A/N: Unfortunately, I won't be finishing this story tonight. The remainder of the story will be posted on April 30th. Thank you to all of you who have reviewed this story today. I hope Chapter Six will tide you over until then.

Enjoy!



Chapter Six - Reunion

Buffy absorbed Spike’s completely stunned expression. He almost resembled a fish out of water. Confusion and an inkling of fear rested in his eyes. Any nagging concerns that she might have had about whether he’d hadn’t contacted her because he no longer loved her evaporated in a heartbeat. His love still shone in his eyes, and it nearly took her breath away. She could literally kick her own ass for all those times that she’d denied his feelings.

Never again, Spike. I promise I’ll never reject or deny your love for me ever again. Realizing that Spike might be thinking she was some illusion, she put on her determined face and decided to remedy his confusion quickly. She knew just the way to do it.

Walking over to Spike, she offered her hand to help him get to his feet. With some trepidation, Spike took her hand, and Buffy pulled him up and close to her. Breathing in his unmistakable scent, Buffy asked, “Miss me?”

Buffy watched as Spike’s Adam’s apple bobbed a few times. She wanted to nibble it, but she’d save that for later. She could tell that despite knowing that she was indeed real, Spike was having a hard time believing his eyes. Well, her poor vampire had been haunted by the First Evil in her visage and, of course, there was that time involving Faith. Poor guy. She understood his reluctance – her smell was wrong.

Buffy sighed as if she’d read his mind and answered his unspoken question. “It’s really me, Spike. No one knows I’m here and I certainly don’t want a certain other supposedly souled vampire from finding out. At least not yet. But, if you don’t believe me, well then I can just go.” She made a move as if to pull away.

Spike released her hand and grabbed her arms, crushing her to his chest. Buffy gasped in relief and shock. Spike arms! Arms of Spike!

He leaned down and sniffed her neck. After a few moments, Spike’s head flew back and he studied her eyes. “Buffy?”

“Well, duh. Thought we covered that.” She rolled her eyes.

Spike snickered. Before he could say anything more, she placed her fingers on his lips. She let them linger for a moment before removing them.

“Lots to tell you, but first you gotta do something for me,” Buffy said, hoping her voice hadn’t sounded too lusty.

“And what’s that, love?”

God, how his voice affects me. “Kiss me, you idiot.”

With a snarl that sounded like a combination of aggravation, relief, and happiness, Spike closed the distance between them and met her lips in a bruising kiss. Buffy felt like she died all over again – to be in his arms, kissing him…she’d dreamed of it, but had thought it would never happen again. Many a night she had cried herself asleep, because she’d been too gun shy and stubborn to take the actions she’d really wanted to take after he returned from Africa. Fear and her sense of duty to all the potential had caused her to keep him at arm’s length – except for those all too few moments.

He broke their kiss, allowing her to breathe, but kept giving her feather-soft kisses on her cheeks, her eyes, her ears, her neck, and… “Whoa Spike. We’re not alone, remember.”

“Don’t really care, love. You’re really here. You came,” Spike murmured. Then he looked at her funny, “How did you know? How long?”

Buffy laughed in happiness. “Like I said, I have lots to tell you, but to answer the most important question…I came as soon as I found out. I’ve not slept since. I’ve got jetlag like you wouldn’t believe.” She stopped and then playfully slapped his chest. “And why did I have to find out about your miraculous return from Tara and Senaya? Huh? Why?”

Spike had been so wrapped up in just watching her lips move and hearing her voice again that he almost missed what she actually said. He then studied her face and saw the beginnings of black circles under her eyes from fatigue. “Who’s Senaya, pet? And Tara? Tell me.”

“Oh, Senaya’s the First Slayer. She and Tara gave me a little visit.”

“What’s this now?”

“Slayer dream. Now’s not the time to go into it. It’s a long story…well, not so long…but I hope it will have a happy ending. Of course, if you keep squishing me, there’s a danger of that not happening,” Buffy teased.

Relaxing his hold somewhat but not releasing her from his arms, Spike replied, “Sorry, love. You feel too good in my arms.”

Buffy wrapped her arms around his torso and placed her head on his chest. “I know what you mean,” she whispered. “Do you believe me now?”

Spike heard her little question and at first was confused as to what was he supposed to believe. Then understanding and awe swept across his chiseled features. He knew what she was referring to – what she’d last spoken to him in those final moments. Still, he had to get her to say it again. He didn’t want to get it wrong.

“What’s that, pet? You know I believe you. Always.”

“Not always, Spike. You didn’t…” Buffy sniffled in remembrance of all those nights she’d replayed that moment in her mind. ’No you don’t, but thanks for saying it.’

Reluctantly picking her head off his chest, Buffy gazed into his eyes and said clearly and emphatically, “I…love…you…you idiot.” She added that last part with a smirk.

Spike stuttered.

“And just where do you get off telling me I don’t mean what I’m saying? Huh? Thought you were the one who knew me so well.” Buffy had meant for that to come out playful, but she couldn’t keep the tinge of sadness and anger from her voice.

“Buffy…love…didn’t mean it. I’d hoped that you did, but had to get you out of there, now didn’t I? Couldn’t let you die again. Not because of me,” Spike stammered.

“So, you believe me?” Buffy asked, pulling out all the stops, using her pout and weepy eyes.

“Say it one more time, like you said…I’m an idiot,” Spike teased.

“I love you,” Buffy happily responded.

“Oh, thank God!” Spike exclaimed before plundering her mouth anew.

Unfortunately, Dana started whimpering again, and Bruce emerged from the shadows. Bruce felt honored to have witnessed the tender reunion. Clem was right – Buffy wasn’t like all the past Slayers. Bruce liked her, and he really didn’t like humans all that much. Their skin was not an attractive blue. He imaged just for a moment what Buffy would like would blue skin. Beautiful. Lucky vampire.

“Excuse me, Buffy, but Miss Dana senses the arrival of others,” Bruce stated. He’d felt them also, and hadn’t wanted to interrupt, but now, matters demanded it.

Buffy reached out with her senses. With a frown, she broke from Spike’s embrace. “It’s Angel. We’ve got to go.” She held out her hand for Spike to take it. “Come.”

With his hand in hers, Buffy walked Spike slowly over toward Dana. “Spike, I’d like for you to meet Dana. She’s a Slayer. I’m surprised you didn’t sense it immediately what with your Slay-dar.”

“Slay-dar, luv?” Spike quirked his eyebrow.

“Yes, Slay-dar. Whatever that radar is that you have for detecting Slayers,” Buffy huffed. “Well, I thought it was cute.”

“It is, pet. Very,” Spike responded, leaning over and kissing her cheek.

Mollified, Buffy continued the introductions. “Dana.” Dana focused her attention on Buffy. “Dana, this is Spike.”

Dana’s back straightened. Her visage changed. She looked tough now, in a more street-wise sense. “William.”

Spike jerked in surprise. He recognized the voice immediately. “Nikki?”

Dana cracked a slow, wicked smile, and then just as quickly as she’d morphed into Nikki Wood, Dana reverted back to the scared little girl. Buffy smoothed Dana’s hair and comforted her with their ancient tongue.

Spike watched in fascination as Buffy comforted the damaged Slayer. He hadn’t a soddin’ clue as to what they were saying to one another and he’d never known Buffy to be adept at languages – that had been Nib’s forte – but whatever it was, it was calling to his demon. It sounded primal and beautiful, savage but civilized all at the same time. Without a thought, he began to respond to them in a language long forgotten but locked inside the essence of Spike’s demon.

Both Buffy and Dana turned to Spike and responded in kind. A family of sorts was being formed, and history – both human and demon – had never bore witness to such an event. Bruce fought the desire to bow before the trio, because he had to keep his wits about him and get this precious family out of the warehouse before all hell broke loose.

Clearing his throat, Bruce interrupted one more time. All three eyed him with some annoyance. “I’m sorry, but we really have to get out of here. Unless, Buffy…you’ve decided to change the plans?”

Buffy shook her head, clearing out the euphoria she’d just experienced of sharing a familial connection with who she hoped would soon be her mate and her warrior sister. Clarity returned, and Buffy leaped into action. “Okay, thank you so much, Bruce. No changes to the plan.”

Caressing both Spike’s cheek and Dana’s hair, Buffy told them, “It’s time to go.”

She gave Dana’s hand to Bruce and told the girl, “Follow him.”

“Let’s go, Spike. I’ll fill you in on everything on the way. Besides, we have some major catching up to do,” Buffy hinted.

“Sure thing, Buffy.” Spike watched Bruce lead Dana towards a hidden exit and asked, “Umm pet…who’s this Bruce? And why does he resemble those blue aliens from Star Trek?”

“You mean the Andorians?” Buffy asked innocently.

With no limit to his surprise, Spike countered, “Since when do you know Star Trek, pet?”

“Oh, Andrew lives with Dawn and me in Rome. I think it’s like absorbed or something. Oh and Bruce is a friend of a friend. He’s from another dimension, got trapped here. He’s sweet. You’ll like him. Now, enough talk, move it mister.”

Hand and hand they left the warehouse barely missing Angel and company’s arrival.