Title: Back Track
        
Author: Nebula
        
Chapter: 10 of ?
       
Pairings: B/S, X/A, W/T
        
Rating: PG-13, possibly R later on
        
Time Period: Post 'Get it Done' to ...?
        
Summary: In the midst of war, Buffy finds she's not the only one
that wishes the last year would just make itself all better.  It
can't be done, unfortunately.  Or can it?
      
Disclaimer: Who wants to guess what I'm about to say?  ~_^  Joss
said I could write, so I'm gonna write, dammit!  LOL  Of course,
none of the characters are mine.  They all belong to Joss. 

NN: The song mentioned is 'Elephant Love Medley', from 'Moulin
Rouge'.  I own none of it, and I'm merely borrowing it for the sake
of the story.  ^_^  (The song can be found on the first 'Moulin
Rouge' soundtrack, track number 10.)
    
< --- >

  The first thing she did when she got home was put away any weapons
she had laying out, dispose of any torn or bloodied shirts, and
clean up the house as much as possible.  If he came back to the
house, she wanted it to look nice. 
  At the same time, she was getting rid of any thoughts of Spike. 
No more Slaying.  No more vampires.  No more patrolling.  Time for
Normal Buffy.  She almost snorted at the thought.  Did she even
exist anymore?
  Time to pick out an outfit.  All she had to do was open her closet
and choose something.  Not too slutty, not too motherly...grr!  This
was one of the reasons she didn't date.
  She threw the choices on the bed and glared at the offending
articles, wishing they would change into something perfect.  A door
slammed in the background, alerting her to the arrival of the gang.
  She grabbed a towel and headed for the bathroom.  "I'll be in the
shower," she called, closing the door quickly.  She did NOT want to
deal with them.  Not now.
  She took her time lathering with her favorite shampoo, then
hurried out.  It wasn't as if he would notice the vanilla scent
anyways. 
  She dried her hair and decided to wait to put the perfume on until
later.  She had to deal with Willow and the clothes first.  Sighing,
she wrapped the towel around her and headed off for her bedroom.
  She almost gasped as she took in her room.  All the clothes had
been taken and put away.  All, that is, save one outfit.  A red
flared shirt with a nice pair of black, leather pants lay on the
bed, her nice pair of boots sitting on the floor.  On her bed stand,
a necklace and matching earrings waited for her to put them on.
  "I figured from the clothes thrown about that you hadn't been able
to decide what to wear.  Again.  I went with this; not too slutty,
but something youthful.  Plus, you can wear your new leather jacket
with it, yet not look like a biker."
  Buffy turned to her sister, who was looking anywhere but at her
sister.  "Thank you," Buffy said, smiling.  "And yes, I was at a
loss.  Again.  I should've just asked you to start with," she added
with a grin.
  Dawn looked up at that and smirked.  "Yeah, considering I'm the
only one with a fashion sense in this family."  Her smirk vanished,
and she sighed.  "I'm sorry about ranting off on you the other day. 
About Steven?  I know...I know your romance life isn't the easiest. 
And I heard you singing today, about Spike." 
  Buffy looked surprised.  "Oh.  Um, listen, I..."
  "I know," Dawn interrupted.  "Things between the two of you are
complicated.  When haven't they been?  But if you really feel that
way about him, I say go for it.  Tell him.  Just my two cents.  And
I'm okay with you dating Steven.  I really am."
  Buffy offered her sister a smile and open arms.  The two hugged,
before Dawn pulled back with a mischievous look.  "Besides, it's not
like you're gonna end up stuck with Steven."
  "What do you mean, stuck?" Buffy demanded, grinning.
  Just then, Willow popped her head in.  "You almost ready?  It's a
quarter to seven, and we're a ways off from that restaurant."
  Buffy nodded.  "I'll be there on time, don't worry."  She turned
back to Dawn and gave her one last hug.  "I know you want to raise
the banner that says 'Spike and Buffy Forever', but..."  She
sighed.  "Things are different."
  "I know.  Now move it, or you're gonna be more then fashionably
late!"
  Buffy chuckled as her sister closed her bedroom door.  "I'm
moving," she said, turning back to the outfit.  "Now, how did I miss
you when I went digging through the closet before?"

  Spike tried to avoid as many singing people as possible as he
headed to Buffy's house.  It seems Sweet had returned, though he was
sure Xander hadn't been the cause of it.  The whelp wasn't THAT
stupid, was he?
  Thankfully, he hadn't sung anything at all yet, and he wasn't
about to start.  He'd heard a rumor that Sweet wasn't staying at the
Bronze this time, so if Buffy decided to make a war campaign against
the hangout spot, her search would turn up nothing.  Best to give
her a heads up.
  He mentally rolled his eyes.  He knew that wasn't why he was
going.  He wanted to see her again.  The bloody poof that he was
just couldn't let her go. 
  He had just passed the shrubs by her house when he noticed the car
in her driveway.  It wasn't one he recognized.  He frowned, thinking
there was an attack of some sort, until he took a look at the front
porch.
  Buffy stood, smiling at some clod that kept rambling on about how
he'd enjoyed the evening with her.  This must be Steven.
  Spike stepped back to hide behind the shrubs and watch the rest,
trying not to wince as Steven took her hand. 
  Oh, now she was agreeing with him.  She'd had a wonderful time
tonight.  Great.  Just bloody great.
  If Spike had been listening to Buffy's inner dialog however, he
wouldn't have been so upset.  It hadn't been a 'wonderful' night. 
From the moment she'd stepped inside the restaurant, she'd wanted to
run home.  Waiters and diners had been singing about their fondness
for cheese and crackers, and who had the better tips.  She'd
eventually made her way over to Steven, and had thought it was
safe.  Boy, had she been wrong.
  Steven was normal, right?  She was beginning to find out very
quickly that she didn't WANT normal.  The entire evening, Buffy had
pretended to be someone she hadn't been.  She wasn't normal, and had
almost laughed when he'd asked her what she did with most of her
nights.  "I slay vampires," she'd wanted to retort.  She could've
with Spike.  Not Steven.
  She blinked, coming back to reality.  "I'm glad we had fun
tonight," Steven said, smiling.
  She tried to smile back.  "Steven, you're a great guy, but..."  Oh
boy.  She just loved this part.  "I don't think we would work," she
said carefully. 
  "Oh."  There was a pause as he figured out what to say
next.  "Oh.  Because of the student-teacher thing?"
  She breathed a mental sigh of relief.  "Yes.  Exactly."  That
hadn't been what she'd been aiming for, but it was better then
telling him that he bored her to tears.
  "I understand completely.  Thank you for the evening, however."
  "You're welcome.  And thank you, for asking me out."
  Steven nodded.  "Of course."  He leaned in to kiss her goodnight.
  Spike watched, a sinking feeling in his stomach.  No, he couldn't
watch.  He turned away before Steven reached her lips.
  Buffy's eyes widened slightly as she realized he was going to kiss
her anyways.  Oh crud.  She turned her head slightly, his lips
kissing her cheek instead of her lips.
  Steven smiled and waved goodbye, heading for his car.  Buffy
waited until he'd gone, before hurrying upstairs to change.  She
needed to kill something.
  Spike shook himself as the car drove away.  He didn't care if
Buffy had a boyfriend.  He didn't care if Buffy got kissed by
someone that wasn't him.  He didn't care about Buffy anymore. 
That's what he'd told her, right?
  He cringed at the memory of her stunned look as she'd taken in his
words.  He was surprised she'd talked to him at all after that.  But
he didn't care.  That's right, Spike, you just keep telling yourself
that, and it just might come true.  Bullocks.
  He started as the front door slammed shut.  Buffy hurried out,
stake in hand.  What was she doing? 
  Before he knew it, he'd stepped out into plain view.  Buffy slowed
to a stop upon seeing him. 
  The two stood, staring at each other in awkward silence.  "What
are you doin' out?" Spike finally asked.
  Buffy shrugged.  "I was gonna patrol.  You?"
  "Figured I'd patrol for you, seein' as how you were...you know,
busy," he said, turning away.
  Buffy inhaled sharply but said nothing.  So he'd seen her with
Steven.  She wasn't sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing.
  "I can take patrol for tonight, if you want," Spike offered. 
  Buffy stared before shaking her head.  "It's okay.  I gotta meet
the others at the Magic Box later anyways; Sweet's back in town."
  Spike nodded.  "Yeah.  Kinda figured that out when some nasty-
lookin' demon started singin' 'My Girl'."  He mock shuddered.
  Buffy felt her lips tug into a smile, but quickly got rid of
it.  "All Scoobies are to report to the meeting, so if you want to
patrol until then, you're welcome to," she said casually.
  "Might as well." 
  The walk to the cemetery was made in tense silence.  "So, uh, you
and him," Spike blurted out suddenly.  "What's his name?"  At
Buffy's look of shock, he rolled his eyes.  "Just makin' small
talk.  That's all."
  "Steven," she replied softly. 
  "You have a nice time tonight?"
  He was surprised when she started laughing.  "It couldn't have
been more disastrous.  Everything went wrong.  Everyone was singing,
and Steven was normal.  Too normal.  No, the date went badly.  As
usual.  Buffy has no luck when it comes to love."
  They were treading on dangerous ground now, and both of them knew
it, but Spike kept going.  "I doubt that, pet.  I mean, you had
Angel, right?"
  She gave him a look.  "Uh, you above anyone else should know the
answer to that.  And don't even bring Riley into this.  Love sucks. 
End of discussion."
  Spike chuckled.  "Love is a many splendored thing.  Love lifts us
up where we belong.  All you need is love!"
  Buffy sighed.  "Please, don't start that again."
  "All you need is love," Spike sang, then frowned.  What was going
on?  No, he wasn't singing this.  These weren't his feelings. 
Yet...they were.  His eyes widened.  Oh no.  His past self.  It had
to be.  He didn't feel this way.  Did he?
  Buffy raised her eyebrows.  "A girl has got to eat?"
  "All you need is love," he sang again, unable to stop.  He was
losing control...
  Buffy stared at him like he'd gone mad.  "She'll end up on the
street!" she argued.  Inside, however, she wanted to agree with
him.  Wait.  Was he really saying this things?
  "All you need is love..."
  She shook her head, looking dejected.  "Love is just a game."
  "I was made for lovin' you baby, you were made for lovin' me,"
Spike sang, smirking at her.
  Buffy retorted, "The only way of lovin' me, 'baby', is to pay a
lovely fee."  She pointed to the sky, indicating the sun.
  Spike placed a hand over his heart.  "Just one night, baby, just
one night?" he pleaded.
  "There's no way, 'cause you can't pay," she sang, pointing at a
restaurant they were passing.  Spike couldn't pay for a date, and
they both knew it.
  But Spike wasn't giving up.  "In the name of love...one night in
the name of love!" he sang.
  "You crazy fool; I won't give in to you," Buffy sang, turning into
the cemetery.
  "Don't..." he said, causing her to turn.  Satisfied that he had
her attention, he began to sing again.  "...leave me this way.  I
can't survive, without your sweet love, oh baby...don't leave me
this way..."
  Buffy sighed and crossed her arms, turning back.  "You'd think
that people would've had enough of silly love songs."
  Spike came up to stand behind her, almost touching.  "I look
around me and I see, it isn't so, oh no..."
  "Some people want to fill the world with silly love songs," she
said, turning and giving him a look.
  He grinned.  "Well, what's wrong with that?" he sang, looking
innocent.  "I'd like to know."
  Buffy shook her head and headed off again.  But Spike wasn't
finished.  "'Cause here I go...again!"  He grabbed a light pole with
his right hand and Buffy's hand with his left.  She gasped as he
began to swing her around the pole.
  "Love lifts us up where we belong," he sang, loud and clear.  Loud
enough to catch a certain group of people's attention.
  Dawn grinned at the sight of her sister and best friend singing it
out.  The others could only stare.
  "Where eagles fly," Spike continued, neither he nor Buffy noticing
the group that had been walking to the shop.  He took her other hand
and sang, "On a mountain high..."
  Buffy wrenched her hands away from his angrily.  Damn him for
making her feel this way!  "Love makes us act like we are fools,"
she hissed, turning to storm off.  "Throw our lives away, for ONE
happy day..."
  "We could be heroes!" Spike sang desperately, causing her to stop
and whip around.  "Just for ONE day," he sang, emphasizing the 'one'
like she had.
  "You...you will be mean," she sang, heading for the stairs to the
rest of the cemetery.  Inside, her resolve was breaking once more. 
It had been cracked when the girls had sung against her, but Spike
was the one to land the finishing blow.
  "No I won't," he sang, chuckling.
  "And I...I'll drink all the time," she stammered, causing him to
give her a look.  Well, it had been worth a shot.
  "We should be lovers," he sang.
  Buffy cut him off, shaking her head quickly.  "We can't do that,"
she sang, causing him to look down dejected.  He shook it off and
turned back to her.
  "We should be lovers..." he sang once more, putting a finger to
her lips when she turned to quiet him.  "And that's a fact," he
added.
  Buffy reached the second level and looked off into the
distance.  "No, nothing will keep us together..."
  "We could steal time..." Spike began, but Buffy turned and joined
his voice.  "Just for ONE day," they sang together, his gaze turning
hopeful.
  "We could be heroes, forever and ever...we could be heroes,
forever and ever..." they sang, their voices linked together in
perfect harmony, rising each time.  "We could be heroes," they sang
out, as Spike began, "Just because..."
  Buffy stared at him, cymbals crashing in the background, though
she wasn't sure how she could hear that.  "I...will always, love
you..." Spike sang. 
  Her heart soared at his words.  "I..." she started, only to have
him join her.
  "Can't help loving..."
  "...you," Spike finished quietly, staring at her happily.
  "How wonderful life is..." Buffy sang, smiling at him.
  "...now you're in, the world..." they finished.  Off in the
distance, a male opera singer belted out the last beats to a
resounding orchestral finish.  Buffy and Spike leaned in, their lips
locking with passion.
  Dawn squealed as she watched the two kiss.  Her dream come true! 
The others she knew wouldn't be as thrilled, but that was okay.
  "Wow," Willow said, something akin to admiration in her tone.
  Xander shook his head, grinning.  "It's about time."
  "You mean you guys aren't mad at them?" Dawn asked, surprised.
  Willow and Xander exchanged glances, before shrugging.  "Not
really, no," Xander said.
  "That was a spectacular ending," Anya commented.
  "Good for them," Tara said, smiling.
  Giles merely reached into his pocket for a handkerchief to clean
his glasses.
  Buffy moaned at the taste of his lips, which brought Spike
crashing back into reality.  He recoiled, staring at her with
horror.  What was he doing?  No, he didn't want this.  Not again.
  "Spike?" Buffy asked tentatively.  What was going on?
  The group below watched with stunned expressions as Spike took off
as fast as he could.  "Spike!" Buffy called after him, her lower lip
trembling.  She really had screwed things over last year.  She
hadn't realized how much she'd messed it all up.
  "Buffy?" she heard Willow call.  She turned to see the Scoobies
climbing the hill.  "What happened?"
  "We saw the big finale, and then one of the main singers makes a
break for it," Xander quipped.
  "I..."  Buffy sighed.  "I don't know."
  Dawn watched her friend disappear into the night, frowning.  There
was something not right here.  At this point, she would've expected
to have been helping pry Spike AWAY from her sister, before he
rammed his tongue too far down her throat.  Spike running away by
his own choice was just...just not right.
  "Ready for the meeting?" Tara asked.
  Buffy paused, then shook her head.  "Give me a little bit?"
  Dawn blinked, turning to her sister.  Her sister had feelings for
Spike, and he was the one taking off?  What the hell was going on?
  The others nodded, Giles squeezing the Slayer's shoulder briefly
before turning away.  "We'll meet you at the shop," he said quietly,
as she nodded.
  Dawn looked like she wanted to protest, then decided not to.  She
followed the gang out of the cemetery, wishing things would work out
for the couple that was obviously meant to be.

  Spike ran until he was sure no one was following him.  He leaned
against the wall of the coffee shop, her lips still burned in his
memory.
  He couldn't do the same mistake again.  He wouldn't care about
her, fall in love with her.  It was for her own good.  For his. 
Besides, he didn't want to get hurt again. 
  He paused his thoughts, frowning.  How many times had Buffy run
off on him, much like he'd just done to her?  His mouth fell open. 
He wasn't repeating his mistakes, he was repeating HERS.  Oh
bloody 'ell...
  He groaned and realized what he had to do.  With a weary sigh he
trudged off in the direction of the Magic Box.

  She couldn't handle the gang right now, and who knew where Spike
was.  So Buffy wandered aimlessly around town, trying not to think
of the look on his face when he'd pulled away.  Revulsion?  Hate? 
She hadn't been sure what it was, and she didn't want to find out.
  Couples danced in the streets, singing their own songs.  She
cringed and kept going. 
  She stopped when she couldn't hear music to her left.  She
blinked, surprised.  The Bronze should've been the first place to
find the music.
  Her gaze narrowed.  Sweet.  Of course.  As long as she was here,
she might as well drop in and tell him to get lost.  If he didn't,
she was liable to get testy.
  She kicked the door open, ignoring the minions that jumped,
startled at her sudden appearance.  "There you are," she said, her
stride not faltering as she headed for the stage.
  Sweet chuckled.  "Lookin' for me, doll?  I'm touched."
  "You need to leave.  Now."
  "What, and give up show-biz?  This town needed a little song to
get it goin'."
  Buffy rolled her eyes and opened her mouth to argue when his look
turned sorrowful.  "What?" she demanded.
  "I'm sorry," he said.  "You're in pain."
  Buffy's eyes widened with shock.  "How did you...?"
  He shook his head.  "Just a gift.  Been through a lot, I get
that.  The question to ask is what you're gonna do about it."
  "Do about it?  There's nothing I can do about it.  He made his
choice," she added bitterly
  "Then let me offer you something," Sweet said, extending his
hand.  "Come with me, and I'll make the pain stop."
  Buffy stared at him like he'd gone mad.  "You wanna be happy,
don't you?" Sweet goaded.  "C'mon.  Take the plunge."
  Suddenly she couldn't take her eyes off his hand.
Happiness...could he really give it to her?  She was so tired of the
world, and HE didn't care about her.  Why should she care?
  She reached her hand forward and took the plunge.


 

Chapter 11:

< --- >

  Spike braced himself and entered the Magic Box.  He frowned, not
seeing the Slayer.  "Where is she?"
  "She just wanted to take a walk," Tara said.
  "Why?  What do you want with her?  From what I saw, nothing," Dawn
snapped.
  Spike sighed.  "Nibblet, wait..."
  "No, you wait!  My sister cares about you, and all of a sudden,
you can't stand the sight of her?!  What the hell is going on?" she
demanded.
  "Watch your language," Xander reprimanded, but Dawn ignored him.
  "Well?  Are you going to answer me or not?"
  "I will," Spike answered softly.  "First, I need to talk to her. 
She mention where she was goin'?"
  Dawn looked at the floor dejected, her anger quickly
fading.  "No.  Just that she was gonna walk home."
  "That'll put her right past the Bronze," Willow said suddenly.
  "What do you mean?" Giles asked.
  "We, uh, heard a story that this Sweet demon is housed at the
Bronze," Xander sputtered, trying to cover for Willow.
  "I heard differently," Spike said.  When he was sure he had
everyone's attention, he continued.  "Heard he was stayin' somewhere
else.  Was one of the things I was gonna tell Buffy."
  "Either way, this might be something we should check on," Tara
said, standing.
  Willow nodded.  "Definitely.  If Buffy hears or sees something
wrong, she's gonna charge in, and not tell us about it.  She could
be in trouble."
  "Weapons time," Xander said, heading for the back room.
  "Can I fight?" Dawn asked suddenly.
  Everyone exchanged glances.  "I see no reason why you couldn't,"
Giles admitted.  "You've been training for awhile now.  Do try and
keep to the edge of the battle, should there be one."
  Dawn nodded eagerly.  Here was her chance to prove herself.
  While the others suited up, Willow grabbed some powders and a
small spell book.  She dug through it quickly, searching for the
right spell.  When she found it, she quickly memorized the
incantation and put the book away.  She had a feeling she would need
the spell.
  Tucking the powders in her pocket, she joined the
others.  "Ready?" she asked.
  They nodded.  "Let's move," Spike said, heading out the door, the
others right behind him.
  Outside, people were singing and skipping around light poles.  He
shuddered.  Some people just shouldn't dance.  Or sing, for that
matter.
  As they passed a bakery, the owner came out.  "Roxanne," he
sang, "you don't have to put on that red light.  Walk the streets
for money; you don't care if it's wrong or if it is right."
  The verse reminded Spike of Buffy working at the DoubleMeat Palace
when they'd done the year the first time.  He shook himself and
continued walking, the group already slightly ahead of him.
  "Roxanne...you don't have to wear that dress tonight," the baker
continued.  His throaty voice gave the song an unmistakable feeling
of urgency and desperation.  "Roxanne...you don't have to sell your
body to the night!"
  Spike cringed.  Isn't that what Buffy did?  She belonged to the
night, because of her Slayer duty.  She deserved someone that could
give her the sunlight.  But was that what she really wanted?
  All these thoughts of Buffy tumbled around in his head, and before
he had realized it, he'd begun to sing.  "His eyes upon your
face..." 
  At the sound of his voice, the others turned.  Dawn gave him an
odd look.  Now what?
  "His hand upon your hand..."  An image of Buffy with Steven made
his stomach constrict.  "His lips caress your skin..."
  Spike clutched his head, his face twisted in misery.  "It's more
than I can stand!"
  Dawn's eyes lit up.  She knew he still loved her sister.  He could
fool everyone else but her. 
  Voices behind him mixed with his, creating a harmonious
melody.  "Why does my heart cry?" Spike sang, grasping his shirt
over his heart.  "Feelings I can't fight; you're free to leave me,"
he sang, a joyless smile on his face.  "But just, don't deceive me. 
And please, believe me when I say, I love you..."
  Dawn could've jumped for joy.  Ha!  Let him deny that.
  Spike realized the same thing.  He couldn't ignore it anymore; he
loved Buffy, and he always would. 
  "About time," Dawn said approvingly.  Spike looked up, surprised. 
The gang gave him grins, and even Giles smiled.
  "Wait.  You all knew?" he asked.
  "Well, duh!" Dawn said, rolling her eyes with a grin.  "We were
just waiting for you to figure it out.  Took you long enough."
  Spike laughed.  "Then I guess we got a Slayer to find," he said
cheerfully.  He felt like a stone had been lifted from his chest. 
The world was bigger, brighter now.  He loved her.  He wanted to
shout it out to the sky and spin in circles.
  His happiness diminished as Willow threw powder at him.  "What the
bloody 'ell are you doin'?" he asked, staring at the pink powder
with distaste.  Pink. 
  "Willow?" Tara asked, a frown on her face.
  "It's just a small spell that will show us what's going on with
Buffy right now," she said with a grin, taking all the powders and
sprinkling them together in a circle.  The circle stayed suspended
in the air, an image appearing in the middle.  The image grew to
reveal a dimly lit room, dark, with a bar and pool tables.
  "The Bronze!  I was right," Xander said, smirking at Spike, who
merely rolled his eyes.
  "Reveal," Willow commanded, her voice deep.  In the background,
Spike could hear someone still singing that song, except it sounded
like it was in a different language. 
  His attention was drawn back to the image as a flash of blonde
caught his eye.  Sweet stood on the stage, his hand extended to
Buffy.  He watched her frown, before reaching forward to grasp his
hand in hers.
  "What is she doing?"
  "Buffy, no!"
  Spike said nothing, only staring in mute horror as a flash of
light engulfed her.  Her eyes looked up to the ceiling, and glowed
twice before returning to their normal color.  Her body shook before
she crumpled to the floor, unconscious.
  "What do we do now?" Willow asked, looking shaken.
  "I would suggest following her," Anya commented.  The others
turned to see Dawn running full hilt to the Bronze.
  "Oh bullocks," Spike muttered, giving chase.  Inside, he was in
full panic mode.  Was she dead?  What had he done to her?  More
importantly: why had she accepted his hand in the first place?
  "Bit!  Wait up!" he yelled, or at least, tried to yell.  Suddenly
he was singing again, as an orchestra played around him.  "Why does
my heart cry?  Feelings I can't fight..."
  The orchestra burst into a huge crescendo, cymbals crashing and
drums banging it out as a full choir of high voices screamed out the
passionate ending.
  The baker's voice resounded in his head. 
Roxanne...Roxanne...Buffy...  As the baker sang out the name once
more, Spike sang Buffy's name along with the ending.  He caught up
to Dawn and yanked the door open to the Bronze just as the music was
brought to a resounding finale.
  They found Sweet standing on the stage, looking smug.  "Where's my
sister?" Dawn shouted at him.
  "Sister?" Sweet asked innocently.  "I don't believe I'm familiar
with your..."
  "Buffy Summers.  Blonde.  Beautiful.  The Slayer," Spike gritted
out through clenched teeth. 
  Sweet snapped his fingers.  "Ah, that sweet lil' thing.  Yeah, she
was here."
  "Mind telling us what you did with her?" Xander said, standing
next to Spike.
  Sweet shook his head.  "Not what I did.  More what she did.  She
took the plunge for herself."
  Willow shook her head.  "Buffy wouldn't do that.  Sorry.  What did
you do to her?"
  "Offered her what she wouldn't find here.  Happiness."
  Spike turned to the others, alarmed.  Willow and Xander gazed at
him with fear.  "I thought she wasn't...?" Spike whispered.
  Willow bit her lip.  "It must've been her past self edging
through.  Damn it!"
  Xander and Spike both looked shocked at her language.  "Oh please;
it's not anything you haven't heard before," she grumbled.
  "Bring her back," Dawn said angrily.
  "Sorry, no can do.  Sealed deal," Sweet said, spinning.
  Tara saw Willow's eyes flash black and quickly grabbed her
girlfriend before she could do something she'd regret later.  "And
why not?" Tara asked, glaring at Sweet.
  Sweet chuckled.  "Because, she is mine!"
  The door to the Bronze slammed shut behind them, as music started
up around them.  It sounded foreign, as if from the middle east. 
Minions dressed in golden garb came out and surrounded the group,
dancing an Arabian dance.  "I only speak the truth," a minion
repeated again and again, leading the others in the dance.
  "Get ready," Giles said quietly.  Dawn nodded, gripping her sword
tighter.  Willow readied her spell.
  Spike stared at Sweet, frowning.  The demon was just standing off
to the side on the stage, watching his minions with amusement. 
There was something else going on...
  A female minion tumbled about on the stage, then led the dancers
through acrobatics as she sang what sounded like nonsense to Spike.
  The music hushed, and all the minions stopped.  They turned toward
the stage, the female minion singing in high soprano.  Dawn gasped
as she caught sight of what they were marveling at.
  "It can't be," Willow whispered, cringing at the sight.
  Spike stared with dread at the stage, and managed to choke out one
word: "Buffy?"
  Buffy stood on the stage, dressed in black skirt and black top
that revealed her stomach.  Instead of sleeves, diamonds adorned her
arms.  The low cut shirt allowed the single diamond pendant to
shine.  A headband of diamonds laid across her forehead, and her
hair was pulled back.  Her eyes were blank and unseeing.
  "I think she's under a spell, but give me a minute to find out for
sure," Tara murmured. 
  Spike ignored her.  Buffy, his Buffy, stood there, looking every
bit like she was the night's slave.  This wasn't happening.
  The soprano minion stopped singing, and Buffy began.  "Kiss
hand...diamond's best friend," she sang, gazing at the diamonds on
her hands.  "Kiss grand...diamond's best friend."  She stepped
forward, her heels clicking on the stage.  The music picked up, and
she stopped, the minions standing at the same time.
  "Men cold," she sang, turning her gaze to Spike.  Spike felt
sick.  Her eyes held no emotion; just cold, bottomless
depths.  "Girls old...and we all lose our charms in the end..."
  As the minions followed Buffy into a repeating chorus of "Diamonds
are a..." Tara breathed a sigh of relief.  "What is it?" Xander
said, turning.
  "Spell.  Definitely.  Though, it's strange.  A part of her is
still in control.  The spell is influencing most of it, but she's
going through the motions on her own."
  Willow, Xander, and Spike flinched at the mention of the
phrase 'going through the motions', remembering a song they'd sung
the year before.  "Guess some things don't change," Xander said
softly.
  The chorus ended and the minions applauded Buffy, whom Spike
guessed was their new leader, or something like that.  Buffy stared
straight at him and finished the chorus, "...girl's...best...friend."
  Sweet smirked and came up behind her, wrapping his arms around
her.  Buffy didn't move.  "She is mine," Sweet said again, smiling
at her.
  "She is mine," Spike hissed angrily, causing the others to turn to
him.
  Sweet also turned.  "What did you say?" he said, frowning.
  "I said, the girl's mine, so sod off," Spike said, stepping
forward.
  Sweet shook his head.  "She made her choice.  Nothing you can say
or do is going to change that."
  "What about singing?" Dawn piped up suddenly.
  Spike and Sweet turned to stare at her.  "Now that's what I call
an interesting deal," Sweet grinned.  "Name the terms."
  Dawn swallowed.  "Spike sings, and if he doesn't bring Buffy back,
she's yours."  She could hear the others gasp around her, but plowed
through.  "But if he does reach her, you give up your claim and
leave."
  "Wh-what?!" Spike sputtered.  "Are you out of your bleedin' mind?"
  "Deal," Sweet said, causing Spike to turn.  Oh no.  Sweet backed
up and gestured towards Buffy.  "Give it a go."
  Spike gulped.  There was no way he'd have a chance at this. 
Yet...maybe he could do it.  It was the only shot they had.  He took
a deep breath that he didn't need and began to sing.  "Never knew I
could feel like this.  Like I've never seen the sky before."  He
closed his eyes and tried to steady his shaky voice.  He pictured
the smile on her face, the light in her eyes when she'd stepped
forward and kissed him that evening.  "Want to vanish inside your
kiss..."  He opened his eyes and looked down.  "Everyday I love you
more and more."
  A small sound, as if something had fallen, caught his attention
and caused him to look up.  His eyes widened with hope as he saw a
few of the jewels fall from her arms.  Encouraged, he
continued.  "Listen to my heart, can you hear it sing?  Tellin' me
to give you everythin'!  Seasons may change, winter to spring..." 
He wanted to shout with joy at the sight of the flicker in her
eyes. 
  "But I love you," he sang softly.  "Until the end of time.  Come
what may..."
  Giles couldn't believe it.  Spike was actually getting through to
her.  More diamonds fell, and the necklace shook of its own accord.
  "Diamonds are a girl's best friend," Xander muttered.
  "I'll bet that's what the spell's linked to," Anya added.
  Willow nodded.  "I was getting a vibe from something..."
  "Come what may," Spike sang again, his lower lip trembling as she
stepped towards the front of the stage.  "I will love you...until my
dying day!"
  The necklace's pendant suddenly shattered, causing Dawn to shriek
and cover her face as the shards flew about. 
  Spike turned at the sound of applause.  "Congrats on a fine
performance," Sweet said, nodding with admiration.  "Take your
prize."
  The diamonds fell away, rattling on the stage.  The light returned
to her eyes as she swayed, before she passed out.  Tara gasped as
Spike leapt forward, catching her as she fell off the stage.
  "You're leaving now, though, right?  He won," Dawn said, hurrying
forward to see if her sister was all right.
  Sweet nodded.  "As good as my word, I'm outta here."  He snapped
his fingers, spun around, and prepared to vanish.
  "Wait!" Xander called, looking Sweet in the eye.  "How long until
the singing and dancing stops?  Basically, how long do I have to
stay away from work?"
  Spike remembered what Xander had said last year about his co-
workers all dancing, and tried to stifle his laughter.
  "Poor Xander...all that flesh just wiggling around," Willow teased.
  Xander looked ill as Dawn and Tara giggled.  "Please tell me it
won't last long," Xander begged.
  Sweet shook his head.  "The show will take its final bow before
morning.  Everything will go back to normal after that."  He winked
at them.  "So long, kids."  With that, he and his minions vanished.
  "Is she all right?" Giles asked, bending next to his charge.
  Spike nodded.  "She should be fine."
  "I hope she doesn't remember any of this," Willow said, wincing.
  Spike sighed.  "Me too, Red.  Me too."

  Buffy groaned, her head pounding.  She wasn't in the Bronze
anymore, that was for certain.  The Bronze never felt this
comfortable.  The Bronze also didn't move.
  She blinked and opened her eyes slowly, resting them on her seat,
or rather, the person that was her seat.  Spike had a firm but
gentle grip on her as they drove on.
  Spike heard her groan and glanced down.  "Look who's awake," he
said with a smile.
  She tried to smile back, but could only manage a pained look.  "My
head hurts," she mumbled, leaning into his shirt.
  He chuckled and began to massage her temples.  "She awake?" Xander
said from the driver's seat.
  Spike nodded.  "Not coherent, but conscious."  He turned to Buffy,
concerned.  "You okay?"
  Buffy nodded automatically, lost in thought.  Why was Spike being
so nice to her?  He didn't care; she'd even told Sweet that.  Wait. 
Sweet.  Diamonds are a girl's best...oh no...
  Spike watched her features change from distanced to
miserable.  "What's wrong?" he asked, frowning.
  She buried her face in his shirt, not answering him.  "Is she
okay?" Willow asked from the front.
  Spike shrugged helplessly.  Feeling something wet pressing against
his abdomen made him look down at Buffy.  She pulled away slightly,
allowing him to see her tear-stained face.
  "Hey, hey," he soothed.  "What's goin' on?"
  "I'm sorry," she whispered, her face flushed with shame.  "I...I
should never have..."
  "Shhh, it's all right," he hushed, holding her closer.  "It's
okay."
  "I don't know what happened!  I mean, one minute, I'm yelling at
Sweet, and then...then I take his hand, and everything goes blank. 
It felt like I was falling or something.  A-And I knew I had to get
up to you guys, and all I could do was think about how sorry I was,
I let you guys down..."
  "Hey, look at me," Spike said, grasping her shoulders.  "Look at
me." 
  Buffy gazed up at him, as he brushed her tears away.  "It's okay. 
We got you back, Sweet left, and we're all happy.  No one got hurt. 
Promise."
  She didn't look convinced. "I endangered everyone.  For what?  My
own selfish reasons!"
  "Just calm down," Spike said, taking her hand in
his.  "Everythin's okay.  Besides, somethin' good came out of it. 
You 'member everythin'?"
  Buffy nodded, looking puzzled. 
  Spike leaned down and kissed her forehead.  He gazed down at her
surprised face and whispered, "I figured somethin' out.  I love you."
  "Really?" she breathed, checking for any signs that he was just
trying to make her feel better; that he was lying.  Nothing.  Just
love.
  "Sorry it took so long for me to figure it out," he said, smiling
at her. 
  With a yelp he tumbled backwards against the seat as Buffy tackled
him, her arms wrapped tightly around his neck.  "I missed you," she
murmured, tears rising in her eyes again.
  Spike slowly wrapped his arms around her.  "Missed you too," he
whispered in her ear, aware that the others were listening with
smiles on their faces.
  And he had missed this.  Missed her.  Missed holding her, feeling
her warmth all around him. 
  Buffy laid her head on his shoulder, still firmly in his embrace. 
He'd opened himself once more, told her he loved her.  The question
was now...what would her response be?

 

Chapter 12:

< --- >

  He placed her in her bed as gently as he could.  "Might wanna
change.  The harem look is not you," he teased.
  She rolled her eyes.  "I'll be down in a minute."
  He nodded and shut the door, trying not to feel too disappointed. 
She hadn't said it.  What did you expect, Spike?  You're back at
square one again.
  Buffy quickly changed and sighed.  What was she going to do now? 
Tell him...oh brother.  She might as well admit that she didn't know
what to do.
  She headed down and offered her apologies to everyone.  They
smiled and told her to forget about it.  She returned the smile
sincerely.  She couldn't have asked for better friends.
  After everyone had either left or gone to sleep, Buffy headed to
the back porch to sit and think the day over.  She didn't expect to
find Spike there.
  The two gazed at each other, before Spike gestured to the seat
next to him.  "Have a seat."
  She nodded her thanks and sat down.  "So, we all enjoy our sing-
along?" Spike asked.
  She chuckled.  "Yeah, sure."  She sighed, rubbing her eyes.  "I'm
really sorry."
  "I know, luv.  It's all right."
  Buffy waged war with herself, before finally deciding to take the
risk.  She reached down and took his hand in hers.
  Spike blinked, surprised, and turned to her.  She blushed but
didn't let go.  "Today was way better then the last time we tried
it," she said.
  "And getting better yet," he said softly, making her blush deepen.
  They stayed that way for awhile, content to hold hands, until
Spike had to ask.  "Um...what happens now?"
  She sighed.  "I don't know.  Do we try again?"
  "I don't know.  I think so."
  There was a pause.  "I...I know that..."  Buffy took a deep
breath.  "I know that you didn't want us to happen again because of
what I did last year.  And I get that.  But...if you're
willing...I...I want to try again."
  How many times would she surprise him tonight?  "Not even close,"
he murmured, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her
close.  "I...It was 'cause of me that I didn't want us together.  I
didn't want to hurt you again."  He rolled his eyes.  "All right,
and I was mad at you over the Chloe issue.  But I forgave you that
one."
  His words reminded her of what she needed to talk to him
about.  "Even so, I did my share of hurt the first time around. 
I've managed to forgive myself for that, but I can't let it go." 
Her voice was quiet as she pulled back and said, "I need you to
forgive me."
  Chalk another one up for the surprise table.  "I..."  He
swallowed, trying to get his voice back.  "Buffy, I forgave you for
everythin' that year.  I thought you knew that."
  She shook her head.  "I needed to know.  Needed to hear it."
  "Well, then listen carefully: I forgive you." 
  The two smiled at each other before she stood.  "We've come a long
way, haven't we?" she said.
  "Yeah.  From tryin' to kill each other to this...definite
improvement," Spike smirked.
  Buffy smiled and looked up at the sky.  "We were strangers,
starting out on our journey," she sang, then tried to stop.  Oh
crud.  She thought she was done singing.  "Never dreaming what we'd
have to go through."  She turned back to Spike, still smiling.  "Now
here we are, and I'm suddenly standing at the beginning with you."
  Spike stood and headed towards her.  "No one told me I was goin'
to find you.  Unexpected, what you did to my heart.  When I lost..."
  "...hope, you were there to remind me," they sang together.  "This
is the start..."
  The rest of the world began to fade away as they chorused, "And
life is a road and I wanna keep goin', love is a river I wanna keep
flowing; Life is a road, now and forever, wonderful journey..."
  Buffy couldn't believe how well their voices fit together.  She
reached forward and took his hands in hers.  "I'll be there when the
world stops turning.  I'll be there when the storm is through.  In
the end I wanna be standing at the beginning with you."
  Spike brushed a stray hair away from her face as she took the
solo.  "We were strangers, on a crazy adventure."
  "Never dreamin' how our dreams would come true," Spike sang.
  "Now here we stand," they sang together, "unafraid of the future. 
At the beginning with you..."
  "And life is a road and I wanna keep goin', love is a river I
wanna keep flowing; Life is a road, now and forever, wonderful
journey."
  Upstairs from the window, Willow, Tara, and Dawn listened to the
concert.  "It's so romantic," Dawn sighed.  "They were so meant to
be."
  Willow giggled.  "They are cute."
  Tara nudged her girlfriend and smiled.  Willow's giggling
intensified.  "Take it to a room!" Dawn complained, grinning.
  The two down below were unaware of their audience.  "I'll be there
when the world stops turning," they continued, wrapped up in their
own world.  "I'll be there when the storm is through.  In the end I
wanna be standing at the beginning with you..."
  Buffy's voice lifted to a high soprano as they sang out the
bridge.  "I knew there was somebody somewhere.  Like me alone in the
dark.  Now I know my dream will live on, I've been waitin' so
long."  Her grin matched his as they sang out, "Nothing's gonna tear
us apart!"
  She was his, and he was hers.  Nothing would tear them apart. 
They'd come so far, and they were starting over again, from the
beginning.  They could do this.
  The others listened as they sang out the chorus once more with a
passion only the two of them could share.  "I take it they've
patched things up?" Giles asked.
  Dawn nodded.  "They do sing well together," he admitted, smiling
ruefully at the couple.
  "Life is a road and I wanna keep goin', love is river I wanna keep
goin' on..." they sang together.
  Buffy took over a small solo once more.  "Starting out on a
journey," she sang, staring in his eyes.  So blue, so full of
passion...all for her, if she dared to take it.
  "Life is a road I wanna keep goin', love is a river I wanna keep
flowing...in the end I wanna be standing at the beginning..."
  "With you..." they finished softly, before their lips met once
more.
  When they pulled away, Buffy thought back to what Sweet had said. 
Take the plunge.  She decided that should be her new motto as she
said, "Spike?"
  "Yeah?"
  "I love you."  There.  She'd said it.
  Spike's mouth dropped open.  Had she just said...?  She had.  She
really had. 
  Buffy squealed as Spike picked her up and spun her around in the
air.  "Put me down!" she protested, laughing.
  Spike ignored her and kept spinning.  She was his.  His for
good.  "I love you," he said, his face a look of pure joy.  "I love
you so much."
  He finally put her down and wrapped his arms around her, unable to
let go.  "That actually wasn't too bad," he heard her muffled voice
say.  He pulled away to smile at her.
  "What, thought you'd keel over if you said it?" he asked, as she
laughed once more.
  "I really didn't know what would happen.  So I took a chance and
decided to finally say it."
  "Trust me," he said, his hand cupping her face.  "You made the
right choice."
  I can see that, she thought as she gazed at him.  He looked like a
little boy at Christmas. 
  She leaned forward, her lips capturing his once more.  She
couldn't remember why she'd fought telling him this the first time
around.  It was so glaringly obvious.
  Dawn watched the two from the window with a smirk.  "About time,"
she said.
 
  The next three days were complete bliss.  Xander was with Anya,
and Buffy refused to leave Spike's side.  Spike wasn't complaining. 
They'd sat one night in the cemetery, doing nothing but talking when
the vampires were low.
  Dawn was thrilled for all the couples.  Everything was working out
perfectly.  Even Giles seemed happy for his charge and her vampire
lover.
  The only one that wasn't happy was Willow and Tara.  Willow was
still flying on Cloud 9 for being with Tara again.  She told Tara
how much she meant to her every night and day, and just
spontaneously gave her hugs and kisses.  Just to have her there made
Willow's life something worth living for.
  Tara, however, wasn't as pleased.  Of course, she loved the
attention, and the moments of tenderness the two shared.  Those were
treasures she would never forget.  But ever since that day when
Willow had searched the books for information on Sweet, she'd
noticed that her girlfriend was using magic a lot more.  A little
too much, at times.  She was getting worried for her; what would
Willow do if she careened out of control?  Those closest to her
would only get hurt.  And the closest person to Willow at the moment
was Tara. 
  She'd tried to distance herself, and make the change gradual. 
Willow refused to let her go, however, and stuck to her like glue. 
Finally Tara decided that the only thing she could do was talk to
her.
  As they headed to the Magic Box one night for a meeting, Tara
sighed heavily, catching Willow's attention.  "What's wrong,
sweetie?" she asked, frowning.
  Tara cringed.  Time to talk.  "A lot of things," she
admitted.  "One of the things I worry about the most is you."
  Willow smiled.  "I worry about you too, Tara."
  Tara shook her head.  "N-No, not like that."
  Willow's frown returned.  Tara only stuttered if something was
majorly wrong.
  "It's your magics, Will.  You're g-getting too lenient with using
them.  And I'm...I'm worried you're gonna go over.  That type of
worry."
  Willow's mouth dropped open slightly as she stared at her
girlfriend.  This wasn't happening.  Not again.  "Wait!  Hold on;
when did I go over?" Willow asked, her hands starting to shake. 
  "Sweet.  You started then, at l-least I think you did.  Y-You
might've used it before that.  I don't want you to go over, Willow. 
But I'm afraid you might."  She stopped outside the shop's door and
took a deep breath.  Now for the hardest part.  "I-I think we should
take a little break.  Until you've f-figured things out with your
magics."
  Willow watched her head into the Magic Box, her vision blurred. 
She was losing Tara?  After everything she'd gone through?  No; Tara
was hers.  She couldn't lose her...not again...
  "Tara, wait!" she yelled, running in after.  She grabbed Tara's
arm, spinning her back around, ignoring the surprised looks she was
getting.
  Buffy and Giles poked their heads out of the training
room.  "What's going on?" she asked, turning to Spike.  Spike
shrugged. 
  "I'll make a deal with you," Willow pleaded.  "Give me a week to
show you that I can hold off.  Not a single spell.  Nothing for the
entire week.  Just please...don't do this."
  Xander, Buffy, and Spike exchanged glances.  "I..." Tara started.
  "Please, Tara," Willow begged.  "One week.  Then we can make it a
month or something after that.  Just...please."
  Tara gazed at her for a moment, before nodding.  "Okay.  One
week."  She turned and headed into the training room.  This wasn't
easy on her either.  She wanted to forget it had all happened. 
Tears glistened in her eyes as she edged past Giles.
  Giles saw and headed back into the training room to see to
Tara.  "We'll go see what's going on," Dawn said, nodding to Anya. 
The two smiled at Willow, before closing the door behind them. 
  As the door closed, Willow fell to her knees, sobbing.  "Shhh,"
Xander whispered, crawling down onto the floor and wrapping his arms
around her.  The others gathered around her, trying to comfort her
as best they could.
  "I...I did it again...oh, please no," Willow gasped out, tears
streaming down her face. 
  "You're gonna be okay," Buffy said, hugging her friend. 
  Willow shook her head.  "She...she's my everything.  I-I
can't...not again..."
  Suddenly she clutched her head, bending forward slightly.  "Red? 
You all right?" Spike asked, frowning slightly.
  Buffy's eyes widened as she jumped up.  "What's going on?" Xander
asked.
  "She must've triggered something," Buffy explained.  "She's going
through what I went through."  She brought back a glass of water and
a small pouch.  "Fortunately, Willow told me how to stop it."  With
one last glance at her friend, she tossed the water in Willow's face
and pulled out a green powder.  "Reduco," she whispered.
  "You know magic?" Xander sputtered.  Spike looked shocked as well
as Willow stopped shaking.
  Buffy shook her head. "No, it's the powder.  It knows what to do,
so long as it's given the right command.  I just told it to bring
her back."
  A whimper had them turning back to Willow.  "Ouchies..." she
mumbled.  "That hurt."
  "Trust me, I know," Buffy said.  "Give yourself a little bit to
clear your head up.  The aspirin helped a little," she added.  Spike
caught the hint and went to go get some.
  "Don't feel good," she whispered.  The entire room was spinning,
and her head was pounding.  She could see Buffy in front of her,
Xander's arms around her, and Spike digging around in the drawers,
but...she could see the images, too.  Like a movie of last year. 
Everything was jumbled together, and she just hurt...someone, make
it stop hurting...
  "You gonna be okay?" Xander asked, rubbing her arm.
  She nodded slowly, clutching her stomach.  "Just as long as I
don't throw up, I think I'm good."
  Spike returned with the capsules and water, which she downed
quickly.  "Thank you," she said sincerely.
  "Welcome," he replied with a smile.
  Voices from beyond the door had Willow staggering to get
up.  "Willow, give yourself time," Buffy started, but Willow shook
her head furiously.
  "At least get me seated; guys please," she asked, misery in her
eyes.  The others nodded and managed to get her seated by the time
the others came out.  Tara sat across from Willow, her eyes puffy
and red.  Willow was sure she didn't look any better.
  "Anyone wanna guess what I'm gonna say?" Dawn said, breaking the
silence.  She licked her lips, causing her sister to groan.
  "You're hungry again?  How many times do I have to feed you?" 
Dawn giggled and ducked away from her sister's tickling hand.
  Xander and Spike rolled their eyes.  "Since you two seem so eager
to help out, why don't YOU go get dinner?" Buffy said, smirking.
  "What?!?"  The two looked at each other, before sighing in
defeat. 
  "Fine, fine," Xander grumbled.  "But don't expect us to bring
donuts back."
  Spike headed after Xander, but was stopped by Buffy calling his
name.  "Just make sure you get these things," she said as an excuse,
hurrying over.  When she was close enough, she whispered in his
ear, "I love you."  She kissed his neck and pulled away, marveling
at the intensity in his eyes. 
  Spike knew he was grinning like an idiot, but didn't care.  He
stopped, feeling a pang in his chest.  He turned to Buffy to tell
her, and found her expression one of pain as well.  In fact,
everyone's was...
  Another pang sent him hurtling into the darkness of
unconsciousness. 
 
  Dark.  That's what it was.  Everywhere it was dark.  Sat up and
looked around.  Outlines of tables, chairs, and other people.  A few
men, mostly women. 
  A few pats along the body confirmed that she was a she.  She'd
thought so, but didn't want to guess and then realize she was a he. 
She shuddered.
  Movement underneath her that felt like leather made her squeak and
jump up.  Okay, where was she?  This was just creepy.  Somebody tell
her who she was, where she was...wait a minute.  Who was she?
  She ransacked her brain but found nothing.  No name, no memories
of a family, nothing.  She crawled back as far as she could until
she'd hit a wall.  A few bookcases hid her well as sounds from
around her told her the others were waking, too.
  She was scared.  At this point, a mom would've been nice.  Did she
even have a mom?  A brother?  A sister?  A dad?  A boyfriend?  Right
now, she was alone, and couldn't remember a single thing.  She'd
never been more frightened in her life.  She could be in a den of
murderers, rapists, thieves...
  She buried her face in her hands and began to cry.  Voices drifted
to her ears, others making loud noises, but she paid no heed. 
Wishing she could just disappear somewhere, she curled herself up
and continued to cry.
  The voices softened, and then she felt a tap on her shoulder.  She
gasped and pulled away.  "It's okay," the man said, offering her a
smile.  "Do you 'member who you are?"
  Slowly she shook her head.
  He chuckled.  "Welcome to the club, then.  None of us know what's
what."
  "Really?" she said.  Okay, she could talk.  There's another thing
she'd just found out.
  "Really."  The man stood, his bleached-blonde hair sticking out in
the lights that had been turned on.  He was well built, and very
handsome.  He was also sporting a black leather jacket.  It was only
then that she realized that he had been her cushion.
  He offered her his hand.  "I'd introduce myself, but not sure
exactly who that would be at the moment," he joked.  Not a smile. 
He sighed and bent next to her.  "I'm not gonna hurt you.  None of
us are.  We're as lost as you are, pet.  I'm not gonna let anythin'
hurt you.  Promise."
  He offered his hand once more, and this time, she took it.  She
stood with his help and brushed away her tears. 
  The others waved at her tentatively.  "So..." she started.  "No
one knows who they are?"
  They shook their heads.  "Where are we?" a young girl asked.
  "A store of some kind," a girl with short blonde hair said.  "I
think it's very nice.  If I had a store, I would have a kind like
this."
  "Maybe it's your store!" a black-haired man said from behind her. 
  The blonde turned.  "Maybe.  You're cute," she stated, causing him
to blush.
  "You too," he mumbled, grinning.
  An older man stepped forward.  "There ought to be papers of
ownership somewhere..."
  The girl frowned, noticing something.  "You're British," she said
to the older man, before turning to the black-leathered man.  "You
are, too."
  "I am?" the bleach-headed one said.  "Bloody 'ell.  Sod. 
Bugger."  He grinned.  "Yup."
  She rolled her eyes but smiled nevertheless.  He was funny, too. 
She hoped if she had a boyfriend that he was like this.
  Another thought came to her.  Maybe HE was her boyfriend.  She'd
woken on top of him, after all.  Besides, even if they weren't, they
could be.  Her smile broadened at the thought.
  "Check for identification," the older man said suddenly, digging
in his pocket.
  "Ooh, I'm Willow!" a redheaded girl said proudly.
  The blonde across from her smiled shyly.  "I-I'm Tara."
  The two smiled at each other.  "I'm Dawn," the young girl said,
gazing at her necklace.  "At least, that's what this thing says.  I
don't have a wallet."
  "Rupert Giles," the older man said with a smile.
  "Ah HA!" the young blonde said.  "I DO own the store!  The name on
the owner's document matches the one in my purse.  I'm Anya, by the
way."  She frowned.  "Oh toad-eggs.  I share the store with you, Mr.
Giles."
  "You do?" Rupert said with a frown as deep as hers.  "What type of
store is it?"
  "Alexander!" the black-haired man yelled.  "I have a name, people!"
  Dawn giggled, then turned to the other two.  "What about you guys?"
  They'd found nothing.  "No wallet, nothing," she said.  "I guess
I'll have to name myself.  How about...Joan?"
  The others groaned.  The leathered man raised his eyebrows.  "No
way," he said, taking her by the shoulders and looking her over. 
  "What do you mean?" she demanded.  "I like it."
  "I like Elizabeth better," he said softly.
  She blushed.  "Go with Elizabeth, please," Dawn advised, still
shuddering from the name Joan.
  "Okay, what about you?" Willow asked the man.
  He frowned.  "Dunno.  Maybe..."
  "You look like Billy Idol, almost," Anya interrupted.
  He growled.  "Don't you dare call me Billy."
  Elizabeth giggled.  "Okay.  You named me, I get to return the
favor."  She gazed at him a few times, able to finally get a really
good look.  Oh, his eyes were blue!  Baby blues.  And his smile was
absolutely beautiful.
  "Like what you see, pet?" he teased, making her blush again.
  "Maybe," she agreed, causing him to look surprised.  He'd never
expected this young golden goddess to even consider him handsome. 
He'd just been teasing.  But...was there something there in her
eyes?  Something she held for him?
  "William," she said.  "I like William.  Plus, you can always be a
Billy without being a Billy."
  He smiled at her.  "I'll go with that."
  "A magic shop," Anya said suddenly.  "That's the type of store we
own."
  The others gazed around.  Spell books, powders, stones, pouches,
and candles surrounded them.  "Cool," Dawn approved.
  "Uh, I hope you don't do magic," Elizabeth said, giving Dawn a
look.
  Dawn frowned.  "How come?"
  "You're too young!"
  "Quit bossing me!  You sound like my..."  Their eyes lit up as
they chorused together, "sister!"
  "Glad they figured that out," Alexander said, rolling his eyes.
  Willow raised her hand.  "Are there any others that are family
here?"
  All eyes turned to William and Rupert.  William raised his
eyebrows.  "Bloody 'ell, I hope not."
  Elizabeth grinned. 
  "I'm engaged!" Anya shrieked. 
  "So that's what that ring on your finger is," Tara said with a
smile.
  Anya shook her head.  "There's invitations to the wedding.  'You
are cordially invited to attend this joyous union of Alexander
Harris and Anya Jenkins."  She beamed.  "We're engaged!"
  Alexander looked shell-shocked.  "We are?"  He blinked, then shook
his shoulders.  "Sounds right, somehow."
  While they talked, Elizabeth tugged on William's shirt.  He bent
down as she whispered in his ear, "Just to let you know: I woke up
on top of you.  So we might be a couple."
  William pulled away to look at her.  "Feels right," he said
quietly, as they shared a smile.
  A crash through the front window had them ducking.  "What's going
on?" Dawn yelled.
  "Get down!" Rupert shouted, covering himself.  Alexander grabbed
Anya and hid behind the counter, quickly followed by Dawn.  Willow
and Tara scurried under the table as more glass was shattered.
  Elizabeth gasped as she was shoved to the side.  She cringed as
the sound of glass exploding resounded in her ears.  She opened her
eyes and found William on top of her, covering her as best he
could.  "William, what are you...?!"
  "Just stay down, luv," he said, smiling.  "Don't want you gettin'
hurt.  Though heaven knows you can take care of yourself."
  Elizabeth smirked.  "Considering it's usually your ass I'm
saving..."  She stopped, frowning.  "Where did THAT come from?"
  William looked down at her.  "Buffy?" he whispered, on the verge
of remembering. 
  She shrieked as a large, heavy object came down on them, and both
were knocked out.
  A dark shadow stepped into the shop, heels clicking on the
tiles.  "Gather them; every single one of them," the feminine voice
commanded.  As her minions flooded the shop, she smiled.  "Now, to
put it to the test."


 

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