Chapter 9
After the research party had been going on for a couple of hours, Dawn brought out the snacks and Spike made a quick run to the store for more cram type food.
When he got back, first he dumped the food to the side, and then he stood next to Giles.
"Can I talk to you for a bit?"
"Uhh...sure Spike. What is it you want?"
"Let's go somewhere and talk."
"Okay," Giles said as he followed Spike into the next room.
"Well...okay, you know those dreams Dawn and I have been having?"
"Yes."
"Well...they aren't the only things going on."
"What do you mean, exactly, Spike?"
"Well...both Dawn and I have seen Buffy's ghost. She lives in this house with us...or she has done most of today. When I said she seems trapped between worlds, I really meant it."
"Really...that's fascinating."
Spike shook his head, grinning slowly.
"What?"
"Spike smiled and said, " She said you would say that."
Spike laughed suddenly.
"What now?"
"She told me to be careful, when you get real excited about this kind of stuff...their could be drool."
Giles closed his mouth and smiled slightly, thinking, that sounds just like Buffy.
Then Spike turned to the side and said out loud, "I guess you have him pegged pretty well pet."
"You can see her?"
"And hear her. Both Dawn and I can. Before I ever noticed her, I felt her presence, but on account of her being dead, she didn't feel the same. So at first I wasn't sure. Now I know that what I felt was actually her. We would have told you earlier, but she wanted me to tell you now, and alone. She didn't want the others to really freak out over it."
"I understand," Giles said quietly.
"She said it wasn't your fault...and everything that had to happen, did, mate."
"How did you know what I was thinking?"
"I didn't, she did."
"Oh...well...this is most..."
"Disturbing sometimes. Other times bloody frustrating."
"Well...yeah."
"I'm with you mate. Now you see why she didn't want to tell and worry the others. Can you imagine how they might freak?"
"Yes I can. Where is she now?"
"Right next to you..." Spike gestured to her spot.
Giles turned toward her and said," I'm glad you're still around. I missed you."
Spike chuckled. "She said she loves you too."
Giles just grinned.
"Okay...back to research mates. And Buffy, you just float around...okay I'm sorry. No...no need to call Dawn...I'll be good...I promise."
Giles heard the muttering, but he didn't understand half of it...so he just let it pass.
Dawn, coming in to see what was going on, however, heard and howled with laughter.
She grinned mischievously at Spike.
He saw her and said, " Oh come on, pets...at least wait until the wanker goes home to torture me. Can you imagine the jibes I'll be getting if he finds out about it?"
Dawn obviously could cause she burst out laughing and sunk to the floor, rolling.
"Very funny, " Spike said sarcastically as he walked back into the living room.
Giles just shook his head and followed.
He said to Spike," I take it she's not the only one laughing like that?"
"No," Spike said, giving him a small smile, "she wasn't."
Giles smiled at that, and then rejoined in the research.
TBC…