.7.

“Good for you.” Faith said with a smile. She was pleased for the other Slayer, having found someone who would love her for as long as she lived. Which was probably longer than she would live herself, seeing as she didn’t have sexy, burly vampire bodyguards to watch out for her.

“Must be nice, having someone to watch out for ya, keep ya livin’ and breathin’.”

“I’ll always be living and breathing.” Buffy replied softly, not lifting her head to meet the eyes of her family and friends as comprehension dawned.

“You’re a vampire?” Willow gasped, looking around for everyone else’s reactions.

“Livin’ and breathin’ Will?” Faith chuckled, looking back at the young redhead.

“Yeah, but always?” Xander jumped to the defence of his best friend.

“Don’t be so stupid.” Anya muttered, seeing just how much her boyfriend lived in denial for the very first time. “They obviously share a blood bond. As Buffy was trying to tell you all earlier, she shares her soul with Spike, which means they share blood, and his immortality. What’s so hard to understand about that?”

The Scoobies looked at Anya, their faces a mixture of repulsion and dismay, before turning on Buffy, their voices clamouring to be heard over one another as each of them demanded explanations for this somewhat disturbing revelation.

“Fuck this.” Buffy screamed over the noise of her former friends, making her mother burst into tears. The room fell silent as they all watched and waited for her to make her next move.

Buffy didn’t disappoint. Holding out her hand, she allowed Spike to pull her up and lead her out of the house, into the night with Drusilla following. Scowling around the room to ensure that nobody was foolish enough to follow them, Angel followed his small family down the path and into the darkness.

“What the hell just happened?” Faith was the first to demand, the need to understand was greater than her respect for Joyce, who was still sniffling into a handkerchief that Giles had passed her. “You came here tonight to welcome back your best friend and what do you do? You jump on her fuckin’ back and start judging everythin’ she’s done when trapped in some sorta fuckin’ hell!”

“We just-“ Xander began, but Faith cut him off before he could say anymore.

“What the fuck gives you the right to judge her? What would you have done if you were trapped in hell with those vamps?”

“I’d rather have died that let them bite me!” Xander announced, looking around the room for agreement.

“While it may have been foolish judgement on Buffy’s part, I fear it may be the only thing that kept her alive all this time.” Giles spoke slowly, the repercussions of this revelation kept hitting him, the more he thought about it, the more he realised how his Slayer must have been in real trouble to ever have considered this terrible, eternally binding option.

She had sacrificed her life to return to the Hellmouth for her duty, trying not to get sidetracked on the way by the evil that surrounded her.

“Spike would have kept her alive no matter what.” Joyce told them, the conviction in her voice was unmistakable, the determination in her eyes told them not to argue with her, yet both Giles and Xander felt that she was being extremely naïve, taking a lot on faith. She had not been around much in Buffy’s life before she had disappeared and therefore had not been told the full extent of Buffy’s involvement with Angel and his childer prior to the return of Angelus.

“I’m not sure he would have.” Giles tried to break the news gently, “He is a cold blooded murderer who has killed more Slayers than any other vampire in history.”

“But he was so polite before they disappeared. He even apologised for ruining the Parent Teacher night and that was before they fell in love.” Joyce insisted.

“Vampire’s can’t love.” Came the expected response, but Joyce knew that for once, Giles knew nothing about the subject.

“Of course they can.” Anya interjected, standing up and pulling on her coat. “You humans are brainless and judgemental and have stupid hair and I don’t think I want to be friends until you realise that demons are people too.”

“I’m gonna-.” Xander muttered, grabbing his jacket and hurrying after Anya.

“I’m afraid I agree with Anya.” Faith grinned at the thought. The only thing they usually agreed on was sex. It was amusing to finally agree on something, even if the topic in question was demons and their emotions. Seeing the way Buffy and her vamps treated each other made it perfectly clear to the Slayer just how much they did feel for each other. “I’m gonna swing through town.” Giving Joyce a quick hug and a smile to everyone else who was leaving, Faith pushed her way out the door, sprinting off into the night to release the call of the wild from the warrior within her soul.



I’ll be right back.” Buffy whispered in Spike’s ear, stepping down from the bar stool she was seated on. Tapping his nose to show he understood what she had sensed, Spike watched as Buffy made her way through the crowd seeking out the Slayer that had entered the building.

“Come to kill me?” A whisper in Faith’s ear made her jump. Whirling around, she was pinned up against the wall before her hand could even reach for her stake.

Letting herself fall limply in Buffy’s arms, Faith waited until she was released, not wanting to present a threat to the obviously dangerous girl.

“Chill B.” Faith flexed her neck, holding her hands up in peace. “If I wanted to kill ya do ya think I’d’ve done it here?”

“Do you think you would have had a chance?” Buffy smiled, although no trace of humour reached the dangerous glint in her eyes.

“I’m here to get my groove on and bag a few hotties.” Faith replied honestly. “I ain’t got no problems with you and your hotties.”

“And the rest of the Scoobies?”

“They ain’t exactly livin’ in the real world are they?” Faith grinned, taking a step away from Buffy. “Whatcha havin’?” She gestured at the bar, “Double?”

Nodding, Buffy watched as the dark Slayer bounced her way through the crowd drawing the attention of practically every guy she past. There was something about the younger Slayer that just screamed that she was telling the truth. She was one of those people that had more fun telling the brutal truth than telling lies. Kind of like Spike.

Speaking of Spike, she could feel him trying to edge his way into her subconscious. The prickling that told her that he was trying to tell her something.

Opening up her mind to him, she made her way after Faith, silently reassuring Spike that everything was okay between the pair. Sending her love, Buffy caught up with Faith, ignororing the cold feeling she got whenever they withdrew from each others thoughts.

Seeing the blonde shiver, Faith grinned.

“Wanna dance?” She yelled over the noise of the club.

“Sure.” Buffy replied, taking her drink from the brunette and leading the way to her table to deposit it.

“Faith.” Spike greeted, his eyes straying from his sire on the dance floor to the brunette that stood beside his girl.

“Comin’ to dance?”

“I’ll sit this one out.” Spike declined the offer, wanting to watch his girl bounce around rather than make a fool out of himself trying to imitate the other useless males out there. Just like Angel was trying to do.

“Your loss.” The Slayers declared, making their way into the centre of the dance floor and grinding up against each other.

Definitely not a loss Spike decided as he watched them bounce enticingly, grinding their asses against each other, holding hands as they teased every bloke in the vicinity.

It was almost like there was a connection between them, Buffy mused, holding Faith’s hand while she dipped low, Faith’s denim clad ass pressing up against her pelvis. Pushing her pelvis out, she giggled as Faith flung her head back, her hair swinging wildly around her face, checking out their audience.

It was definitely some sort of connection, they were perfectly in tune with one another, knowing instinctively what each other was about to do. This kind of connection was no stranger to Buffy, having been mated with Spike for years, but the intensity was incredible. It practically rivalled what she felt with Spike, it was so forceful.

“Do you feel that?” Faith panted, her body sinking flush against Buffy’s as the song changed to a much slower pace.

“I feel it.” Was the only response the brunette received before she was pushed into the arms of a stranger.

Smiling coyly at the tall blonde that had his muscled arms around her waist, Faith grinned her thanks at Buffy and Spike.

This night just kept getting better and better.

That was Spike’s only thought as his Slayer writhed and moaned beneath his body. After dragging her out of the Bronze, they had barely made it across the two blocks to the mansion with their clothes on. Before the doors had swung shut behind them they had divested each other of all garments, kissing and nibbling at anything they could reach whilst standing. Hoisting her up onto his hips, Spike had strode up the stairs with his eyes closed, rolling back into his head while Buffy licked up the blood she had drawn from his throat. His cock bobbed against her ass with every step that he took and it was all that he could do not to give in and pound into her against the cold stone walls of the staircase. He had resolutely kept his eyes closed, using his other senses to guide him to the room they had shared the night before. Kicking open the door, he had practically leapt to the bed in one long stride, his impatience and desire almost overwhelming him.

Being thrown onto the bed had done nothing but excite Buffy more and she had been ready the second he pounced on her.

Slipping inside of her, he was shocked when the words of love began to tumble from his lips. Silencing him with her lips, Buffy had begun to bounce her hips against the mattress, into his, urging him on with pants and groans until he was hammering her into the bed, pounding the breath out of her ferociously.

Raising her head, Buffy felt her gums shift as she sank her fangs into Spike’s neck. The feeling of euphoria rolled over in waves as his rich blood trickled down her throat, their connection strengthening when his own fangs slid softly through the skin on her own neck, pulling her blood from her body. Feelings intensified as they continued to feed on each other, the ritual sharing of their blood when re-claiming each other ensuring that they had no choice but to feel everything the other felt, especially the orgasms that pushed each of them over the edge, screaming out their pleasures while their blood stained teeth glinted in the dim, moonlit room.

“Love you pet.” Spike exhaled, rolling them together so that she was wrapped up in his embrace. Snuggling her ass back against him, Buffy sighed dreamily, all problems temporarily forgotten as she declared her love for him, drifting off into slumber, protected from the night by the strong arms around her waist.

*
.8.



“Are you sure about this?” Spike was saying as Buffy pulled impatiently at his jeans.

“More than anything.” She breathed, slipping the zipper down slowly, trying to appear sexy and experienced.

“I love you pet, we don’t have to do anything you don’t want to.”

“For fucks sake Spike, if you don’t want to then just stop!” Buffy spat at him, making him grin with delight. He loved it when she was brassed off, she would spit and shout until she was hoarse but she was yet to actually storm off into the steaming pits of hell they were currently residing in.

Nuzzling her neck, Spike showed the Slayer just how much he didn’t want to stop. In fact, her fury had done nothing but turn him on even more and was certain that he would be unable to stop himself, even if she did want to rethink things.

“Make me yours.” She whispered, her anger all but forgotten as his tongue traced idle circles on the column of her throat that lay exposed to him. The trust she gave him was awe inspiring, it was almost scary for him to comprehend that the Slayer was willingly lying next to him, wrapped in his arms, giving herself to him, body, mind and soul. They had discussed this for quite some time and she had finally come to her decision.

While she had kept her guard up, staying away from the vampires socially while her heart recovered from the battering after it had received. She had stood by and watched as Angel had been torn between herself and Drusilla, eventually deciding that his childe was in more need of him than she was.

She had stood by with Spike, weeping tearlessly for the loss of their first loves. She had taken the first tentative steps towards falling in love all over again, her heart leading the way as they explored their new found feelings. Now she was taking the next step forward, opening her heart to the dangers of love, and trusting him not to break it all over again.

“Mine, forever.” He whispered back, lifting the black, tattered top she was wearing away from her skin, over her head and placing it softly beside their makeshift bed on animal and demons furs.

Worshipping the skin he had revealed, he watched as Buffy kept her eyes on him, watching every move his tongue made, swirling around the dusky pink nipples that had hardened with her obvious arousal.

“Forever?” She questioned for the hundredth time, her desire interrupting her normal thought processes until her only thought was just how much she loved Spike.

“I’ll be yours until the end of time love.” Spike assured her softly. “We can do this later?”

“No. I want this.” Buffy assured him, pushing his jeans down his legs, marvelling at the hardness she had only felt previously. This was first time she had seen a member of the opposite sex naked. The light provided by the burning fires all around them illuminated everything to almost a romantic ambience, if you could ignore everything else around them. And being with Spike was definitely helping her to forget. He was certainly a sight to behold she mused as she wondered where to begin.

Her encounter with Angel had done nothing to give her experience in this department and she finally felt mature enough to admit that to herself. Taking him into her hand she ran her finger lightly over his length, feminine pride coursing through her at the sight of Spike’s enraptured face. Her gaze meeting his, she felt encouraged by the love she saw in his gaze.

Wrapping her tiny fist around his shaft, she gave a slow pump, pulling him up into her hand before pushing gently back down until she reached the base. Repeating her actions she was rewarded with a hiss of pleasure from Spike who was biting his lower lip in an effort to keep himself under control.

“You like that?” She whispered coyly, doing it all over again just to make him groan.

“I love that.” He ground out, the indescribable pleasure of having her innocent little hands wrapped around his cock for the first time was something he would never forget. She was pure perfection, wrapped up in a cute Slayer package.

Slipping his hands between her parted thighs he smiled softly, sliding his digits across her slick entrance, spreading the moisture in preparation. Rolling her clit between his finger and thumb, Spike gazed lovingly into her eyes as he finally sank one finger, followed by another into her hot, wet opening. Wriggling them experimentally, he waited a second for her to grow accustomed to this invasion before pumping them in and out, in perfect synch with the way she was pumping his cock.

“Okay love?” Spike whispered, his breath coming in ragged pants, forgetting the fact that his lungs no longer worked. Nodding in response, Buffy curled her hips up to meet his thrusting hand, her grip on him tightening subconsciously. “Ready for this?” His throaty voice resonated in her ear, his warmed skin brushing against her neck making tingles race up and down her spine in a most delicious fashion.

“Always.” She breathed, desperate for more. For any part of him she could get and keep forever. Her heart couldn’t take anymore, and every time she thought that, he would prove her wrong. Showing her something new about herself in the process.

Shifting her body so that he was positioned over her, he sank down his elbows, caressing her face with his fingertips.

No one had ever given themselves to him so exclusively. He had never felt the emotions he was feeling so entirely in his existence. It was overwhelming and he was desperate to show her exactly how he felt. He would cherish her love until he was dust in the wind.

Stomping down on his inner William, Spike positioned himself at her slick opening, pushing himself in slightly and resting on his elbows to allow her to adjust.

Curling her pelvis up to meet his, Buffy pushed ahead, not waiting for Spike to adjust. Feeling him sink so deep inside of her, she couldn’t help but cry out at the immediate feeling of love that washed over her.

It was like being consumed by a white hot flame it was so overpowering.

Feeling Spike begin to move on top of her, Buffy began to meet his thrusts, clinging to his shoulders desperately to keep atop of the sensations coursing through her body. She wanted to be fully aware of everything as it happened, committing each and every second of this sacred act to memory.

Pressing butterfly light kisses to Buffy’s neck, his tongue bathed her throat, preparing her for what was would come. Pleased that she was still accepting of his demon, he let his face shift, his demon coming out to play, letting his extended canines graze up and down her skin, making her shiver in delight. Taking care not to tear through her skin yet, Spike was enchanted by the whimpers and cries that tore from her throat. His thrusts were gaining in tempo and the sound of his flesh slapping against hers was stirring him onwards, faster and harder than he had ever thought was possible with a human.

Meeting his every thrust, Buffy managed to gasp out her pleas. It had to be now, she could feel her impending climax and needed to feel his fangs in her throat to complete her.

Complying with her grunted demands, Spike gave her neck one last soft kiss before sinking his fangs through the buttery soft flesh that protected her precious blood from him. Sealing his mouth around the wound he kept his teeth imbedded in her skin, maximising the potential to scar properly, marking her as his mate. Taking slow, steady sips of her blood, he could feel the magic in her blood working it’s way through his long dead body, reanimating it if only for seconds at a time.

Slowing her thrusts, Buffy let her body lie limp in Spike’s arms, rocking gently with his body as he drank from her body, taking all that was needed for the ritual.

Slowly withdrawing his fangs from her neck, Spike sealed them lovingly with his tongue, tracing over them slowly, the incantation slipping endlessly from his lips, the long forgotten words pouring from his heart as the freshly formed scar tissue glowed silver in the firelight. Taking it as a sign that it was now her turn, Buffy clamped down ferociously on Spike’s neck, pushing her teeth into his skin until she felt it pierce, gulping down his tangy, metallic tasting blood until she felt it slow, the blood trickling leisurely down her throat and sealing the claim. Releasing his neck, unknown words streaming from within her, making her body shudder and glow as silver as Spike’s was.

Waking in a daze, Buffy looked over at Spike, the traces of silver in his usually amber eyes was strangely comforting. It wasn’t just her that had been dreaming about that night.

She was no stranger to sharing her dreams with Spike. It was something that happened most night after sharing blood, reaffirming their bond and reassuring each other of their undying love and devotion.

Things that Buffy had never even dreamed of sharing with another, especially an unsouled vampire. Those things didn’t matter to her anymore. She had seen just how ridiculous the notion of a soul making someone good really was.

Whilst in hell she had murdered demons, just like she had done in Sunnydale. But not to protect the townspeople. This had been for food, for safety and sometimes, just for fun.

She hadn’t lost who she was, she gained an unusual insight into what it meant to be a Slayer. It wasn’t some young girl told what to do and when to do it by a council of strangers. She was a demon in her own right. She was a person with the soul of a demon residing deep inside her body, giving her not only the physical strength to battle the forces of evil, but the emotional strength to see what was right and what was wrong.

Having been stranded in the bowels of hell with three notoriously evil vampires, she had somehow gained a strange perspective of evil. Evil wasn’t what she had previously thought of as anything that came in the ‘non-human’ box. Evil was in everything, in every human, in every demon. It was what you did that was evil. Every action had the potential to be evil, and the potential to be good. It was choice that everyone had the free will to make.

“You okay pet?” Spike asked, tilting his head in her direction, nuzzling her neck, pressing a kiss to the silvery scars that decorated her neck.

Rolling on top of him she grinned,

“I certainly am.” She replied huskily, covering his lips with her own, sinking down onto his erection.



Pushing open the doors to the mansion, Willow paused in the doorway. She hadn’t made her mind yet about anything and was desperate to learn more about her friend and the changes she had been through, but standing here and staring at Xander and Faith arguing about the morals of breaking and entering when the property belonged to demons was strange enough to put things in perspective.

“Stop!” She whispered furiously. “This is Buffy’s home and we’re just walking in uninvited.”

“Will, this is not Buffy’s home. This is a dirty, smelly old building where demons live.” Xander declared, his tone was low and the disgust was practically palpable.

“Chill, I only came to see how she was after last night.” Faith interjected calmly.

“Why wouldn’t she be fine?” Xander argued, the sarcasm in his voice clouding the loathing it usually held. “She’s sold herself to the devil and we’re coming to see how she feels?”

“Oh fuck off.” Faith spat through gritted teeth. “This isn’t about you. It will never be about you. This is about Buffy, y’know? The one you loved all of a week ago?”

“Loved?” Willow’s voice wavered as she found her voice. “You still love her?”

“Don’t be ridiculous Will.” Xander screeched. “I don’t love Buffy. She’s a traitorous whore.”

“Gee, thanks.” A voice floated down from the balcony. There stood Buffy, wrapped in a practically indecent robe, with Spike holding her tightly, his glowing eyes burning holes into the intruders. “Anybody else wanna insult me?”



*
.9.



Frozen, staring up at the half dressed beauty before him, Xander found himself unable to speak. His voice seemed to have deserted him, leaving nothing but a dry itch in his throat.

“Hey B.” Faith smiled sincerely, “I didn’t mean to bring him along.”

“It’s okay.” Buffy said softly, making her way down the stone staircase to the waiting intruders. “I guess he feels he has the right to voice his opinion on everything I do. It must be his right to judge me after what I put him through by getting sucked into hell.”

The soft spoken, cold sarcasm that lifted Buffy’s voice shook Willow to the core. She was right, they were just judging her, basing her decisions on standards they had forced upon her unwittingly.

“I’m sorry Buffy.” Willow said quietly, her eyes hesitantly seeking out the older girl’s.

“Don’t sweat it.” Buffy replied flippantly, not wanting anyone to see just how much these little things affected her. “I don’t break so easily.”

“So you don’t care what we think?” Faith asked with a grin, her tongue poking between her teeth as she eyes up the vampire that stood at the foot of the staircase. Standing silently, guarding his mate with everything he had. Willing to take on yet another Slayer if necessarily. “So I can tell you just how damn fine I think your honey is, and you ain’t gonna care?”

“He is isn’t he?” Buffy agreed, a smile ghosting across her face as she turned to face said honey. “So what are you here for?” She asked with genuine curiosity.

“Well I came to say thanks for last night. It was kinda wiggy, but that’s probably somethin’ to talk about another time, right?”

“Right.” Buffy agreed with a grin. “So you’ve decided that waking up vampires in the middle of the day and insulting me was the most interesting thing for you to do today?” She directed her gaze at Xander, who had been uncharacteristically quiet all this time.

His face was unusually pale, and a soft sheen of perspiration added to his strange expression made Buffy wary. She was used to Xander being comical, judgemental, loud and even crude. The look of disbelief on his face could almost be likened to remorse, his eyes pleaded for love and approval as he gazed, unseeing at the Slayers.

“Xander?”

“Buffy?” His voice was barely above a croak. “It’s really you?”

“In the flesh.” Buffy noted dryly. “Just woken up?”

“If it’s really you, why are you here?” His voice was almost a plea, desperate for some kind of understanding as to what was going on, how his friend had managed to change so dramatically while he had remained the same for so long.

“Because this is my home now.” Buffy’s voice was soft, slow and held a certain amount of patience that was taking all of her emotional strength to keep. “I live here.”

“But this is where Angelus lived.”

“And this is where he died.” Buffy reasoned softly, “You told me to kill him, and I tried. You never told me Willow was restoring his soul, you conveniently left that part out in your bitter jealousy. You couldn’t stand the fact that even as a monster, he held a place so deep in my heart that you could never reach. Now that place has been replaced and once again, it wasn’t by you. So if the fact that I love Spike and always will is something you can’t deal with, just go now. I don’t need your approval, I don’t even need your friendship any more. I’ve managed to get this far by myself, I can live without you. The question is, can you live without me?”

Pausing in her tirade, Buffy cocked her head to the side, watching Xander as he tried to swallow the truth. “Can you move on and begin to love your girlfriend?”

“I do love her.” Xander whispered, unable to refute anything else as his mind whirred, all kinds of fact and fiction fought for dominance, unable to settle on what to believe as true.

“Let go Xan.” Faith commented, having stood by and watched while Buffy slammed home everything she knew to be true in a way that Xander was forced to listen and to finally recognise the truth.

“I, I need to go.” Willow whispered, walking backwards until she reached the doorway, stumbling out into the blinding light of the day.

“I’m gonna…” Xander pointed at the open doorway where Willow had disappeared then began to shuffle away from the Slayers, unable to lift his head.

Watching her former best friend slump out of the door wasn’t as painful as Buffy had imagined. She had imagined all kinds of scenarios with accusations and barbs were slung back and forth, but as things went. She had been calm, honest and she actually felt as if she had been listened to.

That was what had been missing since she had returned. No matter what she said or how she said it, someone would either dismiss it as lies or ignore the fact that she had spoken at all.

“Well that went well.” Faith joked, pulling her sister Slayer in for a brief hug then whirling away. “I’d better get to class, see if I can threaten our friendly T.A into dishing his secrets. See ya!”

Standing alone in the entrance hall, Buffy turned to see that Spike had gone. Attempting to converse with him telepathically told her that his mind definitely wasn’t on her. Sulking that she couldn’t get through to him was an overused tactic, that Buffy refused to resort to at this point. She feeling pretty damn good about herself and was in the mood for spoiling herself. Jogging back up to their empty room, Buffy pulled her clothes on and briefly glanced at her reflection in the mirror on the dresser. Shrugging her shoulders she made her way back down stairs.

“Goin’ to my mom’s!” She yelled up the staircase, knowing that someone would hear her. She knew Spike was probably hiding out somewhere, sulking about something or other that she had said, probably the bit about Angelus she figured. They would be able to hash it out when she returned and after Spike had had the time to brood about things.

Giggling at the thought of Spike brooding as he so often denied he did, Buffy made her way out of the door, shutting the mansion once again into complete darkness.

“Buffy?” Joyce couldn’t help but sound surprised at seeing her daughter on her doorstep so early in the day.

“Hey mom.” Buffy greeted cheerily, masking her disappointment that her own reception wasn’t as welcoming. “Can I come in?”

“Of course, of course,” Joyce bustled, holding the door open for Buffy to enter. “Make yourself at home honey.”

“How are you?” Buffy asked tentatively. She understood how much of an emotional upheaval she had caused by returning here, but she had felt it necessary. She had needed to return to Sunnydale, to slay her personal demons and make peace with herself before she could head on with her life.

“I’m fine sweetheart.” Joyce assured her, looking her over as only a mother could. “Are you okay? Eating right? Want a drink or a snack?”

“Mom, I’m fine.” Buffy smiled, “I’ll have a soda please.”

Returning with a selection of drinks cans, Joyce perched beside her daughter on the sofa, smiling at how little she had really changed. She was still curling up on the sofa, her legs tucked beneath her, looking lost as she gazed around the familiar surroundings.

“I’m sorry about last night.” Buffy felt the need to get that out the way before she could really begin to talk freely about anything else.

She would never normally have used such language in her mother’s presence, or even in her mother’s house, and she was sorry that things had been pushed that far.

“It’s okay honey, I understand. They pushed it too far.” Joyce sympathised. “I know what you have with Spike is real.”

“Thanks”

“I understand how it feels to be in love Buffy, it may have been a while ago, but I want you to know I’ll always be here for you to talk to sweetheart. Just like all those years ago.”

“I love you mommy.” Buffy whispered, turning and burying her head on her mother’s lap. This was what she had been waiting to do for half a decade, and now she was finally back home in her mother’s embrace.

“I love you too.” Joyce pressed a soft kiss to Buffy’s golden hair. “What do you say we go spend some money?”

“You don’t have to work?” Buffy hesitated, desperate to have her mother to herself and be mothered, but not wanting to ruin any previous plans she may have had.

“No, not today. I’m all yours sweetheart. We can get our hair and nails done, a new wardrobe, some real girl time.” Joyce smiled. This was just what she had been waiting for, time alone to bond with Buffy.

“God, I missed you so much!” Giggled Buffy, standing and extending her arm to her mom. “Girls day out, here we come!”

“Indeed.” Smiled Joyce, leading the way to the car. “So tell me, how are things with Spike?”

“Mom!” Buffy blushed, mortified that her mother would ask that question. It was one thing for Faith to be admiring him, she knew in her heart that Spike was attracted to her and to her only, but for her mother to be implying that she wanted details of the sexual kind was just gross.

“What? Am I not allowed to ask that? I thought my little girl was all grown up?”

“I am. But I’ll always be your little girl.” Buffy responded, watching out the window as the town sped by. “You’re not supposed to talk about that with your mom.”

“What about Drusilla then? Is it okay to be discussing your relationship with her?”

“What kind of relationship do you think we have?” Buffy asked, her face scrunched up in disgust. “’Cause I can assure you, it’s not like that!”

“Oh honey,” Joyce chuckled, “I wasn’t thinking anything of the sort. I was just wondering what she was like as everyone else seems to be of the opinion that’s she is insane.”

“She’s not entirely insane.” Buffy mumbled, looking down at her ratty, bitten down nails. “She can see things, the future, the past, the stars, your soul.” She smiled softly, “She sees everything.”

“And she’s Angel’s girlfriend now?” Joyce pushed slowly, not wanting to offend Buffy before they had the chance to really discuss the past few years.

“Yeah. She’s with her daddy.” Buffy smiled. She truly was happy for the vampires to have Angel. She was more than satisfied with Spike, Angel didn’t even register on her radar as anything more than a protector now. He liked to think he ruled their small family unit, but they all knew that Buffy was in charge whether they liked or not.

“Her Daddy?”

“Angel sired her. He’s like her dad. Dru sired Spike, so Angel is like his granddad. It’s all very complicated.”

“Sounds incestuous.” Joyce commented quietly, earning a giggle from Buffy.

“And then there’s me. Right at the bottom of the family, claimed by Spike, so Angel is like my grandfather-in-law or something strange. It’s all just confusing to think about, swapping partners and things.” Buffy smiled, her memories flooding back to her, flashes of her life before Angel brought his clan into her life, turning it upside before she could blink.

“So what happened in hell?” Joyce couldn’t help but ask, putting the car in park and turning to face her daughter.

“You really want to know?” Buffy replied after a long pause, “If I tell you this, it goes no further. I can’t undo what’s past and I can’t take your judgement.” She stopped, a lone tear rolling slowly down her cheek.

“Honey listen to me.” Joyce reached out, taking Buffy’s hands into her own. “I will never, ever judge you for anything you’ve done. I love you and always will. You’re my baby Buffy. No matter what.”

“Thanks.” Buffy sniffed. “Here goes…”

TBC..