Spnae - Spnae

37 Living Dead Girl

“Buffy? Spike? Buffy?”, there was yet another knock at the door and Buffy realized she couldn’t ignore it and started fumbling blindly for her bathrobe; which wasn’t where she normally kept it… Shit.

She lifted her head. It felt like the roadrunner had smashed an anvil into it. Buffy let out a groan and the arm she hadn’t realized was snaked around her constricted. Spike.

The pounding on the door resumed, “Buffy?”

She groaned again, “What do you want, Xan? We’re half dead in here.”

“It’s too early for your puns, Love. Make the boy go away,” Spike grumbled into a pillow as he shifted onto his stomach like a sullen kid.

Buffy huffed without looking over at Spike, “Go away, Xan!”

“Come on guys! I’m supposed to get you up! The coma girl’s parents are here. She woke up and they want to talk to you so get some clothes on!”

Spike groaned and pulled himself up out of bed, “Bugger all,” he grumbled, pulling on his jeans gingerly over his injured leg and limped over to the door pulling it open fully. Xander’s eyes grew wide in shock when he saw Spike’s bare chest.

“Dude, what the hell is going on here? Have you looked at yourself in a mirror?”

“Not as of late, no, you ninny,” he murmured as he looked down at himself. He knew she had written her name under his left collarbone, but he hadn’t realized she had also drawn swirling doodles and a few hearts into his skin. The doodles interspersed with the numerous cross burns dotted all over his chest certainly told their own story. The burns were nothing more than little pinkish-red marks now but they stood out in sharp contrast against his pale skin, “Bollocks. How bad are the bits I can’t see?”

“Got a turtleneck?” Xander scratched his own neck indicating corresponding marks on Spike, “Those are pretty obvious, man. What the heck did you do to him, Buff?” he asked as he tried to poke his head into the room to talk to her.

Spike blocked him, “She’s not exactly decent, mate, getting dressed and a bit hungover too. Who’s with the Andersons now?”

“Faith answered the door and sent me to get you. Will and Giles are in serious book mode. I think they’re in the library but I’m avoiding. Faith wants me and Callum to put the girls to work on the duplex, while she takes the grads to the airport.”

“Right, we’ll be down,” he closed the door as Xander turned away. “You hear him, Pet?”

Buffy had pulled on a purple sleeveless top over a long black skirt with purple embroidery. Her hair was still a mess from sleep and it made him smile as she tamed it.

Buffy nodded as she finished and pulled out a pair of cute but practical sandals, “Yeah, we better get down there.” She looked up at him, “Maybe you should just stay up here. Keep off of that leg.”

“It’s about Sheena and Ruby. I need to be in this.”

She paused taking in the extent of the marks on his chest, “Fine, but maybe go with one of your dress shirts and that new black infinity scarf I just got. I really did a number on you last night,” she grimaced apologetically.

“Nonsense, I love your handiwork. As for that scarf, I might be a bloody poet, Pet, but I sure as hell aint about to dress like one of those trendy wankers running around nowadays.”

“Do you want to make Mrs. Anderson faint again? Because I’m pretty sure advertising evidence of kinky vampire sex might just do it, call it a hunch. Xan’s right, I must have left it on too long in a few spots, a couple of those don’t look good. Look at it this way, at least it’s a plain scarf, no frills.”

He frowned, “Yeah alright. I hear you. As nice as they were, I get the feeling they aren’t going to be all smiles in regard to Ruby’s new living arrangements and lifestyle as is.”

“Which part? The dead but soulful part, the undead-living-here part, or the liking women part?”

“Hard to say.”

“Let’s see what they want first, they might just want to tell us about Sheena.”

“Phones work.”

“True… let me track down Willow. Sheena might have said something to them about our visit.”

“Right, I nearly forgot ‘bout that. Got a bit distracted last night. All went well I take it?”

Buffy shrugged, “I was just the guard dog, but the mind walk Will did with Ruby did the trick. I didn’t really do much except help get Ruby’s stuff out of her room and lend a minimal hand with Odette. Ruby ‘did pretty much all the work. Odette didn’t seem like much of a fighter to be honest.”

“Probably just the regular demon stuff. I certainly didn’t teach her anything. I’m still dumbfounded that Dru just let her go.”

“It’s crazy to expect crazy people to make sense”

Spike shook his head, “Dru is insane but she always made some sort of sense. Even if I didn’t see it right away. In the end she almost always did.”

“I don’t know how you put up with her for so long.”

“Can’t really explain it to be honest,” Spike said awkwardly and rolled a shoulder.

“We better go, I want to see if Will is in the library.”

*****

When they reached the library they were surprised to find Ruby lounging with her leg up over the arm of the chair in the corner with a book in hand. She was situated a short distance away from the large table where Willow and Giles were pouring over books and a stone tablet.

“Hey guys!” Buffy interrupted them, “Ruby’s parents are downstairs.”

Ruby’s head shot up from her book in alarm, “Do they know about me?”

“We don’t really know what they know. Just because we didn’t say anything to them doesn’t mean that Sheena didn’t.”

“How do you want to play this Buff?” Willow asked.

“I think Spike and I need to get down there. Give us a minute or two and then come down with Ruby, but maybe just hang out in the stairwell by the living room so you can hear what’s going on. Oh and by the way, once I get him downstairs, Spike is forbidden from getting off the couch.”

Willow and Ruby smirked at each other and Spike rolled his eyes. Soberingly, he looked squarely at Ruby, “You and I need to have a talk young one. I was out of line but there are things you need to know.”

Ruby nodded, “Whatever you say, g-“

“And don’t you bloody well dare call me grandpa!”

“I was going to say, go see what my parents want. And maybe don’t mention Willow is a witch, I just don’t think they’d respond well.”

“Oh, well right then.”

Buffy put her hand on Spike’s chest, pushing him back slightly from where he was leaning against the doorframe, “Talk later.”

In a matter of minutes the two of them were downstairs greeting the Andersons. Faith took a step towards the staircase, “Sorry to cut and run Buff but I got to make sure Addison and Ursula make their flight.”

“No, it’s fine. I know you got a busy day, thanks for doing this.”

“No problem, B. Hey,” she grabbed Buffy’s arm and gave Spike a barely perceptible glance, “Everything 5x5?”

“Yeah, all good.”

“You gonna fill me in later?”

Spike gave Faith a nod, “Mind yourself, Doe-eyes, doin’ much better now, thanks. You get the beer later and maybe Buffy and I will spill the relevant bits.”

“You’re on, pal,” Faith replied as she headed up the stairs.

Buffy turned back to the Andersons and directed them into the living room.

“What can we do for you?'' Buffy asked cordially as she and Spike sat down together on one couch, the Andersons took the other.

“We’ve just come from the hospital. But I think you already know Sheena is awake.”

“Oh, well I was just there visiting and—“

“Ruby was with you wasn’t she? You found our girl and you didn’t tell us?” Mrs Anderson was trying to keep the accusation out of her voice but it was still there.

“It’s more complicated than that—“

Mr. Anderson bristled, “Our daughter is alive and you didn’t think we should know? When did you find her? How long has—“

“Mr Anderson, please calm down. We were planning on calling you when Ruby decided she was ready. She’s been through—“

“She is our daughter!” he roared, standing up, “What gives you the right to keep her from us!?”

Spike stood up with a deep growl, “You need to have a seat, mate. The lady is trying to explain the situation.”

The Andersons looked a little shocked, they hadn’t missed the growl but they didn’t understand it either. Mr Anderson didn’t sit down, “Young man, perhaps we should be talking to Mr. Giles. I don’t—“

“Don’t you ‘young man’ me, I was—“

Buffy reached for Spike’s wrist, “Sit down, you need to rest that leg.”

“Leg’s not so bad, Pet. I’m fine. But if he thinks I’m just—“

“William, please.”

“Buffy, you know as well as I do that we’re the only ones willing and able to help them and they—“

“Don’t know the whole story.”

Spike deflated as he sat down, his leg really wasn’t fine and he stretched it out in front of him on the coffee table.

Buffy hit Mr Anderson with a hard gaze until he relented a little and sat down too. “Thank you. Now maybe we can talk like adults. As I was saying. Ruby has been through a lot. We have been helping her.”

“Helping her?” Mrs. Anderson asked, “What has happened to our girl? First you tell us she might have been turned and now we find out she’s been hiding out here and you didn’t say a word. Where is my daughter? I want to see her!”

“You will. But I think you need to hear what happened after Ruby attacked Sheena.”

“After— but—“

“We haven’t been keeping you in the dark so please stop acting like we have been. You know she was turned, you know she attacked Sheena. Denial isn’t going to help anyone here. What you don’t know is that we were able to capture her afterwards and hold her here.”

“You held our daughter hostage?”

“We held a demon inhabiting your daughter’s body as a prisoner,” Spike corrected, “You’re welcome.”

Mr. Anderson wrapped an arm around his wife tightly. “But she was with you at the hospital wasn’t she?”

Buffy inclined her head a little, “Yes. We were able to have someone retrieve Ruby’s soul and put it back in.”

“So what does that mean? She has her soul, she’s cured? I thought you told us that it couldn’t be done.”

Spike huffed, “It’s not a cure. That’s utter nonsense. She’s still a vampire, she’s still dead. Crosses still burn and she still needs blood to survive. Animal blood, that is. She hasn’t had human since she’s been with us.” He paused looking at Mrs. Anderson. She had blanched at the mention of blood but didn’t look faint so he continued, “She’s also more her true self now. She has all her humanity back. She can discuss literature sensibly again, and thank god for that because trying to talk with her about Oscar Wilde without a soul was just— bloody painful…” he stopped catching a bewildered look from Buffy, “Point is, she can make opinions and decisions based on morality and has a working conscience again. It doesn’t mean she’s any less of a vampire. It also means that she essentially has multiple— How do I put this?”

“Just tell them what you told me,” Buffy reassured him.

He bobbed his head once and continued, “There’s more to her now. A lot of it she doesn’t even understand yet. First off she’s what we call a fledgling. Her demon didn’t have a lot of time to get real used to things before she got the soul shoved in. She’s getting off easy but she’s still got, sort of, multiple voices in her head.”

“Like multiple personalities?”

“No, no, think of it like the angel and devil on your shoulder kind of thing except a bit more literal. She has a lot she needs to work through before she can figure it out. Takes some getting used to. The guilt alone is enough to drive anyone mad.” Spike looked down, only just noticing Buffy’s hand clenched tightly in his own.

Mrs. Anderson’s eyes flickered from their hands and back up to his face, “You’re speaking from experience, Mr. Spike.”

He turned earnest eyes to her, “Yeah I am, and I know first hand how difficult it is. I was fortunate to have someone to fight for and who fought for me in return when it got to be too much. The least we can do is try to do the same for Ruby.”

Her eyes flicked to Buffy, “But you’re a Slayer like Sheena aren’t you?”

“The original, yeah.”

“Ruby is in good hands.”

“That’s what you said about Sheena and she still—“

Buffy bristled, “That was out of our control. It’s thanks to Spike and one of the other girls stabilizing her before the paramedics got to her that she is even alive. And further thanks to my friend Willow and Ruby for her waking up. I shouldn't need to tell you that Spike has cared for your daughters like his own family. Our family. We only want to help and part of that is helping Ruby make amends, getting her back on her feet and letting her make her own choices.”

“That’s why she was with you at the hospital.”

“Yeah, she wanted to see Sheena, help her if she could, and she did.”

Spike nodded, “She’s been doing really well, all things considered.”

The Andersons shared a look, Mr. Anderson turned back to Buffy and Spike, “I think we understand. May we see our daughter now?”

Spike turned towards the door concealing the staircase, “You get all that, Rubes? What do you say, feel like having a chat with your folks?”

The door opened and Ruby walked into the living room followed by Willow.

Ruby had pulled on what Buffy recognized as Giles' cardigan. She was holding it closed around her middle tightly, giving her the look of an awkward child, “Hey, Mum; Hi, Daddy.” Her parents descended upon her immediately enveloping her in a hug.

“Ruby! Oh my sweet girl! We thought we’d lost you!” her mother was crying.

“Well, you did, Mum, you did but I’m me again. For the most part. Not completely, but it’s mostly still me, like Spike was saying,” she nodded heavily as she pushed her parents back a little at arms length so she could look at them better, “He’s right it’s— it’s not easy and I was afraid to call, yet. I didn’t want them to contact you so please don’t blame them. Don’t be angry with Buffy and Spike, they’ve done nothing but help me.”

“We’re just glad you’re safe. When will you be coming home, sweetheart?”

Ruby shook her head, “I’m not coming home. I just can’t.”

Her parents looked at each other “But why not? I don’t understand,” her mother pleaded.

“What about uni?” Her father interjected.

Spike stepped in, “It’s Ruby's choice of course, but I have to say I agree with her. For one thing, living in a regular house like that can be kind of dangerous for a vampire, especially a young one. We are experienced here. Buffy has been dealing with the likes of me for years now and the castle is vampire safe. Ruby has already started to make herself comfortable and has a private space to call her own. Buffy and Willow here even went to help her clean out her room at University so you don’t have to worry about that. We’ll see to getting a phone line set up for her at some point here.”

“What happened to your mobile?” Her father asked.

Ruby shook her head, “Lost it the night I died.”

The phrasing seemed to strike her parents hard and Ruby‘s mom looked at her a little bewildered. With some effort she seemed to collect herself, “Well that’s simple enough, you’re still on our family plan, we will simply call our carrier, let them know that you lost your phone and see about getting you a new one. At least let us do that for you, sweetheart,” she nodded and looked pleadingly.

He nodded, “Seems silly not to. We’ll be happy to get it replaced, that way you can keep in touch.”

The unease in their voices didn’t go amiss to anyone, least of all Ruby, “Mum, Dad, I really do think it’s best for everyone that I stay here. I can train with Spike and Buffy and help them out where I can. I really think it’s what’s best. My afternoon class would kill me proper. I’d be a pile of dust on the sidewalk before I even got there. But yeah, a new phone would be brilliant.” She smiled at them both.

“But what about your future?”

“I’m dead Mum. The only future I have at the moment is right here, doing work with them. Fighting the good fight.”

Mr. and Mrs. Anderson exchanged another troubled look.

“It’s part of the deal I made when they offered me my soul. I chose this. I’m sure. Besides, it’s not like I’ll be that far, I can still visit.”

Willow stepped forward next to Ruby, “Absolutely! I can even bring her over tonight or tomorrow. Ruby was talking about wanting to get the rest of her things moved in.”

“That’s true, it would be nice to have the rest of my books and a proper bed,” she looked apologetically at Buffy and Spike, “I appreciate the cot but I’d love to have my own bed down there.”

Buffy rolled a shoulder, “Yeah of course, whatever you need; it’s your space. As long as your parents don’t mind you taking it, you can move whatever you want in there. It’s totally Ruby-ville.”

“Thanks. So what do you say? Can I come get my stuff?”

Her mother seemed a little overwhelmed, “I- we— If— yes of course. Can we see where you’re living?”

Ruby frowned a little, “I don’t really have it finished yet. Willow was going to let me paint.”

“This is Willow?”

Willow stuck out her hand, “Sorry! Yes, Willow Rosenberg. I teach math and science. I’ve invited Ruby to take the basement bedroom on my half of the duplex we started renovating.”

“You’re the one who helped Sheena?”

“I sure am. I’m also the one that ensouled Ruby too. I’ve sort of been keeping an eye on her, she’s been doing a lot better the last day or so.”

The Andersons seemed stunned, “But didn’t you say you teach maths and science?”

“I’m a woman of many talents.”

“And thank the Lord for that, and for everything you’ve done for our girls already. So Ruby will be living with you, not at the castle?”

“It’s on the grounds, you’re welcome to come and see it if you don’t mind a construction site,” Willow turned to Buffy, “do you know if they are working on your side or ours today?”

“No idea, Xan just gave Spike a quick rundown, and Faith didn’t say anything at all.”

“Or you’re welcome to come back another time after Ruby has had a chance to fix it up the way she wants.”

They glanced at each other, “I think we just want to see where she’ll be, that's all.”

“Willow—“

“It’s fine Ruby, Buffy and I can show them around, you just hang out with Spike. You two have a lot to talk about anyway.”

Ruby nodded to Willow, “Yeah alright, what do you say, Spike? Mind if I join you while you heal up and get that talk out of the way?”

Spike had already rested himself back onto the couch with his bad leg up, the other foot still on the floor in case he needed to intervene, “We can bond over a pint— or tea if you prefer, I’m not particular.” He was about to say “a pint of blood” and caught himself just in time, he wasn’t sure if Mrs. Anderson would have stayed vertical or not.

“Ruby?” Willow looked worried, remembering the tea incident from only a few days ago, “Are you sure you’re all right to go back in the kitchen?”

Ruby shrugged, “Feeling a little more stable. Giles said it was better in there now and at least I know Sheena is gonna be okay. I can’t stay out of the kitchen forever, I like to cook too much.”

“Maybe you shouldn’t have said anything, we might put you to work, Slayers like to eat,” Buffy joked.

Ruby laughed at that and hugged her parents again, “I have a good feeling about this, don’t worry about me alright?”

They nodded reluctantly and pulled away

Buffy frowned at her skirt, “I hope they aren’t going all dust happy over there,” she looked up at the two vampires in the room, “You know what I mean, alright, let’s see what’s going on over there.” She said firmly as she leaned into Spike, squeezing his shoulder and applying a little pressure with her thumb where her name was burned into him. “Remember to stay off that leg.”

“Yes, Slayer,” he had managed to keep his tone even, but it still hit Buffy the same way as if he had purred into her ear with his hand down her pants.

Oh my god Spike.

It’s not my mind that’s in the gutter for once, Slayer, he said silently with a smug grin on his face.

You just behave yourself, Mr. Pratt, don’t make me tie you up again.

His grin widened, Yeah like that’s a real deterrent.

She rubbed a hand over her eyes, I really hope I didn’t create a monster last night.

Oh sweetheart, I’ve always been a monster. You just unchained me…

Unless I decide I want you in chains again, however you wanna look at it. It was Buffy’s turn to smirk.

Willow caught the interaction between the two of them and raised her eyebrows, “Buffy, are we going to get going here or do you two need a moment?”

Buffy tried her best not to blush as she turned to her best friend, “Right, okay, Mr and Mrs Anderson, come along with us. We’ll show you out there, It’s the big stone building you guys sort of past on the way in and it needs a lot of work so it’s going to be a while before anyone else is going to be moving into it but the basement on Willow’s side is in exceptionally good shape so since Ruby doesn’t really need a whole lot it’s fairly well set up for her already.”

“What do you mean by that; she doesn’t need a lot?” Mr. Anderson asked as they headed outside.

“Well she’s dead, she doesn’t really need a lot of creature comforts, it’s just a fact. You should have seen Spike’s place when we first started,” she cleared her throat, “seeing each other,” she ended diplomatically.

Willow shot her a glance but didn’t say anything.

“You both went by ‘Summers’ at the hospital but you’re not married are you? I just assume because you all call him ‘Spike’.”

She cleared her throat again, she had really wanted to talk to Willow about Spike, but not like this. It really was like Spike said; that in many ways they already were married, so what was the answer; Not yet, but we’ve been talking about it OR Yes, we accidentally eloped in Paris and we’re technically on our honeymoon but we’re probably going to have a wedding anyway?

Before Buffy could make up her mind about how to answer the question Willow chimed in, “Oh no, they got married a few months ago. William took her name but we have all known him so long we still just call him ‘Spike’ out of habit.”

Buffy gaped at her best friend, had Spike talked to her about their plans? Mrs Anderson smiled “Well I’m glad to hear it. It certainly makes me feel better knowing that she will be around people who are setting an example for a normal life.”

Buffy‘s eyebrows shot up “Normal?”

“Well, yes. It gives me hope that despite all this, that perhaps someday she can still settle down. She has never shown much interest in finding someone but now she won’t be at university. Maybe she’ll be able to get her nose out of her books long enough to focus on finding a good man and make a life for herself.”

Buffy caught Willow’s eye and she shook her head warningly. “Ahh huh, yup,” she tried to sound convincing. Any more comments like that and she wasn’t sure if she would be able to stop herself from breaking her nose. If Willow didn’t beat her to it first.

Ruby stood in front of the microwave waiting for the timer to go off. Her eyes kept darting towards the corner she had thrown the girls into. The memory of it mixed with the vision from the mind-walk were colliding violently in her brain and it was all she could do to stand still where she was. At least her stomach wasn’t trying to expel itself, although actually drinking the blood in her mug might not be so easy.

She was having very mixed feelings about blood. On one hand, her body and her demon demanded it, but at the same time the idea was repulsive to her. She figured that would just be one of those things she would have to come to terms with. She tried to distract herself by looking out the window towards the partially burned orchard and another pang of guilt shot through her.

Despite several of the girls receiving various injuries, only one Slayer had been lost in the attack and that was on her. She didn’t think they knew of the extent of her involvement in the attack and in some ways that was worse. Looking back at it now, she couldn’t blame the dark haired girl who had snuck in to beat the crap out of her while she’d been tied up in the utility room. She didn’t know the Slayer’s name but she did know that she had left the castle already. Which really just meant that she never had a chance to apologize. She couldn’t blame any of them for hating her and she knew she didn’t deserve their forgiveness, apologies be damned.

She took a deep breath to settle herself just as the microwave finished. She gathered their mugs and whisked them out to the living room where Spike waited for her. “Here ya go,” she murmured, setting it down in front of him.

“Ta, luv,” he eyed her carefully.

“So, what did you want to talk about?”

“Thought I’d start with an apology for last night. You did good. Buffy told me you took Odette out pretty easily.”

“Did she also tell you I was blind with rage?”

“Didn’t need to,” he sipped the blood.

“So is that what you wanted to talk about, me killing Odette?”

“Partly. Did Buffy tell you anything about our line?”

“Sort of, you were sired by your ex and she was sired by some bloke named Angel. Then from what I gathered from your outburst last night, I’m guessing that there was quite a bit o’ funny business going on between the three of you.”

He ignored the comment, “You’ll probably meet Angel before long and I rather hope you never meet Drusilla. Don’t much fancy seeing her again myself.”

“Why’s that?”

“Because Buffy will likely have to be the one to put her down when it really should be me or Angel who does it.”

“Oh…”

“There’s a lot there. I could start anywhere and just keep goin’ into next week. So let’s start with some questions. Anything you want, ask.”

Ruby puffed out her cheeks, “Why were you so upset last night when Buffy mentioned Odette?”

“Hadn’t given her a thought in years and thought she was dust long ago for starters. For all the carnage I’ve been responsible for over the years, I never really turned too many vampires. Turned Odette just to get back at Dru. I imagine it’s why she left you in the crypt the way she did, it’s what I’d done to her except that I was waiting there expecting a shag when she woke up.”

“You like to keep it in the family, huh?”

Spike laughed, “You’ve read Dracula, you got the gist of things. Stupid ponce and his bloody brides,” he grumbled and took a sip of blood.

“What?”

“Nevermind, I don’t think he’ll be gunning for Buffy again anytime soon so you won’t have to worry about that wanker. Go on, drink up. It’s best when it’s warm.”

She looked at her own cup, “He’s real?”

“Git still owes me money.”

Ruby gave him a look that said she would be expecting more of that story later, “Sure… so what’s the plan for me?” She took a tentative drink from her mug. It wasn’t Slayer blood but Spike had been right about the herbs. The sip turned into a gulp.

He watched her with interest as she gulped it down hungrily. She clearly hadn’t been feeding properly which he had expected. “Good question. I thought I’d start you out joining in with the Slayeretts’s training. You can fight, that comes standard with your demon. But there’s always more to learn. Don’t get complacent. The best way to take advantage of the whole immortality thing is to roll with changes.”

“Says the punk rock poster child?”

“Pot. Kettle. Changes can be slow and I quite like my hair this way so I’m not likely to change that anytime soon. That and it’s sort of what keeps me alive with the Slayeretts when we go on field trips.”

“Are you saying I should start dyeing my hair a distinctive color?” She smirked.

“Don’t get smart.”

“Can’t help that, just am.”

“Yeah alright smarty pants, there’s still a lot I want to cover with you.”

“The girls hate me,” she blurted out suddenly.

“True. Deloris was a sweetheart. The girls aren’t real happy with you being here. Won’t do anything with me and Buffy around though.”

“Yeah, sort of already got that message.”

“Yeah, well that is just something you’ve got to deal with. Fact of the matter is that we don’t really belong much of anywhere so we got to make our own place in the world. I sure as hell didn’t just wake up one day and say ‘Oh I’m just going to be good now’, not that I didn’t try. I was a sodding mess, one big bloody morally-gray mess for a couple of years. Trying to suss out what I should do and how I should act to make Buffy happy, make her tolerate me, even if she couldn’t love me. Then something happened… I— I lost control— I nearly hurt Buffy beyond forgiveness. If she hadn’t…” he flinched inwardly, he couldn’t bring himself to talk about that night. “If she hadn’t knocked some sense into me... Left in search of my soul just after that.” He added weakly.

“So that’s what you meant before. The thing about it being a grand gesture of love. You did it for her.”

Spike hung his head down, he had almost forgotten he had said anything to her about that, “I was out of my mind in love with her but the demon can’t really process love the same way as a human soul. It’s close. Damn close. But there’s this— line in between and I nearly crossed it. Knew I couldn’t look her in the eye. Not after she’d seen me for the monster I was. Not when all she deserves is a good man to support her in everything she does. I couldn’t blame her for hating me, so I went to find the thing that would turn me into the man she deserves. I got it; and everything fell apart after that. Lost my mind. Buffy helped me shove my marbles back in place.”

“But clearly things worked out between you, I mean you’re together now, and you seem sane enough.”

“Sure as hell wasn’t overnight. Whole thing is far too complicated to get into now. You’re coming along quickly but then I sort of figured you would, pipsqueak. You and I aren’t exactly brooders like Angel. Can crack a smile for starters.”

“You don’t like him much do you?”

“We’re getting on alright now. Lots of unpleasant history there. Some of its guilt. Angel is big on guilt. Blames himself for everything he did plus everything me and Dru ever did. Well I don’t know about Dru really. I don’t think he can look at her without feeling at least a little pride. She was his greatest masterpiece after all. And then when she turned me, he thought he’d take on a new pet project. Taught me everything I know. Tried to twist me to be just as nasty as him but it just never did quite work. No one was more twisted and sadistic than Angelus. I didn’t bother trying to be like him after a while, became my own monster as it were. Started hunting Slayers.”

“Until you fell in love with one.”

“Yup.”

“Almost sounds like you were searching for your soulmate even then.”

“Bollocks, didn’t have a soul,” he said a little too quickly. The truth was that it wasn’t a new thought. The idea had often kept him awake, especially just after he had first realized his feelings for her. The thought had crept back into the forefront of his mind after Buffy had told him about meeting his soul in the heaven dimension she was in.

“No, but I wouldn’t be surprised if there was some prophecy or something out there that says you were destined to fall in love with a Slayer.”

There was a ring of truth there that he wasn’t sure what to do with, so he just kept his response clipped. “What do you know about prophecies?”

“Nothing really. Willow has just been filling me in on some of the basic things she does with your group and mentioned something about them.”

“Good storyteller is she?”

“Could probably listen to her read the dictionary if I’m being honest.”

“Got it bad for the witch don’t you?”

She shrugged, “Not really a secret. She’s kind, sweet— generous.”

“You’re going to make your own choices no matter what I say but can I give you some advice?”

“It’s what you’re here for isn’t it?”

“Red is working on getting out of a crappy rebound relationship after losing the love of her life. A real nice girl I liked a lot too. Now Red clearly likes you, but the last thing that girl needs right now is some hot little thing twisting her head round.”

“But—“

“I’m not saying stay away from the girl. Just take it easy. Pump the breaks. Do you both a favor and take the time to get yourself right in the head first. By the time you do that, maybe the time will be right for you both.”

She nodded glumly, she suddenly wasn’t feeling as secure about her situation as she had less than a half hour ago when her parents were in the room. Now she was feeling almost claustrophobic, the weight of unknown possibilities pressing in on her. She looked at the thin layer of blood coating the bottom of the cup and grimaced.

“Ruby?”

“Hum?”

“You alright there?”

“Yeah, just thinking.”

“Willow?”

“Yeah but also— This soul thing, and the fighting evil thing and–”

“The blood?”

“Yeah…”

“You need your strength. You’ll get used to it, and so will the girls. Willow too. Just wait and see.”

---

---

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.

---

41 Breathe

Spike crumpled in over Buffy’s still form in his arms. The gaping hole in his own chest practically nothing compared to the pain of feeling her limp against him. He was so consumed by grief that he didn’t even notice the hand lightly gripping the back of his head. Until the fingers gripped harder and dug into his scalp. “Go on, Faith, just leave us alone… I can’t—“ he shuddered weakly.

Faith looked up from where her eyes had fixated upon the floor a few inches away from Buffy. “It’s not me. Spike look.”

He shook his head, still unwilling to move.

“Spike?” The hand gripped tighter in his hair, pulling him back a little, “You’re crushing me.”

He blinked several times, letting his eyes focus on Buffy. Who was looking back at him with wide green eyes. His grip on her increased involuntarily and she gasped. “Babe, kinda hard to breathe.” She gasped again.

In his shock Spike nearly dropped her before adjusting his grip on her. “Oww!” She groaned.

“Buffy? Oh thank God. You really had me going there for a minute, I thought I’d lost you again.”

“Doesn’t exactly tickle,” she coughed and a little blood came up with it, “oh that’s gross.”

He pressed his ear to her chest, “I swear your heart stopped, Pet. It’s In working order now, bit fast. Bitch got you in the lung.”

She took several shallow gasping breaths. “That would explain it.”

“What the hell?” Faith’s voice came from behind them, “not that I’m not super stoked or anything but what the hell B?”

Spike looked back at her. “Not now, let’s get her back to our room and let her heal up a bit and we’ll explain.”

“She has a right to know.” Buffy gasped again.

“And she will.”

She grumbled and started to sit up with a grimace of pain. Spike adjusted himself to help her up better.

“Should she really be moving like that?” Callum asked, shock lacing his voice.

“Fought off Uber-vamps— and ran rooftops, after the last time this happened,” she rasped weakly before gasping for breath. She coughed several times before continuing, “Think I can handle this.”

Spike supported her over to a comfortable chair setting her back allowing her to breathe easier. “Rest a bit. This one is considerably worse, Slayer. Your heart literally stopped.”

“Like it hasn’t done that before.”

“You know what I mean. Lung is a bit different than the gut.”

Callum shook his head. “All right, but I’m with Faith on this one. What’s going on, is this some sort of Slayer thing? Is that what all those questions you were asking Guinevere were about before she went mad?”

Buffy and Spike exchanged a look. She coughed again grimacing and glanced over to the spot where Guinevere’s head had landed. “Spike’s right. We should— get out of here.” Her breathing was off. Weak. But she was determined to push through.

Spike gave a nod, “Faith, can you run up and see if you can find a blanket or something to wrap around her? We don’t want to cause a ruckus back at the B&B.”

“Sure, whatever. I’m just glad she’s alright.”

Faith’s head was swimming as she took the stairs at a run. The breath caught in her throat when she saw what was at the top of the stairs. “Huhh, guys! You might want to see this!”

Spike growled, “Cal, go on. See what she found.”

Callum met Faith at the top of the stairs. The walls of the upper landing were completely covered with what looked like hellish graffiti. Drawing atop drawing until they were barely legible. “God, what are these?”

“Slayer visions,” Faith said flatly. “She must have still been having them… These— and she had stopped fighting. No wonder she was looney toons.”

“You mean this is the kind of stuff you dream?”

“Well yeah, but this— Cal, when I get some slayage in, this sort of slides away and they're just dreams. Freaky ones sure, but we get used to them and the slaying sort of calms things down. They don’t build up. Not like this. Guinevere was doing some extreme ignoring and it drove her crazy.”

“Holy shit.”

“You can say that again.”

“Oi! Can we hurry this along! Slayer healing notwithstanding, Buffy still needs tending to here!” Spike’s voice bellowed up the stairs.

“Right,” Faith muttered as she pushed open one of the doors onto a neatly kept bedroom that must have been Guinevere’s. She quickly grabbed a dark green wool blanket and the two of them turned back down the stairs.

In a moment Spike had Buffy wrapped in the blanket and was carrying her out of the cottage. Faith and Callum following behind carrying the weapons they’d brought with them, including Lancelot’s bloodied sword.

“Spike, you really don’t have to carry me,” Buffy complained before having another coughing fit that made her wince and gasp in pain.

“What and pass up a chance to be useful? Not likely,” he grinned at her as they made their way out of the forest clearing and back into the dimly lit cave. The water spirit was standing sentient at the edge of the water when they came out.

“Am I hallucinating?” Buffy wheezed.

“Shh, no you’re not, Love.”

“Vampire, the Slayer within is no more.”

“I didn’t kill her if that’s what you’re thinking. But you knew what would happen before you let us in didn’t you?”

The watery figure inclined her head. “I confess it was foretold. The Lady’s demise would come in the form of two like her, and two men, one living, one dead; carrying the sword of Lancelot.”

“Could have warned us.”

She shook her head wearily. “That I could not.”

“Now what?”

“This is the Slayer you spoke of, the one you wish to make your bride?”

“She is.”

“She is injured.” The spirit moved forward, reaching out a translucent hand towards Buffy. “She is strong despite being weakened so. She should rest. Her body will heal.”

“Ta, sort of already figured that one out.”

Callum gaped a little at the water spirit, “D-did you need the sword back?” he stammered.

“I do not. I think it would be best if the Slayers kept it, this place may still be of use to you in the future.”

Faith glanced down at the sword and back at the entrance that had already closed behind them. “I think I’m gonna be back to check things out if that’s alright.”

“As you wish my Lady, this place is now at your disposal.”

“Ah yeah, thanks. I guess.”

Spike gave a quick nod and proceeded towards the raft where he quickly helped Buffy get situated and then they were off heading back towards the Bed and Breakfast. At the mouth of the cave Spike helped settled Buffy down onto a large rock.

“Not going to be a laugh getting up that hill, Pet. How do you feel about a piggyback ride?”

Buffy glared at him and started coughing again, clutching at her chest she nodded, “Fine, you win this time.”

“Don’t worry, no one here is going to think you’re any less of a badass,” Faith chuckled darkly. “What was all that in there? The anti-aging questions and this and— What the hell Buff! Didn’t you think this might be shit I should know about?”

“It’s not like that,” Buffy gasped.

“Then what’s it like then? What if she had run me through?”

“You probably would be dead. You have a few more years,” Buffy coughed again, wheezing.

“We don’t have all the answers. We will tell you what we know and piece it together with whatever the hell just happened in there. After! Buffy is in bed.”

“Fine.”

“Damn right. I don’t remember anyone grilling you for answers when you got blown-up.”

“You got blown-up?” Callum eyed her dubiously.

“Not exactly. More like the shockwave and some shrapnel. Spike wasn’t even there for that.”

“Don’t get me started on why. At least I was there for the after party,” he grumbled.

“Let’s hear it for the Big Bang!”

At that Buffy grabbed Spike’s arm pulling herself up to stand. “Knock it off you two!” she hissed painfully.

Spike turned, grabbing her tightly, “Come on, Pet,” he murmured as he pulled her around to his back. Squatting down he grabbed her legs, pulling them around his waist as she gripped him around the neck and shoulders. “Cal, fetch the blanket.”

“Sure, mate.” He grabbed it from where Buffy had left it on her rock, “You don’t want this now do you?”

“Not cold or shocky are you, Lamb?”

“Less talk. Giddyup.”

“Should’ve seen that one comin’.”

Buffy pulled her arms tightly around him. An intense sting radiated through her chest at the movement but she didn’t dare release him.

The four of them made the trek up the rocky slope. Callum and Faith followed behind. At the top of the path, Buffy slipped from his back and continued to the B&B only pausing long enough at the van for Faith and Callum to stow the weapons and get the first-aid kit they had started keeping in there since they first arrived.

Back in their room, Spike settled Buffy onto the bed while Faith gathered a bowl of water and a clean rag. Callum tossed the first-aid kit onto the bed exiting quickly as Spike started to pull her shirt off. He examined the wound and pressed his ear to her chest again, “I’m no doctor but I swear it’s sounding better. How are you feeling?”

“Super tired,” she took in a tentative breath before coughing again, “Breathing still sucks.”

“Blood has stopped. That’s good. Not crazy about seeing you coughing up blood.”

“Babe, if I can survive this, I think I’m in the clear.”

He cupped her cheek, “Looks like we got some time to work through those issues of ours after all.”

“Little bit.”

His eyes were filled with wonder as he gazed at her. Thankful she was alive. He smiled. Time. They had time. She was alive and they had time. A lot of it, it would seem. “Guess we got some answers tonight, ehh?”

“I’d like some of those too,” Faith said as she came in, breaking the moment. She threw some navy blue towels onto the bed and set the bowl of warm water on the little table next to Buffy. Then she sat down on the bed behind Buffy and started cleaning the wound at her back, “Don’t let me stop you, go on, I think I need to hear this too.”

“She’s right babe,” Buffy murmured as she slumped into Spike’s shoulder, letting him support her while Faith worked.

“We’re going to have to call Red I bet.”

“She’s been thinking this has all been because of her spell and it’s not,” she paused trying to catch her breath, “Guinevere just gave up— got past her— 26th birthday without— dying first. Which means—“

“Which means that the wankers who started this whole Slayer thing put a cap on your lives with that damned death-wish thing.”

“Exactly.”

“Someone want to back up here?” Faith groused as she pressed gauze to the wound harder than necessary, making Buffy gasp in pain.

“Yeah, easy, Florence Nightingale, we’re patching up a wound not the Hoover Dam.” Spike snapped.

Faith looked at her hand pressing on the gauze and released some of the pressure. “Sorry, B,” she mumbled, “go on, you were about to start story time.”

Buffy took a minute to regulate her shallow breathing, “It goes back to the original spell that created the first Slayer. From what Willow says it has— ah— something to do with the demon they used, like a type of vampire which—“ she gasped, “makes sense because—“

Faith nodded, “Vampire Slayer, duh.”

Buffy shook her head grasping for breath and tapped Spike on the shoulder.

“I can fill in for a bit.”

Buffy nodded.

“Looks like that death-wish thing you all share is there by design and serves a rather twisted purpose. Keep the line rolling with pretty young things.”

Faith stiffened, “You want to clarify that?”

“Death is our gift,” Buffy interjected, a little stronger this time.

“Right. They seemed to think that if you made it that far it was a job well done and you should just reap your reward, everlasting peace...” his voice trailed off, knowing it was still something that stung at Buffy, knowing what she had lost.

“So is that how Queenie was like a thousand or something.”

“Dunno about that really but yeah, bird was up there. She was apparently the one who made it past the expiration date because she stuck her head in the sand instead of fighting the good fight.”

“So she stopped aging.”

“And apparently can’t be killed unless you chop her head off. We’re pretty sure that’s the reason the original watcher’s wrote in that little caveat. Didn’t want an immortal woman with super powers wandering round. Basically, these sick bastards decided that no one, including the chosen one, should have eternal life so they instilled a sort of death-wish in Slayers ensuring they would never make it past 25. Probably why they started that whole Cruciamentum thing at 18 too.”

“Holy shit.”

“That was pretty much my reaction too.”

“Okay, so explain Buffy, she’s only a few months older than me.”

“I’m what happens when you return a gift.”

Faith stopped what she was doing, “You don’t mean—“

“You too can be just like me if you either get ripped out of heaven or live to celebrate your 26th birthday. Apparently…” Buffy tried a weak parity of an infomercial, but then trailed off with several more raspy breaths and a fresh round of coughs.

Spike noticed the blood had stopped completely now and her breathing eased slightly. As did some of the tension in his shoulders along with it.

“Well shit.”

“Yeah, really.” Buffy sighed.

Faith got up and took a second to let the news sink in before speaking, “Lay back, your back is done, we got to get the front patched up.”

Spike helped ease her back gingerly, “Give me that,” Spike held out a hand to Faith, and she handed over the gauze.

“How long have you guys known about this?”

“Not long. Tonight sort of filled in some of the bigger gaps.” Spike answered as he tended to Buffy’s wound.

“Yeah… I guess I get that…” she said distractedly, and cleared her throat, “You eh, you got this right Spikey-boy?”

“Sure, you go on. Mull things over.”

“No kidding,” with one last glance back at them, Faith slipped out the door and into her own room where Callum was waiting. He had taken off his shirt and boots and was sitting in the comfortable reading chair in their room, elbows resting on knees and staring at his shirt clutched in his fists. He looked up when Faith came in, “She’ll pull through, I gather?”

Faith nodded, “Yeah. Spike‘s got this. Slayer healing has the rest. She’ll probably take it easy for a few days but she’ll be fine.”

He nodded, “And how are you fairing?”

She sat down heavily on the bed and let out a huge sigh, “Honestly, I have no freaking clue. They just filled me in on some crazy shit going on with Buffy. And apparently all the slayers including me, if I don’t bite the big one first.”

Callum shifted over to sit next to her, “You want to talk about it?”

His eyebrows rose as she filled him in, and he shook his head. “That’s a lot to take in.”

“Yeah but from the sounds of it, I kind of have a while before I really have to worry about any of that.”

He looked back down at his hands, took hers in his and gazed at their entwined fingers. “Look, Faith, I’m not gonna pretend that this isn’t freaking me out. I’m still wrapping my head around what I saw tonight.”

She yanked her hand away. “You’re going to run for the hills aren’t you?”

Callum narrowed his eyes at her and turned to look at her squarely, “Whatever gave you that daft idea?”

“Humm hate to break it to you but tonight was definitely not the weirdest thing we’ve ever seen. Yeah the whole thing with Buff was pretty intense but it’s still just another freaking day.”

“Doubt this sort of thing is typical, even for you, Lass.” He shot her a small grin.

“I— well not exactly—“

He shoulder bumped her gently before taking her hand again. It had been a long night. “It’s alright if you need to talk. I sure as hell could use an ear.”

Faith watched him, “Talk?”

“Well yeah, you know, that thing you do with your mouth that helps you express your thoughts?”

“Are you sure we’re talking about talking?”

“Normally I’d let you get away with that but I’m serious, Faith. We should talk about this.”

“I’m not great with the talking.”

“Fine, I’ll start. Today started off as a fun road trip. The biggest thing I was worried about was trying to get Spike and Buffy to come round to figuring out what they want to do in the duplex. Then meeting Guinevere was pretty amazing—“He cut off when she gave him a dubious look, then continued, “well it was at first. Until she went crazy and I watched my girlfriend decapitate her after she stabbed Buffy through the blasted chest. Who is apparently going to be fine by the way… which is great news, but holy shit, Lass! It’s just been a bloody weird night and I’m still wrapping my head round it all.”

She bit back some snappy retort at the vulnerability he was showing, like a shark smelling blood in the water. She didn’t want to be a shark. She wanted to be a better person. A better her. Angel had helped her a lot and she was better, but this kind of thing still didn’t come naturally to her. Spike‘s Florence Nightingale jab came back to her.

She took in Callum’s hulking muscular form, tattoos rippling across his skin, his disheveled hair hanging limply, and the mix of indiscernible emotions on his face. Here was the man who had practically moved into the castle with her after losing one of her girls and he never said a word. He never complained. He didn’t look at her like she would break and he wasn’t overbearing. He was just there when she needed him. Now he was asking for the same treatment and she wasn’t sure how to do it.

“Did that help?” It was a weak attempt, she knew, but she really was trying.

He bit the inside of his cheek, “A bit. Might take me some time. I mean you’ve been honest ever since I found out about the whole Slayer thing. But knowing it and seeing it are pretty different things.”

“Okay so now I’m thinking you’re going to bolt on me again.”

He threw up his hands standing up abruptly and turned to her. “God, would you stop that? Can you just for once— it’d be nice to know that you are capable of having a little faith in us.”

“I’m not used to this. Having someone I— none of this comes easy for me, ya know? I mean I’ve never really had too much experience with—“

“The whole lone wolf bit. You’ve told me.” He huffed and sat back down next to her.

She shook her head, “It's not just that, Cal. Every time I would start to get close in the past, I— I didn’t just push people away, I made them hate me. It took going to prison and Angel helping me out the whole time I was in there for me to realize what I was doing and I’m still working on changing that. Teaching at the castle, getting as close to Giles as I have, burying the hatchet with Buffy and getting to know the girls— I’ve changed a lot, but it’s hard.”

Callum shifted back towards the headboard looking at her. “Not telling me anything new. I’m not asking for a miracle, sweetheart. Just stop acting like I’m going to bolt every time there’s a bump in the bloody road.”

“Most people would probably say this is more than a bump.”

He rearranged one of the pillows to give her a comfortable spot next to him and leaned forward to pull her closer. “Yeah well maybe it’s more like a crater but I’ve been told I’ve got to adjust for slayer weirdness so why split hairs?”

She actually laughed at that as she eased herself next to him. Stretching her legs out she examined her bare feet as she spoke, “Definitely got the weirdness.”

“We both need to deal with it. You saw tonight what happens when you don’t.”

“I also saw what happens when everyone you love dies.”

He shook his head, “Think that probably goes two ways, could also be what happens when you wall yourself away from letting anyone else in after loss.”

She pulled her legs up to her chest defensively. “Maybe— I don’t want to do that, Cal. I don’t want to be like her.”

“Then don’t,” he shrugged his broad shoulders, “you said you wanted to go back in there. Do you think that will help you deal with this?”

“Won’t know until I try. If nothing else, maybe I’ll find something the brains can use.”

“Then we’ll go back tomorrow, together.”

She let her legs fall as she turned towards him a little more, “I’m going to have to deal with the body, Cal. Are you sure you want to see that?”

“No, but I will. I’m not letting you go back there alone.”

“Who’s the badass here?” She asked, raising an eyebrow.

He grinned at her, “No question it’s you, babe. This isn’t about that.”

“So what now?”

He shrugged, “I don’t know. But it’s like you said ain’t it? You’ve still got some time before any of this affects you directly. All I know is I want to spend as much time with you, as either one of us might have. If that’s a day or a thousand years I want to be a part of your life as much as possible.”

“So like the whole ‘Carpe Diem' thing?”

“Suppose so.” They sat quietly for a long time, both lost in thought. “So does this mean this is something that could’ve happened with any slayer throughout history?” He asked, thinking about the aunt he never knew.

“Apparently. Well no, not really. That’s what the death thing is for I guess.”

“And that’s all slayers, you too?”

“Yeah. I mean—“ she broke off. Thinking about her darkest moments when things were the worst. It seemed almost like someone else’s life compared to where she was now. She shook her head, “It's different though. We’re fighters, it's who we are and we’re not going down without a fight. But sometimes there’s just— it’s like this split second when things get really clear and everything seems— and then the next second it’s gone. Like it never happened.”

“And my aunt?”

“Yeah, her too. Guinevere is the only one that we have ever heard of in the history of, well ever, to actually get past the termination clause. Hell, even Buffy has died twice. Three if we count tonight but— yeah that’s just going to give me a headache.”

He leaned towards her, taking her hand, “What about you?”

“Close a couple of times, but no.”

Settling his arm around her and he pulled her back onto the bed with him, “Keep it that way, yeah?”

She snuggled her cheek against his chest, getting comfortable, “That’s the plan.” She ran her fingers over the lines of the bear’s head tattooed on his chest and wrapped her fingers around his shoulder following the line work of it’s body.

He tilted his head down to watch her and caught her eye. “But right now you just want to shag so you don’t have to think about it, don’t you?”

“Don’t you?” She asked a little gruffly as she gripped him through his jeans.

Callum caught her wrist and pushed her back, pinning her to the mattress. “Sort of beside the point isn’t it?”

She grinned wickedly, pressing herself up to catch him with a hard kiss, “It’s one way to cope.”

“Carpe Diem,” he growled as he returned the kiss and let her flip him over to his back, not that he could have stopped her, not that he’d want to. He landed with a hard thud onto the mattress and a fierce grin on his face as they melted into one another. He worked his fingers under the soft fabric of her t-shirt and cupping her breast through her bra. Faith pulled back allowing him to push it over her head and unclasped her bra for him.

They were both topless, clad only in jeans that certainly had to go. She kissed him hard, biting his lip and pulling back a little. He groaned a little and returned the kiss with abandon. Without breaking the kiss Faith shifted back onto her knees enough to unbuckle his jeans and hers. She had no more than undid her zipper when he had already pushed her jeans and underwear down around her hips. She rocked back to remove her jeans and Callum followed unexpectedly. He shucked off his own as he pushed Faith back towards the foot of the bed. She pulled him down to her wrapping her legs around his waist feeling his cock bounce against the inside of her leg and over her center. The anticipation was driving her crazy.

He pulled back a little, grinning, “Something you want, beautiful?”

In response she reached down to grip his cock firmly. His grin widened as he pulled back slightly. “Sorry darlin’, patience, please. I wanna go slow with you tonight. Coping with trauma takes time after all,” he murmured as he nipped at her neck, making her shudder.

“Are we calling this couple’s therapy?”

“God, I love you.”

*****

Spike laid on his side propped up against a couple of pillows, watching Buffy sleep. Her breathing was still labored but better. What had been alarmingly ragged painful breaths before now resembled the breathing of someone with just a nasty chest cold.

The wound he had received from the same stab of the sword hurt like hell but he didn’t have to breathe. She was the one struggling for breath, and he hated it. She was as immortal as he was, had apparently been ever since she had been resurrected. They just hadn’t known for sure. The thought made his head hurt.

It was a long moment before he realized she was looking at him. “Hey there, Goldilocks.”

“Hey yourself,” she rasped as she adjusted herself on the bed to see him better. She winced as she settled back onto the pillows.

“How are you feeling?”

“Like a seriously thirsty pincushion.” She hissed in pain as she adjusted the pillow behind her.

“Thought you might. I managed to scrounge up a pitcher of water for you,” he held a glass with a straw sticking out of it for her, “drink.”

She ended up only taking a few sips but it was better than nothing.

“Your breathing and heart rate sound a lot better. Think your healing is concentrating on the internal damage.”

“Thank you, Dr. Pratt.”

He shuddered comically, “Oi! Now that I can do without.”

Buffy laughed weakly, “You should get some sleep too mister. Clearly I’m going to heal just fine.”

“Not the point is it? I still don’t like seeing you hurt.”

She sighed, “Okay, yeah, but you were part of the shish kebab too last I checked.”

“I’m alright.”

Buffy frowned, “How long was I out?”

“Few hours. Sun came up a couple of hours ago. You need your rest, sweetheart.”

“Notice the total lack of backflips.”

“Ahh huh, let’s have a look at that shall we?” He gestured towards the bandage on her chest.

Buffy gave a little nod and watched as he pulled back the bandage with deft fingers. He gently prodded the skin around the wound. It was puckered together although the skin hadn’t yet begun to heal. Just as he had said, her body was working from the inside out.

“We should probably try to get some food in you. Do you feel up to it?”

“Are we talking jello?”

He laughed, “I’m serious, you need to keep your strength up. I already had some blood. You sure you don’t need anything?”

Buffy considered that. She was thirsty but that was all. She didn’t think she could eat anything. “No, just water for now.”

He reached over for her glass, holding it up for her again. “You scared the hell out of me, Pet. Why didn’t you dodge? A stab like that would have been nothing more than a sodding inconvenience for me,” he pulled up his shirt and gestured to his own chest at the wide gash located a little lower than Buffy’s much more severe wound.

She turned a tired gaze towards his face, “I was trying to get you out of there, you idiot. Did you see how fast Queen Crazy was?”

“It keeps running through my head. I really thought—“

She reached to cup his cheek and he leaned into the warmth of her hand, “Spike, honey, I’m going to be alright. We both are.”

He shook his head a little. She had known of the possibility longer than he had but he wasn’t sure if she had taken the time to really consider a life of immortality. “Buffy—“

She squinted a little, worry was rolling off of him in waves, his thoughts simmering at the surface. “I know.”

“Do you?”

“Dawn, Giles, Will, Xan… yeah… I’ve thought about it. I’ve been thinking about it.”

“And?”

“It’s just one more layer of weird isn’t it? But hey at least we’re in this together right?”

“Till the end of the world.”

Unless of course the prophecy actually was referring to him and not Angel. For the first time since he had heard about it, he desperately hoped it really was Angel.

The stupid ponce can have his mortal cake and eat it too. He thought venomously.

“What was that?”

He straightened, he hadn’t really meant for her to hear that and he didn’t know if now was really the best time. He sighed, “Just thinking about Angel and his bloody prophecy. I’d been a mite jealous a while back.”

“Is this the one you keep dancing around? The one that could mean you?”

He nodded, “Had wanted it bad before. Beat the shit out of the ponce for a chance at it that turned out to be a sodding fake. But this changes things. He can keep his chance at becoming a real boy if it means I get you.”

Buffy let that process in her mind. They had fought over mortality and over her. A life with her and Spike had won in more ways than one. He had her heart, no question about it, even if he would have lost the battle he had won the war. Even if she didn’t know about it. “How long have you known about this?”

“Bout a year I suppose, bit longer, maybe. Angel’s been working himself ragged for years trying to save enough lives so he can reap his big cosmic reward and I just sort of stumbled into the running by mistake. Rather doubt it’s about me,” he shrugged, “s’why I didn’t say anything about it before. Besides, Angel’s been after this particular merit badge for this long and doesn’t seem to be any closer. Even if it does mean me, who’s to say it won’t be in a couple hundred years? It’s too vague.”

Buffy closed her eyes and opened them again, slowly, “I get why you didn’t say anything but I still wish you would have.”

“Rather thought you might know bout it already. Bound to be in those files Wes passed on to Willow.”

“She hasn’t had a chance to go through everything.”

“Should probably call the witch, you know. Fill her in.”

“Giles too. God, what am I going to tell Dawn?” Buffy sighed.

“That someday you’ll be the younger sister?” Spike chuckled.

“Oh yeah that’s definitely not going to wig her out.”

“All part of the glamorous lifestyle. At least you have a pulse.”

“True. Sunlight is a bonus too.”

“Oh now you’re just being mean.”

Buffy just grinned sadly, “Too bad I didn’t keep the Gem of Amara. If I knew Angel was going to throw it in the ocean like an idiot, I would have.”

He sighed and straightened up, “Yeah well it’s gone now. Think maybe you can eat something? Soup maybe?”

“I can give it a try.”

He leaned in, kissing her on the forehead. “That’s what I like to hear.”

---

Chapter 9 Awkward Moments

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

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

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

“I need date night help.”

“Show me what we have to work with.”

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

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

“I don't really have any.”

“Then I guess we’re going shopping.”

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

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

“Before everything got so screwed up…”

“Come full circle haven’t we?”

“Does that mean we’re friends?”

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

“Really?”

“Unless you don’t feel the same.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

*****

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Well that, but…”

“Callum?”

“Yeah… I don’t know…”

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

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

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

“Here, let’s trade.”

“In case there’s a second date?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Just remember that I use that tub too.”

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

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

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

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

Buffy laughed, “Thanks for the tip.”

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

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

“Fine, I’ll keep an eye out.”

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

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

“Sure, why not.”

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

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

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

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

“Rupert Giles?” Zara interjected.

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

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

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

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

“Her really,” Buffy pointed to Faith.

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Works for me, thanks!”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Buffy cleared her throat loudly, “Ladies!”

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

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

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

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

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

“I’ll talk to them about it, later.”

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

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

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

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

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

“How was your day?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“So when is it?”

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

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

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

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

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

“Basically, yeah.”

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

“You get one gimme”

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

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

“Does my girl have plans for me tonight?”

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

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

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

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

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

There was a knock at their bedroom door.

“Who goes there?” Spike asked gruffly.

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

“You’re good,” Buffy laughed.

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

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

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

“Unclear…”

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

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

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

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

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

“But that’s a good thing right?”

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

“You better get ready then.”

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

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

“Kinda what I need the help with.”

“I’ll be in.”

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

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

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

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

“You were saying?”

“Wow…”

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

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

He raised an eyebrow, “Present time?”

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

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

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

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

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

“Love you too, Slayer.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Sure, what’s up Urs?” Faith asked.

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

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

“Spike saw us too?”

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

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

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

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

“I got a date. You like?”

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

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

“How’d you-“

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

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

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

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

“Can we just keep this quiet?”

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

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

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

“Didn’t we pass it on our way back?”

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

“How chivalrous,” Buffy smirked.

“Is that what it is? Damn…”

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

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

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

“How’d you and Spike do it?”

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

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

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

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

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

“Got it…”

---