*********************************TRAppED********************************
Forty-Eight: In the Ripples of Victory
By Annie
2003-07-18
**************************************************************************** **
Day Thirty-Seven.
7.41 p.m.
She held onto him so tightly that he thought she was going to break his neck, but then her grip slowly eased up and she moved her head to look up at him.
She had seemed possessed, her eyes had been glowing yellow, but now the green in them shone up at him as a smile grew onto her lips and he returned it. She looked revived, somehow.
"What happened?" he asked.
"Our plan worked," she replied simply. "We won."
He nodded, almost in disbelief that he had been part of it, and then she put her arms around him again, hugging him hard. She let him go, swirled around while at the same time slipping one of her hands into his before starting towards the exit, pulling him with her and he followed.
She slowed her steps as they took her passed Adam's lifeless body, looking down at it she paused for one third of a second before she turned her head to Spike instead. This time he smiled tryingly at her and she smiled back, drawing a small breath before they proceeded up to the door.
Buffy kept her hold on Spike's hand as they walked through the larger room where she had fought the soldier formally known as Forest. She knew the thing he had been transformed into was dead, Spike must have killed him.
So much carnage. Just as Adam had wanted it. But now the bodies of those killed would rest in peace.
The Slayer and the Vamp pushed through the barricade in front of the exit and joined the Scoobies in the connecting room.
"Buffy," Giles said as he, Willow and Xander all turned their heads to Spike and her.
Willow came up to them, smiling excitedly as she hugged Buffy and said:
"Wasn't it amazing?"
Buffy nodded, hugging her back. As they broke apart again Xander stated:
"You were great."
"WE were great," Buffy corrected him.
And she meant it. She had felt how they had been there. It had been Giles' thoughts translating the words he spoke through her so that she could understand them, it had been Willow who promoted the final destruction of the core and it had been Xander who linked the three of them with her as all of them brought forth the ancient strength of her legacy.
A few moments later they were all moving toward the door, the body of a killed demon laying sprawled to the right of it and Buffy made a mental note to ask what that was all about just as she kicked the door off its hinges. Soon they were battling their way out of the Initiative; unaware that cross country, in a federal building, a group of suits and uniforms were just discussing why they needed to shut the project to control the demonic world down. Why they needed to terminate the experiment of creating their own version of it, and harness its power.
The Initiative was no more.
***
9.05 p.m.
Buffy had successfully ignored the dirty looks Xander kept giving her hand which was holding Spike's in a firm grip as they walked the streets toward where they would all split up in different directions. No one spoke, but they still shared something not unlike quiet satisfaction. The city in which they lived was once again safe. Though it couldn't really relate to the word in the way it should as there were beasts still stalking the shadows - but the group was content in the knowledge that there wouldn't be anything luring them far OUT of those shadows, at least not for another while.
Willow sent Buffy smiles, encouraging and filled with friendly warmth; Buffy returned them easily and in between them she stole glances at Spike, who turned his head to her each time she did with a look in his eyes that she couldn't construe. It was as though he wanted to tell her something, but couldn't find the right approach.
They all came to a stop at the crossroads where they were parting. Xander looked from one to the other, though his eyes barely graced Spike and then finally stopped in Buffy's. She met them steadily and then tried a smile, which he barely returned and she released Spike's hand to walk up to the other and wrap her arms around him in a tight embrace.
"I love you, you know," she whispered in his ear and she could feel his hold on her grow tighter as well, which made a small smile spread on her lips as she closed her eyes. "We'll talk in the morning," she added, pulling away from him and he nodded.
"Good job," he then said with a small shrug, elaborating: "With the slaying and all."
She smiled wider at that.
"You too," she replied and he smirked a little before turning to Giles, shaking his hand and saying good night.
After hugging Willow so hard he practically lifted her off the ground he then turned and went on his way.
Giles stepped up to Buffy and embraced her gently.
"I am as proud of you as ever I was," he said and she smiled again, feeling the pride she herself felt at those words swell in her chest as they let each other go. "We'll talk in the morning too. And you," he added, turning to Willow who raised her eyebrows quizzically: "Nicely done," he commended and she smiled before they hugged as well.
Spike was about to scoff at the display of warmth and affection, but then Giles fixed his gaze on him and tentatively reached out one hand. The vampire stared at him, then at the limb held out to him, before he just as hesitatingly took it in a tight grip.
Looking up again the Watcher held his gaze for a few long seconds and then inclined his head the fraction of an inch before he let the other's hand go. Spike blinked, wondering what exactly this exchange had meant.
Without further ado, however, Giles turned and went on his way.
The three left stood still for a short while, then looked at each other and started to walk as well. Buffy once more taking Spike's hand, and all of them once more staying silent as they headed toward the college dorms. As the buildings began to grow into view Buffy was overcome with the sudden sense of how tired she actually was.
The relief of having it all being done with, the fact that her largest threat had been defeated. The strain her body and mind as well as her spirit had been under at that last confrontation. And the true happiness she felt as she knew she had been dreadfully wrong in one aspect all along - she would NEVER stand alone, no matter what was up ahead; her friends would always be there with her. All of this was getting the better of her and she longed for bed, for rest.
Willow punched in the code to the front door and they all filed through it. The quiet of the inside folded itself upon them and for some reason it grew pressing in a way it hadn't been outdoors. They walked up the stairs and Spike slowed Buffy's and his steps as they approached the door of Willow and hers room.
Willow turned her head to them, as though wondering where they had gone, and then she smiled before she stopped and walked back up to them.
"I can take a hint," she smirked with a glance at Spike, who returned the expression as she put her arms around Buffy. "Every year there's something," the redhead muttered and Buffy suppressed a giggle, and then she nodded. "But at least we're the ones coming out standing," the former added and Buffy squeezed her a little tighter before they pulled away from the other.
Willow turned to Spike and again there was hesitation before she quickly embraced him as well. She looked a little sheepish as she backed away, seemingly waiting for some kind of livid or perhaps merely clear reaction of objection from him.
Spike couldn't oblige her. For the first time he felt a twirl of something very close to appreciation inside as he looked down at the Wicca and saw it appear in her eyes as well. He was so surprised by it that his brain short- circuited and he couldn't even get out a "good night".
Willow gave them both another smile and then made herself scarce as she walked up to the door and through it, leaving them alone.
Buffy looked up at him, a smile still playing in the corners of her mouth at the obvious confusion in his eyes.
"Is it so hard to understand?" she asked and he turned his gaze questioningly in hers. "You did good tonight," she said. "A lot of it. Is it so unbelievable that they saw that, and acknowledged it?"
He sighed, closing his eyes.
"Yeah," he then grumbled and she put her arms around him, stepping into him and nestling her face against his throat as his arms slid around her and held her to him.
They stood still for such a long time Buffy felt her eyelids begin to grow heavy with sleep. She didn't want to let him go, though, and so she merely leaned on him.
"Tired?" he asked softly and she murmured something he couldn't quite make out before she pulled back to look up at him.
"I should've come with YOU instead," she moaned and he smiled a small smile before shaking his head.
"Go to bed and have a good night's sleep," he merely replied. "I take it there's a lotta stuff that's gonna need sortin' out in the morning," he added and she furrowed her brow at the reminder.
"I always have a good night's sleep when I'm sleeping next to you," she then mumbled, not able to suppress a yawn and his smile broadened.
"Stop arguing," he instructed, his arms letting her go and then one of his hands gently pushed her towards her door.
"I'm usually not like this," she stated soberly and now he smirked. "Usually I'm awake for hours after a face off like that... I don't understand why I'm so exhausted."
"Buffy," he said, making her look him in the eye before he leaned forward and kissed her tenderly on the lips. "I'll see you in the morning."
"Thank you," she stopped him as he was turning to leave and he looked back at her. "For saving my life."
He smiled again.
"That's three times you owe me, love," he stated and she returned the smile at that.
Watching him for a few seconds as he once again made as to walk away she reached out a hand and took a hold on the leather of his duster. He frowned slightly, once more turning his head to her and she smiled a little.
"Stay," she said; her voice sounding close to commanding as well as offering.
He looked uncomprehending as she turned the knob of the door and pushed it open before she pulled him with her through the doorway, his eyes growing wondering as he stepped through it and her smile broadened. She closed the door silently, though she was rather certain Willow wasn't asleep yet.
"Buffy," Spike whispered, almost sounding afraid that she wasn't in her rightful mind and she hushed him gently as she began to undress.
He swallowed, his gaze landing on her bed.
She helped him off with the duster and then signed for him to get the rest off on his own accord as she sneaked up to her dresser and got a top and a pair of pajama bottoms out for herself. She smirked as he seemed uncertain whether to remove his pants or not, glancing over at the outlining of Willow in her bed.
"Don't be shy," Buffy whispered and he turned his gaze in hers as she added with a much too teasing tone of voice: "Willow's seen one before and besides, she's not even into them anymore."
Spike could have sworn he heard a muffled giggle coming from the dark lump that was the Wicca, and directing a suspicious glare that way he then slid the piece of clothing off.
"Come here," Buffy said as she reached out a hand to him, already seated on her own bed and he approached her cautiously, looking down at her as she crawled under the covers and then moved them aside as an invitation for him to join.
He slid down beside her and she put the covers over him before she contentedly made him put his arms around her as she rested her head against his chest.
"This is how I wanna fall asleep from now on," she mumbled and he smiled, nodding his consent. "Can you promise me you'll never be farther away than this?"
"No," he murmured quietly, "but I can promise I'll try never to be farther away."
"Kiss," she said; voice now so drowsy with sleep that the word sounded more like "kish".
And he graced the top of her head with one before he closed his eyes as well.
***
Day Thirty-Eight.
3.02 a.m.
There was something undefined creeping along the seams of her dreams. It was a dark and obscure blot on the otherwise peaceful contents and she tried to fend it away, but it was too far out of her reach.
It circled right outside her line of sight as she faced her mother and her father.
"But they WERE there!" she exclaimed, staring from one beloved and trusted face to another; seeing them stare back with disbelief and trepidation.
Her mother's eyes filled with tears before she suddenly turned away, leaving the rest of the confrontation up to her husband. Buffy had tears welling up as well, as her father put on a stern face and leaned slightly closer - the way he always did when he wanted to convey a point.
"I will not hear any more of this from you," he said, voice lowered and trembling with what she didn't want to label angered impatience because she needed his understanding.
If anyone should support her now it would be her father, and her mother. But...
"Not another word!" he continued. "There are no excuses for setting FIRE to a building! There are no explanations you can give your mother and me that would EVER be liable, but paranormal beings on a killing rampage shouldn't be your FIRST option!"
"You SAW them!" she burst out.
"Buffy, sweetheart," Joyce cut in, turning back to her as she swiped at her tears and then reached out her hands to her. "You just experienced something terribly traumatic and your mind is trying to... Fantasy beings is simply your subconscious' way of telling yourself that what you did..."
Buffy frowned, shaking her head.
"I SAVED you! I SAVED those kids in there and then I KILLED the vampires that tried to slaughter us all! And I'm not sorry, I won't ever say I'm sorry and I won't ever change my story to fit yours - do you HEAR me?!" she bellowed, her tears flooding her cheeks as both her parent's eyes grew huge at her words. "NEVER!" she finished before she turned and ran out of the room.
The door closed behind her and she was in the desert. Sand was all that surrounded her, all that she seemed to feel, as though she was a giant hourglass and the sand was slipping through her veins instead of blood - counting down the hours she had left on the earth.
The sky was black above her head, but the sand glistened as though studded with diamonds and suddenly everything began to grow pink and orange and fire-y red moments before a golden line in the horizon pronounced the sun slowly rising.
Buffy could hear the voice she had heard right after Adam had fallen into a lifeless heap at her feet.
And it still whispered its words gently.
As the sun rises...
And still there was that shadow of something else, something uncomfortable waiting to make its move.
She frowned and then turned her head, the desert scenery melting away around her and Sunnydale slipped forth instead, the front porch of her house taking central stage as she looked into Spike's eyes and he raised his eyebrows rather meaningfully. She knew that the moment had come. Turning back to her mother she then took the step up to her and said:
"Mom, I'm a vampire slayer."
"What do you think she's thinking?" Spike asked as Joyce was put on pause, staring blankly at her daughter and Buffy eyed her - at first surprised at the sight and then frowning.
"I don't know," she answered the vampire.
"Do you think she approves?" he wondered and she shrugged.
"She didn't HATE Angel, I'm sure she'll be okay with it," she replied and Spike cocked an eyebrow, moving around to stand behind Joyce and looking over her shoulder at his love.
"You really think so?" he asked skeptically, brushing Joyce's hair away from her neck and opening his mouth, moving his head as though to bite before he stopped himself and chuckled, shaking his head. "Right," he sighed. "Almost forgot," he added, straightening his back and looking back at Buffy with a smirk. "It's a curse, is what it is," he muttered and she raised her eyebrows again. "The chip..."
"Right," she nodded, smiling at him. "Of course."
"So," he said, moving around Joyce to take a place behind Buffy instead, slipping his arms around her as he watched Joyce's face in the same manner Buffy was, "you think she'll be happy that you're with me?"
"Yeah," Buffy nodded, leaning back. "I think she will be. She wants what's best for me."
"Me?" Spike wondered and she smiled as she turned around in his arms and looked up at him before nodding slowly.
"You," she then confirmed and he returned her smile before he bent down to join their lips.
That was when the desert poured back in all its gilded glory and at the sudden light Buffy opened her eyes. She stared into his, and they grew slowly before he looked up and into the widening stretch of glittering gold continuingly rising above the horizon.
"Spike," she whispered as he looked down at her and then he started to glow with the fire beginning to consume him from within.
"Don't worry," he said gently.
She woke with a sharp breath and turned her head immediately to the sleeping form of her lover still lying next to her. Relaxing as he was still there she drew another, though this time small, breath and then smiled a little. Listening to his soft breathing she closed her eyes and placed her head on his chest again.
She still had the unsettling sense of being watched by something just outside her line of comprehension, it fluttered there and disturbed her worse now than it had while she was still asleep.
Another thing clouded her mind as well, making it all the more troublesome to relax so that she once again could drift off; she couldn't stop thinking of what the dream had reminded her of.
She needed to see her mother, there seemed to be a lot they needed to talk about... And Buffy was afraid that Joyce would actually have trouble accepting Spike. She was almost certain that her mother would have a problem with yet another vampire thrust into the family... and this one lacking a soul, which would surely only enhance the older woman's difficulty in relating with him in any way.
Adam was gone, her Slayer side could rest easier for the time being.
But tomorrow she was going to talk to Xander, and to Giles and as it presented itself now also to her own mother about a man - a being - that she needed in her life more than anything right now and if they for some reason tried to talk her out of that need, if they couldn't give her their support and love in this, then she didn't know what she would do.
She decided to push all of it out of her thoughts, there was nothing she could do about it right this instant was there?
She finally slipped back into her dreams, though the disturbance of something undefined following her stayed close by for the rest of the night.
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I am horribly sorry and I don't think I can apologize enough for this chapter being over a week and half late and so I'm not even going to start. I hope for forgiveness and shall try my best to repent by doing my outmost at getting the next chapter out a LOT sooner. This is almost it, gals and guys. I have to say I'm kinda stalling as well, 'cause I don't wanna say good-bye to this story - or all of you! Okay, drying my tears now. After all, the show must go on, right?
I truly do hope you thought this chapter lived up to the standard I have set and that you enjoyed reading it. If anyone wonders I believe there are three more chapters left. It might stretch to four, but I doubt it going farther than that. *sob*
Okay, very, VERY special thanks to wolf116 (glad you approve and hope you get more sure about the Spike-in-Riley's place soon... ;) Well, look it - Spike=gooood while Riley=ugha. It HAS to at least be a LITTLE better, right? :P Oh, and I know, that sequence is SO funny - but of course, I'd have to write that ep differently to fit my storyline... at least a little, I think.) :), maribel (hey girl, aw, I know! It's almost over! Happy though to hear that you think it's sad too. *smile* At least there are a few more chapters than just the one left. And yay that ya liked!) :), gattaca (Oh, that is more than lovely to read, you know?! And again with the so sorry this chapter is so darn late! *forgiveness!* Happyhappy you liked it, girlie!) :), Captain (I take my hat off to you, I am SO happy you think so! Oh, silly muse! Hey, get her into rehab, k? And be sure to visit her often so that she really knows and feels that you care... that MIGHT help! ;) Seriously though, that's a bummer and I hope you guys can sort it out! Well, I do hope you liked this chapter!) ;), Rachel (*smiles wide* I hope it'll stay that way then! :) I'm glad you recognize that. Hehe, I'm really really really glad he left town too. :) Oh yeah, I'll rewrite seasons five and six as well, and when I'm done with those season seven is bound to be out on DVD and then I'll take care of that too... not to mention when I move on the Angel. ;P Thanks for the encouragement, though! And SO sorry about the lateness on this chapter!) :), etoile (It's so nice to hear from you! Thanks so much for that! Really wonderful to read!!!) :), Mel (On It's Always the Quiet Ones - great that you liked it! And that it fitted with your own, you know, thoughts on it and yeah, he punched him good and hard. ;) Thanks for that last comment, girl! On The Strength Within - hehe, glad you liked the whole Spike switching places with Riley deal. I must say one of the things I really will always miss in the real BtVS series is how little we got to see Buffy and Spike nice and normal and good together, you know? We kinda never got that at all and it just SUCKS! Anyways... fanfiction is therapy for that, ain't it? Well, great that ya liked and hey, I swear, about the whole taking my clothes off - I wasn't serious!) ;P, Erica (On Conflicts Postponed - I know, I had the same problem all of last weekend, it was impossible for me to enter the sight in any way. How frustrating is that?! But, I am glad you approve of the story and also that you like the twist! Hey, who wouldn't want more of the Spuffyness, eh? On The Strength Within - hehe, great to read about you liking the Spike-Riley switch. *grins* I'm not entirely sure about Restless yet, either. We'll see how it pans out. Might do just Buffy. Hope the latest chapter was to your liking!) ;), Blood-for-Love (That was so incredibly nice of a review I can't even begin to say how great it was to read it! WOW! I'm flattered and extremely happy right now! Thank you! Also you've had me giggling at the whole scenario you're painting up there for me. *snicker* I hope those customers weren't too upset. ;) Also, your last comment truly touched me, it meant a lot and I just wanna say truly - thank you so much.), Cate (I'm happy, I'm happy, I'm happy! It's wonderful that you keep enjoying this story and that you share your thoughts with me! Hope this chapter worked for you as well!) :), Leanne (hehe, speak on, girlfriend! ;P Well, unless there are loud complaints from the rest of the group. *sheepish* ;) Oh, thanks alot for the Spike comment, that was actually especially nice to read 'cause I mean - I got it - but I thought what if you guys wouldn't think it...realistic. So yeah, that was extra nice to read! And yeah, the Riley thing, I know, poor fella's out there all chipwrecked. *snicker* Nah, but we'll see... I think I actually have an idea how to... you know, adress it. Great comments as always, my friend. Very vivid and full of personal thoughts. I thank thee!) :), Night (okay, I know and I AM sorry!!! This chapter was MUCH too late! And *smirk* at that comment. ;) And woah to that compliment there, girl. That was really awesome to read that you think. That I'd be FIT to write for the now unfortunately and excrutiatingly non- existant show! *smiles* Seriously though, that is a huge, huge amount of flattery cramped into one sentence and just, woah! I'll aim for the script of the movie they HAVE to make somehow, will you support me?! Thanks a lot nevertheless, girl!) :), Caitee (haha, that's VERY nice to read. Hehe, glad you enjoyed and hope same goes for this laaaaate chapter.) ;) and Liz Darcy (- hey! Nice to have you back and don't sweat it, girl. I knew there'd be a reason for one of the most faithful not to write. ;) Really nice to have you back. The lack of time thing - I so understand! I'm just gonna comment all the feedback at once, k? Thanks so much for reviewing every chapter like that! (44) Pleased as peach pie that you liked! And... (45) Okay good, you approve of the way the Gang took the news as well! *yay* *I am SMILING right now* ;) 46 hehe, thanks for loads of great comments here. I'm glad you liked the explanation about Adam. I know he wasn't the really cunning kind, but even buff's have their moments, right? ;) And the un-impactable sentence, eh? :) (47) Well, what can I say other than I'm just grateful to the good Almighty that so many people, very much including you, like this story! And again and again thanks for letting me know!) - THANK YOU ALL, I LOVE YOU, THERE'S NO TWO WAYS ABOUT IT! YOU ARE THE BEST THERE IS AND I WILL THINK SO ALWAYS!
Okay, so I shall go on to writing the next chapter within the nearest couple of days and it WILL be up. Scouts honor. (I was never a scout, but pretend like you don't know, k?) ;)
A.M.L, Annie.
Forty-Eight: In the Ripples of Victory
By Annie
2003-07-18
**************************************************************************** **
Day Thirty-Seven.
7.41 p.m.
She held onto him so tightly that he thought she was going to break his neck, but then her grip slowly eased up and she moved her head to look up at him.
She had seemed possessed, her eyes had been glowing yellow, but now the green in them shone up at him as a smile grew onto her lips and he returned it. She looked revived, somehow.
"What happened?" he asked.
"Our plan worked," she replied simply. "We won."
He nodded, almost in disbelief that he had been part of it, and then she put her arms around him again, hugging him hard. She let him go, swirled around while at the same time slipping one of her hands into his before starting towards the exit, pulling him with her and he followed.
She slowed her steps as they took her passed Adam's lifeless body, looking down at it she paused for one third of a second before she turned her head to Spike instead. This time he smiled tryingly at her and she smiled back, drawing a small breath before they proceeded up to the door.
Buffy kept her hold on Spike's hand as they walked through the larger room where she had fought the soldier formally known as Forest. She knew the thing he had been transformed into was dead, Spike must have killed him.
So much carnage. Just as Adam had wanted it. But now the bodies of those killed would rest in peace.
The Slayer and the Vamp pushed through the barricade in front of the exit and joined the Scoobies in the connecting room.
"Buffy," Giles said as he, Willow and Xander all turned their heads to Spike and her.
Willow came up to them, smiling excitedly as she hugged Buffy and said:
"Wasn't it amazing?"
Buffy nodded, hugging her back. As they broke apart again Xander stated:
"You were great."
"WE were great," Buffy corrected him.
And she meant it. She had felt how they had been there. It had been Giles' thoughts translating the words he spoke through her so that she could understand them, it had been Willow who promoted the final destruction of the core and it had been Xander who linked the three of them with her as all of them brought forth the ancient strength of her legacy.
A few moments later they were all moving toward the door, the body of a killed demon laying sprawled to the right of it and Buffy made a mental note to ask what that was all about just as she kicked the door off its hinges. Soon they were battling their way out of the Initiative; unaware that cross country, in a federal building, a group of suits and uniforms were just discussing why they needed to shut the project to control the demonic world down. Why they needed to terminate the experiment of creating their own version of it, and harness its power.
The Initiative was no more.
***
9.05 p.m.
Buffy had successfully ignored the dirty looks Xander kept giving her hand which was holding Spike's in a firm grip as they walked the streets toward where they would all split up in different directions. No one spoke, but they still shared something not unlike quiet satisfaction. The city in which they lived was once again safe. Though it couldn't really relate to the word in the way it should as there were beasts still stalking the shadows - but the group was content in the knowledge that there wouldn't be anything luring them far OUT of those shadows, at least not for another while.
Willow sent Buffy smiles, encouraging and filled with friendly warmth; Buffy returned them easily and in between them she stole glances at Spike, who turned his head to her each time she did with a look in his eyes that she couldn't construe. It was as though he wanted to tell her something, but couldn't find the right approach.
They all came to a stop at the crossroads where they were parting. Xander looked from one to the other, though his eyes barely graced Spike and then finally stopped in Buffy's. She met them steadily and then tried a smile, which he barely returned and she released Spike's hand to walk up to the other and wrap her arms around him in a tight embrace.
"I love you, you know," she whispered in his ear and she could feel his hold on her grow tighter as well, which made a small smile spread on her lips as she closed her eyes. "We'll talk in the morning," she added, pulling away from him and he nodded.
"Good job," he then said with a small shrug, elaborating: "With the slaying and all."
She smiled wider at that.
"You too," she replied and he smirked a little before turning to Giles, shaking his hand and saying good night.
After hugging Willow so hard he practically lifted her off the ground he then turned and went on his way.
Giles stepped up to Buffy and embraced her gently.
"I am as proud of you as ever I was," he said and she smiled again, feeling the pride she herself felt at those words swell in her chest as they let each other go. "We'll talk in the morning too. And you," he added, turning to Willow who raised her eyebrows quizzically: "Nicely done," he commended and she smiled before they hugged as well.
Spike was about to scoff at the display of warmth and affection, but then Giles fixed his gaze on him and tentatively reached out one hand. The vampire stared at him, then at the limb held out to him, before he just as hesitatingly took it in a tight grip.
Looking up again the Watcher held his gaze for a few long seconds and then inclined his head the fraction of an inch before he let the other's hand go. Spike blinked, wondering what exactly this exchange had meant.
Without further ado, however, Giles turned and went on his way.
The three left stood still for a short while, then looked at each other and started to walk as well. Buffy once more taking Spike's hand, and all of them once more staying silent as they headed toward the college dorms. As the buildings began to grow into view Buffy was overcome with the sudden sense of how tired she actually was.
The relief of having it all being done with, the fact that her largest threat had been defeated. The strain her body and mind as well as her spirit had been under at that last confrontation. And the true happiness she felt as she knew she had been dreadfully wrong in one aspect all along - she would NEVER stand alone, no matter what was up ahead; her friends would always be there with her. All of this was getting the better of her and she longed for bed, for rest.
Willow punched in the code to the front door and they all filed through it. The quiet of the inside folded itself upon them and for some reason it grew pressing in a way it hadn't been outdoors. They walked up the stairs and Spike slowed Buffy's and his steps as they approached the door of Willow and hers room.
Willow turned her head to them, as though wondering where they had gone, and then she smiled before she stopped and walked back up to them.
"I can take a hint," she smirked with a glance at Spike, who returned the expression as she put her arms around Buffy. "Every year there's something," the redhead muttered and Buffy suppressed a giggle, and then she nodded. "But at least we're the ones coming out standing," the former added and Buffy squeezed her a little tighter before they pulled away from the other.
Willow turned to Spike and again there was hesitation before she quickly embraced him as well. She looked a little sheepish as she backed away, seemingly waiting for some kind of livid or perhaps merely clear reaction of objection from him.
Spike couldn't oblige her. For the first time he felt a twirl of something very close to appreciation inside as he looked down at the Wicca and saw it appear in her eyes as well. He was so surprised by it that his brain short- circuited and he couldn't even get out a "good night".
Willow gave them both another smile and then made herself scarce as she walked up to the door and through it, leaving them alone.
Buffy looked up at him, a smile still playing in the corners of her mouth at the obvious confusion in his eyes.
"Is it so hard to understand?" she asked and he turned his gaze questioningly in hers. "You did good tonight," she said. "A lot of it. Is it so unbelievable that they saw that, and acknowledged it?"
He sighed, closing his eyes.
"Yeah," he then grumbled and she put her arms around him, stepping into him and nestling her face against his throat as his arms slid around her and held her to him.
They stood still for such a long time Buffy felt her eyelids begin to grow heavy with sleep. She didn't want to let him go, though, and so she merely leaned on him.
"Tired?" he asked softly and she murmured something he couldn't quite make out before she pulled back to look up at him.
"I should've come with YOU instead," she moaned and he smiled a small smile before shaking his head.
"Go to bed and have a good night's sleep," he merely replied. "I take it there's a lotta stuff that's gonna need sortin' out in the morning," he added and she furrowed her brow at the reminder.
"I always have a good night's sleep when I'm sleeping next to you," she then mumbled, not able to suppress a yawn and his smile broadened.
"Stop arguing," he instructed, his arms letting her go and then one of his hands gently pushed her towards her door.
"I'm usually not like this," she stated soberly and now he smirked. "Usually I'm awake for hours after a face off like that... I don't understand why I'm so exhausted."
"Buffy," he said, making her look him in the eye before he leaned forward and kissed her tenderly on the lips. "I'll see you in the morning."
"Thank you," she stopped him as he was turning to leave and he looked back at her. "For saving my life."
He smiled again.
"That's three times you owe me, love," he stated and she returned the smile at that.
Watching him for a few seconds as he once again made as to walk away she reached out a hand and took a hold on the leather of his duster. He frowned slightly, once more turning his head to her and she smiled a little.
"Stay," she said; her voice sounding close to commanding as well as offering.
He looked uncomprehending as she turned the knob of the door and pushed it open before she pulled him with her through the doorway, his eyes growing wondering as he stepped through it and her smile broadened. She closed the door silently, though she was rather certain Willow wasn't asleep yet.
"Buffy," Spike whispered, almost sounding afraid that she wasn't in her rightful mind and she hushed him gently as she began to undress.
He swallowed, his gaze landing on her bed.
She helped him off with the duster and then signed for him to get the rest off on his own accord as she sneaked up to her dresser and got a top and a pair of pajama bottoms out for herself. She smirked as he seemed uncertain whether to remove his pants or not, glancing over at the outlining of Willow in her bed.
"Don't be shy," Buffy whispered and he turned his gaze in hers as she added with a much too teasing tone of voice: "Willow's seen one before and besides, she's not even into them anymore."
Spike could have sworn he heard a muffled giggle coming from the dark lump that was the Wicca, and directing a suspicious glare that way he then slid the piece of clothing off.
"Come here," Buffy said as she reached out a hand to him, already seated on her own bed and he approached her cautiously, looking down at her as she crawled under the covers and then moved them aside as an invitation for him to join.
He slid down beside her and she put the covers over him before she contentedly made him put his arms around her as she rested her head against his chest.
"This is how I wanna fall asleep from now on," she mumbled and he smiled, nodding his consent. "Can you promise me you'll never be farther away than this?"
"No," he murmured quietly, "but I can promise I'll try never to be farther away."
"Kiss," she said; voice now so drowsy with sleep that the word sounded more like "kish".
And he graced the top of her head with one before he closed his eyes as well.
***
Day Thirty-Eight.
3.02 a.m.
There was something undefined creeping along the seams of her dreams. It was a dark and obscure blot on the otherwise peaceful contents and she tried to fend it away, but it was too far out of her reach.
It circled right outside her line of sight as she faced her mother and her father.
"But they WERE there!" she exclaimed, staring from one beloved and trusted face to another; seeing them stare back with disbelief and trepidation.
Her mother's eyes filled with tears before she suddenly turned away, leaving the rest of the confrontation up to her husband. Buffy had tears welling up as well, as her father put on a stern face and leaned slightly closer - the way he always did when he wanted to convey a point.
"I will not hear any more of this from you," he said, voice lowered and trembling with what she didn't want to label angered impatience because she needed his understanding.
If anyone should support her now it would be her father, and her mother. But...
"Not another word!" he continued. "There are no excuses for setting FIRE to a building! There are no explanations you can give your mother and me that would EVER be liable, but paranormal beings on a killing rampage shouldn't be your FIRST option!"
"You SAW them!" she burst out.
"Buffy, sweetheart," Joyce cut in, turning back to her as she swiped at her tears and then reached out her hands to her. "You just experienced something terribly traumatic and your mind is trying to... Fantasy beings is simply your subconscious' way of telling yourself that what you did..."
Buffy frowned, shaking her head.
"I SAVED you! I SAVED those kids in there and then I KILLED the vampires that tried to slaughter us all! And I'm not sorry, I won't ever say I'm sorry and I won't ever change my story to fit yours - do you HEAR me?!" she bellowed, her tears flooding her cheeks as both her parent's eyes grew huge at her words. "NEVER!" she finished before she turned and ran out of the room.
The door closed behind her and she was in the desert. Sand was all that surrounded her, all that she seemed to feel, as though she was a giant hourglass and the sand was slipping through her veins instead of blood - counting down the hours she had left on the earth.
The sky was black above her head, but the sand glistened as though studded with diamonds and suddenly everything began to grow pink and orange and fire-y red moments before a golden line in the horizon pronounced the sun slowly rising.
Buffy could hear the voice she had heard right after Adam had fallen into a lifeless heap at her feet.
And it still whispered its words gently.
As the sun rises...
And still there was that shadow of something else, something uncomfortable waiting to make its move.
She frowned and then turned her head, the desert scenery melting away around her and Sunnydale slipped forth instead, the front porch of her house taking central stage as she looked into Spike's eyes and he raised his eyebrows rather meaningfully. She knew that the moment had come. Turning back to her mother she then took the step up to her and said:
"Mom, I'm a vampire slayer."
"What do you think she's thinking?" Spike asked as Joyce was put on pause, staring blankly at her daughter and Buffy eyed her - at first surprised at the sight and then frowning.
"I don't know," she answered the vampire.
"Do you think she approves?" he wondered and she shrugged.
"She didn't HATE Angel, I'm sure she'll be okay with it," she replied and Spike cocked an eyebrow, moving around to stand behind Joyce and looking over her shoulder at his love.
"You really think so?" he asked skeptically, brushing Joyce's hair away from her neck and opening his mouth, moving his head as though to bite before he stopped himself and chuckled, shaking his head. "Right," he sighed. "Almost forgot," he added, straightening his back and looking back at Buffy with a smirk. "It's a curse, is what it is," he muttered and she raised her eyebrows again. "The chip..."
"Right," she nodded, smiling at him. "Of course."
"So," he said, moving around Joyce to take a place behind Buffy instead, slipping his arms around her as he watched Joyce's face in the same manner Buffy was, "you think she'll be happy that you're with me?"
"Yeah," Buffy nodded, leaning back. "I think she will be. She wants what's best for me."
"Me?" Spike wondered and she smiled as she turned around in his arms and looked up at him before nodding slowly.
"You," she then confirmed and he returned her smile before he bent down to join their lips.
That was when the desert poured back in all its gilded glory and at the sudden light Buffy opened her eyes. She stared into his, and they grew slowly before he looked up and into the widening stretch of glittering gold continuingly rising above the horizon.
"Spike," she whispered as he looked down at her and then he started to glow with the fire beginning to consume him from within.
"Don't worry," he said gently.
She woke with a sharp breath and turned her head immediately to the sleeping form of her lover still lying next to her. Relaxing as he was still there she drew another, though this time small, breath and then smiled a little. Listening to his soft breathing she closed her eyes and placed her head on his chest again.
She still had the unsettling sense of being watched by something just outside her line of comprehension, it fluttered there and disturbed her worse now than it had while she was still asleep.
Another thing clouded her mind as well, making it all the more troublesome to relax so that she once again could drift off; she couldn't stop thinking of what the dream had reminded her of.
She needed to see her mother, there seemed to be a lot they needed to talk about... And Buffy was afraid that Joyce would actually have trouble accepting Spike. She was almost certain that her mother would have a problem with yet another vampire thrust into the family... and this one lacking a soul, which would surely only enhance the older woman's difficulty in relating with him in any way.
Adam was gone, her Slayer side could rest easier for the time being.
But tomorrow she was going to talk to Xander, and to Giles and as it presented itself now also to her own mother about a man - a being - that she needed in her life more than anything right now and if they for some reason tried to talk her out of that need, if they couldn't give her their support and love in this, then she didn't know what she would do.
She decided to push all of it out of her thoughts, there was nothing she could do about it right this instant was there?
She finally slipped back into her dreams, though the disturbance of something undefined following her stayed close by for the rest of the night.
**************************************************************************** **************************************************************************** **************************************************************************** ******************
I am horribly sorry and I don't think I can apologize enough for this chapter being over a week and half late and so I'm not even going to start. I hope for forgiveness and shall try my best to repent by doing my outmost at getting the next chapter out a LOT sooner. This is almost it, gals and guys. I have to say I'm kinda stalling as well, 'cause I don't wanna say good-bye to this story - or all of you! Okay, drying my tears now. After all, the show must go on, right?
I truly do hope you thought this chapter lived up to the standard I have set and that you enjoyed reading it. If anyone wonders I believe there are three more chapters left. It might stretch to four, but I doubt it going farther than that. *sob*
Okay, very, VERY special thanks to wolf116 (glad you approve and hope you get more sure about the Spike-in-Riley's place soon... ;) Well, look it - Spike=gooood while Riley=ugha. It HAS to at least be a LITTLE better, right? :P Oh, and I know, that sequence is SO funny - but of course, I'd have to write that ep differently to fit my storyline... at least a little, I think.) :), maribel (hey girl, aw, I know! It's almost over! Happy though to hear that you think it's sad too. *smile* At least there are a few more chapters than just the one left. And yay that ya liked!) :), gattaca (Oh, that is more than lovely to read, you know?! And again with the so sorry this chapter is so darn late! *forgiveness!* Happyhappy you liked it, girlie!) :), Captain (I take my hat off to you, I am SO happy you think so! Oh, silly muse! Hey, get her into rehab, k? And be sure to visit her often so that she really knows and feels that you care... that MIGHT help! ;) Seriously though, that's a bummer and I hope you guys can sort it out! Well, I do hope you liked this chapter!) ;), Rachel (*smiles wide* I hope it'll stay that way then! :) I'm glad you recognize that. Hehe, I'm really really really glad he left town too. :) Oh yeah, I'll rewrite seasons five and six as well, and when I'm done with those season seven is bound to be out on DVD and then I'll take care of that too... not to mention when I move on the Angel. ;P Thanks for the encouragement, though! And SO sorry about the lateness on this chapter!) :), etoile (It's so nice to hear from you! Thanks so much for that! Really wonderful to read!!!) :), Mel (On It's Always the Quiet Ones - great that you liked it! And that it fitted with your own, you know, thoughts on it and yeah, he punched him good and hard. ;) Thanks for that last comment, girl! On The Strength Within - hehe, glad you liked the whole Spike switching places with Riley deal. I must say one of the things I really will always miss in the real BtVS series is how little we got to see Buffy and Spike nice and normal and good together, you know? We kinda never got that at all and it just SUCKS! Anyways... fanfiction is therapy for that, ain't it? Well, great that ya liked and hey, I swear, about the whole taking my clothes off - I wasn't serious!) ;P, Erica (On Conflicts Postponed - I know, I had the same problem all of last weekend, it was impossible for me to enter the sight in any way. How frustrating is that?! But, I am glad you approve of the story and also that you like the twist! Hey, who wouldn't want more of the Spuffyness, eh? On The Strength Within - hehe, great to read about you liking the Spike-Riley switch. *grins* I'm not entirely sure about Restless yet, either. We'll see how it pans out. Might do just Buffy. Hope the latest chapter was to your liking!) ;), Blood-for-Love (That was so incredibly nice of a review I can't even begin to say how great it was to read it! WOW! I'm flattered and extremely happy right now! Thank you! Also you've had me giggling at the whole scenario you're painting up there for me. *snicker* I hope those customers weren't too upset. ;) Also, your last comment truly touched me, it meant a lot and I just wanna say truly - thank you so much.), Cate (I'm happy, I'm happy, I'm happy! It's wonderful that you keep enjoying this story and that you share your thoughts with me! Hope this chapter worked for you as well!) :), Leanne (hehe, speak on, girlfriend! ;P Well, unless there are loud complaints from the rest of the group. *sheepish* ;) Oh, thanks alot for the Spike comment, that was actually especially nice to read 'cause I mean - I got it - but I thought what if you guys wouldn't think it...realistic. So yeah, that was extra nice to read! And yeah, the Riley thing, I know, poor fella's out there all chipwrecked. *snicker* Nah, but we'll see... I think I actually have an idea how to... you know, adress it. Great comments as always, my friend. Very vivid and full of personal thoughts. I thank thee!) :), Night (okay, I know and I AM sorry!!! This chapter was MUCH too late! And *smirk* at that comment. ;) And woah to that compliment there, girl. That was really awesome to read that you think. That I'd be FIT to write for the now unfortunately and excrutiatingly non- existant show! *smiles* Seriously though, that is a huge, huge amount of flattery cramped into one sentence and just, woah! I'll aim for the script of the movie they HAVE to make somehow, will you support me?! Thanks a lot nevertheless, girl!) :), Caitee (haha, that's VERY nice to read. Hehe, glad you enjoyed and hope same goes for this laaaaate chapter.) ;) and Liz Darcy (- hey! Nice to have you back and don't sweat it, girl. I knew there'd be a reason for one of the most faithful not to write. ;) Really nice to have you back. The lack of time thing - I so understand! I'm just gonna comment all the feedback at once, k? Thanks so much for reviewing every chapter like that! (44) Pleased as peach pie that you liked! And... (45) Okay good, you approve of the way the Gang took the news as well! *yay* *I am SMILING right now* ;) 46 hehe, thanks for loads of great comments here. I'm glad you liked the explanation about Adam. I know he wasn't the really cunning kind, but even buff's have their moments, right? ;) And the un-impactable sentence, eh? :) (47) Well, what can I say other than I'm just grateful to the good Almighty that so many people, very much including you, like this story! And again and again thanks for letting me know!) - THANK YOU ALL, I LOVE YOU, THERE'S NO TWO WAYS ABOUT IT! YOU ARE THE BEST THERE IS AND I WILL THINK SO ALWAYS!
Okay, so I shall go on to writing the next chapter within the nearest couple of days and it WILL be up. Scouts honor. (I was never a scout, but pretend like you don't know, k?) ;)
A.M.L, Annie.