"The watcher’s name is Rupert Giles, he’s a librarian at Sunnydale High School," Spike told Buffy as he wove through traffic and pulled into the school’s parking lot.

"Does he know we’re coming?" Buffy asked.

Spike pulled into a parking space and stopped the car, pocketing the keys and unlocking the doors. "Now why would we tell the old man we’re coming? I promise, it’ll be much more fun this way. Hey, he might even have a heart attack," Spike joked as he exited the car, pulling his duster over his head and running towards the school entrance to avoid getting burnt by the harmful rays of the sun.

"Sadist," Buffy mumbled, running to catch up with Spike. He may be strange but she wouldn’t have it any other way.

"Mr. Giles," Buffy called, looking around the Sunnydale High library. The main office had told her and Spike that Rupert Giles was in the library. However, it appeared the room was abandoned. "Is anyone in here?" Buffy asked to the near empty room. Her only answer was silence.

"I guess he’s not here. Maybe he’s out to lunch or-" Spike began, only to be cut off by Buffy’s call of warning. The vampire turned quickly and came face to face with an angry looking man aiming a stake directly at his heart. Spike punched his assailant in the face, sending him falling to the floor. Buffy ran over to the man sprawled out on the ground, about to send a kick to his stomach when Spike called for her to halt.

"What’s wrong?" Buffy asked.

"It’s Mr. Giles," Spike replied, kneeling down next to the man on the floor. Buffy stayed standing.

"Are you Rupert Giles?" She asked.

"Depends who’s asking," The watcher replied defiantly.

"I think that’s a yes love," Spike said. The Vampire reached out a hand for Mr. Giles to take. The watcher looked at Spike skeptically before taking his hand and allowing himself to be pulled to his feet.

"I think we got off on the wrong foot Giles," Spike began. "My name is Spike. And this lovely lady," Spike indicated Buffy, "Is Buffy Anne Summer’s, slayer extraordinaire."

"Oh, Miss Summers," Giles began, stuttering slightly, a light blush of embarrassment on his cheeks.

"Buffy," The Slayer corrected, amused by the Englishman’s politeness, especially after he had attempted to stake Spike.

"Yes, of course, Buffy. I’m so sorry. I assumed that Spike was a vampire. I didn’t realize that he was a friend of yours. What a terrible mistake. I apologize and-"

"Actually," Buffy began slowly, unsure of how to explain her relationship with Spike to Giles.

"I am a vampire," Spike said.

"But he’s good," Buffy piped in, at Giles worried look.

"Hey," Spike protested. Buffy rolled her eyes.

"Let me get this straight, you are the Slayer, and Spike is what? Your stand-in watcher?" Giles asked.

"Kind of. My first watcher, Merrick died last year. I met Spike and he’s been training me. Then, about a week ago we…" Buffy hesitated.

"We fell in love and have been dating for about a week," Spike said, picking up from where Buffy left off. Buffy smiled shyly at Spike and the Vampire took her hand reassuringly.

Giles took his glasses of and removed a white handkerchief from the breast pocket of his jacket. "Oh my," He murmured.

"Strange, I know," Buffy said.

Giles didn’t respond. He just repeated the same phrase once more. "Oh my."

After explaining to Giles more about the unusual circumstances that had brought Buffy and Spike together the trio began discussing how to fight Malcah.

"I have extensive knowledge of many prophecies, and I have close ties to the Watcher’sCouncil. I assume if they knew that a vampire as powerful as Malcah was going to rise they would notify me," Giles said.

"I understand that you doubt our credibility in the research area. It’s just that…Spike knows that Malcah’s coming and maybe she’s not, but we say she is, and if we’re not prepared, well then the world is in huge trouble and it’s better if we are prepared and the world’s not in trouble than if we aren’t and it is so maybe we should-"

Spike put a hand up to end Buffy’s rambling.

"Giles, I understand your hesitation. But any demon with a sense of direction can feel this thing coming. I promise you that when Malcah arises Buffy will start to feel it too. And when she does…we need to be ready."

"You’re right," Giles muttered, taking off his glasses and putting them up to the light, examining the lenses. "Can you two be here at 8 o’clock or so tonight?"

"Of course," Buffy answered quickly.
"Excellent, it will be a chance for to introduce you to the students who help me keep the demon population at bay. I think you’ll find them smart, efficient…and, for high school students, remarkably mature."

"Willow, let go," A young boy wined as he entered the library next to a red-haired girl who clutched a thin packet of papers in her hand.

"I will not let go," The redhead, Willow, insisted. "This is your term paper and you asked me to edit it."

"Yes, I asked you to edit it, I didn’t ask you to demolish my self esteem by causing my paper to bleed red ink from your editing," Xander complained.

"I used green ink," Willow pointed out innocently, grinning mischievously when Xander narrowed his eyes at her.

"Whatever. The point is-"

"Ahh, Willow and Xander. I’m glad you’re here. I’d like you to meet Buffy Summers and Spike" Giles paused, unsure of Spike’s last name. However, Willow and Xander didn’t seem to care. The pair looked, for the first time towards Spike and Buffy, who sat at the rectangular table in the center of the library, looking at the duo with interest.

"Hey," Buffy said with a wave. "I’m Buffy."

"Hi" Xander replied, thoroughly confused at why Giles was bringing friends to their after school meetings, usually saved for discussion matters of the demonic persuasion.

"Giles, didn’t we have things to discuss this afternoon?" Willow asked pointedly "You said you wanted to meet Xander and I here after the football game."

"I know. You see, Willow, these two people are not just friends. This young woman, Buffy, is the vampire slayer. And, her friend Spike is a vampire who has been filling in as her watcher," Giles explained.

Willow and Xander each took seats around the table and waited for further explanation.

"Spike and I live in LA. Spike has felt this great power was about to rise in Sunnydale. A vampire named Malcah who years ago was imprisoned inside the hellmouth is going to seek vengeance on the human race after she awakens from years of an enchanted slumber," Buffy explained.

"Wait. I know this one. She needs the kiss of her handsome demon lover," Xander said. Giles looked less than amused. However, Buffy let out a small giggled, causing Xander’s chest to swell with pride.

"I’d say we should begin research. Willow, you and Buffy can start looking through the watcher’s diaries in my office. Spike and Xander, you two can look through the demonology books, see if they make reference to this vampires’ powers," Giles said. There was a moment of pause before everyone shuffled to his or her feet and headed off in separate directions.

"We should really get started reading these," Willow said, staring regretfully at the large stack of watcher’s diaries that were piled in Giles office.

"Yeah. We really should," The slayer agreed. Both picked up a diary from Giles’ desk and sat on the floor. "Besides, it’s not like we have anything else to do."

Buffy and Willow locked eyes and in seconds the watcher’s diaries lay forgotten as they moved closer together and began gossiping.

"Spike seems so sweet," Willow said.

"Oh, he is. It’s hard to remember that he’s a vampire sometimes."

"It’s so obvious that he loves you. Just from seeing the way he looked at you while we were sitting around the table I could tell he cared for you," Willow assured the Slayer.

Buffy smiled in obvious pleasure. "What about you? Any boys in your life?"

Willow giggled and the two girls leaned closer together, gossiping some more.

"Listen to them," Xander muttered, flipping through the pages of a musty book on demonology. "Probably in Giles office gossiping while we’re stuck in here reading book in Latin."

Spike leaned over Xander’s book. "Um…that’s English."

Xander blushed as he mumbled an excuse to cover his embarrassment, "Not like it would make much of a difference." Spike shook his head and was about to go back to research when he heard part of Buffy and Willow’s conversation. So, Buffy thought he was sweet. Spike grinned slightly when he knew that no one was looking. His grin turned to a frown when he imagined Buffy’s look of disappointment if she found out he had missed an opportunity to help someone out.

"Not good at writing?" Spike asked casually.

"Terrible at it. Willow edited my paper and I realized how much work I have to do. My paper is due tomorrow, we have a demon to fight, and I have no date for homecoming."

"The demon part…well, with the Slayer and I working with you the redhead and the watcher I wouldn’t worry about it. As far as the date goes, I can probably figure something out. And as for the English paper, give it to me and we’ll talk about it," Spike said. Xander looked at the vampire, searching his face for any signs of mocking; when he found none he handed the paper to Spike.

The Vampire read the paper over three times before he acknowledged the fact that Xander had been leaning over his shoulder the entire time. "You can sit down. I won’t finish with the paper any faster because I can feel your breath on my neck." Spike turned to look at Xander who had sat back down in his seat. "Though it did tingle…in a good way," He whispered, voice breathy. Xander’s eyes widened and his chair tipped backwards, spilling the raven-haired boy onto the floor.

"Is everything all right?" Giles asked, rushing out from behind the library stacks, a thick book clutched in his hands, his glasses perched on his nose. Xander waved Giles back into the stacks, ignoring the sounds of Spike’s deep chuckle.

"Okay. You’ve had your fun. Now give me my paper back," Xander demanded.

"Calm down, I was just playing with you," Spike said, his chuckle’s stopped and he turned serious. "The paper’s not bad. Your grammar needs a little work, but that’s easy to fix. You need more passion in your writing. This paper doesn’t move me. It doesn’t make me want to learn more. It doesn’t-"

"It’s about Julius Caesar, of course you don’t want to learn more," Xander said sarcastically.

"You should. I mean it’s easy to be passionate about Romeo and Juliet, or want Portia to find a suitor. What’s hard is to truly understand the drama of Julius Caesar and become passionate about that too," Spike said.

"It has nothing to do with my life! How am I supposed to be passionate about that?" Xander asked angrily.

"Maybe that’s something that you need to figure out," Spike answered. He shook his head in disgust before picking up the book he had been looking through and heading towards Giles office where he could still hear Buffy and Willow giggling and gossiping.

Xander looked down at the paper clutched in his hands. "That my friend, is a man with issues," He said to himself. Then Xander sat down to write.

Buffy rubbed her eyes and refocused them on the pages of the watcher’s diary that lay on the table in front of her.

"Spike," Buffy said.

"Yeah love."

"Are the words supposed to be blurry?"

"I don’t think so. Tired baby?" Spike asked.

Buffy yawned, "How’d you guess?"

"We can go in a minute, let me just talk to Giles. I’ll give him the phone number of our hotel room and we’ll arrange a time to meet tomorrow," Spike said.

"Kay," Buffy answered, leaning down on the table and using her arms as a pillow. Spike kissed the top of her hair gently and went into Giles’ office where the watcher sat, nursing a cup of tea.

"Anything?" Spike asked.

"I’m afraid not. It seems that all people who have met Malcah have perished. I found a paragraph on her in Vampire’s of the 1800s, but it just made reference to the fact that she had caused mayhem in Asia. There was no reference to her wielding any sort of great power besides that of an ordinary vampire." Giles answered.

"No magic, you mean?"

"None. She’s just your typical vampire."

"Only she’s not. I can feel it Giles. This vampire has powers beyond those that any vampire on earth today can even invoke. Maybe not magic, but something." Spike ran a hand through his hair. "Buffy’s tired so I’m going to take her back to the hotel. I’ll leave our phone number on the table outside. Give me a call if you find anything."

"I will," Giles replied. He touched the Vampire’s arm gently as Spike rose. "Don’t worry, we’ll keep her safe."

Spike gave the Watcher a tight smile. "I never doubted it."

Buffy awoke the next morning to the shrill ring of the telephone. She groped around the nightstand until her hand came in contact with the receiver.

"’Lo," Buffy said groggily.

"Rise and shine Slayer," Spike sing-songed.

"Go away," Buffy moaned.

"I’m at the library. Giles found a text that makes reference to the source of Malcah’s power. It seems that-"

"The library? What are you doing there?" Buffy asked, her mind having trouble grasping any of what Spike had just said.

"I left in the middle of the night. I left you a note telling you to meet me at the library when you woke up," Spike explained.

"Spike, it’s like seven o’clock in the-"

"It’s one o’clock in the afternoon love," Spike cut in.

"Oh. Meet you in the library in an hour," Buffy said, resigning herself to the fact that she would have to get up.

"Okay, see you then," Spike said. He whispered softly into the telephone, "I love you."

Buffy smile against the telephone, "If you really loved me you’d let me sleep."

"See you in an hour love," Spike responded before hanging up the phone.

"Did you tell her what we found?" Giles asked, coming into his office.

"I didn’t have the heart to. I don’t want to worry her. I’d rather talk about it when she gets here."

"I’m sure she’ll be fine. If she’s as good as you say she is-"

"She is," Spike insisted.

"Then don’t worry. We’ll do more research and we’ll fight Malcah.

"I know, I know." Spike ran a hand through his hair. "I’m going to look at the weapons your have in the back. Call me when Buffy gets here."

Giles nodded and sat down by his desk, hunched over a thick text entirely devoted to the secrets that vampire hunters had collected: secrets that included facts about traditional vampire rituals, ceremonies, oaths and training manuals.

"What are you looking at?" Buffy asked. Giles jumped up from his chair and turned to face the slayer.

"Buffy! I didn’t see you," Giles said.

"Obviously," Buffy replied. "Everything okay?"

"Yes. I’ve just…well, I’ve discovered some troubling news about Malcah."

"Anything I should know?" The Slayer asked.

"Not yet. Spike’s in back looking at weapons. I’m sure he’ll be eager to train with you." Giles answered.

"Okay. Call if you need anything. I guess we’ll be in the room in back," Buffy said before turning on her heel and heading towards the back room.

"Spike, you in here?" Buffy asked, walking into the room in back of the library where Giles kept his extra weapons. "Spike, Giles said you were here so if you’re planning on jumping out from behind me and attacking me you-" Buffy was interrupted when Spike landed on top of her, pressing her shoulders and cheek into the few training mats that were on the floor.

"Somebody wasn’t watching their back," Spike taunted as Buffy wriggled underneath him, trying to get free.

"Well, I wasn’t really expecting a surprise attack," The Slayer admitted.

Spike chuckled, "I think that’s the nature of a surprise attack love."

Buffy pouted. "The surprise attacks that you’re used to maybe."

Spike rolled off the Slayer, the feel of her hot body wiggling under his too much for him to bear.

"Should we train?" Spike asked, rising and helping Buffy to her feet.

"I guess. Did you find any good weapons?" Buffy asked.

Spike pointed to a chest in the corner. "There are weapons in there. Stakes, holy water, broad axes, two swords, and some odds and ends."

"Ooh, can we play with swords?" Buffy asked, her eyes lighting up at the prospect of a new weapon to "play with."

"Not right now. According to the minimal information we’ve found Malcah wields no power other than that of an ordinary vampire. It’s just that she’s a fighter unlike any other. She’s mastered many fighting techniques. More than she should have been able to based on her age and lineage."

"What do you mean?" Buffy asked.

"Vampires strength comes from various sources. The more blood they’re given when sired the stronger they are right away. A minion would be given only enough blood for them to rise again. Not enough to tie them to their sire or make them feel a connection to the other vampires they’re living with. A minion is meant only to be a loyal worker. It’s rare that they live long enough to achieve any sort of status. A fledgling would be given more blood than a minion. Enough to have them feel a slight connection with their sire. Fledglings are meant to be loyal servants. They usually separate from their sire after anywhere from twenty to fifty years," Spike explained.

"Why?" Buffy asked.

"Well, a childe is meant to become a master vampire one day. When they rise they are given enough blood to make them strong. They have all the culture of their line. So a fledgling does not have that. Therefore, once strong enough they’ll go out on their own and attempt to start a vampire clan," Spike explained.

Buffy sat down on the floor and at Spike’s indication began doing push ups. "So, Malcah was a childe?"

"Yes. She was sired by The Master."

Buffy’s eyes narrowed in confusion. "Who’s The Master?"

"He was one of the first vampires ever to walk this earth. He died years ago but while alive he only sired three childer; Malcah, Lorraine and Darla. They went on to begin three of the most prestigious vampire clans," Spike said.

"You’ve mentioned Darla before," Buffy said, pausing in her pushup routine.

"Yes. She sired Angelus who was my sire. The Master only sired females. He believed that females were stronger than males and that one day it would be a female who would destroy the world and bring vampires to complete power," Spike explained.

Buffy smile, "For an evil guy he certainly seems okay to me."

Spike rolled his eyes good-naturedly, "I thought you’d like that." Spike’s smile turned to a frown. "The truth of the matter is that Malcah has power because of being a direct descendent from The Master’s line, but she also has some other source of power."

"And you’re sure it’s not something magical. I mean, what if she has some sort of spell to combine her powers with the powers that another vampire wielded. Like if she was combining her powers with The Master’s, or with Darla and Lorraine’s."

"The council, made no indication in any of their books to a spell. Giles and I think that she has some sort of vampire guide book," Spike explained.

Buffy stretched her arms out, knowing that tomorrow morning they would be sore. Then she lay on her back and began doing crunches. "Where is this guide book?"

"It was lost over a hundred years ago. At least, that’s what most vampires believed. However, Malcah may have managed to get her hands on it. I don’t know much about its history but I’ll ask Giles to look into it." Spike said.

"So we find it," Buffy suggested. Spike looked at her, confusion marring his features. "Malcah must have known she was going to be captured someday. She probably wanted to protect the book and its secrets, keep it in the family and all that. She must have hidden it somewhere. If we can find it before she wakes up we might have found the key to defeating her."

Spike knelt next to the Slayer and she stopped doing crunches for a moment. "Baby, I think you might be a genius."

"Might," she teased gently. Spike closed his eyes and leaned toward Buffy’s pursed lips, surprised when she clasped her hands at the nape of his neck and pulled Spike’s lips down to hers.

Miles below the floor of Sunnydale High School’s library Malcah turned over in her enchanted slumber…fidgeted slightly…and then began snoring…

"How exactly does the spell work?" Buffy asked, perched on the library table, watching as Giles poured herbs in a circle around himself.

"I will be performing a summoning spell. It should reveal to me the location of the Tri," Giles explained.

Spike placed white crystals down inside the circle Giles had formed. "Once we find the location of the book how do you suggest we get it? Malcah’s already here and I don’t think that we really have enough time to take a trip to wherever the book is located."

"Spike has a point," Willow said, sprinkling rose water atop the circle of herbs Giles had made. "What are we going to do if the book is in like…Australia or something."

"Isn’t there a summoning spell we could do that would make the book appear in front of us?" Xander asked.

"I’m afraid that a spell of that caliber is well above my skill level," Giles admitted. "However, being that not only is this the hellmouth, but a place that Malcah spent much time in near her capture it is possible that she hid the book here."

"Finally!" Xander exclaimed. Everyone looked in his direction. "Evil gives us a break," He finished sheepishly.

Buffy smiled. "I agree Xand. Three cheers for Malcah…or…you know what I mean."

"Seldom if ever," Spike said.

"Was I talking to you?" Buffy asked in mock anger.

"Maybe," Spike answered with a smirk.

Buffy motioned for Spike to come closer to her, "You have something to say to me mister?"

"And if I do?" Spike asked.

Buffy smiled and was about to respond. However, Giles cut her off. "If we can pause watching Spike and Buffy flirt and return our attention to the matter at hand I think that I am ready to begin the summoning spell."

Buffy blushed and Spike merely surveyed the scoobies with a smug look on his face. It was Willow who broke the silence. "Do you want me to dim the lights, Giles?" She asked.

"Now really Willow. This isn’t a storybook. The spell will work just as well if the lights are on or off," Giles scolded.

"Come on G-man," Xander urged. "You’re saying that you think a little mood lighting wouldn’t help at all?"

"Xander, I have asked you repeatedly to not call me G-man. And, in response to your inquiry, yes. I am telling you that a little mood lighting would not do a single thing."

"Oh Giles, come on. What can it hurt to dim the lights. It’ll make it much more exciting. I mean, you get to do a spell, the rest of us are just onlookers. I think that we could all benefit from a little mood lighting," Buffy said.

"All right!" Giles screamed, losing his temper. "Turn down the blasted lights and be quiet. This is a serious matter and we do not have time for a debate on such trivial matters as lighting."

The scoobies looked around sheepishly at one another. Xander turned down the lights and Giles began the spell. "Master of the lost. Keep me in your graces. Grant me my desire. Give me what I crave."

After Giles finished the spell no one spoke. He rose from his kneeling position and walked into his office.

"What is he doing?" Buffy asked in a whisper. Spike responded with a shrug.

"Maybe the spell didn’t work and he went into his office to cry," Willow offered as a suggestion. The rest of the scoobies gave Willow a strange look and the redhead blushed.

"Well, maybe the spell did work and he realized it was hopeless so he-" Buffy began, only to be cut off by Giles.

"Or maybe he realized he’d had the book the entire time," The librarian said. Everyone turned their attention to Giles who held up a thin paperback book. It was obviously old and the cover was faded. However the word Tri could still be made out.

"Giles, how did you have a book this famous in your office and not realize it?" Buffy asked.

"A few weeks ago a friend of mine shipped some books he had come across during a dig in England. He hadn’t looked through the stack yet, but he knew that I had studied the caves he was exploring in detail and thought I might be interested in what he found. He had no idea that the Tri was among the books he found," Giles explained.

"Can I see it?" Buffy asked. Giles nodded and handed the book to the slayer. Buffy flipped through the pages, stopping every once in a while to examine something more closely.

"What does the book say?" Spike asked Buffy gently.

The Slayer smiled at him. "Stuff," she answered.

"Wow Buff, ambiguous much?" Xander said sarcastically.

"I don’t know. This is all pretty overwhelming. Malcah being back, finding the Tri. I’m so…" Buffy trailed off.

"I know exactly what you mean," Willow said. "Sometimes, when I read a really good book or finally find what I’m looking for after years of research I get so excited and overwhelmed."

The room went silent as all the scoobies turned to look at Willow in wonder.

"Yeah, reading. That always makes me excited too," Xander said dryly.

Willow blushed. "Be quiet Xander. Stop making fun of me."

"Sorry Willow. But you know how hard it is to resist making fun of you."

Buffy smiled at Spike, "See bleach boy, when I tease you it’s because I just can’t resist."

Spike growled playfully, his eyes flashing yellow for a moment.

Giles watched the vampire and Slayer interact with wonder. It was like this every time they were together. The air crackled with energy and the tension between the two…the love between the two, could be felt by everyone in the room. Giles took of his glasses and cleaned them thoroughly as Spike pulled Buffy to him for a deep kiss.

"Um…why don’t the two of you…maybe go home. We can reconvene at the library later tomorrow," Giles suggested, his words punctuated by several clearings of his throat. Buffy through Giles a winning smile before grabbing Spike’s hand and pulling him towards the door, shouting good bye to Willow and Xander as she left the library. The library doors swung to a halt and the scoobies could hear shrieks and laughs echoing down the hall.

"Defeating Malcah comes one simple thing," Giles explained, circling around the blindfolded slayer, who stood in the center of the training room. "Being a better fighter than her."

"And how do I do that?" Buffy asked.

"You are the slayer and you are preparing for battle with an opponent who has every advantage. So, you must be better than her. Every punch she throws you must counter, every attack you make must inflict damage. You must move silently and stealthily. You must never let your guard down," Giles said.

"I get all that Giles. The problem is doing it," Buffy explained.

"One more thing Buffy…" Giles trailed off and Buffy opened her mouth to ask him what he was about to say. At that moment the Slayer was attacked by Spike.

Buffy rolled to her feet and got into her fighting stance. She could sense Spike’s presence but he was not standing in one place. The vampire was circling around her, much like they had done when they had first began sparring, several months ago.

"Reach your senses out, Buffy. Find Spike and then attack. You are at a disadvantage, you cannot see him. So every attack you make must do twice as much damage as the attacks you usually make," Giles said from his position in the corner of the room.

Buffy could feel Spike getting closer, probably preparing to attack once more. However, as soon as he got close to her and Buffy lashed out with a punch from her right hand the Slayer realized that was what he had been expecting her to do. Spike caught Buffy’s fist and twisted it roughly behind her back. He then took hold of her other arm and, before the Slayer had time to react, her hands were tied firmly behind her back.

"Spike! Untie me you peroxide rat!" Buffy commanded.

"Can’t do that Slayer. You need to understand what it means to fight at a disadvantage," Spike told Buffy. The Slayer was sure that he wore a smirk on his face.

"And you’re oh so conveniently-" Buffy began, only to be cut off when Spike’s foot connected with her chest, sending the Slayer spiraling backwards.

Buffy stopped talking and concentrated on the fight. She could feel Spike’s presence around her and knew that if her hands were not bound she would have no problem beating him. Unfortunately, she could do nothing in her present state. Well, not exactly nothing. Buffy lashed at Spike wish a jump kick. However, he caught her foot before it made contact with his chest. Spike flipped the Slayer up. As soon as she landed on the ground once more Buffy rolled onto the floor and kicked Spike behind his knee, sending the vampire to the ground. The Slayer pinned Spike’s hands to the ground with her feet and stradled Spike.

"So…did I win?" She asked excitedly. Spike’s defeated grown was all the answer she needed.

Dying was weird, Buffy decided. She could feel the pounding of her heart slowing, and feel the blood rushing from her neck into Malcah’s mouth. Altogether it was not an unpleasant experience. Sure there was a slight twinge of pain associated with every pull of her blood. But there was also a feeling of contentment, like she was going home. The feeling in her legs, arms, fingers and toes left her body and the Slayer’s head fell limply onto Malcah’s lap. She had one last coherent thought before death took her.

Spike

Malcah had posed no threat to Spike. Powered purely by adrenaline he had thrust a stake into her back and watch with satisfaction as she turned to dust. Then his attention had been focused solely on the Slayer. The fact that he could no longer hear her heart beating didn’t phase him. After all, his heart no longer beat and he was still existing. What worried him was the fact that the heat that usually radiated from her skin was no longer there. In fact, her limbs were all ice cold.

"Wake up baby. Come on sweetness, open your eyes," Spike pleaded. Tears obscured his vision as he cradled Buffy’s head on his lap and rocked her gently. "Come back to me love, don’t leave me." Spike raised his eyes heavenward and for the first time since he was turned he prayed.

It wasn’t much of a prayer. It was a single word. It had nothing to do with god or angels or mercy or salvation. It had everything to do with his heart. Spike whispered "please," and somewhere, someone heard his plea, because the Slayer’s heart began to beat.

Buffy didn’t know why she was awake again, but she knew she was. That was the first thing she became aware of. The second was the fact that she was being held and rocked by strong arms. "Spike," The Slayer murmured softly.

"I’m here baby," Spike assured her. "I’m here and you’re here with me. You’re gonna be okay." Spike ran his fingers gently over the bite mark that adorned Buffy’s neck.

"I hurt," She whispered.

"I know sweetness. I’m gonna’ get you inside. You’re gonna’ be okay." Spike lifted Buffy off the ground and carried her away from the graveyard. Giles, Xander and Willow followed a few feet behind. It was a testament to how oblivious the residents of Sunnydale were that no one out of their homes remarked on how strange it was to see four people walking through the streets, weapons in hand.

It was nearly dawn when Spike got Buffy inside their hotel room. He had sent Giles, Willow and Xander home with assurances that Buffy would be all right. She was alright. Since her heart had began beating once more it had stayed steady and strong, and her limbs had warmed up. She was okay. His girl was brave and strong. She was going to be just fine. He knew it. It was just, seeing her lying on the ground, dead, had done a number to him. Spike kissed Buffy’s forehead gently and then crawled into bed next to her. Wrapping his arms around her in a protective embrace he began to cry.

"What’s wrong?" Buffy asked.

"You were dead," Spike whispered.

"I’m here now. And I’m not going anywhere. Malcah’s gone and I’m here with you," The Slayer assured her lover.

"I love you so much," Spike whispered.

"I know baby. I love you. Forever," Buffy said, before drifting off into sleep.

"And after," Spike whispered and then followed his love into slumber.

"So, is this goodbye?" Willow asked, trying in vain to keep tears from her eyes.

"Just for now," Buffy assured her friend. "It’s not like I’m dead or anything."

"Not anymore," Willow said. "And don’t even joke about that. You have no idea how scared we all were."

"I know Wills. But enough about me. You have a hot date tomorrow night with Oz and I want you to call me as soon as it’s over and tell me all about it."

"I will," Willow promised.

"Is it my turn for hugs and good-bye’s," Xander insisted, edging past Willow and folding Buffy into his arms.

"The same date rule goes for you," The Slayer told Xander. "As soon as you and the lovely Miss Cordelia Chase get home you call me. I’m gonna’ miss you so much," Buffy told Xander.

"Wills and I will call you everyday. I promise," Xander said.

Buffy turned her attention towards the only other occupant of the room. "You gonna’ give me a hug too Giles?" She asked.

Giles murmured something under his breath before tentatively placing his arms around the Slayer. However, Buffy would have none of it and used her superior strength to pull Giles into a tighter hug. "If you need anything at all you call us," Giles told Buffy.

"Same goes for you guys. Spike and I will come running if you tell us you’re having demon problems," Buffy assured the watcher.

Giles smiled fondly at Buffy and squeezed her hand gently before she turned and exited the library.

Spike was waiting in the parking lot and drove off towards LA as soon as Buffy hopped into the car.

"You okay baby?" He asked. Buffy’s quite sniffs were Spike’s only reply. He pulled Buffy closer to him and allowed her to settle her head on his shoulder.

"It was nice…having friends again," Buffy told Spike.

"Hey love, maybe one day, after you’re finished high school we’ll move to Sunnydale," Spike suggested.

"Yeah, once we kill all the demons in LA," Buffy said with an accompanying eye roll.

"You never know sweetness. I’m just saying don’t cash in your chips in yet. After all, you came back from the dead. Anything’s possible."

Buffy smiled and snuggled closer to Spike, more content then she had felt earlier, "With you anything’s possible," She whispered and then drifted off to sleep.

Buffy looked at the face of her sleeping lover. Pale and perfect. His eyes were closed revealing his long honey brown eyelashes. His cheekbones seemed less defined. His entire face was relaxed. During the day you could see everything he felt clearly painted on his face. He would clench his teeth when she did something reckless. Every time she rushed into a vamp nest she would glance at Spike and take pleasure in the look of worry that crossed his face.

His eyes were probably the most expressive part of his face. She could always feel them on her, watching her. When she did manage to catch him staring at her his eyes would be looking at her with a mix of complete longing and adoration. And when he smiled at her. That was the best expression. His eyes would light up and he’d flash a smile at her. Not a mocking smirk, not a grin, a full blown smile. The smile was hers like he was. He was hers.

"What are you doing?" Spike asked, eyes still closed.

"Oh, I didn’t realize you were awake. I thought-" Buffy stuttered

"You okay baby?" Spike asked, propping himself up on one elbow and turning so that he was facing the Slayer completely.

Buffy didn’t answer Spike right away, silently debating whether or not she should tell him what had been on her mind lately.

"Spike, are you mine?" Buffy asked, not looking at the Vampire, rather tracing imaginary lines on his face with her fingernail.

Spike caught Buffy’s hand in his. "Of course."

"You know what you were saying yesterday on the phone?" The Slayer asked.

"To Giles?" Spike asked, recalling the conversation he’d had with the watcher. He had been explaining the finer points of vampire mating to Giles.

Oh

"Buffy. I know what you’re thinking and it’s not true. Vampires don’t have to be mated to be in a serious relationship. And one with a vampire and a human, a slayer nonetheless is so unheard of that-"

"Will you be my mate?" Buffy asked, cutting Spike off.

"Okay. Maybe I didn’t know what you were going to say."

"I’ve been thinking about it since yesterday. I know I love you, and I know you love me. I want to be yours, and you be mine. I want to be mated to you," Buffy announced. An awkward silence fell over the room. "Spike. Please say something," Buffy begged in a whisper.

"I’ve gotta’ go," Spike mumbled. He rolled of the bed and stumbled about Buffy’s room in search of his clothes. Pants. He needed pants.

"Where are you going?" Buffy asked softly.

"Out for a smoke. I’ll be back later," Spike announced, pulling on his pants and buckling his belt. He walked out of Buffy’s room leaving the door partially opened.

Buffy walked through the day in a trance. The sun had risen and Spike still hadn’t returned. When she returned from school he wasn’t at her apartment lounging on the lazy boy chair or in the kitchen making hot chocolate. He wasn’t at the training room either. She didn’t have the heart to check his….home. Buffy even hesitated to use the term home. He hadn’t stayed there for over a month, always falling asleep spooned against her in bed.

"I’m sure he’s fine Buffy," Willow assured her friend over the phone.

"Well he won’t be when I’m done with him," Buffy muttered.

"Buffy, you know you’re not really angry at him. You’re just worried."

"No. Trust me. I know what anger feels like and this is definitely it. He left me Willow! He got a little scared of commitment or something and he walked out," Buffy complained. "No note telling me when he’d be back. No-"

"Commitment?" Willow questioned. "I thought you said you guys just had a fight. What do you mean commitment?"

"I kind of…broughtuptheideaofmating," Buffy said quickly.

"Wait. Back up. Slow down. Repeat." Willow commanded.

"I asked him if he maybe wanted to be my mate," Buffy confessed.

"Oh Buffy, I’m so sorry."

"It’s okay Wills. Not your fault. I guess we weren’t as serious as I thought. I mean, I know we haven’t been dating for too long. But we’ve known each other for a while. It’s not like we just met. We get along well, and we love each other. At least…I thought…" Buffy shut her eyes tightly as tears began to roll down her cheek. "I feel like I’ll die without him," The Slayer confessed.

"Oh sweetie, he’s only been gone a few days. Give him time. He loves you."

"I know Wills. I better go," Buffy said.

"Okay. Bye."

"Bye Willow. And thank you."

Buffy placed the phone gently back on its cradle. She stumbled to her bed and lay down, still dressed. Hugging a pillow to her chest the slayer pretended that she was snuggled into Spike’s strong embrace.

"Spike. I love you so much," Buffy whispered. Her only answer was the sound of the afternoon breeze rustling the trees.

"Hey love," Spike said, coming through the door of the Slayer’s apartment. Buffy jumped up from where she was sprawled out in front of the TV.

"I’m so happy to see you," The Slayer admitted, putting aside her anger at being abandoned and embracing Spike tightly.

"I was only gone for a few days pet. No reason to get your knickers in a twist."

"Is something wrong?" Buffy asked tentatively. "I mean, you left me, just left the apartment days ago. And now you’re back acting like you never left."

"I’ve just been thinking about some things these past few days," Spike said.

"Like?"

"Like I don’t think it’s a very good idea for us to keep dating."

"What?" Buffy asked.

"We’ve been going out for a while, and it’s been great. I’ve had fun,"

"Fun," Buffy repeated, emotionlessly.

"Yeah, fun. But I think we’ve been getting too serious too quickly. I think we should take a little break. See other people. Go back to the way things were before we started dating," Spike said.

"What, loving each other and not admitting it?" Buffy asked angrily.

"If that’s what it takes," Spike said. He regretted the harsh tone of his speech as soon as he saw the tears form in Buffy’s eyes. "Look baby, just trust me. This will be better for both of us."

"We’re breaking up?" Buffy asked, her mind still not processing the fact.

"I’m sorry my love. I’m sorry Buffy," Spike whispered. The Slayer’s eyes closed as Spike trailed his knuckles down her cheek gently. "I better go. I’ll see you tomorrow for training. Bright and early."

"Bright and early," Buffy repeated, voice hollow. She watched, as if in a dream as Spike crushed his lips to hers harshly and then quickly pulled away and strode to the door, leaving the Slayer’s apartment without his duster. She stood stationery for what seemed like hours. The she fell to the floor, sobs wracking her small frame.