Disclaimer: The characters from Buffy the Vampire Slayer are owned by Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, and Fox studios. This story is not meant to infringe upon anyone's rights, only to entertain.

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A/N: Thanks to Amarysso for betaing.

CHAPTER 16 – Incomplete or Complete


Buffy woke up to find herself tucked into her sleeping bag inside the alcove by their campsite. The last thing she remembered was Spike with a gourd in one hand and a book in the other, performing the vision quest ritual. That was when the sky was still dark and she was sitting by the fire.

She felt movement beside her. She turned to see Spike, deep in sleep, mumbling something unintelligible. She smiled warmly at him. It was the little gestures like tucking her in that made her want to spend time with him despite some of the crap and attitude that comes out of his foul mouth -- foul but oh so sexy mouth and lips.

She quietly sat up and stretched some of her muscles before she headed to their supply pile for some breakfast. As soon as she grabbed a few granola bars and a bottle of water, she felt something rubbing against her left leg. She let out a small yelp in surprise as she quickly looked down to see what it was.

A small bobcat rubbed one more time against her leg before it sat down on its hind legs and started purring at her. It tilted its head and looked at her curiously for a moment before it stood up and headed towards the hiking trail a few feet away from their campsite. When it sensed that Buffy was not moving towards the trail, it turned around and purred again, beckoning her to follow. Nodding in understanding, Buffy grabbed her jacket and followed the bobcat, not knowing exactly where it was going to take her. There was something inside her that told her she was meant to follow the animal.

**

Buffy had been sitting on the same boulder for the past three hours. She would have been bored out of her mind if not for the bobcat that kept her company even after it took her to this place. The view from this high up in the hiking trail was magnificent. She could see the valley and the trees below. It seemed like an endless stretch of nature. There were no distractions here – no sounds of cars or airplanes, no school, no traffic. None of the things that made life interesting and at the same time stressful existed here. There were no demons to worry about. Well at least she hoped there weren’t any. This was supposed to be a sacred place.

The bobcat pawed at her arm again wanting her to scratch its head as it shifted slightly on her lap.

“You sure crave attention,” she said with a giggle. She knew she should be freaking out a little. She had a wild animal on her lap purring contently and she in turn was cooing to it.

Buffy’s really good at handling all sorts of animals.

Buffy giggled again at remembering what Spike said when he had picked her up for the dance -- that dance on the night of St. Vigeous. It had been a while now since she thought about that fateful day. It seemed like a lifetime ago when in reality it was just a little over a year. It was funny how life can change so dramatically. She almost died that night, but somehow she pulled through. Thanks to Spike of course.

When she thought about that night, there always seemed to be a part of it that seemed hazy. The others had told her that it most probably was an after-effect of the thrall that Lothos put on her. Deep down however, she felt that there was something else going on and as usual they were keeping her in the dark. Why do they do that? They expected her to fight baddies and all sorts of demons but they would never give her the whole picture. She usually had to pry it out of them. She understood that they were trying to protect her, but how was she supposed to do her job when she didn’t have a good understanding of the entire situation. She was young, not fragile. Spike and Niko were the only ones that seemed to trust her judgment on things. Of course their attitude to things were always fight now and deal with the consequences later.

To act is better than to just watch.

Buffy looked around frantically. She thought she heard someone just talking. “Um… is anyone there?”

Surrounded by many but always alone.

Again the same voice but Buffy couldn’t see anyone. She took a deep breath and pushed down the small lump that was forming in her throat. She placed a hand on the top of the bobcat’s head to calm herself somewhat, finding comfort in the other animal’s presence. “Where are you?”

I am here… always here… my immortality living in you.

The voice sounded like it was coming from her right and she quickly turned her head to see if there was anyone there. From the patch of trees a lone figure emerged from nothing. She was covered in face paint and there were a few tattoos on her body. She made her way towards Buffy, taking a seat on the hard ground just a few feet away from the young Slayer.

Buffy looked at the stranger. Though she looked a little menacing with her clothing and tattoos, there was a comforting feeling to her presence.

“You have come to seek me out. What do you want to know?”

“Know? Um … My calling … “

“You question it? You wonder what the future will hold? “

“A little, yes. Why me? Why was I chosen?”

“The magic chose you. You were deemed worthy.”

“But I’m sure someone else would have been better.”

“Yet you fight. You survive. You kill. You slay.”

“Yeah.”

“You’re hiding. That isn’t what you want answered. You wonder about the future, if you are allowed to feel anything else aside from anger and fear.”

“I want to know about the others. Slayers don’t last long, but what kind of life did they live? Is this all that exists? To slay each night and nothing more?”

“That is why you exist. You are the Slayer. But why do you ask me this question when you already have an answer deep down. You already belong to another,” she said pointing to her neck.

Buffy looked at her puzzled and touched her neck, feeling the slight bump of the bite mark Spike had given her. “This is nothing. It was necessary to help me.”

She shook her head. “That mark is protective yet incomplete.”

“Incomplete?”

“It requires a word to invoke the magic and a declaration to make it deep.”

Buffy thought about it for a moment. Somehow she knew what word needed to be said. But she was questioning why the woman mentioned declaration?

“Why do you keep asking questions you already have answers to young one?” She moved closer to Buffy, pressing her nose to her neck as if to sniff the mark. “He smells familiar. Warrior-kin.”

“Warrior-kin?”

“He fights by our side always. He claims he is forced but in truth he desires it. But with you it is deeper. It is much deeper.”


**

Spike woke up alone. He quickly got up, careful not to accidentally step outside the alcove. There was a brief feeling of panic as his mind raced wondering where Buffy had gone too. Then he remembered where they were and why they were here. He hoped she was okay.

“I never would have thought I’d ever see you dressed up that way,” a sweet feminine voice called from behind him.

Spike quickly turned around but sensed nothing. He reached out with his senses but there was no one there. Then he heard giggling followed by laughter – a laugh he hadn’t heard in over a century.

“Helena?”

“Nice to know you still remember me, somehow.” The voice took shape, taking a seat beside the mesmerized blond vampire. “I missed you, William.”

Spike couldn’t help but smile at that. “I missed you too, pet. … Um … pet, I don’t mean to be rude or anything but how and why are you here?”

“You know the reason to that. I’m here for the Slayer.”

“She isn’t here. Her vision quest happens on hollow ground. You know that, luv.”

“Well I’m here for her but it mainly concerns you.”

“Me?”

“Yes you,” she said with a giggle. “Seems like you’ve been busy lately Spike.”

“Just the usual, pet. I haven’t done anythin’ out of the ordinary.”

“Really Spike? Biting a Slayer part of your job description now?”

“Not like I haven’t done it before, luv.”

“But I don’t remember you ever biting me so intimately,” another voice answered. From the shadows a tall, beautiful dark-skinned Slayer emerged.

“Nikki?”

The newcomer smiled sweetly. “I’ve been watching you too.”

“Well don’t I feel all wanted and special. But what is this really about?” Spike asked with concern.

“Well like I was saying you’ve been busy. You know what you did.” Helena replied.

“It was necessary at the time okay. How many times do I have to explain that to everyone?”

“Easy Spike! We’re not here to criticize you. We’re just wondering why you chose to keep the claim dampened instead of breaking it.” Nikki asked.

Spike started pacing. “Um… well … just didn’t seem right okay. I’m keepin’ her safe. So what does it matter?”

“It matters because she’s incomplete this way. You’re incomplete this way. The sooner you admit what you’re feeling the better for everyone.” Helena replied.

The vampire’s eyes grew bigger though part of him didn’t dare hope what he thought he heard his former charge was suggesting.

“Oh come on Spike. I don’t remember you being this dense. You were always the I-want-it-therefore-it’s-mine vamp in the group.” Nikki quipped.

Helena looked at Spike tenderly. “It’s my fault. He’s afraid of what might happen. He’s afraid of what he might lose. I know Angel is already on your case about this. But when did you really listen to Angel anyway?”

“She … Buffy… she can’t… I mean … well … BLOODY HELL!”

Helena giggled as she leaned closer to him and kissed his cheek. “Don’t wait too long, okay?”

“But she can’t …”

“Why do you doubt yourself that way?”

“She’s a Slayer, Helena.”

But she just answered him with one word and a knowing smile as she faded away. “So?”

“Spike, I know why you fight beside us and I feel honoured to have known you.” Nikki took one of his hands in hers and squeezed gently. “I know what you did for my little Robin. He’s a fine man because of you.”

“I didn’t do anythin’ pet. You should thank Crowley for that one. He stayed by his side, takin’ him in and raisin’ him.”

“Yes, Bernard did. But you gave my little Robin a chance in this world Spike. You gave him the opportunity to be whatever he wanted. I know you’ve set aside an account for him. I’ll forever be grateful for that.”

Spike smiled as Nikki planted a kiss on his cheek before she left him to his thoughts.

**

Spike waited outside for Buffy, staring at the small fire he created an hour ago. He leaned against a tree, a cigarette in one hand as he thought of what he saw earlier. Were they really there? Or was it just a dream and his mind playing tricks on him? Did he really hear them say that he should finish off what he started? That couldn’t be right. Why would two dead Slayers tell him that he should go ahead and claim the current one? Why would they go so far as to tell him in so many words that leaving things the way they were wasn’t good for either him or Buffy? No. It was just wishful thinking. There was no way Buffy would ever want him.

“It matters because she’s incomplete this way. You’re incomplete this way. The sooner you admit what you’re feeling the better for everyone.”

He could hear Helena telling him those words once more. Should he dare? The few relationships he had in the past were nothing more than physical. Those relationships were just something to pass the time and to bury his need. But Buffy was … different.

He heard footsteps approaching and he looked up from the fire to see Buffy walking towards him from the hiking trail.

The blond Slayer was deep in thought the entire time she walked back towards their campsite. The bobcat that had been her guide walked with her, purring on occasion to announce that it hadn’t left her side. She welcomed the company but there were just a few things she had to sort out in her head.

The first Slayer told her about the bite marks on her neck. She told her that they meant something more than just a scar. Part of her realized that what she just found out made sense. It explained why Spike always seemed to show up first when she was feeling a little under the weather or when she had a flash of panic. It explained why she found herself wanting to spend more and more time with the bleached vampire. That in itself raised another question. Did she really like him, or was it just a side effect of him biting her? Does he really even care about her or was biting her just a means to keep tabs on her and nothing more? She was confused and she wondered how in the world this little vision quest was supposed to help her become a better Slayer. She felt before she saw Spike near the campsite. She felt a little tingle near her neck upon seeing him casually smoking a cigarette.

She had a feeling things were going to be awkward between them. How was she suppose to act around him now? It was a little easier earlier today when she could just ignore that whatever it was she was feeling for him was nothing more than a little crush. There would be no way she though he would be interested in her, despite the few kisses they shared months ago. But the seed was planted and the words of the First Slayer still lingered in her mind.

“He fights by our side always. He claims he is forced but in truth he desires it. But with you it is deeper. “

Could her words be true?

“Oi!” Spike called out.

“Hi!”

“Everythin’ okay luv?” he said eyeing the bobcat that was now making its way towards him. He wondered what it was going to do. Without so much as looking at him, the cat just started rubbing against his leg, purring contently. “And who might you be?” he said bending down to pet its head.

“Oh. Guess you can say that he’s my guide.”

Spike’s brow immediately furrowed. From what he could remember from old Watchers’ diaries, the vision quest was meant for the Slayer alone. That meant only she would be visited by previous incarnations of herself and only she would be able to see the guide that would lead her to hollow ground. But here it was, purring by his leg and licking his thumb when he stopped petting it. What in the world was going on? First he saw Helena and Nikki, and now this. The only conclusion he could think of was that he somehow got dragged into her quest and if they’re still both seeing the guide, then that meant it wasn’t over yet.

Buffy watched as Spike petted the purring animal. Because of what she had heard to today, there were so many questions she wanted to ask him. However, she just wasn’t sure how to ask. She ended up staring at him, finding some strange comfort that he was close by. This was stupid. She had questions that needed answers. What was he going to do anyway? Get angry? Well if he did, then at least she’d finally know where they stood in their relationship with each other.

“Spike?”

“Yes, pet?”

“I know it’s been a while, but um… well I was just curious I guess… You said that you’ve tasted Slayer blood before.”

He nodded. “Yeah. Wot about it?”

“I know what everyone has been telling me about what happened that night. You know the night with Lothos? I have this scene in my head that I’m not sure if it happened or not.”

Spike stood up to his full height not really sure he liked where she was going with this.

“Spike?” There was but one word that she remembered from that scene that has been playing in her head ever since she started making her way back down here. It was the same word that she felt like she had to say out loud now. “Yours …”

The blond vampire looked at her with wide eyes as he felt the weak claim he had on her move to the front of his mind. The claim was still incomplete but her admission had now made it evident that it existed. There was no way now that Spike could hide it, and from the faint feeling of determination he was picking up from her, she didn’t want him to. To make the claim official, Spike would have to drink from her once more. She then had to utter once again the word that recently changed everything between them. In her own way she had accepted him. Now everything lay in Spike’s hands. She moved closer to him, finding comfort in just being near him.

Spike closed the distance between them and tenderly looked at her as he cupped her face with his left hand. “Do you know what you’re doing, Buffy?”

The Slayer was taken aback a bit by Spike using her first name. He was serious.

“It felt like it needed to be said. Something happened that night right? There has to be a reason why I had to say that word.”

Spike looked away. What should he say? The demon inside him was telling him he was a fool for even questioning this. It was telling him to just rush her, take her and make her fully his. It was tired of all this hiding. It was tired of being denied what it had wanted and needed for so many months.

“You can still turn back Buffy. Your response wasn’t binding.”

She started worrying her lower lip. Didn’t he want her? Why did it seem like he was pushing her away? Shouldn’t he be like jumping with joy that she was agreeing to be claimed? Instead, he was questioning the response she gave him. She looked up at him and what she saw touched her heart. Spike was looking at her with such concern and could it be love?

Spike felt the unrest through her. “Buffy, I want you more than anything in this world. … I just want to make sure this is what you wanted. What we’re going to have isn’t going to be easy. I mean, it’s strange enough that a vampire is serving as your protector, but to be your umm… more than that? … You know the council will frown upon this. You know the others will not approve.”

Buffy gave him a small smile then pressed her body against his, tilting her head upward to lock her eyes on his. He lowered his head and brushed his lips gently against hers, deepening the kiss only when she wrapped her arms around his neck. She pulled away reluctantly to gasp for air but Spike didn’t like the slight loss of contact so he moved his kisses to her neck. He felt the subtle thrum of her pulse beneath her smooth skin and he pursed his lips on top of his old bite mark, worrying it with his lips. She moaned and tilted her head to expose more of her neck to him.

Spike let his fangs descend as he gently sank them into her smooth skin. The taste of her blood on his tongue was a myriad of emotions that were hard to distinguish from each other. There was joy, need, comfort, lust, fear, uncertainty and maybe even a hint of guilt. He had wanted this for so long and waited patiently almost convincing himself that having just a small part of her was enough. Now she was offering herself to him wholeheartedly and as he uttered his claim on her and heard her response, he felt a sense of satisfaction he never thought he’d ever experience.

He ran his palm against one fang, letting his blood seep through the surface. Without much prompting, Buffy took his hand and licked at the wound, looking at him with shining eyes as her tongue danced against the cut.

“Mine,” she whispered with bloodied lips.

“Yours,” he replied as he bent down to clean her lips of his blood.