Author's note: This is it, all you lovely readers...the last chapter. :) It feels both good and sad. I really hope you've enjoyed reading it as much as I've enjoyed writing it. Huge hugs and sloppy kisses to all you who left me a review, it is thanks to you that this story is finished. *HUGS* And thank you so much dawnofme and Mabel Marsters for the awesome beta work! :D

These gorgeous banner were made by nmcil and Vette. Thank you! :)






Chapter 27


No, no, no, no…


Denial. Fear. Anger. Buffy’s head spun from the onslaught of sudden emotions and she swayed on her feet. Fortunately, Spike’s arm snaked around her waist, the physical contact grounding her.


This was supposed to be over. He wasn’t supposed to be here, gazing at her with those cold detached eyes as if she was an inanimate object to be sold and discarded. Calculating. The familiar lack of humanity and reason in his eyes made her shiver.


Spike’s chest rumbled behind her and his arms tightened around her possessively. The conversation between Spike and Lukas was blurry and inconsequential and she couldn’t concentrate to make out the words. But this wasn’t the time. She had to be strong. She was the Slayer, not the victim. Not anymore. If that was true, why couldn’t she stop trembling? Why could she feel the rough stone walls of her prison closing in on her, the concrete rasping her naked flesh as real as it had been months ago?


******


Spike glanced around him, not liking the odds they were against. There were more than a dozen vampires circling them, subtly closing in and cutting off all the escape routes. Buffy seemed to be completely oblivious to the danger surrounding them and Spike tasted the bitter flavor of fear on his tongue. He couldn’t care less if he made it out alive, but nothing would happen to her. Not if had any say in it. They would have to dust him first.


“You know, mate. It’s not nice to drop in on someone uninvited.”


'Better make the puffed up git talk. Gain some time to form something like a plan.'


“I apologize. I came here to discuss business with you. And look at what I found. One might call it fate perhaps.” Lukas took a step closer.


“What are you on about? And who the hell are you?”


Lukas hissed in displeasure. “Such manners, William. I am feeling rather hurt actually. We have met before, you know. You were anxious to find the Slayer at the time. Hunting her down to kill her.” He smirked. “How did that work out for you?”


Spike’s mind reeled and then it hit him. “You’re Lukas. The wanker that--”


Spike growled and unconsciously slid into game face. He was about to jump forward with every intention of ripping off the sod’s head when Buffy grasped the arm still encircled around her waist.


“You promised,” she whispered.


The promise of leaving her the final blow. He remembered. Spike could feel her trembling, so frail and vulnerable, but when his gaze met hers the only thing he could see in them was steel. The murderous glint he so often saw in the eyes of his kind when they were on the hunt. The hair on the back of his neck rose in response.


“Here I am. Talking and nobody pays attention to me. That’s just rude,” Lukas remarked. Seeing their attention was back on him, he intended to make them pay for their insolence. “You should thank me, you know. It is as I suspected. There is a bond between the two of you, isn’t there?”


“Any vamp could sense the mark,” Spike retorted and Lukas grinned. They were near the woods, the place deserted. Nobody would dare coming here this hour of the night.


“Ah, but I am not talking about the mating claim. There was a link before. Must have been, otherwise she would be dead right now. She somehow managed to survive, though I cannot imagine how since a new slayer had been called the same day I sold her to one of my clients. Still, you… William… must have found her, and you didn’t kill her though your reputation would suggest otherwise.”


“What are you saying?” Buffy spoke, locking gazes with her tormentor.


“Not that you are in any position to demand my answer, but I will be gracious. The drug I gave you to make you weak contained a rather interesting ingredient.” Lukas stared at them in satisfaction as they tried to figure out what he was talking about. “We slipped in a drop of an old vampire’s blood… to accelerate your healing abilities, since the drug stole your powers.”


“What vampire?” Spike had a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach.


“Why you, of course. A minion sneaked a sample as you were fighting the rest of them. It was almost too easy.” Lukas folded his arms across his chest. “But that is not why I am here. I have a debt to settle with you, William.”


“It’s Spike now, mate. And if someone has a debt to settle, it would be me.” Spike growled.


“You are wrong. You are not exactly subtle. Did you think I wouldn’t notice you killing off my clients? How very naïve of you. I came here to make you pay… in blood. But now that I have stumbled upon this delightful surprise of my sunshine being alive, I think there are other ways to make you pay.”


“You’re not touching her!” Spike snarled.


“Well, I cannot use her for business… she is damaged goods. But I would enjoy watching your reaction as my men debauch her body in every possible way. Then, I will kill you and make her watch,” Lukas said, grinning at the hungry vampires standing in a circle around them. “I want them alive!” he shouted and stepped out of the way as the vampires drew out their guns and started shooting. “For now.”


Spike swirled with his back to Buffy, ready to fight their way out of this alive when he noticed the vampires pulling out the guns. His eyes widened and he tackled Buffy to the ground, covering her body with his. Searing pain exploded in his legs and back.


The bullets were drenched in holy water.


“No!” Buffy screamed.


The used up guns were tossed away and the vampires were ready to throw themselves at the weakened vampire and slayer. Spike ignored the pain and sprang to his feet as fast as he could, followed by Buffy who stared at him, her eyes wide with concern. Sending her a flitting glance filled with determination, Spike’s back was to hers in a blink as he kicked and punched at the vampires surrounding them. Blood soaked the fabric of his t-shirt and jeans as it seeped from the holes that refused to heal.


They were holding their own; the sound of flesh meeting flesh in violent collision filled the empty clearing, and Spike knew they couldn’t hold on for long. There were too many of them and he could feel his adrenaline running out. Once the pain and fatigue took hold, it would be over.


Buffy kicked the closest vampire in the balls, sending him staggering back as she punched another one in the nose and staked him in the heart. She and Spike were circling; never shifting away too far from each other to leave their backs open for attack. The dust from four vampires swirled in the night air, but there appeared to be a dozen more. They kept coming and coming, and she could feel Spike running on the last reserves of energy as he continued to lose blood. She pushed back the panic threatening to break free and focused on dusting as many vampires as possible.


Spike gritted his teeth as every movement caused the bullets to shift, sending the jolts of excruciating pain to his nerve endings. He managed to dust another vampire, but as he was drawing his arm back, Lukas’ minion caught him unaware and twisted his wrist. The stake fell to the concrete with a clutter. Spike’s eyes widened in pain as the bones in his wrist broke and he kicked at the vampire’s knee, but he evaded the blow and grabbed Spike’s whole arm, sent him careening forward, head first into the ground.


“Buffy!” Spike called, unable to do anything but watch when four vampires piled on top of him, pummeling him.


Buffy felt the moment Spike’s presence disappeared from behind her a second after he had called her name. A vampire got behind her and kicked her injured lower back. The blow made her vision blur as she definitely heard something crack and she staggered. Someone kicked the stake out of her hand and she felt strong hands holding her, forcing her down on her knees.


Lukas stepped closer with a satisfied grin. “Great work, minions. You have not put my plans in peril for once. So what are you waiting for? Make him watch.”


They tugged Spike into a kneeling position, more propping him up than holding him down. His face was swollen with bruises and he could feel blood still trickling out of the gunshot wounds. His head was muddled with blood loss and pain, but when he focused and noticed they had Buffy, he tried to struggle. He was just too weak to break free.


His eyes locked with Buffy’s as the vampires holding her ripped off her shawl and coat. Spike had never felt more helpless in his life as he watched Lukas’ minion drop to his knees behind Buffy and sink his teeth into her neck, tearing her flesh in the process. The minion’s grubby hand sneaked its way under Buffy’s shirt and Spike’s demon roared, bursting forward as the hopelessness of the situation overwhelmed him. If only he was stronger. Faster. Anything to help her. All of this was his fault.


“Don’t kill her yet!” Lukas shouted at the minion who seemed to be enjoying slayer’s blood far too much. “You can play with her later. I am starting to get bored. Time is money.” He turned toward the closest minion. “Toss me the stake.” He caught it midair. It was light for a stake, which was strange but he didn’t care what wood it was made of when he had a debt to settle.


“I am going to enjoy this. I hate people mucking with my business, William. You should never have tried to do so.” He stood before Spike and kicked him in the stomach then nodded at his minions to lift him up. “Make her watch.”


Spike gazed at Buffy, trying to convey everything he felt for her. “Buffy…” he whispered and tears blurred his vision in response to the ones falling down her cheeks.


“Spike! No!” Buffy started to struggle, but there were too many holding her down and she was so weak. Lukas glanced at her over his shoulder before turning back to Spike and lifting his arm for the killing blow. She squeezed her eyes shut, unable to watch. Hearing the sickening wet sound of the stake penetrating Spike’s chest and his scream made something within her snap.


Fury and grief consumed her, its fiery fingers gripping her pounding heart as a red sheen fell over her vision. She cried out, her voice raw with pain and everything ceased to matter. Letting the primal animalistic need for retribution take over her, Buffy shut out everything but the wild pulsing thirst for revenge. The world around her was a blur as she wrenched away from the grasp of the vampires and tore off the head of one with her bare hands. Screams filled the night air as she ripped off any parts of the bodies of the vampires she could reach. Blood trickled down her hand as Buffy thrust it into a minion’s chest and ripped it out.


******


Spike’s eyes slid shut when he saw Lukas prepare to plunge the stake into his heart.


'I love you, Buffy.'


He could feel the stake penetrating his chest and he never expected it to hurt so much. He screamed. The pain went on and on and why didn’t it stop? Opening his eyes, he saw the stake protruding from his chest and met Lukas’ eyes who appeared to be just as confused as Spike felt.


“What the--” Lukas wrenched out the stake and looked at it. Turning to the minion responsible for giving him the stake, he asked with a deceptively calm voice, “Why is it not working?”


“I-I thought you w-wanted to torture him first, sir. It’s a plastic wood-grain--”


“Useless bastard!” Lukas shouted and tossed the stake away. Then he noticed something wasn’t quite right. The Slayer was dispatching his minions with alarming ferocity and effectiveness. “What are you staring at, fools? Go help them!” Minions let go of Spike who crumpled to the ground, crawling away from a distracted Lukas. Hiding behind bushes and trees, Spike never felt more of a coward. Turning his attention to Buffy, he watched in amazement as she mutilated and dusted the vampires surrounding her, her clothes soaked with their blood.


'Magnificent.'


In a span of a few minutes, every single vampire was dust and Lukas was facing one unhinged slayer.


The part of Buffy that thirsted for the feel of the life of demons ending at her hands clouded everything else. The scene of Lukas about to ram the stake into her lover’s heart was stuck on repeat in her head and she was pulled towards the place where the last threat was standing. She could feel the tingles at the back of her neck as she ran at him full speed, tackling him to the ground. She straddled him, reveling in the bones cracking and breaking beneath her fists. The scent of blood tinged the fresh winter air, but it wasn’t enough. He had to suffer. She kept hitting him every place she could reach, gripping his head and smacking it against the ground until the broken skull cut into her palms and then, he exploded into dust beneath her.


Reality slammed into her and Buffy glanced around her with wild eyes. Her hands were covered in blood, knuckles distorted but she couldn’t feel the pain. Sobs erupted from her throat after the tears started to pour down her cheeks. Spike couldn’t be dead. Not after everything. How could he just be gone? She’d never see him smirk again as he said something to make her blush, or arch his eyebrow as he teased her. She’d never again hear his laughter or feel his silky skin under her finger tips. She was alone. She would sell her soul and freedom if it meant Spike could be alive.


******


Spike watched her kill Lukas from a distance. He’d never seen such pure violence. But she wasn’t laughing or smiling. Instead, her body shook with heavy sobs as she curled on the cold ground and hugged her knees to her chest, mumbling under her breath. Spike gathered up all the strength he had left, and crawled towards her.


It took him a couple of minutes to make it halfway. His heart hurt with the weight of her grief that he couldn’t understand. Lukas was dead and they were alive, weren’t they? He was close enough now to make out the words she kept saying over and over. It was his name.


Spike frowned and crawled the last couple of inches towards her, then put his hand on her shoulder. Buffy froze under his touch and slowly glanced up. Her eyes, red from crying, widened in shock as she stared at him. Buffy reached out to touch him and as her fingertips traced a path down his cheek, Spike found himself with an armful of sobbing Buffy.


“Y-you’re alive!” Buffy hugged him to the point of pain, but he wasn’t complaining.


“Course. Told you once… not getting rid of me that easily.”


“But how? I saw you… I saw him stake you, and I heard--”


“Plastic wood-grain. The stake wasn’t real.”


Relief flooded her body like a tidal wave. She tightened her arms around him and felt him flinch. She gazed at him, for the first time registering the extent of his injuries. “Oh my God, Spike… I’m sorry!”


“Your hugs are always worth a little pain.” He smiled and caressed her cheek with the hand that wasn’t broken.


“I love you so much! I thought I lost you--”


“Never.”


******


Buffy sat next to Spike as she finished wrapping him up. The bowl on the nightstand was full of bullets.


“Spike?”


“Yeah, kitten?”


“Umm… do you remember what Lukas said… about the bond between us--”


“You’re afraid what I feel for you isn’t real--”


“No! I… I know you love me, and I know it’s real, but… is it true? That you would have killed me if we weren’t linked.”


“Dunno, luv. I don’t wanna lie to you and say I wouldn’t have. Prob’ly not. Not very sporting to kill someone unable to fight back, yeah? Where’s the glory in that? And you know… I could have killed you regardless of the bond.”


“Why didn’t you?”


“Because the moment our eyes met, I could feel who you were. Your essence. And… it reached something deep within me. I just… I couldn’t kill you after that.”


“I’m glad you didn’t.”


“So am I.” Spike lay down and tugged her towards him. “I was thinking--”


“Uh oh.” Buffy giggled and stroked his bandaged chest.


Spike glared at her for a moment, then sighed. “As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted… I was thinking about some things. I think you should go back to school.”


“Actually, I was thinking about that too. But I don’t think they’d take me.”


“Don’t you worry about that. I’ll sort them out if they give you any trouble. You’d probably have to repeat your junior year though.”


“I know. I don’t mind. And I kind of miss having friends… not that you’re not my friend--”


“I get it.” Spike smiled and stroked her hair. “You should have mates. The kind that don’t drink blood or bribe your boyfriend into playing kitten poker.”


“Yeah, I still wish you guys played for money. Well, as long as Clem eats kittens and not people--”


“I wonder what would animal activists say about your attitude, luv?”


Buffy pouted. “I like animals! Oh… maybe you could buy out all the kittens and we could set them free,” she said with a hopeful voice.


“We’ll see.” Spike chuckled then turned serious. “I forgot to thank you.”


“For what?”


“Saving me life,” he said. “You were so magnificent and deadly. Bloody poetry in motion.”


“We’re even then.” She kissed Spike’s collarbone. “I don’t even remember it. It’s all confusing… like a dream. It was like… the slayer essence completely took over. It was--”


“Scary?”


“Oh, yeah.”


******


Buffy clutched her books to her chest as she slammed shut the locker. Why did she think this was a good idea again? She couldn’t do this. It felt so strange to stand here among these people, feeling she could never be one of them. She didn’t belong. The girls passing her by gossiped about boys and clothes and all the things she used to talk about too before. That life felt like it wasn’t even a part of her. How could she ever find any friends here?


Turning around the corner, Buffy smacked into someone and all her books fell to the floor.


“I’m so sorry for being such a klutz,” she said as she picked up her scattered books.


No response. That was weird. Buffy glanced up and her jaw promptly dropped open.


“Umm… Buffy, right?” asked the red headed girl.


Buffy shook herself and stood up. “You’re the girl that… I forgot to return the sweater. I’m sorry I just--”


“It’s okay. You kinda seemed to be having a rough time.”


“Ehm, am I missing some one night stand situation here?” asked a brown haired boy with a goofy smile. “I’m very open minded here, girls. Don’t be afraid to lay the very graphic details on me.”


“Xander! There was no… I mean she was naked and all, but… I’ll just stop talking.”


“Please do,” Buffy said. “I feel like an idiot, but sorry… I forgot your name. I was a little out of it back then--”


“No! It’s totally okay. I mean… it’s Willow. Oh, and this is Xander.”


“And you’re Buffy, right?” Xander asked and shook her hand. “So Buff, wanna join us for lunch? I’m still convinced they sell us food stolen from prison but I’ll eat pretty much anything.”


Buffy smiled and nodded. “I’m pretty sure this food is luxury compared to the type served in prison.” 'I should know.' “Count me in.”


Willow grinned. “I’ve been dying to ask this question for years. Can’t ask Xander here, you know. So, any boys you’re crushing on?”


“I’m a ladies man,” Xander added.


“There might be one worth talking about,” Buffy smiled as they headed towards the school cafeteria.


She may never fully get rid of the nightmares haunting her dreams, or the memories causing them, but it didn’t matter. She had Spike and now, maybe she would find some friends after all.


THE END


Author's note: Even if you've never left a review, I'd really love to know what you thought. :) Reading reviews is the most favourite part of writing!