I don't own these characters in any way shape or form, I am, in fact, just a fan. This story/script is not an actual script from "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" but merely a hope/prediction of the 7th season opener.
A Whole Lotta Soul
Buffy walks into the bathroom and turns on the faucet. Steam rises in the room - the mirror fogs, and Buffy lays in the foamy bathwater. She puts on her headphones and leans back. Michelle Branch blares and you can hear the song "Goodbye to you" on repeat. Buffy's eyes close but tears begin to fall. Suddenly, there is a loud knock on the door.
DAWN: (yelling) Buffy! I gotta pee! Buffy!
Buffy is jerked out of her sadness. She splashes water in her face.
BUFFY: (yells) Come in!
Dawn cracks the door.
DAWN: Are you decent?
BUFFY: There are bubbles.
Buffy turns toward the door.
DAWN: Ok. (Dawn enters the bathroom, and unzips her pants,) Don't look!
BUFFY: (Buffy picks up a magazine and pretends to read it,) Not looking.
Dawn goes to the bathroom, pulls up her pants, and heads toward the sink,
DAWN: Ok, you can look now.
Buffy puts down the magazine. Dawn begins to wash her hands.
DAWN: What are you listening to?
BUFFY:(lying) Oh - uh - Sarah McLachlan.
DAWN: Mirrorball?
BUFFY: Surfacing - my theme from past pain.
Buffy corrects speaking of the pain of killing Angel rather than the pain of Spike.
DAWN: Angel?
BUFFY: Yeah.
DAWN: Well, do me a favor and don't go slitting your wrists in here,... I hope that didn't give you any ideas.
BUFFY: No - I'm - I'm fine. I-I just need to relax - forget about everything,"
Dawn looks at Buffy concernedly.
BUFFY: Really, I'm all right. Just - make sure I have no more interruptions until I'm outa here, ok?
DAWN: No problem.
Buffy puts her headphones back on, and slips back into her trance. Visions pass through her mind of the night in the abandoned building with Spike, and when she was invisible, and behind the doublemeat palace. She remembers Riley catching them, and breaking up with Spike. Then, Buffy recalls the scene that happened next to the very bathtub she was laying in. More tears begin to stream down Buffy's face. She had decided it would be a night of relaxation.
Tomorrow would be 161 days since Spike left Sunnydale. She is happy he had left - he needed to leave, but she misses him. She'd had the whole summer to spend time with her sister and think about the things she had done. She'd played Spike like a sex toy - like Riley's rebound - like an embarrassment, and she was wrong.
So much for a night of relaxation - she thought herself into a state of confusion and anger. She's angry with herself - there is only one thing she can do now to feel better: slay.
Buffy gets out of the tub, and dries off. She throws on a pair of sweatpants and a long sleeved tee-shirt. She tucks a stake in the back of her pants and another in her boot. She is ready.
BUFFY: Dawn - I'm going out to patrol!
Buffy yells upstairs as she stands half way out of the front door.
DAWN: I thought you were gonna stay in tonight.
Dawn yells from the top of the stairs.
BUFFY: I made myself angry - I have to hurt something - preferably beasties and not...the coffee table or something like that.
DAWN: Good idea - not braking furniture.
BUFFY: Will you be ok? I'll be right back after I kill something.
DAWN: I'll be fine - doors and windows locked, Willow should be home any minute - Dawn safe.
BUFFY: Good - I'll be right back - I promise, but I mean it this time.
Buffy locks the door and slams it behind her and makes her way to the cemetery.
Back at the Summers House, the phone rings. The Caller ID shows Xander.
DAWN: (she picks up the phone) Hey, Xander - what's up?
XANDER: Is Buffy there, Dawnie?
DAWN: (cynically) Dawnie - you never call me Dawnie, what's up?
XANDER: Just put your sister on the phone.
DAWN: She went out to kill something.
XANDER: (worried) Wha - what kind of thing?"
DAWN: Whatever non-human gets in her way. Well, not like she's gonna kill a dog, but just - not of this... dimension - you know what I mean. Wait, why are you so worried?
XANDER: Are you alone, Dawnie?
WILLOW: (from the front door) Buffy! DAWNIE! I'm home!
DAWN: (to Xnader) No, Willow just came in.
XANDER: Good, put Willow on the phone.
DAWN: Xander, what's wrong?
WILLOW: (from behind Dawn) Something's wrong?
DAWN: (scowling)He won't tell me. He wants to talk to you.
Willow takes the phone. Dawn stands listening to the conversation.
WILLOW: Xander? Who...What...Hey, slow down...Ok...do you know why?...so we should probably find Buffy...yeah, well she is the slayer...ok, c'mon over and we'll...wait?...Ok, Xander, see you in a few. (to Dawn) Xander is coming over.
DAWN: So I gathered. So, who or what is here?
WILLOW: It's nothing - we're just gonna wait...Buffy can handle this.
DAWN: (sarcastically) Ok?
Buffy flips over a vampire and lands on a tombstone.
BUFFY: Sorry, but I don't fall down on the first right...hook that is.
Buffy pulls a stake from her boot and slams it into the vampire's stomach.
VAMPIRE: (snydely) A little off, aren't ya, Slayer?.
BUFFY: Hey! It's my day off!
She pulls the stake out and begins to re-aim it. Too late, the vampire is charging at her. Buffy sticks out the stake, but before the vampire can come any closer, a figure tackles the vampire to the ground and stakes him.
FIGURE: Nice to see ya again, Slayer!
Buffy holds the stake up ready to thrust it into the figure.
BUFFY: Spike! What were you trying to rape him, too - didn't know you liked men.
SPIKE: That was a good one - I suppose I deserved that. Can we have a little chat, well, a long chat?
BUFFY: And why would I wanna chat with you, Spike, so we could get together and 'go steady?' How about not? (scowls) Sorry I don't swoon over your bullshit anymore.
SPIKE: Why would you? What I did to you was wrong. I would hate me too.
BUFFY: Damn right! Wait a minute...
Buffy can tell that there is something strange about this one - he's changed.
BUFFY: You seem awfully reasonable for a cold, heartless, soulless vampire.
SPIKE: Well, luv, that would be where you're wrong. In fact, I have a soul. So do ya wanna chat about this, or do you wanna stand here in awkward silence?
BUFFY: (mouth wide open) C'mon - let's go.
SPIKE: Where?
BUFFY: Just c'mon.
Buffy leads Spike to the playground where they sit on the top of a picnic table. Buffy keeps the stake resting on her lap: just in case.
BUFFY: So...how?
SPIKE: I went to Africa and passed a few tests from this demon bloke - he killed that damn chip and restored my soul.
BUFFY: I-Is it like Angel - where if you... (struggling for right words) if you...if we...then it's gone again?
SPIKE: Nope. You can make me happy as much as you'd like.
Buffy looks down at her feet unaffected by Spike's horney joke - just...thinking.
BUFFY: Spike - I'm sorry.
SPIKE: Hmmm, pet?
BUFFY: I'm sorry.
Buffy mumbles again staring at her hand in her lap.
SPIKE: Why should you be sorry?
Spike asks putting one of his hands on hers.
BUFFY: I used you, and I broke you, and I drove you to do what you did. I'm not justifying your actions, but I know I've made some mistakes, too. I just wanted you to know that I was sorry.
SPIKE: I'm sorry. When I even try to think of what you did to me, it makes me so sick with myself I almost have to hide myself in a hole for weeks.
BUFFY: Let's walk.
Buffy says pulling Spike off of the picnic table - she is in one of those moods now where she has to move. The two walk around Sunnydale talking about their trials and tribulations over the summer.
BUFFY: Dawn got her first hikki!
SPIKE: Dawn? Yeah, well I couldn't say that I couldn't tell it was gonna happen - where was it?
BUFFY: Her neck! (Buffy smacks him) As if it would even be somewhere else! I could tell because it was over a hundred degrees out and the was in a mock - turtleneck sweater.
SPIKE: I'm sorry I missed it. I missed her, though - that little vixen. I'm gonna give her a big old squeeze when I see her.
The two stroll through Sunnydale until they finally end up at Buffy's house.
BUFFY: Wanna come in
SPIKE: Do you think I should?
BUFFY: Why not? Who would stop you?
SPIKE: Your friends - I dunno - whoever knows what happened .
BUFFY: No worries - Xander isn't here, and...well, don't worry about it.
Buffy opens the door a crack and then wider. She sees no one. She stands in the foyer and looking up the stairs. Spike stands to the limit of the thresh hold waiting to be invited in.
BUFFY: C'mon in, Spike. (Buffy looks around some more - no one) Dawn! Dawnie! Willow! Hey, Will!
No one answers.
SPIKE: Shhh, I hear giggling - upstairs - they're upstairs.
Spike and Buffy head upstairs, they look in each room, finally they find Xander, Dawn, and Willow in Willow's room.
BUFFY: Hello?
Buffy opens Willow's door.
XANDER: Buffy! Guess who's back in town?
Xander hops up off of the bed. Buffy opens the door further to reveal Spike.
XANDER: Spike. (frowns) Spike is back in town, but apparently you already knew that.
DAWN: Spike?
Dawn looks up, Willow looks up too.
SPIKE:(smiling) Evening..
BUFFY: I have good news you guys, Sp-
XANDER: (angry) What the hell is he doing here?!
SPIKE: Well, if you'd let the girl finish.
XANDER: (yelling angrily) Uh-uh, you don't get to talk, you get to die a slow and painful death, but no talking!
BUFFY: (loudly) HEY! Before you get all Mr. Violence in here - hear me out. Now I know what all three of you are thinking - Spike: Evil: Rape: Hate. But something happened over the summer, and I think we all need to just stop and think about it before anyone goes after Spike.
WILLOW: What is it?
BUFFY: Huh?
WILLOW: What happened to make us not wanna kill Spike?
BUFFY: I was getting to that part. Spike, well, believe it or not, Spike jumped on the Soul bandwagon.
XANDER: (to himself) Why do I not believe this? Oh yeah! Because Spike is a lying, cheatin, backstabbing rapist - that was it!
BUFFY: Xander - Spike got his chip removed, so I wouldn't say that. 'Cause if he didn't have a soul, we'd all be dead. Understand?
SPIKE: I'd listen to the lady, man, she knows what she's talking about.
WILLOW: Now, let's think about this logically, ok. Spike is still harboring feelings toward Buffy, right (turns to Spike)?
SPIKE: Yeah, so what's your point?
WILLOW: Well, we all know you Spike, and if you want Buffy, and...Buffy, do you want Spike (turns to Buffy)?
BUFFY: I might.
WILLOW: Well, then what happens then?
Willow looks at Buffy then Spike the Xander.
DAWN: "When?
XANDER: Dawn, maybe you should leave (half commanding)
DAWN: (offended) NO!
XANDER: (warning) Ok, then, if you wanna hear this. So you guys have sex - Spike is soulless again and we all have to go through that drama again.
BUFFY: God, (Buffy sighs looking up at the ceiling) you just don't get it, do ya? He wasn't cursed, he just got his soul back. That's it. Jesus, why do you guys worry about me so much?
XANDER: Because you're our friend and we love you. But I guess you don't realize that, do you?
Xander storms out.
BUFFY: Xander!
WILLOW: I'm gonna go after him, (she stands up) he just doesn't get it. Don't worry about it. ( Willow looks up at Spike) Glad ta have ya, Spike.
Dawn looks a little confused, but happy because she has Spike back and better than ever. She brushes passed him as she walks through the door.
SPIKE: Hey! Where are ya going? Don't I get a hug?
Dawn turns around and squeezes Spike as tight as she can.
DAWN: I missed you!
Then, Dawn rears back and smacks Spike across the face as hard as she can.
SPIKE: What the bloody hell was that for?
Spike yells holding the side of his face. Buffy looks at Dawn, mouth wide open.
DAWN: I had to do that - from before - just to make it known so it'll never have to happen again
Dawn says, then she hugs Spike again.
DAWN: Gotta go to bed - school tomorrow.
WILLOW: Xander!
Willow yells chasing him down the street.
WILLOW: Xander, wait!
XANDER: What, Will?
Xander doesn't even turn back to acknowledge her.
WILLOW: You can't just do that all the time. It happened with Angel, and where was your foot? Right back in your mouth! You've gotta just accept that you can't protect Buffy from everything. You saved the world a few months - leave it at that. Buffy can handle herself, she did before.
XANDER: But it's Buffy, ya know - you'd think she's learned now. I guess she hasn't, but I can't keep telling her and trying to protect her from these things.
WILLOW: Did you not hear a word I said. She's the Slayer, she needs no protecting - I know you love her, I love her too; we all do, but she can handle herself. I'm sure she's thinking of the repercussions right now.
Buffy pushes Spike against the wall, then onto the bed, Spike rolls over onto Buffy as the passionately kiss. Suddenly flashbacks of the night in the bathroom come back to Buffy - she jerks back and slides from under Spike.
BUFFY: Wait, stop, hold on a minute!
Spike sits on the bed looking up at Buffy.
BUFFY: This...this... (Buffy points between teh both of them) this is moving way too fast. I mean, yeah I want you, but whenever we get too close, I think of that night, and... well, hence the backing off.
SPIKE: I know, I know (shaking his head). It's too soon - we need to, I don't know, take it slow - go to the movies or something. Regular date stuff - or a drink.
BUFFY: Right - right, take it like a couple not a vampire and a slayer. Ok, yeah, yeah, I can do this, we can do this (sighs). So, what's up with your crypt?
SPIKE: I gotta find a new one - the old one is completely trashed.
BUFFY: Well, you can stay here for a couple of nights.
SPIKE: Thanks.
BUFFY: I'll go get some pillows and blankets - I'll sleep on the floor.
Buffy turns to go into the linen closet.
SPIKE: No, I'll sleep on the floor, I mean, it's your bed, you should be able to sleep in your own bed!
BUFFY: Ok...
Buffy grabs some blankets and they head to her room. She takes a pillow off of her bed and hands it to Spike.
BUFFY: There ya go.
SPIKE: Thanks.
Spike arranges the blankets and pillow on the floor. He takes off his shirt. Buffy bites her lower lip as she sees that he's still got his rippling muscles.
SPIKE: Good night.
Spike pushes himself under the blankets.
BUFFY: Night.
Buffy pulls the covers over her and lays on her pillow staring at Spike who seems to be asleep.
Spike lays with his eyes closed flashes of love and pain flow through his memory - he can't sleep at all. Buffy tosses and turns and cannot seem to fall asleep. She finally leans on the edge of her bed and stares at the "sleeping" Spike. When Buffy finally dozes off, she is so far on the edge of the bed that she falls off with a thud. Spike is so jolted by the noise that he jumps about three feet back from her. Dawn and Willow rush into the room as Buffy pulls herself up off of the floor.
BUFFY: Ow
She winces as she pulls a stake out of her pants - the same stake she had put there when she'd left to slay - she kept it there just in case Spike was lying.
WILLOW: Buffy! Are you ok?
DAWN: You didn't impale yourself or anything, did you?
BUFFY: No - no I'm fine, I just fell out of bed. I'm fine, you can go back to bed.
Willow and Dawn head back to their rooms. Spike is huddled against the wall still irked by the strange sound. Buffy puts the stake on her nightstand and crawls towards Spike.
BUFFY: Hey, are you ok?
SPIKE: Bad dream - ( trembling in shame) I dreamt that, well, you know what I dreamt.
BUFFY: Hey, (Buffy puts her hand on his forearm which is crossed over his legs) hey, it's ok, everything is ok now. How about you come up and sleep next to me - maybe then I won't fall off of the bed.
SPIKE: I don't know if I should.
BUFFY: C'mon, it's ok - we're fully clothed, and we'll be sleeping.
Buffy pulls Spike up off of the floor and leads him to the bed slowly as she holds her back. Buffy winces as she tries to get into bed.
SPIKE: Are you ok?
BUFFY: Yeah, I just really hurt myself when I fell, I need a massage -
SPIKE: (tempted) Uh -
BUFFY: I'll ask Willow for one in the morning - I can't go to work with a pain like this."
Buffy and Spike lay awake in bed staring at the ceiling saying nothing. Finally, they both doze off.
When daylight comes, Buffy walks up the smell of burning flesh. She turns to see Spike's hand smoking.
BUFFY: Spike! Spike! Wake up!
Buffy rushes to the window and shuts the curtains. Spike turns and yawns finally realizing that his hand is burnt.
SPIKE: OW!
Spike shakes his hand and blows on the wound as if it would help.
BUFFY: I'll get something for it.
Buffy rolls out of bed holding her back and heads into the bathroom. She meets Willow in the bathroom.
BUFFY: Morning.
Willow is brushing her teeth and spits out some foam before saying;
WILLOW: Good Morning.
Willow looks at Buffy holding her back as Buffy grabs some antiseptic, some gauss, and tape.
WILLOW: Took an awful spill last night, huh?
BUFFY: Yeah, if you wouldn't mind maybe giving me a massage later, I'm not gonna go to work especially with my back the way it is.
WILLOW: No problem. What are the gausss for?
BUFFY: Spike got a bad sun burn, I gotta go dress his wounds.
WILLOW: Ah - well, come by my room later, k?
BUFFY: I'll be there - right after I dress Spike's wound and call in.
Buffy begins to dress Spike's burn.
BUFFY: You know you really should be more careful, just because you have a soul doesn't mean you're not a vampire.
Buffy is holding Spike's hands the way he did the night she came back from the dead; Buffy realizes this, but brushes it off and continues with sarcastic jokes.
BUFFY: You can't go out without some...SPF 1,000,000 - you know that.
SPIKE: Yeah, well I actually had a good night's sleep for once - (admittingly) haven't had one of those for months.
BUFFY: Well, I'm glad to accommodate to your sleeping needs. (realizing how bad that sounds) In the literal sleeping sense.
Buffy finishes dressing Spike's wounds and stands up to put the supplies away. She winces and clenches her back.
SPIKE: Maybe you should go to Willow like...now.
BUFFY: I am, right after I call in...which I'm gonna do right now.
SPIKE: I think I'll keep on sleeping. I'm pretty tired.
BUFFY: Alright.
Buffy takes off the long-sleeved tee-shirt she's had on since last night and throws it in the laundry hamper, under it she is wearing a white tank-top. She says in her head, 'just make it easier for Willow to get rid of this pain.' Buffy leaves the room and heads downstairs, Dawn has already left for school, and Buffy heads straight for the phone. She dials the number for work.
BUFFY: Hey, Rob...it's Buffy, uh I kinda fell outa bed last night, believe it or not, and I fell on something...I cna barely walk, so I can't come to work...ok, thanks, Buh-bye. (to herself) That was easy enough. Now to Willow and her magic hands.
Willow lifts up the back of Buffy's shirt as Buffy lays on Willow's bed, Willow reveals a huge bruise.
WILLOW: Shish! You fell on that stake pretty hard. I don't think I should touch it. I think we should get you some ice, and you should just lay around...I'll got get ice.
Buffy lays waiting Willow's return trying to twist her neck around far enough to see what Willow had seen. It hurt to turn too far around so Buffy falls limp across the bed waiting for Willow. Willow comes back with a dish-towel full of ice and an ACE Bandage.
BUFFY: What's the bandage for?
WILLOW: I figured it would be easier if you didn't have to hold it all day.
BUFFY: Makes sense.
Buffy half sits up as Willow puts the ice on the bruise and wraps the bandage around Buffy's stomach.
BUFFY: How's Xander?
WILLOW: Shaken up, but he'll deal, he always does.
BUFFY: That's our Xander, it seems like we're all carrying some kind of baggage around lately.
Buffy pauses to think about the baggage of Spike she still carries around.
WILLOW: All done, now got lay around and get some rest - gotta get to class.
Willow turns to the closet to get dressed.
Buffy heads down to her room, when she gets there, she finds Spike tossing and turning in her bed.
BUFFY: (whispers) Poor thing.
Buffy shrugs, and goes to her closet. She figures that since Spike is sleeping she can change with little worry. Spike softly moans in the background. Buffy takes off her tank top and puts on a black one and some red pajama pants - Spike is jerked out of his nightmare just in time to see Buffy pull up her pants, he fakes being asleep as she turns around. Buffy grabs a book and Spike open's his eyes.
SPIKE: What did you do to your back?
BUFFY: Apparently that stake wacked me pretty good and it needed ice, and she told me to get some rest.
SPIKE: Let me see it.
BUFFY: Huh?
SPIKE: C'mon let me have a look at it.
Buffy slowly sits up and lifts up her tank-top. Spike pulls a little bit of the bandage down reveling a purple and yellow blotch, he runs his fingers gently across the bruise.
SPIKE: Yeah, it's pretty bad.
Buffy closes her eyes as Spike touches her. She leans back onto her pillow.
BUFFY: I'll just sit here and read, then. You sleep.
Spike lays back and buries his head in his pillow. He tosses and turns - he eventually ends up laying across the bed. At first there are soft moans, but then Buffy makes out what he is saying.
SPIKE: Buffy, (moaning) I'm sorry Buffy...I'm so sorry...Buffy.
Spike's head falls into Buffy's lap.
SPIKE: I'm sorry, Buffy.
Buffy looks down at the troubled vampire, she begins to stroke his hair.
Buffy thinks about the day she turned invisible when Spike told her how much he loved her hair and she chopped it off.
BUFFY: It's ok, Spikes, shhh, shhh, it's ok.
SPIKE: (yelling) BUFFY!
Spike jolts up practically knocking Buffy back into the headboard. Spike looks up to see a startled Buffy.
SPIKE: Bad dream.
BUFFY: (joking) Yeah and to think, I thought you'd be taking care of me.
SPIKE: If you want me to, c'mon, lay your head down here (he points to his lap then pats his thighs). C'mon now.
Buffy carefully lays her head down on Spike's lap. Spike runs his hands through Buffy's hair.
SPIKE: You know, I love this hair.
BUFFY: I know.
SPIKE: You do?
BUFFY: Yeah, you told me that once and then I chopped it all off.
SPIKE: Well, I still love this hair, now get some rest.
Buffy begins to doze off and Spike leans against the headboard and closes his eyes - he's asleep within minutes.
WILLOW: Buffy I'm-
Willow walks to the door and sees Buffy and Spike asleep.
WILLOW: (whispers) leaving.
Willow walks downstairs and out the front door.
WILLOW: How sweet.
DAWN: Hello? Anybody home?
Dawn walks into the kitchen to see a note Willow left her: *Dawnie, Buffy and Spike are asleep in Buffy's room, Buffy stayed home from work, I'll be home around four. ~Willow* Dawn quietly walks upstairs and into Buffy's room. They are in the same positions as when Willow had left them.
DAWN: (excitedly) That is so cute!
Buffy and Spike quickly pop up.
Buffy has a crease on her face from Spike's jeans.
BUFFY: Dawn! What are you doing home so soon?
DAWN: Um, it's 3:15 - I'm actually kinda late.
BUFFY: (clenching her teeth) Three Fifteen? We've been asleep since Nine!
DAWN: You guys musta needed the sleep - I'm going to my room to do homework.
SPIKE: (rubbing his stomach) I could use some blood, though, luv.
BUFFY: I'll get you some, I'll just head to the butcher's ... right now.
Buffy goes to stand up and holds her back in pain.
SPIKE: All of your ice has melted - I'll go downstairs and get you some more.
BUFFY: No, you'll melt - better take the blanket!
SPIKE: Good lookin' out. I'll be back in a jif.
Spike walks down the stairs holding the blanket over his head. He rummages through the drawers in the kitchen until he finds a dish towel and then heads to the freezer for some ice.
WILLOW: Buffy?
Willow comes through the kitchen door. Spike turns around and the sun shines right on him.
SPIKE: Ahhh!
Spike yells turning back around as he drapes the blanket over himself more.
SPIKE: I was just getting Buffy some more ice.
WILLOW: Sorry.
Willow slams the door, and Spike relaxes.
Buffy heads to the bathroom and washes her face.
BUFFY: (to herself) Bad, bad, bad...this is not good, anything is too fast." She shuts the door and locks it. Buffy begains to pace across the bathroom, "Could you leave?... No too impersonal. I'd appreciate it if we kept our space... That might work! I'd love to see you more, but not too much...not too much? What is too much? No that's a blank check. I love you, but I'm not in love with you...too cliche. I don't know! There's a good one - I just don't know. Ok - I'm ready.
Buffy opens the door and heads back to her room.
BUFFY: Spike, I-
SPIKE: Here, come sit on the bed so I can change your ice.
Buffy sits on the bed and Spike begins to unwrap the ace bandage.
BUFFY: Spike, I-this is nice, but I lov- I'd apprecia- I don't know.
SPIKE: You don't know?
Spike peels off the wet dish towel to reveal the large rainbow bruise.
BUFFY: (screeching) I don't know if this - COLD!
Spike puts the new ice on her back.
BUFFY: If this arrangement is gonna work.
'Could I have been any more cryptic?' Buffy asks herself.
SPIKE: What arrangement?
BUFFY: (whispering to herself) Will you stop interrogating me?
SPIKE: Huh?
BUFFY: Nothing, I just wanna go slow, like almost standing still slow. Like tortise slow. Or snail slow. If a tortise and a snail and a sloth all got together - that's how slow I wanna go. Slow.
SPIKE: I couldn't agree anymore.
Spike clips the ACE bandage together.
SPIKE: All set.
BUFFY: Like separate beds slow.
SPIKE: (trying to think of something to say) Uh-
BUFFY: I gotta go get you some blood before the butcher's closes.
Buffy leaves quickley leaving Spike alone in her room. She stands in the foyer and yells up the stairs.
BUFFY: I'm going to the butcher's for blood! Be back in a few!
DAWN/WILLOW: (from thier rooms upstaris) Alright!
SPIKE: Alright.
Spike fumbles through the top of Buffy's dresser.
Buffy opens the door to find Xander standing on the top step.
BUFFY: Xander.
Xander looks up elbows on his knees and hads folded under his chin.
BUFFY: Walk with me?
Xander stands up, and they head to the butcher's shop.
XANDER: I worry about you, Buff.
BUFFY: I know you do, but you've gotta realize, I can make my own decisions. I know it's a long shot, but I know how to protect myself, in fact I have this huge bruise on my back from trying to protect myself.
XANDER: He didn't try-
BUFFY: No! No, no, no. I had a stake in the back of my pants, just in case, and I fell onto it last night: pointy side flat - that's why it's just a bruise.
XANDER: So you're gonna try this, this thing with him.
BUFFY: A meager attempt, but slow. Very, very slow. Almost backwards slow.
XANDER: Well, you know how I feel about William the Bloody - he had sex with my ex-fiance, and he tried to rape you. But you can hadle yourself, so I'll keep my gaurd up, and you do what you want to.
BUFFY: Thanks. Thanks for your permission.
XANDER: I didn't mean it like that - you don't need my permission.
They walk to the butcher's and Buffy gets Spike a pint of blood. Xander walks Buffy home.
BUFFY: Thanks. Thanks for walking me home.
XANDER: No problem.
Xander walks home. Buffy enters the house and heads upstairs.
BUFFY: I'm home!
Buffy walks down to her room. She hears punk music blaring.
BUFFY: (at he loudest) I'M HOME!
The music is flipped back to her cd player which is still on repeat to Michelle Branch "Goodbye to you." Buffy walks into her room. She immediately stops at the sight of a cott pushed up against her bed.
SPIKE: Different beds.
BUFFY: Clever. Very clever.
SPIKE: I thought so, too. Next step, twin beds pushed together.
BUFFY: How about bunk beds.
SPIKE: OK, but only for a week or so.
BUFFY: Brought you blood.
Buffy hold out the pint.
SPIKE: Thanks, luv.
Spike sits on the cott.
BUFFY: I put some of that root stuff in there - that stuff you like in the blood.
SPIKE: Thanks, again.
Buffy turns and looks at the CD player which has just begun to play "Goodbye to you" for the who knows how many-th time.
SPIKE: You know, you should get some better toons, this dreary stuff could leave you suicidal.
BUFFY: That's not much of a compliment to you... or Giles for that matter, but he's back and that's good.
SPIKE: Yeah, haven't seen the chap yet, should pay him a visit. Wait...why is this song an insult to me?
BUFFY: He's coming over for dinner tonight. I didn't say it was an insult.
SPIKE: Well if it's not a compliment and it's not an insult, what is it?
BUFFY: It's a... a comment. And you said it, not me.
SPIKE: I may have said it, but I don't get *your* comment.
BUFFY: The night Giles left... the Bronze.. this song. Am I ringing any bells.
SPIKE: (in realization) Bells, whistles, and a gigantic fog horn.
Buffy walks to the CD player and flips on the radio. 70s punk blares - Buffy quickly changes the channel to an easy listening station.
SPIKE: Now you can't tell me you like this crap.
Buffy turns the radio down.
BUFFY: No, but it's better than that stuff you were listening.
SPIKE: Hey! That was a classic.
BUFFY: (changing the station to some indie music) Yeah, ok. A classic terror.
SPIKE: Being terrible was good... is good.
BUFFY: Be careful, you might land yourself in the dog house.
SPIKE: (sweetly) Wouldn't wanna do that, now would I?
They look at eachother and then look outside.
BUFFY: Sun is setting - it should be safe for you to some downstairs- it won't show through the windows anymore.
SPIKE: Good, i've been cooped up in this room too long.
BUFFY: Then how did you get the cott?
SPIKE: Oh, uh, Dawn brought it in.
They walk out of Buffy's room and meet Dawn at the stairs.
BUFFY: K, kids - we gotta make dinner.
DAWN: (joking) Oh no, Buffy is trying to cook again. Maybe we should have someone come over.
BUFFY: Like who? It'll be fine. Willow can help me, and if all else fails, just pretend you like it.
Steam fills the kitchen - a skillet has oil and vegetables sauteying over the stove. Spike puts a match under the skillet and uses it to light his cigarette. He looks at the vegetables.
SPIKE: You know what this needs? (Buffy looks up at him) Some brandy.
Before Buffy can stop him, Spike splashes the rest of his glass of Brandy into the skillet.
BUFFY: (annoyed) SPIKE!
SPIKE: What? It'll burn off.
GILES: (knocks on door while opening it) Hello?
Willow walks to the door.
WILLOW: Hey Giles.
GILES: Oh h-hello.
DAWN: Giles! C'mon in, dinner is almost ready.
Giles enters and Willow shuts the door behind her. Xander is sitting on a couch in the living room.
XANDER: Giles! What's up?
GILES: Xander.
BUFFY: (walking out of the kitchen. Spike follows close behind her.) Giles! Hey! Ummm, do you guys wanna head into the dining room? We'll bring the food right out.
They all sit at the dinner table. Willow and Giles at the ends. Xander and Dawn sit across from Spike and Buffy. They eat quietly.
GILES: I-Is there brandy in this?
BUFFY: (emphasizes) *Spike* spilled his brandy into the vegetables.
Under the table we see Spike's hand on Buffy's bare knee.
SPIKE: It was an accident, sorry.
GILES: Oh. (Obvious change of subject) So the demon just gave you your soul back?
Under the table: Buffy smacks Spike hand off of her.
SPIKE: (shook by the smack) NO! (recovers) No, I had to pass a few tests first.
Spike puts his ahnd back on Buffy's knee. She smack it off again, and he glares at her - she glares back. He turns back to Giles and puts his hand on Buffy's thigh.
SPIKE: I had to (Buffy grabs Spike's hand and starts to twist back a couple of his fingers.) fight (in pain) this guy with flaming fists and stuff like that.
Spike withdraws his hand.
XANDER: You ok there Spike?
SPIKE: (rubbing his hand under the table) Fine, just fine.
Xander rolls his eyes.
Later that night, everybody waves to Giles from the porch.
XANDER: Well, I'd better be going, too.
EYERYONE: BYE!
Xander leaves, and they all head into the house.
BUFFY: Well, you two (to Willow and Dawn) have to go to school tomorrow. I have to go to work, and Spike (looks at Spike), well, Spike has to do something tomorrow, so we should all go to bed.
Everyone heads upstairs and brushes their teeth. They say goodnight to eachother and head to their bedrooms. Spike layed on his cott and Buffy snuggled into her bed.
SPIKE: G'night Slayer
BUFFY: 'Night Spike
Buffy turns out the light beside her bed. Spike closes his eyes and visions of the "accident" 4 months ago in the bathroom replays.
SPIKE: (softly) Slayer?
BUFFY: Yeah Spike.
Buffy rolls on her side and faces him.
SPIKE: I know it's against the tortises and the sloths and the snails if I sleep in your bed tonight, but I can't seem to get a good night's sleep if I don't sleep in your bed...next to you.
BUFFY: That's probably true with me too.
Spike looks up in surprise.
BUFFY: C'mon up, Spike.
They cuddle close together in the bed. The lights fade, and they are happily asleep. Dawn is happily asleep, as is WIllow, and Xander, and Giles.
THE END
A Whole Lotta Soul
Buffy walks into the bathroom and turns on the faucet. Steam rises in the room - the mirror fogs, and Buffy lays in the foamy bathwater. She puts on her headphones and leans back. Michelle Branch blares and you can hear the song "Goodbye to you" on repeat. Buffy's eyes close but tears begin to fall. Suddenly, there is a loud knock on the door.
DAWN: (yelling) Buffy! I gotta pee! Buffy!
Buffy is jerked out of her sadness. She splashes water in her face.
BUFFY: (yells) Come in!
Dawn cracks the door.
DAWN: Are you decent?
BUFFY: There are bubbles.
Buffy turns toward the door.
DAWN: Ok. (Dawn enters the bathroom, and unzips her pants,) Don't look!
BUFFY: (Buffy picks up a magazine and pretends to read it,) Not looking.
Dawn goes to the bathroom, pulls up her pants, and heads toward the sink,
DAWN: Ok, you can look now.
Buffy puts down the magazine. Dawn begins to wash her hands.
DAWN: What are you listening to?
BUFFY:(lying) Oh - uh - Sarah McLachlan.
DAWN: Mirrorball?
BUFFY: Surfacing - my theme from past pain.
Buffy corrects speaking of the pain of killing Angel rather than the pain of Spike.
DAWN: Angel?
BUFFY: Yeah.
DAWN: Well, do me a favor and don't go slitting your wrists in here,... I hope that didn't give you any ideas.
BUFFY: No - I'm - I'm fine. I-I just need to relax - forget about everything,"
Dawn looks at Buffy concernedly.
BUFFY: Really, I'm all right. Just - make sure I have no more interruptions until I'm outa here, ok?
DAWN: No problem.
Buffy puts her headphones back on, and slips back into her trance. Visions pass through her mind of the night in the abandoned building with Spike, and when she was invisible, and behind the doublemeat palace. She remembers Riley catching them, and breaking up with Spike. Then, Buffy recalls the scene that happened next to the very bathtub she was laying in. More tears begin to stream down Buffy's face. She had decided it would be a night of relaxation.
Tomorrow would be 161 days since Spike left Sunnydale. She is happy he had left - he needed to leave, but she misses him. She'd had the whole summer to spend time with her sister and think about the things she had done. She'd played Spike like a sex toy - like Riley's rebound - like an embarrassment, and she was wrong.
So much for a night of relaxation - she thought herself into a state of confusion and anger. She's angry with herself - there is only one thing she can do now to feel better: slay.
Buffy gets out of the tub, and dries off. She throws on a pair of sweatpants and a long sleeved tee-shirt. She tucks a stake in the back of her pants and another in her boot. She is ready.
BUFFY: Dawn - I'm going out to patrol!
Buffy yells upstairs as she stands half way out of the front door.
DAWN: I thought you were gonna stay in tonight.
Dawn yells from the top of the stairs.
BUFFY: I made myself angry - I have to hurt something - preferably beasties and not...the coffee table or something like that.
DAWN: Good idea - not braking furniture.
BUFFY: Will you be ok? I'll be right back after I kill something.
DAWN: I'll be fine - doors and windows locked, Willow should be home any minute - Dawn safe.
BUFFY: Good - I'll be right back - I promise, but I mean it this time.
Buffy locks the door and slams it behind her and makes her way to the cemetery.
Back at the Summers House, the phone rings. The Caller ID shows Xander.
DAWN: (she picks up the phone) Hey, Xander - what's up?
XANDER: Is Buffy there, Dawnie?
DAWN: (cynically) Dawnie - you never call me Dawnie, what's up?
XANDER: Just put your sister on the phone.
DAWN: She went out to kill something.
XANDER: (worried) Wha - what kind of thing?"
DAWN: Whatever non-human gets in her way. Well, not like she's gonna kill a dog, but just - not of this... dimension - you know what I mean. Wait, why are you so worried?
XANDER: Are you alone, Dawnie?
WILLOW: (from the front door) Buffy! DAWNIE! I'm home!
DAWN: (to Xnader) No, Willow just came in.
XANDER: Good, put Willow on the phone.
DAWN: Xander, what's wrong?
WILLOW: (from behind Dawn) Something's wrong?
DAWN: (scowling)He won't tell me. He wants to talk to you.
Willow takes the phone. Dawn stands listening to the conversation.
WILLOW: Xander? Who...What...Hey, slow down...Ok...do you know why?...so we should probably find Buffy...yeah, well she is the slayer...ok, c'mon over and we'll...wait?...Ok, Xander, see you in a few. (to Dawn) Xander is coming over.
DAWN: So I gathered. So, who or what is here?
WILLOW: It's nothing - we're just gonna wait...Buffy can handle this.
DAWN: (sarcastically) Ok?
Buffy flips over a vampire and lands on a tombstone.
BUFFY: Sorry, but I don't fall down on the first right...hook that is.
Buffy pulls a stake from her boot and slams it into the vampire's stomach.
VAMPIRE: (snydely) A little off, aren't ya, Slayer?.
BUFFY: Hey! It's my day off!
She pulls the stake out and begins to re-aim it. Too late, the vampire is charging at her. Buffy sticks out the stake, but before the vampire can come any closer, a figure tackles the vampire to the ground and stakes him.
FIGURE: Nice to see ya again, Slayer!
Buffy holds the stake up ready to thrust it into the figure.
BUFFY: Spike! What were you trying to rape him, too - didn't know you liked men.
SPIKE: That was a good one - I suppose I deserved that. Can we have a little chat, well, a long chat?
BUFFY: And why would I wanna chat with you, Spike, so we could get together and 'go steady?' How about not? (scowls) Sorry I don't swoon over your bullshit anymore.
SPIKE: Why would you? What I did to you was wrong. I would hate me too.
BUFFY: Damn right! Wait a minute...
Buffy can tell that there is something strange about this one - he's changed.
BUFFY: You seem awfully reasonable for a cold, heartless, soulless vampire.
SPIKE: Well, luv, that would be where you're wrong. In fact, I have a soul. So do ya wanna chat about this, or do you wanna stand here in awkward silence?
BUFFY: (mouth wide open) C'mon - let's go.
SPIKE: Where?
BUFFY: Just c'mon.
Buffy leads Spike to the playground where they sit on the top of a picnic table. Buffy keeps the stake resting on her lap: just in case.
BUFFY: So...how?
SPIKE: I went to Africa and passed a few tests from this demon bloke - he killed that damn chip and restored my soul.
BUFFY: I-Is it like Angel - where if you... (struggling for right words) if you...if we...then it's gone again?
SPIKE: Nope. You can make me happy as much as you'd like.
Buffy looks down at her feet unaffected by Spike's horney joke - just...thinking.
BUFFY: Spike - I'm sorry.
SPIKE: Hmmm, pet?
BUFFY: I'm sorry.
Buffy mumbles again staring at her hand in her lap.
SPIKE: Why should you be sorry?
Spike asks putting one of his hands on hers.
BUFFY: I used you, and I broke you, and I drove you to do what you did. I'm not justifying your actions, but I know I've made some mistakes, too. I just wanted you to know that I was sorry.
SPIKE: I'm sorry. When I even try to think of what you did to me, it makes me so sick with myself I almost have to hide myself in a hole for weeks.
BUFFY: Let's walk.
Buffy says pulling Spike off of the picnic table - she is in one of those moods now where she has to move. The two walk around Sunnydale talking about their trials and tribulations over the summer.
BUFFY: Dawn got her first hikki!
SPIKE: Dawn? Yeah, well I couldn't say that I couldn't tell it was gonna happen - where was it?
BUFFY: Her neck! (Buffy smacks him) As if it would even be somewhere else! I could tell because it was over a hundred degrees out and the was in a mock - turtleneck sweater.
SPIKE: I'm sorry I missed it. I missed her, though - that little vixen. I'm gonna give her a big old squeeze when I see her.
The two stroll through Sunnydale until they finally end up at Buffy's house.
BUFFY: Wanna come in
SPIKE: Do you think I should?
BUFFY: Why not? Who would stop you?
SPIKE: Your friends - I dunno - whoever knows what happened .
BUFFY: No worries - Xander isn't here, and...well, don't worry about it.
Buffy opens the door a crack and then wider. She sees no one. She stands in the foyer and looking up the stairs. Spike stands to the limit of the thresh hold waiting to be invited in.
BUFFY: C'mon in, Spike. (Buffy looks around some more - no one) Dawn! Dawnie! Willow! Hey, Will!
No one answers.
SPIKE: Shhh, I hear giggling - upstairs - they're upstairs.
Spike and Buffy head upstairs, they look in each room, finally they find Xander, Dawn, and Willow in Willow's room.
BUFFY: Hello?
Buffy opens Willow's door.
XANDER: Buffy! Guess who's back in town?
Xander hops up off of the bed. Buffy opens the door further to reveal Spike.
XANDER: Spike. (frowns) Spike is back in town, but apparently you already knew that.
DAWN: Spike?
Dawn looks up, Willow looks up too.
SPIKE:(smiling) Evening..
BUFFY: I have good news you guys, Sp-
XANDER: (angry) What the hell is he doing here?!
SPIKE: Well, if you'd let the girl finish.
XANDER: (yelling angrily) Uh-uh, you don't get to talk, you get to die a slow and painful death, but no talking!
BUFFY: (loudly) HEY! Before you get all Mr. Violence in here - hear me out. Now I know what all three of you are thinking - Spike: Evil: Rape: Hate. But something happened over the summer, and I think we all need to just stop and think about it before anyone goes after Spike.
WILLOW: What is it?
BUFFY: Huh?
WILLOW: What happened to make us not wanna kill Spike?
BUFFY: I was getting to that part. Spike, well, believe it or not, Spike jumped on the Soul bandwagon.
XANDER: (to himself) Why do I not believe this? Oh yeah! Because Spike is a lying, cheatin, backstabbing rapist - that was it!
BUFFY: Xander - Spike got his chip removed, so I wouldn't say that. 'Cause if he didn't have a soul, we'd all be dead. Understand?
SPIKE: I'd listen to the lady, man, she knows what she's talking about.
WILLOW: Now, let's think about this logically, ok. Spike is still harboring feelings toward Buffy, right (turns to Spike)?
SPIKE: Yeah, so what's your point?
WILLOW: Well, we all know you Spike, and if you want Buffy, and...Buffy, do you want Spike (turns to Buffy)?
BUFFY: I might.
WILLOW: Well, then what happens then?
Willow looks at Buffy then Spike the Xander.
DAWN: "When?
XANDER: Dawn, maybe you should leave (half commanding)
DAWN: (offended) NO!
XANDER: (warning) Ok, then, if you wanna hear this. So you guys have sex - Spike is soulless again and we all have to go through that drama again.
BUFFY: God, (Buffy sighs looking up at the ceiling) you just don't get it, do ya? He wasn't cursed, he just got his soul back. That's it. Jesus, why do you guys worry about me so much?
XANDER: Because you're our friend and we love you. But I guess you don't realize that, do you?
Xander storms out.
BUFFY: Xander!
WILLOW: I'm gonna go after him, (she stands up) he just doesn't get it. Don't worry about it. ( Willow looks up at Spike) Glad ta have ya, Spike.
Dawn looks a little confused, but happy because she has Spike back and better than ever. She brushes passed him as she walks through the door.
SPIKE: Hey! Where are ya going? Don't I get a hug?
Dawn turns around and squeezes Spike as tight as she can.
DAWN: I missed you!
Then, Dawn rears back and smacks Spike across the face as hard as she can.
SPIKE: What the bloody hell was that for?
Spike yells holding the side of his face. Buffy looks at Dawn, mouth wide open.
DAWN: I had to do that - from before - just to make it known so it'll never have to happen again
Dawn says, then she hugs Spike again.
DAWN: Gotta go to bed - school tomorrow.
WILLOW: Xander!
Willow yells chasing him down the street.
WILLOW: Xander, wait!
XANDER: What, Will?
Xander doesn't even turn back to acknowledge her.
WILLOW: You can't just do that all the time. It happened with Angel, and where was your foot? Right back in your mouth! You've gotta just accept that you can't protect Buffy from everything. You saved the world a few months - leave it at that. Buffy can handle herself, she did before.
XANDER: But it's Buffy, ya know - you'd think she's learned now. I guess she hasn't, but I can't keep telling her and trying to protect her from these things.
WILLOW: Did you not hear a word I said. She's the Slayer, she needs no protecting - I know you love her, I love her too; we all do, but she can handle herself. I'm sure she's thinking of the repercussions right now.
Buffy pushes Spike against the wall, then onto the bed, Spike rolls over onto Buffy as the passionately kiss. Suddenly flashbacks of the night in the bathroom come back to Buffy - she jerks back and slides from under Spike.
BUFFY: Wait, stop, hold on a minute!
Spike sits on the bed looking up at Buffy.
BUFFY: This...this... (Buffy points between teh both of them) this is moving way too fast. I mean, yeah I want you, but whenever we get too close, I think of that night, and... well, hence the backing off.
SPIKE: I know, I know (shaking his head). It's too soon - we need to, I don't know, take it slow - go to the movies or something. Regular date stuff - or a drink.
BUFFY: Right - right, take it like a couple not a vampire and a slayer. Ok, yeah, yeah, I can do this, we can do this (sighs). So, what's up with your crypt?
SPIKE: I gotta find a new one - the old one is completely trashed.
BUFFY: Well, you can stay here for a couple of nights.
SPIKE: Thanks.
BUFFY: I'll go get some pillows and blankets - I'll sleep on the floor.
Buffy turns to go into the linen closet.
SPIKE: No, I'll sleep on the floor, I mean, it's your bed, you should be able to sleep in your own bed!
BUFFY: Ok...
Buffy grabs some blankets and they head to her room. She takes a pillow off of her bed and hands it to Spike.
BUFFY: There ya go.
SPIKE: Thanks.
Spike arranges the blankets and pillow on the floor. He takes off his shirt. Buffy bites her lower lip as she sees that he's still got his rippling muscles.
SPIKE: Good night.
Spike pushes himself under the blankets.
BUFFY: Night.
Buffy pulls the covers over her and lays on her pillow staring at Spike who seems to be asleep.
Spike lays with his eyes closed flashes of love and pain flow through his memory - he can't sleep at all. Buffy tosses and turns and cannot seem to fall asleep. She finally leans on the edge of her bed and stares at the "sleeping" Spike. When Buffy finally dozes off, she is so far on the edge of the bed that she falls off with a thud. Spike is so jolted by the noise that he jumps about three feet back from her. Dawn and Willow rush into the room as Buffy pulls herself up off of the floor.
BUFFY: Ow
She winces as she pulls a stake out of her pants - the same stake she had put there when she'd left to slay - she kept it there just in case Spike was lying.
WILLOW: Buffy! Are you ok?
DAWN: You didn't impale yourself or anything, did you?
BUFFY: No - no I'm fine, I just fell out of bed. I'm fine, you can go back to bed.
Willow and Dawn head back to their rooms. Spike is huddled against the wall still irked by the strange sound. Buffy puts the stake on her nightstand and crawls towards Spike.
BUFFY: Hey, are you ok?
SPIKE: Bad dream - ( trembling in shame) I dreamt that, well, you know what I dreamt.
BUFFY: Hey, (Buffy puts her hand on his forearm which is crossed over his legs) hey, it's ok, everything is ok now. How about you come up and sleep next to me - maybe then I won't fall off of the bed.
SPIKE: I don't know if I should.
BUFFY: C'mon, it's ok - we're fully clothed, and we'll be sleeping.
Buffy pulls Spike up off of the floor and leads him to the bed slowly as she holds her back. Buffy winces as she tries to get into bed.
SPIKE: Are you ok?
BUFFY: Yeah, I just really hurt myself when I fell, I need a massage -
SPIKE: (tempted) Uh -
BUFFY: I'll ask Willow for one in the morning - I can't go to work with a pain like this."
Buffy and Spike lay awake in bed staring at the ceiling saying nothing. Finally, they both doze off.
When daylight comes, Buffy walks up the smell of burning flesh. She turns to see Spike's hand smoking.
BUFFY: Spike! Spike! Wake up!
Buffy rushes to the window and shuts the curtains. Spike turns and yawns finally realizing that his hand is burnt.
SPIKE: OW!
Spike shakes his hand and blows on the wound as if it would help.
BUFFY: I'll get something for it.
Buffy rolls out of bed holding her back and heads into the bathroom. She meets Willow in the bathroom.
BUFFY: Morning.
Willow is brushing her teeth and spits out some foam before saying;
WILLOW: Good Morning.
Willow looks at Buffy holding her back as Buffy grabs some antiseptic, some gauss, and tape.
WILLOW: Took an awful spill last night, huh?
BUFFY: Yeah, if you wouldn't mind maybe giving me a massage later, I'm not gonna go to work especially with my back the way it is.
WILLOW: No problem. What are the gausss for?
BUFFY: Spike got a bad sun burn, I gotta go dress his wounds.
WILLOW: Ah - well, come by my room later, k?
BUFFY: I'll be there - right after I dress Spike's wound and call in.
Buffy begins to dress Spike's burn.
BUFFY: You know you really should be more careful, just because you have a soul doesn't mean you're not a vampire.
Buffy is holding Spike's hands the way he did the night she came back from the dead; Buffy realizes this, but brushes it off and continues with sarcastic jokes.
BUFFY: You can't go out without some...SPF 1,000,000 - you know that.
SPIKE: Yeah, well I actually had a good night's sleep for once - (admittingly) haven't had one of those for months.
BUFFY: Well, I'm glad to accommodate to your sleeping needs. (realizing how bad that sounds) In the literal sleeping sense.
Buffy finishes dressing Spike's wounds and stands up to put the supplies away. She winces and clenches her back.
SPIKE: Maybe you should go to Willow like...now.
BUFFY: I am, right after I call in...which I'm gonna do right now.
SPIKE: I think I'll keep on sleeping. I'm pretty tired.
BUFFY: Alright.
Buffy takes off the long-sleeved tee-shirt she's had on since last night and throws it in the laundry hamper, under it she is wearing a white tank-top. She says in her head, 'just make it easier for Willow to get rid of this pain.' Buffy leaves the room and heads downstairs, Dawn has already left for school, and Buffy heads straight for the phone. She dials the number for work.
BUFFY: Hey, Rob...it's Buffy, uh I kinda fell outa bed last night, believe it or not, and I fell on something...I cna barely walk, so I can't come to work...ok, thanks, Buh-bye. (to herself) That was easy enough. Now to Willow and her magic hands.
Willow lifts up the back of Buffy's shirt as Buffy lays on Willow's bed, Willow reveals a huge bruise.
WILLOW: Shish! You fell on that stake pretty hard. I don't think I should touch it. I think we should get you some ice, and you should just lay around...I'll got get ice.
Buffy lays waiting Willow's return trying to twist her neck around far enough to see what Willow had seen. It hurt to turn too far around so Buffy falls limp across the bed waiting for Willow. Willow comes back with a dish-towel full of ice and an ACE Bandage.
BUFFY: What's the bandage for?
WILLOW: I figured it would be easier if you didn't have to hold it all day.
BUFFY: Makes sense.
Buffy half sits up as Willow puts the ice on the bruise and wraps the bandage around Buffy's stomach.
BUFFY: How's Xander?
WILLOW: Shaken up, but he'll deal, he always does.
BUFFY: That's our Xander, it seems like we're all carrying some kind of baggage around lately.
Buffy pauses to think about the baggage of Spike she still carries around.
WILLOW: All done, now got lay around and get some rest - gotta get to class.
Willow turns to the closet to get dressed.
Buffy heads down to her room, when she gets there, she finds Spike tossing and turning in her bed.
BUFFY: (whispers) Poor thing.
Buffy shrugs, and goes to her closet. She figures that since Spike is sleeping she can change with little worry. Spike softly moans in the background. Buffy takes off her tank top and puts on a black one and some red pajama pants - Spike is jerked out of his nightmare just in time to see Buffy pull up her pants, he fakes being asleep as she turns around. Buffy grabs a book and Spike open's his eyes.
SPIKE: What did you do to your back?
BUFFY: Apparently that stake wacked me pretty good and it needed ice, and she told me to get some rest.
SPIKE: Let me see it.
BUFFY: Huh?
SPIKE: C'mon let me have a look at it.
Buffy slowly sits up and lifts up her tank-top. Spike pulls a little bit of the bandage down reveling a purple and yellow blotch, he runs his fingers gently across the bruise.
SPIKE: Yeah, it's pretty bad.
Buffy closes her eyes as Spike touches her. She leans back onto her pillow.
BUFFY: I'll just sit here and read, then. You sleep.
Spike lays back and buries his head in his pillow. He tosses and turns - he eventually ends up laying across the bed. At first there are soft moans, but then Buffy makes out what he is saying.
SPIKE: Buffy, (moaning) I'm sorry Buffy...I'm so sorry...Buffy.
Spike's head falls into Buffy's lap.
SPIKE: I'm sorry, Buffy.
Buffy looks down at the troubled vampire, she begins to stroke his hair.
Buffy thinks about the day she turned invisible when Spike told her how much he loved her hair and she chopped it off.
BUFFY: It's ok, Spikes, shhh, shhh, it's ok.
SPIKE: (yelling) BUFFY!
Spike jolts up practically knocking Buffy back into the headboard. Spike looks up to see a startled Buffy.
SPIKE: Bad dream.
BUFFY: (joking) Yeah and to think, I thought you'd be taking care of me.
SPIKE: If you want me to, c'mon, lay your head down here (he points to his lap then pats his thighs). C'mon now.
Buffy carefully lays her head down on Spike's lap. Spike runs his hands through Buffy's hair.
SPIKE: You know, I love this hair.
BUFFY: I know.
SPIKE: You do?
BUFFY: Yeah, you told me that once and then I chopped it all off.
SPIKE: Well, I still love this hair, now get some rest.
Buffy begins to doze off and Spike leans against the headboard and closes his eyes - he's asleep within minutes.
WILLOW: Buffy I'm-
Willow walks to the door and sees Buffy and Spike asleep.
WILLOW: (whispers) leaving.
Willow walks downstairs and out the front door.
WILLOW: How sweet.
DAWN: Hello? Anybody home?
Dawn walks into the kitchen to see a note Willow left her: *Dawnie, Buffy and Spike are asleep in Buffy's room, Buffy stayed home from work, I'll be home around four. ~Willow* Dawn quietly walks upstairs and into Buffy's room. They are in the same positions as when Willow had left them.
DAWN: (excitedly) That is so cute!
Buffy and Spike quickly pop up.
Buffy has a crease on her face from Spike's jeans.
BUFFY: Dawn! What are you doing home so soon?
DAWN: Um, it's 3:15 - I'm actually kinda late.
BUFFY: (clenching her teeth) Three Fifteen? We've been asleep since Nine!
DAWN: You guys musta needed the sleep - I'm going to my room to do homework.
SPIKE: (rubbing his stomach) I could use some blood, though, luv.
BUFFY: I'll get you some, I'll just head to the butcher's ... right now.
Buffy goes to stand up and holds her back in pain.
SPIKE: All of your ice has melted - I'll go downstairs and get you some more.
BUFFY: No, you'll melt - better take the blanket!
SPIKE: Good lookin' out. I'll be back in a jif.
Spike walks down the stairs holding the blanket over his head. He rummages through the drawers in the kitchen until he finds a dish towel and then heads to the freezer for some ice.
WILLOW: Buffy?
Willow comes through the kitchen door. Spike turns around and the sun shines right on him.
SPIKE: Ahhh!
Spike yells turning back around as he drapes the blanket over himself more.
SPIKE: I was just getting Buffy some more ice.
WILLOW: Sorry.
Willow slams the door, and Spike relaxes.
Buffy heads to the bathroom and washes her face.
BUFFY: (to herself) Bad, bad, bad...this is not good, anything is too fast." She shuts the door and locks it. Buffy begains to pace across the bathroom, "Could you leave?... No too impersonal. I'd appreciate it if we kept our space... That might work! I'd love to see you more, but not too much...not too much? What is too much? No that's a blank check. I love you, but I'm not in love with you...too cliche. I don't know! There's a good one - I just don't know. Ok - I'm ready.
Buffy opens the door and heads back to her room.
BUFFY: Spike, I-
SPIKE: Here, come sit on the bed so I can change your ice.
Buffy sits on the bed and Spike begins to unwrap the ace bandage.
BUFFY: Spike, I-this is nice, but I lov- I'd apprecia- I don't know.
SPIKE: You don't know?
Spike peels off the wet dish towel to reveal the large rainbow bruise.
BUFFY: (screeching) I don't know if this - COLD!
Spike puts the new ice on her back.
BUFFY: If this arrangement is gonna work.
'Could I have been any more cryptic?' Buffy asks herself.
SPIKE: What arrangement?
BUFFY: (whispering to herself) Will you stop interrogating me?
SPIKE: Huh?
BUFFY: Nothing, I just wanna go slow, like almost standing still slow. Like tortise slow. Or snail slow. If a tortise and a snail and a sloth all got together - that's how slow I wanna go. Slow.
SPIKE: I couldn't agree anymore.
Spike clips the ACE bandage together.
SPIKE: All set.
BUFFY: Like separate beds slow.
SPIKE: (trying to think of something to say) Uh-
BUFFY: I gotta go get you some blood before the butcher's closes.
Buffy leaves quickley leaving Spike alone in her room. She stands in the foyer and yells up the stairs.
BUFFY: I'm going to the butcher's for blood! Be back in a few!
DAWN/WILLOW: (from thier rooms upstaris) Alright!
SPIKE: Alright.
Spike fumbles through the top of Buffy's dresser.
Buffy opens the door to find Xander standing on the top step.
BUFFY: Xander.
Xander looks up elbows on his knees and hads folded under his chin.
BUFFY: Walk with me?
Xander stands up, and they head to the butcher's shop.
XANDER: I worry about you, Buff.
BUFFY: I know you do, but you've gotta realize, I can make my own decisions. I know it's a long shot, but I know how to protect myself, in fact I have this huge bruise on my back from trying to protect myself.
XANDER: He didn't try-
BUFFY: No! No, no, no. I had a stake in the back of my pants, just in case, and I fell onto it last night: pointy side flat - that's why it's just a bruise.
XANDER: So you're gonna try this, this thing with him.
BUFFY: A meager attempt, but slow. Very, very slow. Almost backwards slow.
XANDER: Well, you know how I feel about William the Bloody - he had sex with my ex-fiance, and he tried to rape you. But you can hadle yourself, so I'll keep my gaurd up, and you do what you want to.
BUFFY: Thanks. Thanks for your permission.
XANDER: I didn't mean it like that - you don't need my permission.
They walk to the butcher's and Buffy gets Spike a pint of blood. Xander walks Buffy home.
BUFFY: Thanks. Thanks for walking me home.
XANDER: No problem.
Xander walks home. Buffy enters the house and heads upstairs.
BUFFY: I'm home!
Buffy walks down to her room. She hears punk music blaring.
BUFFY: (at he loudest) I'M HOME!
The music is flipped back to her cd player which is still on repeat to Michelle Branch "Goodbye to you." Buffy walks into her room. She immediately stops at the sight of a cott pushed up against her bed.
SPIKE: Different beds.
BUFFY: Clever. Very clever.
SPIKE: I thought so, too. Next step, twin beds pushed together.
BUFFY: How about bunk beds.
SPIKE: OK, but only for a week or so.
BUFFY: Brought you blood.
Buffy hold out the pint.
SPIKE: Thanks, luv.
Spike sits on the cott.
BUFFY: I put some of that root stuff in there - that stuff you like in the blood.
SPIKE: Thanks, again.
Buffy turns and looks at the CD player which has just begun to play "Goodbye to you" for the who knows how many-th time.
SPIKE: You know, you should get some better toons, this dreary stuff could leave you suicidal.
BUFFY: That's not much of a compliment to you... or Giles for that matter, but he's back and that's good.
SPIKE: Yeah, haven't seen the chap yet, should pay him a visit. Wait...why is this song an insult to me?
BUFFY: He's coming over for dinner tonight. I didn't say it was an insult.
SPIKE: Well if it's not a compliment and it's not an insult, what is it?
BUFFY: It's a... a comment. And you said it, not me.
SPIKE: I may have said it, but I don't get *your* comment.
BUFFY: The night Giles left... the Bronze.. this song. Am I ringing any bells.
SPIKE: (in realization) Bells, whistles, and a gigantic fog horn.
Buffy walks to the CD player and flips on the radio. 70s punk blares - Buffy quickly changes the channel to an easy listening station.
SPIKE: Now you can't tell me you like this crap.
Buffy turns the radio down.
BUFFY: No, but it's better than that stuff you were listening.
SPIKE: Hey! That was a classic.
BUFFY: (changing the station to some indie music) Yeah, ok. A classic terror.
SPIKE: Being terrible was good... is good.
BUFFY: Be careful, you might land yourself in the dog house.
SPIKE: (sweetly) Wouldn't wanna do that, now would I?
They look at eachother and then look outside.
BUFFY: Sun is setting - it should be safe for you to some downstairs- it won't show through the windows anymore.
SPIKE: Good, i've been cooped up in this room too long.
BUFFY: Then how did you get the cott?
SPIKE: Oh, uh, Dawn brought it in.
They walk out of Buffy's room and meet Dawn at the stairs.
BUFFY: K, kids - we gotta make dinner.
DAWN: (joking) Oh no, Buffy is trying to cook again. Maybe we should have someone come over.
BUFFY: Like who? It'll be fine. Willow can help me, and if all else fails, just pretend you like it.
Steam fills the kitchen - a skillet has oil and vegetables sauteying over the stove. Spike puts a match under the skillet and uses it to light his cigarette. He looks at the vegetables.
SPIKE: You know what this needs? (Buffy looks up at him) Some brandy.
Before Buffy can stop him, Spike splashes the rest of his glass of Brandy into the skillet.
BUFFY: (annoyed) SPIKE!
SPIKE: What? It'll burn off.
GILES: (knocks on door while opening it) Hello?
Willow walks to the door.
WILLOW: Hey Giles.
GILES: Oh h-hello.
DAWN: Giles! C'mon in, dinner is almost ready.
Giles enters and Willow shuts the door behind her. Xander is sitting on a couch in the living room.
XANDER: Giles! What's up?
GILES: Xander.
BUFFY: (walking out of the kitchen. Spike follows close behind her.) Giles! Hey! Ummm, do you guys wanna head into the dining room? We'll bring the food right out.
They all sit at the dinner table. Willow and Giles at the ends. Xander and Dawn sit across from Spike and Buffy. They eat quietly.
GILES: I-Is there brandy in this?
BUFFY: (emphasizes) *Spike* spilled his brandy into the vegetables.
Under the table we see Spike's hand on Buffy's bare knee.
SPIKE: It was an accident, sorry.
GILES: Oh. (Obvious change of subject) So the demon just gave you your soul back?
Under the table: Buffy smacks Spike hand off of her.
SPIKE: (shook by the smack) NO! (recovers) No, I had to pass a few tests first.
Spike puts his ahnd back on Buffy's knee. She smack it off again, and he glares at her - she glares back. He turns back to Giles and puts his hand on Buffy's thigh.
SPIKE: I had to (Buffy grabs Spike's hand and starts to twist back a couple of his fingers.) fight (in pain) this guy with flaming fists and stuff like that.
Spike withdraws his hand.
XANDER: You ok there Spike?
SPIKE: (rubbing his hand under the table) Fine, just fine.
Xander rolls his eyes.
Later that night, everybody waves to Giles from the porch.
XANDER: Well, I'd better be going, too.
EYERYONE: BYE!
Xander leaves, and they all head into the house.
BUFFY: Well, you two (to Willow and Dawn) have to go to school tomorrow. I have to go to work, and Spike (looks at Spike), well, Spike has to do something tomorrow, so we should all go to bed.
Everyone heads upstairs and brushes their teeth. They say goodnight to eachother and head to their bedrooms. Spike layed on his cott and Buffy snuggled into her bed.
SPIKE: G'night Slayer
BUFFY: 'Night Spike
Buffy turns out the light beside her bed. Spike closes his eyes and visions of the "accident" 4 months ago in the bathroom replays.
SPIKE: (softly) Slayer?
BUFFY: Yeah Spike.
Buffy rolls on her side and faces him.
SPIKE: I know it's against the tortises and the sloths and the snails if I sleep in your bed tonight, but I can't seem to get a good night's sleep if I don't sleep in your bed...next to you.
BUFFY: That's probably true with me too.
Spike looks up in surprise.
BUFFY: C'mon up, Spike.
They cuddle close together in the bed. The lights fade, and they are happily asleep. Dawn is happily asleep, as is WIllow, and Xander, and Giles.
THE END