Title: Star-Crossed
Author: TammyDevil666
Summary: Spike was a ruthless vampire, who fell in love with a young Slayer named Elizabeth. He suddenly has to leave on a mission, returning about eighteen years later and not knowing just how much time had passed. He finds a young girl fighting vampires who greatly resembles Elizabeth, but is she who he thinks she is?
Rating: NC-17
Feedback: Any comments would be appreciated.
Disclaimer: None of the characters belong to me.



Prologue

“I’m going out, Mom.”

Joyce Summers grabbed her daughter’s arm. “Hopefully not to see that boy, I don’t like his influence on you.”

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “Hardly, I’m definitely over Tyler. I realized that he’s not the one for me.”

This pleased her mother. “Okay, just don’t be out too late. It’s a school night.”

Elizabeth nodded and headed out the door, making her way to the nearest cemetery. All was quiet for about an hour, until she heard a rustle coming from behind her. She quickly pulled out her trustworthy stake, glancing around at her surroundings. “I know you’re there.” Anything else she would have said was cut off when a hard body slammed into her, taking her to the ground. Elizabeth was quick and flipped the vampire over, so she was now the one on top, stake aimed for his heart. “You’re getting sloppy, Spike.”

He grinned up at her. “And you’re getting better at honing your senses.” He stood, helping her up in the process.

Elizabeth brushed herself off. “What took you so long? I was getting bored,” she said with a pout.

Spike was never one to resist when she did that. He leaned in toward her, touching his lips to hers in a soft caress. “Sorry, love, I had something to take care of. I didn’t think your mum would let you out tonight.”

She shrugged. “I’m the Slayer. Even if she didn’t, I would have found a way out.”

He smiled. “I have no doubts. Don’t you think it’s about time that you told her what you do?”

Elizabeth shook her head. “You know I can’t do that, it would be too risky. Giles is all about the whole secret identity thing, you know the drill. Besides, I don’t want my mom to think I’m some kind of freak. She’s already disappointed in me enough these days.”

Spike took her into his arms, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “I’m sorry things aren’t easier for you.”

Elizabeth rested her head against his chest, always feeling safe and protected in his arms. They used to try and kill each other when he first got to town, but now she couldn’t imagine being without him. He turned on his own family to be with her, even the woman that made him, who he spent over a century with. Elizabeth was in love for the first time in her life, at only the age of eighteen. She never wanted that feeling to go away.

Spike pulled out of the embrace a moment later, a serious expression suddenly taking over his features.

“Are you okay?” she wondered.

He took a deep, unneeded breath before answering her. “I have to leave for a little while, sweetheart. There’s something I need to do.”

She didn’t like where that was going. “You’re leaving Sunnydale? When? For how long? Why am I just now hearing about it?”

Spike put a calming hand on her shoulder. “I only just found out myself, but it was something I’ve thought about for a while now. I can’t answer your questions, all I can say is that I should be back in a few weeks. Four at the most, give or take.”

“Why can’t you tell me what it is? I thought we didn’t have any secrets.”

He nodded. “I don’t want to get your hopes up, pet. I may not find what I’m looking for, but no matter what, I promise that I will come back to you within a few weeks. There’s nothing that can keep me away for too long. You trust me?”

Elizabeth nodded without any hesitation. “With my life,” she stated.

Spike smiled and kissed her forehead tenderly. “I love you.”

She smiled as well, even though her heart wasn’t much in it. “I love you, too. Come back to me.”

He cupped her cheek, lightly tracing her bottom lip. “Always,” was the last thing he said before walking away.

Elizabeth didn’t know it at the time, but that was the last she would ever see of him.


Chapter 1

Eighteen years later…

“Buffy, are you okay? I’ve been trying to get your attention for the last five minutes.”

She snapped her head up, gazing at her confused friend. “Sorry, Willow, my mind has just been elsewhere lately.”

The red head nodded. “I can see that. Anything you want to talk about?”

Buffy shook her head. “I’ll let you know once I figure it out. I’ve just been having this weird feeling recently, like I’m being watched.”

Willow’s eyes widened. “Do you think it’s a stalker or something?”

Buffy laughed nervously. “I doubt it; I’m not exactly stalking material. It’s probably nothing, I’m just being paranoid.”

Willow really hoped that her friend was right, but couldn’t help the bad feeling she had.


* * * * *


Buffy took the long way home that night, knowing the short cut usually led to trouble. She spent a few hours at the Bronze, desperately needing to cut loose and forget her paranoia. It worked, for a little while at least. Buffy stopped when she heard a noise in the distance, reaching into her pocket for the weapon that she never left her house without. You could never be too careful in Sunnydale.

“It's late, I'm tired, and I don't wanna play games. Show yourself,” she said to no one in particular. When nothing happened, Buffy figured she was just being paranoid again, until someone jumped out at her. The disfigured face proved that he was a vampire, and not some stupid college guy trying to scare her. With quick reflexes, Buffy pulled the stake out of her pocket and slammed it into his heart before he even realized what happened. She watched as he exploded into a cloud of dust, fledglings were always so easy. She was about to put the stake away, when she felt another presence behind her, swiftly turning around to look into the clearest blue eyes that she had ever seen. Buffy was afraid to drop the stake, knowing that she wasn’t dealing with an ordinary man.

“It really is you,” he said in wonder, wrapping his arms around her tiny frame. “God, it feels like it’s been so bloody long since I’ve held you. I tried to get to you as fast as I could, but there were complications.” He pulled away, not noticing the startled expression on her face. “I’ll never leave you again, Elizabeth.”

She gasped at that name and took a step away from him. “How…How do you know her? Who are you?”

Spike was confused. “You don’t remember me? How bloody long was I gone for? You look exactly the same, except for your hair being a little lighter and shorter.”

Buffy shook her head. “I think I should go now.”

He stopped her from leaving. “Wait, Elizabeth, please tell me what happened. How is it that you don’t remember me?”

She stopped and turned to look at him. “I’m not Elizabeth. I don’t know who you are, but my name is Buffy Summers. Elizabeth was my mother.”