The pain was over. No more fire. They won the battle. Spike smiled, he
was surrounded by light and he was enjoying the feeling, remembering the
last time he was in this position.
"A lot less dead last time" A voice came out of the light.
"And more people as I recall." Nat stepped out the light.
"Natalie!" Spike threw his arms around her.
"You're in Heaven, you should be more refined!" She looked at Spike and smiled. She had missed his touch so much. "Or maybe not!"
She kissed him hard. Then backed off smiling sexily.
"You coming?" She held her hand out to him, he took it and followed.
"So this is Heaven?" Spike stood in a room which seemed to go on forever.
"Not for everyone." Nat stood next to him watching his reaction.
"So, I'm special?" He raised an eyebrow.
"Like you didn't know already!" She teased. "Come on, let's sit and I'll explain."
She led him to a seat, he sat next to her holding her hand in his lap.
"You saved the world Spike but, because of your special circumstances you could be brought back."
"So this is like a waiting room?"
"Sort of, yes." She beamed.
"So, why are there others here like you?"
"Well, I'm here because of you." He looked puzzled. "Well, have you noticed things going better for you this year?"
"Not the best year but, there's been a few times, yeah." He looked at her. "You?"
"I'm your Guardian Angel." He kissed her, then pulled back again with a puzzled look on his face.
"So, why am I dead?"
"Well it was you or Angel and I wasn't going to let him be the hero was I?"
"That's my girl!"
"Can I continue now?"
"Continue away."
"Okay. So, if you get called back, as it were, you'll be able to see me when I'm helping. Which will be good because my being able to see you and you not see me has been driving me insane!"
"Been there." They both laughed.
"What do I do till I find out if I'm called then?"
"You get to hang out with me." He smiled. "You've only been dead five minutes." He scooped her onto his lap.
"And the problem is?"
"I missed you so much!" She giggled.
"Pet, you got somewhere more private?"
"Prude!" She teased. "Close your eyes."
"And that's privacy?"
"Spike, just close your eyes." He did.
"Imagine the happiest place you've been."
The environment changed, they were sitting in a small room in Mexico.
"This?" Nat said shocked, Spike opened his eyes.
"Before I killed you, I was happy, being here with you. Plus it was before the First made me crazy."
Nat paused looking thoughtful. "Yeah but, it was before you killed me right?" She said seriously. He threw a pillow at her. "Oh, so you want to fight do you?" She teased, she was really happy he was dead.
She lay in his arms and was so happy she knew something bad was just round the corner. She wrinkled up her nose, Spike watched her and knew what she was thinking he was thinking it too, he saw the room flicker.
"What was that?"
"What?" Nat hadn't seen it but knew what was happening. Spike started to flicker.
"You're being called back."
"I'm losing you again damn, I can't."
"I'll meet you down there as soon as I can I promise." She kissed him.
"I love you baby, always will." He held onto her as if keeping hold of her would bring her with him. Soon, he stopped flickering and just disappeared. Nat sighed.
"It was nice while it lasted."
~~~~~~~~~~
Lilah stood in the white room, she missed it in here. All that time they wouldn't let her near it and now it was hers. Well, not really but, close enough.
She opened the book which she held and flicked to the correct page.
"Great, Latin! I just love reading Latin!"
She read over it in her head then opened her mouth to begin.
"You're not causing trouble I hope?" Angel was standing next to her.
"And who invited you to my party?"
"Open door, just came in, what can I say?"
"How about goodbye?" Lilah stared daggers at Angel, he was going to ruin everything, as usual. You think having him on the staff would mean he was easier to control, far from it.
"I'm going to stick around, but please continue."
She sighed, well, he was going find out soon enough he might as well know now.
"accendo, be gone, auris, be restored, recursus, what was lost."
A blinding light then nothing, Lilah smiled, flicked open her mobile.
"It's done, go get my present."
Angel looked at Lilah.
"You'll find out in the meeting tomorrow morning, ten o'clock alright for you?" She breezed out of the room with a huge smile on her face. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sunnydale was no longer a hole. The ground was once again clear for the new development to begin. In the middle of this clear area was a lone figure, looking lost and dazed.
Two cars drove up to the figure and he was ushered inside. Once inside his eyes adjusted to the dim light, he looked outside and for the first time realised the sun was still up. He looked at the woman in the car with a puzzled expression.
"Welcome back to the human race!" She smiled
"Bloody hell!" Spike wished he was back with Nat.
Nat opened her eyes and was sitting in the back of a car, she looked about, they were heading for LA. Spike noticed her but didn't say anything and she knew it was Wolfram and Hart but, needed to tell Spike that. She manovered herself so she was sitting next to him.
"Hey! I know you can't speak cos you'll look crazy but, cough if you can hear me?"
Spike coughed, the lady sitting in the front gave a quick glance.
"We are nearly there Mr Spike."
"Good." he mumbled.
"They are with Wolfram and Hart."
Spike's eyes went wide.
"Calm down. It's not all bad, Angel's in charge now." He rolled his eyes, Nat giggled.
"Okay then, it's all bad but, I'm here." She put her hand on top of his.
"Goodness! I can touch you!" She beamed. Spike looked at Nat and smile sexily. "Not a chance in hell!" Spike bent close to her. "Now who's the prude?" he whispered.
The woman in the front gave him a funny look.
"What?" He sighed. 'This is gonna get complicated', thought Spike.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Angel was pacing, he never paced but this was making him nervous. He had finally got out of Wesley what Lilah was up to and he didn't like it.
The car was due any minute but, then he'd been saying that to himself for 15 minutes now. The doors finally opened and in strode Spike, a big grin on face.
"Hello Peaches!"
"Don't ever call me that!" Angel said through gritted teeth.
"So, no hug?" Spike said opening his arms out towards Angel.
Angel glared at him and turned to leave, bumping into Lilah.
"What's wrong boss?" Lilah smiled.
"I'm going to dust his ass!"
"That will be difficult, not impossible but difficult" Lilah said dropping her smile.
"Why?" Angel knew she was up to something.
"Cos I'm human Peaches." Spike said putting his arm round Angel's shoulders. He was loving this. It was worth all that pain for the look on Angel's face. Angel turned and left without a reply.
"Probly going to set-up the party." Spike said to Lilah.
Nat was bent over laughing. When she recovered she found Lilah talking to Spike, 'not good', she thought.
"So you see, you're very special, but not fully human" She finished, Spike didn't look at all interested.
"Ok, so sunbathing a plus, still need blood which I can live with, and heartbeat I'll get used to. What I want to know is what you want from me?"
"Well nothing."
"You lying bitch." Nat said at Lilah. Spike smirked.
"I'm thinking, not true!"
Lilah's eyes dilated, she knew someone else was here and that she couldn't see them, she looked around.
"Keep looking, you can't see me! I'm so much better at this than you, I've had a hundred years practice."
"Who you looking for?" Spike asked innocently.
"You're not alone, who is it?" Lilah was getting frustrated.
"Guess?" Spike said.
"Okay, you don't want to tell? That's fine!" She turned to leave. "Is it Darla?"
"As if! She never liked me when she was undead." Spike smirked.
"Cordelia?"
"I tried to kill her several times, so no."
Spike followed Lilah trying to guess all the way up to the office.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Angel sat opposite Spike, both giving each other looks. Spike kept looking past Angel and smiling. Angel didn't know what he was looking at. He was beginning to think Spike had lost what little brain cells he had left.
Nat leant on the wall gazing at Spike, she felt an ache in her stomach being so close to him but not able to kiss him. It was driving her crazy. He gave her little looks and smiles that were turning her insides to jelly.
"When do we get this show on the road?" Spike said, standing it no longer.
"Where do you want to rush off to Spike?" Wesley asked.
"Anywhere but bloody here!" Spike leant back and put his feet on the table.
"Get your feet off the table, Spike." Lilah said as she breezed in.
"Sod off!" Spike stuck his finger up at her.
"Fine, I'll send you back where you came from." Spike let his eyes run down Nat's body.
"Sounds good!"
Lilah rolled her eyes.
"Why the meeting?" Fred interrupted.
"To discuss Spike." Lilah replied trying to get control of the meeting once more.
"Oh, my favourite subject." Spike smiled.
"Yes well, he is half human now but still has some vampire tendencies including his strength which is his reward for his sacrifice."
"Oh great! Just what we need." Angel said folding his arms across his chest.
"What do you mean by that Peaches?" Spike stood leaning across the table, Nat went to Spike's side.
"Will you clam down? He's not worth it."
Spike sat down, Nat knelt next to him putting her hand on his leg.
"If the macho match is over, can I go on?" Lilah sighed. "Spike will be staying here until such time as he has worked off his debt, then he will be free to leave or stay, whatever he wants to do."
"What bloody debt?"
"I brought you back, I didn't do that just to let you go. I have a few jobs for you to do."
"Christ, just what I bloody need! You should have left me dead."
"Spike you will get your orders from me. Is that alright boss?" She looked at Angel.
"Just keep him out of my way." Angel got up and left.
"Okay, that's meeting over then. Spike follow me, I'll show you your apartment."
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Spike sat on the end of his new bed, Nat lent in the doorway looking at the deflated man which she was now so deeply in love with.
"It's not that bad." Nat tried to reassure him.
"I'm stuck, being controlled by a bunch of lawyers taking orders from Peaches! Trust me, this is hell!"
"You have me." Nat walked towards him and knelt at the end of his bed at his feet. She rested her head on his legs and he automatically played with her hair.
"I thank, whoever it is up there for that."
She looked up at him.
"I wish I was able to give Lilah a piece of my mind without letting her know who I am."
Spike laughed. "You would defend my honour?"
"Anytime."
~~~~~~~~~~~
Lilah watched Spike on the monitor she had her researchers searching for a way to see who was helping him and to find out who it was. She may have to bring Angel in on this one. He knew more about Spike than she did. She switched off the monitor, whoever it was, Spike was smitten. 'Can't be Buffy,' she thought, 'But.' she shook her head. She went in search of Angel.
Nat watched Spike sleep, he stirred every so often, falling in and out of his deep slumber. She sighed, she should really check in upstairs but didn't want to leave him. Five more minutes she thought and watched him again.
He rolled over and she smiled, he was so at peace. She wished he could stay like that forever, to never have to face the demon part of him ever again, she sighed again. 'I better check in,' she thought. She closed her eyes, when she opened them she was in the white light. The little girl skipped into view.
"Hello. You are doing well. I'm happy."
"Thanks." Nat said taken aback.
"You must stay with him but, they are trying to see you. That can't happen."
"Why?"
"It can't!" The girl said sharply, she handed Nat a small pendant. "Wear this, it will deflect any magick they use. I cannot protect your identity, only one person can give this away." "Angel." Nat said with a sigh.
The girl nodded. "You must go to him, let him see you."
"I didn't want to."
"You must face him, face your past to save your present."
Nat shook her head. "But what if he.?"
"Tells her? Maybe but, you are Spike's soul mate, you know this." Nat nodded. "Face the past, it's the only way."
Nat was about to argue more when she found herself in Angel's office. "Face my past, what great advice, as always."
Angel came to his office door, Lilah shouted after him.
"Angel, I need a word with you."
"Later, I'm in the middle of something." He lied.
"Fine, come see me within the hour, it's important." She rushed past him.
He shook his head, he knew it would be about Spike and he didn't want to discuss him. He opened his office door and saw a girl sitting in his chair, for a split second he thought it was Buffy. He could smell the mixture of Spike and Slayer power that Buffy had smelt of the last time he saw her but, as she turned the chair to face him he was shocked to see it was Nat.
"Hi! Nice view."
"Natalie? I thought you were."
"Dead? Yeah, still am, seems to be a running theme here though." She got out of his chair and crossed the room. "I need a favour."
Angel closed the door. As he passed, he touched Nat's shoulder. It was then he realised why Spike had been acting the way he had.
"You're here with Spike?" She nodded.
"Lilah knows someone is helping him but doesn't know it's me."
"But she's going to ask me?" Angel said sitting at his desk.
"Hence, the favour. I'm not asking for Spike, it makes no difference to him if they know who I am but." she paused unsure how to phrase it.
"If they know it's you, they will try and split you up?"
"That's part of it yes, but well , it's complicated."
"I won't tell. I think I owe you that much."
"At least." Nat turned to leave not wanting to stir up old emotions.
"One thing. Who killed you the second time? Willow was sketchy on the details."
Nat didn't turn around but she smiled. "The one person worthy."
She disappeared. Angel sat for a moment, it was Spike. He couldn't believe he'd killed her. It reminded him of Buffy, he smiled. 'Must be a right of passage for slayer relationships,' he thought, he knew in that moment that Buffy was his and Spike wouldn't fight to get her back.
~~~~~~~~~
Lilah was fuming, Angel had not been as helpful as she anticipated. He acted surprised when she asked him about it but, he knew already. Whoever it was had gotten to him.
Nat watched as Lilah paced, she made a note on Lilah's memo pad. 'Stop looking, you will find trouble.' Nat went back to Spike, she could feel him calling her. Lilah sat at her desk and noticed the message.
"I'll get you!" She said.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Spike watched Lilah pace it was amusing to watch her suffer.
"How about this? You tell me who it is. I'll let you out of our contract?" He tilted his head to the side.
"Continue."
"You can go where you want?"
"What about her?"
"Like I could stop her, she seems to have some powerful friends."
Spike raised an eyebrow and smiled. "More than you."
Lilah just glared .
"She does, doesn't she?" She rocked back on his chair. "Impressive. Fine, I'll tell you her name and that's it."
Lilah smiled, she could get all she needed from a name. She nodded and shook his hand.
"Natalie."
Lilah stopped smiling. "It's not, Buffy?"
"Why the hell would you think it was her?"
"I had some psychics on the case they said it was your soul mate, so I thought?"
Spikes eyes widened. "What did you say?"
"This Natalie is your soul mate Spike. You are meant to be with her forever."
Spike smiled and thought for a moment. "Cool." Spike got up to leave.
"Where you going?" Lilah demanded.
"Out."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Spike stood outside smoking a cigarette. He kept glancing up at a certain window of the building. He finished off his smoke and flicked it against the building. He took a deep breath and entered. He climbed the stairs slowly, he was trying to put this off but found he couldn't any longer. He got to the right door, took another deep breath and knocked. The door opened and he smiled.
"Hi."
Buffy threw her arms around him then, after a moment drew back.
"You're alive? I mean really alive?"
"Yeah Pet but, not what I came about" He smiled weakly.
"Come in." Spike sat in the window, he found himself drawn to the sun most of the time. Buffy smiled, she always did look prettier in the day.
"So, what have you come about?"
"Two things. One to find out what your plans are, I mean for the Bit and all."
Buffy rolled her eyes, Spike cared about Dawn but she knew he wanted to know what she was doing about them.
"And to tell you.I found her again and I'm.happy."
Buffy took a sharp intake of breath. "But I thought she was.?"
"Dead yeah, still is, but. it's complicated Pet."
Buffy sat down for a moment, she looked up with a look of pain in her eyes. "Why are you telling me this?"
"So I can let you go, I care about you. Well, I love you but, I need her. It aches without her and I recently found out why."
"She's your soul mate?" Spike nodded slowly, a single tear fell down Buffy's cheek.
"I think I always knew." He said wanting to comfort her, she wiped her eyes and stood up.
"You should go back to her then."
Spike stood and faced Buffy. "I meant everything I ever told you Buffy. You're one hell of a woman, just not mine."
She laughed. "You only want me cos Angel does."
"Damn right." He winked and they both laughed.
"Don't disappear on me. I want to know what my hero is up to." Spike nodded.
"You should know by now it's not easy to get rid of me."
"Bye Spike, thanks for everything."
"Love you Slayer." He hugged her tight, as he left a pain in his gut reminded him how human he now was.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nat paced Spikes apartment, she was nervous. Spike was near Buffy she could feel it. After he told Lilah, she was angry but now he was going straight to Buffy. She sat, a sigh escaped her lips, maybe it was all over. She heard the door open, she rose quickly and was faced with Spike.
"Hey!" He said, throwing his coat on a chair. Nat just stared at him. He went to the kitchen and got some blood, on his return Nat was standing in the same place a look of disbelief on her face.
Spike scowled. "What did I do?"
Nat rolled her eyes. "You told Lilah my name."
"Well, like she's going to find out anything!"
"I'm sorry, are we talking about a different Lilah? Mine has Wolfram and Harts records and goodness knows what else!"
Nat sat back on the couch folding her arms across her chest. Spike sat next to her both staring ahead.
"Sorry." Spike said in a whisper, not really thinking he was wrong but still saying it. Nat stayed the same, not looking at him.
"Got some good news if I'm forgiven?" Nat didn't move or make a sound. "I'll take that as a yes?"
"You are infuriating!" She got up trying to leave but, realised that she had nowhere to go.
Spike rose and wrapped his arms around Nat.
"I thought that was a part of my charm!" Nat chewed her bottom lip, trying to stay mad at him. After a moment she gave in and wrapped her arms around him in return.
"What's your news?" She sighed. He beamed like a child winning over a parent.
"I told Buffy and said my goodbyes." Nat kissed him.
"Oh Spike! I didn't think I'd ever hear you say that. You truly mean it?"
"Course I do, I love you Pet. You're my world, my soul mate."
She rested her head on his shoulder, closed her eyes and felt happy.
"I also got out of my contract. How about we go and be the Scourge of Europe for a few years?"
"Oh, so you're back to bad boy ways then?" Nat said teasing him.
"You ain't seen nothing yet!"
Nat smiled sexily.
"How about you follow me and I'll show you just how bad Pet?" He grabbed her hand and led her to his bedroom. Nat didn't put up any resistance.
~~~~~~~~~~
She lay in his arms, Spike sound asleep. She had felt the girl calling her for half an hour now but didn't want to leave his arms. She felt the call again, it was a flutter in her stomach. She tried to ignore it and felt Spike stir next to her, she smiled. Maybe he wouldn't miss her for a short while. One thought and she was dressed once more, she then closed her eyes took a deep breath taking in the scent of him and when she opened her eyes, she was in the white room.
"You're testing my patience!" The girl stepped into Nat's vision.
"I was in the middle of something." Nat said rather annoyed at the welcome.
"That's not what I'm talking about. You're messing with his future again!"
"Oh, not again! I'm not leaving him! You gave him to me, you said we would be together!" Nat's eyes began to fill with tears.
"You can stay with him but, you must stay in LA with Lilah."
Nat stopped herself from saying something she would regret, she pushed down the anger and the feelings of being lost that came with this decision.
"I'll do what must be done."
The girl smiled. "Good girl!"
Nat winced at that, she knew she would never return to this room again.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Spike stared at her for a moment.
"Are you sure?"
She nodded. "I have to do this Spike, you know me, what I've been through? I need you to do this, for me?" He held her close.
"Lets do it Pet." He whispered in her ear.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nat stood at the doorway of Lilah's office. She waved her hand and all the blinds shut. Lilah jumped, staring at the doorway, she saw the young girl.
"Natalie, I presume?" She said leaning back in her chair.
"Never presume but, in this case you are correct." Nat strode across the room and sat on Lilah's desk.
"What do I owe this pleasure to?"
"A deal, I know you like those Lilah."
"Go on." Lilah said staring this confident girl in the eyes.
"Spike wants to go free lance. We both fancy working for Wolfram and Hart but, we want to travel around."
Lilah smiled. "Even if I agreed, we wouldn't own you, they would." She pointed upwards.
"Not if you bring me back."
"Why would I want to do that?"
"A powerful witch, who happens to be a Slayer and who's the soul mate of Spike? I think I'm valuable."
Lilah smiled once more. "You're very intelligent as well. Ever though of a career in law?"
"I have a job but, do I have a deal?"
Lilah thought for a moment. "I'll ask the senior partners and get back to you."
"You have 24 hours, then the deal is off." Nat disappeared before her eyes.
"I like her! She's sassy!" Lilah said to an empty office.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Nat watched Spike pack up what little things he had accumulated here in LA. She looked at the clock. "Two more hours." Spike said without looking up.
"Yeah." Nat said a bit depilated.
"How will you know the decision?" Spike asked.
"Give me your hand." Spike did without hesitation. Nat placed it on her chest.
"What do you feel?"
Spike smiled. "Well." He smirked.
"Spike!" He thought for a moment then scowled.
"I don't feel anything."
"Exactly, you can touch me but, I'm still dead."
"So, when you get a heart beat?"
"We'll be the same." She put her hand on his, it was still on her chest. he wrapped his other arm around her waist. She looked at the clock . "Hour fifty now Pet." Spike said without looking at the clock.
Nat rolled her eyes. "I hate it when you do that!"
A knock at the door, broke the moment between them, Spike sighed. "Maybe later. Eh Pet?"
"That was the last thing on my mind, now get the door."
Spike stormed to the door, ripping it open.
"What?" He said frustrated.
"Nice Spike. Do you greet all your business partners with such polite decorum?"
Lilah said pushing past him, she noticed the messy apartment.
"You do know, you won't get your deposit back don't you?" Nat appeared from the bedroom.
"You have news for us, or are you just here to insult Spike's house keeping?"
"I'm here to tell you, that the senior partner's agree that in theory this little deal could work, only one problem."
"Hour and a half to go." Spike said appearing next to Nat.
"Okay so I'll be brief. We don't have a way to bring you back."
"Liar." Nat almost spat at Lilah.
"I'm not. If we had more time." She glared at Spike who just smiled at her. "We can bind you to earth."
"Go on." Nat urged.
"Which means they," She pointed up. "Won't be able to call you, to order you about. But, downside, your stuck here forever and I mean end of the world. As long as there is an earth you are bound to it."
Nat looked at Spike.
"Well, I'm not going anywhere for a while." Spike said.
"That's true. Maybe human but, still has immortality of a vampire." Lilah reassured, she wanted to get this deal, the more she proved she was needed, the longer Wolfram and Hart would keep her above ground.
"It's you're decision Pet. Not gonna help with this one." Spike slumped onto a chair. "One hour fifteen." He said lighting a cigarette.
"Okay." Nat said. "I want to be with Spike, I'll do anything."
"I'll tell the senior partners. I will call you when we are going to bind you."
Nat nodded and showed Lilah out. She closed the door and leant on it.
"You sure about this Pet?"
Nat shrugged. "I don't know. I'm sure about you. I refuse to just give up without a fight this time." She slid down the door, landing in a heap on the floor. She put her head in her hands. Spike didn't move, leaving Nat a moment.
"I don't want you to go through with this just for me. I love you Nat so, I don't want to hurt you." He crossed the room slowly and crouched next to her lifting her head out of her hands and looking into her eyes. "Do this for you, a stray stake and you're without me again."
She smiled. "I'm sure then. I lived without you before, well not totally, you're always in my heart." She leaned towards him and kissed him. "Thank you."
"For what?"
"Clarification." Nat smiled.
"Don't start using long words, I may have to find a blonde to play with." She hit him playfully .
"How about we finish what Lilah interrupted?" She said smiling sexily.
Spike scooped Nat into his arms.
"I knew you were thinking what I was!" Spike said as he carried her to the bedroom.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nat stood in the middle of a pentagram, which now decorated Lilah's office floor. Nat had her eyes closed feeling the energy that the simple design had generated in the room. Lilah was sitting at her desk watching the three priests buzzing around the pentagram, they could not see Nat. Lilah could though and made sure they knew where she was.
"We are ready to start, is the girl?" One priest asked. Nat nodded, not opening her eyes. Lilah nodded to the priest. He opened the book and started to read, it was a strange language Nat did not recognise, the other two men threw powders at the centre of the pentagram. The priest reading was starting to read louder, Nat felt her insides buzzing, her head started to feel fuzzy as if filled with cotton. She started to feel dizzy, swaying slightly.
"Let it be done!" All three priests said at once. Suddenly, the room came into sharp contrast for Nat and all three priests gasped. They now saw Nat. She took a deep breath then collapsed on the floor.
Spike watched Nat, she was waiting for him to get ready, she would wait forever.
"We ready Pet?" Nat nodded scooping up her backpack.
"Where to first?" She asked.
"Paris? I thought we would have a little holiday before we start working." Spike grabbed her hand and led her outside where a motorbike was waiting. "I also thought we would go to the airport in style." Nat smiled, and put on her helmet.
"You lead and I'll follow." Nat held on tight as Spike sped towards the airport and the rest of eternity together.
"A lot less dead last time" A voice came out of the light.
"And more people as I recall." Nat stepped out the light.
"Natalie!" Spike threw his arms around her.
"You're in Heaven, you should be more refined!" She looked at Spike and smiled. She had missed his touch so much. "Or maybe not!"
She kissed him hard. Then backed off smiling sexily.
"You coming?" She held her hand out to him, he took it and followed.
"So this is Heaven?" Spike stood in a room which seemed to go on forever.
"Not for everyone." Nat stood next to him watching his reaction.
"So, I'm special?" He raised an eyebrow.
"Like you didn't know already!" She teased. "Come on, let's sit and I'll explain."
She led him to a seat, he sat next to her holding her hand in his lap.
"You saved the world Spike but, because of your special circumstances you could be brought back."
"So this is like a waiting room?"
"Sort of, yes." She beamed.
"So, why are there others here like you?"
"Well, I'm here because of you." He looked puzzled. "Well, have you noticed things going better for you this year?"
"Not the best year but, there's been a few times, yeah." He looked at her. "You?"
"I'm your Guardian Angel." He kissed her, then pulled back again with a puzzled look on his face.
"So, why am I dead?"
"Well it was you or Angel and I wasn't going to let him be the hero was I?"
"That's my girl!"
"Can I continue now?"
"Continue away."
"Okay. So, if you get called back, as it were, you'll be able to see me when I'm helping. Which will be good because my being able to see you and you not see me has been driving me insane!"
"Been there." They both laughed.
"What do I do till I find out if I'm called then?"
"You get to hang out with me." He smiled. "You've only been dead five minutes." He scooped her onto his lap.
"And the problem is?"
"I missed you so much!" She giggled.
"Pet, you got somewhere more private?"
"Prude!" She teased. "Close your eyes."
"And that's privacy?"
"Spike, just close your eyes." He did.
"Imagine the happiest place you've been."
The environment changed, they were sitting in a small room in Mexico.
"This?" Nat said shocked, Spike opened his eyes.
"Before I killed you, I was happy, being here with you. Plus it was before the First made me crazy."
Nat paused looking thoughtful. "Yeah but, it was before you killed me right?" She said seriously. He threw a pillow at her. "Oh, so you want to fight do you?" She teased, she was really happy he was dead.
She lay in his arms and was so happy she knew something bad was just round the corner. She wrinkled up her nose, Spike watched her and knew what she was thinking he was thinking it too, he saw the room flicker.
"What was that?"
"What?" Nat hadn't seen it but knew what was happening. Spike started to flicker.
"You're being called back."
"I'm losing you again damn, I can't."
"I'll meet you down there as soon as I can I promise." She kissed him.
"I love you baby, always will." He held onto her as if keeping hold of her would bring her with him. Soon, he stopped flickering and just disappeared. Nat sighed.
"It was nice while it lasted."
~~~~~~~~~~
Lilah stood in the white room, she missed it in here. All that time they wouldn't let her near it and now it was hers. Well, not really but, close enough.
She opened the book which she held and flicked to the correct page.
"Great, Latin! I just love reading Latin!"
She read over it in her head then opened her mouth to begin.
"You're not causing trouble I hope?" Angel was standing next to her.
"And who invited you to my party?"
"Open door, just came in, what can I say?"
"How about goodbye?" Lilah stared daggers at Angel, he was going to ruin everything, as usual. You think having him on the staff would mean he was easier to control, far from it.
"I'm going to stick around, but please continue."
She sighed, well, he was going find out soon enough he might as well know now.
"accendo, be gone, auris, be restored, recursus, what was lost."
A blinding light then nothing, Lilah smiled, flicked open her mobile.
"It's done, go get my present."
Angel looked at Lilah.
"You'll find out in the meeting tomorrow morning, ten o'clock alright for you?" She breezed out of the room with a huge smile on her face. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sunnydale was no longer a hole. The ground was once again clear for the new development to begin. In the middle of this clear area was a lone figure, looking lost and dazed.
Two cars drove up to the figure and he was ushered inside. Once inside his eyes adjusted to the dim light, he looked outside and for the first time realised the sun was still up. He looked at the woman in the car with a puzzled expression.
"Welcome back to the human race!" She smiled
"Bloody hell!" Spike wished he was back with Nat.
Nat opened her eyes and was sitting in the back of a car, she looked about, they were heading for LA. Spike noticed her but didn't say anything and she knew it was Wolfram and Hart but, needed to tell Spike that. She manovered herself so she was sitting next to him.
"Hey! I know you can't speak cos you'll look crazy but, cough if you can hear me?"
Spike coughed, the lady sitting in the front gave a quick glance.
"We are nearly there Mr Spike."
"Good." he mumbled.
"They are with Wolfram and Hart."
Spike's eyes went wide.
"Calm down. It's not all bad, Angel's in charge now." He rolled his eyes, Nat giggled.
"Okay then, it's all bad but, I'm here." She put her hand on top of his.
"Goodness! I can touch you!" She beamed. Spike looked at Nat and smile sexily. "Not a chance in hell!" Spike bent close to her. "Now who's the prude?" he whispered.
The woman in the front gave him a funny look.
"What?" He sighed. 'This is gonna get complicated', thought Spike.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Angel was pacing, he never paced but this was making him nervous. He had finally got out of Wesley what Lilah was up to and he didn't like it.
The car was due any minute but, then he'd been saying that to himself for 15 minutes now. The doors finally opened and in strode Spike, a big grin on face.
"Hello Peaches!"
"Don't ever call me that!" Angel said through gritted teeth.
"So, no hug?" Spike said opening his arms out towards Angel.
Angel glared at him and turned to leave, bumping into Lilah.
"What's wrong boss?" Lilah smiled.
"I'm going to dust his ass!"
"That will be difficult, not impossible but difficult" Lilah said dropping her smile.
"Why?" Angel knew she was up to something.
"Cos I'm human Peaches." Spike said putting his arm round Angel's shoulders. He was loving this. It was worth all that pain for the look on Angel's face. Angel turned and left without a reply.
"Probly going to set-up the party." Spike said to Lilah.
Nat was bent over laughing. When she recovered she found Lilah talking to Spike, 'not good', she thought.
"So you see, you're very special, but not fully human" She finished, Spike didn't look at all interested.
"Ok, so sunbathing a plus, still need blood which I can live with, and heartbeat I'll get used to. What I want to know is what you want from me?"
"Well nothing."
"You lying bitch." Nat said at Lilah. Spike smirked.
"I'm thinking, not true!"
Lilah's eyes dilated, she knew someone else was here and that she couldn't see them, she looked around.
"Keep looking, you can't see me! I'm so much better at this than you, I've had a hundred years practice."
"Who you looking for?" Spike asked innocently.
"You're not alone, who is it?" Lilah was getting frustrated.
"Guess?" Spike said.
"Okay, you don't want to tell? That's fine!" She turned to leave. "Is it Darla?"
"As if! She never liked me when she was undead." Spike smirked.
"Cordelia?"
"I tried to kill her several times, so no."
Spike followed Lilah trying to guess all the way up to the office.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Angel sat opposite Spike, both giving each other looks. Spike kept looking past Angel and smiling. Angel didn't know what he was looking at. He was beginning to think Spike had lost what little brain cells he had left.
Nat leant on the wall gazing at Spike, she felt an ache in her stomach being so close to him but not able to kiss him. It was driving her crazy. He gave her little looks and smiles that were turning her insides to jelly.
"When do we get this show on the road?" Spike said, standing it no longer.
"Where do you want to rush off to Spike?" Wesley asked.
"Anywhere but bloody here!" Spike leant back and put his feet on the table.
"Get your feet off the table, Spike." Lilah said as she breezed in.
"Sod off!" Spike stuck his finger up at her.
"Fine, I'll send you back where you came from." Spike let his eyes run down Nat's body.
"Sounds good!"
Lilah rolled her eyes.
"Why the meeting?" Fred interrupted.
"To discuss Spike." Lilah replied trying to get control of the meeting once more.
"Oh, my favourite subject." Spike smiled.
"Yes well, he is half human now but still has some vampire tendencies including his strength which is his reward for his sacrifice."
"Oh great! Just what we need." Angel said folding his arms across his chest.
"What do you mean by that Peaches?" Spike stood leaning across the table, Nat went to Spike's side.
"Will you clam down? He's not worth it."
Spike sat down, Nat knelt next to him putting her hand on his leg.
"If the macho match is over, can I go on?" Lilah sighed. "Spike will be staying here until such time as he has worked off his debt, then he will be free to leave or stay, whatever he wants to do."
"What bloody debt?"
"I brought you back, I didn't do that just to let you go. I have a few jobs for you to do."
"Christ, just what I bloody need! You should have left me dead."
"Spike you will get your orders from me. Is that alright boss?" She looked at Angel.
"Just keep him out of my way." Angel got up and left.
"Okay, that's meeting over then. Spike follow me, I'll show you your apartment."
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Spike sat on the end of his new bed, Nat lent in the doorway looking at the deflated man which she was now so deeply in love with.
"It's not that bad." Nat tried to reassure him.
"I'm stuck, being controlled by a bunch of lawyers taking orders from Peaches! Trust me, this is hell!"
"You have me." Nat walked towards him and knelt at the end of his bed at his feet. She rested her head on his legs and he automatically played with her hair.
"I thank, whoever it is up there for that."
She looked up at him.
"I wish I was able to give Lilah a piece of my mind without letting her know who I am."
Spike laughed. "You would defend my honour?"
"Anytime."
~~~~~~~~~~~
Lilah watched Spike on the monitor she had her researchers searching for a way to see who was helping him and to find out who it was. She may have to bring Angel in on this one. He knew more about Spike than she did. She switched off the monitor, whoever it was, Spike was smitten. 'Can't be Buffy,' she thought, 'But.' she shook her head. She went in search of Angel.
Nat watched Spike sleep, he stirred every so often, falling in and out of his deep slumber. She sighed, she should really check in upstairs but didn't want to leave him. Five more minutes she thought and watched him again.
He rolled over and she smiled, he was so at peace. She wished he could stay like that forever, to never have to face the demon part of him ever again, she sighed again. 'I better check in,' she thought. She closed her eyes, when she opened them she was in the white light. The little girl skipped into view.
"Hello. You are doing well. I'm happy."
"Thanks." Nat said taken aback.
"You must stay with him but, they are trying to see you. That can't happen."
"Why?"
"It can't!" The girl said sharply, she handed Nat a small pendant. "Wear this, it will deflect any magick they use. I cannot protect your identity, only one person can give this away." "Angel." Nat said with a sigh.
The girl nodded. "You must go to him, let him see you."
"I didn't want to."
"You must face him, face your past to save your present."
Nat shook her head. "But what if he.?"
"Tells her? Maybe but, you are Spike's soul mate, you know this." Nat nodded. "Face the past, it's the only way."
Nat was about to argue more when she found herself in Angel's office. "Face my past, what great advice, as always."
Angel came to his office door, Lilah shouted after him.
"Angel, I need a word with you."
"Later, I'm in the middle of something." He lied.
"Fine, come see me within the hour, it's important." She rushed past him.
He shook his head, he knew it would be about Spike and he didn't want to discuss him. He opened his office door and saw a girl sitting in his chair, for a split second he thought it was Buffy. He could smell the mixture of Spike and Slayer power that Buffy had smelt of the last time he saw her but, as she turned the chair to face him he was shocked to see it was Nat.
"Hi! Nice view."
"Natalie? I thought you were."
"Dead? Yeah, still am, seems to be a running theme here though." She got out of his chair and crossed the room. "I need a favour."
Angel closed the door. As he passed, he touched Nat's shoulder. It was then he realised why Spike had been acting the way he had.
"You're here with Spike?" She nodded.
"Lilah knows someone is helping him but doesn't know it's me."
"But she's going to ask me?" Angel said sitting at his desk.
"Hence, the favour. I'm not asking for Spike, it makes no difference to him if they know who I am but." she paused unsure how to phrase it.
"If they know it's you, they will try and split you up?"
"That's part of it yes, but well , it's complicated."
"I won't tell. I think I owe you that much."
"At least." Nat turned to leave not wanting to stir up old emotions.
"One thing. Who killed you the second time? Willow was sketchy on the details."
Nat didn't turn around but she smiled. "The one person worthy."
She disappeared. Angel sat for a moment, it was Spike. He couldn't believe he'd killed her. It reminded him of Buffy, he smiled. 'Must be a right of passage for slayer relationships,' he thought, he knew in that moment that Buffy was his and Spike wouldn't fight to get her back.
~~~~~~~~~
Lilah was fuming, Angel had not been as helpful as she anticipated. He acted surprised when she asked him about it but, he knew already. Whoever it was had gotten to him.
Nat watched as Lilah paced, she made a note on Lilah's memo pad. 'Stop looking, you will find trouble.' Nat went back to Spike, she could feel him calling her. Lilah sat at her desk and noticed the message.
"I'll get you!" She said.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Spike watched Lilah pace it was amusing to watch her suffer.
"How about this? You tell me who it is. I'll let you out of our contract?" He tilted his head to the side.
"Continue."
"You can go where you want?"
"What about her?"
"Like I could stop her, she seems to have some powerful friends."
Spike raised an eyebrow and smiled. "More than you."
Lilah just glared .
"She does, doesn't she?" She rocked back on his chair. "Impressive. Fine, I'll tell you her name and that's it."
Lilah smiled, she could get all she needed from a name. She nodded and shook his hand.
"Natalie."
Lilah stopped smiling. "It's not, Buffy?"
"Why the hell would you think it was her?"
"I had some psychics on the case they said it was your soul mate, so I thought?"
Spikes eyes widened. "What did you say?"
"This Natalie is your soul mate Spike. You are meant to be with her forever."
Spike smiled and thought for a moment. "Cool." Spike got up to leave.
"Where you going?" Lilah demanded.
"Out."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Spike stood outside smoking a cigarette. He kept glancing up at a certain window of the building. He finished off his smoke and flicked it against the building. He took a deep breath and entered. He climbed the stairs slowly, he was trying to put this off but found he couldn't any longer. He got to the right door, took another deep breath and knocked. The door opened and he smiled.
"Hi."
Buffy threw her arms around him then, after a moment drew back.
"You're alive? I mean really alive?"
"Yeah Pet but, not what I came about" He smiled weakly.
"Come in." Spike sat in the window, he found himself drawn to the sun most of the time. Buffy smiled, she always did look prettier in the day.
"So, what have you come about?"
"Two things. One to find out what your plans are, I mean for the Bit and all."
Buffy rolled her eyes, Spike cared about Dawn but she knew he wanted to know what she was doing about them.
"And to tell you.I found her again and I'm.happy."
Buffy took a sharp intake of breath. "But I thought she was.?"
"Dead yeah, still is, but. it's complicated Pet."
Buffy sat down for a moment, she looked up with a look of pain in her eyes. "Why are you telling me this?"
"So I can let you go, I care about you. Well, I love you but, I need her. It aches without her and I recently found out why."
"She's your soul mate?" Spike nodded slowly, a single tear fell down Buffy's cheek.
"I think I always knew." He said wanting to comfort her, she wiped her eyes and stood up.
"You should go back to her then."
Spike stood and faced Buffy. "I meant everything I ever told you Buffy. You're one hell of a woman, just not mine."
She laughed. "You only want me cos Angel does."
"Damn right." He winked and they both laughed.
"Don't disappear on me. I want to know what my hero is up to." Spike nodded.
"You should know by now it's not easy to get rid of me."
"Bye Spike, thanks for everything."
"Love you Slayer." He hugged her tight, as he left a pain in his gut reminded him how human he now was.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nat paced Spikes apartment, she was nervous. Spike was near Buffy she could feel it. After he told Lilah, she was angry but now he was going straight to Buffy. She sat, a sigh escaped her lips, maybe it was all over. She heard the door open, she rose quickly and was faced with Spike.
"Hey!" He said, throwing his coat on a chair. Nat just stared at him. He went to the kitchen and got some blood, on his return Nat was standing in the same place a look of disbelief on her face.
Spike scowled. "What did I do?"
Nat rolled her eyes. "You told Lilah my name."
"Well, like she's going to find out anything!"
"I'm sorry, are we talking about a different Lilah? Mine has Wolfram and Harts records and goodness knows what else!"
Nat sat back on the couch folding her arms across her chest. Spike sat next to her both staring ahead.
"Sorry." Spike said in a whisper, not really thinking he was wrong but still saying it. Nat stayed the same, not looking at him.
"Got some good news if I'm forgiven?" Nat didn't move or make a sound. "I'll take that as a yes?"
"You are infuriating!" She got up trying to leave but, realised that she had nowhere to go.
Spike rose and wrapped his arms around Nat.
"I thought that was a part of my charm!" Nat chewed her bottom lip, trying to stay mad at him. After a moment she gave in and wrapped her arms around him in return.
"What's your news?" She sighed. He beamed like a child winning over a parent.
"I told Buffy and said my goodbyes." Nat kissed him.
"Oh Spike! I didn't think I'd ever hear you say that. You truly mean it?"
"Course I do, I love you Pet. You're my world, my soul mate."
She rested her head on his shoulder, closed her eyes and felt happy.
"I also got out of my contract. How about we go and be the Scourge of Europe for a few years?"
"Oh, so you're back to bad boy ways then?" Nat said teasing him.
"You ain't seen nothing yet!"
Nat smiled sexily.
"How about you follow me and I'll show you just how bad Pet?" He grabbed her hand and led her to his bedroom. Nat didn't put up any resistance.
~~~~~~~~~~
She lay in his arms, Spike sound asleep. She had felt the girl calling her for half an hour now but didn't want to leave his arms. She felt the call again, it was a flutter in her stomach. She tried to ignore it and felt Spike stir next to her, she smiled. Maybe he wouldn't miss her for a short while. One thought and she was dressed once more, she then closed her eyes took a deep breath taking in the scent of him and when she opened her eyes, she was in the white room.
"You're testing my patience!" The girl stepped into Nat's vision.
"I was in the middle of something." Nat said rather annoyed at the welcome.
"That's not what I'm talking about. You're messing with his future again!"
"Oh, not again! I'm not leaving him! You gave him to me, you said we would be together!" Nat's eyes began to fill with tears.
"You can stay with him but, you must stay in LA with Lilah."
Nat stopped herself from saying something she would regret, she pushed down the anger and the feelings of being lost that came with this decision.
"I'll do what must be done."
The girl smiled. "Good girl!"
Nat winced at that, she knew she would never return to this room again.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Spike stared at her for a moment.
"Are you sure?"
She nodded. "I have to do this Spike, you know me, what I've been through? I need you to do this, for me?" He held her close.
"Lets do it Pet." He whispered in her ear.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nat stood at the doorway of Lilah's office. She waved her hand and all the blinds shut. Lilah jumped, staring at the doorway, she saw the young girl.
"Natalie, I presume?" She said leaning back in her chair.
"Never presume but, in this case you are correct." Nat strode across the room and sat on Lilah's desk.
"What do I owe this pleasure to?"
"A deal, I know you like those Lilah."
"Go on." Lilah said staring this confident girl in the eyes.
"Spike wants to go free lance. We both fancy working for Wolfram and Hart but, we want to travel around."
Lilah smiled. "Even if I agreed, we wouldn't own you, they would." She pointed upwards.
"Not if you bring me back."
"Why would I want to do that?"
"A powerful witch, who happens to be a Slayer and who's the soul mate of Spike? I think I'm valuable."
Lilah smiled once more. "You're very intelligent as well. Ever though of a career in law?"
"I have a job but, do I have a deal?"
Lilah thought for a moment. "I'll ask the senior partners and get back to you."
"You have 24 hours, then the deal is off." Nat disappeared before her eyes.
"I like her! She's sassy!" Lilah said to an empty office.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Nat watched Spike pack up what little things he had accumulated here in LA. She looked at the clock. "Two more hours." Spike said without looking up.
"Yeah." Nat said a bit depilated.
"How will you know the decision?" Spike asked.
"Give me your hand." Spike did without hesitation. Nat placed it on her chest.
"What do you feel?"
Spike smiled. "Well." He smirked.
"Spike!" He thought for a moment then scowled.
"I don't feel anything."
"Exactly, you can touch me but, I'm still dead."
"So, when you get a heart beat?"
"We'll be the same." She put her hand on his, it was still on her chest. he wrapped his other arm around her waist. She looked at the clock . "Hour fifty now Pet." Spike said without looking at the clock.
Nat rolled her eyes. "I hate it when you do that!"
A knock at the door, broke the moment between them, Spike sighed. "Maybe later. Eh Pet?"
"That was the last thing on my mind, now get the door."
Spike stormed to the door, ripping it open.
"What?" He said frustrated.
"Nice Spike. Do you greet all your business partners with such polite decorum?"
Lilah said pushing past him, she noticed the messy apartment.
"You do know, you won't get your deposit back don't you?" Nat appeared from the bedroom.
"You have news for us, or are you just here to insult Spike's house keeping?"
"I'm here to tell you, that the senior partner's agree that in theory this little deal could work, only one problem."
"Hour and a half to go." Spike said appearing next to Nat.
"Okay so I'll be brief. We don't have a way to bring you back."
"Liar." Nat almost spat at Lilah.
"I'm not. If we had more time." She glared at Spike who just smiled at her. "We can bind you to earth."
"Go on." Nat urged.
"Which means they," She pointed up. "Won't be able to call you, to order you about. But, downside, your stuck here forever and I mean end of the world. As long as there is an earth you are bound to it."
Nat looked at Spike.
"Well, I'm not going anywhere for a while." Spike said.
"That's true. Maybe human but, still has immortality of a vampire." Lilah reassured, she wanted to get this deal, the more she proved she was needed, the longer Wolfram and Hart would keep her above ground.
"It's you're decision Pet. Not gonna help with this one." Spike slumped onto a chair. "One hour fifteen." He said lighting a cigarette.
"Okay." Nat said. "I want to be with Spike, I'll do anything."
"I'll tell the senior partners. I will call you when we are going to bind you."
Nat nodded and showed Lilah out. She closed the door and leant on it.
"You sure about this Pet?"
Nat shrugged. "I don't know. I'm sure about you. I refuse to just give up without a fight this time." She slid down the door, landing in a heap on the floor. She put her head in her hands. Spike didn't move, leaving Nat a moment.
"I don't want you to go through with this just for me. I love you Nat so, I don't want to hurt you." He crossed the room slowly and crouched next to her lifting her head out of her hands and looking into her eyes. "Do this for you, a stray stake and you're without me again."
She smiled. "I'm sure then. I lived without you before, well not totally, you're always in my heart." She leaned towards him and kissed him. "Thank you."
"For what?"
"Clarification." Nat smiled.
"Don't start using long words, I may have to find a blonde to play with." She hit him playfully .
"How about we finish what Lilah interrupted?" She said smiling sexily.
Spike scooped Nat into his arms.
"I knew you were thinking what I was!" Spike said as he carried her to the bedroom.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nat stood in the middle of a pentagram, which now decorated Lilah's office floor. Nat had her eyes closed feeling the energy that the simple design had generated in the room. Lilah was sitting at her desk watching the three priests buzzing around the pentagram, they could not see Nat. Lilah could though and made sure they knew where she was.
"We are ready to start, is the girl?" One priest asked. Nat nodded, not opening her eyes. Lilah nodded to the priest. He opened the book and started to read, it was a strange language Nat did not recognise, the other two men threw powders at the centre of the pentagram. The priest reading was starting to read louder, Nat felt her insides buzzing, her head started to feel fuzzy as if filled with cotton. She started to feel dizzy, swaying slightly.
"Let it be done!" All three priests said at once. Suddenly, the room came into sharp contrast for Nat and all three priests gasped. They now saw Nat. She took a deep breath then collapsed on the floor.
Spike watched Nat, she was waiting for him to get ready, she would wait forever.
"We ready Pet?" Nat nodded scooping up her backpack.
"Where to first?" She asked.
"Paris? I thought we would have a little holiday before we start working." Spike grabbed her hand and led her outside where a motorbike was waiting. "I also thought we would go to the airport in style." Nat smiled, and put on her helmet.
"You lead and I'll follow." Nat held on tight as Spike sped towards the airport and the rest of eternity together.