Summary/Disclaimer: See Chapter 1.
*****
Chapter 9.
Buffy had been in her demon induced condition for six days. She still seemed happy and healthy, at least physically. Her mental state had shown absolutely no improvement. Not that the residents of the Summers house were expecting any improvement, but even the personal, unvoiced hopes of Dawn and Spike were quickly diminishing.
Dawn managed to quiet the little voice in the back of her mind that kept whispering that her sister would be this way forever by throwing herself into the routine of getting up, getting Buffy dressed, going to school, coming home, feeding Buffy and going to bed. These events were repeated every day and she was thankful that they gave her something to do.
Spike had been looking after Buffy on his own in the day since Wednesday. It was now Friday night and Dawn was back from school. Spike passed the days by making sure Buffy was fed and happy. The latter usually involved either the TV or the toys he had found out for her and always involved Spike never being more than six feet away from Buffy unless it could not be helped.
While Buffy no longer looked scared every time Spike left her sight, she wouldn't let him out of the house or away from her for more than a few moments at a time. They had taken to leaving the door at least partially open when Dawn was dressing Buffy so she could see him even when he wasn't in the room.
Spike always faced the opposite wall while this went on, he was determined that he would in no way take advantage of the situation, not even to get in a quick peak of a semi-nude Buffy. He had to admit the desire to do just that was in his mind - he was still a vampire, and a man, but he easily pushed the thoughts down.
*****
"Spike, what are you doing in here?" Dawn was surprised to see Spike enter her bedroom. She had already made sure Buffy was ready for bed an hour ago and had been reading a magazine on her bed ever since. "How did you get away from Buffy?"
Spike chuckled slightly at this.
"Been awhile since I've wanted to get away from your sis, more like the other way round. Anyway, Slayer's asleep, just thought you might need to talk to someone Bit. Not good to keep all your thoughts locked up."
"Fine, but this goes both ways, you need to talk too." Spike nodded so she continued to speak. "I'm scared Spike, I'm scared that Tara's right and we wont ever get Buffy back. I mean she is Buffy but she's not. Buffy is strong and clever and makes all those puns to vamps. The thing I hear most from this Buffy is 'Dawn's so pretty' and while I wont turn down the compliments it breaks my heart to hear her talk like that." Despite the effort to make a joke, tears had started falling down Dawn's cheeks. She leaned into Spike and he wrapped his arms around her in an attempt to offer comfort.
"I know Bit, it breaks me too. Look, we can't give up hope, Buffy needs us. I called Clem the other day and he's looking round the demon world for us to try and find anything to help."
"You think he'll find anything?"
"Don't know, but it's a chance isn't it? Now you get to bed, I'd best be gettin' back to Buffy."
"What about you? You said you'd talk too."
"Some other time Bit." And with that he left the room.
*****
Saturday was easier on Spike than the last few days had been seeing as there was both Spike and Dawn to look after Buffy and not Spike by himself. He didn't mind looking after Buffy and he would continue to help for as long as she needed him but it was slowly killing him inside to see her like this.
He hadn't told Dawn the night before but Clem had already called twice in the four days since Spike had asked for his help to report that possible leads had turned up nothing. Spike now had very little hope in his heart that Buffy would ever be cured.
*****
By the time Sunday night came around, Spike was convinced that Buffy would be this way forever. He realised that it was time to tell the Scoobies about Buffy's condition. Not only would it be good for Buffy to see them but something had to be arranged in regards to patrolling. A week had gone by with no active Slayer in town, who knew what the demon situation was like.
Spike thought about what the reactions would be. Red would be devastated but may not try to stop him staying. Demon girl would be worried but wouldn't interfere and Glenda already knew of course. Tara had stopped by twice, once even bringing groceries and blood so that Spike wouldn't have to leave the house.
The real problem would be the Whelp. He would say that Spike was using the situation and manipulating Dawn into letting him stay. He may even try to dust him. He defiantly would try to get Spike out of there.
Shaking his head at the thought of the boy who seemed to me more of a hindrance than a help most of the time, Spike walked over to Dawn to tell her what he had planned.
*****
Dawn took the next day off school so that she could support Spike when the Scoobies were told. She was very glad of that decision as she looked around the room. Willow was crying with Tara holding her, Anya looked upset but remain quiet. Xander on the other hand looked like he wanted to stake Spike, as if this was all his fault.
The day had started with the usual routine of Dawn getting Buffy ready while Spike made breakfast. After breakfast Dawn had called all the Scoobies and told them to come over to the house. When everyone had arrived Dawn had explained the situation as to what had happened to Buffy and the week that had followed. After that Spike had brought Buffy in from the kitchen to meet her friends but she seemed to be shy and wouldn't come out from behind Spike's back. Things had stayed this way for a while now.
"What did you do to her?" Xander's voice cut through the silence. "I don't believe that crap about a demon, you've poisoned her so she'll be dependant on you and you can be the hero of the hour."
Spike's jaw clenched and sparks of yellow flashed through his eyes at the accusation that he had done this to Buffy. He thought of what he had predicted Xander's reaction to be and realised that he hadn't thought of being accused of doing this.
Before Spike could respond, Dawn's hand shot out and connected open-palmed with Xander's cheek.
"You bastard! How dare you say he did this? He's looked after the both of us for a week and you accuse him of being the bad guy?!"
"It's an act Dawn! If he wanted to help her he would have told us!"
Tara faced Xander.
"He d-d-did ask for help, I've known since S-S-Sunday. Spike asked me to help. I-I-I did all I could, found the d-d-demon, tried a healing s-s- spell." Dawn spoke up again.
"Maybe if you had actually called in the last week you would have been told, but you didn't! I see now why you brought Buffy back, to be your friend but only when you need it. You may as well have just kept the 'bot." Dawn knew her words were harsh but she felt they needed to be said. She walked over to the front door and opened it, turning to glare at Xander.
"Get out."
"What?" He looked shocked and confused.
"Get out of my house. Come back when you've quit being a bastard." She waited for Xander to leave then slammed the door behind him.
Spike turned to look at Buffy and found her on the floor crying. He'd hoped she was past this, she hadn't cried like this since the incident with the plate. The looked at the remaining Scoobies.
"Sorry folks, but Buffy's upset and we need to calm her down, we can finish this some other time. Come back tomorrow, leave the Whelp at home." The went back to Buffy, leaving Dawn to show them out.
"Hey luv, what's the matter?"
"Spike and Dawn mad."
"Yeah pet, we are. But not with you. We're never mad at you." As was usual when Spike talked to her, Buffy almost instantly calmed down and leaned against him.
Spike held Buffy and thought about how today couldn't get any worse.
*****
"I don't care that she is harmless! We have to get rid of her! We're the villains, its our job! Now go and get me the phone book."
While he waited for the phone book, Warren thought about what they had learned about the Slayer. They had spent the last week watching and listening while Dawn and Spike had taken care of an insane Buffy. Warren was sick of watching, now was the time to act.
This was a perfect plan: get rid of the slayer and not even have to do anything illegal. He quickly flipped through the pages of the directory, found the correct number and dialled.
"Hello, is this Social Services? Good. This is kind of awkward, but I have a friend who I think needs to be committed."
TBC
AN: Sorry about having to make you wait for this, but everything is sorted and I'm back, a day earlier than i expected to be. And look - longer chapter! I hope to have most chapters around this long now but I wont be updating twice a day like in the beginning, but expect an update nearly every day.
Thank you so much for all the reviews. I am really interested in where you all thought the story should go. By the way, me asking for your opinions was not me fishing for new ideas for the story.
I'm sticking with my original plan seeing as I have the final chapters already written. Don't worry, I won't be posting them for a while. I still have much of the story to write. Of course I'm not going to tell you what that is! You will have to read on.
I don't know exactly how long this fic will end up being but don't expect an end just yet.
By he way, I'm very happy with this chapter, hope you are too!
*****
Chapter 9.
Buffy had been in her demon induced condition for six days. She still seemed happy and healthy, at least physically. Her mental state had shown absolutely no improvement. Not that the residents of the Summers house were expecting any improvement, but even the personal, unvoiced hopes of Dawn and Spike were quickly diminishing.
Dawn managed to quiet the little voice in the back of her mind that kept whispering that her sister would be this way forever by throwing herself into the routine of getting up, getting Buffy dressed, going to school, coming home, feeding Buffy and going to bed. These events were repeated every day and she was thankful that they gave her something to do.
Spike had been looking after Buffy on his own in the day since Wednesday. It was now Friday night and Dawn was back from school. Spike passed the days by making sure Buffy was fed and happy. The latter usually involved either the TV or the toys he had found out for her and always involved Spike never being more than six feet away from Buffy unless it could not be helped.
While Buffy no longer looked scared every time Spike left her sight, she wouldn't let him out of the house or away from her for more than a few moments at a time. They had taken to leaving the door at least partially open when Dawn was dressing Buffy so she could see him even when he wasn't in the room.
Spike always faced the opposite wall while this went on, he was determined that he would in no way take advantage of the situation, not even to get in a quick peak of a semi-nude Buffy. He had to admit the desire to do just that was in his mind - he was still a vampire, and a man, but he easily pushed the thoughts down.
*****
"Spike, what are you doing in here?" Dawn was surprised to see Spike enter her bedroom. She had already made sure Buffy was ready for bed an hour ago and had been reading a magazine on her bed ever since. "How did you get away from Buffy?"
Spike chuckled slightly at this.
"Been awhile since I've wanted to get away from your sis, more like the other way round. Anyway, Slayer's asleep, just thought you might need to talk to someone Bit. Not good to keep all your thoughts locked up."
"Fine, but this goes both ways, you need to talk too." Spike nodded so she continued to speak. "I'm scared Spike, I'm scared that Tara's right and we wont ever get Buffy back. I mean she is Buffy but she's not. Buffy is strong and clever and makes all those puns to vamps. The thing I hear most from this Buffy is 'Dawn's so pretty' and while I wont turn down the compliments it breaks my heart to hear her talk like that." Despite the effort to make a joke, tears had started falling down Dawn's cheeks. She leaned into Spike and he wrapped his arms around her in an attempt to offer comfort.
"I know Bit, it breaks me too. Look, we can't give up hope, Buffy needs us. I called Clem the other day and he's looking round the demon world for us to try and find anything to help."
"You think he'll find anything?"
"Don't know, but it's a chance isn't it? Now you get to bed, I'd best be gettin' back to Buffy."
"What about you? You said you'd talk too."
"Some other time Bit." And with that he left the room.
*****
Saturday was easier on Spike than the last few days had been seeing as there was both Spike and Dawn to look after Buffy and not Spike by himself. He didn't mind looking after Buffy and he would continue to help for as long as she needed him but it was slowly killing him inside to see her like this.
He hadn't told Dawn the night before but Clem had already called twice in the four days since Spike had asked for his help to report that possible leads had turned up nothing. Spike now had very little hope in his heart that Buffy would ever be cured.
*****
By the time Sunday night came around, Spike was convinced that Buffy would be this way forever. He realised that it was time to tell the Scoobies about Buffy's condition. Not only would it be good for Buffy to see them but something had to be arranged in regards to patrolling. A week had gone by with no active Slayer in town, who knew what the demon situation was like.
Spike thought about what the reactions would be. Red would be devastated but may not try to stop him staying. Demon girl would be worried but wouldn't interfere and Glenda already knew of course. Tara had stopped by twice, once even bringing groceries and blood so that Spike wouldn't have to leave the house.
The real problem would be the Whelp. He would say that Spike was using the situation and manipulating Dawn into letting him stay. He may even try to dust him. He defiantly would try to get Spike out of there.
Shaking his head at the thought of the boy who seemed to me more of a hindrance than a help most of the time, Spike walked over to Dawn to tell her what he had planned.
*****
Dawn took the next day off school so that she could support Spike when the Scoobies were told. She was very glad of that decision as she looked around the room. Willow was crying with Tara holding her, Anya looked upset but remain quiet. Xander on the other hand looked like he wanted to stake Spike, as if this was all his fault.
The day had started with the usual routine of Dawn getting Buffy ready while Spike made breakfast. After breakfast Dawn had called all the Scoobies and told them to come over to the house. When everyone had arrived Dawn had explained the situation as to what had happened to Buffy and the week that had followed. After that Spike had brought Buffy in from the kitchen to meet her friends but she seemed to be shy and wouldn't come out from behind Spike's back. Things had stayed this way for a while now.
"What did you do to her?" Xander's voice cut through the silence. "I don't believe that crap about a demon, you've poisoned her so she'll be dependant on you and you can be the hero of the hour."
Spike's jaw clenched and sparks of yellow flashed through his eyes at the accusation that he had done this to Buffy. He thought of what he had predicted Xander's reaction to be and realised that he hadn't thought of being accused of doing this.
Before Spike could respond, Dawn's hand shot out and connected open-palmed with Xander's cheek.
"You bastard! How dare you say he did this? He's looked after the both of us for a week and you accuse him of being the bad guy?!"
"It's an act Dawn! If he wanted to help her he would have told us!"
Tara faced Xander.
"He d-d-did ask for help, I've known since S-S-Sunday. Spike asked me to help. I-I-I did all I could, found the d-d-demon, tried a healing s-s- spell." Dawn spoke up again.
"Maybe if you had actually called in the last week you would have been told, but you didn't! I see now why you brought Buffy back, to be your friend but only when you need it. You may as well have just kept the 'bot." Dawn knew her words were harsh but she felt they needed to be said. She walked over to the front door and opened it, turning to glare at Xander.
"Get out."
"What?" He looked shocked and confused.
"Get out of my house. Come back when you've quit being a bastard." She waited for Xander to leave then slammed the door behind him.
Spike turned to look at Buffy and found her on the floor crying. He'd hoped she was past this, she hadn't cried like this since the incident with the plate. The looked at the remaining Scoobies.
"Sorry folks, but Buffy's upset and we need to calm her down, we can finish this some other time. Come back tomorrow, leave the Whelp at home." The went back to Buffy, leaving Dawn to show them out.
"Hey luv, what's the matter?"
"Spike and Dawn mad."
"Yeah pet, we are. But not with you. We're never mad at you." As was usual when Spike talked to her, Buffy almost instantly calmed down and leaned against him.
Spike held Buffy and thought about how today couldn't get any worse.
*****
"I don't care that she is harmless! We have to get rid of her! We're the villains, its our job! Now go and get me the phone book."
While he waited for the phone book, Warren thought about what they had learned about the Slayer. They had spent the last week watching and listening while Dawn and Spike had taken care of an insane Buffy. Warren was sick of watching, now was the time to act.
This was a perfect plan: get rid of the slayer and not even have to do anything illegal. He quickly flipped through the pages of the directory, found the correct number and dialled.
"Hello, is this Social Services? Good. This is kind of awkward, but I have a friend who I think needs to be committed."
TBC
AN: Sorry about having to make you wait for this, but everything is sorted and I'm back, a day earlier than i expected to be. And look - longer chapter! I hope to have most chapters around this long now but I wont be updating twice a day like in the beginning, but expect an update nearly every day.
Thank you so much for all the reviews. I am really interested in where you all thought the story should go. By the way, me asking for your opinions was not me fishing for new ideas for the story.
I'm sticking with my original plan seeing as I have the final chapters already written. Don't worry, I won't be posting them for a while. I still have much of the story to write. Of course I'm not going to tell you what that is! You will have to read on.
I don't know exactly how long this fic will end up being but don't expect an end just yet.
By he way, I'm very happy with this chapter, hope you are too!