For full disclaimer see chapter one, disclaimer for chapter five amended to add the song It's Your Love by Tim McGraw & Faith Hill. If you would like to hear my version of this song as it goes along with the chapter it is available at my website Taulmaril's Fanfiction Warehouse Thanks to everyone that has given feedback so far
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Chapter Five
So Buffy recounted to her friend all the events of the previous night including the unfortunate incident with Riley.
"Oh, I almost forgot" Buffy said, "Has Giles already left?"
"Yeah, Xander took him to the airport before he went to work this morning to earn money to pay for the many things which I am in need of" Anya answered in her usual style.
"He left you a note, out in the mail tray" Willow added. "Um Buffy, Tara and I have been thinking and summer classes are going to be starting up soon, and if you didn't need us around anymore, we were going to move back into the dorm"
"We can stay for as long as you need us," Tara added quickly.
"No, don't be silly, of course you guys can move back to your dorm. I can't tell you how much I appreciate you guys moving here to help with Dawn and everything while I was" Buffy paused "gone" she finished as she got up from her place at the table and gave both Willow and Tara hugs.
"Well, I'm going to go get showered and changed" she said as she crossed to Anya to give her a hug as well. Anya returned the hug stiffly but was glad not to be left out again.
"I'll see you guys later?" Buffy asked on her way out of the kitchen.
"Yes, we are going to go open the Magic Box now, I'm in charge. Anya stated as Willow rolled her eyes.
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Spike slowly awoke late in the afternoon. He immediately knew that he was alone in bed and he frowned slightly missing her warm body next to his. He took a deep unneeded breath as he sat up in bed and grabbed a cigarette off the nightstand and lit it taking a deep drag. As he was knocking the excess ash off his Marlboro he spotted his guitar sitting in the corner. He got up and retrieved the Gibson from its case and returned to his spot on the bed. He strummed the strings a few times before he began to sing
Dancin' in the dark, middle of the night
don't think I can keep it all in
what it is that won't let me go
It's your love it just does something to me
it sends a shock right
spell I'm under, oh it's your love
Better than I was, more than I am
Oh it's a beautiful thing,
don't think I can keep it all in
all I gotta do is say your sweet name
It's your love it just does something to me
it sends a shock right
about the spell I'm under,
don't think I can keep it all in
that won't let me go
It's your love it just does something to me
about the spell I'm under,
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Buffy was leaning against the basement door. She had just got done cleaning the late lunch dishes for her and Dawn and was headed to the basement with a load of laundry when she stopped short at the door because she could hear the faint guitar playing and singing of the blonde vampire who lives in her basement. She sat the basket down and using her enhanced hearing listened to the love and emotion in the soulless vampire's voice. Buffy just stood there for a few minutes smiling when she heard footsteps headed her way. She quickly shoved the laundry into the dinning room out of sight and scrambled to get away from the door by running into the kitchen.
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As the last notes fades away Spike retrieved his mostly spent cigarette taking one last drag before extinguishing it. He then put his guitar in its case and grabbed a pair of jeans slipping them on as he hopped out his bedroom door and headed up the stairs. As he approached the stairs he could hear shuffling outside the basement door and someone taking off towards the kitchen. Spike slowly climbed the stairs and entered the kitchen to find Buffy pretending to dry a cup.
"Morning, luv" Spike said as casually walked up behind her to retrieve his favorite cereal bowl from the cupboard directly in front of Buffy.
"M morning, Spike" Buffy stammered.
Spike then collected the Count Chocula from another cupboard and a carton of blood from the refrigerator and took a seat at the kitchen table and went about making his breakfast. Buffy watched Spike with a puzzled look on her face.
"What are you doing?" Buffy asked.
"Making breakfast, what does it look like? I'm making myself some breakfast" Spike said as he started adding blood to his bowl of chocolate flavored puffs.
"Ewwww, that is so gross" Buffy said wrinkling up her nose "Why can't you eat like a normal vampire?" Spike started laughing. "What's so funny?" Buffy asked as she took a seat next to him.
"Dawn asked the same question just a few days ago." Spike said between chuckles. "Speaking of which, where is Little Bit?"
"She went to the mall with some friends" Buffy answered. "So are you going to answer the question or do I have to ask Dawn what your reply was?" Buffy asked crossing her arms across her chest trying to look serious.
Spike looked at Buffy and let the ridges appear upon the planes of his face and for his teeth to descend "I just pointed out that if I was a normal vampire I would be drinking my blood out of her neck" Spike finished his eyes resting on Buffy's pulse point as his tongue ran along his upper lip.
"Is this little demonstration supposed to scare me?" Buffy asked not impressed.
"No, just to serve as a reminder of who I really am" Spike paused unsure if this was the right way to broach this topic "a vampire"
Buffy pursed her lips slight before drawing back and punching Spike knocking him from his chair.
"What was that for?" Spike said surprised as his face returned to it human form.
"That was just to serve as a reminder of what I really am," Buffy said as she got up.
"Yeah, I got it a slayer," Spike said as he got back to his feet.
"No, a bitch" Buffy said before flipping her hair behind her shoulder, turning around and leaving the room to start that load of laundry.
Spike just picked up his chair and returned to eating his cereal. 'Not a bad start' he thought to himself.
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Buffy finished loading the washing machine and headed back upstairs. Spike was no longer in the kitchen but she could hear that the television was on in the living room and could hear Spike talking. "Timmy, give Tabitha her soddin head already!"
Buffy chuckled silently as she headed upstairs. She passed the mail tray on her way and grabbed the envelope that Giles had left for her and opened it on the way to her room. Once in her room she flopped down on her bed and started to read.
Dear Buffy,
I was hoping to get to talk to you before I left but I understand that you had a late night last night so I didn't want to wake you. I don't know how long I'll be gone. I spoke with Travers last night and the reporting process he described did not sound like a simple or expedient procedure. I really don't expect to be back for several months. If you need to talk to me I'm just a phone call away. If you need the services of a watcher, you can always call Wesley but I'm sure Willow or even Spike should be able to assist you in that capacity in my absence. Be careful and don't take any chances. Please let Spike continue to assist with the patrols to watch your back. Give everyone my love.
Yours always,
Giles
p.s. Make sure that Anya doesn't drive my car.
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"Slayer!" Spike yelled up the stairs. "Slayer! Get your arse down here!" he finished just as Buffy appeared at the top of the stairs.
"What!" Buffy yelled back.
"It's slay time, the Nibblet and I are headed to the Magic Shop. If you want a ride you better kick it into gear" Spike said as he turned and headed towards the back door with Dawn in tow.
"Hey!" Buffy said surprised as she rushed down the stairs to follow the two into the kitchen where they were putting on their coats. "Hello, remember me?" Buffy said waving in a plainly annoyed fashion. "I'm the slayer, I'm the one who says when it's slaying time"
"Well I guess we could wait around until you said it was time but then the giant Illuyankas might have burned the town and all your precious humans to bloody ashes." Spike said shrugging.
Buffy's mouth dropped open in shock. "What are you talking about?" she said obviously worried.
"Willow just called, Xander construction company accidentally released some sort of dragon demon called Illuyankas from the sewers about an hour ago. Willow looked it up and knows how to kill it we just have to get to the Magic Shop before it causes more damage. Right now it's trapped but it won't be for long." Dawn said in one long breath.
"Yeah, what she said" Spike said as he threw Buffy's jacket to her as she barged past them and all three headed out the door.
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"So what's the what?" Buffy asked Willow as soon as she entered the Magic Box.
"Well this dragon thing is semi contained at the moment." She started.
"Yeah the construction site was surrounded by chain link so I got everyone out and then electrified it. Luckily it hasn't regained the use of its wings from being trapped in those tunnels for who knows how long."
"Good thinking Xand" Buffy said before turning back to Willow. "So how do I kill it?"
"It's not hard really, just a sword to the heart should kill it . . . " Willow paused.
"But what's the catch Red?" Spike asked.
"Well there's a little fire breathing problem we'll have to get around," Xander said as he started handing out the com units to the slaying members. Buffy looked at hers confused for a moment before remembering the new slaying procedures the gang had been using in her absence.
"Willow has a spell that might work" Tara added. "Remember sweetie the rain one you were working on. What if you performed that spell while I did the amplifying spell"
"Yeah that might work, I didn't even think of that, I don't know for how long it will work though." Willow said wavering from being sure to unsure of herself.
"If you think it will work, it sound like plan to me. The witches make with the rain, I make with the killing" Spike said as he secured the com device to his belt.
"Oh no I'll be the one doing the killing" Buffy said as she selected a sword from the ones Xander had laid out on the table.
"But, pet" Spike started.
"Don't but pet me" Buffy said "I'm the slayer and you're flammable. Need I say more?"
"Do you think you're up to full Slayer strength?" Xander asked gently.
"Fit as a fiddle" Buffy replied easily. "Let's head out. Dawn can you stay here with Anya?" Dawn frowned but nodded her head yes. "Good, thank you" Buffy said as the rest of them headed out the front door"
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TBC . . . .