Chapter 10: Soul and Inspiration

After a few agonizing seconds, Buffy quietly spoke. "Spike, open your eyes. You're ok!", then she yelled it for Tara and Dawn who were standing at the front door. "He's ok! He's really ok! No dust, just Spike!"

As Spike slowly opened one eye, then the other, he realized that he truly was alright. "It works! It really worked! The bleedin' spell really worked!!!" Spike exclaimed while spinning around the front yard with Buffy still in his arms, clutching his neck, desperate not to fall.

"Spike! Put me down! I'm getting dizzy!" Buffy told him, but when he didn't respond and instead spun faster, Buffy started squealing, "Spiiike , put me down right now!" then she playfully slapped his arm. "Spiiike, I'm serious! You're going to make me sick!" Still, he spun and Buffy was seriously getting nauseous now.

"Uh, Spike?" Dawn called. "She's becoming almost as pale as you. I really think you ought to put her down and stop spinning."

"Spiiike, I'm seriously gonna puke. And if you don't put me down right now and stop spinning, I'm going to puke all over YOU!"

Spike ignored everyone and continued spinning, like a little kid, in the sun. Then he herd Buffy start gagging.

"Spike…gag….put me…gag….down. I'm gon…..gag…..gonna…gag…HURL!!!" she said. Then on the last word, just as Spike finally put her down and stopped his spinning, that's exactly what she did and all over his boots as well.

"Oh God! Bloody Hell!" Spike swore at her. "What'd you have for breakfast?"

Buffy just glanced up at him between bouts, with that look.

"Yeah…right…ok, sorry, bad question." he said while she continued to puke on his boots.

Meanwhile Dawn and Tara were doubled over in laughter on the front porch.

"Oi, you two," Spike called from the yard. "What's so funny?"

Tara was the first to answer. "You! All three of us warned you, but you wouldn't listen."

"Listen to what?" Willow asked coming up the driveway, "And why is Buffy throwing up all over Spike's boots?"

As Dawn regained some composure, she decide to answer. "Hey Wills, we're laughing at Spike 'cause he wouldn't listen to any of us, including his own, OW!" Dawn was cut off by an elbow to her ribs. "What was that for?" she asked Tara, rubbing her side.

Tara just looked at her threateningly and gestured with her eyes toward the still sick Buffy and the still swearing but concerned looking Spike. "Slayer." Tara finished before Willow had a chance to catch on to Dawn's slip up.

"Is she gonna be alright?" Willow asked focusing on Buffy.

"I guess, she's been puking on and off for a few minutes now. Maybe we should go in and get some towels and water for her." Dawn suggested.

"Sounds like a good plan Dawn. Come on Willow." Tara said.

"Alright, but you still didn't tell me why she's puking in the first place." Willow said, walking into the house and leaving Spike and Buffy alone outside.

"Oh yeah, well…the spell worked, obviously and Spike got a little over excited, well…ok…a lot over excited. Anyway, he picked Buffy up and started spinning around in the sun, just like a little kid, with her in his arms. Buffy warned him to stop 'cause she was getting dizzy, but he, being the stubborn one he is, didn't or wouldn't listen. We even tried to tell him that she was turning as pale as he is, but like we all know….he's stubborn." Dawn told Willow, then Tara finished off. "He finally quit spinning and put her down when she started gagging. But, of course, he was too late."

"Oh. I get it now. You two are right," Willow said imagining the situation and began laughing. That, in turn, caused Tara and Dawn to start laughing all over again. While they all laughed, they gathered some cool, damp towels, water, and some dry towels as well.

Meanwhile, outside, Spike had quit swearing and was fussing over Buffy instead, who continued to dry heave.

"I'm so sorry, pet." Spike told her, rubbing her back. "I didn't think you were gonna get so sick."

"You didn't think at all, did you?" Buffy asked sarcastically. "If we're going to have a relationship here, we're going to have to…." she continued, trailing off to puke once again on Spike's feet. "Sorry, Spike."

"Shhh….it's ok….you can't help it. It's my fault." Spike said, comforting her while continuing to rub her back and holding her hair out of her face.

"You're absolutely right, it was all your fault!" Buffy told him, standing up. "I warned you, but you refused to listen. But, like I was saying, if we're going to have a real relationship here, we're going to have to learn to listen to each other more, or this, us," Buffy motioned between them, "will never work out."

"Do you mean that, Buffy? You want there to be an us, as in no one else and actually tell your precious Scooby's about it? Eventually….when you're ready, that is." Spike asked teary eyed.

"Spike, of course it's only you. You're the one I love to be around constantly. It's you I want to be with, not anyone else."

He wasn't sure he heard right. She hadn't actually said those three special words outright yet, but her admittance that she definitely wanted to be with him, helped a lot. After all that, Spike, not even thinking, leaned in to kiss his precious Buffy.

"No, Spike not now." Buffy told him moving away and putting her hand up. Spike looked at her, crest fallen and confused, thinking she was taking back all of what she just said. "It's not that I don't want to, it's just….well…I've finally quit puking, and Willow will be back any second."

"I heard my name?" Willow asked, catching only the end part of what Buffy just said, while Tara and Dawn followed her down into the yard carrying the things for Buffy.

"Uh…yeah…Buffy here was just sayin' you'd be back soon." Spike covered.

"I've been back for at least fifteen minutes already. We just went inside and brought you two some towels and stuff." Willow said gesturing to the things she, Tara and Dawn were carrying.

"Thanks guys. I appreciate it. Although, Spike has been taking pretty good care of me out here, considering he is the one who made me sick in the first place." Buffy told them, teasing Spike in the process.

"Hey! I said I was sorry and I let you puke on me! What the bloody hell do you want from me here?" Spike complained, slightly yelling.

"Geeze Spike, overly defensive much?! You know, if I didn't know any better, I'd swear you and Buffy were a couple!" Willow told him.

Both Buffy's and Spike's jaws dropped and their faces turned shades of red while they looked menacingly at Dawn, then Tara. But they both shrugged innocently. When no one said anything to deny it, Willow knew the truth, but decided against mentioning anything yet.

"Here, luv. Why don't you drink some water." Spike told Buffy, handing her the glass of water that Willow was holding and then taking a damp towel from Dawn and dabbing the back of her neck while she drank.

"Thanks, I'm feeling better now. I think I'm gonna go take a shower though." Buffy told everyone. After a few more seconds of Spike basking in the afternoon sun and enjoying it's warmth, he followed the girls back up to the house. Once he got to the stoop and began to take off his puke covered boots, he noticed everyone was scattering.

"Oi! Hold it! Everybody bloody FREEZE!" Spike growled warningly.

On command, hearing the threat in his voice, everyone froze in their tracks. Buffy was one quarter way up the stairs, Willow was in the dining room doorway, Tara was attempting to sneak into the kitchen, and Dawn was sneaking up the stairs, just ahead of Buffy.

"Buffy, luv, you go on ahead upstairs and get cleaned up, then meet us back down here. Red, you go on and do what you were gonna do. Glenda and Nibblet, I want you two to come in this living room with me, please." Spike stated calmly, then with some threat, talking to Tara and Dawn, who continued to attempt to sneak away. When Spike noticed that they were still ignoring him, he growled low in his throat and yelled, "NOW!"

Hearing that, they both came slinking back into the living room to meet Spike, who quickly took off his boots and left them outside, then went into the living room, before Tara and Dawn decide to make a break for it again. "Now, please take a seat." He told them nicely as he walked into the living room. Knowing how pissed off he already was, they silently obeyed. After a minute or two of the three of them sitting in silence, Spike, taking a deep and calming breath, finally spoke. "Alright, so your telling me I have my soul back, correct?"

"Not exactly. You see, you never really lost it in the first place." Tara quietly tried to explain.

"What do you mean? How could I have had my soul all this time and yet not feel some major remorse and regret for o'er a century of killin'?" Spike asked, not quite understanding.

"Umm…'cause you did it, the killing, more out of necessity, rather than ruthlessly." Dawn continued.

"Alright….I understand your point there, and yeah, I guess that's true, now that I think about it. But, how come I'm not all broody and what all like the poofter back in L.A.?"

"'Cause you're a different person, Spike. Didn't you ever wonder why you showed so much more humanity than the other around you?" Dawn told him.

"Well, yeah, but I just chalked it up to me bein' weird. Ya know? So how'd you two know I still had my soul?"

"Well, we just put two and two together. Between the way you treat others, especially my sister, the way you act and the stuff you do with out even a second thought, it was just obvious to us that your human soul had to still be in you. Apparantly it's been fighting to control completely for a while now."

"Yeah, seems that way. From what you tell me, anyhow. Now, before I let you two go, is there anything else you should be telling me?"

"Yeah, what else have you two 'forgot' or just plain neglected to tell us?" Buffy asked coming into the living room and taking a seat on the arm of the chair Spike was sitting in and giving him a quick kiss.

"Hey you two! Willow's just in the next room, so unless you guys want to be found out, I strongly suggest you quit it and keep your hands to yourselves. So to speak." Dawn scolded, rolling her eyes.

"Alright," they agreed sighing, but still held hands.

"Now, as I was asking, is there anything else you two are keeping from us?" Buffy asked her sister and Tara.

Tara and Dawn exchanged knowing looks, but shook their heads anyway, not wanting to reveal any more of the secret surrounding Spike. At least not yet anyway.

Spike, seeing the look exchanged, knew they were still covering up something. "Alright you two, out with it. What else is goin on with me, us, or that bleedin spell? I can tell you're hidin' somethin'. Just tell and I promise not to go all 'grr' on you."

Taking on last look over at Tara for approval and getting the go-ahead she was hoping for, Dawn went on to explain. "Well…you see…um…."

"Get on with it Dawn." Buffy threatened.

"Ok, ok. The thing is Spike, you see…well…it's not just your soul that you have, but uh…that spell Tara and I did?, well…it wasn't just an ordinary protection spell."

"What the bleedin' hell is that supposed to mean? What'd you two bints bleedin' do to me?!" Spike swore, voice rising.

"We…we didn't do anything! That's just it. I m-mean we did a protection spell, but it wasn't as advanced as we to-told you. You see that spell was more to speed up the progress of your h-human soul." Tara sputtered.

"What do you mean, 'speed it up'?" Spike demanded.

"You see, about a year after that spell being placed on you and you abiding by the previously set rules, which was drinking a full mug of Slayer's blood every few months, you won't need to do it anymore and the spell is over. You'll be like every-other person." Dawn explained hurriedly.

"Y-you mean he's gonna b-be h-h-hu-human?!?" Buffy sputtered, clutching Spike's hand tighter. She was completely thrown and most definitely confused as well.

"Shhh, luv. Why don't you let them finish, there's got to be an explanation." Spike told her, and urged Dawn to continue.

"Well…no, not exactly Buffy. He'll be human is some ways, like permanent sunlight protection; the de-activation of the chip, so that he can defend himself; and his permanent soul, no strings attached. That sort of stuff."

"So what you're saying is, you're turning my boyfriend into a hybrid of some sort!?" asked Buffy, nearly screaming.

"Buffy! You've got to calm down, Willow's gonna hear you!" Tara told her.

"Besides," Dawn added, "We, Tara and I, didn't or aren't doing this to him. The Powers That Be are! We're just helping along the process some."

"Well…I for one, don't really mind." Spike told the group. "There are obviously benefits to this thing. So, what vampire qualities do I get to keep then?"

"Hmm…well…let's see." Thought Tara out loud. "Oh! If I remember correctly, you'll still be cool to the touch, you'll keep your strength, speed, hearing, eyesight, etcetera." Tara finished explaining.

"So basically, he gets to keep all the parts he…err…we love." said Buffy with a devious smile and a squeeze to Spike's hand.

"What about the blood Nibblet?" Spike asked somewhat worriedly.

"Oh, that'll stay basically the same as now, where you only need it once in a great while to bring up your strength."

"Ok", he replied relieved. "So, that all you two were keeping from us?"

"Uh, yeah!" Tara responded. "That's all the information we have I think. Did we miss anything Dawn?"

"Well, I think we forgot the part about his immune system." Dawn replied.

"Immune system?" Buffy and Spike asked at once.

"Yeah, you see, since you're no longer going to fully be a vampire, you're going to be susceptible to human diseases and viruses now. But not as much as a typical human would. Your immunities will be just a tad higher than a Slayers, but you'll still need to be careful." Dawn explained.

"Oh." was all that either could think of to say.

"So, that's all now right Dawn?" Buffy asked.

"Yep. That's it, unless either of you two have anymore questions."

"Not me. What about you sweets, you got anything else to ask them?" Spike said.

"Nope. I'm finished."

"Guess that's it then. You two are free to go now." Spike told them. "You ladies almost ready to go then?" Spike asked.

"Huh? What are you talking about Spike?" Tara asked him, clearly confused.

"Oh, yeah, sorry Glenda. What I meant was, Buffy and Bit, are you two almost ready to get outa here?"

"Huh?!" Buffy and Dawn asked in unison, completely thrown.

"I thought you two wanted to go out today? Figured I'd take you m'self since sun's no problem anymore." he clarified.

"Oh! Cool! Can we Buffy? Pleeeease?!" Dawn exclaimed, then gave Buffy her infamous puppy dog look, while Spike did the same.



Buffy, unable to resist either look, gave in. "Ok, sounds like fun." she agreed, then was ambushed by both Dawn and Spike with a gigantic hug, toppling her over onto the couch.

"I'll be right back, just leme get something from upstairs, then we can go! You guys are so cool!" Dawn said jumping off the couch and then rushing up the stairs.

"Since you've decided to take us out, why don't you go get your car, while I let Willow know we're all leaving. Then Dawn and I will meet you outside, since you probably want to clean off your boots too."

"Yeah, actually I do, they are kinda gross, thanks to you."

"Hey! I apologized, but it's your fault anyway. You're the one who wouldn't stop spinning!"

"Ok…you're right. I admit it, I didn't listen. I was having too much fun! I still can't believe it worked!" Spike beamed.

"Me either, but I'm glad it did. This will make our relationship somewhat easier on both of us."

"You got that right!" Spike answered, then kissed Buffy deeply. After a few seconds he pulled away and told her, "We should really get going. How 'bout we take the truck, rather than my car. Considering my car is back at the graveyard and all the windows are blacked out as well. Don't really think it'll do for driving on the highway at two o'clock in the afternoon."

"Highway?!" Buffy asked surprised.

" Well, yeah. How else do you expect us to get outa town?"

"Ok, good point. Yeah, I guess we could take the Jeep. The keys are on the hall table. I'm just gonna go say goodbye to Tara and Willow, then I'll be out. Ok?" Buffy told him, getting up from the couch.

"Alright, but I'm goin to say bye m'self to the witches." he replied, helping Buffy up. Then they both walked into the dining room to find them.

Willow was just on her way out of the dining room as they entered. "Oh! Hey guys! You leaving now?" she asked.

"Yeah, we were just coming in to say goodbye. Spike's taking Dawn and I out and we're gonna take the Jeep. If it's ok with you, that is."

"Yeah, that's cool. Tara said she's gonna stick around for a while, so we'll have her car if we need one. Speaking of which, she's in the kitchen getting us some drinks if you want to say goodbye to her."

"Oh, yeah. Bye Willow, have fun." Buffy replied with a wink.

Willow blushed and said, "Yeah, see ya later."

Then Buffy started walking into the kitchen to find Tara, while Spike hung back to say his goodbye's. "Hey Buffy?" he asked, just before she reached the kitchen door.

"Yeah?"

"Could you do me a favor and please tell Glenda in there goodbye for me? I wanted to go outside and clean off my boots before we go."

"Yeah sure! I'll be out on a couple with Dawn." Buffy replied with a smile, then continued into the kitchen while Spike walked outside.

Once outside, he went around to the side of the house to get the hose and then came back around to the stoop, where he sat down and lit up a cigarette.

"You know, you really should try and quit.", came a voice from behind him, startling him and causing him to drop him to drop the lit cigarette.

"Ow! Bloody Hell!" Spike swore and tuned around to see who just scared him. "Oh. It was you Red, don't do that to me!"

"Sorry Spike, just came out here to see how it's going. I figure that the whole soul and humanization thing can be kinda overwhelming."

"Yeah, sorta. I mean, I'm happy about it and all, but it's just a lot to take in at once. But , it is nice to know that I don't have to really worry about the sun anymore though." Spike told her, while rinsing off his boots.

"I can imagine!"

"Well…looks like this is as clean as they're gonna get." Spike said, referring to his boots while putting them on and then standing up. Then he continued on to say, "I guess I'd better go in and get Buffy and Nibblet, if we're ever gonna get outa here that is. See ya later Red."

"Bye Spike." Willow replied. Then, just as he was about to open the front door to go inside, Willow called to him. "Wait up Spike."

"Sure, what's up?" he asked, taking his hand off the knob.

"I just wanted to say good luck. Not just with what Dawn and Tara just told you, but with Buffy too. Love can be pretty hard sometimes, but I think you two belong together and really need each other right now too. Take care of her. She really cares for you, possibly even love, I'm not sure. But I can tell how much she cares about you."

"How?" asked Spike stunned.

"I just can tell, I don't know how to explain it. Now go say goodbye to Tara & get out of here, before Buffy comes out to find you and becomes suspicious. I don't want her to know that I know yet." Willow told him.

"Alright, I'll take care of both my girls. Thanks!" Spike replied, then walked into the house musing to himself. Just when I thought I was finally beginning to understand things 'round here. At least she's happy for us and understands. Just as Spike reached the kitchen doorway, Tara and Buffy came out. "Oh good, there you are. I was just coming in to get you." Spike told Buffy, then continued, "Why don't you go see if you can get your sis down 'ere so we can go."

"Ok, see you later Tara, have fun with Willow." she told her with a wink and then went off to find Dawn.

Tara blushed and then turned to Spike. "Well Glenda, I guess I gotta say thanks. I really appreciate what you've done for me with the spell as well as Buffy."

"Yeah no problem. I was more than happy to do it. So where are you guys off to?"



"L.A. actually, but don't tell them. I figure they can go shopping & what all while I go get my papers and all that rot in order for the trip." he told her.

"That sounds like fun. I hope you guys have a good time." Tara told him.

"Yeah, you and Red too. I'm gonna go get my girls now. I'll see you later." Then he walked out of the room, only to return second later. "Oh, and by the way, just so you know….I don't plan on bringing them home 'till sometime late tonight. Possibly even early tomorrow morning, if I can manage to get reservations at the new Bed and Breakfast on the coast."

"I'm sure you can. Just be careful out there in L.A." Tara told him.

"Don't worry, we will." he replied, leaving the room and almost colliding into Buffy and Dawn at the foot of the stairs.

"Hey!" all three cried at once.

"Bloody Hell! Would everyone quit sneaking up on me!" Spike swore. "Now, are we all ready to go now?"

"Yeah, lets go! Bye Tara and Willow! See you guys later!" Dawn said, while walking out the front door with her sister and Spike.

"Bye Dawnie!" they replied, then shut and locked the door behind them.

TBC….

Don't forget to review and let me know how you like it so far.

I'm not getting many and it kinda hurts. I've worked extremely hard on this fic and it seems that no one's actually reading this, or really cares enough to let me know their thoughts.

So PLEASE review…I'm begging here!!