By Night - Chapter Eight
by Angel Eternal aka Angeline
email: spikes_angel01@yahoo.com.au
Website: In Dreams and Shadows
http://www.geocities.com/spikes_angel01/index.html
Rating: R
Pairings: Primarily S/B, but also has W/T and X/A
Summary: Secrets revealed have a disastrous aftermath.
Author's Notes: This is set S6, and is loosely based on spoilers concerning the season. I just want to point out
though that I haven't seen S6 and won't for a while, so if things aren't quite right, you'd know why.
Distribution: "In Dreams and Shadows", "Shadow Borne", "Shelby's and Erin's Place" and at FF.net but it you want to
archive it go ahead, but just let me know first - I kinda like to know where it's going, and plus I find out about more
S/B shipper sites! ::grins::
Disclaimers: Buffy the Vampire Slayer is owned by Joss Whedon, several companies and God knows who else.
One thing is certain - I don't own any of it! Nothing - zip - nada!
"Ugh...what is this supposed to be?" Dawn grimaced at the heap of...something that Buffy had cheerfully placed before
her. Cautiously, she poked the heap with her fork.
Buffy's radiant smile didn't alter, "Blueberry pancakes with blueberry sauce."
She stared at her sister expectantly, Dawn looked nauseated at the thought of letting any of the stuff near her lips.
Fortunately she was saved by Willow's entrance. Buffy turned to her, smile still firmly in place. She hurried to grab
a plate for her friend.
She set the plate, stacked high with pancakes dripping with 'sauce' and a glass of orange juice in front of Willow.
"There you go Wills, gourmet pancakes, and freshly squeezed orange juice!"
Willow's gaze flicked hesitantly from the 'pancakes' to the juice. Grasping the glass firmly, she offered Buffy a smile
and a murmur of thanks.
At the first sip, Willow's eyes widened. With great discipline, she forced herself to swallow.
Buffy grinned at her, as soon as she turned her back, Willow pushed the glass away, grimacing in distaste.
"So Buffy, what's with this...breakfast thing?"
Dawn chimed in, "Yeah, is this gonna be...permanent? Should we be expecting Buffy-breakfasts from now on?"
Willow could see the wheels turning in Dawn's head, and had to hide her grin.
Buffy, still with her back to them, shrugged, "I just wanted to make Willow feel better."
Dawn grinned at Willow in her glee, but Willow waved away the younger girl's enthusiasm at the prospect of no more
future Buffy-breakfasts.
"That's sweet of you Buffy. Thank you." she was genuinely touched by her friend's concern
Buffy turned back to them, a bowl of cereal in her hands. "You're welcome."
Dawn glared at her sister. "Hey! Aren't you eating your.... pancakes?"
Buffy shrugged, "You know me - cereal's more then enough."
Willow and Dawn exchanged agonised glances that Buffy completely missed.
Dawn hastily stood, "I better get going, you know. School and all." she turned to Willow. "You coming?"
Grateful to Dawn, Willow stood as well, "Yeah sure Dawnie. Drat those morning classes."
Both sped out of the door, throwing a good-bye to a bewildered Buffy.
* * *
"Seriously though Willow - are you ok?"
Willow sighed, and offered Dawn a smile, "Yeah Dawn, I'm fine. Hey look - Xander's."
Dawn glanced over, "Yeah, I pass by his place every morning. Is he in the car?"
Willow squinted, shielding her eyes against the glare of the sun, "Yeah, and someone's with him."
Dawn tugged on her hand, "Come on, let's say hi."
As the girls walked up to Xander's car, Xander himself stumbled out of the car. He raced to the driver's side, opening
the door, and appeared to be cajoling whoever it was in there to come out.
"Hey Xander."
Xander looked, his expression a mixture of relief and trepidation. "Wills! Dawn!"
The girls heard a low voice muttering within the car, curious Willow walked over to Xander's side. "Who's your..."
"Friend..." Willow's voice trailed off, as her gaze fell on whom Xander was trying to pull out of his car.
Curious now, Dawn walked over, "Guys what are you..."
Her eyes widened and she instinctively pushed Xander away. "Oh my god, what are you trying do? Making some
crispy Spike?"
She swiftly divested herself of her jacket and draped it over Spike's head.
Xander tapped Dawn's shoulder, "Um Dawn..."
"What did you guys fight about this time?"
Willow tugged on Dawn's arm, trying to get the girl to focus. "Dawnie..."
Dawn ignored them, continuing to adjust her jacket on Spike's head, "You can be so immature sometimes Xander. And don't you think this would kinda tick Buffy off?"
Spike sighed, and stilled her hands, "Nibblet!"
"What?!" slightly irritated by Spike's tone. Here she was helping him, the least he could do was be grateful!
Spike pulled the jacket off his head, and handed it back to her. Comprehension hit her, and Dawn took a step back,
staring. "Spike. What...?"
Willow, the first effects of shock wearing off, leapt into action. She grabbed Spike's hands. "Did you get the Ring
of Amara back? Was is it a spell?"
Spike shook his head, marvelling at the sight of his hands in daylight. He'd only see that sight once since he'd been
turned. "I don't know...I just..."
Willow spun and faced Xander, demanding answers.
Xander stammered through a recount of the night before. Willow frowned, then turned back to the dazed vampire.
"Something's happening to you Spike, and I think it's been happening for a while."
* * *
Buffy concentrated on her breathing, she hadn't much of a chance lately to just simply clear out her mind, and she
couldn't think of a better time then now.
Slowly she exhaled the air, enjoying the calm. The serenity that she had only felt in that other place...
The door slammed open below.
Buffy growled, her eyes snapping open, she fully intended to run downstairs and chew out whoever had interrupted
her peace, when the voices reached her hearing.
"Calm down Willow - it can't be that bad. This could be of the good!"
"What? We don't know any of that! What if...what if..."
"Oh come on Willow, be reasonable. What bad could come of this?"
That third voice propelled Buffy to her feet. Dawn. What was Dawn doing back home? With Xander and an
agitated Willow at that. Slowly, she crept down the hallway.
"A lot of bad could come of this!"
"For God's sake Willow! Keep your voice down!"
Buffy heard a snort.
"Oh please whelp, as if the Slayer couldn't hear your whine from a mile away."
That comment, spoken in a dry tone, decieded her, she started to walk down the stairs.
"Besides Scoobies - I'm right here you know. If you're gonna insult me, couldn't you wait until I at least got out
of the bloody room? I'd still hear you, but then you'd appear to have some decency."
Buffy took in the scene before her, finding nothing overly unusual. Xander and Dawn were seated at the sofa,
watching a pacing Willow, while Spike hovered in the shadows.
"What's going on?"
They all whirled around.
Buffy focused on her sister. "Why aren't you at school?"
She turned to Xander and Willow, "And you two!"
Willow shifted uncomfortably, "Buffy, we've got a situation..."
Buffy glared at her, "Situation? There is no situation to warrant having Dawn out of school!"
She reconsidered that statement. "Unless her principle's turned into a giant child-eating monster. Or one of
her teachers is leeching on their brains. Or if she's really sick."
She fixed her gaze on Willow. "Does this situation involve any of those? Or anything that would endanger my sister?"
"Well...no...but you see..." Willow vainly stammered.
"No buts Wills." she turned to Dawn. "Dawn, go to school, you'll make it to first period."
Xander spoke up now, "Buffy..."
Buffy turned to face Xander, "Go and take her to school Xand."
Xander tried again. "Buffy..."
Exasperated at all this fuss, Spike finally moved from the shadows. "Come on Bit, big sis is right. I'll take you."
Buffy turned, her jaw dropping open in shock.
Spike moved in the light, the sinuous grace that marked his movements hadn't been diminished, but his aura had
changed. No longer did he resemble a dark panther moving in the night, he now reminded her of a lion stalking
the plains. The danger that clung to him like his clothes was still there, and palpable.
Buffy couldn't say that this was the first time she'd seen the vampire in sunlight, seeing him now, conjured
memories of a certain day. Instantly her eyes dropped to his hand, but found nothing adorning those slender fingers.
Spike smirked, seeing Buffy's confusion, but the smirk gave way to a soft smile, as he beheld her, bathed in light.
It wouldn't be the first time he saw her in sunlight, but the difference was that he himself was in the same light.
This time, he had no desire to kill her, and that was the biggest difference of all.
He walked right by her, picking up Dawn's school bag, and wordlessly sailed out the door, a meek Dawn following.
Buffy stared after them. She didn't know why, but watching Spike walk out that door suddenly struck her. Still
in full command of her faculties, she resisted running after him, and clinging to his arm. He wasn't leaving her.
A dark voice in the back of her mind, maliciously whispered - not yet.
Xander helped her sit. "Yeah, that was our basic reaction too."
He got no response from Buffy, who continued to stare at the now closed door.
Willow moved to sit next to her. "Buffy..."
She snapped to life, "Who, what, why, how?"
Willow sighed, "I don't know. To all."
Xander shook his head, "It's just. I really hate myself at the moment, but I think we gotta hit the books for this one."
He winced, and Buffy patted his arm comfortingly.
Willow was deep in thought, "Guys, I don't think we can handle this on our own. We gotta call..."
"Not Angel."
Xander and Willow exchanged brief glances, surprised by Buffy's vehemence.
"I was going to say Giles."
Buffy nodded, "Right. I'm just saying we keep Angel out of this. He made that pretty clear."
Xander and Willow exchanged another glance at the reference to what they privately called The Meeting.
But Buffy was going on, "We call Giles, then hit the books. It would kinda help if that infuriating va...thing...didn't
just waltz out the door! Now, you guys are going to tell me everything. I don't care how minor it is."
Floored by Buffy's take-charge attitude, Xander and Willow sank into their respective seats.
One golden eyebrow rose, "Well?"
Hearing the note of impatience in the Slayer's voice, Xander started.
Buffy only half-listened to Xander's narrative, her mind was whirling.
Spike, for some reason unknown to them, was now able to walk in the sunlight. Was he human now? Buffy wanted
to just groan and bury her head somewhere - preferably in a big mound of pillows. Right now, she had to be in
control, she couldn't let her mind wander into daydreams of hot, sultry kisses, with the sun's warming rays lightly
touching her skin, once cold arms wrapped around her...
"So basically, we have nothing." Buffy held Xander's gaze, and he nodded miserably.
Willow jumped in. "Buffy, this could be...a culmination. The not liking blood, remember?"
Buffy nodded, still frowning, "Something must've triggered this. It couldn't have just happened!"
Xander sighed, "I guess now we wait for the Bleached wonder to come back."
* * *
He hated to admit it, but the steady gaze that was fixed on him was beginning to unnerve him. "Um, Nibblet?"
Dawn shook her head, smiling apologetically. "Sorry, it's just..." she struggled to find an appropriate word.
Spike reached out to touch her hand, "Yeah I know."
They fell into companionable silence, each lost in thought.
Dawn spoke up again, "So this thing...do you feel any different?"
Spike glanced at her, the words he really wanted to say, was buried. He couldn't tell her that this, walking in
the sunlight, doing a simple domestic task as taking her to school was more then he had ever wished for himself.
He settled for a non-committal shrug. "Not really, the sun warms me though, but aside from the blatantly obvious,
nothing really."
Dawn nodded, her gaze now thoughtful, but she remained silent.
They reached her school sooner then she wanted. Spike stopped, handing her the bag. Dawn turned to go, but
an impulse seized her, and she hugged him.
Surprised, Spike hugged her back, before shooing her away.
He stood for a moment, watching her disappear into the crowd, before walking back. He really didn't know if
he wanted to go back to that house, to meet those questioning gazes. Especially the one gaze that could make
him quiver. He didn't know if he could face Buffy right now, but knew that he had no choice in the matter as his
feet bore his unwilling body back to the house - back to Buffy.
* * *
Willow fiddled with the cord. "I know that Giles - I didn't do anything this time. I promise."
She listened to the cultured British voice at the other end of the line. She could almost imagine him pacing up
and down.
"What? No - he's not here yet, but he will be soon. He just went to take Dawn to school, we were all a little
flustered." she paused listening again. She looked up as the door swung open.
The tension of waiting dissipated, as Buffy sat up straighter on the couch, and Xander pushed away from the
wall he had been leaning on for the past couple of minutes.
"What took you so long?" Buffy snapped, rising to her feet.
Now only half-listening to Giles, Willow watched Buffy and Spike fall back into a long practised rhythm of bickering.
"What? Oh, sorry - yeah, he's back. Do you want to talk to him now?"
Spike's attention snapped from the feisty Slayer standing before him, hands firmly planted on her hips. "Is that
the Watcher?"
Willow nodded, she murmured her good-byes, then hung up. "Giles said he'll want to talk to you later."
Spike snorted, "Did you tell him to get in line?"
Buffy took a deep breath, "Okay, we're not going to accomplish anything like this." she focused on Spike.
"Do you feel any different?"
Spike sighed, resigned to the inevitable barrage of questions, "Like I told the Bit - no. I don't feel any different."
Buffy's eyes narrowed; still focused on Spike, she spoke to Willow. "Wills, can you find out if he's got a soul?
Maybe..."
The rest of her words were drowned by the whoosh he heard in his own head. He didn't know why, but rage
filled him. "A soul?"
The question, filed with repressed fury, stopped the Slayer and the witch in their discussion of possible spells.
Slowly, Buffy and Willow turned to face Spike.
Buffy noted with dismay, the tension coiling in Spike's body. "Yeah Spike...a soul..."
"Oh why? Cuz that would make all bloody peaces and cream? Is that it?"
Buffy frowned at him, she took a step forward, "No Spike, we need to find out..."
Spike growled, "You'd just love it if I had a soul wouldn't you Slayer? That would just turn me into a right fluffy
puppy, and everything would be fucking perfect wouldn't it?"
Stunned by the fury that lashed at her, Buffy took another step forward, and laid a hand on his arm. "Spike that's
not what I..."
He cut her off again, jerking away from her touch. "Don't you get it yet Buffy?"
He spun on his heel, and was striding out the door, when he felt that small hand latching onto him again.
"Spike..."
He looked down, and made the mistake of looking her in the eye.
"Please Spike, what don't I get? I'm really confused right now."
He took a deep unneeded breath. "I thought by now you'd realise it. A soul is nothing but a fancy illusion handed
to you mortals. It's a lie." he drew himself up. "Who said I never had a soul to begin with Slayer?"
Buffy recoiled from him; "Don't do this to me Spike."
Both of them forgot about their avid audience, there was nothing in the world right now but Buffy and Spike.
"Don't do what? Make you face the truth? You never bothered to look before. You just kept eating that crap
that Watchers tell you." He grabbed her holding her at arms length. "Does it matter to you if I have a soul or not?"
With a whimper, Buffy melted.
Xander surged forward, but Willow stopped him, completely focused on the scene unfolding before them.
"It doesn't matter to me Spike."
For a timeless moment, they looked into each other's eyes; Spike's grip on her didn't slacken.
Then a soft moan that only he could hear, escaped her lips, and melted the iron grip he had on her.
She fell into his arms, and he held her.
Both were unconscious that the morning light bathed them. But Willow saw, and the image of the Slayer
and the vampire, entwined in each other's arms was imprinted on her mind. Seeing them, awash with gold, she
wistfully wondered if the gods were sending their subtle approval.
~To be continued~
by Angel Eternal aka Angeline
email: spikes_angel01@yahoo.com.au
Website: In Dreams and Shadows
http://www.geocities.com/spikes_angel01/index.html
Rating: R
Pairings: Primarily S/B, but also has W/T and X/A
Summary: Secrets revealed have a disastrous aftermath.
Author's Notes: This is set S6, and is loosely based on spoilers concerning the season. I just want to point out
though that I haven't seen S6 and won't for a while, so if things aren't quite right, you'd know why.
Distribution: "In Dreams and Shadows", "Shadow Borne", "Shelby's and Erin's Place" and at FF.net but it you want to
archive it go ahead, but just let me know first - I kinda like to know where it's going, and plus I find out about more
S/B shipper sites! ::grins::
Disclaimers: Buffy the Vampire Slayer is owned by Joss Whedon, several companies and God knows who else.
One thing is certain - I don't own any of it! Nothing - zip - nada!
"Ugh...what is this supposed to be?" Dawn grimaced at the heap of...something that Buffy had cheerfully placed before
her. Cautiously, she poked the heap with her fork.
Buffy's radiant smile didn't alter, "Blueberry pancakes with blueberry sauce."
She stared at her sister expectantly, Dawn looked nauseated at the thought of letting any of the stuff near her lips.
Fortunately she was saved by Willow's entrance. Buffy turned to her, smile still firmly in place. She hurried to grab
a plate for her friend.
She set the plate, stacked high with pancakes dripping with 'sauce' and a glass of orange juice in front of Willow.
"There you go Wills, gourmet pancakes, and freshly squeezed orange juice!"
Willow's gaze flicked hesitantly from the 'pancakes' to the juice. Grasping the glass firmly, she offered Buffy a smile
and a murmur of thanks.
At the first sip, Willow's eyes widened. With great discipline, she forced herself to swallow.
Buffy grinned at her, as soon as she turned her back, Willow pushed the glass away, grimacing in distaste.
"So Buffy, what's with this...breakfast thing?"
Dawn chimed in, "Yeah, is this gonna be...permanent? Should we be expecting Buffy-breakfasts from now on?"
Willow could see the wheels turning in Dawn's head, and had to hide her grin.
Buffy, still with her back to them, shrugged, "I just wanted to make Willow feel better."
Dawn grinned at Willow in her glee, but Willow waved away the younger girl's enthusiasm at the prospect of no more
future Buffy-breakfasts.
"That's sweet of you Buffy. Thank you." she was genuinely touched by her friend's concern
Buffy turned back to them, a bowl of cereal in her hands. "You're welcome."
Dawn glared at her sister. "Hey! Aren't you eating your.... pancakes?"
Buffy shrugged, "You know me - cereal's more then enough."
Willow and Dawn exchanged agonised glances that Buffy completely missed.
Dawn hastily stood, "I better get going, you know. School and all." she turned to Willow. "You coming?"
Grateful to Dawn, Willow stood as well, "Yeah sure Dawnie. Drat those morning classes."
Both sped out of the door, throwing a good-bye to a bewildered Buffy.
* * *
"Seriously though Willow - are you ok?"
Willow sighed, and offered Dawn a smile, "Yeah Dawn, I'm fine. Hey look - Xander's."
Dawn glanced over, "Yeah, I pass by his place every morning. Is he in the car?"
Willow squinted, shielding her eyes against the glare of the sun, "Yeah, and someone's with him."
Dawn tugged on her hand, "Come on, let's say hi."
As the girls walked up to Xander's car, Xander himself stumbled out of the car. He raced to the driver's side, opening
the door, and appeared to be cajoling whoever it was in there to come out.
"Hey Xander."
Xander looked, his expression a mixture of relief and trepidation. "Wills! Dawn!"
The girls heard a low voice muttering within the car, curious Willow walked over to Xander's side. "Who's your..."
"Friend..." Willow's voice trailed off, as her gaze fell on whom Xander was trying to pull out of his car.
Curious now, Dawn walked over, "Guys what are you..."
Her eyes widened and she instinctively pushed Xander away. "Oh my god, what are you trying do? Making some
crispy Spike?"
She swiftly divested herself of her jacket and draped it over Spike's head.
Xander tapped Dawn's shoulder, "Um Dawn..."
"What did you guys fight about this time?"
Willow tugged on Dawn's arm, trying to get the girl to focus. "Dawnie..."
Dawn ignored them, continuing to adjust her jacket on Spike's head, "You can be so immature sometimes Xander. And don't you think this would kinda tick Buffy off?"
Spike sighed, and stilled her hands, "Nibblet!"
"What?!" slightly irritated by Spike's tone. Here she was helping him, the least he could do was be grateful!
Spike pulled the jacket off his head, and handed it back to her. Comprehension hit her, and Dawn took a step back,
staring. "Spike. What...?"
Willow, the first effects of shock wearing off, leapt into action. She grabbed Spike's hands. "Did you get the Ring
of Amara back? Was is it a spell?"
Spike shook his head, marvelling at the sight of his hands in daylight. He'd only see that sight once since he'd been
turned. "I don't know...I just..."
Willow spun and faced Xander, demanding answers.
Xander stammered through a recount of the night before. Willow frowned, then turned back to the dazed vampire.
"Something's happening to you Spike, and I think it's been happening for a while."
* * *
Buffy concentrated on her breathing, she hadn't much of a chance lately to just simply clear out her mind, and she
couldn't think of a better time then now.
Slowly she exhaled the air, enjoying the calm. The serenity that she had only felt in that other place...
The door slammed open below.
Buffy growled, her eyes snapping open, she fully intended to run downstairs and chew out whoever had interrupted
her peace, when the voices reached her hearing.
"Calm down Willow - it can't be that bad. This could be of the good!"
"What? We don't know any of that! What if...what if..."
"Oh come on Willow, be reasonable. What bad could come of this?"
That third voice propelled Buffy to her feet. Dawn. What was Dawn doing back home? With Xander and an
agitated Willow at that. Slowly, she crept down the hallway.
"A lot of bad could come of this!"
"For God's sake Willow! Keep your voice down!"
Buffy heard a snort.
"Oh please whelp, as if the Slayer couldn't hear your whine from a mile away."
That comment, spoken in a dry tone, decieded her, she started to walk down the stairs.
"Besides Scoobies - I'm right here you know. If you're gonna insult me, couldn't you wait until I at least got out
of the bloody room? I'd still hear you, but then you'd appear to have some decency."
Buffy took in the scene before her, finding nothing overly unusual. Xander and Dawn were seated at the sofa,
watching a pacing Willow, while Spike hovered in the shadows.
"What's going on?"
They all whirled around.
Buffy focused on her sister. "Why aren't you at school?"
She turned to Xander and Willow, "And you two!"
Willow shifted uncomfortably, "Buffy, we've got a situation..."
Buffy glared at her, "Situation? There is no situation to warrant having Dawn out of school!"
She reconsidered that statement. "Unless her principle's turned into a giant child-eating monster. Or one of
her teachers is leeching on their brains. Or if she's really sick."
She fixed her gaze on Willow. "Does this situation involve any of those? Or anything that would endanger my sister?"
"Well...no...but you see..." Willow vainly stammered.
"No buts Wills." she turned to Dawn. "Dawn, go to school, you'll make it to first period."
Xander spoke up now, "Buffy..."
Buffy turned to face Xander, "Go and take her to school Xand."
Xander tried again. "Buffy..."
Exasperated at all this fuss, Spike finally moved from the shadows. "Come on Bit, big sis is right. I'll take you."
Buffy turned, her jaw dropping open in shock.
Spike moved in the light, the sinuous grace that marked his movements hadn't been diminished, but his aura had
changed. No longer did he resemble a dark panther moving in the night, he now reminded her of a lion stalking
the plains. The danger that clung to him like his clothes was still there, and palpable.
Buffy couldn't say that this was the first time she'd seen the vampire in sunlight, seeing him now, conjured
memories of a certain day. Instantly her eyes dropped to his hand, but found nothing adorning those slender fingers.
Spike smirked, seeing Buffy's confusion, but the smirk gave way to a soft smile, as he beheld her, bathed in light.
It wouldn't be the first time he saw her in sunlight, but the difference was that he himself was in the same light.
This time, he had no desire to kill her, and that was the biggest difference of all.
He walked right by her, picking up Dawn's school bag, and wordlessly sailed out the door, a meek Dawn following.
Buffy stared after them. She didn't know why, but watching Spike walk out that door suddenly struck her. Still
in full command of her faculties, she resisted running after him, and clinging to his arm. He wasn't leaving her.
A dark voice in the back of her mind, maliciously whispered - not yet.
Xander helped her sit. "Yeah, that was our basic reaction too."
He got no response from Buffy, who continued to stare at the now closed door.
Willow moved to sit next to her. "Buffy..."
She snapped to life, "Who, what, why, how?"
Willow sighed, "I don't know. To all."
Xander shook his head, "It's just. I really hate myself at the moment, but I think we gotta hit the books for this one."
He winced, and Buffy patted his arm comfortingly.
Willow was deep in thought, "Guys, I don't think we can handle this on our own. We gotta call..."
"Not Angel."
Xander and Willow exchanged brief glances, surprised by Buffy's vehemence.
"I was going to say Giles."
Buffy nodded, "Right. I'm just saying we keep Angel out of this. He made that pretty clear."
Xander and Willow exchanged another glance at the reference to what they privately called The Meeting.
But Buffy was going on, "We call Giles, then hit the books. It would kinda help if that infuriating va...thing...didn't
just waltz out the door! Now, you guys are going to tell me everything. I don't care how minor it is."
Floored by Buffy's take-charge attitude, Xander and Willow sank into their respective seats.
One golden eyebrow rose, "Well?"
Hearing the note of impatience in the Slayer's voice, Xander started.
Buffy only half-listened to Xander's narrative, her mind was whirling.
Spike, for some reason unknown to them, was now able to walk in the sunlight. Was he human now? Buffy wanted
to just groan and bury her head somewhere - preferably in a big mound of pillows. Right now, she had to be in
control, she couldn't let her mind wander into daydreams of hot, sultry kisses, with the sun's warming rays lightly
touching her skin, once cold arms wrapped around her...
"So basically, we have nothing." Buffy held Xander's gaze, and he nodded miserably.
Willow jumped in. "Buffy, this could be...a culmination. The not liking blood, remember?"
Buffy nodded, still frowning, "Something must've triggered this. It couldn't have just happened!"
Xander sighed, "I guess now we wait for the Bleached wonder to come back."
* * *
He hated to admit it, but the steady gaze that was fixed on him was beginning to unnerve him. "Um, Nibblet?"
Dawn shook her head, smiling apologetically. "Sorry, it's just..." she struggled to find an appropriate word.
Spike reached out to touch her hand, "Yeah I know."
They fell into companionable silence, each lost in thought.
Dawn spoke up again, "So this thing...do you feel any different?"
Spike glanced at her, the words he really wanted to say, was buried. He couldn't tell her that this, walking in
the sunlight, doing a simple domestic task as taking her to school was more then he had ever wished for himself.
He settled for a non-committal shrug. "Not really, the sun warms me though, but aside from the blatantly obvious,
nothing really."
Dawn nodded, her gaze now thoughtful, but she remained silent.
They reached her school sooner then she wanted. Spike stopped, handing her the bag. Dawn turned to go, but
an impulse seized her, and she hugged him.
Surprised, Spike hugged her back, before shooing her away.
He stood for a moment, watching her disappear into the crowd, before walking back. He really didn't know if
he wanted to go back to that house, to meet those questioning gazes. Especially the one gaze that could make
him quiver. He didn't know if he could face Buffy right now, but knew that he had no choice in the matter as his
feet bore his unwilling body back to the house - back to Buffy.
* * *
Willow fiddled with the cord. "I know that Giles - I didn't do anything this time. I promise."
She listened to the cultured British voice at the other end of the line. She could almost imagine him pacing up
and down.
"What? No - he's not here yet, but he will be soon. He just went to take Dawn to school, we were all a little
flustered." she paused listening again. She looked up as the door swung open.
The tension of waiting dissipated, as Buffy sat up straighter on the couch, and Xander pushed away from the
wall he had been leaning on for the past couple of minutes.
"What took you so long?" Buffy snapped, rising to her feet.
Now only half-listening to Giles, Willow watched Buffy and Spike fall back into a long practised rhythm of bickering.
"What? Oh, sorry - yeah, he's back. Do you want to talk to him now?"
Spike's attention snapped from the feisty Slayer standing before him, hands firmly planted on her hips. "Is that
the Watcher?"
Willow nodded, she murmured her good-byes, then hung up. "Giles said he'll want to talk to you later."
Spike snorted, "Did you tell him to get in line?"
Buffy took a deep breath, "Okay, we're not going to accomplish anything like this." she focused on Spike.
"Do you feel any different?"
Spike sighed, resigned to the inevitable barrage of questions, "Like I told the Bit - no. I don't feel any different."
Buffy's eyes narrowed; still focused on Spike, she spoke to Willow. "Wills, can you find out if he's got a soul?
Maybe..."
The rest of her words were drowned by the whoosh he heard in his own head. He didn't know why, but rage
filled him. "A soul?"
The question, filed with repressed fury, stopped the Slayer and the witch in their discussion of possible spells.
Slowly, Buffy and Willow turned to face Spike.
Buffy noted with dismay, the tension coiling in Spike's body. "Yeah Spike...a soul..."
"Oh why? Cuz that would make all bloody peaces and cream? Is that it?"
Buffy frowned at him, she took a step forward, "No Spike, we need to find out..."
Spike growled, "You'd just love it if I had a soul wouldn't you Slayer? That would just turn me into a right fluffy
puppy, and everything would be fucking perfect wouldn't it?"
Stunned by the fury that lashed at her, Buffy took another step forward, and laid a hand on his arm. "Spike that's
not what I..."
He cut her off again, jerking away from her touch. "Don't you get it yet Buffy?"
He spun on his heel, and was striding out the door, when he felt that small hand latching onto him again.
"Spike..."
He looked down, and made the mistake of looking her in the eye.
"Please Spike, what don't I get? I'm really confused right now."
He took a deep unneeded breath. "I thought by now you'd realise it. A soul is nothing but a fancy illusion handed
to you mortals. It's a lie." he drew himself up. "Who said I never had a soul to begin with Slayer?"
Buffy recoiled from him; "Don't do this to me Spike."
Both of them forgot about their avid audience, there was nothing in the world right now but Buffy and Spike.
"Don't do what? Make you face the truth? You never bothered to look before. You just kept eating that crap
that Watchers tell you." He grabbed her holding her at arms length. "Does it matter to you if I have a soul or not?"
With a whimper, Buffy melted.
Xander surged forward, but Willow stopped him, completely focused on the scene unfolding before them.
"It doesn't matter to me Spike."
For a timeless moment, they looked into each other's eyes; Spike's grip on her didn't slacken.
Then a soft moan that only he could hear, escaped her lips, and melted the iron grip he had on her.
She fell into his arms, and he held her.
Both were unconscious that the morning light bathed them. But Willow saw, and the image of the Slayer
and the vampire, entwined in each other's arms was imprinted on her mind. Seeing them, awash with gold, she
wistfully wondered if the gods were sending their subtle approval.
~To be continued~
