Disclaimer: I own nothing except the plot. I borrowed everything else from Joss, ME, and WB.

Spoilers: BtVS through Chosen, AtS through Just Rewards.

AN: I borrowed some phrases from 'Hellbound' and stuck them in here in my own context. Also, "Thank You" to Kallysten and Nauti, as well as a nod to J.K. Rowling for the inspiration for the prophecy. It was unintentional, but after I wrote it, I realized that it was similar to the one in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

True Nature

Chapter 9

"Oh my God. Spike." Buffy gasped. She pulled him into a tight embrace as tears rolled down her cheeks.

Spike held her close, inhaling her scent and taking comfort in her warmth. This was what he would have missed if he remained non-corporeal. He silently thanked whatever almighty power had decided to bring him back and had allowed him to be corporeal again.

He heard a choked sob and looked to his right. Fred stood between Wesley and Lorne, one hand over her mouth, tears of joy streaming down her face. She had her other arm wrapped around Wesley's waist. He had one arm slung around her shoulders and his chin rested atop her head. Spike saw unshed tears sparkling in his brown eyes.

On the other side of Fred, Lorne cleared his throat. "Excuse me. I...have something in my eye." The green skinned demon turned to snatch a tissue out of a box on a nearby lab table.

Spike released Buffy with one arm and reached out to clasp Wesley's hand in a firm handshake. "You did it, mate." Then he pulled Wesley in and caught him in an one-armed hug, as he kept his other arm firmly around Buffy. "Thank you."

He released Wesley, and pulled Buffy closer to him. She smiled up at him. 'Oh yeah, touching is definitely of the good.' She thought with a contented sigh.

"This is so great!" Fred exclaimed. She rushed forward and hugged them both. "I was starting to think I would have to extrapolate a new variation on interdimensional plasma dynamics to get you corporeal again. And, that requires a massive surge of dark energy to catalyze the process." She sighed and rolled her eyes dramatically. "I'm really glad we didn't have to do that."

Buffy and Spike exchanged perplexed glances, but smiled at Fred, "Yeah, me too." They said simultaneously.

Lorne walked over to them, his red eyes showing no signs of the "foreign object" that had been irritating them earlier. He shook Spike's hand and kissed Buffy on the cheek. "Congratulations, you two. I knew you had it in you."

"Is this what you saw? When you read me earlier, is this what you saw?" Buffy asked.

Lorne hesitated briefly before answering. "Yep. That's what I saw. I knew you were meant to release him, sweetheart. It was part of your destiny."

Wesley's eyes narrowed when he noticed Lorne's brief pause before answering Buffy's question, but he said nothing. Instead, he turned to the couple in front of him. "So, what are you going to do now?"


Spike smirked. "Well, for now, I plan to take the woman I love back to my bed and spend the rest of the day showing her exactly how I feel about her."

Wesley chuckled. Fred blushed. Lorne's jaw nearly hit the floor, despite his familiarity with Spike's fondness for blunt honesty. Buffy's eyes widened, her pulse quickened, and the smile on her face grew impossibly wider, then dropped away altogether when she looked into Spike's eyes. Her mouth went dry and her breath left her body when she saw all of the emotion swirling in their depths.

She paid no heed to her surroundings as Spike pulled her from the lab. She was unaware of anything except the feel of his arms and the taste of his lips, until she realized they were standing in his living room, and she had no idea how they'd gotten there.

Spike couldn't take his hands off of Buffy. He tried to touch her everywhere. He'd almost forgotten how soft and warm she really was. He leaned in to kiss her again, loving the slightly salty taste of her skin, the softness of her lips, the warmth of her mouth.

Buffy couldn't stop touching Spike, either. She pushed his duster off and slid her hands under his shirt. She loved the feel of his smooth skin and taut muscles. She broke the kiss to pull his shirt over his head then pulled him closer. After so long, she needed to feel him against her. He fit her just right.

She moaned at the feel of his tongue caressing her neck. She never tired of his skill with that talented organ. She slid her hands up to his hair. She always loved to pull it free of his carefully slicked back "Big Bad" look and muss it into the soft curls that made him look so young and vulnerable.

She ran her fingers through his hair as he ran his tongue down her neck, then continued further, into the cleft between her breasts. She gasped as he hit a particularly sensitive spot, then giggled as she felt him smile against her skin.

"Like that, do you, luv?"

"Mmm, more, please."

Spike picked hr up and carried her to the bedroom where he deposited her on the bed. He pulled off his boots and settled himself over her.

"More, huh?"

"Mmm, yeah." She wrapped her arms around his neck to pull him down for a kiss, but he resisted.

"How much more?" She shivered at the question, whispered against her ear.

She kicked off her shoes and slid one foot under the leg of his pants. "How's everything? Does everything work for you?"

Spike growled softly against her neck. "That's all I ever wanted to give you, luv."

This time he didn't resist when Buffy pulled him in for another kiss. As their tongues danced, their hands went to work. Spike fumbled with the buttons of Buffy's blouse while she struggled with his belt. Finally, they pulled apart and sat up.

Spike carefully undid each of Buffy's buttons, staring blissfully at each inch of golden skin as it was revealed to his hungry eyes. As he undid the last button he slid the garment off her shoulders and leaned forward. He had to taste her, and that spot where her shoulder met her neck was too delectable to ignore.

Buffy gasped as Spike began to nibble and suck on her skin. She let her head fall back, allowing her hair to cascade down her back. Spike pulled her into his lap and groaned as he felt her heat against his erection for the first time.

He caressed her back as he worked his way to the clasp of her bra. As he worked on the clasp, he bit down gently on her neck with his blunt teeth, eliciting a small cry of pleasure from her.

He gently pulled the straps down her arms, fully exposing her to him. He laid her back against the bed and followed her down. He took one rosy nipple in his mouth and began sucking, gently at first, then more urgently.

She threaded her fingers through his hair to hold him to her as he suckled first one breast, then the other. She was so close already and he hadn't even touched her below...'Oh God!'

Spike slipped one hand under Buffy's skirt. He found the edge of her panties and pushed them aside. He worked her until her muscles clenched around his fingers and she screamed his name in ecstasy.

As she came down from her high, Spike tugged her skirt and panties off and lay down on his side next to her, caressing her heated skin. He couldn't get enough of her; her taste, her scent, her beauty, the softness of her skin, her heat, the sound of her breathing and heartbeat, the gasps and moans she made when aroused, not to mention the way she screamed his name when she came. He could never get his fill of the whole sensory experience of being with her.

Buffy rolled onto her side and smiled. She let her eyes wander over his beautiful body, then back to his gorgeous eyes. She gazed into them with a wicked gleam in her eye. One hand reached out to caress his chest, then his abs, and then his went to work on his belt.

"My turn." She announced with a saucy smile. As she spoke, she rose to her knees and pushed him onto his back. Using both hands, she made short work of his belt, then tugged his pants off.

She locked eyes with him, briefly and smiled before she bent and licked him. He groaned and squeezed his eyes shut as he arched his neck. She smirked at his reaction. She loved that she could do that to him.

She slid her mouth over him, fully engulfing him in her mouth. He moaned at the feeling of her hot mouth surrounding him. She tormented him until he couldn't take it anymore.

"Oh, fuck! Buffy!" He shouted as he exploded.

She loved it when he called her by her name. She liked the pet names, but there was just something about the way he said her name. She never knew it could sound like that.

She scooted up next to him and laid her head on his chest. "So, how did I do on returning the favor?" She asked with a hint of laughter in her voice.

The question caught Spiked off guard and he burst out laughing. "Bloody marvelous, luv."

"Good." She giggled and leaned up to kiss him. The light kiss quickly deepened and turned became more passionate. Spike rolled Buffy onto her back and lay on top of her as they continued to kiss and caress. She slid one foot up the back of his leg and he caught it and held it as he peppered her with kisses while he moved down her body and settled between her legs.

He inhaled her scent, wishing they could stay like this forever. He dipped his head to taste her and his senses went wild. He hadn't really tasted her for so long and she was delicious. 'Pure Ambrosia.'

He pleasured her with his hands and mouth until her entire body arched off the bed as she screamed out her release.

"Oh God! Spike!"

Once Buffy had calmed, Spike stretched himself out alongside her and stroked her cheek gently. She smiled softly at him and pushed a stray curl off his forehead

"I love you."

He smiled suddenly and leaned forward to capture her mouth in a gentle, loving kiss. He gazed at her lovingly. 'One more thing I'll never get enough of.'

"I love you, too, Buffy." As he spoke, he positioned himself over her and kissed her again. As Buffy opened her mouth to allow him entrance, she opened her legs to allow him inside.

It was unlike anything they'd experienced before. There was nothing rough, hurried, or hurtful about this experience. They were both exactly where they wanted to be, and with the person they wanted. No shame, guilt, or "convenience" involved. They were pouring all of their emotions into every movement, the intensity of their lovemaking flinging both of them toward la petite mort.

As Buffy regained consciousness, she realized that Spike was struggling back to awareness himself.

"Spike, are you okay?" She patted his cheek firmly. "Still with me?"

"Mm, uh, yeah." He finally shook off the grogginess. "What happened?"

Buffy shook her head and laughed lightly. "Not sure, but I think we knocked each other out."

Spike blinked. "Really? That's never actually happened before, you know from pure pleasure." He smirked at her. "Always heard being in love makes sex better, now I know it's true. Best bloody shag of my life."

Buffy smacked him lightly. "You're a pig, Spike." But she laughed, nonetheless, until a yawn interrupted her laughter.

Spike nuzzled her neck. "Did I wear you out, pet?"

Buffy curled against his side. "Mmm hmmm. In the best possible way."

She yawned again and her drifted closed. Spike listened to her breathing even out and placed a kiss on top of her head. Then he pulled the blanket up and tucked it around them before he followed her into sleep, contented smiles on both of their faces.

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

Earlier:

As soon as Spike pulled Buffy from the lab, Knox approached Fred, Lorne, and Wesley with a small weapon in his hand.

"Hey, congratulations on recorporealizing Spike." He smiled.

Wesley returned the smile, hesitantly. "Thank you."

Knox turned to Fred. "I think I've gotten all the bugs out of that new neural-intercept grenade."

"Great." Fred smiled at him. "Angel will be pleased to hear that."

Knox nodded. "Yeah, it was pretty simple. It's just a little hand-held, spell-casting robot. It should work pretty well."

"Okay, good. Thanks for the update." Fred watched as he nodded at her and returned to his workstation.

She turned to Wesley and Lorne. "Okay, does anyone else find it disturbing that my staff just kept working through that whole magical vortex thing like nothing out of the ordinary happened?" She asked in an undertone.

"Oh, yeah."

"Quite a bit, actually."

"Okay, just checking. I'm still not used to this whole, 'we've seen it all, so nothing throws us' attitude."

Wesley and Lorne were nodding their agreement next to her.

She turned back to smile at Knox, who was once more flashing her his pearly whites.

"We should probably go tell Angel what's happened. Since the Practical Sciences division knows it's only a matter of time before the entire firm knows."

Fred grimaced. "Do we have to? Like you said, the firm's going to know soon anyway. Couldn't we just..." She broke off at Wesley's pointed look and head shake. "I know, it's just he really doesn't handle Spike and Buffy stuff very well and this is really..."

"Hey." Lorne interrupted. "You know, I'd love to be there and back you guys up, but I've got this important teleconference with..uh...Richard Harris' agent about the new Harry Potter...."

"He's dead, Lorne." Wesley snapped as he grabbed Lorne by the elbow and steered him out of the lab.

"Ow, take it easy there, big guy." Lorne pulled away and straightened his suit. "Fine, I'll go with you to tell Angel-cakes about his wayward grandchilde and the love of his unlife....Oooh, that would make a great story." Lorne pulled his cell phone out of his jacket.

"Lorne!" Fred and Wesley each took an arm and dragged Lorne down the hallway to the elevator.

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

Angel sighed and rubbed his forehead. "So, he's corporeal again?"

Wesley nodded.

"And it was Buffy's blood?"

Another nod.

"But only a few drops?"

Wesley nodded again.

"So, where is he?" Gunn asked from the sofa. "I figured he'd run right here to gloat."

Wesley looked at Fred and Lorne, who avoided his gaze. He glanced at Angel before answering Gunn. "Something else took priority." He said simply.

"What would take priority...?" Gunn broke off at the look on Angel's face. "Oh."

Wesley turned to Angel. The pain in his eyes was as sharp as a razor's edge. Wesley felt for his friend, but he couldn't help but think that everything had worked out, as it should. He had observed Buffy with both Angel and Spike, just as he observed Angel with both Buffy and Cordelia.

Cordelia's coma was a great tragedy in so many ways. It was not just the loss of her vibrant spirit and personality, or the loss of the connection to the Powers That Be, it was also the loss of the one woman who truly understood and accepted Angel for everything he was.

Buffy was too independent and hot-tempered to put up with Angel's protectiveness the way she had as a teenager. But, Angel could no more stop being protective than he could start taking walks on the beach at noon. They cared for each other, and respected each other's skills, but he did not respect her ability to make her own decisions and she did not accept his need to protect everyone around him, including her.

Spike understood and respected Buffy's need to follow her calling and fight her own battles, make her own decisions, and live her own life. So much of her life had been determined for her, and so many of her decisions had been taken out of her hands, that she had the need to make as many decisions as possible in her own life. He let her fight her own battles, unless she got in over her head, he argued with her when necessary, but never took the decision out of her hands, and he stood by her, her steadfast support. He was her equal in strength and skill. They were of similar temperaments and had a similar sense of humor. They were even more evenly matched physically. They were an ideal match

Cordelia had learned to understand and accept Angel's need to protect everyone around him, even if it meant fighting their battles for them. She had learned how to fight alongside him, and supported him. But, she had also learned to argue with him, without resorting to screaming or sulking, in order to work him around to her way of thinking. She had gotten very good at convincing him to let him fight her own battles without resorting to a battle with him. They had been an ideal match.

Wesley knew that Angel was in pain, but he also knew that the pain was not as deep as it might have been a few years ago. Most of the pain was really due to the fact that it was Spike, rather than the fact that Buffy had found happiness with someone else.

Angel sighed heavily. "When you see them again, tell them...ask them, if they would come by here. I think we all need some questions answered and I think I know who can answer them."

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

When Spike awoke a few hours later, the first thing he heard was the rumbling of both of their stomachs. Spike climbed out of the bed and went into the kitchenette to see what was in the fridge. He found some leftover Chinese food from Buffy's dinner a few days earlier, the remains of the Buffalo Wings that Wes had left after the football match the previous weekend. Nothing he really wanted to eat, or serve her, right now.

He picked up the phone and made a quick call, then grabbed his pants and pulled them on. A little while later, he answered the knock on the door. He smiled at Wesley, who stood on the other side of the door holding a pack of fresh blood, nicked from Harmony's stash, and a box with Buffy's favorite meal from the dining room, beer for Spike, and a latte for Buffy.

"Thanks, mate."

"You're welcome. When you two come up for air, Angel would like to speak with you. He wants us all to meet and talk about what's happened."

Spike grimaced. "Fine. May as well get it over with. Let us eat first."

"Alright. Ring me when you're ready."

"Will do, mate."

"Oh, and Spike?"

"Yeah."

"Congratulations."

Spike smiled and nodded as Wesley closed the door.

When Spike entered the bedroom, he found Buffy just sitting up. She squealed with delight when she saw the food in his hands. "Have I told you lately that I love you?"

Spike chuckled as he sat down on the bed with the food. "Well, not in the last couple of hours, luv."

She leaned over to kiss him, careful not to spill the food. "Terrible oversight on my part." She smiled against his lips.

She sat up and opened her food. "Oh my God. You are the perfect boyfriend." She said when she saw that he had ordered her her favorite meal. "You know what I like, you're a great fighter, strong, great sense of humor, incredibly hot, amazing in bed, and now you bring me food in bed when I wake up from amazing sex. You're perfect."

Spike stared at her in amazement, wondering if she knew what she was saying. She peered up at him out of the corner of her eye. "Yes, I know what I'm saying. At least better than I did back when I was saying those...horrible things I was saying to you back then." She hated to recall the terrible things she'd said. She'd apologized, during the weeks that he'd been non-corporeal. When they'd talked about things, she'd apologized for the terrible things she'd done and said. He'd forgiven her, just as she'd forgiven him for what had happened in the bathroom.

"So, yeah, I know what I'm saying." She smiled at the look on his face. So many emotions played out across his face; he had so many expressions. Right now, he looked amazed, happy, in love, relieved, grateful, and touched. She wanted to be able to put that look on his face every day. "I love you, Spike. And, you are the perfect man for me."

Then, her food was forgotten for a little while as he showed her exactly what he thought of her words. But, afterward, he fed her while she giggled at his little romantic gestures, and thought about how lucky she was.

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

It was actually the next morning before Buffy and Spike emerged from his suite to meet with the others. They had intended to try to meet with them the night before, but Buffy had insisted on taking a shower, and Spike had insisted on accompanying her. So, they took a shower, made love in the shower, then Spike distracted Buffy when he was helping her put lotion on her back. All in all, it was breakfast before they finally made it out to meet the others.

They met in the conference room after breakfast. Wesley sat next to Spike, who sat next to Buffy. Lorne and Fred sat a few chairs away. Gunn sat on the opposite side of the table watching Spike and Buffy cuddle and flirt with a look of dismay.

Angel walked in, followed closely by Eve. When she saw Spike and Buffy holding hands, she smiled. "Well, you finally figured it out, did you?"

They looked at her sharply. "Wait, you knew how to restore him and you didn't tell us?" Wesley asked.

She shrugged. "I actually was ordered not to. You know how bosses are."

Buffy started to stand up, but Spike kept a tight grip on her hand. When she looked at him, he shook his head slightly. She narrowed her eyes slightly, but sat back down.

Angel stepped up to Eve and gestured to a chair. "I had a feeling that you knew more than you were letting on. Now that Spike is fully restored, we'd like for you to answer a few questions."

Eve shrugged again. "I'll answer what I can, but don't expect much. I have my orders."

Angel started to sit down across from Buffy and Spike, but he couldn't deal with the scent of sex surrounding them. Even if he chose not to breathe, all he had to do was look at their faces and he could read everything that had happened. He just couldn't deal with it.

He sat down in a chair where he could look at Eve, but still be somewhat far away from the happy couple.

"So, I guess the first question is, why? Why did you give me the amulet? Did you expect me to be the one to become a ghost?"

Eve gave him a patronizing look. "The senior partners gave you the amulet because they knew that you'd give it to the Slayer. They knew about her relationship with Spike and his quest for a soul. They also knew that if you gave her the amulet, it would either be you or him. That's all they wanted, for one of you to be the Champion."

"Why?" Wesley asked.

"And why would they want anyone helping me defeat the First Evil? Aren't they on the same team?" Buffy added.

Eve shook her head. "The First has a very overblown sense of it's own importance. It wanted to take over the world and destroy everyone good, and allow only evil to exist in the world."

Fred looked confused. "But, aren't you guys on the same team, like Buffy said? Why wouldn't the senior partners want that?"

Eve cocked her head to one side. "Sweetie, there can't be evil without good. Without good, evil would have nothing and no one to corrupt. Where's the fun in that?"

Everyone in the room answered with an identical "Ookaayy."

"But, why was it so important that it be one of them?'

"There was a prophecy.."

"Wait. I looked for a prophecy while we were researching how to restore Spike."

"Yes, well, our source brought the book with the information from another dimension. And the Watcher's Council knew about it, but they didn't tell Miss Summers before they went boom. And, when Sirk came to us, he made sure to bring the necessary information with him so that no one could accidentally stumble on it and try to prevent it, or try to manipulate it to their satisfaction."

"The senior partners wanted to do that themselves, huh?"

"Actually, they didn't do anything. See, the prophecy was very vague. It wouldn't have been if Angel had still been the only vampire with a soul, or the only vampire to love a Slayer. But, with both of you involved, it became very iffy."

She stood up and moved to the conference board. "You see, the prophecy included references to a vampire with a soul, one who loved the Slayer. It also mentioned that the Champion would cease to be, but would be restored by the same blood that had restored him before." She wrote Spike's name and Angel's name on the board, then under each name, she wrote the parts of the prophecy that pertained to them.

"Wait, that would have made it me." Angel interjected. "Her blood restored me when Faith poisoned me."

"Yes, but her blood also restored Spike when he was being controlled by the First." Wesley explained.

"What do you mean?"

"Weren't you listening to Buffy in the lab when she was talking about not fighting Spike in demon form, at least not for her life, for years, except when he was triggered?"

"But, he broke the trigger's effect when he tasted her blood." Fred added.

"You bit her?" Angel roared at Spike.

Buffy sighed. "I thought you were going to read the book. No, he didn't bite me, I got cut in the fight and when he tasted my blood, he not only broke the effects of the trigger and he remembered everything that he'd done under the trigger."

"Right, so the senior partners had two vampires, one prophecy, and one amulet. What should they do? They finally decided to let Buffy decide. They gave the amulet to you, you gave it to Buffy, and she decided who the Champion should be."

"Wait" Spike sat up in his chair. "What about those trips to Hell I've been taking?"

"Well, the amulet wants to return home. You were bound to the amulet, so you were going along for the trips."

"Yeah, but I haven't been having those trips lately."

"Well, lately, you've had a very good reason for wanting to stay here. You've been getting stronger and resisting the amulet. So, even when it wanted to go home, it couldn't because your desire to stay here outweighed its desire to go home. Of course, now you are free and the amulet can be returned to it's own dimension, so you won't be taking anymore of those trips."

"Hey." Everyone looked at Gunn. "What about the trick in Wesley's office, with the book? We're pretty sure that the senior partners had a hand in that."

"Oh, yeah, that. That was a test for Angel."

"What?!"

"The senior partners are well aware of your past and were just curious to know just how much it would take to push you over the edge. How hard would it be to get you to attempt to destroy a defenseless being? Or threaten one of your own people?" She smirked at Angel. "Let's just say they were pleased with the results."

Angel pulled her to the door and practically threw her, bodily, from the room. "Thanks for all your help."

Everyone looked at Spike and Buffy. "So, this was meant to be." Spike said in awe.

"Yeah, I guess so. We really were meant to be together." Buffy smiled at him.

"Well, that explains alot." Wesley added. He smiled at his friends. Then he looked over to the other side of the room where another friend of his stood. He stood and walked over to where Angel was standing. "Thank you for bringing Eve in to answer those questions. He followed Angel's gaze to Spike and Buffy. "Angel..."

"Save it, Wes." Angel stalked from the room. Wesley hesitated moment, then followed him. Then he recognized Angel's path. He realized that Angel was going to see Cordelia and decided to return to the conference room.

He shook Spike's hand and hugged Buffy. "I'm very happy for the two of you. You've earned some happiness."

He turned to walk away. "Hey, where you going, mate?"

Wesley turned around. Spike hugged Buffy closer to him and smirked at Wesley. "Well, I realize that I've been pretty pre-occupied, but I'm not a complete git. I do remember that there's a match tonight. Don't you want to come watch it?"

Wesley smiled and followed Spike and Buffy out of the conference room.

TBC