Chapter 6 The New Girls

Chapter 6 The New Girls

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

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

All four girls shook their heads.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Maybe you can,” she grumbled.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Spike, I—”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Yes, ma’am,” they said in unison.

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Do I want to know why?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Yeah,” Buffy wheezed a little.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“How about ‘Willy’?”

“Not if you value your life.”

“William,” Buffy murmured.

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

“Just proving a point,” she chuckled weakly.

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

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

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

“Anyone else extra hungry?” Thea asked.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“How’s our patient?” Faith asked.

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

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

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

“No problem. Need help?”

“I’ll let you know.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“In the loo.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Nice guys don’t often have bull-whips,” Spike smirked.

“Nice memory but its the quiet ones that surprise ya,”

Buffy narrowed her eyes and looked between the two of them, “Bull-whip?”

“Just an old story Faith told me a while back.”

“I probably don’t want to know.”

“Probably not,” Faith grinned as she took another sip of whiskey.

Buffy adjusted herself in her seat, wincing. Spike reached for Buffy’s drink, “Here, Love, finish this. We’ll get you to bed.”

“Humm, you just love getting me in bed.”

“True,” he stood up, holding his hand out to her. Buffy took his hand, allowing him to pull her up, “Tonight I’ll settle for you getting some rest and letting those ribs heal.”

“I should get going too, I need a shower.”

“Night!” Buffy called as Spike led her over to the bed.

Spike directed his attention back to Buffy, as Faith closed the door behind herself.

He pulled the blankets aside for her, “In you get, Slayer.”

Buffy slipped into bed carefully, “Spike?”

“Yeah?” He answered absently as he pulled the blanket over her.

She stilled his hand with hers, “I’m really sorry I freaked out like I did earlier.”

“Oh that-“, Spike started to say.

“Everything is so new. I just—”

“Hadn't thought that far ahead?” He asked, raising an eyebrow, as he stood up straighter.

Buffy didn’t release his hand, “Well no. I mean yes, you’re right, I haven’t… and when I did, it just really—“

“You just get some rest, Goldilocks,” he said, squeezing her hand and moving around to his side of the bed.

Buffy furrowed her brow finding it extremely difficult to get comfortable, “Are you sure we’re ok?”

“Course we are.” He gestured for her to sit up and slipped an extra pillow behind her.

She rested back onto the pillows, relaxing while Spike stripped down for bed. “You just seem off,” she stated.

Spike crawled into bed with her. Propping himself on one elbow to see her better. “You’re the one who’s hurt, Love. Let’s just focus on that alright?”

Spike laid awake half the night thinking and watching Buffy sleep.

God, I love her more than I’ve ever loved anyone. Course she loves me too. I know that— otherwise we’d both be barmy or dead. Don’t go questioning her now you nit.

But when we decided to make this official, I just assumed we would be together in all senses of the word. Including living together. But if Buffy isn’t sure… where does that leave me?

At arms length or worse. Bollocks, William. It’s you she comes to when she is in trouble and needs help. Must count for something. Or does it? Is simply loving someone enough?

He watched her as she took a deep breath and started to cough a little. She didn’t wake up but by the look on her face it was clear she was in pain.

He rested a hand high on her chest by her collarbone and she relaxed instantly. Her breathing eased and the look of anguish on her face melted away. It was a little thing but in that moment it was what they both needed. A comforting hand for her and reassurance that she didn’t just want him but also needed him. Spike fell asleep with that thought, his hand still resting on her chest. He didn’t notice the slim ghostly figure of a teenage girl watching them.

Chapter 10 Electric

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

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

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

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

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

“Too much? I knew the skirt was too—“

“You look amazing… gorgeous in fact…”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“You really do get me don’t you?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Have it your way.”

“Oh I plan to, Goldilocks.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“What’s this?” Mr. Ross asked.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“What is it you teach, Lass?”

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

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

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

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

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

“Course I will, Lad.”

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

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

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

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

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

“Yeah, I could eat.”

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

“Yeah alright,” Callum answered, slightly annoyed.

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

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

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

“I think we can do it.”

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

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

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

“You are all really close then huh?”

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

“Pretty much the same,” Faith shrugged uncomfortably.

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

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

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

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

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

“So it’s true?”

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

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

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

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

“Your mom’s sister? When?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“You caught that huh?”

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

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

“But my mum said, you—“

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“But Buffy and Spike; obviously he knows.”

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

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

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

“What’s his story anyway?”

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

“Sounds complicated...”

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

“I am if you are.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Yup… freaked out yet?”

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

“Yeah well wouldn’t you?”

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

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

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

“Did you say you were falling for me?”

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

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

“Remind me not to piss you off.”

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

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

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

“Impossible.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

“So the bit about the bathtub?”

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

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

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

“Don’t really do baths myself.”

“Not manly enough?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Already planning another date?”

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

Callum grinned, “Oh I’m game.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Faith nodded, still catching her breath.

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

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

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

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

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

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

*****

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

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

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

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

“So next time?”

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

Faith smiled, “How’s next Friday?”

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

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

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

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

“So, Tuesday?”

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

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

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

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

“Tuesday it is.”

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

“You cook?”

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

“Fair enough,” she smiled.

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

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

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.

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

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

Stunningly gorgeous banner created by cd85

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

“Slayer Central Rome! You got a baddie, we’ll get stabby!”

Spike chuckled “Bloody Hell, Willow is that you? I thought you were in Tibet or some such.”

“Yeah, we just got back a couple of weeks ago, who is this?”

He was starting to get annoyed, “Oh now come on Red, I don’t have time for this bollocks.”

“Spike?” Willow squeaked.

“Course it’s me, I need to speak with Buffy, she around?”

There was a pause on the other end before Willow sputtered, “Hang on, how?”

“I thought Angel said he filled you in, or at least Andrew would have, the git.”

Willow tried to backpedal a little. The call had completely taken her by surprise. “Well sort of… not really. Andrew said you were back but that you didn’t want us telling Buffy until you could talk to her yourself.”

“Bollocks, yeah I guess I did… look, you heard about the apocalypse we put a pin in?” He huffed.

“Well sure, I make Angel check in on all the big stuff, especially now since I guess he’s back on our side. He didn’t sound all that great when he called last.”

“Well no, I suppose not. The man nearly got cut in half, didn’t he now? He’s on the mend… it’s not over by a long shot.”

“So he said…” she sounded doubtful.

“Right, well anyway, that’s not why I’m calling.”

“Why are you calling? What happened to you? Angel didn’t say; in fact, I kinda thought you might have been dusty.”

Spike let his shoulders relax a little, “Me? Nah, not this time anyway. I’m alright or will be. Look Red, I really need to talk to Buffy.”

“She’s not here, not in Rome I mean.”

That made him tense again. “Fu— well when will she be back?”

Willow was starting to get a little uneasy, she couldn’t remember the last time Spike had sounded so agitated. “Probably not for a while, maybe a few more weeks. What’s this all about, Spike?”

Spike sat down roughly into a chair, “It started a few days after this last big one. I— shit I don’t know— I keep having dreams. It’s one of the lesser demons that came through. The damn thing escaped, along with countless others I’d wager, but this one— I- it’s hunting for Buffy. I’ve tried to do some research here but I’m not the bloke for it and ours is gone. Near as I can tell, I think I must have killed its mate and now it’s gunning for Buffy.”

“Wait, but Buffy—“

“Is in trouble, think this is some sort of empathic, telepathic or some-pathic demon. How it knows about Buffy, I don’t know, unless it read me somehow. I’m trying to get a better bead on this thing if I can.” He snapped.

Damn it, this shouldn’t be so sodding hard.

Willow’s voice grew increasingly more concerned, and he could almost picture the pained expression on her face when she spoke. “But these dreams, they are just dreams, right? I mean you’ve never had prolific dreams have you?”

“Not exactly normal for me, no. So that’s what I thought too. I was pretty banged up myself and I just thought it’d messed with my head, right? But then the dreams kept coming… I need to warn her, help her, I need to do something.” He wanted to punch something.

“Spike, I don’t know where she is, exactly…”

He growled, “For Pete’s sake Willow, you don’t stop, I'm going to come to Rome and bite you.”

“Cranky, Spike, I get it! Look, Sunnydale was rough on all of us, and you know Buffy. She was actually really holding it together until a few weeks ago, she sort of ended things with the guy she’d been seeing. Kennedy and I had just got back when we heard LA was still standing, so we sort of convinced her to take some time off since it’s been pretty quiet here.” Willow added defensively.

He sputtered at that, mind spinning, “Time off? You’re jokin’; You mean to tell me I’m worried sick here and she’s on a bloody— she went on sodden holiday!?”

“Uhh huhh…” He could hear the blush in her voice.

“You got contact information or something for the girl or what?”

“Her last email was a few days ago; she was in Paris,” she hedged.

“Pa-Paris? She ah— she’s not, you know, with- she’s not still with The Immortal is she?” A rock had dropped in the pit of his stomach, he didn’t think he could stand hearing it.

“The Immortal? How did you- Andrew— of course—“ Willow groaned, “no, that was the guy I mentioned. I didn’t really get to know him. She’s totally been on a solo trip. Sort of a soul-searchy bohemian kind of thing. I have a cell phone number for her, but she’s been keeping it turned off a lot. I usually just leave messages and she calls back when she can or we email. She’s really burned-out right now so we’ve been giving her some space.”

Spike pinched the bridge of his nose.

I’m not in the mood for this nonsense…

“Yeah well this thing catches up with her and she’s going to be burned to a crisp if she’s not prepared for it.”

“I'd be more worried about her staking you for not telling her you’re back.”

He smirked. She might have a point there— “I’ll handle Buffy.”

“She might be kinda pissed. I mean I only had an idea because when Angel called about the apocalypse he mentioned you were with him on it so then I drilled Andrew while Buffy was out. And none of us really knew if we could trust Angel or not—“

“And so, me? Bugger…” he groaned.

“I didn’t say anything— I didn’t want to upset her or—” she let out a little whimper “And you know what! I don’t remember getting any calls from you mister!”

“Yeah, alright, luv, steady on, you got me. Just being protective. Believe me, I get it. Lot of that goin’ round.”

Willow faltered slightly, “Well good, as long as we all have her best interest at heart.”

“Trust me, that’s all I want.”

“Fine, you got a pen?” Willow rattled off the number while Spike scribbled it down.

“Right, thanks Willow, I mean it. If you get a hold of her, let her know I’m coming. I’d rather not surprise her like that if I can avoid it. I’ll try calling but it doesn’t sound like I’ll have much luck.” He paused, hesitating, “Will— I never wanted to— damn. I was just trying to take some time to figure things out, I didn’t want— forget it. That’s for Buffy’s ears. I’m catching the next flight I can get, with any luck I can beat this nasty to her.”

“Hang on a minute,” there was a slight rustling and clicking on Willow’s end, “wait, here it is. Humm ok, Spike, think she might be staying somewhere close to the Eiffel Tower. I remembered she included a couple of pictures in the email and it was in the background of two of them, but in the distance, I think they might be from her hotel balcony.”

“That’ll narrow the search a bit. At least I got a slightly smaller haystack…” He eyed the phone number he had written down. A tangible thread connecting him to her.

Willow bit her lip, she hadn’t been able to give him much to go on, but hopefully it would be enough, “Good luck!”

*****

Night had already fallen when the plane touched down at the Paris airport. Spike was really missing the private jet. He scrambled out of the luggage compartment where he had stowed away. He was definitely glad the trip was over. At least he had a cell phone with him. He used it to call Willow back to see if she could help out with identifying the demon, she had only come up with a few more tidbits of information. He also tried calling Buffy a few times, as expected it went straight to voicemail.

Spike immediately started towards the Eiffel Tower. What else could he do except start there and work his way out just hoping to catch her scent? It was nearly dawn when he finally did just outside of a little corner cafe. It was a quaint section of the city, perfect for someone looking for the full Paris experience without being right in the thick of it. He should have known she’d be somewhere like this, he thought. He stood on the street inhaling deeply to follow her scent. It led him to a relatively small hotel. The upper floors would have balcony views of the tower for sure.

“Excusez-moi,” he called to the receptionist “Vous parlez anglais? Mon français est un peu rouillé.”

“Oui, yes, how can I help you?” The receptionist answered, taking in his rather rough appearance.

“I’m looking for a friend of mine, I believe she’s staying here. Summers, is the name. Belle, petite, blonde?”

“Ah! Oui, she has been with us for nearly a week. We thought she must be waiting for a lover, but when none joined her…” again the receptionist looked him over skeptically.

“Got held up,” Spike said, bristling a little.

“Oui, monsieur.”

He cleared his throat, “Eh could you tell me which room she’s in?”

The receptionist gave a curt nod, “Oui monsieur, one moment please. Would you like me to call up for you?”

“That won’t be necessary, just the number, s'il vous plaît.”

Minutes later Spike stood outside Buffy’s door wondering if he should’ve let the receptionist call. His stomach clenched and he bounced on the balls of his feet trying to dispel some of the tension in his body. He flexed his fingers and balled up his fist nervously.

No, it’s best to just get it over with.

He reached out to knock, hesitated again, and rapped the door with his knuckles. When she didn’t initially respond, he knocked a little harder. An older man poked his head out of the door across the hall but went back in at the sight of him. Spike swore under his breath and knocked again.

From the other side he could hear her familiar voice answer “Just a minute! Eh… Une minute, une minute! I’m coming!”

He chuckled and his throat suddenly constricted. A moment later the door opened a crack. He could see her adjusting her bathrobe before looking up at him properly. As she did, her mouth fell open, “S—Spike?” She rubbed her eyes with one hand.

“Hello Buffy,” he said, running a nervous hand over the back of his neck. Almost not daring to look at her.

“Is- is it— really you?” She stammered as she opened the door a little wider.

“Yeah, it’s really me, Love, in the flesh. You look...”

“How?”

“I- well, Willow told me where I could track you down. Mind if we have this conversation inside, please?”

That seemed to bring her back a bit, “You talked to Willow?”

“That’s how I found you. Mind if I come in? We need to talk.”

“Understatement,” she answered numbly as she opened the door further for him, revealing the small crossbow she held relaxed towards the floor, “when did you get back?”

“Let’s start with something less complicated, shall we?”

Buffy turned into her rather comfortable room, letting him pass before setting the crossbow on a little table by the door, “Such as?”

“Well, I don’t know if I should start with how amazing you look, the big bad that’s hunting you down, or the fact that you apparently haven’t been checking your messages.”

”This was supposed to be a vacation.” Buffy sat on the edge of the bed, her bathrobe slipping distractingly revealing the edge of a little cotton nightie. Buffy noticed Spike’s gaze and composed herself halfheartedly.

Let him look— she thought.

“So what’s the big bad?” Her tone was almost business-like, but she sat staring at him.

He looked a little banged-up but it suited him, in a ‘worrier-after-battle’ sort of way. He had a few cuts and bruises that weren’t quite healed and he seemed to be moving a little stiffly; she suspected bruised ribs. There was a particularly bad cut across his cheekbone. Otherwise, he looked good. Really good.

God, I missed him— in more ways than one.

“I’d almost forgotten how beautiful you are,” he said softly.

She scrunched her hair that was still pulled back into a low ponytail. It was mussed from sleep and little tendrils had escaped, “You too,” she sighed, “What is this, Spike? Are you here because of this big bad or for me? A little warning would have been nice.”

He scratched the back of his neck again in frustration, “Slow down, Love. Now if you’d check your bloody messages you’d already have a general idea; not to mention that my appearance here might’ve been a bit less… ya know-“

“Shocking?” She pinned him with a deadly stare.

He deflated a little, “I was going to go with ’awkward’, but ‘shocking’ does the job.” He shifted his stance and gave her a nervous smile, “Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining about the rather fetching robe here but you’ll probably want to throw on something you can fight in. I got a feeling it’s not far behind. Maybe a day or two if we’re lucky.”

Bugger all, William, you sound like an idiot.

Buffy pulled her robe around her a little tighter and steeled her jaw, “Big bad is a day maybe two out, you haven’t seen or talked to me since you went out with a bang, and you’re seriously worried about my bathrobe not being ‘fighty’ enough?” she gave him a look of mock confusion.

Spike dipped his head and clenched his jaw.

She’s got me there…

“Sound like a prat when you put it like that,” he cleared his throat, “I have tried to call you. Willow too, you know.”

Buffy reached inside the nightstand drawer to retrieve her phone, a ‘Full Mailbox’ warning and several missed calls greeting her. “Ohh… yeah I should probably remember to take that with me,” she frowned, “alright, fill me in, what brings you to Paris?”

Spike sighed, as he threw his leather jacket onto a spindled chair. Then walked around to sit in the other one on the opposite side of a small table. He didn’t dare get close, not yet.

Well she still hasn’t hit me yet, that’s promising— still early though. She’s so beautiful.

He flexed his hand, he wanted nothing more than to advance, but not yet. The truth was that this was one reason he hadn’t called or sought her out before. He had been taking some time to figure out who he was and where he fit in without a woman in his life and he knew if he was with her he’d stay. As an ally or as a lover he’d stay.

The time he spent in LA had given him time to think. Getting a talking to from Andrew, of all people, had given him even more to think about. It wasn’t about who he was with but rather what he was doing. Fighting the good fight, feeling a little more sure of his place in the world. That said, he also knew there was still no other place he’d rather do that than by her side if she would have him. She deserved to hear it from him. He owed her at least that much.

Spike sat with his elbows on his thighs, clasped his hands together and looked directly into her eyes “Firstly Love, it’s a bit of a long story.”

“Oh look, we have nothing but time,” she narrowed her eyes at him, “I’m listening.”

Spike cleared his throat, “It starts with that shiny bauble you gave me. It got sent back to Angel. He opens the package and poof I’m standing in his office. One minute I’m right where you left me. Lit up like a torch, my insides boiling, flesh burning. Savin’ the world so the woman I love can live in it; and the next thing I know, I’m standing in the middle of Angel’s desk.”

She relaxed a little, “You’re joking.”

Spike shook his head, “Afraid not. Spent a good chunk of time incorporeal. Made a right mean ghost, I did.”

“You’re not joking.”

“Nope. Then when I finally got all solid again…” he paused and stood up, “look, I was going to come find you. I started out— I just, well I didn't— I didn’t know what to say or how you’d react. Then I got to thinking maybe it was for the best.” He hesitated and swallowed a lump in his throat, “I sort of wanted to see who I was on my own. Trying to find my own way, figure out if I had a bigger purpose,” his voice was horse, his throat suddenly felt raw, “there was a lot going on in LA and I just sort of decided to stay. Do what I could to help. Turns out it was a good thing I did stay, not that the great ungrateful ponce will ever admit it.”

“You chickened out.”

He resumed his seat across from her, “But don’t you see? I’m glad I did. It gave me a chance to work through some things.”

“Alright, so working with Angel helped you work through whatever it was you needed to work through. And it had nothing to do with, I don’t know, finding someone else or—” she fidgeted with the belt on her robe nervously.

“Is that jealousy? Haven’t you heard anything I’ve been saying? I needed time for myself, Love. You’re still the only woman I can think about,” Spike ran his hand roughly over his leg, “look alright— I’ll admit when I got my body back I- I did something I regret. Yeah. But that made me realize I couldn’t just run right back to you. Not just then.”

Buffy looked down at her knees. When she looked back up her eyes were shining with tears, “I missed you… I- how could you just–“ she stood up and started to pace. “Spike, I’m really, really trying to understand this. Taking time for solo reflection and soul searching is not a new concept for me. Hell that’s what this little vacation is supposed to be all about! But I— I thought you were dead! Dusty-dead! Do you have any idea what that did to me? Did you care about that?”

“I’m sorry, Lo—“ he started to say but he was cut short when Buffy punched him in the face and followed it with a kick that sent him toppling off his chair and into the wall.

“You’re sorry? I tell you ‘I love you’, just before you die and you can’t even call me up to tell me you’re not actually dead? You could have told me you needed time, you could have said you wanted to work some things out, but no…” her eyes burned with the tears she was working hard to hold back. “So you’ve been in LA, with Angel of all people?”

“I— yeah alright, I deserve that,” he said, feeling his jaw. He stood up holding up a placating hand, fixing the chair, “You’re right to be upset. I should have let you know what was going on.”

She sniffed angrily but didn’t speak.

“Look, Buffy, I— there’s no love loss between him and me. Too much history there, bit like working with family I’d wager. But, it was time well spent.”

“I sure hope so. You’re lucky I don’t stake you… or at least beat you up some more. God I missed you,” she sat back down with a huff.

“Missed you too, Love,” he grinned.

She took a deep breath, calming herself down, “I’m still trying to get around you and Angel buddy-copping around LA. I’ll assume that’s what triggered the apocalypse.”

“Yeah, you might be closer to the truth than I care to think about right now,” he said, sitting down again. “In all seriousness, Buffy, we lost good people. People I actually cared about. After this last one— I was laid up for a bit, and then the dreams started…” he moved to take a seat next to her on the bed as he continued filling her in. When he finished, Spike turned to her, “…So that’s why I’m here now.” He moved a strand of hair from the side of her face, she didn’t flinch or move his hand “I’m sorry, Buffy.”

Buffy suddenly stood up, and started to pace, “Okay—” she took a deep breath, “okay, I heard you out. I think I understand this thing. Now I want you to understand something,” she turned to him sharply, “I need you to understand that while you were dead, ghostly, undead and worst of all, silent. I was mourning the man I love,” she paused, waiting for him to respond.

Spike was dumbstruck, “Did you say—“

“Glad I got your attention. When you died, I had fallen in love with you, with the man you were— are, becoming.”

“Buffy?” He stood up and placed his hands gently on her shoulders to stop her pacing. “All I can say is that I’m here now. I’ll stay with you for as long as you want me,” he kissed her forehead “I’m sorry I didn’t call, Love .”

Buffy shuddered a moment, her head buried in his shoulder letting a few tears fall. Then she straightened up looking him squarely in the face “I’m not sure if I’m ready to forgive you yet.”

His head was spinning, she said she had fallen in love with him. Love— that was better than forgiveness. “I deserve that.”

She shifted slightly, “You said we have some time before this thing comes, right?”

He gripped her shoulders gently, “I think so… probably not much. It has my scent, it’s liable to follow me right to you. I’d only hoped to get to you first and figured we’d come up with a plan together.”

“Big bad, two heads, breaths fire, it has some freaky telepathy mojo, and you already killed one by cutting off its heads right?”

“That’s right,” his throat went dry as she ran her hand over his bicep and he suppressed a moan at her touch. She tilted her head towards him slightly, watching his eyes.

“This was supposed to be a vacation. I just have the one little crossbow, a small ax, and a few stakes. What do you have?” She asked as she continued to run her hand up his arm, stopping at the sleeve of his black t-shirt.

Spike swallowed nervously, “Traveling light are you?”

“I brought more shoes than weapons, and saved room for shopping, so yeah.”

“I got a few goodies that should help us out, they’re there in the duffel.”

“So really what you’re saying is that we have what we need already and there isn’t anything more we can do about this thing until nightfall, am I right?”

He cleared his throat, “Suppose that’s right.”

She let her hand skim over his chest, God I missed him— “You probably need to get cleaned up after your trip, maybe get some sleep? I normally go down to the café for some breakfast about this time. Do you want me to get you anything? I think there is a butcher’s shop nearby, you’ll need your strength.”

He glanced down at the hand she held to his chest, “Yeah alright, I guess I could eat,” her sudden domestic tone coupled with her tender touch was throwing him off and he wasn’t sure what else to say. The truth was that he was nearly starving.

“An assortment of pastries, pig’s blood for you, and coffee for me? Unless you’re interested in doing a little catching up?” she couldn’t help herself, she shot him a sultry smile. She really had missed him, all of him.

“All sounds good, Pet, but ah-” he watched her hand traveling up his arm, “Are you sure you really want to jump back in it with me? I just mean—” he broke off, taking a step back. “It’s been a while. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve dreamed about picking up where we left off but… thing is- Buffy, I know you just ended a relationship, and I haven’t exactly been forthright. You clocked me pretty good there but I figure I deserve worse than that.”

“You’re right. I know, a lot has happened and I don’t care, you’re here and I still love you. Shut up,” she said as he started to open his mouth, “I’ve had lots of time to process. You’re right, I did just end a relationship. It was a stupid rebound thing, and the truth is that it actually helped me sort out a few things myself.”

“Now hang on-“

“No, I’m talking. Do you know why I’m not freaking out more than I am? Because I’m just so damn happy to see you. It's like none of that other stuff matters just as long as you’re really here,” she paused briefly for a breath, ”in case you’ve forgotten, you’re not the first boyfriend I’ve had to come back to the land of the living.”

She pulled herself away and walked over to the open window, the morning light was coming nearer now.

“Did you just say boyfriend?”

“Can we stay on topic, please?” Buffy asked as she closed the window and pulled the blinds shut against the sun.

He stepped back over to her pulling her close, “Thought I was. Go on then.”

She didn’t speak right away, instead, she just stood reveling in the feeling of him holding her. “After Sunnydale, do you know what I regretted most?”

“What’s that?”

“The thing I regretted most was not having more time getting to know who you were becoming. I was falling for you, even then with everything going on. I know that now.”

“Buffy—”

She shook her head sadly, “I missed having you in my life. Maybe it is good you did take some time before coming to see me.”

“Yeah?”

“Now you’re back, I don’t intend on letting you go, William.”

He locked eyes with her “‘William’, am I? You’re serious then? About me; Us?”

In reply she pulled him into a deep tender kiss then said, “I am. You are, aren’t you?”

“I’d go to hell and back for you, Buffy, you know that.”

“Didn’t exactly answer the question.”

“I’m with you, Slayer, I love you.”

“Good. Now, how about breakfast?” She asked with a grin.

“Sod breakfast.”

“Oh so you’re over your reservations about—“

“Chivalrous prattle,” he said and leaned in to kiss her. Buffy responded in kind, guiding him back towards the bed.

She let her fingers glide up under the fabric of his t-shirt, caressing his cool skin. Oh God, I missed him. She thought as she pushed off his shirt. She paused for a moment drinking him in. He still bore some bruises, cuts and scrapes that had probably been much worse than they appeared to be now. She ran her fingers over a nearly healed wound on his side.

“You really took some good hits didn’t you?”

“A few. Nearly healed up now.”

“Good.”

Buffy’s robe slipped off revealing a little cotton nightgown with little cartoon cats printed on it. “I’d been wondering what you had on under there.”

Buffy rolled her eyes and laughed, “Oh yeah, my super sexy ‘sleepy kitty’ nightie,” she said as she undid his jeans.

“Damn straight it’s sexy!” Spike growled as he lifted the little nighty to pull off her panties, “it’s on you, that’s enough. Hell you could make a CowChicken hat look fetching.”

“No, I really didn’t.”

He nipped the shell of her ear, “Don’t really matter what you’re wearing, I’d still love it on you.”

Buffy shuddered in anticipation as he reached a hand between her legs and touched her lightly, “You did miss me, didn’t you, Love?”

She let out a sigh of pleasure. She had missed his touch desperately. “Spike… I need you.”

“Right here, Love,” he murmured as he laid her down on the bed kissing her. She wrapped her legs around him as he slowly took her. She pulled him closer, a little desperately but after so much time apart he wanted to take his time, “I love you, Buffy.”

“And I love you, William.”

“Do you really?”

Buffy’s eyes softened. How could he still not believe her? She ran her fingers over the nape of his neck, pulling him into a tender kiss. “Don’t be stupid.”

Spike dug his fingers into Buffy’s hair as he kissed her again. It was purely electrical. Both of them craving more of each other as they pushed further. Hands roaming freely as though trying to commit each other to memory.

Buffy rolled them so that she was on top. She took her cue from him, driving slowly. He pulled her towards him to pull her nightgown up and off. The sight of her nearly drove him over the edge right then and there, but he mastered himself. Buffy paused for a moment as she pressed herself to him, allowing herself to bask in the feeling of their bare skin touching.

She slowly pushed herself back up as she ran her fingers from his tousled hair over his well muscled body and down to his hips. Using his hips for leverage as she slowly and deliberately began to rock again. Spike grinned up at her as she turned herself around carefully. He knew what was coming, because she knew what he liked. Spike pulled himself into a sitting position pressing his chest to her back as she lowered herself onto him slowly rocking her hips. It had been so long since she had felt this connection to anyone. She craved the way he filled her perfectly as she continued to ride him backwards. Spike moved his hands around her hips and waist urging her on. He let his hands roam freely over her body, reacquainting himself with the curves he had been dreaming about for so long. Moving her hair from her neck, Spike started trailing kisses along her neck, shoulder and back. He worked his way back up to her ear, “Turn around, Love ,” he whispered.

“I thought you liked it like this,” she teased as she continued on a little faster.

Spike grunted his approval, “You know I do. It’s been a while, Love. I just want to see you.”

“Well, when you put it like that…” she moved around to face him. Spike pulled her forward towards him helping her settle back down on top of him as she started to glide once more.

“God, you’re so beautiful. I was crazy for not coming back.”

“Shhh,” she twisted herself to the side lying down on the bed. Spike followed her, thrusting deeply into her as she wrapped her upper leg around behind his back. Buffy turned, twisting to give Spike access to her breast. She gasped as he took one breast in his mouth and the other in his free hand. He felt her as her muscles clenched down tightly, making his thrust nearly impossible. It was his turn to gasp as he felt her shutter around him just before he let go, making her arch her back in ecstasy as he pumped into her letting them both ride out their shared orgasm.

Buffy pulled herself into him, gripping his shoulders as she panted for breath. “I’d almost forgotten what that felt like.”

“Oh we’re not done, beautiful. Far from it.”

“Oh you know it.” She murmured as she pulled him back in for a need-filled kiss.