TITLE: To Live Again
PAIRING: B/S, X/A, W/T
RATING: G
SPOILERS: Up to "Older and Far Away" but my version of it. This fanfic skips "As You Were" and "Hell's Bells" and picks up after them.
DISCLAIMER: The characters within this fanfic are the property of Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy. I just borrowed them to take them out for a little spin.
DISTRIBUTION: Feel free to share. Just please let me know first.
FEEDBACK: Please send to elizard100@yahoo.ca
One week later Xander was finishing the remodeling job for Jimmy.
Jimmy and his wife came in the kitchen just as Xander was moving the refrigerator back into place. "I can't get over how different this looks," Jimmy's wife Carol gushed. "It's exactly as I pictured it. You know I've got a couple of friends who've been talking about doing the same thing. Would you mind if I gave them your number?"
Jimmy handed Xander his cheque. Looking down at the amount Xander smiled up at Carol, "No, not in the slightest."
Later that night Xander decided to celebrate his new source of income by treating himself to a night out at the Bronze with friends. Buffy was still down in the dumps about money matters but Willow was in a good mood. She and Tara had been out a couple of times in recent weeks and things were looking up for the couple.
"I'm really glad you and Tara are working things out," Xander smiled at Willow. "At least one of us is getting their life back."
Willow frowned, "Once Anya's cooled down she'll realize what you two had together Xander. I know she will. Noone could ever replace you in her heart." Willow looked off over Xander's shoulder. "Not even some tall good looking guy who's flashing around lots of cash."
Xander spun around to see Anya sitting at a table with a tall dark haired man. She was laughing at a joke he had just made. The man had his overstuffed wallet out to pay for their drinks. He handed the waitress a $20 dollar bill and told her to keep the change.
"The nerve of him," Xander was furious. "Showing off like that. Who does he think he is?"
"Anya's date," Buffy suggested. "Sorry Xander but maybe it's time for you both to move on."
"Like you have?" Xander responded sarcastically. "I don't see you entering the wide world of dating."
Buffy pursed her lips in discomfort. "Well, I'm just taking my time. I don't want to make another mistake like I did last time. Besides I have bigger priorities than dating. I just barely made my mortgage payment last month. I really need to find a job and soon."
"You'll find something Buffy," Willow encouraged. "Any luck tracking down your Dad?"
"I talked to him yesterday," Buffy revealed. "He said he has some ideas about how I can get some cash but he was asking me how much Mom had paid off on the house. I think he wants me to sell it. I really don't want to do that. That house is all I have left of my Mom. Everywhere I look I see her face. So much has happened there. It would kill me to have to sell it."
"Don't worry Buffy," Xander comforted, the previous sarcasm forgotten. "We'll figure something out. Oh and I have good news. Jimmy and Carol introduced me to a couple of their friends and I've got two new contracting jobs lined up for the next month."
Willow beamed, "That's great Xander. You're financially solvent again."
"Just barely. I could do a couple of more jobs if I had someone to help me. What do you say Buffy? Do you feel like getting back into the world of construction?" Xander was half-serious. "The money's not great right now but it's better than nothing."
"I don't know Xander," she hesitated. "I'm definitely strength girl but I'm not really tool girl. I wouldn't want to screw up your projects. As much as I need the cash I don't think this is something I could do. I can't let my patheticness infringe on your new source of revenue."
"Are you sure?" Xander asked concerned. "You know I'd do anything I could to help you out."
"Thanks Xander," Buffy smiled wryly. "But this isn't it. You need to do this for yourself. Don't you think Xander? Xander?"
Xander was distracted by the sight of Anya and her date going up to dance.
"Where did that guy learn to dance?" he criticized. "Does he really dare to call that dancing?"
They watched Anya and her date dance to a few songs before heading back to their table.
Xander sat and stared at the couple. Finally he had had enough. " I can't stick around here any longer. Good night guys."
Xander got up and before leaving walked over to Anya's table.
"Hi Anya," Xander greeted his former fiancee. "Who's your friend?"
Anya looked up fully aware that Xander had been watching them from across the room all evening. "This is Jerry. Jerry this is Xander, my ex-fiance. Jerry owns his own business near The Magic Box. He just graduated from Harvard last year and he already owns his own business. Can you imagine where he'll be ten years from now?"
"Listen Anya," Xander interrupted Anya's appreciation of Jerry. "I've got some things of yours back at the apartment. Do you think you could drop by some time and pick them up? I'm trying to clear up some of the clutter." That last remark was intended to sting and it hit home.
"If you're in that much of a rush I can come over right now. We weren't planning to stay much longer anyway," Anya threw back at him. "You don't mind do you Jerry?"
"Um, well I guess not," Jerry agreed.
"Oh, this won't take long," Anya answered. "I want to have my association with Alexander Harris over as soon as possible so I never have to see him again."
"Fine by me," Xander agreed. "I'll meet you back at the apartment then."
"No problem," Anya replied getting her coat.
Xander and Anya walked out the door together while Jerry tried to settle the last of their tab with the waitress.
* * *
Xander parked his car and walked up towards the door of his building. Anya was waiting for him at the door impatiently. "It took you long enough. But I guess Jerry's car is faster than yours." Every word was a dagger into his heart.
Inserting his keys in the lock he was startled by a voice behind them.
"You've got to help me," a strangled voice appealed. It was Spike looking emaciated and ill.
"Grab him Xander," Anya instructed. Xander stepped forward to catch the beleaguered man as he fell into his arms. Xander half dragged, half carried Spike up to his apartment with Anya's help. Settling him down on the sofa Xander went to fetch a bottle of brandy to try to revive the poor man's spirits while Anya tried to keep him conscious.
"Here," Xander offered when he returned. "Drink this."
Spike took the glass and drank greedily. "More," he commanded when he had finished.
Xander topped him up. After this next drink Spike seemed more of himself. Xander couldn't believe the changes that had taken place in him in just the two weeks since he had seen him last. Spike's cheeks were sunken, he had dark circles under his eyes. He had a growth of beard on his chin and he stank.
"What happened to you?" Anya asked curling up her nose.
"I need you to find Halfrek and get her to undo this," Spike entreated desperately. "I can't live like this. Look at me. It's only been two weeks and already I'm falling to pieces. I want her to put me back"
"She can't do that," Anya explained. "Vengeance demons don't reverse their spells just because people are unhappy with them. That's the whole point of it being a vengeance spell. It doesn't really make you happy. I like to think there's a certain kind of irony to it."
"Anya," Xander halted her diatribe. "This isn't some guy who cheated on his wife. This is Spike. Look at the guy."
Anya turned to see what had become of Spike. "But all she did was make you alive," she reasoned. "She gave you what you asked for. She didn't do this to you. You did this to yourself Spike. You have to live with this now. You have to accept the choices that you have made." Anya turned to Xander. "And so do you Xander."
Anya picked up her box of things and left.
Xander brought Spike a bowl of soup and some bread. Spike ate hungrily as though he hadn't eaten in days. From the looks of him he hadn't.
"So Spike," Xander began after Spike seemed more of himself. "What's with the whole unwashed, unshaved, starvation look?"
"I thought this whole business was going to turn out better than this," Spike commiserated. "But it hasn't. My crypt is cold and drafty. I caught a chill. I took a hotel room but my cash ran out a week ago and I've had to go back to the crypt. I've run out of blood so I haven't got the strength to rob anyone to get more cash and I can't afford any food now so instead of being the best of both worlds I feel like I'm stuck with the worst of both. I need Halfrek to remove this curse from me or I don't know if I'll even last another week."
"Spike," Xander sighed. "It doesn't have to be that complicated."
"How do you do it man?" Spike demanded. "If a great bloody idiot like you can survive then why can't I? I've got brains, I'm resourceful. I should be riding high."
"And you will again but your approach is all wrong," Xander pointed out. "You're still thinking like a vampire but you're more than that now. You have a life again and if what Halfrek said was true, you're going to age and someday die like the rest of us. So you'd better decide what you want out of this life because if you don't it'll be over with before you've had a chance to enjoy it."
"What joy is there for me now?" Spike moaned. "I've lost everything that ever mattered to me. I've lost the Slayer. She won't have anything to do with me. I've still got this bloody chip in my head so all the things that made me happiest as a vampire are lost to me. I thought all the new human pleasures would be able to make up for that but they're all empty to me by myself."
Xander nodded in agreement. "I hear you. But you need to build a life for yourself apart from Buffy, Spike. If you can do that for yourself you won't need her anymore. You know, that's pretty good advice that I should take for myself." Xander poured out a little brandy for himself. "Listen, I'll tell you what. You can stay with me for a few days. Get back on your feet and then maybe you can find a job and get your act together."
"A job?" Spike cried out incredulously. "A bleeding job? Are you kidding? I can't get a job like some ordinary wanker."
"If you don't Spike, you're going to end up right where you are now," Xander reasoned with him. "Give it a chance. Maybe the value of money that was actually earned will put things into perspective for you. Now, why don't you go get a shower and a shave and I'll loan you a pair of pyjamas. You can sleep on the couch."
"Thanks mate," Spike said heading off towards the bathroom. "I knew I could count on you to help me sort things out."
"How did you know I wouldn't just throw you back into the street?" Xander wanted to know.
"When we woke up in the sun that first morning, your first instinct was to protect me. You tried to keep me from combusting. I didn't expect that from you," Spike explained.
"Oh, I was still a little drunk so I can't be held responsible for my actions," Xander fibbed.
* * *
"Alright Buffy, let's figure out what needs to be done," Hank Summers had taken charge. "Your mother couldn't have picked a worse town to purchase a home in," he criticized. "Sunnydale must be the only place in California where the property values have been steadily decreasing over the last 6 years. I don't know if selling this house is the best idea."
"But I don't want to sell the house," Buffy argued. "It's our home."
"Well, you've got to do something to have some money coming in," Hank pointed out. "I've got all my money tied up in my firm. I can still send child support payments for Dawn, but Buffy, you're 21 years old, you're not in school. I can't support you forever. You need to get a job."
"I tried that but it didn't work out very well," Buffy attempted to explain. "I'd like to go back to school when I'm eligible for enrolment again."
"I don't know why you didn't apply to go back for this past year. Surely you could have done that. What did you even do all summer?" Hank was being harsher now. "You and Dawn certainly didn't come and visit me like you usually do. I don't think I even spoke with you once. Every time I called, Dawn and that friend of yours Willow said you were out. Be honest with me, you were avoiding me weren't you? You have been for years now. Not that I blame you. I haven't been around much."
Buffy was rapidly becoming uncomfortable about the direction this conversation was taking. "There was a lot of stuff going on Dad. I didn't think you'd understand."
"Not understand? I'm your father Buffy. You and I used to be close and now I feel like I don't even know you anymore. I don't know any of your friends. I don't know how you spend your time. You never did tell me what you wanted to do when you graduated from college. What did you intend to do with a mishmash of classes like Psychology, sociology and literature?"
"What are you getting at?" Buffy demanded raising her voice.
"You have to take some responsibility for your life young lady," Hank Summers ordered his daughter. "Decide what you want out of life and pursue it. If school isn't right for you then forget about it. Find what is right for you. I look at you right now and I can see that you aren't happy with your life. You look tired and unfulfilled. You need something that will make you happy. That's all I've ever wanted for you, is for you to be happy."
Buffy realized that her father was right. Her life had no real direction. It wasn't just about having a job or people in your life. The only way to be truly happy was to know what you wanted and Buffy still didn't know that. She needed to discover herself before she could ever make any final choices about her life. "Thanks Dad," she said hugging him. "I needed some common sense."
Surprised by the hug from his wayward daughter Hank Summers was already formulating an idea that would help out his financially strapped daughter.
* * *
Spike woke up with a start at the sound of the alarm clock and someone moving around. Confused at his surroundings he finally realized that he was at Xander's apartment. Xander emerged from his bedroom wearing a blue robe. "Come on bleach boy," he teased Spike. "I'm making bacon and eggs for breakfast."
Spike's stomach gurgled happily at the thought of it. He managed to put away a hearty helping of eggs, four strips of bacon as well as plenty of toast before his belly told him to stop. Xander looked on amusedly. "You're going to have to earn that breakfast today by coming in to work with me. What I have to do today is a two-man job and Tito was going to come and help out but since you're around I'll tell him not to bother." Xander decided.
"Sure, why not," Spike agreed. "A little honest labour would do me good. Idle hands are the devil's playthings."
Xander and Spike worked on gutting the Gregory's kitchen all morning. Spike was a definite asset to Xander and even was savvy enough to turn on the charm with Mrs Gregory when she stopped by to check on their progress.
"Oh you boys must be getting thirsty," she smiled. "Why don't I bring you each a big glass of iced tea and you can take a break on the patio. I'll bet that would hit the spot."
"That's very kind of you," Spike complimented her politely. "You have a lovely home Mrs. Gregory. Although it's a shame about the layout here or else you'd probably get a lot more use out of your beautiful patio."
"What do you mean?" she asked looking at the door leading to the patio from the hallway.
"Well, if you had a sliding door off of your kitchen you could have wonderful summer brunch parties outside. It would give you a chance to show off your garden," Spike explained. Also, you'd be bringing the morning light into your kitchen. I've become quite partial to morning sunshine myself recently."
"Oh, what a wonderful idea," Mrs. Gregory decided clapping her hands together in excitement. "I'm going to talk to my husband about having you do that while you're here." She immediately hastened off to consult her husband although her mind was already made up.
"Good call Spike," Xander complimented him. "That's another three days work here at least. How about working on this project with me? I think Mrs. Gregory has taken a liking to you."
And so it continued on Xander's other jobs. He found that Spike had a particular knack for dealing with clients whereby he could address their concerns with a little light conversation often suggesting additional renovations. They really fell for the British accent too. Soon Xander and Spike had a good little business going. By the end of two months time they had more clients than they could deal with and had taken on some of Xander's former co-workers from the construction company to work for them.
They were even making enough money that Spike had been able to move off of Xander's couch and into an apartment of his own in the same building. The night that he moved in he had a little get together for friends. Willow and Tara showed up bringing a large potted plant for a housewarming gift. Xander gave him a bottle of brandy and Dawn showed up alone bearing a large tin of chocolate macadamia nut cookies.
"All on your own then?" Spike inquired looking down the hallway when he opened the door and saw her there.
"Yeah, Buffy just dropped me off and told me to be home by 11:00," she explained. "I asked her to come in but she said she couldn't."
"Oh well," Spike tried to make light of it. "More cookies for me." Dawn could see that he was really disappointed by Buffy's absence.
"Hey Tara," Dawn enthusiastically called out as she stepped inside. "Willow tells me you're going to England with her. It's going to be so lonely around Sunnydale without you guys."
Tara was glowing with happiness. "We're going to miss you too but Willow can't pass up a scholarship to Oxford University. Then when Giles offered me a job working with him it seemed like the Fates wanted us to stay together." Tara took Willow by the hand and smiled at her. "How are you and Buffy going to make out at home without Willow around to act as a buffer between the two of you?" Tara teased.
"Oh, Buffy's got it all figured out already," Dawn explained. "She's going to move into Willow's room and I'm going to take Buffy's room because it's bigger than mine. She's already arranged to have someone come by and cut down the tree outside the window though. What kind of person does she think I am anyway?"
"Buffy seems to be doing a lot better," Tara observed. "It's really helped out a lot with your Dad having his company buy your Mom's house from you. That way you get the money for it, you still get to live there and your Dad gets to claim it as a tax writeoff. Everybody's happy. Buffy even managed to qualify for late acceptance for school so she'll be back in classes in September. Art History is a perfect major for her. I remember when I first showed her my book of Renaissance paintings how absorbed she was in it."
"Yeah," Dawn agreed. "My Mom's partners in her gallery have told Buffy that they'll take her on for an internship while she's in school. It'll be like a part time job on weekends so she'll have some spending money and still be home weeknights with me. In addition to that they said that once she graduates they'd be willing to sell her back Mom's share of the business. With the money from the sale of the house accruing interest in the bank like it is now Buffy will have more than enough money for that and for me to go to college. Of course if my grades keep up like they have been I may qualify for a scholarship."
After the pleasantries and idle chitchat had been exchanged Willow pulled Xander off to one side. "Xander I'm so glad you're getting on with your life," Willow enthused. "I was almost afraid to tell you that Anya's engaged to that Jerry guy. But now that I see you've moved on I don't have to worry about letting it slip. But I guess I already did. Whoops."
"Anya's engaged?" Xander couldn't believe his ears. "But we only broke up three months ago. Isn't she moving a little fast?"
Willow sensed a shift in the mood. "Anya wants to be married, Xander. She wanted to be married to you but you weren't ready for it so she's found someone who is. I've met Jerry. He's a really nice guy. You'd like him. I'm sure they'll be very happy together." Willow attempted a brave smile but the concern was registering on her face.
Without waiting one second longer Xander ran out the door and downstairs to his car. He found himself outside Anya's apartment his heart pounding.
Frantically he started banging on the door. After a few minutes a light appeared inside and Anya appeared. "Xander? What do you want?" she demanded.
"Is it true?" he asked desperately. "Are you really marrying that guy?"
"Why do you care?" Anya spoke with a hurt tone. "You didn't want to marry me so why shouldn't I marry someone else?"
"I always wanted to marry you," Xander confessed. "From the first time we were together I knew you were someone special but you scared me at the same time. A vengeance demon is a pretty hard act to follow. I'm not the same man who left you at the altar Anya. I've done a lot of thinking these last few months. I don't want to be with anyone else. There is noone else for me. I feel like I've been cursed by a vengeance demon in that I can't imagine myself with anyone else but you."
Anya opened the door and stepped up to Xander, "But what about my demon past? That's something you have to deal with still. If you can't accept that then you can't accept me."
Xander took Anya by the hand. "Anya I've been working and living with Spike for the last two months. If I can accept him and think of him as one of my best friends then you being a vengeance demon is nothing. You are what you are and I love all of you. Demon or not."
"I love you too Xander," Anya replied.
Xander leaned in and kissed Anya. Breaking away he reached into his wallet and pulled out a piece of paper. "Hey, I've got an idea Anya."
* * *
"These bloody nicotine patches are crap," Spike spouted getting annoyed with himself.
"At least you're making the effort," Dawn pointed out sitting next to him.
"So, um, how's big sis doing?" he wanted to know.
"She's getting her life in order," Dawn revealed. "For the first time since she's been back she seems to be thinking about the future and is setting goals for herself."
"How have things been on the slayage front?" Spike added.
"Pretty slow actually," Dawn admitted. "She says there's just the occasional stray vamp hanging out in the cemeteries. There's even one who's set up in your old crypt." Dawn looked around at the stylish décor admiringly and quipped, "I definitely like this place much better. You have furniture that doesn't look like it was left by someone's curbside and I don't have to worry about rats. I never told you but that's why I always sat with my feet up when I'd come over, because I was afraid the rats would bite me."
"Oh, that's just great," Spike laughed. "You were more afraid of being bitten by the rats than by me." Then, upon thinking about it Spike blushed at the thought of living like that. It seemed a million years ago. He couldn't believe it had been only two months since he had put it all behind him.
The door to his apartment swung open. Xander and Anya stood there arm in arm. "Congratulate us guys," Xander yelled out. "We just got married."
Anya was ecstatic, hugging Willow, Tara and Dawn, even Xander's co-workers she had never met before. Tito even tried to cop a feel.
Spike was grinning from ear to ear as he walked over and shook Xander's hand. "You cagey bugger. I knew you'd pull it off eventually. Good for you." Spike leaned over and gave Anya a kiss on the cheek. "My congratulations Mrs. Harris. You've got yourself one helluva great guy here. He turned my life around that's for sure."
Anya looked up at Xander in amazement.
A quiet knock at the door sent Dawn galloping over to open it. "Buffy?" she cried out. "You're just in time."
Buffy stood there looking lost in the excitement of the occasion. "What are you talking about?"
"Xander and Anya. They're back together. They got married," Dawn was beside herself.
Buffy's eyes grew as big as plates and rushed in to congratulate the happy couple. "You guys," she gushed. "That's wonderful. I'm so happy for you both."
Buffy was hugging everyone as she moved around the room happily. Eventually she found herself in front of Spike. Awkwardly they leaned in and hugged, lingering for a few moments before breaking apart.
"Great thing about those two isn't it," Spike started, attempting to make conversation. "Who'd have thought from where they were just a few months ago that they'd end up like this?"
"I need to know something Spike," Buffy asked looking around the apartment. "All these changes. Getting a job, this apartment, even the way you look. Is this all for me?"
"It started out that way," Spike admitted. "But somewhere along the way it stopped being about you and started being about me. I like taking pride in who I am. I like having a future, a real future. But I have to be honest with myself. When it comes down to it there's still a vampire inside me. That's part of who I am and I can't change that. I don't know if you can accept that or not Buffy."
Buffy stood staring at Spike for the longest time before answering. "It doesn't matter where you start out. It only matters where you end up. I like where I am now and you're part of that Spike."
Spike put his arms around Buffy in an embrace that he was prepared to have last for the rest of their lives. Willow and Tara looked over at the happy couple.
"Well, I guess they both got what they wanted," Tara summed up. "Buffy has an identity that doesn't have anything to do with being the Slayer but can live in harmony with it."
"What about Spike?" Willow asked enjoying Tara's interpretation of their friends' lives. "What did he really want?"
Dawn walked over and joined Buffy and Spike in their embrace and was happily welcomed.
"Spike wanted to belong to someone. He needed a family," Tara observed. "You know what they say," she added with a smirk. "The family that slays together, stays together."
* * *
Three years later:
As the slight girl in the yellow dress delivered the deathblow to the large demon at her feet she looked around at the destruction it had caused in the neighbourhood. Cars were dented and several telephone poles were knocked down. More than one house had structural damage. As she made her way home Buffy stopped to place a business card for "H & S Home Renovations" in each mailbox. Smiling, she went on her way with the antique amulet she had removed from the demon's grasp securely stored away in her tiny handbag.
"What is it?" Anya asked looking at the amulet. "Should we start researching it?"
"No," Buffy stopped her. "Judging by the crosscross pattern on the back I would date it to the Middle Ages. This type of amulet was typically used to summon great evil forces. We have to be on the lookout for anyone who might have been looking to buy this."
Spike walked in the door. His bleach blond hair now a dirty blond and much shorter in the front. "I got your message luv," he leaned over and gave Buffy a peck on the cheek. "What's the trouble?"
"I killed a demon tonight but I don't think it was alone," she explained. "We need to go out on the hunt."
"I'd better suit up then," Spike asserted. Walking over to the small bar fridge at the back of the store he removed a packet of blood. He warmed it up in the microwave and then poured it into a mug that sported the Manchester United logo.
After downing the warm sticky fluid Spike stood still for a moment letting the demon take over. In full demon face he turned to Buffy and gang, "Alright, I'm ready."
"That's great Popeye," Xander joked. "Let's go."
"Will you stop calling me that," Spike warned. "If you call me that one more time I'm going to bite you. I mean it this time."
"Oh yeah?" Xander challenged him. "You and what army? You wouldn't bite me anyway. Who else would put up with your rotten pool playing." Turning to Anya Xander placed a cautionary hand on her belly. "Maybe you'd better sit this one out honey," he smiled tenderly. "We don't want anything happening to little Xander junior."
"We don't even know if it's a boy or a girl yet so you can't call it that yet," Anya reprimanded her husband.
"That's a perfectly good name for a boy or a girl," Xander pleaded.
"I kind of like the sound of Spike," Spike joked. "Nobody's going to mess with a kid with a name like that. Particularly if it's a girl."
"What about Buffy?" Buffy suggested enthusiastically.
The other three groaned with grimaces on their faces.
As the foursome took off into the night they turned out the lights in the Magic Box leaving it in darkness. A small glowing orb appeared in the back near the stacks of books. The figure of Halfrek appeared and smiled after them. "Vengeance is served," she pronounced.
The End
PAIRING: B/S, X/A, W/T
RATING: G
SPOILERS: Up to "Older and Far Away" but my version of it. This fanfic skips "As You Were" and "Hell's Bells" and picks up after them.
DISCLAIMER: The characters within this fanfic are the property of Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy. I just borrowed them to take them out for a little spin.
DISTRIBUTION: Feel free to share. Just please let me know first.
FEEDBACK: Please send to elizard100@yahoo.ca
One week later Xander was finishing the remodeling job for Jimmy.
Jimmy and his wife came in the kitchen just as Xander was moving the refrigerator back into place. "I can't get over how different this looks," Jimmy's wife Carol gushed. "It's exactly as I pictured it. You know I've got a couple of friends who've been talking about doing the same thing. Would you mind if I gave them your number?"
Jimmy handed Xander his cheque. Looking down at the amount Xander smiled up at Carol, "No, not in the slightest."
Later that night Xander decided to celebrate his new source of income by treating himself to a night out at the Bronze with friends. Buffy was still down in the dumps about money matters but Willow was in a good mood. She and Tara had been out a couple of times in recent weeks and things were looking up for the couple.
"I'm really glad you and Tara are working things out," Xander smiled at Willow. "At least one of us is getting their life back."
Willow frowned, "Once Anya's cooled down she'll realize what you two had together Xander. I know she will. Noone could ever replace you in her heart." Willow looked off over Xander's shoulder. "Not even some tall good looking guy who's flashing around lots of cash."
Xander spun around to see Anya sitting at a table with a tall dark haired man. She was laughing at a joke he had just made. The man had his overstuffed wallet out to pay for their drinks. He handed the waitress a $20 dollar bill and told her to keep the change.
"The nerve of him," Xander was furious. "Showing off like that. Who does he think he is?"
"Anya's date," Buffy suggested. "Sorry Xander but maybe it's time for you both to move on."
"Like you have?" Xander responded sarcastically. "I don't see you entering the wide world of dating."
Buffy pursed her lips in discomfort. "Well, I'm just taking my time. I don't want to make another mistake like I did last time. Besides I have bigger priorities than dating. I just barely made my mortgage payment last month. I really need to find a job and soon."
"You'll find something Buffy," Willow encouraged. "Any luck tracking down your Dad?"
"I talked to him yesterday," Buffy revealed. "He said he has some ideas about how I can get some cash but he was asking me how much Mom had paid off on the house. I think he wants me to sell it. I really don't want to do that. That house is all I have left of my Mom. Everywhere I look I see her face. So much has happened there. It would kill me to have to sell it."
"Don't worry Buffy," Xander comforted, the previous sarcasm forgotten. "We'll figure something out. Oh and I have good news. Jimmy and Carol introduced me to a couple of their friends and I've got two new contracting jobs lined up for the next month."
Willow beamed, "That's great Xander. You're financially solvent again."
"Just barely. I could do a couple of more jobs if I had someone to help me. What do you say Buffy? Do you feel like getting back into the world of construction?" Xander was half-serious. "The money's not great right now but it's better than nothing."
"I don't know Xander," she hesitated. "I'm definitely strength girl but I'm not really tool girl. I wouldn't want to screw up your projects. As much as I need the cash I don't think this is something I could do. I can't let my patheticness infringe on your new source of revenue."
"Are you sure?" Xander asked concerned. "You know I'd do anything I could to help you out."
"Thanks Xander," Buffy smiled wryly. "But this isn't it. You need to do this for yourself. Don't you think Xander? Xander?"
Xander was distracted by the sight of Anya and her date going up to dance.
"Where did that guy learn to dance?" he criticized. "Does he really dare to call that dancing?"
They watched Anya and her date dance to a few songs before heading back to their table.
Xander sat and stared at the couple. Finally he had had enough. " I can't stick around here any longer. Good night guys."
Xander got up and before leaving walked over to Anya's table.
"Hi Anya," Xander greeted his former fiancee. "Who's your friend?"
Anya looked up fully aware that Xander had been watching them from across the room all evening. "This is Jerry. Jerry this is Xander, my ex-fiance. Jerry owns his own business near The Magic Box. He just graduated from Harvard last year and he already owns his own business. Can you imagine where he'll be ten years from now?"
"Listen Anya," Xander interrupted Anya's appreciation of Jerry. "I've got some things of yours back at the apartment. Do you think you could drop by some time and pick them up? I'm trying to clear up some of the clutter." That last remark was intended to sting and it hit home.
"If you're in that much of a rush I can come over right now. We weren't planning to stay much longer anyway," Anya threw back at him. "You don't mind do you Jerry?"
"Um, well I guess not," Jerry agreed.
"Oh, this won't take long," Anya answered. "I want to have my association with Alexander Harris over as soon as possible so I never have to see him again."
"Fine by me," Xander agreed. "I'll meet you back at the apartment then."
"No problem," Anya replied getting her coat.
Xander and Anya walked out the door together while Jerry tried to settle the last of their tab with the waitress.
* * *
Xander parked his car and walked up towards the door of his building. Anya was waiting for him at the door impatiently. "It took you long enough. But I guess Jerry's car is faster than yours." Every word was a dagger into his heart.
Inserting his keys in the lock he was startled by a voice behind them.
"You've got to help me," a strangled voice appealed. It was Spike looking emaciated and ill.
"Grab him Xander," Anya instructed. Xander stepped forward to catch the beleaguered man as he fell into his arms. Xander half dragged, half carried Spike up to his apartment with Anya's help. Settling him down on the sofa Xander went to fetch a bottle of brandy to try to revive the poor man's spirits while Anya tried to keep him conscious.
"Here," Xander offered when he returned. "Drink this."
Spike took the glass and drank greedily. "More," he commanded when he had finished.
Xander topped him up. After this next drink Spike seemed more of himself. Xander couldn't believe the changes that had taken place in him in just the two weeks since he had seen him last. Spike's cheeks were sunken, he had dark circles under his eyes. He had a growth of beard on his chin and he stank.
"What happened to you?" Anya asked curling up her nose.
"I need you to find Halfrek and get her to undo this," Spike entreated desperately. "I can't live like this. Look at me. It's only been two weeks and already I'm falling to pieces. I want her to put me back"
"She can't do that," Anya explained. "Vengeance demons don't reverse their spells just because people are unhappy with them. That's the whole point of it being a vengeance spell. It doesn't really make you happy. I like to think there's a certain kind of irony to it."
"Anya," Xander halted her diatribe. "This isn't some guy who cheated on his wife. This is Spike. Look at the guy."
Anya turned to see what had become of Spike. "But all she did was make you alive," she reasoned. "She gave you what you asked for. She didn't do this to you. You did this to yourself Spike. You have to live with this now. You have to accept the choices that you have made." Anya turned to Xander. "And so do you Xander."
Anya picked up her box of things and left.
Xander brought Spike a bowl of soup and some bread. Spike ate hungrily as though he hadn't eaten in days. From the looks of him he hadn't.
"So Spike," Xander began after Spike seemed more of himself. "What's with the whole unwashed, unshaved, starvation look?"
"I thought this whole business was going to turn out better than this," Spike commiserated. "But it hasn't. My crypt is cold and drafty. I caught a chill. I took a hotel room but my cash ran out a week ago and I've had to go back to the crypt. I've run out of blood so I haven't got the strength to rob anyone to get more cash and I can't afford any food now so instead of being the best of both worlds I feel like I'm stuck with the worst of both. I need Halfrek to remove this curse from me or I don't know if I'll even last another week."
"Spike," Xander sighed. "It doesn't have to be that complicated."
"How do you do it man?" Spike demanded. "If a great bloody idiot like you can survive then why can't I? I've got brains, I'm resourceful. I should be riding high."
"And you will again but your approach is all wrong," Xander pointed out. "You're still thinking like a vampire but you're more than that now. You have a life again and if what Halfrek said was true, you're going to age and someday die like the rest of us. So you'd better decide what you want out of this life because if you don't it'll be over with before you've had a chance to enjoy it."
"What joy is there for me now?" Spike moaned. "I've lost everything that ever mattered to me. I've lost the Slayer. She won't have anything to do with me. I've still got this bloody chip in my head so all the things that made me happiest as a vampire are lost to me. I thought all the new human pleasures would be able to make up for that but they're all empty to me by myself."
Xander nodded in agreement. "I hear you. But you need to build a life for yourself apart from Buffy, Spike. If you can do that for yourself you won't need her anymore. You know, that's pretty good advice that I should take for myself." Xander poured out a little brandy for himself. "Listen, I'll tell you what. You can stay with me for a few days. Get back on your feet and then maybe you can find a job and get your act together."
"A job?" Spike cried out incredulously. "A bleeding job? Are you kidding? I can't get a job like some ordinary wanker."
"If you don't Spike, you're going to end up right where you are now," Xander reasoned with him. "Give it a chance. Maybe the value of money that was actually earned will put things into perspective for you. Now, why don't you go get a shower and a shave and I'll loan you a pair of pyjamas. You can sleep on the couch."
"Thanks mate," Spike said heading off towards the bathroom. "I knew I could count on you to help me sort things out."
"How did you know I wouldn't just throw you back into the street?" Xander wanted to know.
"When we woke up in the sun that first morning, your first instinct was to protect me. You tried to keep me from combusting. I didn't expect that from you," Spike explained.
"Oh, I was still a little drunk so I can't be held responsible for my actions," Xander fibbed.
* * *
"Alright Buffy, let's figure out what needs to be done," Hank Summers had taken charge. "Your mother couldn't have picked a worse town to purchase a home in," he criticized. "Sunnydale must be the only place in California where the property values have been steadily decreasing over the last 6 years. I don't know if selling this house is the best idea."
"But I don't want to sell the house," Buffy argued. "It's our home."
"Well, you've got to do something to have some money coming in," Hank pointed out. "I've got all my money tied up in my firm. I can still send child support payments for Dawn, but Buffy, you're 21 years old, you're not in school. I can't support you forever. You need to get a job."
"I tried that but it didn't work out very well," Buffy attempted to explain. "I'd like to go back to school when I'm eligible for enrolment again."
"I don't know why you didn't apply to go back for this past year. Surely you could have done that. What did you even do all summer?" Hank was being harsher now. "You and Dawn certainly didn't come and visit me like you usually do. I don't think I even spoke with you once. Every time I called, Dawn and that friend of yours Willow said you were out. Be honest with me, you were avoiding me weren't you? You have been for years now. Not that I blame you. I haven't been around much."
Buffy was rapidly becoming uncomfortable about the direction this conversation was taking. "There was a lot of stuff going on Dad. I didn't think you'd understand."
"Not understand? I'm your father Buffy. You and I used to be close and now I feel like I don't even know you anymore. I don't know any of your friends. I don't know how you spend your time. You never did tell me what you wanted to do when you graduated from college. What did you intend to do with a mishmash of classes like Psychology, sociology and literature?"
"What are you getting at?" Buffy demanded raising her voice.
"You have to take some responsibility for your life young lady," Hank Summers ordered his daughter. "Decide what you want out of life and pursue it. If school isn't right for you then forget about it. Find what is right for you. I look at you right now and I can see that you aren't happy with your life. You look tired and unfulfilled. You need something that will make you happy. That's all I've ever wanted for you, is for you to be happy."
Buffy realized that her father was right. Her life had no real direction. It wasn't just about having a job or people in your life. The only way to be truly happy was to know what you wanted and Buffy still didn't know that. She needed to discover herself before she could ever make any final choices about her life. "Thanks Dad," she said hugging him. "I needed some common sense."
Surprised by the hug from his wayward daughter Hank Summers was already formulating an idea that would help out his financially strapped daughter.
* * *
Spike woke up with a start at the sound of the alarm clock and someone moving around. Confused at his surroundings he finally realized that he was at Xander's apartment. Xander emerged from his bedroom wearing a blue robe. "Come on bleach boy," he teased Spike. "I'm making bacon and eggs for breakfast."
Spike's stomach gurgled happily at the thought of it. He managed to put away a hearty helping of eggs, four strips of bacon as well as plenty of toast before his belly told him to stop. Xander looked on amusedly. "You're going to have to earn that breakfast today by coming in to work with me. What I have to do today is a two-man job and Tito was going to come and help out but since you're around I'll tell him not to bother." Xander decided.
"Sure, why not," Spike agreed. "A little honest labour would do me good. Idle hands are the devil's playthings."
Xander and Spike worked on gutting the Gregory's kitchen all morning. Spike was a definite asset to Xander and even was savvy enough to turn on the charm with Mrs Gregory when she stopped by to check on their progress.
"Oh you boys must be getting thirsty," she smiled. "Why don't I bring you each a big glass of iced tea and you can take a break on the patio. I'll bet that would hit the spot."
"That's very kind of you," Spike complimented her politely. "You have a lovely home Mrs. Gregory. Although it's a shame about the layout here or else you'd probably get a lot more use out of your beautiful patio."
"What do you mean?" she asked looking at the door leading to the patio from the hallway.
"Well, if you had a sliding door off of your kitchen you could have wonderful summer brunch parties outside. It would give you a chance to show off your garden," Spike explained. Also, you'd be bringing the morning light into your kitchen. I've become quite partial to morning sunshine myself recently."
"Oh, what a wonderful idea," Mrs. Gregory decided clapping her hands together in excitement. "I'm going to talk to my husband about having you do that while you're here." She immediately hastened off to consult her husband although her mind was already made up.
"Good call Spike," Xander complimented him. "That's another three days work here at least. How about working on this project with me? I think Mrs. Gregory has taken a liking to you."
And so it continued on Xander's other jobs. He found that Spike had a particular knack for dealing with clients whereby he could address their concerns with a little light conversation often suggesting additional renovations. They really fell for the British accent too. Soon Xander and Spike had a good little business going. By the end of two months time they had more clients than they could deal with and had taken on some of Xander's former co-workers from the construction company to work for them.
They were even making enough money that Spike had been able to move off of Xander's couch and into an apartment of his own in the same building. The night that he moved in he had a little get together for friends. Willow and Tara showed up bringing a large potted plant for a housewarming gift. Xander gave him a bottle of brandy and Dawn showed up alone bearing a large tin of chocolate macadamia nut cookies.
"All on your own then?" Spike inquired looking down the hallway when he opened the door and saw her there.
"Yeah, Buffy just dropped me off and told me to be home by 11:00," she explained. "I asked her to come in but she said she couldn't."
"Oh well," Spike tried to make light of it. "More cookies for me." Dawn could see that he was really disappointed by Buffy's absence.
"Hey Tara," Dawn enthusiastically called out as she stepped inside. "Willow tells me you're going to England with her. It's going to be so lonely around Sunnydale without you guys."
Tara was glowing with happiness. "We're going to miss you too but Willow can't pass up a scholarship to Oxford University. Then when Giles offered me a job working with him it seemed like the Fates wanted us to stay together." Tara took Willow by the hand and smiled at her. "How are you and Buffy going to make out at home without Willow around to act as a buffer between the two of you?" Tara teased.
"Oh, Buffy's got it all figured out already," Dawn explained. "She's going to move into Willow's room and I'm going to take Buffy's room because it's bigger than mine. She's already arranged to have someone come by and cut down the tree outside the window though. What kind of person does she think I am anyway?"
"Buffy seems to be doing a lot better," Tara observed. "It's really helped out a lot with your Dad having his company buy your Mom's house from you. That way you get the money for it, you still get to live there and your Dad gets to claim it as a tax writeoff. Everybody's happy. Buffy even managed to qualify for late acceptance for school so she'll be back in classes in September. Art History is a perfect major for her. I remember when I first showed her my book of Renaissance paintings how absorbed she was in it."
"Yeah," Dawn agreed. "My Mom's partners in her gallery have told Buffy that they'll take her on for an internship while she's in school. It'll be like a part time job on weekends so she'll have some spending money and still be home weeknights with me. In addition to that they said that once she graduates they'd be willing to sell her back Mom's share of the business. With the money from the sale of the house accruing interest in the bank like it is now Buffy will have more than enough money for that and for me to go to college. Of course if my grades keep up like they have been I may qualify for a scholarship."
After the pleasantries and idle chitchat had been exchanged Willow pulled Xander off to one side. "Xander I'm so glad you're getting on with your life," Willow enthused. "I was almost afraid to tell you that Anya's engaged to that Jerry guy. But now that I see you've moved on I don't have to worry about letting it slip. But I guess I already did. Whoops."
"Anya's engaged?" Xander couldn't believe his ears. "But we only broke up three months ago. Isn't she moving a little fast?"
Willow sensed a shift in the mood. "Anya wants to be married, Xander. She wanted to be married to you but you weren't ready for it so she's found someone who is. I've met Jerry. He's a really nice guy. You'd like him. I'm sure they'll be very happy together." Willow attempted a brave smile but the concern was registering on her face.
Without waiting one second longer Xander ran out the door and downstairs to his car. He found himself outside Anya's apartment his heart pounding.
Frantically he started banging on the door. After a few minutes a light appeared inside and Anya appeared. "Xander? What do you want?" she demanded.
"Is it true?" he asked desperately. "Are you really marrying that guy?"
"Why do you care?" Anya spoke with a hurt tone. "You didn't want to marry me so why shouldn't I marry someone else?"
"I always wanted to marry you," Xander confessed. "From the first time we were together I knew you were someone special but you scared me at the same time. A vengeance demon is a pretty hard act to follow. I'm not the same man who left you at the altar Anya. I've done a lot of thinking these last few months. I don't want to be with anyone else. There is noone else for me. I feel like I've been cursed by a vengeance demon in that I can't imagine myself with anyone else but you."
Anya opened the door and stepped up to Xander, "But what about my demon past? That's something you have to deal with still. If you can't accept that then you can't accept me."
Xander took Anya by the hand. "Anya I've been working and living with Spike for the last two months. If I can accept him and think of him as one of my best friends then you being a vengeance demon is nothing. You are what you are and I love all of you. Demon or not."
"I love you too Xander," Anya replied.
Xander leaned in and kissed Anya. Breaking away he reached into his wallet and pulled out a piece of paper. "Hey, I've got an idea Anya."
* * *
"These bloody nicotine patches are crap," Spike spouted getting annoyed with himself.
"At least you're making the effort," Dawn pointed out sitting next to him.
"So, um, how's big sis doing?" he wanted to know.
"She's getting her life in order," Dawn revealed. "For the first time since she's been back she seems to be thinking about the future and is setting goals for herself."
"How have things been on the slayage front?" Spike added.
"Pretty slow actually," Dawn admitted. "She says there's just the occasional stray vamp hanging out in the cemeteries. There's even one who's set up in your old crypt." Dawn looked around at the stylish décor admiringly and quipped, "I definitely like this place much better. You have furniture that doesn't look like it was left by someone's curbside and I don't have to worry about rats. I never told you but that's why I always sat with my feet up when I'd come over, because I was afraid the rats would bite me."
"Oh, that's just great," Spike laughed. "You were more afraid of being bitten by the rats than by me." Then, upon thinking about it Spike blushed at the thought of living like that. It seemed a million years ago. He couldn't believe it had been only two months since he had put it all behind him.
The door to his apartment swung open. Xander and Anya stood there arm in arm. "Congratulate us guys," Xander yelled out. "We just got married."
Anya was ecstatic, hugging Willow, Tara and Dawn, even Xander's co-workers she had never met before. Tito even tried to cop a feel.
Spike was grinning from ear to ear as he walked over and shook Xander's hand. "You cagey bugger. I knew you'd pull it off eventually. Good for you." Spike leaned over and gave Anya a kiss on the cheek. "My congratulations Mrs. Harris. You've got yourself one helluva great guy here. He turned my life around that's for sure."
Anya looked up at Xander in amazement.
A quiet knock at the door sent Dawn galloping over to open it. "Buffy?" she cried out. "You're just in time."
Buffy stood there looking lost in the excitement of the occasion. "What are you talking about?"
"Xander and Anya. They're back together. They got married," Dawn was beside herself.
Buffy's eyes grew as big as plates and rushed in to congratulate the happy couple. "You guys," she gushed. "That's wonderful. I'm so happy for you both."
Buffy was hugging everyone as she moved around the room happily. Eventually she found herself in front of Spike. Awkwardly they leaned in and hugged, lingering for a few moments before breaking apart.
"Great thing about those two isn't it," Spike started, attempting to make conversation. "Who'd have thought from where they were just a few months ago that they'd end up like this?"
"I need to know something Spike," Buffy asked looking around the apartment. "All these changes. Getting a job, this apartment, even the way you look. Is this all for me?"
"It started out that way," Spike admitted. "But somewhere along the way it stopped being about you and started being about me. I like taking pride in who I am. I like having a future, a real future. But I have to be honest with myself. When it comes down to it there's still a vampire inside me. That's part of who I am and I can't change that. I don't know if you can accept that or not Buffy."
Buffy stood staring at Spike for the longest time before answering. "It doesn't matter where you start out. It only matters where you end up. I like where I am now and you're part of that Spike."
Spike put his arms around Buffy in an embrace that he was prepared to have last for the rest of their lives. Willow and Tara looked over at the happy couple.
"Well, I guess they both got what they wanted," Tara summed up. "Buffy has an identity that doesn't have anything to do with being the Slayer but can live in harmony with it."
"What about Spike?" Willow asked enjoying Tara's interpretation of their friends' lives. "What did he really want?"
Dawn walked over and joined Buffy and Spike in their embrace and was happily welcomed.
"Spike wanted to belong to someone. He needed a family," Tara observed. "You know what they say," she added with a smirk. "The family that slays together, stays together."
* * *
Three years later:
As the slight girl in the yellow dress delivered the deathblow to the large demon at her feet she looked around at the destruction it had caused in the neighbourhood. Cars were dented and several telephone poles were knocked down. More than one house had structural damage. As she made her way home Buffy stopped to place a business card for "H & S Home Renovations" in each mailbox. Smiling, she went on her way with the antique amulet she had removed from the demon's grasp securely stored away in her tiny handbag.
"What is it?" Anya asked looking at the amulet. "Should we start researching it?"
"No," Buffy stopped her. "Judging by the crosscross pattern on the back I would date it to the Middle Ages. This type of amulet was typically used to summon great evil forces. We have to be on the lookout for anyone who might have been looking to buy this."
Spike walked in the door. His bleach blond hair now a dirty blond and much shorter in the front. "I got your message luv," he leaned over and gave Buffy a peck on the cheek. "What's the trouble?"
"I killed a demon tonight but I don't think it was alone," she explained. "We need to go out on the hunt."
"I'd better suit up then," Spike asserted. Walking over to the small bar fridge at the back of the store he removed a packet of blood. He warmed it up in the microwave and then poured it into a mug that sported the Manchester United logo.
After downing the warm sticky fluid Spike stood still for a moment letting the demon take over. In full demon face he turned to Buffy and gang, "Alright, I'm ready."
"That's great Popeye," Xander joked. "Let's go."
"Will you stop calling me that," Spike warned. "If you call me that one more time I'm going to bite you. I mean it this time."
"Oh yeah?" Xander challenged him. "You and what army? You wouldn't bite me anyway. Who else would put up with your rotten pool playing." Turning to Anya Xander placed a cautionary hand on her belly. "Maybe you'd better sit this one out honey," he smiled tenderly. "We don't want anything happening to little Xander junior."
"We don't even know if it's a boy or a girl yet so you can't call it that yet," Anya reprimanded her husband.
"That's a perfectly good name for a boy or a girl," Xander pleaded.
"I kind of like the sound of Spike," Spike joked. "Nobody's going to mess with a kid with a name like that. Particularly if it's a girl."
"What about Buffy?" Buffy suggested enthusiastically.
The other three groaned with grimaces on their faces.
As the foursome took off into the night they turned out the lights in the Magic Box leaving it in darkness. A small glowing orb appeared in the back near the stacks of books. The figure of Halfrek appeared and smiled after them. "Vengeance is served," she pronounced.
The End