Chapter 23.

Previously: Buffy and Spike get together at last. Giles returns, bringing Willow and Tara, and upon opening the magical barrier, another spell attacks Spike turning him into the feral vampire from before. Buffy subdues him and makes him promise not to hurt any of the others...

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Selena was frightened. And at times, she admitted to herself, she was terrified.

It all started when Hilda had brought a vampire to the coven meeting and caused uproar. Selena couldn't see what all the fuss was about - he seemed subdued and well in hand, and looked rather yummy to her inexperienced eyes.

When two of the most powerful witches in the coven approached her for help, she was astounded and really flattered. Alice and Jane had explained to her that the vampire had somehow got Hilda under his thrall and the only way to help her escape was to attack said vampire. The fact that Selena was the youngest and most untried witch didn't matter, they needed her to boost their magic.

It all seemed quite logical and she was thrilled to be part of it. They spun their magic, expecting the vampire to run from the house into their hands. Unfortunately, Hilda intervened and seemed to be one jump ahead of them. The vampire and the witch had vanished. Undeterred, Alice and Jane had sent a spell after them, this time to make the vampire attack Hilda.

"Serves her right - she brought in on herself. She's protecting him." Alice had said coldly. This spell also seemed to fail.

Alice's lost her composure, swearing and hitting out, and the young witch dated her fear from that time. When Selena suggested that they needed a more powerful witch to help them and offered to go to the coven for help, Alice said that no one from the coven was to know about this. If they got to know, then Alice would know who told them. Selena had gulped and dropped the matter. The two older witches began to watch her closely, never letting her out of their sight. She overheard them one night talking about how things would change when Alice was head of the coven and Jane her second in command.

When Alice and Jane had used dark magic to enter Hilda's mind using Selena's wild magic as a booster, she was sickened but helpless and too terrified to do anything about it. The vampire had defeated them again and Alice's rage was terrible to see.

Since then, they had spent days trying to find the pair, using some of the vampire's hair for a tracking spell. They had been led on a wild goose chase all over London, following some kind of signal that only the two older witches could sense. Now they were sure that they had finally run them to ground. Literally.

"They are under here somewhere," muttered Alice darkly, looking down at the tarmacked road under her feet. Selena couldn't see how they could possibly be under the wide and busy road, until Alice and Jane exchanged a glance, "they must be in the underground." Jane said triumphantly.

And so they found themselves wandering round the tunnels, following the pull of magic.

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Spike watched the humans talk and argue for what seemed like hours. When he couldn't stand it any longer, he began pacing backwards and forwards across the room.

"I'm hungry. Sodding starving." He whined.

Buffy looked up at him and he stopped in his tracks. "I'm hungry," he said again pleadingly.

She smiled at him sorrowfully, "I'll see what I can do, but for now please sit down, we are trying to plan a way out of this."

Reluctantly he obeyed.

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"I don't think it's far now." Alice said eagerly, "come on, stop dragging your feet." She tugged on Selena's wrist spitefully.

In the distance they heard a dreadful noise. It sounded like screaming. Then the magical barrier, which had helped them find their prey, failed.

"Quickly, we might be too late! I must be the one to destroy that evil, bloodsucking monster." Alice's face was transformed by hatred.

They ran the last few yards to the entrance. A growling, snarling sound led them to a door, which was slightly ajar.

They stopped just inside. The sight before them was so dreadful that they had trouble comprehending it. There were blood soaked bodies scattered about everywhere. Over the other side of the room, the vampire was crouched over the body of his last victim. He was avidly chewing and sucking on her neck and growling warningly.

Even Alice seemed shocked. Then she shook herself and smiled.

"I see the vampire has turned on those who helped him. Poor Hilda." Her insincerity was sickening. "Come on, we must punish this monstrous demon."

She raised her hand and the vampire howled as a deep slash appeared on his chest.

It was just too much for Selena. She managed to wrench her arm from Alice's grasp and move away before hunching over and vomiting.

"We've done this." She gasped, "it's our fault! If we hadn't interfered, this would never have happened. Oh why did I ever believe you." She started to sob.

Still howling, the vampire started to crawl away to the far wall. The two older witches followed, Alice had a vicious grin on her face. "We have enough power between us to finish this - we'll deal with Selena later." She muttered to Jane.

Raising her hand again, another deep wound struck the vampire, sending him sprawling. "We mustn't get too carried away now - let's make this last." Alice's high-pitched giggle sent shivers down Selena's back.

Then, something extraordinary happened. All the corpses jumped to their feet and began to chant, weaving a binding spell. Alice's scream was cut short as a sparking magical rope bound her and Jane together. The rope became tighter and then they were swept off their feet to hang suspended from the ceiling.

Buffy, Willow, Tara, Hilda and Giles grinned at each other, teeth shining bright against their blood stained faces - they had done it. But at such a cost thought the slayer as she ran across to the unconscious figure of Spike.

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Chapter 24.

Previously: The rogue witches catch up with our heroes, but they fail to destroy Spike and are captured - but not before he is seriously wounded.

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Spike clawed his way up through the darkness. It was towards the pain he knew, but he also knew that it was towards his golden warrior. She would fix him, he was sure. He could hear the females yammering on about healing spells, what to do with the captured witches, where to go next and the difficulty of getting blood out of the carpet and then Buffy's voice made all the others' fade into the background.

"Spike. Spike, can you hear me?"

He slowly opened his eyes and was rewarded by her expression of relief and a beautiful smile.

"Hungry." He whispered.

"Here, I've warmed some food for you."

She gently lifted him up and held a cup to his lips. It was the same revolting muck that she had given him before. He wrinkled his sensitive nose and turned his head away. Last time she had told him that this was the only blood available, but now he could clearly see a human female sitting across the room. This was the witch that was with the bitches that had hurt him - surely they would let him eat her.

Buffy saw the vampire's change of expression and followed his look.

"She's under my protection Spike - off limits."

He looked at her in astonishment - next she was going to tell him that the whole sodding human race was under her protection and that he'd have to eat this muck for the rest of his unlife. He grumbled unhappily, but she was his sire and he would do as she asked. Reluctantly he nuzzled at the cup and drained it, unsuccessfully trying to block out the taste and texture. It wouldn't heal him as fast as hot, fresh, living human blood. He stopped the thought before he was overcome with bloodlust.

Giles, noticing that the vampire was awake, slowly approached him. The watcher hunkered down so that he was on a level with Spike and, ignoring a rumbling growl, started to speak.

"I have to say that when Buffy proposed her plan for the defeat of the witches, I thought that you would not or could not comply. But you handled the situation admirably and I'll admit that we all owe you a debt of gratitude."

He smiled tentatively but when Spike just gave him a flat-eyed stare, he rose to his feet,

"Yes, well, um, we have a lot to accomplish here before we leave. I'll see how everyone is doing." He moved rapidly away.

The vampire slowly turned his head and looked at Buffy,

"Huh?"

"He said sorry and thank you."

"Oh," Spike said blankly.

Buffy looked at her watcher's retreating back affectionately. Wasn't that just like Giles - very proper and correct. He must have known that the vampire wouldn't understand him in this state, yet he did the right thing anyway.

Buffy took Spike on to her lap and began to rhythmically stroke his hair and soon his eyelids drooped and he relaxed.

She looked down at him sadly, his handsome features twisted into his demon face. Not that he was repulsive this way, but it reminded her of all the times that they had fought to kill each other.

"How is he?" Hilda sat down next to Buffy.

"I don't really know. Willow and Tara said that the healing spell should work, but they have never tried it on a vampire before - so we are all of the unknowing."

Hilda nodded, "and how are you?"

Buffy's face crumpled and tears stood out in her eyes. "I'm OK until someone shows me sympathy and then I can't seem to hold it together. " She took a deep breath to try and control her emotions. "Do you think we'll ever get him back? I miss him so much."

Spike had been drifting down to the comforting darkness but when he heard the anguish in Buffy's voice, he began to take notice. Who was this, whose loss caused her so much pain? Jealousy stabbed at him like a knife and he decided that when he had his strength back, he would search for this man and kill him. But no, that would cause her even more pain. He stopped, completely confused - he couldn't do anything that would hurt her. Well he'd sleep on it and make up his mind later.

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Hilda looked down at the sleeping vampire and sighed, "we have to know what kind of spell they used to be able to reverse it. They must have used the black arts, I have seen nothing like this before."

Selena, who had been trying to keep a very low profile, spoke up hesitantly, "I think I know which spell they used - it's in a book they kept locked away all the time."

She looked around at the five hostile faces surrounding her and gave them a sickly smile. "I, er, I can show you if you like."

Buffy looked at her coldly, "they didn't have a book when we captured them. Where is it, in some magical cavern somewhere?"

"No, it's in their car."

"Well, come on then - let's go get it!" Hilda sprang to her feet, dragging the young witch with her.

Buffy wanted to go with them, in case they ran into any vampires on the way. But Willow and the others didn't fancy being left with Spike in case he woke up. So, in the end, they all went, leaving Buffy to look after her vampire.

She watched him sleep for a while and then leaned over and gently stroked his brow ridges. She knew in her heart that if they couldn't restore Spike to himself, then the future looked very bleak for him. She couldn't go back to Sunnydale and leave him behind - without her guidance, he would go back to hunting and killing. In the same way, she couldn't take him back with her (even if they could find a way) because she would have to stay with him every minute of every day. It was impossible! She had staked the man she'd loved before - she couldn't do it again. But what else could she do? Tears started to run down her face and drip down on to his.

He stirred, licking the salty liquid from his lips. His golden eyes opened and he looked at her in consternation.

"What's wrong?"

She had no words for him. She just gathered him up and hugged him tightly. He stifled a groan as his wounds complained, then laid his head on her chest, breathing in her intoxicating scent. When she loosened her grip, he pulled back and asked,

"Can I find him for you? Just give me something with his scent on it, I'll track him down and bring him to you."

Bewildered, Buffy looked at him, "What are you talking about?"

He explained that he had overheard her talking to the one they called Hilda, about having lost someone and missing him so much. His voice tailed off. Why was she looking at him like that? As if he had said something really funny - or really stupid. And then she was crying again! He would never understand humans. He stroked her arm tentatively, trying to give her some comfort.

"Don't cry - I won't speak of it again."

That just made her cry even harder.

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He had never thought he'd be happy to see the noisy herd of humans return, but it made Buffy wipe away her tears and attempt a smile. She rose and went to join them as they chattered about some books they had found.

"Some of those are mine!" Hilda said angrily, "they must have stolen them from my house."

Giles was examining a large and intricately bound volume, "this is the Langetesse Codex," his voice full of awe, "it's so rare and dangerous, that the one in the Council's library is locked away."

"Um, that's the one they used." Selena volunteered.

"Where in the hell did they get it?" Giles' voice was rough.

She shrank back from his anger, "I don't know - you'd have to ask them."

They all looked over to the monitor screen, which showed the two witches, still under the binding spell but now locked in the cell that had recently held Spike.

"Well, that doesn't matter for now. Can we reverse what was done to Spike?" Buffy was impatient with all the delay.

"We can try Buffy - that's all we can do."

They began the task of clearing the room again and marking the floor. Spike watched them disinterestedly - they seemed to make life so complicated when it was really very simple. They talked and argued and then talked some more. He shook his head, curled up and dozed off, conserving his strength.

At last they were ready. They had arranged for Hilda to cast the spell, with Willow, Tara and Selena boosting her slowly returning power.

Buffy shook the vampire awake.

"Come and sit inside this circle," she instructed him.

Trustingly, he followed her and crouched down in the place she had indicated.

"Don't worry, I'll be watching out for you," Buffy smiled reassuringly.

He nodded, licking his lips nervously, keeping his eyes fastened on her face.

And it began.

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Chapter 25.

Previously: Buffy is desperate to heal Spike and to "get him back". The witches find a spell book and attempt both.

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The vampire crouched where Buffy had left him, his eyes fixed on her. If he could see her, he was sure that everything would be OK.

The women grouped around him began to chant and suddenly all the hairs on his body were standing on end. He heard a crackling, hissing sound and when he tore his eyes from his sire and looked down at his hands, he saw that they were covered in tiny sparking blue flames. He snarled in surprise and, taking a deep breath to howl, found he could make no sound. He began to pant, trying to calm himself as everything faded away. Then he had the sensation of falling and he closed his eyes waiting for the impact of his landing.

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Buffy shifted uneasily under the vampire's steady gaze. He trusted her completely and she had no idea what was about to happen to him. Hilda smiled at them encouragingly and linked hands with the other three witches, before taking a deep breath and beginning to chant.

When the tiny blue flames smothered him, Buffy started forward only to be stopped by Giles.

"Buffy, you can't break the circle now - it may interfere with the spell."

She bit her lip as she saw Spike's growing terror and when he slumped to the floor she cried out,

"What's happening? You're hurting him!"

Giles wrapped his arms around his slayer and hugged her to him.

"Keep calm; they know what they are doing." Well, he hoped they knew what they were doing.

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Spike slowly opened his eyes when the falling sensation stopped. He was standing in a darkened room, its opulence a startling contrast to the underground office that he had just left. Plush red velvet curtains hung at the windows and the furniture was over ornate. He heard a noise behind him.

"Ah, sweet William, do you want to share my delicious dinner?"

He swung round. A beautiful dark-haired dark-eyed woman stood before him in a magnificent tight waisted long dress, blood trickling down her chin. She was negligently holding out to him the slumped figure of an unconscious man. Lowering her head and looking at him through her eyelashes, she grinned and then giggled.

"Oooh are you still cross with me? I know you saw him first, but princess was so very hungry." She pouted.

"Who the hell?"

She swayed and then, throwing the man aside, approached him seductively.

"What game are we playing now my Spike?"

Suddenly he knew who this was.

"Drusilla."

She was his sire. No that couldn't be right - Buffy was his sire. He shook his head in confusion and started to back away from her. He turned and found himself in another room, which looked a lot like a cell with moisture running down rough stone walls. He couldn't move, his arms were suspended above his head and a tall, dark, thickset vampire brandishing a whip was grinning at him evilly.

"So, Willy me boy. I'm going to have to chastise you again. You are such a slow learner."

Spike looked down at his chest and saw that it was covered in weals and his head felt as though it was on fire.

"Angelus"

The name came to him without effort, as hatred surged through his mind. He squeezed his eyes shut and immediately he was falling again.

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Hilda completed the spell and there was a flash of blinding light. They drew forward and looked expectantly at the prone body of the vampire. When he stayed motionless, they all started to talk at once.

"Hasn't it worked?"

"Nothing's happened!"

"Is he OK?"

"Is he dead? Well, I know he's already dead, but is he deader than he ought to be?" At a glare from Buffy, Willow made a zipping motion across her lips. "And shutting up now."

When Spike suddenly started thrashing and moaning, it took them by surprise and they all took a step back.

"Oh my god, Spike. Spike!"

Buffy pushed through them, crouched down, pulled him into her arms and sat rocking him back and forward. Spike slowly opened his eyes and his face gradually transformed into human as he gazed up at her.

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Giles watched them, his suspicions realised. Not again, he groaned inwardly. Not another vampire - please! He took off his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose. He would have to nip this in the bud - perhaps it hadn't gone too far yet. Maybe it was just Buffy's tender heart reacting to a wounded creature. Yes, that must be it he thought with relief. When the vampire is up and about and back to normal, she will come to her senses.

"They make a magnificent couple, don't they?" Hilda's voice interrupted his musings and he started in surprise.

"Not quite how I'd describe them." He answered acerbically. "I was rather going for slayer taking pity on a harmless vampire, myself."

Hilda interrupted again, "do you think she deserves him?"

Giles was speechless for a moment and then managed, "Surely you've got that the wrong way around, haven't you?"

But she wasn't listening to him, she was staring at the couple, an unreadable expression on her face. Then she seemed to shake herself.

"Come on, we've lots of clearing up to do before we leave."

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Buffy held the shaking vampire closely.

"I thought I'd lost you"

He looked up at her and she could see comprehension filling his eyes.

"Do you remember what happened?"

"I'm starting to." He grimaced as he tried to sit up and then his expression changed.

"Bloody hell," he whispered, "you bit me!"

Not hearing, she smiled at him, "how are you feeling? Any nasty after effects?"

"You bit me!" He said in a louder voice.

"Well, yeah, it was all I could think of to do at the time." Her smile faltered, "What's wrong?"

"Do you know what you've done?"

"Oh, come on - it's all healed up now. You can't even see a mark."

"No, Buffy, I mean do you know the significance of what you've done?"

He sounded so serious. She looked at his anxious face and her heart lurched.

"What are you talking about? I did what I did to save your life and the lives of everyone here." Suddenly Buffy felt defensive. "You would've attacked them otherwise and I couldn't allow that."

He closed his eyes and swallowed hard. "We went through a kind of siring ritual, but the meaning is much deeper than that. It means that we're now joined."

"Oooh, Mr and Mrs Vampire! I like the sound of that." She grinned at him.

"Don't make fun of what you don't understand." He felt rage and despair fill him and he struggled to his feet, pushing her away.

"You're right - I don't understand. Why don't you explain it to me?" Buffy looked around suddenly aware that everyone was looking at them. "Come on, we need to talk about this."

She grasped his arm and pulled him towards the door. She was furious with him, having looked forward to having "real" Spike back so much and now all he could do was argue.

The vampire staggered and nearly fell, he was so weak from pain and loss of blood. Buffy's arm snaked round his waist and she supported him until they reached the dormitory. Once there, he slumped down on one of the bunk beds and put his head in his hands.

"Come on; explain to me why what I did was so wrong."

"Not wrong luv, just a hell of a lot more meaningful than you realise. I don't know whether I can explain it properly, it's all to do with vampire lore and such like."

He took a deep breath, this was going to be the most difficult and important thing that he would ever talk to her about.

"You know that vampires don't have friends - you are either a leader or a follower - master or minion. When a vampire is made, if he is lucky, his sire takes an interest in him and teaches him how to survive. Most of the vampires you deal with are those that are sired and left to take care of themselves.

Very rarely two vamps - usually a male and a female, but not always - decide that they want to take the relationship further. They then go through a ritual and are joined -forever."

He looked up at her despairingly, she was so beautiful and desirable but she had no notion of what she had done.

"Do you understand Buffy? Forever. That means till the end of their existence. There is no get out clause, no separation, no divorce. I am now bound to you and you to me, until one of us dies."

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Chapter 26.

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Previously: The witches manage to reverse the spell that has held Spike in his feral state, but Buffy has inadvertently bound herself to Spike forever......

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"Do you understand Buffy? Forever. That means till the end of our existence. There is no get out clause, no separation, no divorce. I am now bound to you and you to me, until one of us dies."

Spike waited for the inevitable fireworks from the slayer. Instead an awful frozen look slid over her features that said "I don't want to talk about it," and wrapping her arms round herself, she silently left the room

He watched her leave. When the door was safely shut, he put his head back into his hands and let out the sob that had been choking him.

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Buffy sagged against the wall and then slid down it until she was crouched on her heels. Joined forever! Bound to each other until death! The whole idea was terrifying; they had only just started the relationship. Of course he said that he'd loved her for a long time - but it was so new for her.

She looked up and saw Giles approaching.

"Are you alright Buffy? What has he been saying to upset you?"

Buffy shakily tried to explain the situation, "he says we're bound together now"

Giles straightened, "What rot! I'll have a word with him and sort this out."

Buffy watched him enter the dormitory, not knowing what to feel.

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Spike looked up, hope surging in his chest. Then he saw it was Giles.

"Oh great," he snarled, "My bloody day is made. What do you want watcher?"

"What is this load of poppycock you have been filling Buffy's head with? Do you think she will really believe that she has to spend the rest of her life with you, just because you say so?"

"Oh sod off you prick! I don't need to listen to you whinging on."

"I have never heard of this "binding" of vampires, it's just a pathetic excuse to get your own way."

"I'll explain this to you once - and then you leave me alone! The reason you haven't heard of it - apart from the fact that you are a crappy excuse for a watcher - is that it is extremely rare."

"Mmmm, very convenient." Giles' voice dripped with sarcasm, "no-one seems to have heard of it except you."

He ended the sentence with an undignified yelp. Spike had moved in a blur and was suddenly face to face with the watcher.

"You believe what you sodding well like. Now get out!"

Giles moved instinctively. He pulled out a stake from his jacket and plunged it towards the vampire's chest. Spike grinned maniacally, caught the watcher's wrist and twisted. Giles cried out in pain, dropped the stake and fell to his knees.

"Bloody hell, the chip. The chip didn't activate!" The watcher gasped and the enormity of this thought blocked out the pain as he looked up at Spike in confusion.

"How long?"

Spike's reaction was not what he was expecting. The vampire's shoulders drooped; he retreated to the bunk and slumped down, his face a mask of misery.

"Just bugger off will you. If anyone is going to dust me, it'll be Buffy."

He refused to say any more, just pulled his knees up and rested his head on them, wrapping his arms round his legs.

Giles backed out of the room and shakily made his way back to the others.

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Buffy heard the raised voices and suddenly it was too much for her. She had to get away, be alone and think about what had happened. Without a backward glance she ran down the tunnels towards the exit.

Wandering through the sunlit streets, she marvelled that people were just carrying on their normal lives as if nothing had happened. She had had a literally life changing experience and no-one knew. The sound of trucks thundering by was too distracting, she desperately needed to be somewhere quiet so she turned down a side road. At last she came upon a small, green oasis called St Matthew's Gardens. It was a churchyard complete with gravestones she noted with wryly.

Sinking down on a bench she forced herself to think about what had just happened. What had she done? It didn't seem to matter that what had happened had been an accident; there was no choice in the matter.

And that was the crux - no choice. She had been given no choice when she was made a slayer. Angel had given her no choice when he'd left her and neither had her dad. Now it seemed as if she had no choice but to be with Spike for the rest of her life.

But, she reasoned, it wasn't Spike's fault - he'd had no choice either. She now knew without a shadow of a doubt that he loved her, the question was - did she love him enough?

OK, she thought - pros and cons. Life without Spike. She'd go back to America and pick up her life where she'd left it. With a guilty pang she remembered she'd got a boyfriend to go back to. Riley - she'd not given him a thought in days. Hmm, back to him, with his polite and appeasing ways - the exact opposite to a certain vampire.

Life with Spike. Being with him 24/7. Him with his irritating, exciting, cruel, loving ways. Never knowing what to expect from one moment to the next. Always having someone to watch her back, never ceasing to love her even though he knew her inside and out, never leaving.

If she did decided against the bonding - what would happen then? Spike had said they were bound until one of them died. Would she have to stake him?

She began to feel a little woozy. It must be too much sun after such a long time underground she thought.

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The witches stared at Giles in shock as he told them what had happened. "Oh goddess!" Willow whispered. "Will he kill us all now? He's tried to kill me a few times and I mean, it's not something that I'd like to go through again. I mean he was all growly and fangy and really, really frightening with the glass in the face and the.."

"Hush sweetie, you'll be OK. I'm sure that you are more than a match for him now." Tara looked fondly at the red head.

"Don't you think that if he wanted to kill us he would have done so by now?" Hilda said impatiently. "We all know he's hungry - he's been surviving on pig's blood and that ran out ages ago. We used it to fool Alice into thinking he'd attacked us remember?"

"He didn't attack me just now." Giles admitted reluctantly, "He just disarmed me and then walked away. I don't understand - now that he's not limited by the behavioural chip, he's free to do what he wants."

"Obviously what he wants doesn't include us for lunch." Hilda felt angry that none of them saw the vampire as part of their group after all that they'd been through.

Giles and the other witches began to speculate upon what Spike's next move would be. Hilda backed away and slipped through the door.

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Spike heard someone enter but didn't have the heart to look to see who it was.

"Not good company - I'd leave if I were you, while you can."

The person ignored his advice and plonked themselves down at the other end of the bunk.

He sighed and looked up to see Hilda regarding at him. "Didn't you hear me?" He said rudely.

She said nothing, simply smiled at him. He shrugged, well if that's what made her happy, he'd not got the energy to argue any more. He lowered his head back on to his arms and sighed.

They sat in silence for a while and, after the initial irritation, Spike began to draw comfort from her presence.

"Didn't want to love her you know. In fact I didn't realise that I was in love with her for a long time - just wanted to kill her as was right and proper. But then there she was - part of me. I fought against it but she won in the end, even though she didn't know it." His laugh came out as a sob and he found that he was telling Hilda everything about his love.

He'd never talked to anyone like this - not in his human life and certainly not in his vampire unlife - this must be what friendship was. Some of the tension leached out of him so he uncurled and leaned back against the wall.

"Don't know what she'll do now. She sets such store on what the watcher and her friends think and I don't need to be a brain surgeon to know what that is."

Hilda watched him unburden himself and longed to take him in her arms, but didn't know what his reaction would be.

"You know the chip doesn't work right? Aren't you afraid I'll take a bite now?" His attempt at humour was spoiled by the unshed tears in his eyes.

"I knew it stopped working after the bitch witches made you attack Buffy." Hilda said softly. "And it was confirmed after you managed to knock me out when they did the same to me."

Spike looked at her in wonder. "You're not afraid?"

"No." she said simply.

He swallowed hard, "I'm glad I met you Hildy." He leaned over and kissed her cheek.

It was her turn to swallow hard and she tried not to let him see how it affected her.

"Ditto."

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Chapter 27

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Previously.....Buffy retreated above ground to think about what being bound to Spike means. Hilda comforted him as best she could while he waited for the slayers decision. Needless to say Giles didn’t believe in the enchantment and was horrified to learn that the behavioural modification chip no longer works.

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Buffy sat in the sunshine, her head spinning; she was feeling stranger by the minute. There was a peculiar pulling sensation in her chest, which she rubbed absently. What should she do? Suddenly she knew that she had to get back – now! She sprang to her feet and moved swiftly back towards the tunnels, she had to face her problems, not run away from them. In rhythm to the pad of her feet she was chanting in her mind “what shall I do? What shall I do?”

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Spike felt as though someone had put an iron band round his chest and was slowly tightening it. If only she’d come back and put him out of his misery, one way or another.

The “big bad” façade that he’d nurtured all these years had completely deserted him now and he felt naked without it. Hilda, taking the hint that he wanted some time on his own, had left. He didn’t want anyone to witness Buffy’s rejection of him, or his dusty demise.

After all, why would she want to be tied to him for the rest of her life? Sure, they’d had a wonderful time – the sex had been spectacular – but she hadn’t said that she loved him. In fact, she had avoided any mention of love. The vampire groaned to himself – why the hell did he have to fall for a slayer?

He heard the door open and suddenly she was there. The pain in his chest increased. Buffy saw him slouching on the bunk, staring back at her insolently.

“Well slayer. Come to tell me my fate have you? Come on then, sodding well get it over with.”

A short time ago, this would have earned him a punch on the nose, or at least a sarcastic reply. But now, she seemed to see him, really see him for the first time. He thought she was going to hurt him, so he was lashing out at her as a defence mechanism. How did she get such insight? It had to be the bond.

She reached down, grabbed hold of the front of his t-shirt and hauled him to his feet.

“Come on, let’s go.”

“Hey! What’re you doing?”

“I want everyone to hear this.”

She transferred her hold to his hand and pulled him towards the door. He made as if to argue, then his shoulders slumped and he allowed her to lead him into the office.

The witches and Giles stopped their conversation and stared at the two standing in the doorway.

“I think it’s best if everyone hears this at the same time.” Buffy squared her shoulders. “I’ve somehow managed to bind myself to this vampire for life – don’t know how I did it – but it’s a fact. I had to get away to think about it and come to my decision.”

Buffy heard the vampire take a deep, unnecessary breath and she tightened her hold on his hand.

“And now I know what I have to do.”

She could feel Spike at her side vibrating with tension.

“I love him and want to be with him for the rest of my life, however long that is.”

She turned and watched the change of expression on Spike’s face. It went from shock, followed by disbelief, cautious hope and then sheer amazement. Then he gave her such a look of fathomless love that it took her breath away.

“Buffy. Love.” Was all he could manage before he caught her up in his arms and held her to his breast. She gently disentangled herself and turned to the others again.

“He completes me. We are soul mates.”

Buffy, he doesn’t *have* a soul!” Giles said desperately.

“Yes he does. He has mine. He won’t do anything to hurt me.”

“You say that as if you know it.”

“I do, Giles, I do.”

“Do you also know that the chip is no longer functional?”

Giles could see by Buffy’s reaction that she’d had no idea. She paused for a second and then said, “It makes no difference – I trust him.” Spike’s arms snaked around her waist.

Giles gave a bark of humourless laughter, “Don’t you realise, that this is just a spell. Like the last time you and Spike......” He couldn’t continue past the lump in his throat. Buffy had tuned him out and was now talking softly to the vampire. What sort of watcher was he to have allowed this to happen? He made his way to a chair and sank down on it.

“I’ll never do anything that hurts her you know.” Spike had moved so silently that the watcher started with surprise. “The bond works both ways.”

“Forgive me if I’m not jumping with joy.” Giles said bitterly and then he straightened, “I’ll find a way of breaking this bond if it’s the last thing I do.”

“You can’t mate, the only way it breaks is if one of us dies – and I’m guessing that you’re not about to off Buffy. So that leaves me. Do you think that it’ll make her happy if you dust me?” Spike asked seriously.

Giles’ glared at him without replying. Spike shrugged. Well he’d tried to mend fences, build bridges and what all. The fact that the watcher hated him had never worried the vampire before – he was just one of many. But he knew it would hurt Buffy. Still she couldn’t say he hadn’t tried.

He made his way back to his slayer who was chatting with the witches.

“Well Buffy, if you’re sure that’s what you want, of course I’ll be supportive girl.” Willow grinned nervously at Spike as he put his arm round Buffy’s shoulders. “I, I, I, er I’ll be all supporting.” She retreated to stand with Tara, who rubbed her arm comfortingly.

“Why’d you put me through that in front of everyone?” Spike asked curiously.

“They all needed to see your reaction first hand. Giles especially.”

“So you knew what it’d be then?” When all she did was to raise an eyebrow, he said, “Yeah, well.” And shuffled his feet and gave her a sheepish grin.

He thought of telling her about his little talk with the watcher, but then thought better of it. She’d find out soon enough. Suddenly they both became ultra alert.

“Vampires.”

“Yeah, luv, quite a few I’d guess.”

Giles saw their reaction from the other side of the room. Then he caught the word “vampire” and he swiftly picked up a crossbow and ran after them.

By the time he reached the entrance to the tunnels he could hear the sound of battle. Buffy and Spike were surrounded by vampires and were in full fighting mode. Giles gazed upon them in wonder; they were in total synchronisation, each fluid movement mirrored by the other. They looked as though they had been fighting vamps together for years. It was almost as if they were dancing.

Then he saw Spike falter. He must still be suffering from the after effects of his wounds and he staggered as a blow from a tall, burly vamp reached his chest. Another vampire took the chance to rush at him brandishing an axe. Buffy appeared to be unaware of the attack. As Giles looked on, everything seemed to go into slow motion. If someone else dusted Spike, she couldn’t blame her watcher could she? He’d be very supportive and understanding of her grief, perhaps it would even make them closer?

Sickened by his thoughts, Giles came to a decision, raised the crossbow and shot the axe bearing vamp. He felt curiously numb for a second, but after that was too busy defending himself to worry.

At last the witches joined in the fray and before long the fight was over.

Giles made another decision and acted upon it before he could change his mind. He strode towards the slayer and her vampire.

“You call that fighting?” he asked abruptly. They gaped at him. “I call it a disgrace! When we get back to Sunnydale, I expect to see you both at the Magic Box for training.” And with that he turned on his heel and marched back down the tunnel muttering under his breath.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 28

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Buffy declares her love for Spike, much to Giles’ dismay. The watcher realises that there is nothing he can do to prevent what has already happened and concedes for now - against his better judgement. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

They were making their way slowly back to the office, when Spike pulled Buffy to one side. Wrapping his arms round her, kissing her deeply, he sighed with satisfaction, a deep purring sound emanating from his chest. “You’re an incredible woman.”

“You’re not so bad yourself.” Buffy said, then, pulling back, she stared at him seriously, “I love you.”

Caught in mid smirk, his breath hitched in his throat and a flippant phrase died on his lips. He gave a wordless groan and placed his forehead against hers. “Oh, love; you don’t know what that means to me.”

Buffy realised that she hadn’t said it directly to him before. She’d told everyone else, but not him. She was astonished at how easily the words came to her, after all she wasn’t exactly well known for sharing her feelings. But everything about this seemed easy and right. Spike would always be there for her, always love her, sacrifice anything for her – something that she’d found frightening before. But now she felt the same, and it was liberating.

“Never stop loving you,” he paused as if searching for the right words, “but it’s not gonna be all bows and butterflies, right? It’s been a hellava time since I did any courting. No, let’s face it, never really done any, you know, courting.” For a second, he looked so shy and awkward that Buffy’s heart did a dance in her chest.

“Courting? There’s gonna be courting?” She grinned up at him, her eyes dancing with merriment. “I don’t exactly have a good track record myself, Spike. We’ll make it up as we go along.”

“No, I mean – vampire here.” He said pointing to his own chest, “I’m gonna make mistakes. Maybe not treat you right and not know I’m doing it.”

“Oh, don’t worry, I’ll soon let you know,” she said with mock severity. “Anyway, let’s take one day at a time. Okay?”

Encouraged, he grinned at her, “bound to have fun along the way, eh?”

“Yeah, now let’s get back to the others. We need to get out of here.”

Spike hugged her again, “Can’t be soon enough for me.”

_________________________________

Back in the office, Buffy moved towards the witches, Spike was about to follow, when Giles intercepted him.

“A word.” The Watcher looked grim.

Spike sighed in exasperation. “What now?”

“If anything happens to Buffy because of you, vampire, I promise I’ll hunt you down, to the ends of the earth if necessary, and end your miserable unlife.”

“We’re singing from the same hymn sheet, Watcher. I just got through telling you that I’d never hurt her.”

“I’m just letting you know where I stand in all this.” Giles said stonily.

Spike gave him an appraising look, “I’m not taking your place y’know. She’ll still need someone to guide her, plan for her, do research for her.”

Giles was torn between surprise and rage at the vampire’s insight. How had this unsouled, demonic being, known what he was thinking?

While Spike had been talking to the Watcher, Hilda received a phone call from the Professor, inviting them all to stay with him now he had been discharged from hospital.

“He wants to speak to you.” Hilda said offering Spike the phone.

“Me?” Spike looked askance at the instrument, as if it was a poisonous snake about to strike any moment. “What’s he want with me?”

“He didn’t say – why don’t you ask him?” The witch said testily.

Spike reluctantly reached for the receiver. He considered the professor to be a right wanker, but on his travels with Buffy, Mackness had attacked a vampire in a novel and amusing way – a screwdriver in the eye, no less - so maybe he’d give him the benefit of doubt.

“What.” He said rudely. Buffy poked him painfully in the ribs and gave him a glare. “What can I do for you Professor Mackness?” he said with exaggerated politeness, grinning at his Slayer.

He then listened with sharpened interest at what the professor had to say, just grunting every now and again. He eventually passed the telephone receiver back to Hilda and pulled Buffy into a tight hug. “The prof has told me where to find the place that the Scribe used for his forging. He says it has all the equipment necessary to make me a passport.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was decided that all the others would go to the professor’s, while Spike and Buffy would follow later once they found the Scribe’s hideout.

The two renegade witches were carefully escorted to their car and magically bound again. Hilda elected to drive them, along with Willow as backup. Giles and Tara would follow in the watcher’s car, leaving Hilda’s for Buffy and Spike.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Using the instructions that Mackness had given them, the forger’s hideout wasn’t hard to find. Buffy proceeded to take Spike’s photograph

“Come on, let’s get with the photos.” Buffy said.

Spike immediately struck a pose, and giggling, she took several photographs, one after the other.

“Um, how are we going to get these printed?” She asked after a while.

“No problem, luv, this is a digital camera, we just connect it with the computer and away we go.”

She looked at him in astonishment, “Hey, wonder boy, how’d you know that?”

“It’s my innate intelligence and canny know-how,” he said with a smirk.

When she just raised her eyebrows, he gave her a sheepish smile, “Well, I did see a programme or two about it on the telly.”

She smacked his arm “Come on canny, show me.”

They had some more fun, playing around with the images on the computer screen. “This one’s good.” Buffy said.

“What! It makes me look like a right loony.” Spike wailed.

“Everyone’s passport photo does that,” Buffy told him patiently, “if yours actually looks like you, they’ll be suspicious.”

The searched the room and found drawers full of blank passports from different countries. “What nationality do you think I should be? A sexy Swede?” Spike grinned at his Slayer.

“I think we should stick to the truth, as much as we can. You’re useless at accents; remember when you pretended to be American?”

The vampire shuddered as he thought about that time, when he had just escaped from the Initiative and was forced to trail along behind the whelp and the witch. “Yeah, luv, only too well.” He said soberly.

Then Buffy’s arms were around his waist and she whispered, “Sorry, I shouldn’t have been all big mouth Buffy. Forgive me?” He took a long time showing her his forgiveness in various, inventive ways.

“Come on,” she said breathlessly after a while, “the sooner we get this done, the sooner we can get out of here.” She reached down and picked up a small red passport. “Why don’t you be my beautiful Brit?”

TBC ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 29

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Previously: While the witches and Giles make their way back to Professor Mackness’s home, Buffy & Spike have fun making him a passport.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hilda breathed a sigh of relief as she put down the phone. Calling the coven had been something that she had been dreading, not knowing whether they would blame her for running off with Spike. She had spoken to her second in command, Hazel, who explained that they had all been desperately worried for her, thinking that said vampire had kidnapped, and maybe killed her. Hilda was then overcome with guilt at not contacting them before. She described what had happened and her friend, after expressing her disgust and concern at the rogue witches’ betrayal, offered to send help to bring them back to the coven. Hilda had accepted with relief.

As she made her way back to the others, Giles intercepted and asked if he could speak with her.

“Of course, Rupert.” She said warily. He looked very serious.

He ushered her into an unoccupied room and closed the door. Once they were seated, he seemed to have trouble coming to the point.

“I, ah, I, er, um.” Then he said in a rush, “I wanted to talk to you about Spike.”

She waited, and then when he said nothing more, she began to be a little impatient. “What did you want to know?”

“I have been trying to put aside all my preconceived ideas – in fact, everything that I’ve ever been taught – to understand what it is that makes Buffy love this monster. What hold does he have over her? Is it a spell? And if so, can it be broken?”

“No preconceived ideas, eh?” Hilda shook her head, “How many times has this monster saved our lives over the past few days? When you were attacked by those humans in the tunnels, he could have just run off. But instead he stayed, knowing that he couldn’t fight them, to try and protect you and Buffy. Even when he was in his feral state, he refrained from attacking us, just because she asked him not to. And I think you’ll find that it’s Buffy who has the hold over Spike, not the other way around. Spell indeed! ”

Giles put up his hands in defeat. “I know, I know, I’ve been thinking about all he’s done lately, and I can’t logically explain it away. I just want to try and understand him, for Buffy’s sake. It seems that he’s going to be part of her life now, whether I like it or not, so we’ll have to find a way of working together. I just wish ....” He gave her an agonised look and shrugged unhappily.

“I know it’s difficult for you to hear, but he loves her completely, and I think he always will, to the end of her life. Rupert, think about it, she’ll never have to patrol or train alone again. When I first met him, I was astonished to see that he had an aura with slashes of colour in it. Over the past few days, the colours have increased as he has been in her company. Don’t ask me what it means – I’ve never seen a demon with a coloured aura, or heard of one come to that. The only conclusion I can come up with, is that the demon didn’t completely destroy the human, when he was sired.”

Giles looked at her closely, “Do you mean to say that the aura has increased since the behavioural modification chip stopped functioning?”

“Yes, and I’m sure he won’t chance destroying what he has with Buffy, by going back to his old ways.” She said shrewdly.

“Mmm, this is not what a Watcher wants to hear.” Giles sighed heavily. “We prefer a neat pigeon hole. Vampire – evil killer – must be destroyed.”

“I suspect there’s a paper to be written about this, for the archives.” The witch said guilelessly.

Giles raised his eyebrows, “Oh come on, that’s laying it on a bit thick. Although, I have to say, it ‘s probably an area that will need to be investigated.”

Hilda smiled at him. “That means that you’ll have to actually talk to him, Rupert. Good luck with that!”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The quiet was shattered by the return of the slayer and vampire.

“Spike went all road rage-y”

“Sodding BMW drivers, they’re all the same. Think they own the bloody road.” Spike glowered at everyone.

“What happened?” Giles asked worriedly.

“We were deep in, um, conversation, when the traffic lights went green. We were a bit late in noticing.” Buffy replied, not meeting his eyes.

“Bloke behind started beeping his horn, and I got impatient.” Spike said reluctantly, “that’s all.” Off the Watcher’s look, he snapped. “Well, the stupid bloody git deserved it. Shouldn’t talk like that in front of a lady.”

“Deserved what?” Giles asked faintly.

“The man got out of his car and shouted that he’d – what was it Spike? He’d rip off your head and shove it...” The vampire rolled his eyes. “Spike flashed his fangs and the man nearly passed out.” Buffy covered her mouth to stifle her giggles. “We drove off and he just stood there, gaping after us.”

Giles looked at Buffy; her eyes alight with merriment, as she and the vampire exchanged a glance. When had he last seen her looking so relaxed and happy? He couldn’t remember. Then he caught Spike’s expression – a look of profound adoration – and he felt a weight shifting from his shoulders. This might just work after all.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After they had all eaten, with Spike muttering about “sodding animal blood again”, Willow asked to see Spike’s new passport.

“Why William Lydon? Is it your real name?”

“After John Lydon, and no it’s not my real name.” He sighed at her look of incomprehension. “You know, Johnny Rotten – Sex Pistols? Oh, bloody hell, you are all musical ignoramuses!”

“Ignorwhatisus?” Buffy sniggered. “That’s my boyfriend, all with the long words.”

Spike was so taken with being called her boyfriend, he forgot to be offended. “Can teach you a lot of long words, pet. With a lot of long......”

“Yes, thank you Spike.” Giles put in hastily, after seeing the provocative look the vampire was sending his Slayer. “We still have to find a way of getting you out of the country.”

“Thought maybe the wicca witch would be able to rustle up a cheap coffin off the internet.” Spike said evenly.

“Coffin? What would we want a coffin for?” Willow said in amazement.

Giles looked at Spike, who stared back impassively, and said. “No, it was a bad idea when I first suggested it – and it’s still a bad idea.” He smiled inwardly at the incredulous look the vampire shot him. “We’ll find another way.”

“Will someone please tell me what you’re all talking about?” Willow asked plaintively.

They explained that Giles’ idea was to send Spike back to the States as a dead body, hence the coffin.

“Maybe I can help?” Professor Mackness said tentatively.

All heads swung in his direction and he smiled shyly. “I received an invitation in the post last week. The dean of a Californian university read my paper on ancient British legends and he has invited me there to do a lecture tour on my specialist subject. In fact, he is so keen to have me visit, that he has offered to pay all my expenses and give me a tidy sum for every lecture. I put off replying to him, because, you know, being in hospital and everything. What if I say that I’ll only come with my research assistant, Bill Lydon?”

TBC ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 30

Previously: Giles struggles to come to terms with Buffy and Spike's relationship. The professor asks Spike to pretend to be his research assistant and accompany him to the USA.

Buffy and Spike decided that they needed to get away from the others, to have some quality time together. She suggested showing him her "sanctuary" and they wandered off hand in hand towards the moonlit central garden. Spike felt, well he didn't know how he felt. He was – happy. He'd thought he'd been happy with Drusilla, but that was an insignificant shadow of how he felt now. He drew in a deep breath that was a combination of the heady "Buffy" scent and the scent of the evening, and sighed it out happily. Without thinking what he was doing, he said,

"O, how thy worth with manners may I sing,

When thou art all the better part of me?

What can mine own praise to mine own self bring?

And what is't but mine own, when I praise thee?

Even for this let us divided live,

And our dear love lose name of single one,

That by this separation I may give

That due to thee which thou deserv'st alone.

O absence, what a torment wouldst thou prove,

Were it not thy sour leisure gave sweet leave

To entertain the time with thoughts of love;

Which time and thoughts so sweetly doth deceive,

And thou teachest how to make one twain

By praising him here who doth hence remain!"

He smiled and looked at Buffy who was staring at him open-mouthed. Bugger, he cursed to himself, what the hell was he thinking, spouting pouffy poetry like that! What must she be thinking of him! Spike cringed inwardly, waiting for her response.

Buffy was having trouble formulating words, her lips moved, but she made no sound. She looked at this man, who was staring at her with, what was it, apprehension in his eyes? The Slayer was realising that the more she got to know him, the less she knew of him. Then she stuttered, "That was.... That was. Oh, Spike that was beautiful! "

His smile was laser-like in its brilliance. He drew her close and kissed her tenderly. "Got a lot more, if that's what you like, luv. Had to learn it by heart at school. Shakespeare had a way with words, didn't he?" Looking at her, he couldn't believe his luck. What the hell did she see in him?

Buffy pulled him towards the bench in the centre of the garden and, as he sat down, nestled in his lap. His arms closed around her and she felt safe and secure. How weird was that, she smiled to herself, feeling secure in a vampire's arms.

The next day, Spike woke up after the best sleep he'd had in a long time. He stretched and yawned, grinning at the memories of the previous night when, after lovemaking, he'd lain in the safety and security of the Slayer's arms. The irony of that pleased him and he shrugged mentally. Looking at the sunlight glowing around the edges of the curtains, he estimated it to be mid morning. Bloody hell, he must be adapting to human hours without realising it. He made his way to the bathroom, showered and then ambled downstairs to find Buffy.

He entered the kitchen and stopped in shock, as he was confronted with a room full of witches. Memories of what had happened at Hilda's house, made him struggle to keep out of game face. "Where's Buffy?" he growled.

"She and the others have gone shopping." Hilda smiled at him encouragingly. "Spike, these are my friends. I don't think you were properly introduced last time." I've told them about what happened, how you saved our lives, and they are dying to meet you."

"Bloody hell, witch, you make me sound like soddin' Lassie." He said with a grin and the tension in the room evaporated. Hilda introduced the four other witches, who then began interrogating him about the effects the magic had had on him. Spike couldn't help feeling a bit like a specimen on a microscope slide.

He finally lost patience with them, loudly complaining of hunger and the witches took the hint, leaving him in Hilda's care. A mug of warmed pig's blood was set in front of him and, grinning, she waved a package of Weetabix under his nose.

"Look what I found in the professor's larder."

Touched that she should remember, he thanked her and crumbled one into his blood. Shuddering slightly at the sight, Hilda sat beside him sipping her cup of tea.

"The others have gone to get Alice and Jane ready to go back to the coven." She said slowly.

Spike froze. She was leaving. He suddenly felt as though he was teetering at the brink of a chasm. His stomach roiled and his chest was tight. What the hell was happening to him?

Hilda was fighting her own emotions. The vampire's face was a mask of indifference – she couldn't read him at all. He had seemed to feel something for her in the past, and now he couldn't even bring himself to look at her.

"You going with them?" He asked impassively.

"I had thought to wait and see you off at the airport, but now....." her voice trailed off and she swallowed hard.

He slowly turned his head and stared at her. She was trembling, her heart was racing and he saw her eyes fill with unshed tears.

"What's wrong?" He seemed to be genuinely puzzled.

"I'm going to miss you, you stupid man." There, she'd said it – to hell with what he thought.

He blinked and said the first thing that came into his head. "Not as much as I'll miss you."

Hilda suddenly felt light headed. He was going to miss her! "I'll miss you more." She said weakly.

"Won't." he said with a glimmer of a smile.

"Will!" she said smiling back.

"Won't!"

Hilda couldn't reply, she was laughing too much.

"Hey, what's the joke?" Neither of them had noticed Buffy enter the room.

"You had to be here." Spike stood and enveloped his slayer in his arms. "Mmmm, where have you been?"

Later in the morning, the professor informed them that he had had an email from the the American university agreeing to pay for his "assistant" to accompany him. Buffy hugged her vampire,

"We're going home Spike."

Home. In that moment he loved her more than ever, a thing he thought was impossible.

"Anywhere with you love, is home." He whispered

"We'll have to decide on a disguise then," Giles said, "we can't take the chance that the Council have given up looking for you."

Spike looked at the Watcher and professor in apprehension. "Disguise? What disguise."

Giles gestured towards Spike's head, "Well, the hair for instance, it looks very - distinctive."

After the inevitable argument, Spike finally submitted to Buffy dyeing it. She'd talked to Giles about it whilst they were out and they'd bought some light brown dye. When she towelled it dry, she stood back horrified. Spike took one look at her and said "Bloody hell woman! What've you done?"

"It's only a semi-permanent colour – it'll wash out. Eventually." Her voice quavered.

Spike drew out a tiny digital camera from his pocket and handed it to her wordlessly. Trying to change the subject, she said, "Stealing again? Oh Spike, I thought you'd stopped that."

"Don't think the Scribe's in any position to miss it Slayer, just take the photograph and stop stalling."

He looked at his image on the camera display screen in wordless horror. Running his hands through his hair, he sprang up and began to pace. "Green! You've given me sodding green hair!"

"It's only slightly green Spike. It'll fade in time – well maybe a few weeks." She didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "I'm so sorry."

He glanced at her and realised how distressed she was. "S'okay luv, don't fret." He put his arms round her, "It'll just take a bit of getting used to." He thought back to the seventies and remembered having multi-coloured hair at the time. "Hey, I'm used to it already."

"Good lord!" Giles had entered the room unseen. "You'll stand out even more with your hair like that – what were you thinking!"

Another bitter exchange of words took place, with Buffy trying to referee between them. "It would be better if it all came off." Giles retorted at last.

To everyone's astonishment, Spike said casually, "Okay, do it." He'd been watching Buffy's growing unhappiness. Anything was better than that.

He insisted that she do the deed herself and sat patiently while she fussed around him. At last, she said, "It's done." He wordlessly handed her the camera and she took a snap.

Running his hands over his crown, feeling the short bristles under his fingers, Spike steeled himself to look at the camera screen. He stared at it, "Luv, you've managed the impossible – made me look even sexier." He said curling his tongue behind his teeth.

Laughing with relief, Buffy threw her arms round him. He was right, it did suit him and it had the advantage of making him look very different. She was interested to see that his real hair colour was somewhat like her own real colour.

"All he needs now is a nice tweed suit to complete the disguise." Giles said complacently.

"Don't push it Watcher!" Spike growled.

"All right Spike, just don't wear your trademark black."

TBC

Chapter 31

Author’s note: Sorry about the length of time since my last update. Thanks to Kari Mouke (who has sent me loads of encouraging feedback), Katy and Kari (who sent me feedback after the last chapter) and especially ilpopi – your feedback galvanised me into action. I had no idea that you wanted to read more. You people rock! This chapter is very short, but I thought I’d post it anyway. Hope you like.

Previously: Trying to change his appearance, Buffy dies Spike’s hair with disastrous results – so she has to shave it all off.

The coven witches had finally departed, taking their disgraced colleagues with them. They agreed to wait for Hilda’s return before they made any decisions about Alice and Jane.

“What will happen to them?” Willow asked

“We’ll have to have a conference and perhaps invite some witches from another coven, but I think the only thing we can do is to strip them of their powers.”

Willow shuddered, “That’s - that’s not of the good.” She turned to Tara and they shared a horrified look.

“I know, but what else can we do?” Hilda said sadly. “They misused their power and nearly killed everyone; we can’t possibly take the risk that they won’t do it again, given the chance.”

“Oh, I totally agree, I do. But just the thought of being without any magic at all – it’s just the worst thing I could think of.” Willow whispered, feeling a little nauseous.

“Well, let that be a lesson to all of us.” Tara spoke firmly. Willow stared at her, wide-eyed. “As Hilda says, all magic has consequences and it would be so easy just to let it take over.”

Willow was saved from having to reply, when Spike and Buffy came into the room, and all conversation stopped.

“Spike!” “Your hair!” Hilda gasped. “It’s gone!”

“Yeah. Good job I’m devastatingly handsome enough to carry it off, innit?”

The others seemed to have lost the capability of speech, so he smirked at them and sauntered off after his slayer. He saw her sitting in an easy chair, staring sightlessly out of a window.

“Buffy?”

When she made no move, the vampire spoke again, “Sweetheart, what’s wrong?”

“Oh, uh, nothing – just thinking is all. You know being thinky girl.” She was avoiding his gaze and this troubled him.

“Come on pet, you can tell ol’ Spike.” He knelt between her knees and cupped her cheek in his left hand. She sighed and leaned into his touch.

“Its just that this vacation..” she was interrupted by his snort of derision. “Yeah, I know – I’m not going to forget it in a hurry! But in a crazy way, I’m going to miss this.” She gestured vaguely around the room. “I haven’t had time to sit and think about it before and now, well, I’m getting kinda scared that when we get back it’ll all have changed – or worse, still be the same.”

She looked at him with tear-filled eyes.

“What does that mean?” Spike felt a stab of fright. Was she regretting their bond? Had it not affected her? It was, after all, intended for two vampires, not a vamp and a human. Was this a way of saying that she didn’t want to be his mate when they got back to the states?

Buffy, when she saw his confused and fearful expression, thought back over what she’d said. “Oh Spike, I don’t know what I mean.” She took a deep breath. “I was just thinking that all the old problems will still be there, you know vamps, demons and mad goddesses, and maybe it’ll feel like I’ve never been away.”

His face cleared, “Buffy, you’re not on your own now. I’ll always be here to watch your back – come what may.”

She smiled. “Everything’s so simple for you, I envy that.”

“No pet, it is simple – you make it too sodding complicated.” He grinned to take the sting out of the words. “Anyway, it’s no use worrying about something that might never happen. There’ll be plenty of time to do that, when it does.” He hauled her to her feet and kissed her tenderly.

He was right, it’d be good to have someone always there to share trouble and triumph with. Comforted, she kissed him back enthusiastically.

Finally, everything was packed and they were all ready to leave. Spike had been persuaded to wear the outfit that Buffy had bought for him. The obligatory photograph was taken and he was privately pleased with the way he looked. The navy shirt and jeans brought out the colour of his eyes perfectly, but, for forms sake, he had to make a fuss, muttering about sodding nancy boys and the like.

Rolling her eyes, Buffy thrust her suitcases into his hands and marched out.

“Sodding hell, woman! What’ve you got in here? You been collecting lead weights?” Grinning, he hefted the bags and followed her out.

It was agreed that Buffy and Spike should travel separately in case the Council were still watching for them. They embraced and kissed quickly then the Slayer got into Giles’ car with Willow and Tara. “See you at the airport.” Buffy had time to wave and then she was gone.

Spike sighed. He felt a physical wrench as the distance between them lengthened and wondered whether Buffy felt it too. He turned and walked over to the car where Hilda and the professor waited for him.

“Okay, let’s go.”

Spike fiddled with the car radio until he found a station he liked, and then sat tapping his fingers restlessly. Hilda glanced over at him, “It’s not for long.” She said consolingly.

He looked back at her and managed a grin, “It gets harder to be apart, the longer we’re together. Must be something to do with the bond, dunno much about it – but I guess I will, as time goes by.” He was silent for a while and then he turned to the witch, “You still gonna make a new ward for me?”

“Yes, I’ve been thinking about that. I’ll have to do some research to see if there are any protection spells specially for vampires. I’ve never heard of such a thing, but then I’ve never had occasion to want one.” She grinned over at him, “I’ve only ever had the need for protection against vampires.”

He smiled at her softly, “You’re a good friend Hilda, I’m glad I met you.”

Hilda was grateful for the darkness, as a flush stained her cheeks and her eyes filled with tears. She swallowed hard and said “I’m glad I met you too.”

Only too soon for the witch, they entered the airport car park.

“We’ll park in the next bay and wait for them to leave. You can meet up with Buffy once you’re through customs.”

Hilda switched off the engine and they watched Buffy, the witches and the Watcher unload the hire car. Spike saw a movement and suddenly the group were surrounded by dark suited men.

“Bloody hell.” Spike struggled with the door trying to get to his Slayer.

“Wait!” Hilda hissed at him, “Let’s see what happens first.”

Reluctantly Spike subsided and watched anxiously.

Chapter 32

Previously: Buffy & Spike decide to travel to the airport separately, to avoid trouble. But trouble finds them, in the form of an ambush.

Ralph Williamson was a bitter, driven man. He had been with the Council of Watchers since leaving college and had done everything that was asked of him. He went through training programme after training programme, but was never promoted into the job that he yearned for. He couldn’t understand it; he knew all the theory and had even trained would-be Slayers. He had seen most of his peers become watchers, but he had never been chosen.

He had managed to get a glimpse of his own file once, and had seen “lacks imagination” scrawled at the bottom of the only page he could read before he heard his manager coming back into the room. How he had wrapped up his conversation and left, he never quite recalled. Since that time he had been longing for a way to impress his superiors, get back into their good books in some way.

Then, a few days ago, Toby, one of his few friends, had called him telling him that Rupert Giles, his Slayer and a vampire had visited Toby’s house. Toby told him that he’d overheard a conversation about the vampire having a “chip” in his brain that stopped him hurting humans. Ralph was ecstatic, this had to be William the Bloody – the vampire that the Council were anxious to “interview”. The icing on the cake was that Giles, who he had been jealous of since college, was helping a vampire. How the mighty are fallen.

The would-be watcher gathered together a security team and sped to Toby’s house. His friend had neglected to tell him that he’d also betrayed the Watcher to a mad millionaire and by the time he had got to Toby’s home, the trio had fled, leaving the said millionaire and his thugs unconscious. They had interviewed the neighbours and the housekeeper, but learned nothing useful. Undeterred, he realised that at some time Giles would be leaving the country, so he went to work finding out which airport he would be using.

He might be lacking imagination, but he was thorough. He used all the favours owed to him and, where necessary, used a little blackmail until he had the information he needed. Then it would only be a matter of time until the vampire was in his hands.

He knew that they would be arriving in a hire car, so the logical place to intercept them would be the rental car park, which was away from the terminal buildings and relatively quiet. It was obvious that they would be arriving after dark, which would make a convenient cover for his men. He sat back and waited.

At last, he saw what he had been waiting for. He watched Giles drive his car past the place he and his men were waiting and sniggered to himself. He was going to enjoy the look on the Watcher’s face.

His heart sank, when he saw three young women getting out of Giles’ car. No sign of the vampire. He signalled his men to surround them and walked forward into the light.

“Rupert!” .

“What’s the meaning of this, Williamson?” Giles said stiffly, after his first look of disbelief. “I don’t remember requesting a welcoming committee.”

Williamson smiled and said in a smooth voice, “Where’s the vampire?”

“Vampire? What the hell are you talking about man? We are on our way back to the US and we’ll miss our flight if we stand around gossiping with you.” Giles picked up his case and started to move towards the exit. Williamson blocked his way with an up-stretched hand and his men moved in threateningly.

“Oh, Rupert, come along, please. You know which vampire we’re talking about. He goes by the name of William the Bloody, or, if you prefer, Spike. I know that you have been travelling with him, don’t pretend that you haven’t.”

Giles said thoughtfully, “Are you going to keep us here by force? I find it difficult to believe that even Travers would sanction such an action.” He caught Williamson’s expression and continued contemptuously. “He knows nothing about this, does he? You’ve planned it yourself. Come on ladies, we have a plane to catch.” He started to move away.

Suddenly, Williamson could feel the situation getting out of hand. He slid his hand into his pocket and pulled out a gun, thrusting it into the face of the startled Watcher. Buffy, who was standing behind Giles, felt her stomach clench with fear. Not again! Guns were the one weapon that really scared her and this one was pointed at her dearest friends. She steeled herself to act, though quite what she’d do, she had no idea.

“Yoohoo!” a voice interrupted.

They all swung round to see a middle-aged couple waving at them. “Yoohoo!” called the woman again. “Sorry to interrupt your meeting, but I wonder if you can help us.”

Before the furious Williamson could answer, Giles said quickly, “Yes of course. What’s the problem?”

“Well, me and my hubby here are on our way to America.” She said proudly. “We’ve never been out of the country before, but our Gemma – that’s our daughter – has paid our fare, so we can go out and have a holiday. Isn’t that marvellous? We’re so looking forward to it. But the problem is we followed the signs to the car park all right, but we can’t seem to find our way to the actual terminal.”

While she had been speaking, the two witches and Buffy had exchanged a glance and edged round so that they were behind the couple. Giles smiled brightly at them, “don’t worry, we’ll show you the way.” He walked past them gesturing towards a bus stop.

Before Williamson or his men could respond, the three young women and Giles were walking away with the middle-aged gent. The woman stayed where she was and exclaimed, “Oh, how helpful!” She looked over her shoulder and said to the retreating group, “Don’t wait for me – I’ll catch the next one.”

Several things occurred to Williamson simultaneously: the couple only had one suitcase between them, the woman wasn’t wearing a wedding ring, and why would she stay behind anyway. He smelled a rat. With a snarl, he began to raise the gun, at the same time the woman raised her hand and he found himself surrounded by an eerie green light and was held motionless. He watched in impotent rage as the bus arrived and the group began to alight.

Spike, waiting in the shadows, had watched events with horror. In the brief seconds that they’d had for planning, Hilda had told him to keep away, that she’d take care of it. He was a being of action, his instinct told him to protect his mate and he’d been on the point of attacking the threatening men, when he’d seen the witch cast a mojo on them. Then Buffy was in his arms and he breathed in her wonderful scent and felt as though he would never let her go again.

“Come on! There’s no time for that, you pillock! Help us on with the bags.”

Buffy fought down a bubble of hysterical laughter, as she saw her indignant Watcher’s face. The shaking professor and the two ashen-faced witches were struggling to get their suitcases into the bus and Spike reluctantly released his Slayer and went to help them.

“She gonna be okay?” Spike asked worriedly returning to stand in the bus’s doorway.

To his surprise, it was Mackness who answered, “You know what she said – if you interfered, she’d turn your fangs green.”

Spike grinned in spite of his anxiety. “Yeah, she was pretty insistent wasn’t she.”

The professor continued, “She also said that none of us was to interfere, since she’s the only one not catching a plane, it would be best if she dealt with them alone.”

“Come on ladies and gents, are you on or off? I’ve got a timetable to keep.” The driver called over.

They all exchanged a glance. “The sooner we go, the less time she’ll need to keep the spell going.” Giles said reasonably. Then, looking at his watch, “We only have half an hour before our flight.”

They stepped back, the doors closed and the bus accelerated towards the next stop, Spike watching the witch for as long as he could.

As he watched the bus drive away, the rage and hatred boiled in Williamson’s mind. It gave him inhuman strength; he felt the gun in his hand and concentrated hard. His finger began to tighten on the trigger. Since the spell was meant for humans, it had no effect upon the bullet as it sped on its way.

Hilda felt as though someone had punched her in the chest and had just enough time to think, “Oh hell! I didn’t get to say goodbye,” before she crumpled to the ground and the spell was broken.

Williamson recovered first and yelled at his men to get the car and chase after the fast disappearing bus. He was astonished when two of them tackled him to the ground.

“What are you doing?” He snarled as he struggled with them. “Let me go you idiots!”

They had been uneasy when he had brandished the gun, but when he had actually shot an innocent bystander, it was more than they could take. One of the men took out his phone and dialled the Council for help to contain him.

When the Sunnydale group arrived at the terminal, they’d had to run to be able to check in before the gate was shut. Spike, the only one with no luggage, kept looking back, hoping to see his friend.

“Never mind, she’s probably gonna hold them until she knows we are in the air. We can call her when we get home.” Buffy smiled at him reassuringly.

Home. He brought his full attention to her. Home. The word sounded like the most lyrical poetry, it brought visions of Buffy, Joyce, the Bit and him sitting round the table eating; sitting watching tv together......

“Spike!”

He was aware that she’d called his name more than once. He smiled at her sheepishly. “Sorry luv, I was in a world of my own there.”

She linked hands with him. He took one last look around the check-in area and then willingly allowed himself to be pulled along through to the departures lounge and towards his new life.

A/N

That’s where I’m going to leave it. I had always intended this to be a “British Adventure”. I hope you enjoyed reading the story as much as I (mostly) enjoyed writing it. I must thank all of you who have taken the time and trouble to send me feedback – it’s the only thing that kept me going – especially those of you who wrote more than once. I have to mention Kari Mouke, ilpopi, Kari, Spikelicious, msu, Culf, Theresa Baugher, Lisa Beatie, to name just a few.