Spike was excited. He was sitting in the back room of the Ohana,
searching for his cell phone, which he was SURE that Dawn had been
playing with, and now he couldn't find it. And he NEEDED to find it!
Ah. There it is. Pick up. Dial. Ring... Ring... Damn it! Pick up! Pick- "Hey! Madison!"
"Hey!!! Puppy!"
"Guess what! Guess why I'm so bleedin' excited!"
"Buffy's engaged to you!"
Snort. Muttered, "No, that was last year." Said louder. "Very funny, ducks. I'll give you a hint, yesterday, we drove through Iowa, so now we're in..."
Loud squeal, involving hopping. "SOUTH DAKOTA!!!"
He laughed, plopping backwards onto the bed. "Yeah! And we'll be in town by tonight! I've been exceeding the speed limit every time I drive."
She let out a bubbling giggle. "Oh... I am so psyched!!!"
He chuckled. "Yeah. Me too. I've been tryin' to hide how excited I am. It'd be embarrassing, ya know?"
"Oh yeah...Totally ruin your image."
Nodded. "Totally. And I can't let that happen, you understand."
"Of course. But."
"But, what?"
Slight pout. "You didn't call me OR answer your phone yesterday."
"I was sick." Deep breath. "Bad blood. Dawn said I had a tummy ache."
"Awww...." Sympathetic noise. "I'm so sorry. You feel better?"
"Yeah. Mostly. I don't do too well when we go over big bumps."
"Mm. I'm sorry."
Sigh. "Yeah. But let's not talk about me. What's up with you?"
"Mmm.." Soft smile in her voice. "Not much."
"Come on, you're holdin' back, aren't you?"
She blushed and covered her face. "Um... Joseph and I went out." Quietly, "Three times."
Strained. "Oh. Good for you." Rumble that *could* have been a growl.
"Ummm... How- how come you hate him?" It was quiet, a little unsure.
"I don't. Can't hate someone you don't know. I just don't want you to be hurt at all. Ever. And I know from personal experience that the deepest and longest lasting wounds come from people you care about." Sigh. "Or maybe that's just the story of *my* life."
Her eyes shadowed, considered some people who had passed through her life. "No, Puppy," she said in a low voice. "Not just yours."
"I'm sorry, Madison. I didn't mean to bring anything up."
Forced a smile. Just for him. "It's ok. I told Joseph he'd have to share me."
Chuckle. "Damn right. Starting tonight."
Big grin. "All yours."
She heard the bedsprings creak, knew he was bouncing a little. "I can't wait."
Laughed. "Me either. Whatta ya wanna do?"
He considered. "Oh.. Anything. Anything at all. Just as long as it's with you. You pick."
"Cool... ummm... something. With food."
"I said with you, didn't I?", he said with a chuckle.
Laughed. "You shut up, Puppy. Ooh! There's a restaurant about... three quarters of a mile from my house. Come see me and we'll walk there."
"I wouldn't want you to bother your leg. Still in a cast, right?"
"Nope." The... truth, but still a lie rolled off her tongue. "It wasn't a big break. They let me take the air cast off."
He sighed. "Still... Maybe we should.. get a cab, or something."
"Puppy. Fine. Perfectly."
"Well..."
"Or we can watch Sixteen Candles at home. Up to you."
Quickly. "Food's good."
Laughter. "Thought so. You like Italian?"
"Uh.. garlic, ducks. Want me to get sick again?"
"Mmm..." Considered. "Ooh! There's this little Chinese restaurant, a little farther down the way. Hunan. Great."
"Uh.. Chinese and I.. sometimes we don't get along that well. I'll tell you a story sometime."
"Ugh. How bout you don't. Ooh! Pizza hut."
"Deal. Get some hotwings, too." Licked his lips. Ooh. It'd been WEEKS since he'd had a good spot of hotwings.
"Right. Eating in or out? Because Mom's on leave this whole week for Madrid. Some kind of conference. Will's at Michael's."
More half bouncing sounds. "Oh boy. Uh. In, if we're gonna bother walking there, ya know? Otherwise, we might as well just order."
"All right. Mm.... Ten-ish?"
"Cool with me. Oh! I just saw the city limits sign!"
Big squeal. "Ok! Gonna get ready! See you at ten!"
"Okay. Bye, pet."
"Bye, Puppy!"
He hung up and set the phone on the nightstand.
And hour later, Madison dialed Spike's number apprehensively.
"Hello?", came the sleepy reply.
"Puppy?"
Awake. "Madison?" He didn't like her tone. "What's wrong?"
Slightly uncomfortable noises as she debated how to tell him. "M... Bu... J-... I can't go tonight."
"Why? Madison, what happened? Are you alright?" Almost frantic concern in his voice.
"I'm fine! I promise... I'm fine, Puppy." Soothing tone.
"Then.. what..?"
"J-Joseph's mom... she's... um... got bad news at the doctor. He- he asked me to come sit with him at the hospital." Quiet, sad, almost shamed tone.
Spike remembered when Joyce had been in the hospital. His voice lowered, said with genuine understanding. "Tell him that I hope she'll be okay."
Big sigh of relief. "I... I will. You're not upset with me?"
"No. I know what it's like. Believe me. I may not *like* the guy, but it's scary when somethin's wrong with your mum."
"Yeah. But... I am sorry, Puppy. I'll be home later if you still wanna stop."
"Yeah. It's okay, Madison. I'll just.. do some patrolling. Maybe see if Buffy wants to do something for awhile." Chuckled at himself. "In case you're wondering, no, I didn't mean that the way it sounded. I think."
Small laugh. "Thank God." A horn sounded outside. "Puppy, it-it's him... I've got to..."
"Okay. Bye. I hope Joseph's mum'll be alright."
"Me, too. Bye." Her end of the line went dead.
He hung up his phone. He understood. He did. That didn't mean he had to like it. Looked around his hotel room. Now what? Decided to go knock on Buffy's door.
"Mmmm??"
"Sorry, luv. I'll go. You're sleepin'." Turned to go.
"No! Come in! Not sleeping. Painting." Toddled to the door, toilet paper wedged between her toes, opened it.
He gave her a half grin. "Hey, luv." Glanced down. "You've got paper hitchhikers."
She gave a smile. "Come in. I'm painting my toes, smart ass."
He chuckled and followed her in. "Want help?"
Shrugged, closed the door, sat on the bed. "If you want to."
He nodded. Cocked his head at her feet. "What's that color?"
"Very Berry," she told him, handing him the bottle full of glittery pink polish.
He chuckled and sat on the end of her bed. "Figures. I was thinkin'. Would you like to go patrol in awhile?"
Shrugged. "Sure. Have you seen any demons?"
"Last time we were here, there was this big yellow/green froggy thing huntin' around the cineplex."
"Mmm... sounds ugly." Wiggled her feet at him.
He chuckled, and started painting a toe. "Yeah. It tried to eat Madison. Right after I did."
Sat up on her elbows. "Your tried to EAT her?"
Swallowed. He'd slipped. "It was a bad night... Long story."
"... You tried to eat her?"
Sighed, focused on her toes. "Well.. yeah. I was pissed. Just found out that the chip didn't work, so I thought I'd go out for a quick bite. Pun intended." Another sigh. "Little did I know that, when it came right down to it, I wouldn't be able to do it."
"Spike.... I- you... couldn't?"
Shook his head. Didn't look at her. "I tried to think of her as food. Just food. A Happy Meal with legs, ya know? But I kept thinking... she's got a family. People. People who'll mourn her. Who'll miss her. People like you, and Dawn, and the others. And I just backed off, and told her to get out of there." Chuckle. "And she ran right into the froggy thing. Which I saved her from."
Drew her foot away to sit up all the way. "You didn't." A small smile crept over her face.
Sighed. "Yeah. Go ahead. Make fun of me. Tell me that I'm turnin' into a bleedin' poofter. Nothin' that I haven't already told myself."
"You... cared enough to not hurt her." She looked at him, respect fettering through her green eyes.
He cocked his head at her. This was not the reaction he'd been expecting. "Well, yeah. I guess you could say that."
Looked down, reclined again, on her elbows. "That's.... that's good."
Spike grinned a little, then cocked his head, seemingly confused with himself. "Yeah. It is, isn't it?" Shook his head. "Bloody hell. I'm supposed to be evil!"
Smiled. Wiggled her foot. "Right. Evil thing. Keep painting, Picasso."
Chuckled, took her foot again. "Fine. And what was that supposed to mean?"
Shrugged. "Nothing. You're just so.... careful and picky about it."
"I meant the tone you had when you said 'evil thing'. And the precision comes from wanting to get it right. And experience."
"No tone." Just a tiny sexual undertone. Tiny, really.
He chuckled. "Yeah. Right."
========================================================================== ========
Buffy pulled against Spike's hand. "Spike... you said patrol..."
He grinned. "Yeah. And that means checking all the dark places where evil things might want a snack. Like a movie theater, for instance."
"Well, yeah, but-"
"No buts, luv. Movie theaters are dangerous places! I used to stalk them in my day. And, that R rated one seems like a particularly good place to hunt."
She rolled her eyes, let him tug her behind him.
========================================================================== =======
All right. So the movie was more making out in the back row than patrolling. But no one had screamed. So... Buffy assumed things were as they should be. They walked into the night air, side by side, their hands brushing together every few seconds.
Spike suddenly paused, sniffing.
She stiffened. "What?"
Shook his head. "Nothing. Thought I smelled something."
"Oh... ok." Kept walking.
Spike paused at the entrance to a rather darkened alley. Grinned. Hmm. Grabbed the Slayer's hand and pulled her into the alley. "Got somethin' to show you."
She was reaching for the waist of her pants, the inevitable stake-hiding- place. "What?"
"This." His mouth met hers.
Stake dropped. "Mmm..." Tempted his mouth open, her tongue playing along his lips.
The vampire's hands wandered over Buffy's torso, finding their way inside her shirt, even as his tongue found it's way inside her mouth. She let him back her against the brick of the wall. Moved against him.
Spike was blinded to everything but the feel of her. Deaf to all sounds but her breathing and heartbeat. Unable to smell anything but her.
And that's why he missed the demon that had been stalking them.
Her hands slid beneath his duster, fondling the fabric covered skin she found there. Didn't heed the tremble down her spine. Spike always did that to her.
That's why it was a shock when he was ripped from her and thrown ten feet into a nearby dumpster.
IT roared at the Slayer. IT was ugly. IT was horrible. IT was... orange? Oh well. In a moment, IT would be dead.
One well aimed kicked had it spinning around, and she launched herself at it's back. Legs clamped hard over it's sides, her hands settling in the position to snap it's neck. Until it grabbed her shoulder with one hand, flipping her over it, and into the corner of the brick wall, almost upside down, her head cracking against it, with a sickening sound. When she hit the dirtied ground, she didn't move.
Spike had extracted himself from the dumpster exactly when she hit the wall. Not only was she not moving, there was blood pooling around her head. He looked at the orange demon with golden eyes that were flooded with rage. Flew at it, roaring with a sound that would have put a T-Rex to shame, and grabbed it's neck and twisted. It's head came off. Off. Not broken neck. Severed head. But that wasn't his main concern. He leaped off the demon before it's body could even fall all the way to the ground, and ran to Buffy's side. "Slayer? Buffy?" No response. And now there was more blood. Oh god. What could he do? He had no clue where the hospitals were in this town! He didn't know where anything... Madison. She'd have a phone. She'd know what to do. And most of all, she was close by. He gathered Buffy into his arms and took off at top speed. Praying to Whoever would listen to him that she'd be home.
=======================================================
Madison slept on the couch when no one was home. Made her feel more in control. Aware. So she was now curled on the couch, in cream jamma's, passed out and exhausted from Joseph's ordeal.
Spike reached the porch, and kicked franticly at the door, nearly denting it. He couldn't knock, since he had an unconscious Slayer in his arms. Who was, at that moment, bleeding all over him. He kicked again. "MADISON!!!"
She was jerked from her slumber, tore to the door, unlocking it, then tearing it open. "Puppy!" Froze. "Oh my... What-?"
The Slayer's blood had soaked through his shirt, it was dripping off the elbows of his duster and onto the porch. "Madison... Help. Call an ambulance... please..."
She took in the grizzly scene, the Slayer, pale and bleeding in Spike's arms. A disgustingly frightening panicked look on his face, as her blood dripped over the leather of his coat to pool on her front stoop. "Come in." She rushed for towels. "Lay her on the living room floor," she yelled to him.
He did, growling at himself for the shaking of his hands. "Madison! The phone! Call!"
She ran back, pressing the towels to her wound. So much blood, soaking through to the baby blue carpet on the floor. There was no time... "Spike... Puppy... It's not... it's too..." He would lose her. "Do you trust me?"
He couldn't help her, and he knew it. He was shaking all over, like a leaf in a breeze. Said quietly, brokenly. "Just... just help her..."
Licking her lips, she nodded, knelt at the Slayer's side, spread her hands wide. Closed her eyes and started speaking slowly, steadily in Spanish. "Del corazon yo uso este obsequio/ En mi ceurpo yo tomo su dolor que/ Usa mi alma, yo instituyo la curacion/ Del cuerpo que esmero/ Con mi cuerpo yo doy la vida." She repeated it, over and over. A glow that started deep within her radiated outward until her whole body was awash with the soft light. But her hands... her hands Spike couldn't bear to look at. The light was blinding, harsh, hot, radiant.
For twenty minutes, the tableau stayed frozen. Slowly, the tips of Madison's hair lost color. It crept up until the bottom three inches of her raven locks were pure white. The wound on Buffy's head was long closed, but Madison was still working. Buffy wasn't breathing.
Finally, Buffy's chest heaved off the ground in a gasping breath, eyes opened as if in shock. As Buffy inhaled, Madison let out a keening whimper on an exhale, the glowing stopping as her eyes opened, and she slouched, her eyes taking on a glazed demeanor.
Spike's blue eyes were wide, his body still shivering, Buffy's blood still soaking his shirt. He had been kneeling beside them the whole time, watching what he could, when the light wasn't too much. He pulled Buffy's head onto his knees, holding her to him. Looked at Madison. "Whatever you did.. thank you."
She blinked her glazed eyes owlishly at him. Nodded.
He would have to ask her later about that, though. And about her total lack of a limp, now that he thought of it. But now, Buffy was his focus. He ran a still slightly shaking hand over her cheek. "Luv? Are you okay?"
Buffy was heaving in breaths. Swung her eyes around. "Wh-where...?"
Spike shushed her gently. "You got hurt... Hit your head.. scared me. I took you to Madison's. I think you're okay now, though."
"The demon?"
Unnoticed, Madison stood, made her way down a hallway, to disappear behind a door.
"Dead. I... I tore it's head off," Spike said, actually realizing what he'd done for the first time as he said it. "Bloody... Whoa. Didn't know I could do that."
Soft, almost smile. Confused face. "It... it threw me."
He nodded. "Yeah. You hit a wall. Bleeding all over the place. I didn't know what to do... I thought I was gonna lose you..." His body had started shaking slightly again at that thought. Swallowed. "So I came to the one place I could think of... Madison's."
She was getting slightly panicked. "I don't- What- What do you mean?"
He shook his head. "I don't know, really. She did somethin'. White magic, from the feel of it. Fixed you. Saved you... And you weren't breathing..." Swallowed again, glancing down at the blood that still covered his shirt, duster, hands and arms.
She sat up slowly, staring at his chest. Placed her hands on it. Pulled them back to stare. Still wet. Over her hands. "She... saved me?"
He nodded, curbing the shaking as best as he could. Bloody hell. He was turnin' into a ponce. Licked his lips. "Yeah. She saved you."
She put her hand over her heart, felt it beating. "She hates me."
He shook his head. "No she doesn't, luv. Doesn't like you, but doesn't hate you either." Blinked long and hard. "God... I thought I was gonna lose you."
She pulled his hand to her chest. Rested it over her heart, pumping steadily.
He sighed a little. "I know, luv. I can hear it. But for awhile there... I couldn't."
She moved forward slightly, not knowing how to ask to be held. "She... brought me back?"
He put his arms around her once he was sure that she would let him, rested his chin on her head. "Yeah, I guess." He needed this as much as she did.
"Spike?"
"Yeah, luv?"
"I... I'm really tired."
He gave a half nod. "Yeah. Me too. Let's get you back to the hotel." He stood, scooping her into his arms as he did so. "And before you say anything, no. I'm not letting you walk."
========================================================================== ===============
Spike stood on Madison's porch. He was early. But he needed to talk to her. Needed to KNOW what had happened. What she'd been hiding from him. Knocked.
Madison fidgeted behind the door. She had dressed carefully. Done her makeup carefully. Everything was carefully composed in her head. Took a breath, and opened the door. Tried for casual. "Hey, Puppy." Slow easy smile.
"Madison." No emotion in his voice, but his eyes spoke volumes, as always. "Is there something that you need to tell me?"
Fidgeted. Bit at her bottom lip. Shook her head no.
"Madison." Betrayal in his voice now. "Fine. Goodbye." Turned to leave. Trust was what friendships were built on. He couldn't trust her if she kept this sort of thing, whatever it was, from him.
"Puppy!" It was halting and broken.
"I don't want to go, Madison..." Same tone as her speech. He was trying so hard not to let emotion rule. "I've opened my heart to you. My life to you. I've told you things that no living person knows. And you keep secrets from me. It hurts, Madison. It hurts." Voice broke a bit on the last syllable.
"I... it... it didn't seem important until last night." Head was bowed.
He kept his back to her. "Well, it's important to me. You never were in a cast, were you? What are you? A witch? A sorceress?"
"No!" Her tone was harsh. Gentled it. "My mother... I'm... I... can- can we walk, while I tell you?" Reached a hand out, but didn't touch him. It seemed to not be her place anymore.
He looked at her over his shoulder, eyes glistening. "Come on, then." Started walking.
She struggled to keep up with him, then found her pace. Held her silence a minute. Then, "I am a mystic."
No reaction.
"My mother is a mystic, as was her mother before her. Longer than we know. We've been mystics. Mystics... we're... they're..." Frowned in consternation. "Mystics are born with infinite access to white magic. We are unable to touch black magic. It's not... we're not capable. It's... beyond us, below us. My mother healed me... We can't heal ourselves, only others. Mystics have... healing abilities."
"So that's what you did, then." Not a question. "Thank you. For Buffy, too. Thank you." Stopped, looked at her. "I just don't understand... Why didn't you tell me? And don't give me that 'I didn't think it was important' junk."
Her eyes jerked down to the pavement. "You were black as night when you attacked me. I- we can read aura's. It... helps us. Black as night. But then... it wasn't black. It was blue. And... there was gold. And before you dropped me off at home, it was a myriad of colors."
He cocked his head at her. Listening intently. Anger fading fast.
Looked into his eyes. "I was right, when I said there was light in you. But dark. And there will always BE dark. You need to be content with that." Shook her head, got back on track. "I don't... advertise my gift. It's not something to capitalize on." Dropped them again, trained on the toe of her shoes. "I... was normal to you. Just a girl. I was special because of who, not what, I was and it was.... different." Stopped to bite her lip. "I don't like to be used. I've been used. I help people I care about. And it's not just *poof* you're better. It's... a drain on your physical, mental resources. Your *soul's* resources. The stronger the person is, the more difficult it is to heal."
He let his actions speak for him, pulling her to him in a tight hug. "I know. I know how you feel. I'm sorry... I'm sorry I doubted you... accused you." Nuzzled her gently. "I do love you, you know. Not because of what you can do or did. I love you, Madison. And since the Slayer's taught me that it's possible, I'd like to tell you that you're my best friend, too. With Dawn. It's possible to have more than one."
She nestled her head against him. "Thank you." Her eyes were tearing up, thanks, in part to the emotional drain of confession, and her physical exhaustion, evidenced by her hair, the bottom two inches still white as snow.
He fingered her hair gently, looking at the white. "Does that go away? Or do you have to color it?"
She snuffled unceremoniously. "Fades back to black when my strength gets back up."
Nuzzled her again, purring loudly. "Know what? We should get you back home. To bed. I could probably make something for you to eat."
She shrugged, a small smile starting at his purr. "Doesn't matter to me. Not sleepy." Her stomach gurgled uneasily at the mention of food. She had thrown up for two hours following her departure from the living room last night. Never had she been that drained. Buffy was the strongest person she had ever encountered. "Not hungry either."
He pulled back a little. "Okay. We'll just walk for awhile, then." Walked beside her, an arm around her shoulders. "I'm sorry I snapped at you earlier. Uh... you know what I mean."
She smiled. "It's ok, Puppy. You were pissed I was keeping secrets."
"Yeah.. but I let my anger get the best of me. I'm tryin' to quit that."
Dropped her head to his shoulder. "S'ok. Just means you care."
Continued his purring. "God, I've missed you, Madison. I'm sorry that the first time we've seen each other in weeks was a medical emergency."
She nodded. "Me, too. But, I'm glad I could help her."
"Me too."
It was about then, that Spike caught a familiar scent, combined with an even more familiar clicking noise. Paused, cocking his head.
Turned her head, looking for what he was smelling.
He chuckled quietly, noticing the 'family' across the street. The Harvester demons. The two adults, one teenaged son, and the little girl. "Well. I guess my group's not the only ones on an extended vacation."
Since 50% of her demon contact had not been yummy and fun, her hand clutched his arm, moving slightly behind him. "Sp-Pu-Puppy..."
He chuckled again. "Don't worry, pet. It's only the family of Harvester demons I told you about. The ones that freaked me and Buffy after that bloody movie. See the little girl?"
As her senses slowly returned, she did indeed take in the whole family, not just the burly father. Almost cooed. "Oooooh..."
It was then that the little girl noticed her friend from the woods. She made an excited series of chirping clicks, and jerked away from her mother's hand to run to Spike. Right into the middle of a busy street. And there was a Mac truck coming.
Spike reacted without thinking, shooting into the street with superhuman speed, snatching up the little girl and tossing her back to her family with a shouted series of trilling clicks. The girl was fine. Unfortunately, Spike couldn't move fast enough to get out of the truck's path, and the driver didn't even see him.
*BAM!*
The vampire was thrown up over the cab of the truck, and rolled along the trailer, to fall to the ground behind it. He rolled for about twenty feet, coming to rest near the sidewalk on one side. The family of demons ran across as soon as the street was clear, chattering worriedly.
Spike wasn't moving.
Madison screamed, followed his body. She managed to convey to the Harvesters to move his body from the street. She shook him. "Puppy??"
Spike's blue eyes opened. "Is she alright?" Then his eyes clouded in pain. "Ohh. Leg... my leg..."
Whimpered. "She's fine... God, don't move... don't... it's alri-" She broke off, gagged. A piece of bone showed through his pantleg.
The Harvesters chattered nervously, the little girl crying against her mother's leg.
Spike saw her reaction, and tried to look. "What? How bad..." Must have seen it. "Oh."
"Y-yeah... Tell them... to be quiet. I need quiet."
Spike licked his lips, gently asked for the demons to quiet themselves. Patted the girl on the back reassuringly, telling her that it wasn't her fault. He'd be fine. He just needed them to go a few feet away for a bit, that's all. They complied. Only then, did the vampire moan in pain. "Madison... you can't... I'm evil... you might hurt yourself... I'll heal in a few days..."
"Shut up," she told him. "Just... shut up, and let me."
Whimpered, more out of worry for her than from pain, but did as she asked.
She laid one hand on his forehead, the other on his thigh. She would need direct contact. Her magic wouldn't flow into him willingly. Her eyes closed, and she began to speak slowly as she had the night before. Her hair stripped more quickly this time, as she poured more force into making her healing flow into his body, working harder to match her already exhausted body to his higher strength. Her body rocked back and forth while she spoke, and the glowing wasn't soft. It was fierce. Tears streamed down her face the entire time, mouth firmed against the force and pain.
Spike's eyes closed, tears making their way down his cheeks. He was the cause of her pain, and he knew it. And he could barely stand it. Tried to purr softly. It was all he could do. Let his love for her lead. Maybe his human side could help make it easier. He closed his eyes, focusing on his human life. More specifically, on his time with his little sister, some of the happiest times of his life. Focus.
Her hair was stripped almost nine inches now, her body quaking. The pain lessened slightly, and Madison knew that was as nice feeling as it would be. Appreciated the effort. Renewed her focus. Spike's skin mended over the bone, back in it's place, and five broken ribs beside. Her body stiffened with a final flash of light, then she went limp, resting her hands on the pavement, her head bent.
Spike felt dizzy, but quickly moved to his knees next to her, pulling her to him. "Madison... I'm so sorry... so sorry..." Whispered over and over.
Pulled back from him, framed his face, brow furrowed, checking him over for injuries. "Did I miss any??"
Sniffled. "Just the one in my heart that watching you hurt caused."
Shook her head slowly. "Not bad. Don't worry."
"Can't help it." Hugged her to him again. Was a little surprised when a loudly chattering little green demon latched onto his back, her arms around his neck from behind.
Madison smiled a little wearily into the little girl's almond-shaped worried eyes. "Hello, beautiful."
She chattered quickly. Spike translated. "She says thank you for fixing me."
The little girl moved to hug Madison.
Spike grinned. "She says that we're her heroes."
She hugged the little girl back, settling a kiss on her brow. "Tell her I'm just a normal girl, like her."
Spike clicked and chattered for a moment. The girl giggled and hugged him again, chirping and chittering, before going back to her parents. Spike chuckled. "She says that you aren't as normal as her. You aren't even green, like normal people. But she likes you anyway."
Madison laughed. "From the mouths of babes..."
He chuckled and stood slowly, helping her to her feet. "No arguments. We are going back to your house now."
"Ok." She'd be damned, though, if she wasn't going to make it on own two independent feet.
He kept an arm around her, trying to steady her shaky walking. "Madison... healing someone... even someone like me... it can't... kill you, right? No lasting effects?"
She stared straight ahead, licked her pale lips. "I'm tired, Puppy. Take me home."
He kept walking, helping her when she needed it. "Please tell me."
Held her silence a few more strained moments, then, quietly, "A mystic can lose herself in someone, if they give too much too fast. It can... absorb their mind and heart, and strength. The mystic's body dies. Parts of the heart live on in the host, only if they're pure. If... if they're not, the soul is lost."
A shiver ran through him. "God... I could've... you..."
Shook her head, her vision getting gray. "No... didn't give enough..."
She was slipping. "Madison?"
Looked at him dizzily. "Puppy, I'm fine..." And passed out.
He caught her before she hit the ground, scooping her up and continuing to her house, trying his best to remember if she'd left the door unlocked or not.
========================================================================== =======
Madison stirred slowly, fuzzily.
Spike was exactly where he'd been for the last... almost twelve hours, since he'd brought her home the previous night. Sitting in a chair, next to her bed, eyes focused on her, ears monitoring her heartbeat and respiration better than any hospital machine could.
She moaned, one hand pressing vainly at her temple, and she looked around, confused. "Puppy?"
He focused his bleary eyes on her, instantly brightening a bit. "Madison.. I'm right here. Are you alright? Do you need anything? Food, water? Another blanket?"
Shook her head sleepily. Tried to focus. "What happened?"
He cocked his head worriedly. "Madison.. I was hit by a truck. You healed me. We were walking home, and you passed out. I brought you here. You've been unconscious for nearly twelve hours now. Had me scared for awhile. Your breathing got erratic, but then it was better."
She smiled. "I just didn't remember the passing out thing."
He licked his lips. "Oh.. Are you sure that you don't need anything?"
She looked at him. He looked like hell. Total and complete hell. His eyes looked as sunken as hers felt, frown lines marring his face. She smiled when she considered that he needed a shower, and to do something with his hair. His eyes were red, too. She bit her lip, hoping he hadn't been crying. He had probably been up for at least 48 hours straight. First with Buffy, and now with her. "I'm fine." Started to sit up. "I'm just gonna go downstairs and-"
He stopped her. "No you don't. You're staying here until *I* think you're well enough to go anywhere other than the bathroom."
Tiny smile. "I'm fine, Puppy." Ignored her hair.
He reached out, gently running his fingers down the length of her hair, holding some of it up for her to see. "This says otherwise."
"It... it was like pulling a double shift at work. Hard, but liveable." She looked at him as sternly as possible. "And no one's fault."
He studied her carpeting intently. "But I-"
"No."
Looked back up at her. "I wish I wasn't... I mean... that helping me wouldn't hurt you."
"It hurts no matter who or what, Puppy. Not much difference at all." Nodded firmly. Refused to remember old masses about liars and the pits of hell.
He whimpered softly. "No. It wasn't that bad with Buffy. It was me. And if you'd... Not even part of you would've survived..." One tear escaped, and he swiped violently at it.
She pulled herself to a sitting position again. "Puppy... Even if... ya know... my soul wouldn't be lost."
"Yeah it would. I'm evil... Totally the opposite of pure." Hidden sniffle.
Smiled. "No one is pure. No one. It was... a warning. For mystics to beware who they helped. They couldn't DO black magic, but they could help those that could. *Those* are the impure."
Spike sat back in the chair, looking for all the world like a puppet who's strings had been cut. Sighed deeply. "But you said..."
"Right. Strengths, heart, mind would be yours. My soul would find its way."
"And I'd be alone again." Said so quietly, she almost didn't hear it.
Pulled herself to her knees, kneeling at the edge of the bed, placed her hand where his heart should have beat. "No. I'd be here. And part of me would be permanently imbedded in you. That is the mystic's reward, don't you see? It isn't an accident, or an overdose, or anything like that. A mystic knows, and can choose whether to stop or keep giving. To keep giving is a gift to the person. And the mystic's reward for loving, or caring, is to be forever part of that person."
He just looked at her, understanding, among a myriad of other emotions, in his blue eyes. "You'd risk that? With me? Knowing what's inside me? What it can do, what it's done?" A tone of disgust crept into his voice, not directed at her, though.
Smiled simply. To her, it was. "It can love, and heal. Protect. It's been my friend, written me a poem, and saved a little demon girl. There's bad with the good, no doubt. I'm not stupid. But I know what's more important."
He bit his lip. He was NOT breaking down a fifth time in forty eight hours. No way. No way in... Well, shit.
She brought him forward, to the bed with her, smoothed her hands over his back in small circles. Soothed and rocked him.
He nuzzled her for awhile, the emotions of the past two days pouring out of him. Finally pulled back, sniffling and wiping at his eyes. "Damn... I hope that never happens in front of anyone else."
She gave a small smile, wiped at his eyes. "Yeah... but it's ok every now and then."
"Not for me it's not. I'm supposed to be evil, ya know? And I act very well. With everyone but you, Buffy, and Bit."
"If you ever dare act around me, I'll kick your undead ass back to Cleveland."
He chuckled. "Does when we met count? Cause that was some of my best work."
Laid one hand over her heart. "You're not kidding."
Bit his lip again. "I am sorry, you know. For tryin' to eat you."
She heaved out a sigh. "No more apologizing."
He nodded. "Yeah." Smacked himself on the forehead. "I'm gettin' worse than the bloody Poof, and I don't even have a soul!"
Smiled. Yawned. "What time is it?"
Glanced at his watch, which had been smashed in his encounter with the truck. He hadn't even noticed till then. "Nine forty five last night, according to this thing."
She laughed, pointed to the wall clock over her shoulder.
He glanced at it. "Oh. Eleven thirty five am."
Groaned. "Hand me the phone."
He grabbed it, having to stretch out across the bed on his stomach to reach it. Handed it to her. "Who are you calling?"
Small grin. "Joseph and Will."
He nodded, stifling a yawn. "Oh."
She called Joseph first. "Hey. Yeah. Um.. I know. I know I was gonna call when I got in. Bu- No. We just... when I got home, I kinda passed out. I was out for the night. No. Fine. Of course." Played with her hair. "Bleached the tips of my hair. But I think I'll dye it back. Yeah. Uh huh. Bye."
Spike gave her a look for the bleach comment. Snort.
Stuck out a foot to softly kick at him. Dialed another number. "Hey, Mongrel. Put my brother on." Waited a moment. "Hey, Wills. Just calling to check up. Behaving? Yeah yeah... Clean up after yourself. Remember. Mom's gonna be home tonight. I want your ass home by three. You have MAJOR clean up detail. Yeah. Bite me. I'm older and I don't feel good today." Laughed. "No. Wills. Don't come home. I'm ok, just.... yucky feeling. I don't... I'm ok by myself. Don't fret over me. Have fun. I'll see you at three. Yuh-huh. Love you, too, mutt." Hung up.
Spike grinned tiredly. "Must be nice."
She laid down adjacent to him, their heads together. "What?"
"To have real family. A mom, for one thing." Sighing yawn. "I miss that."
Nuzzled her head against his. "I'll share. For a price."
"I've got about fifty bucks in my wallet."
Laughed. "I meant, a purr and a nap with me."
"Oh. But what if you need something?" Stifled yawn. "I have to be awake to get it for you."
Gave him a look. "I'll have to be awake to ask for it, won't I?"
Slight chuckle. "Good point. I'll try to purr... I'm kind of... wound up, is all." Shook his head a little, nuzzling her in the process. "Been a long couple of days."
Smiled. "I had no idea."
Quiet chuckle. "Dunno if I can relax enough to sleep."
"No?"
Shook his head again. "Nope. Need help."
Her hand reached up to pet at his hair. "Help, huh?" Ah. That's what he'd wanted. His pushing into her hand told her that. She gave a rueful chuckle and scraped her nails as far as they would stretch across his scalp, pulled them back in.
The vampire sighed deeply, and cuddled closer, his eyes closing. Also, he'd started purring softly. It made her relax. Kept scritching, vigorously, then softly, then medium, playing with paces.
Spike yawned, opening one eye and smiling slowly. "Thanks, by the way. I was too worried to tell you last night. And you were too unconscious to hear me."
A serious smile tilted the edge of her mouth. "Any day, Puppy."
He sighed. "I'm so tired..." Closed his eyes, then reopened at half mast.
Nodded. "Me, too. Why aren't we sleeping?"
He chuckled. "Cause I don't want to. If I go to sleep, you'll stop that. And I don't want you to stop." Pushed against her hand again, raising the volume on his purr a couple of notches.
She smiled. "I won't stop till I fall asleep."
Yawned, eyes closed. "Then I'd better go to sleep first." Opened one eye. "Madison?"
"Mmm?"
"I love you. You have no idea how much I've missed you." Half grin. "And this."
Small chuckle. "I love you, too, Puppy. I missed you, too. But I really miss my hair color. So we're gonna nap now, ok?"
No answer, for the vampire was sound asleep, still purring loudly. She smiled, cuddled closer to him, and slept.
========================================================================== =================
Author's Notes 1, Tigerwolf: For those of you who are wondering, here's the translation of the Spanish incantation that Madison used earlier : From my heart, I use this gift/ Into my body, I take her pain/ Using my soul, I institute healing/ From the body, I take pain./ With my body, I give life.
Thank Sunrise for it. It's one of the coolest things that I've ever read! I mean, I came up with the cloaking spell in The Heart Of The Matter, but now that I think of it, I should've let HER word it, huh? My friend rocks. =) ;)
AN2: Hey, guys. Tequila here. Sorry it's been so long. It was homecoming week, and I was on court. So... super busy, ya know? And... *ahem* for those with little faith. See? We have a plan for Madison. And again, no S/M. Only S/B. Ever only S/B. Cuz.. S/M? No. Of the bad. Please... note this again. :) Of the bad, S/M.
Ah. There it is. Pick up. Dial. Ring... Ring... Damn it! Pick up! Pick- "Hey! Madison!"
"Hey!!! Puppy!"
"Guess what! Guess why I'm so bleedin' excited!"
"Buffy's engaged to you!"
Snort. Muttered, "No, that was last year." Said louder. "Very funny, ducks. I'll give you a hint, yesterday, we drove through Iowa, so now we're in..."
Loud squeal, involving hopping. "SOUTH DAKOTA!!!"
He laughed, plopping backwards onto the bed. "Yeah! And we'll be in town by tonight! I've been exceeding the speed limit every time I drive."
She let out a bubbling giggle. "Oh... I am so psyched!!!"
He chuckled. "Yeah. Me too. I've been tryin' to hide how excited I am. It'd be embarrassing, ya know?"
"Oh yeah...Totally ruin your image."
Nodded. "Totally. And I can't let that happen, you understand."
"Of course. But."
"But, what?"
Slight pout. "You didn't call me OR answer your phone yesterday."
"I was sick." Deep breath. "Bad blood. Dawn said I had a tummy ache."
"Awww...." Sympathetic noise. "I'm so sorry. You feel better?"
"Yeah. Mostly. I don't do too well when we go over big bumps."
"Mm. I'm sorry."
Sigh. "Yeah. But let's not talk about me. What's up with you?"
"Mmm.." Soft smile in her voice. "Not much."
"Come on, you're holdin' back, aren't you?"
She blushed and covered her face. "Um... Joseph and I went out." Quietly, "Three times."
Strained. "Oh. Good for you." Rumble that *could* have been a growl.
"Ummm... How- how come you hate him?" It was quiet, a little unsure.
"I don't. Can't hate someone you don't know. I just don't want you to be hurt at all. Ever. And I know from personal experience that the deepest and longest lasting wounds come from people you care about." Sigh. "Or maybe that's just the story of *my* life."
Her eyes shadowed, considered some people who had passed through her life. "No, Puppy," she said in a low voice. "Not just yours."
"I'm sorry, Madison. I didn't mean to bring anything up."
Forced a smile. Just for him. "It's ok. I told Joseph he'd have to share me."
Chuckle. "Damn right. Starting tonight."
Big grin. "All yours."
She heard the bedsprings creak, knew he was bouncing a little. "I can't wait."
Laughed. "Me either. Whatta ya wanna do?"
He considered. "Oh.. Anything. Anything at all. Just as long as it's with you. You pick."
"Cool... ummm... something. With food."
"I said with you, didn't I?", he said with a chuckle.
Laughed. "You shut up, Puppy. Ooh! There's a restaurant about... three quarters of a mile from my house. Come see me and we'll walk there."
"I wouldn't want you to bother your leg. Still in a cast, right?"
"Nope." The... truth, but still a lie rolled off her tongue. "It wasn't a big break. They let me take the air cast off."
He sighed. "Still... Maybe we should.. get a cab, or something."
"Puppy. Fine. Perfectly."
"Well..."
"Or we can watch Sixteen Candles at home. Up to you."
Quickly. "Food's good."
Laughter. "Thought so. You like Italian?"
"Uh.. garlic, ducks. Want me to get sick again?"
"Mmm..." Considered. "Ooh! There's this little Chinese restaurant, a little farther down the way. Hunan. Great."
"Uh.. Chinese and I.. sometimes we don't get along that well. I'll tell you a story sometime."
"Ugh. How bout you don't. Ooh! Pizza hut."
"Deal. Get some hotwings, too." Licked his lips. Ooh. It'd been WEEKS since he'd had a good spot of hotwings.
"Right. Eating in or out? Because Mom's on leave this whole week for Madrid. Some kind of conference. Will's at Michael's."
More half bouncing sounds. "Oh boy. Uh. In, if we're gonna bother walking there, ya know? Otherwise, we might as well just order."
"All right. Mm.... Ten-ish?"
"Cool with me. Oh! I just saw the city limits sign!"
Big squeal. "Ok! Gonna get ready! See you at ten!"
"Okay. Bye, pet."
"Bye, Puppy!"
He hung up and set the phone on the nightstand.
And hour later, Madison dialed Spike's number apprehensively.
"Hello?", came the sleepy reply.
"Puppy?"
Awake. "Madison?" He didn't like her tone. "What's wrong?"
Slightly uncomfortable noises as she debated how to tell him. "M... Bu... J-... I can't go tonight."
"Why? Madison, what happened? Are you alright?" Almost frantic concern in his voice.
"I'm fine! I promise... I'm fine, Puppy." Soothing tone.
"Then.. what..?"
"J-Joseph's mom... she's... um... got bad news at the doctor. He- he asked me to come sit with him at the hospital." Quiet, sad, almost shamed tone.
Spike remembered when Joyce had been in the hospital. His voice lowered, said with genuine understanding. "Tell him that I hope she'll be okay."
Big sigh of relief. "I... I will. You're not upset with me?"
"No. I know what it's like. Believe me. I may not *like* the guy, but it's scary when somethin's wrong with your mum."
"Yeah. But... I am sorry, Puppy. I'll be home later if you still wanna stop."
"Yeah. It's okay, Madison. I'll just.. do some patrolling. Maybe see if Buffy wants to do something for awhile." Chuckled at himself. "In case you're wondering, no, I didn't mean that the way it sounded. I think."
Small laugh. "Thank God." A horn sounded outside. "Puppy, it-it's him... I've got to..."
"Okay. Bye. I hope Joseph's mum'll be alright."
"Me, too. Bye." Her end of the line went dead.
He hung up his phone. He understood. He did. That didn't mean he had to like it. Looked around his hotel room. Now what? Decided to go knock on Buffy's door.
"Mmmm??"
"Sorry, luv. I'll go. You're sleepin'." Turned to go.
"No! Come in! Not sleeping. Painting." Toddled to the door, toilet paper wedged between her toes, opened it.
He gave her a half grin. "Hey, luv." Glanced down. "You've got paper hitchhikers."
She gave a smile. "Come in. I'm painting my toes, smart ass."
He chuckled and followed her in. "Want help?"
Shrugged, closed the door, sat on the bed. "If you want to."
He nodded. Cocked his head at her feet. "What's that color?"
"Very Berry," she told him, handing him the bottle full of glittery pink polish.
He chuckled and sat on the end of her bed. "Figures. I was thinkin'. Would you like to go patrol in awhile?"
Shrugged. "Sure. Have you seen any demons?"
"Last time we were here, there was this big yellow/green froggy thing huntin' around the cineplex."
"Mmm... sounds ugly." Wiggled her feet at him.
He chuckled, and started painting a toe. "Yeah. It tried to eat Madison. Right after I did."
Sat up on her elbows. "Your tried to EAT her?"
Swallowed. He'd slipped. "It was a bad night... Long story."
"... You tried to eat her?"
Sighed, focused on her toes. "Well.. yeah. I was pissed. Just found out that the chip didn't work, so I thought I'd go out for a quick bite. Pun intended." Another sigh. "Little did I know that, when it came right down to it, I wouldn't be able to do it."
"Spike.... I- you... couldn't?"
Shook his head. Didn't look at her. "I tried to think of her as food. Just food. A Happy Meal with legs, ya know? But I kept thinking... she's got a family. People. People who'll mourn her. Who'll miss her. People like you, and Dawn, and the others. And I just backed off, and told her to get out of there." Chuckle. "And she ran right into the froggy thing. Which I saved her from."
Drew her foot away to sit up all the way. "You didn't." A small smile crept over her face.
Sighed. "Yeah. Go ahead. Make fun of me. Tell me that I'm turnin' into a bleedin' poofter. Nothin' that I haven't already told myself."
"You... cared enough to not hurt her." She looked at him, respect fettering through her green eyes.
He cocked his head at her. This was not the reaction he'd been expecting. "Well, yeah. I guess you could say that."
Looked down, reclined again, on her elbows. "That's.... that's good."
Spike grinned a little, then cocked his head, seemingly confused with himself. "Yeah. It is, isn't it?" Shook his head. "Bloody hell. I'm supposed to be evil!"
Smiled. Wiggled her foot. "Right. Evil thing. Keep painting, Picasso."
Chuckled, took her foot again. "Fine. And what was that supposed to mean?"
Shrugged. "Nothing. You're just so.... careful and picky about it."
"I meant the tone you had when you said 'evil thing'. And the precision comes from wanting to get it right. And experience."
"No tone." Just a tiny sexual undertone. Tiny, really.
He chuckled. "Yeah. Right."
========================================================================== ========
Buffy pulled against Spike's hand. "Spike... you said patrol..."
He grinned. "Yeah. And that means checking all the dark places where evil things might want a snack. Like a movie theater, for instance."
"Well, yeah, but-"
"No buts, luv. Movie theaters are dangerous places! I used to stalk them in my day. And, that R rated one seems like a particularly good place to hunt."
She rolled her eyes, let him tug her behind him.
========================================================================== =======
All right. So the movie was more making out in the back row than patrolling. But no one had screamed. So... Buffy assumed things were as they should be. They walked into the night air, side by side, their hands brushing together every few seconds.
Spike suddenly paused, sniffing.
She stiffened. "What?"
Shook his head. "Nothing. Thought I smelled something."
"Oh... ok." Kept walking.
Spike paused at the entrance to a rather darkened alley. Grinned. Hmm. Grabbed the Slayer's hand and pulled her into the alley. "Got somethin' to show you."
She was reaching for the waist of her pants, the inevitable stake-hiding- place. "What?"
"This." His mouth met hers.
Stake dropped. "Mmm..." Tempted his mouth open, her tongue playing along his lips.
The vampire's hands wandered over Buffy's torso, finding their way inside her shirt, even as his tongue found it's way inside her mouth. She let him back her against the brick of the wall. Moved against him.
Spike was blinded to everything but the feel of her. Deaf to all sounds but her breathing and heartbeat. Unable to smell anything but her.
And that's why he missed the demon that had been stalking them.
Her hands slid beneath his duster, fondling the fabric covered skin she found there. Didn't heed the tremble down her spine. Spike always did that to her.
That's why it was a shock when he was ripped from her and thrown ten feet into a nearby dumpster.
IT roared at the Slayer. IT was ugly. IT was horrible. IT was... orange? Oh well. In a moment, IT would be dead.
One well aimed kicked had it spinning around, and she launched herself at it's back. Legs clamped hard over it's sides, her hands settling in the position to snap it's neck. Until it grabbed her shoulder with one hand, flipping her over it, and into the corner of the brick wall, almost upside down, her head cracking against it, with a sickening sound. When she hit the dirtied ground, she didn't move.
Spike had extracted himself from the dumpster exactly when she hit the wall. Not only was she not moving, there was blood pooling around her head. He looked at the orange demon with golden eyes that were flooded with rage. Flew at it, roaring with a sound that would have put a T-Rex to shame, and grabbed it's neck and twisted. It's head came off. Off. Not broken neck. Severed head. But that wasn't his main concern. He leaped off the demon before it's body could even fall all the way to the ground, and ran to Buffy's side. "Slayer? Buffy?" No response. And now there was more blood. Oh god. What could he do? He had no clue where the hospitals were in this town! He didn't know where anything... Madison. She'd have a phone. She'd know what to do. And most of all, she was close by. He gathered Buffy into his arms and took off at top speed. Praying to Whoever would listen to him that she'd be home.
=======================================================
Madison slept on the couch when no one was home. Made her feel more in control. Aware. So she was now curled on the couch, in cream jamma's, passed out and exhausted from Joseph's ordeal.
Spike reached the porch, and kicked franticly at the door, nearly denting it. He couldn't knock, since he had an unconscious Slayer in his arms. Who was, at that moment, bleeding all over him. He kicked again. "MADISON!!!"
She was jerked from her slumber, tore to the door, unlocking it, then tearing it open. "Puppy!" Froze. "Oh my... What-?"
The Slayer's blood had soaked through his shirt, it was dripping off the elbows of his duster and onto the porch. "Madison... Help. Call an ambulance... please..."
She took in the grizzly scene, the Slayer, pale and bleeding in Spike's arms. A disgustingly frightening panicked look on his face, as her blood dripped over the leather of his coat to pool on her front stoop. "Come in." She rushed for towels. "Lay her on the living room floor," she yelled to him.
He did, growling at himself for the shaking of his hands. "Madison! The phone! Call!"
She ran back, pressing the towels to her wound. So much blood, soaking through to the baby blue carpet on the floor. There was no time... "Spike... Puppy... It's not... it's too..." He would lose her. "Do you trust me?"
He couldn't help her, and he knew it. He was shaking all over, like a leaf in a breeze. Said quietly, brokenly. "Just... just help her..."
Licking her lips, she nodded, knelt at the Slayer's side, spread her hands wide. Closed her eyes and started speaking slowly, steadily in Spanish. "Del corazon yo uso este obsequio/ En mi ceurpo yo tomo su dolor que/ Usa mi alma, yo instituyo la curacion/ Del cuerpo que esmero/ Con mi cuerpo yo doy la vida." She repeated it, over and over. A glow that started deep within her radiated outward until her whole body was awash with the soft light. But her hands... her hands Spike couldn't bear to look at. The light was blinding, harsh, hot, radiant.
For twenty minutes, the tableau stayed frozen. Slowly, the tips of Madison's hair lost color. It crept up until the bottom three inches of her raven locks were pure white. The wound on Buffy's head was long closed, but Madison was still working. Buffy wasn't breathing.
Finally, Buffy's chest heaved off the ground in a gasping breath, eyes opened as if in shock. As Buffy inhaled, Madison let out a keening whimper on an exhale, the glowing stopping as her eyes opened, and she slouched, her eyes taking on a glazed demeanor.
Spike's blue eyes were wide, his body still shivering, Buffy's blood still soaking his shirt. He had been kneeling beside them the whole time, watching what he could, when the light wasn't too much. He pulled Buffy's head onto his knees, holding her to him. Looked at Madison. "Whatever you did.. thank you."
She blinked her glazed eyes owlishly at him. Nodded.
He would have to ask her later about that, though. And about her total lack of a limp, now that he thought of it. But now, Buffy was his focus. He ran a still slightly shaking hand over her cheek. "Luv? Are you okay?"
Buffy was heaving in breaths. Swung her eyes around. "Wh-where...?"
Spike shushed her gently. "You got hurt... Hit your head.. scared me. I took you to Madison's. I think you're okay now, though."
"The demon?"
Unnoticed, Madison stood, made her way down a hallway, to disappear behind a door.
"Dead. I... I tore it's head off," Spike said, actually realizing what he'd done for the first time as he said it. "Bloody... Whoa. Didn't know I could do that."
Soft, almost smile. Confused face. "It... it threw me."
He nodded. "Yeah. You hit a wall. Bleeding all over the place. I didn't know what to do... I thought I was gonna lose you..." His body had started shaking slightly again at that thought. Swallowed. "So I came to the one place I could think of... Madison's."
She was getting slightly panicked. "I don't- What- What do you mean?"
He shook his head. "I don't know, really. She did somethin'. White magic, from the feel of it. Fixed you. Saved you... And you weren't breathing..." Swallowed again, glancing down at the blood that still covered his shirt, duster, hands and arms.
She sat up slowly, staring at his chest. Placed her hands on it. Pulled them back to stare. Still wet. Over her hands. "She... saved me?"
He nodded, curbing the shaking as best as he could. Bloody hell. He was turnin' into a ponce. Licked his lips. "Yeah. She saved you."
She put her hand over her heart, felt it beating. "She hates me."
He shook his head. "No she doesn't, luv. Doesn't like you, but doesn't hate you either." Blinked long and hard. "God... I thought I was gonna lose you."
She pulled his hand to her chest. Rested it over her heart, pumping steadily.
He sighed a little. "I know, luv. I can hear it. But for awhile there... I couldn't."
She moved forward slightly, not knowing how to ask to be held. "She... brought me back?"
He put his arms around her once he was sure that she would let him, rested his chin on her head. "Yeah, I guess." He needed this as much as she did.
"Spike?"
"Yeah, luv?"
"I... I'm really tired."
He gave a half nod. "Yeah. Me too. Let's get you back to the hotel." He stood, scooping her into his arms as he did so. "And before you say anything, no. I'm not letting you walk."
========================================================================== ===============
Spike stood on Madison's porch. He was early. But he needed to talk to her. Needed to KNOW what had happened. What she'd been hiding from him. Knocked.
Madison fidgeted behind the door. She had dressed carefully. Done her makeup carefully. Everything was carefully composed in her head. Took a breath, and opened the door. Tried for casual. "Hey, Puppy." Slow easy smile.
"Madison." No emotion in his voice, but his eyes spoke volumes, as always. "Is there something that you need to tell me?"
Fidgeted. Bit at her bottom lip. Shook her head no.
"Madison." Betrayal in his voice now. "Fine. Goodbye." Turned to leave. Trust was what friendships were built on. He couldn't trust her if she kept this sort of thing, whatever it was, from him.
"Puppy!" It was halting and broken.
"I don't want to go, Madison..." Same tone as her speech. He was trying so hard not to let emotion rule. "I've opened my heart to you. My life to you. I've told you things that no living person knows. And you keep secrets from me. It hurts, Madison. It hurts." Voice broke a bit on the last syllable.
"I... it... it didn't seem important until last night." Head was bowed.
He kept his back to her. "Well, it's important to me. You never were in a cast, were you? What are you? A witch? A sorceress?"
"No!" Her tone was harsh. Gentled it. "My mother... I'm... I... can- can we walk, while I tell you?" Reached a hand out, but didn't touch him. It seemed to not be her place anymore.
He looked at her over his shoulder, eyes glistening. "Come on, then." Started walking.
She struggled to keep up with him, then found her pace. Held her silence a minute. Then, "I am a mystic."
No reaction.
"My mother is a mystic, as was her mother before her. Longer than we know. We've been mystics. Mystics... we're... they're..." Frowned in consternation. "Mystics are born with infinite access to white magic. We are unable to touch black magic. It's not... we're not capable. It's... beyond us, below us. My mother healed me... We can't heal ourselves, only others. Mystics have... healing abilities."
"So that's what you did, then." Not a question. "Thank you. For Buffy, too. Thank you." Stopped, looked at her. "I just don't understand... Why didn't you tell me? And don't give me that 'I didn't think it was important' junk."
Her eyes jerked down to the pavement. "You were black as night when you attacked me. I- we can read aura's. It... helps us. Black as night. But then... it wasn't black. It was blue. And... there was gold. And before you dropped me off at home, it was a myriad of colors."
He cocked his head at her. Listening intently. Anger fading fast.
Looked into his eyes. "I was right, when I said there was light in you. But dark. And there will always BE dark. You need to be content with that." Shook her head, got back on track. "I don't... advertise my gift. It's not something to capitalize on." Dropped them again, trained on the toe of her shoes. "I... was normal to you. Just a girl. I was special because of who, not what, I was and it was.... different." Stopped to bite her lip. "I don't like to be used. I've been used. I help people I care about. And it's not just *poof* you're better. It's... a drain on your physical, mental resources. Your *soul's* resources. The stronger the person is, the more difficult it is to heal."
He let his actions speak for him, pulling her to him in a tight hug. "I know. I know how you feel. I'm sorry... I'm sorry I doubted you... accused you." Nuzzled her gently. "I do love you, you know. Not because of what you can do or did. I love you, Madison. And since the Slayer's taught me that it's possible, I'd like to tell you that you're my best friend, too. With Dawn. It's possible to have more than one."
She nestled her head against him. "Thank you." Her eyes were tearing up, thanks, in part to the emotional drain of confession, and her physical exhaustion, evidenced by her hair, the bottom two inches still white as snow.
He fingered her hair gently, looking at the white. "Does that go away? Or do you have to color it?"
She snuffled unceremoniously. "Fades back to black when my strength gets back up."
Nuzzled her again, purring loudly. "Know what? We should get you back home. To bed. I could probably make something for you to eat."
She shrugged, a small smile starting at his purr. "Doesn't matter to me. Not sleepy." Her stomach gurgled uneasily at the mention of food. She had thrown up for two hours following her departure from the living room last night. Never had she been that drained. Buffy was the strongest person she had ever encountered. "Not hungry either."
He pulled back a little. "Okay. We'll just walk for awhile, then." Walked beside her, an arm around her shoulders. "I'm sorry I snapped at you earlier. Uh... you know what I mean."
She smiled. "It's ok, Puppy. You were pissed I was keeping secrets."
"Yeah.. but I let my anger get the best of me. I'm tryin' to quit that."
Dropped her head to his shoulder. "S'ok. Just means you care."
Continued his purring. "God, I've missed you, Madison. I'm sorry that the first time we've seen each other in weeks was a medical emergency."
She nodded. "Me, too. But, I'm glad I could help her."
"Me too."
It was about then, that Spike caught a familiar scent, combined with an even more familiar clicking noise. Paused, cocking his head.
Turned her head, looking for what he was smelling.
He chuckled quietly, noticing the 'family' across the street. The Harvester demons. The two adults, one teenaged son, and the little girl. "Well. I guess my group's not the only ones on an extended vacation."
Since 50% of her demon contact had not been yummy and fun, her hand clutched his arm, moving slightly behind him. "Sp-Pu-Puppy..."
He chuckled again. "Don't worry, pet. It's only the family of Harvester demons I told you about. The ones that freaked me and Buffy after that bloody movie. See the little girl?"
As her senses slowly returned, she did indeed take in the whole family, not just the burly father. Almost cooed. "Oooooh..."
It was then that the little girl noticed her friend from the woods. She made an excited series of chirping clicks, and jerked away from her mother's hand to run to Spike. Right into the middle of a busy street. And there was a Mac truck coming.
Spike reacted without thinking, shooting into the street with superhuman speed, snatching up the little girl and tossing her back to her family with a shouted series of trilling clicks. The girl was fine. Unfortunately, Spike couldn't move fast enough to get out of the truck's path, and the driver didn't even see him.
*BAM!*
The vampire was thrown up over the cab of the truck, and rolled along the trailer, to fall to the ground behind it. He rolled for about twenty feet, coming to rest near the sidewalk on one side. The family of demons ran across as soon as the street was clear, chattering worriedly.
Spike wasn't moving.
Madison screamed, followed his body. She managed to convey to the Harvesters to move his body from the street. She shook him. "Puppy??"
Spike's blue eyes opened. "Is she alright?" Then his eyes clouded in pain. "Ohh. Leg... my leg..."
Whimpered. "She's fine... God, don't move... don't... it's alri-" She broke off, gagged. A piece of bone showed through his pantleg.
The Harvesters chattered nervously, the little girl crying against her mother's leg.
Spike saw her reaction, and tried to look. "What? How bad..." Must have seen it. "Oh."
"Y-yeah... Tell them... to be quiet. I need quiet."
Spike licked his lips, gently asked for the demons to quiet themselves. Patted the girl on the back reassuringly, telling her that it wasn't her fault. He'd be fine. He just needed them to go a few feet away for a bit, that's all. They complied. Only then, did the vampire moan in pain. "Madison... you can't... I'm evil... you might hurt yourself... I'll heal in a few days..."
"Shut up," she told him. "Just... shut up, and let me."
Whimpered, more out of worry for her than from pain, but did as she asked.
She laid one hand on his forehead, the other on his thigh. She would need direct contact. Her magic wouldn't flow into him willingly. Her eyes closed, and she began to speak slowly as she had the night before. Her hair stripped more quickly this time, as she poured more force into making her healing flow into his body, working harder to match her already exhausted body to his higher strength. Her body rocked back and forth while she spoke, and the glowing wasn't soft. It was fierce. Tears streamed down her face the entire time, mouth firmed against the force and pain.
Spike's eyes closed, tears making their way down his cheeks. He was the cause of her pain, and he knew it. And he could barely stand it. Tried to purr softly. It was all he could do. Let his love for her lead. Maybe his human side could help make it easier. He closed his eyes, focusing on his human life. More specifically, on his time with his little sister, some of the happiest times of his life. Focus.
Her hair was stripped almost nine inches now, her body quaking. The pain lessened slightly, and Madison knew that was as nice feeling as it would be. Appreciated the effort. Renewed her focus. Spike's skin mended over the bone, back in it's place, and five broken ribs beside. Her body stiffened with a final flash of light, then she went limp, resting her hands on the pavement, her head bent.
Spike felt dizzy, but quickly moved to his knees next to her, pulling her to him. "Madison... I'm so sorry... so sorry..." Whispered over and over.
Pulled back from him, framed his face, brow furrowed, checking him over for injuries. "Did I miss any??"
Sniffled. "Just the one in my heart that watching you hurt caused."
Shook her head slowly. "Not bad. Don't worry."
"Can't help it." Hugged her to him again. Was a little surprised when a loudly chattering little green demon latched onto his back, her arms around his neck from behind.
Madison smiled a little wearily into the little girl's almond-shaped worried eyes. "Hello, beautiful."
She chattered quickly. Spike translated. "She says thank you for fixing me."
The little girl moved to hug Madison.
Spike grinned. "She says that we're her heroes."
She hugged the little girl back, settling a kiss on her brow. "Tell her I'm just a normal girl, like her."
Spike clicked and chattered for a moment. The girl giggled and hugged him again, chirping and chittering, before going back to her parents. Spike chuckled. "She says that you aren't as normal as her. You aren't even green, like normal people. But she likes you anyway."
Madison laughed. "From the mouths of babes..."
He chuckled and stood slowly, helping her to her feet. "No arguments. We are going back to your house now."
"Ok." She'd be damned, though, if she wasn't going to make it on own two independent feet.
He kept an arm around her, trying to steady her shaky walking. "Madison... healing someone... even someone like me... it can't... kill you, right? No lasting effects?"
She stared straight ahead, licked her pale lips. "I'm tired, Puppy. Take me home."
He kept walking, helping her when she needed it. "Please tell me."
Held her silence a few more strained moments, then, quietly, "A mystic can lose herself in someone, if they give too much too fast. It can... absorb their mind and heart, and strength. The mystic's body dies. Parts of the heart live on in the host, only if they're pure. If... if they're not, the soul is lost."
A shiver ran through him. "God... I could've... you..."
Shook her head, her vision getting gray. "No... didn't give enough..."
She was slipping. "Madison?"
Looked at him dizzily. "Puppy, I'm fine..." And passed out.
He caught her before she hit the ground, scooping her up and continuing to her house, trying his best to remember if she'd left the door unlocked or not.
========================================================================== =======
Madison stirred slowly, fuzzily.
Spike was exactly where he'd been for the last... almost twelve hours, since he'd brought her home the previous night. Sitting in a chair, next to her bed, eyes focused on her, ears monitoring her heartbeat and respiration better than any hospital machine could.
She moaned, one hand pressing vainly at her temple, and she looked around, confused. "Puppy?"
He focused his bleary eyes on her, instantly brightening a bit. "Madison.. I'm right here. Are you alright? Do you need anything? Food, water? Another blanket?"
Shook her head sleepily. Tried to focus. "What happened?"
He cocked his head worriedly. "Madison.. I was hit by a truck. You healed me. We were walking home, and you passed out. I brought you here. You've been unconscious for nearly twelve hours now. Had me scared for awhile. Your breathing got erratic, but then it was better."
She smiled. "I just didn't remember the passing out thing."
He licked his lips. "Oh.. Are you sure that you don't need anything?"
She looked at him. He looked like hell. Total and complete hell. His eyes looked as sunken as hers felt, frown lines marring his face. She smiled when she considered that he needed a shower, and to do something with his hair. His eyes were red, too. She bit her lip, hoping he hadn't been crying. He had probably been up for at least 48 hours straight. First with Buffy, and now with her. "I'm fine." Started to sit up. "I'm just gonna go downstairs and-"
He stopped her. "No you don't. You're staying here until *I* think you're well enough to go anywhere other than the bathroom."
Tiny smile. "I'm fine, Puppy." Ignored her hair.
He reached out, gently running his fingers down the length of her hair, holding some of it up for her to see. "This says otherwise."
"It... it was like pulling a double shift at work. Hard, but liveable." She looked at him as sternly as possible. "And no one's fault."
He studied her carpeting intently. "But I-"
"No."
Looked back up at her. "I wish I wasn't... I mean... that helping me wouldn't hurt you."
"It hurts no matter who or what, Puppy. Not much difference at all." Nodded firmly. Refused to remember old masses about liars and the pits of hell.
He whimpered softly. "No. It wasn't that bad with Buffy. It was me. And if you'd... Not even part of you would've survived..." One tear escaped, and he swiped violently at it.
She pulled herself to a sitting position again. "Puppy... Even if... ya know... my soul wouldn't be lost."
"Yeah it would. I'm evil... Totally the opposite of pure." Hidden sniffle.
Smiled. "No one is pure. No one. It was... a warning. For mystics to beware who they helped. They couldn't DO black magic, but they could help those that could. *Those* are the impure."
Spike sat back in the chair, looking for all the world like a puppet who's strings had been cut. Sighed deeply. "But you said..."
"Right. Strengths, heart, mind would be yours. My soul would find its way."
"And I'd be alone again." Said so quietly, she almost didn't hear it.
Pulled herself to her knees, kneeling at the edge of the bed, placed her hand where his heart should have beat. "No. I'd be here. And part of me would be permanently imbedded in you. That is the mystic's reward, don't you see? It isn't an accident, or an overdose, or anything like that. A mystic knows, and can choose whether to stop or keep giving. To keep giving is a gift to the person. And the mystic's reward for loving, or caring, is to be forever part of that person."
He just looked at her, understanding, among a myriad of other emotions, in his blue eyes. "You'd risk that? With me? Knowing what's inside me? What it can do, what it's done?" A tone of disgust crept into his voice, not directed at her, though.
Smiled simply. To her, it was. "It can love, and heal. Protect. It's been my friend, written me a poem, and saved a little demon girl. There's bad with the good, no doubt. I'm not stupid. But I know what's more important."
He bit his lip. He was NOT breaking down a fifth time in forty eight hours. No way. No way in... Well, shit.
She brought him forward, to the bed with her, smoothed her hands over his back in small circles. Soothed and rocked him.
He nuzzled her for awhile, the emotions of the past two days pouring out of him. Finally pulled back, sniffling and wiping at his eyes. "Damn... I hope that never happens in front of anyone else."
She gave a small smile, wiped at his eyes. "Yeah... but it's ok every now and then."
"Not for me it's not. I'm supposed to be evil, ya know? And I act very well. With everyone but you, Buffy, and Bit."
"If you ever dare act around me, I'll kick your undead ass back to Cleveland."
He chuckled. "Does when we met count? Cause that was some of my best work."
Laid one hand over her heart. "You're not kidding."
Bit his lip again. "I am sorry, you know. For tryin' to eat you."
She heaved out a sigh. "No more apologizing."
He nodded. "Yeah." Smacked himself on the forehead. "I'm gettin' worse than the bloody Poof, and I don't even have a soul!"
Smiled. Yawned. "What time is it?"
Glanced at his watch, which had been smashed in his encounter with the truck. He hadn't even noticed till then. "Nine forty five last night, according to this thing."
She laughed, pointed to the wall clock over her shoulder.
He glanced at it. "Oh. Eleven thirty five am."
Groaned. "Hand me the phone."
He grabbed it, having to stretch out across the bed on his stomach to reach it. Handed it to her. "Who are you calling?"
Small grin. "Joseph and Will."
He nodded, stifling a yawn. "Oh."
She called Joseph first. "Hey. Yeah. Um.. I know. I know I was gonna call when I got in. Bu- No. We just... when I got home, I kinda passed out. I was out for the night. No. Fine. Of course." Played with her hair. "Bleached the tips of my hair. But I think I'll dye it back. Yeah. Uh huh. Bye."
Spike gave her a look for the bleach comment. Snort.
Stuck out a foot to softly kick at him. Dialed another number. "Hey, Mongrel. Put my brother on." Waited a moment. "Hey, Wills. Just calling to check up. Behaving? Yeah yeah... Clean up after yourself. Remember. Mom's gonna be home tonight. I want your ass home by three. You have MAJOR clean up detail. Yeah. Bite me. I'm older and I don't feel good today." Laughed. "No. Wills. Don't come home. I'm ok, just.... yucky feeling. I don't... I'm ok by myself. Don't fret over me. Have fun. I'll see you at three. Yuh-huh. Love you, too, mutt." Hung up.
Spike grinned tiredly. "Must be nice."
She laid down adjacent to him, their heads together. "What?"
"To have real family. A mom, for one thing." Sighing yawn. "I miss that."
Nuzzled her head against his. "I'll share. For a price."
"I've got about fifty bucks in my wallet."
Laughed. "I meant, a purr and a nap with me."
"Oh. But what if you need something?" Stifled yawn. "I have to be awake to get it for you."
Gave him a look. "I'll have to be awake to ask for it, won't I?"
Slight chuckle. "Good point. I'll try to purr... I'm kind of... wound up, is all." Shook his head a little, nuzzling her in the process. "Been a long couple of days."
Smiled. "I had no idea."
Quiet chuckle. "Dunno if I can relax enough to sleep."
"No?"
Shook his head again. "Nope. Need help."
Her hand reached up to pet at his hair. "Help, huh?" Ah. That's what he'd wanted. His pushing into her hand told her that. She gave a rueful chuckle and scraped her nails as far as they would stretch across his scalp, pulled them back in.
The vampire sighed deeply, and cuddled closer, his eyes closing. Also, he'd started purring softly. It made her relax. Kept scritching, vigorously, then softly, then medium, playing with paces.
Spike yawned, opening one eye and smiling slowly. "Thanks, by the way. I was too worried to tell you last night. And you were too unconscious to hear me."
A serious smile tilted the edge of her mouth. "Any day, Puppy."
He sighed. "I'm so tired..." Closed his eyes, then reopened at half mast.
Nodded. "Me, too. Why aren't we sleeping?"
He chuckled. "Cause I don't want to. If I go to sleep, you'll stop that. And I don't want you to stop." Pushed against her hand again, raising the volume on his purr a couple of notches.
She smiled. "I won't stop till I fall asleep."
Yawned, eyes closed. "Then I'd better go to sleep first." Opened one eye. "Madison?"
"Mmm?"
"I love you. You have no idea how much I've missed you." Half grin. "And this."
Small chuckle. "I love you, too, Puppy. I missed you, too. But I really miss my hair color. So we're gonna nap now, ok?"
No answer, for the vampire was sound asleep, still purring loudly. She smiled, cuddled closer to him, and slept.
========================================================================== =================
Author's Notes 1, Tigerwolf: For those of you who are wondering, here's the translation of the Spanish incantation that Madison used earlier : From my heart, I use this gift/ Into my body, I take her pain/ Using my soul, I institute healing/ From the body, I take pain./ With my body, I give life.
Thank Sunrise for it. It's one of the coolest things that I've ever read! I mean, I came up with the cloaking spell in The Heart Of The Matter, but now that I think of it, I should've let HER word it, huh? My friend rocks. =) ;)
AN2: Hey, guys. Tequila here. Sorry it's been so long. It was homecoming week, and I was on court. So... super busy, ya know? And... *ahem* for those with little faith. See? We have a plan for Madison. And again, no S/M. Only S/B. Ever only S/B. Cuz.. S/M? No. Of the bad. Please... note this again. :) Of the bad, S/M.