“Hey Buff, what’s going on?” Angel held on to Buffy with all his might. She’s a beautiful creature. Her hair was slightly darker and much shorter compared to the last time he saw her all those years ago when she came to L.A. to tell him she was leaving California. Her body matured, no longer were the hard lines and muscles, but now a softness to her strength. Her eyes still held love and life and sparkled with mischief. Angel breathed in her familiar scent, but it was different. Long ago, she abandoned the cheap sickly sweet lotions, and in turn replaced them with high-end natural oils and perfumes to adorn her body. But behind the new scents, she still had the essence of Buffy.

Dawn left the living room to give the former lovers and friends alone for a while. Buffy finally came back to her senses and regained control over her raging emotions. “Sorry, I’m usually not so emotional. Haven’t cried this much since I was 15.” She commented as she left his strong embrace. Angel shrugged at the loss of warmth and came to sit down on the leather couch.

“I didn’t know you were in town. I was just walking by…” he trailed off, embarrassed that he just stopped by in hopes of new news about Buffy.

“Me neither… I mean, I didn’t know you were here… Giles said something cryptic, but didn’t say… umm… well… so how have you been?” Buffy rambled as she sat in a chair next to the couch.

“Good.” Angel never was much for talking.

“That’s good.” Buffy looked down at her hands figiting with the hem of her shirt.

“How’s Hawaii?”

“Good.” Why was everything so uncomfortable. Just tell him.

“That’s good.” Something is up. “How’s that bar you work at?”

“Oh, yeah, I… um… own it now… it’s good.”

“Huh? Own it?”

“Yeah, inherited it when the owner passed away, long story. It’s doing good.”

“Good”

“So…”

“So…” Both spoke at the same time.

“I bet you are wondering why I am here?” Buffy spoke first.

“Yeah…”

“Did you hear about Traci?” At his nod, she went on. “I’m here to train the next.”

“I see. Yeah, sorry to hear about that kid.” Angel looked strangely at Buffy. Something else was up, but Angel wasn’t sure what. He stole a glance at her hand to make sure she wasn’t hiding an engagement or marriage, but he did smell another scent on her. It just wasn’t different types of fragrances that she was using, she had a male scent added to her. It really shouldn’t make him jealous. He left her when she was 18, encouraging her to go find a normal life, a normal relationship. When she went to L.A. to let him know she was moving to New York, she asked him if he ever thought it would ever work between them. Angel shook his head sadly. He loved her more than himself and could not ask her to wait for him. She deserved happiness that he could not give her. Suddenly a thought occurred to him, her scent was different, but yet so familiar. Not understanding the mix of smells, Angel just stared at the petite girl sitting in the chair. “Actually, that’s why I am here. Heard the demons were getting a little anxious without a slayer. Came down to help put the law down.” He puffed out his chest.

“Thanks, we’ve been here a couple days, trying to patrol but not much seems to be happening. Dawn told me before we came, the demons were getting gutsy. I guess they heard we were back in town.” She chuckled.

“We?”

“Umm, I mean me.”

“Whose we?” Angel moved forward and rested his arms on his knees, looking at Buffy.

“Just me! Ohh and the new slayer Katerina!” Bad Buffy, Angel can read through that!

“Buff, I know you are seeing someone. You don’t have to hide that.”

Buffy broke eye contact, back to looking at her hands. “Yeah, umm, OK. Yeah, I am seeing someone.”

“Anyone I know?” Angel’s brain started to fog over as he watched Buffy figit. This was not of the good.

“Spike,” she whispered, barely audible even to the vampire. She looked up into a shocked face. “I’m sorry.”

“How long?” Spike. Spike! SPIKE!

“A few weeks. He came back into town and Dawn dragged him down to Hawaii.” Buffy couldn’t believe that Angel was taking the news so calmly.

“I see.” Angel’s anger grew. “What brought this on?”

“Actually, umm, before. I mean after I came back from the… dead. We were involved. Not of the good, either. He left and… well I hadn’t seen him until they showed up down there.”

“I see, so where is he now?”

“I don’t know. We kinda had a fight and I came here.”

“He was who you were crying about?” Angel made a move to grab Buffy’s hands, but she stood up first and started to pace.

“Yeah, I don’t know what happened, we were talking about Giles and… and you and then boom he went off the deep end. I don’t understand.” Buffy’s tears reappeared.

“I see, do you love him?”

“Yeah,” she whispered. Before he had a chance to react she continued. “Before you tell me about him being an evil, soulless demon and not to trust him. I get it. OK? After… after I came back, I felt at peace when I was with him. Alive and loved. When he wasn’t around, it was horrible, I was horrible. And then we… we were in a bad relationship… real bad, Angel. I never knew I could sink so low, but he took it and didn’t throw it back in my face… ever! He just came back again and again. And then he left. No forwarding address, no time limit. Just left. I had to face up to my own demons. Had to learn to live again, not just survive. That’s why I left in the beginning. Learning to live on my own. Be OK with who I am. I am OK with who I am, now. But then? I was a mess, no one saw, but I was ugly inside.” Angel started to interrupt her speech, but she waved him off. “And then Dawn brought him down to Hawaii and it hit me. Everything I was working through, working for. It all clicked into place. One look from him, and everything was all right again. It made sense.”

“But Buffy that doesn’t change what he is or what he had done.”

“Yeah, and it doesn’t change who I am or what I have done. I treated him worse than he ever has treated me. Yet, he still stayed in there.”

“You just said he left!”

“Yeah, but because I drove him away. And I mean I did. He really had no choice but to put distance between us.”

“He’s evil!”

“Yeah and so are you when you loose your soul. Soulless Spike doesn’t even compare to Evil Angelus. Does he?”

“I guess not.”

“Yet, you ask for forgiveness.”

“I have a soul.”

“And? That makes you what? Better?” Buffy left off one important detail Spike has a soul now, too.

“Better than no soul!”

“And how many times have you lost it? How many ways?” Buffy screamed at him.

“Nevermind, Buffy. Just watch you back.” Angel got up and stormed out of the house.

~*~*~*~

Buffy left the house shortly after Angel stomped out. She headed to the Magic Box training room. Tonight was not supposed to go this way. First Giles and his cryptic and their disturbing conversation. Then Spike and his jump to the deep end. And now Angel. Walking into the back room, Buffy stopped. Giles, Xander, Willow, and Anya were in there training Katerina. With out her. She stopped and watched as her inept friends were trying to show Katerina fighting positions and not succeeding very well. Giles was watching, giving pointers with his back turned to Buffy, so he did not notice her walk in. She watched as Xander and Anya demonstrate a poor fighting position and Katerina following it. Giles just stood back as the well meaning friends tried to help. Buffy sat down in the shadows so no one was alerted to her presence. This hurt. More than anything else. They were training Katerina, poorly training, with out her. After Xander and Anya were done demonstrating, Willow started to show Katerina how to use some incantations.

“So where is Buffy tonight?” Katerina asked.

“She had some place else to be.” Willow calmly lied.

“Oh, she said she was going to go over some kicks tonight.”

“She’s too busy with her pet vampire.” Xander this time.

“I bet his gives her lots of orgasms. You know super vampire endurance.” Anya piped in with a dreamy expression on her face. Buffy bet she was dreaming of Spike. Their one night stand destroyed many years of possible happiness.

“An! Please no talk about those two… ewwwe.” Xander’s ever so eliquent opinion. “I mean how could she again with the Evil Soulless Beast. Or as I like to refer to him as the Esb! I thought she learned enough from the first time.”

“Xander,” Willow used a warning voice. “What Buffy does is none of our business.”

“Yes it is! She brought Esb here and tainted Katerina’s view on vampires!”

“She did not!” Katerina voice carried. “She warned me about your views, but nothing coulda made me ready to hear this. I thought you were all friends.”

“We are, precisely why we need to get her away from him.” Xander again.

“If she is your friend, how can you talk about someone she obviously cares about deeply?” Buffy was impressed with Katerina speaking up. “And he cares for her, you should see them together for any length of time.”

“Katerina, that’s enough.” Giles rubbed the bridge of his nose. “There is a history that you don’t know about. Spike is very dangerous…”

“They told me! Buffy was very adamint about telling me how evil most vampires and demons are, but there are exceptions.”

“Spike is not an exception.” Xander.

“I know you don’t see him as one, but that doesn’t mean that he isn’t. He cares for Buffy, I saw it!”

“He cares for one thing and one thing only!” Katerina walked up to face off with Xander.

“I know you don’t think I see him as a vampire, but I do. I also see him as someone that cares so much about someone, he turned his back on his nature. His society.”

“Yeah, that is what he wants us to think. Where has he been all these years? The only reason he came back is because he heard there was a new slayer.”

“He came back to mourn her.” Giles spoke up quietly.

“What?” Xander, Willow, and Anya all spoke.

“He came to mourn her. The night he came to see me… he was… well… for a lack of better term broken. More broken than he was when Buffy… died… he was distraught over leaving her in the first place… I almost told him that she was alive, just so he would be fixed.” Buffy’s heart went out to Giles. He told Spike that she died, instead of Faith. “His chip is out, yet someone Buffy is still alive. We are still alive.” Silence for a coupl eminutes as the Scoobies and new slayer digested this piece of information. “I think we should try to be supportive of her life and decisions. We lost her once.”

“I will not be supportive of that thing!” Xander.

“I suggest you don’t tell her that.” Giles spoke again. “This is the reason why she didn’t tell you lot about it in the first place. At her emotional condition then wasn’t too stable and she probably couldn’t have taken this reaction. Even now, I wouldn’t try to engage her in any duel of words… she may be stronger emotionally than she was, but she may still be unstable.”

Buffy sat back listening to her friends berate her choices and emotional state. They have no idea who she is anymore, yet they think they know what is best for her. Buffy was furious in her hiding place. She expected some static from Xander, but the rest was a mystery. Xander married an ex-vengence demon. How can he speak of her poor choices. He left Anya at the alter when he got cold feet, causing her to revert back to her vengence days. Now, they are happy, but it was a real rocky road they had to traverse. She evitually gave up her vengence demon powers so they could get married, yet it was difficult for her to do so. Spike gave up his evil ways without Buffy even asking. He did it on his own to earn the right to even try to be with her. Willow, poor little wiccan, how can she question Buffy’s choices. Between her secret gay life and her dark magic tendencies, Willow should understand some things you can’t fight, some things you don’t fight. Anya of all people should be able to forgive the past. She never showed remorse about her past deeds. Giles was the one that asked her to come back, he asked her knowing that she would bring Spike. The only person that was stead fast in defending their relationship was Katerina, a virtual stranger. Buffy digested this turn of events as the Scooby gang and new slayer walked into the Magic Box store. The betrayl of her friends fresh in her mind plagued Buffy as she crept out of the training room into the alley way. It was time to get some things straight.

It was stupid. Really, really stupid. She should go back, find him, and make him understand, but she didn’t. Instead, Buffy headed back to the house on Revello Drive. Too much to think about. Too many things around her were spinning out of control. Her friends were all but abandoning her. Too much. Too little. Too much. Buffy’s brain started to overload.

Meanwhile in another part of town…

Angel walked into the fifth bar that night. He was a man… a vampire… on a mission. Find his childe and knock some sense into him. Angel strolled up to the bartender and slipped him a ten-dollar bill, never let it be said Angel was cheap. Right. He asked the bartender about Spike and ordered a drink when the bartender motioned over to a dark corner and a man slumped over the table, apparently in a drunken stupor. Grabbing the glass of cool liquid that would warm his undead body. Angel strolled over to the table.

Spike felt a familiar presence looming over his prone body. Try as he may, Spike couldn’t bring himself the energy or the coordination to raise his head and face his sire. At this point Spike really didn’t care. It was obvious to Spike that Angel was here to gloat about taking Buffy. Just like he did with Drusilla. Ahhh, his dark princess. His dark princess that was unfaithful just like his sun. Unfaithful. Cunt. Unfaithful. Bitch. Unfaithful. Bitch. Unfaithful. Whore. Unfaithful. Bitch. The all wanted him. Angel. The bloody poof standing in front of Spike right now. It would be so worth the consequences to dust him once and for all. No more of his women pining over the broody wonder. Yeah, that sounds pretty good. If Angel is gone, they wont leave him for Angel. Sounds like a plan. Kill the wanker and take back what is his. The Sun.

Flashes of Buffy’s prone body writhing below Spike filled his head. Her golden skin, slick with sweet sweat as he brought her body to heaven moving sensually underneath his. Her arms outstretched, fingers clutching the silk sheets, in need of release. Her muscular legs wrapped around Spikes torso, urging him to continue faster. Her face, devoid of makeup, yet the most beautiful face he ever has seen twisting with ecstasy as he pulled out of her tight, hot passage and plunging back in. Eyes closed. Nose wrinkled in concentration. Her mouth forming a perfect ‘O’ as her orgasm hit. Words of love… devotion… eternal bliss falling from her mouth as he felt his orgasm hit. Another scene hit. They were in her office at the ‘Forest. Buffy’s golden body was draped in a red and black silk and lace crotchless teddy. Her legs were incased in jet-black stockings and garters. Her hands were caressing her silk encased flesh, touching and smoothing. She was sitting on her paper filled desk beckoning him to join her. Spike sat in her office chair, watching her touch herself. Suddenly the office door opened and Angel walks in. Before Spike had time to react, Angel grabbed Buffy’s prone body and started to kiss her ardently. Buffy returned his kisses passionately. She reached down to unzip Angel’s pants. As soon as his cock was free of his bindings, he loomed over her and buried himself into her pussy. He pumped away fast as she writhed beneath him. Moaning. Grunting. She looked up from her position to look at Spike. Her eyes lit up with mischief as she licked her lips and moaned Angel’s name. Angel looked at Spike as he harshly pounded into the Slayer’s body, grunting and growling the whole time. One message: she’s mine. Possession. Buffy was and is Angel’s. He took her virginity. He took her love first. He broke her first. His imaginary roar broke Spike’s thoughts as he returned to the dirty table in the dirty bar. Looking up at Angel, Spike sneers, “Bugger off, you poof.”

CRACK

Spikes drunken uncoordinated body flew across the room and landed on a table. He struggled to turn his body around to face his sire. Angel was right there. He brought his hand back and Spike flew to the other side of the bar. Spike struggled to sit up, but Angel had another idea. Jumping freakishly fast, Angel pinned Spike down and started to pound Spike with his fists. Spike endured the torture, biding his time for an opening. Angel’s fists pelted in quick succession, virtually immobilizing the younger and drunk vampire. His energy peaked and started to decline, with it, so was the speed of his punches. Spike saw his opening as Angel slowed and he bucked up, throwing Angel into the air and down five feet away. Spike jumped up and headed towards Angel. There was no way Angel was going to just do this. Buffy was his. Spike got closer to Angel and lifted his boot-clad foot back and brought it up forward. Angel anticipated this move and rolled over as Spike’s leg came towards his midsection. Angel went with the momentum and righted him. “Come on, you bloody poof, come and get me.”

Angel stalked over and let his fist fly. Spike ducked down to evade and kicked with all his might. Angel let an enormous yell as his hands came up to protect his groin from further attack. “My boy, you really should learn when to run.” Angel looked up at his childe. Spike stood there waiting for Angel to attack again, he didn’t have to wait long. Angel stood back up and backhanded Spike’s jaw, hearing it crack. Spike flew back a couple steps, but came back forward.

“Leave her alone, she’s mine!” Spike vamped out and started a series of punched aimed at Angel. The effects of the alcohol were wearing off and Spike started to get more coordinated and stronger. He brought up his knee, intending to hit the groin again. Angel brought his hands up to hold off Spike’s knee.

Angel grabbed Spike’s shirt and threw him against the brick wall of the bar. “Really?” Angel strode over to Spike. His body collapsed, starting to protest the physical abuse. “Because I haven’t seen any of your bite marks on her.” Angel grabbed Spike again by the shirt and threw him towards another wall, cracking his head against the brick. “And if memory served me correct… she has mine!” Angel strode over to the prone body grabbing a fist full of hair and staring intently into Spike’s eyes. “Which means she isn’t yours!” Angel cocked his fist and let it fly. Slowly, Angel got up and walked away from the unconscious vampire. He went over the bar and grabbed a bourbon bottle, guzzling half of its contents. He went back to the body and sat down next to it. “What am I ever going to do with you, William?” Angel continued to drink directly from the bottle while watching Spike’s body heal.

~*~*~

“Dawn?” Buffy walked into the house that was technically still hers. “Dawn? Are you here?” She breezed through the living room into the kitchen.

Dawn looked up from her food preparations at her sister. “Rude much? Just walk in like you own the place,” Dawn smirked letting her sister know she was just kidding.

“Yeah, well… what was I thinking with those mortgage payments I make every month,” Buffy taunted back. “Seriously, I need to talk to you.” Dawn put the chefs knife down on the counter and motioned for Buffy to sit at the table.

“Is it Spike again?”

“No. Well… in a sense, yes. I just was at the Magic Box watching Giles and the Scoobs train Katerina.”

“Wait? Isn’t that you were doing?”

“Yeah, well anyways… so I was standing the shadows just observing, right?” Dawn nodded. “And then suddenly they were slamming Spike and me. Giles said I was unstable and suggested Xander not tell me what he really thought. Willow was agreeing with Xander… well, not really agreeing, but she did nod her head a lot at what he was saying. And, and Anya was fantasying about Spike and her many orgasms.”

“They didn’t know you were there?” Buffy shook her head. “So it’s not like they were attacking you, just a private conversation.” Dawn tried to be level headed, but the Giles, Xander, and Willow had no right to talk about Spike.

“But they were poorly training Katerina and they said all this stuff in front of her!” Buffy was grasping at straws, trying to figure out what was going on. “I mean the way they were training Katerina wouldn’t last a week. Poor stance. Poor posture. And they said all these things in front of her!”

“I understand, Buff. But they have a right to their opinion. Just like you and I do.”

“Nu uh, not if it interferes with my ability to train Katerina and trust me they were interfering.”

“So what do you want to do? I mean about them? Get mad? Get even?”

“I don’t know Dawnie, I hurt you know?” Dawn giggled at the indignant Buffy. “What are you laughing about?”

“You,” giggle, “you!” She waved her hand around. “You are totally different than the Buffy that left here. I mean, that Buffy wouldn’t even dream about admitting something hurt.”

“I did, too!” Buffy spoke up and crossed her arms.

“Really? When, because I remember a certain blonde female not telling us she was in heaven and was hurting.”

“I told Spike it hurt when he brought his date to the wedding from hell.”

“You did? You never told me that. Oh, is that why he left?” Buffy nodded. “I see. But see, even then no one around you knew your pain, except Spike… but that was because… why was it?”

“I don’t know, Dawnie. It felt like he understood. I mean… he never expected me to be happy or grateful or anything. He just let me be.”

“And we pushed you when you came back. Get into the routine and all.” Buffy nodded. “Didn’t help that I was klepto girl or anything.”

Buffy smiled, “Naw, that didn’t help. But when I was with Spike, it was just that. I was with him. I wasn’t pretending to be happy or doing what you all expected me to do. He never expected me to be or do anything. I guess he was just happy I was there.”

Dawn nodded. “He was so broken up when you fell. The sun was starting to rise and he just laid next to your body on the rubble, crying. His wails could be heard for miles.”

Buffy looked down at the hands. “Yeah, I know. I mean… I wasn’t there but I was aware. I don’t know it is too complicated to explain.”

“See that’s another thing. The Buffy of long ago wouldn’t admit she didn’t know or couldn’t so anything. You’ve changed so much.”

“So have you, Dawn. So have you.” There was a knock on the back door. Dawn got up to get it. Two big bodies walked in. Angel was carrying Spike’s still unconscious body.

“Where can I put him?” Angel struggled walking and holding Spike’s form. Dawn indicated the couch in the front room.

“You two look like hell. What the fuck happened, Angel?” Buffy asked.

“Bar fight.”

“Yeah, and what do the other guys look like?” Buffy grabbed a wet washcloth and started to wipe dried blood from Spike’s head. Angel mumbled something that she couldn’t understand. “What?”

“I said there were no other guys.” Angel had the decency to look ashamed.

“So what? You two decided to beat the shit out of each other? Only Spike probably was drunk off his ass? Am I right? Close?”

“Yeah, something like that. Look, I didn’t mean for it to happen. It just did.”

“Yeah, something like this just happens.” Buffy went back to cleaning Spike’s wounds, noticing his head was still bleeding. “God, Angel, what did you do to him?” Before she could finish the sentence, Angel was out the front door.

A/N: I never have done a true fight scene, so please forgive. The real story has finally started. Wohoo!

“I can’t believe she’s sleeping with that soulless thing again!”

“Xander, calm down.” Willow tried to put her hand on his arm, but he jerked back.

“I will not! Come on An, we gotta get home.”

“It’s not like we can do anything, now is there?” Willow tried to reason with Xander.

“Yeah, nothing we can do.” Xander grabbed An as he started to walk away.

“I am sure she is happy with all her orgasms, I know I would be.” Anya’s contribution.

“Shut up!”

“Xander, they obviously care for each other.”

“He can’t care! He is soulless!”

“And? Xander, he obviously cares!”

“Obsession. Mark my words. We just have to get Buffy before he decides his obsession is over.”

“Xander, we can’t do anything!”

“Yes we can!”

“Like what?”

“Make her see him for what he is: a worthless soulless demon.”

~*~*~

Buffy was sitting in the hotel room. Their hotel room. No, the hotel room. It was obvious that something changed. While Buffy washed Spike’s cuts and wrapped up his injuries, she found the hotel key. This was as good of a time than any to move her stuff. Spike kicked her out of the room. He obviously didn’t want to be near her. Buffy decided to move into a separate hotel room. Nix that, a new hotel. If Spike didn’t want her here, she wouldn’t be. She quickly grabbed her belongings and stuffed them into her suitcase and bags. Carefully Buffy went over the room, picking up discarded items from her and Spike’s stay. She traveled around picking up dirty laundry and piling them up in a corner. She threw away empty blood bags and fast food wrappers. Slowly she made her away around the bed and noticed a shiny object on the floor. She picked up a silver ring, the ring her gave her during Willow’s “Will be done” spell that paired the two to get married. She studied the ring carefully, noting that it was shiny, unlike his other jewelry. The blood red stone in the center was clean and almost see through. Spike must have take care of the ring through the years, cherishing it, just like how he promised to cherish her. Shaking out of her thoughts, Buffy put the ring on the night stand and continued straightening the room.

One last look, Buffy closed the door.

~*~*~

Dead, cold eyes followed her movements from the shadows. She roamed around the empty room picking up objects and setting them down. She now is bent over near the bed, picking up something small. She looks at the object intently. Her face is filled with awe and pleasure. Suddenly, she shakes her head and put the object down on the small table. She picks up her bags and heads out the door, looking back one last time, and then shuts it tight.

She walks to the rented car and stuffs her suitcase and bags in the trunk. Her small body walks around to the driver’s side and gets in. Following closely behind, still on foot, the eyes follow her. She parks beside another hotel. She walks in with her head held high, up to the concierge. After a couple minutes she is back at the car, retrieving her bags. She gives them to the bellboy and hands him some money. She heads back to the car and gets in.

Following easily, he found her car outside the house on Revello. Her sister is at the door. She hands her sister something, a key, and walks away.

~*~*~

“And how would you do that? Huh, Xander?”

“She knew it before, we just have to remind her. Help her remember that vampire are bad. She spent 6 years living a normal life. She will do it again.”

“Xander, she doesn’t want to lead a normal life. She was happy with Spike!”

“And? Look, Willow. Vampire and demons gave her nothing but grief. She has a life now that doesn’t include them and…”

“She also has a life that doesn’t include us.”

“What?”

“I think you heard me. Not only did she turn her back on demons and monsters, but us also. Are you willing to drive her further away?”

“I’ll take me chances. She has to remember what he has done. My god, Willow. He tried to rape her.”

“Get off it, Xander. She forgave him and herself.”

“No, he doesn’t deserve forgiveness.”

“Xander, don’t do anything stupid.”

“Nothing stupid. Just something that I should have done a long time ago.”

“If you try to hurt him, dust him, whatever you will be pushing Buffy away. And this time it might be all the way.”

“Yeah, right. Okay, I wont dust Spike.” Xander thought: but that doesn’t mean I can’t enlist someone that will.

~*~*~

She’s back at the hotel. She parked her car in the small parking garage and headed into the hotel. Her room is on the third floor; he could feel her moving up the elevator and out into the hallway. She now is staying still, maybe sitting on the couch watching TV or laying down in the bed sleeping. He imagines sitting next to her on the couch, sharing an ordinary activity with her. Her short hair wound around his deft fingers. To hold her, to have her, the heavenly feeling of being with her. He shrinks back into the shadows knowing she is safe for the moment.

A/N: Chapter 9 is coming up…. Wonder who the stalker is? What is Xander’s plan?

The black mirkiness of his head was drowning him. Flashes of red and purple flew threw when he tried to move. He stayed still… nothingness. That’s what it is. Deep, dark, dank blackness enveloped his mind once again.

Dawn walked into the living room carrying a mug of warm blood and replacement bandages. The gash on Spike’s head has since stopped bleeding, but it still looked wicked. Dawn stat down next to the couch and set the new bandages down. Carefully she shook his body, trying to wake him. He stirred a couple minutes ago, moaning in pain, but he quickly stopped moving and making noise. She brought the mug of warm liquid up to his nose so he could smell the nourishment. She pried apart his chapped lips, trying to get the straw in, but he wouldn’t suck. Frustrated, she put the mug down and worked on replacing his bloody bandages. She replaced most of the bandages when Spike’s face changed. His canines extended and his forehead wrinkled. Taking the chance, Dawn brought the mug back to Spike’s mouth and inserted the straw. Still he did not suck up the liquid. Carefully she grabbed the tip of the straw and capped the top off with her finger. She brought the straw over his partially open mouth and released the top of it, allowing the liquid to escape down to his mouth. A low growl emanated from his chest as Dawn repeated the procedure. After the third try, Dawn brought the straw in the mug up to his lips, this time him sucking down the liquid. After the liquid in the mug was gone, Dawn went back to replacing the rest of his bandages. She prepared another mug and offered the straw to his lips, he again denied sucking. She then repeated her earlier procedure in tempting him with dropping small drops in his mouth. He eventually sucked the liquid down.

Dawn stood watch over the beaten body: watching, hoping that he would wake up soon. Ever since she fed him the first time a deep, sad sound emanated from his chest. It was not quite a whimper, yet not a growl. His chest vibrated with the sound and Dawn could not help but feel sadden with knowledge that Buffy had moved out of the hotel room, in all intents and purposes, leaving Spike.

About 4 in the afternoon, Spike started to stir again. The black haze that incased his brain was now more gray than black and he could see patches of white. Carefully and slowly he opened his eyes to see a vision of an angel in front of him. Dawn’s sleeping form was curled up in a chair next to the couch. He hair tumbled over her head and shoulders, almost shielding her from harm. Her hand was propped up holding her head as to watch him. Spike lifted his hand to touch his pounding head. Most of his injuries had healed, but he still felt the after effects. The gash on his head had closed, but the skin had not grown over quite yet, so it was still tender. A loud groan woke Dawn up from her catnap. She looked over at the couch. Spike’s face was contoured in pain and his hands shielded his eyes from the world.

“Spike?”

“Yeah, nibblet?”

“Are you OK? I mean… that gash on your head still hasn’t healed.”

“Yeah, be alright. How’d I get here?” Spike sat up.

“Um, he brought you. Need some blood?”

“Yeah, pet. That would be bloody wonderful.” Dawn giggled at his pun.

“Be back.”

“Bit?”

“Yeah?”

“Why aren’t I more hungry?” Spike followed her into the kitchen.

“I fed you while you were unconscious. You know… that was kinda difficult.” She put a mug of blood in the microwave and hit the appropriate buttons.

“Where’s your sis, with the big poof?” He growled.

“No, she went back to the hotel… Spike?”

“Yeah, pet?”

“What happened?” The microwave beeped and she grabbed the mug out and handed it to him. “Because Buffy really doesn’t know.”

“Me neither, bit… me neither.” Spike downed the mug in two gulps.

“What happened with… umm… you know… him? He disappeared before Buffy could stop yelling at him and explain.”

“Buffy was here?”

“Yeah, she cleaned and bandaged you up and all…”

“But she left?”

“Yeah, well… she found the room key.”

“So she went back to the hotel… great how am I going to get back in.”

“Here.” She gave him the key and at his questioning look she continued, “She moved to a new room. Moved her stuff, that is.”

“I see.”

“So… with him… what happened? Neither of you looked too good.”

“Fight, that’s all, pet.”

“Yeah, so how are you going to get Buffy back?”

“What’s the point, bit? She will always run back to him.”

“That’s not true and you know it!” Spike looked up at Dawn. “She doesn’t want him, she wants you. She came here crying over you, and I mean she was CRYING. She doesn’t know what made you so angry, doesn’t understand why you kicked her out like that. Then when she was telling Angel you two were together and he lost it… well… I am glad I wasn’t Angel. She really let him have it… about the soul thing.” Spike sat up quickly. “No, she didn’t tell him that you have a soul. Just about his and his flaws and stuff. You know? She doesn’t want him… she wants you soul or not.”

“She doesn’t act like it.”

“What did she do? Really Spike, because I don’t see what she did. And neither does she. That scared her, she didn’t know why you flipped and wouldn’t let her back into the room.”

“She said his name and got all dreamy eyed.”

“Dreamy eyed? Are you sure? She wasn’t thinking in her own little world? Did you ask her or just jump to conclusions?”

“Dawn! Look, bit, you are right… I jumped and I keep jumping. Jumped through her bloody hoops and all and still wasn’t good enough for her.”

“I think she doesn’t think that way anymore.”

“And then the soul…”

“She admitted what she was feeling before the soul, Spike. So don’t use that excuse.” Spike sat there for a couple minutes quiet, thinking through the situation.

“What room is she in?”

~*~*~

Spike ran. His legs traveled impossibly fast through the streets and cemeteries of the town making his way towards their hotel and room. Maybe she would still be there. Maybe she just got a duplicate key. Maybe he wasn’t too late. Maybe. But maybes were not in the cards, not now. He arrived at the room barely short of breath since he didn’t need it, yet he still did it. He walked in looking around. All his clothes were in a corner, pilled neatly. The bed was made. The trash that was previously spread throughout the room was in the trashcan. Nothing was out of place. Nothing, because her stuff was not there. Nothing was out of place because nothing was here. Nothing.

~*~*~

A knock on the door woke Buffy up. She was sitting on the suites couch, not wanting to sleep alone in the bed. It was really funny to Buffy that she spent the last six years of her life sleeping alone in bed and after only 2 short weeks of sharing her bed, Buffy couldn’t seem to drag her body into an empty bed. Another knock sounded on the door. Knowing who was on the other side, Buffy decided not to answer it. They could wait. Instead she dragged her tired body into the lush bathroom.

~*~*~

Spike sat on the bed with his elbows on his knees and his hands cradling his head. Slow tears traveled down his face as he fought for control. He could smell her scent all over the room. All over his things. She spent a long time straightening the room up before she finally left. He called down to the front desk, begging for the new room number, but they told him what he already knew. Not only did she change room, she changed hotels.

Looking around for some signal to Buffy’s where about, Spike spotted the ring on the nightstand. He gingerly picked it up remembering the engagement clearly. The feel of her body fitting so snuggly next to his at the watcher’s home. They discussed the future as she fed him pigs blood from that damn novelty mug. She whispered lovingly thoughts in his ears when Giles left the room. He spoke poetic words of cherishing her as she caressed his chest. They wanted to make love that night. They planned on going back to the empty house on Revello to consummate the relationship. That was before the spell was reversed and they instantly became hateful to each other again. Buffy gave the ring back a couple days after the spell was broken. She dropped by the watcher’s one sunny day and slipped it to Giles through a crack in the door. The whole situation was ridiculous in his mind. Spike kept the ring, keeping it safe and polished all those years just waiting to return to her finger.

Spike shook his head in despair. It wasn’t likely that the ring would find its way back onto Buffy’s hand any time soon. She left him cold and afraid. Sure she cared enough to clean and bandage his beaten body, but not enough to stick around for him. She probably only did that because she felt guilty that her boyfriend did it to him. She’s probably with him right now, laughing about what a pathetic ponce he had become. Loving the Slayer, humph. What a crock of SHIT. Thinking he would set up house with the woman, sharing her bed and life. Yeah, sure… laugh it up at ole Spike. Soon, he would show her how pathetic he really was. Nothing was stopping him from hurting her or her friends. Nothing. Nothing except the love he still had for her. Sod it to fucking hell!

Spike ran out of the room, anxious to get away from his memories. He walked outside sniffing the air. He picked up trace amounts of her scent, but also picked up another scent, a scent of evil, dirty. Spike calmly walked down the road in search of her. He had to make her understand. Make her love him.

~*~*~

The knocking never stopped. Buffy was tempted to call down to the front desk to have her unwanted visitor removed, but she knew it would not help. He would only be back, more determined. She wrapped her hair up in a towel and put on a pair of running pants and short tank top before she opened the door.

“Will you STOP?” She cursed the intruder.

“Finally, I’ve been out here for over and hour. Invite me in.”

“No, go away!”

“Buffy, please, listen…”

“I said go away, Angel.”

“We need to talk.” He fidgeted with the door jam.

“How did you find me?” She asked, blocking his entry.

“You know.” He motioned to his nose. “Buff, I’m sorry I went over the deep end, but…”

“There are no buts.” A couple of her neighbors peaked out of their doors at the loud voices and the ceased knocking.

“Please, Buff, let me in.”

“Fine, come in.” She moved out of his way. Angel sulked in and brushed past Buffy, slightly brushing her arm with his. He stood next to the couch, waiting for her to close the door. She slowly closed the door, leaving it unlocked and walked a wide berth around Angel. She sat in a chair on the other side of the couch.

“Fine, speak.”

“Buff…”

“I don’t want to hear any lame excuses.”

“I’m sorry. I just…” He sat down on the couch, close to her. “Its just that…” Words were failing him. “See, the thing is…”

“Spit it out, Angel.”

He growled. “You’re mine!”

“What?” Buffy’s body shot up. “I am not property!”

“I’m his sire and you are mine. I just had to remind William of that.” His body followed hers, both unaware of the eyes looking up into the window from the street. The curtains were drawn back open. The big window allowed passer bys to view the entire room.

“I am so not hearing this.” Angel grabbed Buffy and smashed his lips to hers. She struggled to be released, but his grip was too tight. His tongue probed her lips, asking for entry that she declined. She finally wound her hands around his neck and grabbed a fist full of hair. The sudden jerk movement surprised Angel enough to let go of her.

“You are mine. I was here first! You bare my mark.” She brought his hand up to her neck to caress the long healed marks. He jerked her closer so she couldn’t move once again.

“I also bare the mark of the master are you saying I was his too?” Buffy knew she was taunting Angel, but he was crazy.

“Master is dead. I was next. You are mine and he is to stay away.” He smashed their lips together again, her arms trapped between their bodies. On the street, eyes turning yellow watching their movements. A low growl erupted from its owner.

Buffy found an opening and pushed Angel away. He was holding her so tightly, she couldn’t move, but he let down his defenses and she took it. “And what about me? Huh? Think I am going to give him up?”

“If you love him, you will.” He stalked over closer to her, but she moved away. The eyes on the sidewalk were still gazing up at the room. She pushed the Neanderthal being away and started to yell at him. He came close to her again and she moved away. The scene in front of him was not what he once thought it was. She was rejecting his advances, not accepting them.

“Is that a threat, Angel? Going to kill him?” She wagged her head in a taunting manner.

“Nah, there are other ways. I will make it so you won’t want to be around him or visa versa.” Angel stood up and puffed his chest out, in a manner not unlike scared animals trying to make them look bigger.

“Angelus?”

“No, it’s me, babe. This has nothing to do with him. You are mine and don’t forget it.” He strode back over to her. Buffy whipped out a stake she hidden behind her.

“Stay away, Angel. Don’t do anything to Spike or me. Your claim or whatever you think you have over me is gone. It’s been gone for a long time. You forfeited any right you had when you walked away from me after graduation.”

“I don’t think so, child. I am your master!”

“First, I am not your childe or a child. It’s been over 10 years, Angel. Let us go!”

“No!” At that, Angel stormed out of the room. It was true that it has been ten years, but he still had her first and he will not let go of her. Not that easily. Hopefully Spike had taken his warning to heart and will stay away from Buffy. The inherent disobedience from both made him very angry.

Cold eyes followed the hulking man out of the hotel. He jumped in his car and sped away. The figure slowly inched his way away, knowing she was safe for the moment.

~*~*~

“Dawn, what hotel is Buffy and Spike at?” Xander asked through the phone. It was time for a confrontation.

“They were staying at The Radisson. Why?”

“I want to go over and talk to Buffy. What do you mean they were there? Did they leave town?”

“No, not that I know of. I just know Buffy changed hotels. I don’t know the new one.”

“Why’d they switch?” Dawn thought: Damn, I wish that I didn’t have to lie.

“I don’t know, but Spike just left here two hours ago. He might still be at the Radisson.”

“Wait, what? Dawnie what are you saying?” Xander’s voice held an optimistic hope. Spike and Buffy weren’t at the same hotel.

“Xander, look, this isn’t my place… all I know is that Buffy moved out. I am sure Spike is looking for her as we speak.”

“Did they get in a fight?” Xander was doing the snoopy dance in his head and almost out in public.

“Xander, that isn’t something I can tell you. I would call the hotel and find out which room Spike is in. They are registered under Summers.” Dawn hung up the phone hoping that she had done the right thing. Giving Xander Spike’s whereabouts was risky, but she hoped he grew up through the years. Hopefully Spike was looking for Buffy anyways. When she came to drop the key off, Dawn asked Buffy where she was staying. Buffy, in turn, told her she didn’t want to put Dawn in the middle and didn’t want to force her to lie about where she was so she wasn’t going to tell Dawn.

“What luck!” Xander screamed as he hung up the phone. The trio of friends went back to Anya’s and Xander’s home. Both Anya’s and Willow’s heads jerked up and swiveled towards him. He was doing a very dorky version of the Snoopy Dance, prancing around his living room.

“What’s going on, Honey?” Anya asked, a little perplexed at the change of attitude her husband had, but happy that it looked like she was going to get orgasms that night.

“Something is going on with Buffy and him. She moved out of their hotel room for parts unknown.” Anya smiled at her husband indulgently as Willow looked concerned. “If we are going to succeed in making Buffy see what a disaster it would be to be with him, it’s now.”

“Xander, exactly what are you going to do?”

“See, Wills, it’s like this…” With that the form the plan was laid out. The three friends stayed up all night talking about the pros and cons of their plan. Xander sat in the living room laying grand plans out with hope to help Buffy eradicate Spike from her life and hopefully the world. Anya sat listening to Xander drone on about how to make Buffy run scared from Spike and how to drive him over the edge. Willow sat on the couch listening to Xander obsessed with breaking the two up.

A/N: The Plan you ask? Like I would tell you their plans. Ok, a hint: it involves past friends and enemies coming into town and causing chaos. Now, I wonder who can come back to town?

A/N: OK, stay with me. Long Chapter. Lot’s of points of view, I tried to make it clear on who was speaking, but you know how that goes. Sorry if I don’t get the Giles-isms down, but I am trying to get the plot to move forward. BTW, there will be a little spuffiness in this chapter, but they aren’t together… yet. But never fear, the story plot is written out so unless the dialog muse sends me off in a different direction I know what is going to happen <muahahaha>

At precisely nine o’clock the next morning, Buffy walked into the Magic Box’s front door with her head held high. No customers or workers were milling about since the shop just opened. Giles was up in the loft area probably cataloging the ancient texts housed up there. He looked down at the sound of the door ring at her entry. A wide smile erupted from his face when he noticed his surrogate daughter there, alone, that is no other people or beings around. This was his chance to catch up with her. He quickly shut the book and headed down to the main floor of the shop to greet his visitor. She smiled up at him when he made his presence known by walking down the ladder.

“Buffy, it’s good to see you.” He came over to hug the young woman standing in front of him.

“Yeah. Nice that is.” She returned his hug halfway, not sure how she should try to confront Giles.

“So, dear, it’s been a while since we’ve gotten to be able to talk with that Traver’s business and all.” She nodded her head in agreement. “Please sit, would you like a cup of tea?”

“No thanks, Giles. I’m a coffee girl.” She sat down at the research table with Giles. “So where’s Anya?”

“She doesn’t come in until afternoon since the babies.” The awkwardness was starting to thicken.

“Yeah.” This was even harder than she originally thought.

After a minute of silence, Giles began again, “So how are you, dear girl?”

“Peachy,” she spit sarcastically. He looked alarmed at her sudden outburst. “Sorry, Giles, just under some stress.” She tried to explain it away.

“Do you need to talk about it?” Buffy cast her eyes downward, trying to get enough courage to confront her mentor. Over hearing his misgivings and thoughts on her chosen path in life was one thing, but to hear it directly from his mouth was another.

“Yeah, I guess.” Buffy squared her shoulders as she gave herself a pep talk. First, it’s your life. Second, you are happy, well, not so happy with the Spike situation, but that is so not in this conversation. Third, you came back to train the new slayer. Giles asked you to come back. Ready to confront him, Buffy looked up into his eyes.

Giles knew why Buffy was here. He suspected she was in the training room last night, but had no tangible proof. She was quiet when she entered and exited the back room and left no evidence of her position. He barely noticed her presence except a slight grinding noise during one of Xander’s more interesting rants about Spike. She definitely had reconnaissance down pat. “Dear girl, whatever put that frown on your face?”

“Giles?” She used her little girl voice, the one that melted his heart every time. It was absurd to watch a 27, almost 28 year old woman, stick out her bottom lip in a perfect pout. Her arms were hugging her torso in an attempt to comfort herself. Oh, she was good. Playing on his fatherly emotions. She knew which buttons to push, always did. “We are close right?” Giles nodded. “Even when I left here, we still communicated. Maybe even better than when I was here.” He nodded again. Her journalistic instincts kicked in, he saw it coming. She was going to get him to dangle himself over the proverbial barrel before she attack. The girl was good. She knew how to get what she wanted. “You knew before anyone about the bar and hotel. And you helped me with the legal stuff. I really appreciated that. I don’t know if I ever told you, but thank you.”

“Pish, Buffy. You needed my help, I would do anything for you.” He knew he was stepping into her trap. He knew it, but couldn’t stop it. His little slayer grew up to be a magnificent woman. A woman that could handle herself.

He saw the trap, yet he had to step into it.

“Me too, Giles. You know that right? I love you.” She stood up and walked over to hug him. Giles relaxed, hoping Buffy wasn’t trying to trap him, yet now she was going in for the kill. “Remember when I thought I was loosing my humanity my ability of showing emotion? We went on the Slayer Quest thingy.” He nodded as she sat down next to him. Giles took off his glasses as she rambled on, setting the trap, and started to clean them with his hankie. “Yeah. Long way from there now, aren’t we?” She fidgeted with an imaginary piece of dust on the table. “So anyways, just wanted to let you know. I love you and would do anything for you.” Here it comes. “Like for instance. Drop everything in my life and fly back here, on my dime I might add that the council never paid me, to help you train the slayer.” She always hated that she never got paid or reimbursed for clothing being ruined. No wonder why the First Slayer walked around in rags.

“Yes, you did. I appreciate that.”

“So, here I am wondering.” She looked directly into his eyes. “Why haven’t you used me to my full potential?”

“S-see, I didn’t want to scare the girl off. You know how it is when you first start. Everything is overwhelming.” Her eyes glint. Danger. Danger, Mr. Giles. Back peddle FAST! Buffy was docile as a dove on the phone but face to face, she’s a hound dog. Smells fear.

“Really?”

“Rightly so.”

“She seemed perfectly fine after I talked to her that first night and she has been progressing along and all. Seemed she wasn’t scared off or anything. What do you say?”

“Buffy, I cannot lie to you…” Snap. The trap was triggered and Giles was stuck. A figure slowly made it’s way through the back doorway to the Magic Box. It crept towards the door leading to the main store and stopped to listen.

Buffy waved off his next comment. “So then… I ask myself precisely why you insisted that I did not patrol or come here last night. Surely you aren’t trying to turn Katerina against me?”

“It wasn’t like that…”

“Or having ill equipped people train her with bad positioning and posture.” Giles knew it was coming. There was no explanation he could give her.

“Really? Because I saw the one man I trust with everything… and I mean EVERYTHING… betray me. I would have rather you not even include me in the new slayer stuff if you were going to act this way.”

“I understand that. And I felt horribly about it, especially when I saw that Xander and Willow really didn’t have the fighting stances down anymore, but their heart was in the right place.”

“Right place? Was that before or after to poison Katerina with their prejudies of the past?” Giles looked like a fish out of water as his mouth opened and closed repeatedly. She was definitely a spit fire.

“I tried to stop it…” The figure in the back room didn’t allow Giles to continue. The body moved forward through the open door to reveal herself, yet the two were ingrossed with their conversation to notice right away.

“You know, since I see you are inept to train her personally and allowed the ill equipped gang to train her, maybe I should just take over the training. At least she will have a chance to live longer than a week.”

Meanwhile in another part of town…

There was a knock on the door. The prone figure on the bed lifted its head up trying to comprehend the knocking. The semi-alert vampire trudged over to the door fiddling with the different locks and mechanisms on it. Slowly, coming to his senses he finished the task of unlocking the door.

Angel opened the door slowly, not allowing light to hit him. There was a flash of gray as Angel shook his head free of cobwebs. Seeing no one was outside, Angel closed the door and turned back towards the bed. “Peaches, ain’t going to give me a proper greeting?”

“Huh? Spike how’d you get in here?”

“Opened the door, didn’t you?”

Awareness struck Angel over the head like the proverbial anvil. “You’ve gotten faster in your old age, boy. Must be all that slayer blood… Oh, sorry. I forgot… you haven’t bitten her.” Angel’s evil smirk arose. His plan was clicking into place better than what he thought possible. Spike snarled at the comment, but Angel continued. “She’s sweet you know. The best I’ve ever had. Mmmm,” he licked his lips, “Sweet.”

“Shut up, wanker.”

“Or what? Poor wittle Spikey is going to hit me? Go ahead, boy, I think we both know who is going to win. Especially after my little visit with her last night.”

Spike snarled, “The only reason you got me last time was because I was drunk, and you know it!”

“And why were you drunk? Oh yeah, because you had a fight about me. You were jealous about me, and you should be.”

“Shut up!” Spike wanted to hit Angel so bad, but he knew he wasn’t entirely healed from last time. Instead he decided on another tactic. Scaring off Angel wasn’t going to work, but maybe another would. “Tell you what, Peaches, I know nothing happened between you two last night. Point in fact, I know that she rejected your sorry ass.”

“How the hell do you know that?”

“I was there, you ponce. I saw her whip out the stake and threaten you.” The two vampires stood there staring at each other.

Back at the Magic Box…

Willow stood with her chin held high as two pairs of eyes turned to look at her. She heard the fight outside and decided to go through the back. “Buffy it wasn’t like that.”

“Really? Because from my vantage point it was exactly like that.” Buffy stalked over to her friend.

“I know what it sounded like, but you know Xander, he doesn’t give up on an idea until it’s been beaten into the ground.”

“I think Spike has been beaten into the ground… I mean the subject of Spike.” Buffy was pacing, rubbing her forehead with her hand. This separation from Spike was driving her crazy. She understood that he was jealous and he let it get the better of him, but he still locked her out of the room, refusing to let her back in.

“Buffy, we are just worried about you.” Giles interrupted her train of thought.

“Why? If Spike wanted to harm me I would already be dead. He has had plenty of chances.” Buffy was trying to make sense of their objections, but was coming up with nothing. “You two… he came to see you and he didn’t try to hurt you.”

“He wanted information.”

“True, but when he found out you lied to him he didn’t go all ‘grrr’,” she scrutched her face up and made a claw with her fingers in demonstration. “Didn’t he?” Giles nodded. “So I don’t see why you think he is a danger?”

“What if he wants you to fall for him and then BAM!” Trying to stay on task, Willow was grasping at straws. She was starting to have trouble following the reason why the gang thought it would be better for Buffy to be away from Spike. It was true, Spike could have attacked them anything he wanted to, but he didn’t. Willow was having doubts about the plan, plain and simple.

“I already have,” Buffy stated simply. “I love him. More than I ever thought possible.”

“So why aren’t you two staying in the same hotel room?”

Where did she get that piece of information? Her moving out only happened yesterday, there is a mole and her name is Dawn! “We are having a misunderstanding right now. We will resolve it by ourselves.” Buffy headed towards the door. No matter what she said, they weren’t going to listen they already convicted Spike of his past crimes.

“But Buffy…” Willow’s whining voice rose, trying desperately to get Buffy to stop and it worked. Buffy stopped midway out of the door and turned around.

“Tell Xander to keep his nose out of my business. If I see him try to hurt Spike or break us up permanently he will see what ‘powers’ a 27 year old slayer has collected through out the past eleven years.” With that Buffy walked out of the Magic Box and headed to her new charge.

Back at Angel’s hotel room… the argument heats up.

“Yeah, but I still got a kiss from her sweet mouth.” Angel knew she struggled the whole time, but he also knew which buttons to push with Spike.

“Only because you caught her off guard.” She pushed him away, really, Spike saw it with his own eyes. Suddenly all his insecurities smashed down on top of him.

“She didn’t seem to mind.” Angel stepped towards Spike, in attempts to intimidate him.

“Oh, I think she did.” The two men glowered at each other just a few inches apart.

“Why did you come here, Spike?” Angel hissed through clenched teeth.

“Warn you, mate… but I don’t want to anymore. I think it will be fun to watch Buffy reject your sorry ass.” Spike stepped around Angel and headed to the door.

Angel had one last parting shot, “Yeah, just like how she will reject you, too!”

~*~*~

Simutaneously…

Spike was in the sewers traveling back to his hotel when inspiration hit him. He turned around and headed in another direction, anxious to win back the heart of the woman he loves.

Buffy was above ground, driving back to her hotel. Katerina was too tired and sore from last night to train. She considered dropping by Revello or Spike’s hotel room but decided that maybe the old saying ‘absence makes the heart grow fonder’ may be right in this instance. Spike knew how she felt, if he wanted to change their situation then he would have to make the first step.

She parked the car outside and headed towards her room, but the concierge stopped her mid way through the lobby. He ran up to Buffy smiling from ear to ear handing over a very elegant envelope. On the front if was addressed in a writing not unlike calligraphy to Miss Elizabeth Summers. She walked over to row of elevators and hit the up button while studying the envelope. In the privacy of the elevator compartment she carefully opened the envelope. She removed the expensive looking paper and opened up the letter inside.

Elizabeth, I know I am a bad poet, so I will not try to woo you with my words, but the

sediments of the author, Andrew Young, seem to fit. I know I over reacted the other night

and am terribly sorry. I hope that my formalness of an apology does not shock you.

For I look forward to earning your love once again, my precious sun. ~William

Buffy’s eyes started to water when she read the name he refused to use in Hawaii, Elizabeth. She read and reread the letter as the elevator made its slow way to her floor and as she stepped out. Buffy fumbled with the key while trying to stave off her tears. Finally opening the door, Buffy stepped in and looked around. All over the tables were wild exotic flowers that reminded her of home, Hawaii. The aroma drifted around her and filled her senses. On the pillow was an identical envelope, she slowly made her way to the bed to pick the envelope up. She sank her body down on the soft mattress and bedding and opened the second letter up.

Buffy, no matter what I do will not make up for what I have don1e or acted recently. I love you with

all that I am and want to see you happy. You know where you can find me. I love you. ~Spike

Well, he made the first move. Buffy sat on the bed holding her two letters from her love contemplating her next move. They need to work on the issues, but they could prevail if they stayed together and worked on it. On a whim, Buffy picked up the phone and dialed the number of the Radisson. She was connected to the room Spike was staying in, but there was not answer. Instead a voice mail messaging system clicked in. “Spike, I love you. Since you must know where I am at, please call me. I miss you, baby.” She hoped he would get the hidden message that she wasn’t ready to move back, but she wanted to. A smile erupted on Buffy’s face as she looked around at the pink Anthuriums, Orchids of all colors, red Kauai Sunset, purple Birds of Paradise, and a bunch she didn’t know the name of. Spike must have spent a fortune on them. Thinking back Buffy realized that he always made grand gestures. Something to work on. With a wide smile on her face, Buffy headed into the bathroom, ready to relax in the tub.

A/N: The poem Beauty and Love by Andrew Young were found at lovepoetry.com

Chapter 12: Visitor

The tall brunette man stepped out from the airplane onto the tarmac of LAX. He blinked at the change of light levels as he made his way to the luggage carrier. He traveled overnight on a red eye to get to his destination. People around him watched as the strange man picked up his luggage and headed towards the car rentals. It was time to head towards the little town called Sunnydale and find out what was going on. Buffy cut off all communication a couple days ago and he KNEW something was wrong. She called at least four times a week, twice of that on the weekend, to see how the club was going. The lack of calls made his senses stand on end. Something was wrong and he was going to get down to it.

~*~*~

In the middle of the afternoon, after Buffy’s bath, Katerina called. They set up a meeting time to start weight training away from Giles and the Scoobies. The hotel that Buffy moved to had a full weight room, including aerobic equipment, and stamina equipment. It also boasted of a therapeutic hot tub specifically for the weight room. Buffy couldn’t wait until Katerina came by to start training so she left a message at the front desk with for Katerina that Buffy was in the training room already. She walked into the room that smelled of sweat in a pink and gray spandex workout shorts and matching sports bra. First up was stretching then a little aerobic work. Buffy was in the middle of jumping rope when Katerina walked in the training room. Buffy smiled and finished up her set before setting the rope down.

“Wow, how do you do that?” Katerina asked as Buffy finished.

“Do what? Jump rope?” Buffy shrugged.

“No, I mean yes, but all the fast and fancy twirling like boxers do.”

“It’s an agility thing. You will be able to do it, too.”

“I don’t know about that. I can barely run a mile without getting winded.” Buffy walked over the the wall and did her stretching routine again.

“Sure you will, you are a slayer. You just have to tap into the slayer abilities. Once you learn to tap into yourself than jumping rope like that or running 10 miles will be no biggie. Trust me.” Buffy motioned for Katerina to mimic Buffy’s stretches.

“How do I tap into myself?” Katerina walked over beside Buffy and started to repeat her earlier moves.

“It will come in time. Just like the slayer sense A.K.A. spidey sense. It will come, you just have to learn to listen.” Buffy continued to stretch, teaching Katerina some deep stretches. After five minutes Buffy moved over to a set of stationary bikes and motioned for Katerina to take one. “First, we need to build your stamina. I think a solid thirty minute ride will do. See this gauge? I want you to try to keep it in this area,” Buffy motioned to the gauge that measured MPH. “I know it will be hard, but your body should be able to do it.”

The two slayers spent the day in the training room working on Katerina’s stamina. She was able to peddle for 45 minutes and run on a running machine for 30 more. She also was able to work with more than 100 pounds on the weight training machines. Buffy was pleased at the results, anxious to work more. Katerina was thrilled to find out that not only did she have amazing stamina, but also muscles.

~*~*~*~

The tall lanky man rented a standard size car and made his journey to the only known address he had: 1630 Revello Drive. Hopefully Dawn was home to help him in the search of his best friend, Lizzy. Sam drove through the streets of the deceptively quiet town in search of Revello Drive.

After three trips around the town, he finally found the small street of Revello and went about his task of finding Lizzy’s teenage home. He parked the car on the street outside the house and made his way up the walk to knock on the door.

A bubbly red head answered the door. Sam took a step back, not expecting another to answer the door. “Yes?” She asked irritatedly.

“Is Dawn home?” Her irritate expression fell into a scowl. All the cute guys came for Dawn.

Denise stomped to the steps and screamed, “Dawn, there is someone here to see you.” She left the befuddled man standing on the porch as she stomped her way to the kitchen. Dawn came bounding down the stairs two at a time to see her visitor. She was studying, but was anxious for a break.

“Sam!” She flew into his arms for a hug. “Buffy didn’t tell me you were coming.”

“She didn’t know. I haven’t heard from her in a while so I thought I should make sure she was OK.” Dawn grasped his hand and dragged him inside into the living room.

“Yeah, she is. Fine. The baddies seem to have dispersed for a while. But you know how that goes.” They both sat down. Dawn was sitting in a chair and Sam was sitting on the leather sofa.

“Um, not really. There weren’t many baddies, as in the non human kind on the island. Just the run of the mill human baddies.” Sam shrugged. He saw Lizzy take care of patrons that were too drunk, but she never totally beat up someone.

“Oh, yeah. Buffy said she didn’t run into many vamps down there. So I am guessing you want to know where Buffy is?” Dawn wasn’t sure how she was going to tell Sam she had no idea where Buffy was staying. She could give Spike’s room, but after the way he left the house to look for her yesterday, it might not be a good idea.

“That would be nice, but we didn’t get a chance to sit and talk last time you were on the island. I miss you, buttons.”

“Awe, stop it, Sam.”

“Can’t help it, you have a cute button nose.” He looked at her adoringly.

The phone rang in the kitchen and Denise yelled, “Dawn, it’s for you.” Dawn excused herself from Sam and walked into the kitchen. Dawn walked back in with a cordless phone and handed it to Sam mouthing ‘It’s Liz.’

“Hello there, Lizardbreath.” She hated that name. Sam is an avid Sunday Morning Comic reader and picked the name up from ‘For Better of Worse.’

“Sam? Oh my god! Why are you at my sisters?”

“Came to check up on you, Lizzy. Can’t a guy check up his best friend when she hasn’t called in weeks?”

“It hasn’t been that long, Sammy.” He gritted his teeth, but didn’t try to strike back. He deserved his hated pet name when he used hers. “So dish, why you here? Going to hook up with my sister finally?” Sam blushed and dusked his head away from Dawn. If she only knew that he had a crush on her.

“Where you at?”

“A hotel in the downtown area called the Sunsetter. It’s nice, do you want me to see if they have any vacancies? I am sure they do.”

“Nah, I already got me a room at the Day’s Inn at the edge of town. What’s the number there? We can get together tomorrow?” The two friends hung up and Dawn got a new piece of information, the hotel Buffy was staying in. The pair sat in the living room, hanging out. Studying was forgotten by one and the possible fate of a friend forgotten by the other.

~*~*~

“I can’t believe she was defending that blood sucker after he left her!” Xander paced around the room in front of Willow. She was sitting in a chair on the far end of the living room. Anya was putting their child to bed in another room.

“He didn’t leave her. They just are having a misunderstanding.” A nagging feeling in the pit of Willow’s stomach was making her try to talk Xander out of his heinous plan.

“How can you say that, he kick her out!”

“He was jealous! Xander, he has spent the last 6 years wondering the what ifs of their relationship.”

“Like what if he actually raped her?” He threw his arms up in defeat. Willow was trying to talk him out of his brillant plan.

“Xander, that is in the past. Buffy has moved past that, why can’t you?”

“Look, Willow, are you in or out? That’s what I need to know.” Xander stopped pacing and stopped right in front of Willow. “Are you going to help us save Buffy or not?”

At that moment Anya came back into the room and sat down on the couch. “Save her from what?”

“Ahhhhhhhh!” Xander glared at his wife. “From the bleached undead! I am working with monkeys here!” He yelled at the ceiling.

“Well you don’t have to be nasty about it.” Anya crossed her arms on her chest. “I was asking a simple question and you have to go all name call-y. Well, here me mister… no orgasms for you tonight!” Anya sat back and smiled to herself. No orgasms for him tonight would teach him well.

“God, Anya. Stay on task! Remember? Saving Buffy from Spike?”

“I don’t see what the big deal is, honey. She seems to be enjoying all her orgasms he gives her and believe me, he is good at that!”

“Oh my God… you did not just say what you just said!” Anya looked at him curiously. What did she just say? “I thought we agreed never to bring that up ever again!”

“Xander, I can’t help that he is good at that! And the fact is that yes, Spike and I had mutual enjoyable sex together. But we moved past that. I don’t see much of a difference.”

“He tried to RAPE her and not to mention all those times he tried to kill us.” Xander couldn’t believe he was surrounded by traitors.

“Since he fell in love with her, when was the last time he tried to kill us?” Willow waited a beat for a non-existent answer. “And Buffy got over the whole bathroom thing, why can’t you?”

“Look, I am not discussing this anymore! Are you two in or not?” Xander stood there waiting for an answer.

“Honey, you know whatever you do, I will support you.” Anya uncrossed her arms and hugged her husband. Xander looked towards Willow and noticed a slight nod of her head.”

“Great! Now, on to the plan and remember… code names only. I called the Mob and they said that the mobsters will be in town to capture Est. Also, we will need to incapacitate the champion: physically or by distraction.”

“Why can’t you speak in normal terms, you sound like a proficy.”

“What if someone was listening? They might not know what we were talking about.”

“Xander, you are paranoid.”

“Yeah, but I’m going to save Buffy.” Both Anya’s and Willow’s eyes rolled as Xander continued his conspiracy.

A/N: Short chapter coming up, just moving the story along. In the next couple chapters I am going to need betas that are good in combat dialog and description, so if you are interested email me at karbear57@yahoo.com.

A black sedan pulled past the ‘Welcome to Sunnydale’ sign. The four occupants nervously went over plans to capture the dangerous vampire. Each man had his own specialty. The driver was the enforcer and planner, able to do much damage to a body in little time. He also was the head honcho for the operation, planning out the best strategies to capture their intended victim. The man next to him was a watcher, one who could stay up for long periods of time to watch a prisoner and make sure they do not escape. The man sitting behind the driver was the torturer, his specialality was to get prisoners to talk. The last man was the trapper, able to capture and secure any prisoner.

The driver drove through the town trying to find a suitable spot to set up camp. Finding a run of the mill hotel, the driver pulled in and went to check in and get the necessary rooms. Coming back with three keys, the man motioned for the rest to get out of the car. Three sets of polished shoes stepped out of the car and started to unload the car. Each carried a black briefcase holding magically enhanced stakes, a bottle of Vatican holy water, and myriad of crosses. They made many trips back and forth from the car brining in different weapons and torture devices.

~*~*~

Sam woke up to find a crink in his back. Stretching and yawning, Sam wondered how his back got into that condition. Then he remembered. Dan and him spent all night talking and watching movies. He must have fallen asleep on the couch. He moaned again and moved his body, trying to get more comfortable, but he felt a heavy presence on him. Opening his eyes, he saw Dawn had fallen asleep on top of him, using his chest as a pillow. Sam smiled at the sleeping woman and kissed the top of her head. She was really beautiful. Her mouth was slightly open. Her full bottom lip jutted out just a little, begging for a little nip. Sam felt his jeans get tighter as he became aroused with the vision of the sleeping girl. She stirred a little and snuggled even closer to him. “Hey.” Her eyes popped open when she realized he was awake also.

“Hey yourself,” Sam tried to play it cool, but he never felt like this before, not even with the mother of his child.

“Please tell me I didn’t drool all over you.” She sat up blushing and checked out his shirt for tell tale signs of drool.

“Don’t think so, buttons. But that’s OK.” He said in a sexy voice. He looked down at the young woman still laying partially on him.

“Huh?” She looked dumb founded. Was Sam coming on to her? He had the same look Spike has when he looks at Buffy. Dawn started to do Xander’s Snoopy Dance in her head. “Sam?”

“Huh?”

“When are you going to kiss me?”

Five minutes later the pair on the couch were still kissing.

A/N: Working on Ch 14 right now, lots of exciting stuff. If you want to beta, let me know karbear57@yahoo.com

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