DAY SIX
After driving the rest of the previous night and into the morning until sunrise, Spike was sleeping in his car in a parking garage when he had a dream. In his nightmare he saw Buffy locked in a passionate embrace with a muscular man with dark features. The two of them were hungrily kissing each other, lost in a powerful desire, and the sight of it both aroused and worried Spike. Then Buffy seemed to step outside of herself. And as the first Buffy continued her erotic assault of her mysterious lover, the second Buffy looked Spike right in the eyes and said urgently, "Help me."
Spike woke up screaming her name.
It wasn't dark outside, yet, and so he couldn't resume his trip, so he decided to find a payphone. He tried Willow's dorm first, and got no answer. Then he called Giles.
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The gang had resumed researching. They hadn't yet found a de-cloaking spell, but they had learned more about the diberus. They discovered that this demon had some rather noteworthy abilities. Its powers all fell under the blanket term "enchantment," which meant, basically, that it could make people see what it wanted them to see, or put one's mind in a fog comprised only of select memories.
"Well, how do you like that," said Xander, "It says here that the diberus' powers don't work on other demons. That is so unfair! Why should they be immune? Why are they special?"
"What about ex-demons?" Anya inquired.
"Sorry, babe," he answered, "You're just as human as the rest of us, and therefore not special." Catching her hurt glance, he added, "Well, of course you're special, just not in that demony, evil way." She smiled at him.
While that exchange was going on, Giles, Willow, Tara and Dawn had all drawn the same conclusion, and all looked at each other. Giles took his glasses off and rubbed his brow. It was at that moment that Spike phoned.
"Giles, Buffy's in trouble," Spike said without any preliminary niceties.
"Spike?" Giles said in disbelief. "Yes, we know. But how did you . . ."
"I had a dream," Spike interrupted. "You and the scoobies have to help her. I can't get there until several hours after dark."
Giles covered the receiver with his palm. "Spike can't help us until late tonight. It seems he's out of town."
When he held the phone back up to his ear, Spike was yelling, "You've got to get her away from him! It's a trap!"
"Yes, yes, we've come to the same conclusion. But . . . I can't believe I'm saying this . . . it seems you're the only one among us who can help her."
Spike considered this for a moment. Just then, the payphone made a funny beeping noise, and then a female computer voice came on the line, "Please insert 75 cents for the next three minutes." Spike decided he didn't have three minutes. He had to get to Buffy and get her away from that man.
"I believe he's on his way," Giles said, hanging up the phone. "We need to make our plans."
"Good morning," Lani said as he walked into the living room. He handed her a cup of coffee and asked how she likes her eggs.
"Pretty much just cooked," Buffy replied. She was so hungry, even Giles' Wheatabix would've appealed to her. Only she didn't remember Giles, or his Wheatabix or even her mother's pancakes.
As Lani cooked their breakfast, Buffy went upstairs. She went into a bedroom that she somehow knew was meant for her. She pulled some clothes out of the dresser within and went to take a shower. After her shower, she dressed, brushed her hair and went downstairs, her hair still wet.
"My God, you're a vision," Lani remarked when she went into the kitchen. She couldn't think how, what with her hair all wet and no makeup on, but she still enjoyed the compliment. She admired him, as well, standing at the stove cooking their breakfast in shorts and a T-shirt. She suddenly felt hot, and falsely attributed that to the heat from the stove.
They ate in comfortable silence, feeling familiar enough with each other that constant conversation was no longer necessary. After they cleaned up from breakfast, they talked about their hopes and dreams. She found that she didn't hope for much beyond staying there with Lani forever. For the first time in her life, Buffy felt completely content.
Lani taught her a logic game called "Wff & Proof," and they played that in between performing various domestic duties and talking.
After dinner, they went into the living room with their glasses of wine. Lani put on some soft music and asked Buffy to dance. As before, the sexual energy between them crackled, and soon they were hungrily kissing each other and exploring each other's bodies with their hands.
As they shed their shirts, Lani seemed to get suddenly shy. "What is it?" Buffy asked.
"It's just that I haven't been with a woman in a very long time," he answered.
"If it helps," she replied, "I want you more than I've ever wanted anything in my life. And, for the record, it's been a really long time for me, too." She wrapped her arms around his waist. "I'm pretty sure between us we can figure out what to do. She broke away from him for a second. "Give me a minute. I'll be right back."
Buffy went upstairs to her room. She opened the bottom drawer of her dresser and pulled out a lacy, black negligee. It was beautiful, with lace-trimmed elbow-length sleeves, a black silk bodice covered in lace that hugged her breasts firmly, a low-cut V-neck that drew attention to her long, sensuous neck and the curves of her breasts, and a skirt that flowed around her thighs trimmed in lace that came just above her knees. The silk felt heavenly against her bare skin and the tightness of the bodice made her nipples push against the fabric. The cut of the negligee flattered every curve and she was aroused just wearing it. She went back downstairs to the living room. When Lani saw her, his eyes went wide and he seemed to lose his ability for speech.
Buffy felt bold, powerful, sexy and shy all at once. Lani seemed to move without thought. He strode over to her, wrapped one arm around her waist and pulled her roughly against him. He said "Buffy," in a hoarse voice and captured her mouth with his own.
When Spike arrived at Giles', the gang quickly explained why they needed his help. "Right, then. Let's go," Spike said, quickly assuming the leadership role.
They arrived at Ulog's house and, as before, no one could see it. No one, that is, except Spike, who could see it plain as day. "You mean you can't see this house that's right in front of you?" Spike said incredulously.
"I'm afraid only true demons can penetrate the diberus' enchantment," Giles replied, and he and Spike locked eyes when he said "true demons."
"Well then," Spike said, and he walked over and knocked on the door.
Inside, Buffy stopped kissing Lani and said, "Did you hear something?"
"No," Lani said, and he kissed her again.
She heard it again. "Lani, I think there's someone at the door."
"Impossible," he answered, and he began kissing his way down her neck, continuing down until he was playfully nipping at the sides of her breasts that were exposed by the negligee.
Suddenly, the door burst open, startling them both. Buffy looked at the doorway, and she couldn't see Giles, Dawn or her friends, but she could see Spike, standing at the threshold.
"Spike!" she gasped, "What are you doing here?"
"Invite me in!" he demanded.
"Why would I want to do that?" she asked.
"You're in danger. It's a trap," he answered.
All of a sudden, they both realized how she looked; wearing the sexy negligee, hair tousled a bit, flushed with desire. Spike felt like his breath, if he'd had any, had been taken away, and Buffy, now flushed with desire AND embarrassment, stood her ground, hands on her hips.
"Buffy, please," he said softly this time, "You are under the spell of a diberus. It's making you forget things-your sister . . ." he looked imploringly at her. Seeing no sign of enlightenment coming from her, he said, "Alright, then, maybe this will help jog your memory." With that, he morphed into his vampire features. The slayer side of Buffy instinctively charged into action. She flew through the doorway, pushing Spike down hard. She straddled him, punching his face with alternate fists until he grabbed hold of her wrists. He put his vamp face away and looked up at her. She looked at him, then slowly looked up and saw Dawn, Giles, Willow, Xander, Tara and Anya. Her face expressed shock, horror and grief and she began sobbing uncontrollably. Remembering something, she turned around to look at Lani's house, but it had vanished, along with Lani and Ulog. She got off of Spike, still crying, and said to everyone how sorry she was that she had forgotten them. They reassured her that it wasn't her fault and that she had been under a powerful enchantment from the diberus.
Several weeks later, Spike and Buffy were patrolling. The others were all busy. It was the first time they had been alone since he'd rescued her. Silence hung over them like a heavy, black cloud. Buffy was the first to break the silence.
"Spike, when you were with the robot, did it . . . did she satisfy you? Was she what you wanted?"
"Well, that came out of nowhere," he remarked. "Slow night, so you're trying to pick a fight with me?"
"No, no it's not that," she said, "It's just . . ." she took a deep breath. "When I was with Lani, he seemed so real. But he wasn't. Still, he made me feel . . . well, it wasn't bad. But now I feel . . ."
"Stupid? Used? Sleazy?" Buffy glared at him. "Just trying to help, pet," he said, giving her a devilish grin.
"I don't need your help," she spat at him.
After a few beats of silence, Spike said, "I know something about that."
"What?"
"When I was with my robot, now, don't get me wrong-she was very good, but I always knew she wasn't the real thing. She was . . ."
"Sleazy? Stupid?" she waited for him to reward her with a glare. "Just helping," she said sarcastically.
"At least I didn't sleep with him," Buffy muttered under her breath.
"You didn't?" Spike said incredulously.
*Did I say that out loud?* Buffy thought.
"Do you think I care whether or not you believe me?" she said angrily.
"It's not that," he answered, "It's only that if I had you all to myself for two days and you wore that black thing . . .well I suppose your imaginary boyfriend has more self-control than I do."
"So, you and the robot . . ."
"Listen, Buffy, and try to wrap your little, blonde head around this. I had the robot built because I had completely given up on ever having the real thing. I figured even a robot version of you was better than a real anyone else. How truly pathetic am I? But that little taste of you was enough to keep me from attacking you, so, actually, you should be thankful I had it."
"You couldn't have attacked me," she said, "That chip . . ."
"That chip," Spike interrupted, "Only activates when I intend harm. I wouldn't have tried to hurt you."
She punched him, just for the hell of it.
He laughed. "You would have never been happy with Lani," he asserted, "You wouldn't have lasted a week with him! You need someone real. You want the real thing." With that, he grabbed her shoulders and kissed her hard.
She knew he was at least partly right, but she struggled against him just the same.
"You presumptuous, arrogant pervert!" she said, adrenaline pumping through her.
"Now Slayer," he said mockingly, "You know I'm right or you wouldn't be so worked up."
"You're wrong!" she continued, "We're not supposed to be together!"
"Buffy, I've watched you grow from being a whiney, self-centered teenybopper to a self-assured, intelligent woman. You don't need Giles or your friends to decide for you what's right and what's wrong. You're fully capable of making your own decisions. Stop lying to yourself and pretending. You know what you want. Stop being afraid of going after it."
She didn't want to believe that he could be right. How could she want to be with a vampire? She looked into his eyes, and he could see the ambivalence in her eyes.
"Come on, love," he said, not quite pleading, "Aren't you tired of fighting against your own heart?" He could see he was beginning to sway her, but she still needed one final push. "Tell you what," he said, moving closer to her, "You kiss me one time-not just a peck, mind you, one real kiss. Then, if you can walk away from me, I'll give it up. I'll move on. It will be your decision."
She could do this. She was sure she could do this. She stepped closer to him, leaving only a few inches between them. Watching his eyes search her face, she was suddenly shy and nervous and not quite sure how to approach him. She slowly put her hands on his shoulders. He automatically responded by putting his hands on her hips. Then she reached her mouth up to his, and pressed her lips against his. She could feel him holding back; keeping his passion and desire in check while she made up her mind. She was surprised to feel tears streaming from her eyes. She realized she wanted to unleash all of Spike's passion. She wanted to feel his desire. Her emotions all seemed to release at once, and her tears were tears of relief. It was as if, at last, she found what she had been longing for.
Buffy realized she had hidden her feelings for Spike for so long because she was afraid of losing him. She stopped kissing him and looked at him. As fresh tears sprang from her eyes, she said, "Don't leave me, Spike. Please don't leave me."
Touched by her vulnerability, Spike answered her, "Never," and he hugged her tightly to him, as his own tears of joy fell from his eyes.
THE END
P.S. Riley never did show up.
After driving the rest of the previous night and into the morning until sunrise, Spike was sleeping in his car in a parking garage when he had a dream. In his nightmare he saw Buffy locked in a passionate embrace with a muscular man with dark features. The two of them were hungrily kissing each other, lost in a powerful desire, and the sight of it both aroused and worried Spike. Then Buffy seemed to step outside of herself. And as the first Buffy continued her erotic assault of her mysterious lover, the second Buffy looked Spike right in the eyes and said urgently, "Help me."
Spike woke up screaming her name.
It wasn't dark outside, yet, and so he couldn't resume his trip, so he decided to find a payphone. He tried Willow's dorm first, and got no answer. Then he called Giles.
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The gang had resumed researching. They hadn't yet found a de-cloaking spell, but they had learned more about the diberus. They discovered that this demon had some rather noteworthy abilities. Its powers all fell under the blanket term "enchantment," which meant, basically, that it could make people see what it wanted them to see, or put one's mind in a fog comprised only of select memories.
"Well, how do you like that," said Xander, "It says here that the diberus' powers don't work on other demons. That is so unfair! Why should they be immune? Why are they special?"
"What about ex-demons?" Anya inquired.
"Sorry, babe," he answered, "You're just as human as the rest of us, and therefore not special." Catching her hurt glance, he added, "Well, of course you're special, just not in that demony, evil way." She smiled at him.
While that exchange was going on, Giles, Willow, Tara and Dawn had all drawn the same conclusion, and all looked at each other. Giles took his glasses off and rubbed his brow. It was at that moment that Spike phoned.
"Giles, Buffy's in trouble," Spike said without any preliminary niceties.
"Spike?" Giles said in disbelief. "Yes, we know. But how did you . . ."
"I had a dream," Spike interrupted. "You and the scoobies have to help her. I can't get there until several hours after dark."
Giles covered the receiver with his palm. "Spike can't help us until late tonight. It seems he's out of town."
When he held the phone back up to his ear, Spike was yelling, "You've got to get her away from him! It's a trap!"
"Yes, yes, we've come to the same conclusion. But . . . I can't believe I'm saying this . . . it seems you're the only one among us who can help her."
Spike considered this for a moment. Just then, the payphone made a funny beeping noise, and then a female computer voice came on the line, "Please insert 75 cents for the next three minutes." Spike decided he didn't have three minutes. He had to get to Buffy and get her away from that man.
"I believe he's on his way," Giles said, hanging up the phone. "We need to make our plans."
"Good morning," Lani said as he walked into the living room. He handed her a cup of coffee and asked how she likes her eggs.
"Pretty much just cooked," Buffy replied. She was so hungry, even Giles' Wheatabix would've appealed to her. Only she didn't remember Giles, or his Wheatabix or even her mother's pancakes.
As Lani cooked their breakfast, Buffy went upstairs. She went into a bedroom that she somehow knew was meant for her. She pulled some clothes out of the dresser within and went to take a shower. After her shower, she dressed, brushed her hair and went downstairs, her hair still wet.
"My God, you're a vision," Lani remarked when she went into the kitchen. She couldn't think how, what with her hair all wet and no makeup on, but she still enjoyed the compliment. She admired him, as well, standing at the stove cooking their breakfast in shorts and a T-shirt. She suddenly felt hot, and falsely attributed that to the heat from the stove.
They ate in comfortable silence, feeling familiar enough with each other that constant conversation was no longer necessary. After they cleaned up from breakfast, they talked about their hopes and dreams. She found that she didn't hope for much beyond staying there with Lani forever. For the first time in her life, Buffy felt completely content.
Lani taught her a logic game called "Wff & Proof," and they played that in between performing various domestic duties and talking.
After dinner, they went into the living room with their glasses of wine. Lani put on some soft music and asked Buffy to dance. As before, the sexual energy between them crackled, and soon they were hungrily kissing each other and exploring each other's bodies with their hands.
As they shed their shirts, Lani seemed to get suddenly shy. "What is it?" Buffy asked.
"It's just that I haven't been with a woman in a very long time," he answered.
"If it helps," she replied, "I want you more than I've ever wanted anything in my life. And, for the record, it's been a really long time for me, too." She wrapped her arms around his waist. "I'm pretty sure between us we can figure out what to do. She broke away from him for a second. "Give me a minute. I'll be right back."
Buffy went upstairs to her room. She opened the bottom drawer of her dresser and pulled out a lacy, black negligee. It was beautiful, with lace-trimmed elbow-length sleeves, a black silk bodice covered in lace that hugged her breasts firmly, a low-cut V-neck that drew attention to her long, sensuous neck and the curves of her breasts, and a skirt that flowed around her thighs trimmed in lace that came just above her knees. The silk felt heavenly against her bare skin and the tightness of the bodice made her nipples push against the fabric. The cut of the negligee flattered every curve and she was aroused just wearing it. She went back downstairs to the living room. When Lani saw her, his eyes went wide and he seemed to lose his ability for speech.
Buffy felt bold, powerful, sexy and shy all at once. Lani seemed to move without thought. He strode over to her, wrapped one arm around her waist and pulled her roughly against him. He said "Buffy," in a hoarse voice and captured her mouth with his own.
When Spike arrived at Giles', the gang quickly explained why they needed his help. "Right, then. Let's go," Spike said, quickly assuming the leadership role.
They arrived at Ulog's house and, as before, no one could see it. No one, that is, except Spike, who could see it plain as day. "You mean you can't see this house that's right in front of you?" Spike said incredulously.
"I'm afraid only true demons can penetrate the diberus' enchantment," Giles replied, and he and Spike locked eyes when he said "true demons."
"Well then," Spike said, and he walked over and knocked on the door.
Inside, Buffy stopped kissing Lani and said, "Did you hear something?"
"No," Lani said, and he kissed her again.
She heard it again. "Lani, I think there's someone at the door."
"Impossible," he answered, and he began kissing his way down her neck, continuing down until he was playfully nipping at the sides of her breasts that were exposed by the negligee.
Suddenly, the door burst open, startling them both. Buffy looked at the doorway, and she couldn't see Giles, Dawn or her friends, but she could see Spike, standing at the threshold.
"Spike!" she gasped, "What are you doing here?"
"Invite me in!" he demanded.
"Why would I want to do that?" she asked.
"You're in danger. It's a trap," he answered.
All of a sudden, they both realized how she looked; wearing the sexy negligee, hair tousled a bit, flushed with desire. Spike felt like his breath, if he'd had any, had been taken away, and Buffy, now flushed with desire AND embarrassment, stood her ground, hands on her hips.
"Buffy, please," he said softly this time, "You are under the spell of a diberus. It's making you forget things-your sister . . ." he looked imploringly at her. Seeing no sign of enlightenment coming from her, he said, "Alright, then, maybe this will help jog your memory." With that, he morphed into his vampire features. The slayer side of Buffy instinctively charged into action. She flew through the doorway, pushing Spike down hard. She straddled him, punching his face with alternate fists until he grabbed hold of her wrists. He put his vamp face away and looked up at her. She looked at him, then slowly looked up and saw Dawn, Giles, Willow, Xander, Tara and Anya. Her face expressed shock, horror and grief and she began sobbing uncontrollably. Remembering something, she turned around to look at Lani's house, but it had vanished, along with Lani and Ulog. She got off of Spike, still crying, and said to everyone how sorry she was that she had forgotten them. They reassured her that it wasn't her fault and that she had been under a powerful enchantment from the diberus.
Several weeks later, Spike and Buffy were patrolling. The others were all busy. It was the first time they had been alone since he'd rescued her. Silence hung over them like a heavy, black cloud. Buffy was the first to break the silence.
"Spike, when you were with the robot, did it . . . did she satisfy you? Was she what you wanted?"
"Well, that came out of nowhere," he remarked. "Slow night, so you're trying to pick a fight with me?"
"No, no it's not that," she said, "It's just . . ." she took a deep breath. "When I was with Lani, he seemed so real. But he wasn't. Still, he made me feel . . . well, it wasn't bad. But now I feel . . ."
"Stupid? Used? Sleazy?" Buffy glared at him. "Just trying to help, pet," he said, giving her a devilish grin.
"I don't need your help," she spat at him.
After a few beats of silence, Spike said, "I know something about that."
"What?"
"When I was with my robot, now, don't get me wrong-she was very good, but I always knew she wasn't the real thing. She was . . ."
"Sleazy? Stupid?" she waited for him to reward her with a glare. "Just helping," she said sarcastically.
"At least I didn't sleep with him," Buffy muttered under her breath.
"You didn't?" Spike said incredulously.
*Did I say that out loud?* Buffy thought.
"Do you think I care whether or not you believe me?" she said angrily.
"It's not that," he answered, "It's only that if I had you all to myself for two days and you wore that black thing . . .well I suppose your imaginary boyfriend has more self-control than I do."
"So, you and the robot . . ."
"Listen, Buffy, and try to wrap your little, blonde head around this. I had the robot built because I had completely given up on ever having the real thing. I figured even a robot version of you was better than a real anyone else. How truly pathetic am I? But that little taste of you was enough to keep me from attacking you, so, actually, you should be thankful I had it."
"You couldn't have attacked me," she said, "That chip . . ."
"That chip," Spike interrupted, "Only activates when I intend harm. I wouldn't have tried to hurt you."
She punched him, just for the hell of it.
He laughed. "You would have never been happy with Lani," he asserted, "You wouldn't have lasted a week with him! You need someone real. You want the real thing." With that, he grabbed her shoulders and kissed her hard.
She knew he was at least partly right, but she struggled against him just the same.
"You presumptuous, arrogant pervert!" she said, adrenaline pumping through her.
"Now Slayer," he said mockingly, "You know I'm right or you wouldn't be so worked up."
"You're wrong!" she continued, "We're not supposed to be together!"
"Buffy, I've watched you grow from being a whiney, self-centered teenybopper to a self-assured, intelligent woman. You don't need Giles or your friends to decide for you what's right and what's wrong. You're fully capable of making your own decisions. Stop lying to yourself and pretending. You know what you want. Stop being afraid of going after it."
She didn't want to believe that he could be right. How could she want to be with a vampire? She looked into his eyes, and he could see the ambivalence in her eyes.
"Come on, love," he said, not quite pleading, "Aren't you tired of fighting against your own heart?" He could see he was beginning to sway her, but she still needed one final push. "Tell you what," he said, moving closer to her, "You kiss me one time-not just a peck, mind you, one real kiss. Then, if you can walk away from me, I'll give it up. I'll move on. It will be your decision."
She could do this. She was sure she could do this. She stepped closer to him, leaving only a few inches between them. Watching his eyes search her face, she was suddenly shy and nervous and not quite sure how to approach him. She slowly put her hands on his shoulders. He automatically responded by putting his hands on her hips. Then she reached her mouth up to his, and pressed her lips against his. She could feel him holding back; keeping his passion and desire in check while she made up her mind. She was surprised to feel tears streaming from her eyes. She realized she wanted to unleash all of Spike's passion. She wanted to feel his desire. Her emotions all seemed to release at once, and her tears were tears of relief. It was as if, at last, she found what she had been longing for.
Buffy realized she had hidden her feelings for Spike for so long because she was afraid of losing him. She stopped kissing him and looked at him. As fresh tears sprang from her eyes, she said, "Don't leave me, Spike. Please don't leave me."
Touched by her vulnerability, Spike answered her, "Never," and he hugged her tightly to him, as his own tears of joy fell from his eyes.
THE END
P.S. Riley never did show up.