Patience
 
Crouching behind a headstone, he remained as still as death.  The only movement was his golden eyes tracking potential prey.  He watched the small creature feasting on its latest, and if he had his way, last meal.  Finally when its prey’s piercing squeaking ended, the eerie silence marked its ultimate death.  He should see the irony in the fact that his prey would all too soon know the feeling of a much larger predator’s jaws around its throat.  However, his mind didn’t contemplate such complex notions as irony.   

Hunger
 
The overwhelming necessity to sate this gripping hunger made the waiting almost too much to bear.  This hunger had him teetering on the brink of insanity with the need for—
 
Blood
 
This required potent life force kept his truly dead body from returning to the ground.  Soon he would have his fill.  Just waiting for the right moment—
 
Now!
 
With inhuman speed, he leapt from behind the stone barrier.  Only focusing on his prey, he raced toward it.  Despite all his advantages, his prey had but one advantage that kept it from becoming instantly defeated: size.

It was startled momentarily, before hastily dropping the remnants of its meal and darting toward the safety of a nearby bush.  A faint tinkling sound was heard upon its retreat.  
 
Hunt
 
Ever determined, he gave chase.  Reaching its hiding place only moments after, he dropped to his knees and plunged his hand into the twisted maze of branches.  He remained steadfast, regardless of the thorns scratching and tearing at his flesh.  He reached further into the mass until his entire arm was engulfed as he searched blindly.
 
Scent
 
The smell of his blood mixing with his prey’s fear tickled his nose and triggered his mouth to begin to water.  Still pushing and grappling, his fingers brushed against fur.  This contact awarded him tiny, sharp claws creating more scratches along his flesh.
 
Mine
 
A distinctive scent, even headier than blood and fear, carried on the breeze.  The instant he recognized it, in spite of his hunger he forewent pursuit of this prey for something far more tantalizing.  Without a second thought, he ripped his arm from the tangled, thorny bush and raced toward his now only desire.
 
 
 
 
 
Buffy was determined to focus.  Her last jaunt through Restfield Cemetery earned her a fight that almost didn’t end very well.
 
Who are you kidding?  It ended really well, a hot man tending to your wounds with his talented tongue.  Actually, it could’ve ended so much better, with said tongue taking care of that terrible aching between your thighs—Shut up and focus!
 
She quickly shut down her inner-slut’s niggling voice with her own personal Jiminy Cricket’s rebuttal.  This distracting internal dialogue was what got her in trouble the last time, not only with Kung-Foo fledgling, but more so with the ‘hot man.’  If it was at all possible, she was now even more confused about Spike…or was it William?
 
See!  I don’t even know what to call him, never mind what to think about him?  It used to be so easy.  Him vampire…Me Slayer.  Slayer kills vampire.  Night in and night out—stake and repeat.  Yet there’s Spike.  Even when he was my sworn enemy, I still gave him a Get-out-of-staking-free-pass.  What is it about him?  Why can’t I just…
 
Unlike last time when her mind was pre-occupied, this time all thoughts stopped when she felt that familiar tingling.  Vampire.  However, this was no ordinary vampire.  This one was old and powerful, and she would recognize his signature tingling anywhere…
 
Buffy quickly scanned her surroundings.  Off to her left and coming toward her at a steady pace was him.  The moonlight accentuated his bleached, unruly curls and his formally preferred attire of black and leather.

“I thought it was totally understood that you needed to stay at Giles.  I know you have this whole Call of the Wild thing going on, but we need to get you back before—“
 
Her words were cut short when she saw his face, his true face—the unmistakable ridged brow and flash of fang.  Even though she’d seen his demon façade dozens of times, the determined set of his eyes matched a look from several years ago—when he wanted her dead.
 
“William?”
 
Her voice shook slightly as he continued his unwavering trek toward her.  The Slayer within screamed for her to pull her weapon, but the woman inside stayed her hand. He stopped several feet before her.  His head tilted while his intent gaze roamed over her.  This rapt inspection thrilled and terrified her at the same time.
 
“Spike?”
 
In two steps, he invaded her personal space.  Before she could respond, his nose was buried into the crook of her neck.  She felt the steady inhalations of air dancing along her flesh as he breathed in her scent.  Buffy’s eyes fluttered closed from the intensity of this primal act.
 
She felt her heart racing while he slowly ascended the column of her throat.  Once he reached the shell of her ear, he lingered, taking in deep pulls causing her to quiver.
 
Buffy released a small whimper of protest when he finally shifted and moved away.  Even though he remained close, he was no longer touching her, and the small distance between them felt so great.
 
Her intense desire continued to govern her actions until she smelled blood.  This heady and unmistakable coppery scent instantly cleared her mind, forced her eyes open, and drew her gaze to his wounded hand as he raised it to his mouth.
 
She watched with rapt interest as his tongue unfurled and began to leisurely lap up the blood welling from the wounds.  Buffy imagined each stroke of his tongue exploring her body.  She could feel these ghostly caresses reaching and tantalizing her most intimate places. 
 
After several passes, his blood-tinged tongue left his knuckles before running alluringly over his fangs.  Never before had she viewed a vampire’s savoring of blood as being so erotic.  Yet, here she was, reflexively licking her lips in response.
 
Then what happened next caught Buffy completely unaware.  He held his injured hand out to her.  Even in his silence she knew what he wanted—for her to taste him.
 
True, she had done the same to Dracula only weeks before.  Except this wasn’t the same.  Not even close.  Sampling Dracula’s blood was done merely to gain the knowledge of her true nature.
 
This was far different.  Through a strange form of intimacy and trust, he was willingly giving himself to her on the most primitive level.  Even stranger, despite how fiercely she’d been fighting against all these feelings and desires, she felt her resolve slipping to take his offering.  All that he was offering.
 
With a shaky breath, Buffy’s tongue slid past her teeth, the tip nudging and parting her lips.  Gradually she leaned forward, all the while remaining focused on his blood.  When she was a hairbreadth away, a deep, menacing growl erupted from Spike.
 
Buffy instantly stopped her descent, and instinctually unsheathed and poised her stake within striking distance, or so she intended.  When her brain finally caught up with her eyes, she noticed Spike had turned and was now facing off to the right.
 
He’d lowered himself into a protective, crouched position as his threatening growl continued reverberating from deep within his chest.  She compared him to a deadly snake—all coiled up and hissing, and at any moment was ready to strike.
 
Her gaze followed his line of vision and she saw what, or more so who, triggered Spike’s radical mood change—Riley.  While she tucked away her stake, with militant precision Riley was coming closer, his crossbow drawn and pointing directly at Spike.
 
“Buffy, step away, so I can get a clear shot.”
 
She was stunned momentarily by Riley’s authoritative tone.  The only time she’d ever heard him use it was when giving orders to Professor Walsh’s lab-rat soldiers.  However, what Riley failed to remember in this scenario was that the Initiative was gone and buried along with its “Nutty Professor,” and more importantly—she definitely was not a rat. 
 
“What the hell are you doing?  Back-off, Riley!”
 
Her unexpected demand stilled his movements, but he never lowered his weapon.  She watched his face soften briefly before the hardened expression returned.
 
“What the hell I’m doing is the job we were trained to do, even though one of us has clearly forgotten!” Riley resumed his trek forward, and when he reached within dusting distance, he sidestepped his way toward Buffy.
 
Spike countered each of Riley’s steps, his intent gaze never leaving the intruder.  When Riley was within twenty feet of Buffy, Spike released a warning growl that halted Riley movements.
 
“Riley! Get the hint…back-off!” She watched a hint of hurt flash across Riley’s features.
 
“Buffy, I don’t understand why you’re not thinking clearly.  Maybe you’re under a thrall again, but don’t worry, I love you and whatever it is, we’ll fix it.  Starting with  this vampire that should’ve been dusted a long time ago.”
 
Buffy’s thoughts raced, consumed by Riley’s clear threat against Spike.  However, before she could reply, Spike growled loudly in protest.
 
"Mine!"
 
That’s when everything went to hell-in-a-hand-basket.  Buffy could only watch in absolute horror the scene unfolding.
 
She heard Riley ordering her to “Move!” a split-second before he launched a deadly arrow, at the same time Spike was lunging forward.  A moment later she saw Spike dropping to the ground clutching his head, while she heard a heart-wrenching howl of pain.
 
When she finally snapped out of her mental stupor, she rushed to Spike’s aid.  He was lying on his side, partially doubled over.  She carefully rolled him onto his back to better assess his injuries.
 
She first noticed a trickle of blood trailing from one nostril.  Then her gaze scanned lower and what she saw made her gasp in shock—Riley’s arrow deeply embedded in Spike’s chest, only mere inches from the intended target.
 
“Oh, Spike…” Buffy’s worried utterance was cut short when Riley wrapped his arms around her waist and hoisting her off the ground. While Riley was pulling her away, her gaze met with a pair of intent, golden eyes filled with what she believed was regret.
 
“Put me down, Riley!”  Buffy maneuvered out of Riley’s grasp and spun around to face the man who had taken her away from where she was truly needed.
 
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
 
“Buffy, I’m sorry for only giving you a moment’s notice to move, but I knew you weren’t in harm’s way.”  Riley, oblivious to the anger directed toward him, stepped forward and gently placed his hand on Buffy’s shoulder.
 
Incredulousness flashed across her features before she shrugged off his touch, placed both her hands on his chest, and, luckily for Riley she didn’t use her Slayer-strength, shoved him away.  Riley shifted, but regained his footing quickly.  His look of tenderness shifted to one of utter confusion.
 
“Riley, are you serious!  I’m not pissed ‘cause you shot that arrow toward me, I’m pissed ‘cause you shot Spike!” With poignant agitation, Buffy motioned to the injured vamp behind her.
 
“You’re mad because I shot Spike?  You should be angry that he’s not dust!”  
 
“Why would I want you to dust him?  He’s harmless!” Buffy’s brow furrowed with confusion.
 
“Harmless?  Even with the chip, he’s still a vampire, Buffy!  I don’t understand what the attraction is, but it’s obvious you have this thing for vampires.  First Angel, then Dracula, now Spike.”  Buffy could see unmistakable hurt filling Riley’s eyes, yet her anger had her far beyond caring.
 
“I don’t have a thing for vampires, Riley!  We’ve been over this.  Angel was a long time ago…and Dracula, well he has had centuries to perfect his whammy technique—” 
 
“And Spike?  Where does he fit into all of this?”  Riley appeared interested in her answer, but at the same time he looked uneasy as he prepared for it.  
 
“It’s not that simple, Riley.”  Buffy’s voice softened in spite of how her insides were twisting.
 
“The way I see it, it’s not complicated.  He’s a vampire.  You’re a vampire slayer.  Stake to the heart…poof…pile of dust.  Very simple.”
 
“Look Riley, I don’t need you to remind me what my job is or how to do it.  Being the Slayer means so much more than you’ll ever know.  I was chosen, not created in some lab under Sunnydale!”
 
“This has nothing to do with the Initiative and everything to do with them.  Buffy, all I know is this—I can’t do this anymore, always coming second in your life to filthy demons.  It’s time for you to choose.  It’s him or me.”
 
Buffy inhaled deeply.  Even though it took her several moments to respond, the answer came to her almost instantly.
 
“Good bye, Riley.”
 
Without another word, she turned and started walking away.  Buffy noticed Spike was gone and rushed over to where she had left him. With tears pricking her eyes, she dropped to her knees and inspected the ground.  She released a heavy sigh of relief when she realized there wasn’t any dust.  Yet, her relief was short lived when she found the broken arrow’s shaft and fletching slick with his blood.
 
Buffy tentatively searched the cemetery for Spike, but unable to find him anywhere, she wracked her brain for another place he would seek refuge.  Without wasting another moment, she ran all the way back to Giles’ apartment.
 
When she arrived, she repeated her earlier entrance by rushing through the door.  She found Giles sitting at his desk surrounded by dozens of papers and books.
 
“Giles, I thought we agreed you guys were to keep William here.”
 
“Buffy, William has been here all night.  After you left, he said he was extremely tired and inquired if he could lie down.  The four of us have been taking shifts on watching over him ensuring he stayed put.  He’s upstairs in my—“ Prior to Giles finishing his explanation, Buffy rushed past him and headed upstairs taking two steps at a time.
 
Buffy entered Giles’ bedroom, and found William asleep on the bed.  His left arm was suspended over his head, held by the wrist bound by a metal cuff attached to its mate fixed to the headboard.   Willow appeared to have been working on her laptop when Buffy entered the room.
 
“Hey, he’s been sleeping for the past few hours.  Don’t worry this was totally an easy gig.  It’s like when I used to babysit the Rothstein twins, and they just slept the whole time.  Well, not exactly the same.  They were five and not vampires, but you get my drift.” 
 
Buffy walked hesitantly over to the bed, careful not to wake him.  She watched the steady rise and fall of his chest, noting the clear lack of injury and blood.  Her eyes then rose to his face.  Despite all the turmoil of the last two days, his face was lax.  He looked at peace.
 
He really is so beautiful.
 
After a longing, parting glance, Buffy looked over at Willow. “Willow, can you come downstairs?  I figured out something really big tonight.”
 
They both left quietly, shutting the door softly behind them and heading downstairs.
 
“So what’s the what, Buffy?”  Xander asked as he rubbed sleep from his eyes, obviously from being woken up after Buffy’s impromptu entrance.  Giles stood from his desk chair, and Anya shifted on the couch, wiping apparent drool from her lap courtesy of a previously sleeping boyfriend. 
 
“Giles, we’ve been going about this all wrong.  Spike isn’t being all Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde-y.  From what I saw tonight, and I can’t believe I’m saying this…I think there are two of them.  There are two Spikes.”         
 
 
 
 

 
Author’s Notes:

Big thanks to my lovely betas: Sanityfair and Diebirchen. 

I would greatly appreciate if you let me know your thoughts: good, bad, or otherwise.  Thanks! 

Yes, Spike was trying to eat a cat.
 
Jiminy Cricket is from Pinocchio. He believed “ Always let your conscience be your guide.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jiminy_Cricket

The reference to the Call of the Wild was written by Jack London.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Call_of_the_Wild.  Also, in the episode “Beauty and the Beast,” Season 3, Willow was reading this book to Oz when he was in the wolfy state, and at the end of the episode, Buffy also read a passage from this book.
 
The original Nutty Professor movie was with Jerry Lewis in 1963.  The remake was in 1996 with Eddie Murphy.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Nutty_Professor
 
Okay, raise your hand, who forgot about the chip?
 
My references to Dracula are from the episode title, “Buffy vs. Dracula.”  This was Season 5 first episode.
 
Arrow parts: shaft (the body or wooden part) and fletching—“are found at the back of the arrow and provide a small amount of drag used to stabilize the flight of the arrow,” often feathers.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arrow
 
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde are characters from, Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde written by Robert Lewis Stevenson. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strange_Case_of_Dr_Jekyll_and_Mr_Hyde