A/N : Thanx for all the reviews on this story so far - you guys are the best. Finally you will all find out where Spike has been...and I hope you enjoy the chapter!
(For disclaimer, etc - see chapter 1)
Chapter 9
"Hell? No, didn't go that far south either..." Spike took a deep breath and started to explain as best as he could, mostly looking down at his hands instead of at his audience "It was like, like I was in this maze and it was huge and there was no way to know where to go next, I was...lost, confused and...alone. It was like I knew there was a way out but no matter how hard I tried I couldn't get to it. It was like it was all a temporary distraction and one day I was going to get out but then I wasn't sure if I wanted to because I didn't know where outside would be..." he trailed off for a moment and Tara spoke kindly.
"It's okay, Spike, you don't have to tell us, I mean if it's too hard for you"
"S'alright Glinda" he shot her half a smile as he composed himself and continued his story.
"I was wandering around and suddenly there was this light and I thought 'this is it, I'm getting out' and I'm not ashamed to say it scared the living crap out of me, so to speak, cos I didn't know where I was gonna end up. Then the light faded and there was a woman...I couldn't figure out who she was but she was so familiar to me, like I'd known her all my existence and I knew I was safe with her there, I was just sure I was gonna be okay. She spoke to me..."
"William, your time has come"
"My time? I don't understand, where am I?"
"That's not important...you have been chosen, William"
"Chosen for what?"
"Do not be afraid"
"I'm not afraid"
"You can't hide your feelings here, William, we know everything about you, everything you think and feel, your entire existence is our knowledge"
"Then you know that I'm confused"
"Yes, I do know, but it will all become clear. There are those that love you, those down beneath us who care, who want and need you. You were brave and sacrificed yourself for them, and so we grant you this favour. You have been chosen"
"Yes, you said that...Where am I going?"
"Where you belong, William, where you belong"
"She started walking and I followed her. I found myself on the edge of the maze, about to step out into...I didn't know what. I turned back and the woman was gone. I heard voices, saw colours and lights, indistinguishable as anything real and then one final step and...I was falling...next thing I know I was...waking up in a coffin for the second time and..." Spike's voice cracked and tears threatened to fall from his eyes. Buffy put her arm around him and rubbed soothing circles on his back.
"It's okay" she assured him and he managed a smile. A moments silence and a deep breath and he was okay again. He glanced up and looked around the room at his audience.
"What? No jokes about the tears, Whelp?" he asked Xander, who shrugged a response.
"Figured you'd been through enough, Spike" he told him and a small smile passed between the men which everyone was pleased to see
"So it wasn't our spell that brought you back?" Tara spoke up, looking first at Spike then Willow who sat beside her.
"You were chosen to come back anyway" Willow continued "with the added bonuses of heartbeat and oxygen-usage?"
"No" Spike shook his head "no, I reckon I was chosen *because* of the spell and maybe because...of what I did..." he was determined not to start blubbing like a baby again in front of all the Scoobies.
"Indeed" Giles started "By performing this spell, you five proved that Spike was needed here and with his end being sacrificial, it showed he had the capacity for good despite being a demon"
"Thanks for the text book explanation, Watcher" Spike rolled his eyes, could the man be any more of a walking reference book if he tried?
"So the spell didn't go wrong?" Anya made sure she was keeping up.
"No, looks like I'm just special" Spike smiled "first time for everything I s'pose" he added more quietly.
"I always knew you were special, Spike" Dawn gave a wide smile as she spoke. She had always been the one who appreciated Spike when no one else had.
"Thanks, Little Bit" he smiled back, ruffling her hair. It made everyone else feel somewhat uncomfortable knowing that they had never appreciated him the way they should have before. They would make up for that now he was back.
"So, I guess we should fill you in on what's been happening around here since you...were gone..." Willow piped up, and that's exactly what they did. Hours passed as the Scoobies recounted demons they had fought and vamps they had staked, which was as much news for Buffy as it was Spike since she'd really been in a world of her own while he'd been gone.
The sun started to set and it was Tara who noticed first.
"It's getting dark, shouldn't we patrol?" she suggested.
"Good idea" Buffy nodded "I'll go get ready" she added, standing up.
"Buffy are you sure you're up to this?" Willow asked worriedly "I mean, you haven't patrolled in a while and you're still not up to your best"
"It's okay, Will, I'm fine" she assured the witch "I can do anything now, with Spike here" she smiled at the man beside her and he smiled back before speaking.
"I don't know that I'm gonna be much use to you now, luv. Just a regular human now, not the Big Bad Slayer-Side-kick that I once was"
"Hey, there's a lot to be said for us regular human guys" Xander stood up to as he defended his kind.
"Oh yes, I find human males are very good at..." Anya started but Giles interrupted.
"Anya, please I beg of you don't finish that sentence" he took of his glasses and cleaned them on his shirt.
"We're good at stuff besides that Ahn" Xander informed her and she looked a little hurt, since she was trying to help him look good.
"Oh God, it's a tragedy" Spike complained and everyone looked over at him worriedly.
"What? What's the matter?" Buffy wanted to know.
"Human bloke now" he pointed to himself "I've got something in common with the Whelp!" he gestured at Xander with a look of fake disgust. He really didn't hate the guy as much as he pretended too.
"Hey, y'know you can't call me that anymore" the brunette protested.
"Why not?" asked Spike getting to his feet and everyone else followed suit, slightly worried about a fight that might ensue.
"Because..." Xander considered before explaining "all my best insulting names for you were evil, vamp and demon related - no longer applicable"
Spike just grinned.
"Your problem, not mine...Xander"
Buffy smiled to herself. They were still going to wind each other up at every opportunity but it was almost like these two had an understanding now, there was no malice in there words and evil-ish looks, it was just a game.
"Back to the topic at hand - patrolling" Willow reminded them at last.
"Yes" Buffy nodded once "and I'm gonna need all of you, at least until I get back to full power"
"All of us?" Dawn looked hopeful.
"Oh Dawnie...maybe..." Buffy started, she was about to ask someone to stay behind with her little sister when Xander spoke up.
"Hey, Buffy, y'know maybe you could let her come. She came with when you were...sick...and she did fine"
"Yeah, lil sis is pretty tough these days" Spike agreed, putting an arm around his Little Bit "Pulled a move on me last night, for a minute there I thought she was the Slayer herself"
Dawn smiled proudly and Buffy relented.
"Okay, you can come" she agreed "but you be careful and don't wander off alone"
"Understood" Dawn nodded, before ducking out from under Spikes arm and heading for the stairs to go and change.
"Okay, I have to go change too..." Buffy went to follow her sister when Xander produced a bag.
"Oh yeah, brought these for you Mr Not-So-Dead guy" he said, tossing the bag to Spike who still wore the same black jeans and T-shirt that he had as a vamp. The bleach blond unzipped the bag and looked inside at a couple of Xander's least hideous shirts and trousers.
"Great, first day as a human and I get to look like a ponce" Spike muttered and the brunette started to protest.
"Xander, I'm kidding" he assured him, before adding "sort of" as he disappeared up the stairs behind the Summers women.
He lightly tapped on Buffy's door and she let him in, now dressed in dark blue pants and a lighter blue top, she turned to the mirror to fix her hair. Of course that had the added advantage of being able to watch Spike change his clothes whilst appearing to have her back to him - something that would have been impossible when Spike was still a vampire, of course.
She watched as he pulled on the clean trousers and then began to button the clean shirt. He sat down on the bed facing the window looking out into the night without a word. As Buffy pulled her ponytail tighter she walked over and sat down beside him.
"You okay?" she asked him.
"Yeah, I'll be fine" he answered without looking at her, eyes fixed looking out through the window.
"Y'know, you don't have to come" she told him, putting a hand on his knee. He turned to look at her finally.
"Buffy, I didn't come back here to sit back and watch you fight the fight" he put his hand on top if hers "I love you and I'm gonna do everything I can for you. Whatever mess we get in, we get in it together, okay?"
She smiled as she turned her hand to hold his.
"Okay" she conceded "Just be careful, Mr Human Guy"
"I will if you will, Miss Slayer Lady" he countered, leaning over to kiss her. They didn't hear the tap on the door or see it open to reveal the entire Scooby gang, complete with weapons, who were being kept waiting.
"Hey guys, slayage first, that later" Xander told them, as Buffy ducked her head in embarrassment and Spike just grinned.
"Oh, I think it's sweet" Dawn smiled as her sister and one of her best friends walked hand in hand out of the bedroom.
"Yes well, could we, er... 'make with the slayage' as you are so fond of saying" Giles suggested as everyone filtered down the stairs "I'd rather like to get some sleep at some point tonight"
"Yes" Buffy nodded "let's go"
To Be Continued...
A/N 2 : I'll probably update 'The Guy Next Door' next and then this one. I am trying to alternate my updates so that everyone is happy. (Please review if you liked this! Or even if you don't like it - just no flames please)
