From the end to a new beginning

by Spunkles

CHAPTER EIGHT NOW UP Enjoy...and don't forget to review. :-D So here you go...hope you enjoy it.

2. Second Chapter What's in a name?

Second Chapter: What's in a name?

A/N: For those who have written and told me you liked it…thanks.  : -D I wrote it originally as a stand-alone piece…to kind of go with my other short fic - Live (which are Buffy's thoughts at the end of chosen)…. but since a few asked for more…I decided to write more for you.  Aren't I sweet? : -D   And to those of you still waiting for Untitled's next part, The Final R - Resurrection… it'll be up within the week…or so…I'm just putting the finishing touches on it.  Thanks for reading!!! And please review…I love hearing from you.   ~ Spunkles

***

After Spike had seen around the facility, with Gunn and Fred as tour guides, Wesley pulled him aside. 

"Now that you've eaten, etc.  Can I test your abilities?"

"I knew there were gonna be times that being a Slayer sucked… I just didn't think they'd start so soon."

"Being a Slayer, Spike, is not all about killing demons, you know.  It's about being chosen for the side of the good, honing all your inherent abilities, and…"

Spike interrupted what was to be the beginning of a long lecture on worthiness.

"Hello…enough with the speech.  I was a demon for over 120 years.  I know a good deal about a lot of them.  Also…I'm not a newbie to the evil-good battle.  So stop treating me like a brand new player.  Alright?"

Wesley nodded his head.

"Glad we're on the same page.    Now…I'll give you the right to train me…I want to check out this strength I seem to have.  But don't think I'm gonna let you rule me…two people have that right…and only those two."

"Which two?"

"Myself, of course, and Buffy."
"You let her rule you?"
Spike gave him a look.

"I listen to her…sometimes I do what she says.  I'm in love…and I'm man enough to claim to be love's bitch…understand?  Doesn't mean I'm gonna take any slack from people I could pick up and toss across the room.  Got it?"

Wesley nodded.

"Good.  Now… before we get into this test Spike until he's ready to kill you, how about you get on the horn and call up any watcher contacts, still surviving that is, and see if we can locate my group."

"Well…while you were getting your tour and eating, I called one of my contacts in Cleveland."

"That's right…there is a Hellmouth there."

"Right…I'm guessing they'll probably go there.  And if Giles has the same contact I have, they'll give us a call.  If not…I have other contacts."

Spike just gave him a look.

Then said, "Can I get a phone?'

One of the assistants appeared at his side instantly with a cell phone.

"Thanks," he said to the young male as he took the phone.

He turned it on and dialed out, where he was silent for a few seconds before saying,

"I wanna speak to Slythin."

He listened to the reply before saying,

"If you don't get him and bring him to the phone, I'll come down there and personally rip your middle bloody head off and ram it down your first."

He listened again.

"Thought you'd see it my way ya bloody ponce."

Seconds later.

"Slythin? Spike.  Yeah…. thought you'd remember me.  What kind of bloody demon you got answering the phones for you?"

Spike burst out laughing at whatever Slythin said.

"Right, right…well of course I'm checkin' up on ya…oh…heard all about that, did you?  But you're family, so ya can't turn your back on me whether you want to or not."

Spike listened to Slythin talk some more.

He was nodding and smiling.

"Right, right…look.  I'm looking for someone…. or actually a group of some ones.  Slayers…The Slayer, her watcher the second slayer, a band of demon fighters and a whole new group of activated slayers."

After a pause he continued.

"Now, now…brother of mine…keep acting like that and I'll have to think of an appropriate punishment.  I could rip out your heart…or…what was that?"

Spike laughed again.

"Yeah, yeah…you have tabs everywhere.  I just want to locate them…not have them murdered off. If any one of your contacts touches my girls…and the rest of the bloody lot…you'll have me to contend with.  And I've got to tell you…I've changed quite a bit."

"Who are you callin' a Nancy?  That does it…I'll be there in…. a day or two.  I'll get to town and kill every last one of you…. what?  Oh you didn't mean it…. I thought not.  Scared…. of little ole me, are you?    You better be.  Now…as I was saying…give this number a call…. oh come off it…you know every number that ever calls you.  Hell…you probably are so wired up, you know probably know exactly where I am and what's happened to me in the last four years.  Am I right?"

He listened a little longer.

"That's what I thought.  Now…I'll find a way to hook you up…I told you…you're family and all.  I know…why don't you send the bill to Angelus.  After all…we're all kin."

Spike laughed harder at whatever the answer was.

"Good to hear from you too Slythin…it's been way to long in between.  Bye."

He hung up the phone and the assistant returned to pick it up and take it with him.

"I need that phone immediately if he calls."

"Yes Mr. Spike," the young man said, before disappearing.

Spike watched him go and shrugged…he'd ask the rest later.

He turned to Wesley.

"My contacts will let us know if anyone spots my group."

"Who is Slythin?"
"Family."

Wesley gave him a look.

"I don't remember reading anything about a Slythin in the Watcher's books on you."

Spike smirked at him.

"Yeah…and Watchers know everything about demons, right?"

Wesley looked a little sheepish.

"That's what I thought.  You don't know about him cause I picked him up around the 1950's… me and Dru that is.  We didn't really make it all that known…only those who knew about him were us…and our minions, of course.  Are we gonna find me a place to live now?"
"Uh…yes…. sure.  Let's go check with Lilah."

Lilah appeared in front of them.

"Here's some places you might want to stay…and we've got you a replica of your Desoto, blacked out windows replaced with regular windows, so you can see out of them.  We also need to know who you'd like to be."

"Who I'd like to be?"
"We're getting you an identity.  And we need you to choose a name so we can get you a drivers license, social security number, passport, background, etc."

"Oh…hmmm…Well…I think I'll keep my first name."

"Okay sir," she turned to the side, and then turned back.

"We need to get you a last name now."

Spike thought about it…he really didn't want to use his own last name…. it was too long ago, and he was by far a different person.  As he thought about it a great last name came to him.  It was going to royally piss of Angel…. which was a plus, any way he looked at it.  Hell, he was even sure it was gonna piss of Giles, when he heard it, and not to mention Xander.  That alone was a deciding factor for him.  But, it would connect him to his favorite people more and more."

He smiled widely.

"I can help you pick out a name if you like," Wesley told him.  "Wyndam-Price is a wonderful name."

"If I ever felt like eating paste, maybe."

Wesley gave him a glare.

Spike laughed.

"I'm teasing…ya know.  No thank you…I've got a name picked out."

He turned to Lilah…

"Summers.  I want my last name to be Summers. But don't make me a relative of Buffy and Dawn's…. alright?"

Lilah laughed and nodded, knowing why he didn't want to be any sort of relative. 

"Still hoping sir?"
"Well, she accepted my hand once before, maybe she'll do it again, given time.  True, it was a spell…and we were both repulsed after, but things have changed."

Lilah turned her head again and then turned back.

"It has been done.  When would you like to go look at the choices we selected for you?"

He turned to look at Wesley.

"Am I allowed to go now, Oh mighty watcher?"

Wesley gave him a 'you're-ticking-me-off' look.

"I'm not your keeper," he said huffily.

"Good to know," Spike said laughing.

He then looked toward Lilah,

"Lead the way…oh…wait…can we go tell Angel my new last name first."

The look on his face reminded both Lilah and Wesley of a little child with a juicy secret to tell.

They both laughed.

"If you're gonna go piss him off…wait, let me get Fred and Gunn…they asked specifically to be there when you and Angel go at it again."

Spike laughed.

"Well, if you have to go through all that trouble, than I'll go find a place first…. then I'll piss off Angel later."

They nodded and went about their task

***

Back at the hotel, Angel had worked himself into a frenzy down in his workout room. 

Spike.

Spike a champion.

Spike a champion who touched my Buffy.

He knew he had to calm down.

And this wasn't the way to do it.

Spike touched your precious Buffy right before he died…and now those two are irrevocably mixed together.  He completely stole your Shanshu right out from under your grasp.

That so must suck.

And the fact that his inner demon was delighting in torturing him about the events wasn't helping him out any.

He began savagely beating his punching bag…and knocked it off the chains and across the room.

Damn, he thought.

He walked over to where the punching bag was and when he got to it…the room disappeared.

He rose, looking around. 

The white marble, the pillars, this place was awfully familiar.

When the two Oracles stepped down from the pedestal he groaned.

Then he noticed they were different than before.

Welcome lower being.

Do you know who we are?

"I'm going to bet you're the Oracles.  But they were murdered…I saw their bodies."

Yes…we were called after our predecessors were murdered.  You will deal with us from now on.

"I'd rather not deal with any of you.  You steal Cordelia and now she's stuck in a coma we don't know if she'll ever wake from.  I had to fight on of you reborn, and when my son took her out, I had to make a deal with the devil, well, Wolfram & Heart, and kill my son to give him a better life…. one where he doesn't even know I exist.  And I can't see him ever again.  And now…you dump what used to be my errant vampire childe and bind him irrevocably to my slayer.  My slayer.  What did you use to bind them anyway?"

Do not ask, vampire, you will not like the answer you receive.

"Tell me," Angel all but roared.

Very well, but do not say we didn't warn you.  It was love.

Angel roared and looking for something to crush or smash, found nothing, of course.  So he walked over to the nearest pillar and slammed his fist into it.  Causing the marble pillar to crack and pieces to shatter and fall from it.

Well…that was pretty pointless.  Why must we deal with these emotional beings sister?

They fight for us, brother.

I still don't know why we bother.

It is not our duty to wonder.  We cannot understand their emotions, Brother, cause for the most part we do not have them.

"I'm still here you know," Angel said.

Have you calmed down somewhat now, lower being?

 What did you call me here for?"

To give you instruction of course. 

"What instruction?"

For your assignment.

"What are you talking about?"

You were chosen to bring up the champion…teach him, as it were.

"You're talking about Spike aren't you?"

Yes.

"I'm not doing it."

You have no choice.  It is your destiny.  It is what you were chosen to do.  Put aside your petty differences and emotional outbursts and embrace your destiny.

"You told me that it was my destiny to achieve Shanshu."

Did we tell you that?

"It was in the scroll."

But did the scroll mention your name?

"It said the vampire with a soul."

And a vampire with a soul did achieve Shanshu…did he not?

"It was supposed to be me."

It is not our fault if you misinterpret a passage.  Shanshu occurred to the individual it was supposed to occur to…the vampire with a soul that performed the ultimate sacrifice and saved the world at the same time.  If the scroll had mentioned your name, than you would have right to be upset.  Since it did not…you do not.  Are you ready to receive instruction now?

Angel walked over to another pillar and slammed his fist through it.

Are you sure we should use this one, Sister?  His mind doesn't seem to work well enough for him to be a teacher to anyone.

Now, now brother.  Baiting him won't help.  He's upset…he thought Shanshu was his destiny.  It might be a while before he calms down enough for us to talk to him.

Then we'll call him again, once he's calmed down.

Angel turned to talk to them about… and found himself back in his workout room in the basement of the hotel.

He growled…and then picked up his punching bag and reattached it.

After slamming against it repeatedly for another half n hour, until he calmed down somewhat, he then made his way slowly up to his room to shower and redress.

****

After they had been looking for about an hour and a half, Spike found a place that he liked.  One that was nearby the hotel and the Angel's hotel, not to mention the city, but far away enough for privacy and sort of quiet…. like Sunnydale used to be, minus the many demons.

"I like this place," Spike had told Lilah after they had checked it out.

Lilah turned her head to the side and a young woman came through the door moments later.  She handed Lilah a briefcase and walked out.

"Efficient little squad you have?"
"We pride ourselves with doing our best."

"I can see that."

Lilah smiled at him and then handed him the paper work.

Spike looked at it and read it over.

"I have to sign this?"

"No sir…it's just your copy.  Here are your keys."

"Thanks. Now…where do I get furniture from?"
"We're heading to a furniture store now."

"Real efficient."

"We aim to please."

Spike laughed and they headed out.

******

Hours later, the group met in the hotel lobby.

Angel had calmed down, sort of, but hadn't as of yet been called in front of the Oracles again.  He was lounging in a corner, drinking a warm mug of blood, waiting for the group to come.

Fred came downstairs next. 

Wesley, coming in the front door, saw her walking down the stairs.

Wesley grinned at her, and then remembered that he wasn't really supposed to…things were still iffy between her and Gunn.

Fred grinned toward him and then looked toward Angel.

"Hi Angel…what's the meeting about?"
"I'll let you know when everyone's here.  Is Gunn coming?"
"Present," Gunn said walking in the door.

"Is that everyone?" Angel said.

"Nope…you're forgetting one," Gunn said.

"Who now?"
"Blond kid…about so high…used to be a vampire…and your errant childe…now the first known male slayer…I'm sure you remember him."

Angel growled.

Gunn laughed.

"Oh yeah…you remember him."

Angel pulled out his cell phone.

"Lilah…we're having a meeting…where is he?"
Spike burst through the doors of the hotel.

"I'm here, I'm here…keep your pants on Peaches."

"What took you so long?"
"Had to get furniture and all to fit out my new flat, didn't I?  Can't have shabby digs now that I'm all special."

Angel rolled his eyes and continued.

"Now that we're all here…and have the Wolfram & Heart team backing us up, does anyone have any idea what we should do about Cordy?"
"Cordy?"
"I'm sure you remember her Spike."

"Cordy?  Do you mean the brunette, waspish cheerleader that used to smooch on the Whelp?"
"Yes…Cordelia used to go with Xander."
"Yeah…I'm sure Anya loved the memory of that."

"Look…she's in a coma and we've no way of how to wake her up."

"Put her in a hospital."
"Why?"
"Didn't they do that to the girl Faith?"

"What do you know about Faith?"
Spike shrugged.

"She was alright at first…then she opened her mouth…it was great to hit her a few times, though…before I had to leave."

Angel advanced on him.

Spike smiled widely.

Fred stepped in between them both.

She looked at Spike.

"Stop baiting him…you know he's gonna defend her.  I don't know how they put up with you, you're like a little kid, sometimes."

"And you," she turned to Angel, " are letting him get to you way too quickly.  What happened to the calm, vampire we all know and love?"
"Love?"
"Shut up Spike."
"Oooh…girlie has stones.  I like you."
Fred winked at him and then turned back to Angel.

"He's in the group now…so stop with the male posturing and we can get down to business.  Alright?"
Angel nodded.

Gunn pulled Fred aside.

"What did you do that for?  I wanted to watch them fight."

Spike walked over to them both and leaned in, saying softly,

"Don't stress…you'll get to see a fight soon.  He won't be able to control himself when I tell him something."

Gunn smiled.

"Tell him then?"
"Now, now Charles…don't be so eager.  Wait…and you'll see I'll do it at the perfect time."

"Are you two finished?" Angel growled at them.

"We hear you gramps, we hear you.  So if we're not gonna put Cheer girl into the hospital, then what should we do with her?"
"Wolfram & Heart have an excellent Lab…and I'm sure they've got a great medical ward…we can put her there."
Angel sighed…he didn't want to…but he also knew that it was probably their best shot.

"Why'd she go all comatose anyway?" Spike asked.

The rest of the crew stopped and blinked.

Not that it was a hard question.

It was like their minds had been erased.

"I'll tell you about it later Spike," Angel said.

Spike shrugged.

He turned to the others.

"So…anyone want to come and see my new apartment."

"Sure."

"You got cable?"

"Direct TV."

"Games?"
"Got an X-box…and a Playstation 2"

"I'm in."

"I'll come as well…but only if you promise to work on training…"

At Spike's look, Wesley backpedaled.

"Well…okay…we'll make that kind of appointment later."

Gunn laughed.

"Smooth Wesley, real smooth."

"He used to be a vicious vampire, you know."

"I'm shaking."

Gunn looked Spike over.

"I have to say, in his current outfit…he's not striking any fear in my heart."
Spike looked down.

"I do look like an Abercrombie & Fitch advertisement, don't I?"

"That or a Joe Boxer commercial."
"Okay…that does it."

Spike stepped towards Gunn menacingly… but although Gunn moved out of his reach, he didn't do anything but laugh.

Fred grabbed the back of Spike's shirt as he passed her.

He turned and looked at her.

"I told you…five.  The both of you act like you're five.  You…stop urging him on.  You…calm down. We'll get you new clothes soon and you can return to your rebellious state.  Alright?"
Gunn nodded and winked at Spike.

Who grinned in at him in return.

Spike then turned to look at Fred.

"You're kind like Red, without the magic."
"Red?"
"Willow."

"Thanks…I've met Willow.  She's great."
Spike smiled.

"That she is."

They all turned to look at Angel.

"Was that all the meeting was about, Peaches?  Your precious Cordelia?"
"No…we had word that there has been an increase in demon activity in the South side of the territory."
"So I guess its time to Rock and Roll?"
Angel rolled his eyes and the rest of the group snickered.

"Who rides with who," Spike asked?

"My car, we all go in my car, come on," Angel said as they all trooped in and settled in his car.

"This has to be my worst night yet," Spike muttered, "Stuck with my ponce of ex-grand sire and his merry gang of do-gooders, wearing an outfit I wouldn't be caught dead in, and now riding in the Angelmobile.  Someone put a stake in me."
 Gunn, who was seated next to him burst into laughter.

"I'm gonna like having you here Spikey."
"Glad I amuse you," Spike said wryly.

Gunn laughed again.

Gunn leaned over, "Can we tell him now?"
"Not yet…don't worry, before the night is out…Ill tell him."
"Alright…but I want to be there."
"You will be."

****

About an hour later, the group trudged back into the hotel.

Most of them were grossly covered in slime, vampire dust, and other various things, none of them wanted to bother figuring out what it was.

"What the bloody hell was all that? Slayer initiation?"

"Well if it was, I gotta say…next time…don't bring me in.  That's the biggest workout I've had in weeks."
"I'm gonna be showering for weeks," Fred said, heading up to her room.

Spike turned to watch her leave.

"I'm gonna have to borrow someone's clothes…these are ruined."
Lilah walked in the front door with a duffle bag.

She dropped it at Spike's feet.

"Change of clothes for you."

"Read my mind luv."
"Wasn't a hard thing to do, I'm betting," Angel drawled from the other side of the room.

Spike turned to look at him and almost said something, then stopped.

"Thanks for the clothes Lilah…I'll be back."
Grabbing the duffle bag, he headed upstairs to shower and change.

Wesley and Gunn followed after a few minutes.

And Angel was the last to disappear…the need to get clean was very strong.

Half n hour later, they all began to reappear in the lobby.

Angel came in first, followed by Wesley.

Fred, Spike & Gunn all came down the stairs together laughing.

As they reached the lobby, however, the door burst open and a green demon with red eyes and red horns came in.

"Honeys', I'm home."

Fred went running over to him.

"Lorne…welcome back.  We missed you," she told him, hugging him tightly.

"And I missed you too…although I only went to perform for a few days."

Lorne caught sight of Spike.

"And who is this hunk of gorgeousness?"
Spike blinked and turned to look at Gunn.

"He's always like that," Gunn said, simply.

Spike nodded.

"Who are you?"
"I'm called Lorne…or you can call me the Host."
"He's an empath… he helps us and he lives here."

"Seems like almost everybody does."

They nodded.

"So…you got a name Sweet cheeks."
"You can call me Spike…and I'd beg you never to call me Sweet cheeks."

"Don't have a real name, huh?"
"Sure I do…everyone's got a name," Spike said winking to Fred, Gunn, & Wesley, who were sitting on the side, waiting for the fireworks to begin, for they knew that the time they had been waiting for had begun.

"So what's your real name?"
"William."
"Nice strong name…and your surname?"
Spike smirked wildly.

"Had to get a new one of those."
"Don't tell me you forgot your name, Spike?" Angel replied with a sneer.

"Of course I didn't…but like I was telling Wesley and Lilah earlier…I'm not the same person I was.  So I chose me a brand new one."
"And what's this new last name of yours?"
Spike's grin got bigger before he leaned forward and said it loud and clear,

"Summers."