Dedication: First of all the story wouldn’t exist without Tasha from the Misfits gang. She gave me the courage to write and keep writing, plus was the one who told me to write them a story, so I actually did! Next: my wonderful beta’s Holly (who helped tremendously with characters) and Caitie! You guys are wonderful and I appreciate your work very much! You guys are fab! Finally, there are a lot of other people who encouraged me (Kari and the entire Misfits gang– Love you guys)!
Part One
Chapter 1
May 2003
Willow: Yeah. (smiles) The First is scrunched, so... what do you think we should do, Buffy?
Faith: Yeah, you're not the one and only chosen anymore. Just gotta live like a person. How's that feel?
Dawn: Yeah, Buffy. What are we gonna do now?
As the others chatter around her, Buffy just stares straight ahead at the hole formerly known as Sunnydale. As she contemplates what's next, she smiles.
- Transcript dialogue from end of “Chosen.”
********************************************************
June 2003 - England
Dawn stared off into the distance. Only a little over a month had past since they destroyed the First, since Sunnydale became a crater in the ground and since Spike died saving the world. The group debated on where to go and what to do for about a week, but in the end they realized that they really had no where to go and regroup without money.
Los Angeles was out of the question…something Buffy had said about cookies that she never quite understood. Setting up in Cleveland had been difficult without the resources of the council. So, it wasn’t much of a surprise when Giles announced he was traveling to England to try and recreate the Council’s resources. Willow jumped on board with offers of hacking and mystical slayer tracking…. Unfortunately that meant Kennedy followed.
Dawn shuddered at the thought of the brash slayer. She hadn’t paid much attention to her while they were preparing for the battle with the First, but now seeing her on a daily basis in England grated on her nerves. What did Willow ever see in her? She was NOTHING like Tara… perhaps that was the point? Even so, couldn’t Willow pick someone else less….annoying?
Shaking off thoughts of the Kennedy, she contemplated the other changes to the group. Faith and Wood settled in Cleveland - determined to keep the hellmouth guarded, while Giles regrouped and rebuilt the Council with the precious resources that weren’t destroyed by Caleb. In the meantime, Xander had taken off to parts unknown, locating slayers and sending them to England, where Dawn and the more experienced slayers had started to hold classes and slowly forming the new Watcher’s Council.
The only problem had been Buffy. After the battle with the First she seemed to withdrawal into herself.
“I understand”, Dawn mutters to herself, “Spike was my friend too, but Buffy didn’t really love him…care about him yes, but she couldn’t love him, not with the way she treated him… so why is she acting this way. It is getting so old. She just needs to move on with her life, not pout.” Dawn felt a twinge of conscience over her muttered words, but brushed it off as she walked over to her new Council car, not noticing a stricken Buffy standing in the garden’s shadows.
********************************************************
Two Weeks Later
Willow glanced up at her friend… “Did you need something Buffy, because I have to finish this cataloging before Giles gets back with the new set of slayers from Asia, or was it Brazil? Anyway… he went to the airport and he wants me to whip up a Slayer 101 when he gets here, and Kennedy wants to go clubbing…and then slaying. Hey do you want to come? Because Willow and British clubs… not so mixy, but Kennedy wants to get out, so why not… and anyway what were you saying you needed again?”
“I’m leaving Wills. Being here in England, it’s too much… I want a chance to get away from everything….” Buffy looked down at the ground, her voice trailed off….
“But we have so much to do with the new Council. There are responsibilities, and training, plus don’t forget that,” ring… ring
Willow looks at the phone and then back up at Buffy. Knowing that her friend really needs to talk right now, she felt guilty that she had so much to take care of in order to get the school ready for September. The phone continued to ring as Buffy stared off into the distance.
“Oh hold on… Willow Rosenberg here. Yes… yes… when will the house be ready? It will house a girl’s academy…yes… great eleven is perfect… bye”
“Buffy…wait,” Willow stared at Buffy’s retreating form as the phone rang again. “Willow Rosenberg here…”
********************************************************
“Seriously Giles, she said she was leaving and then she just ran out… I tried to stop her, what should we do?”
“Let her go Willow. Buffy has done far more then her share of work for the Council, and we can not force her to stay. I am afraid she is suffering from fatigue and as much as I hate to admit it… missing Spike. Perhaps it is for the best to let her go her own way.”
“But shouldn’t we do something?”
“Do what? Hold her hand and pretend that we are sorry that a chipless vampire died? Yes, he died a hero, but so did a lot of those girls. Our responsibility is to them and to this world, not to the memory of a vampire or any feelings the Slayer thought she had for them.”
Dawn walks in, “Hey guys what’s up?”
Willow looks up - “We are talking about Buffy leaving”
“What! She can’t go – I need her! She should be here with me! What did you guys say to her?”
Giles sighed, “Nothing, Dawn. I am afraid I am no longer your sister’s keeper, nor does she need one. After Spike died…” his words died on his lips as he saw Buffy walk in. He took a moment to study her – she looked lifeless… her complexion had already lost her golden tan; her beautiful blonde hair was limp with brown roots showing and her eyes…. they were haunting. Gone was the sparkle of life or determination they once had; now it was replaced with a defeated look.
“It’s okay Dawnie – I just need some time away from here, away from the memories…” Buffy turned, not catching the sympathy in the gang’s eyes. It was too much for her to deal with on a daily basis, besides all the Scoobies were scattered now. Those who died were honored; yet there was no room in their new lives to truly remember them, to cherish them.
Buffy felt a surge of anger at the irony. Willow killed and then retreated to England; Xander escaped by traveling the world, searching for the slayers but left alone in his thoughts; Dawn mourned her lost friend, but really she had been moving on with her life. They all had, which left Buffy. Why did everyone she loved always leave? With that thought Buffy’s anger was gone. Taking a cue from her thoughts, she turned and left.
********************************************************
Chapter 2
Author's Note for Ch 2:: Angel season four and five - It was all lies… In reality Angel and Cordy are living together (would living with Cordy make you that happy?), start raising Connor and take over WH in order to fight evil from the inside, plus Cordy wanted the pay raise! Deal with it! 5, 85 Fool For Love and 7,144 Chosen quotes below.
********************************************************
August 2003 – Los Angeles
Buffy sighed as she gazed along the stretch of the pier. She should have known she would end up in LA. The place represented so much - where she became a slayer, the city that Angel left her for, and the city that her father never ventured from, unless on ‘business’ with whoever was the new young woman in his life, and the city where dreams began and where they ended.
Angel and her father…. So ironic that the two men in her life who would never be there for her, yet they liked to pretend otherwise, both chose the same city. She saw ‘him’ two weeks ago.
She had it all planned out. He would embrace her, and she would finally be able to cry; he would not judge her, tell her to get over it, or question her love for the man he’d never met. He would hold her and mummer fatherly words until she was better. Reality sucked.
Reality was a 20-something opening the door bedecked in a skirt shorter than her shortest and some really gaudy jewels. Reality was her Dad being surprised to see her, topped with a confused look about why she was there, especially without calling to see if he was free. Reality was her Dad rushing off to some party with a vague kiss on the forehead and a promise to call her. Did he even remember that Sunnydale was no more, and he wouldn’t have her new number? Reality blew!
Her experience with Angel was no better, but at least that had been an accident. Who knew the vampire she dusted the night before was a client of Angel’s? And exactly why was Angel defending vampires, demons, and all sorts of evil?
**********************Flashback**************************
(Buffy sat at a table in an outdoor café, twirling her straw around her iced coffee, when Angel walked up to her table)
“Buffy, what are you doing in Los Angeles?”
A smile broke over Buffy’s face. Ever since she left England she had been feeling out of touch and lonely. While that was the point of her own ‘time out’ - to get away from it all, and to allow her heart to recover, it was still good to see an old friend.
“Angel, hi! I was just taking some time off and thought I would come to LA…” before she could finish, Angel interrupted.
“That’s not what I meant Buffy; I meant what are you doing? You should have contacted me the moment you got in. I have been working on a delicate balance here, and you just storm in and start dusting people? That vamp you dusted just happened to be a client’s childer, and now he is in an uproar over a Slayer coming in and killing indiscriminately. You should have checked in, and I would have told you that.” Angel looked at her condescendingly, “This is not Sunnydale; there are other factors to consider here.”
Buffy looked stunned at this mini-tirade, “Clients...what? Wait a minute – what do you mean I should check in? I don’t answer to you! I’m the Slayer; I slayed!”
“Just a slayer Buffy, not the Slayer… but isn’t that the point? Giles called me, and told me that you took off from England. He thought you might come here, but Buffy, I can’t be with you right now. There have been some changes in these last few months… I don’t want to hurt you, but it’s for the best if we don’t see each other while you’re here.”
With that last statement, Angel turned and walked off. Buffy sat in her seat for a few minutes, stunned, and then gathered her stuff and walked off towards the pier.
****************** End Flashback**************************
‘Doesn’t anyone even know me anymore?’ Buffy thought, her mind dwelling upon Angel’s words. So strange. Strange that, while she was happy to see Angel as a friend, he still left her even when he was suppose to be her friend. Three months ago, he was kissing her and listening to her cookie analogies, but now he was chiding her for dusting a vampire. One who was without a soul or a chip. She had only been doing her job, and yet she was the one who felt ashamed.
Night after night she slayed; rescued the helpless; those who would never know her name and never notice if she died. As soon as the dust settled she was out. All the cities blended together, all the cemeteries looked alike, and all the vampires looked the same - ugly. The nights blended together, while the days seemed too long and too lonely.
The only comfort she found rested in her dreams where she replayed the last years of her life. If only she would have been brave and admitted his or her own mistakes, except for Buffy. Everyone was allowed to choose their mates and live their lives with the ones that they loved – however short those lives may have been.
Yet, Buffy was always denied, both by her own fears and her blind obedience to the expectations of everyone around her. Their expectations fed into her fears, and she never lived her own life. Angel was right… she was not THE slayer, she was a slayer. And ironically even though she was one slayer among many, she felt more alone then ever.
********************************************************
Later that night
Everyone’s words kept echoing through her mind… “Just a slayer”, “Didn’t really love him”, “No you don’t but thanks for saying it.” The last one was the worst. She had denied her feelings to the end, and when she was finally ready to admit it, ready to embrace everything that love would entail, it was too late.
At the very moment that the Turok-Han sliced her with its sword, she realized what she had been denying for so long. What she and Spike had was real… not some fantasy, not the remnants of a spell, nor the idealized concept of love she thought she had with Angel. It was real, it was messy, and it would never go away.
Her thoughts of Spike forced her to get to her feet and fight on qith the knowledge that he was there and that there was so much left undone between them. If she had known that he wouldn’t make it, would she have managed to fight on?
Buffy was knocked out of her musings by a tingling at the back of her neck. Spinning around, she noticed that it was yet another 80’s reject. She began to say something; however, the quip died on her lips as she realized that she finally understood now what Spike had told her so long ago…
“The only reason you've lasted as long as you have is you've got ties to the world... your mum, your brat kid sister, the Scoobies. They all tie you here, but you're just putting off the inevitable. Sooner or later, you're gonna want it. And the second- the second- that happens...”
A sob welled up in Buffy’s throat as the first punch connected with her face. A flurry of kicks and punches go back and forth. With tears streaming down her face, she understood. For the first time, she truly understood what he was saying. Slayers fight alone, walk alone and in the end they die alone.
She had no one left to live for. Both her friends and her family were living their lives. They would be happy, get married, have kids and that damn white picket fence. Buffy would never have that. She would never experience that kind of life; never experience that kind of love and devotion. She had had her chance. The only person who could love her like that was dust and there would never be another Spike.
********************************************************
The young vampire struggled to block the blows of the blond slayer. This was the one who killed the Master’s Childer, and her death would elevate his status within the family. After twenty years, he was still considered to be a fledgling; that would change with the Slayer’s death.
He had heard that this was *the* Slayer that killed *THE MASTER*, but he didn’t believe the stories. That slayer was known for her quips and quick death; while the girl before him was weak. The vampire snarled with disgust and knocked her down.
Quick as a flash she was up and kicked him back into a post; raising her stake she lunged for the heart… and hit air. Thrown off balance, she stumbled and swung around. The vampire grabbed her neck and sank his fangs into her neck.
********************************************************
Buffy felt the life being drained away and struggled against the fledgling… she could hear the echo of Spike’s voice… “One good day.” A sigh escaped her lips. With relief, her eyes fluttered shut… she could be with Spike now, in life denied, in death complete.
*******************************************************
Chapter 3
A woman stared into the pond…. “The bonds are breaking, my brother. The Champions have departed the plane and are lost to each other.”
The man gazed at the woman, “How did this come about? We were so careful. The threads were cut and woven into the tapestry. I placed them myself. Angel, the original souled one would wear the amulet in a glorious battle against the First Evil. Upon victory he would be reduced to ash, but return in his human form to remain with the seer Cordiela and together they would raise his son, Conner. They would have another child, who would be instrumental in the fight against evil. That child, their daughter, would ultimately destroy Wolfram and Hart with the knowledge gained from the father and the visions provided to the mother.”
“Buffy and Spike, would fulfill an ancient prophecy that had already began. The awakening of the Scythe has led to a surge of slayers throughout the world. Yet the slayer line is incomplete without the ritual. Without the ritual, not every potential slayer received their powers. Only those who were directly eligible to become slayers should the Guardian fall received their powers. Those whose time was past and those whose time was yet to come did not awaken.”
The woman shuddered, “Yes, the prophecy… without the champions the ritual of renewal will fail. With that failure, the slayer line will die. Not today, nor tomorrow…but no more will new slayers be called, even among those who have yet to be born. When the last slayer dies, the line will cease and the demons will rebel. The balance is in peril, and I fear our Champions have been misused. The world must be put right.”
“A reward?”
“A reward.” The female power confirmed. “We cannot change the sequence of events which led to the downfall of the Champions. However, we can return our Champions to the lives they led before. Allow them to decide their fate, knowing all that has transpired. Let our champions decide how to live their lives with free choice and knowledge of what could be.”
“Do you have a plan my sister?”
“I will allow the weeping tree to complete her long lost spell. The Champions shall be reunited and rewarded with that which they should not forget.”
***********************Cut to England*********************
Dawn jumped up “Hey guys, really cool! It’s a prophecy about Buffy!”
Giles looked over, “Really Dawn that was what you said about the last three prophecies.”
Willow agreed, “Yeah Giles, you’d think they would name these slayers. We only have a few thousand… I thought prophets were all knowing… couldn’t they start naming the slayers once we got more then one. For that matter what is with the vagueness? Can’t they just come out and say Buffy will be killed by the Master. Beware!”
Dawn again pipes up, “No, seriously guys! It says:
The scythe shall be found
By those from whom it disappeared, destroyed
The tree shall feed the power
The One no more
The One guards
The One unites
The One is never more
One becomes Two
Dark and Light
The ritual of renewal
Bring forth the many
Shall the light dim
The many will vanish
The Two shall become One
The One becomes none
The Guardian has failed
The demons rebel.
Willow looked up, “Are you sure that is a prophecy? It’s kind of pretty – maybe some guy’s poem he just jotted there? What? It could happen!”
When the phone rang, Giles looked over and sighed in relief, “Rupert Giles speaking…. Just a minute please…” He handed the phone over to Dawn.
“Hello, this is Dawn Summers……” The phone crashed onto the floor as the young girl collapsed, tears streaming down her face…. ”Buffy!”
********************************************************
Part Two
Chapter 4
Author’s note: This section takes place during S3: Lover’s Walk and goes AU from there. Dialogue was taken & manipulated from S3: Lover’s Walk. Big thanks to Holly for betaing this chapter.
********************************************************
December 1998 – Sunnydale
… “I will allow the weeping tree to complete her long lost spell. The Champions shall be reunited and rewarded with that which they should not forget.”
“But what will you change, sister?”
“Look into the pool and see what was, and what will be.” The man gazed into the pool…
*FLASH*
7 p.m. - Spike found Willow and Xander at the high school. Hitting Xander over the head, he proceeded to kidnap them and retreat to the factory.
*FLASH*
Spike slurred, “A spell. For me. You’re gonna do a spell for me.”
Willow looked confused and fearful at the same time, “Uh, what kind of spell?”
“A love spell! Are you brain dead?” Spike walked over to the dresser. “I’m gonna get what’s mine.” Grabbing a bottle of the stand, he uncorks it. “What’s mine. Teach her to walk out on me.”
*FLASH*
Completely frightening, Willow panted, “Now, now, hold on! I-I’ll do your spell for you, and, and, and I’ll get you Drusilla back, but, but there will be no bottle-in-face, and there will be no ‘having’ of any kind with me. All right?”
Spike grabbed Willow by the neck and bent her over; however he made no move to bite her. Instead he reverted back to his human guise. “Alright.” pushing her away, “Get started.” Willow stepped around the bed to where Spike dumped the box of magical supplies. Starting to sift through them, she stammered, “Now, I’m not a real witch, you know. I-I don’t know if this is gonna work right away.” “Well, if at first you don’t succeed, I’ll kill him,” Spike pointed to an unconscious Xander, “and you’ll try again.” Hurriedly sorting through the supplies, she looked up, “This isn’t enough.” “What?” Spike stalked toward her. Backing up nervously, Willow clung to the bag and said, “Well, there are other ingredients, a-and a-a a book. I need a, a spell book. This isn’t it.” “You’ve got one, though, at home?” “Not at home. I left it somewhere.” Spike got right in her face, “Where?”
*FLASH*
Ahhhh,” The female Power sighed, “Here it is, the change.”
Spike had started to leave so he could gather Willow’s supplies. At that moment, the woman nodded her head towards the pool.
Spike stopped and turned around, “You know witch; I changed my mind. You can do the spell now with the ingredients you have, or I can go ahead and eat the boy. If I have to go chasing around town for books and supplies I am going to work up an appetite. And that just won’t do. So here’s how it’s going to be… you try your mojo now, and if it works you can go home. If it doesn’t work, then I’ll eat the boy and then be off for your supplies. What do you say?”
Willow gulped nervously, “I really need those supplies to make sure it works…”
Spike interrupted, “Come here boy, I need a snack before shopping.” He started toward the helpless Xander.
“No wait! Let me try, I can do it… *speaking softer* I can at least try.”
“Well that’s the spirit – how should we start?”
Willow looks around nervously, “I…um… Can I…?”
“Spit it out, girl.”
Willow straightened up and gave Spike her resolve face…“Would you give me a minute to relax and think about it, or are you determined to scare me into submission, which by the way is not conducive to getting your spell done.”
Spike glared at her, grabbed Xander and proceeded to sulk on the other side of the room.
********************************************************
The sister power smiled… “For this one moment in time the Tree will cease to exist. In this moment, she is beyond the Tree; she will be the Witch who awakened the Scythe, friend of the Guardian and Soldier of the Light. This is my true gift to the Champions - a single moment in time in which they can be reunited and change that which is to come.”
********************************************************
Willow centered herself and looked at the ingredients Spike had brought. A strange calm had descended upon her, and she began to feel more secure.
She started to hum a soft melody, finding the music stirring the power within her. Without realizing what she was doing she began to chant, raising energy around her. Opening her eyes she gasped. *Oh goddess!* The chanting had raised a circle of energy. Reaching out, she could practically feel the energy that surrounded her *it tingles*.
Willow started to chant again… not in words, but sounds, which corresponded to the energy surrounding her.
********************************************************
Xander and Spike stared in shock at the red-headed witch… no longer did she resemble the shy and timid hacker who had been experimenting with witchcraft. Before them sat a woman bathed in power. Slowly they both came to realize that a purple glow reflected off of the witch and her hair had turned into an alluring white.
The circle began to pulse with power as Willow’s head snapped back and a mystical voice belonging to a much stronger Wicca reverberated throughout the room…
“I call upon thee, Goddess, to hear my supplication. Grant me my desire and return what has been lost to the here and now. Bring forth this man’s true love. Return the one he seeks and restore the balance. Goddess hear my plea; so mote it be.”
An explosion of brilliance emanated from where Willow was seated, and Spike began to scream.
********************************************************
7:30 p.m. - Across town Buffy was getting ready to search for Xander and Willow when the phone rang: Buffy answered the phone, “Giles?”
“Hi, Buffy. You still working out?” asked Joyce.
“Uh, no, Mom, actually…”
“I was hoping that we could schedule a college talk later tonight. I admit I overreacted before. You don’t have to do all the way across the country. I, um, picked up some brochures from some nearby schools, okay?”
“That’s great,” Buffy said with fake enthusiasm, “but now’s really not a good time…”
Buffy fell to the ground.
“Buffy… Buffy? Buffy!!!” Joyce hung up the phone, grabbed her keys and ran to the car. All the way to the school she prayed that her little girl would be fine.
********************************************************
The Powers that Be gazed at the pool below… “It is done...the change has been made, the gift has been given, the past is undone and the balance shall be remade.”
********************************************************
Joyce pulled into the parking lot near the library and rushed in, calling out, “Buffy?”
Stopping in her tracks she stared… her baby girl had collapsed next to the phone! Snapping out of her daze she ran over and started checking Buffy for injuries. Finding nothing obvious, she scooped her up and carried her out to the car. She should call Giles; he might know what happened to her baby.
********************************************************
Chapter 5
Authors Note: I probably read something similar to Xander’s line somewhere, because it sounds familiar, but cannot remember where are in what context so if you know, let me know so I can give credit for it. BTW- Since Spike didn’t leave, Oz and Cordy didn’t have time to find Willow and Xander. So they are fetching Giles from his retreat.
********************************************************
Factory – 7:45 p.m.
Spike half screamed and half laughed as he felt the fire that had consumed him in the final battle start to fade. He felt himself dusting; with a final thought of Buffy he faded away…
Within that single moment, a calm washed over him and instantly he saw Buffy… laughing at a joke, crying at funerals, fighting the First; scenes from his life and from hers, things he remembered and those which he couldn’t have seen.
He screamed in agony as he saw Buffy on a pier fighting some wanker and heard her whisper his name as she dropped to the ground; her life taken away by the monsters she was no longer chosen to fight.
“Buffy!!!!!!!!!”
********************************************************
Xander looked aghast, “Hey Wills…. am I seeing things with the head wound here, or is Spike screaming Buffy’s name?”
“Nope, not hallucinating.”
“Can I be?”
Spike turned to the two and nodded his head, “Red, Whelp…. What’s going on?” Stepping back he exclaimed, “Bloody hell, Whelp… your eye!”
Xander reached up and touched his eyes, “Huh?”
“What the hell is going on here? What have you done Red? Is this a spell?”
Willow looked like she was about to faint, “Just the one you asked me for, so no eating Xander!”
Spike looked quite confused as he stared at the couple. “You made the potentials all slayers then? Then what the hell are we doing in the factory?? ”
Xander stared at Spike, “And again with the huh?”
“Bloody hell, let’s go talk to the Watcher. Something has happened. I should be dust, I saw Buffy die, and I know the Factory burnt down and the town exploded.”
Willow gulped and looked at the clearly insane vampire. Less then an hour ago he was threatening to eat them and now he was acting as if they were friends. Perhaps if they played along, they could escape and get Buffy. Besides something had happened during that spell, but of what she was not sure.
********************************************************
Spike was swearing under his breath as he drove away from where Giles should be… * sarcastic chuckle* should be …. That was definitely the key. While pounding on the door at Giles old place, Red and the Whelp snuck out of the car and ran for dear life.
Giles wasn’t at his old place; the Magic Box was different and held no familiar scent, no training room, and a dead body that was oddly familiar. His head hurt. Everything smelled differently than it had this morning. Yet, he distinctly remembered not only his death but also the collapse of the hellmouth and then Buffy’s death. Unusual, if one took into account that both things happened after his own demise. So where did these memories come from? Why was everything different, but at the same time vaguely familiar?
Spike pulled up the Desoto to 1630 Revello Drive and went to pound on the front door. Perhaps Dawn would be home and could shed light on the situation.
A few minutes later, he felt a presence behind him.
“Spike”
“Angelus”.
Spike ducked as the first punch was thrown, then returned it with a flurry of punches and kicks. It felt good to unleash all the aggression and confusion he felt into a physical battle with Peaches. The spell however had left him slightly weakened, and he begun to falter.
********************************************************
Angel felt surprise at the skill of his blond childer. Less then a year ago he had been in a wheelchair, cowering before Angelus and whimpering about Drusilla. The blond master who fought him now was more impressive than he would ever have thought possible.
Regardless, Angel always won. Even souled, his skill was matched by no one, certainly not the upstart that Dru took pity on, and it was only a matter of time before he won this match {thunk}.
********************************************************
Spike looked down in shock. The fight with Angel had been cut short courtesy of a shovel and a brassed off Joyce. Spike did a double take... and stretched out his hand to stroke the cheek of the woman before him.
“Joyce?” A sob welled up in his throat and he hugged the startled woman. “Is it you, is it really you? I have missed you so much”
A confused Joyce returned the vampire’s hug. With a soothing voice she calmed him, “It’s okay Spike. Help me with Buffy, and then we can talk about it over cocoa “
Sniffs; “Thanks mum for the hand. Everything is so bizarre and confused! Is Angelus evil again? Wait…. What is wrong with Buffy?”
“I am not sure, but I called Giles and left a message. We have to get her inside before Angelus wakes up and attacks.” With a worried tone Joyce continued to explain how Buffy had fallen unconscious during their phone call. Together they got the slayer into the house; neither noticing that Angel had vanished.
********************************************************
Spike took in the familiarity of being back in the Summers’ home. He watched as Joyce picked up the teakettle from the stove and moved to the island to pour some hot water into a cup for Spike. Joyce listened to the blond vampire while she proceeded to make him his hot chocolate.
Spike sat back at the table and poured his feelings out to Joyce. She was stunned and confused at what he had been telling her. The look in his eyes was haunting; he told her of a love so strong that it transcended the grave. A love that connected him to her daughter, the daughter he claimed had already died three times. She interrupted with questions now and then, but was mostly transfixed by his tale. What was it about this vampire, this ally of her daughter’s, that he seemed to feel stronger then anyone she has ever met?
If he was crazy, then he was insane but devoted; and if he was sane… then her baby has suffered more then she could ever comprehend. For now, it was enough that he was here, helping her and she understood that no matter what the truth would yield, she trusted this strange vampire with her daughters life.
********************************************************
Buffy’s Bedroom
Buffy stirred and slowly regained consciousness. Her neck ached and her body tingled… more like the tingle that came when her leg fell asleep; not the ohhh the vampire can go for hours tingle… and with the thought of said vampire she gasped, “Spike”.
Suddenly it came back to her - the fight, the wish for release. But above all, she remembered the relief she felt as she realized that the dance was over and she could join Spike in death. Yet her death was denied. For the fourth time in her life she had been given life, and for the second time she realized that she had been denied the peace that she so desperately sought.
A sob welled up in her throat, how could they bring her back again? Hadn’t they learnt the lesson after the last resurrection? She could fight, she could do her duty, but her heart would never live again. It was buried beneath the rubble of Sunnydale and without it - was she really Buffy?
As she thought about Sunnydale, she started to notice a few strange things, such as she was in her bed. A bed she remembered in Sunnydale - which didn’t exist anymore - buried along with all of her possessions and her old life. But it was her room. She stood and walked around the room. Her clothes were in the closet; her diary was under the bed, the pictures on the wall. Everything she remembered being in the room was there, including Mr. Gordo.
Buffy gasped as a flood of memories came back to her, stronger then ever. Dancing with Spike, being held by him, memories of their life together and flashes of what could have been. Buffy gasped and sunk to her knees as more memories kept coming. Things she could not have seen, not have known… a scene with Angel being human came to her, of Spike taking care of her sister when she was dead, good deeds done but never known, and a flash of a prophecy that was gone before she captured it. Tears streamed down her face and she screamed “SPIKE!!!!!!”
********************************************************
Kitchen
“Buffy!” Spike dropped his mug and raced upstairs. He could feel the pain radiating off of her… he was consumed by one thought and that was to get to his mate.
********************************************************
Chapter 6
Authors Note: A big thank you to Schehrezade for help with Buffy’s eye color (FYI –Dark Gift was an inspiration for look, but Buffy is not a vampire here- all will be explained), Tasha (Misfits) who was so kind to look up what Buffy was wearing during Lovers Walk, and Holly for making this chapter not suck.
**********************************************
8:30 p.m.
Joyce observed the two blondes holding each other; somehow they managed to combine mumbled “I Love Yous” with a combination of weeping, hugging and kissing. They were desperately hanging onto each other as though if either were to let go the other might disappear.
Knowing that now was not the time to get answers from the pair, she decided to go to the one other person who might understand what had happened. *And if he wasn’t home, I will camp on his doorstep until he comes home.*
********************************************************
Spike removed the offending ponytail holder then ran his fingers through her silky hair. His uttered sentences were coming out incoherently; but the same thoughts kept running through his head… want, need; love.
He stopped his ministrations and looked at her, “You Love ME? I saw it – everything… you were fighting and you then you died – I remember your thoughts, your feelings, your love…”
Buffy grabbed him and pushed him against the wall. “Love you so much, need you now, talk later!”
Spike smirked as Buffy forced him against the wall. Her tiny hands tugged at his shirt, pulling it clear of his jeans and her hands traveled up to touch his skin. Spike tensed as a wave of deja vu overcame him. The last time he had been pushed against the wall like this it was their first time. Sure they had brought down the house with their passionate lovemaking, but the look in Buffy’s eyes the next morning conveyed disgust.
Buffy seemed to understand his thoughts. “I love you. You’re my everything.” On instinct she nuzzled his neck, “I can feel you, you know… your feelings, your emotions…”
Buffy felt Spike shudder as her tongue traced a spot that she remembered biting, but couldn’t recall when or where. Feeling the insecurity rolling off of him, she licked the base of his neck, nibbling at the pressure point. “My Spike.”
She felt him groan her name out and instantly became wetter. Suddenly she was anxious to feel more of him. She yanked his shirt over his head and latched upon the exposed nipple. She alternated between biting and sucking on his the nipples while caressing his chest.
She felt his breath hitch as her explorations of his body continued down past his stomach until the barrier of his tight jeans was reached.
Imitating Spike’s trademark smirk she laughed, “Oh Spikey, this will never do. Let me help you get those nasty jeans off.”
Buffy dropped to her knees and grabbed the jean snap with her teeth. With a yank the snap was undone and the button flew across the room. Amused at the fact that his jeans were now held up only by his straining erection she murmured, “Now how do I take care of that.”
Reaching out her hand she managed to free his cock and balls from the jeans. She nuzzled his curls and inhaled his musky scent. “Mmmmm, I have missed your scent.”
Tracing the throbbing vein with her tongue she smiled, she loved the effect she had on him. Lazily she ran her tongue over the side of his surface, pulling back and then engulfing what she could with her mouth. Over and over again she pulled back, flicking her tongue over the tip of his head and then taking his length inside her mouth. Wrapping her hand around the base of his shaft, she stroked in time with her mouth.
The heat of Buffy’s mouth combined with his dreamlike state of disbelief that they were alive and making love had Spike ready to explode. “Pet,” he moaned as he pulled her up away from his aching cock, “let’s go to the bed.”
Without thought, Buffy’s eyes flashed an icy blue and little fangs descended. Pinning him in place, she reared back her head and plunged her fangs into the spot she had nuzzled earlier. “MINE!!!!!”
Spike’s eyes darkened at the feel of her fangs in his neck. ‘Bloody Hell, fangs…’ was his last coherent thought. Instinct completely took over. His eyes turned deep amber as he went into game face. “MINE!” he growled as his fangs eradicated former marks on her neck.
Spike picked Buffy up and carried her up to the bed. Laying her down on the bed, he gazed at her. Still standing over her wanton form, he stripped off her black jogging pants and sea foam sleeveless shirt, casting them aside. She looked so delicious in just her white bra and matching lace panties. His bite marks on her neck were delicate since he hadn’t tried to hurt the girl. However, his mark was driving him crazy; it called to him like a siren.
Spike positioned himself next to Buffy and began to nuzzle and lick the marks he just made.
Mewling in need, Buffy arched her back, straining to come into contact with his body. “Please…”
Spike growled and sank his fangs back into Buffy’s neck, not drawing any blood but just enjoying the pleasure of the penetration. Slipping one hand under her panties, he ran his finger softly on top of her clit. Taking one finger he slowly entered her, surprised at how wet she had become from the foreplay.
Retracting his fangs he kissed her neck and then kissed a trail from the base of her throat down her front. She realized he had encountered her bra, but before she could move he had ripped it off and triumphantly claimed her nipple.
Buffy began to thrash around on the bed, going insane from the teasing ministrations of his hand coupled with the feel of his tongue on her breast. All she could think about it was his fingers sheathed inside of her.
Spike moved his lips to the other breast, and Buffy felt like she was going to die. Her hips arched up to meet the thrusts of his hand and she felt like screaming.
“Spike…”
A wicked grin lit the vampire’s face, “Yes Pet?”
“Please….”
“Please what?”
“Make me cum!”
With a feral smile he ripped off her underwear and before she could move; he plunged his tongue into her soft mound. He chuckled at her harsh intake of breath and felt her heartbeat speed up even faster. He loved the taste of her; it was the only thing he ever tasted that was better then her blood. He began to fuck her with his tongue while pinching and twisting her clit.
“SPIKKKKKKKE!!”
Before Buffy could catch her breath, Spike slammed into her with his cock. They both gasped and stopped moving as Buffy’s heat contracted around him. For a moment they kept still, marveling in the fact that somehow they were together again. They had been given a second chance and they were going to embrace it.
As Spike contemplated the fact that he felt completely at home, Buffy began to mewl, desperately trying to increase the friction between them.
Spike chuckled, *such an impatient girl*. He began to withdrawal slowly, teasing Buffy by alternating between short thrusts and almost pulling out.
“Please Spike, I…need you, I thought I would never see you again.” Please.” Buffy’s eyes flashed icy blue again, and Spike lost control. Grabbing her he began to pound into her over and over again. He could tell Buffy was getting close to another orgasm by the speed of her heart and shallow breaths she took. As she neared the edge, he sank his fangs into her bringing them both over the brink. Both came with pleasure of their release and the feeling of completeness.
********************************************************
Chapter 7
9:30 p.m.
Spike was propped up on his elbow looking at a very happy and cuddly Buffy. “So pet, do you know what is going on? I love the new you –icy blue eyes, baby fangs…heartbeat. It’s a bloody brilliant package, and mind you I’m not complaining, but if we claimed each other before we died, I sure the hell would have remembered!”
Buffy practically purred with happiness, “Does it really matter? I love you Spike, and don’t you dare tell me that I don’t!”
Spike looked sheepish and stroked her face, “I know luv. I’m sorry I hurt you, just needed to get you to leave. I needed you to get out... to live for the bit and me. I couldn’t handle you dying again pet; especially not because of me. I knew you loved me, and that’s all I needed.”
Buffy gazed up at Spike, “As long as you know that I love you. Will love you until my dying day, which by the way could be a heck of a long time if people keep resurrecting me.”
Buffy reached up and ran her hand down Spike’s face following the curve of his cheekbone. “I loved you before we were returned or reunited or whatever. I would have found you Spike - Heaven or Hell, you are mine. With or without a soul you are the one person I would spend an eternity with. I let fear guide me before. I hid behind my friends’ censure, too unsure of myself, of us, to stand up and fight. I was afraid that you would leave me, like everyone else seems to do, so I pushed you away. And then I came back and I knew… everything you did for me, every kindness you hid, every act of good you did without my ever knowing...”
Spike started to interrupt Buffy, but he was silenced with a passionate kiss.
Buffy then began to nuzzle his neck, *yummy*. She felt her fangs descend, and she gently bit into Spike. It wasn’t a desire to drink blood, in fact the thought of actually drinking blood made her sick to her stomach. But the claiming aspect felt right and so did the fangs. Besides, Spike thought they were cute! Buffy had a faint feeling that the whole fangs and eye thing was related to the First Slayer and the demon that resided in her. Either that or whoever had resurrected her had screwed up. But hey, at least she could claim Spike properly now.
Not really caring about anything other than the fact Spike was in her arms again she started to fall asleep, fangs still buried in her mate’s neck.
**********************************************
10 p.m.
Buffy stirred, not quite sure what had woken her up. *Whatever it was, I am so kicking its butt.*
She listened for a moment and realized that whatever it had been, it must have already passed by. Annoyed at the intrusion into her sleep, she snuggled back into Spike trying to get comfortable. The more she wiggled around trying to find the perfect spot, the harder he got. She stared at him, trying to determine if he had really fallen asleep or was just playing a game with her. *Hmmmm, seems asleep to me*
Deciding to test her conclusion, she turned around and scooted down the bed. His cock was already semi-hard from her attempts to get comfortable. She inhaled the scent of him, watching in fascination as his cock twitched. *Someone wants to play*
Buffy began to trace the vein of Spike’s cock with her tongue. He tasted absolutely delicious! She loved it when he was semi-hard; it was the only time she could get all of him in her mouth. Of course, fully hard came with many orgasmic benefits, so she wasn’t complaining. She loved how he fit inside her perfectly. The sexual experiences in her memory before Spike were rather boring. There was Angel, who was almost the same size as Spike, but he was bent funny. *Looked like a freaking banana*.
Parker and Riley were at least shaped better, but there cocks had been smaller. All three men had been boring and predictable.
The slight thrust of Spike’s hips snapped Buffy back to the present. She looked up and met a beautiful set of blue eyes staring at her.
“Did you fall asleep down there pet?”
Buffy giggled and repositioned herself in order to pounce on Spike’s chest. “Love you sleepyhead!”
Buffy and Spike began to playfully roll around on the bed. Teasing and tormenting each other as they nipped, kissed, and touched.
“AHHHHHH pet, your killing me.” Spike grabbed Buffy and pulled her so that she was flush against his skin. Bending his head to her neck he began to suckle on the claim marks.
********************************************************
“OH GOOD LORD,” Giles stood in the doorway with Joyce and looked on in shock. His slayer was naked on the bed with William the Bloody and was being drained. He grabbed his stake and lunged towards Spike.
********************************************************
Chapter 8
Buffy saw the stake at the last moment, and she rolled off the bed, taking Spike with her. Hopping up onto her feet, she turned and assumed a fighting stance in order to face this new threat.
Giles stood in shock. He processed a multitude of things at once. One, Buffy was naked. Two, Buffy’s green eyes were an amazing shade of blue. Three, Buffy had fangs about half the length of a normal vamp’s. Four, both blonde’s had puncture marks on their necks. Five, Spike was naked. Six, good lord Buffy was still naked!
“Good Lord.”
“Look, Watcher, as much as I am sure you are enjoying the free show, do you mind leaving the room so my bird could get dressed? “
Giles stood there and stared at the couple until Joyce nudged him. He then turned and retreated out of the room, stopping in the doorway to wait for Joyce.
Spike watched them turn to leave, “Thanks mum. We’ll be down in just a moment – I hear heartbeats though, could you send them home, except for the Watcher?”
During the exchange between Spike and Joyce, Buffy has been staring at her mother. As Joyce turned to leave, Buffy’s anguished voice cried out, “Mom?”
Turning around, Joyce was just in time to catch her daughter as she barreled into her arms. She couldn’t understand a word that Buffy was saying to her. She held her while her daughter, the slayer, fell apart in her arms.
Joyce’s forehead wrinkled as she looked at Giles and quipped, “You know Spike had the same reaction to me, must be the water!”
Smoothing her expression back into a matronly glare, she looked over at Giles, “Could you please go tell everyone in my living room to leave.”
Giles started to interrupt, “But Joyce…”
“But nothing, this is my house and my daughter. Everyone will leave now except for you, and the four of us will have a nice long chat.”
********************************************************
Downstairs
Giles stared at the couch in amazement. Spike, Buffy and Joyce were piled on the couch. Buffy was in the middle of the trio, her legs thrown possessively over the vampire; while her head rested on her mother’s chest. The position seemed to be very uncomfortable to him, but his slayer appeared to be unwilling to let either Spike or Joyce out of her physical reach.
“Well then,” Giles started, “Would either of you care to explain why my slayer has fangs?”
“Well Giles, this morning I woke up in LA, got chewed out by Angel, fought a vampire, died, woke up and found the love of my life and my mother in my room. In Sunnydale, which by the way does not exist anymore. I am heavily wiggin here! I mean, one, I’m dead. Two, Spike died three months ago, while saving the world. Three, My mother died three years ago. So tell me, since you are the only one in this room who is supposed to be alive, what the hell am I doing in my non-existent living room?”
Buffy stopped her tirade as she registered the shocked looks on both her mom and Giles face.
Joyce was particularly pale, “I’m dead?”
Giles looked at a grief-stricken Buffy who was trying desperately to comfort her mother. “Buffy what year is it?”
“2003”
Giles whipped off his glasses and started to clean them.
Spike’s face was one of dawning comprehension, “Well mate, spit it out! What year does your calendar say?”
“It’s November 1998”
***************************************************************************
Chapter 9
Author's Note – The ritual used here is the same ritual which was used in Kari Mourke’s (www.thetwojanes.com) - I Will Follow. Kari you are the best and thank you much for permission to use it. If you haven’t read that story – what the heck are you waiting for?
***************************************************************************
Ten a.m. – Next morning
Buffy snuggled into Spike not wanting to believe it was morning yet. How did the sunrise always manage to happen just when she was drifting off to sleep? You would think if the Powers were the ones who brought her back they would have at least given her more time before she had to wake up and figure things out.
Sighing she ran through the list of things she needed to get done. After their conversation with Giles, she had a long discussion with Spike. Her first instinct was to charge ahead and start fixing everything that had went wrong in the past, but Spike had pointed out that if she went around changing everything before it happened then the results would be unpredictable.
She had argued, pleaded and flat out begged but he had stopped her flat with one sentence, “Pet, as much as I would love to fix everything that went wrong for you – what happens if we accidentally get rid of Tara or the Bit?”
Damn, she hated when he was the logical one! It was so unfair!
The First would need to be dealt with. He would have to be the primary target. Giles would need to start researching the First and the Scythe. A prophecy tingled at the back of her memory, but it was elusive.
Spike had to concentrate on finding the Gem of Amara and getting the trinket back on his hand. They needed all the weapons and ammunition possible to deal with the upcoming battle. Plus, all the shiny things could be sold! No more money problems or Doublemeat Palace for this girl!
There were some things she would have to change, heck there were things she had already changed just by showing up. Things would be different, the only question was how different.
She would have to decide what to do with Faith. She couldn’t let her sister slayer kill innocent people or go bad. Faith pulled through in the end, yet the end would no longer be the same. She couldn’t take the chance that her coming back would ruin Faith’s chance at redemption.
Then there were other factors… what she should do about Andrew and Jonathan? How could she save Tara? Could she save her mom? There were so many variations. So many things that had to happen in order for other events to occur…. Ugghhhh – whoever thought time travel would make things easier for someone had never really thought it through.
The only thing that was easy was what to do about Anya. How funny was it that when the Powers decided to reward their champions they decided to include Anya in the package.
Along with all of the Buffy and Spike memories and the nifty upgrades, there was one more memory running around in her head. The key to Anya’s reward was simple. Buffy had been given two rituals.
One ritual permitted a person to be returned to an alternate dimension. She instinctively knew that she was only allowed to return Anya because she had died saving the world. Anya’s reward for giving up her humanity would not be death but a choice.
The second ritual would allow Buffy to summon the demon Anyanka and restore her memories to her. Anya would be given a choice; she could retain her memories and her humanity or she could remain a demon, forgetting the life that had been hers and remembering only that she should avoid the Hellmouth.
Buffy wondered what her choice would be.
********************************************************
Spike watched as Buffy finished putting the final touches on the protection barrier and began to start chanting. “Anyanka, patron of women scorned… I call upon thee. Come before me.”
With a flash Anyanka appeared in the circle. Her eyes flashed with annoyance and she began to advance upon the duo.
Spike watched in amusement as Anyanka hit the magical barrier. Before she could say or do anything, Buffy was already finishing the next ritual. When the final word “remember” left Buffy’s lips a white light surrounded Anya.
********************************************************
Anya sank to her knees and began to sob. Crossing the barrier, Buffy was at her friend’s side and hugging her. Both girls started to cry…each feeling their loss keenly.
“I’m dead Buffy! Dead! No more orgasms or money. And the scenery sucks! Do you know what happens to someone who spent 1000 years bringing vengeance and then helps avert an apocalypse or two? Not much let me tell you. You just sit around purgatory processing paperwork. Paperwork! Its worse then high school and I don’t earn anything!”
Buffy laughed, “I really missed you Anya. Okay time constraint here so I better be all explainy girl. Your choice – well actually you and Anyanka’s choice, not sure how that works… but anyway your reward for the whole saving the world bit is that you and your demony self get to decide if you want to be human Anya who gets to live and remember everything that happened up til your death, or of you want to be avoidy Anya and never become human or be allowed back into Sunnyhell.”
Anya looked stunned at the choice before her. She seemed to be listening to an internal argument. Suddenly her faced shifted into that of the vengeance demon and then back again. In a deep guttural voice she spoke; “Done.”
********************************************************
Noon
Buffy finished taping up the windows of the basement, turned, and laughed at the sight of Spike trying to carry her bed down the stairs.
“What are you doing running around the house during the day?”
“Your mum closed up the windows before she took demon-girl shopping. Are you sure you want to move down into the basement?”
“Yep, but did you see mom’s face when I told her that both Anya and Faith needed places to say. I thought she was going to faint! Then she did that whole ‘I feel guilty because I just found out Buffy died again routine and presto new housemates! Besides mom will be good for both of them, and this place will be homey for us.”
“You mean furthest away from everyone pet?
Buffy grinned at him wickedly, “So Big Bad, we got about three hours to kill until we meet everyone at school. Any ideas on what to do until then?”
Buffy smirked as Spike put down the bed and started to stalk towards her. She could get use to this new timeline!
********************************************************
Chapter 10
Three p.m.
Buffy sighed. She would be having flashbacks to this afternoon’s activities for the rest of the day. Spike’s tongue should be labeled a dangerous weapon. One thrust of his tongue and she was sopping wet. But the truly dangerous part was his fangs.
Buffy shuddered with delight as she thought about his fangs. She had been in heaven as he had plundered her with his tongue, making her arch in delight. *Not breathing, such a plus.* But the moment he had taken her clit into his mouth and ran his fangs gently across it kept replaying in her mind. Who knew the act of biting and sucking could be so erotic.
Buffy reached down and began caressing herself wondering how long it would take Spike to finish his shower. He was going to go dig for his gem while Anya and she went to the library. There should be enough time for a quickie….
Anya’s voice cut through her fantasies like a jagged knife. “Buffy, we are going to be late and I want to see everyone’s reaction to me.”
*Damn, what a good waste of a fantasy.* “Okay Anya, let me go tell Spike we are heading out.”
“Okay but no having sex! I am single in this world and haven’t had any ‘I’m glad I’m not dead orgasms’. Besides I’m jealous, I need a sweetie. Do you know your mom bought me a small bed! There’s no room in there for two people, why does Faith get the big bed in the spare room and I have to get the one that was on sale? It’s so unfair.”
Buffy rolled her eyes as she walked past Anya, it was already like ‘old times’.
********************************************************
Outside Library – 3:30 pm
Anya looked at Buffy strangely, “You invited Willow, Xander, Oz, Cordy, Faith, Jonathan, Andrew, Joyce, and Giles all to the same meeting?”
“You forgot, Mr. ‘I Run An Evil Law Firm and am going to lecture Buffy right before she dies,’” Buffy supplied.
“And why is Spike not going to be there?”
“Shiny baubles and pretty gems.”
Anya perked up, “You know, since you and Spike blew up Sunnydale, and the Magic Box with it, I should be compensated.”
Buffy rolled her eyes and prepared to enter the library.
********************************************************
Giles looked at his slayer and a blond girl that he didn’t know as they entered the library. He wondered if anyone else could sense the change in her. The two girls seem to radiate power and confidence; their eyes sparkling with both life and knowledge.
He held his breath as they stopped before the tables containing everyone. He was still unsure about why she had requested this strange mixture of people, but it was easier to assemble them then to argue with her.
Buffy stopped at the table that contained the core scoobies and perched herself there.
Anya eyed the group and decided to have a bit of fun. Walking over to the other table she perched herself in between where Faith and Andrew sat, making sure that her good side was facing Xander and Giles.
With a sardonic smile, Buffy began her speech, “Hi, for whoever doesn’t know me, my name is Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Cept’ here is the deal; I am not your chosen one anymore. That honor goes to Faith. She is the freakin’ chosen one.”
Xander and Willow began to argue and Faith looked stunned. Anya decided it was time to interfere. She jumped off the table and sauntered over to where the pair was arguing. She leaned down, grabbed Xander and kissed him hard. Before he could react, she slapped him.
“That’s for leaving me at the altar you jerk. You can just find your own date to the prom.” Turning to Buffy, “I’m done now, would you please just explain already. I didn’t realize I would be back in the twelfth grade and for some strange reason I think I am still flunking math.”
Buffy grinned, this was fun! “Okay, so here’s the deal, this is Anya. She is an ex-vengeance demon. There were three of us who died as a result of an apocalyptic battle. Anya and my ma… um boyfriend… died during the battle and I died a few months afterwards. My fault on the last bit, it was too hard without him. I was off my game and a vamp called me out on it. I lost. Funny thing is, I woke up in my past four years earlier with my boyfriend and a headful of nifty memories including how to allow Anya to come back as well. So here we are, juiced full of memories. Now before you start arguing with me again, there are some things I have to clear up. First, Faith you are coming to live with me. Don’t you dare argue with me, I have four years of slayer moves on you and can kick your ass! Everyone else, Faith is the true slayer, my destiny is tied to the slayer line, but I am NOT the chosen one, anymore. Faith you are part of the family, no arguments.”
Anya perked up, “Don’t forget that Faith has never died and you have managed to do so three different times. That was rather irresponsible of you!”
Buffy grinned, “Yeah rub it in, so Faith is better at this than me, just proves me right.”
Faith looked stunned but happy at the orders to move in, and the rest of the gang seemed to pale. Buffy didn’t know if it was due to the news that she had died three times, that Anya was an ex-vengeance demon, Anya’s kiss or any of the other factors.
Before they had a chance to process anything, Buffy continued, “Before any of you begin to criticize my love life just remember I have four years of blackmail material on you. I can guarantee that everyone in this room is guilty of some crime, of trying to end the world, or is maimed or dead. So please don’t make me pull out the big guns on you. Also, Cordy and Xander – you both need to break up.”
Cordy started to pipe up “You wish,” when Anya interrupted “Never wish deary – the last time you did that everyone got sent to a hellish dimension where you died, and Xander and Willow were vampires. It was quite interesting actually.”
This time Buffy interrupted. “Anyway, trust me, Xander you should already know why Cordy breaks up with you, if not I bet Willow can figure it out. Cordy, after graduation you need to move to L.A. Your future husband will live there and he is everything you have ever wanted. Trust me, your future is there and you and your children are even part of a prophecy. You will be happy again. Xander, your future is here for the moment. If you couldn’t tell, you and Anya almost got married but split up.”
Anya interjects, “Don’t you mean he ran out of his own wedding and then wondered why we couldn’t date again? Even if the orgasms were great, we are not repeating that fiasco.”
Xander paled even further while Buffy rolled her eyes and continued, “Just trust me Xan, I wouldn’t lie to you. Now here is the hardest part - Jonathan and Andrew. Would you guys believe you went evil? But Jonathan redeemed himself by helping me and Andrew eventually fought in the battle against the First Evil. Avoid guys named Warren and stay with the good –k-? As much as everyone is going to hate me for this part, it would probably be helpful to have you research the First. But if you mention ‘going over to the dark side’ I will have to hurt you. Okay that’s it… any questions?”
Everyone looked stunned, Jonathan and Andrew closed their half opened mouths before the lines from Star Wars could be quoted, and Angel cleared his throat. “So when were you planning on telling them that your boyfriend is Spike?”
The scoobies looked horrified and Xander squawked “Spike? As in the bleach blonde menace who just tried to kill us? That Spike? I thought you had better taste then that? How could you Buffy? Didn’t you learn your lesson with your last adventure with bonking the undead?”
Anya interrupted his tirade with a quick glare, “Just like old times, Xander can date demons, cheat on his girlfriend, summon up the dancing damned on a whim, and leave his fiancée at the altar, but Buffy still can’t live her own life?”
Everyone looked stunned as her words sunk in.
Cordy stood up and shrieked at Xander, “We broke up because you were cheating on me? Who the hell do you think you are Xander Harris? And who are you cheating on me with? Wait…… Buffy said ‘ask Willow’? You’re cheating on me with Willow? We are so over!”
As Cordy stormed off, Buffy looks over at the Scoobies, “Oops. I was trying to avoid that. Well I guess this is better then Cordy and Oz finding the two of you kissing at the factory. At least this didn’t result in Cordy being hospitalized.”
Oz stood up and walked away. Meanwhile, Willow had started shaking and crying. Buffy walked over to her friend and tried to hug her, but Willow shrugged her off and ran out of the room.
Anya walked over to Buffy and put her arm around her. “Come on Buffy, let’s get you back to Spike.”
Looking over her shoulder Anya shakes her head at Angel, “Really, you couldn’t keep your mouth shut, could you? It’s not like you ever stick around or actually help her out in a fight. Just come running back from LA all the time. I can’t wait until you leave again!”
Angel looks stunned, “I live in LA?”
“Of course, when do you ever stay? Everyone knows that Dru would have given up eating people for you, or gotten a soul, or hell even a chip in her head if she could have kept her precious Daddy. Buffy would have given up sex to keep you, which I cannot understand, but no. You run off to LA to run an evil law firm with your wife by your side and lecture us on responsibility. No wonder Spike hates you!”
Faith, laughing, follows Anya and Buffy out of the room while the two new housemates discuss furniture. Joyce trailed behind them, shaking her head.
Andrew looks up at Giles with an admiring glance, “So what should we do first, captain?”
********************************************************
section three
chapter 11
Buffy sighed as she sat through yet another Scooby meeting in the library. The last few weeks had seemed like an eternity with Spike absent for the majority of each day, digging for the Gem of Amara. It was going rather slow since he wanted no additional help. ‘Him against the rock’ or something macho like that.
Xander had finally started to calm down. Cordy breaking up with him had affected him deeply. As a result, he was too busy wallowing in self-pity to berate Buffy further about her love life. She knew that holding the previous four years against him was unfair since technically he hadn’t done anything yet, but he was hard to stop herself when he was grating on her nerves.
Willow seemed to be blossoming under their eyes. Once the shock wore off, Oz had returned to her. It had, however, been rough for a couple of weeks. Once Willow regained her composure she had started to badger Buffy, and strangely enough Spike, about whether or not Oz would forgive her.
Finally Spike had come up with the right thing to say. He told her that none of the future Scooby’s should tell her what happened for a simple reason. On one hand, if he told her that Oz came back she might relax and not do something key to winning him back. On the other hand, if she was not meant to end up with Oz and she found that out, she might change her actions and not end up not with someone in the future because she changed the course of events. If either option was taken, it might negatively impact her future. Willow thought about it, and agreed not to ask anymore questions.
Giles had started to train both Amy and Willow in refining their control over the magics they wielded. After graduation Amy was going to England to study with the coven. Hopefully, it would prevent her from going bad, but if not, they should have an early warning and the coven would be able to help fight her. It probably would have been easier to let her turn herself into a rat again, but getting tied up and set on fire hadn’t been in Buffy’s plans this year. Willow probably should have gone to England as well, but they would wait to handle that until after Willow had met Tara and they’d defeated Adam.
The back of Buffy’s neck began to tingle and she started to squirm in her seat. Wetness flooded her, *Damn, Spike is thinking wicked thoughts and is almost here. Wonder what he is doing out of the tunnel?*
Buffy tried to concentrate on what Giles was saying, but the blond vampire was projecting his thoughts. She didn’t get a word for word overview like some watchers’ had theorized, but she did get a distinct feeling of what he was feeling and boy was he was taking advantage of that fact.
Finally, Buffy got up from the table and started to pace, oblivious to the stares she was getting. *When that bleached blonde comes out from the sewers, we are going to have a talk!*
Just then the door flew open to the library and there Spike stood, bathed in sunlight from a nearby window. Buffy took one look and ran over to him, jumping up so that she would land straddling his midsection forcing him to support her legs with his arms. She began kissing him all over. Spike had found the gem!
********************************************************
Buffy leaned over Spike and began to trail kisses down his chest. He looked so beautiful laying there on her bed, the sunshine playing off his features. It was something she had never thought she would see again.
Sighing she snuggled into him, her body satiated from the preceding hours of lovemaking. “Next time you decide to carry me out of the library for a sex fest could you do so when there are fewer witnesses?”
“Sure pet,” Spike said with a smug look at his face, “Course it would be a lot less obvious if you weren’t unbuttoning my shirt in the library. Things like that are dead giveaways.”
Buffy smacked him and pouted, “Not my fault, you were thinking dirty thoughts at me!”
Spike propped himself up on his elbow, allowing his heated gaze to roam over her naked body. “Sure pet, have to control those dirty thoughts. Wouldn’t want you to know I was thinking about touching you here,” his hand cupped her breast, “or here,” running his hand down to her trimmed mound.
Running his finger along her clit she half gasped, half groaned. She was still tender from his earlier ministrations.
“Wouldn’t want you to know I was thinking about doing this,” Slowly his mouth lowered down upon her. Gently he took her into his mouth, running his tongue along the sweet folds of her flesh. He was pleased that she was wet again, and by the way she was trying not to squirm or arch her back, he could tell she was eager for him.
“Spike, please…”
“Please what Slayer?”
“Please… please fuck me… I can’t stand it.”
Spike chucked and gently teased her with his mouth, running soft kisses and gentle nips along her mound.
Buffy felt like she was going to scream in frustration. Spike was teasing her, which she loved, but if he didn’t relieve the pressure that was building up in her, she couldn’t be held responsible for her actions.
Finally Buffy could stand it no more and used her slayer strength to push Spike away from her. Before he could pout, she had him flat on his back and had rammed herself down on him. Her eyes closed with the pleasure of it, as she threw her head back. The feel of his rock hard cock buried deep inside her always gave her a primal sense of satisfaction. Slowly she began to rock back and forth, getting her body re-accustomed to his length. She loved being on top, the control was an aphrodisiac and the way his cock filled her in this position was unbelievable.
Faster and faster she began to rock, lifting her hips slightly in order to feel the most amount of friction. Finally unable to contain herself she began to whimper.
Spike realizing that she was about to come, grabbed her hips and began a faster rhythm, lifting her up and slamming her back down on his cock. Finally Buffy screamed her release at the same time that Spike lost control. She slumped down on him as they both nuzzled each other’s necks. Mates.
********************************************************
Anya and Faith were walking home from the Scooby meeting when they heard the screams coming from their new residence.
Faith smirked, “They’re at it again, what’cha say we head down to the Bronze and play some pool until the action calms down here?”
Anya smiled mischievously, “…or until the action picks up there?”
“Damn girl, you read my mind”
Faith and Anya laughed and headed towards the Bronze.
********************************************************