Journey

By: Lynn

Rating: PG-13

It was a year and two months since Spike received his soul.  But it took having a friend to get his heart back.  Alea was the truest friend he ever had and, after countless Buffy conversations, he slowly began to accomplish what he and Giles set out to do:  he became his own person.  Yes, he still loved Buffy, but he loved himself, too.  Because of that, he knew he would no longer put up with her crap.  If she couldn't love him as an equal, then he would (and knew now that he could) live without her.

Yet, even though he knew that, he wasn't ready to go back yet.  Part of it was because here, in London with Giles and Alea, he felt that he had a purpose, a meaning for the first time in a long time.  He felt he was a part of something, not just standing in shadows along the edge.  Another part, which he would never admit even to himself, was that he was scared.  Just because he knew it wouldn't destroy him if Buffy couldn't forgive or love him didn't mean he thought he was strong enough to actually hear that yet.

            So that was why he was still in London, walking down a street with Alea.  Ever since she found out, they began training her and bringing her along on patrol.  Tonight it was just Spike and Alea.  Giles was at a theater opening with a "friend" – needless to say, there had been much teasing before they left.

            A cry of help filled the night.  Spike and Alea started running in the direction from which it came. 

            Turning the corner together, they came upon a fight.  Three vampires were surrounding a shorter human.  His back to them, he appeared to be holding his own, but he wouldn't be for long.  The two friends quickly dispatched the vampires, and their intended victim turned to face them.

            "Spike?"

            "Oz?"

                                    *                      *                      *

            "So then, about three weeks ago, I went and talked to this shaman.  He gave me a potion that should cure me, but I wanted to check it out before I drank it.

            "I don't think anyone even knew I was in L.A.  I didn't even stop by Angel's.  And that's how I wanted it.  I didn't want to bother Wil – uh…anyone unless I had to.

            "When I called the Magic Box, looking to ask you about the cure, Anya didn't even recognize my voice.  She told me that you moved back to London, so I jumped on the next flight."

            Oz had been telling them what had happened to him the last few years.  Typical laconic Oz, it only took a few minutes.  It was the most words Spike ever heard come out of the werewolf's mouth.

            "So what's new with you guys?  What's new in Sunnydale?"  Spike and Giles smirked at each other.

            "Grab some coffee, Oz.  It's going to be a long night."

            An hour or so later, Oz sat staring at them in shock.

            "Well, that is certainly interesting.  It was the first thing he said.  Oz wasn't much of a question asker.  He did raise an eyebrow when he learned about Spike's soul and about the Willow/ Tara fiasco.

            "Yes, well.  It's late.  Let's all get some sleep.  Tomorrow, we can tackle your cure."

            "Oooh!.  Research party!  Yeah!!"

            "Shut up, Spike."

                                    *                      *                      *

            It took a week of long nights of research and days of chemical analysis to conclude that Oz's cure was probably for real.  The only way to know for sure was for Oz to actually take it, which was why the four companions were gathered around Giles' kitchen table, staring at the little cup of potion.

            "Well, here goes."  Oz grabbed the cup, hesitated once and then quickly gulped down the cup's contents.  He immediately started choking and retching at the taste.  A few seconds later, he doubled over, grabbing his stomach and groaning.  Giles stood up to go to him, but, before he could, the man passed out cold.

            Giles knelt down and checked Oz's pulse.

            "Well, he's still alive, at least."

            "Let's move him to the couch.  Who knows how long he'll be out."  Spike moved over to help as Giles started picking up Oz's head and shoulders. 

            "For the next couple of hours, Spike, Giles and Alea waited impatiently for their friend to wake up.  When he did, it was as sudden as his earlier reaction to the cure.  Gasping, he sat straight up, looking wildly from side to side.

            "Oz!  Are you okay?"

            "Giles?  How long have I been out?"

            "Uh..about four hours."

            "Well?  Bloody 'ell, did it work, mate?"

            "I don't feel any different.  But the Powers said it did."

            "What?" 

            "The Powers that Be.  I was talking to them just now, but it felt more like ten minutes for me."

            "Oh.  Wow."

            "Anyway.  We should check the flight schedules for the next one to California."

            "Good.  You should go see Willow – she needs you right now," Giles said, as he cleaned his glasses. 

            "I said we, Giles.  Start packing.  The Powers said we all have to go, all four of us.

            "No bloody way!"

            Alea turned to him.

            "You have to, William!  The Powers said so!"
            "I'm not scared…of them."