Chapter 42 Cabin Fever

Chapter 42 Cabin Fever

Faith brushed dirt from her hands and sat down in front of Guinevere’s fresh grave. Callum threw down the shovel Faith had pilfered from the B&B’s garden shed and sat down next to her. “You alright?”

She shrugged, “She was a Slayer and I killed her.”

Callum straightened his back, “Self defense against a crazy woman thought to have been dead long ago, who just stabbed someone you care about. You didn’t know Buffy was going to pull through.”

“That’s just it, I’m not sorry… Not for that anyway.”

“But you feel sorry for her.”

“Yeah, I guess I kinda do. I mean this whole thing was seriously messed up from the beginning. Who’s bright idea was it to lock her inside a freaking cave anyway? That thing about it being for her protection was a crock of bull.”

He looked around at the seemingly idyllic forest landscape surrounding the cottage. It looked like something out of a Disney film. “Agreed. This place screams gilded cage.”

“Probably some Watcher’s Council BS, or maybe she was already going nuts or something. Who knows.” She said plucking a blade of grass and tearing it into little pieces.

“Are you going to be alright?”

“Always am.”

He wrapped an arm around her. “Babe, it’s me. Couples therapy, remember?”

“So much more fun when you’re naked.”

Callum chuckled, “Come on, beautiful, you wanted to check out the cottage some more, might find some answers.”

She sighed and pulled herself up. “Yeah, better see if there are any more bombshells waiting for us.”

*****

Buffy pushed herself up out of bed unsteadily. She was healing well but her chest and back seared with pain at every movement. She watched Spike sleeping for a moment as she gingerly shrugged on her robe before creeping out of the room. The bathroom door at the end of the hall was open and Buffy shuffled towards it. She was feeling fairly weak after everything and wouldn’t have gotten up at all if she didn't have to use the bathroom so badly.

She stood at the sink washing her hands and examining her reflection in the mirror. She was pale and looked exhausted. There were circles under her eyes like she hadn’t slept in a week. Her breathing was still a little off but at least she was ambulatory. Barely. This was definitely worse than the wound she had suffered at the Hellmouth.

The corner of the shower curtain caught her eye in the mirror.

Mmm… hot water sounds really good— I should probably get cleaned up and check out the damage for myself…

She sighed as she shrugged off her robe and the oversized shirt she had slept in. Then turned to look at herself in the mirror. She peeled off the bandage a few inches right of her sternum. It was a testament to how much the ordeal had upset Spike since he had yet to make a joke about her being stabbed in the boob. The slash was crusted over with blood. It looked like it was a few days old and had started to heal. She proceeded to contort her arm around to pull off the bandage at her back. Using the mirror she was able to see that side was healing just as well. The hilt of the sword had left a nasty bruise.

There were two baskets on the countertop filled with tiny bottles of shampoo and conditioner. A third basket was filled with what looked like little seashell shaped homemade soaps. Buffy grabbed one of each along with a fresh washcloth and proceeded to the shower. It was just as glorious as she had hoped it would be. The wounds were raw and burned under the water but it felt so good to get clean. She washed gingerly, watching trace amounts of blood and dirt run down the drain.

Could be worse, at least it doesn’t look like the shower scene in ‘Psycho’— She thought.

By the time she got back to their room she felt like she had just finished an extensive training session with the girls. She took the towel off of her wet hair and pulled her robe tighter around herself. Then collapsed back onto the bed as smoothly as possible and let out a hiss of pain as she eased against the pillows. The wound at her back stung dully and felt like one large bruise.

Because it is one big bruise.

She shifted awkwardly as she tried to get comfortable and swore under her breath. Spike lifted his head towards her groggily, “Alright, Pet?”

“I’m fine. Just doing the healing thing.”

He turned, propped himself up on one elbow with his head in his hand, “You smell nice. Shower help?”

“Yeah. I’m feeling better. Still hurts but you know how that goes—“ she cut off with a wince of pain.

“What do you feel like doing? Do you want to head home early or take a few more days here?”

“I hadn’t really thought about it. We should probably check out the cottage again.” She said pulling the blanket back over herself.

“Faith and Callum went this morning, been gone all day as far as I know.”

She nodded, “Alright. What about phone calls? Did you call Willow?”

Spike frowned and cleared his throat, “Not yet, I thought it might be better if you talked to her.”

Buffy looked towards the clock, “Almost dinner time. I’ll call later.”

“You should definitely eat something.”

“I look like death.”

“Nonsense. I look like death and no one bats an eye.”

“You look like you should be a male pinup in some dirty magazine.”

“You say the sweetest things,” he chuckled, “but seriously, you need to eat. Sure you’re a bit peaky but just as beautiful as ever, nothing a little makeup can’t fix if you’re all that worried.”

“Gee thanks,” her voice dripped with sarcasm.

“Come on, you know I’m right.”

“Fine. can you hand me some clean clothes?”

“You need fresh bandages.”

She glanced over at the clock again, “Yeah, that’s probably a good idea. They are looking better but I really don’t need them popping open if I have another coughing fit or something. Dinner actually sounds like a pretty great idea right now.”

Spike rolled out of bed and grabbed a clean pair of jeans and a shirt for himself. His own wound looked significantly better than hers but he was still moving rather stiffly.

“How are you feeling?” She asked.

“I’m alright, Pet. Bit tender, but then I don’t have to breathe so there’s that,” he said as he pulled his shirt on gingerly and went to get Buffy’s clothes out of her bag. He tossed them onto the bed next to her before grabbing the first aid kit.

Buffy slipped her robe off of her shoulders and Spike raised his eyebrows when he saw the wounds.

“Well, at least it’s starting to close a little.”

“Yeah, it’s not as bad as yesterday, still hurts like a bitch.”

“I hear you on that one.”

Spike moved around to her back laying a cool hand on her shoulder as he applied a fresh bandage. When he finished he ran his fingers down her arms, kissing her neck.

Buffy inhaled sharply at his tender caress and started to cough a little. “Sorry, Love,” he murmured as he moved back around to her front. He shook his head as he secured the bandage, “Likely to leave a scar.”

“Guess it’s a good thing my boyfriend thinks my scars are sexy.” She smirked.

“Bloody well right they are,” he crooned and leaned in to kiss her.

Buffy slowly pulled back from the kiss, “Humm, yeah, better not start anything we can’t finish.”

He pushed her clothes towards her, “Better put these on then.”

“Any idea what they are serving for dinner tonight?” She asked as she started to dress herself.

He sniffed the air, “Hard to tell over your soap but I’m thinking it smells a bit like a curry,” he answered as he helped her with her shirt.

“Sounds good.”

*****

Faith had spent the past couple of hours going through the cabin and more specifically the things in Guinevere’s bedroom. Her room was the most orderly place on the entire second level. It was also the only room they had found so far that didn’t have any drawings on the walls. The only thing that really stuck out was the enormous bookcase along one wall that was completely filled with journals and sketchbooks. They were stacked on top of the bookcase until they reached the ceiling. There were no other books. Not one.

This is a job for the brains… I can’t do this shit…

Faith thought as she flipped through one of the journals.

She scoffed and went back out into the hall behind Callum who had brought his camera along and was now taking pictures of the drawings covering the walls in the upstairs hallway. The drawings looked like they were done in charcoal from the fireplace. It looked as though Guinevere had tried to wash them down a few times but had started over again. Most of the drawings were of things that happened years before she and Buffy were called but a few looked familiar. One such drawing looked remarkably like Angelus and it made Faith shudder.

Another drawing showed a depiction of what was clearly mayor Wilkins turning into a giant snake. She had been in a coma at the time and had only heard about the events after. Although, surprisingly, it wasn’t half as bad as seeing the Beast she had faced in LA just after she broke out of prison; when Angel had lost his soul.

There was even a scene depicting Angelus feeding off of her. She had nearly died from the substance she had injected into herself in order to knock him out. It had ended up being an odd bonding experience for them in the end. It was strange and more than a little unnerving to see it on the wall like that.

Faith sat down on the floor staring at the drawings.

Callum lowered his camera and looked down at her, “You alright, darling?”

She didn’t respond immediately, “All of this is just seriously freaking weird. Like scenes from my life and it’s just really nuts-o-plenty.”

“I can imagine. I don’t know how I’d feel if it were me.” He shrugged, “Did you see the one in the bedroom at the end? There’s one with a guy collapsed over a cross, I swear it looks like Spike from the back. Got the hair anyway. It’s really freaky.”

“Yeah it really does. What did you think of the ice monster one?”

Callum shrugged, “Bit over the top aesthetically, speaking. Looks like a giant icicle thing with claws and teeth.”

Faith had to laugh, “Yeah pretty much. Got to say I’m kind of glad I haven’t had to fight that one. Not really a fan of the whole snow and ice-mountain cave-dweller scene. And what’s with the Yeti looking thing with the box?”

“You’re the expert here.”

“Right—“ she gave him a skeptic look and shrugged it off.

“What do you make of that one?” He asked, pointing to his left. Most of the drawings there were so corrupted by intersecting lines, neither of them could figure out what they were supposed to be.

“Not a clue, most of this looks like complete garbage. Make sure you get pictures of everything though.”

“On it, Lass.”

“Did you have a chance to check out those last two rooms?”

“Ahh, I got the one on the left you already checked out . Not much in there, in the way of artwork. You already saw the two sets of bunk beds without mattresses. Kinda looks like she just piled stuff up in there that reminded her of her family,” His shoulders dropped a little, “This place is bloody depressing.”

She crossed her arms over her chest as she scanned her eyes over the walls. “Giles would blow his intellectual wad in here. Probably wouldn’t be able to get him to shut up about the place.”

“Trust me, if it weren’t for the creep-factor I’d probably be right along with him.”

“Yeah well I’m going to check out that last room.”

Faith padded down the hallway a little. The door opened a crack and she gasped when the sight of a woman met her; before she realized it was yet another drawing. The room had been completely cleared out. Every reachable surface had been drawn on. Black lines of charcoal covered nearly every inch.

The drawing of the woman that had first caught her attention, took up about half of one wall. She was thin, dark haired and wore a white empire waist gown with blood dripping down the front of her. She was surrounded by children of various ages, and fire.

A wall of blood red fire stood behind the figures in the drawing. It was one of the only drawings that had any color added and Faith realized with a jolt that it was probably blood. Maybe from one of the animals Guinevere had killed.

Faith pulled herself away from the intense stare of the two dimensional woman to examine the rest of the drawings. Demons in all shapes and sizes dotted the walls. A flayed man bound between two trees. Another man arched in pain as light shot out of his eyes and mouth obscuring his features. A woman with blonde hair that looked like it could be Buffy, punching her fist into a demonic Frankenstein’s monster. There was an odd image of a woman floating, dressed in all black with black hair and eyes and unnerving black veins running across her exposed skin.

Faith had no way of knowing if most of these drawings were from the past, present, or future. She had heard stories about Willow going dark and wondered if the last drawing could possibly be her.

Callum walked in, disrupting her thoughts, “Bloody hell—“ he breathed, “Glad I brought extra film.”

“You’re not kidding.”

He pointed towards the picture that had originally caught Faith’s eye, “Who do we think that is?”

Faith frowned, “That would be Spike’s ex.”

*****

Buffy and Spike had just gone into the great room after dinner when Faith and Callum returned to the Inn. Buffy was starting to feel significantly better after getting some food in her stomach. Spike had been right to insist she eat.

Faith plopped down on the couch next to Buffy, jostling the cushions and making Buffy wince.

She turned to glare at her, “Easy, bouncing Betty.”

“Sorry about that B, kind of a rough day.”

“How so? What did you guys find?”

Callum sat in a wingback chair next to the spot Spike had taken up on its twin in front of the unlit fireplace.

Faith sighed and shifted further into the cushions, “Well, we took care of Guinevere and checked out her graffiti. It’s really extensive, there is so much crap to go through there.”

Spike leaned forward, resting his elbows on his thighs. “Anything of note?”

“Lots. Some of it was stuff I know already happened. Like she was having Slayer dreams about us. I really don’t believe she didn’t know Slayers were still around. I really think she was playing us from the get-go.”

Buffy hugged a throw pillow to her chest, “I wondered when you first told us about the drawings. It’s really wiggy.”

“She had to have known.”

“Maybe it sort of added to driving her round the bend.” Callum suggested, “Don’t forget bout the journals and the sketchbooks we found too.”

“Ohh yeah, thanks babe. Yeah she had like hundreds of these things on a big bookshelf in her bedroom. I only flipped through a couple of them but she was definitely losing it for a while.”

“It doesn’t surprise me,” Buffy frowned.

Faith turned back to Buffy, “I had Callum get pictures of all of it. And we grabbed a few of the journals for Giles but there are too many of them to even think about taking with us.”

“At least we have the sword and we can get back in. I’m sure Giles is going to want to check it out.”

“Probably. But one thing at a time. We’re going to have to get the film developed when we get back. I can tell you one thing though,” she rolled her head towards Spike, “there’s one hell of a portrait of your ex in there.”

Spike shifted forward a little more, “Dru?”

“Oh yeah. Looking real creepy with a bunch of kids around her and all this blood dripping down. It’s freaky.”

“Well that tracks. She always did have a thing for kids.” His tone was matter of fact, he wasn’t surprised in the slightest.

“Not helping the creep factor here,” Faith groused.

“Anything else?”

Faith adjusted herself on the couch, “Not a clue really. You figure some of those drawings could be almost as old as the cabin. I only know the ones that I either lived through or heard stories about. Like this one that looks like it could be Willow when she went all dark-side, but I couldn’t tell you if that already happened or if she’s going to go dark again.”

Buffy frowned at that, “Will has been doing really well with the magic stuff but this thing with Kennedy—“

“Yeah what’s going on with that bitch anyway?” Faith asked.

“As long as she’s still in Australia and far far away from Willow and my sister, I don’t really care.”

“You better be careful she doesn’t come back round. My sister-in-law had that problem with her ex before my brother. Sort of how they met, actually.”

“I know Giles has connections in Australia; they are supposed to be keeping tabs on her.”

Callum raised his eyebrows and glanced over at Spike, “Probably for the best I take it?”

“Any more trouble out of her and I’ll happily rip her throat out.”

“Never did get that third notch did you?” Faith said.

He smirked, “Oh I got my notch alright. Brought the house down.”

Buffy blushed, “Oh my word, do you have to bring that up?”

“Don’t care what you say, Pet. You don’t forget your first time, especially when we started out on the ground floor and ended up in the basement. God, that was a fun night.”

Callum bit back a laugh, “Now I understand why you laughed at me for breaking the bed.”

“Wow, B, didn’t know you had it in you.”

“How’bout all the furniture I had to replace in my old crypt?” He wiggled his eyebrows at her.

Buffy glared at Spike, “You are—“ Doing this on purpose.

You bet I am, Slayer. Know it’s gonna be a bit before you’re up to anything, got to keep things interesting.

She rolled her eyes at his smirk, “Anyway… enough about our sex-life; what are you two up to tonight?”

“I could definitely use a drink or twelve,” Faith answered.

“Absolutely,” Callum stood, extending his hand towards her, “can I buy you a drink, beautiful?”

She let him pull her up, “You know it.”

Buffy let out a tired sigh, “I have some serious phone calls to make, I guess.”

Faith turned toward her as Callum wrapped an arm around her waist, “You still haven’t checked in with Giles and Willow?”

“No, not yet.”

Faith snorted, “Good luck with that.”

“Gee, thanks.” Buffy pouted a little.

“Giles can wait a bit can’t he?” Spike asked.

She sighed, “Yeah, I won’t be able to get him off the phone if I mention Queenie. I definitely need to call Will and Dawn though. Get her filled in and make sure everything is alright there. Go on, you three go get your drink on, I’ll be phone-call girl.”

Spike leaned forward taking her hand, “Doesn’t seem fair.”

Buffy shrugged a shoulder, “I’m not really feeling the drinks tonight. I’m actually thinking more sleep.”

“Probably do you some good, Love.”

*****

The inn had a small bar at the back of the dining room. The three of them sidled up to the bar, Faith sitting between the two men.

“How is B doing, I mean really?” Faith asked abruptly.

“She’s alright. Don’t think it’s all sunk in just yet.”

Callum raised a finger in the air to get the bartender’s attention, “Could we get a bottle of whiskey and three glasses here?”

“Straight to the point. Can see why you like this one, Doe-eyes,” Spike said as the bartender set down the glasses and retrieved a bottle of whiskey.

“It’s not the only reason but it’s definitely a perk.”

“I bet,” Spike gave a weak chuckle and shook his head, “this little trip has gone a bit sideways, hasn't it?” he added as the bartender set the bottle down in front of them and started to pour.

Callum chuckled darkly and took his glass, “Never a dull moment with you lot, I’ll say that.”

“I’ll drink to that. Cheers, mate.”

“Cheers,” Callum and Faith echoed.

The three of them shot back their drinks and clunked them down onto the bar before Spike refilled them.

“So what now?” Callum asked.

“Probably just finish out our long weekend here and head home. Don’t think Buffy is too keen to head back early and should be just about healed by then.”

“Brilliant. It’ll give me a chance to paint the view.”

Spike snorted into his shot glass.

Callum grabbed the bottle and refilled Spike’s glass, “What’s that? You going to write us a sonnet?”

“Piss off,” he muttered, biting back a grin. He had to admit, it was nice having another guy around he could call a friend.

“Do I need to leave you two creative types alone?” Faith smirked, downing another drink.

“Oh is that what you think?” Callum laughed as he wrapped an arm around her waist, “Cheeky one, you are,” he pulled her into a kiss, delving deep and leaving her breathless.

“Wow,” Faith sounded dazed when she spoke.

Spike downed another shot, “Maybe it’s me that should leave the two of you alone.”

“You’re good. Promise to save it for the bedroom, mate,” he squeezed her to him, “Right darlin’?”

“Might be time for us to turn in.”

“I probably shouldn’t make a night of it anyway. No telling how things are gonna go if Buffy gets into things with Dawn. Bit’s libel to take it badly.” He paused looking at his glass and filled it again, drinking it quickly.

He was more than a little apprehensive about what this all meant for their relationship. On one hand he was overjoyed with the prospect of having her by his side indefinitely but at the same time he worried about how she would handle watching her loved ones grow old and die. He had never really had that problem but he was sure she would.

“Girl can be savage when she wants to be.” Faith commented.

“Got that right,” he downed another shot and slid from his stool slapping some money down, “I’m going to see how she’s faring.”

*****

When Spike got up to their room, Buffy was in her pajamas and sitting up on the bed with her phone in her hand. She glanced up at him when he came in and he immediately noticed her yes were slightly red at the corners.

“Alright, Slayer? You get through to Roam?”

Buffy cleared her throat, “I talked to Willow.”

He strode over to sit with her, watching her intently. “What is it?”

Buffy shook her head, “I hum, I sort of chickened out.”

“You didn’t call?”

Her voice was rough, “I did. I talked to Willow, checked in on the Rome situation with Kennedy being gone. Violet has sort of taken over, who would have thought huh?”

It was clear she was stalling. “Timid little ginger right?”

“Yeah. Turns out she’s kind of a natural leader, just needed a confidence boost.”

Spike nodded, it was always good to have an update but he couldn’t let her change the subject either. “Good for her but what about Red? What’s going on there?”

She twisted her hands together around her phone, still clutching it, “Oh I got her all filled in no problem. Told her everything we know so far and then— I asked to talk to Dawn. Spike, I completely froze. I don’t even know why. I was doing fine and then when I heard her voice—- I just couldn’t tell her what happened. I started babbling about the B&B; what a nice room we have. I sort of tried to push past the freak-out and started to tell her about the cave but then I just made it sound like we went sightseeing or whatever. It was so stupid.”

Spike pulled her into him, letting her rest her head in the crook of his neck. “This hasn’t exactly been a lovely seaside holiday, Pet. Point of fact I’m not surprised in the least. You’ve been through a lot, we all have. You’re so used to just gettin’ right back up no matter what knocks you down like some sodding punch-clown. You’re still human, sweetheart.”

“Am I?” It was almost a whisper.

He had half expected her to say something like this but it still struck him like a kick to the stomach. “Course you are, Love. You’re just a little something extra. Like a hot fudge sundae with whipped cream and a cherry on top.”

Buffy snorted a tiny laugh, “You’re such an idiot.”

“Yeah but you love me so what’s that say about you?”

“As long as we get to be idiots together.”

“Always.”

Chapter 3 Date Night

******* ******* ********

It was early morning, the sun had just come up when his cell phone rang. Spike sat up in bed. Still naked from the night before, with Buffy curled around him fast asleep. He reached over to grab the phone off of the bedside table. Moving carefully not to wake Buffy, he shifted to sit on his side of the bed, “Hey, Red.”

“Hey, did you find Buffy?”

“She’s right here with me. We sort of had a long night, she’s still asleep, what’s up?”

“I just wanted to check-in and make sure everything is alright.”

“Never better.”

“Did you do it?”

“Eh…”

“Did you find your baddie?”

“Took him down last night.”

“That’s good news. I managed to find a little more on it. I think I figured out why you were getting those dreams. These things have a psychic bond with their mates. When you killed the female you must have got some of its blood on you which created a psychic link between you and the male.”

”It always comes down to blood doesn’t it?” He hesitated watching Buffy as she shifted in her sleep. He had to tamper the urge to kiss her neck and wake her up with a little foreplay.

“There was more here on its blood,” she said, Spike could hear paper rustling.

“What’s that?”

“Just a minute…” There was a pause as she flipped through a book, “Yeah here it is. This breed of demon fled to an alternate dimension, because they were being hunted for the use of its blood in ancient marriage rituals.”

His gaze snapped away from Buffy, “You’re kidding.”

Willow made a humming sound, “Nope, says here that the couple would be painted with the blood then taken to a pre-prepared secluded spot for their wedding night until the initial effects… ehh… wore off…”

He turned his attention back to Buffy, watching her breast rise and fall in her sleep, “What sort of effects are we talking about here?”

“Humm, let’s see… Oh boy— humm Spike?”

“I’m here, what is it?”

Willow hesitated, “Did either of you get any more blood on you?”

“We were both pretty well drenched in it, Red.”

“Seriously?” She squeaked.

Spike’s eyes were still glued to Buffy’s naked form, “Yeah, stuff stank too.”

“What did you two do after you killed it?”

“We came right back to the room, got cleaned up,” he hedged.

“What else?”

“That’s private, between me and Buffy.”

She gave an embarrassed little cough, “But everything’s— humm… good?”

“Best it’s ever been, I’d say. What did you find?”

There was another small hesitation, “It says here that ‘If the love was true it would act as an aphrodisiac for the couple that would last for days, sometimes a week or more. If it wasn’t true love then it would drive them both insane and they would often kill each other before the next morning’, sooo… how are things?” He could almost hear the shy grin in her voice.

“Guess that explains last night.” He answered lazily.

“You guys hum, didn’t try to kill each other I take it?”

He couldn’t stop a self satisfied smile, “Love conquers all, it would appear.”

“Oh… oh! Seriously? And you’re both ehh, good?”

He adjusted the bandage covering the burn on Buffy’s arm to peek at the wound, “We’re doing great.”

“Glad to hear it. You know what Spike, I’m really glad you found her.”

Spike started to interrupt.

“I’m serious. I haven’t always been your biggest fan. I mean really not… but what I’m trying to say is that if anything could have convinced me you’re the right guy for her, it’s this. The fact that you two aren’t currently headed for a padded room or the vacuum means you really do love each other and I’m all for a happy ending. Mazel tov!”

“Appreciate it, Red.”

“Mind if I talk to Buffy?”

“Just a minute”. Spike moved back over to shake Buffy’s uninjured shoulder, “Buffy, wake up, Love .”

She moaned as she rolled over, “Spike? Humm, good morning you,” she purred as she reached for him.

He cleared his throat as she wrapped an arm around him to pull him down to her, “As tempting as that is, humm, Willow is on the phone, she wants to talk to you.”

“Will? Huh? Oh alright,” Buffy said groggily as she took the phone from him, putting it to her ear. The conversation was brief and largely one sided. Buffy barely got a word out of her mouth.

When it was over she looked at the phone aghast, “What the hell was that all about?” She looked up at Spike bewildered, he simply raised his eyebrows innocently. “Oh don’t pretend you didn’t hear that, what was she going on about? Why does she seem to think we’re going to be staying here longer and exactly what did you tell her about our sex life?”

Spike chuckled, “You heard the witch.”

“Who comes up with this stuff?”

“Sodden powers-that-be I suppose. I dunno.”

“And since we’re not insane…”

“Willow knows exactly what we’ve been up to, and I am innocent,” he smirked.

“Oh innocent?” She laughed, “I can think of a lot of words to describe you, ‘innocent’ doesn’t exactly come to mind.”

He took the phone back and set it on the nightstand. Then he slipped under the covers, pressing himself against her, cock already hardening as it bumped against her. “If I’m so bad, maybe you need to punish me.”

“Maybe I do,” she grinned, “Too bad, we don’t have the handcuffs”

“Maybe you could even take a turn, I’d really like that.”

“Get some and maybe I will.”

******* ******** *********

They were wrapped in each other’s arms still recovering from their most recent romp. They had spent the better part of the past three days in bed before they decided it was high time for their night out.

Buffy turned her head towards him chuckling, “So what’s on the itinerary tonight?”

“Since you said you haven’t really been out at night, I thought maybe we’d just take in some of the nightlife. Go for a slay-free walk about the city. Maybe take a bottle of wine down by the river or find a cozy spot for a few drinks. Maybe even check out a rooftop bar and just see where the night takes us.”

“I like that idea. No pressure, just go with the flow. It’s either very bohemian romance or very lazy,” she narrowed her eyes a little.

“Now I know you know me better than that, Love — when in Paris—”

“Humm… ok, let’s say I buy that, mister bohemian lover. At least I think I have the perfect dress for it,” she smiled.

“Getting spiffy are we?”

“I am,” she winked, “I’m going to get ready,” she said, kissing him. She rolled out of bed, grabbed a shopping bag and her toiletry bag before heading into the bathroom.

*****

Spike took the time to get changed into fresh clothes. Nothing fancy, just a pair of leather pants and a dark gray dress shirt. He counted himself lucky he had those in his bag at all.

Buffy came out minutes later wearing a flowing bohemian style, cream-colored, lace dress. The ruffled edge hit her mid-thigh and made her feel extremely feminine and sexy. She had curled her hair, and secured it loosely with two small braids pulled back into a tiny clip. She had put on a little makeup and a thin black choker with a little silver medallion hanging from it. She stood back looking at her reflection in the mirror, smiling, suddenly nervous about going on a real date with Spike.

She took a deep breath and shook her head, “Get a grip lady.”

Spike looked up as she came back into the room, “Wow, Buffy, you look amazing.”

“You don’t think the dress is too much?”

“It suits you, beautiful.”

“You don’t look so bad yourself. Is that outfit new?”

“It’s all new. Arrived in LA with the clothes on my back. Everything I own is in there, Love ” he said gesturing to his duffel bag, not a lot to choose from.

“I like the pants,” she smirked.

“You always did have a thing for leather, baby.”

*****

They walked through the streets with their arms around each other talking and joking easily. It was a good night for it; clear and warm.

“You want to hear something crazy?” She asked.

“What’s that?”

“I was actually kind of nervous about tonight.”

“That’s not so crazy, I’m still a bit nervous.”

“You don’t seem like it.”

He shrugged, “Just want things to go well tonight is all. These last few days have been… a dream and I’m afraid I’m going to wake up.”

“Spike, what do you think a future looks like for us?”

“A ticking time bomb of evil, supernatural activity, and lots of sex.”

She laughed, taking his hand and skipping playfully in front of him, “I’m serious! And you are losing romance points.”

“Bollocks, look, Slayer. We can fret about the next baddie and the next one after that, or we can enjoy the quiet moments and the time we have together.”

“Well that sounded smart. Wait, are you getting smarter?”

“Not bloody likely,” he laughed. “From what you’ve said, things have been fairly under control since LA, and what I could tell before I left it seemed like Wolfram and Hart did a decent bit of cleanup there. Like they wanted to cover it up.”

“Which means they are probably back to planning big evil.”

“True, but we have time, we have now.”

She grinned at that and pulled him into a kiss. Spike twined his fingers into her hair and edged toward the wall of one of the buildings, deepening the kiss. Buffy arched her body into him. She wrapped her arms around his back, gripping the fabric of his dress shirt. He reached down, pulling her leg up to his hip, rubbing himself against her. The demon’s blood was still affecting them, it made it nearly impossible to keep their hands to themselves for very long. The connection already between them, now seemed to be heightened three fold.

Buffy reached a hand down to cup him through his pants. Spike let out a little growl, “You’d better be planning on doing something about that.”

Buffy smirked at him and pulled him into a little alcove created by a set of stairs, “Here?” She murmured. But she didn’t even wait for an answer before she undid his pants, releasing his cock and knelt down to take him into her mouth. The wet heat of her tongue on him drove him crazy. Buffy licked a line up and down his length, palming his balls and squeezing gently as she took him into her mouth again. She worked her mouth up and down taking as much of him as she could while working the lower part of his shaft with her other hand.

Spike gripped her head, tenderly caressing her jaw with his thumbs as she relaxed her jaw to take him deeper. She was nearly swallowing him now. Stars danced in his vision as she rocked back to take a deep breath before working her throat muscles around his cock. Spike eased himself against the stone wall behind him, letting himself relax into her ministrations.

His hands clenched into her hair as he felt himself getting close. “Buffy—“ her name came out in a strangled whisper. She looked up at him, his gaze fixed on her as she swirled her tongue around his tip tasting his salty essence. She opened her throat to take his length back down her throat. She increased her pace on him moving up and down stroking him with her hand in time with her mouth. She could feel the tension in his balls increase and took a deep breath before taking him as deeply as possible. Spike jerked as he came and Buffy swallowed him down, milking him for every last drop before releasing him from her mouth and licking his tip, drawing out one last shiver from him.

He slumped against the wall of their little hiding spot and pulled her up to stand, wrapping his arms around her. Buffy ran a thumb over her mouth. “Did I do enough?” She smirked.

“Never, but it’ll tie me over.”

She swatted his arm as he tucked himself away and fixed his clothes with a mischievous smile plastered to his face. “You’re impossible.”

“First complaint I’ve heard out of you in days,” he said, pulling her into him for a deep kiss, “just you wait, pet, I plan to repay the favor later.”

“You are seriously enjoying this blood-bondy-crazy-awesome-sex thing aren’t you?”

“Oh and you’re not?” He asked, nuzzling her neck.

Buffy could feel herself falling into him again and pulled back a little, “Oh I’m definitely enjoying it, mister,” she smirked, “I just think I want to see more of Paris than our bedroom.”

Spike grinned as they made their way back out onto the sidewalk to continue their romantic walk under the street lights illuminating the exquisite architecture the city offered. The two of them continued on until the lights of a cabaret caught Buffy’s eye. “I’ve sort of been wondering what that’s all about, know anything about cabaret?”

“A bit. Could be a laugh, it would mean the end of my cash.”

“Oh come on I just wanna read the signs. Maybe we can do it another night before we leave. Consider this recon,” she said, pulling him over to the front of the building.

There was hardly anyone left in line now; the show was starting soon. A handsome man with a cleft chin and a dazzling smile, dressed in a well-fitted dark purple suit stepped out of the front doors. The man spoke to the ticket booth attendant then paused watching the people in the street. His keen eyes stopped when he spotted Spike.

“Non ça ne peut pas être réel! William? William!” He called from across the street.

“Bloody hell, Leon?” Spike said in a surprised tone.

“Friend of yours?”

“Eh, been about 75 years, but yeah.”

“Am I going to have to kill this guy?”

“You might want to wait on that, he was always a bit odd for a vamp. Deviant some might say” he said, leading her over to him.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Leon reached for Spike pulling him towards him, “Ahh William! Beautiful William! It has been too long, mon ami!” Leon grabbed Spike kissing him on either cheek, “Just as handsome as ever, you beautiful man! I could cut myself on those cheekbones.”

Spike patted him on the back heartily and gave him a smile, “Hello Leon, how have you been?”

“Tout est magnifique! Much has changed mon ami! What brings you to Paris? And who is this ravishing beauty?”

Spike took her hand pulling her a little closer, “This beautiful woman is my special lady, Buffy.”

"Enchantée, Buffy,” Leon kissed the back of her hand then looked up sharply at Spike, “but she is—“

“Alive?” Spike suggested.

“Human,” Buffy interjected.

Spike turned to Buffy tenderly cupping her cheek, “Oh she’s much more than that, she’s the Slayer.”

“Slayer? What are you doing with a Slayer?” Leon asked, putting his hands up and taking a step back, “I swear, I run a human-safe business.”

“You own this place?” Buffy asked.

“Oui, I do. Please, come in! Anything you want, on the house, only the best for dear William and his lovely Slayer.”

Spike glanced up at him, “Human-safe? Hang on. Leon, are you telling me you went through with that whole catch and release bit?”

“Oui, that is how it started. It has evolved into a lucrative business. My customers always leave to return another time. I know you always scoffed at my policy in the past but I am a businessman; killing patrons is bad for business.”

“Wait, is that what you meant?” She turned to Spike, “His eating habits?”

Spike shrugged, “Well yeah, what did you think I meant? It’s bloody strange for a vampire, without a chip or…”

“Here I thought you just meant he was gay.”

“Well yeah, that’s beside the point. Far as I’m concerned that doesn’t make him deviant,” Spike hitched a thumb in his direction, “it was his eating habits that were so odd… no offense mate.”

“Not at all, William.”

Buffy raised an eyebrow, “Not particularly evil for a vamp.”

“I assure you, I’m a very shrewd businessman. Everyone in my employ knows I have very strict rules about killing patrons. I enforce that rule with impunity. Dead people don’t spend money and tell their friends about the wonderful evening they had.”

“Except for us of course,” Spike retorted.

“Are we just supposed to believe that?”

Spike looked Leon in the eyes “Think so, Pet. He tried to enforce the same rule when he ran an all vampire acting troupe back in the day.”

Leon smiled brightly, the act completely lit up his face making him look every inch the flamboyant showman he was. “Ahh William, sweet William, you do remember!” He bellowed jovially and wrapped an arm around his shoulders into a one arm hug.

“How close were you guys?” Buffy asked, giving them a look of mock suspicion.

Spike rolled his eyes, “Not that close, Love . No worries; I’m all yours.”

”One of life’s great tragedies,” Leon sighed dramatically, “Though not for you dear lady, I’m sure this one shows you a real good time.”

Spike snorted a laugh, “Alright, that’s enough of that, Leon. Buffy, did you want to take in the show?”

Buffy smiled, “Heck yeah! I’d love to!”

“Anything for you, Pet.”

“You see, dear lady, why, I call him ‘Sweet William’? He would do anything for the one he loves.”

“Bloody hell...” Spike grumbled.

Buffy was pretty sure that if Spike could blush he probably would be.

The three of them took a few steps towards the doors following Leon, when he asked, “William? Do you still write your poetry?”

“I humm—“ Spike tilted his head basfuly, “I actually have written a few recently.”

Buffy whipped her head up to him, “You have? I didn’t know you were writing again.”

He dipped his head sharply and sighed, “Maudlin rubbish, blame it on this soul of mine, Love .”

“Soul?” Leon’s mouth dropped as he stopped walking. He looked between the two of them in disbelief before taking a step back towards Spike, “You? You are the famous vampire with a soul?”

“That going to be a problem, Leon?”

“I— no, but of course not. Even when you disagreed with me, you showed me acceptance and friendship at a time few did, mon ami. I have not forgotten.” Leon waved his hand dismissively, “A soul makes no difference to me William. What matters to me is art and you are an artist. What have I always said? We are always our worst critics. Maudlin or not, I am sure your Slayer would love to hear your poetry. Art comes from within.”

Spike turned back to him, “Come off it, Leon. Now who’s being maudlin? Are you going to get us a table or not?”

With a nod, Leon led Spike and Buffy to a spot in the back of the crowded room. “I do apologize, as you have already observed we are indeed sold out. I do hope you will not mind enjoying your evening in the back here. I will have a table set for you if this is satisfactory.”

The show had just begun. Even though they were in the back they had a decent view. “This is fine, mate. We’re easy to get along with as long as everyone behaves themselves.”

“No fear,” He snapped his fingers and two servers brought out a table and chairs for them. Another moment later the table was set with a long table cloth. They had set their seats next to each other so they could see the stage comfortably. “Please, have a seat. Get anything you like, on the house, you are my special guest this evening.”

“Thanks,” Buffy nodded.

Leon called over a pretty dark-haired woman, speaking to her in rapid French. She came over close to him as he whispered in her ear. The woman smiled, giving Spike a wink before walking away. Spike simply turned to Buffy who raised a questioning eyebrow, “Another old friend?”

“Never seen her before, Pet.”

The woman returned a moment later with menus. She handed them one each and Spike two smaller ones. The first was the wine list which he set in front of Buffy. Spike looked over the second little menu and raised an eyebrow looking from the waitress to Leon who was still standing by, smiling his toothpaste commercial smile.

Spike tilted his head, “This is interesting…”

“I thought you might appreciate the special menu, we get a rather ehh… diverse clientele. I thought you might be hungry,” Leon responded.

“Come a long way from your little acting troupe haven’t you, Leon?”

“You are in for a treat tonight”

“Please allow me to leave you to your evening. Ines will see to your every need until I return.” He said tapping Spike on the shoulder before walking away.

With that, the pretty dark-haired woman came over to take their orders. Once she had left, Spike reached for Buffy’s hand, “What do you think?”

“I think I’m still processing.”

“Leon or the cabaret?”

“Both… and you… why didn’t you say you started writing again?”

He shrugged looking towards the stage. He watched the dancers performing for a moment before answering, “Just slipped my mind is all. Probably would have mentioned it eventually.”

Buffy watched him as he watched the dancers, she knew he was avoiding the subject. The dancers finished and the next act, a comedic duo, came onto the stage. They both laughed heartily throughout the performance. Buffy was still laughing as she dried her eyes on her napkin when Ines reappeared with their orders.

“Wine?”

“Yes, thank you, Ines,” Buffy managed to say as she tried to control her laughter. Spike smiled watching her and felt himself fall a little more in love with her. Buffy noticed his stare just as Ines finished pouring the wine. “What’s that look for?”

“I love seeing you smile.”

“These two are hilarious.”

Spike sat back watching the act with her, they really were very good. They were speaking in French but their physical acting and use of props were expressive. They made it easy, even for someone like Buffy who didn’t really speak the language to understand the jokes. He reached for Buffy’s hand and brought it up to kiss the back of her fingers.

“You really know how to get me to melt,” Buffy sighed.

“Hope so,” he grinned, leaning in for a kiss resting his hand on her thigh and walking his fingers up her dress.

Buffy broke the kiss reluctantly, “You keep that up and we won’t make it to the end of the show,” she returned a sultry smile.

“Is that meant to be a deterrent or an incentive?” He purred in her ear as he pushed his hand further up to cup her through the lace of her panties. Buffy suppressed a squeak. “I told you, I was going to return the favor, Pet.”

“Spike...”

“What’s the matter?” He drew a slow line of kisses up her neck making her give a little sigh and she relaxed her thighs for him. “That’s it, beautiful. Watch the show and- enjoy,” he crooned as he gently pulled her panties to the side. He pushed a finger into her folds, finding her already wet and gave a little growl in her ear.

The effect was instantaneous as bliss washed over her face. Spike turned his attention back toward the stage grinning smugly as he reached out to pick up his glass with his free hand. He sipped his drink casually.

Buffy for her part was finding it increasingly difficult to focus on the show. She leaned forward onto the table propping her chin in her hand while he rubbed her clit in slick circles. He slipped a digit deeper into her core spreading moisture over her folds and making her leg quiver under the table, she rocked her hips down over his fingers.

Setting down his glass he increased his speed as he rubbed her swollen nub, “Having a good time, Love?” he whispered into her ear.

His breath caught the shell of her ear. A jolt went through her and she gripped the edge of the table nearly spilling her wine glass but Spike caught it. “Ah ah ah, can’t have that,” he stilled his fingers teasingly over her throbbing clit as he picked up her glass of wine, “care for a sip?”

She turned towards him almost defiantly and reached towards her glass. He pulled it back from her with a taunting smile, “I think I like your hands on the table.”

She set her hands palms down on either side of her plate. Spike carefully tipped the glass to her lips letting her drink as he started working his fingers again before settling the empty glass back down. She gasped a little, the wine combined with his touch filling her brain with a heady fog.

She closed her eyes bracing herself for the wave to come crashing over her at any second. He brushed kisses along her exposed collarbone up her throat to her ear, “Cum for me, Goldilocks.”

Her body spasmed and he clamped his mouth over hers in a searing kiss to catch her moan as the wave crested and crashed over her. He slowed his fingers letting her ride out the orgasm and easing her down from her high. Slowly he slipped his fingers out from her folds, fixed her delicate panties and withdrew his hand, bringing his fingers to his mouth licking them as though they were coated in chocolate.

Spike grinned, “I think I like this date night concept, we should definitely do this more often.”

*****

Sometime later, after Buffy had regained her composure, Ines came over with desert. Buffy ordered the opera cake.

“Merci!” She thanked Ines.

As Buffy picked up her fork. Spike gently took it from her “Allow me,” he said, offering to feed her a forkful.

She moaned “Oh that’s good. Go ahead, you try.”

Spike took a bite, “It’s not bad, but I’ve had better desserts, Pet,” he winked.

She sighed, “Pig.”

He chuckled and turned his attention back to the show, laughing hardly as Buffy leaned into his side and enjoyed her dessert.

The show went on and Ines brought out more wine. Just as the can-can ended Leon came back over to them, “How have you enjoyed your evening?”

“It’s been great, thanks again for having us as your guest.” Spike answered smoothly.

“It has been my pleasure, it isn’t everyday we are graced with the presence of a Slayer. Especially one who isn’t intent on killing all of us.”

Buffy looked at him “You’ve got a lot going in favor of this place, Leon, I haven’t seen anything overtly evil… yet,” she paused, raising an eyebrow, “let’s keep it that way. Shall we? I’ve been around long enough to know you probably have something going on on the side here, but since all I’ve seen is a good show and hospitality… don’t make me regret this alright? I’m on vacation…” she shrugged as she took another sip of wine.

“But of course dear lady”, Leon nodded again and looked up abruptly when someone called his name, “If you will both excusé moi, l have some matters that require my attention. William, mon ami I do wish we had more time. It is the curse of success is it not? Please, come back as often as you like while you are in our fair city.”

“Thank you for the offer but we will be heading out soon.”

“Ahh, then this is farewell for now my friend,” he motioned for Spike to stand up, “I am saddened to see you go so soon, I would have liked you to meet my husband,” Leon pulled him into an embrace as he kissed him on both cheeks, “He would be fascinated by you dear friend.”

“You kept that under your hat. When did you get married?”

“About thirty years ago. Jacques, is my head chef. He is responsible for your meal this evening.”

“You’re kidding me? Chef Jacques? Buffy, that’s the bloke I was telling you about that taught me about the herbs in the blood.”

“You married well then. The food was great!” Buffy interjected.

Leon clapped Spike on the shoulder, “He will be delighted to receive the compliment. Don’t stay away so long next time.”

Spike smiled and nodded, “Now I know you have this place, maybe I’ll have to make it a point to come back.”

“Give us some notice and we can make some proper plans.”

“Perhaps next time, old friend. Thanks again for the evening.” Spike pulled him into a one armed hug, thumping him on the back.

Leon nodded his head as he pulled out a business card from the inside pocket of his suit jacket. “Please stay in touch. True friends are hard to come by in this life, I will pass along the lovely things you’ve said to Jacques.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“See that you do.”

******* ******** *******

Buffy ran her thumb over Spike’s thumb nail as they walked back towards their hotel. She had been relatively quiet since they left the club. “Penny for your thoughts, Pet?”

“I was wondering if you were going to recite poetry to me tonight?”

“Poetry is it?”

She shrugged, “Color me curious.”

Spike stretched his neck and huffed out a breath, “Do you know how many people have told me they like my poetry?”

“You’ve only ever told me about the jerks at that party the night you—“

“Yeah well, anyway, thing is I’ve had exactly four people say they liked my stuff. Four people. My mother— sort of obligated. Drusilla— insane. Angel— has generally crappy taste, seriously, the man likes Manilow. Then there’s Leon— and I’m pretty sure he was just trying to sweet-talk me. So unless you count a bar full of drunks, which I don’t— that’s four people in my very long life and not exactly reliable sources.”

“Ok… and?”

“The stuff I write, it’s…”

“Maudlin?”

“Well, yeah… “

“Ever think that sometimes all a girl wants is just a little dash of sappy romance?”

“That is the wine talking.”

“Also true.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Spike pulled Buffy around in front of him “Come here you,” he growled as he pulled her into a kiss. Buffy snaked her arms around his neck. Pulling him closer as she dug her fingers into his bleached hair.

Buffy gasped as she struggled to catch her breath and looked around them, “I have an idea.” She kissed him again and forced Spike down an alley pushing him against the brick wall.

“And what do you call this?” He gasped as she released him from a kiss.

“Balance” she answered with a grin.

“Not that I mind of course, but you do realize our hotel is about three blocks from here, right? Thought we’d end the evening there.”

Buffy responded by unfastening his pants and jumping up to wrap her legs around him, “Who said we’re ending the evening?”

“Mine yours and ours it is then,” he growled softly, “You do like it rough.”

“Sometimes,” she gasped as Spike turned so she was pinned against the wall now.

“Oh I get it, Love , it’s a lace and whiskey kind of balance.”

“Something like that,” she panted as she reached down to stroke his length.

She quickly slipped her panties to the side and positioned him at her opening letting him push into her. His hips rocked into her smoothly as the motion pushed her against the rough surface of the wall. She reached a hand up to grip a window ledge as he worked himself into her smoothly. He dipped his head to nip at her neck, caressing her salty skin with his tongue.

She gasped as she rocked herself against him, meeting his thrusts. “God Spike, harder.”

“Yes ma’am,” he growled as he slammed his hips into her repeatedly. Buffy dug her nails into his shoulder over his dress shirt, skimming up his neck and gripping his hair roughly.

Spike growled as she pulled his hair, “God yes, Buffy. Give it to me.”

She clamped down on him, squeezing as she came undone, biting his neck.

“That’s it—“ he moaned as the bite pushed him over the edge with her.

Buffy released her mouth from his throat, in search of his mouth. The kiss electrified them both as they came down. She moved her hand from the window ledge and tapped him on the shoulder, “What do you say we save the next round for our room?”

Spike grinned a little drunkenly, “I do love the sound of that.”

*****

A few days later Buffy sat on the little balcony enjoying the sunshine while listening to her messages. Spike was fast asleep. Her voicemail was full of messages from Dawn and Willow.

Without realizing it she had started to do exactly what she had been trying not to do ever since Sunnydale. She was pushing people away again.

This time it had really only been while she had been in Paris, true. Also true was that she had desperately needed this vacation, but it still didn’t sit well with her. She decided it was high time she gave her little sister a call. Much to her surprise Dawn answered on the first ring.

“Hey, Dawnie.”

“How go the Paris sexcapades?”

Buffy squeaked, “Dawn!”

“Relax Buffy, no one is judging. Willow had me read all about that demon you two took on. All things considered, I’m thinking this is definitely the best possible outcome.”

“Really? I seriously thought I’d have about three weeks of convincing ahead of me. You are kinda freaking me out…” she laughed.

“The blood ritual thing is pretty convincing all on its own. If it weren’t for that I think Willow and I would both have had very different reactions,” Dawn paused thoughtfully, “Ya know what you should do?”

Buffy adjusted herself in her seat, “Do I want to know?”

“I think you and Spike should take some time together.”

“I thought that’s what we were doing.”

“No, I mean really take some time. Maybe do some traveling.” Dawn huffed indignantly.

Buffy couldn’t help a tiny frown, “Oh I’m not sure about that, I really should get back to work.”

“Go visit Giles then, check in on the slayers. I know that’s been bothering you. Go see how things are shaping up.”

Suspicion crept into Buffy’s mind, “Is there some reason you don’t want us coming home?”

“No, I didn’t say that, Buffy! I just thought it might give you guys some extra time together. You know, spend the honeymoon period traveling before you get home and start keeping me up at night.”

She snorted a laugh, “We just got back together, we didn’t get married!”

“Not the way that book describes it, kinda sounds like you are.”

Buffy tilted her head back to stretch her neck, “You’ll be the first to know if I ever get married, whatever happened, it wasn’t a marriage. It’s only been a few days.“

“Whatever you need to tell yourself, Buffy. I’m just going to start referring to him as my brother-in-law now so I can get used to it ok?”

Buffy rolled her eyes, “I’m still getting used to the idea of ‘boyfriend’ but sure Dawn.”

“Humm yeah, I’m just going with brother-in-law”

Buffy sighed as she hung up the phone several minutes later. She turned her attention to the Eiffel Tower in the distance, the sun would be setting within the next few minutes.

“What does the Nibblet want you to ask me?”

Buffy jumped, “Good grief Spike! One of these days I really am going to buy you a bell!”

“Whatever kink you like, Love, ” he smirked as he stood by the partially open sliding door. Shielding himself from the sun with the curtain, he watched her reaction as the sun caught her hair. It was nice to see her in the daylight even if he couldn’t join her.

“Apparently my preferred kink is sleeping with exceptionally hot dead guys.”

Spike put two fingers to his own throat as though to check his pulse “Oh no, Doc, I think we lost him” he drawled “Maybe you should come back in here and see if you can revive the patient.”

Buffy got up making her way inside. She grinned as she looked at him, “I could do that, but then we might not get out of the room and I’m getting a little hungry.”

“Perhaps later then?”

“Perhaps.”

He pulled her toward him with a hand on her waist, “You going to pass along Dawn’s message?”

“Oh that” she waved a hand, “Dawn thinks we should take a trip. Visit Giles and Faith and take the long way home.”

“I’m game if you are.”

“You are?”

He shrugged, “Sure, last time I was in England I spent the whole time in a tree with Angel.”

She gave him a confused look, “What were you doing in a tree?”

He moved over to sit on the edge of the bed, gently pulling her along with him, “Long story, but I got the chance to work on my fighting skills. Maybe I could teach the Slayeretts too.”

“You’d actually be willing to do that?”

“Sure, why not? It’s important to you, and if I’ve got something that could help them fight then it’s worth it.”

Buffy smiled brightly, “Ok, Scotland it is then”

“Scotland? I thought he had them in England with the Devon Coven or something.”

She shook her head, her hair fanning out behind her, “Nope, just outside of Edinburgh. It’s an estate once owned by the council, Willow worked some hacker magic and some literal magic and now it belongs to Giles, and me.”

Spike gaped at her a little, “You’re kidding.”

“Nope, how do you think I could afford this little vacation? She also managed to secure much of the council’s financial holdings putting Giles in charge. I’m on the payroll now.”

“So you’re getting paid for slayer work now?”

“Yup, and Faith has been teaching and training with Giles.”

“Shit. That’s a change. Where was that perk when you were soaking in Double Meat grease?” he said, leaning back on the bed onto his elbows.

“If you were shooting for ‘reassuring’, you missed.”

“You know what I mean.”

Buffy twisted to lay down on her side next to him with her head propped in her hand, “Dawn did say we should take our time… what’s that even mean anyway?”

“I’ll tell you what it means. We pick a place and just go. We met new people, eat good food, see the sights,” he turned to mirror her on the bed, “I’ve been everywhere, done everything; but I haven’t done it with you, I haven’t done it with a soul. Everything is different now.”

“He shoots; he scores,” she murmured softly.

“Glad to be back on the scoreboard,” he replied, kissing her. “We already decided on Scotland. So that’s what we’ll do. After that, I want to take you around.”

“Where do you have in mind?”

“Uh nope, that’s not how this works, Love . Rule number one, we don’t pick the next place until we have experienced the one we’re in for a bit.”

“Interesting.”

---

41 Breathe

Spike crumpled in over Buffy’s still form in his arms. The gaping hole in his own chest practically nothing compared to the pain of feeling her limp against him. He was so consumed by grief that he didn’t even notice the hand lightly gripping the back of his head. Until the fingers gripped harder and dug into his scalp. “Go on, Faith, just leave us alone… I can’t—“ he shuddered weakly.

Faith looked up from where her eyes had fixated upon the floor a few inches away from Buffy. “It’s not me. Spike look.”

He shook his head, still unwilling to move.

“Spike?” The hand gripped tighter in his hair, pulling him back a little, “You’re crushing me.”

He blinked several times, letting his eyes focus on Buffy. Who was looking back at him with wide green eyes. His grip on her increased involuntarily and she gasped. “Babe, kinda hard to breathe.” She gasped again.

In his shock Spike nearly dropped her before adjusting his grip on her. “Oww!” She groaned.

“Buffy? Oh thank God. You really had me going there for a minute, I thought I’d lost you again.”

“Doesn’t exactly tickle,” she coughed and a little blood came up with it, “oh that’s gross.”

He pressed his ear to her chest, “I swear your heart stopped, Pet. It’s In working order now, bit fast. Bitch got you in the lung.”

She took several shallow gasping breaths. “That would explain it.”

“What the hell?” Faith’s voice came from behind them, “not that I’m not super stoked or anything but what the hell B?”

Spike looked back at her. “Not now, let’s get her back to our room and let her heal up a bit and we’ll explain.”

“She has a right to know.” Buffy gasped again.

“And she will.”

She grumbled and started to sit up with a grimace of pain. Spike adjusted himself to help her up better.

“Should she really be moving like that?” Callum asked, shock lacing his voice.

“Fought off Uber-vamps— and ran rooftops, after the last time this happened,” she rasped weakly before gasping for breath. She coughed several times before continuing, “Think I can handle this.”

Spike supported her over to a comfortable chair setting her back allowing her to breathe easier. “Rest a bit. This one is considerably worse, Slayer. Your heart literally stopped.”

“Like it hasn’t done that before.”

“You know what I mean. Lung is a bit different than the gut.”

Callum shook his head. “All right, but I’m with Faith on this one. What’s going on, is this some sort of Slayer thing? Is that what all those questions you were asking Guinevere were about before she went mad?”

Buffy and Spike exchanged a look. She coughed again grimacing and glanced over to the spot where Guinevere’s head had landed. “Spike’s right. We should— get out of here.” Her breathing was off. Weak. But she was determined to push through.

Spike gave a nod, “Faith, can you run up and see if you can find a blanket or something to wrap around her? We don’t want to cause a ruckus back at the B&B.”

“Sure, whatever. I’m just glad she’s alright.”

Faith’s head was swimming as she took the stairs at a run. The breath caught in her throat when she saw what was at the top of the stairs. “Huhh, guys! You might want to see this!”

Spike growled, “Cal, go on. See what she found.”

Callum met Faith at the top of the stairs. The walls of the upper landing were completely covered with what looked like hellish graffiti. Drawing atop drawing until they were barely legible. “God, what are these?”

“Slayer visions,” Faith said flatly. “She must have still been having them… These— and she had stopped fighting. No wonder she was looney toons.”

“You mean this is the kind of stuff you dream?”

“Well yeah, but this— Cal, when I get some slayage in, this sort of slides away and they're just dreams. Freaky ones sure, but we get used to them and the slaying sort of calms things down. They don’t build up. Not like this. Guinevere was doing some extreme ignoring and it drove her crazy.”

“Holy shit.”

“You can say that again.”

“Oi! Can we hurry this along! Slayer healing notwithstanding, Buffy still needs tending to here!” Spike’s voice bellowed up the stairs.

“Right,” Faith muttered as she pushed open one of the doors onto a neatly kept bedroom that must have been Guinevere’s. She quickly grabbed a dark green wool blanket and the two of them turned back down the stairs.

In a moment Spike had Buffy wrapped in the blanket and was carrying her out of the cottage. Faith and Callum following behind carrying the weapons they’d brought with them, including Lancelot’s bloodied sword.

“Spike, you really don’t have to carry me,” Buffy complained before having another coughing fit that made her wince and gasp in pain.

“What and pass up a chance to be useful? Not likely,” he grinned at her as they made their way out of the forest clearing and back into the dimly lit cave. The water spirit was standing sentient at the edge of the water when they came out.

“Am I hallucinating?” Buffy wheezed.

“Shh, no you’re not, Love.”

“Vampire, the Slayer within is no more.”

“I didn’t kill her if that’s what you’re thinking. But you knew what would happen before you let us in didn’t you?”

The watery figure inclined her head. “I confess it was foretold. The Lady’s demise would come in the form of two like her, and two men, one living, one dead; carrying the sword of Lancelot.”

“Could have warned us.”

She shook her head wearily. “That I could not.”

“Now what?”

“This is the Slayer you spoke of, the one you wish to make your bride?”

“She is.”

“She is injured.” The spirit moved forward, reaching out a translucent hand towards Buffy. “She is strong despite being weakened so. She should rest. Her body will heal.”

“Ta, sort of already figured that one out.”

Callum gaped a little at the water spirit, “D-did you need the sword back?” he stammered.

“I do not. I think it would be best if the Slayers kept it, this place may still be of use to you in the future.”

Faith glanced down at the sword and back at the entrance that had already closed behind them. “I think I’m gonna be back to check things out if that’s alright.”

“As you wish my Lady, this place is now at your disposal.”

“Ah yeah, thanks. I guess.”

Spike gave a quick nod and proceeded towards the raft where he quickly helped Buffy get situated and then they were off heading back towards the Bed and Breakfast. At the mouth of the cave Spike helped settled Buffy down onto a large rock.

“Not going to be a laugh getting up that hill, Pet. How do you feel about a piggyback ride?”

Buffy glared at him and started coughing again, clutching at her chest she nodded, “Fine, you win this time.”

“Don’t worry, no one here is going to think you’re any less of a badass,” Faith chuckled darkly. “What was all that in there? The anti-aging questions and this and— What the hell Buff! Didn’t you think this might be shit I should know about?”

“It’s not like that,” Buffy gasped.

“Then what’s it like then? What if she had run me through?”

“You probably would be dead. You have a few more years,” Buffy coughed again, wheezing.

“We don’t have all the answers. We will tell you what we know and piece it together with whatever the hell just happened in there. After! Buffy is in bed.”

“Fine.”

“Damn right. I don’t remember anyone grilling you for answers when you got blown-up.”

“You got blown-up?” Callum eyed her dubiously.

“Not exactly. More like the shockwave and some shrapnel. Spike wasn’t even there for that.”

“Don’t get me started on why. At least I was there for the after party,” he grumbled.

“Let’s hear it for the Big Bang!”

At that Buffy grabbed Spike’s arm pulling herself up to stand. “Knock it off you two!” she hissed painfully.

Spike turned, grabbing her tightly, “Come on, Pet,” he murmured as he pulled her around to his back. Squatting down he grabbed her legs, pulling them around his waist as she gripped him around the neck and shoulders. “Cal, fetch the blanket.”

“Sure, mate.” He grabbed it from where Buffy had left it on her rock, “You don’t want this now do you?”

“Not cold or shocky are you, Lamb?”

“Less talk. Giddyup.”

“Should’ve seen that one comin’.”

Buffy pulled her arms tightly around him. An intense sting radiated through her chest at the movement but she didn’t dare release him.

The four of them made the trek up the rocky slope. Callum and Faith followed behind. At the top of the path, Buffy slipped from his back and continued to the B&B only pausing long enough at the van for Faith and Callum to stow the weapons and get the first-aid kit they had started keeping in there since they first arrived.

Back in their room, Spike settled Buffy onto the bed while Faith gathered a bowl of water and a clean rag. Callum tossed the first-aid kit onto the bed exiting quickly as Spike started to pull her shirt off. He examined the wound and pressed his ear to her chest again, “I’m no doctor but I swear it’s sounding better. How are you feeling?”

“Super tired,” she took in a tentative breath before coughing again, “Breathing still sucks.”

“Blood has stopped. That’s good. Not crazy about seeing you coughing up blood.”

“Babe, if I can survive this, I think I’m in the clear.”

He cupped her cheek, “Looks like we got some time to work through those issues of ours after all.”

“Little bit.”

His eyes were filled with wonder as he gazed at her. Thankful she was alive. He smiled. Time. They had time. She was alive and they had time. A lot of it, it would seem. “Guess we got some answers tonight, ehh?”

“I’d like some of those too,” Faith said as she came in, breaking the moment. She threw some navy blue towels onto the bed and set the bowl of warm water on the little table next to Buffy. Then she sat down on the bed behind Buffy and started cleaning the wound at her back, “Don’t let me stop you, go on, I think I need to hear this too.”

“She’s right babe,” Buffy murmured as she slumped into Spike’s shoulder, letting him support her while Faith worked.

“We’re going to have to call Red I bet.”

“She’s been thinking this has all been because of her spell and it’s not,” she paused trying to catch her breath, “Guinevere just gave up— got past her— 26th birthday without— dying first. Which means—“

“Which means that the wankers who started this whole Slayer thing put a cap on your lives with that damned death-wish thing.”

“Exactly.”

“Someone want to back up here?” Faith groused as she pressed gauze to the wound harder than necessary, making Buffy gasp in pain.

“Yeah, easy, Florence Nightingale, we’re patching up a wound not the Hoover Dam.” Spike snapped.

Faith looked at her hand pressing on the gauze and released some of the pressure. “Sorry, B,” she mumbled, “go on, you were about to start story time.”

Buffy took a minute to regulate her shallow breathing, “It goes back to the original spell that created the first Slayer. From what Willow says it has— ah— something to do with the demon they used, like a type of vampire which—“ she gasped, “makes sense because—“

Faith nodded, “Vampire Slayer, duh.”

Buffy shook her head grasping for breath and tapped Spike on the shoulder.

“I can fill in for a bit.”

Buffy nodded.

“Looks like that death-wish thing you all share is there by design and serves a rather twisted purpose. Keep the line rolling with pretty young things.”

Faith stiffened, “You want to clarify that?”

“Death is our gift,” Buffy interjected, a little stronger this time.

“Right. They seemed to think that if you made it that far it was a job well done and you should just reap your reward, everlasting peace...” his voice trailed off, knowing it was still something that stung at Buffy, knowing what she had lost.

“So is that how Queenie was like a thousand or something.”

“Dunno about that really but yeah, bird was up there. She was apparently the one who made it past the expiration date because she stuck her head in the sand instead of fighting the good fight.”

“So she stopped aging.”

“And apparently can’t be killed unless you chop her head off. We’re pretty sure that’s the reason the original watcher’s wrote in that little caveat. Didn’t want an immortal woman with super powers wandering round. Basically, these sick bastards decided that no one, including the chosen one, should have eternal life so they instilled a sort of death-wish in Slayers ensuring they would never make it past 25. Probably why they started that whole Cruciamentum thing at 18 too.”

“Holy shit.”

“That was pretty much my reaction too.”

“Okay, so explain Buffy, she’s only a few months older than me.”

“I’m what happens when you return a gift.”

Faith stopped what she was doing, “You don’t mean—“

“You too can be just like me if you either get ripped out of heaven or live to celebrate your 26th birthday. Apparently…” Buffy tried a weak parity of an infomercial, but then trailed off with several more raspy breaths and a fresh round of coughs.

Spike noticed the blood had stopped completely now and her breathing eased slightly. As did some of the tension in his shoulders along with it.

“Well shit.”

“Yeah, really.” Buffy sighed.

Faith got up and took a second to let the news sink in before speaking, “Lay back, your back is done, we got to get the front patched up.”

Spike helped ease her back gingerly, “Give me that,” Spike held out a hand to Faith, and she handed over the gauze.

“How long have you guys known about this?”

“Not long. Tonight sort of filled in some of the bigger gaps.” Spike answered as he tended to Buffy’s wound.

“Yeah… I guess I get that…” she said distractedly, and cleared her throat, “You eh, you got this right Spikey-boy?”

“Sure, you go on. Mull things over.”

“No kidding,” with one last glance back at them, Faith slipped out the door and into her own room where Callum was waiting. He had taken off his shirt and boots and was sitting in the comfortable reading chair in their room, elbows resting on knees and staring at his shirt clutched in his fists. He looked up when Faith came in, “She’ll pull through, I gather?”

Faith nodded, “Yeah. Spike‘s got this. Slayer healing has the rest. She’ll probably take it easy for a few days but she’ll be fine.”

He nodded, “And how are you fairing?”

She sat down heavily on the bed and let out a huge sigh, “Honestly, I have no freaking clue. They just filled me in on some crazy shit going on with Buffy. And apparently all the slayers including me, if I don’t bite the big one first.”

Callum shifted over to sit next to her, “You want to talk about it?”

His eyebrows rose as she filled him in, and he shook his head. “That’s a lot to take in.”

“Yeah but from the sounds of it, I kind of have a while before I really have to worry about any of that.”

He looked back down at his hands, took hers in his and gazed at their entwined fingers. “Look, Faith, I’m not gonna pretend that this isn’t freaking me out. I’m still wrapping my head around what I saw tonight.”

She yanked her hand away. “You’re going to run for the hills aren’t you?”

Callum narrowed his eyes at her and turned to look at her squarely, “Whatever gave you that daft idea?”

“Humm hate to break it to you but tonight was definitely not the weirdest thing we’ve ever seen. Yeah the whole thing with Buff was pretty intense but it’s still just another freaking day.”

“Doubt this sort of thing is typical, even for you, Lass.” He shot her a small grin.

“I— well not exactly—“

He shoulder bumped her gently before taking her hand again. It had been a long night. “It’s alright if you need to talk. I sure as hell could use an ear.”

Faith watched him, “Talk?”

“Well yeah, you know, that thing you do with your mouth that helps you express your thoughts?”

“Are you sure we’re talking about talking?”

“Normally I’d let you get away with that but I’m serious, Faith. We should talk about this.”

“I’m not great with the talking.”

“Fine, I’ll start. Today started off as a fun road trip. The biggest thing I was worried about was trying to get Spike and Buffy to come round to figuring out what they want to do in the duplex. Then meeting Guinevere was pretty amazing—“He cut off when she gave him a dubious look, then continued, “well it was at first. Until she went crazy and I watched my girlfriend decapitate her after she stabbed Buffy through the blasted chest. Who is apparently going to be fine by the way… which is great news, but holy shit, Lass! It’s just been a bloody weird night and I’m still wrapping my head round it all.”

She bit back some snappy retort at the vulnerability he was showing, like a shark smelling blood in the water. She didn’t want to be a shark. She wanted to be a better person. A better her. Angel had helped her a lot and she was better, but this kind of thing still didn’t come naturally to her. Spike‘s Florence Nightingale jab came back to her.

She took in Callum’s hulking muscular form, tattoos rippling across his skin, his disheveled hair hanging limply, and the mix of indiscernible emotions on his face. Here was the man who had practically moved into the castle with her after losing one of her girls and he never said a word. He never complained. He didn’t look at her like she would break and he wasn’t overbearing. He was just there when she needed him. Now he was asking for the same treatment and she wasn’t sure how to do it.

“Did that help?” It was a weak attempt, she knew, but she really was trying.

He bit the inside of his cheek, “A bit. Might take me some time. I mean you’ve been honest ever since I found out about the whole Slayer thing. But knowing it and seeing it are pretty different things.”

“Okay so now I’m thinking you’re going to bolt on me again.”

He threw up his hands standing up abruptly and turned to her. “God, would you stop that? Can you just for once— it’d be nice to know that you are capable of having a little faith in us.”

“I’m not used to this. Having someone I— none of this comes easy for me, ya know? I mean I’ve never really had too much experience with—“

“The whole lone wolf bit. You’ve told me.” He huffed and sat back down next to her.

She shook her head, “It's not just that, Cal. Every time I would start to get close in the past, I— I didn’t just push people away, I made them hate me. It took going to prison and Angel helping me out the whole time I was in there for me to realize what I was doing and I’m still working on changing that. Teaching at the castle, getting as close to Giles as I have, burying the hatchet with Buffy and getting to know the girls— I’ve changed a lot, but it’s hard.”

Callum shifted back towards the headboard looking at her. “Not telling me anything new. I’m not asking for a miracle, sweetheart. Just stop acting like I’m going to bolt every time there’s a bump in the bloody road.”

“Most people would probably say this is more than a bump.”

He rearranged one of the pillows to give her a comfortable spot next to him and leaned forward to pull her closer. “Yeah well maybe it’s more like a crater but I’ve been told I’ve got to adjust for slayer weirdness so why split hairs?”

She actually laughed at that as she eased herself next to him. Stretching her legs out she examined her bare feet as she spoke, “Definitely got the weirdness.”

“We both need to deal with it. You saw tonight what happens when you don’t.”

“I also saw what happens when everyone you love dies.”

He shook his head, “Think that probably goes two ways, could also be what happens when you wall yourself away from letting anyone else in after loss.”

She pulled her legs up to her chest defensively. “Maybe— I don’t want to do that, Cal. I don’t want to be like her.”

“Then don’t,” he shrugged his broad shoulders, “you said you wanted to go back in there. Do you think that will help you deal with this?”

“Won’t know until I try. If nothing else, maybe I’ll find something the brains can use.”

“Then we’ll go back tomorrow, together.”

She let her legs fall as she turned towards him a little more, “I’m going to have to deal with the body, Cal. Are you sure you want to see that?”

“No, but I will. I’m not letting you go back there alone.”

“Who’s the badass here?” She asked, raising an eyebrow.

He grinned at her, “No question it’s you, babe. This isn’t about that.”

“So what now?”

He shrugged, “I don’t know. But it’s like you said ain’t it? You’ve still got some time before any of this affects you directly. All I know is I want to spend as much time with you, as either one of us might have. If that’s a day or a thousand years I want to be a part of your life as much as possible.”

“So like the whole ‘Carpe Diem' thing?”

“Suppose so.” They sat quietly for a long time, both lost in thought. “So does this mean this is something that could’ve happened with any slayer throughout history?” He asked, thinking about the aunt he never knew.

“Apparently. Well no, not really. That’s what the death thing is for I guess.”

“And that’s all slayers, you too?”

“Yeah. I mean—“ she broke off. Thinking about her darkest moments when things were the worst. It seemed almost like someone else’s life compared to where she was now. She shook her head, “It's different though. We’re fighters, it's who we are and we’re not going down without a fight. But sometimes there’s just— it’s like this split second when things get really clear and everything seems— and then the next second it’s gone. Like it never happened.”

“And my aunt?”

“Yeah, her too. Guinevere is the only one that we have ever heard of in the history of, well ever, to actually get past the termination clause. Hell, even Buffy has died twice. Three if we count tonight but— yeah that’s just going to give me a headache.”

He leaned towards her, taking her hand, “What about you?”

“Close a couple of times, but no.”

Settling his arm around her and he pulled her back onto the bed with him, “Keep it that way, yeah?”

She snuggled her cheek against his chest, getting comfortable, “That’s the plan.” She ran her fingers over the lines of the bear’s head tattooed on his chest and wrapped her fingers around his shoulder following the line work of it’s body.

He tilted his head down to watch her and caught her eye. “But right now you just want to shag so you don’t have to think about it, don’t you?”

“Don’t you?” She asked a little gruffly as she gripped him through his jeans.

Callum caught her wrist and pushed her back, pinning her to the mattress. “Sort of beside the point isn’t it?”

She grinned wickedly, pressing herself up to catch him with a hard kiss, “It’s one way to cope.”

“Carpe Diem,” he growled as he returned the kiss and let her flip him over to his back, not that he could have stopped her, not that he’d want to. He landed with a hard thud onto the mattress and a fierce grin on his face as they melted into one another. He worked his fingers under the soft fabric of her t-shirt and cupping her breast through her bra. Faith pulled back allowing him to push it over her head and unclasped her bra for him.

They were both topless, clad only in jeans that certainly had to go. She kissed him hard, biting his lip and pulling back a little. He groaned a little and returned the kiss with abandon. Without breaking the kiss Faith shifted back onto her knees enough to unbuckle his jeans and hers. She had no more than undid her zipper when he had already pushed her jeans and underwear down around her hips. She rocked back to remove her jeans and Callum followed unexpectedly. He shucked off his own as he pushed Faith back towards the foot of the bed. She pulled him down to her wrapping her legs around his waist feeling his cock bounce against the inside of her leg and over her center. The anticipation was driving her crazy.

He pulled back a little, grinning, “Something you want, beautiful?”

In response she reached down to grip his cock firmly. His grin widened as he pulled back slightly. “Sorry darlin’, patience, please. I wanna go slow with you tonight. Coping with trauma takes time after all,” he murmured as he nipped at her neck, making her shudder.

“Are we calling this couple’s therapy?”

“God, I love you.”

*****

Spike laid on his side propped up against a couple of pillows, watching Buffy sleep. Her breathing was still labored but better. What had been alarmingly ragged painful breaths before now resembled the breathing of someone with just a nasty chest cold.

The wound he had received from the same stab of the sword hurt like hell but he didn’t have to breathe. She was the one struggling for breath, and he hated it. She was as immortal as he was, had apparently been ever since she had been resurrected. They just hadn’t known for sure. The thought made his head hurt.

It was a long moment before he realized she was looking at him. “Hey there, Goldilocks.”

“Hey yourself,” she rasped as she adjusted herself on the bed to see him better. She winced as she settled back onto the pillows.

“How are you feeling?”

“Like a seriously thirsty pincushion.” She hissed in pain as she adjusted the pillow behind her.

“Thought you might. I managed to scrounge up a pitcher of water for you,” he held a glass with a straw sticking out of it for her, “drink.”

She ended up only taking a few sips but it was better than nothing.

“Your breathing and heart rate sound a lot better. Think your healing is concentrating on the internal damage.”

“Thank you, Dr. Pratt.”

He shuddered comically, “Oi! Now that I can do without.”

Buffy laughed weakly, “You should get some sleep too mister. Clearly I’m going to heal just fine.”

“Not the point is it? I still don’t like seeing you hurt.”

She sighed, “Okay, yeah, but you were part of the shish kebab too last I checked.”

“I’m alright.”

Buffy frowned, “How long was I out?”

“Few hours. Sun came up a couple of hours ago. You need your rest, sweetheart.”

“Notice the total lack of backflips.”

“Ahh huh, let’s have a look at that shall we?” He gestured towards the bandage on her chest.

Buffy gave a little nod and watched as he pulled back the bandage with deft fingers. He gently prodded the skin around the wound. It was puckered together although the skin hadn’t yet begun to heal. Just as he had said, her body was working from the inside out.

“We should probably try to get some food in you. Do you feel up to it?”

“Are we talking jello?”

He laughed, “I’m serious, you need to keep your strength up. I already had some blood. You sure you don’t need anything?”

Buffy considered that. She was thirsty but that was all. She didn’t think she could eat anything. “No, just water for now.”

He reached over for her glass, holding it up for her again. “You scared the hell out of me, Pet. Why didn’t you dodge? A stab like that would have been nothing more than a sodding inconvenience for me,” he pulled up his shirt and gestured to his own chest at the wide gash located a little lower than Buffy’s much more severe wound.

She turned a tired gaze towards his face, “I was trying to get you out of there, you idiot. Did you see how fast Queen Crazy was?”

“It keeps running through my head. I really thought—“

She reached to cup his cheek and he leaned into the warmth of her hand, “Spike, honey, I’m going to be alright. We both are.”

He shook his head a little. She had known of the possibility longer than he had but he wasn’t sure if she had taken the time to really consider a life of immortality. “Buffy—“

She squinted a little, worry was rolling off of him in waves, his thoughts simmering at the surface. “I know.”

“Do you?”

“Dawn, Giles, Will, Xan… yeah… I’ve thought about it. I’ve been thinking about it.”

“And?”

“It’s just one more layer of weird isn’t it? But hey at least we’re in this together right?”

“Till the end of the world.”

Unless of course the prophecy actually was referring to him and not Angel. For the first time since he had heard about it, he desperately hoped it really was Angel.

The stupid ponce can have his mortal cake and eat it too. He thought venomously.

“What was that?”

He straightened, he hadn’t really meant for her to hear that and he didn’t know if now was really the best time. He sighed, “Just thinking about Angel and his bloody prophecy. I’d been a mite jealous a while back.”

“Is this the one you keep dancing around? The one that could mean you?”

He nodded, “Had wanted it bad before. Beat the shit out of the ponce for a chance at it that turned out to be a sodding fake. But this changes things. He can keep his chance at becoming a real boy if it means I get you.”

Buffy let that process in her mind. They had fought over mortality and over her. A life with her and Spike had won in more ways than one. He had her heart, no question about it, even if he would have lost the battle he had won the war. Even if she didn’t know about it. “How long have you known about this?”

“Bout a year I suppose, bit longer, maybe. Angel’s been working himself ragged for years trying to save enough lives so he can reap his big cosmic reward and I just sort of stumbled into the running by mistake. Rather doubt it’s about me,” he shrugged, “s’why I didn’t say anything about it before. Besides, Angel’s been after this particular merit badge for this long and doesn’t seem to be any closer. Even if it does mean me, who’s to say it won’t be in a couple hundred years? It’s too vague.”

Buffy closed her eyes and opened them again, slowly, “I get why you didn’t say anything but I still wish you would have.”

“Rather thought you might know bout it already. Bound to be in those files Wes passed on to Willow.”

“She hasn’t had a chance to go through everything.”

“Should probably call the witch, you know. Fill her in.”

“Giles too. God, what am I going to tell Dawn?” Buffy sighed.

“That someday you’ll be the younger sister?” Spike chuckled.

“Oh yeah that’s definitely not going to wig her out.”

“All part of the glamorous lifestyle. At least you have a pulse.”

“True. Sunlight is a bonus too.”

“Oh now you’re just being mean.”

Buffy just grinned sadly, “Too bad I didn’t keep the Gem of Amara. If I knew Angel was going to throw it in the ocean like an idiot, I would have.”

He sighed and straightened up, “Yeah well it’s gone now. Think maybe you can eat something? Soup maybe?”

“I can give it a try.”

He leaned in, kissing her on the forehead. “That’s what I like to hear.”

---

Chapter 7 Movie Night

Over the next few days the three of them kept busy with the girls and landed on a good routine. Buffy’s ribs were healing well as long as she was taking it easy. On the third day after the injury, she dodged a wild kick from one of the younger girls while she was walking around the room supervising the class. She missed being hit but fell right into one of the metal sparring dummies. It wasn’t really enough to re-injure her but it did manage to remind her that her ribs were really only starting to mend and It would still be some time before she’d be back to full health.

When Giles returned the next evening with the older girls he was surprised to find the dynamic they had stumbled into in his absence. After he and the girls had gotten settled in, Giles came back downstairs to the living room to catch up with Buffy and Faith.

“There were no other mishaps while I was gone I trust?” He asked them.

Buffy shook her head, “Nope, turns out we actually make a pretty good team when we’re not making power plays.”

“And Spike?”

“I think he was in the kitchen last I knew,” Faith shrugged.

“No, I meant—“

“We know what you meant. If it wasn’t for him there is no way we could have managed after Buffy got hurt. He picked up the slack and then some,” Faith said defensively.

“Very good, glad to hear it. Any more ghost sightings?”

“I thought I heard something last night and I’ve found a few of my things in weird places but neither of us saw anything,” Buffy shrugged.

“And she’s only moving your things?”

“Seems that way. But it’s not like Spike is exactly big on material possessions at the moment.”

“No I suppose not. Once I get settled in I’ll go through the castle’s archives and do what I can. Might be rather fun actually.”

“That’s why you’re book-man!” Faith teased, “Seriously though, I’m having someone come by to check out the giant birdcage and get it running again.”

“As long as you get someone who respects antiques. I’d hate to see such a fine example of an antique lift be destroyed by some pillock.”

“I’m having the Ross’s take a look, if they don’t think they can do it they’ll recommend someone.”

Giles adjusted his glasses, “Is our cover with the locals still holding?”

Faith averted eye contact, “Yeah they still think you’re my uncle.”

“Alright so that brings me to my next question,” Buffy asked, “are we still going with our original cover story here?”

“The best lies have a kernel of truth. We run a school for girls. Faith is my niece. I had to stop wagging tongues, you know.”

“Which makes me what? Your American daughter?”

“I suppose so, yes. Everyone around here knows that I’ve spent an extended amount of time in the states so it wouldn’t be a surprise.”

“Not like Dawn and I have heard from our own father in… well a really long time... Besides, you did have a little thing with my mom,” Buffy teased.

“Yes well…” he stammered, and started cleaning his glasses, “Your mother was a very special woman,” he added almost inaudibly.

“Ok, seriously more information than I needed,” Faith said as she got up to leave, “Callum will be here soon, I want to check on the girls and let them know what’s up.”

“I’ll come with you, I wanna hit the kitchen first, grab a snack.”

“And if Spike’s not in the kitchen?”

“Very funny.”

Giles rolled his eyes, “Yes well I plan to unpack and spend a quiet evening in, if I’m not needed.”

****** ****** ******

Music was playing in the kitchen; Spike was singing along to The Ramones ‘Do You Wanna Dance?’, as he was finishing up the dishes.

Buffy put a hand out to stop Faith and pressed a finger to her own lips to keep her from interrupting him as they entered the kitchen. The two women stood there watching him for a moment. The song ended and the next song ‘I Wanna Be Well’, came on. “Damn that’s hot,” Faith whispered, “You know Buff, if you ever get tired of this one, you can send him my way.”

“Not a chance,” Spike said, turning around as he dried his hands on a dish-towel. His lean muscles moving interestingly under his blue t-shirt. He gave Buffy a slow grin, “Haven’t seen much of you since this morning. Giles and the girls getting settled back in alright?”

Buffy went over to give him a kiss, “I see you found the stereo alright. Yeah, we’re all squared away. Just you and me for our first Friday night in Scotland. Faith has a friend coming over.”

Faith rolled her eyes, “Not like that!”

“Don’t do anything we wouldn’t,” Spike smirked.

“Don’t think that’s going to be a problem,” she frowned, “I kinda punked asking him out.”

Buffy rummaged through the fruit bowl, “If you don’t ask him out, I’m going to do it for you,” she said as she tried to decide between an apple and an orange.

“I thought about taking you out proper. Maybe find a place with a band, if you’re up to it,” Spike said.

“I’m not sure if I’m ready for that just yet. I’m kinda in a night-in sort of mood.”

“Thank God for thick walls,” Faith grumbled.

“Not talkin ‘bout that!” He turned towards Buffy, “Were you? Because I sure wouldn’t say ‘no’ if you were, Goldilocks,” he grinned wolfishly.

“Dishes are almost as good as foreplay,” Buffy grinned.

“And there it is, grossed out and jealous all in one. I’m going to check on the girls before Callum gets here, you coming, B?”

Buffy took a bite of her apple and gave Spike a wink before turning to leave with Faith, “Yup, I’m in. I’ll see you later,” she said, throwing a smile over her shoulder at Spike.

“God I’m a lucky bastard.”

***** ****** ******

Minutes later Spike had finished up in the kitchen and was heading through the entrance hall when the doorbell chimed. Spike pulled the door wide revealing a tall good looking man who could have been Superman’s stunt-double, “Oi, you must be the handyman Faith’s been going on about; come to fix the lift?”

“I make no promises, told her I’d take a look. See if it’s something we can handle,” he said in a Scottish accent.

“Right then, in you come. I’m Spike,” he thrust out his hand.

Callum shook his hand, “Callum Ross, I don’t remember seeing you around when I was here before.”

“Nah, I've only been back in Europe for a couple of weeks. Come on, it’s just over here.”

Spike gestured to the lift, “I took a look the other day, cable is shot, I can lend a hand replacing it if you need it. There’s a maintenance ladder of sorts in the shaft but it’s not in the greatest shape. I can get it up there no problem.”

“That’s the hard part, mate. You got climbing experience or something?”

“A bit. Anyway, I was just heading upstairs, I’ve hardly seen my girl today. I’ll send Faith down.”

“Thanks, I’ll try not to keep her long,” Callum said as he stepped into the elevator and started examining it.

Spike headed upstairs, it took a minute to find Faith since she was settling a dispute on the fourth floor amongst the Level 2 girls.

Faith was seething, “I don’t care who started it, it ends now. You need to burn off steam? There are training rooms for that! I—“

“Faith? Don’t mean to break this up, your handyman is down stairs looking at the lift.”

Faith gave the girls a stern look before she ran a hand over her hair, “Sure, ok. I’m on it,” she said briskly as she bustled past him.

“Oi, Faith, where’d Buffy go?”

Faith turned to look at him, “She went back downstairs, maybe the bathroom. I don’t know.”

Faith ran down the stairs stopping short of the entryway, she smoothed her shirt and walked forward towards the elevator. Callum was examining the inside of a small maintenance hatch.

“Hey, sorry I wasn’t downstairs when you got here—“

Callum jumped a little, “Oi Faith! You gave me a start girl. No worries, I do need to take a look at the pulley at the top. You want to see me up?”

Faith had laughed when she had startled him but now her mouth suddenly went dry, “Ah yeah, yeah I can show you up, fifth floor.”

“Led the way,”

“I had to settle a dispute with the girls-“

Callum spoke a little stiffly, “Oh it’s fine, your boyfriend let me in. I think we might be—“

She cut him off, “Boyfriend?”

“The Londoner. Said he was here with his lady, I just…”

“Spike? Me and Spike? Oh, no, no, no. I mean yes he is staying here. No, he is definitely not MY boyfriend. Not even close. Spike is Buffy’s, eh my cousin’s boyfriend. He used to work with a good friend of ours that’s a PI in LA.”

A relieved expression passed over Callum’s handsome face and his entire demeanor became almost buoyant as they continued their conversation.

Faith paused looking down at him, “You seem really interested in my relationship status,” she smirked.

“Noticed that huh?”

“How’d you like to go out for a drink sometime?”

“Took the words right out of my mouth. I’d love to.”

Faith smiled in relief, “Good, how’s tomorrow night?”

“8:00?”

“You tell me where you want to meet and it’s a date,”

“You’re on…”

****** ****** *******

Meanwhile Spike went back downstairs in search of Buffy. Before he had a chance to check the bathroom, he noticed that the light was on in their bedroom and went in. Buffy was sitting on the loveseat with her laptop open.

“There you are, Slayer, I was looking for you, what are you doing?”

“Hey! Just emailing Willow, she was checking up on us. Xander is talking about coming back to Europe soon.”

“Getting the band back together then?”

“Same continent at least. I don’t really like being so spread apart like this, I miss my friends. I miss having an actual home. Spike, I’ve really been thinking a lot about what you said about living here permanently.”

“I’ve been putting some thought into that as well, Love.”

“And?”

“Hopefully we’re thinking the same thing.”

She smiled, “But after we continue our trip right?”

“Duhh”

“By the way, earlier when Faith and I came up, where’d you go? I thought you were right behind us.”

“Would’ve been but Faith’s boy showed up,”

“You mean he’s here? I'm a little bit curious.”

“Think Superman.”

“Are we talking Christopher Reeves or Tom Welling on Smallville?”

“Ehhh… I was thinking the comics, but Reeves I guess. I don’t know the other guy, haven’t really watched a lot of TV as of late.”

“Dawn is obsessed with Smallville. I kinda want to meet this guy. Are they still downstairs?”

“Dunno, we could just go to bed,” he grinned.

“It’s still early, we don’t have to lock ourselves in our bedroom just yet do we?” she let out a little laugh. She took both of his hands, “Why don’t we do a movie night downstairs? I’ll make popcorn…” she grinned coyly.

“As long as there’s a beer in it for me.”

As they headed down stairs they realized Callum and Faith were above them on the stairs on their way back down from checking the elevator mechanism at the top. Buffy paused, waiting for them to catch up. They were so deep in conversation as Faith came around the edge of the landing that she actually bumped into Buffy who had paused to straighten a picture frame. Buffy caught herself on the railing, her ribs suddenly reminding her to take it easy after being relatively quiet most of the day.

“You alright there, Pet?” Spike asked her from only a few steps down from her.

“Yeah, I’ll be alright.”

“I’m sorry B I didn’t—“

“I’m fine, I’m the one who stopped.”

“What’s the matter with her?” Asked Callum in a concerned tone.

“Training accident, banged up her ribs. This sort of thing happens all the time. We’re pretty used to it,” Faith answered.

“She’s tougher than she looks,” Spike looked at Buffy fondly. Buffy continued down the stairs and stood on tiptoe to kiss him.

Faith turned to Callum, “See what I mean about these two?”

Callum grinned easily at Faith, “Take it you’ve never been in love before, have you?”

Faith began to blush, and rounded on Buffy, “What are you two doing anyway? Snooping?”

“Now I’m hurt. We are having a movie night,” Buffy responded.

Faith eyed her suspiciously, “If the girls don’t have the same idea, Cuz.”

As they came into the entrance hall, they could hear the TV and Buffy went over to check it out. Faith led Callum into the kitchen while Spike lingered, waiting for Buffy.

“Yeah, he’s definitely more of a Welling,” Buffy murmured in Spike’s ear as they headed into the kitchen.

“I’ll just have to take your word on that, Love. Think we should try to force these two into a double date?” Spike asked.

“It’s like you can read my mind.”

Buffy got to work on the popcorn while Spike grabbed beers for each of them, “Sorry, Pet, looks like we’re all out of wine.” He took the beers over to the large table they used for meals and sat down.

“So what’s the word, Cal, can you fix our lift?” Spike asked.

“Callum, please. And yeah, I think so. As long as I can get the right parts I don’t see why not, especially if I’ve got someone who can climb,” he tipped his beer towards Spike, “I saw what you meant about that maintenance ladder,” he took a pull at his beer, “Not bad. I should bring you some of my brother’s stuff though. Him and his wife opened a brewery a few years back.”

“You never told me that,” Faith said, “that sounds amazing.”

“Didn’t realize you were into beer.”

“Faith in a nutshell,” Buffy started ticking off her fingers, “Likes: fighting, weaponry, and leather. Dislikes: anything too ‘girly’, mushy or frilly. Loves: Alcohol, dancing, rock, action movies, sex, and fighting.”

Faith choked on a sip of beer, “Buffy!”

“What? Did I forget something?”

“There was the bit about—-“

Faith slammed a fist on the table, “Spike, I swear if you finish that sentence I will—“

Callum leaned back in his chair with his arms folded across his broad chest watching them quietly.

“You don’t even know what I was going—“

“Doesn’t matter!”

“When did you become such a delicate flower anyway? What happened to the Faith I met back in Sunnydale? Brash, forthright, badass. Knew each other less than a day before you sat there bold as brass and told me all about the guy with the—“

“Spike I’m warning you—“

Callum interrupted her with a grin, “Ya know Faith, there’s a pub not far from here, has bands every weekend, and my brother often has bands play at the brewery in summer; if you’re interested. Or we could go to an MMA event sometime, I know a guy,” He wasn’t fazed by their outburst in the least, in fact he seemed rather comfortable with it.

Faith stared at him in shock for a split second before stammering, “I- I, yeah that would be awesome…”

“Alright then, I’ll get started on making proper plans. Can’t have a girl like you working all the time without blowing off some steam now can we?” he said, looking her up and down as he took a swig of his beer.

Buffy stood up, “I think the living room should be clear now. Spike, why don’t you go pick a movie. I got the popcorn. I expect to see the two of you in there for movie night.”

“After you, Slayer.”

Buffy and Spike headed out, leaving Faith and Callum behind. They both stood up looking at each other, “I imagine they meant well.”

Faith scoffed and shook her head, “You really have no idea…”

“I’m just guessing here but I’m going to venture to say; you’ve got yourself a sorted past you’re trying to make right. Turn over a new leaf and such. Except romance wasn’t exactly factored into that equation was it?”

“No, not exactly… I mean you’re spot-on. How—“

“You’re not the only person with an interesting past. Spent a good chunk of my youth in one sort of trouble or another. Even found myself locked up for a short bit. After that I decided it was time to turn things around, start helping people instead of hurting them. Always been handy so I started doing odd jobs for people. That got me the job at the hardware store.

“I- that’s… are you messing with me?”

“Honest truth. Didn’t scare you away did I?”

“No, not at all- takes way more than that to scare me. I—I guess I just never imagined we had that much in common… you seem so clean cut.”

Callum smiled at her, “So about what your cousin said…”

“I’m looking for something long term this time around… I don’t want to rush into anything…” she blurted out.

He grinned again, “Perfect.”

“Also, I’ve got some major baggage and a couple of Jurassic sized bombshells… I just… I’m trying to lay it out but there’s a lot I just can’t talk about. So here’s my middle ground, take it or leave it,” she said very quickly.

“Are we talking about kids or skeletons in the closet?”

“Closet’s pretty full. You seriously think kids are my thing?”

“Alright, just so long as I don’t end up with some jealous bloke standing over me with an ax.”

“Voice of experience?”

Callum gave a half grin, “Didn’t know she was married.”

“I think we’ve all been there. Glad we had this talk.”

“Me too.”

“You know you don’t have to stay for this,” she waved her hand irritatedly, “If you don’t want to… I swear…”

“I was just planning on a quiet night at home anyway and I’m off tomorrow so I’m not fussed. I think it’s good to change it up, don’t you?”

“You don’t know what you’re in for around here.”

“Oh I think I’ll manage. Come on, they seem like the search and rescue type.”

“They are.”

Spike was still looking through movies when they got to the living room, “I’ve counted twenty vampire films here, they do realize these aren’t actually instructional videos right? Especially… sodding ‘Interview with a Vampire’? Are you bloody kidding me? That’s twenty-one. Oh here’s twenty-two… what the hell is ‘Blood and Donuts’? Bloody hell…” he put it back in the bin and kept digging. “I’m not watching some sodden— oh look, another vampire movie… ‘Love at First Bite’, hells bells…” he flipped it over to read the back, “Oh Slayer, if you were aiming for a laugh, I think we got a winner here, Goldilocks.”

Spike handed the movie over to her, “I said you could pick… I don’t know…Dracula? Really? You hate Dracula…”

“Just read the blurb.”

Buffy flipped the movie over in her hand, “Oh God. It’s either going to be horrible or funny as hell, I’m going with both. Care to find out?”

“Go on, Slayer, put it on,” Buffy turned towards Faith and Callum, “We’re either in for a bad movie-night or a laugh fest, it’s anyone's guess,” she said as she sat down gingerly on the couch she had been favoring since her injury. Buffy made a ‘have a seat’ gesture towards the second couch.

Callum complied as he stretched out his tall frame at one end of the other couch and reached an arm across the back, “I’m easy to get on with,” he turned to look at Faith who was still standing behind the couch, “Don’t know about you but I’ve had a long day. It’s good to relax.”

Faith sat down next to him and slipped off her gym shoes so she could curl up on the couch.

“Better?” He asked.

Faith chuckled faintly, “Yeah. This week wasn’t so bad thanks to these two, but it had been a little rough for a couple of weeks before that. It’s going to suck when they leave.”

“Aww Faith, that was almost sweet,” Buffy said as Spike came over, positioning himself behind her so she could rest back on him. Buffy handed Faith an extra bowl, “Here you can divide up the popcorn. Let’s get movie night started.”

“I got it,” Spike picked up the remote to press play. Then readjusted so Buffy could sit back more comfortably again, “Here, Love, better?”

She hummed in agreement as the movie started.

*****

After the movie, Faith saw Callum out. Buffy and Spike lingered in the living room cleaning up bits of popcorn Spike had started throwing at the TV during the movie. They passed them on their way to take the beer bottles and bowls to the kitchen.

“Night Callum, nice to meet you!” Buffy called over her shoulder. Spike threw him a nod as he followed Buffy.

“Good to meet you both!” Callum called from the doorstep. He turned to Faith, “What’s his problem with Dracula anyway?”

“Long story,” Faith said as she quietly offered to walk him out to his car.

A few minutes later Faith came back inside to find Buffy and Spike waiting for her, “What?”

“Sort of got that pesky first date out of the way, didn’t we?”

“For your information, I did ask him out. We’re going for drinks tomorrow night.”

“I guess it’s sort of like you arranged your second date before your first,”

“More like we got hijacked.”

Spike cleared his throat, “Hey now, ‘hijacked’ seems harsh… but fair.”

“But it all worked out right?”

“Not the point.”

Buffy grinned, “Maybe you’ll get lucky and find out Mr. Clean-cut has a naughty side, you never know.”

“Yeah, we had a little talk about that. Turns out maybe we do have a little more in common than I thought,” Faith said as she started up the stairs.

“You got things worked out better than you had before so I still call this a win.”

“Why are you being so weird?”

“I’m not being weird, am I?”

“Just,” Faith made a face, “Peppy…”

“Normal people call that a good mood,” Buffy retorted as they continued to climb the stairs nearing their bedrooms.

“Whatever, B, can I get your help tomorrow?”

“With what?”

“I’m not really sure what a normal date looks like.”

“You think I do? Our first and last real date was strolling through Paris until we stumbled across a cabaret Spike’s friend owns.”

“Don’t forget the alley,” Spike grinned and Buffy swatted at him.

“Our idea of going out usually involves patrolling. That’s what passes for ‘normal’ in my life and I’m good with that.”

“I don’t even think I can do normal.”

“You know what would really help you out, Faith? Start by binning that nonsense about ‘normal’, because you’re not. No Slayer is, Buffy knows that. The sooner you get it, the better.” Spike huffed.

“This is a bad idea… this is exactly why my longest relationship before Robin was maybe the occasional long weekend. What am I doing? I can’t do this,” Faith moaned moodily.

“Didn’t say that. If you think there’s something there then you should go for it. Love is worth walking through fire and a lot more.”

“He would know,” Buffy said seriously.

---

38 When the Levee Breaks

Depictions of domestic violence. Chapter title taken from the Led Zeppelin song by the same name.

Willow walked into the library to find a tired Giles still pouring over the information Xander had procured on his extended trip. There was so much material to go through but they were finally making sense of it all. Giles pinched the bridge of his nose as Willow set down a tea tray in front of him.

“How’s it going? Have you found any glaring translation mistakes that make it all fall apart yet?”

“No, I haven’t, in fact everything I’ve found seems to support what you have already told Buffy. However I do wish you hadn’t used the word ‘immortal’ to describe her condition until we can confirm it.”

“How would you have liked me to put it, Giles? We both know she should have never been able to get up after being run through and according to the girls there she did way more than just get up. Her pain tolerance is through the roof and she’s healing from more severe injuries than she used to. Even when Warren shot her… I took the bullet out but she was up and around a whole lot faster than she should have, even with my help..”

“That does not equate to immortality! Perhaps she just got an extra boost of her natural Slayer abilities. This passage here—“ he gripped her arm lightly to pull her towards the passage.

Willow winced and pulled back a little, “I’ve read it. If that were the case she would probably be healing faster and getting stronger too and yet those things are relatively the same as always.”

Giles narrowed his eyes a fraction “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine, go on, you were saying?”

“I confess that it does seem as though Buffy is a unique case,” Giles pushed himself back from the desk a little with a large sigh, “We need confirmation. For her and the other girls. Unfortunately for that we would need one of the other girls to reach 26 and then receive a mortal wound, and considering that no Slayer on record has ever lived that long— How did she seem when you told her of the possibility?”

Willow sat down heavily, “Fine I guess. You know her. I mean obviously there are some definite perks for her and Spike. I think she’s more worried about it not being true. Probably comes with being in love with a vampire, I guess.”

“Naturally.”

“I don’t think we’re going to get anything looking like confirmation for a long time,” She said a little lamely.

“I suppose half of an answer is better than none at all.”

“Yeah, I guess.”

Giles started closing books and organizing the table. “Is Ruby still visiting with her family?”

“She got back early this morning. She says things are a little weird with her parents. Sheena is doing a lot better though, they had a really good visit.”

“I’m glad to hear it. Oh, Willow, would you mind fetching that curious sword Spike was assaulted over?”

“Sure, taking a break from the Slayer life puzzle?”

“It’s time I focus my energies elsewhere for a while. I rather think it’s best if we both do.”

“Yeah you’re probably right I’ve been obsessing over this for a long time now. I was afraid to tell Buffy much of anything and then I just blurted it all out after I found that last little bit. I probably shouldn’t have said anything at all.”

“I suppose we all have things to atone for.”

Willow walked over to where the sword was being kept and laid it on the desk in front of Giles. Then poured tea for them both, “Do you still think I’m a ‘rank amateur’?” She smiled at him.

Giles returned the smile, “I think you have learned a great deal since then. Although I do caution you to keep up with your studies.”

“Yeah, that's part of the reason why I accepted the other half of the duplex. I think it’s a good idea if I am closer to the Devon Coven. As well as I’ve been doing with everything. I still think I need that connection and I’m not sure if I’m getting that in Rome, not the way that I would like to anyway. At least being here in Scotland, I’m a little closer to Devon,” she shrugged her shoulders.

“Well I think that’s a very mature decision. You’ve definitely shown growth, that’s for certain.”

“Thanks,” she sighed heavily, “Now, what on earth do we think this thing is?” She asked, picking up the sword and setting it down again.

Giles let out a long breath, “I’m certain it’s a sword of power of some kind. I haven't spent a lot of time on this to be honest.” He pulled out a magnifying glass and peered at some writing on the blade.

Willow gestured with her hands, “May I?”

Giles moved aside and watched as Willow ran her hands over it touching the hilt and the length of the blade, “Oh there’s definitely something coming off of it. It’s subtle, I can barely make it out but it’s old and strong.” She shook her head squinting down at the blade. “I might have to try a few spells to help figure this one out.”

“Whatever you need to do,” Giles resumed his seat and pulled another book towards himself as he joined her in her examination of the sword.

Hours later Giles and Willow entered the living room with the sword in hand. Buffy and Spike were already there waiting for them along with Ruby and Xander. Faith and Callum came in a few moments after.

“So what’s going on?” Xander asked a minute later.

“Willow and I have been spending the afternoon working on Spike’s sword.”

“Buffy‘s sword, Spike’s bike,” Buffy said cheekily.

“We have co-ownership,” Spike corrected, “Yours mine and ours remember?”

“We really should have someone look at your bike and see if we can get it fixed.”

“Don’t remind me,” he whined.

“You can always just steal another one,” Xander smirked.

“Didn’t steal this one, Harris. Got it off a baddie who was done with it.” He said, wrapping an arm around Buffy.

“Well, I’m afraid the sword in question can't belong to either one of you.”

“Aww, man, every time I get a fun sword I have to destroy or give it back or– this stinks.”

“I feel you, Pet.”

Buffy sighed, settling into Spike on the couch, “Alright, so what’s wrong with this one?”

“I wouldn’t go so far as to say ‘wrong’, perhaps ‘significant’ would be better.”

“How so? It’s not some big apocalypse-y something is it? Because I don't think I’m up for one of those right now,” Faith huffed as Callum wrapped his arms around her from behind.

“So totally last season,” Willow joked before catching Spike’s eye.

He wasn’t amused, having been part of the LA front just a few months ago. “So what’s the deal with it then?”

Giles straightened up at that and there was suddenly an almost childlike glow to his face, “This sword most certainly belonged to Sir Lancelot, given to him by his foster mother the Lady of the Lake.”

Callum‘s eyes lit up mirroring Giles, “You’re putting me on! Can I hold it?” He slipped his hands out from around Faith’s waist and held them out hopefully.

Giles was slightly taken aback by his sudden enthusiasm, Callum was normally more reserved around him, but he passed the sword over to him anyway.

“This is amazing, I can't believe I’m actually holding Sir Lancelot‘s sword!” Callum‘s eyes were alight with wonder.

“Woah, there buddy. You’re not gonna like totally geek-out on me, are you?” Faith asked him sardonically.

He looked at her with a very boyish grin, “Oh I think I’m well past that. I’m definitely geeking-out, you have no idea how obsessed I was when I was a kid.”

Faith gave him a bemused smile. Callum had been the very definition of a strong shoulder to lean on ever since the attack on the castle. Giving her everything she needed, even when she didn’t realize she needed it. He had still been going to work and running errands for his family per usual but when he was with her, he was utterly hers.

Faith had been so consumed with the goings on at the castle and her own inner thoughts over the last week and a half that she had hardly given a thought to his needs and wants outside of the point they intersected with hers in the bedroom. The light in his eyes now at seeing something he was so fervently interested in was startling. Something swelled in her chest, an emotion that was unfamiliar to her. What was this? She was happy to see him happy but she didn’t know what to call it and the confusion led to something much more familiar, anxiety.

Faith took a deep breath trying to breath through it the way Angel had taught her; before her anger flared. There was no reason she should be anxious or angry over the scene unfolding in front of her. Instead she tried focusing on the pure joy on Callum’s face as he examined the sword. She released the breath and watched the way his fingers skimmed lightly over the blade. Her very hot, tall, muscular Scottsman holding a very nice looking sword. Oh yeah… that was a much better, more familiar, feeling she could deal with.

“Yes, I confess I had a bit of an obsession when I was a child as well,’ Giles uttered in solidarity.

“What good little English boy didn’t?” Spike scoffed, “No offense Cal, you know what I meant.”

Giles cleared his throat, “It would seem that this sword is meant to be a key to some great treasure of Lancelots.”

“Do you think it could be the Holy Grail?”

“Surely not. From what Willow and I have uncovered it seems to be a personal treasure that he wished to keep secret and safe even from Arthur himself.”

Buffy crossed her arms in her lap clasping her elbows, “Probably why these biker dudes are after the thing.”

Spike inclined his head towards them, “Treasure usually means money. Do we have any idea where this treasure was kept?”

Willow stepped forward with a large map of Scotland, “I have a pretty good idea actually. I was able to use the sword in a mapping spell to find out where the lock for the key is and it looks like it is in some sort of a sea cave up north, I’ve never heard of the place.” She unfurled the map of Scotland, laying it out on the coffee table next to the spot where Buffy and Spike were sitting and pointed to a small charred dot, “Some place called Smoo Cave. Have any of you ever heard of it?”

Callum, Giles, and Spike peered at the map as she spoke.

“Oh sure I have,” Callum nodded, “family holiday one summer when my brother and I were in our teens. It’s an interesting place, beautiful and eerie at the same time, but I don’t think it was mystical. They run tours inside. It’s a pretty popular tourist spot. Hell we stayed at a bed and breakfast pretty close to the cave and it’s not the only place to stay up there. Pretty sure someone would have noticed.”

Willow shrugged, “Most mystical places are hidden in some way. I’ve heard of some really weird ones.”

Buffy turned towards Spike, “Didn’t you tell me Angel took you into one once that was inside of a tree?”

“The Deeper Well, yeah, that was one hell of a humbling experience. Talk about eerie. Great big bloody hole that goes all the way straight through the world, playing prison to countless comatose ancient baddies.”

“Plus Angel made you hold hands with him.”

“Bloody hell, Slayer, how is that your takeaway? Make it out like we were snogging, why don’t you?” he huffed, “For the rest of the class. Peaches was palming a wire. It was a battle strategy! Nothing else.”

Giles rolled his eyes, “Yes, well, I’m sure it was quite effective knowing the two of you. As we were saying, Willow and I believe that the sword will lead you to and unlock the location.”

Spike looked at the map too, “I’ve heard of Smoo Cave, never bothered going.”

Callum shrugged, “The cave is massive and has these amazing waterfalls inside. My brother and I got into a bit o’ mischief when we snuck off to explore on our own, climbed up to see the waterfalls from a higher ledge. Nearly got kicked out but the view was worth it.”

“Sounds pretty,” Willow said.

Giles continued, “Willow and I think Buffy is quite right that our demonic friends after the sword are looking for the treasure within.”

Buffy interlaced her fingers into Spike’s hand, “And you want us to check it out.”

“Well, I imagine it can wait a few more days until Spike is back to full health.”

“Bones are healing nicely, shouldn’t be long now.”

Be faster if you had some of my blood.

Buffy, you know how I feel about that. A taste here and there is all in good fun but I’m healing up just fine with the pig’s blood.

Buffy snorted loudly drawing Giles’s attention, “Is there something wrong Buffy?”

“Oh ah, no, just– I thought he might heal faster if–”

“That’s enough, Slayer. If you're in such a big hurry that you want to go knick a bag o’blood from the hospital for me, fine.”

“What’s the rush?” Xander asked.

“No rush really, unless we think these guys are going to try to get it on their own.”

“I don’t know if they could, not without the sword,” Willow admitted.

Faith cast a look at Callum then to Buffy, “Probably be smart to take backup anyway. I think Callum and I should come with you.”

Callum couldn’t help the grin on his face and Faith was surprised by how happy it made her to have put it there.

Buffy raised an eyebrow, “You seriously want to go on a treasure hunt with me and Spike?”

“Sure, why not? We can give the whole couples retreat thing a try. Maybe there will be something for us to kill.”

Callum grinned widely as he set down the sword and pulled her into what would be a crushing hug to anyone else but was only a comforting embrace to her, then kissed her temple, “When do we leave?”

Buffy laughed dryly, “Well, we should definitely give Spike’s leg a few more days and someone really should stay with Giles.”

“I’ll stay. I have to be fix-it-man anyway if I don’t want to keep being homeless-couch-surfing-man and I don’t need to go back to Rome for anything so I might as well hang on here.”

“Oh really, you don’t need to. Let's just plan this out first.” Giles stated.

“No, Xander has a point. I don’t like us being all spread out. I want us all together again as soon as we can, so it makes sense.”

Spike straightened himself up, “Look, Pet, I understand the bit with the house and Giles. But I got Ruby to think about now too so unless you feel like taking a baby vamp as a fifth wheel...”

Ruby had been sitting quietly listening. She shifted in her seat and arched an eyebrow, “I don’t need a babysitter here.”

Spike shook his head, “Course not, but I don’t think I’m comfortable leaving you here at the castle without one of us around. Will is going back to Rome and even if Xander does stay here I just, I don’t like it. It’s not like this sword thing is a pressing matter is it? Unless we think the rest of these biker guys are going to come after us. Not like they can reach us at the castle now that Red’s done her spell work. Might try jumping me in the tunnels again but what the hell? I also got to think about getting the bike fixed.”

Callum smirked at that, “Alright, English, how about we go on this trip and I get you set up with someone to help you get that bike fixed for a song?”

Spike folded his arms across his chest, “How do you propose to do that?”

Callum shrugged, “I know a guy.”

“Still doesn’t help us out with our little Ruby problem.”

“Seriously, I’m right here. An adult and everything.”

Willow cleared her throat, “What if I take her back to Rome with me?” she asked.

Everyone looked puzzled at Willow, “What are you talking about?” Buffy asked.

“Will? Are you sure you want to do that?” Xander asked seriously.

Willow caught his eye, “Not now Xan. I mean yeah I would have to make some slightly different travel arrangements to accommodate her but she could come back with me. She can stay in your room, Buff. It could be all the good. Just think about it. She doesn’t know any of the Slayers in Rome and it might do everyone some good to get her away from the castle for a little while. It would also give the Rome Slayers a chance to meet her. Andrew can do his watcher thing with her, you know how he loves to tell stories. He can fill her in on the last couple of apocalypses. She can train with Vi and the girls and I can keep an eye on her. It’s not like we’re going to be back in Rome long and it might even give you two a chance to continue on your seriously interrupted trip.”

“What about Kennedy?” Xander’s voice was cold.

Colder than Buffy had heard him in a very long time. Buffy turned towards Willow, “I want to know about that too. How do you expect that to work out? I mean even if she has moved out, do you think that she’s just gonna be totally fine training with Ruby?”

Willow shook her head, “I can handle Kennedy.”

“Will, you’re on a breakup trip. What makes you think you can handle Kennedy if she decides Ruby is the reason you’re breaking up with her.”

“Because our relationship was sinking like the Titanic long before I even left. We had a fight, Buffy. We had a fight,” her voice cracked.”

“Willow?”

“We had a fight and Dawn tried to defend me… Kennedy laid into her and it just sort of got worse from there.”

“She didn’t hurt the bit, did she?” Spike said with a barely contained growl.

Before she could even answer him Xander slapped his leg like he just realized something and looked at Willow seriously, “I knew there was more to this. You don’t want Ruby going with you to keep an eye on her, you want backup… maybe even a little protection?” Xander’s voice was quiet but his words hung in the air as realization settled over the room.

Willow looked from Xander to Ruby, eyes wide and frightened.

Spike stood up looking at Willow, he placed a gentle hand on her arm. He was angry that Kennedy would even think of hurting his friend. When had she become his friend? He kept his voice calm. “You want to tell us why you feel the need for backup at all? Never mind the fact you want a clueless fledgling to fill the post against a Slayer. One that I suspect has been doing a bit more than being an insensitive lover. You know we’re here for you.”

“Willow?” Buffy stood up next to Spike. She caught Faith’s eye and shrugged in a silent plea to give them the room.

Faith patted Callum on the chest, “Come on, babe. This isn’t for us.”

“Don’t fancy a trip to Rome do you?” Callum murmured to Faith.

Spike caught it and gave Callum a ghost of a grin. He knew he was only joking but it meant something to him that he would be willing, even after just knowing Willow for a few days. He gave Buffy’s hand a squeeze. It meant something to her too, he could tell.

When they had left Buffy spoke, “Sit. We need to talk.”

Ruby’s eyes were wide as she looked from Buffy and Spike on the couch and over to Giles who was looking deeply troubled in one of the barrel chairs and then to Xander who had collapsed in the other. Willow sat glumly at the opposite end of the couch she was on. She couldn’t keep her eyes from Ruby’s a moment ago but now Willow wouldn’t look at her. She cleared her throat, “Maybe I should go too… I—“

Willow shot her a pleading glance that froze her in place. Ruby settled back into the couch, still uncomfortable but willing to stay. Willow had been a pillar of strength holding her up the last few days, clearly she needed the same now.

“Willow, talk to us. We’re your friends, you’re family. What’s going on?” Buffy asked, “What happened with Dawn?”

“It’s nothing, just stupid stuff it—“

“Willow, if anyone knows what it’s like to be in a seriously unhealthy relationship, it’s us.” Buffy said, waving a hand between her and Spike.

Spike snorted, “Got that right, some of it even with each other. Past tense of course.”

Willow gave a watery chuckle and cleared her throat, “We’ve been fighting— a lot. For a while now. Mostly we just avoid each other or I avoid her— We’re just—“

“If you say oil and water I might break something,” Buffy said.

“How do you expect me to come to you when—“ Willow buried her face in her hands.

“Look Red, I sure as hell ain’t proud of it but the first part of our relationship was— You remember our talk the other day?”

“Yeah, I— Spike, this isn’t the same thing.”

“Not saying it is. Just saying, remember who you’re talking to.”

Willow hunched over a pillow in her lap. “We fight. Kennedy doesn’t really understand how things work with the Scoobies; she wasn’t too happy about Xander coming to stay.”

“Thought she was twitchy,” Xander mused.

“She doesn’t get the magic thing and— Meditation is a big part of maintaining balance for me. In order to wield the magics that I do now I have to maintain a pretty strict meditation schedule. It helps with the magic, it helps with my mental state, it's just all-around a good and I have to do it.”

“Meditation, equals good, got it.” Xander said.

Buffy eyed Xander disapprovingly, “Go on Will.”

“She keeps making snide comments about me not doing anything. She says I’m using it as an excuse— but I have to keep up with the meditation and the exercises the Witches in the Devon Coven gave me if I don’t want to backslide because the temptation is always there and I know— I’m better, I really am but if I don’t keep up with it I run the risk of going right back. She’s never seen me at my worst, she doesn’t know— she doesn't get magic she doesn’t—“ she broke off.

“She doesn’t understand you’re always going to be an addict,” Giles supplied, “one who is doing splendidly, I might add.” He gave her a fatherly smile, “I’m rather proud of the progress you’ve made.”

“You mean she doesn’t want to know. She’s denying a part of you exists that you’ve worked hard to come to terms with and it’s bringing out the worst in her. Gee where have I seen that one?” Spike gave Buffy a sideways glance.

“Riley.” Buffy nods.

Spike’s face soured, “Except Kennedy isn’t content taking her frustrations outside the relationship, she’s taking it out on you ain’t she?”

Willow paused for a moment, “We fight— she’s a Slayer so, you know, strong. I don’t think she meant it the first time and I— I didn’t want Dawn to know we were having problems. I didn’t want anyone to know…” she inhaled and shrugged out of the top she had on over her tank top. She took another deep breath and ran her hands down in front of her, palms facing herself flat like a pantomime. There was a shimmer of air around her and suddenly there were healing bruises visible on her arms and one on her cheek.

“You’ve been using a glamour.” Giles murmured as he placed a hand over his mouth. “Why didn’t you come to us? Any of us?”

“I just— she’s a Slayer, she’s sort of in charge in Rome when Buffy is gone and—“

“Why didn’t you go to one of the other Slayers for help?”

“I wasn’t really sure who I could trust. The girls kinda look up to her. I did sort of try to say something to one of the Slayers Kennedy had gotten a little carried away with during a training session, but she sort of just shrugged it off as slayer stuff and I ended up just backpedaling and I kinda laughed it off.”

“Willow—“ Xander started.

She held up a hand, “Most of the girls like Kennedy. I was just feeling a little… isolated I guess.”

Buffy looked at her confused “Willow, I only went to Paris because you talked me into it. Was this going on then too?”

Willow nodded, “Just a couple of arguments, we’d snipe at each other and then make up and it was fine. It really wasn’t that bad then.”

“So when I called you from LA looking for Buffy—“ Spike started, suddenly feeling guilty for taking Buffy away and not going straight to Rome.

“We were doing alright there for a while, but then…” she paused so long it didn’t seem like she was going to start talking again.

Ruby moved closer to her, “Willow?”

Willow couldn’t bring herself to look at any of them, “I guess I was sort of used to the stupid arguments after a while. I mean she would just start up over nothing and then I started avoiding her. Angel came to visit. She didn’t like that for some reason I still don’t understand unless maybe Angel said something about her getting a little rough with the Slayeretts during training. Then Connor started coming around a little and she started getting a little rough with me… but it still wasn’t— it wasn’t that bad…”

“How long?” Xander asked.

“She grabbed me a few times before but that was it really. We mostly just argued,” she gestured towards her current bruises, “This— this was—“ she turned her eyes towards Xander, “Remember your ‘Dr. Who’ marathon with Andrew?”

“Yeah, you said you were going to come for the third day and then— but I just thought that was because Buffy called about the castle.”

“It’s sort of what set her off. Sort of— I mean I guess it was technically Spike’s call a few days later really, but the same situation. Kennedy thought I was talking to Buffy again—“

Spike looked confused, “When I called? That was mostly business, we just discussed the warding around the castle and started toying with the idea of ensouling Ruby.”

“Yeah, that didn’t really matter. It kind of got me thinking. So when I got off the phone with you I placed an order at the local shop for supplies, they actually had what I needed on hand so that was super easy. Anyway, I started packing just after that and Kennedy, she just— she lost it. I didn’t even have time for a binding spell before— Dawn came in to see what was going on and then— then Kennedy grabbed Dawn’s arm and—“ for a moment Willow felt like she was back there. Packing her suitcase for Scotland in her bedroom when Kennedy came in.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing? Are you seriously just going to run off to Scotland just because she calls? Are you really such a codependent little bitch that you can’t let her deal with her own problems?”

“That was about the situation at the castle I think I can help out and—”

“What the hell are you going to do that they can’t handle up there? What the hell are you gonna do any better than them?”

“This isn’t just about research. They need a witch.”

“They can find another witch, you're not leaving!” Kennedy had grabbed her upper arms, she spun her around, shaking her violently and threw her down to the bed. Willow hit her open suitcase hard enough she knew she was going to have a bruise on her side.

Slowly she pulled herself back up into a standing position. “Ken— Kennedy, p-please stop! You’re being st-stupid, this is part of my job! I’ll just call the library they will understand, I’ll only be gone for about a week or— or so—“

“I'm not an idiot, I know you have a thing for Buffy!”

“That’s ridiculous. You're being completely paranoid!”

“How dare you talk to me that way!”

“Buffy asked for my help!”

“Buffy, Buffy, Buffy! It’s always all about Buffy! Like the sun shines out of her every orifice!”

“She’s my best friend Kennedy! We’ve been over this! She needs my help!”

“She’s been gone for months and she calls now? How stupid do you think I am?!”

“You don’t understand this isn’t jus—“

Willow had been cut off with a hard backhand to the face. “Shut up! You’re just looking for an excuse to leave me!”

Kennedy’s words might have stung if she had been coherent enough for them to register. The blow was so hard it had knocked her into the nightstand. Willow’s head swam and for a brief moment she wasn’t sure which way was up. But then there was another voice breaking through the fog and Willow pulled herself up instantly unwilling to show weakness.

“Yeah well I think you just gave her a pretty damn good one!” Dawn yelled from the doorway. “I think it’s time for you to leave!”

Kennedy rounded onto Dawn, grabbing her wrist as Dawn attempted a somewhat feeble smack of her own. Kennedy pulled her arm enough to topple Dawn to the ground.

Something about the action was enough to pull Willow out of her shock. She threw her hand out in front of her with an incantation and shoved Kennedy out of the bedroom door, into the hallway and against the wall. Then Willow struggled to get to her feet and help Dawn up. “You absolutely will not hurt her!” she said, standing up to her full height. “Dawn and I are leaving and when we get back you WILL be gone!”

Even in that instance Willow could feel the darkness growing. Using magic in anger, even for just a moment started to ignite forgotten feelings. Delicious feelings of power drowning out weakness. She took a deep breath and shook them off as she watched Kennedy retreat out the apartment door.

Willow collapsed onto the bed taking deep breaths and trying to calm herself. She’d almost lost control and that wasn’t something she could allow to happen. She could hear Dawn locking the front door and walking back towards her in the bedroom. When she looked up, Dawn was in front of her holding her arm where Kennedy had grabbed her, “What was that all about? Are you alright?”

Willow stood up shakily, “I’m fine Dawnie. Are you alright?”

Dawn eyed her dubiously, “What happened?”

“Nothing. Just a fight. I’m fine. I need to go to Scotland—”

“Was there another attack?” Dawn asked worriedly.

“No, Spike called, we were brainstorming how to strengthen the castle’s defenses and what to do with their captive. They need my help and Kennedy—“ Willow choked, she couldn’t say anything else.

Dawn narrowed her eyes, “Why would Kennedy be upset about that?”

“Dawnie, please don’t make a big deal out of this please? I’ll handle it, okay?”

Dawn rubbed her arm, “So what do you want to do?”

“Well first I’m going to finish packing and call Andrew. I’ll take you over there. Then I’m going to take Xander and we’re going to go up to Scotland to help Buffy out.”

“Willow, are you sure you’re okay?”

“Just go pack your things, alright? I can’t do this right now, Dawn.”

Dawn frowned and looked like she wanted to either fight or cry but she left the room with an uncharacteristic lack of drama for which Willow was grateful. It gave her a moment to ground herself. She pulled open the nightstand drawer and eyed the little jar of salve. It would help cut healing time down on the bruises that were coming. That was the real reason she had made it in the first place but she didn’t want to use it. She wanted to keep the bruises this time as a reminder why Kennedy wasn’t going to be getting any more second chances. She tossed it into her suitcase and continued packing, she also knew she didn’t want anyone else to see the bruises too so she decided to cast a now familiar glamor to cover the bruises new and old. Then she finished packing while deciding just what she was going to say to Xander and Buffy. The idea of seeing them, getting away from Rome and seeing her friends, was like a lifeline that she clung to desperately. Her friends would make everything better.

It took Willow a moment to come back to her senses and realize Ruby was absently rubbing her back and shoulder. It took her another moment to realize that she had apparently been telling the story out loud to the group and Willow choked as the words caught in her throat.

“She hurt you, she hurt my sister, you felt yourself going dark again and you didn’t think you could tell us?” Buffy’s voice came out hard and cold. Much more than she intended. Spike squeezed her closer to him. Let the girl talk, Pet. There will be time for our anger later.

Willow’s eyes shot up, “Buffy I’m— I thought I could handle it. I thought I—“

And suddenly Buffy understood, “You thought you deserved it…”

Willow let out a sob and buried her face in her hands. Ruby drew her closer to her. Her face was a mixture of concern and bewilderment. As much as they had talked over the last few days they hadn’t had much time to talk about Willow’s personal life and they had both been making it a point to avoid the subject of her current relationship. It suddenly hit her just how right Spike had been when he asked her to take things slowly with Willow. They were going to have to have a serious talk later. She pulled Willow against her a little more, stroking her hair. The desire to care for her and protect her was growing stronger by the second.

Buffy slipped off the couch sinking to her knees to hug Willow, “Look at me. We’ve all done horrible things. You do not deserve to be treated like this. No one does. Not me, not Spike, and not you. Do you hear me?”

Willow dissolved into fresh sobs as Xander rushed over to the other side of Willow.

Spike and Giles looked on for another moment until Willow settled her breathing. Buffy looked up at her friend, “We’re going to get you through this and we’re going to get you and Dawn up here safe and sound.”

“What about Kennedy?” Willow choked.

“I’ve been getting a few rather disturbing reports from the Australian Outback I think she would be particularly well suited to handle,” Giles said with an edge of steel in his soft tone. He got up from his seat fumbling with his crutches, “In fact I think I have some phone calls to make. Please excuse me.”

Giles gave Willow one last fatherly smile, “I will be in my suite with my contacts list if you need me.”

Xander patted Willow on the shoulder, “I’ll see if I can help move things along.”

“Thanks guys,” Willow choked out.

Spike watched the two men go and stood suddenly, not giving a damn about his leg, “Tea?”

Buffy arched an eyebrow at him and turned back towards Willow, “What do you think Will? Tea?”

She nodded weakly, “Yeah, tea sounds good. Thanks.”

“Be but a moment.” The truth was that he just needed to do something. Anything. What he wanted to do was rip out Kennedy’s throat and make her his third Slayer. He was angry enough to do it, soul or not. Buffy’s friend; his friend was in pain and fetching tea was something he could do for her. He’d annihilate a sparring dummy later. He went into the kitchen, leaving the three women in the living room.

Buffy gave Willow one last squeeze before rocking back on her heels and resuming her seat on the other couch. “Willow, have you talked to Kennedy since you’ve been here?”

She shook her head, “No. I’ve kinda been trying not to think about her…” She fingered the bruises around her arms lightly. Five blotched circles for each finger Kennedy had wrapped around her arm. Other bruises, in other places, were fading but still visible, including a nasty one on her chest just below her collarbone.

“Guess we have a lot to talk about too, huh?” Ruby asked quietly eyeing the marks on her pale skin.

Willow turned watery eyes towards her, “You sure you even want too?”

“You’re barmy if you think I’m going away that easy. If you can put up with a murdering-blood-sucking-mental-case I’m pretty sure I can figure out how to deal with whatever you got rolling around.”

“Yeah I kinda get the murdering part better than I like to admit.”

“You didn’t loose control and kill your want’a be girlfriend too did you?”

“No, I magically skinned the man who murdered my girlfriend and then I tried to destroy the world.”

“You did save my life before that though,” Buffy chimed in trying to remind Willow of the good she had done as well. As horrible as things were at that time, as awful as everything had been, Willow still had the presence of mind to save Buffy‘s life even when she already knew she couldn’t save Tara.

“Wow I— Okay, the mega witch thing is starting to make sense. Is it weird that I’m kinda turned on by that? That’s probably the demon part of me talking huh?” Ruby looked at her quizzically then cracked a smile.

“Yeah, probably,” Willow chuckled lamely.

“At least I got a grin out of you, that’s something. I can live with being weird,” she shrugged with a grin, “Sort of feels good to know you got a dark side too. Do you think some of that meditation stuff would work for me? You could teach me.”

That made Willow sit up a little straighter, “You’d really do that?”

“Course, if it helps keep us both in check, why wouldn’t I?”

Buffy shifted her gaze between the two women. Ruby still had her arms wrapped protectively around Willow and Willow had found one of Ruby’s hands entwining their fingers. Ruby released the hand around Willow’s waist in order to move a few stray hairs from in front of Willow’s eyes revealing a faded bruise near the outer edge of her left eye. She fingered it lightly, “That bitch doesn’t deserve you,” Ruby whispered.

“That’s what I’ve been saying from day one,” Spike said loudly as he brought tea in for Willow and Ruby.

Ruby quickly but gently extracted herself from Willow to take them from him and handed one to Willow. “A nice cup’a for you.”

“Thanks,” she murmured.

“Think nothing of it.”

“Where’s mine?” Buffy pouted playfully.

“Kitchen, didn’t want to risk spilling. I want to get some blood too.”

“I’ll come with you. Willow, are you alright if I go?”

Willow glanced at Buffy and back to Ruby, “Do you mind staying with me?”

“Wasn’t planning on going anywhere until sundown anyway,” Ruby smirked.

Spike held out a hand towards Buffy, “Think they’ll be just fine, Pet.”

A shot of electricity ran through Buffy’s hand along with barely contained rage that nearly edged out her own feelings towards Kennedy as she took Spike’s hand. Their eyes locked, “Spike?” She asked as she let herself be drawn up and out of the living room.

“Don’t want your tea getting cold do we?” Outwardly his tone was light, but through their link he was seething.

That trip Giles has planned for Kennedy had better be the one way kind.

It’s a permanent post and I doubt it’s a super happy one judging by the way he talks about it. I guess they are having trouble with some nasty called a yara-mara-who-who.

Spike cracked a genuine smile as they entered the kitchen, “You mean a yara-ma-yha-who?” he asked aloud.

“Oh humm yeah, that’s it.”

“Bloody brilliant,” he said, handing her a cup of tea and turning to prepare himself a mug of blood.

Buffy hopped up onto the counter between the sink in the microwave, “You know these things?”

“Enough to say I’m glad he’s not sending us, Love, nasty little blighters. Australia is full of that sort a thing. Even if the yara-ma-yha-who don’t get her, there’s a good chance something else will.”

Buffy frowned, “I don’t know, as angry as I am at Kennedy….”

“Oh come on, Buffy, it’s not like it’s a death sentence. Place started out as a penal colony and those folks survived just fine. I imagine Giles thinks it’s a bit of poetic justice in a way. As nasty as these things are, they normally leave their prey alive,” he shrugged a shoulder, “Well I say usually— 50-50. Point is that it’s not exactly a death trap. I mean if you exclude all the supernatural nasties that go bump in the night, even the regular creepy crawlies are pretty dangerous. Given the bitch happens to be a Slayer I’d say she actually has a fair chance really.” He huffed.

“But who’s to say we don’t deserve that too?”

Spike narrowed his eyes at her realizing where her mind was. Their initial relationship really was a train wreck and it had hurt them both on many levels. “Well for starters ours was a mutually screwed up relationship. We beat the hell out of each other didn’t we? And not just physically, Pet.”

“Well yeah, pretty much what made it so sick and twisted.”

Spike shrugged and took a sip of blood, leaning against the counter on the other side of the microwave, “Could have stopped you if I wanted.”

“Doubt it. And you’re seriously not making me feel any better about this.”

“Far as I’m concerned that wasn’t even close to what Kennedy is doing to Willow. You and I— I’m not saying it was right, far from it, but we had something of an understanding. We started out trying to kill one and other, not really your typical meet-cute now is it?”

“No, I guess not.” She sighed, thinking about all the times they had tried to kill each other. Her mother standing over Spike with an ax, Sike taunting her about Angel, and even the time she beat the crap out of Spike when he wouldn’t let her turn herself in when she thought she had killed Warren’s ex-girlfriend.

Spike’s voice sounded through their link and she realized that she must’ve been projecting towards him. That was a different time, Love, and you know it. We are both different people now. “There are much worse punishments than being sent to Australia, Pet. Point of fact, plenty of folks live there happily and by choice I might add. She’ll be fine, and if some beastie gets her then ‘Que sera’. Lot better than the bitch deserves if you ask me. Not all that different from sending any of the girls to their new posts really.”

Buffy shrugged and hopped off of the counter, “I guess you have a point.” She strode closer to him. I’m going to do a sweep of the castle and call Dawn. I expect to see you upstairs later.”

“I’m a might curious about how the bit is doing myself. You talk to her since Red got here?”

“Yeah, sure I have, she didn’t say anything about Willow.”

“Yeah well the witch has certainly put on a convincing ‘nothing to see here’ show.”

“I still can’t believe I didn’t see it.”

“Didn’t want you to see it. Ashamed I suspect.”

“It’s just scary how good she was at hiding it.”

“You know how you were when we were together before, you would have staked me to keep your friends from finding out about us. Is it really all that surprising?”

She looked down at the floor, “This isn’t the same thing.”

“She’s just been putting up the emotional smokescreen a bit thicker than you did. Hell of an actress it turns out.”

“No kidding… I think that’s what bothers me so much.” She wrapped her arms around him loosely and they stood there in silence for several minutes while Spike sipped his blood.

“How’s the leg?” Buffy finally murmured against his chest.

“Walking better tonight aren’t I?”

“You’re still taking the elevator back upstairs.”

“Of course, promised my lady I’d take care of myself.”

Buffy made a happy little hum as she pressed into him closer, “Maybe you deserve a reward.”

He set down his mug with a grin, allowing Buffy to lean in for a kiss and moaned when she pulled away a little too soon. “You’re a tease, Slayer.”

“Just a little something for you to think about. I’ll see you upstairs, give me about an hour?”

“As you wish,” he drawled.

Buffy pinched the bridge of her nose, as she held her phone to her ear.

“Hello?”

“Oh thank god, Dawnie,” her breath came out a little too relieved.

“Buffy? What’s wrong?”

“I— I just talked to Willow and— Dawn… did you know? I mean Will says that you didn’t know. She said that she’s been hiding it from you, but did you know about what Kennedy was doing to Willow?”

“I knew about the night she brought me over to Andrew and Vi’s. I mean I sort of freaked out on her when she smacked Willow and she just grabbed my arm. The bruise is already gone thanks to Willow’s stinky salve. I’m fine. What’s been going on with Willow? Is she going all scary again?”

“No, it’s not that. Are you sure you’re okay?”

“I’m still at Andrew and Vi’s place. It’s been all school and studying and movie nights with ice cream. I haven’t seen Kennedy at all.”

“Okay, that’s great. But why didn’t you say anything about it?”

“Will was super freaked and she just wanted to get up to the castle ASAP, and then I guess I was just afraid you’d freak out. This whole thing has just been kinda crazy. I just didn’t want to make it worse. I remember when Will broke my arm and this whole thing was a bit too much like a bad re-run.”

“This isn’t the same thing, Dawn. It’s kinda the opposite of what was going on with Tara…”

“Is Willow really okay?”

“She’s safe here and we’re keeping an eye on her. Do you know if Kennedy has moved out yet?”

“I went back the other day with Vi, Kennedy wasn’t there and it looked like most of her stuff was gone but not all of it so I just grabbed some more clothes and came back with Vi.”

“Alright, I guess that’s good news…”

“Buffy? Is everything alright?”

“I— I should have been there. You are my responsibility Dawn. Not Willow, not Vi, not Andrew. Me.”

“Just stop. First of all, you’re not just on a sex romp with your boyfriend, you are actually working. Like paying the bills and everything. Second, I’m the one who told you you should go up to the castle with Spike. Third, I’ll be 18 next month, Buffy, I’m not really a little kid.”

“I swear Spike just had this conversation with Ruby.”

“That’s the new vamp Willow got the orb for right?”

“Yeah. Humm… Dawnie, listen. There are a few things I was waiting to talk to you about but things keep coming up and the timing has just been really off and it looks like we might be taking another detour before we start heading back down to Rome and—“

“You’re thinking about moving up there permanently aren’t you?”

“I— how did you know?”

“It’s not hard to figure out. I know Italian isn’t your thing, Buff. You barely go out unless you have someone with you that speaks the language and I know how much you like being up there close to Giles… it’s sort of logical.”

“When did you get all insightfully?”

Buffy could almost hear her shrug over the phone, “I dunno. So…should I be looking into transferring my credits? I’m sure it’s too late to enroll for the fall semester, how soon do you want to do this? Would we be staying in the castle or are you already house hunting? What about Willow and Xander?”

“Wohh, slow down. We sort of already have a place in the works for all of us.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, I— I kinda thought we would have already made it back down to you by now and I could show you pictures or something. I don’t want to mess with school, I mean, if you didn’t want to move up here at all I would understand and you could stay with Andrew and Vi, but I—“

“Do I get my own room?”

“A big one with double closets and your own private bathroom.”

“Are we talking shower only or is there a tub?”

“Both. Nice big tub.”

“Rent or own?”

“Own.”

“Spike is on board?”

“Totally.”

“And I get to make all the decorating decisions in my room?”

“If you want to, yeah, absolutely!”

“Sold!”

“Are you sure?”

“Totally!”

Buffy couldn’t help a laugh as relief washed through her. “Cool, you start getting things ironed out with school, I’ll see what I can do on this end. I was sort of hoping to get into our new place before Christmas so you can start the spring semester up here but I don’t know how realistic that is.”

“Sounds more realistic than trying to get into the fall semester now. We’ll figure it out, Buff. How is Willow anyway?”

“Pretty rough. We still have a lot to talk about.”

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Chapters: 2/? Fandom: Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV) Rating: Mature Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Spike/Buffy Summers Characters: BtVS Ensemble, Spike (BtVS), Buffy Summers, Joyce Summers, Dawn Summers, Drusilla (BtVS) Additional Tags: Fluff and Smut, Crush re-write Summary:

Crush re-write: What if when Dawn tells Buffy that Spike loves her, it gets her thinking in a different way?

Instead of getting mad or upset, Buffy starts to think about her feelings toward Spike and begins to realize they are of the warm and fuzzy variety.

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