Can't No Man

Authors: Richess a.k.a. A.N.H. Richards and Hilary a.k.a. Spike Lover UK

Email for feedback: spikeloverrichess@hotmail.com

Summary: Spike runs an errand for Giles and gets more than he expected. S/B piece

Disclaimer: All Characters belong to J. Whedon, Mutant Enemy Productions, the W.B. and/or Fox Production and etc.

Distribution: Just ask.

Author's Note: A huge thanks to our beta Wyrdin. Thanks to our Hunnies

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Part 1

Going on a book run for Giles was not Spike's choice for an ideal Friday night, but the estate auction began tonight and getting these books were, imperative to the Watcher and his Slayer. The fact that Giles actually gave Spike eight thousand dollars to buy these books was a miracle in and of itself.

"Santa Monica here I come." Spike grumbled as stuck his Oasis tape into the car stereo, passing the 'Leaving Sunnydale' sign.

* * *

"This is one of the best collections that I've ever seen." A young woman exclaimed, "The newly arrived scenery isn't bad either."

Spike spun around to see what she was talking about, and she smiled at him. Spike gave her a devilish smile and found a seat near the aisle in the second row of the auction house.

"How much would you bid on that?" Spike heard her friend ask.

"On that? . . . Everything I own." She replied boldly, eyeing the blond vampire up and down.

Spike smirked at her answer.

"Excuse me?"

"Ahh sure." Spike looked up to see a woman in her early thirties. She was extremely tall probably - 5'11" but 6'3" with her heels. She was dressed in a charcoal business suit. She sat down next to Spike and introduced herself.

"Hi, I'm Lilah Morgan. I'm representing Wolfram and Hart." Lilah extended her hand to Spike.

Spike shook her hand gently, "The name's Spike."

"I'd rather call you William. My father's name was William."

"How the hell do you know my real name?" Spike asked her. She held her hands up innocently.

"We just have a common nemesis. That's all. Angel?"

"Peaches? What about him?"

"We were very impressed with your little torturing of him last year."

"We?"

"My firm?" Lilah quickly whipped a card out of her bag.

"Special Operations?" Spike read.

"Yes. Such as things of special circumstances."

"Ladies and Gentlemen. The auction will begin in five minutes we advise all of you to take a seat. We will begin shortly." A short balding man announced into the microphone.

"So what are you here to bid on?" Lilah whispered into Spike's ear.

"Some books." He whispered back as another man stepped onto the podium. Spike shuffled through his pockets and took out the list of books Giles wanted and the prices that he thought they would go for.

"Good evening, Ladies and Gentlemen. This is the estate of Herman D'Andrea, who lived from 1908 to 2001, and is survived by his brother, Eugene." The auctioneer pointed to a fragile old man sitting directly in front of Spike. "Mr. D'Andrea was a collector of old books and artifacts. He owned an impressive collection of silverware and gold coins, all of which will be auctioned off tonight.

"The first thing up is the Book of Laxel. In its original binding and authenticated circa 1400's. Let the bidding start at $750."

Hands were quickly raised and the bidding heated up. The Book of Laxel went for $3,000.

"Next are the Orida Chronicles, books devoted to the philosophical pursuits. Starting off at $250." Spike looked down at his sheet to see the Orida Chronicles at number five on the list.

Spike was the only person to bid on the books. "Sold to the gentleman in the second row."

"Why those?" Lilah whispered to Spike

"It's on my list." He replied as the auctioneer continued on with other books, vases, and jewellery.

* * *

Spike had $2,000 left. He had bought all the books on the list; well below Giles' estimated prices. Meanwhile Lilah had bid only on one thing - a scroll of some sort for nearly $10,000.

"The last item is a beautiful gold necklace encrusted with black opals and emeralds. It's believed to have belonged to Adra of Voluna. Voluna is an old South American village that the Portuguese were unable to infiltrate during their "discovery" of Brazil. The indigenous community poisoned the armies that came, killing them all. It was believed that the chief who led the villager's defense was one Adra - an allegedly powerful witch. In her ten year campaign against the Portuguese, only one man failed to succumb to her deadly magicks."

The auctioneer smiled conspiratorially and then continued, "They believe that the man was in fact a vampire and that Adra fell in love with him. Discovered that her power stemmed from a necklace taken from the first ship to ever land on Brazil's shores. It's captain, Addius Voluna, was a 13th century sorcerer. When the vampire learned that Adra's power was linked to the necklace, he stole it and killed the witch. But the necklace would not yield its power for him, so the vampire got rid of it. And now it's just a piece of jewelry with a rather colorful history. The bidding starts at $20,000."

Spike looked at the beautiful piece of jewelry, resplendent in a red velvet case. The first hand that went up was that of an older woman in the front row.

"I've got twenty. Do I hear twenty-five?" The man pointed quickly as a new hand shot up.

"Twenty-five. Do I hear thirty?" He pointed to the woman in the front row. "Thirty? Thirty?" Spike heard someone cough. "To the gentleman in the lime green suit. Do I hear, forty? . . . Forty?"

"Forty!"

"Do I hear forty-five?"

"Sixty." A voice shouted from the back.

Everyone including Spike turned, looking for the owner of the voice. A beautiful honey-brown girl stood in the aisle. Thick hair framed her face in a shapely bob. . She was dressed in a long black skirt with a split that reached dangerously high on her thigh and a dark blue, long sleeved lace top. Her cinnamon skin peaked through the lace.

"Seventy-five." The woman in front shouted, glancing back at the young woman.

"One hundred thousand dollars." The girl enunciated every syllable perfectly and clearly. The woman in front fumed and Lilah giggled at her.

"One hundred. Do I hear one hundred five?" The auctioneer said, looking directly at the woman in the front.

"One hundred and fifty." She gritted through clenched teeth.

Even before the auctioneer had replied, everyone was turning towards the girl in the back. She stood with her feet shoulder width apart, her arms crossed against her chest. Every male, and not a few females, ogled as her wide stance revealed a smoothly muscled leg, bare except for a delicate high-heeled sling. . She shook her head in annoyance and her hair gently swayed.

"Two hundred thousand." She said flatly. The older lady nearly jumped out of her seat.

"Two hundred thousand dollars." The auctioneer, repeated, smiling overjoyed. He glanced around the room. The woman in the front row remained silent, her hands shaking violently.

"Going once, going twice. . . . Sold." The auctioneer said after long pause and then banged his gavel. The woman in front rushed angrily from the room, brushing past her rival in the aisle.

All purchases were to be paid in full at the conclusion of the sale. Spike located one of the auctioneer's assistants and paid for the items he had bought. As he concluded his transaction, the young girl brushed past Spike, handing the assistant a money order.

"Have you made special arrangements to take this home Miss?" The young man asked.

"Yeah. I put it around my neck and leave. Just give me my necklace." She told him. The assistant hurriedly handed her the jewel case, and she opened it up, putting on the necklace, and walking toward the door.

A struggling Spike was already there, juggling his stack of acquired books and trinkets and fumbling with the door latch. With an amused glance, the young woman opened the door for him.

"Thanks." Spike mumbled, not looking up as he heaved the books upward to get a better grip on them.

"You're . . . . Hey. The Orida Chronicles and the Books of Ecure. Learning how to fight a God or become one?" She smiled, perfect rows of gleaming white teeth shone brightly.

"I bought them for someone else." Spike said, finally glancing at her face, taking in the necklace.

"Pretty isn't?" She reached up and touched it. They both walked toward Spike's Desoto. For a brief moment, Spike wondered if she was following him.

She took something out of her purse, and two cars away an alarm sounded. Spike looked over to see a red Lexus 2002 sports car.

"I didn't get your name."

"Spike."

"Mine's Adra."

Spike opened the car door and rested the boxes on passenger side. He turned back around, "Adra like the story Adra?"

"Yup. My father is from Brazil. He named me after her."

Suddenly, Spikes nerves jangled. Demon. . He closed the car door and walked toward Adra who stood near the DeSoto's trunk.

"I think that we should go." Spike firmly gripped Adra's arm, steering her towards her car. She looked at him confused. Spike didn't answer the unspoken question. He was on the defensive; he could sense three vampires and two other demons.

" Three vamps emerged ready to pounce. Spike dropped a stake from his duster sleeve and easily dispatched the first vamp. Adra turned to see two Sapovrow demons heading her way. She ran, heading toward a large water fountain in a nearby park. .

Spike hit the second vamp with a crushing upper cut, then rammed the ball of his hand into the demon's nose. Blood spurted everywhere and the vampire howled thickly through torn cartilage and broken bone.

The remaining vampire grabbed Spike in a bear hug. Spike quickly broke free from the loose grip and gave the vampire a roundhouse kick to the face. He sprawled backwards and Spike jumped on top of him and jammed the stake into his chest. Spike turned toward the vampire with the broken nose, but he was gone.

"SPIKE!" Adra screamed as the two Sapavrow demons encircled her. Spike ran over to her and punched one of the demons. The other grabbed at Adra. She kicked water at his face and where it touched him, his skin began to fizzle.

"So it's not only drowning." Spike heard her whisper just before a right hook laid him out.

"To all that is now and right, make the Earth be open to my change. Let the elements be of strength and ferocity. Let the elements be calm and soothing. Let it pour with the liquid that covers this Earth. Let it RAIN." Within seconds the clear night became cloudy and the rain poured down like an open fire hydrant. The demons began to melt before their eyes. Adra grabbed Spike's hand and they ran back toward the cars.

"Spike, please follow me." Was the last thing that she said, before she dove into her car.

Spike shrugged his shoulders and got in his Desoto and followed.

Lilah watched as they left. She took out her cell phone, "Yes, find out everything that you can on a vampire named Spike, a.k.a. William the Bloody and I mean recent stuff." She clicked off her phone and waited for the rain to stop.

* * *

Part 2

They drove for nearly two hours until they reached a small town called Thornhill. All the homes on the tree-shaded streets were large and imposing. Only the affluent and influential lived here.

They pulled up to a light grey house. Adra parked her car and waited as Spike parked his. She took his hand again and walked toward the door. Spike looked nervously, wondering Invitation?

She unlocked the front door and stepped inside. "You're invited in Spike."

Spike looked at her in shock, "You know what I am?"

"I figured that a normal human being couldn't beat three vampires and try and take on a Sapavrow demon. Plus, I saw you begin to morph when that demon hit you." She smiled.

"And you're not afraid of bringing in a dangerous vampire in your house?" Spike kidded.

"Nope. Tantie. TANTIE." She yelled as they walked through the house.

"Yes child. Whatcha calling me for? I'm in de kitchen." Adra and Spike walked into a kitchen that would have looked right in place in a five star restaurant. It was immaculate, with stainless steel appliances and frosted glass cupboards.

"I got the necklace." Adra showed Tantie, an older woman in her eighties. She wore a long dark green dress and various beads around her neck. Spike had seen such beads before, on a voodoo priestess back in 1973 in France.

"God my child . . . What is dis you bring in me house?" The old woman looked at Spike, "You bring a dead man in me house wid a demon inside is body?"

"Tantie, he's a vampire and he saved my life. Merlene wanted the necklace so badly, she sent demons after me."

"That dirty . . . Put de necklace in de safe before you go and sle . . . A vampire saved ya life? Why?" The last part was directed at Spike. Before he could even answer she grabbed his hand, holding it in her own wrinkled hands. Spike felt his mind was being invaded as thoughts from his past suddenly flew into his head. He tried to open his eyes, but they were too heavy.

"Tantie, stop it." Adra demanded as she broke their hands apart.

"I was just makin' sure dat he was genuine, Adra. Your parents have left to go to a convention. And what do you want to give your savior here." Tantie said, waving her hand in Spike's direction

"I don't want anything." Spike finally spoke up.

"Hush man. No one was talkin' to you. I'm not Miss Cleo. I don't want to here your problems or read your fortune" Her tantie scolded him.

Adra smirked, as the vampire remained quiet "Three wishes, Tantie. He deserves them."

"What the hell are you people talking about?"

"Fine I'll give the boy here three wishes." Tantie agreed. Adra smiled and grabbed Spike's arm in joy.

"He'll stay here tonight, while I get the ingredients for de spell. Dhere is blood in de fridge if he wants it. I'm going to bed. Put away de herbs for me, sugar plum. Good night to de both of ya." Tantie spun on her heels and went out another doorway.

"You keep blood in your house?" Spike asked raising his scarred eyebrow.

"For rituals mostly. But I think we got human stuff." Adra opened a mini-fridge filled with different things used in witchcraft and voodoo rituals. She pulled out a large container of the red liquid. "Microwave?"

Spike nodded his head, "So you guys are granting me three wishes?"

"Yup. And think about them carefully. My Tantie will give you the rules tomorrow." The microwave beeped and she poured the warm liquid into a mug. "Come upstairs and I'll show you your room." They walked up the back stairs to the second floor. Adra led Spike to a lushly decorated bedroom. She disappeared for a moment and then returned with still-packaged boxers and t-shirts and a pair of Calvin Kleins.

"My brother and you look about the same size." She said . "If you need anything, my room is two doors down on the right. See you tomorrow."

"Tomorrow." Everything in Spike's mind said leave but something - maybe his curiosity - was piqued.

Spike picked up the phone and called the Magic Shop. Giles was probably wondering why he wasn't back by now.

"Hello, Magic Shop. Spike?" Giles quickly greeted.

"Who the bloody hell else is going to call a magic shop at eleven at night on a Saturday?" Spike quipped.

"Oh, get on with it, since you sound all right. Did you get my books and talismans?"

"Yeah I got all the stuff. And I took out my fee."

"Fee? Why you bloody . . ."

"Now, now Rupert, watch that tongue of yours," Spike laughed. "I'll be back tomorrow at sunset."

"Where are you?"

"Thornhill."

"Why are you there? That's nearly four hours away from Sunnydale."

"Look here Watcher, we'll discuss that later. I'm feeling sleepy." Spike yawned into the phone. "Tomorrow I'll be at the magic shop, around eleven."

"Fine, but those books are imperative to helping Buffy, and I have entrusted you with a great deal of responsibility...."

"Look I'm not your slayer, or those scoobies. Damn near shit, I'm YOUR elder. Don't give that parental crap. I'll see you tomorrow." With that, Spike hung up the phone.

"Bloody wanker." Spike grumbled as he headed to the bathroom.

He turned on the shower and stripped off his still damp clothes. As he stepped into the shower, he thought about his three wishes. If he could wish for anything, what would it be? He would have a couple of hours to decide something that could change his unlife forever.

* * *

Part 3

The morning sky was filled with dark clouds but it didn't rain. Spike had gotten no sleep, so when Adra knocked on the door he wasn't prepared for the sight before him.

"Aaaggghhhhhh." Spike jumped back in surprise and disgust.

"A demon afraid of this…" Her face was covered in a dark green mask that covered everything except her nostrils and mouth. Even her eyes were covered. "I need to make a mold of my face for the ritual. For the one you saved a likeness must be given. My Tantie wants you to come downstairs so that she can explain the rules."

Spike grabbed her arm and led her down the stairs. Adra led him the rest of the way to a wall where a full length painting of a beautiful native looking woman with sun tanned bronze skin and long straight black hair hung.

Um, Adra? Vampire here, not a ghost. Don't walk through walls too well."

"No silly , push the picture."

A full length painting of a beautiful native looking woman with a sun tanned bronze skin and long straight black hair. Spike gave the painting a second look and noticed the necklace.

"Was this Adra of Voluna?"

"Yes. Press the top right corner." Spike did as she said. The painting fell back as a secret door opened . They stepped inside. The smell of jasmine and vanilla was strong.

"Tantie?"

"Yes child. Bring him in."

They walked down a narrow hall that opened onto a large oval room. The place was dark except for a few strategically place candles. Tantie stood before a small, low table. Various items, including brushes, paints, and jars, sat on top.

"Take off the mask, child. And you, vampire, sit down in front of me and take off your shirt." Both complied, Spike sinking gracefully to the floor.

"Now go child." Tantie shooed away Adra.

Adra bent down and gave Spike a quick hug, whispering to him, "Happiness. What makes you happy or will."

* * *

"Spike is your name Adra tell me." Tantie walked around the small table, a paint brush and two black jars in her hands.

"Yes." She walked behind him and painted something onto his back

"What name your mummy give ya?" She walked around and sat in front of him on the floor .

"William." On his chest, she painted something in a royal blue and then switched to black.

"I like William." As she lifted the paintbrush to his face, Spike closed his eyes. She painted something along his forehead and he felt bright flashes of light across his face.

"What are you painting?"

"I am trying to see ya. I am tryin' to open you up to what will come to you. . . . Tell me 'bout yaself."

"Before I was a vampire?"

"Yes."

"Well I belonged to middle class family. Father died when I was five and my older brother hated me. My mom was a gentle and unassuming woman. We owned property. . . ."

"Not da things you had. About you?"

"William was a pounce. A bloody, lovesick fool, who was always made fun of and humiliated. Nothing more to tell. My mum tried to make me into a perfect gentleman and I became a laughing stock. The only woman that I loved thought I was a big wanker. She was from the upper crust and believed that I was 'beneath her.' And the night she told me that was the night I became . . ."

"One of de undead." Tantie finished. She move back to her seat across the table from him. "Here are de rules William. Whatever you wish for must only affect you. I don't do love spells or curses - dey usually don't go de way de inflictor wants dem too. Also no one 's pain'll be your gain from these wishes. And ya can't change past events, only the present. Those are de rules. Can you accept dem?"

"Yes." Spike said , inhaling all of her words.

"Now I will grant you tree wishes, which ya'll write down on dhose pieces of parchment with the coal stick." She point to the tools and Spike took them carefully.

He wrote down his wishes quickly, and set them on the table. Tantie picked them up and placed the three piece of paper into a black pot. She added blood, feathers, and a plain gold ring.

"I need some of your hair."

"Do you have scissors?" he asked as Tantie walked behind him. Spike felt a sharp pain in the back of head as Tantie ripped hair from his scalp . "Bloody hell."

"I need de root to be included." She threw the hair into the pot and sprinkled a powder over it. Then she placed Adra's mask over the contents. Tantie began to chant unintelligibly in Caribbeanized French . Spike suddenly felt lightheaded. Tantie lit a match and dropped it into the pot, and everything disintegrated in a matter of seconds.

She abruptly stopped, "Get out now. Go to de place where ya needed. The clouds'll be out for de whole day."

* * *

Spike got up disoriented and a bit confused but complied with no questions. Adra met him at the end of the hall and walked him to his car.

"Your wishes. First wish will start on the one week anniversary of the day that you saved me. It will last for three weeks. Don't worry, it will happen. If you need me just call this number." She slipped him a card, hugged him quickly, and ran inside the mansion closing the door heavily.

* * *

TBC…..

Part 4

"That was probably the biggest scam that I've ever been involved with." Spike muttered to himself. He checked his watch. It was 1:00 p.m. He quickly looked out the window at the overcast sky. There was no trace of the sun.

* * *

Spike reached Sunnydale at 4:16 p.m. He grabbed the box of books and trinkets and headed into the bustling Magic Shop.

"Thank you! Come back and spend more money." Anya exclaimed.

"Anya , we've already had a discussion on the etiquette of retail." Xander started.

Spike slammed down his box and everyone jumped, including some customers.

"Spike? It's four in the afternoon. How come you're not . . ."

"Clouds you ninny." Spike replied as, everyone resumed their interrupted actions.

Giles walked over to Spike. He quickly looked at the contents of the box, quite pleased. Spike handed him two hundred dollars . Giles took it in shock.

Spike shook his head at the gesture . "I already took out my fee, Watcher. As I told you."

Giles scrunched his eyebrows inward and was about to say something when Buffy, Willow and Tara walked into the magic shop.

"Hey guys." Willow called out.

Spike examined Buffy. She was beautiful and smart and strong. What every man wants, or at least says that he wants. Today she looked like an average twenty-year old. No 'the-world-is-about-to-end' looks. But then again, there were relatively few daytime apocalypses.

"What are you doing here?" Buffy asked him.

"I brought the books, Slayer."

"You have some paint on your face ," Tara told him quietly . "Above your right eyebrow ," she added, pointing to her own face.

"Thanks wicca." Spike tried to rub off the paint but only ended up spreading it.

Buffy, Willow , and Tara began to giggle. Buffy took a napkin out of her bag , dabbed it on her tongue , and wiped the stain off of his face .

Spike could feel her every breath. Her hair smelled like sweet berries and her perfume invaded his nostrils as she stepped closer to remove the last of the paint off his forehead. He was completely enthralled by her. A part of him hated the deep love that he felt for her. He knew it would lead to nothing but his heartache.

"What the hell were you doing to get this stuff on you?" Buffy asked, backing away to get a better look at his face. The blue paint stained the tissue.

Spike growled and stormed out of the Magic Shop.

"What did I do?" Was the last thing he heard Buffy say before he took off.

* * *

It had been nearly six days since Buffy had last seen Spike. She was beginning to wonder if he had left Sunnydale. As soon as she finished her patrol, she went over to his crypt. The Slayer knocked on the door , but there was no answer. Buffy gave the door a hard shove and it opened onto a pitch-black crypt.

"Go away." She heard the British accent grumble.

"Spike, why are you here in the d . . ." Buffy tripped over something.

"Bloody hell." Spike gasped as the Slayer's boot connected with his ribs.

"Sorry." She cringed.

Buffy's eye adjusted to the dark. The moonlight shone in through the doorway. She saw Spike huddled on the floor, a blanket covering him completely. From memory, Buffy felt for the table near his tv and found a box of matches and three candles. She lit them and looked at Spike who lay with his back to her.

"Why are you lying on the floor?" Buffy asked , walking back towards him.

"Go away Sla . . ." He gasped in pain holding his head, then his body began to shake violently.

"Ohmygod." Buffy knelt beside him and pulled the blanket away. She gasped as the sight . "You're sick."

Spike's face was a ghastly white - even given his vampire state - and there were black circles underneath his bloodshot eyes. Violent chills wracked his frail body.

Buffy picked up his head and placed it gently in her lap, holding the vampire until his shaking stopped.

"Slayer, you should leave." Spike demanded weakly.

"No way. Have you eaten?" Buffy stroked his short platinum hair. Internally, she berated herself for the question, uncomfortable with the thought that she had some sort of feelings for the blond vampire.

"Yes. Now go."

"Liar." Buffy placed his head down gently and went over to his fridge. Opening it, she saw the untouched containers of blood. She grabbed one, switched on the generator, and stuck the container in the microwave. When it was finished, she hurried back to Spike.

His eyes were closed and he was completely still. Buffy proceed to prop up his head onto her lap and held the container to his mouth. He sipped it slowly. He hadn't even finished it when another spasm took control of his body. The violent action caused Buffy to spill the blood all over her jacket and shirt.

"Shit," she hissed. Spike didn't even hear her. His head was throbbing. He felt like an iron rod was being hammered through his head. He curled up into the foetal position , forgetting about the blood.

"Is it the chip?" Buffy asked worriedly .

Buffy reached for Spike, but he recoiled away from her.

"I'm going to get Giles."

* * *

"Now who in the bloody hell?" Giles walked down the stair of his condo to the sound of incessant knocking.

"Maybe it's your Slayer, Rupert. Do tie up your robe. I'm sure that she doesn't want to see you in your boxers." Olivia called out, perched on the top of the stairs.

Giles opened the door to see Buffy covered in blood. His heart and his stomach sunk to the ground.

"Buffy?" He said, reaching out his hands to catch her.

"Giles , something is wrong with Spike." Buffy started as she brushed past him into the living room. She spun around, noticing the concern on his face. Her gaze followed his to her ruined top . "It's not my blood Giles."

"What?"

"It's not my blood . I was trying to feed Spike. He's sick Giles. Really sick. I think the chip is going bad or something."

"Okay. I'll go change." Giles hurried up the stairs as Olivia walked down.

"Are you all right, Buffy?" she asked concerned.

"Yeah, it's Spike . . ." Buffy voice drifted off.

"You like him, don't you?"

"NO! That is a major NO. Hell no. Not in THAT way." Buffy answered quickly . "Plus he's a vampire. I've sworn them off. Plus he has no soul."

"I know he's a vampire, but he is very attractive. And the two of you - from what Ripper told me - have a sort of history." Olivia prodded.

"Yeah, the history of him trying to kill me and my friends and . . . You're ready Giles." Buffy said, relived as he came running down the stairs. He nodded his head as he grabbed several books from his bookcase. He kissed Olivia quickly on the forehead and they left.

* * *

Spike was still lying in the same spot where Buffy had left him when she and Giles reached the crypt.

"Spike?"

"Watcher, there's nothing you can do so just lea . . ." Spike grabbed his head and hissed as pain engulfed his brain and shot through his nervous system. Three seconds later, his body started to convulse again.

"Good lord!" Was all that Giles could say as he saw Spike thrashing around on the floor. Giles pulled Buffy outside.

"I'm not really sure there's anything that I can do for him , Buffy."

"But Giles . . ."

"Buffy, there's a doctor that I know . . . I'll call him, but he lives in Salem, Oregon . It'll take him a couple of hours to get here."

"Well, can't you do something now?"

"Like what? He's a vampire . I don't really have any vital signs to look for and I don't know the first thing about his Initiative chip or even how it can or does affect his brain."

"Fine Giles, go and call the doctor . I'll stay with him. Please, call my mom for me."

"Very well, Buffy. I do have some morphine. Here." He handed her a yellow medical container. Buffy raised her eyebrow. "Don't ask. It should at least knock him out for a while."

"Thanks Giles." Buffy went into the crypt.

* * *

Part 5

Spike woke up the next morning feeling like he'd been run over by truck. He heard an incessant thumping and felt something warm next to him. He turned to his right to see Buffy sleeping next to him on the floor of his crypt. He tried to remember last night. She had given him two white pills that had knocked him out. Spike sat up groggily and looked closer at Buffy. Her hair was pulled back in a loose ponytail, and she was using her jacket as a pillow. Spike gently replaced the blanket over her and stood. It was daytime; probably around 10:00 a.m. his internal demon told him.

He walked over to his tv and was about to turn it on when a metallic blue piece of paper on top of the tomb caught his eye. Spike walked over towards the royal blue, almost purple looking, envelope. Spike wondered if it was the Slayer's, but it was his name that was hand-written across it in gold pen: " William." Spike looked at Buffy, then again at the envelope. He opened it slowly to find a note inside.

Spike had no clue what 'restored' meant. Was he human?

"Oh God no." Spike groaned.

"Huh?" Buffy said groggily.

"Nothing Slayer. I think that you should go home to your Mum and such. Remember Glory and her looking for that key." Spike said, needing her out the door so that he could think.

"Rude much? Buffy grumbled. "How's the head?" she asked as she straightened from the floor. Look at this ungrateful bastard. Last night he was dying. Again. And this morning he wants to throw me out. Wait, he wanted to do that last night too. I really like abuse.

"It's fine thanks to those little white pills you gave me. What were they?"

"Just stuff. I better go." Buffy threw off the blanket and grabbed her coat. She looked back at Spike who had his back to her looking at something.

"Thanks Buffy." Spike said quietly. Buffy smiled when she heard him but didn't reply as she took off out the door.

* * *

Part 6

As soon as sunset, Spike headed to the liquor store. He had fully recovered from last night's ordeal. Plus, thanks to some careful experimentation with sunlight, he had reassured himself that he was still undead.

Spike paid for his selection of whisky, scotch, rum, tequila, vodka, and wine and headed out the door.

Spike was nearly two blocks away from store when he heard whispering behind him. Spike smiled, the wonders of vampire hearing.

"You grab the liquor and I'll take care of him."

"You gonna kill him?

"Of course not. But if he doesn't give up the liquor, I'm a do, what I gotta do."

"Yeah. There's four us and one a him. He wouldn't be that stupid."

"Take the coat, before you gut him Trev. I want it."

Spike kept walking. He would walk all the way to Buffy's house if he had to. No, the magic shop. That's where I should go. Spike rounded the corner.

'You have been restored,' a voice whispered through the air. Spike stopped dead in his tracks, a smile playing on his face. "You have been restored."

The would-be assailants stopped in their tracks as they saw Spike unexpectedly waiting for them as they turned the corner.

"It's now guys . I think he's on to us."

"Hey you! We want your stuff that you got there."

Spike smiled, "Why don't you try and take it."

"Oh , you want to do this the hard way."

"You ain't gonna survive this, pretty boy." The clicking of switchblades cut through the air. Three, if Spike's hearing was correct. Spike gently placed the bag on the ground, and took off his duster and laid it next to the bag.

"You are a fool, blondie." The first one said. At 5'7", he was shorter than Spike, but weighed about fifty pounds more than the vampire.

He charged at Spike with full force. Spike stepped out of the way and then lashed his foot out , connecting with the man's ankle. The thief lost his balance and fell to the ground behind Spike. His friend growled and took a swing.

Spike grabbed his arm and twisted it behind his assailant's back, spinning him in the direction of his fallen friend. Spike felt a sharp pain in his back as a third man stabbed him in his lower back. He pulled it out and was about to stab Spike again when the vampire - in a blink of an eye - turned and grabbed the man's wrist. Spike's attacker watched in horror as his own knife was turned against him and he stabbed himself in the stomach. The vampire smiled as the bleeding man's face turned white in fear, becoming even paler as he took in Spike's demonic face.

"Holy shit." The man called out as he slumped to the ground in front of Spike.

"You asshole." One of the guys behind him yelled.

"No, Trevor don't . . ." The stabbed man called out, but it was too late. Trevor, knife in hand, lunged at the vampire. Spike turned, game face on, and Trevor gasped. The vampire grabbed Trevor by his throat. The injured thieves on the ground watched in horror as their six foot-two, 225 pound friend was lifted off the ground like a rag doll while Trevor slashed uselessly with his knife.

"I have been restored," were the last words Spike said before he crushed Trevor's throat. Blood gushed from Trevor's mouth as his veins popped from the pressure.

Spike smiled as he heard the only non-attacker run off into the night. The vampire let go of Trevor, dropping the body to the ground. Spike ignored the rapidly fading stab victim, and walked to the thief's whose ankle he had crushed. Spike knelt to the ground next to the injured man.

"Was it worth it?"

"Wh . . .what?" The man looked at Spike as his human mask returned.

"Was your friend's death - and yours - worth a couple of bottles of liquor and coat?" Spike looked at him .

"What? What are you? Death?" The man was going into shock.

"What's your name?"

"Karl." The man looked at Spike confused.

"Well goodbye, Karl." Spike's demonic face returned as he sunk his teeth into the man's neck. Karl gurgled in pain, but was too afraid to scream. The fear only made his blood taste sweeter to Spike.

Spike's demon smiled as he drained his victim. Now onto new things. A little revenge on some old acquaintances.

* * *

TBC….

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