By Night - Chapter Ten

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!








"Talk Slayer?"

Impatiently, Buffy pushed past him, storming into his crypt. Once inside, she turned around. "Yeah - talk."

Slamming the door behind him, Spike crossed his arms, "About what?"

About us, her heart cried out, but her mouth smoothly answered, "You, this, what's happened to you." She held up
her hands in attempt to curb any arguments, "No soul talk."

Warily, Spike studied her, "Look Slayer..."

"Buffy." she interrupted him, she didn't know why it bugged her so much,, but it did, and she'd rather hear her name
on his lips rather then the cold title.

One eyebrow shot up, but he smoothly continued as if she hadn't opened her mouth. "Look Buffy, I really don't know
what else to tell you. I told you what happened last night, absolutely nothing. Do I feel any different? Not at all.
I'm exactly the same. Same reflexes, same senses - the same. Just no blood guzzling. What else is there to ask
about?"

Biting her lip, she regarded him.

Spike mentally groaned, mind already racing ahead, his own hands savagely pulling her into a tight embrace, head
dipping downwards to drown himself in her scent, lips descending on that luscious mouth, nipping that full lower
lip...With great effort, he pulled himself back to reality.

Buffy's gaze dropped, "I saw him tonight, just now actually."

Spike stiffened, his lips thinning. "Him? You'll have to clarify, there's too many 'hims' in your life luv."

Her eyes snapped up to meet his, and she saw the uncertainty before the shield dropped once more, and all she had
was his impenetrable blue gaze.

"The vampire - you know, the one we saw last night? He's alive."

For a moment, he hesitated, wondering if he should tell her of his own encounter with the bugger, and more, if he
should tell her that he doubted whether said bugger was a vampire at all. "Yeah, I know."

He turned away, wondering why he felt like the encounter was some dirty secret.

Buffy's eyes narrowed, and Spike could almost feel them boring into his back. "You know? How do you know
Spike?"

He bristled at the tone of suspicion he heard in her voice. "Cuz I saw him that's how."

Buffy took a step back, every time his accent strengthened, she knew she had offended him. "Spike..."

Before she could say anything else, Spike plunged on, "He was waiting for me this morning, right fuck that one."

Buffy nodded slowly, "I know what you mean. Listen to me Spike, would you mind if we sort of tested you out?
Ok, you say you feel the same, but we need to know the extent of the changes."

Inwardly he crumbled, as he always did when she looked at him with those big eyes; outwardly, he coolly tilted his
head to the side, regarding her intently. "You sure the Watcher hasn't taken over your mouth or something?"

Her lips twitched into that half-smile he had seen so often, "Come on Spike, don't you want to know the what's,
hows and whys?"

Making a great show of relenting, he sighed, and raked one hand through his hair, "Alright! Just warn the witch no
funny stuff!"

He was rewarded with a blinding smile, "Thank you Spike."

Embarrassed and flustered, he waved away her thanks, "Yeah, whatever, would you sod off now?"

Buffy nodded, turning to leave, she stopped and turned back.

Spike was taken aback by the intense probing gaze he found himself subjected him to. "What is it luv?"

Slowly, she shook her head, and silently left, leaving him to stare after her.


* * *

Tara cringed at the sight of her surroundings; just looking around made her want to jump into a shower and scrub
away the filth.

Anya watched her through hooded eyes, "I know...I know what it looks like."

Tara heard the tinge of embarrassment in the ex-demon's voice, and turned, surprise evident on her face.

Anya couldn't meet her gaze, "Hey, if you've been around as long as I have, you'll sometimes to have to be in
places where you wish you never ever had to see again."

Tara remained silent, and the silence rather then unnerving Anya, comforted her.

"The past year or so, it's been like a dream." she cast a glance around the dilapidated room she had been inhabiting.
"It's like someone threw a bucket of ice water over me, and I woke up to my reality."

Anya sank into a chair, dust puffing out from her descent. She finally looked up at Tara, "Hey, you're a great
listener."

Tara shrugged, "I guess."

Anya nodded, "Made you great as the rebound."

Tara recoiled from her, but Anya made no move to apologise as she would have had she been surrounded by
Xander, and all his friends.

Anya continued, seemingly oblivious to Tara. "If I wasn't definitely heterosexual, and another thing, that thing about me
always made the other vengeance demons raise their eyebrows. Most of them are gay." Anya nodded vigorously,
as if fearing opposition to her statement, "Anyway, as I was saying, if I was at all unsure of my sexual orientation,
I might have used you like..."

Anya suddenly clamped a hand over her mouth, eyes widening in dismay as she belatedly realised what she was
saying. She didn't have to finish her sentence to make the point abundantly clear to Tara.

Tara glared at her stonily, "If you think your insults is going to make me held you, you're wrong. I love Willow."

Anya's eyebrow shot up. "Then why are you in this dingy motel?" She stood, "Look Tara, I'm not really out to
hurt them..."

"That's not what you said."

Anya waved that aside. "Heat of the moment, I just want closure. All those rejected women that called me seeking
vengeance? That's just what they want - closure."

Tara warily regarded her, "You don't want to hurt them?"

"Of course not!" Anya thought for a moment, "Well, I won't kill them."

Tara thought for a moment, "But..."

"But what?"

She continued hesitantly, "Won't this get you back into the vengeance business?"

Anya straightened, all animation leaving her face, "It's a risk I'm willing to take. After all, I've got nothing else on
this world."


* * *


"What's that?"

Willow blew out her breath in an exasperated sigh, "Buffy!"

Buffy stumbled backwards, "Sorry Wills, it's just that Spike..."

Willow rolled her eyes, "Don't worry Buffy, it's just a couple of really simple stuff. Nothing harmful, just investigative.
Don't worry."

Buffy frowned, then settled back to pacing, "Xander, what time is it?"

Xander exchanged glances with Willow, "A minute since the last time you asked."

"Oh." the frown still hadn't disappeared, "What time was that again?"

Dawn sighed, "Buffy, chill. He'll be here."

Secretly, Dawn had been ecstatic when her sister had curtly informed her that Spike was coming to play guinea pig.
Dawn now studied her sister, nervously pacing, anxious for Spike arrival, with great glee.

Spike had been her everything in the months that Buffy hadn't been in this world. She already considered him as
her family - Buffy only had to realise it. Dawn wasn't a particularly patient girl, and the slow dance that Spike and
Buffy had been dancing since Buffy came back into the land of the living, was very surely driving her nuts.

She wanted more then anything to grab her sister and shake her until something penetrate through to that brain of
hers, which Dawn was convinced was chemically poisoned by the continual colouring she subjected it to. A screw
had to be loose up there if a girl didn't realise exactly how drool-worthy Spike was.

The bell on the door tinkled, and Buffy jumped, turning to glare at whoever entered.

Spike ignored her and strode towards Willow. "Listen here Red, in case the Slayer hasn't made it clear." He leaned
forward, intense blue gaze pinning Willow to her seat, enunciating every word. "No funny stuff."

Willow grinned at him, not the least intimidated, "Don't worry Spike, if I turn you into a rat or something, I'm
pretty sure I can get you back." A small frown marred her smooth forehead. "I think."

Spike growled warningly, but before he could utter another word, Buffy hauled him away from Willow. "Knock
it off Spike. She said she'd be careful." she shrugged, "Besides, she got me from the dead, you'd think she can
manage a few measly spells."

Willow grinned at her best friend, relieved to have a voice of confidence. Lately from all the opposition there had
been to her ever growing magic, she had been feeling less adequate. Buffy's confidence in her abilities, warmed
her heart, and boosted her own confidence. "Thank you Buffy."

Buffy offered her a small smile, before stalking away from Spike.

Xander watched the exchange warily, her eyes flicking between Spike and Buffy, still wholly unsure how to treat
Spike now that he was the way that he was. Clapping his hands loudly, he drew attention to himself, "Okay,
let's get this show on the road, and maybe we can grab a couple of chicken wings."

Spike grinned at him, "Now you're talking."

Xander spread his hands. "As always my man." He regarded Spike fora moment, sizing him up as a potential hunting
buddy, "Say Spike, what do you say, now that you're allergy to the sun seemed to have flown away, you and me
try to see what available hot chicas are around for some loving?"

His suggestion was met with a snort from Spike, a murderous glare from Buffy, an amused glance from Willow
and a giggle from Dawn.

Spike rolled his eyes, "Yeah right, and what makes you think that I need you around for that?"

Xander grinned at him, "Oh come one Spike, it's always more fun with another guy, someone to egg you on."

Buffy glared at him balefully, "Like Spike ever needed anyone to egg him on."

An inscrutable glance passed between Spike and Buffy, both of them quickly looking anywhere but at each other.

Willow cleared her throat, "Spike, can you come over here so we can get started?"

Obligingly, Spike grabbed a chair, swung it around and straddled the back, "Ok luv, let's do this."

A tense silence fell as Willow's entire body quietened and Spike's in accord with her, fell still as well.

The strong magic currents that were slowly building made Buffy uneasy, she rubbed her arms, striving to fight off
the sudden chill that descended upon the room.

Willow peered intently into Spike's eyes, her head feeling light. A minute ticked by, and suddenly everything clicked
into place.

Images flashed before her eyes at a speed that made her dizzy. Emotions not her own, assaulted her.

One image kept recurring, the image of Buffy's mangled body at the foot of the tower. The image, coupled with the
double-edged sword of guilt and grief, made her feel violently ill. She delved deeper, past the images of a happy,
smiling Buffy and the intense feelings of love and devotion. Willow pressed forward to the very core, and was a
greeted with a sense of emptiness, contradicted with a sense of intense relief. It was the relief of a liberated soul.

Willow pulled back suddenly, for a moment, overcome with nausea

Spike stumbled out of his chair, staring wide-eyed at Willow. "What did you do?"

Continuing to grasp her stomach, Willow looked up, her face pale and strained. Xander rushed forward to wipe
away the beads of perspiration on her forehead. Dawn offered her a glass of water, which she gratefully accepted.

Buffy hesitantly touched Spike's arm and was surprised to find him shaking. At her touch, the shudders that rippled
through him lessened, and when she squeezed his arm comfortingly, abated.

Willow, having gained he composure, straightened and locked into Spike's eyes again. This time she made no
attempt to peer into him, but rather tried to get a general aura reading.

Her eyes refocused, and everyone around her shone with that special light that was all their own. Xander's was a
cool, comforting aqua, the colour of tropical seas. Dawn's was a bright and pure gold, tinged with a myriad of
colours.

Buffy's as ever was a fierce red, tinged with silver and blue, and shockingly enough, Spike's matched Buffy's.
His had less of the silver, and was a deeper shade of red, and another surprise, had more of the blue, slashed with
a deeper purple. Buffy's was a warrior spirit, touched by the divine and tempered with serenity. Spike was every
bit a warrior as Buffy, though his aura was tinged with the darkness of his past and the innocent blood that ran
beneath his hands.

The red didn't really surprise Willow, aside from the fact that this was the first time she was able to get an aura reading
from Spike. The red was expected, but the blue - the blue of a calm spirit and the purple of the inspired artist. It
was all rather unsettling, like seeing another side of Spike, she never knew existed. He was as much an artist - of
what sort Willow would die to find out - as he was a warrior. The silver was also a shock, yet offered a clue to
what had happened.

"Come on Red! What is it?" the unsettling feel of having someone else beneath his skin was passing with every
month, and replaced with impatience.

Willow took a deep breath, "Well that told me more then any book ever would." she considered for a moment.
"Or ever could."

She took another deep breath. "I'm just gonna say this fast, because I don't know how else to tell you."

Spike glared at her, "You call this fast?"

Willow ignored him and plunged ahead, "You're demon's gone Spike."

Shocked silence met Willow's abrupt announcement.

All at once everyone started talking again.

"What the bloody hell are you talking about witch?!"

"So, Deadboy Junior - isn't Deadboy Junior??"

"Oh my god! That is so cool! Spike, that is so cool! Oh my god!"

"Are you sure Willow? How sure are you? Like 100% or is it more 98%?"

Willow held up her hands in protest, "Whoa!" Hang on guys!" she took another deep breath hating her task
with every second. "Okay, here's the thing Spike's demon may be gone, but that doesn't mean that he's not dead."

Buffy's frown didn't' lift an inch, "Wait a second, from what I know about vampires...Willow, how the hell is he
staying..." she cast a bewildered glance at Spike, searching for an appropriate word, "Animated?"

Spike and Willow glanced at her, their expressions of matching surprise almost comical. Almost.

"What the hell would you know about it Slayer?" Spike growled, unhappy with the implications of what the witch
was saying.

Buffy's thoughtful frown turned into a scowl, "More then you numbskull! Look you are, or were a vampire. Vampires
are corpses, animated by a demon. The stakage? That kills the demon, once the demon has been torn out of the
corpse, said corpse, which has decayed since it's death, bursts into a pile of dust." she continued to glare at him,
"So, if Willow's right, why the hell aren't you a pile of dust?"

Willow smiled internally, secretly loving the flabbergasted expression on Spike's face, "Actually I've got an answer
for that."

Willow's soft voice, drew Buffy's attention from Spike. Encouraged by her attention, Willow continued, "You see
Buffy, what you said is true. If Spike's demon was forced out of the body, his body would turn into dust. But you
see, the demon wasn't forced out."

Spike frowned, "What the hell does that mean Red? It just up and walked out?"

Xander nodded, giving the impression of complete understanding. "Finally got disgusted with you, surprised it didn't
skip earlier."

Spike glared at Xander, but before he could open his mouth, Willow plunged ahead, "The thing is, vampires get
stronger with age, the reason for that is it takes time for the demon to merge with the body's soul, essence if you will.
The more the demon merges with the soul, the more control it gets, the stronger it becomes. Spike, you've been a
vampire for over a century, its given you're demon enough time to merge with your soul, though not completely.
That mergence is what is keeping you...alive."

"So," Buffy spoke up, in attempt to gain understanding, "Spike's now, what? A hybrid? Half-human, half-demon?"

Willow shook her head, "No, he's not like that. Hybrids have one human parent and one demon parent. Spike's
something else." her gaze slid over to Spike, this time frankly fascinated, "I've never heard a case like this before."

Spike nodded, flashing a grin at Buffy, "Always been one of a kind."

Xander snorted, "Freak."

To prevent Spike from ripping out Xander's throat, Willow continued, "What it basically means is, that you're
a lot like Buffy. The strength, speed, agility of vampire, without the need for blood. All the perks."

Buffy and Spike regarded each other, Buffy with a new light in her eyes. This changed everything, almost as if they
were...equals.

Willow wondered if she should reveal to everyone what her aura reading had revealed. After careful consideration,
she decieded against it, but would have to speak to Spike later.

Willow sighed, "I'm not 100% sure how it happened, maybe Xander's right, maybe your demon just left."

Xander grinned triumphantly, "Ha! The Xand-man is right!"

Spike rolled his eyes, "She said 'maybe' you idiot."

Dawn stood, with an air of finality, "That wraps it up - how about those chicken wings?





~To be continued~