Chapter 14:

The words hung heavy in the air between them. She watched him quietly knowing how big a shock it was. She hadn't wanted to tell him like this and she knew it was unfair for him to find out this way. But in another way she was relieved. It was out there in the open and there were no more secrets between them.

Spike struggled with the word in his head. Immortal. Not mortal any longer. He couldn't seem to grasp the concept. Like the idea was floating around the edge of his mind just out of reach.

"You're sure about this?"

"It's been tested. Let's leave it at that." She gestured for him to sit back down. "I had some dark times after that in Rome. It was part of the reason I moved back to California. The thought of living forever....” she closed her eyes "I still can't... " She looked at him again. "I'll just say I didn't take the news to well. I was able to pretend for awhile that none of it mattered that it didn't change anything." She gazed at him sadly.

"But it changes everything doesn't it pet?" He raised a hand to stroke her hair.

"Yeah in the not so good way mostly. It was part of the reason I hadn't talked to anyone the last two months. Being in that alley made me realize that I'm going to watch everyone around me grow old and die. And I'll still be here. Alone slaying things that come out of this hellmouth or another."

"You're not alone Buffy." He said it quietly. "I'm not going anywhere remember?"

She gave him a timid smile. "No not if you can help it I know. But forever is a long time."

He let the thought float around in his mind for a moment. Forever. With his Slayer. Who loved him. It couldn't even be conceived of in this lifetime. But it didn't need to be they had as many lifetimes as they needed.

She watched him mull this new twist in their lives around in his mind. It was a lot to take in she knew. Boy did she know but they had spent a lot of time in this cemetery with her blood scenting the air. They were tempting fate staying here while she was covered in her own blood. And she desperately wanted to get out of the now dried and matted clothing she was wearing.

"Spike I think we better get going." She maneuvered her legs underneath her and started to get to her feet. Once there she wavered a bit still a little weak from loss of blood. Spikes arm was around her in an instant steadying her. "We better get back to the others and tell them what you know."

"Um pet do you think that's wise right now?" He gestured from her knees to her chest.

"I know but everything is back at Faith's including a shower." She looked him over eyeing him carefully. "Besides I think I have an idea."

*********

They had spent more time at the cemetery than they had anticipated. When they finally did walk in the front door, Buffy wrapped up in his duster, it was already three in the morning. Luckily it seemed the gang had called it a night and no one was in the living room.

Locking the door behind them she moved further into the house.

"I'm just going to go get cleaned up 'cause you know ewww." She moved quietly through the house to the spare room Spike had used earlier.

Spike sat himself on the couch with a flop. They hadn't spoken in the car on the way over. Mostly that was his fault because for once in his unlife he was totally speechless.

He wondered, and not for the first time since he had met her not so long ago, how she had dealt with this alone for as long as she had. How she could be so calm and matter of fact about the whole thing. True she had a few months to adjust to the idea but what were a few months when you were faced with the end of time. Maybe she was still in denial. After all denial was something Buffy excelled at. It was the best weapon in her arsenal as far as he was concerned. Or maybe the dark times she alluded to in Rome were very dark indeed and something that pushed her into this blank acceptance.

Still he wasn't sure he was accepting it at all. Well if anger is the first stage of acceptance he was on his way he felt it growing deep in his belly burning him on the inside. How could the Powers allow this to happen? The woman had been through enough already. Yet here she was now shackled to a destiny that would never end. Angel's words came back to him, that she couldn't even die to get away from it. He remembered how she had talked of heaven when she had come back and how the thought that someday she would return had helped her finally start to heal. Now she was denied even that. There would never be any peace for her. She would fight to save a world that didn't care, that was harsh and cold. It would grow and change, as would those closest to her, and she would stay the same.

He ran a cold hand over his tired face. Maybe he should just get some sleep. It was still early for him but with all the excitement from the last couple of days he felt like he could sleep for a week. As he stood to collect his stuff from the downstairs room there was a heavy pounding on the door.

Curious he walked closer to it and looked out the peephole. To his surprise it was an agitated Watcher using his fist to beat on the door making it shake in its frame. He unbolted the door and pulled it open. Without a word he had pushed past him barging into the room Xander following close behind. Spike watched the men take in their surroundings.

"Where's Buffy?" Giles demanded as he whirled back at him. "And Willow?"

"Evenin' Ripper. She's in the shower. Figure Red's sleepin' upstairs." He gave a hard glance to him. "What’s goin' on?"

"Xander go up and wake her get her down here." The younger man began to climb the stairs.

"You may want to let Buffy know we are here. It's a matter of utmost importance."

"It's always of the utmost importance. Don't want to rush her mate had a rough night."

"Well I think it's going to get a bit rougher." Giles pulled off his glasses and began to clean them. "Go tell her to hurry." The words were clipped and cold.

Shrugging Spike walked down the hallway and knocked on the bathroom door. He heard a muffled response.

"Pet your watchers back with the whelp. Said you need to hurry." He thought he heard an okay over the noise of the running water. Standing there for a second he heard her turn the water off.

Satisfied he walked out into the kitchen and opened the fridge looking quickly he pulled out a bag of blood and found a yogurt. Opening the cabinets he found a mug and dumped the blood into it. Setting the mug in the microwave he dug in the drawers until he found a spoon. As the microwave beeped he pulled the mug out and carried everything back into the living room.

Willow had made it down during his short absence. She didn't look too happy at having been awakened at Xander's insistence. She was sitting on the couch her legs tucked underneath her a blanket thrown over her lap.

Giles was sitting in the armchair fingers pinching the bridge of his nose. Xander was sitting in the opposite chair being uncharacteristically quiet his hands fidgeting a little in his lap.

Spike took a seat on the opposite end of the couch placing his mug and the yogurt on the table. As he settled into the couch
He could see Buffy headed back down the hall her hair wrapped in a towel on her head. She had dressed herself in an old pair of sweats and a tee shirt. The others watched her walk into the room.

"So what’s the what Giles." She asked the older man causally.

"Buffy I think you may want to be seated for this." She could hear the strain in his voice. Crap this was going to be bad she knew it.

She made her way to the couch and began to sit between Spike and Willow. The movement strained against the now closed wound on her stomach making her breath catch against the sudden pain. No one seemed to notice her discomfort except for Spike who reached out and placed his hand on her knee. Grateful for the small comfort she gave him a slight smile. In response his hand left her knee and grabbed the yogurt that was sitting in front of him. With the same slight smile he handed it to her.

Buffy was a little surprised at his thoughtfulness and let her fingers brush against his as he handed her the food.

"Thank you." She pried the top off immediately and began to eat. "So sitting now."

"Quite. I received a few frantic phone calls from Andrew and some of the others on the Council. It appears that there is some kind of massive attack being carried out."

"Okay so we attack back what’s the big?"

"Not that simple Buff." Xander's tone was hushed and tentative.

"Xander is correct Buffy. The problem is much bigger than we anticipated."

"Isn't it always?" she asked sardonically.

"We aren't sure how it is possible but we can estimate that there have been several attacks on other slayers this evening."

"What kind of attacks and how many?"

"Mostly well thought out ambushes carried out by large groups of vamps and maybe some demons. As for how many we still aren't sure. I can only tell you about the ones that we do know about. The Council is on alert now trying to contact as many as we can." He stopped taking off his glasses and rubbing his forehead. "There have been a few casualties."

Buffy felt her stomach tighten. "How many?"

"Right now we know of at least one hundred and twenty."

"Oh Goddess."

"How many are there?" Spike asked his curiosity getting the better of him. No one had spoken about the other slayers that had been created and he was genuinely curious to know now.

"From the records we could find and the few surviving members of the Council that we talked to there was originally about three hundred and fifty potentials. After our dealings with the First we could account for only two hundred and ten slayers. That was including many that were too young and the others that were too old to begin training. We also have a few that for some reason could not perform the duties such as the young lady we retrieved from Los Angeles."

"If you lost one hundred and twenty tonight...."

"Yes the attacks have been aimed at anyone who is a slayer regardless of status. From that number only thirty were trained and performing duties."

"Tell me how to stop it Giles." Her voice was demanding.

"That is the problem Buffy. The attacks are not random there is evidence to suggest each one was premeditated but for that to happen on such a global scale... " He shook his head sadly. "I am afraid this is something that is beyond our abilities to deal with."

"So what are we going to do then?" Willow queried.

"We keep the others safe."

"And how do you think we're going to do that? I mean whole world kind of thing you can't be everywhere at once."

"I kind of know that Xan, we need to get everyone to a safe house. Give them safety in numbers. Giles could we set the ones in Europe and Asia in your place in England and with the Immortal in Rome?"

"Yes I suppose that would work would the Immortal be willing to do this?"

"I think he would I just need to call him." She noticed a pained expression on Spikes face. Damn she was going to have to fix that but not now there was still stuff to do. "For the ones on this side of the planet maybe we could call in a favor to Angel and have them go to him? And the rest could gather here we would need the coven to send the word out to everyone. But we have to make sure the inactive slayers come too."

"Why Dead Boy and the Immortal Buff?"

"Cause we need extra muscle. The Immortals got enough minions around that they wouldn't be able to get through to them. Angel will protect them and the ones in England are the largest concentration of trained slayers and their watchers. You know how to reach him don't you Spike?"

He just nodded at her the muscle in his jaw twitching ever so slightly.

"And what of Faith?" Giles' voice sounded uncertain.

"I know I don't like ruining her honeymoon anymore than you do Giles. We'll call her in the morning and let her know the sitch. Let them have at least this one night." She thought quietly to herself. "Giles did you know Faiths' patrolling habits?"

"Just what she told me in passing Buffy we didn't speak of it much." He glanced at her uneasily. "Why do you ask?"

"I have a feeling I may be included on that little list of attacks. We met with a large group of vamps patrolling. I've never seen that many hunt together before."

"Don't usually love. We tend to be a bit more solitary in that regard. They weren't the usual crowd more like hired hands."

"What did he tell you?"

"Said some other guys hired him from a demon bar just outside of the city to off the slayer for their master."

"Master as in Vampire?" She asked her voice hitched a bit and she flinched at the instinctual fear the name brought to her.

"Don't rightly know pet. Could just be a name or they could be some kind of servants. No way to tell just yet."

Buffy glanced around the room the strain in all of their faces. She wondered when they had all become so hard to all of this. She tried to remember a time when they were all so young where this horror would have brought shouting and shaking of fists at the inaction they were feeling. Now there was just a quiet gritty acceptance.

"We should start making some phone calls I think then we need to try to get some sleep."

********

He was laughing. It was a laugh of joy and triumph and it would chill anyone to the bone. He was succeeding and he knew it. Soon all the slayers in the world would be gone and half of his goal achieved. The response he was receiving on the monitor of this computer was elating. They never knew what hit them. It was such a simple matter they were after all just girls with a little more strength than the average human. He could deal with little girls.

A fledgling carefully made his way to his elbow standing as quietly as possible.

"Report."

"We have dispatched one hundred and twenty-seven master."

"Very good out of one hundred and thirty attacks not bad." He nodded to himself. "What about the three that got away."

"Two were severely wounded I was assured that they would not be living much longer."

"And the last?"

"The group in Cleveland never returned."

"Very interesting. Well I suppose I should know better than just send a few vamps to that one. A little too much experience. We'll have to think of something special for her." He thought for a moment. "And did you find the one I asked for?"

"We found where she had been living master but she was not there."

"I expect that to be remedied by this evening." He glared at the vamp. "I want you to notify me as soon as she is located."

"Yes master."

Chapter 15:

Even with three cell phones and the phone in Faith's house it seemed to take forever for all the arrangements to be made. The Coven had begun work immediately giving each of the slayers a message to get to the safe houses. And Buffy had been right all though reluctant the Immortal had agreed with her and opened his sanctuary to the hunted girls. She had watched Spike gesture wildly as he talked heatedly to Angel. He had wanted to make the call himself even when she had insisted. She knew he was still reluctant to let her and her ex talk freely and she had given in with only a halfhearted attempt to reason with him. There would be time for her to make him understand that the other souled vamp was no longer in her life in a meaningful way.

Buffy glanced back at the couch seeing that this time Willow hadn't even made it back up the stairs before falling asleep. She covered her with the blanket. Xander had his chin on his hand his eyes slowly blinking trying to hold off sleep. Even Giles was slouched in his chair his eyes staring off to a point in the distance. She gently tapped him on the shoulder. He turned his head to look at her with great difficulty.

"Giles there's nothing else we can do for now. You need to get some sleep."

"You're right of course. " He started to stand grimacing from sitting in the chair for so long. "Xander are you coming?"

"Hmmmphhh."

"Not one of your more coherent thoughts." Giles said wryly.

"Ha ha funny." He managed to mumble as he struggled to get his eyes to focus.

"We'll be back in a couple of hours. Please try to get some rest Buffy."

"I will."

Both men made there way to the door. As they left she closed it softly behind them.

She could hear Spike finish his conversation and hang up the phone. Without a word she walked over to one of the lamps in the living room and clicked the light off. She then started down the hall and entered the spare room. Suddenly she felt so tired. The kind of tired that even sleep couldn't rid her of. She was once again reminded that this was one of many nights in her now long life. How was she going to face this night after night after night? Letting the nights turn into months and into years and then into centuries. There was a tightness in her chest lodged somewhere near her heart. For once it was all too much for her in the silence of this room. She thumped onto the bed burying her head into a pillow her ragged breathing aching in her lungs. She wrapped her hands in the sheets clinging to them for dear life.

Spike had watched her walk into the bedroom as he fumed from the talk he had with his grand sire. The damn poofter was still busy brooding. Just like he had left him three days ago. How the hell did he ever get anything done with all the self-pity he was buried in? It wasn't like he didn't understand the pain and guilt Angel felt over the past. He understood all too well but he also knew that he had to come to terms with it move on and accept it. If he didn't he wasn't living or unliving. Just existing and that wasn't enough. It had taken some yelling and quite a few names were called before he finally got through to the other vamp. He finally agreed to use the hotel as a safe haven to the others and a promise that he would keep them safe. Now with that phone call out of the way he could finally try and get some sleep.

He felt the change in her mood before he managed to walk into the room. He opened the door slowly just enough so he could slip into the room. His heart clenched as he saw her form on the bed. She looked so tiny and frail as she lay there her uneven breathing disturbing the quiet of the dark room. He could feel her fear as it floated in the air around him.

"Buffy?" He had walked to the bed his hands reaching out to her even though she hadn't even looked up.

She had heard her name but the voice sounded far away now. The gasps that tore at her throat echoed in her head. Her whole being trembled under the weight of the events of the night. Even the slayer part of her had receded leaving only a small scared woman behind.

He brought his arms around her holding her close to him. Her body was tense and trembling. She hadn't moved as he slid her across the bed bringing her to his body.

"Buffy luv what is it?"

Her ears heard the words this time all though she was past the point of understanding them. She just latched onto the strong arms that held her now and buried her head into his chest her own arms wrapping themselves in a death grip around him. Her heart was pounding in her chest and she kept her eyes tightly shut against the world.

Spike was torn he wasn't sure what he was supposed to do. He didn't know if she just wanted him to comfort her or if he needed to reach out to her in another way. She had seemed fine only a moment ago and it was apparent that she was far from fine now. He drew her tighter to him his hands running up and down her back murmuring words of comfort to her. Spike was unsure how long he held her like this as he waited for her shaking to stop. Soon her breathing became even and sure and he could hear her heartbeat slow and steady telling him that she had drifted off to sleep. Not wanting to wake her he settled into the bed and closed his eyes.

*********

Buffy was confused at the hardness of the pillow underneath her. She felt comfortable enough but for some reason things weren't quite right. Slowly she opened her eyes blinking the sleepiness away. Forcing her vision to focus she looked around the room. It was then that she felt the arms holding her tightly and the feel of strong muscles as her head rested against Spike's chest. She raised her head to look at him. Her green eyes fell into the depths of his blue ones. The memories of the night before came rushing back.

"Buffy are you alright love?" Concern laced through his voice.

Spike was still unsure of what to expect once she awoke. He had spent a restless night next to her listening to her breathing. The time had passed slowly and he had spent it letting all the thoughts he had tried to keep out drift in and out of his tired mind. They came unbidden and refused to be pushed to the side. He had thought of the past and what the present meant. Then the very real and scary prospects for the future had demanded his attention. The memories of the past had haunted him before of course. The year before the battle in Sunnydale was proof of that. Each was revisited time and time again. Nameless victims and recent failures. But to him only two scenes ever meant anything to him. Watching Buffy jump from that platform because he hadn't been able to help Dawn and the other time the one they never talked about. He still refused to let the memory see the light of day. Just like him it needed to be buried and kept in the shadows. It was kept in the dark recesses of his mind only brought out in the night to haunt him over and over. It was the proof that he didn't deserve what was happening now. Showing him that no matter what he did he didn't deserve what the future could be.

Now however he was afraid of what was happening to her. Last night had been the most terrifying experience of his undead life. The silent fear he felt pouring out of every bit of her body frightened him. The intensity of it was something he had only seen from her once and he thought that he would never see it again. The night she had come back crawling out of her grave.

She gulped reflexively how did she answer such a question. His witness to last night would definitely rule out fine as an answer. She tried to clear her troubled mind. It had been a long time since she had had such an episode.

"I'm better this morning." her voice was quiet but determined.

"Would you like to talk about it pet?" He wasn't going to approach this the way he had before. The pain in her life would not and could not come from him. He would not reinforce her self-destruction ever again.

"Yes." She rolled over so that she was on her back. He kept an arm around her waist his head raised looking at her.

He waited patiently for her to begin. Knowing that he shouldn't push just glad that she was going to be willing to talk to him about what was going on.

"This isn't the first time that's happened. Just a little overloaded I think." Hell a lot of overloaded when she thought about it.

"Care to explain that?"

"It's happened a few times since I found out about.... well about my new.... about being immortal." she winced at the word. "There was just so much the last two days. Finding out you were alive, the demon attack, talking to Giles and Xander and Willow, Faiths wedding, the attack last night and then hearing about how many we lost last night." she closed her eyes feeling the tears pricking behind them. "I guess it was just a little too much."

"It would be too much for anyone pet." He stroked her arm reassuringly. "How are you right now?"

"Slowly making progess to okay. I just needed a little time and sleep I guess." She gave him a warm smile. "Thank you."

He tilted his head at her. "For what?"

"For just being here last night."

"Least I could do Buffy,” he thought for a moment suddenly remembering. "How about that wound of yours?'

"That. I know its healed now." She said it as she raised her shirt to show him her middle.

He looked and saw the faint pink line that ran horizontally across her stomach just above her belly button. The tissue was still healing but it was closed. Awed he traced the line with his finger.

She felt the rough skin of his fingertip slide along the extremely sensitive healing skin. The sensation made her gasp in surprise flooding her with warmth. She watched as his blue eyes darkened while they followed the path his finger was making.
Impulsively she reached up and grabbed his head pulling him down to her lips. She felt his surprise at the contact. Her lips covered his, gentle searching for his response. Startled he groaned. It was all the response she needed and ran her tongue over his lips. He parted them for her and she slipped inside his mouth meeting his tongue and dueling with it.

The surprise he felt as Buffy kissed him let him lose control. He felt himself sink into it the kiss all other thoughts pushed to the back of his mind. Her hands were now running up and down his back encouraging him to move closer. He felt his own hands start to respond as they traveled up over her shirt cupping her breasts. She arched her back in response to his touch. He heard her moan deep in her throat the sound penetrating the haze in his mind. The little voice that had been pushed to that darkened corner started protesting loudly. He had promised that he wasn't going to do this. There was no way he was going to let them settle into old dangerous patterns.

Reluctantly he tore his lips away from hers and stood up.

Buffy blinked in surprise. This was not a reaction she was familiar with. She watched him as he ran a hand through his hair and heard him take a deep breath.

"Spike?"

"Give us a minute pet."

She stared at him and saw the look of sadness in his eyes. Buffy knew of course that vampires didn't age that they remained forever young but that haunted look on his face made him seem older. She considered for a minute why he would have that look now. Running the events of the last two days over in her mind she couldn't find anything that could give her an answer. When that didn't help she let the gates that she kept over the past swing open in her mind. For her the past was over and done with. What had happened between them had been of equal blame. But she also knew that he wouldn't see things that way. She had made the peace with herself over the events of that first year she had been brought back. Just as she knew he couldn't yet make peace with it himself. Inwardly she smiled at herself for being percepto girl. First time for everything she supposed.

"Spike want to talk?" she patted the bed next to her.

He stared back at her head cocked to the side one eyebrow raised in surprise. In her eyes he saw the openness and care that he heard in her voice. He didn't know if he could do this. The past was something he just wanted to stay buried but he didn't want a repeat performance. That didn't mean they needed to talk about it, it just meant that he needed to not do what had been done before.

"Not really."

She tisked at him. "Come on. Talking is so much of the good."

"Buffy-"

"Nope were gonna have a nice little chat." She sat up and put her hands on her hips. "I'm not taking no for an answer." she used her best slayer voice.

He just continued to stare dumbfounded by her tone. They had never been like this. She had never really wanted to hear what his thoughts were on anything. Had never pushed him into revealing anything except for once but she had closed herself off from that conversation then too.

She read the confusion in his eyes. Of course it wasn't that hard to see. They were going into unfamiliar territory but she would be damned if they let themselves build the walls back up between them.

"Okay I'll start then. So why the pulling away?"

"I really don't want to do this." She could hear his tone changing. The open acceptance they had started with as they woke up was fading and she could almost hear the doors swinging closed on his emotions.

"Got that but really not seeing so much of a choice here.” She waved her hand in the air gesturing towards him. "So maybe I'll tell you what I think and you tell me how close I am."

" 'S not a game pet." the endearment was clipped and short. She knew she was pushing now. Thinking carefully she decided it needed to be done. It was time to drag the very unpretty past out and let it evaporate in the sun.

"Not saying it is. Spike there are things we need to talk about. I told you that I don't want to have any regrets. Not just about the future but about the past too."

"The past is over."

"See thinking like that so not helping."

"It's over and done with. We can't change anything about it."

"See that's where you're wrong. If we don't do this it will be there underlying anything we do. We can't begin to build a future when we can't move forward from the past." If possible his eyebrow went higher. "Look Spike I dealt with my past I know in my heart that I've made peace with it. I wouldn't be here now if I hadn't." She heard him snort. "You want to do this the hard way don't you?"

"I don't want to do this at all."

"I got that memo. This isn't about what we want or don't want. Now let me tell you something. I love you. I don't know if you still have a hard time believing it but I do. And I am never going to let that go. So if it means I have to get you angry to open up to me I'm willing to live with that. But I will not let you close me out."

"Me. Close you out. Are you daft?"

"Yeah I know. But that was then and this is so now. So are you gonna talk or what."

"I told you-"

"And I told you. Fine we'll do this the hard way. I think you thought we were making a mistake like we did when I came back. Easy to see why me all clingy and needy last night. I get that. But that's so not what is going on here now."

"And what is going on here?"

"I'm thinking that should be obvious." She smiled. "You know your still a dope."

"I'm a dope,” he echoed as he sank onto the bed sitting facing away from her.

"Yes. Very much so. You really think I'm ever going to go back to the way I was using the two of us the way I did then?"

"I don't know what to think Buffy." And he didn't.

"Let me tell you what I think then. I love you. Yes I used you then and I hated myself for it. I didn't hate you. I hurt you in anyway that I could so I didn't have to think about myself. I used the feelings I had against myself to lash out at you. And in the end I think it ended up hurting the both of us. But I don't feel that way now."

"So why is this different."

"A dope and a bonehead." She sighed. "It's different because we're different. We've both been through too much to go back to the way things were then. I know exactly what I'm doing here with you now. If you don't then you need to tell me now."

"I don't know." his head was bowed the words careful but quiet.

"Can you tell me why?"

"I don't even know why I'm here now. Let alone here with you."

"I'm not sure why they sent you back either. But I know why your here with me. Cause I want you to be. The only reason you wouldn't be here is if you didn't want to be here." She placed a hand on his shoulder. "Do you not want to be here?" she let her voice drop with the question let the uncertainty in it fill the air around them.

He turned to face her then his blue eyes conflicted.

"I want to be here you know that." He dropped his head again. "But I don't deserve to be here."

This time she snorted in disgust.

"Bullshit."

He brought his head up quickly at the word.

"You deserve more than this. How could you even begin to think that?"

"Buffy what I've done to you the way I've hurt you. I don't deserve anything but a long slow torment in hell and they pulled me back from there."

"So you want to have a pity party? We hurt each other Spike. In fact I did more than my fair share of hurting you. I pushed you into hurting me. I know that now. No it doesn't make what happened right and no I don't think I deserved it. But you weren't the only one in that room. I goaded you on and in fact I was surprised that you didn't just hit me. You still were trying to show me you loved me. You just went to far."

"How could you even think that?"

"Because it's true and I let myself see the truth." She placed a hand over his. "This isn't something I just figured out you know. I dealt with this right after you left. Well after the thing with Willow. But I had that whole summer to think and to deal."

"You never said."

"No and I suppose the old me would have just let it stay quiet. But that's not me anymore just like you aren't the same person that was there. I saw the change in you Spike. I was there remember?"

"You saw what you wanted to. It's still me Buffy." He rubbed his eyes. "I'm still capable of making the same mistakes the same wrong calls."

"Yes but so is everyone else. That doesn't make you a monster. It makes you a man."

"But I am a monster and I'll always be one." he put on his game face to make his point.

She touched his cheek. "No you control the monster now. I know how much damage I inflicted. Please don't tell me I didn't. All of us spent years telling you that you couldn't feel that you were an evil soulless thing. We were wrong."

"No you weren't." he said as his human features slid into place.

She slammed her hand into the mattress. "Yes we were! We're all alive because of you. Things you did for us before you got your soul. The person inside of you has always been stronger than the demon." She took a deep breath. "Do you know why we always said those things? It's because if you could be like this without a soul, without being human what the hell was wrong with us? It was frightening to us. It scared the shit out of me. That year made me hate myself because I still had a soul and I did those things to you. So what kind of monster did that make me?"

"What the bloody hell are you talking about?" He yelled. "You were hurting and you didn't know how to deal with it."

"And so were you. So I'll ask you again. Do you want to be here?"

He looked at her. She wasn't fighting fair. She was using all of his words and twisting them. Why was she being like this? Why would she want for him to confront this?

"Buffy-"

"Dammit Spike. What is it going to take?" she paused for a second thinking. "I forgive you." she blurted it out not taking the time to adjust to the words.

"Huh?"

"I forgive you Spike. For everything that happened before. The pain the hurt and yes even for trying to rape me. I forgive you."

"Don't you can't-"

"Can't what forgive you for what happened to me. Well I do. I'm not going to take part in your self-torment. I love you and I forgive you."

Tears were streaming down his face now.

"Don't do this love."

"I already have. I won't let this eat away at you any longer. Not because of me. You have to come to terms with it on your own." She pulled him into her arms. "I love you." she held him tighter running her hands over his back in a soothing way.

Chapter 16:

Buffy made her way into the kitchen looking for something to eat. She felt better now than she had in the last few months. It was more than the fact that she had come to be with friends again and it was in spite of the fact that there was something out there hunting the other slayers. She was finally making peace with everything in her life. It was giving her the first real chance to move forward and hope for the future no matter how long it would be.

She had left Spike after he had finally drifted off to sleep. The emotional toll on both of them had been heavy. Maybe if they had only been open enough to tackle this stuff last year things would have been so different. But there was no point in feeling that way now. She just hoped that he had taken to heart what she had told him. It was important that he had the same chance to heal that she had had.

The sun had been up for awhile now and she expected Giles to be arriving at any time. Reaching into the fridge to pull out some milk for her cereal she heard footsteps behind her.

"Morning Willow." it sounded odd to her how cheerful her voice was. It reminded her how long it had been since that was a genuine feeling.

"Hey Buffy." the red head looked her up and down critically. "So you seem happy. Any special reasons for the sudden happiness."

"And what are you implying Will?"

"Me nothing not so much with the implying." she stopped and smiled. "More with the asking I think. Does it have something to do with a bleached vamp who just happened to stay in the same room with you last night?"

"Yes but so not in that way your thinking."

"So you're telling me there were no smoochies."

"No I'm telling you that-" she stopped there for a second. "That's cheating."

"What?" she asked innocently.

Buffy giggled. "Yes there were some smoochies. But mostly we just talked. Progress is being made."

"I'm glad Buffy. I like seeing you happy."

"Me too."

*********

Even though she knew that the phone call had been a necessity it wasn't anything she had wanted to do. She had tried to put it off but eventually there was nothing else she could do. Instantly she had cringed at her timing. The things she had heard on the other end made her blush. And after much cursing and the sound of things breaking she got Faith to promise to return to the house immediately.

Giles and Xander had arrived not to long after she had her breakfast. The bright afternoon sun shone outside although it was blocked from her view in the living room the heavy curtains shut tight against the window. No point in taking a chance that Spike would be up and want to come out into the room with them.

There had only been two more phone calls from the council and neither had filled her with confidence. The first had confirmed the original death count. She had grimaced at the news. The second had told them that Slayers were starting to arrive at each of the other safe houses.

For the next few hours the four of them had spent the time pouring through stacks of books researching anything that would give them a clue as to what was going on. And they found out zilch. Nothing was helping. So now Buffy was pacing in the living room trying to figure out what they were going to do next. She knew that she needed to go to the demon bar and try to find the creeps that had hired those vamps. Unfortunately there were still hours of daylight left and she wanted Spike to be able to go with her. If only because she already knew these guys wanted her dead. It would only make sense to have him as backup. Fed up she threw her hands into the air.

"I'm going out."

"Where will you go Buffy?" Giles had taken his glasses off and was polishing the lenses.

"I just need to do something Giles. Maybe I'll do a little shopping I need more clothes."

"Isn't that like a permanent condition?" Xander asked without looking up.

"Yeah but I only brought an overnight bag. So technically I really do need more clothes."

"Shopping is good. I could maybe use a few things." Willow smiled.

"So shopping it is then we'll be back before dark."

"Mind if I come with? Or is this a girl thing?"

"The more the merrier I think. You can drive."

"Buffy need I remind you what is going on around you?" The disapproving tone wasn't hidden to her.

"I know exactly what's going on Giles but we don't have anything to go on and we're just sitting here waiting for nightfall."

"You're right of course,” he didn't sound to convinced. But he was willing to let it go.

"We'll be back soon." And just like that the three of them were out the door.

*********

Slowly Spike blinked focusing his sleepy eyes. He felt calm and collected not something he was used to waking to. Staring at the whiteness of the ceiling he concentrated on the events of the day before. There hadn't been time for his emotions to regain their equilibrium going from fear to love to sorrow to joy swinging wildly every few minutes. Now he was in this room alone the quiet house settling around him.

His thoughts of course continued to settle around the petite blonde who always had his full attention. There had never been a time when he hadn't thought about her in one way or another for the last six years. Sure the first two years they hadn't been particularly nice thoughts but that was neither here nor there. Now he knew she loved him. He had loved her first had devoted his life to hers since the night he had that startling dream but it seemed like a distant memory. The feelings he had now burned with intensity he had never experienced before. She was amazing the gifts she had given him in the last day and a half was beyond anything a mere mortal could ask for. It was also a lot more than a simple vampire had ever expected to have. He once had told her he would be happy with any crumb she could give him. Instead this morning she had proven to him that she had given him everything.

It was such a good thing that there wasn't a happiness clause to his soul. Happiness is one thing that had been sorely missing in his long life. She was right it was time to move forward and today was going to be a beginning like no other.

Spike rose to his feet and walked out of the bedroom striding purposefully to the kitchen. He began making himself a mug of blood when he heard the footsteps behind him.

"Good you're awake. Mind if we have a word Spike?"

"Not a problem with me Ripper. Where did the others get off to?"

"Shopping as always. I have something rather serious I wanted to discuss with you however."

Spike nodded at him taking his mug out of the microwave and sitting himself at the island. As the silence continued he raised a curious eyebrow at him.

"Right. I want you to answer as truthfully as you can." As usual the older man began to clean his glasses.

"What's got your knickers so twisted mate?"

"Tell me how badly was Buffy injured last night." Direct and to the point for once Spike thought. He wondered how much he could tell the watcher. Knowing how astute the man was he didn't want anything to give him more of a clue of what was going on especially since Buffy didn't want them to know yet.

"It's Buffy." he shrugged. "She heals pretty damn fast."

"I'm quite aware of that Spike. Tell me anyway."

"What makes you think she was really injured at all?"

"I'm not blind Spike. I saw the look of pain she had. And I saw the fear that was in your eyes. Something serious occurred last night and I want to know what it was." His tone had changed it wasn't just a conversation to the man. Giles was pushing Spike wondered why.

"It's not my place."

"I think you're wrong about that." He looked into the older man's eyes and saw the weariness that was hidden in their depths.

"What do you know?" He eyed him suspiciously.

"I am not sure yet perhaps if you would answer my question I could figure that out."

"Bugger all I don't know anything." Giles eyes flared and he saw Ripper come to life.

"Now." he ground the words out.

"Fine!" He threw his hands up in defeat. "She was injured very badly and it scared the hell out of me. That enough?"

"I need the details Spike."

"She took an ax to the stomach."

Giles nodded. "And it started healing within moments correct? Loss of blood didn't seem to faze her?"

"Yeah that's right."

"Then it's as I had suspected. She really is immortal isn't she?" Spike started choking on the blood that suddenly started going down the wrong way.

"You know?" He managed to cough out.

"Yes."

"Well. I'm waitin' mate."

"I suspected as much since we had left Sunnydale." At Spike's tilted head he continued. "I had taken a look at the sword wound she had received during the battle. She was almost completely healed by the time we made it to the hospital. That wasn't a normal amount of healing time for her even as the Slayer. I of course was curious and began researching. However I was hampered by the fact that there has never been a slayer as long lived as Buffy. I could not ascertain if her better healing ability was because her powers were becoming more powerful or if something else was the cause."

"What changed?"

"I received or rather the council received a hospital bill for her from Canada."

Spike took a sharp breath he didn't need.

"Quite. I called the doctors and told them I was her father. When questioned they told me the extent of her injuries and the fact that she was released the following morning." He took his glasses back off and laid them on the surface of the island. "She should not have survived. At the time of her admittance she had lost a great deal of blood, had a ruptured spleen, a tear in her pericardium, a punctured lung, a hole in her liver, and her femoral artery had been severed. Those were just the internal life threatening injuries. I lost track of the number of broken bones they had told me."

Spike's mouth had dropped open. Yes she had told him that her injuries had been serious and he knew that to take a slayer down they would have to be. The doctors had been right she should have been dead just from the blood loss alone.

"When she wasn't forth coming about the trip I began to research in earnest realizing that no amount of slayer healing was going to repair that kind of damage in one evening."

"Good God man just give me a straight answer."

"There is a prophecy."

"There's always a bleeding prophecy." He hated prophecies.

Giles resettled his glasses on his nose and took out a sheet of paper from his coat pocket.

"It is an appendage to another prophecy it’s known as the Shanshu prophecies."

"I know of it." He snorted.

"Apparently no one had done a full translation it seems it was only picked apart for certain pieces."

"Let me guess some bloke who's a vampire with a soul saves the world from an apocalypse and gets to be a real boy again."

"Yes that is the passage most referred to." He eyed Spike with a certain gleam of amusement in his eyes. "And you are so knowledgeable in this area because?"

"Oh please I'm not deluded. They dangled that bloody thing like a carrot in front of Peaches to get him to be a Champion."

"Anyway the translation states that before the afore mentioned apocalypse the last guardian of all the hellmouths shall be chosen. The last of the Chosen Ones will become more than human guarding humanity until it ceases to exist. Not one but two Champions of her heart will join her in battle. Both ensouled and neither human they will fight side by side to defeat the evil force. Whatever that is these things are never that clear. When the battle is finished one will receive their reward and the other two will continue."

"And you think this part of the prophecy has come to pass?"

"It would seem that way. Buffy has already become immortal that is a fact that I can no longer deny. And for the two ensouled non-humans I think you and Angel more than qualify. Also there have been rumors of all types of large demon communities gathering to join forces. And with these other attacks on the Slayers I assume there is a united front although who is behind it is a mystery to me."

"But you weren't concerned about this before."

"Spike you and Angel were dead. At the time the prophecy didn't fit."

"So what does this mean exactly Ripper?"

"It means we have an apocalypse to stop. Again. But there is also something else I wanted to ask you."

"No time to be shy now mate."

"How is she emotionally I mean. Is she okay?"

Spike's eyes softened to the other man's. He couldn't deny how much Giles really did care for Buffy. Despite everything that had happened between the two men in the last few years as ugly as it was they would always have this connection.

"I don't know. In the last few hours she's gone from acceptance to sheer terror about it. I think she's still got a ways to go before she'll be okay with it."

"I suspected as much. I wish she had been able to tell me but I understand her hesitation."

"Do you really Ripper?"

"Of course. To know that she is going to live forever and we are not. I understand even if I could not fathom the pain the thought must bring to her. And I know that I would be one of the last people she would want to be around."

"Are you daft? The woman adores you."

"And I her. I only meant that as the oldest in her circle of friends...."

"You would remind her the most of what she was going to lose. I get it mate."

"There is the slight problem however of needing her to know about this prophecy."

"Yeah. She still doesn't want you to know yet."

"Perhaps if you suggested it?"

"I'll try but you know her." The knowing smile on Giles' face brought one of his own. "I have a question of my own."

"Do tell."

"Why the sudden welcome into your lives?"

"Ahh. Maybe it isn't as sudden as you think."

"No?"

"Spike. Buffy has loved you for a while now. I knew it when I returned to Sunnydale with the first of the potentials. She didn't understand it then but I saw it. I can't say this is what I had hoped for her. After all it was bad enough when she had been in love with Angel. But knowing what I do now... You're the only one who can promise to stay with her and actually have a chance to do it. It's very important to me that she is happy. You can give that to her."

"It's what I want more than anything." It was a simple confession but one he knew the other man would understand.

"Then I will have to let that be what comforts me even if you are the most infuriating creature I have ever come across."

"Thanks mate."
 

Chapter 17:

The others returned a half hour before the sun began to set. They were chatty and giggly and reminded Spike of the times he had observed them from afar. When they had been carefree and so young. The teenagers who had thwarted every evil scheme he could come up with were gone and here in their place were three people aged by time and experience.

They had gotten a call from the two young slayers that lived nearby telling them that they would be arriving within the next few hours. There was nothing else to do but wait for night to fall.

********

"Do you have what I asked for?"

"Yes master. The woman you seek is here in Cleveland staying at the house of the other slayer."

"Now that is interesting. And how do you know this?"

"The demon you sent to kill the slayers in this area was destroyed by her. She had been staying at a motel and relocated after the failed attack."

"So they would be together then. We shall wait until tomorrow I have the perfect thing in mind for them." He noticed that his favorite minion seemed to pause. "Something else I need to know?"

"The others say that they are not alone."

"No this one never is. We shall deal with that when the time permits. Now leave me."

"Yes master."

He bowed and made his way out of the room.

********

The bar was more of a dive than even Willy's had been. It felt like it looked dark and dirty. Buffy noticed a cockroach crawl across the top of the bar and cringed. Gross was an understatement. At least she was comfortable enough with the demon clientele. Nothing in here she didn't recognize and she had the advantage, none of them knew who she was. She was sure they could tell she was a slayer, most demons would be able to sense that, but no one knew her. It made the evening a little more exciting and gave her a small thrill.

They had gone in separately of course. Spike went in first getting a feel for the room. Watching as a few of the others gathered together near the back to talk quietly to each other. He stopped at the bar and ordered himself a whiskey. Taking his drink and moving stealthily through the crowd he made his way closer to the group of vampires. Stopping at a chair near them he sat down quietly his attuned ears straining to hear. He could make out a few words something about a certain master and slayers and the word that caught his attention, tomorrow. Something was going to happen and it was going to be done tomorrow and it involved the slayers.

Buffy watched him from beside the bar saw him concentrate on the conversations around him. She waited patiently having done this with him so many times in the past. It was comforting in a way to know that even though she had changed so much some things were timeless. She watched his brow furrow and scan the room looking for her. When he caught her gaze he nodded in the direction of the guys directly behind him. She nodded imperceptibly.

She approached them easily a slight smile on her lips.

"This seat taken?" she gestured to the chair near the vamps her voice light and flirtatious. She stared at the group, four in all sizing each one up in turn. Two were brand new fledglings maybe a week old she guessed. The other two were slightly older and one of them Buffy noticed was not reading quite right to her. It occurred to her that the odd one was just a little too sure of himself that maybe he was older than she thought. The two youngsters just stared at her. Both had a dark complexion one slightly heavy and neither looking much older than fifteen or sixteen when they were turned. The one she was not getting the weird vibe from was a skinny nerdy looking blond. Vibe boy was a different story all together. He had light brown hair and was built almost like a line backer. Mostly muscle she guessed on his huge frame. His eyes however shined with knowledge and a small shiver ran up and down her spine.

He was the one who finally answered.

"We don't need your company."

"Now that’s kind of rude don't you think? I was being all social like." She pulled a stake out of the waistband of her skirt. "I just thought maybe you guys could answer a couple of questions for me."

He snorted in disgust. "Not from you Slayer." he waved his hand at the other three and all of them stood up.

The growls could easily be heard around the bar and with the four standing over the petite blond woman there were no doubts about what had caused them.

"What is it with you guys. Can't anyone just answer the questions for once? Dare to be a little different." She sighed. "Alright but can we make this quick I have other things I could be doing."

"I just need enough time to snap your neck bitch."

"Oh yeah that's so original." She tossed her hair.

They began to stalk towards her and she reflexively took a step back trying to give herself enough room. The skinny blond was first kind of tripping over his own feet. It was kind of sad really as her stake sunk home and the dust settled around her.

The two fledglings charged together each fumbling into each other before making a grab for her. She tugged on the arm of the lighter one pulling him over her shoulder sending him crashing into the bar. She could hear a roar from that direction but ignored it as she sidestepped the other dark vampire. Reaching out with her foot she kicked him sending him in the opposite direction contacting the wall with a thud.

Spike watched as the vamp made like he was on a trapeze and flew through the air with the greatest of ease. To bad the landing was so awful. The poor fledgling slid over the top of the bar and knocked into the drinks of some other demons. They came to their feet quickly a roar sounding out from the taller of the two. Uh oh. Moving quickly Spike placed himself between the fighting group and the quickly approaching demons. Putting on his best charming smile he greeted them.

"Hey let me get you guys some fresh drinks. Damn bloody bar fights never let a bloke finish a quiet drink anymore."

The growl he got was more than enough answer.

"Well since you put it that way." He started letting his fists fly at the pissed off creatures.

Buffy still had the edge on the younger vamps and had finally managed to stake the thinner of the two after he came back from his encounter with the wall. She warily eyed the older vamp noticing that he was still just watching and not taking part in the fight. She spun to face the remaining brunette sending a punch into his face. His stumbled and ran into Spike's back.

He turned and pushed the other vamp off of him towards Buffy. In a few quick strides she had closed the gap between them and gave him a solid kick to the solar plexus. As he doubled over she shoved her stake into his chest. Turning she saw the last vamp make what looked like a quick decision and rap on the wall behind him. Buffy groaned she just knew this couldn't be good.

Where it had appeared to be a solid wall she could now see a hidden door opening. It looked like the room behind it must be rather large as judging from the group of other vampires made their way towards them. This was not looking like it was going to go in their favor.

Spike wasn't sure what noise it was that drew his attention from the two now bloodied demons but he turned and looked in the direction he thought it came from. He watched as a group of twenty vamps sauntered into the room. There weren't very good odds and he knew it. Without time for further thought his attention again returned to the angry fellows from the bar. At least Spike could tell they were tiring and the fight was going easy enough. But now wasn't the time quickly he dispatched the two demons not giving them time to react using razor sharp claws to slit their throats.

As Spike watched Buffy slowly back up to him trying to maintain some distance to this new threat. There had to be at least twenty of them filing out of the tiny doorway the vibe vamp leaning nearby against the wall. He could see that it looked pleased at its little surprise for them.

"Right let's do this then." Spike mumbled.

There was a blur of movement as both Slayer and Vampire converged on them. Even as dust started to fill the air around them they could sense that they were quickly losing ground. Still fighting hard both began to back towards the entrance to the bar.

"Well is this a private party or is anyone invited?"

A smile tugged at the corners of Buffy's mouth hearing the familiar voice.

"Let's just consider this your wedding gift."

"Well thanks B it's just what I wanted."

Pressing their new advantage the three of them began retaking the bar from the vamps. The air was clogging with dust as the numbers started to dwindle down. Ten, eight, seven and then just five. Spike and Faith fought two at once each easily moving between their respective targets. Buffy was left with a rather heavyset vamp that couldn't move very well. Not using much effort she feinted to the side letting his size carry him past her. And like that he was a big dust cloud.

She gave a slight nod of approval seeing them readily taking care of their adversaries. Confident she scanned the room again and saw the one demon that might have some answers for her. His sly confident air was now gone and he seemed to be looking for another way out. It was obvious that there wasn’t one and she could see the resignation in his face as she approached him. She walked slowly giving the appearance of a predator stalking its prey.

"Now see how messy that was? We could of had a nice little talk been all friendly like but nooo you wouldn't cooperate."

She watched him grit his teeth. "I'm not telling you anything."

Buffy sighed loud and dramatically. Placing her hands on her hips she gave him her best Slayer look. "You'll tell me what I need to know." She let a slow powerful grin spread across her lips. "Or don't talk it will make it more interesting."

Slowly they began circling each other as the sounds of the others fights filtered in the air around them. Sizing each other up determining if the other was a true threat or not. With a sudden burst of speed the vamp lashed out at her stake hand knocking it away from her and she could hear it clatter across the floor. Not a problem considering all the broken chairs that were now dispersed through out the bar. They began to trade blows in earnest now evenly landing some and blocking others. Buffy knew now that this vamp was really closer to fighting a master vampire than she had previously thought. His age confused her though. It seemed like he was still too new to justify his fighting skills and strength. She shrugged mentally. He wouldn't be the first master vamp she took down.

Lurching he got in a couple of lucky shots to her face. Buffy battled back knocking him back against the wall he had recently been leaning against. When she stepped near him he took advantage and reached for her throat. She caught the gleam of the knife blade its arc cutting through the air.

Dusting one of his two vamps Spike took a quick glance around the room. He could see Buffy fighting the vamp she had been talking to before this brawl broke out. The one he was still fighting took this moment however to come charging at the bleached blond. Ducking he let him slide across his back as he tossed him out into another poor table. He could hear it smash as the thing landed with its full weight.

Turning back to look at Buffy he saw as the vamp reached out and grabbed her throat and caught the shiny glint of steel as it was brought out from behind his back. Reacting quickly he was at her side in a flash and pushed her out of his grasp. He caught the other vamp by the wrist forcing him to drop the knife. So intent was he that he took no notice of what was going on behind him.

The force of Spike's push had sent her into a short roll across the floor. Glaring at him she jumped to her feet. She watched as his forgotten foe stalked carefully towards him her dropped stake curled in one hand. Slidding over to him quickly she took hold of the now upraised stake arm and twisted it down so it penetrated his own chest. As it exploded into dust she turned back to the lone conspirator.

Spike still had one wrist on his hand the other was wrapped around its throat. He squeezed tightly and grinned evilly when he was the pain flash in the others eyes. Relaxing his hold ever so slightly he looked deep into his eyes.

"I believe the lady wanted you to answer some questions mate." He growled low and long.

If anything the younger vamp's eyes grew wider in appreciation of the predicament he found himself in.

"I don't know anything."

Buffy snorted loudly. "Please we're blond not stupid. Now I want you to tell us who is putting you guys up to this."

"I don't know."

Spike's grip tightened again. "Straight answer right now might be your best bet."

"I don't know! There was a thing on the internet wanting everyone to band together, rid ourselves of all the slayers." Came the choked response.

"And exactly what was the plan?" Anger clearly lacing her voice.

"To get enough participants to stalk all the slayers and take them out at the same time."

"Then what?"

"Don't know we were waiting for our next contact."

"When and How?"

"Internet all done on line. They just send us a message when their ready."

Buffy nodded towards Spike and the offending demon slowly floated in tiny pieces to the floor.

She turned back to see Faith leaning against the bar watching them.

"Ready?"

"Yeah B this place is a dive even by my standards."

Together the three of them walked outside into the warm night

Chapter 18:

The usually chilly autumn air was missing this night. It was unseasonably warm so much so that Buffy and Faith were only dressed in short sleeved shirts. Buffy turned her eyes up at the dark sky. It was made inky black clouds covering the normally bright stars. She could hear the faint sound of thunder in the distance.

"I'm gonna head back B. Robin is wicked pissed about cutting our honeymoon short." Turning quickly the dark slayer was already moving into the night.

Buffy let her gaze fall on the man next to her. She could feel the anger she had been suppressing come bubbling up to the surface. Pissed she turned on her heel and began marching down the street.

Spike looked at her retreating form in question. What the buggering hell was that about. She seemed fine inside. Now it seemed like she was brassed about something. He started to follow her quickly.

"Hey what's up with you pet?"

"I'm angry."

"I can see that. Was more wondering why.”?

She whirled back to face him. "Don't push Spike."

"I'm just askin' a question."

"No you're pushing. Stop."

"Now who’s shuttin' who out Slayer?"

That did it. Now he wanted to throw things like that in her face? Oh she so was not going to put up with that nonsense. He didn't want to wait until she calmed down. Well that was fine with her.

"Damn stupid vampire!" She of course realized she had said that out loud a little too late. Oh well it was out there now.

"Fine you want to know why I'm pissed off? I'm angry at you goddammit."

"Me! What the bloody hell did I do now?"

"How about you almost got yourself staked again in there!" She knew she was yelling now but she couldn't find it in herself to care.

"I was tryin' to help you you stupid bint!" She found that he was yelling back and she could see the flash of amber in his eyes. It didn't surprise her they had always communicated this way. It seemed comforting in a way she knew what to expect from him in return. It was her responses that would be different now.

"Getting yourself dusted is not going to help me Spike! You were trying to stop me from getting a knife wound! Hello! Yes it might have been painful but I wasn't going to get killed here! Immortal remember?" She gave him a good long glare. "Besides do you really think I was gonna stand there and let him stab me?" And then with a little sigh let the anger recede from her body.

"I wanted-"

"I know you wanted to keep me from getting hurt." her tone was gentle now. "I understand that but you can't let your guard down like that. What if I hadn't reacted in time?" She stepped closer to him reading a slow confusion replace the anger in his eyes. "Dammit all Spike I just found you I can't lose you again." They were mere inches apart now bodies a hairsbreadth from touching.

The sky boomed with a sudden crack of thunder and light filled the sky around them. Neither of them noticed.

He looked deep into her emerald eyes seeing the love shining in them that he had only dreamed of. God he loved this woman so much. It was an all-consuming fire in his heart mind and soul. He'd only had one thought as he had pushed her away to keep her safe to protect her at all costs. But she was right he had forgotten about her new life span.

"I know this is hard to hear but I don't need you to protect me."

"Then what do you need pet?" His voice was choking with his conflicting emotions.

"I need you to stand with me. Not just to fight beside me but to care for me. Be the one person I can lean on. To love me."

"Buffy-" He couldn't control himself any longer. The words she spoke took all rational thought away freeing his mind of the pestering noise it always made.

He wrapped his arms around her waist and brought his mouth against hers roughly. She responded instantly wrapping her arms around his neck pulling him even closer.

The sky above them boomed out again the sound rolling across them like water. In response the clouds seemed to open themselves up and a hard warm rain began to fall.

He deepened the kiss letting their tongues meet together and fight tenderly in their mouths. Gradually while they became more passionate they also became gentler. Buffy finally broke the kiss looking at him as she pulled a ragged gasp of air into her lungs. Releasing his neck she spread her hands against his strong chest feeling the muscles ripple beneath her fingers. Running her hand up and back down she let her lips seek his.

He drew her closer to him letting his erection grind into her hip letting her know just what she did to him. His own hands slid up from her waist going up around her chest each one palming one of her firm breasts. He could feel the nipples hardening with his touch.

Not knowing how he managed it he seemed to have backed them into an alley off of the main street. Pinning her against a wall he let his nimble fingers begin to unbutton her shirt. He gave her a light peck on the lips as he moved to kiss along her jaw and worked his way down her smooth neck. Nuzzling slightly as he paused over her pulse point he continued to trail small kisses to her warm flesh that he had recently exposed.

This was it this was heaven she was sure of it. Being here in the rain with the man she loved in this moment. His cool lips were sending little shivers up her spine. She snaked her hands through the soft curls of his wet hair as he sucked at one pebbled nipple. Arching her back in response she moaned in pleasure. He moved from one breast to the other using his tongue to swirl around the nub. She grabbed a hold of his head and brought his lips back up to hers. Letting him feel all the emotion she contained through this meeting of their lips. She pulled at his t-shirt tugging it loose from the waistband of his tight jeans. Freed at last she let her hands travel up under it enjoying the smoothness of his skin.

Spike groaned at the fire he felt from her hands on his naked skin. She was burning him from the inside out. He reached his hand down and slid it under the hem of her skirt pushing the material out of his way. Sliding his wet fingers slowly up the inside of her thigh. He stopped at the apex of her legs letting his finger slowly brush against her womanhood. The scent of her arousal became overpowering to him and he groaned again. Rubbing back and forth lightly he could hear the gasp of pleasure as it escaped her lips.

"Oh god Buffy. So hot so wet." he was starting to babble all coherency lost as his whole universe became this one woman in front of him.

"Spike." His name was like a small prayer a desperate cry for relief.

Using his index finger he pushed the material of her thong away and plunged into her molten fire. Gently he slid it in and out of her pausing only for a second before adding a second finger. God she was so tight and wet it was driving him crazy. Then he used his thumb to stroke the swollen bundle of nerves at her center.

She could feel the growing ache starting at the pit of her stomach from his talented fingers. It spread through her like a wild fire consuming everything in its wake.

"Spike! Yes oh god yes!" She cried desperately as wave after wave of pleasure broke over her.

He let his fingers continue to work her helping her ride out the torrent of her orgasm. As her muscles seemed to relax he felt her small hands working on the buckle of his belt. Then felt as she slowly undid the top button of his jeans.

Suddenly he froze pulling his head back he looked into her eyes.

"Are you sure about this?" He voice was hesitant questioning.

Letting all the love she felt for him shine in her eyes she looked deeply into his. "Yes. I love you."

Moaning at her words he undid the rest of the buttons himself and took one of her legs wrapping it around his middle. With a slight hop she managed to repeat it with the other leg. In one sure move he sank his hard length inside of her.

"Buffy love you so much. Missed you missed touching you. Oh god luv." A continued stream of words passed though his lips of the love and devotion he felt for her.

"Yes Spike. Love you never want to be without you."

As their tempo increased movements becoming harder and faster Buffy could feel herself climbing to the edge of her release. In a moment of decision she looked into the blue eyes of the man and demon that she loved.

"Spike make me yours."

His look of shock made her heart skip a beat.

"Buffy?"

"I love you. Do it. Make me yours." She brushed her hair away from her neck in invitation.

"Pet are you sure?"

She could feel herself slipping teetering on the brink. "Please Spike now."

Roaring his game face slipped into place and his teeth sank into the softness of her golden skin.

With his first pull on her blood she felt herself fall over the edge her muscles all tensing for a moment before clamping around him. Saying his name over and over again.

The feel of her warm powerful blood sliding down his throat and the muscles tightening around his member drove him over the edge. He let his fangs slip out of her throat with a roar.

His amber eyes glittered into hers. "Mine!" He growled.

"Yours." She answered without hesitation. Bending her head quickly she bit down on his neck her blunt teeth breaking the skin and drawing blood. Pressing her lips to it she took two short pulls.

"Mine." She repeated.

"Yours forever pet." His eyes shifting from amber back to blue shined back at her full of love and adoration. Seeing the same emotions reflected back from her hazel orbs he bent his head and claimed her lips with his own.

Chapter 19:

Willow sat her eyes glazing over as she stared at the computer screen, hours of searching producing nothing but eyestrain. Lazily she twirled her finger over the touch pad bringing up another hopeless link. She didn't know why she was continuing with this fruitless endeavor. Another click and yet another fantasy fiction site popped onto the screen making her sigh. There was no way they were going to find anything useful like this there was something they were missing but for the life of her she didn't know what it was.

As the hours passed since the blond duo had left the house it had become silent with only the sound of pages turning and the clicking of her key board echoing around them. No one had found anything and it was starting to grate on them. They were used to finding out about whatever they were facing quickly and being able to tackle it head on, well most of the time. There were always exceptions and they made each of them nervous. Any time it was this hard to find information was never a good sign and the amount of tension filling the little house was growing by the second.

The only break in the monotony had been when Faith and Wood had returned home. After hearing what had transpired in her absence the brunette had decided she could be useful assisting the other two who had already left. Claiming that he was tired and making short excuses her new husband had retreated to their room upstairs.

The other males were still sitting on the couch books piled near them. It hadn't helped that they were still waiting for the other slayers to arrive. Glancing up she could see the lines of worry marring Giles' brow. Glancing at Xander didn't fill her with confidence either when she saw the frown on his face. This was so bad.

The ringing of the doorbell made them all jump in surprise and Willow felt a small gasp leave her throat.

Regaining his composure Giles brushed at the wrinkles in his clothes and made his way to answer the door. He opened it slowly.

*********

"Have you finished what I have asked?"

"Yes master we have sent the message as you requested."

"Good. And our plans for tomorrow?"

"It is all in place we await your instructions."

"You have served me well. I believe there will be a special reward for you come tomorrow."

"You are too kind master." The minion bowed his head to this all-powerful being.

"Go. There is much to do before the next night fall."

Alone again the man grinned to himself. It wouldn't be long at all now. Just a few short hours and the world would be Slayer free. The thought filled him with a sort of happiness. The time was drawing near for them to over run this stupid little planet and feel the power that was rightfully theirs.

********

Faith knew that it would probably been a better idea just to head straight back to the house like she had intended to do instead of taking this small little detour. But it had been days since she had had the chance to go patrolling and the few kills she had managed to get in at the bar had only whetted her appetite for a good slay. Besides Robin would appreciate her knew found mood when she came back to their room.

The thought produced a familiar smirk on her face. Oh yeah not many things have changed for her over the last few years and yet a lot had. Who'd have thought she would be Mrs. Robin Wood happy little white hat homemaker. She chuckled to herself. It was true slayers did need something to be happy about and B was dead on once again. Best not to let her know that though, didn’t want the girls head to get all swollen like.

So lost in her thoughts Faith had let her attention wander from her surroundings which of course was not a good thing. She failed to listen to that little tingle at the base of her spine or the sound of a heavy foot crunching the gravel of the path behind her. Which meant that she didn't have the best position when she finally noticed the handful of demons that were pinning her in.

She shrugged mentally knowing that the work out she had been counting on was going to be a bit more involved than she had planned.

Not giving herself time to dwell on her knew found position she struck out first arms and legs moving fluidly with years of practice and grace. The hits came fast and brutal one right after another. Using the area around her to her benefit she swung around the nearby tree and used the tombstones as weapons. But somehow she knew it wasn't enough. There wasn't being enough damage to stop the persistent force around her and soon she began to feel the tiredness in her limbs. This was not good and she knew it. She scanned the area looking for a way for her to set up a retreat not finding many solutions. Ducking and weaving she pulled on her reserves of energy letting her legs surge forward.

Too late she felt the large hand hit the back of her head throwing her headfirst into a large piece of marble sticking up out of the ground. As her head hit with a sickening thud and the burst of white-hot pain flooded her vision all she could think was damn.

*********

They hadn't really spoken since they had left the alley and started back in the car. For some reason words didn't really seem necessary between them. The occasional longing glance and small touch of each other’s hands had brought small sighs of contentment to the both of them.

It was the most remarkable feeling to Buffy. She had never imagined herself so happy and complete. Of course part of it could have been the fact that she could now feel the emotional ties that linked the two of them together. Yeah that might have something to do with it, she could feel so much love pouring back to her through that brand new bond and knew he could feel the same. For once all the doubt they both had ever felt about the other and their own feelings had been wiped away. They were able to really see each other and know that the other was with them unconditionally. She reveled in the sheer joy clasped close to her heart and would have remained that way except for the sight that greeted their return.

There were police cruisers everywhere and to her utter shock not only was there an ambulance sitting in front but an unmistakable long dark car marked coroner.

She was out of the car before Spike could bring it to a full stop running for the front door. An arm reached out to grab her, as she was halfway up the walk.

"Miss you can't-"

But she was already free running in the front door barely aware of the fact that he was right behind her.

She took in the sight of the living room slowly processing all the information. Robin was talking to what looked like a detective on the far side of the room. Giles was near the hallway also talking to another officer. Xander and Willow were on the couch and he was holding her as tears fell against his chest.

"What happened?" She felt rather than saw Spike step inside as he slid his arm around her waist.

Giles looked up than and Buffy noticed that his normally warm blue eyes had taken on a cold hardness. She could see the recognition alter them as he looked on her and watched as they softened.

"Buffy, Spike your back."

"I'll contact you if we need anything further Mr. Giles. Please take my card and if you can think of anything please give me a call." The officer handed the card to Giles.

"Of course Officer any thing we can do to assist you."

The two cops seemed to nod to each other and left the house closing the door behind them.

"Giles?"

"We're fine Buffy. Let me make you some tea and I'll tell you what happened. Why don't you two get into some dry clothes in the meantime."

She nodded numbly and started for the guest room.

*********

Ten minutes later both she and Spike were changed each holding a warm mug. Willow's tears had finally come to a stop and Xander and Wood were over to the side talking quietly to each other.

"Tell me what happened Giles why were the police here?"

"I'm afraid that our attempt to protect the other local slayers has failed."

"How many?"

"The other two local girls and one other I did not recognize." And they listened intently as he began to explain.

********

As he opened the door the first thing he noticed was the over powering scent of blood that assaulted him. Looking out straight he didn't see anything and quickly scanned the yard in front him. He didn't see anything amiss but of course that rarely meant anything anymore. Too many years living and breathing a hellmouth made you question everything you saw. His eyes finally traveled downwards looking towards the space where a welcome mat would grace a porch if you weren't living somewhere that you didn't welcome things into your home.

The sight before him caused his gag reflex to kick into high gear and he barely managed to push the bile back down his throat. There were three of them there, clothes or what was left of their clothing was blood red their bodies lying all-akimbo on top of each other. He could, even in the darkness outside, make out that certain body parts were missing and others were mutilated. Unfortunately he could make out their faces, which had been left untouched and recognized the two local slayers Faith had trained.

He closed his eyes fighting the urge to just slam the door shut blocking out the sight. Forcing himself to look with the cool detachment given to him with his watcher training he took in the sight looking for details. The upper most girl the one least blocked from his view had her torso completely exposed the white flesh in stark contrast to the dark blood that was streaking most of it. He could make out where two of her fingers were pulled from her hands, the deep gashes that went up her arms and legs and the deep cut across her throat. And there in her white flesh written with what would have only been a sharp knife were words.

Times up Slayer.

"Dear Lord." he finally let himself look away from the sight his body sagging into the doorframe.

He felt as Xander pulled the door away from his hands and heard the horrified gasp from Willow and her hurried footsteps as she ran to the lower bathroom. He turned to look at the younger man who had pivoted away from the gruesome sight.

"Call the police."

********

She looked at him at a loss for words. This was impossible they needed to get answers and they needed to get them now. Too many have died already and she would be damned if one more person died. She was tired of this she wasn't going to sit here and wait any more. It was time to take action. She looked at Spike.

"Get a weapon we're going back out." The cold steel in her voice guaranteed that there would be no argument from anyone in the room.

"Should we come with you?" The question had come from Xander and Buffy was grateful of his quiet support.

"No I want you guys to stay here make a few phone calls and check up on the others."

"What about Faith?" Buffy turned her head in surprise to Wood.

"Didn't she meet you here?"

"She was supposed to be with you."

"She was but when we finished she said she was heading straight here."

"That's not good is it?" Willow asked.

"Dammit. Come on Spike maybe we can find her."

"I'm coming too." Buffy looked at Wood in earnest.

"Alright. Lets go."

Next