Disclaimer: I own nothing. Quoting another writer, "I use them in my
fantasies and sometimes for chores."
Again, I wanted to thank all those who have reviewed since the last update. I know I didn't update at all over the weekend, though I said I wouldn't be doing. I hope to get quite a few chapters out this week.
Tara's birthday party had been good. Especially once Spike's punch in the face had clarified, that Tara really wasn't a demon, it was just a sick and twisted family legend. After much coaxing Spike had agreed to come to the party. Most of the gang actually joined in with the coaxing. Dawn had just been so pleased that he had proven Tara's non-demony ways that she had started it. Buffy hadn't said much but she had nodded at him, subtly. Willow seemed in the mood to do anything for him. She had been almost as vehement as Dawn in her asking, insisting that he really should be there after all it was only because of him that they weren't still dealing with Tara's parents.
Buffy watched as Tara unwrapped her presents. She couldn't believe that Dawn had gotten her a broomstick. Oh well. At least Tara had gotten something nice from Buffy. Anya had gotten a shipment in of statues and Giles had sold one of the more elusive ones to her cheap. She could tell that her Watcher was dreading the ex-demon's response when she fou. . . Buffy thought's came to a halt at the feel of someone slipping his or her hand into hers. For a second she thought it was Spike and her heart leapt but it was too warm for Spike, she turned around right into the arms of Riley who hugged her. Buffy was shocked. She had been sure that he would still be angry with her. If she had thought that Riley would show up, she would certainly not have invited Spike. "You came."
Riley rubbed her back, "Of course I came. It's a big night I didn't wanna miss it."
Buffy let herself be kissed and hugged trying to relax into Riley's touch. Unfortunately, she saw Spike over Riley's shoulder and saw a flash of hurt before he covered it. Buffy wanted to go and tell him that she was sorry but she couldn't. She knew that she couldn't.
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Buffy had lost. She was going to die. She knew it; her time was up. The next Slayer would be called in her place. She had gotten careless; she had slipped up. Now there was a stake, her stake, embedded in her stomach, and she would either bleed to death or the vampire would kill her. In a way, she hoped that it would be the last one; she wanted to die like a slayer. Buffy could feel herself drifting into unconsciousness, as the vampire came towards her, she opened her eyes as the demon reached for her. The next thing she saw was something with black nails grab the thing by the throat, "You get you're filthy hands away from my Slayer."
Buffy watched as Spike squeezed until the vampires head came away from its body, "Spike. . . I got careless. . . Help me. . ."
Spike slipped his arm around her back, "Don't you worry pet I know where we can go." Lifting her easily, they set off across the cemetery.
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Buffy didn't know what had happened. She didn't remember anything past being picked up by Spike. She had buried her face in the leather of his duster and passed out. Why was she in a room filled with black and white candles? Why was she lying on a table? Where was Spike? And why was she not in pain?
Buffy looked down at her shirt. There was blood staining it and a hole straight through it. Lifting it carefully, Buffy looked at her waist. There was not a mark on her. Buffy ran her hand over her abdomen as though to check that it was really hers. As soon as she realised that there was no wound anymore she swung her legs off the table and promptly fell over as a wave of dizziness hit her.
Spike heard the thud and came running, "Buffy? Are you alright pet?"
Buffy tried to focus on Spike's face, "Spike? Yeah, I think so. Just very, very dizzy. Where am I?"
"Don't worry pet, you're still in Sunnydale. There's a healer, I know who lives here. Don't worry not of the evil variety."
Buffy looked at him a little suspiciously, "Then how did you know him?"
Spike smirked at her, "No fooling you is there pet. He's not evil but he isn't good either. He's a peaceful balancing demon. They donate their time to keeping the level between good and evil. With you being the main good in this town, you're not exactly expendable pet. I asked and he helped. Says he knew you'd be coming and that he would save you."
Buffy was still not clear, "Did he say why?"
Spike shrugged, he hadn't really cared why at the time, he had just thought she was going to die. He would have agreed to having his arms and legs cut off if the thing had said he'd help her in exchange, "He mumbled something about the apocalypse. The usual."
Buffy nodded in understanding, "Another one to prevent huh?"
Spike nodded and helped her to her feet, "You ready to go home pet?"
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Spike had helped Buffy get home. According to him, the magic used to heal her would probably keep her subdued for a couple of hours yet. He tucked her into bed and kissed her forehead. "Night pet, when you get up tomorrow come and see me. We need to have a talk."
Buffy reached out and grabbed his arm, "Spike. . ." Buffy was obviously half asleep, "Don't go; stay."
Spike did not need telling twice. Kicking off his boots and duster her pulled the blinds to and curled his body around hers. He felt her sigh and drift to sleep. He stayed awake for a little while though. He had almost lost her tonight. She had been better than the vampire but she had still nearly died. It was what happened to all Slayers eventually. Spike tightened his arm around her; it wasn't going to happen to this one.
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At around eight o'clock Spike heard Joyce moving around in the other room. Glancing towards the window and seeing the sun, he realised that he wasn't going to be able to go anywhere. He slipped out of the bed and sat on the chair by the dressing table. He stilled himself just as she entered. "Mornin' Joyce."
Joyce took a second to register the vampire sat in her daughters' bedroom. "Spike? What are you doing here?"
Spike turned on his acting skills, "Found our little Slayer on patrol last night, got herself hurt. Any way sorted her out and brought her home. Guy I took her to said that she shouldn't be left alone. Concussion you know."
Joyce paled, "She got hurt? Was it serious does she need a doctor? Is she okay?"
Spike cursed himself, of course the woman was going to worry, this was her daughter, "Yeah she got hurt, no it wasn't serious, the guy I took her to is better than a doctor, and yes she's okay. She just needed someone to stay, and I didn't want to wake up the house hold."
Joyce seemed to relax minutely, "Oh. Well in that case thank you. You didn't have to do it but I still appreciate it. Would you like some coffee?" A twinkle came to the older woman's eye, "Or some hot chocolate, it's like night to you isn't it?"
Spike nodded, "It is that. Unfortunately, I can't go home suns up."
"Well come and have some hot chocolate and marshmallows, and I'll make you up a cot in the basement for you."
Spike smiled and follow the woman out of the room, she really was nice. He liked the older Summers very much and despite the cot being, well. . . unnecessary he made it up with her and after some hot chocolate, lay down. He might be able to get an hour or two, he didn't want to risk being caught in Buffy's room again especially with the little bit around.
Spike felt his throat contract as he thought about last night again. She had almost died. Why had she been alone? Where was the twit she called her boyfriend? God, if he had been there he might have been of some use. Instead she had nearly died. Spike refused to let that happen to her. He wasn't going to lose her, especially not before he had her. She was still clinging to soldier boy and that concept of a 'normal life', she didn't seem to realise that she was never going to be happy with him. He wouldn't let her be her. Spike turned over, he had agreed to wait. He almost wished that he hadn't. Seeing her in the arms of the idiot had hurt, he knew that she had kept her promise though. She hadn't slept with him. Spike would have been able to tell in a second. She would have to choose soon though; he couldn't keep this up forever.
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Buffy felt the stake plunge into her again. She fell and bled. She cried out for Spike but he didn't come, she could hear him speaking, but the words were only slowly becoming clear, " . . . You can't keep him at a distance. He'll go. But you won't have me . . .You want this Slayer. You need this."
Buffy didn't understand him, "Spike help me please. . ."
Spike wasn't anywhere that she could see but she could still hear him, " . . . keep him at a distance. He'll go. But you won't have me . . .You want this Slayer. You need this."
Buffy woke with a jump her hand flying to her stomach. Buffy tried to recall all the details of her nightmare. He hadn't been able to help her. Why? She didn't remember. She wasn't even sure she knew. She sat up and looked around for Spike. For a second she thought that he had gone and left her but she saw his boots on the floor and calmed. Grabbing her robe she headed down stairs.
Looking around she couldn't see him. After she had been through the whole house, she opened the door to the basement. Taking a step down she saw him lying on a makeshift bed. Smiling to herself, she crept down the stairs. Curling up by his side, she sighed. She liked it here, with him.
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Spike smiled to himself. She had fallen asleep almost as soon as her head touched the pillow. Wrapping an arm around her, he held her tight. God he loved her. He loved her enough to tell her. To risk her disgust and revulsion. He had to tell her about the other Slayers. Maybe he could help her.
Again, I wanted to thank all those who have reviewed since the last update. I know I didn't update at all over the weekend, though I said I wouldn't be doing. I hope to get quite a few chapters out this week.
Tara's birthday party had been good. Especially once Spike's punch in the face had clarified, that Tara really wasn't a demon, it was just a sick and twisted family legend. After much coaxing Spike had agreed to come to the party. Most of the gang actually joined in with the coaxing. Dawn had just been so pleased that he had proven Tara's non-demony ways that she had started it. Buffy hadn't said much but she had nodded at him, subtly. Willow seemed in the mood to do anything for him. She had been almost as vehement as Dawn in her asking, insisting that he really should be there after all it was only because of him that they weren't still dealing with Tara's parents.
Buffy watched as Tara unwrapped her presents. She couldn't believe that Dawn had gotten her a broomstick. Oh well. At least Tara had gotten something nice from Buffy. Anya had gotten a shipment in of statues and Giles had sold one of the more elusive ones to her cheap. She could tell that her Watcher was dreading the ex-demon's response when she fou. . . Buffy thought's came to a halt at the feel of someone slipping his or her hand into hers. For a second she thought it was Spike and her heart leapt but it was too warm for Spike, she turned around right into the arms of Riley who hugged her. Buffy was shocked. She had been sure that he would still be angry with her. If she had thought that Riley would show up, she would certainly not have invited Spike. "You came."
Riley rubbed her back, "Of course I came. It's a big night I didn't wanna miss it."
Buffy let herself be kissed and hugged trying to relax into Riley's touch. Unfortunately, she saw Spike over Riley's shoulder and saw a flash of hurt before he covered it. Buffy wanted to go and tell him that she was sorry but she couldn't. She knew that she couldn't.
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Buffy had lost. She was going to die. She knew it; her time was up. The next Slayer would be called in her place. She had gotten careless; she had slipped up. Now there was a stake, her stake, embedded in her stomach, and she would either bleed to death or the vampire would kill her. In a way, she hoped that it would be the last one; she wanted to die like a slayer. Buffy could feel herself drifting into unconsciousness, as the vampire came towards her, she opened her eyes as the demon reached for her. The next thing she saw was something with black nails grab the thing by the throat, "You get you're filthy hands away from my Slayer."
Buffy watched as Spike squeezed until the vampires head came away from its body, "Spike. . . I got careless. . . Help me. . ."
Spike slipped his arm around her back, "Don't you worry pet I know where we can go." Lifting her easily, they set off across the cemetery.
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Buffy didn't know what had happened. She didn't remember anything past being picked up by Spike. She had buried her face in the leather of his duster and passed out. Why was she in a room filled with black and white candles? Why was she lying on a table? Where was Spike? And why was she not in pain?
Buffy looked down at her shirt. There was blood staining it and a hole straight through it. Lifting it carefully, Buffy looked at her waist. There was not a mark on her. Buffy ran her hand over her abdomen as though to check that it was really hers. As soon as she realised that there was no wound anymore she swung her legs off the table and promptly fell over as a wave of dizziness hit her.
Spike heard the thud and came running, "Buffy? Are you alright pet?"
Buffy tried to focus on Spike's face, "Spike? Yeah, I think so. Just very, very dizzy. Where am I?"
"Don't worry pet, you're still in Sunnydale. There's a healer, I know who lives here. Don't worry not of the evil variety."
Buffy looked at him a little suspiciously, "Then how did you know him?"
Spike smirked at her, "No fooling you is there pet. He's not evil but he isn't good either. He's a peaceful balancing demon. They donate their time to keeping the level between good and evil. With you being the main good in this town, you're not exactly expendable pet. I asked and he helped. Says he knew you'd be coming and that he would save you."
Buffy was still not clear, "Did he say why?"
Spike shrugged, he hadn't really cared why at the time, he had just thought she was going to die. He would have agreed to having his arms and legs cut off if the thing had said he'd help her in exchange, "He mumbled something about the apocalypse. The usual."
Buffy nodded in understanding, "Another one to prevent huh?"
Spike nodded and helped her to her feet, "You ready to go home pet?"
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Spike had helped Buffy get home. According to him, the magic used to heal her would probably keep her subdued for a couple of hours yet. He tucked her into bed and kissed her forehead. "Night pet, when you get up tomorrow come and see me. We need to have a talk."
Buffy reached out and grabbed his arm, "Spike. . ." Buffy was obviously half asleep, "Don't go; stay."
Spike did not need telling twice. Kicking off his boots and duster her pulled the blinds to and curled his body around hers. He felt her sigh and drift to sleep. He stayed awake for a little while though. He had almost lost her tonight. She had been better than the vampire but she had still nearly died. It was what happened to all Slayers eventually. Spike tightened his arm around her; it wasn't going to happen to this one.
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At around eight o'clock Spike heard Joyce moving around in the other room. Glancing towards the window and seeing the sun, he realised that he wasn't going to be able to go anywhere. He slipped out of the bed and sat on the chair by the dressing table. He stilled himself just as she entered. "Mornin' Joyce."
Joyce took a second to register the vampire sat in her daughters' bedroom. "Spike? What are you doing here?"
Spike turned on his acting skills, "Found our little Slayer on patrol last night, got herself hurt. Any way sorted her out and brought her home. Guy I took her to said that she shouldn't be left alone. Concussion you know."
Joyce paled, "She got hurt? Was it serious does she need a doctor? Is she okay?"
Spike cursed himself, of course the woman was going to worry, this was her daughter, "Yeah she got hurt, no it wasn't serious, the guy I took her to is better than a doctor, and yes she's okay. She just needed someone to stay, and I didn't want to wake up the house hold."
Joyce seemed to relax minutely, "Oh. Well in that case thank you. You didn't have to do it but I still appreciate it. Would you like some coffee?" A twinkle came to the older woman's eye, "Or some hot chocolate, it's like night to you isn't it?"
Spike nodded, "It is that. Unfortunately, I can't go home suns up."
"Well come and have some hot chocolate and marshmallows, and I'll make you up a cot in the basement for you."
Spike smiled and follow the woman out of the room, she really was nice. He liked the older Summers very much and despite the cot being, well. . . unnecessary he made it up with her and after some hot chocolate, lay down. He might be able to get an hour or two, he didn't want to risk being caught in Buffy's room again especially with the little bit around.
Spike felt his throat contract as he thought about last night again. She had almost died. Why had she been alone? Where was the twit she called her boyfriend? God, if he had been there he might have been of some use. Instead she had nearly died. Spike refused to let that happen to her. He wasn't going to lose her, especially not before he had her. She was still clinging to soldier boy and that concept of a 'normal life', she didn't seem to realise that she was never going to be happy with him. He wouldn't let her be her. Spike turned over, he had agreed to wait. He almost wished that he hadn't. Seeing her in the arms of the idiot had hurt, he knew that she had kept her promise though. She hadn't slept with him. Spike would have been able to tell in a second. She would have to choose soon though; he couldn't keep this up forever.
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Buffy felt the stake plunge into her again. She fell and bled. She cried out for Spike but he didn't come, she could hear him speaking, but the words were only slowly becoming clear, " . . . You can't keep him at a distance. He'll go. But you won't have me . . .You want this Slayer. You need this."
Buffy didn't understand him, "Spike help me please. . ."
Spike wasn't anywhere that she could see but she could still hear him, " . . . keep him at a distance. He'll go. But you won't have me . . .You want this Slayer. You need this."
Buffy woke with a jump her hand flying to her stomach. Buffy tried to recall all the details of her nightmare. He hadn't been able to help her. Why? She didn't remember. She wasn't even sure she knew. She sat up and looked around for Spike. For a second she thought that he had gone and left her but she saw his boots on the floor and calmed. Grabbing her robe she headed down stairs.
Looking around she couldn't see him. After she had been through the whole house, she opened the door to the basement. Taking a step down she saw him lying on a makeshift bed. Smiling to herself, she crept down the stairs. Curling up by his side, she sighed. She liked it here, with him.
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Spike smiled to himself. She had fallen asleep almost as soon as her head touched the pillow. Wrapping an arm around her, he held her tight. God he loved her. He loved her enough to tell her. To risk her disgust and revulsion. He had to tell her about the other Slayers. Maybe he could help her.