Disclaimer: The usual blah blah blah

A/N: Yay! Finally got the lovely reviews – you are all soooo sweet! I love you!

Chapter 15: Chip off the old Spike

Buffy had faced a lot decisions in her short life. She's chosen to face the master even though she knew it meant her death. She had chosen to be with Angel despite his undead status. She'd chosen to return to Sunnydale instead of staying in LA. She'd chosen to be with Riley when he'd been so persistent. It was only after these events that she wondered how different things might have been if she'd made different decisions. She knew that every decision she made had repercussions that she couldn't always see ahead of time. Some decisions were a lot harder than others. This decision seemed like a walk in the park compared to some of the others.

"Do it." She told the small doctor who had been watching her intently, waiting for her word to act. He didn't hesitate when she did speak, he didn't even respond – he simply went back into the operating room to work on his patient.

Buffy looked through the glass windows for a few more moments. She knew if the others ever found out they would think her insane, they would scream and shout and ask what had possessed her to make such a dangerous choice. If they ever found out her answer would be simple. She knew him, they didn't. She knew what he was capable of but would no longer do. She knew that the choice she had made was right. He looked up at her at that moment, catching her eyes before she moved away. Although the anaesthetic was already beginning to take hold the message in his eyes was clear. 'Thank you.'

With one last smile as he dropped off to sleep Buffy turned and headed in the direction of the other patient, the one she was less inclined to see...

AS Buffy tapped on the door to Riley's room she took a deep breath. The door was snatched open and she was left face to face with one very pissed off looking former commando.

"Buffy." He said stiffly, standing aside to let her in.

When the door was closed behind them they both took seats facing each other, the tension in air so thick you could cut it with a knife. It was Buffy who broke the silence.

"I know you don't think it was the right thing to do –"

She got no further however since Riley chose that moment to explode. Rising from his seat, towering over her. If she were anyone other than the slayer she might, possibly, have been a little intimidated.

"Not the right thing to do?" He yelled. "That's got to be the understatement of the century. He's a killer Buffy, and you're letting him loose!"

Buffy was seething. "He hasn't been a killer for a long time Riley."

"Because of the chip." He countered.

"No." Buffy insisted. "It's nothing to do with the chip. Spike stopped killing a long time before that for no other reason than he chose to stop!"

Riley snorted. "And you believe everything he says of course!"

"I don't need to believe him Riley. I've seen it for myself! I can tell you the exact date he stopped if you like!" Buffy shouted, loosing her temper with the self-righteous ass in front of her.

"Xander says..." Riley began but was cut off.

"And we all know Xander is the most clear headed of people when it comes to Spike! He hates him more than you do!" She shot at him.

"With good reason Buffy! Spike tried to kill him! He's tried to kill all of you!" Riley implored, trying to make her see sense.

"And how many times has he saved our lives hmm?" She asked. "In fact you'd be dead now if it wasn't for him! He's the one who found you in those caves and took you to the hospital because you were too in love with your super powers and did a runner!"

"That's not the point!" He insisted

"Oh I think that is the point." Buffy said, smirking. She could see where all this was coming from now. "You're jealous of him. You're jealous that he's stronger than you!"

"Please. That's rubbish." Riley tried to laugh it off, but he wasn't convincing anyone.

"You're pissed because he didn't let it beat him, because he is stronger than you." She sneered. "Because he's just better than you!"

"How did he do it?" Riley asked in a dull tone of voice.

"How did he do what?" she asked, confused.

"How did he get you to believe all of this crap? How did he convince you he was anything other than a monster?" He spat the last word with contempt.

Buffy shook her head, wondering why she had let this man into her life. "He's more of a human being than you'll ever be." She told him before walking out; planning to never set eyes on Riley Finn ever again...

When Spike woke up he felt very disoriented. His mouth felt like it was full of cotton wool and a samba band seemed to have set up camp inside his skull. He forced open his eyes but instantly regretted it when bright lights assaulted him.

"Turn the bloody lights down." He mumbled to whoever could hear him. He let out a sigh of relief when someone complied and tried again. This time when he opened them he was met by a much more pleasant sight.

"How are you feeling?" Buffy asked him quietly, guessing he was in pain.

"Like someone drove a railroad Spike through my head." He told her with a half grin which she returned readily.

"The doctor told me it might be like that for a while I'm afraid. You'll probably be weak for a few days." She told him.

"Do the scoobies know yet?" he asked, hesitant to know the answer.

"No, I haven't told them." She replied. "I...I don't think they'd understand."

"They're gonna notice eventually luv." He pointed out gently. "I mean when the whelp pushes me too far and I stick one on him and don't end up rolling on the floor in agony they might get a tad suspicious."

"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it." She told him firmly. "There's just so much going on right now with mom and Riley. I don't think I can handle that argument just yet."

Spike nodded, conceding the point for now... but then something she said struck him. "What's going on with captain cardboard?" he asked, surprised when he didn't get the obligatory swat for his use if nickname. "Didn't he get to the doc in time?" At her raised eyebrow he added, "Pretend I care!"

Buffy shook her head and chuckled gently. "He got there in time but...we broke up." She told him.

"Can't say I'm too surprised pet." He told her gently. "Never did think he was the right man for you."

Buffy chuckled. "I know...but he was there."

"You shouldn't be with someone because they're there pet!" he chided gently "You should be with them because you love them."

Buffy sighed sadly, looking away from him. "But what if they don't love you back?" She asked so quietly he almost didn't hear. Assuming she was talking about Angel he was quick to reassure her.

"The great poof loves you. He told me when I went to give him the ring. He's just too bloody noble and all that crap!"

*I wasn't talking about him* she thought sadly, but she didn't tell Spike that. He had more important things to worry about than her silly crush.

"Can you walk?" She asked, changing the subject.

"I guess so." He replied, carefully standing. "But I don't think I'll make it too far on my own."

"It's ok." She told him, smiling. "I got you."...

Riley seethed as he watched Buffy leave Spike's crypt after helping him home. *Probably tucked him in and read him a bedtime story* he thought bitterly. He should have guessed it would end like this when he'd seen them together outside the magic shop the week before Buffy had finally agreed to go out with him. She'd explained it all as a spell...but Riley knew better – he saw the way they looked at each other. He knew Spike must have done something to Buffy. There was no way she would let an animal like him touch her otherwise! Riley knew he'd never want some vamp's cast offs – he and Buffy could never be together anymore...but he would still make Spike pay for ruining the happiest days of his life...

"Well if it isn't the toy soldier!" Said Spike as Riley stormed into his crypt. "To what do I owe the displeasure?"

Riley didn't answer however, he just dragged Spike out of his chair where Buffy had left him with his 'Passions' and beer and blood. He threw Spike against the central pillar of the crypt. Spike tried to struggle free, but he was still weakened from his operation, his hits not having much effect on the enraged man in front of him.

"Do you really think you have a shot with her?" Riley sneered. Spike didn't need to ask what he was talking about.

"No I don't." he replied honestly, calmly. "And I think she deserves better anyway. All I'm ever gonna be to her is her friend."

"Friend?" Riley asked, incredulous. "What does a monster like you know about being a friend?"

"Obviously enough to piss you off!" Spike replied, perhaps unwisely. "At least she still cares about me, which is more than you can say!"

"You're scum Spike." Riley told him. "You don't deserve to live!" When Riley raised the stake, Spike had an incredible sense of déjà vu...

"Hey Spike, I got your buffalo wings." Buffy called as she entered the crypt. She let out a gasp when she saw Spike crawling his way over to his chair, a trail of blood following him, a large puddle having formed by the pillar. She quickly ran to his side. "Oh God Spike!" she cried, carefully helping him into a sitting position. "What happened?"

Spike tied to laugh but ended up coughing instead. When he was finally calm his voice was tired, the blood loss making him even more weak than he already was. "I think captain cardboard took the break up kinda hard." He told her, and Buffy saw red.

"Riley did this?" She demanded. Spike only nodded weakly, already falling asleep. Buffy gently carried him to his sarcophagus and laid him down. Finding a pillow in the corner to lay under his head and a blanket, she made him as comfortable as she could. She moved his blood near by so he could get it without moving when he woke up in case she wasn't back in time. She was loath to leave him, but Riley was going to pay...

Buffy screamed in frustration as she watched the helicopter flying off into the distance. She'd missed him by all of a few minutes. She desperately wanted to see him bleed, to hurt him like he'd hurt Spike! She REALLY hoped he came back...

A/N: Sorry I hurt Spike – promise he feels better next chapter – Spuffyness soon! Thanks for reading and the lovely reviews, I love you all!