The Empire Strikes Back--part 19 of The Island of Galleno (Only a man who has felt ultimate despair is capable of feeling ultimate bliss.)

by Isabelle

Rating: R (for cursing, mild nudity, adult situations and violence)

Disclaimers: BTVS belong to Joss Whedon, ME, and UPN they are being used for entertainment, I don't own them. The Count of Monte Cristo belongs to Alexandre Dumas--Spike's journey was taken from the idea of the book and is used in the skeleton of the Series. Lyrics used in this chapter are owned by Enrique Iglesias and are called Hero.

Summary: The moment that Spike finally has Buffy he is vamp-napped by Riley and a new officer, Jack Marshall and sent to the Island of Galleno off the Moroccan coast where all the leftovers of the Initiative are being placed. Buffy frantically looks for Spike but gets news that he was 'accidentally killed' by Jack, who decides to make Sunnydale his residence. The whole thing is Spike trying to get back to Sunnydale and Buffy thinking he's dead. It's filled with exotic places, tons of Original Characters, mysticism, enchantment, magic and love. It takes him years to find out who he is before he can find the one he loves.

Spoilers: Set after Normal Again, Season 6

Feedback: bih80reviews@yahoo.com

Archiving: Carnal Sins, DeathMarkedLove, and Only Time--all others please ask.

A/N: I'm not going to say anything about this chapter because every reader will have their own reaction, just remember that things will work out at the end.

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Let me be your hero

"What is this supposed to mean?" Buffy asked Fadma after a while."

Fadma stood up gently and stepped closer to Buffy.

"I believe, he that loves you, is waiting for you," she smiled.

Buffy's heart leaped at her throat. "Oh god..."

"My limousine will take you to his place," Fadma informed her.

"William--"

"I'll take care of him, Spike told me to tell you to trust me, I bring the earring as proof," she said gently.

"But--"

Fadma placed her hand on Buffy's forearm. "I think time by yourselves is well deserved."

Buffy's heart was thumping so hard in her chest she could hardly breathe. "I...god this is all so sudden, you know? I think I've dreamed of this moment for years and years and suddenly I'm completely lost."

"Well let's take things one at the time--go and get dressed."

Buffy blushed and looked down at herself. "Give me ten minutes."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Would you dance if I asked you to dance?
Would you run and never look back?
Would you cry if you saw me crying?
Would you save my soul tonight?

The drive to wherever Spike was at took a million and one years, it all seemed like a blur, it all seemed like a dream she feared she was stuck in and any minute Spike would still be dead and she would be alone with William once more.

This was all happening so fast she was surprised she didn't put on different shoes, she was suprised she knew what anything was, according to her nerves she should've been having a mental breakdown.

But she wasn't.

She sat poised, holding all her emotions in ... but they were about to pop any moment now.

The car finally made it to a complex for the very rich only, the limo drove to the very end, past pastures and small hills until it reached Spike's supposed house.

Her jaw dropped.

She wondered if he indeed was a Lord.

There were so many things to say to each other, so many questions, emotions and answers she didn't know where to begin.

Clutching her bag she stepped out of the car as the driver opened the door and she was facing the old English-style mansion. "Lord Zeru is expecting you."

She nodded at the servant who came out. "My name is Talsi, a faithful servant of El Zeru, anything you need, Ms. Summers and I would get it for you."

She followed the tall man into the house. "Faithful servant?"

Talsi smiled. "I was the one who found him at sea, close to death he was, but I found him," he told her rather proudly of his accomplishment.

"Why do you call him Zeru?" she asked him as she kept up with him going up stairs.

"He is the one--the one in the prophesy," he turned to her and smiled. "It will all be explained in due time."

Buffy nodded. Spike in a prophesy--seemed wrong somehow.

They stood before a large double door entrance and he opened it for her, bowing slightly and motioning for her to go inside.

This was it--this was the moment, if she stepped into this room Spike would no longer be dead, he would be alive and she really didn't know what to expect.

What if he really didn't love her anymore--what if she wouldn't be able to love him back? What if they were not the same people who fell in love with each other? So many questions and so many doubts...she felt faint.

"Enter, Ms. Summers--do not be shy," Talsi smiled and gave her the little push she needed to place her right foot infront of her left one and move forward.

Her feet walked her into the room, curtains were drawn on the windows, the room was decorated with Victorian styled furniture and dark maroon colors.

"Hello?" she asked, rather timidly.

She jumped. "Over here, Buffy."

She slowly turned towards the voice that called her.

There, standing by another large window stood a man--most probably Spike with his back turned to her--looking out the curtained view.

"Spike?" she whispered.

She could see him take a deep breath and slowly--ever so slowly he turned to face her. Turned until he was facing her.

Turned until she could see that face, sharp cheekbones and pale blue eyes, curly blonde hair that was slicked back and mouth that held a doubtful pout.

Her eyes widdened. He no longer had a beard--this was Spike--her Spike.

"Hello Cutie."

And she did what any other woman would've done.

She fainted.

Would you tremble if I touched your lips
Would you laugh oh please tell me this
Now would you die for the one you love
Hold me in your arms tonight

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Dawn almost jumped at the knock at the door--she looked at herself one more time in the mirror and grinned at her reflection.

Popping a breath mint in her mouth she moved to answer her door.

She opened the door, plasting a smile on her face.

"You're lat--" she gasped.

"Expecting someone else?"

There--before her stood Jack, all dressed in army clothes and fully armed.

"Jack?"

"How are you dear sister of mine," he grinned and walked in, making Dawn back up against the wall.

"I didn't know you would be dropping by--and what's with the outfit?" she asked, confused.

He let out a dark chuckle that sent shivers up and down her back. "You know what's going on, don't you... Dawnie?"

Now her heart was pounding. "I don't--"

His face morphed in anger. "Lying bitch!"

The back of his hand flung faster than what she could stop it and knocked her down on the floor. She whimpered in pain--her eye socket felt like it was going to pop out any moment.

His hand grabbed the back her head and he kneeled in the ground and brought her head against his chest. "Shh.... sweet Dawn." He ran his hand down her burning cheek. Now she started crying.

"Jack, please--"

"Shhhh..." he smoothed and started rocking her back and forth. "You know--you turned out to be more beautiful than your sister, had I known that--"

She sobbed and tried to wriggled away from him but his grip on her upper body continued and he now started kissing the top of her head.

"Stop, please stop," she begged him, pulling on his grip so hard she was bruising herself.

"Now, now, Dawn--" she fought him. "Stop that, bitch." She continued, tears streaming down her face. "I know about the vampire, Dawn--if you don't stop this I'll kill him, I swear I will."

Hate sparkled in her eyes. "Good luck in that--after what you did now he'll hunt you down, he will," she spit at his face. "You're a dog!"

His hand pulled back to smack her again and she closed her eyes, bracing herself for the blow.

But the blow never came as Jack was grabbed roughly and thrown off her against the wall.

Jack cried out and Dawn opened her eyes--confused and frightened.

Lugo stood before a shaking Dawn. "Are you alright?"

He was breathing deeply and Dawn nodded, quickly.

His gaze went to the man on the floor whom was starting to stand up. "Of course--the knight in shining armor." He chuckled.

"You don't touch her *ever* again--you got that?" Lugo hissed.

"I'll touch her all I like," Jack snapped.

Lugo growled and punched him square in the jaw, Jack reeled back and punched him back. Dawn backed up into a corner too frightened to do anything.

Lugo grabbed Jack by his waist and lifted him up in the air, bringing him down against Dawn's living room coffee table.

The wood broke under him and Dawn screamed.

Taking advantage that Jack was on the floor Lugo kicked him hard in the gut, making Jack double over.

"I say it again, you don't touch her *ever* again," Lugo repeated himself. "Or you'll have me to deal with."

Jack chuckled once more, wriggling in the floor. "Have you told her, slave?"

Lugo's jack tightened. "You don't get to speak!"

Jack, leaned back against the wall, resting his hand behind him and without Dawn and Lugo noticing he grabbed hold of a military club he had in the waistband of his pants.

"Did you tell her about you *wife* and your *daughter*?"

Lugo's eyes widened.

"I know all about you, Luis Monteverde," Jack grinned at Lugo.

Dawn looked at Lugo confused. "What is he talking about?"

"Yeah--I know all about the family you left behind. What is your daughter's name? Amanda? Yes--that's her name."

Lugo looked down at the floor, defeated.

"It's lies, isn't it?" she asked Lugo with tears in her eyes. "Tell me it's lies!"

Lugo licked his lips and looked straight at Jack's eyes. "What the scum says is true," he turned to look at her. "I was going to tell you--"

"Oh god," Dawn whispered.

Taking advantage that Lugo and Dawn were too preoccupied, Jack pulled the club from behind him and stood up too quickly for Lugo to counteract the two blows to his head that came with full force.

Dawn screamed and stood up. "No!!"

Lugo promptly fell on the floor, leaving a sickening 'thud' in the air.

She looked around wildly and grabbed the same bat she had used on Lugo the first night she met him. "Get out!" she screamed at Jack, holding the bat to her defense.

Jack chuckled and placed the club back on his holster. "I'm done here."

"Get out, get out!" she screamed again, tears running down her face.

He smiled and walked out.

She took about three deep breaths and dropped the bat.

She threw herself down on top of Lugo, turned him from his stomach down position. There was blood seeping down his eye, the club had opened up a gash on his temple and a large bump was forming on his forehead.

I can be your hero baby
I can kiss away the pain
I will stand by you forever
You can take my breath away

"Ricardo!" she urged, shaking him a bit.

He opened his eye, painfully.

"Dawn?"

She let out a sigh. "We need to get you to a doctor."

"We must warn Zeru," he hissed, sitting up with her help. "Mocoso." he cursed at Jack under his breath.

"How do you know he's going after Spike?" she asked him, helping him stand up to lay on her couch.

"Haven't you figured it out?" he looked at her as she tried to clean the blood from his face. He took her hand in his. "He's the one who kidnapped Zeru all those years ago."

She pulled back from him. "How can I believe you?" she hissed. "Seems like everything about you is a lie."

He sighed and looked down. "I have no hope of getting your trust back, Dawn. But if not for me--we must do it for Zeru."

Clenching her jaw she nodded and helped him up.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Buffy opened her eyes to the damp towel soothing her forehead. "Hummm..." she murmured half asleep.

"Almost knocked yourself out cold if I'd not grabbed you," she heard a voice say...a voice that brought back 101 memories.

She sat up. "Spike?"

He took a seat next to her in bed and gave her a small smile. "Slayer."

Her mouth hung open as she looked at him.

"Oh..." she reached up to touch his face. "My..." tracing his cheeks. "God...you're alive."

"I thought you had that figured out a few nights ago," he smiled, taking her small, trembling hand and bringing it against his lips.

She shivered. "I thought I'd gone crazy... it all seems so..."

"Unreal?" he finished for her.

Would you swear that you'll always be mine
Would you lie would you run and hide
Am I in too deep? Have I lost my mind?
I don't care you're here tonight

"How...you... what happened?" she asked, tears threatening to spill from her eyes.

"I....it's a long story," he sighed and stood from the bed, pacing the floor.

She followed him, watching his every move. "I have the time."

"No it's--" he looked at her. "Complicated, very complicated."

"You used to tell me everything, even when I didn't want to hear it," she said softly.

He smiled slightly and regarded her. "I did, didn't I?" They both smiled at each other. "You look good."

She blushed and looked down. "Not that same young girl I was."

"Well, Pet...you still look delectable," he smirked.

"You're being nice," she grinned. "I know I look like a married mom--look," she pointed to her shirt. "Pastels!"

He chuckled and she joined him.

She sighed. "God, Spike--where have you been?"

"I got vamp-napped," he started from the beginning.

She looked confused. "Vamp-napped?"

"On my way home to you that night... got caught by Initiative blokes, when I woke up the next time I was in a 'copter over the Straight of Gibraltar and was flung out to the sea... landed in a little island called Galleno." He took a deep breath. "Spend 'bout four years there..."

"Four years?" Buffy said and sat down--she was feeling lightheaded all of the sudden.

He sat in front of her on the tea table and reached out tentatively for her hands. She let his larger hands envelop hers and sighed, remembering clearly the day she came back from the dead all those years ago and him holding her in the same manner.

"I can't believe it," she said quietly. "All this time... Jack told me that you were dead..."

"Jack," Spike said with venom in his voice. "Is the bloody bastard that dropped me on the island," he stood up and went to stand by the covered window--much the same way she had first seen him. She wondered if pulling the curtain back and letting the sun's rays bathe him was a temptation. "I'll take care of your girl' he told me. 'She won't need a thing'."

"Jack told you this?" she asked, bewildered, and coming to stand next to him.

"Ask him, Buffy--ask him and see the lies in his eyes." he looked at her. "Have I ever lied to you?"

She looked at those eyes she knew more in her dreams than in reality. "No... you never have. Even when I wanted you to... like right now." she looked down at her hands. "I think William tried to tell me in the best way a five year old can... but I didn't want to believe him... I was just..." she looked back up at him. "He's my husband, Spike... he's my husband."

"Do you love him?" he asked her, taking her by the upper arms, feeling her heat warm him through the light material.

She looked up at him. "No... never have..."

"Do you still love me?" he asked her sincerely.

She cocked her head to side and smiled. "I never stopped."

Smiling back at her he leaned in and kissed her cheek. Pulling back he looked at her eyes that were wild and needy. "Neither have I... even when I knew you were dead I didn't stop... never stopped." He tangled his hand in her hair, reminding him so much of that day when they had sung and danced to the rhythm of a dancing demon. He had saved her that day--when all her Scooby friends had stood back he had saved her. Yet now they were saving each other. "Dreamed of you... wanted you..." Lips so close, inching in one by one... "Always." She let out a small whimper. "Now."

And then their lips met.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`

Fadma went up the stairs carefully, looking into the rooms--not finding William's.

The last door was at the end of the corridor. She went in--it was dark so she turned on the lights. "William?"

Her eyes went wide as she surveyed the empty bed, the open window and the missing pigs.

"Oh no..."

She ran down the hall to the nearest telephone, quickly dialing Spike's house.

"Jemina? I need to speak with Zeru --it's an emergency... I know he said not to disturb him but this is important!"

Fadma shifted from one foot to the other and waited patiently.

Spike pulled away from Buffy--startled as someone knocked on the door.

"Zeru!"

"I said I was not to be disturbed!" he growled Buffy smiled and leaned in to him, resting her hand against his neck.

"It's Princess Fadma--she says it's an emergency!"

Both blondes pulled away. Spike strode to the phone and yanked it up.

"Fadma?"

Buffy studied his face as it went paler than what it was. "You stay put--we'll find him."

He hung up the phone and looked at Buffy.

"William's missing... again."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I can't believe you don't know his number!" Dawn hissed at Lugo. She was driving his SUV as he leaned his pounding head against the seat.

"I was always terrible at remembering numbers," he frowned. "This will all be my fault."

Dawn sighed and made a sharp turn. "Good thing you didn't forget were he lives."

He chuckled. "Are trying to jinx us?"

She tried to glare at him from the corner of her eye but it didn't work. "Are you really married?"

He didn't answer for a long time. "I am."

"I see..." she said softly, trying not to show how much that hurt her. "Do you love her?" she asked, quietly.

He looked at her. "No... I love you."

Dawn looked away and to the road. "If you would've loved me you would've told me."

He studied her for a while. "I have ruined it all, have I not?"

She didn't answer his question.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"He's what?" Buffy cried, panicked.

Spike reached out for her. "Fadma went to his room to check on him and he was gone--must've been gone for hours."

"Oh god!" Buffy felt faint again. "He has to stop doing this!"

"We'll find him--hit the streets," he told her, reaching for his coat as he spoke. She nodded and started putting on her shoes that he had taken off when she had fainted.

"Maybe start were you last found him?" Buffy asked him, hoping that he'd say 'yes--he'll be there.'

Spike nodded and grabbed her hand to head to the door. "I'm glad you're with me this time."

He looked at her and smiled. "Same here, pet."

However they had to stop in their tracks when in the doorway stood Jack with a gun pointed at them and a smirk on his face.

"Here's Jack!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

He had no clue were his feet were leading him but he knew--somewhere inside of him that this was the right house.

There was a limo outside that looked just like his dad's--it made him all the more anxious to see him.

He was tired and knew he needed a bath but it didn't stop him as he walked up the steps of the large Victorian mansion.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Jack?" Buffy gasped.

"Darling! I see you took the whole seduction to a whole new level!" he winked at her. She rolled her eyes.

"Put that away, Jack--you're going to hurt someone. And William's missing!" She cried.

"Watch me weep," he snapped, cocking the gun.

She narrowed her eyes. "You bastard."

Jack smiled and looked at Spike. "Look at what we have here, how are you old boy?"

Spike's jaw was about to snap in four pieces. "Jack Marshall, I went half way through the world looking for you, mate."

"Wow! And all this time I was right here fucking your girlfriend!"

"You son of a--" Buffy wanted to jump at him but Spike held her back. "All this time you knew?"

Jack laughed at her. "Of course I knew, Buffy. You really think the military will go out of it's way to inform you that one no good vampire is dead?"

Buffy shook her head in disbelief. "You're a dead man."

"No--you guys are. Once I'm done with both of you I'm taking all your lovely funds and financing my campaign for years to come," he smiled, widely.

"And how exactly do you expect to do that?" Spike asked him, eyes narrowing.

"Just. Like. This," he pointed the gun at Buffy's head and prepared to fire.

Between the moment the Buffy tried to duck and Spike tired to pull her--William came running down the hall his book bag jumping up and down behind him with a small smile on his face. "Mommy! Daddy!"

Jack wasn't expecting to hear someone else coming next to him and all his years in the army basically moved him in accordance to what he sensed as danger.

He turned his body faster than he could move and fired the gun at the intruder.

Buffy screamed when he heard the shot, followed by her body being thrown in the floor by a tackling Spike.

And Jack...

Jack stood wide mouthed at the small pile of flesh on the floor.

Before him laid a shot William, not moving on the floor.

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TBC...

(I have to be out of town for personal safety *eg* Now remember that all this was planned since I started the story... that doesn't make it better does it? ... Going now.)