Part 22:

Part 23:

Part 24:

Chapter 26

“Is it weird, Drusilla being gone, when you could have gotten her back?” Buffy asked Spike. The pair were laying on the Slayer’s bed. They had gone to Buffy’s house and simply lay next to one another, holding each other in a protective embrace. The sun had begun to rise, signalling the time when Buffy would have to return to school. However, for now Buffy and Spike just enjoyed the feeling of being close after so long apart.

“It’s not that weird. I mean, she was gone already, I knew it could never last,” The vampire explained.

“Spike…” Buffy began however he cut her off.

“Will we ever be OK?” Spike asked.

“Huh?” The slayer asked in response to Spike’s question, her brow furrowed in confusion.

“I mean do you think that you’ll ever forgive me for lying, you’ll ever forget all I’ve done?”

“No,” The slayer replied simply. At Spike’s hurt look Buffy clarified, “I mean, I don’t want to forget. Everything that’s happened between us has led us to this. This point of perfect happiness, and I feel so happy being with you.” Spike simply smiled at the slayer’s comment, too content to speak. After a moment he gathered his thoughts.

“I’m going to tell you something, and you’re probably going to hate me afterwards,” The vampire said.

“What?” The petite slayer asked curious about what Spike had to say.

“I just mean, I’m going to tell you something wonderful, and afterwards, one can only assume that something terrible will happen. And then you’ll say I’ve jinxed you,” Spike explained, almost cringing when he realized that he’d just said the word ‘jinxed.’ When did he ever lower himself to speaking the way the slayer might? Spike mused silently.

“Tell me,” Buffy commanded softly, running a hand through Spike’s bleached hair. He hesitated for only a moment before speaking.

“I can’t imagine being happier than I am at this moment, and I feel that if for the rest of eternity all we did was lay in this bed, just being near one another, things would be perfect. Things are already perfect,” Spike said, smiling shyly at the slayer. However, before Buffy had a chance to respond to Spike, the vampire was proven correct in his fears as the bedroom door to Buffy’s room opened and Joyce stood, her bathrobe still on, a scowl on her face. Behind her stood Principal Snyder, and a police officer.

“Spike,” Buffy whispered nervously.

“Yes love?” Spike replied.

“Never talk again,” The slayer commanded.

“Yeah…thought so….”

And think not you can
Direct the course of love,
For love,
If it finds you worthy,
Directs your course.
~ by Gibran Kahlil Gibran ~

Chapter 27

Buffy sat silently on the couch in her living room. Spike sat next to her, holding her hand and watching as the slayer fidgeted nervously with the hem of her shirt. Joyce stood next to the couch, watching the lovers like a hawk. Sitting across from them, Principal Snyder and a Sunnydale police officer, Officer Melly, had begun to question the slayer.

“So, you were not home all night?” Officer Melly asked.

“No,” Buffy replied, trying to keep her voice calm, “I was at the library for most of the night. Mr. Giles and I were studying.”

“She was,” Spike said, seconding the slayer.

“You were there with her?” Melly asked, standing and beginning to pace in front of the couch.

“All night,” Spike replied, fighting down the urge to flash his game face at this man.

“What did you do after you were done at the library?” Melly asked impatiently.

“Is this really necessary?” Joyce Summer’s asked, “Buffy is a good kid, and I don’t think that she’s committed any crime. But perhaps if you asked her about what you think she did…” Joyce was cut off.

“I’m sorry Miss Summers, but I need to question your daughter and her boyfriend. If you cannot accept this, I’ll have to ask you leave,” Officer Melly told Joyce. Mrs Summers nodded her consent and folded her arms in front of her, trying to remain clam.

“As I asked before, what did you do after you were done at the library?” Melly asked.

“We went home, just to talk. See, Spike and I…” Buffy began however Officer Melly cut her off.

“Spike…is that your boyfriends real name?”

“No, his name is William,” The slayer replied.

“Continue,” Melly said, motioning for Buffy to keep talking.

“Spike and I had a fight, we just got back together, you know, forgave one another, and decided to come back to the house and chat, catch up. Then you came in.”

No one spoke for a few minutes. However, Officer Melly took out a small notebook and began jotting some things down. Then, Principal Snyder broke the silence.

“Well, I’m sorry to interrupt your evening, but William and Miss Summers are going to have to come with me,” Joyce protested immediately.

“I really don’t think that William and Buffy have done anything wrong. In fact I’m starting to question exactly how qualified you two are to be doing this investigation.”

“I’m sorry you feel that way Miss Summers, but your daughter and William both need to come down to City Hall immediately. There, I promise, everything will be explained to them,” Officer Melly said, speaking to Joyce as if she was a small child.

“Can I come with?” Joyce asked.

“No,” Principal Snyder answered quickly, “These two need to go alone. They need to speak to the mayor.” Spike and Buffy looked at one another, confused. They didn’t notice that when Principal Snyder reached into his suit pocket, a stake peaked out of its corner, barely visible.

Your voice makes me tremble inside
And your smile is an invitation
For my imagination to go wild.
~ by Anonymous ~

Chapter 28

“What do you think the mayor wants?” Buffy asked Spike. The two were sitting in the lobby of City Hall, waiting for the mayor to call them into his office. It was almost seven in the morning, Buffy and Spike had been up all night however Snyder had still insisted that the mayor needed to speak to Spike and Buffy.

“The mayor probably wants what every other man in America wants,” Spike replied, smirking slightly.

“What?” The petite slayer asked, confused.

“Your phone number, and a razor that actually works,” Spike replied. The vampire exhaled a laugh, however, stopped abruptly when he saw that Buffy wasn’t laughing.

“How can you say that?” The slayer asked.

“I was just kidding love. You know, trying to lighten the mood.”

“But the mood isn’t light,” Buffy insisted, “I know that this doesn’t really worry you, being that you could just eat these guys if they upset you, but for me this is a very big deal.” Buffy looked at Spike, however, he was staring past her, not at her.

“What did you say?” Spike asked. At Buffy’s look he clarified, “You said that I could just eat these guys, if they annoyed me.”

“Well you could,” Buffy protested.

“Is that what you think of me? That I’m just another vampire with no sense of right and wrong. That I deal with everything by just killing the people I don’t like. Maybe you should watch out then. Hey, you never know, the next time we get in a fight maybe I’ll just…eat you,” Spike said, his voice growing louder and more upset with each word he spoke.
“I didn’t mean it that way,” Buffy insisted. The two were silent for a few seconds until the slayer spoke again, “I’m sorry. I don’t think of you as just another vampire. I’m just saying that being the slayer, AND a high school student can be kind of stressful. I’m sorry.”

“I’m nervous too love. This mayor, he gives me, as you would say ‘the wiggins,” Spike finished his sentence and sent Buffy into a fit off giggles. At Spike’s look, Buffy explained.

“It’s just the thought of you saying the wiggins. It’s kind of funny.” The slayer explained in between giggles.

“At least I could make you laugh,” Spike said, satisfied that the tension surrounding the pair had broken. However, Buffy’s giggles ceased and she turned to him. Spike feared that she was going to revert to worrying and being angry at him. However, he was pleasantly surprised when Buffy spoke in a playful tone.

“So,” The slayer began “every guy wants my phone number?” Spike rolled his eyes in a good-natured way and then gently rested the slayer’s head on his shoulder, kissing her hair and allowing her to drift off to sleep.

The slayer awoke a few minutes later when the mayor stepped out of his office, a bright smile on his face and motioned for Buffy and Spike to step into his office. Buffy took Spike’s hand in hers and the pair walked into the mayors office.

There was nothing suspicious about the mayor’s office. In fact, it was kind of nice. Picture’s hung on the wall, showing the mayor with boy scout troops and other local charities. His desk was clean except for a picture of him and his family, a cup of pens and pencils, and a stack of papers in the center of his desk.

The mayor took a seat on the rolling leather chair behind his desk and motioned for Spike and Buffy to take seats on two chairs facing the desk, which they did. It was a few moments before Spike began to speak.

“Have you ever been to the movies?” Mayor Wilkins asked. “Of course you have,” He said, answering his own question. “People go to the movies to escape reality. To watch people do things that they could never to in real life, to watch people see things that are not possibly real. It’s funny, the truth in the movies. Don’t you agree Miss Summers?”

“I guess,” The slayer mumbled.

“Let me make myself clear. Demons, for example. Most people say they don’t exist. That their simply a creation of movie masterminds. In Sunnydale we know differently. Don’t we, William?”

“What are you playing at?” Spike asked, growling slightly.

“I think the question you might want to ask is what can I do for you sir?” The Mayor said, looking down at Spike as if reprimanding a son.

“Well, it’s nice that you think I should be asking you that question. However, I was more thinking about asking you how slowly you want to die?” Spike said, standing and glaring at the mayor, radiating waves of power.

“I would sit if I were you Spike. I can call you Spike, right? You wouldn’t prefer William the Bloody?” The mayor continued, without waiting for Spike’s answer, or the vampire to sit. “You see, I’ve been tracking you and Miss Summers for quite sometime. I have an album full of photos of the two of you. You two staking vampires and fighting demons. Some, I must admit, of you two in very compromising positions,” The mayor admitted.

“You bastard,” Buffy ground out, standing and making a move toward the mayor. However, Spike held her back. The vampire knew that the mayor must have some kind of trick up his sleeve, how else would he feel comfortable in the room with a master vampire and a slayer?

“I’m sorry you feel that way Buffy. Because you see, I have two choices for you. Either run a few errands for me. You know, kill a few demons, rob a few banks, call me boss for the next few months, possibly the next few years. Or don’t, go back to your lives.”

“What’s the catch?” The petite blonde slayer asked, raising an eyebrow.

“No catch,” The mayor replied simply.

“Then why would we ever call you master?” Spike asked.

“Well, I guess you wouldn’t. See, the thing is, it all depends on how much you like your watcher.”

To live is like to love -
all reason is against it,
and all healthy instinct for it.
~ by Samuel Butler, Life and love ~

Chapter 29

“What did you do to him?” The slayer asked the mayor, Spike’s reassuring hand on her shoulder being the only thing keeping her from lunging at the mayor and showing him what slayer strength was all about.

“The thing is, you can’t hurt me. Not now, not ever. Test it out if you want. Stake me, stab me, I’m invulnerable, I’m immortal. The other thing is, your watcher isn’t hurt…yet. Here, I have pictures,” Mayor Wilkins said, his tone of voice still chipper, as if he didn’t sense the waves of hatred coming off of the vampire and the slayer.

Reaching into his desk drawer, the mayor produced two pictures, one of Giles, tied to a chair, gagged and bound. The other picture was of the watcher lying unconscious on the library floor. It seemed that he had been the last one to leave the library, and had been jumped right as he neared the doors. The mayor spoke again, “Now don’t worry, Mr. Giles is doing OK. He’s being fed, he’s been given a cell with a cot and a bathroom. He’s in excellent care…but that can all change,” The mayor’s tone immediately became harsh and cold. “You and your boyfriend do exactly what I say, when I say it Miss Summers. You don’t double cross me, and you don’t disobey me. In one year I let you and William go. Your watcher is returned to you, and we pretend that nothing happened. It’s up to you. Be loyal to me, or be free… and your watcher dies.”

Buffy and Spike looked at one another, Buffy’s eyes filled with anger and fear, Spike’s reflecting the same thing. The mayor picked up on their indecision.

“I’ll let you two think it over of course. You can both wait in my private meeting room, right through that door,” The mayor offered, his voice chipper once again, almost fatherly. Buffy and Spike allowed themselves to be ushered through the door, and then watched with amusement as the door was locked, as if that would keep two people with super strength in.

“I don’t know what to do?” The slayer admitted. She and Spike had taken to seats next to each other in the board room. A large table was in the center of the room. However, they had chosen seats around the edge of the room.

“I don’t expect you to slayer. We’ll figure this out, I promise,” Spike assured the worried slayer.

“And what, end up running errands for the mayor until he decides that Giles can go free. I can’t do that, kill random demons…possibly people, but I also can’t let Giles suffer. So basically I’m stuck. Between a rock and a soft place, as some might say.”

“I think that’s a rock and a hard place,” The vampire corrected. However, he gave Buffy a look of apology for correcting her sentence when the slayer glared at him.

“What do we do? I think the mayor is telling the truth about being invulnerable, and I don’t think that the Scoobies will be able to help on this one. We’re on our own. The more people we involve, the more are at risk.

“We’ll get through this,” Spike promised.

“Don’t say that,” The slayer gently reprimanded.

“Why? It’s the truth. We WILL get through this. We just need a plan. Maybe we could play along with the mayor and then try and find out his master plan. Then we could get all the scoobies together and-“ Buffy cut Spike off.

“-And what?” The slayer asked. Spike shrugged and then leaned his head back in defeat. However, after a moment he spoke again.

“I think the first step is to figure out the mayor’s plan. Without that information we don’t know anything,” Spike said.

“So we play along for a while,” The slayer said, a plan forming in her mind, “Before we kill demons we could ask them about themselves. You know, ask them what they do, what information they have. Then we’d know why the mayor wanted them dead.”

“But what about the more harmless demons. Do we kill them too?” Spike asked.

“I doubt he’ll have us kill harmless demons for a while, and by then, we’ll know what the mayor’s plan is, and we can ask the Scoobies to help us,” Buffy answered. Spike was silent for a moment. Then the vampire tilted his head to the side, as if trying to get a better look at the slayer.

“What?” The petite slayer asked at Spike’s strange look.

“Smart girls are SO hot,” The vampire replied. Buffy laughed.

Spike really liked hearing her laugh. He liked seeing the brilliant smile that lit up her face, and he liked the way her muscles relaxed when she giggled. In his mind Spike swore that he would kill every demon and vampire in the entire world, that he would do anything he could possibly do, if it just meant that the slayer would never stop smiling. But the thing he loved most about the smile…it was kind of contagious…it made him feel more like a man.

I have been astonished that men could die martyrs for their religion -
I have shudder'd at it.
I shudder no more.
I could be martyr'd for my religion
Love is my religion
And I could die for that.
I could die for you.

Chapter 30

“Knock, knock,” A chipper, familiar voice said as the mayor opened the door.

“Come in,” Buffy answered dryly, as Mayor Wilkins was already inside the board room, smiling brightly.

“So, have you kids made a decision?” The mayor asked.

“We agree to your terms. We will do your errands for one year. But at that time we want to know for certain that we’ll go free,” Spike said.

“Of course,” The mayor agreed. “One year and then this partnership ends. Mr. Giles goes free, as do you two. Now, before we begin, I just want to say that I think we may have gotten off on the wrong foot. I don’t want you to think of this as forced labor, think of it more as an apprenticeship. You help me, I help you.”

The petite slayer cocked an eyebrow at Mayor Wilkins, obviously not excited by the idea of being his apprentice. However, the mayor took no notice of this, and instead, kept talking.

“Now I suppose that you kids want to see Mr. Giles, so I’ll let you do that this afternoon. Now, Miss Summers should go to school. I expect you and William here as soon as school lets out though,” Mayor Wilkins told the slayer. Buffy nodded and then took Spike’s hand and the pair made their way to the door. “Oh, and Buffy,” The mayor called, stopping both the slayer and the vampire in their tracks, “You tell no one about our little deal. Not your friends, not your mother. The only people that know about this are me, you, William, and Principal Snyder.”

“Principal Snyder!” The slayer screamed in surprise. The petite blonde had assumed that Principal Snyder was clueless, merely following orders. Now, however, it seemed that he was a source of information for the mayor.

“Yes, Principal Snyder also knows that you’re the Slayer.”

“Well…I better get to school. Spike, you want to go home and fill mom in on why we had to go the mayor’s office and then meet me here when school’s over?” Buffy asked her boyfriend.

“What should I tell your mom?” The vampire asked.

“I’ll take care of it. I’ll tell Joyce that you two kids are helping me out on a top secret assignment. Just doing your part to help our fine town,” Mayor Wilkins said in response to Spike’s question. The vampire nodded his consent and he and Buffy headed out, Spike to the mansion, to rest up and Buffy to school. One thing was for certain an apocalypse was most definitely on the way.

Other men said they have seen angels,
But I have seen thee
And thou art enough.
~ by G. Moore ~

Chapter 31

School passed in a daze. All the slayer could think about was Giles, Spike, and of course, the mayor. Her tension radiated off her in waves and her friends had naturally picked up on it. Not wanting to involve her friends in the plan, at least not yet, the slayer made up a lie about her mom finding the slayer’s most recent report card. Buffy neglected to mention that her recent report card had actually been quite excellent, because of Spike helping her with her studying.

When the school day was finally over Buffy hurried to City Hall. The slayer needed to talk to Giles, and the sooner she saw the mayor, the sooner she would be with Giles. Buffy needed to make sure he was OK, she needed to know that he understood that she would always be there for him, that she was going to save him.

“Going somewhere love?” A familiar British voice asked.

“Oh, I’m just going to see this completely hot, sexy guy that I’ve been having this secret affair with,” The slayer teased.

“Really?” Spike asked, coming up behind the slayer and stopping her for a second by kissing her temple, and then her soft neck. Buffy moaned her approval. The pair walked in silence for a few moments before Buffy spoke.

“We’ll get through this Spike, won’t we?” The slayer asked, looking up at the vampire, her hazel eyes shining with hope.

“I keep telling you that,” Spike reminded Buffy.

“Yeah. I admit it. You’re right. You’re always right,” Buffy said, rolling her eyes in a good-natured way.

“I know.”

The pair reached City Hall and were met outside by a large van with black tinted windows. The vampire and the slayer climbed in and the van sped off. The van was separated into two sections, one for the driver, who was separated by a thick black door, so they could not b seen, and one for the passengers, in this case, Buffy and Spike. The van sped by different shops inside of Sunnydale, stopping only when it had passed the sign that read “You are now leaving Sunnydale, come back soon!”

Buffy and Spike hadn’t spoken, however, they kept shooting each other worried glances. The van stopped abruptly by a sewer entrance. The door opened automatically and the slayer and vampire stepped down and found themselves met by two well-armed guards in army fatigues. The pair were escorted to a sewer entrance and walked through the dark, damp tunnels were what Buffy assumed was at least fifteen minutes. When the guards halted they opened a door in the side of the sewer and motioned for Buffy and Spike to crawl through it. The slayer and vampire did so, and weren’t prepared for what they found.

They stood on a ledge that overlooked the largest room either of them had ever seen. It was a huge white room. The center was divided into a huge, square cubicle with a floor that reminded the slayer of tinfoil. On the tinfoil floor people in lab coats, who seemed to be doctors, were operating on a large demon-looking creature. The slayer and vampire turned their attention to the edge of the large room where, along the entire border of the room were small, square cells. Each of the cells looked exactly the same, a white tile floor, and glass walls. The cells looked only about 13 by 13 feet, and in each cell, was one creature. Most creatures appeared to be a demon. However, some of the creatures seemed to be human. A voice from behind startled the slayer, and upon turning, Buffy came face to face with the mayor, and another person, a tall, scowling woman.

“Welcome,” The woman said, her voice scratchy, “You’ve just entered the Initiative.”

Life without love is like a tree
Without blossom and fruit…pointless
~ by Khalil Gibra ~

The woman who had welcomed Spike and Buffy to the initiative, who they came to know as Professor Walsh, walked at a brisk pace, leading the pair through the corridors of the Initiative. Spike and Buffy struggled to keep up with her long strides, and to pay attention to what she was saying.

There was just so much to see. The cells were lined with creatures in all shapes and sizes. Mostly demons. However, a few of the cells contained humans. Humans were sunken in eyes that were filled with fear. As the slayer passed the cages filled with demons, several of them recognized her and jumped toward the glass doors, trying to attack. Buffy and Spike were surprised to see that when the demons hit the glass, they received a shock of electricity, and were immediately thrown backwards.

Professor Walsh stopped several cells in front of where Buffy and Spike stood. She looked behind her and noticed the slayer and vampire standing in front of a cell where a Chaos demon lived. The Professor doubled back and cleared her throat to gain the attention of the vampire and slayer.

“If you’re interested in seeing your friend Mr. Giles I suggest you listen to what I have to say. You’re going to be working with me and the mayor and it’s important that you understand the initiative and it’s goals,” The professor reprimanded Buffy and Spike.

“Sorry,” Buffy replied meekly. However, Spike didn’t speak, he merely walked past the professor, brushing her shoulder as he went by. Professor Walsh narrowed her eyes in disgust before continuing the tour, filling in Spike and Buffy on all the rules of the initiative, as well as what their jobs would be.

The tour eventually looped back to the balcony where they had started. The mayor stood there, waiting for them.

“So, was your tour satisfactory?” He asked with a bright and nauseating smile plastered on his face.

“Where’s Giles?” Buffy asked, vocalizing the question that had been plaguing her since she realized that Professor Walsh was not going to take her to see her watcher.

“Ahh, I expected that you’d want to see Mr. Giles. And you will. I’m just going to page a special agent, and he will take you and Spike to Rupert’s cell,” Mayor Wilkins explained. Buffy nodded, not pleased with the fact that she had yet to see Giles, but relieved that the mayor was going to let her see him today. Mayor Wilkins and Professor Walsh entered an office behind the balcony and reemerged a few minutes later. The mayor spoke at Buffy’s questioning look.

“Special agent Riley Finn will arrive shortly to take you and Spike to Mr. Giles….quarters. You two will only have fifteen minutes to talk to Mr. Giles, but if you perform all your duties tomorrow you will be able to see him again. At the end of a week, if you’ve done everything correctly, you will be able to see Mr. Giles for half an hour.”

“Does the time keep increasing?” Buffy asked hopefully.

“Sadly no.” Mayor Wilkins said. “At the beginning of each week you will start again at fifteen minutes. I’m sorry, but I can’t allow you and Rupert to speak for any longer than half an hour.”

Buffy bit her lip angrily. However, when she met Spike’s eyes he gave her an unspoken message not to argue. “Things are going to be OK,” Buffy reminded herself, speaking softly so that only Spike could hear her. The vampire nodded at her and flashed her a smile. Things would be OK.

All I know of love is that love is all there is.

~Emily Dickinson~

Giles looked fine. Buffy had expected him to resemble some of the other human prisoners. However, except for the angry expression he wore, the librarian was in perfect health. As soon as Buffy realized that her watcher was being taken care of every muscle in her body visibly relaxed. The sight of him behind the thick glass still disturbed her, though, so the slayer was relieved when Agent Finn slid an ID card through a small slot, and the glass door opened.

Buffy rushed to meet Giles and hugged him tightly. Only letting go when his high pitched squeaks let the slayer know that air was becoming a necessity.

“I miss you so much,” The slayer whispered.

“I trust you’re all right?” Giles asked, taking a seat in the corner and motioning for Buffy to do the same. Spike stood, leaning against one of the walls, keeping a close eye on both Agent Finn, who was standing outside, pacing back and forth, and Buffy.

“I guess. It’s just been so awful this entire week. The mayor able to do anything he wants. I mean, as long as he has you I can’t do anything that he doesn’t want me to. Spike and I are…trapped,” Buffy said.

“I know that it seems hopeless Buffy, but you’ll figure it out. The mayor might be evil, but he’s a man of his word. It’s remarkable really,” Giles continued, taking off his glasses and cleaning them with a white handkerchief he produced from his pocket, “the mayor is such a complex character. Inherently good, polite, kind, and a man of his word, but his plans seem to be rooted in darkness.”

“Seem to be?” The slayer asked. “I’d say that capturing you and holding you hostage so that Spike and I follow through with whatever he wants us to kind of puts him in the black hats category.”

“Perhaps you’re right,” Giles agreed, smiling slightly. Spike smirked at the look that Giles was giving Buffy, one of complete exasperation as well as complete adoration. He was more of a father to her than her real father was.

“So, what do the Scoobies say about our situation?” Giles asked, not noticing the nervous look that passed between Buffy and Spike.

“They don’t know,” Buffy said, her voice low.

“Why not?” Giles asked in surprise.

“I don’t want to put them in any danger. Spike and I can handle it. It’s better this way. Spike and I will handle the mayor and the Scoobies will not know anything about it.”

“Buffy, your friends want to keep you safe, the mayor may be a formidable foe, but he’s one that your friends will be more than willing to help you defeat. I’m sure of it,” Giles assured the slayer.

“It’s not that,” Buffy said.

“What is it then?” Giles asked.

After a moment of hesitation Buffy opened her mouth to speak. However, before she could, the glass doors of Giles cell opened and Riley ushered her and Spike out. Buffy looked back through the glass door at Giles as she and Spike followed Riley, back the way they came.

The three stopped on the balcony where the mayor was waiting. He dismissed Riley and then turned to Buffy and Spike.

“Is everything to your liking?” Mayor Wilkins asked

“I guess,” Buffy responded neutrally.

“Do you both remember how you got here?” Mayor Wilkins asked.

“I think I do,” Spike responded.

“Tomorrow after Buffy is finished with school I expect you both to report here. Professor Walsh has already explained what your duties this week will be, so I want you both to sign in by swiping your ID cards through the slot up here. Then, once you have carried out your assignments you swipe your cards through the machine once more and you are free to leave. Every few days I’ll check in on you two, but for a while, that’s all you’ll be doing. Riley Finn will find you and take you to see Mr. Giles before you leave,” Mayor Wilkins explained. Buffy and Spike nodded before exiting the initiative. It was going to be an interesting week.

I do not want to make reasons for you to stay, only reasons for you to return.

~Jonivan~

“What are you thinking about?” Spike asked Buffy. The pair had walked to the Slayer’s house in total silence, and sat down on the steps of the porch. (changed it b/c it wasn’t parallel)

“Riley,” The slayer answered.

“What about him?” Spike asked.

“He’s so young. I mean, he can’t be more than nineteen, and he’s a shoulder. He thinks that he’s doing the right thing. I looked in his eyes and he honestly thinks that he’s saving somebody, that the mayor and Professor Walsh are helping him fight evil,” Buffy answered.

“That’s got you down, the fact that the boy doesn’t know that he’s in over his head?” Spike asked skeptically. He’d known the slayer long enough to know that almost every problem great enough to render her silent required some probing to get to.

“No,” Buffy admitted honestly, “what if what I’m doing…being the slayer, fighting demons. What if I’m sitting around thinking that I’m doing the right thing, when really I’m the bad guy?”

“You can’t be serious,” Spike said.

“I am.”

“Buffy, look at me,” Spike said, taking the slayer’s small hands in his own, “what you do is wonderful, and righteous, and important. You’re a good person, and you do the right thing. The mayor is evil; you’re not. What you do, who you are. You help people.”

“But how do I know…” The slayer began, however Spike cut her off with a searing kiss.

When Spike pulled away from the kiss he rested his forehead on Buffy’s and spoke to her softly.

“You do something amazing. And I am so proud of you.” The slayer nodded in response to Spike’s words.

“I’m proud of you too,” Buffy whispered.

********************************************************************************************

“I’m going to tell them,” Buffy announced to Spike. The slayer had gone to visit him before she began school and before even saying hello she had come out with that startling declaration.

“What are you talking about love?” Spike asked, taking the slayer’s hand and leading her to the courtyard where they took seats around a fountain.

“I’ve been thinking a lot. About what you said, and about what Giles said. You were right. I fight evil. But I can’t do it alone. I can’t leave Giles in that tiny cell. He’s fine now, yeah, but who knows what will happen next week. If we’re going to stop the mayor from whatever evil goal he has in mind we’re going to need help. I need my friends. I don’t fight evil. We fight evil,” Buffy explained, staring strait into Spike’s eyes.

“Then we’ll tell them,” The vampire said, smirking slightly.

“Thank you,” Buffy whispered, getting up to leave.

“One more thing,” Spike yelled after the slayer, causing her to turn around, “When we see Giles today remind me to tell him that you’re amazing,” Spike requested.

“I won’t let you forget.”

“How could I?”

Perhaps love is the process of me leading you gently back to yourself.

~Antoine de Saint Exupery~

The Scoobies reactions to Buffy’s announcements were basically the same, shocked faces that after a moment, registered hurt. However, by the end of the day Buffy had explained the entire situation and her friends had already begun researching the history of Sunnydale, the mayor, and the Initiative.

The rest of the day went well too, Buffy and Spike went to the Initiative and performed all their tasks. Their job for the day was to collect a package. It was simple enough. Spike and Buffy waited by the school entrance long after school had been left out and were approached by a man wearing light beige pants and a navy blue polo shirt. To anyone besides Spike and Buffy it looked as if the man was ordinary, perhaps a parent or teacher. However, Spike and Buffy recognized him instantly as the man who had a stack of papers that the mayor needed.

He stopped about a foot from Spike and Buffy and produced a folder. Buffy grabbed it from him, her facial expression giving away nothing. The slayer flipped through the folder, making sure that it was what the mayor wanted. When she realized that it was she pulled a thick wad of bills out of her back pocket and handed them to the man. She then nodded at him before turning on her heel and walking back towards the initiative with Spike.

As soon as she was sure that they were out of hearing range of the man the slayer exploded into laughter, skipping ahead of Spike and then circling back.

“Did you see me?” She asked with delight, “I was all strait faced and scary looking. Look at Buffy, making trades on the black market.”

“You were wonderful love,” Spike said, just a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

“Are you messing with me?” Buffy asked in mock anger.

“Maybe,” Spike conceded, “But how can I not when your skipping like a school girl after you just made a trade for something that’s probably illegal.”

“It was just…I was so cool,” The Slayer squealed in excitement.

“That you were love, that you were.”

Back at the Initiative Buffy and Spike had visited Giles and were currently attempting to sign out. However, the machine wasn’t cooperating, probably due to the fact that as soon as Spike had put his card through Buffy had started laughing hysterically. She had placed a hand on the machine to steady her, and had heard a loud ‘crack’ before seeing a piece of the machine fall from the balcony. Spike was muttering under his breath about how she was going to be the death of him, while Buffy continued to laugh.

“What is so funny?” Spike asked angrily. Giving the slayer a stern look. Buffy gained control of her laughter for a moment and answered Spike.

“I just keep remembering,” the slayer began, before breaking out into a new set of giggles, “the mayor using the word swipe.”

Spike gave the slayer a stern look for a moment. However, as soon as he replayed yesterday’s conversation with the mayor he couldn’t help but allow his lips to form a smile. Spike’s smile turned to a frown after a moment though, and he placed a hand over the slayer’s mouth in a desperate attempt to silence her. Buffy’s giggles subsided and the slayer watched Spike inconspicuously press his ear against the wooden door of the mayor’s office. Buffy did the same, hearing through the thick wooden door the conversation that Spike was listening too.

“Tomorrow Night?” Professor Walsh asked in surprise.

“Yes, exactly at midnight. It seems my calculations were incorrect. I assumed that the ritual could be performed in a year. However, it seems that tomorrow night is the night,” Mayor Wilkins said.

“Are you nervous?” Professor Walsh asked.

“Not in the least.”

“But what about the Slayer and the Vampire. They’re not going to let us take over Sunnydale just because we ask nicely. Even if we hang the Slayer’s Watcher over them, they’re going to find a way to stop us,” Professor Walsh reminded the mayor.

“Yes, I suppose you’re right professor. I believe that our story’s heroes might object to us opening the hellmouth and taking control of the world. Not to worry though, tomorrow when they report for work, twenty armed guards will be at the Initiative entrance with orders to exterminate them. They may be superheroes, but I don’t think either will be in any condition to fight once their six feet under,” Mayor Wilkins assured Professor Walsh, his tone light and easy. If you hadn’t known that he was talking about killing two innocent people, you would have thought he had just invited a friend to go to a baseball game.

The rest of the conversation seemed to be small talk so Buffy and Spike removed their ears from the wooden door.

“You get all of that?” Spike asked the slayer.
”Yeah. I missed a few words here and there, but I got everything important.”

“So, what do you think we should do?” The vampire asked.

“I’d say it’s back to the library, the Scoobies should have something helpful for us now.”

“And then what?” Spike asked nervously.

“Then we save the world.”

People always ask me what I believe in It’s kind of ironic. I believe in love. Love is the only thing worth dying for. But here’s the ironic part. It’s also the only thing worth living for.”

-TuesdayGirl (August 6, 2002)

“What do you want us to do Buffster?” Xander asked after Buffy and Spike had explained the situation.

“I don’t even know. I guess…we need to get Giles out. And then we need to stop what the Mayor is planning. If we can get the folder that Spike and I delivered to him, that should stop him from unleashing hell,” Buffy said.

“Sounds good in theory, but in actuality?” Xander asked, scrunching up an eyebrow as he looked at the slayer.

“In actuality the mayor will probably kill you all,” Cordelia said with a toss of her hair.

“Cordelia Chase…eternal optimist,” Oz said, receiving a chuckle from Tara, who sat one seat away from him.

“What is that supposed to mean Xander?” Cordelia asked angrily.

“I didn’t say anything!” Buffy’s brown haired friend protested, rising from his seat and looking at Cordelia angrily.

“And I should believe that because?” Cordelia asked, narrowing her eyes and rising from her seat so that she and Xander were looking eye to eye.

Buffy cut in before either of her friends could speak again.

“Guys, it doesn’t matter who said what,” The slayer explained, exasperated.

“Sorry Buff,” Xander apologized meekly. The slayer didn’t have a chance to respond as Spike and Willow came into the library from Giles’ office. Willow was carrying a large stack of papers that she had just printed out, and Spike wore a weary expression.

“Is it bad?” The slayer asked as Spike came to stand behind her, kissing the top of her head.

“It’s bad,” Willow answered, coming to stand next to the Slayer and laying her printouts on the table that the other Scoobies sat around. All the Scoobies leaned in as Willow began explaining what she had printed.

“I managed to hack into the initiative database,” The red-haired witch began, “It was tough. The Initiative isn’t some little Sunnydale organization. It’s a government branch. However, it’s completely top secret. There’s no way to access it from government web pages. There’s only one way into their files. Once in things just got worse. The Initiative has high tech equipment. I’m sure you and Spike have seen what they can do. There are access codes to basically everything. And the codes…I could only get some of them.”

“What are the print-outs for?” Buffy asked. Willow shuffled through the papers before pulling out one.

“This is a map of the Initiative. It includes all secret tunnels, room numbers, and all the access codes I could get a holy of. The only problem will be getting to Giles because he’s in a high security area. I don’t have the access code. I can get you into the corridor but after that, you’re basically going to be stuck looking through the glass at Giles,” Willow admitted sadly.

“Do you have the access code for the Mayor’s office?” Buffy asked.

“I do. It was hard to get, but I managed.”

“Are we going then?” Spike asked.

“Yeah,” Buffy said, “I mean, if you’re up for it…” The slayer finished teasingly. Spike nipped lightly at Buffy neck and whispered something in her ear that caused the Slayer to blush.

“I think that’s a yes,” Oz said.

"Sometimes I wish I had never met you, because then I could go to sleep at night not knowing there was someone like you out there."

from Good Will Hunting

“What’s the next number?” Spike asked.

“Two, then star,” Buffy said.

“Okay,” Spike said, plugging in the last two numbers. The door to the Mayor’s office slid open and Spike and Buffy slipped inside and then shut the door behind them. The Slayer slipped Willow’s map into her pocket, folding it neatly first. Spike flipped on the light and he and Buffy immediately moved to the mayor’s desk and began searching through drawers.

“Why didn’t he lock his drawers?” Buffy asked.

“I guess he figured no one would manage to get in,” Spike said. After a moment he spoke again, “Got it!”

“What?” Buffy asked.

“Security card. All access pass,” Spike said, holding up Mayor Wilkins’ ID card triumphantly.

“Did you find the folder?” The Slayer asked. Spike rummaged through the mayor’s drawer for a moment before looking up smiling.

“Got it,” He replied, tucking the folder into the inner pocket of his duster.

“Knew I loved you for a reason,” The slayer said teasingly, leaning over and kissing Spike gently on the lips. The vampire attempted to deepen the kiss. However, Buffy pushed him gently away and gave him a look that reminded him of their goal…Giles.

“How should we get to the watcher?” Spike asked, as Buffy pulled out Willow’s map.

“There are lots of different ways, through the ceiling vents, through corridors, or on the elevator,” The slayer responded.

“Which way is safest?” Spike asked.

“I don’t know, the elevator probably. Once we enter the number on the back of the ID card the elevator will take us exactly where we need to be.”

“OK then….let’s not take the elevator,” Spike said, receiving a smack on the back of his head.

Moments later Spike and Buffy were crawling through the ceiling vents. They had decided that it was the best way to go. Not too safe, (as Spike was vehemently opposed to taking the easy way out), but not too dangerous, as the vampire was also concerned for the slayer’s well being.

“Almost there,” Buffy said, crawling the length of a few more paces and then motioning for Spike to stop behind her. The slayer pulled a flashlight from her waistband and shined it on Willow’s map.

“We go to far?” Spike asked, concerned.

“Nope. We should be right in front of Giles cell,” The petite blonde said. Without a moments hesitation she kicked down the ceiling panel next to her, causing a cloud of dust to fly up and assault both Spike and Buffy’s faces. Before Spike could warn the Slayer that someone might be down there, Buffy had jumped through the hole and landed, feet first, on the ground of the Initiative corridor. The slayer tucked Willow’s map into her pocket as Spike jumped down next to her. Both rose and smiled, realizing that they had made it. However, at that moment a light buzzing sound reached Spike’s and Buffy’s ears. Both turned and came face to face with no other but Agent Riley Finn, holding a stun gun in one hand.

Prince Henry: "And what happens if the person you're supposed to be with never happens, or she does, and you're too distracted to notice?"

Leonardo da Vinci: "You learn to pay attention!"

from Ever After

“Stay where you are,” Riley commanded in a deep voice. Buffy’s eyes opened wide and Riley got a good look at whom he had found for the first time. “Buffy?” He whispered.

“Riley, don’t shoot,” The Slayer said.

“What are you doing here?” The agent asked, “Are you on a mission from the mayor?”

“Kind of,” the Slayer replied. As soon as the words were out she mentally cursed herself for not just saying yes.

“Kind of….” Riley said, trailing off in an unspoken request for Buffy to clarify. Sensing the Slayer didn’t know what to say, Spike spoke.

“Finn, listen to me. Slayer and I are trying to help people. Fight demons and what not. You’re trying to help people, fight demons and what not. That man in the cell,” Spike said, pointing to Giles, “he’s not a demon. He’s an ordinary guy. Now you have too choices. You can question Slayer and I about our intentions, or you can believe me when I say that we’re on the side of good.”

“It’s true, Riley. I swear, we’re trying to help people,” Buffy whispered urgently, searching Riley’s eyes for understanding. Riley nodded once and then turned around.

“I think I hear something over there,” the agent said, pointing down the hallway, “I’m gonna’ go check it out. Be gone when I get back.” Buffy smiled at Riley’s retreating back and then at Spike.

The vampire wasted no time in sliding the mayor’s ID card through the slot in Giles cell. The glass door opened automatically and Buffy rushed in and knelt in the corner, where Giles was sleeping, hunched against a wall.

“Giles,” the slayer whispered urgently, “wake up.” The watcher opened his eyes slightly and then let out a yelp when he found himself staring into his slayer’s hazel eyes.

“Buffy, you nearly gave me a heart attack,” Giles whispered, taking the slayer’s outstretched hand and rising to his feet.

“Come on Giles, we don’t have much time.” Buffy said, leading Giles out of his cell and then motioning for him and Spike to follow her. The slayer set out at a run, heading down the corridor in the same direction Riley had, going towards the elevator. As the threesome passed Riley the slayer paused for a second and leaned up to give Riley a quick peck on the cheek before whispering “thanks.” She then joined Spike and Giles in the elevator.

“Should I be worried that Riley is competition?” Spike asked playfully. However, Buffy detected a hint of worry underneath his nonchalant tone of voice.

“Are you kidding?” The slayer asked, arching an eyebrow, “Could that guy be any more of a cardboard cut out?” Spike smiled at the slayer before pulling her into a deep kiss that she and Spike stopped only when Giles cleared his throat loudly.

“Sorry,” Buffy whispered meekly.

“It’s alright. I suppose I should be getting used to all these public displays of affection,” Giles muttered as he took off his glasses and reached into a pocket for a hankerchief. After a moment of silence the elevator hit the sewers and the door opened. However, the opening of the door was accompanied with the sound of a loud alarm going off. Buffy looked at Spike nervously. The vampire took Buffy’s hand and began running through the sewers, listening to their footsteps to make sure the watcher was still behind them.

Up in the corridor where Giles cell was the mayor, Professor Walsh, and another agent were questioning Riley.

“What happened?” The mayor asked.

“They took the man out of that cell and ran. My stun gun didn’t help and they got away before I could stop them.” Riley answered.

“Which way did they go?” Professor Walsh asked.

“Up through ceilings,” Riley lied smoothly, “Then to the left.”

“Thank you. Good work Finn,” Professor Walsh said. Riley smiled and touched his cheek where the slayer had kissed him.
”What can I say, Professor. I’m a good guy.”

"I would rather have one breath of her hair, one kiss from her mouth, one touch of her hand, than an eternity without it. ONE!"

from City of Angels

Giles knew at the moment he, Spike and Buffy exited the tunnels of the Initiative that the watcher training program needed to be revised. Giles was already breathing deeply by then, while Spike and Buffy were keeping up a steady pace, showing no signs of exhaustion. By the time the threesome reached Sunnydale High School Library the Watcher felt like he was dying. Still, he pressed on, slumping into a chair as soon as he reached one.

“What’s wrong?” Willow asked, noting Giles tired state, and the slayer’s slightly deep breaths.

“The Initiative alarm sounded. The soldiers are after us,” The Slayer explained.

“What do we do, Buff?” Xander asked.

“Run,” Cordelia suggested sarcastically.

“Exactly,” The slayer answered, earning confused looks from Xander, Giles, Spike, and an excited look from Cordelia.

“What do you mean love?” Spike asked, narrowing his eyes as he looked at the Slayer in confusion.

“Right now our biggest priority is to stop the mayor’s plans. I don’t think we can afford being interrupted by guys armed with tazer guns,” Buffy explained.

“Where can we go?” Willow asked.

“The mansion. It should be safe,” Spike suggested.

“No good. They’ve seen us there. They have pictures of us there,” The Slayer reminded Spike.

“Damn,” Spike cursed softly.

“I have an idea,” Buffy said. “Everyone grab the books that we need and follow me.”

“Where are we going?” Tara asked.

“To a friend,” The Slayer replied.

“Buffy,” Angel said. The vampire had opened his door a crack when he heard an impatient knock and was startled to see the Slayer and Scoobies in the hallway. “What are you doing here?”

“I know that I have no right to ask this of you, but I need your help,” Buffy said.

“What’s wrong?”

“I’ll explain inside,” The Slayer replied, walking through the door that Angel had fully opened in silent invitation for the Scoobies to enter.

It was quite a site. Nine people trying to fit into a small apartment that barely had enough room for one. Willow sat next to Tara and Oz. Books spread in front of the three of them. Cordelia and Xander sat a few feet away from Willow. If the Scoobies hadn’t been so busy they probably would have noticed that they were sitting very close to one another, and Xander’s hand rested on the cheerleaders knee. Buffy, Spike and Angel all stood in the corner by the door, quietly discussing the situation. Giles stood in another corner, overseeing everything, as well as scanning through a book of magical rituals. There was only a small space left in the apartment, and the slayer figured that if Initiative soldiers did find them it wouldn’t matter, there probably wasn’t enough room to open the door.

“What exactly are we looking for?” Willow asked the slayer. “I mean, I’ve been looking through the folder that you and Spike took from the mayor, and it explains a lot, but I can’t figure out how to stop the ritual.”

“I don’t even understand why it matters,” Xander said, “The mayor doesn’t have the folder, don’t you think that not having the spell will make it a little bit hard to complete the ritual?”

“We’re assuming that the mayor was smart enough to make copies of the information in the folder,” Giles explained to the young brunette.

“Not assuming, we basically know for sure. The Initiative has access to the latest computer technology. The folders must be in ten different databases. Even if Spike and I had attempted to delete all the copies it would have been impossible to completely wipe the records,” Buffy said.

“Still, I’ve been looking through books and maps and I don’t even know what to say. Are we trying to stop the ritual…to kill Mayor Wilkins and Professor Walsh?” The redhead asked.

“Not kill them!” Buffy said quickly. “I think we just…” The slayer tailed off.

“I think what we need to do is to stop the mayor and Professor Walsh. From there, who knows? We can’t kill them, and we don’t exactly have enough evidence to get them behind bars,” Spike said, making his way over to where Willow was and sitting on the floor across from her, taking a book out of the witch’s hands. The vampire flipped a few pages in the spell book Willow had been looking at. “Here. This spell should help. It’s hard, but you and Glinda should be able to manage,” The vampire said, nodding his head towards Tara.

Willow took the book back from Spike.

“What’s the spell do?” She asked, slightly embarrassed about her lack of knowledge.

“It stops the fabrics of time from bending in circles,” Spike explained. At Willow’s confused look he paused for a moment before taking an unnecessary breath and continuing. “See Red, every object is connected to every other object, as well as to the core of the earth. As time progresses all objects send information about what they’re doing to the center of the earth. Kind of like a machine in a hospital takes recording of the movements of someone’s heart. The shape generally associated with the messages sent is a circle. This spell is designed to send a message to the center of the earth. The message would ask that a specific object, one that you specify, stop sending messages to other objects. That would give you a window of time in which you could pull a certain object from its location and move it to another one instantly.”

“I don’t understand the last part of what you said, about pulling an object from its rightful location in the universe,” Willow said.

“It’s like this,” Spike said, standing and picking up a random book from in front of Willow. Objects generally travel like this.” The vampire walked across the room and handed the book in his hand to Buffy, giving her a peck on the cheek when he reached her. “The spell would allow an object to travel like this.” Spike moved back over to Willow and then threw the book he was holding to the Slayer. Giles opened his mouth to protest, however, Buffy caught the book. “There’s no travel time. The book would be taken out of one location and automatically appear in another. No physical movement.”

“It would be like…” Xander trailed off.

“Magic,” Oz supplied.

"When they ask me what I liked best, I'll say it was you."

from City of Angels

The details of the spell had been worked out. Angel had all the ingredients needed, which turned out to only be two white candles and an object from the retriever. The retriever was the person sent to collect the object. In this case Buffy. All she would need to do was to touch the book and it would appear in front of the spell casters. Normally a retriever would not be needed. However, Willow and Tara were not advanced enough to simply visualize the book. They needed physical contact. Therefore, Giles was the Slayer’s anchor. He had taken the necklace Buffy wore as her anchor to him. Clutching the simple silver chain and cross in his hand he silently prayed to whatever spirit protected slayers to watch out for Buffy. A demon would pose no challenge for the Slayer. But humans trying to take over the world-now that was something to worry about.

“Why didn’t you tell me you knew so much about magic?” Buffy asked Spike. The vampire had insisted on accompanying her when she retrieved the book. That’s why the pair stood outside the town’s magic shop where the Mayor and Professor Walsh were setting up to perform their spell.

“I have many hidden talents love,” Spike said softly, his voice low and dangerous, sending shivers through the Slayer.

“Really,” Buffy said. She was about to continue when Spike signaled for her to listen to what the mayor was saying.

“I think that’s everything Maggie. Before we begin. Well gosh, I just want you to know how amazing you’ve been. I know that we’ve had our problems. The mishap with the slayer and vampire was unfortunate. But I’m just so overwhelmed by how everything came together,” Mayor Wilkins said. Professor Walsh smiled slightly before turning her attention back to the task at hand.

“We should begin the ritual,” She said.

Buffy looked at Spike, concern marring her features.

“We’ll have to rush them as soon as the ritual begins,” The vampire said, answering the question that the Slayer dared not ask. Buffy nodded and allowed Spike to envelop her comfortingly into his arms. The brave face she put on gave way to worry and fear as Spike held her tightly, hoping that holding her close would transfer his strength to her.

“Demon come forth,” The mayor spoke, his normally chipper voice booming, reminding the vampire and Slayer that he, no matter how human, was the enemy. “Come forth and do my bidding.”

Professor Walsh lit the candles that surrounded her and the mayor before taking her place inside the circle.

“Demon come forth,” She spoke. Those simple words triggered a reaction and the ground shook. A light rumbling was all that came at first. However, it quickly escalated (crescendoed isn’t a word…although it should be)and soon a large hole appeared where the Mayor and Professor Walsh were sitting. They jumped up in time to avoid falling into the crevice.

“We must continue the ritual!” The mayor screamed. Buffy didn’t even look at Spike for confirmation. She simply rushed through the store window, which had broken due to the rumbling of the Earth. Ignoring the shouts of the Mayor and Professor the Slayer grabbed the book that the mayor was reading out of, which appeared to merely be the papers that were in the folder she and Spike had stolen all stapled together. She barely had time to close it before it disappeared from her hands. At first, thinking she had dropped it, the slayer looked around frantically, until it registered that the spell must have worked, the book must be safely in Angel’s apartment. Buffy was broken from her reverie at Spike’s scream, which overpowered the noise of the earth rumbling.

“Run!” The vampire screamed. Buffy leaped over a crevice and made her way towards Spike, only to fall unconscious to the ground. The earth had broken underneath a bookshelf, and the shelf had fallen on top of the Slayer. Spike stared at Buffy, unable to move. It was as if the noise of the magic shop falling to ruins was miles away. All he saw was Buffy’s limp form. The sounds of the earth splitting blocked the sounds of Buffy’s heartbeat and Spike had no idea whether or not she was alive.

Back in Angel’s apartment Giles suddenly fell to the ground, unconscious, Buffy’s cross still clutched in his hand. The Scoobies tried, with no avail, to wake him.

Spike rushed into the magic box, ignoring the Mayor and Professor Walsh, who stood in the corner of the shop, staring at a large crevice in the center of the shop where something appeared to be emerging from. All Spike cared about was reaching Buffy, which he did. The vampire set to work on clearing wood and books off the slayer, still not hearing her heartbeat.

The first sign of life the Mayor saw from the hole in the ground was a claw. Pale and covered in green white slime it resembled something from a horror movie-the perfect demon for world domination. The creature finally fully emerged. Large and completely coated in white slime in looked at the mayor and Professor Walsh, immediately recognizing them as his masters. The creature looked at Spike, immediately recognizing the need to protect his masters from Spike. However, this need was replaced within seconds from him reaching earth as he watched silently as a bookshelf fell atop Professor Walsh and Mayor Wilkins. The demon would have stopped the shelf, it was just that his eyes were focused on Spike who had managed to clear books off the slayer and looked so relieved when her eyes fluttered open slightly…

In Angel’s apartment Giles awoke suddenly. The Scoobies looked at him with questioning glances. However, he couldn’t speak, his eyes had turned black and he found that he was no longer looking at the Scoobies, but at a picture of Spike and Buffy. Giles saw the demon walking towards Spike and Buffy, both who looked unaware of the demon.

“Behind you!” Giles heard his inner voice screamed, and was surprised when Spike turned, as if responding to his shout, and saw the demon coming towards him. Buffy rose shakily to her feet and pulled two knives from her waistband, handing one to Spike. The demon came towards them and was immediately assaulted as Buffy threw her knife straight into his eye. That was all it took. The earthquake that had been raging stopped and the demon immediately melted into a puddle of white goo. Buffy and Spike shared an amused look. There was something insanely funny about watching a mighty demon melt into nothing after a simple wound. However, their look turned to pity when their gaze fell on the corner of the magic shop where Mayor Wilkins and Professor Walsh lay dead, underneath a tall bookshelf.

“Let’s go pet,” Spike whispered, pulling a slightly distressed Buffy from the scene., “We need to check on the Scoobies.”

Back at Angel’s apartment Giles eyes turned back to their normal color and he let go of the Slayer’s cross and chain. Willow and Tara blew out the white candles they had used for the spell and all the Scoobies shared looks of happiness.

“What now?” Xander asked.

“We saved the world,” Willow said.

“Party?” Cordelia suggested.

Jack: What would you do if I kissed you right now?

Melanie: You wouldn't kiss me.

Jack: But what would you do if I did?

Melanie: Do you want to kiss me right now?

Jack: I wouldn't have mentioned it if I didn't.

from One fine Day

“Today Sunnydale mourns the loss of two fine citizens. Mayor Wilkins and Professor Walsh,” a female newscaster said. Spike and Buffy were cuddled on the couch of the Summers’ living room, watching the morning news. Joyce was out running errands the entire day, and Spike and Buffy were enjoying having the house to themselves. The sound of the doorbell ringing wafted into the living room and Buffy lazily detached herself from Spike’s arms and padded over to the front door, combing a hand through her hair absentmindedly.

“Riley,” The slayer said in surprise when she opened the door and came face to face with the soldier.

“I found out this was your house,” Riley explained, “I wanted to talk to you.”

“Should we go out on the porch?” Buffy asked.

“No, this is fine, it will only take a minute.”

“I just wanted you to know that I’m going back to Iowa. I figured that I need a little time off from school. And I wanted to thank you. You and Spike really opened my eyes. Helped me see some things. I mean, sometimes the truth is scary, and confusing, but it’s the truth. I think that not being ignorant is better than simply being happy,”’ Riley said.

“I’m glad you think so. But Spike and I can’t take all the credit. You’re a good man Riley,” Buffy insisted.

“And I really believe that. I just wanted to tell you where I’ll be,” Riley said, producing a piece of paper from his pocket. “This is the address of where I’m staying. If you ever need help you can call me. I’m a good guy now.”

“Stay safe, Riley,” Buffy said as Riley turned and walked back to his car.

The Slayer went back inside and moved back into Spike’s arms on the couch.

“He fancies you,” Spike said to the Slayer after a moment of silence.

“Yeah, well I fancy you, so as you would say ‘don’t get you’re knickers in a twist,” the slayer said, imitating Spike’s accent.

“I do not sound like that,” the vampire protested loudly. Buffy responded with a snort and settled deeper into Spike’s arms.

“I love you,” She whispered, “so much.”

“Love you too pet. More than anything in this world or the next.”

“You’ll still love me when I tell you something,” Buffy said skeptically.

“Of course,” Spike assured the Slayer, not prepared for what she said next.

“We’re going bowling with Xander and Cordelia, and Willow and Tara,” The slayer said. Xander and Cordelia and Willow and Tara had begun dating shortly after the averted apocalypse and had requested that all three couples do something together.

“I can’t believe we’re going on a date with the whelp and his cheerleader. I mean, red and glinda are decent people. But…” Spike trailed off when he met the Slayer’s eyes.

“I’m guessing I’ll have to make this up to you,” She said softly, her tongue tracing the outline of her lips. Spike watched, mesmerized.

“That might help,” The vampire managed to croak out.

“Well we’re going tomorrow. So, I’d say I better start thanking you for agreeing now,” The Slayer said, standing and making her way to the stairs, hips swinging.

“Where are you going?” Spike asked.

“I think I’m going to go take a bath,” Buffy replied. “I might get lonely up there though. Want to come?” The slayer didn’t wait for an answer, she continued up the stairs, leaving a trail of discarded clothing that she knew Spike would pick up on his way. Up in the bathroom Buffy could faintly hear Spike approaching, murmuring something about beautiful Slayer’ being the death of him. “Oh yeah,” Buffy whispered to herself as the door to the bathroom opened slowly. “It’s good to be me.”

People always ask me what I believe in. It’s kind of ironic. I believe in love. Love is the only thing worth dying for. But here’s the ironic part. It’s also the only thing worth living for.”

-Lisa (TuesdayGirl)