Chapter 42 Cabin Fever

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.”

---

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.”

---

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.

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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.

---

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.”

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