At Second Sight

By *~Rachel*~

Disclaimer: Disclaimer: Oh yes…they are ALL MINE! (Sarcastic) Haha. RIGHT. Joss Whedon, Marti Noxon, Twentieth Century Fox Productions, UPN, Sandollar Television, and Mutant Enemy own BtVS. No copyright infringements were intended. This is my story and not meant to copy the show. It's called FAN FICTION!

Rating: Do you watch the show? You can read this. Maybe PG-15ish

Summary: Spike and Buffy are just recently a couple when an attack of demons threaten their relationship

Spoilers: This takes place in the 6th season, so I have spoilers for anyone who hasn't seen "The Gift," Some of the more important B/S episodes, and many of the rumors that are flying around for 6th season. Since I started writing this up before "Flooded," I haven't really worked the latest episodes into the story- so they aren't part of the plot.

Author’s Notes: <_______> Signifies thoughts. Mistakes are purely my fault…I’m not the world’s greatest typist. (And no beta-reader)

Distribution: My site, Sinister Attraction, the groups I'm sending them out to, and....anyone else can just ask me first! (I'll probably say 'yes')

Feedback? OF COURSE!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"C'mon Buffy! It's patrolling time!" Spike yelled out, walking into the Summers' home. He walked into the foyer and started up the stairs into Buffy's room.

This was pretty much how their schedule went now. Ever since Willow had brought Buffy back from the dead, she had turned to Spike for comfort. At first, she was emotionally dead and lost like a child would be. Spike was the only one that understood her when she came back. Giles was gone- he had left for England about 2 months after Buffy faced off against Glory. The memories in Sunnydale were just too much for him to bear any longer. While Buffy was gone, Willow, Tara, and Xander fought to keep the house that once belonged to Buffy and Joyce Summers. The main reason that the gang wanted to keep the house was because they knew that Buffy would be brought back. With a couple of handy ingredients, they raised Buffy out of her grave.

Spike was practically an extended member of the Summers' household. Every night, out of his un-devoted love for Buffy and his eternal promise towards Dawn, Spike either came over for help with patrol or to be with the ladies of the house. Obviously, times had definitely changed. Buffy welcomed and almost looked forward to seeing Spike every night.

They never spoke about his love for her anymore, but there were times when Buffy would look out of the corner of her eye and catch him staring at her with such love and passion. That was the way he looked at her when she walked into the Magic Box after she had been brought back. She never spoke about it to him, but each night she started growing a little bit fonder of the bleached-blonde vampire. Whenever they weren't patrolling they would talk together on the couch- sometimes deep meaningful conversations about Buffy had felt after she had just returned from three months of being six feet under.

"Hey Spike!" Dawn said, walking out of her room. She walked up to the vampire and quickly hugged him.

Time passed and Spike and Dawn's relationship quickly grew into a brother-sister type of close. That summer, while Buffy was gone, Spike practically lived in the Summers' house to take care of Dawn. His promise towards Buffy haunted him in his sleep, placing a heavy burden on his shoulders. He watched out for Dawn's back, acting like a very overprotective older brother. Dawn loved it, however. He was the one that treated her like an equal and knew what she was feeling like when Buffy died. Very quickly, her teenage crush became an unconditional love for the vampire.

<Ug, what a poof I'm turning into,> Spike thought as Dawn wrapped her arms around his waist. However, he returned the hug. "'Ello Nibblet." Spike greeted, "Big sis around?"

"Yeah, she's getting ready for patrol," Dawn replied. She crossed the hallway and walked into Buffy's room. "Buffy! Spike is here!"

"Yeah, hold on. I'm coming!" Buffy replied. A few minutes later, she walked out wearing a simple black outfit and a brown leather jacket.

<God, she gets more beautiful every night,> Spike thought, his eyes looking at her from head to toe. Her face lit up when she saw Spike and he found her smile contagious- he broke into smile also. "'Ello, Slayer," Spike greeted her.

"Hey Spike," Buffy replied. Buffy's eyes were sparkling tonight as she also looked at him. "Ready for patrolling?"

"As always," he replied.

Buffy, Spike, and Dawn started walking over towards the stairs to head downstairs. "Now Dawn..." Buffy started as they walked down the stairs. "Remember...no-"

"I know, I know. No friends over, no opening doors and windows, no inviting strangers in..." Dawn said, rolling her eyes. "I got the drill, Buffy I've known about it since you became the Slayer."

"Right, because they might be evil demons, Dawn. I'm just saying this for your protection."

"I know, I know." Dawn replied. She bugged her sister about her being overprotective, but Dawn really didn't mind. Buffy was here, bossing her around, and it was almost like old times all over again.

"I think that Willow and Tara said that they were coming over as soon as they finished a class, so expect them sometime soon." Buffy added as the three of them stood around in the foyer. Buffy packed a few extra stakes into the pockets of her jacket and opened the front door.

"Okay, sounds great." Dawn replied.

Buffy looked over at Spike, her heart unconsciously skipping a beat when she looked him over. "Shall we?" she asked him.

"You bet, love." Spike answered. And with that, Buffy and Spike headed out the door.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The two had already been patrolling in the graveyard for about one-and-a-half-hours and Buffy and Spike had only found one lousy newbie vampire. The slayer had been unusually quiet all night long, only speaking to Spike when she was forced to. Spike, however, didn't mind the silence. He was simply happy to have Buffy back and kicking.

"Anything wrong, pet?" Spike asked her quietly.

"No...well, I've just been thinking..." Buffy started.

"And that's never a good thing, love." Spike gently teased.

Buffy, however, only managed to crack a small smile before continuing. "I was starting to think...about us." Buffy said.

Spike looked across to Buffy, but couldn't read her expression. "Us, pet?" Spike asked, confused. Sure, ever since she had returned they had been growing closer and closer, but what was she talking about? Did she want more? Or was he getting too close?

"Yeah...uh, do you want to sit?" Buffy asked. She and Spike walked over and both of them leaned against a tombstone. "Look, uh...I've been thinking about what's been going on ever since I got back. Everyone has been getting on my case, telling me to do this and that, and be a bright, happy Slayer."

"They care about you, love. It's not like they wouldn't help you," Spike said.

"And I know that. I know that they care about me but...I *died*, Spike. I was dead for three months, not just one minute like last time...I was dead." Buffy argued.

"I remember...it's not something I really like to think back to," Spike said, lowering his head for a second. He remembered seeing her body lying on a pile of rubble looking so peaceful. That moment, he felt anguish and heartache run through him like never before. Buffy had died...because he hadn't been able to get to Dawn and save her.

"And they don't know what I went thought at all." Buffy continued. "There is just *no* way that they can even begin to understand what it was like."

"Just give it time, love. Don't expect them to understand everything that you went through right away." Spike said.

"I know. But you...you helped me get by. You understood what I was going through when I got back. I guess that you're the closest person I've got that's gone through the same thing." Buffy said, looking over at him.

"Well, I tried my best to help you out, love." Spike said.

"I know, and I am more than grateful. I think...that if I hadn't had you here, I'd be in the loony bin about now." Buffy saw Spike smile. "So, I have a lot to thank you for."

Spike, slightly surprised by her kind words, stood on his feet. It hadn't been but about six months ago when Buffy had uninvited him from her home and told him to stay away from her family and friends. However, because of her death, Buffy was thinking on a higher and more sensible level. "Well, thank you, Buffy. That means a lot to me."

"I...I also have a lot to make up for. I think that I've realized that life is precious and you have to act now or you might never get your chance." Buffy said, also standing up and looking at Spike. "I mean, you had to put up with a lot of crap from me back when I hated you so much back then."

Spike's eyebrows raised as he looked at her for a second. "Hated? I notice that's past tense."

"You did? Good." Buffy smiled at him, trying to work up the courage to keep talking to him. "Y'know...I had this whole speech planned where I gently worked my way into the real point of the conversation and...and now I think that I'm really bad at saying stuff like this."

"Just say it, love," Spike said calmly.

"Spike, I...I haven't opened my heart to anyone in such a long time. And since I've come back, I've discovered that it's because I'm afraid. I'm so afraid that it's going to get broken by another person again. But...*you*...I don't think that you'd ever do that to me."

"You know I wouldn't," Spike assured her. And that was the truth. Spike spent over 100 years with Drusilla. Although their reasons for sticking together were somewhat different, Spike was devoted to the woman he loved. And he was still in love with Buffy.

"So...I was wondering if you...if you wanted to give us-"

"There's that 'us' again," Spike commented, slyly grinning at her.

"Yeah. Do you want to give us a try?" Buffy finally asked.

Spike's face showed surprise and confusion, and then slowly changing over to pure love for her;. <No one has ever really looked at me that way,> Buffy realized. "Really Buffy?" Spike asked.

"Yes...really. Spike, I mean, I'm not 100 percent sure how I feel and what my feelings are for you exactly, but...but I'd like to find out," Buffy said.

"Buffy..." Spike gasped. He stood fully upright and looked down at her. He grabbed her hand and looked into her eyes. "I'm not gonna let you down."

"I believe you," Buffy said softly.

"And I'm not leaving you like the Giant Poof or Captain Cardboard." Spike said. This was his big chance. Buffy was giving him more than a single crumb. This was more than he could ever ask for. And he wouldn't let her down- not again.

"That's nice to know," Buffy said. "I talked with Dawn about this before you came over and she was absolutely ecstatic about the whole idea."

"You told Little Bit about this?" Spike asked. This surprised him. If Buffy had talked to Dawn about this, the one person she loved more than anyone else...her family, then that must mean that she was heavily thinking about this. It meant that he meant something to her.

Buffy nodded and smiled when she saw him crack a boyish smile at her. She took one more step towards him before talking again. "Hey, I just told you what was going on in my heart and soul. The least I deserve is a kiss, right?"

Spike's smile doubled in size if that was even possible and his eye twinkled. "I think that can be arranged, love."

Spike gathered her up into his arms before kissing her. Buffy was amazed by the passion she could feel as Spike pressed his cold lips against her warmer ones. Instantly, it was like a shock wave was racing through him when he met her warn, full lips. Buffy instantly responded, wrapping her arms around his neck as she raised her head to be closer to him. She felt as though she were on fire. So many emotions were racing throughout her mind...mostly love and want.

Spike passionately and roughly kissed her, caressing her lips with his. However, throughout all of his passion, Buffy had never felt anyone treat her so gently. His hands slid around her waist, pulling her deeper into his embrace. He felt her hands travel through his hair and Spike felt as though electricity was surging through his body. Buffy felt the exact same way.

For the two of them, it was an instant connection.

When Spike finally pulled back, Buffy was breathing heavily. He held her close to him, kissing the top of her head.. <Oh…thank God for Dawn telling me to act upon my heart instead of brain.> Buffy thought. <Otherwise I would have missed out on him.>

Spike's mind was reeling. Never had he felt like this with anyone. Drusilla was pure lust…but this incredibly woman was more than that…much more. She was giving him a chance to prove his love for her. He heard her sigh and he felt her relax in his arms. He lowered his head and kissed her forehead, dragging his fingers through her hair slowly.

<Oh God...Spike,> Buffy thought, breathing him in. <Who knew that Spike could be this way...so gentle and kind to me.> Finally, she looked up into his piercing blue eyes. <Woah...can we say 'drown'?> Buffy thought as she smiled at him. “That was nice.” She stated.

“Just nice, love?” Spike asked, bumping foreheads with her.

“No…much better.” She corrected before smiling. She felt him kiss her cheek and move back to her lips, warming her to her soul even though there was no warmth coming from his lips. Suddenly, a rustle came from the bushes at their right. Buffy and Spike once again broke apart. "How come they always interrupt me whenever I'm busy?" Buffy complained.

Buffy and Spike stepped away from each other and Spike withdrew his hands from resting on her waist. The two of them looked at where they heard the noise come from. Suddenly, two grotesque monsters lumbered out of the bushes. The two monsters growled as they approached the slayer and her vampire companion. On top of their heads were two large horns. The two were covered in a clear, glossy slime, which smelled like putrid and rotten eggs as they advanced closer towards the couple. They were clothed in rags that also were covered in that slime. "Eww!" Buffy complained when she saw the demons walking towards them.

"No rest for the weary, love." Spike said as he stood in a combat position, ready to take on the fiends in front of them.

"Talk later, kill now," Buffy said, running up and kicking the demon that was closest to her. The demon took a step back but retaliated with a punch and shove. Buffy went flying and landed on the ground in front of a tree. She shook her head, trying to regain her senses.

Spike ran forward next, trying to get back at the demon that threw Buffy to the side of the graveyard. He punched the demon with all his might, but the demon didn't even respond to getting punched. Spike withdrew his hands, now covered in the ooze. To his right, Buffy was beating up the other demon, kicking the thing before throwing a punch and then another kick.

Neither of the two could get a good grip on the monsters because the slime made them very hard to get a hold of. Whenever Buffy tried to grab the demon, it would slip out of her slender arms and get away. Buffy kicked the demon away from her, allowing herself to catch her breath. "Spike! These things...they don't get hurt!"

Spike, however, was trying to fight the other demon. He was keeping it busy so it wouldn’t get over towards Buffy. "Bit busy right now, love..." Spike muttered before kicking the monster in its stomach. "Just keep fighting the thing." He punched the slime demon in its stomach before kicking its side of its face. From the corner of his eye, he saw the slimy demon get back up onto its feet and start walking over to Buffy. "Buffy! Look out!" Spike shouted trying to get her attention.

"Wha-" Buffy tried to say. However, the demon slapped Buffy on her back, knocking her to the ground. Dazed, Buffy could only stare at the demon that now towered above her.

"Slayer..." the demon growled fiercely.

Spike tried getting over to Buffy to help her out, but the second demon grabbed him, throwing him against a tree. Spike jumped back up to his feet, growling, his facial features shifting into the demon inside of him. He shook off his leather jacket to keep it clean before he jumped up onto the demon's back, trying to hold on as the thing thrashed around. Spike pulled his arms around its neck, pulling its head around until he heard it snap. Both the dead monster and Spike fell to the ground in a huge pile.

As Spike was trying to kill the demon, however, the first demon that was standing over top of Buffy, shook his head, showering her with lumps of the mucus from his body. "Gross!" Buffy said. "Do you have any idea what the dry cleaning bill will be for this?" She jumped back up onto her feet and kicked the demon in its gut, forcing him away from her.

But before Buffy could kick the creature again, it threw a handful of slime onto Buffy's face and right into her eyes. Buffy screamed before trying to get the mucus off with her hands. She stumbled back, tripping over a headstone, and landing on the ground. She frantically continued trying to clean her face.

"Buffy!" Spiked shouted, seeing what was happened. He untangled himself from the monster and ran over to her help. He stood in front of her, placing himself right between Buffy and the monster. He looked up at the thing, standing at his full height. "Don't come near the girl." Spike said. Instantly, he remembered that night where he told Doc the same thing. "Unless you want to end up like your mate over there, I suggest that you leave."

The demon growled. "Came to do what I was suppose to." And with that, the demon lumbered back into the woods.

Spike spun around, looking at Buffy before crouching on his knees in front of her. "Buffy?" Spike asked, grabbing a hold of her shoulders to stop her from thrashing around. He tried to help wipe the slime off her face as he also tried soothing her. "Buffy...love? Can you talk?"

"Sp- Spike, my eyes..." Buffy moaned. "My eyes...they sting, all over. Oh God...help me, Spike." She sobbed before leaning into Spike's embrace.

"Okay, love. Let's get you home." Spike said. "Hold on," he said before running over and grabbing his jacket. He wrapped his leather coat around Buffy's shoulders before picking her up in his arms. Walking as fast as he could without causing Buffy any pain, Spike began heading back to the Summers' home.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

When Spike walked into the house carrying Buffy, they were greeted by Dawn. She opened the door for them the whole way, smiling at Spike as he walked in. She was excited because this was supposedly the night that Buffy would talk to Spike about her feelings for him. "Hey guys! You're back from patrol early." But then she saw Buffy lying in Spike's arms, not moving with her hands placed over her stinging eyes. "Oh God...Spike, what happened?"

"Nothin' Sweet Bit, just...lets get her up into the bathroom." Spike said, starting to carry her up the stairs. "Can you get a washcloth, Bit?" he called out to Dawn.

"Sure," Dawn replied, running ahead of Buffy and Spike and into the bathroom and grabbing a cloth out of the linen closet. "You want water on it?"

"Yeah, some warm water." Spike said, entering the bathroom. He put down the toilet seat before placing Buffy on top of it, letting her lean against the back wall. Dawn handed the wash cloth to him within another moment, and Spike started washing off her face. "Thanks, Nibblet." Spike said to her.

"Wh-what happened? What did this?" Dawn asked.

"Some nasty buggers." Spike replied. "A...a slime demon or something." He washed off the slime before rinsing off the cloth and going back to clean up her eyes. "She was complaining about her eyes...stinging and hurtin' her."

"Is she gonna be okay?" Dawn asked nervously.

Spike, who didn't even know for himself whether or not Buffy would be okay, simply nodded. "Sure she will, 'Lil Bit. Big Sis always pulls through." Dawn was silent and didn’t respond, knowing that he was just trying to make her feel better. "C'mon love, you gotta open your eyes..." Spike whispered at Buffy.

Dawn noticed his small act of caring and love for her older sister. "Did, uh...did Buffy talk to you? About trying the two of you out?"

Spike's eyes lowered. "Yeah, she sure did, Bit. Right before we were attacked by those nasties and she got slammed in the face with this gunk. Right before as, once again, I fail to protect her." He thought back to that night where she had asked him to do *one* thing and he had failed at that. Because of his failure, he had gotten her killed. And now...well, who knew what had happened to her.

"Spike, that wasn't your fault. What happened *that* night, or tonight." Dawn said, trying to reassure him.

"Sure it wasn't, Bit..." Spike said to her, "but somehow I just-"

"Spike...?" A weak voice called out. Buffy's arms started moving, trying to straighten her legs and arms out. Her eyes opened and she started looking around at her surroundings. She blinked several times.

"Buffy?" Spike and Dawn called out together. Dawn quickly hugged her sister. "You're okay!" Dawn said.

When Dawn let go, Buffy tried to stand up, but Spike pushed her back down. "Not now, love. You're still weak." Spike said. He stared into her eyes, which were darting back and forth, not meeting his own eyes even once.

"Dawn? Spike?" Buffy asked tentatively.

"Yeah?" The two replied, looking at her.

"Where are you?" Buffy asked.

"What?" Dawn asked. She looked over at Spike, giving him a 'has she lost her mind?' look.

"I...I can hear you...can feel you..." she ran her hand down Spike's arm. "But...but I can't..." her voice died off, realizing what was going on.

"Can't....?" Dawn asked, trying to start Buffy off. "Can't what?"

"Oh God," Spike said softly. "She can't see, Dawn." He told her calmly. He waved his hand in front of Buffy's eyes, but they didn't follow his hand. She didn't know that he was even doing that.

"What?" Dawn asked. "N-no. She'll be fine. Just give her a few minutes. Maybe it takes a while."

Spike lowered his head, sighing. His heart, whether beating or not, was breaking all over again. He had failed her, had failed his slayer. It was a simple thing to do- to keep the demons away from her. Well, he managed to keep one away from her, but one wasn't good enough. She had just said that she wanted to give them a chance, and this was how he repaid her? She was alive, yes, but she was...blind. How would she be able to survive this?

"C'mon, love, let's move you downstairs." Spike said.

"I can do it, myself." Buffy said, pushing herself up onto her feet. After trying to get herself steady, Buffy started walking ahead. Without warning, she tripped over the rug on the tiled floor and barely missed knocking her head against the sink. Both Dawn and Spike remained silent, both not knowing what to do. "Oh God...I can't see, I'm blind..." Buffy sobbed, finally realizing what this was going to mean.

Spike walked ahead of Dawn, walking up to Buffy and scooping her up into his arms and carrying her downstairs as Buffy cried against his chest. Dawn followed the two, keeping quiet. When Spike walked into the living room, he laid Buffy down on the couch, walking over and getting a comforter to cover her up. "Here, love...if you're cold..."

Buffy had curled herself into a small ball, trying not to cry. "I'm fine," Buffy said.

"You're not fine, love. You need help..." Spike said. He looked over at Dawn, who was standing in the corner. 'Help me out here, Dawn,' his look was saying.

"Uh...I can call Xander and the gang and let them know what's going on." Dawn said. "We can go over there tomorrow and figure out what to do and how to get your sight back. Is that okay, Buffy?"

Buffy lowered her head. Now she'd have to face her friends as a blind person. She couldn't deal with this. Tears silently started falling down her cheeks again. Now everyone would be rushing up to help her, treating her like she was a complete invalid. And now that she couldn't see...how would she be able to protect Dawn and her friends now?

Spike watched her as she cried. "That sounds fine, Nibblet. Why don't you go do that now?"

"Okay," Dawn murmured before walking into the kitchen to call Xander.

"Buffy?" Spike asked, sitting down on the edge of the couch beside her. "Do you want anything, love?" Buffy shook her head. "Or...how about the blanket?" Spike searched the room, trying to find something that she might want or need. "Or, how about-"

"Fine, I'll take the blanket." Buffy said, cutting him off. She didn't want help, but if it would get Spike to shut up. <Woah...where did that come from? This is the guy that I just said I wanted a chance with.> she thought. But right now, her sight came before the boyfriend pleasantries.

"Okay..." Spike said. He unfolded the blanket and started wrapping it around the small woman who lay on the couch. <What a poof I am now...although I wouldn't have it any other way.> he thought for a second as he finished covering her. "Anything else you need, love? I could, uh...go get you something to drink...eat..."

"Spike! Would you just *stop* trying!" Buffy shouted at him. Suddenly, all of her anger was being released, and it was all being directed towards Spike.

Dawn had just finished her conversation with Xander. They were all going to meet up at the Magic Box tomorrow to research this demon that had hurt Buffy. Xander said he was going to call Giles to let him know what was going on. After hearing Buffy yell at Spike, Dawn ran into the living room.

Spike, stood up off the couch, staring at her with a surprised look on his face. He was surprised that she had just yelled at him. All he was doing was trying to help her out. Not only was he surprised...he was somewhat hurt. "I'm just trying to help you out, love. I can help you get used to all this."

"I don't *want* to get used to all of this." Buffy said crossly. She looked down to where her hands were resting. Not that she could see her hands, but she didn't want Spike to think that she was trying to look over at him.

"Well, let me at least help you then!" Spike yelled at her.

"I don't need your help." Buffy replied coldly. "And I don't want it either."

Dawn was surprised. She figured that if Buffy would allow anyone to get this close to helping her when all her defenses were down, it would be Spike. After all, tonight was the night that she finally told him that she had feelings for him. How could she be so cruel to him now?

Spike stared at her, millions of thoughts rushing through his head. <What the hell?> he thought. Then he asked her aloud the next thought that came to his mind. "What happened to 'us', then, Buffy?"

"Us?" Buffy asked back, shouting it at him. She threw off the afghan and climbed to her feet. She didn't move forward so she wouldn't trip over the coffee table. "That was before I went *BLIND* Spike. Right now, there *is* no 'us.' There can't be an 'us.'" And then she told him what she was thinking about. "Right now, getting my sight back is going to come before the boyfriend pleasantries."

"Buffy..." Dawn gasped, surprised and stunned that Buffy would speak so fiercely towards Spike. <What has gotten into her?> After everything he had done for her friends and family, this was how she repaid him?

Spike's mouth dropped open, anger, confusion, and surprise coursing throughout his body. Now he was just pissed off. How dare she treat him this way! "Fine, Slayer!" Spike yelled coldly, using the term he used whenever she managed to piss him off. "You call me when you need me." Spike started walking towards the front door, grabbing his leather jacket off the stair railing.

"Don't count on that any time soon!" Buffy shouted out to him as Spike opened the door and walked out, slamming it behind him.

Dawn and Buffy stood there silently, both unmoving and quiet. Buffy suddenly let out a loud sob, falling to her knees, and then to the floor. Dawn rushed over to her sister, wrapping her arms around her. "It'll be okay," Dawn said, trying to soothe her sister.

"No...no, it'll never be okay," Buffy said. <Why did I say that to Spike? All he wanted to do was help me.> Buffy cries increased, the tears streaming down her cheeks as Dawn only hugged her tighter. "It's never going to be okay ever again."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The next morning, Dawn and Buffy silently attempted to have a somewhat normal morning. Dawn helped Buffy was her face, brush back her hair into a ponytail holder, and get dressed in a simple outfit. Then, Dawn helped her down the stairs to get some breakfast and finish preparing to go to the Magic Box.

"Buffy, do you want your black leather jacket?" Dawn asked.

"Doesn't matter. Not like I can *see* if I look good or not," Buffy said glumly, sitting on the couch. She didn't move so she wouldn't accidentally run into anything or trip over something that was on the floor.

"Hey, you look great," Dawn said, coming over and sitting next to her. Dawn leaned against Buffy, wrapping an arm around her. "Don't worry, Buffy. We'll get through this."

"Thank you, Dawnie," Buffy whispered, moving to kiss Dawn's forehead.

"C'mon," Dawn started, jumping up to her feet. "Let's get over to the store. They're all waiting for us."

Buffy tentatively stood to her feet and, with the constant help from Dawn, started walking out the door and towards the shop.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The gang was already there when they heard the front door open and the bell ring. Dawn and Buffy slowly walked inside, closing the door behind them. "Okay..." Dawn said. Her hands were on Buffy's shoulders, leading her through the doorway. She helped guide Buffy past the tables that were set up and then towards the stairs. "Keep walking straight...there's a step right...now, and another...and another...and the floor."

"Buffy! Dawn!" Anya greeted loudly. "Nice to see you two!"

Buffy didn't say anything in response. Dawn led her over to the table where the gang was all sitting. Seating Buffy in an empty chair, Dawn smoothed back Buffy's hair before sitting down beside her. Buffy's blank eyes darted back and forth, looking for something but never actually being able to see anything. All she saw was a black, never-ending void.

"Hi Anya," Dawn replied. She grabbed a hold of Buffy's hand, letting her older sister know that she was right beside her.

"Uh...is Spike joining us?" Anya asked. "Usually we see him rush in behind you two...flaming underneath the blanket?" Since Buffy had come back, usually if both Dawn and Buffy were together, you'd expect to see Spike only minutes behind the two trying to catch up.

"Uh, no...I don't think he's coming," Buffy whispered.

"All right...we've got a problem here," Xander said. "Buff, wanna tell us what happened?"

"Spike and I were..." <kissing> she briefly thought, (but she didn't dare tell her friends that), "patrolling, when these two demons came attacking us. They were, uh, slimy...had horns...growly. Not very killable also." Buffy started. "Spike killed one, but the other threw a blob of slime into my eyes and then...I lost my sight. The monster got away..."

"Oh man," Xander groaned. "Am I the only one who wishes that Giles hadn't left for London?"

"Okay, so we research on how to kill this thing," Willow said, trying to keep everyone in the room calm. "And then Spike can go-"

"I don't think that Spike will be helping us out right now," Buffy whispered softly. Dawn squeezed Buffy's hand tightly, letting her know that she was there for her. She and Buffy had talked about her and Spike's argument last night, and Dawn knew that what Buffy said was just in the moment anger. Later last night, Buffy felt horrible for what she had said. However, Buffy was too proud of herself to go back to Spike and grovel.

"Maybe there's a spell that we can use to reverse the effects of the slime," Willow suggested. "Or...one that will break through what's already been done."

"I...I don’t know if that will help," Buffy said. She felt hopeless, as if all of this was a lost cause. Why even bother? "I...I don't know what to do about this."

"Don't worry, Buffy. Tara and I can start looking for some spells to help you. Anya and Xander can look through the demon research books to see what kind of demon attacked you and Spike." Willow said.

Xander groaned again. "Giles would probably know what demon it is off the top of his head. Anyone else wish he was here?"

Everyone else in the room nodded. This was their fist major crisis that had come back since Buffy had come back and Giles had left for England. No one was good at being the leader of the group besides Buffy, and she wasn't really up for being the leader right about now. Most in the room were somewhat lost on what to do.

"Xander...why don't you call him?" Buffy asked. She moved her head, trying to guess where he was sitting. She at least wanted to try to act as though she was talking to someone instead of a wall. "Tell him about what the monster looks like, and let him know that I- I lost my sight.."

"Sure thing, Buffy." Xander replied.

"If you guys don't mind, I just want to stay at home today...with Dawn," Buffy said. She stood up and took a step forward, running into the bookshelf and knocking over the first row of books.

"Oh! Watch out!" Everyone in the room cried out except for Dawn. Dawn rushed over to Buffy's side and grabbed onto her shoulders, helping to steady Buffy. Buffy closed her eyes, sighing and trying to remain calm when all she wanted to do was sit down and cry. Dawn started leading Buffy out the door.

"Call me if you get anything," Buffy said quietly as Dawn led her up the stairs very carefully before heading out the door.

"Aww man," Xander sighed. "Buffy looked beat. I haven't seen her this way since the first few days ever since she got back." He leaned back in his chair, running his hand through his hair.

"Yeah, she looked kinda down." Anya said. "Guess that happens when you're blind, huh?"

"All right guys, we've got to get started on this. For Buffy's sake." Willow said. "Anya, Xander, start researching. Tara and I are going to find some spells about this." Willow pushed back her chair and stood up. "Someone go call Giles." All of the people stayed seated, thinking about Buffy and their new problem. "Now people!" Willow shouted.

Immediately, the four jumped up and started heading towards the books to find information about what happened with Buffy. Tara and Willow headed up the stairs to the powerful magic books while Anya and Xander went over to the bookshelves, pulling out one book after the other.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Almost a week passed and the gang hadn't been able to find anything that would help Buffy. Willow and Tara tried a few spells but apparently the demon's slime was more powerful than any magic spell around in any book that they had available. Anya and Xander were constantly getting interrupted with each other and had troubles finding any type of information about slime demons.

Buffy had almost isolated herself from the entire outside world. If any demon found out she was blind, then her family and friends would be undefended. Buffy couldn't let that happen so she stayed out of sight, trying to get by being blind. Dawn was the only person who continued to help Buffy. Buffy and Dawn remained in the house, only occasionally going out.

Progress was not being made. Not only was she being incredibly stubborn about her blindness, she also refused to talk to Spike. Not that Buffy was aware of it, but everyone now agreed that Spike was the one person who would be able to help her. He would devote all of his time to her, helping her through everything. It would be just like when she first came back and Spike helped her through all of her problems then. Dawn tried getting in touch with him, but he obviously didn't want to be disturbed.

So the gang kept searching, now just praying for some miracle that they could cure Buffy.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Buffy fumbled around in the bathroom, trying to take a shower. <Okay, I've done this dozens of times now,> she thought, rinsing her hair. <I can do this.> Buffy extended her hand, searching around for the bar of soap. Finally, after what seemed like 5 agonizingly long minutes, she grabbed the bar of soap.

Another ten minutes passed before Buffy thought that all the shampoo and conditioner was out of her hair and there were no more suds on her body. She fumbled around trying to find the knob that would turn off the water. Finally, the water stopped and Buffy rung out her hair. After that, she started climbing out of the tub.

However, she didn't raise her left foot enough, and her toes tripped over the edge of the tub. Buffy tried to steady herself, but landed on the floor with a loud bang, hitting her head on the side of the toilet. "Shit," Buffy cursed, trying not to cry.

This was all just so hard. And it wasn't fair. She was blind, something new and something that she couldn't fight. Her friends didn't know what was going on, how could they even relate? She was fighting this by herself with a little help from Dawn. How would she ever manage? Buffy knew that there was no way that she would be able to survive this. She was alone and would never be able to see anything ever again.

From inside Dawn's room, she heard a loud 'thump' come from the bathroom. <Oh God...Buffy,> Dawn thought, throwing her magazine to the side of her bed and climbing off the side of her bed. Dawn rushed from her room down the hallway into the bathroom. Without knocking, Dawn pushed the door open. She saw Buffy crying on the bathroom floor, wet, shivering, and bare, as a trail of blood ran down the side of her face.

"Buffy!" Dawn shouted, running in and kneeling down in front of her sister. She pushed Buffy's wet hair out of her eyes, trying to help her.

"Dawn...Dawnie...I can't do this." Buffy cried. "I just can't keep going on like this."

"Buffy...it'll be okay." Dawn said, trying to help Buffy calm down. Dawn stood up quickly and grabbed the towel off the towel rack beside them. She wrapped the towel around Buffy's arms, trying to help dry her off. "Look, why don't we just get you dried off and then I'll help you-"

"No, Dawnie...I need someone else, besides you..." Buffy said. She pulled the towel closer around her, trying to dry herself off. She raised her head, looking at where she heard Dawn's voice come from. "I need..."

"Help?" Dawn asked. Then, an idea formed. <Help as in the form of Spike?> she thought. Maybe this was a way to get the two of them talking again.

"Yes...help," Buffy replied. "Help me Dawnie," she whispered before she lowered her head and started crying again. Dawn pulled her older sister towards her in a loving embrace, trying to help her get through this.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Half an hour later, Buffy and Dawn were down in the living room, sitting on the couch. Buffy held the cordless phone in her hand as Dawn stood in front of her. Dawn's arms were crossed and she sighed, thinking, <Could she *be* any more stubborn about all this?>

"Maybe I'm calling the wrong person," Buffy said as she ran her fingertips over the cell phone buttons.

"No, this is the perfect person to call," Dawn said, sitting down beside her. "Trust me on this one, Buffy."

"And you're *sure* that he has a phone?" Buffy asked again. She was trying to think up twenty questions to stall as long as she could. Hopefully, she wouldn't even have to call him.

"Yeah." Dawn replied.

Buffy made a face. "In the crypt?"

"Yeah. Willow and Tara magically installed it, so we could call him just in case." Dawn replied, thinking back to when the two Wiccans had performed that spell. It was the same spell that Willow had performed for Buffy when they were trying to hide from Glory. "It's neat, he doesn't even have a bill to pay."

"Okay..." Buffy started, handing the phone to her sister. Dawn grabbed the phone from her hand so Buffy wouldn't have to figure out which way to pass it to her. "Dial away, Dawnie."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Spike walked into his crypt, holding a beer in one hand and a cigarette in the other. He sat down in his old, plush chair, getting comfortable as he took a gulp of his beer. Spike momentarily got up and turned the TV on before sitting down again, watching the news...or something.

This was basically how his life had been going ever since Buffy had practically kicked him out of her home. He'd been keeping up with what's going on with her thanks to Dawn and their phone conversations, but he didn't dare come crawling back to Buffy. No, he was going to make her come to him if she wanted him back.

Truth was, Spike was surprised. Ever since she had been brought back, the two of them had become good friends. Sure Spike always hoped for more than that, but he was doing fine with the two of them being friends. Buffy could relate to him better now. She understood more of what he went through.

However, that night when she blew up at him just because he was trying to *help*, well...Spike felt like they were right back where they were one year ago, when she hated his guts. <Obviously she doesn't need me.> Spike thought, inhaling a puff of smoke.

To his right on the table, the phone rang. <Who the hell would be calling at this time of night?> Spike thought, reaching over and grabbing the receiver.

"'Ello?" Spike asked into the phone.

There was a very long pause on the phone as Buffy recovered from hearing his voice for the first time in a few weeks. <God, Spike,> she thought. She hadn't allowed herself to think about it, but she was in desperate need of his help. <If only I hadn't screwed up that night,> Buffy thought. Finally, she found her voice. "Sp-Spike...? Is that you?"

<Oh God, it's her.> Spike thought. He sighed, trying not to let his emotions show. "Buffy...what do you want?"

Silent tears were dripping down Buffy's face as she heard his voice...so cold and distant. <He doesn’t' care about me anymore,> she thought. <Not that I blame him.> "Spike? I...I want...help." Buffy tried to say as her voice wavered. "I need you...your help."

"You're askin' for my help?" Spike asked in shock. Never had he thought that Buffy would be calling him asking for his support.

"Please, Spike?" Buffy asked quietly. She sounded so lost and confused, as if she had give up all hope.

"I'm on my way, love." Spike said. He hung up the phone and stood up, taking his final drink of beer before heading out the door of his crypt.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Spike arrived at Buffy's within the first 5 minutes after they had hung up. He knocked on the door and Dawn answered, swinging the door open. "Wow, you must have run over here." She said as she moved aside, letting him in.

Spike paused to gasp for breath. Funny, since he didn't really need to breathe. "Yeah. Hello Nibblet. Where's Big Sis?"

Dawn raised her eyes to the ceiling. "Upstairs...she kinda felt tired." She closed the door behind her as Spike walked into the foyer. "She...kinda hurt her head."

"What? How?" Spike asked.

"Calm down, Spike. She tripped when she stepped out of the shower. She kinda cut up her forehead, but she'll be okay." Dawn said. "I patched her up."

"Good job then, Sweet Bit." Spike replied. "So..."

"Yeah, just go on up." Dawn said.

"Thanks, Nibblet," Spike replied, heading on up the stairs.

As he reached the top of the stairs, he could already hear her crying. <Cor, pet. Why didn't you call me sooner?> Spike though as he walked down the hallway. <You know I would have come over here.> He reached her doorway, pausing as he peaked into the room.

Buffy lay on her bed, a pillow wrapped between her arms as she cried. Never before had Spike seen her look so lost and alone. He had heard it in her voice when she called him, but seeing it for real started breaking his heart.

"Buffy?" Spike asked, pushing open the door and taking a small step inside.

"Spike?" Buffy stopped crying. "Is that you?" she asked as she started sitting up.

"No, love...take it slow," Spike commanded softly. He quickly walked over to her side, helping her to sit up. "Here, let me help," Spike said as he helped Buffy move. She wrapped her arms around him, breathing him in.

"Spike, you really came." Buffy said softly, her voice muffled because she was breathing and talking into his chest.

"Of course I did, love." Spike said, stroking the side of her face. "Why wouldn't I?"

"Because of the way I treated you...everything that I said to you." Buffy said. She regretted every word that she had said to him that night, and she knew that she had to apologize. "I'm sorry."

"Doesn't matter anymore, Buffy," Spike said. He tightened his embrace around her before letting go and moving away. "What can I do to help?"

"I don't know, I just don't know anymore." Buffy said sounding lost.

Spike kissed her forehead, trying to calm her. "I'm here for you, love. Why don't you get some sleep?"

Buffy blinked, as if trying to focus her vision. "Okay..." she moved her hands around, trying to find the edge of the covers. Spike saw this and helped her pull back the quilt, helping Buffy get into bed. He was trying to be as gentle as possible, when all he wanted to do was climb into bed with her and hold her until she fell asleep. <Calm down, mate.> Spike told himself.

"Good night, love," Spike whispered into her ear, starting to head out the door.

"Spike?" Buffy asked a few seconds later.

"Yes, love?" Spike asked, turning back around to face her.

"Can you...stay here? Just until I fall asleep. You know, just in case I-"

"Sure thing, Buffy." Spike said, walking back closer to Buffy. He took off his leather jacket, laying it across the back of a chair in his room before sitting down in that chair. Spike watched Buffy as she closed her eyes, before falling asleep.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~