Title: Poison Berries

Author: Tai Blanchet

Disclaimer: I only own the character Holly; all of the other characters belong to Joss Whedon.

Summary: set after season 6.  Spike is in Africa, recovering from doing his tasks.  He meets an archaeologist and they become great friends, but it doesn't end as sweet as candy… more like Poison Berries. Possible character death. Please R&R.

Any useful info: ***** means that there is a flashback.  Also italics are the characters thoughts.  That should be it for now…

~Poison Berries~

~ Chapter 2~

Holly drove down a darkened road.  The crevices in the middle of it were beginning to feel deeper. Why did I have to go this way? She thought.  Her thoughts were directed back to the man she had found earlier that day.  William.  She was worried about him.  He had just left and hadn't even had time to recover… but that wasn't really her problem now. 

Her jeep started to rumble louder and louder with each ditch that she hit.  Suddenly it took a forward dive.  Where did the hill go?! Shit, I'm gunna hit something!!! Her jeep was thrown into a rock and Holly flew through the window, the whole of her body slammed down in the road.  She tried to breath and found I hard to withdraw the air she needed.  A dark figure leaned over, she heard the sibilant hiss of is voice, then a slash of pain and then nothing…  the light surrounding her faded and she felt her life slip away.

* * *

Buffy lurked in the shadows.  The tip off about a vampire nest wasn't really very clear.  She had been told that there was one near a place where there was a steady supply of blood and like most new vampires do, they make a nest near the hospital.  But so far there wasn't any sign of the living dead.  She had got bored very quickly. La, la, la… god this is boring.  I'll go in ten minutes if nothing… a ha! Something in the bushes started to move.  Buffy got ready to stake it, her hand poised above her head.  She saw a mop of brown hair appear.

          "Dawn!"

          "Oh hi Buffy.  I wanted to come and help you, I got bored."

          "So what happened with Janice then?"

          "She never showed and then I got major bored and decided to find you."

          "Ok, that story sounds convincing enough.  If you're going to hang round with me I need you to be quiet, and no screaming of making any noise when the vamps turn up.  Oh! Here" she tossed Dawn a stake and smiled.  She knew that Dawn could handle the vamps but she couldn't resist taking the mickey out of her.  Buffy stared at the back entrance of the hospital.  A tall blonde figure appeared.  Buffy's heart skipped a beat and she thought that maybe, just maybe, that he had re-turned, but it wasn't him, he was too tall… Vamp no. 1 prepare to be dusted!  He turned around to see if anyone was watching.  Dawn held her breath trying not to make any sound, but he had smelt her fear and came near to the bushes. Dawnie not again! Buffy thought in despair.  She lunged at the vampire from behind the bushes and with a few jabs and kicks the vamp was dusted.

          "Next time you get bored, go home and watch tv!" Buffy laughed.  She had become so much light-hearted in the last few weeks.  She knew that Spike was gone and probably never returning and had brought herself to come to terms with that.  She had quit her job and got another one as a part time kindergarten assistant.  It was better money and at least she didn't go home smelling like something had died in her uniform. "C'mon let's head back."

          "So much for that nest though huh?"

          "Yeah I know.  I beat, I wanna go home and watch some good ol' movies and then snuggle up in bed."

          "Sounds good! Can we get some hot chocolate with the little marshmallows to?"

          "Sure Dawnie… wait who's that?"  A man was at the gate of the cemetery, apparently leaning on it and crying.  He looked battered and tired and very familiar.  "Dawn, go home, I have to um, there's another and I don't need him sniffing us out again"

          "But Buffy, what about the hot chocolate?!"

          "Here, you get it and I'll see you at home."  She handed dawn a five dollar bill and shoved her in the right direction.  Dawn slumped off into the dark apparently not very happy.  Buffy stared at the gate where the man had been.  He had gone inside now and she wasn't too sure if she wanted to follow.  But she had to see if it was him, and if it was, he was as good as dusted.

          "Spike?" she called.  The figure carried on walking. "Don't pretend you can't hear me because I know you can!"  He spun around and looked her dead in the eyes.   "Oh, my god, what happened?"

          "Who the bloody hell are you?"

          "Spike don't be such a twat all your life, you know who I am, what the hell are you doing back here?"  Her emotions were all twisted up.  She thought that she would have probably been angry to see him again, maybe upset and definitely not happy, but the fact that he was pretending not to know her hurt, and she didn't like that feeling much.

          "I'm sorry but I've never met you before."

          "What are you on about?!  I'm Buffy, you know as in the slayer as in I'll kill you because you're a vampire."

          "No I'm sorry I have no idea."  His eyes started rolling in his head and his body twitched irritably.  He collapsed on the floor and passed out.

***** Start of flashback

Spike was lying on a stable floor in a pile of hay.  Druscilla was next to him.  There were other people, no vampires in this stable to.

          "Angelus mate, where's the grub?"

          "I'm not your waiter William.  I hunt by myself and for myself, and perhaps you should to."  A blonde vampire, a beautiful one at that, was snuggling up to Angelus.

          "Darla, I thought you only ate humans.  Wouldn't want our kind to think were a cannibal now would you?"

          "Now, now William, don't be all sour because Dru was sleepy last night, you know that's what happens when she has big visions." Angelus replied, the words filled with venom.  Why the bloody hell am I stuck with these idiots for, I know Dru wants to be 'round her precious Angelus but why should I suffer. Dru stirred next to him. "Morning Pet"

          "I hate the mornings.  It means that the sun is dancing around in the sky, laughing at us because we can't be there."

          "But soon the moon will be out to"

          "The moon is naughty.  She knows how much I like the dark but she hides it from me.  Naughty, naughty…" she murmured drifting of back to sleep.  Cruel laughter was beginning to fill the stable.

          "AAAww poor William," Darla cooed, "Not even his precious Druscilla takes any notice of him."  Spike was livid

          "I told you, I hate that name, I go by SPIKE now!" and yet more laughter surrounded him.

***** End of flashback.

          "Spike, I'm gunna beat the crap out of you if you don't stop this."  He eyelids fluttered open and he awoke to find Buffy.

          "Oh bloody hell.  Buffy I remember, I remember everything and I'm sorry."

          "What brought this on then?"

          "I…I have my soul back…" she looked at him shocked and she couldn't take it, she spun and ran away.  All of the running that she did in her life either was to or from him and she didn't understand why. A soul?  How can a monster have soul? And with that she neared home, a brave smile on face.

* * *

Authors notes:  I know that this chapter was a bit scratchy but I had to do at least one crappy one. I've written this while I'm on holiday in le jolly France it's hot down here in the south and I've found it hard to concentrate! I'd still like reviews please and if you know anyone who would like to read this tell them about it.  I have a little surprise up in the next chapter.  I would love some ideas to help me because I have a basic few but I want to see if anyone comes up with something better.  The next chapter will be up in the next few weeks, but please bear with me as the going back to school part will knock me back a few writing days!  I'll speak to you guys soon!