Author's Note: Hey All! This is my first Buffy fic so I'd really appreciated your opinion on it! I've been thinking about it for a while and just recently managed to put it into writing, so click on that little button on the bottom of the screen and give me your honest opinion, even if it happens to be a flame, as that is the only way to improve.
Summary: Begins just where "End of Days" cuts out, where Angel and Buffy are kissing and Spike is confronted once again by the first in the form of Buffy. From there, it goes into my own version of how the series should have ended.
Chapter One: The First vs Spike
"That bitch..." was the whisper that echoed in Spike's mind as he watched Buffy and Angel together. Spike swore his dead heart was breaking. He begged his body to move, let him to turn around, so he could just walk away from this sickening sight. His body; however, seemed to be in a trance, unable to turn from the image that would now be burnt into Spike's mind. The first, still in Buffy's form, continued to whisper to him.
"How could she do that to you? You've done everything for the slayer and how does she repay you? By kissing the one man you truly hate! You were just a substitute Spike. She never really wanted you...she just missed Angelus. You were just convenient." The first smiled as it echoed words Buffy had once said to him.
Spike tried to turn away, tune the first's seductive whispers out, but it was slowly drawing him in.
"Angelus has always taken what you've wanted away from you. He knows you're here...he can sense your presence, you know that. He knows you're in the shadows, watching...he knows that you love her too. He is relishing in that fact that he can hurt you again and that he can take the slayer away...your slayer." The first hissed in his ear. Spike could feel his anger swelling up in his stomach.
"My slayer..." He growled as Angel ran his hands down her back. The first held its hand out to Spike.
"Come with me Spike. I can give you everything you've ever wanted. I can help you to be who you were...William the Bloody...the slayer of slayers. You will be feared by all. I can help you let your demon out again William. Together we will bring this world into eternal darkness."
Spike shook his head, trying to block out the false promises the first was making. He glanced over at the first...at its outstretched hand, turning slightly towards it. Spike lowered his eyes to the ground, silently scolding himself for letting the first get to him.
"I'll help you get the slayer back. She'll be yours for all eternity." The first whispered. Spike snapped his head up, looking at the first.
"All you have to do is help me William...then everything is yours." The first took a step forward, hand still reaching for his.
Spike turned, facing the first and slowly lifted his hand to grasp the first's. His mind and heart were screaming, ordering him to remember something.
"I don't understand. All I do is help it...and I get Buffy." Spike reminded himself. His mind argued, screaming that is wasn't worth it. Spike paused, confused. His mind finally succeeded in resurfacing memories and images of their fights with the first washed over him. He remembered the vampires he released with his blood. The fight with Caleb, how the first had ordered him to kill the potential slayers, how he hurt Xander. He remembered all the people he had come to love in this world, people he would die for...Buffy, Dawn...hell even the Scoobies. Spike pulled his hand away and shot a look of contempt at the first.
"Sod off!" Spike swore and walked out of the shadows, his duster flying behind him. The first smiled as he walked away.
"You will make a strong general for my army of evil." Were the first's last words as it disappeared.
Spike watched Angel and Buffy as he walked into the room and couldn't help but notice how intimate their embrace was.
"Damn girl! Really knows how to hurt a guy." Spike thought, fighting down the doubts the first had successfully implanted. He stopped a few feet away from them and waited for them to acknowledge his presence. When neither of the moved, Spike interrupted.
"Well Peaches! I was wondering when the poof would show up! Nothing like killing the first evil to help redeem yourself." Spike called, mockingly, watching Buffy jump at the sound of his voice.
She pushed away from Angel and glanced at both him and the poof.
"Spike, I thought I felt your presence! You want to tell us why you were sneaking around in the shadows?" Angel growled angrily, obviously pissed off at Spike for interrupting. Spike smirked.
"Came after Buffy, to watch her back." Spike answered simply, shrugging his shoulders. Angel snorted in disgust.
"Yeah and you were doing a great job." Angel said, sarcastically.
"You don't seem to understand that she can take care of herself Peaches! She doesn't need us to rescue her! She can do just fine without you or me getting in the way." Spike answered angrily, turning to leave.
"Spike, wait...I..." Buffy started. Spike turned and glared at her.
"This is neither the time nor the place slayer!" Spike snapped, watching her wince at him using "slayer" as a title instead of the affectionate nickname it usually was.
Angel looked from one to the other, furious with them for ignoring him.
"Who were you talking to?" Angel called when Spike reached the doorway.
"What?" Spike snapped over his shoulder. Angel took a step forward.
"I heard you talking to someone. Who was it?" Angel demanded. Spike turned slightly.
"The first...it enjoys kicking you while you're down." Spike hissed, glaring at the two of them.
Buffy shifted from one foot to the other, obviously very uncomfortable with the situation. Buffy looked down at her feet.
"What did it say?" Buffy asked quietly. Spike looked out the door, into the night.
"That I would make a great general for its army." Spike almost whispered. Buffy looked up at him, the fear of losing him evident in her eyes. At least it would have been if Spike had been watching.
"That's because the first sees what you really are." Angel almost yelled, catching the look in Buffy's eyes. Spike looked up at him, puzzled. Angel smirked as he continued.
"You're a soul-less monster that is beneath the rest of humanity; a monster that feeds off the misery of others. A thing...that is not capable of love, kindness or any other decent emotion!" Angel ranted.
"You and the first have a lot in common Peaches." Spike answered his voice void of all emotion. He looked over at Buffy.
"Now I know why you like him so much!" Spike hissed. With that, Spike turned and walked out into the night.
"Spike, wait!" Buffy called, moving to run after him. Angel grabbed her wrist as she ran by.
"Where the hell do you think you are going?" Angel hissed.
"Where do you think I'm going? I'm going after him!" Buffy cried, pulling her arm away from his grasp.
"Why?" Angel asked angrily. Buffy turned to face him, her hands on her hips.
"Because he is vulnerable right now and we need him. We can't let the first get him again!" Buffy said firmly. Angel snorted in disgust.
"Again? He sided with them before? Why bother trying to save him Buffy? He's evil...that's where he belongs." Angel said, harshly. Buffy shook her head.
"No he didn't side with them...he was kidnapped and tortured because he wouldn't side with them! And that isn't where he belongs! He belong here...with me!" Buffy said angrily, though the last words were soft, almost to herself. Angel took a step back.
"You...you care for him?" Angel asked, shocked. Buffy nodded. Angel waited until her eyes met his to ask his next question.
"Do you love him?" Angel demanded. Buffy turned away from him, staying silent for a minute.
"Yeah...I think I do." Buffy answered so quietly Angel almost missed it. Angel began to pace, furious with the confession he had just heard.
"But we just...and I thought..." Angel struggled to make coherent sentences through his rage. Buffy sighed and walked forward, reaching for his hand. Angel snatched it away from her grasp.
"Listen Angel, you know that I'll always care about you, but it's not the same anymore. We've both changed and we just don't make sense anymore. We live in two completely different worlds now." Buffy explained, trying to make him understand.
"Then what the hell was that Buffy? We just kissed! I know it must have meant something to you Buffy!" Angel yelled, desperately trying to make her rethink her decision.
"It was a mistake Angel! You stepped in, helped me with the fight and it was almost like nothing had changed. I just let myself get caught up in the moment. It shouldn't have happened Angel...and please believe me when I say it will never happen again." Buffy said, softly as if trying to lighten the blow of what she had just said.
"Buffy...you can't mean that. He's a monster..." Angel pleaded. Buffy shook her head.
"No Angel...he's a hero and he is who I want to be with." Buffy answered simply. She walked slowly towards the door.
"Come on Angel...you can stay at my house until tomorrow night, but then I want you to go back to L.A...you don't belong here anymore." Buffy whispered over her shoulder and continued walking, Angel following behind.
Spike growled when he heard Buffy call his name.
"I finally understand that she'll never love me, and then we spend the most important night of my life together. She admits she feels something, getting my hopes up and then Peaches shows up and ruins everything as usual. As soon as the poof walks through the door, she totally forgets about me! Well that's it I'm done! As soon as this first thing is over, I'm gone. Buffy can live happily ever after with her poofty vamp!" Spike ranted mentally. He sighed as he reached into his duster for a cigarette.
"Alright so I'm lying. Couldn't leave Sunnyhell, even if I wanted to! Plus Buffy's not the only thing keeping me here. The lit' bit would be pissed if I left." Spike thought, lighting his cigarette.
"God, I'm turning into peaches! I need to kill something!" Spike growled, desperately trying to remind himself of what he was like before he met Buffy. He set off towards another cemetery.
"This soul is more trouble then its worth. It's turning me into a poof!" Spike thought as he finally reached his destination. As soon as he stepped into it he felt the presence of two vamps.
"Yes!" Spike hissed and took off towards them. He stopped a couple hundred feet in front of them and leaned against a tree, waiting for them to make their way towards him.
"I heard the slayer's got herself a pet vamp!" One of the vampires laughed as they got closer to Spike. The other vampire turned to him.
"Ya? You know who?" He asked. The first vampire nodded and laughed harder.
"Spike! Ya know, William the Bloody!" The two vampires laughed only a few steps away from Spike.
"Why those soddin'..." Spike cursed, mentally. He stepped out of the shadows.
"I'm not really her pet...more partner really." Spike mocked and attacked the first vamp.
He was staked before the second vampire had time to jump in. The other vampire shuddered as Spike smirked and took off running. Spike laughed as he threw his stake, watching as it shot through the vamp's chest.
"Ah! Nothing like killing to make you feel better." Spike thought and walked back to the house. He stood outside the door, wondering if Buffy had given his cot to Peaches. Spike sighed.
"I really got to move back into my crypt!" Spike thought as he walked through the door. Not feeling up to finding out if Peaches was in the basement, Spike looked around the house, searching for a place where he could be alone. He moved into the dining room and noticed a piano that lay against the wall closest to him.
"Finally something that will help." Spike mumbled and sat at the piano bench. He gently placed his fingers on the keys and played the sad, quiet melody he had committed to memory as William. He closed his eyes, giving himself over to the notes. He released all his love, pain and jealousy, using them to alter the music and listened as it grew louder, the notes coming faster.
He was so absorbed in his music; he didn't notice Dawn until she was standing beside him. When she placed a hand on his shoulder, he stopped.
"No, don't stop. That was beautiful Spike! I didn't know you could play the piano!" Dawn exclaimed. Spike smirked.
"There are a lot of things you don't know about me." Spike dropped his eyes down the keys. Dawn dropped down onto the piano bench beside him.
"I'm sorry..." Dawn said after a minute. Spike looked at her, surprised.
"For what Nib- Dawn." Spike asked, stumbling over the nickname he wasn't allowed to use.
"For being such a jerk to you. For not giving you the credit you deserve for all that you have been through." Dawn continued, looking at nothing.
"I betrayed your trust Dawn. I hurt you and Buffy after promising not too. I understood why you acted the way you did." Spike sighed, shuddering as he remembered the look of contempt he had seen in her eyes.
"Yeah...but that wasn't all your fault." Dawn countered.
"How do you figure that?" Spike asked.
"Well...after Buffy rescued you from the first...we had a little talk. I was angry at her for letting you stay in our house...especially after what you had done to her." Dawn started. Spike kept his head down, trying to block out the screams and flashes of memories.
"She told me about your relationship with her...and I came to realize that what happened was just as much her fault as it was yours. Not saying that she deserved that...or that you were right in doing it...but it was the only thing you thought would reach her." Dawn sighed.
"What do you mean?" Spike asked, shocked that she was somewhat defending his actions.
"Spike...your whole affair with Buffy was based on sex and violence. Buffy said that she was horrible to you...that she would always beat you before she had sex with you. That was the only way that you thought you could connect with her. So when she dumped you and wouldn't listen to anything you were saying...you fell back on how you knew to connect with her...sex and violence." Dawn finished. Spike's eyes dropped to the piano bench, unable to understand how exactly either of them had forgiven him for such a thing.
"I wanted to talk with you then...but everything has been so crazy..." Dawn mumbled. They sat in silence for a moment, neither sure how to continue.
"I missed you." Dawn finally said.
"I been here the whole time Dawn." Spike answered. Dawn nodded.
"I know...that isn't what I meant...I miss being friends with you." Dawn whispered, laying her head on his shoulder.
"I know...I've missed you too." Spike answered, wrapping his arm around her in a hug.
"Do you think we can be? You know...friends again?" Dawn asked.
"Of course we can...I always wanted to be Dawn." Spike squeezed her shoulder.
"Will you call me Nibblet again?" Dawn asked.
"Of course...you've always been my lil' bit." Spike chuckled. Dawn sighed happily.
"So...will you play something for me?" Dawn asked, hopefully. Spike shook his head.
"I don't know Nibblet..."
"Please? No one else will ever know! Please?" Dawn pleaded. Spike sighed, knowing he couldn't say no to her and nodded.
"Alright!" Dawn cheered.
"Everyone come into the dining room quick! Spike is going to play for us!" Spike's head snapped up to find a smiling Willow standing in doorway. Spike moved to stand when Dawn gently squeezed his arm.
"Come on Spike. They need a little break." Dawn whispered. Spike nodded again as the potentials crowded around.
"What do you want me to play?" Spike asked, looking around the room. Dawn smiled up at him from her new place on the floor.
"Whatever you want to..." was the answer.
"Ok...then I'm going to play one of my own songs." Spike announced and paused when he sensed the poof and Buffy enter the house.
"Are you ok Spike?" Dawn asked. Spike nodded and watched Buffy and Peaches take their places in the room.
"Here we go." Spike prepped the room and began the intro. The room immediately fell silent, surprised by the soft melody floating on the air. Spike closed his eyes and began to sing.
I can't imagine all the people that you know
And the places that you go
When the lights are turned down low
And I don't understand all the things you've seen
But I'm slipping in between
You and your big dreams
It's always youIn my big dreams
Spike opened his eyes and looked around the room. Every eye was on him, starring at him in awe. The Nibblet was smiling at him, eyes shining with pride. She wasn't stupid; she knew exactly who this song was for. Spike smiled back and continued.
And you tell me that it's over
I wake up lying in a patch of four leaf clovers
And you're restless, and I'm naked
You've gotta get out you can't stand to see me shaking
No
Could you let me go?
I didn't think so
And you don't wanna be here in the future
So you say the present's just a pleasant interruption to the past
And you don't wanna look much closer
Cause your afraid to find out all this hope
You had sent into the sky by now had crashed
And it did because of me
Spike glanced into the corner of the room where all the Scoobies were, as he held his the last note. The whelp looked somewhat impressed, his one eye open wide. Across the table from him, Red and Anya were just smiling and gently swaying, enjoying themselves. Andrew looked like he was Spike's groupie, practically crying at the sight of him. The watcher and the principal were standing behind the table; faces indifferent, just watching how Spike interacting with the potentials. Faith was dancing by herself, hands moving up and down her body. She smiled seductively as she occasionally rubbed up against the principle, attracting his full attention in seconds. Peaches was still standing beside Buffy and looked somewhat surprised. Whether it was because Spike actually had musical talent or because he wasn't tearing apart the room, he wasn't sure. Finally, he locked eyes with Buffy and started the chorus.
And then you bring me home
Afraid to find out that you're alone
And I'm sleeping in your living roomBut we don't have much room
To live
Buffy tore her eyes away from his, looking down to the floor, suddenly finding her shoes extremely interesting. Peaches looked at Buffy and then back to Spike and glared. Spike just smirked, which only made him angrier. The Nibblet giggled, and Spike smirk softened into a real smile and he winked at her.
And I had these dream that I might learn to play guitar Maybe cross the countrySpike paused and gave the potentials around him a sexy smile.
Become a rock starThe girls giggled and whispered about how hot he was and how the slayer was crazy to let him go.
"I'm glad someone thinks so." Spike thought. He stole a glance at the corner again. Buffy was starring in his direction, smiling softly as he teased the girls. He winked at Buffy and gave her, her own sexy smile when she giggled.
And there was hope in me that I could take you there
But damn it you're so young
Well I don't think I care
And if I hurt you then I'm sorry
Please don't think that this was easy
Spike closed his eyes again, trying to block the images flooding his mind at his words.
"Soddin' soul! All it does is make me feel guilty! Wasn't worth it..." Spike tried to convince himself as he blinked back tears. He looked towards Buffy to see her staring off into space, a tear trailing down her cheek.
"God we were bloody awful to each other...no wonder she wants Peaches." Spike thought.
And you'd bring me homeCause we both know what it's like to be alone
And I'm dreaming in your living room
We don't have much room
To LiveSpike let his head drop, his eyes fluttering shut, imaging the music that would be coming from the 'band' behind him. The entire dining room sat in silence, knowing there was more to the song, not wanting to interrupt him by asking silly questions. So they just waited, and watched Spike, listening.
And Konstantine is walking down the stairs
Doesn't she look goodStanding in her underwear
And I was thinking
What I was thinking
That we've been drinking
And it doesn't get me anywhere
Finally Spike began playing the piano again, just hitting certain notes every now and again before he sang again.
My Konstantine came walking down the stairs And all that I could do was touch your long blonde hair And I've been thinking It hurts me thinking that these nights when we were drinking No they never got us anywhereSpike lost himself in the music, added accents where he hadn't put them before. He sped up the melody and opened his eyes, watching his hands fly over the keys. He leaned forward, pounding into the keys. He turned his head and again locked eyes with Buffy as he sang again.
This is because I can spell confusion with a 'K' And I can like it It's to dying in another's arms And why I had to try it It's to Jimmy Eat World and those nights in my car Where the first star you see May not be a star I'm not your star Isn't that what you said What you thought this song meant
Spike watched her reaction to his words and wasn't surprised when she looked away. He sighed and glared at Peaches, who glared right back. He felt a small hand on his knee and saw the Nibblet looking up at him with understanding. She gave his leg a little squeeze, urging him to continue.
And if this is what it takes Just to lie with my mistakes And live with what I did to you All the hell I've put you through I always catch the clock It's 11:11 and you wanna talk It's not hard to dream You'll always be my Konstantine My Konstantine They'll never hurt you like I do No they'll never hurt you like I do No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no
Spike gazed softly over at Buffy. This is to a girl Who got into my head with all the pretty things she did
Hey you know
You keep me up in bed
Spike ripped away his eyes and stared straight ahead as he sang with contempt.
This is to a girl who got into my headWith all these fucked up things I did
Hey maybe baby you could keep me up in bed
My Konstantine
You spin round me like a dream
We played out on this movie screen
I said did you know I missed you
Did you know I missed you
Did you know I missed you
Did you know I missed you
Did you know I missed you
Did you know I missed you
Did you know I missed you
Spike sang, searching through himself, looking for something. Just the tiniest moment or thought, something to tell him that his journey, the trials and the soul were worth the trouble. Were worth leaving Buffy for. When he looked back into Buffy's eyes...for a second...he found it.
I miss youBuffy's eyes began to water as he stared straight into her eyes. Spike glanced over at Peaches to find him looking at the ground. He looked back at Buffy and smiled softly.
And then you'd bring me homeAnd we go to sleep
But this time not alone
And you'll kiss in your living room
Oh no I know you miss me in your living room
Cause these nights I think that maybe that I miss you in my living room
We don't have much room
I said does anybody need that room
Because we all need a little more room
To live
My Konstantine
The small dining room was silent as Spike finished. Spike kept his eyes on the keys, waiting for everyone's reaction.
"Wow..." Dawn whispered. Spike looked at her with a smile.
"Awe...come on Nibblet! It was no big deal." Spike answered quietly. At this, the rest of the room spoke up, complimenting the song. Spike smiled.
"Well it's about bloody time I wrote something worth listening too." Spike chuckled.
"I only have one question." Dawn started.
"What's that?" Spike asked.
"What does Konstantine mean?" Dawn asked. Spike's smile disappeared.
"Well...that's...it's a name." Spike stuttered. Buffy looked at him, puzzled.
"But why that name? I mean I've never heard it before...it must mean something." Buffy concluded. Spike shifted uneasily in his seat.
"It's part of a dead language I'd learned while traveling. Dru just loved it so we made the small village teach it to us before we killed them." Spike whispered, his eyes closing at the memories of what his dark lady and he had done to the village.
"But what does it mean?' Giles asked, somewhat intrigued.
"It means unicorn." Spike answered simply, decided he'd had enough with avoiding their questions. It was obvious they weren't going to give up.
"Unicorn? Why would you use unicorn?" Buffy asked.
"Because a unicorn is the most beautiful and the purest creature that exists. Men fall in love with the unicorn as soon as they see it, and obsess over it, doing anything to make it theirs. The unicorn is the symbol of light and everything that is pure and good in this world. And because..." Spike trailed off.
"Because what?" Dawn urged. Spike sighed in defeat.
"And because only one man has ever caught a unicorn." Spike answered softly. The whole room was silent.
"William the bloody awful poet strikes again." Spike mumbled. Buffy looked at Spike with tears in her eyes.
"Who?" Buffy questioned in a whisper. Spike looked down at the floor, refusing to answer the question. Angel cleared his throat.
"I have." Angel answered, and nearly everyone in the room shifted their attention to Angel. Buffy; however, kept her eyes locked on Spike, understanding the hidden message beneath all of this.
"What happened?" Dawn asked excited.
"Well back before I'd gotten my soul and Darla, Drusilla, Spike and I still traveled together; Darla had heard a story about the unicorn and had told Drusilla about it. They had both come to me and asked me to catch one for them, so they could keep it as a pet. It took me weeks, but I finally managed to catch it. It was beautiful, if I do say so, but its pure white coat seemed to get duller everyday. Then one night, we went out to go see it and Spike was standing next to the open cage, watching my unicorn as it ran away." Angel growled as he glared at Spike. Spike was immediately on his feet.
He was about to reply when the sound of glass shattering surrounded him.
"It's the first!" came a scream from the group.
Buffy looked around in a slight panic as the firsts' minions poured into the dining room. She immediately looked for Dawn. She spun in a circle, searching for her sister.
"DAWN!" Buffy yelled, continuing to circle.
"I'm here Buffy!" Dawn yelled. Buffy turned to the sound of her voice, finally seeing her on the other side of the living room. Buffy began to make her way through the fight when she saw Spike grab Dawn's arm, pulling her behind him. She locked eyes with Spike, who smiled slightly at her before nodding. Buffy, now convinced Dawn was safe, turned to the fight.
"Angel! Buffy! Try to get the fight outside!" Spike yelled to her and Buffy watched him as he grabbed Dawn's hand and pulled her towards the door. Buffy turned and quickly yelled at Angel to follow her.
They ran through the crowd, taking out anyone who was between them and the door. Buffy finally ran through the doorway to see Spike glancing in their direction. He then turned back to Dawn, pointing her in the direction away from the fight. Buffy watched as Dawn sighed while nodding and took off down the street. She smiled mentally as she faced off against her attackers.
"Sure she listens to Spike!" Buffy thought as she charged. Occasionally between kills, Buffy glanced in the direction Dawn had run off.
Spike was gracefully throwing punches and kicks, fighting with anyone who dared look in the direction Dawn had gone in. He made his way through the battle, black duster flowing behind him, killing whoever got in his way.
Buffy forced herself to focus back on her own fight and continued to attack. She moved through the crowd with practiced grace. Buffy took a step back to avoid breathing in the dust of a vamp, bumping into another. She turned quickly, weapon raised, ready to deliver the final blow. A familiar hand caught her wrist. Buffy looked up to see Spike smiling down at her.
"That was a little too close pet." He said quietly. Buffy smiled before catching a glance at something behind him.
"Watch out Spike!" Buffy yelled, pulling him behind her. Spike laughed as he turned, his back now touching Buffy's.
"Let's show them how it's done luv." Spike said and together they fought, slowing turning in a circle, watching each other's backs. Finally, Buffy had snapped the last neck and leaned back into Spike.
They sank to the ground, panting. Buffy crawled around his body so that she leaned against his side, laying her head on his shoulder. He wrapped an arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer.
"Thank-you for looking after Dawn." Buffy whispered. Spike just nodded. After a minute Buffy stood slowly, pulling Spike up with her.
"I'm going to go check on the others. Can you go get Dawn?" Buffy asked. When he nodded again, Buffy wrapped her arms around him, kissing him softly on the cheek.
"Can we talk when you get back? There is something I need to talk to you about." Buffy asked softly. She watched as his eyes brighten.
"Of course luv." He whispered back and released her. Buffy smiled and turned to the others.
Spike watched as Buffy walked in the direction of a small group of potential slayers. He looked around. Peaches was off to the side, gasping in air he didn't need. All the other Scoobies were fine and searching for any injured who would need their help. Spike sighed and began to walk in the direction Dawn had gone in.
"Well done William!" Spike heard the gasps of the girls and turned slowly to face the first's image of Buffy.
"What do you want?" Spike hissed. The first just smiled.
"I believe I have something that you might like." The first called. It then stepped aside to reveal one of its minions holding Dawn, a knife at her throat.
"I don't like being rejected William the Bloody! And don't even try it!" The first yelled at Buffy, who was trying to reach Dawn.
"There is a protective barrier protecting us! If you or your witch tries something...she dies." The first smiled. It faced Spike again.
"Did you really think I'd give up that easily?" The first asked. Spike shook his head and walked towards the first.
"Well I kind of hoped you would. But come on...let her go! It's me that you want." Spike ordered, taking slow steps forward. The first nodded.
"You're right. You are the one I want. So I'm going to make a deal with you. Before I do, I want you to answer a question for me." The first said, grinning at Spike.
"What?" Spike snapped.
"Which would you choose? The life of this girl," the first gestured to the wide eyed Dawn. "Or your love for the slayer?" The first's twisted grin widened. Spike took a small step back.
"What do you mean?" Spike demanded.
"Well here's the deal. I'll give you the girl back, but in return I want...your soul." The first stated simply. Spike looked from a terrified Dawn to the shocked Buffy and back.
"Spike has a soul?" Spike heard Angel ask Buffy. Buffy just glared at him. The first smirked and walked over to Dawn, standing behind her.
"Now think about this carefully. Dawn is your best friend in this world. She is the only one who ever accepted you for who you were William; she's like your little sister. She's the one you can tell everything to; the first person who knew about your feelings for the slayer and the only one who realized those feelings were real. She's the only one you can really count on William and all you have to do is give up that soul for her to stay in your life." The first walked over to where Buffy was standing with Angel and started again.
"But if you do give up your soul for Dawn, you'll never win the slayer's love. I know you William, I can feel what you feel and we both know that you have never loved anyone the way you love Buffy. Even your feelings for Drusilla can't compare to what you feel now. But as soon as you give up that soul...all these humans are going to assume that you feel nothing again, that your love for Buffy isn't real. You don't have the chip and once the soul is gone they will hunt you down and kill you! They've never accepted you...even with your soul! You'll once again be beneath them all...just a monster that doesn't deserve to live." The first finished, walking towards Spike.
"So now William the Bloody...I ask you to choose. The life of this child...or your love for this woman." The first whispered harshly. Spike looked at Dawn, starring at him with a knife to her throat. Then he looked at Buffy, starring at him with tears in her eyes. He whispered that he loved her and turned back to the first.
"NO Spike! Don't do it! We'll find another way." Buffy yelled, slamming her fist into the invisible barrier.
"There is no other way..." Spike whispered and closed his eyes.
"My soul is yours." Spike announced to the first.
