Chapter Two

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Chapter Two

"Heya Dawnie, how was school? Still enjoying it?" Buffy was smiling as her younger sister entered the apartment. Dawn grinned back.

"Yeah, it's still weird doing math in Italian, but I don't think the language is what makes calculus incomprehensible."

"Still up for our training date tonight?" The older Summers loved the fact that she could share her Slayer side with Dawn, something that had only been made possible by Willow's spell. With so many other Slayers out there, she had finally been able to relax; the sole responsibility for keeping the forces of darkness at bay was a burden she had happily relinquished.

"Oh yeah. I've been practicing, I am so gonna trash you," Dawn teased.

"Sounds like you've been dreaming, not practicing," Buffy retorted dryly.

Dawn took a deep breath. She and Spike had been trying to figure out a way for Buffy to meet him, and now was the time put their plan in action.

"How about we do a run through Cimitero Protestante? Maybe some of the catacombs? It's been a while since we did any field practice, and I saw in the paper that there've been quite a few burials there recently," Dawn knew she was talking too quickly, in imminent danger of babbling but she was riding a nervous high.

"Hmmm, well you know that there's not much point given the Immortal takes care of that sort of thing, but I guess it couldn't hurt. If nothing else, I can pretend to be a big nasty monster for you to take care of," Buffy smiled indulgently. Dawn jumped up and down inwardly. So far, so good.

"Cool! Just let me go change and we can warm up." The tall teenager ran to her room, slamming the door and grabbing her cell phone. Diving into the closet and closing the door behind her, she flicked through her phone's address book and pushed the button to call Spike.

"Hullo?" the grumpy British voice sounded husky.

"Spike, it's me. I woke you up didn't I?"

"Umm, yeah, Bit, but it doesn't matter. What's up?"

"I've managed to talk Buffy into taking me out on patrol tonight. Can you get to the Cimitero Protestante? We'll swing through there at some point. There should be enough cover for you to lurk, and umm, well, it's kinda pretty," Dawn finished lamely, hating the fact that she was no good at this romantic stuff.

In his hotel room, Spike was already on his feet, running a hand through his tousled blonde hair.

"Uh, sure, Nibblet. I'll find it. Address?" He grabbed the complimentary stationery and a pen, scribbling while Dawn rattled the location off.

"Umm, Spike?"

"Yeah, Bit?"

"Don't wear your jacket. Just wear a t-shirt, and umm, maybe a red shirt. Maybe some cologne too."

Spike's eyebrows drew together. The Bit was giving him instructions on how to dress for Buffy? Bloody bossy Summers women!

"Yeah, right. I'd best get going if we're meeting up later, alright?"

"Sure thing. Ciao!"

Dawn rang off before risking discovery, her heart thumping. She couldn't shake the nerves that accompanied her excitement at reuniting Buffy and Spike. Her sister had been a mess for months after the battle with the First, often letting Dawn sleep in her bed as they comforted each other in their grief. Even though Buffy was dating the Immortal, Dawn knew her older sister was holding him at arms length, unwilling to let yet another man in and risk him causing her heartache. Dawn wasn't sure how involved Buffy was with the Immortal, and like she was going to ask. Nope, she didn't really want to hear about her sister's sex life, thank you very much. Sisterly closeness only went so far.

A couple of hours later the pair had wandered out into the warm Italian night. Dawn had bitten her tongue to restrain from suggesting an outfit and maybe some more make-up to Buffy - that would so totally get her suspicious. She snuck a look at her sister, the legendary Slayer. Her golden hair was down, back to the shoulder length that Spike had preferred, and she was wearing brown leather pants teamed with a cream wraparound top that set her tan off wonderfully. Okay, her sister was always going to look gorgeous. Dawn sighed. Why hadn't she gotten the blonde hair and the tan genes? Those monks had so much to answer for if she ever ran into them.

The girls made their way to the nearest entrance to the catacombs. Dawn shrugged off the brief sense of unease she felt upon descending the steps and feeling the earth close around her. Ever since she'd been underground with Buffy when Willow had lost control of her magic, confined spaces had felt uncomfortable. However, she figured it must be worse for Buffy so saying anything just seemed selfish and pathetic. Resolutely, the brunette suppressed her shiver and took point, leading the way through the underground tombs.

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Spike pulled out another cigarette and crumpled the now empty pack in his fist. His nerves were on a knife-edge as he hid behind a mausoleum waiting for Dawn to turn up with big sis in tow. How in hell did he let himself get talked into this? He still had no idea what he was going to say to Buffy when he did see her - assuming of course that he didn't turn into his usual idiot self at the sight of her and say something stupid.

After an hour or so, his senses tingled, warning him of the approach of something supernatural, Bracing himself, Spike peered around the corner of the granite edifice, hoping for a glimpse of his golden goddess. For a long moment, he couldn't see anything, until he unleashed his demon to enhance his vision. Across the cemetery he saw a flicker of movement, and a moment later he felt a brief rumbling of the earth. What the bloody hell was going on? Stealthily he moved closer to the new arrivals, senses wide open to catch any clues. He caught one scent that caused him to suppress a growl. The Immortal. Now what could he be doing creeping around graveyards? Voices, too low for him to make out, drifted though the still night air. He inched ever closer, intrigued.

"I still require three. Carlinian, Harendil and Aurelian. I need them within the next two weeks. I don't care what you have to do or how much it costs," The Immortal was telling an unseen companion.

Spike's ears pricked up. Aurelian? What did the Immortal want with the line of Aurelius? The other party replied in a murmur, and the earth rumbled again. Spike caught the faintest whiff of ozone, a sure sign that a dimensional portal had been opened. He didn't like this. The blond vampire carefully watched as his rival strode from the cemetery and chewed his lower lip thoughtfully, half tempted to follow and investigate further. But Buffy intruded into his considerations. No, plenty of time to find out what the eternal wanker was up to. He had one thought on his mind tonight, and she'd waited long enough.

"That was really good, Dawnie," Buffy praised her sibling, who smiled, panting.

"When did this place start attracting Jo'hirg demons?" Dawn asked, wiping her hands on her pants. They were definitely going to the dry cleaners first thing tomorrow.

"I have no idea. Seems a bit weird since the Immortal keeps track of everything in Rome. Wonder how he missed it? Not that I'm sorry, I was starting to feel a bit redundant what with all the quiet on the evil front," Buffy admitted. "Come on, let's do that lap of the Garden of Peace and we can go home so you can shower."

Dawn nodded agreement, butterflies leaping in her belly. She crossed her fingers as they emerged in one of the small cobbled streets near where she'd told Spike to meet them.

'I hope this is gonna be alright. God, I hope Buffy doesn't stake him by accident!' Dawn hurried to catch up with her sister.

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Spike felt her approach as tendrils running up his spine. She was here. He felt the panic overtake him. He couldn't do this, couldn't look into her eyes and see his hopes and dreams crushed by her unconcern, or even worse, her discomfort. She may have told him at the last that she loved him, said the words he'd been longing to hear ever since he'd confessed his love to her. Part of him was still convinced that it was only the knowledge that he was sacrificing everything that had made her say it. That she'd felt obligated to give him something to make it worthwhile. He didn't want to gaze into her clear hazel eyes and see the burden of that obligation. Maybe this hadn't been a good idea. She was close now, though, and he couldn't resist taking the opportunity to see her. She didn't have to see him.

'Now you really are starting to sound like Peaches,' he mocked himself. It was the spur he needed to push him into action, and he had a wicked idea. Doubling round behind the two young women, he began to stalk them.

Dawn looked around, wondering just where the blond vampire had hidden. Was he still there? Had he gotten tired of waiting and just left? Uncertainty slowed her steps and Buffy looked back.

"What's wrong, Dawn? You see something?"

Dawn shook her head, and Buffy stilled to reach out with her Slayer sense to discover what her sister might have picked up. There it was. Vampire. Motioning to Dawn to stay where she was, the Slayer hunkered down behind a headstone and began to move towards the threat, focussing on the presence she'd identified. There. Not a hundred yards away, behind that raised tomb. Inhaling, she sprang onto the stone, stake raised and on the downstroke when a strong hand caught her wrist and held her arm immobile. Buffy twisted in an attempt to kick the creature holding her when a second arm caught her round the waist and turned her. Now at her back, the vampire pulled her in close, preparing for the killing stroke.

Spike could hardly contain his elation at holding Buffy in his arms again. God, it had been too long. Too long since he'd felt her powerful little frame against his. Too long since he'd been able to breathe in her fragrance and revel in the knowledge that she was his. His body's reaction was instant, and Buffy felt it. She went completely still for just a moment, then started to struggle harder as his erection pressed into her lower back.

"It's not a stake in my pocket, love, I'm just pleased to see you," he murmured into her ear.