Seeking the Light - a sequel to 'By Night'
Chapter Three - It Begins
by Angel Eternal aka Angeline
email: spikes_angel01@yahoo.com.au
Website: In Dreams and Shadows
http://www.geocities.com/spikes_angel01/index.html
Rating: R
Pairings: Spike and Buffy
Summary: Spike and Buffy are now happily together, but are they meant for such happiness?
Author's Notes: This fanfic is a sequel to the 'By Night' series and relies heavily on the events in said fic,
it is advisable that you read 'By Night' first. This fic starts off where the previous series leaves off.
Distribution: If you want to archive it go ahead, but just let me know first - I kinda like to know where it's going,
and plus I find out about more S/B shipper sites! ::grins::
Disclaimers: Buffy the Vampire Slayer is owned by Joss Whedon, several companies and God knows who else.
One thing is certain - I don't own any of it! Nothing - zip - nada!
Buffy spun around, staking the vampire crouching by her elbow. An hour had passed since she left Spike in
the company of that other vampire, and in all she had staked a dozen vampires in his absence.
The Slayer was edgy, she didn't know what it was, but something about the vampire called Lucas set her off.
She disregarded the normal Slayer/Vampire vibes, but latched onto an underlying distaste for more then what
he was, but rather who he was.
She was jolted out of her reverie by a well-known voice calling her name from the shadows. She spun around,
immediately spotting the glint of platinum. "Spike, you guys had a nice long conversation?"
Spike could see that her nerves were strung out, and the tension hiking up her shoulders. He had been following
her for the good part of the hour, watching her like he used to.
He allowed himself to watch her, as he hadn't done in a long time, to see her as she really was - the protector
of the innocent as Lucas had put it. She shone with a luminescence that was both her own and the divine. She
was the embodiment of good - and what was he?
"Spike? What's wrong?" Buffy took a step forward, seeing his expression.
"Nothing luv - I just..." he stopped. His promise to Lucas came back to him. He had to find out why it was
so imperative that he go see Angelus.
"I need to go to L.A. luv."
Buffy studied him, searching his eyes. "L.A.? Does this have anything to do with Lucas?"
Spike didn't answer her, but started to lead her away.
Buffy shook off his touch, "Answer me Spike!"
Spike paused, "It's nothing luv, just a little business I have to take care of." He paused again, "I'm heading
home luv."
Buffy watched him walk away; she hurried to catch up with him. "Spike, where are you going?"
Spike didn't break his stride. "I told you luv - home."
"You're going in the wrong direction."
Spike stopped, and slowly turned, "Buffy, I'm headed to the crypt."
She took a step forward, her eyes never breaking contact with his, "That isn't your home."
Without a word, Buffy turned and headed towards her house. Spike stared after her, before he could think too
deeply about it, he ran after her. He caught up with her easily enough, but she didn't stop to acknowledge him,
instead she fired off a question.
"What did that vampire want?"
Spike couldn't meet her eyes. "It's nothing Buffy, nothing."
* * *
Dawn's head was spinning and she struggled to sit up.
"Dawnie??"
Bleary-eyed, she looked up. Xander's shocked statement didn't register on her consciousness as she gratefully
allowed him to haul her up.
"Xander I..."
Xander's jaw stiffened. "Dawn, for god's sake your drunk."
"Huh? No, of course not..."
Xander stuffed the teenager to the car, his mind racing. He couldn't possibly bring her home in her condition,
but Buffy had been adamant in bringing Dawn home in time, she would wonder why Xander didn't take her
home immediately. Xander sighed, knowing there was no hope for it. He couldn't shield Dawn from the
punishment she deserved.
Reluctantly, he drove her home.
Lights flickered in the Summers' residence, and very carefully, Xander propelled Dawn to the door.
It was Spike who answered the door.
If Xander had any doubts about Spike being good for his girls, all of it would have been washed away in the
wake of the unrestrained concern Spike showed for Dawn. Xander could see that he was furious, but pushed
such things away in the face of an unconscious Dawn.
Spike swore beneath his breath. "She doesn't need this right now."
Xander couldn't have agreed more, but Buffy would be beyond furious if they kept this from her. Dilemma.
Spike swiftly took everything in hand, ushering Xander into the lounge room where Buffy was as he bore Dawn
up the stairs to clean her up.
Xander protested violently, "I can't lie to her man! I can never lie to anyone! What am I supposed to say?"
Spike shook his head, "Think of something."
Without another word the damn vampire left Xander to deal with the Slayer.
Cautiously, he inched his way into the living room. He spotted her immediately on the sofa, idly flicking through
a magazine.
"Hey Xander, put me down for thirteen - and you'd have to ask Spike for his number."
Xander shifted from foot to foot, "Yeah ok, thirteen for the Buff."
Buffy's gaze snapped to him, immediately noting his distress, "What's wrong Xander? Everything ok with Dawn?"
Damn - straight question. "Uh - yeah, everything's fine. Why wouldn't everything be fine?"
Her hazel eyes narrowed. She scanned Xander's flushed face, and with a burst of speed was up the stairs.
Xander groaned, he really didn't want to stay but knew there was no hope for it.
He heard Buffy's shriek, then everything fell abruptly silent. The silence unnerved him, and slowly he went up the
stairs. He peered into Dawn's room, and what he saw melted his heart.
Dawn was nestled in her bed; no indication of what she had been doing left on her peaceful face. Spike and Buffy
sat on either side of the bed, Buffy smoothing back Dawn's hair. As Xander watched, Spike reached out to
hold Buffy's hand. The sight touched Xander, and it struck home how much they all needed this family they had
formed. Silently he withdrew, to wait for them downstairs.
They didn't take long; Spike and Buffy came down, holding hands. Spike led Buffy to the lounge, settling her
down next to Xander.
"Now Buffy..."
Buffy glared up at him, "Don't you dare try to defend her Spike."
Spike sighed, and sat down next to her, still holding her hand, "I wasn't going to defend her Buff - just wanted
you to keep your cool."
"Keep my cool?" Buffy's eyes flashed dangerously. She turned to Xander, "Tell me everything."
Slowly, Xander described to them the scene that greeted him when he walked into Clarissa's house. It was
clear that neither of the girl's parents were home. Teenagers were lounging all over the place, bottles of liquor
in their slack grasps. Xander could see that the girl's parents wouldn't be too happy with her if they saw the
house in the condition it was in - utter filth. Food was thrown all over the place, empty beer cans lined one
window. He had found Dawn nestled in a corner, reeking of alcohol and vomit.
Xander's voice trailed off, and he couldn't look Buffy in the eye.
Buffy stood, and walked into the kitchen. Spike and Xander watched her, when she was out of earshot, Spike
turned to Xander.
"Thank you - for bringing the Bit home. You better get home yourself."
Xander had never heard Spike talk so softly, he glanced at the vampire and saw that he was still staring after
Buffy. Silently, Xander nodded, and walked swiftly out the door. Not for the first time he wished that Joyce
was still with them - things were hard enough for Buffy as it was.
For the first time, Xander was grateful that his friend had Spike to hold her hand, but of course he would never
admit that to either of them.
* * *
Buffy sat in the kitchen, her head cradled in her hands. She didn't have to look up when Spike entered.
"I just don't know what to do anymore Spike."
He was by her side in an instant, caressing her shoulder, offering her all the support that she needed. "Buffy love,
we'll get through this. Dawn will..."
"Will be taken away if she keeps this up!" Buffy looked up clutching Spike's hand. "I just don't know what to do."
Spike smoothed back her hair, "Just keep on doing what you have been doing just be there for her..."
Buffy savagely interrupted him. "Obviously what I'm doing is not enough! I'm afraid that it will never be enough."
Spike held her, murmuring reassurances in her ear, all the time, feeling the guilt eat at his gut as he contemplated
leaving for Los Angeles.
* * *
A tense silence had befallen the Summers' residence, the night before Spike had ushered a heart-sick Buffy into
bed, and explained to a weary Willow what had happened.
The morning had come, and Dawn couldn't face anyone. She sat tensely, waiting for a reprimand that never
came. Buffy had remained stonily silent throughout breakfast. Spike seemed to be the only one who had any
semblance of an appetite.
Buffy finally stood, "Dawn, we need to talk."
Meekly, Dawn followed, not daring to look Spike or Willow in the eye.
Spike sighed, managing to release all the tension that he had been suppressing. Willow slumped in her chair,
chewing on her lip nervously, "Do you think Buffy will go easy on Dawn?"
From the dark expression on Spike's face it was clear that he didn't think that Buffy should go easy on Dawn.
Then his expression cleared as he turned to Willow, "I need your...God help me - I need your advice on
something Red."
"My advice?" Willow was genuinely startled. She couldn't remember the last time anybody had turned to her
for help that wasn't in the magic vein. "Sure, ask away."
Spike took a deep breath; slowly he explained last night's visit from his old friend, and what Lucas had asked
him. "I know that all this with Dawn would've driven all thought of that out of her mind, and I know that now
is not a good time but..."
Willow held up her hand, "Wait, you're going to L.A. to see Angel because this Lucas guy told you to?"
Spike raked a hand through his hair, "Of all things Lucas has been, he's never steered me wrong before."
Willow was quiet, accepting. "Like you said Spike, now is not a good time, but if this guy was so urgent..."
Spike rolled his eyes, "I know all of that Red. Now, I'm asking you what I should do."
Willow looked surprised again, but she quickly masked that surprise as she considered his problem. "This thing
with Dawn - it will blow over. And besides, it's not as if your leaving forever." Her eyes snapped to his. "Are you?"
"What? Hell no Red! Thought hasn't even entered my bloody head!" Spike huffed indignantly.
Willow held up her hands defensively. "Whoa, back down there boy! You can't really blame me for asking
can you? I mean..." she looked around to make sure that Buffy was nowhere in hearing distance. "Buffy doesn't
have a great track record going you know?"
Spike snorted, "And you can blame it on the Dickless Coward Whose Name Will Not Be Uttered."
It took a moment for what Spike said to register, but when it did, Willow burst out laughing. Soon she was
holding her stomach, while Spike looked at her with amusement twinkling in his eyes.
That was how Buffy found them, "What's so funny?"
Willow abruptly stopped laughing, while Spike merely shrugged. "It's nothing love."
He walked swiftly to her side, "How's Bite size?"
Buffy sighed, all other thoughts flying out of her head, "She's okay, she's so sorry she did it. I didn't have the
heart to get angry at her - she knew."
Buffy sank down on a kitchen stool, as Willow excused herself.
Spike just held her, feeling wave upon wave of her exhaustion filtering out. "Buffy love, I know this isn't a good time..."
"You were going to tell me what was up with that vampire."
Spike's looked down at her; surprised that she brought it up. "Well, yeah."
Quickly Spike explained to her what Lucas had said last night.
Buffy merely shrugged, "Ok."
Spike stared down at her incredulously, "That's it love? Ok?"
Buffy shifted on her seat, glancing up at Spike, "Yeah - ok, why?"
Spike shook his head, "Nothing, I jus thought..."
"That I would freak out?" Buffy looked at him knowingly. "Please Spike, give me a little more credit then that.
Besides," she wrapped her arms around his waist. "I tried damn hard to get rid of you, you just won't go."
Spike pressed his forehead to hers, his voice dropping into a low growl, "Damn right."
He devoured her lips with his. She responded enthusiastically, and soon their tongues were dancing in a dance
they knew and loved so well. Spike lost himself in her heat, pouring everything he had into her.
They didn't know then that it was the beginning. The long road stretched out before them, and they could not
see it, perhaps, they didn't want to see it. But it was there, and there was no avoiding it, even if they knew.
~To be continued~
Chapter Three - It Begins
by Angel Eternal aka Angeline
email: spikes_angel01@yahoo.com.au
Website: In Dreams and Shadows
http://www.geocities.com/spikes_angel01/index.html
Rating: R
Pairings: Spike and Buffy
Summary: Spike and Buffy are now happily together, but are they meant for such happiness?
Author's Notes: This fanfic is a sequel to the 'By Night' series and relies heavily on the events in said fic,
it is advisable that you read 'By Night' first. This fic starts off where the previous series leaves off.
Distribution: If you want to archive it go ahead, but just let me know first - I kinda like to know where it's going,
and plus I find out about more S/B shipper sites! ::grins::
Disclaimers: Buffy the Vampire Slayer is owned by Joss Whedon, several companies and God knows who else.
One thing is certain - I don't own any of it! Nothing - zip - nada!
Buffy spun around, staking the vampire crouching by her elbow. An hour had passed since she left Spike in
the company of that other vampire, and in all she had staked a dozen vampires in his absence.
The Slayer was edgy, she didn't know what it was, but something about the vampire called Lucas set her off.
She disregarded the normal Slayer/Vampire vibes, but latched onto an underlying distaste for more then what
he was, but rather who he was.
She was jolted out of her reverie by a well-known voice calling her name from the shadows. She spun around,
immediately spotting the glint of platinum. "Spike, you guys had a nice long conversation?"
Spike could see that her nerves were strung out, and the tension hiking up her shoulders. He had been following
her for the good part of the hour, watching her like he used to.
He allowed himself to watch her, as he hadn't done in a long time, to see her as she really was - the protector
of the innocent as Lucas had put it. She shone with a luminescence that was both her own and the divine. She
was the embodiment of good - and what was he?
"Spike? What's wrong?" Buffy took a step forward, seeing his expression.
"Nothing luv - I just..." he stopped. His promise to Lucas came back to him. He had to find out why it was
so imperative that he go see Angelus.
"I need to go to L.A. luv."
Buffy studied him, searching his eyes. "L.A.? Does this have anything to do with Lucas?"
Spike didn't answer her, but started to lead her away.
Buffy shook off his touch, "Answer me Spike!"
Spike paused, "It's nothing luv, just a little business I have to take care of." He paused again, "I'm heading
home luv."
Buffy watched him walk away; she hurried to catch up with him. "Spike, where are you going?"
Spike didn't break his stride. "I told you luv - home."
"You're going in the wrong direction."
Spike stopped, and slowly turned, "Buffy, I'm headed to the crypt."
She took a step forward, her eyes never breaking contact with his, "That isn't your home."
Without a word, Buffy turned and headed towards her house. Spike stared after her, before he could think too
deeply about it, he ran after her. He caught up with her easily enough, but she didn't stop to acknowledge him,
instead she fired off a question.
"What did that vampire want?"
Spike couldn't meet her eyes. "It's nothing Buffy, nothing."
* * *
Dawn's head was spinning and she struggled to sit up.
"Dawnie??"
Bleary-eyed, she looked up. Xander's shocked statement didn't register on her consciousness as she gratefully
allowed him to haul her up.
"Xander I..."
Xander's jaw stiffened. "Dawn, for god's sake your drunk."
"Huh? No, of course not..."
Xander stuffed the teenager to the car, his mind racing. He couldn't possibly bring her home in her condition,
but Buffy had been adamant in bringing Dawn home in time, she would wonder why Xander didn't take her
home immediately. Xander sighed, knowing there was no hope for it. He couldn't shield Dawn from the
punishment she deserved.
Reluctantly, he drove her home.
Lights flickered in the Summers' residence, and very carefully, Xander propelled Dawn to the door.
It was Spike who answered the door.
If Xander had any doubts about Spike being good for his girls, all of it would have been washed away in the
wake of the unrestrained concern Spike showed for Dawn. Xander could see that he was furious, but pushed
such things away in the face of an unconscious Dawn.
Spike swore beneath his breath. "She doesn't need this right now."
Xander couldn't have agreed more, but Buffy would be beyond furious if they kept this from her. Dilemma.
Spike swiftly took everything in hand, ushering Xander into the lounge room where Buffy was as he bore Dawn
up the stairs to clean her up.
Xander protested violently, "I can't lie to her man! I can never lie to anyone! What am I supposed to say?"
Spike shook his head, "Think of something."
Without another word the damn vampire left Xander to deal with the Slayer.
Cautiously, he inched his way into the living room. He spotted her immediately on the sofa, idly flicking through
a magazine.
"Hey Xander, put me down for thirteen - and you'd have to ask Spike for his number."
Xander shifted from foot to foot, "Yeah ok, thirteen for the Buff."
Buffy's gaze snapped to him, immediately noting his distress, "What's wrong Xander? Everything ok with Dawn?"
Damn - straight question. "Uh - yeah, everything's fine. Why wouldn't everything be fine?"
Her hazel eyes narrowed. She scanned Xander's flushed face, and with a burst of speed was up the stairs.
Xander groaned, he really didn't want to stay but knew there was no hope for it.
He heard Buffy's shriek, then everything fell abruptly silent. The silence unnerved him, and slowly he went up the
stairs. He peered into Dawn's room, and what he saw melted his heart.
Dawn was nestled in her bed; no indication of what she had been doing left on her peaceful face. Spike and Buffy
sat on either side of the bed, Buffy smoothing back Dawn's hair. As Xander watched, Spike reached out to
hold Buffy's hand. The sight touched Xander, and it struck home how much they all needed this family they had
formed. Silently he withdrew, to wait for them downstairs.
They didn't take long; Spike and Buffy came down, holding hands. Spike led Buffy to the lounge, settling her
down next to Xander.
"Now Buffy..."
Buffy glared up at him, "Don't you dare try to defend her Spike."
Spike sighed, and sat down next to her, still holding her hand, "I wasn't going to defend her Buff - just wanted
you to keep your cool."
"Keep my cool?" Buffy's eyes flashed dangerously. She turned to Xander, "Tell me everything."
Slowly, Xander described to them the scene that greeted him when he walked into Clarissa's house. It was
clear that neither of the girl's parents were home. Teenagers were lounging all over the place, bottles of liquor
in their slack grasps. Xander could see that the girl's parents wouldn't be too happy with her if they saw the
house in the condition it was in - utter filth. Food was thrown all over the place, empty beer cans lined one
window. He had found Dawn nestled in a corner, reeking of alcohol and vomit.
Xander's voice trailed off, and he couldn't look Buffy in the eye.
Buffy stood, and walked into the kitchen. Spike and Xander watched her, when she was out of earshot, Spike
turned to Xander.
"Thank you - for bringing the Bit home. You better get home yourself."
Xander had never heard Spike talk so softly, he glanced at the vampire and saw that he was still staring after
Buffy. Silently, Xander nodded, and walked swiftly out the door. Not for the first time he wished that Joyce
was still with them - things were hard enough for Buffy as it was.
For the first time, Xander was grateful that his friend had Spike to hold her hand, but of course he would never
admit that to either of them.
* * *
Buffy sat in the kitchen, her head cradled in her hands. She didn't have to look up when Spike entered.
"I just don't know what to do anymore Spike."
He was by her side in an instant, caressing her shoulder, offering her all the support that she needed. "Buffy love,
we'll get through this. Dawn will..."
"Will be taken away if she keeps this up!" Buffy looked up clutching Spike's hand. "I just don't know what to do."
Spike smoothed back her hair, "Just keep on doing what you have been doing just be there for her..."
Buffy savagely interrupted him. "Obviously what I'm doing is not enough! I'm afraid that it will never be enough."
Spike held her, murmuring reassurances in her ear, all the time, feeling the guilt eat at his gut as he contemplated
leaving for Los Angeles.
* * *
A tense silence had befallen the Summers' residence, the night before Spike had ushered a heart-sick Buffy into
bed, and explained to a weary Willow what had happened.
The morning had come, and Dawn couldn't face anyone. She sat tensely, waiting for a reprimand that never
came. Buffy had remained stonily silent throughout breakfast. Spike seemed to be the only one who had any
semblance of an appetite.
Buffy finally stood, "Dawn, we need to talk."
Meekly, Dawn followed, not daring to look Spike or Willow in the eye.
Spike sighed, managing to release all the tension that he had been suppressing. Willow slumped in her chair,
chewing on her lip nervously, "Do you think Buffy will go easy on Dawn?"
From the dark expression on Spike's face it was clear that he didn't think that Buffy should go easy on Dawn.
Then his expression cleared as he turned to Willow, "I need your...God help me - I need your advice on
something Red."
"My advice?" Willow was genuinely startled. She couldn't remember the last time anybody had turned to her
for help that wasn't in the magic vein. "Sure, ask away."
Spike took a deep breath; slowly he explained last night's visit from his old friend, and what Lucas had asked
him. "I know that all this with Dawn would've driven all thought of that out of her mind, and I know that now
is not a good time but..."
Willow held up her hand, "Wait, you're going to L.A. to see Angel because this Lucas guy told you to?"
Spike raked a hand through his hair, "Of all things Lucas has been, he's never steered me wrong before."
Willow was quiet, accepting. "Like you said Spike, now is not a good time, but if this guy was so urgent..."
Spike rolled his eyes, "I know all of that Red. Now, I'm asking you what I should do."
Willow looked surprised again, but she quickly masked that surprise as she considered his problem. "This thing
with Dawn - it will blow over. And besides, it's not as if your leaving forever." Her eyes snapped to his. "Are you?"
"What? Hell no Red! Thought hasn't even entered my bloody head!" Spike huffed indignantly.
Willow held up her hands defensively. "Whoa, back down there boy! You can't really blame me for asking
can you? I mean..." she looked around to make sure that Buffy was nowhere in hearing distance. "Buffy doesn't
have a great track record going you know?"
Spike snorted, "And you can blame it on the Dickless Coward Whose Name Will Not Be Uttered."
It took a moment for what Spike said to register, but when it did, Willow burst out laughing. Soon she was
holding her stomach, while Spike looked at her with amusement twinkling in his eyes.
That was how Buffy found them, "What's so funny?"
Willow abruptly stopped laughing, while Spike merely shrugged. "It's nothing love."
He walked swiftly to her side, "How's Bite size?"
Buffy sighed, all other thoughts flying out of her head, "She's okay, she's so sorry she did it. I didn't have the
heart to get angry at her - she knew."
Buffy sank down on a kitchen stool, as Willow excused herself.
Spike just held her, feeling wave upon wave of her exhaustion filtering out. "Buffy love, I know this isn't a good time..."
"You were going to tell me what was up with that vampire."
Spike's looked down at her; surprised that she brought it up. "Well, yeah."
Quickly Spike explained to her what Lucas had said last night.
Buffy merely shrugged, "Ok."
Spike stared down at her incredulously, "That's it love? Ok?"
Buffy shifted on her seat, glancing up at Spike, "Yeah - ok, why?"
Spike shook his head, "Nothing, I jus thought..."
"That I would freak out?" Buffy looked at him knowingly. "Please Spike, give me a little more credit then that.
Besides," she wrapped her arms around his waist. "I tried damn hard to get rid of you, you just won't go."
Spike pressed his forehead to hers, his voice dropping into a low growl, "Damn right."
He devoured her lips with his. She responded enthusiastically, and soon their tongues were dancing in a dance
they knew and loved so well. Spike lost himself in her heat, pouring everything he had into her.
They didn't know then that it was the beginning. The long road stretched out before them, and they could not
see it, perhaps, they didn't want to see it. But it was there, and there was no avoiding it, even if they knew.
~To be continued~