Spike stared at Willow then looked back at Angel and Dawn. Everything was happening in one sweep. It was too much to handle. Dawn was getting married to Angel and Drusilla was back to turn him back into the demon he once was.
"Ok, let me process everything," Spike said breaking the yelling in the room. "My nibblet is getting married to Peaches over here, and Dru is trying to bring back William the bloody. I've only had my memory back for only a few days and mayhem has all ready come back. That's just bloody brilliant."
Buffy looked sadly at Spike. He had been through so much all ready. He had to add to the plate.
"It's ok, Spike," Buffy whispered. "We'll get through it,"
Spike looked at her doubtfully, but didn't say anything.
"Whoa, Dawnie is getting married?" Willow asked stunned.
Angel looked over at Spike. His face had almost turned to the color of paper. He figured it was the stress of everything that was going on.
"Hey, how about we discuss this later," Angel suggested. "I think we all need a good night sleep."
"It's only eight," Dawn said looking at Angel in surprise.
"I can fix some tea," Buffy offered. "We all can go into the dining room and sit down at the table and talk."
Everyone nodded except Spike. Buffy kept her eyes on him as everyone retreated to the dining room.
"Are you all right?" Buffy asked softly. Spike looked up at her and shook his head.
"It's like my nightmare is coming true," Spike whispered. Buffy stared at him at him confused.
"You had a dream of becoming William the bloody?" Buffy asked.
"Five years ago pet," Spike answered getting up. "I am going for a stroll. I need to clear my mind."
"Spike," Buffy said in a soothing voice. "Please stay. We can handle this together. It's what we do. It's what we used to do."
"Yeah, but last time I wasn't involved," Spike fought back.
Buffy looked at him confused wondering why he was acting this way. Then she saw it. For the first time ever she saw real fear in his eyes.
"You're scared, aren't you?" Buffy asked lightly touching his arm.
He looked at her and turned his head away from the sympathy he read in her expression.
"I can't help it, pet," Spike said barely over a whisper. "I don't want to see anything happen to you and Amber. Not after last time."
So that's what it's about, Buffy thought. He regrets not being able to save Amber and me. Well now that all makes sense.
"Spike, it wasn't your fault," Buffy said soothingly. "I don't want you to beat your self up over the past. You tried your best. I know that you did. I have to admit that I felt guilty when I thought you were dead that I didn't try to save you."
He turned his head and looked at her. His big blue eyes shimmered with tears that threatened to spill. He was aching so badly over regret of the past and for missing five years of his daughter's life. He wished he had a time machine to go back in time and change everything.
"You would have died," Spike whispered.
His voice was cracking of the sudden memory of Buffy's body lying on the rubble when they battled Glory. He'd wanted so badly to go revive her and make her alive again no matter if he was dead or not.
"Yeah, but then at least I would have been with you," Buffy said softly.
She hated seeing the pain in his eyes. She hadn't realized that she had that big of impact on his life. It seemed that his life revolved around her, Dawn, and Amber.
"Look, we can't have you…."
Buffy was interrupted by a child's piercing scream. Spike rushed passed Buffy. He was the first one on the stairs. His heart was pounding against his chest as the scream continued. He burst open the door and standing at the window was his old dark goddess.
"Daddy!" Amber cried with her scared voice. He walked over and swept Amber up into his arms.
"Get out of here, Dru," Spike hissed.
"But Spike, you promised princess that you would kill the slayer," Drusilla said in a childish voice.
"Get out of here, Dru," Spike repeated.
Amber's little arms wrapped around Spike's neck as she hid her face in his shoulder, terrified of the strange woman.
"She's such a tiny wonder," Drusilla said gazing at Amber. "Won't you let me get a taste, Spike? Just like you used to do for me."
"I'll kill you, Dru," Spike threatened. "Don't you dare think I won't kill you."
"Oh, Spike," Drusilla wined. "This little morsel is yours. How could you go against princess? She's got you wrapped around her bloody finger like a sodding slave."
"Shut your gob," Spike hissed.
He put Amber on the floor and he squatted down next to her.
"Kitten, I need you to run to mummy and stay with her," Spike said seriously.
Amber's face frightened and shook her head, her little hazel eyes full of tears.
"I'm too scared," Amber said in a small voice.
"You have to be daddy's big strong girl," Spike said in a soothing tone. "You go to mum and tell Uncle Angel that he needs to get up here."
Amber nodded and ran out of the room. Her heart was full of fear. Her little legs carrying as fast as they could. She ran down the stairs and was met by her mother.
"Mommy, there's a scary woman in my room," Amber said with her eyes full of tears. "Daddy wants Uncle Angel to go upstairs."
Buffy looked over at Angel.
"Angel, please go up and help Spike," Buffy said. Angel nodded and rushed up the stairs with a stake in hand.
"Didn't I tell you to stay away, Drusilla?" Angel asked when he walked into the room.
"I needed my William back," Drusilla groaned.
"Drusilla, just go," Spike ordered. "I never want to see you near my family again or I will stake you right and proper."
He held up the stake Angel had given him.
Drusilla finally just gave up and leapt off the roof.
Angel and Spike looked at each other knowing they hadn't seen the last of her.
Spike sat on the couch as Angel finished packing some last minute things. He was leaving for the trials to become human or get a permanent soul.
"I warn you, Peaches, there will be a git with fire fist," Spike warned. "He maybe a tough one to crack, but I'm sure you can handle it."
"I'll take that into consideration," Angel answered distantly.
Spike got up from the couch and walked over to him. He put his hand on Angel's shoulder. Angel looked at him and sighed.
"I don't know if I will make it through the trials, Spike," Angel admitted softly.
"Of course you will Peaches," Spike said confidently. "We can't be killed. It's impossible. Now, you promise you will take care of my nibblet for me."
Dawn stood at the window and watched Spike and Angel walked out to the car that night. Her heart aching knowing that he might not return was too agonizing a thought. She wanted badly to go with him.
Then it hit her. Why couldn't she go with him? He was going to need support and he would be severally injured. He would need someone to care for him. He was going to need someone to clean his wounds and shower him with love to heal faster.
Dawn didn't wait a heartbeat. Her mind was made up. She was going to go with him and stay by his side until the moment either of them died. It didn't matter if it would be soon as long as she was with him.
"Angel!" Dawn cried running out of the house.
Angel stopped and turned to Dawn. He was never good with saying goodbye and he was sad when she didn't say anything, but also glad because he might back out of it. He couldn't do that. He couldn't back out of it. He wanted a normal life with her.
"Take me with you," Dawn said bluntly.
She hadn't missed a beat. She was going to get it out in the open and made sure people knew that she loved him more then anything in her life.
"What?" Angel cried dropping his suitcase.
"Take me with you," Dawn repeated annoyed and frustrated.
Angel walked over to Dawn and put his hands on her arms. He soothingly rubbed them to keep her warm.
"Dawn, you know you can't come with me," Angel said softly. "You will get your self hurt or killed. I couldn't bear it if you died."
"I couldn't bear to lose you either," Dawn said harshly. "Angel, I won't sit here and wait to see if you come back. I don't want to sit on the couch and wonder if you're dead or not. NO! I won't stand for it. I will go with you. If you do end up dead then I know I was by your side saying good bye to your ashes."
Angel stared at Dawn with his dark mysterious brown eyes full of tears. The thought of Dawn on her knees in tears of grief over him was too strong to ignore or push out of his mind.
"Dawn, I couldn't...I can't do this," Angel said pushing back. "I was hoping I was strong enough for this, but I'm not. I can't bear to have you go through that kind of grief. I wouldn't want you to go through what Buffy did,"
"So, no flight to Africa?' Dawn asked.
Half of her was hopeful and was ready to shrug in relief. The other half was thinking maybe they would have to break up because of his curse. She loved Angel more than anything.
"No, I'm not going to Africa," Angel answered as he pulled Dawn into an embrace.
Buffy stood in the doorway. She leaned against the doorframe with her arms folded and her ankles crossed one over the other one. She had a small smile on her face. Spike just shook his head and headed for the house.
"I really wish he wasn't such a poof," Spike whispered to Buffy.
He stepped over her and walked into the house. Buffy chuckled as she decided she should head inside too.
A few days had passed. They had all put in major research to find away that Angel could become human without the trials or fulfilling a prophecy. Spike seemed determined to keep Amber, Buffy, and Dawn happy as much as possible while trying to keep Drusilla away from them. The last incident was his last straw.
The family sat in the living room. Dawn and Buffy were looking at all the wedding details as Spike sat across from Angel trying to find some kind of spell that could make Angel human.
"Spike, would you help me pick out a wedding dress?" Dawn asked looking up from her bride's magazine.
"Huh…what?" Spike said startled distantly.
"I asked if you could help me pick out a wedding dress," Dawn repeated.
"Isn't that what your sis is for?" Spike asked confused.
"But Spike, I need a male's opinion," Dawn whined.
"Don't get too ahead of yourself, Dawn," Angel said in a stiff voice. "We might not find a spell for me to keep my soul."
Dawn leapt to her feet. Her eyes were full of fresh tears, but her face said that she was ready to kill at any moment.
"Don't you dare say that Liam," Dawn roared and ran out of the room.
Spike's eyes were wide and he looked over at Angel. Angel was stiff in his chair. He looked like a mannequin . He barely even swallowed.
"Liam?" Spike asked Angel.
"I…I…"
Angel didn't try to finish his sentence. The fit of giggles surprised them as they looked over at Buffy.
She was laying down on her side laughing. She held her stomach as her laughter filled the room.
"What's the funny joke, pet?" Spike asked raising his left scared eyebrow.
She wiped her eyes and took a deep breath. Her face hurt from laughing so hard. She took one look at Angel and cracked up again. This time it didn't last so long.
"It's just that Angel's real name is the last four letters of William," Buffy giggled.
Spike smirked and shook his head. His wife definitely had a weird sense of humor. He got up from his chair with his head throbbing of pain.
"It's nice that you find it funny, pet," Spike groaned. "I'm going upstairs to check on the bit. Maybe talk to nibblet."
"You're the man of the hour that needs a lot of rest," Buffy said concerned. "Let me talk to Dawn. You just head up to bed. You've been researching non-stop for three days straight. Let the gang handle this one."
"I will not let them just…"
"I'm not suggesting that you give up looking, but I'm not going to let you give up sleeping," Buffy interrupted. "Now head up to bed and get some much needed rest."
Spike sighed. He wasn't going to fight Buffy on this. He knew he would lose horribly. He just didn't have the energy for it. So he just agreed to it and headed upstairs. He poked his head into Amber's room to find her all cuddled up in her bed. She was squeezing her count doll close to her chest. He smirked and tiptoed in. He kissed her gently on the head then walked back out.
He got into his pajama bottoms, which he was still trying to get used to, and got into bed. The moment his head landed on the pillow he was out.
The day was bright and beautiful. The water was crystal blue. It looked amazing. Spike sighed wishfully. He was so happy here. Buffy walked up to him in her bikini. Her long golden blonde hair danced in the wind as the sun beat down on it and making it shine brightly.
"This must be heaven, pet," Spike sighed.
"Well not quite heaven," Buffy reformed. "She wants you, William. Go to her."
"Who wants me, love?" Spike asked concerned as storm clouds started rolling in. "What are you talking about? You're all babbles that make no sense."
"Your dark princess, Spike. Go to her. Let her turn you back into the man you used to be. You know I need evil in my man."
Spike stared at her stunned and confused. He didn't even have a chance. His mind flashed to the moment Drusilla changed him. His face changed immediately and he pounced on Buffy. He drank from her hard and fast. Her slayer blood rushed through him like a drug.
Spike sat abruptly up in bed. His face covered in sweat and his breath was heavy. He looked next to him and saw his wife softly sleeping. The early morning light hitting her sun kissed hair. His breath caught in her throat.
He got out of bed slowly so he wouldn't wake her and rushed down the stairs to talk to Angel. He just hoped the poof wasn't asleep yet.
He walked into the living room and saw Angel in the same spot where he'd left him the night before. He walked over and tapped Angel on the shoulder. Angel looked up with a tired face, which turned into concern.
"Spike, are you all right?" Angel asked. "You look a little battered. Didn't sleep well?"
"No, in fact I didn't," Spike, answered. "I think Dru is trying to kill me in my sleep."
"What makes you think that?" Angel asked a little stunned.
Spike sighed and sat down in the chair next to him. He told him about the heavenly scene that soon turned dark. By the time he got to the part of him drinking Buffy's blood he looked like his old vampire self.
"Spike, take a deep breath," Angel advised. "Look this has to be hell for you, but it was just a dream."
"It could have been a premonition," Spike said stiffly.
Angel sighed and rubbed his forehead. They had a scare like this five years ago, but it didn't seem likely to come true. But with Drusilla in town with one thing on her mind, they had to take everything seriously.
"Buffy can only get those, Spike," Angel reminded. "We can't take this too seriously. This was your nightmare for months before Riley came in and turned our lives upside down. Hell! We don't even know if Riley is really dead."
"He's dead," Spike informed. "I shot him in the heart before I made my escape. Even if my shot didn't kill him, he couldn't have made it out of the building. I barely made it out of the sodding building."
Angel sighed and nodded trying not to go back to the memory. It was an awful night no one wanted to go back to.
"Look, why don't we put aside trying to find a spell to make my soul whole," Angel, offered. "I mean we are talking about Drusilla, but even if she is really insane she can create the deadliest mayhem known to us."
"But she needed help from me, you, or both of us," Spike reminded. "So we better keep a look out for a minion."
Buffy's eyes opened abruptly when Amber started bouncing on the bed singing out of tune. She groaned and stopped Amber from jumping. She looked over at the clock and saw it was only seven in the morning. Her body was tired after last night trying to calm Dawn down.
"Mommy, where's daddy?" Amber asked with a huge smile on her face.
"He's probably downstairs working on research," Buffy said trying to stifle a yawn. "Sweetie, why don't you…"
She was interrupted by the sound of the front door flung open. She got up and put on her robe. She headed down stairs and saw Willow standing at the front door holding an old piece of paper. Her face was glowing, but she was out of breath.
"What is it, Will?" Buffy asked as she walked down the stairs.
"I found it!" Willow exclaimed.
"Found what?" Buffy asked confused.
Spike and Angel walked out of the living and stared at Willow like she had three heads. Amber was stand behind Buffy staring intently at Willow.
"The spell that can make Angel human," Willow answered.