Betaed by Maria and Flight Of Fancy.


Spike had a hard time hauling himself out of the tub and pulling on an old pair of jeans. By the time he made it back to the bedroom, he was exhausted. He dropped down onto the freshly made bed with a groan, and waited patiently for Buffy to apply new bandages.

After holding his arms up so his petite nurse could wrap his chest, Spike was really only able to give a token protest before collapsing under the blankets for a nap. It was all he could do to stay awake long enough to drink the mug of blood that Buffy had prepared for him.

His hostess stayed with him while he emptied his mug. Human blood again. Spike looked at her though his demon’s eyes while he was drinking, daring Buffy to say anything negative. She just smiled that same little smile that she always seemed to be wearing when she looked at him.

One of these days, Spike was going to figure out exactly what that little smile meant. For now though, sleep was calling.

Buffy joined Merrick downstairs, once Spike was sleeping again.

The Watcher was signing packing slips for crates and boxes of different sizes. “What is all this, Buffy?”

“Oh, this is just some of the stuff I ordered when I was in LA. I thought it would be easier to just have everything delivered here, instead of trying to fit it all into my car. Has the furniture store delivery arrived yet?” she asked, as she looked out over the room. There were parcels and boxes scattered all over.

“Let me think...oh, yes! There was some furniture delivered earlier today. I moved the boxes over to the far side of the room. They’re quite large.” Merrick pointed the boxes out.

Buffy crossed the room to investigate, but returned to her Watcher after a few minutes. “Nope. That’s some of my work-out equipment.”

“My goodness, Buffy. Just how much stuff did you order?” Merrick returned a clipboard to the delivery driver that was standing at the door. “And what is this stuff?” The Watcher gave Buffy a copy of the latest waybill.

Buffy looked at the waybill, and then smiled. “This delivery is all electronic stuff. I bought televisions, computers, and stuff like that. You’ll see. Just make sure the boxes go somewhere safe.”

“Why don’t we just set it up now? Put everything where it’s supposed to go, and then we won’t have to move all these boxes around.” Merrick was tired of boxes and delivery drivers already.

“We can’t do that. Most of this stuff needs to be set up on furniture. That’s why I was asking you if it was here yet.” Buffy smiled sweetly at the older man. “Just relax, Merrick. Neither of us is getting any older,” she teased.

“Look around you, Buffy.” Merrick’s arms swept out to encompass the room. “This place is a mess!”

“Don’t worry. I’ll sort through it. We’ve got four empty rooms down here, so we can use them to store anything that doesn’t belong in this room. Okay?” Buffy asked with a raised brow. “It’s only temporary, and it won’t be long before the mess is a thing of the past.”

Merrick looked curiously at his charge for a moment. “Is something wrong, Buffy?”

Buffy closed her eyes, before bowing her head, giving it a little shake, and taking a deep breath. “How can you read me so easily?” She wiggled her hands into the back pockets of her jeans, before looking at her Watcher. “I have to tell him about the future. I can’t keep it a secret and I won’t lie to him, even for his own protection.”

“How much do you intend to tell him?” It was easy for Merrick to see how much stress Buffy was feeling at that moment.

She couldn’t meet his gaze. “Whatever he wants to know. About me, or about him. Or, me and him together,” she said, adding the last in a whisper and looking at some invisible spot on the floor.

Merrick placed two fingers under Buffy’s chin, and gently pulled her head up until he could look into her eyes. “It’ll be okay,” he reassured the terrified young woman.

“You really think so?” Buffy couldn’t’ help the tears that gathered in her eyes. She desperately wanted to believe that everything would be okay in the end. “What about the Powers?”

Merrick gathered his young charge up in his arms for a hug. “Remember, you have the ability to make your own choices now, and I’ve seen the way that Spike looks at you when he thinks nobody is watching. You’ve got nothing to worry about.” He wiped her tears away, and pushed her further into the crowded room. “Now, go and take care of this mess.”

Buffy sent him a grateful smile, before wiping her eyes with the back of her hands and then starting in on the room full of boxes.

There really wasn’t as much as there seemed to be at first, it’s just that what was there covered a lot of space. Buffy carried the television for her bedroom upstairs, but left it outside the room, in the hallway, because she didn’t want to wake Spike up.

The TV for the workout room was going to go on a wall-mounted arm, and it was only when Buffy had all the pieces out of the box that she realized she’d forgotten to get a screwdriver and a drill. She was hoping Merrick had a basic toolbox with him, but if he didn’t, she could always try Clem.
The friendly demon was only a call away, and Buffy knew he’d be happy for any chance to visit.

“Merrick,” she called, as she bounced down the stairs. “Any chance you’ve got a toolbox here? I need a screwdriver and a drill.”

“What have you broken now?” The Watcher’s voice was resigned.

“Why would you automatically assume I broke something?” she asked. Merrick’s mood was deteriorating, ant Buffy wasn’t going to let him bring her down. “And what’s with the bad-moodyness? You were fine an hour ago.”

“I’m sorry, Buffy.” Merrick sighed. “I was planning to drop in and see your mother this afternoon, but every time I try to leave, there’s another delivery at the door.” The Watcher was clearly frustrated.

Buffy giggled. “That would be my fault. I guess I shouldn’t have requested that everything be delivered today. I just thought it would be easier to get it all over with. Here, give me the pen and I’ll take over. You head out and go see my Mom, or do whatever else you want to do,” she said, as she practically pushed him out the door. “Don’t forget to give Mom a hug from me, if you see her.”

Merrick nodded, a blush rising in his cheeks. “I’ve got my phone on, if you need me.

Another delivery truck was pulling up as the Watcher escaped down the driveway. Of course, that was the furniture van, and the sun was going down before Buffy and the two delivery guys had finished unloading all the furniture.

It was getting late, and Buffy was hungry. Tonight she was going to treat herself to Chinese take-out. After picking up her order from the restaurant around the corner, Buffy found a tray and filled it with plates, two soft drinks, a mug of blood, chopsticks, and napkins. Then, take-out bag hanging from one wrist, she carried the tray to her bedroom and nudged open the door. “Knock, knock...time to wake up, Sleepyhead,” she whispered at the lump in her bed. “Time to get up and stuff your stomach. I’ve got a warm mug of O-neg and some spicy wings for you.” She watched as Spike sat up against the headboard and rubbed his eyes.

“What time is it? My internal clock has gone bloody haywire.”

“It’s just a little after sundown. How are you feeling now?” Buffy placed the tray on the bed, and watched Spike test his body by gently stretching and bending at the waist.

“Feels better. Thanks, Kitten. It’s going to take some time though, especially the great big hole in my chest where Angelus staked me.” The vampire touched the spot with his fingertips. “What have you got there?” Spike gestured to the bag Buffy had carefully placed beside the tray.

Moving around until she could sit with her back against the headboard, Buffy replied, “Chinese food. I bought spicy wings for you, but first you need to drink your blood.” She passed the mug of thick, red liquid to Spike.

“Thanks.” Spike took a mouthful, tilting his head to look at Buffy while she laid out their dinner. “You know an awful lot about me. Stuff like what I like to eat and drink, and even that I’d like a hot bath when I got up. Makes me wonder what else you know, and how you know it.” He watched Buffy empty the take-out bag, placing all the little boxes on the bed. He noted that the spicy food was all placed where he could reach it without stretching his back too much. “It bothers me that you know so much about me, and I know so little about you. You won’t’ tell me anything, not even how it is that you know me.” He traded his empty mug for the can of 7-UP that Buffy extended to him.

Buffy smile sadly. She’d always thought it was so ironic, that everyone expected her to be fearless, when really, she was terrified and just hiding it well. “The thought of telling you my story scares me. It’s not pretty, and I’m terrified that you’re going to run for the door once you hear what I’ve got to say. I’m going to be completely honest with you, and I’m going to tell you everything. No lies, no skating over things to make myself look better.” She turned her attention to the tray, and moved a plate closer to Spike. “It’s only right that you have the option of leaving once you’ve heard me out, but I want to make sure you’re completely healed before you do.”

“See? That’s what I’m talking about. That doesn’t make any sense. You know I’m going to leave here and start snacking on the local populace, don’t you? Why didn’t you just stake me when you found me hanging on Angelus’ wall like a bloody piece of art?” Spike was staring intently at Buffy, trying to figure out why he was still alive.

Buffy sighed. Spike wasn’t going to drop this; he really wanted an answer from her. She stopped piling food on her plate, instead turning to the vampire that was currently sharing the bed with her. She placed a gentle hand on his cheek, and looked at him with her heart in her eyes. “Don’t you know why?” Her thumb ran over his delicate cheekbone, and a soft smile played on her lips.

Spike had a hard time believing what he was seeing. This tiny girl had been hiding such tender feelings for him, and now that she was sharing them with him, he felt like he as drowning in her. This couldn’t be real. Nobody had ever felt that kind of acceptance and love for him, not since his long-dead mother.

It had to be real, though. Even if he tried to ignore what was right before his eyes, the message was there in her every touch as well. Everything this tiny blonde did confirmed again and again that he meant the world to her. Spike swallowed audibly, his brain spinning with questions. “How? When? Why?”

“When the time is right, you’ll know everything.” Buffy leaned forward and gently rubbed his nose with her own. “Now, come on. I need you to eat some of this dinner. If I have to finish it off all by myself, I’ll get fat,” she pouted with a smile.

Spike agreed with a shy smile and a nod. He knew he wouldn’t get anything more out of Buffy until she felt the time was right. When that time came though, Spike was going to make sure she answered all of his questions.

---------------------------

Giles had spent the night on Joyce’s couch, having lost the coin toss that put Willow in the comfort of Buffy’s bed.

Though they had tried to sleep, both of them looked tired when Giles drove the young witch home in the morning.

Willow was happy to be in her own home, grabbing a shower and a fresh change of clothing before school, but she was even happier to know that she would be sleeping in her own bed that night. For some reason, staying in Buffy’s bed had made her uneasy, and she’d had dreams that had stopped her from resting properly. She’s been unable to remember them clearly in the morning light, but knew that they were somehow important. Unfortunately, her dreams were soon completely forgotten in the rush to get to school.

Giles spent the day in the library, trying to translate the book of prophecy. It was late in the afternoon, close to sunset, when a noise startled him out of his efforts. He scrambled behind the counter and quickly grabbed the crossbow he’d stored there for emergencies. “Who’s there?” The Watcher kept his eyes firmly on the stacks, where the noise had come from.

Angel came carefully and slowly out of the shadows, holding his hands up in surrender. “Careful now, Giles. You don’t want to shoot me.”

In response, Giles adjusted his aim, so the crossbow was pointed directly at the big vampire’s heart.

“Giles, just...don’t do that. I’ve got my soul back. I’m Angel again. I won’t hurt you, or anyone else, for that matter.”

Giles relaxed his shoulders a bit, but didn’t put down the crossbow. “What do you want?”
Angel was taken aback by the Watcher’s harsh tone. “I wanted to apologize for the past few days, and thank you for returning my soul. I thought I might be able to help with translating the book. With two Slayers out patrolling, I figured you could use the help here.” The vampire was slowly moving further into the room, keeping a watchful eye on Giles’ trigger finger and the crossbow.

“You don’t have to thank me. I didn’t have anything to do with returning your soul. I think that you need to thank Buffy for that.” As an afterthought, Giles added, “At least, I would expect that she had some involvement.”

Angel squinted up at Giles. “You don’t know how I got my soul back?”

Giles placed the crossbow under the counter, and Angle finally relaxed a bit. At least, until Giles proceeded to arm himself with a big cross, a stake, and an atomizer of holy water. The holy water looked like mouth freshener, and it was a Council secret that was shared with Watchers upon their graduation from their studies.

Giles cleared his throat and walked at his most dignified pace, as he returned to the table where he had been working on the prophecy. “We tried to get a message to Buffy, and when she arrived home she told us that she would take care of your problem. Truthfully, we weren’t certain whether she was going to ensoul you, or just stake you. After what you did to Cordelia, either one would have sufficed. As it was, Merrick phoned last night to let us know that you were no longer a threat, and that you’d been given your soul back.” Giles placed the stake within easy reach, but kept the cross in his left hand, turning pages with his right.

“I guess if you don’t know more than that, I’ll have to ask her myself. Where can I find her?”
Though his face remained grim and brooding, inside Angel was full of glee. The late-night visitor to the factory had been Buffy, and she’d killed Spike, but hadn’t been able to face killing him.

Giles paused for a brief moment, but kept his eyes firmly locked on the book in front of him. “She hasn’t informed me of her new address.”

Angel watched at Giles’ ears turned red. “That’s not right. As her Watcher, you should know where she is all the time. Who else would know her address?”

“She’s likely given the information to Merrick, as well as to her mother.” Giles was getting
irritated. How dare the vampire lecture him on his responsibilities as a Watcher?

“I came straight here once my soul had been restored. Do you know where either of them are?” Angel was starting to feel frustrated. For some reason, Giles seemed to be doing his best to avoid being helpful to the ensouled vampire.

“I believe Merrick is likely to be with Buffy, as I understand he is living in her home. Joyce is probably at home, but I believe there is a very good chance she would stake you if you showed up on her doorstep. You scared her when you showed up as Angelus, and I doubt she would open her door for you now.”

“Okay, no Joyce or Merrick, then. What about Willow? She’s Buffy’s best friend. She’s got to know where Buffy’s living now. Or maybe Xander? Somebody’s got to know where Buffy’s new place is.” Angel was getting worked up, and had unthinkingly approached the table where Giles was seated.

Giles still had the large cross in his left hand, and now he calmly reached across the table for his stake. Angel was really too close for the Watcher’s liking, even if he did have his soul back. “Clearly, things have changed. You’d best accept that right off, if you expect to have any hope of a relationship with Buffy now.” Giles looked up at Angel. “Whatever happened to Buffy in the past, whatever we did to her, it isn’t something she’s going to just forget about overnight. I’ve noticed that she avoids looking at us directly, or for any length of time. Upon occasion, I believe I might even have seen hatred in her eyes, when she didn’t know she was being observed.”

At that, Angel seemed to deflate. He pulled out a chair at the table and sat down. “Well, I guess for now, there’s no way to figure out how I got my soul back. I might as well stay here and help you, if I can. Have you had any more success with the translation? I’d like to know more about this other half that is mentioned. And exactly what it’s got to do with Buffy.”

Giles looked at the broody vampire for a moment, and then sighed. “Try this part. It might give us something about the other half.” Giles showed Angel a section of the prophecy, and then passed another book over to him.