| If a Certain Slayer... by BloodEnvy |
| Chapter #1 - Reunion |
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| Chapter #2 - Group Meeting |
| CHAPTER TWO “Hey Charlie!” A grin spread over Gunn’s face as a familiar voice rang out across the upstairs lobby, and he turned from Harmony’s desk to wave to the person approaching him. His grin widened as he noticed the people with the dark-haired Vampire Slayer: one of them was the red-headed, completely badass Wicca, Willow. Next to her stood an unknown brunette girl, her arms wrapped tightly around her chest and her eyes switching from one employee to another... Kennedy? “How’s it hanging?” Faith yelled, leading to the others toward him, her volume causing many of the other people in the lobby to turn, startled, to stare at her. She smiled, flashing them all her teeth, before winking teasingly at Gunn. “Hey, girl!” Gunn slid into his old persona, one that both Faith and Willow would recognise: that od a street smart, wise cracking thug. “What you been up to?” “Oh you know, G. Savin’ the world and all that.” Faith shrugged nonchalantly as she slapped his hand in greeting. “Look at you, rockin’ the office wear.” “Nothin’ huge, then?” Gunn laughed, turning to smile warmly at the witch standing behind the Slayer. “Yeah, gotta look the part to scare the employees, you know? Willow, how are you?” “Hey Gunn, I’m... okay.” She grimaced and shrugged in the direction of Gunn’s office, where Buffy’s voice could be heard coming out muffled through the wood of the door. “this is Kennedy. Kennedy, this is Gunn. He worked with Angel at the Hyperion before he upgraded from Hotel to—“ “Hell?” Kennedy suggested, her eyes shifting between Gunn and a passing employee. “Gun, huh? Weird name.” “Charles Gunn. Two n’s,” Gunn grinned, holding up two fingers before extending his hand. Kennedy paused before gripping it, quickly withdrawing her hand. She even went so far as to wipe it on her jeans. Cocking an eyebrow in amusement, Gunn beckoned to the vampire dithering behind him at her desk. “Don’t worry, I’m not evil. Most of us aren’t. We really are working on makin’ a difference here.” “Yeah, they ain’t all bad, Boarding-School.” Faith laughed, punching the other girl’s shoulder playfully. “Hell, I worked for good ol’ Wolfram and Hart back in the day. If I hadn’t been hired to kill Angel, I never would have headed down that sweet road o’ redemption.” Kennedy frowned at Faith, but said nothing. “Be nice,” Willow chastised her girlfriend playfully. “Sorry, Gunn. Kennedy’s—“ “A Slayer.” The girl supplied, lifting her chin defiantly. “What can I do for you?” Harmony asked brightly, sidling up in shocking pink. “Oh my God! Willow? What are you doing here? I heard about the whole turning-evil-and-try-to-destroy-the-world thing last year, but I figured you were dead or something!” “Hi Harmony... No, I’m still alive.” Willow assured her shakily, trying to smile at the vamp despite the blush spreading over her cheeks- courtesy of the bewildered and amused stares she was being treated to by Faith and Kennedy. “You’re... you’re Angel’s secretary?” “Hello? Assistant!” Harmony corrected with an imperious toss of her hair. “I’ve been off the human blood for months now. Oh!” The others jumped. “I should probably apologise for the whole biting you thing.... Who are you?” Her attention turned questioningly to the other two women. “This is Faith and Kennedy.” Willow explained, pointing to each girl in turn. She couldn’t help but speak more slowly when addressing Harmony, even if she was still shaken by the abrupt changes in tangents. She didn’t bother waiting for that apology. “They’re—“ “Vampire Slayers,” Kennedy declared haughtily, glaring at the blonde. The vampire turned pale. “Oh, right! I heard about that whole now-everybody’s-a-Slayer-but-me thing.” Harmony prattled, talking even faster out of nerves. “Harmony,” Gunn interjected. “I think it’s strange, don’t you? I mean...” “Harmony.” “...If the Slayer is supposed to be so powerful, why would she need backup? She should just—“ “Harmony!” “What?” She wined, indignant. “Go get. Our guests. A drink.” Gunn suggested slowly, pronouncing each word carefully. “We’ll be in my ...” He glanced at his office door, the noise behind it still steadily getting louder. If they started throwing his stuff around, he was not going to be happy. “Or rather, we’ll be in Angel’s office.” Offering the other, still human girls a warm smile, he led the way, leaving Harmony behind them. “I was getting to that.” Harmony pouted, turning back to her desk, mumbling something about pushy lawyers. Gripping Kennedy’s hand comfortingly, Willow trailed behind the happily chatting Faith and Gunn, searching the cesspool for familiar faces. No Wesley, no Fred, no... “Will, what’s wrong?” Kennedy asked, her movement pulled up short by Willow’s abrupt stop. “Huh? Oh, nothing,” the redhead gave her girlfriend a small, distracted smile despite the worried crease between her brows. “Nothing, I just.. It’s fine.” Staring down the hall a few moments longer, the witch let herself be led into Angel’s office, her eyes still fixed on the wall at the end of the corridor. “Gunn?” she asked as Harmony left the audience, tea and coffee set on the table in front of her. “Is it possible that this building is haunted?” * * * * * * * “Buff— What?” Spike faltered, staring around him. He had been in the office, self-indulgently watching the Slayer begin a tirade against Angel, the Great and Mighty Poof. Then suddenly, he’d seen a flash of what he thought was the hallway, and now... now he was surrounded by shiny metal and chrome, flashing lights and chemicals. He was back in the lab. “Spike?” A sweet, Texan voice questioned, and Spike turned to see the scientist... Fred... staring at him, along with several others- people he guessed worked for the chit. “What are you... did you disappear again?” “Looks that way,” Spike murmured, before suddenly spinning around, and tried to overturn the nearest bench, a feral roar erupting from him. Instead of the chaos of broken glass, possible explosions and loud noises he meant to create, his hands passed ineffectually through the table, and he growled in frustration. Turning away, Spike clenched his jaw and closed his eyes, running a hand through his hair. Fred jumped as Spike roared, stumbling backwards instinctively. She knew he couldn’t hurt them, but she still watched cautiously as he turned away from the destruction he had failed to cause. When she heard him draw a rattling, unneeded breath, she gestured for the others to leave. The staff left quickly, anxious to get away from the vampire, and Fred stepped forward carefully. “Spike...?” Spike shook his head before tilting his head back to stare at the ceiling, sighing. “She’s here. She... she came here... She’s here.” “Who’s here?” Fred puzzled. But even as she wondered who could have this sort of effect on the vampire-ghost, she caught on. “Buffy? Buffy’s here, in L.A.?” Spike spun to face Fred, wild desperation in his eyes. He jerked forward like he was going to grip her shoulders, but instead her reached up to grasp at his own face. “Buffy... Oh, God. She’s here, in the building. I was... Oh, God.” Fred now had to stop herself from trying to grab his shoulders, “Spike, slow down. What’s going on?” Spike groaned, falling to a kneel. “Buffy, she’s here. I was... I was in one of your offices... the lawyer’s... and she... she was there. Out of nowhere, she was there. And then she was yelling at Angel and... God, she was so beautiful.” “And then you were here?” Fred asked soothingly. “Yeah...” Spike whispered, looking up at her. He had tears in his eyes. Fred kneeled down next to him, smiling. “Then go talk to her.” * * * * * * * The door slammed open and closed again, so hard that the wood shook in its frame. Angel stalked into the room, anger still marring his usually expressionless face. My God, what the hell is her problem? She yells because the damn amulet killed the bastard, and when he isn’t there to be yelled at for not staying dead, she takes it out on me. Angel stopped short a good ten feet from his desk, staring at the people occupying his office. Gunn was leaning casually against the desk, silent, while Faith sat behind him, lounging quite comfortably in his chair, her boots resting on the mahogany in front of her. An unknown girl stood behind her, her arms folded and her eyes unfocused despite her tense stance. Could this be Kennedy? He turned to the couch and saw Willow, and almost flinched. She was sitting, but she hugged her chest and was folded in on herself, her brow furrowed in thought and pain. “Here’s the big man, now!” Faith grinned up at Angel, her hands folded comfortably behind her head. “Gee, Faith. You really have no sense of formality, do you?” The could-be Kennedy eye-rolled, before focusing a harsh stare on the vampire. “Pfft. I’ll leave that to you, Ken-Doll.” Faith scoffed jokingly, winking at Gunn, who was watchingher amusement. “How’s it going, Angel?” Rather than answering her question, Angel turned to Gunn. “What’s going on?” “These guys showed up about twenty minutes ago, and you and Buffy were still, uh, ‘arguing’ when they did, so I brought ‘em in here.” Gunn shrugged, not bothering to straighten out of his slouched position against the desk his hands in his pockets. “Yeah, got bored of ‘sight-seeing’,” Faith laughed. Angel ignored the comment, and cocked his head pointedly at Willow. “She saw him, Angel. Well, she thinks she saw him, in the hall outside. It’s uh, messing with her head a little.” Gunn explained softly, and Kennedy glared at him as he said the last few words. “Spike. Well, I guess that’s why he wasn’t there when Buffy wanted to yell at him.” Angel muttered, and Willow raised her head, brushing hair out of her face. “Where’s Buffy?” “She needed some time to uh, cool off,” Angel replied, ignoring the scoff interjected by Faith. “She’s in Gunn’s office, but she’ll be here soon.” Gunn sighed pointedly. “I’m fine with you guys using my office, Angel. After all, you own the place. But if either one of you broke somethin’ of mine, we’re gonna have some serious issues.” He smirked at the vampire, to show that he wasn’t as serious as his tone suggested. Angel nodded mutely, only half listening to his colleague. Watching Willow as she stared blankly at the door, he furrowed his brow. What the hell was going on here? So Buffy had had some sort of... relationship with Spike... but why did Willow care about his return? He glanced at Kennedy, who was still glaring at nothing. And Kennedy for that matter, she doesn’t seem the vampire-tolerant type. The door swung open, and the occupants of the office turned to see Buffy enter the room, her arms folded protectively across her chest. She nodded briefly to Kennedy, who immediately relaxed her stance, and offered a wan smile to Willow. Her eyes were rimmed in red. She’d been crying? Turning to Angel, she inhaled deeply before sighing. “What do you know about the amulet?” |
| Chapter #3 - Explainations |
| CHAPTER THREE Buffy crossed the Wolfram and Hart lobby quickly, her head held high. It had been only nineteen days since the fall of Sunnydale, and they had already found thirty-six new Slayers. The group had split up, Giles was in England with Andrew, Xander had gone to Africa to round up Slayers there. She and Dawn had headed to Rome, almost out of whim, and she’d set up Headquarters there, despite Giles reorganising a new Watcher’s Council in London. She had been heading a small squad before... now, she had a small army. Time she played General. She noticed a shocked Harmony over to her right, and that she was receiving stunned glances from some of the suit-wearing members of staff. She couldn’t help but smile smugly. Obviously, her reputation preceded her. Striding over to Harmony, she let her inner Commanding Officer out. “Where’s Angel?” “He’s, uh... in a meeting at the moment. Hi, Buffy.” Harmony answered with a nervous titter “How’re you?” “I need to see him now.” Buffy ignored the other blonde’s attempt at friendly small talk, glaring at her. “Where is he?” Harmony pointed, for once wordlessly, at a door to the far left. Buffy could just make out the plaque on the wood of the partially open door: Charles Gunn, Attorney At Law. Nodding once, Buffy spun on her heel and headed towards the office. “But, I don’t think you want to go in there right now! It’s...” Harmony’s warning died off as she realised that Buffy wasn’t listening. “You don’t have to take that from him mate.” Buffy stopped in her tracks. No. No. It couldn’t...The achingly familiar British accent sounded from behind the door, and Buffy’s heart jumped. It couldn’t be. “Stay out of this, Spike.” Angel’s harsh voice answered, and Buffy felt her stomach twist. It was true, her mind wasn’t lying to her. Spike was here. “You don’t work here.” “Damn right I don’t.” Buffy could almost hear the smirk in his voice. Taking another step forward, she had to hold back a gasp. He had his back to her, and he was wrapped tightly in his leather duster, his arms obviously folded across his chest. Buffy let her eyes study him, the tension in the muscles of his back, the part of his legs in the way he stood, the blonde hair, the soft skin at the nape of his neck... No burns or blood from his death. He was back. He was truly back. He was back and he hadn’t told her. Anger replaced the joy she was feeling. The bastard was back from the dead, and he hadn’t even bothered to pick up the phone? Didn’t he... he said he loved her, and he couldn’t even be bothered to call her. Angel had her number, so it’s not like he couldn’t have gotten a hold of her. Buffy forced back the tears that were budding in her eyes. He had ignored her, left her in the dark. Let’s see how he likes it, she thought, folding her arms over her chest. “...If a certain Slayer could see you now...” Spike’s voice cut through her thoughts, and she stepped forward, hiding her feelings under a mask of superiority and professionalism that she’d perfected over the last year. One that Spike knew too well. She’d used it to hide her feelings from him enough times. “I can see him now.” She watched as both Angel and Spike spun around to face her, and she felt her heart tighten at the expressions flickering over Spike’s face. Surprise, hurt, confusion, joy, fear... turning her direct attention away from him, she glared at Angel. “You are talking about me aren’t you?” * * * * * * * Wesley turned away from Willow, frowning. The spacious office was becoming more and more cramped, he had joined them earlier, and they were still waiting on Fred and Lorne. “It seems our friends were, ah, also... unaware of the resurrective qualities of the amulet.” He held up the object in question. “It seems they were completely oblivious to the fact that Spike was going to rematerialize at all, let alone in your office.” “Clearly,” one of the girls snorted. Kennedy. Wesley turned to Buffy, who was now sitting next to Willow, the redhead’s brow furrowed in concentration. “I honestly don’t know what’s going on, Buffy. But we will find out what’s happening, and why he is incorporeal.” Wesley handed her the amulet gently, watching as she turned it over in her hands. “Incor-what?” Faith interjected, straightening in her seat. “Incorporeal.” Fred’s voice entered the conversation as she did the room, followed closely by Lorne. Gracing them all with a bright grin she continued as she walked over to stand by Wesley. “Hi, Willow. Faith.” Wesley offered her a small smile, before turning to the others. “Buffy, Kennedy, this is Fred and Lorne. Fred heads our Practical Science Department and Lorne runs our Entertainment Division. Fred, Lorne, this is Buffy and Kennedy.” Fred offered both girls a warm, welcoming smile, and Lorne beamed at them both. “So this is the infamous Buffy I’ve been hearing so much about? Especially in the last two hours. No wonder the two of you won’t stop talking about her, Angel, this girl is downright gorgeous!” The vampire glowered at Lorne, but he was too busy grinning at Buffy to notice. Kennedy tightened the grip on her stake. Buffy offered them both a small, polite smile and a hint of a blush at the demon’s words before turning her attention back on Fred. “What do you mean he’s incorporeal?” “I ran a few tests on him, and the heat-signatures he is giving off, teamed with the spectrum readings—“ Angel coughed pointedly.“Right... basically he’s some sort of spirit.” “He’s a ghost?” Kennedy interrupted. “No, not exactly,” Fred took a seat in one of the arm chairs in front of Angel’s desk. “I’m not getting any evidence of ectoplasm off him, which means—“ “—that we wouldn’t be able to see him if he really was ghostly.” Willow surmised, speaking up for the first time. “Right.” Fred grinned, perking up. “Hey, maybe you could take a look at him? Being a witch, maybe you can see something science missed.” “That’s great, really,“ Buffy interrupted, standing. “But before we get into the how’s and why’s, how about we go with the where’s? Where is he?” “I was with him in the lab a little while ago, but he left. I thought he was going to come and find you, but obviously... he didn’t.” Wesley turned to Willow. “We think that because of his mystical ties to the amulet, that he can’t leave city limits, so maybe a locator spell...?” “There’s no need for a sodding spell.” Spike’s voice interrupted him, and the eight people in the office turned to stare at the doorway. Spike was standing there with his hands in his duster pockets, his eyes on Buffy. “I’m right here.” |
| Chapter #4 - Time To Talk |
| CHAPTER FOUR Buffy was again frozen, completely caught up in what she was seeing. Her eyes ran over his body; his heavy shit kicker boots... his dark denim jeans... the tight black tee shirt that clung to every muscle of his stomach and chest... the trademark duster that billowed when he walked and lent him that lingering scent of distressed leather... And when her eyes finally reached his face, her breath hitched. He was exactly the same as before. The same angular, razor sharp cheekbones, the same full lips, the bottom one slightly thicker than the other... the lips that felt so good against her skin. The same canine tooth that he was currently flashing at her sheepishly that she found so strangely sexy... the scar on his dark eyebrow... the short, slicked back platinum hair, and... His eyes. Those beautiful blue eyes that saw right through her, through every lie, every mistake, every evasion... through everything she did. She wanted to rush at him, throw herself into his arms and press her lips to his. She wanted to hold him in hers. But she couldn’t. For one thing, she’d fall right through him. And besides... maybe he didn’t want her to... maybe he didn’t love her anymore. Why else wouldn’t he have let her know he was back? Instead she glanced at Angel, who was staring between them with such intensity she was surprised nothing caught fire. “Is...” she cleared her throat before continuing quietly, “Is there anywhere we can go? That’s quiet? I... we need to talk, in private.” There was no mistaking which ‘we’ she meant. “Take my office,” Gunn offered, before his boss could speak. “Hell, it seems to be the place to duke it out.” He cocked an eyebrow and smirked good-naturedly. Buffy felt a twinge of guilt at the way she had spoken to him before, and nodded gratefully. “Thanks, Charles.” “Please, call me Gunn.” He smiled, before turning to the other two Slayers. “You guys hungry?” Even Faith wasn’t blunt enough to miss the suggestion: get out of the building before the yelling match and physical violence started. She stood up and beckoned Kennedy to follow. “Sure, G. What’d you have in mind?” “Willow, you coming?” Kennedy turned to her girlfriend. “No, I think I’ll have to pass. I need to see some of Wesley’s books. I think I have an idea of what to do...” She trailed off, gave her lover a chaste kiss on the cheek and followed Wesley and Fred out of the room, avoiding Spike’s eyes. “How ‘bout you, Kermit? Angel?” Faith asked, already halfway out the door. “Love to, peach pie,” Lorne laughed, a little offended. Faith smirked. “But I’ve got a lunch date with the Olsen Twins in an hour.” “Suit yourself,” Faith shrugged and led the other two out of the room, “See you round, B.” She shouted, winking at the blonde vampire on her way out. Buffy offered Lorne and Angel a wan smile before leaving, Spike cautiously following behind her. Lorne sat next to Angel, who was leaning on the desk, his expression dark and preoccupied. Classic Angel. “I know playing saviour is what you do, Angel-cakes, but this time, you’re going to have to let them sort themselves out.” Angel looked for a second like he was going to protest and Lorne’s claim, but nodded and headed for elevator to his room. * * * * * * * Buffy shut the door to Gunn’s office quietly behind her, standing a few inches from it with her eyes on the wood for a few long moments. If she didn’t look at him, she might be able to think coherently. If she didn’t look at him she wouldn’t crumble. She could ignore the hurt. Spike moved to the centre of the room, his hands still tucked into his duster pockets. He watched her warily, his whole body burning, yearning to reach out and touch her, to hold her. His dead heart felt like it was breaking as she continued to stare at the door. Look at me. Please, Buffy. Look at me. “Buffy...” “You’re back.” She murmured, closing her eyes tightly. “So it would seem.” Spike couldn’t keep the hope out of his voice. He felt like crying. She was here, but she wouldn’t look at him. She was here, and he couldn’t touch her, make sure that she was real. God, why wouldn’t she turn around? Why wouldn’t she look at him? Had she forgotten him? She never really loved him... so it wouldn’t be so hard for her to move on. Please, look at me. God, please. “You died.” “Yeah, pet. Buffy squeezed her eyes shut tighter at the nickname, blocking tears. Why did he have to call her that? She could barely hear the hope in his voice as he added, “But I’m back.” “You. Bastard.” Buffy ground out, her jaw clenched. She felt the tears burning in her eyes, blurring her vision completely. Spinning to face him, she was glad her tears prevented her from seeing him clearly. If she couldn’t see his face, his expression, she wouldn’t hurt. “Buffy...?” “You died. I told you the fucking amulet was dangerous. I told you it was volatile.” She spat. Buffy clenched her fists at her sides, her knuckles turning white. “And all you did was joke. You wore it anyway. You died, you burnt up and you left me. You left me all alone like everybody else in my life does. You promised me you would always be there!” Buffy was yelling now, the tears spilling out over her face. Spike took a step towards her, but she stopped him with a glare. “Stay away from me!” She screamed, stumbling back a few steps. “You died, Spike. You fucking died. And... and when I told you the truth, you brushed it away like it meant nothing. I love you, you son of a bitch. But do you believe me? No, you tell me I don’t, thank me like I was some sort of fucking convenience and then...” Buffy sobbed, drawing in a wracking breath. “And then you died.” Buffy had fallen to her knees, her chest heaving as she covered her tear stained face with her hands. Spike stood frozen for a long moment, staring in awe at the girl on the floor. He felt like he was going to melt onto the floor. She was falling apart on the floor, but one phrase was echoing in his mind. She loved him? Truly? Stepping forward he knelt in front of her, and reached out to let his hand hover half an inch from her cheek. “Buffy... love?” Buffy glanced up at him, a thousand emotions burning in her eyes. Fear, anger, insecurity, rage, longing, pain... Meeting his eyes, she felt something break within her. He was staring at her with those eyes, he saw right through her. They glowed with happiness, with joy, hope and surprise, and she felt like she could completely lose herself within it. “You didn’t call.” She whispered lamely. A soft smirk graced the vampire’s lips, warming his worried face. “I’ve only been back for about two, three hours, pet.” He assured her quietly, smiling slightly at the guilt that appeared on her face. “I wanted to call, I did. The first thing I did was ask about you... after the ghost-shock wore off. But the Science Queen wanted to run tests, and well... he wouldn’t give me your phone number.” Buffy glowered at that. “Not exactly in the position to be turning the pages of address book, am I?” Buffy giggled, wiping at her tears with the back of her hand. She reached out to touch his face, her fingers passing ineffectually through his cheek. Still, Spike closed his eyes and leaned into the not-there touch, his lips parted. A small smile touching Buffy’s lips, she withdrew her hand slowly. “Three hours?” “Give or take, pet. I promise, I would have found a way to call.” Spike hesitated, before lowering his voice and searching her eyes. “You... you really meant it, love?” Buffy could only nod, her focus falling to her hands. Spike felt his chest swell with ecstasy, and he grinned. “I... I had to get you out of there, Buffy. I had to brush it off.” His hand hovered over hers, and his irritation at being a spook grew. “Couldn’t risk you dying, love. I couldn’t bear it.” Buffy nodded again mutely, tears still tumbling down her wet face. They stayed quiet, completely still for what could have been hours, days or weeks even by Buffy’s reckoning, she was so lost in her mind that she jumped as a knock echoed against the door. The sound pulled the two blondes out of their little world, their private bubble, and Buffy jerked up to a stand, wiping hastily at her face. Spike moved out of his kneel slowly, eyes on the Slayer. Inhaling a steadying breath, Buffy turned her attention to the door. “Come in.” The door opened slowly, and Willow smiled nervously from behind it. “We think we’ve found a solution.” TBC ************************************************************************************************************************* Please review, let me know what you think- good or bad! |
| Chapter #5 - Soloution |
| CHAPTER FIVE “I was going over some of Wesley’s books when I came across this...” Willow held a thick book open to a passage in Latin. They were back in Angel’s office, Angel, Buffy, Spike and Fred standing in front of the desk and Wesley and Willow standing in front of them. Gunn, Kennedy and Faith were back from lunch, but chose to wait in the lobby. Squinting at the tiny font, Buffy recognised one word. “Thaumogenesis?” Her brow furrowed, “Isn’t that the spell you used to make that demon you made solid?” “When we brought you back to life, exactly,” Willow nodded, closing the book with a dusty snap. “And I figured, if we swap a few choice phrases for something more appropriate, we might just be able to make Solid Spike.” She smiled proudly. “There’s only one problem.” Wesley cautioned, “Spike is connected, bonded, to the amulet. To make him solid, we would need to break that connection.” “So do it, Percy.” Spike spoke up, his eyes flickering to the amulet clenched in Buffy’s hand. “Break the soddin’ thing.” “It’s uh, not as simple as that.” he explained, stepping forward. “The bond was made through powerful magics, ones that neither Willow nor I can break. The charm is ancient, and I doubt even Wolfram and Hart’s resources could be of use. If we made you corporeal using this spell, you would still be Wolfram and Hart’s property and wouldn’t be able to leave the city...” “Hey! I ain’t nobody’s bleedin’ property, mate.” Spike interrupted indignantly. “So you’re saying, what, Wes?” Angel asked, arms folded across his chest. “That in order to make Spike corporeal again—“ “—we would have to move the link.” Willow finished, “That is, Spike would be bonded with something else.” “Well, that leaves out pretty much everything in the building, the same thing would happen if we used anything here.” “Bond him to me.” Buffy muttered, looking up to meet Willow’s eyes. “Move the link to me.” Spike turned to his Slayer, his eyes wide. “Buffy, I—“ “I’m not losing you again,” she whispered, her voice so low that only he should have heard. The tight set of Angel’s jaw suggested that he heard too. Turning to Willow and Wesley, she straightened. “So? Do it.” “Buffy, the spell... I don’t know what the bond would actually do to a human host, it could kill you.” “I don’t care, Wes. “ “Buffy, love,” Spike reflexively went to touch her arm, stopping a few inches short when he remembered he couldn’t. “I... you shouldn’t do this. It’s too much of a risk.” Buffy smiled up at him, her eyes shining. She held his gaze for a few long moments before turning to the witch and offered her an encouraging smile, her eyes silently begging her to agree. “You can do this, can’t you Will?” Willow gave a nervous smile back, and nodded, exhaling. “I can do this. Are you sure this is what you want, Buffy? Spike won’t be able to move away from you, not far anyway. He’ll have to be with you all the time.” Looking up into the blue eyes of the leather-clad vampire next to her, she nodded. “I’m sure.” * * * * * * * Buffy turned the amulet over in her hands, watching the jewel refract rainbows over her skin. Placing it carefully in one of the circle’s Fred had traced onto the carpet, Buffy turned to her best friend. “So how does this work?” Looking up from the tome she was nervously pouring over, Willow bit her lip. “Like I said before, because we didn’t, you know, ‘make’ Spike, I had to change some of the words so he would respond to the spell... But, uh... I’m going to need Angel’s help with this one.” The vampire in question looked up, startled. “What? Why would you need my help?” “I uh, need your blood.” Willow admitted, holding up a bowl sheepishly. “My blood?” Willow chewed her lip, “Yeah. From what we gathered, the biggest link he has with the world is his sire, and we can’t exactly get Drusilla’s blood... so grandsire might do the trick.” Angel was silent for a long moment before he turned to Buffy. “I’ll do this, if anything to get him the hell outta here...” Spike smirked. “But, Buffy, you can still back out of this.” Spike’s expression turned to a glare. “You don’t have to—“ “Yes. I do.” Buffy cut him off, calm determination ringing in her voice. Slipping off her jacket, she stepped into the circle at the opposite end of the symbol from the amulet.
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| Chapter #6 - Results |
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| Chapter #7 - Overnight |
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| Chapter #8 - Heart |
| CHAPTER EIGHT Spike laid his lips gently against Buffy’s throat as he kicked open the suite’s door, kicked it closed again and lowered her carefully onto the bed. Meeting her eyes with a smile, he pressed his lips to her forehead, her cheek, followed by the corner of her mouth, the underside of her jaw and the other corner of her mouth. He shuddered slightly as he felt her warm breathe light against his chin. Buffy returned his smile, her eyes shining. Kissing his mouth softly as he positioned himself carefully over her, she felt the tears begin to roll down her cheeks. A sob broke free before she could stop it. “Buffy, what’s wrong, pet?” Spike met her eyes, confused, and her tears doubled. Buffy shook her head, trying to hide her sobs with a shaky laugh. “I... I’m fine. I...” She wiped at her eyes with the back of her hand. Spike caught hold of her wrist, gently pulling it away, to rest against both their chests. Lowering his face slowly, he kissed a tear, closing his eyes briefly at the taste of salt. “What’s wrong, love?” Buffy bit her lip, meeting his eyes. “I... I missed you, Spike.” “You... that’s why you’re crying?” Buffy giggled wetly, slapping his arm. “Yes, dummy, why else would I be crying?” Spike just looked awed. Taking a shaking breath, she held eye contact. “After the battle, there were so many to mourn for. Some of the potentials... Amanda... Anya...” “Anya... Anya didn’t make it?” “Andrew said she died saving his life.” Buffy ran the back of her free hand over his cheek. “I’m sorry. I know how... close you two were.” Spike stared at the spot on the pillow just to the left of her head, trying to digest the news. “How... How’s Xander?” “He’s dealing, I think.” Buffy was a little shocked at the question; Spike and Xander were never what any sane person would call close. “Better than I was... I am.” “What do you mean?” “We had a memorial service for... everyone we lost, once we got set up in London. Giles is reorganising the Council there. There are graves, all empty. He... he even had two headstones placed for Mom and Tara.” She sighed heavily. “Though he might have to take one down now.” “He... he has one for me?” Spike looked amazed, his eyes wide. “Yeah, he did a eulogy and everything... and Dawn...” Buffy began to shake with sobs again, despite her smile. “She spoke for you. It was... what she said was nice.” Spike ran a hand over the side of her face, carefully pulling her hair free of its knot and laying the chopsticks on the bedside table. He smiled fondly, murmuring, “That’s my little bit.” “She... she’s missed you. School has distracted her, learning a new language and everything, but she still does. She is so much stronger than me.” Buffy admitted softly. Spike furrowed his brow, but said nothing. “She... she’s trying to move on, which is good. She’s going to be so pissy when she finds out you’re back. But me? I’ve spent the last nineteen days pretending to be the leader, directing an army. But... I haven’t been ok, Spike. I haven’t been sleeping, or eating. I know Giles is worried... Willow has been too. But I just...” She broke off her breath trembling. Spike touched a finger to her lips before pressing his against hers. “I know, love. I spent one hundred and forty seven days in that hell. I lost you, pet. The one I love. Losing all those people—“ “No.” Buffy interrupted, shaking her head vehemently. “Not all those people. You. I mean, I miss Anya, I do. Every day. She was... one of my best friends. And the others... but it wasn’t them I cried over. It was you. Always you.” “Buffy...” Spike whispered, but she held a finger to his lips, silencing him. “Every day I wept for you, Spike. I’ve missed you for nineteen days. Felt like there was this hole in my chest, in my gut, in my soul, and nothing I did, nothing made it better. It just... just got worse and worse. I...” She inhaled heavily. “I don’t know how you survived, Spike. Not for so long.” “I thought of you.” Spike murmured, cupping her face with his hand. “The promise I made to you. I told you that I would protect Dawn ‘til the end of the world. And I meant it. Even when you were gone, I never wanted anything to happen that would hurt you, so I kept her safe. Her... All your friends. I kept my promise, Buffy. For you. I tried to tell you that night how I felt, about the fact that you treated me like a man. You made me feel alive for the first time, pet, even when you hated me. And even when you did in those final hours, you treated me with respect. I owed you everything.” Buffy was crying again, silent tears rolling heavily down her already stained cheeks. “I love you, Spike.” The vampire almost collapsed on top of her with shock. “What?” Buffy giggled. “I love you. And I mean it, just like I have all day, and nineteen days ago for that matter, so don’t even try to say I don’t.” There was shocked silence for an excruciatingly long moment, before... “Say it again.” Spike beamed down at her, his chest swelling. Buffy only laughed, and pushed him to the side, rolling until she was straddling him. Grinding once against his budding erection, she flashed him a wicked, challenging smile. “Make me.” Spike opened his mouth to throw back an indignant reply, but was cut off as Buffy took the opportunity to kiss him, pulling at his bottom lip. She felt his groan reverberate in his chest, and she pulled away softly, pressing her forehead against his. “I missed you.” “I love you.” Spike whispered, kissing her again as his hands found her hips. “Buffy...” Buffy smiled, her eyes shining again, and she sat up, planting her hands on his chest and letting her hair fall sensuously over one shoulder. Taking hold of the edges of her shirt, she dragged it slowly over her head, listening to him groan as her breasts were pushed together by the movement. She was wearing a matching set of white lace lingerie, and was privately glad that it was one of the few sexy pairs she’d managed to buy since her house was destroyed. Dropping the shirt to the floor, she grinned at him, his eyes glazed over with lust. “I said... make me.” Buffy repeated, biting her lip coyly. Spike pursed his lips in a smirk and shrugged. “Alright then.” He grabbed her hips tightly, and pushed her onto the bed, positioning himself on top of her once again. ‘Bet I can make you scream it, pet.” Buffy shook her head teasingly. “Betcha can’t.” Spike let out a rumbling growl and smashed his lips to hers. She tasted so good... smelt so good. Even after all that happened, she still smelt like vanilla. Like Buffy. Like Heaven. Grinding his erection against her crotch lightly, he moved his lips across her cheek and along her jaw line to the side of her neck, finding a place just back from her pulse point he knew she loved. Sucking the skin there, he swiped his cool tongue over it, and she moaned. Grinning against her throat, he murmured. “Bloody hell, love, I’d almost forgotten your taste. Your scent. But as much as I love that noise you’re making, don’t you think we should keep it down for the sake of the neighbours?” Spike actually didn’t give a toss about the neighbours, but he knew how Buffy was when it came to their bedroom antics. Well, more crypt-antics, but still, she usually liked to keep it as quiet as possible when they were in danger of being found out. “Oh, please. Will and Kennedy have probably headed out; they knew what we’d be doing in here.” She ran her hand down his chest to untuck his shirt and slip her hand underneath it to graze fingernails over his taut stomach. Biting his earlobe playfully she added. “I wanna be loud.” Spike groaned. Pulling his duster from his shoulders, she divested him of his shirt and kicked off her boots, before her hands returned to his chest. Brushing her thumb over his nipple, Buffy grinned as he hissed in response. Pressing her crotch up against his, she shimmied her hips. “Minx,” Spike smirked down at her, that familiar, self-indulgent smirk that told her he was loving this just as much as she was. Loving her just as much. “Spike,” She sighed as he pressed his cool lips to the hollow of her throat. “I don’t... oh... think I can wait. I need you now.” The vampire’s fingers immediately slid down to tweak a lace-covered nipple before he reached behind her and unclasped her bra. Pulling it slowly from her, he stared down at her indulgently for a moment before taking one nipple into his mouth. “God, Spike...” Buffy’s hands came up to tangle fingers in his soft platinum hair, holding his head in place. Spike’s hands continued down to her waist, relishing the curves of her hips, the silky skin of her lean stomach, before reaching her jeans. Tucking his hand over her mound, he could feel her heat even through her jeans. He grinned. Unzipping her pants with a flick of his wrist, he lowered himself down her body, kissing his way down her cleavage and stomach. “So wet for me...” Buffy’s hands tightened their grip on his hair, halting his motion. He looked up, dipping his tongue teasingly into her navel as he did. “I need you now, Spike.” Buffy panted, her cheeks flushed. “I want you inside me, right now.” She pulled him back up her body until his still-clothed crotch brushed against her heat and reached down to unbuckle his belt. Spike’s hands closed over hers, quickly unbuckling, unzipping and kicking his legs free of his pants. Brushing his tip against her clit, he smirked. “Bossy little chit.” Capturing her mouth in a kiss, he pushed himself in to the hilt. He swallowed her gasp even as his tears burst into his eyes, half because of her hot, tight quim, and half because he was actually in there again. She’d let him back in after everything that had happened, everything he had done. She had accepted him. He surged within her, each thrust sending him all the way in to her core, brushing against her clit as he did. Her muscles squeezed his cock every time he pulled out, and her heat was burning him, consuming him. He was completely lost in her. Her fingernails dug into his shoulders as she pushed her hips up to meet his on every thrust. Buffy could feel herself start to climax, but she tried desperately to hold off. She knew that if she came, Spike would just make her come again and again until he did, but she didn’t want that. She wanted him. She finally realised, she wanted him. All of him. She bit down on his bottom lip, knowing what would happen. She felt him pull away slightly, his face shifting into his vampiric visage as he did. Spike looked down at the Slayer, surprised. She had discovered in some of their more heated crypt-activities that biting like that would make him change. She had stopped doing it straight after. “Buffy...?” Buffy turned her head, baring her neck in obvious invitation. “Spike, I want you to. I want all of you.” She smiled. Spike was in awe. Lowering his head slowly, he kissed the scars on her neck softly, tenderly. Lathing his tongue over her past bites... The Master’s... Dracula’s... Angel’s... he slowly pushed his fangs into Buffy’s skin. Buffy cried out immediately, the pain lost as she felt her inner walls begin to quake and she screamed as she climaxed, calling his name. The blood burst onto Spike’s tongue, her arousal sweetening the already delicious Slayer’s blood. Feeling her climax he came with a shout, erupting inside her. Buffy shuddered from the last waves of a multiple orgasm, brushing the back of her hand tenderly over her lover’s cheek. He smiled down at her, his eyes glistening, before he lowered his head and licked at her wound, stemming the bleeding. Rolling carefully off of her, he pulled out of her. They both moaned at the loss. Buffy quickly wriggled closer to him, pressing her cheek against his chest, throwing her arm across his waist and a leg over his hips. Spike wrapped his arms around her, pressing a kiss tenderly to the top of her head. “I love you, Buffy.” “I love you, Spike.” She whispered back, pressing a kiss to his chest. Spike felt everything at once. The joy, the fear, the happiness to finally be loved. She loved him. She truly did. She meant it, she wanted him, William the Bloody, Slayer of Slayers, and she loved him. Chuckling softly, he tightened his arms around her. “Told you I’d make you scream, pet.” “Oh, shut up.” TBC ************************************************************* Author's Note: Only one more to go! Hope you guys are liking it. i know the sex-part was relatively short but I thought the other stuff was more important. Season Seven seemed more about emotion than physicality, and I wanted that here. Let me know what you think, ok? =] |
| Chapter #9 - Epilogue/Goodbye |
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