Chapter 11
"Oh Buffy love, didn't see you there," said Spike innocently.
"Oh, I bet you didn't, all of you talking about me as if I am unable to take the truth," she said hiding her fear with anger.
She walked into the centre of the room, hands on her hips. Dawn entered the lounge from the kitchen.
"Here's your coffee Spike," said Dawn cheerily.
Dawn took one look at everyone one's faces and retreated back into the kitchen.
"While we are all truth seeking, I guess you should know where Spike went to, after he died, he went to my heavenly dimension, where all the chosen ones go when they die," announced Buffy.
Giles raised his eyebrows in surprise,
"I had heard of such a place, but always assumed it only really existed in the imagination, why didn't you tell me when you were resurrected?" said Giles.
"You guys were having a hard enough time dealing with the fact that you had torn me out of heaven, I wanted to spare you the details, then after everything that happened with Warren & Willow and the First, there was never a right time to talk about it," sighed Buffy.
"Everything that happens, happens for a reason Buffy, at first I thought Spike was being Shanshued, but it didn't fit in with the prophecy, yes he averted an apocalypse and saved the world, but when you're shanshued, it happens instantly, you don't disappear to heavenly dimensions for a month or two in the process," explained Giles.
The doorbell rang. Dawn who had been listening at the kitchen door went to answer it. She was relieved to see Willow standing there.
"Hi Dawnie, why the long face?" asked Willow.
"Things getting a bit heavy in there," said Dawn.
"Looks like I arrived just in time then," she smiled as she walked back into the lounge with Dawn.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Willow took one look at every one and sighed inwardly.
"See what ya mean about all the long faces," said Willow, quietly.
"The others can explain what's happening, I for one am sick and tired of explanations," said Buffy wearily.
"No need, everyone stand still, just for a moment," ordered Willow.
Willow closed her eyes, resting her fingers either side of her head. It was over in a second.
"What did you just do Willow?" asked Dawn.
"I used my powers as a Goddess, to read your minds," said Willow.
"You mean you can read minds, that's a little intrusive," said Giles.
"Oh, I only do at will, not like Buffy, that time she got infected with demon blood and heard all our inner thoughts," Said Willow.
"Guess it saves time, bit fed up of people poking around in my mind though," said Spike.
"That's the thing though, I couldn't read yours Spike, there is only one type of person who's mind I cannot read," said Willow.
"And who's that?" asked Buffy.
"A fellow deity," said Willow.
"A whatty?" asked Dawn
"A God," said Buffy.
"Okay so now you know, the big secrets out, I am becoming a high and mighty," said Spike defensively.
Spike noticed the frown on Buffy's face.
"But how will it affect him? I mean, Willow is a Goddess and she's okay," said Dawn.
"Not that simple nibblet, I didn't want this, not for a second, I just wanted to get back to. Buffy, it was the only way, I was willing to take it," he admitted.
"I am an earth bound Goddess Dawn," Willow explained.
"What did you do Spike?" asked Buffy, moved by his admission, but she decided she needed to stay focused.
"This confirms all my suspicions, I knew he was becoming some type of higher being, but I'd never have thought in a million years.." Said Giles.
"I made a deal with the powers that be, basically my ass belongs to them; I haven't fully evolved yet, but time is running out unless you can find a way to stop my ascension," said Spike
"You mean this is only a temporary visit, a hello nice to see you, I must be going?" asked Buffy angrily.
Buffy slammed out of the lounge. Spike started to go after her. Willow put a hand on his arm.
"Leave her, she needs time to take it all in, besides we need to work out a way to beat this proviso that's been slapped on you, why make such a bargain in the first place, no don't tell me, that much is obvious, but I do need to know exactly what kinda bargain you made if we are to keep you here, Giles call Xander and Andrew, we need them here, seven heads are better than five, " Said Willow.
Giles dialled Xander's cell phone number.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
An hour later, Xander and Andrew had joined them at Giles's apartment.
"I've taken a few days off work, thought it would be easier with all the interruptions, told my boss there was a sickness in the family, so what's all this about?" asked Xander.
"Spike's a God," said Dawn, bluntly.
"Oh, isn't he just, that coat, a body like a Greek statue," sighed Andrew dreamily.
"Heard that, right here," said Spike.
"Andrew maybe you could keep us in coffee and sandwiches, while we find a way to fix our little problem?" asked Xander.
"No better than a dogs body," grumbled Andrew.
"What was that?" asked Xander.
"Do you want doughnuts? Said Andrew quickly.
"Look you don't really need me here, I need to go and check on Buffy," said Spike exiting the room.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Spike knocked on Buffy's bedroom door, he received no response, but tried the door handle anyway, at least she hadn't locked it, he though as he entered the room. Buffy was laying on her side, staring out the window. Spike sat on the bed next to her; she barely seemed to register his presence. He reached out and stroked away a stray lock of hair from her face. She flinched slightly. She turned to look at him.
"I might have known you would pull something like this, risk your immortal existence, for me.." she sighed.
"Don't you know by now, I would do anything for you?" he asked searching her face.
"I guess, after getting a soul and averting an apocalypse, what else was left?" she asked ironically.
"Don't Buffy, sarcasm does not suit you, you are so much more than that," he replied.
"What choice do I have to make, and why will you go to hell, if I don't make that choice?" she asked.
"All I was told, was that you will know when the time comes, and as for the being sent to hell, that's just the price of failure, but I told the powers that I had faith in you, in all of you, that you could put me to rights before that happened," he said.
"Those powers, strike a hard bargain," said Buffy.
"What are we, but the playthings of the Gods," said Spike.
Buffy sighed. She wanted to forget, even if it was only for a little while.
"You are a God, well a semi God, does that mean I am your plaything," she asked.
"I don't think now is the time Buffy," he said looking at her.
"Why not, according to you, time is not on our side right now," she said bitterly.
Buffy pushed Spike down on the bed a little rougher that she had intended, and she kissed him desperately, Spike pulled away.
"What is this Buffy?" he asked.
"Me, seizing the moment," she said.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Two hours and several books later, the scoobies sat silently at the table.
"This is hopeless, I'm not even sure why we are bothering," said Giles.
"Giles, don't feel so threatened by Spike, Buffy and he may be joined at the hip these days, even before now, but she still cares about you, you are more than her watcher, you are the father she never had, she still looks to you for guidance, don't let your issues with Spike get in the way of that," said Willow.
Giles looked slightly ashamed.
"You're right, it's just that I think we all grew apart a little in the last year, we were all taken up with our own problems, I guess I just felt Spike was a threat to my relationship with Buffy," Giles explained.
"She still loves you Giles, don't spoil that," said Willow.
"Is that your opinion as a friend or a Goddess?" asked Giles, smiling at Willow.
"A little of both I guess," she replied, returning his smile.
Xander looked up from the book he was paying particular attention to.
"Guys, I think I might have something," said Xander.
He handed the volume to Giles and Willow. The room was silent for several minutes as Willow and Giles studied the text.
"Well?" asked Xander impatient.
"I think you have something Xander Harris," said Willow excitedly.
She stood up.
"I have to go tell Buffy," said Willow.
"Tell her what?" asked Xander.
"We're all going on a little trip," said Willow as she left the room.
Andrew came back in the lounge with a tea tray.
"You're in luck, I found doughnuts with the little sprinkles," said Andrew.
"You took your time," said Xander.
"Well if anyone even noticed that I existed around here, you would have heard me say I was going to the mini mart," snapped Andrew, as he slammed the tray on the table.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Willow knocked on Buffy's door, she heard whispering inside, but decided not to listen, Buffy deserved that much.
"Buffy it's me Willow," she said to the door.
"Just a moment Willow," said Buffy.
Buffy opened the door; Willow could see Spike getting up from the bed and getting dressed. Willow flushed uncomfortably.
"Sorry, I can come back later.." Said Willow.
"No really it's alright," said Spike.
Buffy opened the door wider so Willow could enter the room. Buffy noticed the look of excitement on her friend's face.
"What is it Willow?" asked Buffy.
I think, I may have found a way to beat this problem, it's a bit radical," said Willow.
"Kinda desperate here, willing to dance naked in the street if it will help," said Buffy.
"I don't think that was what Willow had in mind love," said Spike.
Willow looked at them both.
"Pack your bags, we're going back to Sunny Dale," she said.
TBC
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * A/N Yes, I haven't forgotten that Sunny Dale is just a crater in the desert, lol, btw thanks for the reviews.
"Oh Buffy love, didn't see you there," said Spike innocently.
"Oh, I bet you didn't, all of you talking about me as if I am unable to take the truth," she said hiding her fear with anger.
She walked into the centre of the room, hands on her hips. Dawn entered the lounge from the kitchen.
"Here's your coffee Spike," said Dawn cheerily.
Dawn took one look at everyone one's faces and retreated back into the kitchen.
"While we are all truth seeking, I guess you should know where Spike went to, after he died, he went to my heavenly dimension, where all the chosen ones go when they die," announced Buffy.
Giles raised his eyebrows in surprise,
"I had heard of such a place, but always assumed it only really existed in the imagination, why didn't you tell me when you were resurrected?" said Giles.
"You guys were having a hard enough time dealing with the fact that you had torn me out of heaven, I wanted to spare you the details, then after everything that happened with Warren & Willow and the First, there was never a right time to talk about it," sighed Buffy.
"Everything that happens, happens for a reason Buffy, at first I thought Spike was being Shanshued, but it didn't fit in with the prophecy, yes he averted an apocalypse and saved the world, but when you're shanshued, it happens instantly, you don't disappear to heavenly dimensions for a month or two in the process," explained Giles.
The doorbell rang. Dawn who had been listening at the kitchen door went to answer it. She was relieved to see Willow standing there.
"Hi Dawnie, why the long face?" asked Willow.
"Things getting a bit heavy in there," said Dawn.
"Looks like I arrived just in time then," she smiled as she walked back into the lounge with Dawn.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Willow took one look at every one and sighed inwardly.
"See what ya mean about all the long faces," said Willow, quietly.
"The others can explain what's happening, I for one am sick and tired of explanations," said Buffy wearily.
"No need, everyone stand still, just for a moment," ordered Willow.
Willow closed her eyes, resting her fingers either side of her head. It was over in a second.
"What did you just do Willow?" asked Dawn.
"I used my powers as a Goddess, to read your minds," said Willow.
"You mean you can read minds, that's a little intrusive," said Giles.
"Oh, I only do at will, not like Buffy, that time she got infected with demon blood and heard all our inner thoughts," Said Willow.
"Guess it saves time, bit fed up of people poking around in my mind though," said Spike.
"That's the thing though, I couldn't read yours Spike, there is only one type of person who's mind I cannot read," said Willow.
"And who's that?" asked Buffy.
"A fellow deity," said Willow.
"A whatty?" asked Dawn
"A God," said Buffy.
"Okay so now you know, the big secrets out, I am becoming a high and mighty," said Spike defensively.
Spike noticed the frown on Buffy's face.
"But how will it affect him? I mean, Willow is a Goddess and she's okay," said Dawn.
"Not that simple nibblet, I didn't want this, not for a second, I just wanted to get back to. Buffy, it was the only way, I was willing to take it," he admitted.
"I am an earth bound Goddess Dawn," Willow explained.
"What did you do Spike?" asked Buffy, moved by his admission, but she decided she needed to stay focused.
"This confirms all my suspicions, I knew he was becoming some type of higher being, but I'd never have thought in a million years.." Said Giles.
"I made a deal with the powers that be, basically my ass belongs to them; I haven't fully evolved yet, but time is running out unless you can find a way to stop my ascension," said Spike
"You mean this is only a temporary visit, a hello nice to see you, I must be going?" asked Buffy angrily.
Buffy slammed out of the lounge. Spike started to go after her. Willow put a hand on his arm.
"Leave her, she needs time to take it all in, besides we need to work out a way to beat this proviso that's been slapped on you, why make such a bargain in the first place, no don't tell me, that much is obvious, but I do need to know exactly what kinda bargain you made if we are to keep you here, Giles call Xander and Andrew, we need them here, seven heads are better than five, " Said Willow.
Giles dialled Xander's cell phone number.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
An hour later, Xander and Andrew had joined them at Giles's apartment.
"I've taken a few days off work, thought it would be easier with all the interruptions, told my boss there was a sickness in the family, so what's all this about?" asked Xander.
"Spike's a God," said Dawn, bluntly.
"Oh, isn't he just, that coat, a body like a Greek statue," sighed Andrew dreamily.
"Heard that, right here," said Spike.
"Andrew maybe you could keep us in coffee and sandwiches, while we find a way to fix our little problem?" asked Xander.
"No better than a dogs body," grumbled Andrew.
"What was that?" asked Xander.
"Do you want doughnuts? Said Andrew quickly.
"Look you don't really need me here, I need to go and check on Buffy," said Spike exiting the room.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Spike knocked on Buffy's bedroom door, he received no response, but tried the door handle anyway, at least she hadn't locked it, he though as he entered the room. Buffy was laying on her side, staring out the window. Spike sat on the bed next to her; she barely seemed to register his presence. He reached out and stroked away a stray lock of hair from her face. She flinched slightly. She turned to look at him.
"I might have known you would pull something like this, risk your immortal existence, for me.." she sighed.
"Don't you know by now, I would do anything for you?" he asked searching her face.
"I guess, after getting a soul and averting an apocalypse, what else was left?" she asked ironically.
"Don't Buffy, sarcasm does not suit you, you are so much more than that," he replied.
"What choice do I have to make, and why will you go to hell, if I don't make that choice?" she asked.
"All I was told, was that you will know when the time comes, and as for the being sent to hell, that's just the price of failure, but I told the powers that I had faith in you, in all of you, that you could put me to rights before that happened," he said.
"Those powers, strike a hard bargain," said Buffy.
"What are we, but the playthings of the Gods," said Spike.
Buffy sighed. She wanted to forget, even if it was only for a little while.
"You are a God, well a semi God, does that mean I am your plaything," she asked.
"I don't think now is the time Buffy," he said looking at her.
"Why not, according to you, time is not on our side right now," she said bitterly.
Buffy pushed Spike down on the bed a little rougher that she had intended, and she kissed him desperately, Spike pulled away.
"What is this Buffy?" he asked.
"Me, seizing the moment," she said.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Two hours and several books later, the scoobies sat silently at the table.
"This is hopeless, I'm not even sure why we are bothering," said Giles.
"Giles, don't feel so threatened by Spike, Buffy and he may be joined at the hip these days, even before now, but she still cares about you, you are more than her watcher, you are the father she never had, she still looks to you for guidance, don't let your issues with Spike get in the way of that," said Willow.
Giles looked slightly ashamed.
"You're right, it's just that I think we all grew apart a little in the last year, we were all taken up with our own problems, I guess I just felt Spike was a threat to my relationship with Buffy," Giles explained.
"She still loves you Giles, don't spoil that," said Willow.
"Is that your opinion as a friend or a Goddess?" asked Giles, smiling at Willow.
"A little of both I guess," she replied, returning his smile.
Xander looked up from the book he was paying particular attention to.
"Guys, I think I might have something," said Xander.
He handed the volume to Giles and Willow. The room was silent for several minutes as Willow and Giles studied the text.
"Well?" asked Xander impatient.
"I think you have something Xander Harris," said Willow excitedly.
She stood up.
"I have to go tell Buffy," said Willow.
"Tell her what?" asked Xander.
"We're all going on a little trip," said Willow as she left the room.
Andrew came back in the lounge with a tea tray.
"You're in luck, I found doughnuts with the little sprinkles," said Andrew.
"You took your time," said Xander.
"Well if anyone even noticed that I existed around here, you would have heard me say I was going to the mini mart," snapped Andrew, as he slammed the tray on the table.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Willow knocked on Buffy's door, she heard whispering inside, but decided not to listen, Buffy deserved that much.
"Buffy it's me Willow," she said to the door.
"Just a moment Willow," said Buffy.
Buffy opened the door; Willow could see Spike getting up from the bed and getting dressed. Willow flushed uncomfortably.
"Sorry, I can come back later.." Said Willow.
"No really it's alright," said Spike.
Buffy opened the door wider so Willow could enter the room. Buffy noticed the look of excitement on her friend's face.
"What is it Willow?" asked Buffy.
I think, I may have found a way to beat this problem, it's a bit radical," said Willow.
"Kinda desperate here, willing to dance naked in the street if it will help," said Buffy.
"I don't think that was what Willow had in mind love," said Spike.
Willow looked at them both.
"Pack your bags, we're going back to Sunny Dale," she said.
TBC
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * A/N Yes, I haven't forgotten that Sunny Dale is just a crater in the desert, lol, btw thanks for the reviews.