A/N: This is Part Seven 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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Long Road Home

Anyanka had rarely felt uncomfortable in her life. She had lived over a thousand years and there were very few things that managed to get under her skin. This situation was one of them. She didn't want to interfere anymore with Spike's life. She had helped him because Spike had been nice to her when he first contacted her. She remembered the first words he said when he saw her. Words that had been something she never expected a vampire without a soul to tell her.

"You didn't deserve that. You deserve to be happy."

She wasn't sure of why had Spike told her that. He seemed to be sympathetic to her grief but she didn't know why. After a long time she understood why.

Spike had also loved and lost.

So she now saw the two of them as kindred creatures, for they both had lost part of their demonic nature because of their love for a human. They both had been hurt and had returned to their demon roots.

But Anya had managed to overcome her grief and had tried to pursue a relationship once again. Now she wasn't so similar to Spike.

However, she had to try to have a civil conversation with the vampire.

---------------------------------------

Portugal was a beautiful country. He had been there a year ago and he still remembered the scents the air carried, still having with them a slight tang of the ocean. He was still uncomfortable for the events that happened a couple days ago but he had dismissed the feeling as if it were garbage.

He hadn't had the time to check his e-mail and he was anxious for a good fight. Tearing humans apart wasn't fun anymore, and the rush that he remembered feeling when he bit one was gone. He hadn't killed a human for feeding in years. He didn't see any challenge in fighting against a human. He preferred to kill demons. They were much more fun to fight with and they provided him with a goal. And money. Lots of money. He had lost count of how much money he had but he was sure he was on his way of becoming a millionaire. Well, unless his certain habits of buying whatever appealed to him didn't send him to bankruptcy before.

So, thinking about money and violence, he lost himself amongst the people of Lisbon.

----------------------------------------

She had appeared in a dirty alley. It was broad daylight and she didn't want to freak anybody out by appearing in the middle of the street. Anya had felt the particular aura of the vampire and it was now enhanced because of the ring of Amarra. She struggled to find him because there was a sea of humans in the streets. However, it was very easy to locate a vampire.  She focused on him and walked to stand right behind him. He seemed to notice her because he stood still. She knew that such a thing would happen; after all, he was a vampire and he could feel when demons were around. He turned around faster than she expected and she jumped a step back.

"Looking for someone, luv?" Spike asked. He didn't expect her to understand. Spike didn't recognize her, as well. He thought that a Portuguese demon had sensed him and he immediately thought of the possibilities of the encounter. Was she looking for a fight or something else? He eyed her and smiled at what he saw. Anya felt even more uncomfortable. Spike hadn't recognized her and he was looking at her strangely.

"Actually, yes." Anya blurted out, "I'm looking for you, Spike."

Spike looked once again at her and then something dawned on him.

"Anyanka." He said, "Long time no see."

 "I could say the same, Spike." Anya said, smiling, content that he had remembered her,  "How have you been?"

"Can't complain." He said, "It's been a good year for business."

"Ah, businesses are always good." She replied. She smiled and looked around.

"Portugal?" She asked. Spike smirked.

"Yup." He said, "Kinda got here in a hurry."

"Oh, uhm, speaking of which." Anya slurred the last few words. Spike picked them up and looked intently at her.

"I guess the sudden visit isn't entirely a sudden event." Spike said. Anya seemed to be embarrassed by the statement.

"Listen, Spike, I know that you wanted us to leave you alone." Anya said.

"You weren't included in that list." Spike said, "I contacted you before, didn't I?"

"Well, yes." Anya nodded.

"So, what is it?" Spike said.

"I was sent to look for you." Anya said. Spike immediately tensed up and his facial features hardened.

"Why?" He asked.

"Uhm, news run fast." Anya answered.

"What kind of news?" Spike nearly growled.

"I won't lie to you, Spike," Anya said, taking a step back, "we found out about what you did to Riley."

Spike's eyes flashed yellow for an instant, but managed to remain still.

"What about it?" He asked.

"First listen, please." She said, "I know that you were hunted and I'm not condemning you or criticizing you for what you did. A fine piece of work, by the way."

"Thank you, but why are you looking for me?" Spike said.

"Dawn." She said.

"What?" Spike asked.

"Dawn wants to see you." Anya said, "And try to explain why you did what you did."

"I don' have to explain anything to anyone." Spike said. Anya feared this. She didn't know how this new Spike would react when cornered.

"She really wants to see you." Anya stated.

"Barely remember the kid." Spike spat out.

"She remembers you very well." Anya replied. "She still believes that you'll write her someday."

"Write?" Spike asked.

"You don't remember that as well?" Anya asked. She knew about the brain damage but she didn't know how much it had damaged his memory.

"If I remembered I wouldn't be asking." Spike said.

"Right, well, you promised that you'd write her someday." Anya said. She held three fingers up in front of Spike's face. "It's been three years and no letters."

"I didn't remember." Spike said, looking away, "I had some other priorities in my head."

"Now that you remember, will you go see her?" Anya asked, smiling a bit because she thought that her task had been accomplished.

"Don't know." Spike said, "Don't think so."

"What?" Anya asked, "Why?"

"I left for a reason didn't I?" Spike said.

"You did promise her." Anya insisted. She thought that maybe that way she'd manage to break through Spike's defenses.

"Well, tough on her." Spike said, "I have things to do."

Spike turned around and began walking away. Anya sighed and walked along.

"You don't understand," Anya said, "either you go to Sunnydale or they'll come to get you."

Spike stopped and stared at her.

"Who?" He asked.

"You know who." Anya replied, "Buffy."

Spike stood very still. The single name was enough to drive him crazy. It triggered many memories and feelings that the vampire didn't want to remember.

"Hear me out, Anyanka," Spike said, "leave and don't ever bother me again."

Anya was about to protest when Spike growled at her, turning his eyes golden and his fangs grew.

"I'm still grateful for what you did for me a few years back," Spike hissed, "but tell those soddin' bastards that they'd better not look for me again. Ever."

Anya wasn't in any danger. After all, she was a demon and she didn't fear vampires. But by the way Spike was behaving she understood why humans feared him so much in his early days.

"Threats won't stop them, Spike." Anya said, "You know that."

"They sent you here to give me a message." Spike said, "Now send them one from me. Leave me the hell alone."

She moved in order to stand right in front of him again.

"Understand, Spike…"

"I don't have the time for this, you bloody bint!" Spike interrupted, "Sod off, Anyanka. I make a living out of killing demons, don't make me kill you."

Anya shifted her face into her demon appearance and her medallion glowed.

"Don't threaten me, vampire." She said.

"You've heard what I said. Our mutual understanding ends here." Spike turned around and walked away. Anya shook her face and her human features appeared again.

The vampire she knew as Spike was gone. The vampire walking away from her was nothing like the one she remembered. Time had really taken its toll. Spike didn't think of Dawn as family anymore. His home was no longer in Sunnydale, and he certainly wouldn't come back in a long time. He was as far from home as anyone could be.

She sighed. She didn't know what to say to Dawn and the others.

Anya just shook her head and disappeared from the streets of Lisbon.

--------------------------------------

Spike's mind was swirling around.

People from his past kept showing up and reminding him of things he didn't want to recall. He had left for a reason and he was living his unlife the way he saw fit.

But he'd never be free.

Not that way. Not with people from his past showing up every once in a while and messing everything up. There had to be a way to stop that.

His mind then stopped and a single thought was impressed in there. There was a way to stop them from hunting him.

He'd have to go back.

He'd hunt them first.

End of Chapter.