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Chapter 33
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..."Initiative Sunnydale base, the recent site of a brutal terrorist attack, was hit once again by unnamed insurgents yesterday.  Authorities are still assessing damage, but casualties are expected to reach triple digits." 
 
"That's bloody nonsense!  Know where those buggers were and there weren't but a handful possibly in the line of fire."  Spike looked at Buffy in concern.  He knew full well that she was still struggling with the idea of declaring war on humans.  She agonized over the idea of taking lives, even human monsters like those working in the labs.
 
Buffy saw his worried look and patted Spike's arm consolingly, "I know, lies.  They're good at that.  They've lied from the start about a lot of things."
 
"Also unknown are the numbers of dangerous escapees.  Citizens in the surrounding areas are urged to keep all doors and windows locked and not invite anyone not personally known to you into your homes.  Be on the lookout and report any suspicious activities to the Global Human Initiative 800 number.
 
The base has been effectively closed until repairs are completed and security increased.  All remaining internees will be transferred to other facilities.
 
"Good luck with that!" Xander exclaimed with a wicked grin on his face as he shut off the news broadcast.  "Gonna have to airlift those internees since we blew out all access roads and the rail lines.
 
"Yeah, good work there, Harris," Spike praised him with a clap on the back.  "Impressive show you put on back there."
 
"I'm thinking 'Harris Demolition' has a nice ring to it when all this is over and done.  Ahn will love us owning our own company.  Lots of money to be made in demolition, even in times like these, and it's also a pretty great stress reliever."
 
Willow hugged her oldest friend sympathetically.  "We'll get her out, Xander.  We all promise, no matter what it takes."
 
"I know, Will.  I just hope I can manage to see her without leading them back here to our safe place.  I don't want her to feel abandoned."
 
"Think we'll set it up to look like you're staying at the rectory with me while the trial is ongoing," Father Quinn suggested.  "That will give you access to the tunnels, and what's more natural than a young man seeking spiritual support under the circumstances?"
 
Father Mike, as he insisted upon being called, had joked that he was the perfect person to assist with the bomb-making, having had a passing acquaintance with pipe bombs.  He'd laughed uproariously and no one was quite certain if he had been making a bad joke at a stereotype or had some pretty dark skeletons in his closet.  Giles had decided to let that sleeping mongrel just keep on sleeping.
 
"I plan to sit next to you at the trial as well.  Might as well put this collar and stylish black suit to good use in the P.R. department. Make people give it a second thought if a former demon has a priest in her corner.  Priests and demons aren't known for pallin' around.  Usually meet at exorcisms," and again he laughed deeply.
 
"Ahn's not big on organized religion.  When she was human the first time, the god of choice was Odin.  She saw too much ugly stuff over the years to get interested in any of the modern religions," Xander admitted uncomfortably. Come to that, he hadn't been inside a church since he was confirmed as a boy.  "No offense."
 
"None taken, son.  My church alone's got as much blood on its hands as your ladyfriend likely has.   History isn't pretty.  We'd all be better off to remember the mission and message, and forget about the power plays and politics."
 
"Isn't only religion that’s guilty of that particular sin,” Giles added.  "Same goes for governments, even organizations like the Council.  Most are intended for the common good but devolve into vying power struggles.  The very people whose needs they were meant to tend are often crushed, bloodied or destroyed in their bids for control."
 
"Speaking of power bids, think we have enough boom makers for another target or should I start rounding up more?"
 
"Think we've got enough at the moment, Xander."  Buffy felt a discreet nudge from Spike and caught the hint. "But Spike and I can go do inventory to be sure."
 
***
 
"Think they're onto us?"  Buffy blushed remembering the knowing looks that passed between her friends and Watcher as they had headed down the tunnels that led to the improvised ammo dump.
 
Spike smirked, "Maybe."  He shot a glance at her with an inquiringly raised eyebrow.  "That bother you, pet?"
 
"Ya know, I hate to admit it, but it probably would have before all this happened, before you and I became roommates and sleep snugglebunnies.  I used to worry about disappointing them."
 
"And now?"
 
"Well, first of all, I don't think they ARE disappointed. But even if they were, I figure life is too short and a Slayer's life even shorter."  Spike clasped her hand and gave it a tender squeeze.  "I figure I'm entitled to happiness when I can get it and where I want it."
 
"And are you?  Happy, that is, I mean...with me?"  Buffy was always surprised at just how insecure the former Big Bad could be at times.
 
"Think I can be, yeah,"  she reassured him.
 
"Wanna find out?"  Spike shot her a lascivious grin, "Or is this one of those wrong time and place moments?"  The grin faded, "I mean, I'm fine with just holding you like we've been doin'.  Best experiences in my long life and I'm not complainin' or makin' any demands."  He bit his lower lip, looking unsure once again.
 
"I think if we wait for a perfect time and place even YOU won't live long enough," Buffy quipped lightening the mood.  "Not too sure about an ammo dump though.  Think too much heat might set a few off?"
 
Spike chuckled.  "Got someplace else in mind, love."  He guided Buffy to a small concealed opening that led to yet another tunnel.
 
"Where's this one go?"
 
"Trust me?"
 
"Always."  Her response earned a look of awe from the vampire.
 
The tunnel took a sharp right turn and ended in a crude set of steps up eventually opening into a basement of a building that clearly had been unoccupied for more years than Buffy had lived in Sunnydale.
 
"Where are we?"  Buffy had spent her share of time in the sewers and tunnels that made up Sunnydale's collective basement, but she didn't have the same sense of direction that Spike evidently had.
 
"Warehouse district, not too far from the docks.  This one's been vacant a long time, even before the economy closed up the rest in the neighborhood.  Naught but addicts and alcoholic homeless and a tagger been anywhere near in a long time.  Thought about makin' it my place before I decided on the crypt instead."
 
"Why'd you choose the crypt?"
 
Spike ducked his head shyly, “Better chance to catch a glimpse of a certain Slayer living in a cemetery.  You don't often patrol over here."
 
Buffy gave his hand a gentle squeeze and a warm smile, “It’s oddly sweet that you'd rather live in a graveyard just to see me patrol."
 
"Like havin' a seat at the ballet, pet.  Watchin' you spin and twist and thrust...'tis better than Pavlova."
 
"That the dog guy?"  Buffy looked genuinely puzzled.
 
Spike chuckled, "No, love.  Anna Pavlova was one of the best Prima Ballerinas in history.  The first to truly dance all over the world.  Was in the Imperial Russian Ballet, created the brilliant 'Dying Swan" and was bloody gorgeous too.  Died in the early 1940s.  There's even a dessert named in her honor.  Lovely thing made of meringue, fruit and cream.
 
Buffy giggled, "That makes SO much more sense than the guy with the dogs."
 
Buffy followed Spike up a short staircase to what once had been a large, well furnished office overlooking the wide open former warehouse.  It was glassed in with an unobstructed view on three sides.  Surprisingly the glass was all intact, in spite of the bits of graffiti spray-painted in the warehouse proper.
 
Spike noted her surprise, "Flashed a bit of fang over the years, kept the hooligans away for the most part.  Never know when a bloke might need another bolt hole."
 
"You're really clever for a guy whose plans don't usually work out."
 
"Don't work 'cause I lack patience, not intelligence, love!" Spike huffed indignantly.  "Had to plan and have decent back up plans too if I was gonna survive long.  Add takin' care of Dru to the mix and sometimes needed several fall-back plans."
 
Buffy wondered why they had tended to think of Spike as stupid.  It should have been obvious to all of them that he was anything but.
 
He'd never gone out of his way to disabuse them of that notion though.  His impulsive actions merely added to the illusion.  'Makes sense.  If everyone underestimates you, it gives you the advantage.' She grinned at him, "Yeah, dumb like a fox!"
 
Spike chuckled, “Guess that won't work on you anymore."
 
"Nope."
 
The abandoned office had dust covers over the furniture and when Spike removed them Buffy was surprised to see the quality of what had been left behind.  "Is that a sofa-bed?"
 
If Spike could have blushed, he would have. 'Not so subtle after all, mate,' he kicked himself.  Buffy didn't seem to be offended or upset with what might have been seen as him jumping to conclusions though.  "Guess there were some long nights here when the warehouse was in use.  Lucky for us, eh?  Comfier than those army cots or sleeping bags on the cave floor.
 
To his surprise, Buffy began unfolding the hidden bed and patted the mattress with near affection.  It had been a while since she had something that looked that comfortable available.
 
"Not as cozy as a feather bed like in my day or one of those modern foam things they're selling on the telly, but still soft at least." 
 
Buffy pushed her hand down on the mattress, feeling its welcoming give. “Perfect!  Think the guys'd mind if we camped out here from now on?  Give them more room after all."
 
Like a proud landlord, Spike showed her around the rest of the area.  "View of the whole place, so not likely to get caught with our knickers down.  Could hook up a TV and radio.  I'm pretty handy tappin' into public utilities after all.  Electricity's not even a challenge.  Could even get the loo functional," he opened the door to a well appointed rest room complete with a small shower.  "Just have to know where to hook in and my lady can have all the luxuries of home," his eyes twinkled in response to Buffy's clear look of near bliss at the thought.
 
"Oh, could you?" She looked at him as if he'd hung the moon.  Who knew a working shower and thin mattress was a better love offering than flowers and chocolate?  Hell, she'd have those too once he had the chance!
 
They basked silently for a few moments, then Spike cleared his suddenly dry throat and pointed out a trapdoor on the ceiling that contained fold-down stairs.  "And access to the roof if a quick getaway is needed."
 
"Am I being selfish if I don't want to share this space with the other guys?"
 
"Seems to me you do pretty good knowin' right from wrong without asking somethin' like me."
 
"Know and care are two different things when there's a hot shower dangling in front of me."
 
"Yeah, even I know the difference; don't care much though," Spike admitted.
 
"Looks like that's true, with or without a soul, based on what we've seen lately," Buffy pointed out.
 
"Never did know for certain just what I lost when the soul buggered off.  Always thought it was the carin' 'cause I felt so free without it, yeah?  But you're right.  Plenty with a soul still stuffed up in 'em don't seem to care either."
 
"I guess that's what I've learned.  Since we can't really tell what the soul does, maybe all that matters is how someone acts, the choices they make," Buffy mused.
 
"Seems a fair way to look at it," Spike agreed.
 
"So what do you think?  Doesn't look like the Brown Shirts or the GI Joes pay this area much mind. Not too many demons left in Sunnydale save those in the lock-ups.  Those that are still free are in deeper hiding than even we are."
 
"I think this is a great place to set up, especially if we hide the entrance to the tunnels.  I know I'm paranoid, but I never want to be back in there again," Buffy shuddered.
 
"With you there, Buffy."  Spike pointed to an old drafting table in a corner.  "Could use that to spread maps for plannin'.  No direct sunlight so I can move about freely too.  We can bring our allies in here without using the tunnels, especially if we aren't 100% sure of their commitment.  Won't give away the rest of the operation that way.  Plenty of ways to skedaddle if anyone does snap to our location too."
 
Buffy watched Spike pace around looking excited at the possibilities.  He may have had a problem with his plans working out when dealing with her all these years but clearly his mind was sharp and quite able to work on contingencies when he wasn't distracted by Slayers that refused to stay in the "hunt/kill" category.  He may not have loved her from the start but he was certainly distracted enough to make all his plans go belly-up.
 
She wasn't as naturally intuitive as Spike had always shown himself to be, but she had gotten to know him pretty well since their early truce and friendship.  Being stuck in hell with him had only increased her understanding.  Spike was one of those people who proved the old adage, "to know him is to love him".  Maybe love was too strong a word at the moment, but it was darned close.
 
Buffy had made up her mind those last frantic weeks in the lab to stop putting her life on hold.  Constantly waiting for the "right time" had only caused Buffy to miss out on a chance to have her own grab at happiness.  It was time to let the past be past and also let the future take care of itself.  What was it that Faith used to say?  Want. Take.  Have.  It would be lovely to finally have.
 
Slayers never know when the end game buzzer was going to sound.  No one did really.  Maybe that explained war-time romances.  Buffy didn't want any more regrets to take to eternity with her when her time finally did come.
 
She and Spike had grown so close.  They had talked, shared--something she and Angel and even Riley had never really done.  She couldn't even say what either of her past boyfriend's favorite colors were!  Simple things that even close friends would know eluded her knowledge.  How can you love without knowing?  She did know Spike pretty well already.  There was always more to learn, but she'd seen his worst side and his best, just as he had hers.  He was someone she wanted to know well.
 
Spike had been standing directly behind Buffy as she had been lost in thought seemingly surveying the location.  It was perfectly symbolic of their relationship, Spike at her back.  She knew she wouldn't have come out of those labs was well as she did without Spike.  She felt warm all over, realizing how natural it felt, how safe she felt with Spike as her other half.
 
"Looks great to me," Buffy nodded.  "In fact, it looks perfect in a lot of ways."
 
She turned abruptly and before the startled vampire could move and raised her hands to gently cup his face.  "Lots of things look perfect to me."  She leaned forward and touched her lips to his.