A/n thanks for all the reviews and snow stories. well apparently shoveling snow in god forbbin freezing cold tempatures isn't good for your health. i woke up at 6am yesterday morning, an hour before i had to be up, and my body decided to be sick today. hence no university for me. so i wrote another chapter for each of my stories. this chapter was hard for me. i had a bit of writers block. i want to move forward with the plot, therefore buffy and spike need to work out their issues but i dont want buffy to be all stupid girl about it aka running into his arms and forgetting everything he did. i mean even though thats what she wants to do she still has her pride so she cant. so i had to try and fit that into the make up part... let me know if i did a good job! thanks
Disclaimer: i once had a really bad fever and hulucinated that i owned this but it wasnt real. sad face.
Chapter Seven
Willow and Kennedy arrived the next morning from Brazil. Xander had called them to tell them about Spike coming back. When they saw Spike Willow hugged him and Kennedy shook his hand. The Scoobies had a staff meeting to be filled in on both Xander's and the girl's trips.
All of the trainees congregated downstairs for study time. Some worked on the school stuff as Giles ran a tough course schedule; others went to the gyms to train. The six Scoobies plus Spike gathered in Giles office. Dawn and Xander perched themselves at the counter that ran along the south wall. Willow and Kennedy sat on the edge of the desk holding hands. Giles sat behind his desk and Buffy perched on the arm of the chair in front of the desk. Spike leaned lazily from the door frame.
"Willow, you and Kennedy first." Giles said calling the meeting.
"Well we went down to Brazil. We split up in Brasilia. Kennedy went down to Rio de Jenero to find the new slayer, I went in to the Amazon to look for the Shamans." Willow started.
"I found the new slayer, got her up to Faith than went back down to Brazil for Willow. Here are the flight receipts and all that." Kennedy picked up.
"Oh, I'll take those." Dawn piped up.
Kennedy bought them over to Dawn. "Thanks, I'll get these filed with Xanders if he ever gets them to me." Dawn turned and glared at Xander. She hit him on the shoulder.
"Hey!" he exclaimed. "Donny! I'll get them to you tomorrow!"
Spike watched the gang. They hadn't changed in the past two years, or as they changed their interactions hadn't. He turned his gaze to Buffy. She had refused to look at him all day. He stared at her trying to figure out what she was thinking. The last time he had seen her look so blank and empty was when the gang brought her back from the grave. He didn't think she was depressed again but she was hiding something.
"Well I had some luck with the Shamans." Willow's voice pulled Spikes gaze from Buffy to look at Willow. "They gave me a few spells that might help with locating new girls."
"Was there any other useful information? Giles asked.
"Yes!" Willow perked up, "They gave me several old scrolls. A few I think are phroposys, the others are spells. I want to start translating them right away." The whole group laughed a bit. Only Willow could be that excited about research.
Giles smiled, "Xander, how did your trip go?"
"Eh, not so good. The monks knew of no spell that would help us." Dawn coughed at him. "Yes Dawn I will get those to you."
Dawn smiled satisfied she would receive them. The group discussed various other things of practical nature. Spike decided to hold off on his news for another day. He knew he had to tell them soon. They needed time to prepare. But first, first he would deal with the Slayer.
The meeting broke up once it was time for the students to start weapons training. "Buffy, Spike, stay here for a moment." Giles called as the others left to go prepare for training. Kennedy and Buffy generally worked with the slayer while Dawn, Willow and Xander worked with the watchers.
Buffy resumed her perch on the desk and Spike his watch point from the door. "I want you two to spar tonight. Some of the new girls, Anne, Martha and Gunilla the new Sweedish girl, have never seen a vampire. You two have fought and trained together. I think it's a good opportunity for the girls to see fighting and receive on hands strategy training." Giles took off his glasses and began to clean the lenses.
"What! Giles no." Buffy exclaimed. "That's not a good idea!"
"Why not slayer?" Spike asked, "You said it yourself in this meeting here the girls need more hands on lessons. They might as well learn with someone who although can kill them has no intentions of doing so. Unless you're scared pet." He flashed Buffy a smirk that reminded her of when they slept together. Memories of sweat filled, lust fueled nights flashed across her memory. The slow crimson blush that spread up her cheeks didn't escape Spikes notice.
"I'm not afraid," She snapped. "Fine lets go down now."
The rest of the Scoobies had gathered all the students into the gym. Dawn sat with her slayer while Willow and Xander also joined the group. Buffy stalked into the gym with Spike following a step behind. He carefully removed his black duster, folded it and set it off to the side. Buffy went to stand before the group.
"Today Spike and I are going to spar. We will be going though strategy and other tactics while we fight. But the thing we want to show you guys today is how no amount of strategy is ever enough. Sometimes in a fight you just have to go with your gut. Spike will be helping you girls train later. Any questions?" She waited for a moment. When none of the girls spoke she turned to Spike, "Ready?"
Without warning Spike attacked Buffy. "Rule one, never expect a vampire to play fair," Spike said. Buffy threw a high kick to his face; he caught her ankle in mid air. Flipping her over the slayer took advantage of this when she brought her other foot up, this time connecting with his face.
As his head snapped back Buffy rotated her body so she landed on her feet. "Rule two," She said, "If you don't have the advantage take it."
The two continued to trade blows. It soon became obvious to everyone present that they were doing more than a demonstration. Each blow was laced with unspoken anger or pain. After about twenty minutes Buffy swept Spikes legs out from underneath him. As he fell she pulled a stake from her lower back placing it above his heart.
"Rule three," she said breathing heavily, "always go for the kill." She stared into Spikes eyes, "don't ever hesitate." Letting Spike up she turned to the people watching. "Split off into pairs. Slayers with slayers, watchers with watchers. Take turns, one the vamp one the slayer. Fight on gut, use blunted stakes." She turned back to Spike. "We need to talk."
The pair walked out of the school and to the house across the street. Neither spoke as Buffy unlocked the door. After she walked in she turned to the vampire. "You can come in." Spike followed her silently as they walked to the kitchen. For a moment Buffy dug through the cupboards she pulled out a bottle of whiskey and a cup.
"Would you like some?" She asked Spike.
"No thanks luv, I got my own." Spike reached into his duster to pull out a flask.
"Why are you here Spike? Why now? Why did you come back?" asked Buffy.
"Long story pet."
"I got time. I know you're not just here for all the fun." Buffy answered pouring herself a generous glass of the amber liquid.
"You're right luv. I'm not. There's a new demon in town. Not as bad as the first but old Wesley dug up a prophecy." Spike hadn't planned on telling her this way but it seemed the choice was taken out of his hands.
"So why are you the bearer of bad news? We can talk about the demon later. Why are you back?" Buffy sipped her drink delicately and then knocked the rest back like a pro.
Taking another sip from his own flask Spike confessed, "I wanted to see you. The little bit two. Even Red and the wanker to I guess. Not so keen on the watcher. He did try to kill me." Taking a deep drink he continued, "mostly you though."
Buffy put down her empty glass and walked over to where Spike was sitting. She gently took his flask from his hand and set it on the table. She carefully lowered herself into Spikes lap and gently kissed his lips.
Spike reacted instinctively. His hands found her hips, his fingers digging into her sides, pulling her into him. He kissed her back with a primal hunger and need. Her hands wound themselves in his hair as she pressed her body into his. Spike stood up, picking her up along with him. He lay her down on the table as her legs wrapped around his waist. Hands began to explore familiar yet forgotten territory. Each touch setting off sparks and memories.
Although it pained him, Spike pulled away. "Not now luv, not like this." He said. Seeing Buffy's confused face he elaborated, "Right now you're still angry, and rightly so. I want you. My feelings haven't changed a bit luv. But not like this. Not when it's out of pain and anger." He shook his head, "I can't believe I'm bloody saying this but when I have you again slayer I want it to be right."
He picked up his duster from where he had draped it over the chair and put it on. Turning to a slightly stunned Buffy he said, "See you tomorrow luv."
"Spike, wait." She called after him. He turned slightly to look at her, with her hair slightly disheveled and her lips holding the bruised just kissed look it was the hardest thing in the world for him to not take her right then and there on the kitchen floor.
"What I said," she continued, "in the cave. I meant it. I still do. But you couldn't believe me. You died and came back. Whopie do, so did I. Twice. The only reason I can think of for you staying away so long after L.A. is you couldn't face the fact that I might have told the truth. You were a coward and you needed and excuse for coming back here and facing it. Your right now isn't the time or the way. But when it is…" she let herself trail off, "when it is… well who knows. And Spike, no matter how I feel, I do have some pride left. I won't beg for anything from you. I made my move tonight. After this, it's your turn."
Spike smiled a half smile at his slayer. She was right. "Who knows slayer. We might find out sooner than we think." With that he turned, opened the door and walked into the night. His black duster flapping around his ankles.
