The joys of living on a hellmouth.
Xander walked over to Buffy's. Why me? He thought. Why do I always have to be in the middle of this stuff? Oh well here goes nothing. He approached the door to Buffy's house and knocked. When the door opened he was greeted to a smiling Buffy who threw her hands around him. "Hey sweetie," she whispered in his ear. No matter how many times Xander heard Buffy call him by loving pet names he still hadn't gotten used to it. There was still a small part of Xander that told him this was all a dream and would be over any minute.
But it wasn't a dream. It was real. He finally had Buffy all to himself. He was never happier than when he was with her. Unfortunately, this was a business call more than a pleasure call. His tense shoulders gave that away to Buffy.
"What's wrong?" she asked concerned.
"Sit down Buff," he nudged her gently to the couch. "Willow or Dawn around?"
"They went for a walk in the park, I thought we'd have the place to ourselves for a while," Buffy whispered dangerously. Despite Xander's tenseness, Buffy still couldn't help how much she wanted to play. Do things to him she was sure he had dreamt about a hundred times. Only she was sure she could top Xander Harris' imagination.
Xander sighed. He would have loved to play that morning. If only as foreplay until he had everything set up for their perfect first time. But the hellmouth wasn't about to let it be that easy.
"It's about Spike," Xander started.
"Oh my God, did he hurt you?" Buffy asked. In their first battle with Amy, the last time anyone had seen Spike, she had reversed his chip so that he could only kill humans.
"Oh no, nothing like that. Actually the exact opposite," Xander chuckled a little as he thought about Spike's new appearance. He went on, "No, Spike has changed. I guess that when he decided not to interfere with our chance at love and happiness," Xander took Buffy's hand in his own, "the PTB granted him his humanity." Buffy's eyes shot wide open. Xander pushed on. "He's become a watcher. He changed his name back to William. You should see him it looks like he got his style advice from Giles. Anyway, he has come to Sunnydale because Amy is the greatest threat we've ever faced."
Buffy interrupted him, "Xander, how is that possible. We've faced the Master, the Judge, the Mayor, Adam, and Glory along with the end of the world more than a few times. Amy is powerful sure, but she can't be that powerful."
"From what William tells me, she is going to be like trying to stop them all at the same time. Right now she is making a vampire army that could easily give us a run for our money. But she is also planning something to harness the power of the hellmouth. That's all Spi.William could tell me. If she is able to do whatever it is that she wants, William said she'll become unstoppable."
There was silence. Then Buffy spoke, "Okay, how is Amy going to be able to call on this power when no one has before? And if Spi.William came and saw you why isn't he here now?"
Xander swallowed, this was the hard part. "He doesn't know what will happen when she completes the ritual. All he knows is that Amy needs another vampire witch. It is some kind of icky blood sucking ritual that William tried to explain but was a little too gory for my taste. And since we've never faced a vampire witch, let alone two, the ritual has never come into play."
"There's another vampire witch?"
"Not yet, but there may be," Xander let his statement hang in the air. Willow. Amy had wanted Willow when she had attacked them in the cabin.
"Okay, so we just protect Willow."
"She also needs a way to open the hellmouth. A key."
Buffy started to tear up. Not again. She has just gone through this, she couldn't have someone after Dawn again. She had died the last time that happened. She was just starting to put her life back together and be happy. No vampire bitch was going to ruin that for her.
"Where's Amy? I waited too long with Glory, I'm taking the fight to her." Buffy said determined.
"Buffy, she's too strong," when she gave him her, nice try but no way in hell is that a good enough answer look, he added, "plus she has a vampire army. We aren't equipped to fight a vampire army. Even you can't do it by yourself," Xander whispered and he saw all the life go out of Buffy. She collapsed into his arms and sobbed. This is why I had to be the one to tell her, Xander thought. If William had delivered the news, she might have gone catatonic again. With Xander here she could let herself be comforted. He held her tight and let her cry into him. When she had gotten it out of her system, she looked up. Her eyes, instead of being devoid of life like Xander expected, were full of fire and determination.
"I just got a hold of you and my life. I'm not about to let that be ripped away from me. What do we do from here?" Buffy said, and Xander exhaled a breath he hadn't known he was holding. If there was any question about whether Buffy had come back to the Buffy of old, they were answered here. Now for the final issue he needed to tell her.
"Honey, there's one more thing. William has brought some help, reinforcements. It is going to make you uncomfortable, but he assures me that everything will be okay," he said. Buffy braced herself for whatever last bit of bad news her boyfriend was about to level on her. "Buffy, William is Faith's watcher," he waited for her to say something, but when she didn't Xander went on. "When PTB called him, they told him that we would need Faith to stop Amy. It was his destiny to bring Faith back to the fold, since he knew all about redemption and such. He came over with her, and she seems to have gotten it together. William freed her from jail and told her she had one last chance to redeem herself. She took his offer. She seems to be okay, and I trust William. If he says we can trust her, I think we can. Let's face it Buffy, we need all the help we can get," Xander finished and waited for something from her. Anger, betrayal, concern. Nothing.
Xander was afraid that catatonic Buffy had returned, but when he gave her hand a little squeeze she jumped and said, "Oh, sorry. I was just revisiting some mistakes I made with Faith. I guess if she wants redemption, she deserves a chance at it. But you," she hugged him to show him she was okay, "belong to me. If I see you getting all cozy with Faith, you'll wish Anya had cursed you."
Xander favored her with one of those lopsided grins she loved so much and replied, "As long as you don't go running back to Spike/William/Giles."
"Never. I wouldn't leave you for anything," she told him and she kissed him. As always when she kissed him, pain and fear disappeared. It was replaced with warmth and comfort. Nothing had ever felt better to Buffy then Xander's sweet embrace. The back door opened and Dawn and Willow walked in. Buffy broke their embrace and the fear crept back into her mind. She had to protect Dawn and Willow.
"Hey guys," Dawn called. Dawn always had bittersweet feelings when she saw Buffy and Xander. She had helped them get together, and she couldn't believe how happy they were, which made her happy. But she always felt sad that their love had driven Spike away. She knew Spike and Buffy would never have worked, but she didn't know why he had to leave Sunnydale. Dawn loved him, wasn't that enough?
"Dawnie, could you go upstairs for a little while?" Buffy asked gently. This always meant big bad. She usually fought to stay and listen in more, but today she decided to just go peacefully. "Sit down Wil," Dawn heard her sister say as she ascended the Summers' staircase.
THE SAME TIME IN THE SUNNYDALE SEWERS
The dank sewer brought rats. Rats were always there, climbing the passages. They were a constant reminder to Amy. A reminder of what she was and how far she had come. The power she had come to control was enormous. She had been bidding her time. Slowly making a vampire army. Scattering them so that the slayer would not be able to stop them all. Soon, she told herself, she would make her move. Willow would keep the so- called "Scooby Gang" busy while she finished her plans. Everything was proceeding exactly as she had excepted.
A vampire scout wandered down into her lair. "My lady," he said, his head down cast.
"Yes, what is it Ryan," she addressed her former Sunnydale High crush.
"My lady, you told me to inform you if information on Spike became available," he said nervously. Amy knew he was waiting for her permission to continue. While she was thrilled at the fear she put into the hearts of her own kind, the constant groveling got in the way of her work at times. "Continue and tell me all of what you know," she commanded.
"My lady, we have reports that Spike, well, he was outside. During the day; in the sunlight. His mannerisms were different, as was his dress. And a young lady accompanied him. Our sources didn't get a great look at her, but rumor has it that the girl is the second slayer."
Amy sighed. "So Spike was walking during the day, dressed in different clothes and acting strangely. Is it possible that, oh I don't know, it WASN'T SPIKE!" She screamed ready to level the scout with a bolt of her anger. He stood his ground.
"No my mistress. It was most definitely Spike. Our sources were clear on that. Something has happened to him, but it was Spike."
Amy was impressed that he didn't instantly back down. She knew that their current sources had been right on everything so far. They knew all about Harris and his move to the Summers' house. They knew that Tara was slowly rejoining the group. They knew Spike had left Sunnydale after her first attack. So it stood to reason that this news on Spike was also correct. After she had received a bad tip and destroyed the informant and his entire organization, Amy had never been lied to again.
"Very well," she said, letting the bolt of anger fade away. "When the sunsets find out about this. Where are he and the second slayer staying?"
"A hotel on the bad side of town," he replied, obviously relieved that she hadn't dusted him.
Amy smiled at this. Bad side of town in Sunnydale was saying something. "Follow them, find out what is happening. Go!" She commanded. Ryan scampered away. Just like a rat, Amy chuckled to herself as her thoughts came full circle.
SUNNYDALE MOTEL
"Are you ready luv?" William called.
"Keep your tweed on and give me a minute," Faith called from the bathroom. William chuckled. He still held memories of Spike in his mind, and he knew Spike would have killed himself if he saw his new outfits. When in the hellmouth, make like a watcher.
"Okay," Faith said and walked out of the bathroom. William had insisted that she calm her image down from the last time she had seen the Scoobies. She had been dressed in a tight leather top and spandex pants. William had told her she was shaping a new image and she needed to dress appropriately. She came out of the bathroom this time with a tight, but modest, top and jeans.
"Much better luv," William grinned at her. Faith glared at the peroxide blonde watcher, then gave in and laughed as well.
"Are they ready for me?" Faith asked cautiously. It had been hard that morning, seeing Xander again. She still remembered when she had nearly choked the life out of her lover when he wanted to help her come away from the dark side. He had seemed to let it pass, and she was happy he and Buffy had finally gotten together. She has always wondered why B had been looking elsewhere when she had such a hunk that worshipped her right in front of her eyes. She sighed, if things had been different maybe she and Xander could have gotten together before Buffy took the blinders off. No, she wouldn't let herself start being jealous of Buffy. Not again.
Buffy, Xander and Willow. How many times had she tried to kill them? She had lost count. She hated herself for it. She had always felt that she and B had a connection. She blamed Willow for getting in the way. How could she have done the things she had? She had come to understand that it was her own pull to evil that had severed her bond with Buffy, not Willow.
William brought her out of internal brooding.
"Pet, time to go," he said gently.
"Right," she steeled herself.
"Are you sure you're okay?"
"Five by five Will," she replied and they headed out the door. This is my chance to make it right, she thought to herself.
SUNNYDALE CEMETERY
Buffy fell back and flipped over a tombstone. Big, dumb and spiky demon, as she had begun to call him, charged at her again. She dodged his long tusks and delivered a swift kick to the midsection. It felt like kicking a concrete wall. Big and dumb barely moved and picked her up in the air. She squirmed and kicked, but his grip was impossibly strong and she was too far away to be able to connect with him.
As the demon began to crush her, he cried out in pain and momentarily loosened his grip. She flipped out of his death grip and looked to see Xander, lightsaber in hand, slashing at the demon. Over the past month, Xander had found that his lightsaber was much less effective in the real world then it had been against Darth Vader. It burned his opponents skin, but it took him forever to burn through anything really solid. He found it handy when fighting vamps because he could burn through their heart and dust them. Demons, however, didn't tend to have flesh that burned easily.
Big and dumb turned to face his attacker. Xander backed up to a headstone and knew he was about to become demon dinner when someone jumped up and landed on the 7-foot tall demon.
"The tusks, you must break the tusks," someone called out to the figure. The figure did just that, snapping the tusks clean off, and the demon began to dissolve. The figure dismounted and landed. Xander finally got a look at his rescuer.
"Thanks Faith," Buffy said as she came up behind them. She gave Xander a hug and a quick look over to make sure he was in one piece before she turned back to face Faith and William who was approaching them. Xander had tried to tell her, but nothing could have prepared her for Spike's new look. Tweed, tweed, and more tweed.
"You have less style than Giles," Buffy chuckled out. The she turned serious. "It's good to see you again, both of you," she said, looking intently at Faith. A million unspoken things passed between them, an understanding that only slayers could share. Then it was over.
"Sorry it couldn't be under better circumstances luv," William replied. "And I might I say, tweed is very stylish in England." All three of them chuckled, then went on their way to Buffy's house.
Before they had gone out Willow and Tara had cast their first spell together since their breakup. It had been a warning spell in case Amy tried anything while Buffy and Xander had been patrolling. They walked in to find the house at peace. Dawn was asleep on the couch between Tara and Willow. Tara was also asleep but Willow saw the four of them come in and got up slowly.
"Spike," Willow was stunned. He favored her with a smile she had never seen on his face before.
"Please, call me William."
"William," she trailed off, amazed at the transformation he had gone through.
"Hey Red," Faith muttered, her eyes examining the Summers' floorboard.
"Faith," Willow said shortly. As much as Buffy and Xander had tried to prepare her for Faith's return, she was still incredibly uncomfortable. Spike had been given his humanity again, but what had Faith done to prove she wanted redemption? There was an awkward silence, and Xander finally broke it.
"So, how about living on the hellmouth huh?" Yeah, real smooth Xander, he chastised himself. He knew exactly how Willow was feeling. The last time he had given Faith a chance, she nearly rang the life out of him. Plus he needed Angel to save his life and he could never really forgive her for that. Calm down, he told himself, Buffy is with you now and Angel is in LA.
"Yeah, tons of fun, I remember, I used to live here," Faith replied. The silence returned. Xander nudged William. William had done most of the talking back at Xander's apartment and had smoothed the transition.
"Yes, so, ah, we need to talk about Amy," William began. Willow couldn't get over how much he sounded like Giles.
"Pretty simple right? She wants Willow and Dawn, we stop her, yes?" Buffy gave her too easy tone, but inside she was a sea of emotion. She was still trying to adjust to Spike/William. Adding Faith to the mix had almost been too much. She felt so many things towards her other. Pity. Guilt. Shame. Fear. Jealousy.
Buffy was amazed that she could feel jealous of Faith. When Faith had been with Xander she had never even given Xander a thought that way. She wondered if Xander was feeling the same way about Spike/William.
Xander, on the other hand, had dismissed William the moment he saw him. The vampire who had been with Buffy was gone, replaced by a watcher. Now if Angel where to walk through the door, that would be another matter.
"It's not that easy, pet. Amy has so much power right now. That Rhiopimus Demon you were fighting was most definitely her doing. They usually travel in herds. If she can call demons to her at will, she is already very dangerous."
"So what's your plan?" Xander asked.
"We must lure Amy alone and contain her powers. Then Buffy and Faith must kill her. However in order to contain the kind of power Amy is wielding we will need all the help we can get," William made a brief pause. He decided to keep this part of his plan hidden from all of them until the time was right. If Amy was calling Rhiopimus Demons she was closer to achieving her goal then he thought. But, the time was not right now. Willow, Xander and Buffy were having enough trouble with himself and Faith. They didn't need any more to deal with. It would need to be soon though. He tore himself away from his inner dialogue and finished lamely, "So get a spot of rest and we will met at the Magic Box tomorrow to war plan. Oh, is the Magic Box still where you meet?" William had almost forgotten about Anya.
"Yes. Anya will be surprised to see you," Xander said. Anya had been a very good friend, considering all that had passed between them. Xander still felt a hint of guilt, but one glance at Buffy and he was overwhelmed with his love for her. He was so happy, it scared him.
"Well, good night," Faith said. She had been so quiet. She was trying, Buffy told herself. It would be hard. She remembered her own recent struggles and had a deeper sense of compassion for Faith. Buffy had Xander to pull her through, Faith must have felt so alone. She had William/Spike now, so Buffy hoped that she could finally begin to put her life back together.
"Can I ask one favor," William asked, a Spike-like smile creeping on his face. "Don't tell the lil bit I'm back yet. I want to surprise her. I promised her I'd come back." Buffy nodded. Xander was about to joke about Spike trying to dust himself, but decided against it. For some reason he hadn't told the others about that yet, so Xander let it drop.
William and Faith left, leaving Willow, Xander, and Buffy alone. They turned the TV off and draped a blanket over Tara and Dawn, then went upstairs. When they arrived in Willow's room, Willow could no longer contain her shudder. "That was bizarre."
"I'll second that," Buffy replied and dropped onto the bed. Xander moved next to her and pulled her into a tight embrace.
"It'll be okay," Xander whispered to them.
"I guess I should feel better about Faith, since I just had the whole, you know crazy dark magic phase," Willow rambled, "But, I just can't get over what has happened. I mean, I just, she's tried to kill us so many times."
"I know Wil, but we need her. And we need to be there for her," Buffy said, looking deeply into Xander's eyes. "Without a support system, it's impossible to rebuild."
Xander's eyes returned the love in Buffy's. He just wanted to make it all go away for her. He wanted her to be able to enjoy their life together. But the problem was the joys of living on a hellmouth were disaster and apocalypse.
"And I don't like being in the middle of this," Willow worried. "I can't have you guys worrying about protecting me and Dawn at the same time."
"That's why Faith is here," Buffy consoled. She was still feeling guilty, but Willow decided worrying wouldn't help and just let out a defeated sigh.
"Get some rest Wil," Xander whispered as he took Buffy by the hand and lead her to his room. As soon as the door was closed he wrapped his arms around her. Buffy looked at Xander, still amazed to see a look of love and passion that strong directed at her. When she was with Angel, Angel had looked at her with love and passion, but there was always so much pain and despair mixed with it. Xander had only love for Buffy.
They kissed. Xander took her tongue with such hunger. He ran his hands over her perfect form. He was gentle, trying to keep his passion from taking over. He wanted to be there for Buffy, giving sweet caring, not ravishing her. Well, okay so he wanted to ravish her too, but still not now, he told himself. After what seemed like an eternity of kissing, caressing and rubbing, Buffy broke their embrace.
"Xander, make love to me," she asked. The desire in her eyes was more than Xander could bear.
"Buffy, I wanted to make our first time, ya know, perfect."
"Xander," Buffy said, he face twisted into a huge smile, but her voice was dead serious, "Of course it will be perfect."
"But I had this whole image of how it would go. A nice romantic date, some champagne, flowers," she covered his mouth with hers, silencing him. After a moment, she broke away again.
"Xander, this is perfect. I've never felt anything more perfect in my entire life. I need you, I want you, and I love you. Please make love to me," she said. When he hesitated she gave him her famous pout. That was it, he could never resist the pout.
He moved in and laid her gently on the bed. He kissed her long and lovingly. He lifted her shirt off. She unbuttoned his, and slipped it off. Buffy sat up and unhooked her bra and let it drop the floor. Xander stopped everything he was doing. He stared for a moment and Buffy laughed at him.
"Like what you see?" she cooed seductively. Xander could only nod. Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined how perfect this would be. Before he knew what had happened, she had managed to remove both of their pants so that all they had left on was their underwear. Xander's boxers had an interesting shaper to them. Buffy smiled at him and moved up to kiss him. Xander was in bliss. Never in his most wild and crazy Buffy fantasies had he felt this happy.
Buffy knew she wanted to do so many wild and crazy things to Xander. But not yet. Tonight was all about love, passion, and togetherness. She kissed him gently, letting him take the lead. He moved them down to the bed. They laid together on the bed. Xander thought, my imagination hasn't done this goddess justice. He let his hands slip her panties off, and she followed his lead, doing the same to him. Then Xander's thoughts dissolved into basic instincts. Love Buffy, get pleasure.
Buffy was on cloud nine. She couldn't believe that Xander, goofy, silly Xander, was giving her this much pleasure. It wasn't carnal lust, but there was such great passion. It was the perfect act of pleasure as an expression of love. Buffy allowed herself to become completely consumed by it.
After they made love, she curled into his arms. She was asleep in an instant, mumbling, "Love, Xander." Xander was too happy to even sleep. He just kissed her forehead all-night and brushed hair out of her eyes. He had heard somewhere that you know you really love someone if you can be perfectly content watching them sleep. Xander didn't think there were words to express his feelings. His heart felt like it was going to burst.
He'd had sex before. But he had never made love before, he thought. Xander finally understood the difference.
That night, Buffy's dreams weren't tortured or painful. There was only happiness. Happiness, and Xander.
SUNNYDALE SEWERS
Ryan crept back into the underground lair. Amy was waiting for him. She could tell that he had fed on the way home, but she wanted to know what he had found out before she punished him. "Well?" she questioned.
"Spike is most definitely human. And it appears that he is the second slayer's new watcher. They have also revealed themselves to the slayer and her friends," Ryan answered her. "They are making futile attempts to stop your great plan."
"Interesting. Spike is human. I want to know how." She added, "So find out." As her minions scattered she used an invisible force to halt Ryan in his tracks. "Ryan, when I send you to get me information, that comes first, not feeding. Are we clear?" He managed a nod. "Good," she called, and he turned to dust. "Any questions?" She was secretly pleased when her minions moved even faster than they had been.
THE NEXT MORNING AT THE MAGIC BOX
Anya was in the back when she heard the bell chime. She came around to see Buffy, Xander, Dawn and Willow. Anya looked over at Xander and her heart fell. She could always tell when Xander had sex. He walked with a little bounce in his step and a goofy look on his face. She had never quite seen that much bounce in his step or that big a smile on his goofy face. Her last hope, that Xander and Buffy would be physically incompatible, was gone. She had lost Xander and she didn't even have the heart to curse his genitalia with boils.
As the foursome gathered around the "war table," the bell chimed again. Anya had expected to see Tara following behind them. What she saw was a tweedy Spike and a girl who looked familiar.
"Anya," Spike greeted her and gave her a brief hug. "How are you?"
"Well, Xander dumped me for Buffy and business has gotten really slow."
Spike shifted uncomfortably. Anya always said what was on her mind. "Well, I'm sure things will.uh pick up for you," he finished lamely.
"Hey, it's bright outside and you just waltzed right in," Anya said.
"He got redemption, a chance to be human," the girl he was with spoke up. Anya tried to place the face.
"Oh, you're Faith. The other slayer who slept with Xander and tried to kill us," Anya said without malice. Even so Faith seemed to recoil a bit.
Dawn came over to Spike. "Is, is, it true?" she whispered.
"Yes lil bit, all because of you," William explained how it had come to be and finished, "I wanted you to be surprised. I promised you I'd come back." Dawn wrapped her arms around the former vampire and squeezed. "Aren't you strong," Spike puffed out.
"Sorry, Spike," she giggled.
"Call me William."
The bell chimed again and in walked Tara. Anya sighed, "Here we go again,"
After everyone had been filled in about Spike/William, Faith, and Amy's plans (leaving out the part about Dawn, Buffy wanted to protect her from that knowledge) they began to form a strategy.
"Wil, I think you'll make the best bait. Amy wanted you because of your power, so she might risk a little to get you," Buffy assumed.
"Yes, but you will be instrumental in casting the containment spell to subdue Amy, so you must get away in time," William warned.
"I like to make with the living. It's nice and safe, well I guess living on a hellmouth is never safe, but no worries, me and safety are like peas in a pod."Willow went on.
"Wil, rambling," Xander said. Willow stopped and mouthed a sorry to the group.
"Anya, Tara; Willow will need all the help she can get in casting the containment spell. Are you willing to help her?" William asked gently. Tara nodded, and, after a moment, Anya did the same. "Excellent. Buffy you said you called Giles this morning?"
She nodded. "He said he'd catch the next plane to Sunnydale."
"Good," William looked around. "Trust will be key to this plan. You must trust yourselves and each other. Amy is very powerful, do not underestimate her or you will not survive." The mood of the room was uncomfortably tense. Buffy was sure she could trust Xander and Tara, and she was pretty sure William was trustworthy. She worried about Willow having to dive right back into such powerful magic. She worried Anya might let a bit of her vengeance out on her. And she had no idea what to expect from Faith. She could tell that each member of the group were having similar thoughts.
"I need to say what's on my mind," Faith spoke up. She had sat quietly as William and Buffy had laid out her role in the plan. Now, she needed to air everything out or it could cost them all their lives. "I know you guys don't trust me. I'm not even sure I trust me. But I hate myself for what I've done to all of you. I never meant for things to go the way they did. I lost control and gave into the rush of the darkness, and it destroyed me."
Her words hit Willow like a ton of bricks. She was more like Faith then she had ever admitted to herself. Willow looked in her eyes and saw the sincerity in them.
Faith continued, "I want to make it right. I can't take back what I've done, but I want to move on. When I first came to Sunnydale I was so jealous of you B. You got the friends, the praise, and the victories. I was just trying to set myself above you like it was some kind of competition. Instead of trying to be like you, I resented you. But, that's over with. Once you've been in the dark places I have, the petty stuff ends. The only way I can prove myself is when the time comes, but I promise, I'll do my best to come through," Faith finished and shuffled her feet and her shoulders. It looked like she was carrying the weight of the world on them, Willow thought.
"I know what it's like to slip into the darkness because of jealousy," Willow said. They turned to address her. "And I know that the only thing that can heal your wounds, is forgiveness. So, I forgive you Faith," Willow's emotions ran wild. That apology was just as much about forgiving myself as it was about forgiving Faith.
"Thanks Red," Faith said genuinely. Xander nodded to Faith. Faith winked back, sending a surge of jealous through Buffy that she fought back. Trust. She trusted Xander. She had to trust Faith too.
"Kidding B," Faith said.
After a split-second, "I know. Welcome back Faith," Buffy said smiling. She moved to hug the girl and she could tell Faith was fighting tears. Redemption was a tricky thing. It was as much about others as it was about yourself. When they broke the hug, Buffy knew that she trusted Willow, too. Anya, well if she hadn't gone vengeance demon on them by now she wasn't about to start when it would mean the end of the world.
"I don't mean to break the moment, but what about me? Did we forget Amy likes to use me to open the dimensional portals?" Dawn asked quietly.
Buffy shifted her feet. She didn't want Dawn to know that she was in such great danger again. And she was far to close to the truth.
William frowned. He had a plan, but he had yet to discuss it with the others. Now seemed as good a time as any, especially if he wanted to keep Dawn in a blissful ignorance. The little part of Spike inside of him scoffed at his inner monologue. "Blissful ignorance," who the bloody hell talks like that you wanker. William took a deep breath.
"Little bit, I'm going to have someone come in from out of town. Someone we can trust," he added at Buffy's concerned look.
"Who?" Buffy asked. Xander stroked her hand and thought, I have a bad feeling about this.
"Someone.I still have a call to make pet," he averted.
"William?" Faith asked. Blood hell, they're ganging up on me.
"Well, um, I had the, uh, the Angel crew in mind," he stumbled out.
Xander's eyes went wide. The thought of seeing Angel in Sunnydale worried him. He had just started his relationship with Buffy, he didn't need Dead-boy poking his nose into it. Buffy gave Xander's hand a squeeze. She knew him so well.
"Never leave you," she whispered at him. Buffy turned her attention to William. "Angel. What does that have to do with Dawn?"
"Well, I thought that Angel and Wesley could assist with the containment spell. Then Cordelia could watch Dawn and Gunn would protect them."
"Gunn?" Willow questioned.
"Right, you don't know all of Angel's crew. Well, trust me it will be fine," William said.
"Buffy?" Xander threw the question at her. She looked up at him.
"He's right Xander. We need all the help we can get. If Amy is close to gaining control of the hellmouth, we need to call in the reinforcements," she said slowly. Careful not to use words that would bruise her lover's fragile ego. He wasn't happy, but Xander wanted to live long enough to enjoy being with Buffy, and if Dead-boy helped him do that, so be it. Plus, the idea of showing off his new relationship to Dead-boy and Cordy made him smile, just a little.
"Make the call William," Buffy told him. He nodded and went into the back. The sun would set soon and Buffy wanted to get Dawn home before it did. "Xander, would you drive Dawn home and stay with her. Faith and I will patrol tonight."
Xander wore a hurt expression, she leaned over and whispered in his ear, "Dawn will know something is up if a slayer stays with her. I trust her life in your hands."
Xander couldn't help the smile creeping onto his face. He nodded and gathered his things. Willow, Tara, and Anya were busy combing the shelves of the Magic Box for supplies. What they didn't have there they would need to go out and find. The plan was to make their move within the week before Amy grew any more powerful. Buffy thought the store would be a safe place for them. Willow and Tara would have enough supplies to cast a spell and escape if Amy made a move tonight. William came out from the back and Dawn gave him a quick hug as Xander ushered her out the door.
"Do be careful lil one," William called to Dawn. She smiled, waved and headed off with Xander.
"Are they in?" Faith asked.
"Angel and Cordelia. Apparently Wesley and Gunn have some personal business to attend to. They weren't very specific, and I didn't feel the need to press. They should arrive sometime this week after they finish with some other business."
Buffy nodded. "Then we make our move as soon as they arrive." She was amazed that she wasn't more excited to see Angel. While the pain had made their meetings hard, she has always been anxious to see him. Now, that was gone. The power of love, she mused. She just hoped that her feelings stayed that way when she actually saw Angel standing in front of her. Xander's image popped up in her head and she knew that her heart had closed the door on Angel. No room for anyone but Xander, she thought.
"Well luvs, I think I'll stay here and keep an eye while you go out," William said to the slayers.
"Can I talk to you for a minute," Faith's voice pleaded with William. He was concerned and nodded his head. They went back into the storage room. She threw herself into a chair and let go unshed tears.
"Oh, pet, come now. That went wonderfully. Better than we could have imagined," William soothed her.
"That's the problem Will. I keep thinking, 'If I was in their shoes, would I forgive me?' and I just don't think that I would," she gasped out. She was so fragile. The cocky, confident Faith had died a long time ago. The Faith left in her place, well she wasn't sure what she was anymore.
William wrapped a strong arm around her. "Luv, that's the thing. You have to forgive yourself, or their acceptance doesn't mean a bloody thing."
"William, how can I let go of the pain?"
"I wish I could tell you that it was just like flipping a switch on the telly, but it's not," he grabbed her and made her face him. "But the only way to end the pain is to find a reason to live, something that you can latch onto. When I was down an out, I latched onto Buffy. When Buffy was down and out, she latched onto Xander. Sometimes it lasts, and sometimes it just gets you to the next point on your journey."
Faith looked at William deeply. He had saved her. When no one else had been able to get through to her, not even Angel, William had. No one else could guide her through this. No one. She wanted to lean in and kiss him. She wanted to express the connection she felt with him. But she knew that a kiss would mess everything up. She needed him so badly. So she sighed and gave into the temptation to kiss his cheek.
What was left of Spike inside of William flared up. Grab her and give her a bloody kiss, he shouted. No, William told the Spike part of him, she is so fragile. I may be attracted to her, but taking advantage of her in this state would be wrong. You're a pussy, you little bugger, the Spike part of him called. It got through a little. William felt a strong urge to kiss Faith. He was about to do it, he was leaning into her and then the Spike part of him called out: Yeah! That's it shag her silly. That was enough to allow William to regain control.
"Well," he said, standing up from her quickly.
She had felt the spark between them. The old Faith would have told William that she'd 'steer him around the curves.' New Faith just stood up and said, "Yup, better be off, B will be waiting and all."
Bloody wonderful, William cursed himself. You're destiny is to help her, not kiss her. You could easily screw her up worse.
I need him, Faith told herself. More than air, I need him. Or I'll be right back where I was. And I go and mess it up by trying to get into his pants.
Faith made her way back to the front of the store. Buffy noticed her rushed manor. "You okay Faith?"
"Five by five B," Faith answered too quickly and bolted out the door. Buffy shot William a questioning look, but hurried out the door to catch Faith. Buffy didn't know how to proceed. It had taken Xander catching her and Spike together before she had been able to open up to him. Faith had been gone so long, and she didn't have nearly the connection with Faith that she had with Xander. How was she going to get Faith to open up to her?
"B, I said I'm good. Don't worry about it, I'm not your problem," Faith said as Buffy ran to be at her side.
"No, you're not a problem. Faith," Buffy tried to talk to her. Faith just shook her head.
"I know. I can't keep blaming everyone else for my issues. It means a lot that you guys have been so cool about all of this. I just, need to get over it in my own head," Faith finished. Buffy nodded.
They continued their patrol. Faith had a burning desire to ask Buffy about.NO! Stop that! Why torture yourself like this? Faith's thoughts were interrupted when she noticed a group of teenagers.
"Kinda late for hanging out in the streets," Buffy spoke Faith's thoughts.
"What do you say the odds are, 15 of them, two of us?" Faith asked, then glanced at Buffy. "I like those type of odds," Faith said, and broke off at a run. Some things never change, no matter what, Buffy thought as she followed after Faith.
MAGIC BOX
Anya had gathered everything they would need for the containment spell. At least everything they had at the Magic Box. They still needed a Box of Alavance, ground toes of a creature called a Huygo, and the blood of a werewolf. Anya had called around. A shop in San Francisco had the Box of Alavance, and one in Oakland had the toes of a Huygo. The blood of a werewolf was harder to come by. Anya had asked Willow why she didn't just call Oz, but she just gave Anya a look. It was a look Anya had become all too familiar with, since she saw it on her own face whenever she looked in the mirror. Pain.
Tara had made the same suggestion later, and Willow said she would if all else failed. Anya didn't understand Tara and Willow. They had broken up, yet their breakup was very different for hers and Xander's. While Anya had little or no contact with Xander, Tara and Willow spent almost as much time together as they had when they were dating, especially lately. The only thing that had changed was that they had stopped kissing. Which was fine with Anya, since the whole thing seemed strange to her. Their bodies were equipped to be with men, not other women. Anya had long ago gotten over that, especially when she had seen the way they looked at each other. Love didn't care about what you were physically equipped for.
Xander had never looked at her like that. She had always hoped she would see that look on his face, eventually. Then they broke up and she knew she never would. Damn it I'm leaking again, she thought to herself, as she felt the tears come into her eyes. She ran to the bathroom, not wanting the girls to see.
William saw. He wanted to help her, but he didn't know how. He knew what she was feeling. He had felt it too. After that night at the cabin, he had been torn apart. His agony had left him empty. But he had gotten over it. He had a purpose now. He still found Buffy beautiful and attractive, but he no longer wanted her like that. Of course, he left for a month to move on. Anya was reminded of her lost love everyday. He thought that a road trip to the Bay area would help her move on.
Willow and Tara sat at the war table, going over the containment spell, again. Tara was amazed at the difference in Willow's approach to magic. A month or so ago, Willow would have glanced the spell over and jumped right in. Now, Willow had read the spell at least six times, making sure she had every little detail down. This was the Willow that Tara had fallen in love with. The Willow with a 4.0 GPA, who was smart and always prepared. Willow had managed to salvage a 3.0 last semester, even with all that she had gone through. Tara could tell she was enjoying her vacation and was going to return with even more dedication than ever. If they lived to see next semester, Tara swallowed.
Willow's magic scare had really gotten through to her. It made Tara a little sad that losing her hadn't been enough to bring Willow back. She knew that Willow had been so far-gone that it had taken a near death experience to snap her out of it. Even so, she couldn't help feeling a bit unimportant.
MEANWHILE
Faith was slammed to the ground by three vamps. She looked to Buffy for help, only to see that Buffy had her hands full as well. She was standing on the shoulders of two vamps, while another two tried to pull her down. Buffy's legs lashed out and she flipped off the vamps shoulders. She pulled out her stakes and dusted them. The two vamps that had been trying to pull her down both received punches to the face, breaking their noses.
By this time Faith had managed to break free of their hold on her and she was on her feet again. She delivered a roundhouse kick to one of the vamps, knocking him out. She would get back to him, she told herself, and she turned to face the other two. They had locked hands and were charging at her to clothesline her. Interesting tactic, she mused. "You guys must have a very special relationship to be holding hands during your deaths and all," she quipped as she leapt over their linked arms. The vamps had expected her to duck, because as they ran by where she was, they each kicked their legs out. When there was nothing there to connect to, they tumbled down in a heap. Faith quickly staked them and went back to get the unconscious vamp.
When she turned to find Buffy, she saw that Buffy had managed to grab a table from a nearby café and instead of breaking off the legs, she charged at the vamps as if it were a shield. When they turned to run, Buffy heaved the table at them, and the legs drove through, dusting them.
"Damn B, inventive," Faith quipped.
"Don't give me the credit. Xander thought it up the other night. He thought it'd be funny, didn't think I'd ever have to use it though," Buffy replied. Faith noticed how at the mere mention of Xander, a smile had broken out on B's face.
Faith shifted uncomfortably. Despite all her efforts to change, slaying still had a tendency to make her hungry and horny. Images of B and Xander weren't what she needed in her head. "Awful lot of vampires for just a random night," she said, trying to get her mind on business.
"I know. William told me Amy had a vampire army, but if she can afford to waste 15 vamps just like that," Buffy trailed off, her smile replaced by a worried look.
"Well, let's go back and report to Will," Faith said.
Buffy raised her eyebrows. "Faith actually wants to report to her watcher," she teased.
That was it, Faith had to ask, "B, how was it with him?"
Buffy looked confused. "Who?"
Faith shot her an annoyed look. "William."
Buffy just looked shocked.
"Come on, spill. Was it good? Was it hot?" she questioned. Old Faith would have been proud.
"Faith, it was, I don't know. I mean it was nothing compared to Xander," Buffy turned a dark red.
"He must have come a long way then," Faith teased. Buffy fought back a fit of anger and jealousy.
Faith sensed she'd pushed too far and backed down, "Sorry B, just trying get back to normal."
Buffy's stern look dissolved into a grin that Faith swore she had been seen on Xander. "It's okay, just wanted to remind you that he's taken. As for William.when I was with him he was Spike. He's so different now, so I don't know what he'd be like. He was so cold before, but he's human now."
"Well, it's the same size whether he's a vampire or a human, right?"
Buffy just stared at Faith. "Well, it won't matter, not like I'm gonna get to see it or anything, but you know it might have been fun for the five finger waltz," Faith quipped. Their conversation ended as they reached the Magic Box. Buffy silently hoped that their debriefing would be short. She now had an unbelievable desire to go find Xander.
"How was patrolling?" William asked.
Faith shrugged, "Busy, we hit a gang of 15 vamps. We took them, but still."
"That was more vamps then we had when we tried to raise Acathla," William muttered. "I mean when Spike and Angelus tried to, I mean, well you know what I mean!"
"Relax William, Xander's not here. He's the one who loves to kick a vampire when he goes down," Buffy chuckled. Faith took special notice of Buffy's choice of words.
"Goes down huh?" Faith teased. Buffy turned red. "What's on your mind?" Buffy would have objected except, she was right. That had been exactly what she was thinking about. Willow bailed Buffy out.
"Back to the vampire gang. If Amy can afford to let 15 vamps run free, how many does she have left?"
"Well, I had heard she had gathered an army, but they had no numbers to report. I would suspect that she must have at least three or four times that many left," William said quietly. The room fell completely silent. Buffy had never really grasped what a vampire army had meant. Considering the gangs she was used to facing were five, ten, twenty vamps at most. An army of 50 or 60 vamps though. Even with Faith and Angel they wouldn't have enough fire power.
"How are you going to lure Amy alone if she has that many vampires?" Anya asked everyone's unspoken question. There was no answer.
"We'll find a way," Buffy said determinedly. "Everyone go home. Sleep on it. Anya, I don't want you going on your trip alone."
"No, I'll be fine. No one cares about me anyway, why would Amy," Anya muttered.
"Anya," Willow began.
"I know," she sighed, "that you all want to be my friend. I think I just need to be alone. That is what all the women I used to grant wishes for wanted. At first they wanted to be left alone, then after I told them about all the wonderfully nasty things I could do to their betrayers," she stopped when she saw they were all staring at her. "Anyway, it seems like the thing to do. I'll be fine, and I'll bring you all the stuff. I may be unhappy, but I think being dead would be much more unpleasant. Although, Buffy seemed to enjoy it," she added.
"Anya," Tara chastised.
"What? I'm just saying."
"It's okay Tara. I have more than enough reasons to enjoy being alive, I just needed to realize it," Buffy said.
"Are you sure you wouldn't like some company?" William asked.
"Yes, yes, yes. I am not in need of the company. Just make sure the store stays open and try to make me some money," she added. They nodded and she set off to her apartment to pack.
"I think we should all follow suit," William said. They nodded.
"Walk you home?" Willow asked Tara.
"I'll be okay Wil," she replied.
"Are you sure? It's no trouble at all," Buffy told her.
"N-no, I'll be f-fine," she stuttered a little but seemed set in her decision. They relented, and they finished locking the store just like Anya had showed them in painstaking detail. William and Faith went back to their motel and Buffy and Willow headed back to the house.
When they arrived home Buffy found the house dark. When she made her way upstairs, she found Dawn asleep in her bed, with Xander sitting in a chair next to her. She smiled at the sight of her lover taking care of her sister. "Cute isn't it," Willow whispered to her as she made her way past Buffy and into her bedroom.
"Hey sexy," she whispered into his ear as she slithered behind him.
"Hey, yourself," he mumbled sleepily. "How was patrol?"
"Busy, we'll talk about it in the morning. Tonight I just want to relax."
"I'll second that. Let's hit the hay," he mumbled tiredly.
"We could do that," she stretched the words out, "Or, we could." she leaned in and licked Xander's earlobe. That woke him up.
"Buff, Dawn's right there, and okay ohmygod, Buffy," he whispered in pleasure as she continued to nibble on his ear and neck. She led him to her bedroom and had her way with him. When they were finished Xander was speechless. "Buff, that, was, incred, amaz, wond, outstan."
"You liked it," Buffy teased him. He nodded. Xander knew he sounded like Porky Pig and thanked God Buffy had stopped him before he said, "Aba, abada, a that's all folks."
"I mean, I used to image stuff like, and let me say WOW! Never ever did I think," he said dazed.
"Did you like when I." she whispered in his ear. She felt his erection against her leg. "I guess that's a yes. How'd you like to try it again," she licked her lips and he melted at her touch.
SUNNYDALE MOTEL
Faith tossed and turned in her bed. He was so close to her. She could sense him. She wanted to do something to relieve the tension she felt. But she couldn't. She couldn't even take care of it herself. The chance he would catch her and she'd have to explain herself was too great. She was so restless.
Fighting that night alongside Buffy had helped her get some of the slayer Faith back. It was a balancing act. The new Faith was too docile and would be no help to anyone. The old Faith was too violent. She needed to keep it under control. She needed to be violent when it was called for and gentle when it wasn't. She had to be like Buffy. Buffy could kick ass with the best of them, hell she probably was the best of them Faith lamented to herself. But when the day is over she crawls to Xander and all is well. She could leave the violence to the slaying and it was over. Faith had been so called to the power of the violence it consumed her. It followed her everywhere, gave her an edge. Then she lost control and the line between right and wrong was gone. Only violence remained. She tossed over some more.
William could hear Faith bouncing on her bed. He wanted to run over and comfort her. Tell her she was doing great, really making the effort. It would still be a long journey, but she wasn't alone. He sighed. No, he could be drawn to her. She had so many problems, she didn't need him to add to it. She would stop trusting him, start thinking that all he wanted was to get into her pants.
He had felt her pull him the moment he laid eyes on her. She had everything he had always loved in a woman. Power. Strength. Confidence (at least she did at one point). Beauty. An edge. The two women he had loved, Dru and Buffy, had these things. Granted Dru was insane on a level he didn't think existed, but still he had loved her. Well, Spike had anyway.
Faith had the one thing that neither of his previous loves had. Need. She needed him. Dru had a mutual desire, but he needed her far more than she had ever needed him. And Buffy had needed his help, but not his love. Faith needed his love. It drew him to her like a moth to light. But he couldn't. The other thing he had offered Dru and Buffy had been pain. He hurt Dru all the time, both physically and emotionally. He knew that he had hurt Buffy, it was what had drawn her to him. But Faith needed love, and if he hurt her, that would be the end.
And not just for Faith, but possibly the world. If Amy succeeded, Faith's redemption would have little meaning in this life. He decided then and there that he would not ever give into temptation. He would never hurt Faith.
"Sure, keep telling yourself that," Spike growled inside him. "Because we all know how well we can stay away from the ones we love."
"We did it once," William reminded Spike. "Actually twice, we walked away from Dru."
"Sure, maybe after I was neutered. But who the bloody hell are you kidding? You want her more than you ever wanted Dru, more than you even wanted Buffy."
"Perhaps. But I must be strong, I don't want to destroy her, and I am willing to bet that you don't either."
"Never said that mate, just want this whole tortured love thing to end. Angel wore it real thin and it gets old real fast. Especially if I'm stuck watching from the sidelines."
"You know, eventually you'll fade out of me altogether," William taunted.
"I know, just don't want you to make my body miserable. You know I did own it for much longer than you," Spike retorted.
"Enough of this. I'm going to try and sleep. If you don't want the world to end, you'll let me rest."
"Fine, be that way. I'm just telling you mate, you'll be much happier if you just go for it."
"AWAY!" William screamed in his mind.
"Fine." And it was quiet inside of his head. William drifted into a restless, dreamless sleep.
LATE THAT NIGHT
She climbed through the tunnels. Every time she made the descent she hated it. Hated the dankness and stiffness of the tunnels. Oh well, it will all be over soon, she told herself. As she approached the final tunnel a pair of vampire guards stopped her. "Stop," they commanded. She obeyed. "Are you the one?" they asked. She nodded and they stepped aside. She approached the inner chamber of Amy's lair. She had been here before, but every time she approached her master, her heart pounded.
"Servant, do you bring me news?" Amy asked when she arrived. She nodded. "You may speak my love," she cooed.
"Spike's transformation was granted by the PTB. His job was to bring Faith into the fight. They are planning to use a containment spell to block your powers. Then the slayers will attack you. They want me to help them cast the spell. They still needed a Box of Alavance, toes of Huygo, and the blood of a werewolf. They have sent Anya to retrieve what she can. No werewolf blood to be found though."
"Interesting," she purred at her servant. Amy climbed down and kissed her. "Soon my pet, it will be complete and you will be like me." Her servant smiled at her. "And how do they plan to lure me to their trap?"
"With a witch," she responded.
"Willow?" Amy asked, still playing with her servant's hair.
"Of course," the servant smiled at her mistress.
"Excellent. You will proceed with their plan, act as if nothing is wrong. Do not sabotage their spell unless I give you the order. Do you understand my sweet little witch?" Amy purred and licked her ear. Her knees went weak, but she managed a nod.
"Good," Amy's tone went from seductive to cunning. "You said they need the blood of a werewolf?" The witch nodded. "Interesting. Well, this has been wonderful my pet, but you must return before you are missed. Once you leave my lair you will forget everything, but you will obey my commands. You will remember everything only when I call you to return to me. Do you understand?"
"Of course my mistress," she nodded.
Amy kissed her again, running her hands over the witch's pleasure spots. She moaned into Amy's mouth, and when Amy broke the kiss she whispered in her ear, "Soon my pet, soon. Until next time my love," and she pointed her away.
Once the witch reached her home and climbed into bed, she shook herself. She glanced at her clock. 5 AM. Boy, what a strange dream, she thought to herself. She couldn't really remember anything about it, but she had a strange feeling come over her. She was astonishingly tired for having just slept so long. Oh well, just try to get some more sleep before we start preparing for facing the vampire army tomorrow, she told herself.
She noticed as she turned over that she was very aroused. She was just missing the loving touch of her ex, she told herself. Must have been one of those dreams she mused and went to sleep.
Willow awoke the next morning to a tapping on the door. She checked her clock. 7AM. Who would be knocking at that time of the morning, she wondered. She threw a robe on and rushed to answer it. She knew Buffy was very stressed about Amy and she was in desperate need of rest. So Willow wanted to answer it before Buffy woke up. Or Xander for that matter. He would be sure to make enough noise to wake the whole house.
Willow crept down the stairs, poking her head in Dawn's room to make sure she was still asleep. She was. Willow rushed down the steps and threw open the door as the knocking increased. If she thought seeing Spike/William and Faith was awkward, she achieved a whole new level of discomfort when she saw the figure standing in the doorway.
"Oz," she gasped.
"Willow," Oz panted. He leaned up against the door and then stumbled inside. Willow shut the door and helped to the couch.
"Oz," she repeated. What was this, blast from the past week? "What are you doing here?"
"I don't know. We have a show tonight in LA. I was driving to the hotel after our show last night, and all of a sudden I just found myself driving to Sunnydale. Once I got here, I just felt drawn to the house. It was real weird. Now I just feel so strange," Oz panted the last part out. He grabbed his sides in pain. Willow stared at him. She didn't know what to make of all this.
He was here, and in pain. She wanted to help him, but she didn't know how. She didn't even know what was wrong with him. "Oh, I know, I'll call William. He's a watcher now," she said to Oz. Then she realized he'd have no idea what she was talking about. It didn't matter, Oz couldn't hear her anymore.
He had worked so hard to keep the wolf in him contained, and now he felt like he was loosing control. No, it's impossible. It's not anywhere close to a full moon, and it's broad daylight. He hadn't lost control since he had found out about Willow and Tara and captured by the Initiative. But he knew the feeling. He felt the change coming. He couldn't help it.
"Oz," she shook his shoulders gently and recoiled in fear as he growled at her, the change already clear on his face. "Oz," she whimpered.
But Oz was gone. The werewolf had taken his place. He stared at Willow and rage and hunger consumed him. He leapt for her. Willow let out a scream. Now she hoped she had woken the house up. It might already be too late, she thought as werewolf Oz landed on her, driving her to floor and knocking her out cold.
TO BE CONTINUED
Feedback needed, it's like a drug for me. I'm addicted to it. I need it more than Faith needs William.
Xander walked over to Buffy's. Why me? He thought. Why do I always have to be in the middle of this stuff? Oh well here goes nothing. He approached the door to Buffy's house and knocked. When the door opened he was greeted to a smiling Buffy who threw her hands around him. "Hey sweetie," she whispered in his ear. No matter how many times Xander heard Buffy call him by loving pet names he still hadn't gotten used to it. There was still a small part of Xander that told him this was all a dream and would be over any minute.
But it wasn't a dream. It was real. He finally had Buffy all to himself. He was never happier than when he was with her. Unfortunately, this was a business call more than a pleasure call. His tense shoulders gave that away to Buffy.
"What's wrong?" she asked concerned.
"Sit down Buff," he nudged her gently to the couch. "Willow or Dawn around?"
"They went for a walk in the park, I thought we'd have the place to ourselves for a while," Buffy whispered dangerously. Despite Xander's tenseness, Buffy still couldn't help how much she wanted to play. Do things to him she was sure he had dreamt about a hundred times. Only she was sure she could top Xander Harris' imagination.
Xander sighed. He would have loved to play that morning. If only as foreplay until he had everything set up for their perfect first time. But the hellmouth wasn't about to let it be that easy.
"It's about Spike," Xander started.
"Oh my God, did he hurt you?" Buffy asked. In their first battle with Amy, the last time anyone had seen Spike, she had reversed his chip so that he could only kill humans.
"Oh no, nothing like that. Actually the exact opposite," Xander chuckled a little as he thought about Spike's new appearance. He went on, "No, Spike has changed. I guess that when he decided not to interfere with our chance at love and happiness," Xander took Buffy's hand in his own, "the PTB granted him his humanity." Buffy's eyes shot wide open. Xander pushed on. "He's become a watcher. He changed his name back to William. You should see him it looks like he got his style advice from Giles. Anyway, he has come to Sunnydale because Amy is the greatest threat we've ever faced."
Buffy interrupted him, "Xander, how is that possible. We've faced the Master, the Judge, the Mayor, Adam, and Glory along with the end of the world more than a few times. Amy is powerful sure, but she can't be that powerful."
"From what William tells me, she is going to be like trying to stop them all at the same time. Right now she is making a vampire army that could easily give us a run for our money. But she is also planning something to harness the power of the hellmouth. That's all Spi.William could tell me. If she is able to do whatever it is that she wants, William said she'll become unstoppable."
There was silence. Then Buffy spoke, "Okay, how is Amy going to be able to call on this power when no one has before? And if Spi.William came and saw you why isn't he here now?"
Xander swallowed, this was the hard part. "He doesn't know what will happen when she completes the ritual. All he knows is that Amy needs another vampire witch. It is some kind of icky blood sucking ritual that William tried to explain but was a little too gory for my taste. And since we've never faced a vampire witch, let alone two, the ritual has never come into play."
"There's another vampire witch?"
"Not yet, but there may be," Xander let his statement hang in the air. Willow. Amy had wanted Willow when she had attacked them in the cabin.
"Okay, so we just protect Willow."
"She also needs a way to open the hellmouth. A key."
Buffy started to tear up. Not again. She has just gone through this, she couldn't have someone after Dawn again. She had died the last time that happened. She was just starting to put her life back together and be happy. No vampire bitch was going to ruin that for her.
"Where's Amy? I waited too long with Glory, I'm taking the fight to her." Buffy said determined.
"Buffy, she's too strong," when she gave him her, nice try but no way in hell is that a good enough answer look, he added, "plus she has a vampire army. We aren't equipped to fight a vampire army. Even you can't do it by yourself," Xander whispered and he saw all the life go out of Buffy. She collapsed into his arms and sobbed. This is why I had to be the one to tell her, Xander thought. If William had delivered the news, she might have gone catatonic again. With Xander here she could let herself be comforted. He held her tight and let her cry into him. When she had gotten it out of her system, she looked up. Her eyes, instead of being devoid of life like Xander expected, were full of fire and determination.
"I just got a hold of you and my life. I'm not about to let that be ripped away from me. What do we do from here?" Buffy said, and Xander exhaled a breath he hadn't known he was holding. If there was any question about whether Buffy had come back to the Buffy of old, they were answered here. Now for the final issue he needed to tell her.
"Honey, there's one more thing. William has brought some help, reinforcements. It is going to make you uncomfortable, but he assures me that everything will be okay," he said. Buffy braced herself for whatever last bit of bad news her boyfriend was about to level on her. "Buffy, William is Faith's watcher," he waited for her to say something, but when she didn't Xander went on. "When PTB called him, they told him that we would need Faith to stop Amy. It was his destiny to bring Faith back to the fold, since he knew all about redemption and such. He came over with her, and she seems to have gotten it together. William freed her from jail and told her she had one last chance to redeem herself. She took his offer. She seems to be okay, and I trust William. If he says we can trust her, I think we can. Let's face it Buffy, we need all the help we can get," Xander finished and waited for something from her. Anger, betrayal, concern. Nothing.
Xander was afraid that catatonic Buffy had returned, but when he gave her hand a little squeeze she jumped and said, "Oh, sorry. I was just revisiting some mistakes I made with Faith. I guess if she wants redemption, she deserves a chance at it. But you," she hugged him to show him she was okay, "belong to me. If I see you getting all cozy with Faith, you'll wish Anya had cursed you."
Xander favored her with one of those lopsided grins she loved so much and replied, "As long as you don't go running back to Spike/William/Giles."
"Never. I wouldn't leave you for anything," she told him and she kissed him. As always when she kissed him, pain and fear disappeared. It was replaced with warmth and comfort. Nothing had ever felt better to Buffy then Xander's sweet embrace. The back door opened and Dawn and Willow walked in. Buffy broke their embrace and the fear crept back into her mind. She had to protect Dawn and Willow.
"Hey guys," Dawn called. Dawn always had bittersweet feelings when she saw Buffy and Xander. She had helped them get together, and she couldn't believe how happy they were, which made her happy. But she always felt sad that their love had driven Spike away. She knew Spike and Buffy would never have worked, but she didn't know why he had to leave Sunnydale. Dawn loved him, wasn't that enough?
"Dawnie, could you go upstairs for a little while?" Buffy asked gently. This always meant big bad. She usually fought to stay and listen in more, but today she decided to just go peacefully. "Sit down Wil," Dawn heard her sister say as she ascended the Summers' staircase.
THE SAME TIME IN THE SUNNYDALE SEWERS
The dank sewer brought rats. Rats were always there, climbing the passages. They were a constant reminder to Amy. A reminder of what she was and how far she had come. The power she had come to control was enormous. She had been bidding her time. Slowly making a vampire army. Scattering them so that the slayer would not be able to stop them all. Soon, she told herself, she would make her move. Willow would keep the so- called "Scooby Gang" busy while she finished her plans. Everything was proceeding exactly as she had excepted.
A vampire scout wandered down into her lair. "My lady," he said, his head down cast.
"Yes, what is it Ryan," she addressed her former Sunnydale High crush.
"My lady, you told me to inform you if information on Spike became available," he said nervously. Amy knew he was waiting for her permission to continue. While she was thrilled at the fear she put into the hearts of her own kind, the constant groveling got in the way of her work at times. "Continue and tell me all of what you know," she commanded.
"My lady, we have reports that Spike, well, he was outside. During the day; in the sunlight. His mannerisms were different, as was his dress. And a young lady accompanied him. Our sources didn't get a great look at her, but rumor has it that the girl is the second slayer."
Amy sighed. "So Spike was walking during the day, dressed in different clothes and acting strangely. Is it possible that, oh I don't know, it WASN'T SPIKE!" She screamed ready to level the scout with a bolt of her anger. He stood his ground.
"No my mistress. It was most definitely Spike. Our sources were clear on that. Something has happened to him, but it was Spike."
Amy was impressed that he didn't instantly back down. She knew that their current sources had been right on everything so far. They knew all about Harris and his move to the Summers' house. They knew that Tara was slowly rejoining the group. They knew Spike had left Sunnydale after her first attack. So it stood to reason that this news on Spike was also correct. After she had received a bad tip and destroyed the informant and his entire organization, Amy had never been lied to again.
"Very well," she said, letting the bolt of anger fade away. "When the sunsets find out about this. Where are he and the second slayer staying?"
"A hotel on the bad side of town," he replied, obviously relieved that she hadn't dusted him.
Amy smiled at this. Bad side of town in Sunnydale was saying something. "Follow them, find out what is happening. Go!" She commanded. Ryan scampered away. Just like a rat, Amy chuckled to herself as her thoughts came full circle.
SUNNYDALE MOTEL
"Are you ready luv?" William called.
"Keep your tweed on and give me a minute," Faith called from the bathroom. William chuckled. He still held memories of Spike in his mind, and he knew Spike would have killed himself if he saw his new outfits. When in the hellmouth, make like a watcher.
"Okay," Faith said and walked out of the bathroom. William had insisted that she calm her image down from the last time she had seen the Scoobies. She had been dressed in a tight leather top and spandex pants. William had told her she was shaping a new image and she needed to dress appropriately. She came out of the bathroom this time with a tight, but modest, top and jeans.
"Much better luv," William grinned at her. Faith glared at the peroxide blonde watcher, then gave in and laughed as well.
"Are they ready for me?" Faith asked cautiously. It had been hard that morning, seeing Xander again. She still remembered when she had nearly choked the life out of her lover when he wanted to help her come away from the dark side. He had seemed to let it pass, and she was happy he and Buffy had finally gotten together. She has always wondered why B had been looking elsewhere when she had such a hunk that worshipped her right in front of her eyes. She sighed, if things had been different maybe she and Xander could have gotten together before Buffy took the blinders off. No, she wouldn't let herself start being jealous of Buffy. Not again.
Buffy, Xander and Willow. How many times had she tried to kill them? She had lost count. She hated herself for it. She had always felt that she and B had a connection. She blamed Willow for getting in the way. How could she have done the things she had? She had come to understand that it was her own pull to evil that had severed her bond with Buffy, not Willow.
William brought her out of internal brooding.
"Pet, time to go," he said gently.
"Right," she steeled herself.
"Are you sure you're okay?"
"Five by five Will," she replied and they headed out the door. This is my chance to make it right, she thought to herself.
SUNNYDALE CEMETERY
Buffy fell back and flipped over a tombstone. Big, dumb and spiky demon, as she had begun to call him, charged at her again. She dodged his long tusks and delivered a swift kick to the midsection. It felt like kicking a concrete wall. Big and dumb barely moved and picked her up in the air. She squirmed and kicked, but his grip was impossibly strong and she was too far away to be able to connect with him.
As the demon began to crush her, he cried out in pain and momentarily loosened his grip. She flipped out of his death grip and looked to see Xander, lightsaber in hand, slashing at the demon. Over the past month, Xander had found that his lightsaber was much less effective in the real world then it had been against Darth Vader. It burned his opponents skin, but it took him forever to burn through anything really solid. He found it handy when fighting vamps because he could burn through their heart and dust them. Demons, however, didn't tend to have flesh that burned easily.
Big and dumb turned to face his attacker. Xander backed up to a headstone and knew he was about to become demon dinner when someone jumped up and landed on the 7-foot tall demon.
"The tusks, you must break the tusks," someone called out to the figure. The figure did just that, snapping the tusks clean off, and the demon began to dissolve. The figure dismounted and landed. Xander finally got a look at his rescuer.
"Thanks Faith," Buffy said as she came up behind them. She gave Xander a hug and a quick look over to make sure he was in one piece before she turned back to face Faith and William who was approaching them. Xander had tried to tell her, but nothing could have prepared her for Spike's new look. Tweed, tweed, and more tweed.
"You have less style than Giles," Buffy chuckled out. The she turned serious. "It's good to see you again, both of you," she said, looking intently at Faith. A million unspoken things passed between them, an understanding that only slayers could share. Then it was over.
"Sorry it couldn't be under better circumstances luv," William replied. "And I might I say, tweed is very stylish in England." All three of them chuckled, then went on their way to Buffy's house.
Before they had gone out Willow and Tara had cast their first spell together since their breakup. It had been a warning spell in case Amy tried anything while Buffy and Xander had been patrolling. They walked in to find the house at peace. Dawn was asleep on the couch between Tara and Willow. Tara was also asleep but Willow saw the four of them come in and got up slowly.
"Spike," Willow was stunned. He favored her with a smile she had never seen on his face before.
"Please, call me William."
"William," she trailed off, amazed at the transformation he had gone through.
"Hey Red," Faith muttered, her eyes examining the Summers' floorboard.
"Faith," Willow said shortly. As much as Buffy and Xander had tried to prepare her for Faith's return, she was still incredibly uncomfortable. Spike had been given his humanity again, but what had Faith done to prove she wanted redemption? There was an awkward silence, and Xander finally broke it.
"So, how about living on the hellmouth huh?" Yeah, real smooth Xander, he chastised himself. He knew exactly how Willow was feeling. The last time he had given Faith a chance, she nearly rang the life out of him. Plus he needed Angel to save his life and he could never really forgive her for that. Calm down, he told himself, Buffy is with you now and Angel is in LA.
"Yeah, tons of fun, I remember, I used to live here," Faith replied. The silence returned. Xander nudged William. William had done most of the talking back at Xander's apartment and had smoothed the transition.
"Yes, so, ah, we need to talk about Amy," William began. Willow couldn't get over how much he sounded like Giles.
"Pretty simple right? She wants Willow and Dawn, we stop her, yes?" Buffy gave her too easy tone, but inside she was a sea of emotion. She was still trying to adjust to Spike/William. Adding Faith to the mix had almost been too much. She felt so many things towards her other. Pity. Guilt. Shame. Fear. Jealousy.
Buffy was amazed that she could feel jealous of Faith. When Faith had been with Xander she had never even given Xander a thought that way. She wondered if Xander was feeling the same way about Spike/William.
Xander, on the other hand, had dismissed William the moment he saw him. The vampire who had been with Buffy was gone, replaced by a watcher. Now if Angel where to walk through the door, that would be another matter.
"It's not that easy, pet. Amy has so much power right now. That Rhiopimus Demon you were fighting was most definitely her doing. They usually travel in herds. If she can call demons to her at will, she is already very dangerous."
"So what's your plan?" Xander asked.
"We must lure Amy alone and contain her powers. Then Buffy and Faith must kill her. However in order to contain the kind of power Amy is wielding we will need all the help we can get," William made a brief pause. He decided to keep this part of his plan hidden from all of them until the time was right. If Amy was calling Rhiopimus Demons she was closer to achieving her goal then he thought. But, the time was not right now. Willow, Xander and Buffy were having enough trouble with himself and Faith. They didn't need any more to deal with. It would need to be soon though. He tore himself away from his inner dialogue and finished lamely, "So get a spot of rest and we will met at the Magic Box tomorrow to war plan. Oh, is the Magic Box still where you meet?" William had almost forgotten about Anya.
"Yes. Anya will be surprised to see you," Xander said. Anya had been a very good friend, considering all that had passed between them. Xander still felt a hint of guilt, but one glance at Buffy and he was overwhelmed with his love for her. He was so happy, it scared him.
"Well, good night," Faith said. She had been so quiet. She was trying, Buffy told herself. It would be hard. She remembered her own recent struggles and had a deeper sense of compassion for Faith. Buffy had Xander to pull her through, Faith must have felt so alone. She had William/Spike now, so Buffy hoped that she could finally begin to put her life back together.
"Can I ask one favor," William asked, a Spike-like smile creeping on his face. "Don't tell the lil bit I'm back yet. I want to surprise her. I promised her I'd come back." Buffy nodded. Xander was about to joke about Spike trying to dust himself, but decided against it. For some reason he hadn't told the others about that yet, so Xander let it drop.
William and Faith left, leaving Willow, Xander, and Buffy alone. They turned the TV off and draped a blanket over Tara and Dawn, then went upstairs. When they arrived in Willow's room, Willow could no longer contain her shudder. "That was bizarre."
"I'll second that," Buffy replied and dropped onto the bed. Xander moved next to her and pulled her into a tight embrace.
"It'll be okay," Xander whispered to them.
"I guess I should feel better about Faith, since I just had the whole, you know crazy dark magic phase," Willow rambled, "But, I just can't get over what has happened. I mean, I just, she's tried to kill us so many times."
"I know Wil, but we need her. And we need to be there for her," Buffy said, looking deeply into Xander's eyes. "Without a support system, it's impossible to rebuild."
Xander's eyes returned the love in Buffy's. He just wanted to make it all go away for her. He wanted her to be able to enjoy their life together. But the problem was the joys of living on a hellmouth were disaster and apocalypse.
"And I don't like being in the middle of this," Willow worried. "I can't have you guys worrying about protecting me and Dawn at the same time."
"That's why Faith is here," Buffy consoled. She was still feeling guilty, but Willow decided worrying wouldn't help and just let out a defeated sigh.
"Get some rest Wil," Xander whispered as he took Buffy by the hand and lead her to his room. As soon as the door was closed he wrapped his arms around her. Buffy looked at Xander, still amazed to see a look of love and passion that strong directed at her. When she was with Angel, Angel had looked at her with love and passion, but there was always so much pain and despair mixed with it. Xander had only love for Buffy.
They kissed. Xander took her tongue with such hunger. He ran his hands over her perfect form. He was gentle, trying to keep his passion from taking over. He wanted to be there for Buffy, giving sweet caring, not ravishing her. Well, okay so he wanted to ravish her too, but still not now, he told himself. After what seemed like an eternity of kissing, caressing and rubbing, Buffy broke their embrace.
"Xander, make love to me," she asked. The desire in her eyes was more than Xander could bear.
"Buffy, I wanted to make our first time, ya know, perfect."
"Xander," Buffy said, he face twisted into a huge smile, but her voice was dead serious, "Of course it will be perfect."
"But I had this whole image of how it would go. A nice romantic date, some champagne, flowers," she covered his mouth with hers, silencing him. After a moment, she broke away again.
"Xander, this is perfect. I've never felt anything more perfect in my entire life. I need you, I want you, and I love you. Please make love to me," she said. When he hesitated she gave him her famous pout. That was it, he could never resist the pout.
He moved in and laid her gently on the bed. He kissed her long and lovingly. He lifted her shirt off. She unbuttoned his, and slipped it off. Buffy sat up and unhooked her bra and let it drop the floor. Xander stopped everything he was doing. He stared for a moment and Buffy laughed at him.
"Like what you see?" she cooed seductively. Xander could only nod. Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined how perfect this would be. Before he knew what had happened, she had managed to remove both of their pants so that all they had left on was their underwear. Xander's boxers had an interesting shaper to them. Buffy smiled at him and moved up to kiss him. Xander was in bliss. Never in his most wild and crazy Buffy fantasies had he felt this happy.
Buffy knew she wanted to do so many wild and crazy things to Xander. But not yet. Tonight was all about love, passion, and togetherness. She kissed him gently, letting him take the lead. He moved them down to the bed. They laid together on the bed. Xander thought, my imagination hasn't done this goddess justice. He let his hands slip her panties off, and she followed his lead, doing the same to him. Then Xander's thoughts dissolved into basic instincts. Love Buffy, get pleasure.
Buffy was on cloud nine. She couldn't believe that Xander, goofy, silly Xander, was giving her this much pleasure. It wasn't carnal lust, but there was such great passion. It was the perfect act of pleasure as an expression of love. Buffy allowed herself to become completely consumed by it.
After they made love, she curled into his arms. She was asleep in an instant, mumbling, "Love, Xander." Xander was too happy to even sleep. He just kissed her forehead all-night and brushed hair out of her eyes. He had heard somewhere that you know you really love someone if you can be perfectly content watching them sleep. Xander didn't think there were words to express his feelings. His heart felt like it was going to burst.
He'd had sex before. But he had never made love before, he thought. Xander finally understood the difference.
That night, Buffy's dreams weren't tortured or painful. There was only happiness. Happiness, and Xander.
SUNNYDALE SEWERS
Ryan crept back into the underground lair. Amy was waiting for him. She could tell that he had fed on the way home, but she wanted to know what he had found out before she punished him. "Well?" she questioned.
"Spike is most definitely human. And it appears that he is the second slayer's new watcher. They have also revealed themselves to the slayer and her friends," Ryan answered her. "They are making futile attempts to stop your great plan."
"Interesting. Spike is human. I want to know how." She added, "So find out." As her minions scattered she used an invisible force to halt Ryan in his tracks. "Ryan, when I send you to get me information, that comes first, not feeding. Are we clear?" He managed a nod. "Good," she called, and he turned to dust. "Any questions?" She was secretly pleased when her minions moved even faster than they had been.
THE NEXT MORNING AT THE MAGIC BOX
Anya was in the back when she heard the bell chime. She came around to see Buffy, Xander, Dawn and Willow. Anya looked over at Xander and her heart fell. She could always tell when Xander had sex. He walked with a little bounce in his step and a goofy look on his face. She had never quite seen that much bounce in his step or that big a smile on his goofy face. Her last hope, that Xander and Buffy would be physically incompatible, was gone. She had lost Xander and she didn't even have the heart to curse his genitalia with boils.
As the foursome gathered around the "war table," the bell chimed again. Anya had expected to see Tara following behind them. What she saw was a tweedy Spike and a girl who looked familiar.
"Anya," Spike greeted her and gave her a brief hug. "How are you?"
"Well, Xander dumped me for Buffy and business has gotten really slow."
Spike shifted uncomfortably. Anya always said what was on her mind. "Well, I'm sure things will.uh pick up for you," he finished lamely.
"Hey, it's bright outside and you just waltzed right in," Anya said.
"He got redemption, a chance to be human," the girl he was with spoke up. Anya tried to place the face.
"Oh, you're Faith. The other slayer who slept with Xander and tried to kill us," Anya said without malice. Even so Faith seemed to recoil a bit.
Dawn came over to Spike. "Is, is, it true?" she whispered.
"Yes lil bit, all because of you," William explained how it had come to be and finished, "I wanted you to be surprised. I promised you I'd come back." Dawn wrapped her arms around the former vampire and squeezed. "Aren't you strong," Spike puffed out.
"Sorry, Spike," she giggled.
"Call me William."
The bell chimed again and in walked Tara. Anya sighed, "Here we go again,"
After everyone had been filled in about Spike/William, Faith, and Amy's plans (leaving out the part about Dawn, Buffy wanted to protect her from that knowledge) they began to form a strategy.
"Wil, I think you'll make the best bait. Amy wanted you because of your power, so she might risk a little to get you," Buffy assumed.
"Yes, but you will be instrumental in casting the containment spell to subdue Amy, so you must get away in time," William warned.
"I like to make with the living. It's nice and safe, well I guess living on a hellmouth is never safe, but no worries, me and safety are like peas in a pod."Willow went on.
"Wil, rambling," Xander said. Willow stopped and mouthed a sorry to the group.
"Anya, Tara; Willow will need all the help she can get in casting the containment spell. Are you willing to help her?" William asked gently. Tara nodded, and, after a moment, Anya did the same. "Excellent. Buffy you said you called Giles this morning?"
She nodded. "He said he'd catch the next plane to Sunnydale."
"Good," William looked around. "Trust will be key to this plan. You must trust yourselves and each other. Amy is very powerful, do not underestimate her or you will not survive." The mood of the room was uncomfortably tense. Buffy was sure she could trust Xander and Tara, and she was pretty sure William was trustworthy. She worried about Willow having to dive right back into such powerful magic. She worried Anya might let a bit of her vengeance out on her. And she had no idea what to expect from Faith. She could tell that each member of the group were having similar thoughts.
"I need to say what's on my mind," Faith spoke up. She had sat quietly as William and Buffy had laid out her role in the plan. Now, she needed to air everything out or it could cost them all their lives. "I know you guys don't trust me. I'm not even sure I trust me. But I hate myself for what I've done to all of you. I never meant for things to go the way they did. I lost control and gave into the rush of the darkness, and it destroyed me."
Her words hit Willow like a ton of bricks. She was more like Faith then she had ever admitted to herself. Willow looked in her eyes and saw the sincerity in them.
Faith continued, "I want to make it right. I can't take back what I've done, but I want to move on. When I first came to Sunnydale I was so jealous of you B. You got the friends, the praise, and the victories. I was just trying to set myself above you like it was some kind of competition. Instead of trying to be like you, I resented you. But, that's over with. Once you've been in the dark places I have, the petty stuff ends. The only way I can prove myself is when the time comes, but I promise, I'll do my best to come through," Faith finished and shuffled her feet and her shoulders. It looked like she was carrying the weight of the world on them, Willow thought.
"I know what it's like to slip into the darkness because of jealousy," Willow said. They turned to address her. "And I know that the only thing that can heal your wounds, is forgiveness. So, I forgive you Faith," Willow's emotions ran wild. That apology was just as much about forgiving myself as it was about forgiving Faith.
"Thanks Red," Faith said genuinely. Xander nodded to Faith. Faith winked back, sending a surge of jealous through Buffy that she fought back. Trust. She trusted Xander. She had to trust Faith too.
"Kidding B," Faith said.
After a split-second, "I know. Welcome back Faith," Buffy said smiling. She moved to hug the girl and she could tell Faith was fighting tears. Redemption was a tricky thing. It was as much about others as it was about yourself. When they broke the hug, Buffy knew that she trusted Willow, too. Anya, well if she hadn't gone vengeance demon on them by now she wasn't about to start when it would mean the end of the world.
"I don't mean to break the moment, but what about me? Did we forget Amy likes to use me to open the dimensional portals?" Dawn asked quietly.
Buffy shifted her feet. She didn't want Dawn to know that she was in such great danger again. And she was far to close to the truth.
William frowned. He had a plan, but he had yet to discuss it with the others. Now seemed as good a time as any, especially if he wanted to keep Dawn in a blissful ignorance. The little part of Spike inside of him scoffed at his inner monologue. "Blissful ignorance," who the bloody hell talks like that you wanker. William took a deep breath.
"Little bit, I'm going to have someone come in from out of town. Someone we can trust," he added at Buffy's concerned look.
"Who?" Buffy asked. Xander stroked her hand and thought, I have a bad feeling about this.
"Someone.I still have a call to make pet," he averted.
"William?" Faith asked. Blood hell, they're ganging up on me.
"Well, um, I had the, uh, the Angel crew in mind," he stumbled out.
Xander's eyes went wide. The thought of seeing Angel in Sunnydale worried him. He had just started his relationship with Buffy, he didn't need Dead-boy poking his nose into it. Buffy gave Xander's hand a squeeze. She knew him so well.
"Never leave you," she whispered at him. Buffy turned her attention to William. "Angel. What does that have to do with Dawn?"
"Well, I thought that Angel and Wesley could assist with the containment spell. Then Cordelia could watch Dawn and Gunn would protect them."
"Gunn?" Willow questioned.
"Right, you don't know all of Angel's crew. Well, trust me it will be fine," William said.
"Buffy?" Xander threw the question at her. She looked up at him.
"He's right Xander. We need all the help we can get. If Amy is close to gaining control of the hellmouth, we need to call in the reinforcements," she said slowly. Careful not to use words that would bruise her lover's fragile ego. He wasn't happy, but Xander wanted to live long enough to enjoy being with Buffy, and if Dead-boy helped him do that, so be it. Plus, the idea of showing off his new relationship to Dead-boy and Cordy made him smile, just a little.
"Make the call William," Buffy told him. He nodded and went into the back. The sun would set soon and Buffy wanted to get Dawn home before it did. "Xander, would you drive Dawn home and stay with her. Faith and I will patrol tonight."
Xander wore a hurt expression, she leaned over and whispered in his ear, "Dawn will know something is up if a slayer stays with her. I trust her life in your hands."
Xander couldn't help the smile creeping onto his face. He nodded and gathered his things. Willow, Tara, and Anya were busy combing the shelves of the Magic Box for supplies. What they didn't have there they would need to go out and find. The plan was to make their move within the week before Amy grew any more powerful. Buffy thought the store would be a safe place for them. Willow and Tara would have enough supplies to cast a spell and escape if Amy made a move tonight. William came out from the back and Dawn gave him a quick hug as Xander ushered her out the door.
"Do be careful lil one," William called to Dawn. She smiled, waved and headed off with Xander.
"Are they in?" Faith asked.
"Angel and Cordelia. Apparently Wesley and Gunn have some personal business to attend to. They weren't very specific, and I didn't feel the need to press. They should arrive sometime this week after they finish with some other business."
Buffy nodded. "Then we make our move as soon as they arrive." She was amazed that she wasn't more excited to see Angel. While the pain had made their meetings hard, she has always been anxious to see him. Now, that was gone. The power of love, she mused. She just hoped that her feelings stayed that way when she actually saw Angel standing in front of her. Xander's image popped up in her head and she knew that her heart had closed the door on Angel. No room for anyone but Xander, she thought.
"Well luvs, I think I'll stay here and keep an eye while you go out," William said to the slayers.
"Can I talk to you for a minute," Faith's voice pleaded with William. He was concerned and nodded his head. They went back into the storage room. She threw herself into a chair and let go unshed tears.
"Oh, pet, come now. That went wonderfully. Better than we could have imagined," William soothed her.
"That's the problem Will. I keep thinking, 'If I was in their shoes, would I forgive me?' and I just don't think that I would," she gasped out. She was so fragile. The cocky, confident Faith had died a long time ago. The Faith left in her place, well she wasn't sure what she was anymore.
William wrapped a strong arm around her. "Luv, that's the thing. You have to forgive yourself, or their acceptance doesn't mean a bloody thing."
"William, how can I let go of the pain?"
"I wish I could tell you that it was just like flipping a switch on the telly, but it's not," he grabbed her and made her face him. "But the only way to end the pain is to find a reason to live, something that you can latch onto. When I was down an out, I latched onto Buffy. When Buffy was down and out, she latched onto Xander. Sometimes it lasts, and sometimes it just gets you to the next point on your journey."
Faith looked at William deeply. He had saved her. When no one else had been able to get through to her, not even Angel, William had. No one else could guide her through this. No one. She wanted to lean in and kiss him. She wanted to express the connection she felt with him. But she knew that a kiss would mess everything up. She needed him so badly. So she sighed and gave into the temptation to kiss his cheek.
What was left of Spike inside of William flared up. Grab her and give her a bloody kiss, he shouted. No, William told the Spike part of him, she is so fragile. I may be attracted to her, but taking advantage of her in this state would be wrong. You're a pussy, you little bugger, the Spike part of him called. It got through a little. William felt a strong urge to kiss Faith. He was about to do it, he was leaning into her and then the Spike part of him called out: Yeah! That's it shag her silly. That was enough to allow William to regain control.
"Well," he said, standing up from her quickly.
She had felt the spark between them. The old Faith would have told William that she'd 'steer him around the curves.' New Faith just stood up and said, "Yup, better be off, B will be waiting and all."
Bloody wonderful, William cursed himself. You're destiny is to help her, not kiss her. You could easily screw her up worse.
I need him, Faith told herself. More than air, I need him. Or I'll be right back where I was. And I go and mess it up by trying to get into his pants.
Faith made her way back to the front of the store. Buffy noticed her rushed manor. "You okay Faith?"
"Five by five B," Faith answered too quickly and bolted out the door. Buffy shot William a questioning look, but hurried out the door to catch Faith. Buffy didn't know how to proceed. It had taken Xander catching her and Spike together before she had been able to open up to him. Faith had been gone so long, and she didn't have nearly the connection with Faith that she had with Xander. How was she going to get Faith to open up to her?
"B, I said I'm good. Don't worry about it, I'm not your problem," Faith said as Buffy ran to be at her side.
"No, you're not a problem. Faith," Buffy tried to talk to her. Faith just shook her head.
"I know. I can't keep blaming everyone else for my issues. It means a lot that you guys have been so cool about all of this. I just, need to get over it in my own head," Faith finished. Buffy nodded.
They continued their patrol. Faith had a burning desire to ask Buffy about.NO! Stop that! Why torture yourself like this? Faith's thoughts were interrupted when she noticed a group of teenagers.
"Kinda late for hanging out in the streets," Buffy spoke Faith's thoughts.
"What do you say the odds are, 15 of them, two of us?" Faith asked, then glanced at Buffy. "I like those type of odds," Faith said, and broke off at a run. Some things never change, no matter what, Buffy thought as she followed after Faith.
MAGIC BOX
Anya had gathered everything they would need for the containment spell. At least everything they had at the Magic Box. They still needed a Box of Alavance, ground toes of a creature called a Huygo, and the blood of a werewolf. Anya had called around. A shop in San Francisco had the Box of Alavance, and one in Oakland had the toes of a Huygo. The blood of a werewolf was harder to come by. Anya had asked Willow why she didn't just call Oz, but she just gave Anya a look. It was a look Anya had become all too familiar with, since she saw it on her own face whenever she looked in the mirror. Pain.
Tara had made the same suggestion later, and Willow said she would if all else failed. Anya didn't understand Tara and Willow. They had broken up, yet their breakup was very different for hers and Xander's. While Anya had little or no contact with Xander, Tara and Willow spent almost as much time together as they had when they were dating, especially lately. The only thing that had changed was that they had stopped kissing. Which was fine with Anya, since the whole thing seemed strange to her. Their bodies were equipped to be with men, not other women. Anya had long ago gotten over that, especially when she had seen the way they looked at each other. Love didn't care about what you were physically equipped for.
Xander had never looked at her like that. She had always hoped she would see that look on his face, eventually. Then they broke up and she knew she never would. Damn it I'm leaking again, she thought to herself, as she felt the tears come into her eyes. She ran to the bathroom, not wanting the girls to see.
William saw. He wanted to help her, but he didn't know how. He knew what she was feeling. He had felt it too. After that night at the cabin, he had been torn apart. His agony had left him empty. But he had gotten over it. He had a purpose now. He still found Buffy beautiful and attractive, but he no longer wanted her like that. Of course, he left for a month to move on. Anya was reminded of her lost love everyday. He thought that a road trip to the Bay area would help her move on.
Willow and Tara sat at the war table, going over the containment spell, again. Tara was amazed at the difference in Willow's approach to magic. A month or so ago, Willow would have glanced the spell over and jumped right in. Now, Willow had read the spell at least six times, making sure she had every little detail down. This was the Willow that Tara had fallen in love with. The Willow with a 4.0 GPA, who was smart and always prepared. Willow had managed to salvage a 3.0 last semester, even with all that she had gone through. Tara could tell she was enjoying her vacation and was going to return with even more dedication than ever. If they lived to see next semester, Tara swallowed.
Willow's magic scare had really gotten through to her. It made Tara a little sad that losing her hadn't been enough to bring Willow back. She knew that Willow had been so far-gone that it had taken a near death experience to snap her out of it. Even so, she couldn't help feeling a bit unimportant.
MEANWHILE
Faith was slammed to the ground by three vamps. She looked to Buffy for help, only to see that Buffy had her hands full as well. She was standing on the shoulders of two vamps, while another two tried to pull her down. Buffy's legs lashed out and she flipped off the vamps shoulders. She pulled out her stakes and dusted them. The two vamps that had been trying to pull her down both received punches to the face, breaking their noses.
By this time Faith had managed to break free of their hold on her and she was on her feet again. She delivered a roundhouse kick to one of the vamps, knocking him out. She would get back to him, she told herself, and she turned to face the other two. They had locked hands and were charging at her to clothesline her. Interesting tactic, she mused. "You guys must have a very special relationship to be holding hands during your deaths and all," she quipped as she leapt over their linked arms. The vamps had expected her to duck, because as they ran by where she was, they each kicked their legs out. When there was nothing there to connect to, they tumbled down in a heap. Faith quickly staked them and went back to get the unconscious vamp.
When she turned to find Buffy, she saw that Buffy had managed to grab a table from a nearby café and instead of breaking off the legs, she charged at the vamps as if it were a shield. When they turned to run, Buffy heaved the table at them, and the legs drove through, dusting them.
"Damn B, inventive," Faith quipped.
"Don't give me the credit. Xander thought it up the other night. He thought it'd be funny, didn't think I'd ever have to use it though," Buffy replied. Faith noticed how at the mere mention of Xander, a smile had broken out on B's face.
Faith shifted uncomfortably. Despite all her efforts to change, slaying still had a tendency to make her hungry and horny. Images of B and Xander weren't what she needed in her head. "Awful lot of vampires for just a random night," she said, trying to get her mind on business.
"I know. William told me Amy had a vampire army, but if she can afford to waste 15 vamps just like that," Buffy trailed off, her smile replaced by a worried look.
"Well, let's go back and report to Will," Faith said.
Buffy raised her eyebrows. "Faith actually wants to report to her watcher," she teased.
That was it, Faith had to ask, "B, how was it with him?"
Buffy looked confused. "Who?"
Faith shot her an annoyed look. "William."
Buffy just looked shocked.
"Come on, spill. Was it good? Was it hot?" she questioned. Old Faith would have been proud.
"Faith, it was, I don't know. I mean it was nothing compared to Xander," Buffy turned a dark red.
"He must have come a long way then," Faith teased. Buffy fought back a fit of anger and jealousy.
Faith sensed she'd pushed too far and backed down, "Sorry B, just trying get back to normal."
Buffy's stern look dissolved into a grin that Faith swore she had been seen on Xander. "It's okay, just wanted to remind you that he's taken. As for William.when I was with him he was Spike. He's so different now, so I don't know what he'd be like. He was so cold before, but he's human now."
"Well, it's the same size whether he's a vampire or a human, right?"
Buffy just stared at Faith. "Well, it won't matter, not like I'm gonna get to see it or anything, but you know it might have been fun for the five finger waltz," Faith quipped. Their conversation ended as they reached the Magic Box. Buffy silently hoped that their debriefing would be short. She now had an unbelievable desire to go find Xander.
"How was patrolling?" William asked.
Faith shrugged, "Busy, we hit a gang of 15 vamps. We took them, but still."
"That was more vamps then we had when we tried to raise Acathla," William muttered. "I mean when Spike and Angelus tried to, I mean, well you know what I mean!"
"Relax William, Xander's not here. He's the one who loves to kick a vampire when he goes down," Buffy chuckled. Faith took special notice of Buffy's choice of words.
"Goes down huh?" Faith teased. Buffy turned red. "What's on your mind?" Buffy would have objected except, she was right. That had been exactly what she was thinking about. Willow bailed Buffy out.
"Back to the vampire gang. If Amy can afford to let 15 vamps run free, how many does she have left?"
"Well, I had heard she had gathered an army, but they had no numbers to report. I would suspect that she must have at least three or four times that many left," William said quietly. The room fell completely silent. Buffy had never really grasped what a vampire army had meant. Considering the gangs she was used to facing were five, ten, twenty vamps at most. An army of 50 or 60 vamps though. Even with Faith and Angel they wouldn't have enough fire power.
"How are you going to lure Amy alone if she has that many vampires?" Anya asked everyone's unspoken question. There was no answer.
"We'll find a way," Buffy said determinedly. "Everyone go home. Sleep on it. Anya, I don't want you going on your trip alone."
"No, I'll be fine. No one cares about me anyway, why would Amy," Anya muttered.
"Anya," Willow began.
"I know," she sighed, "that you all want to be my friend. I think I just need to be alone. That is what all the women I used to grant wishes for wanted. At first they wanted to be left alone, then after I told them about all the wonderfully nasty things I could do to their betrayers," she stopped when she saw they were all staring at her. "Anyway, it seems like the thing to do. I'll be fine, and I'll bring you all the stuff. I may be unhappy, but I think being dead would be much more unpleasant. Although, Buffy seemed to enjoy it," she added.
"Anya," Tara chastised.
"What? I'm just saying."
"It's okay Tara. I have more than enough reasons to enjoy being alive, I just needed to realize it," Buffy said.
"Are you sure you wouldn't like some company?" William asked.
"Yes, yes, yes. I am not in need of the company. Just make sure the store stays open and try to make me some money," she added. They nodded and she set off to her apartment to pack.
"I think we should all follow suit," William said. They nodded.
"Walk you home?" Willow asked Tara.
"I'll be okay Wil," she replied.
"Are you sure? It's no trouble at all," Buffy told her.
"N-no, I'll be f-fine," she stuttered a little but seemed set in her decision. They relented, and they finished locking the store just like Anya had showed them in painstaking detail. William and Faith went back to their motel and Buffy and Willow headed back to the house.
When they arrived home Buffy found the house dark. When she made her way upstairs, she found Dawn asleep in her bed, with Xander sitting in a chair next to her. She smiled at the sight of her lover taking care of her sister. "Cute isn't it," Willow whispered to her as she made her way past Buffy and into her bedroom.
"Hey sexy," she whispered into his ear as she slithered behind him.
"Hey, yourself," he mumbled sleepily. "How was patrol?"
"Busy, we'll talk about it in the morning. Tonight I just want to relax."
"I'll second that. Let's hit the hay," he mumbled tiredly.
"We could do that," she stretched the words out, "Or, we could." she leaned in and licked Xander's earlobe. That woke him up.
"Buff, Dawn's right there, and okay ohmygod, Buffy," he whispered in pleasure as she continued to nibble on his ear and neck. She led him to her bedroom and had her way with him. When they were finished Xander was speechless. "Buff, that, was, incred, amaz, wond, outstan."
"You liked it," Buffy teased him. He nodded. Xander knew he sounded like Porky Pig and thanked God Buffy had stopped him before he said, "Aba, abada, a that's all folks."
"I mean, I used to image stuff like, and let me say WOW! Never ever did I think," he said dazed.
"Did you like when I." she whispered in his ear. She felt his erection against her leg. "I guess that's a yes. How'd you like to try it again," she licked her lips and he melted at her touch.
SUNNYDALE MOTEL
Faith tossed and turned in her bed. He was so close to her. She could sense him. She wanted to do something to relieve the tension she felt. But she couldn't. She couldn't even take care of it herself. The chance he would catch her and she'd have to explain herself was too great. She was so restless.
Fighting that night alongside Buffy had helped her get some of the slayer Faith back. It was a balancing act. The new Faith was too docile and would be no help to anyone. The old Faith was too violent. She needed to keep it under control. She needed to be violent when it was called for and gentle when it wasn't. She had to be like Buffy. Buffy could kick ass with the best of them, hell she probably was the best of them Faith lamented to herself. But when the day is over she crawls to Xander and all is well. She could leave the violence to the slaying and it was over. Faith had been so called to the power of the violence it consumed her. It followed her everywhere, gave her an edge. Then she lost control and the line between right and wrong was gone. Only violence remained. She tossed over some more.
William could hear Faith bouncing on her bed. He wanted to run over and comfort her. Tell her she was doing great, really making the effort. It would still be a long journey, but she wasn't alone. He sighed. No, he could be drawn to her. She had so many problems, she didn't need him to add to it. She would stop trusting him, start thinking that all he wanted was to get into her pants.
He had felt her pull him the moment he laid eyes on her. She had everything he had always loved in a woman. Power. Strength. Confidence (at least she did at one point). Beauty. An edge. The two women he had loved, Dru and Buffy, had these things. Granted Dru was insane on a level he didn't think existed, but still he had loved her. Well, Spike had anyway.
Faith had the one thing that neither of his previous loves had. Need. She needed him. Dru had a mutual desire, but he needed her far more than she had ever needed him. And Buffy had needed his help, but not his love. Faith needed his love. It drew him to her like a moth to light. But he couldn't. The other thing he had offered Dru and Buffy had been pain. He hurt Dru all the time, both physically and emotionally. He knew that he had hurt Buffy, it was what had drawn her to him. But Faith needed love, and if he hurt her, that would be the end.
And not just for Faith, but possibly the world. If Amy succeeded, Faith's redemption would have little meaning in this life. He decided then and there that he would not ever give into temptation. He would never hurt Faith.
"Sure, keep telling yourself that," Spike growled inside him. "Because we all know how well we can stay away from the ones we love."
"We did it once," William reminded Spike. "Actually twice, we walked away from Dru."
"Sure, maybe after I was neutered. But who the bloody hell are you kidding? You want her more than you ever wanted Dru, more than you even wanted Buffy."
"Perhaps. But I must be strong, I don't want to destroy her, and I am willing to bet that you don't either."
"Never said that mate, just want this whole tortured love thing to end. Angel wore it real thin and it gets old real fast. Especially if I'm stuck watching from the sidelines."
"You know, eventually you'll fade out of me altogether," William taunted.
"I know, just don't want you to make my body miserable. You know I did own it for much longer than you," Spike retorted.
"Enough of this. I'm going to try and sleep. If you don't want the world to end, you'll let me rest."
"Fine, be that way. I'm just telling you mate, you'll be much happier if you just go for it."
"AWAY!" William screamed in his mind.
"Fine." And it was quiet inside of his head. William drifted into a restless, dreamless sleep.
LATE THAT NIGHT
She climbed through the tunnels. Every time she made the descent she hated it. Hated the dankness and stiffness of the tunnels. Oh well, it will all be over soon, she told herself. As she approached the final tunnel a pair of vampire guards stopped her. "Stop," they commanded. She obeyed. "Are you the one?" they asked. She nodded and they stepped aside. She approached the inner chamber of Amy's lair. She had been here before, but every time she approached her master, her heart pounded.
"Servant, do you bring me news?" Amy asked when she arrived. She nodded. "You may speak my love," she cooed.
"Spike's transformation was granted by the PTB. His job was to bring Faith into the fight. They are planning to use a containment spell to block your powers. Then the slayers will attack you. They want me to help them cast the spell. They still needed a Box of Alavance, toes of Huygo, and the blood of a werewolf. They have sent Anya to retrieve what she can. No werewolf blood to be found though."
"Interesting," she purred at her servant. Amy climbed down and kissed her. "Soon my pet, it will be complete and you will be like me." Her servant smiled at her. "And how do they plan to lure me to their trap?"
"With a witch," she responded.
"Willow?" Amy asked, still playing with her servant's hair.
"Of course," the servant smiled at her mistress.
"Excellent. You will proceed with their plan, act as if nothing is wrong. Do not sabotage their spell unless I give you the order. Do you understand my sweet little witch?" Amy purred and licked her ear. Her knees went weak, but she managed a nod.
"Good," Amy's tone went from seductive to cunning. "You said they need the blood of a werewolf?" The witch nodded. "Interesting. Well, this has been wonderful my pet, but you must return before you are missed. Once you leave my lair you will forget everything, but you will obey my commands. You will remember everything only when I call you to return to me. Do you understand?"
"Of course my mistress," she nodded.
Amy kissed her again, running her hands over the witch's pleasure spots. She moaned into Amy's mouth, and when Amy broke the kiss she whispered in her ear, "Soon my pet, soon. Until next time my love," and she pointed her away.
Once the witch reached her home and climbed into bed, she shook herself. She glanced at her clock. 5 AM. Boy, what a strange dream, she thought to herself. She couldn't really remember anything about it, but she had a strange feeling come over her. She was astonishingly tired for having just slept so long. Oh well, just try to get some more sleep before we start preparing for facing the vampire army tomorrow, she told herself.
She noticed as she turned over that she was very aroused. She was just missing the loving touch of her ex, she told herself. Must have been one of those dreams she mused and went to sleep.
Willow awoke the next morning to a tapping on the door. She checked her clock. 7AM. Who would be knocking at that time of the morning, she wondered. She threw a robe on and rushed to answer it. She knew Buffy was very stressed about Amy and she was in desperate need of rest. So Willow wanted to answer it before Buffy woke up. Or Xander for that matter. He would be sure to make enough noise to wake the whole house.
Willow crept down the stairs, poking her head in Dawn's room to make sure she was still asleep. She was. Willow rushed down the steps and threw open the door as the knocking increased. If she thought seeing Spike/William and Faith was awkward, she achieved a whole new level of discomfort when she saw the figure standing in the doorway.
"Oz," she gasped.
"Willow," Oz panted. He leaned up against the door and then stumbled inside. Willow shut the door and helped to the couch.
"Oz," she repeated. What was this, blast from the past week? "What are you doing here?"
"I don't know. We have a show tonight in LA. I was driving to the hotel after our show last night, and all of a sudden I just found myself driving to Sunnydale. Once I got here, I just felt drawn to the house. It was real weird. Now I just feel so strange," Oz panted the last part out. He grabbed his sides in pain. Willow stared at him. She didn't know what to make of all this.
He was here, and in pain. She wanted to help him, but she didn't know how. She didn't even know what was wrong with him. "Oh, I know, I'll call William. He's a watcher now," she said to Oz. Then she realized he'd have no idea what she was talking about. It didn't matter, Oz couldn't hear her anymore.
He had worked so hard to keep the wolf in him contained, and now he felt like he was loosing control. No, it's impossible. It's not anywhere close to a full moon, and it's broad daylight. He hadn't lost control since he had found out about Willow and Tara and captured by the Initiative. But he knew the feeling. He felt the change coming. He couldn't help it.
"Oz," she shook his shoulders gently and recoiled in fear as he growled at her, the change already clear on his face. "Oz," she whimpered.
But Oz was gone. The werewolf had taken his place. He stared at Willow and rage and hunger consumed him. He leapt for her. Willow let out a scream. Now she hoped she had woken the house up. It might already be too late, she thought as werewolf Oz landed on her, driving her to floor and knocking her out cold.
TO BE CONTINUED
Feedback needed, it's like a drug for me. I'm addicted to it. I need it more than Faith needs William.