A/N Thank you all for your support so far, had a great holiday BTW, was so
busy writing, chapter 14 Is almost done!
Chapter 13
They had been on the road for several hours now; everyone had finally drifted off to sleep, one by one, except for Buffy and Spike. He had decided to take the first shift behind the wheel. Buffy smiled to herself as she turned to look in the back of the RV. Dawn and Andrew had fallen asleep together on the double bed while they had played cards. Buffy grinned; Dawn would be so grossed out in the morning, when she discovered that she had 'slept' with Andrew.
Buffy turned her attention back to Spike; she studied his profile, seeing the look of concentration on his face, her eyes loving every inch of him. He felt her gaze and took his eyes off the road for a moment and turned to look at her.
"What is it, love?" he asked her.
"Nothing," she sighed contentedly and laid her head on his shoulder.
A moment passed.
"I could stay like this forever," Buffy said.
"Stuck in a motor home, on the road to no-where, in the literal sense?" he asked.
She thumped his arm lightly.
"You know what I mean, snuggled up next to you like this," she replied.
"You always were big on the snuggling, especially towards the end," Spike smiled.
"That last night in the basement, I wanted to do more than cuddle up to you, but I was afraid. I had the feeling that one of us wasn't gonna make it, didn't think it would be fair to start something neither of us could finish," she said sadly.
Spike glanced at her quickly.
"You seem different Buffy, from when we were in Sunnydale, what changed you?" he asked.
Buffy sighed deeply, considering her answer before replying.
"It was a lot of things really, defeating the first, knowing the burden of slayerness has passed from me and," She paused for a moment "Losing you, after you died, I shut myself off from everyone,"
"Slayers really are lone creatures, I once told that to Wood, that all slayers live for is the mission, and that any one else just comes a poor second," said Spike
"Did you tell him that before or after you bit him? Not that he didn't deserve it, and as for anyone else being a poor second, you're wrong there," she said firmly.
Spike kissed the top of her head, his eyes back on the road.
"How about a little music, we have a long journey ahead of us," said Spike attempting to lighten the mood.
"Sure, why not, not too loud though, don't want to wake the others, I am selfish I want you all to myself," said Buffy.
"I won't argue with that," said Spike switching on the radio.
A heavy rock song blared out, he quickly turned it down, Buffy took another quick glance in the back, and a few of them stirred, but luckily didn't awaken. Drowning by the Backstreet Boys came on; Spike grimaced and reached to change the station. Buffy put her hand on his to stop him.
"Leave it," she said.
Spike shrugged, there was no accounting for taste, give him a good Ramones tune any day he thought.
"Well we just entered Illinois love, don't think there will be any time for sightseeing though," he smiled.
"Great, I get to go on my first road trip and all I see is the road," Said Buffy.
Spike looked at her, slightly shocked. Buffy giggled at him.
"Can't you tell when I am joking by now?" she asked.
Spike turned his full attention back to the road and Buffy lay her head on his shoulder again. Spike started singing softly under his breath, he stopped when he felt Buffy shaking; he looked down to see her grinning widely.
"What?" he asked
"I thought for a minute that Sweet had made a return visit," she said.
"What's the matter, don't you like it?" he asked
"I like it a little too much if that's possible, that time you sang to me in your crypt got me as hot as hell," she admitted.
"Even if I was singing to you to sod off and leave me alone?" he asked raising an eyebrow.
"I don't blame you, after all I am the queen of the mixed signals," She sighed.
"We did a lot of stuff, of which I am sure neither of us is proud, but we can move past all those things Buffy, Sunnydale is gone, we have been given a second chance," Spike replied.
"Only if we can stop your transformation," she said.
"Had enough of if's in my lifetime, time to start making a few when's," he said firmly.
"Why didn't we ever talk like this before?" she asked.
Spike looked at her briefly.
"I always wanted to, guess there was never enough time," he replied.
Buffy turned around, alerted by a noise in the back of the vehicle.
"Ewww, get off!" Said Dawn as she awoke to see Andrew stretched out beside her, fast asleep.
"Leave him Dawnie, he's better asleep than awake," said Buffy.
"Well I'm not staying on this bed with him, can I sit up front with you guys?" asked Dawn.
"Yes," said Spike
"No," said Buffy
Dawn scrabbled in between the pair.
"Thanks Spike," Buffy mumbled under her breath.
"Whatcha listening to?" asked Dawn.
Buffy sighed; this was going to be a long night.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The sun was starting to rise, Spike could see it's comforting glow, just over the horizon. Buffy and Dawn were both asleep by his side. Spike smiled at the sight of the two sisters, they were the two people he cared the most about in this world. This mission had to succeed, to lose Buffy and even the little nibblet again, after they had made their peace, would be unbearable, being sent to hell would be the easy part compared to that.
The others were starting to wake up in the back. Giles sat up suddenly, disorientated for a moment, his glasses fell off his face, and he picked them up and looked at his watch.
"You should have woken me over an hour ago," Giles said, looking over at Spike.
"Sorry, wanted to watch the sunrise, and I didn't want to disturb the girls," said Spike.
Spike pulled over on to the side of the road.
"Whereabouts are we?" asked Giles.
"La Salle, Illinois," said Spike.
"We are making good time then," said Giles, more than a little impressed with the way Spike had handled himself.
"We're gonna have to stop for gas soon, this thing sucks gas the way a vamp sucks blood," said Spike.
"Hmmm, interesting comparison," said Giles wryly.
Spike opened the door and got out of the RV; to watch the sun complete it's ascension into the early morning sky. Buffy and Dawn both stirred in their seats, the invading coldness from the open door woke Buffy up, she opened her eyes and shivered. Buffy saw Spike standing alone outside and hurried out of her side of the vehicle and joined him. She put her arm about his waist and rested her head on his shoulder.
"Morning love," he said without looking at her.
Buffy watched the sunrise with him.
"This is beautiful, it's funny how you can take the little things for granted, and even the big things," she said wistfully.
"Do you know how many times I dreamt of watching the sunrise with you?" he asked.
"I think I do," she sighed.
"Beautiful," said Andrew, who had silently come up behind them,
Spike and Buffy turned to look at him, Buffy frowned at the way Andrew looked at Spike, and she had an uncomfortable feeling that Andrew hadn't been talking about her or the sunrise.
"Kinda having a private moment here with my girl if you don't mind?" asked Spike
"Just wanted to see what you wanted for breakfast," said Andrew huffily.
"Pancakes," said Buffy as she and Spike both turned their backs on him.
"Are you still there?" asked Spike without looking around.
Spike tried to slip on his game face, nothing seemed to be happening, he touched his face, it still felt the same, he growled, frustrated, he tried again. Buffy looked at him.
"What's the matter?" she asked.
"I can't vamp anymore," said Spike.
"Maybe you're not doing it right," Suggested Andrew.
"Don't be so bloody stupid," said Spike angrily.
"Andrew, just get back in the RV okay," said Buffy.
Andrew took one look at the look on Spike's face and decided retreat was in order.
"Knew it was gonna be like this, Andrew do this, Andrew do that," He mumbled as he got back in the vehicle.
Giles poked his head out of the driver's door.
"Are we going to get this show or the road, or just sit here and wait for Spike to go to hell?" asked Giles sarcastically.
"Point taken," said Buffy as they both got back in the vehicle, and Giles started up the motor.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Willow and Xander were both awake and sitting at the breakfast table.
"Morning you guys," said Willow cheerily.
Dawn awoke as the vehicle moved off, she stretched and yawned and turned to look at the others.
"Everyone's very chipper this morning," she said.
Dawn caught the scowl on Andrew's face.
"Well maybe not everyone," Dawn added.
"I'd better be getting paid overtime for this," grumbled Andrew as he stirred the pancake mix.
"You will be awarded accordingly," said Xander.
Everyone had had some breakfast except for Giles, who contented himself with a mug of tea, whilst he was driving. Xander had cleared away the breakfast things to stop Andrew's grumblings about slave labour.
"Right, we will be pulling over for gas at the next station we come to," announced Giles.
Spike had fallen asleep on the double bed; Buffy lay next to him, watching him sleep. Willow watched them, almost envious of their closeness, she sighed to herself, Xander caught her look, and he squeezed her hand.
"You'll find love again Willow, we both will, you mustn't give up hope," said Xander.
"What if Tara was it?" asked Willow.
"She wouldn't want you to be alone all your life Willow, just take your time," Said Xander.
"Yeah, you're right, I think I need a relationships time out after the fiasco that was Kennedy, and I need to finish my studies and all those changing of Uni's, not helping," said Willow.
"Hey it's not your fault that UC Sunnydale is at the bottom of a crater," said Xander.
"No it's his," said Buffy smiling at Spike's sleeping form.
Buffy stroked Spike's hair, feeling his cheek; it felt warm to the touch, Buffy looked over at Willow.
"What is it, Buffy?" asked Willow.
Buffy looked back at her friend's concerned faces.
"Spike feels warm, and earlier when we were outside he couldn't vamp out," said Buffy.
"It's all just part of the changes Buffy, the closer he gets to his ascension the more mortal like he becomes," said Willow
"I hope this ascension thing is not gonna happen Mayor Wilkins style," said Xander.
"But it's happening so fast, why didn't you go through those changes when you became a Goddess?" asked Buffy.
"Several reasons, but I'd say, it was because I was human to start off with, and oh yeah, I didn't die," said Willow.
Xander looked at Buffy's strained face.
"Don't worry we will get there in time, not exactly sure what we are going to do when we get there, anyone think to pack a fleet of JCB's?" asked Xander.
"We could give Andrew a shovel," suggested Buffy.
"Very funny," said Andrew.
"Oh come on take a joke Skywalker," said Xander.
"The jokes around here are always at my expense, that's the problem," said Andrew.
The vehicle slowed down as Giles pulled into the gas station.
"Now would be a good time, if anyone wants to stretch their legs," said Giles.
"I'm up for some leg stretching, Buffy?" asked Willow, looking at her friend.
"I'm fine here, you go," said Buffy.
One by one they all got out of the van, except for Buffy and Spike, Buffy jumped as Dawn poked her head back in.
"Anyone for munchies?" she asked.
"No, I 'm good, ooh maybe a Hershey's bar, I am feeling naughty," said Buffy.
Dawn closed the door and Spike and Buffy were finally left alone. Spike opened one eye.
"So you are feeling a little naughty are you?" he asked grabbing her around the waist.
"I thought you were asleep," she said in surprise.
"With all the noise that lot were making?" asked Spike.
Spike fumbled about in his jeans pocket and took out his set of keys to the van, and pressed the key, the clicking sound of the van locking, had Buffy raising her eyebrow at him. Buffy looked over at the ignition, Giles had left his keys in the ignition.
"Do we have time?" asked Buffy.
"Sure, besides the other's are going to find out the delights of shopping with Andrew," he smiled lowering his head and kissing her lips.
They broke apart,
"You'll have to tell me about that one day," she said. Kissing him again.
Dawn came toward the RV ten minutes later; it seemed to be rocking gently. She knocked on the door, but got no answer, Willow and Xander came up behind her; they exchanged knowing glances.
"Ever heard the saying, when the RV's a rocking, don't come a knocking?" asked Xander as they walked off, leaving Dawn with a very confused look on her face as she trailed after them.
TBC
Chapter 13
They had been on the road for several hours now; everyone had finally drifted off to sleep, one by one, except for Buffy and Spike. He had decided to take the first shift behind the wheel. Buffy smiled to herself as she turned to look in the back of the RV. Dawn and Andrew had fallen asleep together on the double bed while they had played cards. Buffy grinned; Dawn would be so grossed out in the morning, when she discovered that she had 'slept' with Andrew.
Buffy turned her attention back to Spike; she studied his profile, seeing the look of concentration on his face, her eyes loving every inch of him. He felt her gaze and took his eyes off the road for a moment and turned to look at her.
"What is it, love?" he asked her.
"Nothing," she sighed contentedly and laid her head on his shoulder.
A moment passed.
"I could stay like this forever," Buffy said.
"Stuck in a motor home, on the road to no-where, in the literal sense?" he asked.
She thumped his arm lightly.
"You know what I mean, snuggled up next to you like this," she replied.
"You always were big on the snuggling, especially towards the end," Spike smiled.
"That last night in the basement, I wanted to do more than cuddle up to you, but I was afraid. I had the feeling that one of us wasn't gonna make it, didn't think it would be fair to start something neither of us could finish," she said sadly.
Spike glanced at her quickly.
"You seem different Buffy, from when we were in Sunnydale, what changed you?" he asked.
Buffy sighed deeply, considering her answer before replying.
"It was a lot of things really, defeating the first, knowing the burden of slayerness has passed from me and," She paused for a moment "Losing you, after you died, I shut myself off from everyone,"
"Slayers really are lone creatures, I once told that to Wood, that all slayers live for is the mission, and that any one else just comes a poor second," said Spike
"Did you tell him that before or after you bit him? Not that he didn't deserve it, and as for anyone else being a poor second, you're wrong there," she said firmly.
Spike kissed the top of her head, his eyes back on the road.
"How about a little music, we have a long journey ahead of us," said Spike attempting to lighten the mood.
"Sure, why not, not too loud though, don't want to wake the others, I am selfish I want you all to myself," said Buffy.
"I won't argue with that," said Spike switching on the radio.
A heavy rock song blared out, he quickly turned it down, Buffy took another quick glance in the back, and a few of them stirred, but luckily didn't awaken. Drowning by the Backstreet Boys came on; Spike grimaced and reached to change the station. Buffy put her hand on his to stop him.
"Leave it," she said.
Spike shrugged, there was no accounting for taste, give him a good Ramones tune any day he thought.
"Well we just entered Illinois love, don't think there will be any time for sightseeing though," he smiled.
"Great, I get to go on my first road trip and all I see is the road," Said Buffy.
Spike looked at her, slightly shocked. Buffy giggled at him.
"Can't you tell when I am joking by now?" she asked.
Spike turned his full attention back to the road and Buffy lay her head on his shoulder again. Spike started singing softly under his breath, he stopped when he felt Buffy shaking; he looked down to see her grinning widely.
"What?" he asked
"I thought for a minute that Sweet had made a return visit," she said.
"What's the matter, don't you like it?" he asked
"I like it a little too much if that's possible, that time you sang to me in your crypt got me as hot as hell," she admitted.
"Even if I was singing to you to sod off and leave me alone?" he asked raising an eyebrow.
"I don't blame you, after all I am the queen of the mixed signals," She sighed.
"We did a lot of stuff, of which I am sure neither of us is proud, but we can move past all those things Buffy, Sunnydale is gone, we have been given a second chance," Spike replied.
"Only if we can stop your transformation," she said.
"Had enough of if's in my lifetime, time to start making a few when's," he said firmly.
"Why didn't we ever talk like this before?" she asked.
Spike looked at her briefly.
"I always wanted to, guess there was never enough time," he replied.
Buffy turned around, alerted by a noise in the back of the vehicle.
"Ewww, get off!" Said Dawn as she awoke to see Andrew stretched out beside her, fast asleep.
"Leave him Dawnie, he's better asleep than awake," said Buffy.
"Well I'm not staying on this bed with him, can I sit up front with you guys?" asked Dawn.
"Yes," said Spike
"No," said Buffy
Dawn scrabbled in between the pair.
"Thanks Spike," Buffy mumbled under her breath.
"Whatcha listening to?" asked Dawn.
Buffy sighed; this was going to be a long night.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The sun was starting to rise, Spike could see it's comforting glow, just over the horizon. Buffy and Dawn were both asleep by his side. Spike smiled at the sight of the two sisters, they were the two people he cared the most about in this world. This mission had to succeed, to lose Buffy and even the little nibblet again, after they had made their peace, would be unbearable, being sent to hell would be the easy part compared to that.
The others were starting to wake up in the back. Giles sat up suddenly, disorientated for a moment, his glasses fell off his face, and he picked them up and looked at his watch.
"You should have woken me over an hour ago," Giles said, looking over at Spike.
"Sorry, wanted to watch the sunrise, and I didn't want to disturb the girls," said Spike.
Spike pulled over on to the side of the road.
"Whereabouts are we?" asked Giles.
"La Salle, Illinois," said Spike.
"We are making good time then," said Giles, more than a little impressed with the way Spike had handled himself.
"We're gonna have to stop for gas soon, this thing sucks gas the way a vamp sucks blood," said Spike.
"Hmmm, interesting comparison," said Giles wryly.
Spike opened the door and got out of the RV; to watch the sun complete it's ascension into the early morning sky. Buffy and Dawn both stirred in their seats, the invading coldness from the open door woke Buffy up, she opened her eyes and shivered. Buffy saw Spike standing alone outside and hurried out of her side of the vehicle and joined him. She put her arm about his waist and rested her head on his shoulder.
"Morning love," he said without looking at her.
Buffy watched the sunrise with him.
"This is beautiful, it's funny how you can take the little things for granted, and even the big things," she said wistfully.
"Do you know how many times I dreamt of watching the sunrise with you?" he asked.
"I think I do," she sighed.
"Beautiful," said Andrew, who had silently come up behind them,
Spike and Buffy turned to look at him, Buffy frowned at the way Andrew looked at Spike, and she had an uncomfortable feeling that Andrew hadn't been talking about her or the sunrise.
"Kinda having a private moment here with my girl if you don't mind?" asked Spike
"Just wanted to see what you wanted for breakfast," said Andrew huffily.
"Pancakes," said Buffy as she and Spike both turned their backs on him.
"Are you still there?" asked Spike without looking around.
Spike tried to slip on his game face, nothing seemed to be happening, he touched his face, it still felt the same, he growled, frustrated, he tried again. Buffy looked at him.
"What's the matter?" she asked.
"I can't vamp anymore," said Spike.
"Maybe you're not doing it right," Suggested Andrew.
"Don't be so bloody stupid," said Spike angrily.
"Andrew, just get back in the RV okay," said Buffy.
Andrew took one look at the look on Spike's face and decided retreat was in order.
"Knew it was gonna be like this, Andrew do this, Andrew do that," He mumbled as he got back in the vehicle.
Giles poked his head out of the driver's door.
"Are we going to get this show or the road, or just sit here and wait for Spike to go to hell?" asked Giles sarcastically.
"Point taken," said Buffy as they both got back in the vehicle, and Giles started up the motor.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Willow and Xander were both awake and sitting at the breakfast table.
"Morning you guys," said Willow cheerily.
Dawn awoke as the vehicle moved off, she stretched and yawned and turned to look at the others.
"Everyone's very chipper this morning," she said.
Dawn caught the scowl on Andrew's face.
"Well maybe not everyone," Dawn added.
"I'd better be getting paid overtime for this," grumbled Andrew as he stirred the pancake mix.
"You will be awarded accordingly," said Xander.
Everyone had had some breakfast except for Giles, who contented himself with a mug of tea, whilst he was driving. Xander had cleared away the breakfast things to stop Andrew's grumblings about slave labour.
"Right, we will be pulling over for gas at the next station we come to," announced Giles.
Spike had fallen asleep on the double bed; Buffy lay next to him, watching him sleep. Willow watched them, almost envious of their closeness, she sighed to herself, Xander caught her look, and he squeezed her hand.
"You'll find love again Willow, we both will, you mustn't give up hope," said Xander.
"What if Tara was it?" asked Willow.
"She wouldn't want you to be alone all your life Willow, just take your time," Said Xander.
"Yeah, you're right, I think I need a relationships time out after the fiasco that was Kennedy, and I need to finish my studies and all those changing of Uni's, not helping," said Willow.
"Hey it's not your fault that UC Sunnydale is at the bottom of a crater," said Xander.
"No it's his," said Buffy smiling at Spike's sleeping form.
Buffy stroked Spike's hair, feeling his cheek; it felt warm to the touch, Buffy looked over at Willow.
"What is it, Buffy?" asked Willow.
Buffy looked back at her friend's concerned faces.
"Spike feels warm, and earlier when we were outside he couldn't vamp out," said Buffy.
"It's all just part of the changes Buffy, the closer he gets to his ascension the more mortal like he becomes," said Willow
"I hope this ascension thing is not gonna happen Mayor Wilkins style," said Xander.
"But it's happening so fast, why didn't you go through those changes when you became a Goddess?" asked Buffy.
"Several reasons, but I'd say, it was because I was human to start off with, and oh yeah, I didn't die," said Willow.
Xander looked at Buffy's strained face.
"Don't worry we will get there in time, not exactly sure what we are going to do when we get there, anyone think to pack a fleet of JCB's?" asked Xander.
"We could give Andrew a shovel," suggested Buffy.
"Very funny," said Andrew.
"Oh come on take a joke Skywalker," said Xander.
"The jokes around here are always at my expense, that's the problem," said Andrew.
The vehicle slowed down as Giles pulled into the gas station.
"Now would be a good time, if anyone wants to stretch their legs," said Giles.
"I'm up for some leg stretching, Buffy?" asked Willow, looking at her friend.
"I'm fine here, you go," said Buffy.
One by one they all got out of the van, except for Buffy and Spike, Buffy jumped as Dawn poked her head back in.
"Anyone for munchies?" she asked.
"No, I 'm good, ooh maybe a Hershey's bar, I am feeling naughty," said Buffy.
Dawn closed the door and Spike and Buffy were finally left alone. Spike opened one eye.
"So you are feeling a little naughty are you?" he asked grabbing her around the waist.
"I thought you were asleep," she said in surprise.
"With all the noise that lot were making?" asked Spike.
Spike fumbled about in his jeans pocket and took out his set of keys to the van, and pressed the key, the clicking sound of the van locking, had Buffy raising her eyebrow at him. Buffy looked over at the ignition, Giles had left his keys in the ignition.
"Do we have time?" asked Buffy.
"Sure, besides the other's are going to find out the delights of shopping with Andrew," he smiled lowering his head and kissing her lips.
They broke apart,
"You'll have to tell me about that one day," she said. Kissing him again.
Dawn came toward the RV ten minutes later; it seemed to be rocking gently. She knocked on the door, but got no answer, Willow and Xander came up behind her; they exchanged knowing glances.
"Ever heard the saying, when the RV's a rocking, don't come a knocking?" asked Xander as they walked off, leaving Dawn with a very confused look on her face as she trailed after them.
TBC