Chapter 19

Angel thought he heard a sound at the door, but he displaced it as just his imagination so he continued pacing. A moment later, the knock returns, louder this time. So I was right. He continues pacing in the living room.

"Angel, since you're closest, can you get the door?" Willow yells from the dining room, where they began setting up for the spell.

He doesn't say anything, but wordlessly he goes over to the door and places his hand on the door. He gets a weird feeling at the touch. Buffy? He opens the door quickly, hoping it's her. When the door is completely open, he sees Buffy standing there and immediately goes to her.

"Buffy you're back."

Everyone in the other room hears his exclamation and jump out of their chairs. They run into the hallway to see her, each one with a grin on their faces, glad that she's okay.

He grabs her into a tight hug and doesn't realize at first that she's not hugging back. Then he smells it. The unusual combination of whiskey, cigarettes, and leather, along with the distinct scent of the vampire in question. Spike. He pulls away from Buffy and notices Spike staring daggers at him for the first time. Spike was standing directly next to Buffy and the minute Angel stepped back, she looked at him apologetically. Angel looks between the two, then at Spike and growls. Before Spike can reply, Dawn is ushering everyone away from the door and into the house.

"Come on. Everybody get in the living room. Go, sit down. Buffy, how are you? Is everything fine? What happened? I knew Spike would find you."

Dawn runs up and hugs Buffy, then she turns to Spike and, knowing he doesn't like hugs all that much, she pats him on the back affectionately.

When they get into the living room, everyone sits down where there is room to. Anya, Xander, and Giles are sitting on one couch, while Willow, Tara, and eventually Dawn are sitting on the other couch. Angel walks to the other side of the room and stands leaning against the wall while staring at Spike. Spike smirks, then leads Buffy over to the large easy chair.

"Sit down, Slayer. You're still not completely healed."

"Fine." Buffy huffs, but smiles quickly to him.

After she sits, Spike swats her uninjured leg playfully.

"Scoot over pet. I'm not gonna' stand up all night like Peaches there."

Buffy sees Angel is getting angry and doesn't want them to start anything now.

"Spike. Watch your mouth."

Spike looks hurt for a split second, but realizes that she didn't mean it as she slides over to make room for him in the overstuffed chair. He sits down and looks at her. Their eyes meet for a split second before they turn away and see everyone staring at them. Buffy focuses on Dawn, the least threatening of the bunch, before speaking.

"What?"

"Well, where were you? What happened? We're all dying to know." Dawn says. Then she looks at Angel. "Well, not all of us. But he would be dying if he were, ya' know, alive to begin with."

Buffy laughs lightly at Dawn's comment, but no one else seemed to think it was funny. She looks at Dawn and the two shrug their shoulders in unison. Then Buffy notices everyone is still waiting for her to explain her absence.

"Well, I was patrolling and ran into some trouble with a gang of vampires. Apparently they didn't get the memo that they're not supposed to have weapons."

She smiles slightly, but no one gets the reference except for Spike, and the look in his eyes makes her lose her smile as well.

"That knife we found? With the blood on it?" Willow interrupted.

"Yeah. I guess. Well, I was heavily outnumbered and they had surprised me. I ended up unconscious and cut up pretty badly. I've been recuperating. I just woke up today."

"Fine. That explains where you were and why you were gone, but that doesn't explain why you smell like him." Angel seethed, nodding towards Spike with disgust.

Spike and Buffy look at one another again and Angel starts to move forward, ready to take on Spike for touching Buffy. The others look on in confusion. Dawn was smiling happily in her seat at the turn of events. She knew they cared about each other. Buffy sees Angel moving towards them and decides to stop him.

"Yeah. That also doesn't explain what you're doing here?" She questioned, looking directly into his eyes.

This was a new turn of events. Buffy not wanting Angel to be around. It struck everyone as odd, especially Angel and he retreated back to his spot holding up the wall. Spike smiled to himself until Buffy elbowed him in the side.

"Stop that." She whispered.

"Fine. Take away all my fun." He pretended to pout.

"Well, when we couldn't find you, we called him for help." Willow supplied.

She immediately regretted doing that though because of the joint looks she received from Buffy and Spike.

"So you called in the bloody poof to help?" Spike asked.

Spike was angry and upset that they didn't think of him. Instead they called Angel, like he was the only one that could save the day. After all he's done to help them and, when it all comes down to it, they still turn to Angel. Buffy moves slightly in the chair, to where more of her body is touching his and he remembers everything she's said to him today. They may turn to Angel, but she turns to him, and that's what really matters. Dawn catches his eye and nods towards Xander, which also explains a lot.

"Well, it's not like we, okay I, didn't try. I went to your crypt earlier today to tell you about what happened, but you weren't there. The place was a mess, so I thought you might have been in trouble too. Then we expanded the search to include finding you both."

"Thanks Nibblet." Spike says with a small smile.

"And, it's not like we invited him." Dawn added.

Spike smiles more at her statement and Angel glares at her for telling him in essence that he wasn't wanted. Knowing that Buffy was now with Spike only added to the pain of not being needed.

"Well, what did you expect me to do when you said Buffy was missing?" Angel yells. "I wasn't going to let her stay missing. I had to help find her."

"That's not your choice to make anymore." Buffy calmly replied, stunning him even more.

"So whose is it? Spike's?" Angel said, advancing on the two.

Buffy shot out of her seat and stalked towards him. Glaring at him all the while. The expression made him think of Spike, who was sitting and watching the whole thing. He was curious what her answer would be.

"Yes." She spit out, still advancing. "He's been here for me. Unlike you."

Everyone is stunned at the outbreak, but dare not say anything to her, knowing it would be a fatal mistake. They also noticed that while she was walking, she was favoring one leg, even in her anger. The gash in her thigh was healing on the outside nicely, but the muscles were still repairing themselves and she knew she shouldn't be doing any strenuous exercise for a while, even if she did feel like pummeling Angel. Maybe she'd let Spike do it for her.

She continued advancing on Angel's now still form, stunned by her response. She steps right up to him, invading his personal space. Nose-to-nose.

"But Buffy. I left so you could have a normal life and THIS is what you do?" Angel shouts again, gesturing to Spike.

"Again. It wasn't your decision. Did you ever stop to think that maybe I don't want a normal life?"

He doesn't say anything, so she continues.

"That's what I thought. I've tried normal, but it isn't me." She yells, but then her voice gets gentler. "Spike gets that."

"And I don't."

"NO!"

This time, she forgot about the injury and stomped her foot. Hard. Then the pain shot through her body so she grabs her thigh, right as her leg starts to give out, throbbing intensely. Spike jumps up from his seat and is by her side before Angel can even register what happened. Buffy starts to fall, but Spike catches her, scooping her up in his arms before walking back to the chair to sit down. Angel watches him shocked at the care he's giving her.

He reaches the chair and sits down, Buffy still held closely to him in his lap. He runs a hand over her cheek and brushes a stay tear from her face.

"You okay luv?" He asks gently.

"Been better." She chokes out.

"It's alright now. Just stay here and rest."

Buffy leans her head against his chest, completely forgetting her friends are in the room. As a matter of fact, so did Spike. When he saw Buffy was in pain, all else failed to matter except for her. He stokes her golden locks until he feels her relax against him, staring at her lovingly all the while.

Everyone else has been watching the exchange and they are greatly disturbed. All except for Dawn that is. She slowly gets up and walks over to him. Then she gently puts her hand on his shoulder. Spike looks up and into worried eyes.

"Is she okay?" She asks scared.

"She will be. She was just worked up and put too much strain on her still healing leg."

Xander stands up and stares at Spike with venom.

"Spike. Let go of Buffy. She's obviously not thinking clearly. Get away from her."

"No, Xander. Leave them alone. She's safe right where she's at." Dawn calmly states, moving to position her body in front of the chair housing Buffy and Spike.

"But he's an evil…" Xander got out before Dawn stopped him yet again.

"Sit down or get out of my house."

Dawn locked her eyes with his, showing him she too inherited the 'don't mess with me or you'll be sorry' look from her sister. He wisely shut his mouth and sat back down pouting.

"Good. Any other objections?" She says, looking right at Angel.

Angel avoids her eyes and glares back at the pair in the chair before him. He continues to glare, but hasn't moved as of yet.

"You know it could never work. She deserves better." He says calmly, as if talking about the weather.

"She's got better. Better than the likes of you." Spike finally looks back at Angel, his face hard and devoid of the emotion he was previously showing Buffy.

"I'll…" Angel began again, before being cut off by Dawn.

"I said get out if you don't agree. Leave Angel. Get out of here."

"No, Nibblet. If he has something to say. Let him say it. I don't care as long as he stays away from Buffy."

Dawn looks at him questionably, then nods her head in assent before talking a seat on the floor beside him, there if he needs help. Angel notices the exchange and wonders what he's missed. Dawn has been nothing but hateful to him for God-knows-why and always has been for as long as he can remember. Then Spike shows up and she listens to him. Obeys him.

"Go ahead Angel. Speak your mind. No one's stopping you." Spike says, voice once again cold as ice.

"Fine. I want you to get one thing straight William" He sarcastically drawls the name out. "You better leave Buffy alone. I won't have her being with you. You're not worthy of her and you know she will never love you. She can't love something evil. Something soulless."

His words would have hurt more had Spike not recently heard the opposite from Buffy herself. Not only that, but, at hearing the words, Buffy becomes more tense, ready for a fight, and wraps her arms tighter around him. She lifts her head up and looks into Spike's piercing blue eyes for a moment, smiling lovingly at him, asking for him to trust her. He nods in understanding. Then her face becomes hard as she rotates in Spike's lap to look Angel in the face.

"Your right Angel. I couldn't love something evil."

Angel smirks at Spike and Buffy feels him go rigid beneath her for a moment. He relaxes again at her next statement.

"But, in case you haven't noticed. Spike's not evil anymore. He helps me out. Fights by my side."

"What about the fact that he's a soulless vampire?"

"He may be soulless, but at least he isn't heartless!" She shot back, surprising even Spike.

Angel was left speechless, along with everyone else in the house. Buffy slowly begins to stand back up, so she can face Angel on a more powerful note. As she rose, she pulled Spike up with her.

Everyone else sees that a fight is about to break out and makes a be-line for the door. It's much safer to be outside, away from Buffy when she's like this. Dawn is reluctant to leave though, so Willow and Tara have to drag her away.

When she sees Angel isn't responding, she pulls Spike closer to her so she is leaning against him. Her leg was still throbbing, but this had to be done and now. Spike wraps his arms around her protectively and pulls her closer, giving her his strength as well.

"Spike loves me. I can't say that much for you."

"But Buffy. I've always loved you. I thought you loved me."

Buffy laughs mockingly at him, which causes a brief flash of sorrow across Angel's normally stoic features.

"No you don't Angel. You love the innocent Buffy, the one I was before I became the Slayer. The one I hid behind in the past. You don't even know me. How can you love me?"

"But I do Buffy. I do know you. All of you."

"Really now. You think so, do you?"

"Yes." Angel answered hesitantly.

"No you don't."

She slowly turns around in Spikes arms so that she's looking at him now. Her voice becomes softer, gentler.

"But Spike does. He knows that I enjoy the fight. I love a good kill. And he knows that no matter what I tell others, I like when I can't win easily. It's all about stretching yourself. Seeing how far you can go. But at the same time, he knows I don't like to be alone. He knows I want someone to come home to, someone to comfort me when I've had a bad day."

Then she turns back to Angel and her mood changes just a quickly, to one with a quiet hatred underlining it.

"And that's what you don't get. You still me as an innocent."

"But you are Buffy." He says quietly. "What have you done with her?" Angel asks, glaring at Spike.

Spike gets rigid at the accusation, but Buffy places a hand on his arm, keeping it wrapped firmly around her body. You'll get your turn, if you still need it. Just let me finish first. She says with the simple touch and Spike silently agrees. Angel starts to lunge at Spike, but Buffy stops him with her words.

"No. That's where you're wrong. He didn't do anything to me. You just didn't want to see it. Not even when I was willing to kill Faith for you, did you realize the truth. I am NOT an innocent. I haven't been since I was called. Just for a while, I didn't want to believe it. I have blood on my hands just like you and Spike both, only mine isn't red. Spike gets that. And he loves me for it, despite it, it doesn't matter which. He knows the Slayer and the woman and he loves them both. You don't know either."

"Buffy. You can't be serious?"

"I am. Now get out of my house."

Angel looks at the pair again and then stalks to the door. Just as he's about to leave, Spike calls after him. And he turns around and sees Spike has left Buffy's side and is walking towards him. He stops a few feet from Angel.

"Angel." Spike grounds out.

"What do you want Spike?" Angels seethes.

"I'll take good care of her."

"You'd better. If I hear otherwise, I'll be here in a minute to stake your sorry ass."

"I'd stake myself first." Spike states in all honesty.

With that, Angel leaves the house, never to return. As he exits the house, he is mumbling under his breath and doesn't notice the Scoobies listening. Spike turns around to face Buffy and she smiles at him.

"What?" He asks.

"You behaved. I'm shocked." She jokes.

"Looks like you were doing a pretty good job for yourself there. Didn't need my help."

Spike closes the gap between them as he moves within inches of Buffy. She leans up and kisses him lightly. He pulls her closer and deepens the kiss, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her flush against him.

And that's how the Scoobies find them when they walked into the living room moments later.

"So, it's true then?" Xander asks, slightly afraid of the answer.

Buffy and Spike pull apart and look at him curiously.

"What's true?" Buffy asks.

"You love him. That's what Angel kept saying when he was leaving."

Buffy looks at Spike for a moment, then turns back to her awaiting friends.

"Yes."

Spike pulls her to him and captures her lips with his once again.

"I so don't want to see this." Xander groans.

"Then leave." Dawn says happily.

"Fine. Let's go Anya."

" 'Kay."

Anya and Xander leave the house. Shortly thereafter, Giles follows them, pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration. Dear Lord. Another Vampire. But at least this one seems to make her happy. He reaches his car, waves to Xander and Anya and then drives off. Xander helps Anya into the car and then gets in and drives off.

Inside the house, Willow and Tara sneak off and go upstairs to leave Buffy and Spike alone. The only one left downstairs with the pair is now Dawn, a grin spreading from ear to ear.

She stays a minute longer before heading up the stairs also, glad that they finally figured it out.

"Night Buff. Night Spike."

They break from their kiss long enough to respond.

"Night Dawn."

"Night Nibblet."

Spike kisses Buffy one last time and then pulls away. Buffy moans in protest.

"Goodnight luv. See you tomorrow."

"But Spike…"

"No. You need your sleep. Go on. I'll see you tomorrow. Promise."

She pouts jokingly, then gives him one final kiss before seeing him to the door. She heads upstairs and off to bed. Yep things are going to be wonderful this time. I just know it.

AN: Just one more chapter left.