Thank you so much for the encouraging reviews! Your thoughts and opinions
mean a lot to me. Thanks especially to Anon. Your review really
brightened my day, and I'm so glad you're enjoying the story! There's a
twist coming up in chapter 6 that will make things more interesting. As
usual, don't forget to R&R!
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The two companions walked side by side through the seemingly endless rows of gravestones. They had been patrolling for about a half hour and were yet to find any vampires, but neither seemed bothered by the lack of demon activity. Buffy found herself actually enjoying her conversation with Spike. She was in the middle of telling the vampire a dramatic story.
"...and it just stared back, mocking me with its superior wisdom. It was evil, pure evil. I had never known true fear until that moment."
Spike listened with amusement. "Sounds like a hard test luv."
"Impossible is a better word," Buffy grumbled. "Averting the apocalypse was easier than that Calculus exam."
The vampire couldn't help but grin. "Never was one for figures myself. Writing was always more my thing."
Buffy raised an inquisitive eyebrow. "You? A writer? Let me guess. You were like a 19th century Steven King right? Doom, gloom and everything in between."
"Err...something like that. I don't really remember," Spike lied, wishing he hadn't brought up the subject. He couldn't bring himself to tell her the truth. How would she react if she found out that William the Bloody used to be a starry-eyed, fool-for-love poet? Not exactly the image he was going for nowadays.
The idea of Spike as a writer fascinated Buffy. There was so much about his past that she didn't know, so much he never talked about. She wondered what he'd been like before he was turned. Had he always been violent and defensive, or was there another side to him that no one knew about? Question after question formed in Buffy's mind and she desperately wanted some answers.
"What do you remember?" she asked softly. "About your past I mean."
Spike nervously fiddled with his stake. He had never told anyone about his past. It wasn't something he liked to think about. There were too many memories, painful memories that haunted him still. He glanced at Buffy and saw her waiting patiently for an answer.
"Things...were different pet. I was different. There's not much that's worth remembering."
Buffy nodded and they continued on in silence. He wasn't ready to tell her yet. Maybe someday, but not tonight.
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Willow sat at the table, casually browsing through some magic books, while Giles and Anya closed up shop for the night. They all looked up as an exuberant Xander burst through the door.
"I come bearing sugary goodness!" he announced with a smile.
"Oooo...Doughnuts!" Willow's mouth watered at the sight of the yummy pastries. Xander placed the box on the table, and she eagerly rummaged through it for a butter-cream doughnut. "Have I told you lately...that you're my bestest friend...in the whole world?" Willow asked between mouthfuls.
Xander feigned a look of sadness. "How come you only tell me that when I give you food?"
Willow couldn't resist. "Not you Xander. I was talking to the doughnut."
Anya rushed over and grabbed a chocolate éclair out of the box. "Thank you Xander. It was very kind of you to buy these doughnuts knowing that the magic shop would not reimburse you for your time or your money."
"You're welcome honey," replied Xander. He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and smiled. Anya was definitely one of a kind. Maybe that's why he loved her so much.
The light-hearted moment was interrupted when the front door flew open, and a short, heavy-set man with graying hair appeared in the doorway.
"I'm sorry," Giles began, "but we're closed for the..."
He stopped in mid sentence, recognizing the man and some of the others who were now filing into the magic shop. There were seven men, each dressed in a brown suit and tie, and two women holding crossbows. The men also appeared to carry weapons of various sorts. One held a large axe over his shoulder and another possessed a firearm. The three teenagers watched in silence as the strangers took position at various ends of the shop.
The heavy-set man walked over to Giles and extended a hand. "Mr. Giles. I apologize for our... rather unconventional entrance, but I am sure you appreciate the urgency of our visit."
Giles ignored the proffered hand and crossed his arms over his chest. "Yes Mr. Travers. It is quite clear as to why you are here. What I would like to know is why there are also armed men and women standing in my shop."
Travers lowered his hand and turned to survey the room. "Precautions, Rupert. One can never be too careful when visiting a hellmouth. You of all people should know that."
Noticing that there were civilians in the shop, Travers frowned. "I'd prefer if we could discuss our business in private," he said eyeing Willow, Xander, and Anya.
Xander bravely spoke up. "Not going to happen. If this involves Buffy, then we're not leaving."
Travers laughed dryly. "Ah yes. The slayer has friends. How could I forget? Tell me again, young man. How exactly do you assist Miss Summers in her duties?"
Before Xander could think up a response, Anya blurted out, "He buys us doughnuts while we research demons. Isn't that right sweetie?"
A few of the men and women from the council started snickering, and Xander turned a bright shade of red.
"I see," said Travers, pleased that he had successfully embarrassed the boy. "And may someone please inform me of Miss Summer's whereabouts at the moment?"
The Scoobies eyed each other with uncertainty. Where was Buffy?
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"Behind you!"
Hearing the warning, Spike spun around in time to dodge the vampire's attack. He countered with a quick series of punches and a swift kick to the stomach. The demon groaned and stumbled backwards, leaning against a gravestone for support. Spike ran towards the creature at full-speed, stake firmly grasped in his hand. He lifted his weapon, preparing to slay the stunned vampire, but at the last minute, it jumped out of the way. Unable to stop, Spike crashed head first into the thick stone slab.
"Bloody hell!"
Buffy heard the collision but was too busy to turn around. She had a vamp of her own to deal with.
"Prepare to die," the demon snarled.
"Funny," Buffy replied. "I was about to say the same thing to you."
The vampire growled and charged at its prey. Buffy waited till the demon had nearly reached her and then jump kicked, knocking it into a tree. Its eyes blazing with anger, the vampire lunged again, this time striking Buffy in the jaw. She fell backwards, flinching at the sharp pain.
With a groan, Buffy struggled to regain her footing. Punches didn't usually hurt that much. She figured it was another side effect of having lost her powers.
Spike meanwhile was slowly wearing out his opponent. The demon swung and missed giving the blond vamp the opportunity he'd been waiting for. With expert aim, he drove the stake into the creature's heart and watched as it turned to dust.
"That's for the headache mate," he said with a smirk.
He glanced around and spotted Buffy struggling with the other vampire. Each punch and kick was delivered to perfection, but it was obvious that she was lacking her usual strength. The vampire seemed to be tiring her out.
Spike ran over and tackled the demon, giving Buffy a chance to catch her breath. She noticed that in the confusion, Spike had dropped his stake, and the two vampires were now fighting for possession of the weapon.
"Spike! Catch!" she yelled as she tossed her stake into the air. Her aim was slightly off, however, and instead of reaching Spike, the stake landed in the grass. The other vampire was closer to the weapon and he quickly scooped it up.
"Oops," Buffy mumbled. "My bad."
"Are you trying to kill me slayer?!" Spike shouted as he struggled with the now lethal vampire.
Buffy searched the ground frantically for a tree branch. After finally finding one, she rushed over to the vampires and dusted the one holding the stake. It turned to ashes and Spike collapsed on the ground, exhausted.
"Sorry about that," Buffy said with a sheepish grin. "I guess my throwing skills were part of the whole slayer package."
Spike's anger melted away when he saw the concern in her eyes. "Don't worry about it pet. I said I wanted a good fight and that's what I got."
Buffy smiled and helped him off the ground. She looked into his eyes and was overcome by their intense beauty. They were like sapphires, sparkling in the moonlight. How come she had never noticed before?
"I'm glad you were here," she said, barely above a whisper. "Thank you."
Spike was surprised by her words. He wasn't used to the slayer thanking him for anything. Usually she was shouting or beating him up because of something he'd done, but tonight was different. Tonight she wasn't treating him like a vampire. She was treating him like a man. He looked away so she couldn't see the tears forming in his eyes.
"It was nothing luv. Well I think we've staked all the nasties we're going to find tonight," he said changing the subject. "How about we get you back home now?"
Buffy nodded. "Actually I was going to stop by the magic shop for a while to see the gang. You don't have to come with me. I'll be fine on my own."
"It's not far pet. Let me walk you there." Before Buffy could protest he added, "Besides, even if you say no I'll probably follow you anyway. I don't fancy the beating I'll get from your mates if something should happen to you on the way."
Buffy knew he was right. If anything happened to her, Xander would assume Spike was behind it. Plus she was starting to enjoy the vampire's company, strange as it sounded. She didn't mind him walking her to the shop.
"Alright Spike. If you insist."
Spike was glad she had given in. He wasn't really worried about the Scoobies coming after him. That was just an excuse. The truth was he didn't want the night to end. He was afraid that if Buffy left, the small friendship that had formed between them might disappear as well. For a reason he couldn't explain, the thought of that happening was absolutely terrifying.
Together they walked towards the magic shop, unaware of the pain and treachery that awaited them there. Buffy was about to be faced with a horrible choice, a choice that would ultimately end in death.
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The two companions walked side by side through the seemingly endless rows of gravestones. They had been patrolling for about a half hour and were yet to find any vampires, but neither seemed bothered by the lack of demon activity. Buffy found herself actually enjoying her conversation with Spike. She was in the middle of telling the vampire a dramatic story.
"...and it just stared back, mocking me with its superior wisdom. It was evil, pure evil. I had never known true fear until that moment."
Spike listened with amusement. "Sounds like a hard test luv."
"Impossible is a better word," Buffy grumbled. "Averting the apocalypse was easier than that Calculus exam."
The vampire couldn't help but grin. "Never was one for figures myself. Writing was always more my thing."
Buffy raised an inquisitive eyebrow. "You? A writer? Let me guess. You were like a 19th century Steven King right? Doom, gloom and everything in between."
"Err...something like that. I don't really remember," Spike lied, wishing he hadn't brought up the subject. He couldn't bring himself to tell her the truth. How would she react if she found out that William the Bloody used to be a starry-eyed, fool-for-love poet? Not exactly the image he was going for nowadays.
The idea of Spike as a writer fascinated Buffy. There was so much about his past that she didn't know, so much he never talked about. She wondered what he'd been like before he was turned. Had he always been violent and defensive, or was there another side to him that no one knew about? Question after question formed in Buffy's mind and she desperately wanted some answers.
"What do you remember?" she asked softly. "About your past I mean."
Spike nervously fiddled with his stake. He had never told anyone about his past. It wasn't something he liked to think about. There were too many memories, painful memories that haunted him still. He glanced at Buffy and saw her waiting patiently for an answer.
"Things...were different pet. I was different. There's not much that's worth remembering."
Buffy nodded and they continued on in silence. He wasn't ready to tell her yet. Maybe someday, but not tonight.
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Willow sat at the table, casually browsing through some magic books, while Giles and Anya closed up shop for the night. They all looked up as an exuberant Xander burst through the door.
"I come bearing sugary goodness!" he announced with a smile.
"Oooo...Doughnuts!" Willow's mouth watered at the sight of the yummy pastries. Xander placed the box on the table, and she eagerly rummaged through it for a butter-cream doughnut. "Have I told you lately...that you're my bestest friend...in the whole world?" Willow asked between mouthfuls.
Xander feigned a look of sadness. "How come you only tell me that when I give you food?"
Willow couldn't resist. "Not you Xander. I was talking to the doughnut."
Anya rushed over and grabbed a chocolate éclair out of the box. "Thank you Xander. It was very kind of you to buy these doughnuts knowing that the magic shop would not reimburse you for your time or your money."
"You're welcome honey," replied Xander. He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and smiled. Anya was definitely one of a kind. Maybe that's why he loved her so much.
The light-hearted moment was interrupted when the front door flew open, and a short, heavy-set man with graying hair appeared in the doorway.
"I'm sorry," Giles began, "but we're closed for the..."
He stopped in mid sentence, recognizing the man and some of the others who were now filing into the magic shop. There were seven men, each dressed in a brown suit and tie, and two women holding crossbows. The men also appeared to carry weapons of various sorts. One held a large axe over his shoulder and another possessed a firearm. The three teenagers watched in silence as the strangers took position at various ends of the shop.
The heavy-set man walked over to Giles and extended a hand. "Mr. Giles. I apologize for our... rather unconventional entrance, but I am sure you appreciate the urgency of our visit."
Giles ignored the proffered hand and crossed his arms over his chest. "Yes Mr. Travers. It is quite clear as to why you are here. What I would like to know is why there are also armed men and women standing in my shop."
Travers lowered his hand and turned to survey the room. "Precautions, Rupert. One can never be too careful when visiting a hellmouth. You of all people should know that."
Noticing that there were civilians in the shop, Travers frowned. "I'd prefer if we could discuss our business in private," he said eyeing Willow, Xander, and Anya.
Xander bravely spoke up. "Not going to happen. If this involves Buffy, then we're not leaving."
Travers laughed dryly. "Ah yes. The slayer has friends. How could I forget? Tell me again, young man. How exactly do you assist Miss Summers in her duties?"
Before Xander could think up a response, Anya blurted out, "He buys us doughnuts while we research demons. Isn't that right sweetie?"
A few of the men and women from the council started snickering, and Xander turned a bright shade of red.
"I see," said Travers, pleased that he had successfully embarrassed the boy. "And may someone please inform me of Miss Summer's whereabouts at the moment?"
The Scoobies eyed each other with uncertainty. Where was Buffy?
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"Behind you!"
Hearing the warning, Spike spun around in time to dodge the vampire's attack. He countered with a quick series of punches and a swift kick to the stomach. The demon groaned and stumbled backwards, leaning against a gravestone for support. Spike ran towards the creature at full-speed, stake firmly grasped in his hand. He lifted his weapon, preparing to slay the stunned vampire, but at the last minute, it jumped out of the way. Unable to stop, Spike crashed head first into the thick stone slab.
"Bloody hell!"
Buffy heard the collision but was too busy to turn around. She had a vamp of her own to deal with.
"Prepare to die," the demon snarled.
"Funny," Buffy replied. "I was about to say the same thing to you."
The vampire growled and charged at its prey. Buffy waited till the demon had nearly reached her and then jump kicked, knocking it into a tree. Its eyes blazing with anger, the vampire lunged again, this time striking Buffy in the jaw. She fell backwards, flinching at the sharp pain.
With a groan, Buffy struggled to regain her footing. Punches didn't usually hurt that much. She figured it was another side effect of having lost her powers.
Spike meanwhile was slowly wearing out his opponent. The demon swung and missed giving the blond vamp the opportunity he'd been waiting for. With expert aim, he drove the stake into the creature's heart and watched as it turned to dust.
"That's for the headache mate," he said with a smirk.
He glanced around and spotted Buffy struggling with the other vampire. Each punch and kick was delivered to perfection, but it was obvious that she was lacking her usual strength. The vampire seemed to be tiring her out.
Spike ran over and tackled the demon, giving Buffy a chance to catch her breath. She noticed that in the confusion, Spike had dropped his stake, and the two vampires were now fighting for possession of the weapon.
"Spike! Catch!" she yelled as she tossed her stake into the air. Her aim was slightly off, however, and instead of reaching Spike, the stake landed in the grass. The other vampire was closer to the weapon and he quickly scooped it up.
"Oops," Buffy mumbled. "My bad."
"Are you trying to kill me slayer?!" Spike shouted as he struggled with the now lethal vampire.
Buffy searched the ground frantically for a tree branch. After finally finding one, she rushed over to the vampires and dusted the one holding the stake. It turned to ashes and Spike collapsed on the ground, exhausted.
"Sorry about that," Buffy said with a sheepish grin. "I guess my throwing skills were part of the whole slayer package."
Spike's anger melted away when he saw the concern in her eyes. "Don't worry about it pet. I said I wanted a good fight and that's what I got."
Buffy smiled and helped him off the ground. She looked into his eyes and was overcome by their intense beauty. They were like sapphires, sparkling in the moonlight. How come she had never noticed before?
"I'm glad you were here," she said, barely above a whisper. "Thank you."
Spike was surprised by her words. He wasn't used to the slayer thanking him for anything. Usually she was shouting or beating him up because of something he'd done, but tonight was different. Tonight she wasn't treating him like a vampire. She was treating him like a man. He looked away so she couldn't see the tears forming in his eyes.
"It was nothing luv. Well I think we've staked all the nasties we're going to find tonight," he said changing the subject. "How about we get you back home now?"
Buffy nodded. "Actually I was going to stop by the magic shop for a while to see the gang. You don't have to come with me. I'll be fine on my own."
"It's not far pet. Let me walk you there." Before Buffy could protest he added, "Besides, even if you say no I'll probably follow you anyway. I don't fancy the beating I'll get from your mates if something should happen to you on the way."
Buffy knew he was right. If anything happened to her, Xander would assume Spike was behind it. Plus she was starting to enjoy the vampire's company, strange as it sounded. She didn't mind him walking her to the shop.
"Alright Spike. If you insist."
Spike was glad she had given in. He wasn't really worried about the Scoobies coming after him. That was just an excuse. The truth was he didn't want the night to end. He was afraid that if Buffy left, the small friendship that had formed between them might disappear as well. For a reason he couldn't explain, the thought of that happening was absolutely terrifying.
Together they walked towards the magic shop, unaware of the pain and treachery that awaited them there. Buffy was about to be faced with a horrible choice, a choice that would ultimately end in death.