Chapter 34 – Return of a Warrior and what's this, an upgrade?

Dawn was the first to move.

She squealed happily and ran towards Buffy colliding happily with her sister hugging her tight.

Buffy gave an equally delighted squeal and hugged her sister lovingly.

"You're really real, aren't you?"

"I am, Willow, I am.  Now get over here and give me a hug."

The words were hardly out of her mouth before the redheaded witch caught her in a tight bear hug.  Tara followed, thrilled that Buffy was back and she had to hug her to feel she was really there.

All four of them were almost tackled to the ground as Xander and Giles together rushed them and hugged them all tightly.

Buffy squealed with delight.

Moments later, she started squirming.

"Guys…guys…glad your thrilled I'm back.  I'm thrilled to be back too, but…oxygen really becoming a issue."

They all let go quickly, laughing.

Buffy looked around…

Her gaze taking in all those who had just crowded her…and her eyes scanned the crowd for the one she hadn't seen since she appeared.

Angel, Gunn, Wesley, Cordelia, and Fred stepped in her line of vision.

"Welcome back."

"Yeah, welcome back to the land of the living."

"I hope you had a good trip."

"I'm just glad we can see you now…that was kinda freaky and I'm really not looking forward to that kind of freakiness again."

Buffy shook her head laughing and hugged each one of them in turn.

"Thank you for helping, all of you."

Angel hugged her close.

"I'm glad your back."

"I'm glad to be back... and it's glad to have you here as well."

"So now its Buffy back from the great beyond party, am I right?"

"Soon Xand, soon."

As Buffy was talking to Angel, Gunn stepped back and looked at Spike.

"What are you waiting for man?"

Spike didn't even act like he had heard him.

He only had eyes for Buffy.

As soon as Cordelia and Wesley stepped aside, she moved past them both.

Everyone was amazed at her speed, it had seemed like she was just in front of them seconds before.  But if she was aware of it, they couldn't tell.

Within seconds she was only a few feet away from Spike.

She stopped and just looked at him.

Spike stared at her; he was almost sure that this was a dream.

Buffy smiled as if she could still hear his thoughts.

"I'm real Spike."

"I'm not dreaming, am I?"
"No."
"Okay."

Spike was still silent, head tilted as he gazed lovingly at her.

Buffy's smile got wider.

"Just this once Spike," she said.

"Just this once what, Pet?"
"You can hug me…just this once," she said with a wink.

No sooner than she had spoken than she found her self being picked up as the ecstatic vampire had reached her side and picked her up, twirling her around.


"Spike put me down," she laughed, not really bothered by the way he had picked her up…but having to keep her image up.

He ignored her and twirled her around for a few seconds more, before putting her down but not letting her go.

"I'm gonna have to hit you to make you let me go, aren't I?" she asked, her laughing eyes mocking her words.

He just nodded, not about to let her go anytime soon.

"I just got back and you already want me to be violent, don't ya?"
"Not letting go slayer…don't like it…never… leave… again," he told her with a tiny shake to her shoulders.
"I'm not leaving anytime soon."
"Don't trust you…not letting go."

"Isn't he cute?"
"Shhh…if he hears you he won't be cute anymore…he'll have to act all manly.  Anyone got a camera or videotape recorder.  Isn't it a shame that one never brings such things when you need them?"

"I can hear you blighters you know," Spike said, but Buffy's skin and clothes muffled it.

"What did he say?" Tara asked.

"He said that he can hear you blighters," Buffy repeated, still laughing.  She didn't seem to be in any hurry to get Spike off of her, Angel noticed a little jealously.

Spike looked up and looked into her eyes.

Neither said a word, but stared, and then Buffy pulled Spike's head back to her shoulder and hugged him tight.

"Thank you," was all she said.

"I'm gonna be killed if I kiss you, aren't I?" Spike asked in a low tone, so low only Buffy could hear it.

"I'd have to do something, if just for the principle of it," Buffy said laughingly.

"It would almost be worth it."

"Don't you dare make me fight you right now.  It's my first day back…give me at least one day of peace."

"Do I have to?"
"You do if you really love me."

"Sure…take the fun out of living dangerously."

They both laughed.

Finally they stepped back and Buffy winked at him before stepping around him and walking over to Dru who was still watching the stars.

Dru looked at her as she stepped in front of her.

Dru's look said that she was waiting from some scathing remark from the slayer.

Buffy surprised both of them by pulling her into a quick hug, releasing her almost immediately.

"Thank you for helping to bring me back."

Dru looked at her warily and shrugged delicately.

'I'm not gonna hug you again.  I was thanking you."

"Your…welcome."

Buffy gave her a wide smile, knowing just how awkward it felt for her and she was pretty sure Dru was feeling the same.

"Okay…scenario…we don't hug…we hardly talk…but because we're now family…we don't fight and we hardly hate each other.  You don't drain people in my presence…I won't stick a sharp wooden stake through your heart.  I won't make you drink animal blood, since I know it bothers you…but I don't want to hear about people dying…. cause I will seek you out.  Workable?"

Dru sighed very much happily.

"I'd like that much better."

"Glad to have you on board.  Oh…and sometimes, you'll have to help us fight the good fight."

Dru pouted.

"This part I like much less."

"Sorry…dems the brakes."

Buffy said laughing as she past by Dru, heading toward the only person she had left to greet and thank.

She walked over to Ashta and bowed.

"Thank you for helping."

"Your welcome Champion."

"Do we hug?"

"No need…has your choice been made?"
"It has."

"Shall we share?"
"They'll find out."

"Are you ready?"
"Is it time?"
"You have a few moments."

Buffy nodded and strode back to where her friends and family had gathered a few feet away.

"Hold up, hold up…time for what?"
"Buffy, what's going on?"

"Your not going away again, are you?"
"No Dawn.  I'm fulfilling my destiny."

"Is this part of what I'm to understand Slayer?"
"You will see in a moment Adversary," Ashta answered for her.

"Oh…back to Adversary are we…what happened to champion?"

Ashta merely giggled.

Buffy joined her.

Both turned and winked at him.

"We were only trying to allow you to keep your Big Bad title for a little longer."

"Is it going somewhere?"

"It's not what your are any longer Spike…you moved on."

Spike rolled his eyes.

"This has something to do with the rest of what the scrolls foretold…doesn't it?"
"Yes Wesley."

"Knew the watcher gene in the git wasn't dead."

"Play nice Spike."

Spike muttered to himself, but loud enough for all to hear,

"Sodding back- from- the- dead- slayers and their sodding morality.  Just cause I love the chit…thinks I'm gonna do all her bidding."

The group as a whole started laughing.

Spike glared at them and then…as he realized what he had just said, started laughing himself and just shook his head.

"Boy Spike…and I thought I had it bad.  You are so whipped."

"I'm gonna have to hurt you whelp aren't I?  I am not whipped."

"Whipped like the family pig," Xander continued, ignoring the threat from the blonde vampire.

Even Spike started laughing this time.

He couldn't help himself.

And settled for getting close enough to Xander to push him down, but not really hurt him.

Although the rough treatment he dealt caused his chip to go off.

Willow caught him as he staggered in a little pain.

"Why did you have to do that?"

"Principle, Red… I thought it was funny.  But how could I be the Big Bad if I let him get away with that?"

Willow shook her head and waited until he was steady again before letting go.

She turned to Tara, muttering,

"If they're not evil and dust worthy; their insane.  Simply insane."

Tara smiled in her gentle way before they looked towards Giles an d Wesley who had dug out the scrolls and trying to see what was to occur next…

They found the passages they were looking for and wondered if they would get their…rewards…for lack of a different word, soon.

Ashta raised her head, tilting it to the side listening to something well above their existence.

She nodded silently and begun setting about for the task she had been given.

After she had finished preparing herself and her area, making a small circle with the flowers they had used for the resurrection, she stepped out of the circle and walked over to them to utter some words and help them along.

"It was nice to work with you all," she said to them all.

"What are you saying Ashta?"

"Where are you going?"

"I'm going to help you all fulfill your destiny."

"What the bloody hell are you talking about Precious?"
"Do not fret Champion…your loved ones are not in danger."

Spike nodded, calmer now…but still wondered what was going on.

"Please gather around…it is time."

They did so…gathering a few feet away from the grave which they had resurrected Buffy from only minutes before, Buffy standing between Dawn and Spike, and on the outside Dru and Angel, the others standing sort of behind them and to the side.

Ashta picked up the Order of Sasketl Lustoria and held her hand over it.

The book began to glow brightly, a spinning ball of gold & silver hovered above it.

She put it down on top of the grave mound, inside the circle of flowers and bounded over to Buffy, stopping in front of her.

"I almost forgot," she said with a small laugh.

Buffy merely smiled and nodded, seeming to know what was about to happen.

Ashta leaned forward and touched her chest the same way she had done to both Dawn and Spike.

This time the light was Gold, Blue, and Green…swirling together like the glow around the book.  Another color, silver this time, streaked through it …before it collapsed and expanded sending a strong energy wave through Buffy and the rest of them.

As Buffy's necklace, in the same shape and with the same initials that Dawn and Spike shared, appeared at her throat, all three stones began to shimmer and glow.

Dawn's glowed Green.

Spike's glowed Blue.

And Buffy's glowed Gold.

They began to pulse, as if they were beating hearts and then they stopped glowing becoming regular necklaces once again.

"That gets cooler and cooler every time that happens…not to mention weirder and weirder.  But what's the deal with them, Ashta?  Cause if it's a group thing…some of us are missing ours."

Ashta smiled at Xander,

"It's for later…and your gifts are coming.  Do you remember what the scrolls said?"

"Yes."

"Well it is time for the next phase."

She stepped up to Willow and Tara.

"It has chosen that you will be first to receive your…reward.  Do you accept?"

Willow and Tara looked at each other and then looked over at Buffy who was smiling at them.  They looked back at Ashta and nodded.

Ashta leaned forward whispering some soft, ancient chant they couldn't make out.

Their forehead's glowed where Ashta had leaned up and touched them briefly.

When Ashta was done her chant, she stepped back smiling at them both.

They opened their eyes, which were both completely violet and blinked.

Their eyes returned back to their normal colors…but there was a subtle difference about each.

"Now to test…. Willow…think of the wind…on a stormy night."

"Okay."

"Now…you are the wind."

"I am?"

"You are…turn to the tree on your left."

Willow turned.

"Blow the leaves off of it."

Willow puckered up her lips and blew…. a strong gust of wind came out of nowhere…stripping the tree neatly of every leaf.

Willow gasped, shocked at the power she had just displayed.

Then looked sort of sad.

'What is wrong?" Ashta asked, knowing.

"The tree…"

"Then put it back."

Willow nodded and concentrated.

She walked over and placed her hand on the big oaks trunk and watched as the leaves that had just been blown off vanished from the ground and were replaced and re-grown in a manner of seconds.

The rest of the watched gaping, amazed at the powers.

Tara wondered if she'd ever be as powerful as Willow…and was it really good to have so much power.

"It is alright Golden one…it is necessary and it won't swallow her up as the path she might have chosen in other circumstances."

Tara nodded, understanding.

"It is your turn to give your powers a try."

Tara looked at her.

A bowl of water appeared in Ashta's hand.

She held it in front of Tara.

"Make a tidal wave."

Tara nodded and after looking upwards, put her hand in the water.

A huge seven-foot wall of water at least thirty miles long appeared to their right hand side, looking like it was going to bury them deep below the sea.

The tidal wall circled around them and right before it looked like it was going to bury them, dissipated in a wall of steam.

Tara took her hand out of the water, awed and amazed at her hand.

"Wow."

"And I thought you both were oh so cool before this. "

"We could use you both in LA…if you ever get tired or close the Hellmouth here that is."

Both nodded and hugged and kissed each other lovingly.

Wesley and Giles looked at each other…

"I guess that takes care of the first part," Wesley told Giles.

"Not quite," Ashta said striding over to them both.

She leaned forward and touched Giles head.

Giles glowed just like the girls did and then his eyes also turned violet, before returning back to their normal color.

When Giles seemed less dazed, Xander asked him.

"So…what's it like?  What powers do you have?"

"I don't know Xander…I feel like myself really."
"Your powers are latent…they will show up when they are needed most," Ashta told them.

"Don't I get a hint?"
"Now what fun would that be…I am a demon you know.  I live to torment something."

Giles laughed.

"And how long do I have to wait before my…powers are…shall we say…activated?"

"About an apocalypse…maybe two.  Definitely before a horrible one."

"So you got about a year or two G-man," Xander chuckled.

"Xander, I've told you time and time again not to call me by that revolting nickname you have for me."

"Actually…my mistake.  Your right…it's no longer G-man…it's Super G-man."

"Oh dear Lord."

They all laughed.

Xander shuffled at the grass in front of him and gave Ashta his puppy dog look,

"I guess I don't get anything, huh?"

Ashta smiled, waved her hand and two small boxes appeared in her hands.

"This is for you and Anya…open them together."

"We will…thanks," he said with a smile bigger than he'd ever displayed…for not being forgotten.

She walked by three of them without much of a comment, just a smile or a nod, and a wave of her hand. 

After passing by Wesley, Fred, Gunn, she stopped in front of Cordelia and tilted her head, she then leaned forward and touched Cordy's forehead.  Her forehead glowed and her eyes shined orange before returning to their normal color.  While Cordelia blinked off her dizziness, Ashta waved her hand in front of Cordelia and nodded obviously pleased with herself.

"What did you do to me?" Cordelia asked.

"I removed your pain…you're visions were not meant to be held by a human…in a few years time it would have killed you.  I have altered your form so that it will no longer harm you.  You'll still get your visions…but they will not cause you bone splitting migraines, nausea, and the olfactory experience any longer."

Cordelia was ecstatic and moved quickly, engulfing the ancient vampiric girl type creature in a loving hug.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you."

Ashta smiled, used to this reaction since she had met Dawn.

She just told her she was welcome and then walked over to Dawn, Buffy, Spike, Dru and Angel, who had moved and were now all standing right next to the grave, next to the flowers.

As she stepped towards them, she began to glow violet.

Dru and Angel seemed to gravitate towards her…and she stopped in front of them, still glowing.

She turned to Dru first.

"Thank you for your help, Adversary.  It is greatly appreciated."

"My doll is more precious than I thought."

"Yes…I am."

Ashta leaned forward and touched her forehead lightly.

The glow that shined from Dru's forehead was purple and it shimmered first outward and then through her.

When it disappeared, Dru blinked a few times and then smiled.

"What did you do for her?" Angel asked.

"I calmed her down somewhat."
"So is she still loony?" Xander asked.

"I cannot cure that, it is part of who she is now…but I can make it so it's quieter in there for her…visions sometimes lead to insanity…more pronounced insanity that is.  I merely gave her a room she could escape into… a peaceful place for her."

The group nodded happy that Dru would find some peace, since she was now family…they wanted her happy…somewhat.

Ashta stopped in front of Angel.

"So much to say, so little time."

Angel nodded at her.

Ashta gave a wry smile.

"Thank you for helping to return our warrior.  I have nothing to give you, however…because your reward has been predetermined…. and in time you will achieve it."

Angel nodded, knowing she spoke of Shanshu.

"I do have to clear up a few things:

Head matriarchal sire…that phrase wasn't meant to mean you…you had already been named in the part with the blood of souled.  It worked, because Darla was the head matriarchal sire of the vampire we needed… if it had been you, the scrolls would have just said dust of first love's sire or blood of souled and dust of sire.  I do not wish to cause you pain, but you need to know."

Angel nodded, his brow frowning as he thought about this.

Buffy turned towards Angel and was about to tell him something when Ashta stopped her.

"I'm sorry…I would love to watch that…but I have to finish…"

Buffy nodded…knowing that Ashta had to finish her task.

Ashta moved to Dawn and smiled.

"Such a powerful key… and a good friend…I need not give you anything…merely words:

Lashin wo mey cha…. Hi mi shodan wey ano ka te."

"Open your mind to your beginnings…and you shall show all just how great and good you really are!" Dawn translated.

Ashta nodded and leaned forward to hug her.

She stepped back and glanced at Buffy.

"You are sure."

"I am."
"You accept."

"I do."

"It will not all be easy."

"I know."

Ashta nodded and stepped in front of Spike.

"You love her?" she asked, glancing towards Buffy.

"I do," Spike said simply, wondering what was going to happen next.

"You don't wish to return to your old murdering ways?"
"I'm different now…"

"You have made your choice?"
"What choice?"

"Would you align yourself with her and her followers?"

"I already have."

"Would you sacrifice yourself for her?"
"I would die for her."

Ashta nodded leaving a very confused Spike in front of her.

"Your choice has been made then…as it was prophesized…an obstacle will be removed…."

With her words, Ashta leaned forward and touched Spike's forehead.

Spike began to glow…. a bright and blinding light poured out of his eyes.

Spike screamed at the sharp intense pain…that was gone seconds after it had started.

He shook his head, wondering what the hell that was.

When he could see again, and his eyes had returned back to normal, he looked at Ashta.

"I thought you were on our side, what the bloody hell was that?"
"I told you…" Ashta said, holding out her palm, face up.

As Spike stared down at her hand and the object in it, she continued,

"An obstacle has been removed."

In her hand, was Spike's chip.

He looked over at Buffy…she was sure to stake him now.

Buffy shook her head back and forth and smiled at him.

Oh he was confused all right.

Ashta tossed the chip upwards and it disappeared into nothing.

Spike turned to look at the rest of the group.

Angel had narrowed his eyes and was watching him to see if he would step out of line.  Dru looked generally happy for him…cause he was no longer muzzled like a bad dog.  She knew the chip that the tin soldiers had put in her William's head wouldn't hold him for long…and look, she was right.  Wesley, Gunn, Cordelia, and Fred just watched him.  Willow and Tara, now connected to a higher power, just looked on calmly, they weren't worried at all.  Dawn, Buffy and Ashta, however, were just smiling at him.  Xander and Giles wondered if the chip was truly out.

Spike wondered the same.

"Go ahead and test it out…just don't go overboard," Buffy told him.

Spike nodded and then stopped.

"I don't suppose anyone wants to volunteer?"

Dawn stepped up to him, squeezed his hand, and then tilted her neck, closing her eyes.

"Aww little bit…not you…"

Dawn opened her eyes and winked at him before saying,

"Your not scared of little ole me are you?  I thought you were the Big Bad."

Spike growled at her and she giggled.

Spike leaned over and after bringing his gameface to the forefront…bit into Dawn's neck without any pain what so ever.

He quickly released her and turned to Buffy.

"I still don't really know…I don't want to harm her.  The chip only acts up if try to hurt someone."

"I know what you can do," Xander said, stepping up to Spike.

"What?"

"Hit me."
"What?  Are you off your rocker?"
"You hardly like me, right?"

"Yeah…I guess."

"And you'd like to hurt me once and a while, right?"

"Oh yes."

"Hey…this is purely in the interest of checking out whether your dust-able or not…don't get all happy."

Spike winked at him.

Xander groaned and punched him in the arm.

"Focus fang boy.  Hitting me would set off your chip…like it did before, right?"
"Yeah."

"So if you hit me…and you don't get zapped…we know we can dust you."

"Xander," Buffy warned with a tone.

"I'm just saying is all," Xander replied with a shrug.

The rest of them laughed.

Spike nodded…

"Gotta say, it makes sense…jeez, what's that… a first for you, isn't it whelp?"
"Just hit me so I can see if we can dust you or not."
"I'm so glad that you're concerned over my welfare."

Spike stood and stared at him.

"Well…what are you waiting for?"

"I hate to say this… but… with the fighting…and slayer returning…I don't…."

Spike mumbled the rest of his phrase.

"What was that?"

"I said I don't want to hit you."

Xander looked at him and then paused before saying,

"Well that's just great."

"What do you think…this is easy for me."

"A little performance anxiety, Willie?"

"When I do hit you, Whelp…I'm gonna knock your ass out."

"So you say, so you say…but look…here I am…un-punched.  I don't think you've got what it takes anymore."

Spike growled and his eyes flashed yellow.

"Xander…I don't think you should tease him so much," Willow whispered in his ear.

"It's helping, isn't it?' was all Xander said softly, before turning back to Spike.

"Come on Willie…one little hit won't kill you."

'Stop bloody calling me that."

"Aww…is the big bad vampire mad at me?' Xander teased in a baby voice.

It was the last straw to Spike's control.

He launched across the feet separating them and punched Xander hard in the stomach, sending him sprawling backwards a few feet away.

Xander rolled and sputtered on the ground, but Spike was just fine.

Buffy stepped in front of him before he could do any more damage to Xander.

Spike stopped, looking at her…and calmed down, his human face re-emerging once again.

Once he was in control of his feelings once again he nodded at Buffy and she stepped out of his path.

He walked over to Xander, who was kneeling on the ground, having just gotten the wind back into his lungs.

He hunched down and pulled Xander up to stand.

Xander held his throbbing stomach and glared at Spike.

"You didn't have to hit me so hard," he muttered.

"You shouldn't have teased me so much.  I was only gonna cuff you upside the head, but you made me lose control. I wanted to kill you."

"Not that I'm not grateful that you only punched me…but why didn't you kill me?  You could have snapped my neck before they could have stopped you."

"Yeah…I could have…for a moment…I wanted to …but I didn't."

"Still waiting for the why…"

"You can wait all you bloody like…I'm not saying it…thinking it's bad enough.  Just be satisfied with 'Sorry…I didn't mean to hit you so hard' and let's be done with it."

Xander smirked at him.

"You like me, don't you?"

"You want to get punched again?"

Xander grinned widely.

Spike gently pushed him towards Giles and Willow and then walked back over to Ashta and Buffy.

The girls smiled at him and he smiled back.

Ashta said,

"Test passed.  You did very well champion."

"I try my best."

She laughed.

  Then she said,

"An obstacle has been removed, an understanding has taken place and a choice has been made by both parties.  It is time for the next phase. Buffy & Spike…please step up in front of the circle I have made."

Spike and Buffy steppe d up to where they had been told, side-by-side.

Ashta nodded.

She then stepped in the circle and picked up the book. She raised it high above her and a strong wind force picked up, whipping her hair around.

It seemed like only she was affected by the wind, but eventually, it blew over to Spike and Buffy.  Buffy's hair and dress whipped around, as did Spike's duster, but neither of them moved or blinked…they were trance -like and the rest of the crew weren't even sure if they were aware of the wind at all.

Ashta was chanting, but they couldn't hear what she was saying, the wind around her was that strong.  Multi colored lights joined the wind and what looked like lighting flashed all around her.

The book in Ashta's hand floated above her, pages flipping until it found whatever page it had been looking for and then it seemed to pulse as the light got stronger.

A force so strong whipped down and the book disappeared as it reached it, leaving swirling bits of paper behind, and then Ashta with a wink to them, disappeared as the same force finally reached her.  Swirling bits of bright violet light mixed with the remains of the book merging with the force.

The lights continued to swirl around and the force blasted through the circle until it grew strong enough to lift the magic flower barrier, sending the spinning outwards.  Most of the flowers landed in other parts of the cemetery, but three flowers landed in a triangular pattern around Buffy and Spike.  As if this was a marker, the force erupted and blasted through Spike and Buffy. 

Their eyes were wide and unblinking as they threw their hands out and clasped hands with each other.  Both of them were glowing brightly, Buffy's glow was golden and Spike's glow was a bright blue.  After a moment, they turned to face one another, bringing their free hands up to join one another.

As they gazed into each other's eyes, their glows merged…mixing together to make a solid, bright, emerald glow that was brighter than the other two had been.

What looked to be a silver & violet thread, weaved it's way around them, in what appeared to be a binding pattern, cocooning them together, but the rest of the crews could tell that it wasn't touching them.

When it had finally weaved its way from their feet to the tips of their heads the threads became wide bands and pulsed as if alive. 

And as quickly as it had appeared, it disappeared, taking their glow with them, leaving both Buffy and Spike breathing hard.

They dropped their hands, but they didn't stop staring at one another.

"Buffy, Spike…are you okay?"
"We're fine Dawn," they told her together.

"Are you sure?"
"We're fine…it was…" Buffy started.

"It was…intense Niblet," Spike finished for Buffy.

"You're both breathing awfully hard…did it hurt?"
"Not really hurt…more like being underwater for a long time."

"Is that why you're forcing yourself to breathe, even though you don't have to?" she asked Spike.

"Yeah."

"Oh…okay.  Where did Ashta go?"

"She's here," they both said as one.

"What do you mean, 'She's here'?"

"She's inside us," they answered.

"Okay, would you guys stop doing that…it's very, very wiggy…  and…inside you?"

Spike turned and looked at Xander and smirked.

"Ashta lives inside of us and will until we pass on."

"Okay…that's just weird."

"Welcome to the Hellmouth," was all Buffy said before turning towards Giles.

"She says that she guessed you haven't had a chance to read up on her and suggests that you start with the book called 'Copexum Deligrantor'.  She said you probably had it in your collection."

Giles nodded.

"Yes…I'll do that."

"I think I understand," Wesley said.

All eyes turned toward him.

"Don't you see…it was in the scrolls…in the prophecy… the codex states:

And upon the day the souled vampire returns to its own dimension, a great warrior shall fall in a mighty battle with one god of three. This warrior, however, shall not be stopped by death. The Ancient Key of Worlds, Blood of Souled & the ashes of the warrior's true love's matriarchal sire brought together on top of the great warriors remains, by the night of the blood moon, will restore this warrior once again. Said warrior shall return as before, but with additional strengths. This warriors magical companions will also receive additional gifts of increased power. An obstacle will be removed, an understanding will take place, and a choice will be made. A creature of dark will be surrounded by light and its destiny will be bound and allied with a creature of light.

Spike is the creature of dark that is to be bound and allied with Buffy, creature of light.  It makes perfect sense, you know.  Of course, it also says something about…

The creature of dark's weaknesses will be weaknesses no longer and its strengths will double. The creature of light will go through a similar path of change. A perfect balance will be borne of this union. The balance will aid in the next battle between a double triumphren...

Which just makes me wonder what path of change both Spike and Buffy have just gone through."

Buffy and Spike looked at the happy, dazed look on both Watchers faces and groaned loudly.

"Think they could catch us if we run for it," Buffy mock-whispered to Spike.

Spike laughed and then replied,

"No time like the present to find out."

And with twin shouts of laughter the newly bonded pair took off, after Spike grabbed Dawn and flung her over her shoulder, causing her to shriek with laughter as she waved to the rest of the crew.

As Spike passed Xander, he slowed down and stopped.

"Hey whelp?"
"What Spike?"

Spike pushed him into Giles and chuckled when the boy tripped over his tennis shoe laces.

When Xander looked up to glare at him, he shrugged and said,

"Tripping over your own feet now, huh?  Ought to be careful with that.  One might think you have no coordination whatsoever…"

Xander came as close to growling as one could without actually being a vampire and took off running after a laughing Spike, who had resettled Dawn on his shoulder and had taken off again catching up to Buffy who was waiting for him.

The rest of the crew, minus Angel, laughed and followed them at a more sedate pace…they figured they'd just show up at the house…so they'd wait for them there.  They climbed into their cars and drove homeward.

Xander hadn't a prayer of catching Spike & Buffy; they ran so fast Xander wouldn't have been surprised if they had sprouted wings and flew off…all he could see was a blur and their footprints in the dirt in front of him.

Yes Xander, do the foolish thing…chase the newly amped up vampire and slayer just because Spike pissed you off and end up having to trek it home.  I should go wait on the road for the rest of the crew to drive by and pick me up on the way back.  

No sooner than Xander had thought it, then he had turned towards the road.  He had only been walking for about 5 minutes when Angel passed by him, pretending to have a full car and speeding up so he didn't have to pick him up.  Dru waved to him from the back seat, giggling happily because her daddy had done a mean thing. 

Xander glared at the car…he'd get him at home.

The next car, well actually the van that Spike had 'borrowed', driven by Giles, however did stop.

"We thought Angel was in front of us," Giles said.

"He was," Xander said flatly as he climbed into a space in the very back.

"Why didn't he pick you up then?" Gunn asked.

"Cause he's a poncy git," Xander said.

Gunn, Willow, and Tara laughed.

They couldn't wait until they got back to the house…just to see what was gonna happen next.

"Hey Giles? Was it my imagination…or did Spike and Buffy run really, really fast now?"

"Not your imagination, Willow.  They were really, quite…fast."

"Not to change to subject, well…actually…. yeah, but…where's Cordy, Wes & Fred?  I didn't see them in Angel's car…unless they were slinking down in the back seat…no wait.  They couldn't have been…Dru was bouncing over the whole back seat."

"They're in the car behind us."

"Oh…well…"

The group chuckled and talked informally about what they had witnessed that night.

***

Back at the home,

Spike, Dawn, and Buffy sat on the back porch waiting for the rest of the gang to join them.

"So…you two are bonded, right?"

Spike and Buffy looked at each other and smiled.

"Yeah," Buffy said softly.

"Does that mean you're…."

"Don't get too far ahead, Niblet."

"Don't you want to hear it?"

"Yes…but I also don't want to rush it."

"It wouldn't be rushing it," Buffy said.

She turned her body towards Spike,

"Spike…"

"Buffy…"

"I need to tell you that I …"

Whatever she had been going to say was interrupted as Angel and Dru came inside the house with Willow, Tara, Xander, Gunn, and Giles.

They were interrupted by Xander's voice, yelling at Angel…something about not picking him up.

Buffy and Spike grinned at each other and after seeing that Dawn was going to follow them back into the house, walked into the living room, determined to cap this night off on a more peaceful note.

"Hey guys…what's the ruckus about?"
"This... for lack of a better phrase – poncy bastard – just drove right by me… sped up and pretended that his car was full…with only two people in it.  And I know he saw me…cause Dru waved to me from the back seat."

Angel attempted to look innocent and angelic, like his name, but his eyes gave him away; they were dancing with restrained laughter.

Buffy and Spike looked at one another and started laughing.

"Not you too, Buffster," Xander sighed.

"No…really…it's just…" Buffy dissolved in laughter; unable to continue whatever she had been going to say.

"Ya know Xander," Spike said with a wide, wicked smirk, "Peaches here might not have missed you on purpose.  There's always a possibility that some of that Nancy boy hair gel he wears wore off just as he was approaching the area you came out on and he was so occupied trying to get it to stand up like that that he didn't see you until he had already passed you."

"You're giving him an excuse; did that bonding spell flip a couple of switches in your brain?"

"Now, Now whelp…I was only trying to help…no need to insult on of the chosen."

Xander shook his head.

"Sorry," he mumbled to him and stepped up to Angel.

"I know it wasn't a mistake…I saw your grin."

"Angelus…you grin?  Wow…now this I've got to see…come on then, share with the group…give us a grin."

Angel, who had been looking smug, was now the center of attention and not liking the way they were eyeing him.

He looked over towards Buffy to see if she would come to his rescue…but she was still laughing. 

Damn, he thought…no help from that end.

There was only one thing to do.

He ran.

At top speed, speeding past most of them before they were aware he had even moved.

He was home free, he thought, no one could catch up to him when he was moving like this.

Seconds after he had thought it, a strong arm caught the back of his jacket, jerking him to a standstill.

He looked at the person who had managed to catch him without any effort on their part and found himself awed to be looking into the eyes of Spike.

"Not sneaking off now, we're you?  We just want a little smile."

Angel gave up; he didn't know what else he could do. 

He showed them the grin he had flashed when he had passed Xander on the road & then listened to them 'oh' and 'ah' as he walked into the living room.

When did Spike get so fast?

He had moved really quickly, but Spike had caught him as if he had been a regular person walking.

It has to have something to do with their now… bonded circumstance.

I wonder what other strengths they have?

Following the thought we walked over to Giles & Wesley, who were writing information down in their separate Watcher diaries, in the dining room.

"Giles, Wes…what other strengths do you think they have?"

"Buffy and Spike?"

"Who else?"

"What else have they done?"

"Well…I guess you two missed the show in the living room… so here's a recap."

After he had told them a brief version what had happened they had called Spike into the dining room.

"Yeah?"

"Can you tell us about what it was like to watch Angel run by you?"
"Before I caught him?"
"Yeah."

"Sure…it didn't look like he was moving very fast.  I'm sure he was, now, cause the others didn't seem to know he had moved until I caught him.  But…it seemed like he was moving in slow motion.  I had all the time in the world to catch him."

"When we move…are we very slow to you now?"
"No."

"Angel, move around the room & back…not fast…just regular walking.  We want to test something."

Angel rolled his eyes, but did as he asked.

While he was walking around the room, Giles asked Spike,

"Is he walking slowly now?"
"No…he looks normal to me."

"Well… now…that's peculiar."

Wesley stood up and walked around the room.

"Do I look really slow?"
"Mentally or with the walking?"
"Spike!"

Spike rolled his eyes at Giles's scornful voice and said dutifully,

"You seem normal to me Wesley…walking-wise that is."

Wesley ignored him.

"I think we ought to have you and Buffy spar…with Angel so we can see what your newfound …strengths are.  We don't really know what you two have picked up, besides this quickness that you seem to have."

Spike inclined his head towards the kitchen and seconds later Buffy appeared next to them.

"Do we have to do this tonight?"

Giles, Wesley, and Angel looked at her in shock.

Spike looked like the only one that wasn't shocked by her appearance.

"What?"

"I think they're shocked at our communication thing, luv."

Buffy gave them a Spike-like smirk.

"Oh dear Lord…no one said she'd start to act like him.  I don't think I'll be able to take this."

Spike and Buffy laughed and Buffy walked forward to hug Giles.

"It's okay Giles," Buffy said, hugging her surrogate father.

Giles just smiled.

Soon Buffy let go and stepped back to be beside Spike.

"We're pretty tired…can we do the rest of this tomorrow?  Everyone can stay here… but…"

Buffy stopped and both her and Spike turned their heads to the right and then walked into the living room.

Giles, Wesley, and Angel followed.

Buffy and Spike walked outside…where three vampires were about to set fire to the house.

Buffy grinned at them.

And Spike growled.

In what appeared to be a perfectly organized theatrical production, Spike picked Buffy up and flung her into the air, where she flipped a couple of times before landing perfectly in front of one vamp.  He dropped his canister in shock as she winked and then dusted him by twisting off his neck.

At the same time he had flipped Buffy, Spike launched himself at the nearest vampire to himself, the one with the lit torch in his hand.  He landed gracefully in front of the vampire and smirked at him.  Then he delivered a roundhouse kick to the vampire's arm, sending the torch up in the air.  He then caught the torch easily and held it as if he was going to give it back to him.  When the foolish vampire held out his hand to take it back, he shoved the burning torch into the silly vampire's chest, lighting him aflame.  Spike chuckled as he his ashes fell and then turned to face the last vampire.

The poor, misguided vampire was being circled by both Spike and Buffy.

They looked at each other, both eyes glowed emerald before settling back into their original colors.  If they hadn't been watching the fight so closely, Giles was sure they would have missed it.

The two champions closed the net they were making in on the remaining vampire.  And then with a quickness that no one could follow, they delivered kicks and punches to their would be arsonist. 

Seconds later, they pulled back, looking down at the now unconscious and badly beat up vampire at their feet.

Buffy turned to Spike,

"It's no fun when they're unconscious."

"You're telling me."

Dawn came running outside with a glass of water, handing it to her sister.

"You read our minds, Dawnie…now go wait on the porch with the rest."

Dawn smiled and nodded, before walking back to sit on the porch to watch the rest.

Buffy handed the glass of water to Spike.

"I know you want to do it."

"You know me, do you luv?"

Buffy laughed and nodded.

Spike turned back to the vampire on the ground and tossed the water in his face, before tossing the glass to a soft grass mound a few feet away.

The vampire sputtered and sat up.

Buffy kneeled down next to the vampire while Spike looked down at both of them.

"Thank you for the fun…but we're getting tired," Buffy told him before plunging the stake deep into his chest.

"Well now, that was fun pet…but sunlight is coming…I can feel it."

"That's weird…so can I."

They looked at one another and then walked back, Buffy swooping down to pick up the glass on the way, into the house with the rest of the crew.

There they said,

"We know…you have questions…but we're so very tired now.  If you wouldn't mind…can we wait until tomorrow for the rest of this?  As I was gonna say earlier… you can all rest here.  Spike…you were taking mom's room right?"

Spike nodded.

"Well someone else can use that room.  Sort among yourselves…Dawn and Spike will be in my room with me."

As the others went to say something, Buffy, Dawn, and Spike interrupted in one voice,

"Tomorrow…we'll answer the rest of your questions tomorrow.  We need to rest now… we've used a lot of energy the last few days."

The group nodded as the trio nodded at their friends and headed up the stairs to Buffy's room.

The rest of the group watched them go upstairs and then they dispersed among themselves to a resting place.

Their questions would be answered tomorrow… and boy did they have plenty.  That whole fighting they witness had them very interested in all the new traits both Buffy and Spike had acquired…not to mention Dawn…. for she seemed to be on some communication level as the other two.  And the fact that they all needed to be together tonight…that lead to even more questions.

As they all chose some place to bed down for the day, they figured that they would know more later on.  And with that, they all went to sleep.

TBC