By Night - Chapter Eleven
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, amidst all the hurt and confusion, a dark being roams,
finally freed from it's prison
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!
Buffy tugged insistently on Dawn's arm, drawing the teenager away from her horde of friends. She nodded towards
a tall dark-haired boy. "Chicken wings huh?"
Dawn flashed her a smile, "Chicken wings."
The teen pulled away from her older sister, leaving Buffy glaring after her.
"Oh, if looks could kill." Spike pulled up a chair, urging Buffy to sit, "What are you slaughtering now?"
Buffy continued to glare, "Chicken wings."
Spike's eyebrow shot up in surprise, "What did the poor things ever do to you?"
"Wants to date my sister."
Spike wondered if the Slayer was finally losing it. Then his eyes followed her gaze.
Dawn and the boy were on the dance floor, and it was obvious that little Dawnie had been watching her older
sister much too closely. She moved her lithe body sensuously against the boy's who was staring intently into her
large brown eyes.
A low growl emanated from Spike's throat, but before he could jump up and tear the boy off 'his' little Dawn,
Willow and Xander came back.
Willow after surveying the matching expressions on Buffy's and Spike's faces and the direction of their gaze quickly
thrust drinks into their hands, effectively stopping them from causing a scene.
"Aww, isn't that cute Xander?" she cooed, "Spike and Buffy are playing Daddy and Mommy!"
Xander snorted with laughter, while Buffy and Spike turned their now shocked gazes to her. They spoke
simultaneously.
"What are you talking about Wills?!"
"The hell?!"
Willow laughed, and settled in, "Well, come on! Look at you guys! Spike's in full Daddy mode, all ready to scare
the living daylights out of that boy." she turned her attention away from the shocked Spike to the equally incredulous
Buffy, "And what about you Buff? You're just as bad!"
"Willow! Look at Dawn!" Buffy gestured wildly to her little sister, who was still obliviously dancing away, "Where
the hell did she learn that from?!"
It was Spike's turn to snort, "Who else luv?"
Buffy turned furiously towards him, "What are you saying? Are you saying that I taught her that? Is that what you're
saying?! My God! When's the last time you watched MTV?"
Spike chuckled, and reached out to touch her arm. "Buffy."
Willow and Xander watched in amazement as Buffy calmed down at Spike's touch.
Spike continued, oblivious to their penetrating gazes, "Luv trust me, I would like nothing more then to rip that guy's
entrails out, but I won't. For several reasons, first and most important, Dawn would be grossed out. Secondly,
no matter how deeply you and I are in denial, our little girl is growing up. So I'm just gonna sit here and glare, I
suggest you do the same."
Willow and Xander noted wryly that there was no protest from Buffy about Dawn being 'their' little girl.
Buffy fell silent, deciding to take Spike's advice and stared at Dawn, hoping to catch the guy's attention and scare
him away with a few scowls, and silent threats.
Xander's eyes grew distant; he pushed himself off the table, and without a word of explanation left.
Willow frowned, "Xander?"
Spike's keen gaze spotted the very same thing that Xander did; he reached over to touch Willow's shoulder. He
pointed towards the dark corner that Xander was headed towards.
Xander determinedly pushed through the crowd, ignoring yelps of pain and annoyance. She still hadn't moved from
her spot, instead she met his gaze firmly.
"Anya."
Anya ran a hand through her hair, "Xander."
She looked different; a sleek black dress hugged her slim figure, accentuating the right curves and dips. A wide
black bracelet clung to one wrist, and silver rings glinted from her fingers.
But it was more then the attire. Her face had grown leaner then usual, cheeks sunken. There were dark circles
beneath her eyes, and those eyes had none of the light and fire that Xander usually saw in them.
Anya had aged immeasurably in the week they had been apart, and it was killing him to see her like this.
He held out his arms to her, "Anya, baby..."
She pushed herself off the wall, "Don't Xander. Just don't."
His arms fell limply to his sides, he thrust his hands in his pockets, and he gazed at her hopefully, "Anya, can we
at least talk?"
"Don't you think we're past that?"
Anya sailed into the crowd, and was soon lost to his increasingly blurry eyes.
Willow, who had been intently watching the exchange, moved when she saw the wounded expression on Xander's
face.
A seeming thousand mumbled apologies later, she reached his side. She touched his arm.
Xander looked up, "I need her back Willow. I was kidding myself all this time. I kept telling myself that if I could
get through another day, just another, it would be all fine. It's tearing me up inside, but it would be all fine." his
gaze searched the crowd, "I don't know if I can go on without her."
* * *
Anya slunk against the cold stone wall of the alley, all of her energy drained from that brief moment in time.
"What was that for?"
Anya couldn't meet Tara's gaze. "I just wanted to see him again, wanted to know if I could face him without wanting
to fall into his arms the minute he looked at him with that puppy dog look of his." she laughed, but it sounded bitter
and harsh even to her own ears. "I guess not."
Tara's gaze was fixed on something inside the Bronze, "They never needed anyone else did they?"
Anya pushed herself off the wall and peered in.
Her gaze immediately located Xander and Willow in the dark corner, their heads bent towards each other,
hands entwined. Her mouth twisted into a parody of a smile, "I guess not."
* * *
They were by themselves.
Again.
Buffy mentally groaned, was it some dire conspiracy? Did someone up there really hate her?
Spike and Buffy shifted in their seats, Buffy determined to look everywhere but at Spike.
Spike continued to mechanically sip his beer.
Their gazes clashed and clung.
"Buffy..."
"Spike..."
They abruptly stopped, and stared.
"You go first." they both blurted out.
They burst into shaky laughter. Spike gestured to her, "Ladies first."
Buffy took a deep breath, "Spike we still haven't talked about what happened..."
He didn't rush her, but simply leaned forward, urging her on.
Encouraged, she plunged ahead, "About us Spike."
Relieved to find out that they were on the same page after all, Spike blew out his breath, "What about us luv?"
Buffy shook her head, "I don't know Spike, I..."
"That's it. It's all over."
Xander's voice broke through the reverie that had fallen around Buffy and Spike; they jumped backwards guiltily.
Xander who was busy lamenting over Anya didn't notice anything amiss, but Willow most certainly did. Looking
at the flushed Buffy and the equally flustered Spike, one would think that they had caught the two doing something
very naughty. Spike, oddly enough, reminded Willow of a little boy who had been caught with his hand in the
cookie jar.
Willow's gaze collided with Buffy's. She didn't think it was possible for the blonde Slayer to blush any deeper then
she already was, but she did. The memory of finding Buffy at Spike's crypt on the night of her own encounter with
the mysterious vampire came to mind. The vague image of Buffy seated on Spike's bed and Spike avidly leaning
forward also came to mind. Buffy had never told her what she was doing in Spike's crypt.
Buffy shifted uneasily in her seat, and glanced at her watch, "Oh wow, would you look at the time? Time to start
rounding Dawn up and stuffing her back into a box. Excuse me."
She slid out of her chair, and started weaving her way through the crowd.
Xander had lapsed into silence, and was now staring into the depths of his beer mug, as if hoping to find the answers
to his questions.
Willow slid into the seat that Buffy had vacated.
Spike had been watching Buffy's progress to Dawn's side, but now noticed the piercing glance that he was being
subjected to. He turned and returned Willow's gaze evenly, "What?"
"Have you slept with her?"
The question was enough to snap Xander out of his trance, and to get Spike's hackles up.
"What are you asking me witch?" his voice was pitched low, and Willow recognised the tone from pre-chip days.
"Precisely that Spike. Do I have to spell it out?"
"No." the single word was ground out.
Willow regarded him curiously, "Is that no, I don't have to spell it out? Or no, you didn't sleep with her."
Spike shook his head slowly, "She's a grown woman witch - what she does or doesn't do is none of your concern."
"She's my friend Spike." Willow replied evenly, "It's what friends do, are you going to answer me?"
Spike's stare turned into a scowl, "Not that it's any of your business, but no I have not." he shook his head again,
as if disgusted, "When's it gonna go through that thick head of yours witch? I don't do anything to Buffy that she
doesn't want me to do."
The table fell silent, Spike and Willow staring at each other.
Xander loosened his collar, suddenly feeling out of breath.
The building tension was not lost on either Summers girl, Buffy and Dawn exchanged glances, Dawn going to
stand by Willow and Buffy by Spike.
Buffy touched Spike's arm, "Everything ok?"
The question was aimed more at Willow then at Spike.
Willow turned a falsely bright smile at Buffy, "Of course everything's fine. Why wouldn't it be?"
Buffy shrugged, "Dunno, I was too busy trying to pry Dawn away from Mr. Perfect." she shot her sister a glance.
Dawn sighed dreamily, "He is pretty perfect isn't he?"
Buffy snorted inelegantly, while Spike abrupt straightened, "Hey! What's this about perfect? Let me tell you now
Dawn no male is perfect. All they want to do is get in your pants!"
The panicked expression on Spike's face abolished the remaining tension as they all burst into laughter.
"You would know!" Buffy managed to gasp out.
Spike pouted, "What? Just trying to warn the Bit..."
Dawn laughingly hugged Spike, "Just try not to bite him ok?"
Spike's pout deepened, not the least bit mollified by Dawn's embrace, "I'm not making any promises! Don't care
how much it's gonna hurt."
They all laughed again, but if one listened closely they would note the desperation lurking beneath ringing tones of
forced happiness.
Xander offered to walk the girls home, but Willow demurred, saying that she had to stop by her apartment first.
Buffy had frowned, and firmly told her to just get in the morning, but Willow had insisted. To end the argument,
Spike reassured Buffy by saying that he'd take Willow by her apartment then over the Summers' home.
Buffy finally relented, casting several glances over her shoulder as the two parties parted.
As soon as they were out of earshot, Willow turned to Spike, "I have to talk to you."
Spike groaned, muttering darkly, "That's all anyone wants to do."
Willow ignored him, "It's not about Buffy, I promise. There were a couple of things I left out in my explanation."
This grabbed Spike's interest, "Like what?"
Willow took a deep breath, "You must know that you're soul..."
Spike brushed that aside, "Red, if you're gonna tell me that I got a soul, you're wasting your breath - I know."
Willow was surprised, "You know?"
Spike shrugged, "All that rot they fed you about vampires having no souls? Load of crap. We got souls all right,
it's just been subdued by the demon."
Willow nodded, "There's more Spike. It's about you're aura."
She carefully explained to him what she had seen in his aura, and Spike remained silent, not once interrupting.
"You're not telling me I don't know Red."
Willow shook her head insistently, "You're not listening Spike! You've got silver in your aura. Silver. This thing
that's happened? There's more to it then your demon just getting bored, The Powers That Be..."
"Don't talk to me about that lot Red." Spike growled angrily.
"This is big Spike, I mean possibly Apocalyptic big."
Spike sighed, "You lot really have to stop assuming that the world is gonna end every blood time something
happens! Damn fatalistic it is."
"Spike..."
He waved his hands at her, "Yeah, yeah, I get the message, now you get whatever you need. Buffy's probably
staying up for you."
Willow turned to run up the stairs then paused, "You draw don't you?"
Spike rolled his eyes.
"Paint?"
* * *
"Oh come on Buffy! You can tell me something!"
Dawn plopped belly first onto her bed and stared up imploringly at her sister, who simply shook her head.
"You're asking the wrong girl Dawnie, and besides you are way too young for any of this stuff!"
Dawn rolled her eyes, exasperated, "But Buffy!"
Buffy stood, "Don't you dare 'Buffy' me!" she glared at Dawn accusingly, "And don't give me those puppy dog
eyes either. It's not gonna work."
Dawn pouted, "You gotta tell me something. I don't want to make a fool out of myself!"
Buffy frowned, she reached out to touch Dawn's hair, recognising the scared and awkward teen that she really
was. "Don't worry, I'm sure you won't suck at it."
Dawn smiled, "You mean that?"
"I mean it." then she frowned, "But if I catch you at it, I'll rip his throat out."
Dawn laughed, "God, you sound like Spike!"
She sighed, "Just...just make sure I don't see ok? I mean, that's just gross."
Dawn laughed and threw a pillow at her, starting a pillow fight that Buffy quickly won. Dawn lay gasping on
the bed, while Buffy stood above her, holding a pillow threateningly.
Dawn held up her hands, "I surrender!"
Buffy smiled, and then ruthlessly walloped her one last time, before running screeching out the door. She flattened
herself against Dawn's door, unashamedly using her strength to keep the teenager from tearing the door open
and launching herself on Buffy.
Finally she heard Dawn slump against the door, "Go to sleep Dawn!"
She was answered by disgruntled muttering. Buffy waited until the sounds in Dawn's bedroom and stilled,
before pushing herself off the door and making her way downstairs.
Tiredly, she trudged into the kitchen, grabbing the cartoon of milk, and mechanically pouring into a glass. Her mind
had been on overload the entire day, and it was taking its toll. She had never before felt so drained. Too much
had happened, she hadn't had time to settle down and assimilate the information.
For a moment she considered doing a sweep of the cemeteries but ultimately decieded against it.
A creak on the back porch alerted her, hands instinctively reaching for her stake, she inched her way to backdoor.
Peering out, she let out a relieved sigh and slipped the stake back.
Buffy threw the door open, "I thought you were done with the whole slinking around routine."
Spike turned and flashed her a grin, "I'm hanging around, it's a whole different vibe."
Buffy laughed, and leaned on the doorjamb, "Why don't you hang around inside?"
Spike regarded her, with a touch of a smile lingering on his sexy lips, "What? Don't want to hang in my world?"
Buffy frowned, then stepped out.
The smile turned into a cruel grin as he reached out and grabbed her arm.
Buffy cried out, eyes snapped upwards meeting his yellow gaze.
She saw something akin to insanity lurking beneath the demonic visage, he reached out to touch her face,
and she the world spun, before it was plunged into darkness.
~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, amidst all the hurt and confusion, a dark being roams,
finally freed from it's prison
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!
Buffy tugged insistently on Dawn's arm, drawing the teenager away from her horde of friends. She nodded towards
a tall dark-haired boy. "Chicken wings huh?"
Dawn flashed her a smile, "Chicken wings."
The teen pulled away from her older sister, leaving Buffy glaring after her.
"Oh, if looks could kill." Spike pulled up a chair, urging Buffy to sit, "What are you slaughtering now?"
Buffy continued to glare, "Chicken wings."
Spike's eyebrow shot up in surprise, "What did the poor things ever do to you?"
"Wants to date my sister."
Spike wondered if the Slayer was finally losing it. Then his eyes followed her gaze.
Dawn and the boy were on the dance floor, and it was obvious that little Dawnie had been watching her older
sister much too closely. She moved her lithe body sensuously against the boy's who was staring intently into her
large brown eyes.
A low growl emanated from Spike's throat, but before he could jump up and tear the boy off 'his' little Dawn,
Willow and Xander came back.
Willow after surveying the matching expressions on Buffy's and Spike's faces and the direction of their gaze quickly
thrust drinks into their hands, effectively stopping them from causing a scene.
"Aww, isn't that cute Xander?" she cooed, "Spike and Buffy are playing Daddy and Mommy!"
Xander snorted with laughter, while Buffy and Spike turned their now shocked gazes to her. They spoke
simultaneously.
"What are you talking about Wills?!"
"The hell?!"
Willow laughed, and settled in, "Well, come on! Look at you guys! Spike's in full Daddy mode, all ready to scare
the living daylights out of that boy." she turned her attention away from the shocked Spike to the equally incredulous
Buffy, "And what about you Buff? You're just as bad!"
"Willow! Look at Dawn!" Buffy gestured wildly to her little sister, who was still obliviously dancing away, "Where
the hell did she learn that from?!"
It was Spike's turn to snort, "Who else luv?"
Buffy turned furiously towards him, "What are you saying? Are you saying that I taught her that? Is that what you're
saying?! My God! When's the last time you watched MTV?"
Spike chuckled, and reached out to touch her arm. "Buffy."
Willow and Xander watched in amazement as Buffy calmed down at Spike's touch.
Spike continued, oblivious to their penetrating gazes, "Luv trust me, I would like nothing more then to rip that guy's
entrails out, but I won't. For several reasons, first and most important, Dawn would be grossed out. Secondly,
no matter how deeply you and I are in denial, our little girl is growing up. So I'm just gonna sit here and glare, I
suggest you do the same."
Willow and Xander noted wryly that there was no protest from Buffy about Dawn being 'their' little girl.
Buffy fell silent, deciding to take Spike's advice and stared at Dawn, hoping to catch the guy's attention and scare
him away with a few scowls, and silent threats.
Xander's eyes grew distant; he pushed himself off the table, and without a word of explanation left.
Willow frowned, "Xander?"
Spike's keen gaze spotted the very same thing that Xander did; he reached over to touch Willow's shoulder. He
pointed towards the dark corner that Xander was headed towards.
Xander determinedly pushed through the crowd, ignoring yelps of pain and annoyance. She still hadn't moved from
her spot, instead she met his gaze firmly.
"Anya."
Anya ran a hand through her hair, "Xander."
She looked different; a sleek black dress hugged her slim figure, accentuating the right curves and dips. A wide
black bracelet clung to one wrist, and silver rings glinted from her fingers.
But it was more then the attire. Her face had grown leaner then usual, cheeks sunken. There were dark circles
beneath her eyes, and those eyes had none of the light and fire that Xander usually saw in them.
Anya had aged immeasurably in the week they had been apart, and it was killing him to see her like this.
He held out his arms to her, "Anya, baby..."
She pushed herself off the wall, "Don't Xander. Just don't."
His arms fell limply to his sides, he thrust his hands in his pockets, and he gazed at her hopefully, "Anya, can we
at least talk?"
"Don't you think we're past that?"
Anya sailed into the crowd, and was soon lost to his increasingly blurry eyes.
Willow, who had been intently watching the exchange, moved when she saw the wounded expression on Xander's
face.
A seeming thousand mumbled apologies later, she reached his side. She touched his arm.
Xander looked up, "I need her back Willow. I was kidding myself all this time. I kept telling myself that if I could
get through another day, just another, it would be all fine. It's tearing me up inside, but it would be all fine." his
gaze searched the crowd, "I don't know if I can go on without her."
* * *
Anya slunk against the cold stone wall of the alley, all of her energy drained from that brief moment in time.
"What was that for?"
Anya couldn't meet Tara's gaze. "I just wanted to see him again, wanted to know if I could face him without wanting
to fall into his arms the minute he looked at him with that puppy dog look of his." she laughed, but it sounded bitter
and harsh even to her own ears. "I guess not."
Tara's gaze was fixed on something inside the Bronze, "They never needed anyone else did they?"
Anya pushed herself off the wall and peered in.
Her gaze immediately located Xander and Willow in the dark corner, their heads bent towards each other,
hands entwined. Her mouth twisted into a parody of a smile, "I guess not."
* * *
They were by themselves.
Again.
Buffy mentally groaned, was it some dire conspiracy? Did someone up there really hate her?
Spike and Buffy shifted in their seats, Buffy determined to look everywhere but at Spike.
Spike continued to mechanically sip his beer.
Their gazes clashed and clung.
"Buffy..."
"Spike..."
They abruptly stopped, and stared.
"You go first." they both blurted out.
They burst into shaky laughter. Spike gestured to her, "Ladies first."
Buffy took a deep breath, "Spike we still haven't talked about what happened..."
He didn't rush her, but simply leaned forward, urging her on.
Encouraged, she plunged ahead, "About us Spike."
Relieved to find out that they were on the same page after all, Spike blew out his breath, "What about us luv?"
Buffy shook her head, "I don't know Spike, I..."
"That's it. It's all over."
Xander's voice broke through the reverie that had fallen around Buffy and Spike; they jumped backwards guiltily.
Xander who was busy lamenting over Anya didn't notice anything amiss, but Willow most certainly did. Looking
at the flushed Buffy and the equally flustered Spike, one would think that they had caught the two doing something
very naughty. Spike, oddly enough, reminded Willow of a little boy who had been caught with his hand in the
cookie jar.
Willow's gaze collided with Buffy's. She didn't think it was possible for the blonde Slayer to blush any deeper then
she already was, but she did. The memory of finding Buffy at Spike's crypt on the night of her own encounter with
the mysterious vampire came to mind. The vague image of Buffy seated on Spike's bed and Spike avidly leaning
forward also came to mind. Buffy had never told her what she was doing in Spike's crypt.
Buffy shifted uneasily in her seat, and glanced at her watch, "Oh wow, would you look at the time? Time to start
rounding Dawn up and stuffing her back into a box. Excuse me."
She slid out of her chair, and started weaving her way through the crowd.
Xander had lapsed into silence, and was now staring into the depths of his beer mug, as if hoping to find the answers
to his questions.
Willow slid into the seat that Buffy had vacated.
Spike had been watching Buffy's progress to Dawn's side, but now noticed the piercing glance that he was being
subjected to. He turned and returned Willow's gaze evenly, "What?"
"Have you slept with her?"
The question was enough to snap Xander out of his trance, and to get Spike's hackles up.
"What are you asking me witch?" his voice was pitched low, and Willow recognised the tone from pre-chip days.
"Precisely that Spike. Do I have to spell it out?"
"No." the single word was ground out.
Willow regarded him curiously, "Is that no, I don't have to spell it out? Or no, you didn't sleep with her."
Spike shook his head slowly, "She's a grown woman witch - what she does or doesn't do is none of your concern."
"She's my friend Spike." Willow replied evenly, "It's what friends do, are you going to answer me?"
Spike's stare turned into a scowl, "Not that it's any of your business, but no I have not." he shook his head again,
as if disgusted, "When's it gonna go through that thick head of yours witch? I don't do anything to Buffy that she
doesn't want me to do."
The table fell silent, Spike and Willow staring at each other.
Xander loosened his collar, suddenly feeling out of breath.
The building tension was not lost on either Summers girl, Buffy and Dawn exchanged glances, Dawn going to
stand by Willow and Buffy by Spike.
Buffy touched Spike's arm, "Everything ok?"
The question was aimed more at Willow then at Spike.
Willow turned a falsely bright smile at Buffy, "Of course everything's fine. Why wouldn't it be?"
Buffy shrugged, "Dunno, I was too busy trying to pry Dawn away from Mr. Perfect." she shot her sister a glance.
Dawn sighed dreamily, "He is pretty perfect isn't he?"
Buffy snorted inelegantly, while Spike abrupt straightened, "Hey! What's this about perfect? Let me tell you now
Dawn no male is perfect. All they want to do is get in your pants!"
The panicked expression on Spike's face abolished the remaining tension as they all burst into laughter.
"You would know!" Buffy managed to gasp out.
Spike pouted, "What? Just trying to warn the Bit..."
Dawn laughingly hugged Spike, "Just try not to bite him ok?"
Spike's pout deepened, not the least bit mollified by Dawn's embrace, "I'm not making any promises! Don't care
how much it's gonna hurt."
They all laughed again, but if one listened closely they would note the desperation lurking beneath ringing tones of
forced happiness.
Xander offered to walk the girls home, but Willow demurred, saying that she had to stop by her apartment first.
Buffy had frowned, and firmly told her to just get in the morning, but Willow had insisted. To end the argument,
Spike reassured Buffy by saying that he'd take Willow by her apartment then over the Summers' home.
Buffy finally relented, casting several glances over her shoulder as the two parties parted.
As soon as they were out of earshot, Willow turned to Spike, "I have to talk to you."
Spike groaned, muttering darkly, "That's all anyone wants to do."
Willow ignored him, "It's not about Buffy, I promise. There were a couple of things I left out in my explanation."
This grabbed Spike's interest, "Like what?"
Willow took a deep breath, "You must know that you're soul..."
Spike brushed that aside, "Red, if you're gonna tell me that I got a soul, you're wasting your breath - I know."
Willow was surprised, "You know?"
Spike shrugged, "All that rot they fed you about vampires having no souls? Load of crap. We got souls all right,
it's just been subdued by the demon."
Willow nodded, "There's more Spike. It's about you're aura."
She carefully explained to him what she had seen in his aura, and Spike remained silent, not once interrupting.
"You're not telling me I don't know Red."
Willow shook her head insistently, "You're not listening Spike! You've got silver in your aura. Silver. This thing
that's happened? There's more to it then your demon just getting bored, The Powers That Be..."
"Don't talk to me about that lot Red." Spike growled angrily.
"This is big Spike, I mean possibly Apocalyptic big."
Spike sighed, "You lot really have to stop assuming that the world is gonna end every blood time something
happens! Damn fatalistic it is."
"Spike..."
He waved his hands at her, "Yeah, yeah, I get the message, now you get whatever you need. Buffy's probably
staying up for you."
Willow turned to run up the stairs then paused, "You draw don't you?"
Spike rolled his eyes.
"Paint?"
* * *
"Oh come on Buffy! You can tell me something!"
Dawn plopped belly first onto her bed and stared up imploringly at her sister, who simply shook her head.
"You're asking the wrong girl Dawnie, and besides you are way too young for any of this stuff!"
Dawn rolled her eyes, exasperated, "But Buffy!"
Buffy stood, "Don't you dare 'Buffy' me!" she glared at Dawn accusingly, "And don't give me those puppy dog
eyes either. It's not gonna work."
Dawn pouted, "You gotta tell me something. I don't want to make a fool out of myself!"
Buffy frowned, she reached out to touch Dawn's hair, recognising the scared and awkward teen that she really
was. "Don't worry, I'm sure you won't suck at it."
Dawn smiled, "You mean that?"
"I mean it." then she frowned, "But if I catch you at it, I'll rip his throat out."
Dawn laughed, "God, you sound like Spike!"
She sighed, "Just...just make sure I don't see ok? I mean, that's just gross."
Dawn laughed and threw a pillow at her, starting a pillow fight that Buffy quickly won. Dawn lay gasping on
the bed, while Buffy stood above her, holding a pillow threateningly.
Dawn held up her hands, "I surrender!"
Buffy smiled, and then ruthlessly walloped her one last time, before running screeching out the door. She flattened
herself against Dawn's door, unashamedly using her strength to keep the teenager from tearing the door open
and launching herself on Buffy.
Finally she heard Dawn slump against the door, "Go to sleep Dawn!"
She was answered by disgruntled muttering. Buffy waited until the sounds in Dawn's bedroom and stilled,
before pushing herself off the door and making her way downstairs.
Tiredly, she trudged into the kitchen, grabbing the cartoon of milk, and mechanically pouring into a glass. Her mind
had been on overload the entire day, and it was taking its toll. She had never before felt so drained. Too much
had happened, she hadn't had time to settle down and assimilate the information.
For a moment she considered doing a sweep of the cemeteries but ultimately decieded against it.
A creak on the back porch alerted her, hands instinctively reaching for her stake, she inched her way to backdoor.
Peering out, she let out a relieved sigh and slipped the stake back.
Buffy threw the door open, "I thought you were done with the whole slinking around routine."
Spike turned and flashed her a grin, "I'm hanging around, it's a whole different vibe."
Buffy laughed, and leaned on the doorjamb, "Why don't you hang around inside?"
Spike regarded her, with a touch of a smile lingering on his sexy lips, "What? Don't want to hang in my world?"
Buffy frowned, then stepped out.
The smile turned into a cruel grin as he reached out and grabbed her arm.
Buffy cried out, eyes snapped upwards meeting his yellow gaze.
She saw something akin to insanity lurking beneath the demonic visage, he reached out to touch her face,
and she the world spun, before it was plunged into darkness.
~To be continued~
