Chapter 23:

Title ~ Finding You

Author ~ SunnyD

Disclaimer ~ All people BTVS belong to Joss Whedon and the ME team while Cute little Erin and Jacob belong to me, along with the memory of Elena.

Rating ~ PG~13

Summary ~ Buffy prepares to go and rescue Spike while the man himself is still suffering as he is being held by the Initiative.

A/N ~ Thanks to everyone who has read or reviewed This Sweet Child! It has meant so much to me! And after talking to one my email buddies (is how I guess you can call her) LML, she seems to like my new story idea so I think I will go along with it and see how it works. If you would like to know about it, email me: SunnyD90@hotmail.com Anyways…have fun with the new Chapter!

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

Erin let out a little sigh as she poked her head into her room to find her new mommy sitting on a bed, staring off into space. Poor mommy, Erin thought unhappily as she slowly crept into the room. It had been a while since Buffy had talked to the bad man, which Erin found from Jacob that his name was Daniel. Erin sighed once again as she pulled a strand of hair behind her ear and then made her way to the bed, sitting down beside Buffy.

"Are you okay mommy?" Erin asked Buffy quietly, putting a small hand on the woman’s thigh.

Buffy slightly gasped when she felt the child’s hand on her leg. It was weird, she could usually tell if people entered the room but this time she didn’t pick up anything. She wasn’t staying focused once again, thinking about other things and not concentrating on what’s important and that was getting Spike back so that he could take of Erin.

Buffy let a slight smile fall on to her lips, observing the child that sat next to her. Erin’s bright blue eyes shown with such love and strength that Buffy wouldn’t be surprised if she turned out to be a Slayer when she was older. It was when Buffy looked into her eyes that she felt comforted and relaxed, yup those had to be her father’s eyes.

"I’m fine sweetie, I was just thinking about stuff." Buffy told her soothingly, running her hand down the girl’s hair.

The former Slayer smiled once more as she took the child and placed her in her lap resting Erin’s head against her chest.

"You’re thinking about Daddy aren’t you?" Erin asked her softly, looking up at Buffy with even more love than before. Buffy nodded her head slowly and when she did. Erin took her hands and placed them on Buffy’s cheeks, furrowing her eyebrows as she looked in the former Slayer’s hazel eyes. "You love ‘im…don’t you?" She noted with happiness, feeling somewhat better than she had in days. She knew when Daddy would get back and that they would all be a happy family.

"Yeah I do." Buffy grinned, wrapping her hands around the small child’s waist. "Very much and you know what…?"

"What?" Erin chirped as a smile was brought on to her face also.

"I love you too." Buffy beamed as she and Erin rubbed their noses together, which made the little girl cry out with joy. Erin continued to laugh as she bounced up and down in Buffy’s lap, wrapping her arms tightly around the blonde’s neck, squeezing her as hard as she could. "Don’t worry baby, we’ll get Daddy back." Buffy whispered reassuringly into the girl’s ear, running her hand down her hair.

"I know you will Vuffy. You’re a Swayer. S’what you do." Erin said into Buffy’s ear and then kissed her cheek before hopping off of her lap and ran into the other room where everyone was waiting for Buffy.

Buffy shook her head as she also got up off of the bed and made her way into the other room where the other were gathered around Daniel who was looking at them all with annoyance, just wanting to get out of this chair and away from these people.

"We ready?" Buffy asked the group who all nodded their heads in response. "Alright here’s the plan." Buffy took in a long breath and then turned to Willow and Xander. "Willow, Xander and DANIEL will head to the control room and try to shut down the powers so they won’t be able to detect us while Dawn and I will search for Spike and get him out. Any questions?"

"Um…yeah." Anya chirped as she raised her hand in the air, "What about me?"

"When we are in San Francisco we will get you and the kids a hotel room. We don’t want to involve them in this." Buffy told her firmly allowing Anya to nod in response. "Alright kiddies, let’s get going!" Buffy announced as she bent down and picked up her bag, tossing it over her shoulder, "We got a friend to save!"

~*~

A smile was brought to his face as he thought of her. Every time he closed his eyes all he saw was her and his little girl. He guessed that’s what kept him sane at the moment. The silence that was spread out through the white room was enough to drive someone mad. He hadn’t been able to sleep for the longest time. He was afraid that if he feel asleep that Riley would worm his way in and torture Spike in the worst ways possible.

Spike let out a long sigh as his eyes began to flutter. He couldn’t go to sleep. He would try to stay awake. Spike shook his head as he tried to restrain himself from falling asleep. But maybe, if he did fall asleep, he could see his two loves once again and dream of all three of them being together. But he didn’t want to give Captain Cardboard the satisfaction of hurting him while he unconscious.

Before Spike knew it though his eyelids were starting to become very heavy and quickly fell into a deep sleep.

*

Spike closed his eyes slightly as he walked slowly down the stone stairs. He felt the spring air blow by him and the smells of sweet flowers engulf his senses, driving them wild. He didn’t know where he was going as he walked down those steps but whatever was pulling him had such force that Spike could do nothing but follow.

When he had stopped walking, Spike opened his eyes and was surprised to see himself standing in huge garden, filled with beautiful red roses. The whole scene was breathe taking to him, there was a huge fountain embedded in the middle of the garden, flowing freely, letting the warm sunlight bounce off of it, giving it an angelic glow.

"Never thought I would see anything more beautiful." He whispered silently to himself as he felt the grass beneath his bare feet, slightly tickling him.

"Are you sure about that?" A soft voice said amongst the roses. That soft voice brought a sudden smile to Spike’s face, he knew it was her, his body was screaming it.

"Hello Buffy." He purred as she stepped out from amongst the flowers and grinned at him. Spike gaped as he saw his love. There she was just practically radiating as she wore a long cream colored dress that was a picture of pure innocence while her long blonde hair was cascading down her shoulders in waves. She looked at him with nothing but love.

"I was wondering when you were going to show up." She smirked at him as she began to walk towards him, slightly swaying, making her dress move with every step she took. Spike became entrance by her as she did this. "I was getting all lonely." She pouted sticking out her bottom lip as she finally reached him.

Spike chuckled slightly as he wrapped his arms around her waist. "My bad." He smirked also, and then ran his down her arm tenderly, watching his hand as he did this. "I feel like I haven’t seen you in years." He told her tenderly, looking back up into her eyes. "It just feels so good to touch you, to hold you…" He took in a breath as he leaned forward and gently brushed his lips against hers in an innocent kiss, "to kiss you."

"I know. I miss you so much." She told him as she could feel tears forming in her eyes. "Don’t worry I am coming for you though."

"I knew you would." He smiled widely at her as he cupped her cheek softly, rubbing his thumb along her skin, loving the way it felt. "You always come to save me."

"You better believe it!" She chirped, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck and kissed him passionately. He felt like he was flying once again. She always had that effect on him, like he was in heaven whenever he touched her and when she didn’t he felt like he might die without her. He was snapped out of his thoughts though when Buffy let out a stifled moan of pleasure against his mouth.

Eventually though, Spike pulled away from his beloved and smiled down on her. "I love you so much."

"I love you too." She breathed out soundly slightly dazed from his kiss but you could hear the sincerity in her voice. Finally though she snapped out of it and looked him deeply in the eyes. "Love me William. Make love to me like we did on the beach, please."

Spike just beamed as he brought his woman into his arms and carried her over towards the fountain, setting her down gently in the soft grass. As he stared down at her, Spike couldn’t help but want to stay here forever, to be with her here for all eternity. It would be complete bliss to him. He knew this was a dream but he couldn’t help himself as he bent his head down and kissed her soundly on the mouth as they began to make love in the roses.

*

Spike was brought out of his dream though when he felt a bolt of pain shoot through out his body. Snapping his eyes open Spike wasn’t surprised to see Riley Finn standing over him with a hard look on his face. Spike let out a slight snort as he observed the man above him.

"Well, look who it is, my best friend, Riley Finn." Spike said in all too cherry voice, which caused Riley to get very angry with him and kick him in the gut once again, the first one was used to wake him up.

"Shut up!" Riley spat at him, and when I mean he spat, he literally did spit at Spike, right on his face. "You piece of shit."

"You should be the one to talk Finn." Spike growled at him, wiping the spit from his face. "Being the Initiative’s bitch and all, killing innocents. Humans and Demons alike."

"Shut up!" Riley roared as he grabbed Spike by the collar and threw him harshly against the wall. So hard that Spike was beginning to see stars dance before his eyes but snapped out of it when Riley sent a hard blow to his stomach for the third time. He was about to kick him once again but was stopped by a loud booming voice from across the room.

"Agent Finn!" Commander Steel shouted at Finn who immediately stopped and turned to face his boss. "That’s no way of treating our guest." He chuckled to his own amusement as he took one last long drag of his cigarette before throwing it on the floor and crushing it under his large army boots.

Spike just stared at the man as he made his way over to him. He was about a few inches shorter than Spike. He had a hard look to him, with a large strong chin with a long prominent nose and short gray hair that was in a crew cut. Spike noticed he had bright blue eyes that were set directly on his, a slightly smile playing on his mouth. The blonde man shuddered at this other man’s presence, Spike knew right then that this was the man who was responsible for him being here.

"You must be Spike." Commander Steel spoke as he stood right in front of the blonde man who just stared up at him with anger. Looking up at Spike’s bonds, Steel just shook his head and pulled a knife out of his pocket, "Jesus Finn, there is no reason our guest should be tied up. People would think that you were a bad host." Steel chuckled once again. Spike watched, as Riley remained silent as Steel took the blade and brought it to Spike’s binds, cutting them off of his hands, letting him free. "Feel better?" He asked Spike.

"Um…yeah." Spike replied confused as he rubbed his raw wrists. While his upper body was aching from hanging there too long.

Steel nodded his head and the turned towards Riley who still stood firmly in his place, not saying a word. "Finn. Outside, now. If I need you, I’ll shout." Steel ordered as Riley turned on his heels and marched outside, shutting the door behind him. "I have heard a lot about you, you know?"

"Really?" Spike perked up an eyebrow at this man, curiosity tugging at him. "Strange, because I’ve heard nothing about you. Finn didn’t talk about you."

Steel ignored Spike’s remark as he continued to stare at him as he sat there on the floor. "You know…you’re a lucky man. You were a neutered vampire who suddenly became human. You found love and had a child. Some of us humans don’t find love in our whole lifetime and you managed to do that…twice. Poor Finn though, he’ll never find it again."

"What happened to ‘im?" Spike asked him curiously. "What made him so dark?"

Steel sighed as he shut his eyes briefly and then opened them up again. "Finn was one of the Initiative’s best before Professor Walsh mucked everything up. So it was forced to shut down, but now as you see, I have re-built it again."

"Yeah," Spike sighed, "but what does that have to do with me and Finn boy?"

"Hold on there son, I’m getting there." Steel chuckled again as he took out a cigarette and lit it, enjoying the black smoke that was filling his lungs. "Anyways…a couple of months ago after I had gotten this whole Organization re-built, I needed the best for my first project--which would be you, to study you--and who better for that than Riley Finn. Best Damn soldier we ever had. So a couple of the boys and I went down there to South America to allow him back. He wanted nothing to do with the Initiative, he said he had a life, had a wife and wanted a family."

Steel took another drag from his cigarette as he continued, "we weren’t going to let him get away that easily, so we tried again and again but it wouldn’t work. I knew from several reports that Riley had this sort of disliking for you. So, one night I told him everything I knew about you, about being human but you were still as evil as ever and things like that. And that’s all it took surprisingly. He said he would do whatever he could to help as long as he could get rid of you." Spike furrowed his eyebrows as he continued to listen to the man talk. "The only problem was that was his wife thought it was wrong and tried to stop him. Somehow though they managed to get in a heated argument and well…"

"She’s dead?" Spike gasped slightly, wondering how Riley could do such a thing and to his own wife.

"No, no son. She’s in a coma that’s all. She was in the way and Finn understood that. He knew that to get rid of all things that stood in the way." Steel took in a deep breath as he watched the gaping man in front of him. "Just like your previous wife." He smirked, taking out a manila folder from out of his coat and took out one of the many photos that were kept there. The one he was holding in his hand was of Elena and Spike out on their front porch, snuggling. "She was beautiful you know." He sighed once more before tossing his cigarette away and then handed the folder to Spike.

Spike looked at Steel curiously as he took the folder from the older man’s hands. When he had opened the folder though, Spike wished he hadn’t. Inside the folder were hundreds of pictures of he and Elena together. The first couple of ones brought a smile to Spike’s face but as he got towards the end, his smile faded away, bringing a look of horror to his eyes and tears. There she was a look of terror in her bright eyes as the men surrounded her and beat her for information. Spike could feel the tears continued to fall as he continued to flip through the pictures and continued to see his wife to be beaten.

"Oh God." He breathed in sorrow as he now saw pictures of her lying on the floor dead, cold as ever, her eyes blank with no emotion. "Elena." He sobbed silently as he touched her face gently, feeling as if sadness washed over him.

"You know…" Spike’s attention snapped away from the pictures towards the man in front of him who was playing with the blade in his hands. "She died for you. No matter how much the men beat her, she wouldn’t give you up. It was sweet in a way like something you would see in a movie. So basically, her death was all your fault." He sneered at Spike who just growled at him with ultimate rage.

"You bastard!" He roared at Steel who just shook his head and took out another folder and handed it Spike who reluctantly took it from him.

"Pretty little thing you got now though, right Spike?" Steel chuckled, as Spike began to rifle through the pictures. There were ones he and Buffy walking through the graveyard before being chased by the Commando’s. The next couple of ones were he and Buffy by the fire, making love to each other. Spike couldn’t believe that they were watching them. It was the most wonderful moment of his life and they were photographing it. "She’s a beauty, really don’t know if she’s an upgrade from Elena but I’m sure she’ll do right?" Steel shook his head as he looked down at the knife in his hands and then back up at Spike with a smile on his face. "Do you think you could tell me about how to do that thing with your back from what I heard it got her screaming."

That was it! Spike growled with rage as he bounded over to man with speed and grabbed the knife, holding the man in headlock with the blade situated across Steel’s neck. "Just because I’m human doesn’t mean I don’t have the right to slit your throat right now!" Spike spat into the man’s ear, tightening his grip on him. And then let a small smirk appeared on his face. "Do you really want to know why they call me Spike?" He hissed as the man trembled slight in blonde’s man grip.

Steel cried out in pain as Spike took the blade and slashed Steel across his cheek and was about to strike again but was stopped when Riley smacked him hard on the face, the impact of Riley’s fist against Spike jaw sending him to the ground. It was Spike’s turn to cry out in pain as Riley pulled out the remote control and pushed the button. This time the pain had been worse for Spike, it felt much worse. The emotional pains that Steel had caused him just made the jolt of electricity seem much worse. When the electricity had stopped, Spike immediately dashed to a corner of the room and cowered in a fetal position.

Steel snorted as he watched the ex-vampire cower in the corner. "See what did I tell you Finn. Still a monster." He spat as he wiped the blood from his cheek. "Now come, we have other business to attend to and then you can come have fun with him." Steel ordered as he marched out of the door.

Finn began to follow the Commander but before pulling out the control once again and pushed the red button.

Spike clawed at his hair as he felt the pain once again rattle through his brain and his body. "ARGGGGHHHH!!!!!!!!!"

To be continued…

Chapter 24:

Title ~ Shades of Gray

Author ~ SunnyD

Disclaimer ~ All BTVS people belong to Joss Whedon and the ME team. But see…cute little Erin and Jacob, plus the memory of Elena belong to me!

Rating ~ PG~13

Summary ~ This chapter is really just helps leads up to the final chapters of the story.

A/N ~ Thanks to all who have read and reviewed "This Sweet Child". Just want to let you know that all of your reviews and email have meant so much to me! I mean you don’t know! I know the next chapter will be the last but there will be an Epilogue so basically there will be 26 chapters in all. Heheh! Anyways…I hope you guys enjoy the new chapter!

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

He felt cold and not the kind of cold that was just because of the low temperature, this type of cold was the kind when you knew something bad had happened or was going to happen. Spike had fallen asleep instantaneously after Riley had left but not out of tiredness but out of physical and emotional pain. A frown appeared on the man’s face as he felt a tingling sensation throughout his body but as it began to fade away, a painstaking throbbing began to attack his frame.

A small hiss escape from the blonde man’s lips as he continued to deal with the suffering. He thought that maybe it was the chip but the hurting he was feeling was all over his body and that had never happened before.

Slowly, Spike opened his eyes and was not surprised to see himself back in the clear class case that would probably cause him to become claustrophobic. Stifling a moan, he looked down at his body to see several bandages covering his chest and stomach. As his eyes traveled further down his body, Spike saw that the pants he had been wearing previously were replaced with hospital pants, the kind that he saw doctor’s wear.

"What the hell?" He whispered hoarsely to himself and almost wished he hadn’t spoken at all because his whole esophagus felt like it had been sucked dry of all it liquids, it felt parched and raw.

Shaking his head slightly, Spike pulled back a bandage that had been placed over his chest to reveal an irritated patch of skin with a microscopic hole in the middle, obviously a needle had been put there or Spike had guessed. Carefully checking his other bandages, there were several other needle injections followed with some major bruising and some other types of wounds that looked like spider veins. It was probably from sort of electricity shock, Spike didn’t know what to make of it but he did know it hurt like hell.

"What have they done to me?" He croaked when he felt like his throat had gotten back to its normal state. He actually felt kind of violated and fragile. Around here in this room, he felt weak and child-like as if he couldn’t fight back. Spike felt a sudden chill escape through out his entire body at the thought of what the doctors could have done to him while he was knocked out.

It was then that Spike took in a sharp breath while flashes of people surrounding him on an operating table while they poked and prodded him with needles. Suddenly he felt as if the walls that held him in the case were closing in on him. The blonde man let out a small whimper as he began to pant, letting the feeling of claustrophobia wash over him. Spike’s hands clawed at his throat as he tried to regain his breath. It seemed to Spike like the world was spinning around him and that it was getting smaller and smaller by the minute.

Tears spilt out onto his face as the world continued to diminish around him. In his head all he could hear was the crying voice of his friends and family. Suddenly, out of nowhere the world ceased spinning and Spike found himself falling onto the padded floor.

Slowly prying his eyes open, the blonde man wasn’t surprised to see Riley hovering over him with a hard look on his face. As he looked up at Riley, Spike hadn’t realized just how pale this man was and how thin he had appeared on the lower torso of his body. He didn’t know if it was possible or even made sense for the upper part of your body to be more built than your lower but when Spike looked at Riley that's what it looked like.

"You’re back." Spike huffed groggily as he slowly made his way to the wall and propped himself up against it. Looking at Riley through heavy eyelids. "What a surprise." He snorted sarcastically; trying to open his eyes more so that he could get a better look at the Commando that was standing across from him.

"You’re evil." Riley hissed as his jaw clenched in pure anger and rage. The raven-haired man clenched his fists as he glared down at the blonde man.

Spike perked an eyebrow up at the man and shook his head. "You’re the one to talk. Putting your wife in a coma because she didn’t agree with you?"

Riley growled as he kicked Spike hard in the gut, letting a wheezing sound escape from his lips.

"Shut up!" Riley spat at him, running a frantic hand through his midnight hair. "She was in the way. She didn’t understand." Riley told himself as he could feel anger and guilt course through his body. "She was in the way. I was doing my job."

Spike let out a wavering cough as he could feel blood flowing onto the corners of his parched lips. "And doing you job…" Spike was cut off as Riley kicked him once again and then threw a hard punch across his jaw.

"No more talking." Riley snapped and then let a smirk fall on to his face as he reached inside his jacket and pulled out a pair of brass knuckles that fit him like a pair of leather gloves. "Time for punishment."

~*~

Buffy’s mind raced as she and the gang drove down the long stretch of highway in Willow’s mini van. She had gone through her plan over and over that she could probably do it with her eyes closed, but that wasn’t enough to keep her from worrying about Spike.

Looking into her rearview mirror Buffy saw that all of the gang had fallen asleep. The blonde woman let a small smile fall onto her lips when she saw Jacob and Erin cuddled up with each other next to Dawn. She wouldn’t be surprised if they got together when they were older.

"How can you love him?" Daniel asked as he sat beside her in the passenger seat. As soon as she heard his voice, Buffy snapped her head towards the young man and gave him a questioningly voice.

"What?"

"How can you love that thing?"

Buffy gripped the steering wheel as she heard the young boy refer to her lover as a thing. How can he be so…close-minded? But she was the one to be talking, God knows when he was a vampire she didn’t treat him with the kindness he use to show her.

"He isn’t a thing." She told him harshly, "he’s human now. And I love him because he’s a good man who loves his daughter very much."

Daniel furrowed his eyebrows as he stared at the older woman next to him whose knuckles were turning white from gripping the steering wheel too tight. "Do you love him now just because he is human?"

The blonde woman let out another sigh as she thought of the boy’s question. "No. I have always loved him, I guess, back then I just didn’t know I did. He made me feel something that I hadn’t felt with the others. I was just afraid of what I was feeling because he didn’t have soul and yet he still cared about me and my family." Letting out another sigh, Buffy looked over at Daniel, staring him in the eye. "The thing you gotta know Daniel, is that the world isn’t just black and white, there are shades of gray."

Daniel shrugged his shoulders as he turned his eyes away from the woman and looked out of the window, thinking about her words deeply. His face then perked up when he saw the bright lights of San Francisco shine in front of them.

"Well…" He sighed, darting his eyes over towards Buffy. "Looks like we’re here."

To be continued…

Chapter 25:

Title ~ I can

Author ~ SunnyD

Disclaimer ~ All people BTVS belong to Joss Whedon and the ME family. While, cute little Erin and Jacob belong to me. Also, the memory of Elena belongs to me too.

Summary ~ Basically…THIS IS THE MOMENT! THE (sort of) FINAL CHAPTER OF "THIS SWEET CHILD!" What will happen you will have to find out!!!!

A/N ~ Basically thanks to everyone who has ever read this fic or have reviewed it and sent me private e-mails! They have helped me out a lot! Well…I have to say that there is going to be an epilogue! So don’t you worry. But still this is kind of sad…you know…I like this story! *Sniff* *Sniff* I am kind of getting over whelmed. But don’t worry there will be another new story soon! I hope you all like it! Anyways…on with the new chapter!

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

Willow’s hands shook nervously as she held the weapon in her hand while she stood in the dingy motel room in San Francisco. Before they had left Sunnydale, the gang tried their best to gather as much weapons as possible. It wasn’t much but Buffy figured that it would be enough to get Spike in and out of the Initiative base.

"So…" Willow sighed nervously as her eyes drifted towards her best friend who held Erin tightly in her arms. "What’s the plan again…you know, just one more time?"

Buffy also let out a long breath as she shifted the small girl in her arms and then answered her friend’s question. "You, Xander and Daniel are going to go in and find the control room and shut down the power. Letting Dawn and I become non-detected as we go and get Spike."

The former Slayer slightly flinched as she felt Erin’s small arms tighten their grip on her neck. "I want my Daddy to come home." She murmured into Buffy’s shoulder as she felt her eyelids become heavy. "Please Mommy."

"I promise sweetie." Buffy cooed into her ear as she walked over towards the bed and laid her down next to a sleeping Jacob. "I’m going to make sure Riley pays for what he has done to Erin and to Spike. I don’t care what it takes." She said with determination as her hazel eyes remained on the sleeping form.

"Don’t worry Buffy…" Willow smiled at her friend as her nervousness slowly died away. "We’ll get him back."

Buffy grinned as she picked up the small black duffel back next to her and threw it over her small shoulder, looking at her friends with assurance. "Let’s go. Xander you grab Daniel and take him to Willow’s van."

Xander nodded in response as he watched his two best friends walk out the motel room and towards the van. Before Xander made his way towards Daniel, he turned to look at his wife whose eyes looked worried and anxious.

"Please come back in one piece." She begged, pulling him to a warm embrace.

"I love you Anya." He whispered quietly in her ear before pulling away from her hold and kissed her purely on the lips.

"Love you too."

Xander beamed as he stalked over to the young boy who sat in a far away chair, his hands tied together. "Come on man, time to go." He beckoned towards Daniel who reluctantly moved from the chair.

"You know…I would be able to move faster if you just untied my hands." He whined slightly as Xander followed him towards the van.

"Keep on dreaming buddy!" Xander smirked as he shoved the boy into the empty backseat before climbing in also.

~*~

The young man began to shake as the drugs that had been injected into his body earlier were beginning to take effect. His whole body had dropped in temperature until he was completely pale to where you could almost see the veins running through his body. He looked disgustingly sick and he felt as bad as he looked. This is hell, he groaned in his head as it moved from side to side while resting against the white padded wall.

Spike was amazed that he was still able to even open his eyes after the beating he had received on the face from Riley. He was sure his whole face was swollen up like a balloon. He had tried to touch his face but just the slightest contact wanted to make him cry out in suffering.

"Please…someone." He somehow managed to moan out, his eyes slightly closed and let his body relax. He had a feeling that Riley wouldn’t be coming back. Probably had enough for today, well…hopefully. If only he had his vampire healing powers and strength back, he would show that boy a thing or two about torture. If only…

Spike’s thoughts then somehow turned to his beloved Buffy. Whenever he felt terrible in this place all he had to do was think of her and he was all right. He mostly thought of his dream, it had been so real. Every felt and tasted like it was real. Even the sweet smell of the roses also seemed life like. It had been amazing. He was positive that she would come for him, she loved him.

God, he could’ve died and went to heaven when she told him that. It had been something he had been waiting for the last 7 or 8 years. Whenever he got out of here he was going to tell her and show her how much he loved her. But first he would run to his Erin and just hold her. As a father your duty is to protect your children but it always seemed to Spike that it was not he who protected her, it was she who protected him.

Spike jumped startled though when the sound of a sliding door went out through the room. Opening his eyes the best that he could, Spike saw one of his "favorite" people walking through the door and into the room. Hadn’t he had enough?

"Thought you were done for the day Finn." Spike grumbled under his breath as he tried to get comfortable up against the wall but was having no such luck because every time he moved, a shot of pain went through his body.

"Well, what can I say…kind of the guy that gets pleasure out of pain. Well…I think." Riley smirked to the blonde man, crouching down beside him.

"Buffy, will kill you when she finds you." Spike hissed through his teeth, glaring at the boy in front of him, wanting to slap that smirk off of that face. A smirk didn’t look good on him it just didn’t work.

"I seriously doubt that." Riley sneered as he got up in the man’s face. Looking at him with disgust, his hot breath coursing dangerously down Spike’s neck. The black haired boy smirked as he reached into his coat and pulled out the brass knuckles, which were painted in Spike’s blood. The blonde man flinched, as he smelled the blood that was smeared across the weapon and then began to whimper as he felt Riley come closer to him. Spike didn’t want to hurt anymore.

"Please…don’t." Spike whimpered quietly to the man as he curled up into a tight fetal position. "Please."

~*~

Buffy sighed as she looked out the tinted window. She couldn’t believe that they were here. The former Slayer wasn’t surprised to find that the Initiative’s base was hid in caves. It was so them. Gripping the steering wheel tightly, Buffy imagined her lover in there, being tortured by Riley. She wouldn’t let him get away with this.

"Alright." Buffy spoke as she turned away from the window and to her friends, who looked ready for action, even Daniel. He probably looked that way because if he didn’t help them, they had promised to kill him. Of course they were only bluffing but Daniel didn’t know that. "We all know what we’re doing?"

"Yeah." Xander nodded his head firmly as he gripped the gun tight in one and a walkie-talkie in the other. "As soon as Willow and I have shut down the power we’ll call you." The boy smiled as he waved the walkie-talkie in the air slightly.

Buffy slightly grinned but then returned to her serious face. "And as soon as you do that though, you do the best you can to get out of there."

"Right." Willow chirped as she gripped Daniel’s binds and a dart gun in the other. "We better get going then. Good luck Buffy." The redhead said before she threw the van door open and pulled the Commando along with her, Xander filling right out after her.

Dawn watched with intrigued eyes as she saw her friends and the Commando make their way towards the base. "Do think they’ll get caught?" The young brunette asked as she turned to her older sister who was watching them also.

"Daniel’s taking them through a secret passage way that only few of the Commandos know of, well according to him anyways, plus they can take care of themselves. So, no, I don’t think they will." Buffy told her, continuing to stare out the window. "We might though."

~*~

Spike continued to beg as he tried to back away from the Commando but Riley continued to follow him, the smirk still planted on his face. "Please. Please."

"My dream has finally come true." Riley chuckled as he stalked after the young blonde man. "Always wanted you to beg for your life. Makes me feel all tingly inside that you are begging ME for your life."

"No. No. No." The blonde man whimpered as he placed his hands over his ears and began to rock back and forth. "Please no."

"Sorry but I wanted to play." Riley smirked once again as he pulled back his fist and hit Spike hard across the face. As soon as Riley’s fist made contact with Spike’s face though all became black.

"What the hell?" Riley muttered under his breath as his eyes scanned around the dark room. "What happened!" The boy yelled into his microphone that was attached to his ear. When no response came, Riley glared down at Spike who was still cowering in the corner. "What did you do?"

Spike’s head snapped up towards the man with glazed eyes and shook his head. "Nothing. Didn’t do nothing." He whispered almost childlike as he stared up at Riley and then wrapped his arms tighter around his legs.

"This is all YOUR FAULT!" The other man yelled as he kicked Spike and then continued to punch while repeating ‘what did you do?’ over and over.

"Stop Please." Spike begged as Riley stopped his punching and began to pace the room. Riley showed no remorse for the man that was across from him, blood falling from his mouth. "No more."

"Shut up!" Riley spat at the man and continued to pace the room. His heart was pounding. The power had only been off a couple of minutes and he was starting to get worried. Riley knew this wasn’t good. The Slayer had to be here. It was the only thing to explain what was going on. Spike didn’t deserve her love. He didn’t deserve that little girl’s love. He didn’t deserve anything that was given to him.

Riley was soon brought out of his thoughts though when Spike let out a small cry as he felt the pain circulate through his body. He felt as if he had been skinned alive.

"I said SHUT UP!" Riley growled as he stalked back over to Spike and sent him another hard kick to his body and a severe blow to the face. He was about to punch him again when he was suddenly thrown across the room. Looking up Riley wasn’t surprised to see Buffy standing there with Dawn.

"Don’t touch him!" Buffy barked at the young man before running over towards the man she loved. "Spike?" She whispered to him, running a soft her hand through his brittle hair. "William baby, it’s me."

Spike tried to smile as he saw his woman standing there beside him. "Buffy?" He croaked, trying to touch her face but was too weak.

"Yes it’s me sweetie." She cooed, kissing him lightly on the forehead. She almost cried herself as she saw the state he was in. Look at what he did to you, she thought sadly in her head as she helped Spike up off the ground and brought him over to Dawn who had tears falling down her face. "Get him out of here." She ordered her younger sister as she handed her Spike.

"Alright." Dawn nodded her head, placing Spike’s arm across her shoulders as they limped out of the room.

When the door to the room had shut, Buffy immediately spun on her heels to face Riley, looking at him with more disgust than she could ever hold for a person. "You bastard." She hissed between her teeth as she made her way towards him.

"Whatever you say Buff." Riley chuckled as he propped himself up against the wall. Buffy’s eyes flared as she punched him as hard as she could but the smile on his face did not falter. "Thatta girl."

"I should kill you for what you did to him." She snapped at him, the smile that remained on his face slightly disturbing her.

Riley nodded his head as he moved away from the wall and towards, his face merely inches away from hers. "Not before I kill you first!" He sneered, backhanding her across the face with the pair of bloodied brass knuckles.

It was as soon after Riley had punched her before Buffy launched herself on him, sending a mixture of powerful punches and kicks his way. Buffy was slightly startled though when she saw that Riley had blocked majority of them and was now attacking her with all he had.

Their fight had become a bloody mixture of punches and kicks that neither of them knew who was winning. Suddenly though, Buffy somehow managed to send a vicious kick across Riley’s jaw, sending him sprawling on the ground and as soon as he hit the ground, Buffy was on top of him, pinning the young boy to the ground.

"You don’t have it in ya!" Riley barked at her with a bright smile on his face as he squirmed from under her. "You can’t kill me. You’re the Slayer, they don’t kill people."

"You’re right, they don’t." She said with no emotion as she tightened her hold on him, placing both of her hands on one side of his head. Knowing that death was coming, Riley slowly shut his eyes and let out a deep sigh. Buffy shook her head before punching him across the face, committing him into unconsciousness. Seeing that the boy was inanimate, Buffy got off of him and walked out of the room.

She couldn’t kill him then, even after what he did to Spike. She couldn’t do it then. Walking out through the secret passageway Buffy turned around to face the place before her. Taking in a deep breath, she reached inside her coat and pulled out a small grenade that she and Dawn somehow managed to find while they searched for Spike.

"But I can." She whispered to herself as she threw the bomb inside the base. Then quickly turned on her heels as she sprinted towards the car before the grenade exploded behind her, killing Riley and the other Commandos, as the sky became a mass of fire and smoke with the scent of death to along with it.

When the explosion was over, Buffy just stared at what she had done and then a small smile crept onto her lips as a sudden through came into her head. "It’s over. It’s over." She said quietly to herself before heading back to the van were everyone else was waiting.

~ The End ~

((Epilogue coming up next!))

A/N ~ Forgive me if the fight scene was a little off, you know I am no good at those.

Title ~ Underneath it all we are the Lucky Ones

Author ~ SunnyD

Disclaimer ~ All people Btvs belong to Joss Whedon the ME crew. While cute little Erin and Jacob (who are not all that little anymore in this chapter) belong to me. And the memory of Elena belongs to be also. Also, the song "Underneath it all" belongs to the best band No Doubt. And "lucky" belongs to Bif Naked.

Rating ~ PG~13

Summary ~ Epilogue…takes place about 11 years later after the last chapter.

A/N ~ Thanks to everyone for the warming support towards the story! I have enjoyed writing it. Probably my favorite work yet! Well…it all depends on how the next one goes and if it all works out. I might have the first chapter for the next story up sometime this week or next weekend. Anyways…just thanks to everyone for his or her support! It has made me so very happy, you would not believe it! Until next time…ENJOY THE CHAPTER!

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

The older woman could feel warmth all around her. It was nothing new though; this is how she woke up every morning for the last 11 years. Her hazel eyes were shut tightly and she didn’t feel like opening because she knew that she would have to get up from this wonderful place. It was his fault though; he had to bring on his fancy talk last night that always got her weak in the knees. Damn him.

She heard a soft purring sound come from his chest that he only did when he was happy. The sudden vibrations from his chest cause the woman to giggle. Finally opening her eyes, Buffy wasn’t surprised to see Spike staring down at her with a bright smile on his face.

"Good morning." She chirped at him, her hand snaking around towards the back of his neck and pulled him into a sweet kiss.

"Morning." He smiled, placing a strand of hair behind her ear. "’Bout time you woke up, luv was starting to wonder if you were dead."

Buffy giggled as she snuggled up next to him, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Well…that’s not my fault, you’re the one that talked me into this position last night." She whispered, intertwining their limbs together under the blue satin bed sheets.

"Couldn’t help myself, pet. You were looking so gorgeous in that dress last night, you bloody seduced me right then and there." He told her, kissing the top of head.

Buffy let out a small laugh as she looked up into his eyes. "Can’t believe after 10 years of marriage you still think I am gorgeous." She told him sincerely.

He beamed as he looked down on his wife. He couldn’t believe that they were married, even after all these years. It still amazed him. To him, she still looked as beautiful as when he first laid eyes on her. She just had that mother’s glow and essence of her that he just loved to bask himself in.

"You know your gorgeous, luv." He smirked before lowering his head down towards her and began to kiss her passionately. Buffy let out a small moan against his mouth when he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her tightly against his body. Oh God here we go again, she thought in her head as she opened her mouth to let his tongue enter. Sometimes I think we have more sex than Xander and Anya did when they were going out. They had to be quiet though so that they didn’t wake the children during the night.

The couple was interrupted though when they heard a light tapping on their door and small voice call out to them.

"Mom, Dad! I need to go to school!" The small voice called through the door, "you guys better not be having sex! I don’t want to be late to school again!"

Buffy groaned as she pulled away from her husband. "We never get a moments peace do we?" She asked him lightly, removing her self from the bed and went in to the closet to change.

"No, not at all." Spike chuckled as he also got up off the bed and began to dress also. "At least he didn’t walk in on us like he did when he was younger."

"Yes and I am glad for that." Buffy laughed as she returned into the room with a different dress on. "So…tonight, you and I?" She asked as she moved slowly towards him, swaying her hips from side to side.

"You better believe it." He told her, wrapping his arms around her waist and kissed her tenderly on the mouth. "Happy Valentines Day, Buffy."

Before Buffy could answer him though, the door to their bedroom swung open and appeared a small boy about the age of 9. His hazel eyes flashed with anger as he saw his parents kissing again. Why did they always have to do that! He thought in his head as he watched.

"Mom!" The small boy huffed at Buffy. He sure had Buffy’s temper, actually the thing was that he was like Buffy in a nutshell, looks and personality, which slightly startled the blonde woman every once and a while. "I NEED TO GO TO SCHOOL!"

"Alright I am coming, Shane. Just go downstairs and tell your sister to be ready." Buffy told him softly. The boy’s eyes sparkled with excitement as he ran down the stairs. "Come on William." She told Spike as she took his hand in hers and headed downstairs.

When they had reached the kitchen there was young girl there, munching slowly on a piece of toast. She looked somewhat displeased and sad. Her usually bright blue eyes were dark but when she saw her parents enter the room, her eyes seemed to return to their original state.

"Good morning. Guess you guys decided to grace us with your presence." Erin smirked at them. "About time."

Spike beamed as he watched his little girl. She had grown up to be so beautiful. She still looked exactly like him. She had the high cheekbones, the bright blue eyes and the thick, curly blonde hair. He couldn’t believe that she was 16 now, it seemed only yesterday that she was just 5 years old.

Buffy shook her head at the young teenager and planted a soft kiss on her temple. "Well… you know us." Buffy joked as she also grabbed her self a piece of toast, also. "What time are you heading to the Bronze tonight?"

"Around 7 or so. Dave is going to pick me up here." She sighed as she thought of her boyfriend. He had been rather distant these last couple of days and whenever he was around he tended to get a bit jealous of Jacob even though Erin had told them that they were just best friends. But tonight Dave had promised her to take on a great date. After all, it was Valentines Day.

"Mom!" Shane stressed as he pulled on his mother’s dress. "I need to get to school!"

Buffy smiled at her young son as she ruffled his dark brown hair. "Well, then lets go. Go get in the car." She ordered, and the boy smiled as he grabbed his bag and ran towards the car. Buffy sighed as she grabbed her purse and planted a soft kiss on her husband’s lips. "Have a great day." She whispered to him lovingly before she, Erin and Jacob headed off to school.

~*~

Erin smoothed down her royal purple dress as she rode in Dave’s car towards the Bronze. He had been really silent since she had gotten in the car. It wasn’t like him, he was usually very talkative and it would take you forever to just shut him up. Jacob liked to joke that if you sew Dave’s mouth shut he would still keep on talking. Thinking about it made Erin giggled out loud, which caused her to get a curious look from Dave.

"What’s so funny?" Dave asked as his dark brown eyes searched her face.

"Nothing," Erin told him, the smile still planted on her face as they pulled into the parking lot. "Just thinking about something Jacob said."

"Thank God that guy is going off to college next year." Dave snapped as he got out of the car and then made his way to other side to wait for her to get out. Erin frowned at this; he wasn’t always the one to be all gentleman like and open doors for her.

"What’s that supposed to mean?" Erin asked sternly as they both made their way inside the club.

"Well…" Dave said as he led her over to a table. "It’s just that he is around all the time and you and I don’t get any time alone. Plus, I don’t like the way he looks at you."

"What?" Erin’s face-hardened at him. God he could be such a dick most of the time.

"God Erin! It’s so obvious that he wants you!" Dave spat at her, running a hand through his dark red hair. "Probably spent most of his childhood having wet dreams about doing you!"

"Jesus," Erin huffed as she stood up from the table and glared him right in the eye, causing Dave to cower just a bit. Her eyes were lit a fire and you didn’t want to cross her when she did that. "Look! I am going to the bathroom and when I get back you seriously had better have calmed down and got a freaking grip!" She snapped at him before turning on her heels and stalked towards the bathroom.

She sometimes wondered why she stayed with him? He treated her so badly. All he would do was bash Jacob and sometimes her other friends. She usually told him off and that got him to shut up. Her dad and mom didn’t like him that was for sure. Erin remembered the first time she and Dave went on their first date and the way her parents looked at him. Boy did Dave look like he was about to piss in his pants that night. Heck even Jacob told her of his dislike for him. He told her that Dave was a dick and that she shouldn’t go out with him. She hated it when Jacob was right. He was usually right with everything about her. Jacob knew her like a book. Damn him.

Fixing her outfit, Erin let out a small smile and walked out of the bathroom and almost collapsed to the floor when she saw what was going on. Dave was in the middle of the dance floor with some sleazy girl from school while she rubbed up against him provocatively. And from the look on his face, Dave looked like he was enjoying it.

"Bastard." Erin cursed under her breath as she stalked towards him. When she finally had reached the couple, the young blonde threw the sleazy girl off her boyfriend and looked Dave straight in the eye. "What the hell are you doing?"

"Erin…Melanie here is just a friend!" He chirped at her, a smooth smile appearing on his face.

"And I suppose you grind erotically with all your friends on the dance floor?" Erin asked, perking an eyebrow up at him, tilting her head to the side. Another Spike like gesture.

Dave sighed as he reached a hand towards her, "Baby…"

Erin growled slightly as she swat his hand away from his face. "Don’t touch me." She hissed between her teeth. "You and me are through!" She spat before decking him hard on the face and marched out of the club.

*There's times where I want something more
Someone more like me
There's times when this dress rehearsal
Seems incomplete
But, you see the colors in me like no one else
And behind your dark glasses you're...
You're something else *

Erin sighed as she stepped out into the cool night air. Wrapping her arms around her body, she stared out into the eerie night.

"I know you’re here." She called out to the air. "So you might as well come out."

Turning around, Erin looked into the shadows and wasn’t surprised to see the young man hiding amongst them. He let out a long breath as he stepped out into the night and smiled at her. He had grown much in 11 years. He still had those bright green eyes that always sparkled when she was around and that dark black hair that matched the night sky. He had grown a lot taller than she had and he had strong lean frame that was similar to her father’s. He had a warm face that was very inviting. She smiled at the dark coat he was wearing; it was her father’s old duster that was given to Jacob when he was 15. Her dad thought it would fit him well.

"What can I say…I like to lurk." He grinned at her. "You wanna go for a ride?"

"Sure." She replied as they made their way towards his jeep.

*You're really lovely
Underneath it all
You want to love me
Underneath it all
I'm really lucky
Underneath it all
You're really lovely *

"Date didn’t go as well as you planned I suspect?" Jacob asked as he held her door open for her so that she could get in.

"That’s right." She sighed, buckling her seatbelt as he started the car. "I broke up with him, though. He’s a dick head and I don’t know why I liked him. But I decked him really bad though before I left." Erin giggled slightly, she still like to make mischief.

Jacob beamed as he turned to look at her; she has a beautiful smile, he thought to himself as they continued to drive around Sunnydale. "You know…I could’ve told you that."

"And you did but I just didn’t listen." Erin sighed as she leaned her head on his shoulder; "you’re such a great friend Jake." She whispered to him as they drove down Main Street.

"Don’t I know it." He sighed with a slight smirk on his face. God he loved this girl, he just only wished that she could feel the same way about her. Her parents could see how much he loved her. If they could see it, why couldn’t she?

*You know some real bad tricks
And you need some discipline
But, lately you've been trying real hard
And giving me your best
And, you give me the most gorgeous sleep
That I've ever had
And when it's really bad
I guess it's not that bad *

"So…" She chirped, her head still resting on his shoulder, "how’s the college hunt going?"

"Not good." He shook his head and then ran a hand through his dark hair. "Didn’t do so well on my SAT’s so I will be attending UC Sunnydale next year."

"Poor Jacob." Eirn playfully pouted and gave him a peck on the cheek.

*You're really lovely
Underneath it all
You want to love me
Underneath it all
I'm really lucky
Underneath it all
You're really lovely *

"It’s alright." He smiled down at her, "I prefer to stay here and closer to you." He said before placing the jeep in park.

"Why did we stop?" Erin asked as she moved her head away from Jacob’s shoulder and looked out the front window to see the lights of Sunnydale shining before them. "Wow."

"You like?" He asked hopefully, he had always wanted to take her up here but he never had the chance to. She was always busy with her boyfriend and school.

"It’s so beautiful…" She gasped, her bright blue eyes sparkling with happiness. Jacob’s heart began to flutter as he watched the expression on her face.

"I knew you would like it." He smirked at her and it seemed to him that her smile brightened even more when she turned to look at him.

"Thank you." She whispered, pulling him into a tight embrace. "You always know what makes me happy." She soothed into his ear.

*So many moons that we have seen
Stumbling back next to me
I've seen right through and underneath
And you make me better
I've seen right through and underneath
And you make me better
Better... better... *

"That’s because you’re my best friend." He said as he pulled away from her embrace and stared deeply into her eyes. Erin couldn’t help but blush at the intensity of his stare. She then suddenly began to feel a flip-flop motion in her stomach. "I care about you." He breathed before cupping her cheek with his hand, rubbing the skin of her cheek with his thumb.

Erin closed her eyes slightly as she comforted by his touch. "Jacob…"

"Shh…" Jacob quieted her with this finger against her lips. "I want to tell you something."

*You are my real Prince Charmin'
Like the heat from the fire
You were always burnin'
And each time you're around
My body keeps stalin'
For your touch
Your kisses and your sweet romancin'
There's an underside to you
That so many adore
Aside from your temper
Everything else secure
You're good for me, baby
Oh that, I'm sure
Over and over again
I want more *

Jacob glanced away from her eyes before he continued on. He had wanted to tell her for the longest time and he guessed this would be the best time and hopefully she wouldn’t freak out.

"Ever since the first time I met you, I have always had this attachment to you. You always knew how to make me laugh and sometimes make me cry. During the whole Riley thing, all I wanted to do was hold you and make things better for you. I didn’t care what everyone thought about it, all I cared about was you."

Jacob paused as he moved his eyes towards Erin’s and looked at her lovingly. "And as I grew up, I didn’t know why I felt that way. Why I cared so much." Jacob let out a small sigh as a he felt his eyes become glazed with tears. "Now I do…it’s because…I love you. I always have. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on and you are just lovely in all ways. How could no man fall in love with you."

*You've used up all your coupons
And all you've got left is me
And somehow I'm full of forgiveness
I guess it's meant to be *

Erin’s eyes widened as she listened to the last words that he uttered from his mouth. He loved her…he loved HER. As she thought of this her stomach began to do that little flip-flop motion thingy that made her feel all tingly. Her mom had told her that this happened to her whenever she thought about her father. Staring into Jacob’s eyes, all Erin could do was smile brightly at him.

"Would it be alright if I kissed you? Because after that wonderful speech I can’t help but want to." She asked innocently and almost laughed out loud when she saw his face light up.

Jacob smiled with happiness as he leaned forward and planted his lips against hers in a loving kiss. As soon as their lips met Erin, wrapped her arms around his neck as to make him kiss her deeper. God, he’s make me melt all over, she thought as one of his arms wrapped around her waist and drew her closer so that there was no space between them.

When they finally pulled away from each other, Erin leaned her forehead up against his and planted a soft kiss on his nose. "I love you too, Jacob." She whispered before kissing him passionately on the mouth.

Somehow Erin had managed to end up in Jacob’s lap as they continued to kiss. Jacob couldn’t help but smile against her mouth as her hands began to play in his hair. This was like some wonderful dream he didn’t want to wake up from. She loved him…she loved him. It was like a breath of fresh air as he though about it. His thoughts were interrupted though when he felt her hands move away from his hair and towards his chest as she began to undo his shirt.

"Wait." Jacob said as he pulled away from her mouth and looked her straight in the eye. "Are you sure you want to do this? I mean what if it happens and then you regret it? I don’t know if I could deal with that, I love you so much and I…"

Erin giggled as she placed a finger against his mouth, which caused him to shut up. "You are so cute when you ramble." She noted as she tilted her head to the side but then her face grew serious. "Don’t worry. I am not going to run away from you. Like I said I love you. I don’t know why it took me so long to realize it but I do. So…I want you to be my first."

*You're really lovely
Underneath it all
You want to love me
Underneath it all
I'm really lovely
Underneath it all
And you're really lovely *

Jacob felt himself get hot at the intensity of her words. She wanted him to be her first. He then shook his head and then smiled up at her. "Me too." He whispered, cupping her face in his hands. "Happy Valentines Day."

"You too." She whispered back before she captured his mouth in hers in a passionate loving dance.

~*~

Spike whistled as he walked up the front yard of his home. He had spent majority of his day in LA taking pictures for the gallery where majority of his work was sold and did quite well. He was just happy to be home though. He and Buffy had the whole house to themselves for most of the night. Erin would be out with her date for most of the night and Shane was spending the night at Willow and Anna’s place with Jacob’s younger sisters Mercy and Lily.

When Spike entered the house though he was surprised to find that all the lights had been turned off. Shrugging off his coat and placing it on the rack, Spike noticed a small candle sitting on the table with a note card beside it. Smiling Spike picked up the note card and read it.

‘Follow the rose petals’

*It was a Monday, when my lover told me
"never pay the Reaper with love only."
what could I say to you except, "I love you
and I'd give my life for yours." *

Spike grinned to himself as he picked up the candle and followed the rose petals into the living room where there was a welcoming fire in the fireplace. Buffy, he thought lovingly as he walked towards the fireplace and just stared it, letting the light play off of his features.

"Hello Mr. Summers." A smooth voice welcomed behind him. Spike turned around and wasn’t surprised to see Buffy standing there in a red silk robe, a please smile painted across her soft lips.

"Hello cutie." He purred softly as she made her way towards him.

*I know we are
we are the lucky ones
I know we are
we are the lucky ones
I know we are
we are the lucky ones, dear *

"About time you got home." She whispered, still moving towards him. Spike couldn’t help but just stare in awe at her. She could still have that mesmerizing effect on him. Whenever he saw her he couldn’t help but fall in love with her all over again. "I was starting to get all lonely."

Spike just continued to stare as she finally met up with him by the fireplace. "You look gorgeous my love." He told her softly as he took his hand in hers and kissed it softly.

"You like?" She asked almost child like as she pulled away and slightly spun around. He only chuckled at her as he wrapped his arms tight around her waist.

"Um…I dunno, pet." He said gently as he kissed her soundly on the mouth, his hands playing with the cloth of her robe. "Depends what you got on underneath." He joked, pulling away from her mouth as his eyes traveled down her form and then back up, finally resting on her eyes.

"Well, you are just going to have to find out aren’t you?" She teased him and then slowly laid her self down on the soft bed of blankets and roses she had laid out earlier, bringing him down with her.

*Remember the time we made love in the roses
and you took my picture in all sorts of poses?
How could I ever get over you
when I'd give my life for yours?

I know we are
we are the lucky ones
I know we are
we are the lucky ones
I know we are
we are the lucky ones, dear *

Spike chortled as he kissed her passionately on the mouth, his fingers playing with her long hair. "You always know how to sweet talk me, don’t you?"

"Yep," Buffy giggled as she began to undo his shirt, slowly. "And don’t you love it."

Spike let out a pleased sigh, as he looked her deeply in the eyes. "I love you so much." He told her as he cupped her cheek in his hand. "I don’t know how I would’ve been able to survive without you."

"I know and I love you too. I couldn’t have asked for a better life." She whispered to him as she wrapped her arms around him tightly. "I don’t regret anything that happened to us…do you?"

"No pet." He smirked at her, moving his hand away from her cheek and down her body. "I don’t regret anything." He whispered to her before kissing her once more on the mouth.

*My dear, it's time to say
I thank god for you
I thank god for you
in each and every single way
and I know, I know, I know, I know it's time
to let you know
time to let you know, time to let you know
time to sit here and say *

Buffy let out a pleasured sigh as she felt Spike kiss and nibble on her neck. She couldn’t have asked for a better life, she had two wonderful children and a loving husband that would be with her forever. She was finally happy and at peace with her life. She knew it couldn’t have gotten any better.

She then felt his hands travel up and down her body, massaging her skin as he went along. His hands were the devil. He could do wonders with those hands. Sometimes just from the slightest touch she would melt into a puddle of liquid.

"You’re hands are evil." She moaned softly against the skin of his shoulder. "They make me all tingly inside." Buffy then slightly giggled as she heard a soft purr irrupt from his chest, "there’s my little kitty that I love." She continued to giggle some more, running a hand through his curly hair. She then placed her fingers underneath his chin and tilted his face up so that hers lips could meet his.

"You taste so good, luv." He purred once more as he nuzzled the side of her face. "Why don’t you and I take this upstairs?" He suggested to her softly.

"I would love to." She responded to him just as gently, planting peppered kissed across his face and neck. Buffy then let out an excited squeal as she felt Spike sweep her up off the floor and into his arms and wrapped her legs around his waist while continued to devour her mouth.

*I know we are
we are the lucky ones
I know we are
we are the lucky ones
I know we are
we are the lucky ones, dear *

As they made their way upstairs both of them knew everything was going to be wonderful from now on. It was just going to be perfect. They knew that because underneath it all they were lucky ones.

THE END!!!!!