Wiping The Slate Clean


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They hit Restfield about twenty minutes later and sure enough, found a similar scene to the before: a group of the slimy Grolax demons preparing for some sort of ritual.

“Wow, these guys never get the hint,” she quipped to the vampire beside her.

“Might have to teach them a lesson, pet.”

By this time, the demons had spotted them and the one who appeared to be in charge growled loudly.

“You were supposed to get the Slayer out of the way!” it shouted at a smaller member of the group.

“I thought I did.”

Shaking her head, she put her hands on her hips.

“Takes a lot to take a Slayer out, trust me.”

As she spoke, the five demons were lining themselves up, obviously sizing up their opponents. She risked a glance and a smile at the vampire.

“This is just what I need to let off some steam.”

He smiled and slipped into game face with a slight growl, golden eyes fixed on the demons. She turned her attention back to them and took a deep breath, preparing herself. She gave her companion an imperceptible nod and they both advanced on the demons.



She was less than a metre from the leader- when suddenly all five of them disappeared into thin air.

“Huh?!” she got inelegantly, spinning round to see if this was all a trick and they were going to pop up behind her.

“Bugger!” the vampire exclaimed, “Hoped we’d get to them before they had the chance to do that.”

“Huh?” she repeated, turning her attention to the vampire.

“Dimension-hoppers, love. When things get sticky, they leg it to the next dimension.”

“Oh. Could have let me know that a bit sooner.”

“You had all the info about them in that book,” he commented and she gave him a sheepish smile.

“You know me and books. I wasn’t really paying attention. I was just using it as an excuse to avoid speaking to Xander.”

He rolled his eyes and kicked at the bones the demon had left behind.

“Well, I don’t think they’re gonna be back. Idea of fighting the Slayer scared them off, I guess.”

“How disappointing,” she moaned, pouting, “I was really looking forward to kicking some demon ass and imagining Xander’s face while I did.”

He chuckled and moved towards her, reaching out to run a hand over her arm.

“’Fraid you’ll have to save the violence for another night, love.”



She pouted even more and he smiled, drawing her into his embrace. He grazed his lips over her pout before moving them to her neck.

“I could think of a few ways to get rid of all that excess energy though,” he murmured, one hand slipping under the back of her top as he pressed butterfly kisses to her neck.

“You’re terrible!” she commented with a laugh.

“What?!” he protested, “I was rudely interrupted earlier.”

She smiled, leaning into his touch and resting one hand against his chest.

“My crypt’s just over there…” he coaxed, leaving a trail of open-mouthed kisses up her neck to her ear. She moaned but pulled back a little way.

“We have to get back to Dawn.”

“She’ll be fine.”

“Spike…”

He groaned, but released her and stepped back.

“Bloody hell, Slayer, not nice to get a vamp all worked up,” he moaned, giving her a heated look.

“I didn’t do anything!” she protested.

“It was that lip,” he practically purred, a soft smile crossing his face, “Gonna get it.”

She giggled and put her hands to his chest as he caught her around the waist.

“You’re not supposed to remember that,” she teased, “Slayer lips and all that.”

“Happen to have grown a lot fonder of Slayer lips since then.”

She smiled and they shared a gentle kiss- until she realised what she was doing and pushed him away again.

“This is not getting back to the shop.”

He sighed but fell into step beside her, reaching out and twining his fingers around hers.



“Spike…” she spoke up about halfway back.

“Yeah, love?”

“Is it wrong that I kinda miss my friends? Even though they were stupid and controlley and all? And I still kinda want to hit Xander?”

He laughed and squeezed her hand.

“’Course not. You lot have been through a lot together.”

“But they said bad things about you,” she sighed, leaning into his side.

“Find I don’t really care. Learned to ignore that kind of thing a long time ago.”

She smiled sadly and wrapped her arm around his waist, resting her head against his shoulder as they slowed their steps to prolong their time alone.

“My poor William,” she murmured playfully.

“Got what I want,” he continued, squeezing her against him, “They can go bugger themselves for all I care.”

“You’re so British!” she teased and he scowled down at her before pressing a kiss to her forehead.

They were silent for a moment but then the vampire spoke up.

“Look, love, you want to make it right with your friends, do it before it’s too late.”

“But-“

“And don’t worry about me. I just want you to be happy… Even if they are a bunch of uptight idiots.”

She laughed and shook her head slightly, even as she tightened her grip on him.

“Love you,” she whispered.

“Love you,” he answered, pulling her tightly against him and grazing a kiss over her hair.



They reached the shop once more and shared a look before she disentangled herself from his embrace and opened the back door. As soon as they were both through though, she took his hand and held it tightly as they went through into the main room. The group looked up as they entered and she saw Xander’s gaze drop to their joined hands but she refused to let go and they settled into two chairs, their hands still joined.

“Any sign?” Willow asked quietly.

“Yeah. We found them. Then they went poof,” Buffy sulked, unable to prevent a little pout with the words.

“Don’t think they’ll be back,” Spike added, “Scared of the Slayer.”

“I didn’t even have to do anything,” she commented with a sigh, “Demons are so lame.”

When the vampire beside her cocked an eyebrow at her, she gave him a sheepish smile and amended her words.

“Some demons are so lame.”

He rolled his eyes at her but couldn’t help but smile and she squeezed his hand in hers as they turned back to the group. Everyone had fallen silent and she knew it was her opportunity to say something, but now she had the chance, she faltered. Spike squeezed her hand and when she looked to him, he nodded towards the group. She frowned but he gave her a pointed look and biting her lip, she turned back to the room.



“Erm, guys,” she called hesitantly, drawing their attention to her, “I wanted to, erm, talk to you.”

They were watching her intently now and she cleared her throat nervously, her fingers laced tightly around Spike’s.

“Look, I… I hate the way things are right now with us. You guys have always been there and I hate that things got all awkward.”

“We only ever wanted to help you, Buffy,” Willow remarked quietly.

“I know. But sometimes your helping really wasn’t what I needed,” she commented, “I love you guys, but this is my life… and I’m going to live my life the way I want to.”

She saw Xander’s gaze drift to the vampire beside her.

“And I’m going to spend time with who I want to,” she added, squeezing the vampire’s hand as she met Xander’s gaze, “And if you love me, you’ll respect that.”

There was silence but she thought she saw acknowledgment in Xander’s expression.

“We’ve all made a bunch of mistakes in the past. All of us. But can’t we just forget that? If two former enemies can forget their past and move on, why can’t we? Can’t we just wipe the slate clean and try to make a new start?”

There was another long silence but then Willow spoke.

“I’d really like that,” she answered, meeting Buffy’s eyes with a tearful gaze.

“Me too,” Xander added and Buffy turned to him with a tearful smile.

“Really?”

He nodded and rose to his feet and she got to her feet, glancing at the vampire before heading over to her friend and enveloping him in a tight hug.

“I love you, Buffy. I just want you to be safe,” he whispered.

They were soon joined by Willow and she hugged her two friends tightly, fighting the tears that were threatening to spill over.



“We missed you,” Willow murmured tearfully.

“I missed you too,” she whispered, hugging them tighter before releasing them both, “But I needed the space. I needed time to work out what I want from my life.”

They nodded and she glanced at the vampire, sending him a watery smile.

“I’m off again,” she muttered, wiping her cheeks.

He smiled affectionately and she moved over to him as he stood, wrapping an arm around his waist and burying her head in his shoulder as she tried to calm herself. She felt him tense and she looked up, surprised to find Xander just a few paces away. He met the vampire’s gaze and she looked between the two men worriedly.

“You better look after her,” Xander commented, “Or you’re gonna have me to answer to.”

“You know I will,” Spike answered seriously, squeezing her against him, “Always.”

The other man nodded and then somewhat reluctantly held out his hand. Spike looked to her and then moved his arm from around her and shook the other man’s hand. An awkward silence descended over the room and she sank to her chair, the vampire soon joining her.

“So, Buff, Dawnie says you’ve got a new job?” Xander asked, moving to sit opposite them, Anya at his side. Willow and Dawn moved to the bench beside the table and sat too. Looking around the group, Buffy smiled widely and launched into a detailed explanation of her new job.


THE END

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Possibly the soppiest ending I've ever written, but it had to be done! Thanks to everyone for reading and for all the lovely feedback. I've already started a new story so watch this space...