Disclaimer: The usual. Joss and Mutant Enemy....

Spoilers: BtVS through Chosen, AtS through Just Rewards, with a hint of Hellbound.

Feedback: Please, unless you are only reading this story for the sole purpose of flaming me.

True Nature

Chapter 6

Buffy strode past the desk and into the elevator. The three men had to hurry to keep up with her, despite the fact that all three had much longer strides. She punched the button for Spike's floor and stood staring silently at the door with her arms crossed.

They followed her off the elevator and Wesley hurried in front of her to unlock the doors. Since all of them had been on the receiving end of this Slayer's wrath, all of them remained silent and sat down on the sofa, waiting for an indication of what she expected of them.

She began pacing across the living room, her arms swinging violently. "Arrgh, was he always like this?"

"Like what, luv?"

"You know. All, 'I've had a bicentennial, so I know everything, and I'm superior to all other demons because my curse makes me all guilt-ridden and broody, so I'm always right, even if I change my mind six thousand times, so everybody listen to me because I always know what's best for everyone'?" She crossed her arms and collapsed into the chair behind her.

She glared at Spike as she saw him trying to cover a smirk. "Don't laugh."

"I'm not. It's just that, well, you've pretty much got ol' Peaches pegged."

She sat up. "Okay, I understand, sixteen, first love, tall, dark, handsome, mysterious. You don't really see the flaws. But, how did I not see this later." She paused. "Well, that's pretty easy, too. Kind of hard to see the flaws when the flaws aren't around to be seen."

She stood up and started pacing again. "I did sort of start seeing it, you know. When he came back the last time. I started seeing some of the stuff he pulled. The way he was acting like a twelve year old over Spike having a soul, and the way he has a tendency to go all Dawson on me every time I have a man in my life. But, still...the way I went on and on about him for...God, for years. You know, Riley only met him once, but he got him right away. Called him 'Mr. Billowy Coat King of Pain.' And he was right." She turned to look at them when she heard a strangled sound and realized that all three of them had their hands over their mouths, attempting to smother laughter. She rolled her eyes. "Why didn't somebody slap me?" They couldn't stop themselves then; the laughter came pouring out of them. She flopped back into the chair again, sulking as she listened to them laugh.

Spike was the first to stop. He moved over to the chair and crouched down. "Sorry, luv. It's just that we've all been waitin' for you to come to your senses about the poof, and it's about bloody time. Besides, we've all made mistakes. Mine was Dru, and I see your seven years and raise you a century. From what I hear Rupert's got a few skeletons in his closet from his misspent youth. And ol' Wes has some ditzy deb and a little flirtation with Cordelia in his past." Spike chose not to mention Lilah, he knew Wesley was still sensitive on that subject.

Buffy smiled and blushed. She turned her head toward Spike and buried her face in his neck, until she heard the surprised gasps from the other men in the room and realized that Spike had become corporeal again for a brief time. She looked up into his stunned blue eyes. He shrugged, indicating he still had no idea how he was able to touch her.

She smiled at him and her eyelids fluttered, sleepily. He smiled softly at her. He gestured for her to get up and then turned to Wesley and Giles. "Oi, up, you gits, let the lady lay down. She's had a helluva day." The two men scrambled up off the couch and Buffy lay down at Spike's urging. Within minutes, she was sound asleep.

Wesley turned on the television, with the sound down low. They watched Spike's tape of Monty Python and the Holy Grail, as they struggled to keep their laughter low.

*********************

By the time the final credits rolled, Buffy was rousing. She stretched and yawned and sat up. "Thanks. I feel so much better. So, what's on the agenda?"

Giles cleared his throat. "Well, I unfortunately, have to leave. I have a ticket for a flight back to Cleveland that leaves in about three hours. So, I should be getting my things together so that I can head back to the airport."

"Oh that's right. I forgot you weren't staying."

Wesley stood up. "Well, if you're going to be leaving, come with me. I'd like to give you that copy of the Devandrine Codex that came into our possession."

"Yes, yes. Please. We could certainly use that. Thank you."

They left to head to the library to retrieve the Codex, leaving Buffy and Spike alone.

Spike turned to Buffy. "Pet, I have to ask, what the bloody hell are you doing living on top of another Hellmouth? After Willow's spell, you could have gone anywhere, done anything. Why would you go to another Hellmouth?"

Buffy smiled sadly. "Giles wanted to go there. He thought it would be a good place to train the new Slayers. You know, give them all a place with plenty of action, and also have plenty of Slayers on hand to keep the locals safe, prevent future apocalypses, you know the drill. And, I didn't really have anywhere else to go.

"When you sealed the Hellmouth, you really sealed it. All of Sunnydale collapsed on top of it. So, no school, no house, no job, nothing. Dawn and I didn't have anywhere to go; neither did Xander or Andrew. Willow was going with Kennedy and Kennedy was going to the Hellmouth. So, we decided to stick together."

"But, Angel said something about Europe."

"Yeah, we visited Europe to pick up some Potentials, and pay a short visit to my dad and his girlfriend/secretary in Spain. But that was only for a few weeks. We've been living in Cleveland most of the time."

"So, you're just going to keep on with the hero gig until it finally kills you?" Spike couldn't keep the bitterness out of his voice.

"Spike..."

"No, you deserve a chance at a little bit of peace, a little bit of happiness in this life, before you go back to Heaven. You've earned it."

Buffy smiled at him as a tear slid down her cheek. "I meant what I said, you know. Before, back on the Hellmouth. I do love you."

Spike smiled softly. "Yeah, I know. I mean, I know you care about me, but I also knew that it wasn't the kind of love I was talking about."

Buffy's lower lip trembled as she shook her head. "No, you're wrong. I finally figured it out. Like I was telling Angel, you were the one. The one who understood me, and could be my equal. The one I could be happy with. I just figured it out too late."

She leaned closer to Spike and touched her lips to his. They were both too far gone to care that he was corporeal enough for their lips to make contact. The kiss was soft and gentle, and never deepened. But, when they pulled back, they realized that they had taken a very important step in their relationship.

A minute later the door opened and Wesley and Giles walked in. Giles carried the Codex and they were discussing the various texts in the firm's library. Wesley paused as he noticed the change in the atmosphere in the room. One look at their faces told him that something important had passed between Buffy and Spike. Giles finally noticed it as well, and was relieved to see Buffy looking so relaxed, and happy.

"Well, I believe I have everything that I need. I just have to call a taxi and I'll be on my way."

"Don't be ridiculous. I'll drive you to the airport. It's not that far. And Angel doesn't need me right now." Wesley gestured toward the door.

"Wait, I'll go with you. I want to see you off." Buffy stood up. "I just want you to know how grateful I am to both of you for getting me here."

Both men smiled and looked sheepishly at the floor. Spike stood up and joined Buffy. "I'll come, too. Haven't seen the airport, yet."

Buffy looked confused. "I thought you couldn't leave. Bound to Wolfram and Hart, and all that."

"No, luv. I can leave the building. Just can't leave LA. Something to do with the amulet being the property of Wolfram and Hart, and I'm bound to the amulet, so..."

"Oh, okay. Well, let's go."

***********************

A few hours later, Wesley, Spike, and Buffy returned to Wolfram and Hart after seeing Giles off at the airport. Buffy had hugged him and told him to tell everyone that she was fine and that she'd call them soon. And to bring them up to speed on what was going on.

Once they returned, though, Buffy didn't feel like sitting around. She felt the need to go out and do something active. The events of the day had her wound up. First, finding out Spike was back from the bottom of the crater that used to be Sunnydale. Then, getting into it with Angel, not once, but twice, over his interference in her life. Not to mention her emotional admission to Spike. And finally, sending Giles back to Cleveland. Now, she needed to patrol.

"I'm going to go patrol." She announced as they entered Spike's rooms again.

Both men stared at her as if she had just announced that she planned to dance naked atop Harmony's desk in the lobby.

"What?"

"Buffy, you have only been here for a few hours. And, this is LA, not Sunnydale, or Cleveland. You are not familiar with..."

"Wes, in case you've forgotten my background, I was called in LA. I grew up here. I know LA. I'll be fine."

Spike looked unconvinced. "I don't know, luv. I know you used to live here, but that was a while back. Things change, places, people you thought you knew. I'd feel better if..." He changed tactics when he saw the look on her face. "If I went with you. I've been out and about a few times since I've been here. Been out with Wes a few times, and Angel a bit, know my way around. May not be much help in the slaying department anymore, but I can make sure you don't get lost on the way."

Buffy started to shake her head, but then realized that she did want Spike with her, and she had no real reason to tell him no. So, she smiled and nodded. "Fine, you can come with."

Wesley cleared his throat. The other two turned to look at him. "You need a lozenge, Wes?" Spike quirked an eyebrow at him.

"Well, I'd like to go as well. Unless, you two are planning on more snogging than slaying?"

Buffy blushed as Spike smirked. "Good plan, mate. But I think the Slayer was planning on actually doing some slaying tonight."

"You can come, too, Wes." Buffy finally managed. She deliberately ignored the wink Wesley sent in Spike's direction.

She followed them to the elevator and then into Wes' office where they gathered weapons and then headed out into the warm night.

*********************

The first three cemeteries yielded neither fledglings, nor older vampires looking for a meal. The fourth cemetery, however, yielded a group of vampires looking for a fight.

Spike growled as he stood helplessly by watching his friend and the woman he loved fighting for their lives. They had already taken out three vampires and now Buffy held off two vampires. Wes staked one vampire and moved toward one of the vampires Buffy was fighting. Suddenly, Spike saw another vampire move out of the shadows from behind Buffy. She was engaged with her opponent, Wes was struggling against a much tougher enemy and neither could stop the vampire sneaking up behind Buffy. Without thinking, Spike launched himself at the other vampire and knocked him away from Buffy.

As he did, she staked her opponent, then spun and staked the vampire Spike had knocked to the ground. At the same time, Wes finally dispatched the vampire he'd been fighting. They turned to look at Spike, who was lying on the ground, staring dazedly at the pile of dust that had been a vampire a moment before.

"How the bloody hell do I keep doing that?"

Wes shook his head. "I'm not sure. Maybe it is unconscious as Buffy has suggested, but perhaps it also has to do with desire. So far, it has all been related to Buffy, but it has also been related to desire; a desire to touch her, to protect her, to comfort her. But, it has all arisen from a strong, albeit, unconscious desire to do so."

They thought about it. "So, do you think that if I think want it badly enough, I can touch someone?"

"Perhaps."

"Worth a try."

Spike moved closer to Buffy and focused his mind on touching her. He reached out and placed his hand on her cheek. At first, his fingers passed through her skin, then he pulled back and tried again. This time, he was able to gently stroke her cheek. They smiled softly at each other, until Wesley coughed lightly.

"That's very good, Spike. Now, can you touch anything else?"

Spike moved closer to Wesley and reached out to touch his shoulder. His hand passed through him. He tried again. Again, his hand passed through. He walked over to Buffy again and stroked her cheek with no difficulty.

He scowled and walked over to a tombstone. He concentrated and kicked at it. His foot passed through it with no resistance. He focused and tried again. This time, his foot made solid contact. "Ow! Bloody Hell! That hurt!"

When he heard laughter, he turned and glared at his two companions. "What the sodding hell is so funny?"

Buffy stifled her giggles long enough to ask, "Did you have to kick it to test your abilities?"

"Ha bloody ha, Slayer." He scowled at Wesley. "Et tu, Brute?" Wesley didn't even bother to answer.

Spike turned and stalked away indignantly, attempting to salvage his pride. Buffy and Wes looked at each other, let out one more burst of laughter, then hurried after him.

"Spike, come on. I'm sorry. We both are. Please stop." Buffy caught up to him and raced in front of him. "Please. We're sorry. Besides, weren't you the one laughing at my expense just a few hours ago?"

Spike looked a bit sheepish at that and stopped. "I guess I did look like a bit of a prat." He admitted.

Buffy glanced over his shoulder at Wesley who nodded. "Yeah, kind of." She said.

Spike smiled. "You have no idea what I just said do you?"

"Yes, I do. You said you looked like a prat."

"And a prat is..."

"Uh,..."

"Yeah, that's what I thought. I caught that little peek at Wesley. So, what? He give you the thumb's up?"

Buffy blushed and nodded. "Sort of. So, what is a prat?"

"A pillock." Wesley replied.

"And a pillock is..."

"A git." Spike supplied.

"Okay, I'm going to hit someone soon, and since Spike is non-corporeal..." She sent a pointed look at Wes. He and Spike both snickered.

"Relax, luv. All those words mean basically mean 'idiot'." Spike told her.

"Oh. Then, yes, you did look like a prat. And a pillock. And a git." She smiled sweetly at him.

"Is that right?" Spike focused and suddenly attacked. He tickled her mercilessly until she collapsed on the ground in giggles.

"Stop, please. I give up." Buffy begged.

"Never thought you were the begging kind, Slayer." Spike purred in her ear as he helped her up.

"So, you are clearly gaining more control over your ability to become corporeal." Wesley observed.

"Looks like." Spike replied. He walked over to Wesley and reached out to touch his shoulder again. This time, his hand made contact.

"Well, look at that." Spike said with wonder. He looked at Wesley, his eyes shining. "I'll be buggered." He threw his arms around Wes and gave him a big hug, which Wesley returned. "Thanks, mate. I can't tell you how much this means to me."

As they pulled apart, Wes smiled. "I think I have a pretty good idea."

They all looked at each other. Wes took note of the looks the Slayer and vampire were exchanging and yawned. "Well, I think that's enough patrolling for tonight. It's been pretty quiet, considering. So, perhaps we should head back, now."

Spike and Buffy nodded and they climbed in Wes' car and drove back to Wolfram and Hart. Wes didn't even bother to ask if Buffy needed a ride somewhere. He knew from his conversations with Spike that he and Buffy had been sleeping together before his death, and given the looks they'd been exchanging, Wes was pretty sure that she'd be staying with him tonight.

"Well, I'll see you in the morning. We can do some more research on the amulet. Maybe now that Spike can affect material objects, he can be of some assistance."

Buffy and Spike both groaned but agreed, then climbed out of the car and entered the building.

When they reached the door of Spike's suite, they were surprised to find Angel standing there.

Spike instinctively moved in front of Buffy. "What is it now, Peaches?"

Angel shuffled nervously. "I wanted to...apologize. What Buffy said, what everybody said, was right. I was jealous, and hurt, and angry. I should have given you more of a chance. And, I'm sorry."

He looked at Buffy. "And, you were right about me making decisions for you without consulting you. It's your life, not mine, and you deserve to make your own choices. I'm sorry."

Buffy and Spike looked at each other, then at Angel. "Okay, forgiven." They said.

"This doesn't mean I think you two belong together. That's still just...not right." Angel cringed at the thought. Buffy and Spike rolled their eyes.

"So, Buffy, can I offer you a room? I have a spare bedroom. Or, I can put you up at a hotel?" Angel offered politely.

"No thanks. I'm fine staying with Spike."

"Spike?"

"Yeah. We have a lot of catching up to do. And besides, what are you worried about, Spike's all non-corporeal, remember?"

"Yeah, right." Angel looked uncomfortable, but turned and walked to the elevator.

As the doors closed, Spike looked at Buffy. "Non-corporeal, pet?"

Buffy smirked at Spike. "Well, do we really want him hanging around trying to figure out some way to keep interrupting us to make sure we aren't doing anything he's afraid we might be doing?"

"Not quite sure I followed you 'round that bend, luv."

"I just meant, that since you can touch me, now. And since we are all alone and we can go in here and do some talking and maybe some touching. I didn't want to give him any reason to suspect that we might be...touching. He would probably try to find some way to interrupt us. And, I really want some alone time. Don't you?"

Spike couldn't do anything but nod as she took the key from her purse and opened the door.

TBC