Open Your Eyes

"I can't believe that I'm actually standing here" Spike commented as he looked down at the sleeping figure of Wesley on the bed. They had fought a long and grueling battle and had miraculously won. Of course, their victory had been due to the Powers That Be and there extremely appreciated interference during the battle. All had seemed lost and then an army of light had been delivered to them.

In the end Angel had laughed of joy when they had won, but as soon as that emotion had passed tears came. He had silently mouthed "Cordelia" as he shifted his gaze to the dark sky that seemed to clearing, the sun shinning through.

Now that it was over they were left to pick up the pieces of their lives. Returning to the Hyperion Spike could feel hope flowing through the old hotel. Besides victory they had also been given back the most crucial member of their team – Wesley. His time here on earth was far from over the Powers That Be had explained.

"Take him, mend him, his destiny is of great importance" had been their only words. Unfortunately Gunn hadn't been spared, his time had been over. But he slipped away gracefully, sitting down, resting his head against the brick wall, he closed his eyes and surrender to the sweet bliss of death.

Sitting down on a near by arm chair he noticed that he was not alone in the room. Illyria stood in a dimly lit corner of the room, watching Wesley intently. When he breathed so did she, their heartbeats connected as was their fates.

Spike could feel the corners of his mouth twisting into a smirk, whether Wes wanted to admitted, Illyria was a like a small blue puppy that followed him wherever he went. Unfortunately for him she carried the face of his dead love. Wesley, in his opinion, was a far stronger man that he – such torture he could never stand.

"He's not going anywhere you know" Spike said in his usual British drawl.

"I do not wish to leave his side. He may awaken and need assistance" she answered coolly in her usual no-nonsense tone.

"Suit your self" Spike closed his eyes and allowed himself to rest. Illyria would watch him, perhaps, better than either Angel or he could.

"I feel very unnerved when presented with the possibility that he may never awaken" Illyria quietly confessed to the blond vampire.

Opening his eyes, he wondered whether he actually heard correctly. Had she just, in her own cold words, admitted to loving Wesley?

"We all do. I hate to admit it, but he kinds of grows on you...the poor bugger."

"In the beginning he was rubbish, steadily evolving as our time together lengthened. I no longer see him as below me, but neither my equal..." she quickly added, afraid of appearing weak in front of the vampire warrior. "...He is my guide now in this world. Losing him would be a great...loss. Painful even."

Illyria's last words were barely audible, but due to his ultra sensitive vampire hearing Spike was able to catch them. Unbelievably, he found himself sympathizing with the God-King. She loved him, even though she would never admit it, but Wesley would never love her. How could he? Loving her would be a mockery of his love for Fred.

Illyria had no fault when it came to Fred's death. The choice of whom she would inhabit had been out of her hands. Unfortunately, this did not matter. Her shell was Fred and the fact could never be forgotten.

"There's a demon in Africa..." Spike carefully though out his next words, the information he was about to entrust upon the ancient God would changer her life forever. Illyria was a strong warrior and could easily win the physical trials presented to her, making her human. What she did after that would be her business. "...He can help you, make you human."

Immediately her blue steely stare snapped from her guide to Spike.

"What do you speak of?" her voice strained, her eyes as wide as saucers.

"I'm speaking about you being human. Then perhaps Wesley could see you as something else then the shell of the woman he loves."

"I do not..." Illyria began to protest, but was stopped by Spike's knowing look.

"Don't lie to me blue, I know your in love with Wes. It's all right...doesn't make you any weaker. In fact, it makes you stronger, gives you purpose." Spike's own voice now carried a hit of sorrow too. His own love for a certain slayer still gnawing at his soul.

Turning around Illyria began to make her way to the door.

"I will entrust his well being onto your hands. Fail and I will kill you", where her last words before walking out of the Hyperion. For the first time since arriving, she felt as if her purpose in this world was finally clear.

She would mend him, as the bright elders had ordered. But first she had to mend herself, fix the flaws that prevented her from truly giving him what he needed...what he deserved.

A woman was all she wished to be.

TBC