Good evening, All,
Welcome to the final regular chapter of The One. This has been a *long* book and I'd like to thank all of you who have stayed with me throughout. I am grateful to you all and especially those of you who have reviewed the story on ff.net and Always, and those of you who sent me volumes of feedback personally. I loved every minute of it.
Will I continue? Probably. If you still want to read, I still have ideas. But it's up to you to tell me that is what you want. If you want more Spike and Buffy. More William and Emma. Or if you are done.
In the meantime, there are two additional chapters I will release for The One that are strictly extras. This chapter ties up the story. One of the chapters will be another "director's cut" and will include NC-17 material. Because of this, it will not be posted on ff.net. If you would like to obtain a copy of this when it is released, please send a *short* email to nimueofavalon71 at yahoo.com stating that you are over 17 and would like a copy of the director's cut. I expect to have that chapter complete mid next week.
Also, there will be an Epilogue to The One. That will follow a week or so later. I know that this is a little off from my normal schedule, but both chapters seem to be shaping up as LONG and I will be traveling next week.
So, thank you. Every one. I have loved writing this story and loved getting to know so many of you through feedback and emails.
Again, if you'd like a copy of the next chapter, you will have to request it by email.
Thank you again.
.
*Cheery Vibes*, Nimue
"As sick as it sounds, in my little head, there's a little Sunnydale, and a widdle Spike and a widdle Buffy and Spike wubs Buffy." James Marsters 14 July 2002
Title: Glow Worm (Chapter Thirty-six of The One)
Author: Nimue
Rating: PG -13
Pairing: Buffy/Spike. Most major characters included.
Feedback: Yes, please
For instant notification of fic releases, straight to your mailbox, please visit Always_Everyday at yahoogroups.com. Also, please visit the wonderful fan listing that Rachel put together. Sign up today and link to your website (or just sign up to say hi!).
Disclaimer: All characters belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, UPN, Fox... Just Borrowing. (With, of course, the exception of Emma and William, who belong to Buffy and Spike)
Summary: Spike has saved Buffy, but will they be in time to help Xander and Oz? Will Buffy be able to forgive herself? Will Buffy's family be able to forgive her? How will this all end? Read on.
~~~~~
Glow Worm ~~~~~
Willow sat on the floor of the small waiting room, her legs crossed, trying to control her breath. God, why was it so hard to do this stuff when she actually needed it? Another deep breath and she felt she was calm enough to try again.
'Anya?' She thought.
'What do you want?' The demon's voice snapped back, loud and clear in the Witch's head. 'You shouldn't just barge into people's minds, you know. I'm kind of in a hurry.'
Willow's brow crinkled in confusion. 'In a hurry where?'
'The hospital. Xander's hurt. Emma can help him.'
'Oh,' Willow's mind answered. 'Kinda why I'm calling.'
'Well, you can stop now,' Anya groused. 'I'm in the parking lot.'
'Oh,' Willow answered again. 'Good.'
With that, a door slammed between them as Anya shut off access to her mind.
~~~~~
Buffy clung to Spike's back, her arms threaded around his waist as he raced through the cliffs on the motorbike. It had been a long time since she'd ridden with him like this. They needed to do it more often. There was something so free about it. Even with all that happened, all the guilt and fear that weighed heavily on her mind, she felt like they were one with wind and sky and sea as he rode at break-neck speed over the asphalt.
Her head rested on his back and she could feel Spike relax. Closing her eyes, feeling the wind against her cheeks, she reached into his mind. Worry for Xander. That made her smile if only because asking him would produce a grumble. Concern over her. That made her sad. She hated that he worried so much about her. And love. Always love. She could feel it over everything else. Like an eternal spring in his mind. Never ran out. Never wavered. So much love. And she was its object. She and the kids.
For the millionth time, she felt like she was a lucky girl.
~~~~~
Anya burst into the waiting room, Will on her hip, Emma trotting beside her. Giles swooped in, eyeing his frazzled mate with worry, and took William from her, hugging the frightened boy close. Dawn walked in behind her, far more at ease, the tears now just silvery shadows against her cheeks.
"Are we in time?" Anya asked, as the rest of the group got up to greet her. Willow had made it back into the room just seconds before Anya.
Tara nodded. "He just came out of surgery. He's in re.recovery."
"Is he going to be okay?" Anya asked, her face lined with fear and worry.
Giles put a hand on Anya's shoulder. "It doesn't look like conventional medicine will be able to do much for him. He's suffered quite a severe head trauma."
"But Emma.." Anya began, just as the girl walked over to the smaller man sandwiched between the two Witches. The group fell silent as the little girl reached out her hand.
Oz looked down at her for a moment, his head tilting, mesmerized by Emma's peaceful blue eyes. He lowered himself to his knees so he was approximately her height, letting her hands touch his. The rest were motionless as a white glow began to emanate from the little girl, enveloping her and creeping over him with a soft whiteness that was nothing short of comfort itself. Her hands moved gracefully up his arm to his shoulder and the glow turned red for a moment, and then burst into white.
The Werewolf was stock still as the little girl's fingers reached the bandage on his brow, pulling it away and running soft, small hands over the gash underneath. The ragged skin knitted together seamlessly, glowing red and then flashing white. Her palms pressed to his cheeks and she leaned forward, kissing his forehead as gently as butterfly wings.
The glow was gone.
They all shuddered, blinking, as if waking from a trance. Oz stood again, his eyes never leaving the little girl. He rolled his shoulders, letting one hand rise to touch the unmarred skin on his forehead. "That was. Wow."
"Wow," Willow agreed.
Emma smiled a normal, little girl smile. "All better, Uncle Oz?"
Oz returned the gesture warmly. "Looks that way. Thank.. Thank you."
"You were the one trying to save me," Emma corrected. "Daddy told me."
"Remind me to thank your daddy," Oz chuckled, taking the little girl's outstretched arms as a sign that she wanted to be picked up and obliging.
Just as the lot of them began to regain their senses, Takina trotted into the waiting room, her body covered in bloodied scrubs. Her face lined with fear and panic. "Um."
They all turned to face her, watching her struggle with tears.
"He.he's out of surgery, which.which you know.but he.his brain.I mean. What am I going to do without him?" Takina gushed, her hands slapping over her face as the tears exploded. Tara rushed to the woman, wrapping her arms around her.
"Ta.Takina. We think. we think. Emma can help," Tara whispered, stroking the woman's back.
Takina's head rose from the woman's shoulder. "How?"
"Xander. he was trying to help Emma when the Van. when it happened. So, Emma should be able to heal. help him," Tara sputtered.
"It worked for Oz," Willow contributed. "Can. can you get us in there to see him? Alone?"
Takina looked over at the little girl, comfortably situated in what was Oz's injured arm, and looked back at Willow, nodding. "If you think it can help, I can evacuate the whole damned hospital."
"I don't think that will be necessary," Giles answered, smiling softly. "Just the room."
Takina nodded. "Five minutes."
With that, she rushed out of the room.
~~~~~
The hallway was silent and empty as Willow led Emma towards the recovery room. Takina had cleared the areas surrounding it. Some things just couldn't have audiences. No one was quite sure how she'd done it, but the fire alarm in the section was kind of a clue.
Slowly, Willow pushed open the door to the room, mouth agape, eyes horrified at what she saw. Xander lay in the sea of white pillows and sheets, covered from head to toe in bandages. Only his face was visible. Stitches lined his cheek and brow, his eyes sunken and black, his skin as pale as snow.
"Oh God," the Witch muttered, slapping her hand to her mouth. Emma squeezed the hand that Willow still held.
"It's bad," Takina whispered softly from the darkness of the corner. "Really bad." She was quiet a moment. "River," she whispered, thinking of the little girl that was right now playing at Takina's sister's house. River wouldn't know him. He wouldn't be able to watch her grow up. Give her away at her wedding, which, even though it would probably be to Will thus binding them always to Spike, he would want to do. Tears started afresh.
Emma slowly let go of Willow's hand, walked over to the side of the bed and used a chair to crawl up next to him. The beeping sound of the monitors filled the air, making it that much more nerve-wracking as the child wiggled and squirmed her way onto the bed next to the man she had come to know as her uncle.
The women watched in curious amazement as the girl gingerly curled against Xander's unconscious form, cuddling up to the man with her arm thrown over his waist and began to glow. Her body became nearly translucent as the white engulfed them both. Bright, white, nearly blinding light.
It had begun.
~~~~~
Spike pulled the motorcycle to the curb next to the hospital entrance. He'd barely come to a stop before Buffy was off the back, racing in through the glass doors. It'd become habit, chasing Buffy. Spike mused that there should be an Olympic medal somewhere for that feat alone.
They didn't have to ask where to go. Both of them had been there enough times to draw detailed maps of every wing of the hospital from nursery to morgue. ICU had become one of their favourite haunts. Funny how it was never the conventional medicine that ended up saving them in the long run, yet still they always ended up here.
Buffy burst through the doorway into the waiting room to see a crowd of people milling about in awed shock. Spike came in behind her, panting a little and looking a bit worse for wear. All eyes turned towards the pair, staring with frightened, wide-eyed expressions, stopping their nervous conversations.
"B.buffy?" Dawn asked, tensing nervously, but trying to force the reaction down.
Buffy nodded, her green eyes tearing. "How.how's Xander?"
"They took Emma back," Dawn answered quietly. "Not good."
"The Mite will sort it," Spike contributed, putting a hand on Buffy's back to calm her. William eyed him from his perch in the Watcher's arms and reached for his father. Spike took him wordlessly, cradling the boy against his hip and ruffling his hair.
Dawn moved a step closer. "Buffy. are you.?"
"Me," Buffy answered, smiling sheepishly. "We. we had to break the amulet."
"Mom told me she saw you," Dawn interrupted, taking another hesitant step.
"You saw your mum?" Spike asked, raising an eyebrow.
Dawn turned towards the Vampire. "She.she visited me here. She wanted to say."
Buffy nodded, pulling the girl towards her and hugging her tight. "Dawnie, it's okay. I'm so sorry."
Tears streamed down both faces. "I know it wasn't you, Buffy," the younger girl sobbed. "I was so afraid I was going to lose you too."
"Not going anywhere," Buffy comforted, pulling away enough to see her sister's face. "You think he'd let me?" She nodded back towards the Vampire behind her.
Dawn smiled. "Probably not. He's all obsessed."
"Am not," Spike childishly huffed.
"Are too," Buffy shot back. "Which is good because it's mutual."
Spike thought about that a minute and sighed. "Right then. Going to sit down."
Dawn giggled at the pair. "You sure you're okay."
"Embarrassed," Buffy began. "Guilty." She turned, looking at the rest of them. "I'm. I'm sorry for everything, guys. I mean."
"It wasn't you, Buffy," Giles corrected, wiping his glasses. "Draconius's spell.."
Buffy shook her head. "I'm sorry all the same. For all of this. If it wasn't for me." Tears began to stream down her face. "If it wasn't for me, Spike wouldn't have that big chunk out of his neck."
"Talked about that already, Pet," Spike interrupted. But Buffy wasn't stopping.
"And.and Dawn wouldn't be all bruisey." Her hand touched the livid mark on Dawn's throat. "And Oz and.and. Xander wouldn't be."
"Wouldn't be what?" A voice announced from behind them.
The whole crowd of them turned to stare at the entrance of the waiting room. Standing there, looking a little worn out but all in once piece, was Xander, Emma riding piggyback. Willow and Takina stood behind them with amazed and relieved grins on their faces.
"Xander?" Buffy gushed, running towards him and throwing her arms around him until he responded with a wince.
"Easy on the ribs," he grunted as she backed off. "Newly healed and the like."
Spike was up and over faster than he would've liked to admit, throwing an arm around Xander's shoulder in relief. "Stupid git. Shoulda known better than to race that monstrosity over the cliffs.." The Vampire let go with a manly pat.
"I love you too, Spike," Xander snarked, smirking back at him with amused relief.
"You're okay?" Anya asked, roaming over him with worried eyes.
"Yeah, I mean. I don't really remember, but one minute I'm upside down in the van and the next, I'm staring at Emma being all glow-worm ish."
"Weird," Oz said. "In a good kinda weird way."
Willow nodded, amused. "Worked, though."
Emma hopped off of Xander and headed over to her mum. "Can we go home now? I'm sleepy."
Buffy smiled at the girl. "We can go home now," she agreed, taking the little girl's hand. "But you'll have to ride with Anya and Giles because."
"Daddy has the vroom bike," Emma finished. "I know."
"Of course," Buffy rolled her eyes at the little girl.
Xander looked at them all, relief and happiness replacing the pain and fear. He took Takina's hand and led her out of the room, the rest of the group in tow.
~~~~~
Buffy lay contentedly in bed, fingers gently grazing two blonde heads as they snored lazily next to her. Spike was on his side, watching the scene with happiness in his heart that was sickeningly sweet, even to him. Sometimes he had wondered how he'd come to this place. How he'd gone from William the Bloody; he who reveled in mayhem and loved madly, to William Windsor who adored his wife and two small children and doted on them like the willing slave that he was.
He closed his eyes and thought about that a moment.
Because he wanted to.
This is what he had wanted all along. When he was human, he was too afraid of rejection to try. When he was a Vampire, he was too angry at his lot in life to think of a way to accomplish it.
Until her.
Now that he had made this bed, there was no where else he'd rather lie. Not one moment of simpering or bloodshed that he would reverse if it meant not being right here. Watching her hold their children as they slept. *Their* children. Conceived in love. Even before they knew it had existed between them. Well, before she knew.
Spike opened his eyes again, letting his fingers graze down his daughter's golden locks. "Think it's time I put them to bed for the night, Love."
Buffy purred, opening her green eyes to look into his, and smiled. "They can stay with us."
He smiled. An expression of sweetness tinged with a mischievous little twitch at the edges of his mouth. "Much as I love them, Pet, I was thinking you needed to be welcomed back right and proper."
She raised her eyebrows, smiling deviously. "Well, if you insist."
Spike lifted himself from the bed, picking up a tot in each arm. Buffy watched in amazement as he juggled them both without even waking them, a blonde head on each of his strong shoulders. "Back before you know it," he quipped, heading out of the room.
When he returned, the room was lit in the hazy glow of candles. She had taken off the sweats that she had been wearing while lounging with the kids and had put on a peach silk baby doll nightie. One he liked. A lot.
"See you've decided what kind of evening you'd like to have, Love," Spike snarked, closing the door behind him and shedding his shirt simultaneously.
Buffy smiled at him wickedly. "I have some making up to do. Now that everyone is okay, you know, no threats on anyone's lives, no angry hell gods breathing down our neck, tons of hospital miraculous recovery things. I thought maybe we could."
Spike raised an eyebrow as his hands moved to unfasten his jeans. Her body tensed in anticipation. Coming back to herself had left her wanting for him again. More than before. Her body always begged for his, but her mind, her heart, needed to feel him to be whole again. To be what they were before.
"Could what?" Spike asked, letting the jeans pool at his feet. "Pet." The last word dripped from his lips, full of sensuality as his nude body prowled to the edge of the bed and crawled its length until he was hovered over her, hands just outside her shoulders.
The answer was quiet and not quite what he had expected. "Make love," she whispered, staring up at his endless blue eyes with love and a little bit of fear. "Show me that you don't hate me, Spike. Show me that you love me."
His head tilted, studying her face. "Buffy," he sighed, lifting a hand and letting his fingers trace her pretty peach cheeks. "I never stopped. Never will. Never could. You're mine, Pet. My heart. My soul. My life and my ever after."
Buffy closed her eyes a moment, trying to hold back tears. "But what I did."
"Is over," Spike interrupted, his lips brushing hers. "Wasn't you. I know you, Buffy." His hand lazily trailed up and down her bare arm. "Inside and out. I know where you were, Pet. Found you trapped in there. Wasn't you."
"How can you forgive me?" Buffy asked, her eyes swimming with tears.
"Nothing to forgive," Spike answered, kissing the tip of her nose. "But I could forgive you anything because I love you. Because this is our life and I may be an impulsive git, but I'm not bloody stupid. Not messing this up."
She smiled, her hand cupping his cheek. "I love you, Spike," Buffy whispered, pressing her lips to his. "Always."
"Everyday, Pet. Everyday."
End of main story. Specialty chapter and Epilogue to follow.
Welcome to the final regular chapter of The One. This has been a *long* book and I'd like to thank all of you who have stayed with me throughout. I am grateful to you all and especially those of you who have reviewed the story on ff.net and Always, and those of you who sent me volumes of feedback personally. I loved every minute of it.
Will I continue? Probably. If you still want to read, I still have ideas. But it's up to you to tell me that is what you want. If you want more Spike and Buffy. More William and Emma. Or if you are done.
In the meantime, there are two additional chapters I will release for The One that are strictly extras. This chapter ties up the story. One of the chapters will be another "director's cut" and will include NC-17 material. Because of this, it will not be posted on ff.net. If you would like to obtain a copy of this when it is released, please send a *short* email to nimueofavalon71 at yahoo.com stating that you are over 17 and would like a copy of the director's cut. I expect to have that chapter complete mid next week.
Also, there will be an Epilogue to The One. That will follow a week or so later. I know that this is a little off from my normal schedule, but both chapters seem to be shaping up as LONG and I will be traveling next week.
So, thank you. Every one. I have loved writing this story and loved getting to know so many of you through feedback and emails.
Again, if you'd like a copy of the next chapter, you will have to request it by email.
Thank you again.
.
*Cheery Vibes*, Nimue
"As sick as it sounds, in my little head, there's a little Sunnydale, and a widdle Spike and a widdle Buffy and Spike wubs Buffy." James Marsters 14 July 2002
Title: Glow Worm (Chapter Thirty-six of The One)
Author: Nimue
Rating: PG -13
Pairing: Buffy/Spike. Most major characters included.
Feedback: Yes, please
For instant notification of fic releases, straight to your mailbox, please visit Always_Everyday at yahoogroups.com. Also, please visit the wonderful fan listing that Rachel put together. Sign up today and link to your website (or just sign up to say hi!).
Disclaimer: All characters belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, UPN, Fox... Just Borrowing. (With, of course, the exception of Emma and William, who belong to Buffy and Spike)
Summary: Spike has saved Buffy, but will they be in time to help Xander and Oz? Will Buffy be able to forgive herself? Will Buffy's family be able to forgive her? How will this all end? Read on.
~~~~~
Glow Worm ~~~~~
Willow sat on the floor of the small waiting room, her legs crossed, trying to control her breath. God, why was it so hard to do this stuff when she actually needed it? Another deep breath and she felt she was calm enough to try again.
'Anya?' She thought.
'What do you want?' The demon's voice snapped back, loud and clear in the Witch's head. 'You shouldn't just barge into people's minds, you know. I'm kind of in a hurry.'
Willow's brow crinkled in confusion. 'In a hurry where?'
'The hospital. Xander's hurt. Emma can help him.'
'Oh,' Willow's mind answered. 'Kinda why I'm calling.'
'Well, you can stop now,' Anya groused. 'I'm in the parking lot.'
'Oh,' Willow answered again. 'Good.'
With that, a door slammed between them as Anya shut off access to her mind.
~~~~~
Buffy clung to Spike's back, her arms threaded around his waist as he raced through the cliffs on the motorbike. It had been a long time since she'd ridden with him like this. They needed to do it more often. There was something so free about it. Even with all that happened, all the guilt and fear that weighed heavily on her mind, she felt like they were one with wind and sky and sea as he rode at break-neck speed over the asphalt.
Her head rested on his back and she could feel Spike relax. Closing her eyes, feeling the wind against her cheeks, she reached into his mind. Worry for Xander. That made her smile if only because asking him would produce a grumble. Concern over her. That made her sad. She hated that he worried so much about her. And love. Always love. She could feel it over everything else. Like an eternal spring in his mind. Never ran out. Never wavered. So much love. And she was its object. She and the kids.
For the millionth time, she felt like she was a lucky girl.
~~~~~
Anya burst into the waiting room, Will on her hip, Emma trotting beside her. Giles swooped in, eyeing his frazzled mate with worry, and took William from her, hugging the frightened boy close. Dawn walked in behind her, far more at ease, the tears now just silvery shadows against her cheeks.
"Are we in time?" Anya asked, as the rest of the group got up to greet her. Willow had made it back into the room just seconds before Anya.
Tara nodded. "He just came out of surgery. He's in re.recovery."
"Is he going to be okay?" Anya asked, her face lined with fear and worry.
Giles put a hand on Anya's shoulder. "It doesn't look like conventional medicine will be able to do much for him. He's suffered quite a severe head trauma."
"But Emma.." Anya began, just as the girl walked over to the smaller man sandwiched between the two Witches. The group fell silent as the little girl reached out her hand.
Oz looked down at her for a moment, his head tilting, mesmerized by Emma's peaceful blue eyes. He lowered himself to his knees so he was approximately her height, letting her hands touch his. The rest were motionless as a white glow began to emanate from the little girl, enveloping her and creeping over him with a soft whiteness that was nothing short of comfort itself. Her hands moved gracefully up his arm to his shoulder and the glow turned red for a moment, and then burst into white.
The Werewolf was stock still as the little girl's fingers reached the bandage on his brow, pulling it away and running soft, small hands over the gash underneath. The ragged skin knitted together seamlessly, glowing red and then flashing white. Her palms pressed to his cheeks and she leaned forward, kissing his forehead as gently as butterfly wings.
The glow was gone.
They all shuddered, blinking, as if waking from a trance. Oz stood again, his eyes never leaving the little girl. He rolled his shoulders, letting one hand rise to touch the unmarred skin on his forehead. "That was. Wow."
"Wow," Willow agreed.
Emma smiled a normal, little girl smile. "All better, Uncle Oz?"
Oz returned the gesture warmly. "Looks that way. Thank.. Thank you."
"You were the one trying to save me," Emma corrected. "Daddy told me."
"Remind me to thank your daddy," Oz chuckled, taking the little girl's outstretched arms as a sign that she wanted to be picked up and obliging.
Just as the lot of them began to regain their senses, Takina trotted into the waiting room, her body covered in bloodied scrubs. Her face lined with fear and panic. "Um."
They all turned to face her, watching her struggle with tears.
"He.he's out of surgery, which.which you know.but he.his brain.I mean. What am I going to do without him?" Takina gushed, her hands slapping over her face as the tears exploded. Tara rushed to the woman, wrapping her arms around her.
"Ta.Takina. We think. we think. Emma can help," Tara whispered, stroking the woman's back.
Takina's head rose from the woman's shoulder. "How?"
"Xander. he was trying to help Emma when the Van. when it happened. So, Emma should be able to heal. help him," Tara sputtered.
"It worked for Oz," Willow contributed. "Can. can you get us in there to see him? Alone?"
Takina looked over at the little girl, comfortably situated in what was Oz's injured arm, and looked back at Willow, nodding. "If you think it can help, I can evacuate the whole damned hospital."
"I don't think that will be necessary," Giles answered, smiling softly. "Just the room."
Takina nodded. "Five minutes."
With that, she rushed out of the room.
~~~~~
The hallway was silent and empty as Willow led Emma towards the recovery room. Takina had cleared the areas surrounding it. Some things just couldn't have audiences. No one was quite sure how she'd done it, but the fire alarm in the section was kind of a clue.
Slowly, Willow pushed open the door to the room, mouth agape, eyes horrified at what she saw. Xander lay in the sea of white pillows and sheets, covered from head to toe in bandages. Only his face was visible. Stitches lined his cheek and brow, his eyes sunken and black, his skin as pale as snow.
"Oh God," the Witch muttered, slapping her hand to her mouth. Emma squeezed the hand that Willow still held.
"It's bad," Takina whispered softly from the darkness of the corner. "Really bad." She was quiet a moment. "River," she whispered, thinking of the little girl that was right now playing at Takina's sister's house. River wouldn't know him. He wouldn't be able to watch her grow up. Give her away at her wedding, which, even though it would probably be to Will thus binding them always to Spike, he would want to do. Tears started afresh.
Emma slowly let go of Willow's hand, walked over to the side of the bed and used a chair to crawl up next to him. The beeping sound of the monitors filled the air, making it that much more nerve-wracking as the child wiggled and squirmed her way onto the bed next to the man she had come to know as her uncle.
The women watched in curious amazement as the girl gingerly curled against Xander's unconscious form, cuddling up to the man with her arm thrown over his waist and began to glow. Her body became nearly translucent as the white engulfed them both. Bright, white, nearly blinding light.
It had begun.
~~~~~
Spike pulled the motorcycle to the curb next to the hospital entrance. He'd barely come to a stop before Buffy was off the back, racing in through the glass doors. It'd become habit, chasing Buffy. Spike mused that there should be an Olympic medal somewhere for that feat alone.
They didn't have to ask where to go. Both of them had been there enough times to draw detailed maps of every wing of the hospital from nursery to morgue. ICU had become one of their favourite haunts. Funny how it was never the conventional medicine that ended up saving them in the long run, yet still they always ended up here.
Buffy burst through the doorway into the waiting room to see a crowd of people milling about in awed shock. Spike came in behind her, panting a little and looking a bit worse for wear. All eyes turned towards the pair, staring with frightened, wide-eyed expressions, stopping their nervous conversations.
"B.buffy?" Dawn asked, tensing nervously, but trying to force the reaction down.
Buffy nodded, her green eyes tearing. "How.how's Xander?"
"They took Emma back," Dawn answered quietly. "Not good."
"The Mite will sort it," Spike contributed, putting a hand on Buffy's back to calm her. William eyed him from his perch in the Watcher's arms and reached for his father. Spike took him wordlessly, cradling the boy against his hip and ruffling his hair.
Dawn moved a step closer. "Buffy. are you.?"
"Me," Buffy answered, smiling sheepishly. "We. we had to break the amulet."
"Mom told me she saw you," Dawn interrupted, taking another hesitant step.
"You saw your mum?" Spike asked, raising an eyebrow.
Dawn turned towards the Vampire. "She.she visited me here. She wanted to say."
Buffy nodded, pulling the girl towards her and hugging her tight. "Dawnie, it's okay. I'm so sorry."
Tears streamed down both faces. "I know it wasn't you, Buffy," the younger girl sobbed. "I was so afraid I was going to lose you too."
"Not going anywhere," Buffy comforted, pulling away enough to see her sister's face. "You think he'd let me?" She nodded back towards the Vampire behind her.
Dawn smiled. "Probably not. He's all obsessed."
"Am not," Spike childishly huffed.
"Are too," Buffy shot back. "Which is good because it's mutual."
Spike thought about that a minute and sighed. "Right then. Going to sit down."
Dawn giggled at the pair. "You sure you're okay."
"Embarrassed," Buffy began. "Guilty." She turned, looking at the rest of them. "I'm. I'm sorry for everything, guys. I mean."
"It wasn't you, Buffy," Giles corrected, wiping his glasses. "Draconius's spell.."
Buffy shook her head. "I'm sorry all the same. For all of this. If it wasn't for me." Tears began to stream down her face. "If it wasn't for me, Spike wouldn't have that big chunk out of his neck."
"Talked about that already, Pet," Spike interrupted. But Buffy wasn't stopping.
"And.and Dawn wouldn't be all bruisey." Her hand touched the livid mark on Dawn's throat. "And Oz and.and. Xander wouldn't be."
"Wouldn't be what?" A voice announced from behind them.
The whole crowd of them turned to stare at the entrance of the waiting room. Standing there, looking a little worn out but all in once piece, was Xander, Emma riding piggyback. Willow and Takina stood behind them with amazed and relieved grins on their faces.
"Xander?" Buffy gushed, running towards him and throwing her arms around him until he responded with a wince.
"Easy on the ribs," he grunted as she backed off. "Newly healed and the like."
Spike was up and over faster than he would've liked to admit, throwing an arm around Xander's shoulder in relief. "Stupid git. Shoulda known better than to race that monstrosity over the cliffs.." The Vampire let go with a manly pat.
"I love you too, Spike," Xander snarked, smirking back at him with amused relief.
"You're okay?" Anya asked, roaming over him with worried eyes.
"Yeah, I mean. I don't really remember, but one minute I'm upside down in the van and the next, I'm staring at Emma being all glow-worm ish."
"Weird," Oz said. "In a good kinda weird way."
Willow nodded, amused. "Worked, though."
Emma hopped off of Xander and headed over to her mum. "Can we go home now? I'm sleepy."
Buffy smiled at the girl. "We can go home now," she agreed, taking the little girl's hand. "But you'll have to ride with Anya and Giles because."
"Daddy has the vroom bike," Emma finished. "I know."
"Of course," Buffy rolled her eyes at the little girl.
Xander looked at them all, relief and happiness replacing the pain and fear. He took Takina's hand and led her out of the room, the rest of the group in tow.
~~~~~
Buffy lay contentedly in bed, fingers gently grazing two blonde heads as they snored lazily next to her. Spike was on his side, watching the scene with happiness in his heart that was sickeningly sweet, even to him. Sometimes he had wondered how he'd come to this place. How he'd gone from William the Bloody; he who reveled in mayhem and loved madly, to William Windsor who adored his wife and two small children and doted on them like the willing slave that he was.
He closed his eyes and thought about that a moment.
Because he wanted to.
This is what he had wanted all along. When he was human, he was too afraid of rejection to try. When he was a Vampire, he was too angry at his lot in life to think of a way to accomplish it.
Until her.
Now that he had made this bed, there was no where else he'd rather lie. Not one moment of simpering or bloodshed that he would reverse if it meant not being right here. Watching her hold their children as they slept. *Their* children. Conceived in love. Even before they knew it had existed between them. Well, before she knew.
Spike opened his eyes again, letting his fingers graze down his daughter's golden locks. "Think it's time I put them to bed for the night, Love."
Buffy purred, opening her green eyes to look into his, and smiled. "They can stay with us."
He smiled. An expression of sweetness tinged with a mischievous little twitch at the edges of his mouth. "Much as I love them, Pet, I was thinking you needed to be welcomed back right and proper."
She raised her eyebrows, smiling deviously. "Well, if you insist."
Spike lifted himself from the bed, picking up a tot in each arm. Buffy watched in amazement as he juggled them both without even waking them, a blonde head on each of his strong shoulders. "Back before you know it," he quipped, heading out of the room.
When he returned, the room was lit in the hazy glow of candles. She had taken off the sweats that she had been wearing while lounging with the kids and had put on a peach silk baby doll nightie. One he liked. A lot.
"See you've decided what kind of evening you'd like to have, Love," Spike snarked, closing the door behind him and shedding his shirt simultaneously.
Buffy smiled at him wickedly. "I have some making up to do. Now that everyone is okay, you know, no threats on anyone's lives, no angry hell gods breathing down our neck, tons of hospital miraculous recovery things. I thought maybe we could."
Spike raised an eyebrow as his hands moved to unfasten his jeans. Her body tensed in anticipation. Coming back to herself had left her wanting for him again. More than before. Her body always begged for his, but her mind, her heart, needed to feel him to be whole again. To be what they were before.
"Could what?" Spike asked, letting the jeans pool at his feet. "Pet." The last word dripped from his lips, full of sensuality as his nude body prowled to the edge of the bed and crawled its length until he was hovered over her, hands just outside her shoulders.
The answer was quiet and not quite what he had expected. "Make love," she whispered, staring up at his endless blue eyes with love and a little bit of fear. "Show me that you don't hate me, Spike. Show me that you love me."
His head tilted, studying her face. "Buffy," he sighed, lifting a hand and letting his fingers trace her pretty peach cheeks. "I never stopped. Never will. Never could. You're mine, Pet. My heart. My soul. My life and my ever after."
Buffy closed her eyes a moment, trying to hold back tears. "But what I did."
"Is over," Spike interrupted, his lips brushing hers. "Wasn't you. I know you, Buffy." His hand lazily trailed up and down her bare arm. "Inside and out. I know where you were, Pet. Found you trapped in there. Wasn't you."
"How can you forgive me?" Buffy asked, her eyes swimming with tears.
"Nothing to forgive," Spike answered, kissing the tip of her nose. "But I could forgive you anything because I love you. Because this is our life and I may be an impulsive git, but I'm not bloody stupid. Not messing this up."
She smiled, her hand cupping his cheek. "I love you, Spike," Buffy whispered, pressing her lips to his. "Always."
"Everyday, Pet. Everyday."
End of main story. Specialty chapter and Epilogue to follow.