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Chapter 10 Electric

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

Moments later the doorbell rang. Faith ran downstairs to get it but Spike was already there. “Evening, Cal, Faith’ll be along in a minute.”

“Callum,” he corrected gruffly, “and thanks.”

“I’m here, I’m here!” Faith declared, rushing to the door, “Hey!”

Callum looked her up and down taking in her black lacy top, sexy blue skirt and borrowed boots, “Wow… you look…”

“Too much? I knew the skirt was too—“

“You look amazing… gorgeous in fact…”

“Oh… humm, thanks. You don’t look so bad yourself,” she said, gesturing to his blue dress shirt.

Callum handed her a small bouquet of tulips in red, white and yellow, “I hope it’s not too girly.”

“Nah, you’re cool on this one. I actually do like tulips, thank you.

He shot her a thousand watt smile that nearly made her melt. Faith stood there dumbstruck for a few seconds before she snapped out of it.

“Here, I’ll take care of these and put them in your room,” Buffy said, making Faith jump in surprise with her sudden appearance.

Faith quickly schooled her features as Buffy took the flowers from her, “Oh, sure. Cool.”

“Now that’s taken care of, ready to go?” Callum asked.

She cleared her throat, “Yeah, I’m ready.”

“Have fun kids,” Spike sing-songed behind them.

“Shut up, Spike!” Faith threw back over her shoulder as they headed out the door.

Once they were gone Buffy turned to Spike, “So what about us?”

“I assumed the bubble bath was your way of saying you weren’t ready to go out yet,” he smirked.

“You really do get me don’t you?”

“I’ve always liked to think so, but then I’ve been wrong before haven’t I?” Spike asked, shifting himself to lean against the wall.

Buffy gave him a wistful smile, “Not recently. I have been looking forward to trying out the bathtub… and the bubble bath.”

He bit his bottom lip, “Then that’s what we’ll do, Love.”

“Well since nap time is out, I’m going to grab something to eat, you want anything?”

“I’m fine. You take your time, I’ll see you upstairs, Pet,” he said, pushing himself off the wall.

“Ahh huh, ok,” she shrugged, “I know you, you’re scheming…”

Spike grinned wickedly, “I prefer ‘planning’.”

“Have it your way.”

“Oh I plan to, Goldilocks.”

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

Back in town, Faith and Callum arrived at the pub. It was a cozy place with booths set all along the walls and a small stage opposite the bar with wooden tables in between. They had barely set foot inside the pub when a strongly built older man jovially shouted, “Cally my boy!”, from behind the bar.

“Bloody hell…” Callum mumbled, “Faith, I’m really sorry about this.”

“About what?” Faith started to say when the older gentleman had come up to Callum giving him such a strong bear hug that he actually picked him up off the floor a few inches before releasing him, “How are you, Lad? I’ve barely seen you all week. Who’s the pretty Lass?”

Callum rolled his eyes but smiled goodnaturedly, “Didn’t know you were going to be here tonight. Mum said you had off now you cut back your hours.”

“Oh aye, I did. Hadn’t actually planned on it, but when you’re needed… had to take care of a few things.”

“How come I can’t call you ‘Cal’ but this guy can call you ‘Cally’?” Faith interjected.

“Now you see what you’ve done? Got me in the doghouse before it’s even built,” Callum teased the man. “Excuse my manners, Faith. Unfortunately, this one here gets to call me whatever he fancies and I can’t do a damn thing about it… this here is my father. Dad, this is Faith. It’s largely thanks to her and her uncle that Angus and I are finally getting things off the ground,” he cleared his throat, “This is meant to be our first date.”

Mr. Ross raised his eyebrows, “That right now?”

“Yeah, well unless you count last night with my cousin,” Faith countered.

“What’s this?” Mr. Ross asked.

Callum shook his head with a chuckle, “It’s nothing, Dad. Faith asked me over to look at a new job. Professional visit. After that, her cousin and her bloke sort of roped us into watching a film with them.”

Mr. Ross crossed his arms over his expansive chest. “Must be someplace if you’ve hired my boy for multiple jobs.”

“Yeah, big old place. Needs a lot of work done,” Faith answered.

“They’re in the old castle just outside of town,” Callum interjected.

Mr. Ross gave a hum of interest, “And what’s some princess in a castle doing out with a working-class lad like my boy?”

Callum clapped a hand on his father’s shoulder. “Now Dad, Faith isn’t some—“

Faith cut him off, “Naw Callum, it’s cool. Been called a lot of things, but ‘princess’? Damn, that’s a new one on me,” her voice had a slight edge to it.

Callum’s dad smiled and suddenly the resemblance to his son was uncanny, “Oh aye. See why this one caught your attention, Cally.”

“Huh, yeah. Well, I’m no princess, my uncle sort of inherited the place. Started a private school for girls. I teach there,” Faith said.

“What is it you teach, Lass?”

“Advanced Martial Arts and Hand-to-Hand. That enough backstory for you?” She countered.

“Oh aye, that’ll do,” his eyes twinkled as he glanced at his son, “Might have met your match with this one, Cally-boy. Good to meet a woman who can handle herself.”

Callum grinned warmly at Faith for half a second before turning to his father, “Yeah well, I thought you had things to do, Dad.”

“Done, just heading home to your mum now. She’s making mussels tonight and you know what happens if I’m late for dinner,” he widened his eyes comically, “Ross men love a feisty woman.”

Callum rubbed the back of his neck, “Right then before mum’s mussels go wonky. Give her my love, will you?”

“Course I will, Lad.”

“I’ll see you soon, Dad,” Callum gave him a pat on the back and made a move towards the bar guiding Faith with a gentle hand on the small of her back. Faith realized with a jolt in her stomach that she didn’t mind the gesture coming from him.

Callum’s father followed them over, he had a quick word with the bartender and a very pregnant-looking waitress. Then he grabbed his hat from a hook behind the bar, “Alright Cally, I’m heading out, mind your manners. You’ll get in trouble if you don’t mind your manners. Just ask your mother.”

“I’m sure we’ll do just fine,” Callum replied.

“See that you do,” he gave his son a pat on the back and headed out.

It wasn’t until Callum turned to the bartender that Faith realized she recognized him. “Oi, Angus, a couple of beers for me and the lady. Faith, chicken and chips alright with you?”

“Yeah, I could eat.”

“Coming right up,” his cousin answered. The two men looked a lot alike except that Angus had bright red hair instead of Callum’s black hair. The difference was staggering. Angus set two beers down on the counter, “Your dad wants us to take a look at the storage room door. Damn thing keeps getting jammed.”

“Yeah alright,” Callum answered, slightly annoyed.

“How’d it go with that other job you were looking into last night?” His cousin continued.

Callum hitched a thumb at Faith, “Got the client here with me.”

“Blimey, thought you looked familiar,” Angus said as he offered his hand, then turned to his cousin with a knowing look, “you’re taking the job aren’t you?”

“I think we can do it.”

“Yeah, alright, we’ll talk later,” he said with a nod before turning toward another customer.

The two of them grabbed their beers and headed over to a secluded booth. “Must be rough, you guys both working two jobs,” Faith said as she sat down.

“Nah, it’s alright. My family is full of the entrepreneur types, and we all sort of help out at each other’s businesses,” Callum grinned.

“You are all really close then huh?”

“Now. Not always the case, I’d become a bit of a black sheep for a while but I’m over it. Moving on. What about you?”

“Pretty much the same,” Faith shrugged uncomfortably.

He eyed her for a moment before speaking, “Faith, I’m really sorry about my dad. I never imagined you’d meet both my parents before we’d actually been out on a proper date… really bungled things up coming here didn’t I?”

“Naw, it’s fine. Your dad actually seems alright. But what did you mean about meeting both your parents?”

Callum gestured to Faith’s necklace, “I stopped by my mum’s shop earlier. Told her about our date, and she remembered a couple of American girls coming in. Heard you talking, not hard to put it together.”

Faith had a sudden sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. Callum took a long pull of his beer and gave her an appraising look, “You're the Slayer aren’t you?”

Faith sat up looking around then noticing his gaze she relaxed a little, “Why would you say that? What do you know about Slayers?”

“So it’s true?”

Her stomach clenched and she leaned forward pinning him with a hard glare, “Look I don’t know what you think you know but if you don’t start talking I’m out.”

He stretched out a hand to cover hers, “It’s alright, Faith. Really, it’s okay.” There was something about his tone that almost reminded her of Angel and had a disarming effect on her. She looked down at his hand covering hers and fought down the impulse to pull away.

“How do you know about Slayers?” She said calmly.

“Didn’t until today, thought my mum was off her nut, until just now. Apparently, my aunt was one. I knew my mum had a sister and that she had died very young but I swear I never knew anything else about her until today.”

“Your mom’s sister? When?”

He thought for a moment, “Think she died in 1970, or thereabouts. Why?”

Same year Robin’s mom was called… the Slayer before her? Damn, I am not history girl.

Faith swallowed dryly, “Say your story tracks, how’d your mom even know?”

“Yeah, well I guess she wasn’t supposed to but they were really close, sort of like you and Buffy I gather… All I know is what she told me.”

“Which is?” Faith prompted, slowly pulling her hand out of his grasp to pick up her beer.

Callum shifted back in his seat, concern on his face. “According to her, there’s only one Slayer in all the world. Now that’s the part I’m really having a hard time swallowing; she says you have these powers to kill vampires and demons and the like— Which seems stupid, how is one person, even one with supernatural abilities, supposed to fight all the vampires in the world?”

“And demons, and save the world at a seriously alarming rate. Does that freak you out?” She asked, taking a drink.

He took a sip of beer and eyed her critically, “You’re serious, it’s true then?” When she didn’t answer, he took a deep breath and bobbed his head, “I guess I’m just trying to wrap my head around it. I was really hoping Mum was just losing it,” he huffed, resting his forearms on the table and rocking his head back, accepting defeat.

“She’s not… but how did she-“ Faith started to ask but stopped herself, unsure if she really wanted to know the answer.

He dropped his gaze, shifting uncomfortably before answering calmly, “I guess from a few things you must have said in the shop, my mum was able to put together enough to realize you were like her sister. And you were having doubts about coming tonight because you’re afraid.”

His answer caught her off guard. “She ah, caught all that did she?”

He turned his beer in his hand, running the pad of his thumb over the glass, clearly holding back a torrent of questions. He

. “How long have you been the Slayer? Does your uncle know? How—“

“Ok so, wait a minute with the twenty questions… are you sure you really want to know all this? I mean really?” Faith asked seriously.

“I know I really want to get to know you. The way mum describes it, it sounds like this is a pretty big part of who you are.”

“This is why you asked to come by early.”

“I was supposed to check out another job, but after talking to mum I rescheduled that appointment. I figured you were more important than some built-in shelves.”

Faith was a little shaken, she wasn’t used to being put first like that. Like she was important. “You know I could bench you easy, and my job involves sticking stakes into vampires, and fighting demons, right? Just last night we evicted a vengeful spirit from Buffy and Spike’s bedroom. This isn’t an every-so-often kind of thing, it's every day. Do you really want to hear about that?”

He took a long drink and waited for the pregnant waitress to set down the chicken and chips they had ordered, “Maybe this is me being bloody stupid. I don’t know, but I do know that I have never met anyone like you in my life and I’d really like to know you better.”

“You’re sure none of this is sending you running for the hills?”

“Not yet anyway. I’ve been waiting to ask you out since we met but I didn’t think I was ready for another go at a relationship yet. When I thought you had a boyfriend, I… Well, I was really glad when you asked me. All this comes as a bit of a shock, sure, but it definitely makes you interesting.” He took a long pull of beer while Faith watched him, “Something I don’t get though, if you’re the Slayer then why does Spike call Buffy ‘Slayer’?”

“You caught that huh?”

“I just thought it was some kind of kinky nickname he had for her until now.”

Faith cleared her throat. Then chugged her beer, set the empty bottle down in front of her, and signaled the waitress for another. “Alright, so, first thing first; the way Spike says it, yeah, there’s definitely some serious kink he has going on there. You have no idea... Second, few things have changed since your aunt was the Slayer. Buffy is ‘The Slayer’ as in the original ‘to every generation’, blah blah…”

“But my mum said, you—“

“Oh I am. Long story short; Buffy died. For about a minute but it was long enough to activate another Slayer. When she was killed, I got called up.”

“Holy… so there’s two of you… and she isn’t really your cousin is she?”

Faith tapped her nose, “More like ‘chosen’ family. Same with Giles.”

“Wow… so… Wow, this is what you have to do… you have to lie to everyone?” He sounded more concerned than angry.

“About certain things, yeah… but it’s just—“ Faith stammered.

“To protect people. It sounds like a really complicated way to live. You’re sort of like a superhero.”

“Just no weird outfits or capes,” she laughed, “Yeah it is I guess, but it’s cool, not like I ever had anything else.”

“But Buffy and Spike; obviously he knows.”

Faith laughed again, “Oh yeah, he knows almost as much about Slayers as Giles does, only from a different angle.

“Should I assume he’s not exactly your typical guy?”

“You catch on fast. Yeah you could say he’s part of a eh- unique set, just like Me and Buffy,” she cocked her head, “Sort of.”

“What’s his story anyway?”

“Oh no, I’m not going there. Let’s just say he can keep up with us in a fight pretty damn well. He’s a good guy to have on our side.”

“Sounds complicated...”

“I haven’t even started on my backstory. It’s almost as complicated as his. You sure you want to get into all this?”

“I am if you are.”

Faith took a deep breath, unsure about what she wanted to tell him, “How do I know you’re not going to—“

“Blab it about town? My own father thinks my aunt died in a horrible rock climbing accident in the highlands. My mum only told me today because she thought, given your concerns, I should know what I was getting into,” he smirked, “Trust me Faith, I won’t say anything you don't want me to.”

Faith took a breath and cleared her throat, ”Good, because we tend to be a little iffy about straights finding out.”

He raised his eyebrows, “You’re not like the mob, I’m not going to find a bomb in my bed or something…”

“You know you’re leaving the door wide open for a great sex joke right?”

Callum flashed a sexy smile, “Not my intention, but ah, if that’s where your mind went with that I take it I’m safe.”

“Yeah, our business is protecting people from the baddies. We’re the good guys.” Faith replied.

“Okay, so what are the good guys doing running a girls school?”

She watched him drink his beer and took a sip of her own, “Alright…” she said as she proceeded to tell him a little more about the school and her role in it.

Callum sat back against the corner of the booth stunned, “So basically, it is what you say it is. You're just very selective on who you take on. So all those girls you teach… they’re—“

“Yup… freaked out yet?”

He let out a low whistle and shook his head, “That’s a lot to take in,” he took a sip of beer and nodded, “Alright I’m good, I’m hanging in. Wow, I bet Spike was really having a laugh about that whole superhero training camp thing.”

“Yeah well wouldn’t you?”

“Suppose so,” he tilted his head slightly and grinned.

“What’s that look for?” Faith asked, cocking her head to the side.

“Most of my adult life, I’ve been dealing with Superman jokes. Comic geeks wanting to call me ‘Kal-El’ or ‘Clark Kent’. Especially now there’s that Tom Welling bloke everyone says I look like. Not sure I see it myself, but that’s not the point. The point is that all this time I’ve tried to distance myself from that and then here I am. Falling hard and fast for a girl who is an actual real-life superhero. Who, by the way, looks like I should be able to pick up with one hand.”

“Did you say you were falling for me?”

He suddenly looked slightly bashful, “Afraid I think I am. That— is that alright?”

Faith covered her sudden desperate need to run by digging into the basket of chicken and chips in front of her. “As long as you’re okay with the fact I could toss you across the room without really trying, and I’ll never need your help opening a freaking jar.”

“Remind me not to piss you off.”

“Yeah, that doesn’t usually go well for the other guy,” Faith grinned and let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding as she relaxed against the booth. She suddenly stiffened slightly again, “Are we talking about incarcerations tonight or are we saving that conversation for another time?”

Callum shifted in his seat, “If you want to…but ah, given everything else, I’m voting another night.”

Faith nodded, “Sorry, didn’t mean to bring down the mood.”

“Impossible.”

“Ah huhh, say that again after you get to know me better,” she chuckled darkly, “So anyway, is that why you don’t like being called ‘Cal’, something to do with comics?”

“Kal-El, with a ‘K’, is Superman's Kryptonian name, it’s just a little too close to ‘Cal’ when you look like the Man of Steel as much as I do.”

“You won’t hear me complain. Never got into comics myself but damn, maybe I’m missing out,” she grinned.

“I’m starting to think this slow and steady thing might be harder than I thought.”

“Kinda getting that vibe too,” Faith took a sip of her beer as she eyed him, his muscles straining under his shirt. The urge to rip it off of him like tissue paper was strong.

She set her beer down, “As much as I’d really, really like to find a nice quiet spot somewhere and make it a whole lot less quiet... Like a week ago. I really want this time to be different. What your mom overheard was all true. I do like you, a lot which is big for me and I don’t want you getting hurt.”

“So the bit about the bathtub?”

Faith nearly choked on her beer, “Your mom heard that too?”

“In her defense, the acoustics in that place are wicked. I used to think my mum was magic or something. I learned fairly early on you can hear everything from behind the counter even when you’re not trying to,” he laughed, “So, I take it this isn’t the tub on the fourth floor then.”

“No, we have a massive jacuzzi type tub in our bathroom. It takes forever to fill so we don’t use it much, but it’s seriously amazing after a long day.”

“Don’t really do baths myself.”

“Not manly enough?”

“Piss on that, I’m just too damn tall for most tubs.”

Faith laughed, “I think this one would work for you.”

Callum raised an eyebrow, “Maybe I’ll have to check it out,” he smirked.

“Maybe the third date,” she said, taking a drink.

Callum gave her a slow smile, “Now, ya know something. That raises an interesting point, is this date number one or number two?”

She watched him as he casually leaned towards her a little and her heart suddenly sped up, “Sort of depends on how the next one goes, I’ll let you know.”

“Already planning another date?”

“Kinda thought this one was going pretty well so far. You already know one biggy. So I’m game if you are.”

Callum grinned, “Oh I’m game.”

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

Back at the castle, Spike rummaged around in the wardrobe in their room looking for candles. It took a minute but he struck pay dirt, a whole box of white candles. They were really there for power outages and spells but they would do just fine to set the mood. He knew he didn’t have much time. He had managed to grab some blood just as the girls came into the kitchen with pizza they’d brought back with them from town for dinner. Buffy had stayed down stairs to eat but he knew she wouldn’t be long.

He had started lighting the last of the candles in the spacious bathroom when he heard Buffy calling for him from their bedroom, “In here, Love. Bring your special bubble bath would you?”

Buffy chuckled to herself. She grabbed the bubble bath and padded her way barefoot into the bathroom carrying it and a bottle of wine and two glasses. It was dark except for the dozen or so candles he had lit. The tub was still filling as Spike stood there shirtless waiting for her. She smiled when she saw him. “I was hoping for candles,” she said, setting down the bubble bath on the side of the tub.

“I’ll take those,” he added, taking the wine and a glass. He poured some into each glass. They touched glass before each taking a sip, “Thought we were out of wine.”

“Got some more today, what do you think?” Buffy set her glass down and started shrugging off her top revealing the lace camisole she had on underneath.

“Little sweet for my taste but it’s not bad,” Spike said as he continued to watch her with hungry eyes as she leaned over to pour bubble bath into the tub.

The scent of blackcurrant and honey filled the air, “That’s better huhh?”

He looped a finger into Buffy’s waistband, pulling her towards him roughly. Buffy gave a playful little squeal as he did so. He tugged at the bottom of her camisole, “I think we can do better,” he smirked.

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

Faith let out a crow of triumph as she sunk another billiard ball, winning her second round against Callum. A local band had begun playing about an hour into their date and the place had filled up.

“You warned me you were good. Best three out of five.”

“You’re just looking to have your ass handed to you.”

“Rather have yours, but I’ll take what I can get,” he grinned.

Faith returned it with her own, “Obviously. Alright, rack’em up, pretty boy.”

“Pretty boy?” He repeated, getting closer to her. Faith allowed him to pin her against the table. “Where do you come down on kissing on a first date?” He asked.

“Sort of feeling like a second date, don’t you think?”

Callum’s grin widened as he leaned in to kiss her. Faith snaked an arm behind his neck to deepen the kiss. It was electric. Faith had never been kissed like that in her life and that was saying something considering the amount of practice she’d had. They broke apart breathing a little heavily, “Holy shit,” she gasped.

Callum steadied himself, he was also feeling the effects of the kiss, “So, ah that wasn’t a one-sided Slayer thing I take it, you felt that too?” he gasped.

Faith nodded, still catching her breath.

“Definitely feels like a second date,” Callum breathed in her ear.

“I’ll say,” she pulled him back down for another kiss as he picked her up onto the billiard table. She felt him pressing hard against her through his jeans and felt her own body responding to him. Gears clicked inside her head, she wanted him now. It was more than clear that he wanted her too. But no. It couldn’t happen, not here, not now. Not yet.

Faith placed a firm hand on his chest just as he started to pull away, “If we don’t stop, Lass, these folks are going to get a very different show than they came in here for.”

They both looked at one another, eyes blazing and breathing heavily. Callum took a step back, allowing Faith to slip down off of the table. She pressed her lips together relishing the after effects of the kiss, “If that’s any indication, I’m thinking you might be right about a bomb going off in your bed.”

Callum’s eyes flashed and he grinned a little, “You’re ruddy dangerous you are. Like you’re trying to take a sledgehammer to my resolve.”

“I could say the same thing to you,” she said, pushing him back just a little, a sly smirk playing on her lips. “Rack'm up, mister, we're not done here.”

*****

A few hours later Callum and Faith were standing at the castle’s door once again. “You want to come in for a drink?” She asked.

”Not so sure that’s the best way to go about this going slow bit, beautiful. Especially after our little display at the pub,” he grinned.

“Who’s stupid idea was this taking it slow thing anyway?”

“Pretty sure it was a mutual consensus,” he chuckled.

“So next time?”

“Next time? How soon can we do next time?”

Faith smiled, “How’s next Friday?”

He pulled her to him, “That’s too far away.”

Faith let out a shuddering breath, “I’m on duty tomorrow night. You’re off from the hardware store on Tuesdays right?”

“Probably coming here to start on the elevator if I can get the parts. How do you feel about mixing business and pleasure?”

She shrugged one shoulder, “Doesn’t bother me.”

“So, Tuesday?”

“Unless I can talk you into coming upstairs now.”

Callum hesitated as Faith pulled him down for another electrifying kiss. “Didn’t we just go over this?” He asked breathlessly.

“Just making sure. Gotta say, your restraint is pretty damn hot.”

“I don’t go into the hardware store until afternoon on Wednesday.”

“Tuesday it is.”

“Tuesday. I’ll take you back to my place, we’ll have a night in. I’ll cook.”

“You cook?”

“Man’s gotta eat. The crockpot is my best friend. Does all the work for me.”

“Fair enough,” she smiled.

They shared one last long kiss before Callum finally left for the evening. Faith’s heart pounded in her chest as she closed the door. She couldn’t help the broad smile on her face as she made her way upstairs. Tuesday. She’d never allowed a guy to get to her like this before. Not even Robin. Sure she had thought they had something going. Neither one of them had ever used the dreaded “L-word”.

This connection she was feeling with Callum, just felt different. Hadn’t Callum even said he was falling for her? Was that what this was? Love… the real deal? The thought put her stomach in knots but then she thought of his smile and couldn’t help but smile again. She was still smiling when she reached her floor. The door to Buffy and Spike’s room was shut but she could still hear muffled sounds from within. Clearly their night hadn’t ended yet.

Spike/Buffy

Rated M- Adult content.

Summary: It all started with Spike having nightmares about the woman he loves prompting him to go to her; before a demon got there first. Now where will it lead them? What new challenges will they face in a world with multiple Slayers? Nearly all major characters will eventually make an appearance. Essentially this is a very Spuffy centered continuation of the series.

Rated for sexual content. Canon typical violence and themes. I will try to add appropriate warnings as needed although I think these should suffice for the majority of the story. Stunningly gorgeous banner created by cd85

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

A/N: I am in the process of updating this story. Links will be added as updates are made.

Master List: Table of Contents

Chapter 1 To Paris with Love and Demons

Chapter 2 Demon

Chapter 3 Date Night

Chapter 4 Take the Last Train to Scotland

Chapter 5 A New Leaf

Chapter 6 The New Girls

Chapter 7 Movie Night

Chapter 8 Ghosts and Stockers

Chapter 9 Awkward Moments

Chapter 10 Electric

Chapter 11 Vampire Dust Will Get Ya

Chapter 12 Hospitals Man

Chapter 13 Home Again

Chapter 14 Out For A Walk

Chapter 15 Love a Handyman

Chapter 16 Have a Little Faith

Chapter 17 Underground

Chapter 18 Ohhh Baby

Chapter 19 Baby Blue

Chapter 20 House Guest

Chapter 21 Our Expert

Chapter 22 It’s Complicated

Chapter 23 Bye Bye Baby

Chapter 24 Dance Magic

Chapter 25 Oh What a Night: Part 1

Chapter 26 Oh What a Night: Part 2

Chapter 27 Punk Love

Chapter 28 Changes

Chapter 29 Twisted Sister

Chapter 30 Aftermath

Chapter 31 Third Times a Charm

Chapter 32 Open Up

Chapter 33 Coming Clean?

Chapter 34 Skid

Chapter 35 The Talking Dead

Chapter 36 Redemption

Chapter 37 Sins of Omission

Chapter 38 Living Dead Girl

Chapter 39 When the Levee Breaks

Chapter 40 Couples Retreat

Chapter 41 Time

Chapter 42 Breathe

Chapter 43 Cabin Fever

Chapter 44 Recovery

Chapter 45 Birthday

Chapter 46

Chapter 47

Chapter 48

Chapter 49

Chapter 50

Chapter 51

Chapter 9 Awkward Moments

Buffy yawned as she entered Faith’s room later that morning with a cup of tea and some toast she had snagged from the kitchen. As she looked around, Buffy marveled at how simple the room was. A full sized bed, dresser, vanity, a wardrobe, night stand and a large comfortable blue saucer-chair made up the furniture. It was also cleaner than she had expected.

Although Buffy had seen Faith’s room from the door a number of times, this was really the first time she had actually been inside. The room was painted a light blue with white trim. The rest of the room was done in light blue and gray tones with lots of black and white accents. Faith had decided to use weaponry to decorate the walls. A pair of swords and a large crossbow were mounted above the headboard.

Afraid she wouldn’t be able to get out of the big round chair without hurting herself, Buffy opted for a seat on the edge of the bed, “So what’s up?”

“I need date night help.”

“Show me what we have to work with.”

Faith opened her wardrobe revealing a variety of tops and only one very plain black dress, suitable for a funeral. “What you see is pretty much it. The dresser just has jeans and workout gear. Practical stuff.”

“Okay… so it’s a lot less ‘Joan Jett’ than I was expecting but I’m sure there’s something here,” Buffy started shifting hangers, “Faith, I don’t really see the problem. You have at least five tops here that would be perfect for first date drinks. He’s taking you to a local pub not a five-star restaurant,” Buffy pulled out a fitted black top with lace sleeves and lace running across the shoulders, “This one is perfect, just add the right necklace and you’ll be all set.”

“I don't really have any.”

“Then I guess we’re going shopping.”

Faith sighed, “These girls are great and all, but I was really looking forward to having a day off. Not like they all go on these little outings anyway but it’s still a break.”

“So we don’t stick with the group. Giles will understand. It’ll be the first time we’ve been shopping since…”

“Before everything got so screwed up…”

“Come full circle haven’t we?”

“Does that mean we’re friends?”

“I don’t know about friends, Faith, but we’re definitely vital to each other and you definitely belong here. We’re in this together and in my book I guess that sort of makes us family. Pretend cousin thing notwithstanding,” Buffy shrugged.

“Really?”

“Unless you don’t feel the same.”

“I… is that freaky or what? I mean the cousin thing felt sort of… weirdly natural.”

“Yeah… it’s weird, but somehow it fits, right? They say you don’t get to choose your family, but that’s never really been the case for me. I say family is what you make it.”

“I never had that, made up or otherwise. I think I kinda like it. Thanks, B,” she cleared her throat, “Well I guess that means we better get a move on. Giles is gonna wanna leave soon, he promised the girls lunch in town.”

“Yeah, you know I’m totally avoiding that,” Buffy said frankly.

“We’ll hitch a ride with them there, hit a few shops, and walk home.”

“Perfect, I’m starting to feel a little cooped-up, it’s been so nice the last few days,” Buffy said with a sigh, looking out the window.

Faith followed her gaze, looking out over the grounds, it really was shaping up to be a great day.

*****

Buffy and Faith made their way through the people on the sidewalk. This section of town was full of small shops Buffy was excited to check out. She hadn’t been shopping since she got Spike his new hooded motorcycle jacket in Paris.

They had already been to a few but hadn’t had much luck yet. This shop was different from the others. It reminded Buffy of The Magic Box only with clothing and jewelry instead of the extensive collection of occult books Giles had kept. Otherwise it was very similar.

A middle aged woman with black hair streaked with gray and bright blue eyes greeted them, “Good day, ladies. Is there anything I can help you find?”

“I think jewelry mainly. She has a big date tonight and nothing to go with the outfit,” Buffy explained.

“We’ll probably just take a look around,” Faith dismissed.

“We have plenty of unique jewelry. Most of it is here on the display. Let me know if you need anything.”

“Thanks,” Buffy said as she started to browse.

Faith turned to the jewelry display and picked up a silver necklace with a delicate stylized dagger hanging from it. She took it over to show Buffy. “That’s surprisingly pretty, it would go great with that top.”

“I think I’m going to get it…” she paused looking at the necklace, “Do you think I’m wasting my time?” she asked Buffy.

Buffy looked up from the dress he was looking at, “Shopping?”

“Well that, but…”

“Callum?”

“Yeah… I don’t know…”

Buffy followed Faith over to another clothing rack, “Look Faith. Here’s what I think, honest opinion: You got burned on Robin and I think Spike was right.”

“Figured you’d side with him,” she said as she held up an interesting semi-sheer black tunic top with silver threads woven into the fabric.

“Well yeah, if you like the guy then it’s worth taking the risk. You won’t know until you try. And if you don’t get that top I will, that’s super cute,” she said as she continued looking through the clothing rack. Buffy pulled out a dark purple top with black laces up the front and down the short sleeves, “What do you think about this one?”

“Here, let’s trade.”

“In case there’s a second date?”

“I can’t help but feel like I’m not cut out for this, Buffy. What happens when I tell him about, you know, everything?”

“Everything? Slayer stuff and all? You really like this guy huh?”

Faith glanced up at the shopkeeper who had suddenly paused as she rearranged the display case. The woman picked something up off the floor and quickly resumed working. Faith dropped her voice, “Yeah… What if it all sends him screaming? What if it doesn’t and it gets him hurt or worse? I can’t…. Buffy I can’t let Callum get hurt because of me. I just can’t…” Faith turned around looking at a display of herbs.

“We would never let that happen, Faith. You know that right? You, me, Spike, the rest of the gang, it’s our job to protect people and we’re damn good at it. Besides, look at Xander, he’s been in at least as many scrapes with me as Spike, maybe more, and he’s still in one piece, mostly… ok maybe not the best example.”

“Eyepatch says a lot, but I guess you sort of have a point. I really like this guy, Buff.” Faith pulled out a silky green halter top with a raven printed on it and handed it to her, “Here’s a sexy little thing.”

“Oh I like that, give me,” she smiled. “Maybe I’ll try out that massive bathtub tonight.”

“Just remember that I use that tub too.”

“What do you think I’m going to do in there?”

Faith gave her a knowing look, “I’m not worried about what you’d do solo. It’s more like what would happen if your boy-toy is involved” she smirked.

“Dirty… like you’d never try it out if Callum was a willing participant.”

“Sure I would… I’d also remember the cleaner is under the sink.”

Buffy laughed, “Thanks for the tip.”

“What do you think of this?” Faith asked, holding up a simple little black sleeveless dress.

“You need it. You need a little hot in your wardrobe.”

“Fine, I’ll keep an eye out.”

They left the shop almost a half hour later. Buffy found a short skirt with thistles screen printed on the thigh for herself and talked Faith into a skirt and a second dress. They each picked out a few new tops and restocked the herbs they had used along with some Berber-weed for Spike. This had been Buffy’s favorite shop so far. After that they grabbed a quick bite to eat and hit a few more shops. Buffy grinned broadly as they exited a lingerie shop.

“Let’s check out the music store and head back, I think I’m about done,” Faith said, pointing across the street.

“Sure, why not.”

The bell over the door tinkled as they walked in. The store was deserted and there was a slight scuffling sound and a woman’s Scottish accent saying, “Sorry, customers. Won’t be a moment…” in a hushed tone before a very pretty middle aged woman with Asian features came out from behind a heavy beaded curtain. Her sleek black hair had a dyed streak of bright blue and was tied back in a messy bun. She also wore a tiny diamond stud in her nose. “Hello there, anything I can help you find?”

“Oh hello,” Buffy managed to say as she was trying to take in the scope of the store. She redirected her attention to the woman behind the counter, taking in her funky handmade name tag, “I don’t even know where to begin, Zara.”

“Nostalgia, man…” Faith breathed as she looked around the shop. It was full of records, tables of cassettes, CDs, and players of all kinds.

“No kidding, Spike and Giles would both get totally lost in here,” Buffy said as she picked up an album with Jim Morrison’s picture on the cover. She flipped it over and set it back down.

“Rupert Giles?” Zara interjected.

Buffy was taken aback, “Ah yeah, you know him?”

“For most of my life it seems. You seem a touch old to go to his school.”

“Actually we teach there,” Buffy gestured to herself and Faith.

“Oh my God, you must be Buffy and Faith. So nice to meet you!” She said enthusiastically as she offered to shake Buffy’s hand. “So what brings you in today?”

“Her really,” Buffy pointed to Faith.

“I’m just looking. Maybe get something for Gi- ah, Uncle Rupert’s record collection.”

“I happen to know his wishlist,” she winked.

Buffy had the sudden sinking feeling that it was Giles behind the beaded curtain. Faith must have had the same thought because she caught Buffy’s eye and turned back to the shop owner quickly, saying, “Yeah, sure. I’ll take something off his list, surprise him. What about you Buffy? Getting anything?”

Buffy hesitated, “Now you mention it, do you carry MP3 players?”

“Sure do, right over there in the case.”

Buffy went over to take a look, while Zara walked over to the record albums. She pulled one out and handed it to Faith, “Here’s one Rupe wants.”

“Works for me, thanks!”

As Buffy checked out, she heard Giles’s unmistakable voice coming from behind the curtain.

“Zara, darling, I—“ he said distractedly as he removed headphones from his ears. He looked up, startled, “Buffy, why hello, I hum… you’ve met my friend Zara then? Ah, Zara, this is Buffy and—“

“Ah yeah we met, she was super helpful…” Buffy said, and then wished she hadn’t sounded so dumb.

Zara covered the awkward moment that followed with a laugh, “I was nosie I’m afraid. They had said something about your music collection and I interjected. We sort of handled introductions on our own.”

Giles stammered slightly, “We were just having tea. The shop is normally rather quiet this time of day…”

“We sort of picked up on that,” Buffy smirked knowingly.

“Yes well, how is the shopping going?” He asked, trying to change the subject while he looked around until he finally spotted Faith.

“Cool it, Rupe,” Zara soothed as she gave him a smile.

“This is our last stop then we’re heading back,” Buffy answered, holding up her shopping bags realizing a moment too late that her lingerie bag, clearly marked with the shop’s rather evocative name, was front and center.

Giles cleared his throat trying to pretend he hadn’t noticed, “The girls only have another hour and a half before I’m set to meet them; are you sure you don’t want to get a ride back with us?”

“Nah, as soon as Faith is done we’re heading back.”

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

When they got back, Faith started to make her way upstairs before she noticed Buffy going in the opposite direction, “Aren’t you taking your stuff up?”

Buffy turned back towards her, “TV’s on, thought I’d see if Spike is in there.”

Faith shrugged, “Eh, what the hell…” she said, turning to follow Buffy.

Spike wasn’t in the great room. In fact only Addison and Ursula were there. Kissing and grinding on each other with such enthusiasm that they didn’t even notice when Faith and Buffy walked in.

Buffy cleared her throat loudly, “Ladies!”

The two young women looked up, startled. Fear flashed in Addison’s eyes as she looked around for her shirt. Ursula couldn’t have cared less about being caught. She coolly pulled Addison’s shirt off the back of the couch, handing it to her girlfriend.

Buffy continued, “Why don’t you two take that upstairs to your room? The other girls will be back in about an hour.”

With that, the two Level 4 girls rushed past them to the stairs giggling.

Buffy rolled her eyes, “I suppose they’re going to want to be assigned to the same city,” she asked as she turned towards the stairs.

Faith followed, “Yeah, Ursula already brought it up to me the other day, they want to live together.”

“I’ll talk to them about it, later.”

“Yeah, I don’t think you want to walk in on all that again,” Faith shook her head as they reached their floor.

Buffy placed a hand on her doorknob, “Nope, not even a little. I do however want to put these bags down and find my guy.”

She opened the door to find Spike sitting upside down on the loveseat with his legs hanging over the back. His eyes were closed and he had on Buffy’s earphones connected to her laptop listening to music. He was reminding her of Dawn when she was about seven. Buffy set her bags down on the bed and went over to sit down next to him. Spike jumped as he opened his eyes and took off one of the earphones with a start, “What the— bloody— oh, hey Babe. How was the whole bonding experience?”

“It was… actually a pretty good day. I don’t think we’re ever going to be best friends but we’re being civil and we’re getting along for the most part.”

“That’s something,” he answered and closed his eyes again, tapping the beat on his stomach.

“How was your day?”

“Uneventful unless you count walking in on the lovebirds going at it hard in the living room.”

“Ah yeah, I thought you were in there watching TV, boy was I wrong.”

“Intended to. Went down to grab a beer and walked in on them. Turned right around and came back up here. Hope you don’t mind; I downloaded some tunes onto your computer.”

“Nah, it’ll go perfectly with your gift.”

“A gift for me?” Spike removed the headphones and swung his legs around to sit-up in his seat, “What’s the occasion? It’s not my birthday, yet.”

Buffy frowned, “When is your birthday? Do vampires even celebrate birthdays?”

Spike gave her a puzzled look, “Personal preference I suppose. Dru always made a big thing about it.”

“So when is it?”

“August 20th, met Dru ‘round the same time. Original member of the 27 Club,” he shrugged.

Buffy sighed as she relaxed back in her seat, and stretched her legs over Spike’s lap, “Makes you a Leo. I can work with that.”

“What’s this about?” He asked her as she kicked off her shoes and they clunked to the floor.

“Nothing, just gathering all the pieces of the Spike-puzzle I’m going to need for this long-term-commitment thing we’re going for.”

Spike raised his eyebrows, “And birthdays are part of the whole ‘normal-heathy-relationship package’, that right?”

“Basically, yeah.”

“Well I do like presents,” he grinned a little as he spotted the bags sitting on the bed, “Am I allowed to see what you got?”

“You get one gimme”

“That fancy looking one there, the gimme?” He smirked as he ran his fingers down her hair, gliding along her shoulder and down her arm.

“Might be,” she grinned, catching his hand in hers.

“Does my girl have plans for me tonight?”

Buffy leaned in close teasing him with a kiss that didn’t quite connect, “I may have got some fancy bubble bath.”

“You don’t say? Anything else I should be looking forward to?”

“There might be one or two other little surprises.”

Spike let out a low little growl pulling her to him. Buffy responded with a happy sound of her own as she consented to the kiss. She slid easily into his lap as they continued kissing. They stayed like that for several minutes before breaking apart. Spike tapped her on the leg, “I need to eat before I start getting hostile.”

“You go, I’m pretty beat from last night, I think I’m going to take a nap.”

There was a knock at their bedroom door.

“Who goes there?” Spike asked gruffly.

Faith’s voice came through the door, “Are you two decent? Kinda filled my quota of interrupting people in the act today,”

“You’re good,” Buffy laughed.

Faith opened the door, “Right, at least you two are fully clothed.”

“Giles might have actually been having tea, we don’t know.”

“What’s this now? Mr. Stiff-upper-lip, got a special friend?”

“Unclear…”

“Don’t want to know, it’s just too weird,” Faith grumbled.

“So what’s up, for a girl with a hot date you’re awfully bad moody.”

“Nah, 5x5, B. Maybe a few butterflies but it’s cool. Giles and the girls just got back. Callum called.”

Buffy eyed her, “He didn’t cancel did he?”

“Huhh… no… kinda the opposite. He finished his day a little earlier than he thought he would and wanted to know if he could pick me up earlier, get something to eat.”

“But that’s a good thing right?”

“He’s going to be here in about an hour.”

“You better get ready then.”

“I was kinda hoping you might help me with my hair,”

Buffy shrugged, “Sure, how do you want it?” she asked skeptically. Faith never seemed to have any trouble doing her own hair, but Buffy was in a benevolent mood.

“Kinda what I need the help with.”

“I’ll be in.”

As Faith left the room, Buffy turned to Spike, “She is really in knots over this guy.”

“All been there. Not a guy, I just meant—”

Buffy laughed, “You know I’ve always kinda wondered about you and Angel.”

“Oh now you're going to get it,” he said as he pulled her tightly against him grinning. He wove his fingers firmly into her hair and kissed her roughly until he felt her knees start to give way.

“You were saying?”

“Wow…”

“Run along now, Slayer. You go, make friends.”

Buffy took a moment to shake the hormone induced fog from her mind, “Not just yet, I got you something you might want to play with.”

He raised an eyebrow, “Present time?”

“One.” Buffy walked over to the bed and pulled out the MP3 player she bought him. “Here, I got this for you.”

Spike opened the box and held it in his hands, “Buffy… first the jacket, now this. You know I—”

“Call it a belated birthday gift for last year.”

“Thanks for this, Pet,” he held the player up in his hand. “I’ll need to get some music loaded up.”

“You’re welcome. I better go help Faith,” she said, giving him a kiss, “I love you,” she murmured.

“Love you too, Slayer.”

They shared one last lingering kiss before Buffy made her way across the hall to Faith’s room. When she got there Faith had already changed into the black lace top Buffy had picked out and the new dagger necklace. Buffy pursed her lips at the jeans she still had on, “Are you sure about the jeans?”

Faith shrugged as she finished her eye makeup, “You think I should wear slacks?”

“No, I think you should wear that totally hot little skirt you found today.”

Faith rummaged through the bags she’d thrown into her big round chair and pulled out a blue skirt with a 3 inch wide panel of black leather on one side that was bordered with little silver studs running along the edge. “Don’t think it’s too much?”

“Any other guy and you wouldn’t even be asking that. No, you’ll leave him speechless.”

While Buffy plugged in the curling iron, Faith shrugged off the jeans and pulled on the skirt. The skirt hugged her curves well and made her feel a little like a rockstar.

“I think I have an idea for your hair; have a seat.”

Faith sat, allowing Buffy to start on her hair. Buffy had just started a small French braid on one side of Faith’s head starting at her temple when they heard a faint knock. They both looked up to see Ursula standing in the doorway, “Ehh Hallo, Faith, Buffy, I’m glad I caught you both,” she said with a slight German accent.

“Sure, what’s up Urs?” Faith asked.

“I just wanted to say thank you both for being so cool earlier. I know we probably shouldn’t have gotten carried away downstairs like that.”

“Don’t worry about it, it’s fine. But you’re right, privacy is probably the best policy. I know you have to share a room with two other girls but still, do your best alright? Spike spent the day locked in our room so he wouldn’t disturb you.”

“Spike saw us too?”

“Ohh yeah,” Buffy nodded, “He’s way too cool to say anything though.”

“Please don’t tell Addy, she is already very shy about our relationship.”

“Course not,” Buffy said as she finished the little braid then reached for the curling iron.

“What’s this? Why the smoking outfit?”

“I got a date. You like?”

“If I were single… what shoes will you wear?” Ursula asked.

Faith pointed over to her regular boots. Ursula made a face, “No, not with that hot number. Size 8 right?”

“How’d you-“

“I have boots that will be much better, chunky wedge too, so they aren’t too bad in a fight either. I’ll get them,” Ursula ran upstairs and was back down before Buffy had finished the first curl with the curling iron.

Buffy paused, letting Faith pull them on, “Wow, these are surprisingly comfortable.”

“Not to mention totally hot? Who’s the lucky one getting the hot-girl special? It’s not that handyman guy is it?”

At the stunned look on Faith’s face Ursula laughed, “It is, isn’t it?”

“Can we just keep this quiet?”

“Sure, I owe you one anyway,” with that Ursula left to go back upstairs.

Buffy turned back to Faith and continued curling her hair, “Where’s he taking you tonight?”

“Some pub in town, ‘The White Rabbit’ I think he said.”

“Didn’t we pass it on our way back?”

“Yeah, I told him I could walk but he insisted on picking me up.”

“How chivalrous,” Buffy smirked.

“Is that what it is? Damn…”

Buffy laughed, “As strong as we are, sometimes it’s nice to be treated like a lady.”

Faith pressed her lips for a second, “Yeah don’t know, I mean there’s nice and then there’s… freaking annoying. I mean where’s the line?”

“That’s something you really need to work out between you two.”

“How’d you and Spike do it?”

“Oh no, do not go looking at us as a relationship model because, damn.”

“Yeah I get that… I just, how do you find the balance? I mean you’re both a couple of bad asses and then I don’t know… you got this seriously sickening lovey-dovey thing going on. I don’t know how to do that. I keep thinking maybe that’s what went wrong with Robin. I’m just too— hard.”

“I’ve been there, I get it. Honestly, I don’t know. I think once I was able to respect him, love came really easy for me. He’s also not afraid to tell me what I need to hear and I don’t know... That lovey-dovey stuff just sort of randomly comes out.”

Faith sighed as she looked in the mirror, “Damn, B, like the hair.”

“Well, go knock’em dead… figuratively.”

“Got it…”

Chapter 8 Ghosts and Stalkers

“What the hell?” Buffy gasped, when she turned on the light in their bedroom. Everything from Buffy’s dresser drawers had been tossed around the room like confetti.

“Bloody hell,” Spike swore as he picked up one of Buffy’s bras off the floor.

Buffy straightened herself and looked sternly around the room, “Alright Casper! That’s it! What the hell did I ever do to you?”

They waited a minute looking around the room, and— nothing. Aside from the mess, nothing seemed unusual. Spike started picking up Buffy’s things, putting them in neat little piles on their bed, “I don’t know how you wanna arrange this stuff, Love,” he paused looking around, “You know, something like this… I think something must’ve pissed our ghost off. Trouble is, what?”

Buffy joined him and started putting things away, “Clearly she has something against me. Have you noticed none of this is yours?”

He straightened up with a shrug, “Seems our ghost has a fixation.”

“Joy…”

It wasn’t until they had nearly everything put away that Buffy noticed Spike’s poetry journal sitting out amongst the last of her items on the loveseat. The book was laying open haphazardly to a page on which Spike had drawn a picture of Buffy. The picture had been torn in half, “Well whatever is going on, she is starting to piss me off. I liked that picture,” Buffy grumbled.

“I can always draw another one, Love,” Spike looked around the room again and sighed dramatically, “I think that’s the last of it.”

“I’m getting ready for bed. Hopefully our ghost is too pooped to spook after all this,” she muttered, frowning at the room.

“One could hope… I’ve still got plans for you.”

She took a few steps towards him and wrapped her arms around his neck, “What kind of plans?”

“Three guesses…”

Buffy ran a hand down the front of his jeans, “Pretty sure I only need one,” she purred.

“You feeling up to it?”

“If we take it nice and easy,” she added as she reached for the light switch.

The two of them started kissing tenderly. Buffy opened her mouth to deepen the kiss. Spike let out a moan of approval as she ran her hands under his shirt, practically ripping it off of him. He went to grab her at the waist but stopped himself.

“What’s wrong?” she panted.

“I was going to throw you down on the bed but I don’t want to hurt you.”

She paused, then smirked, “I have an idea, but you’re going to have to lose those,” she said, gesturing to his pants.

Spike scrambled to comply, “Thought you’d never ask.”

Buffy pushed him up against the side of the large fireplace, trailing rough kisses along his neck, chest, and stomach. She continued down until she found the prize she’d been looking for and took his cock into her mouth. She worked her mouth over the length of his shaft taking him deeply. The tip of his cock nearly gagging her as he hit the back of her throat. Buffy focused on breathing through it, taking him further down her throat. She cupped his sack in her hand, applying pressure. Spike gasped as she did so. Without stopping, Buffy started removing her own clothes as best she could. She took a moment to catch her breath when she took off her shirt, she gave him a few more licks along his shaft, sucking the tip each time before withdrawing from him.

“Bed, now,” she gasped. Buffy stood up facing him. They kissed passionately as they made their way over to the bed.

As soon as she felt the back of her legs touch the bed Buffy laid back onto it, “Now, Spike!” She begged. But Spike just smirked. Instead of entering her soaked folds, he knelt down between her legs to pay back the favor. He licked a path up her slit, taking the bead of her clit into his mouth and sucking on it, making Buffy arc her head back, crying out in ecstasy. She dug her fingers into his hair as she felt herself getting close to the edge and pulled him up towards her. Spike complied feverishly kissing a trail up her body to her neck, pausing only to suck on one of her breasts before sliding his cock into her. He worked his way in slowly, careful not to put too much of his weight on her ribs. Buffy wrapped her leg around him, digging her heel into his ass and pulling him deeper into her with a growl of pleasure.

Spike increased his pace slightly and Buffy let out a moan, “Oh God, Spike! I need you!”

He thrust into her deeply, colliding with a bundle of nerves deep inside her and pairing it with a rough kiss she accepted in kind. It was impossible to tell where he ended and she began.

“I love you,” he murmured.

Buffy let out a little gasp, “William, I need you, kiss me…” she moaned as their lips met again. As they held the kiss, Spike twisted himself holding Buffy to him as they rolled to Buffy’s left side, “Hold me,” she whispered.

“I’m never letting you go, you’re mine,” he growled, kissing her again.

Buffy screamed in delight as she felt the first wave wash over her, “Spike!!!”

He rolled Buffy back onto her back. Buffy ran her leg over the back of his thigh. He sucked and nipped at her neck, driving hard into her and making her body quiver with the sensation.

Spike pumped into her with long fluid strokes, speeding up as she ran her fingernails down his back. Spike growled into a kiss. Buffy screamed again as Spike reached his own climax spilling into her with a pulsating force, sending her over the edge once again.

He paused letting Buffy catch her breath then started gliding inside of her once again quickly picking up speed. “Oh god Spike, what— ahh!”

Buffy gripped his arms digging her nails into his skin as he drove into her harder and faster, determined to make her cum again. Spike kept up the pace as he reached for one of her nipples, squeezing until he pushed her over the edge for the final time.

Spike kissed her one last time before collapsing down on the bed next to her. “God I missed that,”

“Come here,” Buffy moaned playfully.

“Again?”

“No, I just wanna feel you next to me.”

“You won’t get any complaints here, you want to get under the covers?”

“Do I have to move?” She joked.

“I got this, Pet,” he said grinning as he got up, pulled the covers back as far as possible. Buffy giggled as he picked her up. He laid her back down on the bed and pressed himself to her ensuring as much contact as possible. He pulled the covers over the two of them. Buffy adjusted so she was laying on her left side with her back pressing into Spike. She loved feeling his cool skin pressed against her.

Spike started running his fingers lightly along her arm and down her side tracing her curves with his fingers. “How do you feel?” He murmured into her ear.

“Like the man I love just gave me three intense orgasms.”

He brought his hand back up to gently caress her arm, he brushed her breast as his hand went to her ribs. “How do they feel?”

“Alright.” Buffy said, relaxing into the feel of his hand on her.

“Is that right?” His hand ran down between her legs and she relaxed allowing him access as he massaged her already sensitive area. She let out a little gasp as he continued rubbing her gently. As he sped up she moaned in delight.

“God, I love that sound,”

Buffy moaned again, on purpose this time, spurring him on. She could feel him hardening as she pressed into him, “William—“

“ENOUGH!” Came a shrieking voice. “William should have been mine! You’ve ruined him!!! Ruined!!!” The voice of a hysterical girl screamed.

Spike threw back the covers and they both sat up looking around. The wispy figure of the girl was once again standing by the desk, this time looking more like Ophelia in the fourth act.

“Spike…”

“I see her too— don’t—“

“Lies!” The ghost streaked again “You could have been mine! You should have been mine! Sweet sensitive William…” with the last words she faded away to nothing.

“You want to explain?” Buffy asked reproachfully.

Spike sputtered, “I- I… I don’t know her. I don’t think I know her…” he looked at her horror struck.

Buffy softened her tone, “She’s calling you ‘William’, do you think you could have known her when you were alive?”

“I- oh come on now… it’s not like I was some kind of a lady’s man. I didn’t really- hang on a tick…” Spike got up and hastily pulled on his boxers and t-shirt, then he strode over to the light switch, “Shield your eyes, Love.”

Buffy did so as he flipped on the light and went to the roll top desk. “You said you saw her here the last time too, yeah?”

“Yeah, I did.” Now Buffy got out of bed, she grabbed her underwear and a nightgown, throwing it on as she walked over to Spike and the desk “What are you thinking?”

“I’m not sure… I sort of have trouble remembering a lot of things from my life. Not like it’s all a blank or anything, just bits are a little jumbled. Remember when we got here and I said the place seemed familiar?”

“Yeah.”

“What if the reason I was having such a hard time placing it was because I was here when I was alive? Before the more extensive renovations were done.”

“Meaning everything is completely different…” she nodded, looking around the room, “Ok let’s run with that. What’s this part about her thinking you should have been her’s?”

“No idea…”

“Super freaky ghost lady has the hots for my man and some serious jealousy problems with me, I want to know what to do about it.”

Spike opened the desk and started rummaging through it. Aside from a stationary set and a few extra pens it was relatively empty. “There’s got to be something here,” Spike growled. He slammed a fist down on top of the desk and a little door on the side fell open, “Bloody hell… knew there had to be something!” He grinned.

Buffy watched as Spike fished inside the desk and pulled out a small stack of old envelopes and a very small thin book that could easily fit inside a pocket. Spike took up the little book.

The light in the room flickered, “Getting warm, am I?” He flicked it open. “What the…” inside he found his own neat writing, “Bloody hell…” he whispered.

“What is it?”

Without speaking, Spike handed the tiny book over to her. She also recognized his handwriting instantly, the poems inside were short and simple. Rudimentary really, but there was a sweetness in them as well. “How did-“

“I’m not sure. I had a bunch of those tiny things, used ‘em like notepads… must have dropped it or-“ he trailed off as he picked up the first of the letters and started to read:

Dearest William,

I am simply overwrought. I have not received responses to my first two letters. I know you have been in contact with my brother. Walter thinks I'm being silly, writing to you at all after uncle's ball. Perhaps I am being too forward. I can't imagine what you must think of me. I'm certain you must know I felt something stir within me the night we danced. You must have felt it too. I've kept the poetry you dropped for me on the dance floor. Though we only just met, I know they must have been for me…

Spike stopped reading, "Bloody hell…"

The second and third letters were very similar. With the exception that they got gradually more intense. The fourth one however was completely different.

My Sweet William,

As I'm sure you know I have been visiting with my uncle for my health. I do enjoy the views here. The doctors say I'm addled but I know I'm simply in love. Staying here in the very place we shared our first dance has brought you closer to me.

My dear William, you will never believe what that horrible Walter is saying! He keeps insisting you have gone missing, presumed dead! They say your poor sweet mother is gone too. My heart simply can not bare the shock. I'm certain he must be lying. He would say anything to keep me from you.

As your friend I can't imagine why. I do know Walter must be the reason I haven't received any reply from you. My dear sweet William, I really must hear from you the very moment this reaches you in London. If I do not hear from you. If you truly are gone, I am certain I must do myself an injury. I must see you. I simply can't bear living in a world without you, my dearest William.

Forever yours, in love,

Eliza

"Bloody hell…"

"You keep saying that," Buffy said irritatedly.

Keeping the envelopes in his hand, he thrust the letters at her, "I huhh… I never knew it had gotten so bad. Her brother was tampering with her mail alright. I asked him to…" the lights flickered again. "I only asked you to dance the first time because he asked me to! The second time was just to be nice. Never thought you'd go off your nut!" The lights flickered again and the painting above the fireplace slammed against the wall."Oh sod off you nutter! I'm not even the same guy you met at that stupid ball anyway and it's not because of Buffy so lay off! In case it's escaped your notice, I'm a sodding vampire!" The lights flickered again. "Bloody brilliant."

"I think it's story time Spike, what do you know?"

"Yeah, Love, I remember the girl. Barely, but I do."

A wailing sound ripped through the castle.

"Spike, Honey…" Buffy said softly.

"Yeah alright. The uncle of an old schoolmate owned this place back in the day. Guy threw a big party, a ball. Mother and I hadn't really been out in public much since my father died, so Walter insisted his uncle invite us. We came. Had a tedious evening and were back in London before we knew it."

"So what happened at the ball?"

"Nothing really. Walter comes up to me. Says his little sis's dance card is empty, could I ask her to dance. So I did, as a favor to him. Later on I see the girl doin the wallflower bit so I figure, why not ask for a second dance?" He looked around the room and growled, "Didn't realize you'd think we were bloody betrothed! Yah loon!" He yelled to the room. He tore the envelopes still in his hand in half then, half again. He kept on tearing; the lights flickering with each rip of paper, "Oh go moan somewhere else, Myrtle…" he mumbled tossing the bits of paper into the unlit fireplace. "Anyway, apparently that was my mistake… that and I must have dropped my sodding notebook!" He yelled again.

Buffy covered his hand with hers, "Go on…"

Spike took a deep breath, "Mum and I were back in London, maybe a week or two, before I got a letter from the girl. She's going on about the evening and what all… What you got to understand here, Love, is that I was a by-the-book society type back then. Trying desperately to fit in. A young girl like that, writing to a man like me, was taboo. I did what any decent guy would. I told her brother." Spike shifted uncomfortably in his seat, "I ah, I got one more letter a couple weeks after that. Could tell she wasn't right, but I didn't know how bad it was. Didn't want a scandal. Mother hadn't been well since we left Scotland. She'd become housebound by then. So naturally I told Walter she'd written to me again. Asked him to put an end to it, and keep an eye on the girl. She didn't seem well. Apparently she just kept writing and good old Walter just intercepted them and took her back to Scotland when she didn't stop. Look at the date on that last one, that's over three months after I met Dru. We weren't even in London anymore. She probably stayed in Faith's room, and her brother stowed her letters in the desk there."

"Which explains why she didn't bother anyone else, and why she hates me so much."

"Just imagine how she'd have felt if you hadn't got hurt. We'd probably been shagging most of the time. God I miss Paris."Buffy punched him in the arm.

"Ouch…" he rubbed his arm but grinned, "Alright, so how do we get rid of Eliza the crazy ghost?" The windows rattled and the dresser drawers shook.

"Try explaining you're dead?" Buffy shrugged.

"How's that one for ya Eliza? You do realize what I meant when I said I'm a vampire right?" he changed his face for her, "Been a vampire for a long time now. Before you even wrote that last letter."

"I can see you, you have a soul" Eliza’s disembodied voice hissed.

"You're right, he does" Buffy spoke up, "Why don't you tell her why you're unique among vampires, Honey."

"I went and got my soul back. I fought for it, for her, for love. What I want to know is how you can see my soul. I've been a ghost, that wasn't one of the perks. So what were ya, huhh? Maybe a Seer?"

There was a loud shriek, as some of Buffy's things started to fly out of the dresser and the wardrobe doors slammed, "Hey! We just cleaned up your last mess!" She yelled at the ghost as she rushed over to her dresser.

"I never asked for a bloody stalker!" Spike grumbled as he helped Buffy.

"Well on the up side, I guess you know what it's like now," Buffy huffed as she fought to tuck her things back into the drawer, "You did get pretty stalkery…" she said to Spike, "that whole shrine thing… and Buffy-Bot, I mean seriously... Why I'm I with you again?" She teased as she continued to fight with the dresser.

"Oh very funny, Slayer," Spike huffed.

The bottom drawer shot out, suddenly knocking Buffy hard in the shins, "Ouch! That's it!"

Spike helped Buffy to her feet, "You alright?"

"Fine, this bitch has got to go. Giles?" She suggested.

"Sure, seeing as I got nothing. Bird's not gonna listen to reason that's for sure. I never even responded to any of her letters and she was still obsessed…"

With that, things started flying out of both Buffy and Spike's dresser drawers. Spike caught a pair of jeans in the face. "Thanks! Could use these!" He yelled. He held them up triumphantly just as a pillow hit him in the back of the head.

Buffy scanned the room and had managed to grab the yoga capris she had been wearing earlier when the rest of the throw pillows started to fly around the room. Ducking with their arms over their heads, they ran for the door. They yanked it open together, slamming it behind them in the hall. Faith came out holding a small ax, "What the hell is going on?"

"Spike's old stalker…" Buffy gasped, pulling her yoga pants on under the little nightgown.

Faith dropped her arm carrying the ax and set it down, "You want to repeat that?"

The door started to rattle as though someone was trying to get through, "Giles, now. Talk later." Spike said just as he realized he had a pair of Buffy's jeans instead of his. He swore as he threw them down on the floor.

Faith looked at the jeans and back up at him, smirking at his boxers. These ones were printed with beer bottles and shot glasses. "Fine, I'm in… damn, and here I thought you two were just making up for lost time."

"Started out that way," Spike said ruefully as they made their way down one floor.

As they ran through the library Buffy gaped at Faith, "You seriously thought ALL of that was us?"

"Well how was I to know our shy little ghost was Spike's crazy ex?" Faith retorted as they crossed through the training room.

"She bloody well was not my ex- bugger all!" He growled and headed up the second staircase to Giles's room.

Spike reached the door first and knocked loudly, Buffy stepped in front of him just as Giles opened the door, "What's this all about?" Giles asked groggily. He was dressed for bed and his hair was tussled.

"Our ghost is wrecking our room,"

"Bitch is insane… stuff flying all over the sodding place," Spike huffed as he pushed past Giles. He sat down in a chair holding his head in his hands still only wearing a t-shirt and boxers.

Giles hitched a thumb over his shoulder at him and gave Buffy a quizzical look as she and Faith followed Spike into the spacious room. "We'll explain everything," Buffy responded.

"I just don’t understand how this could have happened—“ Spike groused.

"Don't you dare start that," Buffy said, perching on the arm of Spike's chair.

"I just mean, I know I did everything I was supposed to do. And yet the girl still killed herself because I didn't respond to her letters. Instead I asked her brother to stop her from sending more…"

"It’s, not your fault!" Buffy argued.

"What's this about?" Giles asked.

Buffy launched into the story of Eliza and her obsession with Spike.

Giles frowned, cleaning his glasses, "Have you anything to add, Spike?"

"No, that about covers it… not much to it. I didn't even know she had kept writing after that second one. I just figured Walter talked her round, made her realize I'd only meant to be nice." Spike sighed as he scratched the back of his neck.

Giles replaced his glasses, "Anything you could be forgetting from the ball? It was a long time ago, could you have possibly said something that she may have misinterpreted as an advance or interest?"

Spike shook his head in frustration, "I highly doubt it. I was a proper little ponce, always trying to do the right thing. I was there with my mum for Pete's sake. I imagine I thanked her for the dance, probably said some overly polite toft and that was it."

"What about the notebook?" Buffy remembered excitedly, "You dropped your notebook!"

"Oh right, it was in with the letters. The daft little bird wrote about it in one of them, saying I'd left it for her. I bloody well didn't, must've dropped the damn thing and she picked it up."

"Anything significant in there?" Giles asked.

Buffy shrugged, she shot a quick look at Spike and turned back to Giles, "Not really, it was mostly incomplete ideas. The few full poems I saw were pretty unremarkable, nothing like what he's been writing lately," she said, giving Spike's shoulder a squeeze.

"In that case I agree with Buffy, you did everything a man in your position could have done per social norms of the time." Giles said with a nod.

"Sodding rules…" Spike grumbled.

Giles shifted his body into a more comfortable position, "Yes, quite. So what seems to be the trouble?"

"Like we said when we came in; she’s wrecking the place, stuff flying everywhere."

Buffy leaned forward, “It’s not just mine now either, she's just as pissed at Spike now too."

"I wonder what set her off,” Faith mused.

"Oh we think we know," Buffy shifted guilty, Spike smirked.

"Ahh yes, no need to go into that then,” Giles said quickly.

"The question is how do we stop it?" Buffy asked.

Giles thought for a moment, "We could try a general removal spell, however without a witch… if she has grown stronger, we might need to weaken her first somehow."

Spike stood up and snapped his fingers, "That's it, Rupert. When I was a ghost the only thing I had was my will. That's how ghosts manipulate things. Emotion, passion, anger… The only way I beat the Reaper was because I had enough willpower to do it."

Giles waved a dismissive hand, "Now isn't the time for poetry."

"That wasn't poetry. I was being literal; he called himself the Reaper. Git was sending souls to hell in his place, tried to send yours truly. It's a long story. What I'm saying is poetry is exactly what we need right now, don't you get it? That's how we break her will."

"By reading her some of your newer poetry… He might be right, it's worth a shot. Spike can read to her, try to wear her down and then you, Faith, and I perform the spell. Easy as pie."

"Only one problem," Spike interjected.

"That is?" Giles inquired.

"Those poems are personal, I never intended anyone to read them except maybe Buffy. You're practically her father… it's—" Spike cut off looking sheepish.

Buffy cleared her throat, "So read one of the less, you know…intimate, ones. What about the 'Spark' one?"

Spike shifted uncomfortably, "It's… it's not very… it's short for starters… it's personal…"

"It's a good place to start. If it works, it works. Remember, this was your idea."

"Worth a shot," Faith yawned unapologetically, "Let's do this so we can all get some sleep."

"Faith, the book we need should be on the shelf behind you just there, the green. Ahh yes," he said as she handed it to him. He opened the book to the page, running a finger down the text, "Right, we should have everything here. I'll gather the supplies."

The room was a wreck when they returned but at least nothing was moving. Eliza seemed to have tired herself out. One good thing was that since they had been traveling, neither Buffy or Spike really had much to throw around and most of the weapons they had with them were in the training room.

Faith had gone upstairs to check on the girls who were thankfully in bed. By the time she got back into the room Giles and Buffy almost had everything set up. Spike bounced on his heels nervously with his poetry journal in his hand. To Giles' great relief, Spike had taken a moment to put on a pair of pants. Spike pulled out the small notebook he had dropped so many years ago. He looked it over again. If he thought his most recent work was maudlin at best then these were pure garbage. He scoffed as he looked them over. Then he had another idea.

"Rupert?"

Giles looked up from the book he was looking over, "Humm?"

"Think it's possible she might have attached herself to this stuff?" Spike asked as he picked up the letters and the little notebook.

"If they were significant enough, then yes."

He held up the final letter, "This one is pretty much a suicide note, and this is the notebook I dropped, she got so attached to. Burning them should do the trick, yeah?"

"If she is in fact using one of these as an anchor then yes, it would certainly help break her hold on this plain."

He walked over to turn on the gas fireplace and the flames rose. Spike watched the flames as they caught the envelopes he'd thrown in earlier and threw the letters in on top, "Right then. Buffy? You see my lighter about?"

Buffy looked around, but Faith was faster, "Over there B, behind you," Buffy nodded her thanks and went to get it then tossed it over to Spike.

"Cheers, Love," he shoved both the notebook and the lighter in his back pocket.

"Alright now, everyone knows what they're doing? Yes?"

Buffy and Faith nodded from opposite sides of the room. Faith was nearest the door while Buffy stood between the two dressers. Giles took up a spot between the now empty wardrobe and the bed directly across from the fireplace. Spike stood in the center of the room between the bed and the sitting area.

He huffed "My cue then," he said softly, then in a louder voice he addressed the ghost, "Eliza, you around? You got an idea of what my mates and I are up to?"

The painting above the mantle gave a feeble knock against the wall.Spike nodded, "There's a lot here I still don't quite understand. Like how you could have taken two dances and a dropped notebook so far out of context to believe there was actually something between us. Those poems you found were never for you. They weren't for anyone..."

"Why are you lying?" Eliza whailed.

"I'm really not. You remember those little ditty's you picked up?"

Eliza materialized in between him and the sitting area. She wasn't just a see through wisp of a ghost now. Now that she was more solid and closer to him he could see her more clearly. Her blue eyes bulged slightly making them look almost too large for her thin face. Her very long blonde hair laid in a lank braid over her shoulder partially concealing her neck. As she turned he could see the shadow of ligature marks around her throat as though she must have hanged herself.

"I have each precious word memorized," she answered wistfully.

"Those weren't even finished poems, they were ideas and scribbling. I can prove it to you," he held up his red poetry journal, "May I?"

"Oh please William, I'd love to hear more." Eliza nodded.

"I'm not so sure you will, Eliza. You see, everything in this book here that's even remotely meaningful is about or for that woman over there," he pointed over to Buffy with the journal, "I'm here in this castle for her, not you. I didn't even know you were here. I'm making a life with her. These poems in my hand are for her, they are about her!"

Eliza glared towards Buffy and turned her attention back to Spike, “William?” Her voice sounded oddly distant.

Giles gave Buffy and Faith a nod to light their candles and the herbs he'd given them, before doing the same himself. He gave Buffy another nod gesturing towards Spike to start reading. While Giles started chanting.

Spike started to pace until he caught Buffy's eye, "You know what Eliza, I'm just going to read one. This is for you Buffy…" he opened his journal to the poem Buffy had suggested.

"It's not a flame, rather a spark,

I carry for my love in this dark.

Endless days and desolate nights;

Devoid of my love to make it right.

A spark of life, a flame that burns,

For her soul next to mine I yearn.

The spark that burns in the light,

Only for her, does my soul burn bright." Spike finished with a sigh.

"That was beautiful, William…" she said weakly.

"I don't know about 'beautiful' but it's definitely for her. I never wrote so much as a syllable for you, Eliza," he held up the tiny notebook and lit it on fire then threw it through Eliza and into the fireplace. There was a gasping wail that went through the room, but otherwise nothing was disturbed.

"I'd say that did something," Faith said.

Eliza's eyes widened. She opened her mouth to speak but no sound came out. Giles started reciting the incantation louder. The candle flames shot up a few inches and somehow withstood the sudden gust of wind that blew around the room like a small tornado. Eliza screamed as the wind settled around and turned into a bright light.

Spike watched as she screamed soundlessly. Her mouth formed the syllables of his name. She screamed as the light grew brighter around her. It seemed to transform her somehow. Suddenly she stopped screaming, her arms fell to her sides. The light grew brighter still and just as Giles finished the incantation, everything stopped. The brilliant light surrounding Eliza evaporated into nothing, taking her along with it.

Spike turned towards Buffy, he held his arms out. She looked around the room, "I told you that poem was a good place to start. Good thinking on the notebook," she said, going to him.

"I need a bloody drink…" Spike groaned.

"Here, here!" Giles agreed, "Well done, Spike."

"Gee, eh, cheers, Rupert," Spike said skeptically, but pleased with the compliment.

Faith pulled out a fresh bottle of whiskey and four glasses, pouring each of them a shot, "To expelling crazy ass ghost,"

"Cheers," Spike intoned.

"Cheers," the others echoed.

Buffy set her glass down and looked around the room, "Why do these things always have to make such a mess of everything?"

Spike snorted, "Keeps life interesting don't it…" he poured himself another drink and downed it, "Chin-up, Love, we'll get it sorted."

"Again…"

***

An hour later Buffy collapsed onto the bed gingerly. They had got nearly everything cleaned up but there was still work to do. Spike looked up at her, “We don’t have to finish this tonight, Love. It’s been a long one. Hell even I’m knackered.” He pulled aside the curtain a few inches, “No wonder too. Sun will be up in another hour or so.”

“That’s only because it comes up super early here.”

Spike set down the last of his things in a small pile on one of the chairs. He walked over to his side of the bed pulling off his shirt as he went, “Come on, Slayer, I know you’ve got plans with Faith today. A little rest is better than none,” he pulled the covers down and climbed into bed, patting the space next to him.

Buffy eyed the spot on the bed then looked around the room, “You’ve convinced me,” she said as she crawled in next to him. He wrapped an arm around her as she pressed close to him feeling safe. “Spike?”

“Hum?”

“I love you…” she murmured sleepily.

“Love you too.”

Chapter 7 Movie Night

Over the next few days the three of them kept busy with the girls and landed on a good routine. Buffy’s ribs were healing well as long as she was taking it easy. On the third day after the injury, she dodged a wild kick from one of the younger girls while she was walking around the room supervising the class. She missed being hit but fell right into one of the metal sparring dummies. It wasn’t really enough to re-injure her but it did manage to remind her that her ribs were really only starting to mend and It would still be some time before she’d be back to full health.

When Giles returned the next evening with the older girls he was surprised to find the dynamic they had stumbled into in his absence. After he and the girls had gotten settled in, Giles came back downstairs to the living room to catch up with Buffy and Faith.

“There were no other mishaps while I was gone I trust?” He asked them.

Buffy shook her head, “Nope, turns out we actually make a pretty good team when we’re not making power plays.”

“And Spike?”

“I think he was in the kitchen last I knew,” Faith shrugged.

“No, I meant—“

“We know what you meant. If it wasn’t for him there is no way we could have managed after Buffy got hurt. He picked up the slack and then some,” Faith said defensively.

“Very good, glad to hear it. Any more ghost sightings?”

“I thought I heard something last night and I’ve found a few of my things in weird places but neither of us saw anything,” Buffy shrugged.

“And she’s only moving your things?”

“Seems that way. But it’s not like Spike is exactly big on material possessions at the moment.”

“No I suppose not. Once I get settled in I’ll go through the castle’s archives and do what I can. Might be rather fun actually.”

“That’s why you’re book-man!” Faith teased, “Seriously though, I’m having someone come by to check out the giant birdcage and get it running again.”

“As long as you get someone who respects antiques. I’d hate to see such a fine example of an antique lift be destroyed by some pillock.”

“I’m having the Ross’s take a look, if they don’t think they can do it they’ll recommend someone.”

Giles adjusted his glasses, “Is our cover with the locals still holding?”

Faith averted eye contact, “Yeah they still think you’re my uncle.”

“Alright so that brings me to my next question,” Buffy asked, “are we still going with our original cover story here?”

“The best lies have a kernel of truth. We run a school for girls. Faith is my niece. I had to stop wagging tongues, you know.”

“Which makes me what? Your American daughter?”

“I suppose so, yes. Everyone around here knows that I’ve spent an extended amount of time in the states so it wouldn’t be a surprise.”

“Not like Dawn and I have heard from our own father in… well a really long time... Besides, you did have a little thing with my mom,” Buffy teased.

“Yes well…” he stammered, and started cleaning his glasses, “Your mother was a very special woman,” he added almost inaudibly.

“Ok, seriously more information than I needed,” Faith said as she got up to leave, “Callum will be here soon, I want to check on the girls and let them know what’s up.”

“I’ll come with you, I wanna hit the kitchen first, grab a snack.”

“And if Spike’s not in the kitchen?”

“Very funny.”

Giles rolled his eyes, “Yes well I plan to unpack and spend a quiet evening in, if I’m not needed.”

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

Music was playing in the kitchen; Spike was singing along to The Ramones ‘Do You Wanna Dance?’, as he was finishing up the dishes.

Buffy put a hand out to stop Faith and pressed a finger to her own lips to keep her from interrupting him as they entered the kitchen. The two women stood there watching him for a moment. The song ended and the next song ‘I Wanna Be Well’, came on. “Damn that’s hot,” Faith whispered, “You know Buff, if you ever get tired of this one, you can send him my way.”

“Not a chance,” Spike said, turning around as he dried his hands on a dish-towel. His lean muscles moving interestingly under his blue t-shirt. He gave Buffy a slow grin, “Haven’t seen much of you since this morning. Giles and the girls getting settled back in alright?”

Buffy went over to give him a kiss, “I see you found the stereo alright. Yeah, we’re all squared away. Just you and me for our first Friday night in Scotland. Faith has a friend coming over.”

Faith rolled her eyes, “Not like that!”

“Don’t do anything we wouldn’t,” Spike smirked.

“Don’t think that’s going to be a problem,” she frowned, “I kinda punked asking him out.”

Buffy rummaged through the fruit bowl, “If you don’t ask him out, I’m going to do it for you,” she said as she tried to decide between an apple and an orange.

“I thought about taking you out proper. Maybe find a place with a band, if you’re up to it,” Spike said.

“I’m not sure if I’m ready for that just yet. I’m kinda in a night-in sort of mood.”

“Thank God for thick walls,” Faith grumbled.

“Not talkin ‘bout that!” He turned towards Buffy, “Were you? Because I sure wouldn’t say ‘no’ if you were, Goldilocks,” he grinned wolfishly.

“Dishes are almost as good as foreplay,” Buffy grinned.

“And there it is, grossed out and jealous all in one. I’m going to check on the girls before Callum gets here, you coming, B?”

Buffy took a bite of her apple and gave Spike a wink before turning to leave with Faith, “Yup, I’m in. I’ll see you later,” she said, throwing a smile over her shoulder at Spike.

“God I’m a lucky bastard.”

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

Minutes later Spike had finished up in the kitchen and was heading through the entrance hall when the doorbell chimed. Spike pulled the door wide revealing a tall good looking man who could have been Superman’s stunt-double, “Oi, you must be the handyman Faith’s been going on about; come to fix the lift?”

“I make no promises, told her I’d take a look. See if it’s something we can handle,” he said in a Scottish accent.

“Right then, in you come. I’m Spike,” he thrust out his hand.

Callum shook his hand, “Callum Ross, I don’t remember seeing you around when I was here before.”

“Nah, I've only been back in Europe for a couple of weeks. Come on, it’s just over here.”

Spike gestured to the lift, “I took a look the other day, cable is shot, I can lend a hand replacing it if you need it. There’s a maintenance ladder of sorts in the shaft but it’s not in the greatest shape. I can get it up there no problem.”

“That’s the hard part, mate. You got climbing experience or something?”

“A bit. Anyway, I was just heading upstairs, I’ve hardly seen my girl today. I’ll send Faith down.”

“Thanks, I’ll try not to keep her long,” Callum said as he stepped into the elevator and started examining it.

Spike headed upstairs, it took a minute to find Faith since she was settling a dispute on the fourth floor amongst the Level 2 girls.

Faith was seething, “I don’t care who started it, it ends now. You need to burn off steam? There are training rooms for that! I—“

“Faith? Don’t mean to break this up, your handyman is down stairs looking at the lift.”

Faith gave the girls a stern look before she ran a hand over her hair, “Sure, ok. I’m on it,” she said briskly as she bustled past him.

“Oi, Faith, where’d Buffy go?”

Faith turned to look at him, “She went back downstairs, maybe the bathroom. I don’t know.”

Faith ran down the stairs stopping short of the entryway, she smoothed her shirt and walked forward towards the elevator. Callum was examining the inside of a small maintenance hatch.

“Hey, sorry I wasn’t downstairs when you got here—“

Callum jumped a little, “Oi Faith! You gave me a start girl. No worries, I do need to take a look at the pulley at the top. You want to see me up?”

Faith had laughed when she had startled him but now her mouth suddenly went dry, “Ah yeah, yeah I can show you up, fifth floor.”

“Led the way,”

“I had to settle a dispute with the girls-“

Callum spoke a little stiffly, “Oh it’s fine, your boyfriend let me in. I think we might be—“

She cut him off, “Boyfriend?”

“The Londoner. Said he was here with his lady, I just…”

“Spike? Me and Spike? Oh, no, no, no. I mean yes he is staying here. No, he is definitely not MY boyfriend. Not even close. Spike is Buffy’s, eh my cousin’s boyfriend. He used to work with a good friend of ours that’s a PI in LA.”

A relieved expression passed over Callum’s handsome face and his entire demeanor became almost buoyant as they continued their conversation.

Faith paused looking down at him, “You seem really interested in my relationship status,” she smirked.

“Noticed that huh?”

“How’d you like to go out for a drink sometime?”

“Took the words right out of my mouth. I’d love to.”

Faith smiled in relief, “Good, how’s tomorrow night?”

“8:00?”

“You tell me where you want to meet and it’s a date,”

“You’re on…”

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

Meanwhile Spike went back downstairs in search of Buffy. Before he had a chance to check the bathroom, he noticed that the light was on in their bedroom and went in. Buffy was sitting on the loveseat with her laptop open.

“There you are, Slayer, I was looking for you, what are you doing?”

“Hey! Just emailing Willow, she was checking up on us. Xander is talking about coming back to Europe soon.”

“Getting the band back together then?”

“Same continent at least. I don’t really like being so spread apart like this, I miss my friends. I miss having an actual home. Spike, I’ve really been thinking a lot about what you said about living here permanently.”

“I’ve been putting some thought into that as well, Love.”

“And?”

“Hopefully we’re thinking the same thing.”

She smiled, “But after we continue our trip right?”

“Duhh”

“By the way, earlier when Faith and I came up, where’d you go? I thought you were right behind us.”

“Would’ve been but Faith’s boy showed up,”

“You mean he’s here? I'm a little bit curious.”

“Think Superman.”

“Are we talking Christopher Reeves or Tom Welling on Smallville?”

“Ehhh… I was thinking the comics, but Reeves I guess. I don’t know the other guy, haven’t really watched a lot of TV as of late.”

“Dawn is obsessed with Smallville. I kinda want to meet this guy. Are they still downstairs?”

“Dunno, we could just go to bed,” he grinned.

“It’s still early, we don’t have to lock ourselves in our bedroom just yet do we?” she let out a little laugh. She took both of his hands, “Why don’t we do a movie night downstairs? I’ll make popcorn…” she grinned coyly.

“As long as there’s a beer in it for me.”

As they headed down stairs they realized Callum and Faith were above them on the stairs on their way back down from checking the elevator mechanism at the top. Buffy paused, waiting for them to catch up. They were so deep in conversation as Faith came around the edge of the landing that she actually bumped into Buffy who had paused to straighten a picture frame. Buffy caught herself on the railing, her ribs suddenly reminding her to take it easy after being relatively quiet most of the day.

“You alright there, Pet?” Spike asked her from only a few steps down from her.

“Yeah, I’ll be alright.”

“I’m sorry B I didn’t—“

“I’m fine, I’m the one who stopped.”

“What’s the matter with her?” Asked Callum in a concerned tone.

“Training accident, banged up her ribs. This sort of thing happens all the time. We’re pretty used to it,” Faith answered.

“She’s tougher than she looks,” Spike looked at Buffy fondly. Buffy continued down the stairs and stood on tiptoe to kiss him.

Faith turned to Callum, “See what I mean about these two?”

Callum grinned easily at Faith, “Take it you’ve never been in love before, have you?”

Faith began to blush, and rounded on Buffy, “What are you two doing anyway? Snooping?”

“Now I’m hurt. We are having a movie night,” Buffy responded.

Faith eyed her suspiciously, “If the girls don’t have the same idea, Cuz.”

As they came into the entrance hall, they could hear the TV and Buffy went over to check it out. Faith led Callum into the kitchen while Spike lingered, waiting for Buffy.

“Yeah, he’s definitely more of a Welling,” Buffy murmured in Spike’s ear as they headed into the kitchen.

“I’ll just have to take your word on that, Love. Think we should try to force these two into a double date?” Spike asked.

“It’s like you can read my mind.”

Buffy got to work on the popcorn while Spike grabbed beers for each of them, “Sorry, Pet, looks like we’re all out of wine.” He took the beers over to the large table they used for meals and sat down.

“So what’s the word, Cal, can you fix our lift?” Spike asked.

“Callum, please. And yeah, I think so. As long as I can get the right parts I don’t see why not, especially if I’ve got someone who can climb,” he tipped his beer towards Spike, “I saw what you meant about that maintenance ladder,” he took a pull at his beer, “Not bad. I should bring you some of my brother’s stuff though. Him and his wife opened a brewery a few years back.”

“You never told me that,” Faith said, “that sounds amazing.”

“Didn’t realize you were into beer.”

“Faith in a nutshell,” Buffy started ticking off her fingers, “Likes: fighting, weaponry, and leather. Dislikes: anything too ‘girly’, mushy or frilly. Loves: Alcohol, dancing, rock, action movies, sex, and fighting.”

Faith choked on a sip of beer, “Buffy!”

“What? Did I forget something?”

“There was the bit about—-“

Faith slammed a fist on the table, “Spike, I swear if you finish that sentence I will—“

Callum leaned back in his chair with his arms folded across his broad chest watching them quietly.

“You don’t even know what I was going—“

“Doesn’t matter!”

“When did you become such a delicate flower anyway? What happened to the Faith I met back in Sunnydale? Brash, forthright, badass. Knew each other less than a day before you sat there bold as brass and told me all about the guy with the—“

“Spike I’m warning you—“

Callum interrupted her with a grin, “Ya know Faith, there’s a pub not far from here, has bands every weekend, and my brother often has bands play at the brewery in summer; if you’re interested. Or we could go to an MMA event sometime, I know a guy,” He wasn’t fazed by their outburst in the least, in fact he seemed rather comfortable with it.

Faith stared at him in shock for a split second before stammering, “I- I, yeah that would be awesome…”

“Alright then, I’ll get started on making proper plans. Can’t have a girl like you working all the time without blowing off some steam now can we?” he said, looking her up and down as he took a swig of his beer.

Buffy stood up, “I think the living room should be clear now. Spike, why don’t you go pick a movie. I got the popcorn. I expect to see the two of you in there for movie night.”

“After you, Slayer.”

Buffy and Spike headed out, leaving Faith and Callum behind. They both stood up looking at each other, “I imagine they meant well.”

Faith scoffed and shook her head, “You really have no idea…”

“I’m just guessing here but I’m going to venture to say; you’ve got yourself a sorted past you’re trying to make right. Turn over a new leaf and such. Except romance wasn’t exactly factored into that equation was it?”

“No, not exactly… I mean you’re spot-on. How—“

“You’re not the only person with an interesting past. Spent a good chunk of my youth in one sort of trouble or another. Even found myself locked up for a short bit. After that I decided it was time to turn things around, start helping people instead of hurting them. Always been handy so I started doing odd jobs for people. That got me the job at the hardware store.

“I- that’s… are you messing with me?”

“Honest truth. Didn’t scare you away did I?”

“No, not at all- takes way more than that to scare me. I—I guess I just never imagined we had that much in common… you seem so clean cut.”

Callum smiled at her, “So about what your cousin said…”

“I’m looking for something long term this time around… I don’t want to rush into anything…” she blurted out.

He grinned again, “Perfect.”

“Also, I’ve got some major baggage and a couple of Jurassic sized bombshells… I just… I’m trying to lay it out but there’s a lot I just can’t talk about. So here’s my middle ground, take it or leave it,” she said very quickly.

“Are we talking about kids or skeletons in the closet?”

“Closet’s pretty full. You seriously think kids are my thing?”

“Alright, just so long as I don’t end up with some jealous bloke standing over me with an ax.”

“Voice of experience?”

Callum gave a half grin, “Didn’t know she was married.”

“I think we’ve all been there. Glad we had this talk.”

“Me too.”

“You know you don’t have to stay for this,” she waved her hand irritatedly, “If you don’t want to… I swear…”

“I was just planning on a quiet night at home anyway and I’m off tomorrow so I’m not fussed. I think it’s good to change it up, don’t you?”

“You don’t know what you’re in for around here.”

“Oh I think I’ll manage. Come on, they seem like the search and rescue type.”

“They are.”

Spike was still looking through movies when they got to the living room, “I’ve counted twenty vampire films here, they do realize these aren’t actually instructional videos right? Especially… sodding ‘Interview with a Vampire’? Are you bloody kidding me? That’s twenty-one. Oh here’s twenty-two… what the hell is ‘Blood and Donuts’? Bloody hell…” he put it back in the bin and kept digging. “I’m not watching some sodden— oh look, another vampire movie… ‘Love at First Bite’, hells bells…” he flipped it over to read the back, “Oh Slayer, if you were aiming for a laugh, I think we got a winner here, Goldilocks.”

Spike handed the movie over to her, “I said you could pick… I don’t know…Dracula? Really? You hate Dracula…”

“Just read the blurb.”

Buffy flipped the movie over in her hand, “Oh God. It’s either going to be horrible or funny as hell, I’m going with both. Care to find out?”

“Go on, Slayer, put it on,” Buffy turned towards Faith and Callum, “We’re either in for a bad movie-night or a laugh fest, it’s anyone's guess,” she said as she sat down gingerly on the couch she had been favoring since her injury. Buffy made a ‘have a seat’ gesture towards the second couch.

Callum complied as he stretched out his tall frame at one end of the other couch and reached an arm across the back, “I’m easy to get on with,” he turned to look at Faith who was still standing behind the couch, “Don’t know about you but I’ve had a long day. It’s good to relax.”

Faith sat down next to him and slipped off her gym shoes so she could curl up on the couch.

“Better?” He asked.

Faith chuckled faintly, “Yeah. This week wasn’t so bad thanks to these two, but it had been a little rough for a couple of weeks before that. It’s going to suck when they leave.”

“Aww Faith, that was almost sweet,” Buffy said as Spike came over, positioning himself behind her so she could rest back on him. Buffy handed Faith an extra bowl, “Here you can divide up the popcorn. Let’s get movie night started.”

“I got it,” Spike picked up the remote to press play. Then readjusted so Buffy could sit back more comfortably again, “Here, Love, better?”

She hummed in agreement as the movie started.

*****

After the movie, Faith saw Callum out. Buffy and Spike lingered in the living room cleaning up bits of popcorn Spike had started throwing at the TV during the movie. They passed them on their way to take the beer bottles and bowls to the kitchen.

“Night Callum, nice to meet you!” Buffy called over her shoulder. Spike threw him a nod as he followed Buffy.

“Good to meet you both!” Callum called from the doorstep. He turned to Faith, “What’s his problem with Dracula anyway?”

“Long story,” Faith said as she quietly offered to walk him out to his car.

A few minutes later Faith came back inside to find Buffy and Spike waiting for her, “What?”

“Sort of got that pesky first date out of the way, didn’t we?”

“For your information, I did ask him out. We’re going for drinks tomorrow night.”

“I guess it’s sort of like you arranged your second date before your first,”

“More like we got hijacked.”

Spike cleared his throat, “Hey now, ‘hijacked’ seems harsh… but fair.”

“But it all worked out right?”

“Not the point.”

Buffy grinned, “Maybe you’ll get lucky and find out Mr. Clean-cut has a naughty side, you never know.”

“Yeah, we had a little talk about that. Turns out maybe we do have a little more in common than I thought,” Faith said as she started up the stairs.

“You got things worked out better than you had before so I still call this a win.”

“Why are you being so weird?”

“I’m not being weird, am I?”

“Just,” Faith made a face, “Peppy…”

“Normal people call that a good mood,” Buffy retorted as they continued to climb the stairs nearing their bedrooms.

“Whatever, B, can I get your help tomorrow?”

“With what?”

“I’m not really sure what a normal date looks like.”

“You think I do? Our first and last real date was strolling through Paris until we stumbled across a cabaret Spike’s friend owns.”

“Don’t forget the alley,” Spike grinned and Buffy swatted at him.

“Our idea of going out usually involves patrolling. That’s what passes for ‘normal’ in my life and I’m good with that.”

“I don’t even think I can do normal.”

“You know what would really help you out, Faith? Start by binning that nonsense about ‘normal’, because you’re not. No Slayer is, Buffy knows that. The sooner you get it, the better.” Spike huffed.

“This is a bad idea… this is exactly why my longest relationship before Robin was maybe the occasional long weekend. What am I doing? I can’t do this,” Faith moaned moodily.

“Didn’t say that. If you think there’s something there then you should go for it. Love is worth walking through fire and a lot more.”

“He would know,” Buffy said seriously.

Chapter 6 The New Girls

Buffy, Faith, and Spike took the new girls on patrol in the old teal painted van Giles had found for such trips. They didn’t have far to go to the nearest cemetery. It would have been an easy walk but Giles had made Faith promise to take the van in case something happened because the nearest hospital was relatively far away.

The girls stood huddled around the cemetery entrance looking nervous. “Who here has been in a cemetery at night?” Buffy asked.

All four girls shook their heads.

Buffy looked from Spike to Faith and back to the girls, “Well… you’ll get used to it real fast. Feels like I’ve spent most of my life in them. We are here at this particular cemetery because the local paper reported some suspicious deaths and several missing persons reports in the area. These are the things we need to check out. The paper was vague but experience tells me that it’s probably a vamp.”

“It most likely is, but there are loads of other nasties that like to rip out throats so be on the lookout,” Spike added.

Faith stepped towards them with a leather messenger bag in hand. She pulled out four stakes and four small bottles of holy water for the girls, “Tonight will be your first test. Deloris and Thea you two will be with me. Sheena and Aretta with Buffy and Spike. We will be watching from a distance. If something comes at you, it is up to you to defend yourself and your partner. We will be close but don’t count on one of us saving the day. Any questions?”

“What do we do if it is not a vampire?” Aretta asked in a strong Nigerian accent.

As strong as Aretta’s accent was, it was nothing compared to Sheena’s Scottish brogue. Buffy had more trouble understanding Sheena than she did any of the other girls and the vast majority of the people she’d met in Scotland. It was bound to be an interesting night.

“The best you can, you might surprise yourselves. We’ll intervene if you’re in over your heads,” Spike switched to his vampire form. Deloris let out a little squeal. Spike ignored her and continued speaking, “For the record, you get in over your heads one of us will be there. I’ll be coming in hot. Remember, every vampire has two faces. This is mine, don’t get stake-happy with me, alright? Bad guys yes, Spike no. Got it?”

The girls nodded, and Spike let his face melt back into his human form.

Faith clapped her hands, “All right ladies, let’s head out. Thea and Deloris, You start out on the left. Aretta and Sheena go right. Cemetery loops around so we’ll meet up. We’ll give you a headstart. Good luck.”

Buffy sidled up to Spike taking his hand, “Nice job working in the self preservation angle.”

“Yeah, well I plan on getting lucky tonight and I can’t do that if I’m a pile of dust now can I?”

“Probably for the best, it’s always hard to predict how newbies are going to react. Speaking of which, you picking up on anything yet?”

Spike took a moment to concentrate and sniffed the air, “Nah, nothing yet. Nights still young. Tell me again why all three of us are out here?”

Buffy rolled her eyes and pulled him along with her, “Come on, last thing I want is for these girls to come up against something they’re not ready for.”

“They’re alright, we can still see ‘em.”

“Maybe you can,” she grumbled.

“You’re sexy when you pout. But seriously, is this the same woman I was with when we closed a bunch of girls into a crypt with a vamp?”

“That was different and you know it. They had to get it fast and they didn’t have Slayer strength. These girls… they have power but they’re still green. Same problem just reversed.”

Spike threw an arm around her shoulders, “You’re worrying too much, Love.”

“I like to think of it as making up for not being here the last few months. I know we said we were just coming to visit but I’m seriously thinking maybe this is where I need to be… I just hope Dawn understands.”

“You mean ‘where WE need to be’, don’t you?”

“That’s what I said wasn’t it?” She grinned innocently.

“No, but I’m not going to fuss,” They went on a little further in silence before Spike spoke again, “You know the older girls will be leaving soon. Heading off to wherever you’re sending them. I say let’s stay until they’re all trained up and out of here. Then we can resume our Euro-trip, head back to Rome, pick up the Niblett, and come back here, permanently.”

“Did you just ask to move in together? I mean we’re… and- and we’re staying in the same room… traveling… and I love that— we’re always together… wait— wait, wait…. are we somehow living together already and I didn’t realize it?” She turned to him with her eyes wide, “We just started… it— it's a new-- ok not NEW but it’s a new chapter of an old— oh my God, are we actually living together?”

Spike snorted out a laugh, “Hell if I know, Pet. Relax. Is it so bad if we are?”

“Spike, I—”

He was suddenly afraid of what she was going to say. Stuck your foot in it now didn’t you? Never even considered she might not be ready for that—

“Look. We don’t have to talk about this now. I know we haven’t actually been together long… not to mention you’ve never lived with any of your other— I just—-You have time. You live with a bunch of girls, if you want me to get a place of my own, I will. I’m sure Dawn and Willow will both have a weigh-in on that. We can—“

Buffy cut him off by placing a hand on his chest, he looked down at her hand, “Humm, Buffy?”

“Shhh, just-“ her attention was directed towards the girls in the distance. They were still walking along the cemetery path when a man in a suit stepped towards them. “Later. It's showtime, let's see what they do.”

One of the girls let out a nervous battle cry and charged. The vampire dodged the attack easily and flung her hard into a tombstone. Spike took a step forward, “Crap… rookie mistake. Come on,” he snarled.

Buffy put out a hand again, “Just a minute, let’s see how Aretta does. Can you see Sheena?”

“She landed over there behind those markers. We need to get closer,”

“This way,” they wound their way through the headstones until they had a better vantage point.

“Aretta is holding her own, do you see Sheena yet?”

“There-“ Spike pointed as Sheena used a headstone to pull herself up. The girl shook her head before quickly stooping down to pick up her stake and rejoined the fight just as Aretta landed on the ground with a thud.

A moment later both girls had the vampire cornered against the back wall of a crypt. Sheena kicked the vampire, pinning him to the wall with her foot, while Aretta staked him. The girls backed away looking at each other. Sheena held her hand up for a high-five, “I can’t believe we just did that!” She exclaimed before they slapped hands and burst out into a fit of nervous laughter.

Buffy and Spike came into view clapping slowly, “Not bad for your first time girls.”

“It was teamwork,” Aretta said, smiling at Sheena.

“You got a win and that’s great. You’re not done yet. We’re going to head over towards Faith and the other girls now. Maybe you’ll run into something else, maybe you won’t. Stay alert, got it?”

“Yes, ma’am,” they said in unison.

“We’ll go over stuff when we get back to the castle.”

The four of them made their way back onto the path that looped around the cemetery, the girls continued in front with Buffy and Spike following at a distance. “About earlier…” Spike started.

Buffy gave him a fleeting look, “Maybe we should talk about this later.”

“I- humm, yeah, sure. It’ll keep,” he nodded as he thrust his hands deep into his pockets.

They walked along in silence for several minutes. Spike started humming a song Buffy had heard but couldn’t place, “What song is that?”

“The Ramones, I’ve had it stuck in my head since I met Sheena.”

“Do I want to know why?”

“Kinda hard not to, songs called ‘Sheena is a Punk Rocker’, catchy tune too…” Spike continued to hum quietly as they walked.

It wasn't long before they heard the unmistakable sounds of a fight. “Aretta, Sheena,” Buffy called to the girls, “hang back behind us, at least until I can see what’s going on.”

The girls did as they were told following close behind. They redirected their steps, winding their way through the tall headstones as the fighting grew louder. It was sometime until they could see Faith and the girls standing back-to-back surrounded by at least ten vampires.

Buffy stepped towards them from behind a particularly tall headstone, “Is this a private party or can anyone join?” she asked loudly.

“Oh, hey B! Nice of you to join us. As you can see, our dance cards are pretty full, feel free to join in.”

“Sounds like fun, count us in,” Buffy said as she stepped forward to the closest vampire, “Any time, Honey! Bring the kids!” She yelled over her shoulder as she quickly staked the first one.

“Already on it, Pet,” Spike grunted as he blocked a kick from a tall, thin, female vampire. Spike caught her leg and sent her flying into a headstone. In one swift motion he pulled a small crossbow from a special sling he’d added to the inside of his jacket. He shot the vampire squarely in the chest turning her to dust.

Spike then reloaded his weapon and turned it on one of the three vamps Faith was facing, allowing her to stake the remaining two in quick succession.

“Thanks man,” Faith said, turning towards him, “hey where did Buffy go?”

“Saw one bolt, she’s probably gone after him.”

“Pretty sure we lost more than one. You go, I got the girls,” Faith said as she folded her arms in front of her. She watched as each of the girls squared off against their own vampire. “Keep your feet and follow through, Deloris!” She barked.

Spike caught up to Buffy just as she sent a dark haired vampire stumbling with a kick to the stomach. An extremely large and muscular vampire well over seven feet tall, came up from behind her. The vampire picked her up like a rag doll and started squeezing her like a soda can. Moving quickly, Spike ran forward throwing a rock at the massive vampire, “Oi, Andre the Giant! Put her down!” He yelled as the rock made contact with the back of his head and bounced off.

Spike maneuvered himself behind the oaf. He leapt up, wrapped his arm around his neck and began punching the gigantic vampire in the side of the head. The vampire stumbled forward into a tombstone pinning Buffy there. She let out a strangled scream of pain. Spike pulled up a stake driving the entire length of it into the back of the huge vampire. Spike leapt off as the vampire crumbled.

Buffy landed unceremoniously on the ground with a thud. She gasped for breath as she looked up to see the dark haired vamp coming back towards her. Buffy twinged in pain as she grabbed her stake and held it up at the last second as the vampire charged at her with his teeth bared.

“Think that’s all of them,” Spike said as he reached out a hand to help Buffy up. She gasped in pain. “Are you alright there, Love?”

“Think he might have cracked a rib, maybe two,” she said breathlessly.

“Shit. Come here, let’s get you back to the castle. Here, I got you,” he said, wrapping an arm around her.

They hadn’t made it far before Faith and the girls appeared from among the graves. “There you two are. The girls did great. They— You alright B?”

Buffy shook her head, “I’ll be fine, couple of cracked ribs.”

Faith made a face, “Yeah, those are never fun. Good thing we heal fast.”

“Yeah,” Buffy wheezed a little.

Faith turned to Spike, “Van is over that way. Let’s get your girl home. Make sure she didn’t do anything worse than crack ribs.”

Spike gave a quick nod and they all made their way back to the van. The girls talked excitedly all the while. “Looks like the night was mostly successful,” Buffy said.

Spike eased his grip on her a little, “How’s it going there, Love?”

“I’m starting to wonder if one of these is more than just a little cracked,” Buffy quietly gasped in pain as Spike helped her up into the front seat.

“Lift your shirt, Pet. Where’s it at?”

“Can’t we do this back at the castle?” She asked.

“I’m not stripping you down. Just want to get an idea of what we’re dealing with here.”

Buffy shifted and lifted her shirt a little, “Yeah alright.”

“Girl takes a couple dozen beatings, survives a few mortal wounds and she thinks she’s a hard-ass,” Spike teased.

Buffy chuckled then gasped in pain, “Oh, it hurts to laugh,”

“But you can, that’s a good sign,” he smiled at her. Buffy nodded in agreement.

Faith climbed into the driver’s seat, “All set, just waiting on you Spikey-boy.”

“Sod off, Faith, stop calling me that would you?” Spike grumbled as he climbed into the back seat with the girls.

“How about ‘Willy’?”

“Not if you value your life.”

“William,” Buffy murmured.

“Right here, Love,” Spike said as he pulled himself up so he could see her from around the back of the seat.

“Just proving a point,” she chuckled weakly.

“Very funny, you are,” he huffed as he sat back in his seat.

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

As Faith parked the van in front of the castle she addressed the girls as they filed out.

“Anyone else extra hungry?” Thea asked.

“How can you even think about food when Buffy’s hurt? Aren’t you concerned at all?” Deloris snapped.

“S’alright to be both, Dee,” Sheena replied.

“Sheena‘s right. It’s typical to be hungry after slaying. Go on girls, get your snacks and get to bed. I mean it, I’ll be around to check on you. Go on, we got this. We’ve all had worse, she’ll be fine.”

The girls protested but complied in the end. While Faith was dealing with them Spike got out of the van and offered to help Buffy down, “Thanks, but I got it.”

Spike stepped back to give her space. It was clear she was in pain but true to her word she was managing as they made their way in.

“Let’s get you in bed, let you heal properly.”

She nodded, “Maybe a little something to dull the pain,”

“I hear there’s something in the roll top,” Spike smirked.

“Count me in,” Faith chimed in as they walked up the stairs to the first floor. Buffy gritted her teeth and gripped the railing as they reached the first landing.

“Is there a reason we don’t use that?” Spike asked, gesturing to the closed off shaft for the elaborate birdcage style elevator.

“Yeah, cables are old as hell and frayed, the thing is a death trap.”

“So get your boyfriend to fix it,” Buffy gasped.

Faith colored slightly, “He’s not my boyfriend.”

“Here, Love. Let me. Still got a way to go here,” he wrapped an arm around her gently as she allowed him to help her up the stairs.

“For the record, I’ll fix the thing myself if it comes down to it. Even if we only use it for injuries,” Spike growled.

“Didn’t know you were handy,” Faith said as she followed them into their room.

“I’m no expert but it’s hard not to pick up a few things along the way. Anyone can become a Jack-of-trades if they live long enough. I figure an elevator as old as that, well it’s not exactly complicated is it?”

“Yeah, sorry, not really overwhelming me with confidence right now. I think I’m going to ask around.”

“Ask Callum,” Buffy insisted as she sat down on the loveseat in the seating area of their bedroom. She shrugged off her lightweight jacket and leaned back against the seat. Buffy took a few breaths and grimaced.

“Let’s take a look, Love,” he said, motioning for her to lift her shirt. Her right side was already bruising badly. Spike gingerly pressed his fingers to the area, Buffy let out a hiss of pain.

“Sorry, Pet,” he frowned as he moved to check the other side. The bruising wasn’t nearly as bad there.

“How’s our patient?” Faith asked.

“Definitely a couple a broken ribs on the right side there. I count two for sure, the third one is questionable, it's at least cracked.”

“I’m going to make sure the girls cleaned up the kitchen and I’ll bring up a couple of ice packs for you alright, B?”

“Thanks,” Buffy closed her eyes for a moment, “Spike, would you get my sweats and a clean tank, please?”

“No problem. Need help?”

“I’ll let you know.”

Spike shrugged one shoulder as he got the requested items from her drawers. “Are you cold?”

“Yeah, a little. Not everyone is impervious to temperature change.”

“I wouldn’t say that. Extreme heat or cold can be a bother.”

“Well sure, burning up or freezing solid would bother anyone,” she laughed weakly clutching her side.

“See what you get for poking fun?” He said teasingly as he handed her the clothes. “Are you sure you don’t want me to help?”

“Thanks but I think I got it, it's not my first broken rib.”

It did take her a little longer than usual but Buffy managed to get changed on her own. After which she went into the bathroom. While she was gone Spike decided to turn on the gas fireplace in their room. For the end of June it was unseasonably cool inside the castle that night.

He fished out two glasses and the whiskey from the desk, taking them over to the little table by the fire, and poured a small measure into each glass. Spike downed his glass and poured another.

There was a knock at the door before Faith pushed it open without waiting for an answer, “I got the big ice pack and a— Where’s Buffy?”

“In the loo.”

Faith eyed the glasses on the table, “One of those for me?”

“You bought the bottle. Ta by the way.”

“Figured we could use it at some point,” she said, taking a glass and sitting down on one of the chairs.

Spike sat across from her on the loveseat, “Yeah, doesn’t matter how many times I see her get hurt, it still gets me.”

“Guess that’s what love is huh?” Faith took a drink and settled back into her seat.

“Guess so,” he swallowed his drink and poured himself another, “Whiskey’s good, all that matters.”

Buffy came back in, walking stiffly, “Drinking without me?”

“I poured you one, Love,” he said, handing it over to her.

“Thanks, honey” Buffy moved to sit next to him and tilted her head up for a kiss, “Hum, whiskey.”

“You could almost get a bloke’s heart beating again.”

“Are we drinking or should I leave you two alone?” Faith interrupted.

“Drinks, then some serious sleep and healing,” Buffy said, curling up on the loveseat as best as she could.

He laid his hand on her knee, “You’re taking some time off. I’ll take over your training classes.”

“He’s right Buff, you definitely don’t want to re-break those suckers. I should know,” she paused to take a drink, “He shouldn’t have any trouble, they’re mostly in the training rooms anyway, we’ll work it out.”

“I can't just sit around,” Buffy said, taking a swallow of whiskey. She looked at the glass perplexed, “Wow. I normally don’t like whiskey.”

Spike grinned as he remembered the first time he shared a drink with Buffy in his crypt.

“Ok that’s it!” Faith groused, “tomorrow afternoon I’m going over to the hardware store and I’m asking Callum out for a drink.”

“I’ll drink to that,” Buffy said, emptying her glass, “You can ask him about the elevator too.”

“See, all this stuff here,” Faith twirled her finger in a large circle, “This is why I’m kinda hoping Callum is just a regular vanilla kind of guy… an open mind would be good though. Maybe vanilla with a little wild cherry.”

“Nice guys don’t often have bull-whips,” Spike smirked.

“Nice memory but its the quiet ones that surprise ya,”

Buffy narrowed her eyes and looked between the two of them, “Bull-whip?”

“Just an old story Faith told me a while back.”

“I probably don’t want to know.”

“Probably not,” Faith grinned as she took another sip of whiskey.

Buffy adjusted herself in her seat, wincing. Spike reached for Buffy’s drink, “Here, Love, finish this. We’ll get you to bed.”

“Humm, you just love getting me in bed.”

“True,” he stood up, holding his hand out to her. Buffy took his hand, allowing him to pull her up, “Tonight I’ll settle for you getting some rest and letting those ribs heal.”

“I should get going too, I need a shower.”

“Night!” Buffy called as Spike led her over to the bed.

Spike directed his attention back to Buffy, as Faith closed the door behind herself.

He pulled the blankets aside for her, “In you get, Slayer.”

Buffy slipped into bed carefully, “Spike?”

“Yeah?” He answered absently as he pulled the blanket over her.

She stilled his hand with hers, “I’m really sorry I freaked out like I did earlier.”

“Oh that-“, Spike started to say.

“Everything is so new. I just—”

“Hadn't thought that far ahead?” He asked, raising an eyebrow, as he stood up straighter.

Buffy didn’t release his hand, “Well no. I mean yes, you’re right, I haven’t… and when I did, it just really—“

“You just get some rest, Goldilocks,” he said, squeezing her hand and moving around to his side of the bed.

Buffy furrowed her brow finding it extremely difficult to get comfortable, “Are you sure we’re ok?”

“Course we are.” He gestured for her to sit up and slipped an extra pillow behind her.

She rested back onto the pillows, relaxing while Spike stripped down for bed. “You just seem off,” she stated.

Spike crawled into bed with her. Propping himself on one elbow to see her better. “You’re the one who’s hurt, Love. Let’s just focus on that alright?”

Spike laid awake half the night thinking and watching Buffy sleep.

God, I love her more than I’ve ever loved anyone. Course she loves me too. I know that— otherwise we’d both be barmy or dead. Don’t go questioning her now you nit.

But when we decided to make this official, I just assumed we would be together in all senses of the word. Including living together. But if Buffy isn’t sure… where does that leave me?

At arms length or worse. Bollocks, William. It’s you she comes to when she is in trouble and needs help. Must count for something. Or does it? Is simply loving someone enough?

He watched her as she took a deep breath and started to cough a little. She didn’t wake up but by the look on her face it was clear she was in pain.

He rested a hand high on her chest by her collarbone and she relaxed instantly. Her breathing eased and the look of anguish on her face melted away. It was a little thing but in that moment it was what they both needed. A comforting hand for her and reassurance that she didn’t just want him but also needed him. Spike fell asleep with that thought, his hand still resting on her chest. He didn’t notice the slim ghostly figure of a teenage girl watching them.

Chapter 5 A New Leaf

A few hours later Buffy woke up to a knock at the door. Rubbing her eyes, Buffy opened the door to find Faith holding a cup of coffee and a bagel, “Hey, girls are going to be coming down soon. I brought these up for you. I want to introduce you to the girls at training this morning. Spikie boy too if he wants. Don’t want any of the girls thinking he’s target practice.”

“Humm, thanks, you didn’t have to do that.” She took a tentative sip of the coffee Faith handed her. It was disappointingly void of cream or sugar. But it’s coffee…

“One time only deal, B. Are you going to get pretty-boy up?” Faith asked, poking her head around the edge of the doorframe.

Buffy glanced over at Spike sprawled out on the bed with a pillow over his face. “He’ll join us later.”

“Right, whole creature of the night thing.” Faith smirked.

Buffy leaned against the door frame and took another sip of coffee, letting the unadulterated flavor wash over her taste buds. “Give me a couple minutes to get dressed. Which training room are we in?”

“The one by the library, it’s bigger. I want to get this done before Giles leaves with the older girls. They’re going to be gone for a few days.”

Buffy straightened up, a frown clouding her features. “I didn’t realize they were going to be gone that long. What’s he doing with them?”

Faith rolled her shoulders, stretching like a cat. “Taking them on one of those spirit journey things, it’s supposed to be the beginning of the end for them as they wrap up their training with us before they go on to their placements. He’s had this on the schedule for months. Gonna be gone most of the week.”

“I should have known. Giles did tell me he had some girls that would be ready to leave soon. I guess I just lost track of time,” she said with a sigh as she turned her face back towards Spike.

He had rolled over onto his side petulantly with the pillow clamped over his head. He grunted, “You birds keep it down, you’re waking the dead.”

Buffy couldn’t suppress a grin, “Oh good, you’re up. Faith wants us to address the masses.”

“Bugger all,” Spike huffed as he pulled himself up, the sheet slipping down precariously. “Can’t it wait? Not like we’ve got a big bad on deck.”

“Things have been a bit quiet,” Faith agreed, “can’t be good.”

“Always something brewing,” Spike added as he grabbed his clothes and started pulling them on.

Buffy shifted her body, blocking Faith’s view of Spike. “I saw a ghost last night.”

Faith redirected her attention back to Buffy with a confused look on her face. “Seriously? In here?”

“Yup, right over there,” Buffy pointed to the corner behind her where she had seen the apparition.

“Explains a few things,” Faith huffed, folding her arms over her stomach and leaning against the cool stone wall in the hallway.

“Like what?”

“Never saw anything, just heard a few knocks and bangs, couple of things moved when I was in here alone. That kind of stuff barely registers on my weird-o-meter anymore.”

“Tell me about it… “ Buffy said around a bite of bagel.

Spike snorted, making a poor attempt to cover it up with a cough as he walked towards them pulling on a clean dark gray t-shirt. “Humm, dusty in here…”

Faith tilted her head, “Right… anyway… I’ll let you two get ready and just meet you down there.” With that Faith turned and left.

Buffy crossed her arms and turned towards Spike, “Really?”

“Oh come on, Love. You have to admit. It’s more than a little funny that you, one of the most badass supernatural forces for good on the planet, got spooked by a wee little ghost.”

“I’m really trying to be mad at you right now.”

“How’s that workin’ for ya, Pet?” He replied with a knowing smirk.

“Don’t push your luck,” she grinned as she pulled workout clothes from her bag, “Ok, so first chance I get, I’m unpacking.”

“Add it to the list.”

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

“Good morning ladies!” Faith walked up and down as she addressed the girls in front of her. Giles, Buffy, and Spike stood behind her like members of a stage cast. “As you can see we have some special guests who will be staying with us for a while. Some of you might remember Buffy-“ Whispers rippled through the girls, a few of the older girls hushed them, “That’s right, the original slayer, is in the house. Buffy and I will be splitting training duties. With her is one of our closest friends and allies, Spike aka William the Bloody Slayer of Slayers. Vampire with a soul. Good guy. Teacher NOT target practice—“

“Wait— That’s William the Bloody? I thought you said he was dead. That he died in the Battle of Sunnydale,” one of the girls blurted out.

“Got better; still dead,” he answered.

Faith snorted, “Yeah well, he’s here now to help with your training. Buff, you want to say a few words?” She added as she turned to Buffy.

Buffy switched spots with her, “I know a few of you already and the rest I know through your progress reports. But those can only go so far. Spike and I are here because we agree it’s time we take a more personal role in your training. I don’t really have a lot to say, does anyone have any questions for me or Spike?” She gestured towards him as he placed a hand on the small of her back.

“Yeah, I got one. If he’s the Slayer of Slayers, how are we supposed to trust this guy?”

Buffy rolled her eyes, I should have expected this, “You can trust him because I do. I trust him with my life, and yours. But I get it. Trust is earned and even if you don’t trust him you should be grateful for the insights he can supply. Better to be prepared. I’ve learned a lot about what it is to be a Slayer from him, you can too.”

Spike adjusted his hand on her back as he stepped a little closer to her, “That and you lot got the advantage of safety in numbers.”

A girl standing in the front of the group cocked an eyebrow as she eyed the two of them, “Just how close of a friend is this guy?”

Spike tried not to grin at the blush coloring Buffy’s cheeks as she shifted a little before answering, “Spike is my… partner.”

That earned a few low snickers.

She rolled her eyes at how stupid that sounded, “Alright fine yeah, I guess it’s pretty obvious Spike and I have a lot more than just a working relationship.”

“Not like they weren’t going to notice we’re sharing a room,” Spike smirked.

She shrugged, and turned back towards Faith and Giles, “They’re all yours.”

Giles turned to the group of girls, “Level 4 girls with me,” he said heading towards the stairs.

Faith’s voice cut through as she stepped forward, “That means levels 1, 2, and 3 fighting stances. We’re going to jump right in.”

“Giles, can I have a word?” Buffy asked, pulling him aside.

“Quickly, we really must be off,” he gestured towards the older girls to go on without him, “I’ll catch up.”

Buffy moved Giles to the corner of the room, “I saw a ghost last night. Know anything?”

“I don’t, but generally they are innocuous. I can look into it when I return if you like.”

“I’d appreciate it,”

“Right then, upon my return. See you soon!”

“See you!” She called after him.

Buffy turned around and started walking around the room correcting stances and provided assistance.

“What’s with the level thing?” Spike asked as he sidled up to her.

“What? Oh that’s just the system they came up with. Helps to break them up into smaller groups by age and level of training. Sort of our version of martial arts degrees meets high school.”

“Got it.”

With that, the two of them got to work with Faith training and sparring with the girls.

***

After the first training session Spike went back to their room whilst Buffy and Faith took the girls for a run. Sleep seemed relatively pointless so he decided to give himself a tour.

The first thing he did was head upstairs, to the other two floors they hadn’t seen yet. The one right above them consisted of three large bedrooms and one very big communal bathroom that had been recently renovated. The top floor was nothing more than one large bedroom and an access he imagined went to the roof. He meandered around the castle until he found himself in the large training room and he made his way back up to Giles’ private suite.

“Now that’s more like it, Rupert,” Spike said out loud as he looked around. It was a large room with a sitting area on one side that reminded him of Giles’ living room back in Sunnydale.

“If I were a Watcher with a stick up my ass, in charge of fifteen underage girls and Faith, where would I keep the good stuff? Ah right then…” Spike opened the doors to the wardrobe and found a bottle of scotch and a set of glasses on the top shelf, “Predictable.”

He helped himself to a drink, put Billy Squire’s ‘Don’t Say No’ album on the record player then sat back listening. As much as he agreed with Buffy about the importance of the work they were starting at the castle, it was nice to hide away with a drink in hand. A trip to the liquor store was definitely in his near future.

Spike made his way back downstairs into the training room where he heard voices. The girls were back. The rain had started.

Spike peeked his head out from behind the screen blocking the staircase from view. Buffy was there with a smaller group of girls guiding them through some tai chi exercises as a cool down after their run. He stepped out from behind the screen watching them. Buffy didn’t break form, but she did give him a quick smile when she saw him. A moment later she finished the sequence, “That was great guys, thank you! That’s all for now, I’ll see you later.”

Buffy watched as the girls filed out through the library and down the stairs before turning to Spike, “What were you doing?”

“Havin’ a nip with Squire.”

Buffy raised an eyebrow, “Ah huh, what happened to punk rock?” She asked as she picked up a towel, dabbing sweat off her face and neck.

“You really got me pigeonholed don’t you, Slayer? Remind me to tell you all about Woodstock sometime.” He drawled as he came closer.

“I— Spike-”, she stammered a little before she realized he was teasing her, “Jerk.” Buffy swatted at him with the towel.

“Not like Giles has The Ramones or The Buzzcocks up there anyway. Got a point though don’t I?” He chuckled.

She sighed as she picked up the zip-up hoodie she had worn on her run and started towards the library stares, Spike followed. “Faith told me she put a bottle in the roll top desk in our room. And there’s a portable stereo in the kitchen. What were you doing up there anyway?”

“Just nosin’ about. That bit about the booze would have been useful information, but then I wouldn’t have discovered Rupert’s record collection. That’s one thing about a mostly nomadic lifestyle, I’ve lost more records than Giles has seen in his life.”

“Could always get you an MP3 player.”

“Two sides to that; Mobile, but vinyl is better.”

Buffy laughed, “Not really the point here.”

He nudged her shoulder as they went, “Oh come on, Love, just getting the lay of the land. Not like I trashed the place.”

“I just don’t like the idea of you being in there when Giles isn’t here. He’d be pissed.” She huffed.

“I wanted to sleep. I’m only up because you requested my presence.” He answered, as he opened the door to their bedroom.

Buffy stripped out of her workout tank and turned towards him. Standing in front of him in a pair of jogging capris and a sports bra she grinned at him, “I’ve got some time to kill, I can think of something that might help you sleep. Can’t have you cranky for the field training tonight.”

“Damn, I like it when you tuck me in,” he murmured in a gruff tone as he pulled her closer and kissed her passionately.

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

Buffy grinned as she watched Spike laying next to her on the floor. They’d made it to the bed this time but had fallen off of it at some point. When she made a move to get up, Spike grabbed for her wrist, “Leaving so soon?” He asked without opening his eyes.

“Yeah, Slayer training stuff I told Faith I’d come find her to train after a while. Met you in the entry hall at 9:00 alright?” She kissed him.

“Better get going then, don’t want to start something and be late. Nothing like shagging in the middle of your first day at your new job.”

“It’s not like it’s really my first day. I do the same thing in Rome, just on a much smaller scale, and not in a castle.”

“I love seeing you shine,”

“Now who’s trying to start something we don’t have time for? Get some sleep.”

Buffy made her way down to the second training room where Faith was working out alone using one of the punching bags. They often gave the girls the afternoon off now it was summer and they were dotted round the castle and the grounds. Faith looked up from the target she had been hitting, “Hey B, what’s up?“

“Nothing really, thought I’d practice my staff work. Figured you’d be in here since a couple of the girls were already in the other training room when I came down,” Buffy picked up a quarterstaff and squared up against the dummy closest to Faith.

Faith steadied the heavy bag, “Yeah, kind of a rare opportunity to have the place to ourselves. That rain didn’t last long, a lot of the girls are out in the orchard, sort of nice.”

“Yeah,” Buffy grunted as she hit the training dummy.

“So what’s Spikie-boy up to?”

“Getting some much-needed rest,”

Faith’s eyes twinkled and she gave a barely there a grin, “Ah huhh, I hear that. Damn that man is fine.”

“Yeah, well hands off,” she said as she struck at the dummy again.

“Already tested the waters there, he didn’t bite, not even a nibble.”

Buffy paused, dropping her fists and turned towards Faith who was still hitting the bag. “Wait, what?” Buffy asked.

“Flirted with him a bit in your basement back in Sunny-D. No big thing. Even if you hadn’t come in, I doubt he would have gone for it, that guy has a one track-mind and you’re it—“ she grunted the last word as she delivered a kick.

Buffy watched her a second longer before resuming her staff work, “I guess that sort of answers my question.”

“What’s that?”

“I was going to ask you why you are the only one I haven’t had to explain everything to,” Buffy said as she continued practicing.

“Because I totally get it. I mean the soul thing is a given, plus he’s super hot,” she punched the bag in front of her a few times and continued, “must be nice having someone who can keep up with you and gets the whole Slayer thing,” she paused, hitting the bag again, “vamp’s sex on legs and he only has eyes for you B.”

“Yeah…” she agreed as she struck the floor with a particularly hard strike.

Faith stopped to look at her, “Do we need to talk?”

“No,” she waved a hand dismissively, “It’s good. I got my guy, I’m happy. What about you?” She continued twirling her staff, plunging it into the dummy’s chest, “Opps…”

“Ehh, yeah, let’s try pulling our punches on the equipment huh?”

“Sure.”

Faith hesitated, “Anyway— You already know I tried to make a go at a real relationship with Robin for a while.”

“Mind if I ask what happened?”

“Might tell you if I knew. Just packed up one day and said he wanted to go back to New York,” she shrugged, “Hurt ya know… but, sort of made me realize maybe I’d been missing out too. Something I didn’t know I actually needed before. Probably sounds stupid…”

Buffy shrugged her head before delivering another strike, “No it doesn’t. So what now?”

“Oh I’m good… There’s a hottie in town I got my eye on, just— Slayer stuff and work and— damn, when the hell did I become responsible?” Faith paused, rubbing the back of her neck.

“I think it’s a Spider-Man thing.”

Faith resumed her stance, squaring up her shoulders, “And for the cool kids?” She asked.

“Xander… it’s this whole ‘With great power comes great responsibility’ thing… sort of comes with the territory,” Buffy shrugged.

“Kinda like it, is that weird?”

Buffy chuckled darkly, “Ohh yeah… super weird…”

They both laughed at that.

“Seriously though, I need to get laid, bad,” Faith sighed.

“Could always hook up with the Scottish hottie. What’s he like anyway?”

Faith walked over to the edge of the mat to pick up a towel and let out a little groan as she whipped sweat off her neck. She grabbed her water bottle, taking a drink.

Then sighed, “He’s really nice. Freaking gorgeous. Tall, broad shoulders, great head of thick black hair, the most gorgeous baby blues, and a smile that could melt a chastity-belt.”

Buffy’s eyebrows raised with interest at that. “Hottie got a name?”

Faith didn’t look up, “Callum, his name is Callum.”

She eyed her, “He doesn’t know you like him does he?”

Faith set down her bottle and the towel, still not making eye contact. “I’m- we talk. Every time I see him he’s working.”

The corner of Buffy’s mouth pulled into a half smile, “Bartender?”

“No… he isn’t.” Faith said a little heatedly and deflated quickly, taking a deep breath. “Alright fine, he works at the hardware store, and recently started a construction business with his cousin.”

Buffy’s eyes widened and she relaxed her staff at her side, “Oh my God, that’s what all the freaky remodeling stuff has been about! The training rooms and the girls' rooms upstairs and the girls bathroom. Faith!”

“I don’t want to make things… you know— I actually think I like this guy… he’s—” she stammered uncomfortably. She was showing more vulnerability than Buffy had seen in years.

“Wow, and here I was thinking you just jumped any guy you saw.”

“God I want to… trying to turn over a new leaf…”

“Wow.” Buffy said, letting her shoulders drop.

Faith sighed in agitation. “Don’t sound too surprised. This is hard… trying to be a nice girl for a nice guy.”

Buffy shook her head and held up a hand for her to stop, “You can’t do that, you have to be yourself.”

Faith sat down heavily on the mat with her legs folded in front of her. “That came out wrong. I just mean I’m trying to do better. I’m trying to be better and if I’m going to have a guy at all, then I want one that will help me do that. Sort of thought Robin could have been that guy…”

Buffy frowned, “And now you think this is the guy?”

“I didn’t say that. I just said he was a nice, really hot guy I like.”

“The fact that we are even having this conversation is kind of a big deal. Maybe just try getting to know the guy. Let him see the real you, the good you— before you jump him.” Buffy said as she slipped her staff back into the rack by the wall.

“Like dinner and a movie? I don’t know if I could handle that, B.”

She walked over to sit across from Faith. “Who says it has to be? Let him like you for you, whatever that is.”

Faith chuckled mirthlessly, “God that’s lame, you sound like a freaking shrink or a fortune cookie or something.” Then she shot Buffy a serious look, “Guess I sort of needed to hear that, thanks.”

Faith stood back up stretching, “It’s times like this that I really miss Angel.”

“You guys really got close huhh?” Buffy asked.

“He’s a good friend. Gave me a second chance and didn’t give up on me.”

Buffy twirled her staff slowly in front of her and cleared her throat. Never thought I’d see the day when Faith getting close to him wouldn’t bother me but here it is— wow… “Anyway, what's the game plan tonight?” She asked as she stood back up and went to grab her own water bottle.

“Taking the new girls out for their first field trip.”

Buffy eyed her over the bottle as she took a long drink. “Are you sure that’s a great idea? Leaving the rest of the girls alone?”

“I’m putting Ava in charge while we’re gone, they’ll be fine for a couple of hours.” Faith said, stretching out her shoulders.

Buffy shrugged. Faith knew the girls better than she did. “Humm, yeah, I can see that… as long as they don’t start a mutiny while we’re gone. We’ll come back to find Ava tied to a chair.”

“Oh come on, have a little faith,” Faith smirked.

“Oh now that’s lame.”

Chapter 4 Take the Last Train to Scotland

Spike threw his towel on a chair and pulled on a clean shirt and underwear before stowing the last of his belongings back into his duffel bag. He paused as he came across a red leather bound journal he used for his poetry. He picked it up, weighing it heavily in his hand as he scanned the room. He let out a sigh as he placed it on the table with a note where Buffy would be sure to find them when she woke up.

Spike watched Buffy a minute before climbing back into bed with her. Careful not to wake her, although it didn’t matter since she was sleeping soundly. The sun was already up. They had planned on heading out on the last train leaving Paris for London. Paris had been everything he could have hoped for and so much more, but it was time to move on.

He laid there staring at the ceiling for a few moments thinking about the poems he had set out for her to find. It was cowardly. He knew it. He also knew he couldn’t take it if she sneered at his work, or worse, laughed. It was easier this way— let her read them while he was asleep so he wouldn’t have to see her initial reaction. He’d take on any number of demons without batting an eye but baring his soul through his poetry was just too much.

Spike pulled himself closer to Buffy, pressing his body to her. She murmured in her sleep as he pulled her closer still. He inhaled deeply taking in her scent. The smell of her shampoo and the soap she used still clung to her. Even asleep she had a way of calming him. He pulled her a little closer as he started to ease into sleep.

*****

It wasn’t until Buffy had come back from her daily café run that she noticed the journal laying out on the table. The note with it simply read, “Happy reading, Pet. Please don’t judge me too harshly”. The moment she picked it up she knew what it was. Her stomach gave a lerch. Buffy turned to look at Spike laying in their bed sleeping. Dead to the world. Ironic; she thought.

She checked the time, they still had a few hours before check out. She had packed up her things before leaving for the café and set her suitcase next to Spike’s bag. Looking down at the small red book in her hand, she let out a sigh. Just in the past week they had shared so much. Why was it so hard for him to open up about this? She shook her head and shedding her shoes, Buffy curled up on the chase with her coffee and started to read.

It didn’t take long for her to realize why he had been so guarded. It wasn’t that his poetry was bad, she had read much worse. Leon had been right, Spike was being overly hard on himself. No, it was because most of them were clearly about her, or rather his messy feelings for her. Unrequited love, doubts about her sincerity, their inability to be together. One such poem cut particularly deep as she realized he must have written it when he first came back, while he was deciding if he should go after her or not. Another was about the moment they clasped hands in fire moments before the pillar of fire consumed him. She felt the sting of tears in her eyes. She had had dreams and nightmares about that moment for months, it made sense he would too.

Buffy flopped the book down into her lap as she took a long sip of her coffee. She took a deep breath turning her attention to Spike who had started mumbling in his sleep. They had each been through so much.

Spike started tossing in his sleep, his mumbling growing more restless. Buffy left her seat on the chase to crawl into bed next to him, still clutching the journal in her hand. She drew herself up to sit against the headboard and gave Spike’s shoulder a shake. “Spike? Honey? Eh, Babe?”

Spike suddenly shot up with a shout. He looked around wildly, calming down instantly when he saw Buffy next to him. His eyes fell upon the book in her hand and he looked down at the sheets. He couldn’t look her in the eyes.

She’s staring at me, I swear if that’s pity I’m gonna— it’d be better if she’d laugh. I can’t—

Buffy ran a hand down his back soothingly. Spike tried to clear his throat, it felt like he had tried to swallow cotton.

“Are you alright?” She asked, smoothing down a few renegade curls on the side of his head.

What? Am I— He shook his head realizing she wasn’t talking about the journal at all.

“I- oh that; just a nightmare,” he waved it off dismissively, “think I’d be used to them by now.”

Buffy gave him an understanding half smile, “After all the crazy things we’ve been through? Not a chance.”

Spike returned the smile and ruffled his hair a bit. He pulled himself up to sit next to her and eyed his journal as though the object had betrayed a confession. He swallowed a few times to finally clear his throat, “Well?” He asked, gesturing towards the book.

Buffy looked down at it, “Thank you,” she said as she rubbed a hand over his bare shoulder.

He watched the progression of her fingers trailing down his arm and her fingers entwining with his, “Come again?”

“I know we’ve talked about most of this stuff but, seeing it all put into poetry it’s just…”

“Pathetic?”

She gripped his hand almost painfully, “God, Spike, why do you keep doing that?”

Spike shifted uncomfortably and furrowed his brow, “I’m going to need a little explanation, I’m a little lost here, Pet.”

Buffy glanced down at their entwined fingers and back up at the genuinely confused look on his face. “Leon was right. You are way too hard on yourself. These are good. It’s definitely not as bad as you’re always saying it is. It’s good, it evokes emotion. And as beautiful as most of it is, some of it also really hurts.”

“Like a bleedin’ railroad spike to the skull?”

“No— a little lower” she said, patting her heart.

He rolled his head back against the headboard with a huff, “Bugger all, Love . You don’t have to—“

Buffy rolled her eyes, “I’m no poetry expert, but I know enough to know what I like and I can honestly say I really like your poetry.”

“And the fact that most of that rot is about you has nothing to do with it?” He asked, raising an eyebrow.

“No, that’s what makes some of them really hard to read. But only because it’s hard for me to see myself the way you do. It’s— beautiful.”

Spike hung his head, “Thanks, Love ”

“Spike?” Buffy asked as she shifted closer to him on the bed, “Are you alright?”’

Spike rubbed a hand over his face before looking at her. He cleared his throat again, “We should get a move on, don’t want to miss check out. It’s going to be a fun time getting to the train station too.”

“Yeah, I had an idea about that the other day while you were asleep.” She got up to pull out a shopping bag and tossed it to him.

“What’s this?” Spike asked as he reached inside the heavy bag to find a leather motorcycle jacket with an attached hood, a plain black zip-up hoodie and a pair of driving gloves “Bloody hell, are you trying to change my style already?”

Buffy chuckled, “I’m not changing anything. That’s why I got the black hoodie too, you can wear it with your trademark coat. You choose. I just thought these might make daylight travel a little easier on our trip— less blankety. Now you have choices. I’m surprised you haven’t done it before.”

“Thanks, Love ” he shook his head, “I can’t believe you did this.”

“Go on, check it out.”

“Material on both the hoods is good and thick, it’s not a bad thought. Still wouldn’t go out at high noon in summer, but I think you might be onto something here.”

“Go on, try on the jacket, I want to see.”

Spike got out of the bed and gave Buffy a kiss, “Yes ma’am. But first, pants,” he grinned gesturing to his playing card boxer-briefs.

“Sexy.”

Spike smirked as he pulled on his pants and his new jacket. “Nice. Feels good.”

She beamed at him, “Are we ready?”

“Let me get this stuff stowed in my bag here and we can get going.”

*****

A few hours later Spike and Buffy were settled in their seats on the train on their way to London. From there they would take a second train up to Edinburgh. Buffy reached over to take Spike’s hand.

“You’re not nervous are you, Love ?” He asked.

“Can you imagine the look on Giles’ face when he sees us together?”

“You told him right?”

“I definitely told him we were coming. He knows you’re with me— he’s picking us up at the station. I’m just not sure if I mentioned we were, you know, together.”

“Bloody brilliant.”

“At least his glasses will be spot free,” she smiled brightly.

“How thoughtful.”

“I try.”

Spike leaned back in his seat and threw his feet up onto the empty seat across from them as he attempted to get comfortable “I’m just going to kip here. Still a bit knackered, didn’t sleep well this morning.”

Buffy shrugged and pulled out the red journal containing Spike’s poetry from her bag, “I’m good.”

“You haven’t finished?”

She settled into her seat and flipped open the book, “Go on, get some sleep, we’ll be in London before you know it.”

“Home sweet home… too bad we’re not staying.”

“We’ll hit London on the way back through.”

“Ta, Love .”

*****

Spike and Buffy boarded the last train leaving from London to Edinburgh. Then deposited their things in the compartment Buffy had booked for them. She pulled the curtains and Spike removed the hooded motorcycle jacket and flopped down on the large bench seat that was more like a couch.

“Nice digs, hell of a lot better than the last time I rode on a train.”

Buffy layed down on top of him on the seat, “It’s my first time, I thought it would be nicer than the trip from hell I had coming up from Rome to Paris.”

“Couldn’t have been worse than my trip from LA, packed in with the luggage” Spike said as he wrapped his arm around her.

“You did that to yourself, mister.”

“To save your sweet little ass.”

“Yeah well I don’t know about you but I’m feeling a little cooped up, I kinda want to explore a little bit and find the bathroom. Are you coming along?”

“You go ahead, I’ll be along.”

She laughed and headed out as Spike stayed behind to stowaway their luggage. He opened a side pocket on his duffel bag and pulled out a thin, long, rectangular box. Then set the box on the seat. He shrugged into the new jacket again before heading out of the compartment to catch up to her. He could see her blonde hair swing behind her down the hall. The hallway seemed deserted until suddenly a man in a red jacket stepped out in front of her.

“Oh, sorry” she said politely, trying to go around him before her senses caught up to her.

The man sneered “Where do you think you’re going, Goldilocks?”

Buffy glared at him coldly, “Sorry, you don’t get to call me that.”

“Show me what you’re going to do about it, Slayer!”

“Aw how sweet, you know who I am, I’m touched,” she said, delivering several strikes knocking him back down the hall.

Spike sauntered up behind Buffy, a wide grin revealing his fangs. The vamp in the red jacket wiped blood from the corner of his mouth as he stood back up grinning, “Spike? That you, mate?”

“One and only.”

“How’ve you been? I thought you were in America, how’s Drusilla?”

“Parted ways, got a new lady love.”

“Good for you mate, that bird was a nutter.”

“I’m sorry, should I just go back to my room and let you two catch up?” Buffy asked sarcastically.

“Oh I don’t think so, beautiful,” Spike said menacingly as he picked up a lock of her hair, running it through his fingers. Buffy resisted the urge to melt back into his touch.

The vampire in front of her gave a crude laugh, “Oh you’re in trouble, Slayer. This here is a legend. Killed two slayers and was gunning for a third last I heard. You get that bitch, Spike?”

“Could say that,” Spike growled as he grabbed Buffy from behind. He twisted one arm behind her back, slipping her a stake as he did so. “Could also say I found my soul-mate.”

Buffy grinned, “Friend of yours, Honey?”

“Nah, this wanker you can dust, Love.”

“Planning on it,” she said as he released her. Buffy spun around kicking the vampire in the stomach.

“What the—“ the vampire started but Buffy cut him off with a kick to the head.

“That’s for standing between me and the bathroom,” she quipped. Buffy spun around again in the confined hallway, landing the stake squarely into his chest, “And that’s for calling me Goldilocks,” she finished as he disintegrated into a pile of dust on the floor.

Spike stepped forward, “That was lame. All talk, no action.”

“No kidding.”

“Well at least you got to stretch your legs a bit.”

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

When they returned to their little room, Spike opened the door for her. She noticed the small box laying on the large seat almost immediately. Buffy pointed to it and turned to Spike “What is that?” she asked.

“Oh, you know,” he shrugged, “Go-ahead and open it.”

Buffy went over and picked up the little box wrapped in pale blue paper, she lifted the lid. Inside was a simple charm bracelet with a single charm hanging from it, a little Eiffel Tower.

“I know it’s not much, but I thought it might be nice to have a little something from our time in Paris. Also figured maybe I could find some more charms along the way.”

“Spike, this is incredibly thoughtful, thank you. You’re sweet.”

“You are the only person that can get away with calling me ‘sweet’, might have to kill anybody else,” he flopped down on the seat and kicked off his boots.

“Same goes for the ‘Goldilocks’ thing, you saw what I did to the last vamp who called me that.”

Spike sat up, pulling her to sit on his leg, “I’ll take my chances, Goldilocks,” he purred as he pulled her into a kiss. Buffy wrapped one hand around his neck to deepen the kiss. She gripped the hem of his shirt, working her fingers underneath to feel his chest. She started stripping his clothes off and Spike let out a little growl as the sudden urge to bend her over the seat entered his mind. Spike reached awkwardly to pull a stiff privacy curtain across the windows facing the corridor.

Buffy suddenly pulled back from him, a little breathlessly, and stood up, starting on the clasp of her jeans pulling them down her legs. Spike mimicked her, releasing himself from the confines of his pants. Buffy bit her lip as he stroked his cock, eyeing her hungrily. “How do you want it, Slayer?”

Buffy grinned at him as she pulled him close to nip at his neck and ran a trail down his body to his hard length. She took him in her mouth working her tongue over him a moment before she released him with a smirk. “Maybe you should come down here with me.” She said as she shifted herself over to kneel next to the bench and lay her head and shoulders on the seat. She gave her hips an enticing little wiggle.

Spike dropped down, positioning himself behind her. Leaning over to kiss her neck and shoulders, and wrapping his hands around her waist down to her front. He slowly worked his fingers into her soaked folds to feel her clit. “God, I can’t get over how wet you always are for me.” Spike murmured as he pressed his cock against her.

Buffy started to push back a little impatiently and suddenly as though he could sense her need, he was working himself into her wet heat. She clamped down on him holding him tightly as she rolled her hips to take him in fully, making him moan with every movement.

Spike moved her hair to the side with his free hand running a tender caress along the length of her spine as he rocked his hips into her, gradually picking up momentum and hitting a spot deep inside her that made her mind go blank. She gripped the seat cushion, digging her fingers into the upholstery and pulling herself up for leverage. As she did, Spike reached down to grip her thigh maneuvering them both further onto the bench as she moved herself up to lay on her stomach. The new position created more pressure within her as he built her up with every thrust of his hips.

Buffy reached her hands up gripping the armrest, nearly breaking it as the first intense wave hit her. Her inner walls convulsed around him and he ground his teeth with the effort it took to keep moving inside of her as she crushed down on him. Her muscles slowly started to relax a little as the orgasm began to subside and he increased his pace keeping her in a blissful state. He gripped the back of the seat with one hand and pressed the other to the back of her neck for leverage as continued to ram into her roughly, making her scream his name into the seat cushion as a second crashing wave crested.

Her body shook violently with the second orgasm pulling him over the edge with her as they both fell. He continued thrusting until her breathing began to ease a little and collapsed onto her back, careful not to crush her. He slipped out of her as he slid down to lay on his side drawing her close as she turned to press her front to his, laying precariously on the edge of the seat but secured by their arms wrapped tightly around each other. She pressed her lips into him for a kiss, “I think I like traveling with you.”

“Still have a few hours.”

“Oh good,” she purred as she hitched a leg around him, drawing him in again.

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

They had just finished dressing when the train pulled into the station in Edinburgh. “At least we made good time,” Spike grinned sheepishly.

Moments later they had their luggage on the platform. “Are you sure you’re ready for this? Castle full of teenage girls… fun, fun, fun…” Buffy asked as they made their way to the waiting room. She looked around in awe at the beautiful Victorian era glass dome above them. He watched her face as she took in their surroundings.

I could happily spend the next hundred years watching the world through her eyes…

“I'm only concerned with one girl,” he murmured and leaned down to kiss her.

After a moment they were interrupted by a very familiar throat clearing. “We had our suspicions when you said you were traveling together,” Giles intoned as he wiped his already spotless glasses, “I must say, I’d sincerely hoped we were wrong.”

“Nice to see you too, Rupert,” Spike grinned smugly.

They drove away from the train station in relative silence for quite some time as they headed away from the lights of the city. The little conversation they did engage in revolved around things happening at the training facility and the weather. As they headed down the road further into the country, Giles turned to Buffy in the seat next to him, “Let’s hear it, I’m sure you have some explanation.”

“Not that I should need one, but I’m surprised Dawn or Willow didn't tell you already.” Buffy replied a little testily.

“Whatever it is I’m sure they, like myself, thought you should be the one to tell me you’ve re-entered a ‘relationship’ with— him!”

“Did you forget, I died saving you, and everyone else. You’re welcome…” Spike huffed.

Giles composed himself with a deep breath, “My sincerest apologies. Yes, of course you are right. Where are my manners? Thank you, Spike,” sarcasm dripped from every word.

“Yeah, well a little sincerity wouldn’t go amiss.” Spike mumbled.

Buffy rolled her eyes and proceeded to get Giles up to speed with everything that had happened.

Giles sighed, “And are you truly happy? With him, I mean?”

“I’m right here you know,” Spike interrupted.

They both ignored him, “He’s only been back in my life for a short time, but yeah. Giles, I am happier than I’ve been in years. I’m not sure if I’ve ever been this happy to be honest.”

At that Spike stretched his arms along the back of the seat and relaxed back with a self-satisfied grin. Neither Giles or Buffy saw.

Giles gave her a fatherly smile, “Then I will do my best to be happy for you both.”

“Well glory be, hallelujah!” Spike grumbled, “How much longer?”

“Just a bit further, it’s a bit out of the way of the city proper but there are a few smaller towns within walking distance of us.”

“Can see that… and loads of pasture.”

“Someone is cranky,” Buffy grumbled.

“Just gettin’ hungry. Haven’t had anything to eat since Paris, feelin’ a wee bit peckish, Love.”

“Giles, is there a butcher's shop anywhere around here?”

“Faith made a special run yesterday, we are well supplied. If you need something sooner might I suggest one of these blighters?” Giles snapped waspishly at some sheep blocking the road up ahead. “Would you be so kind as to bugger off you sodding little beasts,” he continued heatedly.

“Giles? Is something wrong? I mean, other than the wooly ones.”

“What makes you ask?”

“Because you’re swearing at sheep in British. I’d expect that from Spike before you. No offense, Honey.” She cast an eye back towards Spike.

“None taken, wondering the same thing myself.” Spike leaned forward in his seat, “What exactly are we walking into here, Rupert?”

“As I mentioned to Buffy before, we currently have sixteen girls, between fifteen and twenty under one roof. It’s just been a bit much for the two of us recently. I’m not complaining, mind. Faith as come very far since we came here and lord knows she’s been working very hard, not only with the girls but the castle too—“

“Cut to it, Rupe, no one is accusing you of not being British enough.”

“Just a bit overworked at the moment.”

“What you need is a drink mate.”

“And I plan to, alone. Please don’t call me ‘mate’.”

“Just trying to be friendly,” Spike grumbled as he sat back in his seat.

“You might be dating the closest thing I have to a daughter but we are not friends, Spike.”

“Look here Rupert, I’m only going to say this once. I’m here to help you, just as much as Buffy is. You don’t have to like me but a little civility would be nice.”

“I second that motion,” Buffy added flatly, raising her hand.

Giles glanced at Buffy seeing the seriousness written on her face and acquiesced with a sigh, “From here on out I will be the very epitome of civility.”

“We’ll see about that,” Buffy said under her breath as she looked out the window at the sheep still blocking the road.

“These wooly blighters are starting to look more like happy meals. Try the horn again would you? Know what, sod it-“ Spike got out of the car waving his arms, “Go on lamb chop! Places to be!” He yelled. When that didn’t work, Spike bared his fangs and charged at them growling, “Not so ‘Wooly-Bully’ now are ya! Ha!”

In the car, Giles spoke as he watched Spike usher sheep across the road, “That demon’s blood only proves you truly love each other. Something I will just need to wrap my head around I suppose. I only hope you realize that this doesn’t mean you are locked into anything perm— What the bloody hell is—“, Giles cut off as Spike picked up one particularly slow sheep and carried it across the road to be with the rest of the flock. Then he went back to grab another.

“I made my choice before that even happened. Look, I’m not about to let anything or anyone come between us again, especially when there’s literally no reason at this point why we shouldn’t be together. Believe it or not, I actually have thought about this. A lot. Long before he even came back. This is what I want and I’m done trying to justify my relationship with him.”

“You say that almost as if you knew he was coming back.”

“But I didn’t.”

“And he wasn’t altered in any way? The man is moving sheep after all. You don’t think that is a little strange?”

“Not really. I mean it’s Spike. He’s a badass, but he’s also— quirky. I might be tempted to go out and help him if I wasn’t enjoying the show. It’s just different now. I can’t even describe it. We can just be people. People who fight evil… but still— We have real conversations. I can totally be myself with him in any situation. I don’t have to pretend or hold back anything with him. Do you have any idea what that means to me?”

“Quite a lot I imagine. I suppose he actually is… alright… for him,” Giles said, his voice softened a little as he watched Spike finish clearing the road of sheep and climb back into the car.

“Go on then, before the little sods get any bright ideas and wander back out in front of us. I thought shepherd-boys were supposed to herd these bloody things in at night.”

“I imagine there must be an open gate nearby. Thank you for clearing the road, Spike,” Giles responded in a much friendlier tone that made Spike blink a few times.

“Ta, Rupert.”

“I must admit, it might be rather nice having another Englishman here in the land of Scotts.”

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

“Bloody hell, Rupert, Buffy called it a castle but I thought she was exaggerating,” Spike said as they unloaded their bags from the trunk of the car. He looked up at the front of the grand stone building with stained glass windows.

“Yes, it’s quite impressive isn’t it? I was rather surprised when Willow and I discovered it amongst the council’s many holdings. Seems they had a number of such properties. Now the rent from a few of those pays for this place and then some. That’s not to mention the other holdings Willow was able to secure for us.”

“Sitting right pretty aren’t you, Rupert?”

“Not just me. This is for the girls, for Buffy and Faith.”

As the three of them made their way into the castle Faith walked into the entryway carrying a laundry basket filled with a variety of random things including weapons, bits of clothing, and a shoe. “Hey B!” She set the basket down to give Buffy an awkward hug.

Buffy gave her a side look as she returned the embrace just as awkwardly, “We hug now? Did I miss the memo?”

“Don’t get mushy over it. I’m just happy to see reinforcements. It’s like Slayer Day Care around here.”

Buffy relaxed a little and chuckled as she stepped back from her, “Hug understood.”

Faith turned her attention to Spike, “Damn man, aren’t you the sexiest looking dead guy in town?” she said, flashing him a smile.

“Bet you say that to all the vamps not trying to kill you,” he countered and shot Buffy an involuntary look.

Faith caught it and turned to Giles with her hand out, “Come on ‘book-man’, pay up!”

Without a word Giles slapped a few notes into Faith’s outstretched hand, “Mama likes the cold hard cash,” she crowed.

“Y-you bet on us?” Buffy stammered looking at Giles incredulously.

“Faith thought it would be, ah, sporting to make a wager on if you’d be staying in the room we prepared for you alone or not,” he said, running a hand through his hair.

“Knew you’d both be in there,” Faith grinned, “we converted the sitting room next to my room into a bedroom, which means the only person you two need to share a bathroom with is little old me. These rooms are crazy big, with thick walls, good for getting your freak on,” she winked.

“That will do, Faith. Some of us are still processing,” Giles huffed.

“Well process faster because I’m not planning on going anywhere,” Spike said as he continued looking around.

“Really making this place your own aren’t you?” Buffy interjected.

Faith nodded, “For the first time, I really feel like I have an actual home, B. Who knew it’d ever be in a place like this huh?”

“This is trippy,” Spike said, turning around as he walked down the hallway, “I’m sure I’ve been here before…” he looked around the grand entryway. The walls were a combination of stone and wood paneling. Spike rocked on his heels on the stone floor and went to check out the little antique elevator in the corner, “This sure can’t be original.”

“Oh no it’s not.”

“I just can’t seem to place this place, It will come to me eventually. How old is the old girl anyway?”

“Older than you to be sure. 15th century, originally. The history of the place is quite interesting. It’s changed hands several times and has gone through a number of renovations. Obviously we are in the keep, the outer walls were dismantled to create most of the fences surrounding—“

“You’re doing it again,” Faith said in a broad singsong tone.

“Ahh, yes, well to answer your question, Spike, yes I suppose it’s possible. It’s no surprise a number of deaths have occurred here over the centuries but nothing terribly suspicious in the last century that I’ve come across. Mostly natural causes or accidents,” Giles explained.

“I’m sure I’ll think of it sooner or later. I’m just about starved here.”

“Sure thing, stud, stocked up just for you. Don’t need you fallin’ off the wagon in a house full of teenage girls. Kitchen is in through here, blood is in the fridge.”

“Cheers. I’d go hungry before I’d hurt any of you lot, just don’t piss me off.”

“He’s kidding right?” Faith asked.

“Probably,” Buffy shrugged.

The kitchen was large with a big table running down the length of one half of the room. A second work table at the other end closest to the fridge and the oven, provided a large work space. The kitchen had been updated at some point within the last twenty years, Buffy guessed. The appliances definitely weren’t new but they had been the top of the line when they were installed. Spike helped himself to the fridge while Buffy started poking around in the cupboards. She let out a little woop of triumph when she came across a pack of chocolate cookies.

“Sure, help yourself,” Faith said flatly.

“Sorry,” Buffy mumbled around a mouthful of cookie, “Guess I was a little hungry too.”

“No kiddin’, if I didn’t know any better I’d say you two had the munchies,” Faith tilted her head to the side, grinning.

“I’m good now” Spike said, holding up a large white mug with Betty Boop printed on the side which he had just filled with blood, “You got a- oh there’s the microwave, good stuff.”

“I think I’m just hungry and tired from our trip. I could really do with some sleep.” Buffy said, stretching her shoulders.

“Yeah, of course. Just follow me. Your room is next to mine. We can hold off on the tour, it’s no big.” Faith hitched a thumb over her shoulder.

Giles refilled the tea kettle, “It’s tea and bed for me I think. I’m taking a few of the girls for training early in the morning so I really must be turning in shortly.”

Buffy went over to give him a one armed hug, “Can you make me a cup of tea too; Please?”

Giles smiled, “No trouble at all.”

With that Faith led them back out the way they had come and into a large comfortable room. Whatever it was used as before, it was now a combination rec room and living room.

“Foosball table is a nice touch” Spike noted.

“Holy throw pillows Batman,” Buffy said, taking in the multitude of pillows in various shades of blue and green.

“The girls need a place to take a break and hang, this is it.”

“Coziest Sorority house I’ve ever been in.”

That comment earned Spike glares from both Faith and Buffy, “What?” they asked in unison.

Spike held his hand up in a placating gesture, “I’m shutting up now-“

“Good choice.”

“Smart,” Faith agreed.

The three of them passed back through the entrance hall to pick up their luggage as they went. Giles met them carrying a cup of tea for Buffy. She took the hot tea from him. “Aww, thanks, Giles.”

“My pleasure. I’ll be leaving with some of the older girls around 9:00. Faith will fill you in on our training schedule.”

“Have fun, shaking your gord,” Buffy said, stifling a yawn.

“Quite. Well, see you all in the morning,” Giles said, bidding them good night.

Faith led them up the first flight of stairs to the first floor where there was a classroom and a computer lab.

They moved on quickly as Faith continued showing them into a good sized training room from there they headed up another flight of stairs, to the library and a second training room that had once been a ballroom.

“You got some new dummies in here,” Buffy noted, “and that folding divider thingy is new.”

“Oh yeah, for some stupid reason, some of the younger girls kept daring each other to go up the other set of stairs to Giles’ room, trying to use his bathroom and stuff. It was stupid. Out of sight out of mind. I figure they don’t try to get up there from the living room because there’s a door there so—,” she gestured towards the screen again.

“Probably a good idea,” Buffy agreed, “I can’t wait to get to work in here, Spike has some new moves he wants to show me,” she took a sip of tea.

“I bet he does,” Faith grinned.

Spike let out a snort of derision, “Sparring. Get your mind out of the gutter. Our relationship isn’t just about sex, you know.”

“I bet it’s a big part of it,” she rolled her eyes at the stern look SpIke and Buffy both gave her, “Whatever, so are you willing to share these new moves with the rest of the class?”

“That was the general idea after Buffy gets them down. Which I suspect will take her about a minute.”

“Cool, looking forward to it.”

Spike looked around the large room, “This is really weird… it’s like Déjà vu. I know I’ve been here before. Why can’t I remember?”

“Maybe you’re going senile,” Buffy grinned.

“Funny…”

“Senile vampire, now that’s gotta be a trip,” Faith shook her head.

“I’m not bloody senile!”

At the top of the next landing, Faith hitched a thumb to the left, “That’s me over there. Your room is straight ahead and the bathroom is down that way, keep it clean.”

“This was the smallest sitting room right?”

“Now it’s a bigass bedroom,” Faith opened the door revealing a large lavishly furnished room with a fireplace and a queen sized bed. A little sitting area in front of the large fireplace separated the space.

“Wow. This is really nice, Faith. I’m surprised you didn’t move in here yourself,” Buffy said, downing the last of her tea and setting it on the roll top desk by the door.

Faith shrugged, “Didn’t feel right. Guess I just like my room.”

“I think I’m just going to crash,” Buffy said a little wearily.

“Night you two. I got two of the older girls out on patrol tonight. I’m probably going to check on a few things and get some shuteye myself.”

Buffy shut the door behind Faith, kicked off her shoes and fell onto the bed fully clothed. Spike chuckled, “You’re not jokin’, you really are tired, huh?”

“Humm humm,” she mumbled into a pillow. She rolled over to look at him, “Sorry to dash your dreams.”

“Feeling alright, Love?”

“Fine, just tired. Not like we actually slept on the train ride up here,” she smirked.

“Right you are,” he grinned in reply. Spike plunked the suitcase on the loveseat. Opening it he pulled out a little cotton nightgown and her toiletry bag. He tossed them onto the bed next to her, before shrugging off his jacket, “Might as well get comfortable.”

He took a moment to look around the room, something about the painting above the fireplace caught his attention although he wasn’t sure what. It was just a pastoral scene, nothing extraordinary but it just seemed familiar somehow. Much like the castle itself. Spike tried to dismiss the feeling but it was nagging at him.

“Hey Buff, it strike you strange; Faith being on this DIY kick? Bring out her inner Martha Stewart…” He turned around when she didn’t answer and realized she must have gone to the bathroom to brush her teeth. Yet he couldn’t shake the feeling he wasn’t alone in the room. Before he could make anything out of it, Buffy re-emerged from the bathroom.

“Was Faith just in here?” She asked.

“No, just me.”

“Were you just talking to someone?”

“You, but you’d gone. Didn’t realize, thought you were still here, so talkin’ to myself ain’t I?”

“I could have sworn I heard someone else talking.”

He eyed her, “Just me. Everything alright, Pet?”

“I humm… yeah, yeah everything is great.”

“Old places like this have a way of messing with ya, maybe you just need to get used to it again.”

Buffy thought back to the first time she had stayed here when Giles had first found out about it and they started the school. She and Dawn hadn’t stayed very long then. They had all crammed into a few rooms rather than spreading out around the castle when they first got there. Probably because they were all still reeling from the aftermath of the battle of Sunnydale and the roundabout way they had taken to get to Scotland. The place had felt so strange and alien then. And yet with so many people and so much to sort through she hadn’t really taken time to think about where she actually was.

She shook her head a little as she pulled back the covers and climbed into bed, “Yeah, you’re probably right. Aren’t you coming to bed?”

“Nocturnal.”

“So bring Oscar with you,” she yawned, gesturing towards the book he had just plucked from the little shelf above the roll top desk, “this bed is surprisingly cozy, cuddle with me.”

“Yeah alright, Pet. I’ll be along shortly. Not gonna lie, the déjà vu thing is definitely messing with me.”

“Like you said, we probably just have to get used to it.”

*****

Several hours later Buffy woke up with a start, out of a deep sleep. She looked around trying to figure out what could have awoken her. Spike was still sitting up, head lulling to the side, fast asleep with the open book still in his hand on his chest.

Quietly, Buffy got out of bed and over to the mirror hanging over one of the dressers. She looked at her reflection and sighed. Something white in the reflection caught her attention and she turned around to see what it was, but nothing was there. She turned back towards the mirror, still nothing.

This is silly, I’m probably just tired…

Buffy made her way back to the bed where Spike lay sleeping. Just as she was starting to get settled back in, she heard a faint noise. Like a sigh and a quiet rustling of fabric.

“Probably just the wind,” she muttered to herself. Then she sat up again and saw it. A slim, pale figure standing in the corner next to the roll top desk by the door. The wispy figure was no taller than Buffy and was dressed in an old fashioned nightgown with her very long hair hanging in a loose braid.

“What do you want?” Buffy asked. The figure swayed slightly. Vacant eyes stared back at her unnervingly, for a long moment and then the figure vanished, “What the—”

She shook Spike awake, “Wh-what is it? I’m up. Sorry, dozed off… Buffy? What’s a matter?”

“I just saw a ghost…”

“Bloody hell, is that all?” He asked groggily as he closed his book and placed it on the table next to the bed. Then he turned onto his side facing her and closed his eyes.

“You’re not the least bit… I don’t know, interested, or concerned or…”

He answered without opening his eyes, “Been there, done that. Place like this, bound to have a few ghosts. Not like it can do much. Wake me if it gets interesting.”

“It made a noise.”

“Makin’ noise is easy, talking is easy. Can’t do much damage though. I should know, haunted Angel for a good long time. All I did was annoy the hell out of him. Best part about the whole thing for me. Now come back to bed, Love. Sun-up is pretty early this time of year in these parts.”

Buffy sat on the edge of the bed still watching the spot she had seen the ghost. She rubbed her bare arms.

Spike pulled back the covers and propped himself up on an elbow, “You all right, Pet? Not like you to get rattled so easy. It’s just one little ghosty. What’s going on? Did it say something to you?”

Buffy shook her head as she settled in close to him. He drew the covers back over them and wrapped an arm around her. She shifted a little closer, pressing her back flush against his front, molding herself into him, “I don’t know, probably just weirded out after the random wake up call. She kinda freaked me out.”

“Right… Bird must have wanted something, I recon.”

“Figures, everybody does,” Buffy sighed as she pulled his arm around her, “there was just something about her, she seemed so young, like one of the girls, it was… creepy.”

“You can ask around later. I’ll join you, see if we can get to the bottom of things. I’ll stay up for a bit longer if you like. Watch over you.”

“With your eyes closed? I know you’re tired, you were asleep,” she said quietly, a grin playing on her mouth.

He adjusted his pillow trying to get comfortable, “Yeah a bit. Alright, hush you. Right now you can probably get another couple hours solid sleep before anyone out there needs the Alpha-Slayer.”

She let out a weak laugh, “Did you just-“

He pulled her closer, “Just get some sleep. A little-bitty-wanna-spook ain’t gonna bother messing with the likes of us. As if she could.”

“Thank you” Buffy relaxed into him, her breath easing up as she settled in.

“Sleep, Love,” he added, caressing her shoulder.

Chapter 3 Date Night

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

It was early morning, the sun had just come up when his cell phone rang. Spike sat up in bed. Still naked from the night before, with Buffy curled around him fast asleep. He reached over to grab the phone off of the bedside table. Moving carefully not to wake Buffy, he shifted to sit on his side of the bed, “Hey, Red.”

“Hey, did you find Buffy?”

“She’s right here with me. We sort of had a long night, she’s still asleep, what’s up?”

“I just wanted to check-in and make sure everything is alright.”

“Never better.”

“Did you do it?”

“Eh…”

“Did you find your baddie?”

“Took him down last night.”

“That’s good news. I managed to find a little more on it. I think I figured out why you were getting those dreams. These things have a psychic bond with their mates. When you killed the female you must have got some of its blood on you which created a psychic link between you and the male.”

”It always comes down to blood doesn’t it?” He hesitated watching Buffy as she shifted in her sleep. He had to tamper the urge to kiss her neck and wake her up with a little foreplay.

“There was more here on its blood,” she said, Spike could hear paper rustling.

“What’s that?”

“Just a minute…” There was a pause as she flipped through a book, “Yeah here it is. This breed of demon fled to an alternate dimension, because they were being hunted for the use of its blood in ancient marriage rituals.”

His gaze snapped away from Buffy, “You’re kidding.”

Willow made a humming sound, “Nope, says here that the couple would be painted with the blood then taken to a pre-prepared secluded spot for their wedding night until the initial effects… ehh… wore off…”

He turned his attention back to Buffy, watching her breast rise and fall in her sleep, “What sort of effects are we talking about here?”

“Humm, let’s see… Oh boy— humm Spike?”

“I’m here, what is it?”

Willow hesitated, “Did either of you get any more blood on you?”

“We were both pretty well drenched in it, Red.”

“Seriously?” She squeaked.

Spike’s eyes were still glued to Buffy’s naked form, “Yeah, stuff stank too.”

“What did you two do after you killed it?”

“We came right back to the room, got cleaned up,” he hedged.

“What else?”

“That’s private, between me and Buffy.”

She gave an embarrassed little cough, “But everything’s— humm… good?”

“Best it’s ever been, I’d say. What did you find?”

There was another small hesitation, “It says here that ‘If the love was true it would act as an aphrodisiac for the couple that would last for days, sometimes a week or more. If it wasn’t true love then it would drive them both insane and they would often kill each other before the next morning’, sooo… how are things?” He could almost hear the shy grin in her voice.

“Guess that explains last night.” He answered lazily.

“You guys hum, didn’t try to kill each other I take it?”

He couldn’t stop a self satisfied smile, “Love conquers all, it would appear.”

“Oh… oh! Seriously? And you’re both ehh, good?”

He adjusted the bandage covering the burn on Buffy’s arm to peek at the wound, “We’re doing great.”

“Glad to hear it. You know what Spike, I’m really glad you found her.”

Spike started to interrupt.

“I’m serious. I haven’t always been your biggest fan. I mean really not… but what I’m trying to say is that if anything could have convinced me you’re the right guy for her, it’s this. The fact that you two aren’t currently headed for a padded room or the vacuum means you really do love each other and I’m all for a happy ending. Mazel tov!”

“Appreciate it, Red.”

“Mind if I talk to Buffy?”

“Just a minute”. Spike moved back over to shake Buffy’s uninjured shoulder, “Buffy, wake up, Love .”

She moaned as she rolled over, “Spike? Humm, good morning you,” she purred as she reached for him.

He cleared his throat as she wrapped an arm around him to pull him down to her, “As tempting as that is, humm, Willow is on the phone, she wants to talk to you.”

“Will? Huh? Oh alright,” Buffy said groggily as she took the phone from him, putting it to her ear. The conversation was brief and largely one sided. Buffy barely got a word out of her mouth.

When it was over she looked at the phone aghast, “What the hell was that all about?” She looked up at Spike bewildered, he simply raised his eyebrows innocently. “Oh don’t pretend you didn’t hear that, what was she going on about? Why does she seem to think we’re going to be staying here longer and exactly what did you tell her about our sex life?”

Spike chuckled, “You heard the witch.”

“Who comes up with this stuff?”

“Sodden powers-that-be I suppose. I dunno.”

“And since we’re not insane…”

“Willow knows exactly what we’ve been up to, and I am innocent,” he smirked.

“Oh innocent?” She laughed, “I can think of a lot of words to describe you, ‘innocent’ doesn’t exactly come to mind.”

He took the phone back and set it on the nightstand. Then he slipped under the covers, pressing himself against her, cock already hardening as it bumped against her. “If I’m so bad, maybe you need to punish me.”

“Maybe I do,” she grinned, “Too bad, we don’t have the handcuffs”

“Maybe you could even take a turn, I’d really like that.”

“Get some and maybe I will.”

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

They were wrapped in each other’s arms still recovering from their most recent romp. They had spent the better part of the past three days in bed before they decided it was high time for their night out.

Buffy turned her head towards him chuckling, “So what’s on the itinerary tonight?”

“Since you said you haven’t really been out at night, I thought maybe we’d just take in some of the nightlife. Go for a slay-free walk about the city. Maybe take a bottle of wine down by the river or find a cozy spot for a few drinks. Maybe even check out a rooftop bar and just see where the night takes us.”

“I like that idea. No pressure, just go with the flow. It’s either very bohemian romance or very lazy,” she narrowed her eyes a little.

“Now I know you know me better than that, Love — when in Paris—”

“Humm… ok, let’s say I buy that, mister bohemian lover. At least I think I have the perfect dress for it,” she smiled.

“Getting spiffy are we?”

“I am,” she winked, “I’m going to get ready,” she said, kissing him. She rolled out of bed, grabbed a shopping bag and her toiletry bag before heading into the bathroom.

*****

Spike took the time to get changed into fresh clothes. Nothing fancy, just a pair of leather pants and a dark gray dress shirt. He counted himself lucky he had those in his bag at all.

Buffy came out minutes later wearing a flowing bohemian style, cream-colored, lace dress. The ruffled edge hit her mid-thigh and made her feel extremely feminine and sexy. She had curled her hair, and secured it loosely with two small braids pulled back into a tiny clip. She had put on a little makeup and a thin black choker with a little silver medallion hanging from it. She stood back looking at her reflection in the mirror, smiling, suddenly nervous about going on a real date with Spike.

She took a deep breath and shook her head, “Get a grip lady.”

Spike looked up as she came back into the room, “Wow, Buffy, you look amazing.”

“You don’t think the dress is too much?”

“It suits you, beautiful.”

“You don’t look so bad yourself. Is that outfit new?”

“It’s all new. Arrived in LA with the clothes on my back. Everything I own is in there, Love ” he said gesturing to his duffel bag, not a lot to choose from.

“I like the pants,” she smirked.

“You always did have a thing for leather, baby.”

*****

They walked through the streets with their arms around each other talking and joking easily. It was a good night for it; clear and warm.

“You want to hear something crazy?” She asked.

“What’s that?”

“I was actually kind of nervous about tonight.”

“That’s not so crazy, I’m still a bit nervous.”

“You don’t seem like it.”

He shrugged, “Just want things to go well tonight is all. These last few days have been… a dream and I’m afraid I’m going to wake up.”

“Spike, what do you think a future looks like for us?”

“A ticking time bomb of evil, supernatural activity, and lots of sex.”

She laughed, taking his hand and skipping playfully in front of him, “I’m serious! And you are losing romance points.”

“Bollocks, look, Slayer. We can fret about the next baddie and the next one after that, or we can enjoy the quiet moments and the time we have together.”

“Well that sounded smart. Wait, are you getting smarter?”

“Not bloody likely,” he laughed. “From what you’ve said, things have been fairly under control since LA, and what I could tell before I left it seemed like Wolfram and Hart did a decent bit of cleanup there. Like they wanted to cover it up.”

“Which means they are probably back to planning big evil.”

“True, but we have time, we have now.”

She grinned at that and pulled him into a kiss. Spike twined his fingers into her hair and edged toward the wall of one of the buildings, deepening the kiss. Buffy arched her body into him. She wrapped her arms around his back, gripping the fabric of his dress shirt. He reached down, pulling her leg up to his hip, rubbing himself against her. The demon’s blood was still affecting them, it made it nearly impossible to keep their hands to themselves for very long. The connection already between them, now seemed to be heightened three fold.

Buffy reached a hand down to cup him through his pants. Spike let out a little growl, “You’d better be planning on doing something about that.”

Buffy smirked at him and pulled him into a little alcove created by a set of stairs, “Here?” She murmured. But she didn’t even wait for an answer before she undid his pants, releasing his cock and knelt down to take him into her mouth. The wet heat of her tongue on him drove him crazy. Buffy licked a line up and down his length, palming his balls and squeezing gently as she took him into her mouth again. She worked her mouth up and down taking as much of him as she could while working the lower part of his shaft with her other hand.

Spike gripped her head, tenderly caressing her jaw with his thumbs as she relaxed her jaw to take him deeper. She was nearly swallowing him now. Stars danced in his vision as she rocked back to take a deep breath before working her throat muscles around his cock. Spike eased himself against the stone wall behind him, letting himself relax into her ministrations.

His hands clenched into her hair as he felt himself getting close. “Buffy—“ her name came out in a strangled whisper. She looked up at him, his gaze fixed on her as she swirled her tongue around his tip tasting his salty essence. She opened her throat to take his length back down her throat. She increased her pace on him moving up and down stroking him with her hand in time with her mouth. She could feel the tension in his balls increase and took a deep breath before taking him as deeply as possible. Spike jerked as he came and Buffy swallowed him down, milking him for every last drop before releasing him from her mouth and licking his tip, drawing out one last shiver from him.

He slumped against the wall of their little hiding spot and pulled her up to stand, wrapping his arms around her. Buffy ran a thumb over her mouth. “Did I do enough?” She smirked.

“Never, but it’ll tie me over.”

She swatted his arm as he tucked himself away and fixed his clothes with a mischievous smile plastered to his face. “You’re impossible.”

“First complaint I’ve heard out of you in days,” he said, pulling her into him for a deep kiss, “just you wait, pet, I plan to repay the favor later.”

“You are seriously enjoying this blood-bondy-crazy-awesome-sex thing aren’t you?”

“Oh and you’re not?” He asked, nuzzling her neck.

Buffy could feel herself falling into him again and pulled back a little, “Oh I’m definitely enjoying it, mister,” she smirked, “I just think I want to see more of Paris than our bedroom.”

Spike grinned as they made their way back out onto the sidewalk to continue their romantic walk under the street lights illuminating the exquisite architecture the city offered. The two of them continued on until the lights of a cabaret caught Buffy’s eye. “I’ve sort of been wondering what that’s all about, know anything about cabaret?”

“A bit. Could be a laugh, it would mean the end of my cash.”

“Oh come on I just wanna read the signs. Maybe we can do it another night before we leave. Consider this recon,” she said, pulling him over to the front of the building.

There was hardly anyone left in line now; the show was starting soon. A handsome man with a cleft chin and a dazzling smile, dressed in a well-fitted dark purple suit stepped out of the front doors. The man spoke to the ticket booth attendant then paused watching the people in the street. His keen eyes stopped when he spotted Spike.

“Non ça ne peut pas être réel! William? William!” He called from across the street.

“Bloody hell, Leon?” Spike said in a surprised tone.

“Friend of yours?”

“Eh, been about 75 years, but yeah.”

“Am I going to have to kill this guy?”

“You might want to wait on that, he was always a bit odd for a vamp. Deviant some might say” he said, leading her over to him.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Leon reached for Spike pulling him towards him, “Ahh William! Beautiful William! It has been too long, mon ami!” Leon grabbed Spike kissing him on either cheek, “Just as handsome as ever, you beautiful man! I could cut myself on those cheekbones.”

Spike patted him on the back heartily and gave him a smile, “Hello Leon, how have you been?”

“Tout est magnifique! Much has changed mon ami! What brings you to Paris? And who is this ravishing beauty?”

Spike took her hand pulling her a little closer, “This beautiful woman is my special lady, Buffy.”

"Enchantée, Buffy,” Leon kissed the back of her hand then looked up sharply at Spike, “but she is—“

“Alive?” Spike suggested.

“Human,” Buffy interjected.

Spike turned to Buffy tenderly cupping her cheek, “Oh she’s much more than that, she’s the Slayer.”

“Slayer? What are you doing with a Slayer?” Leon asked, putting his hands up and taking a step back, “I swear, I run a human-safe business.”

“You own this place?” Buffy asked.

“Oui, I do. Please, come in! Anything you want, on the house, only the best for dear William and his lovely Slayer.”

Spike glanced up at him, “Human-safe? Hang on. Leon, are you telling me you went through with that whole catch and release bit?”

“Oui, that is how it started. It has evolved into a lucrative business. My customers always leave to return another time. I know you always scoffed at my policy in the past but I am a businessman; killing patrons is bad for business.”

“Wait, is that what you meant?” She turned to Spike, “His eating habits?”

Spike shrugged, “Well yeah, what did you think I meant? It’s bloody strange for a vampire, without a chip or…”

“Here I thought you just meant he was gay.”

“Well yeah, that’s beside the point. Far as I’m concerned that doesn’t make him deviant,” Spike hitched a thumb in his direction, “it was his eating habits that were so odd… no offense mate.”

“Not at all, William.”

Buffy raised an eyebrow, “Not particularly evil for a vamp.”

“I assure you, I’m a very shrewd businessman. Everyone in my employ knows I have very strict rules about killing patrons. I enforce that rule with impunity. Dead people don’t spend money and tell their friends about the wonderful evening they had.”

“Except for us of course,” Spike retorted.

“Are we just supposed to believe that?”

Spike looked Leon in the eyes “Think so, Pet. He tried to enforce the same rule when he ran an all vampire acting troupe back in the day.”

Leon smiled brightly, the act completely lit up his face making him look every inch the flamboyant showman he was. “Ahh William, sweet William, you do remember!” He bellowed jovially and wrapped an arm around his shoulders into a one arm hug.

“How close were you guys?” Buffy asked, giving them a look of mock suspicion.

Spike rolled his eyes, “Not that close, Love . No worries; I’m all yours.”

”One of life’s great tragedies,” Leon sighed dramatically, “Though not for you dear lady, I’m sure this one shows you a real good time.”

Spike snorted a laugh, “Alright, that’s enough of that, Leon. Buffy, did you want to take in the show?”

Buffy smiled, “Heck yeah! I’d love to!”

“Anything for you, Pet.”

“You see, dear lady, why, I call him ‘Sweet William’? He would do anything for the one he loves.”

“Bloody hell...” Spike grumbled.

Buffy was pretty sure that if Spike could blush he probably would be.

The three of them took a few steps towards the doors following Leon, when he asked, “William? Do you still write your poetry?”

“I humm—“ Spike tilted his head basfuly, “I actually have written a few recently.”

Buffy whipped her head up to him, “You have? I didn’t know you were writing again.”

He dipped his head sharply and sighed, “Maudlin rubbish, blame it on this soul of mine, Love .”

“Soul?” Leon’s mouth dropped as he stopped walking. He looked between the two of them in disbelief before taking a step back towards Spike, “You? You are the famous vampire with a soul?”

“That going to be a problem, Leon?”

“I— no, but of course not. Even when you disagreed with me, you showed me acceptance and friendship at a time few did, mon ami. I have not forgotten.” Leon waved his hand dismissively, “A soul makes no difference to me William. What matters to me is art and you are an artist. What have I always said? We are always our worst critics. Maudlin or not, I am sure your Slayer would love to hear your poetry. Art comes from within.”

Spike turned back to him, “Come off it, Leon. Now who’s being maudlin? Are you going to get us a table or not?”

With a nod, Leon led Spike and Buffy to a spot in the back of the crowded room. “I do apologize, as you have already observed we are indeed sold out. I do hope you will not mind enjoying your evening in the back here. I will have a table set for you if this is satisfactory.”

The show had just begun. Even though they were in the back they had a decent view. “This is fine, mate. We’re easy to get along with as long as everyone behaves themselves.”

“No fear,” He snapped his fingers and two servers brought out a table and chairs for them. Another moment later the table was set with a long table cloth. They had set their seats next to each other so they could see the stage comfortably. “Please, have a seat. Get anything you like, on the house, you are my special guest this evening.”

“Thanks,” Buffy nodded.

Leon called over a pretty dark-haired woman, speaking to her in rapid French. She came over close to him as he whispered in her ear. The woman smiled, giving Spike a wink before walking away. Spike simply turned to Buffy who raised a questioning eyebrow, “Another old friend?”

“Never seen her before, Pet.”

The woman returned a moment later with menus. She handed them one each and Spike two smaller ones. The first was the wine list which he set in front of Buffy. Spike looked over the second little menu and raised an eyebrow looking from the waitress to Leon who was still standing by, smiling his toothpaste commercial smile.

Spike tilted his head, “This is interesting…”

“I thought you might appreciate the special menu, we get a rather ehh… diverse clientele. I thought you might be hungry,” Leon responded.

“Come a long way from your little acting troupe haven’t you, Leon?”

“You are in for a treat tonight”

“Please allow me to leave you to your evening. Ines will see to your every need until I return.” He said tapping Spike on the shoulder before walking away.

With that, the pretty dark-haired woman came over to take their orders. Once she had left, Spike reached for Buffy’s hand, “What do you think?”

“I think I’m still processing.”

“Leon or the cabaret?”

“Both… and you… why didn’t you say you started writing again?”

He shrugged looking towards the stage. He watched the dancers performing for a moment before answering, “Just slipped my mind is all. Probably would have mentioned it eventually.”

Buffy watched him as he watched the dancers, she knew he was avoiding the subject. The dancers finished and the next act, a comedic duo, came onto the stage. They both laughed heartily throughout the performance. Buffy was still laughing as she dried her eyes on her napkin when Ines reappeared with their orders.

“Wine?”

“Yes, thank you, Ines,” Buffy managed to say as she tried to control her laughter. Spike smiled watching her and felt himself fall a little more in love with her. Buffy noticed his stare just as Ines finished pouring the wine. “What’s that look for?”

“I love seeing you smile.”

“These two are hilarious.”

Spike sat back watching the act with her, they really were very good. They were speaking in French but their physical acting and use of props were expressive. They made it easy, even for someone like Buffy who didn’t really speak the language to understand the jokes. He reached for Buffy’s hand and brought it up to kiss the back of her fingers.

“You really know how to get me to melt,” Buffy sighed.

“Hope so,” he grinned, leaning in for a kiss resting his hand on her thigh and walking his fingers up her dress.

Buffy broke the kiss reluctantly, “You keep that up and we won’t make it to the end of the show,” she returned a sultry smile.

“Is that meant to be a deterrent or an incentive?” He purred in her ear as he pushed his hand further up to cup her through the lace of her panties. Buffy suppressed a squeak. “I told you, I was going to return the favor, Pet.”

“Spike...”

“What’s the matter?” He drew a slow line of kisses up her neck making her give a little sigh and she relaxed her thighs for him. “That’s it, beautiful. Watch the show and- enjoy,” he crooned as he gently pulled her panties to the side. He pushed a finger into her folds, finding her already wet and gave a little growl in her ear.

The effect was instantaneous as bliss washed over her face. Spike turned his attention back toward the stage grinning smugly as he reached out to pick up his glass with his free hand. He sipped his drink casually.

Buffy for her part was finding it increasingly difficult to focus on the show. She leaned forward onto the table propping her chin in her hand while he rubbed her clit in slick circles. He slipped a digit deeper into her core spreading moisture over her folds and making her leg quiver under the table, she rocked her hips down over his fingers.

Setting down his glass he increased his speed as he rubbed her swollen nub, “Having a good time, Love?” he whispered into her ear.

His breath caught the shell of her ear. A jolt went through her and she gripped the edge of the table nearly spilling her wine glass but Spike caught it. “Ah ah ah, can’t have that,” he stilled his fingers teasingly over her throbbing clit as he picked up her glass of wine, “care for a sip?”

She turned towards him almost defiantly and reached towards her glass. He pulled it back from her with a taunting smile, “I think I like your hands on the table.”

She set her hands palms down on either side of her plate. Spike carefully tipped the glass to her lips letting her drink as he started working his fingers again before settling the empty glass back down. She gasped a little, the wine combined with his touch filling her brain with a heady fog.

She closed her eyes bracing herself for the wave to come crashing over her at any second. He brushed kisses along her exposed collarbone up her throat to her ear, “Cum for me, Goldilocks.”

Her body spasmed and he clamped his mouth over hers in a searing kiss to catch her moan as the wave crested and crashed over her. He slowed his fingers letting her ride out the orgasm and easing her down from her high. Slowly he slipped his fingers out from her folds, fixed her delicate panties and withdrew his hand, bringing his fingers to his mouth licking them as though they were coated in chocolate.

Spike grinned, “I think I like this date night concept, we should definitely do this more often.”

*****

Sometime later, after Buffy had regained her composure, Ines came over with desert. Buffy ordered the opera cake.

“Merci!” She thanked Ines.

As Buffy picked up her fork. Spike gently took it from her “Allow me,” he said, offering to feed her a forkful.

She moaned “Oh that’s good. Go ahead, you try.”

Spike took a bite, “It’s not bad, but I’ve had better desserts, Pet,” he winked.

She sighed, “Pig.”

He chuckled and turned his attention back to the show, laughing hardly as Buffy leaned into his side and enjoyed her dessert.

The show went on and Ines brought out more wine. Just as the can-can ended Leon came back over to them, “How have you enjoyed your evening?”

“It’s been great, thanks again for having us as your guest.” Spike answered smoothly.

“It has been my pleasure, it isn’t everyday we are graced with the presence of a Slayer. Especially one who isn’t intent on killing all of us.”

Buffy looked at him “You’ve got a lot going in favor of this place, Leon, I haven’t seen anything overtly evil… yet,” she paused, raising an eyebrow, “let’s keep it that way. Shall we? I’ve been around long enough to know you probably have something going on on the side here, but since all I’ve seen is a good show and hospitality… don’t make me regret this alright? I’m on vacation…” she shrugged as she took another sip of wine.

“But of course dear lady”, Leon nodded again and looked up abruptly when someone called his name, “If you will both excusé moi, l have some matters that require my attention. William, mon ami I do wish we had more time. It is the curse of success is it not? Please, come back as often as you like while you are in our fair city.”

“Thank you for the offer but we will be heading out soon.”

“Ahh, then this is farewell for now my friend,” he motioned for Spike to stand up, “I am saddened to see you go so soon, I would have liked you to meet my husband,” Leon pulled him into an embrace as he kissed him on both cheeks, “He would be fascinated by you dear friend.”

“You kept that under your hat. When did you get married?”

“About thirty years ago. Jacques, is my head chef. He is responsible for your meal this evening.”

“You’re kidding me? Chef Jacques? Buffy, that’s the bloke I was telling you about that taught me about the herbs in the blood.”

“You married well then. The food was great!” Buffy interjected.

Leon clapped Spike on the shoulder, “He will be delighted to receive the compliment. Don’t stay away so long next time.”

Spike smiled and nodded, “Now I know you have this place, maybe I’ll have to make it a point to come back.”

“Give us some notice and we can make some proper plans.”

“Perhaps next time, old friend. Thanks again for the evening.” Spike pulled him into a one armed hug, thumping him on the back.

Leon nodded his head as he pulled out a business card from the inside pocket of his suit jacket. “Please stay in touch. True friends are hard to come by in this life, I will pass along the lovely things you’ve said to Jacques.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“See that you do.”

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

Buffy ran her thumb over Spike’s thumb nail as they walked back towards their hotel. She had been relatively quiet since they left the club. “Penny for your thoughts, Pet?”

“I was wondering if you were going to recite poetry to me tonight?”

“Poetry is it?”

She shrugged, “Color me curious.”

Spike stretched his neck and huffed out a breath, “Do you know how many people have told me they like my poetry?”

“You’ve only ever told me about the jerks at that party the night you—“

“Yeah well, anyway, thing is I’ve had exactly four people say they liked my stuff. Four people. My mother— sort of obligated. Drusilla— insane. Angel— has generally crappy taste, seriously, the man likes Manilow. Then there’s Leon— and I’m pretty sure he was just trying to sweet-talk me. So unless you count a bar full of drunks, which I don’t— that’s four people in my very long life and not exactly reliable sources.”

“Ok… and?”

“The stuff I write, it’s…”

“Maudlin?”

“Well, yeah… “

“Ever think that sometimes all a girl wants is just a little dash of sappy romance?”

“That is the wine talking.”

“Also true.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Spike pulled Buffy around in front of him “Come here you,” he growled as he pulled her into a kiss. Buffy snaked her arms around his neck. Pulling him closer as she dug her fingers into his bleached hair.

Buffy gasped as she struggled to catch her breath and looked around them, “I have an idea.” She kissed him again and forced Spike down an alley pushing him against the brick wall.

“And what do you call this?” He gasped as she released him from a kiss.

“Balance” she answered with a grin.

“Not that I mind of course, but you do realize our hotel is about three blocks from here, right? Thought we’d end the evening there.”

Buffy responded by unfastening his pants and jumping up to wrap her legs around him, “Who said we’re ending the evening?”

“Mine yours and ours it is then,” he growled softly, “You do like it rough.”

“Sometimes,” she gasped as Spike turned so she was pinned against the wall now.

“Oh I get it, Love , it’s a lace and whiskey kind of balance.”

“Something like that,” she panted as she reached down to stroke his length.

She quickly slipped her panties to the side and positioned him at her opening letting him push into her. His hips rocked into her smoothly as the motion pushed her against the rough surface of the wall. She reached a hand up to grip a window ledge as he worked himself into her smoothly. He dipped his head to nip at her neck, caressing her salty skin with his tongue.

She gasped as she rocked herself against him, meeting his thrusts. “God Spike, harder.”

“Yes ma’am,” he growled as he slammed his hips into her repeatedly. Buffy dug her nails into his shoulder over his dress shirt, skimming up his neck and gripping his hair roughly.

Spike growled as she pulled his hair, “God yes, Buffy. Give it to me.”

She clamped down on him, squeezing as she came undone, biting his neck.

“That’s it—“ he moaned as the bite pushed him over the edge with her.

Buffy released her mouth from his throat, in search of his mouth. The kiss electrified them both as they came down. She moved her hand from the window ledge and tapped him on the shoulder, “What do you say we save the next round for our room?”

Spike grinned a little drunkenly, “I do love the sound of that.”

*****

A few days later Buffy sat on the little balcony enjoying the sunshine while listening to her messages. Spike was fast asleep. Her voicemail was full of messages from Dawn and Willow.

Without realizing it she had started to do exactly what she had been trying not to do ever since Sunnydale. She was pushing people away again.

This time it had really only been while she had been in Paris, true. Also true was that she had desperately needed this vacation, but it still didn’t sit well with her. She decided it was high time she gave her little sister a call. Much to her surprise Dawn answered on the first ring.

“Hey, Dawnie.”

“How go the Paris sexcapades?”

Buffy squeaked, “Dawn!”

“Relax Buffy, no one is judging. Willow had me read all about that demon you two took on. All things considered, I’m thinking this is definitely the best possible outcome.”

“Really? I seriously thought I’d have about three weeks of convincing ahead of me. You are kinda freaking me out…” she laughed.

“The blood ritual thing is pretty convincing all on its own. If it weren’t for that I think Willow and I would both have had very different reactions,” Dawn paused thoughtfully, “Ya know what you should do?”

Buffy adjusted herself in her seat, “Do I want to know?”

“I think you and Spike should take some time together.”

“I thought that’s what we were doing.”

“No, I mean really take some time. Maybe do some traveling.” Dawn huffed indignantly.

Buffy couldn’t help a tiny frown, “Oh I’m not sure about that, I really should get back to work.”

“Go visit Giles then, check in on the slayers. I know that’s been bothering you. Go see how things are shaping up.”

Suspicion crept into Buffy’s mind, “Is there some reason you don’t want us coming home?”

“No, I didn’t say that, Buffy! I just thought it might give you guys some extra time together. You know, spend the honeymoon period traveling before you get home and start keeping me up at night.”

She snorted a laugh, “We just got back together, we didn’t get married!”

“Not the way that book describes it, kinda sounds like you are.”

Buffy tilted her head back to stretch her neck, “You’ll be the first to know if I ever get married, whatever happened, it wasn’t a marriage. It’s only been a few days.“

“Whatever you need to tell yourself, Buffy. I’m just going to start referring to him as my brother-in-law now so I can get used to it ok?”

Buffy rolled her eyes, “I’m still getting used to the idea of ‘boyfriend’ but sure Dawn.”

“Humm yeah, I’m just going with brother-in-law”

Buffy sighed as she hung up the phone several minutes later. She turned her attention to the Eiffel Tower in the distance, the sun would be setting within the next few minutes.

“What does the Nibblet want you to ask me?”

Buffy jumped, “Good grief Spike! One of these days I really am going to buy you a bell!”

“Whatever kink you like, Love, ” he smirked as he stood by the partially open sliding door. Shielding himself from the sun with the curtain, he watched her reaction as the sun caught her hair. It was nice to see her in the daylight even if he couldn’t join her.

“Apparently my preferred kink is sleeping with exceptionally hot dead guys.”

Spike put two fingers to his own throat as though to check his pulse “Oh no, Doc, I think we lost him” he drawled “Maybe you should come back in here and see if you can revive the patient.”

Buffy got up making her way inside. She grinned as she looked at him, “I could do that, but then we might not get out of the room and I’m getting a little hungry.”

“Perhaps later then?”

“Perhaps.”

He pulled her toward him with a hand on her waist, “You going to pass along Dawn’s message?”

“Oh that” she waved a hand, “Dawn thinks we should take a trip. Visit Giles and Faith and take the long way home.”

“I’m game if you are.”

“You are?”

He shrugged, “Sure, last time I was in England I spent the whole time in a tree with Angel.”

She gave him a confused look, “What were you doing in a tree?”

He moved over to sit on the edge of the bed, gently pulling her along with him, “Long story, but I got the chance to work on my fighting skills. Maybe I could teach the Slayeretts too.”

“You’d actually be willing to do that?”

“Sure, why not? It’s important to you, and if I’ve got something that could help them fight then it’s worth it.”

Buffy smiled brightly, “Ok, Scotland it is then”

“Scotland? I thought he had them in England with the Devon Coven or something.”

She shook her head, her hair fanning out behind her, “Nope, just outside of Edinburgh. It’s an estate once owned by the council, Willow worked some hacker magic and some literal magic and now it belongs to Giles, and me.”

Spike gaped at her a little, “You’re kidding.”

“Nope, how do you think I could afford this little vacation? She also managed to secure much of the council’s financial holdings putting Giles in charge. I’m on the payroll now.”

“So you’re getting paid for slayer work now?”

“Yup, and Faith has been teaching and training with Giles.”

“Shit. That’s a change. Where was that perk when you were soaking in Double Meat grease?” he said, leaning back on the bed onto his elbows.

“If you were shooting for ‘reassuring’, you missed.”

“You know what I mean.”

Buffy twisted to lay down on her side next to him with her head propped in her hand, “Dawn did say we should take our time… what’s that even mean anyway?”

“I’ll tell you what it means. We pick a place and just go. We met new people, eat good food, see the sights,” he turned to mirror her on the bed, “I’ve been everywhere, done everything; but I haven’t done it with you, I haven’t done it with a soul. Everything is different now.”

“He shoots; he scores,” she murmured softly.

“Glad to be back on the scoreboard,” he replied, kissing her. “We already decided on Scotland. So that’s what we’ll do. After that, I want to take you around.”

“Where do you have in mind?”

“Uh nope, that’s not how this works, Love . Rule number one, we don’t pick the next place until we have experienced the one we’re in for a bit.”

“Interesting.”

Chapter 2 Demon

It was well past noon when Buffy slipped out from Spike’s side. He hadn’t been sleeping long. She had been watching him, reveling in his presence, before hunger got the better of her. In a matter of minutes, Buffy snuck out of the hotel to make it over to the cafe and the butchers for their “breakfast”.

It was a bright, beautiful day. She had the man she had been longing for fast asleep in her bed. A box of French pastries in her hands, a large cup of coffee for her and a bag with a container from the butcher for Spike. So what if the big bad caught up with them tonight? They had faced bad before, now they were together they would face bad again.

Buffy smiled brightly as she returned to the hotel lobby. “Bonjour, Mademoiselle!”

“Bonjour! Beautiful day isn’t it?”

“Oui, it is. Was everything alright this morning with your- eh, guest?”

“Oh yeah, he found me just fine,” she smiled.

“I don’t mean to intrude but there had been a few complaints of noise coming from your room after your visitor arrived this morning. There was some concern for your safety.”

“Sorry if we disrupted anyone. I assure you, we’re both totally fine.” She was trying not to grin.

The receptionist looked her over. Buffy looked like the very picture of health and happiness in the yellow sundress she had thrown on with her slip-on tennis shoes, “I am glad to see you look well.”

“Yup, I’m great, better than great. Thanks!” She added as she scurried away back to her room.

Spike hadn’t moved a muscle since she left. Damn, he looked good laying there. He was lying on his stomach with his head under a pillow. The sheet had slipped exposing his bare back. She took in the sight a little longer than necessary, she could hardly believe he was real.

Buffy grinned as she slid off her shoes. She made herself comfortable on the bed next to him with a pastry in one hand and the TV remote in the other. “That didn’t take long,” he drawled before she even flicked on the TV.

“Sneaky, I thought you were asleep” she said as she clicked it on and started to flip through the channels.

“You should talk, Love. You’d better have something over there for me” he said as he reached his arm around Buffy’s thigh.

“Down boy” she giggled “I figured you’d want some sleep before tonight.” She set down the remote, settling on what looked like a French comedy of some sort.

“I am a bit knackered, but hunger’s winning out.”

Buffy grinned “Me too, I got pig’s blood and pastries, what do you want?”

Spike gave her thigh a squeeze before sitting up next to her “Let’s have the blood then.”

She handed the blood over to him, and grabbed her coffee. “There were a few complaints at the front desk. Apparently we were a little loud, they were afraid for my safety after you showed up.”

“Oh that’s rich,” he chuckled and took a drink of blood.

She swallowed a bite of her croissant, “I thought you’d find that funny.”

“The bad boy look strikes again.” He smirked.

“The eyebrow scar really sells it.”

“Yeah, got a couple of new ones to go with it too.”

“I noticed.” She quipped, and took a sip of coffee. “So what else do we know about this thing?”

“I couldn't find a lot on it on my own, Willow found a bit more. From what she says and what I’ve pieced together from those dreams I had been having, it's a breeder and that one I just killed was its mate. I’m thinking that this thing can track a whole lot better than I can. I only found you so fast because I had help. This thing… I’m not sure… I haven’t been near you till now so it couldn’t have smelled you on me… it would have gone for Harmony first if that was it but it came straight for you.”

Buffy’s mouth dropped open, “Harmony?”

Spike winced, “Remember that thing I said I regretted?”

“But— Harmony?” She slapped his shoulder.

“Ouch!!” He recoiled slightly, “She was Angel’s secretary…”

“You and Harmony? Again?”

“Not like you never sought out an ex. Besides, it was more of a ‘Hello’ really…”

“You’re going to throw Angel back in my face? That was a kiss! Not… oh my god— Harmony?”

“Yeah well there were extenuating circumstances, sure she’s got the IQ of a potted plant but you got to remember that I’d just got back to a solid body. Harmony was standing there and… eh well, coming back like that, it huh— had side effects… ” he mumbled the last bit then added, “It was just the once, not even really— didn’t go well to be honest… ” He shifted closer to her, resuming his original place.

Buffy raised her eyebrows, “Uhh Huhh…”

“Oh, yeah? Like you’ve been a nun since I left.”

She looked a little uncomfortable, “Well yeah, pretty much.”

“Pretty much?” He frowned.

“Well I didn’t join a convent but I only had the one boyfriend-“

He snorted, “Right boyfriend, I had what amounted to half a nooner. While you shacked up with the freakin Immortal… can’t stand that guy.”

“How’d you--” she tried to speak around a mouthful of pastry.

He sighed, leaning back against the pillows, “Angel and I were on a business trip in Roam.”

“You were? Why didn’t you come find me then?”

“Not for lack of trying I’ll tell you. Probably stopped by your apartment three times before we had to leave; even caught a glimpse of you for a minute in a nightclub. Saw you with the git. Stake to the heart would have hurt less. The whole trip was a massive pain.”

“You really have a problem with him, huh? You know, I bet if you got to know him you’d realize he’s actually a pretty good guy.”

“Oh trust me, I know the Immortal about as well as I want. If he’s such a catch then why’d you ditch ‘im?”

“Well yeah we broke it off; we both knew it wasn’t love for either of us. We had fun together, we talked a lot. Sometimes even about you.”

“You talked about me with that—” he cut off, biting the inside of his cheek.

“Not by name exactly, might have found out about your history with him if I had told him your name, but yeah. He knew I had lost someone I was in love with. I hum— I was pretty cut up after you died. I tried to hide it from the rest of them but he picked up on it. He was really insightful.”

“Next you’ll tell me he ‘felt like sunshine’… you know, if you tell me I have him to thank for our, ehh— reunion… I might just have to stake myself.” He bit back a growl.

“You’ll do no such thing! And I never said anything about ‘sunshine’ . Who talks like that? Except… Drusilla…” she grabbed a second croissant from the box, this one was studded with pistachios. “Now, how is this thing tracking me? How can we draw it out?”

“Don’t think I don’t know what you’re doing,” he said as he took a large gulp of blood, “far as you knew, I was properly dead,” he shrugged, “can’t really get too twisted up about that, Love.”

He cleared his throat as she shot him a disapproving look.

“Fine, I’ll drop it. As for drawing out this beastie… well, if this thing is what Willow and I think it is, then I’d say we’ve already done it.”

“Eww…”

“Not sex, well yeah… alright maybe that.” he grinned wolfishly, “I’m thinking it’s on a much deeper level than just great sex, it’s more mystical. This thing could be sensing who we’re bound to or—”

“Bound to?”

“You know damn well what I mean.”

She gave him a little smile, “Yeah, I think I do,” she cleared her throat, trying not to let herself get distracted, “So this thing is what exactly, some kind of a ‘Love’ demon?”

“Don’t scoff, you of all people should know how love can be twisted and turned into something horrific. This thing isn’t to be trifled with.”

“We both know something about that.”

“Couple of sodding experts, we are.” He took a drink and swallowed as he sat up a little straighter “So our ‘Love Demon’, stupid name by the way…”

“Hey!” She swatted him playfully.

“Just call ‘em like I see ’em, Pet. What I’m saying is that this thing feeds off the energy love produces. The information on the thing is sketchy at best and the dreams are more like nightmares. I’d get flashes of what the demon had intended to do to you and that was worse. I’m sure he wanted to draw me out and I complied like a sodden fool in love, but what was I supposed to do? I don’t know, do you have a better idea?”

“Not really… You really are a romantic aren’t you?”

“Oh come on now, you’ve known that for years,” he rolled his eyes then added, “you tell anyone, I’ll bite you just for fun.”

“Your not so secret, secret is safe with me,” she smirked. “Should we be concerned that we just lured this thing into the most romantic city on the planet?”

“Should be a grand time” Spike said dryly as he downed the rest of his blood and grabbed a pastry “I’ll say one thing, the French definitely know food.”

“You are a really weird vampire.”

He shrugged, “What can I say? I like having a different texture every once in a while. Spice things up a bit. Try something different.”

“I don’t think I ever saw Angel eat anything solid.”

“Yeah well consider the source, git never did get the idea of just having fun for the sake of it.” He took a bite, chewing thoughtfully, “The last time I was through here I met a bloke that used to be a chef, he liked to experiment with different foods, flavors, textures, usually mixed with blood. That’s where I picked it up.”

“That’s right, you’ve been here before.” She frowned slightly.

“Didn’t really get to enjoy it. Dru hated it here so we didn’t stay long. Doesn’t really seem to have changed all that much, a bit more modern of course. I’d love to take you around, maybe take in some of the sights.”

“I’d like that.” She paused thoughtfully as they continued to eat. Then she had an idea. “Do you think this demon could be in the catacombs?”

“I was thinking along those lines too, there’s a fair bit that’s blocked off from the public, it would be a prime spot for a baddie like that. If memory serves correctly I think there should be an access point not too far from where we are.”

She shifted herself as she cleared the pastry box off the bed. “So it’s settled, you get some sleep. We’ll head out after sunset, see if we can’t bag a baddy.”

“I’ll sleep on one condition, Love .”

“What’s that?”

“Stay with me?” He asked softly.

“Well, since you asked.”

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

The sun was just setting as Buffy leaned against the wall watching Spike get dressed. She had already changed into a pair of jeans and a pink short sleeved top.

“Something a matter, Slayer?”

“Nah, just enjoying the reverse striptease.”

“Uhh, humm?” He shot her a wicked smile.

“Don’t worry, you can strip for me later” she grinned.

“Oh I’d be happy too, Pet.” He pulled on his shirt, “You about ready?”

“Sure am,” she said, giving her ax a twirl, “Kinda wish I had my sythe, but this little guy gets the job done pretty well.”

“Got a sword and another ax like that one in my bag.” He gestured behind her.

“Fun, fun, fun!” She said as she turned around to pull them out of the bag, “Did you steal these from Angel?”

“Training room at Wolfram and Hart, some people steal paper clips,” he shrugged.

Buffy grinned, “Much more useful than a paperclip.”

He got his jacket, took the sword and strapped it into a scabbard at his waist.

“Did you forget to tell me you became a knight?”

He laughed, “Don’t be daft, Love, it’s just easier to conceal under the coat.”

“Nice thing about stakes and the smaller crossbow, they fit in my bag. Not so much with the ax.” She frowned down at the ax.

“Yeah well with any luck we won’t see too many people.”

“If it wasn’t so warm I’d take a page out of your book and wear my long jacket,” she shouldered her ax and handed the other one to Spike.

“Yeah well I’ve been thinking about this jacket. It’s more like armor anymore, put it on when I’m getting ready for a fight.”

“I can see that. I also think it suits you, but that’s probably because I’m used to it. There’s nothing wrong with switching it up.”

“Ehh well, maybe. Right this way, my lady…” he said as he opened the door for her.

“If ax throwing is your idea of a date, you got some work to do mister,” she said loudly as an older couple passed them in the hall, gaping at the weapons.

“Laugh it up, Pet.”

She giggled and looked up at him as they walked down the stairs then out into the lobby. ”Think about it, we’ve never actually been on a real date.”

He inclined his head in agreement, “After we handle this bad boy, I’ll take you out proper if that’s really what you want.”

“I’d like that” she answered as they stepped out onto the street.

“Now that’s something that never gets old,” Spike murmured as he sniffed the night air. He tilted his head back, inhaling deeply.

Buffy glanced over at him, “Wait, did you pick up on something already?”

He shook his head grinning and slipped his hand into his pocket fishing for a cigarette. “I’m good but I’m not that good, Love. No, I was talking about the city. Paris at night.”

He pulled out his lighter, lit the cigarette and took a long drag. They walked a little while before Buffy spoke again. “It’s funny, I’ve been here for almost a week, and I really haven’t gone out at night.”

“She who stalks the night stalkers, hasn’t been out at night?”

“Vacation, Spike. This is my vacation,” she huffed.

A plume of smoke came out as he chuckled darkly, “Right, are you sure you don’t want me to just handle this thing myself so you can get back to your vacation, Dear-heart?”

“I didn’t mean it like that,” she said, stopping on the sidewalk. She rested the head of her ax on his shoulder, hooking it around the back of his neck and pulling him into a kiss so roughly that he nearly dropped his own ax. They released the kiss but stayed standing together. “I was actually just thinking vacation is kind of boring without killing something.”

Spike ran his freehand over her hair then reached up to release her ax from the back of his neck. He ran his hand along the handle until he reached her hand wrapping his fingers around hers. “Now you’re singing my tune, ma belle petite fleur,” he murmured as he kissed her again.

She pulled back from the kiss, “Aren’t you just full of surprises?”

“Don’t get too excited, my French isn’t great but I get by.”

The two of them walked through the streets to the nearest entrance of the catacombs. It was a quiet night. They only passed a few people here and there on their way. None of them seemed to really notice them until a group of drunk coeds passed noisily. One of the guys dressed in a slim blue suit, started hitting on Buffy in French. Both Spike and Buffy ignored him until he tried to grab her ass.

Spike turned but Buffy was faster. She dropped the ax she had been carrying and twisted the kid’s arm behind his back. Then pushed him into the arms of his friends. He made a move to get up just as Spike stepped up behind Buffy looking menacing without really trying. Buffy waved him down “Not worth it…”

Spike simply scooped down to pick up the ax, “Didn’t think it was. Just getting this, Pet.” he said as he gave the ax a flick, twirling it in the air and catching it before he handed it back to her. As he did he gave her a kiss on the temple. The kid and his friends gaped at them both.

Buffy waved them away with a shooing motion. “Go on, nothing to see here.”

Spike gave a mirthless laugh, “You heard the lady— Vous avez entendu la dame! Circulez, il n'y a rien à voir,” he repeated in French. Buffy gave him a sideways glance before turning to him, ignoring the co-eds Buffy gave him a chaste kiss. They turned away from them as she put an arm around Spike, “I seriously don’t miss stupid college kids.”

“You do realize they are nearly the same age as you right?”

Buffy snorted, “Age, maybe, but that’s about it.”

It wasn’t long after that when they reached the hidden entrance to the catacombs Spike remembered. It was blocked off but that didn’t stop them. Once inside they followed the tunnels, twisting and turning under the city like a labyrinth.

“Always thought, this was pretty cool down here—“

Buffy shot him a look, then shrugged, “You know what, I can’t believe I’m saying this. You have a point, actually, it is kind of cool in a super creepy kind of way.”

They had only been walking through the catacombs for about an hour and a half when they heard it. A deep rasping voice emanating from the shadows “Foolish vampire, you think We can’t sense you coming? And your little bitch too?”

Spike put a hand out to Buffy, “Sort of counting on it, Elphaba.”

Buffy gaped, “Elphaba?”

“What? I get out… shhhh…” he said in an undertone.

“We could taste you. You and the little one there... coupling… it was… delicious. The pleasure, the pain, the passion… love…” it sneered and gave a shuttering gasp. As it spoke Buffy had the impression that the two heads were taking turns to speak. They could barely make it out in the dark, but they knew it was moving closer.

The creature continued on, “So raw, so pure… so decadent, not like most of the love We’ve tasted. This place is ripe with it and yet you, Vampire; the soul you possess sings with it! It is on fire with love. Love, delicious love in all its complexity. The air around the two of you is thick with it” the creature let out an indecent moan.

“Alright, that was way too much information… you get the feeling we just walked in on this thing’s ‘personal happy time’?” Buffy murmured, disgusted.

“Think so, Pet.”

As they drew closer to it, the demon came into view. Its two heads sat squarely on top of extremely broad shoulders that looked as though they were encased in golden scales over its grayish green rock like skin. The beast was broad and muscular. As it drew nearer they could see their suspicions were correct. The demon was indeed holding himself in a clawed hand.

“Spike? Is it? Oh god…” Buffy screwed up her face in revulsion.

“Really wish it wasn’t… Damn, looks like big boy’s happy to see us.”

“Yuck! Oh that’s disgusting. Yeah buddy, you’re going down just for that!”

“Can say that again. Very, very, very happy to see us… pervert.”

“The girl, she is nearly as delicious,” the demon continued on, as though they were not speaking, the heads still taking turns to speak. “She, oh… she has known love with not one but two vampires! Both possessing souls, how rare, how delicious… the first, her first, we taste it… desire for flesh, desire for acknowledgement, a love ripped away, forbidden… and now… nearly forgotten— oh how tragic…” the demon’s eyes flashed, “you have both known lesser lovers; they matter not to us,” both heads spat.

Spike whipped his head towards her and back to the demon, “Don’t listen to it…”

Buffy stood transfixed, staring at the eyes of the head speaking directly to her. The other head turned looking at Spike, as its body moved slowly forward. The eyes flashed a bright flame red and Spike also became transfixed despite his efforts to pull away.

The head holding Buffy’s gaze continued speaking, “This one has known death, intense passion and lust.”

The head looking at Spike picked up speaking, “With you vampire. Lust, passions, and yearning for flesh like none we’ve ever tasted, vicious desire. The flesh knows what the soul does not, a twisted love grew in you… how very interesting…” the demon drew in a shuddering breath, “the soul too has known deep love for this girl… was in fact acquired as a gift— for her. How- oh how sweet! Like eyeballs in honey! Love in its purest form… mind, body, and soul—” it sneered vehemently.

The heads spoke together now, in a sickening hiss. “A true love grew… forged in the fires of battle. We sense loss, the vampire—” the head looking at Buffy continued, “and yet love grew— grew out of mourning… until…” the thing gasped and let out a loud moan. Both heads suddenly broke eye contact with Spike and Buffy. The demon’s heads looked up at the ceiling of the Catacomb, calling in unison “Reunited!” the thing yelled, shaking the bones in the walls.

Spike broke out of his stupor, “Bugger that!” He swore as he swung his sword towards the thing breaking its focus. It shot fire towards him. Spike dodged the flames.

The hulking beast lurched forward, “You killed our love, Vampire, now We shall kill yours!”

“Doubt that, but you can try. It’ll be fun!” Buffy managed a quippy tone, breaking free of the demon’s psychic hold.

Spike lept, swinging the sword he carried. Buffy was ready for it. She attacked low in an attempt to knock it off balance. But it shifted as it dodged another blow from Spike.

The demon shot another blast of flame towards Buffy, this time catching her on the upper arm. It reached out a large clawed hand, pinning Spike to the wall. Both sets of jaws opened as though to bite.

It was the window Buffy needed. She picked up Spike’s dropped sword, plunging it through the thing’s side piercing clear through the chest cavity. She pulled the sword out sharply and thrust it in again. This time the massive creature dropped Spike as it howled in pain. The sound reverberated off of the bone-lined walls in a deafening cacophony.

“Buffy! It’s heads!” Spike gasped as he pulled himself up from where he had landed against the wall.

She pulled the sword up and out with a jerk and swung for one of its heads. The first head rolled out of sight as the second one screamed. The scream was cut short as Spike rolled out of its way as the thing stumbled. He grabbed the second ax and pulled out the one he brought. Buffy made a lunge for the demon’s back, stabbing it through the lower back. Spike jumped at the second head and lopped it off with an ax in each hand.

The demon’s body fell to the floor of the tunnels with bone shaking force. Like a great oak falling. A cloud of dust flew into the air.

“That…” Buffy choked on the dust, “was beyond disturbing…”

“No kidding, I could have lived a good long time not seeing that… sick bastard.” He added kicking one of the heads “Talkin’ like we were his own personal pay-per-view. Talk about a bloke that likes to watch, that was just… I’ve seen a lot of things in my day but that…”

The two of them walked back to the hotel in relative silence. Once back in their room Buffy spoke “Ok so I’m not the only one super creeped out by that thing right?”

“Oh hell no… I’m well disturbed, Love .”

“Some of the things it said… it was…”

“Disgusting?”

“That’s a given, especially what that thing was doing with… himself” she shuddered in revulsion “That was seriously gross!” She paused to take off her boots.

“Why am I sensing a ‘but’ in there?” Spike asked as he followed suit, shedding his soiled clothing and grabbing a clean shirt from his bag but not putting it on yet.

“Not ‘but’ exactly, more of an ‘also’. As in, it was also sort of nice to hear, even if it did come from a super freak.”

“Not sure if I follow. He didn’t say anything we hadn’t already sorted out for ourselves.”

“No, I guess not,” she shrugged.

“But?”

“I don’t know, it was just weird hearing it talk about our past…”

“Angel you mean,” he said, cocking his head.

“Well yeah, but, not just that. He didn’t even mention Drusilla, not by name.”

“Noticed that too, did you? He seemed awfully interested in the whole vampire with a soul angle if you ask me. Probably didn’t even register what Dru and I had. Neither one of us having’ one all that time we were together and all. I always thought I loved Dru, we definitely had ‘something’, not sure anymore what it was really. I didn’t really realize that until after I got my soul” he shrugged, “Did it bother you; that bit he said about Angel?”

“Forgetting?” She paused as she peeled off her jeans “Now that’s just wrong” she said holding them up, they were covered in demon blood.

“It is, but that’s not the question.”

She dropped her jeans in a heap on the floor “Not as much as I thought it would. It’s weird… Angel and I have an understanding. We know we can’t be together because of his curse— we agreed to stay out of each other’s personal lives. I sort of think we both always figured that part of that would include forgetting what we once meant to each other. I guess I’m just surprised that it happened to me without really noticing.”

“And how do you feel about that?”

“Honestly?”

“Would be nice”

“I feel… fine. Like it’s how it’s supposed to be now. Don’t get me wrong, I still love him. I probably always will in some way. But it’s different than before.”

God, I want to believe that… “So you’re not going to start snogging him the next time you see him?”

She actually smiled at that, “I doubt it… although, it might be worth it just to see your reaction.”

“Oh, that’s it! You’re so going to get it now!” he snarled playfully, pulling her close for a kiss that sent an electrical pulse through them both.

Buffy backed up slightly, panting for breath, “Oh hey there, we’re both caked in that thing's blood. The only thing I’m getting right now is a shower and the first aid kit in my bag. I’ve got a jar of salve in there Willow made up, it’s great for stuff like this,” she said, indicating the burn on her arm.

He smirked at that, “Not without me you’re not, I’m headed for one myself. That sodding demon’s blood is rank. I’ll help you dress that arm after.”

“Thanks, it doesn’t even hurt right now. You know, I don’t even want to know what would have happened if we hadn’t finished that demon off… before he… hummm…”

“Finished off?”

“Oh I really just walked right into that one, didn’t I? Eww…”

“Well that’s the mood gone, nice mental that was.”

“Sorry,” she answered ruefully.

Spike pulled off his bloodied jeans. “Hope there’s a laundry around here, these are fowl.”

She watched him as he stood there holding out his jeans. He dropped them unceremoniously into the pile with Buffy’s blood-soaked clothes. He looked at them a second then grabbed an extra bag from the bottom of the tiny waste paper bin provided by the hotel and quickly shoved the soiled clothes into it. It was a simple task, nothing extraordinary about it, and yet he was looking good enough to eat.

Heat pooled low in her belly and she felt a tingle spread over her skin. She sighed, “You good there?”

“Yeah, it’s a little better. Still nasty but not as bad.” He said, shaking his head as he knotted the bag.

“Vampires. I mean yeah it’s gross but I didn’t really notice anything super unusual.”

“The joys of a predator’s olfactory sense, great when you need it, not so much when you don’t.”

“I don’t envy that particular superpower.” It came out in something like a purr when she said it. Her tone perked his attention and he turned to look at her.

Buffy raised an eyebrow, “Speaking of, I don’t suppose there’s anything I can do to bring the mood back, is there?” She asked, turning away from him as she stripped off the rest of her clothes, being mindful of her arm.

“No idea what you’re talking about, Love,” he said distractedly as he followed her every movement as she walked to the bathroom.

“Shower? Never tried it before, did we?” Buffy asked in a sultry tone.

“Buffy—“ he said, taking a small step back, suddenly reminded of another time.

She realized what he was thinking immediately, “Not even close to what I was talking about, Spike—“ she said as she turned around striding towards him, “I’m talking about fun times, with the man you’ve become. The man I know now could never intentionally hurt me, Spike,” she pulled him down to kiss her, “We’ve moved past that haven’t we?”

The tension that had gathered along his spine, dissipated as he melted into her kiss. “You are an amazing woman Buffy Summers,” he murmured before he kissed her again.

She turned back around stepping into the shower to turn on the water, letting it heat up before stepping into the spray. Spike watched for a moment as the water mixed with the dried blood stuck to her and trailed down her slender body. A predatory grin on his face as he watched her. His beautiful blood-drenched Slayer. “I’m always up for a little fun,” he said, stepping in behind her.

Spike took the soap and the washcloth Buffy offered him, “I think you might need these first,” she grinned.

“Saying I’m dirty, humm?” he crooned in her ear as he began to wash himself, lathering up his chest. The sudds turning pink with the blood covering his skin. He pressed in against her back letting his slick skin glide delightfully over her’s.

Buffy could feel his hard cock bumping into her backside and gave a little shudder of pleasure as he took his time massaging her tired muscles and tending her burn carefully as he ran the soapy cloth over her skin. The soap and blood mixture swirling off of her and down the drain was mesmerizing. He pulled her back against his chest, kissing her neck, sucking her skin into his mouth. Buffy moaned as she pressed her hands against the shower wall as he gripped her with one hand holding her in place as the hot water hit them both.

He ran his other hand down her front starting with her breast teasing her nipple between his fingers and working slowly down past her navel, “Like that, sweetheart?”

Buffy let out a small moan then slowly turned to face him, still pressing her wet skin to his, “No, I want to see you, William. Really see you.”

“No arguments, Love,” he murmured as he trailed a hand down again. This time he grasped the back of her thigh, pulling it up to allow him access to her hot center. Buffy moved accordingly to receive him, tilting her hips. Kissing every inch of pale skin she could reach as she did so. Spike moved to pin her against the wall of the shower and she let out a little gasp as he thrust deeply into her. She hooked a leg around his back, digging her heel into him making him growl.

“Oh god, Spike!” She cried out as she felt her first orgasm build.

He moved a hand back to grip the thigh she had wrapped around him, giving him a little more leverage to thrust into her. He growled as he felt her convulse around him. She screamed as her back bowed, pressing into him even harder to meet his thrust. The wave crashed over her again and again as he continued to push her further over the edge until finally she fell. Spike bit down on her neck with blunt teeth sending her shaking and screaming as he pressed her into the wall.

He crashed his lips to hers in an all consuming kiss and let out a moan when she bit his lip. The bite sent him over the edge, spilling into her with a growl. Buffy dug her nails into his back, heightening the sensation and pulling a rough scream from his chest.

Buffy released her hands from around his back and gripped the sides of his head, pulling him into a heated kiss as they came down together, the water still pouring over them. She didn’t release him from the kiss until the need for air forced her to.

“God I missed you,” Buffy gasped.

He leaned his forehead against hers panting, as he held her against him, bodies still joined. “Likewise, Goldilocks. I love you.”

She kissed him again, “I love you too.”

It all started with Spike having nightmares about the woman he loves prompting him to go to her; before a demon got there first. Now where will it lead them? What new challenges will they face in a world with multiple Slayers? Nearly all major characters will eventually make an appearance. Essentially this is a very Spuffy centered continuation of the series.

Rated for sexual content. Canon typical violence and themes. I will try to add appropriate warnings as needed although I think these should suffice for the majority of the story.

Stunningly gorgeous banner created by cd85

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

“Slayer Central Rome! You got a baddie, we’ll get stabby!”

Spike chuckled “Bloody Hell, Willow is that you? I thought you were in Tibet or some such.”

“Yeah, we just got back a couple of weeks ago, who is this?”

He was starting to get annoyed, “Oh now come on Red, I don’t have time for this bollocks.”

“Spike?” Willow squeaked.

“Course it’s me, I need to speak with Buffy, she around?”

There was a pause on the other end before Willow sputtered, “Hang on, how?”

“I thought Angel said he filled you in, or at least Andrew would have, the git.”

Willow tried to backpedal a little. The call had completely taken her by surprise. “Well sort of… not really. Andrew said you were back but that you didn’t want us telling Buffy until you could talk to her yourself.”

“Bollocks, yeah I guess I did… look, you heard about the apocalypse we put a pin in?” He huffed.

“Well sure, I make Angel check in on all the big stuff, especially now since I guess he’s back on our side. He didn’t sound all that great when he called last.”

“Well no, I suppose not. The man nearly got cut in half, didn’t he now? He’s on the mend… it’s not over by a long shot.”

“So he said…” she sounded doubtful.

“Right, well anyway, that’s not why I’m calling.”

“Why are you calling? What happened to you? Angel didn’t say; in fact, I kinda thought you might have been dusty.”

Spike let his shoulders relax a little, “Me? Nah, not this time anyway. I’m alright or will be. Look Red, I really need to talk to Buffy.”

“She’s not here, not in Rome I mean.”

That made him tense again. “Fu— well when will she be back?”

Willow was starting to get a little uneasy, she couldn’t remember the last time Spike had sounded so agitated. “Probably not for a while, maybe a few more weeks. What’s this all about, Spike?”

Spike sat down roughly into a chair, “It started a few days after this last big one. I— shit I don’t know— I keep having dreams. It’s one of the lesser demons that came through. The damn thing escaped, along with countless others I’d wager, but this one— I- it’s hunting for Buffy. I’ve tried to do some research here but I’m not the bloke for it and ours is gone. Near as I can tell, I think I must have killed its mate and now it’s gunning for Buffy.”

“Wait, but Buffy—“

“Is in trouble, think this is some sort of empathic, telepathic or some-pathic demon. How it knows about Buffy, I don’t know, unless it read me somehow. I’m trying to get a better bead on this thing if I can.” He snapped.

Damn it, this shouldn’t be so sodding hard.

Willow’s voice grew increasingly more concerned, and he could almost picture the pained expression on her face when she spoke. “But these dreams, they are just dreams, right? I mean you’ve never had prolific dreams have you?”

“Not exactly normal for me, no. So that’s what I thought too. I was pretty banged up myself and I just thought it’d messed with my head, right? But then the dreams kept coming… I need to warn her, help her, I need to do something.” He wanted to punch something.

“Spike, I don’t know where she is, exactly…”

He growled, “For Pete’s sake Willow, you don’t stop, I'm going to come to Rome and bite you.”

“Cranky, Spike, I get it! Look, Sunnydale was rough on all of us, and you know Buffy. She was actually really holding it together until a few weeks ago, she sort of ended things with the guy she’d been seeing. Kennedy and I had just got back when we heard LA was still standing, so we sort of convinced her to take some time off since it’s been pretty quiet here.” Willow added defensively.

He sputtered at that, mind spinning, “Time off? You’re jokin’; You mean to tell me I’m worried sick here and she’s on a bloody— she went on sodden holiday!?”

“Uhh huhh…” He could hear the blush in her voice.

“You got contact information or something for the girl or what?”

“Her last email was a few days ago; she was in Paris,” she hedged.

“Pa-Paris? She ah— she’s not, you know, with- she’s not still with The Immortal is she?” A rock had dropped in the pit of his stomach, he didn’t think he could stand hearing it.

“The Immortal? How did you- Andrew— of course—“ Willow groaned, “no, that was the guy I mentioned. I didn’t really get to know him. She’s totally been on a solo trip. Sort of a soul-searchy bohemian kind of thing. I have a cell phone number for her, but she’s been keeping it turned off a lot. I usually just leave messages and she calls back when she can or we email. She’s really burned-out right now so we’ve been giving her some space.”

Spike pinched the bridge of his nose.

I’m not in the mood for this nonsense…

“Yeah well this thing catches up with her and she’s going to be burned to a crisp if she’s not prepared for it.”

“I'd be more worried about her staking you for not telling her you’re back.”

He smirked. She might have a point there— “I’ll handle Buffy.”

“She might be kinda pissed. I mean I only had an idea because when Angel called about the apocalypse he mentioned you were with him on it so then I drilled Andrew while Buffy was out. And none of us really knew if we could trust Angel or not—“

“And so, me? Bugger…” he groaned.

“I didn’t say anything— I didn’t want to upset her or—” she let out a little whimper “And you know what! I don’t remember getting any calls from you mister!”

“Yeah, alright, luv, steady on, you got me. Just being protective. Believe me, I get it. Lot of that goin’ round.”

Willow faltered slightly, “Well good, as long as we all have her best interest at heart.”

“Trust me, that’s all I want.”

“Fine, you got a pen?” Willow rattled off the number while Spike scribbled it down.

“Right, thanks Willow, I mean it. If you get a hold of her, let her know I’m coming. I’d rather not surprise her like that if I can avoid it. I’ll try calling but it doesn’t sound like I’ll have much luck.” He paused, hesitating, “Will— I never wanted to— damn. I was just trying to take some time to figure things out, I didn’t want— forget it. That’s for Buffy’s ears. I’m catching the next flight I can get, with any luck I can beat this nasty to her.”

“Hang on a minute,” there was a slight rustling and clicking on Willow’s end, “wait, here it is. Humm ok, Spike, think she might be staying somewhere close to the Eiffel Tower. I remembered she included a couple of pictures in the email and it was in the background of two of them, but in the distance, I think they might be from her hotel balcony.”

“That’ll narrow the search a bit. At least I got a slightly smaller haystack…” He eyed the phone number he had written down. A tangible thread connecting him to her.

Willow bit her lip, she hadn’t been able to give him much to go on, but hopefully it would be enough, “Good luck!”

*****

Night had already fallen when the plane touched down at the Paris airport. Spike was really missing the private jet. He scrambled out of the luggage compartment where he had stowed away. He was definitely glad the trip was over. At least he had a cell phone with him. He used it to call Willow back to see if she could help out with identifying the demon, she had only come up with a few more tidbits of information. He also tried calling Buffy a few times, as expected it went straight to voicemail.

Spike immediately started towards the Eiffel Tower. What else could he do except start there and work his way out just hoping to catch her scent? It was nearly dawn when he finally did just outside of a little corner cafe. It was a quaint section of the city, perfect for someone looking for the full Paris experience without being right in the thick of it. He should have known she’d be somewhere like this, he thought. He stood on the street inhaling deeply to follow her scent. It led him to a relatively small hotel. The upper floors would have balcony views of the tower for sure.

“Excusez-moi,” he called to the receptionist “Vous parlez anglais? Mon français est un peu rouillé.”

“Oui, yes, how can I help you?” The receptionist answered, taking in his rather rough appearance.

“I’m looking for a friend of mine, I believe she’s staying here. Summers, is the name. Belle, petite, blonde?”

“Ah! Oui, she has been with us for nearly a week. We thought she must be waiting for a lover, but when none joined her…” again the receptionist looked him over skeptically.

“Got held up,” Spike said, bristling a little.

“Oui, monsieur.”

He cleared his throat, “Eh could you tell me which room she’s in?”

The receptionist gave a curt nod, “Oui monsieur, one moment please. Would you like me to call up for you?”

“That won’t be necessary, just the number, s'il vous plaît.”

Minutes later Spike stood outside Buffy’s door wondering if he should’ve let the receptionist call. His stomach clenched and he bounced on the balls of his feet trying to dispel some of the tension in his body. He flexed his fingers and balled up his fist nervously.

No, it’s best to just get it over with.

He reached out to knock, hesitated again, and rapped the door with his knuckles. When she didn’t initially respond, he knocked a little harder. An older man poked his head out of the door across the hall but went back in at the sight of him. Spike swore under his breath and knocked again.

From the other side he could hear her familiar voice answer “Just a minute! Eh… Une minute, une minute! I’m coming!”

He chuckled and his throat suddenly constricted. A moment later the door opened a crack. He could see her adjusting her bathrobe before looking up at him properly. As she did, her mouth fell open, “S—Spike?” She rubbed her eyes with one hand.

“Hello Buffy,” he said, running a nervous hand over the back of his neck. Almost not daring to look at her.

“Is- is it— really you?” She stammered as she opened the door a little wider.

“Yeah, it’s really me, Love, in the flesh. You look...”

“How?”

“I- well, Willow told me where I could track you down. Mind if we have this conversation inside, please?”

That seemed to bring her back a bit, “You talked to Willow?”

“That’s how I found you. Mind if I come in? We need to talk.”

“Understatement,” she answered numbly as she opened the door further for him, revealing the small crossbow she held relaxed towards the floor, “when did you get back?”

“Let’s start with something less complicated, shall we?”

Buffy turned into her rather comfortable room, letting him pass before setting the crossbow on a little table by the door, “Such as?”

“Well, I don’t know if I should start with how amazing you look, the big bad that’s hunting you down, or the fact that you apparently haven’t been checking your messages.”

”This was supposed to be a vacation.” Buffy sat on the edge of the bed, her bathrobe slipping distractingly revealing the edge of a little cotton nightie. Buffy noticed Spike’s gaze and composed herself halfheartedly.

Let him look— she thought.

“So what’s the big bad?” Her tone was almost business-like, but she sat staring at him.

He looked a little banged-up but it suited him, in a ‘worrier-after-battle’ sort of way. He had a few cuts and bruises that weren’t quite healed and he seemed to be moving a little stiffly; she suspected bruised ribs. There was a particularly bad cut across his cheekbone. Otherwise, he looked good. Really good.

God, I missed him— in more ways than one.

“I’d almost forgotten how beautiful you are,” he said softly.

She scrunched her hair that was still pulled back into a low ponytail. It was mussed from sleep and little tendrils had escaped, “You too,” she sighed, “What is this, Spike? Are you here because of this big bad or for me? A little warning would have been nice.”

He scratched the back of his neck again in frustration, “Slow down, Love. Now if you’d check your bloody messages you’d already have a general idea; not to mention that my appearance here might’ve been a bit less… ya know-“

“Shocking?” She pinned him with a deadly stare.

He deflated a little, “I was going to go with ’awkward’, but ‘shocking’ does the job.” He shifted his stance and gave her a nervous smile, “Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining about the rather fetching robe here but you’ll probably want to throw on something you can fight in. I got a feeling it’s not far behind. Maybe a day or two if we’re lucky.”

Bugger all, William, you sound like an idiot.

Buffy pulled her robe around her a little tighter and steeled her jaw, “Big bad is a day maybe two out, you haven’t seen or talked to me since you went out with a bang, and you’re seriously worried about my bathrobe not being ‘fighty’ enough?” she gave him a look of mock confusion.

Spike dipped his head and clenched his jaw.

She’s got me there…

“Sound like a prat when you put it like that,” he cleared his throat, “I have tried to call you. Willow too, you know.”

Buffy reached inside the nightstand drawer to retrieve her phone, a ‘Full Mailbox’ warning and several missed calls greeting her. “Ohh… yeah I should probably remember to take that with me,” she frowned, “alright, fill me in, what brings you to Paris?”

Spike sighed, as he threw his leather jacket onto a spindled chair. Then walked around to sit in the other one on the opposite side of a small table. He didn’t dare get close, not yet.

Well she still hasn’t hit me yet, that’s promising— still early though. She’s so beautiful.

He flexed his hand, he wanted nothing more than to advance, but not yet. The truth was that this was one reason he hadn’t called or sought her out before. He had been taking some time to figure out who he was and where he fit in without a woman in his life and he knew if he was with her he’d stay. As an ally or as a lover he’d stay.

The time he spent in LA had given him time to think. Getting a talking to from Andrew, of all people, had given him even more to think about. It wasn’t about who he was with but rather what he was doing. Fighting the good fight, feeling a little more sure of his place in the world. That said, he also knew there was still no other place he’d rather do that than by her side if she would have him. She deserved to hear it from him. He owed her at least that much.

Spike sat with his elbows on his thighs, clasped his hands together and looked directly into her eyes “Firstly Love, it’s a bit of a long story.”

“Oh look, we have nothing but time,” she narrowed her eyes at him, “I’m listening.”

Spike cleared his throat, “It starts with that shiny bauble you gave me. It got sent back to Angel. He opens the package and poof I’m standing in his office. One minute I’m right where you left me. Lit up like a torch, my insides boiling, flesh burning. Savin’ the world so the woman I love can live in it; and the next thing I know, I’m standing in the middle of Angel’s desk.”

She relaxed a little, “You’re joking.”

Spike shook his head, “Afraid not. Spent a good chunk of time incorporeal. Made a right mean ghost, I did.”

“You’re not joking.”

“Nope. Then when I finally got all solid again…” he paused and stood up, “look, I was going to come find you. I started out— I just, well I didn't— I didn’t know what to say or how you’d react. Then I got to thinking maybe it was for the best.” He hesitated and swallowed a lump in his throat, “I sort of wanted to see who I was on my own. Trying to find my own way, figure out if I had a bigger purpose,” his voice was horse, his throat suddenly felt raw, “there was a lot going on in LA and I just sort of decided to stay. Do what I could to help. Turns out it was a good thing I did stay, not that the great ungrateful ponce will ever admit it.”

“You chickened out.”

He resumed his seat across from her, “But don’t you see? I’m glad I did. It gave me a chance to work through some things.”

“Alright, so working with Angel helped you work through whatever it was you needed to work through. And it had nothing to do with, I don’t know, finding someone else or—” she fidgeted with the belt on her robe nervously.

“Is that jealousy? Haven’t you heard anything I’ve been saying? I needed time for myself, Love. You’re still the only woman I can think about,” Spike ran his hand roughly over his leg, “look alright— I’ll admit when I got my body back I- I did something I regret. Yeah. But that made me realize I couldn’t just run right back to you. Not just then.”

Buffy looked down at her knees. When she looked back up her eyes were shining with tears, “I missed you… I- how could you just–“ she stood up and started to pace. “Spike, I’m really, really trying to understand this. Taking time for solo reflection and soul searching is not a new concept for me. Hell that’s what this little vacation is supposed to be all about! But I— I thought you were dead! Dusty-dead! Do you have any idea what that did to me? Did you care about that?”

“I’m sorry, Lo—“ he started to say but he was cut short when Buffy punched him in the face and followed it with a kick that sent him toppling off his chair and into the wall.

“You’re sorry? I tell you ‘I love you’, just before you die and you can’t even call me up to tell me you’re not actually dead? You could have told me you needed time, you could have said you wanted to work some things out, but no…” her eyes burned with the tears she was working hard to hold back. “So you’ve been in LA, with Angel of all people?”

“I— yeah alright, I deserve that,” he said, feeling his jaw. He stood up holding up a placating hand, fixing the chair, “You’re right to be upset. I should have let you know what was going on.”

She sniffed angrily but didn’t speak.

“Look, Buffy, I— there’s no love loss between him and me. Too much history there, bit like working with family I’d wager. But, it was time well spent.”

“I sure hope so. You’re lucky I don’t stake you… or at least beat you up some more. God I missed you,” she sat back down with a huff.

“Missed you too, Love,” he grinned.

She took a deep breath, calming herself down, “I’m still trying to get around you and Angel buddy-copping around LA. I’ll assume that’s what triggered the apocalypse.”

“Yeah, you might be closer to the truth than I care to think about right now,” he said, sitting down again. “In all seriousness, Buffy, we lost good people. People I actually cared about. After this last one— I was laid up for a bit, and then the dreams started…” he moved to take a seat next to her on the bed as he continued filling her in. When he finished, Spike turned to her, “…So that’s why I’m here now.” He moved a strand of hair from the side of her face, she didn’t flinch or move his hand “I’m sorry, Buffy.”

Buffy suddenly stood up, and started to pace, “Okay—” she took a deep breath, “okay, I heard you out. I think I understand this thing. Now I want you to understand something,” she turned to him sharply, “I need you to understand that while you were dead, ghostly, undead and worst of all, silent. I was mourning the man I love,” she paused, waiting for him to respond.

Spike was dumbstruck, “Did you say—“

“Glad I got your attention. When you died, I had fallen in love with you, with the man you were— are, becoming.”

“Buffy?” He stood up and placed his hands gently on her shoulders to stop her pacing. “All I can say is that I’m here now. I’ll stay with you for as long as you want me,” he kissed her forehead “I’m sorry I didn’t call, Love .”

Buffy shuddered a moment, her head buried in his shoulder letting a few tears fall. Then she straightened up looking him squarely in the face “I’m not sure if I’m ready to forgive you yet.”

His head was spinning, she said she had fallen in love with him. Love— that was better than forgiveness. “I deserve that.”

She shifted slightly, “You said we have some time before this thing comes, right?”

He gripped her shoulders gently, “I think so… probably not much. It has my scent, it’s liable to follow me right to you. I’d only hoped to get to you first and figured we’d come up with a plan together.”

“Big bad, two heads, breaths fire, it has some freaky telepathy mojo, and you already killed one by cutting off its heads right?”

“That’s right,” his throat went dry as she ran her hand over his bicep and he suppressed a moan at her touch. She tilted her head towards him slightly, watching his eyes.

“This was supposed to be a vacation. I just have the one little crossbow, a small ax, and a few stakes. What do you have?” She asked as she continued to run her hand up his arm, stopping at the sleeve of his black t-shirt.

Spike swallowed nervously, “Traveling light are you?”

“I brought more shoes than weapons, and saved room for shopping, so yeah.”

“I got a few goodies that should help us out, they’re there in the duffel.”

“So really what you’re saying is that we have what we need already and there isn’t anything more we can do about this thing until nightfall, am I right?”

He cleared his throat, “Suppose that’s right.”

She let her hand skim over his chest, God I missed him— “You probably need to get cleaned up after your trip, maybe get some sleep? I normally go down to the café for some breakfast about this time. Do you want me to get you anything? I think there is a butcher’s shop nearby, you’ll need your strength.”

He glanced down at the hand she held to his chest, “Yeah alright, I guess I could eat,” her sudden domestic tone coupled with her tender touch was throwing him off and he wasn’t sure what else to say. The truth was that he was nearly starving.

“An assortment of pastries, pig’s blood for you, and coffee for me? Unless you’re interested in doing a little catching up?” she couldn’t help herself, she shot him a sultry smile. She really had missed him, all of him.

“All sounds good, Pet, but ah-” he watched her hand traveling up his arm, “Are you sure you really want to jump back in it with me? I just mean—” he broke off, taking a step back. “It’s been a while. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve dreamed about picking up where we left off but… thing is- Buffy, I know you just ended a relationship, and I haven’t exactly been forthright. You clocked me pretty good there but I figure I deserve worse than that.”

“You’re right. I know, a lot has happened and I don’t care, you’re here and I still love you. Shut up,” she said as he started to open his mouth, “I’ve had lots of time to process. You’re right, I did just end a relationship. It was a stupid rebound thing, and the truth is that it actually helped me sort out a few things myself.”

“Now hang on-“

“No, I’m talking. Do you know why I’m not freaking out more than I am? Because I’m just so damn happy to see you. It's like none of that other stuff matters just as long as you’re really here,” she paused briefly for a breath, ”in case you’ve forgotten, you’re not the first boyfriend I’ve had to come back to the land of the living.”

She pulled herself away and walked over to the open window, the morning light was coming nearer now.

“Did you just say boyfriend?”

“Can we stay on topic, please?” Buffy asked as she closed the window and pulled the blinds shut against the sun.

He stepped back over to her pulling her close, “Thought I was. Go on then.”

She didn’t speak right away, instead, she just stood reveling in the feeling of him holding her. “After Sunnydale, do you know what I regretted most?”

“What’s that?”

“The thing I regretted most was not having more time getting to know who you were becoming. I was falling for you, even then with everything going on. I know that now.”

“Buffy—”

She shook her head sadly, “I missed having you in my life. Maybe it is good you did take some time before coming to see me.”

“Yeah?”

“Now you’re back, I don’t intend on letting you go, William.”

He locked eyes with her “‘William’, am I? You’re serious then? About me; Us?”

In reply she pulled him into a deep tender kiss then said, “I am. You are, aren’t you?”

“I’d go to hell and back for you, Buffy, you know that.”

“Didn’t exactly answer the question.”

“I’m with you, Slayer, I love you.”

“Good. Now, how about breakfast?” She asked with a grin.

“Sod breakfast.”

“Oh so you’re over your reservations about—“

“Chivalrous prattle,” he said and leaned in to kiss her. Buffy responded in kind, guiding him back towards the bed.

She let her fingers glide up under the fabric of his t-shirt, caressing his cool skin. Oh God, I missed him. She thought as she pushed off his shirt. She paused for a moment drinking him in. He still bore some bruises, cuts and scrapes that had probably been much worse than they appeared to be now. She ran her fingers over a nearly healed wound on his side.

“You really took some good hits didn’t you?”

“A few. Nearly healed up now.”

“Good.”

Buffy’s robe slipped off revealing a little cotton nightgown with little cartoon cats printed on it. “I’d been wondering what you had on under there.”

Buffy rolled her eyes and laughed, “Oh yeah, my super sexy ‘sleepy kitty’ nightie,” she said as she undid his jeans.

“Damn straight it’s sexy!” Spike growled as he lifted the little nighty to pull off her panties, “it’s on you, that’s enough. Hell you could make a CowChicken hat look fetching.”

“No, I really didn’t.”

He nipped the shell of her ear, “Don’t really matter what you’re wearing, I’d still love it on you.”

Buffy shuddered in anticipation as he reached a hand between her legs and touched her lightly, “You did miss me, didn’t you, Love?”

She let out a sigh of pleasure. She had missed his touch desperately. “Spike… I need you.”

“Right here, Love,” he murmured as he laid her down on the bed kissing her. She wrapped her legs around him as he slowly took her. She pulled him closer, a little desperately but after so much time apart he wanted to take his time, “I love you, Buffy.”

“And I love you, William.”

“Do you really?”

Buffy’s eyes softened. How could he still not believe her? She ran her fingers over the nape of his neck, pulling him into a tender kiss. “Don’t be stupid.”

Spike dug his fingers into Buffy’s hair as he kissed her again. It was purely electrical. Both of them craving more of each other as they pushed further. Hands roaming freely as though trying to commit each other to memory.

Buffy rolled them so that she was on top. She took her cue from him, driving slowly. He pulled her towards him to pull her nightgown up and off. The sight of her nearly drove him over the edge right then and there, but he mastered himself. Buffy paused for a moment as she pressed herself to him, allowing herself to bask in the feeling of their bare skin touching.

She slowly pushed herself back up as she ran her fingers from his tousled hair over his well muscled body and down to his hips. Using his hips for leverage as she slowly and deliberately began to rock again. Spike grinned up at her as she turned herself around carefully. He knew what was coming, because she knew what he liked. Spike pulled himself into a sitting position pressing his chest to her back as she lowered herself onto him slowly rocking her hips. It had been so long since she had felt this connection to anyone. She craved the way he filled her perfectly as she continued to ride him backwards. Spike moved his hands around her hips and waist urging her on. He let his hands roam freely over her body, reacquainting himself with the curves he had been dreaming about for so long. Moving her hair from her neck, Spike started trailing kisses along her neck, shoulder and back. He worked his way back up to her ear, “Turn around, Love ,” he whispered.

“I thought you liked it like this,” she teased as she continued on a little faster.

Spike grunted his approval, “You know I do. It’s been a while, Love. I just want to see you.”

“Well, when you put it like that…” she moved around to face him. Spike pulled her forward towards him helping her settle back down on top of him as she started to glide once more.

“God, you’re so beautiful. I was crazy for not coming back.”

“Shhh,” she twisted herself to the side lying down on the bed. Spike followed her, thrusting deeply into her as she wrapped her upper leg around behind his back. Buffy turned, twisting to give Spike access to her breast. She gasped as he took one breast in his mouth and the other in his free hand. He felt her as her muscles clenched down tightly, making his thrust nearly impossible. It was his turn to gasp as he felt her shutter around him just before he let go, making her arch her back in ecstasy as he pumped into her letting them both ride out their shared orgasm.

Buffy pulled herself into him, gripping his shoulders as she panted for breath. “I’d almost forgotten what that felt like.”

“Oh we’re not done, beautiful. Far from it.”

“Oh you know it.” She murmured as she pulled him back in for a need-filled kiss.

Chapter 42 Cabin Fever

Faith brushed dirt from her hands and sat down in front of Guinevere’s fresh grave. Callum threw down the shovel Faith had pilfered from the B&B’s garden shed and sat down next to her. “You alright?”

She shrugged, “She was a Slayer and I killed her.”

Callum straightened his back, “Self defense against a crazy woman thought to have been dead long ago, who just stabbed someone you care about. You didn’t know Buffy was going to pull through.”

“That’s just it, I’m not sorry… Not for that anyway.”

“But you feel sorry for her.”

“Yeah, I guess I kinda do. I mean this whole thing was seriously messed up from the beginning. Who’s bright idea was it to lock her inside a freaking cave anyway? That thing about it being for her protection was a crock of bull.”

He looked around at the seemingly idyllic forest landscape surrounding the cottage. It looked like something out of a Disney film. “Agreed. This place screams gilded cage.”

“Probably some Watcher’s Council BS, or maybe she was already going nuts or something. Who knows.” She said plucking a blade of grass and tearing it into little pieces.

“Are you going to be alright?”

“Always am.”

He wrapped an arm around her. “Babe, it’s me. Couples therapy, remember?”

“So much more fun when you’re naked.”

Callum chuckled, “Come on, beautiful, you wanted to check out the cottage some more, might find some answers.”

She sighed and pulled herself up. “Yeah, better see if there are any more bombshells waiting for us.”

*****

Buffy pushed herself up out of bed unsteadily. She was healing well but her chest and back seared with pain at every movement. She watched Spike sleeping for a moment as she gingerly shrugged on her robe before creeping out of the room. The bathroom door at the end of the hall was open and Buffy shuffled towards it. She was feeling fairly weak after everything and wouldn’t have gotten up at all if she didn't have to use the bathroom so badly.

She stood at the sink washing her hands and examining her reflection in the mirror. She was pale and looked exhausted. There were circles under her eyes like she hadn’t slept in a week. Her breathing was still a little off but at least she was ambulatory. Barely. This was definitely worse than the wound she had suffered at the Hellmouth.

The corner of the shower curtain caught her eye in the mirror.

Mmm… hot water sounds really good— I should probably get cleaned up and check out the damage for myself…

She sighed as she shrugged off her robe and the oversized shirt she had slept in. Then turned to look at herself in the mirror. She peeled off the bandage a few inches right of her sternum. It was a testament to how much the ordeal had upset Spike since he had yet to make a joke about her being stabbed in the boob. The slash was crusted over with blood. It looked like it was a few days old and had started to heal. She proceeded to contort her arm around to pull off the bandage at her back. Using the mirror she was able to see that side was healing just as well. The hilt of the sword had left a nasty bruise.

There were two baskets on the countertop filled with tiny bottles of shampoo and conditioner. A third basket was filled with what looked like little seashell shaped homemade soaps. Buffy grabbed one of each along with a fresh washcloth and proceeded to the shower. It was just as glorious as she had hoped it would be. The wounds were raw and burned under the water but it felt so good to get clean. She washed gingerly, watching trace amounts of blood and dirt run down the drain.

Could be worse, at least it doesn’t look like the shower scene in ‘Psycho’— She thought.

By the time she got back to their room she felt like she had just finished an extensive training session with the girls. She took the towel off of her wet hair and pulled her robe tighter around herself. Then collapsed back onto the bed as smoothly as possible and let out a hiss of pain as she eased against the pillows. The wound at her back stung dully and felt like one large bruise.

Because it is one big bruise.

She shifted awkwardly as she tried to get comfortable and swore under her breath. Spike lifted his head towards her groggily, “Alright, Pet?”

“I’m fine. Just doing the healing thing.”

He turned, propped himself up on one elbow with his head in his hand, “You smell nice. Shower help?”

“Yeah. I’m feeling better. Still hurts but you know how that goes—“ she cut off with a wince of pain.

“What do you feel like doing? Do you want to head home early or take a few more days here?”

“I hadn’t really thought about it. We should probably check out the cottage again.” She said pulling the blanket back over herself.

“Faith and Callum went this morning, been gone all day as far as I know.”

She nodded, “Alright. What about phone calls? Did you call Willow?”

Spike frowned and cleared his throat, “Not yet, I thought it might be better if you talked to her.”

Buffy looked towards the clock, “Almost dinner time. I’ll call later.”

“You should definitely eat something.”

“I look like death.”

“Nonsense. I look like death and no one bats an eye.”

“You look like you should be a male pinup in some dirty magazine.”

“You say the sweetest things,” he chuckled, “but seriously, you need to eat. Sure you’re a bit peaky but just as beautiful as ever, nothing a little makeup can’t fix if you’re all that worried.”

“Gee thanks,” her voice dripped with sarcasm.

“Come on, you know I’m right.”

“Fine. can you hand me some clean clothes?”

“You need fresh bandages.”

She glanced over at the clock again, “Yeah, that’s probably a good idea. They are looking better but I really don’t need them popping open if I have another coughing fit or something. Dinner actually sounds like a pretty great idea right now.”

Spike rolled out of bed and grabbed a clean pair of jeans and a shirt for himself. His own wound looked significantly better than hers but he was still moving rather stiffly.

“How are you feeling?” She asked.

“I’m alright, Pet. Bit tender, but then I don’t have to breathe so there’s that,” he said as he pulled his shirt on gingerly and went to get Buffy’s clothes out of her bag. He tossed them onto the bed next to her before grabbing the first aid kit.

Buffy slipped her robe off of her shoulders and Spike raised his eyebrows when he saw the wounds.

“Well, at least it’s starting to close a little.”

“Yeah, it’s not as bad as yesterday, still hurts like a bitch.”

“I hear you on that one.”

Spike moved around to her back laying a cool hand on her shoulder as he applied a fresh bandage. When he finished he ran his fingers down her arms, kissing her neck.

Buffy inhaled sharply at his tender caress and started to cough a little. “Sorry, Love,” he murmured as he moved back around to her front. He shook his head as he secured the bandage, “Likely to leave a scar.”

“Guess it’s a good thing my boyfriend thinks my scars are sexy.” She smirked.

“Bloody well right they are,” he crooned and leaned in to kiss her.

Buffy slowly pulled back from the kiss, “Humm, yeah, better not start anything we can’t finish.”

He pushed her clothes towards her, “Better put these on then.”

“Any idea what they are serving for dinner tonight?” She asked as she started to dress herself.

He sniffed the air, “Hard to tell over your soap but I’m thinking it smells a bit like a curry,” he answered as he helped her with her shirt.

“Sounds good.”

*****

Faith had spent the past couple of hours going through the cabin and more specifically the things in Guinevere’s bedroom. Her room was the most orderly place on the entire second level. It was also the only room they had found so far that didn’t have any drawings on the walls. The only thing that really stuck out was the enormous bookcase along one wall that was completely filled with journals and sketchbooks. They were stacked on top of the bookcase until they reached the ceiling. There were no other books. Not one.

This is a job for the brains… I can’t do this shit…

Faith thought as she flipped through one of the journals.

She scoffed and went back out into the hall behind Callum who had brought his camera along and was now taking pictures of the drawings covering the walls in the upstairs hallway. The drawings looked like they were done in charcoal from the fireplace. It looked as though Guinevere had tried to wash them down a few times but had started over again. Most of the drawings were of things that happened years before she and Buffy were called but a few looked familiar. One such drawing looked remarkably like Angelus and it made Faith shudder.

Another drawing showed a depiction of what was clearly mayor Wilkins turning into a giant snake. She had been in a coma at the time and had only heard about the events after. Although, surprisingly, it wasn’t half as bad as seeing the Beast she had faced in LA just after she broke out of prison; when Angel had lost his soul.

There was even a scene depicting Angelus feeding off of her. She had nearly died from the substance she had injected into herself in order to knock him out. It had ended up being an odd bonding experience for them in the end. It was strange and more than a little unnerving to see it on the wall like that.

Faith sat down on the floor staring at the drawings.

Callum lowered his camera and looked down at her, “You alright, darling?”

She didn’t respond immediately, “All of this is just seriously freaking weird. Like scenes from my life and it’s just really nuts-o-plenty.”

“I can imagine. I don’t know how I’d feel if it were me.” He shrugged, “Did you see the one in the bedroom at the end? There’s one with a guy collapsed over a cross, I swear it looks like Spike from the back. Got the hair anyway. It’s really freaky.”

“Yeah it really does. What did you think of the ice monster one?”

Callum shrugged, “Bit over the top aesthetically, speaking. Looks like a giant icicle thing with claws and teeth.”

Faith had to laugh, “Yeah pretty much. Got to say I’m kind of glad I haven’t had to fight that one. Not really a fan of the whole snow and ice-mountain cave-dweller scene. And what’s with the Yeti looking thing with the box?”

“You’re the expert here.”

“Right—“ she gave him a skeptic look and shrugged it off.

“What do you make of that one?” He asked, pointing to his left. Most of the drawings there were so corrupted by intersecting lines, neither of them could figure out what they were supposed to be.

“Not a clue, most of this looks like complete garbage. Make sure you get pictures of everything though.”

“On it, Lass.”

“Did you have a chance to check out those last two rooms?”

“Ahh, I got the one on the left you already checked out . Not much in there, in the way of artwork. You already saw the two sets of bunk beds without mattresses. Kinda looks like she just piled stuff up in there that reminded her of her family,” His shoulders dropped a little, “This place is bloody depressing.”

She crossed her arms over her chest as she scanned her eyes over the walls. “Giles would blow his intellectual wad in here. Probably wouldn’t be able to get him to shut up about the place.”

“Trust me, if it weren’t for the creep-factor I’d probably be right along with him.”

“Yeah well I’m going to check out that last room.”

Faith padded down the hallway a little. The door opened a crack and she gasped when the sight of a woman met her; before she realized it was yet another drawing. The room had been completely cleared out. Every reachable surface had been drawn on. Black lines of charcoal covered nearly every inch.

The drawing of the woman that had first caught her attention, took up about half of one wall. She was thin, dark haired and wore a white empire waist gown with blood dripping down the front of her. She was surrounded by children of various ages, and fire.

A wall of blood red fire stood behind the figures in the drawing. It was one of the only drawings that had any color added and Faith realized with a jolt that it was probably blood. Maybe from one of the animals Guinevere had killed.

Faith pulled herself away from the intense stare of the two dimensional woman to examine the rest of the drawings. Demons in all shapes and sizes dotted the walls. A flayed man bound between two trees. Another man arched in pain as light shot out of his eyes and mouth obscuring his features. A woman with blonde hair that looked like it could be Buffy, punching her fist into a demonic Frankenstein’s monster. There was an odd image of a woman floating, dressed in all black with black hair and eyes and unnerving black veins running across her exposed skin.

Faith had no way of knowing if most of these drawings were from the past, present, or future. She had heard stories about Willow going dark and wondered if the last drawing could possibly be her.

Callum walked in, disrupting her thoughts, “Bloody hell—“ he breathed, “Glad I brought extra film.”

“You’re not kidding.”

He pointed towards the picture that had originally caught Faith’s eye, “Who do we think that is?”

Faith frowned, “That would be Spike’s ex.”

*****

Buffy and Spike had just gone into the great room after dinner when Faith and Callum returned to the Inn. Buffy was starting to feel significantly better after getting some food in her stomach. Spike had been right to insist she eat.

Faith plopped down on the couch next to Buffy, jostling the cushions and making Buffy wince.

She turned to glare at her, “Easy, bouncing Betty.”

“Sorry about that B, kind of a rough day.”

“How so? What did you guys find?”

Callum sat in a wingback chair next to the spot Spike had taken up on its twin in front of the unlit fireplace.

Faith sighed and shifted further into the cushions, “Well, we took care of Guinevere and checked out her graffiti. It’s really extensive, there is so much crap to go through there.”

Spike leaned forward, resting his elbows on his thighs. “Anything of note?”

“Lots. Some of it was stuff I know already happened. Like she was having Slayer dreams about us. I really don’t believe she didn’t know Slayers were still around. I really think she was playing us from the get-go.”

Buffy hugged a throw pillow to her chest, “I wondered when you first told us about the drawings. It’s really wiggy.”

“She had to have known.”

“Maybe it sort of added to driving her round the bend.” Callum suggested, “Don’t forget bout the journals and the sketchbooks we found too.”

“Ohh yeah, thanks babe. Yeah she had like hundreds of these things on a big bookshelf in her bedroom. I only flipped through a couple of them but she was definitely losing it for a while.”

“It doesn’t surprise me,” Buffy frowned.

Faith turned back to Buffy, “I had Callum get pictures of all of it. And we grabbed a few of the journals for Giles but there are too many of them to even think about taking with us.”

“At least we have the sword and we can get back in. I’m sure Giles is going to want to check it out.”

“Probably. But one thing at a time. We’re going to have to get the film developed when we get back. I can tell you one thing though,” she rolled her head towards Spike, “there’s one hell of a portrait of your ex in there.”

Spike shifted forward a little more, “Dru?”

“Oh yeah. Looking real creepy with a bunch of kids around her and all this blood dripping down. It’s freaky.”

“Well that tracks. She always did have a thing for kids.” His tone was matter of fact, he wasn’t surprised in the slightest.

“Not helping the creep factor here,” Faith groused.

“Anything else?”

Faith adjusted herself on the couch, “Not a clue really. You figure some of those drawings could be almost as old as the cabin. I only know the ones that I either lived through or heard stories about. Like this one that looks like it could be Willow when she went all dark-side, but I couldn’t tell you if that already happened or if she’s going to go dark again.”

Buffy frowned at that, “Will has been doing really well with the magic stuff but this thing with Kennedy—“

“Yeah what’s going on with that bitch anyway?” Faith asked.

“As long as she’s still in Australia and far far away from Willow and my sister, I don’t really care.”

“You better be careful she doesn’t come back round. My sister-in-law had that problem with her ex before my brother. Sort of how they met, actually.”

“I know Giles has connections in Australia; they are supposed to be keeping tabs on her.”

Callum raised his eyebrows and glanced over at Spike, “Probably for the best I take it?”

“Any more trouble out of her and I’ll happily rip her throat out.”

“Never did get that third notch did you?” Faith said.

He smirked, “Oh I got my notch alright. Brought the house down.”

Buffy blushed, “Oh my word, do you have to bring that up?”

“Don’t care what you say, Pet. You don’t forget your first time, especially when we started out on the ground floor and ended up in the basement. God, that was a fun night.”

Callum bit back a laugh, “Now I understand why you laughed at me for breaking the bed.”

“Wow, B, didn’t know you had it in you.”

“How’bout all the furniture I had to replace in my old crypt?” He wiggled his eyebrows at her.

Buffy glared at Spike, “You are—“ Doing this on purpose.

You bet I am, Slayer. Know it’s gonna be a bit before you’re up to anything, got to keep things interesting.

She rolled her eyes at his smirk, “Anyway… enough about our sex-life; what are you two up to tonight?”

“I could definitely use a drink or twelve,” Faith answered.

“Absolutely,” Callum stood, extending his hand towards her, “can I buy you a drink, beautiful?”

She let him pull her up, “You know it.”

Buffy let out a tired sigh, “I have some serious phone calls to make, I guess.”

Faith turned toward her as Callum wrapped an arm around her waist, “You still haven’t checked in with Giles and Willow?”

“No, not yet.”

Faith snorted, “Good luck with that.”

“Gee, thanks.” Buffy pouted a little.

“Giles can wait a bit can’t he?” Spike asked.

She sighed, “Yeah, I won’t be able to get him off the phone if I mention Queenie. I definitely need to call Will and Dawn though. Get her filled in and make sure everything is alright there. Go on, you three go get your drink on, I’ll be phone-call girl.”

Spike leaned forward taking her hand, “Doesn’t seem fair.”

Buffy shrugged a shoulder, “I’m not really feeling the drinks tonight. I’m actually thinking more sleep.”

“Probably do you some good, Love.”

*****

The inn had a small bar at the back of the dining room. The three of them sidled up to the bar, Faith sitting between the two men.

“How is B doing, I mean really?” Faith asked abruptly.

“She’s alright. Don’t think it’s all sunk in just yet.”

Callum raised a finger in the air to get the bartender’s attention, “Could we get a bottle of whiskey and three glasses here?”

“Straight to the point. Can see why you like this one, Doe-eyes,” Spike said as the bartender set down the glasses and retrieved a bottle of whiskey.

“It’s not the only reason but it’s definitely a perk.”

“I bet,” Spike gave a weak chuckle and shook his head, “this little trip has gone a bit sideways, hasn't it?” he added as the bartender set the bottle down in front of them and started to pour.

Callum chuckled darkly and took his glass, “Never a dull moment with you lot, I’ll say that.”

“I’ll drink to that. Cheers, mate.”

“Cheers,” Callum and Faith echoed.

The three of them shot back their drinks and clunked them down onto the bar before Spike refilled them.

“So what now?” Callum asked.

“Probably just finish out our long weekend here and head home. Don’t think Buffy is too keen to head back early and should be just about healed by then.”

“Brilliant. It’ll give me a chance to paint the view.”

Spike snorted into his shot glass.

Callum grabbed the bottle and refilled Spike’s glass, “What’s that? You going to write us a sonnet?”

“Piss off,” he muttered, biting back a grin. He had to admit, it was nice having another guy around he could call a friend.

“Do I need to leave you two creative types alone?” Faith smirked, downing another drink.

“Oh is that what you think?” Callum laughed as he wrapped an arm around her waist, “Cheeky one, you are,” he pulled her into a kiss, delving deep and leaving her breathless.

“Wow,” Faith sounded dazed when she spoke.

Spike downed another shot, “Maybe it’s me that should leave the two of you alone.”

“You’re good. Promise to save it for the bedroom, mate,” he squeezed her to him, “Right darlin’?”

“Might be time for us to turn in.”

“I probably shouldn’t make a night of it anyway. No telling how things are gonna go if Buffy gets into things with Dawn. Bit’s libel to take it badly.” He paused looking at his glass and filled it again, drinking it quickly.

He was more than a little apprehensive about what this all meant for their relationship. On one hand he was overjoyed with the prospect of having her by his side indefinitely but at the same time he worried about how she would handle watching her loved ones grow old and die. He had never really had that problem but he was sure she would.

“Girl can be savage when she wants to be.” Faith commented.

“Got that right,” he downed another shot and slid from his stool slapping some money down, “I’m going to see how she’s faring.”

*****

When Spike got up to their room, Buffy was in her pajamas and sitting up on the bed with her phone in her hand. She glanced up at him when he came in and he immediately noticed her yes were slightly red at the corners.

“Alright, Slayer? You get through to Roam?”

Buffy cleared her throat, “I talked to Willow.”

He strode over to sit with her, watching her intently. “What is it?”

Buffy shook her head, “I hum, I sort of chickened out.”

“You didn’t call?”

Her voice was rough, “I did. I talked to Willow, checked in on the Rome situation with Kennedy being gone. Violet has sort of taken over, who would have thought huh?”

It was clear she was stalling. “Timid little ginger right?”

“Yeah. Turns out she’s kind of a natural leader, just needed a confidence boost.”

Spike nodded, it was always good to have an update but he couldn’t let her change the subject either. “Good for her but what about Red? What’s going on there?”

She twisted her hands together around her phone, still clutching it, “Oh I got her all filled in no problem. Told her everything we know so far and then— I asked to talk to Dawn. Spike, I completely froze. I don’t even know why. I was doing fine and then when I heard her voice—- I just couldn’t tell her what happened. I started babbling about the B&B; what a nice room we have. I sort of tried to push past the freak-out and started to tell her about the cave but then I just made it sound like we went sightseeing or whatever. It was so stupid.”

Spike pulled her into him, letting her rest her head in the crook of his neck. “This hasn’t exactly been a lovely seaside holiday, Pet. Point of fact I’m not surprised in the least. You’ve been through a lot, we all have. You’re so used to just gettin’ right back up no matter what knocks you down like some sodding punch-clown. You’re still human, sweetheart.”

“Am I?” It was almost a whisper.

He had half expected her to say something like this but it still struck him like a kick to the stomach. “Course you are, Love. You’re just a little something extra. Like a hot fudge sundae with whipped cream and a cherry on top.”

Buffy snorted a tiny laugh, “You’re such an idiot.”

“Yeah but you love me so what’s that say about you?”

“As long as we get to be idiots together.”

“Always.”

41 Breathe

Spike crumpled in over Buffy’s still form in his arms. The gaping hole in his own chest practically nothing compared to the pain of feeling her limp against him. He was so consumed by grief that he didn’t even notice the hand lightly gripping the back of his head. Until the fingers gripped harder and dug into his scalp. “Go on, Faith, just leave us alone… I can’t—“ he shuddered weakly.

Faith looked up from where her eyes had fixated upon the floor a few inches away from Buffy. “It’s not me. Spike look.”

He shook his head, still unwilling to move.

“Spike?” The hand gripped tighter in his hair, pulling him back a little, “You’re crushing me.”

He blinked several times, letting his eyes focus on Buffy. Who was looking back at him with wide green eyes. His grip on her increased involuntarily and she gasped. “Babe, kinda hard to breathe.” She gasped again.

In his shock Spike nearly dropped her before adjusting his grip on her. “Oww!” She groaned.

“Buffy? Oh thank God. You really had me going there for a minute, I thought I’d lost you again.”

“Doesn’t exactly tickle,” she coughed and a little blood came up with it, “oh that’s gross.”

He pressed his ear to her chest, “I swear your heart stopped, Pet. It’s In working order now, bit fast. Bitch got you in the lung.”

She took several shallow gasping breaths. “That would explain it.”

“What the hell?” Faith’s voice came from behind them, “not that I’m not super stoked or anything but what the hell B?”

Spike looked back at her. “Not now, let’s get her back to our room and let her heal up a bit and we’ll explain.”

“She has a right to know.” Buffy gasped again.

“And she will.”

She grumbled and started to sit up with a grimace of pain. Spike adjusted himself to help her up better.

“Should she really be moving like that?” Callum asked, shock lacing his voice.

“Fought off Uber-vamps— and ran rooftops, after the last time this happened,” she rasped weakly before gasping for breath. She coughed several times before continuing, “Think I can handle this.”

Spike supported her over to a comfortable chair setting her back allowing her to breathe easier. “Rest a bit. This one is considerably worse, Slayer. Your heart literally stopped.”

“Like it hasn’t done that before.”

“You know what I mean. Lung is a bit different than the gut.”

Callum shook his head. “All right, but I’m with Faith on this one. What’s going on, is this some sort of Slayer thing? Is that what all those questions you were asking Guinevere were about before she went mad?”

Buffy and Spike exchanged a look. She coughed again grimacing and glanced over to the spot where Guinevere’s head had landed. “Spike’s right. We should— get out of here.” Her breathing was off. Weak. But she was determined to push through.

Spike gave a nod, “Faith, can you run up and see if you can find a blanket or something to wrap around her? We don’t want to cause a ruckus back at the B&B.”

“Sure, whatever. I’m just glad she’s alright.”

Faith’s head was swimming as she took the stairs at a run. The breath caught in her throat when she saw what was at the top of the stairs. “Huhh, guys! You might want to see this!”

Spike growled, “Cal, go on. See what she found.”

Callum met Faith at the top of the stairs. The walls of the upper landing were completely covered with what looked like hellish graffiti. Drawing atop drawing until they were barely legible. “God, what are these?”

“Slayer visions,” Faith said flatly. “She must have still been having them… These— and she had stopped fighting. No wonder she was looney toons.”

“You mean this is the kind of stuff you dream?”

“Well yeah, but this— Cal, when I get some slayage in, this sort of slides away and they're just dreams. Freaky ones sure, but we get used to them and the slaying sort of calms things down. They don’t build up. Not like this. Guinevere was doing some extreme ignoring and it drove her crazy.”

“Holy shit.”

“You can say that again.”

“Oi! Can we hurry this along! Slayer healing notwithstanding, Buffy still needs tending to here!” Spike’s voice bellowed up the stairs.

“Right,” Faith muttered as she pushed open one of the doors onto a neatly kept bedroom that must have been Guinevere’s. She quickly grabbed a dark green wool blanket and the two of them turned back down the stairs.

In a moment Spike had Buffy wrapped in the blanket and was carrying her out of the cottage. Faith and Callum following behind carrying the weapons they’d brought with them, including Lancelot’s bloodied sword.

“Spike, you really don’t have to carry me,” Buffy complained before having another coughing fit that made her wince and gasp in pain.

“What and pass up a chance to be useful? Not likely,” he grinned at her as they made their way out of the forest clearing and back into the dimly lit cave. The water spirit was standing sentient at the edge of the water when they came out.

“Am I hallucinating?” Buffy wheezed.

“Shh, no you’re not, Love.”

“Vampire, the Slayer within is no more.”

“I didn’t kill her if that’s what you’re thinking. But you knew what would happen before you let us in didn’t you?”

The watery figure inclined her head. “I confess it was foretold. The Lady’s demise would come in the form of two like her, and two men, one living, one dead; carrying the sword of Lancelot.”

“Could have warned us.”

She shook her head wearily. “That I could not.”

“Now what?”

“This is the Slayer you spoke of, the one you wish to make your bride?”

“She is.”

“She is injured.” The spirit moved forward, reaching out a translucent hand towards Buffy. “She is strong despite being weakened so. She should rest. Her body will heal.”

“Ta, sort of already figured that one out.”

Callum gaped a little at the water spirit, “D-did you need the sword back?” he stammered.

“I do not. I think it would be best if the Slayers kept it, this place may still be of use to you in the future.”

Faith glanced down at the sword and back at the entrance that had already closed behind them. “I think I’m gonna be back to check things out if that’s alright.”

“As you wish my Lady, this place is now at your disposal.”

“Ah yeah, thanks. I guess.”

Spike gave a quick nod and proceeded towards the raft where he quickly helped Buffy get situated and then they were off heading back towards the Bed and Breakfast. At the mouth of the cave Spike helped settled Buffy down onto a large rock.

“Not going to be a laugh getting up that hill, Pet. How do you feel about a piggyback ride?”

Buffy glared at him and started coughing again, clutching at her chest she nodded, “Fine, you win this time.”

“Don’t worry, no one here is going to think you’re any less of a badass,” Faith chuckled darkly. “What was all that in there? The anti-aging questions and this and— What the hell Buff! Didn’t you think this might be shit I should know about?”

“It’s not like that,” Buffy gasped.

“Then what’s it like then? What if she had run me through?”

“You probably would be dead. You have a few more years,” Buffy coughed again, wheezing.

“We don’t have all the answers. We will tell you what we know and piece it together with whatever the hell just happened in there. After! Buffy is in bed.”

“Fine.”

“Damn right. I don’t remember anyone grilling you for answers when you got blown-up.”

“You got blown-up?” Callum eyed her dubiously.

“Not exactly. More like the shockwave and some shrapnel. Spike wasn’t even there for that.”

“Don’t get me started on why. At least I was there for the after party,” he grumbled.

“Let’s hear it for the Big Bang!”

At that Buffy grabbed Spike’s arm pulling herself up to stand. “Knock it off you two!” she hissed painfully.

Spike turned, grabbing her tightly, “Come on, Pet,” he murmured as he pulled her around to his back. Squatting down he grabbed her legs, pulling them around his waist as she gripped him around the neck and shoulders. “Cal, fetch the blanket.”

“Sure, mate.” He grabbed it from where Buffy had left it on her rock, “You don’t want this now do you?”

“Not cold or shocky are you, Lamb?”

“Less talk. Giddyup.”

“Should’ve seen that one comin’.”

Buffy pulled her arms tightly around him. An intense sting radiated through her chest at the movement but she didn’t dare release him.

The four of them made the trek up the rocky slope. Callum and Faith followed behind. At the top of the path, Buffy slipped from his back and continued to the B&B only pausing long enough at the van for Faith and Callum to stow the weapons and get the first-aid kit they had started keeping in there since they first arrived.

Back in their room, Spike settled Buffy onto the bed while Faith gathered a bowl of water and a clean rag. Callum tossed the first-aid kit onto the bed exiting quickly as Spike started to pull her shirt off. He examined the wound and pressed his ear to her chest again, “I’m no doctor but I swear it’s sounding better. How are you feeling?”

“Super tired,” she took in a tentative breath before coughing again, “Breathing still sucks.”

“Blood has stopped. That’s good. Not crazy about seeing you coughing up blood.”

“Babe, if I can survive this, I think I’m in the clear.”

He cupped her cheek, “Looks like we got some time to work through those issues of ours after all.”

“Little bit.”

His eyes were filled with wonder as he gazed at her. Thankful she was alive. He smiled. Time. They had time. She was alive and they had time. A lot of it, it would seem. “Guess we got some answers tonight, ehh?”

“I’d like some of those too,” Faith said as she came in, breaking the moment. She threw some navy blue towels onto the bed and set the bowl of warm water on the little table next to Buffy. Then she sat down on the bed behind Buffy and started cleaning the wound at her back, “Don’t let me stop you, go on, I think I need to hear this too.”

“She’s right babe,” Buffy murmured as she slumped into Spike’s shoulder, letting him support her while Faith worked.

“We’re going to have to call Red I bet.”

“She’s been thinking this has all been because of her spell and it’s not,” she paused trying to catch her breath, “Guinevere just gave up— got past her— 26th birthday without— dying first. Which means—“

“Which means that the wankers who started this whole Slayer thing put a cap on your lives with that damned death-wish thing.”

“Exactly.”

“Someone want to back up here?” Faith groused as she pressed gauze to the wound harder than necessary, making Buffy gasp in pain.

“Yeah, easy, Florence Nightingale, we’re patching up a wound not the Hoover Dam.” Spike snapped.

Faith looked at her hand pressing on the gauze and released some of the pressure. “Sorry, B,” she mumbled, “go on, you were about to start story time.”

Buffy took a minute to regulate her shallow breathing, “It goes back to the original spell that created the first Slayer. From what Willow says it has— ah— something to do with the demon they used, like a type of vampire which—“ she gasped, “makes sense because—“

Faith nodded, “Vampire Slayer, duh.”

Buffy shook her head grasping for breath and tapped Spike on the shoulder.

“I can fill in for a bit.”

Buffy nodded.

“Looks like that death-wish thing you all share is there by design and serves a rather twisted purpose. Keep the line rolling with pretty young things.”

Faith stiffened, “You want to clarify that?”

“Death is our gift,” Buffy interjected, a little stronger this time.

“Right. They seemed to think that if you made it that far it was a job well done and you should just reap your reward, everlasting peace...” his voice trailed off, knowing it was still something that stung at Buffy, knowing what she had lost.

“So is that how Queenie was like a thousand or something.”

“Dunno about that really but yeah, bird was up there. She was apparently the one who made it past the expiration date because she stuck her head in the sand instead of fighting the good fight.”

“So she stopped aging.”

“And apparently can’t be killed unless you chop her head off. We’re pretty sure that’s the reason the original watcher’s wrote in that little caveat. Didn’t want an immortal woman with super powers wandering round. Basically, these sick bastards decided that no one, including the chosen one, should have eternal life so they instilled a sort of death-wish in Slayers ensuring they would never make it past 25. Probably why they started that whole Cruciamentum thing at 18 too.”

“Holy shit.”

“That was pretty much my reaction too.”

“Okay, so explain Buffy, she’s only a few months older than me.”

“I’m what happens when you return a gift.”

Faith stopped what she was doing, “You don’t mean—“

“You too can be just like me if you either get ripped out of heaven or live to celebrate your 26th birthday. Apparently…” Buffy tried a weak parity of an infomercial, but then trailed off with several more raspy breaths and a fresh round of coughs.

Spike noticed the blood had stopped completely now and her breathing eased slightly. As did some of the tension in his shoulders along with it.

“Well shit.”

“Yeah, really.” Buffy sighed.

Faith got up and took a second to let the news sink in before speaking, “Lay back, your back is done, we got to get the front patched up.”

Spike helped ease her back gingerly, “Give me that,” Spike held out a hand to Faith, and she handed over the gauze.

“How long have you guys known about this?”

“Not long. Tonight sort of filled in some of the bigger gaps.” Spike answered as he tended to Buffy’s wound.

“Yeah… I guess I get that…” she said distractedly, and cleared her throat, “You eh, you got this right Spikey-boy?”

“Sure, you go on. Mull things over.”

“No kidding,” with one last glance back at them, Faith slipped out the door and into her own room where Callum was waiting. He had taken off his shirt and boots and was sitting in the comfortable reading chair in their room, elbows resting on knees and staring at his shirt clutched in his fists. He looked up when Faith came in, “She’ll pull through, I gather?”

Faith nodded, “Yeah. Spike‘s got this. Slayer healing has the rest. She’ll probably take it easy for a few days but she’ll be fine.”

He nodded, “And how are you fairing?”

She sat down heavily on the bed and let out a huge sigh, “Honestly, I have no freaking clue. They just filled me in on some crazy shit going on with Buffy. And apparently all the slayers including me, if I don’t bite the big one first.”

Callum shifted over to sit next to her, “You want to talk about it?”

His eyebrows rose as she filled him in, and he shook his head. “That’s a lot to take in.”

“Yeah but from the sounds of it, I kind of have a while before I really have to worry about any of that.”

He looked back down at his hands, took hers in his and gazed at their entwined fingers. “Look, Faith, I’m not gonna pretend that this isn’t freaking me out. I’m still wrapping my head around what I saw tonight.”

She yanked her hand away. “You’re going to run for the hills aren’t you?”

Callum narrowed his eyes at her and turned to look at her squarely, “Whatever gave you that daft idea?”

“Humm hate to break it to you but tonight was definitely not the weirdest thing we’ve ever seen. Yeah the whole thing with Buff was pretty intense but it’s still just another freaking day.”

“Doubt this sort of thing is typical, even for you, Lass.” He shot her a small grin.

“I— well not exactly—“

He shoulder bumped her gently before taking her hand again. It had been a long night. “It’s alright if you need to talk. I sure as hell could use an ear.”

Faith watched him, “Talk?”

“Well yeah, you know, that thing you do with your mouth that helps you express your thoughts?”

“Are you sure we’re talking about talking?”

“Normally I’d let you get away with that but I’m serious, Faith. We should talk about this.”

“I’m not great with the talking.”

“Fine, I’ll start. Today started off as a fun road trip. The biggest thing I was worried about was trying to get Spike and Buffy to come round to figuring out what they want to do in the duplex. Then meeting Guinevere was pretty amazing—“He cut off when she gave him a dubious look, then continued, “well it was at first. Until she went crazy and I watched my girlfriend decapitate her after she stabbed Buffy through the blasted chest. Who is apparently going to be fine by the way… which is great news, but holy shit, Lass! It’s just been a bloody weird night and I’m still wrapping my head round it all.”

She bit back some snappy retort at the vulnerability he was showing, like a shark smelling blood in the water. She didn’t want to be a shark. She wanted to be a better person. A better her. Angel had helped her a lot and she was better, but this kind of thing still didn’t come naturally to her. Spike‘s Florence Nightingale jab came back to her.

She took in Callum’s hulking muscular form, tattoos rippling across his skin, his disheveled hair hanging limply, and the mix of indiscernible emotions on his face. Here was the man who had practically moved into the castle with her after losing one of her girls and he never said a word. He never complained. He didn’t look at her like she would break and he wasn’t overbearing. He was just there when she needed him. Now he was asking for the same treatment and she wasn’t sure how to do it.

“Did that help?” It was a weak attempt, she knew, but she really was trying.

He bit the inside of his cheek, “A bit. Might take me some time. I mean you’ve been honest ever since I found out about the whole Slayer thing. But knowing it and seeing it are pretty different things.”

“Okay so now I’m thinking you’re going to bolt on me again.”

He threw up his hands standing up abruptly and turned to her. “God, would you stop that? Can you just for once— it’d be nice to know that you are capable of having a little faith in us.”

“I’m not used to this. Having someone I— none of this comes easy for me, ya know? I mean I’ve never really had too much experience with—“

“The whole lone wolf bit. You’ve told me.” He huffed and sat back down next to her.

She shook her head, “It's not just that, Cal. Every time I would start to get close in the past, I— I didn’t just push people away, I made them hate me. It took going to prison and Angel helping me out the whole time I was in there for me to realize what I was doing and I’m still working on changing that. Teaching at the castle, getting as close to Giles as I have, burying the hatchet with Buffy and getting to know the girls— I’ve changed a lot, but it’s hard.”

Callum shifted back towards the headboard looking at her. “Not telling me anything new. I’m not asking for a miracle, sweetheart. Just stop acting like I’m going to bolt every time there’s a bump in the bloody road.”

“Most people would probably say this is more than a bump.”

He rearranged one of the pillows to give her a comfortable spot next to him and leaned forward to pull her closer. “Yeah well maybe it’s more like a crater but I’ve been told I’ve got to adjust for slayer weirdness so why split hairs?”

She actually laughed at that as she eased herself next to him. Stretching her legs out she examined her bare feet as she spoke, “Definitely got the weirdness.”

“We both need to deal with it. You saw tonight what happens when you don’t.”

“I also saw what happens when everyone you love dies.”

He shook his head, “Think that probably goes two ways, could also be what happens when you wall yourself away from letting anyone else in after loss.”

She pulled her legs up to her chest defensively. “Maybe— I don’t want to do that, Cal. I don’t want to be like her.”

“Then don’t,” he shrugged his broad shoulders, “you said you wanted to go back in there. Do you think that will help you deal with this?”

“Won’t know until I try. If nothing else, maybe I’ll find something the brains can use.”

“Then we’ll go back tomorrow, together.”

She let her legs fall as she turned towards him a little more, “I’m going to have to deal with the body, Cal. Are you sure you want to see that?”

“No, but I will. I’m not letting you go back there alone.”

“Who’s the badass here?” She asked, raising an eyebrow.

He grinned at her, “No question it’s you, babe. This isn’t about that.”

“So what now?”

He shrugged, “I don’t know. But it’s like you said ain’t it? You’ve still got some time before any of this affects you directly. All I know is I want to spend as much time with you, as either one of us might have. If that’s a day or a thousand years I want to be a part of your life as much as possible.”

“So like the whole ‘Carpe Diem' thing?”

“Suppose so.” They sat quietly for a long time, both lost in thought. “So does this mean this is something that could’ve happened with any slayer throughout history?” He asked, thinking about the aunt he never knew.

“Apparently. Well no, not really. That’s what the death thing is for I guess.”

“And that’s all slayers, you too?”

“Yeah. I mean—“ she broke off. Thinking about her darkest moments when things were the worst. It seemed almost like someone else’s life compared to where she was now. She shook her head, “It's different though. We’re fighters, it's who we are and we’re not going down without a fight. But sometimes there’s just— it’s like this split second when things get really clear and everything seems— and then the next second it’s gone. Like it never happened.”

“And my aunt?”

“Yeah, her too. Guinevere is the only one that we have ever heard of in the history of, well ever, to actually get past the termination clause. Hell, even Buffy has died twice. Three if we count tonight but— yeah that’s just going to give me a headache.”

He leaned towards her, taking her hand, “What about you?”

“Close a couple of times, but no.”

Settling his arm around her and he pulled her back onto the bed with him, “Keep it that way, yeah?”

She snuggled her cheek against his chest, getting comfortable, “That’s the plan.” She ran her fingers over the lines of the bear’s head tattooed on his chest and wrapped her fingers around his shoulder following the line work of it’s body.

He tilted his head down to watch her and caught her eye. “But right now you just want to shag so you don’t have to think about it, don’t you?”

“Don’t you?” She asked a little gruffly as she gripped him through his jeans.

Callum caught her wrist and pushed her back, pinning her to the mattress. “Sort of beside the point isn’t it?”

She grinned wickedly, pressing herself up to catch him with a hard kiss, “It’s one way to cope.”

“Carpe Diem,” he growled as he returned the kiss and let her flip him over to his back, not that he could have stopped her, not that he’d want to. He landed with a hard thud onto the mattress and a fierce grin on his face as they melted into one another. He worked his fingers under the soft fabric of her t-shirt and cupping her breast through her bra. Faith pulled back allowing him to push it over her head and unclasped her bra for him.

They were both topless, clad only in jeans that certainly had to go. She kissed him hard, biting his lip and pulling back a little. He groaned a little and returned the kiss with abandon. Without breaking the kiss Faith shifted back onto her knees enough to unbuckle his jeans and hers. She had no more than undid her zipper when he had already pushed her jeans and underwear down around her hips. She rocked back to remove her jeans and Callum followed unexpectedly. He shucked off his own as he pushed Faith back towards the foot of the bed. She pulled him down to her wrapping her legs around his waist feeling his cock bounce against the inside of her leg and over her center. The anticipation was driving her crazy.

He pulled back a little, grinning, “Something you want, beautiful?”

In response she reached down to grip his cock firmly. His grin widened as he pulled back slightly. “Sorry darlin’, patience, please. I wanna go slow with you tonight. Coping with trauma takes time after all,” he murmured as he nipped at her neck, making her shudder.

“Are we calling this couple’s therapy?”

“God, I love you.”

*****

Spike laid on his side propped up against a couple of pillows, watching Buffy sleep. Her breathing was still labored but better. What had been alarmingly ragged painful breaths before now resembled the breathing of someone with just a nasty chest cold.

The wound he had received from the same stab of the sword hurt like hell but he didn’t have to breathe. She was the one struggling for breath, and he hated it. She was as immortal as he was, had apparently been ever since she had been resurrected. They just hadn’t known for sure. The thought made his head hurt.

It was a long moment before he realized she was looking at him. “Hey there, Goldilocks.”

“Hey yourself,” she rasped as she adjusted herself on the bed to see him better. She winced as she settled back onto the pillows.

“How are you feeling?”

“Like a seriously thirsty pincushion.” She hissed in pain as she adjusted the pillow behind her.

“Thought you might. I managed to scrounge up a pitcher of water for you,” he held a glass with a straw sticking out of it for her, “drink.”

She ended up only taking a few sips but it was better than nothing.

“Your breathing and heart rate sound a lot better. Think your healing is concentrating on the internal damage.”

“Thank you, Dr. Pratt.”

He shuddered comically, “Oi! Now that I can do without.”

Buffy laughed weakly, “You should get some sleep too mister. Clearly I’m going to heal just fine.”

“Not the point is it? I still don’t like seeing you hurt.”

She sighed, “Okay, yeah, but you were part of the shish kebab too last I checked.”

“I’m alright.”

Buffy frowned, “How long was I out?”

“Few hours. Sun came up a couple of hours ago. You need your rest, sweetheart.”

“Notice the total lack of backflips.”

“Ahh huh, let’s have a look at that shall we?” He gestured towards the bandage on her chest.

Buffy gave a little nod and watched as he pulled back the bandage with deft fingers. He gently prodded the skin around the wound. It was puckered together although the skin hadn’t yet begun to heal. Just as he had said, her body was working from the inside out.

“We should probably try to get some food in you. Do you feel up to it?”

“Are we talking jello?”

He laughed, “I’m serious, you need to keep your strength up. I already had some blood. You sure you don’t need anything?”

Buffy considered that. She was thirsty but that was all. She didn’t think she could eat anything. “No, just water for now.”

He reached over for her glass, holding it up for her again. “You scared the hell out of me, Pet. Why didn’t you dodge? A stab like that would have been nothing more than a sodding inconvenience for me,” he pulled up his shirt and gestured to his own chest at the wide gash located a little lower than Buffy’s much more severe wound.

She turned a tired gaze towards his face, “I was trying to get you out of there, you idiot. Did you see how fast Queen Crazy was?”

“It keeps running through my head. I really thought—“

She reached to cup his cheek and he leaned into the warmth of her hand, “Spike, honey, I’m going to be alright. We both are.”

He shook his head a little. She had known of the possibility longer than he had but he wasn’t sure if she had taken the time to really consider a life of immortality. “Buffy—“

She squinted a little, worry was rolling off of him in waves, his thoughts simmering at the surface. “I know.”

“Do you?”

“Dawn, Giles, Will, Xan… yeah… I’ve thought about it. I’ve been thinking about it.”

“And?”

“It’s just one more layer of weird isn’t it? But hey at least we’re in this together right?”

“Till the end of the world.”

Unless of course the prophecy actually was referring to him and not Angel. For the first time since he had heard about it, he desperately hoped it really was Angel.

The stupid ponce can have his mortal cake and eat it too. He thought venomously.

“What was that?”

He straightened, he hadn’t really meant for her to hear that and he didn’t know if now was really the best time. He sighed, “Just thinking about Angel and his bloody prophecy. I’d been a mite jealous a while back.”

“Is this the one you keep dancing around? The one that could mean you?”

He nodded, “Had wanted it bad before. Beat the shit out of the ponce for a chance at it that turned out to be a sodding fake. But this changes things. He can keep his chance at becoming a real boy if it means I get you.”

Buffy let that process in her mind. They had fought over mortality and over her. A life with her and Spike had won in more ways than one. He had her heart, no question about it, even if he would have lost the battle he had won the war. Even if she didn’t know about it. “How long have you known about this?”

“Bout a year I suppose, bit longer, maybe. Angel’s been working himself ragged for years trying to save enough lives so he can reap his big cosmic reward and I just sort of stumbled into the running by mistake. Rather doubt it’s about me,” he shrugged, “s’why I didn’t say anything about it before. Besides, Angel’s been after this particular merit badge for this long and doesn’t seem to be any closer. Even if it does mean me, who’s to say it won’t be in a couple hundred years? It’s too vague.”

Buffy closed her eyes and opened them again, slowly, “I get why you didn’t say anything but I still wish you would have.”

“Rather thought you might know bout it already. Bound to be in those files Wes passed on to Willow.”

“She hasn’t had a chance to go through everything.”

“Should probably call the witch, you know. Fill her in.”

“Giles too. God, what am I going to tell Dawn?” Buffy sighed.

“That someday you’ll be the younger sister?” Spike chuckled.

“Oh yeah that’s definitely not going to wig her out.”

“All part of the glamorous lifestyle. At least you have a pulse.”

“True. Sunlight is a bonus too.”

“Oh now you’re just being mean.”

Buffy just grinned sadly, “Too bad I didn’t keep the Gem of Amara. If I knew Angel was going to throw it in the ocean like an idiot, I would have.”

He sighed and straightened up, “Yeah well it’s gone now. Think maybe you can eat something? Soup maybe?”

“I can give it a try.”

He leaned in, kissing her on the forehead. “That’s what I like to hear.”

40 Time

“No way you’ve got to be joking. This is incredible!” Callum grinned at Buffy and Faith who were a lot more wary.

“I assure you, I do not jest.”

“You said ‘former queen’, so you know that Camelot is gone, right?” Faith asked.

Her shoulders drooped, “I said former Queen because I abdicated the throne when I was released from my marriage bonds to Arthur.”

“Oh, right… that makes sense,” Faith said, a little embarrassed.

Guinevere eyed Faith, “You have tasted blood.”

“We all have. Comes with getting clocked in the jaw.”

“True, but we both know that’s not what I meant. I believe we may be a kin of sorts, perhaps you should come inside.”

With that, Lady Guinevere turned to lead them into her cottage. Buffy caught Faith’s eye, before following her. A silent agreement passed between the two of them that something wasn’t right.

“Please, have a seat,” she said, gesturing towards a large rough hune table with bench seats. The cottage was quaint and clean. The walls were plastered, and smooth, crisscrossed with dark coloured beams, a style that screamed old world and yet was in pristine condition. There were dried flowers and herbs hanging from several places. Buffy had almost expected the floor to be dirt, but it wasn't. It was gleaming hardwood from what she could see, although that was difficult to tell thanks to the fact it was mostly covered with rugs. Some of which looked like animal pelts. Others were clearly handmade, woven out of some sort of cloth or perhaps wool. A set of dark wooden stairs lead up to a second floor.

Overall the place had a somewhat whimsical feel which was only emphasized by things that seemed almost purposefully out of place. Everything screamed medieval times. However, there were certain things that she wouldn’t have expected such as the wood burning cook stove in the kitchen, rather than a simple cooking fire. Buffy supposed that it might be possible that this was simply a mark of Guinevere’s wealth and status, however, that didn’t seem to add up. It was a rather large cottage that seemed like it had been built for a large family instead of a couple living on their own. It was certainly far too large for a single person.

Guinevere busied herself, arranging small cakes, or maybe they were scones, onto a plate and placed them on the table. As the three of them sat down, “Would you care for tea or a glass of water?” She looked at each of them expectantly. Buffy couldn’t help noticing the way she kept glancing at the sword.

“Please tell me, how did Camelot fall?” Her hand gripped convulsively, her eyes unblinking, and Callum held the sword a little tighter, uncomfortable under her intense stare.

Callum shifted in his seat, “Well, it happened a long time ago. There’s some debate. A lot of people don’t even believe that it really existed at all, your highness.”

“Oh my dear boy, it’s been years since anyone has called me that,” her voice had grown weary. She suddenly sounded very old indeed. She sat down, taking one of the scones and breaking off a small piece. “How did you come in possession of my husband's sword?”

“Oh that would be me. My boyfriend and I came across it. I’m what we call a Slayer, so is Faith. It’s sort of our job to look into this kind of weird stuff.”

The former queen nodded solemnly, “Oh yes, Slayers of course. I should’ve known the line would have continued. Although how, I should like to know.”

“How do you know about Slayers?” Faith asked.

“The same way you do, I suspect.”

“Wait what?” Buffy sputtered and was almost relieved to hear Faith sounded just as shocked as she did.

“You? You’re a Slayer?”

“Yes of course. It was one of the many reasons why Arthur initially thought he should want me as his queen. He of course didn’t know I was a Slayer. He did know I was a strong willed woman and unafraid of the battlefield unlike so many women. He liked that I was not a timid, fragile flower. I thought perhaps he would make a fine match, such a strong king. How foolish I was,” she shook her head, “I’m afraid that is neither here, nor there. Pray tell me, how the two of you came to me today. I was under the impression that there could only be one Slayer and since I have been here all this time I did not think there could be another.”

“Yeah that’s sorta—“ Buffy started but was cut off.

Guinevere continued musing as though she couldn’t hear Buffy. “In my experience, the Powers that Be, always find a way,” she paused and thought for a moment, looking wistful, “Oh dear, unless…” she tapped her cheek thoughtfully, “Perhaps the time the Wizard Merlin brought me back from death with the kiss of life was enough to call my replacement.”

“Yeah that’s sort of how Faith got called.”

“Suppose that doesn’t really surprise me. Merlin had told me that I had died in that moment and that it was enough to break my marriage bond to Arthur. I always suspected he only told me that to ease my mind about leaving with Lancelot, however now I wonder otherwise.”

Callum leaned on his elbows, clasping his hands in front of himself. His curiosity edging out his unease. “That’s fascinating,'' he said eagerly, “so you really did run off with Lancelot. Wow. And then what? You just got married and moved here?”

“Not precisely. We were married soon after we departed, yes. However we first lived in a little village where no one knew me by sight. We lived quite happily for many years, in fact. Until the people in our village realized I no longer seemed to grow older and they became frightened of me. We then moved to another village where I pretended to be my husband’s daughter until we came here.”

“Wait. Is that how you’re still alive? When did that happen, when did you stop aging?” Buffy asked in a rush, earning a scathing look from Faith.

“What are you talking about, B?”

Buffy ignored Faith.

Guinevere gave Buffy a quizzical look. “Oh yes, of course. Merlin said it was part of being a Slayer, the ‘pull of death’ he called it. I had left the life of a Slayer behind when I left Arthur you see. I no longer wished to fight the Dennisons of evil. I wanted nothing more than to live a simple, quiet life with the man I loved. My desire to be with him outweighed my desire to fight the darkness and once I no longer felt the pull of death the only time I ever fought such creatures was when they would come to our village.”

“So you just took early retirement?” Faith, asked incredulously.

Buffy couldn’t ignore the tinkling of warning bells going off in her head. There was something in Guinevere’s tone and mannerisms, a sort of strange detachment that she found utterly unnerving.

Guinevere canted her head towards Faith as though she were a bird trying to figure out something she didn’t understand. It struck Buffy that maybe she really didn’t understand the question, especially when she proceeded to ignore it, and Faith. Instead she turned her attention towards Buffy. “I imagine that is precisely why I am alive. I believe you had another question.”

“Yeah, when did it take effect, when did you stop ageing?”

Faith looked confused but Buffy still wouldn’t let her interrupt, she needed answers, they all did.

“I don’t have any idea, truth be told. It was soon after we left Camelot I suppose and I no longer felt the pull. I simply attributed that to being free of my previous duties. I didn’t even notice at first but it must have been sometime after my 25th year. It had been several years before it became apparent that no lasting harm could befall me and that I seem to be staying forever young. With Merlin’s help we eventually came here, to a place where he could guarantee my safety. He simply moved our home to this place.”

“What happened to your husband?”

“He left one day on one of his adventures, leaving me with everything I could ever wish for in this enchanted place. He said he would return but he never did. I’ve always suspected the worst.”

Buffy frowned, she felt sorry for her. She was starting to wonder if maybe what really had her hackles up was simply recognizing the grief this woman must have felt at being left alone. She knew that grief could do strange things to people but maybe that wasn’t all. Guinevere seemed to be full of old world manners but there was nothing behind the eyes. Nothing but the occasional flicker of something that reminded her eerily of Angelus but that Buffy couldn’t quite pinpoint, which only intensified the feeling of detachment she conveyed. If this is what an extended life does to the soul it begged the question; is it more of a curse than a blessing? This was apparently the one Slayer in all of history who had lived past the expiration date and she didn’t seem any better for it. Guinevere was clearly a lonely soul. She had lost her husband, possibly many others if they had children now she thought about it. How did that work anyway? Or was this what happened when a Slayer abandoned her calling?

She looked around the room at some of the out of time items dotted around. Gifts from family in the real world? But then how did the demons get the sword? How long had she been here? Alone. Buffy thought about her own little chosen family she had created for herself. Giles, Willow, Xan, Spike, hell even Faith. Faith who had become sort of like a close cousin. She glanced up at her, catching Faith’s eye and she could tell that her thoughts were running along the same path as Buffy’s.

Faith stood up suddenly, stretching, and drawing Guinevere’s attention to herself. “Mind if I take a look around? I just need to stretch my legs.” She didn’t wait for an answer before she strode towards a fireplace in what looked like a sitting room. There were a number of curious items on top of the mantle that had caught her eye. She took her ax with her as though it was her security blanket.

Guinevere nodded, “By all means. I live a rather quiet life here. I can’t remember the last time I had visitors.”

Now that did sound strange considering the concealed entrance literally had a lock on it. Buffy’s unease was growing quickly. And where the hell was Spike anyway?

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

Outside in the cave, Spike was struggling desperately with the raft. The current caused by the waterfall seemed to be directing the raft in the opposite direction he needed to go to get to the ring. It took him several minutes before he was able to get close enough but once he did, the raft easily slid up right next to the wall next to the ring.

“Sure Buffy, whatever you want Buffy. Hell if she ain’t got you by the short and curlies, William, old boy. This sodden little excursion had better be bloody worth it!” he grumbled loudly as he finished tying the raft to the ring.

He sighed as he straightened up, “Definitely taking this out of her sweet little ass later,” he smirked and made his way over to the opening his companions had disappeared through.

Before he could step through, he felt a cold wet hand on his shoulder. He turned his head towards it. Nothing. He looked up to the cave ceiling to see if water was dripping down, but he didn’t see anything that could’ve caused it.

The feeling returned and skimmed down his arm, gripping his bicep firmly this time. There was no mistaking it now, he looked down at his arm and saw what appeared to be a disembodied hand, made entirely out of water digging into the taught muscle..

“What the hell?” He murmured before he was forcibly thrown back from the door, and into the water.

Spike struggled against the suddenly churning water. Eventually he was able to pull himself to the surface, and popped up like a cork. The water suddenly stilled as he began to tread. Looking around, he saw nothing.

“Alright then. Who the bloody hell did that? Show yourself.”

Out of the water came a figure. Shimmering as though made of water itself, “Hello vampire,” said a hollow voice in, “What is a creature like you doing in a place like this?'' it asked.

“Bloody hell, I’m one of the good guys, if you haven’t noticed!”

The watery figure defined itself a little more, becoming that of a naked woman, as it twisted its way towards him. Spike continued to tread.

“You have no business here.”

“I bloody well beg to differ. I’ve got plenty of business here, Slayer business, in fact.”

“I’m sure you do. How came you to know of the Slayer within?”

“Slayers, you nit. And I came with them. Two Slayers in fact and you don’t see me dead. Do you? Not dusty am I? Even have it in mind to marry the one.”

The water spirit cocked its head towards Spike as though trying to understand his words, “Do you take me for fool?”

“This ain’t getting us nowhere.” He grumbled as he pulled himself back up onto the stone ledge, mostly ignoring the water spirit. “If I was going to hurt anybody, why the hell would I bring the two most experienced Slayers in the world with me?”

“Because of the Slayer within of course. She is why you are here is she not?”

“A Slayer? In there? We’re here for treasure. What are you talking about?”

“Lancelot's greatest treasure was his wife. The lady Guinevere. This is her safe haven. I am the guard.”

“Guard and how come you let those three in and how come you’re only showing yourself now?” he asked.

“Because you have only tried to get in now. I am here to guard against creatures of the night, not visitors carrying the key.”

“I am an alley. You stupid bint!!!” Spike, growled.

“If you are an ally as you claim then tell me, what is the gift of a Slayer.”

“Riddles is it? Not a very good one. You don’t think I know my future wife’s gift? Death is her gift.”

“Is that gift given or received?”

“That’s a trick question, it's both.”

“Do you know what happens when a Slayer fails to receive this gift?”

“Fancy, I got a good idea. Girl, get’s to live forever, more or less.”

“Very good, vampire. And do you have any idea what happens when all of her loved ones are gone?”

There was a sickening clawing at the inside of his head and he swallowed hard, “Are you telling me there is a lonely, insane Slayer in there, and that my girlfriend and our mates are in there with her?”

“You sound genuinely concerned.”

“Damn right I am! I've seen firsthand what a whacked out Slayer looks like! I still got the scars to prove it!” He gestured to the very thin scars, running in a perfect line around each of his forearms, “Bloody thing cut my hands off. had to have them put back on.”

If Spike didn’t know any better, he would say that the water spirit raised an eyebrow at him although it was hard to tell seeing as the creature was composed of nothing but water. “What happened to this Slayer, you faced?”

Spike shrugged, “You’d have to ask my lady. She took care of things. Sent her to some hospital or other to get help. I don’t really know, I haven't seen her since.”

“I fear there is no such help for the Slayer within. She is calm now, but it won’t last long.”

“Are you going to let me in or not?”

“I will give you this chance, vampire. If I find you have initiated violence upon my charge I will come after you.”

“Yeah, yeah like that ain’t nothing I’ve never heard before. Can’t make any guarantees if she comes at me. You know that right? I won’t be held accountable for self defense.”

The water spirit considered this, “I imagine that is how you have stayed alive. I will allow it,” the spirit sounded dejected.

“So can I go and see what my mates are up to? Figure out what they’ve got themselves into in there.”

The water spirit inclined her head, “You may pass,” she said, slipping into the water, “I fear the time has come.”

“Oh sure, leave with an ominous message. How much more cliché can you get?” He huffed as he went along with caution until he came to the archway, “Bloody hell if that ain’t sodding strange. Through the looking glass we go,” he mused, taking a few steps into the forest clearing. The magic was almost tangible and it set his teeth on edge.

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

“Where did you say you found my husband’s sword?”

“Oh, huh yeah I don’t think I got to that. My boyfriend and I took out a demon a couple of weeks ago, he had it. I was just going to keep it until we figured out it wasn’t just a regular sword.“

“This ‘boyfriend’, he is your intended, yes?”

“Yes, he is.”

“And he has not escorted you?”

For a Slayer she is really old fashioned, Buffy thought to herself, “He’s around. I’m sure he will be here soon.”

“Funny how these things happen,” the former queen replied as though she wasn’t at all interested in what Buffy was actually saying. Instead her full attention was on the sword, “I must say I am glad you found it. I haven't seen it in years,” Guinevere reached across the table where Callum had laid it. She picked it up and placed it back down on the table in front of her. Her fingers skimmed the blade. It’s been far too long since I’ve wielded such a weapon.”

“It’s pretty impressive. I can’t believe it’s in such great shape given its age,” Callum interjected. He was still in awe of the situation he found himself in.

“Age means little. Time means nothing,” Guinevere murmured in a deadened tone. It made the hair on Buffy’s neck stand up. Where the hell was Spike?

“Oh I don’t know. A lot can happen in a short period of time.”

“Perhaps it seems so when you are young. For me time seems to stand still.”

“When was the last time you were outside?” Callum asked.

“I’m frequently outside, it is where I found you.”

“No, I mean—“

“You have a really nice place here, Gwen,” Faith interrupted. She shot Callum a warning look and for the first time he seemed to realize there was more to the situation than he originally thought.

Callum looked to Faith and Buffy who both seemed relaxed at first glance but were ready to attack if needed. He was no novice when it came to brawls or fights in the ring but the context of the situation had thrown him off his guard. He suddenly felt very foolish and straightened up, tensing a little. Guinevere was still examining the blade with her fingers.

“It must get lonely around here.” He said, trying to keep the conversation light.

“I have my goats and the chickens. I go on hunts.”

“What do you hunt?” Callum asked conversationally and Buffy was a little nervous to hear the answer.

“The many descendants of the animals, Merlin and my husband, brought to live in the wood here. Deer, rabbits, squirrels, waterfowl, and the like. It keeps me entertained most days and puts food on my table.”

“That sounds nice,” Buffy replied mostly because she didn’t know what else to say. Hunting furry animals wasn’t her thing, but the idea of a Slayer without something to kill or hunt? Well, the idea didn’t settle well with Buffy at all. She didn’t need to hunt deer and squirrels. What she needed were vampires and demons. Things with teeth and claws. Things that got her blood pumping and sated the Slayer within. She should have been out in the world, but for some reason she was here. That alone would be enough to make anyone crazy.

There were times when she thought about how it must’ve been for Faith in prison. True, Faith was there of her own freewell. Trying to get herself under control, and putting forth a considerable effort into rehabilitating herself, but at least she had other humans to fight, if the need arose.

Buffy and Faith had both made great strides to truly understand what it was to be a Slayer and it was something they tried to convey to their students. A chill ran through Buffy as she attempted to wrap her head around what hundreds of years of relative isolation could potentially do to a Slayer. Especially one who seemed to have taken more time to suppress her nature rather than embrace it.

The woman in front of her had clearly done just that. Going against everything her instincts told her to do. She had stayed cooped up for far too long. She needed to go out. She needed to kill. She needed to fight. Instead, she was sitting still. Stagnant. Now it was too late.

Guinevere stood holding the sword and her three visitors tensed. “Oh I have missed this,” she crooned as she ran the sword through the air with swift practiced movements. There was a look of manic glee in her eyes. Buffy had seen that look before.

Buffy stood as well. She moved slowly but made a frantic gesture towards Callum from beneath the table. “Well, we really only wanted to return the sword and—“

“Oh you mustn’t leave, we have only just met. Please stay, I can put on a kettle, it’s no trouble at all,” she said quickly as she laid the sword back down on the table and gilded swiftly over toward the pump sink (another thing out of place) and started to fill a cast iron kettle. Something about the movement and her sudden change in tone reminded Buffy of Drusilla.

Guinevere was still at the sink when there was a knock at the door. Buffy’s heart leapt.

“Oh my! More company. This is a very unusual day.”

Buffy moved to the door, “That would be my guy.”

“Lovely.”

“Just don’t be freaked out though. He’s going to need an invitation because he’s a—“

“Vampire!” Guinevere let out an inhuman shriek. Something had changed in her. Her face suddenly seemed gaunt and a hungry look consumed her features. Suddenly she was charging towards the door grabbing the sword from the table with a practiced swiftness.

“Hey Queenie!” Faith yelled as she threw a carved wooden figurine, it didn’t stop Guinevere but it was enough to distract her, if only for a moment.

“Insolence!” She seethed, “That is a vampire!”

“Well spotted,” Spike mumbled, “Nice visit with the lunatic Slayer you’re having then?”

Faith dodged a powerful swing of the sword and managed to punch Guinevere in the jaw. Guinevere came down on the back of Faith’s head with the pummel of the sword.

Callum grabbed Guinevere from behind, lifting her off the ground. The sword dropped. Guinevere kicked violently and managed to get enough leverage to flip Callum over. He landed on the floor hard. Guinevere screamed again, “Vampire!”

Spike’s eyes widened almost comically as Buffy turned to engage the mad woman. Faith shot Callum a glance as she recovered from the blow and joined Buffy against her.

“He’s a friend. A good vampire!” Faith huffed as she kicked her back into Buffy.

Buffy managed to get Guinevere’s sinewy frame into an arm lock, “Listen. Please just- calm down. He’s not just a vampire. That’s my boyfriend. The one who found the sword with me. He—“

“Vampire!!!” She screeched again. Her face was more drawn and gaunt than before. This time she threw her head back to headbutt Buffy. The force of it made Buffy release her grip on her and fall back a little.

Guinevere and Faith grabbed for the sword while Buffy gripped Guinevere by her dress, pulling her back away from Faith.

“Forget it! Get your boy and let’s get out, leave nuts-o-plenty to her own devices would you!” Spike spat, pounding his fists on the barrier blocking him from the fight.

“Can’t. Do. That.” Faith grunted as she managed to get the sword. Buffy continued her fight against Guinevere, toppling over the table. Faith tossed Buffy the sword which she caught. In a swirl of fabric Guinevere kicked Buffy’s arm before she was able to adjust her grip and the sword went flying.

Guinevere rolled for the sword, picking it up as she went and lunged for Faith.

Faith gave a jerk of her head in challenge as she blocked a strike from the sword with her ax.

Buffy kicked Guinevere and grabbed her long flowing hair, “I don’t normally stoop to hair pulling. But for you I’ll—“

Buffy’s quip was cut short with a knee in her gut.

Faith took advantage of the renewed fight by dragging a semi-conscious Callum towards the door. Once over the threshold, Spike pulled Callum out into the cool grass and started slapping his cheeks to revive him. Callum groaned.

“Can you sit up, mate?”

Callum sat up, “I’ve taken some hits before but, shit.” He rubbed his palm against the back of his head where it had smacked against the floor.

Spike patted him on the shoulder and went back over to the door where Buffy was still trying her best to subdue Guinevere, or at least disarm her.

“Buffy get out of there already!”

“I can’t leave her with the sword!” Buffy replied as she dodged another attack from the fury of Guinevere’s insane rage. Faith was back in the fight now but Guinevere still held her own.

“How exactly do you plan to get it off of her? Chick might be like 1,000 but she hasn’t. Lost. A. Step.” Faith punctuated each word with a hit.

“Oi! Ya barmy bitch! Bit of big bad is what you want ain’t it? Well come get me!”

“Spike! Are you delusional?! I’m trying to keep her inside!”

“Yeah? And how’s that working out? Least out here—“

Guinevere rushed towards Spike at an ungodly speed. Buffy barely had time to twist herself around towards Spike. The sword plunged straight through her, the threshold barrier and into Spike as well; pinning them together.

“Spike?” Buffy sputtered. Her eyes were wide.

A look of horror overtook him as he pushed himself against the threshold, away from her and off of the blade. Not caring for the gaping hole in his own body.

He was looking aghast at Buffy, the sword sticking straight through her, “God no, Buffy, you daft bird. It wouldn’t have hurt me. God what did you do?”

“Buffy!” Faith lurched towards Guinevere in a rage. “You bitch!” She screamed. Wielding her own ax she sent Guinevere‘s head rolling in a single stroke.

Guinevere’s lifeless body fell to the ground, “No harm my ass!” She snapped before she was at Buffy’s back. “God B…” she held Buffy steady as she gripped the sword, “This is going to hurt,” her voice trembled as she pulled the sword out of her. Buffy collapsed into Spike’s arms as they both sank down to the ground, the threshold having died with its occupant.

The sword clattered from Faith’s hand and Callum rushed towards them. He gingerly pushed past Buffy and Spike huddled on the floor, heading straight for Faith wrapping her in his arms before she too collapsed. They knelt there next to Spike and Buffy, their eyes fixed upon the sight in front of them. Spike cradled Buffy to him much in the same way he had held Ruby. Except that Buffy had a large bloody gash through her chest and Spike was rocking with her in his arms.

“Buffy? Oh God, Love, no, not again, not again. Please don’t do this, not again,” tears were streaming as he held her.

Buffy reached up to him gripping his cheek, “Look at me. I love you, you idiot.”

“You are not going to do this to me again, do you hear me? Not again. Stay with me. I can’t do this without you. Buffy, please…” he held her to his chest crying as she closed her eyes.

39 Couples Retreat

Saturday morning Buffy found herself walking down the stairs leading to Ruby’s basement bedroom, “Ruby? You down here?”

“Yeah! Even dressed in my own clothes and everything. Although, I’m thinking a shopping trip is in order… human me was sort of–” she frowned, holding up a lime-green top with a picture of a kitten wearing sunglasses on it, to show Buffy as she came into view. “Dunno if it’s really me anymore, do you?”

Buffy shrugged, “Depends on how much you like kittens and toxic green.”

“Yeah the green not so much,” she sighed, “ Anyway, what’s up?” she added, balling up the shirt and stuffing it back into the bag she had brought from her last visit to her parents house the day before.

“Giles thought you might be able to use one of his suitcases and I got a nice big thermos for you to keep blood in for your trip. Spike was threatening to eat stray sheep by the time we came up from Paris so I figured you might need it.” She plopped the suitcase down on the multicolored brocade duvet covering Ruby’s newly acquired full sized bed and sat down next to it.

“I can’t imagine being hungry enough to drain a sheep, didn’t you feed the guy?”

Buffy laughed, “Nah he ate before we left, he was just being dramatic. He’s gone a hell of a lot longer without feeding, although I don’t really recommend it if you can avoid it. You get hungry enough and just about any furry creature looks tasty from what I hear. Hence the thermos.”

“Noted. Thanks.”

“How goes the Rome packing?”

“I think I pretty much have everything laid out. I’m glad to have my own clothes, at least they fit nicely. Thanks for going over to my folks place with me.”

“I already told you it was no big.”

“It was nice having a Buffy-buffer with my parents, not to mention Sheena. Nothing like moving out the same week your baby sister gets home from hospital and then trying to explain this ‘business’ trip thing, yeah...”

“The timing is pretty sucky, but at least Sheena should be coming back to the castle to continue training soon.”

“That’ll be good I guess. When are you heading out?”

“After we get you and Willow on your way. We figure we can time our arrival with sundown if we do it that way. Faith and Callum almost have the van packed up. I wanted to take the train again but Callum says this will be faster.”

“Yeah, like half the time, that’d be about a 10 hour train ride, you’d be nuts. Kind of a no-brainer to take the van.”

Buffy rolled a shoulder, “I really enjoyed the train ride up from London. The room we had was surprisingly cozy.”

“I’m not so sure if I’m looking forward to this trip.”

“You should be fine. Giles has made all the necessary calls. Our sources say Kennedy has already landed in Australia. The Rome Slayers know you’re coming. Just stick with Willow, I have a feeling she is going to need you. I know Spike already talked to you—“

“I’m planning on sticking to your room while I’m there. I’m not in any hurry to jump into anything and after this I sure as hell don’t want to get her any more twisted up than she already is.”

“Good plan. I pretty much have all my personal stuff with me except for a few pictures, so you don’t really have to worry about much of my junk being in the way. Mostly just clothes. Oh and fair warning, between Andrew and my sister, be prepared to be talked into oblivion.”

“Chatty sister huhh? Luckily I have some experience with that.”

“Yeah, Dawn isn’t even the bad one, it’s Andrew.”

“Willow said he liked to tell stories.”

“Oh yeah… and he has a thing about me and Spike.”

“How so?”

“Not sure if he is just like a huge fan of our love or if he just has a big crush on Spike. There is definitely some hero worship going on there. Don’t be surprised if he drills you for information. He’s a weird little guy but he’s been a surprisingly good ally and he’s sort of the Watcher in charge down there so try not to kill him.”

Ruby laughed, “Sounds like a riot. I still can’t believe I’m doing this; going to Rome I mean.”

“Yup, lot’s of travel plans going on. Speaking of which, I really should go make sure Spike remembers to pack my favorite ax.”

“From what I know of him, I’d be surprised if he didn’t pack your top three favorite weapons plus snacks and chocolate.”

It was Buffy’s turn to laugh, “Yeah, he’s pretty great that way.”

Ruby pulled the suitcase over, opening it and started placing her belongings into it, “Yeah, well, I’d better get my crap packed before Willow starts to wonder what’s taking me so long.”

“I think she was just about done. She never did unpack really.” Buffy suddenly found herself staring at one of the brocade roses adorning the duvet cover.

“Buffy? Are you alright?”

She jerked her head up, “I just keep thinking I should have known what was going on. I should have seen something. I should have… I knew something was wrong. I knew she was keeping something from me. That something wasn’t quite right. I just– I thought it was something with Dawn or– I don’t know. I had so many crazy ideas about what she was hiding. I thought I knew what it was when she told me about this other stuff… and then… She had so many bombshells for me, but this one. This one I should have seen. I’m her best-friend, I should have known.”

Ruby moved a stack of neatly folded clothes into the suitcase and sat down, “Don’t do that.”

“What?”

Ruby shook her head, “Look, Willow and I had a long talk, and seriously, just don’t go there. She didn’t want anyone to see it.”

“That’s pretty much what Spike said too, but it really doesn’t help.”

“No, I suppose not, but you really do need to realize that Willow was hiding it all really well. I’m not blaming her for anything, but I am too grateful to you to allow you to blame yourself when she was going through such great lengths to do so.”

“I haven’t seen her in months. Heck, even when I was around, I wasn’t really around, because I was too busy with the wallowing and trying to fill the crater sized hole Spike left in my heart when he died. I should have known something else was wrong before it got this far— it’s just like last time except—“

“Stop it. That glamor wasn’t the only thing she did. She told me she also used that salve of hers and what she called a ‘chipper potion’, which I guess was really just some sort of herbal tea mood-booster so she seemed a lot happier than she really was. She put a lot of effort into hiding which means it wasn’t you being a bad friend. Actually, I’d say that the fact you even picked up on anything at all says the opposite.”

Buffy shook her head, “Maybe to a point— but it’s like last time, I’ve been so wrapped up in my own life that I’ve ignored the people who matter most in—“

“God. Yeah you and everyone else on the planet!”

“What?”

“Everyone does it at some point. Not that they try to, but let’s face it everyone gets wrapped up in their own head sometimes. Hard to live for everyone else when you got your own life. It’s not just you, so drop it. You know now and now is what matters. By the way, I’m pretty sure she probably would have just kept on hiding it if she didn’t feel safe here. A big part of that is you and the fact you offered her a new place to live. That made a difference.”

“You too.”

Ruby let out a mirthless laugh, “Maybe, maybe not. Pretty sure I was little more than a welcome distraction. I think the biggest reason I’m not just saying sod the whole thing is because I need to know how much of it is really her and how much was that blasted potion.”

“Considering I had no idea, I’d say not much. I’m pretty sure she likes you.”

“Yeah well, I don’t know if that matters at the moment. I’m really having second thoughts about this trip to be honest. Maybe I should be sticking close for Sheena. Maybe I—“

“Jetta is keeping an eye out for Sheena. I’m putting her and Ava in charge of the younger girls while we’re gone. It sort of works out now we only have 11 total, Ava and Jetta are just about ready to start Level 4 training so it’s good timing that way I guess.”

“Pftt, oh yeah, that’s better. Isn’t Jetta the one who gagged me? Great substitute for her actual sister.”

“No one is replacing you, you’ll be back before you know it. As for the gag, let’s be fair, you needed it. If she didn’t do it, someone else would have.”

Ruby gave a self-deprecating laugh, “I was a bit off my nut. Can you really blame me? Newly turned formerly-closeted lesbian, high on Slayer blood, gets thrown in with a bunch of hot Slayers? Like locking a starving child in a bakery and telling them they can’t sample the goodies.”

“You sound like Spike.”

Ruby raised an eyebrow and shrugged, “Maybe it’s a hereditary thing.”

“I don’t think it works like that for vamps,” Buffy suppressed a frown at the thought of Drusilla and Angel. “At least I seriously hope it doesn't. Anyway… you want me to tell Willow you’re just about ready? I bet she’s just waiting for the rest of us now.”

“Speaking of which, shouldn’t you be going too?”

“Yeah, I’m in charge of vamp-proofing the van.”

“Have fun. I’m still wondering how I’m going to manage this. I’ve got a reefer coat and a hoodie, but it’s going to look odd in August.”

“Your what?”

Ruby held up both garments, she shook one, “Hoodie” then the other, “Reefer coat, what’s confusing?”

Buffy laughed, “Ohh! Okay, we call that a peacoat where I’m from. Wow. Okay then.” Taking a deep breath she schooled her features, “Ah, yeah it’s a little weird in August but way better than getting all flamy.”

“And I thought sunburn was bad when I was alive.”

“Definitely puts a new spin on it doesn’t it?”

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

Callum drummed his fingers on the steering wheel while waiting for the traffic light to change. Being the only one of them to have ever been to Smoo Cave, Callum had volunteered to take over driving once they had gone about half way. The light changed and he continued, casting a glance to the passenger seat where Faith was curled up with her head resting on her knees. It didn’t surprise him since she only seemed to sleep when he had sufficiently worn her out, not that he’d complain.

He knew Faith was feeling guilty about not being at the castle when the shit had hit the fan. So much so, that he was doubly surprised when she had been the one to suggest going on this trip. He knew the only reason she did was likely because of the spell work Willow had preformed to strengthen the castle’s defense and the fact that Giles wasn’t alone.

He wasn’t entirely sure what to make of Xander yet. He figured he was easy enough to get along with and despite talking and often acting like a buffoon, he had a surprisingly extensive knowledge about the supernatural and a work ethic he could certainly respect. They had been working well together on the duplex which Angus was happy about because it meant extra hands on the project. Angus’s wife was due to give birth to their fourth child in a matter of weeks and Angus had been determined to get as much of the work finished as he was able to before the baby came and he planned to take some time off to be with his family. Angus and Callum had already asked Xander if he’d like to help Callum out with odd jobs and even bartending at The White Rabbit while Angus was out and he accepted.

He reached up to adjust the rearview mirror to see into the backseat where he could clearly see Buffy watching the scenery as she gazed out through a small opening in the cardboard she had put up for Spike’s protection. It was still light out but it wouldn’t be for much longer.

“What happened to Spike?”

“Sleeping.”

Callum raised a questioning eyebrow, “Back with the luggage?”

Buffy almost said something rude but then remembered that despite being in the castle as much as he had been lately, Callum was still getting used to certain facts about vampires. “He’s here, you just can’t see him in the mirror,” she said absently as she stroked the hair back from Spike’s forehead. In direct contrast with Faith, Spike was stretched out on the bench seat with his head in her lap and one arm flung up over her knees.

“Any idea how much longer it is until we get there?”

“Starting to see signs for the caves now, we’re making good time, should still get to the B&B just about sundown.”

Spike shifted, rolling his head in her lap nuzzling his face into her stomach.”Nice try, I know you’re awake.”

Spike let out a low grumble and pulled himself up to sit next to her. “I miss anything exciting?”

“Some nice views, but mostly just sheep.”

“A few of those around,” he scrubbed a hand over his face and looked around, spotting Faith still asleep, “See I’m not the only one to fancy a kip.”

“She hasn’t been sleeping well,” Callum said, glancing over at his girlfriend.

“Think we can all relate to that.” Buffy grouched.

“Tired, Pet?”

“Of being in this van, much of the yes.”

“I see it just up ahead here,” Callum responded, turning onto the road leading to a large white Inn turned into a B & B. Moments later he pulled the van into a shaded spot and reached a firm but gentle hand over to rouse Faith. The four of them filed out of the van, stretching and grabbing their luggage.

Inside, the space was bright and cheerful. Flowers in vases dotted around adding pops of color. The furniture was the comfortable sort often found in such cozy places and lent a very welcoming feeling to the space. Just the sort of place Spike would have loved to ransack only a few short years ago. Painting the pristine white walls and polished surfaces red with the blood of the graying gentleman behind the counter. “Good evening, welcome! Do you have reservations?”

As things stood now however, Spike simply gave him his most winsome smile, “Sure have. Under Summers and Ross,” he added, jerking his head towards the couple with them.

The old man skimmed a finger through an old fashioned ledger, “Ahh yes, here we are. Just sign here if you please and we’ll get you all settled in for the night. I’m Mr. Lewis. I’m afraid you’ve missed dinner, however I’m sure the wife would be happy to arrange a fruit and cheese plate for you if you’d like.”

“Yes please,” Buffy answered.

“Yeah, I think we’ll take some of that action,” Faith drawled.

Upstairs, Callum slipped the two bags he carried into the room the old man unlocked for him. His eyes widening slightly when one of the bags made a suspicious clanging sound as the weapons within made their presence known.

Spike rolled his eyes and invented wildly, “Either you accidentally grabbed one of your tool bags for work or you two have a much more exciting weekend planned than I thought.”

“Don’t threaten us with a good time unless you’re prepared to see it through there, Spikey,” Faith teased.

“Why Faith, I’m flattered. I had no idea,” He drawled in mock surprise.

Callum snorted a laugh and brushed past them both with the bag in hand, “I’ll just take these tools back out then shall I? Think you can behave yourselves for that long?”

“Scouts honor, Mate. Don’t think the Mrs. would care for it much anyway,” Spike winked.

Buffy had to take pity on poor Mr. Lewis, who had gone slightly red in the face, “Oh my god guys, save the jokes. Let’s just get settled in.”

Spike took her hand, “Right, Pet, maybe we can go for a walk or something before we turn in.”

Apparently the idea of something so mundane snapped Mr. Lewis out of his shock and he hastily unlocked the door to their room, handing Spike the key, “The rooms in this hall share the bath at the end, just there. Please remember to be courteous.”

“Wouldn’t dream of being anything but.”

He hesitated, “Well I’ll just leave you to it. I’ll have someone bring up the fruit and cheese if you like, or I can bring it to you in the great room with a bottle of wine.”

“The great room would be just fine, thank you.” Buffy replied before Faith or Spike could disturb the poor man’s delicate sensibilities any further.

Buffy felt herself relax almost instantly as they entered their room. It was done up in cozy dark woods, pale gray walls and a dark blue bedspread which she immediately flopped down on. “Yeah, I kinda love this room. Maybe we should do something like this for our bedroom.”

Spike pursed his lips as he laid their luggage down on a cushioned bench at the foot of the bed, “Think I’m partial to the metal sort of bed frame. Like the one you had back in Sunnyhell, perhaps not white though.”

Buffy raised an eyebrow, “That bedframe squeaked.”

He stalked over to her and lowered himself down with his arms, bracing himself up over her with a wicked grin, “So do you.”

“You just want me to tie you up and chain you down.”

“Can go both ways,” he murmured as he sank down to kiss her with raw need.

After a long moment he relented, leaving Buffy breathing hard and squirming beneath him. “Black metal bed frame it is, you win. I’ll make it work.”

He smirked, backing up and off of her. He extended a hand to pull her up, “Well, at least we have that very important detail decided on. Now we just have to talk about the blasted backsplash and bathroom tile, paint vs wallpaper and all that rot.”

Buffy let out a petulant little huff, “I know I want our place to be on the cozy side.”

“Obviously.”

“I’m thinking sort of a light meets dark kind of thing.”

“Just like us.”

“Just like us,” she repeated as she pulled him into another kiss.

Just then there was a knock at the door, “You two coming down?” Faith asked. The words were barely out of her mouth before Buffy was at the door, with Spike at her heels. “You’re really excited about the whole wine and cheese thing huh?” Faith smirked at Buffy.

“That and I’m curious about the cave.”

“I’m telling you right now B, I’m not sure if I really want to go in there tonight. I say the three of us day-walkers check it out in the daytime, do a little recon and then if we need to go back at night then Spikey can join us.”

“Where’s your sense of adventure? Do the recon tonight, get it out of the way. Take the sword, find ‘The Pit of Despair’, all that.”

“Am I supposed to know what that means?”

“You’ve never seen ‘The Princess Bride’?”

“Don’t do chick flicks.”

Spike gaped at her, “Bloody hell woman, shows what you know. Help me out here, Goldilocks.”

“He’s right, it’s a classic. Little bit of everything including rats of unusual size and a lovable giant.”

“Sounds weird.”

“You sure you shouldn’t be shacking up with the great-forehead?”

“Big no. What does that have to do with a movie anyway?” Faith huffed, clearly agitated.

Buffy shot her a questioning look, “Are you alright?”

Faith rolled her shoulders and straightened up, “I’m fine, just… can’t seem to unwind. Kinda just want to take it easy tonight. This place is freaking me out a little too. Too bright and cheery, and quiet, it’s just weird.”

“All the more reason to hit the cave tonight. With any luck maybe there’ll be some nasty for us to take down.” He paused looking around as they came down the stairs, “Didn’t think the quiet was so bad.”

“Think I’m just used to the castle. Got to get my head around not being there with the girls and their constant hullabaloo.”

“Now there’s a word for it,” Spike grumbled, “Rather prefer the quiet myself.”

“Which is why we need to talk about how we want to do our half of the duplex,” Buffy was saying as they turned the corner into the great room where Callum was waiting for them.

“Told you my mum would be keen to help you out with that. Going to have to start making decisions about the tile and bathroom fixtures and what-all real soon too because we’re going to need to get started now we got most of the structural stuff under control. Angus was overseeing the roof work this weekend so the fireplace shouldn’t be giving you any more grief.”

“Spike and I just started talking about that. Trying to get back to something looking even remotely like normal after everything.”

Faith made a guttural sound and gulped down a glass of wine, “Weren’t you the ones who told me there was no such thing as normal for a Slayer?”

“Don’t think we put it quite like that, Doe-eyes. Buffy just means normal for us. Despite all the crazy shit this life throws at us, Buffy and I agree we need a nice cozy place to retreat to in our down time.”

“My mum can certainly help you with that.”

“She did his place, it’s really nice Buff.” Faith said as she leaned up against Callum.

“What do you say, Lass, have them over for dinner one night, start to reclaim some normal of our own? Barely remember what my flat looks like, good thing I don’t have any pets.” He joked.

Faith took a deep breath and refilled her wine gesturing towards Buffy with the bottle. Buffy slid a glass towards her. After filling her glass, Faith sat back in her seat eyeing Callum. “You don’t like staying with me at the castle?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“But it’s what you mean isn’t it?”

“You know I want to be wherever you are. I just mean that it might be nice if we could occasionally stay somewhere where I don’t have to pull on a pair of pants every time I have to go to the loo, is all.”

“Heaven forbid one should sleep in the nude without locking the damn door with all the Slayerettes around, that’s for sure,” Spike seconded, “Be right nice to have our own private bath too.”

Buffy was glad the conversation seemed to be coming back around, “Yeah, alright, I wouldn’t mind taking a look at your place, Callum, then we can think about meeting with your mom. Is there anything you absolutely have to have a decision on within the next week or so?”

“Angus would like to have at least one if not both of the suites finished before the baby comes. He knows I can handle the kitchen and Xander seems to be able to do just about any of the carpentry I set him to. He did a particularly good job on the windows.”

“Oh yeah, Xan has lots of practice with windows, doors… walls… yeah, I’ve kept him busy the last few years.”

They talked a little longer until they had had their fill of fresh fruit, a variety of cheeses, and crackers. Buffy was feeling surprisingly content by the time they made it outside and headed towards the cave.

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

The path leading down was steep and rocky. Buffy was grateful she, Faith, and Spike had listened to Callum’s warnings about footwear and opted for waterproof hiking boots. It was clear they would need them. Spike was far less concerned about having proper footwear but had acquiesced for her benefit.

Even in the relative darkness of the evening the mouth of the cave was visible and imposing in the sliver of moonlight shining above them. A gaping maw in the darkness. Buffy was overcome with the sheer size of the cave entrance alone; she figured that it had to be at least 50 feet high and nearly three times as wide.

“Holy crap,” she breathed.

Callum chuckled, “Told you it was big.”

“Yeah but… Holy crap… That's huge, massive… that's seriously the biggest one I’ve ever seen.”

“I’ve heard that before.” Callum smirked.

Faith barked out a laugh and Spike snorted, “Out of context a bloke might be offended, Love.”

Buffy looked over to him, her mind still focused on the cave when she realized what was so funny, “Oh my god, Spike!” She squeaked, making him laugh again.

“Good thing I’m nice and secure in my manhood.”

Callum was still chuckling, “Pretty sure it's the largest sea cave in Scotland if I remember correctly.”

“Oh I’d believe it,” Faith said coolly, “Kidding aside, this thing really is a beast.”

Inside the cave Spike held out a hand to Buffy, “You got a torch in that bag of yours, Pet?”

She dug in her shoulder bag a moment, pulling it out and handing it to him. Spike flicked it on, illuminating the space and the smooth pebbles they were walking on until they came to a long footbridge, half of which was covered with a roof situated directly under a large natural hole in the ceiling of the cave where moonlight was currently coming in.

“See now, this is what I’m talking about. We should build something like this going from the house to the castle, be perfect.”

“You’ll have to take that up with our contractor, I already told you what I thought about it. We already have enough going into this project. Yeah it might be a great long term goal but right now, it’s just not in the budget.”

Callum chuckled, “I’ll just keep adding onto my to-do list.”

“Yeah well I’m handing over my paycheck to you aint I?”

“Hey now, I–”

“Let me stop you. I’m just saying, Buffy’s still paying for the apartment in Rome and what not, so yeah I might as well just have Giles make my paycheck out to you at this point, Cal,” Spike grumbled.

“Supplies cost money too, man.”

“I know you’re right, and I ain't got any complaints ‘bout the work you been doin’. Like what I see so far. Money well spent if it gives my lady her dream home.” he said as he watched the waterfall cascade through the cave.

“You could always lend a hand too.”

“Got some welding you need help with? Not exactly sure where I'd be handy.”

“You’re not bad at decorating, Babe.”

“Very funny, Slayer. Again, glad I’m secure in my masculinity.”

“That’s never really been my strong suit. It’s why I had my mum do mine.”

“Spike’s old place was really kinda nice considering it was all stuff he found at the dump.”

“Not all of it was from the dump, and its a bit hard for me to go into shops, daylight hours tend to cut into my availability. She can have a stab at ours too so long as she knows Buffy and I have our own style. Might be the only thing I can help with. Carpentry ain’t really my thing. Keeping carpenters and window manufacturers in business might be more my expertise.”

Callum laughed, “Can teach you how to do tile. That’s a time consuming pain in the arse. You’d cut down on my hours a bit with that.”

“Don’t mind padding my resume, granted it’s usually with new and interesting ways to kill demons but I’ll give it a shot.” He shrugged non-committedly.

Faith suddenly grabbed Spike’s hand, directing the flash light to a point several yards in front of them, “What’s that up there?”

Callum looked ahead where Faith was pointing, “Oh yeah, they use those rafts for tours. The cave goes back pretty far but it’s almost all water the further back you go up to a certain point and then you can sort of walk around a bit.”

Buffy pulled open the weapons bag, “Party favors for everyone,” she said, handing out weapons. She hesitated on Lancelot’s sword, “Callum, you want the honors?”

“What do you want me to do with it?”

“Pointy end goes in the bad guy.”

Callum rolled his eyes, “Got that bit. Been sparing with the lady a bit in our down time. She’s been showing me around the weapons cabinet. I ment in regards to finding this lock we’re looking for. Not like we even know what we’re going to find. Can’t just say ‘Lead me to the man in black,’ now can I?”

“See Faith, even your boy here quotes ‘The Princess Bride’.”

“Great, I’m the one person who hasn’t seen this thing.”

“Gonna have to have a movie night.”

“Save it, let’s get our adventure on.”

The four of them continued on in one of the rafts reserved for cave tours. There was recessed lighting in this section of the cave which ran on solar power and seemed to be motion activated so they didn’t need to rely on the flashlight as much. Aside from the waterfall it was eerily quiet in the cave. The sword did absolutely nothing until they finally reached the back of the cave.

Buffy gripped Spike’s hand for stability as she jumped out of the raft and into a narrow rockledge. He threw her a rope, “See if you can secure that someplace, Pet.”

“Eh, give me a sec.”

Buffy was still looking around when the sword in Callum’s hand suddenly twisted, turning towards a relatively flat section of wall several yards ahead of them.

“You lot jump out.”

Faith and Callum scrambled to shore while Buffy held the raft in place, “Spike, there’s a ring in the wall over there, do you think you can manage.”

“Yeah, I’ll take care of this bloody thing. You go on. He’s going full steam ahead, best keep an eye on Sir Galahad there.”

Callum was indeed leading the way or rather the sword was. Faith stuck close behind him with an ax in one hand and a stake in the other, just in case. Buffy caught up to them a moment later.

“Well what do I do now?” Callum asked just as the sword tip collided violently into the wall of the cave. The words were barely out of his mouth before the stonewall melted away into a large archway revealing what appeared to be a quaint forest clearing with a lovely cottage and a few chickens and goats milling around.

“Bloody hell.” Callum swore under his breath as Faith came up to his side.

“Sweet little set up, think we’ll find Goldilocks and the three bears?”

“Don’t let your guard down.”

A moment later a woman in a medieval style dress and very long light brown hair came out of the cottage and into the open. She was young and pretty close to Buffy and Faith‘s age, maybe a little older but not by much, “Greetings visitors. How pray tell, do you come by my husband’s sword?”

The three of them were speechless for a moment before Buffy found her voice. “Hi there. I’m Buffy, this is Faith and Callum. Did you say it was your husband’s?”

“Sir Launcelot?” Callum spluttered suddenly, he seemed a little star struck.

“You know him? Did he send you to me?”

“Humm, no. In fact he—“

Her face fell. “He is dead isn’t he? I feared he was long ago. Time is such a strange thing when it loses all meaning. Oh my poor Launcelot.” Her voice was sad, but not tearful. Certainly not the way one would expect a grieving widow to sound. It was an odd statement, Buffy was already starting to feel like there was something very off about her but she wasn’t sure what.

“Ahh, yeah. I bet. What is this place? Who are you lady?” Faith asked.

“I? I am Lady Guinevere, former Queen of Camelot.”

38 When the Levee Breaks

Depictions of domestic violence. Chapter title taken from the Led Zeppelin song by the same name.

Willow walked into the library to find a tired Giles still pouring over the information Xander had procured on his extended trip. There was so much material to go through but they were finally making sense of it all. Giles pinched the bridge of his nose as Willow set down a tea tray in front of him.

“How’s it going? Have you found any glaring translation mistakes that make it all fall apart yet?”

“No, I haven’t, in fact everything I’ve found seems to support what you have already told Buffy. However I do wish you hadn’t used the word ‘immortal’ to describe her condition until we can confirm it.”

“How would you have liked me to put it, Giles? We both know she should have never been able to get up after being run through and according to the girls there she did way more than just get up. Her pain tolerance is through the roof and she’s healing from more severe injuries than she used to. Even when Warren shot her… I took the bullet out but she was up and around a whole lot faster than she should have, even with my help..”

“That does not equate to immortality! Perhaps she just got an extra boost of her natural Slayer abilities. This passage here—“ he gripped her arm lightly to pull her towards the passage.

Willow winced and pulled back a little, “I’ve read it. If that were the case she would probably be healing faster and getting stronger too and yet those things are relatively the same as always.”

Giles narrowed his eyes a fraction “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine, go on, you were saying?”

“I confess that it does seem as though Buffy is a unique case,” Giles pushed himself back from the desk a little with a large sigh, “We need confirmation. For her and the other girls. Unfortunately for that we would need one of the other girls to reach 26 and then receive a mortal wound, and considering that no Slayer on record has ever lived that long— How did she seem when you told her of the possibility?”

Willow sat down heavily, “Fine I guess. You know her. I mean obviously there are some definite perks for her and Spike. I think she’s more worried about it not being true. Probably comes with being in love with a vampire, I guess.”

“Naturally.”

“I don’t think we’re going to get anything looking like confirmation for a long time,” She said a little lamely.

“I suppose half of an answer is better than none at all.”

“Yeah, I guess.”

Giles started closing books and organizing the table. “Is Ruby still visiting with her family?”

“She got back early this morning. She says things are a little weird with her parents. Sheena is doing a lot better though, they had a really good visit.”

“I’m glad to hear it. Oh, Willow, would you mind fetching that curious sword Spike was assaulted over?”

“Sure, taking a break from the Slayer life puzzle?”

“It’s time I focus my energies elsewhere for a while. I rather think it’s best if we both do.”

“Yeah you’re probably right I’ve been obsessing over this for a long time now. I was afraid to tell Buffy much of anything and then I just blurted it all out after I found that last little bit. I probably shouldn’t have said anything at all.”

“I suppose we all have things to atone for.”

Willow walked over to where the sword was being kept and laid it on the desk in front of Giles. Then poured tea for them both, “Do you still think I’m a ‘rank amateur’?” She smiled at him.

Giles returned the smile, “I think you have learned a great deal since then. Although I do caution you to keep up with your studies.”

“Yeah, that's part of the reason why I accepted the other half of the duplex. I think it’s a good idea if I am closer to the Devon Coven. As well as I’ve been doing with everything. I still think I need that connection and I’m not sure if I’m getting that in Rome, not the way that I would like to anyway. At least being here in Scotland, I’m a little closer to Devon,” she shrugged her shoulders.

“Well I think that’s a very mature decision. You’ve definitely shown growth, that’s for certain.”

“Thanks,” she sighed heavily, “Now, what on earth do we think this thing is?” She asked, picking up the sword and setting it down again.

Giles let out a long breath, “I’m certain it’s a sword of power of some kind. I haven't spent a lot of time on this to be honest.” He pulled out a magnifying glass and peered at some writing on the blade.

Willow gestured with her hands, “May I?”

Giles moved aside and watched as Willow ran her hands over it touching the hilt and the length of the blade, “Oh there’s definitely something coming off of it. It’s subtle, I can barely make it out but it’s old and strong.” She shook her head squinting down at the blade. “I might have to try a few spells to help figure this one out.”

“Whatever you need to do,” Giles resumed his seat and pulled another book towards himself as he joined her in her examination of the sword.

Hours later Giles and Willow entered the living room with the sword in hand. Buffy and Spike were already there waiting for them along with Ruby and Xander. Faith and Callum came in a few moments after.

“So what’s going on?” Xander asked a minute later.

“Willow and I have been spending the afternoon working on Spike’s sword.”

“Buffy‘s sword, Spike’s bike,” Buffy said cheekily.

“We have co-ownership,” Spike corrected, “Yours mine and ours remember?”

“We really should have someone look at your bike and see if we can get it fixed.”

“Don’t remind me,” he whined.

“You can always just steal another one,” Xander smirked.

“Didn’t steal this one, Harris. Got it off a baddie who was done with it.” He said, wrapping an arm around Buffy.

“Well, I’m afraid the sword in question can't belong to either one of you.”

“Aww, man, every time I get a fun sword I have to destroy or give it back or– this stinks.”

“I feel you, Pet.”

Buffy sighed, settling into Spike on the couch, “Alright, so what’s wrong with this one?”

“I wouldn’t go so far as to say ‘wrong’, perhaps ‘significant’ would be better.”

“How so? It’s not some big apocalypse-y something is it? Because I don't think I’m up for one of those right now,” Faith huffed as Callum wrapped his arms around her from behind.

“So totally last season,” Willow joked before catching Spike’s eye.

He wasn’t amused, having been part of the LA front just a few months ago. “So what’s the deal with it then?”

Giles straightened up at that and there was suddenly an almost childlike glow to his face, “This sword most certainly belonged to Sir Lancelot, given to him by his foster mother the Lady of the Lake.”

Callum‘s eyes lit up mirroring Giles, “You’re putting me on! Can I hold it?” He slipped his hands out from around Faith’s waist and held them out hopefully.

Giles was slightly taken aback by his sudden enthusiasm, Callum was normally more reserved around him, but he passed the sword over to him anyway.

“This is amazing, I can't believe I’m actually holding Sir Lancelot‘s sword!” Callum‘s eyes were alight with wonder.

“Woah, there buddy. You’re not gonna like totally geek-out on me, are you?” Faith asked him sardonically.

He looked at her with a very boyish grin, “Oh I think I’m well past that. I’m definitely geeking-out, you have no idea how obsessed I was when I was a kid.”

Faith gave him a bemused smile. Callum had been the very definition of a strong shoulder to lean on ever since the attack on the castle. Giving her everything she needed, even when she didn’t realize she needed it. He had still been going to work and running errands for his family per usual but when he was with her, he was utterly hers.

Faith had been so consumed with the goings on at the castle and her own inner thoughts over the last week and a half that she had hardly given a thought to his needs and wants outside of the point they intersected with hers in the bedroom. The light in his eyes now at seeing something he was so fervently interested in was startling. Something swelled in her chest, an emotion that was unfamiliar to her. What was this? She was happy to see him happy but she didn’t know what to call it and the confusion led to something much more familiar, anxiety.

Faith took a deep breath trying to breath through it the way Angel had taught her; before her anger flared. There was no reason she should be anxious or angry over the scene unfolding in front of her. Instead she tried focusing on the pure joy on Callum’s face as he examined the sword. She released the breath and watched the way his fingers skimmed lightly over the blade. Her very hot, tall, muscular Scottsman holding a very nice looking sword. Oh yeah… that was a much better, more familiar, feeling she could deal with.

“Yes, I confess I had a bit of an obsession when I was a child as well,’ Giles uttered in solidarity.

“What good little English boy didn’t?” Spike scoffed, “No offense Cal, you know what I meant.”

Giles cleared his throat, “It would seem that this sword is meant to be a key to some great treasure of Lancelots.”

“Do you think it could be the Holy Grail?”

“Surely not. From what Willow and I have uncovered it seems to be a personal treasure that he wished to keep secret and safe even from Arthur himself.”

Buffy crossed her arms in her lap clasping her elbows, “Probably why these biker dudes are after the thing.”

Spike inclined his head towards them, “Treasure usually means money. Do we have any idea where this treasure was kept?”

Willow stepped forward with a large map of Scotland, “I have a pretty good idea actually. I was able to use the sword in a mapping spell to find out where the lock for the key is and it looks like it is in some sort of a sea cave up north, I’ve never heard of the place.” She unfurled the map of Scotland, laying it out on the coffee table next to the spot where Buffy and Spike were sitting and pointed to a small charred dot, “Some place called Smoo Cave. Have any of you ever heard of it?”

Callum, Giles, and Spike peered at the map as she spoke.

“Oh sure I have,” Callum nodded, “family holiday one summer when my brother and I were in our teens. It’s an interesting place, beautiful and eerie at the same time, but I don’t think it was mystical. They run tours inside. It’s a pretty popular tourist spot. Hell we stayed at a bed and breakfast pretty close to the cave and it’s not the only place to stay up there. Pretty sure someone would have noticed.”

Willow shrugged, “Most mystical places are hidden in some way. I’ve heard of some really weird ones.”

Buffy turned towards Spike, “Didn’t you tell me Angel took you into one once that was inside of a tree?”

“The Deeper Well, yeah, that was one hell of a humbling experience. Talk about eerie. Great big bloody hole that goes all the way straight through the world, playing prison to countless comatose ancient baddies.”

“Plus Angel made you hold hands with him.”

“Bloody hell, Slayer, how is that your takeaway? Make it out like we were snogging, why don’t you?” he huffed, “For the rest of the class. Peaches was palming a wire. It was a battle strategy! Nothing else.”

Giles rolled his eyes, “Yes, well, I’m sure it was quite effective knowing the two of you. As we were saying, Willow and I believe that the sword will lead you to and unlock the location.”

Spike looked at the map too, “I’ve heard of Smoo Cave, never bothered going.”

Callum shrugged, “The cave is massive and has these amazing waterfalls inside. My brother and I got into a bit o’ mischief when we snuck off to explore on our own, climbed up to see the waterfalls from a higher ledge. Nearly got kicked out but the view was worth it.”

“Sounds pretty,” Willow said.

Giles continued, “Willow and I think Buffy is quite right that our demonic friends after the sword are looking for the treasure within.”

Buffy interlaced her fingers into Spike’s hand, “And you want us to check it out.”

“Well, I imagine it can wait a few more days until Spike is back to full health.”

“Bones are healing nicely, shouldn’t be long now.”

Be faster if you had some of my blood.

Buffy, you know how I feel about that. A taste here and there is all in good fun but I’m healing up just fine with the pig’s blood.

Buffy snorted loudly drawing Giles’s attention, “Is there something wrong Buffy?”

“Oh ah, no, just– I thought he might heal faster if–”

“That’s enough, Slayer. If you're in such a big hurry that you want to go knick a bag o’blood from the hospital for me, fine.”

“What’s the rush?” Xander asked.

“No rush really, unless we think these guys are going to try to get it on their own.”

“I don’t know if they could, not without the sword,” Willow admitted.

Faith cast a look at Callum then to Buffy, “Probably be smart to take backup anyway. I think Callum and I should come with you.”

Callum couldn’t help the grin on his face and Faith was surprised by how happy it made her to have put it there.

Buffy raised an eyebrow, “You seriously want to go on a treasure hunt with me and Spike?”

“Sure, why not? We can give the whole couples retreat thing a try. Maybe there will be something for us to kill.”

Callum grinned widely as he set down the sword and pulled her into what would be a crushing hug to anyone else but was only a comforting embrace to her, then kissed her temple, “When do we leave?”

Buffy laughed dryly, “Well, we should definitely give Spike’s leg a few more days and someone really should stay with Giles.”

“I’ll stay. I have to be fix-it-man anyway if I don’t want to keep being homeless-couch-surfing-man and I don’t need to go back to Rome for anything so I might as well hang on here.”

“Oh really, you don’t need to. Let's just plan this out first.” Giles stated.

“No, Xander has a point. I don’t like us being all spread out. I want us all together again as soon as we can, so it makes sense.”

Spike straightened himself up, “Look, Pet, I understand the bit with the house and Giles. But I got Ruby to think about now too so unless you feel like taking a baby vamp as a fifth wheel...”

Ruby had been sitting quietly listening. She shifted in her seat and arched an eyebrow, “I don’t need a babysitter here.”

Spike shook his head, “Course not, but I don’t think I’m comfortable leaving you here at the castle without one of us around. Will is going back to Rome and even if Xander does stay here I just, I don’t like it. It’s not like this sword thing is a pressing matter is it? Unless we think the rest of these biker guys are going to come after us. Not like they can reach us at the castle now that Red’s done her spell work. Might try jumping me in the tunnels again but what the hell? I also got to think about getting the bike fixed.”

Callum smirked at that, “Alright, English, how about we go on this trip and I get you set up with someone to help you get that bike fixed for a song?”

Spike folded his arms across his chest, “How do you propose to do that?”

Callum shrugged, “I know a guy.”

“Still doesn’t help us out with our little Ruby problem.”

“Seriously, I’m right here. An adult and everything.”

Willow cleared her throat, “What if I take her back to Rome with me?” she asked.

Everyone looked puzzled at Willow, “What are you talking about?” Buffy asked.

“Will? Are you sure you want to do that?” Xander asked seriously.

Willow caught his eye, “Not now Xan. I mean yeah I would have to make some slightly different travel arrangements to accommodate her but she could come back with me. She can stay in your room, Buff. It could be all the good. Just think about it. She doesn’t know any of the Slayers in Rome and it might do everyone some good to get her away from the castle for a little while. It would also give the Rome Slayers a chance to meet her. Andrew can do his watcher thing with her, you know how he loves to tell stories. He can fill her in on the last couple of apocalypses. She can train with Vi and the girls and I can keep an eye on her. It’s not like we’re going to be back in Rome long and it might even give you two a chance to continue on your seriously interrupted trip.”

“What about Kennedy?” Xander’s voice was cold.

Colder than Buffy had heard him in a very long time. Buffy turned towards Willow, “I want to know about that too. How do you expect that to work out? I mean even if she has moved out, do you think that she’s just gonna be totally fine training with Ruby?”

Willow shook her head, “I can handle Kennedy.”

“Will, you’re on a breakup trip. What makes you think you can handle Kennedy if she decides Ruby is the reason you’re breaking up with her.”

“Because our relationship was sinking like the Titanic long before I even left. We had a fight, Buffy. We had a fight,” her voice cracked.”

“Willow?”

“We had a fight and Dawn tried to defend me… Kennedy laid into her and it just sort of got worse from there.”

“She didn’t hurt the bit, did she?” Spike said with a barely contained growl.

Before she could even answer him Xander slapped his leg like he just realized something and looked at Willow seriously, “I knew there was more to this. You don’t want Ruby going with you to keep an eye on her, you want backup… maybe even a little protection?” Xander’s voice was quiet but his words hung in the air as realization settled over the room.

Willow looked from Xander to Ruby, eyes wide and frightened.

Spike stood up looking at Willow, he placed a gentle hand on her arm. He was angry that Kennedy would even think of hurting his friend. When had she become his friend? He kept his voice calm. “You want to tell us why you feel the need for backup at all? Never mind the fact you want a clueless fledgling to fill the post against a Slayer. One that I suspect has been doing a bit more than being an insensitive lover. You know we’re here for you.”

“Willow?” Buffy stood up next to Spike. She caught Faith’s eye and shrugged in a silent plea to give them the room.

Faith patted Callum on the chest, “Come on, babe. This isn’t for us.”

“Don’t fancy a trip to Rome do you?” Callum murmured to Faith.

Spike caught it and gave Callum a ghost of a grin. He knew he was only joking but it meant something to him that he would be willing, even after just knowing Willow for a few days. He gave Buffy’s hand a squeeze. It meant something to her too, he could tell.

When they had left Buffy spoke, “Sit. We need to talk.”

Ruby’s eyes were wide as she looked from Buffy and Spike on the couch and over to Giles who was looking deeply troubled in one of the barrel chairs and then to Xander who had collapsed in the other. Willow sat glumly at the opposite end of the couch she was on. She couldn’t keep her eyes from Ruby’s a moment ago but now Willow wouldn’t look at her. She cleared her throat, “Maybe I should go too… I—“

Willow shot her a pleading glance that froze her in place. Ruby settled back into the couch, still uncomfortable but willing to stay. Willow had been a pillar of strength holding her up the last few days, clearly she needed the same now.

“Willow, talk to us. We’re your friends, you’re family. What’s going on?” Buffy asked, “What happened with Dawn?”

“It’s nothing, just stupid stuff it—“

“Willow, if anyone knows what it’s like to be in a seriously unhealthy relationship, it’s us.” Buffy said, waving a hand between her and Spike.

Spike snorted, “Got that right, some of it even with each other. Past tense of course.”

Willow gave a watery chuckle and cleared her throat, “We’ve been fighting— a lot. For a while now. Mostly we just avoid each other or I avoid her— We’re just—“

“If you say oil and water I might break something,” Buffy said.

“How do you expect me to come to you when—“ Willow buried her face in her hands.

“Look Red, I sure as hell ain’t proud of it but the first part of our relationship was— You remember our talk the other day?”

“Yeah, I— Spike, this isn’t the same thing.”

“Not saying it is. Just saying, remember who you’re talking to.”

Willow hunched over a pillow in her lap. “We fight. Kennedy doesn’t really understand how things work with the Scoobies; she wasn’t too happy about Xander coming to stay.”

“Thought she was twitchy,” Xander mused.

“She doesn’t get the magic thing and— Meditation is a big part of maintaining balance for me. In order to wield the magics that I do now I have to maintain a pretty strict meditation schedule. It helps with the magic, it helps with my mental state, it's just all-around a good and I have to do it.”

“Meditation, equals good, got it.” Xander said.

Buffy eyed Xander disapprovingly, “Go on Will.”

“She keeps making snide comments about me not doing anything. She says I’m using it as an excuse— but I have to keep up with the meditation and the exercises the Witches in the Devon Coven gave me if I don’t want to backslide because the temptation is always there and I know— I’m better, I really am but if I don’t keep up with it I run the risk of going right back. She’s never seen me at my worst, she doesn’t know— she doesn't get magic she doesn’t—“ she broke off.

“She doesn’t understand you’re always going to be an addict,” Giles supplied, “one who is doing splendidly, I might add.” He gave her a fatherly smile, “I’m rather proud of the progress you’ve made.”

“You mean she doesn’t want to know. She’s denying a part of you exists that you’ve worked hard to come to terms with and it’s bringing out the worst in her. Gee where have I seen that one?” Spike gave Buffy a sideways glance.

“Riley.” Buffy nods.

Spike’s face soured, “Except Kennedy isn’t content taking her frustrations outside the relationship, she’s taking it out on you ain’t she?”

Willow paused for a moment, “We fight— she’s a Slayer so, you know, strong. I don’t think she meant it the first time and I— I didn’t want Dawn to know we were having problems. I didn’t want anyone to know…” she inhaled and shrugged out of the top she had on over her tank top. She took another deep breath and ran her hands down in front of her, palms facing herself flat like a pantomime. There was a shimmer of air around her and suddenly there were healing bruises visible on her arms and one on her cheek.

“You’ve been using a glamour.” Giles murmured as he placed a hand over his mouth. “Why didn’t you come to us? Any of us?”

“I just— she’s a Slayer, she’s sort of in charge in Rome when Buffy is gone and—“

“Why didn’t you go to one of the other Slayers for help?”

“I wasn’t really sure who I could trust. The girls kinda look up to her. I did sort of try to say something to one of the Slayers Kennedy had gotten a little carried away with during a training session, but she sort of just shrugged it off as slayer stuff and I ended up just backpedaling and I kinda laughed it off.”

“Willow—“ Xander started.

She held up a hand, “Most of the girls like Kennedy. I was just feeling a little… isolated I guess.”

Buffy looked at her confused “Willow, I only went to Paris because you talked me into it. Was this going on then too?”

Willow nodded, “Just a couple of arguments, we’d snipe at each other and then make up and it was fine. It really wasn’t that bad then.”

“So when I called you from LA looking for Buffy—“ Spike started, suddenly feeling guilty for taking Buffy away and not going straight to Rome.

“We were doing alright there for a while, but then…” she paused so long it didn’t seem like she was going to start talking again.

Ruby moved closer to her, “Willow?”

Willow couldn’t bring herself to look at any of them, “I guess I was sort of used to the stupid arguments after a while. I mean she would just start up over nothing and then I started avoiding her. Angel came to visit. She didn’t like that for some reason I still don’t understand unless maybe Angel said something about her getting a little rough with the Slayeretts during training. Then Connor started coming around a little and she started getting a little rough with me… but it still wasn’t— it wasn’t that bad…”

“How long?” Xander asked.

“She grabbed me a few times before but that was it really. We mostly just argued,” she gestured towards her current bruises, “This— this was—“ she turned her eyes towards Xander, “Remember your ‘Dr. Who’ marathon with Andrew?”

“Yeah, you said you were going to come for the third day and then— but I just thought that was because Buffy called about the castle.”

“It’s sort of what set her off. Sort of— I mean I guess it was technically Spike’s call a few days later really, but the same situation. Kennedy thought I was talking to Buffy again—“

Spike looked confused, “When I called? That was mostly business, we just discussed the warding around the castle and started toying with the idea of ensouling Ruby.”

“Yeah, that didn’t really matter. It kind of got me thinking. So when I got off the phone with you I placed an order at the local shop for supplies, they actually had what I needed on hand so that was super easy. Anyway, I started packing just after that and Kennedy, she just— she lost it. I didn’t even have time for a binding spell before— Dawn came in to see what was going on and then— then Kennedy grabbed Dawn’s arm and—“ for a moment Willow felt like she was back there. Packing her suitcase for Scotland in her bedroom when Kennedy came in.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing? Are you seriously just going to run off to Scotland just because she calls? Are you really such a codependent little bitch that you can’t let her deal with her own problems?”

“That was about the situation at the castle I think I can help out and—”

“What the hell are you going to do that they can’t handle up there? What the hell are you gonna do any better than them?”

“This isn’t just about research. They need a witch.”

“They can find another witch, you're not leaving!” Kennedy had grabbed her upper arms, she spun her around, shaking her violently and threw her down to the bed. Willow hit her open suitcase hard enough she knew she was going to have a bruise on her side.

Slowly she pulled herself back up into a standing position. “Ken— Kennedy, p-please stop! You’re being st-stupid, this is part of my job! I’ll just call the library they will understand, I’ll only be gone for about a week or— or so—“

“I'm not an idiot, I know you have a thing for Buffy!”

“That’s ridiculous. You're being completely paranoid!”

“How dare you talk to me that way!”

“Buffy asked for my help!”

“Buffy, Buffy, Buffy! It’s always all about Buffy! Like the sun shines out of her every orifice!”

“She’s my best friend Kennedy! We’ve been over this! She needs my help!”

“She’s been gone for months and she calls now? How stupid do you think I am?!”

“You don’t understand this isn’t jus—“

Willow had been cut off with a hard backhand to the face. “Shut up! You’re just looking for an excuse to leave me!”

Kennedy’s words might have stung if she had been coherent enough for them to register. The blow was so hard it had knocked her into the nightstand. Willow’s head swam and for a brief moment she wasn’t sure which way was up. But then there was another voice breaking through the fog and Willow pulled herself up instantly unwilling to show weakness.

“Yeah well I think you just gave her a pretty damn good one!” Dawn yelled from the doorway. “I think it’s time for you to leave!”

Kennedy rounded onto Dawn, grabbing her wrist as Dawn attempted a somewhat feeble smack of her own. Kennedy pulled her arm enough to topple Dawn to the ground.

Something about the action was enough to pull Willow out of her shock. She threw her hand out in front of her with an incantation and shoved Kennedy out of the bedroom door, into the hallway and against the wall. Then Willow struggled to get to her feet and help Dawn up. “You absolutely will not hurt her!” she said, standing up to her full height. “Dawn and I are leaving and when we get back you WILL be gone!”

Even in that instance Willow could feel the darkness growing. Using magic in anger, even for just a moment started to ignite forgotten feelings. Delicious feelings of power drowning out weakness. She took a deep breath and shook them off as she watched Kennedy retreat out the apartment door.

Willow collapsed onto the bed taking deep breaths and trying to calm herself. She’d almost lost control and that wasn’t something she could allow to happen. She could hear Dawn locking the front door and walking back towards her in the bedroom. When she looked up, Dawn was in front of her holding her arm where Kennedy had grabbed her, “What was that all about? Are you alright?”

Willow stood up shakily, “I’m fine Dawnie. Are you alright?”

Dawn eyed her dubiously, “What happened?”

“Nothing. Just a fight. I’m fine. I need to go to Scotland—”

“Was there another attack?” Dawn asked worriedly.

“No, Spike called, we were brainstorming how to strengthen the castle’s defenses and what to do with their captive. They need my help and Kennedy—“ Willow choked, she couldn’t say anything else.

Dawn narrowed her eyes, “Why would Kennedy be upset about that?”

“Dawnie, please don’t make a big deal out of this please? I’ll handle it, okay?”

Dawn rubbed her arm, “So what do you want to do?”

“Well first I’m going to finish packing and call Andrew. I’ll take you over there. Then I’m going to take Xander and we’re going to go up to Scotland to help Buffy out.”

“Willow, are you sure you’re okay?”

“Just go pack your things, alright? I can’t do this right now, Dawn.”

Dawn frowned and looked like she wanted to either fight or cry but she left the room with an uncharacteristic lack of drama for which Willow was grateful. It gave her a moment to ground herself. She pulled open the nightstand drawer and eyed the little jar of salve. It would help cut healing time down on the bruises that were coming. That was the real reason she had made it in the first place but she didn’t want to use it. She wanted to keep the bruises this time as a reminder why Kennedy wasn’t going to be getting any more second chances. She tossed it into her suitcase and continued packing, she also knew she didn’t want anyone else to see the bruises too so she decided to cast a now familiar glamor to cover the bruises new and old. Then she finished packing while deciding just what she was going to say to Xander and Buffy. The idea of seeing them, getting away from Rome and seeing her friends, was like a lifeline that she clung to desperately. Her friends would make everything better.

It took Willow a moment to come back to her senses and realize Ruby was absently rubbing her back and shoulder. It took her another moment to realize that she had apparently been telling the story out loud to the group and Willow choked as the words caught in her throat.

“She hurt you, she hurt my sister, you felt yourself going dark again and you didn’t think you could tell us?” Buffy’s voice came out hard and cold. Much more than she intended. Spike squeezed her closer to him. Let the girl talk, Pet. There will be time for our anger later.

Willow’s eyes shot up, “Buffy I’m— I thought I could handle it. I thought I—“

And suddenly Buffy understood, “You thought you deserved it…”

Willow let out a sob and buried her face in her hands. Ruby drew her closer to her. Her face was a mixture of concern and bewilderment. As much as they had talked over the last few days they hadn’t had much time to talk about Willow’s personal life and they had both been making it a point to avoid the subject of her current relationship. It suddenly hit her just how right Spike had been when he asked her to take things slowly with Willow. They were going to have to have a serious talk later. She pulled Willow against her a little more, stroking her hair. The desire to care for her and protect her was growing stronger by the second.

Buffy slipped off the couch sinking to her knees to hug Willow, “Look at me. We’ve all done horrible things. You do not deserve to be treated like this. No one does. Not me, not Spike, and not you. Do you hear me?”

Willow dissolved into fresh sobs as Xander rushed over to the other side of Willow.

Spike and Giles looked on for another moment until Willow settled her breathing. Buffy looked up at her friend, “We’re going to get you through this and we’re going to get you and Dawn up here safe and sound.”

“What about Kennedy?” Willow choked.

“I’ve been getting a few rather disturbing reports from the Australian Outback I think she would be particularly well suited to handle,” Giles said with an edge of steel in his soft tone. He got up from his seat fumbling with his crutches, “In fact I think I have some phone calls to make. Please excuse me.”

Giles gave Willow one last fatherly smile, “I will be in my suite with my contacts list if you need me.”

Xander patted Willow on the shoulder, “I’ll see if I can help move things along.”

“Thanks guys,” Willow choked out.

Spike watched the two men go and stood suddenly, not giving a damn about his leg, “Tea?”

Buffy arched an eyebrow at him and turned back towards Willow, “What do you think Will? Tea?”

She nodded weakly, “Yeah, tea sounds good. Thanks.”

“Be but a moment.” The truth was that he just needed to do something. Anything. What he wanted to do was rip out Kennedy’s throat and make her his third Slayer. He was angry enough to do it, soul or not. Buffy’s friend; his friend was in pain and fetching tea was something he could do for her. He’d annihilate a sparring dummy later. He went into the kitchen, leaving the three women in the living room.

Buffy gave Willow one last squeeze before rocking back on her heels and resuming her seat on the other couch. “Willow, have you talked to Kennedy since you’ve been here?”

She shook her head, “No. I’ve kinda been trying not to think about her…” She fingered the bruises around her arms lightly. Five blotched circles for each finger Kennedy had wrapped around her arm. Other bruises, in other places, were fading but still visible, including a nasty one on her chest just below her collarbone.

“Guess we have a lot to talk about too, huh?” Ruby asked quietly eyeing the marks on her pale skin.

Willow turned watery eyes towards her, “You sure you even want too?”

“You’re barmy if you think I’m going away that easy. If you can put up with a murdering-blood-sucking-mental-case I’m pretty sure I can figure out how to deal with whatever you got rolling around.”

“Yeah I kinda get the murdering part better than I like to admit.”

“You didn’t loose control and kill your want’a be girlfriend too did you?”

“No, I magically skinned the man who murdered my girlfriend and then I tried to destroy the world.”

“You did save my life before that though,” Buffy chimed in trying to remind Willow of the good she had done as well. As horrible as things were at that time, as awful as everything had been, Willow still had the presence of mind to save Buffy‘s life even when she already knew she couldn’t save Tara.

“Wow I— Okay, the mega witch thing is starting to make sense. Is it weird that I’m kinda turned on by that? That’s probably the demon part of me talking huh?” Ruby looked at her quizzically then cracked a smile.

“Yeah, probably,” Willow chuckled lamely.

“At least I got a grin out of you, that’s something. I can live with being weird,” she shrugged with a grin, “Sort of feels good to know you got a dark side too. Do you think some of that meditation stuff would work for me? You could teach me.”

That made Willow sit up a little straighter, “You’d really do that?”

“Course, if it helps keep us both in check, why wouldn’t I?”

Buffy shifted her gaze between the two women. Ruby still had her arms wrapped protectively around Willow and Willow had found one of Ruby’s hands entwining their fingers. Ruby released the hand around Willow’s waist in order to move a few stray hairs from in front of Willow’s eyes revealing a faded bruise near the outer edge of her left eye. She fingered it lightly, “That bitch doesn’t deserve you,” Ruby whispered.

“That’s what I’ve been saying from day one,” Spike said loudly as he brought tea in for Willow and Ruby.

Ruby quickly but gently extracted herself from Willow to take them from him and handed one to Willow. “A nice cup’a for you.”

“Thanks,” she murmured.

“Think nothing of it.”

“Where’s mine?” Buffy pouted playfully.

“Kitchen, didn’t want to risk spilling. I want to get some blood too.”

“I’ll come with you. Willow, are you alright if I go?”

Willow glanced at Buffy and back to Ruby, “Do you mind staying with me?”

“Wasn’t planning on going anywhere until sundown anyway,” Ruby smirked.

Spike held out a hand towards Buffy, “Think they’ll be just fine, Pet.”

A shot of electricity ran through Buffy’s hand along with barely contained rage that nearly edged out her own feelings towards Kennedy as she took Spike’s hand. Their eyes locked, “Spike?” She asked as she let herself be drawn up and out of the living room.

“Don’t want your tea getting cold do we?” Outwardly his tone was light, but through their link he was seething.

That trip Giles has planned for Kennedy had better be the one way kind.

It’s a permanent post and I doubt it’s a super happy one judging by the way he talks about it. I guess they are having trouble with some nasty called a yara-mara-who-who.

Spike cracked a genuine smile as they entered the kitchen, “You mean a yara-ma-yha-who?” he asked aloud.

“Oh humm yeah, that’s it.”

“Bloody brilliant,” he said, handing her a cup of tea and turning to prepare himself a mug of blood.

Buffy hopped up onto the counter between the sink in the microwave, “You know these things?”

“Enough to say I’m glad he’s not sending us, Love, nasty little blighters. Australia is full of that sort a thing. Even if the yara-ma-yha-who don’t get her, there’s a good chance something else will.”

Buffy frowned, “I don’t know, as angry as I am at Kennedy….”

“Oh come on, Buffy, it’s not like it’s a death sentence. Place started out as a penal colony and those folks survived just fine. I imagine Giles thinks it’s a bit of poetic justice in a way. As nasty as these things are, they normally leave their prey alive,” he shrugged a shoulder, “Well I say usually— 50-50. Point is that it’s not exactly a death trap. I mean if you exclude all the supernatural nasties that go bump in the night, even the regular creepy crawlies are pretty dangerous. Given the bitch happens to be a Slayer I’d say she actually has a fair chance really.” He huffed.

“But who’s to say we don’t deserve that too?”

Spike narrowed his eyes at her realizing where her mind was. Their initial relationship really was a train wreck and it had hurt them both on many levels. “Well for starters ours was a mutually screwed up relationship. We beat the hell out of each other didn’t we? And not just physically, Pet.”

“Well yeah, pretty much what made it so sick and twisted.”

Spike shrugged and took a sip of blood, leaning against the counter on the other side of the microwave, “Could have stopped you if I wanted.”

“Doubt it. And you’re seriously not making me feel any better about this.”

“Far as I’m concerned that wasn’t even close to what Kennedy is doing to Willow. You and I— I’m not saying it was right, far from it, but we had something of an understanding. We started out trying to kill one and other, not really your typical meet-cute now is it?”

“No, I guess not.” She sighed, thinking about all the times they had tried to kill each other. Her mother standing over Spike with an ax, Sike taunting her about Angel, and even the time she beat the crap out of Spike when he wouldn’t let her turn herself in when she thought she had killed Warren’s ex-girlfriend.

Spike’s voice sounded through their link and she realized that she must’ve been projecting towards him. That was a different time, Love, and you know it. We are both different people now. “There are much worse punishments than being sent to Australia, Pet. Point of fact, plenty of folks live there happily and by choice I might add. She’ll be fine, and if some beastie gets her then ‘Que sera’. Lot better than the bitch deserves if you ask me. Not all that different from sending any of the girls to their new posts really.”

Buffy shrugged and hopped off of the counter, “I guess you have a point.” She strode closer to him. I’m going to do a sweep of the castle and call Dawn. I expect to see you upstairs later.”

“I’m a might curious about how the bit is doing myself. You talk to her since Red got here?”

“Yeah, sure I have, she didn’t say anything about Willow.”

“Yeah well the witch has certainly put on a convincing ‘nothing to see here’ show.”

“I still can’t believe I didn’t see it.”

“Didn’t want you to see it. Ashamed I suspect.”

“It’s just scary how good she was at hiding it.”

“You know how you were when we were together before, you would have staked me to keep your friends from finding out about us. Is it really all that surprising?”

She looked down at the floor, “This isn’t the same thing.”

“She’s just been putting up the emotional smokescreen a bit thicker than you did. Hell of an actress it turns out.”

“No kidding… I think that’s what bothers me so much.” She wrapped her arms around him loosely and they stood there in silence for several minutes while Spike sipped his blood.

“How’s the leg?” Buffy finally murmured against his chest.

“Walking better tonight aren’t I?”

“You’re still taking the elevator back upstairs.”

“Of course, promised my lady I’d take care of myself.”

Buffy made a happy little hum as she pressed into him closer, “Maybe you deserve a reward.”

He set down his mug with a grin, allowing Buffy to lean in for a kiss and moaned when she pulled away a little too soon. “You’re a tease, Slayer.”

“Just a little something for you to think about. I’ll see you upstairs, give me about an hour?”

“As you wish,” he drawled.

Buffy pinched the bridge of her nose, as she held her phone to her ear.

“Hello?”

“Oh thank god, Dawnie,” her breath came out a little too relieved.

“Buffy? What’s wrong?”

“I— I just talked to Willow and— Dawn… did you know? I mean Will says that you didn’t know. She said that she’s been hiding it from you, but did you know about what Kennedy was doing to Willow?”

“I knew about the night she brought me over to Andrew and Vi’s. I mean I sort of freaked out on her when she smacked Willow and she just grabbed my arm. The bruise is already gone thanks to Willow’s stinky salve. I’m fine. What’s been going on with Willow? Is she going all scary again?”

“No, it’s not that. Are you sure you’re okay?”

“I’m still at Andrew and Vi’s place. It’s been all school and studying and movie nights with ice cream. I haven’t seen Kennedy at all.”

“Okay, that’s great. But why didn’t you say anything about it?”

“Will was super freaked and she just wanted to get up to the castle ASAP, and then I guess I was just afraid you’d freak out. This whole thing has just been kinda crazy. I just didn’t want to make it worse. I remember when Will broke my arm and this whole thing was a bit too much like a bad re-run.”

“This isn’t the same thing, Dawn. It’s kinda the opposite of what was going on with Tara…”

“Is Willow really okay?”

“She’s safe here and we’re keeping an eye on her. Do you know if Kennedy has moved out yet?”

“I went back the other day with Vi, Kennedy wasn’t there and it looked like most of her stuff was gone but not all of it so I just grabbed some more clothes and came back with Vi.”

“Alright, I guess that’s good news…”

“Buffy? Is everything alright?”

“I— I should have been there. You are my responsibility Dawn. Not Willow, not Vi, not Andrew. Me.”

“Just stop. First of all, you’re not just on a sex romp with your boyfriend, you are actually working. Like paying the bills and everything. Second, I’m the one who told you you should go up to the castle with Spike. Third, I’ll be 18 next month, Buffy, I’m not really a little kid.”

“I swear Spike just had this conversation with Ruby.”

“That’s the new vamp Willow got the orb for right?”

“Yeah. Humm… Dawnie, listen. There are a few things I was waiting to talk to you about but things keep coming up and the timing has just been really off and it looks like we might be taking another detour before we start heading back down to Rome and—“

“You’re thinking about moving up there permanently aren’t you?”

“I— how did you know?”

“It’s not hard to figure out. I know Italian isn’t your thing, Buff. You barely go out unless you have someone with you that speaks the language and I know how much you like being up there close to Giles… it’s sort of logical.”

“When did you get all insightfully?”

Buffy could almost hear her shrug over the phone, “I dunno. So…should I be looking into transferring my credits? I’m sure it’s too late to enroll for the fall semester, how soon do you want to do this? Would we be staying in the castle or are you already house hunting? What about Willow and Xander?”

“Wohh, slow down. We sort of already have a place in the works for all of us.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, I— I kinda thought we would have already made it back down to you by now and I could show you pictures or something. I don’t want to mess with school, I mean, if you didn’t want to move up here at all I would understand and you could stay with Andrew and Vi, but I—“

“Do I get my own room?”

“A big one with double closets and your own private bathroom.”

“Are we talking shower only or is there a tub?”

“Both. Nice big tub.”

“Rent or own?”

“Own.”

“Spike is on board?”

“Totally.”

“And I get to make all the decorating decisions in my room?”

“If you want to, yeah, absolutely!”

“Sold!”

“Are you sure?”

“Totally!”

Buffy couldn’t help a laugh as relief washed through her. “Cool, you start getting things ironed out with school, I’ll see what I can do on this end. I was sort of hoping to get into our new place before Christmas so you can start the spring semester up here but I don’t know how realistic that is.”

“Sounds more realistic than trying to get into the fall semester now. We’ll figure it out, Buff. How is Willow anyway?”

“Pretty rough. We still have a lot to talk about.”

Chapters: 2/? Fandom: Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV) Rating: Mature Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Spike/Buffy Summers Characters: BtVS Ensemble, Buffy Summers, Spike (BtVS), Willow Rosenberg, Tara Maclay Additional Tags: Fluff and Smut, Spuffy, Family, Pregnancy, Unplanned Pregnancy, daddy spike Summary:

Written for an EF writing prompt:

Before Buffy jumped to her death in “The Gift”, she slept with Spike. When Willow resurrects her, she essentially re-animates Buffy’s dead cells – including Spike’s sperm, traces of which are still in her body.

In other words, not only does the spell resurrect her, but it also gets her pregnant.

When Willow finds out, she gets an ego boost from the knowledge that she created life from a vampire.

Bonus points for Buffy yelling at Riley when he comes back.

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Chapters: 2/? Fandom: Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV) Rating: Mature Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Spike/Buffy Summers Characters: BtVS Ensemble, Spike (BtVS), Buffy Summers, Joyce Summers, Dawn Summers, Drusilla (BtVS) Additional Tags: Fluff and Smut, Crush re-write Summary:

Crush re-write: What if when Dawn tells Buffy that Spike loves her, it gets her thinking in a different way?

Instead of getting mad or upset, Buffy starts to think about her feelings toward Spike and begins to realize they are of the warm and fuzzy variety.

37 Living Dead Girl

“Buffy? Spike? Buffy?”, there was yet another knock at the door and Buffy realized she couldn’t ignore it and started fumbling blindly for her bathrobe; which wasn’t where she normally kept it… Shit.

She lifted her head. It felt like the roadrunner had smashed an anvil into it. Buffy let out a groan and the arm she hadn’t realized was snaked around her constricted. Spike.

The pounding on the door resumed, “Buffy?”

She groaned again, “What do you want, Xan? We’re half dead in here.”

“It’s too early for your puns, Love. Make the boy go away,” Spike grumbled into a pillow as he shifted onto his stomach like a sullen kid.

Buffy huffed without looking over at Spike, “Go away, Xan!”

“Come on guys! I’m supposed to get you up! The coma girl’s parents are here. She woke up and they want to talk to you so get some clothes on!”

Spike groaned and pulled himself up out of bed, “Bugger all,” he grumbled, pulling on his jeans gingerly over his injured leg and limped over to the door pulling it open fully. Xander’s eyes grew wide in shock when he saw Spike’s bare chest.

“Dude, what the hell is going on here? Have you looked at yourself in a mirror?”

“Not as of late, no, you ninny,” he murmured as he looked down at himself. He knew she had written her name under his left collarbone, but he hadn’t realized she had also drawn swirling doodles and a few hearts into his skin. The doodles interspersed with the numerous cross burns dotted all over his chest certainly told their own story. The burns were nothing more than little pinkish-red marks now but they stood out in sharp contrast against his pale skin, “Bollocks. How bad are the bits I can’t see?”

“Got a turtleneck?” Xander scratched his own neck indicating corresponding marks on Spike, “Those are pretty obvious, man. What the heck did you do to him, Buff?” he asked as he tried to poke his head into the room to talk to her.

Spike blocked him, “She’s not exactly decent, mate, getting dressed and a bit hungover too. Who’s with the Andersons now?”

“Faith answered the door and sent me to get you. Will and Giles are in serious book mode. I think they’re in the library but I’m avoiding. Faith wants me and Callum to put the girls to work on the duplex, while she takes the grads to the airport.”

“Right, we’ll be down,” he closed the door as Xander turned away. “You hear him, Pet?”

Buffy had pulled on a purple sleeveless top over a long black skirt with purple embroidery. Her hair was still a mess from sleep and it made him smile as she tamed it.

Buffy nodded as she finished and pulled out a pair of cute but practical sandals, “Yeah, we better get down there.” She looked up at him, “Maybe you should just stay up here. Keep off of that leg.”

“It’s about Sheena and Ruby. I need to be in this.”

She paused taking in the extent of the marks on his chest, “Fine, but maybe go with one of your dress shirts and that new black infinity scarf I just got. I really did a number on you last night,” she grimaced apologetically.

“Nonsense, I love your handiwork. As for that scarf, I might be a bloody poet, Pet, but I sure as hell aint about to dress like one of those trendy wankers running around nowadays.”

“Do you want to make Mrs. Anderson faint again? Because I’m pretty sure advertising evidence of kinky vampire sex might just do it, call it a hunch. Xan’s right, I must have left it on too long in a few spots, a couple of those don’t look good. Look at it this way, at least it’s a plain scarf, no frills.”

He frowned, “Yeah alright. I hear you. As nice as they were, I get the feeling they aren’t going to be all smiles in regard to Ruby’s new living arrangements and lifestyle as is.”

“Which part? The dead but soulful part, the undead-living-here part, or the liking women part?”

“Hard to say.”

“Let’s see what they want first, they might just want to tell us about Sheena.”

“Phones work.”

“True… let me track down Willow. Sheena might have said something to them about our visit.”

“Right, I nearly forgot ‘bout that. Got a bit distracted last night. All went well I take it?”

Buffy shrugged, “I was just the guard dog, but the mind walk Will did with Ruby did the trick. I didn’t really do much except help get Ruby’s stuff out of her room and lend a minimal hand with Odette. Ruby ‘did pretty much all the work. Odette didn’t seem like much of a fighter to be honest.”

“Probably just the regular demon stuff. I certainly didn’t teach her anything. I’m still dumbfounded that Dru just let her go.”

“It’s crazy to expect crazy people to make sense”

Spike shook his head, “Dru is insane but she always made some sort of sense. Even if I didn’t see it right away. In the end she almost always did.”

“I don’t know how you put up with her for so long.”

“Can’t really explain it to be honest,” Spike said awkwardly and rolled a shoulder.

“We better go, I want to see if Will is in the library.”

*****

When they reached the library they were surprised to find Ruby lounging with her leg up over the arm of the chair in the corner with a book in hand. She was situated a short distance away from the large table where Willow and Giles were pouring over books and a stone tablet.

“Hey guys!” Buffy interrupted them, “Ruby’s parents are downstairs.”

Ruby’s head shot up from her book in alarm, “Do they know about me?”

“We don’t really know what they know. Just because we didn’t say anything to them doesn’t mean that Sheena didn’t.”

“How do you want to play this Buff?” Willow asked.

“I think Spike and I need to get down there. Give us a minute or two and then come down with Ruby, but maybe just hang out in the stairwell by the living room so you can hear what’s going on. Oh and by the way, once I get him downstairs, Spike is forbidden from getting off the couch.”

Willow and Ruby smirked at each other and Spike rolled his eyes. Soberingly, he looked squarely at Ruby, “You and I need to have a talk young one. I was out of line but there are things you need to know.”

Ruby nodded, “Whatever you say, g-“

“And don’t you bloody well dare call me grandpa!”

“I was going to say, go see what my parents want. And maybe don’t mention Willow is a witch, I just don’t think they’d respond well.”

“Oh, well right then.”

Buffy put her hand on Spike’s chest, pushing him back slightly from where he was leaning against the doorframe, “Talk later.”

In a matter of minutes the two of them were downstairs greeting the Andersons. Faith took a step towards the staircase, “Sorry to cut and run Buff but I got to make sure Addison and Ursula make their flight.”

“No, it’s fine. I know you got a busy day, thanks for doing this.”

“No problem, B. Hey,” she grabbed Buffy’s arm and gave Spike a barely perceptible glance, “Everything 5x5?”

“Yeah, all good.”

“You gonna fill me in later?”

Spike gave Faith a nod, “Mind yourself, Doe-eyes, doin’ much better now, thanks. You get the beer later and maybe Buffy and I will spill the relevant bits.”

“You’re on, pal,” Faith replied as she headed up the stairs.

Buffy turned back to the Andersons and directed them into the living room.

“What can we do for you?'' Buffy asked cordially as she and Spike sat down together on one couch, the Andersons took the other.

“We’ve just come from the hospital. But I think you already know Sheena is awake.”

“Oh, well I was just there visiting and—“

“Ruby was with you wasn’t she? You found our girl and you didn’t tell us?” Mrs Anderson was trying to keep the accusation out of her voice but it was still there.

“It’s more complicated than that—“

Mr. Anderson bristled, “Our daughter is alive and you didn’t think we should know? When did you find her? How long has—“

“Mr Anderson, please calm down. We were planning on calling you when Ruby decided she was ready. She’s been through—“

“She is our daughter!” he roared, standing up, “What gives you the right to keep her from us!?”

Spike stood up with a deep growl, “You need to have a seat, mate. The lady is trying to explain the situation.”

The Andersons looked a little shocked, they hadn’t missed the growl but they didn’t understand it either. Mr Anderson didn’t sit down, “Young man, perhaps we should be talking to Mr. Giles. I don’t—“

“Don’t you ‘young man’ me, I was—“

Buffy reached for Spike’s wrist, “Sit down, you need to rest that leg.”

“Leg’s not so bad, Pet. I’m fine. But if he thinks I’m just—“

“William, please.”

“Buffy, you know as well as I do that we’re the only ones willing and able to help them and they—“

“Don’t know the whole story.”

Spike deflated as he sat down, his leg really wasn’t fine and he stretched it out in front of him on the coffee table.

Buffy hit Mr Anderson with a hard gaze until he relented a little and sat down too. “Thank you. Now maybe we can talk like adults. As I was saying. Ruby has been through a lot. We have been helping her.”

“Helping her?” Mrs. Anderson asked, “What has happened to our girl? First you tell us she might have been turned and now we find out she’s been hiding out here and you didn’t say a word. Where is my daughter? I want to see her!”

“You will. But I think you need to hear what happened after Ruby attacked Sheena.”

“After— but—“

“We haven’t been keeping you in the dark so please stop acting like we have been. You know she was turned, you know she attacked Sheena. Denial isn’t going to help anyone here. What you don’t know is that we were able to capture her afterwards and hold her here.”

“You held our daughter hostage?”

“We held a demon inhabiting your daughter’s body as a prisoner,” Spike corrected, “You’re welcome.”

Mr. Anderson wrapped an arm around his wife tightly. “But she was with you at the hospital wasn’t she?”

Buffy inclined her head a little, “Yes. We were able to have someone retrieve Ruby’s soul and put it back in.”

“So what does that mean? She has her soul, she’s cured? I thought you told us that it couldn’t be done.”

Spike huffed, “It’s not a cure. That’s utter nonsense. She’s still a vampire, she’s still dead. Crosses still burn and she still needs blood to survive. Animal blood, that is. She hasn’t had human since she’s been with us.” He paused looking at Mrs. Anderson. She had blanched at the mention of blood but didn’t look faint so he continued, “She’s also more her true self now. She has all her humanity back. She can discuss literature sensibly again, and thank god for that because trying to talk with her about Oscar Wilde without a soul was just— bloody painful…” he stopped catching a bewildered look from Buffy, “Point is, she can make opinions and decisions based on morality and has a working conscience again. It doesn’t mean she’s any less of a vampire. It also means that she essentially has multiple— How do I put this?”

“Just tell them what you told me,” Buffy reassured him.

He bobbed his head once and continued, “There’s more to her now. A lot of it she doesn’t even understand yet. First off she’s what we call a fledgling. Her demon didn’t have a lot of time to get real used to things before she got the soul shoved in. She’s getting off easy but she’s still got, sort of, multiple voices in her head.”

“Like multiple personalities?”

“No, no, think of it like the angel and devil on your shoulder kind of thing except a bit more literal. She has a lot she needs to work through before she can figure it out. Takes some getting used to. The guilt alone is enough to drive anyone mad.” Spike looked down, only just noticing Buffy’s hand clenched tightly in his own.

Mrs. Anderson’s eyes flickered from their hands and back up to his face, “You’re speaking from experience, Mr. Spike.”

He turned earnest eyes to her, “Yeah I am, and I know first hand how difficult it is. I was fortunate to have someone to fight for and who fought for me in return when it got to be too much. The least we can do is try to do the same for Ruby.”

Her eyes flicked to Buffy, “But you’re a Slayer like Sheena aren’t you?”

“The original, yeah.”

“Ruby is in good hands.”

“That’s what you said about Sheena and she still—“

Buffy bristled, “That was out of our control. It’s thanks to Spike and one of the other girls stabilizing her before the paramedics got to her that she is even alive. And further thanks to my friend Willow and Ruby for her waking up. I shouldn't need to tell you that Spike has cared for your daughters like his own family. Our family. We only want to help and part of that is helping Ruby make amends, getting her back on her feet and letting her make her own choices.”

“That’s why she was with you at the hospital.”

“Yeah, she wanted to see Sheena, help her if she could, and she did.”

Spike nodded, “She’s been doing really well, all things considered.”

The Andersons shared a look, Mr. Anderson turned back to Buffy and Spike, “I think we understand. May we see our daughter now?”

Spike turned towards the door concealing the staircase, “You get all that, Rubes? What do you say, feel like having a chat with your folks?”

The door opened and Ruby walked into the living room followed by Willow.

Ruby had pulled on what Buffy recognized as Giles' cardigan. She was holding it closed around her middle tightly, giving her the look of an awkward child, “Hey, Mum; Hi, Daddy.” Her parents descended upon her immediately enveloping her in a hug.

“Ruby! Oh my sweet girl! We thought we’d lost you!” her mother was crying.

“Well, you did, Mum, you did but I’m me again. For the most part. Not completely, but it’s mostly still me, like Spike was saying,” she nodded heavily as she pushed her parents back a little at arms length so she could look at them better, “He’s right it’s— it’s not easy and I was afraid to call, yet. I didn’t want them to contact you so please don’t blame them. Don’t be angry with Buffy and Spike, they’ve done nothing but help me.”

“We’re just glad you’re safe. When will you be coming home, sweetheart?”

Ruby shook her head, “I’m not coming home. I just can’t.”

Her parents looked at each other “But why not? I don’t understand,” her mother pleaded.

“What about uni?” Her father interjected.

Spike stepped in, “It’s Ruby's choice of course, but I have to say I agree with her. For one thing, living in a regular house like that can be kind of dangerous for a vampire, especially a young one. We are experienced here. Buffy has been dealing with the likes of me for years now and the castle is vampire safe. Ruby has already started to make herself comfortable and has a private space to call her own. Buffy and Willow here even went to help her clean out her room at University so you don’t have to worry about that. We’ll see to getting a phone line set up for her at some point here.”

“What happened to your mobile?” Her father asked.

Ruby shook her head, “Lost it the night I died.”

The phrasing seemed to strike her parents hard and Ruby‘s mom looked at her a little bewildered. With some effort she seemed to collect herself, “Well that’s simple enough, you’re still on our family plan, we will simply call our carrier, let them know that you lost your phone and see about getting you a new one. At least let us do that for you, sweetheart,” she nodded and looked pleadingly.

He nodded, “Seems silly not to. We’ll be happy to get it replaced, that way you can keep in touch.”

The unease in their voices didn’t go amiss to anyone, least of all Ruby, “Mum, Dad, I really do think it’s best for everyone that I stay here. I can train with Spike and Buffy and help them out where I can. I really think it’s what’s best. My afternoon class would kill me proper. I’d be a pile of dust on the sidewalk before I even got there. But yeah, a new phone would be brilliant.” She smiled at them both.

“But what about your future?”

“I’m dead Mum. The only future I have at the moment is right here, doing work with them. Fighting the good fight.”

Mr. and Mrs. Anderson exchanged another troubled look.

“It’s part of the deal I made when they offered me my soul. I chose this. I’m sure. Besides, it’s not like I’ll be that far, I can still visit.”

Willow stepped forward next to Ruby, “Absolutely! I can even bring her over tonight or tomorrow. Ruby was talking about wanting to get the rest of her things moved in.”

“That’s true, it would be nice to have the rest of my books and a proper bed,” she looked apologetically at Buffy and Spike, “I appreciate the cot but I’d love to have my own bed down there.”

Buffy rolled a shoulder, “Yeah of course, whatever you need; it’s your space. As long as your parents don’t mind you taking it, you can move whatever you want in there. It’s totally Ruby-ville.”

“Thanks. So what do you say? Can I come get my stuff?”

Her mother seemed a little overwhelmed, “I- we— If— yes of course. Can we see where you’re living?”

Ruby frowned a little, “I don’t really have it finished yet. Willow was going to let me paint.”

“This is Willow?”

Willow stuck out her hand, “Sorry! Yes, Willow Rosenberg. I teach math and science. I’ve invited Ruby to take the basement bedroom on my half of the duplex we started renovating.”

“You’re the one who helped Sheena?”

“I sure am. I’m also the one that ensouled Ruby too. I’ve sort of been keeping an eye on her, she’s been doing a lot better the last day or so.”

The Andersons seemed stunned, “But didn’t you say you teach maths and science?”

“I’m a woman of many talents.”

“And thank the Lord for that, and for everything you’ve done for our girls already. So Ruby will be living with you, not at the castle?”

“It’s on the grounds, you’re welcome to come and see it if you don’t mind a construction site,” Willow turned to Buffy, “do you know if they are working on your side or ours today?”

“No idea, Xan just gave Spike a quick rundown, and Faith didn’t say anything at all.”

“Or you’re welcome to come back another time after Ruby has had a chance to fix it up the way she wants.”

They glanced at each other, “I think we just want to see where she’ll be, that's all.”

“Willow—“

“It’s fine Ruby, Buffy and I can show them around, you just hang out with Spike. You two have a lot to talk about anyway.”

Ruby nodded to Willow, “Yeah alright, what do you say, Spike? Mind if I join you while you heal up and get that talk out of the way?”

Spike had already rested himself back onto the couch with his bad leg up, the other foot still on the floor in case he needed to intervene, “We can bond over a pint— or tea if you prefer, I’m not particular.” He was about to say “a pint of blood” and caught himself just in time, he wasn’t sure if Mrs. Anderson would have stayed vertical or not.

“Ruby?” Willow looked worried, remembering the tea incident from only a few days ago, “Are you sure you’re all right to go back in the kitchen?”

Ruby shrugged, “Feeling a little more stable. Giles said it was better in there now and at least I know Sheena is gonna be okay. I can’t stay out of the kitchen forever, I like to cook too much.”

“Maybe you shouldn’t have said anything, we might put you to work, Slayers like to eat,” Buffy joked.

Ruby laughed at that and hugged her parents again, “I have a good feeling about this, don’t worry about me alright?”

They nodded reluctantly and pulled away

Buffy frowned at her skirt, “I hope they aren’t going all dust happy over there,” she looked up at the two vampires in the room, “You know what I mean, alright, let’s see what’s going on over there.” She said firmly as she leaned into Spike, squeezing his shoulder and applying a little pressure with her thumb where her name was burned into him. “Remember to stay off that leg.”

“Yes, Slayer,” he had managed to keep his tone even, but it still hit Buffy the same way as if he had purred into her ear with his hand down her pants.

Oh my god Spike.

It’s not my mind that’s in the gutter for once, Slayer, he said silently with a smug grin on his face.

You just behave yourself, Mr. Pratt, don’t make me tie you up again.

His grin widened, Yeah like that’s a real deterrent.

She rubbed a hand over her eyes, I really hope I didn’t create a monster last night.

Oh sweetheart, I’ve always been a monster. You just unchained me…

Unless I decide I want you in chains again, however you wanna look at it. It was Buffy’s turn to smirk.

Willow caught the interaction between the two of them and raised her eyebrows, “Buffy, are we going to get going here or do you two need a moment?”

Buffy tried her best not to blush as she turned to her best friend, “Right, okay, Mr and Mrs Anderson, come along with us. We’ll show you out there, It’s the big stone building you guys sort of past on the way in and it needs a lot of work so it’s going to be a while before anyone else is going to be moving into it but the basement on Willow’s side is in exceptionally good shape so since Ruby doesn’t really need a whole lot it’s fairly well set up for her already.”

“What do you mean by that; she doesn’t need a lot?” Mr. Anderson asked as they headed outside.

“Well she’s dead, she doesn’t really need a lot of creature comforts, it’s just a fact. You should have seen Spike’s place when we first started,” she cleared her throat, “seeing each other,” she ended diplomatically.

Willow shot her a glance but didn’t say anything.

“You both went by ‘Summers’ at the hospital but you’re not married are you? I just assume because you all call him ‘Spike’.”

She cleared her throat again, she had really wanted to talk to Willow about Spike, but not like this. It really was like Spike said; that in many ways they already were married, so what was the answer; Not yet, but we’ve been talking about it OR Yes, we accidentally eloped in Paris and we’re technically on our honeymoon but we’re probably going to have a wedding anyway?

Before Buffy could make up her mind about how to answer the question Willow chimed in, “Oh no, they got married a few months ago. William took her name but we have all known him so long we still just call him ‘Spike’ out of habit.”

Buffy gaped at her best friend, had Spike talked to her about their plans? Mrs Anderson smiled “Well I’m glad to hear it. It certainly makes me feel better knowing that she will be around people who are setting an example for a normal life.”

Buffy‘s eyebrows shot up “Normal?”

“Well, yes. It gives me hope that despite all this, that perhaps someday she can still settle down. She has never shown much interest in finding someone but now she won’t be at university. Maybe she’ll be able to get her nose out of her books long enough to focus on finding a good man and make a life for herself.”

Buffy caught Willow’s eye and she shook her head warningly. “Ahh huh, yup,” she tried to sound convincing. Any more comments like that and she wasn’t sure if she would be able to stop herself from breaking her nose. If Willow didn’t beat her to it first.

Ruby stood in front of the microwave waiting for the timer to go off. Her eyes kept darting towards the corner she had thrown the girls into. The memory of it mixed with the vision from the mind-walk were colliding violently in her brain and it was all she could do to stand still where she was. At least her stomach wasn’t trying to expel itself, although actually drinking the blood in her mug might not be so easy.

She was having very mixed feelings about blood. On one hand, her body and her demon demanded it, but at the same time the idea was repulsive to her. She figured that would just be one of those things she would have to come to terms with. She tried to distract herself by looking out the window towards the partially burned orchard and another pang of guilt shot through her.

Despite several of the girls receiving various injuries, only one Slayer had been lost in the attack and that was on her. She didn’t think they knew of the extent of her involvement in the attack and in some ways that was worse. Looking back at it now, she couldn’t blame the dark haired girl who had snuck in to beat the crap out of her while she’d been tied up in the utility room. She didn’t know the Slayer’s name but she did know that she had left the castle already. Which really just meant that she never had a chance to apologize. She couldn’t blame any of them for hating her and she knew she didn’t deserve their forgiveness, apologies be damned.

She took a deep breath to settle herself just as the microwave finished. She gathered their mugs and whisked them out to the living room where Spike waited for her. “Here ya go,” she murmured, setting it down in front of him.

“Ta, luv,” he eyed her carefully.

“So, what did you want to talk about?”

“Thought I’d start with an apology for last night. You did good. Buffy told me you took Odette out pretty easily.”

“Did she also tell you I was blind with rage?”

“Didn’t need to,” he sipped the blood.

“So is that what you wanted to talk about, me killing Odette?”

“Partly. Did Buffy tell you anything about our line?”

“Sort of, you were sired by your ex and she was sired by some bloke named Angel. Then from what I gathered from your outburst last night, I’m guessing that there was quite a bit o’ funny business going on between the three of you.”

He ignored the comment, “You’ll probably meet Angel before long and I rather hope you never meet Drusilla. Don’t much fancy seeing her again myself.”

“Why’s that?”

“Because Buffy will likely have to be the one to put her down when it really should be me or Angel who does it.”

“Oh…”

“There’s a lot there. I could start anywhere and just keep goin’ into next week. So let’s start with some questions. Anything you want, ask.”

Ruby puffed out her cheeks, “Why were you so upset last night when Buffy mentioned Odette?”

“Hadn’t given her a thought in years and thought she was dust long ago for starters. For all the carnage I’ve been responsible for over the years, I never really turned too many vampires. Turned Odette just to get back at Dru. I imagine it’s why she left you in the crypt the way she did, it’s what I’d done to her except that I was waiting there expecting a shag when she woke up.”

“You like to keep it in the family, huh?”

Spike laughed, “You’ve read Dracula, you got the gist of things. Stupid ponce and his bloody brides,” he grumbled and took a sip of blood.

“What?”

“Nevermind, I don’t think he’ll be gunning for Buffy again anytime soon so you won’t have to worry about that wanker. Go on, drink up. It’s best when it’s warm.”

She looked at her own cup, “He’s real?”

“Git still owes me money.”

Ruby gave him a look that said she would be expecting more of that story later, “Sure… so what’s the plan for me?” She took a tentative drink from her mug. It wasn’t Slayer blood but Spike had been right about the herbs. The sip turned into a gulp.

He watched her with interest as she gulped it down hungrily. She clearly hadn’t been feeding properly which he had expected. “Good question. I thought I’d start you out joining in with the Slayeretts’s training. You can fight, that comes standard with your demon. But there’s always more to learn. Don’t get complacent. The best way to take advantage of the whole immortality thing is to roll with changes.”

“Says the punk rock poster child?”

“Pot. Kettle. Changes can be slow and I quite like my hair this way so I’m not likely to change that anytime soon. That and it’s sort of what keeps me alive with the Slayeretts when we go on field trips.”

“Are you saying I should start dyeing my hair a distinctive color?” She smirked.

“Don’t get smart.”

“Can’t help that, just am.”

“Yeah alright smarty pants, there’s still a lot I want to cover with you.”

“The girls hate me,” she blurted out suddenly.

“True. Deloris was a sweetheart. The girls aren’t real happy with you being here. Won’t do anything with me and Buffy around though.”

“Yeah, sort of already got that message.”

“Yeah, well that is just something you’ve got to deal with. Fact of the matter is that we don’t really belong much of anywhere so we got to make our own place in the world. I sure as hell didn’t just wake up one day and say ‘Oh I’m just going to be good now’, not that I didn’t try. I was a sodding mess, one big bloody morally-gray mess for a couple of years. Trying to suss out what I should do and how I should act to make Buffy happy, make her tolerate me, even if she couldn’t love me. Then something happened… I— I lost control— I nearly hurt Buffy beyond forgiveness. If she hadn’t…” he flinched inwardly, he couldn’t bring himself to talk about that night. “If she hadn’t knocked some sense into me... Left in search of my soul just after that.” He added weakly.

“So that’s what you meant before. The thing about it being a grand gesture of love. You did it for her.”

Spike hung his head down, he had almost forgotten he had said anything to her about that, “I was out of my mind in love with her but the demon can’t really process love the same way as a human soul. It’s close. Damn close. But there’s this— line in between and I nearly crossed it. Knew I couldn’t look her in the eye. Not after she’d seen me for the monster I was. Not when all she deserves is a good man to support her in everything she does. I couldn’t blame her for hating me, so I went to find the thing that would turn me into the man she deserves. I got it; and everything fell apart after that. Lost my mind. Buffy helped me shove my marbles back in place.”

“But clearly things worked out between you, I mean you’re together now, and you seem sane enough.”

“Sure as hell wasn’t overnight. Whole thing is far too complicated to get into now. You’re coming along quickly but then I sort of figured you would, pipsqueak. You and I aren’t exactly brooders like Angel. Can crack a smile for starters.”

“You don’t like him much do you?”

“We’re getting on alright now. Lots of unpleasant history there. Some of its guilt. Angel is big on guilt. Blames himself for everything he did plus everything me and Dru ever did. Well I don’t know about Dru really. I don’t think he can look at her without feeling at least a little pride. She was his greatest masterpiece after all. And then when she turned me, he thought he’d take on a new pet project. Taught me everything I know. Tried to twist me to be just as nasty as him but it just never did quite work. No one was more twisted and sadistic than Angelus. I didn’t bother trying to be like him after a while, became my own monster as it were. Started hunting Slayers.”

“Until you fell in love with one.”

“Yup.”

“Almost sounds like you were searching for your soulmate even then.”

“Bollocks, didn’t have a soul,” he said a little too quickly. The truth was that it wasn’t a new thought. The idea had often kept him awake, especially just after he had first realized his feelings for her. The thought had crept back into the forefront of his mind after Buffy had told him about meeting his soul in the heaven dimension she was in.

“No, but I wouldn’t be surprised if there was some prophecy or something out there that says you were destined to fall in love with a Slayer.”

There was a ring of truth there that he wasn’t sure what to do with, so he just kept his response clipped. “What do you know about prophecies?”

“Nothing really. Willow has just been filling me in on some of the basic things she does with your group and mentioned something about them.”

“Good storyteller is she?”

“Could probably listen to her read the dictionary if I’m being honest.”

“Got it bad for the witch don’t you?”

She shrugged, “Not really a secret. She’s kind, sweet— generous.”

“You’re going to make your own choices no matter what I say but can I give you some advice?”

“It’s what you’re here for isn’t it?”

“Red is working on getting out of a crappy rebound relationship after losing the love of her life. A real nice girl I liked a lot too. Now Red clearly likes you, but the last thing that girl needs right now is some hot little thing twisting her head round.”

“But—“

“I’m not saying stay away from the girl. Just take it easy. Pump the breaks. Do you both a favor and take the time to get yourself right in the head first. By the time you do that, maybe the time will be right for you both.”

She nodded glumly, she suddenly wasn’t feeling as secure about her situation as she had less than a half hour ago when her parents were in the room. Now she was feeling almost claustrophobic, the weight of unknown possibilities pressing in on her. She looked at the thin layer of blood coating the bottom of the cup and grimaced.

“Ruby?”

“Hum?”

“You alright there?”

“Yeah, just thinking.”

“Willow?”

“Yeah but also— This soul thing, and the fighting evil thing and–”

“The blood?”

“Yeah…”

“You need your strength. You’ll get used to it, and so will the girls. Willow too. Just wait and see.”