turned their heads to the sound. "Go. Get answers." He turned back to her. "Be fine. Not going to go anywhere."

He didn't want to. He wanted to stay right where he was. What the hell would it matter why they had attacked if she was gone. Her words should have reassured him but they weren't even close to doing that. He only felt like he could walk away after hearing the beat of her heart. Still strong still humming with life.

Standing over the male vamp he took in his black hair. He would have noticed his face except now it was just a map of where his fists had been bloodied bruised puffy. If the guy had his eyes open Spike couldn't tell they were so swollen. He reached down and grabbed him by the collar pulling him into a sitting position.

"Talk." he growled.

"Unhhh." was all the beaten thing managed.

"Talk now." Spike pressed his stake against his chest.

"Wha... what do you want to know?" he forced out.

"Who sent you?"

"Don't know."

He pressed harder with the stake breaking the skin.

"Don't know who he is. Others sent us for him. Just know they call him master."

"Why?"

"Planning something big need the slayer out of the way."

"What?"

"Don't know they didn't tell me."

"Where do I find the guys that sent you?"

"Outside of town demon bar they met me there."

Finished Spike thrust the stake in and watched the guy dust. Standing he made his way back to Buffy watching her chest rise and fall. Her eyes were closed head resting against the stone behind her.

Hearing his return she opened her eyes slowly. She was glad that the dizziness had passed and the pain was now becoming a dull ache. Glancing at him she held out her hand to him. He took it and she pulled him down to her. He kneeled close to her side facing her, her hand clasped tightly in his.

She took a deep breath. It came easier the muscles not pulling on the wound as strongly as before. Better. She could talk a little more comfortably now.

"Find anything out?" she asked lightly.

He shook his head. "Not important."

"It is."

"No your the only bloody important thing going on here!" he yelled he didn't mean to but he couldn't control it. His emotions were raging inside him.

"I'm alright Spike."

"How can you say that? You've lost a lot of blood and that ax had to have hit something vital! You can't bloody be alright!"

She touched his face with her fingers.

Her warm touch felt calming to him. He could feel a wave of comfort wash over his form quelling the panic inside.

She moved her hands away and unbuttoned the lower half of the blouse she was wearing showing him the wound on her body. It was almost totally closed now crusted with blood stretching all the way across the front of her. Only one corner was slowly weeping blood.

He stared. He'd watched the ax bury itself deep inside her and knew that this wasn't what he should have been seeing so soon after. Confusion clouded his eyes.

"How?"

She sighed. "Something I found out the hard way. About four months ago I was in Canada fighting with a demon, Giles told me it was a Kronith demon. It was strong and maybe I was a little distracted anyway it got the better of me. Beat the hell out of me worse than anything before it. Bones I didn't even know I had were broken internal bleeding tearing you name it this guy managed to do. Some guy had stumbled over me and took me to the hospital. I overheard the doctors and they were shocked that I had made it to the emergency room alive. They were positive I was gonna die." She shuddered at the memory. "They hadn't even had time to get me to surgery something about some test. Anyway they hooked me to all those machines beeping and such, and before I knew it a huge group was in the room staring at the monitors. I managed to ask the nearest one what they were staring at. He told me all signs showed the bleeding had stopped on its own. They rushed me to take new x-rays and a cat scan everything they had diagnosed as life threatening was gone."

He stared at her not knowing where she was going.

"There were a few times before when I thought something might be different. A couple of fights where looking back I shouldn't have maybe recovered from. The first fight with the Turok Han I know you weren't there but really bad. Then there was the fight in the hellmouth. Had a sword shoved right through me and I managed to get up and keep fighting. I didn't have a second thought about it until I ended up in that hospital in Canada." She shifted again this time starting to feel really gross from the blood drying on her clothing. "I was able to check out the next day. Bones took a little longer to heal but nowhere as long as it used to take for me. At first I just thought the Slayer healing was working a little faster. Maybe I was just extremely lucky and the doctors were wrong." She shrugged her shoulders.

"But you don't believe that now?"

She smiled gently at him. "The more I thought about it the more confused I was. So I started doing my own research. The others didn't know what happened with the hospital and I felt better not telling them. When we were in Rome I ran into the Immortal and out of curiosity I struck up a conversation with him."

Spike flinched at the name.

"He and I just talked. But the guy has connections and I needed answers. After a while I explained everything about my past to him and he did his own research."

"Buffy you know the guy is only interested in one thing."

"He told me. More than once in fact. I wasn't interested and I made that more than clear to him." She smirked at him. "In fact he even told me he knew you and Angelus from way back." Spike groaned. She let a little laugh out. "I know all about it all right. But that's beside the point. After he did his research he told me some really interesting and depressing stuff. Sometimes wish I didn't know."

"What did he tell you luv?"

"You know that when I died, the first time with the Master, well I broke the Slayer line. That's why Kendra was called and then Faith when she died. That's why when I died again no one was called. When I came back and was still a Slayer one of two, it made things go really wonky. That was why the First was able to attack the way he had. It was the weakness in the protections the supposed powers had set up to control it. Boy if Willow found that out.... Talk about guilt." She shuddered again. "The last piece of the puzzle was when Willow used the scythe to make all the potentials into Slayers. Instead of drawing on just the power in the scythe it drew from me as well since I was the one to claim it. Should have known that things were going to go fishy. The woman, the one that was supposed to be the protectors of the slayers? Well before Caleb killed her she told me I was the hellmouths last guardian. When you managed to suck Sunnydale into that crater with you I thought she had been right I was its last guardian cause now it’s closed no need to guard it anymore." She chuckled wryly. "Didn't know she meant plural."

"I don't understand pet. What does this have to do with...?” he gestured towards her stomach.

"Getting to that. See in order for me to be the last guardian of all the hellmouths, and there are a few we've found out..." she trailed off.

Spike stood up suddenly frightening realization striking right through him. Oh no she couldn't mean what he was thinking. It wasn't possible. But it made perfect sense if what she had found out had any truth to it.

"Do the others know?"

"No and I don't intend to tell them right now. I'm still getting used to it myself." She looked up at his shaking form. "Do you understand?" She asked the question gently not wanting to push him.

He took a deep breath and nodded slowly.

"You're immortal."

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