Author: Kelley (beanyb1999@hotmail.com)…for anyone who is interested, Shelley and I posted the final chapter of "Cordelia the Wise" earlier!
Rating: PG-13? How does that sound?
Distribution: Sure, why not? Fun times!
Feedback: Review! It's fun. For those of you who are concerned about Drusilla, it'll be ok. It will be brought up later on.
Summary: Spike and Tara figure out what is wrong with Buffy. Spike gets to fix it.
Disclaimer: I think I might get Joss to buckle and let me have Spike. Or not. Can't blame a girl for trying though. He still owns them. It won't do any good to sue. The only thing you'll get will probably be my Snoopy doll and a shirt or two.
Dedication: A HUGE thanks to everyone who has been sending me great reviews. It means so much to me. I'm blushing over here! Really! Thanks. Great reviews are always fun to read when you're stressed about schoolwork and tests. I love you guys! Another dedication to Christy cuz she is helping. And of course, one for Shelley cuz she's a big crackhead.
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"Tara," Spike complained. "I just ate all the marshmallows! Do you have any more?"
"Yeah. There's one more bag," she said, not looking up from the book she was reading.
"Spike, Princess is hungry," Drusilla whined. "Can I go get someone to eat?"
"No, Dru. You can't," Spike said irritably. Drusilla was not being very forthcoming. "I'm pretty sure you ate enough on your way here."
"You're ruining my fun, Spikey. Miss Edith thinks that is very naughty of you."
"Dru, this isn't supposed to be fun. You're supposed to tell us what is wrong with the Slayer. Remember that, pet?"
"The stars do not wish me to tell you. Sweet William is patiently waiting for you to solve the puzzle."
Tara looked up from her book for the first time. "Sweet William?"
Drusilla giggled at Tara's confused expression. "Tick tock, tick tock. The smart witch will figure it out."
"This isn't h-helping any, Spike. Why is she doing this?" Tara asked, frustrated.
"Because she's evil and she can." Spike glared at Drusilla.
"Whispers . . .whispers. The Slayer cries tonight. Open a book. It will tell you her secret."
Tara opened another book. She began flipping through the pages. Stopping, she looked at Spike. "Spike, if you don't have a soul, how is it that you love Buffy?"
Spike shrugged. "Don't rightly know. I supposed all demons have some sort of soul," he said with a hint of sarcasm in his voice.
Drusilla smiled. "My Spike is smart. The Slayer holds his soul in the palm of her hand. How much does she affect your conscience?"
"So, really, when someone is turned into a vampire, they lose their conscience, but still have a soul, even though it isn't a human soul. I get it. That explains why you have such strong feelings. The soul in your demon makes you that way," Tara said, an idea obviously forming in her head.
Drusilla clapped her hands when Tara looked down, reading the page that had caught her attention. "The witch is smart. She's getting it. Sweet William is so proud."
"Dru, what in the bleedin' hell are you talking about?"
"O-ok! People confuse soul and conscience really. I mean, vampires do feel! They can be very passionate about things. Spike is very passionate when it comes to Buffy or anyone he cares about. You don't have a human soul, but you have a soul."
Spike nodded. "I'm not a poofter like Angelus though," he added.
Tara kept talking. "You lose the conscience that makes people feel guilt for doing bad things. This makes so much sense now!"
"I'm glad someone finally caught on. NO one listens to me, and I've been trying to say this forever!"
Tara looked at the book in front of her again. "Spike. It's right here! Look!" She shoved the book in Spike's direction. "When we brought Buffy back, she returned without a soul! That's why she's been acting so strange. She doesn't have a soul at all!"
Drusilla cheered. "Smart, smart witch. Miss Edith is proud."