STEPPING IN | Chapter 04
ABOUT: This story was written for franceshodgsonburnett, also known as Rachelle. It is a one shot, broken into multiple small chapters, for the Whedon Secret Santa on Tumblr.
DISCLAIMER: Sadly, I do not own Buffy the Vampire Slayer or any characters from the show. It, along with some quotes that may be used from future episodes, belongs to Joss Whedon and company. Grrr! Argh!
FAITH POV
Spike, apparently, spent most of his time at the Summers' house. Apparently he and Dawn were close and he made a promise to the former Slayer that she would always be protected. Props to him. I know a vampire with a soul who has problems keeping promises so it was nice to know that he was holding up his end of the bargain. It was also nice because I wasn't too keen on becoming a fill-in big sister for the littlest Summers.
It was dark by the time we made it to Revello Drive and I gave a quick rap on the front door. I'm assuming he smelled me before he answered because when he pulled the door back he didn't seem too surprised to see me on the other side.
"Hey. Spike, right?" I gave him my best grin, trying not to be sarcastic, which is tough. Believe me.
"Faith. Good to see you in your own body this time." His words were true, but they tore healing wounds back open. The last time I had met him I was in Buffy's body, using her as a tool in what I hoped would be a way to start over. Those plans failed and I realized why. I was also surprised because he was the only one who could tell the difference, that it was me occupying Buffy's body and not her. Interesting.
"Yeah, well, those weren't my finest moments, but I'm sure we all have skeletons in the closet."
He huffed out a light laugh through his nose. "Guess so."
We stood there, slightly awkward, for a few minutes before I sighed; might as well just rip the band aid off. "Listen. Sidekick One and Sidekick Two came and got me from LA, prison no less. I've been filled in on everything and have been asked to help, which I fully intend to do. I'm only here as a courtesy… for Buffy."
The mention of her name brought his mood down to a whole new level of low. If you were just looking him, his face and his body language, nothing would have changed, but his eyes were nothing but pain. Love lost and duty failed.
"I'm going to clean this place up. Not sure if I'll stay after that, but I have to stop the Slayer's meddling little friends before they do something stupid." His attention peaked at that, so I continued. "It seems they want to try and resurrect Buffy. Something Anya and Tara don't agree with, but are being roped into regardless."
"What?!" His voice echoed up the steps behind him and his grip on the door frame tightened, snapping off splinters of wood that fell to his boot clad feet. Realizing the level of his voice he lowered it instantly, but his shoulders were still stiff. "Those little shits!"
I nodded because that was a statement that I couldn't agree with more. "Yeah, well. I thought you should know. If Buffy trusted you, I'll try to do the same." That statement didn't come easy. Just standing there talking was causing my senses to be on high alert and the hairs on the back of my neck to stand up.
He gave a curt nod. "When are they planning the ritual?"
"I think Anya said it was tonight."
"Damn-it!" His curse was followed by more splinters from the door frame. "I can't leave Dawn here alone."
"Whoa, there. Calm down before there's no frame left." He instantly loosened his grip and dropped his arm to his side. "I was told the town is pretty bad, especially at night; some kind of gangs running the joint. You stay here with Dawn, I'll stop the little magik pow-wow and then we can work on the town tomorrow. Actually, we could probably make quick work of it if we work together. Sound good?"
He seemed to instantly relax, his shoulders drooping down as if a weight had been lifted from them. That was when I realized it. Spike was probably the only supernatural creature here that wasn't out to destroy the place. He had taken on Buffy's responsibilities as Dawn's protector and defender of the Hellmouth. But, just like Buffy, the job was slowly killing him. You could see the wear in his eyes, the bags from sleepless days under crystal blues. It was hideously beautiful and I honestly felt bad for the guy… vampire… whatever he was.
"Sounds good. I'll keep an eye out here, if you need anything ring the house and I'll be there. If not, I'll see you here tomorrow." It wasn't a question, it was a statement, and you could tell he was used to taking charge these past few months.
"Sure." And with that, I was off to stop some seriously messed up business.
