Buffy hadn't made a single move since he arrived at her side. Her breathing had slowed and was barely deep enough to sustain life. But, then again, who knew what a Slayer's body could actually endure; especially one this seasoned. Spike tried to remain optimistic, but reality began to set in. What if she did die? Sure, another Slayer would be called to replace Buffy in a working capacity, but the PTB could never replace Buffy the woman. He allowed himself to envy Angel for a moment as he had had the glorious opportunity of watching after her from the time she had first been called. Spike tried to imagine what it must have been like to see a child grow into such a vibrant, clever young woman. Having had a hand in molding her into what she had finally become must feel so...well, he didn't have a clue. He had never impacted anything or anyone so intensely. Well, not in a positive manner, anyway.
The vampire had finally had enough sitting on his duff. He was a man of action, not hope. He brought his mind back to the present and decided to go help with the research business. In one gentle, fluid motion, he lifted the limp body off of himself, placed her softly on the mat and tenderly kissed her forehead.
"What the fucking hell are you doing, you asshole?!!"
It was Xander's voice coming from behind him, but not Xander's strong arm that landed on his shoulder mid-sentence, throwing him into the opposite wall. Spike landed in a very awkward position. When he managed to look up, he saw Xander doting over Buffy and Angel standing before him, finger pointed at his face. "We don't need you trying anything now, you perverted freak!" Angel turned to Xander, keeping the other vampire in his peripheral vision at all times. "Did he bite her?" Before the boy could utter a sound, Spike answered for himself.
"No, I didn't bloody bite her, you dirty bastard!" Xander knodded to Angel, confirming the claim made by the treacherous vamp.
By now, the rest of the group stood wide eyed at the doorway, with no one quite certain as to what was happening. Spike wanted to say more, a lot more, but decided it would be futile. He also wanted to stand up and beat the (un)living shit out of the pompous vampire, but knew better. Instead, he stood up, with minimal attitude, and crossed over to Giles. He addressed the Watcher, but glared at his sire. "Now, show me what books you haven't looked through yet, mate. We'll find that cure yet." He then continued out to the main room.
Giles wanted to stay and hear what the screaming and violence had been about, but determined it would be best to continue the research and give Spike something constructive to do...preferably something far away from Angel. He turned, and with a little reluctant shuffle of his feet, left the scene behind him.
The remaining members of the team stared at Angel, not knowing what had transpired between the three men. Willow made a mental note that it had been Xander's voice she heard first and not Spike's. She also noted that, apparently, the only physical attack had been against the peroxide blonde.
"I'm sorry to barge in here like this and make assumptions when I've been out of the loop for so long." He stared at the ground, observing that his presence always seemed to bring pain to this set of friends.
Xander looked at his former rival with a look of combined
forgiveness and understanding. "I thought he was up to something
too. I mean, what else would Spike be doing leaning over her with
his face so close..." 'Oh, shit.' It all made sense to Xander
now. Buffy had mentioned his increasingly odd behavior: joining her
on patrol, breaking into her house, lurking outside of her window.
'Mother of God in Heaven. He loves her!'