a/n: For those of you who have followed my fics for a while, you'll probably notice that I've been slower to update this fic than I usually am at updating. Please forgive me. I'm working on realizing my dream to become a published author, and that is taking up a lot of my time. Rest assured, I will not leave this story hanging. It may take two weeks between updates, but I WILL update until this story is complete. Oh, and this chapter was fiddled with after my betas had seen it, so any and all mistakes and/or weirdness is mine and mine alone. Thank so much for reading. I love to hear from the readers. Your reviews really make my date.



Holiday on Helarth

Chapter Four ~ Summer School

Buffy was floating on an inflatable raft in the middle of her cousin's pool in Pasadena. The sun beat down on her, but she wasn't feeling overheated, just pleasantly warm as she bobbed on the surface of the water. She didn't have anywhere to go, and the whole day stretched out before her. She could stay where she was for hours if she wanted, or . . . she could go shopping. The water caressed her arm. It was so wonderfully pleasant, like a lover's hand worshipping her skin.

She opened her eyes and sighed. She had to admit, she'd gone from a wonderful dream to a not-so-bad reality. Spike bit his lip and took his hand away. The arousal was still there in his eyes, clouded now with hesitation. Buffy reached for him as she inched closer, noting how much better her side felt.

"I was having a wonderful dream," she said, trying to ease Spike's angst-ridden soul. "I felt warm and loved, almost like I was back in heaven." She took his hand and put it back on her arm. "It was the perfect way to wake up."

She needed him to stop with the pulling back and the hesitation, but how to tell him, without sounding harsh, without hurting him? She'd been able to do it when goading him into becoming the warrior she needed him to be in the fight against The First. It had worked. The next time she'd seen him, he'd been wearing his leather duster, and he'd already made mincemeat out of the demon that needed to be thrown back in the portal to bring her back.

His hand stayed where she'd put it, but he didn't move it across her skin. "I'm sorry I woke you."

"I meant what I said." Buffy willed him to hold her gaze, even though she was scared out of her mind to bare her soul. "You many not believe it, but I'll find a way to prove it."

"Buffy, you don't know what you're—"

She put a finger over his lips, wishing it were her lips there instead. "Too much thinking, too much talking."

He didn't pull away from her, but he refused to meet her halfway. Buffy was beyond caring about who did what. Without hesitation, she pressed her lips to his, the bed moving gently beneath them as she put her hand on the back of his neck. It took him all of two seconds to respond, and as his lips moved over hers she let her eyelids slide shut, taking in the long-awaited sensation of whirling, intense, and heated emotions that just kissing him always stirred up.

It was the same, only sweeter than before. Better. More intense, more arousing, because she allowed herself the freedom to love him.

As they parted, she watched him closely, hoping to see some bit of his old self-confidence in his eyes. She would have to be content with the love she saw there instead. For the time being. A thought suddenly hit her and she groaned.

"I probably have the worst breath ever."

Spike smiled then, and her heart did a little leap of joy. If it wasn't love, to feel that good putting a smile on a man's face, then she didn't know what was.

"I didn't notice," was his soft reply.

She allowed him to gather her in his arms. Buffy could have stayed that way with him for hours. Was prepared to stay that way, but there was a tap on the barrier.

"Spike? Buffy? You've slept a night's rest and a half. Laird asked me to find out if you were okay."

After clearing his throat, Spike lifted his head so his voice would carry over Buffy. "We're fine. Just knackered. Give us a sec."

"I'll wait fer you, then."

They shared a moment of solidarity, grinning softly at each other, before they attempted to get out of the swaying bed. As she stood, Buffy tried to stretch, but she found out her limit as her sutures were painfully pulled. While Spike worked on gathering all his leather and putting each piece back in place, Buffy slipped into her shoes and her over-shirt. Wishing she had a brush, she attempted to run her fingers through her hair while ignoring the little stabs of pain it caused her to raise her arms up so high.

"Here, let me do that," Spike said, coming up behind her.

She faced him and eyed the standard black comb in his hand. "Where did you get that?"

She nearly melted when he smirked and let his playful, cocky side show while he shook the duster. "This thing's got plenty of pockets. You'd be surprised at what I can stash in them."

Not even trying to mask the hungry look in her eyes, she gazed at him and thought about all the wonderfulness that was hidden behind his clothing. He was tight and muscled yet compact, as Xander would say—sexy as hell.

"Uh…" Spike shifted his weight from one foot to the other. "Turn around, and I'll help you get the knots out."

As soon as they left the room, Nessie ordered them to follow her. Laird Duncan was meeting with the head of one of the demon clans and wouldn't be able to see them for some time, so she led them to Wersh Hall, where most meals were served.

Buffy and Spike hung back together and let Nessie lead by a few feet. Buffy couldn't stop stealing glances at Spike. The blue lights in the passageway enhanced the sharp angles of his lean face, highlighting the fact that he was a vampire, and while this reminder of what he was might have caused her shame for her feelings in the past, now she could only admire his angled features and the way his eyes darted from side to side on full alert.

Spike caught her staring, and from his concerned expression, Buffy could tell that she was letting the fear show. Fear for her heart. She trusted him, but the revelation of how deeply she felt for this vampire still evoked such alarm in her body. It was still hard for her to let someone close, but she also knew that he slowly but surely had gotten closer to her than anyone ever had. Because he loved her enough not to give up.

He leaned in close to her and whispered, "The name of the dining hall does not sound promising. Wersh means bitter or unpleasant."

They followed Nessie into a large open space filled with tables and benches, enough for about thirty people. Nessie noticed the question in the couple's eyes.

"This is the slayer compound. We eat together, we work together, and we train together. However, we usually fight alone."

Spike turned in a lazy circle until he was facing Nessie once more. "Where are the other slayers?"

"It's holiday time." Nessie kept moving, and they followed her across the hall as she continued to speak. "Most of them have gone off to work in the Gladstone mines or on construction of new dwellings. They will all return after a full cycle of the third moon."

They paused in front of another brown curtain and Buffy asked, "Don't you get a holiday too?"

Nessie scratched behind her tiny ear and glanced down at her toes. "Um, I didn't quite pass all the courses. I had to stay."

"Bummer," Buffy said. "Summer school."

Spike snorted and was just about to add something to her statement when a voice from the other room reached them. "Is that you, Nessie?"

They entered one at a time, and Buffy was taken aback by the short demon standing in front of a large pot of bright white water. He looked like a fat version of Yoda, but his voice was much like her grumpy grandpa's.

"I'm not keeping this stuff warm for much longer."

"I'm here, Conrad. Our guests are finally awake, so you can serve whenever you're ready."

Spike chuckled. "I haven't seen a Codger demon in a long time."

The little demon looked Spike over with undisguised disgust. "I've never seen a Turok-Han hiding in the body of a human."

Spike raised his hand to his chest, insulted. "I'm a vampire."

"Hrmph! I may be just the cook around here, but I pay attention when the potentials are having their lessons. Besides, I sense the Turok in you. You cannae put one over on me. A vampire is a half-breed in the Earth dimension. Half human, half Turok-Han." Conrad waved his long spoon in Spike's direction. "I never thought I'd see the night when I'd be serving corvain blood in my hall." He shook his head and turned back to his pot. "Have a seat out there and I'll bring the vittles out."

Spike sat across from Buffy and Nessie and sipped the tepid corvain blood in silence while the slayers from different dimensions exchanged stories and learned about their similarities and differences. He couldn't help but smile each time Buffy shoveled more of the mushy oatmeal-type breakfast into her mouth and grimaced.

"So, you all have different special powers?" Buffy was asking Nessie.

"Well, there are many who can smoke like I can, but not all. Some of my sisters can turn up their body temperature, and anything that touches them will burn. Others can throw up a barrier, like an invisible shield."

"Speaking of smoking," Spike said as he stood and patted down his coat. "I'm going to step out into the passageway for bit." Nessie went to stand, but he held out a hand. "Won't be long. I promise not to wander off. Besides, I wouldn't go out of shouting distance of Buffy here."

Nessie nodded and lowered herself back down while Buffy and Spike exchanged some wordless communication. She trusted him to stay close enough in case either one of them needed the other. Spike strutted off with confidence, and just as promised, he stopped outside the brown curtain in the passageway. He had a little more than half a pack of cigarettes left. Not knowing how long they'd be stuck in this dimension, he decided to ration them out.

He flicked open his Zippo and tried four times to get a flame as his cigarette dangled from his mouth. There wasn't even a spark from the flint. Growling, he tried a few more times and gave up. It didn't make sense. He'd refilled the lighter not too long ago and he'd never had a problem with the flint. There had to be oxygen in the air in order for Buffy and Laird Duncan to breathe. He turned to go back in the hall, but stopped short when he clearly heard Nessie's question to Buffy.

"How can you have a friendship with a Turok? They're ruthless killers with no regard for other species."

Buffy spoke quietly, her voice soft and filled with tenderness, but he could hear every word.

"Spike is different. Even before he fought to get his—more of his humanity back—he was different. He was evil, and he was my enemy, but he felt deeply." She paused, letting a bit of silence hang in the hall. "I think… I mean, he had more of his humanity than most vampires do. And now, he's buried the demon so far down that I sometimes…" Her toned changed, as if she were trying to convince Nessie of something. "Have you ever met someone who just understands you-who you are deep down inside? Someone who is not a slayer?"

Nessie hesitated before speaking. "Yes. There is a Froctor demon that I befriended when I took my last field trip." She lowered her voice and leaned closer to Buffy. "We are very good mates, and it's because of her that I've decided tae make my home with Clan Froctor if I ever pass my training."

As Buffy nodded her head and began to say something, Nessie glanced up and locked eyes with Spike. When the slayer demon sat up straight, Buffy turned and graced him with a shy smile.

"We were just talking about you."

Uncomfortable with the two of them staring at him, Spike patted down his pockets and pulled out the Zippo. "Thing won't light."

"Light?" Nessie said with a tilt of her head. "We have water for light."

"He means fire." Buffy stood with Spike and took the lighter from him. She flicked it a few times and frowned. "Not working."

"That's what I said." Spike took it back and slipped it into the duster before staring at Nessie. "You don't have fire here, do you?" When she continued to look confused, he made a motion with his hand as if he were playing charades. "You know, the bright orange, hot flames that heat things up?"

"No."

"Great." He was going to be stuck for who knew how long with out being able to light up. "You think your laird and master might be ready to give us an audience now?"

"Spike," Buffy said with a frown, gently admonishing him as she went to stand beside him..

"We should be coming up with a plan to get you back to your friends and me back to my cigarettes, not sitting around making nice with the locals."

"Actually," Laird Duncan said, as he entered the hall. He grinned, but only had eyes for Buffy. "Making nice with the locals is a verra good idea, if you hope tae get any help from them."

Spike looked on as Buffy gawked at the man in astonishment. Overnight, the watcher had shaved off his facial hair, cut his hair short, and changed into a different pair of slacks and white shirt. Spike felt like throwing a punch at him. Mostly for putting that look on Buffy's face. It seemed that no matter where he was, someone was always taking her attention away from him.

Laird Duncan held out his arm for Buffy. "Shall we take a stroll up top to clear our heads?"

After a quick nod in agreement, she linked arms with the watcher.

As an afterthought, Laird Duncan glanced over his shoulder. "Your vampire can tag along if he likes. And Nessie, back tae yer training."

"Your vampire," Spike muttered under his breath, as he followed them out into the passageway.

They passed the room they'd been staying in and while Buffy made nice with the man on her arm, Spike made himself useful and paid careful attention to each turn and direction they went until they were climbing the steep incline up and out of the underground.

"It's night again," Buffy said with a pout. "I was looking forward to seeing what things looked like in the daytime." She let go of the man's arm and turned to Spike. "We must have slept a long time."

"There's no sun here," Laird said. "No daylight. This is as bright as it gets, when all four moons are aligned."

Buffy walked over to Spike and stood next to him with her arms folded across her chest. "It looks so empty."

"This area is rather barren, but not all of Helarth is as flat and uninteresting." Laird Duncan watched Buffy with interest, and Spike had to stop himself from stepping between them.

There was just something about the man that set Spike's teeth on edge. "Your office would be a good place to discuss a game plan for getting us back to the Earth dimension."

Buffy took one more look at the view, before she turned back towards the opening. "Spike's right."

Once they were in Laird Duncan's office, he unrolled a map and pointed to a spot in the middle. "We're here. New Scotland. And here," he pointed to a spot not too far away, "is the Earthmouth. I believe this is the key to getting you back. It's where I came through, and it's where you both came through."

"I'm just curious," Spike said, interrupting the man as he strolled around the room, inspecting objects on shelves. "How can you think you might be able to help us get back when you have been stuck here as long as you have? If you were ever going to find a way back, wouldn't you have found it by now?"

The watcher stole a glance at Buffy before settling his direct gaze on Spike. Bingo! The man was definitely hiding something.

"I have never felt any urgency to return to the Earth dimension. There is a whole council of watchers, after all. But in Buffy's case, there is just one."

With animated eyes, Buffy spoke. "Actually—"

"He's right." Spike let his voice rise above normal to drown out Buffy giving away the fact that she wasn't the only slayer. "As far as we know, crossing dimensions does not count for dying, so the world is without a champion." Spike's pointed stare got through to Buffy.

"Uh, yeah," she said, gaining confidence in her words as she went along. "I need to get back as soon as I can."

Laird Duncan hesitated, first looking at Buffy then Spike and back to Buffy. "I'm sure it's possible. Legend here says that thousands of years ago, the Earthmouth was open fer a long period of time. Many demons went through, but it wasnae until three Turok-Han went through that Desnia, a slayer demon, followed. From what I've deduced, Desnia lives on inside of you now." He glared at Spike. "And somehow, when the magic was being performed, one of the Turok-Han bit one of the men in the circle and that is how the vampire came to be."

Buffy seemed interested in all the history, but Spike really didn't care. "I think we should be concentrating on the getting the Earthmouth open and leave the history lessons for another time. Or leave it to your school of slayers, after we're gone."

Spike could almost feel a chill wind with the glare Laird Duncan sent his way. Mentally, the vampire shrugged while struggling to hold back a smirk. Before the watcher could form a retort, Onisal burst into the room.

"Oh!" The slayer demon took a few steps back until half of her body was hidden by the curtain. Her pointed look and the way she seemed to be bursting with information belied her polite words. "Forgive me, Laird. I didnae know you had guests."

In the next couple of seconds, a flurry of silent communication passed around the room. Laird and Onisal having something to hide, and Spike and Buffy agreeing that there was something fishy going on.

Laird took long strides to the curtain and plastering a big smile on his face, he suggested that Onisal go to her chambers for a much needed rest. Then he turned to face them.

"If you don't mind, I'd like to go over some research on my own." He pulled back the curtain in dismissal of them. "Nessie should be in the training room. Find her and ask her to take you to the baths. I'm sure you'd like to wash up."

Buffy perked up at that. "Great!"

Suppressing the urge to growl at the cheerful way she responded to the watcher, Spike gripped her arm and tugged her through the curtain.