((I want to thank the website BuffyWorld for posting the script to Something Blue and making it easier to remember just where I wanted to go with it!))
:~:~:A Few Days Later:~:~:
Xander decided to accompany Ruby to London to be sure she was safe. Buffy hugged Xander before he left.
"Please be safe." Xander hugged her back and smiled.
"Of course. I'll be back before you know it, Buff." Xander left then. Buffy was surprised by how empty the house felt. It wasn't exactly like she felt any romantic feelings for Xander, but she couldn't deny that his companionship had given her a much needed distraction from the sadness she had felt since leaving Sunnydale.
For the first time since moving to Scotland, Buffy pulled the skull ring out that night. She laid in bed, turning it around in her hands, watching it catch the light. She wished, as she had so often, that Spike was there with her, instead of wherever he had gone in death.
:~:~:Around the Same Time, In Los Angeles:~:~:
Spike had just become corporeal again. He wanted nothing more than to go find the blonde Slayer. But he didn't think he deserved her. Plus, he was certainly enjoying being a thorn in Captain Forehead's side while fighting for the greater good. He would find a way to be the man he had wanted to be since falling in love with Buffy. Even if he never saw her again.
That didn't stop him from dreaming. Until he had come back from getting his soul, he didn't think it was possible for vampires to dream. In all the years he had existed as a vampire before, he had never once had a dream. Now, all he dreamed about was her. Buffy. He felt like it was slowly driving him insane.
So, he threw himself into helping the Poof save the world. It was all he could think of to help him forget about her. Granted, it wasn't entirely effective. Especially when he slept. But at least it was something. And maybe, just maybe he would one day be the man she deserved.
:~:~:In Scotland, Same Time:~:~:
Buffy continued to follow the other girls, trying to find a way to communicate with any that might not be satisfied with the life Marty had offered them. Unfortunately, she had no luck. It appeared that they were all perfectly content with the rogue life. When Buffy returned home that night, she was exhausted. Not just physically, but emotionally as well. She laid down in bed, but her body was restless. A nervous energy filled her, and she felt the need to move around.
She got out of bed and redressed. Buffy didn't know what she was going to do, but she knew she had to do something. She left the house and headed for the nearest cemetery, unaware that she was being followed. She didn't see Marty and the other girls until they struck,
Buffy was walking around a corner when one of the girls barreled into her, knocking her to the ground and lashing out at her with fists. Buffy blocked the blows easily enough. She managed to throw the girl off of her, rolling over and pinning the girl to the ground. That was when Marty struck. She pulled Buffy off of the other girl, displaying a strength Buffy didn't realize she was capable of.
"Who the Hell are you?" Marty asked, slamming Buffy against the wall of a building in the alleyway. and holding her there. Buffy struggled against the girl and managed to free herself, even if only for a moment.
"The name's Buffy. I'm a Slayer. Just like you. But unlike you, I'm not hurting people just because I can." Marty spit in Buffy's face. She slammed into Buffy again, and Buffy gasped as her back hit the wall with force.
"You know nothing about us. We work for the Immortal. He has given us a new chance at life. He will rid the world of you and your pretentious friends unless you join us. Mark my words. There is nowhere on Earth you can hide." Marty throttled Buffy, who struggled to get air. The girl that had originally attacked Buffy tapped Marty on the shoulder and whispered something Buffy couldn't quite make out in her oxygen deprived state. Marty nodded and slammed a fist into Buffy's face, causing Buffy to see stars. Everything went black, and Buffy crumpled to the ground.
:~:~:A Few Hours Later:~:~:
Buffy woke up in a strange room. She had no idea where she was or how long she had been out for. She sat up, fighting a wave of dizziness. Slowly, Marty's words came back to her. She knew she had to pass them on to Giles and the Council. Only...Buffy couldn't remember grabbing her phone before leaving the house. She was about to get out of bed when an older woman with long white hair came in.
"Oh good. You're awake finally." The woman placed a tray on the bed near Buffy. It had a teapot and cup. The woman poured Buffy a cup of tea before handing it to her.
"Thank you for your help. But who are you?" Buffy asked, her mind suspicious.
"My name is Elizabeth Brown. My husband was a Watcher. When Giles sent you here, he requested that I watch out for you. Drink your tea. It will help." Mrs. Brown started straightening the already tidy room. Buffy took a sip of the tea, and the liquid had a miraculous effect on her body. It made all the aches and bruises from Marty's abuse disappear. Buffy wondered if Mrs. Brown was a witch.
Mrs. Brown left her alone again, insisting that Buffy finish her tea. Buffy did so, and felt better almost immeadiately. Eventually, she felt strong enough to get out of bed. In doing so, she realized she wasn't wearing the clothes she had been when Marty and the other girl had jumped her. She felt slightly weird about that fact. She looked around and found her clothes folded on a chair.
Buffy changed back into her clothes and left the room. Mrs. Brown sat in an easy chair in a small, cozy living room. She looked up as Buffy came out of the room.
"Feel better, dear?" She smiled widely at Buffy, as if she had known her for a long time. Buffy nodded. "Glad to hear it. Rupert will be wanting you to check in with him as soon as possible. Buffy nodded again.
"Thanks. For a ll your help. I should get back out there." Mrs. Brown shook her head.
"No, my dear. Giles does not want you to leave this house. You'll be safe here, but out there, the Immortal could find you. None of us can afford that. " Buffy wanted to ask who the Immortal was exactly, but decided against it. Something about Mrs. Brown's expression told Buffy it wasn't a welcome subject.
Instead, Buffy decided to call Giles. Mrs. Brown handed her a phone, and Buffy called Giles' numbered. He answered after the third ring.
"Buffy? Is that you?" His voice was full of stress. She could practically hear him cleaning his glasses to rid himself of the nervous energy.
"Yeah, it's me. I'm fine Giles. Really. But I'm apparently under house arrest." She looked at Mrs. Brown apologetically, to let her know she didn't blame the woman.
"We uncovered a plot against you, Buffy. Do you recall reading anything about the Immortal in any of the books I had you study? " Buffy thought for a moment. She had a dim memory of the mention of an ancient vampire called the Immortal. But she couldn't remember anything specific.
"I don't remember anything specific. Who is he exactly? Aside from being an ancient vampire?"
"The Immortal is a vampire who is nearly as old as the Master was. He has been influential in the rise and fall of many kingdoms. The Immortal works alongside the Roman division of Wolfram and Hart., as rumor has it anyway. He's become a bit like the Godfather. A mafia leader of the worst sort. Vampires and demons all follow him. Now it appears there are a number of rogue Slayers following him as well. We have Intel that suggests that the Slayers you have found are among these rogues."
Buffy was silent for a few moments. She knew all of that, but it still chilled her to let that realization sink in. The fact that a Slayer would work with the Immortal was nearly incomprehensible. It really didn't bode well that someone like Marty would choose that path. Giles continued, shaking her from her reverie.
"I will make arrangements for you to come to London. We can go from there on making a plan to keep you safe from the Immortal."
"What are you saying, Giles? You want me to run away from this threat?" She said, her voice incredulous.
"Not exactly. I'll explain everything once you are safe, Buffy. Until then, I have a lot to discuss with Eloise-er...Mrs. Brown. I'll contact you again once everything is planned out." Buffy started to object about Giles running her life for her, but he insisted. Finally she passed the phone to Mrs. Brown.
While Mrs. Brown spoke to Giles, Buffy went back to the room she had woken up in. She knew she needed to give the threat the Immortal posed a bit more thought. This wasn't something she could just jump into blindly. It wasn't like Glory. Or the First. Or any of those other major big bads she had fought.
Suddenly, she was overwhelmed. All she wanted to do was give up. Buffy curled up on the bed, her knees against her chest. She drew the chain she wore around her neck out of her shirt so that she could see the ring on it. Somehow, the familiar glint of Spike's skull ring reminded her to breathe. She dozed off, dreaming about the spell that Willow had cast on them, making them think they wanted to get married.
:~:~:Approximately Two and a Half Years Earlier:~:~:
Well fine! Why doesn't she just go marry him?
Of course, Buffy had no idea exactly what it was that Willow had said to trigger the part of the Will Be Done spell that had caused Buffy and Spike to believe they were madly in love and wanted to get married. All she knew was she could not be happy again until she was Mrs. William Pratt.
Giles walked in and saw (through blurry vision) Spike kneeling down on one knee with Buffy standing before him, trying to hold back tears. Spike was holding her left hand.
"It's just so.. So sudden! I don't know what to say!"
"Just say yes, and make me the happiest man on earth."
"Oh, Spike! Of course it's yes!" Spike stood and pulled her to him, into a long passionate kiss. Buffy turned to Giles. "Giles - you'll never believed what's happened!"
Buffy had never stopped to consider the fact that, just hours earlier, she had absolutely despised Spike. All she knew was she NEEDED to be married to him. Some inner voice was driving her. Despite the barely concealed contempt Giles showed.
Buffy sat on Spike's lap and consulted a hand written list.
"Ceremony, guests, reception... there's so much to decide."
"Well, first thing, I'd say we're NOThaving a church wedding." Spike crosses an item off the list as Buffy runs her fingers through his hair.
"How about a daytime ceremony in the park?"
"Fabulous. Enjoy your honeymoon with the big pile of dust." Buffy began getting impatient.
"Under the trees. Indirect sunlight only."
"A warm spring breeze tosses the leaves aside and, again, you're registering as Mr. And Mrs. Big pile of dust."
"Okay, stop it! This is our wedding and you're treating it like a huge joke!" Buffy pouted, frustrated with her fiance.
"Ooh. Pouty, look at the lip. Gonna get it. Gonna get it." He lurched forward and bit her lower pouty lip, tugging gently before letting go. She giggled.
"Stop!"
"Yes, please stop." called Giles from the couch. Buffy moved to sit on the couch next to him.
"Giles? Did you see my ring?"
"Thankfully, not very well." Giles rested his head on the back of the couch, eyes closed.
"Giles, I... I'm not crazy; I know you probably don't approve... and my Dad's not that far away, I could probably... but this day is about
family, my real family. And I want it to be you that gives me away."
The spell was good. Buffy had no clue she was thinking outside of any way other than the norm. Even when she spoke to Riley. Nothing about marrying Spike felt weird. Despite hating him, she wanted to spend the rest of her life with him.
"Aren't they a perfect little us?" Buffy asked, holding up a cake topper. Spike took the little couple and narrowed his eyes at them.
"I don't like him. He's insipid. Clearly human."
"How about red paint... we can smear his little mouth - the blood of the innocent."
"That's my girl." Spike grabbed the back of her head and yanked her in for a hard, deep kiss.
"Stop that! Right now! I can hear the smacking." Giles called from the couch. Buffy sighed and rolled her eyes at Spike.
"Honey, we have to talk about invitations. Do you want to be 'William the Bloody' or, like just 'Spike'? 'Cause either way it's gonna look majorly weird."
"Whereas the name 'Buffy' gives it that touch of classic elegance."
"What's wrong with Buffy?"
"Such a good question." Giles said from the couch.
"Well, it's a terrible name." Spike said, ignoring Giles.
"My mother picked that name!"
"Your mother. Yeah, she's a genius."
"Oh, don't you start on my mother!"
Even after they realized there was magical hijinks at work, Buffy did not believe it could possibly be the work of a spell. In fact, even up to the very moment that Willow reversed the spell, Buffy truly believed she was in love with Spike.
"Slayer…" He kissed her passionately, the kiss of people who are deeply and utterly in love. Willow appeared in a crack of lightning. For a moment, she looked around the room before beginning the reversal.
"Let the healing power begin. Let my
Will be safe again. As these words
Of peace are spoken, let this harmful
Spell… be broken."
Buffy and Spike froze, lips still touching. They registered the change, and quickly pulled away from each other, faces full of revulsion. They appeared disgusted and once again hating each other fully.
"Ewww! Oh bloody hell!" Spike said, as Buffy spit repeatedly.
"Spike lips, lips of Spike..."
The one thing the others never knew was that Buffy had never been able to bring herself to return the ring. Even if she had gone back to hating him, the ring was somehow special to her. Especially after the events that had happened after Willow had brought her back. And now? It was the only piece of him she had left. She wasn't going to let it go anytime soon. But she was also determined not to tell the others about its existence.
