Beta: I can not even begin to thank my lovely, wonderful beta Nathy Faithy without whom I promise there would not be new chapters. My dear friend thank you so much for not only being a wonderful, helpful beta reader, but most of all for letting me bounce ideas off you and brainstorming with me. Your advice and insights mean so much!
A/N : This chapter will continue the process of answering the questions put to me by Nathy Faithy and Princess Lena aka Lady Kittuna
Disclaimer: I don't own Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel or Charmed. Some of the ideas were inspired by a story request from BellaVision. I am not making any money off this story, but I do live for your lovely reviews. There are ideas I am using inspired by other writers, I would never intentionally plagiarizer another writer, but I do find inspiration in reading others work and occasionally I'll take an idea and run with it. There are millions of stories here and almost as many amazing writers please take a moment to read and review for some of them, it means the world to those of us who take the time to write!
As much as Leo wanted to allow the family reunion to continue uninterrupted there was the matter of time. Quietly he made his way over to the family and spoke in a low soft tone, so as not to disturb anyone.
"I'm sorry to interrupt. Ann, Joyce we really need to move this along."
Spike and Dawn looked up, neither sure what to make of the new player in the mix.
Doyle hung back, his role in all of this was just to make Spike more comfortable and act as an intermediary if the need arose. The truth was the former Seer was far more comfortable in the shadows than making himself a target. This conversation would either go very well or blow up in everyone's face and he wasn't sure he wanted to know which.
Using the same soothing voice he used when telling Wyatt and Chris stories Leo spoke. "Ann and Joyce have already told you that they are your soul mothers and that you are really brother and sister. I know it's a lot to take in and what I'm going to say will be even more overwhelming. Usually an Angel of Destiny does this, but from my experience they can be a little overbearing and pushy, every now and then they are downright rude. I'm gonna try and be as gentle as possible. Every now and then someone completes their life's work, they fulfill their destiny and when that happens they earn a reward for all their sacrifice." Looking at Dawn, Leo spoke very gently not wanting to startle the young girl or incur the vampire's wrath. "You, Dawn completed your destiny the moment you were willing to step into the portal to save the world. Ultimately Buffy was the one to jump, but your destiny was completed when you chose others over yourself." Sensing the girl was going to argue Leo held up his hand to fend off her protests. "Don't worry although Buffy doesn't remember it she too made a choice as to what her reward would be and since she has completed her destiny as the slayer more times than have ever been recorded in history she is being rewarded. Some up here may not be happy about it" Leo commented when a low rustling rose up almost like a collection of voices fighting to be heard, silencing their noise with a glare. "I have already begun her reward and there is still more to come. Did you notice how peaceful Buffy has been recently?"
Dawn nodded still curling into Spike, but paying a bit more attention to the man before her than she had previously. "That sense of peace Buffy has been showing is the first part of her reward. There is more to come. Her true love will be granted without concern for his soul. Willow is already working on that, so don't worry. Drusilla will now complete her families Destiny and her soul and sanity will help her do that. The people who have a part to play are all together now, but it's time for you to choose your future. You can go back to being pure energy. Your soul can rest with us here for all time. Or you may begin life anew as an infant in a loving home. Or you can go back to your sister and those you love. We will help you find the family you've longed for. The life you've wanted since discovering you were the Key, one where all your memories from this point forward will be true. The choice is yours, Dawn." Unsure of how to respond Dawn looked up at Spike and then back to the Elder before her.
Leo smiled, his eyes filling with so much warmth you could almost see it spilling over. "Don't worry Spike too has completed his Destiny and will be rewarded." Leo told Dawn trying not to chuckle when the vampire gave him the same have you lost your mind look his own wife, Piper gave him.
"Mate pretty sure you got that bit wrong. Bit, here and the Slayer sure they deserve to be rewarded, but I'm just a vampire." Spike said shaking his head.
Both Ann and Joyce started to reply, but Leo held up a hand and offered his own response. "Did you help Buffy defeat Acthala and Angelus?"
"Well, yeah but I liked the world and Angelus was an ass."
"I know the whole Happy Meals on legs story, but that wasn't the whole truth is it?" Leo questioned. "It wasn't for Drusilla either was it?"
Spike locked eyes with Leo clearly uncomfortable with how well this man seemed to know him. Finally feeling compelled by a force he was unable to resist he responded. "No" through gritted teeth he went on "the world didn't seem finished there was more to do and the players hadn't arrived yet."
"That wasn't the first time you prevented the world from ending … what about Prague, China, and Germany?"
"Bloody hell! Fine I saved the bloody world." Spike hissed while Dawn looked up at him with awe and renewed respect.
"Then when you were chipped you chose to help Buffy. Why?'
"She mighta been the slayer, but she was honorable and a true warrior, unlike some she has scruples and standards. She I'nt one of the Council bobbles who slays e'erythin' she hunts evil and leaves the rest alone."
"Why did you choose to fight beside her?"
"Like to fight mate. Joyce was always nice to me. She and Bit here treated me like a man, needed to keep 'em safe."
"You cared so much you allowed Glory to practically beat you beyond recognition." Upon hearing that Joyce wrapped her arms around the vampire and she practically smothered him with kisses, causing Leo to chuckle at the sight before him.
"I take care o' what's mine. Made a lady a promise and I ain't no welsher. Summers ladies are mine to protect." Spike said squeezing Joyce's arm gently.
"Why did you seek out your soul?"
As much as Spike preferred to remain silent and not answer questions there was something about the place they were in that prevented him from withholding information or lying. His demon despised the control this place was exerting over him, but his soul sought to sooth the demon. Leo wasn't a threat, Spike wasn't sure how he knew that with such certainty, but he did. The more time he spent with him the more he was sure of the Elder's kind intentions. As much as the demon fought against answering, William wanted to answer.
"I needed to be worthy of them. They needed someone who was more man than demon. I couldn't be the man they needed without my soul. Told the demon to make me the man I was. I had to become worthy of them." Spike said softly.
"But Spike you were perfect the way you were." Dawn said staring lovingly up at Spike, before she blushed and ducked her head finishing "Okay so I wish you growled less at the boys I bring home from school, but it's still nice to know you care."
Hearing her youngest daughter Joyce chuckled before she kissed Spike's head "You just keep right on growling at every boy she brings home. I know you won't trust her with anyone, but the best. You're a good man that's why I trust you with my girls."
"My sweet William always was protective. When you were little you ran off a stable boy, because you heard him talking poorly about one of the chambermaids. You said every lady should be treated like a princess whether she was royalty or an honest working woman." Ann's voice was full of motherly pride and love, remembering her son.
For more than the last one hundred years Spike had been pushed around by the likes of Darla and Angelus. At every turn someone was ready to push him down and tell him how unworthy he was of everything. Hearing these three women who meant so much to him, speaking of him with love and pride was overwhelming. Their love and affection was humbling, but in the best way possible.
"Spike your actions and the choices you've made are unlike any vampire in the history of time. For that reason and the choice to fight against the demon within you even before you got a soul you are being given a choice. You've completed your mission, thanks to you a prophecy bringing about the end of the old watchers council and recreating it under the supervision of a true Watcher and the greatest slayer in history is being fulfilled. You and Dawn's joined destiny has also been completed, so now you can choose your own future. There are three choices before you. Like Dawn you may come rest here with us and finally be at peace, you may start life over and be loved from infancy on, or we can help you find peace, with the family that has already welcomed you. The choice is yours. You and Dawn have until tomorrow evening to choose. In a little while you both will wake-up in the hotel. Discuss this together and make the decision that is right for you both. We will come to you tomorrow and honor your decision."
"What about consequences?" Spike queried
"Good question. If either of you chooses to begin life again as an infant, you will grow more rapidly than a normal child, but the family we've chosen will accept this and love you all the same. Spike you will retain your strength, healing, speed, sight, and hearing, but you will not need blood. Any choice to remain on the earthly plane will offer both of you extended lives and Dawn you will gain some of the attributes of the Slayer legacy. Don't worry though no harm will come to either Buffy or Faith. There will be no negative consequences."
With that Ann and Joyce hugged their children and wished them all their love and support, before Leo orbed them, along with Doyle and himself out.