Oops I forgot to do disclaimer in the last 3 chapters. Oh well, it's not
like you don't know that none of the Buffy characters are mine and never
will be mine. They all belong to the brilliant mind of Joss Whedon.

* * *

Drusilla giggled as she watched on of her many minions struggle with
her large chest of clothing. The pixies had told her to come to Sunnydale
to find the ancient and long forgotten Talisman of Ollidamra. Then the
stars had informed her that the Talisman would enable all vampires to walk
in daylight. She had set out immediately on her mission after that
information. Maybe when she had it, her Spike would comeback to her. But
she frowned when she remembered his little childe. She was a powerful
little one. No, Spike would not come back to her with Kel in the way. She
indeed had made a mistake in triggering the bond. Oh well, that problem was
solved easily enough. Coming back to so called reality from her thoughts,
she looked around and found that the minion had left and in his place was a
girl tied up and gagged. Drusilla pouted. She had so much hoped for a nice
young man. She turned away from the girl and frowned as she realized that
bad Miss Edith hadn't finished her tea.

* * *

"I think I found something!" Willow said loudly from across the room.
Buffy looked up from the boring ancient book she was reading and closed it
gratefully.
"Yeah? What's it say Will?"
"It's a simple spell. I can cast it on myself to see if he has a soul
or not. According to this, I'll see a white light coming from him. I have
everything for it except..."she looked down at the book again, "uh, sage."
"You're welcome to use some from the shop Willow." Giles said, "It
should be by the counter."
"So that's all? You just see a white light? No painstaking way to
pull the info out?" Xander asked.
"Nope. It's all pain free." Willow said cheerfully.
"Damn. I was so looking forward to that." Buffy glared at him. Why
did he have to be like that? Willow got up and went to the counter to find
the ingredient.
"This shouldn't take long"
"Good 'cuz he and Kel should be coming soon." Buffy said. Willow
nodded and said the spell, closing her eyes. A faint wind stirred around
her but passed quickly. Willow opened her eyes and looked around.
"Did it work?" Dawn asked.
"Yeah. I hope so. I don't see anything different now but when I do
I'll let you know." Buffy nodded and sat back down. This was nerve-racking.
What if Spike did have a soul? Would it make a difference?
"Buffy, do you think Kel will be any different?" Dawn asked suddenly,
interrupting her thoughts.
"What do you mean?"
"Like will she be changed. Now that she knows Spike is her sire?"
"I don't know. She didn't seem very different last night. Well,
except for the hair. But it could happen."
"I hope not. What do you think Giles?" Dawn asked.
"Well, uh.." Just then the door opened, bell tinkling. And Spike and
Kel came in. Kel looking a bit tired but cheerful and Spike talking
animatedly to her.
"...and then there is Angel. A.k.a Peaches. He's eh.the soulful
type." Kel stopped trying to get her jacket off her still sore arm, smiled,
and said,
"Peaches Spike?" He didn't say anything but helped her get her coat
off carefully. Buffy tore her eyes away from them and looked at Willow to
see her reaction. Willow shrugged and shook her head. Nothing. No soul.
Unless Willow had done something wrong. No, she couldn't have. He must have
just changed because of Kel. She looked at the rest of the gang. They were
also looking at Spike and Kel carefully. Spike had successfully removed
Kel's coat and were moving toward the table. Kel was saying something
sarcastic about Angel but stopped when she noticed everybody was looking at
them. She raised an eyebrow and looked at Spike, who seemed passive at all
the attention they were getting. She shrugged and sat down beside Dawn,
reluctant, it seemed, to be away from Spike. Buffy wondered why they
weren't saying anything about last night, or even talking for that matter.
Dawn quietly said hi to Kel and they fell into a quiet conversation, the
only ones talking. Buffy sighed and thought everybody was being stupid and
awkward for no reason. She looked over at Spike, who was sitting beside
her. He was fidgeting around uncomfortably for some reason. She looked over
at Kel. Even talking to Dawn, she seemed unable to sit still though Dawn
was oblivious to her discomfort. Well, that answered Dawn's question if
anything was going to change. She looked over at Giles to see if he noticed
anything. He too seemed to notice. She caught his eye and raised her
eyebrows, glancing at Spike and Kel. Giles got the message loud and clear.
He cleared his throat and Dawn and Kel stopped talking along with the
others.
"I have something to ask Spike and Kel," Spike looked up from the
book he was pretending to read. Giles took off his glasses. " I have a bit
of a favor to ask of both of you. Would you be willing for me to eh,
observe you now that...you know. I daresay the Council would love the
information." Spike and Kel exchanged glances.
"I thought you didn't work for the Council anymore." Kel said.
"Well technically I don't," Giles grinned smugly, "but they would pay
dearly for the information." Kel glanced at Spike and gave a little shrug.
They seemed to have their own little language, Buffy observed.
"Sure, why not? As long as you don't start doing experiments on us
and cut us open like frogs in biology class that's fine." Spike said. Kel
winced and gave Spike a disgusted look.
"Ugh. Thanks for the visual Spike." she said. He smiled. Giles
blinked.
"Really? Are you sure?" he said
"Yeah. Did I stutter? Why so surprised?"
"I rather thought you would say no, but okay. I'll probably ask you
to do something sometimes to see what happens."
"We won't mind," Kel said, "Ask away."
"Ok then if you don't mind I have already made an observation. You
both seem to be very fidgety and eh, uncomfortable. Kel, maybe if you could
just move over there and sit beside Spike that would be good please."

* * *

Oh we shouldn't have agreed to this. Both she and Spike had agreed to
remain as normal as possible. He had said that they don't take change very
easily. But it had been hard. She wanted to be near him all the time now.
It was strange to think that not even three days ago she hadn't needed him,
but now she did. But she couldn't help it any more than he could. Now, by
agreeing to be 'observed' they would have to break the pact whenever Giles
asked. She looked over to Spike uncertainly. He nodded. A part of her let
out a sigh of relief that she would be near him again, but the other half
was screaming that this whole thing was stupid and that she didn't need
him. Nonetheless, she got up and carefully, tried not to run over to him,
and sat down. Immediately, his very presence calmed her. His scent. She
felt his arm instinctively cover her shoulders and pull her closer. She
sighed. This was better.
"There. Anything else Rupert?" Spike asked a bit sardonically. Kel
hoped not. She didn't like the idea of this whole thing already. Giles
looked up from the notebook he was writing in and shook his head.
"No that's it for now thanks." Kel frowned and cuddled closer to
Spike. At least no one was looking at them anymore. Why should she need
Spike? She could take care of herself as she had for most of her life and
unlife. If she had thought that only going good was bad, now this. For a
moment she regretted ever meeting Spike again and hated him for making her
what she was now. But, of course, it was gone in an instant like a stone in
water.
"Kel?" Kel snapped her head up, looked at Dawn, and realized that she
had been trying to get her attention.
"Huh? What? Sorry."
"Deep thoughts huh?" Dawn said. Kel smiled.
"Heh. Yeah. Very deep."
"I was just gonna ask if you wanted to go to the Bronze or
something."
"Sure. Nothin' else to do."
"I don't think that's a good idea you guys," Buffy said, "Drusilla is
still out there. You don't know what she'll do."
"Well, she'll just be in for a big surprise if she tries to mess with
me or Dawn." Kel said stonily. The very mention of that name had gotten her
worked up. That bitch. She felt Spike's reassuring arm squeeze here
shoulders briefly and calmed.
"She's right luv. You both should stay here." Spike said softly. Kel
sat back, pulling her legs under her. If Spike thought she should stay then
she would. She knew very well he had the power to control her, even if he
would never use it.
"C'mon Buffy. We can take care of ourselves. Right Kel?" Dawn said.
"Yep."she replied automatically.
"No Dawn." Dawn pouted and crossed her arms. Suddenly Kel felt very
tired. Probably because she and Spike had stayed up all day talking. They
weren't doing anything. Why couldn't they leave? She laid her head on
Spike's chest and just as she was nodding off, Buffy spoke up again.
"Never mind. Ya know what guys? Let's go have some fun." Buffy got
up, grabbed her coat, and went to the door, waiting for everybody. Kel sat
up reluctantly and got up, followed by Spike.
"Yes! Thanks Buffy," Dawn said, "C'mon Kel." Kel started to try to
get her coat back on again but stopped not bothering to go through the pain
again.
"Are you sure Buffy?" Spike asked.
"Yeah. Just because Drusilla is back doesn't mean we can't have fun."
Kel saw Spike shake his head and light a cigarette. A sure sign he was
distressed. She went out the door with Dawn to catch up with him. What was
wrong? Buffy was right. No laying low for anyone.
"Hey what's wrong?" Dawn asked walking beside her.
"Nothing. I'll be right back." She sped up and caught up with her
sire, jogging past everybody in no time. She walked backwards in front of
him.
"Hey, what's the matter?"
"Nothing Kelly. Why?" Kel gave him a look and sighed.
"No there is something. I know it. C'mon Spike there is nothing to be
worried about." At this, he stopped and stomped out his cigarette, pulling
out another one, along with his lighter. Kel grabbed his hand before he
could light it and took the cigarette from his mouth, flicking it into the
woods.
"Relax." she said and smiled. He sighed, nodded, and touched a hand
to her cheek gently. He let go of her hand and started walking again. Kel
sighed, crossed her arms, and watched him walk away. She wished she knew
what was wrong. Wait, hadn't he said that they could read each other's
minds? No, it was too soon anyway. She looked in the opposite way, waiting
for Dawn to catch up.
"So what's up?" she asked when she got close.
"Nothing. Spike is being cryptic. Remind me never to be cryptic." Kel
said.
"No problem. I remember Angel always used to be cryptic. He was
always standing in the shadows all broody and stuff. I hated that! But I
guess Buffy liked it. Oh my God! You don't think Spike is turning into
Angel do you?"
"God I hope not. I don't think I would be able to live with that."
Kel answered, "Let's catch up with everybody." They caught up with the
Scoobies and fell into step with them.
"So, Kel, do you think now that you know Spike is your sire and stuff
that we are gonna have to hate each other guts with a passion and throw
insults at each other like a game of tennis?" Xander asked. Kel smiled.
"I don't think so Xander. I mean, so far I can't even figure out why
Spike calls you monkey boy. 'Cuz you don't look like a monkey to me. You
look more like an overgrown..." Kel cleared her throat, catching herself,
"Uh, sorry, never mind. Of course there is always a possibility." Dawn
snickered. Xander blinked.
"Uh....ok. Thanks....I think." Oh that was creepy. I almost did
insult him. They walked silently the rest of the way to the bronze. When
they got in the door, Kel instinctively looked for Spike both with her eyes
and mind.
"Where's Spike?" Buffy asked, looking at Kel in particular. Kel held
up a finger and tried again. This was hard. She had been able to do it
before. It was probably because there were so many people. Finally she
found him just barely on the far right. She looked in that direction and
pointed.
"Over there."
"Where? I don't see him." Buffy said. Kel didn't answer but walked
that way. There he was. Good. She had been getting worried.
"Kel how did you know he was over there?" Giles asked. She did a
double take. She hadn't even realized that Giles had come. She hoped he
didn't start dancing.
"Giles. I didn't even know you were here. Uh, I can feel his presence
in my mind. Ok excuse me! Move people!" She said loudly making the people
in front of the table Spike was at move. "Thank you. Geez." She looked back
to see if everybody was coming. They were all looking at her, shocked.
"What? They were just standing there." She sat down beside Spike. Why were
they so astonished? What, so she couldn't be loud and outspoken for once?
"Uh does anybody want something to drink?" Willow asked.
"I'll have a water." Buffy said.
"Diet coke." said Dawn.
"Anybody else? Ok be right back." Tara said. Kel looked around at
everybody in the Bronze. The guys in particular. Whew he's hot! She watched
a guy walk by their table. He had deep blue eyes and dirty blonde hair.
"Uh Kel? You're drooling." Dawn said smirking.
"Huh? Shut up." Kel wiped her mouth.
"Who ya lookin' at?"
"A guy."
"No shit. You know what I mean."
"Dawn." Buffy said warningly.
"Sorry Buffy. So? Which one?"
"Doesn't matter. Looks like he's already got a girlfriend." Dawn
looked over at the boy.
"Oh that's Brian. And that girl flashing her ass in front of him is
Kate. She is the ultimate bi...uh female dog of the high school." Kel
smirked. There was always one of those. She was the usual blonde haired,
blue eyed, cheerleader type with the perfect body and boys chasing after
her like a pack of wild hyenas. (Hehe funny huh?*crickets chirping* Heh you
know like Xander gets possessed by a hyena. Get it? Sheesh fine. I know
it's corny.)
"Oh don't worry. There are one of those in every school. It's like an
unwritten law." Kel said.
"Hey Dawn." A girl came over and stood beside Dawn.
"Oh hey Janice."
"When did you get here?"
"Just a few minutes ago."
"Oh. Who's your friend?" Janice asked, looking at Kel.
"This is Kel. She's just, uh, visiting." Kel smiled and nodded at
her.
"Hi." Janice said, "Dawn we are over there if you or Kel want to come
over later."
" 'Kay. See ya." Janice waved and disappeared into the crowd.
"She seems nice." Kel said awkwardly. For some reason she had
forgotten that Dawn had other friends except for her.
"Yeah, she is. But don't worry. Not many people can say that their
best friend is a vampire." Kel smiled.
"I'm your best friend?"
"Well, yeah. Of course. I mean, Janice is nice and all but sometimes
she is just not enough for the friend position. It takes talent you know.
See, you always listen to me no matter how pathetic I sound. Whereas,
Janice complains a lot and she always does this weird thing with her nose."
Kel laughed.
"You mean like this?" Kel flared out her nose and scrunched it up.
Dawn laughed.
"Exactly!"
"Oh please. Next you're gonna tell me she snorts when she laughs."
"How did you know?" Dawn asked, giggling. Kel shrugged.
"Guess it just comes with the nose thing package." Willow and Tara
came back with the drinks and Kel noticed that Spike had gone. She turned
back to Dawn.
"Where did Spike go?"
"I dunno. I think he went by himself to go get a drink. I'm gonna go
dance. Wanna come?"
"No thanks. Go ahead." She was very tired now. She saw Spike coming
back from the bar, a welcoming sight.
"Hey, I thought you were getting a drink?" Kel said as he sat down.
"I was but they were out of the stuff I like."
"Oh." She held back a yawn. Spike furrowed his eyebrows.
"You okay luv?"
"Yeah. Just a little tired." She didn't want to stop him from having
fun. Besides, vampires could go for days without sleeping. She had done it
before. Spike raised an eyebrow but said nothing. She laid her head down on
her folded arms and watched Dawn dance with a nice looking guy. He kinda
had a big nose though. She decided that even when she wasn't tired she
wasn't much of a partier anyways. Never had been. She loved to dance and
everything but it really wasn't all that exciting. When she had just been a
young fledgling she had partied for about a year or two but that was it.
She probably should get up and dance just for the hell of it but she
couldn't seem to get the energy. What was the matter with her? She had
stayed up for weeks on end before. She was really losing her touch.
Suddenly, she felt a hand on her back and looked up to see Spike smiling
gently at her.
"You wanna go?" She hesitated. They had just gotten there. They
really didn't need to leave yet.
"Not if you don't want to."
"You know I don't care Kelly. This place is the same every time I
come here." Well, she was really tired and that trip down memory lane
hadn't been a pleasant one. She nodded silently. "Alright. Come on." Spike
stood up and Kel followed. He walked over to Buffy and told her they were
leaving.
"Already?" she asked.
"Yeah. They are out of the drink I like and I think the both of us
are tired."
"Alright. See ya. I'll tell everybody you left." she said and kissed
Spike softly. He stood there stunned for a second but pulled himself
together and nodded. Kel smiled. Poor Spike. They left the Bronze and
walked silently to the crypt, Kel barely able to keep her eyes open.
When they got there, she went downstairs and put on a large shirt and
pants to sleep in. She went back upstairs wearily and sat on the new couch
Spike had gotten. Just what the crypt had needed. She looked over at him,
who was sitting in the chair watching some old TV show. He looked tired to.
He seemed to notice her looking at him and glanced at her, opening his
arms. She gladly accepted the invitation and went over to him, sitting in
his lap sideways. He enfolded her in his arms, giving off strange warmth
and comfort for someone not living. She snuggled closer to him and laid her
head on his chest and he started stroking her hair softly. She sighed.
"So what were you worried about tonight, sire?" Kel asked. She hadn't
meant to say 'sire' but it had just come out that way. She felt him shift
under her and clear his throat and closed her eyes, listening to his voice.

* * *

"Drusilla. She is up to something more than just to taunt me. She is
hiding something. Why else would she reveal you being my childe?
Something's gonna happen. Something bad. And we need to find out what it
is."
"Well, couldn't we just ask around? Maybe its just something
temporary like..I dunno." Kel said, voice muffled in his shirt. He shook
his head.
"No, I don't think it's anything like that. Whatever it is, Buffy
hasn't got a clue about what's coming. No Slayer dreams or anything." Kel
lifted her head and looked at him.
"Dreams?"
"Yeah. She can see what's coming. Not like future in general just
usually a vague prophecy or something like that." She laid her head down
again. "But that's not everything. It's Buffy. I don't know how she feels
about me. Before, I knew she hated me but now..it's different ya know?"
"Mmm hmm." Kel mumbled.
"I mean, she kissed me but she really doesn't make it clear what I am
to her. She's so bloody confusing. What do you think?" He looked down at
Kel. She was sleeping soundly. He smiled. He had been rambling on and not
even noticed how tired she was. He continued to stroke her hair, purring,
and watched her chest rise and fall against him out of habit and held her
closer. He hadn't wanted to say anything to her but he thought Drusilla was
out to get Kel for some reason. He didn't know what he would do if he lost
her. He sighed and kissed the top of her head and she smiled in her sleep.
He watched TV dully for a while and didn't even realize that he had fallen
asleep until Buffy woke him up the next night.

* * *

"Ah, here we are." Giles said suddenly.
"What?" Buffy asked.
"I believe I have found what Drusilla is here for."
"Oh. I didn't even know we were supposed to be looking for anything."
"We weren't but I believe this is it." He held up a book with a
picture in it. " 'The Talisman of Ollidamra' It doesn't say what it does.
It just says it's here in Sunnydale. I think it might have the power to
control vampires or destroy them at will, uh, summon demons even. There are
a lot of possibilities."
"That's really not a lot to go on though." Buffy said.
"But it's just a legend right? I mean, she can't just stay here
forever looking for it. C'mon, she's insane. How much harm can she really
do?" Xander said.
"She killed Kendra," Buffy said acidly, "That's enough harm." Xander
fell silent. "Anything else Giles?" He shook his head.
"Well, maybe there is a spell for it. You know just find the Talisman
and poof destroy it and voila! All gone." Willow said.
"I don't think there are any spells for that." Tara said. Buffy
looked at Anya.
"Do you know anything?"
"Only little bits and pieces. Nothing Giles hasn't already said."
"I dunno. I'm gonna go ask Spike." Buffy said. She got up and went to
the door. "You guys can come if you want." Everybody got up, including
Giles. Buffy raised an eyebrow. "Giles, don't get too carried away with
this whole thing with them."
"I won't. But I must admit it is quite interesting." he said smiling
sheepishly. Buffy started walking in the direction of the graveyard. Willow
came up beside her.
"Will he be up? It's still daylight."
"Yeah, I'm pretty sure. It's almost 6:00."
"Oh," Willow was silent for a moment, " How are things going with you
and him?" Buffy hesitated.
"I dunno. He's just...Spike. We want something but we really can't
figure out how to work it out. It's kinda awkward when we talk."
"You should just talk to him. He'll listen. He really does love you
Buffy. We all want a happy ending here. We want to be able to say 'And they
lived happily ever after.' But that's not gonna happen until you both just
sit down and talk. Even if it is awkward." Buffy gave Willow and amused
smile.
"Wow you are just full of dating information today Will." Willow
grinned.
"Yep. Always the scholar. Well, I'm also gay but...that's not the
point."
"How are you and Tara doing?" Buffy asked, nearing Spike's crypt.
"We're fine. It's still a little weird but it's all better now. Of
course my limit is two spells a week but that's okay. It doesn't bother me
much anymore." Buffy opened the door to Spike's crypt. "and...awwwww."
Willow cut off her sentence as she walked in the crypt. Buffy looked around
until she saw what Willow was awwwwing about. She saw Kel sitting sideways
on Spike's lap, both of them sleeping peacefully. She sensed the others
come in behind her and shushed them. They watched as Kel stretched
slightly, nuzzled Spike's chest, and shoved her head under his chin. He
unconsciously tightened his grip on her. Buffy smiled.
"Ok, is he...purring?" Xander whispered. Buffy nodded and held a
finger to her lips. Xander just barely held back a laugh.
"Should we go? I would feel bad to disturb them. They look
so...peaceful." Willow said quietly. Buffy shook her head.
"No, he usually gets up about now. I'll wake him." she whispered. She
didn't want to say it but she was a bit jealous of Kel and wished she was
in her place. Buffy walked over to them, turned off the TV, and stood next
to the chair. She watched Spike sleep. He looked so innocent, almost human
when he was sleeping. He moved his head to the side. He really was
handsome. She tentatively reached out and brushed a strand of hair out of
his face. "Spike,"she said gently, "Spike wake up." He turned his head a
bit and frowned. "Spike c'mon." He yawned, vamping out for a second, and
finally opened his eyes.
"Buffy?"he said drowsily. She nodded and smiled warmly. He started to
sit up but noticed Kel still sleeping in his lap. He looked over at
everybody standing in the doorway and his eyes widened. He looked genuinely
embarrassed. "What's wrong?" he asked.
"Nothing. We just wanted to ask you something." Buffy replied. He
nodded.
"Hold on." He slid his arms gently under Kel's back and got up slowly
as not to wake her. He laid her head down softly and tucked a strand of
hair behind her ear. He turned and motioned to the door to go outside but
stopped when Kel mumbled,
"Spike, where ya going?" She mumbled sleepily, eyes still closed.
Spike bit his lip and smiled, not turning around.
"Just outside luv. Go back to sleep." he said softly. She sighed and,
lulled by his voice, turned onto her side, and slept. He shook his head and
went out the door, followed by the others. Outside, he yawned again and ran
his hands through his hair.
"So, what's up?"
"We think we may have found out what Drusilla is up to. Something
called the Talisman of Ollidamra. Ever heard of it?" Buffy said.
"Yeah, I've heard of it but it's really just a legend to vampires.
There are few that really know anything about it. Are you sure that's what
she's after?"
"Well, it's really the only thing she could be here for. I assume you
know it is said to be located here in Sunnydale?" Giles said. Spike nodded.
"Ok, well we should just keep looking for more information on it. What it
does and so on." Spike nodded again and headed back inside, everybody
following.
"I'll get Kel up. Then we'll see what we can do."
"Hey Spike since when do you purr?" Xander asked. Buffy rolled her
eyes. Spike grinned and shook his head but had no witty comeback. "Ha! I
got him. No comeback." Xander said triumphantly.
"Very good Xander. I'll be sure to give you an extra pleasurable
orgasm tonight." Anya said. Everybody made a disgusted face and Xander
paled.
"Anya!" Anya just shrugged and kept walking. When they got inside
again, Spike went over and knelt in front of Kel, stroking her hair.
"Kel, c'mon get up."he said coaxingly. Almost immediately she stirred
and groaned a bit, stretching. She opened her eyes and smiled sleepily at
him.
"Hey."
"Hey little one."he said back and smiled. She sat up and looked at
everyone, eyebrow raised. She stood up and yawned, not asking any
questions. She leaned back against Spike.
"Nice hair Kel. Could start a fashion trend." Dawn said and Kel
glared at her. Spike chuckled.
"Might not want to talk to her just yet Nibblet. She's not exactly a
morning person." Kel laughed.
"Well neither are you. I'm surprised whoever woke him up didn't get a
'Bloody hell go away.'" she said in Spike's accent. Buffy laughed and shook
her head.
"Not exactly the reaction I got." Kel looked at Spike.
"So what's up? Wait, lemme guess. You found out what the queen bitch
from hell is up to." Spike opened his mouth then closed his it.
"Well, yeah." Kel smiled and pulled from Spike's arms.
"Thought so. I'll go change." She went downstairs. Spike watched her
go then turned back to everybody.
"Well." There was an uncomfortable silence. He looked around for his
duster, frowning. Just then Kel came up.
"Looking for this si..Spike?" She held up his duster. He raised an
eyebrow at the correction but smiled.
"Yeah, thanks." Kel looked at everybody.
"Why the silence? We ready to go or what?" Giles blinked.
"Ah, yes. Lets go." He broke the silence and headed out the door. Kel
moved away from Spike and went to talk with Dawn. Buffy took a deep breath.
She would have to talk to him now or never. She went over to walk beside
Spike, who seemed deep in thought.
"Uh, hey."she said hesitantly. Spike blinked and looked over at her.
"Hi." She looked down at her feet.
"I have to talk to you." Spike shoved his hands into his pockets and
looked at her.
"Yeah, I'm listening."
"Well, you know things have been kinda awkward."
"Kinda? More like a whole bloody lot." he said and Buffy smiled.
"Yeah I guess you're right. Anyways, I think..I think we should try.
I want you to know that..I do feel something for you and I want to try to
work this out." Spike smiled and stopped walking.
"Do you know how long I have been waiting for you to say that?" he
asked.
"Forever?"
"Yeah, exactly. Buffy, are you absolutely sure you are going to be
serious about this?"
"Yes. I am going to be so totally serious. We can try to make it as
normal as possible, 'cuz God knows we are anything but normal."
"Normal meaning?"
"You know, like dates and stuff...not necessarily patrolling. Real
things. Like the movies or something."
"Ah. Okay luv, but I have to warn you, I'm kinda out of practice."
Spike said.
"That's okay. I'll get you caught up in no time." They were silent
for a while.
"Uh, Buffy?" Spike asked.
"Mmm?"
"What about.kissing." Buffy blushed.
"Oh, yeah. Well.uh..I don't know..." Spike smiled and pulled her to
him and kissed her gently. Buffy's stomach fluttered. When they pulled
away, Buffy smiled weakly. "Well, I guess kisses like that are okay. But
only that or Xander will probably explode even more than he already has.
Then we would be short a Scooby."
"Oh wouldn't that be a tragedy."he said but nodded and put his arm
around her waist. They started walking again, catching up quickly with the
others.
When they finally caught up, Buffy took a deep breath and Spike
tightened his arm.
"Here we go into the war zone."she said. He chuckled, which sounded
more like a deep rumbling in his chest and Buffy decided she liked it. She
walked faster, wanting to make sure everybody knew they were officially
together now, no complaints from anybody. Well, just in case, she put on
her 'Don't give me any shit' face. Spike took his arm from her waist and
took her hand instead. They purposefully walked in front of Xander and
Giles. Buffy noticed Xander make a disgusted face and glared at him. Buffy
saw Dawn look back at them, smile, and punch Kel on the arm, motioning
behind her. Kel looked back and also smiled. A vamp jumped out in front of
Dawn and Kel. Kel looked at Dawn.
"You want this one?"she asked.
"Go ahead." Kel smiled a bit evilly.
"Good. I needed some action." Buffy watched as Kel beat its ass,
impressed. Of course, she had a lot of Spike's style. Within seconds, the
vamp was dusted and Kel brushed herself off with a sigh. "That was
refreshing."
"Ok I get the next one." Dawn said.
"Fine"

* * *

Kel looked over at Spike to see his reaction on her fighting, but
found him making out with Buffy. She raised an eyebrow. Of course, she was
happy for her sire but she didn't know if she could handle this. None of
the other Scoobies seemed to notice as they walked past, or at least
pretended not to. She looked at Dawn and nodded at Buffy and Spike. Dawn
smiled. Kel smirked and started coughing and gagging. Dawn laughed loudly.
Buffy and Spike pulled apart and glared at them. Kel continued to cough and
Dawn cracked up even more. Suddenly, Kel felt a sharp pain in her head and
Spike growled. She stopped abruptly. He had never growled at her before.
And that had hurt! She looked at him questioningly. He wasn't looking at
her but talking to Buffy. Dawn had stopped laughing and Kel started walking
towards the now in sight Magic Box.
"Are you okay? What was that about?" Dawn asked. Kel shook her head.
"Nothing. I'm fine."she said and pushed open the door to the shop.
She walked over to a chair and sat down, thinking, not bothering to take
her coat off.
"Uh, Kel?" Giles asked, "Can I ask what is wrong?" Kel looked at him,
a bit annoyed.
"You can ask but I'm not gonna answer."she said shortly. Giles shut
up. Buffy and Spike came in, talking quietly. Spike passed her an
apologetic look and she half smiled to let him know it was okay.
"Ok so all we know about this Talisman is its name and that its here
in Sunnydale. Not much to go on." Buffy said. Giles looked up.
"Actually, hold on, this book does have a brief mentioning on it.
Nevermind. Wrong Talisman."he said and fell silent. Kel sighed and took a
piece of gum out of her pocket, offering one to Dawn. She took it, but
hesitated.
"Wait, how do I know this isn't a disgusting flavor or something?"she
asked. Kel blinked.
"Huh?"
"Nevermind." Dawn put it in her mouth and got up and turned the radio
on. Everybody looked at her. "What? We need some music. You know, to
lighten up the mood a little." Sk8er Boi by Avril Lavigne was playing and
Dawn mouthed the words to it. Kel grinned and held back a laugh. Then Dawn
started singing and picked up a pencil, using it as a microphone, dancing
around the shop. Kel laughed. Dawn was trying to cheer her up.
Sorry girl but you missed out,
Well tough luck that boy's mine now,
We are more than just good friends,
This is how the story ends.
Too bad that you couldn't see,
See the man that boy could be,
There is more than meets the eye,
I see the soul that is inside.
He's just a boy and I'm just a girl,
Can I make it anymore obvious?
We are in love, haven't you heard,
How we rock each other's world!
Kel shook her head, smiling. She was so retarded sometimes. This was
something that Kel herself would do normally. The song ended and Dawn
stopped.
"Thank you, thank you. I'll be here next Saturday." She looked at
Kel. "Do I need to keep going?" Kel laughed.
"Point taken. Spare me, please!"
"Hey!" Kel pulled Dawn down onto the chair beside her. "Like you
could do better on random."
"Damn straight."
"Let's see then."
"No way!"
"Chicken!" Dawn yelled.
"I like chicken."
"You said you could do better so.." The door slammed open. In the
doorway stood Drusilla. Spike, Buffy, and Kel stood up at the same time.
"Oh dear. Miss Edith told me all you all wouldn't be here. She must
be punished when I get back." Dru said. Kel moved beside Spike and vamped
out, all earlier humor gone. Then, she heard a calming voice in her head.
Easy Kel. It was Spike's voice. Her eye's widened. They had
communicated in their heads for the first time.
C'mon sire. Can't I just hurt her a little bit?she thought back. She
was surprised to find that it came just as easily as talking out loud.
No.he said firmly. She stopped growling and glanced at him.
"What do you want Drusilla?" Buffy asked stonily.
"Well, I was going to get some supplies but I suppose I can't now."
"Guess not," Buffy said, "So I suggest you leave before I get nasty."
Drusilla smiled.
"I just want to talk to my family."she said.
"Ok we are not your family." Kel blurted out acidly. She had wanted
to put 'bitch' in there but hadn't known exactly how far she could go.
"Kel." Spike said warningly.
What? You didn't say I couldn't talk. She felt, rather than heard him
growl in her head. Drusilla looked at her.
"But of course you are. Whether you like it or not. Haven't you ever
wondered why you have just now found your sire?"
"Dru, don't." Spike said. Did he sound desperate? She tried to tell
what he was thinking but he had blocked her out.
"What are you talking about?" Kel asked. Drusilla laughed insanely.
"Oooh. This is going to be fun. Don't you know dearie?"
"Know what?" She was really confused now. What else was there to
know? Spike growled. What was wrong with him?
"Drusilla don't. Don't you dare."he said. Kel unvamped. Dru twirled
around and picked a crystal up off the shelf, holding it.
"You were just a mistake dearie. Just a glitch in life, not meant to
happen to my William." She threw the crystal in the air and caught it. Kel
blinked. What was that supposed to mean? A mistake? Was that even possible?
No, she couldn't be.
"You're lying." Kel said shakily. After all, who would believe her?
She was insane, right? Everything she said made no sense. She looked at
Spike. He was glaring daggers at Drusilla. Oh God it was true. Kel shook
her head. "No. No, that's not true."
"Oh really? Why don't you ask Spike?" Dru answered.
"Spike?" She looked at him, praying it wasn't true. He looked at his
feet, then up at her. His eyes were pleading.
I'm sorry Kelly. She swallowed and sat down heavily in a chair.
Drusilla had started talking again in riddles but Kel wasn't paying
attention. She had said to him it didn't matter that he had killed her
family and forgotten about her. But did it really not matter? She really
hadn't thought about any of it until now. She was a mistake. A voice in the
back of her head kept saying it didn't matter and that Spike loved her now.
That was all that mattered. But how could she really know for sure? She
looked up again. Buffy was holding Spike back from attacking Drusilla
though she didn't know why Buffy didn't just let him go. After all,
Drusilla had started this whole thing. She put her head in her hands,
trying to keep form crying. She didn't know what to think anymore.
Somewhere in the back of her head she realized Drusilla had gone. She felt
a hand on her shoulder and, not looking up, she knew it was Spike. Not
looking at him, she mumbled,
"You should've told me." She heard him sigh.
"I know. But I figured it didn't matter now."he said quietly.
"It doesn't matter? That's what you think?" She stood up quickly. "
You are my sire. I have never trusted or loved anyone as much as you. There
aren't supposed to be any secrets. I told you everything but you lied to me
about this. Maybe if you would have told me before I wouldn't be this
upset. But that's not the point. The point is you lied to me. The point is
I trusted you." She was practically in tears now and she didn't know why
exactly she was crying. She was just so upset. She had thought she had been
over the teenage angst a long time ago. She closed her eyes, taking a deep
breath, and opened them. Spike was standing with his head down. She shook
her head and went toward the door.
"Kel!" He grabbed her arm and she jerked away.
"Spike..just..just leave me alone for a while."she said backing up to
the door. She ran out, not knowing where she was going. She just needed to
think. She went to a deserted graveyard and sat on the ground silently.
Hopefully, nobody would find her here.

* * *

Hopelessly, Spike watched his childe run out the door. She had been
right. He should've told her. Now she would probably never trust him again.
He ran a hand through his hair and felt Buffy come up behind him. He turned
around wearily. Buffy kissed him and put her arms around him tightly. He
stiffened but then relaxed into her warmth, resting his head on her
shoulder.
"I'm sorry." Buffy whispered in his ear
"It's okay. Everything she said was true." He took a deep breath and
pulled away from her. " I should've told her. That was my mistake from the
beginning."
"Spike where did she go?" Dawn asked.
"I dunno. I'll go look for her in a little while."
"Spike, you should go now. Drusilla is out there and who knows why
she told Kel that. It might have been what she wanted." Buffy said. Spike
looked at her and realized she was right.
"Buffy, you are a genius." He pulled on his coat and kissed her
hungrily. Of course that's what Dru had wanted! "I'll be right back."
When he got outside, he searched for her in his mind. She was in a
graveyard all the way across town. He quickly went in that direction,
watching for Drusilla, and hoping he wasn't too late. He finally got there
and sighed with relief when he saw her sitting against a headstone.
"Go away Spike."she said suddenly. How had she known he was there?
Oh, yeah that mind connection thing again. He walked closer to her. " I
said go away."she said again. He wouldn't tell her why he was really there.
"Kel.I'm so sorry."
"Sorry doesn't cut it."
"I know. I don't know what else to say." He edged closer to her. He
could tell that she had been crying and all he wanted to do was comfort her
now.
"Spike I don't know what to think anymore. How do I know you really
love me? Or, or now you have Buffy and."
"Kel, how could you ever think that? You know I love you."he
interrupted her. He knelt down in front of her and wiped away the tears
that had started running down her face again. "And Buffy? I won't replace
you with her. I promise." She turned her face from his hands.
"No, I think you will. You have been wanting Buffy for a long time
before I came along. I'm not trying to be selfish and God knows I'm happy
for you, but it's already started. Like tonight." She stood up. "What was
that Spike? That really hurt."
"Oh, Kel I'm sorry. I know you were just kidding but I just..I wasn't
thinking. I want Buffy and I to be taken seriously so much."
"Oh great. More apologies and excuses." Kel said. Spike stopped and
looked at her. He just wanted her to understand.

* * *

Kel saw Spike come toward her and he grabbed her by the shoulders.
"Look at me." She didn't. "Look at me."he said forcefully. He moved
her chin to face him and she was forced to look in his eyes. "I love you
Kel. Do you get that? There is no reason for you to ever doubt that." He
shook her lightly to emphasize his feelings. "You will always be my number
one girl. Okay?" She swallowed. His eyes were full of love and comfort. It
was amazing how many emotions he could show just through his eyes. How
could he be lying? She nodded, holding back tears. He smiled and pushed
back the hair that always fell in her face, gently. " And as for you being
a mistake, that may be but that doesn't change anything. I should've told
you, so that was my fault." He rested his forehead against hers and ran his
hands over her arms soothingly. Kel let out a sob and let him take her in
his arms, closing her eyes. "Shhh, it's okay."he whispered and kissed her
head. "C'mon, let's go home." He tried to pull away but she didn't let go
of him. She didn't want to ever let him go. She felt him smile and she
mumbled into his shirt,
"Sire, I.I overreacted." He rubbed her back.
"No, you didn't. I understand what it must have been like."he said
and she let go of him. He smiled and caressed her cheeks under her eyes.
Oh, that felt good. She started purring against her will and pouted when he
stopped. "C'mon." He put a comforting arm around her shoulders and led her
away towards the crypt. He pulled out a cell phone and dialed a number. Kel
frowned.
"Since when did you have a cell phone?"she asked.
"Huh? Uh..Buffy gave it to me." She shrugged his arm closer around
her. Oh well, it didn't matter. She listened to Spike talk to, who she
guessed, was Buffy, deciding she hated hearing one side of a conversation.
"Hey, Buffy. I found her. Yeah, she's fine. Uh.yeah we're just gonna
go home." He smiled. "I love you to. See ya later." He closed the phone. "
Well, that's taken care of."he said cheerfully. Kel smiled and walked
closer to him.
When they got into the crypt, Spike tensed and took his arm away. Kel
looked at him.
"What's."she started but then she felt it to. It was a presence. Not
threatening, just unfamiliar. Suddenly, Spike growled protectively and a
figure came out of the shadows.
"No need to be so protective Spike."the stranger said. Spike smirked.
"Peaches. What are you doing here?" he said. Peaches? This must be
Angel then. She looked closely at him. He had dark hair and deep old but
somehow young eyes. His deep voice was mysterious and she had to admit he
was rather intimidating She knew she shouldn't be intimidated, after all
her great-grandsire. Or was it great-great grandsire? She shook her head.
Whatever.
"I have information. Cordelia had a vision. But first I had to see my
other grandchilde didn't I?" Angel said. Spike pulled Kel behind him. "Let
me see her."
"No way. You know I don't like you, so why would you even ask?
Actually, I'm surprised you even did ask." Spike answered.
"Well that's something then isn't it?" Angel said. Spike was being
ridiculous. She spoke up from behind him.
"Spike? It's alright. He won't do anything." She tried to move beside
him but he stopped her.
I don't trust him luv.he said in her head. "Wait how did you know
about Kel?"he asked Angel.
"Kel? That's her name then. I have ways. But you know you should have
told me. Even if we aren't really family anymore." Spike rolled his eyes.
"Now you are starting to sound like Dru." He sighed. "Fine." He
stepped aside and still held her hand. She rolled her eyes as he had done.
He was so protective sometimes. "There, you saw her. Buffy is at the Magic
Box." Kel yanked her hand from his.
Stop it.she thought at him. He glared at her but said nothing. She
let Angel come forward and smiled. He touched her hair and her face
briefly. She heard Spike growl softly in her head and sent him a reassuring
feeling. Angel's hands were gentle but not like Spike's. Angel seemed to
like her hair a lot.
"So you're Angel."she said softly. He smiled. She was glad he wasn't
anything like Drusilla. He had a different scent then Spike. Angel's was
more light, like everything mixed together, not a strong cigarette smell
like Spike's. It was different. She guessed that centuries of living had
given him a different one. He finally gave her a gentle, warm hug.
"Welcome to the family."he said. He nodded to Spike. "Is he treating
you okay?"
"Of course." She glanced at Spike. She knew he was being jealous of
Angel now and brooding. Which was pretty unusual for him.
"Spike, she is beautiful." Angel said. If Kel had been alive she
would have blushed. Angel was still holding her, which was nice, but she
wanted Spike. She made a disgusted face at herself. She was being such a
baby. But Spike seemed to sense this and quickly grabbed her away from
Angel, pulling her against him, to her relief.
"Yeah, she is. Well, you two can catch up later. Right now we should
probably go see Buffy," Spike said hastily. "Do you know where the Magic
shop is?" Angel shook his head and Spike looked at Kel. "So much for an
early turn in then." Kel smiled.
"Figures. But really Spike, did you expect us to? We seriously need
to get a lock on this door." He sighed.
"Tell me about it." Spike said and walked toward the door. Kel looked
at Angel and smiled.
"C'mon. Spike was being a jerk," she said.
"Hey, I heard that!" Spike yelled over his shoulder.
"I know!" she yelled back. He chuckled in her head. Angel smiled.
They walked in comfortable silence, feeling no need to talk. "There it is,"
she said and pointed to the Magic Box. Angel sped up. "Wait!" she ran after
him, "I have to tell you Spike and Buffy are.." Too late. He was already at
the door. "together.." She walked in.

* * *

Buffy looked up when the door opened and smiled at Spike.
"Hey, I thought you were going home," she said.
"Yeah, I was but something came up," She got up and went toward him.
"Yeah? What was that?" she asked. She suddenly just wanted to kiss
him silly for some reason. She stood close to him and he raised his
eyebrows, giving her a half smile.
"Well uh." he said, distractedly. She smiled and kissed him deeply,
getting lost in it. Right in the middle, the door opened again. Buffy
opened her eyes slightly to see who it was, then gasped against Spike,
pulling away.
"Angel."
"Buffy." There was an awkward silence only broken my Kel rushing in
the door and running right into Angel. He caught her gently.
"Ow!" she said loudly. "Geez."
"Nice going Kel," Dawn said.
"Oh ha ha ha. Very funny." Kel answered. Buffy saw Kel look at Spike
and shrug. Okay they really had to be talking in their heads or something.
Buffy snapped out of it when Spike took her hand.
"Uh Angel, what..what are you doing here?"
"I have information."
"Oh." Kel rolled her eyes and went over to Dawn. Angel shoved his
hands in his pockets.
"Can I.sit down?" he asked.
"What? Oh, yeah." She pulled a chair from behind the counter and
Angel sat down.
"It's about as old as time," Angel started awkwardly. "It's kind of
like an enlarged Gem of Amarra." Buffy glanced at Spike. "It will spread
over the whole world making any vampire truly immortal, every demon. It's
supposed to happen in the night of a full moon and eclipse but I don't know
it Drusilla already has it, Cordelia can only see one thing at a time."
There was a stunned pause.
"Ok, that's not good." Xander said.
"Ok, so now at least we know what it does, just not where it is in
Sunnydale. It could be anywhere," Buffy said.
"Well, I'm gonna take a wild guess and say it's either in the ground
somewhere or in a crypt hidden away," Xander said. Buffy looked at him.
"Yeah, you're probably right. I guess we'll start looking then. But
where would we.."
"Oh my God!" Dawn said loudly. Buffy frowned.
"What?" Buffy asked, "What's wrong?" Dawn was laughing histarically
and Kel was looking at her like she was insane.
"That's what I want to know," Kel said.
"You're getting Spike's accent," Dawn said. At this, Kel was the one
who cracked up.
"What? No I'm not. That's stupid."
"No you are. Listen to yourself."
"I do not! You can't just get an accent overnight," Spike snickered
and Kel looked at him. "Ok, you are not helping."
"Admit it. You have one," Dawn said.
"Nope, do not. I'm American. Besides, if I was gonna get an accent it
wouldn't be a British one."
"Why not?" Giles asked, a bit offended.
"Well.'cause it's.British," Kel said.
"Fine. Whatever. I still think you do," Dawn said.
"I do not have a bloody acc.." Kel stopped herself and slapped a hand
over her mouth, now laughing along with Dawn. "Oh God, Dawn help me. I'm
turning into Spike!" she mock cried on Dawn's shoulder.
"Kel, I told you to lay off those James Bond movies," Dawn said
smiling. Kel sat up smiling.
"Ok fine. Take that smirk off your face. You happy?"
"Yep. Soon you're either gonna be eating crumpets or making sarcastic
remarks at the worst possible moment,"
"I already do that," Kel laughed.
"Eat crumpets?"
"No, the second thing,"
"Oh, yeah, you do. Good point." Buffy cleared her throat.
"Ok, yeah, now that that's over with, we can get back to the original
subject."she said. Dawn and Kel exchanged glances and hid smiles.
"We should start researching on where to find it. Angel said it was
really old so lets look in the older books we have, then search the
graveyards tomorrow. Meanwhile, somebody should patrol," Buffy said. Spike
looked out the window.
"Doesn't look like that's gonna happen tonight Buffy. It's almost
dawn," he said.
"Oh my God it is! We've stayed up all night! I'm so sorry you guys."
Buffy said, "Dawn we're leaving."
"Buffy you do know it's a weekend right?" Dawn said.
"Yes but it's not good for any of us to be up all night. Well, except
for the vampires."
"Right then, see you all later. C'mon luv." Spike said to Kel. She
got up obediently, saying bye to Dawn. "Talk to you later Buffy?"he asked.
She knew he wated to kiss her but he wouldn't do it unless she wanted it in
front of Angel. Hey, he had already seen them kissing and he would just
have to deal with them being together. She smiled.
"Yeah, see you."she said and got up, giving him a sweet, lingering,
kiss. He smiled.
"Uh Spike, where is Angel gonna sleep?" Kel asked standing beside
Angel.
"I dunno. It's not my problem," he said. Kel crossed her arms and
looked at him sternly.
"Well he obviously can't stay with Buffy," she answered.
"Oh c'mon luv! You can't mean you want him to stay with us!"
"Please?" Kel said, giving him the puppy dog eyes. Spike looked at
her, seeming to fight with himself. Finally, he sighed, giving in to her,
and nodded.
"Alright, alright. He'll stay with us," Kel smiled and gave him a
kiss on the cheek. He smiled bitterly. Kel turned to Angel.
"See? I told you I could get him to."she said. Spike rolled his eyes
and went towards the door.
"See you all tomorrow."he said. Buffy watched all three of them walk
out the door. Angel looked back at her briefly and smiled. Buffy guessed
that was his way of saying that he understood that she and Spike were
together now. Buffy smiled back. No matter what, Angel would always be the
first love of her life.

* * *

Awww *tear*. Wasn't that just sweet? Ok I'm done now. So today is
6/16/03. It has been 4 weeks since the series finale of Buffy and it still
hasn't sunk in. Did anybody else cry at the end like a little baby when she
finally told him she loved him? And then.and then *sniff*he dies. Well, he
supposedly is supposed to come back in the next season of Angel but I
dunno. They made it look so real! I mean ya know when someone burns up from
the inside you assume they're dead. And the worst part of it is, is that I
don't get WB so I can't even watch Angel to make sure. Poor Spike. Ok, now
I'm really done. By the way, if I did get anything wrong with the Cordelia
thing remember I don't watch Angel so just tell me what I did wrong. I'm
just going by what my friends tell me. So please review and tell me how you
like my fic so far and I'm open for ideas.