Author: Kelley (beanyb1999@hotmail.com)
Rating: Still looks like a PG-13 to me!
Feedback: Please REVIEW! I want to know what you think. Just don't flame it if you hate it. It'll probably make me cry like a baby. Well, maybe not, but it will depress me.
Distribution: You want to put it on your site! Let me know! I'll me more than happy to let you!
Summary: Spike and Tara have figured out what is wrong with Buffy. Now Spike is fixing the problem.
Disclaimer: All characters from "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, UPN, all those other people who make their mark during the credits…yadda yadda yadda. I wish they'd let me have Spike at least.
Dedication: For Christy, as always, because she makes wonderful suggestions and keeps encouraging me to post even though I feel like my story gets worse and worse. For Shelley, because she writes warped fanfic with me, and because she has to live with me. I feel for her. For all my reviewers who have told me positive things, I love you guys! You make it easier for me to post a new chapter when I get the chance!
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"Look at me, Spike." William waited. "NOW!"
Spike eyed William, shocked at his tone of voice.
"What's wrong with you?" William snapped.
"You heard them. They're all right. I should not be the one doing this."
If looks could kill, Spike would have been dust at that moment. He had never seen such shame and anger coming from someone's eyes, especially from the eyes of someone he had once been.
"If you quit now, you're not the vampire I thought you were. You're just as pathetic as they tell you you are."
Spike stood up taller, glowering at William. "Look, you try dealin' with those people every day. They hate me. Buffy knows that."
"Do you love her?"
Spike rolled his eyes. "What?!"
"DO…YOU…LOVE…HER?" William asked more slowly this time.
"Yes. More than I can say. How many bloody times do I have to say it?"
"Then why are you letting her little sister and her little friends get to you like that? They usually don't."
Spike shrugged. "I don't know."
"Look. Look around you. This is Heaven. Heaven doesn't have a place for vampires. You're in a weakened state, which makes it easier for you to succumb to things you would normally shrug off. They, the Powers, fixed it that way. But, you have a soul to save. Now, get over yourself. A beautiful woman is waiting for you."
"I don't know why you asked me what my problem was if you knew it all along," Spike mumbled quietly. He shook his head. Then he smacked his forehead, suddenly feeling as though some thick fog had been cleared from his head. "Buffy!" He glanced at William. "Well, mate. What are we waiting for? Let's go!"
Spike grabbed William's arm and continued forward yet again.
Spike was suddenly consumed in thought. No one ever said anything about my defenses being down, or whatever. I can't believe I let the whelp get to me. I'll show him a thing or two when I get back. What are they doing to me? Are they trying to turn me into a poofter nancy boy?
"The Powers knows your strengths and weaknesses. By messing with your emotional state, they can see how strong you are mentally against those that cause a stumbling block in your life . . .or unlife in your case."
"What?" William had successfully managed to confuse Spike even more.
"So, yes, in a way, I suppose they are trying to turn you into a . . .er, nancy boy," William simply replied.
"Wait. So now you can read my mind?" Spike shook his head in confusion.
William smiled. "Perhaps. But you were talking to yourself. Maybe you should try working on the whole concept of an inner monologue. Make it a tad more quiet."
"Yeah. I'll bloody well try," Spike grumbled.
"Cheer up. We're getting there," William stated cheerfully.
"Spike, I can't let you do this," came a voice from behind.
"Oh, bloody hell!" Spike growled. "Now what?" He spun around.
"You don't belong here."
Spike rolled his eyes.
"Neither do you. Get the hell away from me, Peaches!"
Angel walked slowly towards Spike. "You're being replaced."
Spike sighed. "Blah blah blah. Don't count on it, Angelus!"
Angel chuckled wryly. "You need help, boy. I'm the better one for this job."
"Says you, poofter. I can't have you messing up your hair. Now, bugger off."
"So, Spike thinks he loves Buffy," Angel said with a menacing taunt.
"This is just like you! The Dark Avenger thinks he's here to save the day. Well, not this time! The Slayer is counting on me."
Spike kept his eyes on Angel.
"Spike, my boy, you'll always be second best to Buffy. She loved me first. Remember?" He smiled at the blonde vampire smugly.
"Yeah. Well also remember this you big poof! You're the one who left her!" Spike balled his fists.
"So, you think you're the hero of this little episode of Buffy's life. You're the one who's there. Sorry to say, Spike, but you are just a convenience."
"Oh, is that bloody well so?"
Angel chuckled in a low voice. "You'll do well to remember this, my boy." He walked dangerously close to an angry Spike and whispered in his ear. "You may be the one she's having casual sex with, but I'm the one she made love to." He took a step back and continued to laugh. "You will always be second best. Just let me finish this little journey for you. I'm the one she'll always turn to."
Spike stared down the vampire. After a moment, Spike began to falter. The pain he was feeling on the inside was almost too much for him.
Did Buffy really just see him as a convenience? She'd told him as much recently. But what about now?
He shut his eyes tightly and shook his head quickly, remembering what William had told him earlier. Then he remembered another thing William had told him even earlier than that.
Spike opened his eyes and turned his eyes towards William. William was staring at Angel, but he showed no distress.
Buffy was still waiting.
He grinned, realizing William had given him a clue without actually realizing it was a clue . . .or he guessed it was that way at least.
Why didn't he think of it then? Of course!
William had told him that there was a possibility of truth behind the things Xander and Willow, Dawn, and Angel had all told him.
This was THE test! Of course! It was SO obvious!
If, after listening to the awful things Xander and Willow had said, or Dawn, or Angel, he decided to go back, he really would be pathetic.
He'd be beneath Buffy.
He would have failed her.
Buffy would never forgive him.
He tilted his head and grinned at Angel. "Go away, poofter. You're not even really here."
Angel stopped laughing. He had a puzzled look on his face.
"That's right, Peaches. Except you're not really Peaches. Wanna know how I know? That bloody soul! A moment of true happiness . . . and BAM!" He clapped his hands in Angel's face. "You've got one cruel vampire on your hands! Buffy didn't want to call Angel anyway because she trusts me! I knew this wasn't real when the Mighty Poofter made his entrance. THIS is Heaven! What human would want to leave here? So, I'd like to get Buffy's soul back if you don't mind."
Suddenly, Angel disappeared and a new form took his place.
"That's more like it. So, who in the bloody hell are you?"
"I'm the Keeper of Buffy's soul," the form replied, changing yet again.
"Hey! You're the bloke who brought me in here!"
The man nodded. "Yes indeed."
"Why didn't you just give me her soul then?" Spike asked irritably.
"Because you had to be tested first."
The man fidgeted. Spike could sense he was nervous about something.
"Oh, right. Well, I passed. Give me the soul and I'll be on my way." Spike started to walk towards the man but stopped when the man held up a hand for him to do so.
"Terribly s-sorry," the man said. "I can't."
"What?" Spike yelled. "Why not?"
"I d-don't h-have it," the man said, stumbling over his words.
"WHAT?????" Spike's voice boomed, alarming even William.