Hi! So I am posting the fics I finished over last few months here in to keep this account active. Anyway, this story was for Elysian Fields' 2021 Secret Santa gift exchange and this one is for chaoz. It's a bit short but fluffy, so please enjoy! Also special thanks to my beta Doublemeat Palace for helping me with this.
(O.O)
A wish.
Giles had no idea why now, of all times, that the Powers would decide that it would be the best opportunity to give his Slayer a gift for her services.
Did she deserve it?
Bloody hell, yes.
Was he worried for the consequences of such a wish?
Most definitely.
But what really added to his already growing anxiety was the fact the representative from the Powers had informed him that his Slayer would only be able to get her gift if a certain chipped vampire accompanied her to the location of the wish giver and be given his own wish.
This was such a cause for concern to the ex-Watcher because he knew that bastard, once he was told he was going to be a recipient of any wish he desired, would definitely wish for the chip to come out.
He feared for his Slayer's safety because of this.
But the Powers agent was adamant, without Spike, then Buffy would not get her wish.
And right now, his Slayer needed that wish.
So much was going on with his charge's life, what with a hell god after her sister, then there was the little thing with Joyce, not to mention her recent break up with Riley.
His Buffy was not having a good year.
So he knew she really needed this wish.
An early Christmas gift, he would say.
And thus, despite his reluctance, he agreed with the agent from the Powers and informed his charge to get the vampire.
The Power's agent told him that he was not to inform the two of their possible wishes and merely told him to get them to come to a certain location where the wish giver would wait for them.
Since this was the case and secrecy was necessary, he was forced to tell his Slayer that she was to meet an informant, who knew how to defeat Glory and she had to bring Spike with her.
His Slayer hated the idea, of course, but with a little coaxing, he was able to get her to agree to go to the vampire and pick him up at his crypt. He also told Buffy that should Spike feel uncooperative, she could tell the vampire that he was willing to shell out $500 and a bottle of Glenfiddich for his services.
His Slayer didn't like this, but he had to be firm with her, Spike was needed and thus, she was going to do whatever it took for the vampire to come with her.
That had been what he said to her.
The door to his apartment opened and his Slayer and the vampire entered his home.
"Alright, Giles, I got Spike. Tell me about this Glory informant."
"Just to make things clear, I'm only joining because I am getting paid with cash and booze."
"Shut up, Spike. I already said that Giles is giving you those things."
"Yeah. But I trust the Watcher's words more than yours, Slayer."
"Excuse me?"
He knew that if he didn't stop the two, a full-blown verbal fight would happen and Spike, being the temperamental vampire that he was, would most definitely leave before the two could even get the wish giver's location.
"All right, that's enough you two," he told the pair. "To answer your question, Spike, yes, I will be paying you and will give you a bottle of my best whiskey under the condition you go with Buffy to meet up with the informant."
"Right. Well, what are we waiting for? Where's this informant?"
"Here."
The Watcher handed a piece of paper to the vampire. The paper was given to him by the Power's agent and it contained the coordinates of where the wish giver would be located.
It didn't come much of a surprise to Giles when the vampire understood the coordinates and was quick to give out an actual location for his Slayer's sake.
"So we just go to this place and this guy will be waiting for us?" Buffy asked one last time.
"Yes."
"Well, let's get this over with," his Slayer said before walking towards the door, followed by the vampire. "We'll be back as soon as we finish talking to this informant, Giles!"
And with that the two left.
The ex-Watcher let out a heavy sigh. He really hoped that whatever the Powers plans were in regards to this wish thing, they would not bite them in the ass.
(O.O)
Buffy and Spike walked through the forest heading for the coordinates where the informant was. The two had not spoken since leaving Giles' place, and Buffy was okay with that. She didn't want to start a conversation with an evil undead just because she was bored as they trudged through the moonlit wooden path.
Unfortunately for her, the vampire did not agree with this plan.
"So, how's Joyce?" He suddenly asked.
She flinched at the question. Thinking about her mom still brought tears in her eyes. They found something in her scans and it wasn't good. They need to operate it to remove it. But there were risks and she wasn't sure she was willing to take those risks.
"From your reaction, I'm guessing things are not going well for her," he said with a solemn tone that surprised her.
For whatever reason, she didn't like that tone on him. So she tried to tell him that her mom just needed to be operated on so the doctors could remove the tumor in her head.
"It's an easy process and mom won't even feel any pain during the procedure."
"And yet, you haven't given them your consent to operate on her?"
Stupid perceptive vampire.
"I'm sorry, Slayer. I'm sure things will work out alright. Joyce is a strong woman and she can get through this," was what he said before pointing out to the clearing ahead.
"That's where the informant is supposed to meet us."
Buffy stared at the clearing with a determined expression. Her mom could wait, right now, she had to talk to someone who knew how to defeat Glory.
The two walked to the clearing and stayed at the center. They looked around for this informant who was supposed to be there, but found no one there. After a couple of minutes, Buffy let out a frustrated yell.
"Hey, we're here! Come out already you lousy informant!"
"Luv, I don't think you should antagonize the person who is willing to help you against this new Big Bad of yours."
"Yeah, well, I wouldn't do it if he didn't take so long! Where the heck is he?"
As soon as those words left her mouth, a Christmas jingle suddenly played in the air. The two donned fighting stances, not certain where the music was coming from or why it was playing.
Then out of nowhere a strange creature appeared before Spike and Buffy.
"Is that-" the vampire started as he stared at the creature that was standing in front of them looking all poised and noble.
"A hedgehog wearing a top hat? Yeah, I'm seeing it too."
"Question is why are we seeing it?"
"The real question is why are you two calling me an it?"
"Slayer, it spoke."
"I heard. Should I slay it? I've never seen a demonic hedgehog before."
"The two of you are extremely rude. Even though I went all this way to give you two wishes from the Powers, you've been very hurtful."
"Wait? Wishes?"
"Oh, that's right. You were not supposed to be made aware of your wishes until you met me. Silly me!" The hedgehog said, slapping his forehead.
"I'm sorry, but are you saying that we're really here because the Powers want to give Spike and I wishes? Why?"
"Why, for good behavior, of course!"
"Okay, me? I get. But Spike? What good has he done to deserve a wish?"
"Oi!" The vampire exclaimed.
"Well, William the Bloody has done plenty good in his unlife. Which is surprising for a vampire. I mean, dressing up as a Nazi and killing them to save a bunch of Jews is pretty good."
Buffy's eyes widened at this.
"Then there was that little girl he found in an old coal bin. Poor thing was abused by her parents and would've died that night had it not been for Spike here. This vampire then escorted the kid to a local orphanage and she was adopted and grew up to be a doctor who saved a lot of lives."
Spike smiled at this. He was glad the kid was able to find happiness.
When he found her, she asked if he was going to kill her like he did with her parents. Those green eyes shone so brightly at the thought of her own death that he felt sorry for the little nibblet that he spared her life and took her to that orphanage.
He was so focused on the memory that he missed Buffy watching him with a strange expression.
"Then there was the Slayer he spared in 1989. That young girl was so angry that such a famous vampire not only saved her life from a vampire but spared her and didn't even deem her worthy to fight that she trained so hard and became one of the longest living Slayers in history, only beaten by Nikki Wood and of course, Ms. Summers here. She survived for 4 years, before dying a noble death defending the world."
"Good on her then," Spike said.
"Indeed. She never forgot your encounter and she kept hoping you would return and give her that fight. You never did."
"I was in Europe with Dru and we were slowly heading to Prague. Said she wanted to see the sights there, so I had no time for that Slayer."
"Oh, we know. So anyway, I would list more of Spike's deeds over the years but the last ones you already know, Ms. Summers. Angelus and Adam, ring any bells?"
This time Buffy had to react to this.
"Okay. Angelus, maybe I will accept. But Adam? He worked for that guy before turning on him."
"And in doing so, he protected your friends from being killed."
"Alright. So Spike deserves a wish. But that doesn't mean he should get one. I mean, he could wish for his chip to come out! That would mean he could start killing again!"
"And that is his decision. It's his wish and the Powers want to grant him one as they do with you. Now, we can spend all night arguing about whether or not he should get his wish, or you can make your wish and get this over with. I do have other stuff to do, Ms. Summers. So what will it be?"
Buffy was taken aback. She had been so focused on trying to argue that Spike should not get a wish that she completely forgot that she was given one and she needed to decide what she wanted.
"I only get one wish?" She asked.
"Only one. Both of you only get one wish each."
She could use her wish to make her mother better. That should be what she should wish for. That's what she wanted to wish for. But duty had already made the decision for her. And tears fell from her eyes, as she uttered her wish.
"I wish for Glory to die. I don't want her after Dawn and my family anymore."
"Done."
She immediately wiped her eyes, and asked how he killed the strong woman that always beat her to a bloodied pulp.
"It was a quick death. So don't worry about it. Glorificus will no longer lay a finger on you and yours."
She nodded and turned to Spike to wait for him to give his wish.
She knew he was going to wish for the chip to come out. There was no doubt about it. Once it was out, she would have to fight him and hopefully win against him.
"And you, vampire? What is your wish?"
What he said next though, turned Buffy's world around.
"Joyce Summers. She's sick. She's the Slayer's mum and a real decent lady. She doesn't deserve what she has, so I wish that you heal her and let her live a long life with her family."
"An unexpected wish from the most unorthodox vampire. Done. Joyce Summers is healed and she will indeed live a nice long life with her children."
The hedgehog then tipped his hat at the two and then bid them farewell. Music once again played in the air, before it disappeared along with the strange creature.
"Well, that's that. So what now, Slayer?" Spike turned to Buffy, who had her head tilted to the ground. "Slayer? Buffy, what's wrong?"
And then he smelled it. Tears. His Slayer was crying.
"Oi, Slayer, why the hell are you cry-"
He was cut off because Buffy had suddenly jumped into his arms and was hugging him.
"Thank you. Thank you. Thank you."
He heard her say during the hug. He didn't need to be a genius to understand that she was crying because of her mum.
His arm wrapped around her, and patted her back comfortingly.
"Hush, now. It was the only right to give my wish to Joyce. She was kind to me and I like her. She deserved to see her daughters grow old and have families of their own."
This only made Buffy cry harder. He spoke as if she too would live that long, and she really wanted that future that he was telling her.
Buffy didn't know how long they were there but she eventually ran out of tears and finally let the vampire go.
She apologized for ruining his shirt, but he dismissed it and said he had more back at the crypt. Then she suggested that they go back to Giles and report what happened.
The two walked back to the ex-Watcher's place in comfortable silence. Buffy being less apprehensive towards the vampire helped a lot. It didn't take them long and they arrived at Giles' place.
Immediately the ex-Watcher was on them, or on Buffy and was wary of Spike. Buffy recalled what happened, but left the parts of the hedgehog detailing Spikes exploits over the years out of the report. She didn't think the vampire would appreciate his reputation being tarnished, plus the look of gratitude he sent her way solidified her decision.
When they came to what they wished for, Giles' reaction to Buffy's wish was. "I'm proud that you were strong enough to make the right choice."
It sounded as if he was expecting her to make a different wish and he was proud that she made the right one. It didn't sit well with Buffy.
When Spike's wish came up, it was met with more scrutiny than Buffy expected. Her Watcher started questioning Spike's intentions for making such a wish and this seemed to offend Spike who went on a tirade on what a great person her mother was. This shut Giles up. But Spike was already done with him.
He immediately asked for his money and bottle of whiskey so he could go on his way. Giles tried to worm his way out of the promise saying that Spike got a wish, and it was here that Buffy voiced her opinion.
"Giles, you promised him. Just give him what he's owed and he can go home. We've had a long emotional night and I want to see my mom."
Her Watcher gave her an understanding look and finally gave Spike his $500 and the bottle of whiskey he was promised.
As soon as the vampire received this, he was already out of the door.
Buffy stood to follow him, but not before leaving words with her Watcher.
"You know Giles, Spike did good tonight. He probably saved mom. And instead of a thank you, you spit on what he did and that was just rude."
She left and hoped she could catch up with the vampire.
She did. She found him outside, smoking a cigarette.
"You know those will kill you."
"Already dead, pet."
"Sorry about Giles. He can be a poophead sometimes."
"Yeah. Watchers are programmed that way."
"Well, he's still learning and I gave him a good talking to for what he did to you."
"Did you now?"
"Yup. So expect an apology from him next time you see him."
"We'll see."
He continued with his smoking and Buffy shuffled around from where she stood.
"Anything else you want to say, luv?"
"Um. Well, I really want to say thank you for what you did for mom."
He waved a hand and said, "Already told you, think nothing of it. I like Joyce and she deserves to see her daughters grow up and live happy lives like any mother does."
"Yeah. But I'm still grateful. Also, I was wondering if you'd like to join me for patrol tomorrow night. I mean, you said you sometimes spend your evenings watching whatever show is on tv and I was thinking that you might want to do something different."
This surprised the vampire. Patrol? With his Slayer? Hell yeah, he was going.
"I'd love to join you, Buffy," he said with a small smile.
She was taken aback by the smile. He had a cute smile, but she said nothing about it and instead she said, "Good. I'll meet you at your crypt. I should go. I need to see mom and tell her the good news."
"Yeah. You go. I'm gonna finish this and head home too. See you tomorrow, Slayer."
"See you, Spike."
She left him, smiling from ear to ear. She had no idea why but she somehow liked the thought of spending more time with him. She knew it wasn't because he helped her mom. She wasn't that shallow. But she couldn't get that smile out of her mind and she hoped she could see it again.
She shook her head. She was being silly. It was just Spike. She was just tired and that's why she was thinking about silly things like liking his smile. She'd sleep it off and tomorrow, she and the vampire would go back to how they were. Well, maybe not hate each other. It would be hard for her to hate him, since he saved her mom. But at least, go back to the banter and the teasing. She liked that. That was normal.
She just needed to sleep and things would be alright.
Unknown to Buffy, Spike was feeling like jumping and crying at the same time. He finally got it. A chance with his Slayer.
He spent months trying to deny his feelings and when he couldn't, he thought of ways to show her he'd changed. That was hard, considering she hated his guts. Tonight, he really just wanted for Joyce to be alright. When the Slayer didn't wish for her mum's recovery, he became angry.
He eventually understood why she didn't though. She had a duty to protect the world and what not. It was against her nature to wish for something selfish like her own mother's full recovery.
So he made the wish. Joyce was a friend and she was nice to him. She deserved to live.
He hadn't expected Buffy to react the way she did. She hugged him. Then invited him for patrol. If things kept up, he knew he could worm his way into her heart.
That wasn't why he made the wish, but he was going to reap the benefits like crazy.
He was getting his crumbs and maybe with some work he'd get more.
With this in mind, he stomped off his cigarette and walked back to his crypt. There was a spring in his step, but he didn't care.
He was happy, and he was going to keep the feeling until he reached his home. His unlife was going to change, but as long as his Slayer was involved he didn't mind.
Not one bit.
.
.
.
THE END
(O.O)
And that's that. I hope you all liked it, even though Christmas passed, like 7 months ago! Hehehe. Anyway, here's the information that was requested by my giftee!
Please include AT LEAST ONE (and up to all!) of your giftee's category preferences in the story that you write: Between Seasons (any), Alternate Reality, High Fantasy
Giftee's genre preferences in the story: HEA/HFN, Lighthearted
Giftee's Freeform prompt information: a hedgehog wearing a top hat
Rating that Giftee wants for their gift is: NC-17
Giftee's following disliked Genre in the story (things not to inlcude): Character Death, Dubious Consent, Torture (Emotional/Psychological), Torture (Physical), Underage Sex
I tried my best to do accommodate all of them in this fic. So a huge pat in the back for me. Anyway, thanks again for reading and I appreciate reviews!