Chapter Eight

“So, the longer you stayed in the house, the less control he had over his demon?” Giles asked, taking off his glasses to clean them.  Spike was currently chained on the bed in the Watcher’s guest bedroom.  He still hadn’t woken up, and he was still vamped.  Willow had just come in and she was a bit disconcerted at the sight.

“Yeah, I mean, we weren’t even in there twenty minutes before it started.”  Buffy answered, wiping a tear away with a sniff.  She was sitting in the chair next to Spike, her chin resting on her knuckles.  Her eyes never left the unconscious vampire as she spoke.

“What happened exactly?  I mean, did he go all ‘grr’ on you right away?” Willow asked.  She was desperately trying to catch up with the conversation, having missed most of it.  She glanced over at Giles who was leaning against the door frame, looking worriedly at Spike.

“No.  Not right away.  That was the finale to our little haunted house drama.  And I somehow don’t think it’s over.”  Buffy paused, looking at Willow who was standing at the foot of the bed.  “He said he kept getting images in his head.  And they scared him.  Enough to make him beg me to stake him.”

Willows’ eyes widened as all eyes returned to the inert form of the blonde vampire.  She had come to like and respect Spike over the years.  So much so, that she couldn’t imagine their little make shift family without him.  And if he had wanted Buffy to stake him, he must have been seriously losing control.

“He didn’t want to go in, ya know?” Buffy whispered, squeezing her eyes shut against the tears.  Willow quickly moved to her friend as Giles looked on helplessly, wrapping an arm around the Slayer.  “And I wouldn’t listen.  When a vampire’s scared, it’s so NOT a good thing.  And I was all my pushy Slayer self.”

“Buffy.  Don’t blame yourself.  It’s going to be okay.” Willow comforted.

“Is it?” Buffy pulled away from the witch.  “He’s been out for two hours, Will.  And he’s still all bumpy.  What if that place totally destroyed him.”

“He’s tough.  He’ll come out of this.  Remember, you dropped an organ on him, and he snapped back from that.”  Willow reminded her.

“But that was physical.  I don’t know if he’ll bounce back from this.”

“He’ll be alright.  You’ll see.”  Buffy rested her head on Willow’s knee.

“I hope you’re right.”

*So do I.* the witch thought.  Giles looked at the two young women, his thoughts mirroring theirs.

Chapter Nine

“You mean that old house back in the woods?”  Xander asked Willow.

“Yeah.  I want you to take us there.” She said, gathering various magical items and putting them in her backpack.  Tara handed her a spell book.

“Are you sure?  I mean, that place made Spike melt down.  Is it safe?”

“Probably not.  That’s why we’re not going INSIDE.  I need to go see if I can figure out what happened to him.  So maybe we can get him back.”  Xander looked skeptical, but he was willing to help.  He’d been the one in the room when Spike had finally woken up.  The blonde vampire had strained against his bonds, growling and snarling like a wounded animal.  Xander had tried to calm him, nearly getting a bite taken out of him for his trouble.

When Buffy had entered the room, Spike’s growls had reduced to whimpers.  His clawed hand reached for her, the shackles clanging loudly against the bed post.  His ridged face and yellow eyes were full of fear.

Buffy approached him cautiously, not sure what to expect.  But when she saw the tears coursing down his face, all hesitation was forgotten as she sat down next to him on the bed.  She gently cupped his cheek, her thumb brushing the tears away.  Spike nuzzled her hand, his tongue sliding over the pulse point in her wrist.  Buffy hissed when he turned his head and sunk his fangs into the vein there.

“Hey. . .” Xander said, taking a step forward.  Buffy halted him with a wave of her hand.

“It’s okay, Xand.  He’s just making sure I’m okay.”  Instinct told her she was right.  And as soon as she finished speaking, Spike retracted his fangs, then rubbed his face against her hand, purring contentedly.

When it became clear that Spike wasn’t going to let any one but Buffy near him, Willow put up a barrier on the door, so Spike couldn’t get out, and only Buffy could get in.

“Ready.” Willow said, slinging her backpack over her shoulder.  Taking Tara’s hand in hers, the trio left the house.

Chapter Ten

“How is he?” Dawn asked as a very weary Buffy descended the stairs.  It had been two days since they had come out of the house, and Spike still hadn’t come out of his vampiric state.  Dawn had been sitting in front of her laptop, staring blankly at the screen.  She couldn’t concentrate on her work, an she was more that ready for some good news.

“Calmer.  But pretty much the same.”  Buffy said, flopping down on the couch and rubbing her tired eyes.  “He doesn’t freak when I leave the room anymore.”

“That’s good.”  Dawn said, shuddering at the memory of Spike’s mournful wails the first time Buffy left his sight after he had woken up.

“Is there any coffee made?”  Dawn chuckled at the hopeful look on her sisters’ face and rose from her spot on the floor.

“Yeah.  I’ll get it.”

“Where’d the others go?” Buffy asked, mid yawn.

“I don’t know.  They were gone when I got here.”  Dawn walked back over to Buffy and handed her the mug, then sat down next to her.  Buffy sipped the hot brew, relishing the heat that spread through her.  She was sooo tired.  She’d been spending all her time with Spike, only leaving him to go on patrol.  She talked to him, held him.  Whatever she could think of to bring him back.  Nothing in any of Giles’ books helped.  They could tell you how to kill a vampire, not how to heal them.  Tara had even tried to link with him empathically, but Spike wouldn’t let the blonde witch any where near him, not even with Buffy in the room.  He cowered in the corner, a high pitch wine piercing the air.

Buffy was starting to think she was going to have to call Angel.  And she was pretty sure that if. . .no WHEN Spike came back to his senses, that he would not be pleased with that.

A loud howl and a crash had Buffy and Dawn flying up the stairs.  They both skidded to a stop outside of Spike’s room, barely missing colliding with Giles.

“What’s happening?” he asked, his voice heavy with sleep.  Dawn shook her head, turning to watch her sister step into the room.  The room was a mess.  Deep gouges scarred the hard wood floor from where Spike had clawed his fingers.  They had taken everything out of the room that Spike could hurt himself with.  The only furniture remaining was the bed, that was now sporting shredded sheets, and a chair.  The same chair that was now laying splintered on the ground.

Spike was in the middle of the floor, his taut body convulsing as if he were attached to a live wire.  Something resembling a roar ripped from his throat.

Buffy quickly straddled him, trying to catch his wrists and not be bucked off at the same time.

“Spike.” She called, trying to break through the horror of his nightmare.  His arm swung wildly, catching her across her face, stunning her momentarily.  In that moment, Spike dislodged her, then quickly rose to his knees, crawling to the splintered chair.  Dawn and Giles watched helplessly from outside the barrier as Spike picked up the leg, swinging it towards his chest.

“SPIKE, NO!  BUFFY!” Dawn screamed, but Buffy was already there.  Gripping his wrist so hard that it popped, Buffy forced him to release the wood.  It dropped to the floor with a clatter that was drowned out by Spike’s pain filled roar.  Lashing out instinctively at the thing that hurt him, he backhanded her hard, sending her flying onto the bed.  As quickly as she hit the mattress, she was on her feet, lunging at him to tackle him back to the ground.  Straddling him again, Buffy captured a hand, and swiped a claw across her wrist, causing the blood to flow.  She held it near his nose, her thighs quivering from the effort to keep herself seated.  He blinked as her familiar scent filled his nostrils, and latched his mouth onto the wound.  Spike’s bucking stopped, and his whines ceased as he gently sucked her wrist.

Once he released he wrist, Buffy climbed off him, then gathered him close until he was laying half in her lap and half on the floor.  His arms banded tightly around her waist, and she ran a hand down his back as sobs shook his lean form.

Buffy’s tired, pain filled eyes rose to meet her watcher’s.

“Giles.” She said, looking back down at Spike’s blonde head.  “Call Angel.”

Chapter Eleven

Xander drove like the hounds of hell were chasing him, the hulking shell of the house fading in the distance.  The two witches sat huddled together in the backseat, their soft sobs spurring him to crash the gas pedal against the floor.

His mind turned over what had just happened.  He’d seen it with his own eyes, but he still couldn’t believe it.  He hissed as the pain in his stomach seared through him, causing his vision to blur for a second.

Blinking rapidly, Xander’s eyes met Willow’s in the rearview mirror.  He saw pain, fear and guilt swirling in the green depths.

Tearing his eyes away from his best friend, Xander concentrated on the road.  His heart was rejecting what his brain screamed at him to be true.

Never in a million years did Xander think that Willow would try to kill Tara.

Chapter Twelve

“Hi, Angel.”  Buffy said, moving aside to let the smoking vampire in.  He had left L.A. as soon as he’d gotten the call from Giles, trying to outrun the rising sun the whole way.

“Hi.  How is he?”  He asked, pulling the blanket from over his head.  He sighed when he saw the bruise on her cheek.

“He’s better.  Calmer I mean.  He’s still ‘grr’, though.”  She answered, motioning for him to be quiet as they walked through the living room.  Dawn was asleep on the couch and Willow and Tara were curled protectively together on the floor.  Xander had dropped them off and went home, not saying a word to anybody.  The witches entered the house, refusing to discuss what had happened to them.  Willow told the confused trio to give them some time, then they would explain.  Agreeing because they weren’t given any other choice, Buffy asked Willow to alter the barrier so Angel could go into Spike’s room.  The red head complied, somewhat reluctantly they’d noticed.

Angel followed Buffy up the stairs and into the room.  Upon entering, Angel stopped, his brown eyes widening with shock at the sight of his childe.  Spike was leaning against the wall, his shoulder and forehead the only things keeping him upright.  His finger was tracing odd patterns through the paint, the peelings hitting the floor by his bare feet.  The sounds emitting from his chest were a combination of a rumble and a chirp.

“Spike?” Buffy said softly, running the back of her knuckles against his cheek.  He turned to her, his yellow eyes flashing recognition, then confusion as his addled brain registered another, familiar scent.  Whipping his head around, Spike’s gaze came to rest on Angel.

“Spike, Angel came to see you.”

The rumbling in Spike’s chest became more pronounced as he continued to stare at his sire.  Angel slipped into his demon face, hoping to put the younger vampire at ease.  As soon as he did that, Spike pushed away from the wall and launched at the dark haired vampire.  Allowing his body to fall back with the momentum of his childe, the two vampires hit the floor, Angel taking the force of the impact.  He hissed when Spike’s fangs sank into his throat, raising a hand to stop Buffy from interfering as she walked over to them.

“It’s okay, Buffy.” He said.

“I know.  He does the same thing to me.” she replied, kneeling down next to them.  Angel was surprised, until he saw the recently healed over bite mark on her neck.  A knowing smile touched his lips, as she half heartedly tried to cover it.  Then she just grinned at him. *We certainly have come a long way* Angel thought.  It had taken them a long time, but the two former lovers found that distance and time made it possible for them to be friends.

Spike retracted his fangs from Angel and began nuzzling his face against his sire’s chest.  His chattering increased, and much to Buffy’s amazement, Angel seemed to understand it.  And when the brunette started to reply, Buffy was even more stunned as they carried on a conversation in the odd vampiric language.

“Buffy, why don’t you go take a break.  You look like you need it.”  Buffy nodded, then after running a hand over Spike’s peroxided locks, she rose and left the room.  “Spike, let me up now.” He said, accompanying his request with a low commanding growl.  Spike immediately scrambled away from Angel, settling on his knees and hanging his head in deference to his sire.

“Ah, Will,” Angel murmured, kneeling in front of his childe.  “What happened, huh?  Are still even in there?” Angel cupped Spike’s chin, urging the younger vampire to look at him.  Sadness washed over him at the sight of his once powerful childe, now reduced to nothing more than a frightened kitten.

“What can we do?”  Spike chattered at him in response, causing a sad smile to touch Angel’s lips.  “It’s okay, Will.  It’s okay.”  He assured the blonde vampire, hoping the use of Spike’s given name would spark something in his mind.

Angel thought back to last time they had seen each other.  It had been three years before, and they had done their usual posturing and insult flinging that always seemed to occur when the two came in contact with each other.  This caused Buffy to push them both out into the night to “Work it out or kill each other.”  She didn’t care which.  She had then shut the door in their faces and returned to talking to Cordelia, whom Angel had brought with him from L.A.

The vampires had walked into the night, eyeing each other warily.  Neither remembered who threw the first punch, but soon they were fighting in earnest, game faces out.  When they were both too tired to continue, they collapsed on the ground, laughing at the ridiculousness of the situation.  They were fighting over a girl that Angel didn’t love anymore and that Spike thought he could never have.

After that, they had picked themselves up and staggered to the nearest bar, then proceeded to get piss ass drunk.  Buffy found them the next day in Spike’s crypt, sprawled across his bed, naked as the day they were born.

Buffy didn’t ask, and they didn’t tell.  Actually, Angel couldn’t remember what had happened.  And he was pretty sure that Spike didn’t either.  So, by unspoken agreement, they never mentioned it again.  But at least afterwards, the two vampires seemed to have come to an understanding, and all the petty jealousy and hatred were gone.  Well, most of it.  Okay, so they still couldn’t hear the others name without making some nasty comment, but at least the anger was gone.

Angel pulled himself out of memories and stared down into his childe’s wide scared, yellow eyes.  His heart broke at the thought of what could be the only possible answer to this situation.  And he knew that Buffy wouldn’t like it one bit.

Chapter Thirteen

Meanwhile, downstairs.

Buffy went downstairs with every intention of waking Dawn up and heading home for a shower and a quick nap.  She had forgotten to ask Dawn to bring her some clothes when she came over the night before and Buffy had already gone through the ones that she had left at Giles’.

As she moved through the living room, she noticed that Willow was no longer sleeping next to Tara.  Then she heard the hushed, angry voices coming from the kitchen.

“What you did was bloody stupid.” Giles hissed as Buffy came into the doorway.

“I was only trying to find out what happened.” Willow defended.

“Hi guys.” Buffy interrupted, effectively putting a stop to the fight.

“Buffy!  How long have you been there?” Willow asked, her voice bordering on shrill.  Buffy raised her eyebrows at the question.

“Just got here.  What’s goin’ on?” Buffy looked over at Giles, who had a decidedly Ripperesque air about him.

“Willow was just telling me about the events of their little outing last night.” Giles answered, casting angry eyes at the red head.  Willow clasped her hands in front of her and looked at the floor.

“What did you do?” Buffy asked, her voice hard.  Anger coursed through her as Willow refused to meet her gaze.  “You went there, didn’t you?” At the witch’s guilty look, Buffy exploded.  “Are you stupid?!  Or do you just have a death wish?  You saw what that place did to Spike.  SPIKE of all people.  Mr. Self Control in the demon department.  And you took Xander and Tara with you?  What if something had happened, huh?” By now, Buffy was in Willow’s face, her small frame shaking with fear and anger.  Willow’s eyes flashed black as her own anger rose to meet Buffy’s.  Tears coursed down her face as she glared at the Slayer.

“STOP!” the desperate cry stopped whatever Willow was going to say as both women and Giles turned to look at Tara.  The blonde was sitting up on the floor, sobbing onto Dawns’ shoulder.  Willow rushed to her girlfriend, but Tara shied away from her, pressing closer to Dawn.

“Baby?” Willow said, her green eyes filled with worry.  A loud howl filled the air, making everyone flinch.  Buffy was up the stairs in a flash.

“Angel?” Buffy queried, as she looked in the room.

“It’s okay, Buffy.  All the yelling freaked him out a bit.  What’s going on?” Angel asked, one arm wrapped protectively around the blonde vampire cowering next to him.  Buffy rubbed her tired eyes, mentally kissing her shower and nap goodbye.

“When he calms down, why don’t you join us.  I think Willow has something to share.”  Angel nodded.  Spike looked at her then, and pulled away from his sire to crawl towards the barrier.  Buffy smiled and stepped through just as he reached the doorway.  Kneeling down, she cupped his cheek and gently kissed his ridged brow.  She didn’t even feel the sting as his teeth entered her wrist.  When he was done, she kissed him again, delighted to hear his contented purr.

“I’ll be back, okay” he rubbed his cheek against her hand as if saying okay, then turned from her to return to Angel.

“I’ll be down soon.  Take notes for me?” Angel lightly joked.

“Yeah.” She said, smiling back at him, then headed back downstairs.  As she reentered the living room, Buffy surveyed the scene in front of her.  Tara had calmed and was sitting on the couch, taking the cup of tea that Dawn was handing her.  Giles was sitting in his chair, looking extremely angry.  Willow was talking quietly on the phone, her fingers nervously twisting a stand of hair.

“Is Spike alright?” Dawn asked, walking over to Buffy.

“Yeah.  The yelling kinda made him spaz.  Angels’ got him.”  Buffy replied.

“Good.”  They both turned to Willow as she hung up the phone.

“Xander and Anya are on their way over.  I would like to hold off on the explanation until they get here.  If you don’t mind.”  She said quietly, looking at Tara.  The blonde witch smiled shyly at Willow, holding out her hand to her.  Relief flooded through the red head as she rushed to her girlfriends side.

“Fine.” Buffy huffed, turning towards the kitchen.  “Any body want coffee.?

Chapter Fourteen

Willow sat tensely as six pairs of eyes rested on her.  She was sitting on the couch, flanked by Dawn and Tara.  Xander and Anya were on the loveseat under the window.  Giles hadn’t moved from his chair, and Buffy was in the only other chair in the room, with Angel sitting on the floor in front of her.  He had joined the strained group once Spike fell asleep.

With a deep breath, and a quick look at Xander’s hardened face, Willow squeezed Tara’s hand and began.

“First of all.  I just wanted to help.  Seeing Spike so . . . lost.  Not knowing where he is or what’s going on.  Well, it just . . . hurts, to see him like that.  And I had to find out what caused it.  Why his demon is still in control.”  Angel thought about interrupting, but decided against it.  He wanted to talk to Buffy first.

Buffy sat behind him, her legs thrown over the arm of the chair.  He could feel the tension and anger radiating off of her.  And also the fear.  Fear of Willow putting herself and the others in danger.  Fear for Spike.  Angel had known for quite some time now that Buffy was in love with his childe.  Heard it whenever they’d talked on the phone as she told him about their newest adventure.  She’d never said the words out loud, but Angel knew.  It had stung at first, but luckily he’d already known that he was falling for Cordelia.  Pulling his mind away from the image of his love, Angel returned his attention to Willow.

“So, anyway.  I asked Xander to take us up there.  Just to try to see if I could feel anything.  Before we even got out of the car, I sensed it.  And when we did get out of the car, it only got worse.  It was almost as if it was pulling me to it.  And it’s not just the house, which didn’t burn down by the way.  The outside is still intact.”  Buffy’s eyes widened at this.  “It’s in the ground.  The air.”  Willow paused to take a sip of tea.

“What was it you sensed?” Giles asked.

“Evil.” Tara answered.  Looking around the room, she continued.  “The whole area acts like a magnet.”

“A magnet for what?” Buffy questioned.

“First, you have to understand that every creature has darkness in them.  This place seems to draw on that darkness.  Thrives on it.”  Willow explained, gripping Tara’s hand tight.

“And since Spike’s demon nature is evil. . .” Angel interjected.

“The house forced it out, completely smothering the part of him that is Spike.  And if Buffy had been in there longer, she would have been affected also.”

“I think it had already started.” Buffy murmured, remembering her reaction to the demon in the minutes before Dawn and Giles showed up.  Her fingers idly playing over the bite mark on her neck.

“Very interesting.  I wonder if that’s why the original owner eviscerated her husband.” Giles said, almost to himself.

“What!” Buffy squeaked.  “You knew that and you didn’t mention it?”

“Er. . .I. . .I didn’t find out until after you had already left.” He took off his glasses and cleaned them in earnest.  “Did you sense any reason for what you felt?” He asked Willow.

“No.  Some things just are, I guess.  It could be because it’s so close to the Hell mouth.  I just don’t know.”

“Aren’t you going to tell them?”  Xander spoke for the first time, his quiet voice filled with anger.  His jaw was clenched tight as he looked up at the red head.  Anya sat pensively at his side, worry etched on her face.  She had been strangely quiet since they had arrived.  Willow looked back at Xander, fear blooming in her chest.

“Tell us what?” Buffy asked, eyes switching back and forth between the two.

“Apparently,” Willow began, her voice barely above a whisper.  “The more darkness in the person, the quicker it draws it out.”

“That’s not what I meant.” Xander hissed, his whole body tense.

“I know!” Willow replied, tears springing to her eyes.

“Xander.  It wasn’t her fault.  Any more than it was Spike’s for what happened to him.”  Tara’s quiet voice entreated.

“But at least Spike was clueless.” Xander shot back, not willing to back down just yet.  “What did you think, Willow?  Did you think you were so much more in control than him.  That because he is evil naturally, that you wouldn’t have the same problems that he had?  He’s had over a century’s worth of practice in control, for Christ’s sake, and it still got to him.” Xander spat, shaking with anger.  Willow buried her face in her hands and wept.

“Sweety, stop.” Anya soothed, rubbing her hand up his arm.  Giles, Angel, Buffy and Dawn stared at the others in confusion.  Buffy had a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach.

“What happened Willow?” she asked, her voice as hard as steel.  Willow just continued to cry uncontrollably.  Tara wrapped her arm around her lover and whispered softly in her ear.

“I’ll tell you what happened.  Willow, with all her witchy intuitiveness, opened herself up to all that evil.  Opened herself up so much that she tried to kill Tara.”  Xander’s eyes hardened as he looked as his best friend.  “And when I tried to stop her, she tried to take a slice out of me.”  The brunette stood and pulled up his shirt, revealing a gash that stretched across his abdomen.

Buffy got up and crossed to Willow.  Kneeling in front of her, she pulled the witch’s hands from her face.

“Willow?” Buffy said quietly.  She waited until Willow raised her head.  “What happened.”  Her voice was much softer and she implored Willow with her eyes, letting her know that it was alright.

“It was just like Spike described.  All this pain, and blood, and death filled my head, making me feel things.  Terrible things.  And before I even realized what was happening, I had my knife in my hand.  Then I turned to Tara, and I hugged her so hard.  And then I heard Xander screaming at me.  I didn’t even know I had raised the knife.  And then he grabbed me, and spun me around, pulling me away from Tara.  I was so unbelievably mad at him for that.  I was almost choking I was so mad.  Then I lashed out at him.”  Wide, horrified green eyes met Buffy’s worried hazel ones.  Her chest was heaving in ragged breaths, and her voice was strangled as she continued.  “When I saw the blood, I dropped the knife.  It was like somebody had dumped ice water on me.  I was shaking, and crying, and trying desperately not to reach for the knife again.  Then Xander was shoving us in the car.”  Buffy wrapped her arms around Willow, stroking her red hair as she succumbed to her sobs once again.

“Sh.  It’s okay.  It’s over.”  She soothed, rocking her gently as Tara stroked her hand over Willows’ back.  Xander crossed to the women, anger and guilt on his face.  After a moments hesitation, he kneeled next to Buffy and wrapped them all in his strong embrace.

“I’m so sorry.” Willow sobbed in his shoulder.

“I know, Wills.  I know.”

Chapter Fifteen

An hour later, a very weary Buffy stepped into Spike’s bedroom.  She had sent Dawn home to pick up some clothes for her, and had then taken a shower.  The rest of the group was still downstairs, Giles trying to get as much information from the trio as possible.  Buffy just didn’t care anymore about the why’s and what’s.  She was just glad that they were alright.  Now if only Spike would come back to her, everything would be right in the world.

Absently drying her damp hair with a towel, Buffy sat gingerly on the bed next to him.  Dropping the towel to the floor, she laid on her side next to him, propping her head up in the heel of her hand.  Her other hand reached out to him so her fingers could stroke through his hair.

“I miss you.” she whispered as she looked at him.  What she wouldn’t give to look into the blue of his eyes.  To see his cocky smirk.  Or that slow sexy grin that made her heart race and her knees weak.  “Come back to me, please.”  Buffy pleaded, her fingers still running lightly through his soft locks.  A ghost of a smile touched her lips as she noticed his roots were starting to show.

Her smile widened and tears misted her eyes as a memory played out in her head.

~ ~ ~

“Would you hurry up, Slayer.” Spike growled.  He was sitting at the island table in her kitchen, a towel draped over his bare shoulders.  Buffy was standing at the kitchen sink, mixing the bleach and sweet and low combination.

“Keep your fangs in, Spike.  I’m almost done.”  Shaking the dispenser bottle, she walked over to him.  “I still don’t understand the sweet and low.” She mumbled, putting the bottle down on the table and picking up the plastic gloves.  Sliding them over her fingers, she picked the bottle back up and smiled evilly at him.  “Ready.”

Spike scowled at her smile.

“I think you get entirely to much pleasure from this.” He said as she moved behind him and started putting the solution on his hair.

“What can I say, I enjoy your pain.”  Spike bit back the comment that had sprung to his lips and just grunted instead.  He hissed as his scalp started to burn.  “Why do you do this if it burns so bad?”

“A bloke’s got to make sure he looks good.” he grumbled, feeling his eyes start to water.

“This coming from the vamp that has worn the same outfit for the last thirty years?”

“Ha, bloody, ha.” Spike said through clenched teeth.  The sweet and low took out some of sting of the bleach.  But not nearly enough.  “At least I wear clothes that cover all my parts.”

*What a shame* Buffy thought, before realizing that she had been insulted.  Glancing down at her black, spaghetti strap tank and denim mini skirt, she couldn’t see anything wrong with it.  No parts showing, at all.

“You’re just jealous ‘cause I get more attention than you.” Spike snorted in response.

“Not bloody likely.” She slapped the back of his head lightly, sending his already burning scalp into agony.  She realized what she’d done as soon as she done it, and went to apologize.  She was cut off by the string of colorful curses that streamed from his mouth.  He turned to face her, glaring menacingly.  But the sight of him, a towel around his shoulders, and his hair spiked out in different directions, struck Buffy as hilarious.  She began to laugh and laugh, finally clutching her sides, not caring if her bleach covered gloves ruined her shirt.

Spike stared at her for a moment, not sure whether to be pissed or amused.  She looked so cute right then, that Spike opted for amused, and flashed her a smile.

“Can we get this over with.  My bleedin’ skull is on fire.” he asked after she’d calmed.  Dutifully, she returned to her task, still chuckling.

~ ~ ~

“Buffy?” Angel’s voice brought Buffy out of her revery.  With one last stroke through his hair, she rose from bed and walked over to him.

“Yeah?”

“Can we talk?”

“Sure.” she said, stepping out into the hall.  “What’s up?”

“It’s about Spike.” He began, not quite sure how to start.

“I figured.” Buffy replied, studying the face of her former love.  He looked apprehensive, and Buffy started to get worried.  “What’s wrong?”

“I’ve never seen a vampire this far gone before.  He’s acting on a very basic level right now.  And I don’t know if he’ll come out of it.”

“Why?” Buffy asked, not sure if she liked his tone.

“He’s scared.  Whatever happened to him affected him deeply, and he has retreated into his mind.  That chattering he was doing earlier.  That was his demon trying to explain to my demon what was happening to him, because Spike can’t.  The demon is keeping him functioning, but it can’t repair his mind.”

“So, what can we do?” she asked, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Buffy, I’m not sure there’s anything we can do.” He said, his tone soft, his eyes studying her face carefully.

“So, what? We just give up?  Or worse? Stake him?” Buffy spat, venom dripping from her voice.  When Angel just kept looking at her, his brown eyes filling with pain and sympathy, she gasped.  “You want to stake him?” her eyes widened to almost comical proportions.

“I think it would be the kindest thing to do.” Angel’s head snapped to the side when Buffy smacked him.  He turned back to her, anger making his eyes flash gold.  But Angel’s anger was nothing compared to the fury emanating off the tiny woman in front of him.  The 25 year old Slayer looked at her ex like he was the most vile thing on the planet.

“How could you even SUGGEST such a thing!?” Buffy asked through clenched teeth.  She stood before him, her bare feet set slightly apart, her hands clenched into fists.

“Do you think I like it?”

“Why not?  Everybody knows how well you two get along.  For all I know this is just your way of getting back at me for not still pining over you.” She knew she was being irrational, but the thought of losing Spike permanently made her ill.  Buffy suddenly found herself hauled against him, her feet far enough off the ground that she was almost eye level with him.

“Dammit, Buffy.  If I hated him so much, would I have reaffirmed the childe/sire bond?  That is my childe in there.  MINE!  His pain is my pain, Buffy.  And don’t you EVER think that you’ve cornered the market on loving him.”

“You reaffirmed the bond?” Her voice was soft, as her fury deflated.

“Yeah.” Angel replied, setting her back onto her feet as his own anger subsided.  “I did it before I came downstairs.  Thought it might help, make it easier for him to communicate with me.  He only recognizes the two of us.  Me as his sire, you as is mate.” He said, indicating the bite on her neck.

“Mate?” Buffy couldn’t help the small smile that curved her lips.  Angel smiled himself at the happiness that revelation brought.

“Yeah.  He loves you.  And what he almost did to you, damn near destroyed him.”

“I won’t kill him, Angel.  I wouldn’t in the house, and I won’t now.  If you don’t want to help, I’ll understand.  But, I can’t. . .” tears sprang to her eyes and she wiped them away with an agitated hand.  Angel sighed heavily, then went to her and wrapped her in his strong arms.

“I’ll help.” he said, leaning his cheek against her silky hair.  He gently rubbed her back as she let the dam burst on his shirt.  Angel whispered to her quietly, as he glanced in the room.  Spike was sitting up on the edge of the bed.  The air filled with his childe’s warning growl as he looked at the couple in the hall.  Just as Angel was about to direct Buffy’s attention to the blonde, Spike launched from the bed and crashed against the barrier with a snarl.  Buffy jumped away from Angel and turned to look into the blazing fury of Spike’s blue eyes.  She was so surprised by his outburst that it took a second for her to realize that she was looking at his human face, not his demon.

“Spike?” she breathed, stepping to the barrier and reaching her hand across it.  Spike quickly seized her wrist and pulled her through, holding her against his body as he glared at Angel.

“MINE!” he growled, before slamming the door.

“Yours.” Angel agreed, raising his eyebrows as he contemplated the door.  Shoving his hands into his pockets, he turned and headed back downstairs.

Chapter Sixteen

“Spike, you’re. . .” Whatever Buffy was about to say was cut off by Spike’s savage kiss.  He pinned her against the door, as his tongue plundered her mouth.  He quickly ripped away her shirt, filling his cool hands with her breasts and kneading them roughly.  His long fingers pinched and teased her nipples until she was quivering and moaning, her nails digging into the hard flesh of his arms.  Breaking away from her mouth, his teeth, lips and tongue blazed a trail of cold fire down her throat to the soft mounds of her breasts.  As his lips closed over the first nipple, all Buffy could do was hold on as Spike laid claim to her body.

Her breath was coming in heaving gasps, as the sensations he was invoking crashed over her, making her shudder with the intensity.

Spike switched his attention to her other breast as his fingers traveled to the band of her sweat pants.  Yanking them down, he pulled them from her feet, and tossed them behind him.  Pulling her legs over his shoulders, he cupped his hands over her ass to hold her up.  His mouth continued it journey from her breast, nipping gently along her stomach, heading purposefully to her core.

“Oh, God.” Buffy moaned as his tongue invaded her folds.  Her fingers buried themselves into his hair, pushing him closer to her heat.  He drank her juices greedily, lapping and sucking everything she offered, before sliding his tongue deep inside her.  Buffy bucked against him, her head thrashing as incoherent words tumbled from her lips. He brought his thumb to her clit, teasing it as he continued to tongue fuck her.  Buffy shrieked as she came, her fingers tensing in his hair as she rode the waves.

Spike released her and caught her as she started to slide down the door.  Trapping her between it and his body, he crashed his mouth against hers, sliding his tongue across hers in a sensual rhythm.  Buffy tasted herself on him and felt her arousal sky rocket once more.

Spike yanked the buttons of his jeans open, pushing them down enough to free his erection.  Gripping her ass once again, he lifted her up and plunged himself deep within her tight channel, shocking them both with the sensation of hot sheathing cold.  Burying his face in her neck, he began to move, his strokes long and hard.  His pelvis hit her clit with each thrust, making her dizzy with the onslaught of sensation.  His named spilled from her lips almost like a prayer, as she felt her second orgasm begin to crash over her.  Spike shifted into game face and buried his fangs n her throat.

“SPIIIKE!”  She screamed, as the sting of his fangs entering her flesh tipped her over the edge of oblivion.  The combination of the taste of her blood and her vaginal muscles clamping around him sent Spike over the edge.  Growling deep in his chest, he slammed into her as deep as he could, his cock shooting his seed deep within her.

Panting heavily, they both slid bonelessly to the floor.

Chapter Seventeen

All eyes turned to the stairs as Buffy’s scream echoed throughout the house.  Angel’s own demon reacted to the primalness of the sound, and he wished fervently that he had given in when Cordelia had wanted to tag along.  Thinking of his mate, Angel pulled out his cell phone and moved into the kitchen to call her.  Maybe she could make it down tonight, was his thought as he dialed the number.

“Er, may. . .maybe we should give them some, ah, privacy.” Giles stammered, frantically polishing his glasses.  Dawn bit back a laugh at his discomfort, then went to get her jacket.

“I have to meet Scott anyway.  See ya later.” she said, breezing out the door.  Xander and Anya left next, followed closely by Giles.  Tara found herself alone in the living room.  Glancing around, she didn’t see Willow any where.  Walking into the kitchen, she saw Angel leaning against the counter, talking softly on his phone.  But still no Willow.  She was pretty sure that the witch wouldn’t go upstairs, so that left outside.

Stepping out into the early evening, Tara found Willow in the small courtyard outside of Giles’ apartment.  She was sitting on a bench, her legs drawn up next to her, a faraway look on her face.

“Willow?” Tara called softly, settling next to her on the bench.  Willow looked over at her, and offered her a shaky smile.  “What’s wrong, Sweety?”

“Just thinkin’.”  The red head answered, shrugging one slender shoulder.

“About what?”  Tara already knew, but she wouldn’t push.

“What happened last night.” Willow’s eyes met Tara’s briefly, before turning to stare into the fading day.  The blonde waited, knowing she would continue.  She didn’t have to wait long.  “You know, it took hours for Spike to succumb to the power of that place.  Hours.  We weren’t even there ten minutes before. . .” Willow paused, her throat closing with the force of the emotion she was feeling.

“And you think that makes you more evil than a soulless demon?” Tara prodded gently, tucking an errant strand of Willow’s hair behind her ear.

“Yes. . .no. . .I don’t know.  Is there something in me that’s darker than him?  Is my aura black?  My spirit tainted?”  She brought her knee up and rested her elbow on it, wiping her tears away.

“No, honey.  Nothing like that.  Over the years, you’ve opened yourself up to some pretty dangerous magic.  It’s left you vulnerable to some of the nastier things that are out there.”  Tara said, grasping Willow’s hand.  Willow felt somewhat comforted by her words, but not entirely convinced.  If only she could be sure it was that simple.  She loved Tara above all things, and the fact that she had tried to kill her. . .made Willow afraid of who she really was inside.

“I love you.” Willow said, earnestly, drawing Tara towards her for a sweet kiss.  Tara smiled when she pulled back.

“I love you, too.  What happened wasn’t your fault.  Please don’t beat yourself up over it.  It’s over.”  Tara wrapped her arms around Willow, pulling her down until her red head rested on the blondes shoulder.

Sighing, Willow released her fear and let her girlfriends soothing embrace chase the last of her doubts away.

Chapter Eighteen

“Spike?” Buffy called groggily.  She had been moved to the bed, the sheet draped lightly across her body.

“Over here, Pet.” came the weary reply.  Turning towards the sound of his voice, Buffy sat up.  He was standing by the now pried open window, one hand braced against the wall.  They had nailed it shut when they had first put Spike in the room.  He was staring out into the early evening, smoking a cigarette.

*Must have found his duster.* Buffy thought, turning so she could see him more clearly.  She could almost feel the tension rolling off of him as he took another drag.  Standing, Buffy pulled the sheet with her, wrapping it around her as she walked to him.

“What’s wrong?” she asked quietly, pressing a warm hand against his bare back.  He was clad in only his jeans, and the light from the open window cast his pale body in shadow.  His muscles rippled under her hand as she slid it across his cool skin.  He was so beautiful.  Sleek and powerful, like a cat.

“Buffy,” Spike started, his voice thick and rusty from emotion and lack of use.  Clearing his throat, he tossed the remnants of his cigarette out into the cool night.  Breathing deep, albeit unnecessarily, he turned to face her.  Spike looked down at the beauty standing before him, and felt his unbeating heart clench in his chest.  Her hazel eyes were wide and luminous, her blonde hair hanging in tousled waves around her shoulders.  Her kissed bruised lips were slightly parted, and her tan skin was still flushed from their earlier passion.  “So beautiful.” he whispered, raising his hand to cup her cheek.

“You’re not so bad yourself.” Buffy teased, hoping to chase the look of sorrow away.  She was rewarded with a slight quirk of his lips that didn’t quite bloom into a smile.

“I don’t see how you can even look at me.”  He said, letting his hand fall away.

“Why?”

“Because of what happened.  In the house, and just now.”

“Don’t you dare apologize for just happened between us, William, or I *will* stake you.” Buffy said, glaring at him.  His scarred eyebrow raised at the use of his real name.

“It wasn’t exactly the way I pictured our first time, pet.”

“It was perfect.” She insisted, touching a finger to his lips.  Spike captured her hand, and pressed her fingers against his mouth.

“I never meant to hurt you.” Spike ran his other hand through his hair, his blue eyes clouded with pain.

“You didn’t.”  He traced a finger over her bite mark, silently saying he didn’t believe her.  Reaching up, she grasped his hand and pressed it against her throat, letting him feel her strong pulse.  Then she took it and pressed it over her heart.  “You see, you didn’t hurt me.”

“I almost did.  If Dawn and Giles hadn’t shown up. . .” he stopped, not wanting to finish the thought.

“I don’t think you would have killed me.”  Spike’s eyes widened, stunned.  He remembered what had happened, almost too clearly.  His demon had most certainly wanted to kill her.

“How can you say that, luv?”

“Do demons usually claim their food?” she asked.  He just blinked at her, clearly not getting her meaning.  Rolling her eyes, she tried again.  “Before you pulled me in here, Angel explained that you only recognized the two of us.  Him, for obvious reasons.  And me, as your mate.  Now, as I understand it, the only way a vampire can claim a mate is with a bite.  And the first time you bit me was in the house.  Now, I ask again, do demons usually claim their food?”

“Buffy, I’d always recognize you as my mate.” Spike said.  Buffy felt her heart melt at his words, but she hadn’t gotten her answer.

“That’s not an answer.”

“No, they don’t.  But I still could have killed you, despite the claim.  Especially if it isn’t completed.”  Spike replied, sighing heavily.

“I know that.  But I still don’t think that you would have hurt me.  Your demon claimed me.  The part that was in control.  Marking me as his.  Yours.  Now, I might be wrong, and I really don’t care if I am.  That’s what I believe.”  She continued to hold his hand over her heart, the beat steady and strong against his palm.  “I love you, Spike.”

Her words weakened his knees, and he sunk to the floor in front of her.  Pressing his face against her stomach, Spike banded his arms tightly around her, holding her close as he crumbled.  Running her fingers through his hair, she whispered quiet words of comfort to him as he sobbed out the horror of the last several days.  Buffy allowed her own tears to fall as they clung onto each other, afraid that if they let go, the other person would disappear.

Chapter Nineteen

A short time later, Spike calmed, then pulled Buffy down on her knees in front of him.  Framing her face with his hands, his thumbs traced the delicate lines of her cheeks, wiping the lingering moisture away.  Staring deeply into her eyes, he finally uttered the words he hadn’t dared say in over five long years.

“I love you , Buffy.  I know I don’t deserve you.  I can’t even begin to list the reasons why it’s wrong.  But I love you with everything I am or ever was.”  Buffy raised her hand and pressed her fingers lightly against his mouth, stilling his words.  Giving him a watery smile, fresh tears spilled down her cheeks and over his fingers.  Leaning up, she replaced her fingers with her lips.  When she pulled away, his eyes drifted open, their blue depths swirling with emotion.

“I love you, too.  The man, the demon.  There’s no part of you that I don’t want or need.  Please, forgive yourself.  And the next time you say you don’t want to go in somewhere, I promise I won’t make you.  I’ve learned my lesson.” She offered him another smile, finally eliciting one from him.

“Bloody good idea, Pet.  Maybe next time you’ll remember the Big Bad knows a thing or two.” he smirked.

“Oh, really?” Buffy asked, trailing her fingers down the sculpted plains of his chest.  A devilish grin spread across her face as her nimble fingers began unbuttoning his jeans.  “Why don’t you show me.  You know, drive the point home.” she whispered huskily, her warm fingers brushing the tip of his already hard cock.  Spike met her grin with one of his own, raising his hand to tug the sheet away.  Standing, he pulled her to her feet, then swept her up in his arms.  Carrying her to the bed, he placed her gently across it, then divested himself of his jeans.  Holding her arms open, she clutched him to her as he settled himself along her length.

“I love you.” he whispered in the instant before he pushed into her tight, wet heat.  A groan escaped both of them as her body accepted his length, their mouths crashing together, tongues mating in time to his thrusts.  Their hands were everywhere, touching and caressing as they slowly built to their climaxes.  Breaking away from her mouth, Spike kissed his way along her jaw to his mark on her neck.  Tracing his tongue across the wound, he heard her whimper.  His thrusts sped up as her whimpers increased.  Her nails clawed down his back, making him growl in pleasure.

“Spike, please. . .I need. . .” she moaned, her hips bucking wildly beneath him.  Immediately, he vamped, and sunk his fangs deep into the soft skin of her throat.  With a cry of his name, she came, sinking her blunt teeth into his shoulder.  His mind reeled as he felt her teeth plunge into his skin, and that combined with her blood flowing over his tongue and her inner walls quivering around him sent him spinning out of control.  With a snarl, he reached down and pulled her knees up, enabling him to plunge deeper.  Three more times he slammed into her before he shot his semen deep into her womb.  The haze in his mind cleared as he retracted his fangs from her, He felt her tongue sliding across the skin of his shoulder, lapping the few drops of blood that she produced.

“Mine.” Buffy whispered in his ear, her warm hand caressing the flesh of his back. Spike shuddered under her hands as emotions wracked through his body.  He traced his tongue through the blood still seeping from the rapidly healing bite.  Raising his head, he kissed her deeply, the tastes of their blood mingling on their tongues.

Breaking the kiss, Spike gently nipped her bottom lip, before raising his eyes to hers.

“Mine.” he growled, his blue eyes burning into her hazel ones.  She gently cupped his face as a feeling of contentment and belonging settled over them both.

“Always.” she whispered.  Brushing his lips across hers one last time, Spike then pulled out of her and settled on his side on the bed, Gathering her close, his happy purr filling the air, the two lovers fell asleep, safe in each others arms.

Chapter Twenty

“Thanks, Angel.”  Buffy said, her voice muffled against his chest.  The brunette vampire gave her one last squeeze, then released her.

“No problem.  Watch over him.  He’s still really screwed up.” Angel said, glancing at Spike, who was standing a few feet away, smoking.

“I will.  But this is Spike we’re talking about.  He’s always been a little. . .off.”  Buffy replied, a teasing smile tugging at her lips.  Angel gave her a small grin, then started towards Spike.  Buffy moved to say goodbye to Cordelia, who had indeed been able to make it down that night, three days ago.

Spike eyed his sire warily as he came to a stop in front of him.  The blonde vampire could feel the power singing along the reaffirmed bond, and he didn’t know whether to be happy or pissed off.  Spike didn’t like anybody having that much power over him, and it had taken him decades to fully step out of Angel’s shadow.

“How are you?” Spike snorted at the question, and fixed his piercing blue gaze on his sire.

“You know.” Angel nodded.  He could feel the anger and pain, and guilt, flowing through his favored childe.

Spike crushed his cigarette out under his boot, and Angel offered him his hand.  After a moments hesitation, Spike took it.  Flashing a devilish grin, Angel pulled the surprised blond into his arms.

“I love you, boy.” Angel growled, gripping him tightly.  Spike took comfort in the words an his sire’s embrace for a moment before replying.

“Yeah, yeah, you ponce.  I love you too.”

Angel chuckled, then let him go.

“Take care of yourself.  And her.  She loves you almost as much as I do.” He said with a grin.  Spike flashed one of his own, then turned it into his trademark smirk.

“Yeah, but she fancies my cute arse a bit more that you ever did.”  Angel shook his head ruefully, and snorted.

“I don’t think we need to worry about each other’s cute asses any more.” He said, turning to look at the blonde and brunette talking behind them.

“Got that right, mate.” Spike agreed as Angel started walking towards the car.  “Angel!”

The older vampire paused and turned back to his childe.

“Thanks.” Spike said quietly, dropping his eyes, slightly embarrassed.

“You’re welcome, Will.” Angel replied, then continued towards the car.  Slapping Cordelia playfully on the ass, he told her it was time to go.

Buffy hugged the former prom queen, then walked over to Spike.  Wrapping an arm around his waist, she rested her head in the crook of his shoulder as his arm went around her.  Together, the two blondes watched the convertible drive off into the night.

Epilogue

In a clearing, at the end of a dark old road, the burnt out shell of a old house stood.  In the overgrown front yard stood a sign.  And on that sign, it read:


KEEP OUT
DESTRUCTION ZONE AHEAD!


And the name of the company doing the destroying was Harris Construction.

Xander Harris stood staring up at the monstrosity before him, anger and hatred glowing in his eyes.  He had fought like a rabid dog, constantly under bidding other construction companies to get the contract to destroy the old house.  He wasn’t going to make a profit from this job, and thankfully, he could afford the loss.  But the job wasn’t about profit.  Xander wanted nothing more that to be the one that blew that house to kingdom come. He wasn’t sure what the county was going to do with it, but he’d heard rumors of a new interstate being built.  He didn’t care, as long as the place that nearly took away his friends was gone.

The last few months had been hard on the Scoobies.  Spike and Willow were plagued by nightmares that seemed amazingly real.  More often than not, Spike would try to retreat back into himself.  Guilt and anger had them both trying to push everybody away, but Tara and Buffy proved to be more than formidable opponents.  With the help of the rest of the gang, the witch and the vampire finally came to terms with what had happened.  Neither fully forgave themselves, but in the end, they accepted the forgiveness that was bestowed upon them.

Whistler had shown up at some point, assuring Spike that he hadn’t been pushed off the redemption bandwagon.  What had happened was caused by outside forces, not from some desire hidden within Spike, himself.  That had gone a long way towards helping Spike recover.

Willow had cut back on her practice of black magic, strictly staying with the light side of her gift.  She never wanted to see that part of herself again.

Spike was moved out of Giles’ guest bedroom and into Buffy’s house.  It had taken them so long to finally admit their feeling towards each other, that Buffy didn’t waste any time clearing out his crypt and depositing it all in her house.

Eventually, life returned to normal for the unusual little family.  Well, normal for the Hell mouth.

“We’re ready, boss.”  Xander turned to face his employee, nodding once.  When the crew was a safe distance away, Xander gave the command.

“LET ‘ER RIP!”  Several loud explosions filled the air, and the house began to crash in on itself.  Huge plumes of smoke and dust rose towards the sky as the noise faded.  Xander turned towards the woods that surrounded the house.  There, the blond couple stood, arms wrapped around each other as the watched the house fall.

With a half salute to the pair, which Spike returned, the brunette turned back to his crew.

“Alright, let’s get started.”  The men dispersed to follow their bosses orders, as the couple in the trees shared a kiss, then turned and faded into the woods.

~~FIN~~