Twilight & Temptation

By: Larilyn

Visit me at www.geocities.com/larilyn1975 or e-mail me at Larilyn1@hotmail.com

Rating: PG-13

Timeline: Takes place after the Buffy ep "As You Were," and the Angel ep "Loyalty". "Hell's Bells" and "Sleep Tight" and every thing after haven't happened and won't happen in this little fic-verse.

Disclaimer: Buffy belongs to Mutant Enemy and UPN, blah, blah, blah. Angel belongs to Mutant Enemy and the WB, yada, yada, yada. Its Joss's toy box; I'm just raiding it for fun. Did not write Copa Cabana. Didn't sing it either.

Summary: Sequel to "Moonlight & Mohra" The Powers that Be have some plans that may ruin Spike and Buffy's newfound bliss.

Classification: S/B, A/C

Notes: If you haven't read Moonlight, here's a quick recap. Spike is human now and all is well. See? Easy to follow. Seriously, this sucker is unabashedly fluffy with whipped cream on top, but there is a plot. I promise.

Twilight & Temptation

"Angel Investigations Incorporated, Sunnydale. We help the helpless." Dawn took a deep breath after spouting off the mouthful of words.

Buffy Summers gave her sister a pleased smile until she heard Dawn say, "I know its stupid, Buffy makes me say it."

"Dawn!" the older sibling scolded.

"Relax Buffy, its just Anya. She wants to know what time we're having dinner."

"Tell her seven o'clock."

"Anya?" Dawn asked into the phone. "Seven O'clock. Cool. I'll see you tonight." Dawn hung up the phone and informed her sister; "Xander and Anya are bringing dessert."

Buffy smiled again and went back to her filing. "You know when Anya suggested charging for slaying I thought she was nuts."

A masculine accented voice floated across the room, "But when Angel suggested it, it was suddenly pure genius."

Buffy flew into her lover's arms. She smiled teasingly as she gazed into his sapphire eyes, "Aw, poor baby. Are you jealous of the big, bad vampire?"

"No," insisted Spike, "But if I were Anya, I'd want a piece of the pie."

"Admit it. Your jealous of Angel." Buffy began to move Spike's jaw up and down like a puppet. "I'm jealous of the big broody vampire." She mocked in a goofy deep voice.

"I am not jealous of the great and powerful poof." Spike laughed at the suggestion. He then grew very serious and leaned into Buffy, "Unless I'm just dreaming that I wake up in your bed every morning."

Buffy playfully slapped his chest. "I meant the vampire part you pig."

Spike had been left a mere human after an encounter with a Mohra demon less than six months earlier. After spending time with Angel to help him adjust to his new soul and a declaration of love from the Slayer, Spike returned to Sunnydale.

"I'm over it. Being human has definite advantages." Spike nibbled along Buffy's neck as she giggled fervently.

"Hello!" Dawn called out from behind the office's reception desk. "I can totally see you two macking on each other and may I say, 'Get a room'?"

The phone rang again and Dawn sighed, preparing herself for the spiel, "Angel Investigations Incorporated, Sunnydale. We help the helpless." After she said it, Dawn gave her sister a dirty look.

When the second line rang, Spike answered, " 'Lo?"

Dawn gestured at Spike with a disgusted look on her face as she listened to the caller.

Buffy could only smile at her family. Heaven was no longer a distant memory, it was here in this office.

***

"What… is… that?" Spike poked at the gelatinous blob on the plate.

"Its a meal worm and strawberry Jell-O mold," explained Anya. "It's a delicacy."

"I'm, uh," Spike stammered, "I'm allergic to strawberries." He was quite pleased with himself at avoiding Anya's culinary disaster.

"Oh no, I didn't know that! I didn't bring an alternate dessert! You won't get dessert!"

"S'alright," he consoled Anya by patting her on the arm, "Means more for the others."

Anya carried the plate into the dining room where she triumphantly unveiled the dish to the Scoobies. Buffy and Spike hung back in the kitchen.

Buffy wrapped her arms around Spike's waist and declared, "You're evil."

"Am not." Spike stuck his bottom lip out.

Buffy teased, "Don't stick that lip out unless you want me to do something with it."

"Promise?" he growled back.

Their kiss was interrupted by an "Ahem" from Xander. "You know when Willow put that love spell on you guys? The one where you were cooing and fawning all over each other? Way less obnoxious than how you behave now."

Spike smiled and chastised Buffy, "Better get moving, Goldie, you'll miss your dessert."

She teasingly pushed him away and headed out when a strangled cry from Spike caused her to rush to his side in a panic. Dishes came clamoring down from the counter where he had tried to steady himself. Xander caught Spike before he fell and gently eased him down to the floor.

"What's wrong?" Buffy demanded. "Is it the chip?"

Spike shook his head and explained, even as his face contorted in obvious pain, "Demon, in an alley, not sure where. Its gonna kill a girl."

The others had heard the commotion in the kitchen and had joined Buffy in trying to help Spike. He shook them off and insisted, "Buffy, you have to go."

"I can't leave you like this!" she wailed.

"Go!" Spike shouted.

"We'll take care of him, Buffy" Xander soothed, "Just go."

***

"You're pissed."

"I'm not pissed!" Cordelia Chase gave her favorite vampire the best fake smile she could muster. "See? Smiling? Not pissed."

"You're pissed." Angel asserted.

Cody sighed and explained, "Angel, it's just that… nobody really trusts her, and we're all a little wigged." Cordy reached across the counter and gave Angel's forearm a light squeeze, "But we do trust you, you know, when you're not evil, so if you think its best that she stays here, then here she stays."

"She doesn't have anyone, Cordy," Angel pleaded.

"I know," Cordy admitted, "So if you want to harbor a girl who tortured Wesley and tried to kill me, that's your call, big guy."

"You make it sound like she's planning some great escape. She's getting paroled."

Cordy gave Angel another of her fake smiles.

"And she didn't try to kill you," he grumbled, "she just hit you."

"In the face!" Cordelia dramatically gestured toward her flawless olive skin. "She hit me in the face!"

***

Buffy gently eased herself into bed and wrapped her arms around her sleeping boyfriend.

"Spike? Are you awake?"

"Mmm, am now. Didja kill it?"

"I couldn't find it."

"Yeah, I think the alley was in LA. Sorry 'bout the goose chase." Spike turned to face a very worried Buffy. He gently tucked her hair behind her ear and answered her unasked question. "I'm fine, luv."

"What happened to you?"

"Dunno."

"Is it the chip?"

"Nope, Red checked the chip. Its still in perfect non working order."

"Spike…" Buffy bit her bottom lip to keep from crying.

"Hey, none of that." He soothed, "I'm fine. Everything is going to be fine." Spike pulled the girl into his embrace and hoped that she would stop worrying and fall asleep.

Buffy couldn't help herself. She was reminded of everything that her mother went through. She couldn't lose Spike like that. She just couldn't.

***

"…And then, it was like a searing pain shot through my head and I saw these images floating just in front of my eyes. Hurt like hell, Cord."

"I remember it well," asserted Cordelia on the other end of the phone line. "William, you're having visions."

"I had a vision. One. Let's hope it's the only one, all right?"

"I think you should come to LA for a while, just until we figure out what's going on."

"Yeah. I s'pose Buffy and I could close the office for a few days…"

"Uh, Ix-nay on the Uffy-bay." Cordy asserted. Before Spike could ask she explained, "Its a long story. Just don't bring Buffy, ok?"

***

"William!!" Fred bounded across the lobby of the Hyperion and into Spike's warm hug.

"Hello, Freddie." He answered warmly. Spike pulled back to study her, "Still skinny as a string bean, I see."

"And you're still handsome as ever."

Cordelia stepped out from behind the counter and walked over to greet her friend. "William, we've missed you." She stopped when she saw a petite blonde make an entrance. "And Buffy!" Cordelia plastered a wide smile on her face, "Look, Angel, William brought Buffy!" she said in a singsong voice that Spike knew carried an accusation.

"She insisted." Spike explained.

"Buffy," Angel took her by the arm and started to lead her back outside, "You must be starved, lets go get you something to eat."

"I'm more tired than hungry, really. Can we please just take our bags up to our room?"

"After lunch." The burly vampire tried to herd her back out the door.

"Why are you trying to get rid of me?" Buffy accused.

"I'm not trying to get rid of you. That's silly. Why would I try to get rid of you?" Angel sputtered with a smile glued to his face.

"You're trying to take me outside… at noon… you'll be a crispy critter."

"Seriously," asked Spike, "What's going on?"

A feminine voice floated down from the stairway. "Hi, B."

***

"Angel?" Buffy asked in a voice that was so controlled that only rage could be hidden behind it. "What is Faith doing here?"

"I was paroled," explained the dark Slayer. "Angel said I could stay here… but if that's a problem for you…"

Faith was clearly nervous about Buffy's presence and Fred's heart went out to her. "Faith, you are staying here. If Buffy has a problem with that…"

"Hell yes, I have a problem with that!"

"…Then Buffy can find somewhere else to stay." Fred finished.

"Whoa, Fred's da man." Mumbled Gunn.

Buffy puffed up, prepared to scream bloody murder until she glanced around. Angel and Cordelia were glaring at her, Fred was soothingly rubbing Faith's back, Gunn was prepared to fight and even Wesley, who Buffy thought would side with her, looked at her with eyes that were pleading her not to pick a fight.

Buffy deflated, "You're right. This is not my home, and I have no right to say who can and who can't stay here."

"Good girl," Spike whispered in her ear. Louder, he asked, "Is my room…?"

"Still yours." Assured Angel.

***

"Buffy would you please sit down, you're making me dizzy."

Buffy continued to pace their room while Spike watched her walk back and forth.

"I can't believe he's letting her stay here! Wait a minute, yes I can because that is so like Angel."

"What is it with you and that girl? I know she's some kind of rogue slayer but really, Goldie, you're taking this very personal."

"It is personal! All Faith does is take what's mine. My friends, my boyfriends, my body."

"Instead of ranting like a lunatic, would you please sit and talk to me." Spike patted the empty space next to him.

Buffy slumped down and Spike drew her close, "Now tell me what this is really about."

"I don't want to lose you."

"Now I'm really confused, pet."

"Spike, she tried to seduce Angel. She did seduce Riley."

"And you're afraid that I'm going to fall for her nonsense."

"Yes." Buffy whispered.

"Look at me, Buffy." Spike took her face in his hands and gazed earnestly into her sad, green eyes, "I love you. I'll never leave you. Not for her. Not for anybody. You understand me?"

Buffy nodded. And then threw her arms around her lover. "I don't trust her."

"Then trust me." Spike pulled Buffy to her feet. "C'mon. I have an idea."

****

Fred and Gunn held hands and cooed at each other, oblivious to the obvious discomfort of the other five members of their party.

"What is this, place?" Faith asked warily.

"This, pet," answered Spike. "Is the new and improved Caritas."

"Car what?"

Gunn explained succinctly, "Demon karaoke bar."

"Groovy," Faith murmured as she sipped her drink.

"Maybe I should call and check on Connor," fretted Angel.

Cordelia placed her hand on Angel's arm to stop him from standing, "Wesley can handle Connor, Angel. We need some answers from Lorne."

"Right then. Don't get comfy, luv." Spike took the drink from Faith's hand and replaced it on the table. "You're gonna sing."

"I'm not gonna sing." Laughed Faith.

"This is your brilliant plan?" Buffy whispered in Spike's ear. "Humiliate her by making her sing karaoke?"

Spike ignored his love and dragged Faith up to the stage. "Whoa, man. I can't sing."

"You want peace in the valley?" growled Spike, "Then sing."

***

"Her name was Lola. She was a showgirl…" Faith stood rock still, clenching the mike in her hand.

"You're making her sing Barry Manilow?" asked Buffy incredulously. "I don't like the girl but that is cruel and unusual punishment."

"Hey," complained Angel, "I like Manilow."

Cordy eased her seat back so Angel wouldn't see her and mouthed to Buffy, 'Don't go there.'

"And while she longed to be a star, Rico always tended bar. At the Copa. Copa Cabana…"

"She's pretty good," observed Gunn. Faith now had a smile on her face and was bobbing her head while she sang.

Buffy shot him a look and then asked, "Why are we here listening to Faith sing Manilow?"

Fred answered, "Lorne can read people."

Cordy finished, "But only when they sing."

The green skinned demon sat down at their table. For a few seconds he said nothing. He just watched Faith shake her hips and dance around the stage.

"Music and passion were always in fashion at the Copa… They fell in love."

"She does Barry better than you big guy," Lorne observed. "No offense."

"What are you getting?" Cordy asked.

"Well. She's not the world's happiest camper but I sense she's starting to make peace with herself. I sense sincerity and regret. Does that answer your question?"

"Hey," asked Angel. "You mind if I go next?"

Gunn grabbed Fred's hand and pleaded, "If you love me, Fred, you won't let him sing."

***

"Ah, Daddy's home Connor." Wesley said to Angel's young son. "And did we learn anything?" he asked cryptically.

"We're good," Angel answered.

Spike took Connor from Wesley's arms. Cordelia and Buffy both fussed over the baby while Fred and Gunn fussed over each other. Faith, uncomfortable, proclaimed, "Been a long night, with all the Copa Cabana-ing. I'm gonna head up to my room."

"Actually," Wesley stopped her. "While you were out, I did some research. You might be interested."

Faith went over to the counter and jumped on it, sitting Indian style on the counter's surface.

The rest of the group had settled around the Hyperion lobby while Wes spoke.

***

"I think I may have some answers in regards to William's predicament. If Cordelia is right, and he is experiencing visions…"

"One!" asserted Spike as he bounced Connor on his knee, "One vision."

"Right," continued Wesley, "I believe I have pinpointed the source. Visions by the Powers can be granted directly or they be can passed from one person to another at the time of death of the seer."

"That's how I got mine," Cordy interjected. "From Doyle."

"And I believe, from my research, that is how William got his."

"From Drusilla," Buffy suggested.

"At the time of her death, yes," Wesley continued while Angel began to pace the room. "When she attempted to feed from William, her visions passed to him."

"Gee," Spike said lightheartedly, "She gave me such a nice gift, and all I gave her was a stake in the heart. This is all very interesting, Wes, but what I'd like to know is: How do I get rid of the blasted things?"

"You can't, I'm afraid. Not unless you die, or your champion Shanshus."

"Sorry for the interruption," Faith said, "but what does any of this have to do with me?"

Before Wesley could answer her, Spike demanded loudly, "Cordy, take the baby! Take the baby, now!"

Cordelia scooped Connor from Spike's grasp just as he collapsed. Buffy held him tightly while tremors coursed through his body. "Spike?" she worriedly called to him.

As he came to, he mumbled, "In the alley behind Caritas. Fyarl demon. Gonna kill Lorne."

"I'm on it." Announced Faith as she raided Angel's arms cabinet. Angel grabbed a broadsword and followed the Slayer out.

"Let's get him to his room," suggested Gunn as he helped Buffy get Spike on his feet.

***

Buffy descended the stairs and watched her classmate pace the Hyperion lobby. Cordelia had changed so much since she lived in Sunnydale. The spoiled girl had developed into a responsible, remarkable woman and Buffy was not surprised that both her old love and her new love had come to respect, admire and adore her. Now the tall brunette used her long legs to cover one end of the lobby and the other as she paced back and forth.

Cordy turned when she heard Buffy on the stairs. "Is William okay?"

"Sleeping." Buffy answered. "They're bad? The visions?"

"Yeah. They're bad."

Silence passed between them for a few moments while the information that Buffy already knew was absorbed.

"Where is everybody?" asked Buffy glancing around the empty lobby.

"Uh. Wes & Connor are in Wesley's office. Gunn took Fred for something to eat."

"Angel & Faith?"

"Not back yet." Worry was etched across Cordelia's face.

"I'm sure they're fine." Assured Buffy.

"Yeah. Fine." Cordelia said with false bravado. "I mean its Angel. Nothing he can't handle."

Buffy took Cordy's hand and gave it a squeeze. "You want me to wait with you?"

"Thanks."

***

Buffy eased the door to their room closed, hoping not to wake Spike.

"S'okay, Goldie." He said. "I'm awake."

"How are you feeling?" Buffy asked as she changed into her pajamas.

"Like that Fyarl demon is dancing the jitterbug in my head. Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, Angel and Faith killed it."

"Lorne?"

"Not a scratch," Buffy promised.

***

Cordelia joined Angel on the rooftop where he gazed out over the sleeping city. "What's wrong?"

Angel half turned to his seer and then turned back to the view, "Worried about William."

"We all are, but that's not all that's bugging you, is it?" Cordelia wound her hands around Angel's bear-like arm. "You're thinking about Drusilla."

"I wonder who it was." Angel mused, "The champion that was deprived of his seer."

"Angel," Cordy soothed, "You can't do this to yourself."

"They didn't get their redemption, whoever it was, because of me. Dru never lost her visions. I deprived someone of them. Someone who really needed them."

"Angel, please." She begged.

"They didn't stand a chance to Shanshu, really. I mean, I couldn't have come this far without you and Doyle."

"Angel, that was a long time ago, and you were a different person. We can't change what's in the past."

"I know." He mumbled.

"Do you know what I know? You are the most amazing person that I have ever known. You are good. And wise. And noble. And I wouldn't change a thing about the past, even if I could, because it's what makes you what you are now. And I love the person that's here with me right now."

Cordelia pulled him into a warm hug and he clung to her as if his sanity depended on it.

***

"Angel. I have the information you were looking for." Wesley commented. Angel sat down at Wesley's desk while the former Watcher looked over his shoulder at the text before him.

"Edith Whitesall, a vengeance demon," Angel read.

"It seems she was credited for a number of life-saving ventures around the time Drusilla was alive. I believe she was Drusilla's champion."

"Did she Shanshu?" Angel asked even though he already knew the answer to the question.

"I'm afraid not. She was mistakenly killed by the Slayer in the 1920's."

"Angel." Cordelia scolded from the open doorway.

"I had to know." He pleaded.

Cordelia let it pass and changed the subject, "On to the here and now, boys. The question is: Who is William having the visions for?"

A loud eruption of laughter echoed from the lobby where Faith, Gunn and Fred were talking. Faith's laugh sang out over the others'. Wesley cast a knowing glance out the door.

"Oh great." Cordy moaned. "Buffy's gonna give birth to a Holstein."

***

"No," Buffy shook her head vehemently as she sat in the chair across the desk from Wesley. Spike sat next to her. Cordy was sitting on the desktop while Angel paced the office. "You're wrong." She accused Wesley.

"It makes sense, Buffy." Angel continued to stalk the room.

"Faith is not a champion."

"By definition," explained Wesley, "A champion of the Powers is someone seeking redemption. Faith seems to fit the bill."

"Buffy," Cordy tried to assure her friend, "I know your upset."

"No, you don't know anything! I am not having the man I love put his life at risk for her. I don't want him near her."

"Don't I get a say in this?" asked Spike.

"No!" Buffy fumed.

"Buffy, there's something you should know," Cordy said before the lovers had a full-blown fight in front of them. "The visions, they weren't meant for humans. They nearly killed me."

"Oh this just gets better and better. So, how'd you… I mean you're ok right?"

"Cord's part demon now, Goldie."

"Well that clinches it. You're getting rid of those damn visions. I don't care how you guys do it…"

"There's no way, luv. Wesley said it before, either I die, or Faith Shanshus. We're stuck."

Angel raised his hand like a schoolboy. "I have an idea."

***

The dark haired woman and fair-haired man regarded the invader. Their ghostly bodies floated back in forth in front of Spike

"Brought an offering," Spike put a plate down on the marble table, "Spicy Buffalo wings, a personal favorite of mine. But seeing as how you're dead… Angel said to bring an offering, he didn't mention the ghost part."

"William the Bloody," the man said.

The woman finished, "The seer for our champion."

"Yeah, 'bout that. Its not working out so well for me, so if you could just take your little vision thing back…"

"You were not supposed to receive the visions…"

"… You were to be a champion for the Powers. Not a human." Finished the male oracle.

"If you don't mind my saying so, you guys tend to screw up a lot. I mean Cordelia wasn't supposed to have visions. Drusilla?"

"Would have been dead within a year had Angelus not cursed her with vampirism." The woman admitted.

"There then. Why don't you take your visions back, and give em to someone not so human. Cause humanity is kinda working out well for me."

"You were denied the opportunity to be Champion, would you also deny the opportunity to be a seer?" The male Oracle asked.

"No offense, but I'd like to return the Gift. Fun while it lasted."

"He does not desire redemption." The female said.

"Redemption?" The idea made every part of his soul quiver with longing.

"For the generations of suffering you caused while you were a vampire."

"They'll kill me though. The visions will kill me."

"It is possible to restore some of the demon that had inhabited your body for over a century."

"If you desire redemption."

***

Everyone was waiting for Spike in the lobby of the Hyperion; Buffy stood and asked, "Things go okay with the Oracles? "

"Yeah, luv." Spike wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. "Everything is fine now."

Angel and Spike locked eyes, and Angel knew Spike was lying.

***

Cordelia drank her morning coffee as she descended the stairs to the basement and training room. She stopped at the top of the stairs and watched as Angel wrapped his arms around Faith and showed her the correct way to swing the broadsword. Quietly, Cordelia withdrew and headed out to the courtyard.

Warm hands rested upon her shoulders and a rumbling voice asked, "What's wrong, luv?"

She answered Spike as he circled her and sat down in the grass at her feet. "What makes you think anything's wrong?"

"Cuz I know you, Cord. And I also know that this is your usual training time with Angel."

"He's a little busy this morning." Cordy nonchalantly sipped her coffee.

"With Faith?" Spike glanced up at the sun that warmed his face.

"Sparring." Cordy's face was a mask of normalcy. But Spike knew that it was an act.

"What is it about that girl that turns the two strongest, most self assured women I know into a quivering, insecure Jell-O bomb?"

"I am not jealous of Faith."

"Forgive me when I say: Liar, liar pants on fire."

Cordelia's defenses slowly melted away. "They've got a lot in common. You know, two champions of the Powers, fighting for humanity. Its all very romantic."

Spike rose and sat down on the bench next to his friend. He took her hand in his and declared, "Angel could not survive without you, Cord. Even if you weren't his seer."

"He'd do fine."

"No. He needs you. That's beyond love. And it's certainly beyond anything Faith could offer him. You believe that. And, if you need a sympathetic ear." Spike gestured toward the courtyard entrance where Buffy stood. "I think I know where you can find one."

He left the two women alone in the sunlight to talk.

***

"We need to get back to the office, Spike. Jonathan said that he's got a couple of cases lined up for us and quite honestly, I think Dawn may be driving him nuts." Buffy packed her bag while she talked but Spike sat on the edge of the bed, doing nothing.

"Before we leave, Goldie, there's something I need to tell you."

"Ooh, all serious." She teased and sat down sideways in his lap. "What's so important?"

Spike didn't reply, instead, his eyes began to glaze over and then burn yellow. His face contorted into the shape that Buffy thought she'd never see again. The face of a vampire. She jumped off his lap and backed up against the wall. He didn't go after her. Instead, he bolted for the door and flung it open.

"Faith! Faith!"

The dark Slayer ran down the hall to him.

"There's a cadre of vamps holed up in Chinatown. They're after some key thing."

"I'm on it boss." Faith ran back down the hall.

When he turned back to Buffy, Spike's face was smooth and beautiful once again.

"What… the… hell?"

"Buffy," he stepped forward toward her, "I was going to tell you. I meant to before I had another vision."

"What have you done?" She was shocked and kept herself pressed firmly against the wall.

"The Powers. They put some of my demon back. It was the only way to keep the visions from killing me."

"You said the visions were gone!" she insisted, growing angry.

"No. I said everything was going to be okay. And it is."

"This is not okay. This is way at the opposite end of the spectrum from okay."

"Buffy, I'm not a vampire. I can go out in the sun, no cravings for blood. Okay, your cross makes me a little nauseous, but that's really not much to spit at."

She clutched the cross around her neck with her hand and hissed, "How could you do this?"

"Do what? Keep myself from getting the back of my head blown off? That's what was going to happen, luv."

"How could you tie yourself to Faith?"

Spike began to retort, and then looked at her knowingly, "This isn't about Faith. This is about your precious soul."

Buffy was confused, "My soul?"

"No, Goldie. My soul." He clasped his hand to his chest as he spoke, "The one you think is so important. I still have it if that's what you're worried about."

"Its good to know that even with a soul you are capable of lying to me."

"I didn't lie!" Buffy scowled at him fiercely but Spike continued. "I had to do it, Buffy. I had to keep the visions. The soul that you insisted I have before you could love me, made me keep the visions. I was supposed to be a champion before you…"

"Before I what?" Spike said nothing and studied the ground. Buffy was quiet when she spoke again. "You think it's my fault. It's my fault that you're human."

Almost inaudibly, he said, "The Mohra was sent to kill you."

"And instead it cursed you with humanity."

"It's not… I don't think of it as a curse. It's just… I have to do this. It's my only shot at redemption. I've done so many horrible things…"

"The worst thing you did, Spike, is betray my trust." She slung her bag over her shoulder and walked out of the room.

"Where are you going?" Spike asked.

"Home. Don't follow me, Spike. You should be here. With your champion."

Spike watched in shock as his golden love walked down the hall and out of his life.

End Part One