Part 6: Confidants

"There you go. All done." Buffy said with a smile as she finished bandaging Bri's wound.

"Thanks." The other slayer said as she inspected the wrapping. "You did a good job."

"Comes from experience." Buffy glanced around the room at Bri's luggage. "Need help unpacking?"

"No, I just have clothes and stuff in these. Thanks, though. The big boxes of stuff should arrive in a few days and I might need help with those."

"OK, well, if you need anything just ask."

"I will. Right now I think I'm gonna go get some air. I'll be on the back porch." Bri said, pulling on her coat.

The slayer made her way downstairs and out to the back porch. She stood there for a moment, breathing in the night air and allowing herself to think about him for the first time since she'd left him hours earlier. On the plane she had cleared her mind of all thoughts and drifted into a semi-peacful sleep. Then when she had arrived at the airport, she'd been so distracted with greeting everyone and then patrolling, that her mind had yet to have the chance to consider what had transpired between she and Spike.

Bri shoved her hands in her pockets as she sat down on the porch step and was surprised to discover a small velvet box in the left pocket. Her brow furrowed as she pulled it out. She recognized the name of a local Richmond jeweler on the case. Spike must have slipped this into her pocket sometime during their exchange at the airport.

Biting back tears that sprang unbidden to her eyes, she slowly opened the box. Inside was the most beautiful necklace she'd ever seen. It was silver, with a delicate chain from which hung a small ruby, cut in the shape of a heart. In the ruby's center was a diamond which sparkled in the dim glow of the porch light.

Bri fastened it around her neck and reached into her other pocket. She pulled out the familiar pack of cigarettes that she'd always carried for Spike. It was a foreign brand, she didn't know from where, but she knew that he had these imported whenever he could afford to. She removed one from the pack and held it to her nose, inhaling the familiar scent of tobacco. Combine that scent with leather, liquor, and a splash of cologne and you'd have Spike.

"You smoke?" a voice came from the shadows. Bri jumped, unaware that she was being watched, but then sighed in relief when Angel stepped out into the light.

The blonde slayer shook her head. "No. I just like the smell."

The vampire nodded and sat down beside her on the step. He took a deep breath, seemingly considering his next words. "So where did those bite marks really come from?" he asked suddenly, after a long silence.

"Where do you think?"

"Well, at a glance I'd say that a vampire's claimed you."

"Give the vamp a prize."

Angel was silent for a moment. "Did you love him?"

Bri turned her head to look at the dark vampire. "I thought I did. But now…well, now I guess it doesn't matter does it?"

"Cause you left him behind."

"Yeah. But…even if I hadn't left…" the slayer sighed. "If I hadn't left it'd still be over. Vampires…er…soulless vampires and slayers don't mix." Bri ammended her statement when she remembered the story of what happened with Buffy and Angel that Spike had told her.

"He didn't love you?"

"I don't know anymore. I thought I was sure that he did. He told me all the time. But…I guess he lied." Bri felt hot tears welling up in her eyes. Her mind swam with images of Spike's smiling face, of his arms wrapped so tightly around her, of lying in his embrace feeling so safe and loved. "No." she said suddenly. "No, he didn't lie. He loved me and I loved him."

A million questions were buzzing in Angel's mind. How could a slayer and a soulless vampire have a relationship without one killing the other? And how come he and Buffy couldn't have that same relationship when he was Angelus? How was this other vampire capable of feeling love without a soul when Angel couldn't?

"Who was he?"

Bri studied the dark vampire. She knew of his relation to Spike but she couldn't decide whether or not to tell him. She figured that she couldn't tell this secret to anyone else here, they wouldn't understand like Angel seemed to. Most likely she'd need someone to talk to, a confidant, and she felt certain that the dark vampire would not betray her. Making her decision, she looked away, unable to meet his eyes.

"You know him."

"You don't have to-"

"Spike." The slayer looked Angel in the eyes. "It's Spike. Your grandchilde, Spike." It felt good just saying his name.

"Spike?" Angel exclaimed in disbelief. Then he glanced at the cigarettes still being clutched in the young slayer's hands. Of course. Those were Spike's favorite brand of cigarettes. Whenever he could afford to, he'd import them in specially. "Wow…that was…unexpected."

"Please…if you could keep this to yourself…I don't think I want to share this with the others. It's in the past and I'm starting fresh here."

"Of course." The vampire said, recovering from his shocked stupor. "And if you ever just…need to talk. About anything. I'm always here."

"Thank you." Bri said sincerely, placing her hand over Angel's gratefully before returning into the house.

A.N.- Please R&R. I love feedback and suggestions.