A/N: This is Part Six of the CLOSURE series. This is a sequel of the ENOUGH series, so please read that one first or this won't make any sense

Disclaimer: You should know that this belongs to Joss Whedon and the parties involved in getting the show on the air.

Feedback: As you wish.

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A Promise

No regrets.

He didn't feel sorry for what he had done to Riley.  He had enjoyed cutting off that idiot's hands. That'd teach him not to jam fake stakes into s vampire's chest. He still remembered the sweet sound that the knife made when he reached the bone. And the cries of agony the stupid soldier made were music that'd cheer him up for as long as he remembered them. The smell of fresh blood on the field that night was so fulfilling that Spike almost got lost in it. The sensation of tearing a man apart filled his very being with energy he had missed so much. Two nights ago and he was still savoring his moment of freedom, when he had been like the vampire he was years ago. When he was feared throughout the world and his name was whispered like a forbidden topic.

Then why did he feel so weird?

He had lost control and he knew it. He had spent the last three years becoming something else and two nights ago he had wasted all that effort. He let his anger take the best of him.

But no more. That part of his unlife was closed. He had taken his revenge on the weak human and Spike knew that the soldier wouldn't be stupid enough to cross paths with him again.

Spike sighed in contempt and decided to forget the whole event.

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"What?!" Xander screamed, "He did what to who with how?"

"Stop it, Xander," Giles said, "was Sam sure that it was Spike who did it?"

"Yes, Giles." Buffy said, grabbing her hair, "She was pretty sure."

Giles nodded and stood there silent. Had he given his trust to Spike for naught? Why had Spike done that?

"Why did he do it?" Dawn suddenly asked.

"It seems that Riley and his unit were hunting vampires and the ran into Spike." Buffy answered.

"So Spike was only defending himself?" Dawn inquired. Buffy turned and stared at Dawn.

"While yes, that's a possibility, there's also that slight detail that he mutilated Riley." Buffy said, "And one other thing," she turned to look at Giles, "Sam said that Spike had the ring of Amarra. Did you know this?"

Giles sighed and took off his glasses. Buffy just crossed her arms and shook her head.

"I can't believe it. You knew and you didn't tell me?" Buffy asked.

"I see now that it was a mistake for not telling you," Giles said, "but Spike did earn my respect, Buffy."

It was Buffy's turn to sigh and she nodded.

"I know that I owe many things to him, but I can't let a vampire walk around with that ring in his hands." She said.

"I know Buffy, but he hasn't used it for evil intent." Giles said, "I believe we would have heard from him before."

"If I may say," Dawn said, "It seems that Spike was acting on self-defense."

"Probably," Buffy answered, "but even then he could have only beaten them unconscious, not hurt them like that."

"Is it really so bad for Spike to have the ring with him?" Giles asked.

"No vampire should have the ring, Giles." Buffy stated, "You know that."

"You sent it to Angel, if I recall correctly." Giles stated back.

"It's different." She said. Giles then crossed his arms.

"How so, Buffy?" He said, "He's also a vampire."

"I don't have time to discuss that." Buffy said, and she turned to the stairs. "So, Jeannie, what do you say about a trip to Europe?"

Jean looked up from her spot on the couch and seemed nervous.

"Uhm, what about school and our duties here?" She asked.

"We won't be gone too long." Buffy answered.

"Buffy, wait." Giles said, "You couldn't stop Spike before, what makes you think you'll be able to do it now?"

"With Jean's help, I'll manage." Buffy stated.

"Listen, Buffy, Jean has never fought a vampire like Spike." Giles said, "And he now has the ring."

"I'm aware of those things, Giles." Buffy said, "But Jean was trained by us. I believe she'll be able to fight him."

"You're awfully sure." Xander said. Buffy eyed him wearily.

"What?" Buffy asked then.

"I've been on the receiving end of Spike's fury." Xander said.

"I know," Buffy said, "the more reason for us to know what's going on with Spike."

"Uhm, if I may?" Dawn said. Everyone turned to see her.

"What is it, Dawnie?" Buffy said.

"Well, don't call me a pessimist or anything but I believe there'll be only two possible outcomes for this adventure." Dawn lifted two fingers. "Either he runs like hell when he sees you or he kills you and Jean on the spot. I don't like either of the possibilities."

All the scoobies heard the statement and pondered it. It was true. After all, Spike had promised to kill Buffy if he ever saw her again.

"It's a risk I'll have to take." Buffy said.

"But Jean doesn't have to." Giles said. Buffy once again stared at him.
"She has never fought with him, Buffy." Giles tried to reason with her.

"I know, Giles." Buffy said, "But what other thing can I do?"

"I have an idea." Dawn suddenly said. Once again, everyone in the room turned to look at her.

"What?" Buffy asked.

"What if I contact him and ask him to come back?" She said. Giles seemed to think about the option but it was dangerous.

"Do you believe he'll want to come?" Giles asked. Dawn shrugged.

"It's a thought," she said, "it's actually cheaper than flying all the way to Europe."

"Not that I'm afraid," Jean said, "but it makes more sense."

Buffy sighed. She didn't want to wait anymore but Dawn's idea was making much sense right then.

"Assuming that I'd listen to that idea, how do you propose we find him?" Buffy asked.

"That's where our beloved witch friend and demon friend come in." Dawn said. Tara and Anya looked at each other confused.

"Why us, Dawn?" Tara asked.

"I think that maybe you could do a locating spell or something like that." Dawn said, "Then Anya could transport herself or whatever she does to wherever Spike is."

"And tell him what?" Anya asked. She was secretly afraid that the scoobies would find out that she had been in contact with Spike those first months. She looked and saw that Giles was looking back at her. He nodded silently, reassuring her that he'd keep her secret.

"That we are looking for him." Dawn said.

"Don't you think he'd suspect something?" Willow then pitched in.

"Uhm, yeah," Dawn said, "we'd have to think of something."

"He's not stupid." Willow said, "He'll see through any charade."

"Charade?" Xander asked. Everyone stared at him and he shrank back behind Anya.

"He will realize that the sudden call will have something to do about Riley," Giles said, "so we have to think about a way to lure him in."

"I don't think it's a bright idea to fool him." Tara said, "We don't know how he might react."

"It's a good point," Willow said, "If what he did to Riley is an indication of his mood right now, then we'd better be careful."

"I don't think he'd harm us." Dawn said. Xander stared at her and Dawn smirked. "He didn't kill you before, Xander. I don't think he'd do it now."

"Let's hope so." Xander said.

"Ok, we have a plan now," Buffy said, "how long do you think it'll take you to locate him?"

"Not long," Tara said, "I just need a personal object of his."

"Uhm, that could be a problem." Buffy said.

"Why?" Tara asked.

"His crypt blew up three years ago." Buffy said, "I don't think there's anything left in there."

"Not a problem." Anya said. "I can find Spike without a spell."

"You can?" Xander asked.

"Well, he's a vampire and he has the ring of Amarra." Anya said, "He'll be pretty easy to locate."

"Hurray for my demon girlfriend." Xander said.

"Thanks." Anya beamed at the compliment.

"You're very calm about this." Giles said to Buffy.

"It's not like I have a choice." She said, "I could freak out but I don't think that'd help."

"Is it wise to confront Spike after all this time?" Giles insisted.

"Actually, no." Buffy said, "But I can't let him get away free with what he did to Riley."

"He didn't kill him." Dawn intervened.

"I know he didn't, Dawn." Buffy said, looking at her sister, "But he nearly did."

"I don't follow you." Dawn said.

"Look, he has the ring of Amarra and who knows what he could do with it." Buffy sighed.

"So, after all this years, you still don't trust him." Dawn said.

"How can I trust him when he's halfway a world away and he's maiming people I know?" Buffy nearly shrieked.

"Fine, be that way, slayer." Dawn said. Buffy sighed and once again ran her hands through her hair.

"I could go right now and contact Spike." Anya said, "What should I say?"

Dawn thought about it for a minute.

"First of all, tell him the truth." Dawn said. Buffy and Giles jumped at the thought.

"What?" Both watcher and slayer said.

"If we're not honest with him, he won't come." Dawn said.

"It's like playing with fire." Tara said. "But then again, Dawn's right. If we lie to him he'll go nuts on us."

"Tell him that we want him to come home, Anya." Dawn said.

 "Ok," Anya said, and was ready to vanish when Dawn held her arm.

"One more thing." Dawn said. Anya looked at her and nodded.

"Remind him of what he promised."

End of Chapter.