Synopsis: Buffy lives! Spike visits Buffy after her
return. A post-"Bargaining 1 & 2" episode.
Rating: G
Date Written: Wednesday, 3 October, 2001
Note: Bargain is the first of a series of post-episode
fanfictions based on Buffy, the Vampire Slayer season 6 episode
"Bargaining 1 & 2". I will try to write a short,
mostly Spike/Buffy story every week for the entire season (here's
keepin' my fingers crossed!).
Credits: Buffy the Vampire Slayer is the property of Joss
Whedon and the powers that be.
Characters: Buffy Spike
Dawn to Buffy, Bargaining Part 2
Traces of red smear were visible on the bandages wrapped around
her hands. She can still feel the burning sensation from the cuts
made from clawing her way out the grave a few hours earlier.
She heard someone talking to Dawn outside her bedroom. She
remembered that voice; it was someone familiar to her, someone
she knew; a friend. The door opened and a nocturnal creature
quietly entered her room, flowers on his hand. Taking one step at
a time, he slowly approached the foot of the bed where Buffy was
and stopped abruptly.
"Hello, luv", he said softly, making sure that he did
not disturbed the resting Slayer.
She instantly recognized him although her faculties were still
weak. Buffy didn't utter any words. Instead she glimpsed at the
vampire hiding in the shadows.
It was merely three months ago that he felt total devastation
when Buffy died and literally left him with nothing else to live
for. Spike frowned as he tried to remember. He constantly blamed
himself with what happened and even considered taking his own
life because of the fact. He would have done so, except that he
made a promise to a lady--that he will protect Dawn. A promise
that he kept until this very day.
Spike stood there watching the fragile Slayer, too vulnerable, so
lost. He wanted to tell her that he was sorry. Sorry for failing
her. If he could take away all the pain, all the fear, he would.
But it was too late now. All had been said and done. All they
need to do was wait--wait for Buffy to break down the walls that
separated her from them.
"Spike..." she said almost like a whisper. Her voice
was distant and detached.
A smile flashed across Spike's face. Buffy remembered who he was,
despite the discouraging reality of her oblivion. He moved closer
and sat tentatively at her bedside.
"I got you flowers," he said half smiled and handed it
to her, but got a cold stare instead. Spike figured it was too
soon for gifts, "I suppose you don't need to see flowers at
this time..." and got rid of them.
Spike felt something was troubling her. It was not a case of
finding out that she were once dead and had to dig her way up. It
was more than that. He knew Buffy was afraid. He could tell how
distraught and confused she was about her newly found existence.
"Everything will be all right Buffy," Spike looked at
her longingly. He too, was confused when he was reborn as a
vampire. There was an initial shock but it only lasted for a few
hours. After that, it was never been the same for him.
"Trust me," he said.
Buffy looked at him. He was the one person that understood what
she was going through. Buffy knew she couldn't fool Spike. He
knew what she was most afraid of-- living.
"I'm cold..."
Spike pulled the bedcovers and enveloped her completely. But that
was not enough; he wanted to do more. Saying nothing, each
implicitly understood what the other wanted, Spike sat beside her
and wrapped his arms around her, not to provide warmth, but to
provide comfort.
Unopposed, Buffy moved closer and lay her head on his shoulders.
After a few moments, Buffy closed her eyes and for the first
time, she was afraid no more.
***