ImitorVitaProAmor12 Disclaimer: All characters and places, etc... belong to Joss and all those lovely people involved with making our fav tv show.
We only chose to borrow these characters for a bit to do what we enjoy doing. All that we own is our lovely plot! No
copyright infrigment is intended in any way shape or form.

With that out of the way...

Title: Imitor Vita Pro Amor (Imitating Life For Love)

Authors: Peroxide Pest and Nocturne Wytche, AKA Celeste and Debbie

Spoilers: All Seasons

Dedications: Well, I'd like to say thanks to all those wonderful S/B writers out there that have inspired me and my sister to come
outta our shells and see what y'all think of our lil fics. We'd probably like to thank each other for putting up with each other and
the sort, and of course for being so good at writing together, you can barely tell where one of us begins and one ends. Also, to
our sister, Keren, who still loves Angel, we forgive you :P Lea, thanks for all the help and support, blessed be sister.

Summary: A few unsuspected visitors come back to good ol' SunnyD and cause some more havoc in our favorite slayer's life.
She must also decide where her feelings for Spike lay. A run in with a demon changes things for Spike. S/B

Rated: R just to be safe

Note: songs come into a lot of play in the next few chapters, just to let you all know. Sorry if it becomes a nuisance, but hey
its the music of our character's hearts :P Or something to that affect... Plus, it leads to plenty of s/b romantic tension, which we
all love! Also, no copyright infringement intended on these beautiful songs, that are the backgrounds to the soul of this story :)

P.S.: We've also come to notice that Spike purring...is a GREAT thing :P *EG*
P.S.S Due to 2 mentions we've fixed the format so its easier for you all to read and enjoy, and we're such sticklers to please our fans; its fixed :P enjoy!

Without further blabbings:

Imitor Vita Pro Amor

Part 12


He drove hell bent back towards Sunnydale, trying to outrun the impending sunrise. He didn't know why Lorne's reading had unnerved him so much, but it had, and he was going back; whether it was good for him or not. He let his mind drift back to those demons he had killed, and he smirked to himself in satisfaction. After the brawl he had come upon a human walking down the street, and just to see if things were holding out, he'd punched the bugger. No pain. It was weird, not feeling some mind-numbing pain when he hit someone. It had almost been like a part of him for so long. Strange that it felt odd, rather than normal. He'd let the man live, complaining about a sore jaw. Spike figured he could have gotten out worse than that if he'd been in the mood. But he hadn't been.

He'd had plenty of action earlier with those ugly monsters that had jumped him outside of the club. Who needed to kill humans when there was a challenge to be had there? Demons were bigger, stronger and more importantly, deadlier than humans. They were a real challenge; not one of Angelus's precious easy kills. Spike had always been a fighter, and tonight's battle had only confirmed the fact that he could still do it without killing humans. He was still a brawler.

And he didn't need to kill humans to prove it. It lifted a tremendous weight from his undead heart. The choice was his. He didn't need to kill humans. He had his pig's blood, demon slaying, Buffy, the bit, and the Scoobs. He could be happy.

He realized he didn't EXACTLY have Buffy yet, per say, but he knew his chances were better with the whole, not killing humans. And he didn't have to. He rolled down the window and laughed to himself. He wasn't just some neutered vamp that couldn't hurt people. It was his choice now. And for Spike, that made all the difference. He didn't feed on humans because he didn't bloody well want to, and anyone who wanted to test his power because of his choice was welcome to step the hell up and see if they could back up their theories. No one could call him a bloody ponce without answering to him. He was the big bad. And how he chose to live his life was his own business, now. It was his bloody choice! He discovered that he'd be in Sunnydale within two hours; plenty of time to head back to the crypt for a nap before stopping by the house on Revello drive. He was going to see about his women. Spike grinned and turned on his radio, blaring the music loud and clear as he zipped on the California highway, his car the only one for miles.


Riley walked back to his car and jumped in. He would have offered Buffy a ride, but it would have been too awkward, and he wanted to be alone with his thoughts for now. What was it about Buffy that made him so crazy inside? And what was it about him that drove her back to her obsession with the undead? He shoved his keys into his ignition and the SUV roared to life, the radio at a comfortable level as he pulled out of his spot at the cemetery gate. He drove into the street slowly, his mind wandering all over the place, instead of concentrating on the small stretch of deserted Sunnydale road. The music played softly in the background. He sighed, seeing Buffy in his mind, telling him about Spike. He saw the far off look in her eye when she spoke about the vampire, the way her hand unconsciously rested on the curve of her stomach, like the mention of Spike's name made it ache and flutter.

Baby I know the story
I've seen the picture
it's written all over your face
Tell me, what's the secret
That you've been hiding
and who's gonna take my place

I should've seen it coming
I should've read the signs
Anyway, I guess it's over

He should have known this was what he'd return to, he supposed. He had been asking for it, looking for the attractiveness of a vampire himself. What was it that made them so alluring to Buffy, and eventually, to himself? What was it about them that was so irresistible? He wondered if it was just Spike. But recalling Angel, he guessed it wasn't so.

He groaned inwardly. Had his leaving driven Buffy back to something familiar? Or had she been playing him like that during their entire relationship? Had everything, past and present been in Angel's shadow, only to fall into Spike's as they progressed? He supposed he should have seen it coming. Her little Freudian slips. He distinctly recalled a, "if I wanted super powers, I'd be dating Spike," somewhere in the back of his mind. Or, the way they made fun of each other, how he'd smirk with all that sexual allure, and how she'd flush and turn away from him, calling him all sorts of names that she obviously didn't mean when push came to shove. The fire in their eyes when they fought each other, his fury seemed a little too strong at times, and her annoyance a little too vehement. There was passion there, amongst the raging insults and the flying barbs.

Can't believe that I'm the fool again
I thought this love would never end
How was I to know
You never told me
Can't believe that I'm the fool again
And I who thought you were my friend
How was I to know, you never told me


This was partially his fault. He'd seen bits and pieces of their tumultuous fire, and had ignored it, preferring to live blissfully unaware to the flame that was sputtering to life under his very nose. He'd been in too much denial to see it. Buffy, his precious golden, perfect Buffy could not fall for an animal. That had been his opinion at the time however. But, Spike had made him aware that perhaps that was exactly what she needed.

He displaced the blame again. If that's what she had wanted, all she had to do was tell him! He could be all about passion, emotion, flame. But he had thought she wanted a rock in her raging sea, something steady and always there. How did he know she'd fall for the raging wind?

Baby, you should've called me
When you were lonely
When you needed me to be there

Sadly, you never gave me
To many chances
To show you how much I care


And now? Now, it was obviously too late. The spark of flame between Slayer and vampire had grown to such extremes that apparently, their contact had to be evacuated. Spike had gone when the heat had overcome him and her both, only to have her missing every second of it. What a ride those two must be on, he thought to himself. He wondered why someone would want such an up and down relationship, so much hate and love all at once. He, personally, didn't like complication.

Maybe that was part of his problem as well, and with it, something innately unattractive about him to Buffy. Her life had always been a whirlwind of everything, all tossed about and thrown in at once, chaos and disorder. He'd thought he could fix some of that for her, be her steady, guiding hand. He'd thought she'd wanted that order in her life. He was wrong. And apparently, he was paying for it now.

I should've seen it coming
I should've read the signs
Anyway, I guess it's over

Can't believe that I'm the fool again
I thought this love would never end
How was I to know
You never told me
Can't believe that I'm the fool again
And I who thought you were my friend
How was I to know, you never told me


The ex-commando sighed, trying to stay optimistic. She hadn't said she hated Spike. She'd only said she'd missed him. But how could he ignore what every one of his senses was screaming at him? Just the looks they shared seem to have more heat than any of his lovemaking with Buffy. He felt so insignificant. And that made him angry. He didn't want to loose that way. Not to Spike, of all people.

About the pain and the tears
If I could I would
Turn back the time

I should've seen it coming
I should've read the signs
Anyway, I guess it's over

Can't believe that I'm the fool again
I thought this love would never end
How was I to know
You never told me
Can't believe that I'm the fool again
And I who thought you were my friend
How was I to know, you never told me

Turning onto the street that housed Graham's apartment, he slowed his car down, and lowered the volume on the radio. That look in Buffy's eyes tonight had told him so many things. The truth, for one, even when she'd said she didn't know. It hurt him, what he saw, and he convinced himself he needed to find a way to bring her back to him. They belonged together. For now, he'd ignore what he'd sensed, and he'd work harder on them, as a couple. He needed her. Maybe, if he tried hard enough, she'd need him just as much one day.

Can't believe that I'm the fool again
I thought this love would never end
How was I to know
You never told me
Can't believe that I'm the fool again
And I who thought you were my friend
How was I to know, you never told me



Spike parked his Desoto behind the cemetery in its usual spot and hopped the fence, sprinting towards his crypt as the first rays of sunlight began to bounce off the horizon. He shut the door with a definitive clank behind him, smiling ruefully as he took in the place. She'd been here. He could smell her. It made him feel happy, knowing that she'd thought enough about what he'd said to come and say goodbye. He wondered if he should have taken longer to see that.

Shaking his head, he decided that there was nothing he could gain from being nostalgic, and instead, he pulled the blood packets he had kept in the car from his duster pockets and stuck them in the fridge, along with his beer. He'd spend the day thinking. When the sun went down, he'd find her.


Sunlight streamed into Dawn's window, making her groan. She turned her head from the blinding light. She'd fallen asleep so quickly last night; she'd forgotten to pull in the shades. She threw her covers off and sat up, rubbing her sleep filled eyes. She turned to the clock and groaned again. If she didn't move now, she'd be late for school. With a sigh, she hopped out of bed to shower and change.

Twenty minutes later she knocked on her sister's door. "Buffy!! Wake up already! I'm gonna be late!"

No answer, not even a tired moan.

"Buffy?" she knocked again, then opened her door. Her sister's bed was empty and made. Dawn turned and hurried down the stairs, her heart filling with worry. "Buffy?!" she called. It was totally unlike her to not be here.

Dawn sighed with relief, finding her sister asleep on the couch.

"Buffy..." Dawn called, annoyed at her brush with worry. She shook her gently. "Hey! C'mon!!" Dawn shouted.

Buffy groaned tiredly. She turned over, facing Dawn, still asleep. She smiled and mumbled, "Spike..."

Dawn's eyes widened and she put a hand to her mouth, holding in her bubbling giggles. "What did you say?" Dawn whispered, as not to wake her completely.

Her smile returned. "Spike..."

Dawn fell on her rump in disbelief. She couldn't believe it...

She stretched like a feline and sighed. Her eyes opened slowly. She looked over at Dawn and smiled. "Hey..." she said, her voice filled with sleep. Her eyes widened suddenly. "Oh my God! What time is it?" she jumped up, looking for the time.

She slapped a hand to her forehead and gasped. "Oh...oh go eat something fast, while I change! I made your lunch last night," she jumped off the couch, running for the stairs. She looked back at Dawn, who hadn't moved. She stared, perplexed. Then she groaned again. "Is it Saturday?"

Dawn had a giant grin on her face and she just shook her head no.

"Then why are you just sitting there with that silly grin on your face?! You'll be late Dawnie!" Buffy gaped.

Dawn just beamed more brightly, finally starting to giggle.

"What are you laughing about?!" Buffy sighed, tiredly.

Dawn had a 'I told you so' look on her face as she finally sat up, walking to Buffy. "You were sleeping on the couch..."

"And the humor in this, is?" Buffy wasn't following.

"And you were dreaming..." Dawn continued.

"Again, not finding any humor here." Buffy crossed her arms.

"You were dreaming about Spike!" Dawn let her grin split her face. "You were moaning his name!!"

Buffy raised her brows, staring at the girl. "Huh?"

"You were saying... 'Spike...Spike...' I heard you!" her smile not losing any flare, as she mimicked her sister's voice.

Buffy sank to the steps. She flushed red. "So... maybe I was finally staking him..."

"Or kissing him...or…or… doing...more..." Dawn hinted.

"Oh no. Don't even… you're only fifteen, what do you know about...oh....geez... Dawnie!!!" Buffy groaned unbearably embarrassed, head in hands. "I was NOT dreaming of Spike!"

"You were TOO!" Dawn argued. "I HEARD you!!!"

"Just cuz I said his name doesn't mean I was dreaming bout him! And...and...if I was, it was of me killing him!" Buffy argued back lamely. She'd been caught red-handed. Truth was, she was dreaming of Spike, but it was a sick and twisted dream. That's all...

"Sure Buffy," Dawn nodded sarcastically.

"It was!" She was losing the argument.

"Whatever you say..." Dawn crossed her arms, her grin not lessening.

"Ugh… I don't believe this... I was not kissing Spike!" she stood up, go eat before you're late for school!" Buffy ordered.

Dawn turned on her heel, walking into the kitchen. "Were too!!"

Buffy growled, stomping up the stairs.


Buffy walked Dawn to her building. "Ok, 'll see you later then, have a good day at school." She smiled.

"Don't forget my dentist appointment today!" Dawn told her.

"I won't, just don't you forget missy," Buffy said sternly.

"Oh, I won't... Don't get caught up daydreaming about Spike though!" Dawn teased, before running for her life towards the building.

Buffy growled and stomped her foot. The girl had bothered her about it the whole way to school! She couldn't believe she'd actually said his name aloud. Sighing, she turned and headed towards the magic shop, thoughts (not all clean) ran through her head before she could stop them. God, had she really dreamt of Spike like that?

After her ordeal with Riley last night, she'd gone home and crashed on the couch immediately, refusing to think about him, or his accusations, or that kicked puppy look he got on his face. She'd fallen asleep within minutes, and in her dreams, found herself in a dark cemetery. She'd been dressed in a sheer black, knee length dress, and her hair hung loose, in curls. She carried Mr. Pointy at her side, poised and ready, and she was moving in and out of the thick fog and the shadows cast by the trees and the moonlight. She had been walking forward, searching for something, or someone.

Suddenly, out of the fog, she saw a flash of black and turned towards it, stake poised, but when she looked, there was nothing there.

Then, out of thin air, cool hands gripped her arms, pulling her body backwards from behind, sending her flush against something solid.

She gasped in shock, but soon relaxed at the sound of his voice as hands ran up and down her arms with feather light touches.

"Easy luv..." he purred, his cool lips tracing the back her hair. He took one hand and brushed away her curls, putting his cool lips against her neck, sending a ripple through her skin. He nipped gently along her neckline, purring softly all the while.

She leaned her head back, inviting him closer. She smiled with complete satisfaction as his tongue darted out of his lips, tracing the pulse point at her throat.

His hands slid down the length of her arms, circling her abdomen. His purring grew louder at the intense pleasure of the feel of her against him.

She dropped her stake and found his hands with her own. She squeezed them affectionately as he continued nipping at her neck playfully with blunt teeth. She leaned into his coolness, her body radiating heat from his ministrations. She felt one hand leave her body, only to have his fingertips trace her cheek, down her throat, along her shoulder blade, to the strap of her dress.

He brushed it off her shoulder with ease, replacing the newly exposed flesh with his lips. His hand worked its way back to her body, and found her tiny hand again, entwining their fingers.

She turned to face him, wanting so badly to see him. Her eyes found his chiseled, beautiful face and she studied the planes of it intently. Then, giving up on finding the part about him that she loved most, she cupped his cheek, the warmth of her hand, burning the sensation into cool skin. His eyes were the color of the ocean after a storm. His lips were pale and pressed together, wanting to continue his onslaught of tender kisses. She smiled at him; eyes alight with barely contained love and passion. She leaned in closer to him, inhaling the scent of leather and smoke and spice that was uniquely his, smiling tenderly at the familiar sensation. She rested her head on his sculpted chest, burying her face in his soft, well-worn duster.

His hands played anxiously against her back and shoulders, pulling the other strap of her dress off her shoulders, his cool palms pressing against the sheer fabric, sending waves of coolness over her skin. He pulled at her heatedly, pushing her as close as he could, while he rested his cheek against the top of her head, his chest vibrating with a deep, rumbling noise. He inhaled the scent of her moaned at the sweet familiarity of it. "Buffy... I love you..."

She looked up to him and his lips crashed down on hers, cold and hot all at once. She moaned in utter ecstasy as his tongue traced erotic patterns on her now parted, swollen lips. His kiss was full of such intensity it made her head swim. She kissed him back, with as much fervor, perhaps more, darting her warm tongue along his cool lips playfully, before biting on his bottom lip gently. He growled low in his throat, and she pulled back slightly, wanting to see his haunting eyes, clouded with passion for her.

"Spike..."

He caressed her shoulder with his hand, smiling at her gently, hearing the lusty trembles in her voice. His eyes were warm and tender, and were full of such uncontrolled emotion. More emotion than she ever dreamed he could have. He kissed her forehead, gently his lips lingering there in a sweet gesture. "God, you make me feel so alive Buffy."

"Spike..." She looked up at him, lips slightly parted, a pleasantly mussed, dazed expression on her face. She had been about ready to explode if he didn't kiss her again. And then, she'd woken up…her dream had ended.

Thank God. Right? Of course!

Buffy argued with herself all the way to the magic shop, feeling her heart race as she relieved the best moments of the dream again and again. And again.

Oh God... What was happening to her? Fantasizing about Spike?! She wanted to feel repulsed and sick by the mere thought of it, but it had been such a tender, sweet dream. It had been anything but the bad dream she kept telling herself it should have been. "UGH! Bad Buffy!! NO!" she chastised herself sternly upon reaching the shop. She took a steadying breath, trying to force the dream out of her mind. But it wouldn't leave. She stepped inside the store, grinning largely, though she didn't know it.

"I told you Spike could do it!" Xander huffed, full of himself, and no small amount of shit.

"He did it, and she didn't even make him!" Willow agreed. "He did it cuz he wanted to! I knew he would..."

"Spike do what? What are you guys talking bout?" Buffy interrupted.

"Slayer Master General!" Xander looked up. "How's it going? How's the Dawnster?"

"She's fine." Buffy quirked an eyebrow warningly at her friend. He was obviously trying to change the subject. "Now, what are you guys talking about?"

Willow was more than happy to tell her. "Spike saved someone's life!"

"And you weren't around for him to try and score 'points'!" Tara added, proud of the vampire she had come to call friend.

"I..." Buffy paused. Was he back?? Had he come back to them?! "Spike's back?!" Buffy's eyes lit up.

"No, this was the other night, Buffy. Apparently just before he left Sunnydale..." Giles explained, a rather fascinated look in his eye from the strange events. A vampire voluntarily saving a stranger. Odd.

"Oh." She frowned.

Giles watched the girl curiously. Why did she seem disappointed that he wasn't back?? He watched her slip into a chair at the table, looking somewhat saddened and just a little bit lost. "Is everything quite alright?" Giles asked gently, brow furrowing with concern.

"It's fine." She smiled short and sweetly.

Something was definitely wrong, the watcher knew. He knew the slayer, who was like a daughter to him, and consequently, could read her like a book. Written in English. With pop-out pictures.

"Yeah, so back to Spike saving people!" Xander grinned.

"I can't believe how much all of you have changed your opinions. You of all people Xander… When did you turn into a cheerleader for team Spike?" Buffy questioned.

"Right about the same time he went out, risking his undead life every night to slay and protect Dawnie." Xander shrugged. "Guess he kinda grows on ya... like mold." His smile changed to a stern look. "But... he IS still a vamp!"

"Oh, come off of it Xand. You know you like the guy!" Willow pushed. "You're just jealous cuz he beats you in pool all the time! Not that anyone couldn't beat you. Cuz you know, you really suck and stuff."

"Soooo not the point. But thanks bunches Wills...for pointing out my suckiness... because I'm sure before just now, no one noticed." Xander smiled sarcastically at his oldest friend.

She grinned, bouncing in her seat, eyes alight with mischief and good humor.

"Anyway..." Anya rolled her eyes at how childish they both could get. "We found out that this girl had been attacked in the cemetery the other night. She was going for a stroll..."

"An obvious newcomer to Sunnydale," Tara added.

"Or otherwise very stupid," Anya agreed.

"And it appears some type of demon...attacked her..." Giles continued.

"We've covered all that so far. My questions are, who told you, and how do we know Spike did the saving?" Buffy asked.

"And what kind of demon is important too!" Anya put in. "Because we'll probably need to kill it."

"It seems the girl had told a few friends, who also shop here..." Willow informed Buffy, ignoring Anya's statement for now, however wise it may have been.

"Way to go on spreading out the business Giles," Buffy grinned.

Giles returned the gesture, eyes scrunching up with fondness, before turning his attention back to the matter at hand. "It appears she saw some flashing lights nearby and went to check it out…"

"Checking things out is a major no-no in Sunnydale..." Buffy stated. "What was it?"

"The demon who attacked her," Xander told.

"The flashy lights were a demon? What? I've got to worry about General Electric making demons now, too?" Buffy joked.

"Yes, something like that..." Giles took off his glasses. "It appeared to the girl as some type of... electrical demon... in any case…"

"Okay, and wackiness ensued..." Buffy shook her head. "How does Spike fit in?"

"Well it seems, the girl began to scream and out of nowhere Spike pops in to help. Like Superman. Except without the cape. And the tights. But hey, his name starts with an S, too!" Willow babbled excitedly, though with a keen eye on Buffy. There was something her best friend was keeping inside. She'd have to talk to her later. "It's a little foggy from there. Apparently, Spike told the girl to run but she came back later to see if he was okay. Said he seemed a little... out of it? I don't know what they called it, really. Maybe he was drunk or something… Anyway, the girl said she thought he'd been hurt, but he insisted he was fine and made her go..."

"After he called her Buffy and tried to kiss her..." Xander added, smirking. Boy, was he gonna tease Flashlight head when he got back. You know…if he got back. "That's the 'how we know it was Spike' part."

Buffy lowered her eyes, and coughed. "Oook..."

"Not to mention, she said he had the coolest white hair..." Willow added, grinning.

"So score one for Spike, eh? Go Team Spike! And other stuff you say to celebrate," Anya rambled, watching some customers over in the front of the store. "Whoops... Hey! I'm here to help! Lemme help you!" she called to them, getting up. "I can show you the expensive stuff if you'd like!"

"Still working on that 'let's not be blunt' thing with her, huh?" Buffy chuckled, changing the subject.

"And people say it pays to go to college. I'm a learning machine!" Xander cracked, and then winced when Anya pushed a statuette into one of the customer's faces. "Or not. Well, maybe she needs the remedial course."

"Back to the matter at hand..." Giles cleared his throat, hoping Anya wouldn't permanently traumatize one of the customers. "No one's seen Spike since then and you're pretty sure he's left Sunnydale, right Buffy?"

"His place sure left enough evidence to back that up, yeah..." Buffy thumbed through a book. "So what do we know about the electricky demon?"

"He's electrifying..." Willow teased.

Buffy smiled gently. "Other than that?"

"Nothing that research can't uncover," Giles sat at the table, book in hand.

"Research...yay for research!" Buffy drawled, though she immediately buried her face into a book. At least if she was reading, she wouldn't have to think of Spike.

Willow watched her friend from across the table, wondering just what was up with her.


Hours later, Dawn stood outside her school building, impatiently waiting for Buffy to pick her up. She glared at her watch for the umpteenth time and sighed. Her sister was already a half hour late picking her up, and her dentist appointment was slowly ticking away. She sighed, hoping her sister was okay. Something must have come up. She paced the steps for a little while longer, watching the cars and people go by, until it slowly died down to a trickle, and there was just Dawn. Waiting. Still.

"Okay, this is fine," she said to herself, taking the steps down two at a time. "I'll just take myself to the dentist." she shook her head. "It's bad enough I have to go..." she shook her head. But if she skipped it, Buffy would still kill her. If she didn't kill her for leaving the school alone first. But hey, it was getting later, and Buffy she forgot then it wasn't Dawn's fault. Right?

She stalked down the sidewalk, headed for the dentist.

TBC...