Standard D/C applies.
Part 2 of Reason to Be. This is a little less on the action and a little more of the catching up chapter. There IS a plot to this story, it's not going to be just some story that goes on and on with absolutely nothing happening. The thing is, it's probably going to have a slow start, powerful middle and a slow closure. Hey, I like doin' that kind of thing so hey, expect it. There's probably going to be a chapter posted per week unless something strange happens.
mjaw- hehe, I love doing scenes where Buffy gets slapped. I think they always end up sooooo funny! Glad to know ya liked! ;)
sable- aha, but it goes with the fic. It's all part of the master plan! ::taps her head and grins evily::
Bloodluvingirl- gald to know you liked!
cate- as I said before, it's soooo fun to write that kinda thing! Ahhh, so good.
jbee- glad to know I "ROCK". *LOL* same thing, it's real fun to write and hey, I always thought that too! Wait till the story goes on…
Taryn- I'm gunna let you in on a little secret… I would post more then one at a time but it's not all written out yet. I know what I'm doing, it's just not all written! Well, here's some more, hope you like it!!!
chosen-chick@hotmail.com- not too sure about the original part… I mean, yeah, it's yet to be done but post Grave stories are flourishing!
bubonicplague1348- glad to know I snagged your interest!
K- hehehe IRELAND!!! In like, not long at ALL!!! AHHHHHHH!! Hey, glad to know I could possibly get you hooked on it! JAMES MARSTERS IS A HOTTIE!!!
raine- hey, thank you! Everyone's saying it's different… and the plot is just settling in…
Reason to Be: Recalling the PainBuffy awoke, heart pounding against her worn breast. She had dreamed again. About Willow's vengeance, Xander saving the world, her and Dawn's training and, oddly enough, the vampire that was sleeping on her couch.
The Slayer got up and made her way downstairs to sit and just be by the healing vampire. It had been two full weeks since he had appeared in her bathroom and she doubted he ever even closed his eyes for the first week. He had always stayed in Willow's room and Willow had played caregiver, being incredibly protective and not even allowing Dawn to get a look at the vampire. She reported that he was getting better – although Buffy hadn't even known his condition in the first place—and had requested that Spike sleep on the couch in the living room. But other then that, a great silence had swept over him, only eating, sleeping, crying and journaling.
Buffy had been surprised when Willow came home with the leather bound book and the four ball point pens in black, blue, green and red ink. The vampire took it graciously and immediately opened it, taking a pen-blue-and began writing. Many times over the past week she had tried to learn what secrets the book held but Spike never let the book out of his sight.
So Buffy set herself down on the armchair she had moved so that it was directly across from the worn out couch. She just sat, watching as the vampire restlessly slept. She noticed that his had was clutched over his heart, unneeded breath coming out in raspy, puffing huffs.
"I'm so sorry," he whimpered, voice slightly gravely from lack of use. He started to thrash a bit, tossing his head from side to side, clawing at unseen objects in the air. Buffy watched him, terrified although transfixed. The vampire opened his eyes and slightly raised his head, squinting at the slayer.
"Buffy?" he asked, a mixture of fear, confusion and hope in his voice. The Chosen got out of her chair and went over to sit by the vampire. He looked at her, just watching as she set down beside him.
"You've changed," she stated softly brushing a stray lock of now strawberry blonde hair out of his eyes. Spike tensed a bit and then relaxed after he realized that Buffy wasn't going to hurt him.
"I'm so sorry," he whispered, reaching out and gently touching her cheek. Buffy felt the hard calluses on his fingers and she took his hand from her face, turning it so his palm faced upwards. She saw that there where small burns on his hands just beginning to heal.
"Tell me everything," she said as her fingers moved to pull up the shirt he had insisted on wearing. Pulling it over his head, she looked down at his confused eyes.
"I'm not pushing you for anything, I just want you to lay on your back and relax," she supplied. Spike closed his eyes and smiled weakly. A short nod told her that he was ready to tell her his story.
"Begin from when you left town," she said and so he opened his mouth and began to tell the story.
***
Willow woke up and downstairs she heard Spike's voice mixed with Buffy's. she got out of her bed quickly. Stepping into her robe, she cautiously stepped out of her room and down the steps. What she saw made her smile. Spike was telling Buffy his story. The vampire's eyes where closed as where the Slayer's and they both looked content, one sitting, the other laying back.
"I knew that it was what I wanted, and so I tried to prepare myself. Nothing I could to could compare to it though Buffy. It was terrible.
"Willow has this side effect of going all black magic. She can read minds now. I wasn't prepared for that so she read my mind and took me under her wing.
"God, Buffy, you don't know how much it hurts. The pain…" he trailed off as Buffy leaned over and placed a tiny kiss on his temle.
"I'm here for you. Don't worry, I don't plan on going anywhere." Spike looked down at her and smiled, a little stronger then last time.
"I missed you so much Buffy. If you could ever forgive me for what I did… it would mean everything. I know I don't deserve—" he was cut off when Buffy pulled his chin up to meet her eyes.
"Spike, I missed you too. You don't have to hide from it anymore though. I'll be here, Willow is here and believe it or not, Xander is very worried and he wants to help too." A tremor ran through Spike.
"Spike, I want you to come upstairs with me. The couch isn't all that comfortable and I think you'd do better off in a bed." Spike nodded and together, the vampire and Slayer rose and headed upstairs to Buffy's room.
Closing the door after he stepped in, she walked over to her bed and straightened out the sheets. Crawling under the covers, she saw Spike hadn't yet moved close to the bed
"Come here she said softly, pulling back the sheets so that he could crawl under the covers with her. The vampire walked over and sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the far wall. Buffy saw his staring and sat up noticing the change in his demeanour.
"Spike, what is it?" she asked, placing a hand on his shoulder and realizing his muscles where tightly coiled, ready to spring on the first thing that annoyed him.
"Buffy, there's someone here… she wants to take Dawn…" Buffy looked at the wall and sighed.
"We need sleep Spike," she said, guiding his head down onto a pillow. The vampire settled down, sighing softly. Buffy closed her eyes, her body growing heavy with fatigue.
Before she fell asleep however, she murmured the words that he needed to hear.
"You're forgiven Spike." With that she contently fell asleep in his arms.
***
"Buffy, you still asleep?" Dawn's voice sounded from the hall. Buffy stirred and woke up in time for Dawn to say, "Alright, I'm coming in!"
The Slayer's eyes widened when she realized Dawn might take everything the wrong way.
Dawn walked in and her eyes widened, a large smile spreading like wildfire across her face.
"Looks like you two had fun last night!"