Title: Little Hero

Author: Nebula

Chapter: 3 of 4

Time Period: Post 'As You Were'

Rating: PG-13 (language and issues of abuse)

Summary: Take a Slayer. Turn her into a child. Add a dark past, a
new enemy, a vampire with mixed emotions, and presto! The story
you're about to be told.

Disclaimer: *sighs* I want Spike and Lindsey. Joss owns both, but
he's been kind enough to share. So, I'm happy. ^_^

NN: Wow! I never expected such feedback for this. You guys mean
so much to me; thank you so much for all your kind words! ^_^

< --- >

They had run around with Buffy in the field, playing tag and hide-
and-seek, until they had collapsed on the ground, breathing
heavily. The picnic had been spread out, and Spike had actually
enjoyed himself. The whelp had even talked to him, striking up a
conversation and everything. He seemed to be making an effort to be
his friend. It was interesting.
Dawn sighed, rolling over to get more cookies. "So, what do you
want to do next, Buffy?"
Buffy looked around, trying to make up her mind. "Ummm…"
"I still say the slide sounds good," Anya commented.
Buffy looked over at her, horrified. "NO!" she yelled.
Everyone stopped talking and turned to her. Buffy's face paled
visibly. "M'sorry…" she said meekly, curling herself into a ball.
Spike reached over to tap her shoulder, but she flinched away at
his touch. "Buffy…"
"Please…don't…I'm sorry, I'm sorry…"
Tara's eyes widened. "Oh no," she breathed. "Oh please no."
"Tara? What is it?" Willow asked, looking between her lover and
her leader with confusion.
"I know what's wrong," Tara whispered.
"You do?" Dawn asked, frowning. "How?"
Tara swallowed. "Because I had to live through it for years."
"Live through…" Willow turned ashen. "Oh no."
"My mom never…" Dawn started.
Spike closed his eyes. No. This wasn't possible… "You still had
your dad, right, Nibblet?"
Dawn shook her head rapidly. "No. No. He wouldn't do this!"
"Buffy, tell me what's wrong," Spike said gently but firmly.
Buffy looked up slowly, shaking slightly. "I `lelled," she
whispered.
"I know you did. Why did you get upset?" Spike asked.
Buffy winced. "I…I thought…" She lowered her voice to a
whisper. "You're not gonna punish me?"
Spike could feel his heart wrenching. "No," he said softly. "No,
I'm not. Are you usually punished if you yell?"
Slowly Buffy nodded. "Who usually punishes you?" Spike asked.
"My…my daddy," she whispered.
From behind him, Dawn made a small noise that sounded like a
strangled sob. "No, no, nonononono…" she began to mumble, as Xander
held her close.
"Does he hurt you?" Tara asked. Spike looked up to see her eyes
brimming with tears.
Buffy nodded, so Tara continued. "Where, sweetie?"
The little girl looked up at Spike for a nod of approval. Spike
nodded slowly. Oh, how he didn't want to know this… "He just hits
my face, and tells me I'm bad," she said.
She looked Dawn's way and saw her shaking in Xander's arms. In an
attempt to comfort her, Buffy said, "This girl in my class, Sharon,
well, her daddy punishes her worser then mine does. She must be
really bad, right?" she asked, looking up at Spike.
Dawn crumpled in Xander's arms, sobbing hysterically. Tears began
to pool up in Buffy's eyes. "I'm sorry," she cried. "I-I didn't
mean…"
One of his girls in pain was already too much for Spike, but to
have both crying at once was hell for him. Xander nodded, seemingly
thinking the same thing. He escorted Dawn over to a bench, and
Spike cradled Buffy in his arms, trying to soothe her.
Buffy was crying and babbling on about how she didn't mean to
upset Dawn, and she was so sorry she was making everyone cry, and
she didn't mean to yell at Anya…
Spike looked up to see Tara and Willow teary-eyed. "I should've
known," Tara murmured. "I should've known…"
Anya knelt down beside Buffy and smiled at her. "It's okay.
Yelling is a good thing."
Buffy hiccuped and wiped her red eyes. "B-But it's not nice. How
is it a good thing?"
"It relieves tension, and makes you feel better. You're
expressing how you feel when you yell. When you yell, you're
usually upset or frightened. It's a natural thing."
"Don't ever feel afraid to yell, Buffy," Tara said suddenly.
Spike looked up, surprised to see such ferocity in her eyes. "Don't
you ever."
"But…"
"No buts. If you feel upset, or sad, or you need help, don't be
scared to yell. Promise me."
Buffy nodded, staring up at Tara with awe. "I promise," she
whispered.
Tara smiled. "Good."
Just then, Xander came over with Dawn by his side. Her eyes were
puffy, and her face was red, but she seemed to have calmed
down. "Sorry about skipping out on you guys," she said, attempting
to smile.
"Are you feeling better?" Buffy asked.
Dawn smiled and knelt down in front of her sister. "Lots
better." She wrapped her arms around Buffy and held her, her eyes
glowing fiercely. "Trust me. I feel lots better."
Spike eyed his Nibblet carefully. She looked ready to declare
World War 3 on any person that tried to hurt the little one in her
arms.
"Well, how about some ice cream?" Xander suggested. "Ice cream
sounds good to me. Anyone else?"
Willow nodded. "An excellent suggestion. I could use a little
soul-soothing about now."
"Can I do something first?" Buffy asked tentatively.
"What's that, kitten?"
"I wanna go down the slide."
Silence. Spike looked around at the shocked faces. "You sure?"
he asked her quietly.
Buffy nodded, standing up with Dawn. "I'm not a…a…"
"Yellow-belly?"
Buffy nodded her thanks to Anya. "That. I'm gonna go down the
slide. The really tall one."
Spike nodded, standing. "Then let's go."
Buffy walked solemnly the entire way there. The other kids were
too busy on the swings and the play structure to notice. The slide
was all hers.
She swallowed, then began to climb the ladder. About halfway up,
she started shaking. "How about we just forget the slide and go get
some ice cream?" Xander suggested.
Buffy glared. "No. I gotta do this."
Xander raised his eyebrows. "Right. Guess her attitude didn't
change much," he muttered under his breath.
She made it to the top and looked down. She couldn't even see the
outside at the bottom, the slide was so huge. Did she really want
to do this?
"Spike?" she called, her tiny voice echoing as she peered into the
plastic tube.
"Yeah, pet?"
She poked her head out to stare at him, looking panicked. "Would
you slide down with me?"
Spike smiled. "I'm comin' up."
He knew the gang was probably giggling at the sight of the Big Bad
turned so domestic over one little girl, but he didn't care. He
loved that little girl.
He pulled himself up and sat down behind her. "Hold on tight,"
she said.
"I promise," he replied, when it suddenly hit him. He loved her.
He loved big and bad Buffy, when she was the Slayer, and he loved
little Buffy, whose smile was big enough to light up the sun. He
loved them both.
"Ready?" he asked.
She nodded. "Ready."
Grinning, he grabbed the top of the slide and pushed. The two
began to slide towards the bottom.
The gang watched as Buffy came out of the slide, shrieking. Spike
sat right behind her, his arms wrapped around her protectively.
Nevertheless, he was grinning at her, amused.
Buffy opened her eyes cautiously and looked around. "See? You
made it," Spike said, still grinning.
Buffy looked up at him, then at the others. The next thing Spike
knew, she had jumped out of his arms and was running around to the
other side of the slide. "What are you doing?" he asked, bewildered.
"I wanna go again!"
His laughter could be heard all throughout the park.

< --- >

Spike smiled at Buffy, whose face now consisted of three different
ice cream flavors. They had ridden the slide multiple times, until
she had finally asked Spike to stop following her, and she had gone
by herself. Spike had barely stifled his laughter at the look of
exasperation on her face. She had gone on and slid down herself
many more times, backwards, forwards, upside-down.
She was laughing again; Xander was telling her some joke. "Having
fun?" Tara asked from behind him.
He swiveled around and raised his eyebrow. "What do you think?
I'm out in the sun for the first time in a century, well, if ya
don't count the ring, and…" He looked over at Buffy again, and
couldn't help but smile.
"With her?" Tara finished.
"Yeah," he said absently. "I love her."
"We know that, sweetie."
Spike spun around. "You…"
Tara nodded. "Xander actually saw it and admitted it first. At
the park? We all just agreed with him."
Tara almost giggled when she saw him look down shyly. "Well, I…"
"We know that you love her. It's okay. Xander's even okay with
it. That's why this was so important before the other stuff was
brought up."
Spike sighed and nodded. "I know."
"Aren't you having fun?" Tara asked.
Spike grinned. "I'm havin' a blast with lil' Buffy. Just…miss
the grown-up version, too."
"We all do. We'll do more research tonight."
Spike nodded. "Ready to head back, kitten?" he called over his
shoulder to Buffy. When he got no response, he frowned and turned
around. "Buffy?"
His frown disappeared as he found her laying on the grass, sound
asleep. "I think we tired her out," Willow said, giggling.
"Hey, we got back at her! She always tires US out with her
slaying and stuff," Xander commented.
Spike gathered her in his arms, careful not to wake her. With
their sleeping Slayer safely secured (say that 3 times fast), the
Scoobies headed for home.

< --- >

"Have you found the Slayer?"
"Not yet, sir. She's vanished completely. The others are
starting to think she died or something."
"What about her friends?"
"No action there, either. None have patrolled for a few nights
now."
"Interesting. Very interesting."
"Sir? What should we do?"
The vampire stood, his height enabling him to tower over the
fledgling. "Continue searching," he said, "but be cautious. This
could be a trap."
"Yes, sir."

< --- >

Buffy slept for another two hours after they'd reached the house.
She came down, bright-eyed and ready to run around some more, just
as the gang had finished another stack of books.
"What are you reading?" Buffy asked, crawling up onto the couch
and into Spike's lap.
He smiled and wrapped his arms around her. "Magical things."
Her eyes widened. "No way. Really?" she asked, turning to Tara
for confirmation.
"Yep. Magic spells, the histories of magic, but," she
sighed, "not what we're looking for."
"What are you looking for?"
"A spell to make you big again," Dawn said simply, in response to
Buffy's question.
"DAWN!!"
"What? I think she deserves to know the truth," Dawn said,
grinning at the glares she was getting from the entire group.
"Big?" Buffy asked.
Spike sighed. If Dawn had already spilled… "See, this year, you
were s'posed to be…Willow's age," he said carefully.
Her eyes widened even more, if that was possible. "REALLY?!?" she
asked, jaw hanging open. "Neat!!"
Everyone released a huge sigh of relief. She hadn't second-
guessed it. She'd been okay with it.
"And I'm the Slayer," she said with pride.
She caught on quick, too. "That's right," Tara said,
smiling. "You're the Slayer, who takes care of the bad vampires,"
she said, enunciating the `bad' part.
"Wow." Buffy stood in awe, until she frowned, realizing
something. "How come I'm tiny, then?"
"We don't know, sweetie," Willow said, reaching for another
book. "That's why we're reading. We're trying to find a way to get
you back to being big again."
"Oh. Okay!" Buffy said, with a big smile.
She's incredible, was all Spike could think. Bloody
incredible. "Can I help?" she asked. "I can't read, but I could
find pictures of a person getting smaller!"
Dawn grinned and winked at the others. "Sure thing," she said,
handing her a book that read, "Fairy-tales for Children".
Buffy took the book solemnly and proceeded to visit each picture
intently, searching for a meaning. The others went back to their
real research, until it was time for Buffy to go to bed.
"Can I stay up more?" Buffy said, as Dawn headed for the staircase.
"Nope! Bed-time, move it!" Dawn said, smiling at her sister.
But her sister wasn't grinning back. "Please?" she said, her eyes
open wide with fear. "I don't want…I…I can't…"
Spike quickly knelt down beside her to stop an impending burst of
fear. "S'all right, pet," he said. "I'll tell you some more of
that story, `kay?"
"'Kay," she said, hurrying towards the stairs. The others stared
at Spike, as he followed her up.
"Did he just…?"
"Get her to bed? Sure did," Dawn said, in response to Xander's
half question.
"That's incredible!" Xander sputtered.
While the others nodded, Tara gazed at the stairs, knowing that
Spike would continue the story of the amazing Slayer and the vampire
Angel. She knew it had to hurt so much to tell her the tale.
"Yes, it is," she murmured, thinking of Spike.

< --- >

"You called for me, sir?"
"Yes I did. I want you to find out about the Slayer, and what's
happened to her. This is too long a pause for her. Head to her
house, and use whatever means necessary to find out what's going on."
"Yes sir." The fledgling bowed with respect to the elder and
quickly hurried away.

< --- >

"So the Slayer was `bout to get in trouble with her mum when
suddenly, a black figure crashed through the window. It was a
vampire! It looked up at her and grinned, and…"
"It was you," Buffy said suddenly.
Spike stopped and looked at her. "What did you say?" he said
slowly.
"It was you," she said breathlessly. "Wasn't it?"
Spike almost sighed. So she hadn't remembered. "That's right, it
was me," he said, attempting to smile. How stupid he had been!
What had he been thinking? That he, of all things, would bring her
back to her normal self, memories and all?
"I sound like a hero," she said sadly.
"Well, it's `cause you are, pet," he said, smiling at her.
"How can I be a hero, though?" she asked. "Heroes aren't scared
of nothin'!"
Spike chuckled and sat down beside her on her bed. "Let me tell
you somethin', kitten. Heroes are always afraid. They'd be stupid
not to be."
"That's not true!" she said, frowning. "They'll fight anything to
save the world!"
"Doesn't mean they're not shakin' in their boots the whole time.
Hey, wait for me to finish, all right?" he said, interrupting
whatever she had been about to say. She nodded and waited for him
to continue.
"See, there's two types of people. There's your regular blokes,
and then there's heroes. Both can laugh, have a good time, and both
definitely get scared."
Buffy looked like she wanted to object, but she stayed silent.
"Heroes get scared all the time, but see, here's the funny thing.
While normal people run away when they're scared, heroes will stay.
Even if they're terrified, they'll still do what's right. No matter
what. And that's what makes them a hero."
Suddenly the bedroom window shattered. Buffy screamed as Spike
dove to cover her. Glass flew everywhere as he desperately pulled
the covers over both of them.
"Are you all right, Buffy?" Spike asked, panicked.
She nodded, terrified. "Y-You're bleeding," she said, her voice
shaky. She touched his forehead and he winced, realizing that a
shard had caught his skin.
"It'll heal, don't worry," he said, before the voices outside
caught his attention.
"C'mon out, Slayer!"
"Yeah, we know you're in there."
"We just want to talk!" Snickering.
"T-They want me?" Buffy asked, looking terrified.
Spike nodded, hearing the Scoobies grabbing weapons from the
downstairs chest. "They won't get you, though," he snarled. "Trust
me."
He wrapped the blanket around her, making sure she was covered,
and lifted her into his arms. As fast as he could, he hurried out
to the hallway and ducked into the hall closet.
"Promise me that you'll stay here, no matter what," Spike said,
looking her in the eye.
"I promise," Buffy said solemnly. "Wait," she said, her eyes
filling with fear. "Are you leaving me?"
"Only for a bit, kitten. I'll be back, I promise." He kissed the
top of her head, then hurried out, closing the door behind him. He
had Scoobies to find.
He ran down the stairs and found them armed to the teeth about to
step outside. "They're just vampires, right?" Dawn was saying.
She shrieked as they came through the front window. "Wrong!"
Spike yelled, jumping on top of the demon. "Nibblet, run!"
She did, but not in the direction he thought she would. With a
roar she lunged at the demon, and speared it through with her
sword. "Ewww! That was my favorite sweater!" she complained,
dropping the sword to deal with her fashion crisis.
Spike took care of two more that tried to get through, and Xander
knocked out one before they came in from the front door. Three of
them looked at each other, before roaring something that sounded
like, "Mashkar!" and heading for the stairs.
"NO!!" Willow screamed, heading for the stairs.
"What did they say?" Dawn asked, pulling the sword out.
"Roughly translated, `Slayer'," Anya said, slicing a demon through
with her axe.
Tara and Spike exchanged glances, before running after Willow.
They found her trying to pull the three demons back off the
stairs. "I…said…NO!" she yelled, before the demon in back kicked
her. She cried out and tumbled down the last five stairs, hitting
the floor with a thud.
"WILLOW!!" Tara screamed, running for her lover.
"RED! Are you…"
"Spike, go," Willow said weakly. "They'll kill her."
Seeing as how Tara had Willow taken care of, Spike ran up the
stairs as fast as he could. He switched into game face and growled,
turning to view the hallway.
Buffy was being pulled from the closet, her arms secured by the
demons. The third demon pulled his hand back, revealing long,
sharp, and deadly claws. Buffy whimpered, tears running down her
face, her eyes widening as she caught sight of the long
nails. "Please d-don't hurt me…" she pleaded.
The demon cackled and pulled back his arm to strike her. With a
feral roar Spike jumped forward to assault the demon.
The demon turned, growled, and struck out at Spike. Buffy
screamed as she was tossed backwards, the other two demons joining
the fight.
But they didn't stand a chance. Spike's rage kept him going, and
before he knew it, three very dead corpses were gathered at his
feet, bloody and torn.
He turned to Buffy, who was still screaming. "Buffy, it's okay,"
he said, trying to calm her, but she continued screaming. "What's
wrong?" he asked, searching her fear-filled eyes frantically.
Then he knew. He pulled out of game face, and hurried down the
stairs, leaving her gasping for air. He ignored the Scoobies and
ran out what was left of the front door, tears pooling in his eyes.
She had been screaming because of him. Because he had let loose
his inner demon, and she had seen it. Hadn't Tara tried to warn him
that little children were very impressionable? And he'd just blown
it. Blown whatever chance he may have had with Buffy, big or
small.

< --- >

Spike was about to open his bottle of whiskey when he felt a
heartbeat enter his crypt. He whirled around and found Tara
standing there. She jumped slightly, looking startled.
"So Buffy's not the only one terrified of me." He began to
chuckle bitterly. "Just when I don't want to be the Big Bad.
Ironic, isn't it?"
"Spike, you have to go back to the house."
Spike glared at her. "Why? Go back and be shouted out `cause I
made her cry? Well, I'm sorry, but…"
Tara cut him off. "She was screaming because of your face."
"She's seen my game face, though," he said, confused. "Why would
now make any difference?"
Gingerly, Tara touched her hand to his face. Instantly, he felt
pain flood through his face. He cried out, falling to his knees.
Tara caught him. "You're a bloody mess," she said, faking an
English accent. He smiled weakly.
"That was pathetic, pet."
"For your benefit, not mine."
A pause. "How bad does it look?" he asked.
"Spike, your entire face is covered in blood," she said, "and it's
darker over on this side. You look horrid."
"So she…"
"Wasn't scared of you. She managed to calm down enough to tell us
that."
Spike bit his lip. "Great. So I've messed things up royally,
huh?"
"One, don't start her habit of lip-biting. Two, no, you haven't.
She was looking for you. She was really worried. Thus the reason
of my earlier statement: you have to go back to the house."
Spike nodded, feeling miserable. And he'd just left her there,
too, after telling her that he'd never leave her.
"Let's get you cleaned up as best as possible first, okay?" Tara
said softly.

< --- >

When Spike had walked back into the house, Dawn had gasped, Anya's
eyes had widened, and even Xander had looked sympathetic. Seated on
the sofa next to Willow was Buffy, her eyes on the ground.
Tara closed the door loudly behind her, catching Buffy's
attention. She looked up, and stared at Spike.
Spike sighed and looked down. "Buffy, I'm so sor…"
With a yelp of indignation he was tackled to the ground, Buffy's
arms wrapped around him. "Are you okay?" she asked, looking worried.
"M'fine kitten, don't worry," he said, smiling. He cringed as the
smile required certain sore muscles to work.
"They hurt you," she said, looking sad. "All `cause of me. If I
hadn't screamed, you wouldn't have come to rescue me. I'm…"
"Sorry, we know," Dawn, Anya, and Willow chorused.
Buffy looked surprised as they answered for her, and Spike
couldn't help but laugh at the look on her face. "It's all right,
luv. It wasn't your fault. Nobody hurts my girl."
Buffy looked back at him, a smile growing on her face. "Really?"
Spike nodded. "I'll always protect you."
With a squeal of delight Buffy threw her arms around him. (An
interesting feat, considering he was on the floor.) "Thank you for
being my friend," she whispered.
Willow could've sworn Spike was crying tears of joy as he held her
in his arms.

< --- >

The next morning, Spike hurried into the house, trying to avoid
being burned. He was greeted by a happy Buffy.
"Hi Spike!" she said, twirling in her yellow outfit.
He grinned. "Hello, kitten. Nice attire."
"Thanks!" she said, her smile broadening.
"What's the color?" Tara asked, coming into the foyer.
Buffy took a deep breath and closed her eyes, concentrating. "Ya…
ya…ya'lellow!" She stomped her foot and bit her lip as she said the
word incorrectly once more.
"Hey, you almost had it," Spike encouraged. "Don't give up."
"I'll never get it," she mumbled.
"Not true," Spike said firmly. "You just wait, kitten. I bet you
anythin' that you'll have it by tomorrow."
"Really?" she asked, looking up.
He grinned. "Really. Go on and eat; I smell Red cookin' again."
"She's making pancakes!" Buffy offered enthusiastically. "With
lotsa surryup!" She turned and danced away.
Tara and Spike had to hide their giggles. "Surryup?" Tara asked.
"She says it all the time," Willow said, coming into the
room. "I'm afraid to laugh when she says it, but I can't help
grinning! It's just the way she says it."
Dawn came down the stairs and smiled at her sister eating pancakes
at the table. "I'm really enjoying being the big sister. But…I
miss being the little sister, too," she admitted. "I wish I could
have big AND little Buffy." Her eyes widened, and she looked at
Tara hopefully. "Is that possible?"
"Dawn Summers!"
"I know, I know, Willow." She rolled her eyes.
Spike turned to Willow, his expression cloudy. "Did you get a
chance to research those demons from last night?" he asked as Xander
and Anya came in.
Willow nodded, then indicated that they take the conversation to
the living room. Once there, she said softly, "They were contract
demons. Someone hired them."
"But who would be stupid enough to attack a Slayer?" Anya asked,
puzzled.
"She's not exactly much of a threat now," Dawn joked.
There was silence as the group realized the truth in her
words. "Someone knows?" Tara whispered.
"Maybe the very same someone who made her tiny," Xander commented.
"So someone…wanted her tiny? But she's helpless like…oh," Dawn
said, the concept kicking in.
Spike felt a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. "I don't
like this," he said. "Not likin' this at all."
"If that's the way it's being played…"
"Then someone wants her dead," Tara finished for Willow. "Very,
very badly."
Xander shuddered. "What do we do?"
"We get big Buffy back," Willow said, a fire in her eyes. "Now."



 

Title: Little Hero
  
Author: Nebula
   
Chapter: 4 of 4
   
Time Period: Post 'As You Were'
   
Rating: PG-13 (language and issues of abuse)
   
Summary: Take a Slayer.  Turn her into a child.  Add a dark past, a
new enemy, a vampire with mixed emotions, and presto!  The story
you're about to be told. 
   
Disclaimer: *sighs*  I want Spike and Lindsey.  Joss owns both, but
he's been kind enough to share.  So, I'm happy.  ^_^

NN:  Here it is.  The big finale.  A round of applause to my
audience; you guys are wonderful.  Thank you so much for all the
feedback you've sent me.  I hope that this finishing chapter meets
with your approval.  ^_^  After you've read this, I'd really love
your thoughts on a sequel.  ~_^  I just can't let Little Buffy go! 
Let me know what you guys think, please?
   
< --- >

  Two hours later found them sorting through the more powerful magic
books in the Magic Box.  Buffy was playing with her dolls in the
back corner, still quiet as always.
  Xander sighed and closed another book.  "Two more down, no luck."
  Dawn nodded.  "Sorry captain, nothing to report in these, either."
  "Giles might know something…" Anya started, but was quickly glared
down by the others.
  "We are NOT calling him," Willow hissed.  "He'll kill me!  And I
didn't do anything," she quickly added for everyone's benefit.
  "He'll probably have a heart attack," Dawn agreed. 
  "Buffy, sweetie, are you sure you're okay?" Tara asked.
  Buffy jumped slightly, then turned, smiling at the
others.  "I'm `kay Tara, don't worry.  I like playing with my
dollies!"
  "Yes, but you're so quiet," Anya stated.  "Most children aren't."
  Buffy shrugged.  "I'm not s'posed to be noisy.  It gives peoples
headaches."
  "I'm sure," Spike muttered, wishing he could pummel her father. 
  "As long as you're having fun," Willow said sweetly, kicking Spike
in the shins.  He yelped and looked at her, as she mouthed, "Don't
start".  He glared at her and rubbed his tender leg.
  "Can I help?" Buffy asked, standing and heading towards the table.
  "Nope, that's okay," Dawn said, going back to her books.
  Buffy looked puzzled.  "Whatcha looking for?"
  "A way to make you big again," Anya said, reaching for another
book.
  Buffy bit her lip.  "Oh."
  Spike frowned.  What was wrong now?  "We need to make you big
again really soon," he said.  "Got a problem, and big you can take
care of it."
  "I could help," Buffy offered, looking hopeful.
  Tara shook her head.  "This is a job for big people."
  Buffy looked down at the floor.  "Right.  `Cause I'm a `lellow-
belly, right?"
  "We weren't saying that…" Willow started.
  Buffy looked up and glared.  "You guys just wanna get rid of me. 
You don't want me, and you're not my friends."
  Spike rolled his eyes.  Now this was the Buffy he knew so very
well.  "And what makes you say that?" he said, pursing his lips.
  "'Cause real friends would want me to stay, and not try to get rid
of me so bad!"
  "That's not true!" Dawn said in their defense.
  "Yeah it is!  You're all a bunch of meanies, and I don't wanna
be `round meanies `nanymore!  `Specially icky vampires," she said.
  Spike jumped to his feet.  "Yeah?  What makes you think we want to
hang `round a lil' brat like you?" he said angrily.
  "I hate you!" Buffy yelled, stalking off to the back room.
  "Feelin's mutual, trust me!" Spike yelled after her.
  Buffy turned around, stuck her tongue out at him, and slammed the
door as hard as she could.
  Spike sat down in his chair, scowling at the floor. 
  Silence descended on the shop.  "Well, that went well," Xander
joked weakly, as Willow glared at Spike.
  "I thought this was supposed to fix things between you two!" she
hissed.
  "Yeah, well, maybe I don't wanna fix things with the Slayer. 
Maybe I hate her guts now!"
  "Or maybe you're just really mad and should sit down, before you
say something else you'll regret," Tara said quietly.
  Spike stared at her, before sighing and burying his head in his
hands.  "Well, what am I s'posed to do?"
  "Keep looking for that spell," Dawn said.  "Let Buffy pout and
sulk like a normal child.  She'll get over it, trust me."

< --- >

  Buffy `hmph'd and sat down on a small crate, crossing her arms and
sulking.  Spike had said he hated her.  She wiped away the tears
furiously as she looked around the room.
  Noises from the shop caught her attention, and she assumed they
were talking about her.  She'd been really mean to Spike.  He
probably did hate her, and didn't want to be her friend anymore. 
None of them would, anymore.
  They wouldn't want to see her again, either.  Then what was she
supposed to do?  A picture of her mom flashed through her mind, and
she smiled.  Her mommy.  Wasn't Buffy supposed to be looking for her?
  She couldn't be far.  Buffy stood and started towards the back
door, then turned towards the shop.  "I'm really sorry, Spike," she
whispered, before heading out to find her mom.

< --- >

  Xander sighed.  "Spike, please stop going in circles.  You're
driving me up the wall."
  "Correction: driving all of us up the wall.  Look, why don't you
just go…"
  "Talk to her?  Nibblet, I can't."
  "And why not?" Dawn asked, giving him a look.
  Spike sighed, stopping his pacing.  "'Cause…she hates me now. 
That's why."
  "She doesn't hate you, Spike," Tara said.  "She was just angry. 
That's all."
  Spike nodded slowly.  "Why don't I see what's she doing right
now?  I bet she's ready for a kiss and make-up, too," Willow said,
heading towards the training room.
  "She's more than likely worried about you forgiving her," Dawn
said with a smile.  "Don't worry so much."
  "I'd worry a lot," Willow panted, running back.  "The door to the
alley is open.  She's gone."
  The group exchanged panicked glances before making a mad dash for
the training room.
  "Any sign of a fight?" Xander asked, flipping on the light.  Sure
enough, the room was empty.  The back door hung open, the cool night
air blowing through the room.
  Willow shook her head.  "None that I could see.  But if they're
looking for her, there'll be a fight soon enough."
  Spike hurried over to the weapons rack and pulled out an
axe.  "Let's go," he said, heading towards the back door.  The
others quickly followed suit.

< --- >

  Buffy wrapped her arms around herself and shivered.  Her jacket
kept her warm enough, true, but the alley was very tall, and very,
very dark.  Maybe this hadn't been such a good idea…
  A rustling to her left caused her to jump.  "H-Hello?" she called
out tentatively.  When nothing popped out at her, she continued on
her way.
  Now, where could her mommy be?  Her mommy worked with paintings
and pretty statues…what did they call it…a museum?  No, that wasn't
it…ah!  Her mommy had called it a gallery.  She nodded, feeling
encouraged.  Soon, she'd find her mommy, and they could go home.
  A noise shook her from her thoughts and she spun around.  She
gasped as a dark figure stepped out of the shadows.  "Buffy?" it
called.
  She relaxed slightly.  "Spike?"
  "What the bloody `ell are you doin' out here?!" he asked angrily,
bending in front of her.  Buffy backed up a few steps.  He looked
furious.  For the first time since they'd met, Buffy was truly
scared.  That was the look her daddy usually gave her when she was
bad…
  "I…I thought you were mad at me, so I left," she said softly,
cringing as he stood up quickly.
  "Red!  Glinda!  Harris!  I found her.  Thought runnin' off would
be fun," he said, glaring down at her.
  The others soon joined him, and looked mad as well.  "She just ran
away?  That's it?" Dawn said, scowling at Buffy.  "Sounds like her."
  Buffy bit her lip, getting ready to duck.  She would be punished
for sure this time.
  Inside, Spike was shouting with joy at having found her in one
piece.  On the outside, his emotions were a jumbled mess. 
  "I'm…" Buffy started, but never finished.
  Five figures jumped out of the shadows, one of them tackling
Buffy.  She shrieked and tried to get out of his clutches.  The
Scoobies, upon realizing they were dealing with ordinary vampires,
let loose their rage, frustrations, and worries on the demons. 
  Spike turned to the one holding Buffy and frowned.  He wasn't
trying to bite her, just hold her still, from the looks of it.  What
was going on?
  "Let me mmmpphhh!!" Buffy yelled, her voice now muffled by the
vampire's hand clamped firmly over her mouth.
  Spike gasped and fell to the ground, his mind reeling from the
blow.  He found himself being dragged to his feet, his vision
beginning to clear.  Looking around, he found more vampires had
arrived, and each of the Scoobies was now caught.
  Another figure emerged from the shadows, and the other vampires
nodded their heads in respect to the newcomer.  "Greetings," the
vampire said, smiling coldly.  "Thank you for pointing out the
Slayer.  I hadn't realized she was…this small of a problem."
  The vampires chuckled at the joke, and Spike desperately tried to
wriggle free.  He moaned as the vampire cuffed him over the head
again.
  "Of course, the blood sacrifices I need will require you," the
leader said.
  "Who are you?" Willow demanded.
  "I am Largarios," he said simply.  "And I have a plan.  Bring
them, and let us get straight to it."  He turned and began to walk
away.
  Buffy looked at the others frantically, realizing they were caught
because of her.  She pulled back, then opened wide, and bit down on
the vampire's hand as hard as she could.  He howled in pain and
nursed his hand; she took off running.
  "Buffy!!  Keep going!" Tara yelled.
  "Do we go after her?" one of the vampires asked. 
  Largarios shrugged.  "She can't do anything to upset the ritual,
and she wasn't needed in the first place.  But, if you'd like to
chase her, then by all means, do."
  Three of the vampires snarled happily and began to give chase.
  "RUN!!!" Spike screamed, before something hard hit his head
again.  He heard Dawn shriek, muffled yelling, and then the world
went black.

< --- >

  Buffy panted, Spike's voice ringing in her ears.  She could hear
them behind her, and realized the only thing she could do was keep
running.  But they were faster than she was!  They'd get her in no
time.
  An abandoned house with a small hole in the wall gave her an idea,
and she dove through it.  As she had suspected, the bigger vampires
couldn't get through.  They were stuck.
  Okay, they had speed on their side.  She had size.  Where could
she go, though?
  She gasped as she realized they were going to knock down the rest
of the wall.  Think, think, think!  She could go back to the house. 
She'd be safe there, right?  Right.
  Pounding on the wall told her she didn't have much time.  She
began to run through the house, looking for an exit.  She found the
kitchen door and opened it, and kept running.
  She remembered that they had passed a movie theater…there it was! 
She had passed a bunch of motorcycles, too.  She looked down the
street, right, then left, and saw the motorcycles to her right. 
Right it was.
  There was the neighborhood; the house wasn't much farther. 
Shouting from behind her told her that they were on her trail once
more.
  Her chest was beginning to hurt.  So tired…she wasn't going to
make it.  And maybe they had locked the door!
  She ran up the front porch and tried the door.  She whimpered when
she realized they had locked it.  She was stuck. 
  Wait.  Her mommy did it, maybe they did too…Buffy began to look
around for a hidden key.  She looked under the mat, then back up at
the fast approaching vampires.  Keep looking!
  A glint of gold in a nearby flowerpot caught her attention.  She
beamed as she grabbed the key and jammed it into the keyhole.  They
were on the sidewalk…
  She opened the door and ran into the house just as the vampires
lunged at her.  She stared as they flew back, looking like they had
hit something invisible.  She was safe.
  She stuck her tongue out at them and slammed the door in their
face, locking it tight.  Putting the key in her pocket, she went
upstairs.
  Once upstairs, she fell onto the bed, burying her head in the
pillows.  Tara, Willow, Dawn, Xander, Anya, and Spike.  They were
all in trouble now, because of her.  That nasty vampire might hurt
them.  She began to cry.
  No!  No more crying.  She was done being a crybaby.  She sat up
and looked around the room.  Weapons were stacked in a corner, sharp
and gleaming.  She rushed over to pick up the scariest looking
sword, but couldn't.  It was too heavy.
  How was she supposed to save them, then?  Was she really going to
try that?  The more she thought about it, the surer she was.  They
had saved her, and now it was time for her to return the favor.
  She continued her search until she found a necklace with a big
cross on it.  Perfect.  She was about to put it on when a picture
caught her eye.
  It was a picture of everyone, smiling, with a pretty blonde girl
standing next to Spike and Dawn.  Buffy knew in an instant that it
was grown-up her.  She looked brave and strong, like a hero should.
  Buffy turned and headed towards the closet.  If she was going to
be a hero, she should dress like one, too, right?  Right.  She dug
through the closet until she found a big T-shirt, and a pair of
shorts.  She tied a big knot in the shirt, so it didn't hang around
her knees, and wrapped a belt tight around her waist to keep the
shorts from falling.  Then she saw it.
  A black, leather jacket, hanging in the closet.  Almost like
Spike's. 
  It took a few jumps to pull it off of the hanger, and when she did
finally get it down, it was way too big.  Ah ha!  She knew how to
solve this problem. 
  As quickly as possible, she rolled back the sleeves until her
hands showed.  Once she was done, she slipped the necklace over her
head and looked around.  She was good to go.
  She dashed into the next room and peered out the window.  The
three vampires were still in the front yard, growling amongst
themselves.
  "Should head back," one of them said.  "She won't be coming out
for a long time.  By then, the ritual will be over, anyway."
  As the others nodded their agreement, Buffy hurried down the
stairs.  She tiptoed past the front door, staying away from the
windows.  As fast as she could, she made her way out the back door
and towards the front yard, staying hidden in the bushes. 
  She was just in time.  The vampires were already making their way
back down the street.  Silently as she could, she followed them.

< --- >

  "Spike, Spike!  C'mon, wake up!"
  Spike groaned and opened his eyes.  Dawn was hovering over him
anxiously.  "Can you sit up?" she asked.
  He nodded, the action sending pain through his skull.  "What hit
me?" he mumbled, Xander helping him up.
  "The question you want to ask is more, how many times did it hit
you?" Xander commented. 
  "Buffy?" Spike asked.
  "She ran and didn't look back," Tara said.  "I don't think they
found her.  Don't worry about her."
  "Yeah, worry more about us," Anya said.
  For the first time since he'd awakened, Spike had a chance to view
his surroundings.  They were standing on a slab of rock, wide, rusty
pipes hanging above them.  The room was almost unbearably hot, and
Spike realized why when he peered over the rock's edge.  The bottom
of the room was nothing but molten rock. 
  "Wouldn't recommend jumping that way," Xander quipped.
  "Instant death," Willow affirmed.  "He shoved one of his own guys
down there to prove it."
  "Who did?" Spike asked, puzzled.
  "I did," Largarios said, as Spike turned around.  He looked smug. 
Behind him, there was a huge flight of stairs.
  "Take it we're a ways down?" Spike asked. 
  Tara nodded.  "Way down into the ground.  An old temple a few
miles in, I think."
  A minion came forward, carrying a pendant in his hands.  "Sir,
what should I do with this?"
  "Not carry it around everywhere!  What if you were to drop it?"
Largarios hissed.  "Put it away."
  "Yes, sir," the minion said, turning away.  Gently, he placed the
pendant on a cushion, which was positioned carefully on a tall slab
of rock.
  "Take it that's the next grand way to bring `bout the end of the
world?" Spike asked.
  Largarios growled, "You have no idea, vampire.  It is something
that would tune me with all the powers of darkness, and give me
control over everyone, everything."
  "And how exactly do you get that thing to do its mojo?" Xander
asked.
  Largarios smiled.  "Blood ritual of the strongest warriors that
are friends of a Slayer, but not a Slayer themselves."
  Spike stepped in front of the Scoobies, slipping into game
face.  "You won't touch one of them," he hissed. 
  Largarios continued to smile, his hand reaching for his belt. 
Before Spike could lunge, Largarios had pulled out a sword and swung
at Spike.  Dawn shrieked as her best friend fell to the ground,
blood streaming down his face.
  "Don't bleed all of it," Largarios taunted.  "I'll be needing
some."
 
< --- >

  Buffy stopped to take a few breaths.  These stairs seemed to last
forever. 
  She had followed the three vampires without incident all the way
to the secret hideout.  Once she had seen that it was nothing but
stairs to the bottom, she had almost gone back.  She hated heights.
  But the thought of the others kept her going.  So as steady as she
had managed, she had continued down the stairs at her own pace,
letting the three vampires disappear.
  She walked down another flight and found herself very close to the
bottom.  When she caught sight of the two vampires on guard at the
bottom, however, she ducked back, trying to think.  They'd overpower
her in seconds.  She stood no chance.  There HAD to be another way
in.
  Gleams of light above her on the stairs caught her attention, and
she followed it to find a crack in the wall.  The wall looked
crumbly. 
  As quietly as she could, she began to clear away the rubble. 
Voices could be heard from the other side, and soon she had cleared
enough away to crawl through.
  She found herself in a red-tinged room, with rocks on one side,
and pipes in front of her.  Beneath the pipes was a fiery bottom.
  She turned to see the Scoobies standing on the rock, all in one
piece.  She smiled.  They were okay. 
  They were also talking to the bad guy.  He was saying something,
and the others were backing away, looking scared.  Except for Spike.
  Spike stood in front of the others, showing his vampire face. 
Buffy gasped as the evil vampire pulled out a sword and hit Spike in
the face with it.  He fell to the ground, as Dawn screamed and
hurried to his side.
  He looked up, his normal face back.  Buffy felt her vision blur as
she saw his bloody face.  She had to save them.
  Suddenly, something glinted and caught her attention.  She turned
a little more to see a golden pendant resting on a pillow.  That bad
guy probably wanted it to take over the world with.  That's how it
always was in the stories, at least.
  But this wasn't a story.  Still, Buffy knew that the pendant was
important.  She had to get it away from him.
  Quiet as a mouse, she crept down towards it, trying to stay
hidden.  She smiled as she realized she was right behind it. 
Showtime.

< --- >

  Largarios chuckled.  "This is the part where your Slayer would
usually run in to save you, right?"
  "You made her tiny!" Anya exclaimed.
  Largarios shook his head.  "Unfortunately, I can't claim credit
for that.  I wish I could, but sadly, no."
  Just then, the three vampires that had chased after Buffy strode
over.  "Ah, how goes the situation?" Largarios asked.
  The first one chuckled, and licked his lips.  They were blood
stained.  "She didn't stand a chance."
  Spike's eyes widened.  No.  She couldn't be.  With a roar he
lunged forward, only to have Largarios kick him back.  He fell to
the ground, curling up from the kick to the abdomen.
  Willow and Xander knelt down next to him.  "It's okay, Spike,"
Xander said, tears in his eyes.  "She probably wasn't in pain for…" 
He swallowed, unable to finish.
  "Oh please, no," Willow said, her voice thick with emotion.
  Spike rolled on to his side and began to sob.  Someone began to
stroke his hair, and he realized it was Tara.  "S...S'not fair," he
choked out.  From the corner of his eye, he could see Dawn in
Xander's arms, crying.
  Largarios smiled.  Things were going his way.  "Thank you," he
said to the three vampires, who nodded and stepped away.  "It is now
time.  Bring forth the pendant that shall bring about the next era."
  The minion hurried over to the cushion.  Spike swallowed.  So much
for getting out.  "M'sorry, Glinda."
  Tara tried to smile.  "It's not your fault.  We can't win every
battle."
  Spike looked up at the rest of the Scoobies, who were
nodding.  "At least we're going down together!" Xander said, smiling
weakly.
  "Sir, the pendant is gone!" the minion said, backing away at
Largarios' furious look.
  "WHAT?!?" Largarios bellowed.
  "Looking for this?" a young voice said from above them.  All heads
turned upwards to see a young girl swimming in a black jacket,
holding the pendant in her hands.  Largarios snarled as the Scoobies
cheered.  Spike couldn't believe his eyes.
  "Buffy?!"
  She turned and winked at him.  "Looky what I got!" she taunted,
dangling the pendant over the pipes.
  "Give it back, child," Largarios said, taking two steps towards
her.  She took two steps back.
  "No way!  You want it?" she yelled.  "Come and get it, you yellow-
belly!"
  "She said it.  She actually said the word!" Dawn said, jumping up
and down with delight.
  Largarios hissed and jumped up onto a higher slab of rock.  That
put her in motion.  Buffy turned and ran down the nearest pipe.
  "Don't look down, don't look down," she chanted to herself, aiming
for a metal beam that was holding the pipe up.
  As she continued running, her foot slipped, and she hobbled back
and forth.  Dawn cringed, and Willow began praying for her to stay
strong.  Spike began to shake.  What if she fell?  "C'mon kitten,
you can do it," he whispered. 
  Buffy kept moving, though she was losing her balance and fast. 
She jumped and grabbed the beam, almost slipping off.  She pulled
herself up and turned to glare defiantly at Largarios, pendant still
in hand. 
  The Scoobies all breathed sighs of relief.  "Way too close,"
Xander said.
  "Why did she come here?" Anya asked.  "She could get herself
killed."
  "Give me the pendant, please," Largarios said, stepping out onto
the pipe.
  "Only if you let them go," Buffy said, gripping the pendant
tighter.
  Largarios smiled.  "Of course."
  "Buffy, don't listen to him!" Spike yelled up at her.  "He's
lyin'!"
  "Would someone please shut him up?" Largarios sighed, as two
minions headed towards Spike.
  Buffy shook her head and waved the pendant around.  "Never mind,"
Largarios grumbled.  The two minions backed away.
  "Better.  Now, are you gonna let them go?"
  Largarios sighed.  "Yes, I'll let them go.  Are you satisfied? 
And please don't swing that pendant around!  If you were to drop it…"
  "Your big an' evil plans would be mushed?"
  "Yes, `mushed', as you so put it," Largarios said, stepping
forward.
  Buffy looked down at the others, a frown on her face.  "They'll
not be harmed, I promise you," he said. 
  Suddenly, the beam she was holding on the gave way on the top. 
The pipe lurched, and Buffy began to fall.  The Scoobies yelled and
jumped forward, only to be stopped by the end of the rock.  One more
step, and they would fall to a heated death.  They backed away,
their eyes glued to their leader.
  Buffy managed to grab hold on the beam, which had bent downwards. 
Largarios ran out and stretched his hand out to her.  "Give me the
pendant!" he yelled.
  "NO!"
  "Fine!  Then give me your hand!"
  "Will you let me go?" she asked.
  He grinned, morphing into game face.  "But of course not."
  "Then NO!"
  "The pendant!"
  "NO!!"
  The beam she was holding on to creaked with the weight, and began
to rip away at the metal on the pipe.  Spike looked around
desperately for a way to reach her.  None.  The only way up was
blocked by two vampires, and Largarios was up there with her.  She
was trapped.
  "We need to reach her somehow," Willow said.  So he wasn't the
only one looking for a way to get her out.
  "How?"
  "I don't know!"  Dawn looked around, her eyes landing on a coil of
rope.  "There's just some rope.  Not much."
  Suddenly Buffy screamed.  Spike looked up to see her holding on
with one hand.  The other hand was dangling down, the pendant still
in her grip.  Largarios looked furious, and something red trickled
down Buffy's face.  Spike clenched his fists.  He'd hit her.
  "Why do you care so much?" Largarios hissed.  "Aren't you scared?"
  "Terrified," Buffy admitted.  She looked back at Spike, the blood
seeping from the top of her head to her chin.  She smiled as she
said, "But I'm a hero.  And heroes always do the right thing."
  Spike's eyes widened.  She wouldn't.  He began to run towards the
edge, the others yelling in surprise.
  Buffy looked up at Largarios, then back at the others.  She closed
her eyes and let go of the beam.
  Spike pushed off from the ledge and jumped forward, grabbing Buffy
as she fell.  He wrapped her in his arms as they dropped towards the
molten rock.
  "The rope!" Dawn yelled.
  "It'll do no good," Tara said, hurrying to the ledge.  "Willow,
help me extend the life-line."
  Willow looked startled, before nodding and latching her fingers
through Tara's.  Their eyes glowed red, before they both extended
their hands towards the canyon of fire.  A mystical chain started at
their palms and shot down towards the falling duo.  It grabbed the
pair and hoisted them back up to safety.
  Largarios snarled and began to run back towards them, but the pipe
suddenly gave way.  Moments later, he was engulfed in flames.  The
other minions took off running at the death of their leader.
  Xander pulled Spike up.  "You caught her!" he said, surprised.
  But Spike ignored him.  "Buffy.  Buffy!  C'mon kitten, answer me."
  She looked up at him, shaking.  "I-I did it, didn't I?"
  He nodded, noticing the pendant still clenched in her
hands.  "That you did."
  "I was a hero?"
  "You're a hero," Spike affirmed, his smile diminishing as she
began to close her eyes.  "Not time for bed yet," he said, as Tara
took the pendant from her.
  "But I'm tired," Buffy said sleepily. 
  Tara gasped.  Spike looked up and frowned at the look on her
face.  "What's wrong, Glinda?"
  "Her pulse is slowing," she said quietly, before glancing up at
the others.  "She's dying."
  Spike looked down at his precious Slayer.  Her hair was tinged red
from the blood on her forehead.  She smiled at him, her dirty
fingers wiping away the tears that were making their way down his
face.
  "M'not a yellow-belly anymore, am I?"
  Spike shook his head.  "No, you're not," he said, his voice
wavering.  "You're a hero, Buffy."
  "I'm tired," she said, closing her eyes again.
  "Buffy?"
  Her eyes opened slightly.  "Mm, hmm?"
  "I love you," Spike said, choking up.
  She looked a little surprised, before she whispered, "Love you
too."  She closed her eyes once more.
  "Buffy, wait," he called, but she didn't answer this
time.  "Buffy?" he asked softly, tears running down his face.
  "She's g-gone," Tara said, wrapping Willow in her arms as they
both cried.
  Spike pulled the limp body into his arms, and took her tiny hand
in his.  "I'm sorry, luv, I'm sorry," he whispered brokenly.
  Suddenly he felt her hand move.  He pulled back quickly, but found
that it was still cold.  Wait a minute.  Was it… "She's growin',"
Spike said, not believing what he was seeing.
  The others wiped away their tears and stared in fascination as her
body grew from a little girl to a young woman.  The Buffy they knew.
  The wound was still there on her forehead, but the color returned
to her face.  "Put her down," Tara ordered, hurrying over.  Spike
was more then happy to agree.
  "She's still not breathing," Dawn said, beginning to sound
hysterical.  "She's not…"
  "Dawnie, calm down.  Just…give us a minute," Willow said.
  Spike looked her over frantically, and saw nothing wrong.  The
shorts that had looked like pants to little Buffy came up above the
knee by a few inches.  The shirt pulled up, and the knot that had
kept the shirt tight now popped open as her body expanded.  His eyes
widened as his gaze fell on the poorly tied belt.  He began to
frantically try and undo the knot.
  "What are you doing?!" Xander yelled.
  "Too tight," Spike said, "She can't breathe."  With a grunt the
belt fell away.
  Buffy's eyes popped open as she gasped for air.  Spike quickly
pulled her up to a sitting position.  "Just breathe in and out. 
That's it, luv.  You'll be okay."
  "At least the clothes fit," Dawn offered.
  Spike unrolled the sleeves on her jacket, and wrapped her in his
arms.  "Let's go home," he said, the others nodding their agreement.

< --- >

  Buffy awoke to the throbbing in her head.  She tried to roll over,
but found something hindering her move.  Her eyes widened as she
realized it was Spike.
  Then she remembered the previous night.  How he had been going to
leave, but she had whimpered and pleaded, and he had agreed to stay
and watch her until she fell asleep.  She remembered waking from her
nightmare, shaking, and Spike holding her.  Apparently, he had
stayed, and he was still holding her.  She was also beginning to
find that she didn't mind.
  She snuggled down into his embrace just as he began to come
to.  "Hi," she whispered, smiling.
  He caught sight of her and returned the smile.  "Hi to you, too. 
How's the head?"
  "Hurting, but otherwise then that, no big.  Slayer healing is back
and working."
  He blinked, fully awake now.  "You…?"
  "Remember everything," she finished. 
  "Then what happened?  Was it a spell?  Or…?"
  "I have no idea," she said with a sigh.  "I was running through
the cemetery towards your crypt, when I started feeling dizzy.  I
pushed it away until I suddenly couldn't stand anymore.  I fell to
the ground, and the next thing I knew, I was five again."
  Spike nodded, frowning.  "We never found anythin' on the size
change."
  "It's okay," Buffy said, causing Spike to turn.  "I enjoyed being
little again."  She smiled.  "It was a better childhood then the one
I'd had before."
  Spike growled and began to say something, but Buffy shushed
him.  "Look, I know my dad wasn't the greatest guy, but…"
  "Greatest guy?!  Buffy, he abused you!" Spike exclaimed. 
  "Yes and no."  Spike looked bewildered.  "Wait until later; I'd
like to explain to the rest of the Scoobies, too."
  Spike nodded, then seemed to realize where he was for the first
time.  He avoided her gaze and began to get out of bed.  "Sorry.  I
just…well…I'll go."
  "Wait!"
  Spike stopped and looked back at her.  She blushed, but didn't
divert her gaze.  "There's a few things I've been wanting to tell
you, and the first one is the reason I was headed to your crypt that
night.  I wanted to apologize for everything.  And I know, I don't
have to," she said, interrupting Spike, "but I do.  Spike, I'm so
sorry for causing this much pain."
  "The second thing is, thank you for taking care of me when I was
little.  For making me feel wanted, and loved, even though I've done
nothing but treat you like garbage since I've come back."  She
looked down at the bed.  "So thank you for everything."
  Spike stared at her, shocked.  Was she really saying all of this?
  "And the last thing is…"  She swallowed, before continuing.  "I…I
know I…I guess I don't have a right to say this, after everything
I've done, but…I…I think…I think I'm in love with you."
  There was total silence in the room.  Buffy didn't dare look up. 
He could've already left, for all she knew.
  She yelped as she was tackled backwards, her arms suddenly full of
Spike.  "Wha…"
  "Buffy, I love you so much," he said, his voice muffled as his
face pressed into her chest.  He looked up at her, smiling, as tears
ran down his face.  "And you did the right thing.  Didn't realize it
at the time, but it was the right thing to do.  We needed the break,
before we killed each other or somethin'."
  Buff nodded, looking relieved.  "So we're okay?"
  "More then okay," he affirmed.
  "Buffy!  Breakfast!" Willow called from downstairs.
  Buffy smiled and took his hand.  "Ready to tell them everything?"
  Spike began to nod, before he realized what he was nodding
to.  "Wait a minute.  Everythin' means `bout your dad, and us?"
  "Especially us," Buffy confirmed.  "Ready?"
  "Ready," he said.  The two headed downstairs to the smell of
waffles.

< --- >

  Buffy glanced up at everyone, having just explained the
relationship she and Spike had had.  The room was silent, as
everyone tried to digest the information.  Buffy felt someone
squeeze her right hand, and turned to see Spike smiling at her.
  Willow cleared her throat and went to get the next batch of
waffles out of the toaster.  "What will you two do now?"
  Buffy looked up at her, surprised.  "Um…I…I don't know.  Try
again, I suppose."  She felt pressure on her hand again, and smiled,
already knowing the grin that Spike was wearing.
  "I think you two should go for it," Xander said, from his seat at
the counter.
  Buffy's jaw dropped.  "Really?"
  Xander paused, before nodding.  "Yeah.  You two are obviously
happy.  Though I'm warning you Spike, if you hurt her, you'll deal
with me."
  Spike nodded, smiling.  "Don't worry `bout it.  `Sides, she could
take me down any day."
  "Yeah she could," Dawn said, exaggerating her head nod.
  "HEY!"
  Spike's loud exclamation had the girls in giggles.  Xander
smirked.  "Now the second thing you were going to tell us," he said,
leaning back slightly.
  Spike's playful grin disappeared.  "You hush, or you have to
leave," Buffy warned him, knowing what is reaction would be.  She
faced the others and said, "I have to explain my dad."
  A silence fell on the kitchen.  "Go for it," Dawn said through
gritted teeth.
  Buffy sighed but continued.  "When I was little, Dad used to drink
a lot.  He also had a very short temper.  Putting the two together
was a dangerous combination."
  "Did Mom know?" Dawn asked.
  Buffy bit her lip.  "You have GOT to stop doing that!" Xander
exclaimed.
  She rolled her eyes.  "So I've been told.  At any rate, the answer
is sort of.  Mom knew that he yelled at me, and had slight
suspicions as to me getting…"  Spike growled, and Buffy quickly
forgot about finishing the sentence.  "She didn't say anything,
though.  She did speak out against his drinking, and he quit when I
was 8.  The physical stopped, but the verbal attacks continued.  So
when I got my Slayer powers, it was incredible.  I could finally
fight back.  I never did with my dad, of course, but…"
  "You still could," Tara finished, "and that's a comforting
thought."
  Buffy nodded.  "Exactly."  Her eye caught Dawn looking close to
tears.  "He didn't mean to lose his temper," Buffy said gently.  "He
just did."
  Dawn sniffled and hugged her sister.  Spike wrapped his arms
around both of his girls and held them as the other Scoobies drifted
over.
  After the group hug, Buffy pulled back, wiping tears away.  "Do
you remember everything from when you were…you know, tiny?" Anya
asked.
  Buffy grinned.  "Willow, can I have my waffles now?"
  Willow nodded.  "Sure!  Let me get them," she said, heading
towards the toaster.
  "And don't forget the surryup!" Buffy called.
  The kitchen filled with laughter once more. 

THE END