Lost in the Smoke

Chapter 7

(Disclaimer in part one)

            Buffy went to the bathroom to get some water to revive Dawn with while Spike prop the teenager up in her bed. Some water splashed on her face and a few yells from her big sister, and Dawn was awake. She looked at the two people sitting on her now wet comforter and a grin spread across her face. She launched herself at the blond vampire and hugged him almost tight enough to break his ribs. Spike gladly returned the embrace and petted her hair much like he had done to Buffy in yard the previous night.

            The Slayer felt a tad out of place in the room. She loved these two people more than anything in the world, but she knew they needed time to talk so she gently got up from the bed and walked to the doorway. "I'm gonna go downstairs and see if we have anything to eat. I may got to the store to give you guys some time alone," she said before shutting the door behind her.

            Dawn looked in wonder at him. She didn't know what to say to him. The day before she had thought of so much, she hadn't gotten to tell him, but then, seeing him in the flesh, it all faded away. She couldn't even form a whole thought. She simply stammered out, "You…you're not… I thought."

            "I know what you thought Bit, but I'm right here." He reassured her.

            "Good. I thought that wouldn't be around anymore, and who was going to protect me when Buffy's not here, and who would actually listen to me?"

            Spike grinned at the way him being alive caused her to ramble. "Well I guess you don't have to worry about that anymore. Besides, no one around here is any kind of substitute for the Big Bad that is me."

            "That's not funny," Dawn said swatting him on the arm, but grinning nonetheless.

            "Course it is, everything I do is funny," his voice took on a more serious tone, "You don't have to worry 'bout me Bit. There was just something I had to do, and since that's done, I don't plan on anything taking me away from you Summers women again."

            "So, what was so important that you would let us think you died for it?" That was his Bit, always with the direct approach.

            "I really can't say yet. I want to tell you, but I owe it to your big sis to tell her first," he could see the doubt and apprehension in her eyes, "But it is good; a little complicated, but good."

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            When Buffy returned home a couple hours later she was greeted by a rather comical sight. The love of her life, a Master Vamp, and her little sister, the Key, were sitting on the couch watching cartoons. They both heard her come in and Spike rose to help her put away the food she had in her hands. Dawn saw that they had it under control and didn't want to get in the way, so she stayed by the television.

            Silently, Buffy and Spike worked at putting up the food each sneaking glances at the other; each failing at their attempts to go unnoticed. After the last piece of food had been put away, she caught his gaze with hers. Slowly, she glided across the kitchen and took him by the hand, leading him upstairs. Shutting the door of her bedroom behind them, Buffy turned around and looked at Spike already having sat down on the bed, her bed that was slowly becoming their bed. In the past this situation would have made innuendos pop into his head, but by the questioning look in her eyes he knew she wanted the explanation due her.

            He waited until she sat down beside him, then he turned to face her. Holding her small hands in his, he rubbed circles into their backs, not really knowing how to begin. Spike took an unneeded breath and let it out before he began.

            "I know that my being gone hurt you. I know that the thought of me never coming back tore you apart inside. And I know that you had to be strong for not only yourself, but for the Bit too, but I want to you to know, that what I did, I did for you. I wanted, no, needed to be the kind of man that you deserved. I didn't feel like I deserved to love you; like I didn't deserve to be loved by you. I did some research, yes I did research, and found out about a demon in Africa who could give me what I needed, what I lacked. It was hard, and I had to earn it, but I got my soul back, for you."

            He saw her eyes flutter, with a tinge of anger flash through them, and her face go pale. Quickly he scooped her up into his arms, because this time it was her turn to faint.

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Hey guys. Sorry about the week long delay between parts 6 & 7. It's official, homework is evil. Buffy should be fighting it. I know this isn't as long as it should be, but I want time to work on the next part before I moved onto stuff I should be doing. I'm not that happy with this chapter, but it turned out better than I thought it would. What do you think?